bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flexible design‐planning of supply chain networks
Authors: Laínez José Miguel , Kopanos Georgios , Espuña Antonio , Puigjaner Luis
Published: May 2009

Nowadays market competition is essentially associated to supply chain (SC) improvement. Therefore, the locus of value creation has shifted to the chain network. The strategic decision of determining the optimal SC network structure plays a vital role in the later optimization of SC operations. This work focuses on the design and retrofit of SCs. Traditional approaches available in literature addressing this problem usually utilize as departing point a rigid predefined network structure which may restrict the opportunities of adding business value. Instead, a novel flexible formulation approach which translates a recipe representation to the SC environment is proposed to solve the challenging design‐planning problem of SC networks. The resulting mixed integer linear programming model is aimed to achieve the best NPV as key performance metric. The potential of the presented approach is highlighted through illustrative examples of increasing complexity, where results of traditional rigid approaches and those offered by the flexible framework are compared. The implications of exploiting this potential flexibility to improve the SC performance are highlighted and are the subject of our further research work. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Simulation of polymer melt processing
Authors: Denn Morton M.
Published: May 2009

Polymer melt processing requires an integration of fluid mechanics and heat transfer, with unique issues regarding boundary conditions, phase change, stability and sensitivity, and melt rheology. Simulation has been useful in industrial melt processing applications. This brief overview is a personal perspective on some of the issues that arise and how they have been addressed. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Occupational blood exposure among unlicensed home care workers and home care registered nurses: Are they protected?
Authors: Lipscomb J. , Sokas R. , McPhaul K. , Scharf B. , Barker P. , Trinkoff A. , Storr C.
Published: May 2009

Background

Little is known about the risk of blood exposure among personnel providing care to individual patients residing at home. The objective of this study was to document and compare blood exposure risks among unlicensed home care personal care assistants (PCAs) and home care registered nurses (RNs).

Methods

PCAs self‐completed surveys regarding blood and body fluid (BBF) contact in group settings (n = 980), while RNs completed mailed surveys (n = 794).

Results

PCAs experience BBF contact in the course of providing care for home‐based clients at a rate approximately 1/3 the rate experienced by RNs providing home care (8.1 and 26.7 per 100 full time equivalent (FTE), respectively), and the majority of PCA contact episodes did not involve direct sharps handling. However, for PCAs who performed work activities such as handling sharps and changing wound dressings, activities much more frequently performed by RNs, PCAs were at increased risk of injury when compared with RNs (OR = 7.4 vs. 1.4) and (OR = 6.3 vs. 2.5), respectively.

Conclusion

Both PCAs and RNs reported exposures to sharps, blood, and body fluids in the home setting at rates that warrant additional training, prevention, and protection. PCAs appear to be at increased risk of injury when performing nursing‐related activities for which they are inexperienced and/or lack training. Further efforts are needed to protect home care workers from blood exposure, namely by assuring coverage and enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogen Standard [Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 1993. Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Available at: http://www. osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS &p_id=21010#Scope. Accessed May 30, 2008]. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:563–570, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ergonomic and socioeconomic risk factors for hospital workers' compensation injury claims
Authors: Boyer Jon , Galizzi Monica , Cifuentes Manuel , d'Errico Angelo , Gore Rebecca , Punnett Laura , Slatin Craig
Published: May 2009

Background

Hospital workers are a diverse population with high rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The risk of MSD leading to workers' compensation (WC) claims is likely to show a gradient by socioeconomic status (SES) that may be partly explained by working conditions.

Methods

A single community hospital provided workforce demographics and WC claim records for 2003–2005. An ergonomic job exposure matrix (JEM) was developed for these healthcare jobs from direct observation of physical workload and extraction of physical and psychosocial job requirements from the O*NET online database. Occupational exposures and SES categories were assigned to workers through their O*NET job titles. Univariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses were performed to estimate the propensity to file an injury claim in relation to individual factors, occupational exposures, and SES.

Results

The jobs with the highest injury rates were nurses, semi‐professionals, and semi‐skilled. Increased physical work and psychological demands along with low job tenure were associated with an increase in risk, while risk decreased with psychosocial rewards and supervisor support. Both occupational and individual factors mediated the relationship between SES and rate of injury claims.

Conclusions

Physical and organizational features of these hospital jobs along with low job tenure predicted WC injury claim risk and explained a substantial proportion of the effects of SES. Further studies that include lifestyle risk factors and control for prior injuries and co‐morbidities are warranted to strengthen the current study findings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:551–562, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Invisible work, unseen hazards: The health of women immigrant household service workers in Spain
Authors: Ahonen Emily Q. , López‐Jacob María José , Vázquez María Luisa , Porthé Victoria , Gil‐González Diana , García Ana María , Ruiz‐Frutos Carlos , Benach Joan , Benavides Fernando G.
Published: May 2009

Background

Household service work has been largely absent from occupational health studies. We examine the occupational hazards and health effects identified by immigrant women household service workers.

Methods

Exploratory, descriptive study of 46 documented and undocumented immigrant women in household services in Spain, using a phenomenological approach. Data were collected between September 2006 and May 2007 through focus groups and semi‐structured individual interviews. Data were separated for analysis by documentation status and sorted using a mixed‐generation process. In a second phase of analysis, data on psychosocial hazards were organized using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire as a guide.

