bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck: The impact of local control on survival
Authors: Lee Steve P. , Shimizu Kenneth T. , Tran Luu M. , Juillard Guy , Calcaterra Thomas C.
Published: October 2006

The management for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is controversial in view of the poor prognosis. Thirty‐five patients seen from 1955 to 1991 were analyzed retrospectively. Almost all (34/35) presented with localized disease. Primary treatments included radical surgery (15), local resection (11), radiation therapy (6), or systemic treatment (2). While the rate of local recurrence was high (27/34), only 5 patients developed distant disease before local relapse. Furthermore, only 5/21 achieved successful local salvage. Patients with their disease controlled locally had significantly longer survival than those with persistent local disease (P = .0001). The 5‐year disease‐specific survival was 45%.

The authors conclude that mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is not necessarily incurable. When local control is achieved, survival rate is significantly improved. Aggressive local treatments should be initiated at presentation of this disease.
Juxtaposition lipoma to the mastoid seventh nerve
Authors: Luetje Charles M. , Milbrath Mary M. , Linthicum Fred H.
Published: October 2006

The precise embryological source for fat in juxtaposition to the vertical portion of the seventh nerve in the mastoid is unknown. Seventeen percent of 240 temporal bones disclosed various amounts of fat adjacent to this portion of the nerve. Shiny areas of fat granules are occasionally seen around, and perhaps at first glance mistaken for, the seventh nerve during mastoid surgery. The radiographic appearance of fat in this area has not been described. Bilateral 1‐cm ovoid images were interpreted in a 16‐year‐old girl as seventh nerve neuromas or perhaps hemangiomas, but were surgically proven to be a lipoma in the only ear operated on. Lipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a mass in this location which demonstrates increased T1 signal, progressive decreased signal on T2‐weighted images, and has signal intensity isodense with that of fat.
Collagen gel cultures of normal salivary gland: Conditions for continued proliferation and maintenance of major cell phenotypes in vitro
Authors: Burford‐Mason Aileen P. , Dardick Irving , Mackay Allison
Published: October 2006

The presence of three functionally and phenotypically distinct epithelial cell populations—acinar, duct, and myoepithelial cells—in major salivary glands creates problems when developing physiologically appropriate culture systems for the study of these tissues in vitro. Previous attempts to establish cultures of rat submandibular gland resulted in continued proliferation and maintenance of glandular architecture, but loss of distinct features of differentiation of the three epithelial cell types. The present study describes an ultrathin free‐floating collagen gel culture technique (mantle gels). Using this method, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies indicate that rat submandibular gland continues to cycle, and secretory activity and phenotypic markers for acinar, duct, and myoepithelial cells are all demonstrable after 4 weeks in culture, suggesting that this constitutes the ideal system for in vitro investigation of the pathobiology of the salivary gland.
Comparison of upper‐airway evaluations during wakefulness and sleep
Authors: Tucker Woodson B. , Wooten Marvin R.
Published: October 2006

The location of upper‐airway obstruction during sleep has been predicted by using waking measures that include physical examination and endoscopic Müller's maneuver. However, this prediction remains speculative. To objectively evaluate these clinical measures, 22 patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea had upper‐airway studies during nonsedated sleep with solid‐state manometry and videoendoscopy. Objective tongue‐base obstruction was measured with four methods, each identifying a different aspect of airway collapse during sleep. Manometry identified tongue obstruction during (1) early and (2) late inspiration, and videoendoscopy identified severe collapse without complete obstruction during (3) late inspiration, and (4) expiration. Twenty‐eight waking upper‐airway characteristics measured at waking clinical and endoscopic examination were then compared between patients with and without tongue‐base segment obstruction to identify characteristics that would discriminate tongue‐base obstruction. The results demonstrated that tongue‐base/hypopharyngeal pathology during wakefulness was present on clinical examination in 19 of 22 (86%) patients. Objectively, during sleep tongue‐base obstruction occurred on manometric early inspiration in 5 of 21 (24%) patients, on manometric late inspiration in 11 of 21 (52%), on endoscopic late inspiration in 14 of 19 (74%), and on endoscopic expiration in 8 of 19 (42%).

Patients with tongue‐base obstruction during sleep were primarily discriminated on waking examination by nonobstructive upper oropharyngeal features (p<0.10). Near‐total collapse of the tongue base on supine endoscopy was the only characteristic associated with tongue‐base obstruction during sleep. Müller's maneuver did not discriminate patient groups. Results indicate that the incidence of tongue‐base abnormalities measured during sleep varies significantly depending on the measure used. This variability may contribute to variability in surgical success rates. Identification of airway pathology relevant to sleep‐related breathing disorders may require new methods of evaluation and a better understanding of upper‐airway biomechanics.
Vibratory segment function after free flap reconstruction of the pharyngoesophagus
Authors: Haughey Bruce H. , Fredrickson John M. , Sessions Donald G. , Fuller Dennis
Published: October 2006

Reconstructive options following total laryngo‐pharyngectomy include thin, pliable free tissue segments, approximating the natural thickness of the pharyngeal wall. The authors have investigated outcomes in the following clinical series, emphasizing speech and swallowing.

