bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cadmium chloride exposure modifies amino acid daily pattern in the mediobasal hypothalamus in adult male rat
Authors: Caride A. , Fernández‐Pérez B. , Cabaleiro T. , Bernárdez G. , Lafuente A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the possible effects of cadmium exposure on the daily pattern of aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine levels in the mediobasal hypothalamus of adult male rats. For this purpose, animals were treated with cadmium at two different exposure doses (25 and 50 mg l−1of cadmium chloride, CdCl2) in the drinking water for 30 days. Control age‐matched rats received CdCl2‐free water. After the treatment, rats were killed at six different time intervals throughout a 24 h cycle. CdCl2exposure modified the amino acid daily pattern, as it decreased aspartate, glutamate, GABA and taurine levels at 12:00 h with both exposure doses employed. In addition, the treatment with 25 mg l−1of CdCl2induced the appearance of minimal values at 16:00 h and maximal values between 04:00 and 08:00 h for glutamate, and a peak of glutamine content at 20:00 h. The heavy metal also decreased GABA medium levels around the clock in the mediobasal hypothalamus. However, CdCl2did not alter the metabolic correlation between glutamate, aspartate, glutamine and GABA observed in control animals. These results suggest that CdCl2induced several alterations in aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, GABA and taurine daily pattern in the mediobasal hypothalamus and those changes may be related to alterations in hypothalamic function. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implication of agathic acid from Utah juniper bark as an abortifacient compound in cattle
Authors: Gardner Dale R. , Panter Kip E. , Stegelmeier Bryan L. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractFreshly ground Utah juniper [Juniperus osteosperma (Torr.) Little] bark was given via gavage at a dosage of 2.3 kg per cow twice daily to three pregnant cows starting on day 255 of gestation. All three cows aborted the calves after 4, 5 and 6 days of treatment. A fourth cow was dosed with Utah juniper needles and this cow calved early on day 268 of gestation with complications consistent with pine needle abortion. Chemical analysis of Juniperus osteosperma bark identified the major diterpene acid as the labdane acid known as agathic acid. Agathic acid was measured in the bark at a concentration of 1.5% (dry weight basis). Analysis of sera samples obtained from treated cows found detectable quantities of agathic acid, dihydroagathic acid and tetrahydroagathic acid, which are known serum metabolites of the abortifacient compound isocupressic acid. Based on the high incidence of induced abortion and detection of known metabolites in affected animals, the labdane acid known as agathic acid is considered to be an abortifacient compound in late‐term pregnant cattle. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diluted alcohol solutions in bubble columns and draft tube airlift reactors with a single orifice sparger: experiments and simple correlations
Authors: Šijački Ivana M. , Čolović Radmilo R. , Petrović Dragan Lj. , Tekić Miodrag N. , Ðurić Mirjana S. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Bubble columns (BCs) and airlift reactors (ALRs) have important applications as bioreactors, chemical reactors and as contactors in waste‐water treatment. The liquid phase properties in these reactors significantly influence the main hydrodynamic and mass transfer characteristics. Dilute alcohol solutions can be used to simulate real industrial systems in bioreactors. However, only a few research studies have considered such systems. The aim of this paper is to broaden the existing experimental data related to the influence of alcohol addition on the main characteristics of draft tube airlift reactors (DT‐ALRs), and to propose simple correlations for their prediction.RESULTS: New experiments were conducted in a DT‐ALR with a single orifice sparger, and with dilute aliphatic alcohol solutions from methanol to n‐octanol. Also, simple correlations were developed to predict the gas hold‐up and volumetric mass transfer coefficients in BCs and DT‐ALRs, but also the downcomer liquid velocity and liquid circulation time DT‐ALRs with single orifice sparger and dilute alcohol solutions. The proposed correlations included, in addition to the superficial gas velocity, the surface tension gradient as the only factor to characterize the liquid phase.CONCLUSIONS: General conclusion can be made that the gas holdup increased, but the downcomer liquid velocity decreased in a DT‐ALR, with increase in surface tension gradient of the alcohol solutions. Also, very good agreement was achieved between experimental and calculated data, by applying the developed correlations, with relative average errors less than 5%, except for gas hold‐up, where it was in the range 8–32%. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Liver‐restricted expression of the canine factor VIII gene facilitates prevention of inhibitor formation in factor VIII‐deficient mice
