bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of metformin plus sulfonylurea therapy on clinical features of the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Koprivica Branka , Beljic-Zivkovic Teodora , Ille Tatjana
Published: February 2011

Introduction. Insulin resistance is a well-known leading factor in the development of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic effects of metformin added to sulfonylurea in unsuccessfully treated type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome. Material and methods. A group of thirty subjects, with type 2 diabetes, secondary sulfonylurea failure and metabolic syndrome were administered the combined therapy of sulfonylurea plus metformin for six months. Metformin 2000 mg/d was added to previously used sulfonylurea agent in maximum daily dose. Antihypertensive and hypolipemic therapy was not changed. The following parameters were assessed at the beginning and after six months of therapy: glycemic control, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol and its fractions, homeostatic models for evaluation of insulin resistance and secretion (HOMA R, HOMA B) and C- peptide. Results. Glycemic control was significantly improved after six months of the combined therapy: (fasting 7.89 vs. 10.61 mmol/l. p<0.01; postprandial 11.12 vs. 12.61 mmol/l. p<0.01, p<0.01; glycosylated hemoglobin 6.81 vs. 8.83%. p<0.01). the body mass index and waist circumference were significantly lower (26.7 vs. 27.8 kg/m2, p<0.01 and 99.7 vs. 101.4 cm for men, p<0.01; 87.2 vs. 88.5 for women, p<0.01). Fasting plasma triglycerides decreased from 3.37 to 2.45 mmol/l (p<0.001) and HOMA R from 7.04 to 5.23 (p<0.001). No treatment effects were observed on blood pressure, cholesterol, and residual insulin secretion. Conclusion. Administration of metformin in type 2 diabetes with metabolic syndrome decreased cardiovascular risk factors by reducing glycemia, triglycerides, BMI, central obesity and insulin resistance.
Inflammation in knee osteoarthrosis: Cause of aggravation
Authors: Zivanovic Sandra , Nikolic Sandra , Jevtic Milorad , Kocic Sanja
Published: February 2011

Introduction. Knee osteoarthrosis is a degenerative disease which induces intense trouble. Material and methods. The aim of the study was the parallel analysis of clinical and ultrasound examination in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthrosis. A group of 88 patients underwent the clinical examination and the outflow and size of flexion were determined, the intensity of pain was assessed by the patient's mark on VAS, the functional ability by HAQ index, and the size of effusion and synovitis by arthrosonography. Results. The minimal outflow was diagnosed in 34.1% of patients, medium in 22.7%, and significant in 4.5%. Synovitis was evident in 67% of patients, 17.0% had nodular, 30.7% diffuse and 19.3% nodular-diffuse type. Effusion was observed in 75% of patients. The average size of synovitis in suprapatellar recess (SR) in the patients with significant, medium and lateral outflow was 6.68 (2.93-10.04) mm (p=0.000), 1.57 (0-5.53) mm (p=0.006) and 6.18 (3.44-7.10) mm (p=0.000), respectively. The grade of pain on VAS was the highest in patients with significant outflow 70(60-95) (p=0.014), effusion 60 (50-80) (p=0.024) and nodular type of synovitis 70 (50-90) (p=0.029). There was a significant correlation on VAS in the positive direction with the size of effusion (r=0.238, p=0.025) and synovitis in LR (r=0.215, p=0.044), HAQ index (r=0.502, p=0.000), and in the negative direction with the size of flexion (r=-0.346, p=0.001). The average size of flexion in the patients with significant outflow was 90 (82.5-90)?(p=0.000), HAQ index 1.99 (1.49-2.30) (p=0.078). HAQ index depended on effusion in LR in the positive direction (p=0.014). Discussion and Conclusion. Clinically significant outflow is shown by arthrosonography as the biggest in SR, moderate and minimal only in LR. Moderate or significant outflow, effusion and nodular type of synovitis lead to intensive pain. Patients with bigger functional disability had intense pain, significant outflow in LR and significantly limited motions.
Risk of vaccination in children with epilepsy
Authors: Knezevic-Pogancev Marija
Published: February 2011

Introduction. The central nervous system, previously considered as 'immune privileged', does exhibit features of inflammation in response to injury, infection or disease. We do not know its reactions on immunization. We do not know how common febrile seizures after vaccination are and if there are subgroups of children at higher risk. What is the long term outcome for children who had a febrile seizure after vaccination? Can the vaccine be a direct cause of a condition called an epileptic encephalopathy, where seizures damage the brain with the resulting epilepsy? Discussion and Conclusion. It should not be forgotten that 'benign infective childhood diseases' can, and do, kill, and that vaccines are a public health intervention saving many millions of lives around the world. Parents as well as doctors have fear: whether vaccinations can cause convulsions, epilepsy or encephalopathy. Large studies of this issue have produced conflicting results, although the recent consensus is that the risk of vaccine-induced epilepsy and or encephalopathy, if it exists at all, is extremely low. It is necessary to establish a proposed immunization program for children at neurologically high risk and for children with epilepsy to protect them and the whole population from infectious diseases, children from immunization adverse events, and avoid possibilities of legal trial. It is necessary to know everything about the risks and benefits of immunizations for each child. For each child, the risks of the disease, and its squeal, must be compared with the vaccine's protective efficacy and potential adverse reactions. Vaccination is given preference in nearly all children with epilepsy.
Quality of life evaluation in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Zdravkovic Marija , Krotin Mirjana , Deljanin-Ilic Marina , Zdravkovic Darko
Published: February 2011

