bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Spitz Henry , Albert Roy E.
Published: January 2012

Ionizing radiation is undoubtedly one of the most intensely studied of all toxic agents. The impetus for understanding its manifold effects came from its extensive use since the beginning of the century in medical diagnosis and treating cancer. With the development of nuclear weapons and atomic energy during World War II, the field expanded dramatically. Atomic energy became one of the country's largest industrial sectors at that time. Potential health hazards from occupational and environmental sources of radiation became an important area for research; it spawned a new field in the post–World War II era of measurement and control called health physics. Practitioners in health physics created the Health Physics Society and published research findings in the
Health Physics Journal
.

Under the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a great national laboratory complex was established for research on weapons, power production, and biomedical and physics research. Long‐term biomedical research was also initiated at large university‐based facilities and by the support of individual faculty and institutional grants. The development and sale of radioisotopes and radiation measuring instruments was subsidized by the AEC to the great benefit of biomedical research in general. Radiation biology has its own society (the Radiation Research Society), and its own journal, the
Journal of Radiation Research
. Radiation has become an integral tool for understanding cellular function and the human genome. Although the level of biomedical research on radiation is much lower in the last few decades than earlier, a great deal of information on the human health effects of radiation exposure has been gleaned from epidemiologic studies.

This chapter gives toxicologists the basic features of radiation biology. However, there is a wealth of new findings currently evolving from the human genome study that is expanding our fundamental knowledge about the response of cells when exposed to radiation. For example, radiation may play a role in the formation of single nucleotide polymorphisms, DNA sequence variations that occur when a single nucleotide in the genome sequence is altered. Because of the scope of the field, only essential concepts are presented. The reader is referred to textbooks and other publications cited for more details as well as the website for the Human Genome Project (
www.ornl.gov/hgmis/home.shtml
).
Boron
Authors: Ball R. Wayne , Harrass Michael C. , Culver B. Dwight
Published: January 2012

Boron is the fifth element of the periodic table and the only electron‐deficient nonmetallic element. Consequently, boron has a high affinity for electronegative atoms such as oxygen and forms strong covalent boron–oxygen bonds in compounds known asborates. Boron is an essential micronutrient in plants and nutritionally important in animals and humans. Boron occurs naturally in all foods; fruits, vegetables, and nuts contain the highest levels. The toxic effects and pharmacokinetics of boron and borates are reviewed. The inorganic boron‐containing materials share many chemical and biological characteristics thought to be due to unique properties of the boron element. This chapter reviews the shared characteristics and the individual inorganic boron‐containing compounds that have a significant use in industry. Some of the more important physical and chemical properties of boron compounds of commercial significance and widespread exposure are listed.
AFM Characterization of Elastically Micropatterned Surfaces Fabricated by Fill‐Molding In Capillaries (FIMIC) and Investigation of the Topographical Influence on Cell Adhesion to the Patterns
Authors: Kelleher Susan , Jongerius Aniek , Loebus Axel , Strehmel Christine , Zhang Zhenfang , Lensen Marga C.
Published: January 2012

We have employed our recently developed method Fill‐Molding In Capillaries (FIMIC) to fabricate elastically micropatterned substrates, using two poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based polymers with different elastic properties and swelling behavior. We have evaluated the FIMIC process and the quality of the eventual substrates (the “FIMICs”) by atomic force microscopy (AFM); imaging the surface topography and quantifying the local surface elasticity. Topographical imaging reveals that the surface of the FIMICs is never perfectly smooth; a slight topographic difference of 30 nm up to several hundreds of nm is observed, with the filler material always being depressed with respect to the mold. Moreover, when the FIMICs are immersed in water (or cell culture medium), the topographical landscape changes due to differential swelling of the two constituents of the FIMICs. We have used this differential swelling to our advantage in order to diminish the topography differences present on the sample surface by employing a filler that swells more than the mold. Finally, cell culture experiments with fibroblasts underlines the topographical influence on cell adhesion on the more or less anti‐adhesive PEG‐based materials.
Dramatic Activity of C3N4/BiPO4 Photocatalyst with Core/Shell Structure Formed by Self‐Assembly
Authors: Pan Chengsi , Xu Jing , Wang Yajun , Li Di , Zhu Yongfa
Published: January 2012

Core/shell structured C3N4/BiPO4 photocatalyst is fabricated via a facile ultrasonic dispersion method. The thickness of the shell may be controlled by tuning the amount of C3N4 in the dispersion, which determines the enhanced level of photocatalytic activity. The optimum photocatalytic activity of C3N4/BiPO4 at a weight ratio of 4% (C3N4/BiPO4) under UV irradiation is almost 4.5 times as high as that of reference P25 (TiO2) and 2.5 times of BiPO4. More attractively, the dramatic visible light photocatalytic activity is generated due to the C3N4 loaded. The enhancement in performance is demonstrated to be the match of lattice and energy level between the C3N4 and BiPO4. This match facilitates the separation and transfer of photogenerated electron–hole pairs at the heterojunction interfaces and may be important for other core/shell structured materials. In addition, this method is expected to be extended for other C3N4 loaded materials.
Design and Synthesis of Multifunctional Drug Carriers Based on Luminescent Rattle‐Type Mesoporous Silica Microspheres with a Thermosensitive Hydrogel as a Controlled Switch
Authors: Kang Xiaojiao , Cheng Ziyong , Yang Dongmei , Ma Ping'an , Shang Mengmeng , Peng Chong , Dai Yunlu , Lin Jun
Published: January 2012

