bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephrotoxicity Associated with Intravenous Colistin in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Doshi Neha M. , Mount Kari L. , Murphy Claire V.
Published: November 2011

Study Objectives. To determine the frequency of nephrotoxicity associated with colistin therapy by using a standardized definition and to identify risk factors for colistin‐induced nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients.

Design. Single‐center, retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting. University‐affiliated tertiary care center.

Patients. Forty‐nine adults admitted to an intensive care unit who received intravenous colistin for at least 48 hours between July 2007 and July 2009.

Measurements and Main Results. Nephrotoxicity was determined by using the standardized RIFLE criteria: risk, injury, failure, loss, and end‐stage renal disease. Patients who had end‐stage renal disease or required renal replacement therapy before initiation of colistin were excluded. Of the 49 patients included in the analysis, 15 (31%) developed nephrotoxicity, and only two patients (4%) had irreversible cases. Patients with chronic kidney disease (40% in the group with nephrotoxicity vs 3% in the group without nephrotoxicity, p=0.002) and hypertension (87% vs 56%, p=0.037) at baseline had a higher risk of developing nephrotoxicity. In addition, patients with nephrotoxicity were more likely to have received intravenous contrast material (33% vs 0%, p=0.002). The risk of developing nephrotoxicity was 6.5 times higher in patients who had been given at least two concomitant nephrotoxic agents compared with no other nephrotoxic agents (p=0.034).

Conclusion. The frequency and severity of colistin‐induced nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients was consistent with previous reports in non—critically ill patients. Most cases of nephrotoxicity demonstrated in this study were mild and reversible. Patients receiving colistin therapy who have hypertension or chronic kidney disease should be monitored closely, and administration of additional nephrotoxic agents should be avoided in all patients when possible. Large, prospective trials are warranted to confirm these results.
Revisiting the evolution of ecological specialization, with emphasis on insect–plant interactions
Authors: Forister M. L. , Dyer L. A. , Singer M. S. , Stireman J. O. , Lill J. T.
Published: November 2011

Ecological specialization is a fundamental and well‐studied concept, yet its great reach and complexity limit current understanding in important ways. More than 20 years after the publication of D. J. Futuyma and G. Moreno's oft‐cited, major review of the topic, we synthesize new developments in the evolution of ecological specialization. Using insect–plant interactions as a model, we focus on important developments in four critical areas: genetic architecture, behavior, interaction complexity, and macroevolution. We find that theory based on simple genetic trade‐offs in host use is being replaced by more subtle and complex pictures of genetic architecture, and multitrophic interactions have risen as a necessary framework for understanding specialization. A wealth of phylogenetic data has made possible a more detailed consideration of the macroevolutionary dimension of specialization, revealing (among other things) bidirectionality in transitions between generalist and specialist lineages. Technological advances, including genomic sequencing and analytical techniques at the community level, raise the possibility that the next decade will see research on specialization spanning multiple levels of biological organization in non‐model organisms, from genes to populations to networks of interactions in natural communities. Finally, we offer a set of research questions that we find to be particularly pressing and fruitful for future research on ecological specialization.
Juvenile dispersal affects straying behaviors of adults in a migratory population
Authors: Hamann Ellen J. , Kennedy Brian P.
Published: November 2011

The resilience of organisms to large‐scale environmental and climatic change depends, in part, upon the ability to colonize and occupy new habitats. While previous efforts to describe homing, or natal site fidelity, of migratory organisms have been hindered by the confounding effects of fragmented landscapes and management practices, realistic conservation efforts must include considerations of the behavioral diversity represented by animal movements and dispersal. Herein, we quantify straying away from natal origins by adult chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in a wild population that inhabits a pristine wilderness basin. Using natural isotopic signatures (87Sr/86Sr) to reconstruct the migratory behaviors of unhandled individuals over their entire life cycle, we identified ecological and behavioral factors influencing the propensity to stray. Our results indicate that natal site fidelity is scale dependent, ranging from 55% at ∼1‐km distances to 87% at longer (>10‐km scale) distances, and juvenile dispersal and sex highly influence straying occurrence. These findings lend support for the conservation of behavioral diversity for population persistence, and we propose straying as a mechanism for maintaining genetic diversity at low population densities.
No More Fighting and Biting During Mouth Care: Applying the Theoretical Constructs of Threat Perception to Clinical Practice
Authors: Jablonski Rita A. , Therrien Barbara , Kolanowski Ann
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this article is to describe how the neurobiological principles of threat perception and fear response can support clinical approaches to prevent and reduce care-resistant behaviors during mouth care. Nursing home residents who exhibit care-resistant behavior are at risk for poor oral health because daily oral hygiene may not be consistently provided. Poor oral health predisposes these older people to systemic problems such as pneumonia, cerebral vascular accidents, and hyperglycemia. Care-resistant behavior is a fear-evoked response to nurses’ unintentionally threatening behavior during mouth care. Nurses can safely and effectively provide mouth care to persons with dementia who resist care by using personalized combinations of 15 threat reduction strategies.
A Novel Strategy to Identify Drugs that Interfere with Endosomal Lipids
Authors: Moreau Dimitri , Scott Cameron , Gruenberg Jean
Published: November 2011