Definition of quality of life. In recent years, quality of life has become a very important measure of treatment of disease and successful therapy, regarding not only general health of an individual patient but also of the whole population In 1993 the WHO proclaimed 'Vision of health for all', as 'Add years to life' but also 'Add life to years', emphasizing quality of life to be as important as life duration. Although the remaining life expectancy in patients with cardiovascular disease is prolonged, there is still medical challenge: 'How to improve quality of life in these patients?'. Measurement of quality of life. Quality of life can be defined as the patient's perception of impact of disease and concomitant therapy and procedures on his physical and working capacity, emotional role, social communication and general health. Different types of standardized questionnaires for quality of life evaluation It can be measured by general health questionnaires and specified questionnaires for disease. Questionnaire SF-36 is regarded as one of the most reliable, considering the great number of publications. Conclusion. The most important step in complicated evaluation of quality of life is the adequate selection of questionnaire with a high confidence.
Unknown pregnancy: Presentation of the case
Authors: Djordjevic Momcilo , Jovanovic Bozidar , Djordjevic Gordana
Published: February 2011

Introduction. There are two kinds of unknown pregnancies. A denied, unknown pregnancy, graviditatas ignota, when the pregnant woman unconsciously denies the existence of the pregnancy. Contrary to the denied pregnancy there is a hidden pregnancy, a concealed pregnancy in women who know they are pregnant but actively hide their pregnancy from the family, partner, friends, teachers, colleagues, etc. The prevalence of an unknown pregnancy during the first 20 gestation weeks is 1 in 475 pregnancies, in the second half of pregnancy it is 1 in 2455 pregnancies and at the moment of delivery it is 1 in 7225. Case report. A 40-year-old woman was transported by an ambulance and admitted to Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic in Kragujevac after the delivery in home conditions and this patient found out about her pregnancy at the moment of delivery. Discussion This case presents a classical example of a denied pregnancy. The reasons are probably at all levels, physiological, psychological and social. The patient was 40 years old, with two children aged 17 and 15 and irregular periods. Denied pregnancies present a multidisciplinary problem, which requires work of different specialties and services and this interferes with family and social life. Conclusion. The denied pregnancy should always be taken into consideration in case of irregular periods, especially in perimenopause. Patients in perimenopause should have regular medical examination by their gyneocolgists, at least once in six months and the delivery outside hospital conditions that bears a great risk should be avoided at any rate.
Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Battelino Tadej , Phillip Moshe , Bratina Natasa , Nimri Revital , Oskarsson Per , Bolinder Jan
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of continuous glucose monitoring on hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this randomized, controlled, multicenter study, 120 children and adults on intensive therapy for type 1 diabetes and a screening level of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) <7.5% were randomly assigned to a control group performing conventional home monitoring with a blood glucose meter and wearing a masked continuous glucose monitor every second week for five days or to a group with real-time continuous glucose monitoring. The primary outcome was the time spent in hypoglycemia (interstitial glucose concentration <63 mg/dL) over a period of 26 weeks. Analysis was by intention to treat for all randomized patients.

RESULTS

The time per day spent in hypoglycemia was significantly shorter in the continuous monitoring group than in the control group (mean ± SD 0.48 ± 0.57 and 0.97 ± 1.55 h/day, respectively; ratio of means 0.49; 95% CI 0.26–0.76; P = 0.03). HbA1c at 26 weeks was lower in the continuous monitoring group than in the control group (difference −0.27%; 95% CI −0.47 to −0.07; P = 0.008). Time spent in 70 to 180 mg/dL normoglycemia was significantly longer in the continuous glucose monitoring group compared with the control group (mean hours per day, 17.6 vs. 16.0, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous glucose monitoring was associated with reduced time spent in hypoglycemia and a concomitant decrease in HbA1c in children and adults with type 1 diabetes.
Second Language Students’ Discourse Socialization in Academic Online Communities
Authors: Yim Yoon-kyung Kecia
Published: February 2011

This article reports an investigation of second language (L2) students’ class participation in English-language university courses in two different modes: face-to-face off-line and asynchronous online. The study addressed (1) what characteristics of academic online discourse were created in graduate courses; (2) how students reported their construction of online discourse and what problems they faced; and (3) what participant roles L2 students exhibited in their academic online discourse. The findings reveal larger differences between the two courses than those between L1 and L2 status. The two courses appeared to be equally successful in generating a high level of academic discourse, but they differed substantially in terms of language registration, attitudes, exercise of agency, and the range of participant roles.
Exploring the Testing Process: Three Test Takers’ Observed and Reported Strategy Use over Time and Testing Contexts
Authors: Doe Christine , Fox Janna
Published: February 2011

The process of taking a high-stakes test stretches well beyond the day of the test itself; indeed, months may be spent preparing for such a test. Strategy research has proved to be a fruitful means of investigating the test-taking process, but it has typically relied on only one research approach at one contact point. This study explores three second language (L2) test takers’ strategy use over time and across testing contexts, including classroom observations of their six-week test-preparation course, interviews, their verbal accounts of a practice test just before the test, and post-test follow-up interviews. The results suggest that strategy use is sensitive to both context and research method, that well-known theoretical frameworks may not adequately account for strategies arising directly from experience in test-preparation classes, and that test takers with similar levels of proficiency acquire and use strategies differently in relation to their motivations for taking the test.
De la typologie de la bilingualité à une typologie du plurilinguisme ou de la multilingualité : un hommage à Josiane Hamers
Authors: El Euch Sonia
Published: February 2011