A novel approach for the fabrication of multifunctional microspheres integrating several advantages of mesoporous, luminescence, and temperature responses into one single entity is reported. First, the hollow mesoporous silica capsules are fabricated via a sacrificial template route. Then, Gd2O3:Eu3+ luminescent nanoparticles are incorporated into the internal cavities to form rattle‐type mesoporous silica nanocapsules by an incipient‐wetness impregnation method. Finally, the rattle‐type capsules serve as a nanoreactor for successfully filling temperature‐responsive hydrogel via photoinduced polymerization to form the multifunctional composite microspheres. The organic–inorganic hybrid microspheres show a red emission under UV irradiation due to the luminescent Gd2O3:Eu3+ core. The in vitro cytotoxicity tests show that the samples have good biocompatibility, which indicates that the nanocomposite could be a promising candidate for drug delivery. In addition, flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirm that the sample can be effectively taken up by SKOV3 cells. For in vitro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the sample shows the promising spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) weighted effect and could potentially apply as a T1‐positive contrast agent. This composite drug delivery system (DDS) provides a positive temperature controlled “on‐off”drug release pattern and the drug, indomethacin (IMC), is released fast at 45 °C (on phase) and completely shut off at 20 °C (off phase). Meanwhile Gd2O3:Eu3+ plays an important role as the luminescent tag for tracking the drug loading and release process by the reversible luminescence quenching and recovery phenomenon. These results indicate that the obtained multifunctional composite has the potential to be used as a smart DDS for biomedical applications.
Shellac‐polyamidoamine: Design of a new polymeric carrier material for controlled release application
Authors: Dey R. K. , Tiwary G. S. , Patnaik Tanushree , Jha Usha
Published: January 2012

The development of a pH sensitive, biodegradable polymer from the combination of Shellac (a natural polymer secreted by lac insect) and polyamidoamine (PAA) (a synthetic polymer) yielded a new biocompatible polymer Shellac‐PAA in a photopolymerization process. Scanning electron micrograph of Shellac‐PAA shows an interesting heterogeneous surface morphology supported with observation of two different melting temperatures obtained from differential scanning calorimetric measurement. The equilibrium swelling properties of the polymeric material was studied as a function of pH and time in buffer solutions similar to that of gastric and intestinal fluids. The controlled release kinetics of a model colon specific drug 5‐aminosalicylic acid showed Fickian diffusion behavior. The new polymer is biocompatible, biodegradable and, hence, projected as a new kind of polymer with improved properties, which can be a potential candidate for controlled release of therapeutic agents in colon specific diseases. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Orthogonal design study on factors affecting the degradation of polylactic acid fibers of melt electrospinning
Authors: Zhao Fengwen , Liu Yong , Yuan Huilin , Yang Weimin
Published: January 2012

Melt electrospinning is a much simpler and safer method in the production of ultra‐fine fibers compared with solution electrospinning. However, high‐spinning temperature usually leads to serious degradation of polymer materials. In determining factors that affect the relative molecular mass of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers during melt electrospinning, an orthogonal design method was used to examine the influence of melting temperature, spinning distance, and species and content of antioxidants. Results showed that antioxidant content at the present three levels (i.e., 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%) has the most considerable effect on the relative molecular mass of PLA fibers. Error analysis showed that changes in temperature, distance, and antioxidant content influence the experiment's results significantly. All interaction effects were larger than those of the single factor in the experimental results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Ameliorating effect of chromium administration on hepatic glucose metabolism in streptozotocin‐induced experimental diabetes
Authors: Sundaram Bhuvaneshwari , Singhal Kirti , Sandhir Rajat
Published: January 2012

Chromium has been recognized as an essential trace element that plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in its action are not clear. This study was undertaken to understand the mechanism of chromium action in experimental diabetes. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic animals were administered chromium as chromium picolinate (CrP) at a daily dose of 1 mg/kg body weight for a period of 4 weeks. It was observed that chromium complexed with picolinate was effective in lowering plasma glucose levels as well as was able to alleviate polyphagia, polydipsia, and weight loss in diabetic animals. Administration of chromium was also found to normalize glycogen content in liver of diabetic animals to near control levels. The reduction in plasma glucose levels by chromium was accompanied by increase in activity of glycolytic enzymes (e.g., glucokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase) and by suppression in activity of gluconeogenic enzymes (e.g., glucose‐6‐phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) in liver. Hepatic glucose uptake was found to be increased by chromium supplementation as demonstrated by decrease in Km and increase in Vmax values in diabetic animals. Chromium levels were lower in the liver of diabetic rats when compared with that of control rats. A negative correlation was observed between plasma glucose and chromium concentration in patients with diabetes. The data suggests that chromium supplementation as CrP is beneficial in correcting hyperglycemia, implying that the modulation of the glucose metabolism by chromium may be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Randomized clinical trial of antibiotics in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis13
Authors:   for the AVOD Study Group, Chabok A , Påhlman L , Hjern F , Haapaniemi S , Smedh K
Published: January 2012

Background

The standard of care for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis today is antibiotic treatment, although there are no controlled studies supporting this management. The aim was to investigate the need for antibiotic treatment in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis, with the endpoint of recovery without complications after 12 months of follow-up.

