bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Duloxetine in acute major depression: review of comparisons to placebo and standard antidepressants using dissimilar methods
Authors: Girardi Paolo , Pompili Maurizio , Innamorati Marco , Mancini Michele , Serafini Gianluca , Mazzarini Lorenzo , Del Casale Antonio , Tatarelli Roberto , Baldessarini Ross J.
Published: February 2009

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of duloxetine (DLX), an inhibitor of both norepinephrine and serotonin transporters (SNRI), have tested its efficacy in acute major depressive disorder (MDD) versus placebo (PBO) or standard serotonin‐reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and require review, comparing analytical methods.

Method

Computerized searching to identify reports of RCTs of DLX in adult, acute MDD patients permitted meta‐analytic pooling to estimate overall response and remission rates, to compare mixed‐model, repeated measures (MMRM) versus last‐observations‐carried‐forward (LOCF) analytical methods, and to assess relations of DLX dose to efficacy and adverse outcomes.

Results

We identified 17 RCTs involving 22 comparisons (DLX versus PBO [n = 17) and DLX versus an SRI [n = 16]), based on MMRM and LOCF methods that allowed estimates of response (≥50% improvement of depression scores) or remission (final depression score ≤7). There was a large overall DLX/PBO contrast (LOCF, RR = 1.42 [CI: 1.31–1.53], p < 0.0001, with a success rate of 65% [11/17]), and somewhat larger effects with MMRM in both response (MMRM: RR = 1.48 [95%CI: 1.31–1.66] versus LOCF: RR = 1.41 [CI: 1.28–1.56]; NNT 4.8 versus 6.5) and remission (MMRM: RR = 1.61 [CI: 1.41–1.85] versus LOCF: RR = 1.44 [CI: 1.27–1.63]; NNT = 5.9 versus 8.9). Based on LOCF methods, dropout rates were similar with DLX and PBO (RR = 1.04 [CI: 0.94–1.15]); DLX response was dose‐dependent (r = +0.72, p = 0.001), and RCT‐dropout rates were inversely related to DLX dose, but possibly artifactually.

Limitations

RCTs involving DLX are limited, with few direct comparisons to standard antidepressants.

Conclusions

DLX has good evidence of efficacy in acute, adult MDD, especially at doses of 80–120 mg/day, but remains inadequately tested against standard alternatives. MMRM analyses yielded slightly superior FLX/PBO contrasts than older LOCF methods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of apoptosis related proteins regulated by proto‐oncogene protein DEK
Authors: Kim Dong‐Wook , Chae Jung‐IL , Kim Ji‐Young , Pak Jhang Ho , Koo Deog‐Bon , Bahk Young Yil , Seo Sang‐Beom
Published: February 2009

A nuclear phosphoprotein, DEK, is implicated in certain human diseases, such as leukemia and antoimmune disorders, and a major component of metazoan chromatin. Basically as a modulator of chromatin structure, it can involve in various DNA and RNA‐dependent processes and function as either an activator or repressor. Despite of numerous efforts to suggest the biological role of DEK, direct target proteins of DEK in different physiological status remains elusive. To investigate if DEK protein triggers the changes in certain protein networks, DEK was knocked down at both types of cell clones using siRNA expression. Here we provide a catalogue of proteome profiles in total cell lysates derived from normal HeLa and DEK knock‐down HeLa cells and a good in vitro model system for dissecting the protein networks due to this proto‐oncogenic DEK protein. In this biological context, we compared total proteome changes by the combined methods of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, quantitative image analysis and MALDI‐TOF MS analysis. There were a large number of targets for DEK, which were differentially expressed in DEK knock‐down cells and consisted of 58 proteins (41 up‐regulated and 17 down‐regulated) differentially regulated expression was further confirmed for some subsets of candidates by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. In the identified 58 spots, 16% of proteins are known to be associated with apoptosis. Among others, we identified apoptosis related proteins such as Annexins, Enolase1, Lamin A, and Glutathione‐S‐transferase omega 1. These results are consistent with recent studies indicating the crucial role of DEK in apoptosis pathway. We further demonstrated by ChIP analysis that knock‐down of DEK caused hyperacetylation of histones around Prx VI promoter which is upregulated in our profile. Using immunoblotting analysis, we have demonstrated the modulation of other caspase‐dependent apoptosis related proteins by DEK knock‐down and further implicate its role in apoptosis pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1048–1059, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
9‐bromonoscapine‐induced mitotic arrest of cigarette smoke condensate‐transformed breast epithelial cells
Authors: Jaiswal Aruna S. , Aneja Ritu , Connors Shahnjayla K. , Joshi Harish C. , Multani Asha S. , Pathak Sen , Narayan Satya
Published: February 2009

