bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐frequency ultrasound imaging of noninvasive laser coagulation of the canine vas deferens
Authors: Cilip Christopher M. , Pierorazio Phillip M. , Ross Ashley E. , Allaf Mohamad E. , Fried Nathaniel M.
Published: September 2011

Background and Objectives

A noninvasive approach to vasectomy may eliminate male fear of complications related to surgery (e.g., hematoma, infection, acute and chronic pain, sterilization failure) and increase its acceptance. Noninvasive laser thermal occlusion of the canine vas deferens has recently been reported. In this study, high‐frequency ultrasound is used to confirm successful laser thermal coagulation and scarring of the vas in a short‐term canine model.

Materials and Methods

Bilateral noninvasive laser coagulation of the vas was performed in a total of nine dogs using a laser wavelength of 1,075 nm, incident power of 9.0 W, pulse duration of 500 milliseconds, pulse rate of 0.5 Hz, and 3‐mm‐diameter spot. Cryogen spray was used to cool the scrotal skin surface and prevent burns during the procedure. A clinical ultrasound system with a 13.2‐MHz high‐frequency transducer was used to image the vas before and after the procedure. Burst pressure measurements were performed on excised vas to confirm thermal occlusion.

Results

Day 0 and 28 burst pressures averaged 291 ± 31 mmHg and 297 ± 26 mmHg, respectively, significantly greater than ejaculation pressures of 136 ± 29 mmHg. Ultrasound showed a hyperechoic vas segment after thermal coagulation (Day 0) and scarring (Day 28). Doppler ultrasound showed normal blood flow through the testicular artery, indicating no collateral thermal damage to proximal structures.

Conclusions

High‐frequency ultrasound may be used as a noninvasive diagnostic tool to assist in determining successful short‐term laser thermal coagulation and scarring of the vas. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dose response effects of 810 nm laser light on mouse primary cortical neurons
Authors: Sharma Sulbha K. , Kharkwal Gitika B. , Sajo Mari , Huang Ying‐Ying , De Taboada Luis , McCarthy Thomas , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: September 2011

Background and Objectives

In the past four decades numerous studies have reported the efficacy of low level light (laser) therapy (LLLT) as a treatment for diverse diseases and injuries. Recent studies have shown that LLLT can biomodulate processes in the central nervous system and has been extensively studied as a stroke treatment. However there is still a lack of knowledge on the effects of LLLT at the cellular level in neurons. The present study aimed to study the effect of 810 nm laser on several cellular processes in primary cortical neurons cultured from embryonic mouse brains.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Neurons were irradiated with fluences of 0.03, 0.3, 3, 10, or 30 J/cm2 of 810‐nm laser delivered over varying times at 25 mW/cm2 and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide and calcium were measured using fluorescent probes within 5 minutes of the end of irradiation. The changes in mitochondrial function in response to light were studied in terms of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).

Results

Light induced a significant increase in calcium, ATP and MMP at lower fluences and a decrease at higher fluences. ROS was significantly induced at low fluences, followed by a decrease and a second larger increase at 30 J/cm2. Nitric oxide levels showed a similar pattern of a double peak but values were less significant compared to ROS.

Conclusions

The results suggest that LLLT at lower fluences is capable of inducing mediators of cell signaling processes which in turn may be responsible for the beneficial stimulatory effects of the low level laser. At higher fluences beneficial mediators are reduced and high levels of Janus‐type mediators such as ROS and NO (beneficial at low concentrations and harmful at high concentrations) may be responsible for the damaging effects of high‐fluence light and the overall biphasic dose response. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interstitial laser photocoagulation for benign thyroid nodules: Time to treat large nodules
Authors: Amabile Gerardo , Rotondi Mario , Pirali Barbara , Dionisio Rosa , Agozzino Lucio , Lanza Michele , Buonanno Luciano , Di Filippo Bruno , Fonte Rodolfo , Chiovato Luca
Published: September 2011

Background and Objective

Interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) is a new therapeutic option for the ablation of non‐functioning and hyper‐functioning benign thyroid nodules. Amelioration of the ablation procedure currently allows treating large nodules. Aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ILP, performed according to a modified protocol of ablation, in patients with large functioning and non‐functioning thyroid nodules and to identify the best parameters for predicting successful outcome in hyperthyroid patients.

Materials and Methods

Fifty‐one patients with non‐functioning thyroid nodules (group 1) and 26 patients with hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules (group 2) were enrolled. All patients had a nodular volume ≥40 ml. Patients were addressed to 1–3 cycles of ILP. A cycle consisted of three ILP sessions, each lasting 5–10 minutes repeated at an interval of 1 month. After each cycle of ILP patients underwent thyroid evaluation.

Results

A nodule volume reduction, expressed as percentage of the basal volume, significantly occurred in both groups (F = 190.4; P < 0.0001 for group 1 and F = 100.2; P < 0.0001 for group 2). Receiver‐operator‐characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed for: (i) percentage of volume reduction; (ii) difference in nodule volume; (iii) total amount of energy delivered expressed in Joule. ROC curves identified the percentage of volume reduction as the best parameter predicting a normalized serum TSH (area under the curve 0.962; P < 0.0001). Intraoperative complications consisted in: (i) mild pain occurring in five (6.5%) patients, (ii) vasovagal reaction in two (2.6%) patients, (iii) fever within 24 hours from ILP in five (6.5%) patients. No major complications including persistent pain, laringeal nerve dysfunction, hypoparathyroidism, pseudocystic transformation, and/or neck fascitis were observed.