Lipids are major components of the cell and, like proteins, exhibit much diversity and are highly regulated. And yet, our knowledge of lipids remains limited primarily because their study is difficult. We will use novel Systems Biology approaches, and in particular high content screening
techniques, to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the cellular lipid content and function. Our project is to carry out a small compound screen using lipid imaging techniques to identify conditions that interfere with cellular levels and distribution of cholesterol, lysobisphosphatic
acid and phosphoinositol-3-phosphate. This forward chemical genetic screen approach should reveal new molecular tools to investigate the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of these lipids. The aim is to apply chemical proteomic techniques to identify the molecular target(s) of
compounds able to affect the intracellular cholesterol regulation and to assess if these are novel druggable targets. This will be the ideal complementary study to the RNAi screen, currently run in our group, as the effect of the inhibition caused by a small molecule can be rapidly reversed
when this is removed. Such a small molecule can be administered to a cell or an animal for a very short time to study the function of the target protein and to look at biological mechanisms in a short time-frame. This project is highly interdisciplinary, and will benefit from the help of the
screening core facility, currently developed with the support of the NCCR.
Putting the 'P' into Phospholipids
Authors: Fedotenko Illya A. , Holme Margaret N. , Tanasescu Radu , Zaffalon Pierre-Léonard , Zumbuehl Andreas
Published: November 2011

Despite almost hundred years of dedicated research, the synthesis of phospholipids remains a challenge. Here, we briefly review important trends and point out possible future directions that might lead to interesting new probes for the membrane environment. An improved liposome purification
and concentration protocol rounds up the article.
Isolation and characterization of sterols and an aliphatic alcohol from Tsuga dumosa D. Don of Nepal
Authors: Dhakal Ramesh C , Kalauni Surya K , Awale Suresh , Shrestha Kanti , Gewali Mohan B
Published: November 2011

In the course of our continuing research on Himalayan conifers, the phytochemical screening and isolation of chemical constituents of Tsuga dumosa D. Don of Nepali origin was carried out. Three sterols, namely â-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), â-sitosterol glucoside (3) and an alcohol, nonacosan-10-ol (4) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences. Key Words: Phytochemical screening; Tsuga dumosa; Sterols; Nonacosan-10-ol. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5511 SW 2011; 9(9): 16-17
Theoretical analysis of gas turbine blade by finite element method
Authors: Deepanraj B , Lawrence P , Sankaranarayanan G
Published: November 2011

Gas turbine is an important functional part of many applications. Cooling of blades has been a major concern since they are in a high temperature environment. Various techniques have been proposed for the cooling of blades and one such technique is to have axial holes along the blade span. Finite element analysis is used to analyze thermal and structural performance due to the loading condition, with material properties of Titanium- Aluminum Alloy. Six different models with different number of holes (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12) were analyzed in this paper to find out the optimum number of holes for good performance. In Finite element analysis, first thermal analysis followed by structural analysis is carried out. Graphs are plotted for temperature distribution for existing design (12 holes) and for 8 holes against time. 2D and 3D model of the blade with cooling passages are shown. Using ANSYS, bending stress, deflection, temperature distribution for number of holes are analyzed. It is found that when the numbers of holes are increased in the blade, the temperature distribution falls down. For the blade configuration with 8 holes, the temperature near to the required value i.e., 800ºC is obtained. Thus a turbine blade with 8 holes configuration is found to be the optimum solution. Keywords: Gas turbine blade; Stress; Deflection; Temperature distribution. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5514 SW 2011; 9(9): 29-33
Roles of alloying elements on the corrosion behavior of sputter-deposited amorphous W-Cr-Zr alloys in 0.5m NaCl solution
Authors: Bhattarai Jagadeesh
Published: November 2011

Ternary amorphous W–xCr–yZr alloys containing 9--38 at % tungsten, 15--42 at % chromium and 39--73 at % zirconium were successfully prepared by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technique. The corrosion rates of all the examined sputter-deposited W–xCr–yZr alloys were in the range of 1 × 10−3 mm/y or lower which are nearly one order of magnitude lower than those of the sputter-deposited tungsten, chromium and zirconium metals after immersion for 240 h in 0.5 M NaCl solution open to air at 25°C. In particular, the simultaneous additions of tungsten, chromium and zirconium to the amorphous ternary W–xCr–yZr alloys in the chromium- and zirconium-enriched W--91Cr and W--88Zr alloys, respectively, showed a synergistic effects for showing the higher corrosion resistance than those of binary WCr and W--Zr alloys in neutral NaCl solution. Keywords: W–Cr–Zr alloys; Sputter deposition; Corrosion test; Open circuit potential; 0.5 M NaCl DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5515SW 2011; 9(9): 34-38
Effects of tungsten, chromium and zirconium on the corrosion behavior of ternary amorphous W–Cr–Zr alloys in 1 M NaOh solution
Authors: Aryal Basu Ram , Bhattarai Jagadeesh
Published: November 2011

