bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of seston lipids on zooplankton fatty acid composition in Lake Washington, Washington, USA
Authors: Ravet Joseph L. , Brett Michael T. , Arhonditsis George B.
Published: February 2010

We collected suspended particulate matter (seston) and zooplankton samples from Lake Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA, over a 10‐month period to investigate the effects of food availability on zooplankton fatty acid (FA) composition. The percentage of nutritionally critical ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the seston varied from 8% of the FA pool in midsummer to 30% during the spring diatom bloom. Zooplankton accumulated much higher percentages ω3 PUFA than was available in the seston. In particular, cladocerans preferentially accumulated eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5ω3), copepods accumulated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω3), and both copepods and cladocerans accumulated 18 carbon chain ω3 PUFAs (C18 ω3). By comparison, the FA of zooplanktivorous juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) were strongly dominated by EPA (12.5% ± 2.1%) and DHA (28.2% ± 8.7%). The saturated fatty acid and the arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4ω6) composition of Diaptomus ashlandi was strongly (r2 = 0.76) and moderately (r2 = 0.54) correlated with the prevalence of these FAs in the seston. Furthermore, the DHA content of Diaptomus was moderately correlated with the seston's DHA content (r2 = 0.45) and very strongly correlated with seston EPA (r2 = 0.89). Since EPA was the most prevalent PUFA in the seston and DHA was the most prevalent PUFA in Diaptomus, these results suggest that Diaptomus may synthesize DHA from the EPA in their food. In general, zooplankton species in Lake Washington were strongly enriched with those FA molecules that are most physiologically important for fish nutrition (i.e., ARA, EPA, and DHA), indicating a clear mechanism by which changes in seston composition influence fisheries ecology.
Air Drying Characteristics of Chili Pepper
Authors: Tunde-Akintunde Toyosi Y , Ajala Adeladun
Published: February 2010

The effect of pretreatments (water and steam blanching and by soaking in osmotic solutions of 60 and 70° brix) on drying behaviour of chili pepper dried at 60°C were investigated. During the experiments, the chili pepper was dried until there was no more water loss. The pre-treatment affected the course and rate of drying since the pretreated pepper dried faster than the untreated pepper and hence had a higher drying rate. The drying of the pepper occurred in the falling rate drying period. Four mathematical models were studied for the description of thin layer drying characteristics of the chili pepper. The models considered were the Newton, Henderson and Pabis, Logarithmic and Page model. Comparing the correlation coefficients (R2), chi-square (?2), mean bias error (MBE) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of the four models, it was concluded that the Page model represents the drying characteristics better than the other models.
Serum neopterin as a prognostic indicator in patients with breast carcinoma
Authors: Kocer Belma , Turan Umit , Surmeli Suleyman , Altun Buket , Aksaray Sabahat , Yilmaz Osman , Cengiz Omer
Published: February 2010

Neopterin is a useful indicator of the activation state of the cellular immune system, and an elevated level predicts prognosis in different types of tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neopterin levels if it is viable predictor for prognosis in breast carcinoma patients. Serum neopterin was investigated in 56 breast carcinoma patients, 16 patients with benign breast lesions and 16 healthy women as controls. Neopterin was measured by ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The clinicopathological parameters were determined by reviewing both medical charts and pathological records. All patients had been followed-up until September 2009 or death.The mean serum neopterin concentrations were 8.5 ± 5.2 nmol/L in patients with breast carcinoma, 6.5±3.1 nmol/L in patients with benign breast lesion and 8.1 ± 1.9 nmol/L in healthy volunteers (p>0.05). Elevated neopterin levels were significantly correlated with age, elevated serum CRP level, advanced stage and presence of the distant metastases (p<0.05). Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with a serum neopterin level >10 nmol/L than patients with neopterin <10 nmol/L level (56 months vs. 76 months, p=0.011). Increased preoperative serum neopterin concentrations are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with breast carcinoma.
Managing Cuscuta gronovii (Swamp Dodder) in Cranberry Requires an Integrated Approach
Authors: Sandler Hilary A.
Published: February 2010

Dodders (Cuscuta spp.) are parasitic plants that threaten the sustainability of many crops. Because this parasite is very adept and successful from biological and ecological perspectives, a single control strategy is unlikely to provide sufficient economic control. Dodder (C. gronovii) is a particularly serious pest in commercial cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production. Multiple viable strategies must be integrated and tailored into a weed management plan to provide acceptable control. The key to sustainable management of this serious pest will require a combination of chemical and cultural approaches, supported by understanding the complicated nature of dodder biology. Research from small fruit production systems like cranberry into the biology of dodder (e.g., germination patterns, host preference, use of plant growth regulators) may provide insights that could ultimately be useful for other crop system management plans. This paper will present the current knowledge base for integrated management of dodder in cranberry as well as highlight relevant research from other crops and potential topics for future research.
Clinical Implications of Treating Depressed Older Adults with SSRIs: Possible Risk of Hyponatremia
Authors: Smith Judith M.
Published: February 2010

