bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the profile and progression of impairments, activity, participation, and quality of life in people with Parkinson disease: protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Morris Meg E , Watts Jennifer J , Iansek Robert , Jolley Damien , Campbell Donald , Murphy Anna T , Martin Clarissa L
Published: January 2009

Background

Despite the finding that Parkinson disease (PD) occurs in more than one in every 1000 people older than 60 years, there have been few attempts to quantify how deficits in impairments, activity, participation, and quality of life progress in this debilitating condition. It is unclear which tools are most appropriate for measuring change over time in PD.

Methods and design

This protocol describes a prospective analysis of changes in impairments, activity, participation, and quality of life over a 12 month period together with an economic analysis of costs associated with PD. One-hundred participants will be included, provided they have idiopathic PD rated I-IV on the modified Hoehn & Yahr (1967) scale and fulfil the inclusion criteria. The study aims to determine which clinical and economic measures best quantify the natural history and progression of PD in a sample of people receiving services from the Victorian Comprehensive Parkinson's Program, Australia. When the data become available, the results will be expressed as baseline scores and changes over 3 months and 12 months for impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life together with a cost analysis.

Discussion

This study has the potential to identify baseline characteristics of PD for different Hoehn & Yahr stages, to determine the influence of disease duration on performance, and to calculate the costs associated with idiopathic PD. Valid clinical and economic measures for quantifying the natural history and progression of PD will also be identified.

Trial Registration

ACTRN12609000008224
Systematic review of effect of community-level interventions to reduce maternal mortality
Authors: Kidney Elaine , Winter Heather R , Khan Khalid S , Gülmezoglu A Metin , Meads Catherine A , Deeks Jonathan J , MacArthur Christine
Published: January 2009

Background

The objective was to provide a systematic review of the effectiveness of community-level interventions to reduce maternal mortality.

Methods

We searched published papers using Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, CINAHL, BNI, CAB ABSTRACTS, IBSS, Web of Science, LILACS and African Index Medicus from inception or at least 1982 to June 2006; searched unpublished works using National Research Register website, metaRegister and the WHO International Trial Registry portal. We hand searched major references.

Selection criteria were maternity or childbearing age women, comparative study designs with concurrent controls, community-level interventions and maternal death as an outcome. We carried out study selection, data abstraction and quality assessment independently in duplicate.

Results

We found five cluster randomised controlled trials (RCT) and eight cohort studies of community-level interventions. We summarised results as odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI), combined using the Peto method for meta-analysis. Two high quality cluster RCTs, aimed at improving perinatal care practices, showed a reduction in maternal mortality reaching statistical significance (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.98). Three equivalence RCTs of minimal goal-oriented versus usual antenatal care showed no difference in maternal mortality (1.09, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.25). The cohort studies were of low quality and did not contribute further evidence.

Conclusion

Community-level interventions of improved perinatal care practices can bring about a reduction in maternal mortality. This challenges the view that investment in such interventions is not worthwhile. Programmes to improve maternal mortality should be evaluated using randomised controlled techniques to generate further evidence.
Polymorphism +17 C/G in Matrix Metalloprotease MMP8 decreases lung cancer risk
Authors: González-Arriaga Patricia , López-Cima M Felicitas , Fernández-Somoano Ana , Pascual Teresa , Marrón Manuel G , Puente Xose S , Tardón Adonina
Published: January 2009

Background

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) constitute a family of enzymes capable of degrading different components of the extracellular matrix and are implicated in the invasion of tumor cells through the basement membrane. Polymorphisms in MMP genes may result in changes in the expression of MMPs being associated with the development and progression of cancer. We have investigated the association between three polymorphisms (-1607 1G/2G, +17 C/G and -77 A/G) in the human collagenases MMP1, MMP8 and MMP13 and the risk of development or progression of lung cancer.

Methods

A hospital-based case-control study was designed including 501 lung cancer patients and 510 controls matched. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. Results were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression, Cox's proportional hazard regression, and the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

The MMP1 and MMP13 promoter polymorphisms were not associated with lung cancer risk, while the C/G polymorphism in MMP8 was associated with a statistically significant decreased risk of developing lung cancer (ORadj = 0.65; 95%CI = 0.45–0.93). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the polymorphisms in MMP1, MMP8 and MMP13 not seem to modify the overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that MMP1, MMP8 and MMP13 polymorphisms are not independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the polymorphism in MMP8 is associated with a decreased lung cancer risk, which can be used as a prognostic marker in lung cancer.
Older cancer patients' information and support needs surrounding treatment: An evaluation through the eyes of patients, relatives and professionals
Authors: Posma Elise R , van Weert Julia CM , Jansen Jesse , Bensing Jozien M
Published: January 2009

Background

Providing cancer patients with adequate treatment information is important for patients' health, well-being and satisfaction. Nurses play an important role in patient education. So far, few studies focused on the specific information needs of older cancer patients surrounding chemotherapy treatment. Given the growing incidence of cancer among older individuals, insight in these needs is crucial. This article describes the views of older cancer patients, their relatives and professionals on older patients' specific communication needs regarding chemotherapy treatment.

