bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Safety and Efficacy of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters in Ill Neonates
Authors: Franck Linda , Hummel Debra , Connell Kelly , Quinn Dolores , Montgomery Jane
Published: May 2012

This article describes the use of a quality improvement clinical audit approach to identify insertion practices, duration of therapy, and complications related to peripheral intravenous catheters. These data provide evidence for adherence to practice standards and benchmarks for evaluation of new interventions to improve the safety and efficacy of intravenous access practices. Implications for quality improvement and clinical research related to intravenousdevice practices within the neonatal intensive care unit are discussed.
The Neonatal Liver, Part 1: Embryology, Anatomy, and Physiology
Authors: Diehl-Jones William , Fraser Askin Debbie
Published: May 2012

The liver is the largest organ in the body and is critical to a number of metabolic, regulatory, and detoxification processes. These include the production of bile, metabolic processing of nutrients, synthesis and regulation of plasma proteins and glucose, and biotransformation of drugs and toxins.
Neonatal Glucose Metabolism: Differential Diagnoses, Evaluation, and Treatment of Hypoglycemia
Authors: Cowett Richard , Loughead Jeffrey
Published: May 2012

Hypoglycemia is one of the most common clinical care issues facing the neonatal practitioner. Increasing evidence indicates that neonatal hypoglycemia may have long-term neurologic effects. Care is complicated by the lack of a clearly defined threshold for hypoglycemia in term and preterm infants, however, and by highly variable clinical signs and symptoms. Furthermore, many infants with low blood glucose measurements do not exhibit obvious signs of impairment. The complexity of neonatal glucose metabolism is illustrated by the variety of conditions producing or associated with both neonatal hypo- and hyperglycemia. Maintenance of euglycemia is especially challenging in the sick or low birth weight neonate. This article defines euglycemia by its range and reviews the differential diagnoses and etiology of hypoglycemia—as well as the principles of its management—in the neonatal period.
Validation of the Pain Assessment in Neonates (PAIN) Scale with the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS)
Authors: Hudson-Barr Diane , Capper-Michel Beverly , Lambert Sally , Mizell Palermo Tonya , Morbeto Kristen , Lombardo Stephanie
Published: May 2012

Purpose: To establish the validity and clinical usefulness of a modified pain assessment scale, the Pain Assessment in Neonates (PAIN) scale.

Design: Correlational design to compare scores obtained on the PAIN with scores obtained on the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS).

Sample: A convenience sample of 196 neonates from an NICU and a step-down unit with gestational ages of 26 to 47 weeks.

Method: Bedside nurses observed the neonates for two minutes and then scored their responses on both scales. The scales were scored sequentially and in a randomized order.

Main Outcome Variable: Correlation of individual item scores and total scores on the PAIN and the NIPS.

Results: The scores for individual items on the PAIN were significantly associated with scores obtained on the NIPS. Overall correlation between the scales was 0.93. These associations suggest that the PAIN is a valid scale for assessment of neonatal pain.
Perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease: A Summary of Revised Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control
Authors: Zaichkin Jeanette
Published: May 2012

Recommendations for prevention of perinatal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) were issued in 1996 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), followed in 1997 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Although increased prevention activities during the 1990s resulted in a striking decline in incidence, GBS disease remains a leading infectious cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns in the U.S. Using available evidence and expert opinion, the CDC issued revised guidelines in August 2002 that replace the 1996 recommendations. This article, taken directly from the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (August 16, 2002), presents a summary of the revised recommendations most applicable to neonatal nursing. The complete report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/RR/RR5111.pdf.
Timing of the Newborn First Bath: A Replication
Authors: Behring Anne , Vezeau Toni , Fink Regina
Published: May 2012

Purpose: To evaluate the effects on thermoregulation of bathing a healthy newborn within the first hour of life compared to bathing four to six hours after birth.

Design: Quasi-experimental.

Setting: Newborn nursery of a 30-bed obstetric unit in an urban university hospital.

Sample: Fifty-one healthy term newborns with a minimum axillary temperature of 36.5°C (97.7°F).

Intervention: Newborns in an experimental group were bathed within the first hour of birth; those in a control group were bathed at the standard four to six hours of age.

Main Outcome Variable: Axillary temperatures were measured before the bath, immediately after the bath, one hour later, and two hours later.

Results: Axillary temperatures as measured at four different times did not differ significantly between infants bathed within one hour of birth and those bathed four to six hours after birth.

Conclusions: A flexible bathing time is recommended according to the characteristics and stability of the newborn and to family desires.
Cognitive Outcomes in School-Age Children Born Prematurely
Authors: Winders Davis Deborah
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this article is to discuss findings in the literature regarding long-term developmental outcomes of infants born prematurely, to examine potential causes of individual differences in these outcomes, and to explore directions for future research. An extensive table summarizes recent (1996–2002) international studies of developmental outcomes among children of school age and older who were born with low birth weight, especially as the studies relate to cognitive development and academic performance. The discussion then examines how characteristics of the child and the environment may interact to produce individual differences in outcomes. Processes of attention regulation within the context of the psychosocial environment are examined as an important possible direction for future research. When designing and implementing interventions aimed at improving outcomes in this and other groups of children at risk for delays and deficits, it is important to consider how various factors affect development.
Outcomes of Developmental Care in an Australian Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery
Authors: Prentice Michele , Stainton Colleen
Published: May 2012

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of implementation of a developmental care model in an Australian tertiary NICU.