Twelve cancer patients underwent laryngopharyngectomy with or without glossectomy. Eight jejunal, 1 radial forearm, and 3 innervated latissimus dorsi flaps were used for vibratory segment (VS) reconstruction, and all 12 patients underwent tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP).

Eleven patients achieved intelligible speech, with a median intelligibility of 93%. The vibrating segments showed fluttering of the free flap tissue when studied by videopharyngography. Vocal quality was lower pitched and softer than “conventional” TEP speech. All patients achieved oral intake as their primary mode of nutrition.

Free flaps are a successful option for VS reconstruction in patients undergoing laryngopharyngectomy or glossopharyngolaryngectomy, obviating the need for written or electrolarynx communication.
Tracheal anastomosis with the diode laser and fibrin tissue adhesive: An in vitro and in vivo investigation
Authors: Gleich Lyon L. , Wang Zhi , Pankratov Michail M. , Thomas Aretz H. , Shapshay Stanley M.
Published: October 2006

Absorbable sutures have been advocated for tracheal anastomosis to reduce fibrosis and foreign body reaction leading to recurrent stenosis. Fibrin tissue adhesive (FTA) and diode laser welding with indocyanine green‐dyed fibrinogen were evaluated in tracheal anastomosis to reduce the number of sutures and to improve healing. In vitro studies demonstrated strong anastomoses with a combination of laser welding and FTA with minimal tissue damage. In a controlled in vivo study, circumferential resections of canine tracheas were repaired with laser welding and FTA augmented with a few stay sutures. These anastomoses had less fibrosis and tissue damage than anastomoses in control animals repaired with sutures alone. This study supports investigation of laser welding and FTA in human beings for tracheal anastomosis and other procedures in which suturing may be difficult.
UPPP for habitual snoring: A 5‐year follow‐up with respiratory sleep recordings
Authors: Friberg Danielle , Carlsson‐Nordlander Britt , Larsson Håkan , Svanborg Eva
Published: October 2006

Fifty‐six men who underwent uvulopalatopha‐ryngoplasty (UPPP) because of habitual snoring without preoperative obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to respiratory sleep recordings, were interviewed concerning persistent snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Renewed recordings were made in 53 of them at a median time of 63 months postoperatively. Median preoperative oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was 0; the median postoperative index was 1. Median duration of the preoperative obstructive respiratory pattern was 8% of total sleeping time, and the median duration postoperatively was 17%. (Significant individual increases were P=.0005 and P=.004, respectively.) Six patients answered to OSA criteria postoperatively. Weight increases were significantly correlated to increases in both ODI and obstructive respiratory pattern and to persistent snoring. Preoperatively 51 of 56 patients reported EDS, and 73% of the patients were improved or cured. From snoring, 87% reported improvement or cure. No patient had any serious sequelae of UPPP. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is a safe and effective treatment for habitual snoring, but it does not give absolute protection from development of OSA.
Avoidance of postoperative blockage of ventilation tubes
Authors: Jamal Tarek S.
Published: October 2006

While most of the complications of ventilation tubes are widely described in the literature, little is mentioned about postoperative blockage of these tubes. Generally, this blockage is caused by viscid secretion or a blood clot.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of using a vasoconstrictor solution to cover the tympanic membrane after ventilation tube insertion to ensure hemostasis in the immediate postoperative period and to decongest the mucosa of the middle ear and the eustachian tube. Xylometazoline hydrochloride (Otrivinr̀ Nasal Drops 0.1% or Pediatric Nasal Drops 0.05%) was introduced into 60 ears in 32 patients undergoing myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion. The control group, consisting of 76 ears in 40 patients, underwent only myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion.

In a follow‐up period of 3 months, postoperative tube obstruction occurred 10.5% of the patients in the control group. No case of blocked tube occurred in the patients who received xylometazoline.
Head and Neck Surgery Workforce in the Year 2014
Authors: Close Lanny Garth , Miller Robert H.
Published: October 2006

The head and neck surgery workforce in the United States over the next 20 years is of significant interest to physicians, patients, and others. Using election to fellowship in the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery or the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons, or both, as the criteria for designation as a head and neck surgeon, a mathematical model was designed to project the growth of the head and neck surgery workforce through the year 2014. The current combined active membership of the two societies was analyzed to determine the impact of age distribution on this model. The paradigm assumes 30 new head and neck surgeons each year and includes the appropriate mortality rate for each cohort. Based on this model, the total number of head and neck surgeons should decrease slightly from 1109 in the year 1994 to 1028 in the year 2014. A steady‐state supply of head and neck surgeons is therefore predicted.
Associations Between Homocysteine, Bone Turnover, BMD, Mortality, and Fracture Risk in Elderly Women
Authors: Gerdhem Paul , Ivaska Kaisa K , Isaksson Anders , Pettersson Kim , Väänänen H Kalervo , Obrant Karl J , Åkesson Kristina
Published: October 2006

Homocysteine has been suggested to be a risk factor for fracture, but the causal relationship is not clear. In 996 women from the OPRA study, high homocysteine level was associated with high bone marker levels and low BMD at baseline. During a mean 7-year follow-up, high homocysteine level was associated with mortality, but no clear association to fracture risk existed.

