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Linear Correlation (linear + correlation)
Kinds of Linear Correlation Terms modified by Linear Correlation Selected AbstractsCharacterization of spreadability of nonaqueous ethylcellulose gel matrices using dynamic contact angleJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 8 2008Keat Theng Chow Abstract This study reports the characterization of spreadability of nonaqueous ethylcellulose (EC) gel matrices intended for topical drug delivery using a newly developed method based on dynamic contact angle. EC solutions were prepared using three grades of EC and propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate. Dynamic contact angles of sessile drops of EC solutions on silicone elastomer were measured using a dynamic contact angle analyzer equipped with axisymmetric drop shape analysis-profile. Roughness of silicone elastomer, viscosity of EC solutions and compressibility of semisolid EC gels were determined by the atomic force microscope, cone-and-plate rheometer and tensile tester, respectively. The silicone elastomer employed as a substrate was demonstrated to have similar hydrophilic/lipophilic properties as the human skin. Spreadability of EC solutions was dependent on EC concentration, polymeric chain length and polydispersity. EC gel spreadability was governed by viscosity and the extent of gel-substrate interaction. From the apparent contact angle values, most EC gel formulations tested were found to be moderately spreadable. Linear correlation observed between spreading parameter and compressibility of EC gel verified the applicability of dynamic contact angle to characterize EC gel spreadability. Thus, the feasibility of employing dynamic contact angle as an alternative technique to measure gel spreadability was demonstrated. The spreadability demonstrated by EC gel would facilitate application on the skin indicating its potential usefulness as a topical dosage form. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97: 3467,3482, 2008 [source] Contradistinction between doxorubicin and epirubicin: in-vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicodynamics after single- and multiple-dosing in ratsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2001Sandhya Ramanathan-Girish There is compelling in-vitro evidence that the evaluation of doxorubicin or epirubicin pharmacokinetics based solely on plasma concentration may not fully elucidate the differences between the two drugs. Both compounds bind to erythrocytes and their different binding to haemoglobin may influence their disposition in the body. The purpose of the present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of doxorubicin and epirubicin based on the plasma concentration, amount associated with blood cells and simultaneous monitoring of biliary and urinary elimination of unchanged drug and metabolites after single- and multiple-dose injections. The level of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in the heart was also measured as a biomarker of cardiotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated in a parallel design with doxorubicin or epirubicin on a multiple-dosing basis (4 mg kg,1 per week) or as a single dose injection (20 mg kg,1). Blood, urine and bile samples were collected periodically after each dose in the multiple-dosing regimen and the single dose injection, and at the end of each experiment the hearts were removed. The concentrations of each drug in plasma, blood cells, bile and urine samples were determined, and by simultaneous curve-fitting of plasma and bile data according to compartmental analysis, the pharmacokinetic parameters and constants were estimated. The concentration of drug associated with blood cells was analysed according to non-compartmental analysis. The bile and urine samples provided the in-vivo metabolic data. The level of Ca2+ ATPase in the heart, determined by Western blotting, was used as the toxicodynamic parameter to correlate with the kinetic data. Multiple-dosing regimens reduced the total plasma clearance and increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of both drugs. Also, the area under the curve of doxorubicin associated with blood cells increased with the weekly doses, and the related mean residence time (MRT) and apparent volume of distribution (Vdss) were steadily reduced. In contrast to doxorubicin, the MRT and Vdss of epirubicin increased significantly. Metabolic data indicated significant differences in the level of alcohol and aglycones metabolites. Doxorubicinol and doxorubicin aglycones were significantly greater than epirubicinol and epirubicin aglycone, whereas epirubicinol aglycone was greater than doxorubicinol aglycone. The area under the blood cells concentration-time curve correlated linearly with the changes in Ca2+ ATPase net intensity. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of the kinetics of epirubicin and doxorubicin associated with blood cells. Linear correlation between the reduction of net intensity of the biomarker with the area under the curve of doxorubicin associated with blood cells confirms that the differences between the two compounds are related to their interaction with blood cells. This observation together with the observed differences in metabolism may underline a significant role for blood cells in distribution and metabolism of doxorubicin and epirubicin. [source] 2324: Comparison of algorithms for oximetry in vivo and ex vivoACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010D DE BROUWERE Purpose Several authors have proposed a number of algorithms to extract the oxygen saturation in retinal blood vessels based on multispectral image analysis. We evaluated the outcomes of seven known algorithms based on hyperspectral retinal images. Methods Hyperspectral images are acquired using a fundus camera where a slit spectrograph is registered onto a retinal image. This combination compromises both accurate spatial and spectral information over the selected slit. Hyperspectral image analysis was used as input for the oximetry calculations described in the literature. We used a model eye to evaluate the different techniques in a controlled setup. Defibrinated horse blood was perfused through microtubules placed in front of a white (spectralon) background. Oxygen saturation was controlled by mixing different concentrations of sodium dithianate in the blood. Results Oxygen saturation was varied in five equidistant steps between 0 and 1. We correlated the outcomes to the metric of Harvey et al. [Biomed Optics 6631, 2007] Linear correlation with other algorithms resulted in r2 values between 0.881 and 0.985, however we observed a large discrepancy of the slope of each correlation line. The algorithms were also evaluated in images recorded in five healthy volunteers. In all techniques, veins could be separated from arteries by their reduces