bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: BODIPY Dyes and Their Derivatives: Syntheses and Spectroscopic Properties
Authors: Loudet Aurore , Burgess Kevin
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Chiral Sulfur Ligands for Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Mellah Mohamed , Voituriez Arnaud , Schulz Emmanuelle
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: New Concepts in Multidentate Ligand Chemistry: Effects of Multidentarity on Catalytic and Spectroscopic Properties of Ferrocenyl Polyphosphines
Authors: Hierso Jean‐Cyrille , Smaliy Radomyr , Amardeil Regine , Meunier Philippe
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Advances in the Semi‐Pinacol Rearrangement of α‐Hydroxy Epoxides and Related Compounds
Authors: Snape Timothy J.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Syntheses of the CFY2+ (Y = Cl, Br) and CX3+ (X = Cl, Br, O‐TeF5) Cations Employing the Noble Gas Oxidant, XeOTeF5+Sb(O‐TeF5)6‐
Authors: Mercier Helene P. A. , Moran Matthew D. , Schrobilgen Gary J.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Solvation, Solute Rotation and Vibration Relaxation, and Electron‐Transfer Reactions in Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids
Authors: Shim Youngseon , Jeong Daun , Manjari Swati , Choi Moo Young , Kim Hyung J.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Ionic Liquids in Electrochemical Devices and Processes: Managing Interfacial Electrochemistry
Authors: Macfarlane Douglas R. , Forsyth Maria , Howlett Patrick C. , Pringle Jenniffer M. , Sun Jiazeng , Annat Gary , Neil Wayne , Izgorodina Ekaterina I.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Solubility of CO2, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, O2, and N2 in 1‐Hexyl‐3‐methylpyridinium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide: Comparison to Other Ionic Liquids
Authors: Anderson Jessica L. , Dixon Janeille K. , Brennecke Joan F.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Intermolecular Dynamics, Interactions, and Solvation in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Castner Edward W. Jr. , Wishart James F. , Shirota Hideaki
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Parallel Developments in Aprotic and Protic Ionic Liquids: Physical Chemistry and Applications
Authors: Angell C. Austen , Byrne Nolene , Belieres Jean‐Philippe
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Forty Years of Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Emsley J. W. , Feeney J.
Published: January 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
pH Effects on the Conformational Preferences of Amyloid β‐Peptide (1–40) in HFIP Aqueous Solution by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Valerio Mariacristina , Porcelli Fernando , Zbilut Joseph P. , Giuliani Alessandro , Manetti Cesare , Conti Filippo
Published: January 2008

The structure and aggregation state of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) in membrane‐like environments are important determinants of pathological events in Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the neurotoxic nature of amyloid‐forming peptides and proteins is associated with specific conformational transitions proximal to the membrane. Under certain conditions, the Aβ peptide undergoes a conformational change that brings the peptide in solution to a “competent state” for aggregation. Conversion can be obtained at medium pH (5.0–6.0), and in vivo this appears to take place in the endocytic pathway. The combined use of1H NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics‐simulated annealing calculations in aqueous hexafluoroisopropanol simulating the membrane environment, at different pH conditions, enabled us to get some insights into the aggregation process of Aβ, confirming our previous hypotheses of a relationship between conformational flexibility and aggregation propensity. The conformational space of the peptide was explored by means of an innovative use of principal component analysis as applied to residue‐by‐residue root‐mean‐square deviations values from a reference structure. This procedure allowed us to identify the aggregation‐prone regions of the peptide.
Automated classification of inflammation in colon histological sections based on digital microscopy and advanced image analysis
Authors: Ficsor Levente , Varga Viktor Sebestyén , Tagscherer Attila , Tulassay Zsolt , Molnar Bela
Published: January 2008

Automated and quantitative histological analysis can improve diagnostic efficacy in colon sections. Our objective was to develop a parameter set for automated classification of aspecific colitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease using digital slides, tissue cytometric parameters, and virtual microscopy. Routinely processed hematoxylin‐and‐eosin‐stained histological sections from specimens that showed normal mucosa (24 cases), aspecific colitis (11 cases), ulcerative colitis (25 cases), and Crohn's disease (9 cases) diagnosed by conventional optical microscopy were scanned and digitized in high resolution (0.24 μm/pixel). Thirty‐eight cytometric parameters based on morphometry were determined on cells, glands, and superficial epithelium. Fourteen tissue cytometric parameters based on ratios of tissue compartments were counted as well. Leave‐one‐out discriminant analysis was used for classification of the samples groups. Cellular morphometric features showed no significant differences in these benign colon alterations. However, gland related morphological differences (Gland Shape) for normal mucosa, ulcerative colitis, and aspecific colitis were found (P < 0.01). Eight of the 14 tissue cytometric related parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.01). The most discriminatory parameters were the ratio of cell number in glands and in the whole slide, biopsy/gland surface ratio. These differences resulted in 88% overall accuracy in the classification. Crohn's disease could be discriminated only in 56%. Automated virtual microscopy can be used to classify colon mucosa as normal, ulcerative colitis, and aspecific colitis with reasonable accuracy. Further developments of dedicated parameters are necessary to identify Crohn's disease on digital slides. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Increased efficiency of detecting genetically aberrant cells by UroVysion test on voided urine specimens using automated immunophenotypical preselection of uroepithelial cells
Authors: Pajor Gabor , Sule Norbert , Alpar Donat , Kajtar Bela , Kneif Maria , Bollmann Daniel , Somogyi Laszlo , Pajor Laszlo
Published: January 2008