Results

Informants reported a number of environmental, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards and corresponding health effects. Psychosocial hazards were especially strongly present in data. Data on reported hazards were similar by documentation status and varied by several emerging categories: whether participants were primarily cleaners or carers and whether they lived in or outside of the homes of their employers. Documentation status was relevant in terms of empowerment and bargaining, but did not appear to influence work tasks or exposure to hazards directly.

Conclusions

Female immigrant household service workers are exposed to a variety of health hazards that could be acted upon by improved legislation, enforcement, and preventive workplace measures, which are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:405–416, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asbestos‐related disease among sheet metal workers 1986–2004: Radiographic changes over time
Authors: Welch Laura S. , Haile Elizabeth
Published: May 2009

Background

In 1985, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Association formed The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) to examine the health hazards of the sheet metal industry. Between 1986 and 2004 18,211 individuals were examined. At the time of the first examination 9.6% of all participants (1,745) had findings consistent with parenchymal disease (ILO > 1/0), and 21% (3,827) had pleural scarring.

Methods

2181‐Two thousand hundred eighty‐one who had no radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis on baseline examination underwent a second examination.

Results

By the second examination, 5.3% had developed parenchymal disease on chest radiograph; an additional 12.4% had developed pleural scarring without parenchymal disease. Factors that predicted new cases of pneumoconiosis on radiograph were the calendar year the worker entered the sheet metal trade, smoking, and shipyard work. Forty‐seven percent of those smoking at the time of initial exam reported having quit smoking by the second examination.

Conclusions

Asbestosis is still occurring 50 years after first exposure. Exposed workers benefit from medical screening programs that incorporate smoking cessation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:519–525, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic analysis of Parkin in early onset Parkinson's disease (PD): Novel intron 9 g > a single nucleotide polymorphism and risk of Taiwanese PD
Authors: Wu Yih‐Ru , Wu Chun‐Hsien , Chao Chih‐Ying , Kuan Chun‐Chieh , Zhang Wan‐Ling , Wang Cheng‐Kuang , Chang Chun‐Yuh , Chang Yi‐Chun , Lee‐Chen Guey‐Jen , Chen Chung‐Mei
Published: May 2009

Early onset Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with mutations in Parkin. We screened Parkin mutations in a cohort of Taiwanese early onset PD using direct cDNA sequencing. Two deletions (Ex2‐3del and Ex5del), one point mutation (R334C), one 86‐bp IVS9 insertion (c.1084intron+), and two polymorphisms (S167N and V380L) were identified. The mutations identified are heterozygous and none of the mutation carriers possess two Parkin mutations. The c.1084intron+ was due to a novel IVS9 g > a change. To assess the association of IVS9 g > a, S167N and V380L with the risk of PD, we conducted a case–control study in a cohort of PD and ethnically matched controls. Although the difference is not significant, the V380L C allele frequency was notably lower in PD patients than the controls and a trend toward decrease in risk of developing PD was evident (odds ratio: 0.71, 95% confidence interval: 0.53–0.97, P = 0.029). Contrarily the IVS9 g > a a allele frequency was notably higher in PD patients than the controls and a trend toward increase in risk of developing PD was also evident (odds ratio: 1.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–2.59, P = 0.028). Quantitative real‐time PCR showed that the relative Parkin c.1084intron+ mRNA expression was increased in PD patients with IVS9 ga genotype as compared to gg genotype. Pairwise genotype analysis revealed that IVS9 gg genotype strengthens the negative association of the V380L GC genotype with PD (odds ratio: 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.48–0.94, P = 0.021). The results of Parkin mutation/polymorphism screening may contribute to our understanding of PD. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for epistasis between SLC6A4 and a chromosome 4 gene as risk factors in major depression
Authors: Neff Chris D. , Abkevich Victor , Potter Jennifer , Riley Robin , Shattuck Donna , Katz David A.
Published: May 2009

Linkage analysis on Utah pedigrees with strong family histories of major depression including only cases with the SLC6A4 HTTLPR short allele revealed a linkage peak on chromosome 4 (maximum HLOD = 3.5). This evidence suggests epistasis between SLC6A4 and an unknown gene as risk factors for major depression. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A candidate gene study of tardive dyskinesia in the CATIE schizophrenia trial
Authors: Tsai Huei‐Ting , Caroff Stanley N. , Miller Del D. , McEvoy Joseph , Lieberman Jeffrey A. , North Kari E. , Stroup T. Scott , Sullivan Patrick F.
Published: May 2009

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary oro‐facial, limb, and truncal movements. As a genetic basis for inter‐individual variation is assumed, there have been a sizeable number of candidate gene studies. All subjects met diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia and were randomized to receive antipsychotic medications as participants in the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness project (CATIE). TD was assessed via the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale at regular intervals. Probable TD was defined as meeting Schooler–Kane criteria at any scheduled CATIE visit (207/710 subjects, 29.2%). A total of 128 candidate genes were studied in 710 subjects—2,580 SNPs in 118 candidate genes selected from the literature (e.g., dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA pathways) and composite genotypes for 10 drug‐metabolizing enzymes. No single marker or haplotype association reached statistical significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons. Thus, we found no support for either novel or prior associations from the literature. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association analysis of the PIP4K2A gene on chromosome 10p12 and schizophrenia in the Irish study of high density schizophrenia families (ISHDSF) and the Irish case–control study of schizophrenia (ICCSS)
Authors: Thiselton D.L. , Maher B.S. , Webb B.T. , Bigdeli T.B. , O'Neill F.A. , Walsh D. , Kendler K.S. , Riley B.P.
Published: May 2009

