bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulation characteristics and its evaluation method of N2 gas for nonstandard lightning impulse waveforms
Authors: Kaneko Shuhei , Okabe Shigemitsu
Published: January 2009

Until recently, SF6 gas has widely been used as the best insulating medium in substation equipment. However, SF6 gas was specified to be a greenhouse gas at COP3 in 1997 because of its high global warming potential (GWP), and alternative insulation gases to SF6 have been sought for a long time. Alternatives using the natural gases are considered to be suitable, but none of them show better properties for insulation as well as good environmental compatibility. Therefore, it is necessary to rationalize the equipment insulation level and reduce the test voltage of electric power apparatus to as low a level as possible. The actual lightning surge waveform (so‐called nonstandard lightning impulse waveform) occurring in the actual field is different from the standard lightning impulse waveform (1.2/50 μs). There are many cases in which the actual lightning surge waveform has a steep rise and large decay of overvoltage, and the insulation requirements are not as severe as those for the standard lightning impulse waveform. In this paper, we focused our research on N2 gas as an SF6 substitute and investigated the insulation characteristics of N2 gas for a single‐frequency oscillatory waveform with various frequencies from 2.7 to 20.0 MHz and damping ratios. Based on the experimental results, it might be possible to reduce the test voltage of N2 gas insulation by evaluating the crest value of the actual lightning surge waveform that has been converted into an equivalent standard lightning impulse waveform. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 10–20, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20754
Remaining service life diagnostic technology of insulators for power distribution equipment
Authors: Miki Shinsuke , Okazawa Hiroshi , Hasegawa Taketoshi , Tsunoda Sei , Inujima Hiroshi
Published: January 2009

The authors have developed a remaining service life diagnostic technology for insulators, which are important parts involved in determining the service life of power distribution equipment. Application of chemical evaluation and the Mahalanobis–Taguchi (MT) method enabled them to diagnose the insulators' degree of deterioration with great accuracy and nondestructively onsite. The theory derives the threshold value of surface resistivity for electric discharge initiation calculated based on the diagnostic results from the MT method and the year in which the master curve of service life and the threshold value intersect. It was clarified that a remaining service life could be predicted by this technology, because there was a good relationship between the check examination results of electric discharge initiation in the laboratory and the results the authors found. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 1–9, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20854
A calculation method of equivalent circuit constants with mutual leakage reactance on synchronous machine with damper winding
Authors: Kano Takashi , Nakayama Hiroki , Ara Takahiro , Matsumura Toshihiro
Published: January 2009

The mutual leakage reactance between the d‐axis damper and field windings is ignored in the conventional d‐axis equivalent circuit. It has been pointed out that the calculated value of the field transient current differs considerably from the measured value when this reactance is not taken into account. A method to determine this reactance has been reported previously, but this method has problems concerning measurement precision. The authors have previously presented a calculation method for equivalent circuits, adapting a DC decay testing method, using two synchronous machines of the same specifications (one with damper winding, the other without). Yet, this method is not practical because of the use of two machines.

This paper presents a calculation method for equivalent circuit constants taking into account the mutual leakage reactance to accurately represent the field transient current using a single machine. The proposed method determines equivalent circuit constants by calculating the physically correct d‐axis transient reactance from the operational impedances when the field winding is shorted and when the field winding is shorted with an external resistance. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the measured values with the calculated values of field and armature currents at sudden three‐phase short‐circuit. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 71–78, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20891
vic‐Dichlorodiphosphapropenes – Synthesis and Coordination Ability
Authors: Septelean Raluca , Nemes Gabriela , Escudié Jean , Silaghi‐Dumitrescu Ioan , Ranaivonjatovo Henri , Petrar Petronela , Gornitzka Heinz , Silaghi‐Dumitrescu Luminita , Saffon Nathalie
Published: January 2009

New substituted 2,3‐dichloro‐1‐λ3σ2‐P,3‐λ3σ3‐P‐diphosphapropenes Mes*P=C(Cl)‐P(Cl)tBu (1) (Mes* = 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl) and the oxidation compounds Mes*P=C(Cl)–P(=E)(Cl)R [R = tBu, E = S (2), O (3); R = Mes, E = O (4)] are reported. From the reaction of 2 with W(CO)5(thf) the chelate compound W(CO)4[Mes*P=C(Cl)–P(S)(Cl)tBu] (5) was obtained. Reaction of 1 or 2 with PdCl2(cod) led to PdCl2[cyMes*PC(H)(Cl)–P(Cl)tBu] (cyMes*P = 5,7‐di‐tert‐butyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐1‐phosphaindane) (6) or PdCl2[cyMes*PC(H)(Cl)–P(S)(Cl)tBu] (7), in which the coordination to the Pd atoms is accompanied by intramolecular addition of CH(tBu) of Mes* to the P=C bond of the dichlorodiphosphapropene. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Supramolecular Interactions in Chitosan Gels
Authors: Kato Kazuaki , Schneider Hans‐Jörg
Published: January 2009

