bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UTILIZATION OF DEIONIZED WATER AND NONMEAT ADJUNCTS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CHUNKED AND FORMED BONELESS CURED HAM FORMULATED WITH PALE, SOFT AND EXUDATIVE RAW MATERIAL
Authors: WILBOURN J.A. , SCHILLING M.W. , MARTIN J.M. , COGGINS P.C. , ARMSTRONG T.A.
Published: July 2007

In three separate trials, randomized complete block designs with three replications were utilized to test the effects of deionized water and pale, soft and exudative (PSE) pork percentage on the quality of smoked and retorted ham (with and without nonmeat adjuncts). Product quality was determined through the evaluation of water‐holding capacity, cooked color, protein–protein bind and sensory evaluation. Retorting revealed the potential to reduce the pale‐color effect of PSE meat that is present in raw material and smoked deli ham. In retorted ham, modified food starch and soy protein concentrate reduced (P < 0.05) cook loss, and modified food starch improved color. Deionized water improved yields (1%) in smoked deli hams, and 25% pale pork was used without negatively affecting (P > 0.05) sensory or instrumental quality in a retort pouch ham product. Modified food starch also increased yields (P < 0.05) in retort pouch ham without negatively affecting sensory quality.
EFFECTS OF PHOSPHATE, ASCORBIC ACID, α‐TOCOPHEROL AND SALT WITH NONVACUUM TUMBLING ON LIPID OXIDATION AND WARMED‐OVER FLAVOR OF ROAST BEEF
Authors: CHENG JEN‐HUA , OCKERMAN HERBERT W.
Published: July 2007

Warmed‐over flavor (WOF) is the oxidative rancidity of cooked meat during refrigerated storage. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three antioxidants (phosphate, ascorbic acid and α‐tocopherol) with tumbling to retard lipid oxidation and to give more insight into WOF of precooked roast beef. The salted samples had significantly higher yields than the nonsalted roast beef. The 0.3% salt did not significantly promote lipid oxidation in refrigerated roast beef if three antioxidants were added. The control, which was not an injected treatment, had higher thicbarbituric acid reactive substrance (TBARS) values compared to other treatments that had the same values at day 2, 4 and 7. According to the sensory evaluation, the descriptor “oxidized” used to describe WOF and warmed‐over aroma (WOA) of the control had significantly higher values compared to other treatments. WOFO (oxidized), WOFC (cardboardy), WOAO (oxidized) and WOAC (cardboardy) scores of treatments significantly increased at day 7 compared to those at day 0. For roast beef flavor, the descriptor “fresh cooked beef” (FCB) scores for treatments indicated an insignificant difference. However, the FCB score was significantly lower at day 7 than that at day 0.
Report of the 17th Nationwide Follow‐up Survey of Primary Liver Cancer in Japan†
Authors: Ikai Iwao , Arii Shigeki , Okazaki Masatoshi , Okita Kiwamu , Omata Masao , Kojiro Masamichi , Takayasu Kenichi , Nakanuma Yasuni , Makuuchi Masatoshi , Matsuyama Yutaka , Monden Morito , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: July 2007

In the 17th Nationwide Follow‐up Survey of Primary Liver Cancer in Japan, 18 213 individuals were newly registered as patients with primary liver cancer at 645 medical institutions over a period of 2 years (from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2003). Of these patients, 94.2% had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 4.1% had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). In addition, 24 705 follow‐up patients were registered in the survey. Epidemiological and clinicopathological factors, diagnosis and treatment were investigated in the newly registered patients, and the cumulative survival rates of newly registered patients in the 12th to 17th follow‐up surveys conducted between 1992 and 2003 were calculated for each histological type (HCC, ICC, and combined HCC and ICC) and stratified by background factors and treatment. The data obtained in this follow‐up survey should contribute to future research and medical practice for primary liver cancer.
INVESTIGATION OF THE TRIBOLOGY BEHAVIORS OF AUTO-RESTORATION ADDITIVE UNDER HEAVY LOADING CONDITIONS
Authors: XU JIANG , WANG FENG , LIU ZILI
Published: July 2007

Lubricant additives are crucial in minimizing friction and wear, and protecting surfaces under severe contact condition. The traditional additive can only diminish the wear rate of materials by increasing the sliding distance. As a wear-self-compensation lubricating additive, the auto-restoration technology (ART) of worn surface of metals is a novel technique for the repair of mechanical equipment and breakthrough of tribology theory that cannot obey the traditional law. The previous experiments have measured the friction and wear behaviors of ART additives under low load conditions. This paper presents the tribology behaviors of auto-restoration lubricating additive under heavily loaded condition. The results show that the auto-restoration lubricating additive can reduce pronouncedly the frictional coefficient and wear weight; after 6 h wear examination the friction coefficient is only 0.027. The morphology of the worn surface and the chemical composition of tribofilm have been observed by SEM. It proved that the worn surface is very smooth and there exists a tribochemical reaction between the metal and the auto-restoration lubricating additive.
TITANIUM CARBONITRIDE COATINGS PREPARED BY REACTIVE PLASMA SPRAYING Ti POWDERS
Authors: ZHU LIN , HE JINING , YAN DIANRAN , DONG YANCHUN , XIAO LISONG
Published: July 2007

