bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood glucose limits in the diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy
Authors: Nord Eva , Hanson Ulf , Persson Bengt
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by a 2‐h blood glucose value ≥9.0 mmol/l in the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The maternal and neonatal outcome in women with a 2‐h blood glucose value just below this limit, 8.0–8.9 mmol/l, is analyzed. The outcome is compared to a randomly selected control group.

Design. A comparative study.

Subjects. There were 223 women in the group with a 2‐h value of 8.0 to 8.9 mmol/l in the OGTT. This group was compared to a randomly selected control group of 391 women. Main outcome measures. Fetal outcome: perinatal mortality, birth weight, respiratory disturbances, symptomatic hypoglycemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia and traumatic deliveries. Maternal age, body mass index (BMI), pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH) or preeclampsia and route of delivery.

Results. The women in the group with a 2‐h glucose value of 8.0–8.9 mmol/l were, compared to the control group, significantly older, heavier, had a higher BMI, gave birth to heavier children and a significantly increased number of large‐for‐date infants, while there were no differences in neonatal mortality, morbidity or birth trauma.

Conclusions. This study shows that using the 75 g 2‐h OGTT with a B‐glucose limit of ≥9.0 mmol/l instead of ≥8.0 mmol/l to diagnose GDM during pregnancy has no major adverse effects concerning maternal and neonatal outcome in the borderline interval of 8.0 to 8.9 mmol/l.
Low birthweight and post partum endometritis‐myometritis
Authors: Bergström Staffan , Libombo Aida
Published: November 2007

Background. The study aims at confirming or rejecting the hypothesis of an association between birthweight and post partum uterine infection.

Methods. A case‐referent study was performed on 51 puerperal women with clinical signs of endometritis‐myometritis. To each case an otherwise healthy puerperal woman was recruited and matched for age, parity and days after delivery.

Results. The proportion of women having had newborns with birthweight < 2500 g was 20/49 among cases and 2/50 among referents (odds ratio 16.6; 95% CI 3.5–152.3). Preterm births were registered in 15/50 cases and 2/49 referents (odds ratio 10.1; 95% CI 2.1–94.5). The average gestational age at delivery was approximately 2 weeks shorter among cases than among referents (37.5 versus 39.5 weeks).

Conclusions. Low birth weight was ten times more prevalent among women with puerperal infection than among healthy puerperal women. The findings indicate that giving birth to a low birth weight baby is strongly associated with ensuing puerperal infection, possibly by a subclinical antenatal intrauterine infection, predisposing to both adverse fetal and maternal outcomes of pregnancy.
Use of fertility drugs in Denmark 1973–1993
Authors: Mosgaard Berit , Lidegaard øjvind , Andersen Anders Nyboe
Published: November 2007

Objectives. The increasing use of drugs for ovarian stimulation and the possibility of long‐term risks has actualized a quantitative assessment of the use of such therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the development in the sale of different types of drugs used for ovarian stimulation in Denmark during the last two decades.

Material. Sale statistics of clomiphene citrate, cyclophenile, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), mare menopausal gonadotropin (mMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in Denmark 1973–1993.

Methods. The number of defined daily doses (DDD) was calculated for each product group. On given assumptions the number of cycles of different treatment regimens and the number of treated women was calculated.

Results. The sale has increased almost exponentially throughout the last two decades: Clomiphene citrate 11 fold, hMG 30 fold, and hCG 5 fold. Today, among women 15–44 years old, the estimated incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene alone is about 2.7/1,000/year, and the incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene/hCG and hMG/hCG account for about 3.1/1,000/year and 1.9/1,000/year, respectively.

Conclusion. Any study concerning short‐and long‐term effects of ovarian stimulation have to consider this secular trend.
Risks of perimenopausal fractures‐a prospective population‐based study
Authors: Tuppurainen Marjo , Kroger Heikki , Honkanen Risto , Puntila Eero , Huopio Jukka , Saarikoski Seppo , Alhava Esko
Published: November 2007

Objective. To examine the associations between potential risk factors and fractures in perimenopausal women.

Subjects. A total of 3140 women (mean age 53.4±2.8 (s.d.) years) were followed‐up for 2.4 years after axial bone densitometry (lumbar spine and femoral neck) with regard to the occurrence of fractures.

Results. In all, 5.6% of the women sustained a fracture. There were 169 low energy fractures (falling on a level surface) in 157 women after the exclusion of 18 fractures caused by a high energy trauma. The wrist was the most frequent site of fracture (n=46). Lumbar bone mineral density was 5.8% lower and femoral bone mineral density 4.6% lower among fracture cases compared with non‐fracture cases (p < 0.0001). History of a fracture during 1980–1989 elevated the risk of all fractures 2.83‐fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95–4.10) and the risk of a first wrist fracture 2.25‐fold (95% CI 1.10–4.62). The amount of weekly alcohol intake was higher among fracture cases than among non‐fracture cases yielding an age‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.45 (95% CI 1.05–2.02). Past or present use of hormone replacement therapy was protective against fractures (age‐adjusted OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.96). If bilateral oophorectomy had been carried out under the age of 45 years, the risk of fracture was 3.64‐fold (95% CI 1.01–13.04) compared with women operated upon after the age of 45 years. Age at menarche, parity, lactation and smoking history did not differ between the fracture and non‐fracture groups.

