bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO A UK WATER RESOURCE PROBLEM
Authors: Connell Richenda K , Willows Robert , Harman Jacquelyn , Merrett Stephen
Published: July 2007

Climate risk management is a new and evolving area and many decisions are likely to be affected by climate risks over the long‐term. This paper presents a decision‐making framework designed for managing climate alongside nonclimate risk factors. The framework describes a process that should help identify and manage these risks. It can be used to help decision‐makers answer questions about whether adaptation is required, and, if so, which measures should be implemented. Adaptive management is recommended as a useful approach for dealing with climate and other uncertainties. This paper describes an application of the framework to a water resources case study. Feedback from training workshops based on four different case studies suggests the framework provides at minimum a useful (post‐hoc) decision analysis tool. Potential users, who include planners, consultants and policy‐makers have been largely positive about the prospective utility of the framework.
VALIDATION OF BNR (BIOLOGICAL NUTRIENT REMOVAL) PLANT
Authors: Hale C. , Kaur K. , Jones N. , Oliver B.
Published: July 2007

Llangefni WwTW receives discharge from the rural town of Llangefni and the local industrial estate and to date this is the first and only BNR plant in Wales. The consents from March 2003 included a reduction in ammonia (NH4_N) to 1.5 mg/l, suspended solids to 20 mg/l (SS) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) to 7 mg/l and included a new Phosphate (PO4_P) standard of 2 mg/l. The process selected to meet the new consents was Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and was unusual as it was for a small, rural wastewater treatment plant that receives about 26% of its flow from an industrial estate.

During commissioning, the plant produced an average phosphate concentration of 1.0 mg/l and an ammonia concentration of 0.7 mg/l. It was confirmed that to achieve consistent phosphate removal a BOD:P ratio greater than 20:1 is required along with a high VFA (Volatile Fatty Acids) concentration of 200–300 mg/l.
MILESTONES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPAL WATER TREATMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES: PART II
Authors: Purcell P. J.
Published: July 2007

The remarkable progress made in the early 20th century in improving the microbiological quality of municipal drinking water supplies is undoubtedly one of the most important factors contributing to the improved health and life expectancy of the developed world during that century. The paper highlights perceived milestones in the 19th and early 20th centuries in the scientific and technological developments in municipal water treatment practice, particularly in relation to the improvements in the chemical and biological quality of drinking water supplies. The paper concludes by summarizing key developments in the methods of measuring water quality and in the improvements in drinking water quality standards during that period.
Preparation of genetically engineered A/H5N1 and A/H7N1 pandemic vaccine viruses by reverse genetics in a mixture of Vero and chicken embryo cells
Authors: Legastelois Isabelle , Garcia‐Sastre Adolfo , Palese Peter , Tumpey Terrence M. , Maines Taronna R. , Katz Jacqueline M. , Vogel Frederick R. , Moste Catherine
Published: July 2007

Background  In case of influenza pandemic, a robust, easy and clean technique to prepare reassortants would be necessary.

Objectives  Using reverse genetics, we prepared two vaccine reassortants (A/H5N1 × PR8 and A/H7N1 × PR8) exhibiting the envelope glycoproteins from non‐pathogenic avian viruses, A/Turkey/Wisconsin/68 (A/H5N9) and A/Rhea/New Caledonia/39482/93 (A/H7N1) and the internal proteins of the attenuated human virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1).

Methods  The transfection was accomplished using a mixture of Vero and chicken embryo cells both of which are currently being used for vaccine manufacturing.

Results  This process was reproducible, resulting in consistent recovery of influenza viruses in 6 days. Because it is mainly the A/H5N1 strain that has recently crossed the human barrier, it is the A/PR8 × A/H5N1 reassortant (RG5) that was further amplified, either in embryonated hen eggs or Vero cells, to produce vaccine pre‐master seed stocks that met quality control specifications. Safety testing in chickens and ferrets was performed to assess the non‐virulence of the reassortant, and finally analysis using chicken and ferret sera immunized with the RG5 virus showed that the vaccine candidate elicited an antibody response cross‐reactive with the Hong Kong 1997 and 2003 H5N1 strains but not the Vietnam/2004 viruses.

Conclusions  The seeds obtained could be used as part of a pandemic vaccine strain ‘library’ available in case of propagation in humans of a new highly pathogenic avian strain.
Ethylene Modulates Stem Cell Division in the
Arabidopsis thaliana
Root
Authors: Ortega-Martínez Olga , Pernas Monica , Carol Rachel J. , Dolan Liam
Published: July 2007

The construction of multicellular organisms depends on stem cells—cells that can both regenerate and produce daughter cells that undergo differentiation. Here, we show that the gaseous messenger ethylene modulates cell division in the cells of the quiescent center, which act as a source of stem cells in the seedling root. The cells formed through these ethylene-induced divisions express quiescent center-specific genes and can repress differentiation of surrounding initial cells, showing that quiescence is not required for these cells to signal to adjacent stem cells. We propose that ethylene is part of a signaling pathway that modulates cell division in the quiescent center in the stem cell niche during the postembryonic development of the root system.
A Powerful Chiral Counterion Strategy for Asymmetric Transition Metal Catalysis
Authors: Hamilton Gregory L. , Kang Eun Joo , Mba Miriam , Toste F. Dean
Published: July 2007