Methods

A qualitative design was used. Five focus group interviews were held with older cancer patients and their partners (two groups) and professionals with a background in nursing, oncology, gerontology and/or patient-provider communication (three groups). In addition, face to face in-depth interviews were conducted with older cancer patients. A total number of 38 patients and relatives participated, with a mean age of 67.6 years. The focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded for subsequent transcription and analysis.

Results

Older people have more difficulties processing and remembering information than younger ones. A trustful environment appears to be a prerequisite for reflection of older patients on the information provided and individualized information is essential to enhance memory of information. However, the results show that both patients and professionals experienced insufficient exploration of the patients' personal situation and individual information needs. Patients also strengthened the importance of sensitive communication, e.g. showing empathy en emotional support, throughout the continuum of cancer care. Moreover, potential areas of improvement were identified, including engaging the patients' relatives and encouraging patients and relatives to ask questions.

Conclusion

Patient education should be more tailored to older cancer patients' individual information and support needs and abilities by exploring the required amount and content of information, treatment goals and expectations. Nurses can establish a trustful environment by showing empathy and emotional support. Recommendations are given to enhance recall of information in older patients; information giving should be more structured by summarizing and repeating the most important, personally relevant information. To adapt to specific information needs, communication training for nurses and the use of aids such as a question prompt sheet could be useful tools.
Malaria transmission in two localities in north-western Argentina
Authors: Dantur Juri María J , Zaidenberg Mario , Claps Guillermo L , Santana Mirta , Almirón Walter R
Published: January 2009

Background

Malaria is one of the most important tropical diseases that affects people globally. The influence of environmental conditions in the patterns of temporal distribution of malaria vectors and the disease has been studied in different countries. In the present study, ecological aspects of the malaria vector Anopheles (Anopheles) pseudopunctipennis and their relationship with climatic variables, as well as the seasonality of malaria cases, were studied in two localities, El Oculto and Aguas Blancas, in north-western Argentina.

Methods

The fluctuation of An. pseudopunctipennis and the malaria cases distribution was analysed with Random Effect Poisson Regression. This analysis takes into account the effect of each climatic variable on the abundance of both vector and malaria cases, giving as results predicted values named Incidence Rate Radio.

Results

The number of specimens collected in El Oculto and Aguas Blancas was 4224 (88.07%) and 572 (11.93%), respectively. In El Oculto no marked seasonality was found, different from Aguas Blancas, where high abundance was detected at the end of spring and the beginning of summer. The maximum mean temperature affected the An. pseudopunctipennis fluctuation in El Oculto and Aguas Blancas. When considering the relationship between the number of malaria cases and the climatic variables in El Oculto, maximum mean temperature and accumulated rainfall were significant, in contrast with Aguas Blancas, where mean temperature and humidity showed a closer relationship to the fluctuation in the disease.

Conclusion

The temporal distribution patterns of An. pseudopunctipennis vary in both localities, but spring appears as the season with better conditions for mosquito development. Maximum mean temperature was the most important variable in both localities. Malaria cases were influenced by the maximum mean temperature in El Oculto, while the mean temperature and humidity were significant in Aguas Blancas. In Aguas Blancas peaks of mosquito abundance and three months later, peaks of malaria cases were observed. The study reported here will help to increase knowledge about not only vectors and malaria seasonality but also their relationships with the climatic variables that influence their appearances and abundances.
Inhibition of HIF-1alpha activity by homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 correlates with sensitization of chemoresistant cells to undergo apoptosis
Authors: Nardinocchi Lavinia , Puca Rosa , Sacchi Ada , D'Orazi Gabriella
Published: January 2009

Background

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase-2 (HIPK2), a transcriptional co-repressor with apoptotic function, can affect hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) transcriptional activity, through downmodulation of its HIF-1α subunit, in normoxic condition. Under hypoxia, a condition often found in solid tumors, HIF-1α is activated to induce target genes involved in chemoresistance, inhibition of apoptosis and tumor progression. Here, we investigated whether the HIPK2 overexpression could downregulate HIF-1α expression and activity in tumor cells treated with hypoxia-mimicking condition, and evaluated whether HIPK2-dependent downregulation of HIF-1α could sensitize chemoresistant tumor cells to adriamycin (ADR)-induced apoptosis.

Methods

Tumor cell lines carrying wild-type p53, siRNA p53, or mutant p53 were overexpressed with HIPK2 (full length or catalytic inactive mutant) and treated with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) to mimic hypoxia, in the presence or absence of ADR treatment. HIF-1α expression was measured by semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR and Western immunoblotting and HIF-1 activity was evaluated by luciferase assay using reporter plasmid containing hypoxia response elements (HREs) upstream of luciferase gene. HIF-1 target genes, including multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and the antiapoptotic Bcl2 were determined by RT-PCR. Cell survival and apoptosis were measured by colony assay and cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate PARP, respectively.