Methods

This multicentre randomized trial involving ten surgical departments in Sweden and one in Iceland recruited 623 patients with computed tomography-verified acute uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis. Patients were randomized to treatment with (314 patients) or without (309 patients) antibiotics.

Results

Age, sex, body mass index, co-morbidities, body temperature, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level on admission were similar in the two groups. Complications such as perforation or abscess formation were found in six patients (1·9 per cent) who received no antibiotics and in three (1·0 per cent) who were treated with antibiotics (P = 0·302). The median hospital stay was 3 days in both groups. Recurrent diverticulitis necessitating readmission to hospital at the 1-year follow-up was similar in the two groups (16 per cent, P = 0·881).

Conclusion

Antibiotic treatment for acute uncomplicated diverticulitis neither accelerates recovery nor prevents complications or recurrence. It should be reserved for the treatment of complicated diverticulitis. Registration number: NCT01008488 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Exercise preconditioning modulates genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in multiple organs of rats
Authors: Martins Renato Almeida , Minari André Luis , Chaves Marcelo Donizetti , Santos Ronaldo Wagner Thomatieli dos , Barbisan Luis Fernando , Ribeiro Daniel Araki
Published: January 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise in multiple organs of rats treated with doxorubicin. Male adult Wistar rats were distributed into the following groups: sedentary + NaCl; exercise + NaCl; sedentary + doxorubicin; and exercise + doxorubicin. Animals were sacrificed 2 days following injections. Central fragments from heart, liver, and kidney were collected and minced in 0.9% NaCl being cellular suspensions used for the single‐cell gel (comet) assay. The results showed that exercise was able to prevent genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in heart cells. By contrast, exercise was not able to prevent genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in liver cells. The same occurred to kidney cells, i.e. no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found when compared with groups not exposed to doxorubicin. Taken together, our results support the idea that exercise could contribute to the protective effect against genotoxicity induced by doxorubicin in heart cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Nature of Bond Critical Points in Dinuclear Copper(I) Complexes
Authors: Dinda Shrabani , Samuelson Ashoka G.
Published: January 2012

Closed‐shell contacts between two copper(I) ions are expected to be repulsive. However, such contacts are quite frequent and are well documented. Crystallographic characterization of such contacts in unsupported and bridged multinuclear copper(I) complexes has repeatedly invited debates on the existence of cuprophilicity. Recent developments in the application of Bader’s theory of atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) to systems in which weak hydrogen bonds are involved suggests that the copper(I)–copper(I) contacts would benefit from a similar analysis. Thus the nature of electron‐density distributions in copper(I) dimers that are unsupported, and those that are bridged, have been examined. A comparison of complexes that are dimers of symmetrical monomers and those that are dimers of two copper(I) monomers with different coordination spheres has also been made. AIM analysis shows that a bond critical point (BCP) between two Cu atoms is present in most cases. The nature of the BCP in terms of the electron density,ρ, and its Laplacian is quite similar to the nature of critical points observed in hydrogen bonds in the same systems. Theρis inversely correlated to CuCu distance. It is higher in asymmetrical systems than what is observed in corresponding symmetrical systems. By examining the ratio of the local electron potential‐energy density (Vc) to the kinetic energy density (Gc), |Vc|/Gcat the critical point suggests that these interactions are not perfectly ionic but have some shared nature. Thus an analysis of critical points by using AIM theory points to the presence of an attractive metallophilic interaction similar to other well‐documented weak interactions like hydrogen bonding.
Creation of Chiral Thixotropic Gels through a Crown–Ammonium Interaction and their Application to a Memory‐Erasing Recycle System
Authors: Sobczuk Adam A. , Tsuchiya Youichi , Shiraki Tomohiro , Tamaru Shun‐ichi , Shinkai Seiji
Published: January 2012

A unique class of oligothiophene‐based organogelator bearing two crown ethers at both ends was synthesized. This compound could gelatinize several organic solvents, forming one‐dimensional fibrous aggregates. From the observation of circular dichroism, it was confirmed that the helical handedness of the fibrous assembly is controllable by the chirality of 1,2bisammonium guests, thus suggesting that one guest molecule bridges two gelator molecules through the crown–ammonium interaction. Interestingly, we have found that such chirality is created by thermal gelation, whereas it disappears by thixotropic gelation. The new finding implies that the present organogel system is applicable as a reversible switching memory device, featuring memory creation by a heat mode and memory erasing by a mechanical mode.
An efficient method for effective connectivity of brain regions
Authors: Ahmad Fayyaz , Maqbool M. , Kim Eunwoo , Park Hyunwook , Kim Dae‐Shik
Published: January 2012