Résumé

Cet article est dédié à une de nos respectables collègues, Josiane Hamers, qui nous aurait activement accompagnée dans cette dialectique sur le plurilinguisme. Alors que sa distinction entre bilinguisme et bilingualité (Hamers et Blanc, 1995, 2000) est utile dans les domaines de l'acquisition des langues secondes et du bilinguisme, son utilisation de ces termes dans des situations impliquant plus de deux langues est discutable. Cet article décrit certains aspects des dimensions psychologiques de la bilingualité qui font que le plurilinguisme soit différent du bilinguisme. En exposant les différents facteurs impliqués dans une situation multilingue et en proposant une typologie du plurilinguisme, nous mettons en évidence l'importance de voir le plurilinguisme dans une perspective holistique et de voir l'individu plurilingue en tant que système psycholinguistique complexe. Les types de plurilinguisme suggérés visent à dresser le portrait de l'ensemble des facteurs à considérer dans de futures recherches interdisciplinaires sur le plurilinguisme.
Sociocultural Dynamics of ESL Learning (De)Motivation: An Activity Theory Analysis of Two Adult Korean Immigrants
Authors: Kim Tae-Young
Published: February 2011

This study examines the longitudinal trajectories of two Korean ESL immigrants' L2 learning motivation from an Activity Theory perspective. Two highly skilled immigrants participated in monthly semi-structured interviews over a period of 10 months. The research questions are as follows: (1) How does the relationship between ESL learners and their perceived social contexts affect and shape the way in which their ESL learning motivation develops? (2) How can the factors affecting the changes in ESL learning motivation be explained from an Activity Theory perspective? The recurring themes in the monthly interview data were coded and aligned to Engeström's (1999a) activity-system model; important interactions among the subcomponents of the model are presented and discussed. The results indicate that (1) the dynamism in ESL learning (de)motivation can be coherently explained in a series of longitudinal activity-system models; and (2) that it is not the ESL context per se but each participant's recognition of it that plays a pivotal role in creating, maintaining, and terminating ESL learning motivation.
Une négociation foncière introuvable ? L'exemple du Mayo-Rey dans le nord du Cameroun
Authors: Seignobos Christian
Published: February 2011

Dans le lamidat peul le plus puissant du Nord Cameroun : Rey Bouba, a été inauguré après 1996 un marquage foncier sur les limites litigieuses, dans une zone de cohabitation entre migrants et autochtones. Après huit années de bornage, conduites par un Projet, puis par un bureau d’étude (Terdel), le pouvoir traditionnel arrête le processus et fait arracher les bornes des négociations en cours. Le pouvoir traditionnel affirme par là sa primauté sur la terre. L’administration centrale est absente du foncier et le gouvernement accepte un retrait de l’État, négocié à Rey sur la base d’intérêts électoraux bien compris. Société civile et ONG sont inexistantes. Quant à la tutelle « technique », la Sodecoton, société para-étatique accusée d’être au service des migrants, elle n’est pas jugée suffisamment neutre en 2005. Aussi les officines de Développement en charge du foncier se trouvent-elles sans recours face aux seuls pouvoirs traditionnels. Toute négociation de sécurisation foncière semble alors devenir impossible.
La réforme territoriale en contexte métropolitain : éclairages canadiens
Authors: Douay Nicolas
Published: February 2011

Résumé Le Canada a connu des réformes territoriales, touchant notamment l’échelle métropole. Cet article explore différentes réponses théoriques et leurs applications pratiques : la création d’un gouvernement métropolitain, le maintien d’une fragmentation municipale et, plus récemment, la voie médiane du « nouveau régionalisme ».
Impulse Control Disorders Following Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson's Disease: Clinical Aspects
Authors: Demetriades Polyvios , Rickards Hugh , Cavanna Andrea Eugenio
Published: February 2011

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been associated with the development of impulse control disorders (ICDs), possibly due to overstimulation of the mesolimbic system by dopaminergic medication. Preliminary reports have suggested that deep brain stimulation (DBS), a neurosurgical procedure offered to patients with treatment-resistant PD, affects ICD in a twofold way. Firstly, DBS allows a decrease in dopaminergic medication and hence causes an improvement in ICDs. Secondly, some studies have proposed that specific ICDs may develop after DBS. This paper addresses the effects of DBS on ICDs in patients with PD. A literature search identified four original studies examining a total of 182 patients for ICDs and nine case reports of 39 patients that underwent DBS and developed ICDs at some point. Data analysis from the original studies did not identify a significant difference in ICDs between patients receiving dopaminergic medication and patients on DBS, whilst the case reports showed that 56% of patients undergoing DBS had poor outcome with regards to ICDs. We discuss these ambivalent findings in the light of proposed pathogenetic mechanisms. Longitudinal, prospective studies with larger number of patients are required in order to fully understand the role of DBS on ICDs in patients with PD.
A Simple Densitometric Method for the Quantification of Inhibitory Neurotransmitter Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in Rat Brain Tissue
Authors: Saravana Babu Chidambaram , Kesavanarayanan Krishnamoorthy Selvarajan , Kalaivani Periyathambi , Ranju Vijayan , Ramanathan Muthiah
Published: February 2011