Study Design:A retrospective chart audit was used to determine the differences between predevelopmental and developmental care outcomes for infants, parents, the unit, and nursing.

Sample:Two subsets of infants were selected for comparison: one of infants receiving predevelopmental care (n = 42) and another of infants receiving developmental care (n = 42).

Results:Infants receiving developmental care required less time on total parenteral nutrition, required less exogenous surfactant, and had less documented feeding intolerance. Changes were observed in ambience and in the use of space for providing parent-infant care. Also observed was the individualized expertise of nursing staff and of parents.
Swedish Men’s Experiences of Becoming Fathers to Their Preterm Infants
Authors: Lundqvist Pia , Jakobsson Liselotte
Published: May 2012

Purpose:To describe Swedish men’s experiences of becoming fathers to their preterm infants.

Design:A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Sample and method:Eight men participated in semistructured interviews with open-ended questions. The interviews were analyzed using manifest and latent content analysis.

Main outcome variables:The concepts of control and noncontrol.

Result:The manifest analysis of the interview text produced six categories: concern, stress, helplessness, security, support, and happiness. The latent content interpretation indicated that the concepts of control and noncontrol were relevant to the fathers’ experiences. The men’s experiences of early fatherhood were influenced by their ability to experience control. When concern, stress, and helplessness dominated the fathers’ experiences and coincided with low levels of happiness, support, and security, they experienced noncontrol. Conversely, when they experienced support, security, and happiness, they felt that they were in control and able to handle the situation.
The role of the community engagement towards the success of water reuse in isolated islands and tourist areas
Authors: Lazarova Valentina , Sturny Vincent , Sang Gaston Tong
Published: May 2012

This paper presents and discusses the role of community engagement, i.e. attitudes of local stakeholders, engagement of elected officers and pricing, towards the success of water reuse on the island of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. To better preserve public health and overcome all constraints related to public perception, a membrane tertiary treatment was implemented for the production of high-quality recycled water. Consequently, the demand for the new recycled water has steadily increased during the last four years with a wide diversification of urban uses including irrigation, cleaning, industrial and commercial uses and fire protection. The primary keys to success of this water reuse scheme are the strong commitment of elected officers and large industrial users with the implementation of an adequate public communication and education programme. The resulting outcome is the public trust in recycled water and the recognition of the economic and environmental benefits of water reuse with perspectives for new water reuse projects.
Stormwater reuse treatment requirements and screening-level risk assessment at two urban spatial scales
Authors: Brodie Ian M.
Published: May 2012

Monitoring was conducted at two urban spatial scales (lot-scale road surface and residential subdivision) to assess treatment requirements for non-potable stormwater reuse by irrigation. A screening-level risk assessment was also made focusing on metals, nutrients, cations and pesticides. Composite stormwater samples were taken at two locations in Toowoomba, Australia. Road runoff had higher treatment requirements for suspended solids but less for disinfection. No organic load or salinity reduction is generally needed, and pH adjustment is an occasional requirement for road runoff only. For both stormwaters, hardness was rated at very soft, which may potentially increase corrosion of irrigation equipment. Sodium adsorption ratios were also low indicating a limited risk of soil degradation under irrigation. Nutrient and metal concentrations also pose a low risk. High turbidity and low alkalinity of road runoff makes it easier to treat with coagulants compared to the subdivision runoff. Pesticide analysis of 121 compounds found road runoff concentrations below levels of detection, except for Simazine and Hexazinone. Although detectable, these pesticide concentrations were within Australian drinking water guidelines.
Circularity, Analogy, and Gestalt in the Ancestral Puebloan Cannibalism Debate
Authors: Youngblood Susan A.
Published: May 2012

This study examines the controversy over alleged cannibalism in the prehistoric American Southwest as it played out in scholarly journals. It also examines the lessons those controversies provide technical communication. Data painstakingly collected from human remains at ancestral Pueblo sites have been interpreted as representing cannibalism and, alternatively, as indicating witchcraft, mutilation of the dead, and warfare. Three focal points of this study are the circular process of developing criteria for analysis in archaeology, the role of analogy in building hypotheses, and the role of gestalt in interpretation of the findings. This study also looks at the ways narratives contribute to knowledge building.
Synthesis, characterization and dyeing behavior of heterocyclic acid dyes and mordent acid dyes on wool and silk fabrics
Authors: Patel Hitendra
Published: May 2012

