bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Pre-Operative Myocardial Fibrosis and Early Post CABG Dysrhythmia
Authors: AlFrargy Mohamed Moustafa Abdelfattah , Romeih Soha , Deraz Inas Elsayed , El-Din Samia Mahmoud Sharaf
Published: March 2024

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging combines the assessment of both the functional and structural aspects of the heart in order to identify the existence, timing, and intensity of ischemic heart disease by analyzing the function of the myocardium and the movement of the heart wall. This study aimed to investigate whether preoperative myocardial fibrosis, measured by CMR imaging, may be used to predict the incidence of rhythm disturbances in the early postoperative phase after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Methods: Two groups of 92 patients who had CABG procedures performed were studied in this retrospective observational single site cohort study: There were 43 patients in Group A who had atrial or ventricular arrhythmia, and 49 patients in Group B who did not.

Results: There was no correlation between arrhythmia and non-arrhythmia group and age, sex, body mass index, risk factor, CMR timing before surgery, cross clamp time, bypass time, left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LV EDVI), LV end-systolic volume index (ESVI), stroke volume index (SVI), LV ejection fraction (EF) and territory of scar and were positive correlation between both groups and scar (P <0.001). Scar% was an independent predictor of occurrence of rhythm disturbance (P=0.002) while LV EDVI, LV EF, LV ESVI, SVI, and presence of scar were not. Group A had a statistically significantly lower LV-EF% and lower LV-SVI compared to Group B. Group A had a higher scar percentage compared with group B and this was statistically significant (P <0.001). Rhythm disturbance occurred more often in patients with a scar percentage >14.8% {P=0.0002 and area under ROC curve (AUC)=0.708}.

Conclusions: CMR has evolved as a gold standard non-invasive imaging tool in cardiovascular medicine. Preoperative CMR imaging may be a promising tool for predicting postoperative cardiac arrhythmia after CABG. Our study showed that preoperative myocardial scarring >14.8%, as determined by CMR imaging, was predictive of early postoperative arrhythmia in patients undergoing CABG.
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Shrimp and Water from the Great Kwa River: Implications for Human Health and Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Nneoyi-Egbe Ada Francesca
Published: March 2024

The aftermath of heavy metal pollution can be hazardous to humans, considering the level of consumption of shellfish in riverine areas - which is relatively high. There is a growing concern about the quality of aquatic food (e.g. periwinkle and shrimp) in several parts of the world. The determination of toxic elements in food has prompted studies on toxicological effects of heavy metals in foods. Due to man’s industrialization activities such as oil exploration, the levels of toxicants in marine environments have increased over the years. This study aimed at evaluating heavy metal contents (lead, cadmium, nickel, manganese, chromium and copper) in shrimp and water obtained from Great Kwa River, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Fresh shrimp and water samples were collected from the river in Calabar metropolis, Cross River State. In the sample preparation, the soft tissue (edible part) of the shrimps were extracted, dried in the oven (at 80°C) for 72hours then, after which the weights of the shrimps and water from each sampling point were measured. Digestion of the samples were carried out before an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentrations of the heavy metals. Graph pad Prism Version 7 was used for statistical analysis and Microsoft Excel Application. The results indicate contamination of both the shrimps and water from the Great Kwa River by some heavy metals, which also pose a health risk to aquatic ecosystem and humans. Among the heavy metals studied, chromium had the highest concentrations in both shrimps (30.07 ± 0.67ppm) and water (27.68 ± 0.34ppm). The heavy metals were found in higher concentrations in the shrimp than in water, except for manganese which had a significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration in water (15.05 ± 0.67ppm as against 14.02 ± 0.93ppm in shrimp). Certain minerals have biological uses, but concentrations above recommended levels become detrimental to consumers. The levels of some of these heavy metals in this study, call for more investigation and regulation of their anthropogenic sources in order to reduce risk of public health issues.
Relationship between Iron Saturation Indices and Psychiatric Disorders among Persons Seeking Care at Selected Psychiatry Health Facilities in Ghana
Authors: Nchor Ignatius Abowini Awinibuno , Amidu Nafiu , Yussif Adams , Dapare Peter Paul M. , Akilla Martin Awe
Published: March 2024

Aim: This study investigated the relationship between iron metabolism and psychiatric disorder and whether iron saturation indices could predict disease severity.

Study Design: The study was a case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between December 2020 to March 2022 in some selected psychiatric facilities in Ghana.

Methodology: Venous blood was collected and serum iron, TIBC, ferritin, transferrin and full blood count were quantified to calculate intraindividual variation and to assess the relationships of these iron saturation indices to severity of psychiatric disorders.

