bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the dissolution of human pulp tissue – an in vitro study
Authors: Ballal N. V. , Mala K. , Bhat K. S.
Published: January 2011

Ballal NV, Mala K, Bhat KS. Effect of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the dissolution of human pulp tissue – an in vitro study. International Endodontic Journal.

Aim  To compare in vitro, the tissue‐dissolution capacity of 7% maleic acid (MA), 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (positive control) and 0.9% saline (NaCl) (negative control) on human pulp tissue.

Methodology  Forty pieces of human pulp tissue, each weighing 0.026 g, were divided randomly into four groups (n = 10): (i) 7% MA solution, (ii) 17% EDTA solution, (iii) 2.5% NaOCl solution and (iv) 0.9% NaCl solution. The pulp tissue was placed in beakers containing the test solutions and then placed on a vibrator. Pulp tissue from the four experimental solutions was blotted dry and weighed after 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. The percentage of weight loss was calculated, and the data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐test.

Results  At all time intervals, 2.5% NaOCl dissolved pulp tissue significantly more than the other solutions (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the pulp‐dissolution capacity between 7% MA and 17% EDTA at any of the time intervals. NaCl (0.9%) did not have any effect on pulp tissue.

Conclusion  Seven percentage of MA and 17% EDTA had minimal tissue‐dissolution capacity when compared to NaOCl.
A pyruvate formate lyase‐deficient Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain provides evidence for a link between fermentation and hydrogen production in green algae
Authors: Philipps Gabriele , Krawietz Danuta , Hemschemeier Anja , Happe Thomas
Published: January 2011

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has a complex anaerobic metabolism characterized by a plastidic hydrogenase (HYD1) coupled to photosynthesis and a bacterial‐type fermentation system in which pyruvate formate lyase (PFL1) is the central fermentative enzyme. To identify mutant strains with altered hydrogen metabolism, a C. reinhardtii nuclear transformant library was screened. Mutant strain 48F5 showed lower light‐dependent hydrogen (H2) evolution rates and reduced in vitro hydrogenase activity, and fermentative H2 production in the dark was enhanced. The transformant has a single integration of the paromomycin resistance cassette within the PFL1 gene, and is unable to synthesize PFL1 protein. 48F5 secretes no formate, but produces more ethanol, d‐lactate and CO2 than the wild type. Moreover, HYD1 transcript and HYD1 protein levels were lower in the pfl1 mutant strain. Complementation of strain 48F5 with an intact copy of the PFL1 gene restored formate excretion and hydrogenase activity to the wild type level. This analysis shows that the PFL1 pathway has a significant impact on hydrogen metabolism in C. reinhardtii.
Factors determining household expenditure for tuberculosis and coping strategies in Tajikistan
Authors: Ayé Raffael , Wyss Kaspar , Abdualimova Hanifa , Saidaliev Sadullo
Published: January 2011

Objective  To investigate factors influencing expenditure levels and the use of potentially detrimental coping strategies among tuberculosis (TB) patients. For the purpose of the present study, potentially detrimental coping strategies included borrowing money and selling assets.

Method  Questionnaire survey with an initial and a follow‐up interview of each adult new pulmonary TB case registered over a period of 4 months, conducted in 12 districts with DOTS in Tajikistan, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Results  Patients and their households faced mean expenditures of US$ 396 related to a TB episode. In multivariate mixed‐effect regression models, the main determinants of out‐of‐pocket payments–either over the whole course of the disease or after enrolment in DOTS treatment–were ‘complimentary treatment’ besides the anti‐TB drugs, duration of hospitalization and treatment delay. Complimentary treatment mainly consisted of vitamins and rehydrating infusions. Sex showed no association with expenditure. To cope with the costs of illness, two‐thirds of patients employed a potentially detrimental coping strategy. TB patients raised on average US$ 23 through loans with interest, US$ 57 through loans without interest and US$ 102 through selling assets.

Conclusion  The catastrophic out‐of‐pocket payments faced by TB patients are correlated with receiving complimentary treatment, delay to treatment and duration of hospitalisation. The widespread use of potentially detrimental coping strategies illustrates that TB constitutes a substantial risk of impoverishment. More parsimonious use of complimentary treatment and hospitalisation could reduce illness‐related costs for patients and should be carefully considered.
Lysosomal multienzymatic complex‐related diseases: a genetic study among Portuguese patients
Authors: Coutinho MF , Lacerda L , Macedo‐Ribeiro S , Baptista E , Ribeiro H , Prata MJ , Alves S
Published: January 2011

Coutinho MF, Lacerda L, Macedo‐Ribeiro S, Baptista E, Ribeiro H, Prata MJ, Alves S. Lysosomal multienzymatic complex‐related diseases: a genetic study among Portuguese patients.

