bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late complications of cancer treatment—From the other end of the stethoscope
Authors: LaMonte Sam J.
Published: July 2006

For more than 50 years, Cancer has explored every facet of malignant disease, including morphology, therapy, epidemiology, biology, historical perspective, and basic science. However, the Editors of Cancer believe that the human beings who bear the burden of this illness have much to teach us, and we now solicit essays from patients and family members about their experience. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Maternal methyl supplements increase offspring DNA methylation at Axin fused
Authors: Waterland Robert A. , Dolinoy Dana C. , Lin Juan‐Ru , Smith Charlotte A. , Shi Xin , Tahiliani Kajal G.
Published: July 2006

Transient environmental exposures during mammalian development can permanently alter gene expression and metabolism by influencing the establishment of epigenetic gene regulatory mechanisms. The genomic characteristics that confer such epigenetic plasticity upon specific loci, however, have not been characterized. Methyl donor supplementation of female mice before and during pregnancy permanently increases DNA methylation at the viable yellow agouti (Avy) metastable epiallele in the offspring. The current study tested whether another murine metastable epiallele, axin fused (AxinFu), similarly exhibits epigenetic plasticity to maternal diet. We found that methyl donor supplementation of female mice before and during pregnancy increased DNA methylation at AxinFu and thereby reduced by half the incidence of tail kinking in AxinFu/+ offspring. The hypermethylation was tail‐specific, suggesting a mid‐gestation effect. Our results indicate that stochastic establishment of epigenotype at metastable epialleles is, in general, labile to methyl donor nutrition, and such influences are not limited to early embryonic development. genesis 44:401–406, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“To Bend or not To Bend?” Both! The Planar and Bent Structures of[(Ph3P)4Rh2(μ‐F)2]
Authors: Marshall William J. , Aullón Gabriel , Alvarez Santiago , Dobbs Kerwin D. , Grushin Vladimir V.
Published: July 2006

The first experimental evidence is presented for planar–bent isomerism of complexes of the type [L4M2(μ‐X)2]. Both the planar and bent forms have been detected for the same composition, [(Ph3P)4Rh2(μ‐F)2], with full exclusion of any variation in such factors as the nature of the metal, ligand, counterion, and solvent of co‐crystallization. Computationalstudies point to weak C–H···F intramolecular bonding as an additional factor affecting the choice between the planar and bent geometries. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Coating of powder‐blasted channels for high‐performance microchip electrophoresis
Authors: Belder Detlev , Kohler Frank , Ludwig Martin , Tolba Kamal , Piehl Natalia
Published: July 2006

Channels in microfluidic glass chips manufactured with the alternative powder blasting technology were permanently coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in order to improve the performance in microchip electrophoresis. The performance of coated and uncoated powder‐blasted (pb) devices as well as coated and uncoated wet chemical etched (wc) chips was compared in electrophoretic separations of fluorescently labeled test compounds. The limited electrophoretic resolution obtained in pb‐chips could significantly be improved by coating the channels with PVA. The resolution of test compounds in such coated pb‐devices was even higher than in uncoated wc‐chips. PVA‐coated pb‐chips could also successfully be applied in chiral separations. While in an uncoated pb‐chip using a cyclodextrins buffer only one broad signal was obtained, two well‐resolved signals were obtained in a coated device.
Analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine by micellar capillary electrophoresis using cation‐selective exhaustive injection
Authors: Meng Pinjia , Fang Ning , Wang Meng , Liu Huwei , Chen David D.Y.
Published: July 2006

Cation‐selective exhaustive injection (CSEI) is used as an on‐line concentration method for the high‐sensitivity analysis of illicit amphetamines using CE. Optimum conditions for the determination of amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine were investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (25 mM) in 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.9) with 20% methanol as organic additive was used as the background electrolyte for CE separation. The LOD, based on an S/N of 3:1, was about 0.01 μg/mL using normal capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography, while by using CSEI in combination with micellar sweeping the sensitivity increased up to 1000‐fold with the LOD lower than 50 pg/mL. The reproducibility of CSEI combined with micellar sweeping for analyzing amphetamines was satisfactory (relative standard deviation around 10% by using area ratios against an internal standard). This method is highly sensitive and can be used to analyze trace amount amphetamines in human hair.
Suspended sediment load transport in the Mississippi River basin at St. Louis: temporal scaling and nonlinear determinism
Authors: Sivakumar Bellie , Chen Ji
Published: July 2006

