bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlates of institutionalized senior veterans' quality of life in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Hsiao-Ting , Liu Li-Fan , Chen Chun-Ku , Hwang Shinn-Jang , Chen Liang-Kung , Lu Feng-Hwa
Published: July 2010

Background

Senior veterans living in government sponsored, long-term care (LTC) facilities, known as veterans' homes (VHs), are a special minority group in Taiwan. These seniors came from different provinces of mainland China during their teenage years at the end of civil wars in 1945. The situation of institutionalized senior veterans shares many characteristics with the concept of "total institution". Very little quality of life (QOL) research has involved senior veterans. This study aimed to explore the QOL and related factors of VH-dwelling senior veterans in Taiwan.

Methods

Chronic conditions and socio-demographic characteristics of 260 male VH residents were recorded. The Brief Form of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF, Taiwanese version); Short-Form 36; Inventory of Socially Supportive Behavior questionnaire; Geriatric Depression Scale-short form; Barthel Index; and instrumental activities of daily living were used. Data analyses including descriptive and inferred statistics were performed using SPSS, version 17.

Results

WHOQOL-BREF showed acceptable reliability in this study. Compared to Taiwanese male norms, WHOQOL-BREF physical, psychological, and social relationship domain scores were around the 25th percentile, and the environment domain was about the 75th percentile. Our participants scored low in all concepts of SF-36. Although these residents rated the social support of their children, relatives, friends, social and medical staff as low, they gave high satisfaction ratings to their social supports. On multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, depressive symptoms, number of chronic conditions, retired military rank, and relatives' support correlated with QOL in both the physical and psychological domains. Friends' support and depressive symptoms correlated with the social relationships domain. Friends' support and instrumental activities of daily living correlated with the environment domain.

Conclusions

In general, institutionalized senior veterans' QOL was lower than Taiwanese male norms. Helping senior veterans to effectively improve their subjective mental health and social support, and controlling chronic disease appears to be critical to their QOL.
Metformin and placebo therapy both improve weight management and fasting insulin in obese insulin-resistant adolescents: a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized study
Authors: Wiegand Susanna , l'Allemand Dagmar , Hübel Hanna , Krude Heiko , Bürmann Mareike , Martus Peter , Grüters Annette , Holl Reinhard W
Published: July 2010

Objective

To study whether metformin reduces obesity, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and the metabolic syndrome (MtS) in obese European adolescents in addition to previous unsuccessful lifestyle intervention.

Design and methods

After 6 months of multiprofessional lifestyle intervention, 70 out of 86 adolescents without improvement in body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR were randomized into either the placebo (n=34) or the metformin group (2×500 mg/day,n=36) in addition to ongoing lifestyle intervention for another 6 months.

Results

Age was 13.8 years, BMI was 33.1 kg/m2, 65% were female, and 89% were Caucasians. During lifestyle intervention alone, BMI and HOMA-IR deteriorated significantly. In the subsequent medication period, HOMA-IR and fasting insulin improved similarly in the placebo and metformin groups (HOMA-IR decreased 73 vs 54% respectively in metformin versus placebo;P=0.048), but BMI remained unchanged. The insulin sensitivity index, however, only improved in the metformin group. High fasting insulin is correlated with a subsequent BMI increase irrespective of the medication. MtS remained unchanged.

Conclusions

Obese European adolescents' insulin sensitivity improved without weight change during placebo or metformin intervention in addition to lifestyle intervention. Most differences did not reach statistical significance, probably due to improved compliance with lifestyle intervention as a placebo effect. In addition, the metformin dose may be too low.
Industry needs to pay more to educate engineers for a low-carbon future
Authors: Clarke Barry
Published: July 2010

The UK government's focus on developing lower-cost, more sustainable infrastructure means a new set of skills is required by the country's built-environment professionals. ICE vice-president and Leeds University professor Barry Clarke says industry will need to contribute to this development.
Pre-16 school work experience and civil engineering careers
Authors: Hodgkinson Liz , Hamill Les
Published: July 2010

Most school pupils in Britain undertake a 1- or 2-week work experience placement before the age of 16 to introduce them to the world of work. Many civil engineering companies offer placements with the aim of encouraging young people into the profession. This paper reports on a study to assess the extent to which this experience influences subsequent educational and career choices in civil engineering. It concludes that good-quality civil engineering placements can be a powerful tool for recruiting future civil engineers.
Conflict on multi-national construction projects
Authors: Fellows Richard , Liu Anita
Published: July 2010

By definition, multi-national construction projects bring together organisations and individuals from different countries and, therefore, almost inevitably, different cultures. As cultures underpin behaviour and behaviour has major impacts on performance – both what is desired and what is realised – issues of cultural compatibility between project participants are important. A further aspect relates to attitudes to conflict and thence disputes regarding their likelihood, causes and consequences – in essence, how they may be managed. This paper aims to critically review the theory and literature regarding cultures and to examine their relevance to selection of multi-national project participants, management of conflict and resulting outcomes for project performance and participant satisfaction. Of particular note are aspects of cultural compatibility/cultural distance for both selection of project participants and resultant performance.
Briefing: Conflict, disputes and their management
Authors: Wall Colin J. , Fellows Richard
Published: July 2010