Novel heterocyclic acid and mordent acid dyes were synthesized by the
coupling of diazonium salt solution of different aromatic amines with 2-
butyl-3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzofuran. The resulting heterocyclic acid dyes
were characterized by spectral techniques, i.e., elemental analysis, IR,
1HNMR, 13C-NMR spectral studies and UV- visible spectroscopy. The dyeing
performance of all the heterocyclic acid dyes was evaluated on wool and silk
fabrics. The dyeing of chrome pre treated wool and silk fabrics showed better
hues on mordented fabrics. Dyeing of wool and silk fabrics resulted in
pinkish blue to red shades with very good depth and levelness. The dyed
fabrics showed excellent to very good light, washing, perspiration,
sublimation and rubbing fastness.
Zn(BH4)2/Al2O3: A new synthetic method for efficient and convenient reduction of organic carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alcohols
Authors: Setamdideh Davood , Khezri Behrooz , Rahmatollahzadeh Mehdi
Published: May 2012

Zn(BH4)2 (0.5-2 mmol) in the presence of Al2O3 (1 mmol) reduces varieties of
organic carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, acyloins, ?-diketones
and ?, ?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alcohols.
Reduction reactions were carried out in THF at room temperature in high to
excellent yields of products. The chemoselective reduction of aldehydes over
ketones was accomplished successfully with this reducing system. In addition,
regioselectivity and exclusive 1,2-reduction of conjugated carbonyl compounds
to their corresponding allylic alcohols in high to excellent yields was
accomplished successfully with this reducing system.
Cultural Shifts, Multimodal Representations, and Assessment Practices: A Case Study
Authors: Curwood Jen Scott
Published: May 2012

Multimodal texts involve the presence, absence, and co-occurrence of alphabetic text with visual, audio, tactile, gestural, and spatial representations. This article explores how teachers' evaluation of students' multimodal work can be understood in terms of cognition and culture. When teachers apply a paradigm of assessment rooted in print-based culture to multimodal texts created with digital tools, they may fail to capture students' content learning and meaning-making processes that draw on diverse semiotic resources and involve multiple modes of representation.
Re-Imagining Internet Scholarship: Academic Uses and Abuses of the Influential Internet Social Network, Facebook
Authors: Nam Kyoung-Ah , Fry Gerald W.
Published: May 2012

Since its inception at Harvard in 2004, the social network, Facebook, has grown dramatically and spread across the globe. It will soon have 1 billion users and is now operative in over 75 languages. A large percentage of undergraduates are now active on Facebook. Much of the recent literature on Facebook focuses on business applications and how it can contribute to growing profits and market share. Little attention has been directed to the academic implications of Facebook. The focus of this article is to assess critically the scholarly uses and abuses of Facebook. The article draws on several theoretical frameworks such as those of Ivan Illich (conviviality of technologies), Denis Goulet (technology as a two-edged sword), and Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi (optimal human experience and flow). Many scholarly uses of Facebook are presented documenting its potential for enhancing academic work. That is followed by a discussion of negative aspects of the technology and potential adverse effects on humans in terms of their productivity and capabilities. If used critically and creatively, these new networks can enhance in valuable ways human, intellectual, social, and cultural capital. In a networked knowledge society, students now have extraordinary new tools to help them realize their intellectual, cultural, and social potential.
Partnerships in Early Childhood Education and Care: Empowering Parents or Empowering Practitioners
Authors: Rouse Elizabeth
Published: May 2012

Research acknowledges that outcomes for young children are enhanced when effective partnerships are developed between educators and families. The Australian Early Years Learning Framework provides direction for the professional practice of early childhood educators by acknowledging the importance of educators working in partnership with families. In the Victorian state-based early years framework, family-centred practice has been included as the practice model. Family-centred practice has as its core a philosophy of professionals supporting the empowerment of parents as active decision makers for their child. The early childhood education and care sector in Australia, however, is made up of a workforce which is largely perceived as being undervalued as a profession. This raises questions as to the capacity of these educators to support the empowerment of parents when they themselves are coming from a position of disempowerment due to their professional status. This article reports on findings from a small-scale study of childhood educators working in a long day-care setting which aimed to identify perceptions of the partnerships that exist between themselves and parents. In the course of the investigation, it became evident that some of educators felt disempowered in the relationships that exist with some families.
Child-Centred, Family-Centred, Decentred: Positioning Children as Rights-Holders in Early Childhood Program Collaborations
Authors: Press Frances , Wong Sandie , Sumsion Jennifer
Published: May 2012

Although the policy context in Australia is conducive to professional collaborations in early years services, understandings of collaboration are highly variable across the domains of research literature, policy and practice. Inconsistent and possibly incompatible approaches to working with children and families, as well as significant philosophical and professional differences, may be disguised by common terminology adopted under the rubric of collaborative practice. A potential blind spot concerns the positioning of the child, whose perspectives, needs and desires are easily subsumed by the intentions of the adults around them, either as professionals or family members. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and drawing on extant literature and data from two Australian research projects examining integrated and collaborative practices in early childhood programs, this article interrogates the positioning of the child in interprofessional and transprofessional collaborations, and examines the potential of the early childhood educator to sharpen the focus on children.
In vivo Evaluation of FimH Antagonists – A Novel Class of Antimicrobials for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Abgottspon Daniela , Ernst Beat
Published: May 2012

