bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working knowledge as performance: on the practical understanding of machines
Authors: Berner Boel
Published: July 2008

This article uses perspectives from science and technology studies to understand the working knowledge used by operators to understand and handle machines. Industrial production is seen as a heterogeneous assemblage of sociomaterial practices, where machines and humans interact in processes of mutual inscription and modification. Working knowledge is analysed as situated practices of knowing, or performances.This perspective is used in a meta-interpretation of earlier ethnographic research and other accounts of manual, industrial work, focusing on the mental, bodily and emotional understanding employed in crucial situations, as when learning to work, localizing machines, or coping with difficult or recalcitrant machines.
Sexualized Torture and Abuse at Abu Ghraib Prison: Feminist Psychological Analyses
Authors: Zurbriggen Eileen L.
Published: July 2008

A feminist analysis of the torture of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib illuminates aspects of the abuses that have not been previously considered. Social psychological studies that emphasize the importance of a (degendered) 'power of the situation' in determining behaviour have not adequately considered the effects of masculine socialization. The sexualized nature of the abuses at Abu Ghraib was centred on feminization of the prisoners and was an enactment of misogyny and homophobia. Rather than minimizing the harmfulness of the Abu Ghraib abuses, comparisons of them with fraternity hazings and pornography suggest that hazing and pornography are harmful. Finally, prevention of future abuses will be difficult because of the fundamental contradiction in socializing soldiers to kill, yet expecting them to feel empathy for the enemy.
II. Personal Reflections on the Impact of Jean Baker Miller's Work
Authors: Degenhardt Dorothy , Tobach Ethel
Published: July 2008

On a variety of occasions throughout the second edition of Toward a New Psychology of Women (1986), Jean Baker Miller refers to women who spoke or wrote to her following the publication of the first edition (1976). They had contacted her to let her know how the book had impacted on their lives, altering the way they understood the world and themselves, even when they didn't agree with all aspects of her analysis. In this article, we present reflections from two such individuals, whose personal and professional perspectives were deeply affected by the ideas presented in a book only 150 pages in length. The fact that the authors come from two different countries demonstrates that, even early on, Miller's ideas were having an international impact.
The Biological Mechanisms of Cancer-Related Skeletal Muscle Wasting: The Role of Progressive Resistance Exercise
Authors: Al-Majid Sadeeka , Waters Haidee
Published: July 2008

Cancer results in perturbations in skeletal muscle protein metabolism leading to muscle wasting. Although severe wasting is seen primarily in persons with advanced malignancies, a number of cancer patients show some degree of wasting at presentation. Although cancer-related skeletal muscle wasting is attributable, in part, to decreased muscle protein synthesis, its primary cause appears to be increased muscle protein degradation. Although several proteolytic systems may be involved, compelling evidence suggests that the major system responsible for skeletal muscle protein degradation in cancer is the ATP-dependent ubiquitin— proteasome system. Other contributing factors include proinflammatory cytokines and the tumor-released proteolysis-inducing factor. Decreased physical activity and decreased nutritional intake may also play a role. Cancer-related skeletal muscle wasting is clinically significant because of its profound effects on functional outcomes and quality of life. Nevertheless, no specific interventions have proved to be effective in preventing or reversing the problem. Interventions such as nutritional supplementation and appetite stimulants are only partially helpful. A nonpharmacologic intervention that may attenuate cancer-related skeletal muscle wasting is progressive resistance exercise training (PRT). PRT is a potent stimulus of growth in muscle mass and strength. PRT may attenuate cancer-related skeletal muscle wasting by downregulating the activity of proinflammatory cytokines and by increasing the phosphorylation of intramuscular amino acid—signaling molecules. This article discusses several cancer-related skeletal muscle wasting mechanisms and proposes how PRT might attenuate muscle wasting by counteracting some of these mechanisms.
Wound Bioburden and Infection-Related Complications in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Authors: Gardner Sue E. , Frantz Rita A.
Published: July 2008

The identification and diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections remains a complex problem. Because inflammatory responses to microbial invasion may be diminished in persons with diabetes, clinical signs of infection are often absent in persons with DFUs when infection is limited to localized tissue. In the absence of these clinical signs, microbial load is believed to be the best indicator of infection. Some researchers, however, believe microbial load to be insignificant and type of organism growing in the ulcer to be most important. Previous studies on the microbiology of DFUs have not provided enough evidence to determine the microbiological parameters of importance.

