bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of intra‐articular drilling and diode laser treatment for arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints in normal horses
Authors: SCRUTON C. , BAXTER G. M. , CROSS M. W. , FRISBIE D. D.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Anecdotal reports suggest that laser‐facilitated arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints improves the prognosis compared with intra‐articular drilling but no objective comparisons have been performed.

Objectives: To evaluate intra‐articular drilling and laser‐facilitated arthrodesis using in situ and in vivo techniques.

Methods: Fourteen cadaver limbs were evaluated in situ for chondrocyte viability after both surgical techniques. In vivo, one randomly selected limb was subjected to laser‐facilitated arthrodesis and the other underwent intra‐articular drilling in 6 normal horses. Clinical examinations were performed at 1, 3 and 5 months. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia at 1, 3 and 5 months.

Results: Significantly more chondrocyte death was observed with laser‐facilitated arthrodesis compared to drilling, but the overall degree suggested only a focal effect. In vivo, both groups demonstrated minimal post operative morbidity. There was more evidence of arthrodesis seen at all time points with intra‐articular drilling.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that changes associated with ultimate arthrodesis occur earlier after intra‐articular drilling of the distal tarsal joints than laser‐facilitated arthrodesis, although clinically affected horses may respond differently.

Potential relevance: Intra‐articular drilling may provide earlier arthrodesis of the distal tarsal joints, but not necessarily a better long‐term result.
Effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors flunixin and deracoxib on permeability of ischaemic‐injured equine jejunum
Authors: TOMLINSON J. E. , BLIKSLAGER A. T.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Recent studies have shown that flunixin prevented recovery of equine jejunum post ischaemia. However, the use of a purported cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 preferential inhibitor, etodolac, also prevented recovery. These findings may have implications for the use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in colic patients.

Objective: To compare the effects of deracoxib, a highly selective canine COX‐2 inhibitor, with flunixin onin vitrorecovery of ischaemic‐injured equine jejunum.

Methods: Six horses underwent 2 h jejunal ischaemia, after which mucosa was mounted in Ussing chambers and recovered for 240 mins. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and mucosal‐to‐serosal fluxes of3H‐mannitol were monitored as indices of barrier function in the presence of flunixin or deracoxib.

Results: The TER of ischaemic‐injured tissue recovered significantly over 240 mins in the presence of no treatment, but not in the presence of flunixin or deracoxib. In addition, flunixin‐treated ischaemic jejunum was significantly more permeable to mannitol when compared with untreated tissue by the end of the recovery period, whereas deracoxib treatment did not increase permeability. Addition of the PGE1analogue misoprostol to flunixin‐treated tissue restored recovery of TER.

Conclusions and potential relevance: Treatment of horses with ischaemic jejunal disease with flunixin may result in a prolonged permeability defect in recovering mucosa. Addition of misoprostol or replacement of flunixin with deracoxib may ameliorate effects of COX inhibitors on recovering mucosa.
The effect of bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve anaesthesia on swallowing in horses
Authors: KLEBE E. A. , HOLCOMBE S. J. , ROSENSTEIN D. , BORUTA D. , BARTNER L. R. , TESSIER C.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Dysfunction of the glossopharyngeal nerve has been implicated as a cause of dysphagia in horses. However, recent studies have indicated that this is not the case.

Objectives: To determine whether bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve anaesthesia would cause dysphagia in horses or result in measurable alterations in the timing, function, or sequence of swallowing.

Methods: Swallowing was evaluated in 6 normal horses with and without bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve anaesthesia. Swallowing dynamics were assessed subjectively and objectively based on time from prehension of food until swallowing, number of tongue movements until initiation of swallowing, depth of bolus at the base of the tongue prior to initiation of swallow and evidence of tracheal aspiration using fluoroscopy and endoscopy.

Results: There was no evidence of aspiration or dysphagia in horses before or after bilateral glossopharyngeal nerve block. No observed or measured differences in swallowing sequence or function could be detected in blocked compared to unblocked horses. However, there was a trend in blocked horses for the number of tongue pushes and the time to swallowing to be increased.

Conclusions: Glossopharyngeal nerve function may not be essential for normal swallowing function in otherwise healthy horses.

Potential relevance: Clinically, normal swallowing is not an appropriate test of glossopharyngeal nerve function and dysphagic horses should not be assumed to have glossopharyngeal nerve dysfunction.
Ultrastructural immunolocalisation of bone sialoprotein in the osteocartilagenous interface of the equine third carpal bone
Authors: EKMAN S. , SKIÖLDEBRAND E. , HEINEGÅRD D. , HULTENBY K.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: One of the most common causes of lameness in racehorses is osteoarthritis (OA). Pathogenesis is not clear and pathological processes of the different joint tissues interact in often progressive events. The interface between cartilage and newly synthesised bone has been shown to be particularly enriched in bone sialoprotein (BSP), a cell‐binding matrix protein.

Objectives: To establish whether changes in the concentration of BSP may serve as a marker for early biochemical changes of the subchondral bone.