Introduction: Recently, the association between high serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels and an increased risk of fracture has been described.

Materials and Methods: Hcy levels were measured at baseline in 996 women, all 75 years old. Vitamin B12, folate, serum cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), serum TRACP5b, serum osteocalcin, urine deoxypyridinoline, PTH, areal BMD (aBMD), calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS), and physical performance were assessed at baseline. Fractures and mortality were recorded during a mean follow-up of 7.0 years.

Results: Bone marker levels were higher in women with Hcy in the highest quartile compared with all other women (p < 0.05). The most evident correlation between Hcy and a bone marker was seen with CTX (r = 0.19, p < 0.001). aBMD (hip) was 4% lower, QUS was up to 2% lower, and gait speed was 11% slower among women with Hcy in the highest quartile compared with the other women (p < 0.05). During the follow-up, 267 women sustained at least one low-energy fracture (including 69 hip fractures). When women in the highest Hcy quartile were compared with all other women, the hazard ratios (HRs) for sustaining any type of fracture was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.89–1.36) and for hip fracture was 1.50 (95% CI, 0.91–1.94). For the same group of women, the mortality risk was 2.16 (95% CI, 1.58–2.55). Adjustments for confounders did not substantially change these associations. Adjustment for PTH increased the HR for hip fracture to 1.67 (95% CI, 1.01–2.17). Low vitamin B12 or folate was not associated with increased fracture risk or mortality.

Conclusions: High Hcy levels were associated with higher bone turnover, poor physical performance, and lower BMD. There was no clear association to fracture risk. The increased mortality among women with high Hcy levels indicates that a high Hcy level may be a marker of frailty.
Dynamic Genetic Interactions Determine Odor-Guided Behavior inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Sambandan Deepa , Yamamoto Akihiko , Fanara Juan-José , Mackay Trudy F C , Anholt Robert R H
Published: October 2006

Understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits requires identification of the underlying genes and characterization of gene-by-gene and genotype-by-environment interactions. Behaviors that mediate interactions between organisms and their environment are complex traits expected to be especially sensitive to environmental conditions. Previous studies on the olfactory avoidance response of Drosophila melanogaster showed that the genetic architecture of this model behavior depends on epistatic networks of pleiotropic genes. We performed a screen of 1339 co-isogenic p[GT1]-element insertion lines to identify novel genes that contribute to odor-guided behavior and identified 55 candidate genes with known p[GT1]-element insertion sites. Characterization of the expression profiles of 10 p[GT1]-element insertion lines showed that the effects of the transposon insertions are often dependent on developmental stage and that hypomorphic mutations in developmental genes can elicit profound adult behavioral deficits. We assessed epistasis among these genes by constructing all possible double heterozygotes and measuring avoidance responses under two stimulus conditions. We observed enhancer and suppressor effects among subsets of these P-element-tagged genes, and surprisingly, epistatic interactions shifted with changes in the concentration of the olfactory stimulus. Our results show that the manifestation of epistatic networks dynamically changes with alterations in the environment.
Types and Rates of Sequence Evolution at the High-Molecular-Weight Glutenin Locus in Hexaploid Wheat and Its Ancestral Genomes
Authors: Gu Yong Qiang , Salse Jérôme , Coleman-Derr Devin , Dupin Adeline , Crossman Curt , Lazo Gerard R , Huo Naxin , Belcram Harry , Ravel Catherine , Charmet Gilles , Charles Mathieu , Anderson Olin D , Chalhoub Boulos
Published: October 2006

The Glu-1 locus, encoding the high-molecular-weight glutenin protein subunits, controls bread-making quality in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum) and represents a recently evolved region unique to Triticeae genomes. To understand the molecular evolution of this locus region, three orthologous Glu-1 regions from the three subgenomes of a single hexaploid wheat species were sequenced, totaling 729 kb of sequence. Comparing each Glu-1 region with its corresponding homologous region from the D genome of diploid wheat, Aegilops tauschii, and the A and B genomes of tetraploid wheat, Triticum turgidum, revealed that, in addition to the conservation of microsynteny in the genic regions, sequences in the intergenic regions, composed of blocks of nested retroelements, are also generally conserved, although a few nonshared retroelements that differentiate the homologous Glu-1 regions were detected in each pair of the A and D genomes. Analysis of the indel frequency and the rate of nucleotide substitution, which represent the most frequent types of sequence changes in the Glu-1 regions, demonstrated that the two A genomes are significantly more divergent than the two B genomes, further supporting the hypothesis that hexaploid wheat may have more than one tetraploid ancestor.
The Distribution of Beneficial Mutant Effects Under Strong Selection
Authors: Barrett Rowan D H , M'Gonigle Leithen K , Otto Sarah P
Published: October 2006