Infection-related complications of DFUs include wound deterioration, osteomyelitis, and amputation. Risk factors for amputation include age, peripheral vascular disease, low transcutaneous oxygen, smoking, and poor glycemic control. These risk factors are best measured directly with physiological measures of arterial perfusion, glycemic control, sensory neuropathy, plantar pressures, and activity level and by controlling off-loading. DFU bioburden has not been examined as a risk factor for infection-related complications. To address the relationship between wound bioburden and the development of infection-related complications in DFUs, tightly controlled prospective studies based on clearly defined, valid measures of wound bioburden and wound outcomes are needed. This article reviews the literature and proposes a model of hypothesized relationships between wound bioburden—including microbial load, microbial diversity, and pathogenicity of organisms—and the development of infection-related complications.
An Aerobic Weight-Loaded Pilot Exercise Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors: Bone Remodeling and Body Composition Outcomes
Authors: Knobf M. Tish , Insogna Karl , DiPietro Loretta , Fennie Kristopher , Thompson A. Siobhan
Published: July 2008

Objective. Weight gain and bone loss are commonly reported in breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this pilot study is to assess feasibility and explore the effect of an aerobic weight-loaded exercise intervention on bone remodeling, weight, and body composition.

Design. A one-group pre-posttest design was used to test a 16—24-week supervised walking exercise intervention among women within 2 years of menopause. Through Weeks 1—4, time and weight were progressively increased. By Week 5 and through the end of the intervention, a waist belt was loaded with 5 lb and participants spent 45 min on the treadmill 3 times/week. Bone remodeling was measured by serum biomarkers (N-terminal propeptides of type I collagen [NTX] and serum osteocalcin). Dual-energy absorptiometry scans assessed body composition. Data were collected at baseline and 16 and 24 weeks.

Results. The majority of the 26 participants were married, well educated, and employed, with a mean age of 51.3 years (SD = 6.2). The high adherence (M = 88.2%, SD = 6.8) demonstrated feasiblity. There were no significant changes in serum osteocalcin (p = .67), serum NTX (p = .31), lean muscle mass (p = .08), or percent fat mass for the group as a whole (p = .14), but fat mass increased for women on adjuvant endocrine therapy (p = .04). The women maintained their weight.

Conclusions. This novel exercise intervention for breast cancer survivors was feasible, and women otherwise at high risk for weight gain and bone loss maintained their weight and bone mass.
Editor's Introduction: Anti-policy and anti-politics
Authors: Walters William
Published: July 2008

This article proposes a concept of anti-policy along with some propositions concerning how we might research this new topic. It also introduces the four articles which make up this special issue on anti-policy and anti-politics. Anti-policy is a way of registering an undertheorized feature of the contemporary political culture of many western countries, as well as the domain of international politics. This is the ubiquity of discourses, schemes and policies whose stated objective is to combat or negate bad things. Anti-policy includes, but is not limited to, anti-terrorism, anti-racism, anti-trafficking, anti-corruption, anti-poverty and the war on crime. Observing that anti-policy can become a terrain of political struggle in its own right, the article cautions against the assumption that anti-policy can be simply equated with depoliticization.
Money, media and the anti-politics of terrorist finance
Authors: de Goede Marieke
Published: July 2008

This article offers a critical analysis of the anti-politics of terrorist finance, understood as the particularly depoliticized governing practices enabled in its name. The article conceptualizes 'terrorist finance' not as an unproblematic reality which has elicited a state response, but as a practice of government that works through a number of political or discursive moves. The article begins with an examination of the media battles over the names, numbers and definitions of terrorism finance. It then argues that the 'war on terrorist finance' is not so much about regulating global money flows as it is about governing practices of mediation and social affiliation.
After anti-racism?
Authors: Lentin Alana
Published: July 2008

Anti-racism as a political discourse and a form of collective social action has long been ignored as a serious field of research. In contrast, I envision the study of anti-racism as a vital lens on both 'race' and racism. First, the heterogeneity of anti-racism is demonstrated, spanning both pro- and anti-state-based analyses of the origins of racism. Second, a parallel discourse of 'anti-anti-racism' within the radical Left reveals the reluctance of many on the Left to identify the anti-racist project with anything other than its officialized, state-endorsed version. This raises important questions about the possibility for autonomy from paternalist control in the construction of radical anti-racisms. The article examines the relationship to anti-racism within these three shifts from anti-racism, to anti-anti-racism, to post-anti-racism. It asks what conclusions can be drawn about the status of anti-racism today: has it indeed exceeded its political utility, or is it a political project that is, in fact, yet to be born?
Realism of the unreal: the Japanese robot and the performance of representation
Authors: Sone Yuji
Published: July 2008

This article addresses the general theme of wearable technology from an oblique angle - via performance studies - by examining the performative basis of interactions between humans and machines. The author considers the developing nature of human robot relations in Japan, and raises concerns relevant to discussions of wearable technologies.
From extension to engagement: mapping the imaginary of wearable technology
Authors: Cranny-Francis Anne
Published: July 2008

This article maps the metaphors that have been used to facilitate human engagement with wearable technologies — extension, enhancement, augmentation — and locates the values and assumptions about the body and technology that they articulate. At the same time it considers the figure of the cyborg, in which many of these metaphors are incorporated fictionally and theoretically, and locates in this figure not one (interrogative, critical) meaning, but many possible meanings. The article then goes on to explore a recent reconfiguring of the human—technology relationship (Schroeder and Rebelo's 2007 analogy with the relationship between musician and intstrument), which it describes in terms of engagement — and to propose further that we need to embrace fully the embodied character of this relationship in order to realize the most creative possibilities of our relationship with the material world as expressed in this recent technology.
Fatigue Life Prediction of Welded Joints in Orthotropic Steel Decks Considering Temperature Effect and Increasing Traffic Flow
Authors: Guo Tong  , Li Aiqun  , Li Jianhui
Published: July 2008

