bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra mode selection in downsizing video transcoder based on H.264
Authors: Liu Zhao‐Guang , Wang Yu
Published: November 2009

An intra mode selection scheme is proposed in this work, which supports both downsizing transcoding and re‐quantization transcoding simultaneously. In the proposal, a total number of nonzero coefficients in precoded frame is used as criterion and a thresholding method is applied to select intra macroblock mode in re‐encoder. To calculate this threshold, which is related to re‐quantization parameter (denoted as Qr), we propose a Th_I‐Qr model which includes direct method and percentage I16MB method. In the former, an exponent model is proposed to describe relationship between the threshold and the Qr; while in the latter, the threshold Th_I is converted into percentage of macroblocks with I16MB mode in the downsized frame (denoted as per_16), and relationship between the per_16 and the Qr is also modeled as an exponent function. Then the two exponent models are all converted into linear regression model, and least square estimation is used to estimate the parameters of the models. Furthermore, if I4MB mode is selected for one macroblock, the intra prediction modes in precoded frame are utilized to select prediction mode for every 4 × 4 block of the macroblock in downsized frame to reduce computational complexity. We compared rate distortion performance and computational complexity of the proposed method with rate‐distortion optimization method. Simulation results demonstrate that on the precondition of compression performance of the proposal being close to the results of the rate‐distortion optimization method, the proposed method can save up to 30 and 80% in total encoding time and mode decision time, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 340–349, 2009
Hypoxia‐inducible factors 1α and 2α exert both distinct and overlapping functions in long bone development
Authors: Shomento Stacy H. , Wan Chao , Cao Xuemei , Faugere Marie‐Claude , Bouxsein Mary L. , Clemens Thomas L. , Riddle Ryan C.
Published: November 2009

The hypoxia‐inducible factors have recently been identified as critical regulators of angiogenic–osteogenic coupling. Mice overexpressing HIFα subunits in osteoblasts produce abundant VEGF and develop extremely dense, highly vascularized long bones. In this study, we investigated the individual contributions of Hif‐1α and Hif‐2α in angiogenesis and osteogenesis by individually disrupting each Hifα gene in osteoblasts using the Cre‐loxP method. Mice lacking Hif‐1α demonstrated markedly decreased trabecular bone volume, reduced bone formation rate, and altered cortical bone architecture. By contrast, mice lacking Hif‐2α had only a modest decrease in trabecular bone volume. Interestingly, long bone blood vessel development measured by angiography was decreased by a similar degree in both ΔHif‐1α and ΔHif‐2α mice suggesting a common role for these Hifα subunits in skeletal angiogenesis. In agreement with this idea, osteoblasts lacking either Hif‐1α or Hif‐2α had profound reductions in VEGF mRNA expression but only the loss of Hif‐1α impaired osteoblast proliferation. These findings indicate that expression of both Hif‐1α and Hif‐2α by osteoblasts is required for long bone development. We propose that both Hif‐1α and Hif‐2α function through cell non‐autonomous modes to promote vascularization of bone and that Hif‐1α also promotes bone formation by exerting direct actions on the osteoblast. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 196–204, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of quantum‐chemical methods for electronic properties and geometry of signaling biomolecules
Authors: Ferro Noel , Bredow Thomas
Published: November 2009

A reasonable balance between accuracy and feasibility of quantum‐chemical methods depends on the complexity of the molecular system and the scientific goals. Six series of indole‐, naphthalene‐, phenol‐, benzoic‐, phenoxy‐, other auxin‐derivatives, and a test set of similar organic molecules have been chosen for an assessment of 13 density functional and semi‐empirical molecular orbital methods with respect to electronic and structural properties. The accuracy and precision of HOMO/LUMO calculations are determined by comparison with experimental ionization potentials and electron affinities. Further comparison was performed at atomic level by covariance analysis. The methods KMLYP, MSINDO, and PM3 are precise and accurate for the whole set of molecules. The method AM1 offers comparable accuracy with the exception of electron affinities of indole derivatives, where significant deviations from experiment were observed. Geometrical properties were best reproduced with the semi‐empirical method MSINDO. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Psychological mindedness in relation to personality and coping in a sample of young adult psychiatric patients
Authors: Nyklíček Ivan , Poot Joëla C. , van Opstal Jan
Published: November 2009

Psychological mindedness (PM) is a relevant but rarely studied construct in clinical psychology. The aim was to examine the relationships among PM, personality, and coping in young adults with psychological difficulties. Sixty‐three young women and 32 young men who were admitted for intake at a Dutch mental health institute completed relevant questionnaires. PM showed positive associations with the putatively adaptive personality characteristics of extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness and a negative correlation with neuroticism. In addition, PM was associated with problem‐focused coping independently of the effect of personality characteristics. PM seems to be related to adaptive person characteristics in young adults with psychological difficulties. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine the issue of causality. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:1–12, 2010.
Room for a new standard? response to comments by Heiby
Authors: McGrath Robert E. , Muse Mark
Published: November 2009

