bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival of distinct Asian groups among colorectal cancer cases in California
Authors: Le Hoa , Ziogas Argyrios , Taylor Thomas H. , Lipkin Steven M. , Zell Jason A.
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND:

It has been reported that Asian ethnicity confers a survival benefit in colorectal cancer (CRC) compared with other ethnicities, but it is not known if this is limited to specific Asian subsets. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine differences using data from the large, population‐based California Cancer Registry (CCR).

METHODS:

The authors conducted a case‐only analysis of CCR data (1994–2003), including descriptive analysis of relevant clinical variables. Overall survival univariate analyses were conducted using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Multivariate survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards ratios (HR).

RESULTS:

The 61,494 incident cases of colon and 24,350 incident cases of rectal cancer analyzed included 1905 Chinese, 1162 Filipino, 414 Vietnamese, 391 Korean, 1091 Japanese, 148 Asian Indian, and 77,554 Caucasians. After adjustment for age, sex, grade, histology, site within the colon, stage of disease, insurance status, socioeconomic status (SES), and therapy, Filipino (colon: HR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.76–0.95) (rectum: HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71–0.94) and Chinese ethnicity (colon: HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.92–0.98) had significantly decreased risk of death compared with Caucasians. Sigmoid lesions were independently associated with improved survival among all cases (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88–0.95) (referent group were proximal and transverse lesions), and among Asian‐only cases in separate analysis (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70–0.87).

CONCLUSIONS:

Although survival after CRC diagnosis is improved for Asians in general, significant survival differences are observed only in specific Asian subsets. Data from the current study suggest that survival among Asians is less affected by SES or treatment disparities, and may be because of biologic factors. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis
Authors: Bruna Jordi , González Laura , Miró Júlia , Velasco Roser , Gil Miguel , Tortosa Avelina ,   for the Neuro‐Oncology Unit of the Institute of Biomedical Investigation of Bellvitge
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND:

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) represents a devastating complication of systemic cancer, and patients with LC have a dismal prognosis and increased mortality. The few studies that have focused on the evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with LC have resulted in contradictory results. Thus, the treatment of LC remains controversial, and no straightforward guidelines exist in the literature. The objective of the current study was to identify prognostic markers related to LC survival to better select patients who are eligible for intensive treatment.

METHODS:

Seventy patients who had a diagnosis of LC were reviewed, and clinical data, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters, tumor‐related characteristics, and treatment information were registered. The impact of single parameters on overall survival was determined by both univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

The multivariate analysis revealed that Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score ≤2 (P = .028), a glucose level in CSF ≥2.7 mmol/L (P = .001), the presence of infratentorial symptoms at onset (P = .026), and intrathecal treatment (P < .001) were associated independently with longer overall survival in patients with LC. In addition, the same clinical factors also predicted response to treatment in such patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

The predictive factors for patients with LC that were identified in this study could help to better select patients who are more likely to benefit from chemotherapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Evaluation of tumor response after locoregional therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Forner Alejandro , Ayuso Carmen , Varela María , Rimola Jordi , Hessheimer Amelia J. , de Lope Carlos Rodriguez , Reig María , Bianchi Luís , Llovet Josep M. , Bruix Jordi
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND:

Evaluation of response to treatment is a key aspect in cancer therapy. Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) are used in most oncology trials, but those criteria evaluate only unidimensional tumor measurements and disregard the extent of necrosis, which is the target of all effective locoregional therapies. Therefore, the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines recommended that assessment of tumor response should incorporate the reduction in viable tumor burden. The current report provides an assessment of the agreement/concordance between both RECIST and the EASL guidelines for the evaluation of response to therapy.

METHODS:

The authors evaluated a cohort of 55 patients within prospective studies, including 24 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with drug eluting beads (DEB‐TACE) and 31 patients who underwent percutaneous ablation (percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI]/radiofrequency [RF]). Triphasic helical computed tomography scans were performed at baseline, at 1 month, and at 3 months after procedure, and 2 independent radiologists evaluated tumor response.

RESULTS:

Evaluating response according to RECIST criteria, no patients achieved a complete response (CR), 21.8% of patients achieved a partial response (PR) (none in the PEI/RF group), 47.3% of patients had stable disease (SD), and 30.9% of patients had progressive disease (PD). When response was evaluated according to the EASL guidelines, 54.5% of patients achieved a CR, 27.3% of patients achieved a PR, 3.6% of patients had SD, and 14.5% had PD. The κ coefficient was 0.193 (95% confidence interval, 0.0893‐0.2967; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

RECIST missed all CRs and underestimated the extent of partial tumor response because of tissue necrosis, wrongly assessing the therapeutic efficacy of locoregional therapies. This evaluation should incorporate the reduction in viable tumor burden as recognized by nonenhanced areas on dynamic imaging studies. Cancer, 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Towards a multi‐scale computerized bone diagnostic system: 2D micro‐scale finite element analysis
Authors: Podshivalov L. , Holdstein Y. , Fischer A. , Bar‐Yoseph P. Z.
Published: December 2008