Conclusions. A former history of fractures, low baseline bone mineral density (BMD) and use of alcohol are predisposing factors associated with perimenopausal fractures, while hormone replacement therapy is protective in this respect.
Treatment of ectopic pregnancy by local injection of hypertonic glucose: A randomized trial comparing administration guided by transvaginal ultrasound or laparoscopy
Authors: Gjelland Knut , Hordnes Knut , Tjugum Jostein , Augensen Kåre , Bergsjø Per
Published: November 2007

Objective. To study local treatment of ectopic pregnancy by injection of hyperosmolar (50%) glucose, guided either by transvaginal ultrasound or by laparoscopy.

Methods. Eighty women were randomized, 39 into the sonography and 41 into the laparoscopy group. Criteria for inclusion were 1) ectopic pregnancy ≤4 cm seen by transvaginal ultrasound, 2) hCG ≤3000 IU/1, and 3) little or no intraabdominal bleeding. In the sonography group, patients were treated by one skilled ultrasound investigator, whereas injections by laparoscopy were performed by several colleagues. The former group were offered a second glucose injection if hCG levels were rising. Those successfully treated were offered hysterosalpingography (HSG) for evaluation of tubal patency.

Results. Twenty‐nine (74.4%) women were successfully treated in the sonography group by one single injection, compared to 21 (51.2%) in the laparoscopy group. Eight women in the sonography group received a second glucose injection because of a rising hCG, increasing the success rate in this group to 82.1% (32 of 39 women). Six patients in the laparoscopy group were not injected due to technical difficulties during the operation, and the success rate for those injected were 60% (21 of 35 women). The overall success rate was 66.3%. Of the 28 women investigated by HSG, both tubes were normal in 19 (67.8%), and in 25 patients (89.3%) the treated tube was open.

Conclusions. Local injection of hyperosmolar glucose guided by transvaginal ultrasound by one skilled investigator is an effective treatment for ectopic pregnancy. Most women preserve tubal patency after treatment.
Differential diagnosis of detrusor instability and stress‐incontinence by patient history: The Gaudenz‐Incontinence‐Questionnaire revisited
Authors: Haeusler Guenther , Hanzal Engelbert , Joura Eva , Sam Christine , Koelbl Heinz
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate the validity of the Gaudenz‐Incontinence‐Questionnaire in the differential diagnosis of genuine stress‐incontinence and detrusor instability.

Design. Diagnoses based on questionnaire‐results were compared to those following complete urogynecologic assessment including urodynamics in 1938 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Results. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of stress‐incontinence were 0.559 and 0.447. respectively, for detrusor instability 0.615 and 0.563, respectively.

Conclusion. The low sensitivity and specificity of the test do not justify its use as a diagnostic tool in patients with urinary incontinence. These results show that the scores may be misleading in a large proportion of patients and should not therefore be the only determinant of diagnosis, nor should strategies be based on history alone.
A Comparison Of Oral Prostaglandin E2 Tablets With Intravenous Oxytocin For Stimulation Of Labor After Premature Rupture Of Membranes At Term
Authors: Massil Helen Y. , Baker Andrew C. , Shaughn O'Brien P. M.
Published: November 2007

Sixty‐nine patients (48 primigravidae and 21 multigravidae) with 12 hours of spontaneous premature rupture of membranes (PROM) after 36 weeks gestation were randomly allocated to receive either prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) oral tablets or intravenous oxytocin to stimulate labor.

The two treatments were compared regarding stimulation‐delivery interval (SDI), analgesic requirements, maternal and fetal side effects, and patient acceptability.

The mean SDI was shorter in the oxytocin group, but without statistical significance. Analgesic requirements and fetal side effects were similar in the two groups, but there was a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting in those patients receiving the maximum dose (1 mg hourly) of PGE2.

On subjective assessment, clinicians considered oxytocin to be more effective (p < 0.05), while midwives felt both regimes to be equally helpful. PGE2 oral tablets were significantly (p < 0.05) more acceptable to the patients, who preferred the convenience of oral dosing, the absence of an i.v. line and the increased mobility.

It is concluded that PGE2 tablets are a safe and effective method of stimulating labor following PROM, and highly acceptable to parturients. In those women in whom labor has not been established within 8 h of initiating PGE2 therapy, or in whom gastric side effects are troublesome, intravenous oxytocin should be substituted.
Bacteriological Findings And Clinical Symptoms
Authors: Matheson Ingrid , Aursnes Ivar , Horgen Mette , Aabø Øyvind , Melby Kjetil
Published: November 2007