Heiby's (this issue, pp. XXX–XXX) claim that psychologists' training in psychopharmacology is substandard is predicated on the assumption that existing training models offer the only acceptable approach to achieving competence. This assumption both prohibits innovation and is demonstrably false. Our comparison of training models must be judged from the perspective of a reasoned analysis of the competencies most important to prescribing, not the claims of other professions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66:1–4, 2010.
Experimental determination of kinetic parameters of methanol biodegradation in biofilters packed with inert and organic materials
Authors: Avalos Ramirez Antonio , Deschamps Jonathan , Jones J. Peter , Heitz Michèle
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: Kinetic parameters used for modelling air biofilters are commonly determined by growing microorganisms in suspended cultures. However, they are not representative of phenomena occurring in a biofilm. There is need for new methods for calculating the true kinetics of pollutant degradation in an air biofilter.

RESULTS: An experimental method for calculating the kinetic parameters of a microbial consortium which degrades methanol in an air treatment biofilter was developed. The kinetic parameters were calculated by taking biomass from biofilters packed with clay spheres or compost pellets. The kinetic runs were carried out in batch bioreactors at a constant temperature of 25 °C. The results obtained show that the maximum specific growth rate of microorganisms developed in the biofilter packed with clay spheres was twice as high as that packed with compost pellets; 0.233 h−1 for clay spheres and 0.129 h−1 for compost pellets. For both biofilters, the specific methanol biodegradation increased with methanol concentration in the biofilm, whereas carbon dioxide production was not a function of this parameter.

CONCLUSION: Results show that for both biofilters, the Monod model fitted to the specific growth rate and the microbial consortium did not include any inhibition over the entire range of methanol concentrations tested. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasonic pre‐treatment of biological sludge: consequences for disintegration, anaerobic biodegradability, and filterability
Authors: Erden G. , Filibeli A.
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: Disintegration was developed as a pretreatment process for sludge to accelerate the digestion processes. Ultrasonic treatment may be a good alternative for sludge disintegration. In this study, different specific energy inputs ranged between 0 and 15 880 kJ kg−1 and very low ultrasonic densities ranged between 0.04 and 0.1 W mL−1 were applied to biological sludge for disintegration purposes. The potential for improving anaerobic digestion through ultrasonic pre‐treatment and the effect of ultrasonic pre‐treatment on the filterability characteristics of sludge were also investigated.

RESULTS: 9690 kJ kg−1 TS of supplied energy and very low power density of 0.09 Wm L−1 are efficient for floc disintegration. For 9690 kJ kg−1 TS, 44% higher methane production was achieved than with raw sludge as a result of biochemical methane potential assay. The supernatant characteristics of the sludge were also affected by the ultrasonic pre‐treatment. For 9690 kJ kg−1 TS, the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the sludge supernatant increased by 340%, 860%, 716%, and 207.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic pre‐treatment is an effective method for biological sludge disintegration even at very low ultrasonic density levels. It leads to increased anaerobic biodegradability but deteriorates the filterability characteristics of biological sludge. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Facile synthesis of 10‐tert‐butyl[1]benzoxepino[3,4‐b][1,3] dioxolo[4,5‐g]quinolin‐12(6H)‐ones
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Chaohua , Sun Mingchun , Gao Wentao
Published: November 2009

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In this study a facile synthesis of novel 10‐tert‐butyl[1]benzoxepino[3,4‐b][1,3]dioxolo[4, 5‐g]quinolin‐12(6H)‐ones is described, featuring the one‐pot synthesis of 6‐[(tert‐butylphenoxy)methyl][1,3]dioxolo[4,5‐g]quinoline‐7‐carboxylic acids from ethyl 6‐(bromomethyl)[1,3]dioxolo[4,5‐g]quinoline‐7‐carboxylate and their intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts acylation reaction by the use of Eaton's reagent (P2O5–CH3 SO3H) under mild conditions. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Efficient synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline and pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives in aqueous media
Authors: Kianmehr Ebrahim , Estiri Hamid , Bahreman Azadeh
Published: November 2009

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A one‐pot procedure for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines and pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinolines in good to excellent yields has been reported, using quinoline or isoquinoline, phenacylbromide derivatives and activated alkynes in aqueous medium. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
An efficient procedure for the synthesis of substituted pyridines using KF·Al2O3
Authors: Das Biswanath , Ravikanth Bommena , Kumar Avula Satya , Kanth Boddu Shashi
Published: November 2009

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Three‐component coupling of aldehydes, malononitrile, and thiophenols has efficiently been carried out at room temperature using potassium fluoride on alumina (KF·Al2O3) as a catalyst to furnish highly substituted pyridines in high yields. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Synthesis and biological activities of O‐(E)‐(arylmethyl) 1‐[1‐(arylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl] ethanone oxime ethers
Authors: Zhu Xiao‐Fei , Shi De‐Qing
Published: November 2009

