bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phospha‐michael reactions involving p‐heterocyclic nucleophiles
Authors: Keglevich György , Sipos Melinda , Takács Daniella , Ludányi Krisztina
Published: April 2008

P‐heterocyclic γ‐ketophosphonates were synthesized by the Michael reaction of methyl vinyl ketone with dibenzo‐1,2‐oxaphosphorine 2‐oxide, 1,3,2‐dioxaphosphorine 2‐oxide and benzo‐1,3,2‐dioxaphospholane 2‐oxide, respectively. In the first two cases, 50% of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0[undec‐7‐ene had to be used that was also required in the addition of dibenzooxaphosphorine oxide to cyclohexenone to result in the formation of the corresponding γ‐ketophosphonate. The addition of dibenzooxaphosphorine oxide to less reactive 1,2‐dihydrophosphinine oxide was accomplished after activation by an equimolar amount of trimethylaluminum to afford a 3‐P(O)<‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophosphinine oxide, which was subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to provide the corresponding 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexahydrophosphinine oxide. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:288–292, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20421
On the reaction of bis(phosphothioyl)disul‐fanes with hydroxamic acids, part I: Ionic versus radical reaction pathways
Authors: Przychodzeń Witold , Chojnacki Jarosław
Published: April 2008

Among sodium N‐alkyl‐4‐chlorobenzo‐hydroxamates treated with bis(phosphothioyl)disul‐fanes >P(S)SSP(S)< (where >P(S) is phosphorothioyl, phosphonothioyl, and phosphinothioyl), only the N‐methyl one yields quantitatively the respective O‐phosphothioyl derivatives exhibiting complete inversion of configuration at phosphorus in a reaction whose products are inert toward dithiophosphate arising in the reaction. For branched N‐alkyl benzohydroxamates, products of a SET process predominated. The mechanism of the title reaction is discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:271–282, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20423
Singlet–triplet splitting and stability of divalent five‐membered ring C4H4M, C4H6M, and C4H8M (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb)
Authors: Vessally E.
Published: April 2008

The sum of electronic and thermal free energy differences between singlet and triplet states (Δ Gt‐s) is calculated for C4H4M, C4H6M, and C4H8M (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) at B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df,2p) level. Singlet–triplet splitting (Δ Gt‐s) is compared for three analogs C4H4M, C4H6M, and C4H8M. The change order of Δ Gt‐s is (except for M = C) C4H6M > C4H8M > C4H4M. The results of homodesmotic reaction energies show the most stability for singlet state of C4H6M with respect to C4H4M and C4H8M. In contrast, the triplet state of C4H4M (except for M = C) is the most stable with respect to C4H6M and C4H8M. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:245–251, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20428
An efficient one‐pot procedure for the preparation of 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles in ionic liquid [bmim]BF4 as dual solvent and catalyst
Authors: Rostamizadeh Shahnaz , Aryan Reza , Ghaieni Hamid R. , Amani Ali M.
Published: April 2008

The one‐pot three component condensation of hydrazine hydrate with substituted phenylisothiocyanates followed by the addition of substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF4) and in the absence of any other catalyst under mild condition afforded 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles in excellent yields. The reaction workup is simple, and the ionic liquid was easily recovered from the reaction and reused. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:320–324, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20432
Expression and splicing of the unfolded protein response gene XBP‐1 are significantly associated with clinical outcome of endocrine‐treated breast cancer
Authors: Davies Michael P.A. , Barraclough Dong Liu , Stewart Ceri , Joyce Kathryn A. , Eccles Richard M. , Barraclough Roger , Rudland Philip S. , Sibson David Ross
Published: April 2008

X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP‐1) is stimulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress as part of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which can promote apoptosis or cell survival. Non‐conventional splicing, stimulated during the UPR, converts mRNA for “unspliced” XBP‐1U to “spliced” XBP‐1S mRNA. XBP‐1 mRNA is oestrogen‐responsive, but XBP‐1S confers oestrogen independence and anti‐oestrogen resistance to breast cancer cell lines. We therefore evaluated XBP‐1 mRNA splicing as a factor in response of breast cancer patients to endocrine treatment. XBP‐1 isoforms were measured by quantitative RT‐PCR in 100 primary breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen (including 30 ERα‐negative cases). In ERα‐positive cases, levels of XBP‐1U mRNA correlated with ERα mRNA levels and were lower in grade 3 tumors. Higher levels of XBP‐1U mRNA were significantly associated with breast cancer survival (Log‐rank p = 0.002; Cox hazard ratio (HR) 0.2, p = 0.005), independent of grade, size, nodal status and progesterone receptor status. However, in the full cohort, higher ratios of XBP‐1S/XBP‐1U mRNA (indicating enhanced splicing) were associated with poor survival (Log‐rank p = 0.03; Cox HR 2.3, p = 0.03) and related factors: ERα‐negative status, progesterone receptor negative status, grade 3 tumors and greater proliferation. Significant associations with poor outcome were also seen for XBP‐1 splicing in ERα‐positive cases. Our findings, that XBP‐1 isoforms are differently associated with outcome of endocrine therapy for patients, can be explained by higher levels of dominant‐negative XBP‐1U favouring apoptosis of tumor cells and higher levels of XBP‐1S increasing tumor survival. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of temperature and initial pH on biomimetic apatite coating
Authors: Qu Haibo , Wei Mei
Published: April 2008