Conclusions

ILP represents a valid alternative to surgery also for large benign thyroid nodules, both in terms of nodule size reduction and cure of hyperthyroidism (87% of cured patients after the last ILP cycle). ILP should not be limited to patients refusing or being ineligible for surgery and/or radioiodine. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new and self‐contained presentation of the theory of boundary operators for slit diffraction and their logarithmic approximations
Authors: Gorenflo Norbert , Kunik Matthias
Published: September 2011

We present a new and self‐contained theory for mapping properties of the boundary operators for slit diffraction occurring in Sommerfeld's diffraction theory, covering two different cases of the polarisation of the light. This theory is entirely developed in the context of the boundary operators with a Hankel kernel and not based on the corresponding mixed boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation. For a logarithmic approximation of the Hankel kernel we also study the corresponding mapping properties and derive explicit solutions together with certain regularity results.
Whispering dysphonia in an Australian family (DYT4): A clinical and genetic reappraisal
Authors: Wilcox Robert A. , Winkler Susen , Lohmann Katja , Klein Christine
Published: September 2011

The designation, DYT4, was assigned to an Australian family with whispering dysphonia. The role of known causes of dystonia has not been comprehensively investigated in this family, nor has the possible relationship with Wilson disease (WND) in 2 siblings. Eighteen family members were neurologically examined, and DNA samples were obtained. Linkage analysis was performed to DYT1, DYT6, DYT7, DYT11, DYT13, DYT15, and ATP7B with microsatellite markers and the THAP1 (DYT6), PRKRA (DYT16), and ATP7B (WND) genes were sequenced. Reevaluation of the family identified 9 living affected family members, 6 of whom are newly affected. Phenotypic expression was variable, ranging from isolated spasmodic dysphonia (often with mild craniocervical dystonia) to severe generalized dystonia. Two newly described features included an extrusional tongue dystonia and a unique “hobby horse gait.” Genetic analyses excluded all tested loci. Haplotype analysis of the ATP7B region resulted in three different combinations of the two parental alleles in the 8 investigated siblings of the 2 deceased WND patients, indicating that the fourth combination (of two mutated alleles) had occurred only in the deceased WND patients. On these two alleles, we identified a missense (c.2297C>G; p.T766R) and a splice‐site mutation (IVS5+1G>T). The c.2297C>G mutation was detected in 3 affected and 4 unaffected family members, whereas the IVS5+1G>T mutation was detected in 1 affected and unaffected family member. Five DYT4 patients carried neither mutation. DYT4 is a familial form of dystonia unrelated to known dystonia genes and loci. ATP7B mutations do not segregate with the dystonia phenotype, indicating two independent genetic diseases in this family. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Moving toward “laboratory‐supported” criteria for psychogenic tremor
Authors: Schwingenschuh Petra , Katschnig Petra , Seiler Stephan , Saifee Tabish A. , Aguirregomozcorta Maria , Cordivari Carla , Schmidt Reinhold , Rothwell John C. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Edwards Mark J.
Published: September 2011

A confident clinical diagnosis of psychogenic tremor is often possible, but, in some cases, a “laboratory‐supported” level of certainty would aid in early positive diagnosis. Various electrophysiological tests have been suggested to identify patients with psychogenic tremor, but their diagnostic reliability has never been assessed “head to head” nor compared to forms of organic tremor other than essential tremor or PD. We compared baseline tremor characteristics (e.g., frequency and amplitude) as well as electrophysiological tests previously reported to distinguish psychogenic and organic tremor in a cohort of 13 patients with psychogenic tremor and 25 patients with organic tremor, the latter including PD, essential‐, dystonic‐, and neuropathic tremors. We assessed between‐group differences and calculated sensitivity and specificity for each test. A number of tests, including entrainment or frequency changes with tapping, pause of tremor during contralateral ballistic movements, increase in tremor amplitude with loading, presence of coherence, and tonic coactivation at tremor onset, revealed significant differences on a group level, but there was no single test with adequate sensitivity and specificity for separating the groups (33%–77% and 84%–100%, respectively). However, a combination of electrophysiological tests was able to distinguish psychogenic and organic tremor with excellent sensitivity and specificity. A laboratory‐supported level of diagnostic certainty in psychogenic tremor is likely to require a battery of electrophysiological tests to provide sufficient specificity and sensitivity. Our data suggest such a battery that, if supported in a prospective study, may form the basis of laboratory‐supported criteria for the diagnosis of psychogenic tremor. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Reproductive factors and Parkinson's disease: A multicenter case–control study
Authors: Nicoletti Alessandra , Nicoletti Giuseppe , Arabia Gennarina , Annesi Grazia , De Mari Michele , Lamberti Paolo , Grasso Lucia , Marconi Roberto , Epifanio Antonio , Morgante Letterio , Cozzolino Autilia , Barone Paolo , Quattrone Aldo , Zappia Mario
Published: September 2011

Background:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible association between endogenous and exogenous estrogens and Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods:

The FRAGAMP study is a large Italian multicenter case–control study. PD was diagnosed according to Gelb's criteria. A standardized questionnaire was administered to record demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. Adjusted ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using multivariate analysis (logistic regression).