Simultaneous additions of tungsten, chromium and zirconium in the chromium- and zirconium-enriched sputter-deposited binary W-xCr and W-yZr are effective to improve the corrosion resistance property of the ternary amorphous W- xCr-yZr alloys after immersion for 240 h in 1 M NaOH solution open to air at 25°C. The corrosion rates of all the examined sputter-deposited (10-57)W-(18-42)Cr-(25-73)Zr alloys is higher than those of alloy-constituting elements (that is, tungsten, chromium and zirconium) in aggressive 1 M NaOH solution open to air at 25°C. The corrosion rates of all the examined sputter−deposited W–xCr–yZr alloys containing 10-57 at% tungsten, 18-42 at% chromium and 25-73 at% zirconium were in the range of 1.5-2.5 × 10−3 mm/y or lower which are more than two orders of magnitude lower than that of sputter-deposited tungsten and even about one order of magnitude lower than those of the sputter-deposited zirconium in 1 M NaOH solution. Keywords: Ternary W–Cr–Zr alloys; Amorphous; Corrosion rate; Open circuit potential; 1 M NaOH. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5516 SW 2011; 9(9): 39-43
Metal ions contamination in ground water of Kathmandu and removal of iron using adsorbent prepared from natural resources
Authors: Jha Vinay Kumar , Khatri Ram Bahadur
Published: November 2011

Some metal ions contaminations of underground water have been assessed in Kathmandu. A total of ten water samples, randomly collected from deep tube wells and shallow wells, were analyzed for metal ions by AAS. The comparison of the data of physico-chemical properties of contaminated ground water showed that pH, sodium, potassium, zinc, lead and cadmium lie within the WHO guideline value for drinking water whereas, the concentration of iron was found to be higher in almost all underground water samples. Adsorbents for Fe ion removal were prepared from various resources such as crab’s shell powder, silica stone powder, hen’s eggshell powder and limestone powder. The adsorbent prepared from hen’s eggshell was found appropriate and cost effective resource to remove Fe ions from aqueous solution and the maximum Fe ion adsorption capacity for such an adsorbent was 0.24 mg/g. The Langmuir type adsorption isotherm was found to fit in the experimental data than the Freundlich isotherm. Keywords: Underground water of Kathmandu valley; Fe adsorption; Eggshell powder; Langmuir adsorption isotherm. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5517 SW 2011; 9(9): 44-49
In vitro seed germination and seedling development of Phaius tancarvilleae (L’Her.) Blume.
Authors: Pant Bijaya , Shrestha Sumitra , Pradhan Shreeti
Published: November 2011

In vitro seed germination and seedling development of Phaius tancarvilleae (L’Her.) Blume. was carried out on 0.8%(w/v) agar solidified MS Medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) without hormones or supplemented with different concentration and combination of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l of BAP was the most ideal condition for early seed germination, protocorm formation and development of seedlings. Germination started after 7 weeks of culture and complete seedlings were obtained after 24 weeks of culture. This protocol might be helpful for mass propagation of orchids by asymbiotic seed germination. Keywords: Orchid; Invitro; Protocorm; Media DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5518 SW 2011; 9(9): 50-52
Biological and chemical assessment of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (mart.) Solms.) of Phewa Lake, Nepal
Authors: Baral Bikash , Vaidya Geeta Shrestha
Published: November 2011

Experiments relating to bioassay, phytochemical screening and bio-control of obnoxious aquatic weed i.e., water hyacinth were conducted in Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) laboratory. Bioassay was performed from the methanolic and aqueous extracts obtained by hot and cold percolation method that. The antibacterial and antifungal effects were performed against 11 clinical bacteria (2 gram positive and 9 gram negative) and 7 phytopathogenic fungi using agar well diffusion method. The pattern of inhibition varied with different extracts and the micro-organism tested. The soxhlet methanolic extract showed activity against 54.45% of bacteria and 57.14% fungi while cold methanolic extract showed activity against 45.45 % bacteria and 42.85% fungi employed. Similarly, hot aqueous extract showed activity against 18.18% bacteria and 42.85% fungi while in cold aqueous extraction, the activity was null and 57.14% against bacteria and fungi respectively. The methanolic fraction proved more effective than cold aqueous extract showing more antibacterial activity while cold aqueous extract showed comparably better result in different fungi employed. The most susceptible organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Fusarium moniliforme. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of different extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing compounds, polyoses and saponins. The GC-MS analysis shows the presence of Phenols and Carotenoids as the bio-active compounds in the test plant. In regards to bio-control, the propagation of this weed was found to be totally checked within 21 days after the application of aqueous lechate of Lantana camara (1-3%), while that was checked within a month by the supplementation of young twigs powder of Ageratina adenophorum (7%). Key-words: Antimicrobial activity; Plant extract; ZOI; Phytochemicals; Biocontrol; GC-MS. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5520 SW 2011; 9(9): 57-62
Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Phlomis bracteosa
Authors: Joshi RK , Pande Veena , Thakuri BC
Published: November 2011