Bone‐like apatite coatings were prepared using a biomimetic method in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The effect of initial pH values and immersing temperatures on biomimetic apatite coating formation was studied. Three different temperatures were used in this study: 24 (room temperature), 40, and 60°C. At each temperature, SBF solutions with three different initial pHs were chosen: low, medium, and high. The total inorganic carbon (TIC) content and pH‐time profile of each coating system were recorded during the coating formation. The apatite coatings were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR). It has been found that SBF temperature has a great effect on the bicarbonate decomposition rate. The bicarbonate ions tend to decompose faster as the temperature increases. The decomposition of bicarbonate ions results in a pH increase in the SBF. With different initial SBF pHs, the decomposition of different amounts of bicarbonate ions is required to reach the critical pH range of apatite formation. With different amounts of bicarbonate ions in the SBF, the surface morphology of the biomimetic apatite coating formed is different. Therefore, the initial pH of the SBF solution plays a vital role in controlling the surface morphology of the biomimetic apatite coating. Also, it was found that as the SBF temperature increased, the critical pH range at which biomimetic apatite coating forms decreased. The critical pH range for the SBF prepared at 24, 40, and 60°C was 6.65–6.71, 6.55–6.65, and 6.24–6.42, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Surface modification of polycaprolactone membrane via layer‐by‐layer deposition for promoting blood compatibility
Authors: Liu Li , Guo Shengrong , Chang Jiang , Ning Congqin , Dong Changming , Yan Deyue
Published: April 2008

The polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes were successfully modified by deposition of chitosan/heparin multilayer via a simple electrostatic self‐assembly method. To immobilize chitosan, a novel ternary polysaccharide derivate, chitosan‐g‐PCL‐b‐poly‐(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used coating on PCL film first, which resulted in the presence of positive charges onto PCL surface as the basis for following electrostatic self‐assembly. The process of modification was monitored by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, static contact angle measurement, and atomic force microscopy. The chitosan‐g‐PCL‐b‐PEG/heparin complex immobilized on PCL surface presented it with increasing hydrophilicity and microphase separation structure. Then in vitro hemocompability experiments indicated that this multilayer deposition on PCL resisted the platelets adhesion and prolonged the plasma recalcification time effectively, relative to the untreated PCL. Such chitosan‐g‐PCL‐b‐PEG/heparin‐modified PCL may have good potential for use in vascular tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Sonographic diagnosis of a cervical vagal schwannoma
Authors: Le Corroller Thomas , Sebag Fréderic , Vidal Vincent , Jacquier Alexis , Champsaur Pierre , Bartoli Jean Michel , Moulin Guy
Published: April 2008

This case report illustrates the role of high‐resolution sonography in the preoperative assessment of a schwannoma of the vagus nerve in the neck. Sonography identified the tumor in the right carotid space and determined its origin from the right vagus nerve, facilitating the surgeon's approach to preserve nerve function. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Differentiation or path dependency: a critical look at the Australian wine industry
Authors: Aylward David
Published: April 2008

In 2007 the Australian wine industry is at a crossroads, both organizationally and culturally. Having achieved considerable success over the past three decades, the industry is now operating in the shadow of that success. Rather than adapting to new and multiple operating pathways of a global wine landscape, industry organizations continue to steer their sector along the entrenched and restrictive pathways of previous achievement.

This paper examines strategies that have locked the industry into a saturated, price‐sensitive, commodity wine market. It explains how these strategies will inherently fail to address current challenges and opportunities, and based on empirical data, why a differentiated, region‐specific approach to wine production is the most likely strategy for survival.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moving mountains through simple directive
Authors: Neal Derrick J. , Naylor Quentin W. M.
Published: April 2008

On 1 July 2004 the Secretary of State for Defence (SofS) released the Defence White Paper (DWP) ‘Delivering Security in the Changing World’, in which he set out his strategy to deliver security into the 21st century. The announcement followed a thorough analysis of the emerging security environment and was conducted in the aftermath of 11 September 2001, and amidst a continuing Global War on Terror.

The DWP announced major changes to the structure, size and organization of Defence generally, with significant changes to the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN). Changes to the Army were presented under the banner of ‘Future Army Structures’ (FAS), which primarily represented a rebalancing of capability to ‘meet the new threats  .  .  .  of international terrorism’ (MoD, 2004) through the provision of a ‘truly robust and expeditionary Army’ according to the Chief of General Staff (2004).

FAS was part of the response by the Army to increasing budgetary pressure to save money and within this the Army decided to restructure the Infantry in a programme designated Future Infantry Structures (FIS). However, in delivering FIS the Army runs the risk of ignoring some of the key tenets of change management. This paper presents examples of how the Army has not recognized issues of establishing a guiding coalition, stakeholder engagement and the role of communications.

