bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein SUMOylation modulates calcium influx and glutamate release from presynaptic terminals
Authors: Feligioni Marco , Nishimune Atsushi , Henley Jeremy M.
Published: March 2009

Posttranslational modification by small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) proteins is emerging as an important regulatory mechanism for neuronal function and dysfunction. Although multiple potential presynaptic SUMOylation substrate proteins have been proposed from sequence analysis the functional consequences of presynaptic SUMOylation have not been determined. Here we show that SUMOylation of presynaptic proteins modulates neurotransmitter release. Increasing protein SUMOylation by entrapping recombinant SUMO‐1 in synaptosomes decreased glutamate release evoked by KCl whereas decreasing SUMOylation with the SUMO‐specific protease SENP‐1 enhanced KCl‐evoked release. In contrast, SUMO increased and SENP‐1 decreased synaptosomal glutamate release evoked by kainate stimulation. Consistent with these results, SENP‐1 increased Ca2+ influx into synaptosomes evoked by KCl whereas it decreased kainate‐induced Ca2+ influx. These results demonstrate that, in addition to postsynaptic effects, protein SUMOylation acts to modulate neurotransmitter release and thereby regulate synaptic function.
The Escherichia coli O157:H7 EhaB autotransporter protein binds to laminin and collagen I and induces a serum IgA response in O157:H7 challenged cattle
Authors: Wells Timothy J. , McNeilly Tom N. , Totsika Makrina , Mahajan Arvind , Gally David L. , Schembri Mark A.
Published: March 2009

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are a subgroup of Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli that cause gastrointestinal disease with the potential for life‐threatening sequelae. Cattle serve as the natural reservoir for EHEC and outbreaks occur sporadically as a result of contaminated beef and other farming products. While certain EHEC virulence mechanisms have been extensively studied, the factors that mediate host colonization are poorly defined. Previously, we identified four proteins (EhaA,B,C,D) from the prototypic EHEC strain EDL933 that belong to the autotransporter (AT) family. Here we characterize the EhaB AT protein. EhaB was shown to be located at the cell surface and overexpression in E. coli K‐12 resulted in significant biofilm formation under continuous flow conditions. Overexpression of EhaB in E. coli K12 and EDL933 backgrounds also promoted adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins collagen I and laminin. An EhaB‐specific antibody revealed that EhaB is expressed in E. coli EDL933 following in vitro growth. EhaB also cross‐reacted with serum IgA from cattle challenged with E. coli O157:H7, indicating that EhaB is expressed in vivo and elicits a host IgA immune response.
Acute urinary retention and subsequent catheterization cause lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage in the bladder: preventive effect of edaravone, a free‐radical scavenger
Authors: Shimizu Shogo , Saito Motoaki , Kinoshita Yukako , Kazuyama Emi , Tamamura Mayuko , Satoh Itaru , Satoh Keisuke
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a free‐radical scavenger, edaravone, on the changes occurring with acute urinary retention (AUR) and subsequent catheterization in the rat bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to one of four groups; an AUR group that had urinary retention induced, with subsequent catheterization; two edaravone groups, given edaravone at 1 or 10 mg/kg body weight for 60 min and then the same urinary retention and subsequent catheterization; and a sham‐operated control group given edaravone 10 mg/kg. Urinary retention was induced by the clamping the rat penile urethra with a small clip, making a cystostomy, and then infusing 3 mL (0.6 mL/min) of saline with an infusion pump. The obstruction was sustained for 30 min and then the bladder was allowed to drain with a catheter in place for 60 min as the studies continued. After killing the rats the function of the bladder was assessed, with carbachol and 100 mmKCl, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG; a marker of oxidative DNA damage), heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP 70) and its mRNA were measured.

RESULTS

AUR increased the intravesical pressure and decreased blood flow, and subsequent catheterization decreased the intravesical pressure and increased blood flow. Edaravone induced a decrease in blood flow in the bladder during the urinary retention and subsequent catheterization compared to the blood flow in the AUR group. Edaravone resulted in protection of the contractile responses to both carbachol and KCl in a dose‐dependent manner. The MDA concentration, 8‐OHdG content and expressions of HSP‐70 and its mRNA in the AUR group were significantly larger than those of the control group. Edaravone markedly suppressed the accumulations of MDA and 8‐OHdG in the bladder, and reduced the expressions of HSP 70 and its mRNA.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that edaravone reduces the oxidative stress and prevents the bladder dysfunction caused by AUR and subsequent catheterization.
Heterogeneity in Professional Service Firms
Authors: Malhotra Namrata , Morris Timothy
Published: March 2009

