bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Expandable Cages in Patients Undergoing Multilevel Corpectomies for Metastatic Tumors in the Cervical Spine
Authors: Omeis Ibrahim , Bekelis Kimon , Gregory Anthony , McGirt Matthew , Sciubba Daniel , Bydon Ali , Wolinsky J.P. , Gokaslan Ziya , Witham Timothy
Published: March 2010

Expandable cages have been used successfully to reconstruct the anterior spinal column in the treatment of traumatic, neoplastic, infectious, and degenerative spine disease. To the best of our knowledge, no studies report the results of the use of expandable cages in patients undergoing multilevel corpectomies for cervical spine metastatic disease. We report our experience with the use of expandable cages in this subgroup of patients.

From August 2006 to May 2008, 5 patients presenting with myelopathy, pain, and/or radiculopathy secondary to metastatic disease of the cervical spine underwent multilevel cervical corpectomies and placement of expandable cages in our institution. All procedures were supplemented with an anterior cervical plate and with posterior instrumentation to achieve a 360° fusion. A visual analog scale (VAS), Nurick grade, Frankel grade, American Spinal Injuries Association (ASIA) grade, and Ranawat grade were used to evaluate patients pre- and postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 13.2 months. Three patients underwent a 2-level corpectomy, 1 a 3-level corpectomy, and 1 a 4-level corpectomy. Postoperative imaging studies showed that all patients had correction of preoperative kyphosis. The mean VAS score was reduced from 6.4 to 1. All other indices of spinal cord injury measured improved postoperatively or were stabilized. Postoperative imaging studies showed stable constructs in 4 patients.

The use of expandable cages in multilevel corpectomies for the treatment of metastatic cervical spine disease appears to be a safe and effective way to reconstruct the anterior column of the cervical spine, preventing further neurologic deterioration.
Computer-Assisted 3-Dimensional Anthropometry of the Scaphoid
Authors: Pichler Wolfgang , Windisch Gunther , Schaffler Gottfried , Heidari Nima , Dorr Katrin , Grechenig Wolfgang
Published: March 2010

Scaphoid fracture fixation using a cannulated headless compression screw and the Matti-Russe procedure for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions are performed routinely. Surgeons performing these procedures need to be familiar with the anatomy of the scaphoid. A literature review reveals relatively few articles on this subject. The goal of this anatomical study was to measure the scaphoid using current technology and to discuss the findings with respect to the current, relevant literature.

Computed tomography scans of 30 wrists were performed using a 64-slice SOMATOM Sensation CT system (resolution 0.6 mm) (Siemens Medical Solutions Inc, Malvern, Pennsylvania). Three-dimensional reconstructions from the raw data were generated by MIMICS software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). The scaphoid had a mean length of 26.0 mm (range, 22.3–30.7 mm), and men had a significantly longer (
P
<.001) scaphoid than women (27.861.6 mm vs 24.561.6 mm, respectively). The width and height were measured at 3 different levels for volume calculations, resulting in a mean volume of 3389.5 mm
3
. Men had a significantly larger (
P
<.001) scaphoid volume than women (4057.86740.7 mm
3
vs 2846.56617.5 mm
3
, respectively).

We found considerable variation in the length and volume of the scaphoid in our cohort. We also demonstrated a clear correlation between scaphoid size and sex. Surgeons performing operative fixation of scaphoid fractures and corticocancellous bone grafting for nonunions need to be familiar with these anatomical variations.
Simultaneous Dorsal Dislocations of the Carpometacarpal Joints of All Four Fingers
Authors: Peace William J. , Abrams Reid A.
Published: March 2010

A 57-year-old right-hand–dominant woman was involved in a motor vehicle collision. Upon examination, her right hand was markedly deformed and swollen, with limited range of movement. Plain radiographs revealed dorsal dislocations of the index, long, ring, and small finger carpometacarpal joints and an avulsion fracture of the dorsal aspect of the capitate. Closed reduction was unsuccessful. Closed reduction under general anesthesia was successful on the carpometacarpal joint of the ring and small fingers, however, the long and index fingers remained irreducible. An open approach revealed that a joint capsule was interposed in the carpometacarpal joints of the long and index fingers, preventing reduction. Kirschner wires were placed through the base of the small and ring finger metacarpals into the carpus. Additional K-wires were placed across the base of the index and long finger metacarpals into the carpus, and removed at 6 weeks. The avulsion fracture of the capitate was not addressed. Follow-up at 24 months demonstrated full range of motion in all fingers. Her DASH Outcome Measure score was 1.7. She was pain free, had full grip strength, and returned to work full-time. Whether patients are treated closed or open, appropriate treatment of carpometacarpal dislocations usually leads to excellent outcomes. If closed reduction is unsuccessful, open treatment is required to address any soft tissue that is preventing reduction. Although urgent treatment is preferred, delay in reduction of up to 4 weeks has been shown not to compromise results.
Femoral Stem Displacement During Closed Reduction of a Dislocated Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty of the Hip
Authors: Yun Ho Hyun , Park Jung Ho , Park Jong Woong , Lee Jae Wook
Published: March 2010

