bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescent Suicide Prevention: The Oklahoma Community Reaches Out
Authors: Parker Gary , Hawkins Jessica , Weigel Chris , Fanning Linda , Round Teri , Reyna Krista
Published: May 2009

In the United States, Oklahoma currently ranks fifth in suicide attempts and ninth in suicide completion in the 10- to 24-year-old age group. Studies have shown that many teens are seen by their primary care physician within 6 weeks of their suicide attempt or completion. Building on this finding, a questionnaire focusing on what physicians and nurses knew about the warning signs and symptoms of adolescent suicide was created and distributed to area clinics. It was found that few of the health care providers were comfortable in recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of suicide. An educational program was developed focusing on the warning signs of suicide to help health care workers deal with this troubling problem.

J Contin Educ Nurs
2009;40(4):177–180.
Strategies for Making Oral Presentations About Clinical Issues: Part I. At the Workplace
Authors: Brown Janet M. , Schmidt Nola A.
Published: May 2009

This column offers strategies that clinicians can use to make effective oral presentations at work. Part II, which will be published next month, will offer strategies for making oral presentations at professional conferences.

J Contin Educ Nurs
2009;40(4):152–153.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Authors: Scher Danielle L , Wolf Jennifer Moriatis , Owens Brett D.
Published: May 2009

Educational Objectives

As a result of reading this article, physicians should be able to:

1.

Identify the typical presentation of lateral epicondylitis based on history and physical examination.

2.

Review the pathophysiology underlying the development of lateral epicondylitis and resulting histology.

3.

Describe the first-line conservative therapy options for lateral epicondylitis and the supporting data in the literature.

4.

Discuss the indications for initiating operative therapy and detail the operative options for lateral epicondylitis.
Analysis of 78 Patients With Spinal Injuries in the 2008 Sichuan, China, Earthquake
Authors: Chen Rigao , Song Yuemin , Kong Qingquan , Zhou Chunguang , Liu Limin
Published: May 2009

To analyze the clinical features of patients with spinal injuries and to better cope with future disasters, we retrospectively reviewed 78 patients' medical records after the 2008 Sichuan, China, earthquake. All patients survived, and the mean time patients spent under rubble was 12.2 hours. The largest number of victims were in the 30- to 39-year age group (24.3%), followed by the 20- to 29-year age group (21.8%) and the 40- to 49-year age group (20.5%). Isolated spinal injuries occurred in 55 patients (71.5%). Multilevel spinal injuries occurred in 23 patients (29.5%). The most common region for spinal injuries was the lumbar spine (38.5%), followed by the thoracic spine and the cervical spine. Nearly 53.8% of these spinal injuries resulted in some form of neurologic disability. Thoracic injury contributed to the majority of the neurologic injury. Lumbar injury seldom resulted in neurologic damage. Almost all cervical injuries were associated with severe spinal cord injury.

The majority of patients sustained injuries in addition to their spinal injuries. More than one-third of patients (35.7%) had upper extremity fractures, 12.1% had pelvic fractures, and 44.5% had lower extremity fractures. The most commonly injured bone in the upper extremity was the humerus and in the lower extremity, the femur. Other associated injuries included head (19.6%), thoracic (39.8%), abdominal (8.9%), and urologic (2.56%) injuries. The high frequency of multilevel injuries of the spine and additional injuries reaffirms the need for vigilance in patient assessment.
Symptomatic Phrenic Nerve Palsy After Supraclavicular Block in an Obese Man
Authors: Erickson John M. , Louis Dean S. , Naughton Norah N.
Published: May 2009

Regional anesthesia has an expanding role in upper extremity surgery. Brachial plexus blocks offer several advantages including providing effective analgesia, reducing narcotic requirements, and facilitating ambulatory care surgery. Despite the popularity of nerve blocks, the surgeon must not forget the complications associated with regional anesthesia. This article describes a case of symptomatic phrenic nerve palsy after supraclavicular brachial plexus block in an obese man.

A 46-year-old obese man underwent a left-sided supraclavicular block in preparation for decompression of Guyon's canal for ulnar mononeuropathy at the wrist. The patient experienced acute-onset dyspnea, chest discomfort, and anxiety, and physical examination demonstrated reduced breath sounds in the left hemithorax. Chest radiographs documented elevation of the left hemidiaphragm consistent with an iatrogenic phrenic nerve palsy. The patient was admitted for 23-hour observation and underwent an uncomplicated ulnar nerve decompression under Bier block anesthesia 1 week later. No long-term sequelae have been identified; however, there was a delay in surgical care, admission to the hospital, and transient pulmonary symptoms. We attribute this complication to significant abdominal obesity causing compromised pulmonary reserve and poor tolerance of transient hemidiaphragmatic paresis. In recent studies, waist circumference and abdominal height were inversely related to pulmonary function. We suspect that the incidence of symptomatic phrenic nerve palsy associated with brachial plexus blocks will increase as the prevalence of obesity increases in this country.
Sources of Error in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Koyonos Loukas , Stulberg S. David , Moen Todd C. , Bart Gina , Granieri Michael
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this study was to identify the procedural steps in a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in which technical errors occur and to quantify the magnitude of these errors. Forty-nine consecutive TKAs were performed using a traditional exposure and manual instrumentation. An image-free computer navigation system (OrthoPilot; Aesculap AG, Tuttlingen, Germany) was used to measure and compare femoral and tibial alignment at specific procedural points during the TKA; this data was then used to evaluate possible sources of error in the procedure. The femoral cut tended to be made in hyperextension, the tibial cut tended to be made in hyperextension and valgus, and the tibial component tended to be implanted in valgus. This study identified specific points during the performance of a TKA where technical errors occur. This information suggests technical considerations that can help a surgeon achieve more reproducible, durable, and successful outcomes for his or her patients.
Plating of a Periarticular Medial Clavicle Fracture
Authors: McKenna Mark , Widmaier James
Published: May 2009