abstract

Research on professional service firms emphasizes similarities in their organization and management and distinctiveness from other types of organization. In this paper we take a different tack and focus on the differences between professional service firms, that is, on heterogeneity across different professional sectors. We argue that differences between professions on a number of dimensions affect the nature of professionals' work and, in turn, the organization and management of firms across different professional sectors. Drawing on the sociology of professions literature we focus on three key dimensions of knowledge, jurisdictional control and client relationships to compare legal, auditing and engineering consulting firms. We consider how differences in these dimensions across the three professional services sectors impact upon the way firms are organized. We offer a number of propositions explicating how differences in the nature of knowledge, jurisdictional control and client relationships have implications for organizational form, team‐working and pricing systems.
SPATIAL ASYMMETRIC DUOPOLY WITH AN APPLICATION TO BRUSSELS' AIRPORTS*
Authors: Dunkerley Fay , De Palma Andre , Proost Stef
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT In this paper, the problem of a city with access to two firms or facilities (shopping malls, airports, commercial districts) selling a differentiated product (shopping, flights) and/or offering a differentiated workplace is studied. Transport connections to one facility are congested. A model is presented for this asymmetric duopoly game that can be solved for a Nash equilibrium in prices and wages. A comparative statics analysis is used to illustrate the properties of the equilibrium. A numerical model is then applied to the two Brussels airports. Three stylized policies are implemented to address the congestion problem: expansion of transport capacity, congestion pricing, and a direct subsidy to the uncongested facility. Our results indicate that the degree of intrinsic differentiation between the two firms is crucial in determining the difference in profit and market share. Price and wage differences also depend on trip frequency and consumer preferences for diversity. Congestion pricing is the most effective policy tool but all three options are shown to have attractive attributes.
On Testing the ‘Moral Law’
Authors: SOUSA PAULO
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  In a previous article in this journal, Daniel Kelly, Stephen Stich, Kevin Haley, Serena Eng and Daniel Fessler report data that, according to them, foster scepticism about an association between harm and morality existent in the Turiel tradition (Kelly et al., 2007). This article challenges their interpretation of the data. It does so by explicating some methodological problems in the Turiel tradition that Kelly et al. themselves in a way inherit and by drawing on new evidence coming from a partial replication of their research.
Interpersonal Processes of Care and Patient Satisfaction: Do Associations Differ by Race, Ethnicity, and Language?
Authors: Nápoles Anna María , Gregorich Steven E. , Santoyo‐Olsson Jasmine , O'Brien Helen , Stewart Anita L.
Published: March 2009

Objective. Describe association of patient satisfaction with interpersonal processes of care (IPC) by race/ethnicity.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Interview with 1,664 patients (African Americans, English‐ and Spanish‐speaking Latinos, and non‐Latino Whites).

Study Design/Methods. Cross‐sectional study of seven IPC measures (communication, patient‐centered decision making, and interpersonal style) and three satisfaction measures (satisfaction with physicians, satisfaction with health care, and willingness to recommend physicians). Regression models explored associations, controlling for patient characteristics.

Principal Findings. In all groups: patient‐centered decision making was positively associated with satisfaction with physicians (B=0.10, p<.0001) and health care (B=0.07, p<.001), and “recommend physicians” (OR=1.23, 95 percent CI 1.06, 1.43); discrimination was negatively associated with satisfaction with physicians (B=0.09, p<.05) and health care (B=0.17, p<.001). Unclear communication was associated with less satisfaction with physicians among Spanish‐speaking Latinos. Explaining results was positively associated with all satisfaction outcomes for all groups with one exception (no association with satisfaction with physicians for Latino Spanish‐speakers). Compassion/respect was positively associated with all outcomes for all groups with two exceptions (no association with satisfaction with health care among English‐speaking Latinos and Whites).

Conclusions. All IPC measures were associated with at least one satisfaction outcome for all groups except for unclear communication.
Shadows across μ‐Star? Constitutively active μ‐opioid receptors revisited
Authors: Connor Mark
Published: March 2009

Constitutively active μ‐opioid receptors (μ* receptors) are reported to be formed following prolonged agonist treatment of cells or whole animals. μ* receptors signal in the absence of activating ligand and a blockade of μ* activation of G‐proteins by naloxone and naltrexone has been suggested to underlie the profound withdrawal syndrome precipitated by these antagonistsin vivo. In this issue of the Journal, Divinet al.examined whether treatment of C6 glioma cells with μ‐opioid receptor agonists produced constitutively active μ‐opioid receptors or other commonly reported adaptations to prolonged agonist treatment. Adenylyl cyclase superactivation was readily apparent following agonist treatment but there was no evidence of the formation of constitutively active μ‐opioid receptors. This result challenges the notion that prolonged agonist exposure inevitably produces μ* receptors, and is consistent with many studies of adaptations in neurons produced by chronic agonist treatment. The investigators provide no explanation of their failure to see μ* receptors in C6 cells, but this is perhaps understandable because the molecular nature of μ* receptors remains elusive, and the precise mechanisms that lead to their formation are unknown. Without knowing exactly what μ* receptors are, how they are formed and how they signal, understanding their role in cellular adaptations to prolonged opioid treatment will remain impossible. Studies such as this should refocus attention on establishing the molecular mechanisms that underlie that phenomenon of μ* receptors.
A Cross‐National Analysis of How Economic Inequality Predicts Biodiversity Loss
Authors: HOLLAND TIM G. , PETERSON GARRY D. , GONZALEZ ANDREW
Published: March 2009