This study investigates the dynamic behavior of suspended sediment load transport at different temporal scales in the Mississippi River basin. Data corresponding to five successively doubled temporal scales (i.e. daily, two‐day, four‐day, eight‐day and 16‐day) from the St. Louis gaging station in Missouri are analyzed. The investigation is focused on identifying possible low‐dimensional deterministic behavior in the suspended sediment load transport dynamics, with an aim towards reduction in model complexity. The correlation dimension method is used to identify low‐dimensional determinism. The suspended sediment load dynamics are represented through phase‐space reconstruction, and the variability is estimated using the (proximity of) reconstructed vectors in the phase space. The results indicate the presence of low‐dimensional determinism in the suspended sediment load series at each of the five temporal scales, with the variables dominantly governing the dynamics in the order of three or four. These results not only suggest the appropriateness of relatively simpler models but also hint at possible scale invariance in the suspended sediment load transport dynamics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel region of amplification at 11p12‐13 in gastric cancer, revealed by representational difference analysis, is associated with overexpression of CD44v6, especially in early‐onset gastric carcinomas
Authors: Carvalho Ralph , Milne Anya N. A. , Polak Mirjam , Offerhaus G. Johan A. , Weterman Marian A. J.
Published: July 2006

Diffuse‐type gastric carcinomas (GCs) are often difficult to characterize because of contamination of tumor samples by surrounding normal tissue. As such, information regarding chromosomal aberrations in this subtype of GCs is limited. In this study, we used representational difference analysis to pinpoint genomic amplifications occurring in diffuse‐type GCs. We found nine differential products from two novel regions of amplification in two tumors: one product mapped to 19p13.1 and eight mapped to a 1.8‐Mb region in chromosomal segment 11p12‐13. These amplifications were confirmed using Southern blot analysis and occurred in 3/16 and 6/15 diffuse‐type GCs, respectively. CD44, a well characterized cellular adhesion molecule involved in several human malignancies, is encoded by a gene located within 200 kb of the 11p12‐13 amplification fragments. We confirmed that overexpression of isoform CD44v6 was correlated with amplification at 11p12‐13 in 11/12 diffuse‐type GCs. Since diffuse‐type GCs occur more frequently in early‐onset gastric carcinomas (EOGCs, presented at 45 years of age or younger) than in “conventional” GCs, and the tumors carrying the original amplifications were EOGCs, we investigated overexpression of CD44v6 in 107 EOGCs and 88 conventional GCs using tissue microarrays. We found frequent CD44v6 overexpression in both tumor groups (76% and 57% respectively) and, interestingly, significantly more cases with overexpression of CD44v6 in EOGCs than in conventional GCs (P = 0.005), irrespective of histology. These findings provide further evidence for both the relevance of CD44 in GC and for distinct molecular characteristics of EOGCs when compared with those of GCs occurring at a later age. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurocognitive functioning in dually diagnosed middle aged and elderly patients with alcoholism and schizophrenia
Authors: Mohamed S. , Bondi M. W. , Kasckow J. W. , Golshan S. , Jeste D. V.
Published: July 2006

Background

Alcohol abuse and dependence have important clinical implications for managing patients with schizophrenia. Alcoholism in schizophrenia patients can interfere with the course and prognosis of the schizophrenic illness.

Objective

The purpose of the present study was to compare the cognitive status, symptom profile and quality of life of middle aged and older patients (>44 years old) with schizophrenia and alcohol abuse/dependence vs those without alcohol abuse/dependence. We initially hypothesized that more males in this age group with schizophrenia would exhibit alcoholism. We also examined the characteristics of the 45–54 year age group with those of the ≥ 55 year old group and hypothesized that comorbidity with alcohol would be associated with worse cognition and quality of life in later life.

Methods

Data were obtained from a database from the Center for Services and Interventions research at the University of California, San Diego. Patients had diagnoses of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Data collected included demographic characteristics, cognitive status (tested with the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale learning, the Figural and Story Memory Test of the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised and the California Verbal Learning Test [CVLT]). In addition, patients had undergone psychopathologic assessment and were screened for quality of life using the Quality of Well Being scale.

Results

We demonstrated that the older aged patients with alcoholism had worse scores assessing cognition relative to the same aged group without alcoholism. In addition, they had worse cognitive scores relative to the younger group (45–54 year old) with alcoholism. There was no significant difference with regards to quality of life. In addition, more males than females exhibited alcoholism.

Conclusion

The results are consistent with the premise that the higher cognitive function in the younger schizophrenia patients with alcoholism appear to mask the effects of alcohol use on cognition at that age. However, for the older group of schizophrenia patients, the effects of alcohol use on neuropsychological functioning appear to be deleterious. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cholinesterase inhibitors in advanced Dementia with Lewy bodies: increase or stop?
Authors: Pakrasi Sanjeet , Thomas Alan , Mosimann Urs P. , Cousins David A. , Lett Debbie , Burn David J. , O'Brien John T. , McKeith Ian G.
Published: July 2006

Introduction

There is little data on stopping cholinesterase inhibitors in Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Equally, it is not known if increasing the dose of cholinesterase inhibitors may help neuropsychiatric symptoms in advanced DLB.

Method

We conducted an open label trial with donepezil involving 16 patients with LBD when the dose was reduced and treatment stopped over 4 weeks. Another 7 patients were given a trial of an increased dose of donepezil (15 mg) to resolve re‐emergent neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Results

The slow discontinuation protocol was well tolerated in advanced DLB. Five of the seven patients given a trial of a higher dose of donepezil were rated as clinically improved after 12 weeks treatment.