In the present investigation, we determined the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 9‐bromonoscapine (Br‐Nos), a more potent noscapine analog, on MCF10A, spontaneously immortalized human normal breast epithelial cells and MCF10A‐CSC3, cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)‐transformed cells. The results from cytogenetic analysis showed that Br‐Nos induced polyploidy and telomeric association in MCF10A‐CSC3 cells, while MCF10A cells remained unaffected. Our immunofluorescence data further demonstrated that MCF10A‐CSC3 cells were susceptible to mitotic catastrophe on exposure to Br‐Nos and failed to recover after drug withdrawal. MCF10A‐CSC3 cells exhibited Br‐Nos‐induced aberrant multipolar spindle formation, which irreversibly impaired the alignment of replicated chromosome to the equatorial plane and finally culminated in cell death. Although MCF10A cells upon Br‐Nos treatment showed bipolar spindles with some uncongressed chromosomes, these cells recovered fairly well after drug withdrawal. Our flow‐cytometry analysis data reconfirmed that MCF10A‐CSC3 cells were more susceptible to cell death compared to MCF10A cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that decreased levels of cdc2/cyclin B1 and cdc2 kinase activity are responsible for Br‐Nos‐induced mitotic cell arrest leading to cell death in MCF10A‐CSC3 cells. This study thus explores the underlying mechanism of Br‐Nos‐induced mitotic catastrophe in CSC‐transformed MCF10A‐CSC3 cells and its potential usefulness as a chemotherapeutic agent for prevention of cigarette smoke‐induced breast cancer growth. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1146–1156, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Local action of endogenous renal tubular atrial natriuretic peptide
Authors: Lo Chao‐Sheng , Chen Chao‐Hung , Hsieh Tusty‐Jiuan , Lin Kun‐Der , Hsiao Pi‐Jung , Shin Shyi‐Jang
Published: February 2009

Up‐regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA in the kidneys in several disorders has been demonstrated; however, evidence that ANP synthesized by the kidney exerts a local function has never been produced. Therefore, we investigated whether endogenous ANP could modulate high glucose‐stimulated TGF‐β1, collagen type I and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) in NRK‐52E cells using transfection of ANP and ANP small interfering RNA (siANP). NRK‐52E cells were grown with or without transfection with ANP plasmid; cells were also transfected with ANP siRNA or control siRNA. These cells were then stimulated with a high glucose concentration to modulate ANP, TGF‐β1, collagen type I, NF‐κB and IκB‐α, and the results showed that ANP, TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB significantly increased in untransfected cells, and the transfection of ANP significantly attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1, collagen I and NF‐κB expression. ANP siRNA knocked‐down ANP but significantly increased TGF‐β1 and collagen I under normal glucose conditions; ANP siRNA decreased IκB‐α but strongly enhanced high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB. In contrast, medium from ANP‐transfected cells attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1 and collagen type I expression in NRK‐52E cells transfected with siANP. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that siANP increased activation of TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB in NRK‐52E cells under high glucose conditions, and medium from ANP‐transfected cells attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1 and collagen type I. This is the first study to demonstrate the auto/paracrine action of endogenous ANP in renal tubular cells on the attenuation of hyperglycemia‐activated TGF‐β1 and NF‐κB expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 776–786, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rosiglitazone and PPAR‐γ overexpression protect mitochondrial membrane potential and prevent apoptosis by upregulating anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins
Authors: Wu Jui‐Sheng , Lin Teng‐Nan , Wu Kenneth K.
Published: February 2009

To determine the involvement of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) in cytoprotection, we subjected N2‐A cells to oxygen–glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (H‐R). Following H‐R insults, H2O2 production was increased while cell viability declined, which was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, caspases 9 and 3 activation, poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage and apoptosis. Rosiglitazone up to 5 µM protected cell viability, normalized MMP, and prevented apoptotic signals. The protective effect of rosiglitazone was abrogated by GW9662, a PPAR‐γ antagonist, or a specific PPAR‐γ small interference RNA (siRNA) but not a control scRNA. PPAR‐γ overexpression alone was effective in maintaining MMP and preventing apoptosis and its protective effect was also abrogated by PPAR‐γ siRNA or GW9662. To elucidate the mechanism by which PPAR‐γ protects MMP and prevents apoptosis, we analyzed Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xl, and phosphorylated Bad (p‐Bad). H‐R suppressed them. Rosiglitazone or PPAR‐γ overexpression restored them via PPAR‐γ. Rosiglitazone or PPAR‐γ overexpression preserved phosphorylated Akt and 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase‐1 (PDK‐1) in a PPAR‐γ dependent manner. These results indicate that ligand‐activated PPAR‐γ protects N2‐A cells against H‐R damage by enhancing Bcl‐2/Bcl‐xl and maintaining p‐Bad via preservation of p‐Akt. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 58–71, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mergers and acquisitions in Japan: Lessons from a Dutch‐Japanese case study
Authors: Grotenhuis Frits D. J.
Published: February 2009

This article deals with lessons learned from mergers and acquisitions in Japan. In general, such combinations are not success stories, since 50–80 percent of them do not bring the benefits that were expected. Several reasons for such failures have been brought up in the literature, but real‐life cases of the “how” and “why” are very limited or fragmented, especially in a Japanese context. This study enhances a more integral approach into Dutch‐Japanese acquisitions. Based on an in‐depth Dutch‐Japanese case study and a literature review, it can be concluded that the preparation of mergers and acquisitions with Japanese organizations should be focused on (1) knowledge about the target company and its context, (2) strategic issues, and (3) leadership and cultural issues, in order to prevent culture clashes and misunderstandings, and increase the chances of success. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Legal developments—Gender issues now, and increasingly in the U.S. and EU spotlight
Authors: MacGillivray Elizabeth D. , Beecher H. Juanita M. , Golden Deirdre
Published: February 2009