Molecular studies support pharmacological evidence that phosphoinositide signaling is perturbed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate‐5‐kinase type‐II alpha (PIP4K2A) gene is located on chromosome 10p12. This region has been implicated in both diseases by linkage, and PIP4K2A directly by association. Given linkage evidence in the Irish Study of High Density Schizophrenia Families (ISHDSF) to a region including 10p12, we performed an association study between genetic variants at PIP4K2A and disease. No association was detected through single‐marker or haplotype analysis of the whole sample. However, stratification into families positive and negative for the ISHDSF schizophrenia high‐risk haplotype (HRH) in the DTNBP1 gene and re‐analysis for linkage showed reduced amplitude of the 10p12 linkage peak in the DTNBP1 HRH positive families. Association analysis of the stratified sample showed a trend toward association of PIP4K2A SNPs rs1417374 and rs1409395 with schizophrenia in the DTNBP1 HRH positive families. Despite this apparent paradox, our data may therefore suggest involvement of PIP4K2A in schizophrenia in those families for whom genetic variation in DTNBP1 appears also to be a risk factor. This trend appears to arise from under‐transmission of common alleles to female cases. Follow‐up association analysis in a large Irish schizophrenia case–control sample (ICCSS) showed significant association with disease of a haplotype comprising these same SNPs rs1417374–rs1409395, again more so in affected females, and in cases with negative family history of the disease. This study supports a minor role for PIP4K2A in schizophrenia etiology in the Irish population. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No evidence of an association between two genes, EDN1 and ACE, and childhood‐onset mood disorders
Authors: Dempster Emma L. , Kiss Eniko , Kapornai Krisztina , Daróczi Gabriella , Mayer Laszlo , Baji Ildiko , Tamas Zsuzsanna , Gadoros Julia , Kennedy James L. , Vetró Agnes , Kovacs Maria , Barr Cathy L. ,   The International Consortium for Childhood‐Onset Mood Disorders
Published: May 2009

Recent evidence supports a pathological link between heart disease and depressive symptoms, suggesting that depression is both etiologic and prognostic to heart disease. Thus, biological molecules which are at the interface between heart and mind are plausible candidate genes for depressive disorders. To investigate this line of enquiry we have investigated two genes, Endothelin 1 (EDN1) and Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) in a family‐based sample with childhood‐onset mood disorders (COMDs). EDN1 is highly expressed in endothelium where it acts as a potent vasoconstrictor, and is also expressed in the brain where it exhibits neurotransmitter characteristics. ACE acts as a potent vasopressor, and interacts with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) system, which is often dysregulated in mood disorders. Furthermore, ACE has recently been found to be associated with major depression. Polymorphisms were selected to best capture the genetic variation at the two loci, and to replicate previous associations. The markers were genotyped across EDN1 and ACE in a sample comprised of 382 Hungarian nuclear families ascertained through affected probands diagnosed with a mood disorders before the age of 15. We found no evidence of association between either of these genes and COMD. Consequently, we were unable to support our hypothesis that these two genes, which are involved in both vascular and brain functions are contributing to the susceptibility to mood disorders of children/adolescents. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel extreme homozygote haplotypes at the human caveolin 1 gene upstream purine complex in sporadic Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zarif Yeganeh M. , Mirabzadeh A. , Khorram Khorshid H.R. , Kamali K. , Heshmati Y. , Gozalpour E. , Veissy K. , Olad Nabi M. , Najmabadi H. , Ohadi M.
Published: May 2009

Aberrant expression of the caveolin‐1 (CAV1) gene is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. We have recently reported a polymorphic purine stretch located at between 1.8 and 1.5 kb flanking the CAV1 gene, whose alleles and genotypes are associated with late‐onset AD. Extra‐short homozygote haplotypes were observed that were present only in the AD cases. Following an independent case/control study, we report alleles at the other extreme of the allele range, haplotypes of which were observed to be homozygous across the region in the AD cases. We propose that there is a window for the length of motifs and haplotypes in the controls. Homozygosity for shorter and longer motifs and haplotypes was linked with AD in our study. Our findings elucidate novel predisposing haplotypes at the CAV1 gene purine complex, and confirm the role of this region in the etiopathophysiology of late‐onset AD. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential diagnosis of mastoid hypocellularity in human skeletal remains
Authors: Flohr Stefan , Kierdorf Uwe , Schultz Michael
Published: May 2009