Methods: Articular cartilage, cartilage/bone interface and subchondral bone of the proximal third carpal bone from 3 Standardbred trotters were analysed ultrastructurally for the presence of BSP in normal and degenerative areas.

Results: A marked increase of BSP in the cartilage/bone interface with degenerative changes of the bone and cartilage compared to the morphologically intact cartilage/bone interface was noted, but levels of the protein were distinctly lower in the distal bone.

Conclusions: The results indicate that BSP has the potential to be used as a marker for changes in bone metabolism in the subchondral bone.

Potential relevance: Tools to monitor early biochemical changes within the connective tissues of the joint in vivo are essential in studies of the pathogenesis of OA. These could be used to monitor and understand such changes in relation to load, exercise, training programmes, inflammation and the development of OA.
Arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment of intra‐articular insertional injuries of the suspensory ligament branches in 18 horses
Authors: MINSHALL G. J. , WRIGHT I. M.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Clinical association between the branches of insertion of the suspensory ligament (SL) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints has been reported. However, there has been no assessment of the lengths of the SL branches which are subsynovial with respect to the joints or reports of involvement of the MCP/MTP joints in injuries of the SL branches.

Objectives: To establish proportions of SL branches subsynovial with respect to the MCP/MTP joints and report clinical and arthroscopic findings in horses with desmitis of SL branches identified as having an articular component to the lesion.

Hypothesis: Arthroscopic surgery enables identification and potential treatment of intra‐articular injuries of SL branches.

Methods: Twelve forelimbs and 13 hindlimbs were dissected and the total and subsynovial lengths of the SL branches recorded. Case records of horses with intra‐articular injuries of the SL branches were reviewed and 18 animals identified. Diagnostic information and arthroscopic findings were recorded and results of treatment determined by telephone follow‐up.

Results: Of SL branches, 28.45% in the forelimb and 29.56% in the hindlimb were subsynovial to the MCP and MTP joints. All animals with intra‐articular lesions of the SL branch were lame and had distension of the affected MCP/MTP joint. In 16 horses (17/22 branches), there was palpable thickening of the affected SL branch. Disrupted infrastructure was evident ultrasonographically in 15/17 branches and involvement of the dorsal articular surface of the ligament was predicted in 12/17 branches. Following arthroscopic intervention, 13 horses returned to work at a level equal to or greater than that achieved prior to injury and 2 returned to work at a lower level. Three horses incurred separate injuries and were retired or subjected to euthanasia.

Conclusions: Articular involvement should be considered in animals with injuries of an SL branch and concurrent distension of the MCP/MTP joint. Arthroscopy is necessary to identify such lesions confidently and to direct case management.

Potential relevance: Arthroscopy of the MCP/MTP joints can make a positive contribution to the assessment and management of some SL branch injuries.
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of equine respiratory mechanics by impulse oscillometry
Authors: VAN ERCK E. , VOTION D. , ART T. , LEKEUX P.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: The long‐ established conventional reference technique (CRT) for measuring respiratory mechanics in horses lacks sensitivity and there is a need for further refinement in new technology, such as the impulse oscillometry system (IOS).

Objectives: To evaluate the potential use of the IOS as a clinical respiratory function test and compare it to the current CRT in horses suffering from common upper and lower airway dysfunctions.

Methods: Six healthy horses were tested before and after induction of a unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) or transient left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Six heaves‐affected horses were tested in clinical remission and during a heaves crisis, before and after nebulisation of cumulative doses of a bronchodilator therapy (ipratropium bromide; IPB).

Results: As opposed to the CRT, the IOS was able to detect partial upper airway obstruction (UAO) caused by UNO or LLH in resting horses, without differentiating both conditions. Upper airway obstruction caused an upward shift of resistance (Rrs) from 5 to 35 Hz without altering reactance (Xrs). As for the CRT, IOS respiratory parameters measured in heaves‐affected horses in crisis differed significantly from values measured during remission. The difference in frequency‐dependent behaviour of Rrsand Xrsallowed discrimination between upper and lower airway obstructions. Bronchodilator treatment induced significant dose‐dependent changes in Xrsat 5 and 10 Hz, from the first dose. Total pulmonary resistance (RL) and Rrsat 5 Hz were affected from the second dose and displayed similar sensitivity. Although post treatment RLvalues were comparable to remission, Rrsand Xrsremained significantly different, characterising persistent peripheral obstruction.

Conclusions: The IOS was more sensitive than the CRT in detecting partial UAO in resting horses and persistent post treatment peripheral dysfunction in heaves‐affected horses. The IOS is a sensitive test that provides graded quantitative and qualitative information on disease‐induced respiratory dysfunctions as well as on treatment efficiency in horses.

Potential relevance: The IOS could represent a practical and sensitive alternative respiratory function test for routine clinical investigations of common airway obstructive diseases and therapy in horses.
Results of plate fixation oftype 5olecranon fractures in 20 horses
Authors: SWOR T. M. , WATKINS J. P. , BAHR A. , EPSTEIN K. L. , HONNAS C. M.
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion oftype 5fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical details and outcome oftype 5olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods.

Methods: Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified astype 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow‐up results (2–146 months post operatively) were recorded.

