bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression and function of the insulin receptor substrate proteins in cancer
Authors: Mardilovich Katerina , Pankratz Shannon L , Shaw Leslie M
Published: June 2009

The Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) proteins are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that function as essential signaling intermediates downstream of activated cell surface receptors, many of which have been implicated in cancer. The IRS proteins do not contain any intrinsic kinase activity, but rather serve as scaffolds to organize signaling complexes and initiate intracellular signaling pathways. As common intermediates of multiple receptors that can influence tumor progression, the IRS proteins are positioned to play a pivotal role in regulating the response of tumor cells to many different microenvironmental stimuli. Limited studies on IRS expression in human tumors and studies on IRS function in human tumor cell lines and in mouse models have provided clues to the potential function of these adaptor proteins in human cancer. A general theme arises from these studies; IRS-1 and IRS-4 are most often associated with tumor growth and proliferation and IRS-2 is most often associated with tumor motility and invasion. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which IRS expression and function are regulated and how the IRS proteins contribute to tumor initiation and progression.
The role of causal criteria in causal inferences: Bradford Hill's "aspects of association"
Authors: Ward Andrew C
Published: June 2009

As noted by Wesley Salmon and many others, causal concepts are ubiquitous in every branch of theoretical science, in the practical disciplines and in everyday life. In the theoretical and practical sciences especially, people often base claims about causal relations on applications of statistical methods to data. However, the source and type of data place important constraints on the choice of statistical methods as well as on the warrant attributed to the causal claims based on the use of such methods. For example, much of the data used by people interested in making causal claims come from non-experimental, observational studies in which random allocations to treatment and control groups are not present. Thus, one of the most important problems in the social and health sciences concerns making justified causal inferences using non-experimental, observational data. In this paper, I examine one method of justifying such inferences that is especially widespread in epidemiology and the health sciences generally – the use of causal criteria. I argue that while the use of causal criteria is not appropriate for either deductive or inductive inferences, they do have an important role to play in inferences to the best explanation. As such, causal criteria, exemplified by what Bradford Hill referred to as "aspects of [statistical] associations", have an indispensible part to play in the goal of making justified causal claims.
Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate TNFR1 Increase after TRPV1 Activation in Mouse DRG Neurons
Authors: Ma Fei , Zhang Liping , Westlund Karin N
Published: June 2009

Background

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) is activated by low pH/ protons and is well known to be involved in hyperalgesia during inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, is involved in nociceptive responses causing hyperalgesia through TNF receptor type 1 (TNFR1) activation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is also prominently increased in inflamed tissue. The present study investigated TNFR1 receptors in primary cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons after TRPV1 activation and the involvement of ROS. C57BL/6 mice, both TRPV1 knockout and wild type, were used for immunofluorescent and live cell imaging. The L4 and L5 DRGs were dissected bilaterally and cultured overnight. TRPV1 was stimulated with capsaicin or its potent analog, resiniferatoxin. ROS production was measured with live cell imaging and TNFR1 was detected with immunofluorescence in DRG primary cultures. The TRPV1 knockout mice, TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine, and ROS scavenger, N-tert-Butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN), were employed to explore the functional relationship among TRPV1, ROS and TNFR1 in these studies.

Results

The results demonstrate that TRPV1 activation increases TNFR1 receptors and ROS generation in primary cultures of mouse DRG neurons. Activated increases in TNFR1 receptors and ROS production are absent in TRPV1 deficient mice. The PBN blocks increases in TNFR1 and ROS production induced by capsaicin/resiniferatoxin.

Conclusion

TRPV1 activation increases TNFR1 in cultured mouse DRG neurons through a ROS signaling pathway, a novel sensitization mechanism in DRG neurons.
Relationship of compartment-specific structural knee status at baseline with change in cartilage morphology: a prospective observational study using data from the osteoarthritis initiative
Authors: Eckstein Felix , Wirth Wolfgang , Hudelmaier Martin I , Maschek Susanne , Hitzl Wolfgang , Wyman Bradley T , Nevitt Michael , Hellio Le Graverand Marie-Pierre , Hunter David ,   the OA Initiative Investigator Group
Published: June 2009

Introduction

The aim was to investigate the relationship of cartilage loss (change in medial femorotibial cartilage thickness measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) with compartment-specific baseline radiographic findings and MRI cartilage morphometry features, and to identify which baseline features can be used for stratification of fast progressors.

Methods

An age and gender stratified subsample of the osteoarthritis (OA) initiative progression subcohort (79 women; 77 men; age 60.9 ± 9.9 years; body mass index (BMI) 30.3 ± 4.7) with symptomatic, radiographic OA in at least one knee was studied. Baseline fixed flexion radiographs were read centrally and adjudicated, and cartilage morphometry was performed at baseline and at one year follow-up from coronal FLASH 3 Tesla MR images of the right knee.