Mastoid hypocellularity is frequently used as an indicator of chronic otits media in paleopathological investigations. The condition can be caused by a poor development of air cells during infancy and early childhood (primary hypocellularity) or by obliteration of air cells with bone during later life (secondary hypocellularity). We performed a macroscopic, radiographic, and microscopic study of pneumatization patterns in 151 mastoid processes of individuals from an early‐medieval cemetery in Germany, with emphasis on the architecture of the nonpneumatized portion of hypocellular mastoid processes. Two types of primary mastoid hypocellularity were distinguished. The first was characterized by a poorly defined boundary between the pneumatized portion and the nonpneumatized portion and a trabecular thickening in the spongy bone of the latter. The second showed a well‐defined boundary between the pneumatized portion and the nonpneumatized portion and normal spongy bone architecture in the latter. The key feature for the diagnosis of secondary hypocellularity was the recognition of the walls of former air cells. Our observations closely match the histopathological findings by Wittmaack (Wittmaack: Über die normale und die pathologische Pneumatisation des Schläfenbeins. Jena: Gustav Fischer [1918]), who developed a concept of the normal pneumatization process of the temporal bone and the pathogenesis of aberrant pneumatization. We agree with Wittmaack's view that two types of primary mastoid hypocellularity can be distinguished morphologically. Regarding the pathogenesis of these types, we, however, conclude that Wittmaack's concept needs to be revised and updated. Further studies are required to establish the relationship between morphological findings in cases of mastoid hypocellularity and the health status of individuals. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tetrahydrobiopterin in the prevention of hypertonia in hypoxic fetal brain
Authors: Vásquez‐Vivar Jeannette , Whitsett Jennifer , Derrick Matthew , Ji Xinhai , Yu Lei , Tan Sidhartha
Published: May 2009

Objective

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency is a cause of dystonia at birth. We hypothesized that BH4is a developmental factor determining vulnerability of the immature fetal brain to hypoxic‐ischemic injury and subsequent motor deficits in newborns.

Methods

Pregnant rabbits were subjected to 40‐minute uterine ischemia, and fetal brains were investigated for global and focal changes in BH4. Newborn kits were assessed by neurobehavioral tests following vehicle and sepiapterin (BH4analog) treatment of dams.

Results

Naive fetal brains at 70% gestation (E22) were severely deficient for BH4compared with maternal and other fetal tissues. BH4concentration rapidly increased normally in the perinatal period, with the highest concentrations found in the thalamus compared with basal ganglia, frontal, occipital, hippocampus, and parietal cortex. Global sustained 40‐minute hypoxia‐ischemia depleted BH4in E22 thalamus and to a lesser extent in basal ganglia, but not in the frontal, occipital, and parietal regions. Maternal supplementation prior to hypoxia‐ischemia with sepiapterin increased BH4in all brain regions and especially in the thalamus, but did not increase the intermediary metabolite, 7,8‐BH2. Sepiapterin treatment also reduced incidence of severe motor deficits and perinatal death following E22 hypoxia‐ischemia.

Interpretation

We conclude that early developmental BH4deficiency plays a critical role in hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury. Increasing brain BH4via maternal supplementation may be an effective strategy in preventing motor deficits from antenatal hypoxia‐ischemia. Ann Neurol 2009;66:323–331
Periodontitis and incidence of cerebrovascular disease in men
Authors: Jimenez Monik , Krall Elizabeth A. , Garcia Raul I. , Vokonas Pantel S. , Dietrich Thomas
Published: May 2009

Objective

To identify associations between periodontitis and incidence of cerebrovascular disease.

Methods

We analyzed data of 1,137 dentate men in the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging and Dental Longitudinal Study who were followed with triennial medical/dental exams for up to 34 years (mean, 24 years). We evaluated incidence of cerebrovascular events consistent with stroke or transient ischemic attack in relation to mean radiographic alveolar bone loss (a measure of periodontitis history) and cumulative periodontal probing depth (a measure of current periodontal inflammation). Cox proportional hazards models were fit controlling for age, baseline socioeconomic status, and time‐varying effects of established cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Eighty incident cases of cerebrovascular disease occurred from 27,506 person‐years. Periodontal bone loss was significantly associated with an increased hazard rate (HR) of cerebrovascular disease (HR, 3.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–7.81 comparing highest to lowest bone loss category; p for trend, <0.001). There was a stronger effect among men aged <65 years (HR, 5.81; 95% CI, 1.63–20.7) as compared with men aged ≥65 years (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 0.91–6.25). Periodontal probing depth was not associated with a significantly increased rate of cerebrovascular disease in the combined or age‐stratified analyses.

Interpretation

These results support an association between history of periodontitis—but not current periodontal inflammation—and incidence of cerebrovascular disease in men, independent of established cardiovascular risk factors, particularly among men aged <65 years. Ann Neurol 2009;66:505–512
Anti–N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in children and adolescents
Authors: Florance Nicole R. , Davis Rebecca L. , Lam Christopher , Szperka Christina , Zhou Lei , Ahmad Saba , Campen Cynthia J. , Moss Heather , Peter Nadja , Gleichman Amy J. , Glaser Carol A. , Lynch David R. , Rosenfeld Myrna R. , Dalmau Josep
Published: May 2009

Objective

To report the clinical features of anti–N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in patients ≤ 18 years old.

Methods

Information was obtained by the authors or referring physicians. Antibodies were determined by immunocytochemistry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using HEK293 cells ectopically expressing NR1.

