bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous elevation of PTH increases the number of osteoblasts via both osteoclast-dependent and -independent mechanisms
Authors: Jilka Robert L , O'Brien Charles A , Bartell Shoshana M , Weinstein Robert S , Manolagas Stavros C
Published: June 2010

Sustained parathyroid hormone (PTH) elevation stimulates bone remodeling (ie, both resorption and formation). The former results from increased RANKL synthesis, but the cause of the latter has not been established. Current hypotheses include release of osteoblastogenic factors from osteoclasts or from the bone matrix during resorption, modulation of the production and activity of osteoblastogenic factors from cells of the osteoblast lineage, and increased angiogenesis. To dissect the contribution of these mechanisms, 6-month-old Swiss-Webster mice were infused for 5 days with 470 ng/h PTH(1-84) or 525 ng/h soluble RANKL (sRANKL). Both agents increased osteoclasts and osteoblasts in vertebral cancellous bone, but the ratio of osteoblasts to osteoclasts and the increase in bone formation was greater in PTH-treated mice. Cancellous bone mass was maintained in mice receiving PTH but lost in mice receiving sRANKL, indicating that maintenance of balanced remodeling requires osteoblastogenic effects beyond those mediated by osteoclasts. Consistent with this contention, PTH, but not sRANKL, decreased the level of the Wnt antagonist sclerostin and increased the expression of the Wnt target genes Nkd2, Wisp1, and Twist1. Furthermore, PTH, but not sRANKL, increased the number of blood vessels in the bone marrow. Weekly injections of the RANKL antagonist osteoprotegerin at 10 µg/g for 2 weeks prior to PTH infusion eliminated osteoclasts and osteoblasts and prevented the PTH-induced increase in osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and blood vessels. These results indicate that PTH stimulates osteoclast-dependent as well as osteoclast-independent (Wnt signaling) pro-osteoblastogenic pathways, both of which are required for balanced focal bone remodeling in cancellous bone. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone density and hyperlipidemia: The T-lymphocyte connection
Authors: Graham Lucia S , Tintut Yin , Parhami Farhad , Kitchen Christina MR , Ivanov Yevgeniv , Tetradis Sotirios , Effros Rita B
Published: June 2010

Osteoporosis, which contributes to morbidity and mortality, often coexists with cardiovascular disease, especially atherosclerosis. We have reported recently that in vitro exposure of human T-lymphocytes to oxidized lipids induced expression of a key osteoclastogenic cytokine, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Our previous studies have shown that mice fed an atherogenic high-fat diet developed osteopenia and that bone marrow preosteoclasts from these hyperlipidemic mice have increased osteoclastic potential. To investigate the role of T-lymphocytes in the diet-induced bone loss, C57BL/6 mice were fed either chow or a high-fat diet, and bone parameters and T-lymphocyte activation were assessed at 6 and 11 months. Consistent with our previous findings, peripheral quantitative computed tomographic (pQCT) analysis showed that mice in the high-fat group had lower bone mineral content than mice in the chow group. Furthermore, histomorphometric analysis showed decreased structural parameters in the high-fat group. Coculture studies showed that bone marrow cells isolated from the high-fat group, which contained increased levels of activated memory T-lymphocytes compared with bone marrow cells from the chow mice, supported osteoclastic differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, RANKL expression was upregulated significantly in the T-lymphocytes isolated from the bone marrow of the high-fat group. Splenic T-lymphocytes isolated from the high-fat group also had increased expression of transcripts for the receptor for oxidized lipids (LOX-1) as well as for inflammatory and osteoclastogenic cytokines, including RANKL, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-1β, and interferon γ (IFN-γ). Together these findings suggest that T-lymphocytes play a key role in the osteoclastogenesis induced by a high-fat diet and may contribute to the bone loss associated with diet-induced osteopenia. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Visualizing of the cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of exosomes by live‐cell microscopy
Authors: Tian Tian , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Haitao , Zhu Zhaoqi , Xiao Zhongdang
Published: June 2010

Cells release exosomes to transfer various molecules to other cells. Exosomes are involved in a number of physiological and pathological processes. They are emerging great potential utility for diseases diagnosis and treatment recently. However, the internalization and intracellular trafficking of exosomes have not been described clearly. In this work, exosomes were isolated from the culture medium of PC12 cells, labeled by lipophilic dye and amino‐reactive fluorophore, incubated with resting PC12 cells. The results of live‐cell microscopy indicated that exosomes were internalized through endocytosis pathway, trapped in vesicles, and transported to perinuclear region. Particle tracking fluorescent vesicles suggested that the active transport of exosomes may be mediated by cytoskeleton. The proteins on exosome membrane were found to be released from exosomes and trapped in lysosome. The inverted transport of lipophilic dye from perinuclear region to cell peripheries was revealed, possibly caused by recycling of the exosome lipids. This study provides new sight into the mechanisms of exosome uptake and intracellular fate. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 488–496, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Culturally relevant family‐based treatment for adolescent delinquency and substance abuse: understanding within‐session processes
Authors: Cunningham Phillippe B. , Foster Sharon L. , Warner Sarah E.
Published: June 2010