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A series of novel O‐(E)‐(arylmethyl) 1‐[1‐(arylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl] ethanone oxime ethers were synthesized by the O‐alkylation of 1‐[1‐(arylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl] ethanone oximes with various arylmethyl chlorides in the basic condition. Their structures were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. The preliminary bioassay indicated that some of the target compounds (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f) displayed good insecticidal and moderate fungicidal activity. For example, compounds 4c and 4g showed 100% and 90.6% death rates against aphides at the concentration of 250 mg/L, respectively, and compounds 4f and 4g displayed 67% and 78.4% inhibitory rates against Rhizoctonia solani at the dosage of 100 mg/L, respectively. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
An efficient synthesis of 1,3‐diarylbenzo[f]quinolines from 2‐halogenated acetophenone, aromatic aldehyde, and naphthalen‐2‐amine catalyzed by iodine
Authors: Wang Xiang‐Shan , Li Qing , Zhou Jie , Tu Shu‐Jiang
Published: November 2009

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The three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehyde, naphthalen‐2‐amine and 2‐halogenated acetophenone in THF catalyzed by 5 mol % iodine at reflux unexpectedly gave 1,3‐diarylbenzo[f]quinolines, with halogen losing in the formation of the products. The formation of unexpected 1,3‐diarylbenzo[f]quinolines was tentatively explained by Cram's rule to one of the steps in the mechanism. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).
Mapping global inequalities: Beyond income inequality to multi‐dimensional inequalities
Authors: Crow Ben , Zlatunich Nichole , Fulfrost Brian
Published: November 2009

Current discussions of global inequality are trapped by their core reliance on measures of income. While our field has become ever‐knowledgeable on poverty's multi‐faceted nature (e.g. the Human Development Index, based on Sen and other's work on the capabilities approach), discussions and debates over global inequalities give short shrift to measurements and understandings of inequality beyond income. The papers in this issue all lend insight to how we may start the long‐term process of moving beyond income inequality to re‐think common understandings of inequality and to present new questions and opportunities in order to work towards a fuller understanding of the shape and pathways of global inequalities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International migration and the world income distribution
Authors: Kapur Devesh , McHale John
Published: November 2009

Emigrants moving from poor to rich countries experience large income gains on average. These gains are further augmented by remittances that allow a portion of the gains to be spent at lower sending‐country prices. Taking advantage of recently available estimates of emigration‐related income gains, this paper estimates the direct impact of international migration on the world income distribution. We find that international migration raises world income per person by just under 1 per cent, while it raises the incomes of those born in developing countries by approximately 2¼ per cent relative to the no‐migration benchmark. Allowing for the remittance price effect augments these gains by about half. International migration also decreases the between‐country component of world inequality (as measured by the between‐country Theil coefficient) by about 2 per cent. While these aggregate income gains are significant, even small ‘brain‐drain’ related adverse growth effects could quickly swamp the direct gains to migrants where rich‐country immigration policies have a strong skill bias. A surer route to realising the potential of migration to increase world welfare would be to expand emigration opportunities for the less skilled. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Educational inequalities in the midst of persistent poverty: Diversity across Africa in educational outcomes
Authors: Lloyd Cynthia B. , Hewett Paul
Published: November 2009

This paper explores inequalities in education across sub‐Saharan Africa, the poorest continent. Although we primarily focus on primary school completion rates, some attention is also given to measures of basic literacy as a more proximate indicator of human capital acquisition. Using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF's Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), we present data on cross‐country variations in primary school completion rates, including gender and wealth gaps. While these data paint a picture of overall educational progress, particularly for girls, this general picture is juxtaposed against an extremely diverse landscape across Africa with respect to primary school completion as well as retained literacy. Cross‐country variation in primary school completion can be partially explained by variations in national per capita income and is highly correlated with cross‐country variations in primary completion rates achieved 20 years ago, but we still find surprising variations in educational outcomes, among the poorest countries. Among the 24 sub‐Saharan African countries with a purchasing power parity GNI less than $1000, we find a significant variation in both primary completion rates and achieved literacy, suggesting that educational progress is possible even in resource challenged environments. At the same time, our findings are sobering; in many countries, international educational goals are unlikely to be reached by 2015 and learning outcomes are frequently abysmal. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding relationships between global health indicators via visualisation and statistical analysis
Authors: Lodha Suresh , Gunawardane Prabath , Middleton Erin , Crow Ben
Published: November 2009

Several agencies such as World Bank, United Nations and UNESCO are disseminating a large amount of socio‐economic data at national level. Various websites such as UC Atlas, Gapminder, CIESIN and NationMaster are attempting to provide general users visualisation tools to display this data. Typical visualisation methods include line graphs, bar graphs, scatter plots, colour‐coded glyphs (such as circles) and world maps. In addition to the general public, there is great interest in educational, research and public policy institutes to try to understand the relationships between these socio‐economic indicators. In this paper, we juxtapose two techniques to investigate the relationships between global health indicators. The first approach employs sophisticated statistical techniques to develop a causality model between various global health indicators. The second approach, typically employed by the visualisation users of the various websites mentioned above, is to utilise a bivariate display between the health indicators in order to discover relationships between these variables. This visualisation approach is perhaps closest to a bivariate regression or correlation. Therefore, we employ these simple statistical techniques and associated visualisations as well. In this work, we analyse the two approaches using two specific examples related to health indicators. We find that the two approaches sometimes agree strengthening the conclusions or may provide different perspectives that require more careful analysis of the conclusions and need for further research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double‐cavity Fabry–Pérot tunable equalizer based on 1D photonic crystals
Authors: Cos J. , Ferré‐Borrull J. , Pallarès J. , Marsal L. F.
Published: November 2009