Results

Overexpression of HIPK2 resulted in downmodulation of cobalt-stabilized HIF-1α protein and HIF-1α mRNA levels, with subsequent inhibition of HIF-1 transcriptional activity. MDR1 and Bcl-2 gene expression was downmodulated by HIPK2 overexpression in cobalt-treated cells. Inhibition of HIF-1 transcriptional activity was dependent on HIPK2 catalytic activity. HIPK2 overexpression did not induce per se apoptosis of cobalt-treated cells, on the contrary it sensitized cobalt-treated cells to ADR-induced apoptosis, regardless of their p53 status.

Conclusion

The ability of HIPK2 to restore the apoptosis-inducing potential of chemotherapeutic drug in hypoxia-mimicking condition and therefore to sensitize chemoresistant tumor cells suggests that HIPK2 may induce fundamental alterations in cell signaling pathways, involving or not p53 function. Thus potential use of HIPK2 is promising for cancer treatment by potentiating cytotoxic therapies, regardless of p53 cell status.
Inhibition of lentivirus replication by aqueous extracts of Prunella vulgaris
Authors: Brindley Melinda A , Widrlechner Mark P , McCoy Joe-Ann , Murphy Patricia , Hauck Cathy , Rizshsky Ludmila , Nikolau Basil , Maury Wendy
Published: January 2009

Background

Various members of the mint family have been used historically in Chinese and Native American medicine. Many of these same family members, including Prunella vulgaris, have been reported to have anti-viral activities. To further characterize the anti-lentiviral activities of P. vulgaris, water and ethanol extractions were tested for their ability to inhibit equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) replication.

Results

Aqueous extracts contained more anti-viral activity than did ethanol extracts, displaying potent anti-lentiviral activity against virus in cell lines as well as in primary cell cultures with little to no cellular cytotoxicity. Time-of-addition studies demonstrated that the extracts were effective when added during the first four h of the viral life cycle, suggesting that the botanical constituents were targeting the virion itself or early entry events. Further analysis revealed that the extracts did not destroy EIAV virion integrity, but prevented viral particles from binding to the surface of permissive cells. Modest levels of anti-EIAV activity were also detected when the cells were treated with the extracts prior to infection, indicating that anti-EIAV botanical constituents could interact with both viral particles and permissive cells to interfere with infectivity. Size fractionation of the extract demonstrated that eight of the nine fractions generated from aqueous extracts displayed anti-viral activity. Separation of ethanol soluble and insoluble compounds in the eight active fractions revealed that ethanol-soluble constituents were responsible for the anti-viral activity in one fraction whereas ethanol-insoluble constituents were important for the anti-viral activity in two of the other fractions. In three of the five fractions that lost activity upon sub-fractionation, anti-viral activity was restored upon reconstitution of the fractions, indicating that synergistic anti-viral activity is present in several of the fractions.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that multiple Prunella constituents have profound anti-viral activity against EIAV, providing additional evidence of the broad anti-viral abilities of these extracts. The ability of the aqueous extracts to prevent entry of viral particles into permissive cells suggests that these extracts may function as promising microbicides against lentiviruses.
Genotoxic responses to titanium dioxide nanoparticles and fullerene in gpt delta transgenic MEF cells
Authors: Xu An , Chai Yunfei , Nohmi Takehiko , Hei Tom K
Published: January 2009

Background

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and fullerene (C60) are two attractive manufactured nanoparticles with great promise in industrial and medical applications. However, little is known about the genotoxic response of TiO2 nanoparticles and C60 in mammalian cells. In the present study, we determined the mutation fractions induced by either TiO2 nanoparticles or C60 in gpt delta transgenic mouse primary embryo fibroblasts (MEF) and identified peroxynitrite anions (ONOO-) as an essential mediator involved in such process.

Results

Both TiO2 nanoparticles and C60 dramatically increased the mutation yield, which could be abrogated by concurrent treatment with the endocytosis inhibitor, Nystatin. Under confocal scanning microscopy together with the radical probe dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123), we found that there was a dose-dependent formation of ONOO- in live MEF cells exposed to either TiO2 nanoparticles or C60, and the protective effects of antioxidants were demonstrated by the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Furthermore, suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity by using the chemical inhibitor NS-398 significantly reduced mutation frequency of both TiO2 nanoparticles and C60.

Conclusion

Our results provided novel information that both TiO2 nanoparticles and C60 were taken up by cells and induced kilo-base pair deletion mutations in a transgenic mouse mutation system. The induction of ONOO- may be a critical signaling event for nanoparticle genotoxicity.
Novel multicellular organotypic models of normal and malignant breast: tools for dissecting the role of the microenvironment in breast cancer progression
Authors: Holliday Deborah L , Brouilette Kellie T , Markert Anja , Gordon Linda A , Jones J Louise
Published: January 2009

Introduction

There is increasing recognition of the role of the microenvironment in the control of both normal and tumour cell behaviour. In the breast, myoepithelial cells and fibroblasts can influence tumour cell behaviour, with myoepithelial cells exhibiting a broad tumour-suppressor activity while fibroblasts frequently promote tumour growth and invasion. This study describes the development of physiologically relevant three-dimensional heterotypic culture systems containing mixed normal or tumour-derived breast populations and shows how such models can be used to dissect the interactions that influence cell behaviour.

