bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient and green preparation of 9‐arylacridine‐1,8‐dione derivatives
Authors: Fan Xuesen , Li Yanzhen , Zhang Xinying , Qu Guirong , Wang Jianji
Published: November 2007

9‐Arylacridine‐1,8‐dione derivatives were prepared in an ionic liquid medium in the presence of CeCl3 ċ 7H2O through an one‐pot procedure. The method presented here has the advantages of environmental benignancy, good‐to‐excellent yields, and simple operational procedure. Moreover, the solvent and catalyst can be easily recovered and reused for several runs without obvious loss of activity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:786–790, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20410
Numerical simulation of separated flow transition and heat transfer around a two‐dimensional rib
Authors: Yanaoka Hideki , Inamura Takao , Kobayashi Reiri
Published: November 2007

Numerical simulations of separated flow transition and heat transfer around a two‐dimensional rib mounted in a laminar boundary layer were performed. The separated shear layer becomes unstable due to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and generates a two‐dimensional vortex. This vortex becomes three‐dimensional and collapses in the downstream part of the separation bubble. As a result, transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs in the separated shear layer. Streamwise vortices exist downstream of the reattachment flow region. The low‐frequency flapping motion and transition of the separated shear layer are influenced by three‐dimensional dynamics upstream of the separation bubble. Large‐scale vortices around the reattachment flow region have substantial effects on heat transfer. Downstream of the reattachment point, the surface friction coefficient and Nusselt number are different from their profiles in the laminar boundary layer and approach the distributions seen in the turbulent boundary layer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(8): 513–528, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20177
Diagnostic technique for degradation of engineering materials by measurement of thermophysical properties
Authors: Kato Kazunori , Takahashi Ichiro
Published: November 2007

The thermal conductivity of the surface layer of engineering materials changes in the early stages of material degradation due to the appearance of micro‐cracks. A new method for evaluating and assessing the degree of degradation of a material using this change is proposed herein. The influence of the micro‐cracked layer on the temperature response as measured by a thermophysical handy tester was theoretically examined. By defining a thermal degradation parameter, the amount of degradation of various materials was evaluated. In order to verify this theory, fatigue tests using metallic materials were conducted. Comparisons before and after the fatigue tests were then made to establish the correlation between the density of micro‐cracks and the decrease in thermal conductivity. As a result, it was ascertained that a thermal degradation parameter can easily be estimated from a temperature response curve obtained using the tester. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(8): 501–512, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20178
An effect of scraper shapes on detachment of solid adhered to cooling surface for formation of clathrate hydrate slurry
Authors: Daitoku Tadafumi , Utaka Yoshio
Published: November 2007

In air‐conditioning systems, it is desirable that the liquid– solid phase change temperature of a cool energy storage material is approximately 10°C from the perspective of improving the coefficient of performance (COP). Moreover, a thermal storage material that forms slurry can realize large heat capacity of working fluids. Since the solid that adheres to the heat transfer surface forms a thermal resistance layer and remarkably reduces the rate of cold storage, it is important to avoid the adhesion of a thick solid layer on the surface so as to realize efficient energy storage. Considering a harvest type cooling unit, the force required for removing the solid phase from the heat transfer surface was studied. Tetra‐n‐butylammonium bromide (TBAB) clathrate hydrate was used as a cold storage material. The effect of the scraper shapes on the scraping force for detachment of the adhered solid of TBAB hydrate to the heat transfer surface was examined experimentally. The TBAB hydrate solids were categorized broadly into two kinds of solids. The scraping force of the TBAB hydrate solid on the heat transfer surface was different for the two kinds of the TBAB hydrate solids. And the scraping force of the TBAB hydrate solid formed after scraping was improved by the modifying the scraper shape. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(8): 489– 500, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20179
Heat transfer of combined forced and natural convection from horizontal cylinder to air
Authors: Kitamura Kenzo , Mototani Kazuhiro , Kimura Fumiyoshi
Published: November 2007

Experimental investigations have been carried out for combined convective flows of air induced around uniformly heated, horizontal cylinders. Three cases of aiding, opposing, and cross flows were examined. The experiments covered the ranges of the Reynolds and modified Rayleigh numbers of Red=50 to 900 and Rad*=5×104 to 3×106. The flow fields around the cylinders were visualized with smoke. The results showed that separation points gradually shift from those of the forced convection to the top edge of the cylinder with increasing wall heat fluxes. The local heat transfer coefficients of the cylinders were also measured. Although the local coefficients show complex variations with the forced flow velocities and the wall heat fluxes, the overall coefficients become higher than those estimated from pure forced and natural convections throughout the cases of aiding, opposing, and cross flows. Moreover, it was confirmed that the overall Nusselt numbers as well as the separation points can be predicted with the non‐dimensional parameter (Grd*/NudRed2). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(8): 474–488, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20180
El Niño—Southern Oscillation influences on soybean yields in eastern Paraguay
Authors: Fraisse Clyde W. , Cabrera Victor E. , Breuer Norman E. , Baez Julian , Quispe Jaime , Matos Edwards
Published: November 2007

