bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of plasticizer on the crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Xiao Hanwen , Lu Wei , Yeh Jen‐Taut
Published: March 2009

In this article, the spherulitic morphology and growth rate of the neat and plasticized poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with triphenyl phosphate (TPP) were compared and analyzed by polarizing optical microscopy with hot stage at a temperature range of 100−142°C. The spherulitic morphology of the neat PLA underwent a series of changes such as the typical Maltese Cross at less than 132°C, the disappearance of the Maltese Cross at 133°C, the irregular and distorted spherulites at higher than 134 and 142°C, respectively. For plasticized PLA, the spherulitic morphology exhibited the same changes as neat PLA, but these changes were shifted to lower temperature when compared with neat PLA. In the case of the spherulitic growth, neat PLA had the maximum value of 0.28 μm/s at 132°C, and plasticized PLA had higher values than that of neat PLA. Further analysis based on the Lauritzen–Hoffman theory was presented and results showed that the values of nucleation parameter Kg increased with TPP content. The crystallization behavior of PLA was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The results showed that the degree of crystallinity of plasticized PLA markedly increased when compared with neat PLA sharply with the incorporation of plasticizer. The crystallization kinetics for the neat and plasticized PLA under isothermal crystallization at 114°C was described by the Avrami equation and the Avrami exponent is close to 2, implying that the crystallization mechanism did not change. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Electrochemical polymerization of 2‐phenylindole and characterization of its polymer
Authors: Li Yuzhen , Cui Jinguo , Liu Houting , Rao Yi , Xu Jingkun , Hou Jian
Published: March 2009

High‐quality poly(2‐phenylindole) (PPI) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 2‐phenylindole (PI) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE). The onset oxidation potential of PI in this medium was measured to be only 0.83 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which was much lower than that determined in acetonitrile (ACN) containing 0.1 mol L–1 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate (1.05 V vs. SCE). PPI films obtained from BFEE showed good electrochemical behavior and thermal stability with an electrical conductivity of 10–2 S cm–1. Structural studies showed that the polymerization of PI mainly occurred at the 3,6‐positions. As‐formed PPI films could be partly dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated that PPI was a blue‐green light emitter. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Reentrant phase transition and fast responsive behaviors of poly{N‐[3‐(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide} hydrogels prepared in poly(ethylene glycol) solutions
Authors: Demirel Gökçen Birlik , Çaykara Tuncer
Published: March 2009

Macroporous temperature‐sensitive poly {N‐[3‐(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide} hydrogels were synthesized by free‐radical crosslinking polymerization of the monomer N‐[3‐(dimethylaminopropyl)] methacrylamide and the crosslinker N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide in aqueous solutions at 22°C. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with a molecular weight of 1000 g/mol was used as the pore‐forming agent during the polymerization reaction. The concentration of PEG in the polymerization solutions was varied between 0 and 18 wt %, whereas the crosslinker (N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide) concentration was fixed at 2 wt % (with respect to the monomer). The effects of the PEG concentration on the thermo‐induced phase‐transition behavior and the chemical structure, interior morphology, and swelling/deswelling kinetics were investigated. Normal‐type hydrogels were also prepared under the same conditions without PEG. An interesting feature of the swelling behavior of both the normal‐type and macroporous hydrogels was the reentrant phase transition, in which the hydrogels collapsed once and reswelled as the temperature was continuously increased. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the interior network structure of the hydrogels prepared in PEG solutions became more porous with an increase in the PEG concentration in the polymerization solution. This more porous matrix provided numerous water channels for water diffusion in or out of the matrix and, therefore, an improved responsive rate to external temperature changes during the deswelling and swelling processes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Systematic development of hybrid cybernetic models: Application to recombinant yeast co‐consuming glucose and xylose
Authors: Song Hyun‐Seob , Morgan John A. , Ramkrishna Doraiswami
Published: March 2009

The hybrid cybernetic modeling approach of Kim et al. (Kim et al. [2008] Biotechnol. Prog., in press) views the substrate uptake flux in microorganisms as being distributed in a regulated way among different elementary modes (EMs) of a metabolic network, which intracellular fluxes related to the uptake rates by the pseudo‐steady‐state approximation on intracellular metabolites. While the conceptual development has been demonstrated by Kim et al. (Kim et al. [2008] Biotechnol. Prog., in press) using a rather simple example (i.e., Escherichia coli metabolizing a single substrate), its extension to a larger scale network involving multiple substrates results in serious overparameterization (which implies an excessive number of parameters relative to the measurements available to determine them). Through the case study of recombinant Saccharomyces yeast co‐consuming glucose and xylose, we present a systematic way of formulating a minimal order hybrid cybernetic model (HCM) for a general metabolic network. The overparameterization problem mostly arising from a large number of EMs is avoided using a model reduction technique developed by Song and Ramkrishna (Song and Ramkrishna [2009a] Biotechnol. Bioeng. 102(2):554–568) where an original set of EMs is condensed to a much smaller subset. Detailed discussions follow on the issue of determining the minimal set of active modes needed for the description of the simultaneous consumption of multiple substrates. The developed HCM is compared with other metabolic models: macroscopic bioreaction models (Provost et al. [2006] Bioprocess Biosyt. Eng. 29(5–6):349–366), and dynamic flux balance analysis. It is shown that the HCM outperforms the other two as validated using various sets of fermentation data. The difference among the models is more dramatic in a situation such as the sequential utilization of glucose and xylose, which is observed under realistic fermentation conditions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 984–1002. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Alkenes through a Phosphine‐Mediated Three‐Component System of Aldehydes, α‐Halo Carbonyl Compounds, and Terminal Alkenes
Authors: Liu Da‐Neng , Tian Shi‐Kai
Published: March 2009

Geometrical control: PPh3 and methyl acrylate (or acrylamide) are able to mediate the one‐pot Wittig reaction of aldehydes with α‐halo carbonyl compounds for the synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted and trisubstituted alkenes in an excellent stereoselective fashion. Furthermore, the first one‐pot, three‐component reaction of aldehydes, α‐halo acetates, and terminal alkenes has been developed in the presence of PPh3 to produce trisubstituted alkenes with excellent E selectivity (see scheme).