Results

Osteophyte status at baseline was not associated with medial cartilage loss. Knees with medial joint space narrowing tended to show higher rates of change than those without, but the relationship was not statistically significant. Knees with medial femoral subchondral bone sclerosis (radiography), medial denuded subchondral bone areas (MRI), and low cartilage thickness (MRI) at baseline displayed significantly higher cartilage loss than those without, both with and without adjusting for age, sex, and BMI. Participants with denuded subchondral bone showed a standardized response mean of up to -0.64 versus -0.33 for the entire subcohort.

Conclusions

The results indicate that radiographic and MRI cartilage morphometry features suggestive of advanced disease appear to be associated with greater cartilage loss. These features may be suited for selecting patients with a higher likelihood of fast progression in studies that attempt to demonstrate the cartilage-preserving effect of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs.
The impact of early hypoglycemia and blood glucose variability on outcome in critical illness
Authors: Bagshaw Sean M , Bellomo Rinaldo , Jacka Michael J , Egi Moritoki , Hart Graeme K , George Carol ,   the ANZICS CORE Management Committee
Published: June 2009

Introduction

In critical illness, the association of hypoglycemia, blood glucose (BG) variability and outcome are not well understood. We describe the incidence, clinical factors and outcomes associated with an early hypoglycemia and BG variability in critically ill patients.

Methods

Retrospective interrogation of prospectively collected data from the Australia New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database on 66184 adult admissions to 24 intensive care units (ICUs) from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2005. Primary exposure was hypoglycemia (BG < 4.5 mmol/L) and BG variability (BG < 4.5 and ≥ 12.0 mmol/L) within 24 hours of admission. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality.

Results

The cumulative incidence of hypoglycemia and BG variability were 13.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 13.5 to 14.0; n = 9122) and 2.9% (95%CI = 2.8 to 3.0, n = 1913), respectively. Several clinical factors were associated with both hypoglycemia and BG variability including: co-morbid disease (P < 0.001), non-elective admissions (P < 0.001), higher illness severity (P < 0.001), and primary septic diagnosis (P < 0.001). Hypoglycemia was associated with greater odds of adjusted ICU (odds ratio (OR) = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.54) and hospital death (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.27 to 1.46). Hypoglycemia severity was associated with 'dose-response' increases in mortality. BG variability was associated with greater odds of adjusted ICU (1.5, 95% CI = 1.4 to 1.6) and hospital (1.4, 95% CI = 1.3 to 1.5) mortality, when compared with either hypoglycemia only or neither.

Conclusions

In critically ill patients, both early hypoglycemia and early variability in BG are relatively common, and independently portend an increased risk for mortality.
Familial Frameshift SRY Mutation Inherited from a Mosaic Father with Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome
Authors: Isidor Bertrand , Capito Carmen , Paris Françoise , Baron Sabine , Corradini Nadège , Cabaret Blandine , Leclair Marc-David , Giraud Mathilde , Martin-Coignard Dominique , David Albert , Sultan Charles , Le Caignec Cédric
Published: June 2009

Context: The SRY gene encodes a transcription factor responsible for initiating testis differentiation. Mutations in SRY almost always result in XY sex reversal with pure gonadal dysgenesis and an increased risk of gonadal tumor. Most of these mutations are de novo, affecting only one individual in a family. Only a small subset of mutations is shared between a phenotypically normal father and one or more of his affected children. Incomplete penetrance and somatic mosaicism are two hypotheses that may explain a normal phenotype in a father carrying a SRY mutation.

Patients and Results: We describe a family with two sisters with XY sex reversal and pure gonadal dysgenesis and a phenotypically normal brother. A novel constitutional frameshift SRY mutation was identified in both sisters and was absent in the brother. The single base pair deletion (c.71delA) led to a premature stop codon in position 60 of the protein, removing entirely the high-mobility group domain and the DNA-binding domain of SRY. The father of the three children presented with hypospadias; cryptorchidism; testicular seminoma and oligoasthenozoospermia, an association termed testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS); and the SRY mutation in a mosaic state in the peripheral blood and the tumor.

Conclusions: This observation of somatic and germinal mosaicism for a SRY mutation may explain the variable penetrance in some familial gonadal dysgenesis. Importantly, the present report is the first one describing the association of SRY mutation in a male with TDS. This suggests that mutations in a sex-determining gene may contribute to the pathogenesis of TDS.

A fertile man is described with hypospadias, cryptorchidism, testicular seminoma, and oligoasthenozoospermia, and a mosaic SRY mutation.
No strings attached: the ESCRT machinery in viral budding and cytokinesis
Authors: McDonald Bethan , Martin-Serrano Juan
Published: June 2009

Since the initial discovery of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) pathway, research in this field has exploded. ESCRT proteins are part of the endosomal trafficking system and play a crucial role in the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies by functioning in the formation of vesicles that bud away from the cytoplasm. Subsequently, a surprising role for ESCRT proteins was defined in the budding step of some enveloped retroviruses, including HIV-1. ESCRT proteins are also employed in this outward budding process, which results in the resolution of a membranous tether between the host cell and the budding virus particle. Remarkably, it has recently been described that ESCRT proteins also have a role in the topologically equivalent process of cell division. In the same way that viral particles recruit the ESCRT proteins to the site of viral budding, ESCRT proteins are also recruited to the midbody – the site of release of daughter cell from mother cell during cytokinesis. In this Commentary, we describe recent advances in the understanding of ESCRT proteins and how they act to mediate these diverse processes.
Thea2mating-type-locus genelga2ofUstilago maydisinterferes with mitochondrial dynamics and fusion, partially in dependence on a Dnm1-like fission component
Authors: Mahlert Michael , Vogler Christine , Stelter Kathrin , Hause Gerd , Basse Christoph W.
Published: June 2009

