bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiological outcomes following mupirocin nasal washes for symptomatic, Staphylococcus aureus–positive chronic rhinosinusitis following endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Jervis‐Bardy Joshua , Wormald Peter‐John
Published: December 2011

Background:

Persistent infection following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a frustrating entity for the patient and rhinologist alike. Mupirocin nasal washes have been proposed as an efficacious treatment in such patients. Two small studies have reported excellent short‐term posttreatment outcomes; however, the long‐term microbiological outcomes following treatment are not known; likewise, the rate of mupirocin‐resistance following treatment has not been explored.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review of 61 patients with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)‐positive surgically‐recalcitrant CRS having undergone 0.05% mupirocin nasal rinse treatment, twice daily for 4 weeks. Specific outcomes reported included posttreatment culture results, time to first posttreatment S. aureus culture, and mupirocin‐sensitivity following treatment.

Results:

Of 57 patients meeting minimal posttreatment follow‐up criteria, 42 (73.7%) progressed to microbiological failure by subsequently cultured S. aureus. Mean time to first positive culture was 144 days. Of the 42 patients who progressed to microbiological relapse, full antibiotic sensitivity data was available for 41; of these, only 1 was found to subsequently harbor a mupirocin‐resistant strain of S. aureus, thus yielding a posttreatment resistance rate of 2.4%.

Conclusion:

Treatment with mupirocin nasal washes in S. aureus–positive, surgically recalcitrant CRS has a high microbiological failure rate, with 73.7% of patients subsequently re‐culturing S. aureus. Our current treatment regime of 0.05% nasal washes twice daily for 4 weeks is associated with a posttreatment resistance rate that is consistent with other studies of topical mupirocin use, suggesting that mupirocin washes are no more likely to induce resistance than nasal vestibule decolonization in the high‐risk medical or surgical patient. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Surface modification and characterization of an H2/O2 plasma‐treated polypropylene membrane
Authors: Huang Chun , Tsai Ching‐Yuan , Juang Ruey‐Shin
Published: December 2011

Low‐pressure plasma treatments in a 13.56 MHz RF glow discharge of Hydrogen (H2)/Oxygen (O2) gas mixture were used to introduce polar functional groups onto microporous polypropylene (PP) membrane surfaces to improve the hydrophilicity and surface modification. The change in hydrophilicity and surface free energy was monitored by static contact angle measurement. Significant increased surface energy of polypropylene membranes from the H2/O2 mixture gas plasma treatments was observed. The PP membrane surfaces became highly hydrophilic when exposed for only 5 s to the H2/O2 mixture gas plasma. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to examine the various chemical species of low pressure plasma processing. The chemical structure and surface morphological changes on the membrane surface were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). XPS analysis showed significantly higher surface concentrations of oxygen functional groups for H2/O2 mixture gas plasma‐modified PP membrane surfaces than the originally unmodified PP membrane surfaces. The experimental results revealed low pressure H2/O2 plasma processing is an effective method to improve the surface hydrophilicity of microporous PP membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of polyurethane molecular weight on the properties of polyurethane–poly(butyl methacrylate) hybrid latex prepared by miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Tian Cun , Zhou Qing , Cao Li , Su Zhi‐qiang , Chen Xiao‐nong
Published: December 2011

Polyurethane (PU) prepolymer was first prepared via introducing double bonds on‐to the PU chains, and then polyurethane–poly (butyl methacrylate) (PU–PBMA) hybrid latex was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. Transmission electron microscopy, Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), Fourier transform infrared, and dynamic mechanical analysis were adopted to characterize the hybrid latex and its coating film. Both the coating property and the miscibility of PU–PBMA emulsion have been greatly improved through introducing double bonds into PU prepolymer. With an increase in the molecule weight of PU (MPU), the increase in the particle size of PU–PBMA emulsion was observed plus decreases in the stability of the hybrid latex and conversion of methacrylate. Besides, as MPU increased, the final dried coating film of the hybrid latex showed decreased water resistance, weakened miscibility, and improved mechanical properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Semiparametric smoothing of discrete failure time data
Authors: Patil Prakash N. , Bagkavos Dimitrios
Published: December 2011

An estimator of the hazard rate function from discrete failure time data is obtained by semiparametric smoothing of the (nonsmooth) maximum likelihood estimator, which is achieved by repeated multiplication of a Markov chain transition‐type matrix. This matrix is constructed so as to have a given standard discrete parametric hazard rate model, termed the vehicle model, as its stationary hazard rate. As with the discrete density estimation case, the proposed estimator gives improved performance when the vehicle model is a good one and otherwise provides a nonparametric method comparable to the only purely nonparametric smoother discussed in the literature. The proposed semiparametric smoothing approach is then extended to hazard models with covariates and is illustrated by applications to simulated and real data sets.
Fabrication and evaluation of poly(epsilon‐caprolactone)/silk fibroin blend nanofibrous scaffold
Authors: Lim Jun Sik , Ki Chang Seok , Kim Jong Wook , Lee Kwang Gil , Kang Seok Woo , Kweon Hae Yong , Park Young Hwan
Published: December 2011