Results: Serum iron (38.98±14.55 µmol/L), ferritin (100.23±84.98 ng/mL) and transferrin saturation (44.35±14.6%) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in group with psychiatric disorders compared with the controls (29.25±8.0 µmol/L; 75.25±42.71 ng/mL and 28.66±7.1%). However, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) (102.47±15.01 µmol/L), UIBC (73.22±13.12 µmol/L) and transferrin (4.08±0.6 g/L) concentrations were considerably greater in control group than in the case subjects (88.95±19.73 µmol/L; 49.97±18.32 µmol/L and 3.54±0.79 g/L). One unit increase in BMI is associated with 1.27 (aOR=1.27, p<0.001) times risk of psychiatric disorders and males are 6 (aOR=5.87, p<0.005) times at risk of disorders. At a cut off of ≤65.79 µmol/L, UIBC can distinguish psychiatric disorders from controls.

Conclusion: Serum iron and transferrin saturation appears to be good prognostic markers of diseases severity but serum iron at cut off of >35.23 µmol/L better classified individuals of severe form of psychiatric disorder.
Epidemiological Profile of Microorganisms Associated with Female Infertility at the Mother and Child University Hospital Center of N’Djamena: Risk Factors and Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Bessimbaye Nadlaou , Désiré Daboulaye Allahsayim , Ambroise Douféné , Tidjani Abdelsalam
Published: March 2024

Aims: the objective of this work was to determine the resistance phenotypes and the epidemiological profile of microorganisms associated with female infertility at the CHU-ME of N’Djamena.

Materials and Methods: we conducted a prospective, cross-sectional and analytical study on women admitted for maternity desire at the CHU-ME of N'Djamena and consenting from June 1, 2022 to February 26, 2023. Isolation and identification microorganisms responsible for female infertility were carried out in the laboratories using standard clinical microbiology methods.

Results: Of the 122 patients included in this series due to infertility, 88 (72.13%) tested positive for microbial infection compared to 34 (28%) negative tests (p = 0.01). The average age of infertile women was 34.24 years with extremes ranging from 19 to 45 years. The age groups most affected were 25 to 31 and 32 to 38. Primary infertility was 71.31% and secondary 28.68%. The microorganisms most associated with infertility were Chlamydia trachomatis (25.30%), Mycoplasma hominis (17.90%), Candida albicans (16.66%) and Staphylococcus aureus (16.04%) Streptococcus agalactiae (10 .49%) and Ureaplasma spp (8.14%). The risk factors most associated with infertility were advanced age (18.85%), surgical interventions (17.25%) and ovulation disorders (19.39%). The antecedents most associated with infertility were cesarean section 44 (36.07%) followed by miscarriages 29 (23.77).

The sensitivity of bacterial and fungal agents to antibiotics and antifungals was varied. The majority of bacteria were resistant to Cyclins, Betalactams and Macrolides with proportions of 66%, 47.66% and 34% respectively. Strains of Ureaplasma spp and Mycoplasma homonis develop average resistances of 86.52% and 36.16% respectively against fluoroquinolones.

The fungal strains were sensitive (54.33%) to the azole derivatives and resistant (70%) to the polyenes tested.

Conclusion: The present study made it possible to determine high prevalence of microorganisms and risk factors associated with female infertility. It also highlighted high prevalence of resistance of bacteria to beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones and of Candida albicans to polyenes.
Pearl Millet: A Critical Review on Processing Techniques and Its Products
Authors: Ramya C S  , Manik Shweta F , Malathi G. , Kamalasundari S. , Singh Barinderjit , Angmo Dechen , Bhushan Shanti , Sachan Dhruvendra Singh
Published: March 2024

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a rich source of nutrients as in contrast to the primary cultivated cereal crops. However, important factors which restrict its utilization are the presence of anti-nutritional factors (phytate, tannins and polyphenols) which decrease availability of minerals and horrible conserving exceptional because of increased lipase activity. Therefore, this paper ambitions to focus on the have an influence on of unique processing methods on the nutrient composition and anti-nutritional components and its products of pearl millet. This is a literature overview research about from 1983 to 2017, focusing on studies related to pearl millet processing and their effectiveness in the enrichment of dietary charge via reduction of anti-nutritional compounds. From the literature reviewed, pearl millet processing by way of a range strategies consisting of milling, malting, fermentation, blanching and acid as nicely as heat redress had been determined to be magnificent in achieving the higher mineral digestibility, retardation of off flavor, bitterness as properly as rancidity problems found in the direction of storage of flour. Through this overview paper, possible processing techniques and their impact on the nutrient and anti-nutrient profile of pearl millet are discussed after focused studied of literature from journal articles and thesis.
Does Financial Development and Improved Institutions Really Advance Formal Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries?
Authors: Ndeffo Luc Nembot , Ossede Daave Franklin Mvogo II , Tameko Gautier Tchoffo
Published: March 2024

To effectively combat poverty worldwide, many development policies place particular emphasis on entrepreneurship, thanks to its ability to drive economic growth. However, there is the challenge of reducing the informal sector and promoting the formal sector. Many initiatives have therefore, been undertaken to promote formal entrepreneurship in developing countries, but little is known about the role of institutions and financial development. The aim of this article is to analyze the effects of financial development and institutions on formal entrepreneurship in developing countries. To achieve this, the system GMM method was applied to a sample of 94 developing countries between 2006 and 2018. It yielded the following results: financial development has a positive effect on formal entrepreneurship; institutions have mixed effects on formal entrepreneurship; institutions encourage financial development to foster formal entrepreneurship; and, other macroeconomic magnitudess have mixed effects. The study recommends that the leaders of these countries develop their financial systems, fight corruption more effectively, reduce regulatory constraints on business start-ups and encourage the achievement of economic policy objectives, in order to expand the size of the formal sector.
Design and Creation of Superwetting/Antiwetting Surfaces
Authors: Feng X. J. , Jiang L.
Published: November 2006

