bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of imidacloprid and pyrimethanil in shallot (Allium ascalonicum) grown under greenhouse conditions using tandem mass spectrometry: establishment of pre‐harvest residue limits
Authors: Park Jong‐Hyouk , Park Joon‐Seong , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Rahman Md. Musfiqur , Na Tae‐Woong , Shim Jae‐Han
Published: September 2012

In this study, the original Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe method was used for the extraction of imidacloprid and pyrimethanil followed by a rapid clean‐up through dispersive solid‐phase extraction technique with primary secondary amine sorbent and magnesium sulfate in shallot. Residues were analyzed using LC‐tandem mass spectrometry in positive‐ion electrospray ionization mode. The limits of detection and quantification were estimated to be 0.006 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The samples were fortified at two different concentration levels (0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg), and the recoveries ranged between 79.7 and 83.9% with relative standard deviation values < 6%. The method was successfully applied for the establishment of the pre‐harvest residue limits (PHRL). The rate of disappearance of imidacloprid and pyrimethanil on shallot was described with first‐order kinetics (imidacloprid, y2 = 0.9670; pyrimethanil, y2 = 0.9841), with half‐lives of 2.87 and 2.08 days, respectively. Based on the dissipation patterns of the pesticide residues, the PHRL was recommended at 7.86 mg/kg for 14 days (PHRL14) and 1.98 mg/kg for 7 days (PHRL7) before harvest for imidacloprid, and 21.64 mg/kg for 7 days (PHRL7) and 9.28 mg/kg for 4 days (PHRL4) before harvest for pyrimethanil in shallot. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical efficacy and safety of biodegradable polymer‐based sirolimus‐eluting stents in patients with diabetes mellitus insight from the 4‐year results of the create study
Authors: Li Yi , Han Yaling , Zhang Lei , Jing Quanmin , Wang Xiaozeng , Yan Gaoliang , Ma Yingyan , Wang Geng , Wang Shouli , Chen Xuezhi , Yang Lixia , Zhu Guoying , Liu Huiliang , Jiang Tieming
Published: September 2012

Background

Diabetes mellitus is an independent predictor of adverse clinical events after drug‐eluting stent implantation.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the long‐term clinical efficacy and safety of biodegradable polymer‐based sirolimus‐eluting stents in diabetic versus non‐diabetic patients.

Methods

A total of 2077 “all comers,” including 440 (21.2%) diabetic patients and 1637 (78.8%) non‐diabetic patients, were prospectively enrolled in the CREATE study at 59 centers in four countries. The recommended antiplatelet regimen was clopidogrel and aspirin for 6 months followed by chronic aspirin therapy. The primary outcome was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Results

Diabetic patients had higher risks of all‐cause death (8.2% vs. 3.4%, P < 0.001) and cardiac death (4.1% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.001) compared with non‐diabetic patients at 4 years. The rates of non‐fatal MI (0.2% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.218), TLR (2.0% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.357), MACE (5.9% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.227), and overall stent thrombosis (1.6% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.932) were not significantly different between diabetic and non‐diabetic patients. A landmark analysis showed that prolonged clopidogrel therapy (>6 months) was not beneficial in reducing the cumulative hazards of MACE either in diabetic or non‐diabetic patients (log rank P = 0.810).

Conclusions

Biodegradable polymer‐based sirolimus‐eluting stents for the treatment of diabetic patients had a similar clinical event rate at 4 years compared with non‐diabetic patients, except for a higher mortality rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous Removal of NO and SO2 from Flue Gas by UV/H2O2/CaO
Authors: Liu Y. X. , Zhang J. , Wang Z. , Du M.
Published: September 2012

The effects of several influencing factors (CaO and H2O2 concentration, gas flow, solution temperature, NO, SO2, O2 and CO2 concentration) on the simultaneous removal of NO and SO2 from flue gas by using a UV/H2O2/CaO process were studied. In addition, the anions in the liquid phase were measured by ion chromatography and the material balances for NO and SO2 were calculated. It was found that, under all experimental conditions, this process achieved a SO2 removal efficiency of 100 %. With the increase in CaO concentration, NO removal efficiency first increased and then remained almost unchanged. With the increase in H2O2 concentration, NO removal efficiency increased but the changes gradually became smaller. NO removal efficiency greatly decreased with increasing gas flow, NO concentration and CO2 concentration. Slightly increasing the solution temperature and SO2 concentration reduced NO removal efficiency. Increasing O2 concentration can promote the removal of NO. The anions in the liquid phase were mainly SO42– and NO3–. Most of the low valence nitrogen elements in NO and the low valence sulfur elements in SO2 transformed into the high valence nitrogen element in NO3– and the high sulfur element in SO42–.
From Containers to Catalysts: Supramolecular Catalysis within Cucurbiturils
Authors: Pemberton Barry C. , Raghunathan Ramya , Volla Sabine , Sivaguru Jayaraman
Published: September 2012

Cucurbiturils are a family of molecular container compounds with superior molecular recognition properties. The use of cucurbiturils for supramolecular catalysis is highlighted in this concept. Both photochemical reactions as well as thermal transformations are reviewed with an eye towards tailoring substrates for supramolecular catalysis mediated by cucurbiturils.
Modeling and Optimization of Hybrid Dynamic Systems
Authors: Mynttinen Ines , Li Pu
Published: September 2012