However, the prime concern is that the Army appears to believe that major change (culturally significant) can be achieved without giving due attention to appropriate resourcing of change.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dealing with strategic change: a trio of automotive industry closures in the West Midlands
Authors: Bentley Gill
Published: April 2008

This paper looks at the public policy response to dealing with strategic change in the case of a trio of automotive industry closures in the West Midlands, the outcome of restructuring in the auto industry. It shows that what is essentially a reactive response is related to the scale of the closure and the character of the closure.

Falling sales and exchange rate volatility, plus production inefficiency, led to Jaguar moving production from Coventry to Castle Bromwich in Birmingham. Neither the scale of job loss at Browns Lane, nor the impact on the supply chain, was as great as it was at Peugeot's Ryton factory when production was moved to a low labour cost location in Slovakia. In the case of MG Rover, its long‐term failure to develop new models, among other factors, saw MG Rover being sold to Nanjing Auto and its machinery shipped to China. A Task Force swung into action to deal with the loss of 6000 jobs and the loss of business to firms in the supply chain. Its budget was bigger than in the case of the other two closures.

However, it is not only the difference in public policy response that is of interest, but also the challenge the closures pose for the understanding of structural change. While the classic reasons for closure are to be found in the closures, in the aftermath Ford is continuing to shed its European acquisitions. This questions the process of capital concentration. The loss of production capability to the West Midlands also blows wide the auto cluster in the West Midlands and makes it more likely that we can see a merging filiere developing in the ever‐changing geography of production.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supercritical fluid extraction of ecdysterone from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata BL.
Authors: Zheng Yizhe , Liu Ben , Chen Mingjie , Chen Tao
Published: April 2008

Ecdysterone has been found in a great many plants and animals and has some valuable pharmaceutical properties. The present study was conducted to investigate optimal conditions for the extraction of the compound by supercritical fluid extraction from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata BL. An orthogonal array design (OAD), OA9(34), was employed as a chemometric method for optimization of the extraction of ecdysterone from the herbal medicine. Four parameters, namely, pressure and temperature of the supercritical fluid, the dynamic extraction time, and the flow rate of dimethyl sulfoxide, were studied and optimized by a three‐level OAD. Determinations of the extracts were performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The effects of the parameters were studied using analysis of variance. The results shown that the yield of ecdysterone could be influenced by the four parameters to a similar degree. The yield for DMSO‐modified supercritical CO2 was in the range from 0.65 to 1.03 mg/g under the selected conditions. In comparison with methanol‐modified supercritical CO2 and Soxhlet extraction, a higher yield was obtained when DMSO‐modified supercritical CO2 was used.
Effect of pressure drop on solute retention and column efficiency in supercritical fluid chromatography Part 2: Modified carbon dioxide as mobile phase
Authors: Rajendran Arvind , Gilkison Timothy S. , Mazzotti Marco
Published: April 2008

The effect of pressure drop on the performance of supercritical fluid chromatography systems using a modified mobile phase (carbon dioxide + ethanol) was studied. Experiments were performed on a Lichrospher‐RP‐18 column with phenanthrene as a solute. A wide range of back pressures (130 to 210 bar) and modifier concentrations (2 to 7% w/w) have been explored. Experiments yielding both small and large pressure drops were performed. From these experiments, parameters to describe pressure drop, retention, and column efficiency were extracted, and were used to simulate the dynamics of the chromatographic column. A good match between the experimentally measured and calculated values of pressure drop, retention times, and column efficiency was observed. At low back pressure and modifier composition, significant loss of column efficiency was observed.
Performing tourism: exploring the productive consumption of tourism in enclavic spaces
Authors: Jordan Fiona
Published: April 2008

In this paper the interactive nature of touristic encounters in enclavic spaces is explored. Drawing on concepts of tourism as performative practice, it examines tourist experience as a form of productive consumption in which holidays are shaped by interactions with both those working in tourism and other tourists. The discussion draws on data gathered in semi‐structured interviews carried out with 39 solo female tourists from the UK. The findings of this study suggest that the sexualised performances of tourism employees and of different groups of tourists in the physical, temporal and social contexts of the holiday have the power to render such spaces inclusive or exclusionary. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
Passively mode-locked Nd:YVO4 picosecond laser with oblique incidence on SESAM
Authors: Gong M , Yu H , Wushouer X , Yan P
Published: April 2008

We report an oblique incidence on semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) method in the LD pumped passively mode-locked Nd:YVO4 picosecond laser in this article, making SESAM as the intracavity reflecting mirror, which produces maximum average output power of 1 W, pulse repetition rate of 120 MHz, and stable continuous mode-locked pulse at 1064 nm with the pulse width of 19.2 ps. To our knowledge, this was the first demonstration that got CW mode-locking in standing-wave laser with a reflected mirror SESAM in oblique incidence way.
A trust‐region method with a conic model for unconstrained optimization
Authors: Qu Shao‐Jian , Jiang Su‐Da
Published: April 2008