The a2 mating-type-locus gene lga2 of the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis encodes a mitochondrial protein that interferes with mitochondrial morphology and integrity, and that plays a role in uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial DNA. To address the mode of action of Lga2, we investigated its Dnm1 (a dynamin-related protein)-dependent effects. Here, we demonstrate that Dnm1 functions as a mitochondrial fission component in U. maydis and mediates Lga2-induced mitochondrial fragmentation. Mitochondrial fusion occurred very inefficiently in matings of U. maydis wild-type strains, but was strongly stimulated in the absence of dnm1 and highest in either wild-type or Δdnm1 combinations when the a2 partner was deleted in lga2. This indicates that Dnm1 plays a central role in opposing mitochondrial fusion in response to endogenous lga2 expression and that Lga2 additionally inhibits fusion in a dnm1-independent manner. Our results further show that Lga2 does not stimulate increased turnover of the putative fusion protein Fzo1 and causes mitochondrial branching, loss of mitochondrial DNA and fitness reduction independently of dnm1. We conclude that Lga2 acts upstream of Dnm1, but controls mitochondrial integrity independently of Dnm1-mediated fission. In addition, we demonstrate a role of dnm1 in fungal virulence.
The yeast endocytic protein Epsin 2 functions in a cell-division signaling pathway
Authors: Mukherjee Debarati , Coon Brian G. , Edwards Daniel F. , Hanna Claudia B. , Longhi Silvia A. , McCaffery J. Michael , Wendland Beverly , Retegui Lilia A. , Bi Erfei , Aguilar R. Claudio
Published: June 2009

The epsins are a family of adaptors involved in recruiting other endocytic proteins, binding of ubiquitylated cargo and induction of membrane curvature. These molecules bear a characteristic epsin N-terminal homology (ENTH) domain and multiple peptide motifs that mediate protein-protein interactions. We have previously demonstrated that the ENTH domain of epsin is involved in Cdc42 signaling regulation. Here, we present evidence that yeast epsin 2 (Ent2) plays a signaling role during cell division. We observed that overexpression of the ENTH domain of Ent2 (ENTH2), but not Ent1, promoted the formation of chains of cells and aberrant septa. This dominant-negative effect resulted from ENTH2-mediated interference with septin assembly pathways. We mapped the ENTH2 determinants responsible for induction of the phenotype and found them to be important for efficient binding to the septin regulatory protein, Bem3. Supporting a physiological role for epsin 2 in cell division, the protein localized to sites of polarized growth and cytokinesis and rescued a defect in cell division induced by Bem3 misregulation. Collectively, our findings provide a potential molecular mechanism linking endocytosis (via epsin 2) with signaling pathways regulating cell division.
Membrane recruitment of the cargo-selective retromer subcomplex is catalysed by the small GTPase Rab7 and inhibited by the Rab-GAP TBC1D5
Authors: Seaman Matthew N. J. , Harbour Michael E. , Tattersall Daniel , Read Eliot , Bright Nicholas
Published: June 2009

Retromer is a membrane-associated heteropentameric coat complex that functions in the endosome-to-Golgi retrieval of the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor, the Wntless protein and other membrane proteins of physiological significance. Retromer comprises two functional subcomplexes: the cargo-selective subcomplex is a trimer of the VPS35, VPS29, VPS26 proteins, whereas the sorting nexin proteins, Snx1 and Snx2 function to tubulate the endosomal membrane. Unlike the sorting nexins, which contain PtdIns3P-binding PX domains, the cargo-selective VPS35/29/26 complex has no lipid-binding domains and its recruitment to the endosomal membrane remains mechanistically uncharacterised. In this study we show that the VPS35/29/26 complex interacts with the small GTPase Rab7 and requires Rab7 for its recruitment to the endosome. We show that the Rab7K157N mutant that causes the peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, does not interact with the VPS35/29/26 complex, resulting in a weakened association with the membrane. We have also identified a novel retromer-interacting protein, TBC1D5, which is a member of the Rab GAP family of proteins that negatively regulates VPS35/29/26 recruitment and causes Rab7 to dissociate from the membrane. We therefore propose that recruitment of the cargo-selective VPS35/29/26 complex is catalysed by Rab7 and inhibited by the Rab-GAP protein, TBC1D5.
The role of cytosolic proteins in the insertion of tail-anchored proteins into phospholipid bilayers
Authors: Colombo Sara F. , Longhi Renato , Borgese Nica
Published: June 2009

