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Kinds of EL Terms modified by EL Selected AbstractsIncreased Mortality Associated With Low Use of Clopidogrel in Patients With Heart Failure and Acute Myocardial Infarction Not Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary InterventionCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 5 2010Scott Harris DO We studied the association of clopidogrel with mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with heart failure (HF) not receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background. Use of clopidogrel after AMI is low in patients with HF, despite the fact that clopidogrel is associated with absolute mortality reduction in AMI patients. Methods. All patients hospitalized with first-time AMI (2000 through 2005) and not undergoing PCI within 30 days from discharge were identified in national registers. Patients with HF treated with clopidogrel were matched by propensity score with patients not treated with clopidogrel. Similarly, 2 groups without HF were identified. Risks of all-cause death were obtained by the Kaplan,Meier method and Cox regression analyses. Results. We identified 56,944 patients with first-time AMI. In the matched cohort with HF (n=5050) and a mean follow-up of 1.50 years (SD=1.2), 709 (28.1%) and 812 (32.2%) deaths occurred in patients receiving and not receiving clopidogrel treatment, respectively (P=.002). The corresponding numbers for patients without HF (n=6092), with a mean follow-up of 2.05 years (SD=1.3), were 285 (9.4%) and 294 (9.7%), respectively (P=.83). Patients with HF receiving clopidogrel demonstrated reduced mortality (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.78,0.95) compared with patients with HF not receiving clopidogrel. No difference was observed among patients without HF (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.83,1.16). Conclusions. Clopidogrel was associated with reduced mortality in patients with HF who do not undergo PCI after their first-time AMI, whereas this association was not apparent in patients without HF. Further studies of the benefit of clopidogrel in patients with HF and AMI are warranted.,Bonde L, Sorensen R, Fosbol EL, et al. Increased mortality associated with low use of clopidogrel in patients with heart failure and acute myocardial infarction not undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;55:1300,1307. [source] Early identification of non-remission in first-episode psychosis in a two-year outcome studyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2010E. Simonsen Simonsen E, Friis S, Opjordsmoen S, Mortensen EL, Haahr U, Melle I, Joa I, Johannessen JO, Larsen TK, Røssberg JI, Rund BR, Vaglum P, McGlashan TH. Early identification of non-remission in first-episode psychosis in a two-year outcome study. Objective:, To identify predictors of non-remission in first-episode, non-affective psychosis. Method:, During 4 years, we recruited 301 patients consecutively. Information about first remission at 3 months was available for 299 and at 2 years for 293 cases. Symptomatic and social outcomes were assessed at 3 months, 1 and 2 years. Results:, One hundred and twenty-nine patients (43%) remained psychotic at 3 months and 48 patients (16.4%) remained psychotic over 2 years. When we compared premorbid and baseline data for the three groups, the non-remitted (n = 48), remitted for <6 months (n = 38) and for more than 6 months (n = 207), duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) was the only variable that significantly differentiated the groups (median DUP: 25.5, 14.4 and 6.0 weeks, respectively). Three months univariate predictors of non-remission were being single, longer DUP, core schizophrenia, and less excitative and more negative symptoms at baseline. Two-year predictors were younger age, being single and male, deteriorating premorbid social functioning, longer DUP and core schizophrenia. In multivariate analyses DUP, negative and excitative symptoms predicted non-remission at 3 months, but only DUP predicted at 2 years. Conclusion:, Long DUP predicted both 3 month and 2-year non-remission rates in first-episode psychosis. [source] Amphiphilic block copolymer micelles for nanoscale drug deliveryDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Glen S. Kwon Abstract Amphiphilic block copolymers can assemble into supramolecular core-shell structures, termed ABC micelles, that have proven utility in drug delivery, particularly for drug solubilization. Several examples have entered clinical trials, attesting to the biocompatibility of ABCs and the potential advantages for drug delivery, e.g., low toxicity relative to Cremophor® EL, a surfactant commonly used for drug solubilization. Several examples of ABC micelles demonstrate potential for prolonged circulation in blood. Coupled with novel strategies toward controlled release of drug, nanoscale ABC micelles have tremendous potential for the targeting of antitumor agents, many of which are poorly water soluble and possess dose-limiting toxicity. Drug Dev. Res. 67:15,22, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Variations in carotid arterial compliance during the menstrual cycle in young womenEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Koichiro Hayashi The effect of menstrual cycle phase on arterial elasticity is controversial. In 10 healthy women (20.6 ± 1.5 years old, mean ±s.d.), we investigated the variations in central and peripheral arterial elasticity, blood pressure (carotid and brachial), carotid intima,media thickness (IMT), and serum oestradiol and progesterone concentrations at five points in the menstrual cycle (menstrual, M; follicular, F; ovulatory, O; early luteal, EL; and late luteal, LL). Carotid arterial compliance (simultaneous ultrasound and applanation tonometry) varied cyclically, with significant increases from the values seen in M (0.164 ± 0.036 mm2 mmHg,1) and F (0.171 ± 0.029 mm2 mmHg,1) to that seen in the O phase (0.184 ± 0.029 mm2 mmHg,1). Sharp declines were observed in the EL (0.150 ± 0.033 mm2 mmHg,1) and LL phases (0.147 ± 0.026 mm2 mmHg,1; F= 8.51, P < 0.05). Pulse wave velocity in the leg (i.e. peripheral arterial