The discovery of antimicrobials as ?-lactam antibiotics or aminoglycosides revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the extensive use rapidly created the problem of resistant pathogens, which are increasingly difficult to treat. FimH antagonists are a new class
of antimicrobials, which target the bacterial adhesion to urothelial cells, a crucial first step in the establishment of urinary tract infections. Because of their different mode of action, FimH antagonists neither kill nor inhibit the growth of bacteria, they should have a reduced potential
to generate resistant strains. This mini-review outlines the main problems associated with increasing development of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, it summarizes the currently available in vivo studies in mice for the treatment of urinary tract infections conducted with FimH antagonists.
Application of Explicitly Localized Molecular Orbitals to Electronic Structure Calculations
Authors: De Silva Piotr , Makowski Marcin , Korchowiec Jacek
Published: May 2012

We have recently generalized the method for localizing orbitals on a set of predefined molecular fragments [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2012, 14, 546]. The regional localized molecular orbitals (RLMO) are well suited for exploiting the locality of electronic correlation at post-Hartree-Fock level of theory. In this paper, the adequacy of RLMO representation is tested in the second-order local Møller-Plesset (LMP2) perturbation theory. Two model systems, namely, n-pentadecane and trans-retinal, are considered. Adequacy of RLMO/LMP2 method is discussed in conjunction with 'exact' MP2 and Pipek-Mezey LMP2 calculations. It is demonstrated that RLMO/MP2 method reduces correlation space and reproduces more than 99% of the correlation energy.
Copper-catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition to Challenging Michael Acceptors and Synthesis of Relevant Target Molecules
Authors: Gremaud Ludovic , Palais Laëtitia , Alexakis Alexandre
Published: May 2012

We report herein the enantioselective Cu-catalyzed conjugate addition of organometallic reagents to sensitive Michael acceptors and their application to the synthesis of relevant target molecules. This is one of the most important methodologies to form a C–C bond in an enantioselective
manner. A wide range of ?,?-unsaturated aldehydes and ?,?-unsaturated-?-ketoesters has been successfully used. Reactivity, regio- and enantioselectivities were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions, therefore moderate to very good results were obtained.
Furthermore, ?-substituted-?-ketoesters were used as chiral building blocks for further derivatization with complete retention of the chiral information to obtain key compounds.
Development of [18F]-PSS223 as a PET Tracer for Imaging of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5 (mGluR5)
Authors: Sephton Selena Milicevic , Dennler Patrick , Leutwiler Dominique S. , Mu Linjing , Schibli Roger , Krämer Stefanie D. , Ametamey Simon M.
Published: May 2012

Involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) in physiological and pathophysiological processes in the brain has been demonstrated, and hence mGluR5 has emerged as an important drug target. [11C]-ABP688 is clinically the most successful mGluR5 positron
emission tomography (PET) tracer to date and it allows visualization and quantification of mGluR5. Due to the short half-life of carbon-11, clinical use of [11C]-ABP688 is limited to facilities with an on-site cyclotron and a fluorine-18 (half-life 110 min) analogue would be more
practical. Based on the [11C]-ABP688 structural motif, a novel derivative [18F]-PSS223 was prepared and evaluated as a PET tracer for imaging of mGluR5 in vitro and in vivo. Our results show favourable in vitro binding properties; however rapid defluorination
of [18F]-PSS223 does not allow visualization of mGluR5 in the rat brain.
Supramolecular Assemblies Based on Dative Boron–Nitrogen Bonds
Authors: Sheepwash Erin , Icli Burcak , Severin Kay
Published: May 2012

Dative boron–nitrogen bonds were found to be a useful binding motif in structural supramolecular chemistry. Crystalline cages were formed using a diboronate ester and 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine. These cages can act as hosts for electron-rich planar aromatic systems such
as triphenylene. Further, crystalline two-dimensional polymers were formed via dative B–N bonds between a triboronic ester and a ditopic pyridyl ligand. Use of an extended triboronate ester resulted in formation of a gel in toluene with a minimum gelation concentration of 0.5 wt%.
Palladium-NHC Catalyzed Enantioselective Synthesis of Fused Indolines via Inert C(sp3)-H Activation
Authors: Nakanishi Masafumi , Katayev Dmitry , Besnard Céline , Kündig E. Peter
Published: May 2012

New sterically hindered chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were used in palladium catalysis to bring about a highly enantioselective C(sp3)-H activation on the methylene site of a cycloalkane moiety. The intramolecular coupling reaction of a prochiral N-aryl-N-cycloalkyl
methyl carbamate required high temperatures (140–160 °C) and afforded highly enantioenriched trans-2,3-fused indolines.
10. Freiburger Symposium 2011 der SCG-Division Industrielle Chemie Technology Progress, Success Key for our Production Sites
Authors: Naef Olivier
Published: May 2012

