bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization and identification of mouse Rad51d splice variants
Authors: Gruver Aaron M , Yard Brian D , McInnes Campbell , Rajesh Changanamkandath , Pittman Douglas L
Published: March 2009

Background

The homologous recombination (HR) pathway is vital for maintaining genomic integrity through the restoration of double-stranded breaks and interstrand crosslinks. The RAD51 paralogs (RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2, XRCC3) are essential for this process in vertebrates, and the RAD51D paralog is unique in that it participates in both HR repair and telomere maintenance. RAD51D is also known to directly interact with the RAD51C and XRCC2 proteins. Rad51d splice variants have been reported in mouse and human tissues, supportive of a role for alternative splicing in HR regulation. The present study evaluated the interaction of the Rad51d splice isoform products with RAD51C and XRCC2 and their expression patterns.

Results

Yeast-2-hybrid analysis was used to determine that the Mus musculus Rad51d splice variant product RAD51DΔ7b (deleted for residues 219 through 223) was capable of interacting with both RAD51C and XRCC2 and that RAD51D+int3 interacted with XRCC2. In addition, the linker region (residues 54 through 77) of RAD51D was identified as a region that potentially mediates binding with XRCC2. Cellular localization, detected by EGFP fusion proteins, demonstrated that each of the splice variant products tested was distributed throughout the cell similar to the full-length protein. However, none of the splice variants were capable of restoring resistance of Rad51d-deficient cell lines to mitomycin C. RT-PCR expression analysis revealed that Rad51dΔ3 (deleted for exon 3) and Rad51dΔ5 (deleted for exon 5)transcripts display tissue specific expression patterns with Rad51dΔ3 being detected in each tissue except ovary and Rad51dΔ5 not detected in mammary gland and testis. These expression studies also led to the identification of two additional Rad51d ubiquitously expressed transcripts, one deleted for both exon 9 and 10 and one deleted for only exon 10.

Conclusion

These results suggest Rad51d alternative splice variants potentially modulate mechanisms of HR by sequestering either RAD51C or XRCC2.
Adherence with urate-lowering therapies for the treatment of gout
Authors: Harrold Leslie R , Andrade Susan E , Briesacher Becky A , Raebel Marsha A , Fouayzi Hassan , Yood Robert A , Ockene Ira S
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Adherence to urate-lowering drugs (ULDs) has not been well evaluated among those with gout. Our aim was to assess the level and determinants of non-adherence with ULDs prescribed for gout.

Methods

We identified persons using two integrated delivery systems aged 18 years or older with a diagnosis of gout who initiated use of allopurinol, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone from 1 January 2000 to 30 June 2006. Non-adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR) over the first year of therapy and defined as an MPR < 0.8. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression was used to estimate the strength of the association between patient characteristics and non-adherence.

Results

A total of 4,166 gout patients initiated ULDs; 97% received allopurinol. Median MPR for any ULD use was 0.68 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.64). Over half of the patients (56%) were non-adherent (MPR < 0.8). In adjusted analyses, predictors of poor adherence included younger age (odds ratio (OR) 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86 to 3.18 for ages <45 and OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.93 for ages 45 to 49), fewer comorbid conditions (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.77), no provider visits for gout prior to urate-lowering drug initiation (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.55), and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the year prior to urate-lowering drug initiation (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.31).

Conclusions

Non-adherence amongst gout patients initiating ULDs is exceedingly common, particularly in younger patients with less comorbidity and no provider visits for gout prior to ULD initiation. Providers should be aware of the magnitude of non-adherence with ULDs.
Asporin, a susceptibility gene in osteoarthritis, is expressed at higher levels in the more degenerate human intervertebral disc
Authors: Gruber Helen E , Ingram Jane A , Hoelscher Gretchen L , Zinchenko Natalia , Hanley Edward N , Sun Yubo
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Asporin, also known as periodontal ligament-associated protein 1 (PLAP1), is a member of the family of small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family. It is present within the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM), and is reported to have a genetic association with osteoarthritis. Its D14 allele has recently been found to be associated with lumbar disc degeneration in Asian subjects. There have been no studies, however, of this gene's normal immunohistochemical localization within the human intervertebral disc, or of expression levels in Caucasian individuals with disc degeneration.

Methods

Studies were approved by our human subjects Institutional Review Board. Methods included immunohistochemical localization of asporin in the disc of humans and the sand rat (a small rodent with spontaneous age-related disc degeneration), and Affymetrix microarray analysis of asporin gene expression in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Immunohistochemical studies of human discs revealed that some, but not all, cells of the outer annulus expressed asporin. Fewer cells in the inner annulus contained asporin, and it was rarely present in cells in the nucleus pulposus. Similar patterns were found for the presence of asporin in lumbar discs of sand rats. Substantial relative gene expression levels were seen for asporin in both disc tissue and in annulus cells grown in three-dimensional culture. More degenerate human discs (Thompson grade 4) showed higher expression levels of asporin than did less degenerate (grade 1, 2 and 3) discs, P = 0.004.