The functional activity of lysosomal enzymes sialidase, β‐galactosidase and N‐acetylaminogalacto‐6‐sulfate‐sulfatase in the cell depends on their association in a multienzyme complex with cathepsin A. Mutations in any of the components of this complex result in functional deficiency thereby causing severe lysosomal storage disorders. Here, we report the molecular defects underlying sialidosis (mutations in sialidase; gene NEU1), galactosialidosis (mutations in cathepsin A; gene PPGB) and GM1 gangliosidosis (mutations in β‐galactosidase; gene GLB1) in Portuguese patients. We performed molecular studies of the PPGB, NEU1 and GLB1 genes in biochemically diagnosed Portuguese patients. Gene expression was determined and the effect of each mutation predicted at protein levels. In the NEU1 gene, we found three novel missense mutations (p.P200L, p.D234N and p.Q282H) and one nonsense mutation (p.R341X). In the PPGB gene, we identified two missense mutations, one novel (p.G86V) and one already described (p.V104M), as well as two new deletions (c.230delC and c.991‐992delT) that give rise to non‐functional proteins. We also present the first molecular evidence of a causal missense mutation localized to the cathepsin A active site. Finally, in the GLB1 gene, we found six different mutations, all of them previously described (p.R59H, p.R201H, p.H281Y, p.W527X, c.1572‐1577InsG and c.845‐846delC). Seven novel mutations are reported here, contributing to our knowledge of the mutational spectrum of these diseases and to a better understanding of the genetics of the lysosomal multienzymatic complex. The results of this study will allow carrier detection in affected families and prenatal molecular diagnosis, leading to the improvement of genetic counseling.
What is the long‐term relevance of clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leakage after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy?
Authors: Rebuck David A. , Haywood Samuel , McDermott Kelly , Perry Kent T. , Nadler Robert B.
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The use of a drain to detect and evacuate anastomotic urine leakage after radical prostatectomy is a common clinical practice. The use of such drains, traditionally, attempts to avoid the short‐term risks of urinoma, ileus, and infection, but little is known on the long‐term complications of such leakage on functional outcomes, such as erectile function, continence, and bladder neck contracture.

This study shows that after a mean of two years of follow‐up, patients with clinically detected anastomotic urine leakage after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy do not have worse erectile function, incontinence or risk of bladder neck contracture than patients who had no clinical evidence of leakage.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine whether patients with postoperative clinically detected anastomotic urine leaks are at increased risk for poorer erectile function, urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture (BNC) after robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A retrospective review of all patients undergoing RALRP from October 2005 until December 2009 by a single surgeon (R.B.N.) was conducted. Clinically detected anastomotic urine leak was defined as drain output consistent with urine at more than 24 h postoperatively. The presence of BNC was identified on cystoscopy.

• Erectile function was measured with the Sexual Healthy Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire. Incontinence was measured by patient‐reported daily pad use.

• Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Outcomes were assessed at the most recent follow‐up.

RESULTS

• Among 213 patients eligible for inclusion, 27 experienced an anastomotic urine leak (12.7%).

• At a mean long‐term follow‐up of 24.2 months, there was no difference in SHIM scores (7.0 vs 13.1; P= 0.101), continence rates (87.5% vs 85.2%; P= 0.999) or risk of BNC (7.4% vs 3.2%; P= 0.268) between patients with and without postoperative anastomotic urine leaks, respectively.

• The results did not change after controlling for covariates in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

• The present study suggests that patients with clinically detected postoperative anastomotic urine leaks do not necessarily have worse long‐term outcomes of erectile function, continence and risk of BNC.
Complications of radical cysto‐urethrectomy using modified Clavien grading system: prepubic versus perineal urethrectomy
Authors: Elshal Ahmed M. , Barakat Tamer S. , Mosbah Ahmed , Abdel‐Latif Mohamed , Abol‐Enein Hassan
Published: January 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

It is expected there will be added risks of morbidity for patients undergoing urethrectomy with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Two surgical approaches were described for doing simultaneous cysto‐urethrectomy: pre‐pubic and perineal.

Comparative analysis of the outcome of the two approaches using standardized assessment tools revealed that the pre‐pubic approach has a lower incidence of serious complications with shorter operation duration and shorter hospital stay.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess the impact of both prepubic and perineal urethrectomy on the complication rate and grade when cysto‐urethrectomy is planned.

• To review the perioperative complications of radical cysto‐urethrectomy and grade them according to the modified Clavien classification system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• A total of 186 radical cysto‐urethrectomies were performed between 1984 and 2008

• Patients’ charts were retrospectively reviewed, focusing on operation duration, hospital stay and complications arising.

• According to this new classification, perioperative complications were stratified into five grades.

RESULTS

• Prepubic urethrectomy was done in 71 patients (group I) while perineal urethrectomy was done in 115 patients (group II).

• The mean operation duration was significantly lower in group I than in group II (173.8 and 208.9 min in groups I and II, respectively; P= 0.003).

• There were a total of 46 perioperative complications in 186 (24.7%) patients, 21 (29.5%) in the prepubic group and 25 (21.1%) in the perineal group.