Abstract: We used socioeconomic models that included economic inequality to predict biodiversity loss, measured as the proportion of threatened plant and vertebrate species, across 50 countries. Our main goal was to evaluate whether economic inequality, measured as the Gini index of income distribution, improved the explanatory power of our statistical models. We compared four models that included the following: only population density, economic footprint (i.e., the size of the economy relative to the country area), economic footprint and income inequality (Gini index), and an index of environmental governance. We also tested the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, but it was not supported by the data. Statistical comparisons of the models revealed that the model including both economic footprint and inequality was the best predictor of threatened species. It significantly outperformed population density alone and the environmental governance model according to the Akaike information criterion. Inequality was a significant predictor of biodiversity loss and significantly improved the fit of our models. These results confirm that socioeconomic inequality is an important factor to consider when predicting rates of anthropogenic biodiversity loss.
A prospective, double‐blind, randomized clinical feasibility trial of controlling the storage age of red blood cells for transfusion in cardiac surgical patients
Authors: Bennett‐Guerrero Elliott , Stafford‐Smith Mark , Waweru Peter M. , Bredehoeft Steven J. , Campbell Mary Lee , Haley N. Rebecca , Phillips‐Bute Barbara , Newman Mark F. , Bandarenko Nicholas
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence demonstrates an association between duration of storage of red blood cells (RBC) and morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. We studied the feasibility of two different schemes for categorizing and randomizing age of RBC units transfused in cardiac surgical patients.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In Phase 1, 20 subjects were randomly assigned to standard of care (SOC) versus no RBCs with more than 21 days' storage duration. In Phase 2, 23 subjects were randomized to RBCs of 7 ± 4 versus 21 ± 4 days' storage duration. The age of study RBC units was masked.

RESULTS: In Phase 1, no patients received RBCs 31 days or older in SOC, and there was overlap in storage age shared in both arms so the predefined feasibility criteria were not met. In Phase 2, it was feasible to deliver specified age RBCs to the 7‐day arm (achieved in 100% of subjects), but feasibility was not demonstrated for the 21‐day arm (only 50% of subjects transfused with target age RBCs). Significant differences, however, were observed between the 7 ± 4‐ and 21 ± 4‐day arms with respect to age of all RBC units (6 ± 2 vs. 18 ± 7, p = 0.0002) and maximum age (7 ± 2 vs. 20 ± 7, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Given the current storage age distribution of available RBC inventory, use of a SOC arm in future studies is unlikely to result in a large exposure to “old” blood. It is feasible to randomize patients to “younger” RBCs (3‐11 days) but design strategies are needed to provide “intermediate‐aged” or “old” blood as a comparator.
Effect of the HA/β‐TCP Ratio on the Biological Performance of Calcium Phosphate Ceramic Coatings Fabricated by a Room‐Temperature Powder Spray in Vacuum
Authors: Hahn Byung‐Dong , Park Dong‐Soo , Choi Jong‐Jin , Ryu Jungho , Yoon Woon‐Ha , Lee Byoung‐Kuk , Kim Hyoun‐Ee
Published: March 2009

Four calcium phosphate ceramic coatings, the less soluble hydroxyapatite (HA) coating, the more soluble β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) coating, and two biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) coatings with HA/β‐TCP ratios of 70/30 and 30/70 were fabricated by spraying each corresponding powder onto a titanium substrate at room temperature (RT) in a vacuum, in order to investigate the effect of the HA/β‐TCP ratio on the dissolution behavior and the cellular responses of the coating. No secondary phases, except for HA and β‐TCP, were observed for the coatings in the X‐ray diffraction results. The coating compositions were almost the same as those of the starting powders because the coating was conducted at RT. Microscopic examination of the coatings revealed crack‐free and dense microstructures. The BCP coatings exhibited dissolution rates intermediate between those of the pure HA and β‐TCP coatings. The dissolution rate of the coatings was largely dependent on their HA/β‐TCP ratio. The cell proliferation and differentiation results indicated that the cellular responses of the coatings were not proportional to their dissolution rates. The 3HA–7TCP (HA/β‐TCP ratio of 30/70) coating exhibited an optimal dissolution rate for excellent biological performance.
Cloning and characterization of a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cDNA arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase and its use in the genetic engineering of melatonin content in the Micro‐Tom tomato
Authors: Okazaki Masateru , Higuchi Kenji , Hanawa Yutaka , Shiraiwa Yoshihiro , Ezura Hiroshi
Published: March 2009

Abstract:  Melatonin is found in a wide variety of plant species. Several investigators have studied the physiological roles of melatonin in plants. However, its role is not well understood because of the limited information on its biosynthetic pathway. To clarify melatonin biosynthesis in plants, we isolated a cDNA‐coded arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase (AANAT), a possible limiting enzyme for melatonin biosynthesis, from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (designated as CrAANAT). The predicted amino acid sequence of CrAANAT shares 39.0% homology to AANAT from Ostreococcus tauri and lacks cAMP‐dependent protein kinase phosphorylation sites in the N‐ and C‐terminal regions that are conserved in vertebrates. The enzyme activity of CrAANAT was confirmed by in vitro assay using Escherichia coli. Transgenic plants constitutively expressing the CrAANAT were produced using Micro‐Tom, a model cultivar of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The transgenic Micro‐Tom exhibited higher melatonin content compared with wild type, suggesting that melatonin was synthesized from serotonin via N‐acetylserotonin in plants. Moreover, the melatonin‐rich transgenic Micro‐Tom can be used to elucidate the role of melatonin in plant development.
Ecological consequences of a massive flowering event of bamboo (Chusquea culeou) in a temperate forest of Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Marchesini Victoria A. , Sala Osvaldo E. , Austin Amy T.
Published: March 2009