Clinical symptoms, bacterial content in breast milk and treatment were recorded in 43 women in Oslo with puerperal mastitis. Patients with a favorable (n = 35) and unfavorable outcome (n = 8) (defined as abscess formation and/or symptom relief after more than 7 days) were compared. The group with unfavorable outcome was characterized by increased delay between symptoms and time for consultation, higher score of clinical symptoms and higher frequency of Staphylococcus aureus. A higher frequency of S. aureus was found in the affected breasts than in the unaffected breasts. There was no difference concerning the frequency of coagulase‐negative staphylococci and overall bacterial counts, either between milk from affected and non‐affected breasts, or between milk from non‐affected breasts and milk from healthy donors. The present investigation indicates that penicillin treatment is questionable when considering that untreated cases healed almost as quickly as treated ones, and that 70% of the S. aureus strains were resistant to phenoxymethylpenicillin. It is concluded that present bacterial examinations in breast milk are of limited help in deciding who needs antibiotic treatment.
Follicular Fluid Histamine Concentrations In Infertile Women With Pelvic Adhesions
Authors: Shrivastav Pankaj , Gill Dalvir S. , Jeremy Jamie Y. , Craft Ian , Dandona Paresh
Published: November 2007

Dense pelvic adhesions can arise as a result of pelvic infection, endometriosis, peritonitis, or pelvic surgery. The burnt‐out disease is associated with evidence of a chronic inflammatory response. One of the chemical mediators of inflammation is histamine; and human and animal studies have indicated a role for histamine in the ovulatory process. In women with dense pelvic adhesions we have found significantly elevated concentrations of histamine in the follicular fluid when compared with the follicular fluid obtained from women without adhesions. This may lead to premature ovulation during a normal cycle, resulting in the release of an immature oocyte. It is possible that this may contribute to the lower fertility in women who have pelvic endometriosis but patent fallopian tubes, and in those patients where tubal patency has been restored following tubal surgery.
Amniotomy Or Oxytocin For Induction Of Labor: Re‐Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Keirse Marc J. N. C.
Published: November 2007

A recently reported “prospective, randomized study into amniotomy and oxytocin as induction methods in a total unselected population” was examined for selection bias and bias after entry into the study. The null hypothesis that clinical attitudes to amniotomy as a means for inducing labor had no influence on the decision to enter women into the trial and allocate them to either amniotomy or oxytocin was rejected at p < 0.00025. Clinical attitudes were further found to statistically significantly influence the prescribed assessments 4 h after entry into the trial and the selection of the second intervention that was required in the absence of acceptable progress (p < 0.0005). Bias at the time of this prescribed assessment was large enough to result in an inverse relationship between “acceptable progress within 4 hours” and “delivery within 24 hours” after induction.

A subanalysis of the nulliparae entered into the trial further substantiated both bias at entry and bias in following the prescribed protocol. As hypothesized, these biases reached a greater statistical significance in nulliparous than in parous women. The likelihood that all of these observations would be encountered in a truly randomized study of this size can be estimated to be less than one in a billion (or p < 0.000,000,000,000,1). The study, therefore, provides a classical example of the dangers of non‐blind allocation to different treatment groups in clinical trials. It is further concluded that no randomized controlled studies between amniotomy and oxytocin in a “total unselected population” are available.
Uterine And Umbilical Blood Flow During Cesarean Section Under Epidural Anesthesia
Authors: Petrikovsky Boris M. , Cohen Mario , Tancer M. Leon
Published: November 2007

Umbilical and uterine blood flow velocity waveforms were studied in 22 women undergoing elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia. The measurements were taken prior to initiation of anesthesia (baseline levels), after the appropriate level of anesthesia had been achieved (prior to the onset of surgery), and intraoperatively immediately prior to the uterine incision and after the delivery (uterine blood flow). Achievement of the therapeutic level of epidural anesthesia was not associated with altered umbilical and uterine blood flow. Intraoperatively, however, 2/3 of the women manifested increased resistance in the utero‐fetal circuit, judging by the rise in S/D ratios. Under normal circumstances (absence of fetal distress and maternal complications prior to the cesarean section, adequate maternal hydration and oxygenation, etc.) these changes did not cause any neonatal compromise as evidenced by normal Apgar scores and freedom from complications during the neonatal period.
Doppler Measurements Of Changes In Human Mammary And Uterine Blood Flow During Pregnancy And Lactation
Authors: Thoresen Marianne , Wesche Jarlis
Published: November 2007

A pulsed Doppler ultrasound velocity meter was used to measure blood velocities in the right uterine artery and a mammary branch of the right lateral thoracic artery in one subject throughout pregnancy and after parturition. The breast blood velocity was also followed throughout lactation. The velocities in the uterine artery increased 2.5‐fold from the 15th to the 38th week, when delivery occurred. An estimate of the total blood flow in the uterine artery, based on the total intensities in the Doppler spectrum, increased 5‐fold in the same period. This corresponds to the increase in volume flow obtained with invasive methods. Velocities in the breast artery increased 2.5‐fold from the 12th to the 25th week of pregnancy and then stayed at the same level throughout lactation; after weaning, they rapidly declined.
Substance Abuse in Patients With Comorbid Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Tucker Phebe , Westermeyer Joseph
Published: November 2007