In this study we investigated the blend electrospinning of poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) and silk fibroin (SF) to improve the biodegradability and biocompatibility of PCL‐based nanofibrous scaffolds. Optimal conditions to fabricate PCL/SF (50/50) blend nanofiber were established for electrospinning using formic acid as a cosolvent and three‐dimensional (3D) PCL/SF blend nanofibrous scaffolds were prepared by a modified electrospinning process using methanol coagulation bath. The physical properties of 2D PCL/SF blend nanofiber mats and 3D highly porous blend nanofibrous scaffolds were measured and compared. To evaluate cytocompatibility of the 3D blend scaffolds as compared to 3D PCL nanofibrous scaffold, normal human dermal fibroblasts were cultured. It is concluded that biodegradability and cytocompatibility could be improved for the 3D highly porous PCL/SF (50/50) blend nanofibrous scaffold prepared by blending PCL with SF in electrospinning. In addition to the blending of PCL and SF, the 3D structure and high porosity of electrospun nanofiber assemblies may also be important factors for enhancing the performance of scaffolds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 265–275, 2012.
Immobilization of organophosphohydrolase OpdA from Agrobacterium radiobacter by overproduction at the surface of polyester inclusions inside engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Blatchford Paul A. , Scott Colin , French Nigel , Rehm Bernd H. A.
Published: December 2011

Organophosphorus pesticides (OP) are highly toxic and are widely used as insecticides. Bacterial organophosphohydrolases which hydrolyze a variety of OPs have been considered for the clean‐up of polluted environments. This study describes the engineering of Escherichia coli towards the overproduction of the organophosphohydrolase (OpdA) from Agrobacterium radiobacter at the surface of polyester inclusions. The OpdA was N‐terminally fused via a designed linker region to the C‐terminus of polyester inclusion‐forming enzyme PhaC of Ralstonia eutropha. The PhaC‐L‐OpdA fusion protein was overproduced by using the strong T7 promoter and when coexpressed with genes phaA (encoding β‐ketothiolase) and phaB (encoding acetoacetyl‐CoA reductase) from R. eutropha this led to formation of polyester inclusions abundantly displaying OpdA. These OpdA beads showed organophosphohydrolase activity of 1,840 U/g wet polyester beads or 4,412 U/g protein. Steady state kinetics revealed that when compared with free OpdA the kcat (s−1) of 139 of immobilized OpdA was reduced by about 16.5‐fold while the KM (M) of 2.5 × 10−4 was increased by 1.6‐fold. The immobilized OpdA showed increased temperature stability. Moreover, the stability of OpdA immobilized to polyester beads was assessed by incubating OpdA beads at 25°C for up to 11 days and no significant loss in enzyme activity was detected. The application performance of the OpdA beads with respect to hydrolysis of OPs in contaminated environments was demonstrated in wool scour spiked with fluorescent coumaphos. This study demonstrated a new strategy toward the efficient recombinant production of immobilized organophosphohydrolase, the OpdA, suitable for bioremediation applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1101–1108. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resting cells of recombinant E. coli show high epoxidation yields on energy source and high sensitivity to product inhibition
Authors: Julsing Mattijs K. , Kuhn Daniel , Schmid Andreas , Bühler Bruno
Published: December 2011

Metabolically active resting (i.e., nongrowing) bacterial cells have a high potential in cofactor‐dependent redox biotransformations. Where growing cells require carbon and energy for biomass production, resting cells can potentially exploit their metabolism more efficiently for redox biocatalysis allowing higher specific activities and product yields on energy source. Here, the potential of resting recombinant E. coli containing the styrene monooxygenase StyAB was investigated for enantioselective styrene epoxidation in a two‐liquid phase setup. Resting cells indeed showed twofold higher specific activities as compared to growing cells in a similar setup. However, product formation rates decreased steadily resulting in lower final product concentrations. The low intrinsic stability of the reductase component StyB was found to limit overall biocatalyst stability. Such limitation by enzyme stability was overcome by increasing intracellular StyB levels. Beyond that, product inhibition was identified as a limiting factor, whereas complete toxification of the bacterial cells, as it was observed with growing cells, and deactivation of the multicomponent enzyme system did not occur. The resting cell setup allowed high product yields on glucose of more than 5 mol mol, which makes the use of resting cells a promising approach for ecologically as well as economically sustainable oxygenase‐based whole‐cell biocatalysis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1109–1119. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of silibinin induces cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis on HeLa cells
Authors: Zhang Y. , Ge Y. , Chen Y. , Li Q. , Chen J. , Dong Y. , Shi W.
Published: December 2011

Silibinin, an effective anti‐cancer and chemopreventive agent in various epithelial cancer models, has been reported to inhibit cancer cell growth through mitogenic signalling pathways including cervical cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not well elucidated. Here, we assessed the effect of silibinin on human cervical carcinoma cell cycle modulation, apoptosis induction and associated molecular alterations by employing HeLa cell line. Silibinin treatment of HeLa cells resulted in a G2 arrest and induced a decrease in cyclin‐dependent kinases involved in both G1 and G2 progression. In addition, silibinin showed a dose‐dependent and a time‐dependent apoptotic death in HeLa cells in both the mitochondrial pathway and the death receptor‐mediated pathway, providing a strong rationale for future studies evaluating preventive and/or intervention strategies for silibinin in cervical cancer pre‐clinical models. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ferroportin 1 and hephaestin expression in BeWo cell line with different iron treatment
Authors: Li Yan‐Qin , Bai Bin , Cao Xiao‐Xiao , Yan Hong , Zhuang Gui‐Hua
Published: December 2011