Question: What changes occur as a consequence of the massive flowering and senescence of the dominant understory species of bamboo, Chusquea culeou (E. Desvaux)? In this study, we documented some of the ecological consequences of this rare event that occurred in 2001, the previous flowering having occurred more than 60 years ago.

Location: Nothofagus temperate forest, Patagonia, Argentina.

Methods: We assessed changes in environmental variables and bamboo biomass post‐flowering in an old‐growth southern beech forest. In addition, we monitored the demography of emergent Ch. culeou seedling and Nothofagus nervosa saplings, comparing non‐flowered (live understory) and flowered (senescent understory) patches within the forest matrix.

Results: Bamboo flowering dramatically increased light availability in the forest understory but, surprisingly, other environmental changes were not observed. Bamboo seedlings emerged in both patch types, and experienced gradual but modest mortality through time. Bamboo dieback promoted higher survivorship and an increment in biomass, height, number of leaves and buds in the saplings of Nothofagus nervosa.

Conclusion: The high density of bamboo seedlings 5 years after the flowering event and the independence of emergence from environmental variables suggest that understory regeneration is a gradual process that is not strongly regulated by initial seedling density or resource limitation. In contrast, microenvironmental conditions created after the flowering event significantly increased Nothofagus sapling growth and survival. These results suggest that overstory forest regeneration could be enhanced in this temperate forest in the first years after this infrequent bamboo flowering event.
Behavioral and morphological aspects of decorating in Oregonia gracilis (Brachyura: Majoidea)
Authors: Berke Sarah K. , Woodin Sarah A.
Published: March 2009

Abstract. Decorator crabs (Brachyura: Majoidea) are known for attaching sessile organisms to specialized velcro‐like hooked setae. Here we describe behavioral and morphological aspects of decorating for a common northern Pacific majoid, Oregonia gracilis. Members of O. gracilis decorate with a diverse array of sessile organisms. These are attached to hooked setae, and also physically interact with long, pappose setae that occur in the same body regions as hooked setae. We describe these pappose setae and document the occurrence of similar setae in 36 other decorating majoids across seven families. In O. gracilis, the density of pappose and hooked setae independently covary with decoration amount, which is sexually dimorphic—juveniles and adult females decorate heavily, whereas adult males decorate sparsely. Adult males have reduced numbers of hooked and pappose setae, but the ontogenetic patterns for the two setal types are different, suggesting that they are quasi‐independent characters. We experimentally ablated pappose setae to ask if they functionally contribute to decorating in O. gracilis. Surprisingly, we found that pappose setae are not necessary for decorating under laboratory conditions. Pappose setae could play an auxiliary mechanical role or a sensory role in decorating, or may have another as‐yet‐unidentified function distinct from decorating.
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Arabidopsis Mature Pollen and Germinated Pollen
Authors: Zou Junjie , Song Lianfen , Zhang Wenzheng , Wang Yi , Ruan Songlin , Wu Wei‐Hua
Published: March 2009

Proteomic analysis was applied to generating the map of Arabidopsis mature pollen proteins and analyzing the differentially expressed proteins that are potentially involved in the regulation of Arabidopsis pollen germination. By applying 2‐D electrophoresis and silver staining, we resolved 499 and 494 protein spots from protein samples extracted from pollen grains and pollen tubes, respectively. Using the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method, we identified 189 distinct proteins from 213 protein spots expressed in mature pollen or pollen tubes, and 75 new identified proteins that had not been reported before in research into the Arabidopsis pollen proteome. Comparative analysis revealed that 40 protein spots exhibit reproducible significant changes between mature pollen and pollen tubes. And 21 proteins from 17 downregulated and six upregulated protein spots were identified. Functional category analysis indicated that these differentially expressed proteins mainly involved in signaling, cellular structure, transport, defense/stress responses, transcription, metabolism, and energy production. The patterns of changes at protein level suggested the important roles for energy metabolism‐related proteins in pollen tube growth, accompanied by the activation of the stress response pathway and modifications to the cell wall.
Recent Work on Propositions
Authors: Hanks Peter
Published: March 2009