ORC Worldwide believes that gender diversity will be an increasingly important issue in 2009 as both the United States and the European Union continue to focus on improving the status of women in the workplace and elsewhere. The new Obama administration is expected to quickly pass a number of new initiatives on gender pay discrimination, to reverse the Ledbetter decision as well as to revitalize the Equal Pay Act. The following is an update of the status of gender diversity in the third quarter of 2008. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impairments of speed and amplitude of movement in Parkinson's disease: A pilot study
Authors: Espay Alberto J. , Beaton Dorcas E. , Morgante Francesca , Gunraj Carolyn A. , Lang Anthony E. , Chen Robert
Published: February 2009

Bradykinesia, characterized by slowness and decreased amplitude of movement, is often considered the most important deficit in Parkinson's disease (PD). The current clinical rating of bradykinesia in PD, based on the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS‐III), does not individually weigh the impairments in speed and amplitude of rapid alternating movements. We sought to categorize movement in PD to determine whether speed and amplitude have different relationships to current measures of motor impairment and disability. Categories of speed and amplitude (normal, slow/low, and very‐slow/very‐low) were ascertained using an electromagnetic tracking device. Amplitude was disproportionally more affected than speed in the “off” state. UPDRS‐III and the Schwab & England disability scale were worst in patients with very impaired amplitude and best in patients with normal amplitude. A similarly graded relationship was not found for categories of speed impairment. The examiner clinical global impression of change mirrored “off” state amplitude but not speed categories. Levodopa, however, normalized speed to a greater extent than amplitude. Our observations suggest that amplitude and speed impairments may be associated with different functional aspects in PD and deserve separate clinical assessment. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Flash flood warning in ungauged basins by use of the flash flood guidance and model‐based runoff thresholds
Authors: Norbiato Daniele , Borga Marco , Dinale Roberto
Published: February 2009

This paper investigates the use of the Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) method and a method of model‐based threshold runoff computation to improve the accuracy of flash flood forecasts at ungauged locations. The methodology proposed in this paper requires running a lumped hydrological model to derive flood frequencies at the outlet of the ungauged basin under consideration, and then to derive the threshold runoff from these model‐based discharges. The study examines the potential of this method to account for the hydrological model's uncertainty and for biases originated by lack of model calibration, which is the typical condition in ungauged basins.

Experiments to validate this approach involve the implementation of a semi‐distributed continuous rainfall‐runoff model and the operation of the FFG method over four basins located in the central‐eastern Italian Alps and ranging in size from 75.2 to 213.7 km2. The model is calibrated on two larger basins and the model parameters are transposed to the other two basins to simulate operations in ungauged basins. The FFG method is applied by using the 2 year discharge as the threshold runoff. The threshold runoff is derived both by using local discharge statistics and the model‐based approach advocated here. Examination of the results obtained by this comparison shows that the use of model‐based threshold leads to improvements in both gauged and ungauged situations. Overall, the Critical Success Index (CSI) increases by 12% for gauged basins and by 31% for ungauged basins by using the model‐based threshold with respect to use of local data. As expected, the increase of CSI is more remarkable for ungauged basins, due to lack of local model calibration and the greater likelihood of occurrence of a simulation bias in model application over these basins. This shows that the method of threshold runoff computation provides an inherent bias correction to reduce systematic errors in model applications to ungauged (and gauged) basins. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Tracking the uncertainty in flood alerts driven by grand ensemble weather predictions
Authors: He Y. , Wetterhall F. , Cloke H. L. , Pappenberger F. , Wilson M. , Freer J. , McGregor G.
Published: February 2009

The incorporation of numerical weather predictions (NWP) into a flood warning system can increase forecast lead times from a few hours to a few days. A single NWP forecast from a single forecast centre, however, is insufficient as it involves considerable non‐predictable uncertainties and can lead to a high number of false or missed warnings. Weather forecasts using multiple NWPs from various weather centres implemented on catchment hydrology can provide significantly improved early flood warning. The availability of global ensemble weather prediction systems through the ‘THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble’ (TIGGE) offers a new opportunity for the development of state‐of‐the‐art early flood forecasting systems. This paper presents a case study using the TIGGE database for flood warning on a meso‐scale catchment (4062 km2) located in the Midlands region of England. For the first time, a research attempt is made to set up a coupled atmospheric‐hydrologic‐hydraulic cascade system driven by the TIGGE ensemble forecasts. A probabilistic discharge and flood inundation forecast is provided as the end product to study the potential benefits of using the TIGGE database. The study shows that precipitation input uncertainties dominate and propagate through the cascade chain. The current NWPs fall short of representing the spatial precipitation variability on such a comparatively small catchment, which indicates need to improve NWPs resolution and/or disaggregating techniques to narrow down the spatial gap between meteorology and hydrology. The spread of discharge forecasts varies from centre to centre, but it is generally large and implies a significant level of uncertainties. Nevertheless, the results show the TIGGE database is a promising tool to forecast flood inundation, comparable with that driven by raingauge observation. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Optimal k‐space sampling for dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI with an application to MR renography
Authors: Song Ting , Laine Andrew F. , Chen Qun , Rusinek Henry , Bokacheva Louisa , Lim Ruth P. , Laub Gerhard , Kroeker Randall , Lee Vivian S.
Published: February 2009