Results: Treatment included open reduction and internal fixation using a narrow or broad dynamic compression plate (n = 20), conservative therapy (n = 7) and euthanasia (n = 5). Long‐term follow‐up was available in 15 cases treated surgically, of which 2 were sound and in training, 11 sound and performing athletically and 2 unsound. Distal semilunar notch involvement, comminution or open status did not appear to affect prognosis.

Conclusions: Internal plate fixation provides an excellent prognosis for an animal to be capable of athletic performance.

Potential relevance: Describing tension band plate fixation and results offers a method of fracture repair that should improve treatment and prognosis fortype 5olecranon fractures.
Evaluation of a nested PCR test and bacterial culture of swabs from the nasal passages and from abscesses in relation to diagnosis of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles)
Authors: GRØNBÆK L. MØLLER , ANGEN Ø. , VIGRE H. , OLSEN S. NAUTRUP
Published: April 2007

Reasons for performing study: Streptococcus equi is the cause of strangles in horses. To improve diagnostic sensitivity, development and evaluation of DNA‐based methods are necessary.

Objectives: To evaluate diagnostic methods and observe the pattern of bacterial shedding during natural outbreaks.

Methods: Two herds with natural outbreaks of strangles were visited over a period of 15 weeks and 323 samples originating from 35 horses investigated. The diagnostic use of a nested PCR test was evaluated using a collection of 165 isolates of Lancefield group C streptococci (species specificity) and swabs from nasal passages or from abscesses from horses infected with S. equi (diagnostic sensitivity).

Results: All 45 S. equi isolates tested positive in the nested PCR, whereas no amplicon was formed when testing the other 120 Lancefield group C isolates. A total of 43 samples were collected from 11 horses showing clinical signs of strangles during the study period. The diagnostic sensitivity for PCR test was 45% and 80% for samples from the nasal passages and abscesses, respectively; the corresponding diagnostic sensitivity for cultivation was 18% and 20%. The diagnostic sensitivity was significantly higher for PCR than for bacterial cultivation. Furthermore, the shedding of S. equi in 2 infected horse populations was evaluated. An intermittent shedding period of S. equi of up to 15 weeks was recorded in this part of the study. It was also shown that shedding of S. equi occurred both from horses with and without clinical signs.

Conclusions and potential relevance: The nested PCR test represents a species‐specific and ‐sensitive method for diagnosis of S. equi from clinical samples. It may, however, be desirable in future to develop detection methods with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity without the potential problems inherent in nested PCR.
Asian Tigers: The Real, the Symbolic, the Commodity
Authors: Marks Robert B.
Published: April 2007

In nature, tigers have existed only in Asia. Over the millennia, Asian peoples have had much interaction with tigers, and those experiences have come to influence the patterns of everyday life, especially for villagers. In short, humans and tigers have a long history in Asia. Through case studies of China, the Malay world, and India from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries, this article argues that Asian rulers used tigers—or more properly, their control of tigers—to enhance their political power, further the reach of central states, and inform their understanding of colonizing European powers.
Ecological Restoration: Carving a Niche for Humans in the Classic Landscape
Authors: Jordan William R.
Published: April 2007

Environmentalism has made much of the idea of community since Aldo Leopold proposed it as the crucial metaphor defining a healthy relationship between humans and the rest of nature. Community, however, far from being the solution to our environmental problems, is actually just a useful way of framing the problem. How, for example, do you form a working relationship with an ecologically obsolete system that owes nothing to you? The answer: You commit yourself to its restoration, cultivating a studied indifference to your own interests—a practice the author terms "holistic restoration."
Extending the Frisch scheme for errors‐in‐variables identification to correlated output noise
Authors: Söderström Torsten
Published: April 2007

Several estimation methods have been proposed for identifying errors‐in‐variables systems, where both input and output measurements are corrupted by noise. One of the promising approaches is the so‐called Frisch scheme. In its standard form, it is designed to handle white measurement noise on the input and output sides. As the output noise comprises both effects of measurement errors and of process disturbances, it is much more realistic to allow correlated output noise. It is described in the paper how the Frisch scheme can be extended to such cases. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanometer‐Sized Copper Sulfide Hollow Spheres with Strong Optical‐Limiting Properties
Authors: Yu X.‐L. , Cao C.‐B. , Zhu H.‐S. , Li Q.‐S. , Liu C.‐L. , Gong Q.‐H.
Published: April 2007

CuS semiconductor nanometer‐sized hollow spheres are successfully synthesized by using a soft‐template method. A possible growth mechanism is proposed. The linear optical property of the CuS hollow spheres is examined by means of photoluminescence spectroscopy at room temperature. The optical‐limiting (OL) property of these nanostructures is characterized by using a nanosecond Q‐switched YAG laser and an optical parametric oscillator pumped with Surelite‐III. A strong OL response is detected for the CuS hollow spheres in both visible and near infrared (NIR) spectral ranges, which makes these promising materials for applications such as the protection of human eyes or as optical sensors for high‐power laser irradiation. The OL mechanism of the CuS hollow‐sphere nanostructure may be the combination of free‐carrier absorption (FCA) and nonlinear scattering.
ZnO Nanotetrapods: Controlled Vapor‐Phase Synthesis and Application for Humidity Sensing
Authors: Qiu Y. , Yang S.
Published: April 2007

