bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ag/SiOxCy plasma polymer coating for antimicrobial protection of fracture fixation devices
Authors: Khalilpour Poroshat , Lampe Kai , Wagener Michael , Stigler Brigitte , Heiss Christian , Ullrich Matthias S. , Domann Eugen , Schnettler Reinhard , Alt Volker
Published: April 2010

Implant‐related infections are often devastating situations in orthopaedic trauma surgery particularly if multiresistant bacteria are involved. Protection of the implant surface by an antimicrobial coating exhibiting activity against multiresistant bacterial strains is of high interest. Aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of an Ag/SiOxCy plasma polymer coating for fracture fixation devices, such as nails, plates, and external fixators, including tests against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its biocompatibility. The antimicrobial activity of the coating deposited onto 12 × 3 mm2 stainless steel implants was tested in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and MRSA using different testing methods (ASTM E‐2810, JIS Z 2801, proliferation assay). Additionally, the coated devices were implanted into the paravertebral muscle of rabbits and explanted after 2, 7, 14, and 28 days to test the remaining ex vivo antimicrobial activity. For biocompatibility assessment the Ag/SiOxCy plasma polymer coating was tested in vitro according to ISO 10993‐5. The Ag/SiOxCy coating exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial strains in all three in vitro tests. Ex vivo testing proved suppression of more than 99.9 % of bacterial proliferation by the coating compared to non‐coated samples even after 28 days. ISO 10993‐5 showed good biocompatibility of the coating without any indications of cytotoxic effects. In summary, Ag/SiOxCy plasma polymer coating showed excellent antimicrobial activity including effectiveness against MRSA and good in vitro biocompatibility. Therefore, it possesses high potential as a prophylactic agent in orthopaedic trauma surgery. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Cyclin D1 and cyclin D3 show divergent responses to distinct mitogenic stimulation
Authors: Anderson Alexandra A. , Child Emma S. , Prasad Aarathi , Elphick Lucy M. , Mann David J.
Published: April 2010

D‐type cyclins predominantly regulate progression through the cell cycle by their interactions with cyclin‐dependent kinases (cdks). Here, we show that stimulating mitogenesis of Swiss 3T3 cells with phorbol esters or forskolin can induce divergent responses in the expression levels, localization and activation state of cyclin D1 and cyclin D3. Phorbol ester‐mediated protein kinase C stimulation induces S phase entry which is dependent on MAPK activation and increases the levels and activation of cyclin D1, whereas forskolin‐mediated cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A stimulation induces mitogenesis that is independent of MAPK, but dependent upon mTor and specifically increases the level and activation of cyclin D3. These findings uncover additional levels of complexity in the regulation of the cell cycle at the level of the D‐type cyclins and thus may have important therapeutic implications in cancers where specific D‐cyclins are overexpressed. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 638–645, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic MR perfusion imaging: Capability for quantitative assessment of disease extent and prediction of outcome for patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Koyama Hisanobu , Matsumoto Keiko , Onishi Yumiko , Nogami Munenobu , Takenaka Daisuke , Yoshikawa Takeshi , Matsumoto Sumiaki , Sugimura Kazuro
Published: April 2010

Purpose:

To compare directly the capabilities of multidetector‐row computed tomography (MDCT) and MRI for disease severity assessment and outcome prediction for acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) patients.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty consecutive APTE patients underwent MDCT, MR angiography, dynamic perfusion MRI, treatment and follow‐up examination. Pulmonary blood flow (PBF), pulmonary blood volume, and mean transit time maps were generated from perfusion MRI, and all segmental parameters were determined by using region of interest measurements. Receiver operator curve analyses were used to determine the most accurate parameter for diagnosis of the APTE segment. Then, APTE index from perfusion MRI (PEperfusion MRI index), right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV) diameter ratio and APTE indexes from embolic burdens observed on MDCT (PECT index) and MR angiography (PEMRA index) were calculated. Finally, ability to differentiate mortality (n = 8) from survival (n = 42) groups and to predict patient outcome were statistically assessed.

Results:

PBF was a significantly more accurate parameter than others (P < 0.05). When feasible threshold value was applied, specificity and accuracy of RV/LV diameter ratio and PEPerfusion MRI index were significantly higher than those of PECT and PEMRA indexes (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that each index was a significant predictor (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Dynamic perfusion MRI can be effective for disease extent assessment and outcome prediction for APTE patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1081–1090. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved coronary MR angiography using wideband steady state free precession at 3 tesla with sub‐millimeter resolution
Authors: Lee Hsu‐Lei , Shankaranarayanan Ajit , Pohost Gerald M. , Nayak Krishna S.
Published: April 2010

Purpose:

To suppress off‐resonance artifacts in coronary artery imaging at 3 Tesla (T), and therefore improve spatial resolution.

Materials and Methods:

Wideband steady state free precession (SSFP) sequences use an oscillating steady state to reduce banding artifacts. Coronary artery images were obtained at 3T using three‐dimensional navigated gradient echo, balanced SSFP, and wideband SSFP sequences.

Results:

The highest in‐plane resolution of left coronary artery images was 0.68 mm in the frequency‐encoding direction. Wideband SSFP produced an average SNR efficiency of 70% relative to conventional balanced SSFP and suppressed off‐resonance artifacts.