Results

Over an 8‐month period, 81 patients (12 male) with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis were identified. Thirty‐two (40%) were ≤18 years old (youngest 23 months, median 14 years); 6 were male. The frequency of ovarian teratomas was 56% in women >18 years old, 31% in girls ≤18 years old (p = 0.05), and 9% in girls ≤14 years old (p = 0.008). None of the male patients had tumors. Of 32 patients ≤18 years old, 87.5% presented with behavioral or personality change, sometimes associated with seizures and frequent sleep dysfunction; 9.5% with dyskinesias or dystonia; and 3% with speech reduction. On admission, 53% had severe speech deficits. Eventually, 77% developed seizures, 84% stereotyped movements, 86% autonomic instability, and 23% hypoventilation. Responses to immunotherapy were slow and variable. Overall, 74% had full or substantial recovery after immunotherapy or tumor removal. Neurological relapses occurred in 25%. At the last follow‐up, full recovery occurred more frequently in patients who had a teratoma that was removed (5/8) than in those without a teratoma (4/23; p = 0.03).

Interpretation

Anti‐NMDAR encephalitis is increasingly recognized in children, comprising 40% of all cases. Younger patients are less likely to have tumors. Behavioral and speech problems, seizures, and abnormal movements are common early symptoms. The phenotype resembles that of the adults, although dysautonomia and hypoventilation are less frequent or severe in children. Ann Neurol 2009;66:11–18
Real‐life impact of early interferonβ therapy in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Trojano M. , Pellegrini F. , Paolicelli D. , Fuiani A. , Zimatore G.B. , Tortorella C. , Simone I.L. , Patti F. , Ghezzi A. , Zipoli V. , Rossi P. , Pozzilli C. , Salemi G. , Lugaresi A. , Bergamaschi R. , Millefiorini E. , Clerico M. , Lus G. , Vianello M. , Avolio C. , Cavalla P. , Lepore V. , Livrea P. , Comi G. , Amato M.P. ,   Italian Multiple Sclerosis Database Network (MSDN) Group
Published: May 2009

Objective

Recent findings support greater efficacy of early vs. delayed interferon beta (IFNβ) treatment in patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early IFNβ treatment in definite relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) and to assess the optimal time to initiate IFNβ treatment with regard to the greatest benefits on disability progression.

Methods

A cohort of 2,570 IFNβ‐treated RRMS patients was prospectively followed for up to 7 years in 15 Italian MS Centers. A Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted for propensity score (PS) quintiles was used to assess differences between groups of patients with early vs. delayed IFNβ treatment on risk of reaching a 1‐point progression in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and the EDSS 4.0 and 6.0 milestones. A set of PS‐adjusted Cox hazards regression models were calculated according to different times of treatment initiation (within 1 year up to within 5 years from disease onset). A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of findings.

Results

The lowest hazard ratios (HRs) for the three PS quintiles–adjusted models were obtained by a cutoff of treatment initiation within 1 year from disease onset. Early treatment significantly reduced the risk of reaching a 1‐point progression in EDSS score (HR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.48–0.85; p < 0.002), and the EDSS 4.0 milestone (HR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.36–0.90; p = 0.015). Sensitivity analysis showed the bound of significance for unmeasured confounders.

Interpretation

Greater benefits on disability progression may be obtained by an early IFNβ treatment in RRMS. Ann Neurol 2009;66:513–520
Brainstem 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy: Marker of demyelination and repair in spinal cord
Authors: Denic Aleksandar , Bieber Allan , Warrington Arthur , Mishra Prasanna K. , Macura Slobodan , Rodriguez Moses
Published: May 2009

Measuring in vivo spinal cord injury and repair remains elusive. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) we examined brainstem N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA) as a surrogate for spinal cord injury in two mouse strains with different reparative phenotypes following virus‐induced demyelination. Swiss Jim Lambert (SJL) and Friend Virus B (FVB) mice progressively demyelinate with axonal loss. FVB mice demyelinate similarly but eventually remyelinate coincident with functional recovery. Brainstem NAA levels drop in both but recover in FVB mice. Chronically infected SJL mice lost 30.5% of spinal cord axons compared to FVB mice (7.3%). In remyelination‐enhancing or axon‐preserving clinical trials, brainstem MRS may be a viable endpoint to represent overall spinal cord dysfunction. Ann Neurol 2009;66:559–564
Synthesis and Microcontact Printing of Dual End‐Functionalized Mucin‐like Glycopolymers for Microarray Applications
Authors: Godula Kamil , Rabuka David , Nam Ki Tae , Bertozzi Carolyn R.
Published: May 2009

Klick‐Verschluss: Glycopolymere können verwendet werden, um Glycane auf Mikroarrays in nativ‐ähnlichen Architekturen zu präsentieren. Mucin‐mimetische Glycopolymere (siehe Bild; TR=Fluorophor) mit einheitlicher Struktur wurden beim Mikrokontakt‐Stempeln in Gegenwart eines Kupferkatalysators über ihre Alkin‐Endgruppen auf Azid‐funktionalisierten Chips verankert. Die befestigten Glycopolymere waren in der Lage, Lectine ligandenspezifisch zu binden.

