bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Firms Have Short Memories?
Authors: Healy Andrew
Published: March 2008

When deciding what salary to offer an employee, a firm needs to predict that employee's future productivity. One piece of information that a firm can use to predict productivity is the employee's past performance record. Classical theory predicts that firms will effectively use the available information to choose an appropriate salary offer. Evidence from baseball contracts indicates, however, that memory-based biases influence salary offers. Consistent with insights from psychology and behavioral economics, salaries are affected too much by recent performance compared with past performance. All organizations do not suffer equally from short memories. The teams that achieve the most with the money that they spend also use past performance data most effectively.
Primary Care Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Veterans
Authors: Donnelly Kerry , Donnelly James P. , Cory Elizabeth
Published: March 2008

The objective of this study was to examine the diagnostic accuracy of a primary care screening procedure for identifying cognitive impairment in elderly veterans, in comparison with 4 brief standardized neuropsychological tests. The sample included 100 primary care patients who met age and other criteria requiring screening for cognitive impairment. The results indicated that 3 of the tests significantly discriminated normal from mildly impaired status on the Dementia Rating Scale, but the existing procedure failed to correctly identify any cases in the entire sample. Correct classification rates were near 80% for the Mini-Mental State Exam, Clock Drawing Test, and both Trail Making Test (TMT)-A and TMT-B, with high specificity but variable sensitivity. TMT-B produced good results across eight predictive validity indicators when a cutoff of 3 minutes to completion (1 SD) was used to identify cases. There was no evidence to support the current interview-based screening procedure. Additional research with brief standardized screening is encouraged.
Endovascular Repair of Hemodialysis Graft-Related Pseudoaneurysm: An Alternative Treatment Strategy in Salvaging Failing Dialysis Access
Authors: Barshes Neal R. , Annambhotla Suman , Bechara Carlos , Kougias Panagiotis , Huynh Tam T. , Dardik Alan , Silva Michael B. , Lin Peter H.
Published: March 2008

Introduction Hemodialysis access—related pseudoaneurysm is a known complication in patients requiring hemodialysis via prosthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). The traditional treatment strategy of AVG-related pseudoaneurysms is either AVG ligation or interposition replacement with another prosthetic graft segment or autogenous veins.

Patients and methods From June 2002 to August 2007, 32 self-expanding stent grafts were implanted in 26 patients with AVG pseudoaneurysms. Indications for treatment consisted of large AVG pseudoaneurysm size, localized pain at pseudoaneurysm site, enlarging pseudoaneurysm, and skin site breakdown. AVG pseudoaneurysm exclusion was accomplished with Wallgrafts, Viabahn endoprosthesis, and Fluency endograft. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Nineteen patients experienced a marked decrease in the size of their pseudoaneurysm following endograft exclusion. Successful hemodialysis was resumed through endograft-excluded AVG in all patients within 48 hours.

Conclusions Endoluminal exclusion of AVG pseudoaneurysms using endografts is a safe and effective treatment strategy in patients with hemodialysis-related pseudoaneurysm.
Primary Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Surgical Patients
Authors: Rawat Anish , Huynh Tam T. , Peden Eric K. , Kougias Panagiotis , Lin Peter H.
Published: March 2008

Venous thromboembolism is a major risk for surgical patients during the perioperative period. Prevention of perioperative venous thromboembolism remains a critical component of surgical patient care. The risk for venous thromboembolism in surgical patients can be stratified by their risk factors and by the type of operation. Pharmacological prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism includes unfractionated heparin, low—molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux, warfarin, antiplatelet therapy, and direct thrombin inhibitors. Mechanical devices such as graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compressions, and venous foot pumps are also effective modalities for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The optimal preventive measure of venous thromboembolism should be based on the degree of risk for venous thromboembolism with the intensity of prophylaxis while balancing potential treatment benefits and risks in each individual patient. The epidemiology of venous thromboembolism, the methods for achieving venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, and the approach to institute venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in surgical patients undergoing various operative interventions are reviewed in this article.
The Influence of Psychosocial Maturity on Adolescent Offenders' Delinquent Behavior
Authors: Cruise Keith R. , Fernandez Krissie , McCoy Wendy K. , Guy Laura S. , Colwell Lori H. , Douglas Tanisha R.
Published: March 2008

Prior research has demonstrated the predictive utility of psychosocial maturity in understanding adolescents' decison making regarding antisocial behaviors and other legal decisions. This study investigated the influence of psychosocial maturity on adolescent offenders' self-report of delinquent behaviors over a 12-month time period. A total sample of 136 male and female juvenile offenders were recruited from two juvenile justice settings. Consistent with prior research, results indicated significant correlations between psychosocial maturity variables and self-reported delinquent behavior with the current results revealing a moderating effect of gender on these associations. Separate regression analyses were conducted for male and female juvenile offenders. After controlling for age and setting, the psychosocial maturity variable of temperance consistently predicted self-reported total, violent, and nonviolent delinquency for boys.
Enhancement of hardness and corrosion resistance of low alloy high carbon steel by plasma immersion ion implantation
Authors: Rao Ram Mohan K. , Mukherjee S. , Roy S. K. , Manna I.
Published: March 2008

Plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of nitrogen on low alloy high carbon steel was carried out at low energy negatively biased (−1 kV) pulses with 3˙8 kHz repetition rate for 3, 4 and 5 h of cumulative duration at a high dose of 1023 nitrogen ions per m2. Following PIII, the plasma ion implanted samples were subjected to microhardness measurements, potentiodynamic polarisation tests in 1 wt-%NaCl solution and post-corrosion microstructural studies. PIII at 500°C for 3 h seems to yield the optimum combination of increase in both hardness and resistance to corrosion.
Investigation on colourisation regularity of colouring hot dip galvanisation processing
Authors: Le Q. C. , Cui J. Z.
Published: March 2008

The colouring hot dip galvanisation is a new hot galvanising processing. In this processing, a colour oxide film would be developed directly on the coating of the galvanised steel by the preferential oxidation of the additions in the hot dip galvanisation coating after hot dip operation. Due to their oxygen potentials and their oxide film properties, manganese and titanium were selected as additional elements in the colouring hot dip bath respectively. The influences of processing parameters on the colouring of coating were investigated systematically for the various binary Zn–Mn or Zn–Ti hot galvanising baths. The experimental results indicate that the colours on the coating of the galvanised steel would change continuously during its cooling period after hot dip operation. In the case of Zn–Mn bath, the possible colour tones of the oxide film are blue, yellow, purple and green, and their colour tones and the duration time varied with the manganese percentage composition and the hot dip temperature. In the case of Zn–Ti bath, the possible colour tones of the oxide film are blue, yellow and purple. However, titanium percentage composition in Zn–Ti bath has hardly effect on colouration regularity.
Effects of deposition temperatures on laser damage threshold of TiO2/SiO2 high reflectors
Authors: Yao J. K. , Xu C. , Qiang Z. W. , Ma J. Y. , Lv G. N. , Wang Y. Z. , He H. B. , Shao J. D.
Published: March 2008

TiO2 single layers and TiO2/SiO2 high reflectors are prepared by electron beam evaporation at different TiO2 deposition temperatures. It is found that the changes of properties of TiO2 films with the increase in deposition temperature, such as the appearance of anatase crystal, the increase in refractive index and extinction coefficient and the decrease in physical thickness, leads to the spectrum shift and reflectivity bandwidth broadening of high reflectors together with the increase in scattering and absorption and the decrease in laser induced damage threshold.
Investigation of hard drive disk surface oxidation on magnetic recording properties
Authors: Tan A. H. , Chen C. S. , Lee C. K.
Published: March 2008

Hard drive disk magnetic recording properties are strongly related to disk surface oxidation, and becomes more sensitive as the areal recording density continues to increase progressively in hard disk drives. Disk cleaning processes with and without H2O2 chemical cleaning solutions were used on textured NiP/Al substrates to study the effects of surface oxidation on the performance of the hard disk. Atomic force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Guzik are employed to elucidate the surface morphology, oxide composition, magnetic orientation ratio and related magnetic recording properties.

Based on the results, cleaning without H2O2 chemical solutions offers a lower surface oxidation, more uniform surface morphology, higher orientation ratio and better magnetic recording properties as compared to cleaning with H2O2 chemical solutions. A lower direct current erase noise is the major contributing factor for the resulting signal noise ratio improvement when H2O2 was not added in cleaning process.
Ionic nitriding in cathodic cage of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel
Authors: de Sousa R. R. M. , de Araújo F. O. , Ribeiro K. J. B. , Dumelow T. , da Costa J. A. P. , Alves C.
Published: March 2008

Cylindrical shape samples of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel were nitrided by cathodic cage plasma nitriding technique at temperatures of 623, 673 and 773 K for 5 h. In this technique the samples are placed on an insulating plate inside a cage that shields the cathodic potential. A systematic study was made to test the efficiency of this technique, when compared with conventional ionic nitriding, related to the elimination of defects such as edge effect. The process present a bigger nitriding rate and the samples nitrided using this new technique displayed crystalline phases and hardness comparable with those obtained using conventional ionic nitriding. Moreover, it was possible to eliminate completely the erosion rings often present in conventionally ionic nitrided samples due to edger effects.
Chemokine-mediated rapid turnover of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumor-bearing mice
Authors: Sawanobori Yasushi , Ueha Satoshi , Kurachi Makoto , Shimaoka Takeshi , Talmadge James E. , Abe Jun , Shono Yusuke , Kitabatake Masahiro , Kakimi Kazuhiro , Mukaida Naofumi , Matsushima Kouji
Published: March 2008