The nature of substance‐related disorder (SRD) in patients with comorbid anxiety disorder (AD) is not well understood. Such patients may be “self‐medicating,” in which case we would expect greater abuse of antianxiety or sedating substances. To address these issues, the authors compared 36 patients with comorbid SRD‐AD with 308 SRD‐only patients. Relatively more women were in the SRD‐AD group, but other demographic characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Several childhood variables (related to problematic behavior and academic problems) did distinguish the two groups. Unexpectedly, the SRD‐AD patients met fewer diagnostic criteria for cannabis and opiate diagnoses (P < 0.01). Family history revealed less maternal SRD in the SRD‐AD group. Numerous indices of course and severity failed to reveal many differences between the two groups. These data suggest that SRD type and severity among comorbid SRD‐AD patients closely resembles those among SRD‐only patients. These data have implications for the assessment and care of comorbid SRD‐AD patients.
Concentration and temperature dependence on diffusivities of CO2 and N2 for poly(dimethyl, methylphenyl siloxane)
Authors: Jha Praveen , Way J. Douglas
Published: November 2007

Experimental determination of solubility and diffusion coefficients of CO2 and N2 in poly(dimethyl, methylphenyl siloxane) (PMPS) for the pressure range 0–150 kPa and the temperature range of −10°C to 45°C is discussed. The absorption isotherms were measured by pressure decay equilibrium. Diffusion coefficients were determined by modeling the transient absorption data by Fickian diffusion. The value of solubility coefficient for CO2 at 35°C was 1.21 ± 0.02 cm3 CO2 (STP)/(cm3 polymer.atm) and it increased to 2.07 ± 0.01 cm3 CO2 (STP)/(cm3 polymer.atm) at 1°C. The absorption isotherms of CO2 obtained were linear for the pressure range 0–200 kPa and the enthalpy of sorption value was −10.82 kJ/mole for CO2. However, the diffusion coefficients of CO2 changed with feed pressure. The diffusion coefficient of CO2 in PMPS at 22°C and 128.6 kPa equilibrium pressure was 7.22 × 10−6 cm2/s and thus the permeability value at these conditions was 1392 Barrers. The diffusion coefficients of CO2 at 0°C and equilibrium pressures of 125.8 kPa and 10.5 kPa were 5.72 × 10−6 cm2/s and 4.31 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. Consequently, the CO2 permeability in PMPS decreases by about 20% when the pressure is reduced from 125.8 to 10.5 kPa at 0°C. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Control structure design for optimal operation of heat exchanger networks
Authors: Lersbamrungsuk Veerayut , Srinophakun Thongchai , Narasimhan Sridharakumar , Skogestad Sigurd
Published: November 2007

When only single bypasses and utility duties are used as manipulations, optimal operation of heat exchanger networks (HENs) can be categorized as an active constraint control problem. This work suggests a simple split‐range control scheme to implement the optimal operation. For a given HEN and information about the disturbances, the corresponding control structure can be found by solving an integer‐linear programming (ILP) problem with two objective functions providing optimal split‐range pairs (for tracking active constraints during the operation) and appropriate control pairings (for fast control action). A HEN case study is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed design technique. Dynamic simulation shows the ability to provide the optimal operation of the obtained control structure. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Synthesis of polysiloxanes with pendant methoxy‐substituted aromatic fragments
Authors: Mukbaniani O. , Titvinidze G. , Dundua A. , Doroshenko M. , Tatrishvili T.
Published: November 2007

The synthesis of new polysiloxanes was performed via hydrosilylation reactions of polymethylhydrosiloxane with 4‐allyl‐1‐methoxybenzene and 4‐allyl‐1,2‐dimethoxybenzene in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst {Pt2[(VinSiMe2)2O]3} and platinum hydrochloric acid (0.1M solution in tetrahydrofuran). The hydrosilylation reactions were carried out at 60°C. The molar ratio of SiH groups to the allylic compound was 1 : 1.2. The synthesized oligomers were characterized with 1H‐NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. In the presence of platinum hydrochloric acid, not all active SiH bonds took part in hydrosilylation, and because of this, gelation took place and the molecular masses of the extracted parts increased 7–8 times; in contrast to this, in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst, all active SiH bonds participated in hydrosilylation, and an increase in the molecular masses did not occurs. The influence of substituted methoxy groups on the glass‐transition temperatures was studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JAppl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of cyclodextrin‐based polymers and their use as debittering agents
Authors: Binello Arianna , Robaldo Bruna , Barge Alessandro , Cavalli Roberta , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: November 2007

Cyclodextrins (CDs) and their derivatives are used to suppress unpleasant tastes and odors or to achieve a controlled release of certain food constituents. This article describes the synthesis by nonconventional methods of (1) crosslinked, insoluble CD polymers and (2) water‐soluble, CD‐grafted carboxymethylchitosan and carboxymethylcellulose. The CD polymers were obtained by the reaction of β‐CD with one of the following crosslinking agents: epichlorohydrin, diphenyl carbonate, or hexamethylene diisocyanate. Their preparations were usually carried out under high‐intensity ultrasound, which resulted in much shorter reaction times and narrower distributions of particle size (as determined by scanning electron microscopy measurements). A novel, insoluble CD polymer was obtained by reticulation under microwaves of propargyl‐β‐CD with 1,3‐bis(azidomethyl)benzene through Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. Short columns packed with the insoluble polymers were found to efficiently sequester naringin from aqueous solutions; successively, they could be easily regenerated by a counter‐current ethanol wash that also achieved an excellent recovery of the flavonoid. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed that the crosslinked CD polymers formed inclusion complexes with naringin. The soluble polymers also interacted with bitter flavonoids of citrus fruits (naringin and limonin), as shown by the results of sensorial panel tests, in which they behaved as bitter‐masking agents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Modeling of the effect of rigid fillers on the stiffness of rubbers
Authors: Jha Vineet , Hon Amir A. , Thomas Alan G. , Busfield James J. C.
Published: November 2007