This article describes a case of a 23-year-old man who sustained a far medial fracture dislocation of the medial clavicle. We performed an open reduction and internal fixation of the fragment back to the remaining medial fragment using a small locking plate. This fracture can be problematic and usually requires reduction due to the potential vascular or airway compromise. Because the fracture often occurs at the medial physis, it is difficult to secure in place to prevent displacement.

Historically, fixation of this fracture has been problematic with sutures and K-wires. Failure of fixation and migration of K-wires have been reported. In the past, plates have been inadequate or too large for this area to provide fixation. With the development of locking plates, a fixed-angle construct can be created to secure a small periarticular portion of bone as in the distal radius. In our case, the small distal radius locking plate was able to secure the lateral shaft to the medial piece with good stability in the medial clavicle. We were able to get multiple screws in the medial fragment in a low-profile plate.

Postoperatively, the patient was permitted to use his arm for most activities but was restricted from pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy objects for 4 weeks. He recovered well and returned to normal activities of daily living with no restriction. Therefore, these plates may have a role in fixation of periarticular fractures.
Closing Wedge Retrotubercular Tibial Osteotomy and TKA for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis With Angular Deformity
Authors: Meehan John P. , Khadder Mohammad A. , Jamali Amir A. , Trauner Kenneth B.
Published: May 2009

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the knee can be associated with angular deformities and alterations in the joint line as a result of the initial trauma and subsequent surgical procedures. These deformities can be characterized as extra-articular or intra-articular or can involve aspects of both. Conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may require either a staged or a simultaneous corrective osteotomy to restore the limb alignment and proper knee function. This article describes a closing wedge retrotubercular tibia osteotomy performed concurrently with TKA in an effort to correct an extra-articular varus deformity and to improve the patella tendon height in relation to the reconstructed joint line.

A 57-year-old man previously treated for a Schatzker type 6 tibia plateau fracture presented with symptoms of arthritis pain and instability as a result of a varus thrust with weight bearing. Radiographs revealed posttraumatic osteoarthritis, a 35° varus deformity, and patella infera. Maintaining the tibia tubercle continuity with the distal tibia allowed for correction of the varus deformity and improvement in the patella tendon height relative to the joint line. At 5-year follow-up, the patient had osteotomy healing, clinically neutral limb alignment, and improvement in joint line biomechanics with resolution of symptoms of pain and instability.
Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in Fibrous Dysplasia of the Proximal Femur
Authors: Montalti Maurizio , Alberghini Marco , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: May 2009

Fibrous dysplasia of bone is a congenital skeletal disorder characterized by proliferation of spindle cells inside an intramedullary collagenous stroma and by formation of meta-plastic bone. An aneurysmal bone cyst is a lesion of unknown etiology. Macroscopically it appears like a blood-filled cavity that expands the affected bone. Histologically, fibrous septa are bordered by macrophages, giant cells, inflammatory cells, and areas of bone production. Hemorrhagic areas can rise into fibrous dysplasia. The lesion appears as an aggressive and destructive process that is difficult to diagnose properly.

A 29-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of left inguinal and lumbar pain. She reported increased pain after physical activity. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left femur (without intravenous gadolinium) showed a mass extending 14 cm along the femoral metaphysis. This lesion involved cortical bone that was broken in the posteromedial site. Computed tomography confirmed the osteostructural lytic alteration that “blows up” the proximal femur metaphysis. A trochar biopsy allowed the diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst on fibrous dysplasia, excluding malignancy.