Identifying psychotherapy processes that likely contribute to client outcome with ethnic minorities is a vital practice and research need, particularly within family‐focused, evidence‐based treatments (EBT) for youth with externalizing problems. Identifying process variables within a cross‐cultural context may improve the efficacy of EBTs by informing psychotherapists how to modify their behavior when working with ethnically diverse clients. The authors described one approach to the development of culturally competent psychotherapy, using an observational coding system comprising Afrocentric codes to investigate culturally relevant therapist behaviors. Qualitative examples illustrated the quantitative findings relating to therapist in‐session behavior that promote client engagement and positive responding during a midtreatment session of multisystemic therapy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 66:1–17, 2010.
Impact of KCNE subunits on KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) channel membrane surface targeting
Authors: Roura‐Ferrer Meritxell , Solé Laura , Oliveras Anna , Dahan Rinat , Bielanska Joanna , Villarroel Álvaro , Comes Núria , Felipe Antonio
Published: June 2010

The KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) channel plays an important role in cardiovascular physiology. Cardiomyocytes co‐express KCNQ1 with KCNE1‐5 proteins. KCNQ1 may co‐associate with multiple KCNE regulatory subunits to generate different biophysically and pharmacologically distinct channels. Increasing evidence indicates that the location and targeting of channels are important determinants of their function. In this context, the presence of K+ channels in sphingolipid–cholesterol‐enriched membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) is under investigation. Lipid rafts are important for cardiovascular functioning. We aimed to determine whether KCNE subunits modify the localization and targeting of KCNQ1 channels in lipid rafts microdomains. HEK‐293 cells were transiently transfected with KCNQ1 and KCNE1–5, and their traffic and presence in lipid rafts were analyzed. Only KCNQ1 and KCNE3, when expressed alone, co‐localized in raft fractions. In addition, while KCNE2 and KCNE5 notably stained the cell surface, KCNQ1 and the rest of the KCNEs showed strong intracellular retention. KCNQ1 targets multiple membrane surface microdomains upon association with KCNE peptides. Thus, while KCNQ1/KCNE1 and KCNQ1/KCNE2 channels target lipid rafts, KCNQ1 associated with KCNE3–5 did not. Channel membrane dynamics, analyzed by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments, further supported these results. In conclusion, the trafficking and targeting pattern of KCNQ1 can be influenced by its association with KCNEs. Since KCNQ1 is crucial for cardiovascular physiology, the temporal and spatial regulations that different KCNE subunits may confer to the channels could have a dramatic impact on membrane electrical activity and putative endocrine regulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 692–700, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) inhibits apoptosis in human osteoblasts by β‐catenin stabilization
Authors: Mrak Emanuela , Guidobono Francesca , Moro Gianluigi , Fraschini Gianfranco , Rubinacci Alessandro , Villa Isabella
Published: June 2010

Transgenic mice over‐expressing calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in osteoblasts have increased bone density due to increased bone formation, thus suggesting that CGRP plays a role in bone metabolism. In this study we determined the relationship between CGRP, the canonical Wnt signaling and apoptosis in human osteoblasts (hOBs) in consideration of the well‐documented involvement of this pathway in bone cells. Primary cultures of hOBs were treated with CGRP 10−8 M. Levels of β‐catenin, which is the cytoplasmic protein mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, and mRNA were determined. CGRP increases both the expression and the levels of cytoplasmic β‐catenin by binding to its receptor, as this effect is blocked by the antagonist CGRP8–37. This facilitatory action on β‐catenin appears to be mediated by the inhibition of the enzyme GSK‐3β via protein kinase A (PKA) activation. GSK‐3β is a glycogen synthase kinase that, by phosphorylating β‐catenin, promotes its degradation by the proteosomal machinery. Moreover, the peptide is able to inhibit hOBs apoptosis stimulated by dexamethasone or by serum deprivation, possibly through the accumulation of β‐catenin, since the inhibitor of PKA activity H89 partially prevents the antiapoptotic effect of the peptide. In conclusion CGRP, released by nerve fibers, exerts its anabolic action on bone cells by stimulating canonical Wnt signaling and by inhibiting hOBs apoptosis, thus favoring local bone regeneration. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 701–708, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activin A and bone metastasis
Authors: Leto Gaetano
Published: June 2010

Activin A, is a multifunctional cytokine of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily of growth factors. This molecule has been shown to be implicated in the regulation of a broad range of important biological functions including bone remodelling. Therefore, a deregulation in the activin signalling pathway may result in disturbances of normal bone metabolism and, eventually, in the onset of severe pathological conditions associated with an altered bone resorption. These observations support the concept that Act A might also be implicated in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis. This review provides insight into the most recent advances in understanding the role of this growth factor in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis, and discusses the implications related to the biomedical applications of these findings. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 302–309, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase is largely involved in the regulation of tricellular tight junctions via tricellulin in human pancreatic duct epithelial cells
Authors: Kojima Takashi , Fuchimoto Jun , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Ito Tatsuya , Takasawa Akira , Ninomiya Takafumi , Kikuchi Shin , Ogasawara Noriko , Ohkuni Tsuyoshi , Masaki Tomoyuki , Hirata Koichi , Himi Tetsuo , Sawada Norimasa
Published: June 2010