Die dynamische Optimierung kontinuierlicher Prozesse gehört heute in Forschung und Anwendung zum Stand der Technik. Viele Prozesse zeigen jedoch ein schaltendes Verhalten. Die dort auftretenden Schaltvorgänge führen beim Betrieb zu abrupten Änderungen der Dynamik. Diese Prozesse werden deshalb als Hybridsysteme bezeichnet. Aufgrund der schaltenden Dynamik ist die Optimierung dynamischer Hybridsysteme eine äußerst anspruchsvolle Aufgabe. Dieser Beitrag führt in die Problematik der Modellierung von Hybridsystemen ein und beschreibt derzeit verfügbare Methoden zur Optimierung dieser Systeme. Regularisierungsansätze bilden eine Hauptforschungsrichtung auf dem Gebiet der Optimierung dynamischer Hybridsysteme. Die Fallstudien zeigen die Anwendung zweier wichtiger Regularisierungsmethoden anhand einer Labor‐Tankanlage und eines industriellen Verdampfers.
Raw Materials for the Industrial Location of Bavaria – a Resource Strategy
Authors: Kroop Stefanie , Franke Matthias , Stenzel Fabian , Mocker Mario , Faulstich Martin
Published: September 2012

Der Industriestandort Bayern ist mit seinem hohen Anteil an Hightech‐Unternehmen in besonderem Maße von wirtschaftsstrategischen Rohstoffen abhängig. Welche Rohstoffe für die bayerische Wirtschaft von großer Bedeutung sind und welche Abfallströme zur Substitution dieser Rohstoffe herangezogen werden können, soll im vorliegenden Beitrag dargestellt werden.
Calcium‐ and Voltage‐Gated Potassium (BK) Channel Activators in the 5β‐Cholanic Acid‐3α‐ol Analogue Series with Modifications in the Lateral Chain
Authors: Bukiya Anna N. , Patil Shivaputra A. , Li Wei , Miller Duane D. , Dopico Alex M.
Published: September 2012

Large conductance, calcium‐ and voltage‐gated potassium (BK) channels regulate various physiological processes and represent an attractive target for drug discovery. Numerous BK channel activators are available. However, these agents usually interact with the ubiquitously distributed channel‐forming subunit and thus cannot selectively target a particular tissue. We performed a structure–activity relationship study of lithocholic acid (LCA), a cholane that activates BK channels via the accessory BK β1 subunit. The latter protein is highly abundant in smooth muscle but scarce in most other tissues. Modifications to the LCA lateral chain length and functional group yielded two novel smooth muscle BK channel activators in which the substituent at C24 has a small volume and a net negative charge. Our data provide detailed structural information that will be useful to advance a pharmacophore in search of β1 subunit‐selective BK channel activators. These compounds are expected to evoke smooth muscle relaxation, which would be beneficial in the pharmacotherapy of prevalent human disorders associated with increased smooth muscle contraction, such as systemic hypertension, cerebral or coronary vasospasm, bronchial asthma, bladder hyperactivity, and erectile dysfunction.
Oxyhumolite as a Sorbent of CuII from Phosphate‐Containing Solutions
Authors: Kohutová Hana , Kostura Bruno , Kukutschová Jana
Published: September 2012

This study explores the use of oxyhumolite (OX) for sorption removal of CuII from sewage containing phosphates. It was discovered that the adsorption of CuII markedly depends on pH and linearly increases with increasing pH values. Adsorption efficiency of OX for phosphates is approximately constant (E≈13%) and does not depend on the pH value. The optimum pH range for the selective sorption was determined to be between 3.3–3.7 (ECu≈90%). The good sorption efficiency for CuII results from the high content of humic acids and the presence of inorganic components.
Phosphoric acid purification by suspension melt crystallization: Parametric study of the crystallization and sweating steps
Authors: Wang Baoming , Li Jun , Qi Yabing , Jia Xuhong , Luo Jianhong
Published: September 2012

In order to purify phosphoric acid, the suspension melt crystallization process was studied. The suspension crystallization experiments were carried out with 80, 84 and 88 wt% phosphoric acid melt at the cooling rates of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 K/min, respectively. Sweating experiments were executed for various crystals obtained in suspension crystallization step. The purification effects of the sweating parameters including sweating time, initial inclusion amount and initial impurity content were studied. The inclusion fraction increases with the increase in cooling rate. The inclusion fraction of the crystals which were formed with feed concentration of 84 wt% phosphoric acid melt is lowest among the three feed concentrations. Different impurities have different purification performances during sweating. High inclusion amount and low impurity concentration favor the purification of H3PO4·0.5H2O crystals during sweating.
Beet Juice‐Induced Green Fabrication of Plasmonic AgCl/Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Kou Jiahui , Varma Rajender S.
Published: September 2012