There is a steady search for procedure which could replace or at least reduce the frequency of the invasive cystoscopy in the surveillance of heterogeneous superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Recently, UroVysion FISH assay has been shown to provide with better sensitivity than the urine cytology except for the lowest stage pTa and grade I‐II TCCs. Data indicate that this failure of the sensitive FISH might be due to mistargeting. Therefore, our aim was to elaborate a procedure enabling FISH analysis in phenotypically preselected urothelial cells, only. Cytokeratin 7 (CK‐7) chromogenic immunolabeling was applied to various mixtures of negative and positive control cells as well as voided urine specimens. Cellular targets and CK‐7 positive cells were identified by morphometric and pixel intensity indices using an automated microscope workstation. UroVysion FISH pattern was analyzed only in the subsequently relocalized CK‐7 positive events. Automated phenotypical preselection of urothelial cells proved to have 97.3% sensitivity, 96.1% specificity, and 99.0% accuracy, whereas combined pheno‐ and genotyping revealed 93.3% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, respectively. In clinical samples, the overall 20.4% FISH positivity gained by traditional target identification contrasted with the 55.6% positivity obtained by the combined method, by which the efficiency of identifying chromosomally aberrant cells proved to be two to threefold higher even in grade I lesions. FISH analysis of phenotypically preselected urothelial cells might represent a reliable asset in surveillance of low stage–low grade TCCs. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Current literature in diabetes
Authors:   John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: January 2008

In order to keep subscribers up‐to‐date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of diabetes/metabolism. Each bibliography is divided into 26 sections: 1 Reviews; 2 General; 3 Genetics; 4 Epidemiology; 5 Immunology; 6 Obesity; 7 Prediction and Prevention; 8 Intervention: a) General; b) Care; c) Drug Therapy; d)Economics; e) Gene therapy; f) Nursing; g) Nutrition; h) Surgery; i) Transplantation; 9 Pathology and Complications: a) General; b) Cardiovascular; c) Eye disease; d) Gestational and fetal; e) Neurological; f) Podiatrical; g) Renal; 10 Endocrinology & Metabolism; 11 Experimental Studies; 12 Diagnosis and Techniques. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author
B‐Raf‐mediated signaling pathway regulates T cell development
Authors: Tsukamoto Hirotake , Irie Atsushi , Senju Satoru , Hatzopoulos Antonis K. , Wojnowski Leszek , Nishimura Yasuharu
Published: January 2008

The activities of the Raf kinase family proteins control extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation in many aspects of cellular responses. However, the relative contributions of individual isozymes to cellular functions including T cell responses are still unclear. In addition to Raf‐1, another Raf family kinase, B‐Raf, is expressed in murine thymocytes and peripheral T cells, and its activation was induced by TCR stimulation. Here, we investigated the function of B‐Raf in development of T cells by generating chimeric mice in which a T cell‐compromised host was reconstituted with fetal liver‐derived cells from embryonic lethal B‐Raf‐deficient mice. Although B‐Raf was dispensable for normal T cell lineage differentiation at the CD4–CD8– double‐negative stage, thymocytes in the chimeric mice derived from B‐Raf–/– cells exhibited a drastic arrest of differentiation at the CD4+CD8+ double‐positive stage, suggesting that B‐Raf is crucial for T cell development, especially for the transition to CD4+ and CD8+ single‐positive thymocytes. Regarding intracellular signaling, we found that activation of ERK following TCR stimulation was impaired in the thymocytes from the chimeric mice. In conclusion, we present first evidence for the important role of B‐Raf‐mediated signaling in T cell development.
Cover Picture: IL‐10 suppressor activity and ex vivo Tr1 cell function are impaired in multiple sclerosis – Eur. J. Immunol. 2/2008
Authors: Martinez‐Forero Ivan , Garcia‐Munoz Ricardo , Martinez‐Pasamar Sara , Inoges Susana , Lopez‐Diaz de Cerio Ascensión , Palacios Ricardo , Sepulcre Jorge , Moreno Beatriz , Gonzalez Zaira , Fernandez‐Diez Begoña , Melero Ignacio , Bendandi Maurizio , Villoslada Pablo
Published: January 2008