Recent attention has been focused on detecting interregional connectivity in a resting state of the brain, in general, described in terms of functional connectivity based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. The fMRI functional data are given in the form of multivariate time‐series. The authors have proposed a model for the effective connectivity of brain regions based on multivariate autoregressive (MAR) model. MAR modeling allows for the identification of effective connectivity by combining graphical modeling methods with the concept of Granger causality. In our current model, multivariate time‐series methods of the brain regions were performed only when the length of the time‐seriesTis sufficiently large. This is opposite of the mechanism used in functional imaging that measures relatively short time‐series over thousands of voxels of the brain. As a method of coping with this situation and also in case of sufficiently largeTorT≤d(regions), the authors present a novel and highly efficient modeling approach to detect effective connectivity of the brain regions. This proceeds in two steps: (i) accurate estimation of MAR coefficients (paths) using an analytic ridge regression approach, and (ii) network model selection by testing the associated partial correlations. The usefulness of the proposed method is confirmed by the analysis result of simulated and real fMRI experiments, and performance is shown to be high. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 40: 14–24, 2012.
Implementation of two‐qubit and three‐qubit quantum computers using liquid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Golze Dorothea , Icker Maik , Berger Stefan
Published: January 2012

The field of quantum computing has grown rapidly in the last years. Most realizations of quantum computers were done on liquid‐state NMR quantum computers so far. We present in a didactic approach how to build small NMR quantum computers with two and three qubits. The two‐qubit quantum computer was implemented on α‐D‐methylglucose using 13C spins, whereas the three‐qubit quantum computer was implemented on 4‐bromo‐1,1,2‐trifluoro‐1‐butene using 19F spins. We describe in detail how to initialize these systems by generating pseudo‐pure states. For initialization, we used the spatial averaging method, which has the advantage that it can be easily understood by product operators. Furthermore, the implementation of quantum logic gate operations will be presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 40: 25–37, 2012.
Comparative evaluation of autofocus algorithms for a real‐time system for automatic detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mateos‐Pérez José María , Redondo Rafael , Nava Rodrigo , Valdiviezo Juan C. , Cristóbal Gabriel , Escalante‐Ramírez Boris , Ruiz‐Serrano María Jesús , Pascau Javier , Desco Manuel
Published: January 2012

Microscopy images must be acquired at the optimal focal plane for the objects of interest in a scene. Although manual focusing is a standard task for a trained observer, automatic systems often fail to properly find the focal plane under different microscope imaging modalities such as bright field microscopy or phase contrast microscopy. This article assesses several autofocus algorithms applied in the study of fluorescence‐labeled tuberculosis bacteria. The goal of this work was to find the optimal algorithm in order to build an automatic real‐time system for diagnosing sputum smear samples, where both accuracy and computational time are important. We analyzed 13 focusing methods, ranging from well‐known algorithms to the most recently proposed functions. We took into consideration criteria that are inherent to the autofocus function, such as accuracy, computational cost, and robustness to noise and to illumination changes. We also analyzed the additional benefit provided by preprocessing techniques based on morphological operators and image projection profiling. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Light‐emitting diodes in modern microscopy—from David to Goliath?
Authors: Wessels Johannes T. , Pliquett Uwe , Wouters Fred S.
Published: January 2012

Proper illumination is essential for light microscopy. Whereas in early years incandescent light was the only illumination, today, more and more specialized light sources, such as lasers or arc lamps are used. Because of the high efficiency and brightness that light‐emitting diodes (LED) have reached today, they have become a serious alternative for almost all kinds of illumination in light microscopy. LED have a high durability, do not need expensive electronics, and they can be switched in nanoseconds. Besides this, they are available throughout the UV/Vis/NIR‐spectrum with a narrow bandwidth. This makes them ideal light sources for fluorescence microscopy. The white LED, with a color temperature ranging from 2,600 up to 5,000 K is an excellent choice for bright‐field illumination with the additional advantage of simple brightness adjustments without changing the spectrum. This review discusses the different LED types, their use in the fluorescence microscope, and discusses LED as specialized illumination sources for Förster resonance energy transfer and fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Expected and Unconventional Ag+ Binding Modes in Heteronuclear Pt,Ag Coordination Polymers Derived from trans‐[Pt(methylamine)2(pyrazole)2]2+
Authors: Brandi‐Blanco Pilar , Sanz Miguel Pablo J. , Lippert Bernhard
Published: January 2012