In this work we study theoretically the tunability of a double‐cavity Fabry–Pérot multilayer structure composed of porous silicon mirrors and liquid crystal cavities. By means of the anisotropic Transfer Matrix Method we analyze changes on wavelength and transmission of two resonant frequencies within the stop band. Tuning is achieved by allowing different orientations of the LC optical axes within the cavities, while keeping the optical axes parallel to the layers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of olive ripeness on chemical properties and phenolic composition of chétoui virgin olive oil
Authors: Youssef Nabil Ben , Zarrouk Wissem , Carrasco‐Pancorbo Alegría , Ouni Youssef , Segura‐Carretero Antonio , Fernández‐Gutiérrez Alberto , Daoud Douja , Zarrouk Mokhtar
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of fruit ripening on oil quality in an attempt to establish an optimum harvesting time for Chétoui olives, the second main olive variety cultivated in Tunisia.

RESULTS: Our results showed that many analytical parameters, i.e., peroxide value, UV absorbance at 232 and 270 nm, chlorophyll pigments, carotenoids and oleic acid contents decreased during ripening, whilst oil content and linolenic acid increased. Free acidity remained practically stable with a very slight rise at the highest maturity index. The trend of oxidative stability, total phenols and o‐diphenols, showed an increase at the early stages followed by a reduction at more advanced stages of maturity. The major phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, ligstroside aglycon, elenolic acid, acetoxy‐pinoresinol and oleuropein aglycon, seemed to have the same behaviour. In the case of tyrosol, a strong decrease was observed directly related with the ripening progress.

CONLUSION: On the basis of the evolution of the analytical parameters studied, the best stage of Chétoui olive fruits for oil processing seems to be at ripeness index higher than 2.0 and lower than 3.0. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Antioxidant properties of various solvent extracts of potato peel, sugar beet pulp and sesame cake
Authors: Mohdaly Adel AA , Sarhan Mohamed A , Smetanska Iryna , Mahmoud Awad
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND: Growing interest in the replacement of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered research on vegetable sources and screening of raw materials to identify new antioxidants. The food‐processing industry generates substantial quantities of phenolic‐rich by‐products that could be valuable natural sources of antioxidants. In this study the antioxidant properties and total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents of three industrial by‐products, sugar beet pulp, sesame cake and potato peel, extracted with various solvents were examined. Since different antioxidant compounds have different mechanisms of action, several methods were used to assess the antioxidant efficacy of extracts.

RESULTS: Among the six solvents tested, methanol gave the highest extract yield of potato peel and sugar beet pulp, while diethyl ether gave the highest extract yield of sesame cake. Methanol exhibited the highest extraction ability for phenolic compounds, with total phenolics amounting to 2.91, 1.79 and 0.81 mg gallic acid equivalent g−1 dry weight in potato peel, sugar beet pulp and sesame cake extracts respectively, and also showed the strongest antioxidant capacity in the three assays used. All three methods proved that potato peel extract had the highest antioxidant activity owing to its high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results obtained, potato peel, sugar beet pulp and sesame cake extracts could serve as natural antioxidants owing to their significant antioxidant activity. Therefore they could be used as preservative ingredients in the food and/or pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Formation of a promazine radical and promazine 5‐oxide in the reaction of promazine with hydrogen peroxide: Mechanistic insight from kinetic and EPR measurements
Authors: Wiśniewska Joanna , Wrzeszcz Grzegorz , Koter Stanisław
Published: November 2009

The kinetics of the oxidation of promazine (PMZ) by hydrogen peroxide was studied in the presence of a large excess of H2O2in acidic chloride media using UV–vis spectroscopy. The reaction proceeds via two consecutive steps. In the first step, oxidation leads to formation of a promazine radical. In the second step, the promazine radical is oxidized to promazine 5‐oxide. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) results provide clear evidence for the formation of an intermediate promazine radical. Linear dependences of the pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (k1andk2) on [H2O2] with a nonzero intercept were established for the first and the second process, respectively. The rate of the first stage of the reaction increased slightly with increasing concentration of O2, indicating the role of the OH•radicals on the redox process, which are transformed into the Clradicals. The mechanism of the overall reaction is discussed on the basis of all these kinetic measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 1–9, 2010
Construction of Smart Glutathione Peroxidase Mimic Based on Hydrophilic Block Copolymer with Temperature Responsive Activity
Authors: Huang Xin , Yin Yanzhen , Jiang Xu , Tang Yong , Xu Jiayun , Liu Junqiu , Shen Jiacong
Published: November 2009

A temperature‐sensitive block copolymer (PAAm‐b‐PNIPAAm‐Te) with a glutathione peroxidase‐like active site was synthesized via ATRP. As a new glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimic, it displays typical saturation kinetic behaviors and high catalytic activity. More importantly, the catalytic activity of the polymer can be well modulated by changing the temperature. The experiments proved that a change in the self‐assembly structure of the polymer plays a key role for the modulation of catalytic activity. As a contrast, another block copolymer, PAAm‐Te‐b‐PNIPAAm, was synthesized. In comparison with PAAm‐b‐PNIPAAm‐Te, the different temperature dependent catalytic behavior seen further indicates that the micellar structure plays an important role in modulating the catalytic activity of the smart enzyme model.