Conclusion

Cholinesterase inhibitors can be discontinued slowly in advanced DLB. Increasing the dose of donepezil may be of benefit to some patients with DLB who experience a recurrence in their neuropsychiatric symptoms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The economic costs of dementia in Korea, 2002
Authors: Suh Guk‐Hee , Knapp Martin , Kang Cheol‐Joong
Published: July 2006

Objective

To estimate the economic costs of dementia in 2002 using an economic evaluation model for dementia care.

Methods

Data were from the Korea National Survey of the Long‐Term Care Need (LTC survey) (n = 5058), two prospective 1‐year studies [one clinical trial (n = 234), one naturalistic community cohort study (n = 107)], and two epidemiologic community studies for prevalence of dementia (n = 1037 + 1481). Daily costs and proportions of different levels of institutional service provided were collected from the LTC survey. Resource use in the community included health care services, social care services, out‐of‐pocket purchase for self‐support, caregiver time and missed work of caregiver. Costs in community were calculated based on resource utilization multiplied by the unit costs for each resource.

Results

Total annual costs of dementia were estimated to be over 2.4 billion US$ for 272 000 dementia sufferers. Costs in community represent 96% of the total annual costs, while costs of informal care and missed work of caregivers were 1.3 billion US$, or 55% of total annual cost. Average annual costs of full time care (FTC) and pre‐FTC in community LTC were 44 121 US$ and 13 273 US$ per person, whereas cost per patient who did not need community LTC was 3986 US$.

Conclusion

Given that the number of dementia sufferers is projected to increase in the near future and that larger part of the costs are subsidized by the government, the economic and social costs of dementia is significant not only for dementia sufferers and their caregivers, but also for society. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling UHMWPE wear debris generation
Authors: Baudriller H. , Chabrand P. , Moukoko D.
Published: July 2006

It is widely recognized that polyethylene wear debris is one of the main causes of long‐term prosthesis loosening. The noxious bioreactivity associated with this debris is determined by its size, shape, and quantity. The aim of this study was to develop a numerical tool that can be used to investigate the primary polyethylene wear mechanisms involved. This model illustrates the formation of varying flow of polyethylene debris with various shapes and sizes caused by elementary mechanical processes. Instead of using the classical continuum mechanics formulation for this purpose, we used a divided materials approach to simulate debris production and release. This approach involves complex nonlinear bulk behaviors, frictional adhesive contact, and characterizes material damage as a loss of adhesion. All the associated models were validated with various benchmark tests. The examples given show the ability of the numerical model to generate debris of various shapes and sizes such as those observed in implant retrieval studies. Most of wear mechanisms such as abrasion, adhesion, and the shearing off of micro‐asperities can be described using this approach. Furthermore, it could be applied to study the effects of friction couples, macroscopic geometries, and material processing (e.g. irradiation) on wear. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Development of a general quantum‐chemical descriptor for steric effects: Density functional theory based QSAR study of herbicidal sulfonylurea analogues
Authors: Xi Zhen , Yu Zhihong , Niu Congwei , Ban Shurong , Yang Guangfu
Published: July 2006

Quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) analysis has become one of the most effective approaches for optimizing lead compounds and designing new drugs. Although large number of quantum‐chemical descriptors were defined and applied successfully, it is still a big challenge to develop a general quantum‐chemical descriptor describing the bulk effects more directly and effectively. In this article, we defined a general quantum‐chemical descriptor by characterizing the volume of electron cloud for specific substituent using the method of density functional theory. The application of our defined steric descriptors in the QSAR analysis of sulfonylurea analogues resulted in four QSAR models with high quality (the best model: q2 = 0.881, r2 = 0.901, n = 35, s = 0.401, F = 68.44), which indicated that this descriptor may provide an effective way for solving the problem how to directly describe steric effect in quantum chemistry‐based QSAR studies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1571–1576, 2006
Ethnicity and other factors that may affect the prevalence of echogenic intracardiac foci in the fetus
Authors: Lim Louis , Aptekar Leslie , Bombard Allan , Juliard Kell , Meenakshi Bhillakar , Weiner Zeev
Published: July 2006

Purpose.

To study ethnicity and other possible factors that may affect the incidence of echogenic intracardiac foci (EIF) when detected via sonographic examination.

Materials and Methods.

Patients were referred to our institution for sonographic evaluation from a wide range of practice formats, including both private obstetric practices as well as community outpatient clinics. The study protocol included presence or absence of EIF, maternal age, ethnicity, gestational age during the examination, optimal versus suboptimal scans, presence of other fetal malformations and sonographic markers, and presence of chromosomal anomalies. Fetal outcome was ascertained in 90% of the study group. For statistical analysis, the chi‐square test and the Student t‐test were used.

Results.

The study group included 1,543 patients who had a fetal anatomy survey between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation. The prevalence of EIF was similar in all 4 ethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, black, and white). There were 76 cases of EIF—an overall prevalence of 4.9%. Seventy‐one of these cases were isolated in the left ventricle, 2 were isolated in the right ventricle, and 3 showed multiple foci. The prevalence of EIF was similar between younger and older patients, early and late gestational age at the time of sonographic examination, and optimal and suboptimal sonograms. Fetuses with EIF had significantly more congenital anomalies and other sonographic markers compared with fetuses without EIF.