Depression is a serious mental health problem in older adults. Some of the symptoms of depression include depressed mood, significant change in weight or appetite, changes in sleep patterns, a decrease in concentration and energy, and possible suicide. However, depression is a treatable illness, especially with the newer class of antidepressant agents, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). One side effect of SSRI use includes hyponatremia, which is becoming an increasingly serious complication that may have harmful clinical ramifications. Older adults are especially at risk for hyponatremia and could experience serious consequences if left untreated. The purpose of this article is to use an individual example to demonstrate the clinical importance of detecting hyponatremia in older adults receiving SSRI treatment.
Lessons from Nursing Home Dysphagia Malpractice Litigation
Authors: Tanner Dennis C.
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this article is to review the management of swallowing disorders in nursing home patients. The goal is to provide readers with five areas of contentious dysphagia management issues that have surfaced in several malpractice litigation cases. A detailed examination of what went wrong in the management of these patients' dysphagia from the perspective of the plaintiffs' dysphagia expert witness, as well as a discussion of what nursing home staff could have done to prevent these tragedies, is presented.
Atividade física e esporte adaptado nos transtornos neurogênicos
Authors: Martins Emerson Fachin
Published: February 2010

A atividade física assumiu um papel importante no tratamento de transtornos neurogênicos em todos os níveis de atenção à saúde. A prática de atividade física e esporte produz efeitos que são utilizados em programas educativos e terapêuticos com contribuições física, mental, psíquica e sócio-cultural. Os programas de atividade física e esporte adaptado podem ser orientados de maneira a explorar os efeitos terapêuticos da utilização do movimento em modalidades passivas ou ativas de recrutamento neuromuscular. Fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos às doenças neurológicas devem ser considerados, uma vez que os danos que afetam o sistema nervoso geram perdas funcionais definidos aqui como transtornos que interferem nas habilidades individuais. Para eliminar os impedimentos intrínsecos, programas devem ser estruturados considerando-se o período de manifestação da doença (pré-patológico ou patológico), o caráter progressivo desta manifestação e o conjunto de disfunções isoladas ou combinadas de transtornos sensoriais, motores ou cognitivos. Outros impedimentos, porém agora extrínsecos, que devem ser considerados são obstáculos gerados por locais inapropriados, transportes não adaptados, falta de oportunidades no meio social, acesso a equipamentos adequados e profissionais capacitados. Avaliando-se e considerando-se os fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos é possível estabelecer programas de atividade física e esporte adaptado que contribuem para o processo de reabilitação.
Beryllium sensitivity among workers at a Norwegian aluminum smelter
Authors: Nilsen A.M. , Vik R. , Behrens C. , Drabløs P.A. , Espevik T.
Published: February 2010

Background

Sensitivity to beryllium was investigated among workers at an aluminum smelter in Norway as a consequence of the findings in an occupational exposure survey.

Methods

Three hundred and sixty‐two employees and 31 reference persons were tested for sensitization to beryllium with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) based on specifications by the US Department of Energy in 2001. The results are reported as abnormal, borderline, or normal.

Results

One person (0.28%) from the aluminum smelter was found to have abnormal results in two separate blood samples and is sensitized to beryllium. Three other persons had one abnormal test that was not confirmed by a second test. One person in the reference group had one abnormal and one normal test result. No borderline samples were detected. None of the employees with one or more abnormal sample results had pot room asthma. The sensitized individual worked in a Soederberg line in 1972–1974. The beryllium concentration in the work atmosphere is estimated to have been similar as today (0.1–0.3 µg/m3), but work routines, etc. would cause higher total exposures.

Conclusions

Only one sensitized person of 362 is in line with what is found in other studies in the aluminum industry. The low number, compared with the beryllium handling industry, may be attributable to lower work atmosphere concentrations, beryllium speciation effects, or use of respiratory protection equipment. Pot room asthma does not appear to be associated with beryllium sensitization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:724–732, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effects of background information and social interaction on image tagging
Authors: Bar‐Ilan Judit , Zhitomirsky‐Geffet Maayan , Miller Yitzchak , Shoham Snunith
Published: February 2010

In this article, we describe the results of an experiment designed to understand the effects of background information and social interaction on image tagging. The participants in the experiment were asked to tag 12 preselected images of Jewish cultural heritage. The users were partitioned into three groups: the first group saw only the images with no additional information whatsoever, the second group saw the images plus a short, descriptive title, and the third group saw the images, the titles, and the URL of the page in which the image appeared. In the first stage of the experiment, each user tagged the images without seeing the tags provided by the other users. In the second stage, the users saw the tags assigned by others and were encouraged to interact. Results show that after the social interaction phase, the tag sets converged and the popular tags became even more popular. Although in all cases the total number of assigned tags increased after the social interaction phase, the number of distinct tags decreased in most cases. When viewing the image only, in some cases the users were not able to correctly identify what they saw in some of the pictures, but they overcame the initial difficulties after interaction. We conclude from this experiment that social interaction may lead to convergence in tagging and that the “wisdom of the crowds” helps overcome the difficulties due to the lack of information.
Long-term cost-minimization analysis comparing laparoscopic with open (Lichtenstein) inguinal hernia repair
Authors:   Swedish Multicentre Trial of Inguinal Hernia Repair by Laparoscopy (SMIL) study group, Eklund A , Carlsson P , Rosenblad A , Montgomery A , Bergkvist L , Rudberg C
Published: February 2010

Background

Laparoscopic surgery has emerged as a new treatment modality for inguinal hernia repair. The aim of the present study was to analyse its long-term costs in relation to those of open repair.