A simple, green, and fast approach (complete within 5 min) was explored for the fabrication of hybrid AgCl/Ag plasmonic nanoparticles under microwave (MW) irradiation. In this method, beet juice served as a reducing reagent, which is an abundant sugar‐rich agricultural produce. Interestingly, the obtained AgCl/Ag samples have a smaller size than the AgCl reaction precursor. This makes it an unusual top‐down hydrothermal synthesis. The as‐prepared material displayed good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye.
CD26: A negative selection marker for human Treg cells
Authors: Salgado Francisco J. , Pérez‐Díaz Amparo , Villanueva Nora M. , Lamas Olaya , Arias Pilar , Nogueira Montserrat
Published: September 2012

A major obstacle hampering the therapeutic application of regulatory T (Treg) cells is the lack of suitable extracellular markers, which complicates their identification/isolation. Treg cells are normally isolated via CD25 (IL‐2Rα) targeting, but this protein is also expressed by activated CD4+ effector T (Teff) lymphocytes. Other extracellular (positive or negative) Treg selection markers (e.g., HLA‐DR, CD127) are also nonspecific. CD26 is an extracellular peptidase whose high expression has been traditionally used as an indicator of immune activation and effector functions in T cells. Now, we provide flow cytometry data showing high levels of CD26 within CD4+CD25− or CD4+FoxP3−/low effector T (Teff) lymphocytes, but negative or low levels (CD26−/low) in Treg cells selected according to the CD4+CD25high or the CD4+FoxP3high phenotype. Unlike the negative marker CD127 (IL‐7Rα), which is down modulated in CD4+ Teff lymphocytes after TCR triggering, most of these cells upregulate CD26 and take a CD4+CD25+/highCD26+ phenotype upon activation. In contrast, there is only a slight upregulation within Treg cells (CD4+CD25highCD26−/low). Thus, differences in CD26 levels between Treg and Teff subsets are stable, and assessment of this marker, in combination with others like CD25, FoxP3, or CD127, may be useful during the quantitative evaluation or the isolation of Treg cells in samples containing activated Teff lymphocytes (e.g., from patients with autoimmune/inflammatory diseases). © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Sociodemographic risk, parenting, and effortful control: Relations to salivary alpha‐amylase and cortisol in early childhood
Authors: Taylor Zoe E. , Spinrad Tracy L. , VanSchyndel Sarah K. , Eisenberg Nancy , Huynh Jacqueline , Sulik Michael J. , Granger Douglas A.
Published: September 2012

Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activity of children's (N = 148; 81 boys, 67 girls) hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Demographic risk was assessed at 18 months (T1), intrusive/overcontrolling parenting and effortful control were assessed at 30 months (T2), and salivary cortisol and alpha‐amylase were collected at 72 (T3) months of age. Demographic risk at T1 predicted lower levels of children's effortful control and higher levels of mothers' intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2. Intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2 predicted higher levels of children's cortisol and alpha‐amylase at T3, but effortful control did not uniquely predict children's cortisol or alpha‐amylase levels. Findings support the open nature of stress responsive physiological systems to influence by features of the early caregiving environment and underscore the utility of including measures of these systems in prevention trials designed to influence child outcomes by modifying parenting behavior. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 869–880, 2013.
Evaluation of the Neuropad sudomotor function test as a screening tool for polyneuropathy in the elderly population with diabetes and pre‐diabetes: the KORA F4 survey
Authors: Ziegler D. , Papanas N. , Rathmann W. , Heier M. , Scheer M. , Meisinger C. ,   KORA Study Group
Published: September 2012

Background

Neuropad is a novel indicator test for sudomotor dysfunction, which has not been validated as a screening tool in a population‐based study. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of Neuropad as a screening tool for distal symmetric polyneuropathy among elderly subjects with diabetes and pre‐diabetes in the general population.

Methods

Eligible subjects aged 61–82 years (n = 940) from the KORA F4 survey were examined, 201 of whom had diabetes and 231 had pre‐diabetes (WHO 1999 criteria). Polyneuropathy was defined by the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI) score >3.

Results

Polyneuropathy was diagnosed in 60 (29.9%) subjects with diabetes and in 45 (19.5%) subjects with pre‐diabetes, respectively (p = 0.013). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of Neuropad (reading time: 10 min) for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy were moderately high, reaching 76.7% and 78.1% in subjects with diabetes and 57.8% and 76.5% in those with pre‐diabetes, respectively. Conversely, the specificity and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy were rather low: 35.5% and 33.6% in diabetic individuals and 33.3% and 17.3% in subjects with pre‐diabetes, respectively. Use of the >2 cut‐off and MNSI combined with monofilament examination did not improve the diagnostic performance of Neuropad.

Conclusions

In the elderly general population with diabetes and pre‐diabetes, Neuropad has reasonable sensitivity but rather low specificity for the diagnosis of polyneuropathy. It is a useful simple and inexpensive tool to screen for and to exclude polyneuropathy as desired, while its low specificity implies that a longer reading time merits consideration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of the polymorphisms 292 C>T and 1304 G>A in the SLC38A4 gene with hyperglycaemia
Authors: González‐Renteria Siblie Marbey , Loera‐Castañeda Verónica , Chairez‐Hernández Isaías , Sosa‐Macias Martha , Paniagua‐Castro Norma , Lares‐Aseff Ismael , Rodríguez‐Moran Martha , Guerrero‐Romero Fernando , Galaviz‐Hernández Carlos
Published: September 2012

Background

The SLC38A4 gene is related to system ‘A’ activity, which seems to be related to impaired gluconeogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether the 292 C>T and 1304 G>A polymorphisms of SLC38A4 gene are associated with hyperglycaemia in humans.