Conclusion:

Wideband SSFP was found to be a promising approach for obtaining noncontrast, high‐resolution coronary artery images at 3 Tesla with reliable image quality. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1224–1229. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Depression severity evaluation for female patients based on a functional MRI model
Authors: Qing Lu , Haiteng Jiang , Haiyan Liu , Gang Liu , Gaojun Teng , Zhijian Yao
Published: April 2010

Purpose:

To develop a functional MRI (fMRI) signal based model that can evaluate depression severity in a numeric form; therefore, depressed patients can be identified during the course of illness, independent from symptoms.

Materials and Methods:

Data from 20 medication‐free depressed patients and 16 healthy subjects were analyzed. The event‐related fMRI scanning features under sad facial emotional stimuli were extracted as model inputs. Fuzzy logic and a genetic algorithm were used to provide suitable model outputs for numeric estimations of depression.

Results:

The correlation value r between the model estimations and the professional Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HAMD) was 0.7886 with P < 0.00016. A typical tracking history for a particular subject has also promised the possibility for early disease warning, when the clinal symptoms are ambiguous or recessive.

Conclusion:

A numeric and objective estimation for the course of illness can be provided. The model can be used by psychiatrists to track the recovery process. As a simple extended application, the proposed model can be applied to classify subjects into different patterns: major depression, moderate depression, or healthy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1067–1074. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CARS thermometry revisited in lightof the intramolecular perturbation
Authors: Marrocco Michele
Published: April 2010

The rigid rotor approximation (RRA) is commonly assumed in the Raman cross section used in thermometric analysis based on coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). In this paper, we discuss instead the role of the coupling between molecular vibrations and rotations in view of the alterations found in the amplitude of CARS signals of basic molecules and, in the end, we demonstrate that the deviation of a few percent from the RRA results in corrections to the measured temperature that are comparable to the thermometric accuracy of very well‐known Q‐branch CARS measurements on nitrogen, which is unanimously regarded as the fundamental molecule in CARS thermometry. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuously moving table time‐of‐flight angiography of the peripheral veins
Authors: Huff Sandra , Honal Matthias , Baumann Tobias , Hennig Jürgen , Markl Michael , Ludwig Ute
Published: April 2010

Time‐of‐flight (TOF) MR angiography allows for noninvasive vessel imaging. To overcome the limited volumetric coverage of standard TOF techniques, the aim of this study was to investigate the combination of TOF and continuously moving table (CMT) acquisitions for peripheral vein imaging based on image subtraction. Two acquisition strategies are presented: a simple two‐step method based on 2‐fold CMT acquisition and an advanced one‐step method requiring only one continuous scan. Image quality of both CMT TOF techniques was evaluated by semiquantitative image grading and by signal‐to‐noise ratio and contrast‐to‐noise ratio analysis for veins of the upper and lower leg in 10 healthy volunteers. Results were compared to a standard stationary two‐dimensional (2D) TOF multistation acquisition. Image grading revealed good image quality for both CMT TOF methods, thereby confirming the feasibility of axial 2D CMT TOF to assess the veins of the lower extremities during a single scan. Quantitative evaluation showed no significant difference in signal‐to‐noise ratio and contrast‐to‐noise ratio compared to the stationary experiment. Additional measurements in three patients with postthrombotic changes and varicosities demonstrated the clinical applicability of the presented methods. CMT TOF provides promising results and permits the detection of various pathologic changes of the venous system. Magn Reson Med 63:1219–1229, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noninvasive temperature mapping with MRI using chemical shift water‐fat separation
Authors: Soher Brian J. , Wyatt Cory , Reeder Scott B. , MacFall James R.
Published: April 2010

Tissues containing both water and lipids, e.g., breast, confound standard MR proton reference frequency‐shift methods for mapping temperatures due to the lack of temperature‐induced frequency shift in lipid protons. Generalized Dixon chemical shift–based water‐fat separation methods, such as GE's iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least‐squares estimation method, can result in complex water and fat images. Once separated, the phase change over time of the water signal can be used to map temperature. Phase change of the lipid signal can be used to correct for non‐temperature‐dependent phase changes, such as amplitude of static field drift. In this work, an image acquisition and postprocessing method, called water and fat thermal MRI, is demonstrated in phantoms containing 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 water‐to‐fat by volume. Noninvasive heating was applied in an Off1‐On‐Off2 pattern over 50 min, using a miniannular phased radiofrequency array. Temperature changes were referenced to the first image acquisition. Four fiber optic temperature probes were placed inside the phantoms for temperature comparison. Region of interest (ROI) temperature values colocated with the probes showed excellent agreement (global mean ± standard deviation: −0.09 ± 0.34°C) despite significant amplitude of static field drift during the experiments. Magn Reson Med 63:1238–1246, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Magnetic nanoparticles for imaging dendritic cells
Authors: Kobukai Saho , Baheza Richard , Cobb Jared G. , Virostko Jack , Xie Jingping , Gillman Amelie , Koktysh Dmitry , Kerns Denny , Does Mark , Gore John C. , Pham Wellington
Published: April 2010