Tail-anchored (TA) proteins are membrane proteins that contain an N-terminal domain exposed to the cytosol and a single transmembrane segment near the C-terminus followed by few or no polar residues. TA proteins with a mildly hydrophobic transmembrane domain, such as cytochrome b5 (b5), are able to insert post-translationally into pure lipid vesicles without assistance from membrane proteins. Here, we investigated whether any cytosolic proteins are needed to maintain b5 in a competent state for transmembrane integration. Using b5 constructs translated in vitro or produced in bacteria, we demonstrate that cytosolic proteins are neither necessary nor facilitatory for the unassisted translocation of b5. Furthermore, we demonstrate that no cytosolic protein is involved in the translocation of a C-terminal domain of 85 residues appended to the transmembrane domain of b5. Nevertheless, b5 does bind cytosolic proteins, and in their presence but not in their absence, its insertion into liposomes is inhibited by the thiol oxidant diamide and the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide. The effect of diamide is also observed in living cells. Thus, the specific in vivo targeting of b5 might be achieved by interaction with redox-sensitive targeting factors that hinder its nonspecific insertion into any permissive bilayer.
Assessment of large-eddy simulation feasibility in modelling the unsteady diesel fuel injection and mixing in a highspeed direct-injection engine
Authors: Jagus K , Jiang X , Dober G , Greeves G , Milanovic N , Zhao H
Published: June 2009

This paper aims to assess the feasibility of largeeddy simulation LES as applied to a real engine configuration. Two cases of LES were performed together with a reference Reynoldsaveraged NavierStokes RANS simulation to study their performances in the prediction of the fuel injection and mixing in a highspeed directinjection diesel engine. In addition, sensitivity of the LES results with respect to mesh resolution was investigated, as LES requires a higher mesh density and the filtering process depends on the mesh size. The LES meant that detailed information could be obtained on the fuel spray development and turbulent flow field that was not possible to capture using the RANS modelling approach. It was found that the LES captures flow structures that have a pronounced impact on the prediction of the fuel injection and mixing. Highresolution LES predicted higher liquid and vapour penetration into the cylinder, which is in better agreement with the experimental data obtained at Delphi Diesel Systems than is the RANS prediction. It was also shown that using a finer mesh in LES yields improvements in turbulent flow field prediction, at the same time reducing contribution of the modelled part of the turbulent kinetic energy. Overall, it was proved that LES is a superior alternative to the traditional RANS approach for turbulent twophase flows encountered in diesel fuel injections where flow unsteadiness is prominent. Improved predictions obtained from an advanced LES can subsequently enhance the understanding of the fuel injection process and assist the engine experimentation and design.
Effect of the injection angle on liquid spray development in a high-speed direct-injection optical diesel engine
Authors: Fang T-G , Coverdill R E , Lee C-F F , White R A
Published: June 2009

In this paper, the spray development and its interaction with the piston geometry were investigated in a small-bore high-speed direct-injection optical diesel engine. The effects of injection angle, injection timing, injection pressure, and injection fuel quantity were studied. The entire liquid spray cycle was visualized by a background-corrected Mie-scattering technique using a high-speed digital video camera synchronized with a high-repetition-rate copper vapour laser. For some conditions, the initial injection velocity was estimated quantitatively. The results show that the injection angle and injection timing predominantly control the spray interaction with the piston geometry and the resulting air—fuel mixing mode. Narrow-angle injection leads to a significantly different air—fuel mixing process from the traditional wide-angle injector. If properly controlled, the narrow-angle direct-injection technique offers more flexibility on injection timing control with the fuel confined in the central bowl region without wetting the cylinder liner.
Fault diagnosis with matrix analysis for electrically actuated unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Kladis G P , Economou J T , Tsourdos A , White B A , Knowles K
Published: June 2009

Because of their large operational potential, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may be required to perform over long periods of time, which might lead to potential degradation or even failure of their electrical or/and mechanical control surfaces and components. Consequently, the least failure can degrade the performance of the process and might lead to a catastrophic event. Therefore, an efficient mechanism should be capable of making these faults realizable and act accordingly so that a performance index is continuously maintained. However, even when a fault is detected at the monitoring phase, as illustrated in a previous work by Kladis and Economou [
A wall shear stress measurement technique using the thermal wakes of small heated spots
Authors: Rudolph I , Reyer M , Nitsche W
Published: June 2009

A new thermo-optical method for the measurement of wall shear stresses is presented. The technique exploits that the surface temperature field and the near wall flow are closely linked by correlating the thermal wakes of small heated spots with the wall shear stress. Numerical as well as experimental results are presented and different correlation and design parameters are examined. In contrast to recent works, where the thermal tuft length is used for a correlation with the wall shear stress, other parameters were found to be much better suited for a skin friction calibration. It is also shown that the new method has the unique capability to not only measure the magnitude of the wall shear stress but also its direction.
G-load tracking control of a centrifuge driven by servo hydraulic systems
Authors: Tsai M-H , Shih M-C
Published: June 2009