A systematic study on controlled synthesis of ZnO nanotetrapods by combining metal‐vapor transport, oxidative nucleation/growth, fast‐flow quenching, and water‐assisted cleaning is reported. The technique developed in this work makes possible the fabrication of ZnO nanotetrapods with different morphologies, with arm diameters down to 17 nm, and with arm lengths ranging from 50 nm up to a few micrometers. The octa‐twin model is verified for the growth of the ZnO nanotetrapods. Photoluminescence (PL) studies indicate a higher level of surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies for smaller ZnO nanotetrapods. The ZnO nanotetrapods are first used for the fabrication of resistor‐type humidity sensors, which show high sensitivity, quick response/recovery, long lifetime, and a wide range of humidity response. These favorite characteristics of the humidity sensors are ascribed to the unique morphology of the nanotetrapods, which can create a film with faceted pores and large internal surfaces.
Carbon‐Decorated FePt Nanoparticles
Authors: Caiulo N. , Yu C. H. , Yu K. M. K. , Lo C. C. H. , Oduro W. , Thiebaut B. , Bishop P. , Tsang S. C.
Published: April 2007

FePt magnetic nanoparticles are an important candidate material for many future magnetic applications. FePt exists as two main phases, that is, a disordered face‐centered cubic (fcc) structure, which is generally prepared by chemical methods at low temperatures, and the high‐temperature chemically ordered face‐centered tetragonal (fct) structure. The fcc FePt, with low coercivity but associated with superparamagnetic properties, may find applications as a magnetic fluid or as a nanoscale carrier for chemical or biochemical species in biomedical areas, while fct FePt is proposed for use in ultrahigh‐density magnetic recording applications. However, for both of these applications an enhancement of the intrinsically weak magnetic properties, the avoidance of magnetic interferences from neighbor particles, and the improved stability of the small magnetic body remain key practical issues. We report a simple synthetic method for producing FePt nanoparticles that involves hydrothermal treatment of Fe and Pt precursors in glucose followed by calcination at 900 °C. This new method produces thermally stable spheroidal graphite nanoparticles (large and fullerene‐like) that encapsulate or decorate FePt particles of ca. 5 nm with no severe macroscopic particle coalescence. Also, a low coercivity of the material is recorded; indicative of small magnetic interference from neighboring carbon‐coated particles. Thus, this simple synthetic method involves the use of a more environmentally acceptable glucose/aqueous phase to offer a protective coating for FePt nanoparticles. It is also believed that such a synthetic protocol can be readily extended to the preparation of other graphite‐coated magnetic iron alloys of controlled size, stoichiometry, and physical properties.
Structure–Property–Function Relationships in Nanoscale Oxide Sensors: A Case Study Based on Zinc Oxide
Authors: Polarz S. , Roy A. , Lehmann M. , Driess M. , Kruis F. E. , Hoffmann A. , Zimmer P.
Published: April 2007

Chemical sensing on oxide sensors is a complex phenomenon involving catalytic activity as well as electronic properties. Thus, the properties of oxide sensors are highly sensitive towards structural changes. Effects like surface area, grain size, and, in addition, the occurrence of defects give separate contributions to the current. Structure–property–function relationships can be elucidated using a combination of state‐of‐the‐art analytical techniques. It is shown, that impurity atoms in the oxide lattice influence the performance of ZnO sensors more strongly than the other factors.
Retinal vessel diameters and the role of inflammation in cerebrovascular disease
Authors: De Jong Frank Jan , Ikram M. Kamran , Witteman Jacqueline C. M. , Hofman Albert , De Jong Paulus T. V. M. , Breteler Monique M. B.
Published: April 2007

Retinal vessels may provide a way to study the cerebral microcirculation. In particular, larger retinal venular diameters have been associated with cerebrovascular disease. An inflammatory response may underlie this association. In a population‐based cohort study among 5,279 participants aged 55 years or older with graded retinal vessel diameters, we observed that greater serum levels of C‐reactive protein and fibrinogen and greater lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 activity were strongly associated with larger venular diameters. Weaker associations were found with arteriolar diameters. Our findings support the hypothesis that larger retinal venular diameters reflect systemic inflammation and suggest that inflammation is involved in cerebrovascular disease. Ann Neurol 2007
Titelbild: Templatkontrollierte Synthese eines π‐konjugierten Porphyrin‐Nanorings (Angew. Chem. 17/2007)
Authors: Hoffmann Markus , Wilson Craig J. , Odell Barbara , Anderson Harry L.
Published: April 2007