This month’s cover features a painting entitled “Time Square” (Oil on canvas, 2007) by Sara Martinez, who is an experienced artist with a long‐record of high profile paintings. The image represents immune square, an idyllic performance shattered in autoimmunity. As well as being an artist, Sarah has a passion for immunology and is an author on the paper by Martinez‐Forero et al. (pp. 576–586) in which the IL‐10 defect in the Tr1 population observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) is confirmed in a large MS patient cohort.
Separation of very hydrophobic analytes by MEKC. II. Carbon number equivalents as analyte descriptors – influence of the composition of the separation electrolyte
Authors: Huhn Carolin , Pütz Michael , Pyell Ute
Published: January 2008

The use of the parameter carbon number equivalent, Nc*, as analyte descriptor for neutral hydrophobic solutes in EKC is investigated. The carbon number equivalent of an analyte is defined analogously to the retention index, RI, however, it is directly calculated from the regression line plotting for the members of a homologous series the logarithm of the retention factor against the number of methylene units Nc in the alkyl chain. This plot can be obtained by using simultaneously an iteration procedure for the calculation of tMC. For separation electrolytes containing SDS as micellar phase employing ACN, urea, and CaCl2 as additives within a wide span of concentrations the parameter Nc* is quasi‐independent of the composition of the separation electrolyte, being of importance concerning identification of analytes and improving repeatability and reproducibility. With known octanol–water partition coefficients for the members of the homologous series taken as reference it is possible to transform the conventional time scale of an electropherogram into a scale of Nc* or a scale of log POW. Due to the quasi‐independence of Nc* from the composition of the separation electrolyte these transformed electropherograms can be used as normalized electropherograms for identification purposes. It is also shown that the linear dependence of log POW on Nc can be the basis of the determination of octanol–water partition coefficients of solutes within a very large range (−4 ≤ log POW ≤ 9).
Simultaneous prediction of toxicity of multiple chemicals to multiple species using multi‐dimensional functional relationships
Authors: Morton Richard , Warne Michael St. J. , Correll Raymond L.
Published: January 2008

A theoretical model is developed for the estimation of the toxicity of a large number of chemicals to a group of species for which the log‐toxicity values have strong linear relationships. The model is a multi‐dimensional functional relationship (FR) that allows for many missing values. It depends on an unobserved variate (denoted by ξ in the text), with a value for each chemical; for each species, the expectations of the log‐toxicity values are each linearly related to ξ. There are worthwhile gains in multi‐dimensional over the two‐dimensional FRs hitherto used. The model is applied to data on the toxicity of 51 chemicals to 10 species. It allows for species to have unequal variance about their expectations. There is good prediction of log‐toxicity from measurements on other species where only 30% of the combinations were measured even when the taxa are not closely related. Among the uses for this technique are (i) to predict toxicity for combinations of species and chemicals that have not been measured, (ii) to suggest a suitable range of concentrations for a new bioassay, (iii) identifying specificity, that is, chemicals that have a different relative toxicity for a particular species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical significance of osteopontin expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers
Authors: Chien Chih‐Yen , Su Chih‐Ying , Chuang Hui‐Ching , Fang Fu‐Min , Huang Hsuan‐Ying , Chen Ching‐Mei , Chen Chang‐Han , Huang Chao‐Cheng
Published: January 2008

Background

Osteopontin (OPN) is considered to be a tumor‐related protein associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to study the clinical significance of OPN expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers.

Results

Positive OPN expression significantly correlated with higher tumor classification (T) (p = .004), positive nodal classification (N) (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p < .001), and presence of tumor necrosis (p = .016), respectively. The unfavorable cumulative 5‐year disease‐free survival rate significantly correlated with positive OPN expression (p < .001), T2 (p = .024), positive N (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p = .023), and positive tumor necrosis (p = .003). However, taking CD105 into consideration, only CD105 expression was the independent prognostic factor for survival by Cox's regression analysis.

Conclusion

Overexpression of OPN in the tumors implicated a more aggressive tumor behavior and was an important factor for survival. In addition, there might be relationship between OPN and CD105 expressions in angiogenesis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
PNL2 melanocytic marker in immunohistochemical evaluation of primary mucosal melanoma of the head and neck
Authors: Morris Luc G. , Wen Yong Hannah , Nonaka Daisuke , DeLacure Mark D. , Kutler David I. , Huan Youming , Wang Beverly Y.
Published: January 2008

Background

Histologic diagnosis of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is difficult, requiring immunohistochemical stains which are less reliable than in cutaneous lesions. PNL‐2 is a novel marker that has not been examined in mucosal melanoma.