Authors: Ishiwata Akira , Mimuro Jun , Mizukami Hiroaki , Kashiwakura Yuji , Takano Katsuhiro , Ohmori Tsukasa , Madoiwa Seiji , Ozawa Keiya , Sakata Yoichi 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBackgroundGene therapy for hemophilia A with adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors involves difficulties in the efficient expression of factor VIII (FVIII) and in antibody formation against transgene‐derived FVIII.MethodsAAV8 vectors carrying the canine B domain deleted FVIII (cFVIII) gene under the control of the ubiquitous β‐actin promoter, the liver‐specific human α1 anti‐trypsin promoter (HAAT) and the liver‐specific hepatic control region (HCR) enhancer/human α1 anti‐trypsin promoter complex (HCRHAAT) were used for the expression of cFVIII in FVIII deficient (fviii−/−) mice.ResultsAddition of the hepatic control region enhancer element to the HAAT promoter successfully augmented HAAT promoter activity without loss of liver‐specificity in vivo. Using this enhancer/promoter complex, a high cFVIII transgene expression was achieved, resulting in increased blood cFVIII activities to more than 100% of the normal canine FVIII levels in fviii−/− mice at a 1 : 10 lower dose of the AAV8 vector carrying the cFVIII gene driven by the HAAT promoter. Under short‐term immunosuppression, neutralizing antibodies against cFVIII developed in only one out of six mice when the HAAT promoter was used for cFVIII expression, whereas all the mice developed neutralizing antibodies against cFVIII when the β‐actin promoter was used for cFVIII expression. No neutralizing antibodies against cFVIII developed in fviii−/− mice that received the AAV8 vector carrying the cFVIII gene driven by the HCRHAAT enhancer/promoter complex without immunosuppression.ConclusionsThese data suggest that AAV8 vector‐mediated liver‐restricted cFVIII gene expression is sufficient for immune hypo‐responsiveness to transgene‐derived cFVIII in fviii−/− mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with peripherally inserted central catheters
Authors: Lobo Bob L. , Vaidean Georgeta , Broyles Joyce , Reaves Anne B. , Shorr Ronald I. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in hospitalized patients. The benefit can be offset by complications such as upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT).METHODS:Retrospective study of patients who received a PICC while hospitalized at the Methodist University Hospital (MUH) in Memphis, TN. All adult consecutive patients who had PICCs inserted during the study period and who did not have a UEDVT at the time of PICC insertion were included in the study. A UEDVT was defined as a symptomatic event in the ipsilateral extremity, leading to the performance of duplex ultrasonography, which confirmed the diagnosis of UEDVT. Pulmonary embolism (PE) was defined as a symptomatic event prompting the performance of ventilation‐perfusion lung scan or spiral computed tomography (CT).RESULTS:Among 777 patients, 38 patients experienced 1 or more venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), yielding an incidence of 4.89%. A total of 7444 PICC‐days were recorded for 777 patients. This yields a rate of 5.10 VTEs/1000 PICC‐days. Compared to patients whose PICC was inserted in the SVC, patients whose PICC was in another location had an increased risk (odds ratio = 2.61 [95% CI = 1.28‐5.35]) of VTE. PICC related VTE was significantly more common among patients with a past history of VTE (odds ratio = 10.83 [95% CI = 4.89‐23.95]).CONCLUSIONS:About 5% of patients undergoing PICC placement in acute care hospitals will develop thromboembolic complications. Thromboembolic complications were especially common among persons with a past history of VTE. Catheter tip location at the time of insertion may be an important modifiable risk factor. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:417–422. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Enhanced end‐of‐life care associated with deploying a rapid response team: A pilot study
