bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and pathologic features and clinical impact of false negative thyroid fine‐needle aspirations
Authors: Jean‐Gilles Jerome , Fischer Andrew H. , Luu Martin H. , Owens Christopher L.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

Although thyroid fine‐needle aspiration (TFNA) is an excellent test in evaluating thyroid nodules, there are occasionally false negatives (FN). The clinical impact and pathologic features of FN TFNA is understudied in the peer‐reviewed literature.

METHODS:

A cohort of patients with thyroid cancer was separated into those with referring FN TFNA and those with referring true positive (TP) TFNA. Preoperative characteristics, pathologic finding, and clinical outcomes were compared within the 2 groups.

RESULTS:

A total of 192 patients with TP TFNA (n = 162) and FN TFNA (n = 30) were included in the study. There were no significant differences in the demographics or length of follow‐up of the 2 groups. The FN TFNA group was more likely to have a larger clinical nodule size and experienced a significant delay from initial TFNA to surgery. The FN TFNA group was more likely to be diagnosed with the follicular variant of papillary thyroid cancer (73.3% vs 25.9%, P < .001), less likely to have positive lymph nodes at surgery (6.7% vs 35.8%, P = .001), and more likely to undergo 2‐step surgery (30% vs 9.9%, P = .007). Despite the delay in diagnosis, persistent/recurrent or metastatic disease, incidence of aggressive histologic variants, and pT4 disease was not different in the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The clinical impact of FN TFNA at our high‐volume center is minimal. Cancers in this setting are low grade, and outcomes are not adversely affected despite the delay in diagnosis. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Systematic mapping of fragile X granules in the mouse brain reveals a potential role for presynaptic FMRP in sensorimotor functions
Authors: Akins Michael R. , LeBlanc Hannah F. , Stackpole Emily E. , Chyung Eunice , Fallon Justin R.
Published: April 2012

Loss of Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) leads to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and autism. Although the functions of FMRP and its homologs FXR1P and FXR2P are well studied in the somatodendritic domain, recent evidence suggests that this family of RNA binding proteins also plays a role in the axonal and presynaptic compartments. Fragile X granules (FXGs) are morphologically and genetically defined structures containing Fragile X proteins that are expressed axonally and presynaptically in a subset of circuits. To further understand the role of presynaptic Fragile X proteins in the brain, we systematically mapped the FXG distribution in the mouse central nervous system. This analysis revealed both the circuits and the neuronal types that express FXGs. FXGs are enriched in circuits that mediate sensory processing and motor planning—functions that are particularly perturbed in FXS patients. Analysis of FXG expression in the hippocampus suggests that CA3 pyramidal neurons use presynaptic Fragile X proteins to modulate recurrent but not feedforward processing. Neuron‐specific FMRP mutants revealed a requirement for neuronal FMRP in the regulation of FXGs. Finally, conditional FMRP ablation demonstrated that FXGs are expressed in axons of thalamic relay nuclei that innervate cortex, but not in axons of thalamic reticular nuclei, striatal nuclei, or cortical neurons that innervate thalamus. Together, these findings support the proposal that dysregulation of axonal and presynaptic Fragile X proteins contribute to the neurological symptoms of FXS. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:3687–3706, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential expression of components of the retinoic acid signaling pathway in the adult mouse olfactory epithelium
Authors: Peluso Carolyn E. , Jang Woochan , Dräger Ursula C. , Schwob James E.
Published: April 2012

Position within a tissue often correlates with cellular phenotype, for example, differential expression of odorant receptors and cell adhesion molecules across the olfactory mucosa (OM). The association between position and phenotype is often paralleled by gradations in the concentration of retinoic acid (RA), caused by differential expression of the RA synthetic enzymes, the retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (RALDH). We show here that RALDH‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 are enriched in the sustentacular cells, deep fibroblasts of the lamina propria, and the superficial fibroblasts, respectively, of the ventral and lateral OM as compared to the dorsomedial OM. The shift from high to low expression of the RALDHs matches the boundary defined by the differential expression of OCAM/mamFasII. Further, we found that RA‐binding proteins are expressed in the epithelium overlying the RALDH‐3 expressing fibroblasts of the lamina propria. Both findings suggest that local alterations in RA concentration may be more important than a gradient of RA across the epithelial plane, per se. In addition, RALDH‐3 is found in a small population of basal cells in the ventral and lateral epithelium, which expand and contribute to the neuronal lineage following MeBr lesion. Indeed, transduction with a retrovirus expressing a dominant negative form of retinoic acid receptor type alpha blocks the reappearance of mature, olfactory marker protein (OMP) (+) olfactory neurons as compared to empty vector. These results support the notion of a potential role for RA, both in maintaining the spatial organization of the normal olfactory epithelium and in reestablishing the neuronal population during regeneration after injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:3707–3726, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy efficient genetic‐based schedulers in computational grids
Authors: Kołodziej Joanna , Khan Samee Ullah , Wang Lizhe , Zomaya Albert Y.
Published: April 2012