Conclusions

In the discs of Caucasian subjects studied here, and in the sand rat, greater immunolocalization levels were found in the outer compared to inner annulus. Localization was rare in the nucleus. Gene expression studies showed greatest expression of asporin in the more degenerate human discs in vivo.
Evaluation of next generation sequencing platforms for population targeted sequencing studies
Authors: Harismendy Olivier , Ng Pauline C , Strausberg Robert L , Wang Xiaoyun , Stockwell Timothy B , Beeson Karen Y , Schork Nicholas J , Murray Sarah S , Topol Eric J , Levy Samuel , Frazer Kelly A
Published: March 2009

Background

Next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms are currently being utilized for targeted sequencing of candidate genes or genomic intervals to perform sequence-based association studies. To evaluate these platforms for this application, we analyzed human sequence generated by the Roche 454, Illumina GA, and the ABI SOLiD technologies for the same 260 kb in four individuals.

Results

Local sequence characteristics contribute to systematic variability in sequence coverage (>100-fold difference in per-base coverage), resulting in patterns for each NGS technology that are highly correlated between samples. A comparison of the base calls to 88 kb of overlapping ABI 3730xL Sanger sequence generated for the same samples showed that the NGS platforms all have high sensitivity, identifying >95% of variant sites. At high coverage, depth base calling errors are systematic, resulting from local sequence contexts; as the coverage is lowered additional 'random sampling' errors in base calling occur.

Conclusions

Our study provides important insights into systematic biases and data variability that need to be considered when utilizing NGS platforms for population targeted sequencing studies.
Is learning mindfulness associated with improved affect after mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy?
Authors: Schroevers Maya J. , Brandsma Rob
Published: March 2009

The increased popularity of mindfulness‐based interventions and the growing body of empirical evidence confirming the positive effects of these interventions on well‐being warrant more research to determine if the effects are indeed related to learning mindfulness. The present study extends previous studies, by examining whether and how changes in five core aspects of mindfulness are related to changes in the report of negative and positive affect during an 8‐week course of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy. The study was performed in 64 individuals from the community with mild to moderate psychological problems. Data were collected by self‐report questionnaires before and directly after the training. Results showed significant decreases in negative affect and increases in positive affect. We also found significant increases in four of the five aspects of mindfulness. Importantly, changes in mindfulness were significantly associated with improved affect, with a distinct pattern found for positive and negative affect. Hereby, our findings extend previous research by showing that learning distinct aspects of mindfulness is differently related to an improved positive affect and a decreased negative affect. Future randomized controlled trials with a larger sample and longer follow‐up period are needed to replicate these findings.
Case Study in Data Curation at Johns Hopkins University
Authors: Choudhury G. Sayeed
Published: March 2009

At Johns Hopkins University, the institutional repository (IR) is being developed as a component of an overall digital library architecture that will emphasize long-term preservation. The IR represents a set of services that will be developed to support the identified needs or requirements of faculty and students. Given the research-intensive environment at Johns Hopkins, one particular area of interest relates to data sets from a diversity of disciplines ranging from the humanities to the sciences. Essentially, the IR is being developed as a “gateway” to the underlying digital archive that will support data curation as part of an evolving cyberinfrastructure featuring open, modular components. In addition to this technological framework, Johns Hopkins is developing new roles and relationships between the library and the academic community, most notably through the development of “data scientists” or “data humanists.” These developments reflect the realization that the IR is the first step in a longer journey and that for institutional efforts to be successful, they must be integrated into a larger landscape of repositories that serve a distributed and diverse academic community.
Strategies for Institutional Repository Development: A Case Study of Three Evolving Initiatives
Authors: Palmer Carole L. , Teffeau Lauren C. , Newton Mark P.
Published: March 2009

As an evolving part of the profession of librarianship, institutional repository development is still in the process of establishing guiding principles and best practices. There is no one path to follow and few established cases from which to learn about development options and risks. This case study presents a close examination of the approaches taken at three university libraries, comparing choices, strategies, and conditions driving development activities. The most pronounced differences stem from how the initiatives are balancing content acquisition and service provision. Across cases, intellectual property concerns are prevalent, and repository goals and policies are often implicit, with the value of the repository for faculty and the university emerging in multiple ways. The complex planning, management, and technical work of repository developers is increasingly dependent on coordination with liaison librarians and their existing relationships with faculty. The three cases suggest a range of productive responses to the many challenges facing institutional repositories, as they mature, expand, and integrate further with library operations, and continue their important contribution to the ever-changing enterprise of scholarly communication.
Inherited Prothrombotic Risk Factors in Children With Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack, or Migraine
Authors: Herak Désirée Coen , Antolic Margareta Radic , Krleza Jasna Lenicek , Pavic Marina , Dodig Slavica , Duranovic Vlasta , Brkic Anica Basnec , Zadro Renata
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and possible association of inherited prothrombotic risk factors in children with stroke, transient ischemic attack, or migraine.