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system which is involved in various physiological and pathological processes. The present study demonstrates a simple high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method which was developed for the estimation of GABA in rat brain tissue. The method was validated in terms of precision, recovery, reproducibility, and variability. Instrumental precision was found to be 0.5891% CV and reproducibility of the method was found to be 0.4141% CV. Interday and intraday precision of the method was found to be 0.9453% and 1.3236% CV, respectively. Accuracy of the method was checked by the recovery study, and the average recovery of GABA was found to be 97.98% at 40 ng and 96.15% at 80 ng levels. The present HPTLC method for GABA estimation was found to be simple, precise, reproducible, sensitive, and accurate. No doubt, this proposed method will be a useful tool for the estimation of GABA in rat brain tissue.
Mitochondrial Fusion/Fission, Transport and Autophagy in Parkinson's Disease: When Mitochondria Get Nasty
Authors: Arduíno Daniela M. , Esteves A. Raquel , Cardoso Sandra M.
Published: February 2011

Understanding the molecular basis of Parkinson's disease (PD) has proven to be a major challenge in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of PD, a growing body of evidence has highlighted the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and the disruption of the mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in PD and other parkinsonian disorders. In this paper, we comment on the recent advances in how changes in the mitochondrial function and mitochondrial dynamics (fusion/fission, transport, and clearance) contribute to neurodegeneration, specifically focusing on PD. We also evaluate the current controversies in those issues and discuss the role of fusion/fission dynamics in the mitochondrial lifecycle and maintenance. We propose that cellular demise and neurodegeneration in PD are due to the interplay between mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial trafficking disruption, and impaired autophagic clearance.
The Use of Epicardial Electrogram as a Simple Guide to Select the Optimal Site of Left Ventricular Pacing in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Fatemi Marjaneh , Le Gal Grégoire , Blanc Jean-Jacques , Mansourati Jacques , Etienne Yves
Published: February 2011

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been demonstrated to improve symptoms and survival in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and dyssynchrony. To achieve this goal, the LV lead should be positioned in a region of delayed contraction. We hypothesized that pacing at the site of late electrical activation was also associated with long-term response to CRT. We conducted a retrospective study on 72 CRT patients. For each patient, we determined the electrical delay (ED) from the onset of QRS to the epicardial EGM and the ratio of ED to QRS duration (ED/QRS duration). After a followup of 30 ± 20 months, 47 patients responded to CRT. Responders had a significantly longer ED and greater ratio of ED/QRS duration than nonresponders. An ED/QRS duration ≥0.38 predicted a response to CRT with 89% specificity and 53% sensitivity.
Road transport conditions of slaughter cattle: Effects on the prevalence of dark, firm and dry beef
Authors: Warren L.A. , Mandell I.B. , Bateman K.G.
Published: February 2011

TThis is a benchmark study to investigate slaughter cattle transportation conditions in Canada. Data collected included: season; temperature variation; truck ventilation; transport conditions; length of time in transit; trucker training and experience hauling cattle; number of lots and whether lots were separated; sex and whether sexes were separated on mixed loads; cattle unloading gait score; cattle handling score; cattle weight and number of dark cutters. Information was collected on approximately 50 000 animals transported by 1363 trucks. The prevalence of dark cutters (mean = 2% per truckload) was highest in mixed loads, followed by heifers and steers. Mixed loads that were not separated (steers and heifers in the same compartment) had a greater prevalence of dark cutters than mixed loads that were separated. The GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.1 was used for the analysis of the risk factors associated with dark cutters. Province of origin, cattle unloading speed, driver training, truck ventilation, trucking experience, sex, origin (sale barn or feedlot) and whether or not cattle were held in lairage overnight were all significant predictors for dark cutting beef.
Invited review: Effects of lairage and slaughter conditions on animal welfare and pork quality
Authors: Faucitano L.
Published: February 2011

Besides creating a reservoir of animals aimed at maintaining the constant speed of the slaughter line, the function of lairage is to allow the animals to recover from the stress of transport and unloading. However, inadequate treatment of slaughter pigs in this stage or lack of environmental control may result in additional stress leading to economic losses due to poor animal welfare (deads-on-arrival and downers), skin damage and poor meat quality. Short and long lairage times can result in increased incidences of pale, soft, exudative and dark firm, dry pork, respectively. However, these effects are influenced by the environmental conditions and the pig genotype. Mixing unfamiliar pigs increases skin damages due to fighting, but keeping pigs in small groups or at high stocking density may limit this effect. Research is needed to identify alternative tools to the electric prod and to design a stunning chute enabling a smooth flow of pigs into the stunner.
Linseed meal during early pregnancy increases litter size in pigs without affecting post-natal growth
Authors: Vonnahme K.A. , Zimprich R.C. , Harris E.K. , Berg E.P. , Newman D.J. , Buchanan D.S.
Published: February 2011