Recent achievements in the construction of surfaces with special wettabilities, such as superhydrophobicity, superhydrophilicity, superoleophobicity, superoleophilicity, superamphiphilicity, superamphiphobicity, superhydrophobicity/superoleophilicity, and reversible switching between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity, are presented. Particular attention is paid to superhydrophobic surfaces created via various methods and surfaces with reversible superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity that are driven by various kinds of external stimuli. The control of the surface micro‐/nanostructure and the chemical composition is critical for these special properties. These surfaces with controllable wettability are of great importance for both fundamental research and practical applications.
Social lives of adult mysore slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus)
Authors: Nekaris K.A.I.
Published: November 2006

Despite the persistent use of the word “solitary” to describe nocturnal primate social behavior, increasing numbers of studies are revealing sophisticated levels of social interactions among nocturnal primates. This study explores the relationships among 11 adult Mysore slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus) studied over 101/2 months in Tamil Nadu, India. When all observations regarding dependent offspring are excluded, the animals spent on average 38% of their activity in various forms of neutral, affiliative, and agonistic behaviors. Affiliative behaviors were the most common type of social interaction, and males in general were more social than females. Low values for Cole's index (CI) of association emphasize that females rarely interacted with same‐sex conspecifics, but commonly interacted with males. In turn, males also formed strong affiliative relationships with other adult males. This index also indicates that levels of affiliation are strongest among animals that share sleeping sites. The Hinde index (HI) suggests that males control proximity to females more than the reverse. A female's tolerance of multiple males in her home range and at a sleeping site may be related to high spatial variability of food resources. Such resources may constrain females with costly reproductive strategies (up to two sets of twins per annum) to a small home range. With their larger home ranges, males may be able to monopolize females by initiating social interactions, and also provide a benefit to females by contributing to parental care. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1171–1182, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of a tool‐set by Pan troglodytes troglodytes to obtain termites (Macrotermes) in the periphery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, southeast Cameroon
Authors: Deblauwe Isra , Guislain Patrick , Dupain Jef , Van Elsacker Linda
Published: November 2006

At the northern periphery of the Dja Biosphere Reserve (southeastern Cameroon) we recorded a new use of a tool‐set by Pan troglodytes troglodytes to prey on Macrotermes muelleri, M. renouxi, M. lilljeborgi, and M. nobilis. We recovered 79 puncturing sticks and 47 fishing probes at 17 termite nests between 2002 and 2005. The mean length of the puncturing sticks (n = 77) and fishing probes (n = 45) was 52 cm and 56 cm, respectively, and the mean diameter was 9 mm and 4.5 mm, respectively. Sixty‐eight percent of 138 chimpanzee fecal samples contained major soldiers of four Macrotermes species. The chimpanzees in southeastern Cameroon appeared to be selective in their choice of plant material to make their tools. The tools found at our study site resemble those from other sites in this region. However, in southeastern Cameroon only one tool‐set type was found, whereas two tool‐set types have been reported in Congo. Our study suggests that, along with the different vegetation types and the availability of plant material around termite nests, the nest and gallery structure and foraging behavior of the different Macrotermes spp. at all Central African sites must be investigated before we can attribute differences in tool‐use behavior to culture. Am. J. Primatol. 68:1191–1196, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric Resolution in Ester Reduction by NaBH4 at the Interface of Aqueous Aggregates of Amino Acid, Peptide, and Chiral‐Counterion‐Based Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Dasgupta Antara , Mitra Rajendra Narayan , Roy Sangita , Das Prasanta Kumar
Published: November 2006

This study provides insight into the physicochemical aspects of aqueous aggregates that comprise amino acid, peptide, and chiral‐counterion‐based cationic surfactants and their correlation with the proficiency of asymmetric resolution in ester reduction. The effects of the structural differences in the naturally occurring amino acid based and synthetic chiral‐counterion‐containing gemini surfactants on the surface properties as well as on other microstructural parameters were studied and correlated to the varied head groups of the surfactants. The supramolecular chirality induced from the head‐group region of chiral amphiphiles in aqueous self‐aggregates is evident from circular dichroism, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy studies. This large‐scale chirality at the interface of self‐aggregates was exploited towards asymmetric resolution in ester reduction by NaBH4. An enantiomeric excess of 53 % ((R)‐2‐phenylpropan‐1‐ol) was found in the case of the n‐hexyl ester of 2‐phenylpropionic acid as substrate in the aqueous aggregate of N,N′‐dihexadecyl‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐N,N′‐ethanediyldiammonium diquinate. Thus, a simple and environmentally benign pathway for asymmetric resolution in ester reduction by sodium borohydride alone is reported, which utilizes the varied spatial asymmetry at the interface of aqueous aggregates of cationic chiral amphiphiles.
Simulating α/β Selectivity at the Human Thyroid Hormone Receptor: Consensus Scoring Using Multidimensional QSAR
Authors: Vedani Angelo , Zumstein Martin , Lill Markus A. , Ernst Beat
Published: November 2006

