bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel regulation of checkpoint kinase 1: Is checkpoint kinase 1 a good candidate for anti‐cancer therapy?
Authors: Goto Hidemasa , Izawa Ichiro , Li Ping , Inagaki Masaki
Published: March 2012

DNA‐damaging strategies, such as radiotherapy and the majority of chemotherapeutic therapies, are the most frequently used non‐surgical anti‐cancer therapies for human cancers. These therapies activate DNA damage/replication checkpoints, which induce cell‐cycle arrest to provide the time needed to repair DNA damage. Due to genetic defect(s) in the ATM (ataxia‐telangiectasia mutated)‐Chk2‐p53 pathway, an ATR (ATM‐ and Rad3‐related)‐Chk1‐Cdc25 route is the sole checkpoint pathway in a majority of cancer cells. Chk1 inhibitors are expected to selectively induce the mitotic cell death (mitotic catastrophe) of cancer cells. However, recent new findings have pointed out that Chk1 is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity even during unperturbed cell‐cycle progression, which is controlled by a variety of protein kinases. These observations have raised concerns about a possible risk of Chk1 inhibitors on the clinics. In this review, we summarize recent advances in Chk1 regulation by phosphorylation, and discuss Chk1 as a molecular target for cancer therapeutics. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1195–1200)
Cleaved antithrombin (ATc): A new marker for thrombin generation and activation of the coagulation system
Authors: Lindo Vivian S. , Kakkar Vijay V. , Melissari Euthemia
Published: March 2012

Summary. A modified form of antithrombin (AT) cleaved at the active site by thrombin (ATc) has been shown to be generated in vivo, corresponding to 1–4% of the circulating AT. An enzyme immunoassay has been developed for measuring ATc following plasma treatment with ammonium sulphate and heat denaturation of native AT. ATc plasma levels were found to be significantly higher (P= 0.003) in patients developing venous thromboembolism when compared to patients without such events or healthy controls (age and sex matched). In addition, ATc levels correlated with thrombin generation markers: thrombin–AT complex (r2= 0.66, P= 0.005) and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (r2= 0.58, P= 0.018), but, in contrast to both these markers, elevated ATc levels were detected for at least 2 weeks after the thromboembolic event. In conclusion, ATc appears to be a new marker for thrombin generation and overall activation of the coagulation system, having the advantage of being detected in the circulation for a longer period than other thrombin generation markers.
Plasma nitrate concentrations in neutropenic and non‐neutropenic patients with suspected septicaemia
Authors: Neilly Ian J. , Copland Mhairi , Haj Montaser , Adey Gillian , Benjamin Nigel , Bennett Bruce
Published: March 2012

Summary. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important physiological mediator of vascular tone and is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of septic shock. Plasma nitrate is the stable end product of NO oxidation and in part reflects endogenous NO production. We measured plasma nitrate levels in 47 episodes of suspected septicaemia in 43 in‐patients (16 male and 27 female, age 15–63 years). Nitrate concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to healthy controls. Further analysis revealed that significantly elevated levels occurred only in the septic patients who had normal or elevated numbers of neutrophils in the peripheral blood and were hypotensive on presentation. Failure of plasma nitrate concentrations to rise significantly in patients with neutropenia suggests that this cell type may be important in the activation of the arginine‐NO system in severe sepsis in man.
Absence of hepatitis A virus transmission by high‐purity solvent detergent treated coagulation factor concentrates in Scottish haemophiliacs
Authors: Watson Henry G. , Ludlam Christopher A. , McOmish Fiona , Dennis Rosemary , Hart Helena , Simmonds Peter
Published: March 2012

Summary. Recent reports of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in haemophiliacs receiving high‐purity solvent detergent (HP.SD) treated factor VIII concentrates have brought into question the efficacy of this virucidal method for inactivating HAV. To assess whether HAV may have been transmitted by HP.SD concentrates, we compared seroprevalence in haemophiliacs with different disease severity, sought evidence of seroconversion to HAV since introduction of HP.SD products, and directly examined concentrates for HAV RNA by PCR. Our data suggest that Scottish haemophiliacs are not being infected with HAV by HP.SD concentrates produced initially by CRTS Lille and presently by PFC Edinburgh and supplied by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS).
Detection of t(14;18) in British follicular lymphoma using cytogenetics, Southern blotting and the polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Turner Gillian E. , Ross Fiona M. , Krajewski Andrew S.
Published: March 2012

Summary. Cytogenetics, Southern blotting and PCR were used to detect t(14;18) in 72 British patients with follicular lymphoma. The overall incidence of the translocation was 76%. Cytogenetics was the most successful technique, but 10–30% of translocations detected karyotypically were missed by molecular methods, presumably due to breakpoints falling outside the range of probes and primers used here. Reliance on molecular detection alone may considerably underestimate the incidence of t(14;18) and it is therefore essential to use the most comprehensive range of probes and primers available.
Carbon burial by shallow lakes on the Yangtze floodplain and its relevance to regional carbon sequestration
Authors: Dong Xuhui , Anderson N. John , Yang Xiangdong , chen Xu , Shen Ji
Published: March 2012