Tricellulin (TRIC) is a tight junction protein at tricellular contacts where three epithelial cells meet, and it is required for the maintenance of the epithelial barrier. To investigate whether TRIC is regulated via a c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, human pancreatic HPAC cells, highly expressed at tricellular contacts, were exposed to various stimuli such as the JNK activators anisomycin and 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate (TPA), and the proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, TNFα, and IL‐1α. TRIC expression and the barrier function were moderated by treatment with the JNK activator anisomycin, and suppressed not only by inhibitors of JNK and PKC but also by siRNAs of TRIC. TRIC expression was induced by treatment with the PKC activator TPA and proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, TNFα, and IL‐1α, whereas the changes were inhibited by a JNK inhibitor. Furthermore, in normal human pancreatic duct epithelial cells using hTERT‐transfected primary cultured cells, the responses of TRIC expression to the various stimuli were similar to those in HPAC cells. TRIC expression in tricellular tight junctions is strongly regulated together with the barrier function via the JNK transduction pathway. These findings suggest that JNK may be involved in the regulation of tricellular tight junctions including TRIC expression and the barrier function during normal remodeling of epithelial cells, and prevent disruption of the epithelial barrier in inflammation and other disorders in pancreatic duct epithelial cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 720–733, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ilim Pulp, blending former Russian state enterprises, creates a corporate university to change culture, become an industry leader
Authors: Latuha Marina O.
Published: June 2010

This article describes the establishment of a corporate university in a Russian company. Following the economic restructuring of the country, training and personnel development became vital ingredients in the company's long‐term strategy. In these turbulent conditions, the company realized that it needed to have the training and personnel development characterized by continuity on the one hand and revolutionary changes in organizational culture on the other. If this could be achieved, it would encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and change in the internal processes of the organization. The case describes the stages, programs, and basic components of the corporate university model. It not only illustrates the basic issues in the application of corporate training theory, but also analyzes the risks and problems for the company in the project's realization. The article concludes with a description of how the corporate university developed after its initiation, and some conclusions about the overall success of the project. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The profile of a successful midlevel manager at AstraZeneca proves that great leaders aren't only in the c‐suite
Authors: Hurd Jean L.
Published: June 2010

The company's wise investment in a high‐potential leader has paid big dividends for the organizations she has led. Rose Ann Scanlon's success in getting breakthrough business results is due to a leadership style rooted in an unshakeable belief in the power of fully engaged employees and the responsibility of their leaders to be an enabling influence every step of the way. The author traces Rose Ann's journey from lawyer to midlevel manager, and then draws on feedback from bosses, direct reports, and peers to characterize the aspects of Rose Ann's leadership approach that make her so effective in taking her organizations to new levels of performance, and in grooming other transformational leaders. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Raman spectroscopy of hydrogen arsenate group (AsO3OH)2− in solid‐state compounds: cobalt‐containing zinc arsenate mineral, koritnigite (Zn,Co)(AsO3OH)·H2O
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Sejkora Jiří , Čejka Jiří , Plášil Jakub , Bahfenne Silmarilly , Keeffe Elloise C.
Published: June 2010

Raman spectra of two well‐defined types of koritnigite crystals from the Jáchymov ore district, Czech Republic, were recorded and interpreted. No substantial differences were observed between both crystal types. The observed Raman bands were attributed to the (AsO3OH)2− stretching and bending vibrations as well as stretching and bending vibrations of water molecules and hydroxyl ions. The non‐interpreted Raman spectra of koritnigite from the RRUFF database and the published infrared spectra of cobaltkoritnigite were used for comparison. The OH···O hydrogen bond lengths in the crystal structure of koritnigite were inferred from the Raman spectra and compared with those derived from the X‐ray single‐crystal refinement. The presence of (AsO3OH)2− units in the crystal structure of koritnigite was proved from the Raman spectra, which supports the conclusions of the X‐ray structure analysis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fractionation of phosphopeptides on strong anion‐exchange capillary trap column for large‐scale phosphoproteome analysis of microgram samples
Authors: Wang Fangjun , Han Guanghui , Yu Zhiyuan , Jiang Xinning , Sun Shutao , Chen Rui , Ye Mingliang , Zou Hanfa
Published: June 2010