Results:

Two hundred PD women (mean age, 68.0 ± 9.5 years) and 299 control women (mean age, 61.8 ± 9.9 years) were enrolled in the study. Age at menarche, age at menopause, fertile life duration, cumulative duration of pregnancies, hormone replacement therapy, and surgical menopause were not significantly associated with PD. Multivariate analysis showed a significant positive association between use of oral contraceptives and PD, with an adjusted OR of 3.27 (95% CI, 1.24–8.59; P = .01).

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that oral contraceptives could increase the risk of PD. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Camptocormia in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease: A multicenter study
Authors: Seki Morinobu , Takahashi Kazushi , Koto Atsuo , Mihara Ban , Morita Yoko , Isozumi Kazuo , Ohta Kouichi , Muramatsu Kazuhiro , Gotoh Jun , Yamaguchi Keiji , Tomita Yutaka , Sato Hideki , Nihei Yoshihiro , Iwasawa Satoko , Suzuki Norihiro ,   on behalf of Keio Parkinson's Disease Database
Published: September 2011

Objective:

The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of camptocormia and the clinical characteristics of patients with camptocormia in a large population of PD patients.

Background:

Although camptocormia has been recognized as a prominent phenomenon in PD, the previous epidemiological reports were limited, especially in terms of sample size.

Methods:

We evaluated 531 PD patients (disease duration: 7.0 ± 5.5 years, mean ± standard deviation). We examined their clinical features and the prevalence of camptocormia.

Results:

Camptocormia was detected in 22 patients (4.1%) and found in patients who were older and had more severe motor symptoms and a higher levodopa (L‐dopa) dose (P < 0.05), compared to the patients without camptocormia. Patients with camptocormia showed significantly higher frequencies of autonomic symptoms, such as constipation and urinary incontinence (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Camptocormia is uncommon in PD and is associated with disease severity, higher L‐dopa dose and higher frequencies of autonomic symptoms. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Effects of pelvic organ prolapse repair on urinary symptoms: A comparative study between the laparoscopic and vaginal approach
Authors: Ramanah Rajeev , Ballester Marcos , Chereau Elisabeth , Rouzier Roman , Daraï Emile
Published: September 2011

Objective

To compare changes in urinary symptoms before and after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery, using either laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) or transvaginal porcine dermis hammock placement with sacrospinous ligament suspension (VS).

Materials and Methods

Data were prospectively collected from all women undergoing POP surgery between May 2001 and October 2009. Pre‐ and postoperative urinary symptoms, Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI), and Urinary Impact Questionnaires (UIQ) scores were compared within and between groups. A generalized linear model was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

Out of the 151 patients included, 87 patients underwent LSC, and 64 VS. Overall, after a median follow‐up of 32.4 months, POP surgery improved urinary frequency (P = 0.006), voiding difficulty (P = 0.001), stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (P = 0.001), but not urgency (P = 0.29). VS was more effective in treating SUI (P < 0.001 vs. 0.52) while LSC more effective on voiding difficulty (P = 0.01 vs. 0.08). Postoperative de novo symptoms were observed in 35.8% of patients with no difference between the groups (P = 0.06). UDI (P = 0.04) and UIQ (P = 0.01) scores were significantly lower after surgery. However, LSC significantly improved UDI (P = 0.03) with no effect on UIQ (P = 0.29) scores while VS significantly improved both scores (P = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively). Upon multivariate analysis, only the improvement in the impact of urinary symptoms on daily living was independently associated to VS (OR = 5.45 [95% confidence interval 2.20–13.44], P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Most preoperative urinary symptoms decreased after POP surgery with equivalent proportion of de novo symptoms after vaginal and laparoscopic approaches. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:126–131, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High sensitivity 19F MRI of a perfluorooctyl bromide emulsion: application to a dynamic biodistribution study and oxygen tension mapping in the mouse liver and spleen
Authors: Giraudeau Céline , Djemaï Boucif , Ghaly Mohamed Ahmed , Boumezbeur Fawzi , Mériaux Sébastien , Robert Philippe , Port Marc , Robic Caroline , Bihan Denis Le , Lethimonnier Franck , Valette Julien
Published: September 2011