The process of placental iron transfer is an important physiological process during pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanism of placental iron transport has not been completely elucidated until now. Ferroportin 1 (FPN1) and hephaestin (Heph) have been identified as the important molecules involved in duodenal iron export. However, whether they participate in the placental iron efflux has been undefined until now. In this study, the BeWo cells were treated with desferrioxamine and Holo‐transferrin human in different concentrations and harvested at 48 and 72 h. The mRNA expression of FPN1 and Heph was detected with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression was detected with western blots. The results showed an up‐regulated FPN1 expression with desferrioxamine treatment and down‐regulated expression with Holo‐transferrin human supplementation. However, the change of FPN1 expression at protein level was limited. Heph expression enhanced when cells were treated with desferrioxamine although the quantity of Heph expression was low. Heph expression showed no significant change with Holo‐transferrin human supplementation. It indicates that FPN1 may participate in placental iron transport, and placental FPN1 expression is obviously not dependent on the iron regular element/iron regular protein regulation. An alternatively spliced FPN1 isoform that lacks an iron regular element may be the predominant expression in BeWo cells. It also demonstrates that Heph is active in placenta but may not play a key role in placental iron transport because it is not the main part of placental copper oxidase. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Experience and Management of Emotions on an Inpatient Setting for People with Anorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Pemberton Kathryn , Fox John R. E.
Published: December 2011

Objectives

Research has identified how people with anorexia nervosa (AN) have problematic relationships with their own emotions, which can impact recovery. The aim of this study was to understand factors that were important in the care and emotional management of people with eating disorders on an inpatient unit.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight participants with AN.

Method

Interview transcripts were analysed using a qualitative approach that was based upon interpretative phenomenological analysis, but also incorporated a theoretical component.

Results

From the qualitative analysis, two overarching and related themes were developed: ‘difficulty with emotion’ and ‘predictability and care’. These were underpinned by a number of theoretical important constructs, such as ‘staff factors’, ‘understanding of emotion’, ‘validity of emotion’ and ‘looking for ideal care’.

Conclusion

Results suggested that the management strategies employed by some staff could serve to maintain eating disorders symptoms, whilst patient factors were also important as they had negative effect on staff's impact to care for this patient group. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Emotions and emotional processing is problematic for people with anorexia nervosa.

The expression of emotions within anorexia nervosa is difficult and it often leads to emotional expressions that are out of context.

Staff teams need to be aware of the issue of expectations of care when looking after people with anorexia nervosa.
In vivo MRI and histopathological assessment of tumor microenvironment in luminal‐like and basal‐like breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Huuse Else M. , Moestue Siver A. , Lindholm Evita M. , Bathen Tone F. , Nalwoga Hawa , Krüger Kristi , Bofin Anna , Mælandsmo Gunhild M. , Akslen Lars A. , Engebraaten Olav , Gribbestad Ingrid S.
Published: December 2011

Purpose:

To explore tumor pathophysiology with special attention to the microenvironment in two molecular subtypes of human breast cancer using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology. The impact of tumor growth, size, and the influence of estradiol were also investigated.

Materials and Methods:

Two orthotopic and directly transplanted human breast cancer models representing luminal‐like and basal‐like molecular subtypes were characterized by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI and diffusion‐weighted MRI. Ex vivo measurements of vascularization, hypoxia, mitoses, and the level of VEGF activations were associated with the calculated in vivo MRI parameters of the tumors.

Results:

The vascular permeability and perfusion (Ktrans) was significantly higher in basal‐like compared to luminal‐like tumors. These findings were confirmed by a 4‐fold higher proliferating microvessel density (pMVD) in basal‐like tumors, reflecting the difference in aggressiveness between the subtypes. No effect of tumor growth was observed during 6 days of growth in any of the models; however, large tumors had lower Ktrans, higher extracellular extravascular volume fraction (ve), and more hypoxia than medium‐sized tumors. Estradiol withdrawal induced increased Ktrans, ve, and tumor water diffusion (ADC) in luminal‐like tumors, corresponding to increased VEGFR2 activation, which is likely to cause increased tumor vessel permeability.

Conclusion:

These novel data confirm the potential of functional MRI methods to map histopathologically proven changes in breast tumor vasculature and microenvironment in vivo. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1098‐1107. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phase contrast MRI quantification of pulsatile volumes of brain arteries, veins, and cerebrospinal fluids compartments: Repeatability and physiological interactions
Authors: Wåhlin Anders , Ambarki Khalid , Hauksson Jón , Birgander Richard , Malm Jan , Eklund Anders
Published: December 2011

Purpose:

To study measurement repeatability and physiological determinants on measurement stability for phase contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) measurements of cyclic volume changes (ΔV) of brain arteries, veins, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments.