We present a consensus‐scoring study on the human thyroid hormone receptor α and β using two receptor‐modeling concepts (software Quasar and Raptor) that are based on multidimensional QSAR and allow for the explicit simulation of induced fit. The binding mode of 82 agonists and indirect antagonists, spanning an activity range of seven orders of magnitude inKi, was identified through flexible docking to the respective X‐ray crystal structures (Yeti software) and represented by a 4D data set with up to four conformations per compound. The receptor surrogates for the thyroid α receptor converged at a cross‐validatedr2of 0.846/0.919 (64 training compounds; for Quasar and Raptor, respectively) and yielded a predictiver2of 0.812/0.814 (18 test compounds); the models for the thyroid β receptor resulted in a cross‐validatedr2of 0.823/0.909 and a predictiver2of 0.665/0.796, respectively. Consensus was achieved as, on average, the calculated activities of the training set differ only by a factor of 2.2 inKiand those of the test set by a factor of 2.8 when predicted by Quasar and Raptor, respectively.
Tumor infiltrating Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cells are associated with recurrence in pathologic stage I NSCLC patients
Authors: Petersen Rebecca P. , Campa Michael J. , Sperlazza Justin , Conlon Debbi , Joshi Mary‐Beth , Harpole David H. , Patz Edward F.
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND.

Early stage lung cancer has a variable prognosis, and there are currently no markers that predict which patients will recur. This study examined the relation between tumor‐regulatory T (Treg) cells and total tumor‐infiltrating T‐cell lymphocytes (TIL) to determine whether they correlated with recurrence.

METHODS.

The authors reviewed all patients in our tissue databank from 1996 to 2001 and identified 64 consecutive pathologic stage I non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who had surgical resection and at least a 2.5 years disease‐free follow‐up or documented recurrence within 2 years. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed on paraffin‐embedded lung cancer tissue and the relation between Treg cells, TIL, and disease‐specific survival was determined. A risk index was devised deductively for various possible combinations of Treg cells and TIL.

RESULTS.

Treg cells and TIL were detected in 33 of 64 (51%) and 53 of 64 (83%) patients, respectively. When data were analyzed by using a Treg/TIL Combination Risk Index, patients with high‐risk and intermediate‐risk indices had hazard ratios of 8.2 (P = .007) and 3.3 (P = .109), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS.

Patients with stage I NSCLC who have a higher proportion of tumor Treg cells relative to TIL had a significantly higher risk of recurrence. These data may be useful, particularly if combined with a panel of tumor markers, to suggest at the time of diagnosis which patients with seemingly early‐stage NSCLC will relapse. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
A pilot study of epratuzumab and rituximab in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy in patients with previously untreated, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Micallef Ivana N. M. , Kahl Brad S. , Maurer Matthew J. , Dogan Ahmet , Ansell Stephen M. , Colgan Joseph P. , Geyer Susan , Inwards David J. , White William L. , Habermann Thomas M.
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND.

In this pilot study, the authors assessed the feasibility of combination epratuzumab and rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (ER‐CHOP) in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODS.

Patients received chemotherapy on the following schedule: epratuzumab 360 mg/m2, rituximab 375 mg/m2, and standard‐dose CHOP every 3 weeks for 6 to 8 cycles. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 or 4 antibody infusional toxicity. Secondary endpoints were the complete response (CR) rate, the overall response rate (ORR), and progression‐free survival (PFS). Weekly blood counts were obtained to monitor hematologic toxicity. Fifteen patients were enrolled and treated. Baseline patient characteristics included a median age of 63 years (range, 42–78 years), 60% of patients had stage III or IV disease, 7 patients had a low‐risk International Prognostic Index (IPI) score (0 or 1), 7 patients had an intermediate‐risk IPI score (2 or 3), and 1 patient was high risk.

RESULTS.

Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 14 patients (93%) or in 28 of 92 treatment cycles (30%). Three patients developed grade ≥3 infection or fever. Eleven patients (73%) required dose reductions. No grade 3 antibody infusion‐related toxicity was reported. Thirteen of 15 patients responded (ORR, 87%,), including 10 CRs (67%), 3 partial responses (20%), 1 patient with stable disease, and 1 patient with disease progression. At a median follow‐up of 30 months, 13 of 15 patients remained alive. The 1‐year PFS and OS rates were 93% and 100%, respectively; and the 2‐year PFS and OS rates were 86% and 86%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS.