We have recently developed an optimized multi‐spin echo (MSE) sequence dedicated to perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) imaging yielding an excellent sensitivity in vitro. The aim of the present study was to apply this sequence to quantitative measurements in the mouse liver and spleen after intravenous (i.v.) injection of PFOB emulsions. We first performed oxygenation maps 25.5 min after a single infusion of emulsion and, contrary to previous studies, shortly after injection. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in the liver and spleen was as high as 45 and 120, respectively, for 3‐min images with 11.7‐μL pixels. Values of oxygen tension tended to be slightly higher in the spleen than in the liver. Dynamic biodistribution experiments were then performed immediately after intravenous (i.v.) injection of PFOB emulsions grafted with different quantities of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for stealth. Images were acquired every 7 min for 84 min and the SNR measured in the liver and spleen was at least four from the first time point. Uptake rates could be assessed for each PEG amount and, in spite of high standard deviations (SDs) owing to interanimal variability, our data confirmed that increasing quantities of PEG allow more gradual uptake of the emulsion particles by the liver and spleen. In conclusion, our method seems to be a powerful tool to non‐invasively perform accurate in vivo quantitative measurements in the liver and spleen using 19 F MRI. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The efficiency of a group‐specific mandated benefit revisited: The effect of infertility mandates
Authors: Lahey Joanna N.
Published: September 2011

This paper examines the labor market effects of state health insurance mandates that increase the cost of employing a demographically identifiable group. State mandates requiring that health insurance plans cover infertility treatment raise the relative cost of insuring older women of child‐bearing age. Empirically, wages in this group are unaffected, but their total labor input decreases. Workers do not value infertility mandates at cost, and so will not take wage cuts in exchange, leading employers to decrease their demand for this affected and identifiable group. Differences in the empirical effects of mandates found in the literature are explained by a model including variations in the elasticity of demand, moral hazard, ability to identify a group, and adverse selection. © 2011 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
CERT depletion predicts chemotherapy benefit and mediates cytotoxic and polyploid‐specific cancer cell death through autophagy induction
Authors: Lee Alvin J. X. , Roylance Rebecca , Sander Jil , Gorman Patricia , Endesfelder David , Kschischo Maik , Jones Neil P. , East Philip , Nicke Barbara , Spassieva Stefka , Obeid Lina M. , Birkbak Nicolai Juul , Szallasi Zoltan , McKnight Nicole C. , Rowan Andrew J. , Speirs Valerie , Hanby Andrew M. , Downward Julian , Tooze Sharon A. , Swanton Charles
Published: September 2011

Chromosomal instability (CIN) has been implicated in multidrug resistance and the silencing of the ceramide transporter, CERT, promotes sensitization to diverse cytotoxics. An improved understanding of mechanisms governing multidrug sensitization might provide insight into pathways contributing to the death of CIN cancer cells. Using an integrative functional genomics approach, we find that CERT‐specific multidrug sensitization is associated with enhanced autophagosome–lysosome flux, resulting from the expression of LAMP2 following CERT silencing in colorectal and HER2+ breast cancer cell lines. Live cell microscopy analysis revealed that CERT depletion induces LAMP2‐dependent death of polyploid cells following exit from mitosis in the presence of paclitaxel. We find that CERT is relatively over‐expressed in HER2+ breast cancer and CERT protein expression acts as an independent prognostic variable and predictor of outcome in adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated patients with primary breast cancer. These data suggest that the induction of LAMP2‐dependent autophagic flux through CERT targeting may provide a rational approach to enhance multidrug sensitization and potentiate the death of polyploid cells following paclitaxel exposure to limit the acquisition of CIN and intra‐tumour heterogeneity. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alkaloid Profiling as an Approach to DifferentiateLupinus garfieldensis,Lupinus sabinianusandLupinus sericeus
Authors: Cook Daniel , Lee Stephen T. , Pfister James A. , Stonecipher Clint A. , Welch Kevin D. , Green Benedict T. , Panter Kip E.
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Many species in theLupinusgenus are poorly defined morphologically, potentially resulting in improper taxonomic identification. Lupine species may contain quinolizidine and/or piperidine alkaloids that can be acutely toxic and/or teratogenic, the latter resulting in crooked calf disease.

Objective

To identify characteristic alkaloid profiles ofLupinus sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL. sericeuswhich would aid in discriminating these species from each other and fromL. sulphureus.

Methods and materials

Quinolizidine and piperidine alkaloids were extracted from herbarium specimens and recent field collections ofL. sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL. sericeus. The alkaloid composition of each species was defined using GC‐FID and GC‐MS and compared using multivariate statistics.

Results

Each of the three species investigated contained a diagnostic chemical fingerprint composed of quinolizidine and/or piperidine alkaloids.

Conclusion

The alkaloid profiles ofLupinus sabinianus,L. garfieldensisandL.sericeuscan be used as a tool to discriminate these species from each other andL. sulphureusas long as one considers locality of the collection in the case ofL. sabinianus. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Sonographic measurement of corpus spongiosum in male fetuses
Authors: Vuillard Edith , Chitrit Yvon , Dreux Sophie , ElGhoneimi Alaa , Oury Jean‐François , Muller Françoise
Published: September 2011

Objective

To establish a nomogram of the corpus spongiosum dimensions in male fetuses and to evaluate its correlation with penile length. These references can be useful when fetal genital anomalies are suspected, particularly to distinguish micropenis from concealed penis cases.

Method

A cross‐sectional prospective study was conducted on 486 fetuses of normal singleton pregnancies between 18 and 40 weeks. Corpus spongiosum length, penile length, penile diameter and scrotal diameter were measured by one operator. All measurements were analyzed according to gestational age.