The essential oil was isolated from the aerial parts of Phlomis bracteosa Royle ex Benth., a hairy erect herb. The leaves and flowers of this species are used as carminative, stimulant and locally known as ‘Ballikotu, Calba, Salba’ in Turkish traditional medicine. The antimicrobial activity of Phlomis bracteosa was studied using well diffusion method. The activity was tested against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi at different concentrations (0.25 μg/ml, 0.125 μg/ml and 0.062 μg/ml) of the essential oil. Keywords: Phlomis bracteosa; Lamiaceae; Antimicrobial activity DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5521 SW 2011; 9(9): 63-65
Infection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in children under 15 years of age in Kathmandu valley
Authors: Paudyal Rabin , Tandukar Sarmila , Sherchand Ojaswee , Amatya Jyoti , Sherchand Jeevan B
Published: November 2011

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a rapidly emerging pathogen in developing countries like Nepal. It causes persistent diarrhea in children and in immunocompromised individuals. The study was carried out in children less than 15 years of age in Kathmandu Valley. A total of 302 stool samples were collected from different Sukumbasi (Slum children) areas of Kathmandu Valley. The samples were observed microscopically using normal saline and potassium dichromate preparation and the test was further confirmed by Sheather’s sucrose flotation and Kinoyoun’s modified acid fast staining technique. Out of the total sample processed C. cayetanensis oocysts were found in 24 (7.94 %) cases. The oocyst were distributed more in children of age group 3-6 years which constituted 5.49% of the total cases ( ÷2=69.15 p: 0.001) and distributed more in months of June (8) and July (8) (÷2=9.042 p: 0.250) whereas abdominal pain was the most common symptoms in infected children. These findings indicate that C. cayetanensis is rapidly emerging enteropathogen in children. So, active surveillance should be continued among diarrhea patients to look for different C. cayetanensis infection and to define the shifting patterns in the seasonal variations of this parasite. Key words: Cyclospora cayetanensis; Diarrhea; Children; Faecal specimen DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5525 SW 2011; 9(9): 86-89
Study of protease activity of bacteria isolated from solid waste
Authors: Mainali Smriti , Khadka Nanu Maiya , Maharjan Bijaya Laxmi , Lekhak Binod
Published: November 2011

Solid waste is one of the most visible environmental nuisances and major causes of pollution in the urban areas. But a considerable proportion of this waste is decomposable organic matter. The study was designed to study the activity of protease enzyme produced by proteolytic bacteria isolated from solid waste. Solid waste samples were collected from 20 different sites of Kathmandu valley and proteolytic bacteria were isolated by serial dilution and spread plate technique using gelatin incorporated agar media. Among 113 isolates 22 (3 being potent ones) were found to be proteolytic bacteria. Protease enzyme was extracted from the most potent ones by fermentation technology and purified by acetone precipitation method and ammonium sulphate fractionation. The enzyme from Micrococcus spp. was optimally active at 4°C and pH 8 while that from another isolate, which remained unidentified, was optimally active at 37°C and pH 9. The activity of 60% salt fraction of the enzymes from both the isolates was maximum. This indicates the possibility of implementation of these enzymes for the management of solid waste by decomposing the proteinous components of the waste. Key words: Solid waste; Enzyme activity; Proteolytic bacteria. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v9i9.5527 SW 2011; 9(9): 93-96
Studies on Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities and Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Mixed Ligand Transition Metal Complexes of Dibasic Acids as Primary and Heterocyclic Bases as Secondary Ligands
Authors: Akbor MA , Islam MS , Akhter N , Ahmed S , Siraj S
Published: November 2011

Mixed ligand (diphenic/ adipic as primary Ligand and quinoline / 8 - hydroxyquinoline as secondary) transition metal complexes of Cobalt (II), Cupper (II), Rhodium (III) and Platinum (IV) ions were synthesized and characterized. Their antibacterial activities against ten bacteria had been evaluated by the disc diffusion method,whilst their antifungal activities against two fungi had been also evaluated by the same method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) had been evaluated against six bacteria. The MIC of the complexes against Shigella dysenteriae, Samonella typhi, Streptococcus-β-haemolyticus and Bacillus megaterium were 32 μg/ml; whilst Escherichia coli and Samonella typhi-A the MIC of Co (II) and Pt (IV) were 32μg/ml and those of Cu(II) and Rh(III) complexes were 64 μg/ml. It was found that Cobalt (II), Cupper (II) & Rhodium (III) complexes had pronounced antibacterial and antifungal activities. Platinum (IV) complex had moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity. These values indicate that these are active compounds. Key words: Mixed Ligand; Transition metal; Antimicrobial Activity; Antifungal Activity Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i3.9044 BJSIR 2011; 46(3): 365-368
Preparation of Glucosamine Hydrochloride from Indigenous Shrimp Processing Waste
Authors: Islam MM , Masum SM , Rahman MM , Shaikh AA
Published: November 2011