Propositions, the abstract, truth‐bearing contents of sentences and beliefs, continue to be the focus of healthy debates in philosophy of language and metaphysics. This article is a critical survey of work on propositions since the mid‐90s, with an emphasis on newer work from the past decade. Topics to be covered include a substitution puzzle about propositional designators, two recent arguments against propositions, and two new theories about the nature of propositions.
Retail Food Availability, Obesity, and Cigarette Smoking in Rural Communities
Authors: Hosler Akiko S.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT: 
Context: Disparities in the availability of nutritionally important foods and their influence on health have been studied in US urban communities. Purpose: To assess the availability of selected retail foods and cigarettes, and explore ecologic relationships of the availability with obesity and smoking in rural communities. Methods: Inventories of all food stores (n = 182) in 2 rural New York counties were surveyed. The study area was divided into 4 regions through cluster analysis of 2000 Census and geographic information system data. Weight‐adjusted per 10,000‐population density of stores carrying selected foods was used as a standardized measure of availability. Prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2) and smoking among adults was obtained from secondary data. Bivariate correlations among availability of foods and cigarettes, overweight/obesity, and smoking were analyzed at the regional level. Findings: Nutritionally important foods, including fresh fruit, vegetables (dark green or orange colored), low‐fat (≤1%) milk, high‐fiber (≥2g per slice) bread, and fish were most available in the semiurbanized region, followed by the rural heartland, the remote mountains region, and the most urbanized inner‐town. No significant difference was found in the availability of general food items and cigarettes. Overweight/obesity was inversely associated with the availability of fresh fruit, vegetables, and low‐fat milk. Smoking was positively associated with the availability of cigarettes, white bread, whole milk, and eggs. Conclusions: The observed disparities in food availability and their ecologic association with health risks in rural adults expanded the knowledge base of built environment and its association with health beyond the urban setting.
Results of Treatment With Telmisartan‐Amlodipine in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Littlejohn Thomas W. , Majul Claudio R. , Olvera Rafael , Seeber Mary , Kobe Maureen , Guthrie Robert , Oigman Wille ,   On behalf of the study investigators
Published: March 2009

This randomized 4×4 factorial study determined the efficacy and safety of telmisartan (T) plus amlodipine (A) in hypertensive patients. Adults (N=1461) with stage 1 or 2 hypertension (baseline blood pressure [BP]: 153.2[12.1]/101.7[4.3] mm Hg) were randomized to 1 of 16 treatment groups with T 0, 20, 40, 80 mg and A 0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg for 8 weeks. In‐clinic BP reductions were greater with combination therapy than respective monotherapies. The greatest least‐square mean systolic/diastolic BP reductions were observed with T80 mg plus A10 mg (−26.4/−20.1 mm Hg; P<.05 compared with both monotherapies). BP control was also greatest in the T80‐mg plus A10‐mg group (76.5% [overall control] and 85.3% [diastolic BP control]), and BP response rates >90% with this combination. Peripheral edema was most common in the A10‐mg group (17.8%); however, this rate was notably lower when A was used in combination with T: 11.4% (T20/A10), 6.2% (T40/A10), and 11.3% (T80/A10).
Systemic Hemodynamic Changes in Elderly Hypertensive Patients After Ingesting Foods With Lipid, Protein, and Carbohydrate Contents
Authors: Ferreira‐Filho Sebastião R. , Ferreira Anna Carolina C. R. , Oliveira Paulo C. , Moreira Jorge F. M. , Ribeiro Eduardo C. , Oliveira Ângela M. M. , Do Vale Maria B.
Published: March 2009

Aging is associated with changes in cardiovascular structure and function, which predisposes elderly people to reduced blood pressure levels after meals. The authors studied cardiac systolic function in elderly hypertensive patients after eating meals with different contents of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Ten elderly male hypertensive patients were studied (mean age, 69 years; range 60–80 years). No patients had a previous history of orthostatic or postprandial hypotension. Patients ate 1 of 3 pre‐prepared meals: lipid meal (LM), protein meal (PM), or carbohydrate meal (CM), on different days. Mean arterial pressure, total peripheral resistance index (TPRi), cardiac index (CI), and stroke index were recorded at the end of the fasting period and then at 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after food ingestion. After ingestion of a CM, the CI increased from 2.30±0.21 L/min/m2to 2.61±0.24 L/min/m2and the TPRi decreased from 3212±226 dynes/sec2to 2793±255 dynes/sec2at 45 minutes (P<.05). After the LM, the CI increased from 2.15±0.15 to 2.84±0.27 L/min/m2and the TPRi decreased from 3630±274 L/min/m2to 2666±282 dynes/sec2at 45 minutes (P<.05). After the PM, no systemic hemodynamic changes were observed. When all 3 meals were compared, the highest values of CI and the lowest values of TPRi were observed for the LM and CM. The authors’ results show that fat‐ and carbohydrate‐rich foods cause changes in the systemic hemodynamic of the elderly hypertensive patients.
An Examination of Mandated Versus Voluntary Referral as a Determinant of Clinical Outcome
Authors: Snyder Christine M. J. , Anderson Stephen A.
Published: March 2009