Titanium Carbonitride ( TiCN ), a new high hardness and wear-resistant material, has been applied widely in many fields. TiCN coating was first fabricated using reactive plasma spraying (RPS) technology in the reactive chamber that was filled with nitrogen and acetylene ( N 2 and C 2 H 2) in this study. The microstructure and the phase composition of the coatings were analyzed by SEM and XRD. More chemical information of surface was analyzed by XPS. The Vickers microhardness of TiCN coating is 1659.11 HV 100 g , and the cross-section of the coating shows a conspicuous phenomenon of indentation size effect.
EFFECT OF WATER AS LUBRICANT ON FRICTION AND WEAR PROPERTIES OF CGRP COMPOSITE EVALUATED BY POD AND BOR TECHNIQUES
Authors: YOUSIF B. F. , EL-TAYEB N. S. M.
Published: July 2007

In the current decade, introducing water as a lubricant for tribo-engineering materials has become a concern for many researchers. In the present study, the wear and friction characteristics of a polyester (CGRP) composite reinforced with a chopped glass mat (CSM) 450 g/m2 was investigated under dry and wet conditions against a polished, stainless steel counterface. Two techniques known as Pin on Disc (POD) and Block on Ring (BOR) were used to perform the experimental tests. The tests were conducted on a newly developed machine that could carry out both techniques. The effects of the applied load (30, 50, 70, 100 N ), sliding velocity (2.8 and 3.9 m/s), and test duration (5–30 min) on wear rates and the coefficients of friction were investigated. Under dry conditions, the temperature of the interface was measured with an infrared thermometer. Worn surface morphologies of the composite were observed with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and damage features were characterized. The results showed that the test technique and conditions had significant influences on the wear and friction performance of the CGRP composite. The presence of water as a lubricant enhanced the wear and friction characteristics of the composite as determined by both POD and BOR, and the SEM micrographs demonstrated several damage features under dry/wet conditions, e.g., deformation, as well as fiber peeling, cracking, and cutting.
INTRODUCTION OF COATING TECHNOLOGY OF SUPERFINE PARTICLE SURFACE
Authors: SONG JIEGUANG , ZHANG LIANMENG , LI JUNGUO , SONG JIANRONG
Published: July 2007

With the fast development of new materials investigation, attention is paid to. The performance of superfine powders, which must be modified on the surface to acquire some points. Coating technology of particles is one especial method of surface modification. In this paper, coating methods of particles are classified into solid state, liquid state, and gaseous state, main methods and mechanisms during current time are reviewed, respectively, and some research examples are listed. The choice of diversified coating technologies is decided synthetically based on powder materials, performance of the modified substance, and application of coated powders. In the future, the researches of the core-shell modification mechanism, coated particles with an ordered arrangement coating layer, a new surface active agent, the facilities of suiting surface modification, and the evaluation methodology of the surface coating effect are very exigent and necessary for the preparation and application of superfine powders.
STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF n-TYPE POROUS SILICON — EFFECT OF HF CONCENTRATION
Authors: JEYAKUMARAN N. , NATARAJAN B. , RAMAMURTHY S. , VASU V.
Published: July 2007

Porous silicon layers have been prepared from n-type silicon wafers of (100) orientation. SEM, XRD, FTIR, and PL have been used to characterize the morphological and optical properties of porous silicon. The influence of varying HF concentration in the anodizing solution, on structural and optical properties of porous silicon has been investigated. It is observed that pore size increases with HF:ethanol concentration ratio and attain maximum for 1:2 ratio and then decreases.
LARGE PORTFOLIO CREDIT RISK MODELING
Authors: DAVIS MARK H. A. , ESPARRAGOZA-RODRIGUEZ JUAN CARLOS
Published: July 2007

A model for large portfolio credit risk is developed by using results on the asymptotic behavior of stochastic networks. An efficient pricing technique is proposed using a newly-introduced quadrature algorithm. Accurate calibration to iTraxx tranche spreads is demonstrated.
Asymmetric Effects on East Asian Financial Integration: Is There "Japanese Dominance"?
Authors: Huang Ying , Guo Feng
Published: July 2007

This paper examines the extent of asymmetric effects and the hypothesis of Japanese dominance in East Asian financial integration by analyzing the transmission mechanism to local interest rates from interest rates originating in both Japan and the US. The results support a weak version of the hypothesis in the cases of Malaysia and Taiwan, since there exist unidirectional causality effects from Japan. In addition, empirical evidence indicates that the sensitivity of local interest rates to US interest rate has declined in Korea and Thailand after they abandoned pegged exchange rate regimes in the post-crisis period.
Exchange Rate Volatility and the Asian Financial Crisis: Evidence from South Korea and ASEAN-5
Authors: Baharumshah Ahmad Zubaidi , Wooi Hooy Chee
Published: July 2007