Chitosan gel particles show selective size changes with a large variety of effector compounds. Swelling induced by protonation of the chitosan amino groups is counteracted by non‐covalent cross‐linking with anions, depending on the structure of the acids. Thus, contraction amounts to 30 % with malonic acid, but to <1 % with the homologuous succinic acid, to 60 % with tartaric acid and to 51 % with 2,4‐dinitrophenol. With acetic acid expansion starts at around pH 6, whereas with, for example, hydrochloric acid swelling occurs at around pH 4. All size changes are essentially due to changes in water content. Basic amino acids, such as His, Lys and Arg, induce significantly enhanced expansion only in the presence of other acids as cofactors, therefore performing as logic AND gates. Enantioselective size changes are large with dibenzoyltartaric acid derivatives. Reducing the size of the gel particles allows the speed of size change to increase significantly; a similar sensitivity increase is achieved by the accompanying compartmentalization effect. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Molybdenum‐Catalyzed α‐Hydrostannations of Propargylamines as the Key Step in the Synthesis of N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Lin Hechun , Kazmaier Uli
Published: January 2009

The Mo‐catalyzed hydrostannation of propargylic amines and amides gave rise to functionalized vinylstannanes in good yield. The α‐stannylated products were formed preferentially, which are interesting synthetic building blocks. If halogenated aromatic amines were subjected to this protocol, the products obtained could be converted into indole and isoquinoline derivatives through intramolecular Stille couplings. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Night eating, binge eating and related features in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Olbrich Katharina , Mühlhans Barbara , Allison Kelly C. , Hahn Eckhart G. , Schahin Simin Pour , de Zwaan Martina
Published: January 2009

The aim of the study was to explore the nature and extent of the association between night eating, other forms of disordered eating and obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS).

Eighty‐one participants (20 women and 61 men), mean age 53.7 years diagnosed with OSAS were assessed prior to starting treatment. Using a cut‐off of ≥25 on the Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), 8.6% of the participants screened positive for night eating syndrome (NES). In addition, 7.5% met criteria for a daytime eating disorder. NES was significantly associated with diagnoses of depression, anxiety and eating disorders and was significantly correlated with an impairment of mental quality of life. No associations were found between NES and gender, BMI and the severity of the OSAS. NES does not appear to be closely linked to OSAS; however, in patients with OSAS and NES a significant co‐morbidity with psychiatric disorders can be expected which might require additional treatment. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Prison health care: is contracting out healthy?
Authors: Bedard Kelly , Frech H. E.
Published: January 2009

US prison health care has recently been in the news and in the courts. A particular issue is whether prisons should contract out for health care. Contracting out has been growing over the past few decades. The stated motivation for this change ranges from a desire to improve the prison healthcare system, sometimes in response to a court mandate, to a desire to reduce costs. This study is a first attempt to quantify the impact of this change on inmate health. As morbidity measures are not readily obtainable, we focus on mortality. More specifically, we use a panel of state prisons from 1979 to 1990 and a fixed effects Poisson model to estimate the change in mortality associated with increase in the percentage of medical personnel employed under contract. In contrast to the first stated aim of contracting, we find that a 13% increase in percentage of medical personnel employed under contract increases mortality by 1.3%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding wallets and waistlines: the impact of family income on the BMI of women and men eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Authors: Schmeiser Maximilian D.
Published: January 2009

The rising rate of obesity has reached epidemic proportions and is now one of the most serious public health challenges facing the US. However, the underlying causes for this increase are unclear. This paper examines the effect of family income changes on body mass index (BMI) and obesity using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort. It does so by using exogenous variation in family income in a sample of low‐income women and men. This exogenous variation is obtained from the correlation of their family income with the generosity of state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program benefits. Income is found to significantly raise the BMI and probability of being obese for women with EITC‐eligible earnings, and have no appreciable effect for men with EITC‐eligible earnings. The results imply that the increase in real family income from 1990 to 2002 explains between 10 and 21% of the increase in sample women's BMI and between 23 and 29% of their increased obesity prevalence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantile effects of prenatal care utilization on birth weight in Argentina
Authors: Wehby George L. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Castilla Eduardo E. , Lopez‐Camelo Jorge S. , Ohsfeldt Robert L.
Published: January 2009