This article describes a case of femoral stem displacement during closed reduction of a redislocated bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip in a 72-year-old woman who had undergone bipolar hemiarthroplasty using a polished, tapered cemented femoral stem. The polished, tapered cemented femoral stem is vulnerable to displacement when exposed to traction forces. Six days after bipolar hemiarthroplasty, the patient experienced her first dislocation, and immediate reduction of the dislocated hip was easily achieved. However, on the ninth postoperative day, redislocation occurred, and this time, reduction was not achieved. Subsequent radiographs revealed an unreduced state with posterosuperior dislocation of the hip and dissociation of the femoral stem at the cement-stem interface with proximal migration. Open reduction was then performed, and it was noted that the bipolar prosthesis had dislocated posterosuperiorly, the neck of the femoral stem was incarcerated between the short external rotators, and the femoral stem had migrated proximally by approximately 8 cm. The femoral stem was repositioned by freeing it from the short external rotators and gently tapping it into the cement mantle. Our surgical solution is questionable, because the stability of the stem is likely to be inadequate. According to the established study, no difference in stuffiness was observed before extraction and after reinsertion, which supports the surgical solution we chose. Pre-reduction analysis should be conducted to determine the cause and status of a dislocation, and open reduction should be performed if closed reduction fails when treating dislocated bipolar hemiarthroplasty patients.
Assessment of Family Needs in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Authors: Mundy Cynthia A.
Published: March 2010

Background Limited research has been conducted to assess family needs in neonatal intensive care units. Health care providers often make assumptions about what families need, but these assumptions are unfounded and can lead to inappropriate conclusions. When assessed appropriately, family needs can be incorporated into individualized plans of care, enhancing family-centered care.

Objective To assess the needs of parents in neonatal intensive care units, we asked the following 3 questions: What are the most and least important needs of families in a level III neonatal intensive care unit? Do parents’ needs differ at admission and discharge? Do the needs of mothers and fathers differ?

Methods Parents were interviewed by using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Needs Inventory. Participants rated statements as not important (1), slightly important (2), important (3), very important (4), or not applicable (5).

Results Fifty-two (93%) of the 56 items were rated as important or very important, and parents rated assurance-type needs highest. Parents at admission rated support needs higher than parents at discharge rated those needs. Needs of mothers and fathers did not differ significantly.

Conclusions Identifying the needs of parents in neonatal intensive care units can enhance nursing communication and allow nurses to incorporate parents’ needs into families’ plans of care. The family needs inventory can help identify those needs and allows the integration of individualized nursing care to fulfill those needs, providing a positive family-centered experience in the unit for patients and their families.
Impact of Morbidity and Mortality Conferences on Analysis of Mortality and Critical Events in Intensive Care Practice
Authors: Ksouri Hatem , Balanant Per-Yann , Tadié Jean-Marc , Heraud Guillaume , Abboud Imad , Lerolle Nicolas , Novara Ana , Fagon Jean-Yves , Faisy Christophe
Published: March 2010

Background Morbidity and mortality conferences are a tool for evaluating care management, but they lack a precise format for practice in intensive care units.

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of regular morbidity and mortality conferences specific to intensive care units for improving quality of care and patient safety.

Methods For 1 year, a prospective study was conducted in an 18-bed intensive care unit. Events analyzed included deaths in the unit and 4 adverse events (unexpected cardiac arrest, unplanned extubation, reintubation within 24–48 hours after planned extubation, and readmission to the unit within 48 hours after discharge) considered potentially preventable in optimal intensive care practice. During conferences, events were collectively analyzed with the help of an external auditor to determine their severity, causality, and preventability.

Results During the study period, 260 deaths and 100 adverse events involving 300 patients were analyzed. The adverse events rate was 16.6 per 1000 patient-days. Adverse events occurred more often between noon and 4 pm (P = .001).The conference consensus was that 6.1% of deaths and 36% of adverse events were preventable. Preventable deaths were associated with iatrogenesis (P = .008), human errors (P < .001), and failure of unit management factors or communication (P = .003). Three major recommendations were made concerning standardization of care or prescription and organizational management, and no similar incidents have recurred.

Conclusion In addition to their educational value, regular morbidity and mortality conferences formatted for intensive care units are useful for assessing quality of care and patient safety.
Oral Care Practices for Orally Intubated Critically Ill Adults
Authors: Feider Laura L. , Mitchell Pamela , Bridges Elizabeth
Published: March 2010

Background Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a major threat to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in hospitals. Oral care is a nursing intervention that may help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Objectives To describe oral care practices performed by critical care nurses for orally intubated critically ill patients and compare these practices with recommendations for oral care in the 2005 AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional design with a 31-item Web-based survey was used to describe oral care practices reported by 347 randomly selected members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Results Oral care was performed every 2 (50%) or 4 (42%) hours, usually with foam swabs (97%). Oral care was reported as a high priority (47%). Nurses with 7 years or more of critical care experience performed oral care more often (P=.008) than did less experienced nurses. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing used foam swabs (P=.001), suctioned the mouth before the endotracheal tube (P=.02), and suctioned after oral care (P<.001) more often than other nurses. Nurses whose units had an oral care policy (72%) reported that the policy indicated using a toothbrush (63%), using toothpaste (40%), brushing with a foam swab (90%), using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse (49%), suctioning the oral cavity (84%), and assessing the oral cavity (73%). Oral care practices and policies differed for all those items.