Assessment is made for welded joints in orthotropic steel decks based on monitored field data from the Runyang Bridge by making use of the Palmgren–Miner rule and S–N curves. In contrast to previous strategies, interactive behavior of fatigue damage, ambient temperature, and traffic flow are considered. The results indicate that for long-span suspension bridge that is sensitive to temperature changes, fatigue damage accumulation is influenced by the ambient temperature in addition to the traffic growth. According to the fatigue equivalent index and statistical processing of traffic flow, the contribution of traffic growth to fatigue damage can be determined and then it is excluded from the total damage, so that the influence of temperature on fatigue damage is obtained. It is found that the ambient temperature has a linear effect on the fatigue damage of welded decks on the Runyang Suspension Bridge (RSB). Explanations for this temperature effect are given, and fatigue analysis of the Runyang Cable-stayed Bridge (RCB) is also made for comparison, consequently it is found that the proposed method in this paper might be applied to both suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges. Finally, considering the influence of temperature and increasing traffic flow, the fatigue life prediction has been conducted.
Structural Damage Detection Using Time Domain Periodogram Analysis
Authors: Zimin V.D. , Zimmerman D.C.
Published: July 2008

Before the advent of computers, scientists used time domain periodogram analysis (TDPA) for analysis of phenomena described by time-dependent parameters. Famous examples of this approach include investigations of periodicities in Sun activity, analysis of annual rings of trees and deposits of clays in large lakes, both of which are indicators of climate variations. These periodicities found by TDPA were later confirmed using modern Fourier transform-based methods. Since the advent of the computer era and the fast Fourier transform, TDPA has been almost completely abandoned. In this work, we develop a computer-based TDPA algorithm and demonstrate its' utility for determining the existence (Level 1) of structural damage. First, the TDPA is compared to a frequency domain periodogram analysis for synthetic signals with well-defined statistical properties. This comparison elucidates the features of the TDPA algorithm. Next, a damage existence `feature' is identified from the TDPA and is shown to be a reliable indicator of the existence of structural damage. This is demonstrated using simulated and actual experimental data.
Influence of Somatosensory Input on Interhemispheric Interactions in Patients With Chronic Stroke
Authors: Floel Agnes , Hummel Friedhelm , Duque Julie , Knecht Stefan , Cohen Leonardo G.
Published: July 2008

Background. Ischemia-induced cutaneous anesthesia of the healthy hand in patients with chronic stroke elicits transient improvements of motor performance in the contralateral, paretic hand. Objective. The present study was designed to investigate one of the possible mechanisms underlying this effect. Methods. The authors evaluated the effects of transient ischemic cutaneous anesthesia of the healthy hand (target intervention) and healthy foot (control intervention) on transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced interhemispheric inhibition from the contralesional onto the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1). Ten subjects with chronic, predominantly subcortical stroke with motor impairment were assessed. Results. Cutaneous anesthesia of the intact hand but not the intact leg resulted in reduction of the inhibitory drive from the contralesional to the ipsilesional M1 both at rest and immediately preceding movements of the paretic hand. Changes in premovement interhemispheric inhibition showed a trend for correlation with improvements in finger-tapping speed in the paretic hand. Conclusion. The findings suggest that modulation of interhemispheric inhibitory interactions between the contralesional and ipsilesional M1, either primarily or secondary to intrahemispheric excitability changes in either hemisphere, may contribute to performance improvements with cutaneous anesthesia of the intact hand. The present study provides additional insight into the mechanisms by which rehabilitative interventions focused on training one hand and restraining the other may operate after chronic stroke.
Review: Update on lung transplantation
Authors: Gottlieb Jens
Published: July 2008

Lung transplantation is a suitable treatment to improve the quality of life and the prognosis of patients with various end-stage pulmonary diseases. There is a shortage of organs and the number of patients on waiting list is exceeding the number of transplants per year approximately two-fold in most countries. Strategies to increase the donor pool are therefore crucial. The long-term prognosis after lung transplantation is not yet as good as for other transplantation procedures and special complications should be taken into account. Aside from infections chronic organ dysfunction is the main cause of death and the most important prognosis limiting factor. Other typical problems are rejection, bronchus complications, and primary transplant dysfunction. However, the results of large centers show promising improvements in recent years.
Umbilical cord blood regulatory T-cell expansion and functional effects of tumor necrosis factor receptor family members OX40 and 4-1BB expressed on artificial antigen-presenting cells
Authors: Hippen Keli L. , Harker-Murray Paul , Porter Stephen B. , Merkel Sarah C. , Londer Aryel , Taylor Dawn K. , Bina Megan , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Rubinstein Pablo , Van Rooijen Nico , Golovina Tatiana N. , Suhoski Megan M. , Miller Jeffrey S. , Wagner John E. , June Carl H. , Riley James L. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: July 2008

