bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanol Affects Differentiation‐Related Pathways and Suppresses Wnt Signaling Protein Expression in Human Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Vangipuram Sharada D. , Lyman William D.
Published: December 2011

Background:  Prenatal exposure of the fetus to ethanol (EtOH) can be teratogenic. We previously showed that EtOH alters the cell fate of human neural stem cells (NSC). As Wnt signaling plays an important role in fetal brain development, we hypothesized that EtOH suppresses Wnt signaling protein expression in differentiating NSC and thereby contributes to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Methods:  NSC isolated from fetal human brains were cultured in mitogenic media to induce neurospheres, which were dissociated into single‐cell suspensions and used for all experiments. Equal numbers of NSC were cultured on lysine/laminin‐coated plates for 96 hours in differentiating media containing 0, 20, or 100 mM EtOH. Total mRNA was isolated from samples containing 0 or 100 mM EtOH and changes in expression of 263 genes associated with neurogenesis and NSC differentiation were determined by Oligo GEArray technology. The biological impact of gene changes was estimated using a systems biology approach with pathway express software and KEGG database. Based on the pathways identified, expression of Wnt proteins (Wnt3a and Wnt5a), Wnt‐receptor complex proteins (p‐LRP6, LRP6, DVL2, and DVL3), Wnt antagonist Naked‐2 (NKD‐2), and downstream Wnt proteins (β‐catenin, Tyr‐p‐GSK3β, Ser‐p‐GSK3β) were analyzed by Western blot.

Results:  Of the 263 genes examined, the expressions of 22 genes in differentiating NSC were either upwardly or downwardly affected by EtOH. These genes are associated with 5 pathways/cellular processes: axon guidance; hedgehog signaling; TGF‐β signaling; cell adhesion molecules; and Wnt signaling. When compared to controls, EtOH, at both 20 and 100 mM concentrations, suppressed the expression of Wnt3a and Wnt5a, receptor complex proteins p‐LRP6, LRP6 and DVL2, and cytoplasmic proteins Ser‐p‐GSK3β and β‐catenin. Expression of NKD‐2 and DVL3 remained unchanged and the expression of active Tyr‐p‐GSK3β increased significantly.

Conclusions:  EtOH can significantly alter neural differentiation pathway‐related gene expression and suppress Wnt signaling proteins in differentiating human NSC.
Improving the Flexibility and Efficiency of Phase II Designs for Oncology Trials
Authors: Englert Stefan , Kieser Meinhard
Published: December 2011

Summary Phase II trials in oncology are usually conducted as single‐arm two‐stage designs with binary endpoints. Currently available adaptive design methods are tailored to comparative studies with continuous test statistics. Direct transfer of these methods to discrete test statistics results in conservative procedures and, therefore, in a loss in power. We propose a method based on the conditional error function principle that directly accounts for the discreteness of the outcome. It is shown how application of the method can be used to construct new phase II designs that are more efficient as compared to currently applied designs and that allow flexible mid‐course design modifications. The proposed method is illustrated with a variety of frequently used phase II designs.
Glass Formation in LaO3/2–TiO2 Binary System by Containerless Processing
Authors: Kaneko Masashi , Yu Jianding , Masuno Atsunobu , Inoue Hiroyuki , Vijaya Kumar M. S. , Odawara Osamu , Yoda Shinichi
Published: December 2011

Using containerless processing with an aerodynamic levitation furnace, LaO3/2–TiO2 binary glasses were synthesized in bulk form. Glass‐forming region was found in the vicinity of eutectic point, which is approximately 29.5% LaO3/2 and 70.5% TiO2 in molar ratio. The glass transition temperature Tg and the crystallization onset temperature Tx of the obtained glasses were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal stability was evaluated by ΔT (=Tx − Tg). Our experimental results were compared with phase diagram of the LaO3/2–TiO2 binary system. Glass compositions with highest ΔT corresponded to single‐phase compound of La4Ti9O24 and the eutectic point.
Factors influencing oral hygiene behaviour and gingival outcomes 3 and 12 months after initial periodontal treatment: an exploratory test of an extended Theory of Reasoned Action
Authors: Jönsson Birgitta , Baker Sarah R. , Lindberg Per , Oscarson Nils , Öhrn Kerstin
Published: December 2011

Aim

The aim was to empirically test the extended Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the prospective direct and indirect role of attitudes, beliefs, subjective norms, self‐efficacy, and a cognitive behavioural intervention in adult's oral hygiene behaviour and gingival outcomes at 3‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.

Materials and Methods

Data were derived from an RCT evaluating the effectiveness of oral hygiene educational programs integrated in non‐surgical periodontal treatment (n = 113). Before baseline examination, participants completed a self‐report questionnaire. Structural equation modelling using maximum likelihood estimation with bootstrapping was used to test the direct and indirect (mediated) pathways within the extended TRA model.