The combination of AgNO3 and trans‐[Pt(ma)2(Hpz)2]2+ (1; ma = methylamine; Hpz = neutral pyrazole) in water yields mixed Pt,Ag coordination polymers of different stoichiometries, depending on the ratio between Ag and Pt, as well as the pH. The products that were isolated and X‐ray structurally characterized display both conventional (Ag+ coordination to pyrazole‐N) and unconventional Ag+ binding modes (η1 and η2 binding to C atoms of the pyrazole/pyrazolate ligands; Pt → Ag dative bonds). Specifically, in trans‐[Pt(ma)2(Hpz)2]Ag2(NO3)4 (2) and in trans‐[Pt(ma)2(pz)2]2Ag3(NO3)3 (4), silver ions bind to C4 positions of Hpz (2) and pz– (4) ligands in η1 fashions, with Ag–C distances of 2.574(4) and 2.643(16) Å, respectively. In 4 there is additional cross‐linking by a second Ag+ of N2 sites of adjacent pz– rings, further reinforced by weak dative bonds from Pt to Ag. Ag–N coordination to both a neutral Hpz and an anionic pz– ligand is observed in trans‐[Pt(ma)2(pz)2]Ag2(Hpz)2(NO3)2 (5), with individual trinuclear PtAg2 entities associated through weak η2 contacts that involve the C3 and C4 positions of the neutral Hpz ligands. As in 4, intramolecular Pt–Ag distances of 3.1374(6) Å suggest weak dative bond interactions between Pt and Ag. The acidities of the two Hpz ligands in 1 are distinctly different (pKa values of 7.25 and 9.08 in H2O), thereby suggesting a stabilization of the monodeprotonated species trans‐[Pt(ma)(Hpz)(pz)]+ (1c) in solution, probably through intermolecular hydrogen‐bond formation between Hpz and pz– ligands.
Effects of Silyl Substituents on the Palladium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Axially Chiral (Allenylmethyl)silanes and Their SE2′ Chirality Transfer Reactions
Authors: Ogasawara Masamichi , Ge Yonghui , Okada Atsushi , Takahashi Tamotsu
Published: January 2012

A series of axially chiral 4‐substituted‐1‐silyl‐2,3‐butadienes [(allenylmethyl)silanes] were synthesized from 3‐bromo‐5‐silylpenta‐1,3‐dienes by a Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric reaction with a soft nucleophile. The optically active (allenylmethyl)silanes react with an acetal in the presence of TiCl4 to give the enantiomerically enriched 1,3‐diene derivatives through an SE2′ pathway. Effects of the silyl groups on the enantioselectivity of the asymmetric allene synthesis and the subsequent SE2′ chirality transfer reaction were studied. It was found that as the steric bulk of the silyl groups in the 3‐bromo‐5‐silylpenta‐1,3‐dienes was increased from ‐SiMe3 to ‐SiiPr3, the enantioselectivity of the two enantioselective processes also improved.
Electricity—renewables & transmission: Hidden challenges and increasing rewards of renewable procurement
Authors: Judd Harold T. , Liakos Kathleen
Published: January 2012

The increasing prevalence of renewable energy development brings several issues to light within the energy procurement industry. Consumers and utility companies alike are taking advantage of the benefits of the cleaner renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, methane capture, and low‐head hydroelectric. However, the benefits of renewable resources are at times offset by costs that are unknown to the public, and at times to developers. In particular, too often little thought is given to the cost of transmission and distribution systems needed to deliver electricity from a project to the ultimate customer. Also, the process for procuring electricity from renewable projects is often misunderstood. What follows is a brief introduction to the typical procurement process and the challenges facing developers and the utilities that buy their output.
Incidence rates of endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer and hysterectomy from 1980 to 2003 within a large prepaid health plan
Authors: Lacey James V. , Chia Victoria M. , Rush Brenda B. , Carreon Danny J. , Richesson Douglas A. , Ioffe Olga B. , Ronnett Brigitte M. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Langholz Bryan , Sherman Mark E. , Glass Andrew G.
Published: January 2012

Obesity strongly increases the risk of endometrial cancer and is projected to increase current and future endometrial cancer incidence. In order to fully understand endometrial cancer incidence, one should also examine both hysterectomy, which eliminates future risk of endometrial cancer, and endometrial hyperplasia (EH), a precursor that prompts treatment (including hysterectomy). Hysterectomy and EH are more common than endometrial cancer, but data on simultaneous temporal trends of EH, hysterectomy and endometrial cancer are lacking. We used linked pathology, tumor registry, surgery and administrative datasets at the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Health Plan to calculate age‐adjusted and age‐specific rates, 1980–2003, of EH only (N = 5,990), EH plus hysterectomy (N = 904), hysterectomy without a diagnosis of EH or cancer (N = 14,926) and endometrial cancer (N = 1,208). Joinpoint regression identified inflection points and quantified annual percentage changes (APCs). The EH APCs were −5.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = −7.4% to −3.2%) for 1980–1990, −12.9% (95% CI = −15.6% to −10.1%) for 1990–1999 and 2.4% (95% CI = −6.6% to 12.2%) for 1999–2003. The EH‐plus‐hysterectomy APCs were −8.6% (95% CI = −10.6% to −6.5%) for 1980–2000 and 24.5% (95% CI = −16.5% to 85.7%) for 2000–2003. Hysterectomy rates did not significantly change over time. The endometrial cancer APCs were −6.5% (95% CI = −10.3% to −2.6%) for 1980–1988 and 1.4% (95% CI = −0.2% to 3.0%) for 1988–2003. Hysterectomy rates were unchanged, but increased endometrial cancer incidence after 1988 and the reversal, in 1999, of the longstanding decline in EH incidence could reflect the influence of obesity on endometrial neoplasia.
Loops, Lyrics, and Literacy: Songwriting as a Site of Resilience for an Urban Adolescent
Authors: Kinney Angela
Published: January 2012