Results

The four measurements were studied as a function of gestational age. Median values, 3rd and 97th percentiles were determined using regression curves. A correlation between penile length and corpus spongiosum length (r2 = 0.845) was observed.

Conclusion

We established measurements of the length of fetal corpus spongiosum and a correlation between the former and the penile length. These references can be useful when fetal genital anomalies are suspected. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the representativeness of a Dutch non‐malformed control group for the general pregnant population: are these controls useful for EUROCAT?
Authors: Jentink Janneke , Zetstra‐van der Woude A. Priscilla , Bos Jens , de Jong‐van den Berg Lolkje T. W.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

A case–control study is the most powerful design to test the risk of specific congenital malformations associated with a specific drug. However, malformation registries often lack non‐malformed controls. For the Dutch EUROCAT, we collected a non‐malformed control group: the ‘Healthy Pregnant’. The aim of this study was to evaluate the representativeness of this control group for the general pregnant population in the northern part of the Netherlands.

Methods

The Healthy Pregnant data set includes data from two midwife practices. The baseline characteristics of mother and child including smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, maternal age, educational level, exposures to several drugs for chronic diseases and pregnancy related symptoms were evaluated.

Results

Compared with the general population, mothers in Healthy Pregnant group (n = 556) were from either low or high education level, were more likely to have a body mass index > 25 kg/m2 (26% versus 22%, p = 0.08) or to smoke (19% versus 10%, p < 0.01) but were less likely to consume alcohol (20% versus 29%, p < 0.01). The use of drugs for chronic conditions was lower in Healthy Pregnant group. Furthermore, drugs for occasional use were prescribed less frequently, and a significant underreporting of children with a low birth weight and a short duration of gestation was found.

Conclusion

The Healthy Pregnant data set was not representative of the general pregnant population in the northern part of the Netherlands. Specifically, the exposure to (chronic) drugs was underestimated, possibly a result of second‐line care on the basis of medical indication. Thus, continuous investigation of options for improvement of the Healthy Pregnant database is required. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cold isostatic pressing technique for producing highly efficient flexible dye‐sensitised solar cells on plastic substrates
Authors: Weerasinghe Hasitha C. , Sirimanne Prasad M. , Simon George P. , Cheng Yi‐Bing
Published: September 2011

One of the biggest challenges for making dye‐sensitised solar cells (DSCs) on plastic substrates is the difficulty in making good quality nanoporous TiO2 films with both good mechanical stability and high electrical conductivity. Cold isostatic pressing (CIP) is a powder compaction technique that applies an isostatic pressure to a powder sample in all directions. It is particularly suitable for making thin films on plastic substrates, including non‐flat surfaces. Cold isostatically pressed nanocrystalline TiO2 electrodes with excellent mechanical robustness were prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates in the absence of organic binders and without heat treatment. The morphology and the physical properties of the TiO2 films prepared by the CIP method were found to be very compatible with requirements for flexible DSCs on plastics. This room‐temperature processing technique has led to an important technical breakthrough in producing high efficiency flexible DSCs. Devices fabricated on ITO/PEN films by this method using standard P‐25 TiO2 films with a Ru‐complex sensitiser yielded a maximum incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency of 72% at the wavelength of 530 nm and showed high conversion efficiencies of 6.3% and 7.4% for incident light intensities of 100 and 15 mW cm−2, respectively, which are the highest power conversion efficiencies achieved so far for any DSC on a polymer substrate using the widely used, commercially available P‐25 TiO2 powder. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative proteomics analysis of adsorbed plasma proteins classifies nanoparticles with different surface properties and size
Authors: Zhang Haizhen , Burnum Kristin E. , Luna Maria L. , Petritis Brianne O. , Kim Jong‐Seo , Qian Wei‐Jun , Moore Ronald J. , Heredia‐Langner Alejandro , Webb‐Robertson Bobbie‐Jo M. , Thrall Brian D. , Camp David G. , Smith Richard D. , Pounds Joel G. , Liu Tao
Published: September 2011

Nanoparticle biological activity, biocompatibility and fate can be directly affected by layers of readily adsorbed host proteins in biofluids. Here, we report a study on the interactions between human blood plasma proteins and nanoparticles with a controlled systematic variation of properties using 18O‐labeling and LC‐MS‐based quantitative proteomics. We developed a novel protocol to both simplify isolation of nanoparticle bound proteins and improve reproducibility. LC‐MS analysis identified and quantified 88 human plasma proteins associated with polystyrene nanoparticles consisting of three different surface chemistries and two sizes, as well as, for four different exposure times (for a total of 24 different samples). Quantitative comparison of relative protein abundances was achieved by spiking an 18O‐labeled “universal” reference into each individually processed unlabeled sample as an internal standard, enabling simultaneous application of both label‐free and isotopic labeling quantification across the entire sample set. Clustering analysis of the quantitative proteomics data resulted in distinctive patterns that classified the nanoparticles based on their surface properties and size. In addition, temporal data indicated that the formation of the stable protein corona was at equilibrium within 5 min. The comprehensive quantitative proteomics results obtained in this study provide rich data for computational modeling and have potential implications towards predicting nanoparticle biocompatibility.
Effect of isomeric pyridine moieties in ethynylstyrene derivatives on their anionic polymerization
Authors: Kang Beom‐Goo , Kang Nam‐Goo , Lee Jae‐Suk
Published: September 2011