The present investigation described the effective preparation of glucosamine hydrochloride (GluHCl) from chitin which was extracted from indigenous shrimp shell. GluHCl has attracted much attention owing to its therapeutic activity in osteoarthritis and widely used dietary supplement. The key step involved was extraction of chitin from shrimp skeleton and then hydrolysis of chitin by concentrated hydrochloric acid. The reaction proceeds via break down of glycoside linkage. Structural analysis was carried out by melting point, TLC, FT-IR, elemental analysis and all the data were compared with that of standard GluHCl. The elemental (C, 32.75; H, 6.51; N, 6.20) analysis is good concord with the calculated value (C, 33.42; H, 6.54; N, 6.50). Absence of v max at 1726 cm-1 indicates that GluHCl is a deacetylated product of chitin. The yields of the product mainly depend on reaction conditions. Maximum yield (63.5%) was obtained when chitin was hydrolyzed with concentrated HCl for 1.30 h. Key words: Shrimp shell; Chitin, Acid hydrolysis; Glucosamine hydrochloride Osteoarthritis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i3.9046 BJSIR 2011; 46(3): 375-378
Synthesis of a Dual-Labeled Probe of Dimethyl Lithospermate B with Photochemical and Fluorescent Properties
Authors: Lim Eunyoung , Ricci Jeremy , Jung Mankil
Published: November 2011

Dimethyl lithosermate B (DLB) is a highly potent natural antioxidant and antidiabetic polyphenol with unknown mode of action. To determine its cellular targets, a photochemical and fluorescent dimethyl lithopermate B probe was designed and efficiently synthesized. The dual-labeled chemical probe for biological application was evaluated by UV and fluorescence to determine its electrochemical absorption and emission properties. This probe could be valuable for investigating ligand-protein interactions and subcellular localization.
Luminescence Sensors Applied to Water Analysis of Organic Pollutants—An Update
Authors: Ibañez Gabriela A. , Escandar Graciela M.
Published: November 2011

The development of chemical sensors for environmental analysis based on fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence signals continues to be a dynamic topic within the sensor field. This review covers the fundamentals of this type of sensors, and an update on recent works devoted to quantifying organic pollutants in environmental waters, focusing on advances since about 2005. Among the wide variety of these contaminants, special attention has been paid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, explosives and emerging organic pollutants. The potential of coupling optical sensors with multivariate calibration methods in order to improve the selectivity is also discussed.
Randomized Trial of a Brief Dietary Intervention to Decrease Consumption of Fat and Increase Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Stevens Victor J. , Glasgow Russell E. , Toobert Deborah J. , Karanja Njeri , Smith K. Sabina
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

This study tested the efficacy of a computer-assisted counseling intervention to reduce diet-related cancer risk.

Design.

Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects.

Healthy women HMO members (n = 616) aged 40 to 70.

Intervention.

Participants were randomly assigned to nutrition intervention or an attention-control intervention unrelated to diet. Intervention consisted of two 45-minute counseling sessions plus two 5- to 10-minute follow-up telephone contacts. Counseling sessions included a 20-minute, interactive, computer-based intervention using a touchscreen format. Intervention goals were reducing dietary fat and increasing consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.

Measures.

Twenty-four hour diet recalls and the Fat and Fiber Behavior Questionnaire (FFB).

Results.

Four-month follow-up data were collected from 94% of the intervention participants and 91% of the controls. Testing with a multivariate general linear models analysis showed improvements on all dietary outcome variables. Compared to the control, intervention participants reported significantly less fat consumption (2.35 percentage points less for percentage of energy from fat), significantly greater consumption of fruit and vegetables combined (1.04 servings per day), and a significant reduction in a behavioral measure of fat consumption (.24 point change in the FFB).

Conclusions.

These 4-month results are comparable to several other moderate-intensity studies showing that, in the appropriate circumstances, moderate-intensity dietary interventions can be efficacious. Study limitations include the short follow-up period and the use of self-reported outcome measures.
Applying Theory of Planned Behavior to Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Young Adolescents
Authors: Lien Nanna , Lytle Leslie A. , Komro Kelli A.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

The purpose of this research was to investigate how well Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) predicted frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables among seventh graders and to investigate whether gender or socioeconomic status (SES) had moderating effects on the relationships between the constructs in the model.

Design.

Two identical self-administered paper and pencil surveys were distributed 6 months apart. Path analyses of the TPB models by gender and SES were performed with AMOS software.

Setting.

The study occurred in eight middle schools from school districts in the Minneapolis—St.Paul metropolitan area, where a minimum of 20% of the students qualified for free or reduced-price meals.

Subjects.

Of the invited seventh graders, 1406 (74%) completed data for the model constructs at baseline and for behavior at interim data collection.

Measures.

We assessed frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables and attitudes, subjective norms, barriers, and intentions related to this behavior. Three levels of SES were created based on questions about free lunch, parents' education, and work.

Results.

No significant direct effects of attitudes and subjective norms on behavior were found, but for barriers, both indirect effects through intentions and direct effects on behavior were significant. Seven percent of the variation in the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption and 31% of the variation in intention to eat more fruits and vegetables were explained by the model. Gender appeared to have moderating effects on the relationships between attitudes and intention and between intentions and behavior in the model. There were no moderator effects of SES, but the larger dropout rates from the low-SES group could have caused the groups to become more homogeneous.

Conclusion.