Soybean (Glycine max. L. Merrill) production in Paraguay has increased dramatically during the last decade and the country is now the fourth largest soybean exporter in the world, producing about 3% of the world's soybean production. This paper explored associations between soybean yield in eastern Paraguay and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases. Historical soybean yield data from official government sources were detrended to remove the effects of technological advances, and yield residuals were computed. In addition, differences in mean precipitation among ENSO phases were investigated under the context of crop development phases. The CSM‐CROPGRO soybean model was used to simulate soybean development for two locations representing the most important soybean producing areas in Paraguay. Influences of ENSO phases on mean precipitation during planting and blooming, blooming and seed podding, and from young pods to physiological maturity were explored through tests of differences in the central tendency. Relative yield residuals during El Niño years were positive six out of seven events and varied from − 9.4 to + 24.2% for the 1991/1992 and 2002/2003 cropping seasons, respectively. During La Niña years, calculated residuals were negative for three out of four events and varied from − 37.9 to + 1.5% for the 2005/2006 and 1988/1989 cropping seasons, respectively. Analysis of precipitation records showed significantly lower precipitation levels between planting and blooming during La Niña years than during El Niño years. Differences in mean precipitation during blooming and beginning of seed formation were found to be not significant. Mean precipitation between seed podding and crop maturity was found to be significantly lower during La Niña years than during El Niño years in one of the locations studied. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Sustainability of the landscape of a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Lake Geneva region (Switzerland) in a greenhouse climate
Authors: Beniston Martin
Published: November 2007

This paper poses the question as to whether the vineyards of the Lavaux region in the eastern part of Lake Geneva, Switzerland, will be able to maintain in a future greenhouse climate the same ‘cultural landscape’ as presently. It is indeed this landscape which has recently been placed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, but whether it will remain as it has since the 13th century is an open question. The projected shifts in temperature and moisture patterns from current to future climate suggest that the grape varieties cultivated in the Lavaux region are likely to be subject to increasing heat and drought stress. As a result, the grape varieties that are currently cultivated in the region may no longer be sustainable; however, the visual aspect of the vineyards could be maintained if other grape varieties were to be planted, for example those that are endemic to warmer and drier Mediterranean‐type climates. The scenery of the region would thus remain close to what it is today, even though the wine produced from other types of grape would certainly be different from those for which the Lavaux has become famous over the centuries. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Effect of cell density on the rate of glycosaminoglycan accumulation by disc and cartilage cells in vitro
Authors: Kobayashi Shigeru , Meir Adam , Urban Jill
Published: November 2007

Aggrecan concentration falls markedly during cartilage and disc degeneration with unfortunate biomechanical and physiological consequences. There is thus now an increasing interest in developing biological methods for its replacement. One approach is to stimulate aggrecan and hence glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production by resident cells through growth factor or genetic engineering. Another approach is to implant autologous cells into the cartilage or disc to enhance GAG production. In both instances GAG accumulation depends both on the number of active cells in the cartilage or disc and the rate of aggrecan synthesis per cell. Here we examine how cell density influences the rate of glycosaminoglycan accumulation in a three‐dimensional cell culture system. In the results, at cell densities found in vivo (standard condition) in the articular cartilage and the disc nucleus viz. 4 million cells/ml and at 21% oxygen the concentration of GAG in the bead reached 520.9±62.4 μg/ml and 649.0±40.1 μg/ml, respectively, in 5 days. These concentrations could be increased to 2‐4‐fold by raising cell density to 25 million cells/ml. However, rates of GAG production per cell decreased by 50‐60%. These results showed that rate of accumulation of glycosaminoglycan in this culture system in vitro is slow and is limited both by the rate of production of GAG per cell and by the cell density which can be maintained in a viable state. Although GAG production can be increased somewhat by use of higher cell densities, the consequent fall in concentration of oxygen and other nutrients in the center of three‐dimensional constructs slows metabolism and leads to apoptosis and cell death, which again limits the rate that the cells can produce matrix. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:493–503, 2008
Atom‐Transfer Radical Copolymerization of Furfuryl Methacrylate (FMA) and Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): A Thermally‐Amendable Copolymer
Authors: Kavitha Amalin A. , Singha Nikhil K.
Published: November 2007

Polymers of furfuryl methacrylate (FMA) are interesting materials because of the presence of the furfuryl group as the reactive diene functionality in the pendent group. Copolymers of FMA and MMA were prepared using atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyzed by CuCl, in combination with HMTETA as a ligand at 90 °C. It was very difficult to prepare by conventional radical polymerization because of several side reactions involving the reactive diene group. The copolymer composition was calculated using 1H NMR studies. The reactivity ratios of FMA and MMA (r1 and r2) were determined using the Finemann‐Ross and Kelen‐Tudos linearization methods. The reactivity ratios obtained were r1 = 1.56 and r2 = 0.56. Diels‐Alder chemistry was carried out using the reactive diene of the copolymers and a maleimide as the dienophile. Interestingly, the resultant material was observed to be thermo‐reversible as evidenced by FT‐IR spectroscopy and DSC studies.