Currently, there is major interest within the biomedical community in developing accurate non‐invasive means for analyzing bone micro‐structure. This paper presents a new approach for a multi‐scale finite element (FE) analysis of a trabecular structure. Two domain decomposition approaches are investigated as a basis for computational analysis at the micro‐scale level, which is then applied for solving a 2D elasticity FE problem. In addition, a homogenization procedure from micro‐ to macro‐scale level is presented. The proposed new multi‐scale FE method has the potential to provide new insights into bone structure and behavior. Moreover, it is expected that the outcomes of this research will develop into a computerized virtual biopsy system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron Transport through Conjugated Molecules: When the π System Only Tells Part of the Story
Authors: Solomon Gemma C. , Andrews David Q. , Van Duyne Richard P. , Ratner Mark A.
Published: December 2008

In molecular transport junctions, current is monitored as a function of the applied voltage for a single molecule assembled between two leads. The transport is modulated by the electronic states of the molecule. For the prototypical delocalized systems, namely, π‐conjugated aromatics, the π system usually dominates the transport. Herein, we investigate situations where model calculations including only the π system do not capture all of the subtleties of the transport properties. Including both the σ and π contributions to charge transport allows us to demonstrate that while there is generally good agreement, there are discrepancies between the methods. We find that model calculations with only the π system are insufficient where the transport is dominated by quantum interference and cases where geometric changes modulate the coupling between different regions of the π system. We examine two specific molecular test cases to model these geometric changes: the angle dependence of coupling in (firstly) a biphenyl and (secondly) a nitro substituent of a cross‐conjugated unit.
Band‐gap Modification in a Nanoscale Region of Polyethylene by Fast Electrons
Authors: Kim Hansoo
Published: December 2008

Drastic change: A nanoscale spot of polyethylene (PE) can change its electrical properties dramatically after exposure to fast electrons—from a representative insulator, via a semiconductor, to a hopping conductor (see picture). These modifications of the chemical and energy‐band structures of PE are extremely localized, thus opening a new way to use this conventional polymer in nanotechnology.

magnified image

Herein, a nanoscale area on a polyethylene film is investigated by an electron‐microscope–electron‐spectroscopy system after exposure to various doses of fast electrons. Therefore, modifications in its physical and chemical properties and the spatial size of a beam‐affected area are measured. The results show that the modifications of PE by electrons are significant enough to rebuild the chemical and energy‐band structures. Hydrogen is removed through scission while π bonds are formed by cross‐linking between main chains. These changes cause the energy band of PE to show dramatic variation from a wide to a narrow (down to ∼0.8 eV) band‐gap. At the highest dose (1010 C m−2) used herein, an illuminated area of PE becomes quite similar in properties to graphitic amorphous carbon. On the other hand, the size of the beam‐affected area is as small as roughly 50 nm in diameter. Since the extent of the modifications can be tailored in a controllable way by the dose, these findings may be fundamental for the utilization of a conventional polymer in nanotechnology.
Ethanol Oxidation on Electrocatalysts Obtained by Spontaneous Deposition of Palladium onto Nickel‐Zinc Materials
Authors: Bambagioni Valentina , Bianchini Claudio , Filippi Jonathan , Oberhauser Werner , Marchionni Andrea , Vizza Francesco , Psaro Rinaldo , Sordelli Laura , Foresti Maria Luisa , Innocenti Massimo
Published: December 2008

Ni‐Zn and Ni‐Zn‐P alloys supported on Vulcan XC‐72 are effective materials for the spontaneous deposition of palladium through redox transmetalation with PdIV salts. The materials obtained, Pd‐(Ni‐Zn)/C and Pd‐(Ni‐Zn‐P)/C, have been characterized by a variety of techniques. The analytical and spectroscopic data show that the surface of Pd‐(Ni‐Zn)/C and Pd‐(Ni‐Zn‐P)/C contain very small, highly dispersed, and highly crystalline palladium clusters as well as single palladium sites, likely stabilized by interaction with oxygen atoms from NiO moieties. As a reference material, a nanostructured Pd/C material was prepared by reduction of an aqueous solution of PdCl2/HCl with ethylene glycol in the presence of Vulcan XC‐72. In Pd/C, the Pd particles are larger, less dispersed, and much less crystalline. Glassy carbon electrodes coated with the Pd‐(Ni‐Zn)/C and Pd‐(Ni‐Zn‐P)/C materials, containing very low Pd loadings (22–25 μg cm−2), were studied for the oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media in half cells and provided excellent results in terms of both specific current (as high as 3600 A g(Pd)−1 at room temperature) and onset potential (as low as −0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl/KClsat).
Bemessung von Mauerwerk nach DIN 1053‐11 und DIN 1053‐13
Authors: Graubner Carl‐Alexander , Brehm Eric , Jäger Wolfram , Reichel Stephan
Published: December 2008

Die Bemessung von Mauerwerk wird künftig in den Normteilen DIN 1053‐11 (vereinfachtes Verfahren) und DIN 1053‐13 (genaueres Verfahren) geregelt sein. Dieser Beitrag geht hauptsächlich auf die zu erwartenden nderungen beim Nachweis von biege‐ und schubbeanspruchten Mauerwerksbauteilen sowie von Kellerwänden ein. Die Unterschiede zu den Vorgängernormen DIN 1053‐100 bzw. DIN 1053‐1 werden aufgezeigt und kommentiert.