oxygen saturation, although values varied strongly between the different techniques. Conclusion Our findings confirm the working of a number of noninvasive retinal oximetry algorithms. Different readings can be can be attributed to an offset caused by an uncertainty of pigmentation and scattering parameters in the calibration procedure. [source] Crystallization and melting behavior of HDPE in HDPE/teak wood flour composites and their correlation with mechanical propertiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Kamini Sewda Abstract The nonisothermal crystallization behavior and melting characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in HDPE/teak wood flour (TWF) composites have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) methods. Composite formulations of HDPE/TWF were prepared by varying the volume fraction (,f) of TWF (filler) from 0 to 0.32. Various crystallization parameters evaluated from the DSC exotherms were used to study the nonisothermal crystallization behavior. The melting temperature (Tm) and crystallization temperature (Tp) of the composites were slightly higher than those of the neat HDPE. The enthalpy of melting and crystallization (%) decrease with increase in the filler content. Because the nonpolar polymer HDPE and polar TWF are incompatible, to enhance the phase interaction maleic anhydride grafted HDPE (HDPE-g-MAH) was used as a coupling agent. A shift in the crystallization and melting peak temperatures toward the higher temperature side and broadening of the crystallization peak (increased crystallite size distribution) were observed whereas crystallinity of HDPE declines with increase in ,f in both DSC and WAXD. Linear correlations were obtained between crystallization parameters and tensile and impact strength. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Relationship between gas transport properties and fractional free volume determined from dielectric constant in polyimide films containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene groupJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Sou Miyata Abstract The dielectric constant and gas transport properties (i.e., permeability, diffusivity, and solubility) in 2,2,-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA)-based polyimides were systematically investigated in terms of their polymer fractional free volumes (FFVs) at 30°C. The permeability and diffusion coefficients of the 6FDA-based polyimide films to hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide were correlated with their FFVs estimated using van Krevelen's group contribution method. There appeared, however, small linear correlation coefficients. Linear correlations were also observed between the gas transport properties and dielectric constant of these polyimides. This study described FFVas a function of the dielectric constant based on the Clausius-Mossotti equation. It was found that the gas permeability and diffusion coefficients of these 6FDA-based polyimide films increased as their dielectric constant-based FFV increased. A better linear relationship was observed between the gas transport properties and the FFV determined from the polymer dielectric constant in comparison to that estimated using the group contribution method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source] The impact of soil moisture modifications on CBL characteristics in West Africa: A case-study from the AMMA campaignTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue S1 2010M. Kohler Abstract Within the framework of the AMMA campaign in 2006, the response of surface properties to precipitation and their effect on the state of the convective boundary layer (CBL) and on convective instability were analysed. The observation periods covered the pre-monsoon onset (SOP 1) and the mature monsoon phase (SOP 2) and were performed in southwest Burkina Faso. Precipitation caused a distinctive increase in the volumetric soil moisture content in the upper 20 cm of the soil. Coupled with the increase in soil moisture, a continuous decrease of surface and soil temperature with time was observed. Changes in surface temperature, albedo, and a higher availability of water affected the partitioning of the energy balance. Highest values of the Bowen ratio were found during SOP 1 when the surface was dry and vegetation sparse. In SOP 2, a higher vegetation cover made the albedo and Bowen ratio less sensitive to changes in soil moisture. Modifications of surface fluxes influenced the CBL conditions. The CBL height in SOP 1 was 1658 m and in SOP 2 877 m. The heat budget of the CBL was dominated by sensible heat flux convergence, whereas the moisture budget was controlled by both advection and latent heat flux convergence. It was confirmed by the measurements that the diurnal development of convective instability was dominated by the CBL evolution and controlled by changes in the mid- or upper troposphere to a minor degree only. Linear correlations were found between the near-surface equivalent potential temperature and both convective available potential energy and convection index. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source] The J2EE ECperf benchmark results: transient trophies or technology treasures?CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 10 2004Paul Brebner Abstract ECperf, the widely recognized industry standard J2EE benchmark, has attracted a large number of results submissions and their subsequent publications. However, ECperf places little restriction on the hardware platforms, operating systems and databases utilized in the benchmarking process. This, combined with the existence of only two primary metrics, makes it difficult to accurately compare the performance of the Application Server products themselves. By mining the full-disclosure archives for trends and correlations, we have discovered that J2EE technology is very scalable both in a scale-up and scale-out manner. Other observed trends include a linear correlation between middle-tier total processing power and throughput, as well as between J2EE Application Server license costs and throughput. However, the results clearly indicate that there is an increasing cost per user with increasing capacity systems and scale-up is proportionately more expensive than scale-out. Finally, the correlation between middle-tier processing power and throughput, combined with results obtained from a different ,lighter-weight' benchmark, facilitates an estimate of throughput for different types of J2EE applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of a single-platform microcapillary flow cytometer for enumeration of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in HIV-1 infected Thai patients,,CYTOMETRY, Issue 5 2007Kovit Pattanapanyasat Abstract Background: Various assays are used to enumerate peripheral blood absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes. Flow