We report the development of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIOs) nanoparticles and investigate the migration of SPIO‐labeled dendritic cells (DCs) in a syngeneic mouse model using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The size of the dextran‐coated SPIO is roughly 30 nm, and the DCs are capable of independent uptake of these particles, although not at levels comparable to particle uptake in the presence of a transfecting reagent. On average, with the assistance of polylysine, the particles were efficiently delivered inside DCs within one hour of incubation. The SPIO particles occupy approximately 0.35% of cell surface and are equivalent to 34.6 pg of iron per cell. In vivo imaging demonstrated that the labeled cells migrated from the injection site in the footpad to the corresponding popliteal lymph node. The homing of labeled cells in the lymph nodes resulted in a signal drop of up to 79%. Furthermore, labeling DCs with SPIO particles did not compromise cell function, we demonstrated that SPIO‐enhanced MR imaging can be used to track the migration of DCs effectively in vivo. Magn Reson Med 63:1383–1390, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization and reduction of saturation banding in multiplanar coherent and incoherent steady‐state imaging
Authors: Derakhshan Jamal J. , Griswold Mark A. , Nour Sherif G. , Sunshine Jeffrey L. , Duerk Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2010

Hypointense band artifacts occur at intersections of nonparallel imaging planes in rapidly acquired MR images; quantitative or numerical analysis of these bands and strategies to mitigate their appearance have largely gone unexplored. The magnetization evolution in the different regions of multiplanar images was simulated for three common rapid steady‐state techniques (spoiled gradient echo, steady state free precession, balanced steady state free precession). Saturation banding was found to be highly dependent on the pulse sequence, acquisition time, and phase‐encoding order. Encoding the center of k‐space at the end of the acquisition of each slice (i.e., reverse centric phase encoding) is demonstrated to be a simple and robust method for significantly reducing the relative saturation in all imaging planes. View ordering and resolution dependence were confirmed in multiplanar abdominal images. The added importance of reducing the artifact in accelerated acquisition techniques (e.g., parallel imaging) is particularly notable in multiplanar balanced steady state free precession images in the brain. Magn Reson Med 63:1415–1421, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurological patients need evidence‐based urological care
Authors: Wyndaele J.J. , Bruschini H. , Madersbacher H. , Moore K. , Pontari M. , Wein A.
Published: April 2010

Aims

To report the conclusion of the Think Thank on Neurourology discussions during the first ICI‐RS meeting in 2009.

Methods

During a 3‐day meeting a group of specialists discussed evidence‐based medicine in neurourology and made suggestions for future research.

Results

In the vast majority of patients with neurological disease bladder dysfunction occurs. The actual rules of diagnosis and treatment lack a study related evidence base. From a long list of possible research subjects, prevalence, detrusor pressure, imaging, catheterization and surgery have been first discussed.

Conclusion

In each of these subjects, research items are suggested which can help to improve the care in this patient group. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:662–669, 2010. Copyright © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secondary relaxations and electrical conductivity in hyperbranched polyester amides
Authors: Turky G. , Sangoro J. R. , Abdel Rehim M. , Kremer F.
Published: April 2010

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy is used to investigate molecular dynamics and charge transport in three hyperbranched polyester amides with hydroxyl, phenyl, and stearate terminal groups. At higher temperatures, the dielectric spectra are interpreted in terms of hopping conduction in a spatially randomly varying energy landscape, whereas two secondary dipolar relaxations attributed to librations of the terminal and amide groups dominate the low temperature regime. Despite a shift of more than 3 decades in the dc conductivity upon variation of the end groups, the Barton–Nakajima–Namikawa relation is shown to hold. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1651–1657, 2010
Immiscibility–miscibility phase transformation in blends of poly(ethylene succinate) with poly(L‐lactic acid)s of different molecular weights
Authors: Woo E. M. , Hsieh Ya‐Ting , Chen Wei‐Ting , Kuo Nai‐Tzu , Wang Lai‐Yen
Published: April 2010

Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), upper critical solution temperature (UCST) phase behavior with immiscibility–miscibility transformation in blends of poly(ethylene succinate) (PESu) with poly(lactic acid)s (PLAs), such as poly(D,L‐lactic acid) (PDLLA), poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(D‐lactic acid) (PDLA), differing in D/L configurations and molecular weights were investigated. All three binary blends of PDLLA/PESu, PLLA/PESu, and PESu/PDLA exhibit UCST behavior, which means they are immiscible at ambient temperature but can become miscible upon heating to higher temperatures at 240–268 °C depending on molecular weights. The PLLAs/PESu blends at UCST could be reverted back to the original phase‐separated morphology, as proven by solvent redissolution. The blends upon quenching from above UCST could be frozen into a quasi‐miscible state, where the Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter (χ12) was determined to be a negative value (by melting point depression technique). The interaction between PDLLA and PESu in blend resulted in significant reduction in spherulite growth rate of PESu. Furthermore, blends of PESu with lower molecular weight PLLA or PDLA (Mw of PLLA and PDLA are 152,000 and 124,000 g/mol, respectively), instead of the higher Mw of PDLLA (Mw of PDLLA = 157,000 g/mol), are immiscible with UCST phase behavior, which are affected by molecular weights rather than the ratio of L/D monomer in the chemical structure of PLAs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1135–1147, 2010
Modelling and analyzing flow diversion in branching channels with symmetric geometry
Authors: Yousefi Somayeh , Ghiassi Reza , Yousefi Saied
Published: April 2010