The anionic polymerization behaviors of ethynylstyrene derivatives containing isomeric pyridine moieties, 2‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine (A), 3‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine (B), and 4‐(2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethynyl)pyridine (C), were investigated in the identical conditions. The anionic polymerization of A–C was performed with (diphenylmethyl)potassium (Ph2CHK) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C. The polymerization of A proceeded quantitatively at –78 °C for 4 h, and the resulting poly(A) possessed predictable molecular weights (Mn = 3300–68,500) and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWDs) (Mw/Mn = 1.04–1.11). In contrast, the anionic polymerization of B was not performed at –78 °C for 4 h due to the occurrence of side reactions. The monomer B was quantitatively recovered after the reaction. In the polymerization of C performed at –78 °C for 6 h, observed Mn values of the resulting poly(C) were in good agreement with calculated molecular weights based on monomer to initiator ratios, but the MWDs were somewhat broad (Mw/Mn = 1.23–1.31). To estimate the reactivity of A and to characterize its living nature, the block copolymerization of A with 2‐vinylpyridine (2VP) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was performed. The well‐defined block copolymers, poly(2VP)‐b‐poly(A) and poly(A)‐b‐poly(MMA), were successfully synthesized without any additives. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Preparation of polymer hollow microspheres covered by polymer solid particles via two polymerization steps
Authors: Zhao Yongliang , Yin Guannan , Zheng Zheng , Wang Haitao , Du Qiangguo
Published: September 2011

A novel surface modification method for titania nanoparticles is provided via the surface‐initiated photocatalytic polymerization with the aid of acrylic acid (AA) or sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS). The properties of modified titania nanoparticles are investigated with aqueous electrophoresis measurements, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Then the modified titania is used as Pickering stabilizer for further polymerization and the morphology of the resulted polymer microspheres is characterized by TEM and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. It is proven that the addition of AA or NaSS for the surface‐initiated polymerization can obviously affect the structure and morphology of the final polymer composite microspheres. The formation mechanism of several kinds of polymer particles is also proposed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Assembling hyperbranched polymerics
Authors: Peleshanko Sergiy , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: September 2011

A condensed overview discusses the existing grafting approaches and the surface behavior of various hyperbranched polymers. We focus on the recent strategies and corresponding characterization of the resulting surface morphologies and structures with a number of relevant recent results from the authors' own research and existing literature. Some results discussed here are important for prospective applications of hyperbranched polymers in biomedical fields, for resistive coatings, tough blends, and reinforced nanocomposites are briefly summarized as well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 50: 83–100, 2012
PSA regulates androgen receptor expression in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Saxena Parmita , Trerotola Marco , Wang Tao , Li Jing , Sayeed Aejaz , VanOudenhove Jennifer , Adams Dave S. , FitzGerald Thomas J. , Altieri Dario C. , Languino Lucia R.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND

Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is a pivotal downstream target gene of the androgen receptor (AR), and a serum biomarker to monitor prostate cancer (PrCa) progression. It has been reported that PSA transactivates AR, but the mechanistic requirements of this response have not been investigated.

METHODS

We studied the localization of PSA, AR, and Src in intracellular compartments of synthetic androgen (R1881)‐stimulated LNCaP and C4‐2B PrCa cells, using immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation approaches. We also investigated the effect of downregulation of PSA on AR expression by immunoblotting and real‐time PCR using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Src activity was analyzed by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

R1881 stimulation induced nuclear localization of both PSA and AR in LNCaP and C4‐2B PrCa cells as well as increased phosphorylation of Src. Stable shRNA or transient siRNA knockdown of PSA resulted in reduced AR protein levels as well as AR mRNA levels in C4‐2B cells. Similar to C4‐2B cells, ablation of AR levels upon silencing of PSA was also confirmed in VCaP cells, another androgen‐independent cell line. Silencing of PSA did not cause significant changes in Src activation; besides, Src regulation by integrins did not appear to affect AR transcriptional activity.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA localizes to nuclei of androgen‐stimulated PrCa cells, and controls AR mRNA and protein levels. This regulatory loop is specific for PSA, does not involve known AR activators such as Src and AKT, and may contribute to AR signaling under conditions of increasing PSA levels in patients. Prostate 72:769–776, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identifying continuous pores in protein structures with PROPORES by computational repositioning of gating residues
Authors: Lee Po‐Hsien , Helms Volkhard
Published: September 2011