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Self‐Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes Modified by Amphiphilic Block Polymers in Selective Solvent
Authors: Wang Guojian , Liu Yuedong
Published: November 2009

Block copolymers of polystyrene and poly(tert‐butyl methyacrylate) were prepared by ATRP. Halogen atoms at the chain ends were transformed into azide groups to obtain N3 terminated block copolymers, which were connected to the surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by reacting N3 with MWNT's surface. Amphiphilic diblock copolymer modified MWNTs were obtained after PtBMA blocks were hydrolyzed to polymethyacrylic acid (PMAA). Results showed that the amphiphilic diblock copolymer was grafted onto MWNTs by covalent bonds. TEM showed that they formed self‐assembly structures by hydrophilic/hydrophobic interaction in good solvents. As the block length of PMAA increased, the self‐assembly structures of amphiphilic MWNTs became increasingly ordered and uniform.

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Kinetic Study of the Thermopolymerization of Furfuryl Methacrylate in Bulk by Mathematical Modeling. Part A: Simulation of Experimental Data and Sensitivity Analysis of Kinetic Parameters
Authors: Lange Jurgen , Davidenko Natalia , Sastre Roberto
Published: November 2009

Mathematical modeling of the thermopolymerization of FM and CMFMA was carried out using a cross‐linked kinetic model proposed for the photo‐initiated polymerization of acryl‐furanic compounds. In this model, the photochemical initiation step was substituted by a thermal one and it was assumed that the constant of radical termination was time‐dependent, which allowed the gel effect (Trommsdorff) at high monomer conversion to be simulated. Optimization of all kinetic constants was achieved and the results of simulation suitably fitted the experimental data of the monomer conversion. The contribution of each step in the mechanism and its dependence on the experimental conditions were estimated by a sensitivity analysis technique.

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Organic cation/carnitine transporter, OCTN2, transcriptional activity is regulated by osmotic stress in epididymal cells
Authors: Cotton Leanne M. , Rodriguez Carmen M. , Suzuki Kichiya , Orgebin‐Crist Marie‐Claire , Hinton Barry T.
Published: November 2009

Protection of cells from osmotic stress is crucial for their survival. Exposure to high osmolarity promotes rapid diffusion of water across cell membranes, dramatically increasing cellular ionic strength, leading to disruption of key proteins/DNA resulting in cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis. The luminal microenvironment of the epididymis is hypertonic; therefore, epididymal cells adapt to the higher osmolarity by accumulating organic osmolytes, such asl‐carnitine. Osmolytes do not perturb cells when accumulated in high concentrations, nor do they affect key proteins or damage DNA. Therefore, osmolytes and their transporters are crucial for cell survival. Transporters that are responsible for the accumulation of organic osmolytes have been shown to be regulated at the transcriptional level by hypertonicity. The present study examines the gene expression of known osmoprotective/stress genes in epididymal cells exposed to changes in tonicity. We demonstrate that the osmoprotective/stress pathways present in other organs, such as the kidney, operate in the epididymis, potentially aiding in the protection of its luminal cells and spermatozoa. Further, it was also seen that OCTN2, a transporter that is thought to be responsible for the accumulation ofl‐carnitine in the epididymal lumen, is regulated in response to changes in tonicity. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 114–125, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐reported outcomes during treatment with tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bala Sidona‐Valentina , Forslind Kristina , Månsson Marie Edwinson
Published: November 2009

Objective: To study how patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) self‐report their experience of disease‐related symptoms (fatigue, morning stiffness, pain) and their ability to cope with everyday life (capacity) using a nurse‐led structured follow‐up during the first year after starting treatment with tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) inhibitors.

Methods: Thirty‐nine patients, who were being treated for their RA in our outpatient rheumatology clinic and were beginning treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors, agreed to evaluate and self‐report their experience of fatigue, morning stiffness, pain, and capacity using the visual analogue scale (VAS) every third month during their first year of treatment. A quantitative method was used to study the changes in these four variables. In addition, at the same time, we studied the relationship between self‐reported capacity and each of the three symptoms.