Methods

Populations of luminal cells, myoepithelial cells and fibroblasts were isolated from normal and malignant breast tissue, characterised and compared with immortalised cell lines. Co-localisation of normal and malignant luminal cells with myoepithelial cells alone or with either normal or tumour-derived fibroblasts was studied. Cultures were grown for seven days, and then gels were fixed and whole gel immunofluorescence carried out to assess co-localisation and polarisation. The potential role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) or hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)-c-met signalling in disrupting cellular organisation was investigated by incorporating inhibitors into cultures either alone or in combination.

Results

Over a culture period of seven days, myoepithelial cells organised themselves around luminal cell populations forming dual-cell co-units. Characterisation of co-units showed established basal polarity and differentiation analogous to their in vivo counterparts. Tumour cell co-units revealed subtle differences to normal co-units including disruption of basement membrane and loss of β4-integrin, as described in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in vivo. Inclusion of normal fibroblasts had no influence on co-unit formation; however, inclusion of tumour-associated fibroblasts lead to disruption of co-unit organisation, and this was significantly inhibited in the presence of MMP and/or c-met inhibitors.

Conclusions

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study describes for the first time a co-culture model comprising three major components of normal and malignant breast: luminal cells, myoepithelial cells and stromal fibroblasts. These cells organise into structures recapitulating normal and DCIS breast, with homing of myoepithelial cells around the luminal population. Importantly, differences are exhibited between these systems reflecting those described in tissues, including a central role for tumour-associated fibroblasts and MMPs in mediating disruption of normal structures. These findings support the value of these models in dissecting normal and tumour cell behaviour in an appropriate microenvironment.
The Black Panthers in London, 1967-1972: A Diasporic Struggle Navigates the Black Atlantic
Authors: Angelo Anne-Marie
Published: January 2009

A group of West African and West Indian immigrants in London identified themselves as the British Black Power Movement from September 1967 to April 1968 and as the British Black Panther Movement from 1968 to 1972. As the first Black Panther Movement to form independently outside the United States, the British Panthers took aspects of their symbols, chants, and demands from the U.S. Panthers. The U.K. Panthers appropriated the U.S. Panthers' revolutionary aesthetic as a model for protest, necessary violence, and for engaging with the state. Using cultural history methodologies of both U.S. and British history, this article serves as the first in-depth study of the Black Panthers in the United Kingdom and contributes to a nascent field of transnational studies of the Black Panther Party. In this article, the nature of the confrontations between Panthers and London City police in court files from the years 1970-72 and a collection of Panther political essays are analyzed. The article demonstrates how the U.K. Panthers adapted American Black Power to suit a transnational yet also local struggle. The U.S. Panthers provided an appropriable ideology through visible cultural markers that melded with the legacy of West Indian radicalism to create a fluid, albeit short-lived, U.K. Black Panther Movement. The well-traveled “routes” of the black Atlantic allowed the British context to be the first site at which an international Panther group emerged.
“Glorifying the Jamaican Girl”: The “Ten Types One People” Beauty Contest, Racialized Femininities, and Jamaican Nationalism
Authors: Rowe Rochelle
Published: January 2009

The “Ten Types-One People” multiracial beauty contest was launched in 1955 in Jamaica, then a British colony on the cusp of independence. Jamaican nationalists designed “Ten Types” as a central part of the “Jamaica 300” tercentenary celebrations, the colony's first foray into imagining modern Jamaicanness as a national event. The contest comprised ten separate competitions, each of which represented a category for a particular skin tone, including “Miss Apple Blossom,” “Miss Allspice,” and “Miss Ebony.” “Ten Types” privileged a brown visualization of Jamaicanness, and revealed brown femininity as central to a new iconography of modern Jamaica. “Miss Ebony,” the category for dark-complected women, won particular public attention, for it allegorized the desirable transformation of the mass of black Jamaica into a refined modern citizenry. The “Ten Types” beauty contest provides an opportunity to examine the spectacle of the racialized female body in the construction of a multiracial modern Jamaican identity.
Making the Rhetorical Sell
Authors: Shaver Lisa , Bowles Sarah , Beemer Cristy
Published: January 2009

Based on the experiences of three graduate assistant directors working in the Howe Writing Initiative, a joint WAC effort between Miami University's business school and English department, this essay introduces entrepreneurial consulting as a model for implementing WAC initiatives in different disciplines. The entrepreneurial consulting model emphasizes the need to establish an ongoing presence within a discourse community, to continually “sell” writing and rhetoric to both faculty and students, and to strategically use rhetoric to promote rhetoric.
The clinical significance of below-knee great saphenous vein reflux following endovenous laser ablation of above-knee great saphenous vein
Authors: Theivacumar N S , Darwood R J , Dellegrammaticas D , Mavor A I D , Gough M J
Published: January 2009

Aims

The standard technique for endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins due to great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux involves obliteration of the above-knee (AK) GSV. This study assesses the significance of persistent below-knee (BK) GSV reflux following such therapy.