Floodplain lakes may play an important role in the cycling of organic matter at the landscape scale. For those lakes on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze (MLY) floodplain which are subjected to intense anthropogenic disturbance, carbon burial rates should, theoretically, be substantial due to the high nutrient input, increased primary production and high sediment accumulation rates. There are more than 600 lakes >1 km2 on the Yangtze floodplain including 18 lakes >100 km2 and most are shallow and eutrophic. 210Pb‐dated cores were combined with total organic carbon (TOC) analyses to determine annual C accumulation rates (C AR; g C m−2 yr−1) and the total C stock (since ~1850). The sediment TOC content is relatively low with an average <2% in most lakes. C AR ranged from ~5 to 373 g C m−2 yr−1, resulting in C standing stocks of 0.60–15.3 kg C m−2 (mean: ~5 kg C m−2) since ~1850. A multicore study of Chaohu lake (770 km2) indicated that spatial variability of C burial was not a significant problem for regional upscaling. The possible effect of changes in lake size and catchment land use on C burial was examined at Taibai lake and indicated that lake shrinkage and declining arable agriculture had limited effects on C AR. The organic C standing stock in individual lakes is, however, significantly dependent on lake size, allowing a simple linear scaling for all the MLY lakes. Total regional C sequestration was ~80 Tg C since ~1850, equivalent to ~11% of C sequestration by soils, but in ~3% of the land area. Shallow lakes from MLY are a substantial regional C sink, although strong mineralization occurs due to their shallow nature and their role as C sinks is threatened due to lake drainage.
Prognostic value and cost‐effectiveness of different screening strategies for HLA antibodies prior to kidney transplantation
Authors: Ziemann Malte , Schönemann Constanze , Bern Christina , Lachmann Nils , Nitschke Martin , Fricke Lutz , Görg Siegfried
Published: March 2012

HLA antibody screening is conducted routinely prior to kidney transplantation, but the comparative prognostic value and cost‐effectiveness of different methods are unclear. Pre‐transplant sera of 141 patients transplanted between 1998 and 2000 were screened by ELISA and Luminex assays, and antibody specificities of reactive sera determined using bead array techniques. ELISA screening detected donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) in 19 patients, who had a higher incidence of impaired graft function (60% vs. 20%, p = 0.04) and antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) within 90 d after transplantation (AMR, 35% vs. 5%, p = 0.02). Luminex screening detected eight additional patients with DSA, among those one with AMR. Six of eight patients with Luminex‐only‐DSA reported no prior immunizing events. Death‐censored graft survival was shorter only in patients with DSA and AMR (median, 1.7 yr instead of between 9.5 and 11.0 yr for patients without DSA or patients with DSA but no AMR, p < 0.001). Material costs per detected clinically relevant DSA were about 57% higher for Luminex screening, but this increase could be avoided by modifying the cut‐off recommended by the manufacturer. Conclusively, specification of antibodies only in sera reactive in screening tests was cost‐effective to prevent shortened graft survival. Preformed DSA were only harmful if AMR was diagnosed within 90 d after transplantation.
Allergy to goat’s and sheep’s milk in a population of cow’s milk–allergic children treated with oral immunotherapy*
Authors: Rodríguez del Río Pablo , Sánchez‐García Silvia , Escudero Carmelo , Pastor‐Vargas Carlos , Sánchez Hernández José J. , Pérez‐Rangel Inmaculada , Ibáñez María Dolores
Published: March 2012

To cite this article: Rodríguez del Río P, Sánchez‐García S, Escudero C, Pastor‐Vargas C, Sánchez Hernández JJ, Pérez‐Rangel I, Ibáñez MD. Allergy to goat’s and sheep’s milk in a population of cow’s milk–allergic children treated with oral immunotherapy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 128–132.

Background:  Cow’s milk oral immunotherapy (CMOIT) is a recognized treatment for persistent cow’s milk (CM) allergy. However, further data are necessary on tolerance to milk from other mammals.

Objective:  To describe the clinical and immunologic features of goat’s and sheep’s milk (GSM) allergy in patients who tolerated CM after CMOIT.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight CM‐allergic patients who successfully underwent CMOIT in our department were evaluated using skin prick test (SPT), specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E determination, enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA), and controlled oral challenge to assess allergy to GSM. Statistical analysis was carried out to identify markers of allergy to GSM.

Results:  Fifteen of 58 (25.9%) patients were allergic to either goat’s or sheep’s milk or to both, as confirmed by a controlled positive oral challenge. Forty‐seven percent of all positive oral challenges were classified as anaphylactic reactions. Specific IgE to CM casein, goat’s whole milk, and sheep’s whole milk was 13.2, 18.0, and 21.4 kUA/l in the group of GSM‐allergic patients and 6.6, 6.5, and 6.5 kUA/l in the GSM‐non‐allergic patients (p < 0.05). Decision‐making cut‐off points based on sIgE for diagnosing symptomatic GSM allergy could not be determined. ELISA inhibition assays showed limited cross‐reactivity (up to 77.2%) between CM casein and GSM casein in the group of GSM‐allergic patients in contrast with almost 100% in GSM‐not‐allergic patients.