To determine how feeding linseed meal (LSM) during gestation influences litter size, placental weight, and piglet growth, sows (n = 30) received a phytoestrogen-free Control diet throughout gestation; 12.5% LSM diet throughout gestation (LSM114); or 12.5% LSM diet from day 1 to day 15 of gestation and control diet until parturition (LSM15). Maternal diet did not affect birth weight, placental weight, or postnatal growth. The number of fully formed piglets was increased (P = 0.05) in LSM15 sows compared with Control and LSM114 sows (13.5 vs. 10.1 and 11.6 ± 1.0, respectively). Feeding LSM during the first 2 wk after breeding may enhance litter size.
Inheritance of resistance to powdery mildew (Oidium lycopersicum) and its linkage to an SSR marker in tomato hybrid DRW4409
Authors: He C. , Poysa V. , Yu K. , Shi C.
Published: February 2011

Powdery mildew is a serious disease for greenhouse and field tomatoes in North America. The main objective of this experiment was to study the genetic inheritance of resistance to powdery mildew in tomato hybrid DRW4409 and to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to the resistance gene. Analysis of a genetic population derived from DRW4409 showed that resistance to powdery mildew is controlled by a single dominant gene. Screening 158 SSR loci found that the SSR marker, LEat014, is linked to this gene at a map distance of 8.0 cM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an SSR linked to the resistance gene in DRW4409. Because of its co-dominant nature, this SSR should be useful to breeders in screening tomato plants for resistance to powdery mildew when DRW4409 is used as the resistance gene source.
Volunteer wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) competition in corn (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Wilson G.C. , Soltani N. , Swanton C.J. , Tardif F.J. , Robinson D.E. , Sikkema P.H.
Published: February 2011

Volunteer winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a sporadic weed found in corn (Zea mays L.) fields across southern Ontario. Eight trials were conducted over a 2-yr period (2006 and 2007) at four locations to determine the competitiveness of volunteer winter wheat in corn. A soft red winter wheat cultivar (Pioneer 25R47) was seeded at each location at densities of 0 to 30 seeds m-2 late in the fall, prior to corn planting the following spring. Volunteer wheat competition in corn resulted in reduced emergence of corn leaf collars. Competition with volunteer wheat resulted in a 5% decrease in corn leaf collars present at 21 and 70 d after emergence with volunteer wheat densities of 3.0 and 5.2 plants m-2, respectively. Furthermore, volunteer wheat competition reduced total leaf area, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, plant and ear height and yield by 5% with densities of 5.1 to 6.0 plants m-2 compared with the weed-free control. The level of competitiveness was dependent on the density of volunteer wheat.
Peregrine hard red winter wheat
Authors: Fowler B.D.
Published: February 2011

Peregrine is a medium tall, high-yielding, stem and leaf rust resistant winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that is registered for production in western Canada. It is a hard red winter wheat cultivar that is eligible for grades of the Canada Western General Purpose (CWGP) wheat class. The CWGP class was created in 2007 to encourage the development of cultivars to fill the high energy demands of the biofuel and livestock feed markets in western Canada. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the grain yield of Peregrine was 117% of the Canada Western Red Winter Wheat Class grain quality check cultivar, CDC Osprey, and 106% of the high-yielding check, CDC Falcon. High grain yield potential and a high level of rust resistance mean that Peregrine provides a good fit for the CWGP class.
Land-use impacts on selected soil properties of the Yungas/Chaco transition forest of Jujuy province, northwestern Argentina: a preliminary study
Authors: Ripley S.W. , Krzic M. , Bradfield G.E. , Bomke A.A.
Published: February 2011

Grazing by domestic livestock, firewood cutting, and timber harvesting are the principal uses of the subtropical transition forest located between the humid Yungas and dry Chaco forests at the base of the Andes mountains in Jujuy province, northwestern Argentina. The objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary comparison of selected soil properties between two common land-use systems - deciduous forest rangeland (DFR) and open savanna anthropogenic rangeland (AR) - in the Yungas/Chaco transition forest. Soil organic C and N were measured at a depth of 0-10 cm, while soil penetration resistance was measured at 0-5 and 5-10 cm depths. Soil degradation in the AR was indicated by lower average values for litter cover (56%), soil organic C (28.1 g kg-1), and total N (2.93 g kg-1), and greater soil penetration resistance compared with the DFR (litter cover 94%; soil organic C 45.0 g kg-1, total N 4.45 g kg-1). This created potential for further soil losses from water erosion during monsoon rains and emphasized the need to establish sustainable grazing management practices.
Tree influence on carbon stock and C:N ratio of soil organic layer in boreal Scots pine forests
Authors: Häkkinen M. , Heikkinen J. , Mäkipää R.
Published: February 2011

Observed small-scale spatial variation of forest soil is suggested to be produced by tree influence. We examined spatial variation of the tree influences by modelling tree influence potential that accounts for location and size of trees. Thereafter, we tested significance of the correlations between the tree influence potential and soil properties (carbon stock and C:N ratio of the organic layer) with Monte Carlo permutation tests. The methods were applied to five Scots pine stands located in the boreal vegetation zone in Finland. We found statistically significant tree influence on soil C:N ratio in all studied stands, but the tree influence on soil carbon stock was significant only in three of five stands. This indicates that location of trees has a relatively steady and remarkable influence on spatial variation of a soil parameter that reflects soil fertility and nutrient balance, but variation of soil carbon stock is not that clearly affected by current tree stand. The correlations between C:N ratios and tree influences were positive in four of the five stands, indicating that soil was less fertile near the trees. The methods described here produce statistically reliable information pertaining to the influence of trees on soil properties.
Jury decision making research: Are researchers focusing on the mouse and not the elephant in the room?
Authors: Nuñez Narina , McCrea Sean M. , Culhane Scott E.
Published: February 2011