For a general theory of adaptation, it is essential to know the distribution of fitness effects of beneficial mutations. Recent theoretical and empirical studies have made considerable progress in determining the characteristics of this distribution. To date, the experiments have largely verified the theoretical predictions. Despite the fact that the theoretical work has assumed small selection coefficients, strong selection has been observed in some experiments, especially those involving novel environments. Here, we derive the distribution of fitness effects among fixed beneficial mutants without the restriction of low selection coefficients. The fate of strongly favored alleles is less affected by stochastic drift while rare, causing the distribution of fitness effects among fixed beneficial mutations to reflect more closely the distribution among all newly arising beneficial mutations. We also find that when many alleles compete for fixation within an asexual population (clonal interference), the beneficial effects of a newly fixed mutant cannot be well estimated because of the high number of subsequent mutations that arise within the genome, regardless of whether selection is strong or weak.
Effect of the Major Repeat Sequence on Mitotic Recombination in Candida albicans
Authors: Lephart Paul R , Magee Paul T
Published: October 2006

The major repeat sequence (MRS) is known to play a role in karyotypic variation in Candida albicans. The MRS affects karyotypic variation by expanding and contracting internal repeats, by altering the frequency of chromosome loss, and by serving as a hotspot for chromosome translocation. We proposed that the effects of the MRS on translocation could be better understood by examination of the effect of the MRS on a similar event, mitotic recombination between two chromosome homologs. We examined the frequency of mitotic recombination across an MRS of average size (∼50 kb) as well as the rate of recombination in a 325-kb stretch of DNA adjacent to the MRS. Our results indicate that mitotic recombination frequencies across the MRS were not enhanced compared to the frequencies measured across the 325-kb region adjacent to the MRS. Mitotic recombination events were found to occur throughout the 325-kb region analyzed as well as within the MRS itself. This analysis of mitotic recombination frequencies across a large portion of chromosome 5 is the first large-scale analysis of mitotic recombination done in C. albicans and indicates that mitotic recombination frequencies are similar to the rates found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
De Novo Exon Duplication in a New Allele of Mouse Glra1 (Spasmodic)
Authors: Holland Katherine D , Fleming Michelle T , Cheek Susannah , Moran Jennifer L , Beier David R , Meisler Miriam H
Published: October 2006

The novel neurological mutant Cincinatti arose by genomic duplication of exon 5 in the glycine receptor gene Glra1. The mutant transcript results in premature protein truncation. A direct repeat of the pentamer GGGGC is present adjacent to the breakpoints and may have mediated the duplication event by a replication slippage mechanism.
Characterization of bovine early growth response factor-1 and its gonadotropin-dependent regulation in ovarian follicles prior to ovulation
Authors: Sayasith Khampoune , Brown Kristy A , Lussier Jacques G , Doré Monique , Sirois Jean
Published: October 2006

Early growth response factor-1 (EGR-1) is a transcription factor that is involved in the transactivation of several genes. The objective of this study was to characterize gonadotropin-dependent regulation of bovine EGR-1 in preovulatory follicles prior to ovulation. Bovine EGR-1 cDNA was obtained by RT-PCR, 5′- and 3′-RACE, its open reading frame composed of 1623 bp, and its coding region encodes a 540-amino acid protein that displays 62–93% identity to known mammalian homologs. The regulation of EGR-1 mRNA was studied in bovine preovulatory follicles which were isolated 0–24 h post-hCG using semiquantitative RT-PCR/Southern blot. Results revealed that the levels of EGR-1 mRNA were very low in follicles at 0 h, markedly increased at 6 h (P < 0.05) when compared to 0 h, and decreased between 12 and 24 h post-hCG. High levels of the EGR-1 mRNA were also observed in corpus luteum, uterus, kidney, pituitary, and spleen, moderate and low in other bovine tissues tested. Analyses performed on isolated preparations of granulosa and theca cells indicated that EGR-1 mRNA was regulated in both cell types, with a predominant expression in granulosa cells. Immunohistochemistry on sections of preovulatory follicles isolated before and after hCG confirmed its protein expression in granulosa cells, 24 h post-hCG. Studies of EGR-1 regulation in primary granulosa cells cultured with forskolin showed that levels of EGR-1 mRNA were low at 0 h, highly increased at 6 h post-forskolin (P < 0.05), and declined to steady state thereafter. Immunoblotting confirmed forskolin-induced EGR-1 protein in cultures. Interestingly, overexpression of EGR-1 increased the levels of mRNA for prostaglandin (PG) G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2), PG E synthase (PGES), PG E2 receptor (EP2), LH receptor (LH-R), but not for cytochrome P450-side chain cleavage (P450scc), and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) in granulosa cultures. Thus, this study reports for the first time, a gonadotropin-dependent induction of follicular EGR-1 prior to ovulation in large monoovulatory species and its stimulating effect on the expression of genes known to be involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis pathway, thereby suggesting its potential involvement in the regulation of preovulatory events in cattle.
A temporal switch in the insulin-signalling pathway that regulates hepatic IGF-binding protein-1 gene expression
Authors: Finlay David , Ruiz-Alcaraz Antonio J , Lipina Christopher , Perrier Stephane , Sutherland Calum
Published: October 2006