Results

The extended TRA model explained a large amount of variance in gingival outcome scores at 12 months (56%). A higher level of self‐efficacy at baseline was associated with higher frequencies of oral hygiene behaviour at 3 months. Being female was linked to more normative beliefs that, in turn, related to greater behavioural beliefs and self‐efficacy. Gender was also related to behavioural beliefs, attitudes and subjective norms. Both frequency of oral hygiene behaviour at 3 months and the cognitive behavioural intervention predicted gingival outcome at 12 months.

Conclusions

The model demonstrated that self‐efficacy, gender and a cognitive behavioural intervention were important predictors of oral hygiene behavioural change.
Force and complexity of tongue task training influences behavioral measures of motor learning
Authors: Kothari Mohit , Svensson Peter , Huo Xueliang , Ghovanloo Maysam , Baad‐Hansen Lene
Published: December 2011

Kothari M, Svensson P, Huo X, Ghovanloo M, Baad‐Hansen L. Force and complexity of tongue task training influences behavioral measures of motor learning.
 
Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 46–53. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci

Relearning of motor skills is important in neurorehabilitation. We investigated the improvement of training success during simple tongue protrusion (two force levels) and a more complex tongue‐training paradigm using the Tongue Drive System (TDS). We also compared subject‐based reports of fun, pain, fatigue, and motivation between paradigms. Three randomized sessions and one control experiment were performed. Sixteen healthy subjects completed two different 1‐h sessions of simple tongue training with 1 N and 3 N, respectively, and one TDS session. After 1 wk, six out of 16 subjects participated as experienced subjects with six naive subjects in a control experiment with 2 × 5‐min TDS training separated by a 30‐min rest. Performance improved during training in all sessions. The mean ± SEM relative increase in success was 80 ± 12% (1 N), 52 ± 11% (3 N), and 285 ± 45% (TDS). In the control experiment the experienced group performed equal to the last 5 min of their first TDS session and neither group improved during rest. Training with the TDS was rated as more fun, less painful, less fatiguing, and more motivating compared with simple tongue training. In conclusion, force level and complexity of tongue training influences behavioral aspects of tongue motor learning.
A household‐level sweet potato‐based infant food to complement vitamin A supplementation initiatives
Authors: Amagloh Francis K. , Hardacre Allan , Mutukumira Anthony N. , Weber Janet L. , Brough Louise , Coad Jane
Published: December 2011

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevalence in Sub‐Saharan Africa is high in spite of vitamin A supplementation programmes among children in most countries. Plant‐based complementary foods remain the key source of nutrients in addition to breast milk for infants in lower income countries. Cereal‐legume blends are superior in protein and energy densities compared with maize, millet or sorghum‐only porridge. However, unfortified cereal‐legume and cereal‐only porridges are low in vitamin A. A household‐level sweet potato‐based infant food, rich in vitamin A, has been developed to complement vitamin A supplementation initiatives in Sub‐Saharan Africa. A composite flour containing sweet potato, soybean, soybean oil and fishmeal was processed as complementary food by oven toasting (denoted oven‐toasted ComFa). The oven‐toasted ComFa and enriched Weanimix (processed from dehulled maize, dehulled soybean, groundnut and fishmeal) were assessed for suitability as complementary food based on the nutrient composition using specifications in the Codex Standard (CS) as a reference. The sweet potato‐based formulation and enriched Weanimix met the energy, protein, fructose and fat specifications but barely met the amino acid score as indicated in the CS. However, only the oven‐toasted ComFa met the calcium and almost half the vitamin A levels as specified in the CS. Oven‐toasted ComFa was slightly lower in energy, protein and fat by a difference not greater than 4.0% but was higher by more than 100% in fructose and vitamin A levels. Therefore, the sweet potato‐based complementary food is likely to support vitamin A supplementation initiatives in low‐income countries better than the cereal‐based formulation.
FROM “MASTER” TO “MENIAL:” STATE‐OWNED ENTERPRISE WORKERS IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA
Authors: Yu Au Loong
Published: December 2011

This essay first looks at “enterprise democracy,” as defined by law, in China, and examines why it has never been genuinely implemented and how this relates to workers' failure to resist the privatization of their enterprises at the turn of the century. It explores the crippling clauses in the laws, especially those relating to the ACFTU (All China Federation of Trade Unions), which also show the deep hostility of the ruling party towards any sign of autonomous movement from below. It links the party's lack of incentive to respect the rule of law to the material interests of the ruling bureaucracy, and argues that this can be traced back to Mao's period. It therefore does not agree with the notion, put forward by some, that the Chinese working class in the state sector was really the “master of the house” in that period. Precisely because of decades of atomization prior to the reform period, workers were left defenseless when the market reform attack started. Although they rose to protest in millions in 1989, the defeat of the movement paved the way for a second wave of attacks on workers, namely the privatization of state owned enterprises. The essay concludes with a debate on the lessons to be learned from the Chinese workers' demise and the way forward for them.
TEMP AGENCY WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY'S LOGISTICS HUB: THE CASE FOR A UNION HIRING HALL
Authors: Gonos George , Martino Carmen
Published: December 2011

