bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
End-of-Life Care: A Philosophical or Management Problem?
Authors: Callahan Daniel
Published: May 2011

Early in 1970, just as we were organizing The Hastings Center, we had to decide which issues on a long menu of possibilities should receive our early attention. At the top of our list was end-of-life care. Complaints about care for the dying had mounted during the 1960s, fueled by technological progress in sustaining life, by too many patients abandoned by physicians as they lay dying, by a lack of patient choice on how their lives should end, and by woefully inadequate pain management. After a few years of study, the care of the dying seemed to admit of a solution: giving patients more choice by the use of living wills or appointment of a surrogate, improving the training of physicians to better deal with death and discussion with patients, and creating a hospice movement and greatly enhanced palliative care.
Health Care Accessibility for Chronic Illness Management and End-of-Life Care: A View from Rural America
Authors: Artnak Kathryn E. , McGraw Richard M. , Stanley Vayden F.
Published: May 2011

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reporting on the quality of health care in America recommends six aims for achieving the health care system we could have. Together with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Triple Aim initiative, a framework has emerged to challenge providers, educators, and policymakers to remake the health care system according to specific objectives: to provide care that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable to more people at a price we can afford. Complicating this mission of better prevention and better care at a lower cost is a daunting demographic: January of 2011 marked the month and year that the first of the baby boomers turned 65. The U.S. Census Bureau in May 2010 projected the number of Americans of this age and over to reach 88 million by 2050, more than double the current figure of 40.2 million. Parekh and Barton forecast in stark detail what it will be like to address these burgeoning numbers of older Americans with comorbidities, including the fact that over 20% of the population currently experiences at least two chronic medical conditions.
X-ray analysis of disodium cromoglycate
Authors: Hamodrakas S , Geddes A J , Sheldrick B
Published: May 2011

X-ray crystallographic studies have been made on the anti-asthmatic drug disodium cromoglycate. Interesting features of the structure are the non-coplanarity of the chromone (benzopyrone) rings, an apparent disorder in the position of one of the sodium atoms, and the occurrence of water-filled ‘channels’ in the crystal lattice.
Losartan Restores Skeletal Muscle Remodeling and Protects Against Disuse Atrophy in Sarcopenia
Authors: Burks Tyesha N. , Andres-Mateos Eva , Marx Ruth , Mejias Rebeca , Van Erp Christel , Simmers Jessica L. , Walston Jeremy D. , Ward Christopher W. , Cohn Ronald D.
Published: May 2011

Losartan improves muscle remodeling and protects against immobilization atrophy by mediating pathways critical for muscle homeostasis.
Prion Disease Blood Test Using Immunoprecipitation and Improved Quaking-Induced Conversion
Authors: Orrú Christina D. , Wilham Jason M. , Raymond Lynne D. , Kuhn Franziska , Schroeder Björn , Raeber Alex J. , Caughey Byron
Published: May 2011

A key challenge in managing transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases in medicine, agriculture, and wildlife biology is the development of practical tests for prions that are at or below infectious levels. Of particular interest are tests capable of detecting prions in blood components such as plasma, but blood typically has extremely low prion concentrations and contains inhibitors of the most sensitive prion tests. One of the latter tests is quaking-induced conversion (QuIC), which can be as sensitive as
in vivo
bioassays, but much more rapid, higher throughput, and less expensive. Now we have integrated antibody 15B3-based immunoprecipitation with QuIC reactions to increase sensitivity and isolate prions from inhibitors such as those in plasma samples. Coupling of immunoprecipitation and an improved real-time QuIC reaction dramatically enhanced detection of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) brain tissue diluted into human plasma. Dilutions of 10
14
-fold, containing ~2 attogram (ag) per ml of proteinase K-resistant prion protein, were readily detected, indicating ~10,000-fold greater sensitivity for vCJD brain than has previously been reported. We also discriminated between plasma and serum samples from scrapie-infected and uninfected hamsters, even in early preclinical stages. This combined assay, which we call “enhanced QuIC” (eQuIC), markedly improves prospects for routine detection of low levels of prions in tissues, fluids, or environmental samples.

IMPORTANCE
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are largely untreatable and are difficult to diagnose definitively prior to irreversible clinical decline or death. The transmissibility of TSEs within and between species highlights the need for practical tests for even the smallest amounts of infectivity. A few sufficiently sensitive
in vitro
methods have been reported, but most have major limitations that would preclude their use in routine diagnostic or screening applications. Our new assay improves the outlook for such critical applications. We focused initially on blood plasma because a practical blood test for prions would be especially valuable for TSE diagnostics and risk reduction. Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in particular has been transmitted between humans via blood transfusions. Enhanced real-time quaking-induced conversion (eRTQ) provides by far the most sensitive detection of vCJD to date. The 15B3 antibody binds prions of multiple species, suggesting that our assay may be useful for clinical and fundamental studies of a variety of TSEs of humans and animals.
Clinicopathologic significances of nuclear expression of nuclear factor-κB transcription factors in retinoblastoma
Authors: Qu Yi , Zhou Fang , Dai Xin , Wang Hongxia , Shi Jing , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Yan , Wei Wenbin
Published: May 2011

Aims

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors family is thought to play an important role in the development of certain cancers. In this study, the clinical significance of NF-κB transcription factor expression and the MIB-1 labelling index (MIB-1 LI) were studied in retinoblastoma.