Insulin regulation of hepatic gene transcription is a vital component of glucose homeostasis. Understanding the molecular regulationof thisprocess aids the searchfor the defect(s) that promotesinsulin-resistant states, such asdiabetesmellitus. We havepreviously shownthat the insulin regulationof hepatic IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP1) expression requiresthe signalling proteins phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In this report, we demonstrate that activation of the mTOR pathway, without activation of its upstream regulator PI 3-kinase, reduces IGFBP1 expression. Therefore, mTOR activation is sufficient to mimic insulin regulation of this gene. However, longer exposure (>3 h) of cells to insulin reduces the importance of this pathway in insulin regulation of the gene, suggesting a temporal switch in signalling mechanisms linking insulin action to the IGFBP1 gene promoter. In contrast, the activation of PI 3-kinase is required for insulin regulation of IGFBP1 under all conditions tested. Therefore, an mTOR-independent, PI 3-kinase-dependent pathway becomes more important in IGFBP1 regulation after long exposure to insulin. This is a novel concept in insulin regulation of gene expression and demonstrates the importance of temporal analysis of signalling processes.
Local Gingival Blood Flow at Healthy and Inflamed Sites Measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry
Authors: Gleissner Christiane , Kempski Oliver , Peylo Stephan , Glatzel Johannes Holger , Willershausen Brita
Published: October 2006

Background: This investigation aimed to: 1) develop a method to obtain reproducible laser Doppler flow readings (LDFRs) at the gingiva of the maxillary front teeth; 2) evaluate regional gingival blood flow (GBF) in healthy gingiva by laser Doppler flowmetry; 3) compare hand‐held LDFR (H‐LDFR) with splint LDFR (S‐LDFR); and 4) monitor changes in GBF in experimental gingivitis (EG) and chronic gingivitis (CG).

Methods: The LDFR, gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were measured at 13 gingival sites (teeth #6 to #11) in 10 healthy volunteers (five males and five females), 23 to 34 years of age, over a period of 12.5 ± 3.27 days employing a partial‐mouth EG model and in 11 patients (three males and eight females), 20 to 63 years or age, with CG. LDFRs were obtained by S‐LDFR or H‐LDFR.

Results: H‐LDFRs were significantly higher than S‐LDFRs (P <0.05). All EG subjects developed gingivitis (PI: 2.77 ± 0.23; GI: 1.5 ± 0.53). EG‐LDFRs at diseased sites increased slightly but not significantly over the study period. All CG‐patients had high plaque and inflammation scores (PI: 2.8 ± 0.2; GI: 1.63 ± 0.78). CG‐LDFRs at sites with GI >1 were significantly higher than LDFRs at healthy sites (P <0.05). CG‐LDFRs were significantly higher than EG‐LDFRs at sites with a comparable GI (P <0.05).

Conclusions: LDFRs are positively correlated with the degree of gingival inflammation. GBF demonstrated significant differences in EG and CG. Modifications of the probe are needed to enhance its clinical applicability in clinical research of periodontal diseases.
Behavior of waste activated sludge from enhanced biological phosphorus removal during sludge treatment
Authors: Jardin Norbert , Pöpel H. Johannes
Published: October 2006

Phosphate release and phosphate fixation during sludge treatment of waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated with a pilot plant for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), complemented by laboratory investigations of sludge samples from different large EBPR plants. The major part of the eliminated phosphorus in the pilot plant was due to the storage of polyphosphate (poly‐P) in the WAS and was accompanied by an uptake of magnesium and potassium. Thickening and stabilizing WAS from the EBPR pilot plant results in a hydrolysis of poly‐P which could be modeled with first‐order kinetics and the Arrhenius relationship for the temperature dependence of the reaction constant. As a result of poly‐P hydrolysis in stabilizing systems, phosphate, magnesium, and potassium are released, but only potassium remains in solution, whereas magnesium and a part of the released phosphate were precipitated as struvite. Another large fraction of the released phosphate was fixed by aluminium.
Water‐quality modeling of combined sewer overflow effects on Newtown Creek
Authors: Apicella Guy , Schuepfer Frederick , Zaccagnino James , DeSantis Vincent
Published: October 2006

