bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical treatments: in association or alone, their role and their future perspectives
Authors: Tanaka Shinji , Arii Shigeki
Published: November 2009

Accumulated understanding of the molecular networks in the state of oncogene addiction, i.e., the “Achilles’ heel of cancer,” has led to the development of novel targeted therapies. Using genome‐wide gene expression and network analysis, we have identified “Aurora kinase B” as a unique molecule to predict the lethal recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even after curative hepatectomy. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH)‐array analysis revealed the genomic instability was closely related to Aurora kinase B expression in HCC. Then, we analyzed the in vitro and in vivo effects of a selective inhibitor of Aurora kinase B on human HCC cells. Treatment with Aurora B inhibitor in vitro resulted in polyploidy and apoptotic cell death. The growth of orthotopic liver tumors was significantly suppressed by the Aurora B inhibitor. Our preclinical studies indicate that Aurora kinase B is a promising molecular target “Achilles’ heel” for the treatment of aggressive HCC.
Mesoporous Silica‐Supported Diarylammonium Catalysts for Esterification of Free Fatty Acids in Greases
Authors: Ngo Helen L. , Zafiropoulos Nicholas A. , Foglia Thomas A. , Samulski Edward T. , Lin Wenbin
Published: November 2009

Biodiesel (BD), typically consisting of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), has received much attention because it is a renewable biofuel that contributes little to global warming compared to petroleum‐based diesel fuel. The most common method used for BD production is based on the alkali‐catalyzed transesterification of first‐use refined oils and fats with an alcohol (e.g. methanol). These technologies, however, require significant modification when applied to second use materials such as greases because of their higher free fatty acid (FFA) content. Recently, we reported a series of insoluble porous polymer grafted diphenylammonium salts that efficiently esterified the FFA in greases to FAME. In this work, the diphenylammonium salts were supported onto two robust mesoporous silicas. The resulting catalysts had high esterification activity with >99% of the FFA in greases converted to FAME, and the FFA content in the treated greases was reduced to <1 wt%. The mesoporous silica‐supported catalysts displayed minimal transesterification activity.
Fatty Acids, Tocopherols, Phenolics and the Antimicrobial Effect of Sclerocarya birrea Kernels with Different Harvesting Dates
Authors: Mariod Abdalbasit Adam , Matthäus Bertrand , Idris Yousif M. A. , Abdelwahab Siddig Ibrahim
Published: November 2009

Oil extracted from the kernel of Sclerocarya birrea with different harvesting dates was studied in terms of the oil content, fatty acids, tocopherols, phenolic compounds and antimicrobial activity. A quantitative increase in the oil content was observed to reach 63.0% at the end of the last harvesting date. The percentage of total fatty acids had altered and palmitic acid content was found to be 16.8% at the first date of harvesting and dropping for the rest of the dates to reach 14.6% by the end of the harvesting process. In the same manner, stearic acid was found to be 15.2% at the first date and this dropped dramatically to reach 8.8% by the end of the harvesting, while oleic and linoleic acids increased from 58.9 and 4.3% to 67.3 and 5.9%, respectively. Alpha and gamma tocopherols decreased rapidly, whereas the δ‐tocopherol and δ‐tocotrienol were 4.8 and 4.9 mg/100 g, respectively at the beginning and had disappeared completely by the last harvesting date. Total phenolic and flavonoid content increased continuously through the different harvesting dates. Sclerocarya birrea kernel oil was effective in inhibiting the growth of three out of four bacterial strains tested. This inhibitory effect was less than that of the control.
Predicting Temperature Dependent Viscosity for Unaltered Waste Soybean Oil Blended with Petroleum Fuels
Authors: Wagner Eugene Paul , Koehle Maura A. , Moyle Todd M. , Lambert Patrick D.
Published: November 2009

Using vegetable oil based alternative fuels for diesel engines has grown in interest over recent years due to the rising cost of petroleum products and instability in the energy marketplace. One of the major hurdles to overcome in using vegetable oil as a diesel fuel is high viscosity. Here, we experimentally determine the viscosity of unaltered waste soybean oil (WSO) blended with petroleum fuels. Three blend viscosity models Arrhenius, Wright, and the ASTM D7152‐05 Standard were evaluated for viscosity prediction accuracy over a temperature range of −10 to 40 °C. Results indicated that the Arrhenius method using volume fractions was the most accurate predictor of viscosity for binary blends made of WSO and diesel (2.31% absolute average deviation) as well as multi‐component blends made from WSO, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline (8.72% absolute average deviation). An intermolecular interaction correction factor was empirically determined for each model in an effort to improve prediction accuracy for the multi‐component blends. Using the correction constants improved the absolute average deviation for the Arrhenius method to 6.85%, 5.87% for the Wright method based on mass fractions, and 9.67% for the ASTM method based on mass fractions. The use of this correlation constant for the Arrhenius method was only helpful for blends containing more that 30% WSO, indicating that molecular interaction behavior only deviates significantly from ideality at these higher WSO fractions.
Timing matters
Authors: Klipp Edda
Published: November 2009