cytometry is considered the gold standard for this purpose. However, the high cost of available flow cytometers and monoclonal antibody reagents make it difficult to implement such methods in the resource-poor settings. In this study, we evaluated a cheaper, recently developed single-platform microcapillary cytometer for CD4+ T-lymphocyte enumeration, the personal cell analyzer (PCA), from Guava® Technologies. Methods: CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts in whole blood samples from 250 HIV-1 infected Thais were determined, using a two-color reagent kit and the Guava PCA, and compared with the results obtained with two reference microbead-based methods from Becton Dickinson Biosciences: the three-color TruCOUNTÔ tube method and the two-color FACSCountÔ method. Statistical correlations and agreements were determined using linear correlation and Bland,Altman analysis. Results: Absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts obtained using the Guava PCA method highly correlated with those obtained using TruCOUNT method (R2 = 0.95, mean bias +13.1 cells/,l, limit of agreement [LOA] ,101.8 to +168.3 cells/,l). Absolute CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts obtained using the Guava PCA method also highly correlated with those obtained with the two reference methods (R2 = 0.92 and 0.88, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that the enumeration of CD4+ T-lymphocytes using the Guava microcapillary cytometer PCA method performed well when compared with the two reference bead-based methods. However, like the two reference methods, this new method needs substantial technical expertise. © 2007 Clinical Cytometry Society. [source] Basolateral junctions are sufficient to suppress epithelial invasion during Drosophila oogenesisDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2007Przemyslaw Szafranski Abstract Epithelial junctions play crucial roles during metazoan evolution and development by facilitating tissue formation, maintenance, and function. Little is known about the role of distinct types of junctions in controlling epithelial transformations leading to invasion of neighboring tissues. Discovering the key junction complexes that control these processes and how they function may also provide mechanistic insight into carcinoma cell invasion. Here, using the Drosophila ovary as a model, we show that four proteins of the basolateral junction (BLJ), Fasciclin-2, Neuroglian, Discs-large, and Lethal-giant-larvae, but not proteins of other epithelial junctions, directly suppress epithelial tumorigenesis and invasion. Remarkably, the expression pattern of Fasciclin-2 predicts which cells will invade. We compared the apicobasal polarity of BLJ tumor cells to border cells (BCs), an epithelium-derived cluster that normally migrates during mid-oogenesis. Both tumor cells and BCs differentiate a lateralized membrane pattern that is necessary but not sufficient for invasion. Independent of lateralization, derepression of motility pathways is also necessary, as indicated by a strong linear correlation between faster BC migration and an increased incidence of tumor invasion. However, without membrane lateralization, derepression of motility pathways is also not sufficient for invasion. Our results demonstrate that spatiotemporal patterns of basolateral junction activity directly suppress epithelial invasion by organizing the cooperative activity of distinct polarity and motility pathways. Developmental Dynamics 236:364,373, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Maternal memory in adult, nulliparous rats: Effects of testing interval on the retention of maternal behaviorDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Robert S. Bridges Abstract The retention of maternal behavior (i.e., maternal memory) was measured in adult, nulliparous rats induced to respond maternally by continuous exposure to foster pups. Specifically, the effects of the interval duration between the initial induction and the reinduction of maternal behavior were determined. Intact virgin rats were first exposed to foster young to induce maternal behavior. During the initial induction phase, females were required to be fully maternal on 2 consecutive test days. Animals were then assigned to one of three interval groups (10, 20, or 40 days). After being isolated from rat pups for these designated periods, females in each group were tested again for their latencies to induce maternal behavior. Whereas the initial median latencies to display full maternal behavior ranged from 4.5 to 5 days for each group, upon retesting, median latencies for each group declined to 1 to 4 days. The greatest reduction in latency was present in the 10-day group (80%), and the smallest reduction was detected in the 40-day group (20%). A significant negative linear correlation was found between test interval and percentage reduction in behavioral latency. Based upon this relationship and under these test conditions, "maternal memory" in the adult, nulliparous rat would be expected to be nondetectable after about an interval of 50 days between tests. The pattern of maternal memory acquisition and loss appears similar to that reported in parous animals. The present study highlights similarities and possible differences underlying the establishment of the retention of maternal behavior (i.e., maternal memory). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 46: 13,18, 2005. [source] Baseline Echocardiographic Predictors of Dynamic Intraventricular Obstruction of the Left Ventricle during Dobutamine Stress EchocardiogramECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 10 2009Edmundo Jose Nassri Câmara M.D., Ph.D. Background: Intraventricular obstruction (IVO) during dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) may be associated with or reproduce symptoms. Predictors of IVO are not well established. Methods: 149 patients were studied at rest and during DSE. The normal range of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocities was investigated in 68 healthy patients. Results: 19 patients (13%) developed IVO (peak LVOT velocity > 271 cm/sec). A significant linear correlation was observed between peak LVOT velocity during DSE and the following rest parameters: LV end-diastolic dimension (r =,0.20, P = 0.018), LV end-systolic dimension (r =, 0.27, P = 0.001), relative wall thickness (r = 0.23, P = 0.006), shortening fraction (r = 0.24, P = 0.004), LVOT diameter (r =, 0.20, P = 0.023) and LVOT velocity (r = 0.29, P < 0.0001). Only relative wall thickness (P = 0.012) and LVOT diameter (P = 0.027) were independent predictors of IVO. As a dichotomous variable, a relative wall thickness ,0.44 was the only independent predictor of IVO (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.6,20, P = 0.006), with sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of 77%, 62%, 95%, and 