The concerns of jury research have extensively focused on subject selection, yet larger issues loom. We argue that observed differences between students and non‐students in mock juror studies are inconsistent at best, and that researchers are ignoring the more important issue of jury deliberation. We contend that the lack of information on deliberating jurors and/or juries is a much greater threat to ecological validity and that some of our basic findings and conclusions in the literature today might be different if we had used juries, not non‐deliberating jurors, as the unit of measure. Finally, we come full circle in our review and explore whether the debate about college and community samples might be more relevant to deliberating versus non‐deliberating jurors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid Microwave‐Assisted Nonaqueous Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of AgCl/Ag, and Its Daylight‐Driven Plasmonic Photocatalysis
Authors: Jiang Jing , Zhang Lizhi
Published: February 2011

We report on a rapid microwave‐assisted nonaqueous synthesis and the growth mechanism of AgCl/Ag with controlled size and shape. By rationally varying the reaction temperature and the microwave irradiation time, we achieved the transformation of nanocubes to rounded triangular pyramids by a combined process of “oriented attachment” and Ostwald ripening. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the as‐prepared AgCl/Ag have been found to be somewhat dependent on the size, morphology, and composition. The as‐prepared AgCl/Ag exhibits high photocatalytic activity and good reusability for decomposing organic pollutants (such as methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RhB), and pentachlorophenol (PCP)) under indoor artificial daylight illumination (ca. 1 mW cm−2). The AgCl/Ag has also been found to display a superior ability to harvest diffuse indoor daylight (ca. 5 mW cm−2), and could complete the degradation of 10 mg L−1 MO within 15 min. Experiments involving the trapping of active species have shown that the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in the AgCl/Ag system may proceed through direct hole transfer. This study has revealed that plasmonic daylight photocatalysis may open a new frontier for indoor pollutant control around the clock under fluorescent lamp illumination.
Visible Light‐Induced Release of Nitrogen Monoxide from a Nitrosylrhodium Complex
Authors: Song Wenjing , Kristian Kathleen E. , Bakac Andreja
Published: February 2011

The important roles that nitric oxide (NO) plays in biological environments, and the need for precise and targeted delivery of NO for medicinal and other purposes have led to intense research in the area of metal nitrosyl complexes as thermal and photochemical sources of NO. Complexes with a good combination of chemical stability and high quantum yield for photochemical release of NO upon irradiation with visible light in aqueous solutions are rare. Here we report that a simple macrocyclic nitrosylrhodium complex [L2(H2O)Rh(NO)]2+ (L2=Me6[14]aneN4) exhibits unique chemical and photochemical properties that make it an excellent photochemical precursor of NO. The complex is highly soluble in water, thermally stable, and resistant toward O2. Irradiation in the 648 nm band generates NO and [L2(H2O)Rh]2+ in aqueous solutions with a quantum yield of 1.00±0.07, the highest ever reported for a nitrosyl complex under any conditions. In the absence of O2, the two fragments combine to regenerate [L2(H2O)Rh‐ (NO)]2+, but in O2‐containing solu‐ tions, [L2(H2O)RhOO]2+ is formed as determined in spectral and kinetic measurements. The kinetics of the reaction of this superoxo complex with NO were measured by laser flash photolysis, k=(3.9±0.4)×107 M−1 s−1. Steady‐state photolysis of [L2(H2O)Rh(NO)]2+ under O2 yielded [L2(H2O)Rh(ONO2)]2+, a long‐lived nitrato intermediate that can also be generated in a direct reaction between NO and genuine [L2(H2O)RhOO]2+. Thus, visible‐light photolysis of the [L2(H2O)Rh(NO)]2+/O2 system converts it to the [L2(H2O)RhOO]2+/NO combination.
Diastereoselective Chain‐Elongation Reactions Using Microreactors for Applications in Complex Molecule Assembly
Authors: Carter Catherine F. , Lange Heiko , Sakai Daiki , Baxendale Ian R. , Ley Steven V.
Published: February 2011

Diastereoselective chain‐elongation reactions are important transformations for the assembly of complex molecular structures, such as those present in polyketide natural products. Here we report new methods for performing crotylation reactions and homopropargylation reactions by using newly developed low‐temperature flow‐chemistry technology. In‐line purification protocols are described, as well as the application of the crotylation protocol in an automated multi‐step sequence.
Photochemical Synthesis of Ruthenium–Carbonyl Compounds with Thioether Ligands and Subsequent Oxidative Cleavage of Trinuclear Complexes by Chlorinated Solvents
Authors: Maiti Biplab K. , Görls Helmar , Klobes Olaf , Imhof Wolfgang
Published: February 2011