The effects of prenatal care utilization on birth weight (BW) may vary by unobserved fetal health endowments. This heterogeneity will be masked by estimating the effects at BW mean but can be evaluated by estimating the effects at BW quantiles as fetal health endowment is a strong correlate with the BW quantile order. We estimated the effects of prenatal care visits and delay before prenatal care initiation, on BW mean and quantiles using a sample of infants from Argentina. Self‐selection into prenatal care was modeled using 2SLS and instrumental variable quantile regression. Results suggest that the ‘mean’ effect of prenatal care utilization largely underestimates the effects at lower BW quantiles. About 35 and 77 g increase in BW mean and 0.1 quantile respectively, per visit and about 30 and 139 g decrease in BW mean and 0.1 quantile respectively, per week delayed, were estimated. Ignoring self‐selection into prenatal care resulted in underestimation of mean and quantile effects. Results highlight the limitation of analyses focused on ‘mean effects’ in the presence of treatment heterogeneity and emphasize the importance of identifying women at risk for having infants at lower BW quantiles as they may benefit most from earlier and more intensive prenatal care. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of detection and treatment on lifetime medical costs for patients with precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer
Authors: Howard David H. , Tangka Florence K. , Seeff Laura C. , Richardson Lisa C. , Ekwueme Donatus U.
Published: January 2009

Understanding the costs associated with early detection of disease is important for determining the fiscal implications of government‐funded screening programs. We estimate the lifetime medical costs for patients with screen‐detected versus undetected polyps and early‐stage colorectal cancer. Typically, cost–effectiveness studies of screening account only for the direct costs of screening and cancer care. Our estimates include costs for unrelated conditions. We applied the Kaplan–Meier Smoothing Estimator to estimate lifetime costs for beneficiaries with screen‐detected polyps and cancer. Phase‐specific costs and survival probabilities were calculated from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare database for Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65. We estimate costs from the point of detection onward; therefore, our results do not include the costs associated with screening. We used a modified version of the model to estimate what lifetime costs for these patients would have been if the polyps or cancer remained undetected, based on assumptions about the ‘lead time’ for polyps and early‐stage cancer. For younger patients, polyp removal is cost saving. Treatment of early‐stage cancer is cost increasing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pleiotropic function of ezrin in human metastatic melanomas
Authors: Federici Cristina , Brambilla Daria , Lozupone Francesco , Matarrese Paola , de Milito Angelo , Lugini Luana , Iessi Elisabetta , Cecchetti Serena , Marino Marialucia , Perdicchio Maurizio , Logozzi Mariantonia , Spada Massimo , Malorni Walter , Fais Stefano
Published: January 2009

The membrane cytoskeleton cross‐linker, ezrin, has recently been depicted as a key regulator in the progression and metastasis of several pediatric tumors. Less defined appears the role of ezrin in human adult tumors, especially melanoma. We therefore addressed ezrin involvement in the metastatic phenotype of human adult metastatic melanoma cells. Our results show that cells resected from melanoma metastatic lesions of patients, display marked metastatic spreading capacity in SCID mice organs. Stable transfection of human melanoma cells with an ezrin deletion mutant comprising only 146 N‐terminal aminoacids led to the abolishment of metastatic dissemination. In vitro experiments revealed ezrin direct molecular interactions with molecules related to metastatic functions such as CD44, merlin and Lamp‐1, consistent with its participation to the formation of phagocitic vacuoles, vesicular sorting and migration capacities of melanoma cells. Moreover, the ezrin fragment capable of binding to CD44 was shorter than that previously reported, and transfection with the ezrin deletion mutant abrogated plasma membrane Lamp‐1 recruitment. This study highlights key involvement of ezrin in a complex machinery, which allows metastatic cancer cells to migrate, invade and survive in very unfavorable conditions. Our in vivo and in vitro data reveal that ezrin is the hub of the metastatic behavior also in human adult tumors. © 2009 UICC
Smoking modifies the relationship between XRCC1 haplotypes and HPV16‐negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Applebaum Katie M. , McClean Michael D. , Nelson Heather H. , Marsit Carmen J. , Christensen Brock C. , Kelsey Karl T.
Published: January 2009

Reports on the relationship between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and polymorphisms in X‐ray cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) have been inconsistent. We hypothesized this may be due to not accounting for Human papillomavirus type‐16 (HPV16) and thus examined whether smoking modified the association between XRCC1 haplotypes and HNSCC risk within HPV16 serologic strata. Cases were diagnosed in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. Controls were matched to cases on age, gender and residential town. Genotyping was conducted on three XRCC1 polymorphisms (Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln) and serology was used to determine HPV16 exposure. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for age, sex, race, education, smoking, alcohol consumption and HPV16 serology. There was no overall association between XRCC1 polymorphisms and HNSCC risk. Smoking did not modify the association between XRCC1 polymorphisms and HNSCC risk among the HPV16 seropositive (pinteraction = 0.89) but it did for the HPV16 seronegative (pinteraction=0.04). Among the HPV16 seronegative, heavy smokers with a haplotype containing a variant allele had an increased HNSCC risk (haplotype with 399Gln: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.97–1.86), whereas never/light smokers with variant alleles may have a reduced risk. In sum, the association between XRCC1 and HNSCC risk differed by HPV16 status and smoking. Among the HPV16 seronegative, heavy smokers with XRCC1 variant alleles had an increased HNSCC risk. There was no relationship between XRCC1 and HPV16‐related HNSCC, regardless of smoking. Our findings underscore the importance of accounting for HPV16 exposure even when studying susceptibility to HNSCC. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
R‐roscovitine sensitizes anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells to TRAIL‐induced apoptosis via regulation of IKK/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Festa Michela , Petrella Antonello , Alfano Silvia , Parente Luca
Published: January 2009