21%, respectively, and global accuracy of 63% (area under the ROC curve = 0.7). IVO was significantly associated with general cardiovascular symptoms (P = 0.0006) and with chest pain (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Relative wall thickness and LVOT diameter were independent predictors of obstruction. As a dichotomous variable, a relative wall thickness , 0.44 was the only independent predictor of dynamic IVO. [source] Echo-Tracking Assessment of Carotid Artery Stiffness in Patients with Aortic Valve StenosisECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2009Francesco Antonini-Canterin M.D. Background: There is little information about mechanical properties of large arteries in patients (pts) with aortic stenosis (AS). Methods: Nineteen patients with AS (aortic valve area: 0.88 ± 0.29 cm2) and 24 control subjects without AS but with a similar distribution of risk factors were recruited. , index, pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), augmentation index (AIx), and local pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were obtained at the level of right common carotid artery (CCA) by a real time echo-tracking system. Time to dominant peak of carotid diameter change waveform, corrected for heart rate (tDPc), and maximum rate of rise of carotid diameter (dD/dt) were measured. Systemic arterial compliance (SAC) was also calculated. Parameters of AS severity (mean gradient, valve area, stroke work loss [SWL]) were determined. Results: tDPc was higher in patients with AS than in controls (7.9 ± 0.6 vs. 6.6 ± 0.7, P < 0.0001) while dD/dt was lower (5.3 ± 3.6 mm/s vs. 7.8 ± 2.8 mm/s, P = 0.01). AIx was significantly higher in AS group (32.5 ± 13.6% vs. 20.6 ± 12.2%, P = 0.005) and had a linear correlation both with tDPc (r = 0.63, P < 0.0001) and with dD/dt (r =,0.38, P = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between carotid AC and SAC (r = 0.49, P = 0.03), but only carotid AC was related to SWL (r = 0.51, P = 0.02), while SAC was not (P = 0.26).Conclusions: AIx was the only parameter of arterial rigidity found to be higher in patients with AS than in controls. Carotid AC showed a significant correlation with SAC and it seemed to be more closely related to AS severity than to SAC. [source] Electrocatalysis and Amperometric Detection of the Reduced Form of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide at Toluidine Blue/Zinc Oxide Coated ElectrodesELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 18 2007Ashok Kumar Abstract Thin toluidine blue (TBO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid films have been grown on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and indium tin oxide coated (SnO2) glass electrodes by using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed spherical and beads-like shape of highly oriented TBO/ZnO hybrid films. Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) results declared that the films composed mainly of Zn and O. Moreover, TBO/ZnO hybrid films modified electrode is electrochemically active, dye molecules were not easily leached out from the ZnO matrix and the hybrid films can be considered for potential applications as sensor for amperometric determination of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) at 0.0,V. A linear correlation between electrocatalytic current and NADH concentration was found to be in the range between 25,,M and 100,,M in phosphate buffer. In addition, we observed that dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid are not interference in amperometric detection of NADH in this proposed method. In addition, TBO/ZnO hybrid film modified electrode was highly stable and its response to the NADH also remained relentless. [source] Amperometry of Heparin Polyion Using a Rotating Disk Electrode Coated with a Plasticized PVC MembraneELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 2 2006Jan Langmaier Abstract Electrochemical method of detection of heparin polyion was developed based on voltammetry of heparin on a rotating glassy carbon (GC) electrode coated with a plasticized PVC membrane. The membrane was deposited on the GC disk by spin-coating technique using a mixture of solutions of PVC in tetrahydrofuran, and 1,1,-dimethylferrocene (DMFc) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium tetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (HTMATPBCl) in o -nitrophenyl octyl ether. UV/vis reflection spectrometry was used to evaluate the membrane thickness, which exhibits a linear correlation with the membrane resistance measured by impedance spectroscopy. It is shown that this electrode can be used for amperometric or coulometric detection of heparin in aqueous samples of medically relevant concentrations (1,10,U mL,1), with a detection limit of 1.4,U mL,1. Evidence is provided indicating that the current determining step is the reversible adsorption of the ion-pair of heparin polyion with HTMA+ cation at the membrane/aqueous electrolyte interface, which is driven by oxidation of DMFc at the GC/membrane interface. [source] Effect of sialic acid content on glycoprotein pI analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 17 2010Sílvia Barrabés Abstract 2-DE is broadly used for quantitative analysis of differential protein expression in complex mixtures such as serum samples or cell lysates. PTMs directly influence the 2-DE pattern, and knowledge of the rules of protein separation is required in order to understand the protein distribution in a 2-DE gel. Glycosylation is the most common PTM and can modify both the molecular weight and the pI of a protein. In particular, the effect of charged monosaccharides (mainly sialic acids, SAs) on the 2-DE pattern of a protein is of major interest since changes in sialylation are regularly observed in comparative studies. Little is known about the pI shift of a glycoprotein induced by the presence of SAs, or whether this shift is the same for all glycoproteins. To address this issue, this study examined the influence of SA on the 2-DE pattern of three serum glycoproteins (haptoglobin, ,1-antitrypsin and ribonuclease 1), which N -glycan chains had been previously characterised, and reviewed existing bibliographic data. The SA content of the different glycoforms of a glycoprotein showed a negative linear correlation with the pI, although the slope varied among the studied glycoproteins. We also described a positive correlation between the protein pI and the pI decrease per SA molecule. [source] Hypolithic community shifts occur as a result of liquid water availability along environmental gradients in China's hot and cold hyperarid desertsENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Stephen B. Pointing Summary Hypolithic cyanobacterial communities occur in hot and cold hyperarid environments but the physical factors determining their diversity are not well understood. Here we report