Der hier vorgestellte Stand entspricht dem von September 2008. Der Abdruck erfolgt, um die Fachwelt zu informieren und die Möglichkeit zur rechtzeitigen Stellungnahme zu geben. Die Veröffentlichung stellt noch kein abschließendes Ergebnis dar. Die genannten Nachweise sind noch nicht anwendbar.
Pseudo‐dynamische Versuche an Reihenmittelhäusern – Vergleich mit aktuellen Berechnungsansätzen
Authors: Butenweg Christoph , Gellert Christoph , Kranzler Thomas
Published: December 2008

Der Beitrag vergleicht die Ergebnisse von in dem EU‐Forschungsprojekt ESECMaSE durchgeführten pseudo‐dynamischen Großversuchen an Reihenmittelhäusern mit den Berechnungen auf der Grundlage von DIN 1053‐100. Zusätzlich werden die Ergebnisse mit einem neuen Ansatz für die Berechnung der Schubtragfähigkeit und mit einem verformungsbasierten Berechnungskonzept verglichen. Auf Grundlage der Ergebnisse werden die Defizite des aktuellen Normenkonzepts diskutiert und die erheblichen Tragfähigkeitsreserven von Mauerwerksbauten unter Erdbebenbeanspruchung aufgezeigt. Abschließend werden daraus Empfehlungen für den Erdbebennachweis von Mauerwerksbauten abgeleitet.
The roles of obesity and gender on the relationship between metabolic risk factors and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Koreans
Authors: Lee Kayoung , Sung Jung‐Ah , Kim Jun‐Su , Park Tae‐Jin
Published: December 2008

Background The effect of gender and weight status on the association between metabolic risk factors and NAFLD has not been well established. This study aimed to assess the relationships among obesity, gender, metabolic risk factors, and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Korean adults.

Methods Abdominal ultrasounds, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical tests were performed on 13 768 Korean adults (7313 men and 6455 women) recruited from a health promotion centre between 2005 and 2006.

Results Of 13 768 subjects, 25% were diagnosed with NAFLD. Weight status (obesity vs non‐obesity, odds ratio (OR) 4.4–9.7) and gender (women vs men, OR 0.6) were associated with NAFLD after adjusting for age, metabolic risk factors (high blood pressure, high glucose, high TG, low HDL, high LDL, and high uric acid), and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (γGT). For subjects with any one risk factor, the OR (95% CI) for mild fatty liver was 27 (19.3–37.8) in men and 7.9 (6.1–10.2) in women who were obese compared to non‐obese individuals having no risk factors. The ORs in men and women who were not obese were 4.7 (3.9–5.6) and 2.5 (2.2–3.0), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for NAFLD with any one risk factor without obesity was 90–91 and 32–49%, respectively; any one risk factor combined with obesity changed the sensitivity and specificity to 64–67 and 77–85%, respectively.

Conclusions Gender and weight status appear to modify the relationship between metabolic risk factors and NAFLD. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of genetic variations in HHEX gene on insulin metabolism in the German MESYBEPO cohort
Authors: Pivovarova Olga , Nikiforova Victoria J. , Pfeiffer Andreas F. H. , Rudovich Natalia
Published: December 2008

Background In the present study, we aimed to validate the type 2 diabetes (T2DM) susceptibility alleles identified in the first genome‐wide association study in the hematopoietically expressed homeobox protein (HHEX) gene region (rs1111875 and rs7923837). Furthermore, we investigated quantitative metabolic risk phenotypes of these two variants for association with three key components of the insulin metabolism: insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and insulin degradation.

Methods Two HHEX polymorphisms were genotyped in 1026 subjects from the German MESYBEPO cohort. Complete OGTT data were available for a subset of 420 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 282 with impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose (IGT/IFG) and 146 diabetic subjects.

Results We validated association of both HHEX polymorphisms with T2DM. In the non‐diabetic subcohort including NGT and IFG/IGT subjects, the risk alleles of rs7923837 and rs1111875 were significantly associated with decreased first and second phases of insulin secretion and lower insulinogenic index after oral glucose loading. In healthy, normal glucose‐tolerant subjects, the same association of HHEX SNP rs1111875 with OGTT‐derived phases of insulin secretion were detectable, however, rs7923837 was only weakly associated with reduced insulinogenic index. For both polymorphisms, no significant correlations with insulin sensitivity were obtained. Reduced insulin clearance was also observed in heterozygous carriers of rs1111875.