Among thyroid carcinomas, highly aggressive undifferentiated or anaplastic carcinomas still await effective therapeutic strategies. R‐roscovitine is a novel cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor in clinical trials as anti‐cancer agent. We have investigated the effects of R‐roscovitine on proliferation and apoptosis of 4 thyroid cancer cell lines with different degrees of malignancy. R‐roscovitine induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase in all cells analyzed possibly by inhibiting the CDK1‐cyclin B1 complex. However, the compound was unable to induce a significant cell apoptosis. R‐roscovitine has been shown to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. We report that R‐roscovitine sensitized thyroid cell lines to TRAIL‐induced apoptosis with the highest degree of synergism observed in the most undifferentiated cancer cells. Apoptosis was associated with the activation of caspases. In thyroid cancers, NF‐κB is constitutively activated contributing to the proliferation of malignant cells. Accordingly, we observed that R‐roscovitine inhibited p65 expression and nuclear translocation. Moreover, IKKβ over‐expression inhibited R‐roscovitine‐ and TRAIL‐induced apoptosis. The combined treatment also caused down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic proteins transcriptionally regulated by NF‐κB. Finally, R‐roscovitine up‐regulated expression of DR5 TRAIL receptors. These results demonstrate that undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma cells can be effectively killed by a combination treatment of subtoxic doses of R‐roscovitine and TRAIL. R‐roscovitine sensitization of TRAIL‐induced apoptosis appears to be mediated by the inhibition of the IKK/NF‐KB pathway leading to down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic genes and up‐regulation of TRAIL death receptors. The combination of R‐roscovitine and TRAIL may represent a novel approach to the treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas resistant to conventional chemotherapy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus targets over‐expression of arginase I in hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Cao Wenjun , Sun Bill , Feitelson Mark A. , Wu Tong , Tur‐Kaspa Ran , Fan Qishi
Published: January 2009

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often associated with chronic liver disease, which is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To study the HCV host‐cell relationship on the molecular level, HepG2 and Huh7 cells were stably transfected with an infectious cDNA clone of HCV or with empty vector. Evidence for HCV replication was obtained in both culture systems. HCV also stimulated growth in vitro. To identify genes whose altered expression by HCV are important to the pathogenesis of infection, RNAs were isolated from HepG2‐HCV and HepG2‐vector cells and subjected to microarray analysis. The results showed that arginase 1 mRNA and protein were elevated about threefold in HCV positive compared with negative cells (p < 0.01). Arginase 1 expression was elevated in more than 75% of HCV infected liver samples compared with paired HCC from the same patients (>33% positive) and to uninfected liver tissues (0% positive). Arginase 1 specific siRNA inhibited the ability of HCV to stimulate hepatocellular growth in culture by >70%, suggesting that the metabolism of arginine to ornithine may contribute to HCV mediated stimulation of hepatocellular growth. Introduction of arginase specific siRNA also resulted in increased nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (>1.2‐fold), nitric oxide (NO) production (>3‐fold) and increased cell death (>2.5‐fold) in HCV positive compared with negative cells, suggesting that these molecules potentially contribute to hepatocellular damage. Hence, an important part of the mechanism whereby HCV regulates hepatocellular growth and survival may be through altering arginine metabolism. © 2009 UICC
Longitudinal quality of life data can provide insights on the impact of adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer—Subset analysis of the ESPAC‐1 data
Authors: Carter Ross , Stocken Deborah D. , Ghaneh Payla , Bramhall Simon R. , Olah Attila , Kelemen Deszo , Bassi Claudio , Friess Helmut , Dervenis Christo , Spry Nigel , Büchler Markus W. , Neoptolemos John P.
Published: January 2009

The European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer (ESPAC‐1) study is the largest study of adjuvant treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma to date and confirmed a survival advantage for adjuvant chemotherapy but not for chemoradiation. The importance of parallel evaluation of survival and quality of life (QoL) has been recognized as fundamental and the aim was to assess QoL and quality adjusted survival. A longitudinal QoL study on a subset of ESPAC‐1 patients who prospectively completed the EORTC QLQ C‐30 questionnaire during treatment and follow‐up. An integrated quality‐survival product method was used to adjust any treatment effect on survival by a function of measured QoL, calculated over a restricted 24‐month‐period (QALM‐24). Three hundred and sixteen patients completed 1,201 questionnaires. There were no differences between treatment groups in dimension scores at baseline (randomization). For the chemotherapy group, the mean Quality Adjusted Life Months over 24 months (QALM‐24) was 9.6 (95% CI: 8.7, 11.2) months compared with the mean QALM‐24 of 8.6 (95% CI: 7.6, 10.5) months for the no chemotherapy group. For the chemoradiation group, the mean QALM‐24 was 7.1 (95% CI: 6.0, 9.0) months compared with the mean QALM‐24 of 8.1 (95% CI: 7.0, 10.0) months for the no chemoradiation group. The previously reported survival advantage supporting the use of adjuvant chemotherapy is maintained when adjusted using quality adjusted survival methodology. Chemotherapy provided on average an additional 1.0 quality‐adjusted life months within a restricted 2‐year time period from the time of resection. © 2009 UICC
Mental health in infants with esophageal atresia
Authors: Faugli Anne , Emblem Ragnhild , Bjørnland Kristin , Diseth Trond H.
Published: January 2009