Cells are entities in space and time. Systems biology strives to understand their composition, structural organization as well as dynamic behavior under different conditions. Here, measures for dynamic properties such as characteristic times, time hierarchy and time‐dependent response are reviewed. Using a number of examples from yeast and micro‐organism systems biology, the importance of considering the timing in experimental and theoretical research is discussed.
Development of the genetic code: Insights from a fungal codon reassignment
Authors: Moura Gabriela R. , Paredes João A. , Santos Manuel A.S.
Published: November 2009

The high conservation of the genetic code and its fundamental role in genome decoding suggest that its evolution is highly restricted or even frozen. However, various prokaryotic and eukaryotic genetic code alterations, several alternative tRNA‐dependent amino acid biosynthesis pathways, regulation of tRNA decoding by diverse nucleoside modifications and recent in vivo incorporation of non‐natural amino acids into prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins, show that the code evolves and is surprisingly flexible. The cellular mechanisms and the proteome buffering capacity that support such evolutionary processes remain unclear. Here we explore the hypothesis that codon misreading and reassignment played fundamental roles in the development of the genetic code and we show how a fungal codon reassignment is enlightening its evolution.
Prediction of pathogenicity islands in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 using genomic barcodes
Authors: Wang Guoqing , Zhou Fengfeng , Olman Victor , Li Fan , Xu Ying
Published: November 2009

The genome of lethal animal pathogenic bacterium Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is characterized by the presence of multiple pathogenicity islands (PAIs). Computational methods have been developed to identify PAIs based on the distinguishing G + C levels in some PAI versus non‐PAI regions. We observed that PAIs can have a very similar G + C level to that of the host chromosome, which may have led to false negative predictions using these methods. We have applied a novel method of genomic barcodes to identify PAIs. Using this technique, we have successfully identified both known and novel PAIs in the genomes of three strains of EHEC O157:H7.
Direct proteasome binding and subsequent degradation of unspliced XBP‐1 prevent its intracellular aggregation
Authors: Navon Ami , Gatushkin Ariel , Zelcbuch Lior , Shteingart Shimon , Farago Marganit , Hadar Rivka , Tirosh Boaz
Published: November 2009

MINT‐7302186: XBP1‐u (uniprotkb:P17861‐1) binds (MI:0407) to Proteasome subunit alpha 6 (uniprotkb:P60900) by pull down (MI:0096)
The balance between pre‐ and post‐transfer editing in tRNA synthetases
Authors: Martinis Susan A. , Boniecki Michal T.
Published: November 2009

The fidelity of tRNA aminoacylation is dependent in part on amino acid editing mechanisms. A hydrolytic activity that clears mischarged tRNAs typically resides in an active site on the tRNA synthetase that is distinct from its synthetic aminoacylation active site. A second pre‐transfer editing pathway that hydrolyzes the tRNA synthetase aminoacyl adenylate intermediate can also be activated. Pre‐ and post‐transfer editing activities can co‐exist within a single tRNA synthetase resulting in a redundancy of fidelity mechanisms. However, in most cases one pathway appears to dominate, but when compromised, the secondary pathway can be activated to suppress tRNA synthetase infidelities.
Reporting experiments in homeopathic basic research (REHBaR) – A detailed guideline for authors
Authors: Stock-Schröer B. , Albrecht H. , Betti L. , Endler P.C. , Linde K. , Lüdtke R. , Musial F. , van Wijk R. , Witt C. , Baumgartner S.
Published: November 2009

Background:
Reporting experiments in basic research in homeopathy is an important issue as comprehensive description of what exactly was done is required. So far, there is no guideline for authors available, unlike criteria catalogues common in clinical research.

Methods:
A Delphi Process was conducted, including a total of five rounds, three rounds of adjusting and phrasing plus two consensus conferences. European researchers who published experimental work within the last five years were involved.

Results:
A checklist of 23 items was obtained and supplemented with detailed examples emphasizing what each item implies. Background, objectives and possible hypotheses should be given in the part ‘introduction’. Special emphasis is put on the ‘materials and methods’ section, where a detailed description of chosen controls, object of investigation, experimental setup, replication, parameters, intervention, allocation, blinding, and statistical methods is required. The section ‘results’ should present sufficient details on analysed data, descriptive as well as inferential. Authors should discuss their results and give an interpretation in the context of current evidence.

Conclusion:
A guideline for Reporting Experiments in Homeopathic Basic Research (REHBaR) was compiled to be applied by authors when preparing their manuscripts, and to be used by scientific journals in the reviewing process. Furthermore the guideline is a commitment to a certain minimum quality level needed in basic research, e.g. blinding and randomisation. Feedback is encouraged on applicability, strength and limitations of the list to enable future revisions.
The interaction between high ammonia diet and bile duct ligation in developing rats: assessment by spatial memory and asymmetric dimethylarginine
Authors: Huang Li‐Tung , Chen Chih‐Cheng , Sheen Jiunn‐Ming , Chen Yi‐Ju , Hsieh Chih‐Sung , Tain You‐Lin
Published: November 2009