This briefing paper reviews and analyses conflicts and how they may be managed. Progression patterns of conflicts, from differences of opinion to disputes, are investigated. Methods which are employed to resolve disputes are examined in terms of the natures of the processes and their likely consequences, especially for (business) relationships between the disputants.
Briefing: Regulations to improve construction health and safety
Authors: Anderson John
Published: July 2010

This briefing argues that the time is appropriate to reflect on a new way to improve the health and safety record of the UK construction industry. While research into discovering and addressing underlying causes of construction industry accidents and ill health continues to be commissioned, this article presents a set of regulations drawn up to address what the author believes is the best prospect for long-term improvement across the whole industry. The proposed regulations address the need to educate construction professionals in occupational health and safety matters during accredited first degree courses at university. The author describes what initiatives have taken place in the past and what certain professional institutions are doing at present.
Antioxidants Counteract Nicotine and Promote Migration via RacGTP in Oral Fibroblast Cells
Authors: San Miguel Symone M. , Opperman Lynne A. , Allen Edward P. , Zielinski Jan , Svoboda Kathy K.H.
Published: July 2010

Background: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral health and dental problems. The aim of this study is to address the hypothesis that nicotine impairs wound healing by increasing reactive oxygen species and inhibiting cell migration, and antioxidants (AOs) may counteract nicotine effects.

Methods: Primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and human periodontal ligament (HPDL) fibroblasts were grown to confluence, pretreated with 6 mM nicotine for 2 hours, and treated with AOs in the presence of nicotine. The pure AO compounds ferulic acid (F), phloretin (P), tetrahydrocurcuminoid Cockroft Gault (T), and resveratrol (R) were tested in single, double, or triple combinations (10−5 M). The migratory behavior at a scratch‐wound edge was recorded every 15 minutes for 10 hours by using live‐cell imaging. The active form of the Rho‐associated protein (Rac) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) (RacGTP) was immunolabeled and analyzed using confocal microscopy.

Results: Combinations of double and triple AOs had a greater effect than single AOs on migration rates and Rac activation. The triple combinations PFR and RFT clearly and unambiguously counteracted the effects of nicotine and significantly increased migration rates in HGF and HPDL fibroblast.

Conclusions: Treatment with AO combinations clearly counteracted the effects of nicotine by restoring and increasing cell‐migration rates. We found the combination of PFR was the most effective in HGFs, whereas, RFT was the most effective combination in HPDL fibroblast. These results clearly demonstrate that PF, RFT, and PFR counteract the negative effects of nicotine on cultured oral fibroblasts via the RacGTP signal‐transduction pathway.
Screening for Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes With Proposed A1C-Based Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Olson Darin E. , Rhee Mary K. , Herrick Kirsten , Ziemer David C. , Twombly Jennifer G. , Phillips Lawrence S.
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE

An International Expert Committee (IEC) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) proposed diagnostic criteria for diabetes and pre-diabetes based on A1C levels. We hypothesized that screening for diabetes and pre-diabetes with A1C measurements would differ from using oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We compared pre-diabetes, dysglycemia (diabetes or pre-diabetes), and diabetes identified by the proposed criteria (A1C ≥6.5% for diabetes and 6.0–6.4% [IEC] or 5.7–6.4% [ADA] for high risk/pre-diabetes) with standard OGTT diagnoses in three datasets. Non-Hispanic white or black adults without known diabetes who had A1C and 75-g OGTT measurements were included from the prospective Screening for Impaired Glucose Tolerance study (n = 1,581), and from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (n = 2014), and NHANES 2005–2006 (n = 1,111).

RESULTS

OGTTs revealed pre-diabetes in 35.8% and diabetes in 5.2% of combined study subjects. A1C provided receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas for diabetes of 0.79–0.83, but ROC curve areas were ≤0.70 for dysglycemia or pre-diabetes. The proposed criteria missed 70% of individuals with diabetes, 71–84% with dysglycemia, and 82–94% with pre-diabetes. Compared with the IEC criteria, the ADA criteria for pre-diabetes resulted in fewer false-negative and more false-positive result. There were also racial differences, with false-positive results being more common in black subjects and false-negative results being more common in white subjects. With use of NHANES 2005–2006 data, ∼5.9 million non-Hispanic U.S. adults with unrecognized diabetes and 43–52 million with pre-diabetes would be missed by screening with A1C.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed A1C diagnostic criteria are insensitive and racially discrepant for screening, missing most Americans with undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Positively Charged Material Surfaces Generated by Plasma Polymerized Allylamine Enhance Vinculin Mobility in Vital Human Osteoblastss
Authors: Rebl Henrike , Finke Birgit , Ihrke Roland , Rothe Holger , Rychly Joachim , Schroeder Karsten , Nebe Barbara J.
Published: July 2010