The lesion was treated with curettage and local adjuvants and filled with bone grafts. Internal fixation with a sliding screw plate was also performed. Radiographs at 1 year postoperatively showed good consolidation of the grafts and absence of local recurrence. The patient achieved active and passive mobilization of the left hip with no pain.
Aspiration as an Aid to the Diagnosis of Prosthetic Knee Instability
Authors: Raab Gregory E. , Fehring Thomas K. , Odum Susan M. , Mason J. Bohannon , Griffin William L.
Published: May 2009

Knee instability is a common cause of prosthetic knee failure. This study sought to determine if synovial fluid analysis is a useful tool in diagnosing prosthetic knee instability. Aspirations were performed in 42 knees in which the diagnosis of instability was in doubt. This group was compared to 120 aspirated knees performed for other diagnoses, excluding infection. The average red blood cell count for the instability group was 79,365 (range, 300–960,000). The median red blood cell count was 9175 (inter-quartile range, 37,750–2337). In patients with other diagnoses, the average red blood cell count was 60,965 (range, 30–2,079,000). The median red blood cell count was 6200 (interquartile range, 27,525–2512;
P
=.56). This study confirms that unstable total knees have bloody effusions. The prognostic significance of this finding must be questioned, as patients with other diagnoses have similar findings. Physical examinations and stress radiographs remain the key determinants of prosthetic knee instability.
Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients 70 Years and Older
Authors: Severson Erik P. , Mariani E. Marc , Bourne Michael H.
Published: May 2009

Recently an increase has been shown in perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients older than 70 years undergoing sequential or simultaneous total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using 1 anesthetic. This study prospectively compared perioperative morbidity, mortality, and functional outcomes in patients 70 years and older undergoing sequential bilateral TKA under 1 anesthetic vs a control undergoing only unilateral TKA.

Seventy patients (140 knees), 70 years and older, who underwent sequential bilateral TKA under 1 anesthetic were matched with a control series of 312 patients undergoing unilateral TKA during the same time period. All patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively at regular time intervals. No mortalities were noted in either group. Perioperative complication rates were not statistically different between groups. Knee Society scores and SF-36v2 scores were better at 6-month and 1-year follow-up in the sequential bilateral knee group.

Results from this study were not as expected based on previous reports in the literature. Although functional outcomes in this study were consistent with previous reports, patients did not demonstrate the expected difference in complications. This study is the first prospective study looking specifically at patients 70 years and older undergoing unilateral vs bilateral TKA under 1 anesthetic. According to our data, age alone is not a reason to exclude patients from sequential bilateral TKA under 1 anesthetic.
Arthroscopic Evaluation and Management After Repeated Luxatio Erecta of the Glenohumeral Joint
Authors: Tracy Sean C. , Myer Jonathan J.
Published: May 2009

Luxatio erecta, inferior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint, is a relatively rare type of glenohumeral dislocation, accounting for <0.5% of all shoulder dislocations. It has been well described in terms of presentation and conservative management. Arthroscopic findings after the more commonly found anteroinferior glenohumeral dislocation have also been described. However, we know of only 1 case report that details the arthroscopic findings and open surgical management in a patient who sustained a single episode of luxatio erecta. Additionally, we were unable to find any reports in the literature of the arthroscopic management of this type of dislocation.

We present the arthroscopic findings and arthroscopic management of an 18-year-old male college football player who reported 7 episodes of left shoulder luxatio erecta. Arthroscopic evaluation revealed an extensive anterior capsulolabral injury as well as a superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) tear. Additionally, there were extensive articular cartilage changes of the anterosuperior glenoid, a posterior Hill-Sachs lesion, and an anterosuperior humeral head cartilage indentation. The anterior capsulolabral injury and the SLAP lesion were fixed arthroscopically with suture anchors. The remainder of the lesions were debrided. The patient was able to return to college-level football and reported no further episodes of instability, pain, or stiffness at 3-year follow-up.
What's in a Word?
Authors: Lukes Eileen N. , Fioritto Elizabeth Lukes
Published: May 2009

Words provide meaning to concepts, but misuse of common terms can result in distorted understanding of concepts. Medicine and nursing are separate professions. Medical care and health care are distinct terms that are often used interchangeably. This article discusses terminology in light of the history of nursing, and provides recommendations to occupational health nurses for discussing these concepts with the public and other health professionals.
Occupational Health and Safety Issues among Nurses in the Philippines
Authors: de Castro A. B. , Cabrera Suzanne L. , Gee Gilbert C. , Fujishiro Kaori , Tagalog Eularito A.
Published: May 2009

Nursing is a hazardous occupation in the United States, but little is known about workplace health and safety issues facing the nursing work force in the Philippines. In this article, work-related problems among a sample of nurses in the Philippines are described. Cross-sectional data were collected through a self-administered survey during the Philippine Nurses Association 2007 convention. Measures included four categories: work-related demographics, occupational injury/illness, reporting behavior, and safety concerns. Approximately 40% of nurses had experienced at least one injury or illness in the past year, and 80% had experienced back pain. Most who had an injury did not report it. The top ranking concerns were stress and overwork. Filipino nurses encounter considerable health and safety concerns that are similar to those encountered by nurses in other countries. Future research should examine the work organization factors that contribute to these concerns and strengthen policies to promote health and safety.
Use of Occupational Health Services in a Cyprus Oncology Center
Authors: Provan Helen , Raftopoulos Vasilios , Soteriades Elpidoforos
Published: May 2009