Bile duct ligation (BDL) in developing rats causes cholestasis, impaired liver function and cognition. Because both nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia are implicated in hepatic encephalopathy (HE), we hypothesized that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NO synthase inhibitor, and ammonia affect cognition in young rats with BDL. Four groups of young male Sprague–Dawley rats ages 17 days were used: rat underwent laparotomy (SC group), rat underwent laparotomy plus a 30% ammonium acetate diet (SC + HA group), rat underwent BDL (BDL group), rats underwent BDL plus high ammonia diet (BDL + HA group). Spatial memory was assessed by Morris water maze task. Plasma was collected for biochemical and ADMA analyses. Liver and brain cortex were collected for determination of protein arginine methyltransferase‐1 (PRMT1, ADMA‐synthesizing enzyme) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH, ADMA‐metabolizing enzyme). We found BDL group had significantly higher plasma direct/total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ADMA, liver p22phox, and worse spatial performance as compared with SC group. High ammonia diet increased plasma ammonia and ADMA concentration, and aggravated spatial deficit in the presence of BDL‐induced cholestasis. We conclude plasma ADMA plays a role in BDL‐induced spatial deficit. High ammonia aggravated the spatial deficits encountered in cholestatic young rats.
Transarterial Embolization for Control of Bleeding in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Chen Yung‐Fang , Lo Yu‐Chien , Lin Wei‐Ching , Lin Chien‐Hung , Chiang Hsein‐Jar , Chen Jui‐Fen , Shen Wu‐Chung
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the efficacy of transarterial embolization for the treatment of tumor bleeding in neck tumors following radiation or chemotherapy.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a case series with chart review of 25 patients with clinically suspected tumor bleeding that occurred in the period between August 2003 and April 2007.

SETTING

All patients were admitted to and accepted treatment at China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty‐five male patients (aged 32 to 88 years) with pathologically verified malignant carcinomas of the neck received radiotherapy (n = 6), radiotherapy and chemotherapy (n = 7), or initial surgery and palliative radiotherapy or chemotherapy (n = 12). Carotid artery angiography was performed to detect tumor bleeding, and affected vessels were embolized using either Gelfoam sponge (or cubes), coils, microcoils, or a combination of these methods.

RESULTS

By angiography, patients showed tumor vessels with tumor stain (n = 13), extravasation of the contrast agent (n = 7), stenotic vessels (n = 5), pseudoaneurysm (n = 4), and arteriovenous shunt (n = 1). Transarterial embolization was performed with catheter insertion through the branches of the external carotid artery (n = 18), the external carotid artery (n = 5), or the internal carotid artery (n = 1). All patients showed dramatic clinical improvement following embolization. Patients with tongue cancer had the longest average post‐transarterial embolization hospital stay (21 days) and the highest incidence of aspiration pneumonia (3/9). After two months of follow‐up, five patients had experienced rebleeding.

CONCLUSION

Specific vessel injuries following radiation or chemotherapy require different kinds of endovascular treatment. Patients with tongue cancer should be carefully monitored for aspiration pneumonia.
Mantle to lower-crust fluid/melt transfer through granulite metamorphism
Authors: Touret J.L.R.
Published: November 2009

The “unexpected” (the word is from H.G.F. Winkler, 1974) discovery of CO2-rich inclusions in granulites has initiated a debate which, after more than 35 years, is still an important issue in metamorphic petrology. Experimental and stable isotope data have led to the conception of a “fluid-absent” model, opposed to the “fluid-assisted” hypothesis, derived from fluid inclusion evidence. Besides CO2, other fluids have been found to be of importance in these rocks, notably concentrated aqueous solutions (brines), also able to coexist with granulite mineral assemblages at high P and T. Brines also occur in inclusions or, more impressively, have left their trace in large scale metasomatic effects, typical of a number of high-grade areas: e.g., intergranular K-feldspar veining and quartz exsolution (myrmekites), carbonate metasomatism along km-scale shear zones (Norway, India), “incipient charnockites” (India, Sri Lanka, Scandinavia), highly oxidized Archean granulites. All together, this impressive amount of evidence suggests that the amount of fluids in the lower crust, under peak metamorphic conditions, was very large indeed, far too important to be only locally derived. Then, except for remnants contained in inclusions, these fluids have left the rock system during postmetamorphic uplift.

Fluid remnants identical to those occurring in deep crustal granulites are also found in mantle minerals, including diamonds. Major mantle fluid source is related to the final stages of melting processes: late magmatic emanations from alkalic basaltic melts, carbonate-metasomatizing aqueous fluids issued from igneous carbonatites. Even if a local derivation of some fluids by crustal melting cannot be excluded, most lower-crustal granulite fluids have the same origin. They are transferred from the mantle into the crust by synmetamorphic intrusives, also responsible for the high thermal gradient typical of granulites, notably HT- or UHT-types. These are mostly found in Precambrian times, generated during a small number of time intervals: e.g., around 500, 1000, 1800, 2500 Ma. HT-granulites forming events occur at world-scale in supercontinents or supercratons, either at the end of amalgamation, or shortly before breaking-off. They provide a mechanism for a vertical accretion of the continental slab, which complement the more classical way of lateral accretion above subduction zones at convergent boundaries.
Recharge to the Inter-Dune Lakes and Holocene Climatic Changes in the Badain Jaran Desert, Western China
Authors: Yang Xiaoping , Ma Nina , Dong Jufeng , Zhu Bingqi , Xu Bing , Ma Zhibang , Liu Jiaqi
Published: November 2009