stiffness) did not exhibit any significant changes. Fluctuations in carotid arterial elasticity correlated with the balance between oestradiol and progesterone concentrations. No significant changes were found in carotid and brachial blood pressures, carotid artery lumen diameter, or IMT throughout the menstrual cycle. These data provide evidence that the elastic properties of central, but not peripheral, arteries fluctuate significantly with the phases of the menstrual cycle. [source] Pure and Saturated Red Electroluminescent Polyfluorenes with Dopant/Host System and PLED Efficiency/Color Purity Trade-OffsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2010Lei Chen Abstract Three kinds of red electroluminescent (EL) polymers based on polyfluorene as blue host and 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivatives with different emission wavelengths as red dopant units on the side chain are designed and synthesized. The influence of the photoluminescence (PL) efficiencies and emission wavelengths of red dopants on the EL efficiencies and color purities of the resulting polyfluorene copolymers of dopant/host system is investigated by adjusting the electron donating ability of the donor units in D- , -A-D typed 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole derivatives. The devices of these red-emitting polymers realize remarkable EL efficiency/color purity trade-offs. The single-layer devices with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Polymer/Ca/Al show pure red emission at 624 nm with a luminous efficiency of 3.83 cd A,1 and CIE of (0.63, 0.35) for PFR1, saturated red emission at 636 nm with a luminous efficiency of 2.29 cd A,1 and CIE of (0.64, 0.33) for PFR2, respectively. By introduction of an additional electron injection layer PF-EP(Ethanol soluble phosphonate-functionalized polyfluorene), high performance pure and saturated red emission two-layer devices (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Polymer/PF-EP/LiF/Al) were achieved with maximum luminous efficiencies of 5.50 cd A,1 and CIE of (0.62, 0.35) for PFR1, 3.10 cd A,1 and CIE of (0.63, 0.33) for PFR2, respectively, which are the best results for pure and saturated fluorescent red EL polymers reported so far. [source] Modulation of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by acceleration of passive drug permeation across the plasma membraneFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 23 2007Ronit Regev The drug concentration inside multidrug-resistant cells is the outcome of competition between the active export of drugs by drug efflux pumps, such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp), and the passive permeation of drugs across the plasma membrane. Thus, reversal of multidrug resistance (MDR) can occur either by inhibition of the efflux pumps or by acceleration of the drug permeation. Among the hundreds of established modulators of Pgp-mediated MDR, there are numerous surface-active agents potentially capable of accelerating drug transbilayer movement. The aim of the present study was to determine whether these agents modulate MDR by interfering with the active efflux of drugs or by allowing for accelerated passive permeation across the plasma membrane. Whereas Pluronic P85, Tween-20, Triton X-100 and Cremophor EL modulated MDR by inhibition of Pgp-mediated efflux, with no appreciable effect on transbilayer movement of drugs, the anesthetics chloroform, benzyl alcohol, diethyl ether and propofol modulated MDR by accelerating transbilayer movement of drugs, with no concomitant inhibition of Pgp-mediated efflux. At higher concentrations than those required for modulation, the anesthetics accelerated the passive permeation to such an extent that it was not possible to estimate Pgp activity. The capacity of the surface-active agents to accelerate passive drug transbilayer movement was not correlated with their fluidizing characteristics, measured as fluorescence anisotropy of 1-(4-trimethylammonium)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. This compound is located among the headgroups of the phospholipids and does not reflect the fluidity in the lipid core of the membranes where the limiting step of drug permeation, namely drug flip-flop, occurs. [source] Elements of the C-terminal t peptide of acetylcholinesterase that determine amphiphilicity, homomeric and heteromeric associations, secretion and degradationFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 8 2004Stéphanie Belbeoc'h The C-terminal t peptide (40 residues) of vertebrate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) T subunits possesses a series of seven conserved aromatic residues and forms an amphiphilic ,-helix; it allows the formation of homo-oligomers (monomers, dimers and tetramers) and heteromeric associations with the anchoring proteins, ColQ and PRiMA, which contain a proline-rich motif (PRAD). We analyzed the influence of mutations in the t peptide of Torpedo AChET on oligomerization and secretion. Charged residues influenced the distribution of homo-oligomers but had little effect on the heteromeric association with QN, a PRAD-containing N-terminal fragment of ColQ. The formation of homo-tetramers and QN -linked tetramers required a central core of four aromatic residues and a peptide segment extending to residue 31; the last nine residues (32,40) were not necessary, although the formation of disulfide bonds by cysteine C37 stabilized T4 and T4,QN tetramers. The last two residues of the t peptide (EL) induced a partial intracellular retention; replacement of the C-terminal CAEL tetrapeptide by KDEL did not prevent tetramerization and heteromeric association with QN, indicating that these associations take place in the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutations that disorganize the ,-helical structure of the t peptide were found to enhance degradation. Co-expression with QN generally increased secretion, mostly as T4,QN complexes, but reduced it for some mutants. Thus, mutations in this small, autonomous interaction domain bring information on the features that determine oligomeric associations of AChET subunits and the choice between secretion and