Methods

Sixty-nine limbs (64 patients) with varicosities and GSV reflux underwent AK-EVLA. Post treatment, GSV reflux (ultrasound: six, 12 weeks) and Aberdeen varicose vein severity scores (AVVSS, 12 weeks) were assessed, and residual varicosities treated with foam sclerotherapy (six weeks).

Results

The untreated BK-GSV remained patent in all limbs. Ultrasound showed normal antegrade flow in 34/69 (49%, Group A), flash reflux <1 s in 7/69 (10%, Group B) and >1 s reflux in 28/69 (41%, Group C). Although AVVSS improved in all groups ( P < 0.001): A: 14.6 (8.4–19.3) versus 2.8 (0.5–4.4), B: 13.9 (7.5–20.1) versus 3.7 (2.1–6.8), C: 15.1 (8.9–22.5) versus 8.1 (5.3–12.6) the improvement was less in Group C ( P < 0.001 versus A and B) and was associated with a greater requirement (A: 4/34 [12%]; B: 1/7 [14%]; C: 25/28 [89%]) for sclerotherapy (persisting varicosities) ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Although AK-GSV EVLA improves symptoms regardless of persisting BK reflux, the latter appears responsible for residual symptoms and a greater need for sclerotherapy for residual varicosities.
Meta-analysis of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) for chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Luebke T , Brunkwall J
Published: January 2009

Objectives

The degree of benefits and risks, and the role of subfascial endoscopic perforator vein surgery (SEPS) in the management for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) remains uncertain.

Methods

A multiple health database search was performed including Medline, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, on all studies published between 1985 and 2008 that reported on health outcomes in patients with CVI treated with SEPS and comparing this therapy with the conventional Linton procedure. Three studies, which compared SEPS with conventional surgery, were included in the present meta-analysis.

Results

Between SEPS and Linton groups, there was a significant lower rate of wound infections for SEPS (odds ratio [OR] 0.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02 to 0.25]) and a significantly reduced hospital stay for SEPS (OR –8.96 [95% CI –11.62 to –6.30]). In addition, SEPS was associated with a significant reduced rate of recurrent ulcers (mean follow-up 21 months) (OR 0.15 [95% CI 0.04–0.62]). There was no significant difference between the groups in the following dimensions: rate of hospital re-admission (OR 0.21 [95% CI 0.03 –1.31]), death at six months (OR 3.00 [95% CI 0.11–78.27]), ulcer healing rate at four months (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.09–2.12]), and the rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (OR 0.35 [95% CI 0.01–8.85]).

Conclusion

From the level of evidence available by now it seems that SEPS, used as a part of a treatment regimen for severe CVI, benefits most patients in the short term regarding ulcer healing and the prevention of ulcer recurrence. It can be safely performed with less early postoperative complications compared with the Linton procedure. However, further prospective randomized trials are required to define the long-term benefits of SEPS.
Rate of occupational leg swelling is greater in the morning than in the afternoon
Authors: Belczak C E Q , de Godoy J M P , Ramos R N , de Oliveira M A , Belczak S Q , Caffaro R A
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of occupational leg swelling depending on the time period of the working day. Volumetric variations of the legs of 70 hospital employees, enrolled in three groups, were evaluated. Group I: 35 morning shift workers; Group II: 35 afternoon shift workers; and Group III: 15 individuals randomly selected from Groups I and II, who were evaluated on the day they worked 12 hours consecutively. Volumetry was performed before and after each shift for both legs of the participants in Groups I and II. For Group III volumetry was performed early in the morning, at noon and in the evening. For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable ( P value < 0.05). Significant increases in volume were recorded for the limbs in all three groups ( P value < 0.001). On comparing Groups I and II, the accumulation of fluids was significantly higher in the morning than in the afternoon ( P value < 0.003). Asymptomatic workers may present with oedema of the legs during their work with the rate of oedema being different for morning and afternoon shifts. The possibility of wearing compression stockings should be considered for this type of work.
Disruption of Nfic Causes Dissociation of Odontoblasts by Interfering With the Formation of Intercellular Junctions and Aberrant Odontoblast Differentiation
Authors: Lee Tae-Yeon , Lee Dong-Seol , Kim Hyun-Man , Ko Jea Seung , Gronostajski Richard M. , Cho Moon-Il , Son Ho-Hyun , Park Joo-Cheol
Published: January 2009

We reported previously that Nfic-deficient mice exhibit short and abnormal molar roots and severely deformed incisors. The objective of this study is to address the mechanisms responsible for these changes using morphological, IHC, and RT-PCR analysis. Nfic-deficient mice exhibited aberrant odontoblasts and abnormal dentin formation in molar roots and the labial crown analog of incisors. The most striking changes observed in these aberrant odontoblasts were the loss of intercellular junctions and the decreased expression of ZO-1 and occludin. As a result, they became dissociated, had a round shape, and lost their cellular polarity and arrangement as a sheet of cells. Furthermore, the dissociated odontoblasts became trapped in dentin-like mineralized tissue, resembling osteodentin in the overall morphology. These findings suggest that loss of the Nfic gene interferes with the formation of intercellular junctions that causes aberrant odontoblast differentiation and abnormal dentin formation. Collectively, these changes in odontoblasts contributed to development of molars with short and abnormal roots in Nfic-deficient mice. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:469–476, 2009)
Analysis of DNA Methylation of Multiple Genes in Microdissected Cells From Formalin-fixed and Paraffin-embedded Tissues
Authors: Dietrich Dimo , Lesche Ralf , Tetzner Reimo , Krispin Manuel , Dietrich Jörn , Haedicke Wolfgang , Schuster Matthias , Kristiansen Glen
Published: January 2009