This case study explores Christopher's (pseudonym) sustained participation in a nonprofit, afterschool community center, as he wrote and recorded music and lyrics in a digital recording studio. It examines the ways in which Christopher, in contrast to his performance in school, was highly participatory and engaged with textual production at the center. In particular, the author explores the purposes and functions that songwriting served for Christopher, and considers the ways in which songwriting functioned for Christopher as a “site for resilience,” or as a space in which he could navigate aspects of his lived experience. Analysis of Christopher's lyrics suggested three major areas of lived experience on which his songs centered: family experiences, peer relations, and issues in his community.
Inquiring Into the Possibilities of Multimodal Novel Study: Teacher Candidates Respond to Whirligig With Resolution Scrapbooks
Authors: Morawski Cynthia Marlene
Published: January 2012

To underscore the importance of using multiple means of engagement in adolescent novels, the author invited the teacher candidates in one of her intermediate English methods classes to use the resolution scrapbooka reflective and multimodal chronicling of an individual's response to traumato study the coming‐of‐age novelWhirligig, by Paul Fleischman. The teacher candidates constructed six‐page resolution scrapbooks in which they responded to the protagonist's retribution journey by using multiple forms of expressions and representations in relation to past and current contexts of his life, thereby entering into the story and making meaning of the protagonist's dilemma.
Visual Literacy as a Classroom Approach
Authors: Rowsell Jennifer , McLean Cheryl , Hamilton Mary
Published: January 2012

Living in an increasingly visual culture, Rowsell, McLean, and Hamilton illustrate the importance of critically evaluating the potential of visual literacy as a dimension of the school context. They first situate visual literacy within the school arena and then examine its relevance to learning through different visual genres. In an effort to illustrate the power of visual literacy to enhance cross‐curricular learning, the authors conclude by sharing examples of students conceptualizing and extrapolating visual literacy through the consumption and production of texts.
Biological treatment of a mixture of gaseous sulphur reduced compounds: identification of the total bacterial community's structure
Authors: Soupramanien Alexandre , Malhautier Luc , Dumont Eric , Andrès Yves , Rocher Jannick , Fanlo Jean‐Louis
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: This study deals with the potential of biological processes combining biofiltration and a biotrickling filter to treat a mixture of sulphur reduced compounds (SRC) including dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). The first step in this work is to evaluate the influence of pH on SRC biodegradation in microcosms seeded with planktonic biomass from activated sludge of a rendering facility. In a second step, for each tested pH, evaluation of the influence of pH on total bacterial community diversity and structure has been investigated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).

RESULTS: At pH 7 and 5, H2S, DMS and DMDS were completely removed. In return, the abatement of DMS and DMDS is low, around 20%, for pH 3 and pH 1 microcosms. The selective pressure imposed in the microcosms (concentration and pH) is sufficient to influence strongly the community diversity and composition. The inoculum community seems to make a significant contribution to the 67‐day community in the considered pH microcosms.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that distinct communities from different inocula can achieve high and stable functionality. The results obtained provide relevant information for improving the treatment of different SRC using biotrickling filter/biofilter combination. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography of acute cardiac transplant rejection following pregnancy
Authors: Lisi Matteo , Cameli Matteo , Tacchini Damiana , Ballo Piercarlo , Maccherini Massimo , Mondillo Sergio
Published: January 2012

A 44‐year‐old woman, who had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation in 1999, presented acute allograft rejection 4 months after childbirth. Analysis of myocardial deformation by speckle tracking echocardiography showed, in contrast with traditional markers of systolic function, a strong reduction of left ventricular strain, which recovered, together with rejection, under pharmacological treatment. This case documents the potential advantages of speckle tracking echocardiography in the noninvasive management of transplant recipients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:451–454, 2012
Evaluation of finger joint synovial vascularity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using contrast‐enhanced ultrasound with water immersion and a stabilized probe
Authors: Stramare Roberto , Raffeiner Bernd , Ciprian Luca , Scagliori Elena , Coran Alessandro , Perissinotto Egle , Fiocco Ugo , Beltrame Valeria , Rubaltelli Leopoldo
Published: January 2012

Purpose.

To assess synovial microvascularity in finger joints with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), distinguishing between cases of active disease and those in remission; to standardize the technique for software analysis.

Methods.

Fifty‐two finger joints of RA patients (26 with active disease and 26 in remission) were immersed in water and examined by CEUS using a fixed probe. Signal intensity curves were calculated with the software.

Results.

Contrast enhancement was detectable in all 26 patients with active RA (100%), but not in 25 of 26 patients in remission (96%); one of the latter patients (4%) showed minimal enhancement. The method's sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing active disease from remission were 100% and 96%. The grades of synovial enhancement correlated with clinical disease activity and software flow parameters. The peak contrast levels correlated with clinical activity, a peak of 9% representing the cutoff between remission and active disease.