Ein molekularer Draht wird zu einem glatten Ring geschmiedet – nicht im Schmiedeofen, wie der Bildhintergrund vermuten lässt, sondern unter dem Einfluss eines achtzähnigen Templats. H. L. Anderson und Mitarbeiter beschreiben in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 3183 ff. die Cyclisierung eines linearen Porphyrin‐Oligomers unter Bildung eines hoch symmetrischen gürtelförmigen π‐Systems (Bild von M. Hoffmann; Hintergrundfoto von J. McNerney, Yukon Forge, www.yukonforge.com).
Innentitelbild: An Isolable and Monomeric Phosphorus Radical That Is Resonance‐Stabilized by the Vanadium(IV/V) Redox Couple (Angew. Chem. 17/2007)
Authors: Agarwal Paresh , Piro Nicholas A. , Meyer Karsten , Müller Peter , Cummins Christopher C.
Published: April 2007

Große redoxaktive Metalloliganden stabilisieren das Phosphorradikal [.P{NV[N(Np)Ar]3}2] (Np=Neopentyl) so stark, dass es selbst im festen Zustand als Monomer vorliegt. Aus dem EPR‐Spektrum des Radikals (siehe Bild; P orange, N blau, V gelb) leiten C. C. Cummins und Mitarbeiter in ihrer Zuschrift auf S. 3171 ff. eine Delokalisierung des ungepaarten Elektrons über beide Vanadiumzentren ab. Radikalische Bindungsbildungen am Phosphoratom führen zu diamagnetischen Produkten.
Inside Cover: An Isolable and Monomeric Phosphorus Radical That Is Resonance‐Stabilized by the Vanadium(IV/V) Redox Couple (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 17/2007)
Authors: Agarwal Paresh , Piro Nicholas A. , Meyer Karsten , Müller Peter , Cummins Christopher C.
Published: April 2007

Bulky redox‐active metalloligands stabilize the phosphorus radical [.P{NV[N(Np)Ar]3}2] (Np=neopentyl) to the extent that it exists as a monomer even in the solid state. C. C. Cummins and co‐workers describe in their Communication on page 3111 ff. the EPR spectrum of the radical (see picture; P orange, N blue, V yellow), which reveals delocalization of the unpaired electron onto both vanadium centers. Radical bond formation at the phosphorus atom leads to diamagnetic products.
Influence of organophilic montmorillonite and polypropylene on the rheological behaviors and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Gai Jinggang , Li Huilin
Published: April 2007

The effects of organophilic montmorillonite (OM)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hybrids and polypropylene (PP) on the phase morphology, rheological behaviors, and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were investigated. The presence of the OM/PEG hybrids and PP in UHMWPE was found that it was able to lead to a significant reduction of melt viscosity and enhancement in tensile strength, and elongation at break of UHMWPE. A quantitative analysis indicated a larger affinity of the OM to the PEG than to PP or UHMWPE in the composites, suggesting that OM was intercalated by PEG. This was proposed to be responsible for the reduction of viscosity. Polarizing optical microscopy analysis, on the other hand, indicated that the dispersed OM, which acted as a nucleating agent, lowered the spherulite dimension and increased the spherulite number, resulting in high tensile strength and elongation at break. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Development of environmentally responsive hydrogels with metal affinity behavior
Authors: Iyer Ganesh , Yoon Young‐Seo , Coleman Maria R. , Nadarajah Arunan
Published: April 2007

This work describes initial efforts to incorporate affinity ligands within an environmentally responsive hydrogel. Metal affinity ligands were chosen as model affinity groups and thermally responsiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide/acrylamide copolymers were used as the base hydrogels. The NH2group of the acrylamide serves as a reactive group for functionalization with metal affinity ligands. The gels were synthesized by free radical polymerization and Cu2+was bound to the gel via 1,4‐butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDE) as a linker and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) as a chelating ligand. The base acrylamide gels were also functionalized with metal affinity ligands to allow for comparison with thermally responsive affinity gels. The results show the effectiveness of this technique for both these types of gels, and an improved method to immobilize metal affinity groups on to thermally sensitiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide gels was also developed. It was seen that the yields for the reaction with BDE decreased with increased reaction time in both kinds of gels, whereas reaction with IDA showed a decrease in yields with increase in temperature forN‐isoporpyl acrylamide gels and increase in yields for acrylamide gels. Further techniques were developed to overcome diffusional resistances and stresses in the thermally responsiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide gels so as to improve the distribution of Cu2+ions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Comparison of quasisteady‐state performance of the DEAMOX process under intermittent and continuous feeding and different nitrogen loading rates
Authors: Kalyuzhnyi Sergey , Gladchenko Marina , Mulder Arnold , Versprille Bram
Published: April 2007