A procedure for simultaneous quantification of DNA methylation of several genes in minute amounts of sample material was developed and applied to microdissected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded breast tissues. The procedure is comprised of an optimized bisulfite treatment protocol suitable for samples containing only few cells, a multiplex preamplification and subsequent locus specific reamplification, and a novel quantitative bisulfite sequencing method based on the incorporation of a normalization domain into the PCR product. A real-time PCR assay amplifying repetitive elements was established to quantify low amounts of bisulfite-treated DNA. Ten prognostic and diagnostic epigenetic breast cancer bio-markers ( PITX2, RASSF1A, PLAU, LHX3, PITX3, LIMK1, SLITRK1, SLIT2, HS3ST2, and TFF1) were analyzed in tissue samples obtained from two patients with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. The microdissected samples were obtained from several areas within the tumor tissue, including intraductal and invasive carcinoma, adenosis, and normal ductal epithelia of adjacent normal tissue, as well as stroma, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, and adipose tissue. Overall, reliable quantification was possible for all genes. For most genes, increased DNA methylation in invasive and intraductal carcinoma cells compared with other tissue components was observed. For TFF1, decreased methylation levels were observed in tumor cells. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:477–489, 2009)
Energy Efficient and Eco-friendly Intensively Quenched Limited Hardenability Low Alloy Steels
Authors: Kobasko Nikolai I.
Published: January 2009

Low and limited hardenability (LH) steels are plain carbon steels characterized by a low content of alloying elements (Cr, Ni, Mo, W, V, etc.). The use of LH steels with an intensive quenching method allows full elimination of the carburization process for a variety of steel parts, such as, gear and bearing products, tools, low-wear parts for different applications. This is based on the steel super strengthening phenomenon and creation of high residual compressive stresses at the surface of intensively quenched steel parts. Both of these factors allow replacing expensive alloy steels with plain carbon steels. The unique characteristic of limited hardenability steels is that these alloys only harden to a shallow depth when heated and quenched. The main idea of this paper involves the creation of the optimal depth of a hardened shell which provides optimal stress distribution in quenched steel parts. Since the LH steel core does not harden significantly, a relatively high ductility of the core is maintained. The grain sizes of LH steels are greater than ASTM 8. Several patents on LH steels have been issued in Europe. A number of technical papers utilizing LH steels for gears and bearing products have been published in the UkrainePapers published by and available from Intensive Technologies Ltd, Kyiv, Ukraine: http://www.itl.kiev.ua and Russia. Elimination of carburizing saves energy and prevents the emissions of thousands of tons of CO2 gases. Furthermore, the high level of compressive surface residual stresses and the steel super strengthening phenomenon eliminates the need for secondary shot peening or surface induction operations. Also, carburized alloy steels can be successfully replaced by LH steels to increase service life and decrease materials cost.
Evaluation of Semicircular Bending Test for Determining Tensile Strength and Stiffness Modulus of Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Huang Likui , Cao Keming , Zeng Menglan
Published: January 2009

The semicircular bending (SCB) test has been shown to possess several advantages over other tests in characterizing asphalt mixtures in previous studies. This research study evaluates the SCB test for determining the tensile strength and stiffness modulus of the paving material with numerical simulation and laboratory experimentation. An analytical model describing the tensile stress at the middle point of the lower surface of the specimen in the SCB test was developed based on the plane assumption in mechanics of materials. Analysis using the finite element method indicated that the error induced by the model was within 2 %. Laboratory experiment carried out on three types of asphalt mixtures at various temperatures showed that the strength of the material by the SCB test was nearly 50 % higher on average than that by the flexural beam bending (FBB) test due to such factors as complexities in stress and strain states as well as nonlinearity and viscoelasticity of the material. Laboratory experiment also showed that the stiffness moduli for 10–40 % of maximum load from the FBB test and from the SCB test were in a well-defined linear relationship with differences less than 10 %. In addition, based on finite element analysis, a practical approach for determining stiffness modulus of asphalt mixtures using deflection at the middle point of the lower surface of the specimen in the SCB test was established.
Coexistence of hydrogen and polyanions in multinary main group element hydrides
Authors: Häussermann Ulrich
Published: January 2009

Multinary hydrides based on mixtures of s- and p-block metals are often not fully hydrogenated, but possess a polymeric anion which is formed by the p-block component upon reduction by the s-block metals. Hydrogen may occur hydridic and exclusively coordinated by s-block metal ions (Zintl phase hydrides), or be incorporated in the polymeric anion where it acts as a covalently bonded terminating ligand (polyanionic hydrides). The current state of Zintl phase hydrides and polyanionic hydrides is reviewed with an emphasis on crystal structures and bonding principles.
Structural transitions induced by hydrogen absorption in metallic hydrides
Authors: Latroche Michel J.
Published: January 2009