Conclusions We validated the association of polymorphisms of the HHEX gene with T2DM in the MESYBEPO cohort. Importantly, variations within the HHEX gene conferred the impaired insulin secretion and changes of insulin degradation but no alteration in insulin sensitivity in carriers of risk alleles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation and validation of mice carrying a conditional allele of the epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Lee Tang‐Cheng , Threadgill David W.
Published: December 2008

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is important for normal homeostasis in a variety of tissues and, when abnormally expressed or mutated, contributes to the development of many diseases. However, in vivo functional studies are hindered by the lack of adult mice lacking EGFR because of the pre‐ and postnatal lethality of EGFR deficient mice. We generated a conditional allele of Egfr (Egfrtm1Dwt) by flanking exon 3 with loxP sites in order to investigate tissue‐specific functions of this widely expressed receptor tyrosine kinase. The activity of the Egfrtm1Dwt allele is indistinguishable from wildtype Egfr. Conversely, the EgfrΔ allele, generated by Cre‐mediated deletion of exon 3 using the germline EIIa‐Cre transgenic line, functions as a null allele. EgfrΔ/Δ embryos that have complete ablation of EGFR activity and die at mid‐gestation with placental defects identical to those reported for mice homozygous for the Egfrtm1Mag null allele. We also inactivated the Egfrtm1Dwt allele tissue‐specifically in the skin epithelium using the K14‐Cre transgenic line. These mice were viable but exhibited wavy coat hair remarkably similar to mice homozygous for the Egfrwa2 hypomorphic allele or heterozygous for the EgfrWa5 antimorphic allele. These results suggest that the hairless phenotype of Egfr nullizygous mice is not solely due to absence of EGFR in the epithelium, but that EGFR activity is required also in skin stromal cells for normal hair morphogenesis. This new mouse model should have wide utility to inactivate Egfr conditionally for functional analysis of EGFR in adult tissues and disease states. genesis 47:85–92, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aggregated P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells as a simple in vitro model to study the molecular regulations of mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis
Authors: Marikawa Yusuke , Tamashiro Dana Ann A. , Fujita Toko C. , Alarcón Vernadeth B.
Published: December 2008

Because of their capacity to give rise to various types of cells in vitro, embryonic stem and embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells have been used as convenient models to study the mechanisms of cell differentiation in mammalian embryos. In this study, we explored the mouse P19 EC cell line as an effective tool to investigate the factors that may play essential roles in mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis. We first demonstrated that aggregated P19 cells not only exhibited gene expression patterns characteristic of mesoderm formation but also displayed elongation morphogenesis with a distinct anterior–posterior body axis as in the embryo. We then showed by RNA interference that these processes were controlled by various regulators of Wnt signaling pathways, namely β‐catenin, Wnt3, Wnt3a, and Wnt5a, in a manner similar to normal embryo development. We further showed by inhibitor treatments that the axial elongation morphogenesis was dependent on the activity of Rho‐associated kinase. Because of the convenience of these experimental manipulations, we propose that P19 cells can be used as a simple and efficient screening tool to assess the potential functions of specific molecules in mesoderm formation and axial elongation morphogenesis. genesis 47:93–106, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of body dissatisfaction and cosmetic rhinoplasty with levels of veil practicing in Islamic women
Authors: Rastmanesh Reza , Gluck Marci E , Shadman Zhaleh
Published: December 2008

Objective:

The relationship between Islamic veiling, body dissatisfaction, and desire for cosmetic rhinoplasty (CR) has not been studied. We therefore compared body dissatisfaction (BD), depression, self‐esteem, and prevalence and desire to have CR in 1,771 Iranian females.

Method:

A battery of questionnaires was administered and participants were categorized into three groups of Islamic veil practicing: voluntarily and ideologically (IVP), non‐complete (NCIVP), and Inconsiderate (IIVP).

Results:

Despite a similar BMI, the IVP group scored significantly lower on BD, prevalence of dieting and exercising in order to be sexually appealing, and depression, higher on self‐esteem, and had a lower desire for a CR than the two other groups. Prevalence of CR was significantly higher in the IIVP group than the other groups.

Discussion:

Women who practiced more strict Islamic veiling techniques had increased body satisfaction and self esteem, and decreased depression scores and desire for CR. Consistent with other studies, our findings show that observance of a strict religious practice has a protective effect on psychological health. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009
Ecological momentary assessment of affect, stress, and binge‐purge behaviors: Day of week and time of day effects in the natural environment
Authors: Smyth Joshua M. , Wonderlich Stephen A. , Sliwinski Martin J. , Crosby Ross D. , Engel Scott G. , Mitchell James E. , Calogero Rachel M.
Published: December 2008

Objective

The present study examined ecological momentary assessments of binge/vomit behavior, mood, and type and severity of stressors in a sample of 133 women with bulimia nervosa.

Method

Participants completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol for a period of 2 weeks.

Results

Mixed‐effects and multilevel logistic models revealed significant variation across time of day and day of the week in the occurrence of binging, vomiting, positive and negative affect, and the severity and types of stressful events.

Discussion

These findings explicate how momentary and daily experiences vary in the natural environments of women with bulimia nervosa, and document critical time periods for intervention. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009
Slow‐growing craniopharyngioma masquarading as early‐onset eating disorder: Two cases
Authors: Vad Winkler Laura , Andersen Marianne , Hørder Kirsten , Schumann Thorsten , Støving René Klinkby
Published: December 2008

Background:

Craniopharyngiomas are slow‐growing tumors, which can either be asymptomatic or present themselves with visual, neuropsychiatric or endocrine disturbances. Eating disorders (EDs) are syndromes with unknown etiology, associated with multiple endocrine abnormalities. In pediatric cases the presentation of EDs may differ markedly from those of adults.