This short paper presents the abstracts of the different presentations during 10. Freiburger Symposium 2011 der SCG-Division Industrielle Chemie: Technology Progress, Success key for our production sites held Thursday and Friday, September 29 and 30, 2011 at the Ecole d'ingénieurs et d'architectes de Fribourg (Switzerland).
Unresonant interaction of laser beams with microdroplets
Authors: Pascu M. L. , Popescu G. V. , Ticos C. M. , Andrei I. R.
Published: May 2012

The interaction of distilled water droplets (volumes of 3-4 µl) with pulsed laser beams emitted at 532 nm is described. At 532 nm the distilled water absorption is very low and the interaction of a water droplet with the laser radiation is dominated by unresonant phenomena. In this case, following the collision of the laser beam with a droplet in suspended position in air, its deformations and mechanical vibrations are produced. The conditions in which the droplets lose material as a consequence of the impact with laser beams are explored. The effects produced on the droplet were studied pulse by pulse and depend on: droplet’s content, beam wavelength, power and focusing, irradiation geometry and adhesion of the droplet to the capillary on which it is suspended. The laser pulses energies were varied in four steps: 0.25 mJ, 0.4 mJ, 0.7 mJ and 1 mJ. The laser pulse full time width at half maximum was 5ns and the typical beam waist diameter on the droplet was 90 µm; the beam had a relatively low divergence around the focus point. The droplet’s shapes evolution is visualised by recordings performed at 10 kframes/second. Following a droplet interaction with the laser beam one may also produce at a controlled moment in time, nanodroplets propagating at high (probably supersonic) speeds and microdroplets propagating at slower speeds. One may also produce suspended droplets of smaller dimensions than the initial one as well as micro/nano gas bubbles in the suspended droplet’s material/volume. In a second set of experiments the behaviour of the microdroplets of Rhodamine 6G in distilled water was recorded at high speed, at resonant interaction with similar laser pulses, and at the same power levels. The phenomena considering that the droplets contents are Newtonian liquids produced at interaction with the laser beams, are discussed.
UV-curable glassy material for the manufacture of bulk and nano-structured elements
Authors: Gvishi R. , Strum G. , Englander A.
Published: May 2012

An ultra violet (UV)-cured glassy material with less than 30 wt% organic residues was fabricated by the fast sol-gel method. The material presents high thermal stability, good optical quality and high adhesive strength. It is suitable for optical bonding and for manufacture of optical elements and micro-structured optical devices. Either soft-lithography or photo-lithography may be used for manufacture of the devices with either, thermal-curing (few hours) or UV-curing (few seconds). In this work we present the technology to fabricate optical elements at scales spanning the sub-micron to centimeter range. This technology enables mass-production of optical elements at low cost.
Light scattering measurements for quantifying biological cell concentration: an optimization of opto-geometric parameters
Authors: Mignani Anna Grazia , Ciaccheri Leonardo , Giannelli Laura , Mencaglia Andrea Azelio
Published: May 2012

An experimental study was carried out, aimed at optimizing the opto-geometric configuration for measuring the concentration of biological cells by means of static light scattering measurements. A LED-based optoelectronic setup making use of optical fibers was experimented, as the precursor of a low-cost device to be integrated in instrumentation for cytometry. Two biological sample types were considered as test samples of the most popular analyses - cervical cells and urine, respectively. The most suitable wavelengths and detecting angles were identified, and calibration curves were calculated.
Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
Authors: Tonelli Francesco , Giudici Francesco , Giusti Francesca , Brandi Maria Luisa
Published: May 2012

We reviewed the literature about entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1) to clarify their demographic features, localization imaging, practice, and appropriate therapeutical strategies, analyzing the current approach to entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in MEN1. Despite the fact that hyperparathyroidism is usually the first manifestation of MEN1, the penetrance of these tumors is similar. They are characterized by multiplicity of lesions, variable expression of the tumors, and propensity for malignant degeneration. Both the histological type and the size of MEN1 neuroendocrine tumors correlate with malignancy. Monitoring of pancreatic peptides and use of imaging exams allow early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment, resulting in prevention of metastatic disease and improvement of long-term survival. Surgery is often the treatment of choice for MEN1-neuroendocrine tumors. The rationale for surgical approach is to curtail malignant progression of the disease, and to cure the associated biochemical syndrome, should it be present.
Immunohistochemistry of Programmed Cell Death in Archival Human Pathology Specimens
Authors: Hasui Kazuhisa , Nagai Taku , Wang Jia , Jia Xinshan , Aozasa Katsuyuki , Izumo Shuji , Kawano Yoshifumi , Kanekura Takuro , Eizuru Yoshito , Matsuyama Takami
Published: May 2012