The recently developed denitrifying ammonium oxidation (DEAMOX) process combines the anammox reaction with autotrophic denitrifying conditions using sulfide as an electron donor for the production of nitrite from nitrate within an anaerobic biofilm. This paper compares a quasisteady‐state performance of this process for treatment of baker's yeast wastewater under intermittent and continuous feeding and increasing nitrogen loading rate (NLR) from 300 till 858 mg N/L/d. The average total nitrogen removal slightly decreased on increasing the NLR: from 86 to 79% (intermittent feeding) and from 87 to 84% (continuous feeding). The better performance under continuous feeding was due to a more complete nitrate removal in the former case whereas the ammonia removal was similar for both feeding regimes under the comparable NLR. A possible explanation can be that, during continuous feeding (simultaneous supply of nitrate and sulfide), there were less mass transfer limitations for sulfide oxidizing denitrifiers presumably located in the outer layer of sludge aggregates. On the contrary, the ammonia oxidisers presumably located inside the aggregates apparently suffered from nitrite mass transfer limitations under both the feedings. The paper further describes some characteristics of the DEAMOX sludge.
In vivo glyco‐engineered antibody with improved lytic potential produced by an innovative non‐mammalian expression system
Authors: Schuster Manfred , Jost Wolfgang , Mudde Geert C. , Wiederkum Susanne , Schwager Cornelia , Janzek Evelyne , Altmann Friedrich , Stadlmann Johannes , Stemmer Christian , Gorr Gilbert
Published: April 2007

Recent studies have demonstrated that the reduction of the core fucosylation on N‐glycans of human IgGs is responsible for a clearly enhanced antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This finding might give access to improved active therapeutic antibodies. Here, the expression of the tumor antigen‐specific antibody IGN311 was performed in a glyco‐optimized strain of the moss Physcomitrella patens. Removal of plant specific N‐glycan structures in this plant expression host was achieved by targeted knockout of corresponding genes and included quantitative elimination of core fucosylation. Antibodies transiently expressed and secreted by such genetically modified moss protoplasts assembled correctly, showed an unaltered antigen‐binding affinity and, in extensive tests, revealed an up to 40‐fold enhanced ADCC. Thus, the glyco‐engineered moss‐based transient expression platform combines a rapid technology with the subsequent analysis of glycooptimized therapeutics with regard to advanced properties.
Chemically defined medium environment for the development of renal stem cells into tubules
Authors: Hu Kanghong , Denk Lucia , de Vries Uwe , Minuth Will W.
Published: April 2007

The use of stem cells is a valuable therapeutical option for the regeneration of diseased tissues and organs. However, the involved cellular processes are hardly known. To gain detailed information about their development, a new culture technology was developed. Embryonic renal tissue containing stem/progenitor cells was mounted within a perfusion culture container at the interface of an artificial interstitium made of polyester. Using this innovative approach we show that renal tubules develop in chemically defined Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium without serum addition and without coating by extracellular matrix proteins. The development of tubules depends on the administration of aldosterone, and can be visualized by immunohistochemical labeling. The presented technology makes the exact analysis of developmental steps now possible, and provides a new powerful tool to optimize growth and differentiation of renal stem cells. It may also enable many other kinds of stem cells to steer their development into functional tissues under clearly defined in vitro conditions.
Temperature induced denaturation of collagen in acidic solution
Authors: Mu Changdao , Li Defu , Lin Wei , Ding Yanwei , Zhang Guangzhao
Published: April 2007

The denaturation of collagen solution in acetic acid has been investigated by using ultra‐sensitive differential scanning calorimetry (US‐DSC), circular dichroism (CD), and laser light scattering (LLS). US‐DSC measurements reveal that the collagen exhibits a bimodal transition, i.e., there exists a shoulder transition before the major transition. Such a shoulder transition can recover from a cooling when the collagen is heated to a temperature below 35°C. However, when the heating temperature is above 37°C, both the shoulder and major transitions are irreversible. CD measurements demonstrate the content of triple helix slowly decreases with temperature at a temperature below 35°C, but it drastically decreases at a higher temperature. Our experiments suggest that the shoulder transition and major transition arise from the defibrillation and denaturation of collagen, respectively. LLS measurements show the average hydrodynamic radius 〈Rh〉, radius of gyration 〈Rg〉of the collagen gradually decrease before a sharp decrease at a higher temperature. Meanwhile, the ratio 〈Rg〉/〈Rh〉 gradually increases at a temperature below ∼ 34°C and drastically increases in the range 34–40°C, further indicating the defibrillation of collagen before the denaturation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 282–287, 2007.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Post‐harvest HPLC determination of chlorfluazuron residues in pears treated with different programs
Authors: Shim Jae‐Han , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Choi Yong‐Sun
Published: April 2007

The present study was conducted to monitor the level of chlorfluazuron residues in pear samples in order to assess the risk posed by the presence of such residues to the consumer. Chlorfluazuron was sprayed onto pear trees at the recommended dose rate at two different times at 30 and 21 days prior to harvesting in one treatment, at 21 and 14 days prior to harvesting in another treatment, and three times at 30, 21 and 14 days prior to harvesting in a third treatment. Chlorfluazuron residues were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned into ethyl acetate. The residue determination was performed on an Apollo C18 column using HPLC with a UV detection of 254 nm following the clean‐up of the extract by open column chromatography with Florisil. The versatility of this method was evidenced by its good linearity (>0.995) in the concentration range between 0.2 and 10 µg/mL. The majority of the mean recoveries at two different fortification levels, 0.05 and 0.25 ppm, ranged from 84.9 ± 3.2 to 94.3 ± 10.6, and the repeatability (as the relative standard deviation) from three repetitive determinations of recovery was between 3.8 and 11%. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) was 0.008 ppm and the limit of quantitation was 0.03 ppm. Trace amounts of chlorfluazuron were detectable when it was applied onto the pear trees at two or three times prior to harvesting; however, the levels of chlorfluazuron were not quantified. The excellent sensitivity and selectivity of this method allowed for quantitation and identification at low levels with a run time of less than 12 min. Chlorfluazuron can be used safely to protect pears when sprayed two or three times at 14 days prior to harvesting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantification of oxysophocarpine and its active metabolite sophocarpine in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry for a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wang Su‐Jun , Yang Min , Li Xiao‐Tian , Wang Guang‐Ji
Published: April 2007