A literature review was undertaken to examine evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy with mandated clients. The primary question addressed was whether or not clients mandated to therapy, whether by court order or by order of their employers, show poorer outcomes than clients who enter therapy voluntarily. To this end, research on client resistance and motivational readiness to change was reviewed. This was followed by an examination of research on the effectiveness of mandated treatment. The question of the potential influence of relationship factors such as the therapeutic alliance was also addressed. The literature review was followed by suggestions for future research on the effectiveness of treatment for clients with mandated or voluntary referral status.
Plasma cell granuloma in the oral cavity
Authors: Namboodiripad P.C. Anila , Jaganath Malathi , Sunitha B. , Sumathi A.
Published: March 2009

Plasma cells are terminally differentiated B lymphocytes which are typically found in the red pulp of the spleen, medulla of the lymph nodes, tonsils, lamina propria of the entire gastrointestinal tract, mucosa of the nose and upper airway, and sites of inflammation. They are characterised by basophilic cytoplasm with an eccentrically placed nucleus. They range in size from 14 to 20 µm. A plasma cell's main function is to produce immunoglobulins or antibodies. Plasma cell granuloma is a plasma cell lesion which merits discussion because it is typically found in the oral cavity. This lesion is not a neoplastic process, nor is it associated with a monoclonal expansion of a single plasma cell; instead, this is a reactive, inflammatory lesion which usually involves the gingival tissue.
Development of 10 microsatellite loci in the ling (Molva molva)
Authors: RING ANNA‐KARIN , KNUTSEN HALVOR , FIANI DAVID , HOELZEL A. R. , ANDRÉ CARL
Published: March 2009

We developed primers for two dinucleotide and eight tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in a marine fish, the ling (Molva molva). All markers were obtained from partial genomic DNA libraries and characterized in 55 unrelated individuals from one putative population. The number of alleles ranged from five to 24 (average 10.5) per locus, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.218 to 0.981 (average 0.643). No loci amplified in two other gadoid species tested, the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and the tusk (Brosme brosme).
ON THE (MIS)MEASUREMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT COSTS
Authors: Chasomeris Mihalis
Published: March 2009

Several world institutions and researchers use import cif/fob ratios to measure a country's international transport costs. In this paper, the relationship between annual cif/fob ratios and compositions of imports are examined via correlation analysis. The findings show that where the quality of the data is reliable, a country's composition of imports has a significant effect on that country's cif/fob ratios; hence researchers cannot use the ratio as a reliable measure of direct shipping costs. Researchers should be wary of substituting country cif/fob ratios for direct measures of transport costs.
Students With Learning Disabilities and AD/HD in the Foreign Language Classroom: Supporting Students and Instructors
Authors: Leons Eve , Herbert Christie , Gobbo Ken
Published: March 2009

Abstract: This article explores why students with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) struggle with the foreign language curriculum and how their difficulties manifest themselves in the classroom setting. Findings of a three‐year, federally funded study that sought to combine expertise in the field of learning disabilities with expertise in the field of language teaching are presented. Discussion includes how accommodations for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD often miss the mark, and which teaching practices have been identified as supporting student learning.
Linguistic Intervention Techniques for At‐Risk English Language Learners
Authors: Schneider Elke , Evers Tsila
Published: March 2009

Abstract:In U.S. public schools, the population of nonnative speakers of English who are at risk for failing language requirements is growing. This article presents multisensory structured language (MSL) teaching strategies to remediate these students' difficulties in reading, writing, and speaking English. These strategies are underscored by recent findings of cross‐linguistic studies. The MSL strategies are evidence‐based and can be applied to any language. They are supported by a variety of teaching resources to assist instructors in helping at‐risk English language learners improve their English language skills.
Second Language Anxiety and Distance Language Learning
Authors: Pichette François
Published: March 2009

Abstract:This study compared anxiety profiles of classroom and distance language learners, and compared anxiety levels between first‐semester and more experienced students in both learning environments. Participants were 186 French‐speaking learners of English or Spanish, who were tested in Canada in 2006. They were tested for general foreign language anxiety, for second language (L2) reading anxiety, and for L2 writing anxiety. Results show no significant differences in anxiety profiles between classroom and distance learners, and higher anxiety among first‐semester distance learners. However, in the case of classroom learners, our data contradict earlier research by indicating similar levels of anxiety between first‐semester and more experienced students. Results are discussed in light of the changing profile of distance learners and the school system where participants were tested.
Inhibition of hypothalamic Foxo1 expression reduced food intake in diet‐induced obesity rats
Authors: Ropelle Eduardo R. , Pauli José R. , Prada Patrícia , Cintra Dennys E. , Rocha Guilherme Z. , Moraes Juliana C. , Frederico Marisa J. S. , da Luz Gabrielle , Pinho Ricardo A. , Carvalheira José B. C. , Velloso Licio A. , Saad Mario A. , De Souza Cláudio T.
Published: March 2009