This article reports on preliminary research concerning temp agency workers in the logistics hub that serves the Port of Newark/Elizabeth. Our objective is to explore the potential for organizing temporary workers in this industry, and the viability of the hiring hall model in particular. The first section describes several aspects of the regional labor market in which temp agency workers are recruited for the inland warehouses and distribution centers. The second section explores the history and legality of hiring halls, and why this organizing model has in recent decades faded into disuse. The third section sets forth an exploratory plan for organizing the temporary workforce in New Jersey's logistics industry.
AFGE'S MINORITY‐UNION CAMPAIGN AND THE LARGEST U.S. ORGANIZING VICTORY IN DECADES: TSA WORKERS' JOURNEY FOR RIGHTS AND UNION REPRESENTATION
Authors: Pinnock Sharon
Published: December 2011

It has been over a decade since Juravich and Bronfenbrenner published their findings on public sector certification elections and employer opposition—in which they warned public sector unions to “prepare for the worst.” Since then, public sector unions have faced unprecedented attacks at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels. In 2001, responding to the tragic events of September 11, the Bush Administration created a new federal agency—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—with the intent of denying collective bargaining rights to the 44,000 workers it would soon employ. In March 2011, the Wisconsin State Senate successfully gutted the collective bargaining rights of the state's workforce. Illinois, Idaho, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee have all mounted similar assaults on the rights of public sector workers. Unions seeking to combat this disturbing trend may find hope in the recent organizing victory waged by the American Federation of Government Employees on behalf of worker rights at TSA.

This article has three goals. First, it means to summarize the 9‐year organizing campaign that culminated in June 2011 with the largest union victory in the history of the federal sector—and the largest for any U.S. union in 70 years. Second, it seeks to examine current thinking about the reasons workers in the U.S. join unions. Finally, it hopes to share a few of the lessons learned from a nontraditional organizing campaign about new ways to organize and win.
Constraining Groundwater Modeling with Magnetic Resonance Soundings
Authors: Boucher Marie , Favreau Guillaume , Nazoumou Yahaya , Cappelaere Bernard , Massuel Sylvain , Legchenko Anatoly
Published: December 2011

Magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) is a noninvasive geophysical method that allows estimating the free water content and transmissivity of aquifers. In this article, the ability of MRS to improve the reliability of a numerical groundwater model is assessed. Thirty‐five sites were investigated by MRS over a ∼5000 km2 domain of the sedimentary Continental Terminal aquifer in SW Niger. Time domain electromagnetic soundings were jointly carried out to estimate the aquifer thickness. A groundwater model was previously built for this section of the aquifer and forced by the outputs from a distributed surface hydrology model, to simulate the observed long‐term (1992 to 2003) rise in the water table. Uncertainty analysis had shown that independent estimates of the free water content and transmissivity values of the aquifer would facilitate cross‐evaluation of the surface‐water and groundwater models. MRS results indicate ranges for permeability (K = 1 × 10−5 to 3 × 10−4 m/s) and for free water content (w = 5% to 23% m3/m3) narrowed by two orders of magnitude (K) and by ∼50% (w), respectively, compared to the ranges of permeability and specific yield values previously considered. These shorter parameter ranges result in a reduction in the model's equifinality (whereby multiple combinations of model's parameters are able to represent the same observed piezometric levels), allowing a better constrained estimate to be derived for net aquifer recharge (∼22 mm/year).
Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib overcomes P‐gp‐mediated multidrug resistance in resistant leukemic cell lines
Authors: ZHENG B. , ZHOU R. , GONG Y. , YANG X. , SHAN Q.
Published: December 2011

Introduction:  To study the effect of bortezomib alone or in combination with daunorubicin (DNR) on an mdr1 single‐factor drug‐resistant leukemia cell line K562/MDR1, a multifactor‐resistant cell line K562/A02, a drug‐sensitive cell line K562, and primary cells from acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Methods:  The cell lines were exposed to bortezomib, DNR, and bortezomib plus DNR, and cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis rate, and expression of MDR1/BCL2 were analyzed.

Results:  Bortezomib potently inhibited growth and increased the apoptosis rate in the cell lines. In K562/MDR1 and K562/A02, the calcium channel blocker verapamil reduced the 50% inhibitory concentration and apoptosis rate of DNR, a P‐gp protein substrate, but not of bortezomib. Bortezomib plus DNR had synergistic effect on antiproliferation (synergistic ratio > 1). Apoptosis was substantially more increased by the combination of two drugs than by bortezomib alone. Bortezomib arrested the cell cycles of three cell lines at the G2/M stage, decreased BCL2 mRNA expression, but did not affect MDR1 mRNA levels. The antiproliferative role of bortezomib was also confirmed in primary leukemia cells.