Methods

Immunohistochemical analysis of normal retina (n=6) and retinoblastoma tumour (n=62) specimens obtained from multiple centres was performed in order to evaluate the pathological associations of NF-κB subunits and retinoblastoma.

Results

Expression of NF-κB proteins was frequently detected in retinoblastoma but not in normal retina samples with c-Rel being the most commonly detected (61%). This protein was more frequently detected in poorly-differentiated and invasive tumours than in well-differentiated and non-invasive tumours. RelA expression in invasive tumours was also significantly higher. Furthermore, expression of c-Rel correlated positively with the MIB-1 LI in retinoblastoma, and RelA/c-Rel revealed positive correlation with RelA/RelB.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that expression of RelA and c-Rel proteins represents a reliable prognostic marker of retinoblastoma and that NF-κB is related to retinoblastoma tumorigenesis and progression through a non-conventional pathway. This data suggests that therapeutic strategies targeting NF-κB combined with other therapies may represent a novel approach to retinoblastoma therapy.
Two concepts of therapeutic optimism
Authors: Jansen Lynn A
Published: May 2011

Researchers and ethicists have long been concerned about the expectations for direct medical benefit expressed by participants in early phase clinical trials. Early work on the issue considered the possibility that participants misunderstand the purpose of clinical research or that they are misinformed about the prospects for medical benefit from these trials. Recently, however, attention has turned to the possibility that research participants are simply expressing optimism or hope about their participation in these trials. The ethical significance of this therapeutic optimism remains unclear. This paper argues that there are two distinct phenomena that can be associated with the term ‘therapeutic optimism’—one is ethically benign and the other is potentially worrisome. Distinguishing these two phenomena is crucial for understanding the nature and ethical significance of therapeutic optimism. The failure to draw a distinction between these phenomena also helps to explain why different writers on the topic often speak past one another.
ON THE VOLUME CONJECTURE FOR CLASSICAL SPIN NETWORKS
Authors: ABDESSELAM ABDELMALEK
Published: May 2011

We prove an upper bound for the evaluation of all classical SU2 spin networks conjectured by Garoufalidis and van der Veen. This implies one half of the analogue of the volume conjecture which they proposed for classical spin networks. We are also able to obtain the other half, namely, an exact determination of the spectral radius, for the special class of generalized drum graphs. Our proof uses a version of Feynman diagram calculus which we developed as a tool for the interpretation of the symbolic method of classical invariant theory, in a manner which is rigorous yet true to the spirit of the classical literature.
BOUNDEDNESS AND REGULARIZING EFFECTS OF O'HARA'S KNOT ENERGIES
Authors: BLATT SIMON
Published: May 2011

In this paper, we will give a necessary and sufficient condition under which O'Hara's Ej,p-energies are bounded. We show that a regular curve has bounded Ej,p-energy if and only if it is injective and belongs to a certain Sobolev–Slobodeckij space.
PERIODIC VIRTUAL LINKS AND THE BINARY BRACKET POLYNOMIAL
Authors: JEONG MYEONG-JU , PARK CHAN-YOUNG
Published: May 2011

L. H. Kauffman defined the binary bracket polynomial of a virtual link by introducing binary labelings into the states of a virtual link diagram. We use the invariant by a slight modification, and call it the modified b-polynomial. We prove that if a virtual link K has a period pl for a prime p and a positive integer l, then the modified b-polynomial Inv K (A) of K is congruent to Inv K* (A) modulo p and A4pl-1 where K* is the mirror image of K. We exhibit examples of virtual links whose periods are completely determined by the invariant.
A DOMAIN-SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TO DESIGN ENTERPRISE APPLICATION INTEGRATION SOLUTIONS
Authors: FRANTZ RAFAEL Z. , REINA QUINTERO ANTONIA M. , CORCHUELO RAFAEL
Published: May 2011

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) solutions cope with two kinds of problems within software ecosystems, namely: keeping a number of application's data in synchrony or creating new functionality on top of them. Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) provides the technology required to implement a variety of EAI solutions at sensible costs, but they are still far from negligible. It is not surprising then that many authors are working on proposals to endow them with domain-specific tools to help software engineers reduce integration costs. In this article, we introduce a proposal called Guaraná. Its key features are as follows: it provides explicit support to devise EAI solutions using enterprise integration patterns by means of a graphical model; its DSL enables software engineers to have not only the view of a process, but also a view of the whole set of processes of which an EAI solution is composed; both processes and tasks can have multiple inputs and multiple outputs; and, finally, its runtime system provides a task-based execution model that is usually more efficient than the process-based execution models in current use. We have also implemented a graphical editor for our DSL and a set of scripts to transform our models into Java code ready to be compiled and executed. To set up a solution from this code, a software engineer only needs to configure a number of adapters to communicate with the applications being integrated.
STEREOVISION-BASED FUZZY OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE METHOD
Authors: NALPANTIDIS LAZAROS , GASTERATOS ANTONIOS
Published: May 2011