This paper aims at the investigation and analysis of numerical and laboratory modelling of flow in branched channels with symmetrical geometry and varying hydraulic conditions. Details of velocity and water‐level profiles in branching locations are discussed. In some low‐slop regions like plains, rivers may be branching; or in alluvial plains where the slop is low, meanders may appear. On the other hand, in the mountainous and semi‐mountainous areas with relatively steep slops, arterial rivers can be formed. Therefore, it is important to learn the behaviour of rivers in branching location and to simulate water flow in branching part of rivers.

Details of two‐dimensional numerical model in a main channel and secondary downstream branches are explained and results are analysed and compared against experimental data. With respect to the numerical simulation, velocity and depth in different sections of laboratory model are calculated and the corresponding profiles are developed. The water‐level profiles are calculated and drawn using both the numerical and experimental models. Some long narrow eddies are predicted along internal bank of junction. The comparison of numerical and experimental models proves reasonable results for this research. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of organic vapor on alkanethiol deposition via Dip‐pen nanolithography
Authors: Salaita Khalid , Amarnath Anand , Higgins Thomas B. , Mirkin Chad A.
Published: April 2010

Dip‐pen nanolithography (DPN) is a scanning probe‐based technique that allows for direct delivery of molecules to a range of substrates with sub‐50 nm resolution. This study describes the effect of organic solvent vapor on the deposition rate and feature size of nanostructures deposited via DPN. The transport rate of model molecular inks, 1‐octadecanethiol, and 16‐mercaptohexadecanoic acid were examined under atmospheres of ethanol, methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane. In all cases, presence of an organic vapor increased deposition rate and feature size, in some cases by an order of magnitude. This underscores how the environment can be used to regulate molecular transport rates in a DPN experiment. SCANNING 32: 9–14, 2010. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tailored analytical strategies for the investigation of metallic artefacts from the Ayanis Fortress in Turkey
Authors: Angelini E. , Batmaz A. , Cilingiroglu A. , Grassini S. , Ingo G. M. , Riccucci C.
Published: April 2010

A noteworthy number of metallic artefacts dating back to 673–645 BC have been found during excavations in the Ayanis Fortress, near the lake of Van. They are large bronze shields, quivers, helmets, arrows and plates, some of which are decorated with cuneiform inscriptions, and demonstrate a high‐level quality of technological competence reached by the ancient craftsmen of Ayanis during the reign of King Rusa II. The artefacts have been studied from a microchemical, micromorphological and microstructural point of view by means of different techniques, from optical microscopy to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to X‐ray diffraction.

Microchemical and microstructural investigations showed metallurgical features of the bronze artefacts and of the corrosion products' layered structures that can be explained in terms of manufacturing processes (repeated cycles of mechanical work and annealing thermal treatments) and environmental context (presence of high amounts of chlorides in the soil that preferentially attack the bronze along the grain boundaries). In particular, the repeated cycles of mechanical work and annealing thermal treatments were carried out to restore the ductility and the malleability of the alloy, thus inducing the crystallisation and the growth of flattened grains as well as impurities segregation phenomena along grain boundaries. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An application for near‐real‐time analysis of XPS data
Authors: Lea A. S. , Swanson K. R. , Haack J. N. , Castle J. E. , Tougaard S. , Baer D. R.
Published: April 2010

A platform‐independent application for the analysis of XPS data has been developed with the goal of providing rapid data processing of survey spectra at a more sophisticated level than is typically performed. This application uses an expert systems approach to invoke a set of rules that are applied to the data. The application then uses simple, automated data analysis calculations to generate information on the thickness of any carbon contamination layer, atomic composition corrected for carbon contamination, and segregation (layering) information as soon as the data are collected. Batch processing and automated report generation are features incorporated into this application that would also improve the throughput for data analysis, resulting in substantial labor reduction and cost savings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pt‐doped tungsten oxide surface: photoemission and RHEED study
Authors: Mašek K. , Blumentrit P. , Beran J. , Skála T. , Píš I. , Libra J. , Matolín V.
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we report investigations of the structure and electronic properties of a well‐defined Pt/tungsten oxide system prepared on W(110) single‐crystal surface. The crystallographic structure and epitaxial orientation were determined by reflexion high‐energy electron diffraction. The chemical state of the film was investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy induced by an X‐ray source as well as by synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy. The ultrathin Pt layers were deposited on the surface of epitaxial tungsten oxide with (111) planes parallel to the W(110). The formation of three‐dimensional Pt clusters with (111) epitaxial plane was observed. It is shown that the Pt deposit caused a partial reduction of the tungsten oxide layer. We found that it is an electronic effect in which the interaction of the Pt deposit with the tungsten oxide enables charge transfer from the W cation to the O anion leading to change of the chemical state. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural analyses of thermal annealed SRO/SiO2 superlattices
Authors: Vanzetti L. , Pucker G. , Milita S. , Barozzi M. , Ghulinyan M. , Bersani M.
Published: April 2010