Use of occupational health services in the hospital environment is an important parameter for annual health care planning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinic utilization at a Cyprus oncology center. All visits to the occupational health clinic during an 18-month period were reviewed and analyzed. During the study period, the center had, on average, 161 employees and offered 67 occupational health clinic sessions. Employees had 338 clinic visits, of which 294 were primary and 44 were follow-up visits, with 5 employees, on average, visiting the clinic at each session. Nurses most frequently visited the center (33.4%), followed by the administrative staff (28.6%) and the employees of the Medical Physics and Radiology Department (22.4%), corresponding to the largest groups of employees. The most frequently cited reason for the visits was administrative purposes (23.6%), including updating health records, followed by pre-placement examinations (14.7%) and vaccinations (10.3%). Administrative and clinical reasons were given for occupational health clinic use at the oncology center across all categories of employees.
Reduction in Force Perspectives—The Occupational Health Nurse as the Employer
Authors: Tompkins Olga
Published: May 2009

Occupational health nurses are primary stakeholders when corporations are developing policies and procedures for consistent handling of terminations and reductions in force.
Examining Rater Behavior on a Revised Version of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE)
Authors: Kramer Jessica , Bowyer Patricia , Kielhofner Gary , O'Brien Jane , Maziero-Barbosa Vanessa
Published: May 2009

A previous study of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE), an assessment of occupational participation, supported the psychometric soundness of the instrument overall, but pointed to some potential problems in practitioners' use of the SCOPE in practice. Specific revisions were made to the SCOPE to address the rating behaviors of leniency/severity, halo effect, and restriction of range. A many-faceted Rasch model analysis was conducted after 39 practitioners working in eight practice sites learned to administer the SCOPE using a variety of methods and rated 168 clients using the SCOPE (version 2.1). Practitioners exhibited three significantly different levels of leniency/severity, 35 practitioners did not exhibit any halo effects, and the top three rating categories were used 91% of the time. Findings suggest that a variety of methods can be used to learn to administer and rate the SCOPE in an appropriate manner to assess the personal and environmental factors affecting the occupational participation of children.
Extraordinarily Ordinary Moments of Co-Occupation in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Price Pollie , Miner Stephanie
Published: May 2009

For occupational therapists working in neonatal intensive care units, the tenuousness of life is part of ordinary daily experience. However, for parents, having a premature infant must feel like a break from their expectations of having a healthy infant and an ordinary family life. Occupational therapists provide opportunities for co-occupation that promote the development of the family and support parents by providing the knowledge that family life is still possible even if the infant has severe disabilities. This article will illustrate how one occupational therapist facilitated extraordinarily ordinary moments of becoming a family for a mother and premature infant through negotiating the meaning of parenting and parenting co-occupations and providing opportunities for parenting co-occupations, which are both important aspects of occupation-based practice implemented in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire: Psychometric Evaluation of a New Assessment of Competence in Technology Use
Authors: Rosenberg Lena , Nygård Louise , Kottorp Anders
Published: May 2009

People with mild cognitive impairment or dementia in a mild phase who live at home are expected to manage the everyday technology that is common in this context. However, the knowledge of how technology use may interfere with the performance of daily activities is sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a new instrument measuring relevance and competence in everyday technology use, the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire, could generate linear measures of competence in a valid manner when used in a population of 157 older adults with and without cognitive impairment or dementia. The results from this study indicate that the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire demonstrates acceptable levels of scale validity and person response validity, supporting researchers and clinicians with a tool that generates a valid measure of competence in use of everyday technology for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia in a mild phase who live at home.
Longitudinal Observations of Infants' Object Play Behavior in the Home Context
Authors: Schneider Eleanor
Published: May 2009

This study investigated changes in the quality and level of exploratory object play during the transition from infancy to toddlerhood. Sixty “typically developing” infants participated in a longitudinal study that included home visits at 10, 12, and 14 months of age. Play was assessed using the Infants' Play Behaviors with Objects during Semi-structured Tasks (POST) procedure, a 5-minute videotaped procedure that exposes infants to novel objects. Results indicated that higher levels of task-directed behavior were strongly associated with more sophisticated levels of object play. Task-directed play behavior increased significantly with age (F = 8.45, p < .001), as did level of play (e.g., F = 26.69, p < .001). Significant differences in the level of play behavior with different objects suggest that infants as young as 10 months show preferences in the play experiences that they find interesting, engaging, and challenging. These findings have relevance for occupational therapists because they demonstrate the transactional nature of play and the need for facilitating an optimal fit between the child, the environment, and the occupation of play.
Formation of Highly Luminescent Supramolecular Architectures Possessing Columnar Order from Octupolar Oxadiazole Derivatives: Hierarchical Self‐Assembly from Nanospheres to Fibrous Gels
Authors: Varghese Shinto , Kumar Nambalan S. Saleesh , Krishna Anjali , Rao Doddamane S. Shankar , Prasad Subbarao Krishna , Das Suresh
Published: May 2009

