bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of conjugated polymer deposition techniques by photoluminescence spectroscopy
Authors: Lantz K. R. , Pate R. , Stiff-Roberts A. D. , Duffell A. G. , Smith E. R. , Everitt H. O.
Published: September 2009

The effects of various deposition techniques on the photoluminescence spectra of the conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-(1-cyanovinylene) phenylene] (MEH-CN-PPV) are investigated. Photoluminescence spectroscopy provides insight to the internal morphology of organic thin films through the identification of interchain or intrachain recombination peaks. Thin films were deposited on glass substrates by drop casting, spin casting, and resonant-infrared matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (RIR-MAPLE) and were compared to the photoluminescence of the polymer in solution. The photoluminescence measurements reported in this article demonstrate that samples deposited by evaporative RIR-MAPLE have an internal morphology similar to that of MEH-CN-PPV in solution, leading to an enhancement of intrachain transitions in the conjugated polymer.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of pCTX-M360, an Intermediate Plasmid between pEL60 and pCTX-M3, from a Multidrug-Resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Strain Isolated in China
Authors: Zhu Wen-han , Luo Lan , Wang Jia-yi , Zhuang Xiao-hong , Zhong Ling , Liao Kang , Zeng Yan , Lu Yong-jun
Published: September 2009

In this work we report the characterization of plasmid pCTX-M360, isolated from a
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain from China and encoding the CTX-M-3 extended-spectrum β-lactamase. Sequence analysis of pCTX-M360 revealed extensive similarity with pEL60 and pCTX-M3, two other enterobacterial plasmids of the IncL/M incompatibility group. Compared to pEL60, pCTX-M360 contains several insertions but lacks most of a 27-kb insert found in pCTX-M3, suggesting that it could be an evolutionary intermediate between pEL60 and pCTX-M3.
ST-246 Inhibits In Vivo Poxvirus Dissemination, Virus Shedding, and Systemic Disease Manifestation
Authors: Berhanu Aklile , King David S. , Mosier Stacie , Jordan Robert , Jones Kevin F. , Hruby Dennis E. , Grosenbach Douglas W.
Published: September 2009

Orthopoxvirusinfections, such as smallpox, can lead to severe systemic disease and result in considerable morbidity and mortality in immunologically naïve individuals. Treatment with ST-246, a small-molecule inhibitor of virus egress, has been shown to provide protection against severe disease and death induced by several members of the poxvirus family, including vaccinia, variola, and monkeypox viruses. Here, we show that ST-246 treatment not only results in the significant inhibition of vaccinia virus dissemination from the site of inoculation to distal organs, such as the spleen and liver, but also reduces the viral load in organs targeted by the dissemination. In mice intranasally infected with vaccinia virus, virus shedding from the nasal and lung mucosa was significantly lower (∼22- and 528-fold, respectively) upon ST-246 treatment. Consequently, virus dissemination from the nasal site of replication to the lung also was dramatically reduced, as evidenced by a 179-fold difference in virus levels in nasal versus bronchoalveolar lavage. Furthermore, in ACAM2000-immunized mice, vaccination site swabs showed that ST-246 treatment results in a major (∼3,900-fold by day 21) reduction in virus detected at the outside surfaces of lesions. Taken together, these data suggest that ST-246 would play a dual protective role if used during a smallpox bioterrorist attack. First, ST-246 would provide therapeutic benefit by reducing the disease burden and lethality in infected individuals. Second, by reducing virus shedding from those prophylactically immunized with a smallpox vaccine or harboring variola virus infection, ST-246 could reduce the risk of virus transmission to susceptible contacts.
High Level of Cross-Resistance between Kanamycin, Amikacin, and Capreomycin among
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Isolates from Georgia and a Close Relation with Mutations in the
rrs
Gene
Authors: Jugheli Levan , Bzekalava Nino , de Rijk Pim , Fissette Krista , Portaels Françoise , Rigouts Leen
Published: September 2009