• There were 19 (90.5%) and 18 (72%) low‐grade (G1–3) complications in the prepubic and perineal groups, respectively, and two (9.5%) and seven (28%) high‐grade (G4–5) complications in the prepubic and perineal groups, respectively (P= 0.033).

• The mean hospital stay was significantly lower in group I than in group II (14.5 and 17.6 days in groups I and II, respectively; P= 0.047).

CONCLUSION

• The prepubic approach has a lower incidence of serious complications with shorter operation duration and shorter hospital stay.
The Political Relevance of Emotions: “Reassessing” Revisited
Authors: Brader Ted
Published: January 2011

Ladd and Lenz (2008) question a central claim of affective intelligence theory (AIT), namely that anxiety affects political judgments indirectly by reducing the role of predispositions and increasing the role of contemporary information. They claim that alternative hypotheses, especially the notion that emotions are simply rationalizations of political preferences, better explain the role of emotion in politics. Their ultimate conclusions, however, rest on an overly narrow view of both theory and evidence. Even if one accepts Ladd and Lenz's reanalysis of survey data, there is insufficient evidence to cast aside either AIT or the hypothesis that anxiety affects the mode of political judgment. AIT explains a broad range of political relationships that are unchallenged by the reassessment and which cannot be explained by the offered alternatives. Moreover, numerous experimental studies reject the alternative explanations in favor of an exogenous, often interactive role for anxiety. AIT will surely require amendment, if not abandonment, someday. Competing theories of emotion already exist and, unlike the alternative championed by Ladd and Lenz, these theories too suggest a meaningful role for emotion in political judgment and behavior. For now, given all of the research to date, AIT is a robust competitor, scarcely in need of being “salvaged.” Burgeoning research on the political relevance of emotions will benefit from further debates, replications, and extensions, as long as new claims and evidence are put in proper perspective.
Physical Attractiveness and Candidate Evaluation: A Model of Correction
Authors: Hart William , Ottati Victor C. , Krumdick Nathaniel D.
Published: January 2011

Voters typically evaluate an attractive candidate more favorably than an (otherwise equivalent) unattractive candidate. However, some voters “correct” for the biasing influence of physical appearance. This reduces, eliminates, or even reverses the physical attractiveness effect. Correction occurs when political experts evaluate a political candidate under nondistracting conditions. Under these “high cognitive capacity” conditions, voters primarily correct for physical unattractiveness. However, correction fails to occur when voters possess low levels of expertise or are distracted. Thus, in most circumstances, attractive candidates are evaluated more favorably than unattractive candidates. Two experiments provide support for this model of appearance‐based candidate evaluation.
Transnational Socio-Economic Justice and the Right of Resistance
Authors: Blunt Gwilym David
Published: January 2011

This article assesses Thomas Pogge's recent argument that it is sometimes justifiable to harm innocent persons in light of his claims about the causes of global poverty. It argues that if Pogge's two theses are correct then a third thesis follows: that those immiserated by the international system can legitimately resist the institutions responsible for the systemic violations of human rights, even at the cost of grievously harming innocent persons. This article does not assess the validity of Pogge's theses, but draws attention to a neglected topic in the debate on transnational economic justice: the right of resistance.
Simple Data Sets for Distinct Basic Summary Statistics
Authors: Lesser Lawrence M.
Published: January 2011

This article offers, with accompanying rationale, simple data sets that produce distinct values of certain basic summary statistics.
FIRST‐PERSONAL ASPECTS OF AGENCY
Authors: BAKER LYNNE RUDDER
Published: January 2011

Abstract: On standard accounts, actions are caused by reasons (Davidson), and reasons are taken to be neural phenomena. Since neural phenomena are wholly understandable from a third‐person perspective, standard views have no room for any ineliminable first‐personal elements in an account of the causation of action. This article aims to show that first‐person perspectives play essential roles in both human and nonhuman agency. Nonhuman agents have rudimentary first‐person perspectives, whereas human agents—at least rational agents and moral agents—have robust first‐person perspectives. The author concludes with a view of intentional causation, according to which reasons are constituted by (but not identical to) neural phenomena. The idea of constitution without identity allows for a causal account of action that automatically includes first‐personal aspects of agency.
The capsule: an organic skeletal structure in the Late Cretaceous belemnite Gonioteuthis from north‐west Germany
Authors: DOGUZHAEVA LARISA A. , BENGTSON STEFAN
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  An unusual, bilaterally symmetrical black structure that embraces the protoconch and the phragmocone and is overlain by a rostrum has been studied in the Santonian–early Campanian (Late Cretaceous) belemnite genus Gonioteuthis from Braunschweig, north‐west Germany. The structure is here named the capsule. Energy dispersed spectrometry analyses of the capsule show a co‐occurrence of sulphur with zinc, barium, iron, lead and titanium, suggesting their chemical association. The capsule was originally made of organic material that was diagenetically transformed into sulphur‐containing matter. The material of the capsule differs from the chitin of the connecting rings in the same specimens. The capsule has a complex morphology: (1) ventral and dorsal wing‐like projections that are repeated in a breviconic shape of the alveolus, (2) an aperture with lateral lobes and ventral and dorsal sinuses copied by growth lines and (3) a ventral ridge that fits with the position of the fissure in the rostrum. The alveolus in the most anterior part of the rostrum is crater‐like. It is lined with thin, pyritized, laminated material, which appears to be the outermost portion of the capsule attached to the inner surface of the rostrum. A flare along the periphery of the alveolus marks a region where the rostrum was not yet formed, suggesting that the capsule extended beyond the rostrum. Modification of the skeleton in Gonioteuthis comprises a set of supposedly interrelated changes, such as innovation of the organic capsule, partial elimination of the calcareous rostrum and a diminishing of the pro‐ostracum, resulting in the appearance of a new type of pro‐ostracum that became narrower and shorter and lost the spatula‐like shape and gently curved growth lines of a median field that are typical for the majority of Jurassic and Cretaceous belemnites. The partial replacement of a calcareous rostrum with an organic capsule in belemnitellids may have been an adaptive reaction to an unfavourable environmental condition, perhaps related to difficulties in calcium carbonate secretion during the Late Cretaceous that forced animals to reduce carbonate production and to secret an organic capsule around the protoconch and the phragmocone.
Entangled agencies, material networks and repair in a building assemblage: the mutable stone of St Ann’s Church, Manchester1
Authors: Edensor Tim
Published: January 2011