In today's highly parametrized distributed computational environments, such as green grid clusters and clouds, the growing power and cooling rates are becoming the dominant part of the users' and system managers' budgets. Computational grids, owing to their sheer sizes, still require advanced methodologies and strategies for supporting the scheduling of the users' tasks and applications to the distributed resources. The efficient resource allocation becomes even more challenging when energy utilization, beyond the conventional scheduling criteria, such as Makespan, is treated as first‐class additional scheduling objective. In this paper, we address the independent batch scheduling in computational grid as a bi‐objective global minimization problem with Makespan and energy consumption as the main criteria. We apply the dynamic voltage and frequency scaling model for the management of the cumulative power energy utilized by the grid resources. We develop three genetic algorithms as energy‐aware grid schedulers, which were empirically evaluated in three grid size scenarios in static and dynamic modes. The simulation results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed genetic algorithm‐based schedulers in the reduction of the energy consumed by the whole system and in dynamic load balancing of the resources in grid clusters, which is sufficient to maintain the desired quality level(s). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐voltage low‐power CMOS receiver front‐end for gigabit short‐reach optical communications
Authors: Gimeno C. , Aldea C. , Celma S. , Aznar F.
Published: April 2012

This article presents a new CMOS receiver analog front‐end for short‐reach high‐speed optical communications, which compensates the limited product bandwidth length of 1‐mm step‐index plastic optical fiber (SI‐POF) channels (45 MHz · 100 m) and the required large‐diameter high‐capacitance Si PIN photodetector (0.8 mm–3 pF). The proposed architecture, formed by a transimpedance amplifier and a continuous‐time equalizer, has been designed in a standard 0.18‐µm CMOS process with a single supply voltage of only 1 V, targeting gigabit transmission for simple no‐return‐to‐zero modulation consuming less than 23 mW. Experimental results validate the approach for cost‐effective gigabit SI‐POF transmission. Comparative analysis with previously reported POF receivers has been carried out by introducing a useful figure of merit. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of a Jup hypomorphic allele reveals a critical threshold for postnatal viability
Authors: Swope David , Li Jifen , Muller Eliane J. , Radice Glenn L.
Published: April 2012

Mutations in the human Jup gene cause arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a heart muscle disease that often leads to sudden cardiac death. Inactivation of the murine Jup gene (also known as plakoglobin) results in embryonic lethality due to cardiac rupture. In an effort to generate a conditional knockout allele, a neomycin cassette was introduced into the murine plakoglobin (PG) gene. This allele (PG FN) functions as a hypomorph when combined with a null allele (PG Δ). About half of the PG FN/Δ animals were smaller than their littermates and died before weaning age, whereas the remaining PG FN/Δ animals survived. Despite the reduced levels of PG in the heart, there were no signs of cardiomyopathy or cardiac dysfunction as determined by echocardiography. Importantly, the PG homolog, β‐catenin (CTNNB1), was increased in the PG FN/Δ hearts. In addition to its structural role as part of the N‐cadherin/catenin adhesion complex, β‐catenin is a downstream effector of Wnt signaling. However, no change in β‐catenin/TCF reporter activity was observed in PG FN/Δ embryos suggesting that excess β‐catenin was not likely causing increased transcription of Wnt/β‐catenin target genes. These data suggest novel function(s) for PG beyond the heart and define a critical threshold of PG expression that is necessary for postnatal survival. genesis 50:717–727, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of conditional alleles for Foxc1 and Foxc2 in mice
Authors: Sasman Amy , Nassano‐Miller Carey , Shim Kyoo Seok , Koo Hyun Young , Liu Ting , Schultz Kathryn M. , Millay Meredith , Nanano Atsushi , Kang Myengmo , Suzuki Takashi , Kume Tsutomu
Published: April 2012

The Forkhead box transcription factors, Foxc1 and Foxc2, are crucial for development of the eye, cardiovascular network, and other physiological systems, but their cell‐type specific and postdevelopmental functions are unknown, in part because conventional (i.e., whole‐organism) homozygous‐null mutations of either factor result in perinatal death. Here, we describe the generation of mice with conditional‐null Foxc1flox and Foxc2flox mutations that are induced via Cre‐mediated recombination. Mice homozygous for the unrecombined alleles are viable and fertile, indicating that the conditional alleles retain their wild‐type function. The embryos of Foxc1flox or Foxc2flox mice crossed with Cre‐deleter mice that are homozygous for the recombined allele (i.e., Foxc1Δ/Δ or Foxc2Δ/Δ embryos) lack expression of the corresponding gene and show the same developmental defects observed in conventional homozygous mutant embryos. We expect these conditional mutations to enable characterization of the cell‐type specific functions of Foxc1 and Foxc2 in development, disease, and adult animals. genesis 50:766–774, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Targeting Carbonic Anhydrases with Fluorescent BODIPY‐Labelled Sulfonamides
Authors: Waghorn Philip A. , Jones Michael W. , McIntyre Alan , Innocenti Alessio , Vullo Daniela , Harris Adrian L. , Supuran Claudiu T. , Dilworth Jonathan R.
Published: April 2012

In the pursuit of dual‐mode imaging agents of the tumour hypoxia markers carbonic anhydrases (CA) IX and XII, sulfonamides 4‐(2‐aminoethyl)benzenesulfonamide and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole were functionalised with a 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐borata‐3a‐azonia‐4a‐aza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) dye to afford fluorescent aromatic sulfonamide conjugates as potential agents for simultaneous positron emission tomography and fluorescence imaging. Both compounds exhibited nanomolar potency as inhibitors of four CA isoforms: the cytosolic CA I and II, and the transmembrane CA IX and XII. Cell uptake experiments with a CA IX positive and null cell line showed no uptake with the 1,3,4‐thiadiazole species in either cell line, whilst the benzenesulfonamide species showed uniform internalisation in both cell lines that limited these compounds as selective imaging agents.
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Mono‐ and Polynuclear Spin‐Crossover Systems
Authors: Wolny Juliusz A. , Diller Rolf , Schünemann Volker
Published: April 2012