METHODS. We performed genotypic analysis for factor V G1691A, factor II G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T, and 4 common platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms (human platelet alloantigen-1, -2, -3, and -5) in 150 children <18 years of age with established diagnoses of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or migraine. Children were classified into 5 groups, namely, childhood arterial ischemic stroke (N = 33), perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (N = 26), hemorrhagic stroke (N = 20), transient ischemic attack (N = 36), and migraine (N = 35). The control group consisted of 112 children ≤18 years of age from the same geographical region who had no history of neurologic or thromboembolic diseases.

RESULTS. Heterozygosity for factor V G1691A was associated with approximately sevenfold increased risk for arterial ischemic stroke, perinatal arterial ischemic stroke, and transient ischemic attack. Increased risk for transient ischemic attack was found in carriers of the human platelet alloantigen-2b allele, human platelet alloantigen-5a/b genotype, and combined human platelet alloantigen-2b and human platelet alloantigen-5b genotype. The presence of the human platelet alloantigen-2b allele was associated with a 2.23-fold increased risk for migraine, whereas carriers of the human platelet alloantigen-3b allele had a lower risk for arterial ischemic stroke than did carriers of the human platelet alloantigen-3a allele.

CONCLUSIONS. Factor V G1691A has an important role in susceptibility to arterial ischemic stroke, both in the perinatal/neonatal period and in childhood, as well as transient ischemic attacks. A minor impact of human platelet alloantigen polymorphisms suggests that platelet glycoprotein polymorphisms may increase the risk of transient ischemic attacks and migraine, but this should be confirmed in larger studies.
Cytokines Associated With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Death in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Carlo Waldemar A. , D'Angio Carl T. , McDonald Scott A. , Das Abhik , Schendel Diana , Thorsen Poul , Higgins Rosemary D. ,   for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. The goal was to develop multivariate logistic regression models for the outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and/or death at postmenstrual age of 36 weeks by using clinical and cytokine data from the first 28 days.

METHODS. For 1067 extremely low birth weight infants in the Neonatal Research Network of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, levels of 25 cytokines were measured in blood collected within 4 hours after birth and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Stepwise regression analyses using peak levels of the 25 cytokines and 15 clinical variables identified variables associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia/death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for bronchopulmonary dysplasia/death by using variables selected through stepwise regression. Similar analyses were performed by using average cytokine values from days 0 to 21, days 0 to 3, and days 14 to 21.

RESULTS. Of 1062 infants with available data, 606 infants developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia or died. On the basis of results from all models combined, bronchopulmonary dysplasia/death was associated with higher concentrations of interleukin 1β, 6, 8, and 10 and interferon γ and lower concentrations of interleukin 17, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted, and tumor necrosis factor β. Compared with models with only clinical variables, the addition of cytokine data improved predictive ability by a statistically significant but clinically modest magnitude.

CONCLUSIONS. The overall cytokine pattern suggests that bronchopulmonary dysplasia/death may be associated with impairment in the transition from the innate immune response mediated by neutrophils to the adaptive immune response mediated by T lymphocytes.
Consensus Statement on the Use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogs in Children
Authors: Carel Jean-Claude , Eugster Erica A. , Rogol Alan , Ghizzoni Lucia , Palmert Mark R. ,   on behalf of the members of the ESPE-LWPES GnRH Analogs Consensus Conference Group
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs revolutionized the treatment of central precocious puberty. However, questions remain regarding their optimal use in central precocious puberty and other conditions. The Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society and the European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology convened a consensus conference to review the clinical use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in children and adolescents.

PARTICIPANTS. When selecting the 30 participants, consideration was given to equal representation from North America (United States and Canada) and Europe, an equal male/female ratio, and a balanced spectrum of professional seniority and expertise.

EVIDENCE. Preference was given to articles written in English with long-term outcome data. The US Public Health grading system was used to grade evidence and rate the strength of conclusions. When evidence was insufficient, conclusions were based on expert opinion.

CONSENSUS PROCESS. Participants were put into working groups with assigned topics and specific questions. Written materials were prepared and distributed before the conference, revised on the basis of input during the meeting, and presented to the full assembly for final review. If consensus could not be reached, conclusions were based on majority vote. All participants approved the final statement.

CONCLUSIONS. The efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in increasing adult height is undisputed only in early-onset (girls <6 years old) central precocious puberty. Other key areas, such as the psychosocial effects of central precocious puberty and their alteration by gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, need additional study. Few controlled prospective studies have been performed with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs in children, and many conclusions rely in part on collective expert opinion. The conference did not endorse commonly voiced concerns regarding the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs, such as promotion of weight gain or long-term diminution of bone mineral density. Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs for conditions other than central precocious puberty requires additional investigation and cannot be suggested routinely.
Evaluation methods for the hoop strength of small-sized tubular ceramic components
Authors: Hong Seong-Gu , Byun Thak-Sang , Snead Lance L. , Lee Chong Soo
Published: March 2009