The upstream branches of Newtown Creek, which receive major combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges, exhibit stratification of salinity, anoxic conditions below the pycnocline, and emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) odors throughout the summer. As high sediment oxygen demand (SOD) levels were coincident with these upstream branches, the modeling approach focused on the mechanisms of solids settling, organic carbon flux, and sediment diagenesis for CSO as well as other sources of solids. Extensive field measurements of the CSOs and the water and sediments within Newtown Creek and the adjoining East River were performed to evaluate model parameters and calibrate/verify the models. Continuous simulations of a 4‐mon summer period for existing (baseline) conditions and CSO abatement alternatives projected the water‐quality improvements that could be expected in the Creek. Because of the extremely low dissolved oxygen (DO) in Newtown Creek, the response to CSO abatement is inhibited, as the model's reaction kinetics would indicate; however, measures that would relieve these conditions and increase DO would also enhance the change in DO achievable through CSO abatement.
Financial development and investment market integration: An approach of underlying financial variables & indicators for corporate governance growth empirical approach
Authors: Vojinovic Borut , Theodoropoulos Theodore
Published: October 2006

Financial development is correlated with several underlying regulatory variables (such as indicators of investor protection, market transparency variables for corporate governance growth and rules for capital market development), which are under the control of national legislators and EU directives. This paper provides estimates of the relationship between financial market development and corporate growth and assesses the impact of financial market integration on this relationship with reference to European Union (EU) countries. The regression results obtained using this panel support the hypothesis that financial development promotes growth particularly in industries that are more financially dependent on external finance. For policy purposes, analyzing changes in these regulatory variables may be a more interesting exercise than analyzing integration of the financial systems themselves. Since assuming that EU countries will raise its regulatory and legal standards to the U.S. standards appears unrealistic, in this case we examine a scenario where EU countries raise their standards to the highest current EU standard.
On (post) modern economy and (non) freedom
Authors: Malesevic Krstan
Published: October 2006

The (post)modern economy finds itself undoubtedly in the center of a large scale, radical contradictory, and uncertain current transformation of the world. Together with the (post)modern technologies it composes the dominant core of the globalizing processes, often referred to as globalization. The key features and especially the accumulated consequences of these processes pose a challenge for scientific and theoretical thought in the form of essential questions and dilemmas which are in the last instance tied to the impact of globalization on the quality and meaning of human life. This problem relates as much to individuals as it does to different social groups and human communities, that is to the entire humanity as such. This paper attempts to problematise these contradictory relationships between global corporative, economy as an instrumental value and the human liberty as a substantive i.e. the highest, value in itself (summum bonum), which gives meaning and dignity to human life. Therefore if economy in one form or another covers most of human practical activity then it is certain that it can have decisive impact on the most fundamental value of human life, that is the value of freedom (individual, general, internal and external). Of course the impact of economy can act either way - as an encouragement or, as it often happens, as a deterrent to expansion of the human freedom. This paper aims to briefly indicate some causes, characteristics and consequences of global economic processes which, in a way paradoxically, contribute more to narrowing than to opening spaces of human liberty, or simply generate proliferation of "hedonism of unfreedom". Is this another case of "surplus of knowledge" and "deficit of wisdom" that so strongly characterize our age, or something else?.
The complexity paradigm in management reconceptualizing
Authors: Petrovic Slavica
Published: October 2006

Chaos and complexity theory is a special, functionalist systems approach to dealing with complex, dynamic, nonlinear systems. Through treating organizations as complex, with their environments coevolving, nonlinear systems, complexity theory is aimed at creative research of their erratic nature. When an organization is in a state of bounded instability, at the edge of chaos, order and disorder are intertwined, its behavior is irregular and unpredictable but has some pattern. According to the complexity paradigm organizations have to strive to avoid the equilibrium states of stability and instability. They have instead to strive to remain in a state of bounded instability, at the edge of chaos, where they are able to display their full potential for creativity and innovation.
Evaluation and measurement of service quality as steps to marketing excess
Authors: Mujic Nihada , Legcevic Jelena
Published: October 2006

In today?s changing global environment, many businesses, in order to achieve competitive advantage and efficiency. have to seek profitable ways to differentiate themselves. One strategy that has been related to success is the delivery of high service quality. As service quality is becoming a major part of business practice, it is important to be able to measure and research its effectiveness. The most popular measure of service quality is SERVQUAL instrument. The findings discussed in this article are a study in which patients assessments of service quality were measured for services of primary care doctors in Osijek.
The exports from the western Balkans countries to the EU: The main problems and recommendations
Authors: Culahovic Besim
Published: October 2006

The European Union (EU) trade policy towards Western Balkan's countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia) is one of the important tools of EU's integration strategy. The exports from the Western Balkan?s countries to the European Union(15) are preferred within special autonomous trade measures for the Western Balkan?s countries which were introduced by the EU in September 2000 (the 2000TM). The 2000TM are a far-ranging set of preferences which provide the Western Balkan?s countries with unparalleled market access to the EU, and hence with the potential both to develop the existing exports and to generate new exports. However, the Western Balkan?s countries exports to the EU are far below the level which could reasonably be expected. In all Western Balkan?s countries a number of supply-side and domestic policy reasons are identified for this under-performance, which suggests that the 2000TM are likely in part to rectify the situation. The economic regeneration of the Western Balkan?s countries will depend on the success of internal economic reform and on the adoption of economic and trade policies which specifically identify and address some serious supply-side constraints.
Upravljanje rizikom likvidnosti banaka u tranzicijskim drzavama
Authors: Zivko Igor , Slijepcevic Suncana
Published: October 2006