degradation. [source] Emission Color Tuning in Ambipolar Organic Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors by Dye-DopingADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 10 2010Hajime Nakanotani Abstract The effect of dye-doping in ambipolar light-emitting organic field-effect transistors (LE-OFETs) is investigated from the standpoint of the carrier mobilities and the electroluminescence (EL) characteristics under ambipolar operation. Dye-doping of organic crystals permits not only tuning of the emission color but also significantly increases the efficiency of ambipolar LE-OFETs. A rather high external EL quantum efficiency (,0.64%) of one order of magnitude higher than that of a pure p -distyrylbenzene (P3V2) single crystal is obtained by tetracene doping. The doping of tetracene molecules into a host P3V2 crystal has almost no effect on the electron mobility and the dominant carrier recombination process in the tetracene-doped P3V2 crystal involves direct carrier recombination on the tetracene molecules. [source] Multifunctional Fluorene-Based Oligomers with Novel Spiro-Annulated Triarylamine: Efficient, Stable Deep-Blue Electroluminescence, Good Hole Injection, and Transporting Materials with Very High TgADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 24 2009Zuoquan Jiang Abstract A series of fluorene-based oligomers with novel spiro-annulated triarylamine structures, namely DFSTPA, TFSTPA, and TFSDTC, are synthesized by a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. The spiro-configuration molecular structures lead to very high glass transition temperatures (197,253,°C) and weak intermolecular interactions, and consequently the structures retain good morphological stability and high fluorescence quantum efficiencies(0.69,0.98). This molecular design simultaneously solves the spectral stability problems and hole-injection and transport issues for fluorene-based blue-light-emitting materials. Simple double-layer electroluminescence (EL) devices with a configuration of ITO/TFSTPA (device A) or TFSDTC (device B)/ TPBI/LiF/Al, where TFSTPA and TFSDTC serve as hole-transporting blue-light-emitting materials, show a deep-blue emission with a peak around 432,nm, and CIE coordinates of (0.17, 0.12) for TFSTPA and (0.16, 0.07) for TFSDTC, respectively, which are very close to the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard for blue (0.15, 0.07). The maximum current efficiency/external quantum efficiencies are 1.63,cd A,1/1.6% for device A and 1.91,cd A,1/2.7% for device B, respectively. In addition, a device with the structure ITO/DFSTPA/Alq3/LiF/Al, where DFSTPA acts as both the hole-injection and -transporting material, is shown to achieve a good performance, with a maximum luminance of 14,047,cd m,2, and a maximum current efficiency of 5.56,cd A,1. These values are significantly higher than those of devices based on commonly usedN,N,-di(1-naphthyl)- N,N,-diphenyl-[1,1,-biphenyl]-4,4,-diamine (NPB) as the hole-transporting layer (11,738,cd m,2 and 3.97,cd A,1) under identical device conditions. [source] Nanoparticle Electroluminescence: Controlling Emission Color Through Förster Resonance Energy Transfer in Hybrid ParticlesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 22 2009Christopher F. Huebner Abstract Electroluminescent (EL) polymers are attractive for developing all-organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) due to the potential advantages that polymeric systems may offer in the large-scale manufacturing of electronics. Nonetheless, many of these EL , -conjugated polymers are inherently insoluble in the solvents employed in the intended solution-based manufacturing processes. One such polymer is poly(2,5-dioctyl-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (POPPV), where the inherent lack of solubility of POPPV in organic solvents has frustrated its widespread application in devices and no OLEDs have been presented that exploit its electroluminescence characteristics. In this effort, a unique strategy is presented for the preparation of hybrid nanoparticles composed of POPPV, a green emitter (,em,=,505,nm) and poly(9,9-di- n -octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO), a blue emitter (,em,=,417,nm). The aqueous-based nanoparticle dispersion composed of these hybrid particles is stable to aggregate and can be employed in the construction of OLEDs. The color characteristics of the electroluminescence for the devices can be tuned by exploiting the Förster resonance energy transfer between the polymers within a particle, while suppressing energy transfer between the particles. These aqueous-based nanoparticle dispersions are amenable to being printed into devices through high-throughput manufacturing techniques, for example, roll-to-roll printing. [source] Synthesis and Characterization of Red-Emitting Iridium(III) Complexes for Solution-Processable Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting DiodesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 14 2009Seung-Joon Lee Abstract A new series of highly efficient red-emitting phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes, (Et-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(pic-N-O), (Et-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(pic), (Et-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(acac), (EO-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(pic-N-O), (EO-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(pic), and (EO-CVz-PhQ)2Ir(acac), based on carbazole (CVz)-phenylquinoline (PhQ) main ligands and picolinic acid N-oxide (pic-N-O), picolinic acid (pic), and acetylacetone (acac) ancillary ligands, are synthesized for phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PhOLEDs), and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent (EL) properties are investigated. All of the Ir(III) complexes have high thermal stability and emit an intense red light with an excellent color purity at CIE coordinates of (0.65,0.34). Remarkably, high-performance solution-processable PhOLEDs were fabricated using Ir(III) complexes with a pic-N-O ancillary ligand with a maximum external quantum efficiency (5.53%) and luminance efficiency (8.89,cd,A,1). The novel use of pic-N-O ancillary ligand in the synthesis of phosphorescent materials is reported. The performance of PhOLEDs using these Ir(III) complexes correlates well with the results of density functional theory calculations. [source] Unified sampling approach for multipoint linkage disequilibrium mapping of qualitative and quantitative traitsGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Fang-Chi Hsu Abstract Rapid development in biotechnology has enhanced the opportunity to deal with multipoint gene mapping for complex diseases, and association studies using quantitative traits have recently generated much attention. Unlike the conventional hypothesis-testing approach for fine mapping, we propose a unified multipoint method to localize a gene controlling a quantitative trait. We first calculate the sample size needed to detect linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LD) for a quantitative trait, categorized by decile, under three different modes of inheritance. Our results show that sampling trios of offspring and their parents from either extremely low (EL) or extremely high (EH) probands provides greater statistical power than sampling in the intermediate range. We next propose a unified sampling approach for multipoint LD mapping, where the goal is to estimate the map position (,) of a trait locus and to calculate a confidence interval along with its sampling uncertainty. Our method builds upon a model for an expected preferential transmission statistic at an arbitrary locus conditional on the sampling scheme, such as sampling from EL and EH probands. This approach is valid regardless of the underlying genetic model. The one major assumption for this model is that no more than one quantitative trait locus (QTL) is linked to the region being mapped. Finally we illustrate the proposed method using family data on total serum IgE levels collected in multiplex asthmatic families from Barbados. An unobserved QTL appears to be located at ,, = 41.93 cM with 95% confidence interval of (40.84, 43.02) through the 20-cM region framed by markers D12S1052 and D12S1064 on chromosome 12. The test statistic shows strong evidence of linkage and LD (chi-square statistic = 18.39 with 2 df, P -value = 0.0001). Genet. Epidemiol. 22:298,312, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Highly Efficient Red Phosphorescent OLEDs based on Non-Conjugated Silicon-Cored Spirobifluorene Derivative Doped with Ir-ComplexesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Yi-Yeol Lyu Abstract A novel host material containing silicon-cored spirobifluorene derivative (SBP-TS-PSB), is designed, synthesized, and characterized for red phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). The SBP-TS-PSB has excellent thermal and morphological stabilities and exhibits high electroluminescence (EL) efficiency as a host for the red phosphorescent OLEDs. The electrophosphorescence properties of the devices using SBP-TS-PSB as the host and red phosphorescent iridium (III) complexes as the emitter are investigated and these devices exhibit higher EL performances compared with the reference devices with 4,4,- N,N,-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) as a host material; for example, a (piq)2Ir(acac)-doped SBP-TS-PSB device shows maximum external quantum efficiency of ,ext,=,14.6%, power efficiency of 10.3 lm W,1 and Commission International de L'Eclairage color coordinates (0.68, 0.32) at J,=,1.5,mA cm,2, while the device with the CBP host shows maximum ,ext,=,12.1%. These high performances can be mainly explained by efficient triplet energy transfer from the host to the guests and improved charge balance attributable to the bipolar characteristics of the spirobifluorene group. [source] Luminescence Properties of Aminobenzanthrones and Their Application as Host Emitters in Organic Light-Emitting Devices,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2007M.-X. Yu Abstract A series of aminobenzanthrone derivatives, possessing a keto and an amino group on the aromatic ring, are synthesized and their photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) properties are studied in detail. These compounds emit strongly in solution and in the solid state, with the emission maxima in the range of 528,668,nm resulting from charge-transfer transitions from the amino group to the keto moiety. The emission wavelength depends greatly on the polarity of the solvent. A red shift of nearly 100,nm is observed from n -hexane to dichloromethane for each of these compounds. The PL quantum yields of these molecules also depend tremendously on the solvent. The values are between 88 and 70,% in n- hexane and decrease as the polarity of the solvent increases. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction data reveal that the aminobenzanthrone planes of these molecules stack in the crystals in an antiparallel head-to-tail fashion. This strong dipole,dipole interaction accounts for the observed red-shifted emissions of the aminobenzanthrone molecules in powders and in films relative to those in nonpolar solvents. Electroluminescent devices using aminobenzanthrone derivatives as the host emitters or dopants emit orange to red light in the range 590,645,nm. High brightness, current efficiency, and power efficiency are observed for some of these devices. For example, the device using N -(4- t -butylphenyl)- N -biphenyl-3-benzanthronylamine as the emitter gives saturated red light with a current efficiency of 1.82,cd,A,1, brightness of 11,253,cd,m,2, and Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.64,0.36); the device using N -(2-naphthyl)- N -phenyl-3-benzanthronylamine as the emitter gives orange,red light with a current efficiency of 3.52,cd,A,1, brightness of 25,000,cd,m,2, and CIE coordinates of (0.61,0.38). [source] Rational Color Tuning and Luminescent Properties of Functionalized Boron-Containing 2-Pyridyl Pyrrolide Complexes,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2005H.