Materials and Methods:

Total cerebral blood flow (tCBF), total internal jugular flow (tJBF) and spinal CSF flow at C2–C3 level and CSF in the aqueduct was measured using five repetitions in 20 healthy subjects. After subtracting net flow, waveforms were integrated to calculate ΔV of arterial, venous, and cerebrospinal fluid compartments. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure repeatability. Systematic errors were investigated by a series of phantom measurements.

Results:

For ΔV calculated from tCBF, tJBF and both CSF waveforms, the ICC was ≥0.85. ΔV from the tCBF waveform decreased linearly between repetitions (P = 0.012). Summed CSF and venous volume being shifted out from the cranium was correlated with ΔV calculated from the tCBF waveform (r = 0.75; P < 0.001). Systematic errors increased at resolutions <4 pixels per diameter.

Conclusion:

Repeatability of ΔV calculated from tCBF, tJBF, and CSF waveforms allows useful interpretations. The subject's time in the MR system and imaging resolution should be considered when interpreting volume changes. Summed CSF and venous volume changes was associated with arterial volume changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1055‐1062. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross‐sectional and In‐plane coronary vessel wall imaging using a local inversion prepulse and spiral read‐out: A comparison between 1.5 and 3 tesla
Authors: Peel Sarah A. , Hussain Tarique , Schaeffter Tobias , Greil Gerald F. , Lagemaat Miriam W. , Botnar Rene M.
Published: December 2011

Purpose:

To compare cross‐sectional and in‐plane coronary vessel wall imaging using a spiral readout at 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T).

Materials and Methods:

Free‐breathing coronary vessel wall imaging using a local inversion technique and spiral readout was implemented. Images were acquired in ten healthy adult subjects on a 3T clinical scanner using a 32‐element cardiac coil and repeated on a 1.5T clinical scanner using a 5‐element coil.

Results:

Cross‐sectional and in‐plane spiral vessel wall imaging was performed at both 1.5 and 3T. In cross‐sectional images, artifact scores were superior at 1.5T (P < 0.05) but no significant difference was found in image quality scores compared with 3T. Image quality (P < 0.01) and artifact scores (P < 0.01) were found to be superior for in‐plane images at 1.5T. Vessel wall sharpness in the in‐plane orientation was also found to be higher at 1.5T (P < 0.03).

Conclusion:

Although excellent in‐plane coronary vessel wall images can be acquired at 3T, the overall robustness may be affected by off‐resonance blurring due to increased B0 inhomogeneity compared with 1.5T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:969–975. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discrepancy of potential antiviral resistance mutation profiles within the HBV reverse transcriptase between nucleos(t)ide analogue‐untreated and ‐treated patients with chronic hepatitis B in a hospital in China
Authors: Li Xiao‐Guang , Liu Bao‐Ming , Xu Jie , Liu Xue‐En , Ding Hai , Li Tong
Published: December 2011

Little is known about the discrepancy of the potential antiviral resistance mutation profiles within the hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse transcriptase (RT) between nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐untreated and ‐treated patients with chronic hepatitis B. Full‐length HBV RT sequences from 59 NA‐treated and 105 NA‐untreated Chinese patients were amplified and sequenced. Forty‐two potential NA resistance (NAr) mutation sites were screened within these 164 RT sequences. The NAr mutation prevalence and frequency in the NA‐treated group were significantly higher than those in the NA‐untreated one (P < 0.001, respectively). The classical primary drug resistance and secondary/compensatory mutations were only detected at seven sites (rtL80, rtI169, rtL180, rtA181, rtT184, rtM204, and rtN236) in NA‐treated patients. The non‐classical putative NAr and pre‐treatment mutations were observed at 22 sites (rtT38, rtN/S53, rtL82, rtL/I91, rtN/Y124, rtH126, rtT128, rtN/D134, rtN139, rtR153, rtV191, rtV207, rtS213, rtV214, rtE218, rtY/F221, rtV/I224, rtL229, rtI233, rtN/H238, rtR242, and rtS/C256) in both groups. Substitutions at seven non‐classical mutation sites were of interest due to either detection only in patients with virologic breakthrough (rtL82 and rtV214), or potential ties with HBV genotypes (rtV191 and rtL229), or coexistence with rtM204I/V (rtL229), or increased mutation trends after NA‐treatment (rtT128, rtV207, and rtN/H238). In conclusion, NA treatment not only constitutes a major selection factor for the primary and secondary/compensatory NAr mutations but also drives the changes of some of the putative NAr mutation sites, most of which are the genotype‐independent RT sites (rtL82, rtT128, rtV191, rtV207, rtV214, rtL229, and rtN/H238). Their antiviral resistance potential calls for further investigations. J. Med. Virol. 84:207–216, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significance of HPV 16 and 18 viral load quantitation in women referred for colposcopy
Authors: Carcopino Xavier , Henry Mireille , Mancini Julien , Giusiano Sophie , Boubli Léon , Olive Daniel , Tamalet Catherine
Published: December 2011