The centrifuge is applied as a training device to increase the tolerance of pilots for high G z-loads during high-speed manoeuvres, and to study the inertia of major physiological systems of the body. In this study, a centrifuge is driven by three servo hydraulically driven control systems: the speed control system of the centrifuge, which is driven by hydraulic variable motors, and the roll angle and pitch angle control system of the gondola, which are driven by the hydraulic oscillators. By controlling the speed of the centrifuge and the angular position of the gondola, the G z-load of centrifuge can be controlled to achieve the required profile.
In-situ fatigue damage monitoring using symbolic dynamic filtering of ultrasonic signals
Authors: Singh D S , Gupta S , Ray A
Published: June 2009

This article presents a data-driven method of pattern identification for in-situ monitoring of fatigue damage in polycrystalline alloys that are commonly used in aerospace structures. The concept is built upon analytic signal space partitioning of ultrasonic data sequences for symbolic dynamic filtering of the underlying information. The statistical patterns of evolving damage are generated for real-time monitoring of the possible structural degradation under fatigue load. The proposed method is capable of detecting small anomalies (i.e. deviations from the nominal condition) in the material microstructure and thereby generating early warnings on damage initiation. The damage monitoring algorithm has been validated on time series data of ultrasonic sensors from a fatigue test apparatus, where the behavioural pattern changes accrue because of the evolving fatigue damage in polycrystalline alloys.
Non-linear analysis of a typical nose landing gear model with torsional free play
Authors: Sateesh B , Maiti D K
Published: June 2009

One of the problems faced by the aircraft community is the landing gear dynamics, especially the shimmy. Non-linear behaviour of landing gear makes the evaluation of the shimmy phenomenon more complex and its prediction more difficult. Notably the non-linearities in landing gear torsional free play tend to destabilize the landing gear, whereas the frictional non-linearity dissipates energy and thus increases the landing gear stability. This article presents the study of the shimmy instability of a typical nose landing gear model developed based on the Li formulations with torsional free play. Finally, the study has been performed to postpone the dynamic instability by introducing magneto rheological fluid-based damper.
Heat and mass transfer in a flat disc-shaped evaporator of a miniature loop heat pipe
Authors: Tu Z K , Liu Z C , Liu C , Gai D X , Wan Z M , Liu W
Published: June 2009

The start-up characteristics of a flat miniature loop heat pipe (LHP) with different heat loads were experimentally investigated in this article. Reasons for the difficulties in its start-up were analysed. An overall two-dimensional numerical model was developed to address the heat and mass transfer characteristics in the evaporator of the miniature LHP. The numerical results showed that the performance of the flat miniature LHP could be enhanced by improving the geometrical structure in a limited working space. Effects of thickness of the side wall, height of the compensation chamber, and the wick on system performance were discussed in detail.
Monitoring of dry cutting and applications of cutting fluid
Authors: Tangjitsitcharoen S
Published: June 2009

The aim of this research is to monitor the dry cutting, the wet cutting, and the mist cutting in turning process to select the most suitable cutting condition for the plain carbon steel with the coated carbide tool based on the consideration of the surface roughness of the machined part, the life of the cutting tool, and the use of minimum quantity lubrication. The dynamometer is installed on the turret of a CNC turning machine in order to measure the in-process cutting force. The in-process cutting forces obtained are studied and analysed for the machinability of steel under various cutting conditions. The experimentally obtained results showed that the relation between the tool wear and the surface roughness, the relation between the tool wear and the cutting force, and the relation between the cutting force and the surface roughness are correspondent with the same trend. The phenomena of the surface roughness and the tool wear can be well explained by the experimentally obtained in-process cutting forces.
Lubricity and chemical reactivity of ionic liquid used for sliding metals under high-vacuum conditions
Authors: Yagi T , Sasaki S , Mano H , Miyake K , Nakano M , Ishida T
Published: June 2009

Ionic liquid is expected to function as a novel lubricant under vacuum conditions because of its unique properties, such as low volatility, thermal stability, and electrical polarity. The tribological behaviour of an ionic liquid that would be used for four kinds of metals, Al, Cu, Fe, and Ti, was evaluated using a high-vacuum pin-on-disc sliding tester equipped with a Q-mass spectrometer. The ionic liquid exhibited the expected lubricity for Fe and Cu. Increases of several partial gas pressures, which are thought to be caused by the tribo-chemical decomposition of the ionic liquid, were observed in all cases. Deterioration of the vacuum level was seen for Ti and Al. Surface analytical results using X-ray photoelectron spectrometer showed the formation of metal fluoride on the sliding metal surfaces except for Cu. The tribo-chemical reaction and decomposition behaviour of the ionic liquid strongly depended on the kind of sliding metal. The combination of sliding material and ionic liquid appears to be an important factor in the design of high-vacuum sliding systems.
Tribological behaviour of two ash-less and phosphorous-free anti-wear additives and their synergetic effect with zinc dialkyldithiophosphates in mineral oil
Authors: Liang P , Ren T , Li J , Ma H , Wu H
Published: June 2009