We present new estimates on evaporation and groundwater recharge in the Badain Jaran Desert, western Inner Mongolia of northwestern China, based on a modified Penman Equation suitable for lakes in China. Geochemical data and water balance calculations suggest that local rainfall makes a significant contribution to groundwater recharge and that past lake-level variations in this desert environment should reflect palaeoclimatic changes. The chronology of lake-level change, established by radiocarbon and U-series disequilibrium dating methods, indicates high lake levels and a wetter climate beginning at ca. 10 ka and lasting until the late mid-Holocene in the Badain Jaran Desert. The greatest extension of lakes in the inter-dune depressions indicates that the water availability was greatest during the mid-Holocene. Relicts of Neolithic tools and pottery of Qijia Culture (2400–1900 BC) suggest relatively intensive human activity in the Badain Jaran Desert during the early and middle Holocene, supporting our interpretation of a less harsh environment. Wetter climates during the Holocene were likely triggered by an intensified East Asian summer monsoon associated with strong insolation.
Supplementation of a maternal low-protein diet in rat pregnancy with folic acid ameliorates programming effects upon feeding behaviour in the absence of disturbances to the methionine–homocysteine cycle
Authors: Engeham Sarah F. , Haase Andrea , Langley-Evans Simon C.
Published: November 2009

Maternal protein restriction in rat pregnancy is associated with altered feeding behaviour in later life. When allowed to self-select their diet, rats subject to prenatal undernutrition show an increased preference for fatty foods. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of folic acid in the maternal diet to programming of appetite, since disturbances of the folate and methionine–homocysteine cycles have been suggested to impact upon epigenetic regulation of gene expression and hence programme long-term physiology and metabolism. Pregnant rats were fed diets containing either 9 or 18 % casein by weight, with folate provided at either 1 or 5 mg/kg diet. Adult male animals exposed to low protein (LP) in fetal life exhibited increased preference for high-fat food. Providing the higher level of folate in the maternal diet prevented this effect of LP, but offspring of rats fed 18 % casein diet with additional folate behaved in a similar manner to LP-exposed animals. Among day 20 gestation fetuses, it was apparent that both protein restriction and maternal folate supplementation could have adverse effects upon placental growth. Examination of methionine–homocysteine and folate cycle intermediates, tissue glutathione concentrations and expression of mRNA for methionine synthase, DNA methyltransferase 1 and methyltetrahydrofolate reductase revealed no gross disturbances of folate and one-carbon metabolism in either maternal or fetal tissue. The present findings indicated that any role for DNA methylation in programming of physiology is not related to major perturbations of folate metabolism, and is likely to be gene-specific rather than genome-wide.
BLOWUP FOR A DEGENERATE AND SINGULAR PARABOLIC EQUATION WITH NON-LOCAL SOURCE AND ABSORPTION
Authors: ZHOU JUN , MU CHUNLAI
Published: November 2009

This paper deals with the following degenerate and singular equation

with non-local source and absorption. The existence of a unique classical non-negative solution is established and the sufficient conditions for the solution that exists globally or blows up in finite time are obtained.
COMMON FIXED POINTS OF A PAIR OF NON-EXPANSIVE MAPPINGS WITH APPLICATIONS TO CONVEX FEASIBILITY PROBLEMS
Authors: QIN XIAOLONG , CHO SUN YOUNG , ZHOU HAIYUN
Published: November 2009

Let C be a non-empty closed convex subset of a reflexive and strictly convex Banach space E which also has a weakly continuous duality map Jφ(x) with the gauge φ. Let S and T be non-expansive mappings from C into itself such that F = F(S) ∩ F(T) ≠ ∅. Let {αn} and {βn} be sequences in (0, 1). Let {xn} be a sequence defined by

where u ∈ C is a given point. Assume that the following restrictions imposed on the control sequences are satisfied:

Then the sequence {xn} converges strongly to x* ∈ F, where x* = Q(u) and Q: C → F is the unique sunny non-expansive retraction from C onto F.
φ-PRIME SUBMODULES
Authors: ZAMANI NASER
Published: November 2009

Let R be a commutative ring with non-zero identity and M be a unitary R-module. Let (M) be the set of all submodules of M, and φ: (M) → (M) ∪ {∅} be a function. We say that a proper submodule P of M is a prime submodule relative to φ or φ-prime submodule if a ∈ R and x ∈ M, with ax ∈ P ∖ φ(P) implies that a ∈(P :RM) or x ∈ P. So if we take φ(N) = ∅ for each N ∈ (M), then a φ-prime submodule is exactly a prime submodule. Also if we consider φ(N) = {0} for each submodule N of M, then in this case a φ-prime submodule will be called a weak prime submodule. Some of the properties of this concept will be investigated. Some characterisations of φ-prime submodules will be given, and we show that under some assumptions prime submodules and φ1-prime submodules coincide.
ON DUAL BAER MODULES
Authors: TÜTÜNCÜ DERYA KESKIN , TRIBAK RACHID
Published: November 2009