In this paper, we propose and analyze a new conic trust‐region algorithm for solving the unconstrained optimization problems. A new strategy is proposed to construct the conic model and the relevant conic trust‐region subproblems are solved by an approximate solution method. This approximate solution method is not only easy to implement but also preserves the strong convergence properties of the exact solution methods. Under reasonable conditions, the locally linear and superlinear convergence of the proposed algorithm is established. The numerical experiments show that this algorithm is both feasible and efficient. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical field calculations considering the human subject for engineering and safety assurance in MRI
Authors: Collins Christopher M.
Published: April 2008

Numerical calculations of static, switched, and radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic (EM) fields considering the geometry and EM properties of the human body are used increasingly in MRI to explain observed phenomena, explore the limitations of various approaches, engineer improved techniques and technology, and assure safety. As the static field strengths and RF field frequencies in MRI have increased in recent years, the value of these methods has become more pronounced and their use has become more widespread. With the recent growth in parallel reception techniques and the advent of transmit RF arrays, the utility of these calculations will become only more critical to continued progress of MRI. Proper relation of field calculation results to the MRI experiment can require significant understanding of MRI physics, EM field principles, MRI coil hardware, and EM field safety. Here some fundamental principles are reviewed and current approaches and applications are catalogued to aid the reader in finding resources valuable in beginning field calculations for their own applications in MR, with an eye to the current needs and future utility of numerical field calculations in MRI. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smoking and binge drinking among Canadian survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers: A comparative, population‐based study
Authors: Carswell Kendra , Chen Yue , Nair Rama C. , Shaw Amanda K. , Speechley Kathy N. , Barrera Maru , Maunsell Elizabeth
Published: April 2008

Background

Objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of smoking and binge drinking among survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer compared to controls who had never had cancer, and to identify factors associated with these behaviors.

Procedure

Data came from a national, multi‐centre, population‐based study of survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer (n = 1,263) aged 16 to 37 years and an age and gender matched control group (n = 1,422). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the likelihood and predictors of current smoking and binge drinking.

Results

Survivors were less likely to be current smokers (ORadj = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.54–0.77) and binge drinkers (ORadj = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.55–0.78) than the controls. Still, a substantial proportion of survivors reported smoking (23%) and binge drinking (25%). Survivors' smoking and binge drinking did not vary substantially by the clinical factors assessed. Survivors who received therapy associated with cardiac and/or pulmonary toxicity were as likely to smoke as non‐exposed survivors. For both the survivors and controls current smoking and binge drinking were associated with lower education and higher reported stress. Binge drinking was also associated with being male and life dissatisfaction in both groups.

Conclusions

This study indicates a need to reduce smoking and binge drinking among survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer and to design interventions addressing the underlying reasons for adopting unhealthy behaviors despite their risk for late effects. We identified factors related to smoking and binge drinking among survivors: being male, lower educational attainment, life dissatisfaction and high stress, which should help inform intervention development. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:280–287. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
School belonging among low‐income urban youth with disabilities: Testing a theoretical model
Authors: McMahon Susan D. , Parnes Anna L. , Keys Christopher B. , Viola Judah J.
Published: April 2008

Positive school environments and school belonging have been associated with a variety of positive academic, social, and psychological outcomes among youth. Yet, it is not clear how these constructs are related, and few studies have focused on urban at‐risk youth with disabilities. This study examines baseline survey data from 136 low‐income African American and Latino students in grades 5 to 12, most of whom have disabilities, recently transferred following a school closure. Using structural equation modeling, we tested a model that examined the relationships among school stressors and resources, school belonging, academic outcomes (school satisfaction and academic self‐efficacy), and psychological outcomes (anxiety and depression). This model was an excellent fit with the data, and findings indicate that school belonging plays a central role in explaining how school context can affect both psychological and academic outcomes. This model has implications for school‐based interventions that can enhance student success and well‐being. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relations among school assets, individual resilience, and student engagement for youth grouped by level of family functioning
Authors: Sharkey Jill D. , You Sukkyung , Schnoebelen Katrina
Published: April 2008

Given the importance of student engagement for healthy outcomes, research needs to investigate whether school‐based assets promote student engagement beyond individual and family influences. Unfortunately, such research has been limited by a lack of valid instrumentation. After examining the psychometrics of the California Healthy Kids Survey Resilience Youth Development Module, we used this risk and resilience instrument with a randomly selected sample of 10,000 diverse 7th‐, 9th‐, and 11th‐grade students to test a model of relations between school assets, individual resilience, and student engagement for students grouped by level of family assets. Although youth in the low family asset group reported lower student engagement, contrary to hypothesis, multigroup structural equation modeling revealed that school assets did not have a differential relation for low family asset youth compared to their high family asset peers. School assets were associated with student engagement for all groups, even accounting for individual resilience. Implications and future directions are provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engaging youth in school and learning: The emerging key to school success and completion
Authors: Kortering Larry , Braziel Patricia
Published: April 2008