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Crystalline Amyloid Structures at Interfaces
Authors: Lepère Mathilde , Chevallard Corinne , Brezesinski Gerald , Goldmann Michel , Guenoun Patrick
Published: May 2009

Die Grundlagen geschaffen: Die Fähigkeit eines Amyloidpeptids zur Selbstorganisation an Grenzflächen wurde für den Aufbau kristalliner Nanostrukturen an Luft‐Wasser‐Grenzflächen genutzt, die AFM‐mikroskopisch und röntgenographisch (siehe Bild) untersucht wurden. Diese Strukturen führen zu regulär angeordneten funktionellen Gruppen und bereiten den Weg für ein gesteuertes Abscheiden anorganischer Materialien, wie man es bei der Biomineralisation findet.

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Cationic Crown Ether Complexes of Germanium(II)
Authors: Rupar Paul A. , Bandyopadhyay Rajoshree , Cooper Benjamin F. T. , Stinchcombe Michael R. , Ragogna Paul J. , Macdonald Charles L. B. , Baines Kim M.
Published: May 2009

Die Krone muss passen: Kationische GeII‐Komplexe lassen sich mit Kronenethern zum Stabilisieren und Schützen des Germaniumzentrums herstellen. Drei verschiedene Kronenether wurden eingesetzt: [12]Krone‐4 (siehe Struktur, Ge türkis, O rot, C grau), [15]Krone‐5 und [18]Krone‐6. Die Strukturen der kationischen Komplexe hängen von der Größe des Kronenetherhohlraums und dem Germaniumsubstituenten ab.

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A Graphene Platform for Sensing Biomolecules
Authors: Lu Chun‐Hua , Yang Huang‐Hao , Zhu Chun‐Ling , Chen Xi , Chen Guo‐Nan
Published: May 2009

Auf Graphenoxid (GO) beruht ein empfindliches und selektives Verfahren zum DNA‐ und Proteinnachweis. Durch die Wechselwirkung von GO mit einer farbstoffmarkierten Einzelstrang‐DNA wird die Fluoreszenz des Farbstoffs gelöscht. Sind Ziel‐DNAs oder Zielproteine vorhanden, binden sie an die farbstoffmarkierte DNA und spalten sie von GO ab, sodass sie erneut fluoresziert (siehe Bild).

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Aktivierung der C‐H‐Bindung von Methan bei Raumtemperatur durch nacktes [P4O10].+
Authors: Dietl Nicolas , Engeser Marianne , Schwarz Helmut
Published: May 2009

Es braucht nicht immer ein Metall: Massenspektrometrie und quantenchemische Rechnungen liefern für [P4O10].+ – als erstes nichtmetallisches Oxidkation – Belege, dass es in der Lage ist, die C‐H‐Bindung in Methan bei Raumtemperatur zu aktivieren (siehe Bild). Damit wird das Konzept der sauerstoffzentrierten Radikale um ein weiteres Beispiel erweitert.

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Ketone Hydrosilylation with Sugar Silanes Followed by Intramolecular Aglycone Delivery: An Orthogonal Glycosylation Strategy
Authors: Buchan Zachary A. , Bader Scott J. , Montgomery John
Published: May 2009

Süßer Anhang nach Wunsch: Ein Verfahren zur direkten Glycosylierung von Ketonen ohne Hydroxyintermediate ermöglicht die ortsselektive Glycosylierung von Hydroxyketonen an der Keton‐ oder der Alkoholeinheit, ohne dass Schutzgruppen am Aglycon notwendig sind (siehe Schema). Die Ortsselektivität wird in den Hydrosilylierungen und dehydrierenden Silylierungen mit Zuckersilanen durch die Katalysatorstruktur bestimmt. Bn=Benzyl.

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2,7‐Di‐tert‐butylnaphtho[1,8‐cd][1,2]dithiole 1,2‐dioxides: Thermally Stable, Photochemically Active vic‐Disulfoxides
Authors: Grainger Richard S. , Patel Bhaven , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: May 2009

Temperaturstabil dank tert‐Butyl: Die thermische Barriere für die Umlagerung eines vic‐Disulfoxids wird durch die Gegenwart sperriger tert‐Butylgruppen in ortho‐Stellung zu den S‐Atomen deutlich erhöht. Dies macht die Titelverbindungen zu den bisher thermisch stabilsten vic‐Disulfoxiden, allerdings gehen sie bei Raumtemperatur eine neuartige Photoepimerisierung ein (siehe Schema).

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Click Chemistry beyond Metal‐Catalyzed Cycloaddition
Authors: Becer C. Remzi , Hoogenboom Richard , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: May 2009

No copper needed: In recent years, a large number of metal‐free click reactions have been reported based on thiol‐ene radical additions, Diels–Alder reactions, and Michael additions. In this Minireview, special attention is given to the advantages and limitations of the different methods to evaluate whether they have the potential to surpass the overwhelming success of the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition.

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The overwhelming success of click chemistry encouraged researchers to develop alternative “spring‐loaded” chemical reactions for use in different fields of chemistry. Initially, the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition was the only click reaction. In recent years, metal‐free [3+2] cycloaddition reactions, Diels–Alder reactions, and thiol‐alkene radical addition reactions have come to the fore as click reactions because of their simple synthetic procedures and high yields. Furthermore, these metal‐free reactions have wide applicability and are physiologically compatible. These and other alternative click reactions expand the opportunities for synthesizing small organic compounds as well as tailor‐made macromolecules and bioconjugates. This Minireview discusses the success and applicability of new, in particular metal‐free, click reactions.
Selective Production of Reactive and Nonreactive Oxygen Atoms on Pd(001) by Rotationally Aligned Oxygen Molecules
Authors: Vattuone Luca , Gerbi Andrea , Cappelletti David , Pirani Fernando , Gunnella Roberto , Savio Letizia , Rocca Mario
Published: May 2009

Sticking together: The occupation of different sites by oxygen atoms that are produced by the dissociation of O2 on Pd(100) is determined by the initial rotational alignment of the parent molecules. The atom locations are characterized by different chemical reactivities in the reaction with CO to form CO2 (see picture), which are followed by synchrotron radiation (SR) experiments with a supersonic molecular beam (SMB).