hypolithic diversity and colonization of a common quartz substrate at several hyperarid locations in the ancient deserts of north-western China, that experience varying mean annual temperature, rainfall and concomitant availability of liquid water in soil. Microscopy and enrichment culture resulted only in Chroococcidiopsis morphotypes which were ubiquitous, but community phylogenetic analysis revealed considerable cyanobacterial and heterotrophic bacterial diversity. Species Richness and Shannon's Diversity Index displayed a significant positive linear correlation with availability of liquid water but not temperature or rainfall alone. Several taxonomic groups occurred only in specific climatically defined locations, while for Chroococcidiopsis, Deinococcus and Phormidium location specific lineages within these genera were also evident. Multivariate analysis was used to illustrate pronounced community shifts due to liquid water availability, although these did not significantly affect the predicted functional relationships within any given assemblage in either hot or cold, wet or dry hyperarid deserts. This study clearly demonstrates that availability of liquid water, rather than temperature or rainfall per se is the key determinant of hypolithic diversity in hyperarid locations, and furthermore that functionally similar yet taxonomically distinct communities occur, characterized by the presence of taxa that are specific to defined levels of aridity. [source] Characteristics of microcystin production in the cell cycle of Microcystis viridisENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Keishi Kameyama Abstract The correlation between the content of three microcystins (types LR, RR and YR) and the cell cycle of an axenic strain of Microcystis viridis, NIES-102, was investigated under conditions of high (16 mg L,1) and low (1.0 mg L,1) nitrate (NO3 -N) concentrations. Each phase of the cell cycle was identified using a flow cytometer equipped with a 488-nm argon laser using SYTOX Green dye, which binds specifically to nucleic acids and can be exited by the wavelength (Ex/Em: 504/523 nm on DNA). Microcystin concentration showed a positive linear correlation with DNA concentration. The microcystin content of the cells changed remarkably as the cell cycle process proceeded, with maximum content in the G2/M phase and minimum content in the G0/G1 phase. Under a condition of high NO3 -N concentration, the ratio of the total content in the G0/G1 phase to that in the G2/M phase was about 6:1. In contrast, for the two batch cultures the total content was 1.3-fold greater in the G2/M phase. The compositions of the three microcystins also changed along with the cell cycle process, although there was little difference in composition that was related to NO3 -N concentration. Therefore, there were distinctive compositions specific to each phase of the cycle, and the cell cycle of the M. viridis strain was more strongly responsible for both the quantity and the types of microcystin production than was the effect of NO3 -N concentration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 20,25, 2004. [source] Development and validation of a congener-specific photodegradation model for polybrominated diphenyl ethersENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2008Xia Zeng Abstract With the phaseout of the manufacture of some polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) formulations, namely penta-brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) and octa-BDE, and the continued use of the deca-BDE formulation, it is important to be able to predict the photodegradation of the more highly brominated congeners. A model was developed and validated to predict the products and their relative concentrations from the photodegradation of PBDEs. The enthalpies of formation of the 209 PBDE congeners were calculated, and the relative reaction rate constants were obtained. The predicted reaction rate constants for PBDEs show linear correlation with previous experimental results. Because of their large volume use, their presence in the environment, and/or importance in the photodegradation of the deca-BDE formulation, BDE-209, BDE-184, BDE-100, and BDE-99 were chosen for further ultraviolet photodegradation experiments in isooctane. The photodegradation model successfully predicted the products of the photochemical reactions of PBDEs in experimental studies. A gas chromatography retention time model for PBDEs was developed using a multiple linear regression analysis and, together with the photodegradation model and additional PBDE standards, provided a way to identify unknown products from PBDE photodegradation experiments. Based on the results of the photodegradation experiments, as well as the model predictions, it appears that the photodegradation of PBDEs is a first-order reaction and, further, that the rate-determining step is the stepwise loss of bromine. Our results suggest that, based on photodegradation, over time, BDE-99 will remain the most abundant penta-BDE, while BDE-49 and BDE-66 will increase greatly and will be comparable in abundance to BDE-47. [source] Copper toxicity in relation to surface water-dissolved organic matter: Biological effects to Daphnia magnaENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2004Kees J.M. Kramer Abstract Water quality standards for copper are usually stated in total element concentrations. It is known, however, that a major part of the copper can be bound in complexes that are biologically not available. Natural organic matter, such as humic and fulvic acids, are strong complexing agents that may affect the bioavailable copper (Cu2+) concentration. The aim of this study was to quantify the relation between the concentration of dissolved natural organic matter and free Cu2+ in surface waters, and the biological effect, as measured in a standardized ecotoxicological test (48 h-median effective concentration [EC50] Daphnia magna, mobility). Six typical Dutch surface waters and an artificial water, ranging from 0.1 to 22 mg/L dissolved organic carbon (DOC), were collected and analyzed quarterly. Chemical speciation modeling was used as supporting evidence to assess bioavailability. The results show clear evidence of a linear relation between the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (in milligrams DOC/L) and the ecotoxicological effect (as effect concentration, EC50, expressed as micrograms Cu/L): 48-h EC50 (Daphnia, mobility) = 17.2 × DOC + 30.2 (r2 = 0.80, n = 22). Except for a brook with atypical water quality characteristics, no differences were observed among water type or season. When ultraviolet (UV)-absorption (380 nm) was used to characterize the dissolved organic carbon, a linear correlation was found as well. The importance of the free copper concentration was demonstrated by speciation calculations: In humic-rich waters the free Cu2+ concentration