In this paper we introduce -non-cosingular modules, dual Baer modules and -modules. We prove that a module M is lifting and -non-cosingular if and only if it is a dual Baer and -module. Rings for which all modules are dual Baer are precisely determined. We also give a necessary condition for a finite direct sum of dual Baer modules to be dual Baer.
The rough favourable pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer
Authors: CAL RAÚL BAYOÁN , BRZEK BRIAN , JOHANSSON T. GUNNAR , CASTILLO LUCIANO
Published: November 2009

Laser Doppler anemometry measurements of the mean velocity and Reynolds stresses are carried out for a rough-surface favourable pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer. The experimental data is compared with smooth favourable pressure gradient and rough zero-pressure gradient data. The velocity and Reynolds stress profiles are normalized using various scalings such as the friction velocity and free stream velocity. In the velocity profiles, the effects of roughness are removed when using the friction velocity. The effects of pressure gradient are not absorbed. When using the free stream velocity, the scaling is more effective absorbing the pressure gradient effects. However, the effects of roughness are almost removed, while the effects of pressure gradient are still observed on the outer flow, when the mean deficit velocity profiles are normalized by the U∞ δ∗/δ scaling. Furthermore, when scaled with U2∞, the 〈u2〉 component of the Reynolds stress augments due to the rough surface despite the imposed favourable pressure gradient; when using the friction velocity scaling u∗2, it is dampened. It becomes ‘flatter’ in the inner region mainly due to the rough surface, which destroys the coherent structures of the flow and promotes isotropy. Similarly, the pressure gradient imposed on the flow decreases the magnitude of the Reynolds stress profiles especially on the 〈v2〉 and -〈uv〉 components for the u∗2 or U∞2 scaling. These effects are reflected in the boundary layer parameter δ∗/δ, which increase due to roughness, but decrease due to the favourable pressure gradient. Additionally, the pressure parameter Λ found not to be in equilibrium, describes the development of the turbulent boundary layer, with no influence of the roughness linked to this parameter. These measurements are the first with an extensive number of downstream locations (11). This makes it possible to compute the required x-dependence for the production term and the wall shear stress from the full integrated boundary layer equation. The finding indicates that the skin friction coefficient depends on the favourable pressure gradient condition and surface roughness.
Violent breaking wave impacts. Part 2: modelling the effect of air
Authors: BREDMOSE H. , PEREGRINE D. H. , BULLOCK G. N.
Published: November 2009

When an ocean wave breaks against a steep-fronted breakwater, sea wall or a similar marine structure, its impact on the structure can be very violent. This paper describes the theoretical studies that, together with field and laboratory investigations, have been carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the processes involved. The wave's approach towards a structure is modelled with classical irrotational flow to obtain the different types of impact profiles that may or may not lead to air entrapment. The subsequent impact is modelled with a novel compressible-flow model for a homogeneous mixture of incompressible liquid and ideal gas. This enables a numerical description of both trapped air pockets and the propagation of pressure shock waves through the aerated water. An exact Riemann solver is developed to permit a finite-volume solution to the flow model with smallest possible local error.

The high pressures measured during wave impacts on a breakwater are reproduced and it is shown that trapped air can be compressed to a pressure of several atmospheres. Pressure shock waves, reflected off nearby surfaces such as the seabed, can lead to pressures comparable with those of the impact. Typical examples of pressure-time histories, force and impulse are presented and discussed in terms of their practical implications. The numerical model proposed is relevant for a variety of flows where air effects are important. Further applications, including extended studies of wave impacts, are discussed.
Three-dimensional absolute and convective instabilities at the onset of convection in a porous medium with inclined temperature gradient and vertical throughflow
Authors: BREVDO LEONID
Published: November 2009

By using the mathematical formalism of absolute and convective instabilities, we study in this work the nature of unstable three-dimensional localized disturbances at the onset of convection in a flow in a saturated homogeneous porous medium with inclined temperature gradient and vertical throughflow. It is shown that for marginally supercritical values of the vertical Rayleigh numberRvthe destabilization has the character of absolute instability in all the cases in which the horizontal Rayleigh numberRhis zero or the Péclet numberQvis zero. In all the cases in whichRhandQvare both different from zero, at the onset of convection the instability is convective. In the latter cases, the growing emerging disturbance has locally the structure of a non-oscillatory longitudinal roll, and its group velocity points in the direction opposite the direction of the applied horizontal temperature gradient, i.e. parallel to the axis of the roll. The speed of propagation of the unstable wavepacket increases withQvand generally increases withRh.
Primary, combined, atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: a new variety of composite tumour
Authors: Davies-Husband C R , Montgomery P , Premachandra D , Hellquist H
Published: November 2009

Objective:

We report the first case of a laryngeal composite tumour consisting of a squamous cell carcinoma combined with an atypical carcinoid.

Methods:

Case report and review of the literature concerning laryngeal composite tumours.