Methods

A total of 227 individuals were enrolled in a case–control study, in which hyperglycaemia was defined by plasma glucose levels ≥95 mg/dL. Genotyping was carried out by using real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The frequency of mutant alleles of SLC38A4 gene for single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 1304 G>A was 23.6% and 30.2% for SNP 292 C>T. The frequency of allele T for the SNP 292 C>T in the case and control groups did not show significant differences, whereas the frequency of allele A for the SNP 1304 G>A was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p = 0.04). In the logistic regression analysis, the SNP 1304 G>A [odds ratio (OR) 1.78; 95%CI 1.04–3.05, p = 0.03] but not SNP 292 C>T (OR 1.41; 95%CI 0.80–2.47, p = 0.23) showed a significant association with hyperglycaemia. After adjusting by body mass index, waist circumference and triglycerides, the SNP 1304 G>A remained significantly associated with hyperglycaemia (OR 2.13; 95%CI 1.18–3.83, p = 0.03). Pair wise linkage disequilibrium showed correlation (D′ > 0.82) between 292 C>T and 1304 G>A SNPs. Haplotype association with hyperglycaemia also showed significant association between both homozygous mutant alleles (A/T) and hyperglycaemia (OR 1.68; 95%CI 1.01–2.79, p = 0.048).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that mutant allele A for SNP 1304 G>A of SLC38A4 gene is associated with hyperglycaemia. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid‐Based Bio‐Nanohybrids for Functional Stabilisation of Influenza Vaccines
Authors: Wicklein Bernd , Martín del Burgo M. Ángeles , Yuste María , Darder Margarita , Llavata Carmen Escrig , Aranda Pilar , Ortin Juan , del Real Gustavo , Ruiz‐Hitzky Eduardo
Published: September 2012

Lipid‐based bio‐nanohybrids were evaluated as carriers of viral particles in the development of thermally stable and efficacious vaccines against influenza A. Herein, the surfaces of the microfibrous clay sepiolite and the Mg/Al‐type layered double hydroxide were modified with a bilayer lipid membrane on which influenza A virions were immobilised. These vaccines were highly immunogenic in mice and stability studies revealed that thermal and lyophilisation resistance were significantly enhanced when compared with a standard aluminium adjuvant. These findings might be attributable to the colloidal behaviour in combination with the biomimetic interface which improves the carrier‐virus interactions and preserves the molecular architecture of the viral particles. All these characteristics make the here presented clay–lipid biohybrid materials promising candidates for vaccine formulations.
Naphthalene‐Bridged ansa‐Nickelocene: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemical, and Magnetic Measurements
Authors: Trtica Sabrina , Meyer Enno , Prosenc Marc Heinrich , Heck Jürgen , Böhnert Tim , Görlitz Detlef
Published: September 2012

The reaction of naphthalene‐1,8‐diylbis(cyclopentadienylsodium) (1) with the nickel triple‐decker compound [Ni2Cp3]BF4 affords the paramagnetic ansa‐nickelocene 1,1′‐(naphthalene‐1″,8″‐diyl)nickelocene (2). Alternatively, 2 can directly be obtained by a salt metathesis reaction of the disodium salt 1 with hexaammine nickel(II) dichloride [Ni(NH3)6]Cl2. For magnetic dilution experiments, the corresponding but diamagnetic ansa‐ruthenocene 3 was synthesized by reaction of the disodium salt 1 with dichloridotetrakis(dimethyl sulfoxide)ruthenium(II). The solid‐state molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and revealed bent sandwich complexes. Cyclic voltammetry studies of 2 indicate three oxidation states. The electronic structure of complex 2 has been investigated by variable‐temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and DFT calculations. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry has been performed for the neat and diluted samples of 2. The neat crystalline material of 2 displays antiferromagnetic behavior, whereas the susceptibility of the magnetically diluted sample runs into saturation at T < 4 K. This property is in agreement with an intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction in the bulk material of compound 2 and the triplet ground state calculated by broken‐symmetry (BS)‐DFT calculations.
Variation of the Viologen Electron Relay in Cyclodextrin‐Based Self‐Assembled Systems for Photoinduced Hydrogen Evolution from Water
Authors: Contreras Carballada Pablo , Mourtzis Nikos , Felici Marco , Bonnet Sylvestre , Nolte Roeland J. M. , Williams René M. , De Cola Luisa , Feiters Martin C.
Published: September 2012

The light‐driven reduction of protons for the production of molecular hydrogen in multicomponent systems depends on electron relays such as viologens. We describe here the effect of viologens appended with guest moieties (adamantane or bile acid) on the efficiency of a system composed of a cyclodextrin‐appended photosensitizer [Ir(ppy)2(pytl‐βCD)]Cl [ppy = 2‐phenylpyridine; pytl = 2‐(1‐substituted‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine; CD = cyclodextrin], cyclodextrin‐modified Pt nanoparticles as the catalyst, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the sacrificial donor. The system was designed to self‐assemble in a supramolecular manner in order to promote electron transfer and produce hydrogen. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements in DMF showed that the electron‐donating adamantyl substituent decreases the reduction potential of the viologen. The use of symmetric and asymmetric guest‐appended viologens gave rise to unexpected phenomena in the H2 evolution. The presence of adamantane or bile acid groups on the viologen induced stabilization and aggregation of the radical cations in water, which is disadvantageous for hydrogen formation.
Slowing down DNA translocation through a nanopore by lowering fluid temperature
Authors: Yeh Li‐Hsien , Zhang Mingkan , Joo Sang W. , Qian Shizhi
Published: September 2012