Authors: Vazquez Rodrigo , Gheorghe Cristina , Grigoriyan Artur , Palvinskaya Tatsiana , Amoateng‐Adjepong Yaw , Manthous Constantine A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractHYPOTHESIS:Institution of a rapid response team (RRT) improves patients' quality of death (QOD).SETTING:A 425‐bed community teaching hospital.PATIENTS:All medical‐surgical patients whose end‐of‐life care was initiated on the hospital wards during the 8 months before (pre‐RRT) and after (post‐RRT) actuation.STUDY DESIGN:Retrospective cohort study.METHODS:Medical records of all patients were reviewed using a uniform data abstraction tool. Demographic information, diagnoses, physiologic and laboratory data, and outcomes were recorded.RESULTS:A total of 197 patients died in both the pre‐RRT and post‐RRT periods. There were no differences in age, sex, advance directives, ethnicity, or religion between groups. Restorative outcomes, including in‐hospital mortality (27 vs. 30/1000 admissions), unexpected transfers to intensive care (17 vs. 19/1000 admissions) and cardiac arrests (3 vs. 2.5/1000 admissions) were similar during the 2 periods. Outcomes, including formal comfort care only orders (68 vs. 46%), administration of opioids (68 vs. 43%), pain scores (3.0 ± 3.5 vs. 3.7 ± 3.2), patient distress (26 vs. 62%), and chaplain visits (72 vs. 60%), were significantly better in the post‐RRT period compared to the pre‐RRT period (all P < 0.05). During the post‐RRT period, 61 patients died with RRT care and 136 died without RRT care. End‐of‐life care outcomes were similar for these groups except more RRT patients had chaplain visits proximate to their deaths (80% vs. 68%; P = 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS:Institution of an RRT in our hospital had negligible impact on outcomes of patients whose goal was restorative care. Deployment of the RRT was associated with generally improved end‐of‐life pain management and psychosocial care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:449–452. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Development of a test to evaluate residents' knowledge of medical procedures
Authors: Grover Shilpa , Currier Paul F. , Elinoff Jason M. , Mouchantaf Kevin J. , Katz Joel T. , McMahon Graham T. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND AND AIM:Knowledge of core medical procedures is required by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) for certification. Efforts to improve the training of residents in these procedures have been limited by the absence of a validated tool for the assessment of knowledge. In this study we aimed to develop a standardized test of procedural knowledge in 3 medical procedures associated with potentially serious complications.METHODS:Placement of an arterial line, central venous catheter, and thoracentesis were selected for test development. Learning objectives and multiple‐choice questions were constructed for each topic. Content evidence was evaluated by critical care subspecialists. Item test characteristics were evaluated by administering the test to students, residents and specialty clinicians. Reliability of the 32‐item instrument was established through its administration to 192 medical residents in 4 hospitals.RESULTS:Reliability of the instrument as measured by Cronbach's α was 0.79 and its test‐retest reliability was 0.82. Median score was 53% on a test comprising elements deemed important by critical care subspecialists. Increasing number of procedures attempted, higher self‐reported confidence, and increasing seniority were predictors of overall test scores. Procedural confidence correlated significantly with increasing seniority and experience. Residents performed few procedures.CONCLUSIONS:We have successfully developed a standardized instrument to assess residents' cognitive competency for 3 common procedures. Residents' overall knowledge about procedures is poor. Experiential learning is the dominant source for knowledge improvement, but these experiences are increasingly rare. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:430–432. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Low‐temperature synthesis and Raman scattering of Mn‐doped ZnO nanopowders
Authors: Yang Boqian , Kumar Ashok , Upia Noel , Feng Peter , Katiyar R. S. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractNanocrystalline Mn‐doped zinc oxides Zn1−xMnxO (x = 0–0.10) were synthesized by the sol–gel technique at low temperature. The calcination temperature of the as‐prepared powder was found at 350 °C using differential thermal analysis. A thermogravimetric analysis showed that there is a mass loss in the as‐prepared powder till 350 °C and an almost constant mass till 800 °C. The X‐ray diffraction patterns of investigated nanopowders calcined at 350 °C correspond to the hexagonal ZnO structure without any foreign impurities. The average grain size of the nanocrystal that was observed around ∼25–40 nm from transmission electron microscopy matched well with the crystallite size calculated from the line shape of X‐ray diffraction. The chemical bonding structure in Zn1−xMnxO nanopowders was examined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques, which indicate substitution of Mn2+ ions into Zn2+ sites in ZnO lattice. Micro Raman spectroscopy confirmed the insertion of Mn ions in the ZnO host matrix, and similar wurtzite structure of Zn1−xMnxO (x < 10%) nanocrystals. Temperature‐dependent Raman spectra of the nanocrystals displayed suppression of luminescence and enhancement in full width at half maximum in pure ZnO nanocrystals with increase in temperature, which suggests an enhancement in particle size at elevated temperature. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic studies of vibrational relaxation and non‐coincidence effect in substituted benzaldehyde binary mixtures