For time‐resolved acquisitions with k‐space undersampling, a simulation method was developed for selecting imaging parameters based on minimization of errors in signal intensity versus time and physiologic parameters derived from tracer kinetic analysis. Optimization was performed for time‐resolved angiography with stochastic trajectories (TWIST) algorithm applied to contrast‐enhanced MR renography. A realistic 4D phantom comprised of aorta and two kidneys, one healthy and one diseased, was created with ideal tissue time‐enhancement pattern generated using a three‐compartment model with fixed parameters, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). TWIST acquisitions with different combinations of sampled central and peripheral k‐space portions were applied to this phantom. Acquisition performance was assessed by the difference between simulated signal intensity (SI) and calculated GFR and RPF and their ideal values. Sampling of the 20% of the center and 1/5 of the periphery of k‐space in phase‐encoding plane and data‐sharing of the remaining 4/5 minimized the errors in SI (<5%), RPF, and GFR (both <10% for both healthy and diseased kidneys). High‐quality dynamic human images were acquired with optimal TWIST parameters and 2.4 sec temporal resolution. The proposed method can be generalized to other dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI applications, e.g., MR angiography or cancer imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Upregulation of MHC class I in transgenic mice results in reduced force‐generating capacity in slow‐twitch muscle
Authors: Salomonsson Stina , Grundtman Cecilia , Zhang Shi‐Jin , Lanner Johanna T. , Li Charles , Katz Abram , Wedderburn Lucy R. , Nagaraju Kanneboyina , Lundberg Ingrid E. , Westerblad Håkan
Published: February 2009

Expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in skeletal muscle fibers is an early and consistent finding in inflammatory myopathies. To test if MHC class I has a primary role in muscle impairment, we used transgenic mice with inducible overexpression of MHC class I in their skeletal muscle cells. Contractile function was studied in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL, fast‐twitch) and soleus (slow‐twitch) muscles. We found that EDL was smaller, whereas soleus muscle was slightly larger. Both muscles generated less absolute force in myopathic compared with control mice; however, when force was expressed per cross‐sectional area, only soleus muscle generated less force. Inflammation was markedly increased, but no changes were found in the activities of key mitochondrial and glycogenolytic enzymes in myopathic mice. The induction of MHC class I results in muscle atrophy and an intrinsic decrease in force‐generation capacity. These observations may have important implications for our understanding of the pathophysiological processes of muscle weakness seen in inflammatory myopathies. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Adult nemaline myopathy with trabecular muscle fibers
Authors: Irodenko Viktoriya S. , Lee Han S. , Stephen J. de Armond  , Layzer Robert B.
Published: February 2009

The term “trabecular myopathy” has been used to designate a syndrome resembling limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy in which the predominant pathological feature is an abundance of lobulated or trabecular muscle fibers. However, the validity of this nosological entity has not been verified. Herein we describe a 63‐year‐old man with a severe, progressive myopathy who exhibited the typical pathological features of both trabecular myopathy and nemaline myopathy in association with a biclonal gammopathy. In this case, adult‐onset nemaline myopathy was probably the primary disease process. The diagnostic significance of trabecular muscle fibers remains uncertain. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Effect of age on muscle activation and twitch properties during static and dynamic actions
Authors: Wilder Melissa R. , Cannon Jack
Published: February 2009

In this investigation we examined age‐associated changes in peak torque, voluntary activation levels, and potentiated twitch properties of the knee extensors during isometric (ISO), shortening (SHO), and lengthening (LEN) actions in 18 young subjects (19–27 years) and 12 elderly subjects (64–77 years). Peak torque was lower for the elderly subjects under the ISO (−31%) and SHO (−28%) conditions (P < 0.05); however, the loss in LEN peak torque in the elderly was less marked (−17%) (P > 0.05). Voluntary activation levels within and between groups were not significantly different and ranged between 96.8% and 98.9% (P > 0.05). Peak twitch torque and some temporal twitch characteristics were altered with age (P < 0.05), but such changes were similar across all muscle actions (P > 0.05). These data suggest that the attenuated reduction in LEN muscle strength associated with age is probably not related to contraction‐specific changes in voluntary activation levels or potentiated twitch properties. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Acute motor response following a single IVIG treatment course in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Harbo Thomas , Andersen Henning , Jakobsen Johannes
Published: February 2009

In chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), the acute motor response following withdrawal and reestablishment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy was studied. In a prospectively designed case series 11 CIDP patients in IVIG maintenance therapy were assessed with isokinetic dynamometry, nerve conduction studies, and functional tests. After short‐term withdrawal of IVIG, eight treatment‐responsive patients had a 14.2% (8.6–20.0) loss of isokinetic strength of 12 muscle groups. Three patients remained stable without treatment and were excluded from further study. On days 5 and 10 after reinitiation of IVIG therapy isokinetic muscle strength increased by 5.5% (1.6–9.6) and 11.9% (7.5–16.5), respectively, but there was no further increase at day 15. Improvement of walking velocity and hand function coincided. The minimal F‐wave latency shortened, whereas other electrophysiological parameters remained unchanged. In conclusion, isokinetic dynamometry is a sensitive and clinically relevant method for monitoring the acute response to IVIG treatment in CIDP. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Importance of footing–soil separation on dynamic stiffness of piled embedded footings
Authors: Padrón L. A. , Mylonakis G. E. , Beskos D. E.
Published: February 2009

Different phenomena such as soil consolidation, erosion, and scour beneath an embedded footing supported on piles may lead to loss of contact between soil and the pile cap underside. The importance of this separation on the dynamic stiffness and damping of the foundation is assessed in this work. To this end, a numerical parametric analysis in the frequency domain is performed using a rigorous three‐dimensional elastodynamic boundary element–finite element coupling scheme. Dimensionless plots relating dynamic stiffness functions computed with and without separation effects are presented for different pile–soil configurations. Vertical, horizontal and rocking modes of oscillation are analyzed for a wide range of dimensionless frequencies. It is shown that the importance of separation is negligible for frequencies below those for which dynamic pile group effects start to become apparent. Redistribution of stiffness contributions between piles and footing is also addressed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obstruction alters muscarinic receptor‐coupled RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway in the urinary bladder of the rat
Authors: Takahashi Norio , Shiomi Homare , Kushida Nobuhiro , Liu Fei , Ishibashi Kei , Yanagida Tomohiko , Shishido Keiichi , Aikawa Ken , Yamaguchi Osamu
Published: February 2009

Aims

The present study investigated the effects of the bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on the muscarinic receptor (MR)‐coupled RhoA/Rho‐kinase (ROK) pathway in the detrusor smooth muscle of the rat.

Methods

Detrusor muscle samples were obtained from bladders after 4 weeks of BOO and also from sham‐operated control rats. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and 1 μM carbachol (Cch) were determined in isolated detrusor strips. The effects of the ROK inhibitor Y‐27632 on the Cch‐induced phasic and sustained contractions were evaluated. Western blotting was used to determine the relative levels of RhoA expression and ROK isoform expression.

Results

Bladder weight increased significantly after 4 weeks of BOO. Contractile responses to EFS decreased significantly in detrusor muscle from the obstructed bladder. Cch (1 μM) induced a biphasic response consisting of an initial phasic contraction followed by a sustained contraction. Y‐27632 attenuated the phasic and sustained contractions induced by Cch in both control and obstructed bladders. However, BOO caused a significant increase in contractile force during the sustained phase of the contractions induced by Cch. An inhibitory effect of Y‐27632 on the sustained responses to Cch was significantly enhanced in the obstructed bladder. In accordance with the functional study, the expression of RhoA and ROK isoforms (both α and β) at the protein level significantly increased in the obstructed bladder.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the enhanced MR‐coupled RhoA/ROK pathway contributes to the maintenance of contractile force in the obstructed bladder, as a compensatory mechanism for expelling the urine against the obstruction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:257–262, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T‐ and L‐type calcium channels mediate α1‐adrenoceptor‐evoked contraction in the guinea‐pig vas deferens
Authors: Shishido Toshihide , Sakai Saeko , Tosaka Tsuneo
Published: February 2009

Aims

The importance of the T‐ and L‐type Ca2+ channels on the α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated contraction of guinea‐pig vas deferens was investigated in relation to the SK and BK channels.

Methods

Isometric contractile response to electrical stimulation (ES) of 50 pulses at 40 Hz was recorded. ES responses were modulated via calcium and potassium channels in the presence of purinergic inhibitors.

Results

The α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated contraction of guinea‐pig vas deferens consisted of early and late α1‐components. The early α1‐component was insensitive to nifedipine (10 µM) but was suppressed by T‐type Ca2+ channel antagonists mibefradil and amiloride with IC50 values (µM) of 7.2 ± 1.8 (n = 5) and 27.2 ± 10.4 (n = 6), respectively. The late α1‐component was inhibited by nifedipine, nimodipine and nicardipine with IC50 values (µM) of 0.19 ± 0.04 (n = 5), 1.9 ± 0.8 (n = 5), and 4.2 ± 2.5 (n = 5), respectively. Nicardipine also inhibited the early α1‐component with an IC50 value of 20.3 ± 2.5 µM (n = 5). An SK channel antagonist apamin (1–100 nM) increased both early and late α1‐components. A BK channel antagonist iberiotoxin (100 nM) increased the late α1‐component without affecting the early one.