Vibrational spectroscopy can be used to follow spin transition processes, induced by a change of temperature, pressure, or irradiation with light of suitable wavelength, in spin‐crossover (SCO) molecules. In this contribution, recent applications of infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as well as nuclear inelastic scattering (NIS), are reviewed. In the past, vibrational spectroscopic methods have been used to identify spin marker bands that reflect the different spin states in a sample. This application is certainly still one of the major ones and is used especially in connection with mode assignments by modern density functional calculations. However, during the last years also major progress has been achieved (1) in studying nano‐ and microstructures of SCO complexes, (2) in the search for spin domains, and (3) also in the investigation of the spin switch process itself, which is nowadays studied not only by ultrafast time‐dependent UV/Vis spectroscopy, but also by femtosecond IR and Raman spectroscopy.
Evaluating cell migration in vitro by the method based on cell patterning within microfluidic channels
Authors: Wang Yan , Chen Zhenling , Xiao Le , Du Zhiyan , Han Xiaoxi , Yu Xiaodan , Lu Yinglin
Published: April 2012

Cell migration is an early‐stage and critical step for cancer metastasis. The most common approach to monitor this process is wound‐healing assay. However, this traditional method has some unavoidable limitations. We observed that simply scratching the monolayer of cultured cells might cause local cell damage around the injury line. The cells along the scratched border seemed to be irritated and exhibited abnormal distribution of cytoskeleton reassembly with protruding “cell islands” and “pseudopodia” during wound healing, which might potentially affect the assessment of cell migration behavior. Herein, we applied a microfluidic device that mechanically constrained cells seeded in a designed pattern inside microchannels, and monitored cell movement in a way of mimicking the natural microenvironment of cancerous tissues. We illustrated the capacity of this simple method to probe cellular migration behaviors and to screen some biological active agents that reflected in their influence on cellular motility.
Separation and identification of four distinct serine‐phosphorylation states of ovalbumin by Phos‐tag affinity electrophoresis
Authors: Kinoshita‐Kikuta Emiko , Kinoshita Eiji , Koike Tohru
Published: April 2012

Ovalbumin (OVA) derived from egg white contains two residues that can be phosphorylated: Ser‐68 and Ser‐344. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PAGE) shows the presence of three distinct migration bands corresponding to phosphorylation states with two, one, or no phosphate groups, respectively. Phosphate‐affinity sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE; Zn2+–Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE), on the other hand, showed the presence of four distinct phosphorylated states in intact OVA. In addition to the diphosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms, two distinct species, one with a phosphate group at Ser‐68 and one with a phosphate group at Ser‐344, were separately visualized. The content of the OVA monophosphorylated at Ser‐68 was greater than that of OVA monophosphorylated at Ser‐344. Zn2+–Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE is therefore a useful method for the quantitative analysis of the detailed phosphorylation status of food proteins.
Synthesis of waste‐derived glass‐ceramics from MSWI fly ash and EAF dust: Kinetics of nucleation and crystallization
Authors: Chu Tien‐Chun , Wang Kuen‐Sheng , Lin Kae‐Long , Chien Chang‐Ching , Chen Jung‐Hsing
Published: April 2012

The kinetics of crystal nucleation and growth critically affect the conversion of waste into high‐quality glass‐ceramics. This study investigates the effects of prenucleation treatment on the kinetic behavior of a waste‐derived glass‐ceramicsynthesized from a mixture of municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash and electric arc furnace dust. The crystallization kinetic parameters of annealed and prenucleated glass samples were determined by differential thermal analysis under nonisothermal conditions. Prenucleation experimental results revealed a temperature and time of maximum nucleation of 700°C and 30 min, respectively. Crystallographic and microstructural analyses revealed that the main crystalline phases were melilite and augite, with an equiaxed grain morphology, and were embedded in the glassy matrix. The activation energies (Ec) for the crystallization of the annealed and prenucleated glass samples, determined using modified Kissinger and Ozawa equations, were in the ranges of 367.4–395.2 and 199.8–214.6 kJ/mol, respectively. The Avrami constant (n) was 1.8 for the annealed glass and 1.5 for the prenucleated glass. These results confirm a significant difference between the Ec values of the annealed glass and prenucleated glass, suggesting that mixed ash‐based glass is suitable for use in the two‐stage crystallization thermal treatment adopted in this study. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 480–488, 2013
A deployable decentralized biofilm system for degrading organic carbon and benzene in wastewater
Authors: Chen Dong , Lin Che‐Jen , Jones R. Gavin , Patel Sehul , Smith Rachelle , Simons Kelsie , Davis Jeffrey L. , Waisner Scott A.
Published: April 2012

A fixed biofilm system was explored for decentralized wastewater treatment utilizing laboratory cultivated microorganisms including Gordonia sp. The system is deployable in a 40‐ft ISO container/trailer or on a C‐130 aircraft. Experimental results indicated that pre‐addition of raw wastewater to the microbial culture before inoculation resulted in a significantly higher BOD5 degradation (77 ± 2% in 24 h) than the consortium alone (58 ± 10%) during the startup of the system. After the pilot system was in semi‐continuous operation with an average flow rate of 13.2 L/min, the removal efficiency of BOD5 and total suspended solids (TSS) was 83 ± 9 and 84 ± 9, respectively. As an important supplement to the pilot studies, laboratorial tests by headspace analysis showed that the Gordonia sp. were able to degrade benzene in water. More significant biodegradation of benzene was found in sessile form (57 ± 8%) than in planktonic form (25 ± 11%) with minimal glucose in 26 h. However, no benzene degradation was found in sessile form when no glucose was supplied. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 505–511, 2013
What chemicals will we need to capture CO2?
Authors: Bara Jason E.
Published: April 2012