Conclusions Survey results indicate that discrepancies exist between reported practices and policies. Oral care policies appear to be present, but not well used.
Clinicians’ Perception of Head-of-Bed Elevation
Authors: Hiner Chad , Kasuya Tomoyo , Cottingham Christine , Whitney JoAnne
Published: March 2010

Background Head-of-bed elevation of 30° to 45° is important in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia, but clinicians’ perception and determination of head-of-bed elevation are not widely reported.

Objectives To (1) document the accuracy of clinicians’ perception of head-of-bed elevation, (2) document methods clinicians use to determine the head-of-bed angle, and (3) assess knowledge of recommended head-of-bed elevation.

Methods Clinicians (n = 175) viewed a simulated patient with head of bed elevated 30° and elevation gauge concealed. They answered 3 questions: What is the level of the head of the bed? What head-of-bed elevation is associated with decreased incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia? When providing care, how do you routinely determine the head-of-bed elevation?

Results Fifty percent of 89 registered nurses and 53% of 39 physicians identified head-of-bed elevation correctly (±5°). Head-of-bed elevation was perceived accurately by 86% of 21 respiratory therapists, 63% of 16 medical assistants, and 50% of 10 physical/occupational therapists. Ninety-five percent of nurses and respiratory therapists, 79% of physicians, 90% of physical/occupational therapists, and 46% of medical assistants correctly identified the head-of-bed angle associated with decreases in occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Techniques for determining the angle varied; 58% of respondents reported using the gauge.

Conclusions Head-of-bed angle was perceived correctly by 50% to 86% of clinicians. Nurses tended to underestimate the angle, whereas other clinicians tended to overestimate. Nurses, respiratory therapists, and physical/occupational therapists showed the best understanding of the correct angle for minimizing occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Elevation gauges were most often used to determine the angle.
Superconducting Nanowires Fabricated Using Molecular Templates
Authors: Bezryadin Alexey , Goldbart Paul M.
Published: March 2010

The application of single molecules as templates for nanodevices is a promising direction for nanotechnology. We use suspended deoxyribonucleic acid molecules or single‐walled carbon nanotubes as templates for fabricating superconducting devices and then study these devices at cryogenic temperatures. Because the resulting nanowires are extremely thin, comparable in diameter to the templating molecule itself, their electronic state is highly susceptible to thermal fluctuations. The most important family of these fluctuations are the collective ones, which take the form of Little's phase slips or ruptures of the many‐electron organization. These phase slips break the quantum coherence of the superconducting condensate and render the wire slightly resistive (i.e., not fully superconducting), even at temperatures substantially lower than the critical temperature of the superconducting transition. At low temperatures, for which the thermal fluctuations are weak, we observe the effects of quantum fluctuations, which lead to the phenomenon of macroscopic quantum tunneling. The modern fabrication method of molecular templating, reviewed here, can be readily implemented to synthesize nanowires from other materials, such as normal metals, ferromagnetic alloys, and semiconductors.
Modeling phase equilibria for acid gas mixtures using the CPA equation of state. I. Mixtures with H2S
Authors: Tsivintzelis Ioannis , Kontogeorgis Georgios M. , Michelsen Michael L. , Stenby Erling H.
Published: March 2010

The Cubic‐Plus‐Association (CPA) equation of state is applied to a large variety of mixtures containing H2S, which are of interest in the oil and gas industry. Binary H2S mixtures with alkanes, CO2, water, methanol, and glycols are first considered. The interactions of H2S with polar compounds (water, methanol, and glycols) are modeled assuming presence or not of cross‐association interactions. Such interactions are accounted for using either a combining rule or a cross‐solvation energy obtained from spectroscopic data. Using the parameters obtained from the binary systems, one ternary and three quaternary mixtures are considered. It is shown that overall excellent correlation for binary mixtures and satisfactory prediction results for multicomponent systems are obtained. There are significant differences between the various modeling approaches and the best results are obtained when cross association is explicitly accounted for, especially using the cross‐association energy from independent experimental studies rather than from combining rules. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Progress toward a biomimetic leaf: 4,000 h of hydrogen production by coating‐stabilized nongrowing photosynthetic Rhodopseudomonas palustris
Authors: Gosse Jimmy L. , Engel Brian J. , Hui Jeremy C.‐H. , Harwood Caroline S. , Flickinger Michael C.
Published: March 2010