Miniaturized test methods were developed and applied to measure the hoop strength of small tubular components. A diametrical loading method and an internal pressurization method using elastomeric insert were adopted in the development of testing methods. Detailed analyses to assess these testing methods were attempted by using theoretical solutions and finite element analysis for stress distributions and the characteristics of the Weibull statistics. To demonstrate the applicability of the test methods, commercially available alumina tubes and miniature silicon carbide coatings from surrogate nuclear fuel particles were tested and their fracture strength distributions were analyzed with Weibull statistics. The size scaling relationship on the fracture strength was investigated by correlating with effective surface area. Furthermore, the applicability of the testing methods was discussed in terms of multiaxial stress fields, altered stress distribution by flattened loading contact, and availability of insert, focusing on high-temperature applications.
Segregation and grain refinement in cast titanium alloys
Authors: Bermingham M.J. , McDonald S.D. , StJohn D.H. , Dargusch M.S.
Published: March 2009

The growth restriction factor is a parameter derived from binary phase diagrams and is a useful predictor for the grain refining response when a solute is added to a base alloy. This work investigates the relevance of growth restriction theory to titanium alloys where solidification rates are an order of magnitude faster than previous studies in aluminum- and magnesium-based systems. In particular, the segregation of Fe and Cr in titanium is investigated and the effects on grain size studied. It was found that the Scheil equation reasonably modeled solidification of titanium where cooling rates approach 120 °C/s, and the growth restriction factors for Fe and Cr were useful in predicting prior-β grain refinement. However, it was found that caution must be used when calculating growth restriction factors from binary phase diagrams.
Energy Content of Young Alewives in Eastern Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, a Connected Drowned River Mouth Lake
Authors: Höök Tomas O. , Pothoven Steven A.
Published: March 2009

Energy content is an important determinant of an individual fish's condition and a key input variable for bioenergetics applications. Energy content of young fish can change rapidly during ontogeny; given the numerical abundance and high mass-specific metabolic rates of young fish, it is particularly important to obtain detailed information on their energy content. To this end, we quantified the total body energy content and energy density of economically and ecologically important young (age-0–1) nonnative alewives Alosa pseudoharengus collected during 1998–2003 in eastern Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, a connected drowned river mouth lake. Our analysis demonstrates that energy content of young alewives varies across years, seasons, lakes, and ontogeny. Consistent with previous observations of size-dependent overwinter mortality, young alewives deplete a large amount of body energy between late fall and late spring (i.e., declines in length-specific energy content and energy density occur overwinter). Interestingly, unlike several past studies of young fish in their native range, size-specific energy content of young alewives does not appear to increase over the summer and fall (there is no evidence of increased energy storage in preparation for the resource-scarce winter period). Finally, our measured values are similar to the few previously published energy density values for age-0 alewives. The high degree of variation in the energy content of young fish emphasizes the necessity of using appropriate energy measures for bioenergetics applications to inform fisheries management.
Leaching of Nutrients and Trace Elements from Stockpiled Turkey Litter into Soil
Authors: Shah Sanjay B. , Hutchison Kimberly J. , Hesterberg Dean L. , Grabow Garry L. , Huffman Rodney L. , Hardy David H. , Parsons James T.
Published: March 2009

In addition to nutrients, poultry are fed trace elements (e.g., As) for therapeutic purposes. Although a large proportion of the nutrients are assimilated by the birds, nearly all of the As is excreted. Hence, turkey litter constituents can leach into the soil and contaminate shallow ground water when it is stockpiled uncovered on bare soil. This study quantified the leaching of turkey litter constituents from uncovered stockpiles into the underlying soil. Four stockpiles were placed on Orangeburg loamy sand in summer 2004 for 162 d; 14 d after their removal, four stockpiles were created over the same footprints and left over winter for 162 d. Soil samples at depths of 7.6 to 30.5 cm and 30.5 to 61 cm adjacent to and beneath the stockpiles were compared for pH, electrical conductivity, total C, dissolved organic C, N species, P, water‐extractable (WE)‐P, As, WE‐As, Cu, Mn, and Zn. All WE constituents affected the 7.6‐ to 30.5‐cm layer, and some leached deeper; for example, NH4+–N concentrations were 184 and 62 times higher in the shallow and deep layers, respectively. During winter stockpiling, WE‐As concentrations beneath the stockpiles tripled and doubled in the 7.6‐ to 30.5‐cm and 30.5‐ to 61‐cm layers, respectively, with WE‐As being primarily as As(V). Heavy dissolved organic C and WE‐P leaching likely increased solubilization of soil As, although WE‐As concentrations were low due to the Al‐rich soil and low‐As litter. When used as drinking water, shallow ground water should be monitored on farms with a history of litter stockpiling on bare soil; high litter As; and high soil As, Fe, and Mn concentrations.
Patterns of Discourse Coherence: Variations in Genre Performance in Children with Language Impairment
Authors: Bliss Lynn S. , McCabe Allyssa
Published: March 2009

Background:

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the discourse coherence of 36 children with language impairment (LI) who produced 3 types of genres: scripts, personal narratives, and procedural discourse.

Method:

The children described in random order a routine activity, personal experience, and a favorite game. The genres were analyzed for length, syntactic complexity, topic maintenance, informativeness, and fluency.