The data fit the model well; still, large proportions of the variance in the frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables were unexplained. This may be related to the operationalization of the model constructs or to missing important factors in the model. Furthermore, there appeared to be strong relationships between subjective norms or barriers and intentions as well as gender differences in the strengths of the relationships in the model that may have implications for intervention methods or messages.
Vascular Access Type, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Depression in Hemodialysis Patients: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Afsar Baris , Elsurer Rengin , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are the vascular access of choice for hemodialysis (HD) compared with arteriovenous grafts (AVG) and central venous catheters (CVC). In spite of increasing recognition of importance of a patient's perception of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and depression, few studies have assessed the association of vascular access type with HRQOL and depression. The purpose of our study was to examine HRQOL and depression among patients with different vascular access.

Methods

Severity of symptoms of depression and HRQOL were assessed by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Vascular access was reported as one of three options; AVF, AVG, and CVC.

Results

In total, 136 patients were included; 104 had AVF, 15 had AVG, and 17 had CVC. BDI and HRQOL parameters differed among patients with different vascular access types. In post hoc analysis, BDI and HRQOL subscales were not different between patients with AVF and AVG. Patients with CVC had lower physical functioning (P:.001), role-physical limitation (P:.015), general health perception (P:.017), vitality (P:.010), social functioning (P:.004), role-emotional (P:.008), mental health (P:.001), physical component summary score (P:.017), and mental component summary score (P:.006) when compared to patients with AVF. Patients with CVC had lower physical functioning (P:.044), role-emotional (P:.044) and mental health scores (P:.04) when compared to patients with AVG.

Conclusions

Having a CVC may negatively influence HRQOL in HD patients. Vascular access type does not seem to be related to depressed mood in HD.
Sevoflurane Induction Shortens the Onset of Vecuronium at the Corrugator Supercilii Muscles: A Randomized Comparison with Propofol Induction
Authors: Nitahara Keiichi , Sugi Yasuyuki , Kusumoto Go , Katori Kiyoshi , Iwashita Kohei , Higa Kazuo
Published: November 2011

We evaluated if induction with sevoflurane shortened the onset of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade at the corrugator supercilii muscles (which have a similar time course of neuromuscular blockade with laryngeal muscles). Thirty-two patients were randomly allocated to a sevoflurane or propofol group. Anesthesia was induced with 5% sevoflurane in oxygen (sevoflurane group,n=16) or with propofol 2–2.5 mg kg−1(propofol group,n=16), and vecuronium (0.1 mg kg−1) was given in both groups. Evoked responses to train-of-four stimuli were measured by acceleromyography at the corrugator supercilii and adductor pollicis muscles. Sevoflurane induction, as compared with propofol, significantly shortened the onset time at the corrugator supercilii muscles from 138 ± 34 s to 107 ± 28 s (P<0.01). Onset time at the corrugator supercilii was significantly shorter than at the adductor pollicis for both groups (P<0.01). Our results suggest that induction with sevoflurane, as compared with propofol, shortened the onset time of vecuronium at laryngeal muscles.
Fabrication and characterization of PEI/PVP‐based carbon hollow fiber membranes for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Salleh Wan Norharyati Wan , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: November 2011

Carbon hollow fiber membranes derived from polymer blend of polyetherimide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were extensively prepared through stabilization under air atmosphere followed by carbonization under N2 atmosphere. The effects of the PVP compositions on the thermal behavior, structure, and gas permeation properties were investigated thoroughly by means of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and pure gas permeation apparatus. The experimental results indicate that the transport mechanism of small gas molecules of N2, CO2, and CH4 is dominated by the molecular sieving effect. The gas permeation properties of the prepared carbon membranes have a strong dependency on PVP composition. The carbon membranes prepared from polymer blends with 6 wt % PVP demonstrated the highest CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivities of 55.33 and 41.50, respectively. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 3167–3175, 2012
Use of statewide electronic emergency department data for occupational injury surveillance: A feasibility study in massachusetts
Authors: Davis Letitia K. , Hunt Phillip R. , Hackman H. Holly , McKeown Loreta N. , Ozonoff Victoria V.
Published: November 2011

Background

Statewide datasets of emergency department (ED) visits may be useful for occupational injury surveillance. Using data from 12 hospitals, we evaluated two indicators of work‐relatedness in reported ED data and the availability of employment information in medical charts.

Methods

Workers' compensation as payer and/or “yes” in an injury‐at‐work field were used to define probable work‐related (PWR) injury visits in the Massachusetts ED dataset. Charts were reviewed for a sample of 1,002 PWR and 250 probable nonwork‐related (PNWR) cases.

Results

Using chart information as the gold standard, indicators of work‐relatedness had a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 97%, and predictive value positive of 86%. Employer name was in charts for 89% of PWR and 42% of PNWR cases. Occupation was available for 34% of PWR cases.