Results:

Primary laryngeal carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the upper aerodigestive tract. The vast majority are of the squamous cell type. Primary neuroendocrine neoplasms represent a rare, heterogeneous subset of laryngeal malignancies, comprising typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, small cell carcinoma and paraganglioma. Primary combined neuroendocrine and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is even more rarely encountered, with only 14 publications of this so-called composite tumour to date. In each case, the neuroendocrine component has been small cell carcinoma.

Conclusion:

The treatment of primary neoplasms comprising more than one histological type is tailored to the most biologically aggressive tumour. Accurate diagnosis of the histological nature of laryngeal composite tumours is imperative to ensure optimal therapy.
Daily versus self-adjusted dosing of topical mometasone furoate nasal spray in patients with allergic rhinitis: randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Khan M A , Abou-Halawa A S , Al-Robaee A A , Alzolibani A A , Al-Shobaili H A
Published: November 2009

Background:

Many patients with allergic rhinitis are reluctant to use daily intranasal steroids for prolonged periods. A self-adjusted regimen which delivers reasonable control of allergic rhinitis may be more acceptable to such patients.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of daily use of mometasone furoate nasal spray, versus a self-adjusted regimen, in patients with chronic allergic rhinitis, in terms of symptom control and nasal volume change.

Setting:

Ambulatory visits in an office setting.

Patients and methods:

Sixty patients with chronic allergic rhinitis were randomised: 30 were prescribed mometasone furoate nasal spray once daily for six weeks, while 30 were prescribed the same spray daily for one week, every alternate day for one week and then on a self-adjusted regimen for four weeks. Patients kept a symptom diary documenting sneezing, rhinorrhoea, nasal blockage and nasal itching. Acoustic rhinometry was used to measure the total nasal cavity volume at the first visit and at the end of the treatment period.

Results:

The total nasal score on treatment days showed an improvement in both groups, compared with baseline measurements. There was no significant difference in total nasal scores between the two groups, except on days 10 (p = 0.043), 20 (p = 0.008), 23 (p = 0.19), 30 (p = 0.008) and 37 (p = 0.000), when the daily group's total nasal score was significantly lower than the self-adjusted group's total nasal score, and on day 8 (p = 0.004), when the self-adjusted group's total nasal score was significantly lower than the daily group's total nasal score. Total nasal cavity volume significantly increased in both groups (p = 0.0001), with no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Conclusions:

Self-adjusted dosage of mometasone furoate nasal spray gives reasonable control of allergic rhinitis (albeit with some ‘breakthrough’ symptoms). Patients should learn how to control these symptoms with the least number of steroid doses.
Outcome of mobile ear surgery units in Thailand
Authors: Snidvongs K , Vatanasapt P , Thanaviratananich S , Pothaporn M , Sannikorn P , Supiyaphun P
Published: November 2009

Objectives:

To evaluate the outcome of mobile ear surgery, in terms of tympanic membrane perforation closure, absence of otorrhoea and hearing threshold improvement.

Study design:

Descriptive study.

Methods:

The study enrolled patients with chronic ear disorders requiring surgery who presented to the mobile ear surgery unit at Sakaeo Hospital, Thailand, from 1 to 4 July 2008. The following data were recorded: pre-operative audiogram, post-operative middle-ear and mastoid infection, wound infection, graft condition, any complications, and post-operative audiogram. Patients were followed up at one week, two weeks, four weeks and 24 weeks post-operatively.

Results:

For the 31 cases of tympanic membrane perforation, the closure rate was 90.3 per cent. For the 32 patients with otorrhoea, the rate of ear dryness was 87.5 per cent. All 35 patients had impaired hearing initially; the rate of hearing improvement was 74.3 per cent (95 per cent confidence intervals = 56.7–87.5 per cent). Patients' mean hearing improvement was 22.9 dB.

Conclusion:

The assessed ear surgery procedures had good results.
Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage due to von Willebrand's disease
Authors: Lee D L Y , Soo G , van Hasselt C A
Published: November 2009

Objective:

We report a case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage due to underlying von
Willebrand's disease, without symptoms or signs of infection.

Method:

Case report and literature review of reported causes of spontaneous tonsillar
haemorrhage.

Case report:

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is uncommon. Acute bacterial tonsillitis,
peri-tonsillar abscess, infectious mononucleosis and idiopathic causes have been
reported. Two cases of tonsillitis with underlying bleeding disorders have been
reported. We present the first reported case of spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage
secondary to von Willebrand's disease, without evidence of tonsillitis.

Conclusion:

Spontaneous tonsillar haemorrhage is usually related to infection of the tonsils or
peri-tonsillar space. An underlying bleeding disorder should be suspected if no evidence
of infection is found.
Frontalis muscle flap: a novel method for donor site closure of an interpolated paramedian forehead flap
Authors: Montgomery J , Mace A T M , Cotter C , Sheikh S
Published: November 2009

Objective:

We present a previously unreported technique which we have found useful for closure of the donor site created by a paramedian forehead flap, during nasal reconstruction.