Intermetallic compounds are able to store reversibly large amount of hydrogen. The hydride formation usually takes place through a two-phase domain for which an equilibrium plateau is observed between the metallic phase and its hydride. Such phase transformation induces important structural changes such as volume expansion (either isotropic and anisotropic), symmetry lowering, hydrogen ordering and phase transitions. In some cases, change of the electronic structure, from metallic to iono-covalent state, is reported. Finally, amorphization can occur leading to disproportionation of the parent compound. In this overview we give some examples of these different behaviors to illustrate the fascinating structural properties of these materials that are of potential interest from the fundamental point of view and for practical applications like energy storage either by solid-gas or electrochemical routes.
Hydrogen induced site depopulation in the LaMgNi4-hydrogen system
Authors: Chotard Jean-Noël , Sheptyakov Denis , Yvon Klaus
Published: January 2009

The LaMgNi4-hydrogen system was investigated by in-situ neutron powder diffraction and pressure-composition isotherm measurements at 100 °C and hydrogen (deuterium) pressures of up 50 bar. The system displays three hydride phases that have distinctly different hydrogen plateau pressures and H atom distributions. The cubic α-LaMgNi4H0.75 phase forms below 0.01 bar hydrogen pressure and H atoms fill one type of tetrahedral Ni4 interstices. The orthorhombic distorted β-LaMgNiH3.7 phase forms at about 3 bar hydrogen pressure and H atoms fill both tetrahedral LaNi3 and triangular bi-pyramidal La2MgNi2 interstices. Interestingly, tetrahedral Ni4 interstices are no longer occupied. Finally, the most hydrogen rich γ-LaMgNi4H4.85 phase forms above 20 bar. It has again cubic symmetry and H atoms continue to occupy triangular bi-pyramidal La2MgNi2 interstices while filling a new type of tetrahedral Ni4 interstices that are neither occupied in the α- nor in the β-phase. The tetrahedral LaNi3 interstices occupied in the β-phase are empty. Hydrogen induced depopulations of interstitial sites in metal hydrides are relatively rare and consistent with, but not entirely due to, the onset of repulsive H–H interactions at increasing hydrogen concentrations.
The nature of deuterium arrangements in YD3 and other rare-earth trideuterides
Authors: Udovic Terrence J. , Huang Qingzhen , Santoro Antonio , Rush John J.
Published: January 2009

The efficacy of different structural models for describing the observed neutron-powder-diffraction (NPD) measurements of bulk polycrystalline YD3 as well as other hexagonal rare-earth (i.e., Nd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) trideuteride powders has been investigated via Rietveld refinement. Between the two possible structural configurations, centrosymmetric P-3c1 and noncentrosymmetric P63
cm, the latter can be excluded due to very high correlations found between the positions of the D sites. Hence, the true “diffraction-average” structure for YD3 and all other rare-earth deuterides studied is centrosymmetric (P-3c1). This seems to contrast with the prior evidence from first-principles calculations and various spectroscopic probes suggesting that the true local symmetry is not P-3c1, but rather, noncentrosymmetric. A possible way to reconcile the apparently conflicting conclusions from NPD and spectroscopic measurements is by assuming that the real structure is a twinned arrangement of nanosized, noncentrosymmetric configurations. For example, we demonstrate that the diffraction-average centrosymmetric P-3c1 structure can result from a superposition of individual, noncentrosymmetric P3c1 twins. A comparison of neutron vibrational spectra for YH3 and YD3 confirms that both compounds share similar structural arrangements.
The Fixation Probability of Rare Mutators in Finite Asexual Populations
Authors: Wylie C Scott , Ghim Cheol-Min , Kessler David , Levine Herbert
Published: January 2009

A mutator is an allele that increases the mutation rate throughout the genome by disrupting some aspect of DNA replication or repair. Mutators that increase the mutation rate by the order of 100-fold have been observed to spontaneously emerge and achieve high frequencies in natural populations and in long-term laboratory evolution experiments with Escherichia coli. In principle, the fixation of mutator alleles is limited by (i) competition with mutations in wild-type backgrounds, (ii) additional deleterious mutational load, and (iii) random genetic drift. Using a multiple-locus model and employing both simulation and analytic methods, we investigate the effects of these three factors on the fixation probability Pfix of an initially rare mutator as a function of population size N, beneficial and deleterious mutation rates, and the strength of mutations s. Our diffusion-based approximation for Pfix successfully captures effects ii and iii when selection is fast compared to mutation ($\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{{\mu}}/s{\ll}1\) \end{document}$). This enables us to predict the conditions under which mutators will be evolutionarily favored. Surprisingly, our simulations show that effect i is typically small for strong-effect mutators. Our results agree semiquantitatively with existing laboratory evolution experiments and suggest future experimental directions.
Comparative Analysis of Pdf-Mediated Circadian Behaviors BetweenDrosophila melanogasterandD. virilis
Authors: Bahn Jae Hoon , Lee Gyunghee , Park Jae H
Published: January 2009