Conclusion:  We found a high prevalence (26%) of allergy to GSM in our population of CM–allergic children treated with oral immunotherapy. Therefore, tolerance to GSM should be assessed in order to provide accurate nutritional advice and minimize life‐threatening accidental intake. Specific IgE to CM casein, goat’s and sheep′s whole milk is a good marker of this allergy. Although CM oral immunotherapy is a specific treatment for CM allergy, it may not be effective against allergy to the milk of other mammals.
Survey of Australian practitioners' provision of healthy lifestyle advice to clients who are obese
Authors: Ashby Samantha , James Carole , Plotnikoff Ronald , Collins Clare , Guest Maya , Kable Ashley , Snodgrass Suzanne
Published: March 2012

Obesity is a global issue, with healthcare practitioners increasingly involved in clinical interactions with people who are overweight or obese. These interactions are opportunities to provide evidence‐based healthy lifestyle advice, and impact on public health. This study used a cross‐sectional survey of Australian healthcare practitioners to investigate what influenced the provision of healthy lifestyle advice to obese and overweight clients. A modified theory of planned behavior was used to explore knowledge translation processes. Knowledge translation was linked to three factors: (i) a healthcare practitioner's education and confidence in the currency of their knowledge; (ii) personal characteristics – whether they accepted that providing this advice was within their domain of practice; and (iii) the existence of organizational support structures, such as access to education, and best practice guidelines. To fulfill the potential role healthcare practitioners can play in the provision of evidence‐based health promotion advice requires organizations to provide access to practice guidelines and to instill a belief in their workforce that this is a shared professional domain.
Meat intake frequency and anemia in Japanese children and adolescents
Authors: Kunitsugu Ichiro , Okuda Masayuki , Sugiyama Shinichi , Yoshitake Norikazu , Tanizawa Yukio , Sasaki Satoshi , Hobara Tatsuya
Published: March 2012

The consumption of meat products is considered to be a feasible solution to prevent anemia, which is a critical health problem. The present study assessed hematological parameters and the prevalence of anemia in Japanese children and adolescents, and examined the association with the frequency of meat intake. Data from the Shunan Children Health Cohort Study were analyzed. The participants included male and female residents, 3373 children (aged 10–11 years), and 3085 adolescents (aged 13–14 years). The frequency of meat intake was determined with a questionnaire, and blood samples were analyzed. Anemia was defined according to the criteria of the World Health Organization. The prevalence of anemia in children was 3.6% and 2.5% in girls and boys, respectively, and in adolescents, it was 4.5% in girls and 0.8% in boys. The frequency of meat intake did not show a positive association with the hematological indices or the prevalence of anemia. These results suggest that the promotion of meat consumption is not an effective strategy to decrease anemia, and that other approaches are necessary to prevent anemia in this population.
Risk factors associated with cognitive decline in the elderly with type 2 diabetes: Baseline data analysis of the Japanese elderly diabetes intervention trial
Authors: Umegaki Hiroyuki , Iimuro Satoshi , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Araki Atsushi , Sakurai Takashi , Iijima Katsuya , Ohashi Yasuo , Ito Hideki ,   the Japanese Elderly Diabetes Intervention Trial Study Group
Published: March 2012

Aim:  Recent evidence has shown that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the elderly is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction or dementia. However, the precise mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. In the current study, we attempted to elucidate the association of clinical indices and diabetic complications at baseline with cognitive declines after 6‐year follow up in type 2 diabetic elderly.

Methods:  The subjects were 261 participants who were administered the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and after 6 years, at the end of the observation period. The cognitive decline was determined as a 5‐point or greater decline in MMSE scores during the observation period. Logistic regression analysis to find the factors associated with cognitive decline, adjusted for age and sex, were carried out, and factors with P‐values of less than 0.2 were included in four models of multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results:  We found that the existence of diabetic nephropathy, higher systolic blood pressure and higher serum triglycerides (or lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) at baseline were significantly associated with cognitive declines after 6 years in Japanese elderly diabetics in all four models.

Conclusion:  The comorbidity of diabetic nephropathy, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia at baseline were associated with more than 5‐point declines in MMSE. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of this association is warranted. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12 (Suppl. 1): 103–109.
Off‐hour effects on stroke care and outcome in stroke centres
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez M. M. , Fernández‐Travieso J. , Fuentes B. , Ruiz‐Ares G. , Martínez‐Sánchez P. , Cazorla García R. , Rodríguez de Antonio L. A. , Alonso‐Singer P. , Oliva‐Navarro J. , Díez‐Tejedor E.
Published: March 2012

Background and purpose:  Poorer stroke care processes and outcomes have been reported for acute stroke patients arriving at centres during off hours and weekends.

Objective:  To compare each step of the continuous specialized care that Stroke Centres (SC) provide according to time of admission and final outcome.

Methods:  Observational study of consecutive stroke patients admitted to SC during 2008 and 2009. Patients were classified into two groups according to their arrival time: Work Hours (WH) and Off Hour (OH) (weekends and any time other than 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays). Differences in time to diagnostic procedures, tPA administration, stroke outcome [modified Rankin Scale, (mRS)] and in‐hospital fatality rates were analysed.

Results:  A total of 912 patients were admitted. Data from 674 patients fulfilling study criteria were analysed. A total of 434 (64.4%) patients arrived during OH. No differences in stroke severity were found when comparing OH and WH. Time to blood test results was higher for WH (median 67 min vs. 47 min; P < 0.01), but time to cranial CT scan was similar. Intravenous tPA was administered to 58 (16.4%) OH vs. 26 (13.1%) WH patients (P = 0.33). OH arrival was not associated with poorer outcome (mRS ≥ 3) at discharge (32.8% vs. 37%; P = 0.27), or at the 3‐month follow‐up (30.6% vs. 27.6%, P = 0.52). No differences were found for in‐hospital fatality rates (5.8% vs. 5.4%, P = 1.00).