Case report:

An 80-year-old woman was referred to the ENT department for management of a large tumour involving the left nasal dorsum. The lesion measured 2.5 × 2.5 cm, and an incisional biopsy confirmed moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Complete excision with an interpolated paramedian forehead flap reconstruction was performed. The pedicle was divided three weeks post-operatively, and the 2 × 2 cm forehead defect was closed at this time. A frontalis muscle flap and full thickness skin graft were used to close the donor site.

Conclusion:

A frontalis muscle flap is a novel method of closing large forehead defects created by a paramedian forehead flap. A frontalis muscle flap provides a healthy base for a full thickness skin graft, which allows good skin colour matching and an enhanced cosmetic result.
Pituitary apoplexy following endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Fyrmpas G , Constantinidis J , Foroglou N , Selviaridis P
Published: November 2009

Objective:

To highlight the possibility of pituitary apoplexy after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for elimination of sinonasal infection, an important preparatory step for safe trans-sphenoidal access to the pituitary fossa.

Case report:

A 67-year-old man with a known pituitary macroadenoma developed headache, diplopia and reduced vision after endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy and ethmoidectomy for rhinosinusitis with polyps. Magnetic resonance imaging showed pituitary haemorrhage. The patient underwent emergency endoscopic trans-sphenoidal resection of the tumour, with significant symptomatic improvement. Despite mild right eyelid ptosis and persistent diabetes insipidus, the patient resumed normal activities in a few weeks. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pituitary apoplexy after a nasal operation.

Conclusion:

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening event in high risk patients with pituitary adenomas; it may occur spontaneously or after surgical procedures. Early, combined surgical intervention by rhinologists and neurosurgeons is recommended. The endoscopic trans-sphenoidal approach is a safe and effective technique for the acute management of pituitary apoplexy.
National UK survey of antibiotics prescribed for acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess
Authors: Visvanathan V , Nix P
Published: November 2009

Aim:

To survey antibiotics prescribed for patients admitted with acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess to UK ENT departments.

Materials and methods:

An anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to UK ENT consultants.

Results:

Intravenous benzylpenicillin alone was preferred significantly more often for acute tonsillitis (n = 175) than for peritonsillar abscess (83) (p < 0.001). A combination of benzylpenicillin and metronidazole was preferred significantly more often for peritonsillar abscess (n = 131) than for tonsillitis (62) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

In this survey, penicillin was the commonest antibiotic choice for tonsillitis; this is in accordance with published guidelines. For cases of peritonsillar abscess, benzylpenicillin with metronidazole was the most common antibiotic combination chosen. However, the high resolution rate of peritonsillar abscess following drainage and treatment with penicillin alone suggests that multiple antibiotics are unnecessary and inappropriate in this setting.
Aspiration and development of subglottic stenosis in patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis
Authors: Church A C , Goldsmith K , Sivasothy P
Published: November 2009

Objective:

In patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis, subglottic stenosis can develop due to active disease; however, some patients develop subglottic stenosis with no clear evidence of airway inflammation. In some cases of idiopathic subglottic stenosis, an association with gastroesophageal reflux disease has been found. Our study assessed the potential role of gastroesophageal reflux as an aetiological factor in the development of subglottic stenosis in patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis.

Design:

We assessed evidence of active reflux disease, using 24-hour pH monitoring and assessment of bile salts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Subjects:

Ten Wegener’s granulomatosis patients with subglottic stenosis underwent 24-hour pH monitoring and bronchoscopy and lavage of the right middle lobe. A similar number of control patients were included.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of bronchoalveolar bile salts in patients with subglottic stenosis (n = 2) versus control patients (zero) (p = 0.457). There was good correlation between the detection of reflux by 24-hour pH monitoring and the detection of bronchoalveolar bile salts (κ = 0.769).

Conclusion:

In this small study of patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis, there was no evidence of an association between the development of subglottic stenosis and gastroesophageal reflux.
Negative association between treated osteoporosis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in women
Authors: Mikulec A A , Kowalczyk K A , Pfitzinger M E , Harris D A , Jackson L E
Published: November 2009

Objective:

To determine the degree of association, if any, between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and osteoporosis, both of which are disorders of impaired calcium carbonate homeostasis.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was undertaken in two otology clinics to assess the prevalence of treated osteoporosis in 260 women with and without benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, between the ages of 51 and 80 years.

Results:

There was a statistically significant, negative association between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and treated osteoporosis in women aged 51 to 60 years. We also observed a trend towards a negative association for women in their 60s, and for the group as a whole.