This article explores the fluidities and stabilities of urban materiality by looking at the ongoing emergence of a 300‐year‐old church in central Manchester. The notion of assemblages is utilised to investigate how places, such as the building featured here, are simultaneously destroyed and altered by numerous agencies, and stabilised by repair and replacement building material. By examining the vital properties of stone and the particular non‐human agents that act upon the stony fabric of the building, I explore some of the processes that render matter continuously emergent. I subsequently consider the consequences of these material transformations by looking at how they promote the enrolment of two human processes of spatial (re)ordering, the forging of connections between the city and sites of stone supply, and the changing and contested process of repair and maintenance. I argue that by acknowledging complexity, historical depth and geographical scale, non‐human and human entanglements, and ambiguity, we might write accounts that do justice to the emergence, contingency and unpredictability in a world of innumerable agencies.
The implementation of rapid cooling and overnight hold of whole blood at ambient temperature before processing into components in Israel
Authors: Shinar E. , Etlin S. , Frenkel O. , Yahalom V.
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND: The quality of blood components prepared from whole blood (WB) units rapidly cooled to 20 to 24°C and stored for prolonged periods using butane‐1,4‐diol “cooling plates,” and the factors that determine the functional activity of these cooling systems under various temperature conditions were investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Validation of the cooling systems functions, performed in different environmental temperature‐time schemes using WB‐mock units, were recorded and analyzed in 106 temperature curves, simulating environmental conditions of blood storage at the blood drives and transport to the blood services component laboratory. The quality of red blood cells, fresh‐frozen plasma, platelet concentrates, and cryoprecipitate units was studied on components routinely prepared in 2007 to 2009 from WB units collected in citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose‐adenine or citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose (CPD), rapidly cooled, and stored in ambient temperature for up to 22 hours postdonation using the cooling systems.

RESULTS: Quality variables of blood components prepared from WB units rapidly cooled and held overnight for up to 22 hours postcollection, using both cooling systems, met the allowed ranges of American, European, and Israeli standards. Temperature validation of the cooling systems resulted in national standard operating procedures for the proper use in different ambient temperature ranges.

CONCLUSION: The rapid cooling of WB and prolonged storage under different environmental conditions using cooling plate systems enabled standardization of blood storage at and transportation from all collection sites. It provided an efficient, reproducible, and cost‐effective way to ensure good quality blood components, while utilizing more efficient logistic and administrative means.
Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on the Piezoresistivity of Polymer‐Derived Ceramics
Authors: Wang Yiguang , Ding Jian , Feng Wei , An Linan
Published: January 2011

Amorphous silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramics were synthesized by pyrolyzing a polysilazane at different temperatures between 900° and 1400°C. The microstructures and compositions of the materials obtained were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. To study their piezoresistive behavior, the resistivity of the resultant materials were measured as a function of applied stress. We found that the piezoresistive behavior of all materials can fit the tunneling‐percolation model. The piezoresistive stress coefficient of the materials obtained at temperatures below 1200°C showed both reverse and logarithmical dependences on applied stress, but that of the materials obtained at higher temperatures showed only logarithmical dependence. We believe that the pyrolysis temperature induces a change in the free carbon structure thus, causing this effect on the piezoresistivity.
Treatment of Premenstrual Mastalgia with Tamoxifen
Authors: Messinis Ioannis E. , Lolis Dimitrios
Published: January 2011