Methods

A randomized multicentre study comparing totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair (TEP) with open repair by the Lichtenstein procedure was performed on men with a primary inguinal hernia. Long-term data on recurrences and complications up to 5 years after operation were collected. Taking treatment costs into consideration, a cost-minimization analysis was conducted.

Results

A total of 1370 patients had an inguinal hernia repair, 665 in the TEP and 705 in the Lichtenstein group. The total hospital cost for the index operation was €710·6 higher for TEP repair (P < 0·001). Including costs associated with recurrences and complications, this difference increased to €795·1 (P < 0·001). Taking community costs into account, the difference decreased by €503·1 to €292·0 (P = 0·024).

Conclusion

This cost-minimization analysis, including complications, reoperations and community costs during follow-up of 5 years, showed that laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair had a small but significant increase in overall costs compared with open repair.
Evidence in development of sustainability reporting: a case of a developing country
Authors: Amran Azlan , Haniffa Roszaini
Published: February 2010

Current development in social accounting presents an interesting phenomenon. Companies are increasingly engaging in sustainability initiatives and reporting their activities in annual reports, company websites and other media of communication. Unlike previous studies, which have mainly used ex post content analysis of annual reports or other published data to study the relationship between disclosure and possible determinants, this study starts with an interview with the local preparer before the data is triangulated to determine the significant possible determinants. The interview findings are interpreted through institutional theory for possible identification of determinants. Initially, the interview findings indicate that all three mechanisms of isomorphism, the coercive, the normative and the mimetic, contribute to Malaysian company sustainability reporting. However, the regression results prove that only a government linked company in the plantation industry, which is large in size, has a significant amount of sustainability reporting. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Design and Synthesis of (13S)‐Methyl‐Substituted Arachidonic Acid Analogues: Templates for Novel Endocannabinoids
Authors: Papahatjis Demetris P. , Nahmias Victoria R. , Nikas Spyros P. , Schimpgen Marion , Makriyannis Alexandros
Published: February 2010

Two novel methyl‐substituted arachidonic acid derivatives were prepared in an enantioselective manner from commercially available chiral building blocks, and were found to be excellent templates for the development of (13S)‐methyl‐substituted anandamide analogues. One of the compounds synthesized, namely, (13S,5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)‐13‐methyl‐eicosa‐5,8,11,14‐tetraenoic acidN‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)amide, is an endocannabinoid analogue with remarkably high affinity for the CB1 cannabinoid receptor.
Microwave Irradiation for the Facile Synthesis of Transition‐Metal Nanoparticles (NPs) in Ionic Liquids (ILs) from Metal–Carbonyl Precursors and Ru‐, Rh‐, and Ir‐NP/IL Dispersions as Biphasic Liquid–Liquid Hydrogenation Nanocatalysts for Cyclohexene
Authors: Vollmer Christian , Redel Engelbert , Abu‐Shandi Khalid , Thomann Ralf , Manyar Haresh , Hardacre Christopher , Janiak Christoph
Published: February 2010

Stable chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, rhenium, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, and iridium metal nanoparticles (M‐NPs) have been reproducibly obtained by facile, rapid (3 min), and energy‐saving 10 W microwave irradiation (MWI) under an argon atmosphere from their metal–carbonyl precursors [Mx(CO)y] in the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]). This MWI synthesis is compared to UV‐photolytic (1000 W, 15 min) or conventional thermal decomposition (180–250 °C, 6–12 h) of [Mx(CO)y] in ILs. The MWI‐obtained nanoparticles have a very small (<5 nm) and uniform size and are prepared without any additional stabilizers or capping molecules as long‐term stable M‐NP/IL dispersions (characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), and dynamic light scattering (DLS)). The ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium nanoparticle/IL dispersions are highly active and easily recyclable catalysts for the biphasic liquid–liquid hydrogenation of cyclohexene to cyclohexane with activities of up to 522 (mol product) (mol Ru)−1 h−1 and 884 (mol product) (mol Rh)−1 h−1 and give almost quantitative conversion within 2 h at 10 bar H2 and 90 °C. Catalyst poisoning experiments with CS2 (0.05 equiv per Ru) suggest a heterogeneous surface catalysis of Ru‐NPs.
A mathematical method for the 3D analysis of rotating deformable systems applied on lumen‐forming MDCK cell aggregates
Authors: Marmaras Anastasios , Berge Ulrich , Ferrari Aldo , Kurtcuoglu Vartan , Poulikakos Dimos , Kroschewski Ruth
Published: February 2010