Conclusion:

Osteoporosis, or the medication used to treat it, may provide protection against benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Is enhanced tourism a reasonable expectation for transboundary conservation? An evaluation of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Authors: SCOVRONICK NOAH C. , TURPIE JANE K.
Published: November 2009

The transnational nature of biodiversity provides impetus for transboundary protected areas, however support for these also stems from expectations of political, social or economic benefits. The sociopolitical context of southern Africa makes conservation initiatives incorporating economic development particularly appealing, and supporters of transboundary conservation advance visions of tourism growth in this regard; however, this assertion has not been objectively assessed. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, straddling South Africa and Botswana, is Africa's oldest formally recognized transfrontier park and widely viewed as the prototype for regional transboundary conservation. This paper examines visitation data combined with results from a visitor survey to indicate the tourism performance of the Park. Visitor numbers to the Park have not grown since its opening, but average length of stay and total visitor days have increased. However, it appears that this increase is primarily due to growth in bed numbers; the survey indicates that the Park's new features are only modestly used, and fewer than 10% of guests visit the adjacent country. Potential barriers to further growth include road conditions, Park size and homogeneity, and a lack of innovative tourism strategies. The need to expand socioeconomic monitoring of transboundary conservation areas in order to ensure their viability is reaffirmed.
Typological parameters of intralingual variability: Grammatical analyticity versus syntheticity in varieties of English
Authors: Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: November 2009

Drawing on terminology, concepts, and ideas developed in quantitative morphological typology, the present study takes an exclusive interest in the coding of grammatical information. It offers a sweeping overview of intralingual variability in terms of overt grammaticalanalyticity(the text frequency of free grammatical markers), grammaticalsyntheticity(the text frequency of bound grammatical markers), andgrammaticity(the text frequency of grammatical markers, bound or free) in English. The variational dimensions investigated include geography, text types, and real time. Empirically, the study taps into a number of publicly accessible text corpora that comprise a large number of different varieties of English. Results are interpreted in terms of how speakers and writers seek to achieve communicative goals while minimizing different types of complexity.
Receptive vocabulary differences in monolingual and bilingual children
Authors: BIALYSTOK ELLEN , LUK GIGI , PEETS KATHLEEN F. , YANG SUJIN
Published: November 2009

Studies often report that bilingual participants possess a smaller vocabulary in the language of testing than monolinguals, especially in research with children. However, each study is based on a small sample so it is difficult to determine whether the vocabulary difference is due to sampling error. We report the results of an analysis of 1,738 children between 3 and 10 years old and demonstrate a consistent difference in receptive vocabulary between the two groups. Two preliminary analyses suggest that this difference does not change with different language pairs and is largely confined to words relevant to a home context rather than a school context.
Glial imaging during synapse remodeling at the neuromuscular junction
Authors: Zuo Yi , Bishop Derron
Published: November 2009

Glia are an indispensable structural and functional component of the synapse. They modulate synaptic transmission and also play important roles in synapse formation and maintenance. The vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a classic model synapse. Due to its large size, simplicity and accessibility, the NMJ has contributed greatly to our understanding of synapse development and organization. In the past decade, the NMJ has also emerged as an effective model for studying glia–synapse interactions, in part due to the development of various labeling techniques that permit NMJs and associated Schwann cells (the glia at NMJs) to be visualizedin vitroandin vivo. These approaches have demonstrated that Schwann cells are actively involved in synapse remodeling both during early development and in post-injury reinnervation.In vivoimaging has also recently been combined with serial section transmission electron microscopic (ssTEM) reconstruction to directly examine the ultrastructural organization of remodeling NMJs. In this review, we focus on the anatomical studies of Schwann cell dynamics and their roles in formation, maturation and remodeling of vertebrate NMJs using the highest temporal and spatial resolution methods currently available.
Never Surrender? How Women's Groups Abandoned Their Policy Niche in U.S. Foreign Policy Debates, 1916–2000
Authors: Goss Kristin A.
Published: November 2009

From World War I through the 1960s, U.S. women's organizations regularly trekked to Capitol Hill to influence congressional foreign policy debates. Yet by the 1990s, these groups had largely disengaged from international affairs. Why? Using an original data set of women's group appearances before Congress from 1916 to 2000, this study documents and explains this puzzling development by exploring the mutually reinforcing linkages among women's identity, claims to issue ownership, and interest group evolution. In the case at hand, the advent of citizen and economic groups competing with women's organizations for ownership of foreign policy questions, coupled with the declining legitimacy of gender “difference” arguments and the resurgence of “sameness” arguments, led women's groups to focus on the dimensions of foreign policy affecting women's rights and status, in particular, and to abandon less explicitly gendered foreign policy issues almost entirely. As multipurpose women's associations declined in vitality, and feminist groups fueled by newly available philanthropic dollars staked claim to women's rights-and-status questions, organized womanhood surrendered much of the foreign-policy issue space over which women had long claimed political authority, and women's groups' presence on Capitol Hill waned.
Embargoed Sexuality: Rape and the Gender of Citizenship in American Immigration Law
Authors: Rollins Joe
Published: November 2009

Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States face an unpredictable area of the law. Nonetheless, gay male applicants for asylum seem more likely to succeed if they present evidence of persecution that includes allegations of rape; gay Asian immigrants are less likely than other men to be granted refugee status even when they report having been victims of rape. These two findings suggest that immigration judges, officials with the Bureau of Immigration Appeals, and appellate court judges read and interpret the gender, sexuality, and persecution of the applicants before them through lenses colored by racial expectations. An intersectional analysis of gender, sexuality, and citizenship shows that whereas immigration law is unstable, Western conceptions of sexuality are static and that ethnicity influences judges' conceptions regarding the gender of citizenship.