Authors: Ramakrishnan V. , Sarua A. , Kuball M. , Fathima Abdullah A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe molecular interaction in the binary mixture of 3‐phenoxybenzaldhyde (3Phbz) and 4‐ethoxybenzaldehyde (4Etob) was analysed in four different solvents. The concentration dependence of vibrational relaxation of the CO stretching band of 3Phbz in different solvents was investigated by varying the concentration of the solute molecule in the solvents by performing Raman spectroscopic measurements. The self‐associated nature and the formation of hydrogen‐bonded complexes in the solute molecule, 4Etob, were considered to analyse the wavenumber separation between the peaks of hydrogen‐bonded and free carbonyl groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Della Robbia blue glaze: micro‐Raman temperature study and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy characterization
Authors: Sendova M. , Kaiser B. , Scalera M. , Zhelyaskov V. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractMicro‐Raman temperature study and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy were used for characterization of the blue glaze on Saint John the Baptist—majolica terracotta relief attributed to Andrea Della Robbia and Saint John the Baptist with Cross—majolica terracotta statue attributed to Giovanni Della Robbia. Both objects are on permanent exhibition in the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, FL. This study proves that the detection of the 548 cm−1 Raman band alone cannot serve as evidence for presence of lazurite crystallites in the pigment in the glaze. It was established that the famous Della Robbia blue is due to the combined effect of CoNiCuZn atoms and S3− ions embedded in a lead silicate matrix. It is proposed that the Della Robbia family used Co‐containing sulfide ores as a source for manufacturing their blue pigments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrathin silver‐coated gold nanoparticles as suitable substrate for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Guerrini Luca , Garcia‐Ramos José V. , Domingo Concepción , Sanchez‐Cortes Santiago 
Published: September 2009

AbstractSurface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an extremely powerful tool for the analysis of the composition of bimetallic nanoparticle (BNP) surfaces because of the different adsorption schemes adopted by several molecules on different metals, such as Au and Ag. The preparation of BNPs normally implies a change in the plasmonic properties of the core metal. However, for technological applications it could be interesting to synthesize core–shell structures preserving these original plasmonic properties. In this work, we present a facile method for coating colloidal gold nanoparticles (NPs) in solution with a very thin shell of silver. The resulting bimetallic Au@Ag system maintains the optical properties of gold but shows the chemical surface affinity of silver. The effectiveness of the coating method, as well as the progressive silver enrichment of the outermost part of the Au NPs, has been monitored through the SERS spectra of several species (chloride, luteolin, thiophenol and lucigenin), which show different behaviors on gold and silver surfaces. A growth mechanism of the Ag shell is proposed on the basis of the spectroscopic and microscopic data consisting in the formation and deposit of Ag clusters on the Au NP surface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics and mechanism of the dehydration reaction of sarcosine to a bislactame through diacyclperoxide intermediate in strong acidic medium
Authors: Bahrami Homayoon , Davari Mehdi D. , Keshavari Maryam , Zahedi Mansour , Bazgir Ayoob , Moosavi‐Movahedi Ali A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe influence of substitution on the amine functional group of glycine in the permanganic oxidation of such an α‐amino acid in moderately concentrated sulfuric acid medium has been investigated. Reaction products analysis has revealed that contrary to the usual α‐amino acid oxidation product, which is an aldehyde species, a valuable compound, namely 1,4‐dimethylpiperazine‐2,5‐dione, has been obtained as the main product via a cheap, simple, efficient, and novel method. Sarcosine has been chosen as a substituted derivative of glycine, and the kinetics and mechanism of its permanganic oxidation have been investigated using a spectrophotometric technique. Conclusive evidence has proven delayed autocatalytic activity for Mn(II) in this reaction, analogous to some α‐amino acids. It has been revealed that such activity can show up when a certain concentration ratio of Mn(II) to sarcosine is