Thirty‐four women with normal menstrual cycles but suffering from severe premenstrual mastalgia were randomly treated with either tamoxifen (10 mg daily) (18 women) or placebo (16 women) from cycle day 5 to 24 for six consecutive cycles. At the end of the treatment, 89% of the tamoxifen‐treated patients were free from the symptoms and the remainder experienced partial alleviation. In contrast, six patients treated with placebo showed only partial alleviation (38%)(p < 0.001). Twelve months after the end of tamoxifen treatment, 53% of the medicated women were still free of symptoms as compared with none of the placebo‐treated patients. These results suggest that tamoxifen is highly effective for the management of severe premenstrual mastalgia and should be useful for the treatment of this disorder.
Antenatal Health Questionnaire to Identify “Mothers with Emotional Disturbances” as a Potential Risk Group
Authors: Nordström U. Lennart , Dallas Jean H. , Morton Hugh G. , Patel Naren B.
Published: January 2011

An important task in antenatal care is to identify mothers at risk during pregnancy, with the aim of minimizing morbidity and mortality. This paper describes the outcome of a health questionnaire distributed antenatally to 2086 primigravidae during the Tayside Infant Morbidity and Mortality Study 1980–81. The aim of this study was to test a health questionnaire, known to identify mothers with emotional disturbances, and investigate the outcome of their pregnancies. Two hundred and thirty‐eight mothers (11.4%) had a ‘positive’ score in this study. This rather small group of women had a significantly higher incidence of psycho‐social risk factors. The questionnaire return rate was high, more than 99%, suggesting that such a questionnaire could be used as a screening instrument to identify ‘risk mothers’.
Life‐Threatening Hemorrhage due to Uterine Vascular Abnormality
Authors: Jensen Helle , Petersen Karsten , Lent Sutan , Llum Lars , Olsen Carsten Rygaard
Published: January 2011

A case is reported of a 25‐year‐old woman stricken with prolonged and life‐threatening menorrhagia from abnormal uterine vessels resembling hemangioma cavernosum. The condition was suspected at ultrasonic investigation. Hysterectomy was performed as an emergency operation.
The Use Of Pge2 For Induction Of Labor In Parturients With A Previous Cesarean Section Scar
Authors: Goldberger Shmuel B. , Rosen Doron J.D. , Michaeli Galia , Markov Shlomo , Ben‐Nun Isaac , Fejgin Moshe D.
Published: January 2011

Controversy still dominates the discussion of the correct method for delivering patients with a previous cesarean section (C/S) scar. Although many have abandoned the slogan of “once a cesarean, always a cesarean”, repeat cesareans are still the rule in many institutions. We have abandoned this dogma, and are now advancing to new ideas and are promoting a new protocol. Nineteen post‐one cesarean section patients were induced on various indications by means of PGE2 pessaries. Close surveillance revealed no complications and 16 were delivered vaginally. All neonates had good Apgar scores, and all scars were found to be intact upon examination. We recommend cautious use of prostaglandins for selected post‐cesarean patients.
Abnormal Thyroid Function In Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Authors: Shulman Adrian , Shapiro Menahem S. , Bahary Charles , Shenkman Louis
Published: January 2011

Thyroid function was evaluated in 41 consecutive women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). In 11, increased free thyroxin concentrations (FT4) were measured. After one week of conservative therapy, 4 patients with persistent emesis were treated with antithyroid agents. Three of these 4 displayed other signs of hyperthyroidism. Emesis resolved in the other 7 patients within a week of conservative therapy. FT4 levels also returned to normal in these 7 patients within several weeks. Thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) was administered to 10 of the 11 patients. Abnormal TSH responses, suggesting varying degrees of autonomous thyroid function were noted in all 4 patients treated with antithyroid drugs and in 3 of the untreated patients. Underlying clinical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism should be sought in patients with HG. In the presence of persistent emesis, despite conservative therapy of at least one week's duration and the presence of abnormal thyroid function studies, the use of antithyroid agents should be considered.
Reproduction among 1975 Sardinian women and men diagnosed with major mood disorders
Authors: Tondo L. , Lepri B. , Baldessarini R. J.
Published: January 2011

Tondo L, Lepri B, Baldessarini RJ. Reproduction among 1975 Sardinian women and men diagnosed with major mood disorders.

Objective:  Disability varies in patients with major affective disorders [type I and II bipolar disorders (BPD) and recurrent unipolar major depressive disorder (UP‐MDD)]. It may include reproductive functioning, which has rarely been studied systematically.

Method:  We compared information acquired over several years pertaining to marital/reproductive status among 1975 systematically evaluated, treated, and followed women (n = 1351) and men (n = 624) diagnosed with DSM‐IV type I (n = 300) or II BPD (n = 223), or MDD (n = 1452). We compared factors between patients with vs. without children and associated with fertility rate (children/fertile years × 100), using standard bivariate methods followed by multivariate modeling.

Results:  Childless patients were younger at illness onset, more likely men, diagnosed with type I BPD, more educated, and unmarried, but similar in many aspects of clinical history to those with children. Fertility rate ranked: BP‐I < BP‐II ≤ MDD, and men < women. Mood‐disorder patients had 17% fewer children/person than in the comparable general population of Sardinia. Among mood‐disorder patients, fertility appeared to decline in Sardinia in recent decades, more in men than women.