Cell motility contributes to the formation of organs and tissues, into which multiple cells self‐organize. However such mammalian cellular motilities are not characterized in a quantitative manner and the systemic consequences are thus unknown. A mathematical tool to decipher cell motility, accounting for changes in cell shape, within a three‐dimensional (3D) cell system was missing. We report here such a tool, usable on segmented images reporting the outline of clusters (cells) and allowing the time‐resolved 3D analysis of circular motility of these as parts of a system (cell aggregate). Our method can analyze circular motility in sub‐cellular, cellular, multi‐cellular, and also non‐cellular systems for which time‐resolved segmented cluster outlines are available. To exemplify, we characterized the circular motility of lumen‐initiating MDCK cell aggregates, embedded in extracellular matrix. We show that the organization of the major surrounding matrix fibers was not significantly affected during this cohort rotation. Using our developed tool, we discovered two classes of circular motion, rotation and random walk, organized in three behavior patterns during lumen initiation. As rotational movements were more rapid than random walk and as both could continue during lumen initiation, we conclude that neither the class nor the rate of motion regulates lumen initiation. We thus reveal a high degree of plasticity during a developmentally critical cell polarization step, indicating that lumen initiation is a robust process. However, motility rates decreased with increasing cell number, previously shown to correlate with epithelial polarization, suggesting that migratory polarization is converted into epithelial polarization during aggregate development. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
hsa‐miR‐210 is a marker of tumor hypoxia and a prognostic factor in head and neck cancer
Authors: Gee Harriet E. , Camps Carme , Buffa Francesca M. , Patiar Shalini , Winter Stuart C. , Betts Guy , Homer Jarrod , Corbridge Rogan , Cox Graham , West Catharine M. L. , Ragoussis Jiannis , Harris Adrian L.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Hypoxia is an important mechanism of treatment resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNAs that regulate multiple mRNAs and are frequently dysregulated in cancer. The authors have investigated the role of 3 microRNAs, including the hypoxia‐induced hsa‐miR‐210, as potential markers of hypoxia or prognosis.

METHODS:

Three hypoxia‐related microRNAs, hsa‐miR‐210, hsa‐miR‐21, and hsa‐miR‐10b, were measured in 46 samples from patients with HNSCC. Expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological variables and other markers of hypoxia: a published 99‐gene hypoxia metagene, individual hypoxia‐related genes such as TWIST1, and immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 and its target gene carbonic anhydrase 9. We then performed survival analyses to investigate the prognostic significance of these microRNAs.

RESULTS:

Only the level of hsa‐miR‐210 was significantly correlated with other markers of hypoxia, including the 99‐gene hypoxia metagene (rho = 0.67, P < .001). We found no association between hsa‐miR‐210, hsa‐miR‐21, or hsa‐miR‐10b and clinicopathological variables such as tumor size, differentiation, and stage. However, high levels of hsa‐miR‐210 were associated with locoregional disease recurrence (P = .001) and short overall survival (P = .008). hsa‐miR‐21 and hsa‐miR‐10b had no prognostic significance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Expression of hsa‐miR‐210 in head and neck cancer correlates with other approaches for assessing hypoxia and is associated with prognosis. This warrants further study as a classification marker of patients for therapies involving modulation of hypoxia. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Changes in markers of ovarian reserve and endocrine function in young women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Yu Bo , Douglas Nataki , Ferin Michel J. , Nakhuda Gary S. , Crew Katherine , Lobo Rogerio A. , Hershman Dawn L.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy are at risk for amenorrhea and impaired fertility. The objective of the current study was to assess levels of mullerian inhibitory substance (MIS), estradiol (E2), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), and menstrual status, in women undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS:

A nested prospective cohort study was conducted in women aged <40 years with breast cancer (BC) who were undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 26). Serum MIS, FSH, and E2 were measured before chemotherapy (baseline) and at Weeks 6, 12, 36, and 52. Controls were 134 age‐matched women with known fertility. Hormone levels were compared between the cases and controls at baseline. Differences between amenorrhea and age subgroups were tested using the nonparametric Wilcoxon 2‐sample test using a 2‐sided α of 0.05.

RESULTS:

Subjects with BC and age‐matched controls had similar baseline MIS levels (median, 0.94 ng/mL vs 0.86 ng/mL;, P > .05). Serum MIS decreased significantly at 6 weeks and remained suppressed for 52 weeks. E2 levels decreased, and FSH levels increased during chemotherapy; however, at 52 weeks, the levels returned to baseline. At 52 weeks, only 1 patient had MIS above the lower normal range, 15 had return of menstrual function, 11 had premenopausal levels of FSH, and 13 had follicular phase levels of E2. In women aged <35 years, 25% remained amenorrheic, whereas in women aged >35 years, 50% were amenorrheic. Amenorrheic and menstruating women were found to have similar MIS values at baseline and follow‐up.