was estimated at ,10,11 M, whereas in medium to low dissolved organic carbon waters the [Cu2+] was ,10,10 M. Speciation calculations performed for copper concentrations at the effective concentration level (where the biological effect is considered the same) resulted in very similar free copper concentrations (,10,8 M Cu) in these surface waters with different characteristics. These observations consistently show that the presence of organic matter decreases the bioavailability, uptake, and ecotoxicity of copper in the aquatic environment. It demonstrates that the DOC content must be included in site-specific environmental risk assessment for trace metals (at least for copper). It is the quantification of the effects described that allows policy makers to review the criteria for copper in surface waters. [source] The effect of ageing on the elastic modulus and degree of conversion of two multistep adhesive systemsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2010Giulio Marchesi Marchesi G, Navarra CO, Cadenaro M, Carrilho MR, Codan B, Sergo V, Di Lenarda R, Breschi L. The effect of ageing on the elastic modulus and degree of conversion of two multistep adhesive systems. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 304,310. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci During the curing reaction, the monomers of dentine bonding systems should cross-link sufficiently to strengthen an adhesive so that it is clinically reliable. This study evaluated how different storage conditions (air vs. water storage) affect the elastic modulus (E-modulus) and degree of conversion (DC) of a three-step etch-and-rinse adhesive and a two-step self-etch adhesive. The biaxial flexural test and Raman microscopy were performed on resin disks made from the bonding agents Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP; 3M ESPE) and Clearfil Protect Bond (CPB; Kuraray). The measurements were repeated after storage in either air or water for 15 and 30 min and for 1, 24, and 72 h. At time 0, the E-modulus was not affected by the adhesive system, whilst the degree of cure of CPB was higher than that of SBMP. Air storage increased the E-modulus at each ageing interval. Storage in water increased the E-modulus until it reached a maximum at 24 h, after which it decreased significantly at 72 h. No linear correlation between the percentage DC and E-modulus of the two adhesives was found when stored in water. The results of this study indicate that the mechanical properties and polymerization kinetics of SBMP and CPB are affected by storage time and medium. [source] Correlation of ,-skeletal actin expression, ventricular fibrosis and heart function with the degree of pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy in ratsEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Donatella Stilli We have analysed alterations of ,-skeletal actin expression and volume fraction of fibrosis in the ventricular myocardium and their functional counterpart in terms of arrhythmogenesis and haemodynamic variables, in rats with different degrees of compensated cardiac hypertrophy induced by infra-renal abdominal aortic coarctation. The following coarctation calibres were used: 1.3 (AC1.3 group), 0.7 (AC0.7) and 0.4 mm (AC0.4); age-matched rats were used as controls (C group). One month after surgery, spontaneous and sympathetic-induced ventricular arrhythmias were telemetrically recorded from conscious freely moving animals, and invasive haemodynamic measurements were performed in anaesthetized animals. After killing, subgroups of AC and C rats were used to evaluate in the left ventricle the expression and spatial distribution of ,-skeletal actin and the amount of perivascular and interstitial fibrosis. As compared with C, all AC groups exhibited higher values of systolic pressure, ventricular weight and ventricular wall thickness. AC0.7 and AC0.4 rats also showed a larger amount of fibrosis and upregulation of ,-skeletal actin expression associated with a higher vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias (AC0.7 and AC0.4) and enhanced myocardial contractility (AC0.4). Our results illustrate the progressive changes in the extracellular matrix features accompanying early ventricular remodelling in response to different degrees of pressure overload that may be involved in the development of cardiac electrical instability. We also demonstrate for the first time a linear correlation between an increase in ,-skeletal actin expression and the degree of compensated cardiac hypertrophy, possibly acting as an early compensatory mechanism to maintain normal mechanical performance. [source] Predicting the J integral fracture toughness of Al 6061 using the small punch testFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 9 2007E. BUDZAKOSKA ABSTRACT The 6000 series aluminium alloys (Al,Mg,Si systems) are commonly used as medium-strength structural materials; in particular, the 6061 (Al,1Mg,0.6Si) alloy is widely utilized as a general-purpose structural material due to its excellent formability and corrosion-resisting capabilities. The objective of this study was to obtain a correlation between the small punch (SP) test estimated equivalent fracture strain (,qf) and fracture toughness (J1C) property for 6061 aluminium, and determine its viability as a non-destructive fracture toughness test technique for remaining life assessment of in-service components. Samples of 6061-T6 aluminium were cut from bulk plate, in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, for the as-received condition as well as subjected to three different over-ageing heat-treatment schedules. A strong linear correlation between valid J1C and SP estimated biaxial fracture strain ,qf is presented for aluminium 6061 at room temperature. [source] Evaluating the linear normalization technique for deriving J -resistance curvesFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 2 2003J. R. TARPANI ABSTRACT In this paper, results from the linear normalization (LN) technique of Reese and Schwalbe for deriving J- crack resistance (J,R) curves have been compared, related to J,,a (J -integral,ductile crack growth) data points, to those obtained from traditional elastic compliance technique. Research results regarding a nuclear grade steel exhibiting a wide range of elastic,plastic fracture resistance agree quite well for both techniques until a certain level of toughness of the material. Below this critical level, LN produces inconsistent results for the sub-sized compact tension specimens (0.4T C[T]). The evidence suggests that the loss of applicability of the LN technique can be determined on the basis of the , plastic factor (,pl) for the best linear correlation achieved for ,PN,,a (normalised load gradient,ductile crack growth) data. [source] Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mapping populationGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007J. R. Crush