Conclusion:  Bortezomib is a promising potential therapy for acute leukemia, especially mdr1 drug‐resistant leukemia.
Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance
Authors: Olds Andrew D. , Connolly Rod M. , Pitt Kylie A. , Maxwell Paul S.
Published: December 2011

Connectivity is now a common consideration in conservation planning, but we need further empirical evidence for the role of connectivity in catalyzing reserve function. We examined whether connectivity improved reserve performance by investigating how isolation between coral reefs and mangroves influenced fish assemblages inside and outside a reserve in Moreton Bay, Australia. Connectivity greatly enhanced reserve performance, with close reserve habitats supporting more harvested fish, and a greater abundance of both piscivores and herbivores than similar nonreserve locations. Close reserve habitats also contained fewer prey fish than nonreserve locations. In contrast, fish abundance in isolated reserve habitats did not differ from similar nonreserve locations. We demonstrate that connectivity can improve the performance of a reserve in promoting fish abundance. We highlight its importance for maintaining ecological processes in reserves and advocate the prioritization of areas of similarly connected habitat for conservation.
Rotator Cuff Disorders: A Survey of Current Uk Physiotherapy Practice
Authors: Littlewood Chris , Lowe Anna , Moore John
Published: December 2011

Background

Shoulder pain is a common problem and disorders of the rotator cuff are considered to be the commonest cause of this pain. Despite this, there is a paucity of high-quality research upon which to base practice. There is a clear need to determine the range of current practice as a basis upon which to inform future research.

Objectives

To describe current physiotherapy practice in relation to the assessment and management of rotator cuff disorders and to gain an insight into the perceived research needs of physiotherapists in the UK.

Methods

An electronic survey was developed and responses were sought in relation to a case report considered to represent a patient with a typical rotator cuff disorder.

Results

A total of 110 surveys were completed. The respondents stated that they would undertake a range of diagnostic tests, offer a wide variety of interventions and offer a broad prediction of prognosis.

Conclusion

Current physiotherapy practice in relation to rotator cuff disorders is variable, which might reflect the lack of high-quality evidence available. There is a clear need for high-quality research to inform physiotherapy practice in this burdensome area.
Periodontal pathogens affect the level of protease inhibitors in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Laugisch O. , Schacht M. , Guentsch A. , Kantyka T. , Sroka A. , Stennicke H.R. , Pfister W. , Sculean A. , Potempa J. , Eick S.
Published: December 2011

In periodontitis, an effective host‐response is primarily related to neutrophils loaded with serine proteases, including elastase (NE) and protease 3 (PR3), the extracellular activity of which is tightly controlled by endogenous inhibitors. In vitro these inhibitors are degraded by gingipains, cysteine proteases produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of selected protease inhibitors in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in relation to periodontal infection. The GCF collected from 31 subjects (nine healthy controls, seven with gingivitis, five with aggressive periodontitis and 10 with chronic periodontitis) was analyzed for the levels of elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), two main tissue‐derived inhibitors of neutrophil serine proteases. In parallel, activity of NE, PR3 and arginine‐specific gingipains (Rgps) in GCF was measured. Finally loads of P. gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola were determined. The highest values of elafin were found in aggressive periodontitis and the lowest in controls. The quantity of elafin correlated positively with the load of P. gingivalis, Ta. forsythia and Tr. denticola, as well as with Rgps activity. In addition, NE activity was positively associated with the counts of those bacterial species, but not with the amount of elafin. In contrast, the highest concentrations of SLPI were found in periodontally healthy subjects whereas amounts of this inhibitor were significantly decreased in patients infected with P. gingivalis. Periodontopathogenic bacteria stimulate the release of NE and PR3, which activities escape the control through degradation of locally produced inhibitors (SLPI and elafin) by host‐derived and bacteria‐derived proteases.
It's never too late for ‘us’ to meet ‘them’: Prior intergroup friendships moderate the impact of later intergroup friendships in educational settings
Authors: Al Ramiah Ananthi , Hewstone Miles , Voci Alberto , Cairns Ed , Hughes Joanne
Published: December 2011

Background. In this paper, we focused on mixing in educational settings between members of Catholic and Protestant ethnoreligious groups in Northern Ireland.

Aims. In Study 1, we examined whether opportunities for contact at home and at university were associated with greater actual out‐group friendships, and whether this friendship was associated with a reduction in prejudice. We also assessed whether the impact of out‐group friendships at university was moderated by experience of out‐group friendships outside university, such that the prejudice‐reducing effect of university friendships was stronger for those with fewer friendships at home. In Study 2, we assessed opportunities for contact and actual out‐group friendships at prior stages of the educational system and their relationship with prejudice.

Sample(s). In both studies, our participants were students at universities in Northern Ireland (Study 1 N= 304 and Study 2 N= 157).

Methods. We analysed the data using multiple regression and structural equation modelling.

Results. First, opportunities for contact were positively associated with self‐reported out‐group friendships in all domains and stages of the educational system. Second, having more out‐group friends was associated with reduced prejudice. Finally, the relationship between out‐group friendships and current levels of prejudice was moderated by prior levels of out‐group friendships (at home in Study 1; and at secondary and primary school in Study 2).