This work presents a stereovision-based obstacle avoidance method for autonomous mobile robots. The decision about the direction on each movement step is based on a fuzzy inference system. The proposed method provides an efficient solution that uses a minimum of sensors and avoids computationally complex processes. The only sensor required is a stereo camera. First, a custom stereo algorithm provides reliable depth maps of the environment in frame rates suitable for a robot to move autonomously. Then, a fuzzy decision making algorithm analyzes the depth maps and deduces the most appropriate direction for the robot to avoid any existing obstacles. The proposed methodology has been tested on a variety of self-captured outdoor images and the results are presented and discussed.
DESIGNING INTELLIGENT SOCIALLY ASSISTIVE ROBOTS AS EFFECTIVE TOOLS IN COGNITIVE INTERVENTIONS
Authors: CHAN JEANIE , NEJAT GOLDIE , CHEN JINGCONG
Published: May 2011

Recently, there has been a growing body of research that supports the effectiveness of using non-pharmacological cognitive and social training interventions to reduce the decline of or improve brain functioning in individuals suffering from cognitive impairments. However, implementing and sustaining such interventions on a long-term basis is difficult as they require considerable resources and people, and can be very time-consuming for healthcare staff. Our research focuses on making these interventions more accessible to healthcare professionals through the aid of robotic assistants. The objective of our work is to develop an intelligent socially assistive robot with abilities to recognize and identify human affective intent to determine its own appropriate emotion-based behavior while engaging in assistive interactions with people. In this paper, we present the design of a novel human-robot interaction (HRI) control architecture that allows the robot to provide social and cognitive stimulation in person-centered cognitive interventions. Namely, the novel control architecture is designed to allow a robot to act as a social motivator by encouraging, congratulating and assisting a person during the course of a cognitively stimulating activity. Preliminary experiments validate the effectiveness of the control architecture in providing assistive interactions during a HRI-based person-directed activity.
THRESHOLD DYNAMICS IN A PERIODIC SVEIR EPIDEMIC MODEL
Authors: WANG JINLIANG , LIU SHENGQIANG , TAKEUCHI YASUHIRO
Published: May 2011

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical behavior of a class of periodic SVEIR epidemic model. Since the nonautonomous phenomenon often occurs as cyclic pattern, our model is then a periodic time-dependent system. It follows from persistence theory that the basic reproduction number is the threshold parameter above which the disease is uniformly persistent and below which disease-free periodic solution is globally asymptotically stable. The threshold dynamics extends the classic results for the corresponding autonomous model. Furthermore, we show that eradication policy on the basis of the basic reproduction number of the autonomous system may overestimate the infectious risk when the disease follows periodic behavior. The according simulation results are also given.
RATIO-DEPENDENT PREDATOR–PREY MODEL WITH STAGE STRUCTURE AND TIME DELAY
Authors: ZHA LIJUAN , CUI JING-AN , ZHOU XUEYONG
Published: May 2011

Ratio-dependent predator–prey models are favored by many animal ecologists recently as more suitable ones for predator–prey interactions where predation involves searching process. In this paper, a ratio-dependent predator–prey model with stage structure and time delay for prey is proposed and analyzed. In this model, we only consider the stage structure of immature and mature prey species and not consider the stage structure of predator species. We assume that the predator only feed on the mature prey and the time for prey from birth to maturity represented by a constant time delay. At first, we investigate the permanence and existence of the proposed model and sufficient conditions are derived. Then the global stability of the nonnegative equilibria are derived. We also get the sufficient criteria for stability switch of the positive equilibrium. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out for supporting the analytic results.
MULTISTAGE FILTERS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF EUKARYOTIC PROTEIN CODING REGIONS
Authors: HOTA MALAYA KUMAR , SRIVASTAVA VINAY KUMAR
Published: May 2011

A class of multistage filters, namely, real narrowband bandpass filter (RNBPF) has been previously used for identification of protein coding regions. This filter passes the frequency component at 2π/3 along with its conjugate. This conjugate frequency component may degrade the identification accuracy. To improve the identification accuracy, two types of multistage filters are proposed in this paper. A complex narrowband bandpass filter (CNBPF) is proposed for suppressing the conjugate frequency component which, in turn, reduces the background noise present in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) spectrum and improves identification accuracy. By cascading RNBPF with moving average filter (RNBPFMA), another type of multistage filter is proposed. As moving average filter smooth out the rapid variations in the DNA spectrum, RNBPFMA improves the identification accuracy. The computational complexity of RNBPFMA is less than that of CNBPF. The RNBPF and proposed multistage filters are compared with previously reported short-time discrete Fourier transform (ST-DFT) method in terms of computational complexity. It is found that multistage filters reduce the computational load to a greater extent compared to ST-DFT method. The identification accuracy of the proposed CNBPF and RNBPFMA methods is compared with existing anti-notch filter and RNBPF methods. The results show that proposed methods outperform existing methods in terms of identification accuracy for benchmark data sets.
FLOW OF MICROPOLAR FLUID THROUGH CATHETERIZED ARTERY — A MATHEMATICAL MODEL
Authors: SRINIVASACHARYA D. , SRIKANTH D.
Published: May 2011