Objective:

We report on two pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma misinterpreted as ED.

Method:

Available patient records, psychiatric examinations, neuro‐radiographic imaging, and biochemical data were evaluated.

Discussion:

The reported cases illustrate the importance to consider slow‐growing craniopharyngioma in ED. Especially in atypical ED, neuro‐radiographic, ophthalmologic and endocrine examination should be carried out. Furthermore, structural hypothalamic lesions in these cases mimicking features of ED, suggesting the possibility of an as yet unidentified structural hypothalamic disorder to be implicated in the etiopathogeny of ED. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009
Primary care physicians' knowledge of and attitudes toward the eating disorders: Do they affect clinical actions?
Authors: Currin Laura , Waller Glenn , Schmidt Ulrike
Published: December 2008

Objective

This study examined the influence of primary care physicians' knowledge of and attitudes to eating disorders on their treatment decisions.

Method

A sample of primary care physicians completed self‐report measures on eating disorders and their attitudes towards such patients. They also indicated their diagnosis and treatment decisions in response to case vignettes.

Results

Physicians had substantial gaps in knowledge of the eating disorders. Attitudes to anorexia nervosa clustered differently to those toward patients with bulimia nervosa. However, for both disorders, the factor that explained the most variance was illness duration and consequences. There was no association of knowledge and attitudes, and these variables did not predicted the likelihood of diagnosing an eating disorder. However, those with higher knowledge scores were more likely to ensure that a follow‐up appointment took place, particularly when they held the attitude that people with anorexia nervosa had personal control over their problem.

Discussion

There is a need for greater education of primary care physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of the eating disorders, and for that information to be more readily accessible when it is needed. Their clinical actions need to be guided by more objective sources of information and protocols. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009
Inappropriate eating behaviors during pregnancy: Prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women attending primary care in southern Brazil
Authors: Soares Rafael Marques , Nunes Maria Angélica , Schmidt Maria Inês , Giacomello Andressa , Manzolli Patrícia , Camey Suzi , Buss Caroline , Drehmer Michele , Melere Cristiane , Hoffman Juliana , Ozcariz Silvia , Manenti Carlo Nunes , Pinheiro Andréa Poyastro , Duncan Bruce Bartholow
Published: December 2008

Objective:

To examine the prevalence of inappropriate eating behaviors and associated factors among pregnant women in primary care.

Method:

The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was used to assess eating disorders and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders was used to examine anxiety and depressive symptoms. Body mass index (BMI) and pregestational weight were also assessed.

Results:

Prevalence of binge eating during pregnancy was 17.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.5–20.0], followed by excessive shape (5.6%; 95% CI 4–8) and weight concerns (5.5%; 95% CI 4–8). Binge eating during pregnancy was significantly associated with binge eating before pregnancy [prevalence ratio (PR) = 3.1; 95% CI 2.2–4.3], current anxiety symptoms (PR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.3–2.4), and prepregnancy BMI < 19.8 kg/m2 (PR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5). The prevalence of eating disorders was 0.6% (95% CI 0.01–1.11).

Discussion:

Eating disorder symptoms should be routinely assessed and treated during prenatal care, along with other comorbid psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009
Insertion Reactions of Isothiocyanates into the Nb–P Bond of Phosphide–Niobocene Complexes
Authors: Antiñolo Antonio , García‐Yuste Santiago , Otero Antonio , Reguillo‐Carmona Rebeca
Published: December 2008

The reaction of the niobocene complex [Nb(η5‐C5H4SiMe3)2(PPh2)(L)] {L = CO (1), CNXylyl (2), and CNCy (3)} with isothiocyanates RNCS (R = tBu or Ph) yielded new derivatives [Nb(η5‐C5H4SiMe3)2{κ1‐S‐SC(PPh2)(=NR)}(L)] {R = tBu, L = CO (4), CNXylyl (5); R = Ph, L = CO (6), CNXylyl (7), CNCy (8)} by the insertion of the isothiocyanate group into the niobium–phosphorus bond of the phosphide ligand. Dinuclear complexes were also obtained by the reaction of complexes 1–3 with phenyldiisothiocyanate {1,4‐(SCN)2C6H4} to yield [{Nb(η5‐C5H4SiMe3)2(L)}2{μ‐(κ1‐S‐1,4‐SC{PPh2}{=N})2(C6H4)}] {L = CO (9), CNXylyl (10), CNCy (11)}.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Divalent Samarium Triflate Mediated Stereoselective Pinacol Coupling of Planar Chiral Phosphanyl and Phosphoryl Ferrocenecarbaldehyde
Authors: Fukuzawa Shin‐ichi , Oura Ichiro , Shimizu Kenta , Kato Minoru , Ogata Ken‐ichi
Published: December 2008