Conclusions. Contact, in the form of out‐group friendships, was more powerful when it was a novel feature in a person's life. We discuss these findings in terms of the impact of mixing in educational contexts, especially in Northern Ireland, and outline suggestions for future research.
Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) regulates synaptic plasticity independently of its effect on neuronal morphology and migration
Authors: Sperow Margaret , Berry Raymond B. , Bayazitov Ildar T. , Zhu Guo , Baker Suzanne J. , Zakharenko Stanislav S.
Published: December 2011

Non‐technical summary  The sizes of neurons and their synaptic connections are regulated by multiple molecular mechanisms to provide neuronal networks that perform well‐defined functions. Deletion of the tumour suppressor phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) during early development leads to a 2‐ to 3‐fold increase in neuronal and synaptic size and abnormalities in synaptic plasticity, the cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory. Whether PTEN deletion affects synaptic plasticity directly or as a consequence of its effect on the neuronal and synaptic size remained unclear. Here we show that deletion of the Pten gene Pten in mice during postnatal development, when the central nervous system is formed, does not affect neuronal or synaptic size but impairs synaptic plasticity. Thus, PTEN affects neuronal structure and synaptic plasticity through independent mechanisms.
The SH2 Domain–Containing Proteins in 21 Species Establish the Provenance and Scope of Phosphotyrosine Signaling in Eukaryotes
Authors: Liu Bernard A. , Shah Eshana , Jablonowski Karl , Stergachis Andrew , Engelmann Brett , Nash Piers D.
Published: December 2011

Analysis of SH2 domain–containing proteins provides insights into the evolution of modular protein domains and organismal complexity.
The Complex Art of Telling It Simply
Authors: Yaffe Michael B.
Published: December 2011

Computational biology studies are complex; papers describing the results should not be.
Promoting Proliferation with Nuclear Pyruvate Kinase M2
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: December 2011

Pyruvate kinase M2 interacts with nuclear β-catenin to promote cell proliferation.
More than a Scratch
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: December 2011

Epidermal abrasion and T cells in the skin work together to drive the type of immune responses seen in allergy and asthma.
Sensing H
2
O
2
with Lyn
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: December 2011

Peroxide oxidizes and activates the kinase Lyn to recruit neutrophils to the site of injury.
Penetration of Tenofovir and Emtricitabine in Mucosal Tissues: Implications for Prevention of HIV-1 Transmission
Authors: Patterson Kristine B. , Prince Heather A. , Kraft Eric , Jenkins Amanda J. , Shaheen Nicholas J. , Rooney James F. , Cohen Myron S. , Kashuba Angela D. M.
Published: December 2011

Antiretroviral drugs are found at different concentrations in human cervical, vaginal, and rectal mucosal tissues with implications for designing PrEP trials to prevent HIV transmission.
ROCK in a Stiff Place
Authors: Lauffenburger Douglas A.
Published: December 2011

Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the progression of atherosclerosis has revealed a vital role for the ROCK pathway associated with stiffening of the underlying extracellular matrix.
3Rs of Animal Testing for Regenerative Medicine Products
Authors: Robinson Rebecca
Published: December 2011

Considerations of animal welfare have spurred the design of “smarter” preclinical studies intended to ultimately benefit patients.
Resurrecting Resveratrol
Authors: Damani Samir
Published: December 2011

A small study demonstrates the salutary metabolic effects of an ingredient from the fruit of the vine.
Epigenetic Modulation of CNS Pathways: What a Pain!
Authors: Evans-Molina Carmella
Published: December 2011

Epigenetic loss of neural inhibition in the nucleus raphe magnus of the brain leads to the development of chronic pain.
What’s at the “Foot” of Kidney Disease?
Authors: Lin Richard J.
Published: December 2011

Key signaling pathways interact to promote podocyte injury and proteinuria.
Burning Heart
Authors: Skelly Christopher
Published: December 2011

Treatment strategies targeting the inflammasome, initiated after a heart attack, can reduce cell death and improve heart function.
Perfecting Your Spread Plate Technique
Authors: Hartman Diane
Published: December 2011

The Spread Plate Technique, in conjunction with serial dilutions, is a valuable research tool. In this example, dye is used to accentuate the visible volume of each aliquot and the dispersion pattern on the agar. With the utilization of a second dye, each agar plate can be used twice. The immediate feedback and personal evaluation of these techniques provide an active learning experience that students remember.
Trends and inequalities in late-life health and functioning in England
Authors: Martin Linda G , Schoeni Robert F , Andreski Patricia M , Jagger Carol
Published: December 2011

Background

Recently, late-life disability rates have declined in several countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation, but no national-level trend analysis for England has been available. The authors provide such analysis, including measures both early and late in the disablement process, and the authors investigate the extent to which temporal trends are associated with population changes in socioeconomic position (SEP).

Methods

The authors fit logistic models of trends in self-reports and nurse measures of 16 health indicators, based on cross-sectional data from those aged 65 years and older from the 1992 to 2007 Health Survey for England.

Results

Overall, prevalence rates of limitations in seeing, hearing and usual activities declined (p<0.05); ever smoking, measured high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high C reactive protein decreased (p<0.05); and the proportion with limitations in self-care activities remained stable. But obesity and limitations in walking 200 yards and climbing stairs increased (p<0.05). Increases over time in education and non-manual social class membership were associated with declines in smoking, C reactive protein and problems with usual activities. Had the changes in SEP not occurred, the increases in problems walking and climbing would have been greater. People with less education or of manual social classes experienced relatively worse trends for hearing, mobility functions and usual activities. The opposite was true for seeing.