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Cationic Crown Ether Complexes of Germanium(II)
Authors: Rupar Paul A. , Bandyopadhyay Rajoshree , Cooper Benjamin F. T. , Stinchcombe Michael R. , Ragogna Paul J. , Macdonald Charles L. B. , Baines Kim M.
Published: May 2009

Fit for a king: Cationic complexes of GeII can be prepared by using crown ethers to stabilize and protect the germanium center. Three different crown ethers were employed: [12]crown‐4 (see structure, Ge teal, O red, C gray), [15]crown‐5, and [18]crown‐6. The structures of the cationic complexes depend on the cavity size of the crown ether and on the substituent on germanium.

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Etching and Growth: An Intertwined Pathway to Silver Nanocrystals with Exotic Shapes
Authors: Cobley Claire M. , Rycenga Matthew , Zhou Fei , Li Zhi‐Yuan , Xia Younan
Published: May 2009

Two‐faced nanocrystals: Rapid addition of a second aliquot of silver nitrate during a polyol synthesis led to the formation of anisotropically truncated octahedrons as a result of oxidative etching and overgrowth of silver nanocubes. Three adjacent faces of the nanocube grew more rapidly than the three other faces, generating a non‐centrosymmetric structure (see picture).

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2,7‐Di‐tert‐butylnaphtho[1,8‐cd][1,2]dithiole 1,2‐dioxides: Thermally Stable, Photochemically Active vic‐Disulfoxides
Authors: Grainger Richard S. , Patel Bhaven , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: May 2009

Bulking up: The thermal barrier to rearrangement of a vic‐disulfoxide is significantly increased through steric buttressing about the (O)SS(O) bond. Whereas the title compounds represent the most thermally stable vic‐disulfoxides known to date, they also undergo a novel photomediated epimerization at room temperature (see scheme).

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Phase morphology and clay distribution of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites
Authors: Xue Mei‐Ling , Li Peng
Published: May 2009

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/polypropylene (PP) blend nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing of PTT, PP, and organically modified clay. The phase morphologies of the PTT/PP nanocomposites and the distribution of the clay in the nanocomposites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. When PP is the dispersed phase, the domain size of the PP phase is decreased significantly with increasing the clay content from 0 to 5 wt %. In contrast, when PTT is the dispersed phase, the dimension of the PTT phase is a little larger in the presence of 2 wt % clay compared with the case of without clay. TEM observations indicate that the clay is mainly distributed at the phase interfaces along the phase borderlines. In addition, some intercalated clay tactoids (multilayer particles) are observed in the PTT matrix whereas no discernable clay particles can be found in the PP phase, indicating that the affinity of clay with PTT is higher than with PP. In the presence of 5 wt % PP‐graft‐maleic anhydride, the phase morphology is much finer, and most clay is exfoliated and distributed at the phase interfaces forming phase borderlines in polygonal shape. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The partial replacement of silica or calcium carbonate by halloysite nanotubes as fillers in ethylene propylene diene monomer composites
Authors: Pasbakhsh Pooria , Ismail Hanafi , Fauzi Mohd Noor Ahmad , Bakar Azhar Abu
Published: May 2009

The effect of partial replacement of silica or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) by halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the curing behavior, tensile properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphological characteristics of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites was studied. Five different compositions of EPDM/Silica/HNT and EPDM/CaCO3/HNT compounds (i.e. 100/30/0, 100/25/5, 100/15/15, 100/5/25, and 100/0/30 parts per hundred rubber (phr)) were prepared on a two‐roll mill. The results indicated that the replacement of CaCO3 by HNTs increased the tensile strength, elongation at break (Eb), and tensile modulus of composites from 0 to 30 phr of HNTs whereas for silica, the maximum tensile strength and Eb occurred at 5 phr loading of HNTs with an enhanced stress at 300% elongation (M300). The curing results show that, with replacement of silica or CaCO3 by HNTs, the cure time (t90) and cure rate (CRI) were decreased and increased, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy investigation confirmed that co‐incorporation of 5 phr of HNTs with silica would improve the dispersion of silica and enhanced the interactions between fillers and EPDM matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Effect of formation conditions on the structure and properties of nanocomposite alginate fibers
Authors: Boguń Maciej , Mikołajczyk Teresa , Rabiej Stanisław
Published: May 2009