The clinical utility of HPV 16 and 18 viral loads remains debated. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of HPV 16 and 18 viral load and to determine a cut‐off for optimal prediction of grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among patients referred to colposcopy. A total of 186 cervico‐vaginal specimens harboring HPV 16 and/or 18 obtained at the time of colposcopy from patients without previous cervical neoplasia were tested for HPV 16 and 18 detection and quantitation using quantitative duplex real‐time PCR method. Grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was diagnosed in 87 (46.8%) cases. Only HPV 16 median viral load increased significantly with the lesion grade: 9.1 × 104 in normal cervix or grade 1 cervical intraepithelial lesion versus 4.0 × 106 copies per million cells in grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial lesion (P < 0.001). The highest predictive value for grade 2 or higher cervical intraepithelial lesion was observed with a HPV 16 viral load cut‐off of 3.0 × 106 copies per million cells (91% specificity, 58.2% sensitivity). Using this cut‐off, the highest predictive value of HPV 16 viral load was observed among those referred for previous low‐grade abnormal cervical cytology (96.4% specificity, 88% sensitivity). HPV 18 quantitation showed very poor predictive value. Specific attention should be given when performing colposcopic examination of women with an HPV 16 viral load higher than 3.0 × 106 copies per million cells, especially among those referred after a low‐grade abnormal cytology. J. Med. Virol. 84:306–313, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zur Frage der Unterflursicherung nichtstationärer Stallmistzwischenlagerung mit Bentonit oder Stroh
Authors: Dewes Thomas , Petersen Andreas , Schmitt Liliane
Published: December 2011

An einem über das Winterhalbjahr 93/94 eingerichteten Zwischenlager aus Rindermist wurde die Eignung von Bentonit und Stroh zur Sicherung des Bodens vor eindringenden Stofffrachten geprüft. Während der 185tägigen Lagerung sickerten 250 g Nt (davon 68% als NH4+) und 695 g K+/m3 Mist aus. Diese Stofffrachten drangen in den Boden ein, wobei im Bodenwasser mit zunehmender Tiefe abnehmende NH4+‐N und K+‐Konzentrationen, aber zunehmende, jedoch unbedenkliche NO3−‐N‐Konzentrationen festgestellt wurden. Unter den mit Bentonit gesicherten Prüfgliedern waren die NH4+‐N‐ und K+‐Konzentrationen im Bodenwasser immer deutlich geringer als unter den Prüfgliedern mit Stroh bzw. unter denen ohne Unterflursicherung. Beide Kationen wurden in hohem Maße in der Bentonit‐Schicht sortiert, was günstige Voraussetzungen für deren Rückführung in den Betriebskreislauf bot. Im Boden unter der Stroh‐Schicht war vor allem der Nmin−Gehalt vermindert. Dies könnte durch eine mikrobielle Rückbindung von Stickstoff aufgrund des hohen C‐Angebotes erklärt werden.
Effects of gypsum and Zn on uptake ratios of Na, K and growth‐yield of rice grown on a coastal saline soil
Authors: Khan H. R. , Ahmed I. U. , Blume H.‐P.
Published: December 2011

Salinity reduced (reduction below control = RBC) grain yield of rice by 80 and 98% at 8 and 16 mS/cm levels of saline irrigation, respectively, below tap water (0.6 mS/cm). The adverse effect of salinity was more pronounced on grain yield (98% RBC at 16 mS/cm) than on straw yield (84% RBC). The combined application of gypsum and Zn at the rates of 160 and 5 kg/ha produced 49, 45, and 41% more grain yield above controls at 0.6, 8, and 16 mS/cm levels of salinity, respectively. The length of panicles, percentage of filled grains, and 1000‐grain weight, protein concentrations of the rice grains, sum of Ca, Mg and K concentrations were reduced due to imposition of saline irrigation, but gypsum and Zn treatments significantly improved these parameters even at the highest (16 mS/cm) salinity stress. The combined application of gypsum and Zn was found to be effective to increase the protein concentrations in rice grains by 2–4% and to increase total concentrations of Ca, Mg and K, but reduced the Na/K ratios in plant tissues by 29.13, and 12% at 0.6, 8, and 16 mS/cm salinity, respectively, suggesting that the application of gypsum and Zn in parallel with irrigation of saline soils, would be effective to reduce the adverse effects of high Na/K ratios as well as to improve growth, yield, and nutritional balance in rice.
Aggregation indices to characterize structural breakdown of dry soil samples by air slaking
Authors: Roth Christian H.
Published: December 2011

The objectives of this study were to develop a simple test to assess air slaking effects on structural breakdown of dry soils and with the help of the test, to verify whether observations made by Gath (1995) on artificial soil samples are also valid for undisturbed soil samples. The proposed slaking test and the derived aggregation indices allow for an indirect assessment of the effect of air slaking. It is possible to use the test as a means of grouping soil structure with respect to slaking susceptibility. Thus, soil samples with clay contents < 10% and granular or weakly coherent structure are practically completely dispersed upon immersion. Soils with > 30% clay are well aggregated in angular blocks and prisms, and slaking will stop at a microaggregate level. Loess soils, which usually have a range of 10 to 30% clay content and coherent to subangular blocky structure show an intermediate behaviour. Finally, the results obtained here using undisturbed soil samples are in line with those obtained by Gäth (1995), indicating that at a given water content rate of water uptake as influenced by hydraulic conductivity, sample size and bulk density is a major factor controlling effects of air slaking. However, when comparing samples of different origin, increase in clay content is the principal factor that reduces slaking effects.
Schätzrahmen für die effektive Durchwurzelungstiefe mehrschichtiger Böden
Authors: Schrey Heinz Peter
Published: December 2011