Banks are the most important financial institution in transition countries Therefore all other sectors depend on banks safety, stability and its risk management skills. With their function of intermediaries they have strong influence on economic growth. However, they can not fulfil their function of intermediaries if they become illiquid, which additional raises the in confidence in banking sector and possibility of bank crises. Banks like the other firms borrow money and transform it in different forms of assets. Liquidity risk present possibility of negative consequences on bank's liquidity under impact of different events, like withdraws deposits. Goals of liquidity management includes: estimation of all cash outflow liabilities on daily basis, settlement of minimum reserve requirements and avoidance of additional cost of emergency borrowing and forced liquidation of assets. The basic challenge for bank's liquidity management is uncertainty about clients' behavior and inter-dependencies between taking credits and deposit withdrawing. Therefore, banks must create safety zone for liquidity risk and adopt BIS Sound principles for managing liquidity risk in order to improve liquidity management.
Synthesis of selected novel 7-methoxycarbonyl-10-substituted isoalloxazines
Authors: Singh Ram , Geetanjali G
Published: October 2006

The synthesis of selected novel 7-methoxycarbonyl-10-substituted isoalloxazines by the cyclocondensation of 2-substituted aminoanilines with alloxan monohydrate under acidic condition in 21-52 % yields, is described.
Synthesis of zirconia colloidal dispersions by forced hydrolysis
Authors: Markovic Jelena , Milonjic Slobodan
Published: October 2006

Different zirconia colloidal dispersions (sols) were prepared from zirconyl oxynitrate and zirconyl oxychloride solutions by forced hydrolysis. Vigorously stirred acidic solutions of these salts were refluxed at 102 oC for 24 h. Characterization of the obtained sols (pH, solid phase content crystal structure) was performed by potentiometric, XRD, TGA/DTA and SEM measurements. The prepared sols contained almost spherical monoclinic hydrated zirconia particles 7-10 nm in diameter.
Computed Tomographic Assessment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Asthma
Authors: Dhong Hun-Jong , Kim Hyo Yeol , Chung Young-Jun , Kim Tae Wook , Kim Joon Ho , Chung Seung-Kyu , Kim Myung-Gu
Published: October 2006

Backgound

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the extent of disease in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both with and without asthma.

Methods

Medical records and computed tomographic (CT) scans of 48 consecutive asthmatic patients and 523 nonasthmatic patients with CRS between April 1995 and December 2001 were reviewed, retrospectively. Each sinus in the ostiomeatal complex CT scans was assigned a score of 0–2 according to the extent of disease using the Lund-Mackay scoring system, and the ratios of the score of each sinus to the total score were analyzed for the difference between the asthmatic and nonasthmatic groups. A Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical evaluation, with p < 0.05 accepted as statistically significant.

Results

The ratios of ethmoid sinus score to total score were higher in asthmatic patients than in nonasthmatic patients (p < 0.001), and the ratios of the score of maxillary sinus to total score were lower in asthmatic patients than in nonasthmatic patients (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study shows that the ethmoid sinus is the preferred site of CRS in patients with coexisting asthma.
Interleukin-4 C-590T Polymorphism is associated with Protection against Nasal Polyps in a Korean Population
Authors: Yea Sung Su , Yang Young-Il , Park Seong Kook , Jang Won Hee , Lee Sang Seop , Seog Dae-Hyun , Park Yeong-Hong , Chun Jin Ho
Published: October 2006

Background

Although many studies have implicated interleukin (IL)-4 promoter polymorphisms as potential determinants of disease susceptibility, there are no reports on the association between IL-4 promoter polymorphisms and nasal polyps. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between an IL-4 promoter polymorphism and nasal polyps.

Methods

The C-590T promoter polymorphism of the IL-4 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 106 Korean chronic rhinosinusitis patients with or without nasal polyps and 70 healthy Korean subjects.

Results

The frequency of the T allele at position -590 of the IL-4 gene in a Korean population was 0.85, which was significantly higher than those of other ethnic groups, and the T/T allele at position -590 of IL-4 was associated with protection against nasal polyps if compared with the C/C allele (relative risk, 0.529; 95% confidence interval, 0.307–0.912; p = 0.028).