Methods

Nine formalin‐fixed tissue sections of mucosal melanoma were stained with PNL‐2, human melanoma black (HMB)‐45, Melan‐A, S‐100, and microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF).

Results

Disease in all 9 patients arose from the sinonasal mucosa. Rates of diffuse positive staining with the 4 stains were PNL‐2 (77.8%), HMB‐45 (77.8%), Melan‐A (50%), S‐100 (87.5%), and MITF (40%). In 3 patients, PNL2 staining was superior to Melan‐A or MITF.

Conclusion

We report the first characterization of PNL‐2 staining in head and neck mucosal melanoma. PNL‐2 demonstrates high sensitivity for mucosal melanoma, likely superior to Melan‐A and MITF, and comparable to HMB‐45, with specificity superior to S‐100. We advocate inclusion of PNL2 as an important adjunctive marker in the evaluation of these lesions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Mechanical and diffusive properties of homogeneous alginate gels in form of particles and cylinders
Authors: Pasut E. , Toffanin R. , Voinovich D. , Pedersini C. , Murano E. , Grassi M.
Published: January 2008

In this study, alginate polymers are used to get homogeneous cylindrical or spherical gels. MRI techniques are employed to study homogeneity of these gels. Four different alginates are used and, for each one, five different concentrations for mechanical tests and three different concentrations for release tests are studied. Mechanical tests are performed to get gels' linear viscoelasticity region and then to evaluate their crosslink density in relation to polymer concentration. Afterwards, three model molecules (theophylline, vitamin B12, and myoglobin) are loaded within gels to study the release kinetics in water from both cylindrical and spherical gels. Diffusion coefficients calculated from these experiments are then used to estimate the polymeric network mesh wideness. This work shows how crosslink density increases with polymer concentration regardless of the alginate type considered. In addition, while vitamin B12 diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to crosslink density, myoglobin is too large to diffuse through the polymeric network, whatever the alginate type and polymer concentration. At the same time, theophylline is too small to be sensibly affected by increasing the polymeric network crosslink density. Finally, MRI analysis and vitamin B12 diffusion coefficient values prove that, structurally speaking, cylinders and spheres are similar and homogeneous. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Application of coherent anti‐stokes Raman scattering microscopy to image the changes in a paclitaxel–poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) matrix pre‐ and post‐drug elution
Authors: Kang Eunah , Wang Haifeng , Kwon Il Keun , Song Young‐Ho , Kamath Kalpana , Miller Kathleen M. , Barry James , Cheng Ji‐Xin , Park Kinam
Published: January 2008

Mapping the drug distribution in a polymeric film and following the subsequent changes that result during and after drug release is important to better understand the mechanism of drug release. This understanding leads to more efficiently designed tailor‐made release profiles for drug‐containing biomedical devices. Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy was used for in situ imaging of local drug distribution in polymeric films, taking advantage of the three‐dimensional (3D) resolution, high speed, high sensitivity, and noninvasiveness of the technology. Additionally, the morphological changes of poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (SIBS) films during paclitaxel release were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and drug release was quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The time‐dependent changes in the 3D distribution of paclitaxel in the polymer film were visualized using CARS microscopy. CARS images showed that the paclitaxel was uniformly distributed throughout the SIBS matrix. Changes in the paclitaxel distribution during release were monitored using depth intensity profiles and showed that, upon exposure of the paclitaxel‐loaded film to a release medium, the quantitative CARS intensity of paclitaxel decreased. These results indicate that paclitaxel was dissolved and depleted from the SIBS film during in vitro drug elution, supporting the use of CARS microscopy as an effective nondestructive technique for chemical imaging of paclitaxel elution dynamics in polymer films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Hydrated versus lyophilized forms of porcine extracellular matrix derived from the urinary bladder
Authors: Freytes Donald O. , Tullius Robert S. , Valentin Jolene E. , Stewart‐Akers Ann M. , Badylak Stephen F.
Published: January 2008