The theories that predict the increase in the modulus of elastomers resulting from the presence of a rigid filler are typically derived from Einstein's viscosity law. For example, Guth and Gold used this approach to predict how the Young's modulus of an elastomer is related to the filler volume fraction. Hon et al. have shown using finite element microstructural models that stiffness predictions at small strains were also possible. Here, microstructural finite element models have been used to investigate the modulus of filled elastomer over a wider range of strains than has been possible previously. At larger strains, finite extensibility effects are significant and here an appropriate stored energy function proposed by Gent was adopted. In this work, the effect of spherical MT‐type carbon‐black filler behavior was considered. Different models were made and the results were then compared to experimental measurement of the stiffness taken from the literature. It is shown that the boundary conditions of the microstructural unit cell lie between the two extremes of free surfaces and planar surfaces. Also as the filler volume fraction increases then the number of filler particles required in the representative volume to predict the actual stiffness behavior also increases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylonitrile under microwave irradiation
Authors: Hou Chen , Qu Rongjun , Wang Chunhua , Zhou Wenying , Liu Li , Qi Yuxi
Published: November 2007

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization was first used to successfully synthesize polyacrylonitrile under microwave irradiation. FeCl3, coordinated by isophthalic acid, was used as the catalyst, and 2,2′‐azobisisoheptonitrilewas used as the initiator. N,N‐Dimethylformamide was used as the solvent to improve the solubility of the ligand. Under the same experimental conditions, the apparent rate constant under microwave irradiation was higher than that under conventional heating. The polymerization not only showed the best control of the molecular weight and its distribution but also provided a rather rapid reaction rate with the [acrylonitrile]/[2,2′‐azobisisoheptonitrile]/[FeCl3]/[isophthalic acid] ratio of 300 : 1 : 1 : 2. The polymers obtained were used as macroinitiators to initiate the chain extension and successfully synthesize acrylonitrile polymers with a molecular weight higher than 50,000 and a narrow polydispersity as low as 1.30. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanism of silica reinforcement in CPE/NR blends by the use of rheological approaches
Authors: Phewphong Pakpum , Saeoui Pongdhorn , Sirisinha Chakrit
Published: November 2007

Blends of elastomeric chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and natural rubber (NR) at blend composition ratio of 80/20 CPE/NR with various precipitated silica loadings were prepared. By the use of rheological approaches, a mechanism of silica reinforcement was proposed. Results obtained reveal that the viscoelastic behavior of blends is influenced remarkably by loadings of silica. A cure promotion phenomenon is found as silica is loaded due probably to the strong silica‐CPE interaction and/or a reduction in curative absorption on silica surfaces. A strong Payne effect is observed, which is increased by a rise in silica loading, implying a formation of pseudocrosslink via a physical interaction, which could be disrupted at high strain of deformation. The proposed mechanism of silica reinforcement based on the formation of pseudocrosslink is validated by the deactivation of silanol groups on silica surfaces using silane‐coupling agents. The bis‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfane (Si‐69) is found to be more effective in suppressing the pseudocrosslink than 3‐thiocyanatopropyl triethoxy silane (Si‐264), which is thought to be the result of its larger amount of alkoxy groups at a given silane loading. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Juvenile hormone and methyl farnesoate production in cockroach embryos in relation to dorsal closure and the reproductive modes of different species of cockroaches
Authors: Li Xinyi
Published: November 2007

Juvenile hormone (JH), produced by the corpora allata (CA), is first detectable after dorsal closure, a conspicuous event in embryogenesis. The present research found that the timing of dorsal closure was consistently at about 45% of the total embryonic development time across most of the oviparous and ovoviviparous cockroach species examined. These included the ovoviviparous cockroaches Blaberus discoidalis, Byrsotria fumigata, Rhyparobia maderae, Nauphoeta cinerea, Phoetalia pallida, Schultesia lampyridiformis, and Panchlora nivea, as well as the oviparous cockroaches Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Eurycotis floridana, and Supella longipalpa. However, the only known viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata completed dorsal closure at 20.8% of embryo development time. Methyl farnesoate (MF), the immediate precursor of JH III, is considered a functional molecule in crustaceans; however, in insects its function is still unclear. To understand the role of JH and MF in cockroach embryos, I compared JH and MF biosynthesis and release in several cockroach species of known phylogenetic relationships. Using a radiochemical assay, the present research showed that cockroach embryos representing all three reproductive modes produced and released both JH and MF, as previously shown for B. germanica, N. cinerea, and D. punctata. Members of a pair of embryonic CA from B. discoidalis, B. fumigata, R. maderae, and D. punctata were incubated with and without farnesol. MF accumulated in large amounts only in CA of R. maderae in the presence of farnesol, which indicates that control of the last step of biosynthesis of JH, conversion of MF into JH by MF epoxidase, is probably a rate‐limiting step in this species. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 66:159–168, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenetic effects of alkaloidal metabolites on the development of the coremata in the salt marsh moth, Estigmene acrea (Dru.) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
Authors: Jordan Alex T. , Jones Tappey H. , Conner William E.
Published: November 2007