Abstract Genotypic variation in patterns of root distribution, nitrate interception and response to moisture stress were assessed in both parents and 198 progeny of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) full-sibling mapping population. This was carried out in metre-deep tubes of sand culture in a glasshouse experiment. The proportion of root dry matter (DM) weight in the top 10 cm of sand ranged from 0·33 to 0·75 and values of log10(1 , K), where K is the constant for an exponential model relating root DM weight and root depth, also showed wide variation among genotypes. The proportion of a pulse of 15N recovered in whole plants ranged from 0·124 to 0·431. There was a positive linear correlation between the proportion of 15N recovered and plant total DM weight, but no relationship between nitrate interception and patterns of distribution of DM weight of roots. Some genotypes responded to moisture stress by increasing root growth, and in others root growth was inhibited. It is concluded that this below-ground variability in root variables may be an evolutionary adaptation by plant populations to survive heterogeneity in soil biotic and edaphic factors. [source] Helicobacter pylori and Hepatitis a Virus Infection in School-Aged Children on Two Isolated Neighborhood Islands in TaiwanHELICOBACTER, Issue 3 2003Liang-Kung Chen ABSTRACT Background. The transmission routes of Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections have been extensively discussed in previous literature. However, whether H. pylori and HAV shared the same transmission pattern or not remains unclear. Lower socioeconomic status was recognized as a consistent risk factor to both infections. However, whether fecal-oral transmission was a risk factor to both infections is still under debate. Materials and Methods. In 1996, we conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the seroprevalence of antibody to H. pylori and HAV among the randomly selected school-aged children (age between 13 and 15) on Green Island (n = 91) and Lanyu Island (n = 138) (two isolated neighborhood islands near Taiwan Main Island). Results. The seroprevalence of H. pylori and HAV on the Green Island were 82.4% and 5.5%, respectively. The seroprevalence of H. pylori and HAV on Lanyu Island were 71.0% and 90.6%, respectively. H. pylori seroprevalence of all children and the subgroup of 13-year-olds was significantly lower on Lanyu Island than Green Island. However, it was not significantly different in subgroups of 14- and 15-year-olds. HAV seroprevalence was significantly higher on Lanyu Island than Green Island among all children and in each age subgroup. The correlation of H. pylori infection and HAV infection did not demonstrate significant linear correlation on both islands. Conclusions. In conclusion, H. pylori and HAV infections in school-aged children of 13,15 years of age on Green Island and Lanyu Island did not demonstrate significant correlation. The results of this study imply that H. pylori and HAV may share different transmission routes of infection. [source] A Theoretical Study of Correlation between Hydrogen-Bond Stability and J -Coupling through a Hydrogen BondHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 10 2003Shun-ichi Kawahara trans -Hydrogen-bond hyperfine splitting via magnetic interaction, which is observed as J -coupling in NMR experiments, was theoretically studied. trans -Hydrogen-bond hyperfine splitting should be closely related to the orbital interaction between the lone-pair orbital of the H-bond acceptor and the antibond orbital of the H-bond donor. A linear relationship was observed between magnetic interaction hyperfine splitting through a H-bond and the H-bond strength. The relationship was dependent on the type of the nucleus forming the H-bond; linear correlation was observed in NH,,,O/N type or OH,,,N type H-bonded complexes, but not in OH,,,O type H-bonded complexes. [source] Characterization of human invariant natural killer T subsets in health and disease using a novel invariant natural killer T cell-clonotypic monoclonal antibody, 6B11IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Carlos J. Montoya Summary Identification of human CD1d-restricted T-cell receptor (TCR)-invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells has been dependent on utilizing combinations of monoclonal antibodies or CD1d tetramers, which do not allow for the most specific analysis of this T-cell subpopulation. A novel monoclonal antibody (clone 6B11), specific for the invariant CDR3 loop of human canonical V,24J,18 TCR , chain, was developed and used to specifically characterize iNKT cells. In healthy individuals studied for up to 1 year, a wide but stable frequency of circulating iNKT cells (range: 0·01,0·92%) was observed, with no differences in frequency by gender. Four stable iNKT cell subsets were characterized in peripheral blood based on the expression of CD4 and CD8, with CD8+ iNKT cells being a phenotypic and functionally different subset from CD4+ and double negative iNKT cells; in particular, LAG-3 was preferentially expressed on CD8+ iNKT cells. In addition, a strong negative linear correlation between the frequency of total iNKT cells and percentage of the CD4+ subset was observed. In terms of their potential association with disease, patients at risk for type 1 diabetes had significantly expanded frequencies of double negative iNKT cells when compared to matched controls and first-degree relatives. Moreover, peripheral blood CD4+ iNKT cells were the highest producers of interleukin-4, while the production of interferon-, and tumour necrosis factor-, was similar amongst all iNKT cell subsets. These differences in iNKT cell subsets suggest that in humans the relative ratio of iNKT cell subsets may influence susceptibility vs. resistance to immune-mediated diseases. [source] Temperature-dependent kinetic study for ozonolysis of selected tropospheric alkenesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 12 2002Elena V. Avzianova Ozonolysis reactions of alkenes are suggested to play major roles in the chemistry of the troposphere. Rate constants for the gas-phase reactions of O3 with a series of alkenes were determined using relative rate technique based on GC/FID measurements of alkene decays. Experiments were carried out in air over the temperature range of 278,353 K at an atmospheric pressure of 760 Torr. An excess of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene was used as a HO radical scavenger in all experiments. Arrhenius parameters were calculated for ozonolysis of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 2-methyl-1-butene, isobutene, trans -2-butene, trans -2-pentene, cis -2-pentene, trans -2-hexene, cis -2-hexene, 3-chloropropene, 1,1-dichloroethene, and isoprene from temperature-dependent studies of the rate constants. The rate constants