Proteins containing concavities such as pockets, cavities, and tunnels or pores perform important functions in ligand‐induced signal transduction, enzymatic catalysis, and in facilitating the permeation of small molecules through membranes. Computational algorithms for identifying such shapes are therefore of great use for studying the mechanisms of these reactions. We developed the novel toolkit PROPORES for pore identification and applied our program to the systems aquaporin, tryptophan synthase, leucine transporter, and acetylcholinesterase. As a novel feature, the program checks whether access to occluded ligand binding pockets or blocked channels can be achieved by systematically rotating side chains of the gating residues. In this way, we obtain a more flexible view of the putative structural adaptability of protein structures. For the four systems mentioned, the new method was able to identify connections between pores that are separated in the X‐ray structures or to connect internal pores with the protein surrounding. The software is available from http://gepard.bioinformatik.uni‐saarland.de/software/propores/. Proteins 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Allosteric regulation of PKCθ: Understanding multistep phosphorylation and priming by ligands in AGC kinases
Authors: Seco Jesus , Ferrer‐Costa Carles , Campanera Josep M. , Soliva Robert , Barril Xavier
Published: September 2011

Protein kinases play critical roles in cellular activation and differentiation, and are involved in numerous pathophysiological processes. As a critical component of the regulatory circuitry of the cell, the kinase domain has the ability to integrate multiple signals, yielding a predetermined output. In PKC and other protein kinases of the AGC family, several phosphorylation sites control the activity, but these are in turn influenced by the presence of ligands in the binding pocket, which promotes phosphorylation. Here, we take PKC‐theta as a prototypical member of the family and use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the cross‐talk that exists between regulatory and functional sites. We first show how the apo‐unphosphorylated form of the kinase is populating a conformational space in which access to the ATP binding site and to the activation loop (AL) are simultaneously hindered. This could explain why the inactive state is not only catalytically incompetent but also resistant to activation. AL phosphorylation induces ATP binding site opening, which can then readily accept the cofactor. But the signal transmission mechanism works both ways, and if ligand binding to the unphosphorylated form occurs first, the AL is de‐protected and becomes exposed to phosphorylation, thus providing an explanation for the paradoxical activation of PKCs by their inhibitors. Proteins 2012; © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Secondary‐structure analysis of alcohol‐denatured proteins by vacuum‐ultraviolet circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Matsuo Koichi , Sakurada Yoshie , Tate Shin‐ichi , Namatame Hirofumi , Taniguchi Masaki , Gekko Kunihiko
Published: September 2011

To elucidate the structural characteristics of alcohol‐denatured proteins, we measured the vacuum‐ultraviolet circular dichroism (VUVCD) spectra of six proteins—myoglobin, human serum albumin, α‐lactalbumin, thioredoxin, β‐lactoglobulin, and α‐chymotrypsinogen A—down to 170 nm in trifluoroethanol solutions (TFE: 0−50%) and down to 175 nm in methanol solutions (MeOH: 0−70%) at pH 2.0 and 25°C, using a synchrotron‐radiation VUVCD spectrophotometer. The contents of α‐helices, β‐strands, turns, poly‐L‐proline type II helices (PPIIs), and unordered structures of these proteins were estimated using the SELCON3 program, including the numbers of α‐helix and β‐strand segments. Furthermore, the positions of α‐helices and β‐strands on amino acid sequences were predicted by combining these secondary‐structure data with a neural‐network method. All alcohol‐denatured proteins showed higher α‐helix contents (up to ∼ 90%) compared with the native states, and they consisted of several long helical segments. The helix‐forming ability was higher in TFE than in MeOH, whereas small amounts of β‐strands without sheets were formed in the MeOH solution. The produced α‐helices were transformed dominantly from the β‐strands and unordered structures, and slightly from the turns. The content and mean length of α‐helix segments decreased as the number of disulfide bonds in the proteins increased, suggesting that disulfide bonds suppress helix formation by alcohols. These results demonstrate that alcohol‐denatured proteins constitute an ensemble of many long α‐helices, a few β‐strands and PPIIs, turns, and unordered structures, depending on the types of proteins and alcohols involved. Proteins 2012;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long term stabilization of reaction center protein photochemistry by carbon nanotubes
Authors: Magyar Melinda , Hajdu Kata , Szabó Tibor , Hernádi Klára , Dombi András , Horváth Endre , Magrez Arnaud , Forró László , Nagy László
Published: September 2011

The long term stability and the redox interaction between single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and photosynthetic reaction center proteins (RCs) purified from purple bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides R‐26 in the SWNT/RC complex has been investigated. The binding of SWNT to RC results in an accumulation of positive (the oxidized primary electron donor, P+) and negative (semiquinone forms, Q and Q, the reduced primary and secondary quinones, respectively) charges followed by slow reorganization of the protein structure after excitation. The photochemical activity of the SWNT/RC complexes remains stable for several weeks even in dried form. In the absence of SWNT the secondary quinone activity decays quickly as a function of time after drying the RC onto a glass surface. Polarography measurements substantiate the idea that there is an electronic interaction between the RCs and SWNTs after light excitation, which was suggested earlier by optical measurements. The special electronic properties of the SWNT/protein complexes open the possibility for several applications, e.g., in microelectronics, analytics, or energy conversion and storage.
Spin transport in ferromagnetically contacted carbon nanotubes
Authors: Meyer C. , Morgan C. , Schneider C. M.
Published: September 2011