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Proactive personality and work performance in China: The moderating effects of emotional exhaustion and perceived safety climate
Authors: Baba Vishwanath V. , Tourigny Louise , Wang Xiaoyun , Liu Weimin
Published: March 2009

Grounded in the interactionist paradigm, this study shows that emotional exhaustion and perceived safety climate constitute important moderators of the relationship between proactive personality and work performance. More specifically, the study analyzes the relationship between proactive personality and its behavioural outcomes—organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and job performance—and investigates the interactive effects of emotional exhaustion and perceived safety climate. The study involves 485 Chinese airline employees including pilots, flight attendants, engineers, and service employees. Proactive personality positively predicted OCB and individual performance. Emotional exhaustion and perceived safety climate moderated the relationship between proactive personality and individual performance both independently and jointly. Implications of the findings for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2009 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics modelling of spouted bed
Authors: Santos Kassia G. , Murata Valéria V. , Barrozo Marcos A. S.
Published: March 2009

Numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique associated with experimental verification is a useful tool for analysis of gas–solid multiphase flows. Simulations of the spouted bed fluid dynamic using two‐dimensional computational grids were accomplished in our previous works with good results. In this article, the patterns of solids and gas flows in a spouted bed were numerically simulated using the three‐dimensional (3D) Eulerian multiphase model. The minimum spouted condition was identified by the simulated solids volume fraction and pressure profiles. The simulated results show good agreement with experimental data and higher accuracy when compared with 2D simulations.
PCI, Stents, Clopidogrel and Non‐cardiac Surgery
Authors: Conti C. Richard
Published: March 2009

What follows in this discussion is partially abstracted from a wonderful ACCEL interview with Peter Berger by Freek W.A. Verheugt on the subject of stopping antiplatelet therapy prior to non‐cardiac surgery. 1 I suspect what Dr. Berger believes is representative of the opinion of many interventional cardiologists. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retracted: Genistein enhances the effect of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and inhibits nuclear factor kappa B in nonsmall cell lung cancer cell lines
Authors: Gadgeel Shirish M. , Ali Shadan , Philip Philip A. , Wozniak Antoinette , Sarkar Fazlul H.
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) have shown modest clinical benefit in patients with relapsed nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Down‐regulation of Akt appears to correlate with the antitumor activity of EGFR‐TKIs. Akt activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), which transcribes genes important for cell survival, invasion, and metastasis. The authors hypothesized that genistein, through the inhibition of NF‐κB, could enhance the activity of EGFR‐TKIs in NSCLCs.

METHODS:

Three NSCLC cell lines with various EGFR mutation status and sensitivities to EGFR‐TKIs were selected: H3255 (L858R), H1650 (del E746‐A750), and H1781 (wild‐type EGFR). Cells were treated with erlotinib, gefitinib, genistein, or the combination of each of the EGFR‐TKIs with genistein. Cell survival and apoptosis were assessed, and expression levels of EGFR, pAkt, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), E‐cadherin, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and NF‐κB were measured.

RESULTS:

Both EGFR‐TKIs demonstrated growth inhibition and apoptosis in each of the cell lines, but H1650 and H1781 were much less sensitive. Genistein demonstrated some antitumor activity in all cell lines, but enhanced growth inhibition and apoptosis when combined with the EGFR‐TKIs in each of the cell lines. Both combinations down‐regulated NF‐κB significantly more than either agent alone in H3255. In addition, the combinations reduced the expression of EGFR, pAkt, COX‐2, and PGE2, consistent with inactivation of NF‐κB.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors concluded that genistein enhances the antitumor effects of EGFR‐TKIs in 3 separate NSCLC cell lines. This enhanced activity is in part because of greater reduction in the DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB when EGFR‐TKIs were combined with genistein. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Patient selection for hemiablative focal therapy of prostate cancer
Authors: Polascik Thomas J. , Mayes Janice M. , Schroeck Florian R. , Sun Leon , Madden John F. , Moul Judd W. , Mouraviev Vladimir
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:

The application of focal therapy for low‐risk prostate cancer (PCa) depended on appropriate patient selection. No definitive criteria existed to characterize patients who may potentially benefit from an organ‐sparing approach. We evaluated pretreatment clinical parameters that may predict unilateral PCa amenable to hemigland thermoablation.

METHODS:

In total, 538 patients with complete data from the Duke Prostate Center (DPC) Outcomes database with low‐ to low‐intermediate–risk PCa (prostate‐specific antigen<10 ng/mL, biopsy Gleason score ≤7, and clinical stage T1c‐T2b) treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) were included in the dataset. Patients underwent diagnostic prostate biopsy (PBx) at Duke or community hospitals from 1996 to 2006. Clinical and biopsy parameters were assessed as to the ability to predict PCa unilaterality verified by RP pathology.