Several studies suggest that the modification of an implant surface by chemical means plays an important role in bone tissue engineering. Previously we have shown that osteoblast cell adhesion and spreading can strongly be increased by a positively charged surface. Cell adhesion and migration are two vital processes that are completely dependent on coordinated formation of focal adhesions. Changes in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and the focal adhesions are essential for numerous cellular processes including cell motility and tissue morphogenesis. We examined the mobility of the cytoskeletally associated protein vinculin on functionalized surfaces using plasma polymerized allylamine (PPAAm), a homogenous plasma polymer layer with randomly distributed amino groups. In living, GFP–vinculin transfected osteoblastic cells we determined a significant increase in vinculin mobility and vinculin contact length on PPAAm compared to collagen I coated surfaces during the initial adhesion phase. We suggest that positive charges control the cell physiology which seems to be dominant over the integrin receptor binding to collagen I. The results emphasize the role of the surface charge for the design of artificial scaffolds in bone repair.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Grain Growth in Fe‐3 % Si Steels by Consideration of a Morphological Parameter
Authors: Maazi Neureddine , Boukerma Abdelghani , Penelle Richard , Baudin Thierry
Published: July 2010

The morphological aspects of grain growth in Fe‐3% Si steels can be related to the neighbourhood behavior. The nearest‐neighbourhood grains directly affect growth of the considered grain. In this study, the morphological factor is introduced by definition of the neighbourhood average radius Rm. A Monte Carlo simulation procedure is used to verify the influence of the nearest‐neighbourhood grain size on the grain growth.
Controlled Nucleation of GaN Nanowires Grown with Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Bertness Kris A. , Sanders Aric W. , Rourke Devin M. , Harvey Todd E. , Roshko Alexana , Schlager John B. , Sanford Norman A.
Published: July 2010

The location of GaN nanowires is controlled with essentially perfect selectivity using patterned SiNx prior to molecular beam epitaxy growth. Nanowire growth is uniform within mask openings and absent on the mask surface for over 95% of the usable area of a 76 mm diameter substrate. The diameters of the resulting nanowires are controlled by the size of the mask openings. Openings of approximately 500 nm or less produce single nanowires with symmetrically faceted tips.
Cooperative Near‐Field Surface Plasmon Enhanced Quantum Dot Nanoarrays
Authors: Leong Kirsty , Chen Yeechi , Masiello David J. , Zin Melvin T. , Hnilova Marketa , Ma Hong , Tamerler Candan , Sarikaya Mehmet , Ginger David S. , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: July 2010

Fluorescence from quantum dots (QDs) sandwiched between colloidal gold nanoparticles and lithographically created metal nanoarrays is studied using engineered peptides as binding agents. For optimized structures, a 15‐fold increase is observed in the brightness of the QDs due to plasmon‐enhanced fluorescence. This enhanced brightness is achieved by systematically tuning the vertical distance of the QD from the gold nanoparticles using solid‐specific peptide linkers and by optimizing the localized surface plasmon resonance by varying the geometric arrangement of the patterned gold nanoarray. The size and pitch of the patterned array affect the observed enhancement, and sandwiching the QDs between the patterned features and colloidal gold nanoparticles yields even larger enhancements due to the increase in local electromagnetic hot spots induced by the increased surface roughness. The use of bifunctional biomolecular linkers to control the formation of hot spots in sandwich structures provides new ways to fabricate hybrid nanomaterials of architecturally induced functionality for biotechnology and photonics.
Squaraine‐Doped Functional Nanoprobes: Lipophilically Protected Near‐Infrared Fluorescence for Bioimaging
Authors: Lee Yong‐Deok , Lim Chang‐Keun , Kim Sehoon , Kwon Ick Chan , Kim Jungahn
Published: July 2010

Hydrophobically stabilized near‐IR fluorescence from self‐assembled nanoprobes composed of amphiphilic poly(maleic anhydride‐alt‐octadec‐1‐ene) (PMAO) and lipophilized squaraine dopants is reported. From comparative studies with varying lipophilicity of squaraine dyes as well as of nanoparticulate polymer matrices, it is found that dual protection by simultaneous lipophilization of the dye‐polymer pair greatly improves the chemical stability of labile squaraine dyes, to produce efficient NIR fluorescence in physiological aqueous milieux. The surface properties of negatively charged PMAO nanoparticles are readily modified by coating with an amine‐rich cationic glycol chitosan with biofunctionality. Efficient cellular imaging and in vivo sentinel lymph node mapping with size and surface‐controlled nanoprobes demonstrate that lipophilic dual protection of NIR fluorescence and the underlying functional nanoprobe approach hold great potential for bioimaging applications.
A proposal for discrete modeling of mechanical effects during drying, combining pore networks with DEM
Authors: Kharaghani Abdolreza , Metzger Thomas , Tsotsas Evangelos
Published: July 2010