Insulin signalling in the hypothalamus plays a role in maintaining body weight. The forkhead transcription factor Foxo1 is an important mediator of insulin signalling in the hypothalamus. Foxo1 stimulates the transcription of the orexigenic neuropeptide Y and Agouti‐related protein through the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt signalling pathway, but the role of hypothalamic Foxo1 in insulin resistance and obesity remains unclear. Here, we identify that a high‐fat diet impaired insulin‐induced hypothalamic Foxo1 phosphorylation and degradation, increasing the nuclear Foxo1 activity and hyperphagic response in rats. Thus, we investigated the effects of the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) microinfusion of Foxo1‐antisense oligonucleotide (Foxo1‐ASO) and evaluated the food consumption and weight gain in normal and diet‐induced obese (DIO) rats. Three days of Foxo1‐ASO microinfusion reduced the hypothalamic Foxo1 expression by about 85%. i.c.v. infusion of Foxo1‐ASO reduced the cumulative food intake (21%), body weight change (28%), epididymal fat pad weight (22%) and fasting serum insulin levels (19%) and increased the insulin sensitivity (34%) in DIO but not in control animals. Collectively, these data showed that the Foxo1‐ASO treatment blocked the orexigenic effects of Foxo1 and prevented the hyperphagic response in obese rats. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of Foxo1 may be used to prevent or treat obesity.
Comparison of Formulations for the Hydrostatic Stiffness of Flexible Structures
Authors: Riggs H. R.
Published: March 2009

The formulation for the hydrostatic stiffness (restoring force) for linear rigid body hydrodynamics is well known, whereas there are several formulations in literature for the corresponding stiffness of flexible structures. Which of these formulations to use is not immediately obvious. This paper clarifies the relationship and the differences between the formulations and the selection of the appropriate one. In addition, it will be shown that a general formulation of the hydrostatic stiffness for flexible structures involves the internal stress distribution under gravity loads, just as it does the corresponding hydrostatic pressure distribution.
Quantitative comparison of delta P1 versus optical diffusion approximations for modeling near‐infrared gold nanoshell heating
Authors: Elliott Andrew M. , Schwartz Jon , Wang James , Shetty Anil M. , Bourgoyne Chirs , O’Neal D. Patrick , Hazle John D. , Stafford R. Jason
Published: March 2009

Laser induced thermal therapy combined with the wavelength dependent optical absorption and heating power of gold‐coated silica nanoshells can achieve therapeutic heating localized to a tumor volume. Accurate modeling of the spatiotemperal thermal distribution associated with this heating is essential for accurate thermal therapy treatment planning. The optical diffusion approximation (ODA), used in numerous applications of laser fluence in biology, is compared to the delta P1 optical approximation in phantoms containing different concentrations of nanoshells for several laser powers. Results are compared with temperature maps generated by magnetic resonance temperature imaging techniques and show that the delta P1 approximation is more effective than ODA at modeling the thermal distribution. The discrepancy between the two is especially prominent in phantoms with higher nanoshell concentrations where ODA was shown to give unsatisfactory results.
MOSFET dosimetry with high spatial resolution in intense synchrotron‐generated x‐ray microbeams
Authors: Siegbahn E. A. , Bräuer‐Krisch E. , Bravin A. , Nettelbeck H. , Lerch M. L. F. , Rosenfeld A. B.
Published: March 2009

Various dosimeters have been tested for assessing absorbed doses with microscopic spatial resolution in targets irradiated by high‐flux, synchrotron‐generated, low‐energyx‐ray microbeams. A MOSFET detector has been used for this study since its radio sensitive element, which is extraordinarily narrow, suits the main applications of interest, microbeam radiation biology and microbeam radiation therapy (MRT). In MRT, micrometer‐wide, centimeter‐high, and vertically oriented swaths of tissue are irradiated by arrays of rectangular x‐ray microbeams produced by a multislit collimator (MSC). We used MOSFETs to measure the dose distribution, produced by arrays of x‐ray microbeams shaped by two different MSCs, in a tissue‐equivalent phantom. Doses were measured near the center of the arrays and maximum/minimum (peak/valley) dose ratios (PVDRs) were calculated to determine how variations in heights and in widths of the microbeams influenced this for the therapy, potentially important parameter. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the absorbed dose distribution in the phantom were also performed. The results show that when the heights of the irradiated swaths were below those applicable to clinical therapythe MC simulations produce estimates of PVDRs that are up to a factor of 3 higher than the measured values. For arrays of higher microbeams (i.e.,instead of), this difference between measured and simulated PVDRs becomes less than 50%. Closer agreement was observed between the measured and simulated PVDRs for the Tecomet®MSC (current collimator design) than for the Archer MSC. Sources of discrepancies between measured and simulated doses are discussed, of which the energy dependent response of the MOSFET was shown to be among the most important.
Monte Carlo simulations on the water‐to‐air stopping power ratio for carbon ion dosimetry
Authors: Henkner Katrin , Bassler Niels , Sobolevsky Nikolai , Jäkel Oliver
Published: March 2009