In the next‐generation nanopore‐based DNA sequencing technique, the DNA nanoparticles are electrophoretically driven through a nanopore by an external electric field, and the ionic current through the nanopore is simultaneously altered and recorded during the DNA translocation process. The change in the ionic current through the nanopore as the DNA molecule passes through the nanopore represents a direct reading of the DNA sequence. Due to the large mismatch of the cross‐sectional areas of the nanopore and the microfluidic reservoirs, the electric field inside the nanopore is significantly higher than that in the fluid reservoirs. This results in high‐speed DNA translocation through the nanopore and consequently low read‐out accuracy on the DNA sequences. Slowing down DNA translocation through the nanopore thus is one of the challenges in the nanopore‐based DNA sequencing technique. Slowing down DNA translocation by lowering the fluid temperature is theoretically investigated for the first time using a continuum model, composed of the coupled Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations for the ionic mass transport and the Navier–Stokes equations for the hydrodynamic field. The results qualitatively agree with the existing experimental results. Lowering the fluid temperature from 25 to 0°C reduces the translocation speed by a magnitude of about 6.21 to 2.50 mm/sK (i.e. 49.82 to 49.71%) for the salt concentration at 200 and 2000 mM, respectively, improving the read‐out accuracy considerably. As the fluid temperature decreases, the magnitude of the ionic current signal decreases (increases) when the salt concentration is high (sufficiently low).
Quantitative microfluidic analysis of S‐ and R‐type endotoxin components with chip capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Makszin Lilla , Kilár Anikó , Felső Péter , Péterfi Zoltán , Kocsis Béla , Kilár Ferenc
Published: September 2012

A novel, fast, and sensitive ME method was developed to analyze and differentiate the smooth (S) and rough (R) type bacterial endotoxin components labeled covalently with a fluorescent dye. The quantitative analysis of purified lipopolysaccharides, or partially purified samples from whole‐cell lysates becomes possible with this method. Two groups with three sub‐groups in the first group of S‐type lipopolysaccharides can be classified based on the electrophoretic profiles. The LOD of the endotoxins from S‐ and R‐type Gram‐negative bacteria was found to be 2.6 ng and 6.9 ng, respectively. This method is capable to replace the commonly used SDS‐PAGE combined with silver staining.
Processing of Food, Body and Emotional Stimuli in Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies
Authors: Zhu Yikang , Hu Xiaochen , Wang Jijun , Chen Jue , Guo Qian , Li Chunbo , Enck Paul
Published: September 2012

The characteristics of the cognitive processing of food, body and emotional information in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are debatable. We reviewed functional magnetic resonance imaging studies to assess whether there were consistent neural basis and networks in the studies to date. Searching PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Google Scholar between January 1980 and May 2012, we identified 17 relevant studies. Activation likelihood estimation was used to perform a quantitative meta‐analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. For both food stimuli and body stimuli, AN patients showed increased hemodynamic response in the emotion‐related regions (frontal, caudate, uncus, insula and temporal) and decreased activation in the parietal region. Although no robust brain activation has been found in response to emotional stimuli, emotion‐related neural networks are involved in the processing of food and body stimuli among AN. It suggests that negative emotional arousal is related to cognitive processing bias of food and body stimuli in AN. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Microtox aquatic toxicity of petrodiesel and biodiesel blends: The role of biodiesel's autoxidation products
Authors: Yassine Mohamad H. , Wu Shuyun , Suidan Makram T. , Venosa Albert D.
Published: September 2012

The acute Microtox toxicity of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of six commercial soybean biodiesel/petrodiesel blends was investigated at different oil loads. We analyzed five fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), C10–C24 n-alkanes, four aromatics, methanol, and total organic carbon (TOC) content. At high oil loads, the WAFs' toxicity was significantly higher for blends containing biodiesel. At the lowest load, the WAFs' toxicity decreased almost linearly with decreasing biodiesel in the blend. At intermediate loads, the WAFs of all the blends appeared to have a similar toxicity. Analysis of WAFs confirmed the presence of autoxidation byproducts of FAMEs at high oil loads. Pure unsaturated FAMEs and n-alkanes were nontoxic when present in water at their reported solubility limits. However, 24-h equilibrated WAFs of pure FAMEs were highly toxic for C18:1 and C18:3, but not for C18:2. The authors concluded that at high oil loads, the acute toxicity of the WAFs was caused by FAMEs' autoxidation byproducts, whereas at low oil loads, the toxicity appeared to be caused primarily by the aromatic compounds present in petrodiesel. The addition of a synthetic antioxidant in biodiesel did not appear to affect the concentration of autoxidation byproducts in the WAF but resulted in a slight decrease in its toxicity. The major autoxidation byproducts identified in the WAF of commercial biodiesel were present neither in the WAFs of pure unsaturated FAMEs nor in the WAF of a different soybean biodiesel that was transesterified in our laboratory, which was nontoxic. We concluded that the process of transesterification of biodiesel might be a more critical factor in determining the aquatic toxicity of the fuel than the source of feedstock itself. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2757–2762. © 2012 SETAC
Barriers to implementing WHO's exclusive breastfeeding policy for women living with HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa: an exploration of ideas, interests and institutions
Authors: Eamer Gwendolen G. , Randall Glen E.
Published: September 2012