The synthesis and study of the liquid crystalline, photophysical, and aggregation behavior of novel octupolar oxadiazole derivatives are reported. These molecules formed columnar mesophases at elevated temperatures which transformed into a glassy state at ambient temperatures wherein the columnar order was retained. Their spontaneous concentration dependent hierarchical self‐assembly from spheres to fibrous gels has been investigated using TEM, SEM, and XRD. Retention of the hexagonal columnar (Colh) order was also observed in the fibrous aggregates. Concentration dependent luminescence spectral studies indicated that the change in morphology from spheres to fibrous aggregates was associated with a shift in chromophore packing from predominantly H‐type to J‐type aggregates. Time resolved anisotropic investigations revealed that the columnar stacking of molecules in the aggregated state provided a pathway for excitation energy migration to the lower energy J‐traps.
Tuning Conversion Efficiency in Metallo Endohedral Fullerene‐Based Organic Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Ross Russel B. , Cardona Claudia M. , Swain Francis B. , Guldi Dirk M. , Sankaranarayanan Shankara G. , Van Keuren Edward , Holloway Brian C. , Drees Martin
Published: May 2009

Here the influence that 1‐(3‐hexoxycarbonyl)propyl‐1‐phenyl‐[6,6]‐Lu3N@C81, Lu3N@C80–PCBH, a novel acceptor material, has on active layer morphology and the performance of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices using this material is reported. Polymer/fullerene blend films with poly(3‐hexylthiophene), P3HT, donor material and Lu3N@C80–PCBH acceptor material are studied using absorption spectroscopy, grazing incident X‐ray diffraction and photocurrent spectra of photovoltaic devices. Due to a smaller molecular orbital offset the OPV devices built with Lu3N@C80–PCBH display increased open circuit voltage over empty cage fullerene acceptors. The photovoltaic performance of these metallo endohedral fullerene blend films is found to be highly impacted by the fullerene loading. The results indicate that the optimized blend ratio in a P3HT matrix differs from a molecular equivalent of an optimized P3HT/[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric methyl ester, C60–PCBM, active layer, and this is related to the physical differences of the C80 fullerene. The influence that active layer annealing has on the OPV performance is further evaluated. Through properly matching the film processing and the donor/acceptor ratio, devices with power conversion efficiency greater than 4% are demonstrated.
Iridium‐Catalysed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Enamides in the Presence of 3,3′‐Substituted H8‐Phosphoramidites
Authors: Erre Giulia , Enthaler Stephan , Junge Kathrin , Addis Daniele , Beller Matthias
Published: May 2009

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In situ generated iridium complexes containing bulky 3,3′‐substituted H8‐phosphoramidites as ligands catalyse the asymmetric hydrogenation of non‐functionalised enamides in high yield and good to excellent selectivity.
A Direct Amine‐Palladium Acetate Cocatalyzed Saegusa Oxidation Reaction of Unmodified Aldehydes to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes
Authors: Zhu Jin , Liu Jie , Ma Ruoqun , Xie Hexin , Li Jian , Jiang Hualiang , Wang Wei
Published: May 2009

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A direct preparation of synthetically useful α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes from readily available aldehydes has been developed. The process is effectively cocatalyzed by an amine‐palladium acetate to give rise to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in moderate to good yields (41–62%). The reaction features the use of unmodified aldehydes rather than enol silyl ethers, which are used in a typical Saegusa oxidation reaction.
Low‐dimensional models for real time simulations of catalytic monoliths
Authors: Joshi Saurabh Y. , Harold Michael P. , Balakotaiah Vemuri
Published: May 2009

We present accurate low‐dimensional models for real time simulation, control, and optimization of monolithic catalytic converters used in automobile exhaust treatment. These are derived directly by averaging the governing equations and using the concepts of internal and external mass transfer coefficients. They are expressed in terms of three concentration and two temperature modes and include washcoat diffusional effects without using the concept of the effectiveness factor. The models reduce to the classical two‐phase models in the limit of vanishingly thin washcoat. The models are validated by simulating the transient behavior of a three‐way converter for various cases and comparing the predictions with detailed solutions. It is shown that these new models are robust and accurate with practically acceptable error, speed up the computations by orders of magnitude, and can be used with confidence for the real time simulation and control of monolithic and other catalytic reactors. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Removal of arsenic from simulated groundwater by GAC‐Fe: A modeling approach
Authors: Mondal P. , Mohanty B. , Majumder C. B. , Bhandari N.
Published: May 2009

A study on kinetics and equilibrium is presented on the adsorption of arsenic species from simulated groundwater containing arsenic (As(III):As(V)::1:1), Fe and Mn in concentrations of 0.188 mg/L, 2.8 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L, respectively, by iron impregnated granular activated charcoal (GAC‐Fe). Also presented is the interaction effect of As, Fe and Mn on the removal of arsenic species from water, which simulates contaminated groundwater. Among conventional models, pseudo second‐order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm were adequate to explain the kinetics and equilibrium of adsorption process, respectively. However, in comparison to conventional isotherm empirical polynomial isotherm provided a more accurate prediction on equilibrium specific uptakes of arsenic species. Effects of initial concentrations of As, Fe and Mn on the removal of total arsenic (As(T)), As(V) & As(III) have been correlated within the error limit of −0.2 to +5.64%. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Pharmacogenetics of smoking cessation therapy
Authors: Kortmann Gustavo L. , Dobler Cristina J. , Bizarro Lisiane , Bau Claiton H.D.
Published: May 2009