A discrete modeling approach is introduced to investigate the influence of liquid phase distributions on damage and deformation of particle aggregates during convective drying. The approach is illustrated on a simple 3D aggregate structure, in which monosized spherical particles are arranged in a cubic packing and bonded together at their contacts; the mechanical behavior of this aggregate is simulated by discrete element method (DEM). Liquid phase distributions in the void space are obtained from drying simulations for a pore network. In a one‐way coupling approach, capillary forces are computed over time from the filling state of pores and applied as loads on each particle in DEM. A nonlinear bond model is used to compute interparticular forces. Simulations are conducted for various drying conditions and for aggregates with different mechanical properties. Microcracks induced by bond breakage are observed in stiff material, whereas soft material tends to shrink reversibly without damage. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Continuous precipitation of L‐asparagine monohydrate in a micromixer: Estimation of nucleation and growth kinetics
Authors: Lindenberg Christian , Mazzotti Marco
Published: July 2010

An experimental setup based on a static micromixer is used to determine nucleation and growth kinetics of L‐asparagine monohydrate precipitated via antisolvent addition. Mixing in static micromixers was characterized previously using competitive‐parallel reactions and computational fluid dynamics (Lindenberg et al., Chem Eng Sci. 2008;63:4135–4149). In this work, the mixer setup is used to determine nucleation and growth kinetics of L‐asparagine at high supersaturations, i.e., true kinetics which are not affected by transport limitations. The method is based on measuring the particle size distribution obtained at different residence times. A population balance equation model of the process is used for the design of a continuous precipitation process. Finally, an analysis of the characteristic time scales of nucleation, growth, and mixing shows that, under the conditions in this study, mixing is much faster than precipitation and that the two processes can be decoupled. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Application of flamelet model to large‐eddy simulation of turbulent reacting liquid flows
Authors: Kurose Ryoichi , Michioka Takenobu , Kohno Naoki , Komori Satoru , Baba Yuya
Published: July 2010

Large‐eddy simulations using the flamelet models are applied to turbulent reacting liquid flows and validated by comparing with the experiments. The computations are performed for two reaction conditions, namely a rapid reaction and a moderately fast reaction in a grid‐generated turbulent flow. For the flamelet models, both the steady flamelet model and the unsteady Lagrangian flamelet model are tested. A second‐order, irreversible, and isothermal reaction is considered. The results show that the flamelet models inherently developed for turbulent combustion are applicable to turbulent reacting liquid flows, provided that the model coefficient in evaluating the subgrid scale variance of mixture fraction in the scale‐similarity model is set to be 5.0. The rapid reaction can be adequately predicted by both the steady and unsteady Lagrangian flamelet models, whereas the moderately fast reaction can be predicted only by the unsteady Lagrangian flamelet model which is capable to take slow chemical processes into account. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J,, 2011
Vapor–liquid equilibria of hydrogen chloride, phosgene, benzene, chlorobenzene, ortho‐dichlorobenzene, and toluene by molecular simulation
Authors: Huang Yow‐Lin , Heilig Manfred , Hasse Hans , Vrabec Jadran
Published: July 2010

Vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) of nine binary mixtures containing hydrogen chloride or phosgene in the solvents benzene, chlorobenzene, ortho‐dichlorobenzene, and toluene as well as the mixture hydrogen chloride + phosgene are predicted by molecular modeling and simulation. The underlying force fields for the pure substances are developed on the basis of quantum chemical information on molecular geometry and electrostatics. These are individually optimized to experimental pure fluid data on the vapor pressure and saturated liquid density, where the deviations are typically less than 5 and 0.5 %, respectively. The unlike dispersive interaction is optimized for seven of the nine studied binaries. Previously unpublished experimental binary VLE data, measured by BASF in the vicinity of ambient temperature, are predominantly used for these fits. VLE data, including dew point composition, saturated densities and enthalpy of vaporization, are predicted for a wide range of temperatures and compositions. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Electromyography activity across gait and incline: The impact of muscular activity on human morphology
Authors: Wall‐Scheffler Cara M. , Chumanov Elizabeth , Steudel‐Numbers Karen , Heiderscheit Bryan
Published: July 2010

The study of human evolution depends upon a fair assessment of the ability of hominin individuals to gain access to necessary resources. We expect that the morphology of extant and extinct populations represents a successful locomotory system that allowed individuals to move across the environment gaining access to food, water, and mates while still maintaining excess energy to allocate to reproduction. Our assessment of locomotor morphology must then incorporate tests of fitness within realistic environments—environments that themselves vary in terrain and whose negotiation requires a variety of gait and speeds. This study assesses muscular activity (measured as the integrated signal from surface electromyography) of seven thigh and hip muscle groups during walking and running across a wide range of speeds and inclines to systematically assess the role that morphology can play in minimizing muscular activity and thus energy expenditure. Our data suggest that humans are better adapted to walking than running at any slope, as evidenced by small confidence intervals and even trends across speed and incline. We find that while increasing task intensity unsurprisingly increases muscular activity in the lower limb, individuals with longer limbs show significantly reduced activity during both walking and running, especially in the hip adductors, gluteus maximus, and hamstring muscles. People with a broader pelvis show significantly reduced activity in the hip adductor and hamstring muscles while walking. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial DNA reveals distinct evolutionary histories for Jewish populations in Yemen and Ethiopia
Authors: Non Amy L. , Al‐Meeri Ali , Raaum Ryan L. , Sanchez Luisa F. , Mulligan Connie J.
Published: July 2010

Southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa are important geographic centers for the study of human population history because a great deal of migration has characterized these regions since the first emergence of humans out of Africa. Analysis of Jewish groups provides a unique opportunity to investigate more recent population histories in this area. Mitochondrial DNA is used to investigate the maternal evolutionary history and can be combined with historical and linguistic data to test various population histories. In this study, we assay mitochondrial control region DNA sequence and diagnostic coding variants in Yemenite (n = 45) and Ethiopian (n = 41) Jewish populations, as well as in neighboring non‐Jewish Yemeni (n = 50) and Ethiopian (previously published Semitic speakers) populations. We investigate their population histories through a comparison of haplogroup distributions and phylogenetic networks. A high frequency of sub‐Saharan African L haplogroups was found in both Jewish populations, indicating a significant African maternal contribution unlike other Jewish Diaspora populations. However, no identical haplotypes were shared between the Yemenite and Ethiopian Jewish populations, suggesting very little gene flow between the populations and potentially distinct maternal population histories. These new data are also used to investigate alternate population histories in the context of historical and linguistic data. Specifically, Yemenite Jewish mitochondrial diversity reflects potential descent from ancient Israeli exiles and shared African and Middle Eastern ancestry with little evidence for large‐scale conversion of local Yemeni. In contrast, the Ethiopian Jewish population appears to be a subset of the larger Ethiopian population suggesting descent primarily through conversion of local women. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical properties of new polyurethanes foams from benzene polyols synthesized from erucic acid
Authors: Dumont Marie‐Josée , Narine Suresh S.
Published: July 2010

High density triol‐based polyurethane (PU) foams were developed from aromatic triol isomers prepared from erucic acid. The triol monomers were crosslinked with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) into PU foams. The foam's properties were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The foams were analyzed for closed cell content and compression strength. The effect of the benzene ring in the polyol structure on the physical properties of these new PU foams was compared with high density foams made from aliphatic polyols originating from canola oil. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Physical properties of polyethylene–wood fiber–clay nanocomposites
Authors: Sheshmani Shabnam , Ashori Alireza , Hamzeh Yahya
Published: July 2010

In this study, nanocomposites based on polyethylene (PE), maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE), recycled newsprint fibers, and organically modified montmorillonite (nanoclay) were made by injection molding. The effects of two variable factors, namely, the nanoclay and MAPE contents, on the composite physical properties were examined. All blends were made with a fiber‐to‐PE weight ratio of 30 : 70. The results show that the addition of MAPE and nanoclay in the nanocomposite formulation significantly improved both the stability and water absorption properties. The improving effect of MAPE could be explained by the improvement in the quality of adhesion between the polymer and fibers. Nanocomposites containing 5 wt % MAPE and nanoclay exhibited minimum water absorption during the whole duration of immersion. The results of this research study show that wood–plastic composites treated with a coupling agent and nanoclay will be desirable as building materials for outdoor applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Terminal‐specific PEGylation of polypeptides in a dilute solution
Authors: Wu Jun Jim , Peng Henry T. , Shek Pang N.
Published: July 2010

PEGylations of polypeptides with a four‐arm PEG (polyethylene glycol) in a dilute DMSO solution resulted in a successful conjugation with terminal specificity, which supports an intriguing PEGylation mechanism via conformational and kinetic control. © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
All‐trans retinoic acid affects subcellular localization of a novel BmNIF3l protein: functional deduce and tissue distribution of NIF3l gene from silkworm (Bombyx mori)
Authors: Chen Jianqing , Gai Qijing , Lv Zhengbing , Chen Jian , Nie Zuoming , Wu Xiangfu , Zhang Yaozhou
Published: July 2010

A novel cDNA sequence encoding a predicted protein of 271 amino acids containing a conserved NIF3 domain was found from a pupal cDNA library of silkworm. The corresponding gene was named BmNIF3l (Bombyx mori NGG1p interacting factor 3‐like). It was found by bioinformatics that BmNIF3l gene consisted of five exons and four introns and BmNIF3l had a high degree of homology to other NIF3‐like proteins, especially in the N‐terminal and C‐terminal regions. A His‐tagged BmNIF3l fusion protein with a molecular weight of approximately 33.6 kDa was expressed and purified to homogeneity. We have used the purified fusion protein to produce polyclonal antibodies against BmNIF3l for histochemical analysis. Subcellular localization revealed that BmNIF3l is a cytoplasmic protein that responds to all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Western blotting and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression level of BmNIF3l is higher in tissues undergoing differentiation. Taken together, the results suggest that BmNIF3l functions in transcription. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Host‐mediated induction of α‐amylases by larvae of the Mexican bean weevil Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is irreversible and observed from the initiation of the feeding period
Authors: Bifano Thaís D. , Samuels Richard I. , Alexandre Daniel , Silva Carlos P.
Published: July 2010