Tumor growth is associated with aberrant myelopoiesis, including the accumulation of CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that have the potential to promote tumor growth. However, the identity, growth, and migration of tumor-associated MDSCs remain undefined. We demonstrate herein that MDSCs at tumor site were composed primarily of bone marrow-derived CD11b+Gr-1hiLy-6Cint neutrophils and CD11b+Gr-1int/dullLy-6Chi macrophages. Unexpectedly, in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and parabiosis experiments revealed that tumor-infiltrating macrophages were replenished more rapidly than neutrophils. CCR2 deficiency caused striking conversion of infiltrating cellular dominance from macrophages to neutrophils in the tumor with the excessive production of CXCR2 ligands and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the tumor without affecting tumor growth. Overall, our data established the identity and dynamics of MDSCs in a tumor-bearing host mediated by chemokines and elucidated unexpected effects of the paucity of macrophages on tumor development.
Comprehensive evaluation of genetic variation in S100A7 suggests an association with the occurrence of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Bryborn Malin , Halldén Christer , Säll Torbjörn , Adner Mikael , Cardell Lars Olaf
Published: March 2008

Background

S100A7 is a calcium-binding protein with chemotactic and antimicrobial properties. S100A7 protein levels are decreased in nasal lavage fluid from individuals with ongoing allergic rhinitis, suggesting a role for S100A7 in allergic airway inflammation. The aims of this study were to describe genetic variation in S100A7 and search for associations between this variation and allergic rhinitis.

Methods

Peripheral blood was collected from 184 atopic patients with a history of pollen-induced allergic rhinitis and 378 non-atopic individuals, all of Swedish origin. DNA was extracted and the S100A7 gene was resequenced in a subset of 47 randomly selected atopic individuals. Nine polymorphisms were genotyped in 184 atopic and 378 non-atopic individuals and subsequently investigated for associations with allergic rhinitis as well as skin prick test results. Haplotypes were estimated and compared in the two groups.

Results

Thirteen polymorphisms were identified in S100A7, of which 7 were previously undescribed. rs3014837 (G/C), which gives rise to an Asp → Glu amino acid shift, had significantly increased minor allele frequency in atopic individuals. The major haplotype, containing the major allele at all sites, was more common in non-atopic individuals, while the haplotype containing the minor allele at rs3014837 was equally more common among the atopic individuals. Additionally, heterozygotes at this site had significantly higher scores in skin prick tests for 9 out of 11 tested allergens, compared to homozygotes.

Conclusion

This is the first study describing genetic variation, associated with allergy, in S100A7. The results indicate that rs3014837 is linked to allergic rhinitis in our Swedish population and render S100A7 a strong candidate for further investigations regarding its role in allergic inflammation.
Extracellular ATP reduces HIV-1 transfer from immature dendritic cells to CD4+T lymphocytes
Authors: Barat Corinne , Gilbert Caroline , Imbeault Michael , Tremblay Michel J
Published: March 2008

Background

Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered as key mediators of the early events in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection at mucosal sites. Previous studies have shown that surface-bound virions and/or internalized viruses found in endocytic vacuoles of DCs are efficiently transferred to CD4+T cells. Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) either secreted or released from necrotic cells induces a distorted maturation of DCs, transiently increases their endocytic capacity and affects their migratory capacity. Knowing that high extracellular ATP concentrations are present in situations of tissue injury and inflammation, we investigated the effect of ATP on HIV-1 transmission from DCs to CD4+T lymphocytes.

Results

In this study, we show that extracellular ATP reduces HIV-1 transfer from immature monocyte-derived DCs (iDCs) to autologous CD4+T cells. This observed decrease in viral replication was related to a lower proportion of infected CD4+T cells following transfer, and was seen with both X4- and R5-tropic isolates of HIV-1. Extracellular ATP had no effect on direct CD4+T cell infection as well as on productive HIV-1 infection of iDCs. These observations indicate that extracellular ATP affects HIV-1 infection of CD4+T cellsin transwith no effect onde novovirus production by iDCs. Additional experiments suggest that extracellular ATP might modulate the trafficking pathway of internalized virions within iDCs leading to an increased lysosomal degradation, which could be partly responsible for the decreased HIV-1 transmission.

Conclusion

These results suggest that extracellular ATP can act as a factor controlling HIV-1 propagation.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in ileal Peyer's Patch of scrapie-infected sheep using RNA arbitrarily primed PCR
Authors: Austbø Lars , Kampmann Andreas , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Neumann Elena , Olsaker Ingrid , Skretting Grethe
Published: March 2008

Backgound

In scrapie and prion diseases, the knowledge concerning genes involved in host response during the early infection period in the lymphoid tissues, still remains limited. In the present study, we have examined differential gene expression in ileal Peyer's patches and in laser microdissected follicles of sheep infected with scrapie.

Methods

Ileal Peyer's patches and laser microdissected follicles were of scrapie and control lambs with susceptible genotypes for classical scrapie. Potential regulated genes were found using RNA arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (RAP-PCR) and fingerprinting. The differentially expressed genes were confirmed using real-time RT-PCR.

Results

The expression of three genes (MAPRE3, LOC729073 and DNAJC3), were found to be significantly altered in scrapie infected lambs (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The three genes have not previously been associated with prion diseases and are interesting as they may reflect biological processes involved in the molecular pathogenesis of prion diseases.
Functions, structure, and read-through alternative splicing of feline APOBEC3 genes
Authors: Münk Carsten , Beck Thomas , Zielonka Jörg , Hotz-Wagenblatt Agnes , Chareza Sarah , Battenberg Marion , Thielebein Jens , Cichutek Klaus , Bravo Ignacio G , O'Brien Stephen J , Lochelt Martin , Yuhki Naoya
Published: March 2008

Background

Over the past years a variety of host restriction genes have been identified in human and mammals that modulate retrovirus infectivity, replication, assembly, and/or cross-species transmission. Among these host-encoded restriction factors, the APOBEC3 (A3; apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide 3) proteins are potent inhibitors of retroviruses and retrotransposons. While primates encode seven of these genes (A3A to A3H), rodents carry only a single A3 gene.