Biologic scaffolds composed of naturally occurring extracellular matrix (ECM) are currently in clinical use for the repair and reconstruction of damaged or missing tissues. The material and structural properties of the ECM scaffold are important determinants of the potential clinical applications and these properties may be affected by manufacturing steps, processing steps, and storage conditions. The present study compared the structural properties of hydrated and lyophilized forms of a biologic scaffold derived from the porcine urinary bladder (urinary bladder matrix or UBM). The structural properties evaluated include: maximum load and elongation, maximum tangential stiffness, energy absorbed, suture retention strength, ball‐burst strength, and the hydrostatic permeability index. Other properties that were investigated include changes in the water content, structural morphology, and thickness and the ability to support in vitro growth of NIH 3T3 cells. Lyophilization caused no changes in the structural properties evaluated with the exception of a decrease in maximum elongation. NIH 3T3 cells showed invasion of the scaffold when seeded on the abluminal side of both hydrated and lyophilized UBM, and there were more cells present on lyophilized UBM when compared to hydrated UBM devices after the 7‐days culture period. Irreversible changes were observed in the microstructure and ultrastructure of lyophilized UBM devices. We conclude that lyophilization affects the overall in vitro cell growth of NIH 3T3 cells and the ultrastructural morphology of UBM devices, but does not result in significant changes in structural properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Effects of bioactive glass and β‐TCP containing three‐dimensional laser sintered polyetheretherketone composites on osteoblasts in vitro
Authors: von Wilmowsky Cornelius , Vairaktaris Eleftherios , Pohle Dirk , Rechtenwald Thomas , Lutz Rainer , Münstedt Helmut , Koller Garrit , Schmidt M. , Neukam Friedrich Wilhelm , Schlegel Karl Andreas , Nkenke Emeka
Published: January 2008

Because of their excellent physical properties nonresorbable thermoplastic polymers have become more important for the field of reconstructive surgery. Aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of laser sintered polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with incorporated osteoconductive and bioactive bone substitution materials on osteoblasts in vitro. Human osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19) were seeded onto laser sintered PEEK samples containing nano‐sized carbon black, β‐tricalciumphosphate (β‐TCP), and bioactive glass 45S5. Osteoblasts were investigated for cell viability, cell proliferation and cell morphology. A constant proliferation of osteoblasts could be observed on all samples with the highest values for bioactive glass containing samples at day 7 (OD 1.76 ± 0.22) and day 14 (OD 3.75 ± 0.31) and lowest values for β‐TCP containing probes throughout the study compared with the PEEK pure control group. Highest cell viability was observed for Bioglass containing probes (95.5 ± 3.32)% whereas osteoblasts seeded on β‐TCP containing probes showed reduced viability (84.4 ± 4.32)%. Laser sintered PEEK implants seem to be attractive candidates for use as bone substitutes for reconstructive surgery because of their biocompatibility, individual shape, and the possibility of compounding bioinert polymer powder with osteoconductive and bioactive materials which might benefit bone formation in vivo. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Bacterial and Candida albicans adhesion on rapid prototyping‐produced 3D‐scaffolds manufactured as bone replacement materials
Authors: Al‐Ahmad A. , Wiedmann‐Al‐Ahmad M. , Carvalho C. , Lang M. , Follo M. , Braun G. , Wittmer A. , Mülhaupt R. , Hellwig E.
Published: January 2008

Rapid prototyping (RP)‐produced scaffolds aregaining increasing importance in scaffold‐guided tissueengineering. Microbial adhesion on the surface of replacement materials has a strong influence on healing and long‐term outcome. Consequently, it is important to examine the adherence of microorganisms on RP‐produced scaffolds. This research focussed on manufacturing of scaffolds by 3D‐bioplotting and examination of their microbial adhesion characteristics. Tricalciumphosphate (TCP), calcium/sodium alginate, and poly(lactide‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) constructs were produced and used to study the adhesion of dental pathogens. Six oral bacterial strains, one Candida strain and human saliva were used for the adhesion studies. The number of colony forming units (CFU) were determined and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were performed. Microorganisms adhered to all scaffolds. All strains, except for Streptococcus oralis, adhered best to PLGA scaffolds. Streptococcus oralis adhered to each of the biomaterials equally. Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis adhered best to PLGA scaffolds, followed by alginate and TCP. Prevotella nigrescens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus sanguis, and Candida albicans showed the highest adherence to PLGA, followed by TCP and alginate. In contrast, the microorganisms of saliva adhered significantly better to TCP, followed by PLGA and alginate. SEM observations correlated with the results of the CFU determinations. CLSM detected bacteria within deeper sheets of alginate. In conclusion, because of the high adherence rate of oral pathogens to the scaffolds, the application of these biomaterials for bone replacement in oral surgery could result in biomaterial‐related infections. Strategies to decrease microbial adherence and to prevent infections due to oral pathogens are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Enhanced surface attachment of protein‐type targeting ligands to poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles using variable expression of polymeric acid functionality
Authors: McCarron Paul A. , Marouf Waleed M. , Donnelly Ryan F. , Scott Chris
Published: January 2008