Results: After 12 months' treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors, the change (median interquartile range [IQR]) measured with VAS was −14 (−38, −7) mm for fatigue, −22 (−47, −4) mm for morning stiffness, −28 (−50, 0) mm for pain and −27 (−48, −6) mm for capacity. All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Baseline and 12 months' capacity correlated significantly with fatigue, morning stiffness and pain (all p < 0.01). In addition, the median change in self‐reported capacity correlated significantly with the median change in each of the three symptoms (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: During the first year of treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors, patients reported decreased fatigue, morning stiffness and pain, while their capacity increased. The increased capacity rate closely followed the decrease in symptom rate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new method to measure vaginal sensibility
Authors: Lakeman M.M.E. , Laan E. , Vaart C.H. , Roovers J.P.
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Vaginal surgery may affect sexual function both positively and negatively. Possibly, negative consequences of surgical interventions on sexuality may be caused by reduced sensibility of the vaginal wall.

Aims

To develop a new method to measure vaginal sensibility.

Methods

We developed a technique to measure the sensibility of the vaginal wall consisting of a St Marks electrode on a gloved index finger, with a stimulating electrode mounted at the tip. Measurements were performed in four different target areas (caudal and cranial, posterior and anterior) by two independent female researchers in a random order. Subjects were 12 healthy women.

Results

The intra‐observer reproducibility of both researchers was almost perfect (Pearsons‐Rho correlation coefficient 0.77–0.96  < 0.001). The inter‐observer reproducibility was moderate (Pearsons‐Rho correlation coefficient 0.39–0.49). Both researchers measured increased sensibility in the cranial posterior vaginal wall relative to the cranial anterior vaginal wall, but for all measurements, researcher 2 obtained higher sensibility ratings than researcher 1. In addition, researcher 2 found a decreased sensibility in the cranial anterior vaginal wall for women not using oral contraceptives. Phase of the menstrual cycle did not influence vaginal sensibility.

Conclusion

We developed a new instrument to measure vaginal sensibility. The instrument has excellent intra‐observer reproducibility. This method is sufficiently sensitive so as to differentiate between anterior and posterior cranial vaginal wall sensibility, but outcome differs as a function of researcher. Further evaluation of the clinical use of this method is needed, provided that measurements are performed by the same researcher. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:753–756, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Population affinities of Parsis in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Jonnalagadda Manjari , Ozarkar Shantanu , Mushrif‐Tripathy Veena
Published: November 2009

The present study was an attempt to document changes in frequencies of dental morphology traits and understand phenetic affinities of Parsis, who migrated to the Indian subcontinent around the 8th century. Despite successfully integrating themselves into the Indian society, they have retained their ethnicity and distinct cultural practices. This study was conceived as a result of an excavation at the site of Sanjan, Gujarat which, as per historical records, is believed to be the first town in the Indian subcontinent with a large Parsi settlement thereby facilitating a diachronic comparison between the ancestral and extant Parsi groups. We compared and analysed dental traits between the two groups expecting a very close relationship between them owing to their ancestor–descendent relationship. Eleven discrete dental traits were selected and scored using the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS). Frequency changes were assessed by comparing trait frequencies; whereas phenetic affinity between Parsis was assessed by statistically comparing them with 13 populations using Smith's mean measure of divergence (MMD) statistic. Comparison of dental trait frequencies between Sanjan and extant Parsi samples show significant differences in incisor morphology, Carabelli cusp and Hypocone development. Trait frequencies, MMD values and 2D multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot indicate that extant Parsis and Sanjan samples are distantly separated from each other. Extant Parsis show closer affinity to low caste Mahars and tribal Madia Gonds than South and Central Asian groups. Sanjan is distant from all other groups including extant Parsis. It is likely that genetic drift accentuated by their small numbers and strict endogamy has resulted in divergence of Parsi groups. Similarly, their convergence with Maharashtran groups indicates admixture of Parsis with local groups, which supports earlier conducted mtDNA studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The safety of obstetrical ultrasound: a review
Authors: Houston Laura E. , Odibo Anthony O. , Macones George A.
Published: November 2009

Ultrasound is a commonly employed imaging modality in obstetrics and is generally regarded as safe to the fetus. Current ultrasound technology, however, has significantly higher output potential than older machines used in most clinical studies, and the safety profile for the increasing use of Doppler, 3‐dimensional (D) and 4‐D ultrasound with modern machines is unknown. This article reviews the current status of ultrasound safety within obstetrics, including proposed mechanisms of harm, existing scientific and clinical evidence regarding those mechanisms, and considerations of safety for the clinical user. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and properties of new photosensitive and chiral poly(amide‐imide)s based on bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylic diimide and dibenzalacetone moieties in the main chain
Authors: Faghihi Khalil , Hajibeygi Mohsen , Shabanian Meisam
Published: November 2009