Die Kennwerte für die effektive Durchwurzelungstiefe in der Boden‐ kundlichen Kartieranleitung (4. Auflage) gelten nur für homogene Böden. Als Ergänzung dazu wird ein Verfahren vorgestellt, das die effektive Durchwurzelung mehrschichtiger Böden auf Basis derselben Kennwerte berechnet. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dieses Verfahren als Standard in die Methodenbanken der Fachinformationssysteme Bodenkunde einzustellen.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) seed treatment enhances germination and seedling growth of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) exposed to soaking injury
Authors: Neumann Günter , Azaizeh Hassan Ahmad , Marschner Horst
Published: December 2011

Seed treatment with thiamine mononitrate significantly increased germination rate of bean (Phasenius vulgaris L.) seedlings germinated at high soil moisture levels and low night‐temperature (5° C). Beneficial effects of thiamine applications on germination were also observed in soil‐free germination tests when the seeds were submerged in water for 1–4 d at 18°C. Optimum response was achieved at thiamine concentrations of 3 mM, applied during the first 24 h of imbibition. As an early response to the thiamine treatment, vital staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride revealed a lower proportion of damaged tissue of the embryonic axes. In later stages of seedling development, thiamine seed treatment resulted in a lower proportion of abnormal seedlings with malformations of the shoot apex and of the primary leaves. The beneficial effect of thiamine was more pronounced when the temperature during submergence was kept at 25° C compared to 5° C. There was no response to thiamine applications when the germinating seeds were exposed to low temperature treatments only. The thiamine effect could be mimicked by raising the osmotic potential of the incubation medium, indicating a relationship to soaking injuries. The results suggest that normal seedling development may be impaired by thiamine deficiency in the embryonic tissue induced by soaking injury, whereas low temperatures are not involved as a stress‐factor.
Amount and chemical element content of rhizomorphs in the stemflow and throughfall areas of beech stands on different soil types
Authors: Turcsányi Gábor , Siller Irén , Führer Ernõ , Kovács Margit , Penksza Károly , Büttner Sarolta , Figeczky Gábor , Dudás Judit , Mihály Botond
Published: December 2011

Rhizomorphs of Armitlaria mellea Karst s.l. were collected in the stemflow and throughfall areas of beech stands on four soil types in Hungary in order to compare their chemical element contents. The amount of rhizomorphs found in the samples increased with decreasing pH of the soil types as well as with decreasing pH caused by the influence of stemflow water. Least rhizomorphs were collected in the Ranker, whereas most were found in the stemflow areas of the pod‐ zolized Brown Earth. Rhizomorph and beech root samples, collected for comparison, showed highly significant differences in their chemical element contents. Rhizomorphs contained less B, Fe. Ga, Li, Mg, Mn, Ti and V, but more Cd, Co, P, Pb, Si and Zn in all soil types than comparable beech root samples. Remarkable was the high Pb content of rhizomorphs, which is not characteristic of mushroom fruiting bodies collected in unpolluted areas.
The chemical composition of soil organic matter in classical humic compound fractions and in bulk samples — a review
Authors: Beyer Lothar
Published: December 2011

In the present paper new findings in soil organic matter (SOM) research were reviewed with regard to non‐aromatic species in order to make evident the recent conception about the chemical nature of humic matter structure. The main purpose of this paper was to unravel the manifold information of SOM investigations in order to characterize the classical humic matter fractions (fulvic acids, humic acids, humins) and bulk soil samples. Such common state‐of‐the‐art information is missing in current SOM literature. In addition we focus on improvements in SOM research due to the application of the new instrumental methods such as NMR and pyrolysis‐MS and its problems of analysis.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different forest soils: Mineral horizons
Authors: Guggenberger Georg , Pichler Martin , Hartmann Robert , Zech Wolfgang
Published: December 2011

The objective of this study was to assess the behavior of PAH in mineral soil horizons of different forest soils (Allersdorf, All: Inceptisol, mull humus type; Geisberg, Geis: Entisol, mull; Hohe Matzen, HoM: Spodosol, mor). At the mor site, the highest PAH loading was observed in the forest floor (HoM L to Oh, ΣX 20 PAH: 829 g ha−1), whereas at the mull sites the humified mineral soil horizons were the main sink for PAH (All aAxh, Σ 20 PAH: 522 g ha−1). In all soils, there was a significant PAH translocation into subsoil horizons (Σ 20 PAH in the subsoil: 76–195 g ha−1).