A number of solvents have been proposed for CO2 capture from post‐combustion flue gas streams. Currently, the solvents furthest along in development are aqueous amine solutions, stemming from nearly a century of use and know‐how developed within the natural gas industry. Of these, monoethanolamine (MEA) is perhaps the most well‐known, thoroughly studied, and readily available, yet likely cannot meet the stringent energy and cost limitations required to economically achieve 90% CO2 capture at coal‐fired power plants. Also in development are piperazine (PZ) and several hindered and ‘advanced’ amines, which show great potential to improve energy efficiency and stability, but are not yet produced on a scale approaching that of MEA. Many other novel solvents have also been proposed, but few have been taken beyond bench‐scale activities. Eventually, as CO2 capture processes are broadly deployed worldwide, the solvent(s) with the most favorable economics and performance will need to be manufactured in annual quantities of 1 Mton or greater, effectively creating at least one new chemical of global industrial importance. With the ultimate goal of deep reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in mind, the processes by which chemicals for CO2 capture are manufactured should also be considered in terms of their energy requirements, efficiencies, waste products, and CO2 emissions. This review begins to address some of these technical and economic questions by examining the manufacture of several amines that have been proposed for post‐combustion CO2 capture, as well as the fundamental building block of all amines, ammonia. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Promoted CO2 absorption in aqueous ammonia
Authors: Yu Hai , Xiang Qunyang , Fang Mengxiang , Yang Qi , Feron Paul
Published: April 2012

Aqueous ammonia is a promising solvent for post combustion CO2 capture but the CO2 absorption rate in aqueous ammonia alone is low. This short communication investigates the effect of seven additives as potential promoters of CO2 absorption in aqueous ammonia, and aims to inspire more research to develop effective promoters to increase CO2 absorption in aqueous ammonia and further advance the aqueous ammonia‐based capture process. The additives were monoethanolamine, piperazine, 1‐methyl piperazine, 4‐amino piperidine and the sodium salts of three amino acids: sarcosine, taurine and glycine. Experiments were performed on a wetted wall column at an absorption temperature of 15 °C using 3 M (mol/L) NH3 in the presence and absence of 0. 3 M of each additive. CO2 mass transfer coefficients increased to different extents in the presence of different additives. Piperazine, 1‐methyl piperazine and sarcosine sodium salt promoted CO2 absorption in aqueous NH3 to a greater extent than the other additives. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Formation of phosphorus‐containing cage structures in the reaction of 2‐ethoxyvinylphosphonic acid dichloroanhydride with resorcinol and its derivatives
Authors: Sadykova Yulia M. , Dalmatova Natalia V. , Voronina Yulia K. , Burilov Alexander R. , Pudovik Michael A. , Sinyashin Oleg G.
Published: April 2012

The scheme of formation of bicyclic phosphonates 3 synthesized on the basis of resorcinol and its derivatives was suggested based on the model reactions of dichloroanhydride 1 with 3‐methoxyphenol 7 in the presence of triethylamine with a variable ratio of reagents. Composition and structure of the products obtained were confirmed according to 1H and 31P NMR, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X‐ray analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 23:340–344, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.21022
Electrophysiological and morphological properties of neurons in layer 5 of the rat postrhinal cortex
Authors: Sills Joseph B. , Connors Barry W. , Burwell Rebecca D.
Published: April 2012

The postrhinal (POR) cortex of the rat is homologous to the parahippocampal cortex of the primate based on connections and other criteria. POR provides the major visual and visuospatial input to the hippocampal formation, both directly to CA1 and indirectly through connections with the medial entorhinal cortex. Although the cortical and hippocampal connections of the POR cortex are well described, the physiology of POR neurons has not been studied. Here, we examined theelectrical and morphological characteristics of layer 5 neurons from POR cortex of 14‐ to 16‐day‐old rats using an in vitro slice preparation. Neurons were subjectively classified as regular‐spiking (RS), fast‐spiking (FS), or low‐threshold spiking (LTS) based on their electrophysiological properties and similarities with neurons in other regions of neocortex. Cells stained with biocytin included pyramidal cells and interneurons with bitufted or multipolar dendritic patterns. Similarity analysis using only physiological data yielded three clusters that corresponded to FS, LTS, and RS classes. The cluster corresponding to the FS class was composed entirely of multipolar nonpyramidal cells, and the cluster corresponding to the RS class was composed entirely of pyramidal cells. The third cluster, corresponding to the LTS class, was heterogeneous and included both multipolar and bitufted dendritic arbors as well as one pyramidal cell. We did not observe any intrinsically bursting pyramidal cells, which is similar to entorhinal cortex but unlike perirhinal cortex. We conclude that POR includes at least two major classes of neocortical inhibitory interneurons, but has a functionally restricted cohort of pyramidal cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expanding early childhood mental health consultation to new venues: Serving infants and young children in domestic violence and homeless shelters
Authors: Brinamen Charles F. , Taranta Adriana N. , Johnston Kadija
Published: April 2012