The density of reactive carboxyl groups on the surface of poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) was modulated using a combination of high‐molecular weight (MW) encapped and low MW non‐encapped PLGA. Carboxyl groups were activated using carbodiimide chemistry and conjugated to bovine serum albumin and a model polyclonal antibody. Activation of carboxyl groups in solution‐phase PLGA prior to NP formation was compared with a postformation activation of peripheral carboxyl groups on intact NP. Activation before or after NP formation did not influence conjugation efficiency to NP prepared using 100% of the low‐MW PLGA. The effect of steric stabilization using poly(vinyl alcohol) reduced conjugation of a polyclonal antibody from 62 μg/(mg NP) to 32 μg/(mg NP), but enhanced particulate stability. Increasing the amount of a high‐MW PLGA also reduced conjugation, with the activation postformation still superior to the preformation approach. Drug release studies showed that high proportions of high‐MW PLGA in the NP produced a longer sustained release profile of a model drug (celecoxib). It can be concluded that activating intact PLGA NP is superior to activating component parts prior to NP formation. Also, high MW PLGA could be used to prolong drug release, but at the expense of conjugation efficiency on to the NP surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Use of recycled copper slag for blended cements
Authors: de Rojas M Isabel Sánchez , Rivera Julián , Frías Moisés , Marín Félix
Published: January 2008

Copper slag is a by‐product generated during smelting to extract copper metal from the ore. The copper slag obtained may exhibit pozzolanic activity and may therefore be used in the manufacture of addition‐containing cements. In this paper the effect of the incorporation of the copper slag in cement is measured. Blends of copper slag with Portland cement generally possess properties equivalent to Portland cement containing fly ash, but very different to the silica fume incorporation. Copper slag and fly ash reduce the heat of hydration more effectively than silica fume in mortars. The replacement of 30% cement by copper slag reduces the flexural and compressive strength in a similar way to fly ash; however, after 28 days, the reduction is less than the percentage of substitution. Hydrated calcium aluminate phases were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The pozzolanic activity of copper slag is similar to that of fly ash and higher than silica fume. In the presence of low water/cement ratios, certain pozzolanic materials produce a very compact cement paste that limits the space available for hydration products, a determining factor in the formation of hydrated calcium aluminates. SEM was found to be a useful analytical technique when aluminates are formed and can be clearly detected by XRD. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The global footprint of persistent extra‐tropical drought in the instrumental era
Authors: Herweijer Celine , Seager Richard
Published: January 2008

The major North American droughts as per instrumental records are shown to be part of a larger, global pattern of low‐frequency drought variability. Drought in western North America during the 1850s–1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1930s and 1950s, is shown to coincide with the occurrence of prolonged dry spells in parts of Europe, southern South America and western Australia. Tropical land regions are mostly wet during these periods, with the exception of central east Africa, southern India and Sri Lanka, which are dry. The recent 1998–2003 period of drought in western North America reveals a similar global hydroclimatic ‘footprint’ with the exception of a wet southern South America and continued dry conditions in the Sahel. Common to each of the six droughts is the persistence of anomalously cool east central tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs). For the 1998–2003 case, the warming of SSTs everywhere outside of the east central tropical Pacific may be influencing precipitation and masking the influence of persistent precipitation anomalies driven from the tropical Pacific alone. In general, examination of these major historical extra‐tropical droughts reveals a hemispherically and, in the extra‐tropics, a zonally symmetric pattern consistent with forcing from the Tropics.

Ensembles of model simulations forced by observed SSTs globally (Global Ocean Global Atmosphere, GOGA) and only within the tropical Pacific (Pacific Ocean Global Atmosphere‐Mixed Layer, POGA‐ML) are both able to capture the global pattern of the persistent extra‐tropical drought regimes since the mid‐nineteenth century. This implies that the recently demonstrated link between SST forcing and drought in North America is in fact only one part of a global hydroclimatic response to the persistence of cool SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific. Indian Ocean SST forcing is required to capture the droughts in central east Africa. Over Europe, the modelled, low‐frequency precipitation signal is unrealistically ENSO dominated, as the model does not faithfully reproduce the observed history of low‐frequency NAO variability. Overall, our results suggest that the global pattern of persistent drought appears to be a low‐frequency version of interannual ENSO‐forced variability. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Weather patterns in eastern Slovakia 1717–1730, based on records from the Breslau meteorological network
Authors: Brázdil Rudolf , Kiss Andrea , Luterbacher Jürg , Valášek Hubert
Published: January 2008