Previously, we showed that human umbilical cord blood (UCB) regulatory T cells (Tregs) could be expanded approximately 100-fold using anti-CD3/28 monoclonal antibody (mAb)–coated beads to provide T-cell receptor and costimulatory signals. Because Treg numbers from a single UCB unit are limited, we explored the use of cell-based artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) preloaded with anti-CD3/28 mAbs to achieve higher levels of Treg expansion. Compared with beads, aAPCs had similar expansion properties while significantly increasing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) secretion and the potency of Treg suppressor function. aAPCs modified to coexpress OX40L or 4-1BBL expanded UCB Tregs to a significantly greater extent than bead- or nonmodified aAPC cultures, reaching mean expansion levels exceeding 1250-fold. Despite the high expansion and in contrast to studies using other Treg sources, neither OX40 nor 4-1BB signaling of UCB Tregs reduced in vitro suppression. UCB Tregs expanded with 4-1BBL expressing aAPCs had decreased levels of proapoptotic bim. UCB Tregs expanded with nonmodified or modified aAPCs versus beads resulted in higher survival associated with increased Treg persistence in a xeno-geneic graft-versus-host disease lethality model. These data offer a novel approach for UCB Treg expansion using aAPCs, including those coexpressing OX40L or 4-1BBL.
Genes related to apoptosis predict necrosis of the liver as a phenotype observed in rats exposed to a compendium of hepatotoxicants
Authors: Huang Lingkang , Heinloth Alexandra N , Zeng Zhao-Bang , Paules Richard S , Bushel Pierre R
Published: July 2008

Background

Some of the biochemical events that lead to necrosis of the liver are well-known. However, the pathogenesis of necrosis of the liver from exposure to hepatotoxicants is a complex biological response to the injury. We hypothesize that gene expression profiles can serve as a signature to predict the level of necrosis elicited by acute exposure of rats to a variety of hepatotoxicants and postulate that the expression profiles of the predictor genes in the signature can provide insight to some of the biological processes and molecular pathways that may be involved in the manifestation of necrosis of the rat liver.

Results

Rats were treated individually with one of seven known hepatotoxicants and were analyzed for gene expression by microarray. Liver samples were grouped by the level of necrosis exhibited in the tissue. Analysis of significantly differentially expressed genes between adjacent necrosis levels revealed that inflammation follows programmed cell death in response to the agents. Using a Random Forest classifier with feature selection, 21 informative genes were identified which achieved 90%, 80% and 60% prediction accuracies of necrosis against independent test data derived from the livers of rats exposed to acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, and allyl alcohol, respectively. Pathway and gene network analyses of the genes in the signature revealed several gene interactions suggestive of apoptosis as a process possibly involved in the manifestation of necrosis of the liver from exposure to the hepatotoxicants. Cytotoxic effects of TNF-α, as well as transcriptional regulation by JUN and TP53, and apoptosis-related genes possibly lead to necrosis.

Conclusion

The data analysis, gene selection and prediction approaches permitted grouping of the classes of rat liver samples exhibiting necrosis to improve the accuracy of predicting the level of necrosis as a phenotypic end-point observed from the exposure. The strategy, along with pathway analysis and gene network reconstruction, led to the identification of 1) expression profiles of genes as a signature of necrosis and 2) perturbed regulatory processes that exhibited biological relevance to the manifestation of necrosis from exposure of rat livers to the compendium of hepatotoxicants.
Growth rate regulated genes and their wide involvement in the Lactococcus lactis stress responses
Authors: Dressaire Clémentine , Redon Emma , Milhem Helene , Besse Philippe , Loubière Pascal , Cocaign-Bousquet Muriel
Published: July 2008

Background

The development of transcriptomic tools has allowed exhaustive description of stress responses. These responses always superimpose a general response associated to growth rate decrease and a specific one corresponding to the stress. The exclusive growth rate response can be achieved through chemostat cultivation, enabling all parameters to remain constant except the growth rate.

Results

We analysed metabolic and transcriptomic responses of Lactococcus lactis in continuous cultures at different growth rates ranging from 0.09 to 0.47 h-1. Growth rate was conditioned by isoleucine supply. Although carbon metabolism was constant and homolactic, a widespread transcriptomic response involving 30% of the genome was observed. The expression of genes encoding physiological functions associated with biogenesis increased with growth rate (transcription, translation, fatty acid and phospholipids metabolism). Many phages, prophages and transposon related genes were down regulated as growth rate increased. The growth rate response was compared to carbon and amino-acid starvation transcriptomic responses, revealing constant and significant involvement of growth rate regulations in these two stressful conditions (overlap 27%).