Conclusions

Recent trends in late-life health and functioning in England have been mixed. A better understanding of which specific activities pose challenges, how the environment in which activities are conducted influences functioning and the causes of relatively worse trends for some SEP groups is needed.
Response of non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to 15 years of harvest in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Syslo John M. , Guy Christopher S. , Bigelow Patricia E. , Doepke Philip D. , Ertel Brian D. , Koel Todd M.
Published: December 2011

Introduced lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) threaten to extirpate native Yellowstone cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri ) in the 34 000 ha Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Suppression (and eventual eradication) of the lake trout population is deemed necessary for the conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. A US National Park Service gill-netting program removed nearly 450 000 lake trout from Yellowstone Lake from 1995 through 2009. We examined temporal variation in individual growth, body condition, length and age at maturity, fecundity, mortality, and population models to assess the efficacy of the lake trout suppression program. Population metrics did not indicate overharvest despite more than a decade of fish removal. The current rate of population growth is positive; however, it is lower than it would be in the absence of lake trout suppression. Fishing effort needs to increase above observed levels to reduce population growth rate below replacement. Additionally, high sensitivity of population growth rate to reproductive vital rates indicates that increasing fishing mortality for sexually mature lake trout may increase the effectiveness of suppression. Lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake illustrates the complexities of trying to remove an apex predator to restore a relatively large remote lentic ecosystem with a simple fish assemblage.
TRANSMISSIBILITY OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION STIMULI THROUGH HUMAN BODY IN DIFFERENT STANDING POSTURES
Authors: YANG LIN , GONG HE , ZHANG MING
Published: December 2011

This study focuses on the transmissibility of whole body vibration stimuli through human body in different standing postures to explore the mechanism in which vibration stimuli could be better used as a regimen for bone loss. Five volunteers were guided to stay at three standing postures and imposed of frequency-adjustable vibration stimuli on the plantar surfaces side-alternately. Motion capture system was used to acquire the vibration signals at head, pelvis, knee up, knee down and ankle, from which the transmissibility of vibration stimuli can be obtained. The results showed that transmissibility of vibration stimuli was closely correlated with frequency and skeletal sites. Transmissibility of vibration stimuli in head was much smaller than any other skeletal sites. Transmissibility in the ankle was always in the vicinity of unit one in all the three postures for the vibration stimuli applied side-alternately on the plantar surfaces of both feet. There was an obvious peak around 9 to 11 Hz in the transmissibility curves for knee joint and pelvis. In the resonant peak, transmissibility of vibration stimuli in knee joint and pelvis both exceeded unit one and reached 150%. As the frequency increased after 11 Hz, transmissibility of vibration stimuli decayed rapidly as a function of frequency and dropped to 25% at 30 Hz. This study may help to gain insight into the interaction mechanism between mechanical vibration stimuli and the responses of human musculoskeletal system.
AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES USING ACTIVE APPEARANCE MODELS AND HAUSDORFF DISTANCE
Authors: AMMAR MOHAMMED , MAHMOUDI SAÏD , CHIKH MOHAMMED AMINE , ABBOU AMINE
Published: December 2011

Active Appearance Models (AAM), have been introduced by Cootes et al. [IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 2001], and are used to learn objects characteristics during a training phase by building a compact statistical model representing shape and texture variation of the object. This Model is used to find the object location and shape-appearance parameters, in a test set. The selection of the initial position of the construct model in a test image is a very important task in this context.

The goal of this work is to propose an automatic segmentation method applied to cardiovascular MR images using an AAM based segmentation approach. The AAM model was constructed using 20 end-diastolic and end-systolic short axis cardiac magnetic resonance images (MRI). Once the model is constructed, we select the best position in order to start the search step manually in the test image. That is why; in this paper, the localization of the left ventricular cavity in the test image is used to select the initial position of the construct model developed from the training images. So we propose an automatic approach to detect this spatial position by using two methods: (1) the circular Hough transform (CHT) and (2) the evaluation of the Hausdorff distance.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR WITH GPRS-BASED FAULT TRANSFER SYSTEM
Authors: ATACAK ISMAIL , KORKUSUZ MUZAFFER , BAY OMER FARUK
Published: December 2011