The Breslau (Wrocław) physician, Johann Kanold established a network that included direct meteorological measurements and visual weather observations from several places in Europe. The results of the observations were published every quarter of a year for the 1717–1730 period. They included the first meteorological measurements from the Prešov station (1717–1720), made by the physician, Johann Adam Reimann for the recently defined eastern Slovakia (former Upper Hungary), as well as visual weather observations provided up to 1730 in a similar fashion in Kežmarok by George Buchholtz. The quality of the instrumental measurements of pressure and temperature is discussed. Observations from both places have been used to derive weighted temperature and precipitation indices. Three outstanding weather periods have been analysed in detail: a drought spring‐autumn in 1718, disastrous floods in 1725 and a severe and snowy winter in 1725–1726. The article is a contribution to the historical climatology of Slovakia and central Europe. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Association between bruxism and nocturnal groaning
Authors: Manconi Mauro , Zucconi Marco , Carrot Benjamin , Ferri Raffaele , Oldani Alessandro , Ferini‐Strambi Luigi
Published: January 2008

Bruxism is a well‐known sleep‐related movement disorder, usually associated with teeth damage and morning temporo‐mandibular discomfort. Nocturnal groaning (NG) is a less common entity consisting of a nocturnal monotonous sound, which occurs during the expiratory phase, especially during REM sleep, recently classified among parasomnias. We describe the first case of an association between bruxism and NG. According to the polysomnographic findings, bruxism and NG episodes were closely related to each other and seemed to be organized in stereotyped sequences. Both phenomena always occurred during NREM sleep and were synchronous with cortical arousals, leg movements, and sympathetic activations. The hypothesis of a common trigger mechanism for NG and bruxism, through an arousal‐induced activation, is discussed. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Placebo response in Parkinson's disease: Comparisons among 11 trials covering medical and surgical interventions
Authors: Goetz Christopher G. , Wuu Joanne , McDermott Michael P. , Adler Charles H. , Fahn Stanley , Freed Curt R. , Hauser Robert A. , Olanow Warren C. , Shoulson Ira , Tandon P.K. ,   Parkinson Study Group, Leurgans Sue
Published: January 2008

Placebo‐associated improvements have been previously documented in small series of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Using a strict definition of placebo‐associated improvement, we examined rates and timing of placebo responses to identify patient‐ and study‐based characteristics, predicting positive placebo response in several PD clinical trials. We collected individual patient data from the placebo groups of 11 medical and surgical treatment trials involving PD patients with differing PD severities and placebo‐assignment likelihoods. We defined a positive placebo response as ≥50% improvement in total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor (UPDRSm) score or a decrease by ≥2 points on at least two UPDRSm items compared to baseline. We calculated positive placebo response rates at early (3–7 weeks), mid (8–18 weeks), and late (23–35 weeks) stages of follow‐up. Odds ratios for patient‐ and study‐based characteristics were obtained from a model fitted using generalized estimating equations. There were 858 patients on placebo who met inclusion criteria for analysis. Three studies involved patients without need of symptomatic treatment, two involved patients without motor fluctuations needing symptomatic treatment, and six (three medical and three surgical) involved patients with motor fluctuations. The overall placebo response rate was 16% (range: 0–55%). Patients with higher baseline UPDRSm scores and studies that focused on PD with motor fluctuations, surgical interventions, or those with a higher probability of placebo assignment showed increased odds of positive placebo response. Placebo responses were temporally distributed similarly during early, mid, and late phases of follow‐up. Placebo‐related improvements occur in most PD clinical trials and are similarly distributed across all 6 months of follow‐up. Recognition of factors that impact placebo response rates should be incorporated into individual study designs for PD clinical trials. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Are parkin patients particularly suited for deep‐brain stimulation?
Authors: Lohmann Ebba , Welter Marie‐Laure , Fraix Valérie , Krack Paul , Lesage Suzanne , Laine Sophie , Tanguy Marie‐Laure , Houeto Jean‐Luc , Mesnage Valérie , Pollak Pierre , Alexandra Durr  , Agid Yves , Brice Alexis ,   French Parkinson's Disease Genetics study group
Published: January 2008

Patients with parkin mutations are known to have slower PD progression and a better response to levodopa at lower doses than patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. To determine the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on such patients, we have compared the follow‐up after surgery of 7 patients with one parkin mutation, 7 patients with two parkin mutations, and 39 patients without parkin mutations. Twelve to 24 months after neurosurgery, the daily doses of levodopa equivalent were significantly lower in patients with two parkin mutations, indicating that these patients benefit from DBS, and they might have more durable results. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Numerical field evaluation of healthcare workers when bending towards high‐field MRI magnets
Authors: Wang H. , Trakic A. , Liu F. , Crozier S.
Published: January 2008