Conclusions.

We did not find any significant difference in the prevalence of EIF among the 4 different ethnic groups. The association between congenital anomalies and other sonographic markers should be studied further. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 34:327–329, 2006
Non‐covalent molecular imprinting with emphasis on its application in separation and drug development
Authors: Zhang Huiqi , Ye Lei , Mosbach Klaus
Published: July 2006

The molecular imprinting technique can be defined as the formation of specific nano‐sized cavities by means of template‐directed synthesis. The resulting molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), which often have an affinity and a selectivity approaching those of antibody‐antigen systems, have thus been coined “artificial antibodies.” MIPs are characterized by their high specificity, ease of preparation, and their thermal and chemical stability. They have been widely studied in connection with many potential applications, including their use for separation and isolation purposes, as antibody mimics (biomimetic assays and sensors), as enzyme mimics, in organic synthesis, and in drug delivery. The non‐covalent imprinting approach, developed mainly in Lund, has proven to be more versatile than the alternative covalent approach because of its preparation being less complicated and of the broad selection of functional monomers and possible target molecules that are available. The paper presents a review of studies of this versatile technique in the areas of separation and drug development, with emphasis being placed on work carried out in our laboratory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blockade of tachykinin NK1 receptors attenuates stress‐induced rise of extracellular noradrenaline and dopamine in the rat and gerbil medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Renoldi Giuliano , Invernizzi Roberto W.
Published: July 2006

Substance P receptor antagonists cause antidepressant‐ and anxiolytic‐like effects in rodents that are thought to involve brain monoamines. In the present study, we examined the effects of the NK1 receptor antagonist GR‐205,171 on basal and stress‐induced rise of extracellular noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of conscious rats and gerbils with the in vivo microdialysis technique. GR‐205,171 given intraperitoneally to rats (10 and 30 mg/kg) and gerbils (0.3 and 1 mg/kg) did not affect extracellular NA in either species and increased extracellular DA in rats. Forty minutes of immobilization increased extracellular NA and DA by, respectively, 179% and 188% of baseline values in rats and 222% and 316% of baseline values in gerbils. At 10 mg/kg, GR‐205,171 attenuated the stress‐induced increase of extracellular NA in the rat. At 30 mg/kg, GR‐205,171 suppressed the effect of stress on extracellular DA but had no effect on NA. A lower dose (1 mg/kg) attenuated the stress‐induced rise of extracellular NA and DA in the mPFC of gerbils. The results show that blockade of NK1 receptors marginally increased basal extracellular DA in rats but had no effect in gerbils, whereas the stress‐induced rise of extracellular NA and DA was markedly attenuated in both species. It is suggested that catecholamines may contribute to the functional effects of GR‐205,171. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improvement of Flex‐Fatigue Life of Carbon‐Black‐Filled Styrene‐Butadiene Rubber by Addition of Nanodispersed Clay
Authors: Wu You‐Ping , Zhao Wei , Zhang Li‐Qun
Published: July 2006

Summary: The flex‐fatigue life of carbon‐black‐filled SBR was dramatically improved by incorporation of 4–5 phr nanodispersed clay. Addition of clay did not decrease the degree of crosslinking of the composite but improved the hysteresis and tearing energy. ESEM observation of the flexing‐fracture morphology indicated that nanodispersed clay layers had the advantage over carbon black in that they could blunt the crack.

Effect of the clay amount on the flex fatigue life of the composites.

magnified image

Effect of the clay amount on the flex fatigue life of the composites.
Implementation of a data management program in a pediatric cancer unit in a low income country
Authors: Ayoub Lisa , Fú Ligia , Peña Armando , Sierra Jose Manuel , Dominguez Pablo Cesar , Pui Ching‐Hon , Quintana Yuri , Rodriguez Alicia , Barr Ronald D. , Ribeiro Raul C. , Metzger Monika L. , Wilimas Judy A. , Howard Scott C.
Published: July 2006

Introduction

Pediatric cancer units in low‐income countries lack data on which to base quality improvement initiatives. We implemented a data management program in the oncology unit of the children's hospital of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and then we assessed training and supervision of data managers, data accuracy, and completeness as well as obstacles encountered.

Methods

Training included 2 days of off‐site hands‐on instruction in the use of an online database, daily on‐site supervision by physicians, periodic online meetings for education and problem‐solving, and continuous e‐mail support.

Results

Of the 652 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia between July 1995 and June 2005, 150 (23%) had not yet been registered in the database at the time of audit and 65 (10%) had missing medical records. The remaining 437 charts (67%) were reviewed by an external auditor and compared to the data entered previously by the two trained data managers. Protocol information was incomplete in 30% of cases, and the cause of death was inaccurate in 18%. All other data were 99% accurate and 93%–100% complete. Obstacles included a limited medical records system, poor organization of the charts, missing records, inconsistently documented protocol information, data managers who lack a medical background, and slow or unreliable internet connections.