Traditionally, transition metal–catalyzed enantioselective transformations rely on chiral ligands tightly bound to the metal to induce asymmetric product distributions. Here we report high enantioselectivities conferred by a chiral counterion in a metal-catalyzed reaction. Two different transformations catalyzed by cationic gold(I) complexes generated products in 90 to 99% enantiomeric excess with the use of chiral binaphthol–derived phosphate anions. Furthermore, we show that the chiral counterion can be combined additively with chiral ligands to enable an asymmetric transformation that cannot be achieved by either method alone. This concept of relaying chiral information via an ion pair should be applicable to a vast number of metal-mediated processes.
Nuclear Import and Export of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Nonstructural Protein 2
Authors: Montgomery Stephanie A. , Johnston Robert E.
Published: July 2007

Many RNA viruses, which replicate predominantly in the cytoplasm, have nuclear components that contribute to their life cycle or pathogenesis. We investigated the intracellular localization of the multifunctional nonstructural protein 2 (nsP2) in mammalian cells infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), an important, naturally emerging zoonotic alphavirus. VEE nsP2 localizes to both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of mammalian cells in the context of infection and also when expressed alone. Through the analysis of a series of enhanced green fluorescent protein fusions, a segment of nsP2 that completely localizes to the nucleus of mammalian cells was identified. Within this region, mutation of the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) PGKMV diminished, but did not obliterate, the ability of the protein to localize to the nucleus, suggesting that this sequence contributes to the nuclear localization of VEE nsP2. Furthermore, VEE nsP2 specifically interacted with the nuclear import protein karyopherin-α1 but not with karyopherin-α2, -3, or -4, suggesting that karyopherin-α1 transports nsP2 to the nucleus during infection. Additionally, a novel nuclear export signal (NES) was identified, which included residues L526 and L528 of VEE nsP2. Leptomycin B treatment resulted in nuclear accumulation of nsP2, demonstrating that nuclear export of nsP2 is mediated via the CRM1 nuclear export pathway. Disruption of either the NLS or the NES in nsP2 compromised essential viral functions. Taken together, these results establish the bidirectional transport of nsP2 across the nuclear membrane, suggesting that a critical function of nsP2 during infection involves its shuttling between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
Long-Term Infection and Shedding of Human Cytomegalovirus in T98G Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Luo Min Hua , Fortunato Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2007

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of birth defects, affecting primarily the central nervous system (CNS). To further understand this CNS pathology, cells from glioblastoma cell lines T98G and A172, the astrocytic glioblastoma cell line CCF-STTG1 (CCF), and the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y (SY5Y) were infected with HCMV. CCF and SY5Y cells were fully permissive for infection, while A172 cells were nonpermissive. In T98G cells, the majority of cells showed viral deposition into the nucleus by 6 h postinfection (hpi); however, viral immediate-early gene expression was observed in only ∼30% of cells in the first 72 h. In viral antigen (Ag)-positive cells, although the development of complete viral replication centers was delayed, fully developed centers formed by 96 hpi. Interestingly, even at very late times postinfection, a mixture of multiple small, bipolar, and large foci was always present. The initial trafficking of input pp65 into the nucleus was also delayed. Titer and infectious-center assays showed a small number of T98G cells shedding virus at very low levels. Surprisingly, both Ag-positive and Ag-negative cells continued to divide; because of this continuous division, we adopted a protocol for passaging the T98G cells every third day to prevent overcrowding. Under this protocol, detectable infectious-virus shedding continued until passage 5 and viral gene expression continued through eight passages. This evidence points to T98G cells as a promising model for long-term infections.
RIPENING OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON CARBON NANOTUBES
Authors: ZHU LIYING , LU GANHUA , MAO SHUN , CHEN JUNHONG , DIKIN DMITRIY A. , CHEN XINQI , RUOFF RODNEY S.
Published: July 2007

An electrostatic-force-directed-assembly technique was used to coat multiwalled carbon nano-tubes (MWCNTs) with aerosol Ag nanoparticles produced from a mini-arc plasma source. The deposition of Ag nanoparticles onto CNTs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Ripening of Ag nanoparticles on CNTs was observed via successive TEM imaging after heating the nanoparticle–nanotube hybrid structures in air to three different temperatures ranging from 100°C to 300°C. With temperatures at and above 200°C, the areal density of Ag nanoparticles decreased and the average particle size increased. In particular, migration and coalescence of Ag nanoparticles have been observed at this relatively low temperature, which suggests a van der Waals nanoparticle–nanotube interaction.
Renal and cardiac oxidative/nitrosative stress in salt-loaded pregnant rat
Authors: Beauséjour Annie , Houde Véronique , Bibeau Karine , Gaudet Rébecca , St-Louis Jean , Brochu Michèle
Published: July 2007