Results:

Scripts resulted in short, simple, and fluent utterances. Personal narratives and procedural discourse were similar in their length, informativeness, and fluency. Procedures were more syntactically complex and on topic than personal narratives.

Conclusions:

Children with LI are influenced by discourse genre.

Clinical Implications:

Different discourse genres should be compared in clinical assessments. Intervention should include different discourse genres in order to maximize a child's social, communicative, and classroom discourse.
Ionic liquids as (co)solvents for enzymatic reactions
Authors: Paljevac Muzafera , Habulin Maja , Knez Zeljko
Published: March 2009

Ionic liquids are low melting point salts that represent an exciting new class of reaction solvents. Many reactions show advantages when carried out in ionic liquids, either with regard to enhanced reaction rates, improved selectivity, or easier reuse of catalysts. To ascertain the influence of ionic liquids on the enzyme activity, three different ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([bmim] [CI]) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim] [PF6]) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) were synthesized and investigated as potential media for the hydrolysis of carboxymethyl cellulose, catalyzed by non-immobilized cellulase from Humicola insolens (Celluzyme 0,7T) and for ester synthesis, catalyzed by immobilized lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme RM IM). Enzyme-catalyzed reactions were performed in a batch stirred reactor at atmospheric pressure. Celluzyme 0,7T showed better activity in hydrophobic ionic liquid ([bmim] [PF6]), as compared to hydrophilic ionic liquid ([bmim] [BF4]). In the case of Lipozyme RM IM, the synthetic activity of the enzyme was strongly reduced by incubating the enzyme in ionic liquids.
Rheological and mechanical properties of wood flour filled polyisoprene/chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber blends
Authors: Markovic Gordana , Marinovic-Cincovic Milena , Radovanovic Blaga , Budinski-Simendic Jaroslava
Published: March 2009

The effect of wood flour (WF) on curing behavior and swelling properties of polyisoprene rubber/chlorosulphonated polyethylene (NR/CSM) rubber blends was investigated. The mechanical properties, as well as the equilibrium swelling characteristics of the elastomeric composites filled with WF (particle size from 300 to 400 ?m) were measured as a function of filler loading (the range of 0 to 50 phr) and compared with the values for the elastomeres based on commercial grade carbon black filler (nano-sized particles, 26-30 nm). In some formulations phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins are used to achieve better adhesion between rubber macromolecules and filler particles. For WF filled elastomeres the maximum tensile strength of 11 MPa at 20 phr was recorded. Hardness of samples filled with WF increased with filler loading. Abrasion resistance decreases marginally with increasing filler loading. The equilibrium sorption in toluene of NR/CSM vulcanizates filled decreased with increasing filler loading for both type of filler.
The development and validation of visible spectrophotometric methods for simvastatin determination in pure and the tablet dosage forms
Authors: Basavaiah Kanakapura , Tharpa Kalsang
Published: March 2009

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of simvastatin (SMT) in pure form and in tablets using insitu generated bromine, and p-phenylenediamine (PPDA) or o-dianisidine (ODA) as reagents. The methods are based on the bromination of SMT by a measured excess of in situ bromine in acid medium followed by the determination of unreacted bromine by reacting with PPDA and measuring the resulting red color at 510 nm (method A) or reacting with ODA and measuring the absorbance at 470 nm (method B). The conditions for the assay have been optimized. Beer's law is obeyed over the concentration ranges 20-120 and 2-12 ?g/ml for method A and method B, respectively. The calculated molar absorbtivities are 2.24?103 and 1.91?104 dm3 mol-1 cm-1 for the method A and the method B, respectively; 0.1868 and 0.0115 ?g/cm2 being the corresponding Sandell sensitivities. The LOD and LOQ for method A are found to be 2.96 and 8.97 ?g/ml, and the respective values for method B are 0.14 and 0.42 ?g/ml. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracies were checked. The assay precision was less than 5 % CV and the accuracy was 97.38-103.4 %. The methods were used for the determination of SMT in tablets. No interference from the excipients added to tablets was found. The accuracy and validity of the methods were further ascertained by recovery studies via the standard addition technique.
A study of the photocatalytic degradation of methomyl by UV light
Authors: Tomasevic Andjelka , Djaja Jelena , Petrovic Slobodan , Kiss Ernő , Mijin Dusan
Published: March 2009

The photocatalytic degradation of insecticide methomyl in water, using TiO2 and ZnO (Merck), under UV (366 nm) was studied. The influence of the catalyst concentration and pH was investigated. The optimal concentration of the catalyst was found to be 2.0 g/l. It was found that ZnO is a better catalyst than TiO2 under the same reaction conditions. Also, the influence of NaCl was studied. The presence of Cl- significantly affects the photodegradation of the pollutant.
Effect of Organic and Mineral Soil Fractions on Sorption Behaviour of Chlorophenol and Triazine Micropollutants
Authors: Stipičević Sanja , Fingler Sanja , Drevenkar Vlasta
Published: March 2009

Effect of Organic and Mineral Soil Fractions on Sorption Behaviour of Chlorophenol and Triazine Micropollutants