This paper investigates the degree of volatility and asymmetric behavior of real exchange rates in East Asian. Exponential generalized autoregressive heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) is deployed to estimate the volatility of the exchange rate returns before and after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. We found that the EGARCH (1,1) specification fits the monthly currency series of the Asian currencies well, suggesting that volatility in exchange rates is time varying and asymmetric. The results show that before the crisis, only three currencies displayed evidence of asymmetries in their conditional variance. After the sharp fall in their currencies, all but one showed a significant increase in volatility and asymmetric effect. We conclude that the crisis caused a contagion that spread through the currency markets. The results of this study underline the importance of economic and political stability in the member countries for the stability of the regional economy.
DEGENERATE COCYCLE WITH INDEX-1 AND LYAPUNOV EXPONENTS
Authors: DU NGUYEN HUU , DUY TRINH KHANH , VIET VU TIEN
Published: July 2007

This paper deals with the solvability of initial-value problem and with Lyapunov exponents for linear implicit random difference equations, i.e. the difference equations where the leading term cannot be solved. An index-1 concept for linear implicit random difference equations is introduced and a formula of solutions is given. Paper is also concerned with a version of the multiplicative theorem of Oseledets type.
ABOUT THE POWER TO ENFORCE AND PREVENT CONSENSUS BY MANIPULATING COMMUNICATION RULES
Authors: LORENZ JAN , URBIG DIEMO
Published: July 2007

We explore the possibilities of enforcing and preventing consensus in continuous opinion dynamics that result from modifications in the communication rules. We refer to the model of Weisbuch and Deffuant, where n agents adjust their continuous opinions as a result of random pairwise encounters whenever their opinions differ not more than a given bound of confidence ε. A high ε leads to consensus, while a lower ε leads to a fragmentation into several opinion clusters. We drop the random encounter assumption and ask: How small may ε be such that consensus is still possible with a certain communication plan for the entire group? Mathematical analysis shows that ε may be significantly smaller than in the random pairwise case. On the other hand, we ask: How large may ε be such that preventing consensus is still possible? In answering this question, we prove Fortunato's simulation result that consensus cannot be prevented for ε > 0.5 for large groups. Next, we consider opinion dynamics under different individual strategies and examine their power to increase the chances of consensus. One result is that balancing agents increase chances of consensus, especially if the agents are cautious in adapting their opinions. However, curious agents increase chances of consensus only if those agents are not cautious in adapting their opinions.
SCALE-FREE EVOLVING NETWORKS WITH ACCELERATED ATTACHMENT
Authors: QIN SEN , DAI GUANZHONG , WANG LIN , FAN MING
Published: July 2007

A new evolving network based on the scale-free network of Barabási and Albert (BA) is studied, and the accelerated attachment of new edges is considered in its evolving process. The accelerated attachment is different from the previous accelerated growth of edges and has two particular meanings in this paper. One is that a new vertex with the edges is inserted into the network with acceleration at each time step; the other is that, with a given probability, some additional edges are linked with the vertices in proportion to the number of their obtained edges in the latest evolving periods. The new model describes the cases of those complex networks with a few exceptional vertices. The attachment mechanism of the new adding edges for these vertices does not follow the preferential attachment rule. Comparing with the linear edge growth model, the characteristics of the accelerated growth model are studied theoretically and numerically. We show that the degree distributions of these models have a power law decay and the exponents are larger than that of the BA model. We point out that the characteristics of the exceptional vertices and the aging vertices in an aging network are not identical. The reasons for neglecting this attachment in most of evolving networks are also summarized.
SYMMETRIC INTERPOLATORY FRAMELETS AND THEIR ERASURE RECOVERY PROPERTIES
Authors: AMRANI OFER , AVERBUCH AMIR , COHEN TAMIR , ZHELUDEV VALERY A.
Published: July 2007

A new class of wavelet-type frames in signal space that uses (anti)symmetric waveforms is presented. The construction employs interpolatory filters with rational transfer functions. These filters have linear phase. They are amenable either to fast cascading or parallel recursive implementation. Robust error recovery algorithms are developed by utilizing the redundancy inherent in frame expansions. Experimental results recover images when (as much as) 60% of the expansion coefficients are either lost or corrupted. The proposed approach inflates the size of the image through framelet expansion and multilevel decomposition thus providing redundant representation of the image. Finally, the frame-based error recovery algorithm is compared with a classical coding approach.
NEURO-WAVELET CLASSIFIER FOR MULTISPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING IMAGES
Authors: SHANKAR B. UMA , MEHER SAROJ K. , GHOSH ASHISH
Published: July 2007

A neuro-wavelet supervised classifier is proposed for land cover classification of multispectral remote sensing images. Features extracted from the original pixels information using wavelet transform (WT) are fed as input to a feed forward multi-layer neural network (MLP). The WT basically provides the spatial and spectral features of a pixel along with its neighbors and these features are used for improved classification. For testing the performance of the proposed method, we have used two IRS-1A satellite images and one SPOT satellite image. Results are compared with those of the original spectral feature based classifiers and found to be consistently better. Simulation study revealed that Biorthogonal 3.3 (Bior3.3) wavelet in combination with MLP performed better compared to all other wavelets. Results are evaluated visually and quantitatively with two measurements, β index of homogeneity and Davies–Bouldin (DB) index for compactness and separability of classes. We suggested a modified β index in accessing the percentage of accuracy (PAβ) of the classified images also.
PARAMETRIZATION OF COMPACTLY SUPPORTED TRIVARIATE ORTHOGONAL WAVELET FILTER
Authors: HUANG YONGDONG , CHENG ZHENGXING
Published: July 2007