The photochemical reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with thioether ligands in THF leads to the isolation of tetranuclear ruthenium–carbonyl cluster compounds of the formula [Ru4(CO)13(μ2‐R2S)]. In these compounds, ruthenium atoms adopt a typical butterfly arrangement. If chelating ligands with two thioether functions are introduced, the reaction leads to mixtures of the trinuclear substitution products [Ru3(CO)10(RS∩SR)] and [Ru3(CO)8(RS∩SR)2]. The latter may be oxidatively cleaved by the use of chlorinated solvents to produce the mononuclear compound [Ru(CO)2Cl2(RS∩SR)] or the dinuclear complex [Ru2(CO)2(μ2‐Cl)2Cl2(RS∩SR)2] depending on the reaction conditions. Five new ruthenium–carbonyl–thioether complexes were characterized by X‐ray diffraction.
Shape‐Controlled Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of CeO2:Sm3+ Nanophosphors
Authors: Yoshida Yasutaka , Fujihara Shinobu
Published: February 2011

CeO2:Sm3+ nanophosphors were synthesized by hydrothermal treatments of aqueous solutions containing cerium nitrate, samarium nitrate, and sodium hydroxide. The shape of the nanocrystals was controlled simply by changing the hydrothermal treatment temperature. Nanorods of CeO2:Sm3+ were obtained at 100 °C, whereas highly crystalline nanocubes were formed at a higher temperature of 180 °C. Photoluminescent properties of the nanophosphors were greatly influenced by their shapes. The as‐prepared nanocubes exhibited much stronger orange‐red emissions from Sm3+ than the as‐prepared nanorods. A high‐temperature treatment of the nanorods at 700 °C did not significantly enhance the emission intensity. The different photoluminescent properties were then examined by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Results showed that oxygen defects were the major reason for the inferior properties of the nanorods even after the high‐temperature treatment. In contrast, the CeO2:Sm3+ nanocubes were shown to be excellent nanophosphors prepared at 180 °C without any further treatment.
From a Simple Pyrazole‐Derived 1,2‐Amino Alcohol to Mono‐ and Multinuclear Complexes by Tailoring Hydrogen Bond Patterns
Authors: Seubert Christoph K. , Sun Yu , Lan Yanhua , Powell Annie K. , Thiel Werner R.
Published: February 2011

Starting from easily accessible ethyl‐5(3)‐methylpyrazole‐3(5)‐carboxylate, 2‐[(1,5‐dimethyl)pyrazol‐3‐yl]propan‐2‐ol (3) can be obtained in good yields in just two steps. The latter compound undergoes coordination to a series of transition metal ions; the resulting complexes were characterized by means of spectroscopy and magnetic measurements.
Ethyl 3‐ and 5‐Triflyloxy‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylates in the Synthesis of Condensed Pyrazoles by Pd‐Catalysed Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Arbačiauskienė Eglė , Vilkauskaitė Gytė , Šačkus Algirdas , Holzer Wolfgang
Published: February 2011

The easily obtainable title compounds ethyl 5‐ and 3‐triflyloxy‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylates (2 and 5) have been used as precursors in Sonogashira‐type cross‐coupling reactions with various alkynes to obtain the corresponding 5‐ and 3‐alkynyl‐4‐(ethoxycarbonyl)pyrazoles 3 and 6. Cyclization of the latter ortho‐difunctional synthons afforded different condensed pyrazoles such as pyrano[4,3‐c]pyrazol‐4(1H)‐ones and ‐4(2H)‐ones 7 and 10 as well as 1,5‐dihydro‐ and 2,5‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐c]pyridin‐4‐ones 9 and 12, respectively. Suzuki coupling of triflate 2 with phenylboronic acids gave the corresponding 5‐arylpyrazoles. Heating of 5‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylic acid (16) with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid led to the formation of the unexpected tetracyclic system 18. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations were undertaken on all obtained products.
Formation of Five‐Membered Cyclic Orthoesters from Tribromides with Participation of a Neighboring Carbonyl Group
Authors: Gururaja Guddeangadi N. , Mobin Shaikh M. , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: February 2011

The Mg‐mediated conjugate addition of bromoform to enones followed by alcoholysis of the resulting keto tribromides proceeds through an unusual course, affording cyclic orthoester (dihydrofuran) intermediates under neutral workup conditions. However, acid workup of the reaction mixture or treatment of the isolated dihydrofurans with acid provides the expected but synthetically useful γ‐keto esters. The intermediacy of dihydrofurans in the one‐pot transformation of keto tribromides into γ‐keto esters provides evidence for the active participation of the neighboring carbonyl group in the alcoholysis of the tribromide moiety.
“On‐Water” Michael‐Type Addition Reactions Promoted by PhSeZnCl
Authors: Battistelli Benedetta , Lorenzo Testaferri , Tiecco Marcello , Santi Claudio
Published: February 2011

In this communication we report that our reagent PhSeZnCl can be conveniently used to effect Michael addition like reactions of unsaturated ketones and electron‐deficient alkynes, leading to synthetically useful β‐seleno derivativesand vinyl selenides, respectively. The reactions are effected at room temperature in THF as well as under “on water” conditions. When the addition occurs on a triple bond, good stereoselectivity is observed, and the reaction shows a rate acceleration in water suspension.
Lipoic acid inhibits leptin secretion and Sp1 activity in adipocytes
Authors: Prieto‐Hontoria Pedro L. , Pérez‐Matute Patricia , Fernández‐Galilea Marta , Martínez J. Alfredo , Moreno‐Aliaga María J.
Published: February 2011

Scope: Lipoic acid (LA) is an antioxidant with therapeutic potential on several diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Hyperleptinemia and oxidative stress play a major role in the development of obesity‐linked diseases. The aim of this study was to examine in vivo and in vitro the effects of LA on leptin production, as well as to elucidate the mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in LA actions.