Two heterocyclic compounds, 1-ethylhexyl-ethyl ester-thiomethyl-2-sulphur-benzo-thiazole (referred to as MBES) and 1-(dibutylamine-sulphur-methyl)-thiomethyl-2-sulphur-benzothiazole (referred to as MBON), as lubricating oil additives, were synthesized to replace or partially replace zincdialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP). It was found that two heterocyclic compounds added in base oil at a proper concentration showed rather good anti-wear behaviour; there was a pronounced synergism between MBES and 1.0 wt% ZDDP in terms of the anti-wear properties and load-carrying capacities, whereas there was no synergism between MBON and 1.0 wt% ZDDP. X-ray photoelectron spectroscope analytical results showed that the tribofilms generated from the base oil-1.5 wt% MBON mainly contained pyrite, sulphite, and sulphate, whereas the films from the base oil-1.5 wt% MBES only contain sulphate; for the films from the complexes of the additive with 1.0 wt% ZDDP, S-containing compounds in the films are mainly in the form of sulphate and sulphite, and there are some N-containing organic compounds adsorbed on the worn surfaces.
Film-forming properties and traction of non- functionalized polyalkylmethacrylate solutions under transition from elastohydrodynamic lubrication to thin-film lubrication
Authors: Muraki M , Nakamura K
Published: June 2009

Oil film thickness of the oils containing non-functionalized polyalkylmethacrylate (PAMA) was determined under pure rolling condition between 0.001 and 1 m/s and a temperature of 40 °C with a glass disc-on-steel roller tester. The measurements for PAMA solutions with short-chain alkyl group (C1mix) showed a pronounced enhancement of film thickness in the low speeds, while those for long chain (C16mix) fell on the theoretical line. Adsorption test indicated that the increase in film thickness for C1mix was due to the absorbed layer formed by polymer molecule. Then, traction behaviour was studied by varying the rolling speed under a slide/roll ratio of 50 per cent with a sapphire disc-on-steel roller tester. In traction—speed curves, the measurements of all the polymer solutions fell on the base oil line in the high speeds. In the region below 0.1 m/s, as the speed was decreased, the traction for high-molecular-weight (HMw) C1mix and C16mix solutions deviated downward from the base oil line. The traction—film parameter curves suggested that the traction for C1mix and HMw-C1mix solutions was influenced by the mutual interaction of polymer molecules in the partial EHL region including thin-film lubrication, where the concentration of the polymer is high compared to bulk solution.
Risk factors for fatality in patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
Authors: Fisgin Nuriye Tasdelen , Tanyel Esra , Doganci Levent , Tulek Necla
Published: June 2009

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a potentially fatal viral disease. In this study, the aim was to investigate the prognostic factors affecting the patient's survival and risk factors to fatality. At Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine, a tertiary referral centre near the CCHF epidemic region, patients with typical clinical findings and indicative microbiological results for IgM and/or reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of CCHF virus were enrolled in the study, from 2004 to 2007. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to their survival outcomes; group I ( n = 44) survived patients and group II ( n = 6) consisted of fatal cases.

The median platelet count was significantly lower in the fatal group (11000/mm3) when compared to the survived group (49500/mm3). Aspartate transferase and alanine transferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in group II, when compared to group I. Also, the median range of serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were much more elevated, and prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were prolonged in fatal cases. There was also a significant difference in median age of these two groups. Advanced age, late admission, low platelet count, increased AST, ALT, CPK and LDH levels, and prolonged PT and aPTT could be an early indicator of poor prognosis in patients with CCHF.
Impact of day care cataract surgery on inpatient services in a tertiary care ophthalmic setup
Authors: Prakash Gaurav , Sharma Namrata , Jhanji Vishal , Agarwal Tushar , Titiyal Jeewan S
Published: June 2009

We retrospectively reviewed the admission patterns for one year before and one year after the introduction of day care cataract surgery at our cornea services and noted that the number of cataract surgeries per month improved from year 2003 to 2005 ( P < 0.001), with a higher number of admissions for non-emergency corneal pathology seen in 2005 ( P < 0.001). There was a 69.1% more chance of admission for a corneal pathology patient after the introduction of day care services cataract surgery. Day care cataract surgery decongests non-cataract pathology related inpatient services and is therefore a viable alternative in the developing world.
Neonatal tetanus in the babies of Nigerian mothers immunised against Tetanus
Authors: Fetuga Bolanle Musili , Ogunlesi Tinuade Adetutu , Adekanmbi Folashade , Olanrewaju Durotoye
Published: June 2009

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of babies with neonatal tetanus (NNT) whose mothers were immunised against tetanus and determine the outcome of their hospitalisation. The hospital records of babies affected by NNT whose mothers received at least two doses of anti-tetanus vaccine during pregnancy were identified and compared with similarly affected babies whose mothers were not immunised against tetanus during pregnancy in a Nigerian hospital. Out of 175 cases of NNT, the mothers of 24 (13.7%) babies were immunised against tetanus during pregnancy while the mothers of 151 (86.3%) were not. The proportions of babies of immunised mothers and unimmunised mothers who presented within the first three days of life, within a day of the onset of symptoms and with spasms were similar. Nevertheless, the survival rate was higher (62.5% vs. 26.5%; P = 0.0004) among babies of immunised mothers. Despite similarities in clinical presentation of babies of mothers with and without anti-tetanus vaccination, the survival rate was higher for the former.
Unusual presentation of tuberculosis
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Pandey Deepak , Ahmad Zuber , Bhargava Rakesh , Hameed Iffat , Mehfooz Nazia
Published: June 2009