Nanocrystalline silicon embedded in dielectric matrices is currently studied for Si‐photonics, memory devices and solar cells. A common method for the preparation of silicon nanocrystals embedded in oxides is the phase separation of silicon rich oxide (SRO) in SiO2 and Si via thermal annealing. Phase separation, nucleation and crystallization of SRO are known to depend on the thickness of the SRO layer. Here we investigate the structural changes in a sample consisting of alternated nanometer‐thick SRO and SiO2 layers—a so‐called superlattice (SL)—during thermal annealing. Under a thermal treatment the material undergoes a series of modifications due to sintering, phase separation, crystallization and layer mixing. In this work we investigate these transformations in an SL grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) with several analytical techniques: XPS, variable angle ellipsometric spectroscopy (VASE), SIMS, and X‐ray reflectivity (XRR). Both SIMS and XRR measurements clearly reveal the periodicity of the samples. XPS analysis reveals that phase separation of SRO in silicon and SiO2 occurs in the annealing temperature range 600–925 °C. The process is accompanied by reduction in overall thickness of the samples (ongoing also at higher temperatures) as evidenced from the ellipsometric spectra. A maximum form birefringence is achieved at 925 °C and stays nearly constant until 1100 °C. Eventually, the form birefringence decreases at the highest annealing temperature of 1150 °C, which according to SIMS measurements is caused by a partial oxidation of silicon in the outermost SRO layer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How to increase the hydrophobicity of PTFE surfaces using an r.f. atmospheric‐pressure plasma torch
Authors: Carbone E.A.D. , Boucher N. , Sferrazza M. , Reniers F.
Published: April 2010

An experimental investigation of the surface modification of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by an Ar and Ar/O2 plasma created with an atmospheric‐pressure radio frequency (r.f.) torch is presented here. The surfaces were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), XPS and water contact angle (WCA) to get an insight of the surface morphology and chemistry. An increase of roughness is observed with the Ar/O2 plasma treatment. The WCA analysis shows that these surfaces are more hydrophobic than pristine PTFE; a contact angle of 135° was measured. When a PTFE surface is treated by Ar plasma, no roughening or significant change of the surface morphology and chemistry of PTFE was observed. The effects of the Ar and O2 fluxes on the PTFE surface treatment were analyzed, as well as the effect of the power and treatment time. The plasma phase was also analyzed by optical emission spectroscopy, and some correlations with the treatment efficiency of the plasma are made. The chemistry on the surface is finally discussed and the competition between etching and re‐deposition chemical reactions on the surface is proposed as a possible explanation of the results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of hybrid agarose‐aminosilane gels to the biofunctionalization of honeycomb‐ structured polycaprolactone scaffolds
Authors: Formosa Fabio , Satriano Cristina , García Ruiz Josefa Predestinación , Montero Isabel , Silván Miguel Manso , Marletta Giovanni
Published: April 2010

The current work describes a hydrogel route for the amine functionalization of polycaprolactone scaffolds with a honeycomb structure (PCLhc). The functionalization takes place after contact with fresh liquid hydrogels. After gelification, hydrogels are removed for evaluation of the transferred active molecules. The formation of hybrids with variable agarose/aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane (APTS) ratio allowing gradual grafting was evaluated initially onto Si planar surfaces. Analysis of the line shape of Si 2p XPS allowed confirming on the one hand that Si‐Ox contribution related to APTS increases as SiSi signal due to Si (100) substrate decreases for increasing aminosilane load in the gel. On the other hand, the line shape of C 1s and N 1s core level spectra were characteristic of those related to APTS functionalization, with a particular label due to partial agarose transfer to the substrate. In this stage, PCLhc scaffolds were activated with the agarose‐APTS hybrids. A peeling after gelification gave rise not only to amine‐activated PCLhc structures, but also to hc structure replicas on the contacting surfaces of the agarose‐APTS hydrogels. In order to evaluate the activity of modified PCLhc scaffolds, a labeled mouse antibody was immobilized and its functionalization evaluated by fluorescence microscopy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MATLAB library LIBRA
Authors: Verboven Sabine , Hubert Mia
Published: April 2010

LIBRA stands for ‘library for robust analysis.’ It is a MATLAB toolbox mainly containing implementations of robust statistical methods. Robust statistics is involved with the detection of aberrant observations, also called outliers. The aim of robust statistical methods is to provide estimates which are not affected by the nonregular observations and which are then able to pinpoint the outliers. The robust methods implemented in LIBRA nowadays cover: univariate location, scale (Qn) and skewness estimation (Medcouple), covariance estimation (FAST MCD), regression (FAST‐LTS, MCD regression, depth quantiles), principal component analysis (RAPCA, ROBPCA), principal component regression (RPCR), partial least squares regression (RSIMPLS), classification (RDA, RSIMCA) and several methods to deal with skewed data. Besides that, the toolbox contains various methods for cluster analysis, many graphical diagnostic tools, and classical equivalents of several implemented methods. Only a few of the recently added methods will be highlighted in this paper. The features of the LIBRA functions will be illustrated by means of some real data sets. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Software for Computational Statistics > Software/Statistical Software
Identifizierung und Analyse von Produktionsclustern
Authors: Scheuplein Christoph
Published: April 2010