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) play a fundamental role in the sexual biology of the salt marsh moth Estigmene acrea. They are precursors for the male courtship pheromone hydroxydanaidal and they stimulate the growth and development of male pheromone‐disseminating organs called coremata. Yet larval Estigmene are polyphagous and feed only sporadically on PA‐containing plants and those they utilize contain different classes of PAs. The various PAs ingested are hydrolyzed to the common necine metabolite retronecine and re‐esterified to insect‐specific alkaloids from which the male pheromone hydroxydanaidal is synthesized. Given this complex metabolic pathway, we investigated the role of retronecine and the insect‐specific alkaloids that stem from it as morphogens stimulating corematal growth. Retronecine fed to terminal instar larvae in a standard caterpillar diet stimulated corematal growth. It also stimulated corematal growth when it was injected into the hemolymph of larvae. These results indicate that this common PA metabolite, and/or the insect specific alkaloids produced from it, function as corematal morphogens. The parental forms (alkaloids ingested from the plant) are not strictly necessary for corematal growth. Stimulation of the PA receptors on the galea and ingestion process are also not critical to corematal development. Since the insect‐specific alkaloids are the direct precursors for the male courtship pheromone, it is argued that their level is the best indicator of the ultimate pheromone titer and would provide the most accurate developmental signal. The effects of alkaloidal metabolites as morphogens in E. acrea are compared to those for the South Asian arctiines Creatonotus gangis and C. transiens in which the developmental role of PAs was first discovered. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 66:183–189, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for two vitellogenin‐related genes in Leucophaea maderae: The protein primary structure and its processing
Authors: Tufail Muhammad , Bembenek Jadwiga , Elgendy Azza Mohamed , Takeda Makio
Published: November 2007

We previously reported a cDNA for vitellogenin (Vg) from the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae (Lm). In the present study, we identified another cDNA encoding a second Vg (Vg2) having stretches of amino acid sequences different from the first one, Vg1, reported earlier. The complete nucleotide sequence of Vg2 consisted of 5,915 bp, which encoded a primary protein of 1,911 residues including a 16‐residue putative signal peptide. The regions different in both Vg precursors (Pro‐Vg1 and pro‐Vg2) were four in number, and two, relatively longer, existed at the carboxy terminal. The presence of two Vg‐related cDNAs was confirmed by sequencing of RT‐PCR products generated using primers designed based on the common sequences flanking the regions different in amino acid sequences. Both forms were transcribed since they could be amplified on mRNA from fat bodies of different individual females. Southern blot analysis of digested genomic DNA revealed the existence of two Vg‐related genes in L. maderae indicating that each Vg cDNA originated from a separate gene. Also, the immunoblot analysis using antibodies generated against peptides unique to both Vg1 and Vg2 probed the same antigen in the same individual, suggesting LmVg to be a product coded by two different Vg precursors. Both Vg primary products showed 96% similarity at an amino acid level. Compared to other insect Vgs, Vg2 showed a slightly higher (1–2%) similarity than Vg1. We previously reported, based on amino‐terminal sequence analysis, that L. maderae pro‐Vg was cleaved into four subunit polypeptides (112‐, 100‐, 92‐, and 55‐kD), which were deposited in the egg as four respective vitellin (Vn) polypeptides. We show now based on immunoblot analysis that the 112‐kD polypeptide is further cleaved, near the C‐terminus, to an 87‐kD polypeptide before it is secreted into the hemolymph. Both the L. maderae Vgs were compared with each other and with other insect Vgs and the processing pattern is discussed. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 66:190–203, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of mutant Ras proteins
Authors: Szeberényi József
Published: November 2007

Terms to be familiar with before you start to solve the test: growth‐factor signaling; Ras proteins; Raf proteins; G proteins; protein kinases; GTPase; GEFs (guanine nucleotide exchange factors); GAPs (GTPase activating proteins); transfection; expression plasmid; mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK); extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK); constitutively active mutant; dominant inhibitory mutant.
Fabrication of CeO2 Nanoparticle Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode for Ultrasensitive Determination of Trace Amounts of Uric Acid in Urine
Authors: WEI Yan , LI Mao‐Guo , FANG Bin
Published: November 2007

The preparation of a glassy carbon electrode modified by CeO2 nanoparticles was described, which was characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In pH 6.0 buffer, the CeO2 nanoparticle modified electrode (CeO2 NP/GC) gave an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of uric acid (UA). The catalytic current of UA versus its concentration had a good linear relation in the range of 2.0×10−7−5.0×10−4 mol/L, with the correlation coefficient of 0.9986 and detection limit of 1.0×10−7 mol/L. The modified electrode can be used for the determination of UA in urine, which can tolerate the interference of ascorbic acid up to 1000‐fold. The method was simple, quick and sensitive.
Kinetic Studies on the Lignin Peroxidase Catalyzed Oxidation of Veratryl Alcohol by H2O2 in AOT/Isooctane/Toluene/Water Reverse Micelles
Authors: LIU Jin‐Ting , HUANG Xi‐Rong , GAO Pei‐Ji
Published: November 2007