Larvae of Zabrotes subfasciatus secrete α‐amylases that are insensitive to the α‐amylase inhibitor found in seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris. By analyzing amylase activities during larval development on P. vulgaris, we detected activity of the constitutive amylase and the two inducible amylase isoforms at all stages. When larvae were transferred from the non α‐amylase inhibitor containing seeds of Vigna unguiculata to P. vulgaris, the inducible α‐amylases were expressed at the same level as in control larvae fed on P. vulgaris. Interestingly, when larvae were transferred from seeds of P. vulgaris to those of V. unguiculata, inducible α‐amylases continued to be expressed at a level similar to that found in control larvae fed P. vulgaris continuously. When 10‐day‐old larvae were removed from seeds of V. unguiculata and transferred into capsules containing flour of P. vulgaris cotyledons, and thus maintained until completing 17 days (age when the larvae stopped feeding), we could detect higher activity of the inducible α‐amylases. However, when larvae of the same age were transferred from P. vulgaris into capsules containing flour of V. unguiculata, the inducible α‐amylases remained up‐regulated. These results suggest that the larvae of Z. subfasciatus have the ability to induce insensitive amylases early in their development. A short period of feeding on P. vulgaris cotyledon flour was sufficient to irreversibly induce the inducible α‐amylase isoforms. Incubations of brush border membrane vesicles with the α‐amylase inhibitor 1 from P. vulgaris suggest that the inhibitor is recognized by putative receptors found in the midgut microvillar membranes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparative study of Flickr tags and index terms in a general image collection
Authors: Rorissa Abebe
Published: July 2010

Web 2.0 and social/collaborative tagging have altered the traditional roles of indexer and user. Traditional indexing tools and systems assume the top‐down approach to indexing in which a trained professional is responsible for assigning index terms to information sources with a potential user in mind. However, in today's Web, end users create, organize, index, and search for images and other information sources through social tagging and other collaborative activities. One of the impediments to user‐centered indexing had been the cost of soliciting user‐generated index terms or tags. Social tagging of images such as those on Flickr, an online photo management and sharing application, presents an opportunity that can be seized by designers of indexing tools and systems to bridge the semantic gap between indexer terms and user vocabularies. Empirical research on the differences and similarities between user‐generated tags and index terms based on controlled vocabularies has the potential to inform future design of image indexing tools and systems. Toward this end, a random sample of Flickr images and the tags assigned to them were content analyzed and compared with another sample of index terms from a general image collection using established frameworks for image attributes and contents. The results show that there is a fundamental difference between the types of tags and types of index terms used. In light of this, implications for research into and design of user‐centered image indexing tools and systems are discussed.
Chemiluminescence sensor for sulfonylurea herbicide using molecular imprinted microspheres as recognition element
Authors: Xie Cheng‐gen , Gao Shan , Zhou Han‐kun , Li Huai‐fen
Published: July 2010

Uniform molecular imprinting microspheres were prepared using precipitation polymerization with thifensulfuron‐methyl (TFM) as template, acrylamide as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross‐linker. TFM could be selectively adsorbed on the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) matrix through the hydrogen bonding interaction and the adsorbed TFM could be sensed by its strikingly enhancing effect on the weak chemiluminescence (CL) reaction between luminol and hydrogen peroxide. On this basis, a novel CL sensor for the determination of TFM using MIPs as recognition elements was established. The logarithm of net CL intensity (ΔI) is linearly proportional to the logarithm of TFM concentration (C) in the range from 1.0 × 10−9 to 5.0 × 10−5 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 8.3 × 10−10 mol L−1 (3σ). The results demonstrated that the MIP–CL sensor was reversible and reusable and that it could strikingly improve the selectivity and sensitivity of CL analysis. Furthermore, it is suggested that the CL enhancement of luminol–H2O2 by TFM might be ascribed to the enhancement effect of CO2, which came from TFM hydrolysis in basic medium. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced chemiluminescence of peroxomonosulfate–cobalt (II) system in the presence of dicarboxylic acids
Authors: Zhou Yun , Ogawa Nobuaki , Lin Jin‐Ming
Published: July 2010

In the present work, the effects of molecular mass aliphatic dicarboxylic acids on the HSO5‐–Co2+ chemiluminescence (CL) system were investigated. It was found that the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids could enhance the CL of the HSO5‐–Co2+ system. Moreover, the CL intensities improved regularly with increasing carbon chain length of the dicarboxylic acids. To investigate the CL enhancement mechanism, dynamic profiles, CL spectroscopy, ESR spectrum and the effects of various free radical scavengers on the CL system were employed. The results indicated that the enhancement of the CL should be attributed to the formation of peroxo‐diacid, which finally decomposed to the original dicarboxylic acid and singlet oxygen. The mechanism of the HSO5‐–Co2+‐dicarboxylic acid CL system was then proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cu2+‐imprinted cross‐linked chitosan resin as micro‐column packing materials for online chemiluminescence determination of trace copper
Authors: Nie Feng , Hao Liang , Gao Mei , Wu Yingchun , Li Xinsheng , Yu Sha
Published: July 2010