The conditions for producing nanocomposite fibers composed of calcium alginate, containing a hydroxyapatite nanoadditive were devised and the rheological, sorptive, and strength properties of these fibers, as well as their porous and supramolecular structure were subjected to analysis. It has been concluded that the presence of the HAp nanoadditive in the material of alginate fibers decreases their susceptibility to distortion in the drawing stage, which results in their tenacity properties being lower by 2cN/tex than of the fibers with no nanoadditive. The obtained nanocomposite fibers are characterised by a tenacity value exceeding 26 cN/tex, accompanied by high sorptive and water‐retention properties of 90% and the even distribution of the nanoadditive on the fiber surface. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Supercritical carbon dioxide‐assisted loosening preparation of dry leather
Authors: Yang Qiuyan , Qin Shufa , Chen Jiafu , Ni Wei , Xu Qun
Published: May 2009

The physical modification of the dry leather using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2) was studied in this article. A series of loosening processes of the leather fibers were carried out by changing the experimental conditions such as experimental pressure, experimental temperature, and time. The samples were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). SEM images show that samples were loosened by SC‐CO2 and the leather fibers in micron size arrange more orderly after treatment. The BET surface area of treated samples increase from 1.67 m2/g to 6.33 m2/g with the changing of conditions. The optimal treatment conditions were determined. Moreover, XRD patterns indicate that aggregation structure of collagen fibers in the sample was altered by SC‐CO2, and it can be found that the loosening of leather mostly happened in amorphous regions of collagen fibers. Besides, the percent breaking elongation of the samples was examined by means of a tensile analyzing test, and it indicates that the elongation at break of all the treated samples in SC‐CO2 can increase to 128.2% compared with 95.9% of the original ones. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Emulsion polymerization of styrene with amphiphilic random copolymer as surfactant: Predominant droplet nucleation
Authors: Liu Li , Liu Xiao‐Li , Han Ye , Chen Qing‐Rui , Yu Jing‐Feng , Liu Feng‐Qi
Published: May 2009

Amphiphilic random copolymer consisting of monomeric units of poly (butyl acrylate) and poly (maleic acid salt) was synthesized and characterized. The emulsion polymerization kinetics of styrene stabilized by this copolymer was investigated. The influencing factors, including polymeric surfactant concentration, initiator concentration and polymerization temperature, were systematically studied. The kinetic data show that the polymerization rate (RP) increased with the increase of the polymeric surfactant concentration ([S]) and polymerization temperature (T). At the higher [S], droplets nucleation and micelle nucleation coexisted in the polymerization system; at the lower [S], only the droplets nucleation process existed. The polymerization did not follow Smith‐Ewart Case II kinetics. Dynamic light scatter and transmission electron microscope were utilized to measure the sizes and shapes of the particles, respectively. It would be speculated that a kind of large heterogeneous particles with multiple‐active‐sites was formed in the polymerization system. The increasing of RP with increasing initiator concentration ([KPS]) was rapid at a medium [KPS], but the slowly increasing was observed at a lower or higher [KPS]. It was attributed to the barrier effect of the polymeric surfactant around the monomer droplets. The polymerization activation energy was 60.29 kJ/mol. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Microphase separation behavior on the surfaces of poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐block‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer coatings
Authors: Luo Zheng‐Hong , Yu Hai‐Jiang , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2009

Microphase separation behavior on the surfaces of poly(dimethylsiloxane)‐block‐poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA) diblock copolymer coatings was investigated. The PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers were successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The chemical structure of the copolymers was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Surface composition was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Copolymer microstructure was investigated by atomic force microscopy. The microstructure observations show that well‐organized phase‐separated surfaces consist of hydrophobic domain from PDMS segments and more hydrophobic domain from PHFBMA segments in the copolymers. The increase in the PHFBMA content can strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers. And the increase in the annealing temperature can also strengthen the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers. Moreover, Flory‐Huggins thermodynamic theory was preliminarily used to explain the microphase separation behavior in the PDMS‐b‐PHFBMA diblock copolymers.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of polyurethane hybrids: Influence of the polydimethylsiloxane linear chain and silsesquioxane cubic structure on the thermal and mechanical properties of polyurethane hybrids
Authors: Madhavan K. , Reddy B. S. R.
Published: May 2009

The structural effects of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes (POSSs) on the thermomechanical properties of polyurethane (PU) networks were studied. An ester–amine‐functionalized silsesquioxane and a PDMS macromer were synthesized, and the macromer (10 wt %) was crosslinked with the PU prepolymer to obtain PU networks. The synthesized macromers and hybrids were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and 29Si‐NMR spectroscopy techniques. The influence of POSS cubes on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer network films was studied comparatively with the similarly functionalized PDMS linear chain via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements. The degradation pattern of the POSS‐incorporated PU nanocomposites was almost the same as that of the PU network synthesized from the linear PDMS macromer. The differences in the char yields and activation energies of the hybrids reflected the enhancement of the thermal properties of the nanohybrids. The TGA and DSC curves of the macromers suggested that the thermal properties of the macromers not only depended on either the PDMS or POSS inorganic core but also depended on the organic peripheral attached to the inorganic core. The glass‐transition temperatures of the nanohybrids were higher than those of the linear‐PDMS‐incorporated hybrids. The storage modulus values increased 3‐fold upon the incorporation of POSS rigid groups into the PU hybrids in comparison with the flexible PDMS‐chain‐incorporated PU hybrids. The DMA measurements showed a long‐range rubbery plateau region for all the PU hybrids, with high storage modulus and tan δ values showing the structural homogeneity of the crosslinked networks. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009