The number of infants and young children affected by homelessness and domestic violence is growing, and the effect of these experiences on children is wide‐ranging. Early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC) has expanded to these settings to help the adults attend to very young children whose needs are often obscured by families' crises. Recent research in ECMHC to childcare has cited the salience of the consultant–consultee relationship as the central contributor to positive change in caregiver's behavior and children's experience. This article explores the similarities and variations in the consultant's way of being that are necessary to expand this relationship‐based ECMHC model to adult‐focused settings. This has incorporated a combination of consultative shifts: expanded training, appreciation for families' survival priorities, attention to the effects of unavoidable adult decisions on children, increased tolerance for the affect this raises in parents and caseworkers, and greater efforts to create space for reflection and thinking. Caseworkers' attenuated contact with and limited prior knowledge about young children creates challenges in identifying and responding to concerns about children. The particular systemic and relational difficulties that emerge in shelters and that influence caseworkers' responsiveness to clients are explored.
GED and other noncredit courses: The other side of the community college
Authors: Ryder Andrew J. , Hagedorn Linda Serra
Published: April 2012

This chapter examines the involvement of the community college in the GED process as well as the academic outcomes for high school dropouts who have enrolled in the program. Using Iowa as an example, the chapter examines the available data and derives important policies for GED in specific and other noncredit coursework in general.
Final words
Authors: Bers Trudy
Published: April 2012

This final chapter provides observations about institutional research in community colleges derived from the preceding chapters and the issue editors' own experiences.
Auditing your executive compensation plan
Authors: Cornell Robert M. , Schwartz Jr. William C.
Published: April 2012

Corporations' compensation practices have recently received increased scrutiny from investors, lawmakers, auditors, and regulators. Incentive pay packages, especially at financial firms, have been described as excessive and out of control. However, incentive plans remain a critical mechanism for firms to attract, reward, and motivate employees to work in ways to maximize firm value. Additionally, compensation costs are a significant expenditure that firms must continually manage and monitor. This article discusses why incentive compensation is important to firm management, barriers to effective incentive compensation, and suggestions for how CEOs, CFOs, and boards of directors can improve the link between incentives and the health of the firm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction between alkyl radicals and single wall carbon nanotubes
Authors: Denis Pablo A.
Published: April 2012

The addition of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals to single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was studied by means of dispersion corrected density functional theory. The PBE, B97‐D, M06‐L, and M06‐2X functionals were used. Consideration of Van der Waals interactions is essential to obtain accurate addition energies. In effect, the enthalpy changes at 298 K, for the addition of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and tert‐butyl radicals onto a (5,5) SWCNT are: −25.7, −25.1, −22.4, and −16.6 kcal/mol, at the M06‐2X level, respectively, whereas at PBE/6‐31G* level they are significantly lower: −25.0, −19.0, −16.7, and −5.0 kcal/mol respectively. Although the binding energies are small, the attached alkyl radicals are expected to be stable because of the large desorption barriers. The importance of nonbonded interactions was more noticeable as we moved from primary to tertiary alkyl radicals. Indeed, for the tert‐butyl radical, physisorption onto the (11,0) SWCNT is preferred rather than chemisorption. The bond dissociation energies determined for alkyl radicals and SWCNT follow the trend suggested by the consideration of radical stabilization energies. However, they are in disagreement with some degrees of functionalization observed in recent experiments. This discrepancy would stem from the fact that for some HiPco nanotubes, nonbonded interactions with alkyl radicals are stronger than covalent bonds. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Healthcare innovation barriers: Results of a survey of certified professional healthcare risk managers
Authors: Bunting Jr. Robert F.
Published: April 2012

Medical errors cause significant patient injuries, including deaths. Innovations designed to improve quality and reduce risk are numerous, as are the barriers that prevent innovation implementation. The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationships, if any, between the independent variables of hospital bed size and organizational structure, and the dependent variable barriers to three innovations: implementing a surgical safety checklist, preventing catheter‐associated urinary tract infections, and adopting patient‐ and family‐centered care. The findings strengthen and expand existing research and serve as the foundation for understanding barriers to implementation of three healthcare innovations. Future research should focus on organizational culture instead of innovation‐specific barriers and should incorporate other independent variables, such as organizational profitability.
Beyond FMEA: The structured what‐if technique (SWIFT)
Authors: Card Alan J. , Ward James R. , Clarkson P. John
Published: April 2012

Although it is probably the best‐known prospective hazard analysis (PHA) tool, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is far from the only option available. This article introduces one of the alternatives: The structured what‐if technique (SWIFT). SWIFT is a flexible, high‐level risk identification technique that can be used on a stand‐alone basis, or as part of a staged approach to make more efficient use of bottom‐up methods like FMEA. In this article we describe the method, assess the evidence related to its use in healthcare with the use of a systematic literature review, and suggest ways in which it could be better adapted for use in the healthcare industry. Based on the limited evidence available, it appears that healthcare workers find it easy to learn, easy to use, and credible. Especially when used as part of a staged approach, SWIFT appears capable of playing a useful role as component of the PHA armamentarium.
Synthesis and in vivo evaluation (PIG) of CP‐643,051, the N‐[11C]methyl analogue of the NK1 receptor antagonist CP‐122,721
Authors: Bender D. , Smith D. F. , Marthi K. , Gjedde A.
Published: April 2012