Multivariate wavelets analysis is a powerful tool for multi-dimensional signal processing, but tensor product wavelets have a number of drawbacks. In this paper, we give an algorithm of parametric representation compactly supported trivariate orthogonal wavelet filter, which simplifies the study of trivariate orthogonal wavelet. Four examples are also given to demonstrate the method.
ERROR ESTIMATES FOR TIME ACCURATE WAVELET BASED SCHEMES FOR HYPERBOLIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: MEHRA MANI , KUMAR B. V. RATHISH
Published: July 2007

In this study, we derive error estimates for time accurate wavelet based schemes in two stages. First we look at the semi-discrete boundary value problem as a Cauchy problem and use spectral decomposition of self adjoint operators to arrive at the temporal error estimates both in L2 and energy norms. Later, following the wavelet approximation theory, we propose spatial error estimates in L2 and energy norms. And finally arrive at a priori estimates for the fully discrete problem.
WAVELETS WITH FOURIER TRANSFORM DISCONTINUOUS AT THE ORIGIN
Authors: BEHERA BISWARANJAN
Published: July 2007

We construct a familiy of band-limited wavelets with Fourier transform discontinuous at the origin.
AUTONOMOUS LEARNING OF THE SEMANTICS OF INTERNAL SENSORY STATES BASED ON MOTOR EXPLORATION
Authors: CHOE YOONSUCK , YANG HUEI-FANG , ENG DANIEL CHERN-YEOW
Published: July 2007

What is available to developmental programs in autonomous mental development, and what should be learned at the very early stages of mental development? Our observation is that sensory and motor primitives are the most basic components present at the beginning, and what developmental agents need to learn from these resources is what their internal sensory states stand for. In this paper, we investigate the question in the context of a simple biologically motivated visuomotor agent. We observe and acknowledge, as many other researchers do, that action plays a key role in providing content to the sensory state. We propose a simple, yet powerful learning criterion, that of invariance, where invariance simply means that the internal state does not change over time. We show that after reinforcement learning based on the invariance criterion, the property of action sequence based on an internal sensory state accurately reflects the property of the stimulus that triggered that internal state. That way, the meaning of the internal sensory state can be firmly grounded on the property of that particular action sequence. We expect the framing of the problem and the proposed solution presented in this paper to help shed new light on autonomous understanding in developmental agents such as humanoid robots.
Effect of baroreflex loading on the responsiveness of the vestibulosympathetic reflex in humans
Authors: Dyckman Damian J. , Monahan Kevin D. , Ray Chester A.
Published: July 2007

Activation of the vestibular otolith organs with head-down rotation (HDR) increases muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in humans. Previously, we demonstrated this vestibulosympathetic reflex (VSR) elicits increases in MSNA during baroreflex unloading (i.e., lower body negative pressure) in humans. Whether such an effect persists during baroreflex loading is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the ability of the VSR to increase MSNA is preserved during baroreflex unloading and inhibited during baroreflex loading. Ten subjects (26 ± 1 yr) performed three trials of HDR to activate the VSR. These trials were performed after a period of sustained saline (control), nitroprusside (baroreflex unloading: 0.8–1.0 μg·kg−1·min−1), and phenylephrine (baroreflex loading: 0.6–0.8 μg·kg−1·min−1) infusion. Nitroprusside infusion decreased (Δ7 ± 1 mmHg, where Δ is change; P < 0.001) and phenylephrine infusion increased mean arterial pressure (Δ8 ± 1 mmHg; P < 0.001) at rest. HDR performed during the control [Δ3 ± 2 bursts/min, Δ314 ± 154 arbitrary units (au) total activity, Δ41 ± 18% total activity; P < 0.05] and nitroprusside trials [Δ5 ± 2 bursts/min, Δ713 ± 241 au total activity, Δ49 ± 20% total activity; P < 0.05] increased MSNA similarly despite significantly elevated levels at rest (13 ± 2 to 26 ± 3 bursts/min) in the latter. In contrast, HDR performed during the phenylephrine trial failed to increase MSNA (Δ0 ± 1 bursts/min, Δ−15 ± 33 au total activity, Δ−8 ± 21% total activity). These results confirm previous findings that the ability of the VSR to increase MSNA is preserved during baroreflex unloading. In contrast, the ability of the VSR to increase MSNA is abolished during baroreflex loading. These results provide further support for the concept that the VSR may act primarily to defend against hypotension in humans.
Evaluation of alterations on mitral annulus velocities, strain, and strain rates due to abrupt changes in preload elicited by parabolic flight
Authors: Caiani E. G. , Weinert L. , Takeuchi M. , Veronesi F. , Sugeng L. , Corsi C. , Capderou A. , Cerutti S. , Vaïda P. , Lang R. M.
Published: July 2007