Two regulators potentially involved in the growth rate regulations, llrE and yabB, have been identified. Moreover it was established that genes positively regulated by growth rate are preferentially located in the vicinity of replication origin while those negatively regulated are mainly encountered at the opposite, thus indicating the relationship between genes expression and their location on chromosome. Although stringent response mechanism is considered as the one governing growth deceleration in bacteria, the rigorous comparison of the two transcriptomic responses clearly indicated the mechanisms are distinct.

Conclusion

This work of integrative biology was performed at the global level using transcriptomic analysis obtained in various growth conditions. It raised the importance of growth rate regulations in bacteria but also participated to the elucidation of the involved mechanism. Though the mechanism controlling growth rate is not yet fully understood in L. lactis, one expected regulatory mechanism has been ruled out, two potential regulators have been pointed out and the involvement of gene location on the chromosome has also been found to be involved in the expression regulation of these growth related genes.
Advantages of the nested case-control design in diagnostic research
Authors: Biesheuvel Cornelis J , Vergouwe Yvonne , Oudega Ruud , Hoes Arno W , Grobbee Diederick E , Moons Karel GM
Published: July 2008

Background

Despite its benefits, it is uncommon to apply the nested case-control design in diagnostic research. We aim to show advantages of this design for diagnostic accuracy studies.

Methods

We used data from a full cross-sectional diagnostic study comprising a cohort of 1295 consecutive patients who were selected on their suspicion of having deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We draw nested case-control samples from the full study population with case:control ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 (per ratio 100 samples were taken). We calculated diagnostic accuracy estimates for two tests that are used to detect DVT in clinical practice.

Results

Estimates of diagnostic accuracy in the nested case-control samples were very similar to those in the full study population. For example, for each case:control ratio, the positive predictive value of the D-dimer test was 0.30 in the full study population and 0.30 in the nested case-control samples (median of the 100 samples). As expected, variability of the estimates decreased with increasing sample size.

Conclusion

Our findings support the view that the nested case-control study is a valid and efficient design for diagnostic studies and should also be (re)appraised in current guidelines on diagnostic accuracy research.
Identification of new HIV-1 Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in BALB/c mice
Authors: Cellini Silvia , Fortini Cinzia , Gallerani Eleonora , Destro Federica , Cofano Egidio Brocca , Caputo Antonella , Gavioli Riccardo
Published: July 2008

Background

As HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells play a key role during acute and chronic HIV-1 infection in humans, the ability of potential anti-HIV vaccines to elicit strong, broad T cell responses is likely to be crucial. The HIV-1 Gag antigen is widely considered a relevant antigen for the development of an anti-HIV vaccine since it is one of the most conserved viral proteins and is also known to induce T cell responses. In the majority of studies reporting Gag-specific cellular immune responses induced by Gag-based vaccines, only a small number of Gag T cell epitopes were tested in preclinical mouse models, thus giving an incomplete picture of the numerous possible cellular immune responses against this antigen. As is, this partial knowledge of epitope-specific T cell responses directed to Gag will unavoidably result in a limited preclinical evaluation of Gag-based vaccines.

Results

In this study we identified new Gag CD8+ T cell epitopes in BALB/c mice vaccinated with the HIV-1 Gag antigen alone or in combination with the HIV-1 Tat protein, which was recently shown to broaden T cell responses directed to Gag. Specifically, we found that CTL responses to Gag may be directed to nine different CTL epitopes, and four of these were mapped as minimal CTL epitopes.

Conclusion

These newly identified CTL epitopes should be considered in the preclinical evaluation of T cell responses induced by Gag-based vaccines in mice.
Cryptic genomic imbalances in patients with de novo or familial apparently balanced translocations and abnormal phenotype
Authors: Sismani Carolina , Kitsiou-Tzeli Sofia , Ioannides Marios , Christodoulou Christodoulos , Anastasiadou Violetta , Stylianidou Goula , Papadopoulou Eleftheria , Kanavakis Emanuel , Kosmaidou-Aravidou Zoe , Patsalis Philippos C
Published: July 2008

Background

Carriers of apparently balanced translocations are usually phenotypically normal; however in about 6% of de novo cases, an abnormal phenotype is present. In the current study we investigated 12 patients, six de novo and six familial, with apparently balanced translocations and mental retardation and/or congenital malformations by applying 1 Mb resolution array-CGH. In all de novo cases, only the patient was a carrier of the translocation and had abnormal phenotype. In five out of the six familial cases, the phenotype of the patient was abnormal, although the karyotype appeared identical to other phenotypically normal carriers of the family. In the sixth familial case, all carriers of the translocations had an abnormal phenotype.

Results

Chromosomal and FISH analyses suggested that the rearrangements were "truly balanced" in all patients. However, array-CGH, revealed cryptic imbalances in three cases (3/12, 25%), two de novo (2/12, 33.3%) and one familial (1/12, 16.6%). The nature and type of abnormalities differed among the cases. In the first case, what was identified as a de novo t(9;15)(q31;q26.1), a complex rearrangement was revealed involving a ~6.1 Mb duplication on the long arm of chromosome 9, an ~10 Mb deletion and an inversion both on the long arm of chromosome 15. These imbalances were located near the translocation breakpoints. In the second case of a de novo t(4;9)(q25;q21.2), an ~6.6 Mb deletion was identified on the short arm of chromosome 7 which is unrelated to the translocation. In the third case, of a familial, t(4;7)(q13.3;p15.3), two deletions of ~4.3 Mb and ~2.3 Mb were found, each at one of the two translocation breakpoints. In the remaining cases the translocations appeared balanced at 1 Mb resolution.