Conclusions

The results may indicate that the α1‐adrenoceptor‐induced contraction was mediated by Ca2+ influx through T‐ and L‐type Ca2+ channels for the early and late α1‐components, respectively and that SK and BK channels contributed to protect the musculature of the guinea‐pig vas deferens from excess tension development induced by sympathetic volley. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:447–454, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of urodynamics between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients; Can we suggest the category of urinary dysfunction in patients with cerebrovascular accident according to type of stroke?
Authors: Han Kyung‐Sik , Heo Sung Hyuk , Lee Sun‐Ju , Jeon Seung Hyun , Yoo Koo Han
Published: February 2009

Aims

The aim of this study is to compare the urodynamic parameters in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients with bladder dysfunction.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urodynamic study and identified 84 cases among 150 stroke patients underwent urodynamic test due to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from June 2003 to May 2008. Exclusion criteria are diabetes mellitus (DM) cystopathy, previous pelvic surgery, spinal cord injury, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and other neurologic etiology.

Results

Among analyzed variables of urodynamic study, total bladder capacity, postvoid residual urine volume and bladder compliance have a significant value between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke group (P = 0.004, P = 0.017, P = 0.007). Ischemic group have detrusor overactivity (DO) (70.7%), detrusor underactivity (DU) (29.3%), and hemorrhagic group have DO (34.6%), DU (65.4%). (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Evaluation of the stroke type may be helpful in the determination of the type of urinary dysfunction and in deciding the appropriate bladder management. The urodynamic study, however, is essential to manage LUTS in stroke patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:387–390, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of female urinary incontinence and urgency on quality of life and partner relationship
Authors: Margareta Nilsson , Ann Lalos , Othon Lalos
Published: February 2009

Aims

To examine the impact of female urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency on quality of life, and partner relationship in women (18–74 years) and their partners, and make comparisons with the corresponding age groups in a Swedish population‐based study.

Methods

Women with urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency (n = 206) completed specific questionnaires concerning medical history and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire. Women who had a stable relationship (n = 170) also answered a questionnaire regarding psychosocial situation, partner relationship and sexual life, and were asked to give a similar questionnaire to their partner. Totally, 109 partners participated.

Results

The vast majority of the women considered that their urinary problems affected their physical activities negatively and almost half reported negative consequences for social life and joint activities. One third of both women and men experienced a negative impact on their relationship and about every fifth felt it had a harmful influence on physical proximity, intimacy, affection, and warmth. Compared to the older women, the younger were less satisfied with their psychological health, sexual life, leisure and financial situation, and compared to the younger men, the young women were less content with their somatic health. Overall, women with urinary problems and their partners were less satisfied with their somatic health than the corresponding age groups in the national population‐based study.

Conclusions

Female urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency significantly impair the quality of life in both younger and older women, and also have negative effects on the partner relationship and the partner's life. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:976–981, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational modeling of cardiac electrophysiology: A novel finite element approach
Authors: Göktepe S. , Kuhl E.
Published: February 2009

The key objective of this work is the design of an unconditionally stable, robust, efficient, modular, and easily expandable finite element‐based simulation tool for cardiac electrophysiology. In contrast to existing formulations, we propose a global–local split of the system of equations in which the global variable is the fast action potential that is introduced as a nodal degree of freedom, whereas the local variable is the slow recovery variable introduced as an internal variable on the integration point level. Cell‐specific excitation characteristics are thus strictly local and only affect the constitutive level. We illustrate the modular character of the model in terms of the FitzHugh–Nagumo model for oscillatory pacemaker cells and the Aliev–Panfilov model for non‐oscillatory ventricular muscle cells. We apply an implicit Euler backward finite difference scheme for the temporal discretization and a finite element scheme for the spatial discretization. The resulting non‐linear system of equations is solved with an incremental iterative Newton–Raphson solution procedure. Since this framework only introduces one single scalar‐valued variable on the node level, it is extremely efficient, remarkably stable, and highly robust. The features of the general framework will be demonstrated by selected benchmark problems for cardiac physiology and a two‐dimensional patient‐specific cardiac excitation problem. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential of ball milling to improve clay dispersion in nanocomposites
Authors: Perrin‐Sarazin Florence , Sepehr Maryam , Bouaricha Salim , Denault Johanne
Published: February 2009

The preparation of exfoliated polymer nanocomposites (PNC) in nonpolar system is still preoccupying researchers in the domain. The ball milling coupled with melt‐compounding was used for the preparation of polypropylene/montmorillonite PNC to evaluate the potential of ball milling in the improvement of clay dispersion. Different approaches were used for doing a preliminary ball milling of clay with or without coupling agent and of all components prior to melt‐compounding. The microstructure as well as the rheological and the dynamic mechanical behaviors of the PNC compounds were characterized. The best improvements in clay dispersion were obtained by ball milling clay in the presence of other components to reduce particle agglomeration. The rheological behavior of the compounds confirmed their microstructure. The thermomechanical properties of PNC showed an enhancement in the storage modulus in the glassy and the rubbery states, independent of their microstructure. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Preparation and properties of epoxy nanocomposites. I. The effect of premixing on dispersion of organoclay
Authors: Ngo T.‐D. , Ton‐That M.‐T. , Hoa S.V. , Cole K.C.
Published: February 2009