We tested the hypothesis that in normal subjects, cardiac tissue velocities, strain, and strain rates (SR), measured by Doppler tissue echocardiography (DTE), are preload dependent. To accomplish it, immediately preceding image acquisition, reversible, repeatable, acute nonpharmacological changes in preload were induced by parabolic flight. DTE has been proposed as a new approach to assess left ventricular regional myocardial function by computing tissue velocities, strain, and SR. However, preload dependence of these parameters in normal subjects still remains controversial. DTE images (Philips) were obtained in 10 normal subjects in standing upright position at normogravity (1 G z), hypergravity (1.8 G z), and microgravity (0 G z) with and without −50 mmHg lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Myocardial velocity curves in the basal interventricular septum were reconstituted offline from DTE images, from which peak systolic (S′), early (E′) and late (A′) diastolic velocities, SR, and peak systolic strain (PSε) were measured and averaged over four beats. At 1.8 G z (reduced venous return), S′, E′, and A′ decreased by 21%, 21%, and 26%, respectively, compared with 1-G z values, while at 0 G z (augmented venous return), E′, A′, and PSε increased by 57%, 53%, and 49%, respectively. LBNP reduced E′ and PSε. In conclusion, our results were in agreement with those obtained in animal models, in which preload was changed in a controlled, acute, and reversible manner, and image acquisition was performed immediately following preload modifications. The hypothesis of preload dependence was confirmed for S′, E′, A′, and PSε, while SR appeared to be preload independent, probably reflecting intrinsic myocardial properties.
Noise-Induced Alternations in an Attractor Network Model of Perceptual Bistability
Authors: Moreno-Bote Rubén , Rinzel John , Rubin Nava
Published: July 2007

When a stimulus supports two distinct interpretations, perception alternates in an irregular manner between them. What causes the bistable perceptual switches remains an open question. Most existing models assume that switches arise from a slow fatiguing process, such as adaptation or synaptic depression. We develop a new, attractor-based framework in which alternations are induced by noise and are absent without it. Our model goes beyond previous energy-based conceptualizations of perceptual bistability by constructing a neurally plausible attractor model that is implemented in both firing rate mean-field and spiking cell-based networks. The model accounts for known properties of bistable perceptual phenomena, most notably the increase in alternation rate with stimulation strength observed in binocular rivalry. Furthermore, it makes a novel prediction about the effect of changing stimulus strength on the activity levels of the dominant and suppressed neural populations, a prediction that could be tested with functional MRI or electrophysiological recordings. The neural architecture derived from the energy-based model readily generalizes to several competing populations, providing a natural extension for multistability phenomena.
Physiology of Morphologically Identified Cells in the Posterior Caudal Lobe of the Mormyrid Cerebellum
Authors: Zhang Yueping , Han Victor Z.
Published: July 2007

The cerebellum of the mormyrid fish consists of three major divisions: the valvula, the central lobes, and the caudal lobes. Several studies have focused on the central lobes and the valvula, but little is known about the caudal lobes. The mormyrid caudal lobe includes anterior and posterior components. The anterior caudal lobe is associated with the lateral line and eighth nerve end organs, whereas the posterior caudal lobe is associated with the electrosensory system. The present study examines the physiology and pharmacology of morphologically identified Purkinje cells and efferent cells in an in vitro slice preparation of the posterior caudal lobe. We found that the Purkinje cells in the posterior caudal lobe can be classified into three subtypes based on both their morphology and on their physiological responses to intracellular current injection and to synaptic inputs from parallel fibers and climbing fibers. Similarities and differences between the physiology of the caudal lobe and that of other regions of the mormyrid cerebellum and the mammalian cerebellum are discussed.
The Varying Value of Children
Authors: Nauck Bernhard , Klaus Daniela
Published: July 2007

Using data from the Value of Children (VOC) replication study in 2002/3, the value of children for their parents is investigated cross-culturally for different age groups in 11 countries (South Korea, People's Republic of China, Indonesia, India, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, South Africa, Ghana, Germany and the Czech Republic). As a prerequisite, the cross-national equivalence of the VOC measurement is established in calculating the overall and the particular country-specific factorial structures. The analysis results in a three-dimensional structure of the VOC, namely comfort, social esteem and affect. This structure is replicated for every national group, and the resulting scales are of high internal consistency as revealed by the respective alpha coefficients. Additionally, the data are also tested for culture-specific response styles, for which the final VOC comparisons are controlled by means of a bias index. The findings indicate children's importance for comfort and esteem to be highest in high-fertility countries with lineage-based kinship systems and low affluence, while it is lowest in low-fertility countries with high affluence and a state-based insurance system. Affect is very high across all countries with only minor variations.
A systematic review of conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Piazzini D.B. , Aprile I. , Ferrara P.E. , Bertolini C. , Tonali P. , Maggi L. , Rabini A. , Piantelli S. , Padua L.
Published: July 2007

Objective : To assess the effectiveness of conservative therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Data sources : A computer-aided search of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from January 1985 to May 2006.

Review methods : RCTs were included if: (1) the patients, with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome, had not previously undergone surgical release, (2) the efficacy of one or more conservative treatment options was evaluated, (3) the study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and performed data extraction using a standardized form. In order to assess the methodological quality, the criteria list of the Cochrane Back Review Group for systematic reviews was applied. The different treatment methods were grouped (local injections, oral therapies, physical therapies, therapeutic exercises and splints).

Results : Thirty-three RCTs were included in the review. The studies were analysed to determine the strength of the available evidence for the efficacy of the treatment. Our review shows that: (1) locally injected steroids produce a significant but temporary improvement, (2) vitamin B6 is ineffective, (3) steroids are better than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and diuretics, but they can produce side-effects, (4) ultrasound is effective while laser therapy shows variable results, (5) exercise therapy is not effective, (6) splints are effective, especially if used full-time.