Sodium supplementation given for 1 wk to nonpregnant rats induces changes that are adequate to maintain renal and circulatory homeostasis as well as arterial blood pressure. However, in pregnant rats, proteinuria, fetal growth restriction, and placental oxidative stress are observed. Moreover, the decrease in blood pressure and expansion of circulatory volume, normally associated with pregnancy, are prevented by high-sodium intake. We hypothesized that, in these pregnant rats, a loss of the balance between prooxidation and antioxidation, particularly in kidneys and heart, disturbs the normal course of pregnancy and leads to manifestations such as gestational hypertension. We thus investigated the presence of oxidative/nitrosative stress in heart and kidneys following high-sodium intake in pregnant rats. Markers of this stress [8-isoprostaglandin F2α(8-iso-PGF2α) and nitrotyrosine], producer of nitric oxide [nitric oxide synthases (NOSs)], and antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase] were measured. Then, molecules (Na+-K+-ATPase and aconitase) or process [apoptosis (Bax and Bcl-2), inflammation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, connective tissue growth factor, and TNF-α)] susceptible to free radicals was determined. In kidneys from pregnant rats on 1.8% NaCl-water, NOSs, apoptotic index, and nitrotyrosine expression were increased, whereas Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA and activity were decreased. In the left cardiac ventricle of these rats, heightened nitrotyrosine, 8-iso-PGF2α, and catalase activity together with reduced endothelial NOS protein expression and SOD and aconitase activities were observed. These findings suggest that oxidative/nitrosative stress in kidney and left cardiac ventricle destabilizes the normal course of pregnancy and could lead to gestational hypertension.
Ultraviolet reflectance of male nuptial colouration in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from the Pyrenees
Authors: Pérez i de Lanuza Guillem , Font Enrique
Published: July 2007

The evolutionary significance of lacertid colourations is relatively
unexplored. However, several studies have demonstrated signalling by means
of bright green colouration in Swedish Lacerta agilis males during the
breeding season. Unfortunately, most of these studies have been based on
human colour perception that differs in several ways from that of lizard. An
important difference between human and lizard colour vision is the presence
of an ultraviolet (UV) sensitive cone in lizards. The available evidence
suggests that male sand lizards colorations do not reflect UV wavelengths,
at least in Swedish populations. However, this study, based on objective
(spectrophotometric) measures of Pyrenean L. agilis, revealed a secondary
reflectance peak in the UV in male green colouration. This secondary peak
increases sexual dichromatism and male conspicuousness. Moreover, it could
have a social signalling function as do similar UV reflecting patches in
other lizard species.
RS 15.039 remis sur pied
Authors:   Pardee
Published: July 2007

A new epigraphic examination of RS 15.039 has led to reversing the obverse-reverse orientation of the tablet as previously read. The new orientation gives a simple progression from distributions of wine to distributions of a second liquid commodity currently unidentifiable. The philological analysis has led to the conclusion that the recipients of these two commodities do not belong exclusively to the religious sphere.
ICT and the Returns to Schooling and Job-Specific Experience
Authors: Kirby Simon , Riley Rebecca
Published: July 2007

We use the United Kingdom Labour Force Survey to estimate the returns to schooling and job-specific experience in sixteen different industry sectors over the period 1994-2001. Next, assuming skill levels are fixed, we assess the marginal effect on these returns of the capital intensity of production and the ICT intensity of capital. Our results indicate that in the UK, over the period 1994-2001, the rising ICT intensity of capital was associated with a rise in the return to schooling, and a reduction in the return to job-specific experience.
Systematic review of the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Broadstock Marita , Doughty Carolyn , Eggleston Matt
Published: July 2007

The variable expression of autism over the lifespan is likely to lead to different symptoms and support requirements, and to distinct responses to pharmacotherapy treatment, in older patients compared to children. This systematic review considers the effectiveness of pharmacological treatment in managing autism spectrum disorder in adolescents and adults. Following a comprehensive search of literature published in English from 1980, methodological criteria were applied to identify studies designed to reliably assess treatment effectiveness. Only five double-blind, randomized controlled trials were eligible for appraisal. All had small sample sizes (mean = 30) and brief treatment duration of no more than 12 weeks. The paucity of trials and their methodological limitations means that there is only preliminary evidence about the short-term effectiveness of a few drug treatments for this age group. There was also a lack of reliable data reported on drug safety profiles. Methodological challenges and directions for future research are discussed.
Triage for coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Canada: Do patients agree on who should come first?
Authors: Shufelt Katy , Chong Alice , Alter David A
Published: July 2007

Background

The extent to which clinical and non-clinical factors impact on the waiting-list prioritization preferences of patients in the queue is unknown. Using a series of hypothetical scenarios, the objective of this study was to examine the extent to which clinical and non-clinical factors impacted on how patients would prioritize others relative to themselves in the coronary artery bypass surgical queue.

Methods

Ninety-one consecutive eligible patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (median waiting-time duration prior to survey of 8 weeks) were given a self-administered survey consisting of nine scenarios in which clinical and non-clinical characteristic profiles of hypothetical patients (also awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery) were varied. For each scenario, patients were asked where in the queue such hypothetical patients should be placed relative to themselves.

Results

The eligible response rate was 65% (59/91). Most respondents put themselves marginally ahead of a hypothetical patient with identical clinical and non-clinical characteristics as themselves. There was a strong tendency for respondents to place patients of higher clinical acuity ahead of themselves in the queue (P < 0.0001). Social independence among young individuals was a positively valued attribute (P < 0.0001), but neither age per se nor financial status, directly impacted on patients waiting-list priority preferences.