Mediastinal mass is not an unusual entity. It occurs mostly due to lymphoma, thymoma, germ cell tumours, granulomatous diseases, and so on. Tuberculosis is an uncommon cause of mediastinal mass. It is rarely suspected when it is presented in such an unusual way. We report here a case of a 35-year-old male who presented with mediastinal mass, which was later confirmed as a case of tuberculosis on histopathological examination. He was successfully treated with anti-tubercular drugs.
Idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia with cryptococcal meningitis: first case report from Cambodia
Authors: Augusto Esdras , Raguenaud Marie-Eve , Kim Chindamony , Mony Mam , Isaakidis Petros
Published: June 2009

We report on a patient with cryptococcal meningitis with CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia and no evidence of HIV infection.
Severe adverse reactions to meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis: a report of 13 cases in the southwestern region of Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Ana Lúcia Lyrio , Brustoloni Yvone Maia , Fernandes Thiago Dias , Dorval Maria Elizabeth Cavalheiros , da Cunha Rivaldo Venâncio , Bóia Márcio Neves
Published: June 2009

Antimony-based medications continue to be the chosen drug for visceral leishmaniasis treatment in most countries. Pentavalent antimony compounds are highly effective but frequently have adverse reactions. Although toxic effects are almost always reversible, some of them can be severe. Clinical and laboratory data of 13 patients who developed severe adverse reactions to meglumine antimoniate in a teaching hospital in southwestern Brazil in 2004–2005 were analysed. Most patients were adults (10/13), mainly at the age of 50 or older (4/13). The main severe adverse reactions were renal failure (eight episodes), pancreatitis (six episodes) and hepatic failure/hepatitis (five episodes). Six patients died in the period; all presented acute renal failure and four presented hepatic failure. Meglumine antimoniate can cause severe reactions, which can lead to death if not promptly identified. Further studies are warrented on the effect of less toxic drugs.
Acute glomerulonephritis in hepatitis A virus infection: a rare presentation
Authors: Aggarwal Anju , Kumar Devendra , Kumar Ritesh
Published: June 2009

An eight-year-old boy presenting with features of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), developed jaundice. He was positive for hepatitis A immunoglobulin M. AGN is a rare complication of hepatitis A. Here, we describe a temporal association of hepatitis A infection complicated by AGN.
Death due to chikungunya
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Bhaswati , Bandyopadhyay Debasish , Bhattacharya Rana , De Rajyasree , Saha Bibhuti , Mukherjee H , Hati A K
Published: June 2009

After its first appearance in Kolkata (Calcutta) during 1963–1965, chikungunya occurred in epidemic form in India in 17 states and union territories. There were 13,90,322 cases suspected to be suffering from chikungunya in 2006, 59,535 in 2007 and 11,222 in 2008; in 2006, 2007 and 2008 there were 15,961, 7,837 and 262 samples, respectively, sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and the National Institute of Communicable Disease, Delhi, for serological diagnosis. Of these, 2001, 1826 and 44, respectively, were confirmed as chikungunya. There were no deaths (data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Government of India).
Cutaneous dirofilariasis presenting as an eyelid swelling
Authors: Shenoi Shrutakirthi D , Kumar Pramod , Johnston Stephanie P , Khadilkar Urmila N
Published: June 2009

Dirofilariasis is a common filarial infection occurring in domestic and wild animals as a result of arthropod bites. However, it can be transmitted to humans after mosquito bites. Here, we report a case of a 54-year-old lady who developed an unilateral eyelid swelling secondary to Dirofilaria repens.
Rare primary extrahepatic intra-abdominal hydatid cysts
Authors: De Utpal
Published: June 2009

Hydatid disease is an endemic parasitic disease prevalent in sheep-rearing countries. Although liver and lung are the commonly involved organs, hydatid disease can occur in any organ or tissue. In this case series, we share our experience of some rare primary extrahepatic intra-abdominal hydatid cysts.
Delivery room logbook – fact or fiction?
Authors: Duffy Shane , Crangle Moya
Published: June 2009

The delivery room logbook entries of Gimbie Adventist Hospital for a period of one month were monitored and compared with the actual number of births recorded on a separate worksheet for that period. The implications of the missing data were reviewed. This data was compared to a previous audit of the same design. Eighty per cent of births were recorded during this one month period which reflected an improvement from 72% reported in a previous study. Underreporting resulted in discrepencies when calculating the number of births and signal functions such as caesarean section rates, blood transfusion, administration of parenteral anticonvulsants and removal of retained products. In turn, these discrepencies impact the calculation of process indicators of safe motherhood projects. The reliability of the delivery room logbook as the sole source of information to create health policy and to monitor and evaluate health programs is questionable.
Probable Interaction Between Warfarin and Marijuana Smoking
Authors: Yamreudeewong Weeranuj , Wong Hing Ka , Brausch Laura M , Pulley Keri R
Published: June 2009

Objective:

To report a probable interaction between warfarin and marijuana smoking, resulting in increased international normalized ratio (INR) values and bleeding complications.