Intact cells are the most stable form of nature's photosynthetic machinery. Coating‐immobilized microbes have the potential to revolutionize the design of photoabsorbers for conversion of sunlight into fuels. Multi‐layer adhesive polymer coatings could spatially combine photoreactive bacteria and algae (complementary biological irradiance spectra) creating high surface area, thin, flexible structures optimized for light trapping, and production of hydrogen (H2) from water, lignin, pollutants, or waste organics. We report a model coating system which produced 2.08 ± 0.01 mmol H2 m−2 h−1 for 4,000 h with nongrowing Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium. This adhesive, flexible, nanoporous Rps. palustris latex coating produced 8.24 ± 0.03 mol H2 m−2 in an argon atmosphere when supplied with acetate and light. A simple low‐pressure hydrogen production and trapping system was tested using a 100 cm2 coating. Rps. palustris CGA009 was combined in a bilayer coating with a carotenoid‐less mutant of Rps. palustris (CrtI−) deficient in peripheral light harvesting (LH2) function. Cryogenic field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐FEG‐SEM) and high‐pressure freezing were used to visualize the microstructure of hydrated coatings. A light interaction and reactivity model was evaluated to predict optimal coating thickness for light absorption using the Kubelka‐Munk theory (KMT) of reflectance and absorptance. A two‐flux model predicted light saturation thickness with good agreement to observed H2 evolution rate. A combined materials and modeling approach could be used for guiding cellular engineering of light trapping and reactivity to enhance overall photosynthetic efficiency per meter square of sunlight incident on photocatalysts. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Application of the yeast‐surface‐display system for orally administered salmon calcitonin and safety assessment
Authors: Sun Ping‐Nan , Zhang Xue‐Cheng , Chen Yun‐Song , Zang Xiao‐Nan
Published: March 2010

High manufacturing costs and oral delivery are the constraints in clinical application of calcitonin. We selected surface‐displayed Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a low‐cost and safe carrier for oral delivery of salmon calcitonin (sCT). The sCT DNA fragment, optimized according to the codon preference of S. cerevisiae, was synthesized and cloned into the plasmid M‐pYD1 to yield recombinant yAGA2‐sCT, which was induced to express sCT by galactose for 0, 12, and 24 h. sCT expression was detected on the cell surface by indirect immunofluorescence and peaked at 12 h. About 65% recombinants expressed sCT on flow cytometry. The in vivo and in vitro activity of recombinant sCT was determined by detecting bioactivity of antiosteoclastic absorption on bone wafers and orally administering yAGA2‐sCT to Wistar rats, respectively. For safety assessment of yAGA2‐sCT, we observed abnormalities, morbidity, and mortality and determined body weight, serum chemistry parameters, hematological parameters, and organ weight. In vitro bioactivity of the recombinant sCT was similar to that of commercial sCT, Miacalcic; oral administration of 5 g/kg yAGA2‐sCT induced a long‐term hypocalcemic effect in Wistar rats and no adverse effects. This study demonstrates that yAGA2‐sCT anchoring sCT protein on a S. cerevisiae surface has potential for low‐cost and safe oral delivery of sCT. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Blood supply to the lymphatic vessels in the leg: An incidental finding
Authors: Pan Wei‐Ren , le Roux Cara Michelle
Published: March 2010

There are no reports or images of the blood supply to the lymphatic vessels. One lower limb of an unembalmed human cadaver was studied. Hydrogen peroxide (6%) was applied to find the lymphatic vessels by using a surgical microscope. The vessels were injected with a radio‐opaque mixture and dissected. During the dissection, several sites of paralymphatics arteriole nutrient (PAN) vessels were found in close proximity to collecting lymphatic vessels in the medial aspect of the leg. The caliber of the lymphatic vessels was about 1 mm. The caliber of PAN vessels was <0.1 mm. The blood vessels were seen running along the lymphatic vessels. Some of them crossing the lymphatics and supplying the fatty tissue nearby and some running parallel on the lymph vessel walls. Histology sections show different‐sized PAN vessels containing blood cells situated close to the lymphatic wall and within the lymphatic vessel wall. PAN vessels have been found and described. It will upgrade our anatomical knowledge and also be of benefit for medical and/or scientific research. Clin. Anat. 23:451–454, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of anatomical variation of the crista galli using computed tomography
Authors: Hajiioannou Jiannis , Owens David , Whittet Heikki B.
Published: March 2010

Pneumatization of the crista galli is a recognized incidental finding on computed tomography (CT), usually with little relevance to the clinical picture. There are, however, notable exceptions: congenital midline nasal defects including nasal dermoids have been seen to track through or near the crista galli. Mucocele development has also been seen. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in crista galli morphology and pneumatization and assess whether specific morphologies occur. A retrospective observational study was undertaken between November 2007 and January 2008. Using coronal and axial reconstructed CT views, images of the head in the region of the paranasal sinuses were assessed. Variations in the crista galli were classified according to their position relative to the cribriform plate and to the degree of pneumatization. Computed tomography findings of the morphology of the crista galli in 99 patients were reviewed and a classification system derived from the findings. Three variations of the position of the base of the crista galli were defined. In 28.3% of subjects the base of the crista galli did not extend below the level of the cribriform plate. In 63.6%, the crista galli extended less than 50% of its height below the cribriform plate and in 8.1% of the scans the crista galli extended more than 50% of its height below the cribriform plate. Pneumatization was noticed in 14.1% of the scans. Our results demonstrate the variation that occurs in the morphology and pneumatization of the crista galli. We hope this knowledge might be of help in preoperative planning of surgical approaches to sites of disease involving the crista galli. Clin. Anat. 23:370–373, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous coronary intervention with a virtual 2‐Fr system
Authors: Tanaka Akihito , Saito Shigeru
Published: March 2010