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Incorporation of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes into Biodegradable Telechelic Prepolymers
Authors: Song Wenhui , Zheng Zhen , Lu Haoxiang , Wang Xinling
Published: November 2007

Biodegradable lactic‐acid‐based telechelic prepolymers incorporating CNTs were prepared. The products were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DSC, POM, 1H and 13C NMR, TEM, and FESEM. The results indicated that hydroxy‐terminated telechelic prepolymers were obtained. According to the TGA curves, the initial thermal decomposition temperatures of the prepolymers incorporating carboxylic CNTs were higher than those of the pure prepolymers. Amorphous and crystalline prepolymers incorporating CNTs were obtained, while the spherocrystal morphologies were not changed by the addition of the CNTs. The carboxylic CNTs were coated with PLA polymers after polymerization and well dispersed in the prepolymer matrix.

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A Process for Polymerizing Vinyl Phosphonic Acid with C6F13I Perfluoroalkyl Iodide Chain‐Transfer Agent
Authors: David Ghislain , Boyer Cyrille , Tayouo Russell , Seabrook Shane , Ameduri Bruno , Boutevin Bernard , Woodward Gary , Destarac Mathias
Published: November 2007

The synthesis of oligomeric VPA structures via the CTA perfluorohexyl iodide has been investigated. NMR and MALDI‐TOF MS analysis showed that the structures were produced exclusively by radical‐transfer reactions. The oligomers had a molecular weight above 2 000 g · mol−1 and exhibited intra‐ and intermolecular anhydrous bonding. The investigation showed that the reaction is not a living (controlled) system, but follows conventional radical telomerization. The value for the transfer constant for C6F13I to VPA was found to be 3.4 at 70 °C and 4.3 at 80 °C. This high value may be partially explained by a low k/kt ratio, which suggests a low kp. The oligomeric structures showed a relatively high resistance to thermal degradation.

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Probing the Contraction and Association of Polystyrene Chains in Semidilute Solution by Non‐Radiative Energy Transfer
Authors: Tao Fangfang , Wang Xiaoliang , Che Bo , Zhou Dongshan , Chen Wei , Xue Gi , Zou Dawei , Tie Zuoxiu
Published: November 2007

The interchain contraction and association of polystyrene in semidilute solution near the Θ temperature are studies using NET. The results reveal that during a drop of temperature, polystyrene chains pass through different states: a smooth change of conformation at temperatures above the Θ temperature, an accelerated contraction and association, aggregation of polymer chains, and then further continuous contraction below the Θ temperature. A pronounced hysteresis is observed during repeated heating. A viscosity study of the same solution was compared with the NET results. It indicates that NET can effectively be used to study conformational changes like contraction and association of polymer chains in a semidilute solution.

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Isolated facial myokymia as a presenting feature of pontine neurocysticercosis
Authors: Bhatia Rohit , Desai Soaham , Garg Ajay , Padma Madakasira V. , Prasad Kameshwar , Tripathi Manjari
Published: November 2007

A 45‐year‐old healthy man presented with 2 weeks history of continuous rippling and quivering movements of his right side of face and neck suggestive of myokymia. MRI scan of the head revealed neurocysticercus in the pons. Treatment with steroids and carbamezapine produced a significant benefit. This is the first report of pontine neurocysticercosis presenting as an isolated facial myokymia. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Factors predicting response to dopaminergic treatment for resting tremor of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sung Young H. , Chung Sun J. , Kim Sung R. , Lee Myoung C.
Published: November 2007

We aimed to evaluate the clinical factors predicting response to dopaminergic treatment for resting tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Eighty‐five PD patients with prominent resting tremor, defined as tremors of score greater than 3 in at least one limb on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), were divided into those responsive or nonresponsive to dopaminergic treatment. Responsiveness was defined as a reduction of at least two points for more than 3 months in the UPDRS tremor score. Of the 85 patients, 36 (42.4%) were responsive and 49 (57.6%) were nonresponsive to dopaminergic treatment. Initial UPDRS III score (P = 0.015) and Hoehn and Yahr stage (P = 0.010) were each significantly higher in the RG than in the NRG. UPDRS subscores for rigidity (P = 0.012), bradykinesia (P = 0.021) and postural impairment (P = 0.018) also correlated with responsiveness to dopaminergic treatment. Resting tremor in PD patients was more responsive to dopaminergic treatment when accompanied by moderate degrees of bradykinesia and rigidity than in patients without other prominent parkinsonian features. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Transcranial sonography findings in welding‐related Parkinsonism in comparison to Parkinson's disease
Authors: Walter Uwe , Dressler Dirk , Lindemann Christian , Slachevsky Andrea , Miranda Marcelo
Published: November 2007

The pathogenetic relationship of welding‐related Parkinsonism (WP) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a matter of debate. In the present study, we compared transcranial sonography (TCS) findings in patients with WP and PD. Two male patients with WP, who had developed levodopa‐resistant akinetic‐rigid Parkinsonism without ongoing progression after having worked as welders for many years in Chilean mines in confined spaces without adequate ventilation, and three age‐matched male patients with clinically definite akinetic‐rigid PD were studied with TCS in a random order by two investigators blind to clinical diagnoses. In both WP patients, normal echogenicity of substantia nigra was found whereas all PD patients exhibited marked substantia nigra hyperechogenicity, previously reported as a characteristic TCS finding in idiopathic PD. In contrast, lenticular nucleus was hyperechogenic in both WP patients but only in one of the PD patients. TCS findings suggest a different pathophysiology of Parkinsonism in WP and PD patients. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Nanoscale and customary non‐esterified sitosterols are equally enriched in different body compartments of the guinea pig
Authors: Keller Sylvia , Helbig Dorit , Härtl Albert , Jahreis Gerhard
Published: November 2007