The steady state kinetics of the lignin peroxidase (LiP) catalyzed oxidation of veratryl alcohol (VA) by H2O2 in a sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane/toluene/water reverse micellar medium was studied and a comparison with the corresponding aqueous medium was made to understand the effect of the reverse micellar medium on the catalytic mechanism and kinetic parameters. Results indicated that the model reaction in the AOT reverse micelle followed the ping‐pong mechanism with true kcat, Km,VA and K being 59.6 min−1, 13.9 mmol· L−1 and 94.8 µmol·L−1, respectively; inhibition of high level of H2O2 on LiP followed the reversible competitive pattern with Ki being 0.140 mmol·L−1. The reaction mechanism and inhibition pattern in the AOT reverse micellar medium were the same as those in bulk aqueous medium, but the kinetic parameters except K were greatly different in the two media. The kcat and Ki values in the reverse micelle were approximately 2 and 20 times smaller than the corresponding values in the aqueous solution, but the Michaelis constant of VA was approximately 100 times greater than that in the aqueous solution. The above mentioned differences in the kinetic parameters were caused by the microheterogeneity and the interface of the AOT reverse micelle, which resulted in the partitioning of VA and H2O2, and by the changes of the conformation of LiP and the reactivity of the substrates.
Nitration Reaction Catalyzed by Horseradish Peroxidase in the Presence of H2O2 and NaNO2
Authors: DAI Rong‐Ji , HUANG Hui , CHEN Jie , DENG Yu‐Lin , XIAO Sheng‐Yuan
Published: November 2007

The enzymatic nitration of phenol and m‐cresol catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase was studied in the presence of H2O2 and NaNO2. The results showed that the nitration products of phenol were 2‐nitro and 4‐nitrophenols. There was also a small amount of by‐products of hydroquinone and catechol. The influences of various reaction parameters, including pH, organic solvent type, and concentrations of NaNO2 and H2O2, on the nitration products were investigated. The yields of 4‐nitrophenol and 2‐nitrophenol were 14% and 12%, respectively. The nitration products of m‐cresol were 4‐nitro‐m‐cresol and 6‐nitro‐m‐cresol, and the yields of 4‐nitro‐m‐cresol and 6‐nitro‐m‐cresol were 19% and 30%, respectively.
Preparation of a Star Network PEG‐based Gel Polymer Electrolyte and Its Application to Electrochromic Devices
Authors: GONG Yong‐Feng , FU Xiang‐Kai , ZHANG Shu‐Peng , JIANG Qing‐Long
Published: November 2007

A star network polymer with a pentaerythritol core linking four PEG‐block polymeric arms was synthesized, and its corresponding gel polymer electrolyte based on lithium perchlorate and plasticizers EC/PC with the character being colorless and highly transparent has been also prepared. The polymer host was characterized and confirmed to be of a star network and an amorphous structure by FTIR, 1H NMR and XRD studies. The polymer host hold good mechanical properties for pentaerythritol cross‐linking. Maximum ionic conductivity of the prepared polymer electrolyte has reached 8.83×10−4 S·cm−1 at room temperature. Thermogravimetry (TG) of the polymer electrolyte showed that the thermal stability was up to at least 150 °C. The gel polymer electrolyte was further evaluated in electrochromic devices fabricated by transparent PET‐ITO and electrochromically active viologen derivative films, and its excellent performance promised the usage of the gel polymer electrolyte as ionic conductor material in electrochromic devices.
Prospective analysis of carotid artery flow in breast cancer patients treated with supraclavicular irradiation 8 or more years previously
Authors: Woodward Wendy A. , Durand Jean B. , Tucker Susan L. , Strom Eric A. , Perkins George H. , Oh Julia , Arriaga Lisa , Domain Delora , Buchholz Thomas A.
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

To the authors' knowledge, the effects of supraclavicular fossa radiation on the carotid artery are not well described. In the current study, the authors performed a prospective study to examine the long‐term risk of carotid artery stenosis after supraclavicular irradiation for breast cancer.

METHODS.

A total of 46 breast cancer patients who were treated with adjuvant radiation to the supraclavicular fossa with >8 years of follow‐up underwent bilateral Doppler imaging of the carotid artery. Two independent cardiologists interpreted each ultrasound study with no knowledge of which side was treated.

RESULTS.

The median follow‐up from the date of diagnosis was 14.6 years and the mean patient age at the time of ultrasound was 55 years. The median prescribed dose to the supraclavicular fossa was 50 grays. Four patients were found to have clinically relevant, asymptomatic carotid stenosis, for which a cardiology referral was necessary. Only 1 of these 4 patients had stenosis involving the irradiated carotid artery only; 1 patient had bilateral stenosis and 2 patients had only contralateral stenosis. There was no difference noted with regard to isolated ipsilateral versus contralateral medial intimal thickening of the carotid artery (5 patients vs 6 patients, respectively). Furthermore, there were no differences noted with regard to ipsilateral versus contralateral peak systolic flow in the internal (83.5 vs 85.6 cm/seconds; P = .522 by the Student t test and P = .871 by the signed rank test) or common (74.4 vs 77.0 cm/seconds; P = .462 by the Student t test and P = .246 by the signed rank test) carotid artery.