The aminoglycosides kanamycin and amikacin and the macrocyclic peptide capreomycin are key drugs for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The increasing rates of resistance to these drugs and the possible cross-resistance between them are concerns for MDR-TB therapy. Mutations in the 16S rRNA gene (
rrs
) have been associated with resistance to each of the drugs, and mutations of the
tlyA
gene, which encodes a putative rRNA methyltransferase, are thought to confer capreomycin resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
bacteria. Studies of possible cross-resistance have shown variable results. In this study, the MICs of these drugs for 145 clinical isolates from Georgia and the sequences of the
rrs
and
tlyA
genes of the isolates were determined. Of 78 kanamycin-resistant strains, 9 (11.5%) were susceptible to amikacin and 16 (20.5%) were susceptible to capreomycin. Four strains were resistant to capreomycin but were susceptible to the other drugs, whereas all amikacin-resistant isolates were resistant to kanamycin. Sequencing revealed six types of mutations in the
rrs
gene (A514C, C517T, A1401G, C1402T, C1443G, T1521C) but no mutations in the
tlyA
gene. The A514C, C517T, C1443G, and T1521C mutations showed no association with resistance to any of the drugs. The A1401G and C1402T mutations were observed in 65 kanamycin-resistant isolates and the 4 capreomycin-resistant isolates, respectively, whereas none of the susceptible isolates showed either of those mutations. The four mutants with the C1402T mutations showed high levels of resistance to capreomycin but no resistance to kanamycin and amikacin. Detection of the A1401G mutation appeared to be 100% specific for the detection of resistance to kanamycin and amikacin, while the sensitivities reached 85.9% and 94.2%, respectively.
Surface-Exposed Histone-Like Protein A Modulates Adherence of
Streptococcus gallolyticus
to Colon Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Boleij Annemarie , Schaeps Renée M. J. , de Kleijn Stan , Hermans Peter W. , Glaser Philippe , Pancholi Vijay , Swinkels Dorine W. , Tjalsma Harold
Published: September 2009

Streptococcus gallolyticus
(formerly known as
Streptococcus bovis
biotype I) is a low-grade opportunistic pathogen which is considered to be associated with colon cancer. It is thought that colon polyps or tumors are the main portal of entry for this bacterium and that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) at the colon tumor cell surface are involved in bacterial adherence during the first stages of infection. In this study, we have shown that the histone-like protein A (HlpA) of
S. gallolyticus
is a genuine anchorless bacterial surface protein that binds to lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of the gram-positive cell wall in a growth phase-dependent manner. In addition, HlpA was shown to be one of the major heparin-binding proteins of
S. gallolyticus
able to bind to the HSPG-expressing colon tumor cell lines HCT116 and HT-29. Strikingly, although wild-type levels of HlpA appeared to contribute to adherence, coating of additional HlpA at the bacterial surface resulted in reduced binding to colon tumor cells. This may be explained by the fact that heparan sulfate and LTA compete for the same binding site in HlpA. Altogether, this study implies that HlpA serves as a fine-tuning factor for bacterial adherence.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Culture Filtrate Proteins plus CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Confer Protection to
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG-Primed Mice by Inhibiting Interleukin-4 Secretion
Authors: Fonseca Denise Morais da , Silva Celio Lopes , Wowk Pryscilla Fanini , Paula Marina Oliveira e , Ramos Simone Gusmão , Horn Cynthia , Marchal Gilles , Bonato Vânia Luiza Deperon
Published: September 2009

Culture filtrate proteins (CFP) are potential targets for tuberculosis vaccine development. We previously showed that despite the high level of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production elicited by homologous immunization with CFP plus CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CFP/CpG), we did not observe protection when these mice were challenged with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. In order to use the IFN-γ-inducing ability of CFP antigens, in this study we evaluated a prime-boost heterologous immunization based on CFP/CpG to boost
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG vaccination in order to find an immunization schedule that could induce protection. Heterologous BCG-CFP/CpG immunization provided significant protection against experimental tuberculosis, and this protection was sustained during the late phase of infection and was even better than that conferred by a single BCG immunization. The protection was associated with high levels of antigen-specific IFN-γ and interleukin-17 (IL-17) and low IL-4 production. The deleterious role of IL-4 was confirmed when IL-4 knockout mice vaccinated with CFP/CpG showed consistent protection similar to that elicited by BCG-CFP/CpG heterologous immunization. These findings show that a single dose of CFP/CpG can represent a new strategy to boost the protection conferred by BCG vaccination. Moreover, different immunological parameters, such as IFN-γ and IL-17 and tightly regulated IL-4 secretion, seem to contribute to the efficacy of this tuberculosis vaccine.
Helminth Infection Can Reduce Insulitis and Type 1 Diabetes through CD25- and IL-10-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Liu Qian , Sundar Krishnan , Mishra Pankaj K. , Mousavi Gity , Liu Zhugong , Gaydo Andrew , Alem Farhang , Lagunoff David , Bleich David , Gause William C.
Published: September 2009