Methods and results: Dietary supplementation with LA decreased both circulating leptin, and adipose tissue leptin mRNA in rats. Treatment of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes with LA caused a concentration‐dependent inhibition of leptin secretion and gene expression. Moreover, LA stimulated the anaerobic utilization of glucose to lactate, which negatively correlated with leptin secretion. Furthermore, LA enhanced phosphorylation of Sp1 and inhibited Sp1 transcriptional activity in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Moreover, LA inhibited Akt phosphorylation, a downstream target of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K). Treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 mimicked LA actions, dramatically inhibiting both leptin secretion and gene expression and stimulating Sp1 phosphorylation.

Conclusion: All of these data suggest that the phosphorylation of Sp1 and the accompanying reduced DNA‐binding activity are likely to be involved in the inhibition of leptin induced by LA, which could be mediated in part by the abrogation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Optimization of N, N, N‐trimethylchitosan synthesis by factorial design
Authors: de Britto Douglas , Frederico Fernando R , Garrido Assis Odilio B
Published: February 2011

Factorial design analysis was applied to optimize the synthesis, via a new route, of N, N, N‐trimethylchitosan, based on dimethylsulfate as a methylating agent. The responses analyzed were weight yield, solubility and average degree of quaternization. Temperature was verified as the most important variable, as it caused the most variation in the response. X(T) = − 54.52, − 9.50 and − 7.25, respectively, for weight yield, solubility and degree of quaternization. A sharp decrease in the viscosimetric and gel permeation chromatography parameters proved that severe depolymerization took place at high reaction temperatures. Contact angle measurements showed a decrease in the hydrophilic character of over‐methylated samples. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Predicting the Impulse from the Curved Surface of Detonating Cylindrical Charges
Authors: Knock Clare , Davies Nigel
Published: February 2011

TNT (Trinitrotoluene) equivalency depends on knowing the relative strength of different explosives compared to TNT. However, the current values for TNT equivalency mostly depend on work on spherical charges, whereas most military ammunition is cylindrical in shape. Cylindrical charges are known to give an enhanced blast close in when compared to that of spherical charges. A previous paper looked at predicting the peak pressure perpendicular to the curved side of a cylinder. This paper examines impulse data for the curved surface of cylindrical charges from the literature for Composition B and Pentolite and then describes experimental work carried out on cylindrical PE4 charges. Analysis of the free air experimental and literature data shows that it is possible to predict the impulse using a linear relationship, though it is not possible to decide on the best fit based on the current data. The fits for both I=KIM0.5/R and I=${K{^\prime}_{\rm{I}} }$M2/3/R give very similar correlation coefficients, where M is the charge mass and R the distance from the charge and KI and ${K{^\prime}_{\rm{I}} }$ are constants characteristic of the explosive. Values of KI and ${K{^\prime}_{\rm{I}} }$ have been fitted to literature and current experimental data for Composition B, Pentolite and PE4. Whichever of these two relationships is used, it should be possible to develop a method of determining TNT equivalency for the curved surface of cylindrical charges by using TNT equivalency=KI explosive/KI TNT, provided that data for TNT cylinders is obtained.
Study on the giant positive magnetoresistance and Hall effect in ultrathin graphite flakes
Authors: Vansweevelt Rob , Mortet Vincent , D'Haen Jan , Ruttens Bart , Van Haesendonck Chris , Partoens Bart , Peeters François M. , Wagner Patrick
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we report on the electronic transport properties of mesoscopic, ultrathin graphite flakes with a thickness corresponding to a stack of 150 graphene layers. The graphite flakes show an unexpectedly strong positive magnetoresistance (PMR) already at room temperature, which scales in good approximation with the square of the magnetic field. Furthermore, we show that the resistivity is unaffected by magnetic fields oriented in plane with the graphene layers. Hall effect measurements indicate that the charge carriers are p‐type and their concentration increases with increasing temperature while the mobility is decreasing. The Hall voltage is non‐linear in higher magnetic fields. Possible origins of the observed effects are discussed.

magnified image

Ball and stick model of the two topmost carbon layers of the hexagonal graphite structure.
Flexible design clinical trial methodology in regulatory applications
Authors: Hung H. M. James , Wang Sue‐Jane , O'Neill Robert
Published: February 2011

Adaptive designs or flexible designs in a broader sense have increasingly been considered in planning pivotal registration clinical trials. Sample size reassessment design and adaptive selection design are two of such designs that appear in regulatory applications. At the design stage, consideration of sample size reassessment at an interim time of the trial should lead to extensive discussion about how to appropriately size the trial. Additionally, careful attention needs to be paid to the issue of how the size of the trial is impacted by the requirement that the final p‐value of the trial meets the specific threshold of a clinically meaningful effect. These issues are not straightforward and will be discussed in this work. In a trial design that allows selection between a pre‐specified patient subgroup and the initially planned overall patient population based on the accumulating data, there is an issue of what the ‘overall’ population means. In addition, it is critically important to know how such selection influences the validity of statistical inferences on the potentially modified overall population. This work presents the biases that may incur under adaptive patient selection designs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.