With the improvement of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the miniaturization of devices has continued. We have developed a virtual 2‐Fr system that is the slenderest system to date. The outer diameter of the system using a 4‐Fr sheathless guiding catheter is ∼2‐Fr size. We report a case successfully treated using this new system. This novel virtual 2‐Fr system has the potential to provide less invasive PCI during vascular access and to reduce patient morbidity. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal artery stenting in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease
Authors: Trani Carlo , Tommasino Antonella , Giammarinaro Maura , Burzotta Francesco , Coroleu Santiago Federico , Rufini Vittoria , Mazzari Mario Attilio , Porto Italo , Niccoli Giampaolo , Leone Antonio Maria , Mongiardo Rocco , Gabrielli Francesca Augusta , Schiavoni Giovanni , Biamino Giancarlo , Crea Filippo
Published: March 2010

Objectives: To investigate the role of renal stenting in selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and renal artery stenosis. Methods: Consecutive patients, with chronic ischemic heart disease and severe hypertension and/or impaired renal function undergoing renal stenting, were prospectively enrolled. Mid‐term (at least 2 years) follow‐up was performed to assess both changes in renal function [serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR)] and blood pressure (BP) control (number of required drugs) and to record the incidence of clinical major adverse events. Moreover, in the first consecutive 24 patients, out‐of‐range pressure values at 24‐hr BP monitoring and GFR at renal scintigraphy were measured at baseline and 1 month after stenting. Results: Seventy patients treated by stenting on 86 renal arteries entered the study. Procedural success rate was 99% and no major complication occurred. At 2‐year follow‐up, both mean serum creatinine (−0.1 ± 0.7 mg/dl at follow‐up compared to baseline, P = 0.6) and eGFR (+3.7 ± 23.5 ml/min/1.73m2 at follow‐up compared to baseline, P = 0.2) did not significantly change while the number of drugs required to control BP significantly decreased (2.7 ± 0.8 to 2.2 ± 0.7, P < 0.0001). In the subset of 24 patients evaluated at 1 month, GFR significantly increased (62 ± 20 ml/min to 67 ± 21 ml/min; P = 0.008) and the rate of the out‐of‐range systolic pressure values at 24‐hr monitoring significantly decreased (51–33%, P = 0.005). Elevated baseline creatinine values and the presence of global renal ischemia were identified as predictors of poor outcome at the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: In selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and hypertension and/or renal insufficiency, renal stenting may be performed with very low periprocedural complications and results in unchanged renal function and improved BP control. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Bicyclic Diol Derivatives through Metal and Enzyme Catalysis: Application to the Formal Synthesis of Sertraline
Authors: Krumlinde Patrik , Bogár Krisztián , Bäckvall Jan‐E.
Published: March 2010

Enzyme‐ and ruthenium‐catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation (DYKAT) of bicyclic diols to their diacetates was highly enantio‐ and diastereoselective to give the corresponding diacetates in high yield with high enantioselectivity (99.9 % ee). The enantiomerically pure diols are accessible by simple hydrolysis (NaOH, MeOH), but an alternative enzyme‐catalyzed ester cleavage was also used to give the trans‐diol (R,R)‐1 b in extremely high diastereomeric purity (trans/cis=99.9:0.1, >99.9 % ee). It was demonstrated that the diols can be selectively oxidized to the ketoalcohols in a ruthenium‐catalyzed Oppenauer‐type reaction. A formal enantioselective synthesis of sertraline from a simple racemic cis/trans diol 1 b was demonstrated.
Localization of MglA, an essential gliding motility protein in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Patryn Jacek , Allen Krisandra , Dziewanowska Katarzyna , Otto Rebecca , Hartzell Patricia L.
Published: March 2010

MglA, a 22‐kDa protein related to monomeric GTPases, is required for the normal operation of the A (Adventurous) and S (Social) motility and for multicellular development of Myxococcus xanthus. To determine how MglA controls A‐ and S‐motility, MglA was assayed biochemically and its cellular location was determined. His‐tagged MglA hydrolyzed GTP slowly in vitro at a rate nearly identical to that of Ras showing that MglA has GTPase activity. Immunofluorescence microscopy of fixed cells from liquid showed that MglA was associated with helical track similar to the MreB spiral that spanned the length of the cell. The distribution pattern of MglA depended on the type of surface from which cells were harvested. In cells gliding on 1.5% (w/v) agar, the helical pattern gave way to punctate clusters of MglA‐Yfp at the poles and along the long axis (lateral clusters). The lateral clusters emerged near the leading pole as the cell advanced coincident with a decrease in the intensity of the MglA‐Yfp cluster at the leading pole. Newly formed lateral clusters remained fixed with regard to the substratum as the cell moved forward, similar to focal adhesion complexes described for AglZ, a protein partner of MglA. Lateral clusters did not form in cells gliding in methylcellulose, a polymer that stimulates S‐motility at low cell density; rather MglA‐Yfp was diffuse in the cytoplasm and more concentrated at the poles. The results suggest that conditions that favor S‐motility prevent the formation of lateral clusters of MglA, which are associated with A‐motility functions. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Color constancy from invariant wavelength ratios. III: Chromatic adaptation theory, model and tests
Authors: Pridmore Ralph W.
Published: March 2010