Conclusion

Electronic ED data are useful for state surveillance of occupational injuries. Improvements in attribution of work‐relatedness and collection of available employer identifiers and occupational information would enhance its usefulness. The performance of indicators of work‐relatedness in ED datasets should be examined in different states. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:344–352, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐poly(L‐lactic acid)‐poly(methyl methacrylate) tri‐block copolymer
Authors: Shen Jun , Jiang Wei , Liu Ying , Wei Rongqing , Liu Xiaoning , Zhong Yu , Xu Jie , Li Linling , Xue Gi
Published: November 2011

Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐poly(L‐lactic acid)‐poly(methyl methacrylate) tri‐block copolymer was prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The structure and properties of the copolymer were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR), thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The kinetic plot for the ATRP of methyl methacrylate using poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) as the initiator shows that the reaction time increases linearly with ln[M]0/[M]. The results indicate that it is possible to achieve grafted chains with well‐defined molecular weights, and block copolymers with narrowed molecular weight distributions. The thermal stability of PLLA is improved by copolymerization. A new wash‐extraction method for removing copper from the ATRP has also exhibits satisfactory results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Predictors of trisomy 21 in the offspring of older and younger women
Authors: Agopian A. J. , Marengo Lisa K. , Mitchell Laura E.
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND: Advanced maternal age is the only well‐established risk factor for trisomy 21, yet the majority of affected individuals are born to younger women. To identify factors associated with the risk of trisomy 21 in the offspring of younger and older women, we analyzed data for cases with trisomy 21 from the Texas Birth Defects Registry for 1999 to 2007. METHODS: Data were analyzed separately for younger (i.e., <35 years of age at delivery; n = 2306) and older (i.e., ≥35 years of age at delivery; n = 1811) women using Poisson regression. RESULTS: After adjustment for maternal age and several other covariates, the prevalence of trisomy 21 in the offspring of women in both maternal age groups was higher in male than in female infants and in offspring of women who were Hispanic (compared with non‐Hispanic white women) or who had at least one previous liveborn child compared to those with none. In the offspring of older women only, the prevalence of trisomy 21 was also significantly higher when the father was 20to 24 years old (compared with 25 to 29 years old; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47–3.49) and Hispanic (compared with non‐Hispanic white; aPR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13–1.58) and among women with less than a high school education (compared with greater than high school). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified several factors, in addition to maternal age, that were associated with trisomy 21 risk. In general, these factors were similar for both maternal age groups, although paternal characteristics were significantly associated with risk of trisomy 21 only in offspring of older women. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feed‐control development for succinic acid production with Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens
Authors: Bretz Karlheinz , Kabasci Stephan
Published: November 2011

The aim of this work was the development of a feed‐control for a succinic acid production fed‐batch process. The performed batch trials indicated a correlation between succinic acid production and base consumption pH control. Based on the metabolism of Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens, a theoretical correlation between base consumption and glucose feed was established and proved in cultivation trials. With the established fed‐batch process, the succinic acid yield could be increased to 0.875 (g/g glucose) in comparison to batch processes (0.60) with similar glucose concentrations. Additionally, the results indicate that the osmolarity of the medium has a significant influence on succinic acid production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1187–1192. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inactivation of Glucosamine‐6‐Phosphate Synthase by N3‐Oxoacyl Derivatives of L‐2,3‐Diaminopropanoic Acid
Authors: Jędrzejczak Robert , Wojciechowski Marek , Andruszkiewicz Ryszard , Sowiński Paweł , Kot‐Wasik Agata , Milewski Sławomir
Published: November 2011

N3‐Oxoacyl derivatives of L‐2,3‐diaminopropanoic acid 1–4, containing either an epoxide group or a conjugated double bond system, inactivate Saccharomyces cerevisiae glucosamine‐6‐phosphate (GlcN‐6‐P) synthase in a time‐ and concentration dependent manner. The results of kinetics studies on inactivation suggested a biphasic course, with formation of the enzyme–ligand complex preceding irreversible modification of the enzyme. The examined compounds differed markedly in their affinity to the enzyme active site. Inhibitors containing a phenyl ketone moiety bound much more strongly than their methyl ketone counterparts. The molecular mechanism of enzyme inactivation by phenyl ketone compounds 1 and 3 was elucidated by using a stepwise approach with 2D NMR, MS and UV–visible spectroscopy. A substituted thiazine derivative was identified as the final product of a model reaction between an epoxide compound, 1, and L‐cysteine ethyl ester (CEE); and the respective cyclic product, found as a result of reaction between 1 and CGIF tetrapeptide, was identical to the N‐terminal fragment of GlcN‐6‐P synthase. On the other hand, the reaction of a double‐bond‐containing compound, 3, with CEE, CGIF and GlcN‐6‐P synthase led to the formation of a CS bond, without any further conversion or rearrangement. Molecular mechanisms of the reactions studied are proposed.
Subtle Ligand Effects in Oxidative Photocatalysis with Iridium Complexes: Application to Photopolymerization
Authors: Lalevée Jacques , Peter Mathieu , Dumur Frédéric , Gigmes Didier , Blanchard Nicolas , Tehfe Mohamad‐Ali , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Fouassier Jean Pierre
Published: November 2011