Conclusions:  The care provided by SC with neurologists on call 24/7 prevents differences in outcomes associated with time of admission and guarantees equal attention to stroke patients.
Loss of temporal retinal nerve fibers in Parkinson disease: a mitochondrial pattern?
Authors: La Morgia C. , Barboni P. , Rizzo G. , Carbonelli M. , Savini G. , Scaglione C. , Capellari S. , Bonazza S. , Giannoccaro M. P. , Calandra‐Buonaura G. , Liguori R. , Cortelli P. , Martinelli P. , Baruzzi A. , Carelli V.
Published: March 2012

Background and purpose:  Optic nerve involvement is frequent in mitochondrial disease, and retinal abnormalities are described in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods:  We evaluated retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness by optical coherence tomography in 43 patients with PD and in 86 age‐matched controls. We considered separately the eyes ipsilateral and contralateral to the most affected body side in patients with PD. ancova analysis, Pearson test, and multiple regression analysis were used (P < 0.05).

Results:  Patients with PD showed significantly thinner temporal RNFL thickness compared to controls (P = 0.004), more evident in the eye contralateral to the most affected body side. Average RNFL thickness significantly correlated with age in both controls and patients with PD (P‐values ranging from 0.001 to 0.019), whereas in patients with PD RNFL thickness did not correlate with clinical variables.

Conclusions:  Our study reveals a loss of retinal nerve fibers in the temporal quadrant in PD, which is typically susceptible in mitochondrial optic neuropathies.
Development of a real‐time PCR method for the detection of fossil 16S rDNA fragments of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in the sediments of Lake Cadagno
Authors: RAVASI D. F. , PEDUZZI S. , GUIDI V. , PEDUZZI R. , WIRTH S. B. , GILLI A. , TONOLLA M.
Published: March 2012

Lake Cadagno is a crenogenic meromictic lake situated in the southern range of the Swiss Alps characterized by a compact chemocline that has been the object of many ecological studies. The population dynamics of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in the chemocline has been monitored since 1994 with molecular methods such as 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis. To reconstruct paleo‐microbial community dynamics, we developed a quantitative real‐time PCR methodology for specific detection of 16S rRNA gene sequences of purple and green sulfur bacteria populations from sediment samples. We detected fossil 16S rDNA of nine populations of phototrophic sulfur bacteria down to 9‐m sediment depth, corresponding to about 9500 years of the lake’s biogeological history. These results provide the first evidence for the presence of 16S rDNA of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in Holocene sediments of an alpine meromictic lake and indicate that the water column stratification and the bacterial plume were already present in Lake Cadagno thousands of years ago. The finding of Chlorobium clathratiforme remains in all the samples analyzed shows that this population, identified in the water column only in 2001, was already a part of the lake’s biota in the past.
Reviewing the reliability, effectiveness and applications of Licox in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Keddie Stephen , Rohman Lebur
Published: March 2012

Aims and Objectives: To review the pathophysiology, accuracy, effectiveness and use of Licox for brain tissue oxygen monitoring in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Background: The Licox monitoring system allows continuous monitoring of partial pressure of brain tissue oxygen (PbO2), brain tissue temperature and intracranial pressure (ICP). The application and effectiveness of the use of Licox in TBI is not clearly explored within the literature.

Inclusion Criteria: A date limit of 1995–2009, English language, all animal and human studies and the following terms were searched: Licox, brain tissue oxygenation, cerebral oxygenation and TBI. MEDLINE database was the primary data source.

Exclusion Criteria: All paediatric papers were excluded from the search. Studies not related to pathophysiology and management of TBI and brain tissue oximetry in adults were excluded. Data relevant to the subject under consideration were extracted by three independent clinicians to form a narrative report. Studies were critically evaluated using the NHS Public Health Resource Unit's checklist for each study analysed.

Conclusions: Licox offers new insights into cerebral pathology and physiology. The continuous bedside monitoring provides real‐time data that can be used to improve patient management and prognosis in specialist units by trained and experienced staff. More research is required to understand the limitations of this technology and why it is not in widespread use.

Relevence to Clinical Practice: A clinical tool that could be utilized more often in the right setting to improve care to patients suffering from TBI by disseminating more information on this unique tool.
Early Repolarization and Its Modification by Preexcitation in Two Patients with Intermittent Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome
Authors: HASEGAWA KANAE , SATO AKINORI , WATANABE HIROSHI , FURUSHIMA HIROSHI , CHINUSHI MASAOMI , AIZAWA YOSHIFUSA
Published: March 2012

We report two cases of intermittent Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome. In one patient, early repolarization (ER) was masked during preexcitation whereas in the other, J wave‐like notches were observed in the right precordial leads only during preexcitation. The clinical significance of ER is not apparent in WPW syndrome but some possible mechanisms are discussed.

(PACE 2012; 35:e231–e233)
Sleep Syncope: Treatment with a Permanent Pacemaker
Authors: RYTLEWSKI JASON A. , LEE JOHN T. , RAJ SATISH R.
Published: March 2012

Vasovagal syncope usually occurs during upright posture, but Jardine et al. have described a variant that occurs at night. During “sleep syncope” patients are awakened from sleep with nausea, abdominal cramping, or a sense of impending diarrhea; get up; and faint in the bathroom. We report on a patient with recurrent sleep syncope (with physical injury) in whom an asystolic pause was documented during one of her “sleep syncope” spells. Implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker (5‐year follow‐up) “cured” her of further syncope. This is a report of pacemaker use for this unusual form of reflex syncope.