Chronic somatic illness in infancy may challenge the development of mental health and impinge the infant's capability to form close interpersonal relationships. Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly requiring neonatal surgery, medical aftertreatment, and extended hospitalization. The aim of the study was to assess mental health and to find prognostic factors for mental health among infants with EA. Thirty‐nine infants treated consecutively during 2000 to 2003 and their mothers were included. Infant mental health was assessed by Diagnostic Classification: 0–3 (Zero to Three, 1994). Medical and environmental data were collected from medical records and semistructured interview with the mothers. Child development was assessed with the Bayley scales, second edition (N. Bayley, 1993). Maternal psychological distress, anxiety, and child temperament were assessed by self‐report questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire, 30‐item version (D. Goldberg & P. Williams, 1988); the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (C.D. Spielberger, R. Gorsuch, & R. Lushene, 1970); and the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire (M.K. Rothbart, 1981). Thirty‐one percent of the infants with EA showed mental health disorders by 1 year of age. Prognostic factors predicting mental health were posttraumatic symptoms reported by mother, more than one operation, mechanical ventilation beyond 1 day, and moderate/severe chronic family strain. Relational trauma, vulnerable attachment, and impaired self‐development are highlighted as possible pathways for psychopathology. Children with EA are vulnerable to mental health disorders, and this study may help clinicians to identify children at risk.
Infant irritability: The impact of fetal alcohol exposure, maternal depressive symptoms, and low emotional support from the husband
Authors: Lemola Sakari , Stadlmayr Werner , Grob Alexander
Published: January 2009

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fetal alcohol exposure, maternal depressive symptoms, and low emotional support from the husband on infant irritability in the first one and a half years of life. Four models describing the interplay of these factors were assessed: A direct effect model, an interaction or threshold model, a mediational model and a transactional model.

Method: A sample of initially 458 women was assessed in a prospective 3‐wave study across the first 17 months after childbirth. Fetal alcohol exposure was questioned retrospectively six weeks after birth. Infant irritability was reported by the mothers and fathers.

Results: Support for the direct effect model and the interaction model could be found: Fetal alcohol exposure and low emotional support from the husband were associated with increased infant irritability at 5 months. The impact of fetal alcohol exposure was moderated by postnatal depressive symptoms. More irritability was reported if both risk factors, prenatal alcohol exposure and maternal depressive symptoms, were present. Infant irritability and maternal depressive symptoms were associated cross‐sectionally. At the age of 17 months only a main effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on irritability could be found.

Conclusion: Direct effects of fetal alcohol exposure, maternal depressive symptoms, and low emotional support from the husband on infant irritability as well as an interaction between fetal alcohol exposure and maternal depressive symptoms were revealed. The interaction can be understood in terms of a diathesis‐stress model. However, no longitudinal associations between maternal depressive symptoms and infant irritability could be found.
Promoting infant well‐being in the context of maternal depression by supporting the father
Authors: Fletcher Richard
Published: January 2009

Maternal depression is recognized as posing a significant risk to the healthy development of infants. Guided by attachment theory, interventions have focused on the distressed mother's relationship with her infant. While interventions which include fathers are reported in the literature, the processes involved in the fathers' support of a distressed mother and in his interactions with his infant in the context of maternal depression remain unexplored. In the case study described here, home‐visiting support was directed to the father in a couple in which the mother had been treated for depression after the birth. The observed effects of the intervention on father–infant interaction and the “knock‐on” effects on the mothers' parenting suggest that targeting support to fathers in distressed families should be considered. Points for a service protocol are provided to incorporate fathers into the identification and treatment of maternal distress.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of differential proteins in the stroma of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and normal nasopharyngeal epithelial tissue
Authors: Li Mei‐Xiang , Xiao Zhi‐Qiang , Liu Ying‐Fu , Chen Yong‐Heng , Li Cui , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Li Mao‐Yu , Li Feng , Peng Fang , Duan Chao‐Jun , Yi Hong , Yao Hui‐Xin , Chen Zhu‐Chu
Published: January 2009