The goal of this study was the synthesis and in vivo evaluation of a non‐peptide compound for studying the NK1 receptor by PET. An N‐methyl analogue of CP‐122, 721, i. e. CP‐643, 051 was chosen. Radiolabelling was achieved by N‐methylation of CP‐122, 721 with [11C]methyl iodide. Within 38 min (from EOB) 680 MBq of [11C]CP‐643, 051 (radiochemical yield: 7%, purity >95%, S.A.: 37 GBq/μmol) was produced. Brain uptake and distribution were studied in anaesthetised pig. In conclusion, due to low brain uptake the compound is not a suitable ligand for studying the NK1 receptor in vivo.
[18F]fluoropropylsqualamine as an angiogenesis imaging agent
Authors: Shiue C‐Y. , Shiue G. G. , Alavi A. A. , Jones S. , Zasloff M. A.
Published: April 2012

Angiogenesis is an essential event in many physiological processes such as wound repair, ovulation, and embryogenesis. Neovascularization is also a key component of many pathological processes such as inflammation, glaucoma, diabetic, myocardial ischemia, psoriasis and tumor formation (1, 2). New vessel formation in both physiological and pathological states begins with the activation of endothelial cells in established venules or capillaries in response to an angiogenic stimulus. For tumor‐induced angiogenesis, endothelial activation is mediated by a variety of soluble mitogens produced by the tumor cells that act in a paracrine manner via specific receptors on the endothelial cell (3). Angiogenesis inhibition has become a well‐described antitumor treatment strategy, because avascular tumors are incapable of growth and have little metastatic potential (4). Antagonists of receptors of specific mitogens have been used to inhibit neovascularization in experimental models (5, 6), but a specific receptor antagonist does not necessarily offer protection against tumors that are known to secrete a variety of angiogenic factors. Squalamine (1, Figure 1) is a natural aminosterol found in the tissues of the dogfish shark, which was initially identified based on its antimicrobial activity (7). Recently, we have synthesized (8) and shown that squalamine inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in multiple animals models (9). This effect is mediated, at least in part, by blocking mitogen‐induced proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, thus preventing neovascularization of the tumor. Compound 1 has no observable effect on unstimulated endothelial cells, is not directly cytotoxic to tumor cells, does not alter mitogen production by tumor cells, has no obvious effects on the growth of newborn vertebrates, and has remarkable effects on the primitive vascular bed of the chick chorioallantoic membrane, which has striking similarities to tumor capillaries. Its fluorinated analog, N‐fluoropropylsqualamine (2) has similar biological properties as that of compound 1. Therefore, we have synthesized N‐[18F]fluoropropylsqualamine (2) and evaluated it as an angiogenesis imaging agent.
Synthesis of [11C]S12968 and [11C]S12967 for imaging the cardiac calcium channels using pet
Authors: Dollé F. , Valette H. , Hinnen F. , Demphel S. , Bramoullé Y. , Péglion J.‐L. , Crouzel C.
Published: April 2012

The dihydropyridines S12968 and S12967, two potent and selective calcium channel antagonists, have been labelled with carbon‐11 using no‐carrier‐added [11C]methyl triflate and the dedicated, enantiomerically pure carboxylic acid precursor at 100°C for 1 minute. Based on preliminary PET experiments, only S12968 appears to be suitable for myocardial PET imaging.
Carbon‐11 labelling of the α‐2 antagonist atipamezole
Authors: Roeda D. , Sipilä H. T. , Bramoullé Y. , Enas J. D. , Vaufrey F. , Dollé F. , Crouzel C.
Published: April 2012

The α‐2 antagonist Atipamezole has been labelled with carbon‐11 using [11C]CH2O and the corresponding α‐ketoaldehyde 1. For the synthesis of 1 two routes are proposed. The radiochemical yield of [11C]Atipamezole was 24% relative to [11C]CH2O and the synthesis time, including HPLC purification, was 30 minutes.
Vincristine toxicity: The effect on the biodistribution of radiopharma ceutical and in the optical microscopy of organs isolated from the treated animals
Authors: Mattos D. M. M. , Gomes M. L. , Freitas R. S. , Moreno S. , Nascimento A. L. R. , Carvalho J. J. , Bernardo‐Filho M.
Published: April 2012

There are many articles and textbooks quoting examples of drug‐radiopharmaceutical interactions. Such interactions arise as a result of an exaggerated pharmacological activity of the drug producing altered biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical. Vincristine was administered into mice, one hour after the last dose, technetium‐99m‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc‐DTPA) was injected. After 0.5 hour, the animals were sacrificed and the percentage of total radioactivity (%ATI) was calculated. In the treated animals, 99mTc‐DTPA has increased in uterus, ovary, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, kidney, lung, liver, stomach, heart and bone. Optical microscopy of a portion of ring fragment of spleen, kidney and liver were cut into strips and fixed, postfixed, dehydrated and Epon embedded. Semithin sections were prepared and stained with toluidine blue. The results revel that in kidney and liver no have alterations, but, in spleen, an increased of extracellular matrix was observed. The results can be explained by its metabolization, therapeutic, toxic and/or immunosupressive actions of this chemotherapeutic drug.
Preparation of cyclopentadienyl tricarbonyl technetium‐94m complexes
Authors: Luyt L. G. , Mull E. S. , Katzenellenbogen J. A. , Bigott H. M. , Welch M. J.
Published: April 2012

Cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl complexes with technetium‐94m have been prepared by two methods and were characterized by comparison to rhenium analogues.
Tc Oxocomplexes with the PNO/S and PNS/S donor atom sets: Labelling of a 5HT1A receptor — binding ligand
Authors: Fernandes C. , Correia J. D. G. , Gano L. , Santos I. , Seifert S. , Syhre R. , Spies H.
Published: April 2012