Aromatic poly(amide‐imide)s (PAIs) are high‐performance materials with a good compromise between thermal stability and processability when compared with polyamides or polyimides of analogous structures. In addition, the incorporation of photosensitive functional groups and chiral segments into the polymer backbone can lead to interesting polymers for various applications. In this work, six new photosensitive and chiral PAIs were synthesized from the direct polycondensation reaction of novel N,N′‐(bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐tetracarboxylic)‐bis‐L‐amino acids with 2,5‐bis(4‐aminobenzylidene)cyclopentanone as dibenzalacetone moiety using two different methods. The polymerization reactions produced a series of photosensitive and optically active PAIs in high yields and with good inherent viscosities. The resulting polymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, inherent viscosity, specific rotation, solubility tests and UV‐visible spectroscopy. The thermal properties of the PAIs were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Due to the presence of the dibenzalacetone moiety in the polymer chain, the PAIs have photosensitive properties. Also, these PAIs are optically active and soluble in various organic solvents. These resulting new polymers have the potential to be used in column chromatography for the separation of enantiomeric mixtures. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis, characterization, in vitro degradation and cytotoxicity of polyphosphazenes containing N‐ethoxypyrrolidone side groups
Authors: Bi Yunmei , Yin Yuefan , Huang Rong , Li Yanmei
Published: November 2009

A new biodegradable polyphosphazene (PYRMP) containing N‐ethoxypyrrolidone and methoxyethoxyethoxy side groups was synthesized via a route of macromolecular substitution. The synthetic method of poly{bis[2‐(2‐oxo‐1‐pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy]phosphazene} (PYRP) was improved. The thermal properties of the polymers were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Degradation studies were carried out in vitro with varying pH conditions. The in vitro cytotoxicity of PYRMP and its hydrolysis products was evaluated using the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity test in HepG2 cell culture. PYRMP and PYRP have low glass transition temperatures of −68.8 and −59.6 °C, respectively. The polymers show a higher degradation rate at pH = 5.0 than at both pH = 7.4 and 8.0. The degradation process of PYRMP in different buffer solutions is discussed. The MTT test reveals that PYRMP at concentrations below 800 µg mL−1 and its hydrolysis products are non‐toxic to HepG2 cells. Moreover, the hydrolysis products diluted 10 times are able to promote cell proliferation. This study shows that polyphosphazene containing N‐ethoxypyrrolidone subsituents provides interesting perspectives for various biomedical applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Lysophosphatidic acid receptor activation affects the C13NJ microglia cell line proteome leading to alterations in glycolysis, motility, and cytoskeletal architecture
Authors: Bernhart Eva , Kollroser Manfred , Rechberger Gerald , Reicher Helga , Heinemann Akos , Schratl Petra , Hallström Seth , Wintersperger Andrea , Nusshold Christoph , DeVaney Trevor , Zorn‐Pauly Klaus , Malli Roland , Graier Wolfgang , Malle Ernst , Sattler Wolfgang
Published: November 2009

Microglia, the immunocompetent cells of the CNS, are rapidly activated in response to injury and microglia migration towards and homing at damaged tissue plays a key role in CNS regeneration. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is involved in signaling events evoking microglia responses through cognate G protein‐coupled receptors. Here we show that human immortalized C13NJ microglia express LPA receptor subtypes LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3 on mRNA and protein level. LPA activation of C13NJ cells induced Rho and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation and enhanced cellular ATP production. In addition, LPA induced process retraction, cell spreading, led to pronounced changes of the actin cytoskeleton and reduced cell motility, which could be reversed by inhibition of Rho activity. To get an indication about LPA‐induced global alterations in protein expression patterns a 2‐D DIGE/LC‐ESI‐MS proteomic approach was applied. On the proteome level the most prominent changes in response to LPA were observed for glycolytic enzymes and proteins regulating cell motility and/or cytoskeletal dynamics. The present findings suggest that naturally occurring LPA is a potent regulator of microglia biology. This might be of particular relevance in the pathophysiological context of neurodegenerative disorders where LPA concentrations can be significantly elevated in the CNS.
Analysis of protein glycation using phenylboronate acrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: Pereira Morais Marta P. , Mackay Julia D. , Bhamra Savroop K. , Buchanan J. Grant , James Tony D. , Fossey John S. , van den Elsen Jean M. H.
Published: November 2009

The incorporation of the specialized carbohydrate affinity ligand methacrylamido phenylboronic acid in polyacrylamide gels for SDS‐PAGE analysis has been successful for the separation of carbohydrates and has here been adapted for the analysis of post‐translationally modified proteins. While conventional SDS‐PAGE analysis cannot distinguish between glycated and unglycated proteins, methacrylamido phenylboronate acrylamide gel electrophoresis (mP‐AGE) in low loading shows dramatic retention of δ‐gluconolactone modified proteins, while the mobility of the unmodified proteins remains unchanged. With gels containing 1% methacrylamido phenylboronate, mP‐AGE analysis of gluconoylated recombinant protein Sbi results in the retention of the modified protein at a position expected for a protein that has quadrupled its expected molecular size. Subsequently, mP‐AGE was tested on HSA, a protein that is known to undergo glycation under physiological conditions. mP‐AGE could distinguish between various carbohydrate‐protein adducts, using in vitro glycated HSA, and discriminate early from late glycation states of the protein. Enzymatically glycosylated proteins show no altered retention in the phenylboronate‐incorporated gels, rendering this method highly selective for glycated proteins. We reveal that a trident interaction between phenylboronate and the Amadori cis 1,2 diol and amine group provides the molecular basis of this specificity. These results epitomize mP‐AGE as an important new proteomics tool for the detection, separation, visualization and identification of protein glycation. This method will aid the design of inhibitors of unwanted carbohydrate modifications in recombinant protein production, ageing, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
The effect of interfering ions on search algorithm performance for electron‐transfer dissociation data
Authors: Good David M. , Wenger Craig D. , Coon Joshua J.
Published: November 2009