The pinacol coupling reaction of (Rp)‐2‐diphenylphosphanyl ferrocenecarbaldehyde (1) was smoothly mediated by divalent samarium triflate to give (R,R)‐diol 2a predominantly, whereas the use of samarium(II) iodide resulted in low selectivity as described in the previous literature. In contrast, the coupling reaction of (Rp)‐2‐diphenylphosphoryl ferrocenecarbaldehyde (3) with Sm(OTf)2 gave the (S,S)‐diol as the major isomer, which was the opposite stereochemistry of that obtained in the reaction with 1. The rhodium complexes of diphosphanes 2a were good catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of α‐acetamidocinnamic acid, and the product was obtained quantitatively with up to 92 % ee. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Infilled pocket gopher tunnels: seasonal features of high alpine plateaux
Authors: Knight Jasper
Published: December 2008

Anastomosing networks of infilled tunnels, formed by the burrowing of western pocket gophers (Thomomysspp.), are exposed seasonally on Burroughs Mountain, Washington State, USA. The tunnel‐fills disintegrate over several weeks following exposure by the late spring thaw (April–June). The presence of infilled tunnels demonstrates the soil moving and the overturning capacity of small mammals on high alpine plateaux, but may also have positive benefits for the maintenance of biodiversity in these sensitive environments, particularly within the context of future climate change. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the effect of vegetation‐related bank strength on channel morphology and stability in gravel‐bed streams using numerical models
Authors: Eaton Brett C. , Giles Tim R.
Published: December 2008

Bank strength due to vegetation dominates the geometry of small stream channels, but has virtually no effect on the geometry of larger ones. The dependence of bank strength on channel scale affects the form of downstream hydraulic geometry relations and the meandering‐braiding threshold. It is also associated with a lateral migration threshold discharge, below which channels do not migrate appreciably across their floodplains. A rational regime model is used to explore these scale effects: it parameterizes vegetation‐related bank strength using a dimensionless effective cohesion, Cr*. The scale effects are explored primarily using an alluvial state space defined by the dimensionless formative discharge, Q*, and channel slope, S, which is analogous to the Q–S diagrams originally used to explore meandering‐braiding thresholds. The analyses show that the effect of vegetation on both downstream hydraulic geometry and the meandering‐braiding threshold is strongest for the smallest streams in a watershed, but that the effect disappears for Q* > 106. The analysis of the migration threshold suggests that the critical discharge ranges from about 5 m3/s to 50 m3/s, depending on the characteristic rooting depth for the vegetation. The analysis also suggests that, where fires frequently affect riparian forests, channels may alternate between laterally stable gravel plane‐bed channels and laterally active riffle‐pool channels. These channels likely do not exhibit the classic dynamic equilibrium associated with alluvial streams, but instead exhibit a cyclical morphologic evolution, oscillating between laterally stable and laterally unstable end‐members with a frequency determined by the forest fire recurrence interval. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian neural network model to predict day‐ahead electricity prices
Authors: Vahidinasab Vahid , Jadid Shahram
Published: December 2008

Market participants in the new competitive electricity markets find price forecasting so valuable in developing their bidding strategies. In this paper, the Bayesian neural network (BNN) approach is proposed for day‐ahead prediction of locational marginal prices (LMPs) in the pool based energy markets, in which to select the optimum inputs of the BNN, the correlation coefficient technique is used. LMP has a volatile and time dependent behavior. Hence, prediction of such a complex signal is a challenging task requiring a qualified forecasting tool, which not only fits well to the training data, but also can predict the stochastic behavior of unseen part of the signal. The proposed Bayesian approach to predict day‐ahead electricity prices presents noteworthy advantages over the classical neural networks (NN) methods which include the avoidance of network overfitting, an indication of the degree of uncertainty in the predictions, automatic selection of an appropriate scale for network weights and, accordingly, selection of the optimal forecasting model. Examining the proposed forecast strategy on the different periods of the Pennsylvania‐New Jersey‐Maryland (PJM) market, it is demonstrated that the proposed method can provide more accurate results than the other price forecasting techniques, such as, ARIMA time series, wavelet‐ARIMA, classical NN, and also a similar day method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
P/E changes: some new results
Authors: Zorn Thomas , Dudney Donna , Jirasakuldech Benjamas
Published: December 2008

The P/E ratio is often used as a metric to compare individual stocks and the market as a whole relative to historical valuations. We examine the factors that affect changes in the inverse of the P/E ratio (E/P) over time in the broad market (S&P 500 Index). Our model includes variables that measure investor beliefs and changes in tax rates and shows that these variables are important factors affecting the P/E ratio. We extend prior work by correcting for the presence of a long‐run relation between variables included in the model. As frequently conjectured, changes in the P/E ratio have predictive power. Our model explains a large portion of the variation in E/P and accurately predicts the future direction of E/P, particularly when predicted changes in E/P are large or provide a consistent signal over more than one quarter. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lysophosphatidylcholine induces glial cell activation: Role of rho kinase
Authors: Sheikh Abdullah Md. , Nagai Atsushi , Ryu Jae K. , McLarnon James G. , Kim Seung U. , Masuda Junichi
Published: December 2008