The Cu2+‐imprinted cross‐linked chitosan resin was synthesized and the binding characteristic of the resin to Cu2+ was evaluated. The prepared resin was packed into a micro‐glass column and used as micro‐separating column. The micro‐separating column was connected into the chemiluminescence flow system and placed in front of the window of the photomultiplier tube. Based on the luminol–hydrogen peroxide chemiluminescence system, a flow injection online chemiluminescence method for determination of trace copper was developed and trace Cu2+ in complex samples was successfully determined. The proposed method improved the shortcomings of chemiluminescence method's poor selectivity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synergistic action of oncolytic herpes simplex virus and radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer cell lines
Authors: Dai M-H , Zamarin D , Gao S P , Chou T-C , Gonzalez L , Lin S-F , Fong Y
Published: July 2010

Background

Despite much research in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains a fatal disease, highly resistant to all treatment modalities. Recent developments in the field of herpes simplex virus (HSV) engineering have allowed the generation of a number of promising virus vectors for treatment of many cancers, including pancreatic tumours. This study examined the use of one such virus, NV1023, in combination with radiation therapy in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Methods

HSV therapy in combination with radiotherapy was investigated in pancreatic cancer cell lines Hs766T, Panc-1 and MIA PaCa-2. Multiple therapy effect analysis was performed by computerized simulation. Mechanisms underlying synergy, such as virus replication and apoptosis, were investigated.

Results

The combination of NV1023 and radiation yielded a synergistic oncolytic effect in all tested pancreatic cancer cell lines, with the greatest effect achieved in MIA PaCa-2. This effect was not mediated by an increase in rapid viral replication, but by a substantial increase in apoptosis.

Conclusion

The synergistic oncolytic actions of HSV and radiotherapy observed in pancreatic cancer cell lines encourage further testing of this multimodality treatment.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of caffeine in patients with intermittent claudication
Authors: Momsen A H , Jensen M B , Norager C B , Madsen M R , Vestersgaard-Andersen T , Lindholt J S
Published: July 2010

Background

Intermittent claudication is a disabling symptom of peripheral arterial disease for which few medical treatments are available. This study investigated the effect of caffeine on physical capacity in patients with intermittent claudication.

Methods

This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study included 88 patients recruited by surgeons from outpatient clinics. The participants abstained from caffeine for 48 h before each test and then received either a placebo or oral caffeine (6 mg/kg). After 75 min, pain-free and maximal walking distance on a treadmill, perceived pain, reaction times, postural stability, maximal isometric knee extension strength, submaximal knee extension endurance and cognitive function were measured. The analysis was by intention to treat.

Results

Caffeine increased the pain-free walking distance by 20·0 (95 per cent confidence interval 3·7 to 38·8) per cent (P = 0·014), maximal walking distance by 26·6 (12·1 to 43·0) per cent (P < 0·001), muscle strength by 9·8 (3·0 to 17·0) per cent (P = 0·005) and endurance by 21·4 (1·2 to 45·7) per cent (P = 0·004). However, postural stability was reduced significantly, by 22·1 (11·7 to 33·4) per cent with eyes open (P < 0·001) and by 21·8 (7·6 to 37·8) per cent with eyes closed (P = 0·002). Neither reaction time nor cognition was affected.

Conclusion

In patients with moderate intermittent claudication, caffeine increased walking distance, maximal strength and endurance, but affected balance adversely. Registration number: NCT00388128 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Surgery for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1-associated primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Waldmann J , López C L , Langer P , Rothmund M , Bartsch D K
Published: July 2010

Background

Surgery in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-associated primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is difficult as the condition it is caused by asymmetrical multiple gland hyperplasia. It is uncertain which operative procedure provides the best outcome with regard to long-term normocalcaemia.

Methods

All patients who had surgery for genetically confirmed MEN1-associated pHPT between 1987 and 2009 were identified from a prospective database. Clinical data, operative procedures and outcome were analysed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 47 patients were identified. Twenty-three patients underwent total parathyroidectomy with thymectomy and autotransplantation (TPTX + AT), 11 patients subtotal parathyroidectomy (3–3·5 glands, SPTX) with thymectomy, and 13 patients selective gland excision (fewer than 3 glands, SGE). Rates of persistent disease, recurrent disease and permanent hypoparathyroidism after TPTX + AT were 4 per cent (1 patient), 4 per cent (1 patient) and 22 per cent (5 patients) respectively. Respective rates after SPTX were 0 per cent, 18 per cent (2 patients) and 45 per cent (5 patients), which were not statistically different from those following TPTX + AT. SGE resulted in persistent disease in 23 per cent (3 patients) and a significantly higher rate of recurrent disease (46 per cent, 6 patients; P = 0·004 versus TPTX, P = 0·210 versus SPTX), but permanent hypoparathyroidism did not occur.