(PACE 2012;xx; e1–e4)
Soil environmental heterogeneity allows spatial co‐occurrence of competitor earthworm species in a gallery forest of the Colombian ‘Llanos’
Authors: Jiménez Juan‐José , Decaëns Thibaud , Rossi Jean‐Pierre
Published: March 2012

Disentangling how communities of soil organisms are deterministically structured by abiotic and biotic factors is of utmost relevance, and few data sets on co‐occurrence patterns exist in soil ecology compared to other disciplines. In this study, we assessed species spatial co‐occurrence and niche overlap together with the heterogeneity of selected soil properties in a gallery forest (GF) of the Colombian Llanos. We used null‐model analysis to test for non‐random patterns of species co‐occurrence and body size in assemblages of earthworms and whether the pattern observed was the result of environmental heterogeneity or biotic processes structuring the community at small scales by means of co‐inertia analysis (CoIA). The results showed that earthworm species co‐occurred more frequently than expected by chance at short distances, and CoIA highlighted a significant specific relationship between earthworm species and soil variables. The effect of soil environmental heterogeneity on one litter‐feeding species but also the impact of soil‐feeding species on soil physical properties was revealed. Correlogram analysis on the first axis extracted in the CoIA showed the scale of the common structure shared by the fauna and soil variable tables. The earthworm community was not deterministically structured by competition and co‐occurrence of competing species was facilitated by soil environmental heterogeneity at small scales in the GF. Our results agreed with the coexistence aggregation model which suggests that spatial aggregation of competitors at patchily distributed resources (environment) can facilitate species coexistence.
Tree‐Based Intercropping in Southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Toor Imran A. , Smith Elwin G. , Whalen Joann K. , Naseem Anwar
Published: March 2012

Tree‐based intercropping (TBI) integrates tree production within annual grain cropping. The system is widely used in tropical regions, but is not common in temperate regions. This study evaluates the annualized return from TBI systems in southern Ontario, Canada against annual grain crop production. The TBI systems include hybrid poplar, Norway spruce, and red oak. The annualized return for all TBI systems is less than for annual cropping using the base prices; however, when tree prices are high and grain prices low the hybrid poplar TBI system has a higher return than annual cropping. Grants for planting trees, technologies to reduce the cost of establishing and maintaining trees, and improving the returns from tree production will be required for producers in temperate regions to adopt TBI systems.

Un système de cultures intercalaires (SCI) intègre la production d’arbres dans la culture annuelle de céréales. Ce système est largement utilisé dans les régions tropicales, mais peu courant dans les régions tempérées. La présente étude évalue le rendement annualisé des SCI dans le sud de l’Ontario, au Canada, par rapport à celui de la production annuelle de céréales. Les SCI intègrent le peuplier hybride, l’épinette de Norvège et le chêne rouge. Le rendement annualisé des SCI est inférieur à celui des cultures annuelles si l’on utilise les prix de référence. Toutefois, lorsque les prix des arbres sont élevés et que les prix des céréales sont faibles, le SCI qui intègre le peuplier hybride obtient un rendement supérieur à celui des cultures annuelles. Pour que les agriculteurs des régions tempérées adoptent les SCI, il faudra offrir des subventions à la plantation d’arbres, offrir des technologies qui permettront de réduire les coûts de plantation et d’entretien des arbres et améliorer les rendements/revenus de la production d’arbres.
In situ TCE degradation mediated by complex dehalorespiring communities during biostimulation processes
Authors: Dugat‐Bony Eric , Biderre‐Petit Corinne , Jaziri Faouzi , David Maude M. , Denonfoux Jérémie , Lyon Delina Y. , Richard Jean‐Yves , Curvers Cyrille , Boucher Delphine , Vogel Timothy M. , Peyretaillade Eric , Peyret Pierre
Published: March 2012

The bioremediation of chloroethene contaminants in groundwater polluted systems is still a serious environmental challenge. Many previous studies have shown that cooperation of several dechlorinators is crucial for complete dechlorination of trichloroethene to ethene. In the present study, we used an explorative functional DNA microarray (DechloArray) to examine the composition of specific functional genes in groundwater samples in which chloroethene bioremediation was enhanced by delivery of hydrogen‐releasing compounds. Our results demonstrate for the first time that complete biodegradation occurs through spatial and temporal variations of a wide diversity of dehalorespiring populations involving both Sulfurospirillum, Dehalobacter, Desulfitobacterium, Geobacter and Dehalococcoides genera. Sulfurospirillum appears to be the most active in the highly contaminated source zone, while Geobacter was only detected in the slightly contaminated downstream zone. The concomitant detection of both bvcA and vcrA genes suggests that at least two different Dehalococcoides species are probably responsible for the dechlorination of dichloroethenes and vinyl chloride to ethene. These species were not detected on sites where cis‐dichloroethene accumulation was observed. These results support the notion that monitoring dechlorinators by the presence of specific functional biomarkers using a powerful tool such as DechloArray will be useful for surveying the efficiency of bioremediation strategies.
The state of talent management in Canada's public sector
Authors: Glenn Ted
Published: March 2012