Conclusion:  Type I BPD was associated with lower fertility than BP‐II or UP‐MDD, consistent with their relatively high levels of other disabilities.
HIV Infection and Immune Defense of the Penis
Authors: Anderson Deborah , Politch Joseph A. , Pudney Jeffrey
Published: January 2011

Citation  Anderson D, Politch JA, Pudney J. HIV infection and immune defense of the penis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 220–229

Recent evidence that circumcision decreases HIV infection in heterosexual men by 50–60% has focused research on the foreskin as a target of HIV infection. In this review article, we discuss potential mechanisms underlying the circumcision effect and re‐examine the assumption that the foreskin is the principle penile HIV infection site. HIV target cells are present in the foreskin epithelium, but are also found in the epithelia of the penile shaft, glans/corona, meatus and urethral introitus. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can affect any of these sites and increase susceptibility to HIV acquisition by eroding the protective epithelial layer and by attracting and activating HIV target cells in the epithelium. The moist subpreputial cavity, which encompasses the entire penile tip in most uncircumcised men including the glans, meatus and urethral introitus, plays an important role in STI acquisition. Circumcised men have a lower rate of STIs that infect not only the foreskin but also other distal penile sites, especially the urethra. Likewise, the foreskin may trap HIV and HIV‐infected cells after intercourse thereby increasing the risk of HIV acquisition not only through the inner foreskin but also other sites covered by the foreskin. The subpreputial cavity also hosts a unique microbiome that may also play a role in HIV infection. We hypothesize that the penile urethra may be the primary HIV acquisition site in circumcised men and possibly also in non‐circumcised men because of the presence of superficial HIV target cells and a high incidence of STIs at this site. Both innate and adaptive immune defense mechanisms are operative in the lower male genital region. The penile urethral mucosa contains accumulations of IgA+ plasma cells and T lymphocytes and may provide a responsive target for future mucosal vaccines to prevent HIV sexual transmission.
Bone density and risk of osteoporosis in Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Ferlin A , Schipilliti M , Foresta C
Published: January 2011

Different mechanisms in Klinefelter syndrome contribute to reduced bone mass and osteoporosis, which have a precocious onset and are detected in up to 40% of patients, irrespectively of testosterone levels. Androgen receptor, X chromosome inactivation and INSL3 levels are hypothesized to cooperate with and modulate the effect of testosterone on the bone.

Conclusion:  New perspectives on genetic topics are opening exciting areas of research on the pathophysiology of reduced bone mass in Klinefelter patients.
Is It Capitalism?
Authors: Meyer Marshall W.
Published: January 2011

I introduce the three articles in the MOR Editor's Forum on Chinese Capitalism. I then ask whether China's recent economic growth has been driven by a vibrant capitalism or instead has become an end in itself, supported by government policies promoting high rates of fixed asset investment. There are two key observations. First, gross domestic product (GDP), measured and reported at four levels of government, has much greater salience than corporate profits, often undisclosed. Second, fixed asset investment accounted for more than 60 percent of China's 2009 GDP and nearly two-thirds of 2008-2009 GDP growth, levels unprecedented for a major economy. Rather than capitalism, I argue that institutionalized GDP growth today accounts for China's rapid economic development.
Discovery of a broad OVIII Lyα line in the ultracompact X-ray binary 4U 1543.624
Authors: Madej O. K. , Jonker P. G.
Published: January 2011

We report the discovery of a broad emission feature at ∼0.7 keV in the spectra of the ultracompact X-ray binary 4U 1543−624, obtained with the high-resolution spectrographs of the XMM–Newton and Chandra satellites. We confirm the presence of the feature in the broad-band MOS2 spectrum of the source. As suggested before in the literature, the donor star in this source is a CO or ONe white dwarf, which transfers oxygen-rich material to the accretor, conceivably a neutron star. The X-rays reprocessed in this oxygen-rich accretion disc could give a reflection spectrum with O viii Lyα as the most prominent emission line. Apart from the feature at ∼0.7 keV, we confirm the possible presence of a weak emission feature at ∼6.6 keV, which was reported in the literature for this data set. We interpret the feature at ∼0.7 and ∼6.6 keV as O viii Lyα and Fe Kα emission, respectively, caused by X-rays reflected off the accretion disc in the strong gravitational field close to the accretor.
Transgenic Expression of Viral Capsid Proteins Predisposes to Axonal Injury in a Murine Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Denic Aleksandar , Zoecklein Laurie , Kerkvliet Jason , Papke Louisa , Edukulla Ramakrishna , Warrington Arthur , Bieber Allan , Pease Larry R. , David Chella S. , Rodriguez Moses
Published: January 2011