The vertical transmission of HIV occurs when an HIV‐positive woman passes the virus to her baby during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. The World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines on HIV and infant feeding 2010 recommends exclusive breastfeeding for HIV‐positive mothers in resource‐limited settings. Although evidence shows that following this strategy will dramatically reduce vertical transmission of HIV, full implementation of the WHO Guidelines has been severely limited in sub‐Saharan Africa. This paper provides an analysis of the role of ideas, interests and institutions in establishing barriers to the effective implementation of these guidelines by reviewing efforts to implement prevention of vertical transmission programs in various sub‐Saharan countries. Findings suggest that WHO Guidelines on preventing vertical transmission of HIV through exclusive breastfeeding in resource‐limited settings are not being translated into action by governments and front‐line workers because of a variety of structural and ideological barriers. Identifying and understanding the role played by ideas, interests and institutions is essential to overcoming barriers to guideline implementation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lung carcinogenesis by tobacco smoke
Authors: Hecht Stephen S.
Published: September 2012

Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of chemicals including multiple genotoxic lung carcinogens. The classic mechanisms of carcinogen metabolic activation to DNA adducts, leading to miscoding and mutations in critical growth control genes, applies to this mixture but some aspects are difficult to establish because of the complexity of the exposure. This article discusses certain features of this mechanism including the role of nicotine and its receptors; lung carcinogens, co‐carcinogens and related substances in cigarette smoke; structurally characterized DNA adducts in the lungs of smokers; the mutational consequences of DNA adduct formation in smokers' lungs; and biomarkers of nicotine and carcinogen uptake as related to lung cancer. While there are still uncertainties which may never be fully resolved, the general mechanisms by which cigarette smoking causes lung cancer are well understood and provide insights relevant to prevention of lung cancer, the number one cancer killer in the world, causing 1.37 million deaths per year.
Preventive and curative effects of radon inhalation on chronic constriction injury‐induced neuropathic pain in mice
Authors: Yamato K. , Kataoka T. , Nishiyama Y. , Taguchi T. , Yamaoka K.
Published: September 2012

Background

Radon therapy is clinically useful for the treatment of pain‐related diseases. However, there have been no studies regarding the effects of radon inhalation on neuropathic pain. In this study, we aimed to determine whether radon inhalation actually induced a remission of neuropathic pain and improved the quality of life.

Methods

First, we investigated the antinociceptive effects of radon inhalation in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. We evaluated pain behaviour in mice before and after CCI surgery, using von Frey test. Pretreated mice received CCI surgery immediately after 24‐h inhalation of radon at background (BG) concentration (c. 19 Bq/m3), or at a concentration of 1000 or 2000 Bq/m3, and post‐treated mice inhaled similar levels of radon 2 days after CCI surgery.

Results

CCI surgery induced mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia on a plantar surface of mice, as assessed using von Frey test, and 2000 Bq/m3 radon inhalation alleviated hyperalgesic conditions 22–37% compared to BG level concentration. Concurrently, CCI surgery increased norepinephrine (NE), tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in plasma, and leukocyte migration in paws. Furthermore, CCI‐induced neuropathy reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Treatment with radon inhalation, specifically at a concentration of 2000 Bq/m3, produced antinociceptive effects, i.e., lowered plasma TNF‐α, NE and NO levels and restored SOD activity, as well as pain‐related behaviour.

Conclusions

This study showed that inhalation of 2000 Bq/m3 radon prevented and alleviated CCI‐induced neuropathic pain in mice.
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Guidelines for Research Mentorship: Development and Implementation
Authors: Borders L. DiAnne , Wester Kelly L. , Granello Darcy Haag , Chang Catherine Y. , Hays Danica G. , Pepperell Jennifer , Spurgeon Shawn L.
Published: September 2012

The authors describe guidelines endorsed by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision for research mentorship, including characteristics of mentors and mentees. Suggestions for implementing the guidelines at the individual, program, institution, and professional levels are focused on enhancing mentoring relationships as well as mentees’ research quality and productivity. Research on research mentoring, based on the guidelines, is encouraged.
An Exploratory Investigation of the Counseling Competencies Scale: A Measure of Counseling Skills, Dispositions, and Behaviors
Authors: Swank Jacqueline M. , Lambie Glenn W. , Witta E. Lea
Published: September 2012