For more than a decade, senior officials from across Canada's public sector have identified the capacity to “recruit and retain highly‐trained, qualified staff” as central to public service renewal and success in the 21st century. And yet, despite the consensus behind this priority, students of Canadian public administration know little about the strategies and programs that are in place to attract, recruit, retain and transition key public servants in this country. This article tries to address this gap by describing talent management, one approach to getting “the right people in the right place at the right time” currently in use in British Columbia, Canada, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The article concludes with some observations about the present and future of talent management in Canada's public sector.
Dopant depletion in the near surface region of thermally prepared silicon (100) in UHV
Authors: Pitters Jason L. , Piva Paul G. , Wolkow Robert A.
Published: March 2012

Degenerately doped (arsenic) n-type hydrogen terminated silicon (100) samples were prepared using various heat treatments for ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) analysis. Samples heat treated to 1050 °C were found to have a consistent level of doping throughout the bulk and near surface regions. STS revealed tunneling through dopant states consistent with degenerately doped samples. SIMS profiling and HREELS measurements confirmed dopant and carrier concentrations, respectively. Samples heated to 1250 °C were found to have a reduced concentration of dopants in the near surface region. STS measurements showed shifted I/V curves and the loss of tunneling through dopant states in the band gap, indicating reduced dopant concentrations. Observations were confirmed by SIMS and HREELS where depleted dopants and reduced carrier concentrations were measured. The effect of the varying surface dopant concentrations on the STM imaging characteristics of dangling bonds on hydrogen terminated surfaces was also investigated. Understanding the effect of thermal processing on near surface dopant atom concentrations will permit better control over equilibrium charge occupation and charging characteristics of dangling bond midgap states on H:silicon.
A role for aberrant protein palmitoylation in FFA-induced ER stress and β-cell death
Authors: Baldwin Aaron C. , Green Christopher D. , Olson L. Karl , Moxley Michael A. , Corbett John A.
Published: March 2012

Exposure of insulin-producing cells to elevated levels of the free fatty acid (FFA) palmitate results in the loss of β-cell function and induction of apoptosis. The induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one mechanism proposed to be responsible for the loss of β-cell viability in response to palmitate treatment; however, the pathways responsible for the induction of ER stress by palmitate have yet to be determined. Protein palmitoylation is a major posttranslational modification that regulates protein localization, stability, and activity. Defects in, or dysregulation of, protein palmitoylation could be one mechanism by which palmitate may induce ER stress in β-cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that palmitate-induced ER stress and β-cell toxicity are mediated by excess or aberrant protein palmitoylation. In a concentration-dependent fashion, palmitate treatment of RINm5F cells results in a loss of viability. Similar to palmitate, stearate also induces a concentration-related loss of RINm5F cell viability, while the monounsaturated fatty acids, such as palmoleate and oleate, are not toxic to RINm5F cells. 2-Bromopalmitate (2BrP), a classical inhibitor of protein palmitoylation that has been extensively used as an inhibitor of G protein-coupled receptor signaling, attenuates palmitate-induced RINm5F cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. The protective effects of 2BrP are associated with the inhibition of [3H]palmitate incorporation into RINm5F cell protein. Furthermore, 2BrP does not inhibit, but appears to enhance, the oxidation of palmitate. The induction of ER stress in response to palmitate treatment and the activation of caspase activity are attenuated by 2BrP. Consistent with protective effects on insulinoma cells, 2BrP also attenuates the inhibitory actions of prolonged palmitate treatment on insulin secretion by isolated rat islets. These studies support a role for aberrant protein palmitoylation as a mechanism by which palmitate enhances ER stress activation and causes the loss of insulinoma cell viability.
Improved Haptic Linear Lines for Better Movement Accuracy in Upper Limb Rehabilitation
Authors: De Boeck Joan , Vanacken Lode , Notelaers Sofie , Coninx Karin
Published: March 2012

Force feedback has proven to be beneficial in the domain of robot-assisted rehabilitation. According to the patients' personal needs, the generated forces may either be used to assist, support, or oppose their movements. In our current research project, we focus onto the upper limb training for MS (multiple sclerosis) and CVA (cerebrovascular accident) patients, in which a basic building block to implement many rehabilitation exercises was found. This building block is a haptic linear path: a second-order continuous path, defined by a list of points in space. Earlier, different attempts have been investigated to realize haptic linear paths. In order to have a good training quality, it is important that the haptic simulation is continuous up to the second derivative while the patient is enforced to follow the path tightly, even when low or no guiding forces are provided. In this paper, we describe our best solution to these haptic linear paths, discuss the weaknesses found in practice, and propose and validate an improvement.
L-BLP25 Vaccine plus Letrozole Induces a TH1 Immune Response and Has Additive Antitumor Activity in MUC1-Expressing Mammary Tumors in Mice
Authors: Mehta Neelima R. , Wurz Gregory T. , Burich Rebekah A. , Greenberg Brittany E. , Griffey Stephen , Gutierrez Audrey , Bell Katie E. , McCall Jamie L. , Wolf Michael , DeGregorio Michael
Published: March 2012

Purpose: In this study, we examine the immunomodulatory effects and antitumor activity of tamoxifen and letrozole when combined with the human epithelial mucin (hMUC1)-specific vaccine, L-BLP25, in the hMUC1-expressing mammary tumor (MMT) mouse model.