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a major phospholipid component of atherogenic oxidized LDL, is implicated in atherosclerosis and, recently, in neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the immunomodulatory functions of LPC in the central nervous system (CNS) using both an in vivo rat model, and in vitro culture systems of human primary astrocytes and a microglia cell line, HMO6. Compared with PBS injection, 20 nmol LPC‐injection into the rat striatum increased astrocyte and microglial accumulation and elevated iNOS expression; concomitantly a time‐dependent decrease in number of neurons was exhibited. In vitro studies on astrocytes and HMO6 cells showed that LPC increased the gene expression of proinflammatory factors IL‐1β, COX‐2, and GM‐CSF. LPC also induced chemotactic responses in HMO6 cells. Inhibition of rho kinase by fasudil, Y27632, or expressing a dominant negative form of rho kinase inhibited the LPC‐induced IL‐1β mRNA expression in both astrocytes and HMO6. Moreover, intraperitoneal fasudil injection inhibited the LPC‐induced microglial accumulation and iNOS expression and also was effective in protecting against neuronal loss. Silencing G2A, a specific receptor for LPC, inhibited proinflammatory gene expression and HMO6 migration. Overall, our results indicate that LPC induced considerable neuroinflammatory reactivity in glia mediated by rho kinase‐dependent pathways with inhibition of these pathways conferring significant extents of neuroprotection. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell cycle inhibition attenuates microglial proliferation and production of IL‐1β, MIP‐1α, and NO after focal cerebral ischemia in the rat
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Chen Chen , Lü Jiagao , Xie Minjie , Pan Dengji , Luo Xiang , Yu Zhiyuan , Dong Qiang , Wang Wei
Published: December 2008

We recently showed that suppressing cell cycle progression inhibited reactive astrogliosis and promoted neuronal survival in an acute focal cerebral ischemia rat model. However, it remains unclear whether and to what extent the beneficial effects of cell cycle inhibition might also be attributed to the inhibition of microglial proliferation and cytokine/chemokine production. In this study, we showed that application of the cell cycle inhibitor roscovitine before middle carotid artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat inhibited microglial proliferation and cytokine/chemokine production, and reduced the number of cell‐cycle‐related proteins including cyclin A, cyclin B, and cyclin E. All of these microglia‐related changes may contribute to roscovitine's effect on reducing neuronal apoptosis and infarct volume, thus improving neurological scores. Using the BV‐2 microglia cell line, we showed that roscovitine not only inhibited oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) induced cell cycle activation by arresting the cells at G1/S and G2/M in a dose‐dependent manner, but it also inhibited interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α (MIP‐1α), and nitric oxide (NO) production. These results suggest that cell cycle modulation results in neuroprotection in ischemia, mediated at least in part through inhibition of microglia proliferation and production of inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, MIP‐1α, and NO. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subtype‐specific oligodendrocyte dynamics in organotypic culture
Authors: Haber Michael , Vautrin Sandrine , Fry Elizabeth J. , Murai Keith K.
Published: December 2008

The morphogenesis of oligodendrocytes is essential for central nervous system myelin formation and the rapid propagation of axon potentials through saltatory conduction. However, the discrete cellular events involved in the three‐dimensional maturation of oligodendrocytes remain to be fully described. To address this, we followed the developmental stages of oligodendrocytes in mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures for 7–60 days using viral‐mediated gene delivery of membrane‐targeted fluorescent proteins. Using static and time‐lapse confocal imaging, we find that postmigratory NG2‐expressing cells exhibit slow anatomical reorganization over the course of hours. This is in direct contrast to oligodendrocytes that take on a promyelinating and transitional phenotype, which display a more complex morphology and undergo dramatic actin‐dependent structural remodeling over just minutes. More mature myelinating oligodendrocytes, which have pruned most of their processes, still retain some local remodeling behavior at developing internodes, but in general, revert to a relatively stable state. Our findings provide a detailed characterization of cellular events that help shape oligodendrocyte morphology and likely participate in neuron‐glial cell interactions and the process of myelination. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental and post‐injury cortical gliogenesis: A Genetic fate‐mapping study with Nestin‐CreER mice
Authors: Burns Kevin A. , Murphy Brian , Danzer Steve C. , Kuan Chia‐Yi
Published: December 2008