In this paper, the flow of blood through catheterized artery with mild constriction at the outer wall is considered. The closed form solutions are obtained for velocity and microrotation components. The impedance (resistance to the flow) and wall shear stress are calculated. The effects of catheterization, coupling number, micropolar parameter, and height of the stenosis on impedance and wall shear stresses are discussed.
Fabrication of Transparent TiO2−x Channel-Based Thin Film Transistors using an Oxygen-Deficient TiO2−x Target
Authors: Choi Kwang-Hyuk , Kim Han-Ki
Published: May 2011

We report fabrication of an amorphous TiO2−x (a-TiO2−x) channel based oxide thin film transistor (OxTFT) by direct-current magnetron sputtering using an oxygen-deficient TiO2−x target. By rapid thermal annealing of a sputtered TiO2−x channel layer in nitrogen ambient, we obtained a-TiO2−x-based OxTFTs with a performance of μFE of 0.69 cm2/Vs, Ion/off of 2.04 × 107, SS of 2.45 V/decade and VT of 10.45 V. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the a-TiO2−x-based OxTFT performance could be attributed to the oxygen-deficient TiO2−x channel layer, which has a multiplicity of Ti oxidation states such as Ti2+, Ti3+ and Ti4+ unlike stoichiometric TiO2 film. This indicated that the sputtered a-TiO2−x channel layer is a promising indium-free or gallium free oxide channel layer that could substitute for high-cost indium or gallium oxide based channel layers to generate cost-efficient OxTFTs.
Significant Improved Electrochemical Performance of Spinel LiMn2O4 Promoted by FePO4 Incorporation
Authors: Yang Ze , Li Shuang , Xia Sheng-An , Jiang Yan , Zhang Wu-Xing , Huang Yun-Hui
Published: May 2011

Electrochemically-active FePO4 was introduced for surface modification of spinel LiMn2O4 cathode material to improve the electrochemical performance. Optimal technique for the LiMn2O4/FePO4 composites was specified. With proper content of FePO4 and annealing temperature, significant improvement in capacity and cyclability was obtained at room temperature and 60 °C. As compared with the LiMn2O4 coated with other oxides such as Al2O3, SiO2 and ZrO2, the FePO4 incorporated LiMn2O4 shows both enhanced initial capacity and cyclability. Examined by impedance measurement, the FePO4 incorporation in LiMn2O4 significantly suppresses the increase of charge-transfer impedance.
Skeletal muscle lipid flux: running water carries no poison
Authors: Funai Katsuhiko , Semenkovich Clay F.
Published: May 2011

Lipids are the most abundant organic constituents in many humans. The rise in obesity prevalence has prompted a need for a more refined understanding of the effects of lipid molecules on cell physiology. In skeletal muscle, deposition of lipids can be associated with insulin resistance that contributes to the development of diabetes. Here, we review the evidence that muscle cells are equipped with the molecular machinery to convert and sequester lipid molecules, thus rendering them harmless. Induction of mitochondrial and lipogenic flux in the setting of elevated lipid deposition can protect muscle from lipid-induced “poisoning” of the cellular machinery. Lipid flux may also be directed toward the synthesis of ligands for nuclear receptors, further enhancing the capacity of muscle for lipid metabolism to promote favorable physiology. Exploiting these mechanisms may have implications for the treatment of obesity-related diseases.
Postprandial lipemia in the elderly involves increased incorporation of ingested fat in plasma free fatty acids and small (Sf20–400) triglyceride-rich lipoproteins
Authors: Puga Guilherme M. , Meyer Christian , Everman Sarah , Mandarino Lawrence J. , Katsanos Christos S.
Published: May 2011

In the elderly, the rise in postprandial plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations is increased, contributing to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the incorporation of ingested fat (whipping cream enriched with [1,1,1-13C]triolein) into plasma lipids during the postprandial period in six healthy elderly (67 ± 1 yr old) and six healthy young (23 ± 2 yr old) subjects. Blood and expired air samples were taken before and at 2-h intervals during the 8-h postprandial period. As expected, the area under the curve of postprandial plasma TG concentrations was larger in the elderly compared with the young subjects (152 ± 38 vs. 66 ± 27 mg·dl−1·h, P < 0.05). The incorporation of [13C]oleate in plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) and TG of the small (Sf= 20–400) triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction was significantly higher in the elderly compared with the young subjects, resulting in increased postprandial contributions of the ingested lipid to plasma FFAs (41 ± 3 vs. 26 ± 6%, P < 0.05) and the small TRL fraction (36 ± 5 vs. 21 ± 3%, P < 0.05) in elderly. Plasma apoB-100 concentration was higher, whereas the rate of oxidation of the ingested lipid was lower ( P < 0.05) in the elderly. We conclude that increased postprandial lipemia in the elderly involves increased contribution of ingested lipid to the plasma small TRLs. This appears to be driven at least in part by increased appearance of the ingested fat as plasma FFA and increased availability of apo B-100 lipoproteins in the elderly.
Regulation of Nav1.6 and Nav1.8 peripheral nerve Na+ channels by auxiliary β-subunits
Authors: Zhao Juan , O'Leary Michael E. , Chahine Mohamed
Published: May 2011