Results

Here we identified and characterized several A3 genes in the genome of domestic cat (Felis catus) by analyzing the genomic A3 locus. The cat genome presents one A3H gene and three very similar A3C genes (a-c), probably generated after two consecutive gene duplications. In addition to these four one-domain A3 proteins, a fifth A3, designated A3CH, is expressed by read-through alternative splicing. Specific feline A3 proteins selectively inactivated only defined genera of feline retroviruses: Bet-deficient feline foamy virus was mainly inactivated by feA3Ca, feA3Cb, and feA3Cc, while feA3H and feA3CH were only weakly active. The infectivity of Vif-deficient feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus was reduced only by feA3H and feA3CH, but not by any of the feA3Cs. Within Felidae, A3C sequences show significant adaptive selection, but unexpectedly, the A3H sequences present more sites that are under purifying selection.

Conclusion

Our data support a complex evolutionary history of expansion, divergence, selection and individual extinction of antiviral A3 genes that parallels the early evolution of Placentalia, becoming more intricate in taxa in which the arms race between host and retroviruses is harsher.
Edge enhancement of potential-field data using normalized statistics
Authors: Cooper Gordon R. J. , Cowan Duncan R.
Published: March 2008

Edge enhancement in potential-field data helps geologic interpretation. There are many methods for enhancing edges, most of which are high-pass filters based on the horizontal or vertical derivatives of the field. Normalized standard deviation (NSTD), a new edge-detection filter, is based on ratios of the windowed standard deviation of derivatives of the field. NSTD is demonstrated using aeromagnetic data from Australia and gravity data from South Africa. Compared with other filters, the NSTD filter produces more detailed results.
Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Darbepoetin Alfa Administered Every 3 Weeks With or Without Intravenous Iron in Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia
Authors: Bastit Laurent , Vandebroek An , Altintas Sevilay , Gaede Bernd , Pintér Tamás , Suto Tamas S. , Mossman Tony W. , Smith Kay E. , Vansteenkiste Johan F.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

The concomitant use of intravenous (IV) iron as a supplement to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia is controversial. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa given with IV iron versus with local standard practice (oral iron or no iron).

Patients and Methods

In this multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III study, 396 patients with nonmyeloid malignancies and hemoglobin (Hb) less than 11 g/dL received darbepoetin alfa 500 μg with (n = 200) or without (n = 196) IV iron once every 3 weeks (Q3W) for 16 weeks.

Results

The hematopoietic response rate (proportion of patients achieving Hb ≥ 12 g/dL or Hb increase of ≥ 2 g/dL from baseline) was significantly higher in the IV iron group: 86% versus 73% in the standard practice group (difference of 13% [95% CI, 3% to 23%]; P = .011). Fewer RBC transfusions (week 5 to the end of the treatment period) occurred in the IV iron group: 9% versus 20% in the standard practice group (difference of −11% [95% CI, −18% to −3%]; P = .005). Both treatments were well tolerated with no notable differences in adverse events. Serious adverse events related to iron occurred in 3% of patients in the IV iron group and were mostly gastrointestinal in nature.

Conclusion

Addition of IV iron to darbepoetin alfa Q3W in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia was well tolerated, resulting in an improved hematopoietic response rate and lower incidence of transfusions compared with darbepoetin alfa alone.
Phase III Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Two Doses of Megestrol Acetate as Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer: Southwest Oncology Group Study 9626
Authors: Goodwin J. Wendall , Green Stephanie J. , Moinpour Carol M. , Bearden James D. , Giguere Jeffrey K. , Jiang Caroline S. , Lippman Scott M. , Martino Silvana , Albain Kathy S.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Prior progestin studies treating hot flashes in women have been short duration and single dose. This study tests the progestin megesterol acetate (MA) at two doses versus placebo over 6 months.

Patients and Methods

Patients with T1-3, N0-1, M0 breast cancer were eligible after completion of surgery and chemotherapy and at least 4 months of tamoxifen (if prescribed). Women were required to have at least 10 hot flashes of any severity or at least five severe episodes per week. Patients were randomly assigned to placebo, MA 20 mg, or MA 40 mg for 3 months. Success at 3 months was defined as completion of treatment with a ≥ 75% reduction in hot flashes from baseline. If success was achieved, drug treatment for another 3 months was given on the same blinded arm; if not, open-label MA 20 mg was added to blinded study drug and continued for 3 months. Other menopausal symptoms were also assessed.

Results

Two hundred eighty eight eligible women were randomly assigned (286 eligible), of whom 85% were on tamoxifen, 40% had over 63 hot flashes/week, and 75% had vasomotor symptoms for ≥ 6 months. Success at 3 months was 14% on placebo, 65% on 20 mg, and 48% on 40 mg (both MA doses superior to placebo; P < .0001). Most successes at 3 months were maintained at 6 months (77% on 20 mg and 81% on 40 mg).