CONCLUSIONS:

In young women with BC, chemotherapy decreases MIS rapidly and dramatically. Rapid reductions in MIS do not appear to be predictive of subsequent menstrual function. Ovarian reserve and endocrine function may be affected differently by chemotherapy. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Heteroepitaxial Si/ZnO Hierarchical Nanostructures for Future Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Devika Mudusu , Koteeswara Reddy Nandanapalli , Pevzner Alexander , Patolsky Fernando
Published: February 2010

The synthesis of highly‐ordered ultra‐dense heteroepitaxial Si/ZnO hierarchical nanostructures by a simple and cost‐effective approach is demonstrated. We also show, based on the same approach, the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticle‐decorated Si nanowire cores and Si/ZnO conformal core‐shell hetero‐nanostructures. The as‐synthesized ZnO nanobranches on Si nanowire cores exhibit an epitaxial relationship as (111)Si/(100) ZnO. Excellent control over the composition, dimensions, and density of ZnO branches on Si cores has been achieved. Thus, in future, this family of well‐controlled, high‐quality Si/ZnO hierarchical hetero‐nanostructures could play a role as multifunctional candidates in the fabrication of optoelectronic devices, particularly for the development of a new generation of solar‐cell devices.
Fine‐needle aspiration of metastatic radiation‐induced cutaneous epithelioid angiosarcoma of the breast to the liver: A diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Park Ji‐Weon , Serafica‐Karen Chantal , Das Kasturi
Published: February 2010

Radiation therapy is a significant risk factor for the development of angiosarcoma. With the increase in breast conservation treatment, the incidence of cutaneous radiation‐induced angiosarcoma of the breast is rising. If the angiosarcoma demonstrates epithelioid features, the tumor cells may present a diagnostic dilemma on fine‐needle aspiration cytology. We present a case of metastatic radiation‐induced cutaneous epithelioid angiosarcoma of the breast to the liver and a review of the literature. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:768–771. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In‐situ Study of the Solid‐Gas Reaction of BiCl3 to BiOCl via the Intermediate Hydrate BiCl3·H2O
Authors: Wosylus Aron , Hoffmann Stefan , Schmidt Marcus , Ruck Michael
Published: February 2010

At ambient conditions the hydrolysis of BiCl3 to BiOCl proceeds via the intermediate hydrate BiCl3·H2O as has been revealed by time dependent in‐situ X‐ray powder diffraction as well as time and temperature controlled TG‐MS experiments. Below 50 °C the topochemical formation of thehydrate can be reversed by reducing the H2O vapour pressure. Above this temperature the hydrate is unstable and the mechanism of the hydrolysis changes. BiCl3·H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m with lattice parameters a = 1114.25(1) pm, b = 876.82(1) pm, c = 584.20(1) pm, and β = 106.64(1)°.
Lewis Acid Activated Aza‐Diels–Alder Reaction of N‐(3‐Pyridyl)aldimines: An Experimental and Computational Study
Authors: Palacios Francisco , Alonso Concepción , Arrieta Ana , Cossío Fernando P. , Ezpeleta Jose M. , Fuertes María , Rubiales Gloria
Published: February 2010

A combined theoretical and experimental study of a Povarov‐type cycloaddition reaction suggests an asynchronous concerted process that is favored by double Lewis acid activation with BF3·Et2O; endo selectivity was observed in the reactions between N‐(3‐pyridyl)aldimines and styrene, cyclopentadiene, or indene, and substituted tetrahydro‐1,5‐naphthyridine derivatives were obtained in a regio‐ and stereoselective fashion.
Investigation on inorganic oxidant assisted sonocatalytic degradation of acid red B in the presence of nano‐sized TiO2 powder
Authors: Wang Jun , Lv Yanhui , Zhang Liqun , Jiang Renzheng , Han Guangxi , Liu Bin , Wang Dan , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: February 2010

In this work, the effective degradation of Acid Red B dyes in aqueous solution was realized in various ultrasound (US)/TiO2/oxidant (KIO4, KIO3 and K2S2O8) systems. In addition, the degradation efficiencies of Acid Red B in US/TiO2/oxidant systems for a variety of oxidants were compared. The results revealed the obvious synergistic effects of sonocatalytic technology (ultrasonic irradiation combined with TiO2) and oxidants (KIO4, KIO3, and K2S2O8). Simultaneously, the effects of some operational parameters such as oxidant kind, ultrasonic irradiation time, solution acidity, oxidant concentration, and system temperature on the sonocatalytic degradation of Acid Red B have also been examined in this article. Under the same conditions, the degradation efficiency of Acid Red B dye was found to retain the order of US/TiO2/KIO4 > US/TiO2/K2S2O8 > US/TiO2/KIO3 > US/TiO2 > US. Particularly, by using US/TiO2/KIO4 system this method can remarkably shorten the degradation reaction time and completely degraded the Acid Red B. The method of sonocatalytic degradation assisted with oxidants exhibits a widely applied foreground, therefore, should be a feasible choice for treating various organic wastewaters, especially, non‐ or low‐transparent dye wastewaters. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Modeling mercury biomagnification (South River, Virginia, USA) to inform river management decision making
Authors: Tom Kyle R. , Newman Michael C. , Schmerfeld John
Published: February 2010