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is one of the several methods increasing the duration of survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with the oxygen concentrators being the most appropriate and economical choice for this treatment. Studies so far conducted show that a significant amount of oxygen concentrators in Turkey are used wrongly by patients, technical services are inadequate, no periodical maintenance is being done for devices requiring regular maintenance and control, and some devices do not yield the expected oxygen purity in long-term use. These problems in the oxygen concentrators are the most important factors causing delays in the treatment process because the patients are unable to receive oxygen at sufficient purity levels during the scheduled period. Therefore, it has become a necessity that oxygen concentrators are rearranged as devices fulfilling medical requirements and minimizing patient/device-based problems in parallel with the developments in the field of medical electronics. In this study, a low-cost oxygen concentrator with a GPRS-based fault transfer system is designed for patients receiving LTOT and the practical application of this device is realized on a prototype. The most important feature of the designed oxygen concentrator is the ability to detect the fault cases occurred in itself, and then to send them to the related technical service and hospital authority through the GPRS-based fault transfer system without reliance on the patient's statement. This ensures the prevention of delays during the treatment period caused by the functional problems of the device.
ORDERED MICROPHASES OF SYMMETRIC DIBLOCK COPOLYMER IN SELECTIVE SOLVENT: DISSIPATIVE PARTICLE DYNAMICS SIMULATION AND RADIAL DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION ANALYSIS
Authors: SUN HAINAN , LI BAIQING , ZHANG CHANGQIAO , WANG CHUNLING , LIU CHENGBU
Published: December 2011

The self-assembly process of a symmetric diblock copolymer A5B5 in a selective solvent is studied using the dissipative particle dynamics method. Four types of morphologies can form, including lamellae, perforated lamellae, cylinders and spheres. Three phase diagrams are presented to demonstrate the effect of the concentration and interaction parameters on the ordered microstructures. Radial distribution function (RDF) characterizing the spatial correlations of the blocks is calculated. RDF not only confirms the morphological observations, but also provides more quantitative details. The evolution process of hexagonally packed cylinder and lamellae is also illustrated.
Expression of genes involved in energy homeostasis in the duodenum and liver of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cows and their F1 hybrid
Authors: Alam Tanweer , Kenny David A. , Sweeney Torres , Buckley Frank , Prendiville Robert , McGee Mark , Waters Sinead M.
Published: December 2011

Differences in feed intake and production efficiency in lactating Holstein-Friesian (HF), Jersey (JE), and JE × HF (F1) dairy cows have been reported. The liver-gut axis is important in the regulation of energy homeostasis, appetite behaviour, and production efficiency. The objectives of this study were to determine: 1) the effect of dairy cow genotype on the expression profiles of genes involved in energy homeostasis in duodenal and hepatic tissue, and 2) the association between the expression of these genes across both tissues and with economically important production efficiency traits. The expression of 27 candidate genes involved in energy homeostasis, feed intake, and energy storage was measured by qPCR. Duodenal expression of the pro-opiomelanocortin ( POMC), glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor ( GLP1R), and insulin-like growth factor 1 ( IGF1) genes was highest in HF. In contrast, hepatic expression of the leptin receptor ( LEPR), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor ( IGF1R), protein kinase, AMP-activated, beta 1 ( AMPKB1), and POMC genes was highest in the F1 cross. In the duodenum, positive correlations were observed between mRNA expression of anorectic peptides ( POMC and GLP1R), whereas a negative correlation was detected between orexigenic (ghrelin) and anorectic (peptide YY) gene expression. A negative correlation was observed between duodenal POMC gene expression and both residual feed intake and milk production efficiency traits, while GLP1R gene expression was negatively correlated with milk production efficiency traits. A heterotic effect was observed in hepatic expression of AMKPB1, IGF1R, LEPR, POMC in the F1 genotype, possibly mediating improved feed efficiency in cross-bred cows. In conclusion, key genes involved in energy homeostasis and appetite behaviour are differentially expressed due to cow genotype in a tissue-dependent fashion. POMC and GLP1R are potential candidate genes for the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms regulating energetic efficiency in the dairy cow, which may be incorporated into future breeding programmes.
Striated Muscle as Implantation Site for Transplanted Pancreatic Islets
Authors: Espes Daniel , Eriksson Olof , Lau Joey , Carlsson Per-Ola
Published: December 2011

Islet transplantation is an attractive treatment for selected patients with brittle type 1 diabetes. In the clinical setting, intraportal transplantation predominates. However, due to extensive early islet cell death, the quantity of islets needed to restore glucose homeostasis requires in general a minimum of two donors. Moreover, the deterioration of islet function over time results in few insulin-independent patients after five-year followup. Specific obstacles to the success of islet transplantation include site-specific concerns for the liver such as the instant blood mediated inflammatory reaction, islet lipotoxicity, low oxygen tension, and poor revascularization, impediments that have led to the developing interest for alternative implantation sites over recent years. Within preclinical settings, several alternative sites have now been investigated and proven favorable in various aspects. Muscle is considered a very promising site and has physiologically properties and technical advantages that could make it optimal for islet transplantation.
Participatory Forest Carbon Assessment and REDD+: Learning from Tanzania
Authors: Mukama Kusaga , Mustalahti Irmeli , Zahabu Eliakimu
Published: December 2011