-Y. Chen Abstract Three systematically functionalized pyrrolide ligands were prepared via the coupling of methyl vinyl ketone and the respective carbaldehyde reagents, followed by treatment of the pre-formed dicarbonyl compounds with (NH4)2CO3 in order to generate the required pyrrole fragment. These ligands readily reacted with the boron reagent BPh3 to afford the complexes [(pyro)BPh2] (2a), [(noro)BPh2] (2b), and [(xaro)BPh2] (2c), where (pyro)H, (noro)H, and (xaro)H represents the 2-pyridyl, 2-quinolinyl, and 2-quinoxalinyl pyrrole groups, respectively. Complexes 2a,2c give stable solutions in air, and show strong photoluminescence with emission peak maxima located at 490,nm, 510,nm, and 575,nm, respectively. Calculations based upon time-dependent density function theory (TDDFT) show that the S1 state in these complexes is attributed to an allowed (,-symmetry),,,,* (,-symmetry) transition located at the chelating pyrrolide moieties. Electroluminescence (EL) devices based on 2c were fabricated. The EL emission from 2c as the host-emitter, with the emission peak maximum shifted to 580,nm, was observed when BCP was used as the hole blocking material. This device produces saturated red-orange light-emission at an onset voltage of 8,V and a maximum brightness of 5000,cd,m,2 at a driving voltage of 15,V; the external quantum yield is estimated to be 0.5,%. [source] White Electroluminescence from a Phosphonate-Functionalized Single-Polymer System with Electron-Trapping EffectADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 36 2009Xin Guo A novel strategy for obtaining white electroluminescence (EL) is based on the mechanism of electron trapping on host. Phosphonate-functionalized polyfluorene is chosen as host owing to its strong electron affinity. Electrons are confined mostly by host pendants in the EL process, which suppresses charge transfer from host to dopant. White EL with CIE coordinates of (0.34,0.35) is achieved. [source] Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators using a simple mounting model: a preliminary reportINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010F. L. C. D'Assunção D'Assunção FLC, Albuquerque DS, Salazar-Silva JR, Dos Santos VC, Sousa JCN.Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators using a simple mounting model: a preliminary report. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 269,274, 2010. Abstract Aim, To compare ex vivo the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators in locating the apical constriction. Methodology, Thirty-one single-rooted teeth were used. The teeth were sectioned at the cement,-enamel junction. A mounting model was used for the measurement of electronic length (EL). The Root ZX-II, the Mini Apex Locator and the Novapex were used for electronic measurements. Each electronic measurement was obtained and repeated. After the last measurement, the file was cemented in place, and the apical 4 mm of each root canal was exposed. The distance from the tip of the file to the apical constriction was determined by three investigators and compared with the corresponding ELs. Results, The coefficient of repeatability of all devices was acceptable: Root ZX-II, 0.04 mm; Mini Apex Locator, 0.10 mm; and Novapex, 0.08 mm. There was little variation in inter-examiner agreement; the ,C (Lin) correlation coefficient was 0.83 for examiners 1 and 2, 0.88 for examiners 1 and 3 and 0.99 for examiners 2 and 3. Using the Root ZX-II, 13 of 31 electronic measurements were located at the apical constriction (42%). Otherwise, the tip of the file was not located at the apical constriction in any of the electronic measurements with the other two devices. The Wilcoxon signed rank test did not reveal any statistical difference between the Root ZX-II measurements and the actual length (P = 0.628), but there was a statistical difference between the Mini Apex Locator and Novapex measurements and the actual length position (P < 0.05). Conclusions, The devices tested in this study had a high coefficient of repeatability. The Root ZX-II was accurate, but the Mini Apex Locator and Novapex were not accurate in locating the apical constriction. [source] In vivo determination of root canal length: a preliminary report using the Tri Auto ZX apex-locating handpieceINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 7 2002F. Grimberg Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to assess the clinical perfomance of a cordless handpiece with a built-in apex locator , the Tri Auto ZX , designed for root canal preparation with nickel-titanium rotary files. Methodology Twenty-five human maxillary incisor and canine teeth scheduled for extraction with mature apices were selected for the study. Informed written consent was obtained from each patient before treatment. After administration of local anaesthesia, the teeth were isolated and the pulp cavities accessed. The Tri Auto ZX along with a size 15 K-file was used in its electronic apex locating function based on the manufacturer's recommendations. A periapical radiograph with the file at the electronically determined constriction was taken, the file removed and the measurement registered as the electronic length (EL). To test the auto reverse function, a size 20 ProFile .04 taper NiTi rotary instrument was mounted in the handpiece. The point for the auto apical reverse function was preset on the panel at the 0.5 mm level. After the file was introduced into the canal and reached the predetermined level, the file automatically stopped and rotated in the opposite direction. A reference point was marked and this measurement was registered as the auto reverse length (ARL). All measurements were made twice by two different investigators. Teeth were then extracted and immersed in a 20% formalin solution for 48 h. After fixation, a size 15 file was inserted into the canal to measure the actual root canal length from the same reference point obtained with the Tri Auto ZX to the apical foramen, as seen in the stereo microscope. When the file tip was visible at the anatomical end of the canal it was withdrawn 0.5 mm and this measurement was registered as the actual length (AL). All measurements were expressed in mm and the measuring accuracy was set to 0.5 mm. The significance of the mean differences between EL and ARL and between EL and AL measurements at the 5% confidence level was evaluated. Results