This commentary on articles in this special issue of Psychology in the Schools discusses the importance of school completion by identifying the individual and social costs associated with youths who fail to complete school. An appreciation of these various costs sets the stage for exploring an “emerging” key to school completion—engaging students in school and learning. A brief review of articles in this special issue directs attention toward various aspects of engagement, including conceptual insight and practical interventions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth hormone: licensing and prescription in children
Authors: Kirk MD Jeremy
Published: April 2008

Our series Prescribing in children gives practical advice for successful management of childhood problems in general practice. Here, the author describes the historical background of growth hormone treatment, its currently licensed indications and its prescription by shared‐care protocols Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Intrinsa: testosterone patch for low sexual desire in women
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Panay Nick
Published: April 2008

Intrinsa, a transdermal testosterone patch, is licensed for women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder following bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy. Here, Steve Chaplin presents the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse effects, and Mr Panay comments on its role in therapy. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Current management of atopic eczema in primary care
Authors: Hague Joanne , Berth‐Jones John
Published: April 2008

Atopic eczema is a chronic and distressing skin condition that affects the lives of many patients and their families in the UK. This Drug review discusses the recommended management of atopic eczema, followed by a list of useful resources, an analysis of prescription data and the Datafile. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Effects of the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida on erythematous inflammation assessed using digital photo analysis
Authors: Khan Mohammed Nurul Absar , Lee Min‐Chul , Kang Ji‐Young , Park Nam Gyu , Fujii Hitoshi , Hong Yong‐Ki
Published: April 2008

The brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar produced potent inhibition of erythematous inflammation assessed using digital photo analysis. The analysis technique was validated by laser speckle flowgraphy and blood vessel contraction. The methanol extract suppressed erythema by 50% when applied within 1 h before or 15 min after application of phorbol myristate acetate. Erythema reduction to half‐maximal values took 12 h with the extract, compared with 25 h with the vehicle. The blade part of the thallus showed the highest activity, while the northern type of U. pinnatifida had slightly higher activity than the southern type. The active constituents were stearidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. These findings reinforce the claims of the health care industry and indigenous medicine that U. pinnatifida can be used as a health food and remedy for inflammation‐related symptoms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effect of Tinospora cordifolia, Phyllanthus emblica and their combination against antitubercular drugs induced hepatic damage: an experimental study
Authors: Panchabhai T. S. , Ambarkhane S. V. , Joshi A. S. , Samant B. D. , Rege N. N.
Published: April 2008

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of two Indian medicinal plants Tinospora cordifolia (Tc), Phyllanthus emblica (Pe), and their combination, in a rat model of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide induced hepatic damage. Hepatic damage was assessed using a composite score assigned to histopathological findings of degeneration, necrosis and fibrosis. The antituberculosis treatment (ATT), when given for 90 days, induced significant degeneration and necrosis (score: 7.5; p < 0.01 vs vehicle) associated with morphological changes. However, no change was found in the serum bilirubin and liver enzymes. Co‐administration of silymarin (positive control, 50 mg/kg) with ATT protected against necrosis (score: 1.5; p < 0.001 vs ATT). Tc (100 mg/kg) showed a reduction in liver damage (score: 6.5), which was not statistically significant. On the other hand, Pe (300 mg/kg) prevented the necrotic changes to a significant extent (grade: 100; p < 0.05 vs ATT; score: 5.5). Combination of Tc and Pe in their therapeutic doses (1:3) significantly prevented the necrosis (score: 3.5; p < 0.001 vs ATT). Similar effects were seen even when the doses were halved and were comparable to the silymarin group. Thus, this study proves the synergistic protective effects exerted by the combination of Tc and Pe when co‐administered with ATT. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibothropic action of Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Flacourtiaceae) extracts
Authors: Cintra‐Francischinelli M. , Silva M. G. , Andréo‐Filho N. , Gerenutti M. , Cintra A. C. O. , Giglio J. R. , Leite G. B. , Cruz‐Höfling M. A. , Rodrigues‐Simioni L. , Oshima‐Franco Y.
Published: April 2008

Casearia sylvestris Sw., popularly known in Brazil as ‘guaçatonga’, has been used as antitumor, antiseptic, antiulcer, local anaesthetic and healer in folk medicine. Snakebite envenomation by Bothrops jararacussu (Bjssu) constitutes a relevant public health hazard capable of inducing serious local damage in victims. This study examined the pharmacological action of apolar and polar C. sylvestris leaf extracts in reverting the neuromuscular blockade and myonecrosis, which is induced by Bjssu venom and its major toxin bothropstoxin‐I on the mouse phrenic nerve–diaphragm preparations. The polar methanol extract (ME) was by far the most efficacious. ME not only prevented myonecrosis and abolished the blockade, but also increased ACh release. Such facilitation in neuromuscular transmission was observed with ME alone, but was accentuated in preparations incubated with ME plus venom or toxin. This established synergy opens an interesting point of investigation because the venom or toxin in contact with ME changes from a blocking to a facilitating effect. It is suggested that rutin, known to have potent antioxidant properties, and one of the components present in the ME, could have a role in the observed effects. Since commercial rutin did not reproduce the ME effects, it is likely that a rutin‐containing phytocomplex is neutralizing the bothropic envenoming effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fermented papaya preparation as redox regulator in blood cells of β‐thalassemic mice and patients
Authors: Amer Johnny , Goldfarb Ada , Rachmilewitz Eliezer A. , Fibach Eitan
Published: April 2008