We present magnetoresistance (MR) measurements on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different ferromagnetic leads. A sample with permalloy (Ni80Fe20) contacts shows the expected tunneling‐type MR effect. Measurements on devices with CoPd contacts show a larger change of resistance with magnetic field. However, only minor loops are observed, which is explained with domain wall pinning. This is supported by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements, which reveal a complicated bubble and stripe domain pattern.
Simulation of long‐wave phonon (λ > b) scattering at geometric imperfections in nanowires by FDTD method
Authors: Salamatov E. I.
Published: September 2011

Elementary acts of acoustic phonon scattering in nanowires are studied numerically by the FDTD method. The points of bifurcation of the main waveguide are considered as defects. The particularities of the reflection/transmission coefficient of phonons of different polarizations are studied as a function of the frequency and geometrical parameters of the problem.
Impedance spectroscopy and dielectric behavior in barium strontium titanate–nickel zinc ferrite composites
Authors: Verma Kavita , Sharma Seema
Published: September 2011

Polycrystalline composites of (1−x) (Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3)–x(Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4) (x = 0.00, 0.45, 1.00) were prepared by a modified wet chemical method followed by a high‐temperature sintering process. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies at room temperature confirmed the formation of perovskite‐spinel structure. Scanning electron micrographs suggest polycrystalline microstructure with grains of unequal size distributed throughout the samples. Dielectric studies of the composites reveal that the effect of ferrite in the composites is to shift the ferroelectric–non‐ferroelectric phase transition to the higher temperature side with a broadened Curie temperature transition. Complex impedance spectroscopy analysis indicated negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior, identical to semiconductors. The conduction at low temperature is due to impurities, whereas at higher temperature it is due to polaron hopping.
Origin of ferromagnetism in BaTiO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Bahoosh Safa Golrokh , Trimper Steffen , Wesselinowa Julia M.
Published: September 2011

Based on a microscopic approach we demonstrate that the unexpected ferromagnetic properties of BaTiO3 (BTO) or PTO observed recently at room temperature are due to oxygen vacancies at the surface of the nanocrystalline materials. Such vacancies lead to the appearance of Ti3+ or Ti2+ ions with nonzero net spin. The resulting different valence states composed of Ti3+ or Ti2+ offer a nonzero magnetization which decreases with increasing particle size. The system shows a multiferroic behavior below a critical size of the nanoparticles and the related polarization tends to a saturation value when the particle size is enhanced. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Active controlled studies in antibiotic drug development
Authors: Dane Aaron
Published: September 2011

The increasing concern of antibacterial resistance has been well documented, as has the relative lack of antibiotic development. This paradox is in part due to challenges with clinical development of antibiotics. Because of their rapid progression, untreated bacterial infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As a consequence, placebo‐controlled studies of new agents are unethical. Rather, pivotal development studies are mostly conducted using non‐inferiority designs versus an active comparator. Further, infections because of comparator‐resistant isolates must usually be excluded from the trial programme. Unfortunately, the placebo‐controlled data classically used in support of non‐inferiority designs are largely unavailable for antibiotics. The only available data are from the 1930s and 1940s and their use is associated with significant concerns regarding constancy and assay sensitivity. Extended public debate on this challenge has led to proposed solutions by some in which these concerns are addressed by using very conservative approaches to trial design, endpoints and non‐inferiority margins, in some cases leading to potentially impractical studies. To compound this challenge, different Regulatory Authorities seem to be taking different approaches to these key issues. If harmonisation does not occur, antibiotic development will become increasingly challenging, with the risk of further decreases in the amount of antibiotic drug development. However with clarity on Regulatory requirements and an ability to feasibly conduct global development programmes, it should be possible to bring much needed additional antibiotics to patients. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compounds with Tyrosinase Inhibition, Elastase Inhibition and DPPH Radical Scavenging Activities from the Branches of Distylium racemosum Sieb. et Zucc
Authors: Ko Ryeo Kyeong , Kim Gi‐Ok , Hyun Chang‐Gu , Jung Duk Sang , Lee Nam Ho
Published: September 2011

Twenty compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Distylium racemosum branches and their inhibitory activities on tyrosinase, elastase and free radicals evaluated. The isolated compounds were identified as dibenzofurans (1–4), abscisic acid (5), 6′‐O‐galloylsalidroside (6), catechin derivatives (7–11), gallic acid derivatives (12–14), tyrosol (15), flavonoids (16–18), lupeol (19) and 1,2,3,6‐tetragalloylglucose (20). For study of tyrosinase inhibition activities, when compared with arbutin (IC50 48.8 μg/mL), four compounds (8, 11, 13, 17) showed higher activities, with IC50 values of 4.8, 30.2, 40.5 and 37.7 μg/mL, respectively. For the elastase inhibition test, dibenzofuran 1 showed greater activity than the positive control, oleanolic acid (IC50 9.7 μg/mL), with an IC50 of 7.7 μg/mL. In the studies on DPPH radical scavenging activities, five compounds (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) showed higher activities than ascorbic acid (IC50 5.0 μg/mL), with IC50 values of 4.6, 3.9, 2.9, 3.8 and 4.7 μg/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.