Collision‐activated dissociation and electron‐transfer dissociation (ETD) each produce spectra containing unique features. Though several database search algorithms (e.g. SEQUEST, MASCOT, and Open Mass Spectrometry Search Algorithm) have been modified to search ETD data, this consists chiefly of the ability to search for c‐ and z•‐ions; additional ETD‐specific features are often unaccounted for and may hinder identification. Removal of these features via spectral processing increased total search sensitivity by ∼20% for both human and yeast data sets; unique peptide identifications increased by ∼17% for the yeast data sets and ∼16% for the human data set.
A paradigm for the mechanisms and products of spontaneous polymerizations
Authors: Hall H. K. , Padias Anne Buyle
Published: November 2009

In spontaneous vinyl and ring‐opening copolymerizations, polar and resonance effects on the intermediates from bond‐forming initiation offer a continuous spectrum of reactivities and polymer structures. In bond‐forming initiation, an electron‐rich donor monomer forms a bond to an acceptor monomer. The donor monomer may be a vinyl monomer with O, N, or aryl substituent or it may be an aza‐ or oxacycle. The acceptor monomer may be a vinyl monomer carrying CN, COOR, or SO2R substituent or it may be a cyclic anhydride or maleimide. Beyond this, the donor may have a π‐like strained single bond, whereas the acceptor may be an electrophilic quinodimethane. Lewis acids may be used to enhance the electrophilicity of acceptor monomers. Reaction rates and polymer composition are determined by systematically varying the stability of the first intermediate, designated P (for polymethylene). The nature of the intermediate will vary from a highly reactive trans biradical, which initiates chain alternating copolymerization, to a cis/gauche zwitterion, which can initiate chain ionic homopolymerization, to an extremely stabilized zwitterion, which cannot add monomer, but builds up in concentration and terminates by combination, forming alternating copolymer. This model embraces the existing literature for a wide variety of monomers and possesses predictive power. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
Synthesis, self‐assembly and drug‐loading capacity of well‐defined drug‐conjugated amphiphilic A2B2 type miktoarm star copolymers based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Gou Peng‐Fei , Zhu Wei‐Pu , Xu Ning , Shen Zhi‐Quan
Published: November 2009

Well‐defined drug‐conjugated amphiphilic A2B2 miktoarm star copolymers [(PCL)2‐(PEG)2‐D] were prepared by the combination of controlled ring‐opening polymerization (CROP) and “click” reaction strategy. First, bromide functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐Br) with double hydroxyl end groups was synthesized by the CROP of ε‐caprolactone using 2,2‐bis(bromomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diol as a difunctional initiator in the presence of Sn(Oct)2 at 110 °C. Next, the bromide groups of PCL‐Br were quantitatively converted to azide form by NaN3 to give PCL‐N3. Subsequently, the end hydroxyl groups of PCL‐N3 were capped with ibuprofen as a model drug at room temperature. Finally, copper(I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition reaction between ibuprofen‐conjugated PCL‐N3 and slightly excess alkyne‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (A‐PEG) led to ibuprofen‐conjugated A2B2 miktoarm star copolymer [(PCL)2‐(PEG)2‐D]. The excess A‐PEG was removed by dialysis. 1H NMR, FTIR and SEC analyzes confirmed the expected miktoarm star architecture. These amphiphilic miktoarm star copolymers could self‐assemble into multimorphological aggregates in aqueous solution, which were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, the drug‐loading capacity of these drug‐conjugated miktoarm star copolymers as well as their nondrug‐conjugated analogs were also investigated in detail. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009
Kinetic studies of surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization in the synthesis of magnetic fluids
Authors: Kaiser Andreas , Dutz Silvio , Schmidt Annette M.
Published: November 2009

We present results from kinetic studies on the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization in the preparation of polymer brush‐coated magnetic particles from a heterogeneous system. It is shown that a controlled reaction behavior and a reproducible surface functionalization with end‐tethered polymers are achieved, although the reaction advances gradually from a biphasic solid–liquid mixture to a stable colloidal dispersion of the nanoobjects. Although the initiator‐functional magnetite nanoparticles initially form a precipitate, the formation of a polymer layer on the particle surface in the course of the reaction contributes to a sterical stabilization in dispersion. We thoroughly investigated the development of the initial heterogeneous system with time and in various concentration regimes by simultaneously monitoring the monomer conversion, molar mass, the hydrodynamic diameter of the nanoobjects, and the magnetite content of the dispersions at different reaction times. The results indicate first‐order chain growth kinetics with respect to the monomer and narrow molar mass distributions, demonstrating good control on the particle architecture. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2009