A sensitive, rapid and specific method for the simultaneous quantification of oxysophocarpine (OSC) and its active metabolite sophocarpine (SC) in rat plasma was developed and validated, using a liquid–liquid extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (LC/ESI‐MS) analysis. The separation was performed on a Zorbax Extend‐C18 column (2.1 mm i.d. × 50 mm, 5 µm) with a C18 guard column using methanol–water containing 5 mm ammonium acetate (15:85, v/v) as mobile phase. Analysis was performed in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface. [M + H]+ at m/z 263 for OSC, [M + H]+ at m/z 247 for SC and [M + H]+ at m/z 249 for matrine (internal standard) were selected as detecting ions, respectively. The method was linear in the concentration ranges 10–1000 ng/mL for OSC and 5–500 ng/mL for SC. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (coefficient of variation) were within 7% for both analytes. Their accuracy (relative error) ranged from −6.4 to 1.5%. The limits of detection for OSC and SC were 3 and 1.5 ng/mL, respectively. The limits of quantitation for OSC and SC were 10 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. Recoveries of both analytes were greater than 85% at the low, medium and high concentrations. Both analytes were stable during all sample storage, preparation and analytic procedures. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study after an oral administration of OSC to rats with a dose of 15 mg/kg. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous qualitation and quantification of four phytoecdysones in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection
Authors: Li Juan , Li Hui‐Jun , Li Ping , Qi Hui
Published: April 2007

A high‐performance liquid chromatographic method with diode array detection was developed and validated to simultaneously identify and quantify four phytoecdysones,i.e., polypodine B (1), ecdysterone (2), 25‐R inokosterone (3) and 25‐S inokosterone (4), in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. The analysis was performed using a C18 column with 6% tetrahydrofuran aqueous and acetonitrile isocratic elution, and the detection was carried out by DAD at 242 nm. The identities of the analytes were determined by comparing the retention time and UV spectrum with those of reference compounds. The validation of the method included linearity, sensitivity, recovery and stability. All calibration curves of the four phytoecdysones showed good linear regression (r2 ≥ 0.9993). The limit of detection (S/N = 3) and limit of quantification (S/N = 10) were less than 7.5 and 12.3 ng, respectively. The method provided desirable repeatability with overall intra‐ and inter‐day variations of less than 4.67%. The obtained recoveries varied between 95.1 and 104.4% while the relative standard deviations were below 4.85% (n = 3). The analysis results indicated that the contents of the investigated phytoecdysones in Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae from different locations were highly variant, and the genuine crude drug indigenous to Henan province did not possess the highest concentration of phytoecdysones. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validated LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of gabapentin in human plasma: application to pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies in Korean volunteers
Authors: Park Jin‐Hee , Jhee Ok‐Hwa , Park Song‐Hee , Lee Jung‐Sik , Lee Min‐Ho , Shaw Leslie M. , Kim Kwang‐Hyun , Lee Jong‐Ho , Kim Yong‐Seok , Kang Ju‐Seop
Published: April 2007

A sensitive validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method (LC‐MS/MS) for gabapentin (GB) in human plasma has been developed and applied to pharmacokinetic (PK) and bioequivalence (BE) studies in human. In a randomized crossover design with a 1‐week period, each subject received a 300 mg GB capsule. The procedure involves a simple protein precipitation with acetonitrile and separated by LC with a Gemini C18 column using acetonitrile–10 mm ammonium acetate (20:80, v/v, pH 3.2) as mobile phase. The GB and internal standard [(S)‐(+)‐α‐aminocyclohexanepropionic acid hydrate] were analyzed using an LC‐API 2000 MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The ionization was optimized using ESI(+) and selectivity was achieved using MS/MS analysis, m/z 172.0 → 154.0 and m/z 172.0 → 126.0 for GB and IS, respectively. The assay exhibited good linearity over a working range of 20–5000 ng/mL for GB in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 20 ng/mL. No endogenous compounds were found to interfere with the analysis. The accuracy and precision were shown for concentrations over the standard ranges. This method was successfully applied for the PK and BE studies by analysis of blood samples taken up to 36 h after an oral dose of 300 mg of GB in 24 healthy volunteers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination and pharmacokinetics of manidipine in human plasma by HPLC/ESIMS
Authors: Jing Jing , Ren Weichao , Chen Xijing , He Hui , Zhou Wei , Zhu Xuping , Sun Ya , Wang Guangji
Published: April 2007