Conclusion

This study investigated both de novo and familial apparently balanced translocations unlike other relatively large studies which are mainly focused on de novo cases. This study provides additional evidence that cryptic genomic imbalances are common in patients with abnormal phenotype and "apparently balanced" translocations not only in de novo but can also occur in familial cases. The use of microarrays with higher resolution such as oligo-arrays may reveal that the frequency of cryptic genomic imbalances among these patients is higher.
Increased chemotactic migration and growth in heparanase-overexpressing human U251n glioma cells
Authors: Hong Xin , Jiang Feng , Kalkanis Steven N , Zhang Zheng Gang , Zhang Xuepeng , Zheng Xuguang , Jiang Hao , Mikkelsen Tom , Chopp Michael
Published: July 2008

Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate, the main polysaccharide constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane. Expression of the heparanase gene is associated with the invasion and metastatic potential of a variety of tumor-derived cell types. However, the roles of heparanase in the regulation of gene expression and the subsequent cell function changes other than invasion are not clear. In the current study, we overexpressed the human heparanase gene in a human U251n glioma cell line. We found that heparanase-overexpression significantly increased cell invasion, proliferation, anchorage-independent colony formation and chemotactic migration towards fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplied medium and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1). These phenotypic appearances were accompanied by enhanced protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) signaling were not altered by heparanase-overexpression. These results indicate that heparanase has pleiotropic effects on tumor cells.
A survey of speech and language therapists’ views on electropalatography therapy outcomes in Scotland
Authors: Gibbon Fiona E. , Paterson Lisa
Published: July 2008

Questionnaires elicited information from speech and language therapists (SLTs) working in Scotland about individuals they had treated with Electropalatography (EPG) between 1993 and 2003. The results showed that the majority of the group (n = 60) who had received EPG therapy during this period were school-age children with either functional articulation disorders or cleft palate. The sounds most frequently targeted in EPG therapy were /s/, /s/, /t/ and /d/. The (SLTs) judged that the majority of the group had improved their articulation to some extent and almost all had increased awareness of their own articulation difficulties following EPG therapy. Despite these gains, most experienced difficulties generalizing new patterns into everyday speaking situations. The results suggest that when using EPG, SLTs need to adopt specific strategies to promote generalization and maintenance.
Evidence of reading difficulty in subgroups of children with specific language impairment
Authors: Simkin Zoë , Conti-Ramsden Gina
Published: July 2008

The literacy abilities of 11-year old children with specific language impairment (SLI) were investigated through comparing subgroups with current expressive-only language impairment (E-SLI, n 30), current combined expressive and receptive language impairment (ER-SLI, n 32) and a history of now-resolved language impairment (Resolved-SLI, n 28). The ER-SLI subgroup performed less well than the E-SLI subgroup on measures of single word reading and reading comprehension and in turn the E-SLI subgroup performed less well than the Resolved-SLI subgroup. Further analysis of individual variation within subgroups revealed that all three subgroups had a considerable proportion of individuals with literacy difficulties. In addition, direct comparisons of E-SLI versus ER-SLI subgroups revealed the ER-SLI subgroup to have a significantly larger proportion of children with severe literacy difficulties than the E-SLI subgroup. In contrast, the Resolved-SLI subgroup had virtually no children with severe literacy difficulties. The implications of these findings for practice are discussed.
Performance of typically-developing school-age children with English as an additional language on the British Picture Vocabulary Scales II
Authors: Mahon Merle , Crutchley Alison
Published: July 2008

This study provides preliminary indications of the performance of typically developing children with English as an additional language (EAL) on the British Picture Vocabulary Scales II [BPVS II]. One-hundred and sixty-five children aged four to nine years took part in the study, 69 monolingual English speakers and 96 with EAL. The results indicate an effect of both age and language status, with the EAL children scoring proportionally lower at younger ages. There was a narrowing gap between the scores of EAL and monolingual English children with increasing age. These findings differ somewhat from the suggested BPVS EAL norms, but must be treated cautiously because of the limited sampling frame. Nevertheless, some potentially useful suggestions are made for practitioners.
Phase I Clinical Trial of a Selective Inhibitor of CYP17, Abiraterone Acetate, Confirms That Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Commonly Remains Hormone Driven
Authors: Attard Gerhardt , Reid Alison H.M. , Yap Timothy A. , Raynaud Florence , Dowsett Mitch , Settatree Sarah , Barrett Mary , Parker Christopher , Martins Vanessa , Folkerd Elizabeth , Clark Jeremy , Cooper Colin S. , Kaye Stan B. , Dearnaley David , Lee Gloria , de Bono Johann S.
Published: July 2008

Purpose

Studies indicate that castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains driven by ligand-dependent androgen receptor (AR) signaling. To evaluate this, a trial of abiraterone acetate—a potent, selective, small-molecule inhibitor of cytochrome P (CYP) 17, a key enzyme in androgen synthesis—was pursued.