Experimental Design: Dose-finding studies were conducted for both tamoxifen and letrozole. Letrozole and L-BLP25 combination studies used 69 MMT female mice assigned to five groups: untreated, cyclophosphamide + placebo, cyclophosphamide + L-BLP25, letrozole 0.8 mg/kg, and cyclophosphamide + L-BLP25 + letrozole. Tamoxifen and L-BLP25 combination studies used 48 MMT female mice assigned to five treatment groups: untreated, cyclophosphamide + placebo, cyclophosphamide + L-BLP25, tamoxifen 50 mg/kg, and cyclophosphamide + L-BLP25 + tamoxifen 50 mg/kg group. Mice were injected subcutaneously with L-BLP25 (10 μg) weekly for 8 weeks. Serum cytokines were serially measured using a Luminex assay, whereas splenocytes at termination were analyzed by ELISpot to determine T-helper (TH)1/TH2 polarization of immune response.

Results: Daily oral doses of 50 and 0.8 mg/kg of tamoxifen and letrozole, respectively, resulted in a significant survival advantage over controls (P < 0.05). A predominant TH1-polarized immune response in vaccinated mice was seen with or without tamoxifen or letrozole treatments. In the L-BLP25 plus letrozole treatment group, statistically significant (P < 0.05) additive antitumor activity was observed, whereas tamoxifen plus L-BLP25 was not significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of this study show that hormonal therapy does not interfere with L-BLP25–induced predominant TH1 response, and the combination of L-BLP25 with letrozole has additive antitumor activity in the MMT mouse model. Clin Cancer Res; 18(10); 2861–71. ©2012 AACR.
External Validation of the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Score to Predict Biochemical Relapse after Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer in Japanese Patients
Authors: Yoshida Takahiro , Nakayama Masashi , Takeda Ken , Arai Yasuyuki , Kakimoto Ken-ichi , Nishimura Kazuo
Published: March 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was external validation to determine whether the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) score predicts biochemical relapse (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in Japanese patients. Methods: From 1995 to 2008, 503 Japanese patients undergoing RP for clinically localized prostate cancer were included in the validation cohort. The BCR-free rate was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Performance of the CAPRA score was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression models, concordance index (c-index) and calibration plots. Results: Unlike the results in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor (CaPSURE) cohort, the BCR-free rate and the hazard ratio for CAPRA score 4 were inversely better than those for CAPRA scores 2 and 3 in Japanese patients. The c-index of the CAPRA score was 0.673. The calibration plot demonstrated that the CAPRA score was generally well calibrated. Conclusions: In Japanese patients, the CAPRA score can predict BCR after RP only to some degree. Although our c-index is comparable with the c-index of 0.66 in the original CaPSURE cohort, it is lower than the c-indices reported in other validation cohorts, which range from 0.68 to 0.81. The CAPRA score may not predict BCR after RP in Japanese patients as accurately as it did in Western patients.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Attenuated Plaques in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Xu Kai , Mintz Gary S. , Kubo Takashi , Wu Xiaofan , Guo Ning , Yang Junqing , Witzenbichler Bernhard , Guagliumi Giulio , Brodie Bruce , Dressler Ovidiu , Cristea Ecaterina , Parise Helen , Mehran Roxana , Stone Gregg W. , Maehara Akiko
Published: March 2012

Background—

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-attenuated plaque is characterized by absence of ultrasound signal behind hypoehcoic plaque and is seen almost exclusively in acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed poststenting and 13-month follow-up IVUS in 186 patients (195 lesions) with acute myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary prespecified IVUS end point was the in-stent percent net volume obstruction at follow-up. Overall, 70.3% of lesions contained attenuated plaques at baseline. During follow-up, attenuation scores decreased significantly, behind paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) (14.1 [11.9, 16.3] to 7.7 [5.4, 9.9],
P
<0.0001), behind bare metal stents (BMS) (18.5 [13.2, 23.8] to 12.0 [6.7, 17.3],
P
<0.0001), and within distal references (3.1 [1.1, 5.1] to 2.2 [0.2, 4.1],
P
=0.02). There was a greater calcium increase in attenuated than nonattenuated plaques in both PES (Δcalcium score of 4.4 [3.3, 5.5] versus 1.6 [0.9, 2.3],
P
<0.0001) and BMS (Δcalcium score of 4.1[2.3, 5.9] versus 1.0 [0.3, 1.7],
P
=0.001). PES implantation into attenuated plaques was particularly associated with late acquired stent malapposition (36.8% versus 15.4% compared with nonattenuated plaques treated with PES,
P
=0.03). Changes in attenuation scores correlated with changes in calcium scores both in PES (Pearson correlation coefficient=−0.456,
P
<0.0001] and BMS sites (Pearson correlation coefficient=−0.450,
P
=0.0006). In 3 years of follow-up, target lesion revascularization was significantly less in patients with attenuated plaque at baseline (6.0% versus 17.4% in patient without attenuated plaques,
P
=0.019).