A theory of chromatic adaptation is derived from Parts I and II, and presented in terms of relative wavelength, purity, and radiant power, leading directly to a predictive model of corresponding hue, chroma, and lightness. Considering that even simple animals have effective color vision and color constancy, the aim was to develop a simple model of complete adaptation. The model is tested against well‐known data sets for corresponding colors in illuminants D65, D50, and A, and for small and large visual fields, and performs comparably to CIECAM02. Constant hue is predicted from Part I's mechanism of color constancy from invariant wavelength ratios, where constant hues shift wavelength linearly with reciprocal illuminant color temperature. Constant chroma is predicted from constant colorimetric purity. Constant lightness is predicted from chromatic adaptation of spectral sensitivity represented by power ratios of complementary colors (rather than cone responses which lack spectral sharpening). This model is the first of its type and is not formatted for ease of computation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2010
Growth and EBSD determination of Celestite SrSO4 dendrites
Authors: Qiu Z. H. , Ruan Q. F. , Zhao S. R. , Xu H. J. , Meng J.
Published: March 2010

In this paper, the SrSO4 dendrites were prepared by diffusion method. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) technique is used to determine the crystallographic orientations of SrSO4 dendrites. It is shown that the SrSO4 dendrites grow in (001) plane, and all short main branches grow along <100>, but the long main branches grow along <110>, <130> or <140> directions. The growth morphology of SrSO4 dendrites is controlled by not only their internal structure but also external growth conditions. The internal structure of SrSO4 dendrites influences the character of the growth direction vertically <001>. The change of the ions concentration in the diffusion system leads to the evolution from <110> to <140> of the long main branches. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of temperature and isomorphic atom substitution on optical absorption edge of TlInS2xSe2(1‐x) mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1)
Authors: Gasanly N. M.
Published: March 2010

The optical properties of the TlInS2xSe2(1‐x)mixed crystals (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been investigated through the transmission and reflection measurements in the wavelength range of 400–1100 nm. The optical indirect band gap energies were determined by means of the analysis of the absorption data. It was found that the energy band gaps decrease with the increase of selenium atoms content in the TlInS2xSe2(1‐x)mixed crystals. The transmission measurements carried out in the temperature range of 10–300 K revealed that the rates of change of the indirect band gaps with temperature are γ = –9.2×10–4 eV/K, –6.1×10–4 eV/K, –4.7×10–4 eV/K and –5.6×10–4 eV/K for TlInS2, TlInS1.5Se0.5, TlInSSe and TlInS0.5Se1.5 crystals, respectively. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structure and humidity sensing properties of SnO2 zigzag belts
Authors: Li Lijun , Yu Ke , Wu Jin , Wang Yang , Zhu Ziqiang
Published: March 2010

A novel method was developed for synthesizing ultralong SnO2 zigzag belts with the assistance of CuO powder. The crystalline structure and morphology of SnO2 zigzag belts were characterized using x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The growth mechanism of the ultralong SnO2 zigzag belts and the catalytic behavior of the copper were discussed. The humidity sensor based on as‐synthesized product shows high sensitivity and fast response time due to unique structure of the SnO2 zigzag belts with large surface‐to‐volume ratio. It can be found that the resistance of the SnO2 materials decreases obviously with increasing relative humidity (RH) at room temperature (26 °C). The results demonstrate that these SnO2 nanostructures are potential to be used as effective and high performance humidity sensors. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rm62, a DEAD‐box RNA helicase, complexes with DSP1 in Drosophila embryos
Authors: Lamiable O. , Rabhi M. , Peronnet F. , Locker D. , Decoville M.
Published: March 2010

Two main classes of proteins, Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG), play a key role in the regulation of homeotic genes. These proteins act in multimeric complexes to remodel chromatin. A third class of proteins named Enhancers of Trithorax and Polycomb (ETP) modulates the activity of TrxG and PcG, but their role remains largely unknown. We previously identified an HMGB‐like protein, DSP1 (Dorsal Switch Protein 1), which was classified as an ETP. Preliminary studies have revealed that DSP1 is involved in multimeric complexes. Here we identify a DEAD‐box RNA helicase, Rm62, as partner of DSP1 in a 250‐kDa complex. Coimmunoprecipitation assays performed on embryo extracts indicate that DSP1 and Rm62 are associated in 3‐ to 12‐h embryos. Furthermore, DSP1 and Rm62 colocalize on polytene chromosomes. Consistent with these results, a mutation in Rm62 enhances a null mutation of dsp1 and also mutations of trxG or PcG, suggesting that Rm62 has characteristics of an ETP. We show here for the first time that an RNA helicase is involved in the maintenance of homeotic genes. genesis 48:244–253, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of renal function in patients with eating disorders
Authors: Fabbian Fabio , Pala Marco , Scanelli Giovanni , Manzato Emilia , Longhini Carlo , Portaluppi Francesco
Published: March 2010

Background:

Renal function could be evaluated with different equations such as Cockcroft–Gault formula (C‐G), Mayo Clinic Quadratic (MAYO) and four MDRD variables. Clinical application of different formulae in conditions with severe energy restriction or in obese subjects is still a matter of investigation.