EL measurements were coincident to ARL in all instances. EL and ARL were coincident to AL in 10 (40%) canals, in the remaining 15 canals (60%) the AL measurements were longer than EL and ARL (+0.5 mm) in 14 instances and shorter (,0.5 mm) in one case. Overall, the AL was longer than the EL or ARL, the mean difference being ,0.23 mm ± 0.32 (P < 0.05). Conclusions It was concluded that the Tri Auto ZX was useful and reliable. The Tri Auto ZX measurements protected against overpreparation. [source] Lipoprotein lipase and endothelial lipase in human testis and in germ cell neoplasmsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2010J. E. Nielsen Summary The aim of this study was to investigate endothelial lipase (EL, LIPG) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA and protein expression in normal human testis and testicular germ cell tumours (GCT). Both EL and LPL were expressed in normal seminiferous tubules and in the interstitial compartment. EL mRNA and protein were found in all germ cells as well as in Sertoli and Leydig cells. EL mRNA was abundant in pre-invasive carcinoma in situ (CIS) cells and GCTs, and EL protein was present in the cytoplasm of these cells. LPL mRNA was also relatively abundant in germ cells, Sertoli cells, CIS cells and GCTs. The LPL protein, however, was restricted to the cell membranes of pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids in normal tubules, absent from CIS cells and scarcely represented in tumours. The distribution of LPL protein in non-seminomas resembled the distribution of OCT3/4, a marker of embryonal carcinoma. The results suggest that both EL and LPL participate in the supply of nutrients and steroidogenesis in the testes, and that especially EL may be important for the supply of cholesterol for testosterone production in the Leydig cells. The partial cellular separation of the expression of the two lipases in normal testis suggests the existence of distinct biological roles, perhaps developmentally regulated, as indicated by the LPL expression in GCTs with embryonic features. A high expression of EL and abundance of lipid in tubules with CIS may have a diagnostic value. [source] A comparison of the physicochemical, microbiological and aromatic composition of Traditional and Industrial Leben in TunisiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010OLFA SAMET-BALI Traditional Tunisian Leben (TL) was produced according to the traditional method. Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics and major aromatic compounds were studied and compared to industrial Leben (IL) and experimental Leben (EL). The results show a decrease in lactose content and pH value and an increase in lactic acid during spontaneous fermentation. TL and EL were characterised by higher protein, lactose and ash contents but were less fatty and acidic than IL. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts present in TL were responsible for lactic acid fermentation and aroma development. The LAB and yeast counts in TL were higher than that in EL and IL. Dynamic headspace extraction procedure shows the existence of four major volatile compounds: acetaldehyde, ethanol, diacetyl and acetoin in TL, IL and EL. However, TL has the most important quantity of aroma. [source] Isolation and chemical structure characterization of enzymatic lignin from Populus deltoides woodJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Ali Abdulkhani Abstract Cellulytic enzymes were used for the isolation and structural characterization of Populus deltoides wood lignin as a fast growing and important species in wood processing technology. The isolation was based on the hydrolysis and partial solubilization of wood xylan and cellulose using combination of Thricoderma lanuginosus xylanase, Aspergillus sp. plus, A. niger cellulase, and almond glycosidase, followed by lignin purification using Bacillus licheniformis alkaline protease (for hydrolysis of cellulase contamination). The structure of enzymatic lignin (EL) was elucidated using chemical analysis, Py-GC/MS, FTIR, and quantitative 13C-NMR techniques. Different lignin structures of acetylated and nonacetylated lignin preparation were calculated. P. deltoides EL has been determined to have an h : g : s ratio of 5 : 60 : 35. Also, P. deltoides EL contained 0.59/Ar of ,-O-4 moieties with small amounts of other structural units such as pino/syringyresinol (0.05/Ar), phenylcoumaran (0.05/Ar), and spirodienone (0.01/Ar). The degree of condensation was estimated at 20%. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Synthesis and characterization of the soluble fluorescent poly[2-decyloxy-5-(2,-(6,-dodecyloxy)naphthyl)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007Hung-Te Chang Abstract A new soluble fluorescent polymer, poly[2-decyloxy-5-(2,-(6,-dodecyl-oxy)naphthyl)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (DDN-PPV), with no tolane-bisbenzyl (TBB) structure defects is prepared by the dehydrohalogenation of 1,4-bis(bromomethyl)-2-decyloxy-5-(2,-(6,-dodecyloxy)naphthyl)benzene (as monomer) in this study. The aforementioned monomer is synthesized via such chemical reactions as alkylation, bromination, and Suzuki coupling reactions. The structure and properties of the DDN-PPV are examined by 1H NMR, FTIR, UV/vis, TGA, photoluminescence (PL), and electroluminescence (EL) analyses. The two asymmetric decyloxy and 6,-dodecyloxynaphthyl substituents on the phenylene ring make the DDN-PPV soluble in organic solvents and eliminate the TBB structure defects. With the DDN-PPV acting as a light-emitting polymer, a device is fabricated with a sequential lamination of ITO/PEDOT/DDN-PPV/Ca/Ag. The EL spectrum of the device shows a maximum emission at 538 nm. The turn on voltage of the device is about 16.6 V. Its maximum brightness is 14 cd/m2 at a voltage of 18.2 V. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2734,2741, 2007 [source] Adsorption equilibrium of amino acids and antibiotics on non-ionic polymeric sorbentsJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Jae Wook Lee Abstract Adsorption equilibria of two amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan) and two antibiotics (penicillin G and cephalosporin C) from aqueous solutions onto non-ionic polymeric sorbents (XAD-4 and XAD-16) were investigated under various experimental conditions such as pH, temperature and organic solvents. The assumption that amino acids adsorbed on polymeric sorbents were desorbed by competitive adsorption with organic solvent as a desorbate was verified using binary adsorption data for amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan) and organic solvents (isopropyl alcohol and methanol) on XAD-4 and XAD-16. The experimental data were predicted by using multicomponent adsorption models of an Extended-Langmuir (EL) equation and an ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) based on the Langmuir equation as a single-component isotherm. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] How can self-regulated learning be supported in mathematical E-learning environments?JOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 1 2006B. Kramarski Abstract This study compares two E-learning environments: E-learning supported with IMPROVE self-metacognitive questioning (EL+IMP), and E-learning without explicit support of self-regulation (EL). The effects were compared between mathematical problem-solving and self-regulated learning (SRL). Participants were 65 ninth-grade students who studied linear function in Israeli junior high schools. Results showed that EL+IMP students significantly outperformed the EL students in problem-solving procedural and transfer tasks regarding mathematical explanations. We also found that the EL+IMP students outperformed their counterparts in using self-monitoring strategies during problem solving. This study discusses both the practical and theoretical implications of supporting SRL in mathematical E-learning environments. [source] Inheritance of song and stridulatory peg number divergence between Chorthippus brunneus and C. jacobsi, two naturally hybridizing grasshopper species (Orthoptera: Acrididae)JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005C. I. SALDAMANDO Abstract Knowledge of the genetic basis of divergence in mating signal characters that contribute to reproductive isolation is critical to understanding speciation. Here, we describe a semi-automated system for characterizing grasshopper acoustic signals. We used this system to study the genetic basis of divergence in three male calling song components [echeme (EL), syllable (SL) and phrase (PL) lengths] between Chorthippus brunneus and C. jacobsi, two species of grasshoppers that hybridize in northern Spain. We also studied the number of pegs in the stridulatory file. For all characters, additive effects accounted for most of the genetic differentiation between species. However, the three song components also showed small but significant epistatic effects. No sex linkage was detected. Wright,Castle,Lande estimates of the minimum numbers of genetic factors underlying song and peg number divergence were low: peg number (ne = 5.87 ± 5.84), SL (ne = 2.37 ± 4.79) and PL (ne = 0.87 ± 0.86). On the other hand, EL appeared to be controlled by many genes. These results suggest that divergence in SL and PL might be driven by sexual selection whereas EL might not be under selection. This is consistent with experimental results on female song preference in related species. However, the fact that few factors appear to underlie the differences in peg number is surprising. Peg number is not closely related to song characteristics. It often varies between closely related grasshopper species and it has been assumed to be a neutral character. The biometrical approaches used here tend to underestimate the number of factors influencing a trait but provide valuable background for subsequent quantitative trait loci analyses. [source] EFFECT OF OLIVE OIL AND GLYCEROL ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE FILMSJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2008MAJID JAVANMARD ABSTRACT Olive oil was incorporated into whey protein through emulsification to produce films. Whey protein films were prepared by dispersing 10% protein in distilled water; and plasticized with different levels of glycerol (glycerol : protein [Gly : pro ] = 0.5 and 0.6). Olive oil was added at different levels (oil : pro = 0.0, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4). The emulsion films were evaluated for mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP) and opacity. Increasing the levels of Gly or olive oil in the films led to decreases in modulus and tensile strength. Increasing Gly content of films at oil/pro ratios of 0.2, 0.4 led to slight increases in elongation (EL). Increasing the oil : pro ratio further resulted in a decrease in EL for all films. No significant difference in WVP and opacity was observed between films made from mixtures of various proportions of whey protein concentrate,Gly with increasing olive oil (addition) at all levels of the plasticizer. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The main advantages of using edible films are extending food shelf life, improving food quality, adding value to the edible film-forming polymer and reducing synthetic packaging materials. Whey, obtained as a by-product in cheese, is produced in large quantities and has excellent functional properties and could potentially be used for edible films. [source] Long-range and short-range mechanisms of hydrophobic attraction and hydrophilic repulsion in specific and aspecific interactionsJOURNAL OF MOLECULAR RECOGNITION, Issue 4 2003Carel Jan van Oss Abstract Among the three different non-covalent forces acting in aqueous media, i.e. Lifshitz,van der Waals (LW), Lewis acid,base (AB) and electrical double layer (EL) forces, the AB forces or electron,acceptor/electron,donor interactions are quantitatively by far the predominant ones. A subset of the AB forces acting in water causes the hydrophobic effect, which is the attraction caused by the hydrogen-bonding (AB) free energy of cohesion between the water molecules which surround all apolar as well as polar molecules and particles when they are immersed in water. As the polar energy of cohesion among water molecules is an innate property of water, the