Although cluster approaches in regional development policy have gained popularity, methods of identifying and analyzing industry clusters are still unsatisfactory. This paper presents a procedure first to delimit the objective and spatial characteristics of a cluster, second to show the interconnection between firms, and third to enable an interregional comparison between clusters. These procedures rely on regional statistical methods combined with a survey of companies and cluster institutions. The evaluation demonstrates on the one hand how economic actors are bound in a functional interrelation of a value added chain and on the other hand what kind of transaction and communication network is built by these same economic actors. From that evaluation, qualitative and quantitative criteria are provided to assess clusters. This method has been tested on the example of the film industry in Potsdam-Babelsberg.
Verkehrskosten der Randwanderung privater Haushalte
Authors: Scheiner Joachim
Published: April 2010

Location-specific costs are of major significance for a private household's location decisions. The paper estimates the additional transport costs a household has to face as a consequence of residential suburbanisation. The major components of these costs are changes in household motorisation and travel distances covered by specific modes. The results indicate significant increases in transport costs as an effect of suburbanisation. The increase is particularly strong for employees and households purchasing (an) additional automobile(s). A household composed of one employee and one non-employed individual who purchases one additional car has to expect additional transport costs ranging between 350 and 400 € per month, depending on the chosen location.
The role of the Tokyo guidelines in the diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis
Authors: Lee Shou‐Wu , Chang Chi‐Sen , Lee Teng‐Yu , Tung Chun‐Fang , Peng Yen‐Chun
Published: April 2010

Background

Acute calculous cholecystitis is a condition in which the gallbladder becomes inflamed due to cholelithiasis. Early diagnosis reduces both mortality and morbidity. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the diagnostic value of the Tokyo guidelines in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Methods

The medical records of patients admitted for acute calculous cholecystitis proven by pathological findings were collected between January 2007 and June 2008. Exclusion criteria included: acalculous cholecystitis, hepatobiliary malignancy, patients younger than 18 years and mortality unrelated to cholecystitis. A total of 235 patients were classified into three groups according to the severity grading in the Tokyo guidelines. Clinical characteristics among these patients were analyzed for comparison.

Results

Among all diagnostic criteria, right upper quarter (RUQ) abdominal pain (97.9%) and thickened gallbladder wall (92.3%) had the highest sensitivity rates, whereas pericholecystic fluid collection (18.3%) and RUQ abdominal mass (0.8%) had the lowest sensitivity rates. Higher sensitivity rates of diagnostic criteria were related to severe cholecystitis, except for Murphy's sign and white blood cell (WBC) count. The presence of both RUQ abdominal pain and elevated C‐reactive protein (55.1%), or both RUQ abdominal pain and elevated WBC count (53.7%), accounted for the highest sensitivity rates in making the definite diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Seventeen patients (7.2%) without comparable typical image findings were prone to be afebrile and had normal C‐reactive protein values compared to those with typical image findings.

Conclusion

Among all diagnostic criteria in the Tokyo guidelines for acute cholecystitis, RUQ abdominal pain and thickened gallbladder wall had the highest sensitivity rates, and RUQ abdominal mass had the lowest sensitivity rate. A combination of diagnostic criteria with different pathophysiologic findings, as noted in the Tokyo guidelines, can help clinicians make the correct diagnosis for patients with acute calculous cholecystitis.
Phosphorylation of the Na+,K+‐ATPase and the H+,K+‐ATPase
Authors: Poulsen Hanne , Morth Preben , Egebjerg Jan , Nissen Poul
Published: April 2010

Phosphorylation is a widely used, reversible means of regulating enzymatic activity. Among the important phosphorylation targets are the Na+,K+‐ and H+,K+‐ATPases that pump ions against their chemical gradients to uphold ionic concentration differences over the plasma membrane. The two pumps are very homologous, and at least one of the phosphorylation sites is conserved, namely a cAMP activated protein kinase (PKA) site, which is important for regulating pumping activity, either by changing the cellular distribution of the ATPases or by directly altering the kinetic properties as supported by electrophysiological results presented here. We further review the other proposed pump phosphorylations.
Mechanisms involved in the enhancement of mammalian target of rapamycin signalling and hypertrophy in skeletal muscle of myostatin‐deficient mice
Authors: Lipina Christopher , Kendall Hannah , McPherron Alexandra C. , Taylor Peter M. , Hundal Harinder S.
Published: April 2010

Myostatin deficiency leads to both an increased rate of protein synthesis and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, the mechanisms involved in mediating these effects are not yet fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that genetic loss of myostatin leads to enhanced muscle expression of both protein kinase B and mammalian target of rapamycin/S6K signalling components, consistent with their elevated activity. This is associated with a reduction in the expression of PGC1α and COX IV, proteins which play important roles in maintaining mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we show that these changes in signalling and protein expression are largely independent of alterations in intramuscular amino acid content. Our findings, therefore, reveal potential new mechanisms and further contribute to our understanding of myostatin‐regulated skeletal muscle growth and function.
The uremic solute indoxyl sulfate acts as an antioxidant against superoxide anion radicals under normal‐physiological conditions
Authors: Miyamoto Yohei , Iwao Yasunori , Tasaki Yuka , Sato Keizo , Ishima Yu , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kadowaki Daisuke , Maruyama Toru , Otagiri Masaki
Published: April 2010