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for detecting key signal molecules involved in programmed cell death (PCD) in archival human pathology specimens is fairly well established. Detection of cleaved caspase-3 in lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gastric surface foveolar glandular epithelia but not in synoviocytes in RA, gastric fundic glandular epithelia, or nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) cells suggests anti-apoptotic mechanisms in cell differentiation and in oncogenesis such as the induction of survivin. Enzymatically pretreated and ultra-super sensitive detection of beclin-1 in synoviocytes in RA and gastric fundic glandular epithelia suggests enhanced autophagy. The deposition of beclin-1 in fibrinoid necrosis in RA and expression of beclin-1 in detached gastric fundic glandular cells suggest that enhanced autophagy undergoes autophagic cell death (ACD). NKTCL exhibited enhanced autophagy through LC3 labeling and showed densely LC3 labeled cell-debris in regions of peculiar necrosis without deposition of beclin-1, indicating massive ACD in NKTCL and the alternative pathway enhancing autophagy following autophagic vesicle nucleation. Autophagy progression was monitored by labeling aggregated mitochondria and cathepsin D. The cell-debris in massive ACD in NKTCL were positive for 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, suggesting DNA oxidation occurred in ACD. Immunohistochemical autophagy and PCD analysis in archival human pathology specimens may offer new insights into autophagy in humans.
A Comment on the Relation between Diffraction and Entropy
Authors: Baake Michael , Grimm Uwe
Published: May 2012

Diffraction methods are used to detect atomic order in solids. While uniquely ergodic systems with pure point diffraction have zero entropy, the relation between diffraction and entropy is not as straightforward in general. In particular, there exist families of homometric systems, which are systems sharing the same diffraction, with varying entropy. We summarise the present state of understanding by several characteristic examples.
Collaborative Open Source Geospatial Tools and Maps Supporting the Response Planning to Disastrous Earthquake Events
Authors: Pollino Maurizio , Fattoruso Grazia , La Porta Luigi , Della Rocca Antonio Bruno , James Valentina
Published: May 2012

The latest improvements in geo-informatics offer new opportunities in a wide range of territorial and environmental applications. In this general framework, a relevant issue is represented by earthquake early warning and emergency management. This research work presents the investigation and development of a simple and innovative geospatial methodology and related collaborative open source geospatial tools for predicting and mapping the vulnerability to seismic hazard in order to support the response planning to disastrous events. The proposed geospatial methodology and tools have been integrated into an open source collaborative GIS system, designed and developed as an integrated component of an earthquake early warning and emergency management system.
Influence of Traffic Activity on Heavy Metal Concentrations of Roadside Farmland Soil in Mountainous Areas
Authors: Zhang Fan , Yan Xuedong , Zeng Chen , Zhang Man , Shrestha Suraj , Devkota Lochan Prasad , Yao Tandong
Published: May 2012

Emission of heavy metals from traffic activities is an important pollution source to roadside farmland ecosystems. However, little previous research has been conducted to investigate heavy metal concentrations of roadside farmland soil in mountainous areas. Owing to more complex roadside environments and more intense driving conditions on mountainous highways, heavy metal accumulation and distribution patterns in farmland soil due to traffic activity could be different from those on plain highways. In this study, design factors including altitude, roadside distance, terrain, and tree protection were considered to analyze their influences on Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations in farmland soils along a mountain highway around Kathmandu, Nepal. On average, the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb at the sampling sites are lower than the tolerable levels. Correspondingly, pollution index analysis does not show serious roadside pollution owing to traffic emissions either. However, some maximum Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations are close to or higher than the tolerable level, indicating that although average accumulations of heavy metals pose no hazard in the region, some spots with peak concentrations may be severely polluted. The correlation analysis indicates that either Cu or Cd content is found to be significantly correlated with Zn and Pb content while there is no significant correlation between Cu and Cd. The pattern can be reasonably explained by the vehicular heavy metal emission mechanisms, which proves the heavy metals’ homology of the traffic pollution source. Furthermore, the independent factors show complex interaction effects on heavy metal concentrations in the mountainous roadside soil, which indicate quite a different distribution pattern from previous studies focusing on urban roadside environments. It is found that the Pb concentration in the downgrade roadside soil is significantly lower than that in the upgrade soil while the Zn concentration in the downgrade roadside soil is marginally higher than in the upgrade soil; and the concentrations of Cu and Pb in the roadside soils with tree protection are significantly lower than those without tree protection. However, the attenuation pattern of heavy metal concentrations as a function of roadside distance within a 100 m range cannot be identified consistently.
Birth Defects in Gaza: Prevalence, Types, Familiarity and Correlation with Environmental Factors
Authors: Naim Awny , Al Dalies Hedaya , El Balawi Mohammed , Salem Eman , Al Meziny Kholud , Al Shawwa Raneem , Minutolo Roberto , Manduca Paola
Published: May 2012