RESULTS:

The strongest predictor of pathologic unilaterality was PBx unilaterality. The sensitivity and specificity for biopsy unilaterality to predict pathologic unilaterality was 88.4% and 34%, with a positive predictive value of 28% and a negative predictive value of 91%. PBx unilaterality (odds ratio [OR] = 3.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14‐7.05; P < .0005) and negative family history of PCa (OR = 1.83; 95% CI, 1.09‐3.05; P = .21) was associated with a higher probability of unilateral disease by multivariate regression.

CONCLUSIONS:

Two pretreatment clinical variables were significantly predictive of unilateral PCa: negative family history of PCa and PBx unilaterality. These variables may be used to select men with low‐ to low‐moderate–risk PCa for hemiablation. Further work is necessary to decrease the false‐negative and false‐positive rates associated with PBx to improve predictability for PCa laterality. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Prognostic models
Authors: Jonasch Eric
Published: March 2009

In this issue of Cancer, Parker et al provide an opportunity to reflect on the current state of prognostication science by introducing the “BioScore,” a metric derived from categorical expression data for B7‐H1, survivin, and Ki‐67, which have been reported as independent predictors of poor outcome in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Purely prognostic models must give way to predictive models based on mechanistic hypotheses.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy/gefitinib followed by concurrent chemotherapy/radiation therapy/gefitinib for patients with locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Hainsworth John D. , Spigel David R. , Burris Howard A. , Markus Tiffanie M. , Shipley Dianna , Kuzur Michel , Lunin Scott , Greco F. Anthony
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors evaluated the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of gefitinib added to first‐line combined‐modality therapy for patients with locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.

METHODS:

Patients with biopsy‐proven locally advanced squamous carcinoma of the head and neck who had low expected cure rates with local treatment modalities alone were eligible for this treatment. All patients received a 6‐week induction course of docetaxel, carboplatin, infusional 5‐fluorouracil, and gefitinib (250 mg daily). Gefitinib was continued while patients received concurrent weekly docetaxel and radiation therapy. After the completion of radiation therapy, gefitinib was continued until patients developed disease progression or for a maximum of 24 months.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐two patients (53% with stage IV disease) received protocol treatment, and 50 patients (81%) were able to complete the regimen. The addition of gefitinib increased the incidence of grade 3/4 mucositis (27%) and diarrhea (16%) during induction therapy but did not appear to add substantially to toxicity during concurrent chemoradiation. The estimated 3‐year progression‐free and overall survival rates for the entire group were 41% and 54%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The addition of gefitinib was associated with a moderate increase in toxicity with this combined modality regimen, particularly during induction therapy. Although this regimen was efficacious, the survival results overlap with results reported with chemoradiation alone. The role of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in first‐line, combined‐modality therapy for patients with head and neck cancer remains undefined. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Stage migration after minor changes in histologic estimation of tumor burden in sentinel lymph nodes
Authors: Riber‐Hansen Rikke , Nyengaard Jens R. , Hamilton‐Dutoit Stephen J. , Steiniche Torben
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:

Melanoma metastasis size estimates are of prognostic significance for groups of patients, but to the authors' knowledge, measurement consensus does not exist.

METHODS:

Maximum metastasis diameter, maximum centripetal tumor depth, microanatomic location of metastases, and complete metastasis volume were measured in 156 positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) from 99 melanoma patients.

RESULTS:

The number of SLN‐positive patients was increased by up to 41% using complete step‐sectioning compared with less extensive protocols. Assessing maximum metastasis diameters, up to 27% of patients positive by the less extensive protocols went from 1 metastasis diameter group to a larger one when complete step‐sectioning was performed. No patients were down‐staged. Apparently minor protocol changes (eg, adding an extra step) led to substantial changes in maximum metastasis diameter. Similar protocol‐dependent results were noted measuring the maximum centripetal tumor depth and the microanatomical location of metastases. By using semiquantitative tumor burden estimates, stage migration was always unidirectional (ie, moving from a lower to higher stage). Stereologic tumor burden estimates in step‐sectioned SLNs also varied according to the number of step sections assessed, but could increase, decrease, or remain constant, so that stage migration was multidirectional.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adding extra steps to pathology protocols when assessing semiquantitative parameters leads to unidirectional stage migration (“the protocol trap”). This systematical bias makes it difficult to base treatment decisions on semiquantitative metastasis size estimates. Although based on metastatic melanoma, the principles described herein will apply when measuring nodal tumor burden in other metastasizing cancers, including breast carcinoma. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Novel markers of early ovarian pre‐granulosa cells are expressed in an Sry‐like pattern
Authors: Lee Hyunjoo J. , Pazin Dorothy E. , Kahlon Ravi S. , Correa Stephanie M. , Albrecht Kenneth H.
Published: March 2009