hydrophobic attraction (due to the hydrophobic effect) is unavoidably always present in aqueous media and has a value of ,Ghydrophobic,=,,102,mJ/m2, at 20,°C, being equal to the AB free energy of cohesion between the water molecules at that temperature. The strong underlying hydrophobic attraction due to this effect can, however, be surmounted by very hydrophilic molecules and particles that attract water molecules more strongly than the free energy of attraction of these molecules or particles for one another, plus the hydrogen-bonding free energy of cohesion between the water molecules, thus resulting in a net non-electrical double layer repulsion. Each of the three non-covalent forces, LW, AB or EL, any of which can be independently attractive or repulsive, decays, dependent on the circumstances, as a function of distance according to different rules. These rules, following an extended DLVO (XDLVO) approach, are given, as well as the measurement methods for the LW, AB and EL surface thermodynamic properties, determined at ,contact'. The implications of the resulting hydrophobic attractive and hydrophilic repulsive free energies, as a function of distance, are discussed with respect to specific and aspecific interactions in biological systems. The discussion furnishes a description of the manner by which shorter-range specific attractions can surmount the usually much stronger long-range aspecific repulsion, and ends with examples of in vitro and in vivo effects of hydrophilization of biopolymers, particles or surfaces by linkage with polyethylene oxide (PEO; also called polyethylene glycol, PEG). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors delay neuronal cell death caused by trophic factor deprivationJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2007David J. Lomb Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) serves a critical survival-promoting function for developing sympathetic neurons. Following removal of NGF, sympathetic neurons undergo apoptosis characterized by the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), up-regulation of BH3-only proteins including BcL-2-interacting mediator of cell death (BIM)EL, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and activation of caspases. Here we show that two small-molecule prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors frequently used to activate hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) , ethyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) and dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) , can inhibit apoptosis caused by trophic factor deprivation. Both DHB and DMOG blocked the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria after NGF withdrawal, whereas only DHB blocked c-Jun up-regulation and phosphorylation. DHB, but not DMOG, also attenuated the induction of BIMEL in NGF-deprived neurons, suggesting a possible mechanism whereby DHB could inhibit cytochrome c release. DMOG, on the other hand, was substantially more effective at stabilizing HIF-2, and inducing expression of the HIF target gene hexokinase 2 than was DHB. Thus, while HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors can delay cell death in NGF-deprived neurons, they do so through distinct mechanisms that, at least in the case of DHB, are partly independent of HIF stabilization. [source] Solubilizing efficiency and in vitro cytotoxicity of Peptoad GJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2010Radhakrishna K. Maroju Abstract A novel non-ionic surfactant, Peptoad G, is evaluated for its solubilizing capacity and cytotoxicity in order to explore its possible use in aqueous formulation of hydrophobic drugs. Solubility studies were carried out using ten model hydrophobic drugs, and cytotoxicity of the surfactant was evaluated in three different cell lines using the MTT assay. It was shown that peptoad G enhances the solubility of the ten model drugs to different extents, ranging from 20- to 1100-fold, which correlated with the number of hydrogen-bonding sites on the drug molecules. The in vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed comparable cytotoxicity of peptoad G to that of cremophor EL. The results suggest peptoad G possesses potential as an alternative to conventional solubilizers in hydrophobic drug formulations. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2196,2198, 2010 [source] Development of clinical dosage forms for a poorly water-soluble drug II: Formulation and characterization of a novel solid microemulsion preconcentrate system for oral delivery of a poorly water-soluble drugJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2009Ping Li Abstract The solution of a poorly water-soluble drug in a liquid lipid,surfactant mixture, which served as a microemulsion preconcentrate, was converted into a solid form by incorporating it in a solid polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix. The solid microemulsion preconcentrates thus formed consisted of Capmul PG8 (propylene glycol monocaprylate) as oil, Cremophor EL (polyoxyl 35 castor oil) as surfactant, and hydrophilic polymer PEG 3350 as solid matrix. The drug (aqueous solubility: 0.17 µg/mL at pH 1,8 and 25°C) was dissolved in a melt of the mixture at 65,70°C and then the hot solution was filled into hard gelatin capsules; the liquid gradually solidified upon cooling below 55°C. The solid system was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal Raman microscopy (CRM), and the dispersion testing in water. It was confirmed that a solid microemulsion preconcentrate is a two-phase system, where clusters of crystalline PEG 3350 formed the solid structure (m.p. 55,60°C) and the liquid microemulsion preconcentrate dispersed in between PEG 3350 crystals as a separate phase. The drug remained dissolved in the liquid phase. In vitro release testing showed that the preconcentrate dispersed readily in water forming a microemulsion with the drug dissolved in the oil particles (<150 nm) and the presence of PEG 3350 did not interfere with the process of self-microemulsification. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:1750,1764, 2009 [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||