Many aspects of the pathology in β‐hemoglobinopathies (β‐thalassemia and sickle cell anemia) are mediated by oxidative stress. Fermented papaya preparation (FPP) was tested for its antioxidant effects: the scavenging effect was determined spectrofluorometrically in a cell‐free system using 2′‐7′‐dichlorofluorescin‐diacetate (DCF). Both spontaneous and H2O2‐induced DCF oxidations were decreased by FPP in a dose‐dependent fashion. Using flow cytometry, it was shown that in vitro treatment of blood cells from β‐thalassemic patients with FPP increased the glutathione content of red blood cells (RBC), platelets and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes, and reduced their reactive oxygen species, membrane lipid peroxidation and externalization of phosphatidylserine. These effects result in (a) reduced thalassemic RBC sensitivity to hemolysis and phagocytosis by macrophages; (b) improved PMN ability to generate oxidative burst – an intracellular mechanism of bacteriolysis, and (c) reduced platelet tendency to undergo activation, as reflected by fewer platelets carrying external phosphatidylserine. Oral administration of FPP to β‐thalassemic mice (50 mg/mouse/day for 3 months) and to patients (3 g × 3 times/day for 3 months), reduced all the above mentioned parameters of oxidative stress (p < 0.001 in mice and p < 0.005 in patients). These results suggest that FPP, as a potent antioxidant, might alleviate symptoms associated with oxidative stress in severe forms of thalassemia. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation and identification of cytotoxic compounds from the wood of Pinus resinosa
Authors: Simard François , Legault Jean , Lavoie Serge , Mshvildadze Vakhtang , Pichette André
Published: April 2008

Methanol extracts of wood from Pinus resinosa were found to be selectively cytotoxic against human lung carcinoma cells, A549 (IC50 41 ± 6 µg/mL), human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, DLD‐1 (IC50 47 ± 4 µg/mL) in comparison with healthy cells, WS1 (IC50 130 ± 11 µg/mL). Five known compounds were isolated and identified by 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy and HR‐ESI‐MS mass spectrometry as, pinosylvin monomethyl ether (1), pinosylvin (2), pinosylvin dimethyl ether (3), pinobanksin (4) and (‐)‐norachelogenin (5). Compound 4 was isolated for the first time in P. resinosa. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1–5 was evaluated against A549, DLD‐1 and WS1. Compound 1 exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity against both tumor cell lines and the healthy cell line with an IC50 of 25 ± 4 µm for A549, 20 ± 1 µm for DLD‐1 and 34 ± 3 µm for WS1. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant and cytoprotective compounds from Berberis vulgaris (barberry)
Authors: Tomosaka Hideyuki , Chin Young‐Won , Salim Angela A. , Keller William J. , Chai Heebyung , Kinghorn A. Douglas
Published: April 2008

Activity‐guided fractionation of an EtOAc‐soluble partition of the MeOH extract from the root bark of Berberis vulgaris L. (barberry), using a hydroxyl radical‐scavenging assay, led to the isolation and identification of three phenolic compounds of a previously known structure, N‐(p‐trans‐coumaroyl)tyramine, cannabisin G and (±)‐lyoniresinol. Of these, cannabisin G and (±)‐lyoniresinol exhibited antioxidant activity in this bioassay. Furthermore, it was found that cannabisin G showed cytoprotective activity in cultured MCF‐7 cells modulated by hydrogen peroxide. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple model of the hurricane boundary layer revisited
Authors: Smith Roger K. , Vogl Stefanie
Published: April 2008

A simple slab model for the boundary layer of a hurricane is re‐examined and a small error in the original calculation is corrected. With this correction, the development of supergradient winds is a ubiquitous feature of the solutions. The boundary layer shows two types of behaviour in the inner core of the vortex depending on the depth of the layer and the maximum tangential wind speed above the layer. For small depths and/or large tangential wind speeds, large supergradient winds develop and lead to a rapid deceleration of the inflow such that the inflow becomes zero at some radius inside the radius of maximum tangential wind speed above the boundary layer. For large depths and/or small tangential wind speeds, the solutions do not become singular until within a few kilometres of the rotation axis. The transition between the two regimes is very abrupt. Interpretations are given for the foregoing behaviour. Other aspects of the boundary‐layer dynamics and thermodynamics are investigated including: the dependence on mixing by shallow convection; the effects of a radially varying boundary‐layer depth; the effects of downward momentum transport; the dependence of thermodynamical quantities on the boundary‐layer depth; and the radial variation of equivalent potential temperature. Predicted values of the last quantity are in acceptable agreement with observations made in category‐five hurricane Isabel (2003). The version with radially varying depth gives more realistic vertical velocities in the inner‐core region of the vortex. The limitations and strengths of the slab model are discussed. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The tripole linear ion trap with highly efficient orthogonal ion ejection designed by computer simulations
Authors: Salazar Gary A. , Masujima Tsutomu
Published: April 2008