This is the first report of registration at birth, and of incidence of major structural birth defects (BD) obtained in Gaza at Al Shifa Hospital, where 28% of total births in Gaza Strip occur. Doctors registered 4,027 deliveries, with a protocol comprehensive of clinical, demographic, kin and environmental questions. Prevalence of BD is 14/1,000, without association with intermarriage or gender of the child. Prevalence of late miscarriages and still births are respectively 23.3/1,000 and 7.4/1,000, and of premature births 19.6/1,000. Couples with a BD child have about 10 times higher frequency of recurrence of a BD in their progeny than those with normal children, but none of their 694 siblings and only 10/1,000 of their 1,423 progeny had BD, similar to the frequency in general population. These data suggest occurrence of novel genetic and epigenetic events in determination of BD. Children with BD were born with higher frequency (p < 0 001) in families where one or both parents were under “white phosphorus” attack, that in the general population. Bombing of the family home and removal of the rubble were also frequently reported by couples with BD occurrence. These data suggests a causative/favoring role of acute exposure of parents to the weapons-associated contaminants, and/or of their chronic exposure from their persistence in the environment on the embryonic development of their children.
A Glutamic Acid-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Malaysian Fermented Foods
Authors: Zareian Mohsen , Ebrahimpour Afshin , Bakar Fatimah Abu , Mohamed Abdul Karim Sabo , Forghani Bita , Ab-Kadir Mohd Safuan B. , Saari Nazamid
Published: May 2012

L-glutamaic acid is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and an important intermediate in metabolism. In the present study, lactic acid bacteria (218) were isolated from six different fermented foods as potent sources of glutamic acid producers. The presumptive bacteria were tested for their ability to synthesize glutamic acid. Out of the 35 strains showing this capability, strain MNZ was determined as the highest glutamic-acid producer. Identification tests including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and sugar assimilation ability identified the strain MNZ as Lactobacillus plantarum. The characteristics of this microorganism related to its glutamic acid-producing ability, growth rate, glucose consumption and pH profile were studied. Results revealed that glutamic acid was formed inside the cell and excreted into the extracellular medium. Glutamic acid production was found to be growth-associated and glucose significantly enhanced glutamic acid production (1.032 mmol/L) compared to other carbon sources. A concentration of 0.7% ammonium nitrate as a nitrogen source effectively enhanced glutamic acid production. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of glutamic acid production by lactic acid bacteria. The results of this study can be further applied for developing functional foods enriched in glutamic acid and subsequently γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) as a bioactive compound.
Synthesis and Characterization of Positively Charged Pentacationic [60]Fullerene Monoadducts for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation
Authors: Thota Sammaiah , Wang Min , Jeon Seaho , Maragani Satyanarayana , Hamblin Michael R. , Chiang Long Y.
Published: May 2012

We designed and synthesized two analogous pentacationic [60]fullerenyl monoadducts, C60(>ME1N6+C3) (1) and C60(>ME3N6+C3) (2), with variation of the methoxyethyleneglycol length. Each of these derivatives bears a well-defined number of cationic charges aimed to enhance and control their ability to target pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells for allowing photodynamic inactivation. The synthesis was achieved by the use of a common synthon of pentacationic N,N′,N,N,N,N-hexapropyl-hexa(aminoethyl)amine arm (C3N6+) having six attached propyl groups, instead of methyl or ethyl groups, to provide a well-balanced hydrophobicity–hydrophilicity character to pentacationic precursor intermediates and better compatibility with the highly hydrophobic C60 cage moiety. We demonstrated two plausible synthetic routes for the preparation of 1 and 2 with the product characterization via various spectroscopic methods.
Lectin from Canavalia brasiliensis Seeds (ConBr) Is a Valuable Biotechnological Tool to Stimulate the Growth of Rhizobium tropici in Vitro
Authors: De Vasconcelos Mayron Alves , Cunha Claudio Oliveira , Arruda Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa , Carneiro Victor Alves , Mercante Fabio Martins , Do Nascimento Neto Luiz Gonzaga , De Sousa Giselly Soares , Rocha Bruno Anderson Matias , Teixeira Edson Holanda , Cavada Benildo Sousa , Dos Santos Ricardo Pires
Published: May 2012

To study the interactions between a Rhizobium tropici strain and lectins isolated from the seeds of Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) and Canavalia brasiliensis (ConBr), a lectin fluorescence assay was performed. In addition, an experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the two lectins on bacterial growth. Both lectins were found to bind to R. tropici cells, but the interactions were inhibited by D-mannose. Interestingly, only ConBr stimulated bacterial growth in proportion to the concentrations used (15.6–500 µg/mL), and the bacterial growth stimulation was inhibited by D-mannose as well. Structure/Function analyses by bioinformatics were carried out to evaluate the volume and carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) configuration of ConA and ConBr. The difference of spatial arrangement and volume of CRD may indicate the variation between biological activities of both lectins. The results suggest that ConBr could be a promising tool for studies focusing on the interactions between rhizobia and host plants.
Mutagenicity of Flavonoids Assayed by Bacterial Reverse Mutation (Ames) Test
Authors: Resende Flavia Aparecida , Vilegas Wagner , Dos Santos Lourdes Campaner , Varanda Eliana Aparecida
Published: May 2012