obtained in this study are compared with previous literature data. A good linear correlation between the logarithms of the rate constants and calculated HOMO energies of selected alkenes is observed. However, no clear correlation could have been drawn for chlorinated substituted alkenes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 678,684, 2002 [source] Fluorescence and coloration of grey hairINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009S. Daly Synopsis Grey hair samples were collected from 11 individuals and separated into un-pigmented and pigmented fibres (International Hair Importers). Fluorescence measurements were obtained by using a double-grating fluorescence spectrophotometer and a bifurcated fibre optics accessory to measure the spectra directly from the surface of hair at various distances from the fibre root. Colour measurements were carried out by using a Hunter colorimeter. The fluorescence spectra of un-pigmented hair obtained by the excitation at 290 nm show a peak at 356 nm [tryptophan (Trp)], and multi-peak emissions in the range from 395 to 500 nm. A significant variation in the Trp emission intensity at 356 nm vs. the intensity of emission in the 395,500 nm range was observed for hair collected from various individuals with yellow coloured hair producing stronger relative emission in 395,500 nm range. Quantitative measurements of coloration and the calculation of the Yellowness Index (YI) showed linear correlation between YI and the ratio of fluorescence intensities I440/I356 The spectra obtained by excitation at 320 nm showed the emission peaks at 395 nm (unidentified), 420 nm (N -formylkynurenine), 460 nm (kynurenine), and 495 nm (3-hydroxykynurenine), which are the products of oxidative or metabolic conversion of tryptophan. Un-pigmented, yellow hair showed a build-up of the fluorescence band corresponding to 3-hydroxykynurenine at 495 nm. The data also showed the fluorescence quenching effect of melanin resulting in the lowering of the fluorescence intensity of pigmented hair. The spectra obtained at various positions along the fibres demonstrated gradual photo-decomposition of hair chromophores during their lifetimes. This was indicated by a decrease of Trp fluorescence intensity, which was relatively fast (8·10,4,1.5·10,3 [day,1] as calculated for hair obtained from various individuals) for un-pigmented hair and slower for pigmented hair. A decrease in Trp emission was accompanied by an increase in the yellow coloration toward the ends of un-pigmented fibres. Resume Des échantillons de cheveux gris ont été collectés chez onze personnes et triés entre fibres non pigmentés et fibres pigmentés (International Hair Importers). Les mesures de fluorescence ont été réalisées à l'aide d'un spectrophotomètre de fluorescence double grille et d'un accessoire constitué d'une fibre optique bifurquée. Ce dispositif permet la mesure du spectre directement depuis la surface d'un cheveu à diverses distances de sa racine. Les mesures de couleur ont été réalisées à l'aide d'un colorimètre HUNTER. Le spectre de fluorescence d'un cheveu non pigmenté obtenu par excitation à 290 nm montre un pic à 356 nm (tryptophane : Trp) et des émissions multi pics dans l'intervalle 395 à 500 nm. On observe une variation significative de l'intensité du Trp à 356 nm par rapport à l'intensité d'émission dans l'intervalle 395,500 nm sur les cheveux prélevés sur diverses personnes, les cheveux colorés en jaune produisant une émission relative plus forte dans l'intervalle 395,500 nm. Les mesures quantitatives de la couleur et le calcul de l'indice de jaunissement (YI) montrent une corrélation linéaire entre YI et le rapport des intensités de fluorescence I 440/I356. Le spectre obtenu par excitation à 320 nm montre des pics d'émission à 395 nm (non identifiés), 420 nm (N-formylkynurenine), 460 nm (kynurenine), 495 nm (3-hydroxy kinurenine) propres aux produits d'oxydation ou de conversion métabolique du Tryptophane. Les cheveux jaunes non pigmentés présentent une saturation de la bande de fluorescence correspondant à la 3-hydroxykynurenine à 495 nm. Ces données montrent également l'effet de quenching de la mélanine entraînant un affaiblissement de l'intensité de la fluorescence des cheveux pigmentés. Le spectre obtenu en divers endroits le long des fibres indique une photodécomposition graduelle des chromophores des cheveux durant leur temps de vie. Ceci se traduit par une diminution de l'intensité de fluorescence du Trp qui est relativement rapide pour les cheveux non pigmentés (8,10,4,1,5,10,3 [jour , 1], conformément aux calculs effectués sur des cheveux prélevés sur différents individus) et par une diminution plus lente pour les cheveux pigmentés. Une diminution de l'émission du Trp s'accompagne d'une augmentation de la coloration jaune de l'extrémité des cheveux, détectable sur des cheveux non pigmentés. [source] Correlation of neuropsychological evaluation and SPECT imaging in patients with Alzheimer's diseaseINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2003Yair Lampl Abstract Background Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a very useful tool for diagnosing changes in cognitive functions by the general practitioner or other medical staff who is not familiar with neuropsychological tests. On the other hand, HMPAO brain SPECT has been shown to have a high sensitivity to detect neurodegenerative processes, which lead to dementia. The correlation between both methods is unknown. We compared both methods in order to find a rational evaluation tool for the practitioner to obtain a higher efficacy and cost effective way of using both methods. Patients and Methods Fifty-one patients diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease (AD) were examined. Each patient underwent MMSE analysis, as well as HMPAO brain SPECT. The severity of SPECT abnormalities was categorized into mild, moderate and severe. Statistical analysis was performed in order to evaluate the correlation between imaging findings and neuropsychological testing. Results Marginal inverse correlation was found between global MMSE SPECT imaging on right and left side (p,=,0.05) and the left temporal region (p,=,0.05). MMSE subgroup component of orientation was highly significantly inversely associated with SPECT imaging of right and left frontal region (p,>,0.0001). The MMSE subgroup of immediate memory was significantly correlated to left and right temporal regions (p,=,0.001 and p,=,0.002 respectively). Age was not significantly correlated to global MMSE or any of its subtest components. Conclusion MMSE score has no linear correlation to SPECT perfusion findings. In cases of abnormal orientation score subgroup SPECT imaging is not recommended. In most instances, a combination of both methods should be employed by the general practitioner for further evaluation of dementia. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||