Case Summary:

A 56-year-old white male had been receiving chronic warfarin therapy for 11 years after mechanical heart valve replacement. He was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Upon admission, his INR value was supratherapeutic at 10.41, and his hemoglobin level was 6.6 g/dL He received 4 units of fresh frozen plasma and one 10-mg dose of oral vitamin K; his INR was 1.8 the next day. He was discharged 7 days after admission. Fifteen days after hospital discharge, he was readmitted with a constant nosebleed and increased bruising. His INR value was 11.55. After treatment, he was discharged with an INR value of 1.14. The patient smoked marijuana more frequently throughout the period of these 2 hospitalizations due to his depression. He was counseled by the pharmacist on the potential interaction of warfarin and marijuana. The patient decided to stop smoking marijuana after the third counseling session. During the 9 months that he did not smoke marijuana, his INR values ranged from 1.08 to 4.40 with no significant bleeding complications.

Discussion:

Marijuana may increase warfarin anticoagulant effect by inhibiting its metabolism, and to a lesser extent, displacing warfarin from protein-binding sites. Other causes (eg, nonadherence) of the patient's increased INR were ruled out. Using the Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale, our patient's warfarin–marijuana interaction appeared to be probable.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, there have been no other reported cases of warfarin–marijuana interaction. While more clinical reports would be useful to confirm this interaction, clinicians should be aware of its probability so as to manage patients appropriately.
The film-opera Aida (1953): intermediality and operatics
Authors: Kuhn Bernhard
Published: June 2009

This article offers an intermedial analysis of the film-operaAida(dir. Clemente Fracassi, 1953) within the context of opera adaptation in Italian cinema. Drawing on theories of intermediality developed by Wolf and Rajewsky, it adopts and applies the intermedial subcategories of medial transposition, plurimediality and intermedial reference to the study of film-operas. By comparing the filmAidawith the libretto and the score of Verdi's opera, the article first considers the medial transpositions of the text as well as the music. In a second layer of analysis, it examines plurimediality and intermedial references in the film-opera in order to evaluate the integration of operatic elements into the film.

The article concludes that the film-operaAidarepresents a hybrid work of art situated between opera and cinema. Instead of attempting to record the opera in a naturalistic way, Fracassi presents an opera with filmic means, also by simulating and partially recreating operatic characteristics within the film's discourse. By demonstrating thatAidaindeed offers a creative and cinematographically innovative adaptation of the opera's libretto and score, the article not only re-evaluates this film-opera, but additionally highlights the usefulness of the intermedial approach for the analysis of opera adaptations.
Between the cat and the devil: Adaptation Studies and Translation Studies
Authors: Milton John
Published: June 2009

This article approximates the areas of Adaptation Studies and Translation Studies. It examines changing paradigms in Translation Studies, proposing that Translation Studies has been losing its narrow definition of equivalence, and, following the ideas of Andr Lefevere and Maria Tymoczko,
has broadened out to include the concepts of representation, transfer or transmission and transculturation. Examples are given from works that deal with translation in Asia, the translations and theories of Haroldo de Campos and my own work on classic fiction that has been adapted for mass
markets.
Adapting the adaptors: staging Davenant and Dryden's Restoration Tempest
Authors: Keenan Tim
Published: June 2009

This article is based on a recent revival of Davenant and Dryden's The Tempest; or, The Enchanted Island at the University of Hull, UK. It argues for the critical value of performance in altering perceptions of Restoration adaptations of Shakespeare and discusses the application
of theoretical approaches to the revival of historically distant plays.
Reviews
Authors: Collard Christophe , Shaughnessy Robert , Welsh Jim , Wolf Alain J.E
Published: June 2009

Drama Translation and Theatre Practice, Sabine Coelsch-Foisner and Holger Klein (eds), (2004) Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 518 pp., ISBN 3631507550 (pbk), 58.00

Women as Hamlet: Performance and Interpretation in Theatre, Film and Fiction, Tony Howard, (2007)
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, xi + 329 pp., ISBN 0521864666 (hbk), 50.00

Shakespeare, Film Studies, and the Visual Cultures of Modernity, Anthony R. Guneratne, (2008) New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 346 pp., ISBN 1403967881 (hbk), $89.95

Watching the
Lord of the Rings: Tolkien's World Audiences, Martin Barker and Ernest Mathijs (eds), (2008) New York, Washington, DC/Baltimore, Bern, Frankfurt am Main, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna, Oxford: Peter Lang, 297 pp., ISBN 9780820463964 (pbk), 16.50; ISBN 9780820463971 (hbk), 45