It is one of the key issues to develop powerful fractionating method to increase the identification of the low‐abundance phosphopeptides. In this study, a semi‐online 2‐D LC separation strategy based on three‐step fractionation of the enriched peptides on strong anion‐exchange trap column was developed. It was demonstrated that the sensitivity and phosphoproteome coverage obtained by this fractionating method with strong anion‐exchange trap column is much higher than those by the conventional methods based on C18 trap column. In addition, when the same amount of sample was loaded, the number of identified phosphopeptides had increased 108%. Combination of this three‐step fractionation method with RPLC‐MS/MS analysis by 300 min RP‐gradient separation was applied to phosphoproteome analysis of human liver proteins, and 853 unique phosphopeptides was positively identified from 500 μg tryptic digest of human liver proteins. After three cycles' consecutive analyses, 1554 unique phosphopeptides and 1566 phosphorylated sites were totally identified from 735 phosphorylated proteins at a false discovery rate of <1% in about 54 h of analysis time.
Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of E121 in mouse plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics
Authors: Matar Kamal M. , El‐Hashim Ahmed Z. , Edafiogho Ivan O.
Published: June 2010

A rapid LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of an enaminone analog, E121 in mouse plasma using E118 as an internal standard (IS) has been developed and validated. The analyte was analyzed on C18 column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/methanol/ammonium acetate/formic acid (60:20:20:0.025, v/v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. Quantitation was achieved using ESI+ interface, employing MRM mode at m/z 308>262 and 222>194 for E121 and IS, respectively. The calibration standards were linear over a range of 0.10–20 μg/mL (r2>0.99) with an LLOQ of 0.1 μg/mL (RSD%; 11.4% and bias%; 9.5%). Intra‐ and inter‐run precision of E121 assay ranged from 3.7 to 10.9% with accuracy (bias) that varied between −10.0 and 12.0%, demonstrating good precision and accuracy. Recoveries of E121 and the IS from plasma were above 80%. Stability of E121 in plasma showed that the analyte was stable under various conditions. The matrix effect study showed a lack of effect. The applicability of the developed method was demonstrated by measuring E121 in mouse plasma samples following intraperitoneal administration of various doses ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg and this study demonstrates that E121 exhibits linear kinetics in the dose range studied.
Simultaneous determination of yohimbine, sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil in dietary supplements using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Ying , Huang Zhiqiang , Ding Li , Yan Hongfei , Wang Meiling , Zhu Shaohua
Published: June 2010

A simple and sensitive method was developed for determination of illegal adulterants (yohimbine, sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil) in dietary supplements by HPLC‐MS/MS. The separation was achieved on a C18 column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% acetic acid aqueous solution with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The analytes were quantified and identified by two characteristic transitions using the multiple‐reaction monitoring mode. The recoveries of the analytes ranged from 77.5 to 109.3% with the RSD less than 8.1% (n=6). The method has been successfully applied to screen illegal adulterations of natural dietary supplements.
Development and validation of an ultra high‐performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of a diastereomeric impurity in (+)‐pinoresinol diglucoside chemical reference substance
Authors: Song Jing‐Zheng , Cheung Lok Man , Liu Xin , Qiao Chun‐Feng , Zhou Yan , Li Song‐Lin , Chen Shi‐Lin , Xu Hong‐Xi
Published: June 2010

(+)‐Pinoresinol 4,4′‐di‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside ((+)‐PDG) is one of the major lignans with various pharmacological activities which could be isolated from Duzhong and other plant species. In this study, a diastereomeric impurity, (−)‐pinoresinol 4,4′‐di‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside ((−)‐PDG), the main impurity was identified in (+)‐PDG chemical reference substance (CRS) and a reliable chromatographic method for rapid purity determination of (+)‐PDG CRS was firstly developed. The optimal chromatographic condition was found to be using ACN/1,4‐dioxane–water (2.5:6:91.5, v/v/v) as mobile phase on a Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) with column temperature of 37°C. The method was validated and applied to determine the chromatographic purity of five (+)‐PDG CRS samples. The content of (−)‐PDG in four commercial (+)‐PDG CRS was 8.47–20.30%, whereas no (−)‐PDG was detected in our in‐house prepared (+)‐PDG CRS in which purity was confirmed to be 99.80%. The above results confirmed that this method is fast and highly efficient for purity determination of the (+)‐PDG CRS.
Development of magnetic octadecylsilane particles as solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for the determination of fat‐soluble vitamins in fruit juice‐milk beverage by capillary liquid chromatography
Authors: Hu Chaofan , Jia Li , Liu Qingqing , Zhang Sheng
Published: June 2010

A sensitive, fast and simple method based on magnetic octadecylsilane particles was developed for the extraction of three fat‐soluble vitamins followed by capillary LC (CLC) analysis with UV detection. Magnetic octadecylsilane particles were prepared based on three‐step reactions including co‐precipitation, sol‐gel polymerization and alkylation. The characterization of the prepared product was studied by scanning electron microscope and Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry. The particles were used as magnetic SPE adsorbent for the extraction of fat‐soluble vitamins in fruit juice‐milk beverage. The extraction condition and efficiency of the particles for fat‐soluble vitamins were investigated. By coupling magnetic SPE with capillary LC with UV detection, low concentrations of fat‐soluble vitamins in fruit juice‐milk beverage can be detected without the interference from other substances in the sample matrix.
Automated stir plate (bar) sorptive extraction coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Yu Chunhe , Hu Bin
Published: June 2010