Conclusions.

CEUS with a fixed probe on finger joints immersed in water detected synovial vascularization in RA, producing results suitable for standardized software analysis and avoiding artifacts. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Neonatal testicular torsion with an unusual sonographic feature
Authors: Singhal Aparna , Agarwal Ambika , Metuge Joelle , Olsavsky Thomas
Published: January 2012

Neonatal testicular torsion is a rare entity, the exact etiology of which is not elucidated. Imaging is performed using color Doppler ultrasound and scintigraphic studies with typically diminished testicular flow on the side with torsion. We present a case of testicular torsion in a newborn with increased testicular vascularity demonstrated by ultrasound and suggesting a torsion‐detorsion sequence. Management of patients with torsion involves assessing the risks of neonatal surgery versus the possibility offinding viable testicular tissue at surgical exploration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Differences in the carotenoid content of ketchups and gazpachos through HPLC/ESI(Li+)‐MS/MS correlated with their antioxidant capacity
Authors: Vallverdú‐Queralt Anna , Martínez‐Huélamo Miriam , Arranz‐Martinez Sara , Miralles Esther , Lamuela‐Raventós Rosa M
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Carotenoids are important antioxidant compounds in the human diet. Owing to their constrained polyene structure, carotenoids can exist in cis and trans isomeric forms that can be difficult to differentiate in natural samples. In ketchups and gazpachos, all‐trans isomeric forms are predominant. However, during thermal processing, cis isomers are formed. Therefore the determination of carotenoid isomers is required for the assessment of the nutritional value of foods.

RESULTS: The main carotenoid found in ketchups was trans‐lycopene, whereas in gazpachos a higher contribution to the total carotenoid content was made by other carotenoids such as 5‐, 9‐ and 13‐cis‐lycopene, lutein, β‐carotene and α‐carotene. Ketchups exhibited the highest lipophilic antioxidant content owing to their higher content of trans‐lycopene, the main carotenoid in tomatoes.

CONCLUSION: Direct analysis of carotenoids by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) often produces poor results requiring offline time‐ and sample‐consuming derivatisation techniques. Therefore in this work a simple ESI‐MS approach is described for the direct analysis of carotenoids in ketchups and gazpachos using the post‐column addition of lithium chloride to promote the cationisation of carotenoids. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper presents for the first time the identification of 5‐, 9‐ and 13‐cis‐lycopene in ketchups and gazpachos. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Multispecies laser measurements of n‐butanol pyrolysis behind reflected shock waves
Authors: Cook Robert D. , Davidson David F. , Hanson Ronald K.
Published: January 2012

Time histories of OH, H2O, and 306.8 nm absorbance were measured behind reflected shock waves in mixtures of 1% n‐butanol in Ar. Reflected shock conditions covered temperatures (T5) from 1274 to 1439 K and pressures (P5) near 1.5 atm. OH was measured using laser absorption of the R1(5) line of the A–X (0, 0) transition at 306.7 nm. Each experiment was repeated with the laser tuned off the narrow OH absorption feature to subtract broadband interference from CH2O and CH3CHO. Knowledge of the absorption coefficients of CH2O and CH3CHO at this nonresonant wavelength was then used to compare ultraviolet (UV) absorbance to model predictions. H2O was measured using DFB diode laser absorption of a well‐characterized absorption feature near 2.5 μm. These measured time histories, which should prove highly useful in reaction mechanism development, were then compared to simulations based on the comprehensive n‐butanol oxidation mechanism by Curran et al. (Combust Flame, 2010, 157, 363–373). Using that mechanism, it was determined that the n‐butanol decomposition pathways through C4H8OH(γ) should be strongly favored over C4H8OH(α) and that the C4H8OH(δ) pathway should also be increased by 25%. The specific rate adjustments inferred in this work were found to be highly mechanism dependent, though the overall reaction path analyses were very similar for all the mechanisms studied. In addition to Curran et al. (2010), two other mechanisms were examined, revealing the importance of four specific sets of reactions in n‐butanol pyrolysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 303–311, 2012
Outcomes of living donor liver transplantation for patients with preoperative type 1 hepatorenal syndrome and acute hepatic decompensation
Authors: Chok Kenneth S. H. , Fung James Y. Y. , Chan See Ching , Cheung Tan To , Sharr William W. , Chan Albert C. Y. , Fan Sheung Tat , Lo Chung Mau
Published: January 2012