Conclusion

While patient perceptions generally reaffirmed a bypass surgical triage process based on principals of equity and clinical acuity, the valuation of social independence may justify further debate with regard to the inclusion of non-clinical factors in waiting-list prioritization management systems in Canada, as elsewhere.
A comparative analysis of the triloops in all high-resolution RNA structures reveals sequence–structure relationships
Authors: Lisi Véronique , Major François
Published: July 2007

Despite an increasing number of experimentally determined RNA structures, the gap between the number of structures and that of RNA families is still growing. To overcome this limitation, efficient and reliable RNA modeling methodologies must be developed. In order to reach this goal, here, we show how triloop sequence–structure relationships have been inferred through a systematic analysis of all triloops found in available high-resolution structures. The structural annotation of all triloops allowed us to define discrete states of the triloop's conformational space, and therefore an explicit sequence-to-structure relation. The sequence–structure relationships inferred from this explicit relation are presented in a convenient modeling table that provides a limited set of possible three-dimensional structures given any triloop sequence. The table is indexed by the two nucleotides that form the triloop's flanking base pair, since they are shown to provide the most information about the triloop three-dimensional structures. We also report the observations in the X-ray crystallographic structures of important conformational variations, which we believe might be the result of RNA dynamic.
Reasoning in people with obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Simpson Jane , Cove Jennifer , Fineberg Naomi , Msetfi Rachel M. , Ball Linden J.
Published: July 2007

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the inductive and deductive reasoning abilities of people with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Following previous research, it was predicted that people with OCD would show different abilities on inductive reasoning tasks but similar abilities to controls on deductive reasoning tasks.

Design A two‐group comparison was used with both groups matched on a range of demographic variables. Where appropriate, unmatched variables were entered into the analyses as covariates.

Methods Twenty‐three people with OCD and 25 control participants were assessed on two tasks: an inductive reasoning task (the 20‐questions task) and a deductive reasoning task (a syllogistic reasoning task with a content‐neutral and content‐emotional manipulation).

Results While no group differences emerged on several of the parameters of the inductive reasoning task, the OCD group did differ on one, and arguably the most important, parameter by asking fewer correct direct‐hypothesis questions. The syllogistic reasoning task results were analysed using both correct response and conclusion acceptance data. While no main effects of group were evident, significant interactions indicated important differences in the way the OCD group reasoned with content neutral and emotional syllogisms.

Conclusions It was argued that the OCD group's patterns of response on both tasks were characterized by the need for more information, states of uncertainty, and doubt and postponement of a final decision.
Efficacy of imatinib mesylate in advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Frank-Raue Karin , Fabel Michael , Delorme Stefan , Haberkorn Uwe , Raue Friedhelm
Published: July 2007

Objective: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is often associated with gain-of-function mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, which is found in all hereditary cases and most sporadic cases. The activated RET receptor tyrosine kinase can be inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors in vitro. We evaluated the efficacy of treatment with imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced MTC.

Design and patients: In this open-label clinical trial, nine patients, eight with sporadic and one with hereditary MTC, with unresectable, measurable, progressive metastases were treated with imatinib mesylate 600 mg daily. The tumour response to imatinib was evaluated after 3, 6 and 12 months by computed tomography and after 1 month by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy d-glucose position-emission tomographic scanning. The median duration of therapy was 8 months.

Results: Overall, stable disease occurred in five patients for up to 6 months and in one patient for up to 12 months, with a median duration of progression-free survival of 6 months. Four patients had progressive disease after 12 months. One patient stopped therapy after 2 weeks because of worsening of diarrhoea. Therapy was well tolerated, although transient mild-to-moderate nausea (n = 3), oedema (n = 3), diarrhoea (n = 2) and skin rash (n = 2) were observed.

Conclusion: Imatinib mesylate is well tolerated, no tumour remission was observed, only transient stable disease was achieved in some patients with advanced MTC.
Adiponectin levels measured in dried blood spot samples from neonates born small and appropriate for gestational age
Authors: Klamer A , Skogstrand K , Hougaard D M , Nørgaard-Petersen B , Juul A , Greisen G
Published: July 2007

Objective: Adiponectin levels measured in neonatal dried blood spot samples (DBSS) might be affected by both prematurity and being born small for gestational age (SGA). The aim of the study was to measure adiponectin levels in routinely collected neonatal DBSS taken on day 5 (range 3–12) postnatal from infants.

Design: A retrospective case–control study.

Subjects and methods: One hundred and twenty-two infants: 62 very premature (34 SGA) and 60 mature infants (27 SGA). Adiponectin concentrations were determined in stored neonatal DBSS using a sandwich immunoassay based on flow metric Luminex xMap technology.

Results: Adiponectin was measurable in all samples, and repeated measurements correlated significantly (r = 0.94). Adiponectin concentrations were negatively associated with both SGA (B = −0.283, P = 0.04) and prematurity (B = −2.194, P < 0.001), independently of each other. In the premature but not the mature group, adiponectin levels increased with increasing postnatal age at blood sampling (B = 0.175, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Reliable quantification of adiponectin in stored DBSS is feasible and may be used to study large populations of routinely collected samples. Low levels of adiponectin in neonatal DBSS are associated with SGA as well as prematurity. Blood adiponectin levels increase with postnatal age in premature infants, suggesting a rapid yet unexplained metabolic adaptation to premature extrauterine life.
Relevance of Ki-67 and prognostic factors for recurrence/progression of gonadotropic adenomas after first surgery
Authors: Dubois S , Guyétant S , Menei P , Rodien P , Illouz F , Vielle B , Rohmer V
Published: July 2007

Objective: Gonadotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas carry a high risk of local recurrence or progression (R/P) of remnant tumor after first surgery. The clinical characteristics and the long-term outcome of these silent adenomas, which show no signs of endocrine hyperfunction, differ from those of other types of pituitary adenomas. However, to date, no study has focused specifically on gonadotropic adenomas.