The objective of this work was to systematically study the effect of the conditions of shear and temperature used to premix nanoclay with epoxy resin on the dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation of the nanoclay in the resulting epoxy nanocomposites. The different mixing approaches used were hand stirring, conventional mechanical stirring, a high‐speed homogenizer, and a microfluidizer. The quality of dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation of the organoclay in the epoxy resin was analyzed after premixing (before adding hardener) by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and rheological measurements. Nanocomposites obtained after adding hardener and curing were characterized by means of XRD, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and image analysis. Both the premixing and curing steps were found to play a determining role in the dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation of organoclay. Increased intercalation and exfoliation can take place during curing, with the extent depending on the curing rate. Although full exfoliation of clay cannot be achieved at the premixing stage, this step appears to be very important in controlling the micro‐dispersion and thus affecting the further intercalation and exfoliation that take place during the curing step. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Pre‐treatment biomarker levels improve the accuracy of post‐prostatectomy nomogram for prediction of biochemical recurrence
Authors: Svatek Robert S. , Jeldres Claudio , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Suardi Nazareno , Walz Jochen , Roehrborn Claus G. , Montorsi Francesco , Slawin Kevin M. , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: February 2009

PURPOSE

We tested the ability of several pre‐operative blood‐based biomarkers to enhance the accuracy of standard post‐operative features for the prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

METHODS

Pre‐operative plasma levels of Endoglin, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐6 soluble receptor (IL‐6sR), transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), urokinase plasminogen inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1), urokinase plasminogen receptor (uPAR), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using commercially available enzyme immunoassays in 423 consecutive patients treated with RP for clinically localized prostate cancer. Standard post‐operative features consisted of surgical margin status, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, lymph node involvement, and pathologic Gleason sum. Multivariable modeling was used to explore the gain in the predictive accuracy. The accuracy was quantified by the c‐index statistic and was internally validated with 200 bootstrap resamples.

RESULTS

Plasma IL‐6 (P = 0.03), IL‐6sR (P < 0.001), TGF‐β1 (P = 0.005), and V‐CAM1 (P = 0.01) achieved independent predictor status after adjusting for the effects of standard post‐operative features. After stepwise backward variable elimination, a model relying on RP Gleason sum, IL‐6sR, TGF‐β1, VCAM1, and uPA improved the predictive accuracy of the standard post‐operative model by 4% (86.1% vs. 82.1%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Pre‐operative plasma biomarkers improved the accuracy of established post‐operative prognostic factors of BCR by a significant margin. Incorporation of these biomarkers into standard predictive models may allow more accurate identification of patients who are likely to fail RP thereby allowing more efficient delivery of adjuvant therapy. Prostate 69: 886–894, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BS DFT and BS HDFT studies of CrCr sextuple bond from the viewpoint of electron correlation effects
Authors: Kitagawa Yasutaka , Nakanishi Yasuyuki , Saito Toru , Kawakami Takashi , Okumura Mitsutaka , Yamaguchi Kizashi
Published: February 2009

The nature of CrCr bond and effectiveness of broken‐symmetry (BS) density functional theory (DFT) and hybrid DFT (HDFT) methods are examined in terms of electron correlation effects. Two types of correlation energies, i.e., static and dynamical correlation energies are estimated by relative energy curves and correlation energy curves. Energy decomposition analyses and natural orbital analyses reveal how these electron correlation effects affect the CrCr bonding. In addition, the effect of those effects to an energy gap between the lowest spin (LS) state (S = 0) and the highest spin (HS) state (S = 6) is also discussed with respect to calculations of effective exchange integrals (J). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
A review of two algorithms for acceleration of convergence of a sequence of vectors
Authors: Graves‐Morris P. R.
Published: February 2009

The purposes of this article are threefold: (i) to review the role of Wynn's epsilon algorithm as a method for acceleration of convergence of an ordinary (scalar) series (possibly representing the value of a physical quantity), (ii) to review the role of Wynn's vector‐epsilon algorithm and another vector Padé‐type method in cases where a number of such series should be treated simultaneously, and (iii) to point out that these general methods for the acceleration of convergence of a vector‐valued series are readily applied to the solution of linear and nonlinear systems of equations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
The strange history of B functions or how theoretical chemists and mathematicians do (not) interact
Authors: Weniger Ernst Joachim
Published: February 2009

B functions are a class of relatively complicated exponentially decaying basis functions. Because the molecular multicenter integrals of the much simpler Slater‐type functions are notoriously difficult, it is not at all obvious why B functions should offer any advantages. However, B functions have Fourier transforms of exceptional simplicity, which greatly simplifies many of their molecular multicenter integrals. This article discusses the historical development of B functions from the perspective of the interaction between mathematics and theoretical chemistry, which traditionally has not been very good. Nevertheless, future progress in theoretical chemistry depends very much on a fertile interaction with neighboring disciplines. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Seasonal and inter‐annual variability in hyporheic water quality revealed by continuous monitoring in a salmon spawning stream
Authors: Soulsby C. , Malcolm I. A. , Tetzlaff D. , Youngson A. F.
Published: February 2009