The primary sources of cortical gliogenesis, either during development or after adult brain injury, remain uncertain. We previously generated Nestin‐CreER mice to fate‐map the progeny of radial glial cells (RG), a source of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in the nervous system. Here, we show that Nestin‐CreER mice label another population of glial progenitors, namely the perinatal subventricular zone (SVZ) glioblasts, if they are crossed with stop‐floxed EGFP mice and receive tamoxifen in late embryogenesis (E16–E18). Quantification showed E18 tamoxifen‐induction labeled more perinatal SVZ glioblasts than RG and transitional RG combined in the newborn brain (54% vs. 22%). Time‐lapse microscopy showed SVZ‐glioblasts underwent complex metamorphosis and often‐reciprocal transformation into transitional RG. Surprisingly, the E10‐dosed RG progenitors produced astrocytes, but no oligodendrocytes, whereas E18‐induction fate‐mapped both astrocytes and NG2+ oligodendrocyte precursors in the postnatal brain. These results suggest that cortical oligodendrocytes mostly derive from perinatal SVZ glioblast progenitors. Further, by combining genetic fate‐mapping and BrdU‐labeling, we showed that cortical astrocytes cease proliferation soon after birth (<P10) and only undergo nonproliferative gliosis (i.e., increased GFAP expression without cell‐division) after stab‐wound injury in adult brains. By contrast, 9.7% of cortical NG2+ progenitors remained mitotic at P29, and the ratio rose to 13.8% after stab‐wound injury. Together, these results suggest NG2+ progenitors, rather than GFAP+ astrocytes, are the primary source of proliferative gliosis after adult brain injury. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Live imaging of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis: Disease onset is characterized by marked induction of GFAP in Schwann cells
Authors: Keller A. Florence , Gravel Mathieu , Kriz Jasna
Published: December 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late‐onset neurological disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. At present, the pathological events precipitating disease onset and the exact pattern of disease progression are not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that glial cells, in particular activated astrocytes, can release factors that can directly kill motor neurons. To further investigate the involvement of glial cells (astrocytes and Schwann cells) in the pathogenesis of ALS, we generated ALS‐(GFAP‐luciferase/SODG93A) reporter mouse in which upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) can be visualized from live animals throughout the different stages of disease. Our results suggest that the disease in mice is initiated simultaneously in the spinal cord and in the peripheral nerves and is characterized by several cycles of GFAP upregulation. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that the induction GFAP bioluminescence signals were associated with the significant increases in GFAP immunoreactivity. The first pathological GFAP signals occurring at 25–30 days were asymptomatic and detectable at the level of lumbar spinal cord projections and at the periphery. These early events were then followed by GFAP promoter inductions that were associated with the distinct clinical symptoms. As expected, the onset of paralysis (112 days) was associated with the gradual and marked GFAP upregulation in the spinal cord. Interestingly, however, the disease onset (90 days) was characterized by sharp and synchronized induction of GFAP in peripheral nerve Schwann cells suggesting that peripheral nerves pathology/denervation and associated Schwann cell stress may play an important role in the ALS pathogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cannabinoid CB2receptor agonists protect the striatum against malonate toxicity: Relevance for Huntington's disease
Authors: Sagredo Onintza , González Sara , Aroyo Ilia , Pazos María Ruth , Benito Cristina , Lastres‐Becker Isabel , Romero Juan P. , Tolón Rosa M. , Mechoulam Raphael , Brouillet Emmanuel , Romero Julián , Fernández‐Ruiz Javier
Published: December 2008

Cannabinoid agonists might serve as neuroprotective agents in neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we examined this hypothesis in a rat model of Huntington's disease (HD) generated by intrastriatal injection of the mitochondrial complex II inhibitor malonate. Our results showed that only compounds able to activate CB2receptors were capable of protecting striatal projection neurons from malonate‐induced death. That CB2receptor agonists are neuroprotective was confirmed by using the selective CB2receptor antagonist, SR144528, and by the observation that mice deficient in CB2receptor were more sensitive to malonate than wild‐type animals. CB2receptors are scarce in the striatum in healthy conditions, but they are markedly upregulated after the lesion with malonate. Studies of double immunostaining revealed a significant presence of CB2receptors in cells labeled with the marker of reactive microglia OX‐42, and also in cells labeled with GFAP (a marker of astrocytes). We further showed that the activation of CB2receptors significantly reduced the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) that had been increased by the lesion with malonate. In summary, our results demonstrate that stimulation of CB2receptors protect the striatum against malonate toxicity, likely through a mechanism involving glial cells, in particular reactive microglial cells in which CB2receptors would be upregulated in response to the lesion. Activation of these receptors would reduce the generation of proinflammatory molecules like TNF‐α. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis that CB2receptors could constitute a therapeutic target to slowdown neurodegeneration in HD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A behavioral analysis of the impact of voluntary physical activity on hippocampus‐dependent contextual conditioning
Authors: Greenwood Benjamin N. , Strong Paul V. , Foley Teresa E. , Fleshner Monika
Published: December 2008

Voluntary physical activity induces molecular changes in the hippocampus consistent with improved hippocampal function, but few studies have explored the effects of wheel running on specific hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory processes. The current studies investigated the impact of voluntary wheel running on learning and memory for context and extinction using contextual fear conditioning which is known to be dependent on the hippocampus. When conditioning occurred prior to the start of 6 weeks of wheel running, wheel running had no effect on memory for context or extinction (assessed with freezing). In contrast, when wheel running occurred for 6 weeks prior to conditioning, physical activity improved contextual memory during a retention test 24 h later, but did not affect extinction learning or memory. Wheel running had no effect on freezing immediately after foot shock presentation during conditioning, suggesting that physical activity does not affect the acquisition of the context—shock association or alter the expression of freezing, per se. Instead, it is argued that physical activity improves the consolidation of contextual memories in the hippocampus. Consistent with improved hippocampus‐dependent context learning and memory, 6 weeks of wheel running also improved context discrimination and reduced the context pre‐exposure time required to form a strong contextual memory. The effect of wheel running on brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in hippocampal and amygdala subregions was also investigated. Wheel running increased BDNF mRNA in the dentate gyrus, CA1, and the basolateral amygdala. Results are consistent with improved hippocampal function following physical activity. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.