ER‐CHOP every 21 days was feasible as treatment for newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL. A Phase II multicenter study is underway. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Treatment effects, disease recurrence, and survival in obese women with early endometrial carcinoma
Authors: von Gruenigen Vivian E. , Tian Chunqiao , Frasure Heidi , Waggoner Steven , Keys Henry , Barakat Richard R.
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND.

The objective was to examine whether rates of disease recurrence, treatment‐related adverse effects, and survival differed between obese or morbidly obese and nonobese patients.

METHODS.

Data from patients who participated in a randomized trial of surgery with or without adjuvant radiation therapy were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS.

Body mass index (BMI) data were available for 380 patients, of whom 24% were overweight (BMI, 25–29.9), 41% were obese (BMI, 30–39.9), and 12% were morbidly obese (BMI, ≥40). BMI did not significantly differ based on age, performance status, histology, tumor grade, myometrial invasion, or lymphovascular‐space involvement. BMI > 30 was more common in African Americans (73%) than non‐African Americans (50%). Patients with a BMI ≥ 40 compared with BMI < 30 (hazards ratio [HR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–1.84; P = .246) did not have lower recurrence rates. Compared with BMI < 30, there was no significant difference in survival in patients with BMI 30–39.9 (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.82–2.70; P = .196); however, there was evidence for decreased survival in patients with BMI ≥ 40 (HR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.21–6.36; P = .016). Unadjusted and adjusted BMI hazards ratios for African Americans versus non‐African Americans in the current study differed, thus suggesting a confounding effect of BMI on race. Eight (67%) of 12 deaths among 45 morbidly obese patients were from noncancerous causes. For patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy, increased BMI was significantly associated with less gastrointestinal (R, −0.22; P = .003) and more cutaneous (R, 0.17; P = .019) toxicities.

RESULTS.

In the current study, obesity was associated with higher mortality from causes other than endometrial cancer but not disease recurrence. Increased BMI was also associated with more cutaneous and less gastrointestinal toxicity in patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy. Future recommendations include lifestyle intervention trials to improve survival in obese endometrial cancer patients. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Salivary analysis in oral cancer patients
Authors: Bahar Gideon , Feinmesser Raphael , Shpitzer Thomas , Popovtzer Aaron , Nagler Rafael M.
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND.

Free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which induce oxidative and nitrative stress, are main contributors to oral carcinogenesis. The RNS (nitrosamines: nitrates, NO3, and nitrites, NO2) are also produced by the reaction of ROS and other free radicals with nitric oxide (NO) and are therefore in equilibrium with it.

METHODS.

Whole saliva was collected from a group of 25 consenting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and from a control group of 25 healthy age‐ and gender‐matched individuals. General and specific salivary antioxidant components, salivary nitrosamines, and oxidatively damaged salivary DNA and proteins were measured.

RESULTS.

The findings showed that oxidative and nitrative stress altered the salivary composition in OSCC patients. Analyzed salivary RNS were substantially higher (NO, 60%; NO2, 190%; NO3, 93%), whereas all salivary antioxidants were substantially reduced. The 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) marker (a widely used indicator of DNA oxidation) increased by 65% and the salivary carbonylation level was significantly higher.

CONCLUSIONS.

The increase in ROS and RNS may have been the event that led to the consumption and reduction of salivary antioxidant systems, thus explaining the oxidative damage to the DNA and proteins, and possibly the promotion of OSCC. The oxidized proteins and DNA found in the saliva of the cancer patients seems to be the first demonstration of a direct link between salivary free radicals, antioxidants, and OSCC. This may be important for better understanding the pathogenesis of the disease and may contribute to its diagnosis and treatment. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Sagdeev Potential and Sheath Criterion for a Multi‐Component Plasma
Authors: Alterkop B. , Boxman R. L.
Published: November 2006

A charged sheath between a multi‐component plasma and an absorbing and conducting wall was considered analytically in the framework of a hydrodynamic model. The model accounted for the inertia and pressures of all the plasma components and both wall polarities. An existence criterion for the steady sheath with a monotonous distribution of the electric potential was derived based on analysis of the Sagdeev potential. The model was applied to some special cases of two‐and three‐component plasmas such as a plasma with macroparticles, and electro‐positive and ‐negative plasmas. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optimising negative chirp of an electroabsorption modulator for use in high‐speed optical networks
Authors: Jamro M. Y. , Senior J. M.
Published: November 2006

Optical networks using singlemode fiber rely on negative chirp to improve the transmission performance. In particular for an electroabsorption modulator (EAM) optimal chirp control is required when it is used to achieve various network functions in high‐speed optical networks. An approach to modelling the negative chirp for the EAM is presented that is suitable to apply to a cross‐absorption modulation scheme. A novel feature of this modelling process is that it allows cubic polynomials to incorporate the nonlinear coefficients of chirp describing the α‐parameter related to the nonlinear transmission coefficients. In addition to the two‐tone signal parameters (i.e. bias and modulating signal voltages), the model also includes wavelength‐temperature‐dependent absorption variation and the effects associated with the length of the device. It therefore enables accurate determination for the values of the nonlinear coefficients of the chirp responsible for the negative chirp of an EAM. Using this model an optimised range of ± 0.5 is obtained for the nonlinear coefficients of the chirp to exhibit negative chirp for specific values of nonlinear transmission coefficients (within a range of −10 and 2) at a reverse bias voltage of less than 2 V. Since negative chirp optimisation of an EAM can minimise the unwanted effects of dispersion on a singlemode fiber in high‐speed optical networks an improvement of performance without employing expensive dispersion compensation management techniques can be achieved. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.
New Composite DMFC Anode with PEDOT as a Mixed Conductor and Catalyst Support
Authors: Drillet J.‐F. , Dittmeyer R. , Jüttner K. , Li L. , Mangold K.‐M.
Published: November 2006