The importance of stromal cells and the factors that they expressed during cancer initiation and progression have been highlighted by recent literature. To identify the stromal proteins involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) carcinogenesis, we assessed differences in protein expression of the stroma from NPC and normal nasopharyngeal epithelium tissues (NNET) using a quantitative proteomic approach combined with laser capture microdissection (LCM). LCM was performed to purify stromal cells from the NPC and NNET, respectively. The differential proteins between the pooled microdissected tumor and normal stroma were analyzed by two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE) combined with mass spectrometry (MS). Twenty differential proteins were identified, and the expression and location of two differential proteins (L‐plastin and S100A9) were further confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. Our results will be helpful to study the role of stroma in the NPC carcinogenesis, as well as discover the interaction between NPC cells and their surrounding microenvironment. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 570–579, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional regulation of fibrillin‐2 gene by E2F family members in chondrocyte differentiation
Authors: Yanagino Takuya , Yuasa Keizo , Nagahama Masami , Matsuda Yoshiko , Tsuji Akihiko
Published: January 2009

Mutation in fibrillin‐2, a major structural component of extracellular microfibrils in connective tissue, results in the autosomal dominant disease congenital contractural arachnodactyly. This genetic disease is characterized by dolichostenomelia and arachnodactyly, in addition to contractures of the large joints and abnormal pinnae formation, thus indicating the significance of fibrillin‐2 in chondrogenesis. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of fibrillin‐2 in chondrogenic differentiation. Although mRNA expression of fibrillin‐1, a highly homologous protein to fibrillin‐2, remained almost unchanged during chondrogenesis of mouse ATDC5 cells, fibrillin‐2 mRNA expression varied. Fibrillin‐2 was highly expressed at the early stage and declined progressively during differentiation. The 5′‐flanking region of the fibrillin‐2 gene contains potential binding sites for E2F, Runx, AP‐2, and Sox transcription factors. The promoter activity of fibrillin‐2 decreased markedly following deletion and mutagenesis of the E2F binding site between −143 and −136 bp. Overexpression of E2F1 resulted in a marked increase in its promoter activity, whereas expression of other transcription factors including AP‐2α and Runx2 had no effect. The increase in promoter activity by E2F1 was completely suppressed by the coexpression of E2F4. E2F2 and E2F3 had positive effects on the promoter activity. Although ATDC5 cells expressed transcripts for the E2F family genes at all stages of differentiation, the expression profiles differed. E2F1 expression remained almost unchanged, whereas E2F4 expression increased markedly at the late stage of differentiation. These results indicated that coordinated expression of the E2F family is critical for the transcriptional regulation of fibrillin‐2 during chondrogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 580–588, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anti‐C1q antibodies: association with nephritis and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Moura Carlos Geraldo , Lima Isabella , Barbosa Lúcio , Athanazio Daniel , Reis Eliana , Reis Mitermayer , Burlingame Rufus W. , Santiago Mittermayer B.
Published: January 2009

Background: Anti‐C1q antibodies have been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as in other connective tissue diseases. They have been considered as a marker for disease activity and presence of nephritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti‐C1q antibodies in Brazilian lupus patients as well as analyze their association with different clinical and serologic parameters.

Methods: Sera from 81 SLE patients, based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, were collected from a lupus referral outpatient clinic in Salvador, Brazil. Antibodies to C1q were detected by an enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit and antibodies to other cellular antigens identified by indirect immunofluorescence on HEp‐2 cell substrate (ANA), or Crithidia luciliae (dsDNA), and to nucleosome by ELISA. A cutoff of 20 U wasestablished for anti‐C1q and antinucleosome assays.

Results: Anti‐C1q antibodies were detected in 39.5% (32/81) of SLE sera. The presence of anti‐C1q antibodies was associated with proteinuria (P=0.028) but not with other laboratory or clinical features, such as antinucleosome or anti‐dsDNA antibodies, hematuria, urinary casts or renal failure, leukopenia, pericarditis, pleuritis, malar rash, seizures, and psychosis. There was a positive correlation between the titers of anti‐C1q antibodies and the systemic lupuis erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score (r=0.370; P=0.001).

Conclusion: This study in Brazilian SLE patients confirms previous findings of the association of anti‐C1q antibodies with nephritis and disease activity. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:19–23, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Silent myocardial ischemia is associated with altered plasma phospholipids
Authors: Lin Hailong , Zhang Jing , Gao Peng
Published: January 2009

Timely and accurate confirmation of the occurrence of silent myocardial ischemia (SMI) is critical both for prevention and therapy management. Metabolomics assay may offer an alternative for SMI differentiation and altered biomolecule discovery in addition to traditional measures. In this study, plasma samples were obtained from 14 diagnosed SMI subjects and 25 healthy controls and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in view of metabolomics. Obtained data were subjected to orthogonal signal correction partialleast‐squares discriminate analysis. Multi‐variate statistic analysis indicated a clear separation between the two studied groups. Plasma concentration fluctuation of four kinds of phospholipids showed tight relationship with the occurrence of SMI, among which 1‐linoleoylglycerophosphocholine (C18:2) was decreased statistically in SMI population (P=0.01). The plasma phospholipids' changes were before enzymatic alteration in SMI, which might be a useful complementary reference to facilitate SMI diagnosis. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:45–50, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of memory immune response to mycobacterium extract among household contact of tuberculosis cases
Authors: Cavalcanti Y.V.N. , Pereira V.R.A. , Reis L.C. , Ramos A.L.G. , Luna C.F. , Nascimento E.J.M. , Lucena‐Silva N.
Published: January 2009