Mammalian gonad differentiation involves sexually dimorphic cell‐fate decisions within the bipotential gonadal primordia. Testis differentiation is initiated by a center‐to‐poles wave of Sry expression that induces supporting cell precursors (SCPs) to become Sertoli rather than granulosa cells. The initiation of ovary differentiation is less well understood. We identified two novel SCP markers, 1700106J16Rik and Sprr2d, whose expression is ovary‐biased during early gonad development, and altered in Wnt4, Sf1, Wt1, and Fog2 mutant gonads. In XX and XY gonads, both genes were up‐regulated at ∼E11 in a center‐to‐poles wave, and then rapidly down‐regulated in XY gonads in a center‐to‐poles wave, which is reminiscent of Sry expression in XY gonads. Our data suggest that 1700106J16Rik and Sprr2d may have important roles in early gonad development, and are consistent with the hypothesis that ovarian SCP differentiation occurs in a center‐to‐poles wave with similar timing to that of testicular SCP differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 238:812–825, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosomal aberrations in UVB‐induced tumors of immunosuppressed mice
Authors: Dworkin Amy M. , Tober Kathleen L. , Duncan F. Jason , Yu Lianbo , VanBuskirk Anne M. , Oberyszyn Tatiana M. , Toland Amanda Ewart
Published: March 2009

In immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients, the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is increased 60–250 fold, and there is an increased likelihood to develop aggressive, metastatic SCC. An understanding of the genes involved in SCC tumorigenesis is critical to prevent SCC‐associated morbidity and mortality. Mouse models show that different immunosuppressive drugs lead to SCCs varying in size, number, and malignant potential. In this study, we used mouse models that mimic adult transplant recipients to study the effect of immunosuppressive drugs and UV light on SCC development. UV‐induced tumors from six treatment groups, control, tacrolimus (Tac), rapamycin (Rap), cyclosporin (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and Rap plus CsA, were evaluated by array comparative genomic hybridization. Mouse SCCs appear to show similar genomic aberrations as those reported in human SCCs and offer the ability to identify genomic changes associated with specific and combinatorial effects of drugs. Fewer aberrations were seen in tumors of mice treated with MMF or Rap. Tumors from Tac‐treated animals showed the highest number of changes. Calcineurin inhibitors (Tac and CsA) did not cluster together by their genomic aberrations, indicating their contribution to UV mediated carcinogenesis may be through different pathways. The combination treatment (Rap plus CsA) did not cluster with either treatment individually, suggesting it may influence SCC tumorigenesis via a different mechanism. Future studies will identify specific genes mapping to regions of aberration that are different between treatment groups to identify target pathways that may be affected by these drugs. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cycloaddition reaction of phosphonyl nitrile oxides to phosphaacetylene and alkene
Authors: Ye Yong , Luo Yong , Wang Chun‐Fang , Wei Dong‐Qing , Liu Lun‐Zu , Zhao Yu‐Fen
Published: March 2009

Here, we report the cycloaddition reaction of phosphonyl nitrile oxides and the formation of an unexpected 2:1 cycloaddition product. It provides a direct route to triphosphonyl‐substituted dihydroisoxazolyl dihydroisoxazoles and diphosphonyl‐substituted dihydroisoxazolyl dihydroisoxazoles with excellent levels of regiocontrol product. Density functional theory studies of the reactions between nitrile oxides and acrylonitrile are used to propose a possible reaction mechanism. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:95–100, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20518
An accreditation dilemma: The tension between program accountability and program improvement in programmatic accreditation
Authors: Murray Frank B.
Published: March 2009

An examination of the experiences of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council highlights the conflicting and sometimes incompatible expectations for accreditation.
Breastfeeding and breast cancer risk in India: A multicenter case‐control study
Authors: Gajalakshmi Vendhan , Mathew Aleyamma , Brennan Paul , Rajan Balakrishnan , Kanimozhi Vendhan C. , Mathews Anitha , Mathew Beela S. , Boffetta Paolo
Published: March 2009

Breast cancer incidence is low in India compared with high‐income countries, but it has increased in recent decades, particularly among urban women. The reasons for this pattern are not known although they are likely related to reproductive and lifestyle factors. Here, we report the results of a large case‐control study on the association between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk. The study was conducted in 2 areas in South India during 2002–2005 and included 1,866 cases and 1,873 controls. Detailed information regarding menstruation, reproduction, breastfeeding and physical activity was collected through in‐person interview. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression models. Breastfeeding for long duration was common in the study population. Lifetime duration of breastfeeding was inversely associated with breast cancer risk among premenopausal women (p‐value of linear trend, 0.02). No such protective effect was observed in postmenopausal women, among whom a protective effect of parity was suggested. A reduction of breast cancer risk with prolonged breastfeeding was shown among premenopausal women. Health campaign focusing on breastfeeding behavior by appropriately educating women would contribute to reduce breast cancer burden. © 2009 UICC
Cancer incidence and risk factors after solid organ transplantation
Authors: Vajdic Claire M. , van Leeuwen Marina T.
Published: March 2009

Iatrogenic immunosuppression is a unique setting for investigating immune‐related mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Solid organ transplant recipients have a 3‐fold excess risk of cancer relative to the age‐ and sex‐matched general population. Population‐based studies utilizing cancer registry records indicate that a wide range of cancers, mostly those with a viral etiology, occur at excess rates. To date, cancer risk has predominantly been examined in adult kidney transplant recipients in Western countries. It is yet to be established whether a similar incidence profile exists in the long‐term for other solid organ, pediatric and non‐Western transplant recipients. The cancer incidence profile before and after kidney transplantation strongly suggests a relatively minor contribution by both preexisting cancer risk factors and the conditions underlying end‐stage kidney disease, and points to a causal role for immunosuppression. Within‐cohort risk factor analyses have largely been performed on cohorts with voluntary cancer notification, and very few have incorporated biomarkers of the level of immunosuppression, the current receipt of immunosuppressive agents, or genetic risk factors. Because of their markedly high risk of certain cancers, findings from comprehensive studies in transplant recipients have the potential to raise new avenues for investigation into causal mechanisms and preventive measures against immune‐related and infectious causes of cancer. © 2009 UICC
Polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, 3 and 9 and susceptibility to lung, breast and colorectal cancer in over 30,000 subjects
Authors: McColgan Peter , Sharma Pankaj
Published: March 2009