Conclusion

MA significantly reduced vasomotor symptoms with durable benefit over 6 months. MA 20 mg/d is the preferred dose. There was no significant impact on other menopausal symptoms.
Randomized Phase III Trial of Weekly Compared With Every-3-Weeks Paclitaxel for Metastatic Breast Cancer, With Trastuzumab for all HER-2 Overexpressors and Random Assignment to Trastuzumab or Not in HER-2 Nonoverexpressors: Final Results of Cancer and Leukemia Group B Protocol 9840
Authors: Seidman Andrew D. , Berry Donald , Cirrincione Constance , Harris Lyndsay , Muss Hyman , Marcom P. Kelly , Gipson Grandella , Burstein Harold , Lake Diana , Shapiro Charles L. , Ungaro Peter , Norton Larry , Winer Eric , Hudis Clifford
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Phase II trials suggested that weekly paclitaxel might be more effective and less toxic than every-3-weeks administration for metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) protocol 9840 was initiated to address this question. Subsequently trastuzumab was demonstrated to improve outcomes of paclitaxel therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)–positive patients, and was therefore incorporated. Because inhibition of HER-family signaling had potential efficacy even without HER-2 overexpression, we randomly assigned for trastuzumab in this population.

Patients and Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks or 80 mg/m2 weekly. After the first 171 patients, all HER-2–positive patients received trastuzumab; HER-2 nonoverexpressors were randomly assigned for trastuzumab, in addition to paclitaxel schedule. A total of 577 patients were treated on 9840. An additional 158 patients were included in analyses, for combined sample of 735. The primary end point was response rate (RR); secondary end points were time to progression (TTP), overall survival, and toxicity. Primary comparisons were between weekly versus every-3-weeks paclitaxel, and trastuzumab versus no trastuzumab in HER-2 nonoverexpressors.

Results

In the combined sample, weekly paclitaxel was superior to every-3-weeks administration: RR (42% v 29%, unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.75; P = .0004), TTP (median, 9 v 5 months; adjusted HR = 1.43; P < .0001), and survival (median, 24 v 12 months; adjusted HR = 1.28; P = .0092). For HER-2 nonoverexpressors, trastuzumab did not improve efficacy. Grade 3 neuropathy was more common with weekly dosing (24% v 12%; P = .0003).

Conclusion

Weekly paclitaxel is more effective than every-3-weeks administration for MBC. Trastuzumab did not improve efficacy for HER-2 nonoverexpressors. Neurotoxicity is a treatment-limiting toxicity for weekly paclitaxel.
Concordance of Survival in Family Members With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Ji Jianguang , Försti Asta , Sundquist Jan , Lenner Per
Published: March 2008

Purpose

Several earlier studies have assessed survival in prostate cancer based on familial risk of this disease. As a novel concept, we posit that factors governing survival in prostate cancer are likely to be different from those governing risk of prostate cancer. To prove this, we searched for familial clustering of survival (ie, concordance of survival among family members).

Patients and Methods

We used the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database to estimate hazard rates (HRs) for cause-specific and overall survival in invasive prostate cancer. HRs show the probability of death in the study group compared with the reference group. The study covered 610 sons of affected fathers with median follow-up times for survival ranging from 34 to 76 months.

Results

When the survival in sons was analyzed according to the fathers' length of survival, there was a concordance of prognosis; the HR was 0.62 for sons whose fathers had survived longer than 59 months, compared with sons whose fathers had survived fewer than 24 months (P for trend, .02). On a continuous scale, the sons' survival increased almost linearly with the fathers' survival time. When the analysis was reversed and HRs were derived for fathers, the concordance of good and poor survival remained.

Conclusion

The results are consistent in showing that both good and poor survival in prostate cancer aggregate in families. Genetic factors are likely to contribute to the results, which provide the first challenging population-level evidence on heritability in prognosis of prostate cancer.
Letrozole Suppresses Plasma Estradiol and Estrone Sulphate More Completely Than Anastrozole in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Dixon J. Michael , Renshaw Lorna , Young Oliver , Murray Juliette , Macaskill E. Jane , McHugh Mary , Folkerd Elizabeth , Cameron David A. , A'Hern Roger P. , Dowsett Mitch
Published: March 2008

Purpose

To compare the effects of anastrozole and letrozole on plasma estradiol (E2) and estrone sulfate (E1S) levels.

Patients and Methods

Fifty-four postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs) as part of their adjuvant therapy were randomly assigned to receive either 3 months of anastrozole (1 mg) followed by 3 months of letrozole (2.5 mg), both given orally once daily, or 3 months of the opposite sequence. Blood was taken at the same time and the same day of the week from each patient, before and after 3 months of each drug, and plasma levels of E2 and E1S were determined using highly sensitive radioimmunoassays.