CONCLUSIONS.

In this prospective study of breast cancer patients with long follow‐up, there was no evidence of late, clinically relevant stenosis, increased intimal thickening, or increased peak systolic carotid artery flow secondary to supraclavicular irradiation. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
A coagulation factor becomes useful in the study of acute leukemias: Studies with blood coagulation factor XIII
Authors: Kiss Flóra , Simon Ágnes , Csáthy László , Hevessy Zsuzsanna , Katona Éva , Kiss Csongor , Kappelmayer János
Published: November 2007

The intracellular form of the coagulation factor XIII has previously been identified by immunomorphological techniques using polyclonal antibodies. In these studies, only the A subunit (FXIII‐A) was detectable in megakaryocytes/platelets and in monocytes/macrophages. We developed several novel monoclonal antibody clones directed to both subunits (FXIII‐A and FXIII‐B) and investigated their appearance in normal and leukemic cells. By using 3‐ and 4‐color flow cytometry FXIII expression was investigated in normal peripheral blood and bone marrow samples and in acute myeloblastic (AML) and lymphoblastic (ALL) leukemia cases. Samples were studied by Western blotting and confocal laser scanning microscopy. With a previously published ELISA assay applying two monoclonal antibodies directed to different epitopes in FXIII‐A, we were able to measure the intracytoplasmic content of FXIII‐A in normal cells and leukemic blasts. FXIII‐A was detectable in normal peripheral blood monocytes and in large quantities in platelets, but both cell types were negative for FXIII‐B. There was no surface staining for FXIII‐A, it only appeared intracellularly. In samples derived from patients with AML M4 and M5, FXIII‐A sensitively identified blast cells. Although normal lymphocytes do not express FXIII‐A, 40% of ALL cases showed significant FXIII‐A expression as determined by flow cytometry. FXIII‐A positivity of lymphoblasts was verified by Western blotting, ELISA, and confocal laser scanning microscopy cytometry. These data provide evidence that FXIII‐A is a sufficiently sensitive marker in differentiating myeloblasts and monoblasts and is suitable for identifying leukemia‐associated phenotypes in ALL. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Cell microarray platform for anticancer drug development
Authors: Lee Min‐Jung , Chung Eun Joo , Lee Sunmin , Chung Joon‐Yong , Telford William G. , Sausville Edward A. , Gojo Ivana , Karp Judith E. , Gore Steven D. , Kapoor Veena , Kim Yeong Sang , Kummar Shivaani , Gutierrez Martin , Hewitt Stephen M. , Trepel Jane B.
Published: November 2007

Pharmacodynamic assessment of whether a drug has interacted with and modified its target is an essential component of molecularly targeted clinical trials. Although many trials are written with the intent to assess tumor biopsies, if available, thus far the great majority of early drug trials have used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as a tumor surrogate. Typically, PBMC are studied by low‐throughput techniques such as Western blot. We present the use of a cell‐based tissue microarray for assessment of anticancer drug activity in vivo. We demonstrate the utility of this technique for analysis of protein hyperacetylation in response to treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, SNDX‐275 in PBMC treated in vitro and in PBMC and bone marrow aspirates from patients in Phase I clinical trials with SNDX‐275. We demonstrate that the cell microarray can be used to measure drug response in a high‐throughput manner, allowing analysis of an entire trial on one or two glass slides. The cell microarray technique brings the advantages of the tissue microarray platform to the pharmacodynamic assessment of single cells, such as those isolated from bone marrow aspirates, fine needle aspirates, or malignant effusions, and to analysis of PBMC, the most commonly studied surrogate in oncology trials. Drug Dev Res 68:226–234, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ganglion cell regeneration following whole‐retina destruction in zebrafish
Authors: Sherpa Tshering , Fimbel Shane M. , Mallory Dianne E. , Maaswinkel Hans , Spritzer Scott D. , Sand Jordan A. , Li L. , Hyde David R. , Stenkamp Deborah L.
Published: November 2007

The retinas of adult teleost fish can regenerate neurons following injury. The current study provides the first documentation of functional whole retina regeneration in the zebrafish, Danio rerio, following intraocular injection of the cytotoxin, ouabain. Loss and replacement of laminated retinal tissue was monitored by analysis of cell death and cell proliferation, and by analysis of retina‐specific gene expression patterns. The spatiotemporal process of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) regeneration was followed through the use of selective markers, and was found to largely recapitulate the spatiotemporal process of embryonic ganglion cell neurogenesis, over a more protracted time frame. However, the re‐expression of some ganglion cell markers was not observed. The growth and pathfinding of ganglion cell axons was evaluated by measurement of the optic nerve head (ONH), and the restoration of normal ONH size was found to correspond to the time of recovery of two visually‐mediated behaviors. However, some abnormalities were noted, including overproduction of RGCs, and progressive and excessive growth of the ONH at longer recovery times. This model system for whole‐retina regeneration has provided an informative view of the regenerative process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008