Method:

Renal function of 55 anorexia nervosa (AN) and 44 bulimia nervosa (BN) patients was evaluated with C‐G formula for creatinine clearance calculation, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with MAYO and MDRD equations.

Results:

BN group was older and had higher weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area than AN subjects; however, their mean BMI was in the normal range. AN group had better renal function than BN one when it was evaluated with MAYO and MDRD; on the contrary, it was worse when it was calculated with C‐G. The results obtained from the three formulae were poorly correlated and Bland–Altman analysis confirmed that the results of the three formulae were not in agreement.

Discussion:

C‐G is inaccurate when it is applied to obese or cachectic subjects. MDRD underestimates renal function in normal‐high GFR. MAYO seems to be a good alternative to the other equations leading to correct classification of patients; therefore, it should be used to diagnose eating disorder subjects as renal insufficient. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:233–237)
Mild Synthetic Routes to High‐Surface Zinc Oxide Nanopowders
Authors: Estruga Marc , Domingo Concepción , Ayllón José A.
Published: March 2010

ZnO nanostructured powders have been prepared at low temperature and atmospheric pressure by thermal decomposition of solid precursors. Two alternative methods have been explored by using: (i) commercial zinc acetate dihydrate and (ii) a solid mixture obtained after the evaporation of a solution of zinc acetate in aqueous ammonia at 90 °C. Powder X‐ray diffraction characterization shows that in both cases crystalline ZnO was obtained after precursor treatment at 90 °C over 150 h. According to attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared analysis, powders obtained by both routes retain a small percentage of adsorbed acetate. Elemental analysis proves that almost 98 wt.‐% of acetate was removed during the low‐temperature treatment. Low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption‐desorption characterization shows the existence of two types of pores: intra‐aggregate mesopores and interaggregate macropores. The specific surface area reached a value of 35 m2 g–1 for materials obtained following the direct route (i) and increased to 60 m2 g–1 for powders obtained by the ammonia route (ii). TEM characterization confirms the presence of a hierarchical pore structure as a result of the formation of sub‐micrometric porous aggregates (50–200 nm) composed of nanocrystals smaller than 20 nm.
NCN‐Chelated Organoantimony(III) and Organobismuth(III) Phosphonates: Syntheses and Structures
Authors: Svoboda Tomáš , Jambor Roman , Růžička Aleš , Padělková Zdeňka , Erben Milan , Jirásko Robert , Dostál Libor
Published: March 2010

The reactions of the organoantimony and organobismuthoxides [LSbO]2 (1) and [LBiO]2 (2), where L = [2,6‐(Me2NCH2)2C6H3]–, with selected organophosphonic acids in a 1:4 molar ratio gave molecular organoantimony and organobismuth phosphonates LM[OP(R)(O)(OH)]2 [M = Sb, R = Et (3), Ph (4), tBu (5); M = Bi, R = tBu (8)]. Similarly, the reactions of 1 and 2 with tBuP(O)(OH)2 in a 1:2 molar ratio resulted in LM[O2P(tBu)(O)] [M = Sb (6), M = Bi (9)]. Reactions of 6 and 9 with EtP(O)(OH)2 yielded mixed phosphonates LM[OP(Et)(O)(OH)][OP(tBu)(O)(OH)] [M = Sb (7), M = Bi (10)]. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, 1H, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy. Molecular structures of compounds 4, 5, 8 and 9 were determined by using X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction in the solid state. Secondary phosphonates 4, 5 and 8 form weakly bonded dimeric units through hydrogen bridges of the type PO–H···O=P. On the other hand, compound 9 is trimeric in the solid state with the central 12‐membered ring formed by three LBi[O2P(tBu)(O)] building blocks through intermolecular Bi···O=P contacts.
Analysis of hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers by CE‐UV/Vis and CE‐ESI‐TOF/MS
Authors: Staub Aline , Rudaz Serge , Saugy Martial , Veuthey Jean‐Luc , Schappler Julie
Published: March 2010

Blood doping involves the use of products that enhance the uptake, transport, or delivery of oxygen to the blood. One approach uses artificial oxygen carriers, known as hemoglobin‐based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). This study describes an analytical strategy based on CE for detecting intact HBOCs in plasma samples collected for doping control. On‐capillary detection was performed by UV/Vis at 415 nm, which offered detection selectivity for hemoproteins (such as hemoglobin and HBOCs). On‐line ESI‐MS detection with a TOF analyzer was further used to provide accurate masses on CE peaks and to confirm the presence of HBOCs. An immunodepletion sample preparation step was mandatory prior to analysis, in order to remove most abundant proteins that interfered with CE separation and altered the ESI process. This analytical method was successfully applied to plasma samples enriched with Oxyglobin®, a commercially available HBOC used for veterinary purposes. Detection limits of 0.20 and 0.45 g/dL were achieved in plasma for CE‐UV/Vis at 415 nm and CE‐ESI‐TOF/MS, respectively.
Targeting and processing of site‐specific DNA interstrand crosslinks
Authors: Vasquez Karen M.
Published: March 2010