Voltage-gated Na+ (Nav) channels are composed of a pore-forming α-subunit and one or more auxiliary β-subunits. The present study investigated the regulation by the β-subunit of two Na+ channels (Nav1.6 and Nav1.8) expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Single cell RT-PCR was used to show that Nav1.8, Nav1.6, and β1–β3 subunits were widely expressed in individually harvested small-diameter DRG neurons. Coexpression experiments were used to assess the regulation of Nav1.6 and Nav1.8 by β-subunits. The β1-subunit induced a 2.3-fold increase in Na+ current density and hyperpolarizing shifts in the activation (−4 mV) and steady-state inactivation (−4.7 mV) of heterologously expressed Nav1.8 channels. The β4-subunit caused more pronounced shifts in activation (−16.7 mV) and inactivation (−9.3 mV) but did not alter the current density of cells expressing Nav1.8 channels. The β3-subunit did not alter Nav1.8 gating but significantly reduced the current density by 31%. This contrasted with Nav1.6, where the β-subunits were relatively weak regulators of channel function. One notable exception was the β4-subunit, which induced a hyperpolarizing shift in activation (−7.6 mV) but no change in the inactivation or current density of Nav1.6. The β-subunits differentially regulated the expression and gating of Nav1.8 and Nav1.6. To further investigate the underlying regulatory mechanism, β-subunit chimeras containing portions of the strongly regulating β1-subunit and the weakly regulating β2-subunit were generated. Chimeras retaining the COOH-terminal domain of the β1-subunit produced hyperpolarizing shifts in gating and increased the current density of Nav1.8, similar to that observed for wild-type β1-subunits. The intracellular COOH-terminal domain of the β1-subunit appeared to play an essential role in the regulation of Nav1.8 expression and gating.
Abnormal muscle afferent function in a model of Taxol chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy
Authors: Chen Xiaojie , Green Paul G. , Levine Jon D.
Published: May 2011

Despite muscle pain being a well-described symptom in patients with diverse forms of peripheral neuropathy, the role of neuropathic mechanisms in muscle pain have received remarkably little attention. We have recently demonstrated in a well-established model of chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy (CIPN) that the anti-tumor drug paclitaxel (Taxol) produces mechanical hyperalgesia in skeletal muscle, of similar time course to and with shared mechanism with cutaneous symptoms. In the present study, we evaluated muscle afferent neuron function in this rat model of CIPN. The mechanical threshold of muscle afferents in rats exposed to paclitaxel was not significantly different from the mechanical threshold of muscle afferents in control animals ( P = 0.07). However, paclitaxel did produce a marked increase in the number of action potentials elicited by prolonged suprathreshold fixed intensity mechanical stimulation and a marked increase in the conduction velocity. In addition, the interspike interval (ISI) analysis (to evaluate the temporal characteristics of the response of afferents to sustained mechanical stimulation) showed a significant difference in rats treated with paclitaxel; there was a significantly greater ISI percentage of paclitaxel-treated muscle afferents with 0.01- and 0.02-s ISI. In contrast, an analysis of variability of neuronal firing over time (CV2 analysis) showed no effect of paclitaxel administration. These effects of paclitaxel on muscle afferent function contrast with the previously reported effects of paclitaxel on the function of cutaneous nociceptors.
A comparison of sensory-motor activity during speech in first and second languages
Authors: Simmonds Anna J. , Wise Richard J. S. , Dhanjal Novraj S. , Leech Robert
Published: May 2011

A foreign language (L2) learned after childhood results in an accent. This functional neuroimaging study investigated speech in L2 as a sensory-motor skill. The hypothesis was that there would be an altered response in auditory and somatosensory association cortex, specifically the planum temporale and parietal operculum, respectively, when speaking in L2 relative to L1, independent of rate of speaking. These regions were selected for three reasons. First, an influential computational model proposes that these cortices integrate predictive feedforward and postarticulatory sensory feedback signals during articulation. Second, these adjacent regions (known as Spt) have been identified as a “sensory-motor interface” for speech production. Third, probabilistic anatomical atlases exist for these regions, to ensure the analyses are confined to sensory-motor differences between L2 and L1. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and participants produced connected overt speech. The first hypothesis was that there would be greater activity in the planum temporale and the parietal operculum when subjects spoke in L2 compared with L1, one interpretation being that there is less efficient postarticulatory sensory monitoring when speaking in the less familiar L2. The second hypothesis was that this effect would be observed in both cerebral hemispheres. Although Spt is considered to be left-lateralized, this is based on studies of covert speech, whereas overt speech is accompanied by sensory feedback to bilateral auditory and somatosensory cortices. Both hypotheses were confirmed by the results. These findings provide the basis for future investigations of sensory-motor aspects of language learning using serial fMRI studies.
Phantom Limb Pain: Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Unaffected Hemisphere
Authors: Di Rollo Andrea , Pallanti Stefano
Published: May 2011