The effect of the uremic solute indoxyl sulfate (IS) on scavenging superoxide anion radicals (urn:x-wiley:00145793:media:feb2s0014579310003315:feb2s0014579310003315-math-si1) generated from both the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system and activated neutrophils was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, combined with 2‐ethoxycarbonyl‐2‐methyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrole‐1‐oxide (EMPO). The findings show that the presence of normal‐physiological serum concentrations of IS (0.1–10 μM) resulted in decreased formation of EMPO‐superoxide adduct without affecting XO activity. Furthermore, IS showed scavenging activity against cell‐derivedurn:x-wiley:00145793:media:feb2s0014579310003315:feb2s0014579310003315-math-si2generated from activated neutrophils. In addition, IS also eliminated hydroxyl radicals. These findings suggest that IS acts as a novel endogenous antioxidant under normal‐physiological conditions.
Implications of head and neck cancer treatment failure in the neck
Authors: Deschamps David R. , Spencer Horace J. , Kokoska Mimi S. , Spring Paul M. , Vural Emre A. , Stack Brendan C.
Published: April 2010

Objective

Study the survival of patients with cervical lymphatic squamous cell carcinoma recurrence.

Study Design

Review of tumor registry database.

Setting

Academic health science center.

Subjects and Methods

Forty‐seven isolated neck recurrence patients identified from 224 recurrences from a total of 1291 patients treated between 1998 and 2007. The main outcome measurements were neck lymph nodal recurrence, treatment‐specific survival, and overall survival.

Results

A total of 47 patients had neck recurrence; 10 of the neck recurrence patients (21.3%) had regional disease (N+) at initial presentation. Median survival for patients with neck recurrence was 14.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.6‐18.1 mo), and five‐year survival for this group was five percent (95% CI 0%‐30%). Neck dissection salvage therapy for neck recurrence resulted in the best survival.

Conclusion

Neck dissection as a salvage therapy for neck recurrence resulted in the best survival, and there was no survival benefit in terms of whether a patient had a neck dissection or not as his or her initial therapy.
Iatrogenic esophageal perforation in patients with head and neck cancer: Evaluation of the SEER‐Medicare database
Authors: Ghogomu Nsangou T. , Kallogjeri Dorina , Nussenbaum Brian , Piccirillo Jay F.
Published: April 2010

Objective

1) Determine rate of iatrogenic esophageal perforation in head and neck cancer patients. 2) Identify risk factors for perforation. 3) Determine effect of perforation on mortality.

Study Design

Secondary data analysis.

Setting

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare–linked database.

Subjects and Methods

Patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract between January 1995 and December 2002 who underwent esophagoscopy were included. Primary outcome was the rate of iatrogenic esophageal perforation. Secondary outcomes included identification of risk factors for perforation and effect of perforation on mortality. Logistic regression analysis and the χ2 test were used to evaluate risk factors and 30‐day mortality.

Results

There were 152 perforations in 126 patients, for a rate of 2.70 percent (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.28‐3.20) per patient (n = 4659) and 1.44 percent (1.21‐1.67) per esophagoscopy (n = 10,529). Odds of perforation were increased in patients with cancer of the pharynx (odds ratio [OR] 4.49, 1.82‐11.08), pyriform sinus (OR 5.00, 2.10‐11.93), and larynx (OR 3.39, 1.57‐7.34), and those who underwent both surgery and radiation (OR 1.75, 11.12‐2.74). Each esophagoscopy increased odds of perforation by 22 percent (17‐28). Compared with diagnostic esophagoscopy, perforation was 2.9 times (1.77‐4.69) more likely when dilatation was performed. Thirty‐day postperforation mortality was 7.1 percent, a three percent absolute increase (−1.5 to 7.5) over the postesophagoscopy rate in patients without perforation.

Conclusion

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients are a high‐risk population for iatrogenic pharyngoesophageal perforation. Perforation is related to esophagoscopy frequency and type, tumor location, and use of multimodality therapy.
Post‐tonsillectomy bleeding in children with von Willebrand disease: A single‐institution experience
Authors: Rodriguez Kenneth D. , Sun Gordon H. , Pike Francis , Mandel Ellen M. , Casselbrant Margaretha L. , Chi David H.
Published: April 2010

Objectives

1) Compare rates of post‐tonsillectomy bleeding in pediatric patients with and without von Willebrand disease (vWD). 2) Identify factors that may increase the risk for post‐tonsillectomy bleeding in children with and without vWD.

Study Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care, university‐based pediatric hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Medical records were examined for 99 patients with vWD and 99 patients without vWD younger than 18 years who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy from August 1997 to October 2005. Subjects were matched for age, year of surgery, type of surgery, and indication for surgery.