A variety of susceptibility genes have been associated with cancer but definitive conclusions have been difficult to draw partly hampered by the small number of subjects in each study. We undertook a comprehensive genetic meta‐analysis of all matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes investigated using an allelic‐association case–control model in the 3 major cancers of lung, breast and colorectal cancer. Electronic databases were searched until and including July 2008 for any MMP genetic association study in lung, breast and colorectal cancer. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined for each gene disease association using fixed and random effect models. Twenty‐five studies addressing 5 polymorphisms in 4 genes were analyzed among 30,651 individuals (15,328 cases and 15,253 controls). The MMP‐1 nt‐1607 polymorphism was significantly associated with colorectal cancer in both the dominant (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.14–2.42; p = 0.008) and recessive (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.15–2.20; p = 0.005) models. MMP‐21306C→T (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.40–0.72; p < 0.0001) and 735C→T (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53–0.79; p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with protection against lung cancer. No association was found with the MMP 1, 2, 3 or 9 polymorphisms with breast cancer, MMP‐1, 3 or 9 with lung cancer or MMP‐2, 3 or 9 with colorectal cancer. There may be a genetic influence in the development of colorectal and lung cancer. Subjects with the MMP‐1 nt‐1607 polymorphism have an increased association with colorectal cancer. Those homozygous for either the MMP‐2/1306T or 735T allele may be at reduced risk of lung cancer, although the evidence base is small. © 2009 UICC
Effects of tissue age on bone tissue material composition and nanomechanical properties in the rat cortex
Authors: Donnelly Eve , Boskey Adele L. , Baker Shefford P. , van der Meulen Marjolein C. H.
Published: March 2009

Although osteoporosis is known to alter bone tissue composition, the effects of such compositional changes on tissue material properties have not yet been examined. The natural gradient in tissue mineral content arising from skeletal appositional growth provides a basic model for investigation of relationships between tissue composition and mechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of tissue age on bone tissue composition and nanomechanical properties. The nanomechanical properties and composition of regions of differing tissue age were characterized in the femoral cortices of growing rats using nanoindentation and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, spatial maps of the properties of periosteal tissue were examined to investigate in detail the spatial gradients in the properties of newly formed tissue. Newly formed tissue (0–4 days) was 84% less stiff and had 79% lower mineral:matrix ratio than older intracortical (15–70 days) tissue. Tissue modulus, hardness, mineral:matrix ratio, and carbonate:phosphate ratio increased sharply with distance from the periosteum and attained the properties of intracortical tissue within 4 days of formation. The mineral: matrix ratio explained 54% and 62% of the variation in tissue indentation modulus and hardness, respectively. Our data demonstrate significant variations in tissue mechanical properties with tissue age and relate mechanical properties to composition at the microscale. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Finding and fostering the positive in relationships: positive interventions in couples therapy
Authors: Kauffman Carol , Silberman Jordan
Published: March 2009

Research of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) has expanded dramatically in recent years, and many novel PPIs may be useful in couples therapy. The present work identifies, summarizes, and suggests adaptations of PPIs that may improve couples therapy outcomes. Each intervention is presented as part of a larger organizational framework that may help couples therapists determine how and when each intervention can be effectively applied. Finally, a case illustration demonstrates how these methods can complement traditional therapeutic approaches. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65: 1–12, 2009.
Non‐dauer larval dispersal in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Harvey Simon C.
Published: March 2009

Species that exploit transient food patches must both effectively utilize such food sources and colonize new patches. The timing and rate of dispersal from existing patches and adaptations that aid dispersal are therefore crucial. Currently, no system exists in which dispersal has been investigated at both the ecological and genetic levels. The extensively studied model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is potentially such a system. Dispersal between food patches in C. elegans has been found to be related to polymorphism in the npr‐1 gene, which regulates the tendency of worms to aggregate on food. Here I show that this non‐dauer larval dispersal is affected by various environmental variables and that variation is not fully explained by differences in aggregation behavior. Quantitative trait loci mapping identifies candidate genomic regions, separate to npr‐1, which affect variation in dispersal between two isolates. These data suggest that the ecology of C. elegans is more complex than previously thought, but indicate that it is experimentally tractable. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:224–230, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Star coloring of sparse graphs
Authors: Bu Yuehua , Cranston Daniel W. , Montassier Mickaël , Raspaud André , Wang Weifan
Published: March 2009

A proper coloring of the vertices of a graph is called a star coloring if the union of every two color classes induces a star forest. The star chromatic number χs(G) is the smallest number of colors required to obtain a star coloring of G. In this paper, we study the relationship between the star chromatic number χs(G) and the maximum average degree Mad(G) of a graph G. We prove that:

If G is a graph with

, then χs(G)≤4.

If G is a graph with

and girth at least 6, then χs(G)≤5.

If G is a graph with

and girth at least 6, then χs(G)≤6.