The conducting polymer PEDOT is tested as a carbon substitute material for the DMFC anode. Electrochemical experiments are carried out in a three‐electrode half‐cell at room temperature. The first part of this paper focuses on the characterization of PEDOT and PEDOT‐PSS as a diffusion layer material. PEDOT/C cyclic voltammograms are recorded in 1 M H2SO4 in the range between the hydrogen evolution and polymer over‐oxidation potentials. The incorporation of the PSS counter‐ion into the polymer matrix leads to higher impedance values compared to PEDOT without PSS. The second part deals with the study of PEDOT as a Pt catalyst support. It is found that the partial over‐oxidation of PEDOT enhances the activity of Pt for methanol oxidation. This can be explained by a change in the morphology of PEDOT that probably improves methanol diffusion within the reaction layer. The degradation of the conducting polymer is confirmed by SEM, EDX, and FTIR measurements.
Loss of 11q and 16q in Wilms tumors is associated with anaplasia, tumor recurrence, and poor prognosis
Authors: Wittmann Stefanie , Zirn Birgit , Alkassar Muhannad , Ambros Peter , Graf Norbert , Gessler Manfred
Published: November 2006

Allele loss of chromosome arms 11q and 16q in Wilms tumors has been associated with different clinical parameters in prior studies. To substantiate these findings in a large collection of tumors treated according to the GPOH/SIOP protocol and to narrow down critical regions, we performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analyses of chromosome arms 11q and 16q on 225 Wilms tumors. On chromosome arm 11q an overall rate of allele loss of 19.6% (44 of 225 tumors) was found using eleven markers that were almost evenly distributed along the long arm. Chromosome arm 16q was analyzed with six markers selected from gene‐rich regions that identified an LOH rate of 18.4% (41/223). Evaluation of LOH with respect to clinical data revealed significant associations of LOH 11q with histology: LOH 11q was 3–4 times more frequent in mixed type and diffuse anaplastic tumors. In contrast, epithelial as well as stromal type tumors never exhibited allele loss on 11q. Furthermore, a significant correlation with tumor recurrence and death was detected, but only for tumors that lost the entire long arm of chromosome 11. Similarly, LOH 16q was correlated with higher risks of later relapse, especially in tumors with complete loss of the long arm. Hence, analyses of LOH on 11q and 16q appear to be helpful to identify tumors with a higher risk of relapse and adverse outcome, which need adjusted therapeutic approaches. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effectiveness and acceptability of non‐pharmacological interventions to reduce wandering in dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Robinson L. , Hutchings D. , Dickinson H. O. , Corner L. , Beyer F. , Finch T. , Hughes J. , Vanoli A. , Ballard C. , Bond J.
Published: November 2006

Background

Wandering occurs in 15–60% of people with dementia. Psychosocial interventions rather than pharmacological methods are recommended, but evidence for their effectiveness is limited and there are ethical concerns associated with some non‐pharmacological approaches, such as electronic tracking devices.

Objective

To determine the clinical and cost effectiveness and acceptability of non‐pharmacological interventions to reduce wandering in dementia.

Design

A systematic review to evaluate effectiveness of the interventions and to assess acceptability and ethical issues associated with their use. The search and review strategy, data extraction and analysis followed recommended guidance. Papers of relevance to effectiveness, acceptability and ethical issues were sought.

Results

(i) Clinical effectiveness. Eleven studies, including eight randomised controlled trials, of a variety of interventions, met the inclusion criteria. There was no robust evidence to recommend any intervention, although there was some weak evidence for exercise. No relevant studies to determine cost effectiveness met the inclusion criteria.
(ii) Acceptability/ethical issues. None of the acceptability papers reported directly the views of people with dementia. Exercise and music therapy were the most acceptable interventions and raised no ethical concerns. Tracking and tagging devices were acceptable to carers but generated considerable ethical debate. Physical restraints were considered unacceptable.

Conclusions

In order to reduce unsafe wandering high quality research is needed to determine the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions that are practically and ethically acceptable to users. It is important to establish the views of people with dementia on the acceptability of such interventions prior to evaluating their effectiveness through complex randomised controlled trials. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treating late‐life depression with interpersonal psychotherapy in the primary care sector
Authors: Schulberg Herbert C. , Post Edward P. , Raue Patrick J. , Have Thomas Ten , Miller Mark , Bruce Martha L.
Published: November 2006

Background

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an empirically‐validated intervention for treating late‐life depression.