A group of small ventrolateral neurons (s-LNv's) are the principal pacemaker for circadian locomotor rhythmicity of Drosophila melanogaster, and the pigment-dispersing factor (Pdf) neuropeptide plays an essential role as a clock messenger within these neurons. In our comparative studies on Pdf-associated circadian rhythms, we found that daily locomotor activity patterns of D. virilis were significantly different from those of D. melanogaster. Activities of D. virilis adults were mainly restricted to the photophase under light:dark cycles and subsequently became arrhythmic or weakly rhythmic in constant conditions. Such activity patterns resemble those of Pdf01 mutant of D. melanogaster. Intriguingly, endogenous D. virilis Pdf (DvPdf) expression was not detected in the s-LNv-like neurons in the adult brains, implying that the Pdf01-like behavioral phenotypes of D. virilis are attributed in part to the lack of DvPdf in the s-LNv-like neurons. Heterologous transgenic analysis showed that cis-regulatory elements of the DvPdf transgene are capable of directing their expression in all endogenous Pdf neurons including s-LNv's, as well as in non-Pdf clock neurons (LNd's and fifth s-LNv) in a D. melanogaster host. Together these findings suggest a significant difference in the regulatory mechanisms of Pdf transcription between the two species and such a difference is causally associated with species-specific establishment of daily locomotor activity patterns.
Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography in the NICU: Frequent Artifacts in Premature Infants May Limit Its Utility as a Monitoring Device
Authors: Suk Debbie , Krauss Alfred N. , Engel Murray , Perlman Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography has become an important tool for assessing cortical status noninvasively. Newer units have the additional feature of visualizing the raw electroencephalogram, which has resulted in the identification of frequent artifacts.

OBJECTIVE. To highlight the problem of artifacts and to introduce caution when using the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography technique to assess cortical function in the premature population.

METHODS. Ten premature infants were evaluated. Compressed amplitude-integrated electroencephalography recordings were made by using a pair of standard electroencephalogram electrodes attached to the scalp frontotemporal areas. Impedance was maintained at <10 kΩ. Continuous amplitude-integrated electroencephalography recordings were performed for at least 60 minutes on several occasions in the first month. Artifacts were identified as follows: large amplitude difference between the wave peaks and troughs, a jagged appearance to wave peaks and troughs, and large deflections of the overall tracing in either a positive or negative direction from baseline.

RESULTS. Forty-eight amplitude-integrated electroencephalography recordings were reviewed. Of 1683 total segments analyzed, 529 (31.4%) were categorized as normal brain waves, 1013 (60.2%) as artifacts, and 142 (8.4%) as indeterminate. Generally, when the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography tracing is of modest amplitude, normal brain waves predominated, whereas with upward spikes in amplitude the accompanying raw electroencephalogram was classified as artifact.

CONCLUSIONS. Artifacts contribute substantially to the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography tracing, rendering it problematic as an assessment tool in premature infants. Artifacts may be influenced by muscle activity, electrode positioning, and application techniques. Caution is recommended when using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography as an assessment tool in this population.
Azacitidine improves antitumor effects of docetaxel and cisplatin in aggressive prostate cancer models
Authors: Festuccia Claudio , Gravina Giovanni Luca , D'Alessandro Anna Maria , Muzi Paola , Millimaggi Danilo , Dolo Vincenza , Ricevuto Enrico , Vicentini Carlo , Bologna Mauro
Published: January 2009

One of the major obstacles in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) is the development of chemoresistant tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of azacitidine as chemosensitizing agent in association with docetaxel (DTX) and cisplatin using two models of aggressive prostate cancer, the 22rv1, and PC3 cell lines. Azacitidine shows antiproliferative effects associated with increased proportion of cells in G0/G1 and evident apoptosis in 22rv1 cells and increased proportion of cells in G2/M phase with the absence of acute cell killing in PC3 cells. In vivo, azacitidine (0.8 mg/kg i.p.) reduced tumor proliferation and induced apoptosis in both xenografts upmodulating the expression of p16INKA, Bax, Bak, p21/WAF1, and p27/KIP1, and inhibiting the activation of Akt activity and the expression of cyclin D1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-XL. In vitro treatments with azacitidine lead to upregulation of cleaved caspase 3 and PARP. BCl2 antagonists, such as HA-14-1, enhanced the effects of azacitidine in these two prostate cancer models. In addition, azacitidine showed synergistic effects with both DTX and cisplatin. In vivo this agent caused tumor growth delay without complete regression in xenograft systems. Azacitidine sensitized PC3 and 22rv1 xenografts to DTX and cisplatin treatments. These combinations were also tolerable in mice and superior to either agent alone. As DTX is the standard first-line chemotherapy for HRPC, the development of DTX-based combination therapies is of great interest in this disease stage. Our results provide a rationale for clinical trials on combination treatments with azacitidine in patients with hormone-refractory and chemoresistant prostate tumors.