Conclusion

Data managers can be trained to effectively collect basic pediatric oncology data in a low‐income country. Addressing inadequacies in the medical record system while providing specific training in protocol‐based care and determination of cause of death for both physicians and data managers will improve data quality. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:23–27. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prolactinoma as the first manifestation of Gardner's syndrome
Authors: Goodin Geoffrey S. , McCarville M. Beth , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Skapek Stephen X. , Khoury Joseph D. , Spunt Sheri L.
Published: July 2006

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an inherited condition causing numerous adenomatous colorectal polyps and a markedly elevated risk of colon cancer. FAP may be associated with various extracolonic manifestations such as desmoid fibromatosis and osteomas (termed Gardner's syndrome) and brain tumors, usually medulloblastoma or glioma [termed Brain Tumor Polyposis (BTP) syndrome type 2]. We describe a pediatric patient who initially presented with prolactinoma and later was found to have Gardner's syndrome. A germline mutation of the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene was identified. Our case illustrates the association between prolactinoma and FAP, which may represent a rare subtype of Gardner's and BTP syndromes. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:409–412. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cerebral haemorrhage induced by warfarin—the influence of drug–drug interactions
Authors: Jönsson Anna K. , Spigset Olav , Jacobsson Ingela , Hägg Staffan
Published: July 2006

Purpose

To evaluate the frequency, severity and preventability of warfarin‐induced cerebral haemorrhages due to warfarin and warfarin–drug interactions in patients living in the county of Östergötland, Sweden.

Methods

All patients with a diagnosed cerebral haemorrhage at three hospitals during the period 2000–2002 were identified. Medical records were studied retrospectively to evaluate whether warfarin and warfarin–drug interactions could have caused the cerebral haemorrhage. The proportion of possibly avoidable cases due to drug interactions was estimated.

Results

Among 593 patients with cerebral haemorrhage, 59 (10%) were assessed as related to warfarin treatment. This imply an incidence of 1.7/100 000 treatment years. Of the 59 cases, 26 (44%) had a fatal outcome, compared to 136 (25%) among the non‐warfarin patients (p < 0.01). A warfarin–drug interaction could have contributed to the haemorrhage in 24 (41%) of the warfarin patients and in 7 of these (12%) the bleeding complication was considered being possible to avoid.

Conclusions

Warfarin‐induced cerebral haemorrhages are a major clinical problem with a high fatality rate. Almost half of the cases was related to a warfarin–drug interaction. A significant proportion of warfarin‐related cerebral haemorrhages might have been prevented if greater caution had been taken when prescribing drugs known to interact with warfarin. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interrelationships between welding parameters of hot‐gas welded polypropylene
Authors: Marczis B. , Czigány T.
Published: July 2006

In case of hot‐gas welding, the parameters of welding influence the strength of the welded joint. A welding portal was designed and built to make the welding parameters of manual hot‐gas welding controllable and independent of human factors. Large series of experiments were performed with the automatic welding station to explore the effect of welding parameters (welding temperature, flow rate, welding speed, and welding force). The strength of the welded joints was determined in a standard tensile test carried out according to ISO 527–3. Using two‐way analysis of variance it was concluded that all four parameters influence the strength of the welded joint significantly, and the strength of the welded joint exhibits a complex dependence on all four parameters. Based on a thermodynamic approach the welding energy was determined. The measured tensile strength values were plotted against the welding energy and the welding force and it was found that the results can be approximated by a quadratic surface function well. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1173–1181, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Preparation and characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and polyamide 6 blends by in situ anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactam
Authors: Hou Lianlong , Liu Hongzhi , Yang Guisheng
Published: July 2006

The blends of thermoplastic polyether‐based urethane elastomer (TPEU) and monomer casting polyamide 6 (MCPA6) were prepared using ε‐caprolactam (CL) as a reactive solvent, and CL sodium as a catalyst at various TPEU contents (2.5–15 phr by weight). In situ anionic ring‐opening polymerization and in situ compatibilization of TPEU/MCPA6 blends were realized in one step. The dissociated TPEU chains acted as macroactivator to initiate MCPA6 chain growth from the TPEU chains. The formed block copolymers (TPEU‐co‐MCPA6), which have been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H‐NMR analysis, improved the compatibility between TPEU and MCPA6. In addition, both differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis studies revealed that the crystallinity temperature, melting temperature, the degree of crystallization, and the glass‐transition temperature of MCPA6 component remarkably shifted to a low temperature with increasing TPEU content. Mechanical properties demonstrated that the impact strength and the elongation‐at‐break of the blends significantly increased with the content of TPEU, whereas a progressive decrease occurred in tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus. WAXD spectra showed that only α‐form crystal of PA6 component existed in the TPEU/MCPA6 blends. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) of the cryo‐fractured surfaces confirmed a substantially improved compatibility, and reflected a seemly single‐phase morphology. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46: 1196–1203, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Dynamic nanoindentation of some polyolefins
Authors: Bouaita N. , Bull S.J. , Palacio J. Fernandez , White J.R.
Published: July 2006