In order to delineate possible transport mechanisms, double‐logarithmic relationships were established between the translocation of the distinct PAH from the surface soil to the subsoil and the PAH's Kow values. The data suggested that transport of low‐molecular PAH into the subsoil was primarily a function of the water solubility of each compound. In the biologically active All and Geis soils, high‐molecular PAH were translocated independently from their Kow value, and particle‐bound transport probably by soil burrowing animals was assumed to control translocation of the penta‐ and hexacyclic PAH. In contrast, at HoM transfer of high‐molecular PAH increased with increasing hydrophobicity, suggesting dissolved organic matter (DOM)‐mediated transport of PAH.

Fractionation of soil into a floatable fraction and into sand‐ (20–2000 μm), silt‐ (2–20 μm), coarse clay‐ (0.2–2 μm), and fine claysized (< 0.2 μm) separates revealed that more than 80% of the PAH loading could be assigned to silt‐ and coarse clay‐sized separates, irrespective of the soil's texture (loamy sand to silty clay loam). Silt generally showed the highest Corg−related PAH concentrations. PAH profiles (relative proportion of each PAH on the sum of 20 PAH) revealed increasing proportions of high‐molecular, more refractory PAH from the floatables and the sand‐sized separates to the finer particles, corresponding with an increasing degree of SOM alteration in the same direction. At HoM, depth gradients of high‐molecular PAH suggested co‐transport of penta‐ and hexacyclic PAH with DOM and subsequent co‐sorption selectively to the silt‐ and coarse‐clay sized separates of the Bsh horizon.
Mathematical models to study the kinetics of potassium release from swell‐shrink soils of Central India in relation to their mineralogy
Authors: Rao Ch. Srinivasa , Pal D. K. , Takkar P. N.
Published: December 2011

Employing four mathematical models (first‐order, parabolic‐diffusion, Elovich and zero‐order), kinetics of potassium desorption from eight soils with and without cropping were studied to evaluate their ability in explaining K release from soils. The decline in the soil test K in cropped soils over original soils was drastic in easily desorbable forms compared to that of strongly held forms like 3 M H2SO4 K. Results showed that parabolic diffusion as well as first‐order kinetic equation explained the K release data well for both original and K depleted (cropped) soils. Elovich and zero‐order equations were not suitable to describe the kinetic data. However, zero‐order equation explained K release data better in case of K‐depleted soils as compared to original soils. Soils with higher initial K contents registered higher release rate constants. Over the entire period of cropping the range of release rate (b) decreased from 1.26 to 1.53 × 10−2 to values ranging from 1.12 to 1.30 × 10−2 h−1. In contrast, the first‐order equation, parabolic diffusion showed higher b values for cropped soils as they represent the diffusion gradient. Mica and its biotite content in both silt and clay fractions showed significant correlation (r) with b values. Similarly with the rate of K release, clay content of soils maintained significant r whereas the silt content did not.
Structural modifications of the apoplast and their potential impact on ion uptake
Authors: Peterson Carol A. , Cholewa Ewa
Published: December 2011

Nutrient ions entering the plant root from the soil solution, whether directly or through mycorrhizal fungi, first encounter the apoplast, a chemically complex compartment. The movement of ions in unmodified walls occurs in water‐filled channels (diameter about 10 nm) and is influenced by electrical charges. Some positive charges occur in the wall, but the majority are negative. The permeability of the wall is variable, depending on its age and whether or not it has been further modified. Very young walls are less permeable than older walls, and the permeability of mature walls may be reduced by suberin and/or lignin deposits. It is not clear whether or not the other two main wall‐modifying substances, mucilages and condensed tannins, also significantly reduce wall permeability. Casparian bands, which consist of suberin and lignin within radial and transverse walls, occur in the endodermis and exodermis. These layers form continuous cylinders within the root so that ion movement into the entire areas they surround is prevented. An important corollary is that Casparian bands dictate which cells are accessed by the soil solution and thus are in a position to absorb ions. It is postulated that a Casparian band‐like modification also occurs in the walls of cork cells, based on observations of their impermeability to dyes. Suberin can occur in the form of lamellae which are deposited on all walls of endodermal, exodermal and cork cells. Unlike the Casparian bands, these lamellae limit movement between the apoplast and plasmalemma surface of the individual cells in which they occur. Condensed tannins, an addition to the walls of tree roots which results in them becoming brown, appear to function as antimicrobial agents rather than as permeability barriers. Further research is needed to investigate the structure of both unmodified and modified walls in a variety of species and under a variety of growing conditions.
Heavy metal contamination of soils in Northern Slovakia
Authors: Lobe Ingo , Wilcke Wolfgang , Kobža Jozef , Zech Wolfgang
Published: December 2011