Mercury trophic transfer in the South River (VA, USA) was modeled to guide river remediation decision making. Sixteen different biota types were collected at six sites within 23 river miles. Mercury biomagnification was modeled using a general biomagnification model based on δ15N and distance from the historic mercury release. Methylmercury trophic transfer was clearer than that for total Hg and, therefore, was used to build the predictive model (r2  prediction = 0.76). The methylmercury biomagnification factors were similar among sites, but model intercept did increase with distance down river. Minimum Akaike's Information Criterion Estimation (MAICE) justified the incorporation of distance in the model. A model with a very similar biomagnification factor to the South River (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.38–0.52) was produced for a second contaminated Virginia river, the North Fork Holston River (95% CI = 0.41–0.55). Percent of total Hg that was methylmercury increased monotonically with trophic position. Trophic models based on δ15N were adequate for predicting changes in mercury concentrations in edible fish under different remediation scenarios. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1013–1020. © 2010 SETAC
Tissue-specific distribution and whole-body burden estimates of persistent organic pollutants in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Yordy Jennifer E. , Pabst D. Ann , McLellan William A. , Wells Randall S. , Rowles Teri K. , Kucklick John R.
Published: February 2010

Most exposure assessments for free-ranging cetaceans focus on contaminant concentrations measured in blubber, and few data are available for other tissues or the factors governing contaminant distribution among tissues. The goal of this study was to provide a detailed description of the distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) within the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) body and assess the role of lipid dynamics in mediating contaminant distribution. Thirteen tissues (brain, blubber, heart, liver, lung, kidney, mammary gland, melon, skeletal muscle, spleen, thyroid, thymus, and testis/uterus) were sampled during necropsy from bottlenose dolphins (n = 4) and analyzed for lipid and 85 POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Significant correlations between tissue POP concentrations and lipid suggest that distribution of POPs is generally related to tissue lipid content. However, blubber:tissue partition coefficients ranged widely from 0.753 to 6.25, suggesting that contaminant distribution is not entirely lipid-dependent. Tissue-specific and whole-body contaminant burdens confirmed that blubber, the primary site of metabolic lipid storage, is also the primary site for POP accumulation, contributing >90% to the whole-body burdens. Observations also suggest that as lipid mobilizes from blubber, contaminants may redistribute, leading to elevated tissue concentrations. These results suggest that individuals with reduced blubber lipid may be at increased risk for exposure-related health effects. However, this study also provides evidence that the melon, a metabolically inert lipid-rich structure, may serve as an alternate depot for POPs, thus preventing the bulk of blubber contaminants from being directly available to other tissues. This unique physiological adaptation should be taken into consideration when assessing contaminant-related health effects in wild cetacean populations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1263–1273. © 2010 SETAC
Occurrence and a screening-level risk assessment of human pharmaceuticals in the Pearl River system, South China
Authors: Zhao Jian-Liang , Ying Guang-Guo , Liu You-Sheng , Chen Feng , Yang Ji-Feng , Wang Li , Yang Xiao-Bing , Stauber Jenny L. , Warne Michael St. J.
Published: February 2010

Ten nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), two blood lipid regulators (BLRs), and two antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were analyzed in the Pearl River system in China (i.e., Liuxi, Zhujiang, and Shijing Rivers) and four sewage effluents during the dry and wet seasons, and the environmental risks they posed were assessed. Eight pharmaceuticals were detected in the rivers and effluents, including five NSAIDs (salicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, and naproxen), two BLRs (clofibric acid and gemfibrozil), and one AED (carbamazepine). The median concentrations for the eight pharmaceuticals ranged from 11.2 to 102 ng/L. Seasonal variations were not obvious for most pharmaceuticals in the three rivers, except for salicylic acid and clofibric acid in the Zhujiang River, and diclofenac in the Zhujiang and Shijing Rivers. However, spatially considerable variations in the concentrations were observed for the eight pharmaceuticals in all three rivers. For most of the pharmaceuticals, the effluents from the four wastewater treatment plants and Shijing River water were found to be the major discharge sources for the Zhujiang River, but with additional discharge sources from some small urban streams in the wet season. Diclofenac in the Shijing River was the only pharmaceutical that had a risk quotient (RQ) >1, indicating a high risk to aquatic organisms in the river. Although higher RQs were calculated for the mixture of the pharmaceuticals in each river, the risk rating remained the same for the three rivers with the RQ being >1 only in Shijing River. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1377–1384. © 2010 SETAC
A new simple square root option pricing model
Authors: Câmara António , Wang Yaw‐huei
Published: February 2010

This study derives a simple square root option pricing model using a general equilibrium approach in an economy where the representative agent has a generalized logarithmic utility function. Our option pricing formulae, like the Black–Scholes model, do not depend on the preference parameters of the utility function of the representative agent. Although the Black–Scholes model introduces limited liability in asset prices by assuming that the logarithm of the stock price has a normal distribution, our basic square root option pricing model introduces limited liability by assuming that the square root of the stock price has a normal distribution. The empirical tests on the S&P 500 index options market show that our model has smaller fitting errors than the Black–Scholes model, and that it generates volatility skews with similar shapes to those observed in the marketplace. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Intraoperative evaluation of bony margins with frozen‐section analysis and trephine drill extraction technique: A preliminary study
Authors: Wysluch Andreas , Stricker Ingo , Hölzle Frank , Wolff Klaus‐Dietrich , Maurer Peter
Published: February 2010

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the use of trephine drill specimens from mandible bony margins subjected to standard histologic fresh‐frozen processing for intraoperative documentation of malignant bony infiltration in oral cancer.