Mixed — ligand model complexes, [99mTc(O)(PNX)(SPh)] (XO (1a), S (2a)), were synthesized from [99mTcO4]−. These compounds were characterized by comparing their radioactive HPLC profiles with the UV profiles of the analytically pure Re compounds 1 and 2. Based on stability studies, undertaken in aqueous solutions and in glutathione challenge experiments, 2a was chosen for biodistribution studies in rats. Using this approach, the labelling of a 5‐HT1A receptor ligand (derivatized aryl‐piperazine) with 99mTc was also performed using the PNS chelate.
Comparison of the precipitation methods (ammonium sulphate and trichloroacetic acid) to evaluate the in vivo binding of 99mTc‐MDP on blood constituents
Authors: Freitas R. S. , Gomes M. L. , Mattos D. M. , Moreno S. R. , Feliciano G. D. , Lima E. , Lima‐Filho G. L. , Penas M. E. , Orlando M. M. C. , Bernardo‐Filho M.
Published: April 2012

The determination of the radiopharmaceutical binding on blood constituents is worthwhile to understand the biodistribution and to dosimetric considerations. We studied this binding of the Tc‐99m methylenediphosphonic acid (99mTc‐MDP) used to bone evaluation. This radiopharmaceutical was administrated in Wistar rats and after 5 min, blood was withdrawn with anticoagulant. The samples were centrifuged, plasma (P) and blood cells (BC) separated, precipitated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or ammoniun sulfate (AS) in various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10 and 20%) and soluble (SF) and insoluble fractions (IF) isolated. The percent of radioactivity (% ATI) in the fractions was determined. The % ATI on P was 84.58 ± 8.16 and on BC was 15.39 ± 8.17. Concerning to TCA, (i) the highest % ATI in IF‐P was from (40.64 ± 9.81) to the 5.0% TCA concentrations and (ii) on IF‐BC, % ATI decreased significantly (p<0.01) from (78.08 ± 7.58 to 66.98 ± 8.40) with the used TCA concentrations. The % ATI, when AS was used on (a) IF‐P was not modified by the AS concentrations, and (b) on IF‐BC varied from 77.46 ± 3.47 to 38.03 ± 8.76 respectively with the AS concentrations from 0.1. to 10.0%. We can speculate that the binding of the studied radiopharmaceutical to blood elements and the precipitation effect may depend on the chemical characteristics of the radiopharmaceutical studied and the mechanisms involved in its fixation on the blood elements.
Evaluation of the toxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs: Study on the biodistribution of 99mTc‐radiopharmaceuticals used in bone scintigraphy in mice
Authors: Gomes M. L. , Mattos D. M. M. , Freitas R. S. , Moreno S. R. F. , Bernardo‐Filho M.
Published: April 2012

It is accepted that a variety of factors can alter the biodistribuition of radiopharmaceuticals and one such factor is the drug therapy. Since patients on chemotherapeutic treatment can be submitted to a nuclear medicine procedure, we studied in mice, the effect of chemotherapeutic drugs on the biodistribution of the technetium‐99m‐radiopharmaceuticals. Mitomycin‐C or vincristine were administered in mice (n=15) during some days. After tbat, the methylenediphosphonic acid labelled with technetium‐99m (99mTc‐MDP) was also injected and the animals were sacrified. The organs were isolated and counted in a well counter. The percentages of radioactivity (%ATI) in the organs were calculated. Concerning to mitomycin‐C, the results have shown that the %ATI has increased in pancreas, ovary, uterus, stomach, kidney, spleen, thymus, heart, lung, liver and bone. Concerning to vincristine, the results have shown that the %ATI has decreased in uterus, ovary, spleen, thymus, kidney, liver, stomach, heart and brain. In general, the alterations in the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical could be justified by the metabolic process, the therapeutic effect and/or the toxic action of mitomycin‐C and vincristine in specific organs. The effect of these chemotherapeutic drugs on the biodistribution of other 99mTc‐radiopharmaceuticals are now in progress.
Statistical evaluation of the quality control results of some 99mTc‐radipharmaceuticals
Authors: Janković D. , Djokić D. , Maksin T. , Orlić M.
Published: April 2012

The statistical evaluation of the quality control results of 99mTc‐DTPA, 99mTc‐DMS, 99mTc‐PyP and 99mTc‐EHIDA batches produced during five consecutive years is presented. The selection of radiochromatographic methods for routine quality control of 99mTc‐radiopharmaceuticals as well as stationary or mobile phase was made. Radiochemical purity of the each radiopharmaceutical was determined in 25 batches. Distribution of these radiopharmaceuticals per organs in different time interval from injection to sacrifice of the animals were determined as well as the mean values of percentage of the radiopharmaceutical bounded per organ, characteristic for tested preparations for all chosen batches. The analysis shows that the obtained values are arranged around their statistically allowed mean values.
Fibrin glue system for brachytherapy of glioblastoma with RE‐88 and RE‐186 labeled microspheres
Authors: Häfeli U. O. , Pauer G. J.
Published: April 2012