Materials and methods: To identify prognostic factors of R/P of remnants, we studied the postoperative outcome of 32 gonadotropic pituitary adenomas, defined on immunohistochemical staining, according to their clinical and radiological characteristics as well as the Ki-67 labeling index (LI).

Results: The Ki-67 LI failed to provide independent information for the identification of patients at risk of progression of remnants or recurrence. Multivariate survival analysis (Cox regression) showed that neither invasiveness nor remnant tumors nor hyposomatotropism influenced tumor recurrence. The strongest predicting factors of R/P were the antero-posterior (AP) diameter in the sagittal plane (P= 0.014), and the age of the patient at surgery (P= 0.047), with younger patients being at greater risk. Hazard ratios were 2.11 for each 5 mm increase in AP diameter and 0.57 for every 10 years of age.

Conclusion: The two simple clinical criteria revealed by our study, the AP diameter of the tumor and the age of the patient, should be helpful in planning clinical management and radiological monitoring after first surgery of gonadotropic adenomas, while awaiting the identification of other pathological parameters.
Simple Patterning via Adhesion between a Buffered‐Oxide Etchant‐Treated PDMS Stamp and a SiO2 Substrate
Authors: Kim Y.‐K. , Kim G. T. , Ha J. S.
Published: July 2007

A very simple polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pattern‐transfer method is devised, called buffered‐oxide etchant (BOE) printing. The mechanism of pattern transfer is investigated, by considering the strong adhesion between the BOE‐treated PDMS and the SiO2 substrate. PDMS patterns from a few micrometers to sub‐micrometer size are transferred to the SiO2 substrate by just pressing a stamp that has been immersed in BOE solution for a few minutes. The patterned PDMS layers work as perfect physical and chemical passivation layers in the fabrication of metal electrodes and V2O5 nanowire channels, respectively. Interestingly, a second stamping of the BOE‐treated PDMS on the SiO2 substrate pre‐patterned with metal as well as PDMS results in a selective transfer of the PDMS patterns only to the bare SiO2. In this way, the fabrication of a device structure consisting of two Au electrodes and V2O5 nanowire network channels is possible; non‐ohmic semiconducting I–V characteristics, which can be modeled by serially connected percolation, are observed.
Diet, energy expenditure, and body composition of lactating Ribeirinha women in the brazilian amazon
Authors: Piperata Barbara A. , Dufour Darna L.
Published: July 2007

Lactation is the most energetically demanding part of human reproduction; yet, compared with pregnancy, we know little about the strategies women in different settings employ to cope with these increased energy demands. This paper takes a biocultural approach and reports longitudinal data on the anthropometry, dietary intakes and energy expenditure of a sample of 23 rural, lactating Ribeirinha women living in subsistence‐based communities in the eastern Amazon. The dietary intakes of these lactating women were insufficient to meet their lactating energy needs and were least sufficient during resguardo, a 40‐day period in the immediate postpartum when the women observed a series of food taboos and work restrictions. Instead, the women in this study met the increased energy demands of lactation by drawing on their energy reserves and reducing their energy expenditure in physical activity. The women showed a significant reduction in weight (P < 0.001), BMI (P < 0.001) and in circumferences (hip, P = 0.01; waist, P = 0.03) and skinfolds (thigh, P = 0.03) in the gluteal femoral region. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) was lowest during resguardo and increased as lactation progressed (P = 0.01). While the practice of resguardo reduced maternal energy expenditure and allowed women more time to spend with their newborn infants, it came at a cost (low dietary intake), which appears to be related to the loss of the adult woman from subsistence activities. By taking a biocultural approach this study illustrates the role the social environment plays in shaping the experience of lactating women. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Durchstanzversuche mit Bewehrung mit hochfestem Verbund, innovative Traganalysen und Bemessungsansätze
Authors: Rojek Richard , Keller Tobias
Published: July 2007

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird über Durchstanzversuche berichtet, bei denen in die Stahlbeton‐Versuchsplatten als Durchstanzsicherung Bewehrung mit hochfestem Verbund eingebaut wurde. Die Versuchsergebnisse zeigen, dass mit diesem System sehr gute Tragfähigkeiten erreicht werden. Aus den Rissbildern der nach den Versuchen aufgeschnittenen Versuchsplatten konnten interessante Rückschlüsse auf die Tragwirkung des Systems gezogen werden. Ein Vergleich dieser Rissbilder mit denjenigen von Versuchsplatten mit Doppelkopfankern als Durchstanzsicherung zeigt im Detail deutliche Unterschiede im Tragverhalten. Die Analyse der Versuchsergebnisse führt außerdem zu neuartigen Erkenntnissen über die Tragmechanismen im durchstanzgefährdeten Auflagerbereich von Stahlbetonplatten, die auch die Grundlage für einen Vorschlag bieten, die bestehenden Bemessungsregeln zu modifizieren.
Die neue DAfStb‐Richtlinie “Vorbeugende Maßnahmen gegen schädigende Alkalireaktion im Beton”
Authors: Haase Rosemarie , Hintzen Wilhelm , Marquordt Dittmar , Wiens Udo
Published: July 2007