Results

There were 27 patients in each group. The mean age of the patients was 63 years (range, 49 to 83 years). Baseline E2 levels ranged from 3 pmol/L to 91 pmol/L with a mean of 25.7pmol/L. Only one of 54 (2%) patients had an E2 value ≥ 3 pmol/L after receiving letrozole, versus 20 of 54 (37%) patients after receiving anastrozole (P < .001). Extrapolation revealed a mean E2 level after anastrozole treatment of 2.71 pmol/L (range, 2.38 to 3.08 pmol/L). Following letrozole, it was 1.56 pmol/L (range, 1.37 to 1.78 pmol/L). Mean residual E2 was 10.1% for anastrozole and 5.9% for letrozole. Residual E1S levels were 4.6% for anastrozole and 2.0% for letrozole (P = .001).

Conclusion

Letrozole reduces plasma E2 and E1S levels to a significantly greater extent than anastrozole in postmenopausal women taking AIs as part of their adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.
Economic Evaluation Alongside a Clinical Trial of Psycho-Educational Interventions to Improve Adjustment to Survivorship Among Patients With Breast Cancer
Authors: Mandelblatt Jeanne S. , Cullen Jennifer , Lawrence William F. , Stanton Annette L. , Yi Bin , Kwan Lorna , Ganz Patricia A.
Published: March 2008

Purpose

There is little economic research on psychosocial interventions. We aimed to collect data alongside a randomized trial to compare the costs and benefits of three psycho-educational strategies to improve transition to cancer survivorship.

Methods

We evaluated the incremental delivery costs per unit increase in energy (using the Medical Outcomes Study vitality scale) or decrease in distress (from the Revised Impact of Events Scale) in the 6 months postintervention. We also evaluated 1-year post-treatment health care costs.

Results

The costs of the control, video, and video plus counseling arms were $11.30, $25.85, and $134.47 per person, respectively. The video costs were $2.22 per unit increase in energy compared with control; among women who were the least prepared for transition, the video was more effective, resulting in even lower costs. The video cost $7,275 per unit change in distress versus control, but costs were lower in the subgroup least prepared for transition ($355). The counseling arm was more expensive and less effective than the video for virtually all end points. However, in one group, women more prepared for transition, counseling cost $1,066 per unit decrease in distress compared with the video. Health care costs tended to increase as intervention intensity increased.

Conclusion

There are no standards for evaluating cost-effectiveness of trials with psychosocial end points. In this trial, the educational video was the most cost-effective way to improve transition to survivorship. It will be important to confirm whether there is an increased use of services after such interventions and if this represents appropriate use of rehabilitative and supportive care or over-use.
Changing the demand on specific muscle groups affects the walk–run transition speed
Authors: Bartlett Jamie L. , Kram Rodger
Published: March 2008

It has been proposed that muscle-specific factors trigger the human walk–run transition. We investigated if changing the demand on trigger muscles alters the preferred walk–run transition speed. We hypothesized that (1) reducing the demand on trigger muscles would increase the transition speed and (2) increasing the demand on trigger muscles would decrease the transition speed. We first determined the normal preferred walk–run transition speed (PTS) using a step-wise protocol with a randomized speed order. We then determined PTS while subjects walked with external devices that decreased or increased the demand on specific muscle groups. We concurrently measured the electromyographic activity of five leg muscles (tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris, medial and lateral gastrocnemius) at each speed and condition. For this study, we developed a dorsiflexor assist device that aids the dorsiflexor muscles. A leg swing assist device applied forward pulling forces at the feet thus aiding the hip flexors during swing. A third device applied a horizontal force near the center of mass, which impedes or aids forward progression thus overloading or unloading the plantarflexor muscles. We found that when demand was decreased in the muscles measured, the PTS significantly increased. Conversely, when muscle demand was increased in the plantar flexors, the PTS decreased. However, combining assistive devices did not produce an even faster PTS. We conclude that altering the demand on specific muscles can change the preferred walk–run transition speed. However, the lack of a summation effect with multiple external devices,suggests that another underlying factor ultimately determines the preferred walk–run transition speed.
Changes in the control of gastric motor activity during metamorphosis in the amphibian Xenopus laevis, with special emphasis on purinergic mechanisms
Authors: Sundqvist Monika , Holmgren Susanne
Published: March 2008

The stomach of the amphibian Xenopus laevis is subject to extensive remodelling during metamorphosis. We investigated the changes in gastric activity control during this period using in vitro circular smooth muscle preparations mounted in organ baths. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME increased mean force in metamorphic and juvenile frogs but not in prometamorphic tadpoles. Serotonin (5-HT) relaxed stomach muscle prior to metamorphosis but elicited a biphasic response in juveniles consisting of contraction at low concentrations and relaxation at high concentrations. The effects of 5-HT were blocked by methysergide. In the prometamorphic tadpole, ATP elicited relaxation that was blocked by the ectonucleotidase inhibitor ARL67156 and the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), suggesting adenosine as the mediator. Exogenous adenosine and the A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) induced relaxation at all stages. After metamorphosis, the potency of ATP decreased and neither DPCPX nor ARL67156 could block ATP-induced relaxation. Uridine 5′-triphospate(UTP) induced relaxation prior to metamorphosis, but caused contraction of muscle strips from metamorphosing tadpoles. Single doses of UTP blocked phasic contractions in juveniles in a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive manner while the simultaneous increase in muscle tension was TTX insensitive. The P2X1/P2X3 receptor agonist α-β-MeATP elicited pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid(PPADS)-sensitive contractions at all stages investigated. These results indicate the development of an inhibitory nitrergic tonus during metamorphosis and a 5-HT receptor involved in muscle contraction. Also, the development of UTP receptors mediating increased tension and neural UTP receptors decreasing contraction frequency in juveniles is indicated. An adenosine A1-like receptor mediating relaxation and a P2X-like receptor mediating contraction is demonstrated at all stages.
To paddle or not: context dependent courtship display by male blue crabs,Callinectes sapidus
Authors: Kamio Michiya , Reidenbach Matthew A. , Derby Charles D.
Published: March 2008