built up in the medium, which we call the “critical ratio.” The magnitude of the latter ratio depends on the sulfuric acid concentration. Considering the “delayed autocatalytic behavior” of Mn(II) ions, rate equations satisfying observations for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes have been presented. The reaction shows first‐order dependence on permanganate ions and sarcosine concentrations in both catalytic and noncatalytic pathways, and apparent first‐order dependence on Mn2+ ions in catalytic pathways. The correspondence of pseudo‐order rate constants of the catalytic and noncatalytic pathways to Arrhenius and Eyring laws has verified “critical ratio” as well as “delayed autocatalytic behavior” concepts. The activation parameters associated with both pathways have been computed and discussed. Mechanisms for both catalytic and noncatalytic routes involving radical intermediates as well as a product having a diketopiperazine skeleton have been reported for the first time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 689–703, 2009
Semiconductor‐photocatalyzed degradation of carboxylic acids: Enhancement by particulate semiconductor mixture
Authors: Karunakaran C. , Dhanalakshmi R. , Gomathisankar P. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractDegradation of oxalic acid on particulate TiO2, ZnO, CuO, Bi2O3, In2O3, and Nb2O5 under UV‐A light exhibits first‐order kinetics, and the degradation rates increase linearly with the photon flux. All the oxides show sustainable photocatalytic activity, and the photonic efficiencies of degradation of oxalate are very much lower than those of the acid. The ease of degradation of carboxylic acids is the following: formic > oxalic > acetic > citric. Intimate mixtures of two different particulate semiconductors kept under suspension and at continuous motion exhibit higher photocatalytic activity, revealing interparticle charge transfer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 716–726, 2009
A fitting formula for the falloff curves of unimolecular reactions
Authors: Zhang Peng , Law Chung K. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA fitting formula is proposed to approximate the falloff curves of the pressure‐ and temperature‐dependent unimolecular reaction rate constants. Compared with the widely used Troe's formula, the present expression has the potential to substantially reduce the computation time in its evaluation because of the mathematical simplicity. Four testing reactions from the VariFlex program package were used to examine the accuracy of the present formula, showing improved performance as compared with previous expressions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 727–734, 2009
Pharmacological targeting of CDK9 in cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Kryštof Vladimír , Chamrád Ivo , Jorda, Radek , Kohoutek Jiří 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy allows the heart to adapt to workload, but persistent or unphysiological stimulus can result in pump failure. Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in the size of differentiated cardiac myocytes. At the molecular level, growth of cells is linked to intensive transcription and translation. Several cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) have been identified as principal regulators of transcription, and among these CDK9 is directly associated with cardiac hypertrophy. CDK9 phosphorylates theC‐terminal domain of RNA polymerase II and thus stimulates the elongation phase of transcription. Chronic activation of CDK9 causes not only cardiac myocyte enlargement but also confers predisposition to heart failure. Due to the long interest of molecular oncologists and medicinal chemists in CDKs as potential targets of anticancer drugs, a portfolio of small‐molecule inhibitors of CDK9 is available. Recent determination of CDK9's crystal structure now allows the development of selective inhibitors and their further optimization in terms of biochemical potency and selectivity. CDK9 may therefore constitute a novel target for drugs against cardiac hypertrophy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev 30, No. 4, 646–666, 2010
Hydroacridines: Part 30. 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 9‐substituted 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroacridines and of their N‐oxides
Authors: Potmischil Francisc , Marinescu Maria , Nicolescu Alina , Deleanu Cǎlin 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydroacridine, 12 of its 9‐substituted derivatives, and of the corresponding N‐oxides were determined, assigned, and discussed in terms of 9‐substituent effects and effects of N‐oxidation. A good linear correlation was found between the 13C chemical shifts of the aromatic carbons in octahydroacridines and those of respective carbons in the corresponding N‐oxides. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.