Europäisch gibt es zurzeit kein allgemein anerkanntes Prüfverfahren zur Beurteilung der Alkali‐Kieselsäure‐Reaktivität von Gesteinskörnungen. EN 12620 legt hierfür die am Verwendungsort der Gesteinskörnung geltenden Vorschriften fest, in Deutschland die Alkali‐Richtlinie, die entsprechend anzupassen war.

Als nationale Restregelung zu einer harmonisierten europäischen Norm muss sie nun alle Gesteinskörnungen nach EN 12620 abschließend regeln. Dies wurde in der Bauregelliste für die alte Fassung der Alkali‐Richtlinie durch entsprechende Anlagen vorweggenommen. In die Neufassung der Alkali‐Richtlinie sollten Regelungen aufgenommen werden, die der bauaufsichtlichen Umsetzung in Bauregelliste A, Teil 1 gerecht werden.

Die Alkali‐Richtlinie besteht weiterhin aus drei Teilen. Änderungen haben insbesondere die Teile 1 und 3 erfahren. Der Teil 2 wurde weitgehend unverändert belassen. Erstmalig enthält die Richtlinie zusätzlich zwei Anhänge, A und B. Anhang A regelt ein alternatives Schnellprüfverfahren zur Beurteilung von Gesteinskörnungen gemäß Teil 3. In Anhang B wird informativ ein gegenüber dem bekannten und bewährten Balkenversuch vereinfachtes Prüfverfahren zur weiteren Datensammlung aufgeführt.
Erweiterung der klassischen M‐N‐Interaktionsdiagramme
Authors: Schindler Steffen , Bender Michél , Mark Peter
Published: July 2007

Die bekannten M‐N‐Interaktionsdiagramme zur Querschnittsbemessung im Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit werden über Zusatzdiagramme um die Ablesemöglichkeit von Hebelarm der inneren Kräfte z und statischer Nutzhöhe d erweitert. Dazu werden zunächst die erforderlichen Normierungsgrundlagen abgeleitet und für die gängigen Querschnittstypen Rechteck und Kreis zusammengestellt. Beispielhaft sind fünf erweiterte Diagramme für einen Kreisquerschnitt und für den beidseitig bewehrten Rechteckquerschnitt mit verschiedenen Druckbewehrungsgraden ausgearbeitet. Beispiele zeigen Anwendung und Vorzüge der Erweiterung.
Suggestive Experten: Zur Etablierung der US‐amerikanischen Medienforschung in den 1930–1950er Jahren
Authors: Daniel Ute
Published: July 2007

Suggestive experts: The rise of American communication studies (1930s to 1950s). – The history of social engineering and its rise in the first half of the twentieth century is a well developed field today. This article attempts to add the history of communications research to this field of historical study. The focus lies on the experts for mass communication and their difficulties to combine scientific methodology with the promise to explore how human behaviour can be influenced by the mass media.
Fed‐batch bioreactor process scale‐up from 3‐L to 2,500‐L scale for monoclonal antibody production from cell culture
Authors: Yang Jeng‐Dar , Lu Canghai , Stasny Brad , Henley Joseph , Guinto Woodrow , Gonzalez Carlos , Gleason Joseph , Fung Monica , Collopy Brett , Benjamino Michael , Gangi Jennifer , Hanson Melissa , Ille Elisabeth
Published: July 2007

This case study focuses on the scale‐up of a Sp2/0 mouse myeloma cell line based fed‐batch bioreactor process, from the initial 3‐L bench scale to the 2,500‐L scale. A stepwise scale‐up strategy that involved several intermediate steps in increasing the bioreactor volume was adopted to minimize the risks associated with scale‐up processes. Careful selection of several available mixing models from literature, and appropriately applying the calculated results to our settings, resulted in successful scale‐up of agitation speed for the large bioreactors. Consideration was also given to scale‐up of the nutrient feeding, inoculation, and the set‐points of operational parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbon dioxide, and aeration in an integrated manner. It has been demonstrated through the qualitative and the quantitative side‐by‐side comparison of bioreactor performance as well as through a panel of biochemical characterization tests that the comparability of the process and the product was well controlled and maintained during the process scale‐up. The 2,500‐L process is currently in use for the routine clinical production of Epratuzumab in support of two global Phase III clinical trials in patients with lupus. Today, the 2,500 L, fed‐batch production process for Epratuzumab has met all scheduled batch releases, and the quality of the antibody is consistent and reproducible, meeting all specifications, thus confirming the robustness of the process. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 141–154. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of type of resection on outcome of hepatic resection for colorectal metastases
Authors: Finch R J B , Malik H Z , Hamady Z Z R , Al-Mukhtar A , Adair R , Prasad K R , Lodge J P A , Toogood G J
Published: July 2007

Background

Non-anatomical liver resections have become more common in the management of colorectal liver metastases. This study examined survival and patterns of recurrence following surgery for colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively on all patients who had hepatic surgery for colorectal liver metastases at St James' University Hospital, Leeds between 1993 and May 2003, and analysed with respect to type of resection.