These results are obtained by proving that such graphs admit a particular decomposition into a forest and some independent sets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 62: 201–219, 2009
Dominating sets in triangulations on surfaces
Authors: Honjo Tatsuya , Kawarabayashi Ken‐ichi , Nakamoto Atsuhiro
Published: March 2009

Let G be a graph and let S⊂V(G). We say that S is dominating in G if each vertex of G is in S or adjacent to a vertex in S. We show that every triangulation on the torus and the Klein bottle with n vertices has a dominating set of cardinality at most \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\frac{n}{3}$ \end{document}. Moreover, we show that the same conclusion holds for a triangulation on any non‐spherical surface with sufficiently large representativity. These results generalize that for plane triangulations proved by Matheson and Tarjan (European J Combin 17 (1996), 565–568), and solve a conjecture by Plummer (Private Communication). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 63: 17–30, 2010
Synthesis of tetrahydrobenzophenanthridinones. V
Authors: Martínez Roberto , Toscano Rubén A. , Linzaga Irma E. , Sánchez Hanani
Published: March 2009

The preparation of tetrahydrobenzophenanthridinones 4 and 5, potential useful intermediates for the synthesis of Dynemicin A models, is described. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, 1H‐nmr, ms and X‐ray spectroscopy.
Synthesis of chiral 3‐substituted‐3‐aminomethyl‐pyrrolidines and related compounds
Authors: Suto Mark J. , Turner William R. , Kampf Jeffrey W.
Published: March 2009

The preparation of a series of chiral 3‐methyl‐3‐substituted‐pyrrolidines/pyrrolidinones starting from (R)‐4‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐1‐(1R‐phenethyl)‐2‐pyrrolidinone (1) is described. The chiral α‐methylbenzyl functionality serves not only as a nitrogen protecting group for the pyrrolidine nitrogen, but also as a chiral auxillary. The synthesis of the 4‐position enantiomers was accomplished by converting the ester of 1 to the ketone, protecting the ketone as the benzyloxime and separation by chromatography. These key intermediates were converted to the (R) and (S)‐3‐methyl‐3‐aminomethylpyrrolidines by removal of the benzyl group followed by oxidation. The 3‐methyl‐3‐(1‐aminoethyl)pyrrolidines were obtained via a two step reduction of the corresponding oximes. The stereochemical assignments were determined by X‐ray crystallography.
Tautomerism of some amino aza‐containing heterocycles
Authors: Forlani Luciano
Published: March 2009

With the aim of checking potential amino/imino tautomerism in heterocyclic series, some uv/visible spectroscopic properties of 2‐N‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl)pyridine, 2‐N‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl)pyrimidine and of 2‐N‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl)thiazoleamine are reported and discussed. In dimethyl sulphoxide the imino tautomer of the thiazole derivatives is the more populated form, while in toluene the amino aromatic form predominates. The more populated tautomer of the pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives is the amino aromatic form in both polar and apolar solvents. For the thiazole derivatives the tautomeric equilibrium in toluene is shifted toward the imino form by adding small amounts of tetrabutylammonium bromide or of dimethyl sulphoxide. The position of the tautomeric equilibrium is quantitatively evaluated and discussed.
A synthesis of 5‐carboxamidopyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyridine
Authors: Macor John E. , Post Ronald , Ryan Kevin
Published: March 2009

A four‐step synthesis of 5‐carboxamidopyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyridine (3) from pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyridine (4) is described (45% overall yield). The one‐step conversion of the N‐oxide 6 of the pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyridine 5 leads to the 5‐cyanopyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyridine 7. The cyano group is hydrolyzed to afford the title compound 3, which is the 4‐aza analog of the indole backbone in 5‐carboxamidotryptamine, a potent agonist of the neurotransmitter, serotonin.
Electrophilic substitution of diazonium salts in 2‐amino‐4‐(alkyl or aryl)oxazoles
Authors: Crank George , Mekonnen Belew
Published: March 2009

Aryl diazonium fluoborates react readily with 2‐amino‐4‐alkyloxazoles and 2‐amino‐4‐aryloxazoles under mild conditions. The products are the corresponding 5‐arylazo derivatives formed, in 44‐98% yield free from side products.
Synthesis of indolizines and pyrrolo[2,1‐b]azoles from 2‐pyridylmagnesium bromide and 2‐lithiated azoles using tris(alkylthio)‐cyclopropenyl cations as a three‐carbon building block
Authors: Kojima Hideo , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Kinoshita Yasuo , Inoue Hiroo
Published: March 2009

A convenient method for the preparation of indolizines 3 and 4 and pyrrolo[2,1‐b]azoles 7a‐e from 2‐pyridylmagnesium bromide and 2‐lithiated azoles 6a‐e, respectively, was developed by using tris(tert‐butylthio)‐ and tris(isopropylthio)cyclopropenyl cations 1 and 2 as a three‐carbon building block.
Enantiospecific activity of tetracyclic PAF‐antagonists
Authors: Walser A. , Flynn T.
Published: March 2009

The syntheses of two enantiomeric tetracyclic compounds, the thieno[3,2‐f][pyrrolo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a][1,4]diazepines10aand10bare described. Testing of these enantiomers as inhibitors of platelet activating factor (PAF) revealed good enantiospecificity, meaning that one enantiomer is responsible for the observed biological activity.
Synthesis of quinazolino‐1,3‐benzothiazine derivatives
Authors: Szabó János , Bani‐Akoto Ernest , Dombi György , Bernáth Gábor , Fodor Lajos , Sohár PÁL
Published: March 2009