Patients and Methods

Chemotherapy-naïve men (n = 21) who had prostate cancer that was resistant to multiple hormonal therapies were treated in this phase I study of once-daily, continuous abiraterone acetate, which escalated through five doses (250 to 2,000 mg) in three-patient cohorts.

Results

Abiraterone acetate was well tolerated. The anticipated toxicities attributable to a syndrome of secondary mineralocorticoid excess—namely hypertension, hypokalemia, and lower-limb edema—were successfully managed with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Antitumor activity was observed at all doses; however, because of a plateau in pharmacodynamic effect, 1,000 mg was selected for cohort expansion (n = 9). Abiraterone acetate administration was associated with increased levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and steroids upstream of CYP17 and with suppression of serum testosterone, downstream androgenic steroids, and estradiol in all patients. Declines in prostate-specific antigen ≥ 30%, 50%, and 90% were observed in 14 (66%), 12 (57%), and 6 (29%) patients, respectively, and lasted between 69 to ≥ 578 days. Radiologic regression, normalization of lactate dehydrogenase, and improved symptoms with a reduction in analgesic use were documented.

Conclusion

CYP17 blockade by abiraterone acetate is safe and has significant antitumor activity in CRPC. These data confirm that CRPC commonly remains dependent on ligand-activated AR signaling.
Smectic A Formation by Twin Dimers Assuming U-shaped Conformation
Authors: Naito Yu , Ishige Ryohei , Itoh Manabu , Tokita Masatoshi , Watanabe Junji
Published: July 2008

Twin dimers with 3-methylpentane spacers behave as U-shaped (folding) molecules if the carbon number of alkyl tail group is longer than 12 and form an SA phase. This behavior is in contrast to that in dimers with linear pentane spacers which assume extended conformation and form the antiferroelectric SCAb. Folding of twin molecules, hence, is another way to accommodate tail groups fairly longer than the spacers, suggesting new potentiality in spontaneous molecular organization.
Contract management in USA hospitals: service duplication and access within local markets
Authors: Carey Kathleen , Dor Avi
Published: July 2008

This paper examines the extent to which hospitals that are under external contract management engage in service duplication, as well as the degree to which the various services they offer contribute to or detract from community access. The study incorporates all USA hospitals using data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey Database, supplemented by county level measures obtained from the area resource file (ARF). Using data on the 3794 hospitals classified as acute care facilities in 2002, we performed a set of logistic regressions that analyzed whether a hospital offered each of 74 distinct services. For each service (regression), key independent variables measured the number of other hospitals in the local market area that also offered the service. Local area market definitions are the areas circumscribed by the hospital within distances of 10 and 20 miles. Results suggest that contract-managed (CM) hospitals display a more competitive pattern (service duplication) than hospitals in general, but CM hospitals that are the sole provider of services locally are less likely to offer services than traditionally managed sole hospital providers. Contract management does not appear to offer any particular advantages in improving access to hospital services.
Strategic Customer Behavior, Commitment, and Supply Chain Performance
Authors: Su Xuanming , Zhang Fuqiang
Published: July 2008

This paper studies the impact of strategic customer behavior on supply chain performance. We start with a newsvendor seller facing forward-looking customers. The seller initially charges a regular price but may salvage the leftover inventory at a lower salvage price after random demand is realized. Customers anticipate future sales and choose purchase timing to maximize their expected surplus. We characterize the rational expectations equilibrium, where we find that the seller's stocking level is lower than that in the classic model without strategic customers. We show that the seller's profit can be improved by promising either that quantities available will be limited (quantity commitment) or that prices will be kept high (price commitment). In most cases, both forms of commitment are not credible in a centralized supply chain with a single seller. However, decentralized supply chains can use contractual arrangements as indirect commitment devices to attain the desired outcomes with commitment. Decentralization has generally been associated with coordination problems, but we present the contrasting view that disparate interests within a supply chain can actually improve overall supply chain performance. In particular, with strategic customer behavior, we find that (i) a decentralized supply chain with a wholesale price contract may perform strictly better than a centralized supply chain; (ii) contracts widely studied in the supply chain coordination literature (e.g., markdown money, sales rebates, and buyback contracts) can serve as a commitment device as well as an incentive-coordinating device; and (iii) some of the above contracts cannot allocate profits arbitrarily between supply chain members because of strategic customer behavior.
The Stem Cell Marker CD133 (Prominin-1) Is Expressed in Various Human Glandular Epithelia
Authors: Karbanová Jana , Missol-Kolka Ewa , Fonseca Ana-Violeta , Lorra Christoph , Janich Peggy , Hollerová Hana , Jászai József , Ehrmann Jiří , Kolář Zdeněk , Liebers Cornelia , Arl Stefanie , Šubrtová Danuše , Freund Daniel , Mokrý Jaroslav , Huttner Wieland B. , Corbeil Denis
Published: July 2008