Results

A total of 96 patients underwent non-anatomical liver resection, 280 patients had an anatomical resection, and 108 patients had a combined procedure. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the anatomical and non-anatomical groups (hazard ratio 1·14 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·60 to 2·17); P = 0·691). Intrahepatic recurrence was significantly less common in the anatomical group, whereas morbidity and mortality rates were lower in the non-anatomical group. On multivariable analysis, multiple metastases and poorer primary T stage predicted poorer overall survival and a positive resection margin predicted poorer disease-free survival.

Conclusion

Non-anatomical resection can be performed with lower rates of surgical morbidity and mortality than anatomical resection, and does not disadvantage the patient in terms of overall survival.
Androgen deprivation therapy increases cardiovascular morbidity in men with prostate cancer
Authors: Saigal Christopher S. , Gore John L. , Krupski Tracey L. , Hanley Janet , Schonlau Matthias , Litwin Mark S.
Published: July 2007

BACKGROUND.

The use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the treatment of men with prostate cancer has risen sharply. Although cardiovascular disease is the most common reason for death among men with prostate cancer who do not die of the disease itself, data regarding the effect of ADT on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in men with prostate cancer are limited. In the current study, the authors attempted to measure the risk for subsequent cardiovascular morbidity in men with prostate cancer who received ADT.

METHODS.

A cohort of newly diagnosed men in a population‐based registry who were diagnosed between 1992 and 1996 were identified retrospectively. A total of 22,816 subjects were identified after exclusion criteria were applied. Using a multivariate model, the authors calculated the risk of subsequent cardiovascular morbidity in men with prostate cancer who were treated with ADT, as defined using Medicare claims.

RESULTS.

Newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients who received ADT for at least 1 year were found to have a 20% higher risk of serious cardiovascular morbidity compared with similar men who did not receive ADT. Subjects began incurring this higher risk within 12 months of treatment. However, Hispanic men were found to have a lowered risk for cardiovascular morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS.

ADT is associated with significantly increased cardiovascular morbidity in men with prostate cancer and may lower overall survival in men with low‐risk disease. These data have particular relevance to decisions regarding the use of ADT in men with prostate cancer in settings in which the benefit has not been clearly established. For men with metastatic disease, focused efforts to reduce cardiac risk factors through diet, exercise, or the use of lipid‐lowering agents may mitigate some of the risks of ADT. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Role of metalloproteins in the clinical management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Scurry W. Cooper , Stack Brendan C.
Published: July 2007

Metalloproteins are a group of catalytic proteins, which play significant roles in cell cycle and death. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endopeptidases that are capable of digesting extracellular matrix components. They have been implicated in carcinogenesis and recent developments have been made to use MMPs clinically to predict outcomes. In the future, selective inhibition of these proteins and their regulatory pathways may prove useful in anticancer therapeutics. We present a review article on the clinical applications of metalloproteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Metalopanstimulin is highlighted as a putative metalloprotein of interest for those treating HNSCC. Expression of particular metalloproteins has correlation with lymph node metastasis, tumor invasiveness, and overall prognosis in HNSCC. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007
Osteoplastic maxillotomy approach for infraorbital nerve schwannoma, a case report
Authors: Karkas Alexandre A. , Schmerber Sébastien A. , Bettega Georges V. , Reyt Emile P. , Righini Christian A.
Published: July 2007

Background.

Extracranial schwannomas can readily occur in the head and neck region and rarely involve the trigeminal nerve. As a rule, their treatment is surgical and dictated by the location of the tumor and nerve of origin.

Methods.

We describe a case of a 14‐year‐old boy with a mass invading right nasal fossa, maxillary sinus, orbital floor, pterygopalatine fossa, and infratemporal fossa. The diagnosis of a nerve sheath tumor was evoked after angiography showed no vascular blush.

Results.

The tumor was removed through a Weber‐Fergusson incision with subciliary extension followed by maxillozygomatic osteotomy. This approach showed the tumor to be coming from the infraorbital nerve and allowed complete tumor exposure and removal. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of a schwannoma.

Conclusion.

We describe the osteoplastic maxillotomy approach which we felt most appropriate for removal of the infraorbital schwannoma and discuss other possible surgical options for this type of tumor. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2008
HPV prevalence, viral load and physical state of HPV‐16 in cervical smears of patients with different grades of CIN
Authors: Briolat Jenny , Dalstein Véronique , Saunier Maëlle , Joseph Karine , Caudroy Stéphanie , Prétet Jean‐Luc , Birembaut Philippe , Clavel Christine
Published: July 2007