This article compares the sorption behaviour of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, chlorotriazine atrazine, methylthiotriazine ametryn, methoxytriazine atratone, hydroxyatrazine, and didelakylated atrazine in a topsoil and an aquifer sediment before and after removal of sorbent organic matter and in humic acid. Freundlich isotherm coefficients K
f and 1/n and free energy change (δG°) were calculated for all compounds in all sorbents. According to sorbent pH values, chlorophenolate anions and uncharged triazine species dominated in all sorption experiments with topsoil and aquifer sediment. In experiments with humic acid, chlorophenols, atrazine, and didealkylated atrazine existed almost completely as neutral species, whereas protonated species dominated for hydroxyatrazine, atratone, and ametryn. In addition to a hydrophobic partition, sorption of all compounds in native soil and sediment sorbents includes specific, more polar interactions, which greatly depend on sorbate acidity/basicity, specific properties of the sorbent organic matter and of mineral surface, as well as on the system pH. A significantly greater sorption intensity of all compounds in "organic-free" than in the native aquifer sediment confirmed the importance and possible dominance of mineral surface in the sorption process. Sorption intensity of chlorophenol and triazine compounds in humic acid was closely related to compound hydrophobicity. Greater sorption of almost completely protonated hydroxyatrazine than of the more hydropohobic but uncharged atrazine indicated different humic acid reaction sites for two compounds and consequently different sorption mechanisms.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in Serum in Relation to Blood Lead Concentration and Alcohol Consumption in Men
Authors: Pizent Alica , Čolak Božo , Kljaković Zorana , Telišman Spomenka
Published: March 2009

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in Serum in Relation to Blood Lead Concentration and Alcohol Consumption in Men

The combined influence of age, smoking, alcohol, blood lead and cadmium concentrations, and serum copper, zinc, and selenium concentrations on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum was investigated in a group of 57 men aged 21 years to 40 years. The subjects had no occupational exposure to metals and no other known reasons suspected of influencing prostate function or metal metabolism. No significant correlation was found between PSA and any of the explanatory variables considered. Nevertheless, when taking into account all of the above-mentioned potentially explanatory variables, the results of stepwise multiple regression showed a significant increase in PSA with respect to an increase in blood lead, and a decrease in PSA with respect to an increase in intensity of alcohol consumption. The median and range values of blood lead concentration in the 57 men were 26.0 μg L-1 and (10.1 to 108.0) μg L-1, respectively. These results suggest that even a low-level environmental lead exposure, common for general populations worldwide, may contribute to the risk of prostate cancer in men. The influence of lead as well as cadmium, zinc, and selenium on prostate damage and PSA should be further investigated in relatively young men for the purpose of disease prevention.
Effect of magnitude and direction of force on laryngeal abduction: Implications for the nerve‐muscle pedicle graft technique
Authors: CRAMP P. , DERKSEN F. J. , STICK J. A. , DE FEIJTER‐RUPP H. , ELVIN N. G. , HAUPTMAN J. , ROBINSON N. E.
Published: March 2009

Reasons for performing study: The nerve‐muscle pedicle graft technique is a treatment for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), but the optimal placement of the pedicles within thecricoarytenoideus dorsalis(CAD) muscle is unknown.

Hypothesis: The magnitude and direction of force placed on the muscular process of the left arytenoid cartilage affects the magnitude of laryngeal abduction.

Methods: Five larynges were harvested from cadavers. Using increments of 0.98 N, a dead‐weight force generator applied a force of 0–14.7 N for 1 min each to the left muscular process at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70° angles. Therima glottiswas photographed digitally 1 min after each force had been applied. Distances between biomarkers (Lines 1–4) and right to left angle quotient (RLQ) were used to assess the degree of left arytenoid abduction.

Results: Increasing force from 0–14.7 N progressively and significantly increased the length of all lines and RLQ, indicating abduction. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction between force and angles. Applying forces of 7.84 N or greater (Lines 2–4 and RLQ) or 11.76 N or greater (Line 1) at angles 0, 10, 20 and 30° resulted in significantly greater abduction than applying the same forces at 40, 50, 60 and 70°. Angles of 0–30° correspond with the direction of pull exerted by the lateral compartment of the CAD muscle.

Conclusion: In RLN, nerve‐muscle pedicle grafts should be placed preferentially in the lateral rather than in the medial compartment of the CAD muscle.