Nanoindentation tests have been conducted on five different polyolefins, comprising a high density polyethylene, a low density polyethylene, a linear low density polyethylene, a polypropylene homopolymer and a polypropylene copolymer. The nanoindenter was fitted with a “Dynamic Stiffness Measurement” (DSM) facility that permits measurement of storage modulus and loss modulus at frequent intervals during an indentation test. The results were quite scattered, especially those for the loss modulus, and methods of processing the data to derive meaningful results were examined and are discussed. The storage modulus measurements were found to give the same stiffness ranking as the monotonic load‐displacement data when comparing indentations on the same material. Some correlation was found between the storage modulus and fractional crystallinity. An averaging procedure was developed for the loss modulus values that appeared to give a consistent assessment of the dissipation properties of the different materials. Analysis of the monotonic component of the load‐displacement data indicated that the nature of the deformation changed from mainly elastic/viscoelastic to mainly viscoelastic/plastic during the course of the indentation tests. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:1160–1172, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Miscible blends of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) and poly(4‐vinyl phenol)
Authors: Rodríguez‐Castro M. , Cesteros L. C. , Katime I. , Nuño‐Donlucas S. M.
Published: July 2006

An analysis by differential scanning calorimetry, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicates that blends of poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) (PVPhK) and poly(4‐vinyl phenol) (P4VPh) are miscible at ambient temperature. Miscibility, ascertained, is supported by the existence of a single glass transition for each composition of the PVPhK/P4VPh blends. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis demonstrates the formation of hydrogen bonds between carbonyl groups of PVPhK and hydroxyl groups of P4VPh. This specific interaction has a crucial role on the miscibility behavior of PVPhK/P4VPh blends. The evolution of the glass transition of the PVPhK, P4VPh, and its blends as a function of mixture composition shows negative deviations with to respect to the ideal mixing rule, and both Fox and Gordon–Taylor equations predict this behavior successfully. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2404–2411, 2006
Denial in cancer patients, an explorative review
Authors: Vos M. S. , de Haes J. C. J. M.
Published: July 2006

Denial is a clinically relevant concept in cancer patients. It has been investigated and discussed extensively. Its definition, however, has been subject to different theoretical trends over time. From a psychoanalytical viewpoint, denial is a pathological, ineffective defence mechanism. On the other hand, according to the stress and coping model denial can be seen as an adaptive strategy to protect against overwhelming events and feelings.

In this explorative review the different concepts and the prevalence of denial in cancer patients are described. The relationship between denial and background characteristics and the influence of denial on quality of life are reviewed also.

The prevalence of denial of diagnosis in cancer patients ranged from 4 to 47%, denial of impact occurred 8–70% and denial of affect in 18–42% of patients. Elderly cancer patients were more likely to deny. Cultural background seemed to play a role in the prevalence of denial. Neither type of cancer nor gender seemed to be related to denial. At the most, men might be more likely to deny during the terminal phase. In a limited number of longitudinal studies, a gradual reduction in denial was found over the course of the illness.

The effect of denial on physical and social functioning remained unclear while the effect on psychological functioning seemed to depend on the concept of denial used. Distractive strategies were found to reduce distress, whereas passive escape mechanisms turned out to decrease psychological well‐being.

Future research on the prevalence and the (mal)adaptive properties of denial in cancer patients has to be based on a clear concept, longitudinal designs and careful recording of background variables. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein–ligand docking: Current status and future challenges
Authors: Sousa Sérgio Filipe , Fernandes Pedro Alexandrino , Ramos Maria João
Published: July 2006

Understanding the ruling principles whereby protein receptors recognize, interact, and associate with molecular substrates and inhibitors is of paramount importance in drug discovery efforts. Protein–ligand docking aims to predict and rank the structure(s) arising from the association between a given ligand and a target protein of known 3D structure. Despite the breathtaking advances in the field over the last decades and the widespread application of docking methods, several downsides still exist. In particular, protein flexibility—a critical aspect for a thorough understanding of the principles that guide ligand binding in proteins—is a major hurdle in current protein–ligand docking efforts that needs to be more efficiently accounted for. In this review the key concepts of protein–ligand docking methods are outlined, with major emphasis being given to the general strengths and weaknesses that presently characterize this methodology. Despite the size of the field, the principal types of search algorithms and scoring functions are reviewed and the most popular docking tools are briefly depicted. Recent advances that aim to address some of the traditional limitations associated with molecular docking are also described. A selection of hand‐picked examples is used to illustrate these features. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of Au nanoparticles/ITO ohmic contacts to p‐type GaN
Authors: Chen Lung‐Chien , Lu Seng‐Fong
Published: July 2006