The nature of the courtship signalling used by a species is shaped by many factors, one of which is its habitat. Male blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, have a courtship display in which they elevate their body by standing high on their legs, open their chelae and paddle their swimming legs. This courtship display is not reported in other swimming (portunid) crabs and is rarely expressed in laboratory experiments on male blue crabs. In this study, we characterised this display, which we call `courtship stationary paddling', and distinguished it from other types of paddling. To explain the species specificity of courtship stationary paddling, we hypothesised that this behaviour is an adaptation to low visibility and abundant refuges in the habitat of blue crabs, and that this behaviour enhances chemical signalling when females are relatively inaccessible to males. We used particle imaging velocimetry to visualise water currents generated during courtship stationary paddling, showing that it created water currents directed away from the male and towards the female, thus enhancing chemical signalling. We also showed that males did not perform courtship stationary paddling when females were freely walking such that males could quickly contact and cradle carry them. Rather, males typically performed courtship stationary paddling only when females were inaccessible to them. These results indicate that courtship stationary paddling is a context-dependent behaviour, occurring only when females are not accessible to males, and suggesting that it evolved as an adaptation to life in habitats with many refuges and low visibility.
Carotenoid intake does not mediate a relationship between reactive oxygen species and bright colouration: experimental test in a lizard
Authors: Olsson Mats , Wilson Mark , Isaksson Caroline , Uller Tobias , Mott Beth
Published: March 2008

We performed experiments on male Australian painted dragon lizards(Ctenophorus pictus) to test the hypothesis that carotenoids can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), protecting the organism from oxidative stress, and that this capacity is reflected in skin colours involved in signalling. Subsequent to 4 weeks of carotenoid treatment we used flow cytometry to analyse unspecified ROS (H2O2, singlet oxygen, superoxide and peroxynitrite level), hereafter termed ROS, and baseline superoxide specifically (bSO in peripheral blood cells). Mean background levels of ROS and bSO did not differ between carotenoid-treated and control males. bSO, which represents the superoxide level in un-manipulated blood, was negatively correlated with colour development in all males,regardless of carotenoid treatment. Thus, carotenoid intake does not reduce circulating levels of ROS or bSO, suggesting that carotenoids are inefficient antioxidants in vivo and, therefore, are unlikely to provide a direct link between oxidative stress and colouration.
The effect of leg length on jumping performance of short- and long-legged leafhopper insects
Authors: Burrows M. , Sutton G. P.
Published: March 2008

To assess the effect of leg length on jumping ability in small insects, the jumping movements and performance of a sub-family of leafhopper insects(Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae, Ulopinae) with short hind legs were analysed and compared with other long-legged cicadellids (Hemiptera,Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae). Two species with the same jumping characteristics but distinctively different body shapes were analysed: Ulopa, which had an average body length of 3 mm and was squat, and Cephalelus, which had an average body length of 13 mm with an elongated body and head. In both, the hind legs were only 1.4 times longer than the front legs compared with 1.9–2.3 times in other cicadellid leafhoppers. When the length of the hind legs was normalised relative to the cube root of their body mass, their hind legs had a value of 1–1.1 compared with 1.6–2.3 in other cicadellids. The hind legs of Cephalelus were only 20% of the body length. The propulsion for a jump was delivered by rapid and synchronous rotation of the hind legs about their coxo-trochanteral joints in a three-phase movement, as revealed by high-speed sequences of images captured at rates of 5000 s–1. The hind tarsi were initially placed outside the lateral margins of the body and not apposed to each other beneath the body as in long-legged leafhoppers. The hind legs were accelerated in 1.5 ms (Ulopa) and 2 ms(Cephalelus) and thus more quickly than in the long-legged cicadellids. In their best jumps these movements propelled Ulopa to a take-off velocity of 2.3 m s–1 and Cephalelus to 2 m s–1, which matches that of the long-legged cicadellids. Both short-legged species had the same mean take-off angle of 56° but Cephalelus adopted a lower angle of the body relative to the ground(mean 15°) than Ulopa (mean 56°). Once airborne, Cephalelus pitched slowly and rolled quickly about its long axis and Ulopa rotated quickly about both axes. To achieve their best performances Ulopa expended 7 μJ of energy, generated a power output of 7 mW, and exerted a force of 6 mN; Cephalelus expended 23μJ of energy, generated a power output of 12 mW and exerted a force of 11 mN. There was no correlation between leg length and take-off velocity in the long- and short-legged species, but longer legged leafhoppers had longer take-off times and generated lower ground reaction forces than short-legged leafhoppers, possibly allowing the longer legged leafhoppers to jump from less stiff substrates.
Honeybees can recognise images of complex natural scenes for use as potential landmarks
Authors: Dyer Adrian G. , Rosa Marcello G. P. , Reser David H.
Published: March 2008