Objective

To determine the manner in which IPT is utilized by primary care physicians in relation to antidepressant medications.

Methods

The authors reviewed treatment logs prepared by care managers during the first 12 months of a patient's participation in the PROSPECT clinical trial to determine initial and longitudinal treatment patterns utilized by physicians, and clinical outcomes associated with initial treatment assignment.

Results

Primary care physicians in practices randomized to PROSPECT's intervention arm initially prescribed an antidepressant medication for 58% of eligible patients and referred only 11% of them to IPT. Over time, however, 27% of patients participated in IPT as monotherapy or augmentation therapy. Initial treatment assignment was not associated with depressive status at 4 and 12 months nor with suicidal ideation at 4, 8, and 12 months.

Conclusion

IPT is an effective treatment for late‐life depression whose greater use by primary care physicians should be encouraged. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐income depressed older adults with psychiatric comorbidity: secondary analyses of response to psychotherapy and case management
Authors: Gum Amber M. , Areán Patricia A. , Bostrom Alan
Published: November 2006

Objective

This study examined the influence of comorbid anxiety and personality disorders on depression treatment response in 67 low‐income older adults.

Methods

Participants were randomized to clinical case management, cognitive‐behavioral group therapy, or both for 6 months. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post‐treatment, and 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Results

Dropout and depression diagnoses were similar across groups. Participants with comorbidity had more depressive and anxiety symptoms at most time points; degree of improvement did not differ significantly. Of participants with personality disorder, none met criteria at post‐treatment (three relapsed by 12‐month follow‐up).

Conclusions

Findings suggest depressed low‐income elders with anxiety or personality disorders can be retained and benefit from depression treatment, but may require additional interventions to achieve similar levels of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression is associated with low plasma Aβ42 independently of cardiovascular disease in the homebound elderly
Authors: Qiu Wei Qiao , Sun Xiaoyan , Selkoe Dennis J. , Mwamburi D. Mkaya , Huang Tina , Bhadela Refeeque , Bergethon Peter , Scott Tammy M. , Summergrad Paul , Wang Lixia , Rosenberg Irwin , Folstein Marshal
Published: November 2006

Background

Depression often precedes the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) before the appearance of cognitive symptoms. Plasma Amyloid‐β peptide 42 (Aβ42) declines before and soon after the onset of AD, yet the relationship between plasma Aβ42 and depression is unclear.

Methods

We used 515 homebound elders aged 60 and older in a population‐based, cross‐sectional study to investigate associations between plasma Aβ levels and depression with and without cardiovascular co‐morbidities. Depression was evaluated by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES‐D) scale. Plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 were measured.

Results

The elderly with depression had lower plasma Aβ42 (median: 15.3 vs. 18.9, p = 0.008) than those without depression. The CES‐D score was inversely associated with plasma Aβ42 (p = 0.001) in subjects with no cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, in the presence of CVD, this association did not exist. Low plasma Aβ42 (OR = 0.41, p = 0.007) and the presence of CVD (OR = 1.84, p = 0.005) were independently associated with depression after adjusting for the confounders of age, stroke and apolipoprotein E4.

Conclusions

Depressive symptoms are associated with low plasma Aβ42 independently of CVD. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether depression associated with low plasma Aβ42 is a separate depression subtype that could predict the onset of AD. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid and Precise Release from Nano‐Tracted Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels Containing Linear Poly(acrylic acid)
Authors: Asoh Taka‐aki , Kaneko Tatsuo , Matsusaki Michiya , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: November 2006

Summary: We investigated the rapid and precise molecular release from hydrogels in response to dual stimuli. To achieve precise on/off drug release using thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels, we prepared nano‐structured semi‐IPNs, which consisted of thermosensitive PNIPAAm networks penetrated by pH‐responsive poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) linear chains and perforated to create nano‐tracts as a molecular pathway. The present nano‐tracted semi‐IPNs show a rapid deswelling response to both temperature and pH. Model drug releases were investigated when simultaneous changes in temperature and pH were applied. We observed that the cationic drug was rapidly released and then abruptly discontinued from the nano‐tracted semi‐IPNs in response to the dual stimuli, and clear release and stopping cycles were repeatedly observed on successive steps. Moreover, the release rates and amount of drug released were controllable by the deswelling speed of the gels and the PAAc content inside the gels. This novel release system using the nano‐tracted semi‐IPNs may be useful for the high performance, pulsed release of molecules.

Release profiles of MB from semi‐IPNs at pH = 5.5, 20 °C (white region) and pH = 2, 40 °C (gray region).