In MRI, healthcare workers may be exposed to strong static and dynamic magnetic fields outside of the imager. Body motion through the strong, non‐uniform static magnetic field generated by the main superconducting magnet and exposure to gradient‐pulsed magnetic fields can result in the induction of electric fields and current densities in the tissue. The interaction of these fields and occupational workers has attracted an increasing awareness. To protect occupational workers from overexposure, the member states of the European Union are required to incorporate the Physical Agents Directive (PAD) 2004/40/EC into their legislation. This study presents numerical evaluations of electric fields and current densities in anatomically equivalent male and female human models (healthcare workers) as they lean towards the bores of three superconducting magnet models (1.5, 4, and 7 T) and x‐, y‐, and z‐ gradient coils. The combined effect of the 1.5 T superconducting magnet and the three gradient coils on the body models is compared with the contributions of the magnet and gradient coils in separation. The simulation results indicate that it is possible to induce field quantities of physiological significance, especially when the MRI operator is bending close towards the main magnet and all three gradient coils are switched simultaneously. Magn Reson Med 59:410–422, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional assessment of the kidney from magnetic resonance and computed tomography renography: Impulse retention approach to a multicompartment model
Authors: Zhang Jeff L. , Rusinek Henry , Bokacheva Louisa , Lerman Lilach O. , Chen Qun , Prince Chekema , Oesingmann Niels , Song Ting , Lee Vivian S.
Published: January 2008

A three‐compartment model is proposed for analyzing magnetic resonance renography (MRR) and computed tomography renography (CTR) data to derive clinically useful parameters such as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). The model fits the convolution of the measured input and the predefined impulse retention functions to the measured tissue curves. A MRR study of 10 patients showed that relative root mean square errors by the model were significantly lower than errors for a previously reported three‐compartmental model (11.6% ± 4.9 vs 15.5% ± 4.1; P < 0.001). GFR estimates correlated well with reference values by 99mTc‐DTPA scintigraphy (correlation coefficient r = 0.82), and for RPF, r = 0.80. Parameter‐sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation indicated that model parameters could be reliably identified. When the model was applied to CTR in five pigs, expected increases in RPF and GFR due to acetylcholine were detected with greater consistency than with the previous model. These results support the reliability and validity of the new model in computing GFR, RPF, and renal mean transit times from MR and CT data. Magn Reson Med 59:278–288, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Editing through multiple bonds: Threonine detection
Authors: Marjanska Malgorzata , Henry Pierre‐Gilles , Uğurbil Kâmil , Gruetter Rolf
Published: January 2008

In in vivo 1H spectroscopy, the signal at 1.32 ppm is usually assigned to lactate. This resonance position is shared with threonine at physiological pH. The similarity of spectral patterns of lactate and threonine renders the separate measurement of either threonine or lactate without and even with editing technically challenging. In this study, the threonine signal was detected using a single‐shot multiple‐bond editing technique and quantified in vivo in both rat and human brains. A threonine concentration was estimated at 0.8 ± 0.3 mM (mean ± SD, n = 6) in the rat brain and at ∼0.33 mM in the human brain. Magn Reson Med 59:245–251, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Underestimation of roughness in rough rock joints
Authors: Hong Eun‐Soo , Lee Jong‐Sub , Lee In‐Mo
Published: January 2008

Numerous studies have been made to improve Barton's shear strength model for the quantification of rock joints. However, in these previous studies, the roughness and shear strength of the rock joint have been underestimated especially for relatively high undulated profiles (joint roughness coefficient (JRC) >14). The main factors of roughness underestimation in rough rock joints are investigated for the proper quantification of rock joint roughness. The aliasing effect and the roughness characteristics are analyzed by using artificial joint profiles and natural rock joint profiles. A 3D camera scanner is adopted to verify the main source of underestimation when using conventional measurement methods. Shear strength tests are carried out by using two types of shear apparatus to study the roughness mobilization characteristics, which may also affect the roughness underestimation. The results of joint roughness assessment, such as aliasing and undulation of waviness, show that the roughness can be underestimated in relatively rough joint profiles (JRC>14). At least two components of roughness parameters are needed to properly represent the joint roughness, for example, the amplitude and the inclination angle of joint asperity. Roughness mobilization is affected by both the normal stress and the asperity scale. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implicit integration of a chemo‐plastic constitutive model for partially saturated soils
Authors: Zhang H. W. , Zhou L.
Published: January 2008

A chemo‐plastic constitutive model for partially saturated soils is proposed in this paper based on the existing models developed in Hueckel (Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech. 1997; 21:43–72) and Gallipoli et al. (Geotechnique 2003; 53:123–135). The chemical softening effects due to the increase in contaminant mass concentration are considered based on Hueckel's chemo‐plastic model. Gallipoli's model is used to simulate the effects of suction and degree of saturation on mechanical behavior of partially saturated porous materials. In order to implement the proposed model in a finite element code, a fully implicit backward‐Euler integration algorithm is put forward. Numerical solutions for the tests at local level and the application of the algorithm to the real boundary value problem demonstrate the accuracy and convergence properties of the proposed integration scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.