Nicotine dependence is a major health problem, with a large amount of smoking‐related premature deaths and disabilities. The dependence mechanism of nicotine is especially complex and is under strong genetic influence. Smoking cessation is associated with substantial health benefits. Evidence from animal and human studies suggests that genetic polymorphisms influencing pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine may have great potential for aiding smoking treatment. There are more than 30 association studies and one genome‐wide association study (GWAS) between genetic polymorphisms and smoking cessation following nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and/or bupropion therapy. However, only a few candidate genes or regions were analyzed more than twice and even these genes require additional investigations in different therapeutic schemes. There are a growing number of new pharmacologic options that have not been pharmacogenetically assessed according to published literature. In addition, molecular genetics studies are needed to assess the functional mechanisms of some putative association results. Taken together, the preliminary findings are promising but raise the need for new studies with adequate sample sizes and adjustment for several potential confounding factors frequently neglected, such as comorbidity and sociodemographic factors. The current state of the art in the field encourages an optimist view that personalized treatment approaches may become possible. However, the current scientific evidence still does not support the use of pharmacogenetic tests in routine smoking cessation therapy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinship and social bonds in female chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Langergraber Kevin , Mitani John , Vigilant Linda
Published: May 2009

A large body of theoretical and empirical research suggests that kinship influences the development and maintenance of social bonds among group‐living female mammals, and that human females may be unusual in the extent to which individuals form differentiated social relationships with nonrelatives. Here we combine behavioral observations of party association, spatial proximity, grooming, and space use with extensive molecular genetic analyses to determine whether female chimpanzees form strong social bonds with unrelated individuals of the same sex. We compare our results with those obtained from male chimpanzees who live in the same community and have been shown to form strong social bonds with each other. We demonstrate that party association is as good a predictor of spatial proximity and grooming in females as it is in males, that the highest party association indices are consistently found between female dyads, that the sexes do not differ in the long‐term stability of their party association patterns, and that these results cannot be explained as a by‐product of the tendency of females to selectively range in particular areas of the territory. We also show that close kin (i.e. mother–daughter and sibling dyads) are very rare, indicating that the vast majority of female dyads that form strong social bonds are not closely related. Additional analyses reveal that “subgroups” of females, consisting of individuals who frequently associate with one another in similar areas of the territory, do not consist of relatives. This suggests that a passive form of kin‐biased dispersal, involving the differential migration of females from neighboring communities into subgroups, was also unlikely to be occurring. These results show that, as in males, kinship plays a limited role in structuring the intrasexual social relationships of female chimpanzees. Am. J. Primatol. 71:840–851, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent serine protein kinase and mental retardation
Authors: Hsueh Yi‐Ping
Published: May 2009

Calcium/calmodulin‐dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) belongs to the membrane‐associated guanylate kinase protein family. The members of this protein family function as multiple domain adaptor proteins originally identified at cell junctions and synapses. Insertional mutations or targeted disruption of the CASK gene in mice results in neonatal lethality, indicating an important role for CASK in development. Recently, several reports have also indicated that mutations in the human CASK gene result in X‐linked malformations of the brain and mental retardation. At the molecular level, many studies indicate that CASK is critical for synapse formation at both presynaptic and postsynaptic junctions, and in the regulation of gene expression. The known molecular functions of CASK explain, at least partially, mental retardation and brain developmental defects in patients. In this review, recent findings about CASK are summarized and discussed. Ann Neurol 2009;66:438–443
Formic Acid Dehydrogenation on Au‐Based Catalysts at Near‐Ambient Temperatures
Authors: Ojeda Manuel , Iglesia Enrique
Published: May 2009

Selektive Zersetzung von HCOOH zu H2/CO2 auf Au: Goldspezies katalysieren die HCOOH‐Dehydrierung effektiver als Platin, das bisher als aktivster Metallkatalysator galt. Die Geschwindigkeit der Formiatzersetzung ist durch die der H2‐Desorption von den Goldspezies bestimmt. Weniger als 10 ppm Kohlenmonoxid wurden während der Zersetzung gebildet, d. h., das Verfahren eignet sich für Niedertemperaturbrennstoffzellen.