The impact of sitosterol formulation particle size on the intestinal sterol absorption and the sterol status in various tissues in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs was investigated. Three groups of animals (six each) were fed a basal diet (“control”) or a basal diet containing either customary sitosterol (“customary”, particle size: 10 000–90 000 nm) or nanoscale sitosterol (“nanoscale”, particle size: 200–300 nm). The average daily sitosterol intake was 21 ± 7 mg (control), 154 ± 8 mg (customary), and 127 ± 18 mg (nanoscale) for 2 weeks. Sitosterol and cholesterol were analyzed in samples of plasma, blood cells, bile, liver, kidney, jejunal mucosa/serosa, cecum, colon and feces. Concentrations of sitosterol in all analyzed matrices increased significantly in the supplemented groups when compared to control group. No differences in the sitosterol concentrations in analyzed matrices occurred between nanoscale and customary group. The cholesterol concentrations in tissues remained unchanged. Fecal fatty acid and sterol distributions were modified during sitosterol intervention. Both particle sizes equally increased sitosterol levels in cholesterol‐metabolizing compartments in the guinea pig. No differences in body compartment accumulation and intestinal absorption of the different sitosterol particle sizes were observed.
Experimental validation of a new semi‐implicit CE–SE scheme for the calculation of unsteady one‐dimensional flow in tapered ducts
Authors: Torregrosa A. J. , Serrano J. R. , Arnau F. J. , Romero J. V.
Published: November 2007

This paper presents an improvement in the conservation element–solution element (CE–SE) scheme for calculating one‐dimensional flow through tapered ducts. This new CE–SE scheme has been validated against experiments in tapered ducts with non‐steady flow using pressure impulses. This validation analyses scheme's ability to reproduce instantaneous pressure in time and frequency domains, mass conservation when the section of the duct changes (which was the main drawback of the original CE–SE scheme) and finally computational time. In order to quantify the improvement of the scheme, the calculations have been compared with experimental data and with the results provided by other schemes, such as the original CE–SE or total variation diminishing schemes. This comparison shows important improvements in mass conservation in relation to the original CE–SE and not significant penalties in computational time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the modelling of non‐linear kinematic hardening at finite strains with application to springback—Comparison of time integration algorithms
Authors: Vladimirov Ivaylo N. , Pietryga Michael P. , Reese Stefanie
Published: November 2007

The paper discusses the derivation and the numerical implementation of a finite strain material model for non‐linear kinematic and isotropic hardening. The kinematic hardening component represents a continuum extension of the classical rheological model of Armstrong–Frederick kinematic hardening. In addition, a comparison between several numerical algorithms for the integration of the evolution equations is conducted. In particular, a new form of the exponential map that preserves the plastic volume and the symmetry of the internal variables, as well as two modifications of the backward Euler scheme are discussed. Finally, the applicability of the model for springback prediction is demonstrated by performing simulations of the draw‐bending process and a comparison with experiments. The results show an excellent agreement between simulation and experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum ADAM12s as a marker of rare aneuploidies in the first or second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Cowans Nicholas J. , Stamatopoulou Anastasia
Published: November 2007

Objective

To assess whether the maternal serum ADAM12s concentrations are altered in the first and second trimester of pregnancies complicated by rare aneuploides.

Methods

ADAM12s was measured by a semi‐automated time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay in a series of 60 first‐trimester cases with trisomy 13, 78 first‐trimester cases with Turner's syndrome, 38 first‐trimester cases with triploidy and 24 first‐trimester cases with sex aneuploidy—the cases were compared with the data from 389 first‐trimester controls. In the second trimester, a smaller number of 6, 7, 2 and 13 cases, respectively, were compared with the data from 341 controls. All data were expressed as multiple of the median (MoM) and corrected for maternal weight. Correlation with previously analysed markers (PAPP‐A, free β‐hCG and delta NT) was performed.

Results

The first‐trimester median MoM ADAM12s was significantly lower than 1.0 in all types of rare aneuploidy with the possible exception of triploidy type II. A significant positive correlation with gestational age was reported for trisomy 13 and Turner's syndrome. ADAM12s was not significantly correlated with any other first‐trimester marker. In the second trimester, ADAM12s values were marginally increased in these rare aneuploidies.

Conclusions

ADAM12s has already been shown to be a possible early first‐ and second‐trimester marker of trisomies 21 and 18. Our data also show the possibility of levels of this marker being altered in the first and second trimester of pregnancies with rare aneuploidies. This may be a useful addition to screening strategies in the future. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expectations of general practitioners and specialist doctors regarding the feedback received after reporting an adverse drug reaction
Authors: Cornelissen Lotte , van Puijenbroek Eugène , van Grootheest Kees
Published: November 2007

Objective

Aim of this study is to gain insight in experiences and expectations of general practitioners and specialist doctors regarding the feedback information of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.