Automated methods of PDMS/β‐CD/divinylbenzene‐coated stir plate sorptive extraction (SPSE) coupled to HPLC‐fluorescence detector were reported for the first time. Three automation modes, static SPSE, circular flow SPSE and continuous flow SPSE, were evaluated and critically compared with stir bar sorptive extraction by using six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as model analytes. It was found that the operable sample volume for circular flow SPSE and continuous flow SPSE was larger than that for static SPSE. Under the same extraction conditions, continuous flow SPSE exhibited the highest extraction efficiencies in all automated modes and manual stir bar sorptive extraction for the target compounds. Compared with the manual operation (approximately 5–10 min), automated SPSE required a relatively short time (117–180 s) to finish sampling, washing and sample loading. Besides being labor‐saving and time‐saving, automated SPSE has other advantages, such as no time limit and non‐attended operation. The proposed continuous flow PDMS/β‐CD/divinylbenzene‐coated SPSE‐HPLC‐fluorescence detector was successfully applied to environmental water analysis.
Modeling the electrophoresis of oligoglycines
Authors: Allison Stuart A. , Pei Hongxia , Twahir Umar , Wu Hengfu , Cottet Herve
Published: June 2010

The electrophoretic mobility of low molecular mass oligoglycines is examined in this study using a “coarse‐grained” bead modeling methodology [Pei, H., Allison, S. A., J. Chromatogr. A 2009, 1216, 1908–1916]. The advantage of focusing on these peptides is that their charge state is well known [Plasson, R., Cottet, H., Anal. Chem. 2006, 78, 5394–5402] and extensive electrophoretic mobility data are also available in different buffers [Survay, M. A., Goodall, D. M., Wren, S. A. C., Rowe, R. C., J. Chromatogr. A 1996, 741, 99–113] and over a broad range of temperatures [Plasson, R., Cottet, H., Anal Chem. 2005, 77, 6047–6054]. Except for assumptions about peptide secondary structure, the B model has no adjustable parameters. It is concluded that the oligoglycines adopt a random configuration at high temperature (50°C and higher), but more compact conformations at lower temperature. It is proposed that triglycine through pentaglycine adopt compact cyclic structures at low temperature (up to about 25°C) in aqueous solution. At 25°C, buffer interactions are also examined and may or may not influence peptide conformation depending on the buffer species. In a borate buffer at high pH, the mobility data are consistent with complex formation between the oligoglycine and borate anion.
Do Holocaust survivors show increased vulnerability or resilience to post‐Holocaust cumulative adversity?
Authors: Shrira Amit , Palgi Yuval , Ben‐Ezra Menachem , Shmotkin Dov
Published: June 2010

Prior trauma can hinder coping with additional adversity or inoculate against the effect of recurrent adversity. The present study further addressed this issue by examining whether a subsample of Holocaust survivors and comparison groups, drawn from the Israeli component of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, were differentially affected by post‐Holocaust cumulative adversity. Post‐Holocaust cumulative adversity had a stronger effect on the lifetime depression of Holocaust survivors than on that of comparisons. However, comparisons were more negatively affected by post‐Holocaust cumulative adversity when examining markers of physical and cognitive functioning. Our findings suggest that previous trauma can both sensitize and immunize, as Holocaust survivors show general resilience intertwined with specific vulnerability when confronted with additional cumulative adversity.
Long‐term perspectives on posttraumatic growth in disaster survivors
Authors: Holgersen Katrine Høyer , Boe Hans Jakob , Holen Are
Published: June 2010

Findings on posttraumatic growth (PTG) and distress have not been consistent. This study examines the relationship in a very long‐term perspective. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was completed by 46 survivors from a single disaster 27 years posttrauma. Posttraumatic stress was measured by the Impact of Event Scale (IES) immediately after the event, and after 1, 5, and 27 years. In the final follow‐up, general mental health was also assessed. Strong positive associations were found between PTG and concurrent posttraumatic stress. Although weaker associations were found for the past, concurrent problems in general mental health clearly coexisted with PTG decades after a disaster, yet mediated by IES.
Descriptions of spectra of infinite dimensional Hamiltonian operators and their applications
Authors: Huang Junjie , Alatancang  , Wu Hongyou
Published: June 2010

This paper deals with a class of infinite dimensional Hamiltonian operators. Explicit descriptions of their spectrum, point spectrum, residual spectrum and continuous spectrum are obtained, in terms of those of the compositions of two block operators in the Hamiltonian operators. Using these descriptions, it is shown that for two arbitrary closed sets on any given horizontal line and the imaginary axis, respectively, subject to a symmetry restriction, there is a Hamiltonian operator whose spectrum equals the union of these two sets. We also construct a family of explicit Hamiltonian operators whose residual spectrum consists of a single point, and this single point can be an arbitrary point in the complex plane other than the always impossible choices – the points on the imaginary axis (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Routes to Rubber Nanocomposites
Authors: Das Amit , Stöckelhuber Klaus Werner , Jurk Rene , Heinrich Gert
Published: June 2010