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Release profiles of MB from semi‐IPNs at pH = 5.5, 20 °C (white region) and pH = 2, 40 °C (gray region).
Recent Advances in Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production by Mixed Aerobic Cultures: From the Substrate to the Final Product
Authors: Dias João M. L. , Lemos Paulo C. , Serafim Luísa S. , Oliveira Cristina , Eiroa Marta , Albuquerque Maria G. E. , Ramos Ana M. , Oliveira Rui , Reis Maria A. M.
Published: November 2006

Summary: Numerous bacteria have been found to exhibit the capacity for intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) accumulation. Current methods for PHA production at the industrial scale are based on their synthesis from microbial isolates in either their wild form or by recombinant strains. High production costs are associated with these methods; thus, attempts have been made to develop more cost‐effective processes. Reducing the cost of the carbon substrates (e.g., through feeding renewable wastes) and increasing the efficiency of production technologies (including both fermentation and downstream extraction and recovery) are two such examples of these attempts. PHA production processes based on mixed microbial cultures are being investigated as a possible technology to decrease production costs, since no sterilization is required and bacteria can adapt quite well to the complex substrates that may be present in waste material. PHA accumulation by mixed cultures has been found under various operational conditions and configurations at both bench‐scale and full‐scale production. The process known as “feast and famine” or as “aerobic dynamic feeding” seems to have a high potential for PHA production by mixed cultures. Enriched cultures submitted to a transient carbon supply can synthesize PHA at levels comparable to those of pure cultures. Indeed, the intracellular PHA content can reach around 70% of the cell dry weight, suggesting that this process could be competitive with pure culture PHA production when fully developed. Basic and applied research of the PHA production process by mixed cultures has been carried out in the past decade, focusing on areas such as microbial characterization, process configuration, reactor operational strategies, process modeling and control, and polymer characterization. This paper presents a review of the PHA production process with mixed cultures, encompassing the findings reported in the literature as well as our own experimental results in relation to each of these areas.

Production of PHA by mixed cultures under feast and famine conditions.

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Production of PHA by mixed cultures under feast and famine conditions.
Efficient Synthesis of Protein‐Drug Conjugates Using a Functionalizable Recombinant Elastin‐Mimetic Polypeptide
Authors: Kaufmann Doris , Weberskirch Ralf
Published: November 2006

Summary: This report describes the efficient conjugation of doxorubicin‐glycine‐phenylalanine‐leucine‐glycine (1a) and rhodamine‐glycine‐phenylalanine‐leucine‐glycine (1b) units to a monodisperse elastin‐mimetic polypeptide (EMM)7 bearing eight primary amine groups for chemical attachment. The synthetic approach is based on the solid‐phase synthesis of 1a and 1b followed by chemical conjugation to the elastin‐mimetic polypeptide in the presence of HOBt/PyBob as activating agents to form the polypeptide conjugates 2a and 2b. Conjugation efficiency was 61.2% (4.9 doxorubicin units per polypeptide chain) for 2a and 53.7% (4.3 rhodamine units per polypeptide chain) for 2b, demonstrating the feasibility of using these tailor‐made, recombinant polypeptides as potential drug carriers for cancer therapy.

Schematic structure of the elastin‐mimetic polypeptide (EMM)7.

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Schematic structure of the elastin‐mimetic polypeptide (EMM)7.
A discrete model for the dynamic propagation of shear bands in a fluid‐saturated medium
Authors: Réthoré Julien , de Borst René , Abellan Marie‐Angèle
Published: November 2006

The first part of this manuscript discusses a finite element method that captures arbitrary discontinuities in a two‐phase medium by exploiting the partition‐of‐unity property of finite element shape functions. The fluid flow away from the discontinuity is modelled in a standard fashion using Darcy's relation, and at the discontinuity a discrete analogy of Darcy's relation is used. Subsequently, dynamic shear banding is studied numerically for a biaxial, plane‐strain specimen. A Tresca‐like as well as a Coulomb criterion is used as nucleation criterion. Decohesion is controlled by a mode‐II fracture energy, while for the Coulomb criterion, frictional forces are transmitted across the interface in addition to the cohesive shear tractions. The effect of the different interface relations on the onset of cavitation is studied. Finally, a limited quantitative study is made on the importance of including a so‐called dynamic seepage term in Darcy's relation when considering dynamic shear banding. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of crystal growth in three dimensions using a sharp‐interface finite element method
Authors: Zhao P. , Heinrich J. C. , Poirier D. R.
Published: November 2006

A sharp‐interface numerical model is presented to simulate thermally driven crystal growth in three‐dimensional space. The model is formulated using the finite element method and works directly with primitive variables. It solves the energy equation in a fixed volume mesh while explicitly tracking the motion of the solid–liquid interface. The three‐dimensional interface is represented by connected planar triangles that form a surface mesh. To accurately capture the morphology of the growing dendrite, the surface mesh is updated every few time‐steps so that the quality of the triangles is maintained and the size of the triangles is always kept in a range associated with the element size of the fixed volume mesh. The interface curvature is calculated by a least‐squares paraboloid‐fitting to neighbouring nodes. The model is validated through a comparison with an exact solution of a three‐dimensional Stefan problem, a mesh refinement study, a mesh orientation test and a comparison with solvability theory. It is shown that the interface position is tracked to second‐order accuracy. Simulations are performed under different combinations of the undercooling and surface energy. The effects of these parameters on the growth and morphology of the dendrites are studied. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.