Potential relevance: The information presented can be used to assist surgeons in the planning and application of the nerve‐muscle pedicle graft procedure.
Simultaneous presence of a seminoma and a leiomyoma in the testes of a horse
Authors: Weiermayer P. , Richter B.
Published: March 2009

An 18‐year‐old stallion was presented for castration because of insidious, bilateral scrotal enlargement of one year's duration. The left testis was firm, while the right was soft and lobulated; both were larger than normal. Palpation of the scrotum and its contents did not cause the horse to show signs of discomfort. Ultrasonography of scrotal contents revealed abnormal, heterogeneous tissue with ill defined regions of hyper‐ and hypoechogenity throughout both testes. Several hours after admission the horse developed severe signs of colic. On the basis of anamnesis, clinical findings, and results of ultrasonography and transrectal palpation bilateral testicular neoplasia and incarcerated inguinal hernia were tentatively diagnosed. Because the horse's owner did not consent to surgical treatment, the stallion was subjected to euthanasia. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the testicular tissue collectedpost mortemrevealed a seminoma in the left testis and a leiomyoma in the right testis. Thepost mortemexamination also revealed incarceration of the small intestine in addition to the testicular tumours. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the simultaneous presence of bilateral, yet different testicular tumour types in a stallion.
Cervical vertebral anomaly and ventricular septal defect in an Arabian foal
Authors: Crochik S. S. , Barton M. H. , Eggleston R. B. , Kent M.
Published: March 2009

A male Arabian foal born with a cervical mass and no apparent clinical signs presented with a cervical vertebral anomaly and ventricular septal defect. Both congenital anomalies were diagnosed at age 3 weeks and rechecked at age 6 months with radiographs and ultrasonographic studies respectively. At 11 months, in addition to radiographs and Doppler ultrasonographic studies, a contrast ultrasonographic study andpost mortemmyelographic and computed tomographic studies of the cervical vertebral column revealed the appearance of this rare cervical vertebral anomaly and the severity of the ventricular septal defect. To the authors' knowledge, in the Arabian foal, both conditions have not been reported simultaneously in the same patient.
Antitumor effect of humanized anti–interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) on glioma cell proliferation
Authors: Kudo Mareina , Jono Hirofumi , Shinriki Satoru , Yano Shigetoshi , Nakamura Hideo , Makino Keishi , Hide Takuichiro , Muta Daisuke , Ueda Mitsuharu , Ota Kazutoshi , Ando Yukio , Kuratsu Jun-ichi
Published: March 2009

Object

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse physiological functions, including cell proliferation and survival. Recent studies have shown that IL-6 expression is often elevated in response to several types of glioma. Although IL-6 is said to play an important role in glioma, the involvement of IL-6 signaling has been quite controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of IL-6 signaling in glioma and the inhibitory effect of IL-6 signaling on glioma tumor proliferation.

Methods

The expression of IL-6 receptors (IL-6Rs) was evaluated in glioma tissues by means of immunohistochemical analysis, and the involvement of IL-6 signaling in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) U87MG cell proliferation was also determined. In addition, to examine the inhibitory effect of IL-6 signaling on glioma cell proliferation, the authors investigated the effects of tocilizumab, the humanized anti–human IL-6R antibody in U87MG cells.

Results

Increased immunoreactivity for IL-6R was predominantly found in the cytoplasm of endothelial cells in all GBM samples. Inhibition of IL-6 signaling by both IL-6– and IL-6R–specific small interfering RNA and AG490, a specific inhibitor of JAK2 phosphorylation, suppressed glioma cell proliferation. Furthermore, tocilizumab, a clinically developed humanized anti–human IL-6R antibody, exerted an antiproliferative effect on cells from the GBM cell line U87MG via the IL-6R–dependent JAK-STAT3 pathway.

Conclusions

The IL-6 signaling pathway plays an important role in glioma cell proliferation, and tocilizumab exerts an antitumor effect in U87MG glioma cells. These results may bring new insight into the molecular pathogenesis of glioma and may lead to a new therapeutic intervention.
Snow depth derived from passive microwave remote-sensing data in China
Authors: Che Tao , Li Xin , Jin Rui , Armstrong Richard , Zhang Tingjun
Published: March 2009

In this study, we report on the spatial and temporal distribution of seasonal snow depth derived from passive microwave satellite remote-sensing data (e.g. SMMR from 1978 to 1987 and SMM/ I from 1987 to 2006) in China. We first modified the Chang algorithm and then validated it using meteorological observation data, considering the influences from vegetation, wet snow, precipitation, cold desert and frozen ground. Furthermore, the modified algorithm is dynamically adjusted based on the seasonal variation of grain size and snow density. Snow-depth distribution is indirectly validated by MODIS snow-cover products by comparing the snow-extent area from this work. The final snow-depth datasets from 1978 to 2006 show that the interannual snow-depth variation is very significant. The spatial and temporal distribution of snow depth is illustrated and discussed, including the steady snow-cover regions in China and snow-mass trend in these regions. Though the areal extent of seasonal snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere indicates a weak decrease over a long period, there is no clear trend in change of snow-cover area extent in China. However, snow mass over the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and northwestern China has increased, while it has weakly decreased in northeastern China. Overall, snow depth in China during the past three decades shows significant interannual variation, with a weak increasing trend.
Post-depositional modification of stable water isotopes in winter snowpacks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: Sinclair K.E. , Marshall S.J.
Published: March 2009