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Structural Link between Giant Molybdenum Oxide Based Ions and Derived Keggin Structure: Modular Assemblies Based on the [BW11O39]9− Ion and Pentagonal {M′M5} Units (M′=W; M=Mo,W)
Authors: Leclerc‐Laronze Nathalie , Marrot Jérôme , Thouvenot René , Cadot Emmanuel
Published: May 2009

Fünfecke verbinden: [HBW11O39]8−‐Ionen reagieren mit Molybdat unter Bildung gemischter fünfeckiger {W(Mo5)}‐ und {W(WMo4)}‐Einheiten, die in den entstehenden modularen Konstrukten als Brücken wirken. Somit wurde eine Verbindung zwischen den Derivaten herkömmlicher Keggin‐Ionen und den riesigen Molybdänoxid‐ und Keplerat‐Ionen geschaffen.

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Functionalized Inorganic Monolithic Microreactors for High Productivity in Fine Chemicals Catalytic Synthesis
Authors: El Kadib Abdelkrim , Chimenton Ricardo , Sachse Alexander , Fajula François , Galarneau Anne , Coq Bernard
Published: May 2009

Highly productive: Grafted monolith silica skeleton microreactors process bulky molecules more efficiently than a batch mode reactor. This efficiency is due to a higher contact area, shorter diffusion path, and lower inhibition by products in the thin monolith skeleton. These materials provide a new approach in the field of heterogeneous catalysis for the synthesis of fine chemicals.

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Formic Acid Dehydrogenation on Au‐Based Catalysts at Near‐Ambient Temperatures
Authors: Ojeda Manuel , Iglesia Enrique
Published: May 2009

Selective HCOOH decomposition to H2/CO2 on Au: Au species catalyze HCOOH dehydrogenation at higher rates than on Pt, previously considered the most active metal. Dehydrogenation occurs through formate decomposition limited by H2 desorption on Au species undetectable by TEM. CO did not form (<10 ppm), making products suitable for low‐temperature fuel cells.

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Synthesis and Microcontact Printing of Dual End‐Functionalized Mucin‐like Glycopolymers for Microarray Applications
Authors: Godula Kamil , Rabuka David , Nam Ki Tae , Bertozzi Carolyn R.
Published: May 2009

Click to view: Glycopolymers can be used to display glycans on microarrays in native‐like architectures. The structurally uniform alkyne‐terminated mucin mimetic glycopolymers (see picture; TR=fluorophore) were printed on azide‐functionalized chips by microcontact printing in the presence of a copper catalyst. The surface‐bound glycopolymers bind lectins in a ligand‐specific manner.

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Titanium Binolate Catalyzed Aminolysis of meso Aziridines: A Highly Enantioselective and Direct Access to 1,2‐Diamines
Authors: Peruncheralathan Saravanan , Teller Henrik , Schneider Christoph
Published: May 2009

It's as simple as that: An in situ prepared chiral catalyst from the commercially available compounds Ti(OiPr)4 and (R)‐binol catalyzes the highly enantioselective ring‐opening of meso‐aziridines 1 with anilines 2 and furnishes valuable chiral 1,2‐diamines 3 in high yields and up to 99 % ee.(R)‐binol=(R)‐2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐binaphthyl.

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A Graphene Platform for Sensing Biomolecules
Authors: Lu Chun‐Hua , Yang Huang‐Hao , Zhu Chun‐Ling , Chen Xi , Chen Guo‐Nan
Published: May 2009

Sensitive platform: The use of graphene oxide (GO) as a platform for the sensitive and selective detection of DNA and proteins is presented. The interaction of GO and dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA leads to quenching of the dye fluorescence. Conversely, the presence of a target DNA or protein leads to the binding of the dye‐labeled DNA and target, releasing the DNA from GO, thereby restoring the dye fluorescence (see picture).

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Room‐Temperature CH Bond Activation of Methane by Bare [P4O10].+
Authors: Dietl Nicolas , Engeser Marianne , Schwarz Helmut
Published: May 2009

No need for a metal: A combination of mass spectrometry and computational studies (density functional theory and coupled‐cluster methods) shows that [P4O10].+ is the first polynuclear nonmetal oxide cation that is capable of activating the CH bond of methane at room temperature (see picture). This process represents a further example in the reactivity of oxygen‐centered radicals.

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Controlled Iterative Cross‐Coupling: On the Way to the Automation of Organic Synthesis
Authors: Wang Congyang , Glorius Frank
Published: May 2009

Repetition does not hurt! New strategies for the modulation of the reactivity of difunctional building blocks are discussed, allowing the palladium‐catalyzed controlled iterative cross‐coupling and, thus, the efficient formation of complex molecules of defined size and structure (see scheme). As in peptide synthesis, this development will enable the automation of these reactions. MPG=protected metal, Mact=metal.