Results

Post‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage occurred in eight of 99 (8%) vWD patients and in six of 99 (6%) non‐vWD patients (P = 0.58, odds ratio 1.36, 95% CI 0.45‐4.08). A two‐sample test of proportions demonstrated lower and upper limits of −0.051 and 0.092. Four of eight children with vWD and two of six non‐vWD patients required surgical intervention for control of bleeding. Ninety‐three of 99 vWD patients received desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) preoperatively. In patients with vWD who responded to DDAVP challenge, there was no increased likelihood of post‐tonsillectomy bleeding compared with non‐vWD patients. No significant difference in the number of bleeding events was noted on the basis of demographics, preoperative laboratories, or use of aminocaproic acid.

Conclusion

Children with vWD undergoing tonsillectomy have a postoperative bleeding rate similar to that of a matched group. However, the sample size was not sufficient to eliminate the possibility of a clinically important difference between the two groups.
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS FOR RESONANT ELLIPTIC SYSTEMS VIA REDUCTION METHOD
Authors: FURTADO MARCELO F. , DE PAIVA FRANCISCO O. V.
Published: April 2010

We establish the existence of two nontrivial solution for some elliptic systems. In the proofs we apply variational methods and Morse theory.
NONEXPANSIVE MAPPINGS AND EXPANSIVE MAPPINGS ON THE UNIT SPHERES OF SOMEF-SPACES
Authors: TAN DONG-NI
Published: April 2010

This paper gives a characterization of nonexpansive mappings from the unit sphere ofℓβ(Γ) onto the unit sphere ofℓβ(Δ) where 0<β≤1. By this result, we prove that such mappings are in fact isometries and give an affirmative answer to Tingley’s problem inℓβ(Γ) spaces. We also show that the same result holds for expansive mappings between unit spheres ofℓβ(Γ) spaces without the surjectivity assumption.
Lactobacillus plantarum inhibits intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by unconjugated bilirubin
Authors: Zhou Yukun , Qin Huanlong , Zhang Ming , Shen Tongyi , Chen Hongqi , Ma Yanlei , Chu Zhaoxin , Zhang Peng , Liu Zhihua
Published: April 2010

Although a large number of in vitro and in vivo tests have confirmed that taking probiotics can improve the intestinal barrier, few studies have focused on the relationship between probiotics and the intestinal epithelial barrier in hyperbilirubinaemia. To investigate the effects of and mechanisms associated with probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum; LP) and unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) on the intestinal epithelial barrier, we measured the viability, apoptotic ratio and protein kinase C (PKC) activity of Caco-2 cells. We also determined the distribution and expression of tight junction proteins such as occludin, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, claudin-1, claudin-4, junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-1 and F-actin using confocal laser scanning microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR. The present study demonstrated that high concentrations of UCB caused obvious cytotoxicity and decreased the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of the Caco-2 cell monolayer. Low concentrations of UCB inhibited the expression of tight junction proteins and PKC but could induce UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 1 family-polypeptide A1 (UGT1A1) expression. UCB alone caused decreased PKC activity, serine phosphorylated occludin and ZO-1 levels. After treatment with LP, the effects of UCB on TER and apoptosis were mitigated; LP also prevented aberrant expression and rearrangement of tight junction proteins. Moreover, PKC activity and serine phosphorylated tight junction protein levels were partially restored after treatment with LP, LP exerted a protective effect against UCB damage to Caco-2 monolayer cells, and it restored the structure and distribution of tight junction proteins by activating the PKC pathway. In addition, UGT1A1 expression induced by UCB in Caco-2 cells could ameliorate the cytotoxicity of UCB.
Primary small cell carcinoma of lacrimal sac: case report and literature review
Authors: Goto T , Bandoh N , Nagato T , Takahara M , Harabuchi Y , Tokusashi Y , Miyokawa N
Published: April 2010

Objective:

We present the first reported case of primary small cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac.

Case report:

A 67-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our department with a two-month history of left medial canthal swelling, epiphora and occasional nasal bleeding. Nasal endoscopy revealed a readily bleeding tumour in the left inferior meatus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated that the tumour was mainly located in the left lacrimal sac. Histopathological studies of a biopsy specimen revealed small cell carcinoma. The patient was treated with four cycles of chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and etoposide, in combination with radiotherapy. There was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis for five years.

Conclusion:

Small cell carcinoma originating in the head and neck region has been reported to be highly aggressive and to have a poor prognosis. We report a case of primary small cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac successfully treated with chemo-radiotherapy.
The Expansion and the Archives of Rome – A Guide for Secular Historians of the Early Modern Period
Authors: Winius George
Published: April 2010

One of the paradoxes of early modern European expansion history is that the archives of Rome are not necessarily the richest source for information about the Catholic overseas missions. Nor, as one might hope, are they ideally suited for affording an independent view of the workings of the Iberian colonies. Moreover, there are puzzling gaps in the most valuable of the collections, those of the Society of Jesus, no doubt due to the dissolution of the first phase of order in the 1760s. As a consequence, researchers who concentrate primarily upon secular history, but who often use ecclesiastical sources, tend to gravitate toward Lisbon, Madrid and Seville, and to ignore the archives and libraries of the Vatican almost entirely, except for the excellent printed documents published by the Jesuits. In a way, this approach – or, rather non-approach – is justified.