P‐type ohmic contact between Au nanoparticles/ITO and p‐GaN during heat treatment is reported. Optimal conditions are selected to minimize the lowest specific contact resistance to 1.66 × 10–3 Ω cm2, as determined by the transmission line model (TLM) after heat treatment process at an alloying temperature of 600 °C for 10 min in air. Au nanoparticles/ITO bi‐layers are also applied to GaN‐based LEDs to form an electrode with a p‐type ohmic contact. Typical I–V characteristics of the GaN‐based LEDs with an ohmic contact layer of Au nanoparticles/ITO exhibit a forward‐bias voltage of 3.43 V at an injection current of 20 mA. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MgB2 thick film with TC = 40.2 K deposited on sapphire substrate
Authors: Zhang Kaicheng , Ding Li‐li , Zhuang Cheng‐gang , Chen Li‐ping , Chen Chinping , Feng Qing‐rong
Published: July 2006

A thick MgB2 film has been successfully deposited on a (001) crystalline surface of sapphire by the method of hybrid physical–chemical vapor deposition (HPCVD). The film thickness is about 1.3 μm, having a dense and interlaced structure. The film surface, as shown by scanning electron microscopy, is stacked with MgB2 microcrystals. Transport measurements using the four‐probe technique demonstrate that its critical temperature is about 40.2 K, with a sharp transition width of 0.15 K. The transition is higher by 1 K than those commonly reported at 39 K. The residual resistivity ratio (RRR) is about 11. By extrapolation, H C2(0) is determined as 13.7 T from magneto‐transport measurements. Also, from hysteresis measurements and applying the Bean model, the critical current density is estimated as 5 × 1010 A/m2 in zero magnetic field. The investigation demonstrates that HPCVD is an effective technique to fabricate MgB2 thick films with decent superconducting properties. Hence, it is important for future superconducting applications, in particular as a crucial preliminary stage in the fabrication of superconducting tape. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Large spontaneous shape memory and magnetic‐field induced strain in Ni51Mn25.5Ga23.5 single crystal
Authors: Cui Yuting , Ma Yong , Kong Chunyang , Yang Xiaohong , Chen Jinglan , Pan Fusheng , Wu Guangheng
Published: July 2006

Martensitic transformations and characteristics of the magnetic‐field‐induced strain (MFIS) on a nearly stoichiometric Ni51Mn25.5Ga23.5 single crystal have systematically been investigated by various methods, such as ac magnetic susceptibility, resistance, strain measurements and metallographic observations. A large spontaneous strain of 1.62% corresponding to a two‐way thermoelastic shape memory effect is obtained in the single crystal, which is attributed to the high level of oriented internal stress and the preferential orientation of the martensitic variants. When the sample is cooled in a dc magnetic field applied perpendicular to the measuring direction of strain, a large and reversible MFIS up to 1.5% is found. This value of 1.5% is approximately two times larger than that detected in zero field cooling. The results are discussed with respect to growth mechanism of single crystals and the shape memory characteristics. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis in the assessment of trainee competence in fetal biometry measurement
Authors: Weerasinghe S. , Mirghani H. , Revel A. , Abu‐Zidan F. M.
Published: July 2006

Objective

To determine the value of cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis in assessing trainee proficiency in fetal biometry measurement.

Methods

Three primary healthcare doctors with no prior ultrasound training were recruited. Each trainee measured the fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) on 100 consecutive pregnant women. The supervisor repeated the measurements. The CUSUM for each set of trainee measurements was calculated at a set failure rate of 10%. The point at which the graph fell below two consecutive boundary lines indicated the number of examinations required to achieve competence.

Results

The CUSUM graphs showed that the rate of learning measurement skills varied among the three trainees. The graph for the CUSUM series for BPD and HC measurement for all trainees fell below two consecutive boundary lines and remained there, indicating competence. The CUSUM series for AC measurement for two of the trainees indicated that competence was achieved; however, for the third trainee, while the graph fell below two consecutive boundary lines, indicating competence, it rose again, crossing two consecutive boundary lines. This indicated a loss of competence and the need for further training. FL measurements for the same trainee never fell below two consecutive boundary lines, indicating failure to achieve competence; the other two achieved competence, but failed to maintain it.

Conclusions

CUSUM is a useful tool for identifying points of competence and for quantifying the duration of ultrasound training required for each trainee. It provides an early indication of performance, and highlights difficulties in individual performance. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cord insertion into the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester is associated with placental and umbilical cord abnormalities
Authors: Hasegawa J. , Matsuoka R. , Ichizuka K. , Otsuki K. , Sekizawa A. , Farina A. , Okai T.
Published: July 2006

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of detecting the cord insertion site during the late first trimester, and to investigate the possible association between perinatal complications and a cord insertion in the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study in which the positional relationship between the uterus and the cord insertion site was examined using gray‐scale transvaginal sonography at 9–11 weeks of gestation. The distance between the internal os and the fundus was divided equally into three parts. Cord insertions located in the upper or middle thirds were defined as normal (controls), and those located in the lower third were defined as cases, regardless of their relationship to the chorion villosum. Third‐trimester sonography and pathological examination of the placenta and cord at delivery were performed to check for placental/cord abnormalities. The univariate association between the location of the cord insertion in the first trimester and placental and umbilical cord abnormalities and perinatal complications was assessed.