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are among the most cytotoxic types of DNA damage, and thus ICL‐inducing agents such as cyclophosphamide, melphalan, cisplatin, psoralen, and mitomycin C have been used clinically as anticancer drugs for decades. ICLs can also be formed endogenously as a consequence of cellular metabolic processes. ICL‐inducing agents continue to be among the most effective chemotherapeutic treatments for many cancers; however, treatment with these agents can lead to secondary malignancies, in part due to mutagenic processing of the DNA lesions. The mechanisms of ICL repair have been characterized more thoroughly in bacteria and yeast than in mammalian cells. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ICL processing offers the potential to improve the efficacy of these drugs in cancer therapy. In mammalian cells, it is thought that ICLs are repaired by the coordination of proteins from several pathways, including nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER), mismatch repair (MMR), homologous recombination (HR), translesion synthesis (TLS), and proteins involved in Fanconi anemia (FA). In this review, we focus on the potential functions of NER, MMR, and HR proteins in the repair of and response to ICLs in human cells and in mice. We will also discuss a unique approach, using psoralen covalently linked to triplex‐forming oligonucleotides to direct ICLs to specific sites in the mammalian genome. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expressive writing and eating disorder features: A preliminary trial in a student sample of the impact of three writing tasks on eating disorder symptoms and associated cognitive, affective and interpersonal factors
Authors: East Philippa , Startup Helen , Roberts Clifford , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: March 2010

Objective

To evaluate the impact of three writing tasks on the cognitive, affective and interpersonal factors typically associated with eating disorder symptoms, in a student population.

Method

Two experimental tasks and one control task were evaluated. Participants gave subjective ratings of the writing experience, and objective questionnaire measures were administered at baseline, and 4‐ and 8‐week follow‐up.

Results

Participants who dropped out without completing the writing tasks were more experientially avoidant. The three tasks differed significantly in subjective impact, and the experimental tasks were most effective in reducing eating disorder symptoms. They also ameliorated some key features associated with eating difficulties. The control task generally had less, no or a detrimental effect.

Conclusion

The results provide preliminary indirect support for the use of therapeutic writing to address specific features associated with the eating disorder presentation. Further research is required to replicate the present findings and extend these to the clinical population. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Selflessness and perfectionism as predictors of pathological eating attitudes and disorders: A longitudinal study
Authors: Bachar Eytan , Gur Eitan , Canetti Laura , Berry Elliot , Stein Daniel
Published: March 2010

This paper examines the role that selflessness and perfectionism may play as possible predictors of pathological eating attitudes and eating disorders (ED). 1057 schoolgirls (seventh to ninth grade) participated in the initial screening phase. They were administered the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT‐26), Selflessness Scale (SS) and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS). Based on their EAT‐26 scores, 150 girls were invited to a clinical interview 2 years later (second phase). In the third phase 4 years later, 243 girls who completed the questionnaires in the seventh grade were the target of re‐administration of these scales. Seventh‐grade selflessness scores at initial screening phase predicted ED status determined in clinical interview at the 2‐year interval and abnormal eating attitudes at the 4‐year interval, above and beyond baseline seventh‐grade eating‐attitude scores. Perfectionism was not found to predict the development of neither ED nor abnormal eating attitudes. Preventional and therapeutic implications of the role of selflessness as a predisposing factor for ED are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The independent set perturbation adjoint method: A new method of differentiating mesh‐based fluids models
Authors: Fang F. , Pain C. C. , Navon I. M. , Gorman G. J. , Piggott M. D. , Allison P. A.
Published: March 2010

A new scheme for differentiating complex mesh‐based numerical models (e.g. finite element models), the Independent Set Perturbation Adjoint method (ISP‐Adjoint), is presented. Differentiation of the matrices and source terms making up the discrete forward model is realized by a graph coloring approach (forming independent sets of variables) combined with a perturbation method to obtain gradients in numerical discretizations. This information is then convolved with the ‘mathematical adjoint’, which uses the transpose matrix of the discrete forward model. The adjoint code is simple to implement even with complex governing equations, discretization methods and non‐linear parameterizations. Importantly, the adjoint code is independent of the implementation of the forward code. This greatly reduces the effort required to implement the adjoint model and maintain it as the forward model continues to be developed; as compared with more traditional approaches such as applying automatic differentiation tools. The approach can be readily extended to reduced‐order models. The method is applied to a one‐dimensional Burgers' equation problem, with a highly non‐linear high‐resolution discretization method, and to a two‐dimensional, non‐linear, reduced‐order model of an idealized ocean gyre. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comments on paratrooper‐separation modeling with the DSD/SST formulation and FOIST
Authors: Tezduyar Tayfun E.
Published: March 2010

We provide a brief chronological background on the deforming‐spatial‐domain/stabilized space–time (DSD/SST) formulation, its use in aerodynamic modeling of a paratrooper separating from an aircraft, and the fluid–object interactions subcomputation technique (FOIST). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.