Many papers discussed the value for water given by the ICRU, concluding that a value of about instead of would reproduce measured ion depth‐dose curves. A change in the value for water would have an effect on the stopping power and, hence, on the water‐to‐air stopping power ratio, which is important in clinical dosimetry of proton and ion beams. For energies ranging from and for one spread out Bragg peak, the authors compare the impact of the value on the water‐to‐air stopping power ratio. The authors calculate ratios from different ICRU stopping power tables and ICRU reports. The stopping power ratio is calculated via track‐length dose calculation with SHIELD‐HIT07. In the calculations, the stopping power ratio is reduced to a value of 1.119 in the plateau region as compared to the cited value of 1.13 in IAEA TRS‐398. At low energies the stopping power ratio increases by up to 6% in the last few tenths of a mm toward the Bragg peak. For a spread out Bragg peak of width at depth, the stopping power ratio increases by about 1% toward the distal end.
A comprehensive analysis of the IMRT dose delivery process using statistical process control (SPC)
Authors: Gérard Karine , Grandhaye Jean‐Pierre , Marchesi Vincent , Kafrouni Hanna , Husson François , Aletti Pierre
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study is to introduce tools to improve the security of each IMRT patient treatment by determining action levels for the dose delivery process. To achieve this, the patient‐specific quality control results performed with an ionization chamber—and which characterize the dose delivery process—have been retrospectively analyzed using a method borrowed from industry: Statistical process control (SPC). The latter consisted in fulfilling four principal well‐structured steps. The authors first quantified the short term variability of ionization chamber measurements regarding the clinical tolerances used in the cancer center (±4% of deviation between the calculated and measured doses) by calculating a control process capability index. The index was found superior to 4, which implies that the observed variability of the dose delivery process is not biased by the short term variability of the measurement. Then, the authors demonstrated using a normality test that the quality control results could be approximated by a normal distribution with two parameters (mean and standard deviation). Finally, the authors used two complementary tools—control charts and performance indices—to thoroughly analyze the IMRT dose delivery process. Control charts aim at monitoring the process over time using statistical control limits to distinguish random (natural) variations from significant changes in the process, whereas performance indices aim at quantifying the ability of the process to produce data that are within the clinical tolerances, at a precise moment. The authors retrospectively showed that the analysis of three selected control charts (individual value, moving‐range, and EWMA control charts) allowed efficient drift detection of the dose delivery process for prostate and head‐and‐neck treatments before the quality controls were outside the clinical tolerances. Therefore, when analyzed in real time, during quality controls, they should improve the security of treatments. They also showed that the dose delivery processes in the cancer center were in control for prostate and head‐and‐neck treatments. In parallel, long term process performance indices (, , and ) have been analyzed. Their analysis helped defining which actions should be undertaken in order to improve the performance of the process. The prostate dose delivery process has been shown statistically capable (0.08% of the results is expected to be outside the clinical tolerances) contrary to the head‐and‐neck dose delivery process (5.76% of the results are expected to be outside the clinical tolerances).
Comparison of fractionation schedules in the large heterogeneity limit
Authors: Guerrero M.
Published: March 2009

The author develops an analytical formula that relates total doses in different fractionation schemes using the linear‐quadratic (LQ) model in the limit when the interpatient variation in radiosensitivity is large. We use published formulas for tumor control probability and parameter dependence developed for the large heterogeneity limit. We consider the isoeffect equation and uses simple algebraic manipulation to obtain the new fractionation formula valid for the large heterogeneity limit. We study the case of going from a dose per fraction of 1.8 Gy to a dose per fraction of 3 Gy, which is relevant for current hypofractionation schemes for prostate and breast cancer. We find that the total dose for the new fractionation depends not only on the ratio but also on the ratio of the corresponding standard deviations and on the ratio between the original dose and . In some special cases, notably when , the standard LQ model is recovered. In general, when the relative widths of the distributions for and are equal or similar, the deviation from the standard LQ model is small, mostly within 5% for from 0.4 up to 1.6. When the width of the distribution for is much larger than the one for , larger deviations from the standard LQ model are found for small values of but they fall within 10% for larger than 4 Gy and within 5% for larger than 10 Gy. The most unforgiving case is when the width of the distribution for is much smaller than the one for , where the largest differences with the standard LQ model are found. While, in general, the formula can give a significantly different result than the standard LQ model equation, we find a range of parameters for which the difference is surprisingly small.
Information content of SNR/resolution trade‐offs in three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Portnoy S. , Kale S. C. , Feintuch A. , Tardif C. , Pike G. B. , Henkelman R. M.
Published: March 2009

In MRI, a trade‐off exists between resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio, since different fractions of the available scan time can be used to acquire data at higher spatial frequencies and to perform signal averaging. By comparing a wide variety of 3D isotropic MR scans with different combinations of SNR, resolution, and scan duration, the impact of this trade‐off on the image information content was assessed. The information content of mouse brain, mouse whole‐body, and human brain images was evaluated using a simple numerical approach, which sums the information contribution of each individual ‐space data point. Results show that, with a fixed receiver bandwidth and field of view, the information content of trade‐off images is always maximized when the SNR is equal to about 16. The optimal imaging resolution is dependent on the scan duration, as well as certain MR system properties, such as field strength and coil sensitivity. These properties are, however, easily accounted for with the acquisition of a single scout MR image, and the optimal imaging resolution can then be calculated using a simple mathematical relationship. If the imaging task is approached with a predetermined resolution requirement, the same scout scan can be used to calculate the scan duration that will provide the maximum possible information. Using these relationships to maximize the image information content is an excellent technique for guiding the initial selection of imaging parameters.