Method

A questionnaire survey was conducted among a random sample of 400 doctors, divided in general practitioners and specialist doctors. Within these groups, a difference was made between those who reported only once and those who are frequent reporters. A structured questionnaire consisted of 23 questions about expectations, experiences, the influence of feedback information and what the doctors would like to change in the feedback from Lareb. A comparison between the groups will give insight in what they think separately and how Lareb can seize on their wishes.

Key findings

The response rate was 54.4% (n = 217) after one reminder. The respondents are satisfied with the feedback information and regarded the information of good quality. The expectations were higher on information about sources (significance 0.00, caused by specialist doctors who reported once) and co‐medication (0.025 caused by all groups). The experiences of the four groups were also very positive. They all find the feedback information of Lareb reliable, scientifically well considered and to the point.

Conclusions

General practitioners and specialist doctors are satisfied about the follow‐up information and they like to see the same format of information and communication in the future. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Sterilisation within Long and Narrow Bore Dielectric Tubes Contaminated with Stacked Bacterial Spores
Authors: Pollak Jérôme , Moisan Michel , Kéroack Danielle , Séguin Jacynthe , Barbeau Jean
Published: November 2007

Catheters, which comprise small diameter (≤4 mm), long (typically more than a meter), thermosensitive polymer tubings, are generally used only once. This is because conventional low temperature sterilisation techniques are considered inadequate for used catheters. The plasma sterilisation method proposed in the current paper should allow for the achievement of re‐sterilisation of catheters according to accepted regulations. The plasma process described enables one to sterilise, in less than 10 min, the inner part of a long 4 mm i.d. Teflon tube contaminated initially with 106 Bacillus atrophaeus spores. This result was obtained by achieving an argon discharge at reduced pressure (750 mTorr) within the hollow (dielectric) tube itself. The discharge was sustained using a microwave field‐applicator called a stripline, fully enclosing the tube to be treated. This linear field‐applicator yields a uniform plasma all along the tube, hence the uniform biocide action. The biocide agents are the vacuum ultra‐violet (VUV) photons, which include oxygen and nitrogen atomic lines, the N2 Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) bands, the UV photons emitted by the NOβ and NOγ molecular systems resulting from the contamination, even though at a very low‐level, of the argon gas (high purity argon is used) by air. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed no apparent damage to the external structure of the spores and to polystyrene microspheres exposed to plasma during the time required for reaching sterility.

To check for sterility in such narrow bore tubes without having to cut them into two pieces, a procedure was developed to introduce and afterwards collect the bacterial spores used as bio‐indicators. This diagnostic procedure allowed, at the same time, the imaging of the microorganisms relatively efficiently with SEM, showing the eventual stacking of bacterial spores, a possible source of sterilisation failure.

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Leg cramps: the underlying causes and available treatments
Authors: Salih Abdelrazig
Published: November 2007

Leg cramps are a painful and common complaint, especially in older patients and
pregnant women. Here the author describes the various causes and the range of physical and drug therapies available. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Simpler gluten‐free prescribing
Authors: Brack Graham
Published: November 2007

The wide range of glutenfree products available can cause confusion for GPs,
pharmacists and patients. Here the author describes a new scheme that assesses patient requirements and simplifies dispensing. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
Nonmedical prescribing: clinics for long‐term conditions
Authors: Lavender Graham
Published: November 2007

Our series Nonmedical prescribing gives an overview of the work that can be done by nonmedical prescribers and what can be achieved. Here Graham Lavender, a supplementary pharmacist in Southampton, describes his role in managing patients with long‐term conditions. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
The interaction of arginine‐ and tryptophan‐rich cyclic hexapeptides with Escherichia coli membranes
Authors: Junkes Christof , Wessolowski Axel , Farnaud Sebastien , Evans Robert W. , Good Liam , Bienert Michael , Dathe Margitta
Published: November 2007

Cyclization of R‐ and W‐rich hexapeptides has been found to enhance specifically the antimicrobial activity against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. To gain insight into the role of the bacterial outer membrane in mediating selectivity, we assayed the activity of cyclic hexapeptides derived from the parent sequence c‐(RRWWRF) against several E. coli strains and Bacillus subtilis, L‐form bacteria, and E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant strains, and we also investigated the peptide‐induced permeabilization of the outer and inner membrane of E. coli. Wall‐deficient L‐form bacteria were distinctly less susceptible than the wild type strain. The patterns of peptide‐induced permeabilization of the outer and inner E. coli membranes correlated well with the antimicrobial activity, confirming that membrane permeabilization is a detrimental effect of the peptides upon bacteria. Truncation of LPS had no influence on the activity of the cyclic parent peptide, but the highly active c‐(RRWFWR), with three adjacent aromatic residues, required the complete LPS for maximal activity. Furthermore, differences in the activity of the parent peptide and its all‐D sequence indicated stereospecific interactions with the LPS mutant strains. We suggest that, depending on the primary sequence of the peptides, either hydrophobic interactions with the fatty acid chains of lipid A, or electrostatic interactions disturbing the polar core region and interference with saccharide‐saccharide interactions prevail in the barrier‐disturbing effect upon the outer membrane and thereby provide peptide accessibility to the inner membrane. The results underline the importance of tryptophan and arginine residues and their relative location for a high antimicrobial effect, and the activity‐modulating function of the outer membrane of E. coli. In addition to membrane permeabilization, the data provided evidence for the involvement of other mechanisms in growth inhibition and killing of bacteria. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermomechanical Formation and Recovery of Nanoindents in a Shape Memory Polymer Studied Using a Heated Tip
Authors: Yang Fuzheng , Wornyo Edem , Gall Ken , King William P.
Published: November 2007