Research initiatives and practical experiences have demonstrated that forest-related data collected by local communities can play an essential role in the development of national REDD+ programs and its' measurement, reporting, verification (MRV) systems. In Tanzania, the national REDD+ Strategy aims to reward local communities participating in forest management under Participatory Forest Management (PFM). Accessing carbon finances requires among other things, accurate measurements of carbon stock changes through conventional forest inventories, something which is rarely done in PFM forests due to its high cost and limited resources. The main objective of this paper is to discuss experiences of Participatory Forest Carbon Assessment (PFCA) in Tanzania. The study revealed that villagers who participated in PFCA were able to perform most steps for carbon assessment in the field. A key challenge in future is how to finance PFCA and ensure the technical capacity at local level.
Biology of the Wild SilkmothAnaphe panda(Boisduval) in the Kakamega Forest of Western Kenya
Authors: Mbahin N. , Raina S. K. , Kioko E. N. , Mueke J. M.
Published: December 2011

A study on the life cycle of the silkmothAnaphe panda(Boisduval) was conducted in two different habitats of the Kakamega Forest in western Kenya: Ikuywa, an indigenous forest, and Isecheno, a mixed indigenous forest. Eggs were laid in clusters, and the incubation period ranged from 40 to 45 days. Larvae fed onBridelia micrantha(Hochst) and passed through seven instars. The developmental period took between 83 to 86 days in the dry season and 112 to118 days in the rainy season. The pupal period ranged between 158 and 178 days in the rainy season and, on the other hand, between 107 and 138 days in the dry season. But the later caught up in development with those that formed earlier. Moths emerged from mid-October until mid-May. Longevity of adultAnaphe pandamoths took between 4 and 6 days, but generally females seemed to live longer than males. The moth also seems to have higher lifespan in the indigenous forest compared to the mixed indigenous forest.
Assessment of the Microbiota in Microdissected Tissues of Crohn's Disease Patients
Authors: De Hertogh Gert , Lemmens Bart , Verhasselt Peter , de Hoogt Ronald , Sagaert Xavier , Joossens Marie , Van Assche Gert , Rutgeerts Paul , Vermeire Severine , Aerssens Jeroen
Published: December 2011

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract is frequently mentioned as one of the key players in the etiopathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD). Four hypotheses have been suggested: the single, still unknown bacterial pathogen, an abnormal overall composition of the bowel microbiota (“dysbiosis”), an abnormal immunological reaction to an essentially normally composed microbiota, and increased bacterial translocation. We propose that laser capture microdissection of selected microscopic structures, followed by broad-range 16S rRNA gene sequencing, is an excellent method to assess spatiotemporal alterations in the composition of the bowel microbiota in CD. Using this approach, we demonstrated significant changes of the composition, abundance, and location of the gut microbiome in this disease. Some of these abnormal findings persisted even after macroscopic mucosal healing. Further investigations along these lines may lead to a better understanding of the possible involvement of the bowel bacteria in the development of clinical Crohn's disease.
The and -Analogs of Zagreb Indices and Coindices of Graphs
Authors: Mansour Toufik , Song Chunwei
Published: December 2011

The first and second Zagreb indices were first introduced by Gutman and Trinajstić (1972). It is reported that these indices are useful in the study of anti-inflammatory activities of certain chemical instances, and in elsewhere. Recently, the first and second Zagreb coindices, a new pair of invariants, were introduced in Došlić (2008). In this paper we introduce the and ()-analogs of the above Zagreb indices and coindices and investigate the relationship between the enhanced versions to get a unified theory.
FIB-4 Index Is Associated with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Park Lesley S. , Tate Janet P. , Justice Amy C. , Lo Re Vincent , Lim Joseph K. , Bräu Norbert , Brown Sheldon T. , Butt Adeel A. , Gibert Cynthia , Goetz Matthew Bidwell , Rimland David , Rodriguez-Barradas Maria C. , Dubrow Robert
Published: December 2011

Background: Chronic inflammation caused by hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis C virus infection, and/or heavy alcohol use can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FIB-4 is an index score calculated from platelet count, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and age that predicts fibrosis and cirrhosis. We hypothesized that high FIB-4 would be associated with development of HCC in HIV-infected persons, who are at high risk due to high prevalence of viral hepatitis and alcohol consumption, and possibly due to HIV infection itself.

Methods: Using proportional hazards models, we tested this hypothesis among 22,980 HIV-infected men from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. We identified incident HCC cases from the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry.

Results: During follow-up, there were 112 incident HCC diagnoses. The age- and race/ethnic group-adjusted HR was 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.4–7.4] for intermediate FIB-4 and 13.0 (95% CI, 7.2–23.4) for high FIB-4, compared with low FIB-4. After further adjustment for enrollment year, CD4 count, HIV-1 RNA level, antiretroviral therapy use, hepatitis B and C virus infection, alcohol abuse/dependency, and diabetes, FIB-4 remained a strong, significant, independent risk factor for HCC. The multivariate-adjusted HR was 3.6 (95% CI, 2.1–6.4) for intermediate FIB-4 and 9.6 (95% CI, 5.2–17.4) for high FIB-4.

Conclusions: Calculated from routine, noninvasive laboratory tests, FIB-4 is a strong, independent HCC risk factor in HIV-infected patients.

Impact: FIB-4 might prove valuable as an easily measured index to identify those at highest risk for HCC, even prior to development of clinical cirrhosis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(12); 2512–7. ©2011 AACR.