The mutagenicity of ten flavonoids was assayed by the Ames test, in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100 and TA102, with the aim of establishing hydroxylation pattern-mutagenicity relationship profiles. The compounds assessed were: quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, fisetin, chrysin, galangin, flavone, 3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 7-hydroxyflavone. In the Ames assay, quercetin acted directly and its mutagenicity increased with metabolic activation. In the presence of S9 mix, kaempferol and galangin were mutagenic in the TA98 strain and kaempferol showed signs of mutagenicity in the other strains. The absence of hydroxyl groups, as in flavone, only signs of mutagenicity were shown in strain TA102, after metabolization and, among monohydroxylated flavones (3-hydroxyflavone, 5-hydroxyflavone and 7-hydroxyflavone), the presence of hydroxyl groups only resulted in minor changes. Luteolin and fisetin also showed signs of mutagenicity in strain TA102. Finally, chrysin, which has only two hydroxy groups, at the 5-OH and 7-OH positions, also did not induce mutagenic activity in any of the bacterial strains used, under either activation condition. All the flavonoids were tested at concentrations varying from 2.6 to 30.7 nmol/plate for galangin and 12.1 to 225.0 nmol/plate for other flavonoids. In light of the above, it is necessary to clarify the conditions and the mechanisms that mediate the biological effects of flavonoids before treating them as therapeutical agents, since some compounds can be biotransformed into more genotoxic products; as is the case for galangin, kaempferol and quercetin.
The Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Use of Apomorphine
Authors: Ribarič Samo
Published: May 2012

Apomorphine (APO) is an aporphine derivative used in human and veterinary medicine. APO activates D1, D2S, D2L, D3, D4, and D5 receptors (and is thus classified as a non-selective dopamine agonist), serotonin receptors (5HT1A, 5HT2A, 5HT2B, and 5HT2C), and α-adrenergic receptors (α1B, α1D, α2A, α2B, and α2C). In veterinary medicine, APO is used to induce vomiting in dogs, an important early treatment for some common orally ingested poisons (e.g., anti-freeze or insecticides). In human medicine, it has been used in a variety of treatments ranging from the treatment of addiction (i.e., to heroin, alcohol or cigarettes), for treatment of erectile dysfunction in males and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in females to the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Currently, APO is used in patients with advanced PD, for the treatment of persistent and disabling motor fluctuations which do not respond to levodopa or other dopamine agonists, either on its own or in combination with deep brain stimulation. Recently, a new and potentially important therapeutic role for APO in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has been suggested; APO seems to stimulate Ab catabolism in an animal model and cell culture, thus reducing the rate of Ab oligomerisation and consequent neural cell death.
The Adverse Effects of Alcohol on Vitamin A Metabolism
Authors: Clugston Robin D. , Blaner William S.
Published: May 2012

The objective of this review is to explore the relationship between alcohol and the metabolism of the essential micronutrient, vitamin A; as well as the impact this interaction has on alcohol-induced disease in adults. Depleted hepatic vitamin A content has been reported in human alcoholics, an observation that has been confirmed in animal models of chronic alcohol consumption. Indeed, alcohol consumption has been associated with declines in hepatic levels of retinol (vitamin A), as well as retinyl ester and retinoic acid; collectively referred to as retinoids. Through the use of animal models, the complex interplay between alcohol metabolism and vitamin A homeostasis has been studied; the reviewed research supports the notion that chronic alcohol consumption precipitates a decline in hepatic retinoid levels through increased breakdown, as well as increased export to extra-hepatic tissues. While the precise biochemical mechanisms governing alcohol’s effect remain to be elucidated, its profound effect on hepatic retinoid status is irrefutable. In addition to a review of the literature related to studies on tissue retinoid levels and the metabolic interactions between alcohol and retinoids, the significance of altered hepatic retinoid metabolism in the context of alcoholic liver disease is also considered.
A Semi-Automated Object-Based Approach for Landslide Detection Validated by Persistent Scatterer Interferometry Measures and Landslide Inventories
Authors: Hölbling Daniel , Füreder Petra , Antolini Francesco , Cigna Francesca , Casagli Nicola , Lang Stefan
Published: May 2012

Geoinformation derived from Earth observation (EO) plays a key role for detecting, analyzing and monitoring landslides to assist hazard and risk analysis. Within the framework of the EC-GMES-FP7 project SAFER (Services and Applications For Emergency Response) a semi-automated object-based approach for landslide detection and classification has been developed. The method was applied to a case study in North-Western Italy using SPOT-5 imagery and a digital elevation model (DEM), including its derivatives slope, aspect, curvature and plan curvature. For the classification in the object-based environment spectral, spatial and morphological properties as well as context information were used. In a first step, landslides were classified on a coarse segmentation level to separate them from other features with similar spectral characteristics. Thereafter, the classification was refined on a finer segmentation level, where two categories of mass movements were differentiated: flow-like landslides and other landslide types. In total, an area of 3.77 km² was detected as landslide-affected area, 1.68 km² were classified as flow-like landslides and 2.09 km² as other landslide types. The outcomes were compared to and validated by pre-existing landslide inventory data (IFFI and PAI) and an interpretation of PSI (Persistent Scatterer Interferometry) measures derived from ERS1/2, ENVISAT ASAR and RADARSAT-1 data. The spatial overlap of the detected landslides and existing landslide inventories revealed 44.8% (IFFI) and 50.4% (PAI), respectively. About 32% of the polygons identified through OBIA are covered by persistent scatterers data.