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Metal‐based antitumor, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity: pharmacological evaluation of Knoevenagel condensate β‐diketone Schiff base thiosemicarbazone Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes
Authors: Raman N. , Jeyamurugan R. , Rajkapoor B. , Magesh V.
Published: May 2009

Knoevenagel condensate Schiff base ligands [L = 3‐cinnamalideneacetylacetone‐thiosemicarbazone (CAT)/3‐cinnama‐ lideneacetylacetoneethylthiosemicarbazone (CAET)/3‐cinnamalideneacetylacetonephenylthiosemicarbazone (CAPT)] and their copper/zinc complexes were synthesized. They were characterized by analytical and spectral techniques. From these data it was found that the ligands adopt square‐planar geometry on metalation with Cu2+ and Zn2+. To evaluate the antitumor and cytotoxic activity of the synthesized complexes in mice and human cancer cell lines, the antitumor activity of the complexes was evaluated against an Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor model. The activity was assessed using survival time and short‐term in vitro cytotoxic activity. Oral administration of complexes (100 mg/kg) increased the survival time. The cytotoxic activity of complexes was evaluated using human breast cancer (MDA‐MB‐231), colon cancer (HCT‐116) and nonsmall lung cancer (NCI‐H‐23) cell lines. Both the complexes possessed significant antitumor and cytotoxic activity on EAC and human cancer cell lines. The in vitro antimicrobial screening effect of the investigated compounds was also tested against the various organisms by well diffusion method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization and biological properties of sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their transition metal complexes
Authors: Chohan Zahid H. , Shad Hazoor A. , Nasim Faiz‐ul‐Hassan
Published: May 2009

Sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their first row d‐transition metal chelates [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] have been synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds have been proposed from magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, electron spectra, mass spectrometry and CHN analysis data. The structure of ligand, 4‐{[(E)‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl) methylidene] amino}‐N‐(4,6‐dimethyl pyrimidin‐2‐yl) benzene sulfonamide has also been determined by X‐ray diffraction method. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for all the complexes. The ligands and metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of polymer/organosilicate nanocomposites based on unmodified LDPE
Authors: Giannakas A. , Xidas P. , Triantafyllidis K. S. , Katsoulidis A. , Ladavos A.
Published: May 2009

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/silicate nanocomposites were prepared by the melt compounding and solution blend methods using unmodified LDPE polymer and layered silicates with different aspect ratio. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis performed on composites obtained by dispersing the organosilicates in molten LDPE evidenced an exfoliated or partially exfoliated structure for the low aspect ratio silicate (laponite) in contrast to the high aspect ratio silicate (montmorillonite), which led to the formation of intercalated nanocomposites. With regard to the preparation method, the melt compounding method was more effective in forming exfoliated/highly intercalated LDPE nanocomposites compared with the solution blend method (using CCl4 as a solvent). A gradual increase in crystallization temperatures (Tc) with increasing laponite content for LDPE‐organolaponite nanocomposites was revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Thermogravimetric analysis and tensile measurements results indicated that thermal stability and elastic modulus increment were more prevalent for nanocomposites prepared using organomontmorillonite as filler. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis and photopolymerizations of new phosphonated methacrylates from alkyl α‐hydroxymethacrylates and glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Sahin Gorkem , Avci Duygu , Karahan Ozlem , Moszner Norbert
Published: May 2009

Novel aromatic mono‐ and di(phosphonate) or phosphonic acid monomers for use in dental composites were synthesized. Synthesis of monomer 1a involved three steps: (i) reaction of t‐butyl α‐bromomethacrylate (t‐BuBMA) and Bisphenol A, (ii) conversion to diacid chloride derivative using thionyl chloride, (iii) reaction of diacid chloride with diethyl (2‐hydroxyphenyl) phosphonate. Monomer 2a was synthesized from the reaction of 2‐chloromethacryloyl chloride and diethyl (2‐hydroxyphenyl) phosphonate. Synthesis of monomer 3a involved reaction of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) with diethyl (2‐hydroxyphenyl) phosphonate. Hydrolysis of the phosphonate groups of monomers 1a and 2a with trimethylsilyl bromide (TMSBr) gave monomers 1b and 2b with phosphonic acid functionality, which is intended to improve binding ability of dental composites. The homopolymerization and copolymerization behaviors of the synthesized monomers with (Bis‐GMA) were investigated using photodifferential scanning calorimetry at 40°C with 2,2′‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl acetophenone as photoinitiator. The interaction of the monomer 1b with hydroxyapatite (HAP) was investigated using Fourier transform infrared technique. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Mechanical properties, thermal stability, gas permeability, and phase morphology in natural rubber/bromobutyl rubber blends
Authors: Rattanasom N. , Prasertsri S. , Suchiva K.
Published: May 2009

This work was performed to relate the morphological features and all important properties of the natural rubber (NR) and bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) blends containing hybrid fillers. The BIIR content was varied from 0 to 100 wt%. It is found that tensile and tear strength, hardness as well as resilience of blends tend to decrease with increasing BIIR loading. Regarding the blend morphology, phase inversion is observed when BIIR loading is >50 wt % where BIIR becomes a continuous phase. This result coincides with the marked improvement of thermal stability of the blends determined using thermogravimetric analysis and heat ageing method. Interestingly, that, the gas permeability of blends markedly reduces with an increase in BIIR loading up to 40 wt % when the relatively large elongated particles of BIIR dispersed phase is formed. The results indicate that the relatively large connected structure of the dispersed BIIR can act effectively as a gas barrier. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009