Conclusions—

Attenuated plaques evolved into calcified plaques after stent implantation. Attenuated plaque is associated with late acquired stent malapposition and related less target lesion revascularization (consistent with less neointimal hyperplasia), especially after PES implantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00433966.
Distributed Hydrologic Modeling in Northwest Mexico Reveals the Links between Runoff Mechanisms and Evapotranspiration
Authors: Robles-Morua Agustín , Vivoni Enrique R. , Mayer Alex S.
Published: March 2012

A distributed hydrologic model is used to evaluate how runoff mechanisms—including infiltration excess (RI), saturation excess (RS), and groundwater exfiltration (RG)—influence the generation of streamflow and evapotranspiration (ET) in a mountainous region under the influence of the North American monsoon (NAM). The study site, the upper Sonora River basin (~9350 km2) in Mexico, is characterized by a wide range of terrain, soil, and ecosystem conditions obtained from best available data sources. Three meteorological scenarios are compared to explore the impact of spatial and temporal variations of meteorological characteristics on land surface processes and to identify the value of North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) forcing products in the NAM region. The following scenarios are considered for a 1-yr period: 1) a sparse network of ground-based stations, 2) raw forcing products from NLDAS, and 3) NLDAS products adjusted using available station data. These scenarios are discussed in light of spatial distributions of precipitation, streamflow, and runoff mechanisms during annual, seasonal, and monthly periods. This study identified that the mode of runoff generation impacts seasonal relations between ET and soil moisture in the water-limited region. In addition, ET rates at annual and seasonal scales were related to the runoff mechanism proportions, with an increase in ET when RS was dominant and a decrease in ET when RI was more important. The partitioning of runoff mechanisms also helps explain the monthly progression of runoff ratios in these seasonally wet hydrologic systems. Understanding the complex interplay between seasonal responses of runoff mechanisms and evapotranspiration can yield information that is of interest to hydrologists and water managers.
Not all sugars are created equal: some mask aversive tastes better than others in an herbivorous insect
Authors: Cocco Nicolette , Glendinning John I.
Published: March 2012

Manduca sexta caterpillars are unusual because they exhibit strong peripheral gustatory responses to sugars, but nevertheless fail to show immediate appetitive responses to them. We hypothesized that the primary function of the peripheral gustatory response to sugars is to mask the taste of noxious compounds, which abound in host plants of M. sexta. We compared 10 s biting responses to water with those to mixtures of a noxious compound [caffeine (Caf) or aristolochic acid (AA)] and various combinations of sugars [i.e. sucrose (Suc), glucose (Glu), inositol (Ino), Suc+Glu, Suc+Ino or Glu+Ino]. The biting assays indicated that the aversive taste of AA was completely masked by Suc+Ino, and partially masked by Suc+Glu, Glu+Ino and Suc, whereas that of Caf was completely masked by Suc+Ino and Suc+Glu, and partially masked by Glu+Ino, Suc and Ino. To examine the contribution of the peripheral taste system to the masking phenomenon, we recorded responses of the maxillary gustatory sensilla to each stimulus mixture. The sugars differed greatly in their capacity to suppress peripheral gustatory responses to AA and Caf: Suc+Ino and Suc+Glu produced the greatest suppression, and Glu and Ino the least. Further, the extent to which each sugar stimulus suppressed the peripheral gustatory responses to AA reliably predicted the extent to which it masked the taste of AA in biting assays; no such predictive relationship was observed for the sugar/Caf mixtures. We conclude that some, but not all, sugars act on both peripheral and central elements of the gustatory system to mask the taste of noxious compounds.
On the Rank of Disjunctive Cuts
Authors: Del Pia Alberto
Published: March 2012

Let ℒ be a family of lattice-free polyhedra in ℝm containing the splits. Given a polyhedron P in ℝm + n, we characterize when a valid inequality for P ∩ (ℤm × ℝn) can be obtained with a finite number of disjunctive cuts corresponding to the polyhedra in ℒ. We also characterize the lattice-free polyhedra M such that all the disjunctive cuts corresponding to M can be obtained with a finite number of disjunctive cuts corresponding to the polyhedra in ℒ for every polyhedron P. Our results imply interesting consequences, related to split rank and to integral lattice-free polyhedra, that extend recent research findings.
Technical Note—Approximation Algorithms for VRP with Stochastic Demands
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Nagarajan Viswanath , Ravi R.
Published: March 2012

We consider the vehicle routing problem with stochastic demands (VRPSD). We give randomized approximation algorithms achieving approximation guarantees of 1 + α for split-delivery VRPSD, and 2 + α for unsplit-delivery VRPSD; here α is the best approximation guarantee for the traveling salesman problem. These bounds match the best known for even the respective deterministic problems [Altinkemer, K., B. Gavish. 1987. Heuristics for unequal weight delivery problems with a fixed error guarantee. Oper. Res. Lett. 6(4) 149–158; Altinkemer, K., B. Gavish. 1990. Heuristics for delivery problems with constant error guarantees. Transportation Res. 24(4) 294–297]. We also show that the “cyclic heuristic” for split-delivery VRPSD achieves a constant approximation ratio, as conjectured in Bertsimas [Bertsimas, D. J. 1992. A vehicle routing problem with stochastic demand. Oper. Res. 40(3) 574–585].
Functional oligothiophenes toward molecular wires in single-molecular electronics
Authors: Ie Yutaka , Endou Masaru , Han Aihong , Yamada Ryo , Tada Hirokazu , Aso Yoshio
Published: March 2012

The synthesis of 3-hexylthiophene-based oligothiophenes with a length of approximately 10 nm bearing anchor units at both terminal positions has been accomplished. In addition, we have designed and synthesized completely encapsulated oligothiophenes to investigate single-molecule conductance. Their properties are evaluated by UV–vis absorption spectra and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The conductance of a single-molecule junction for thiol-introduced oligothiophenes was measured by 10-nm-scale nanogap gold electrodes or modified scanning tunneling microscope (STM) techniques.