This paper presents recent developments in rubber nanocomposites from the laboratory of the authors. In particular, the preparation of rubber nanocomposites with improved performance from layered silicates, carbon nanotubes and in situ sol‐gel derived silica nanoparticles incorporated in different elastomers and by different methods for the development of rubber nanocomposites with improved performance is described.
Anisotropic Epoxy Networks
Authors: Leszczak Beata Mossety , Galina Henryk , Włodarska Magdalena , Szeluga Urszula , Maciejewski Hieronim
Published: June 2010

We present the synthesis, characteristics and curing process of liquid crystalline epoxy monomers containing a central triaromatic mesogenic group. The epoxy monomers were cross‐linked with aromatic amines or dicarboxylic acids. In most cases, solid, thermally stable and anisotropic products were obtained. The curing reactions of the monomer were also carried out with selected fillers. The cross‐linking process of the composites was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy to compare with analogous liquid crystalline systems not containing filler. Some properties of the cured resin and the composites are described and discussed.
Polymer‐Surfactant Networks Highly Responsive to Hydrocarbons
Authors: Philippova Olga E. , Molchanov Vyacheslav S.
Published: June 2010

Hydrocarbon‐sensitive hydrogels were prepared on the basis of networks, in which some subchains are composed of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide, while others are made of long cylindrical surfactant micelles of potassium oleate. In these hydrogels, the polymer component strengthens the network, especially at elevated temperatures, whereas the surfactant component imparts a high responsiveness to the hydrocarbon medium. The rheological studies demonstrate that added hydrocarbons induce the transformation of the gel‐like system to a fluid with low viscosity. SANS data evidence that the transformation is accompanied by the breaking of the cylindrical surfactant micelles, that leads to the disruption of the whole network.
Scaling Behavior of Hyaluronic Acid in Solution with Mono‐ and Divalent Ions
Authors: Geissler E. , Hecht A.‐M. , Horkay F.
Published: June 2010

Summry: The effect of the simultaneous presence of mono‐ and divalent cations on the thermodynamics of polyelectrolyte solutions is not fully understood. In physiological conditions, combinations of these ions affect structure formation in biopolymer systems. It is known that divalent counterions form a tight sheath around the polymer backbone, while monovalent ions are distributed in a diffuse cloud. Dynamic light scattering measurements of the collective diffusion coefficient D and the osmotic compressibility of semi‐dilute hyaluronan solutions containing different ratios of sodium and calcium ions are compared with simple polyelectrolyte models. Scaling relationships are derived in terms of polymer concentration and ionic strength J of the added salt. Differences in the effects of sodium and calcium ions are expressed only through J.
Pseudomonas aeruginosain children with cystic fibrosis diagnosed through newborn screening: Assessment of clinic exposures and microbial genotypes
Authors: Hayes Don , West Susan E. , Rock Michael J. , Li Zhanhai , Splaingard Mark L. , Farrell Philip M.
Published: June 2010

Background

Chronic pulmonary infection withPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of the limited studies evaluating early exposure and the progression of genetic variability of PA, our goal was to assess PA in young children with CF followed in two clinic types.

Methods

A total of 39 infants with CF diagnosed through newborn screening were randomly assigned to either a segregated (PA‐free) or mixed (PA‐positive) clinic at two different CF centers, one of which replaced an older, mixed clinic where nosocomial acquisition was suspected. Oropharyngeal (OP) swab cultures were examined with subsequent genotyping to characterize the strains of PA isolated.

Results

We found that 13/21 segregated clinic patients and 14/18 mixed clinic patients showed positive PA, with median acquisition ages of 3.3 and 2.2 years, respectively (P = 0.57). The median time to PA acquisition, however, was significantly longer in the new clinic with proper hygiene precautions compared to an old site (5.0 years vs. 1.7 years,P < 0.001). The majority of subjects isolated a single genotype of PA or AP‐PCR types during the study period with eight subjects clearing the isolate after only one positive culture. The development of chronic colonization yielded the predominance of a single major genotype or AP‐PCR type.

Conclusions

Segregation of infants and young children with CF in PA‐negative or PA‐positive clinics did not alter the time to first PA isolation in this randomized assessment of facilities with hygienic precautions. During the early infection period where PA is first isolated in young children with CF, patients cleared different PA strains until a predominant strain established permanent colonization. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:708–716. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beyond a code of ethics: phenomenological ethics for everyday practice
Authors: Greenfield Bruce , Jensen Gail M.
Published: June 2010

Physical therapy, like all health‐care professions, governs itself through a code of ethics that defines its obligations of professional behaviours. The code of ethics provides professions with a consistent and common moral language and principled guidelines for ethical actions. Yet, and as argued in this paper, professional codes of ethics have limits applied to ethical decision‐making in the presence of ethical dilemmas. Part of the limitations of the codes of ethics is that there is no particular hierarchy of principles that govern in all situations. Instead, the exigencies of clinical practice, the particularities of individual patient's illness experiences and the transformative nature of chronic illnesses and disabilities often obscure the ethical concerns and issues embedded in concrete situations. Consistent with models of expert practice, and with contemporary models of patient‐centred care, we advocate and describe in this paper a type of interpretative and narrative approach to moral practice and ethical decision‐making based on phenomenology. The tools of phenomenology that are well defined in research are applied and examined in a case that illustrates their use in uncovering the values and ethical concerns of a patient. Based on the deconstruction of this case on a phenomenologist approach, we illustrate how such approaches for ethical understanding can help assist clinicians and educators in applying principles within the context and needs of each patient. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moral reasoning among physical therapists: results of the defining issues test
Authors: Swisher Laura Lee
Published: June 2010