Over a 3.5 year period, levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) saturation were continuously monitored in surface waters and at depths of 150 and 300 mm in the hyporheic zone of a riffle in a montane stream where Atlantic salmon spawn. Throughout this period, DO in surface waters remained close to 100% saturation, but exhibited daily variations related to CO2 cycling driven by diurnal patterns of respiration and photosynthesis. However, in the hyporheic zone, variations were much more dynamic over storm event, seasonal and inter‐annual timescales. At 300 mm, DO saturation was generally close to 100% during summer low flows, though levels occasionally fell during warm periods which appeared to be related to diffusion gradients caused by benthic respiration. Such DO decreases at low flows were much more common and marked at 150 mm. During wetter conditions, DO saturation at 300 mm fell to zero for prolonged periods; this is consistent with increased fluxes of groundwater discharging through the hyporheic zone. During the wettest periods this also affects DO saturation at 150 mm. However, during hydrological events, hyporheic water quality is ‘re‐set’ as head reversals cause streamwater ingress which results in transient periods of re‐oxygenation, which end during the hydrograph recession. This is consistent with stream‐ward hydraulic gradients being re‐established in riparian ground water as the stream stage falls. The connectivity between groundwater and streamwater through the hyporheic zone is driven by climatic conditions and is reflected in marked inter‐annual variability in water quality characteristics. In some cases, this variability may have implications for the ecology of the hyporheic environment—including the survival of salmon eggs—particularly if oxygen levels are affected. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory and applications of X party material flow
Authors: Hou Hanping
Published: February 2009

X party material flow (XPMF) is a new type of material flow (MF) under the emerging new information technology. Based on the theory of MF, this paper analyses the recent research progress that was made in XPMF from the angle of bio‐evolution complexity including factor type primitive reconstruction driving type XPMF, enterprise primitive fractal synergetic type XPMF, adapting primitive swarm intelligence XPMF. Such progress has enriched and systematized the research of XPMF theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinic and genetic evaluation of variegate porphyria (VP) in a large family from the Balearic Islands
Authors: Bonnin A. , Picornell A. , Orfila J. , Castro J. A. , Ramon M. M.
Published: February 2009

Variegate porphyria (VP) (an autosomal dominant disease), is clinically characterized by skin photosensitivity and/or acute neurovisceral crises and biochemically by high levels of faecal protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin. It results from the partial deficiency of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX gene). Genetic heterogeneity has been reported in this gene, although no genotype–phenotype correlation has been evidenced. We have sequenced 27 members of a single large Majorcan family with several individuals that exhibit VP symptoms: two of the eight patients had only skin symptoms (25%), one patient had only acute visceral crises (12.5%), one patient had both manifestations (12.5%) and the rest were completely asymptomatic (50%). In eight individuals, a T>A transversion at the intron 6 consensus splicing site was found (IVS6+2T>A), but only four of them presented clinical symptoms. We have also detected four polymorphic positions, three non‐coding and one non‐synonymous coding: c.−414A>C; IVS2+121G>C; c.1188G>A and IVS12+34C>T. Although IVS12+34C>T change has been reported to cause VP, generalized linear model (GLM) analyses showed no significant association between these SNPs and phenotypic manifestations. Only three mtDNA haplogroups were detected in this family: H, K and U5a1. Two of them are relatively common in Balearic Islands. Our family evidenced a positive correlation between the clinically overt VP and haplogroup H. Thus, it seems that, in this family, the haplogroup H could be involved in the expression of the disease. The GLM analyses evidenced an association between haplogroup H, mutation IVS6+2T>A and clinically overt variegate porphyria.
Surgical management of windblown hand: Results and literature review
Authors: Gavaskar K. G. Ashok Sunil , Chowdary Naveen
Published: February 2009

Purpose

Windblown hand is a congenital anomaly characterized by multiple hand deformities. The condition is extremely rare as shown by the paucity of cases reported in the literature. The deformities, which can result in a cosmetically unsatisfactory appearance and, if left untreated, maladaptive behavior, are progressive in nature. Consequently early treatment is necessary.

Methods

We operated upon 23 hands in 18 patients (age range at surgery 6 months to 16 years) at a tertiary care center over a period of 7 years. The patients were followed for an average period of 7 years. The surgical approach was chosen based on the severity of the condition according to Zancolli and Zancolli's classification [Hand Clin 1:443–456 (1985)].

Results

According to the criteria of Wood and Biondi [J Hand Surg 15A:431–438 (1990)], of the 23 hands operated upon, 17 had excellent cosmetic results, and 15 had excellent functional results. The results were better in patients undergoing early surgery—before the age of 2 years. Relapse of the deformity to a lesser extent than the original condition was seen in two hands at the last follow up.

Conclusion

Definitive conclusions on this condition cannot be drawn due to limited experience in the surgical management of this rare condition. We believe that early surgical management is probably the best option available for the patient based on the results obtained. Early surgery and good post-operative compliance from patients can facilitate successful management of this rare condition with predictable results.