The ability to navigate long distances to find rewarding flowers and return home is a key factor in the survival of honeybees (Apis mellifera). To reliably perform this task, bees combine both odometric and landmark cues,which potentially creates a dilemma since environments rich in odometric cues might be poor in salient landmark cues, and vice versa. In the present study, honeybees were provided with differential conditioning to images of complex natural scenes, in order to determine if they could reliably learn to discriminate between very similar scenes, and to recognise a learnt scene from a novel distractor scene. Choices made by individual bees were modelled with signal detection theory, and bees demonstrated an ability to discriminate between perceptually similar target and distractor views despite similar spatiotemporal content of the images. In a non-rewarded transfer test bees were also able to recognise target stimuli from novel distractors. These findings indicate that visual processing in bees is sufficiently accurate for recognising views of complex scenery as potential landmarks, which would enable bees flying in a forest to use trees both as landmark and/or odometric cues.
Disclosure of genetic information within families: a case report
Authors: Crawford G C , Lucassen A M
Published: March 2008

There has been much discussion about what, if any, legal and moral duties professionals have to disclose relevant genetic information to the family members of someone with an identified disease predisposing mutation. Here, we present a case report where dissemination of such a genetic test result did not take place within a family. In contrast to previous literature, there appeared to be no deliberate withholding of information, instead distant relatives were unable to communicate relevant information appropriately. When communication was facilitated through the follow-up of a chance remark, the patient was able to avoid planned major surgery, with its attendant morbidity, and her high anxiety levels were much reduced. We believe this case highlights the need for an ongoing debate on how genetic services can best support patients and their families with disclosing relevant genetic information to other family members.
The ethics of the everyday: problems the professors are too posh to ponder?
Authors: Updale E
Published: March 2008

Ethics committees and academics tend to concentrate on unusual and exciting cases. Should they pay more attention to less glamorous issues which are neglected because they are so familiar? Is there a definable point at which practical problems become ethical concerns?
The tip of the superbug iceberg
Authors: Rawson Edwina
Published: March 2008

Thousands of patients die or are made seriously ill by healthcare infections, popularly known as ‘superbugs’. This is a fact. It is also a fact that a proportion of these could have been avoided if hospitals and staff were, simply, cleaner.

The press is littered with heartbreaking stories of superbugs: 33 die and 334 are infected due to an outbreak of Clostridium difficile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital; 90 die following a similar outbreak at Maidstone Hospital; a two-day old baby dies from MRSA at Ipswich Hospital; a mother dies of MRSA shortly after giving birth at Stoke-on-Trent Hospital; a young nurse dies, a male patient nearly dies and 17 others are infected after a pseudomonas outbreak at Guy's Hospital. There are many others. It is a major national problem. Despite this, we are told only of the tip of the iceberg. In addition, one would hope that the law provided appropriate redress to superbug victims, but this is often not the case.
Trial of forceps
Authors: Clements Roger V
Published: March 2008

Within the last two and a half years, two cases have come before the High Court (and several others – Kingsberry v Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority [2005] and Purver v Winchester & East Leigh Healthcare NHS Trust [2007] – have been settled) concerning the practice of ‘trial of forceps’. Elsewhere in this issue, Martin Spencer QC discusses the legal aspects of those cases. The purpose of this article is to explore the origin and the rationale of the practice, and to set out details of the procedure.
Pregnancy-induced lymphangiectasias of the vulva
Authors: Verma Shyam
Published: March 2008

Summary

Lymphangiectasias occuring as a consequence of pregnancy and spontaneously regressing upon successful outcome of pregnancy is a rarity that needs to be reported. More so because these lesions occuring on the vulva can mimic various other entities and can sometimes be misconstrued as sexually transmitted disease by persons involved in primary care. This is a case report of lymphangiectasias occuring during pregnancy.
Be wary, this is not a case of vulval warts!
Authors: Basta Medhat S T , Sharma Kirti , Chauhan Mayur
Published: March 2008

Summary

We present a 40-year-old woman who presented to the genitourinary medicine department with a two-year history of recurrent non-painful vulval lumps. She was in a stable relation with one male sexual partner over the preceding 20 years and her sexual health screen was negative. Clinical examination of these lumps was suggestive of anogenital warts for which she has been treated on numerous occasions over the last two-year-period with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and podophyllotoxin 0.15% cream. As the lumps were not responding to conventional wart treatment, a biopsy from these lesions was performed. The histological appearance showed focal fibrin thrombus formation within dilated vascular channels consistent of a subepidermal cavernous haemangioma.

This case demonstrates that the clinical diagnosis of anogenital warts is not always straightforward. It highlights the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis from the resistant or atypically looking warty lesions to avoid making the wrong diagnosis.