We used transgenic expression of capsid antigens to Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) to study the influence of VP1, VP2 or VP2121–130 to either protection or pathogenesis to chronic spinal cord demyelination, axonal loss and functional deficits during the acute and chronic phases of infection. We used both mice that are normally susceptible (FVB) and mice normally resistant (FVB.Db) to demyelination. Transgenic expression of VP2121–130 epitope in resistant FVB.Db mice caused spinal cord pathology and virus persistence because the VP2121–130 epitope is the dominant peptide recognized by Db, which is critical for virus clearance. In contrast, all three FVB TMEV transgenic mice showed more demyelination, inflammation and axonal loss as compared with wild‐type FVB mice, even though virus load was not increased. Motor function measured by rotarod showed weak correlation with total number of midthoracic axons, but a strong correlation with large‐caliber axons (>10 µm2). This study supports the hypothesis that expression of viral capsid proteins as self influences the extent of axonal pathology following Theiler's virus–induced demyelination. The findings provide insight into the role of axonal injury in the development of functional deficits that may have relevance to human demyelinating disease.
CIP2A is over‐expressed in acute myeloid leukaemia and associated with HL60 cells proliferation and differentiation
Authors: WANG J. , LI W. , LI L. , YU X. , JIA J. , CHEN C.
Published: January 2011

Introduction:  CIP2A is a newly identified inhibitor of PP2A. It can stabilize c‐Myc and promote anchorage‐independent cell growth and tumour formation. CIP2A is over‐expressed in some solid tumours although its expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is still unknown.

Methods:  CIP2A mRNA and protein expressions were determined in bone marrow mononuclear cells of both patients with AML and healthy controls using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. We used siRNA to knock‐down CIP2A expression in HL60 cells and then examined its potential roles during the pathological progression of AML.

Results:  CIP2A mRNA was present in 54 of 70 (77.14%) patients with newly diagnosed AML and in 11 of 14 (70.86%) patients with relapsed AML, which was significantly higher than complete remission specimens and healthy controls (P < 0.001). Knock‐down of CIP2A in HL60 cells slowed down cell proliferation, decreased clonogenic activity and promoted cell differentiation.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that CIP2A is over‐expressed in patients with newly diagnosed/relapsed AML and the expression of CIP2A could have potential use as a clinical marker for AML relapse after treatment. The high expression of CIP2A in HL60 cells may be related to active cell proliferation and arrest of cell differentiation. This study may shed light on the molecular function of CIP2A in myeloid leukemogenesis.
Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes for growth and reproduction in a nonmodel organism; the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua
Authors: HEMMER‐HANSEN JAKOB , NIELSEN EINAR EG , MELDRUP DORTE , MITTELHOLZER CHRISTIAN
Published: January 2011

Recent technological developments have facilitated intensified searches for genetic markers under selection in nonmodel species. Here, we present an approach for the identification of candidate gene variation in nonmodel organisms. We report on the characterization of 82 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and on the development of a specific genotyping assay for 30 SNPs in 18 candidate genes for growth and reproduction in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). These markers can be used for scanning natural populations for signatures of selection in both contemporary and archived historical samples, for example in retrospective studies assessing the effects of environmental changes, such as increasing temperatures, and selection imposed by high fishing pressure. Furthermore, these gene markers may be of interest to aquaculture, serving as a starting point for linking phenotypic traits important for productivity with genotypes and potentially be of use for marker‐assisted selection in the future. This study demonstrates that the candidate gene approach is a valuable and targeted complement to the more random approach for discovering genetic variation in the genome and transcriptome applied through high throughput methods in nonmodel species.
Towards Competitive Instead of Biased Testing of Heuristics: A Reply to Hilbig and Richter (2011)
Authors: Brighton Henry , Gigerenzer Gerd
Published: January 2011

Our programmatic article on Homo heuristicus (Gigerenzer & Brighton, 2009) included a methodological section specifying three minimum criteria for testing heuristics: competitive tests, individual‐level tests, and tests of adaptive selection of heuristics. Using Richter and Späth’s (2006) study on the recognition heuristic, we illustrated how violations of these criteria can lead to unsupported conclusions. In their comment, Hilbig and Richter conduct a reanalysis, but again without competitive testing. They neither test nor specify the compensatory model of inference they argue for. Instead, they test whether participants use the recognition heuristic in an unrealistic 100% (or 96%) of cases, report that only some people exhibit this level of consistency, and conclude that most people would follow a compensatory strategy. We know of no model of judgment that predicts 96% correctly. The curious methodological practice of adopting an unrealistic measure of success to argue against a competing model, and to interpret such a finding as a triumph for a preferred but unspecified model, can only hinder progress. Marewski, Gaissmaier, Schooler, Goldstein, and Gigerenzer (2010), in contrast, specified five compensatory models, compared them with the recognition heuristic, and found that the recognition heuristic predicted inferences most accurately.
In‐vivo‐induced antigenic determinants of Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum
Authors: Lee H.‐R. , Rhyu I.‐C. , Kim H.‐D. , Jun H.‐K. , Min B.‐M. , Lee S.‐H. , Choi B.‐K.
Published: January 2011