A sensitive HPLC/ESIMS method was established for the determination of manidipine in human plasma and pharmacokinetics study. After basified plasma with ammonia, manidipine and the internal standard (IS) (felodipine) were extracted with n‐hexane and separated on a Hypersil ODS2 column with a mobile phase of methanol–5 mm ammonium acetate solution containing 0.1% acetic acid (85:15, v/v). MS determination was performed by electrospray ionization in the selected ion monitoring mode. Manidipine was monitored at m/z 611.4 and IS at m/z 384. The assay had a calibration range from 0.2 to 20 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantification of 0.1 ng/mL. The method has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of the anti‐inflammatory compound vicenin‐2 in the leaves of L. ericoides Mart.
Authors: Moraes Solange Leite de , Tomaz José Carlos , Lopes Norberto Peporine
Published: April 2007

This paper reports a rapid and sensitive method for determination of the anti‐inflammatory compound vicenin‐2 in L. ericoides Mart. using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Separation of the compound of interest was performed on a VP‐ODS18 (150 × 2 mm, Shimadzu, Japan) column and a pre‐column packed with GPV‐ODS C18 (5 × 2 mm, Sigma‐Aldrich, USA) with acetonitrile–water (15:85) mobile phase containing 2% acetic acid using isocratic flow at 0.5 mL/min for 2 min. Multiple‐reaction monitoring of vicenin‐2 was performed using electrospray positive ionization. The linear calibration curves were generated using a concentration range of 5–2500 ng/mL with correlation coefficients >0.99. The values of limit of detection and limit of quantitation were found to be 1 and 5 ng/mL, respectively. The method developed based on LC‐ESIMS/MS is advantageous because it permits the rapid and selective detection of vicenin‐2. Furthermore, the method can be easily applied to the routine analysis of vicenin‐2 in plant extracts using a minimal amount of sample. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human exhaled air analytics: biomarkers of diseases
Authors: Buszewski Bogusław , Kęsy Martyna , Ligor Tomasz , Amann Anton
Published: April 2007

Over the last few years, breath analysis for the routine monitoring of metabolic disorders has attracted a considerable amount of scientific interest, especially since breath sampling is a non‐invasive technique, totally painless and agreeable to patients. The investigation of human breath samples with various analytical methods has shown a correlation between the concentration patterns of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the occurrence of certain diseases. It has been demonstrated that modern analytical instruments allow the determination of many compounds found in human breath both in normal and anomalous concentrations. The composition of exhaled breath in patients with, for example, lung cancer, inflammatory lung disease, hepatic or renal dysfunction and diabetes contains valuable information. Furthermore, the detection and quantification of oxidative stress, and its monitoring during surgery based on composition of exhaled breath, have made considerable progress. This paper gives an overview of the analytical techniques used for sample collection, preconcentration and analysis of human breath composition. The diagnostic potential of different disease‐marking substances in human breath for a selection of diseases and the clinical applications of breath analysis are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QSBMR—Quantitative structure biomagnification relationships: physicochemical and structural descriptors important for the biomagnification of organochlorines and brominated flame retardants
Authors: Lundstedt‐Enkel Katrin , Lek Per M. , Lundstedt Torbjörn , Örberg Jan
Published: April 2007

The aim of this project is to establish models to predict the biomagnification of contaminants present in Baltic Sea biota. In this paper a quantitative model that we term QSBMR—Quantitative Structure Biomagnification Relationships is presented. This model describes the relationship between the biomagnification factors (BMFs) for several organochlorines (OCs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), for example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and their descriptors, for example, physico‐chemical properties and structural descriptors.

The concentrations of contaminants in herring (Clupea harengus) muscle and guillemot (Uria aalge) egg from the Baltic Sea were used. The BMFs were calculated with the randomly sampled ratios (RSR) method that denotes the BMFs with a measure of the variation. In order to describe the physico‐chemical properties and chemical structures, approximately 100 descriptors for the contaminants were generated: (a), by using the software (TSAR); (b) finding log Kow values from the literature, and (c) creating binary fingerprint variables that described the position of the chlorine and bromine for the respective PCB and PBDE molecules. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to model the relationship between the contaminants' BMF and the descriptors and the resulting QSBMR revealed that more than 20 descriptors in combination were important for the biomagnification of OCs and BFRs between herring and guillemot.

The model including all contaminants (R2X = 0.73, R2Y = 0.87 and Q2 = 0.63, three components) explained approximately as much of the variation as the model with the PCBs alone (R2X = 0.83, R2Y = 0.87 and Q2 = 0.58, two components). The model with the BFRs alone (R2X = 0.68, R2Y = 0.88 and Q2 = 0.41, two components) had a slightly lower Q2 than the model including all contaminants.

For validation, a training set of seven contaminants was selected by multivariate design (MVD) and a model was established. This model was then used to predict the BMFs of the test set (seven contaminants not included in the model). The resulting R2 for the regression Observed BMF versus Predicted BMF was high (0.65). The good models showed that descriptors important for the biomagnification of OCs and BFRs had been used. These types of models will be useful for in silico predictions of the biomagnification of new, not yet investigated, compounds as an aid in risk assessments. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.