Methods

Eighty‐four drill specimens were extracted from bony mandibular resection margins of 20 patients with oral cancer. Histologic results of decalcification and of intraoperative frozen‐section analysis were compared.

Results

Sixty‐eight (81%) of 84 specimens showed no tumor infiltration, whereas 16 (19%) were positive in frozen section analysis. Four specimens (4.8%) were evaluated as free of tumor invasion, but showed erosion of the bone by the tumor after decalcification. One specimen (2.4%) was positive, but no invasion could be found with standard decalcification. Overall, there was 94% (79) consistency between the 2 techniques, with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 98%.

Conclusion

This technique promises to be suitable for intraoperative detection of malignant bone infiltration. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Understanding oral cancer in the genome era
Authors: Viet Chi T. , Schmidt Brian L.
Published: February 2010

Completion of the human genome project approximately 15 years ago was followed closely by advancements in array technology. Investigators quickly applied this new powerful tool to the genomic and proteomic study of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Resultant publications documented chromosome, gene, mRNA, and protein alterations that characterize oral cancer. In this review, we summarize how the genomic, proteomic, and epigenetic array studies have provided insight into the process of oral carcinogenesis. We discuss the significant limitations and requirement for validation of these array studies. We also review the manner in which state‐of‐the‐art, high‐throughput approaches are being used to search for salivary and serum oral cancer biomarkers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
A scanning electron microscopic and photon absorptiometric study of the development, prolongation, and pattern of recovery from lactation-induced osteopenia in Rats
Authors: Hagaman John R. , Ambrose Wallace W. , Hirsch Philip F.
Published: February 2010

Measurements by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of femoral hemisections confirmed and amplified results by single-photon absorptiometry that had shown a marked increase in lactation osteopenia in rats fed a low-calcium diet (LCD, 0.04% Ca) as compared with a medium-(adequate) calcium diet (ACD, 0.4% Ca). SEM of bones from rats at the end of lactation on either diet showed a large loss of trabecular bone, increased porosity of endosteal surfaces, and cortical thinning. These changes were much more striking in LCD rats than in ACD rats. Backscattered electron imaging of cross sections of the femora revealed marked cortical thinning at midshaft after lactation, especially in rats on the LCD; this method also showed a marked increase in newly formed, less dense diaphyseal bone on the endosteal surface when dietary calcium had been made available to the LCD rats after lactation ceased. Unlike the rats fed the ACD after lactation, the rats continued on the LCD for the first 3 weeks postlactation failed to recover bone mineral, even though there was a marked decrease in resorbing surfaces of the femora as revealed by morphologic examination. When the diet was changed from the LCD to the ACD for the second 3 weeks postlactation (weeks 4–6), the bone mineral increased substantially. Overall, these results demonstrate the marked loss of bone during lactation, especially severe in rats fed a low-calcium diet, and the rapid postlactational recovery of bone when adequate dietary calcium was made available, even if the recovery had been delayed for the first 3 weeks by feeding a diet very low in calcium
IGF-I Production by Mouse Osteoblasts
Authors: Wong G. L. , Kotliar D. , Schlaeger D. , Brandes S. J.
Published: February 2010

Mouse osteoblasts contain and secrete insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I), which can be measured by radioimmunoassay after separation from endogenous IGF-I binding activity. Our studies indicate that IGF-I is produced by all bone cell populations prepared by sequential digestion of mouse calvaria with collagenase and protease. Furthermore, relatively small amounts of IGF-I are cell associated, and IGF-I is recovered primarily in the cell medium after 24 h of culture. Basal IGF-I secretion is also density dependent, and secretion per cell is approximately 20-fold higher when cultures are inoculated at 0.125 versus 1.0 × 105 cells per cm2.

Growth hormone increased the secretion of IGF-I only in cells released in the earlier stages of digestion. These growth hormone-responsive populations were previously shown to differ from late released cells in that they show a lower expression of the osteoblastic phenotype, harbor more EGF receptors per cell, and have a higher proliferative response to low doses of exogenous IGF-I and EGF.

These data reaffirm the presence of different subclasses of bone cells in populations obtained by sequential digestion of bone and suggest that growth hormone stimulates IGF-I secretion by immature osteoblasts
Regulation of calbindin-D28K gene expression in the chick intestine: Effects of serum calcium status and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Hall Alan K. , Professor Norman Anthony W.
Published: February 2010