Brain tumors such as glioblastoma recur in their original location in almost 50% of the cases. To prevent this we developed a radiopharmaceutical system that can be applied as a gel immediately after resection of a brain tumor to deliver local booster doses. The gel, which strongly adheres to tissue in the treatment area, consists of fibrin glue containing the β‐emitters Re‐188 and Re‐186 in microsphere‐bound form. Its radioisotope‐dependent maximum treatment range in tissue is 11 and 6 mm, respectively. The dosimetry of this fibrin glue system was determined using gafchromic film measurements. No toxic effects were seen in vivo, but histological examination showed dose‐dependent radiation effects. The effectiveness of Re‐188/Re‐186‐containing fibrin glue was demonstrated in a rodent glioblastoma model. All control animals died within 17 ± 3 days, whereas 60% of the treated animals survived 36 days, the final length of the experiment.
Labeling of antibodies with 149Tb for targeted alpha therapy
Authors: Vranješ S. D. , Miederer M. , Čomor J. J. , Soloviev D. , Beyer G.‐J.
Published: April 2012

Monoclonal antibodies CHX‐A‐DTPA‐HuM195 specific to CD 33 antigens on leukemia cells were labeled with carrier free 149Tb and 149Gd. Labeling yield and radiochemical purity were determined and in vitro studies concerning immunoreactivity, internalization and killing of leukemia HL‐60 cells were performed.
Preparation of 213bi‐dota‐biotin in high specific activity for pretargeted alpha radiotherapy of cancer
Authors: Hylarides Mark D. , Axworthy Don B. , Fritzberg Alan R.
Published: April 2012

The alpha emitter, Bismuth‐213, (213Bi) T1/2 = 45 min, obtained from an 225Ac generator, was chelated to DOTA‐biotin in high radiochemical yield and specific activity. The radiolabeled product showed good radiochemical stability and was used in preclinical therapy studies using a pretargeting format.
A no‐carrier‐added 72Se/72As isotope generator
Authors: Novgorodov A. F. , Schmidt A. , Brockmann J. , Qaim S. M. , Rösch F.
Published: April 2012

A no‐carrier‐added 72Se/72As generator has been developed for the isolation of 72As, relevant for eventual application in the syntheses of 72As‐labelled radiopharmaceuticals. Avoiding the addition of Se carrier and using a thermochromatographic destillation process, no‐carrier‐added 72As is nearly quantitatively released within 10 min. 72Se remains almost quantitatively (> 99.7%) in solution when a temperature of the separation process of 100°C is applied.
Preparation, biodistribution, and micropet imaging of 45Ti‐transferrin
Authors: Vävere A. L. , Jones L. A. , Mccarthy T. J. , Rowland D. J. , Welch M. J.
Published: April 2012

Several titanium complexes are currently being investigated for their ability to exhibit antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo (1). Sun et al. recently showed the first specific Ti(IV)‐protein complex through binding experiments with transferrin (2). This suggests that transferrin could be the mode of transport for titanium anticancer drugs since tumor cells show high levels of transferrin receptors on the cell surface (3). Transferrin has a molecular weight of 80 kDa and is only 30% saturated with iron, leaving available binding sites for other metal ions (4).

Titanium‐45 has a half‐life of 3.09 hours and a positron branching ratio of 85% with an Eβ+max of 1.04 MeV. The work of Ishiwata et al. investigated 45Ti as a potential metal for labeling pharmaceuticals for PET imaging (5). In the current study, the biodistribution of 45Ti‐transferrin was examined to investigate the mode of transport of titanium compounds to tumors.
Radiofluoridations of m — substituted nitrobenzenes
Authors: Constantinou M. , Shah F. , Pike V. W.
Published: April 2012

The fluoridation of a range of m‐substituted nitrobenzenes with no‐carrier‐added [18F]fluoride was investigated. Electron‐deficient m‐substituted nitrobenzenes react with no‐carrier‐added [18F]fluoride to give 18F‐labelled m‐disubstituted benzenes in low to moderate yields.
Radiosynthesis of 1‐[18F]fluoromethyl‐4‐methyl‐benzene and a series of o‐, m‐ or p‐substituted 1‐halomethyl‐ [18F]fluoromethyl‐benzenes
Authors: Namolingam V. , Luthra S. K. , Brady F. , Pike V. W.
Published: April 2012

1‐[18F]Fluoromethyl‐4‐methyl‐benzene was prepared from its bromo analogue. Additionally, a number of o‐, m‐ or p‐substituted 1‐halomethyl‐[18F]fluoromethyl‐benzenes were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reactions with [18F]fluoride on their dihalo analogues to provide new prospective bifunctional labelling agents.
Synthesis and Cu1+ Assisted radiosynthesis of 2‐radioiodo phloretinic acid, a potential glut tracer
Authors: Mertens J. , Boumon R. , Steegmans P.
Published: April 2012

2‐Bromo‐phloretinic acid (2‐Br‐PLA): 2‐bromo‐4‐(3‐oxo‐3(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl) propyl)benzoic acid, the precursor molecule for the radiosynthesis of 2‐radioiodophloretinic acid (2‐*I‐PLA): 2‐radioiodo‐4‐(3‐oxo‐3(2, 4, 6‐trihydroxyphenyl)‐propyl)benzoic acid, was prepared by a twelve step synthesis starting from hydrocinnamic acid. The radiosynthesis was carried out by applying the Cu(I)‐assisted nucleophilic non‐isotopic exchange reaction in acidic reducing medium.

The amount of copper to reach high yields was found to be critical. At substrate to copper ratios generally used in this type of synthesis dehalogenation of the starting compound occurred, decreasing the labelling yield considerably. In optimal conditions a labelling yield of 95% was reached.