Iridium(III) complexes were designed and evaluated as efficient photoinitiators of polymerization reactions in combination with iodonium salts and silanes. Mechanistically, these reactions were shown to proceed through oxidative photoredox catalysis, generating aryl and silyl radicals under very soft irradiation conditions (blue LED, xenon lamp, and even sunlight). These radicals can initiate the free radical polymerization of acrylates or can be oxidized during the catalytic cycle to promote the ring‐opening polymerization of epoxy monomers. Remarkably, both the (photo)chemical reactivity and the practical efficiency are dramatically affected by the ligands. In addition, the central role played by the oxidation ability of the excited state of the photocatalyst is discussed.
Diffusion and Growth of Metal Clusters in Nanocomposites: A Kinetic Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Rosenthal L. , Filinov A. , Bonitz M. , Zaporojtchenko V. , Faupel F.
Published: November 2011

Noble metals that are deposited on a polymer surface exhibit surface diffusion and diffusion into the bulk. At the same time the metal atoms tend to form clusters because their cohesive energy is about two orders of magnitude higher than the cohesive energy of polymers. To selfconsistently simulate these coupled processes, we present in this paper a Kinetic Monte Carlo approach. Using a simple model with diffusion coefficients taken as input parameters allows us to perform a systematic study of the behavior of a large ensemble of metal atoms on a polymer surface eventually leading to polymer nanocomposites. Special emphasis is placed on the cluster growth, cluster size distribution and the penetration of clusters into the substrate. We also study the influence of surface defects and analyze how the properties of the resulting material can be controlled by variation of the deposition rate (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modellers' and Outreach Professionals' Views on the Role of Models in Watershed Management
Authors: Webler Thomas , Tuler Seth , Dietz Thomas
Published: November 2011

Nitrogen loading models are often designed and built without any input from decision‐makers. Better understanding and communication between modellers and decision‐makers would improve the usefulness of models. In interviews with 16 modellers and outreach professionals in southern New England, USA, we inquired about how nitrogen‐loading models should be designed and used in local decision‐making. Qualitative analysis revealed several insights about: differences between models intended to advance science and those to advance policy‐making; matching the scale of the model with that of the decision; the danger that models might promote technocracy; how to present uncertainty information; ecological transferability and social acceptance of models to new locales; involvement of local decision‐makers and citizens in the design of models; and the use of models by lay decision‐makers. The findings highlight both opportunities and obstacles to the use of models in local policy‐making. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Developments in coupled solid‐phase extraction–capillary electrophoresis 2009–2011
Authors: Ramautar Rawi , de Jong Gerhardus J. , Somsen Govert W.
Published: November 2011

This article presents an overview of the design and application of coupled solid‐phase extraction‐capillary electrophoresis (SPE‐CE) systems that have been reported in the literature between January 2009 and July 2011. The present paper is an update of two previous review papers covering the years 2000–2009 (Electrophoresis 2008, 29, 108–128; Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 44–54). Both in‐line and on‐line SPE‐CE approaches are treated and outlined. Attention is paid to emerging technological developments, such as the use of carbon nanotubes and magnetic particles for on‐line extraction of sample components prior to CE analysis. Selected examples illustrate the applicability of SPE‐CE in biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food analysis. A full overview of recent SPE‐CE studies is given in table format, providing information about sample type, SPE sorbent, coupling mode, detection mode and limit of detection. Finally, some general conclusions and future perspectives are given.
ALU and LINE‐1 hypomethylations in multistep gastric carcinogenesis and their prognostic implications
Authors: Bae Jeong Mo , Shin So‐Hyun , Kwon Hyeong‐Ju , Park Seog‐Yun , Kook Myeong Cherl , Kim Young‐Woo , Cho Nam‐Yun , Kim Nayoung , Kim Tae‐You , Kim Donguk , Kang Gyeong Hoon
Published: November 2011

Focal CpG island hypermethylation and diffuse genomic hypomethylation signify the changes in the DNA methylation status in cancer cells. ALU and LINE‐1 repetitive DNA elements comprise ∼28% of the human genome. PCR‐based measurements of these repetitive DNA elements can be used as a surrogate marker of the genomewide methylation content. Our study aimed to identify the timing of ALU and LINE‐1 hypomethylations during multistep gastric carcinogenesis and their prognostic implications in gastric cancer (GC). In our study, we analyzed the methylation statuses of ALU and LINE‐1 in 249 cases of gastric biopsy samples and another independent set of 198 cases of advanced GC by pyrosequencing. Regardless of the Helicobacter pylori infection status, a significant decrease in the ALU methylation levels was noted during the transitions from chronic gastritis to intestinal metaplasia and from gastric adenoma to GC. LINE‐1 methylation decreased during the transition from intestinal metaplasia to gastric adenoma and no further decrease occurred during the transition from gastric adenoma to GC. A low LINE‐1 methylation status was strongly associated with poor prognosis in GC. A multivariate analysis revealed that LINE‐1 methylation status was an independent prognostic factor. Our findings suggest that ALU and LINE‐1 hypomethylations are early events during multistep gastric carcinogenesis. Furthermore, the LINE‐1 methylation status can be used as a molecular biomarker to define a subset of GC patients with poor prognosis.