Phantom limb pain is very common after limb amputation and is often difficult to treat. The motor cortex stimulation is a valid treatment for deafferentation pain that does not respond to conventional pain treatment, with relief for 50% to 70% of patients. This treatment is invasive as it uses implanted epidural electrodes. Cortical stimulation can be performed noninvasively by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The stimulation of the hemisphere that isn't involved in phantom limb (unaffected hemisphere), remains unexplored. We report a case of phantom limb pain treated with 1 Hz rTMS stimulation over motor cortex in unaffected hemisphere. This stimulation produces a relevant clinical improvement of phantom limb pain; however, further studies are necessary to determine the efficacy of the method and the stimulation parameters.
Workers with Occupational Contact Dermatitis: Work Outcomes and Return to Work Process in the First Six Months following Diagnosis
Authors: Holness D. Linn
Published: May 2011

Workers with occupational contact dermatitis may have poor outcomes that impact their health, work, and quality of life. While there is information available on overall return to work, little is known about the actual return to work process. The objectives of the study were to describe the return to work experience and work outcome in workers with contact dermatitis following diagnosis. 78 workers with occupational contact dermatitis were followed for 6 months after assessment. Information collected included clinical presentation and status, the return to work process and work outcomes. Six months after assessment, 38% were not working, almost all because of their skin problem. Of the 62% working 32% had changed job, most because of their skin problem. Limited advice to enable return to work and communication were reported. These findings suggest that there are gaps in return to work programs for occupational contact dermatitis and further research is needed.
Administrative Censoring in Ecological Analyses of Autism and a Bayesian Solution
Authors: Bartell Scott M. , Lewandowski Thomas A.
Published: May 2011

Widely cited ecological analyses of autism have reported associations with mercury emissions, with precipitation, and race at the level of counties or school districts. However, state educational agencies often suppress any low numerical autism counts before releasing data—a phenomenon known as “administrative censoring.” Previous analyses did not describe appropriate methods for censored data analysis; common substitution or exclusion methods are known to introduce bias and produce artificially narrow confidence intervals. We apply a Bayesian censored random effects Poisson model to reanalyze associations between 2001 Toxic Release Inventory reported mercury emissions and 2000-2001 autism counts in Texas. Relative risk estimates for autism decreased from 4.44 (95% CI: 4.16, 4.74) per thousand lbs. of air mercury emissions using a naive zero-substitution approach to 1.42 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.78) using the Bayesian approach. Inadequate attention to censoring poses a serious threat to the validity of ecological analyses of autism and other health outcomes.
Analysis of Exact Linearization and Aproximate FeedbackLinearization Techniques
Authors: Cardoso Gildeberto S. , Schnitman Leizer
Published: May 2011

This paper presents a study of linear control systems based on exact feedback linearization and approximate feedback linearization. As exact feedback linearization is applied, a linear controller can perform the control objectives. The approximate feedback linearization is required when a nonlinear system presents a noninvolutive property. It uses a Taylor series expansion in order to compute a nonlinear transformation of coordinates to satisfy the involutivity conditions.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Methyl Orange over Silica-Titania
Authors: Guo Yaping , Yang Shaogui , Zhou Xuefei , Lin Chunmian , Wang Yajun , Zhang Weifeng
Published: May 2011

Silica-modified titania (SMT) powders with different atomic ratios of silica to titanium (Rx) were successfully synthesized by a simple ultrasonic irradiation technique. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy. The specific surface area was measured according to BET theory. Results indicate that the addition of silica to titania can suppress the crystalline size growth and the transformation of anatase phase to rutile phase of titania, enlarge specific surface area of the titania particles, and result in a blue shift of absorption edge compared to pure titania. The photocatalytic activity of the SMT samples was evaluated by decolorizing methyl orange aqueous solutions under UV-visible light irradiation. It was found in our study that this activity was affected by silica content, calcination temperature, H2SO4, and oxidants such as KIO4, (NH4)2S2O8and H2O2. The results reveal that the photocatalytic activity of 0.1-SMT catalyst is the best among all samples calcined at550°C for 1 h and it is 1.56 times higher than that of Degussa P-25 titania, which is a widely used commercial TiO2made by Germany Degussa company and has been most widely used in industry as photocatalyst, antiultraviolet product, and thermal stabilizer. The optimal calcination temperature for preparation was550°C. The photocatalytic activity of SMT samples is significantly enhanced by H2SO4solution treatment and oxidants.
A Quantitative Assessment of Tremor and Ataxia in FemaleFMR1Premutation Carriers Using CATSYS
Authors: Narcisa Vivien , Aguilar Dalila , Nguyen Danh V. , Campos Luis , Brodovsky Jeffrey , White Shana , Adams Patrick , Tassone Flora , Hagerman Paul J. , Hagerman Randi J.
Published: May 2011

The fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a relatively common cause of balance problems leading to gait disturbances in older males (40%) with the premutation. FXTAS is less common in females. We utilized the CATSYS system, a quantitative measure of movement, in 23 women with FXTAS (mean age 62.7; SD 12.3), 90 women with the premutation without FXTAS (mean age 52.9; SD 9.4), and 37 controls (mean age 56.53; SD 7.8). CATSYS distinguished differences between carriers with and without FXTAS in postural tremor, postural sway, hand coordination, and reaction time tasks. Differences were also seen between carriers without FXTAS and controls in finger tapping, reaction time, and one postural sway task. However, these differences did not persist after statistical correction for multiple comparisons. Notably, there were no differences across groups in intention tremor. This is likely due to the milder symptoms in females compared to males with FXTAS.
In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Essential Oil from the Seed of Anethum graveolens L. against Candida spp.
Authors: Zeng Hong , Tian Jun , Zheng Yuechen , Ban Xiaoquan , Zeng Jingsi , Mao Yehong , Wang Youwei
Published: May 2011

The essential oil produced from the seed of Anethum graveolens L. (Umbelliferae) was tested in vitro and in vivo anti‐Candida activity. The microbroth dilution method was used in the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), according to M27‐A3 of the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). And then, efficacy evaluation of essential oil in the prophylaxis and treatment of experimental vaginal candidiasis was performed in immunosuppressed mice. The anti‐Candida activity was analyzed by microbiological and histological techniques and was compared with that of fluconazole (FCZ). The results showed essential oil was active in vitro against all tested strains, with MICs ranging
from 0.312 μL/mL (for C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei) to 0.625 μL/mL (for 6 isolated C. albicans strains). Essential oil (2% v/v) was highly efficacious in accelerating C. albicans 09‐1555 clearance from experimentally infected mice vagina by prophylaxis and therapeutic treatments. In both therapeutic efficacy and prophylaxis studies, the histological findings confirmed the microbiological results. The experimental results revealed that the tested essential oil is effective against vulvovaginal candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice.
Catecholamines Mediate Multiple Fetal Adaptations during Placental Insufficiency That Contribute to Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Lessons from Hyperthermic Sheep
Authors: Yates D. T. , Green A. S. , Limesand S. W.
Published: May 2011

Placental insufficiency (PI) prevents adequate delivery of nutrients to the developing fetus and creates a chronic state of hypoxemia and hypoglycemia. In response, the malnourished fetus develops a series of stress hormone-mediated metabolic adaptations to preserve glucose for vital tissues at the expense of somatic growth. Catecholamines suppress insulin secretion to promote glucose sparing for insulin-independent tissues (brain, nerves) over insulin-dependent tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose). Likewise, premature induction of hepatic gluconeogenesis helps maintain fetal glucose and appears to be stimulated by both norepinephrine and glucagon. Reduced glucose oxidation rate in PI fetuses creates a surplus of glycolysis-derived lactate that serves as substrate for hepatic gluconeogenesis. These adrenergically influenced adaptive responses promotein uterosurvival but also cause asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction and small-for-gestational-age infants that are at greater risk for serious metabolic disorders throughout postnatal life, including obesity and type II diabetes.
Current Chemotherapeutic Management of Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
Authors: May Taymaa , Goldstein Donald P. , Berkowitz Ross S.
Published: May 2011

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) describes a heterogeneous group of interrelated lesions that arise from abnormal proliferation of placental trophoblasts. GTN lesions are histologically distinct, malignant lesions that include invasive hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). GTN tumors are generally highly responsive to chemotherapy. Early stage GTN disease is often cured with single-agent chemotherapy. In contrast, advanced stage disease requires multiagent combination chemotherapeutic regimens to achieve a cure. Various adjuvant surgical procedures can be helpful to treat women with GTN. Patients require careful followup after completing treatment and recurrent disease should be aggressively managed. Women with a history of GTN are at increased risk of subsequent GTN, hence future pregnancies require careful monitoring to ensure normal gestational development. This article will review the workup, management and followup of women with all stages of GTN as well as with recurrent disease.
Complementary Spiritist Therapy: Systematic Review of Scientific Evidence
Authors: Lucchetti Giancarlo , Lucchetti Alessandra L. Granero , Bassi Rodrigo M. , Nobre Marlene Rossi Severino
Published: May 2011

Spiritism is the third most common religion in Brazil, and its therapies have been used by millions worldwide. These therapies are based on therapeutic resources including prayer, laying on of hands, fluidotherapy (magnetized water), charity/volunteering, spirit education/moral values, and disobsession (spirit release therapy). This paper presents a systematic review of the current literature on the relationship among health outcomes and 6 predictors: prayer, laying on of hands, magnetized/fluidic water, charity/volunteering, spirit education (virtuous life and positive affect), and spirit release therapy. All articles were analyzed according to inclusion/exclusion criteria, Newcastle‐Ottawa and Jadad score. At present, there is moderate to strong evidence that volunteering and positive affect are linked to better health outcomes. Furthermore, laying on of hands, virtuous life, and praying for oneself also seem to be associated to positive findings. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies on magnetized water and spirit release therapy. In summary, science is indirectly demonstrating that some of these therapies can be associated to better health outcomes and that other therapies have been overlooked or poorly investigated. Further studies in this field could contribute to the disciplines of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by investigating the relationship between body, mind, and soul/spirit.
Connexin 43 Is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Ewing Sarcoma/Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor
Authors: Bui Marilyn M. , Han Gang , Acs Geza , Reed Damon , Gonzalez Ricardo J. , Pasha T. L. , Zhang Paul J.
Published: May 2011