The human immune response to tuberculosis (TB) is especially mediated by T CD4+lymphocytes. However, more studies are needed in order to understand the exact role of each cytokine in the mechanisms for cures. In this article, our aim was to analyze the production of TNF‐α, IL‐10, and IFN‐γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) among the household contacts of common primary TB cases, with or without histories of active TB infection, who were negative to parasitological and HIV tests. In order to characterize the cytokine production, PBMCs from these groups werestimulated with whole‐protein extract of M. tuberculosis (WPE) antigen (rAgTb) for 24 and 48 hr. The culture supernatants were collected and IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 were assayed using capture ELISA. There were no statistical differences between primary TB cases and their household contacts with or without previous histories of lung TB. Our results suggest that T memory cells, T regulatory cells, and the Th1/Th2 dichotomy may be responsible for the results described in this article. Further studies are currently underway. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:57–62, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
De‐sulfation of MG‐63 cell glycosaminoglycans delays in vitro osteogenesis, up‐regulates cholesterol synthesis and disrupts cell cycle and the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Kumarasuriyar A. , Lee I. , Nurcombe V. , Cool S.M.
Published: January 2009

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) sugars are largely responsible for the bioactivity of the proteoglycan proteins they decorate, and are particularly important for mediating the processes of cell attachment and growth factor signaling. Here, we show that chlorate‐induced de‐sulfation of GAGs expressed by MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells results in delayed cell proliferation when the cells are exposed to chlorate for short or medium periods, but a disrupted mineralization without altered cell proliferation in response to long‐term chlorate exposure. Analysis of GAG‐binding growth factor activity indicated that chlorate disrupted BMP2/noggin signaling, but not FGF2 activity. Microarray analyses, which were confirmed by subsequent cell‐based assays, indicated that chlorate predominantly disrupted the cell cycle and actin cytoskeleton and upregulated cholesterol synthesis, without affecting cell migration or attachment. Furthermore, we observed that disruption of the functions of the proteoglycan syndecan‐4 replicated phenotypes induced by chlorate, implicating a primary role for this proteoglycan in providing bioactivity for these cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 572–583, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chaperonin 10 as an endothelial‐derived differentiation factor: Role of glycogen synthase kinase‐3
Authors: Dobocan Monica C. , Sadvakassova Gulzhakhan , Congote Luis F.
Published: January 2009

The anti‐inflammatory peptide early pregnancy factor/chaperonin 10 (cpn10) was identified by 2D‐electrophoresis/mass spectrometry as one of the proteins increased in human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) after treatment with erythropoietin (EPO). EPO increased the amount of cpn10 released into the medium of HUVEC cultures, despite the absence of a secretory signal peptide. Although immunosupressive agents would represent an indirect advantage for red cell formation under conditions of infection and inflammation, it is possible that cpn10 may have direct effects on erythroid cells. We show that the chaperonin decreased cell proliferation in cultures of the erythroleukemia cell line K562 and increased the amounts of the erythroid differentiation markers glycophorin A and hemoglobin in TF‐1 cells. Nevertheless, cpn10 is not a specific erythroid cell differentiation factor, because monolayers of skin fibroblasts overexpressing cpn10 had significantly higher levels of the differentiation marker collagen I than normal fibroblasts. Nothing is known about the mechanism of action of cpn10 in its capacity as a general differentiation factor. An analysis of early changes taking place in K562 cells after incubation with cpn10 using antibody microarrays identified several phosphorylation events, including a decrease of GSK‐3α phosphorylation. Further studies in TF‐1 cells indicated that cpn10 decreased the phosphorylation of cofilin‐1 while stimulating that of GSK‐3β. Furthermore, glycophorin A production decreased in the presence of a GSK‐3 inhibitor in the same cells. These experiments support the idea that GSK‐3‐regulated signal transduction pathways are not only important for stem cell maintenance but may be involved in events controlling cell differentiation. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 470–476, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of applied cathode potential to enhance biocathode in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Liang Peng , Fan Mingzhi , Cao Xiaoxin , Huang Xia
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: The biocathode is proving to be a promising feature for development of the microbial fuel cell (MFC), although much work remains to be done to increase its power generation. This study aimed to enhance the performance of a biocathode by applying selected cathode potential.