The ring‐closure reactions of N‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenylthiomethyl)‐2‐nitrobenzamide derivatives 5a,b with phosphoryl chloride gave 4‐(2‐nitrophenyl)‐2H1,3‐benzothiazine derivatives 7a,b, which on reduction yielded 4‐(2′‐aminophenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1,3‐benzothiazines 8a,b. Reaction of these compounds with phosgene led to a new heterocyclic ring system, 6H,8H‐quinazolino[3,4‐c][1,3]benzothiazine derivatives 9a,b. The structures of the title compounds were proved via their ir and nmr (1H, 13C) spectra.
Condensation products of 2‐bromo‐3‐substituted‐inden‐1‐ones with several primary amines
Authors: Nan'ya Seiko , Kitahara Takeo , Fujii Kenichi , Bajji Ashok C. , Butsugan Yasuo
Published: March 2009

2‐Bromo‐3‐substituted‐inden‐1‐ones 2 reacted with L‐cysteine or 2‐aminobenzenethiol to produce 2,3‐dihydro‐5‐phenylindeno[2,1‐b][1,4]thiazine in moderate yield or 6‐substituted‐indeno[2,1‐b][1,4]benzothiazines in good yield. The debrominated oxime and the phenylhydrazone of 2 were separated into their respective E‐ and Z‐conformers by column chromatography and their E‐ and Z‐configurations were obtained from the 1H nmr spectra.
Cis and trans 4,8‐dimethyl‐6‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetra‐hydro‐4H‐1,3,6‐oxadiazocin‐2‐ones: Conformational studies and configurational assignments by NMR
Authors: Nishiyama Tomihiro , Fujiwara Toyokuni , Miyazaki Satoshi , Yamada Fukiko
Published: March 2009

The reaction of N‐(2‐aminopropyl)‐N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)aniline with phosgene afforded cis and trans isomers of 4,8‐dimethyl‐6‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐1,3,6‐oxadiazocin‐2‐one. On the basis of ASIS data and Eu‐shift difference, the title compounds are found to exist as boat‐chair conformation in which the carbonyl carbon resides at the BC‐2 position on the molecular plane.
New triazole antifungal agents derived from mercaptomethylisoxazoles
Authors: Moreno‐Mañas M. , Arredondo Y. , Pleixats R. , Teixidó M. , Raga M. M. , Palacín C. , Castelló J. M. , Ortiz J. A.
Published: March 2009

Several new triazole antifungal agents derived from mercaptomethylisoxazoles of general structure 2(2,4‐dihalogenophenyl)‐3‐((X‐isoxazolyl)methylthio)‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propanol, as well as some selected sulfoxides and sulfones derived thereof, have been synthesized and tested for antifungal activity. Some of these compounds showed good activity against yeasts and dermatophytes.
A convenient synthesis of 2‐amino‐6‐methoxy‐1‐methyl (and 1,4‐dimethyl)carbazole derivatives and their 6‐aza analogues
Authors: Moron Jacqueline , Landras Corinne , Bisagni Emile
Published: March 2009

2,6‐Diaminotoluene (3a) and 2,6‐diamino‐p‐xylene (3c) led to 2‐methyl (and 2,5‐dimethyl)‐3‐acetylamino‐phenylhydrazines 5a,b. Fischer indolization of their hydrazones 6a,b and 7a,b derived from 4‐methoxycy‐clohexanone and 4‐piperidone, and subsequent aromatization of intermediate tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives 8a,b and 9a,b allowed us to work out a convenient route to the title compounds.
Synthesis and spectral properties of 6H‐2,7,7‐trimethyl‐7,8‐dihydrofuro[3,2‐c]azepines
Authors: Cortés Eduardo C. , Martínez Roberto , Avila‐arraga J. Gustavo
Published: March 2009

The preparation of novel 7,8‐Dihydrofuro[3,2‐c]azepines is described. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, 1H‐nmr and mass spectrometry.
Palladium‐catalyzed synthesis of indoles from 2‐nitrostyrenes
Authors: Izumi Taeko , Soutome Michihiko , Miura Takashi
Published: March 2009

In the presence of palladium salts, oxidation of 2‐nitrostyrenes 1 with nitrous acid alkyl esters 2 resulted in the formation of 2‐nitrophenylacetaldehyde dialkyl acetals 3. Reductive cyclization of the acetals 3 with iron powder in acetic acid afforded indoles 5 in good yield.
New synthesis of 2(1H)‐pyridone derivatives
Authors: Cocco Maria Teresa , Congiu Cenzo , Maccioni Antonio , Onnis Valentina
Published: March 2009

The reaction of N1‐acyl‐2‐ethoxycarbonylacetamidrazones 1 with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate (EMME) is reported. By refluxing equimolecular amounts of 1 and EMME in DMSO/toluene (or ethanol) solution, the 1‐acylamino‐2(1H)‐pyridones 2 were obtained in good yield. When the reaction was performed in ethanolic solution in the presence of triethylamine, the 6‐acylhydrazino‐2(1H)‐pyridones 3 were obtained.
A convenient synthesis of 1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3,2‐o,p]‐[1,3]diazocino[4,5‐b]quinoxalines via a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction and a ring transformation
Authors: Kurasawa Yoshihisa , Yoshishiba Noriko , Kureyama Tomomi , Okano Tomoko , Takada Atsushi , Kim Ho Sik , Okamoto Yoshihisa
Published: March 2009