To assess the seasonal stability of the δ18O stratigraphy in winter snowpacks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, snow pits were sampled over three accumulation seasons at two field sites. These sites, Opabin and Haig Glaciers, are ~160km apart at similar elevations and represent windward and lee-slope environments respectively. At both sites, snow pits were sampled at one glacier and one forefield location throughout each accumulation season. Intra-seasonal changes in δ18O at each site were examined to determine the extent of post-depositional modification of isotope stratigraphies. At both glacier sites, there was minimal temporal change before the onset of spring melt in all years. In addition, the similar structure of δ18O profiles from both glacier sites suggests that regional controls govern the isotopic composition of solid-phase precipitation across the study area. At forefield locations, the absence of an insulating layer of ice at the base of the snowpack allowed for vapour transport and post-depositional modification of the seasonal δ18O signal. This did not result in consistent changes to the mean δ18O, deuterium excess and δD–δ18O regression line slopes in the lower layers of snow, and the observed smoothing of δ18O profiles was less than that simulated by applying a diffusion model to these snowpacks.
Effect of Particle Size of Quartz on Bending Strength of Porcelain
Authors: Mustafi Sonjida , Ahsan Mainul , Dewan AH
Published: March 2009

The bending strength of porcelain body has been experimentally studied because of its economic importance in ceramic industry. The maximum bending strength is obtained in the < 44Î¼ particle sized quartz containing porcelain at 1300Â°C. The distribution of closed pores, their geometric shapes and possible link with each other control the bending strength of the ceramic body. The presence of unmelted fine quartz grains in the ceramic body also increases the bending strength. It has been found that the bending strength increases with increasing bulk density of the ceramic bodies and the firing temperature up to 1300Â°C, but at temperature above 1300Â°C, the bending strength decreases due to bloating of isolated pores and the disappearance of quartz, which are also associated with a decrease in bulk density. The purpose of this study is to investigate on the differential changes of bending strength of porcelain bodies upon using quartz of various grain sizes at different firing temperatures. Key Words: Particle size, Quartz, Bending strength, Firing temperature and bulk density. Â Â  doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v43i4.2244 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 43(4), 537-544, 2008
Actualidad de la fenomenología: la fenomenología de la vida de Renaud Barbaras
Authors: Larisson Mariana
Published: March 2009

En los últimos años hemos asistido al surgimiento de toda una serie de conceptos ligados a la noción de vida y a las problemáticas que de ella se derivan. Las mismas que, hoy en día, se encuentran en boga en ámbitos tan diversos como la ciencia, la política, la cultura o los nuevos desarrollos económicos y tecnológicos. Sin embargo, y con este contexto histórico de fondo, la reflexión filosófica sobre el fenómeno de la vida resta aún por hacerse. En este sentido, la aparición de una filosofía que se presenta a sí misma como una fenomenología de la vida cobra una actualidad e interés inusitados. Tal es el caso de la reciente obra de Renaud Barbaras Introduction à une phénoménologie de la vie (2008), de la que se ocupa el presente escrito, en el que intentaremos poner de relieve la problemática que el texto revela y sus posibles derivaciones.
Estética fenomenológica. La obra de arte arquitectónica
Authors: Pedragosa Pau
Published: March 2009

El propósito de este artículo es discutir la posibilidad y tarea de la estética bajo un enfoque fenomenológico. Nos centramos en la arquitectura, de la cual analizamos su estructura estratificada, siguiendo los análisis de Roman Ingarden, y la especificidad de la actitud estética, frente a otras actitudes que también reclama la arquitectura, según las observaciones de Paul Valéry. Planteamos finalmente la cuestión central acerca de la posibilidad de la comprensión del arte en general y de la arquitectura en particular comparando la estética fenomenológica con la estética de la negatividad.
Libertad y conciencia en la novela metafísica de Sartre
Authors: Santamaría Pargada Antonio
Published: March 2009

J.-P. Sartre define la literatura como el compromiso de una voluntad resuelta. En su caso se trata de un doble compromiso: político y metafísico. El resultado va a ser una novela metafísica que responde a principios existencialistas y fenomenológicos. El tiempo, el cuerpo, el sujeto, su libertad y su conciencia se sitúan para escenificar el arrojamiento del hombre en el mundo a través de la conciencia del lector. En cuanto al compromiso, éste debe ser entendido dentro del principio al que Sartre, acostumbrado a pensar contra sí mismo, intentó guardar mayor fidelidad, a saber, la libertad.
Fenomenología y realidad virtual: el reto de un nuevo mundo
Authors: Trilles Calvo Karina P.
Published: March 2009

En este artículo pretendemos estudiar el fenómeno de la realidad virtual SecondLife usando el método fenomenológico. Para ello partimos del análisis de lo que sucede en la actitud natural. En ésta, la realidad es el aquí-ahora fácticamente existente que se me da, y la realidad virtual conlleva una duplicación de planos: lo realreal y mi copia digital. Para desentrañar el entramado que sustenta el concepto de realidad es necesario aplicar la epojé. Mediante ésta, damos con la imbricación de un cuerpo viviente y el mundo, relación que no se da en SecondLife, universo virtual cuyo punto cero es mi avatar u objeto físico que me representa. El artículo es el despliegue de las consecuencias de las ideas aquí expuestas.