The authors examined the psychometric properties of the Counseling Competencies Scale (CCS; University of Central Florida Counselor Education Faculty, 2009), an instrument designed to assess trainee competencies as measured in their counseling skills, dispositions, and behaviors. There was strong internal consistency for the 4‐factor model for midterm data (.927) and the 5‐factor model for final data (.933). Interrater reliability for the total CCS score was .570, and criterion‐related validity (correlation between the total score on the final CCS and semester grade) yielded a moderate correlation (r= .407, p < .01). Thus, the results provide initial support for using the CCS to assess counseling students’ professional competencies.
Wellness Model of Supervision: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Lenz A. Stephen , Sangganjanavanich Varunee Faii , Balkin Richard S. , Oliver Marvarene , Smith Robert L.
Published: September 2012

This quasi‐experimental study compared the effectiveness of the Wellness Model of Supervision (WELMS;Lenz & Smith, 2010) with alternative supervision models for developing wellness constructs, total personal wellness, and helping skills among counselors‐in‐training. Participants were 32 master's‐level counseling students completing their internship requirements in a counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Results of a split plot analysis of variance indicated that participants in the WELMS condition increased their personal definitions of wellness and total wellness while developing their counseling skills at a similar level when compared with participants receiving other models of supervision.
The Refined and Further Defined Freedom Paradigm: A Response to Ottens and MacCluskie
Authors: Hanna Fred J.
Published: September 2012

The proposed freedom paradigm is briefly reviewed as an overarching framework that may provide a structure for integrating the counseling profession and counseling theories. Freedom is defined and discussed in terms of four modalities: freedom from, freedom to, freedom with, and freedom for. This is followed by a response to comments on Hanna's (2011) article and addresses such topics as the nature of practice, the value of techniques, hypnotherapy, and the applicability of the paradigm for mental health professionals in general. A further clarification of counseling toward object orientation and internal control is also included.
Effect of Health Literacy on Drug Adherence in Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Noureldin Marwa , Plake Kimberly S. , Morrow Daniel G. , Tu Wanzhu , Wu Jingwei , Murray Michael D.
Published: September 2012

Study Objective

To assess the effect of health literacy on drug adherence in the context of a pharmacist‐based intervention for patients with heart failure.

Design

Post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Inner‐city ambulatory care practice affiliated with an academic medical center.

Patients

The original trial enrolled 314 patients with heart failure who were aged 50 years or older and were taking at least one cardiovascular drug for heart failure; 122 patients received the pharmacist intervention (patient education, therapeutic monitoring, and communication with primary care providers), and 192 patients received usual care (regular follow‐up with primary care providers). We analyzed the results of 281 patients who had available health literacy and adherence data.

Measurements and Main Results

Drug adherence was assessed over 9 months using electronic prescription container monitors on cardiovascular drugs. Health literacy was assessed using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (scores range from 0–36, with an adequate literacy score defined as ≥ 23). Taking adherence, defined as the percentage of prescribed drug doses taken by the patient compared with the number of doses prescribed by the physician, was assessed for each group. Patients were a mean ± SD of 63 ± 9 years old, 51% had less than 12 years of education, 29% had inadequate health literacy, and they received a mean ± SD of 11 ± 4 drugs. In the usual care group, taking adherence was greater among patients with adequate (69.4%) than those with inadequate (54.2%) health literacy (p=0.001). In the intervention group, the difference in taking adherence among patients with adequate (77.3%) and inadequate (65.3%) health literacy was not statistically significant (p=0.06). Among patients with inadequate health literacy, the intervention increased adherence (65%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 54–77%) by an order of magnitude similar to that of the baseline adherence of patients with adequate health literacy (69%, 95% CI 65–74%). Multivariable analysis supported the association between health literacy and adherence.

Conclusion

In patients with heart failure, those with adequate health literacy have better adherence to cardiovascular drugs than those with inadequate health literacy. The pharmacist intervention improved adherence in patients with adequate and inadequate health literacy. Health literacy may be an important consideration in drug adherence interventions.
Enhanced osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity through hydroxyapatite coating of silk‐based tissue‐engineered ligament scaffold
Authors: He Pengfei , Sahoo Sambit , Ng Kian Siang , Chen Kelei , Toh Siew Lok , Goh James Cho Hong
Published: September 2012

Hybrid silk scaffolds combining knitted silk fibers and silk sponge have been recently developed for use as ligament‐alone grafts. Incorporating an osteoinductive phase into the ends of a ligament scaffold may potentially generate an integrated “bone–ligament–bone” graft and improve graft osteointegration with host bone. To explore the possible application of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating in the fabrication of osteoinductive ends of silk‐based scaffold, HA was coated on the hybrid silk scaffold and the effects to the bone‐related cells were evaluated. HA could be coated in a uniform and controlled manner on the silk sponge, using an alternate soaking technology, with the amount deposited being dependent on the number of soaking cycles. HA coating also progressively reduced the hydrophobicity of silk surface (decreasing water contact angle from 87° to 42–76°, after 1–3 soaking cycles), making the HA‐coated silk scaffold less favorable for initial cell attachments; but the attached cells showed viability and sustained proliferation on the HA‐coated scaffold. As demonstrated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and alkaline phosphatase assay, the osteoinductivity of HA‐coated silk scaffolds resulted in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and the osteoconductivity of HA‐coated silk scaffolds supported osteoblasts growth and maintained the properties of mature osteoblasts. These properties of HA‐coating demonstrated its possible application in fabricating osteoinductive ends of the silk‐based ligament graft to potentially enhance graft‐to‐host bone integration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
The effect of rotative stress on CAII, FAS, FASL, OSCAR, and TRAP gene expression in osteoclasts
Authors: Qing Hong Zhang , Meng Tao Liu , Yi Zhou , Wei Liu , Ju Xiang Shen , Li Liu
Published: September 2012