Environmental damages like forest decline in Northern Slovakia could be a result of long‐distance transport of pollutants with the dominating north‐west winds. On 10 sites, primarily in the northbound upper slopes of west‐east oriented mountain ranges in Northern Slovakia, the extent of the heavy metal contamination in soils along a north‐south transect was examined. Oi, Oe, Oa, A, and B horizons were sampled and the total concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined. The ranges of heavy metal concentrations in the forest floor were higher than reported for comparable samples from Bavarian soils except for Zn (Cd: 0.65–1.77; Cr: 12–40; Cu: 19–41; Ni: 8–24; Pb: 70–187; Zn: 31–92 mg kg−1), in the mineral soil the concentrations were lower. The depth distribution of the metal concentrations indicated a contamination with Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The concentration differences between forest floor and mineral soil tended to be higher at the northern than at the southern sites for Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, indicating a long‐distance transport from the north. Correlation and principal component analyses of the total metal concentrations revealed three groups: Cu, Pb, and Zn inputs mainly seemed to result from long‐distance transport from the north, Cr and Ni inputs additionally from local sources. Cd probably had its origin mainly in local sources. This result was further confirmed by the grouping of the sites when clustered.
Changes in nitrogen supply along transects from farmland to calcareous grassland
Authors: Neitzke Mechthild
Published: December 2011

In this study nutrient supply along transects from farmland to calcareous grasslands was investigated. The aim was to assess a gradient in nutrient supply parallel to the change in species composition. Net nitrogen mineralization was measured under field conditions and in a laboratory incubation experiment. The seasonal course of net N mineralization was determined by the increase of soil temperature in spring and changes in soil moisture during summer. In the farmland soils fertilization was also an important factor. Annual net N mineralization was highest in the moderately acid soils of the Rosenberg on the Lower Devonian schist. It was lowest in the soils of the transect near Erdorf on limestone. Two transects on dolomite took an intermediate position. At all study sites net N mineralization and the mineral nitrogen contents were higher in the peripheral zones of the calcareous grasslands than in the centre of the grasslands. In the base‐rich soils of the three transects on limestone and dolomite annual net N mineralization varied in the calcareous grasslands between 4.6 and 61 mg/kg, in the peripheral zones between 35 and 190 mg/kg and in the farmland between 117 and 350 mg/kg. In the base‐poor soils of the transect on Rosenberg it was 96 mg/kg in the calcareous grassland, 115–130 mg/kg in the boundary zone and 165 mg/kg in the meadow. It is presumed that the increase in nitrogen supply was caused by nutrient input from the adjacent farmland.
Preoperative serum value of sialyl Lewis X predicts pathological nodal extension and survival in patients with surgically treated small cell lung cancer
Authors: Iwata Takashi , Nishiyama Noritoshi , Nagano Koshi , Izumi Nobuhiro , Tsukioka Takuma , Chung Kyukwang , Hanada Shoji , Inoue Kiyotoshi , Kaji Masahide , Suehiro Shigefumi
Published: December 2011

Background and objectives

We investigated various tumor markers in patients with surgically treated small cell lung cancer (SCLC) to identify the markers closely correlated to pathological staging and to predict survival by retrospective analyses.

Methods

Reviewing database records between 1990 and 2007 revealed 36 patients with SCLC, that were grouped according to clinical and pathological stages. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for serum levels of various tumor makers to predict the pathological stage. The cut‐off value was calculated from the ROC curve of the significant marker. Survival in patient groups divided by the new cut‐off value was calculated.

Results

Serum levels of various tumor makers were not significantly different between the pathological stage groups, except for serum sialyl Lewis X (SLX). ROC curve of SLX was significantly correlated to pathological stages (P = 0.0136). The calculated SLX cut‐off value was 25.1 U/ml, with 80% sensitivity and 70% specificity. Five‐year survival of patients selected by this new cut‐off was 82.5%, whereas that with the standard cut‐off (38.0 U/ml) was 55.9%.

Conclusions

Serum SLX values were associated with pathological stage and survival after surgery in SCLC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:818–824. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Framing environmental advocacy: a study of 30 years of advertising in National Geographic Magazine
Authors: Bortree Denise , Ahern Lee , Dou Xue , Smith Alexandra Nutter
Published: December 2011

To compete with the flood of environmental messaging from corporations and industry groups, environmental advocacy groups must adopt the most effective communication strategies to connect with audiences and motivate their behaviors toward environmental issues. This study examines the framing of environmental messages by advocacy groups in contrast to messages by other organizations in 30 years of environmental advertising in National Geographic Magazine. It measures changes in the degree to which environmental actions were framed in terms of gain for the environment versus avoidance of ecological loss and in terms of impacting current generations versus future generation. In addition, the study examined behavioral frames of taking less (conservation) versus doing more (recycling, volunteering, etc.) in environmental advocacy groups' advertising to better understand the kinds of actions the organizations are promoting. The organizations' strategies to engage audience behavior were also measured through message focus on reader behavior versus organization behavior. Findings suggest that frames engaged by environmental advocacy organizations have remained fairly stable over time but may not represent the best practices for message creation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma for Surface Disinfection
Authors: Li Yang‐Fang , Shimizu Tetsuji , Zimmermann Julia L. , Morfill Gregor E.
Published: December 2011

A new design evolved from the surface microdischarge electrode system has been developed for the application of surface disinfection. Having the electrode encapsulated in a dielectric surface the plasma is produced directly on the surface of the electrode which therefore becomes disinfected. Experiments with bacteria were carried out and results show that the surface can be disinfected within 30 s with typical operating conditions. Even sterilization appears possible in a reasonable time. Possible applications of this electrode design are discussed for regular disinfection of work surfaces, laboratory benches, etc.

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