Calbindin-D28K is a member of a superfamily of calcium binding proteins that share a common avidity for the divalent calcium ion. The ambient concentration of calcium in the blood circulation is thought to orchestrate the release of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin and to govern the activity of renal 1-hydroxylase and thereby synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. We report here the results of experiments designed to assess the possible contribution of dietary calcium status upon calbindin-D28K gene expression in the intestine of vitamin D-deficient chicks. The actions of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] and dietary calcium intake upon intestinal calbindin-D28K and calbindin-D28K mRNA were monitored by ELISA and dot-blot hybridization analyses, respectively. Vitamin D3-deficient chicks were fed either a calcium-supplemented diet (3% w/w) or a diet containing low calcium (0.4% w/w). These dietary manipulations evoked a highly significant change in serum calcium status. However, the levels of calbindin-D28K protein and its corresponding mRNA were unaffected. Administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (1-16 nmol per animal) to both “normocalcemic” and hypocalcemic vitamin D-deficient chicks resulted in an equivalent stimulation of duodenal calbindin-D28K accumulation of calbindin-D28K mRNA. Intestinal calbindin-D28K was stimulated 20- to 28-fold (above control levels) by 6-8 nmol 1,25-(OH)2D3 in both dietary treatment groups when measured 48 h after the single injection. Hence, despite the existence of a relatively large difference in serum calcium levels, the molecular actions of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the vitamin D-deficient animal are apparently well insulated from serum calcium chemistry. These observations support the notion that, in the absence of vitamin D3, the calcium ion per se is unable to modulate the calbindin-D28K gene in vivo.
In vitro detection of neutralizing antibodies after treatment of paget's disease of bone with nasal salmon calcitonin
Authors: Grauer Andreas , Raue Friedhelm , Schneider Hans-Gerhard , Frank-Raue Karin , Ziegler Reinhard
Published: February 2010

To elucidate the biologic relevance of circulating sCT antibodies, an in vitro bioassay system for the detection of neutralizing antibodies was developed utilizing the human breast carcinoma cell line T47D. We reasoned that the inhibition of the dose-dependent cAMP response to sCT in the T47D assay system by anti-sCT antibodies could be used to determine the in vivo relevance of these antibodies. In this report the clinical course of nine patients with Paget's disease of bone treated with intranasal sCT was correlated with the presence of 125I-sCT binding and neutralizing antibodies. Of nine patients treated with 400 IU intranasal sCT per day, seven developed 125I-sCT binding antibodies. Of these seven patients, four were found to have neutralizing antibodies; the appearance of the antibodies coincided with the development of resistance. One of these patients was subsequently treated with human calcitonin and revealed a good response to the treatment. There was no clinical resistance observed in the three patients with 125I-sCT binding antibodies but no neutralizing antibodies; no resistance was observed in two patients without 125I-sCT binding or neutralizing antibodies. We conclude that this new technique to determine the biologic relevance of circulating anti-sCT antibodies may be an useful adjunct for determining the cause of resistance in patients treated with sCT.
Retroviral expression in mononuclear blood cells isolated from a patient with osteopetrosis (albers-schonberg disease)
Authors: Labat L. M. , Bringuier A.-F. , Chandra A. , Chandra P. , Einhorn T. A.
Published: February 2010

We report the presence of reverse transcriptase activity in the supernatant of long-term culture of mononuclear blood cells (monocytes and lymphocytes) isolated from a 27-year-old patient suffering from benign osteopetrosis. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity according to the technique of Chandra and Steel, by chromatography, first on DEAE-cellulose (DE 52) and then on phosphocellulose (P11). After purification, the enzyme was characterized biochemically for its template specificity and ionic requirements. The purified enzyme was able to transcribe poly(rA) ··(dT)12-18 and poly(rC) ··(dG)12-18 very efficiently and had a marked preference for Mg2+ ions over Mn2+ ions. The pattern of ionic dependency for this enzyme is similar to that of reverse transcriptases purified from human lymphotropic viruses. The patient was tested and found seronegative for HIV-1, HIV-2, and HTLV-I and seropositive (immunoglobulin C ) for cytomegalovirus. Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigens (EBNA) were detected in the patient's B lymphocytes. Since reverse transcriptase is the hallmark of retroviruses, we suggest that a retrovirus may be involved in the etiology of osteopetrosis.
Ontogenesis of calcitonin mRNA in the rabbit
Authors: Jousset Valérie , Besnard Philippe , Garel Jean-Michel , Gilbert Marc , Davicco Marie-Jeanne , Barlet Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2010

Since plasma calcium levels are higher in the fetus than in the mother at the end of gestation, it has been suggested that calcitonin (CT) biosynthesis would be very active in the fetus. This hypothesis was tested in rabbit fetuses and newborns by measuring the amount of CT mRNAs found in the thyroid glands and the thyroidal CT stores. Dot-blot and Northern hybridizations with a specific CT cDNA probe (a BglII-NsiI fragment of the human CT cDNA) were used to determine the CT mRNA level. In fetuses, newborns, and mothers, only one molecular species of mRNA around 1 kb was detected by Northern hybridization with the specific CT cDNA probe. By dot-blot, CT mRNAs could be detected at 20 days of gestation on pooled fetal thyroid glands as a weak positive signal. The amount of CT mRNAs increased on day 24; at this stage they were also observed by Northern hybridization. During the last 6 days of gestation a 3-fold increase in CT mRNAs occurred in rabbit fetuses; concomitantly a 5-fold rise in the total thyroidal CT content was observed. Fetal plasma concentrations of both CT and calcium increased slightly between 24 and 30 days of gestation. After birth, the CT mRNA level was 10-fold increased between 2 and 30 days; these changes were not reflected in the plasma CT level but were probably accounted for by a rise in the number of C cells of the thyroid gland.