This study investigated the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for patients with preoperative type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and acute hepatic decompensation. Prospectively collected data for 104 patients who had fulminant hepatic failure, acute decompensation of cirrhosis, or an acute flare of chronic hepatitis B were analyzed. Thirty-three patients (31.7%) had HRS (the HRS group), and 71 patients (68.3%) did not (the non-HRS group). The median follow-up period was 60 months. The HRS group had significantly more preoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (84.8% versus 60.6%, P = 0.01), worse preoperative blood test results (creatinine, 248 versus 88 μmol/L, P < 0.001; total bilirubin, 630 versus 555 μmol/L, P = 0.001), more hemodialysis (48.5% versus 0%, P < 0.001), more blood transfusions (9 versus 4 U, P < 0.001), longer postoperative ICU stays (8 versus 4 days, P < 0.001), worse postoperative blood test results (creatinine at 1 year, 108 versus 96 μmol/L, P = 0.006), and poorer overall survival (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, only HRS was associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio = 8.592, 95% confidence interval = 1.782–41.431, P = 0.007). In conclusion, HRS patients had worse postoperative renal function and overall survival than non-HRS patients. However, their 5-year overall survival rate was still nearly 80%, which is satisfactory. Therefore, LDLT can be considered for patients who have acute hepatic decompensation with or without HRS. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Structure activity relationship of plumbagin in BRCA1 related cancer cells
Authors: K.A. Thasni , T. Ratheeshkumar , G. Rojini , K.C. Sivakumar , Nair Rakesh Sathish , G. Srinivas , Banerji Asoke , Somasundaram Veena , Srinivas Priya
Published: January 2012

It has been shown earlier that plumbagin, a naturally occurring naphthaquinone has specific anticancer activity in BRCA1 blocked ovarian cancer cells. Plumbagin can induce estrogen dependent cell signaling and apoptosis in BRCA1 blocked ovarian cancer cells. Being a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator and apoptosis inducing agent, plumbagin has immense potential as a promising anticancer agent. In this study we analyzed whether there would be increased anticancer activity if the positions of the functional groups on plumbagin were altered and further to analyze the detailed molecular mechanism of action of the lead molecule. Methods like MTT assay, apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry, assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential‐Δψm, suppression subtractive hybridization, microarray, molecular docking and estrogen receptor–DNA binding activity by electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) were adopted for assessing the anticancer activity. Consequently we found that, plumbagin was the most potent anticancer agent when compared to structurally related compounds. The anti‐cancer activities were in the order plumbagin > 1,4‐naphthaquinone > juglone > lawsone > menadione. Molecular docking studies showed that plumbagin could be well docked in the receptor ligand complex of TRAIL–DR5 complexes to activate the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Since the antiproliferative activity of plumbagin could be reduced by inhibiting ERα, we speculated that plumbagin interferes with the binding of ERα to ERE and we confirmed this by EMSA. This study clearly indicates that plumbagin can induce multiple pathways of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in BRCA1 blocked cells compared to unblocked cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significance and usefulness of heart rate variability in patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Furushima Hiroshi , Shimohata Takayoshi , Nakayama Hideaki , Ozawa Tetsutaro , Chinushi Masaomi , Aizawa Yoshifusa , Nishizawa Masatoyo
Published: January 2012

Background:

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether heart rate variability parameters can be useful for evaluating cardiac autonomic dysfunction in multiple system atrophy patients.

Methods:

Both the time and frequency domains of heart rate variability were investigated among 17 multiple system atrophy patients and 27 normal control subjects.

Results:

All time‐ and frequency‐domain measures, except the low‐ to high‐frequency ratio, were significantly lower in multiple system atrophy patients than in controls. In multiple system atrophy patients, there were significant inverse correlations between heart rate variability parameters and disease duration, as well as disease severity, but heart rate variability parameters were not affected by other autonomic dysfunctions.

Conclusions:

The cardiac autonomic state of multiple system atrophy was characterized by decreases in both sympathetic and parasympathetic tones. Because heart rate variability parameters were not affected by other autonomic dysfunctions, this may be a useful method for evaluating cardiac autonomic dysfunction in multiple system atrophy. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
An abstract semigroup approach to the third‐order Moore–Gibson–Thompson partial differential equation arising in high‐intensity ultrasound: structural decomposition, spectral analysis, exponential stability
Authors: Marchand R. , McDevitt T. , Triggiani R.
Published: January 2012

This paper considers an abstract third‐order equation in a Hilbert space that is motivated by, and ultimately directed to, the “concrete” Moore–Gibson–Thompson Equation arising in high‐intensity ultrasound. In its simplest form, with certain specific values of the parameters, this third‐order abstract equation (with unbounded free dynamical operator) is not well‐posed. In general, however, in the present physical model, a suitable change of variable permits one to show that it has a special structural decomposition, with a precise, hyperbolic‐dominated driving part. From this, various attractive dynamical properties follow: s.c. group generation; a refined spectral analysis to include a specifically identified point in the continuous spectrum of the generator (so that it does not have compact resolvent) as an accumulation point of eigenvalues; and a consequent theoretically precise exponential decay with the same decay rate in various function spaces. In particular, the latter is explicit and sharp up to a finite number of (stable) eigenvalues of finite multiplicity. A computer‐based analysis confirms the theoretical spectral analysis findings. Moreover, it shows that the dynamic behavior of these unaccounted for finite‐dimensional eigenvalues are the ones that ultimately may dictate the rate of exponential decay, and which can be estimated with arbitrarily preassigned accuracy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.