Conclusion

TPTX + AT and SPTX both seem adequate surgical procedures for the treatment of MEN1-associated pHPT and are associated with fewer recurrences than SGE.
Sphincter preservation in rectal cancer is associated with patients' socioeconomic status
Authors: Olsson L I , Granström F , Påhlman L
Published: July 2010

Background

Decision making regarding the choice of surgical procedure in rectal cancer is complex. It was hypothesized that, in addition to clinical factors, several aspects of patients' socioeconomic background influence this process.

Methods

Individually attained data on civil status, education and income were linked to the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry 1995–2005 (16 713 patients) and analysed by logistic regression.

Results

Anterior resection (AR) was performed in 7433 patients (44·5 per cent), abdominoperineal resection (APR) in 3808 (22·8 per cent) and Hartmann's procedure in 1704 (10·2 per cent). Unmarried patients were least likely (odds ratio (OR) 0·76, 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·64 to 0·88) and university-educated men were most likely (OR 1·30, 1·04 to 1·62) to have an AR. Patients with the highest income were more likely to undergo AR (OR 0·80, 0·85 and 0·86 respectively for first, second and third income quartiles). Socioeconomic differences in the use of AR were smallest among the youngest patients. Unmarried patients were more likely (OR 1·21, 95 per cent c.i. 1·00 to 1·48) and university-educated patients less likely (OR 0·78, 95 per cent c.i. 0·63 to 0·98) to have an APR.

Conclusion

The choice of surgical strategy in rectal cancer is not socioeconomically neutral. Confounding factors, such as co-morbidity or smoking, may explain some of the differences but inequality in treatment is also plausible.
Five-year follow-up of the Medical Research Council CLASICC trial of laparoscopically assisted versus open surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Jayne D G , Thorpe H C , Copeland J , Quirke P , Brown J M , Guillou P J
Published: July 2010

Introduction

The UK Medical Research Council CLASICC trial assessed the safety and efficacy of laparoscopically assisted surgery in comparison with open surgery for colorectal cancer. The results of the 5-year follow-up analysis are presented.

Methods

Five-year outcomes were analysed and included overall and disease-free survival, and local, distant and wound/port-site recurrences. Two exploratory analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of age (70 years or less, or more than 70 years) on overall survival between the two groups, and the effect of the learning curve.

Results

No differences were found between laparoscopically assisted and open surgery in terms of overall survival, disease-free survival, and local and distant recurrence. Wound/port-site recurrence rates in the laparoscopic arm remained stable at 2·4 per cent. Conversion to open operation was associated with significantly worse overall but not disease-free survival, which was most marked in the early follow-up period. The effect of surgery did not differ between the age groups, and surgical experience did not impact on the 5-year results.

Conclusion

The 5-year analyses confirm the oncological safety of laparoscopic surgery for both colonic and rectal cancer. The use of laparoscopic surgery to maximize short-term outcomes does not compromise the long-term oncological results. Registration number: ISRCTN74883561 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
Study of chromatographic characteristics of inorganic analytes in biopartitioning micellar chromatography with ion‐pair additives
Authors: Rukhadze Marina , Lominadze Nino , Akhalkatsi Levan , Gvaramia Manuchar
Published: July 2010

The chromatographic behavior of model ions of biomedical and environmental significance was investigated by using nonionic micellar mobile phases modified with ion‐pair additives. The influence of concentrations of polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether and ornithine hydrochloride in the mobile phase on the retention factors of chromium (III), chromium (VI), iodide and bromide ions was studied. The possible mechanisms of retention of the mentioned ions in biopartitioning micellar chromatography with zwitter ion‐pair additives were proposed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SR‐BI, CD36, and caveolin‐1 contribute positively to cholesterol efflux in hepatic cells
Authors: Truong To Quyen , Aubin Dominique , Falstrault Louise , Brodeur Mathieu R. , Brissette Louise
Published: July 2010

In non‐hepatic cells, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), and caveolin‐1 were described as mediators of cholesterol efflux, the first step of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Stable transformants of HepG2 cells overexpressing SR‐BI, CD36, or caveolin‐1 were generated, as well as cells overexpressing both caveolin‐1 and SR‐BI or caveolin‐1 and CD36 in order to address the effect of caveolin‐1 on both receptor activities. These cells were analyzed for their ability to efflux cholesterol to HDL3. Our results show that overexpressing SR‐BI, CD36, or caveolin‐1 increases cholesterol efflux by 106, 92, and 48%, respectively. Moreover, the dual overexpressions of caveolin‐1 and SR‐BI or caveolin‐1 and CD36 lead to a more prominent increase in cholesterol efflux. Studies were also conducted with primary cultures of SR‐BI knockout (KO), CD36 KO, and SR‐BI/CD36 double‐KO (dKO) mice. SR‐BI KO and SR‐BI/CD36 dKO hepatic cells show 41 and 56% less cholesterol efflux, respectively, than normal hepatic cells. No significant difference was observed between the efflux of normal and CD36 KO cells. The difference between the role of human and murine CD36 correlated with the absence of CD36 dimers in mouse caveolae/rafts. Overall, our results show that SR‐BI is clearly involved in cholesterol efflux in mouse and human hepatic cells, while CD36 plays a significant role in human cells. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.