This paper investigates the thermomechanical formation and recovery of nanometer‐scale indents in a shape memory polymer (SMP), studied using a heated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and hot‐stage atomic force microscopy. The material tested is a tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA)‐based polymer, which has a glass transition temperature of 60 °C. The AFM tip forms indents in the polymer in the temperature range 25–250 °C. The shape recovery of the indents is studied while the polymer is heated up to 100 °C. The temperature required for complete annealing of the indents depends upon the indentation formation conditions, with higher temperature formation corresponding to higher temperature recovery. SCANNING 29: 000–V000, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parkhaus CHL Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg: Verbunddecken mit Faserbeton
Authors: Brauch Jaques , Wolperding Gernot
Published: November 2007

In Luxemburg wurde für das “Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg” im Jahr 2006 in einer Bauzeit von acht Monaten ein Parkhaus gebaut, bei dem das erste Mal Stahlfaserbeton in Verbindung mit Verbunddecken eingesetzt wurde. Durch die gesparte Zeit für die Armierung wurde der Bauablauf verkürzt.

Das 4‐geschossige Gebäude hat eine Grundfläche von 125 m × 43,6 m und ist im Bereich der Decken fugenlos. Es bietet in vier Ebenen 643 Stellplätze und auf dem Dach einen Landeplatz für einen Hubschrauber.
Zur praktischen Ermittlung der Verformungen von Verbundträgern und Flachdeckensystemen unter Berücksichtigung der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundfuge
Authors: Hanswille Gerhard , Schäfer Markus
Published: November 2007

Bei Trägern und Flachdeckensystemen in Verbundbauweise wird die Verdübelung überwiegend mit duktilen Verbundmitteln, wie z. B. mit Kopfbolzendübeln, realisiert. Die Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundmittel kann insbesondere bei Trägern mit teilweiser Verdübelung und/oder unterbrochener Verbundfuge das Verformungsverhalten nennenswert beeinflussen. Bei Flachdeckensystemen ist wegen der speziellen Querschnittsgeometrie ebenfalls ein nennenswerter Einfluss der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundmittel auf das Verformungsverhalten vorhanden. Da genauere Berechnungen unter Berücksichtigung der Nachgiebigkeit der Verdübelung im Allgemeinen relativ aufwendig sind, wird ein vereinfachtes baupraktisches Berechnungsmodell vorgestellt, mit dem der Einfluss der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundfuge auf die Verformungen von Verbundträgern und Flachdeckensystemen einfach beurteilt werden kann.
Synthesis of Novel Water‐Soluble Aminodeoxychitin Derivatives
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Seidi Farzad , Salimi Hamid
Published: November 2007

Eight new chitin derivatives have been synthesized via SN2 reaction of primary and secondary amines with tosylchitin. The products were characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. A degree of substitution ˜ 1 was achieved through this process. These materials are soluble in water at room temperature, which enable their further applications in the future.
Comparison Between Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzyme and Conventional Enzymes for Ethanol Production from Maize Starch with Different Amylose: Amylopectin Ratios
Authors: Sharma Vivek , Rausch Kent D. , Tumbleson Mike E. , Singh Vijay
Published: November 2007

The effect of enzyme treatments (granular starch hydrolyzing and conventional enzymes) and different amylose: amylopectin ratios of maize starch on ethanol production was evaluated. For starch treatments, amylose: amylopectin ratios were prepared by mixing commercially available Hylon VII (70% amylose and 30% amylopectin) and Amioca (˜100% amylopectin) starches. For maize treatments, waxy, high amylose and regular dent hybrids were used to represent varying amylose: amylopectin ratios. All hydrolyses followed by fermentations were conducted at 15% solids content. Differences were observed in ethanol yields among granular starch hydrolyzing and conventional enzymes. Differences also were observed in ethanol yields between different amylose: amylopectin ratios for pure starch and maize samples. For starch samples, final ethanol concentrations varied from 2.2 to 9.1% (v/v) for fermentation with granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme and from 6.7 to 9.3% (v/v) for conventional enzymes. Higher ethanol concentrations were observed for Amioca starch for both enzymes. For maize samples, final ethanol concentrations were highest for waxy maize for both granular starch hydrolyzing (8.2%, v/v) and conventional (8.2%, v/v) enzymes. Lowest ethanol concentrations were observed for high‐amylose maize samples for granular starch hydrolyzing (6.3%, v/v) and conventional (5.2%, v/v) enzymes.
Screening for trisomy 21 during the routine second‐trimester ultrasound examination in an unselected Chilean population
Authors: Parra‐Cordero M. , Quiroz L. , Rencoret G. , Pedraza D. , Muñoz H. , Soto‐Chacón E. , Miranda‐Mendoza I.
Published: November 2007

Objective

To evaluate the performance of a detailed ultrasound examination during the second trimester as a screening test for Down syndrome in an unselected Chilean population.