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most important event in malignant transformation of human cervical epithelium. We analysed in cervical smears, HPV genotypes with a focus on single/multiple infections, then characteristics of HPV‐16 infections (presence of other genotypes, viral load and physical state) according to the grade of histological lesions. The purpose of this study was to know if these parameters could allow to differentiate histological diagnoses. DNA was extracted from 363 cervical samples corresponding to 24 cases without lesion, 96 CIN1, 92 CIN2, 144 CIN3 and 7 cancers. Our results show that HPV‐16 was predominant and its prevalence increased with the severity of lesions (CIN1: 27.1%; CIN3: 65.3%). In addition, we showed that the frequency of single infections, as compared with multiple infections, increased with the severity of the lesion (CIN1: 25.0%; CIN3: 54.8%). Among HPV‐16 positive samples (n = 170), we found that viral load, determined on cervical samples by real‐time PCR, did not vary significantly according to the different CIN grades. Concerning HPV‐16 integration, the mixed and integrated HPV‐16 forms, already present in women with normal histology, increased to the benefit of pure episomal forms with the severity of lesions (normal cervix: 28.6%; CIN3: 73.8%). Thus, our data raise the question of the viral load as a valuable clinical parameter to discriminate between lesion grades. Moreover, we emphasize integration as an early event in cervical carcinogenesis, increasing with the severity of lesions. Finally, this study underlines the importance of single versus multiple infections linked to the severity of CIN. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oral, injected and implanted contraceptives and breast cancer risk among U.S. Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white women
Authors: Sweeney Carol , Giuliano Anna R. , Baumgartner Kathy B. , Byers Tim , Herrick Jennifer S. , Edwards Sandra L. , Slattery Martha L.
Published: July 2007

Associations between oral contraceptive (OC) use and breast cancer have been reported, but few studies have considered associations in racial and ethnic minorities. Data regarding injected or implanted hormonal contraceptives are limited. In a case–control study of Hispanic (796 cases, 919 controls) and non‐Hispanic white (1,522 cases, 1,596 controls) women in the U.S. southwest interviewed in 2000–2005, 49% of Hispanic controls and 66% of non‐Hispanic white controls reported having used OC. Breast cancer odds ratios (OR) associated with OC use within the past 5 years were 1.22 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80, 1.84) among Hispanics, 1.28 (95% CI 0.93, 1.76) among non‐Hispanic whites, 1.27 (95% CI 0.99, 1.63) for both ethnic groups combined and 1.53 (95% CI 0.98, 2.40) for estrogen receptor (ER) negative tumors. OC use for 20 years or longer was associated with ORs of 1.50 (95% CI 1.04, 2.17) for both ethnic groups combined, and 2.23 (95% CI 1.17, 4.25) for ER negative tumors. Hormonal contraceptive injections were used by 3.3% of Hispanic controls and 2.8% of non‐Hispanic white controls, OR 1.23 (95% CI 0.88, 1.73). Fifteen cases and 2 controls reported use of a subdermal contraceptive implant, OR 8.59 (95% CI 1.92, 38.39). Associations between OC use and breast cancer in Hispanics are consistent with modestly increased risk among recent users and for ER negative tumors, as observed in other populations. Based on a small number of users of contraceptive implants, a significantly increased breast cancer risk was observed; continued surveillance of implant users may be warranted. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of endometrial cancer in relationship to cigarette smoking: Results from the EPIC study
Authors: Al‐Zoughool Mustafa , Dossus Laure , Kaaks Rudolf , Clavel‐Chapelon Françoise , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Overvad Kim , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Gauthier Estelle , Linseisen Jakob , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Boeing Heiner , Schulz Mandy , Trichopoulou Antonia , Chryssa Travezea , Trichopoulos Dimitrios , Berrino Franco , Palli Domenico , Mattiello Amalia , Tumino Rosario , Sacerdote Carlotta , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. Bas , Boshuizen Hendriek C. , Peeters Petra H.M. , Gram Inger T. , Braaten Tonje , Lund Eiliv , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Ardanaz Eva , Agudo Antonio , Larrañaga Nerea , Quirós Jose Ramon , Berglund Göran , Manjer Jonas , Lundin Eva , Hallmans Göran , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Bingham Sheila , Allen Naomi , Key Tim , Jenab Mazda , Cust Anne E. , Rinaldi Sabina , Riboli Elio
Published: July 2007

Current epidemiologic evidence indicates that cigarette smoking reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. We examined data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort to analyze further aspects of the smoking‐endometrial cancer relationship, such as possible modifying effects of menopausal status, HRT use, BMI and parity. In a total of 249,986 women with smoking exposure and menopausal status information, 619 incident endometrial cancer cases were identified during 1.56 million person‐years of follow‐up. Among postmenopausal women, the hazard ratio (HR) for current smokers versus never smokers was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.53–0.93), while it was 1.75 (95% CI = 1.13–2.70) among premenopausal women at recruitment. After adjustment for risk factors, the HR for postmenopausal women was slightly attenuated to 0.78 (95% CI = 0.59–1.03). No heterogeneity of effect was observed with HRT use or BMI. Among premenopausal women, current smokers of more than 15 cigarettes per day or who smoked for 30 years or more at the time of recruitment had a more than 2‐fold increased risk of endometrial cancer compared to never smokers (HR = 2.54; 95% CI = 1.47–4.38 and HR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.04–4.77, respectively). Past smoking was not associated with endometrial cancer risk, either among pre‐ or postmenopausal women. In this prospective study, we observed an increased risk of endometrial cancer with cigarette smoking in premenopausal women. The reduction of endometrial cancer risk observed among postmenopausal women does not have direct public health relevance since cigarette smoking is the main known risk factor for cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.