Fusobacterium nucleatum plays a pivotal role in dental plaque biofilm formation and is known to be involved in chronic inflammatory systemic disease. However, limited knowledge of F. nucleatum genes expressed in vivo interferes with our understanding of pathogenesis. In this study, we identified F. nucleatum genes induced in vivo using in‐vivo‐induced antigen technology (IVIAT). Among 30,000 recombinant clones screened, 87 reacted reproducibly with pooled sera from 10 patients with periodontitis. The clones encoded for 32 different proteins, of which 28 could be assigned to their functions, which were categorized in translation, transcription, transport, energy metabolism, cell envelope, cellular process, fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism, transposition, cofactor biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, and DNA replication. Putative virulence factors detected were ABC transporter, butyrate‐acetoacetate CoA‐transferase, hemin receptor, hemolysin, hemolysin‐related protein, LysR family transcriptional regulator, serine protease, and transposase. Analysis of immune responses to the in‐vivo‐induced (ivi) antigens in five patients demonstrated that most were reactive to these proteins, confirming results with pooled sera. IVIAT‐identified F. nucleatum genes in this study may accelerate the elucidation of F. nucleatum‐mediated molecular pathogenesis.
Characterization of competence and biofilm development of a Streptococcus sanguinis endocarditis isolate
Authors: Zhu L. , Zhang Y. , Fan J. , Herzberg M.C. , Kreth J.
Published: January 2011

Streptococcus sanguinis is an oral commensal bacterium and endogenous pathogen in the blood, which is generally naturally competent to take up extracellular DNA. Regarded as a stress response, competence development enables S. sanguinis to acquire new genetic material. The sequenced reference strain SK36 encodes and expresses the genes required for competence (com) and uptake of DNA. Isolated from blood cultures of a confirmed case of infective endocarditis, strain 133‐79 encodes all necessary com genes but is not transformable under conditions permissive for competence development in SK36. Using synthetic competence‐stimulating peptides (sCSP) based on sequences of SK36 and 133‐79 comC, both strains developed competence at similar frequencies in cross‐transformation experiments. Furthermore, downstream response pathways are similar in strains SK36 and 133‐79 because platelet aggregation and biofilm formation appeared unaffected by CSP. Collectively, the data indicate that strains SK36 and 133‐79 respond to CSP similarly, strongly suggesting that endogenous production or release of CSP from 133‐79 is impaired.
A General Approach to Locate Instantaneous Contact Lines of Gears Using Surface of Roll Angle
Authors: Kolivand M. , Kahraman A.
Published: January 2011

Determining the locations and orientation of potential instantaneous contact lines between two contacting tooth surfaces of gears is one major step in the prediction of unloaded and loaded gear tooth contacts. This study defines and utilizes new general concept based on the construction of a surface of roll angle to simplify the task of locating instantaneous contact lines of any type of gearing. The position and normal vectors of points on one of the mating surfaces and axes of both gears are used in conjunction with the equation of meshing to define the surface of action and the surface of roll angle. With the surface of roll angle defined, instantaneous contact lines are determined by a novel approach based on an analogy to parallel-axes gears. At the end, the proposed method is applied to various parallel- and cross-axis gear pairs to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Design and Optimization of Mechanically Resonant Torsional Spring Mechanism for Laser Light Dispersion Applications
Authors: Koay Loke Kean , Gitano-Briggs Horizon
Published: January 2011

A laser light scanning device consisting of an electronically driven mechanically resonant torsional spring-mirror system was developed for display applications. The original design suffers fatigue failure due to the repeated rotation of the torsional spring. The torsional spring design is investigated and analyzed to attain the lowest possible stress level while maintaining a constant resonant frequency. The finite element analysis model of the torsional spring was created and the stress was minimized by changing the geometrical parameters of the spring. Spring geometric optimization resulted in a maximum stress of 0.632 GPa, that is 12% reduction in stress from the original design, which should give an extended life span of 1 month for the intended application.
Flare Gas Utilization at Combined Oil-Gas Well Sites
Authors: Quinn Casey , Zimmerle Daniel , Olsen Daniel B.
Published: January 2011

Many natural gas well sites produce significant quantities of oil as a byproduct of gas production. Producers use standard gas separation techniques to recover gas dissolved in the oil, but additional light hydrocarbons are released during final depressurization and storage of the oil at atmospheric pressure. Gas produced in oil storage is often contaminated with air, cannot be introduced into midstream pipelines, and is flared at the well site. The flare gas represents a significant energy resource that could be utilized to improve overall site efficiency. This work documents a comprehensive energy analysis performed on a non-electrified site in Colorado. Data collection and simulations demonstrated that energy available in flare gas is sufficient to support the major energy loads at the well site. However, due to low flare gas pressures, high and variable air contamination, and temporal misalignment between the gas availability and energy needs, on-site utilization requires modified engine technology and application of energy buffering. Simulation results are presented, along with conceptual designs for well site modifications.