Human prominin-1 (CD133) is expressed by various stem and progenitor cells originating from diverse sources. In addition to stem cells, its mouse ortholog is expressed in a broad range of adult epithelial cells, where it is selectively concentrated in their apical domain. The lack of detection of prominin-1 in adult human epithelia might be explained, at least in part, by the specificity of the widely used AC133 antibody, which recognizes an epitope that seems dependent on glycosylation. Here we decided to re-examine its expression in adult human tissues, particularly in glandular epithelia, using a novel monoclonal antibody (80B258) generated against the human prominin-1 polypeptide. In examined tissues, we observed 80B258 immunoreactivity at the apical or apicolateral membranes of polarized cells. For instance, we found expression in secretory serous and mucous cells as well as intercalated ducts of the large salivary and lacrimal glands. In sweat glands including the gland of Moll, 80B258 immunoreactivity was found in the secretory (eccrine and apocrine glands) and duct (eccrine glands) portion. In the liver, 80B258 immunoreactivity was identified in the canals of Hering, bile ductules, and small interlobular bile ducts. In the uterus, we detected 80B258 immunoreactivity in endometrial and cervical glands. Together these data show that the overall expression of human prominin-1 is beyond the rare primitive cells, and it seems to be a general marker of apical or apicolateral membrane of glandular epithelia. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org . Please visit this article online to view these materials.
FTIR spectroscopy in combination with principal component analysis or cluster analysis as a tool to distinguish beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees grown at different sites
Authors: Rana Rumana , Müller Günter , Naumann Annette , Polle Andrea
Published: July 2008

FTIR spectroscopy was used to distinguish between beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees grown at five different sites; one in middle Germany close to Göttingen (forest district Reinhausen), three located in the southwest (two in Rhineland-Palatinate: forest districts Saarburg and Hochwald, and one in Luxembourg), and one in North-Rhine Westfalia. Detailed investigation of the spectra in the fingerprint region (1800–600 cm-1) revealed 16 distinct peaks and shoulders, most of which were assignable to wavenumbers previously shown to represent wood compounds. Differences in peak heights and peak ratios indicated differences in wood composition of beech trees from different sites. To determine if the wood of individual trees could be distinguished, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were performed using FTIR spectra as input data. With both PCA and cluster analysis, trees from four of the five different sites were separated. It was not possible to distinguish between trees from Saarburg and Hochwald, where similar edaphic and climatic conditions exist, while wood spectra from trees from all other areas clearly segregated. Wood collected at different positions in the stem (bottom, crown, center and outer year rings) of trees grown at the same site was not distinguishable. Therefore, FTIR spectral analysis in combination with multivariate statistical methods can be used to distinguish wood of trees from different growth habitats. Extension of this method to other species may be of great interest for wood certification, as it may be possible to distinguish wood, of a given species, originating from different regions.
Thyroid B-flow twinkling sign: a new feature of papillary cancer
Authors: Brunese Luca , Romeo Antonio , Iorio Sergio , Napolitano Giuseppina , Fucili Stefano , Zeppa Pio , Vallone Gianfranco , Lombardi Gaetano , Bellastella Antonio , Biondi Bernadette , Sodano Antonio
Published: July 2008

Background

Microcalcifications (aggregated with psammoma bodies), detected by ultrasound (US), are the most specific feature of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Using B-flow imaging (BFI), we identified a new sign (the twinkling sign; BFI-TS) in ‘suspect’ PTC nodules, which appeared to be generated by microcalcifications.

Objective

To evaluate whether the BFI-TS was predictive of malignancy, we correlated the BFI-TS with the results of fine needle aspiration cytology and histology.

Design

Cross-sectional cohort study from September 2006 to April 2008.

Setting

Department of Radiology and Endocrinology, University of Naples Federico II, and Department of Endocrinology, Second University of Naples.

Patients

A total of 306 consecutive patients with 539 thyroid nodules >8 mm in diameter.

Main outcome measure

US and BFI examinations were performed with the Logiq 9 system (General Electric Company, Milan, Italy); all patients underwent cytological examination.

Results

Cytology revealed 455 (84.4%) benign nodules and 84 (15.6%) malignant nodules; the latter were confirmed by postsurgical histological examination (76 cases of PTC, 7 follicular carcinoma, and 1 Hürthle cell carcinoma). All suspect nodules, namely, nodules with potential predictors of thyroid malignancy (e.g., microcalcifications and intra-nodal vascularity), were analyzed by cytology or histology (or both). Of 84, 68 (80.9%) of malignant nodules had ≥4 or more BFI-TSs in at least one scan versus only 12 of 455 (2.6%) of benign lesions.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the BFI-TS could be a reliable diagnostic technique in the management of suspect thyroid nodules.