Conclusion : There is: (1) strong evidence (level 1) on efficacy of local and oral steroids; (2) moderate evidence (level 2) that vitamin B6 is ineffective and splints are effective and (3) limited or conflicting evidence (level 3) that NSAIDs, diuretics, yoga, laser and ultrasound are effective whereas exercise therapy and botulinum toxin B injection are ineffective.
An in vitro blood culture for evaluating the genotoxicity of titanium dioxide: the responses of antioxidant enzymes
Authors: Türkez Hasan , Geyikoğlu Fatime
Published: July 2007

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2) is extensively used in many industrial areas, including cosmetics, pharmaceutical, paint and paper production. Although the uses of TiO 2 have become so widespread, there is limited information concerning its toxicity on humans. However, the genotoxicity of TiO2 remains to be controversial. The possible genotoxic effects of TiO2 have been evaluated in human whole blood cultures (WBCs) related to oxidative status. The blood was processed to examine the following oxidative stress markers: glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, the frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints. Different concentrations of TiO2 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7.5 and 10 μM) were tested. From the results, it appeared that TiO2 was able to induce genotoxic effects, as observed by the increases found in SCE and MN frequencies in TiO2-treated cultures. Present results also show that treatments with TiO2 promoted oxidative stress in human WBC with an increase in concentrations. In conclusion, our data indicate that TiO2 can enhance oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage in vitro. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2007; 23: 19—23.
Differential actions of insecticides on target sites: basis for selective toxicity
Authors: Narahashi T. , Zhao X. , Ikeda T. , Nagata K. , Yeh JZ
Published: July 2007

Whereas the selective toxicity of insecticides between insects and mammals has a long history of studies, it is now becoming abundantly clear that, in many cases, the differential action of insecticides on insects and mammalian target receptor sites is an important factor. In this paper, we first introduce the mechanism of action and the selective toxicity of pyrethroids as a prototype of study. Then, a more detailed account is given for fipronil, based primarily on our recent studies. Pyrethroids keep the sodium channels open for a prolonged period of time, causing elevation of the depolarizing after-potential. Once the after-potential reaches the threshold for excitation, repetitive after-discharges are produced, resulting in hyperexcitation of intoxicated animals. Only about 1% of sodium channels needs to be modified to produce hyperexcitation, indicating a high degree of toxicity amplification from sodium channels to animals. Pyrethroids were >1000-fold more potent on cockroach sodium channels than rat sodium channels, and this forms the most significant factor to explain the selective toxicity of pyrethroids in insects over mammals. Fipronil, a phenylpyrazole, is known to act on the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor to block the chloride channel. It is effective against certain species of insects that have become resistant to most insecticides, including those acting on the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, and is much more toxic to insects than to mammals. Recently, fipronil has been found to block glutamate-activated chloride channels in cockroach neurons in a potent manner. Since mammals are devoid of this type of chloride channel, fipronil block of the glutamate-activated chloride channel is deemed responsible, at least partially, for the higher selective toxicity to insects over mammals and for the lack of cross-resistance. Human & Experimental Toxicology (2007) 26, 361-366
Transcriptome profiling of the small intestinal epithelium in germfree versus conventional piglets
Authors: Chowdhury Shankar R , King Dale E , Willing Benjamin P , Band Mark R , Beever Jonathan E , Lane Adrienne B , Loor Juan J , Marini Juan C , Rund Laurie A , Schook Lawrence B , Van Kessel Andrew G , Gaskins H Rex
Published: July 2007

Background

To gain insight into host-microbe interactions in a piglet model, a functional genomics approach was used to address the working hypothesis that transcriptionally regulated genes associated with promoting epithelial barrier function are activated as a defensive response to the intestinal microbiota. Cesarean-derived germfree (GF) newborn piglets were colonized with adult swine feces, and villus and crypt epithelial cell transcriptomes from colonized and GF neonatal piglets were compared using laser-capture microdissection and high-density porcine oligonucleotide microarray technology.

Results

Consistent with our hypothesis, resident microbiota induced the expression of genes contributing to intestinal epithelial cell turnover, mucus biosynthesis, and priming of the immune system. Furthermore, differential expression of genes associated with antigen presentation (pan SLA class I, B2M, TAP1 and TAPBP) demonstrated that microbiota induced immune responses using a distinct regulatory mechanism common for these genes. Specifically, gene network analysis revealed that microbial colonization activated both type I (IFNAR) and type II (IFNGR) interferon receptor mediated signaling cascades leading to enhanced expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT2 and IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) transcription factors and the induction of IFN-inducible genes as a reflection of intestinal epithelial inflammation. In addition, activated RNA expression of NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (NFκBIA; a.k.a I-kappa-B-alpha, IKBα) and toll interacting protein (TOLLIP), both inhibitors of inflammation, along with downregulated expression of the immunoregulatory transcription factor GATA binding protein-1 (GATA1) is consistent with the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.