An ion guide, consisting of three rods carrying three alternating current (AC) voltages symmetrically delayed, called a tripole, was used as a linear ion trap (LIT) and studied by computer simulations. Radial containment of ions was also demonstrated with the pseudopotential which was calculated by approximating the tripole electric potential to the multipoles expansion. This work found a new analyte concentrator, which performs effective ion ejection, and is suitable for use with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The efficiency of the overall process from the trapping until the ejection was higher than 90%, although some degree of ion spatial and kinetic energy spread which can be corrected with a reflectron was obtained. The reason for the ejection of this tripole linear ion trap (tLIT) lies in the high space available between the rods. The ejection is optimized with the application of focusing voltages, especially suitable for a tripole symmetry (one electrode has a pulse offset voltage and the other two have a fraction of that pulse). The beam is finally well parallelized with a rectangular Einzel lens. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the effects of ties on measures of concordance
Authors: Yan Guofen , Greene Tom
Published: April 2008

The concordance between predicted and observed outcomes, referred to as the C index or C statistic, is frequently used to quantify the discriminatory ability of a prognostic model. It also commonly serves as a basis for distinguishing predictive strength between different models. Two alternative formulations of the C index are widely used, one completely excluding ties from the computation (Ctied,out) and the other including ties (Ctied,in). However, there has been little research concerning the effects of ties on these two measures. In this paper we characterize changes in the performance of Ctied,in and Ctied,out for progressively less coarse (or more coarse) partitions of the data. Our theoretical and simulation results show that both measures can be heavily dependent on the number of tied pairs and their results can be substantially divergent. We examine potential ambiguities that can occur when the two measures diverge. In the presence of a substantial proportion of tied pairs, we recommend that both C indices be computed as lower and upper bounds, and that, when feasible, the C indices should be computed with respect to partitions corresponding to the same percentiles for the models being compared. When it is desired to estimate the overall concordance, the average value of the two C indices might also be considered. We use the data from the Hemodialysis Clinical Trial to illustrate our evaluation and methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Sodium Chloride on Glassy and Crystalline Melting Transitions of Wheat Starch Treated with High Hydrostatic Pressure: Prediction of Solute‐induced Barostability from Nonmonotonic Solute‐induced Thermostability
Authors: Kweon Meera , Slade Louise , Levine Harry
Published: April 2008

Wheat starch was high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)‐treated in aqueous solutions with various sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations (0 to near‐saturation), in order to explore the effects of salt on glassy and crystalline transitions of starch during the treatment, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For wheat starch at atmospheric pressure, glass and crystalline melting transitions of amylopectin (reported as gelatinization peak temperature) increased up to 2 M NaCl, and then decreased with further increase in NaCl concentration, but the gelatinization peak temperature was higher in all NaCl solutions than in water alone. In contrast, the melting transition for the amylose‐lipid complex (reported as peak temperature) increased continuously with increasing NaCl concentration. When 50% (w/w) starch slurries were HHP‐treated in water and various NaCl concentrations (0.1, 2 and 5 M) for 15 min at 25°C, the presence of salt significantly protected glass and crystalline transitions of starch during the HHP treatment. Although the baroprotective effect was maximal near the lyotropic 2 M NaCl concentration [1‐5], all NaCl concentrations were more baroprotective than was water alone for HHP‐treated wheat starch. As reported previously [6] for corn starches in a lyotropic concentration of NaCl (ionic solvent) or a non‐equilibrium concentration of sucrose (glass‐forming solvent) [7], solute‐induced thermostabilization of the wheat starch gelatinization transition predicted solute‐induced barostabilization.
Cu2+ Ions as a Paramagnetic Probe in EPR Studies of Radicals Generated Thermally in Starch
Authors: Łabanowska Maria , Bidzińska Ewa , Dyrek Krystyna , Fortuna Teresa , Pietrzyk Sławomir , Rożnowski Jacek , Socha Robert P.
Published: April 2008

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, with Cu2+ ions as a paramagnetic probe, was applied to study the process of radical generation in starch and changes occurring in its structure upon thermal treatment and oxidation. Thermally generated radicals in starch containing Cu2+ ions are localized on carbon atoms different from those in the pure starch. EPR signal parameters of the radical species (gav = 2.0047 – 2.0049; Aav = 0.9 – 1.0 mT) suggest a lower number of oxygen atoms in the vicinity of radical centres than that observed in pure starch and weakening of the interaction of the unpaired electron with the nuclear magnetic moment of the β hydrogen (for pure starch gav = 2.0059 – 2.0065; Aav = 1.2 – 1.3 mT). A mechanism of thermal generation of radicals in the native and oxidized starch containing Cu2+ ions was proposed. It consists of breaking of RCO‐Cu2+ or RCOO‐Cu2+ bonds in the native and oxidized starch, respectively, reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ ions and formation of transient RCO• or RCOO• species, active in abstraction of hydrogen from the neighbouring C atom of the glucose unit, at which the unpaired electron became localized.
Tree species composition and diversity of tropical mountain cloud forest in the Yunnan, southwestern China
Authors: Shi J. P. , Zhu H.
Published: April 2008