Methods

This was part of an ongoing longitudinal study. Included were 3071 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine ultrasound examination between 21 + 0 and 25 + 6 gestational weeks as a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities and major congenital structural defects, and who were diagnosed as having trisomy 21 or being chromosomally normal. Maternal age, and eight soft markers and cardiac defects associated with Down syndrome were evaluated as a screening test using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The incidence of Down syndrome was 0.6%, and the mean maternal age was 29.4 ± 6.2 years. At least one of four soft markers (absent nasal bone, nuchal edema, short femur, echogenic foci) and/or cardiac defects was present in 77.8% of Down syndrome fetuses and in 3.1% of normal fetuses. Furthermore, with a false‐positive rate of 1%, the detection rate using the combined model of ultrasound markers and maternal age was 72.2%.

Conclusions

Second‐trimester ultrasound markers are able to detect over 70% of Down syndrome fetuses with only a 1% false‐positive rate. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An interlaboratory comparison of bone lead measurements via K‐shell x‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Parsons P. J. , Bellis D. J. , Hetter K. M. , Geraghty C. , Berglind N. A. , Ginde N. R. , Mata P. , Todd A. C.
Published: November 2007

Bone lead measurements assess chronic exposure and can be obtained via a noninvasive analytical technique based on K‐she ll x‐ray fluorescence (KXRF) spectrometry. While KXRF has been practiced by a number of laboratories around the world, this technique has not, until now, undergone an assessment of interlaboratory agreement. The study described here provides such an assessment via circulation of nine bare tibiae selected from a repository of bones that were derived from lead‐dosed goats. Fifteen KXRF systems were used by ten participating laboratories, to make five measurements on each of the nine caprine tibiae. Reported bone lead concentrations ranged from the KXRF detection limit to 63 µg g−1 bone mineral. None of the data from the ten participant laboratories was found to be a statistical outlier. However for each of the nine tibiae, differences between the 15 reported bone lead concentrations were statistically significant. The standard deviations of the five replicate KXRF‐measured concentrations ranged, across all laboratories and all tibiae, from 0.5 to 6.5 µg g−1, bone mineral. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and ethanol on the Albino rat testis: A scanning electron microscopic approach
Authors: Sivasankaran T.G. , Udayakumar R. , Elanchezhiyan C. , Sabhanayakam Selvi
Published: November 2007

The effects of sildenafil citrate with ethanol on the rat testis was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Male Albino rats were divided into 8 groups, each being treated for a maximum of 45 days as follows. In the 4 short‐term treatment groups, control rats were administered normal saline orally, whereas experimental animals were fed sildenafil citrate (Viagra) 1 μg/g with 18% ethanol (5 g/kg body weight), which was given orally as a single dose. After 1, 2.5, 4 and 24 h the rats were killed. In the 4 long‐term treatment groups, daily continuous doses of drug and ethanol with a single dosage were given for 15, 30 and 45 days and the animals killed 4 h after the last dosage. Changes in the testis were compared with the normal healthy rat testis. The use of a scanning electron microscope for evaluation of the changes in the testis is more suitable for observation of the surface and morphological shapes of the tissue structures.
Adenovirus‐mediated RNA interference against collagen‐specific molecular chaperone 47‐KDa heat shock protein suppresses scar formation on mouse wounds
Authors: Wang Zuolin , Li Lin
Published: November 2007

It has been shown in many investigations that the abnormally increasing production and deposition of collagen is one of the important mechanisms of pathological scars and other fibrotic diseases [Wang Z, Inokuchi T, Nemoto TK, Uehara M, Baba TT. Antisense oligonucleotide against collagen‐specific molecular chaperone 47‐kDa heat shock protein suppresses scar formation in rat wounds. Plast Reconstr Surg 2003 May; 111(6):1980–7; Obayashi K, Akamatsu H, Okano Y, Matsunage K, Masaki H. Exogenous nitric oxide enhances the synthesis of type I collagen and heat shock protein 47 by normal human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci 2006 Feb; 41(2): 121–6 [e pub. 2005 Sep 19]; Kakugawa T, Mukae H, Hayashi T, Ishii H, Nakayama S, Sakamoto N, et‐al. Expression of HSP47 in usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Respir Res 2005 Jun;14(6): 57; Razzaque MS, Taguchi T. The possible role of colligin/HSP47, a collagen‐binding protein, in the pathogenesis of human and experimental fibrotic diseases. Histol Histopathol 1999 Oct; 14(4): 1199–1212; Sharp PA. RNA interference—2001. Genes Dev 2001 Mar 1; 15(5): 485–90; Ohashi S, Abe H, Takahashi T, Yamamoto Y, Takeuchi M, Arai H, et‐al. Advanced glycation end products increase collagen‐specific chaperone protein in mouse diabetic nephropathy. J Biol Chem 2004 May 7; 279(19): 19816–23 [epub 2004 Mar 5]]. RNA interference is the process that double‐stranded RNA induces the homology‐dependent degradation of cognate mRNA mediated by 21–23 nucleotide short interfering RNA (siRNA). In this study, we investigated the effect of HSP47‐specific siRNA on the fibroblast cells, and then constructed adenovirus containing siRNA against HSP47 to inhibit the formation of scar in animal model. In this pilot study, HSP47 was targeted by this vector. Our results showed that the HSP47‐specific siRNA could inhibit the expression of HSP47 at the level of mRNA and protein. Furthermore, adenovirus‐mediated transfer of siRNA against HSP47 could inhibit the expression of type I collagen and the formation of scar tissue in animal model. It is likely that the inhibition of HSP47 by RNA interference (RNAi) could be developed as a powerful approach to prevent the scar formation.
Return to work after thoracic organ transplantation in a clinically‐stable population
Authors: Petrucci Lucia , Ricotti Susanna , Michelini Ilaria , Vitulo Patrizio , Oggionni Tiberio , Cascina Alessandro , D'Armini Andrea M. , Goggi Claudio , Campana Carlo , Viganò Mario , Dalla‐Toffola Elena , Tinelli Carmine , Klersy Catherine
Published: November 2007