This study was designed to explore the effects of rotative stress on carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), TNF receptor superfamily member 6 (FAS), FAS ligand (FASL), osteoclast‐associated receptor (OSCAR), and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) gene expression in osteoclasts. Osteoclasts were induced from RAW264.7 cells cultured in medium containing recombinant murine soluble receptor activator of NF‐Kβ ligand (sRANKL). The mRNA and protein expression of CAII, FAS, FASL, OSCAR, and TRAP genes in osteoclasts was detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot, respectively, after osteoclasts were loaded at various rotative stress strengths and times. No significant differences in mRNA and protein expression were observed between any of the control groups (P > 0.05). Importantly, rotative stress had a significant effect on the mRNA and protein expression of these genes (P < 0.05). We found a negative relationship between rotative stress strength and prolonged loading time and the expression of FAS/FASL genes in osteoclasts. In addition, there was a positive relationship between rotative stress strength and prolonged loading time and the expression of CAII, OSCAR, or TRAP genes in osteoclasts. Based on these results, rotative stress has a significant effect on CAII, FAS, FASL, OSCAR, and TRAP gene expression in osteoclasts. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 388–397, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Celastrol attenuates adipokine resistin‐associated matrix interaction and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Kang Sang‐Wook , Kim Min Soo , Kim Hyun‐Sung , Kim Yunho , Shin Daekeun , Park Jung Han Yoon , Kang Young‐Hee
Published: September 2012

Obesity instigates various health problems such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer. Resistin, an adipose tissue‐specific secretory adipokine, operates endocrine functions through increasing insulin resistance. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) migrate into the subendothelial space and proliferate, thereby contributing to neointimal formation in atherosclerosis and restenosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether celastrol obtained from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook, inhibited human aortic SMC migration. Celastrol capable of antagonizing inflammatory responses attenuated the resistin secretion from THP‐1‐derived macrophages. The macrophage‐conditioned media promoted SMC proliferation and MMP‐2 production, which was dampened by 10–100 nM celastrol. Celastrol encumbered the SMC migration in response to 50 ng/ml resistin, concomitant with the inhibition of induction of connective tissue growth factor and collagen I/IV. In addition, celastrol disabled human aortic SMC exposed to resistin from migrating. The resistin‐induced shedding of integrin β2/β3 expression was demoted by celastrol, thereby contributing to the inhibition of collagen matrix‐SMC interaction. Next, resistin‐induced Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) expression was abrogated by celastrol, indicating that TLR‐4 was the resistin signaling receptor that was blocked by celastrol. Collectively, these results demonstrate that anti‐inflammatory celastrol blunted the macrophage secretion of the adipokine resistin, and suppressed the SMC migration by disturbing the interaction between SMC and intimal collagen matrix. Therefore, celastrol may inhibit atherogenic migration of vascular SMC upon resistin loading by intimal macrophages within atherosclerotic lesions. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 398–408, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of RAMP1 overexpression on CGRP‐induced osteogenic differentiation in MG‐63 cells in vitro: An experimental study
Authors: Zhao Zhiliang , Fu Xiaobing , Zhang Gang , Li Yan , Wu Meng , Tan Yinghui
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) overexpression on the expression and distribution of calcitonin receptor‐like receptor (CRLR) in MG‐63 cells. Our research also focused on whether RAMP1 overexpression enhanced the promoting effect of exogenous CGRP on osteogenic differentiation in MG‐63 cells. We first constructed a eukaryotic expression vector containing human RAMP1 and stably transfected it into MG‐63 cells. Real‐time PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expression levels of RAMP1 and CRLR mRNA and protein, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis was employed to compare the distribution of CRLR in transfected cells. After treatment with CGRP, the extent of osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by simultaneous monitoring of alkaline phosphatase activity, the expression patterns of osteoblastic markers and mineralisation staining. We found that RAMP1 was more highly expressed in the transfected group compared with the control groups (P < 0.01). The CRLR expression was significantly higher than that in the control groups (P < 0.05). In addition, after 7 days of CGRP treatment to induce osteogenic differentiation, the expression of collagen I mRNA was markedly increased in the transfected group (P < 0.05). The transfected group exhibited more granular precipitation in the cytoplasm with alkaline phosphatase staining after 7 and 14 days of differentiation. When stained with Alizarin Red, cells overexpressing RAMP1 were darker and formed many mineralised nodules with clear boundaries and calcium deposition typical of mineralised bone matrix structures at 28 days post‐induction of differentiation. The CGRP‐induced ALP activity in the RAMP1 overexpression group was significantly higher 3, 6 and 9 days after induction than that in the two control groups (P < 0.05). RAMP1 overexpression promotes CRLR expression, localisation on the cell membrane and enhanced CGRP‐mediated differentiation of MG‐63 cells. This study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing CGRP‐induced MG‐63 differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 314–322, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.