Conclusion

This study supports the concept that the intestinal epithelium has evolved to maintain a physiological state of inflammation with respect to continuous microbial exposure, which serves to sustain a tight intestinal barrier while preventing overt inflammatory responses that would compromise barrier function.
Characterization of the dsDNA prophage sequences in the genome of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and visualization of productive bacteriophage
Authors: Piekarowicz Andrzej , Kłyż Aneta , Majchrzak Michał , Adamczyk-Popławska Monika , Maugel Timothy K , Stein Daniel C
Published: July 2007

Background

Bioinformatic analysis of the genome sequence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae revealed the presence of nine probable prophage islands. The distribution, conservation and function of many of these sequences, and their ability to produce bacteriophage particles are unknown.

Results

Our analysis of the genomic sequence of FA1090 identified five genomic regions (NgoΦ1 – 5) that are related to dsDNA lysogenic phage. The genetic content of the dsDNA prophage sequences were examined in detail and found to contain blocks of genes encoding for proteins homologous to proteins responsible for phage DNA replication, structural proteins and proteins responsible for phage assembly. The DNA sequences from NgoΦ1, NgoΦ2 and NgoΦ3 contain some significant regions of identity. A unique region of NgoΦ2 showed very high similarity with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa generalized transducing phage F116. Comparative analysis at the nucleotide and protein levels suggests that the sequences of NgoΦ1 and NgoΦ2 encode functionally active phages, while NgoΦ3, NgoΦ4 and NgoΦ5 encode incomplete genomes. Expression of the NgoΦ1 and NgoΦ2 repressors in Escherichia coli inhibit the growth of E. coli and the propagation of phage λ. The NgoΦ2 repressor was able to inhibit transcription of N. gonorrhoeae genes and Haemophilus influenzae HP1 phage promoters. The holin gene of NgoΦ1 (identical to that encoded by NgoΦ2), when expressed in E. coli, could serve as substitute for the phage λ s gene. We were able to detect the presence of the DNA derived from NgoΦ1 in the cultures of N. gonorrhoeae. Electron microscopy analysis of culture supernatants revealed the presence of multiple forms of bacteriophage particles.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the genes similar to dsDNA lysogenic phage present in the gonococcus are generally conserved in this pathogen and that they are able to regulate the expression of other neisserial genes. Since phage particles were only present in culture supernatants after induction with mitomycin C, it indicates that the gonococcus also regulates the expression of bacteriophage genes.
Recombinant production of Streptococcus equisimilis streptokinase by Streptomyces lividans
Authors: Pimienta Elsa , Ayala Julio C , Rodríguez Caridad , Ramos Astrid , Van Mellaert Lieve , Vallín Carlos , Anné Jozef
Published: July 2007

Background

Streptokinase (SK) is a potent plasminogen activator with widespread clinical use as a thrombolytic agent. It is naturally secreted by several strains of beta-haemolytic streptococci. The low yields obtained in SK production, lack of developed gene transfer methodology and the pathogenesis of its natural host have been the principal reasons to search for a recombinant source for this important therapeutic protein. We report here the expression and secretion of SK by the Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces lividans. The structural gene encoding SK was fused to the Streptomyces venezuelae CBS762.70 subtilisin inhibitor (vsi) signal sequence or to the Streptomyces lividans xylanase C (xlnC) signal sequence. The native Vsi protein is translocated via the Sec pathway while the native XlnC protein uses the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway.

Results

SK yield in the spent culture medium of S. lividans was higher when the Sec-dependent signal peptide mediates the SK translocation. Using a 1.5 L fermentor, the secretory production of the Vsi-SK fusion protein reached up to 15 mg SK/l. SK was partially purified from the culture supernatant by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography. A 44-kDa degradation product co-eluted with the 47-kDa mature SK. The first amino acid residues of the S. lividans-produced SK were identical with those of the expected N-terminal sequence. The Vsi signal peptide was thus correctly cleaved off and the N-terminus of mature Vsi-SK fusion protein released by S. lividans remained intact. This result also implicates that the processing of the recombinant SK secreted by Streptomyces probably occurred at its C-terminal end, as in its native host Streptococcus equisimilis. The specific activity of the partially purified Streptomyces-derived SK was determined at 2661 IU/mg protein.

Conclusion

Heterologous expression of Streptococcus equisimilis ATCC9542 skc-2 in Streptomyces lividans was successfully achieved. SK can be translocated via both the Sec and the Tat pathway in S. lividans, but yield was about 30 times higher when the SK was fused to the Sec-dependent Vsi signal peptide compared to the fusion with the Tat-dependent signal peptide of S. lividans xylanase C. Small-scale fermentation led to a fourfold improvement of secretory SK yield in S. lividans compared to lab-scale conditions. The partially purified SK showed biological activity. Streptomyces lividans was shown to be a valuable host for the production of a world-wide important, biopharmaceutical product in a bio-active form.
Transcriptional recapitulation and subversion of embryonic colon development by mouse colon tumor models and human colon cancer
Authors: Kaiser Sergio , Park Young-Kyu , Franklin Jeffrey L , Halberg Richard B , Yu Ming , Jessen Walter J , Freudenberg Johannes , Chen Xiaodi , Haigis Kevin , Jegga Anil G , Kong Sue , Sakthivel Bhuvaneswari , Xu Huan , Reichling Timothy , Azhar Mohammad , Boivin Gregory P , Roberts Reade B , Bissahoyo Anika C , Gonzales Fausto , Bloom Greg C , Eschrich Steven , Carter Scott L , Aronow Jeremy E , Kleimeyer John , Kleimeyer Michael , Ramaswamy Vivek , Settle Stephen H , Boone Braden , Levy Shawn , Graff Jonathan M , Doetschman Thomas , Groden Joanna , Dove William F , Threadgill David W , Yeatman Timothy J , Coffey Robert J , Aronow Bruce J
Published: July 2007