Purpose

To evaluate the rate of return to work after transplantation and its determinants in a clinically‐stable population of patients transplanted and followed‐up at a single institution in Italy.

Methods

151 thoracic organ transplant recipients (72 lung, 79 heart) were examined. Patients were asked about daily activities, level of education, employment and clinical condition. A six‐minute walking test was performed with measurement of dyspnoea using the Borg scale. Quality of Life was evaluated with the SF‐36 and GHQ questionnaires.

Results

Before transplantation 131 patients (87%), (70 heart and 61 lung) worked. After transplantation, 51 patients (39%) went back to work and 3 more started working. We found that younger age, a better quality of life (mainly in the mental domain), having had an occupation previously (particularly as an entrepreneur/freelancer), and having been off work for less than 24months, were independent predictors of return to work.

Conclusions

Considering their good, objective and subjective, functional status, some patients who could have returned to work, chose not to. Identifying factors which affect return to work might help health professionals to adopt the best course of treatment and psychological support in order to fulfil this goal; however, return to work should not be considered as the only expression of a patient's real psychophysical condition.
Book review
Authors: Hauptman Paul J.
Published: November 2007

Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure, Mario C. Deng, Yoshifumi Naka, World Scientific Publishing Co., (2007), ISBN: 9781860947735 (paperback), 9781860947285 (hardcover)
Neurohumoral effects of the new orally active renin inhibitor, aliskiren, in chronic heart failure
Authors: Seed Alison , Gardner Roy , McMurray John , Hillier Chris , Murdoch David , MacFadyen Robert , Bobillier Alain , Mann Jessica , McDonagh Theresa
Published: November 2007

Background

Suppression of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is therapeutically valuable in chronic heart failure (CHF). RAAS inhibition can be achieved in a number of ways though an orally active renin inhibitor (RI) has never been studied before. We describe the neurohumoral effects of an RI.

Methods and results

27 patients with NYHA class II or III CHF and an ejection fraction ≤0.35, were randomised to placebo, the ACE inhibitor ramipril or the RI aliskiren for 1week after a 5–7day washout period following ACE inhibitor withdrawal. Thereafter, patients were treated with either ramipril (target dose 10mg qd) or aliskiren (target dose 300mg qd) for a further 5weeks. Plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II, aldosterone and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured at baseline (pre‐randomisation), after one week and at two week intervals thereafter. The mean changes (%) at the end of the study (6weeks), compared with baseline, were: PRA 164.9 (SD 149)% ramipril, −60.1 (24)% aliskiren (between groups p value<0.0001); angiotensin II 39.7 (138)% ramipril, −51.4 (40)% aliskiren (p<0.05); aldosterone −0.94 (67)% ramipril, 4.74 (60)% aliskiren (p=n.s.); BNP‐7.51 (38)% ramipril, −1.79 (43)% aliskiren (p=n.s.).

Conclusions

Aliskiren appeared to suppress the RAAS as effectively as ramipril in the short term. RIs may offer an alternative therapeutic approach to the blockade of the RAAS.
Role of NAD binding and catalytic residues in the C‐terminal binding protein corepressor
Authors: Mani-Telang Priya , Sutrias-Grau Montserrat , Williams Geoffrey , Arnosti David N.
Published: November 2007

CtBP corepressor proteins potentiate the activity of many metazoan transcriptional repressors. These proteins are homologous to prokaryotic D‐2‐hydroxyacid dehydrogenases, possessing an NAD/NADH binding fold and conserved active site residues. When expressed in Drosophila, a catalytic site mutant retains biological activity, however, we find that an NAD binding mutant lacks biological activity. The NAD mutant, similar to a dimerization mutant, is expressed at low levels, indicating that binding of NAD/NADH may affect CtBP stability. These data support the idea that the ancestral dehydrogenase activity is not required for CtBP function, and NAD binding may play a regulatory, rather than catalytic, role.