The reaction of 6‐chloro‐2‐hydrazinoquinoxaline 4‐oxide 5 with triethyl orthoformate gave 7‐chloro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline 5‐oxide 6. The reaction of compound 6 with phenyl isocyanate afforded 7‐chloro‐4‐phenylamino‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline 7, while the reaction of compound 6 with phenyl isothiocyanate resulted in deoxygenation to provide 7‐chloro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxaline 8. However, the reaction of compound 6 with allyl isothiocyanate effected the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction, but not deoxygenation, to furnish 9‐chloro‐4,5‐dihydroisoxazolo[2,3‐a][1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐c]quinoxalin‐5‐ylmethylisothiocyanate 9. Moreover, the reduction of compound 9 with iron/acetic acid resulted in ring transformation to give 11 ‐chloro‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐thioxo‐4,5,6,7,8,9‐hexahydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3,2‐ o,p][1,3]diazocino[4,5‐b]quinoxaline 10, whose acetylation afforded 5‐acetyl‐11‐chloro‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐thioxo‐4,5,6,7,8,9‐hexahydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3,2‐o,p][1,3]diazocino[4,5‐b]quinoxaline 11.
The synthesis of a new benzothiazine derivative, related to oxicams, synthesized from natural safrole
Authors: Fraga Carlos A. M. , Barreiro Eliezer J.
Published: March 2009

The synthesis of the new derivatives, 2‐methyl‐6,7‐methylenodioxy‐2H‐1,2‐benzothiazin‐3‐one‐4‐(N‐phenyl)carboxamide 1,1‐dioxide (6a) from natural safrole (5) is described. The principal feature of this route is brevity and the high overall yield, producing the new analogue in ca. 35% from the natural product.
Selective synthesis of 1,3‐Di(pyridylimino)‐isoindolines from tetracyanobenzene
Authors: Mandal Sanat K. , Thompson Laurence K. , Ray Soma
Published: March 2009

The synthesis of substituted 1,3‐bis‐(2‐pyridylimino)isoindoline 4 from 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanobenzene and 2,6‐diaminopyridine under mild and dilute conditions constitutes a new approach to produce a functionalized compound 4. The synthesis of an analogous compound 5 from 1,2,4,5‐tetracyanobenzene and 2‐amino‐6‐methylpyridine is also described.
n‐Butyl by‐products in the syntheses of 2‐(1‐ and 2‐naphthyl)pyridines via lithiation
Authors: Klemm L. H. , Burel William , Purtzer Daniel
Published: March 2009

By‐products in the syntheses of 2‐(1‐ and 2‐naphthyl)pyridines by successive treatments of 1‐ and 2‐bromonaphthalenes with (a) n‐butyllithium in ether and (b) pyridine are identified as 5‐butyl‐2‐(1‐naphthyl)pyridine and, tentatively, 5‐butyl‐2‐(2‐naphthyl)pyridine, respectively. It is proposed that these by‐products result from reaction of intermediate compounds 1‐lithio‐2‐naphthyl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines and 1‐bromobutane.
Treatment with oseltamivir in children hospitalized with community‐acquired, laboratory‐confirmed influenza: Review of five seasons and evaluation of an electronic reminder
Authors: Wilkes Jennifer J. , Zaoutis Theoklis E. , Keren Ron , Desai Bimal , Leckerman Kateri H. , Hodinka Richard L. , Metjian Talene A. , Coffin Susan E.
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND:

When initiated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, oseltamivir has been shown to reduce severity and length of influenza illness. Few studies have evaluated the use of oseltamivir in patients hospitalized with influenza.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the prescribing practices for oseltamivir in children hospitalized with influenza and to evaluate a mechanism to improve the rate of appropriate prescription.

DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS:

Retrospective cohort study of 929 patients aged 21 years or younger hospitalized with community‐acquired laboratory‐confirmed influenza (CA‐LCI) during 5 consecutive seasons (2000‐2005). We examined oseltamivir eligibility, which included patients 1 year of age or older with an influenza test result available within 48 hours of symptom onset. During the 2005‐2006 season, an observational trial of an electronic reminder was conducted to improve the frequency of oseltamivir prescription.

MEASUREMENTS:

Oseltamivir prescription.

RESULTS:

Of 305 patients (32.8%) eligible for treatment with oseltamivir, 49 (16.1% of those eligible) were prescribed oseltamivir during hospitalization. Prescription rates for indications consistent with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval (“on label”) increased from 0% to 37.2% over 5 seasons (P < 0.0001). Prescriptions outside this recommendation (“off label”) also increased over 5 seasons (P < 0.0001). Twenty‐nine (5%) of 624 patients were treated with oseltamivir off label; 11 were less than 1 year of age. Initiation of a reminder had no impact on prescription (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Oseltamivir was used infrequently for children hospitalized with influenza. In addition, use inconsistent with the FDA label of oseltamivir occurs. Mechanisms are needed to improve appropriate prescription of oseltamivir. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:171–178. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
An eight‐phase CMOS voltage controlled oscillator
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Liu Cheng‐Chen , Suchen Ming‐Hsiang , Huang Shih‐Hsin
Published: March 2009

This article presents an eight‐phase low phase noise CMOS voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The low noise CMOS VCO has been implemented with the TSMC 0.18 μm 1P6M CMOS technology and adopts two quadrature cross‐coupled nMOS‐core VCOs injection‐locked through the second‐harmonic. The VCO operates from 5.1 GHz to 5.5 GHz with 7.54% tuning range. The measured phase noise at 1 MHz offset from 5.1 GHz is about −115.4 dBc/Hz. The power consumption of the VCO core is 7.43 mW at the supply voltage of 1 V. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1225–1228, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24270