RESULTS: When five two‐chambered MFCs were operated at selected cathode potentials of 142, 242, 342, 442, or 542 mV (vs standard hydrogen electrode), those MFCs with selected potentials lower than 342 mV could start up, and the highest power density of 0.11 W m−3 was obtained at a selected potential of 242 mV. An inner‐biocathode MFC was then constructed and operated at a start‐up cathode potential of 242 mV for 30 days. The open circuit cathode potential increased from 477 ± 9 mV to 572 ± 8 mV compared with the potential of the initially abiotic cathode, resulting in an increase in the maximum power density (4.25 ± 0.16 W m−3) of 106%. In addition, tests of continuous operation showed that a loading rate of 135 mg COD L−1 d−1 was optimal for obtaining maximum power generation in the system developed for this study.

CONCLUSION: The results indicated that an optimal cathode potential of 242 mV enhanced the performance of a biocathode using oxygen as the electron acceptor. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
High power generation with simultaneous COD removal using a circulating column microbial fuel cell
Authors: Kargi Fikret , Eker Serkan
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: A circulating column microbial fuel cell (MFC) with Cu anode and AuCu air cathode was used for power generation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from synthetic wastewater. The column was operated in repeated‐fed batch mode using acclimated anaerobic sludge. The contents of the column MFC were circulated while the feed wastewater was fed to the reactor in fed‐batch mode. Effects of feed COD concentration and COD loading rate on voltage difference, power density and percentage COD removal were investigated.

RESULTS: The highest voltage difference (650 mV), power density (40 W m−2) were obtained with a feed COD of 6400 mg L−1, yielding 45% COD removal with a COD loading rate of nearly 90 mg h−1. Low COD loadings (<90 mg h−1) caused substrate limitations, and high loadings (>90 mg h−1) resulted in inhibition of COD removal and power generation. The highest percentage COD removal (50%) was obtained with feed COD content of 10.35 g L−1 or a COD loading rate of 145 mg h−1.

CONCLUSION: The power densities obtained with the circulating column MFC were considerably higher than those reported in the literature due to elimination of mass transfer limitations by the high circulation rates, proximity of electrodes and small anode surface area used in this study. Further improvements may be possible with optimization of the operating parameters. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Separation and identification of purine nucleosides in the urine of patients with malignant cancer by reverse phase liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Hua‐Yu , Wang Shao‐Min , Liu Hong‐Min , Bu Shan‐Shan , Li Juan , Han Dong , Zhang Ming‐zhi , Wu Guang‐Yin
Published: January 2009

Urinary‐modified nucleosides have a potential role as cancer biomarkers for a number of malignant diseases. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was combined with full‐scan mass spectrometry, MS/MS analysis and accurate mass measurements in order to identify purine nucleosides purified from urine. Potential purine nucleosides were assessed by their evident UV absorbance in the HPLC chromatogram and then further examined by the mass spectrometric techniques. In this manner, numerous modified purine nucleosides were identified in the urine samples from cancer patients including xanthine, adenosine, N1‐methyladenosine, 5′‐deoxy‐5′‐methylthioadenosine, 2‐methyladenosine, N6‐threonylcarbamoyladenosine, inosine, N1‐methylinosine, guanosine, N1‐methylguanosine, N7‐methylguanine, N2‐methylguanosine, N2,N2‐dimethyguanosine, N2,N2,N7‐trimethylguanosine. Furthermore, a number of novel purine nucleosides were tentatively identified via critical interpretation of the combined mass spectrometric data including N3‐methyladenosine, N7‐methyladenine, 5′‐dehydro‐2′‐deoxyinosine, N3‐methylguanine, O6‐methylguanosine, N1,N2,N7‐trimethylguanosine, N1‐methyl‐N2‐ethylguanosine and N7‐methyl‐N1‐ethylguanosine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of ozone and aerosols on the experimental values of UV erythemal radiation at ground level in Valencia
Authors: Esteve A. R. , Martínez‐Lozano J. A. , Marín M. J. , Estellés V. , Tena F. , Utrillas M. P.
Published: January 2009

Ultraviolet erythemal radiation (UVER) values have been simulated for different values of column ozone and aerosol optical depth (AOD) using a multiple scattering model: SBDART. The results show that UVER decreased when atmospheric ozone and aerosols increased, with the ozone having greater influence than AOD. To quantify these dependencies the influence of aerosols on the simulated values of UVER has been analysed for different ozone values. This dependence was linear. Similarly, to quantify the influence of ozone on the UVER values this was simulated for fixed values of AOD while varying the column ozone. The expression of this dependence was found to be a second‐order polynomial. We also analysed the dependence of the experimental UVER values on the total column ozone and the AOD at 500 nm. Daily values of UVER were used, normalized with respect to a reference value. It was seen that the modified clearness index, k*tUVER, decreased as the total column ozone increased and also as the 500 nm AOD increased. These linear relationships were obtained and were found to be of the same order for the different intervals of AOD and for those total column ozone intervals for which the greater number of experimental data were available. At the same time, the relations between the modified UVER clearness index and the ozone, as between the modified clearness index and the AOD, showed an annual pattern. Finally, an expression was found to represent the combined dependence of the modified UVER clearness index, k*tUVER, on ozone and aerosols. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society