Connexins (Cxs) are building unit proteins of gap junctions (GJs) that are prognostic markers in carcinomas. To investigate the role of Cx in Ewing sarcoma (EWS)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), we examined the expression of Cx43 and Cx26 in 36 EWS/PNETs and found (1) cytoplasmic Cx43 reactivity in 28/36 (78%) cases. (2) Cx43 score was significantly correlated with overall survival (P=.025). The average scores for patients alive and dead at 3 years are 46.08 and 96.98 (P=.004) at 5 years are 46.06 and 96.42 (P=.002). (3) Metastasis had a significant effect on the overall survival (P=.003). (4) Cytoplasmic Cx26 reactivity was detected in 2 of 36 (6%) patients who died with metastasis. Our results suggest a possible oncogenic and prognostic role for Cx43 and Cx26 in EWS/PNET. The lack of membranous immunoreactivity suggests that the effect of Cx in EWS/PNET is via a GJ function-independent mechanism.
Species Identification of Marine Fishes in China with DNA Barcoding
Authors: Zhang Junbin
Published: May 2011

DNA barcoding is a molecular method that uses a short standardized DNA sequence as a species identification tool. In this study, the standard 652 base‐pair region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was sequenced in marine fish specimens captured in China. The average genetic distance was 50‐fold higher between species than within species, as Kimura two parameter (K2P) genetic distances averaged 15.742% among congeners and only 0.319% for intraspecific individuals. There are no overlaps of pairwise genetic variations between conspecific and interspecific comparisons apart from the genera Pampus in which the introgressive hybridization was detected. High efficiency of species identification was demonstrated in the present study by DNA barcoding. Due to the incidence of cryptic species, an assumed threshold is suggested to expedite discovering of new species and biodiversity, especially involving biotas of few studies.
The Melanoma-Upregulated Long Noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 Modulates Apoptosis and Invasion
Authors: Khaitan Divya , Dinger Marcel E. , Mazar Joseph , Crawford Joanna , Smith Martin A. , Mattick John S. , Perera Ranjan J.
Published: May 2011

The identification of cancer-associated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the investigation of their molecular and biological functions are important to understand the molecular biology of cancer and its progression. Although the functions of lncRNAs and the mechanisms regulating their expression are largely unknown, recent studies are beginning to unravel their importance in human health and disease. Here, we report that a number of lncRNAs are differentially expressed in melanoma cell lines in comparison to melanocytes and keratinocyte controls. One of these lncRNAs, SPRY4-IT1 (GenBank accession ID AK024556), is derived from an intron of the SPRY4 gene and is predicted to contain several long hairpins in its secondary structure. RNA-FISH analysis showed that SPRY4-IT1 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of melanoma cells, and SPRY4-IT1 RNAi knockdown results in defects in cell growth, differentiation, and higher rates of apoptosis in melanoma cell lines. Differential expression of both SPRY4 and SPRY4-IT1 was also detected in vivo, in 30 distinct patient samples, classified as primary in situ, regional metastatic, distant metastatic, and nodal metastatic melanoma. The elevated expression of SPRY4-IT1 in melanoma cells compared to melanocytes, its accumulation in cell cytoplasm, and effects on cell dynamics, including increased rate of wound closure on SPRY4-IT1 overexpression, suggest that the higher expression of SPRY4-IT1 may have an important role in the molecular etiology of human melanoma. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3852–62. ©2011 AACR.
Systemic DNA Damage Related to Cancer
Authors: Martin Olga A. , Redon Christophe E. , Nakamura Asako J. , Dickey Jennifer S. , Georgakilas Alexandros G. , Bonner William M.
Published: May 2011

The importance of bystander effects is becoming more appreciated, as studies show they may affect the course of cancer and other chronic diseases. The term “bystander effects” refers to changes in naïve cells sharing the same milieu with cells that have been damaged. Bystander cells may be in contact with, or distant from, damaged cells. In addition, it has been shown in culture that not only physically damaged cells, but also cells that have become abnormal (i.e., cancerous or senescent) may induce bystander effects. Recently, we have shown a similar effect in animals. Mice harboring subcutaneous tumors exhibited elevated levels of DNA damage in distant organs. In contrast to cell culture, immune cells seemed to be involved in tumor-induced bystander effects in animals because CCL2-null tumor-bearing mice did not exhibit increased distant DNA damage. Here, we discuss some of the implications of these observations. Cancer Res; 71(10); 3437–41. ©2011 AACR.