Conclusion

T-590, which is dominant at position -590 of the IL-4 promoter, appears to be associated with a protective mechanism against nasal polyps in Korean populations.
Estimating Biomarker‐based HIV Incidence using Prevalence Data in High Risk Groups with Missing Outcomes
Authors: Chu Haitao , Cole Stephen R.
Published: October 2006

The novel two‐step serologic sensitive/less sensitive testing algorithm for detecting recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS) provides a simple and practical method to estimate HIV‐1 incidence using cross‐sectional HIV seroprevalence data. STARHS has been used increasingly in epidemiologic studies. However, the uncertainty of incidence estimates using this algorithm has not been well described, especially for high risk groups or when missing data is present because a fraction of sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) positive specimens are not tested by the less sensitive EIA. Ad hoc methods used in practice provide incorrect confidence limits and thus may jeopardize statistical inference. In this report, we propose maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods for correctly estimating the uncertainty in incidence estimates obtained using prevalence data with a fraction missing, and extend the methods to regression settings. Using a study of injection drug users participating in a drug detoxification program in New York city as an example, we demonstrated the impact of underestimating the uncertainty in incidence estimates using ad hoc methods. Our methods can be applied to estimate the incidence of other diseases from prevalence data using similar testing algorithms when missing data is present. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fluoromethyl Cations and Group XIV Congeners AHnF3‐n+ (A: Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; n = 0—2): From Covalent Structures to Ion‐Molecule Complexes
Authors: Antoniotti Paola , Borocci Stefano , Bronzolino Nicoletta , Giordani Maria , Grandinetti Felice
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Crystal Structures and Phase Transformation of Deuterated Lithium Imide, Li2ND.
Authors: Balogh Michael P. , Jones Camille Y. , Herbst J. F. , Hector Louis G. Jr. , Kundrat Matthew
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Synthesis, Structure Refinement and Thermal Behavior of HEuP2O7×4H2O.
Authors: Anna‐Rabah Zohra , Chehimi‐Moumen Fathia , Hassen‐Chehimi Dalila Ben , Trabelsi‐Ayadi Malika
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Thermoelectric Properties of the New Polytelluride Ba3Cu14‐δTe12.
Authors: Assoud Abdeljalil , Thomas Stephanie , Sutherland Brodie , Zhang Huqin , Tritt Terry M. , Kleinke Holger
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Flux Growth and Characterization of Layered K4Nb6O17 Crystals.
Authors: Teshima Katsuya , Horita Kenji , Suzuki Takaomi , Ishizawa Nobuo , Oishi Shuji
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Hydrogenation of the Intermediate Valence Ternary Stannides CeRhSn and CeIrSn.
Authors: Chevalier B. , Sebastian C. P. , Poettgen R.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Two Novel Diastereoselective Three‐Component Reactions of Alkenes or 3,4‐Dihydro‐(2H)‐pyran with Urea/Thiourea—Aldehyde Mixtures: [4 + 2] Cycloaddition vs. Biginelli‐Type Reaction.
Authors: Zhu Yulin , Huang Shenlin , Wan Jieping , Yan Lei , Pan Yuanjiang , Wu Anxin
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Cytotoxic 5‐Aryl‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐oxo‐1,4‐pentadienes Mounted on Alicyclic Scaffolds.
Authors: Dimmock Jonathan R. , et al. et al.
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed Trimethylsilylmethylmagnesium‐Promoted Radical Alkenylation of Alkyl Halides: A Complement to the Heck Reaction.
Authors: Affo Walter , Ohmiya Hirohisa , Fujioka Takuma , Ikeda Yousuke , Nakamura Tomoaki , Yorimitsu Hideki , Oshima Koichiro , Imamura Yuki , Mizuta Tsutomu , Miyoshi Katsuhiko
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Pushing Radical Cyclization from Regioselective to Regiospecific: Cyclization of Amidyl Radicals Controlled by Vinylic Halogen Substitution.
Authors: Hu Tianshun , Shen Meihua , Chen Qian , Li Chaozhong
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Efficient Transition Metal Free Oxidation of Benzylic and Secondary Alcohols to the Carbonyl Compounds Using an N‐Bromosuccinimide/NH4Cl System.
Authors: Jain Suman L. , Sain Bir
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Application of a Grubbs′—Hoveyda Metathesis Catalyst Noncovalently Immobilized by Fluorous—Fluorous Interactions.
Authors: Michalek Florian , Bannwarth Willi
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Deprotection of Oximes Using Iodosobenzene in the Presence of β‐Cyclodextrin in Water.
Authors: Narender M. , Reddy M. Somi , Krishnaveni N. Srilakshmi , Surendra K. , Nageswar Y. V. D. , Rao K. Rama
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
A User‐Friendly, All‐Purpose Pd‐NHC (NHC: N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Precatalyst for the Negishi Reaction: A Step Towards a Universal Cross‐Coupling Catalyst.
Authors: Organ Michael G. , Avola Stephanie , Dubovyk Igor , Hadei Niloufar , Kantchev Eric Assen B. , O'Brien Christopher J. , Valente Cory
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Stereoselective Generation of (E)‐ and (Z)‐2‐Fluoroalkylidene‐Type Carbenoids from (2‐Fluoro‐1‐alkenyl)iodonium Salts and Their Application for Stereoselective Synthesis of Fluoroalkenes.
Authors: Hara Shoji , Guan Tong , Yoshida Masanori
Published: October 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.