Background and Purpose. Although there is extensive literature in other health care fields about the ability to make ethical judgements (moral reasoning), there is a paucity of research addressing the moral reasoning of practising physical therapists. The purposes of this research were to 1) identify the types of moral reasoning used by practising physical therapists as measured by the Defining Issues Test; 2) identify differences in moral reasoning among physical therapists based on educational background, demographic variables, clinical experience, practice setting or expertise in ethics; and 3) compare the moral reasoning of physical therapists with that of other professional groups. Methods. The Defining Issues Test of James Rest was used to evaluate moral reasoning. Five hundred thirty‐seven physical therapists responded to a mail survey sent to a random sample of 2,000 American Physical Therapy Association members. Twelve physical therapists with expertise in ethics or professionalism completed the same survey. Results. The mean postconventional score for the random sample was 41.93. This score was lower than the mean scores of physicians, nurses, medical students, nursing students and dental students established in previous research. Females, ethics experts and those in academic settings had higher postconventional scores. Conclusions. Physical therapists scored lower in postconventional moral reasoning than some other professional groups with similar educational background. Factors that may inhibit or enhance the development of moral reasoning among physical therapists and possible consequences of high or low moral reasoning scores in physical therapy require further research. These findings may raise concerns about the entry‐level educational curriculum and professional development opportunities in the area of ethics and moral reasoning. Results of this research may also highlight the challenges of evaluation, scholarship and research in physical therapy ethics. Further research and theory development is needed to address the relationships between moral theory and descriptive or empirical research within physical therapy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optical super‐resolution using higher harmonics and different acquisition modes in an aperture tapping SNOM
Authors: Longo Giovanni , Girasole Marco , Pompeo Giuliano , Cricenti Antonio
Published: June 2010

Scanning near field optical microscopy (SNOM) is a well‐established technique to obtain a sub‐wavelength resolution optical characterization, together with nanometer‐scale topography images, on any kind of biological or non‐biological sample. Recently we have modified a classical SNOM unit to work in the tapping modality, ensuring stability, versatility and good optical resolution and signal to noise ratio. Exploiting the vertical tip movement, in particular, we were able to access two different optical detection modes: light modulation, which can be obtained by a mechanical chopper or by electronically switching the laser on and off; gap modulation in which the tip's vertical oscillation is used to produce, itself, a modulation of the collected light. Several biological and non‐biological samples have been investigated and the data reveal that, despite the signal collected in gap‐modulation is at least one order of magnitude smaller than in laser‐modulation, resolution, and signal‐to‐noise ratio in the gap‐modulated images is preferable. On the other hand, the higher intensity of the laser‐modulation signal allows to deconvolve the optical information at higher harmonics of the tip oscillation frequency. This is a well‐known procedure used in the apertureless‐SNOM setup to enhance the near‐field contribution of the scattered light and reduce the noise content. The interesting results obtained in this Aperture setup are described and commented.
Antiproliferative effect of resveratrol in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Cui Jing , Sun Renhu , Yu Yangping , Gou Shanmiao , Zhao Gang , Wang Chunyou
Published: June 2010

To investigate resveratrol, one of the food derived polyphenols that might be partially responsible for the beneficial effect on cancer, the in vitro antitumor activity of resveratrol against pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC‐1, BxPC‐3 and AsPC‐1) was examined, together with the mechanisms involved. The effects of resveratrol on the growth inhibition, apoptosis and cell cycle were assayed. The activity of caspases and the expression of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, XIAP and Bax protein were detected. The results showed that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Resveratrol inhibited the cell growth of PANC‐1, BxPC‐3 and AsPC‐1 cells with IC50 values of 78.3 ± 9.6 μmol/L, 76.1 ± 7.8 μmol/L and 123.1 ± 6.5 μmol/L at 48 h, respectively. Incubation of pancreatic cancer cells with resveratrol resulted in cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrests. Resveratrol induced activation of caspases. Simultaneously, resveratrol regulated the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL and XIAP and the proapoptotic protein Bax. PANC‐1 and BxPC‐3 cells were more chemosensitive to resveratrol than AsPC‐1 cells. In conclusion, resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by inducing apoptotic cell death. There was different sensitivity to resveratrol in different pancreatic cancer cell lines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrathecal eugenol administration alleviates neuropathic pain in male Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: Lionnet Ludivine , Beaudry Francis , Vachon Pascal
Published: June 2010