Species composition, physiognomy, and plant diversity of the less known cloud forests in Yunnan were studied based on data collected from 35 sample plots at seven sites. In floristic composition, the cloud forests are mainly comprised of Fagaceae, Ericaceae, Vacciniaceae, Aceraceae, Magnoliaceae, Theaceae, Aquifoliaceae, Illiciaceae, Lauraceae, and Rosaceae. Physiognomically, the forests are dominated by tree and shrub species. Lianas are rare in the forests. The plants with microphyllous or nanophyllous leaves comprise 44.32–63.46% of the total species, and plants with an entire leaf margin account for more than 50% of the tree and shrub species. There are few tree and shrub species with a drip tip leaf apex and papery leaves. Evergreen species make up more than 75% of the total tree and shrub species. In a 2,500 m2 sampling area, the number of vascular species ranged between 57 and 110; Simpson's diversity index ranged from 0.7719 to 0.9544, Shannon–Winner's diversity index from 1.8251 to 3.2905, and Pielou's evenness index from 0.5836 to 0.8982 for trees. The cloud forests in Yunnan are physiognomically similar to the tropical cloud forests in America and Southeast Asia. They very much resemble the mountain dwarf mossy forest in Hainan Island, southeastern China, and the Mountain ericaceous forests in the Malay Peninsula. The cloud forests in Yunnan are considered to be developed, as are the tropical upper montane cloud forests in Asia.
Priorities for women's health from the Global Burden of Disease study
Authors: Ribeiro Priscila S. , Jacobsen Kathryn H. , Mathers Colin D. , Garcia‐Moreno Claudia
Published: April 2008

Women's health is increasingly recognized as a global health priority. It is essential to address not only sexual and reproductive health, but also other health issues that occur throughout life. This paper uses the 2005 estimates of morbidity and mortality from the WHO Global Burden of Disease study and a review of the literature to identify key areas of concern for women by age group and world region. The leading causes of death in women aged between 15 and 44 years include infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal health conditions, and injuries. The leading causes of death in women aged 45 years and older include cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other noncommunicable conditions. Neuropsychiatric and sensory disorders are a major cause of disability for both age groups. An understanding of the key regional and age‐specific priorities for women's health will facilitate the development of appropriate interventions and policies to reduce disease burden.
Psychiatric morbidity following hysterectomy in Egypt
Authors: Helmy Yasser A. , Hassanin Ibrahim M.A. , Elraheem Taher Abd , Bedaiwy Ahmed A. , Peterson Rachele S. , Bedaiwy Mohamed A.
Published: April 2008

Objective: To evaluate psychiatric morbidity in Egyptian women before and after hysterectomy for benign indications. Method: A 2‐year prospective observational study at Sohag University Hospital, Egypt, in which 96 women scheduled for hysterectomy were assessed for psychiatric comorbidity before and after the operation using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28), Beck Depression Inventory, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Results: Of these, 35 (36.5%) had scores of 4 or higher, signifying psychiatric comorbidity (group 1), and 61 (63.5%) had scores less than 4, suggesting no psychiatric comorbidity (group 2). Postoperatively, severe anxiety and depressive symptoms were common in group 1. In group 2, 48 (78.7%) of the 61 women had scores of 4 or higher. In that subgroup, depressive and anxiety symptoms were more common among nulliparas whereas women with a high parity experienced the least psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusions: As women undergoing hysterectomy risk psychiatric morbidity, gynecologists should consider less invasive interventions to treat benign conditions.
Perinatal factors associated with the neurologic impairment of children born preterm
Authors: Škrablin Snježana , Maurac Ivana , Banović Vladimir , Bošnjak‐Nadj Katarina
Published: April 2008

Objective

To determine the perinatal risk factors of long‐term neurologic impairment for preterm infants.

Methods

A case‐control study was conducted with 60 neurologically impaired and 60 healthy children, all born prematurely.

Results

There was no relation between neurologic impairment and maternal pregnancy complications or prenatal steroid administration, bacteriologic content of cervical smear, fetal presentation, fetal heart rate, or mode of delivery. Cerebral palsy was associated with early neurologic signs, perinatal asphyxia, neonatal septicemia, abnormal brain ultrasound findings, prolonged interval between rupture of membranes and delivery, and multiple placental lesions. Children with minimal cerebral dysfunction were more frequently first born. Multiple placental lesions, neonatal septicemia, abnormal brain ultrasound findings, and perinatal asphyxia were independently correlated with long‐term neurologic impairment.

Conclusion

Perinatal infection, perinatal asphyxia, and abnormal brain ultrasound findings seem to be risk factors for cerebral palsy whereas primigravidity seems to be correlated with minimal cerebral dysfunction.