Background

The expression of carcino-embryonic antigen by colorectal cancer is an example of oncogenic activation of embryonic gene expression. Hypothesizing that oncogenesis-recapitulating-ontogenesis may represent a broad programmatic commitment, we compared gene expression patterns of human colorectal cancers (CRCs) and mouse colon tumor models to those of mouse colon development embryonic days 13.5-18.5.

Results

We report here that 39 colon tumors from four independent mouse models and 100 human CRCs encompassing all clinical stages shared a striking recapitulation of embryonic colon gene expression. Compared to normal adult colon, all mouse and human tumors over-expressed a large cluster of genes highly enriched for functional association to the control of cell cycle progression, proliferation, and migration, including those encoding MYC, AKT2, PLK1 and SPARC. Mouse tumors positive for nuclear β-catenin shifted the shared embryonic pattern to that of early development. Human and mouse tumors differed from normal embryonic colon by their loss of expression modules enriched for tumor suppressors (EDNRB, HSPE, KIT and LSP1). Human CRC adenocarcinomas lost an additional suppressor module (IGFBP4, MAP4K1, PDGFRA, STAB1 and WNT4). Many human tumor samples also gained expression of a coordinately regulated module associated with advanced malignancy (ABCC1, FOXO3A, LIF, PIK3R1, PRNP, TNC, TIMP3 and VEGF).

Conclusion

Cross-species, developmental, and multi-model gene expression patterning comparisons provide an integrated and versatile framework for definition of transcriptional programs associated with oncogenesis. This approach also provides a general method for identifying pattern-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This delineation and categorization of developmental and non-developmental activator and suppressor gene modules can thus facilitate the formulation of sophisticated hypotheses to evaluate potential synergistic effects of targeting within- and between-modules for next-generation combinatorial therapeutics and improved mouse models.
Model reliability for 3D electrical resistivity tomography: Application of the volume of investigation index to a time-lapse monitoring experiment
Authors: Oldenborger Greg A. , Routh Partha S. , Knoll Michael D.
Published: July 2007

Solution appraisal is difficult for large 3D, nonlinear inverse problems such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). We construct the volume of investigation index (VOI) as the sensitivity of the inversion result to a variable-reference model. This limited exploration of the model space provides an efficient and pragmatic method of appraisal for a particular data set and a 3D model domain. We present a synthetic example to demonstrate the applicability of the VOI as a tool for characterizing model reliability for 3D ERT and as a method of survey design. We show how the VOI provides a measure of model resolution and how insight gained from VOI analysis cannot be gained through similar examination of the average sensitivity distributions. In the context of ERT monitoring of an injection/withdrawal experiment, we utilize the VOI for judging the degree of reliability of hydrogeological interpretations that stem from features observed in the estimated electrical-conductivity models. We employ the VOI for the experimental data as a comparative measure of survey performance. For this experiment, the VOI shows that a larger, more artifact-free region of reliability is achieved using a circulating vertical dipole-dipole survey geometry, as opposed to a horizontal dipole-dipole survey geometry. The experimental VOI distributions exhibit dependence on the borehole infrastructure and the actual earth model.
The IL-4/IL-13/Stat6 signalling pathway promotes luminal mammary epithelial cell development
Authors: Khaled Walid T. , Read Eliot K. C. , Nicholson Sandra E. , Baxter Fiona O. , Brennan Amelia J. , Came Paul J. , Sprigg Naomi , McKenzie Andrew N. J. , Watson Christine J.
Published: July 2007

Naïve T helper cells differentiate into Th1 and Th2 subsets, which have unique cytokine signatures, activators and transcriptional targets. The Th1/Th2 cytokine milieu is a key paradigm in lineage commitment, and IL-4(Il4), IL-13 (Il13) and Stat6 are important mediators of Th2 development. We show here, for the first time, that this paradigm applies also to mammary epithelial cells, which undergo a switch from Th1 to Th2 cytokine production upon the induction of differentiation. Thus, the Th1 cytokines IL-12 (Il12),interferon gamma (INFγ; also known as Ifng) and Tnfα are downregulated concomitantly with the upregulation of the Th2 cytokines IL-4,IL-13 and IL-5 (Il5) as epithelial cells commit to the luminal lineage. Moreover, we show that Th2 cytokines play a crucial role in mammary gland development in vivo, because differentiation and alveolar morphogenesis are reduced in both Stat6 and IL-4/IL-13 doubly deficient mice during pregnancy. This unexpected discovery demonstrates a role for immune cell cytokines in epithelial cell fate and function, and adds an unexpected tier of complexity to the previously held paradigm that steroid and peptide hormones are the primary regulators of mammary gland development.