The main objective of this study was to determine the central effect of eugenol on neuropathic pain when injected intrathecally at the level of the lumbar spinal cord. In a preliminary study the penetrability of eugenol was evaluated in the CNS of rats. Blood, brain and spinal cord samples were collected at selected time points following eugenol administration and concentrations were determined by tandem liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Brain‐to‐plasma and spinal cord‐to‐plasma ratios (3.3 and 6.7, respectively) suggest that eugenol penetrates relatively well the CNS of rats, with a preferential distribution in the spinal cord. Following the induction of neuropathic pain in rats using the sciatic nerve ligation model, intrathecal injections of eugenol were done to evaluate the central effect of eugenol. Treatment with 50 μg of eugenol significantly decreased secondary mechanical allodynia after 15 min, 2 h and 4 h (p< 0.05; <0.005; <0.05, respectively) and improved thermal hyperalgesia after 2 h and 4 h (p< 0.001 andp< 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that eugenol may alleviate neuropathic pain, both allodynia and hyperalgesia, by acting centrally most probably at the level of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord where vanilloid receptors can be found. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of silymarin administration on TNF‐α serum concentration in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Nazemian Fatemeh , Karimi Gholamreza , Moatamedi Mahdi , Charkazi Somayeh , Shamsara Jamal , Mohammadpour Amir Hooshang
Published: June 2010

Chronic inflammation in dialysis patients increases the production of cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IFN‐ IFN‐γ and there is evidence of a significant mortality rate in dialysis patients due to inflammation. Overproduction of inflammatory cytokines can induce complications such as atherosclerosis, malnutrition and anaemia, which are mostly resistant to erythropoietin treatment. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in haemodialysis patients and about half of the mortality is attributable to cardiovascular disease. Silymarin modulates the immune system by inhibition of neutrophil immigration, mast cell immobilization, prostaglandin production and leukotriene synthesis. Furthermore, silymarin suppresses the induction of TNF‐α and it was hypothesized that silymarin could decrease the serum concentration of TNF‐α in peritoneal dialysis patients, and thus treat anaemia. Fifteen peritoneal dialysis patients were enrolled in this study and serum levels of soluble TNF‐α were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) kit. Serum TNF‐α was found to be decreased in some patients and in the response group, the haemoglobin concentration after 8 weeks of silymarin administration was increased significantly (p < 0.05). Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that silymarin may be useful in the treatment of inflammation for peritoneal dialysis patients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of Echinacea preparations in three laboratory tests of anxiety: comparison with chlordiazepoxide
Authors: Haller J. , Hohmann J. , Freund T. F.
Published: June 2010

Echinacea preparations are traditionally used to treat upper respiratory infections and inflammations. No psychotropic effects of Echinacea have been reported so far, although some recently reported active constituents are behaviorally active. Prompted by these findings, the anxiolytic potential of five different Echinacea preparations was evaluated. Three of these decreased anxiety but two of them had a very narrow effective dose range. Only one extract decreased anxiety within a wide dose‐range (3–8 mg/kg). Anxiolytic effects were consistently seen in three different tests of anxiety, the elevated plus‐maze, social interaction and shock‐induced social avoidance tests. No locomotor suppressant effects were seen at any dose. Noteworthy, the doses that showed anxiolytic effects in the present study were much lower than those used in the laboratory models of the traditional indications. Chlordiazepoxide robustly decreased anxiety‐like behavior in all tests but suppressed locomotion at higher doses. Perceived and real risks of conventional medications increase the demand for alternative therapies, provided that these are safe and efficient. Earlier evidence shows that Echinacea preparations have an excellent safety profile, while our findings suggest for the first time that certain preparations have a considerable anxiolytic potential. Further research is required to identify factors that differentiate efficient and inefficient preparations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioactivity‐guided isolation of antiproliferative compounds from Centaurea arenaria
Authors: Csapi Bence , Hajdú Zsuzsanna , Zupkó István , Berényi Ágnes , Forgo Peter , Szabó Pál , Hohmann Judit
Published: June 2010

The antiproliferative effects of n‐hexane, chloroform and aqueous methanol extracts prepared from the whole plant of Centaurea arenaria M.B. ex Willd. were investigated against cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and skin epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells, using the MTT assay. The chloroform extract displayed high tumour cell proliferation inhibitory activity (higher than 85% at 10 μg/mL concentration), and was therefore subjected to a bioassay‐guided multistep separation procedure. Flavonoids (eupatilin, eupatorin, 3′‐methyleupatorin, apigenin and isokaempferid), lignans (arctigenin, arctiin and matairesinol), the sesquiterpene cnicin, serotonin conjugates (moschamine and cis‐moschamine), β‐amyrin and β‐sitosterin‐β‐D‐glycopyranoside, identified by means of UV, MS and NMR spectroscopy, were obtained for the first time from this species. The isolated compounds were also evaluated for their tumour cell growth inhibitory activities on HeLa, MCF7 and A431 cells, and different types of secondary metabolites were found to be responsible for the antitumour effects of the extracts; in addition to moderately active compounds (isokaempferid and moschamine), especially apigenin, eupatorin, arctigenin, arctiin, matairesinol and cnicin exert marked antitumour effects against these cell lines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.