Results

The cord insertion site was identified in 318/340 (93.5%) cases at 9–11 weeks of gestation and it was in the lower third of the uterus in 35 (11.0%) cases. Of these 35, the cord insertion was found at delivery to be low in nine cases (26%) and the placenta was low‐lying at delivery in eight (23%). None of the 283 cases with a normal cord insertion in the first trimester was found to have a low‐lying placenta at delivery (P < 0.0001). Ten (29%) of the cases with a low cord insertion and four (1.4%) with a normal cord insertion in the first trimester had a velamentous or marginal cord insertion at delivery (P < 0.0001). At delivery, five (14%) of the low cord insertion cases and four (1.4%) of the normal cord insertion cases (P < 0.0001) had some form of placental malformation, including accessory placenta and infarction of the placenta. An emergency Cesarean section was performed in four (11%) and six (2.1%) of the low and normal cord insertion cases, respectively (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Developmental abnormalities of the placenta and umbilical cord occur frequently in cases in which the cord insertion is in the lower third of the uterus in the first trimester. We suggest that screening for the cord insertion site at 9–11 weeks of gestation may have clinical significance for predicting abnormalities of the cord and the placenta at delivery. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A phosphopantetheinyl transferase gene essential for biosynthesis of n− 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from Moritella marina strain MP‐1
Authors: Orikasa Yoshitake , Nishida Takanori , Hase Akira , Watanabe Kazuo , Morita Naoki , Okuyama Hidetoshi
Published: July 2006

A phosphopantetheinyl transferase (PPTase) gene (pfaE), cloned from the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐producing bacterium Moritella marina strain MP‐1, has an open reading frame of 861 bp encoding a 287‐amino acid protein. When the pfaE gene was expressed with pfaA–D, which are four out of five essential genes for biosynthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) derived from Shewanella pneumatophori SCRC‐2738 in Escherichia coli, the recombinant produced 12% EPA of total fatty acids. This suggests that pfaE encodes a PPTase required for producing n
− 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which is probably involved in the synthesis of DHA in M. marina strain MP‐1.
Differential induction of electrophile‐responsive element‐regulated genes by n− 3 and n− 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Authors: van Beelen Vincent A. , Aarts Jac M.M.J.G. , Reus Astrid , Mooibroek Hans , Sijtsma Lolke , Bosch Dirk , Rietjens Ivonne M.C.M. , Alink Gerrit M.
Published: July 2006

In this study the n
− 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid appear to be effective inducers of electrophile‐responsive element (EpRE) regulated genes, whereas the n
− 6 PUFA arachidonic acid is not. These n
− 3 PUFAs need to be oxidized to induce EpRE‐regulated gene expression, as the antioxidant vitamin E can partially inhibit the PUFA induced dose‐dependent effect. Results were obtained using a reporter gene assay, real‐time RT‐PCR and enzyme activity assays. The induction of EpRE‐regulated phase II genes by n
− 3 PUFAs may be a major pathway by which n
− 3 PUFAs, in contrast to n
− 6 PUFAs, are chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic.
Microtubule cytoskeleton behavior in the initial steps of host cell invasion by Besnoitia besnoiti
Authors: Reis Y. , Cortes H. , Viseu Melo L. , Fazendeiro I. , Leitão A. , Soares H.
Published: July 2006

Besnoitia besnoiti is a protozoan parasite responsible for bovine besnoitiosis. Indirect immunofluorescence showed that isolated B. besnoiti possesses a set of subpellicular microtubules, radiating from the apical end and extending for more than 2/3 of the cell body. Upon interaction with the host cell, B. besnoiti undergoes dramatic modifications of shape and surface, as revealed by atomic force microscopy, accompanied by a distinct tubulin labeling on the posterior region. In the host cell, the microtubule cytoskeleton shows a re‐arrangement around the invading parasite suggesting a filamentous interaction with the parasite cytoskeleton during invasion.
Resistance from the Margins: The Yorkshire Worsted Spinners, Policing, and the Transformation of Work in the Early Industrial Revolution
Authors: Soderlund Richard J.
Published: July 2006

This article takes as its subject the handspinners of Yorkshire's eighteenth-century worsted industry. When not ignored altogether, historians have presented handspinners as invariably weak and passive. While manufacturers exploited the industry's women workers, spinners were neither submissive nor compliant. Their history, in part, was one of resistance. Spinners' everyday resistance took its most important form in the unauthorized practice of supplementing money wages with yarn and wool from the production process. The scale and extent of such pilfering led manufacturers to one of the more remarkable initiatives in eighteenth-century industrial relations: the establishment of an industrial police force to detect and prosecute embezzlement. Policing would play a major role in the industry. Ultimately, however, its limitations helped to prompt manufacturers to pursue organizational and technological innovations to bring greater order to the spinning sector. Thus spinners' prosaic resistance had the unforeseen consequence of contributing to the demise of their occupation.