Parasitic helminth infection has been shown to modulate pathological inflammatory responses in allergy and autoimmune disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of infection with a helminth parasite,
Heligmosomoides polygyrus
, on type 1 diabetes (T1D) in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this protection.
H. polygyrus
inoculation at 5 weeks of age protected NOD mice from T1D until 40 weeks of age and also inhibited the more aggressive cyclophosphamide-induced T1D. Moreover,
H. polygyrus
inoculation as late as 12 weeks of age reduced the onset of T1D in NOD mice. Following
H. polygyrus
inoculation of NOD mice, pancreatic insulitis was markedly inhibited. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, and IL-13 expression and the frequency of CD4
+
CD25
+
FoxP3
+
regulatory T cells were elevated in mesenteric and pancreatic lymph nodes. Depletion of CD4
+
CD25
+
T cells in vivo did not abrogate
H. polygyrus
-induced T1D protection, nor did anti-IL-10 receptor blocking antibody. These findings suggest that infection with
H. polygyrus
significantly inhibits T1D in NOD mice through CD25- and IL-10-independent mechanisms and also reduces the severity of T1D when administered late after the onset of insulitis.
CHARGED ROTATING BLACK HOLES ON DGP BRANE
Authors: LEE DAEHO , EE CHANG-YOUNG , YOON MYUNGSEOK
Published: September 2009

We consider charged rotating black holes localized on a three-brane in the DGP model. Assuming a Z2-symmetry across the brane and with a stationary and axisymmetric metric ansatz on the brane, a particular solution is obtained in the Kerr–Schild form. This solution belongs to the accelerated branch of the DGP model and has the characteristic of the Kerr–Newman–de Sitter-type solution in general relativity. Using a modified version of Boyer–Lindquist coordinates we examine the structures of the horizon and ergosphere.
Modeling Financial Crises and Sovereign Risks
Authors: Gray Dale F.
Published: September 2009

The complex interactions, spillovers, and feedbacks of the global crisis that began in 2007 remind us of how important it is to improve our analysis and modeling of financial crises and sovereign risk. This review provides a broad framework to examine how vulnerabilities can build up and suddenly erupt in a financial crisis, with potentially disastrous feedback effects for sovereign debt and economic growth. Traditional macroeconomic analyses overlook the importance of risk, which makes them ill-suited to examine interconnectedness, risk transmission mechanisms, and contagion. After presenting an overview of the key features of the global 2007-2009 crisis, this review discusses new directions for research on modeling financial crises and sovereign risk, including the need for integrating risk into macroeconomic policy models and enhancing early warning system and financial contagion models through a more comprehensive view of economy-wide risks. Also, new tools to mitigate and control macro risk need to be developed, along with new approaches to regulate financial sector risk-taking and monitor and manage the interactions between private sector and sovereign risk.
Lung Cancer in Never Smokers: A Call to Action
Authors: Rudin Charles M. , Avila-Tang Erika , Samet Jonathan M.
Published: September 2009

The causative association between tobacco use and lung cancer is a well-established fact. However, lung cancer also occurs, at surprisingly high rates, in lifelong never smokers. In fact, lung cancer in never smokers is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. This CCR Focus summarizes recent data, identifies knowledge deficits, and suggests future research directions with regard to this critically important subset of lung cancer patients. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(18):5622–5)
Multiple Gene Status in Helicobacter pylori Strains and Risk of Gastric Cancer Development
Authors: Douraghi Masoumeh , Talebkhan Yeganeh , Zeraati Hojjat , Ebrahimzadeh Fatemeh , Nahvijoo Azin , Morakabati Arman , Ghafarpour Masoud , Esmaili Maryam , Bababeik Maryam , Oghalaie Akbar , Rakhshani Nasser , Hosseini Mahmoud Eshagh , Mohagheghi Mohammad Ali , Mohammadi Marjan
Published: September 2009

Background/Aim: The identification of the vacA intermediate region has provided new insights into the role of vacA heterogeneity in relation to gastro-duodenal pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess vacA polymorphism in Iranian Helicobacter pylori strains and its association with cagA as a major virulence determinant, gastric histopathology and disease. Methods:vacA polymorphism and serum antibody responses were studied in 207 H. pylori-infected (139 NUD, 34 PUD, and 34 GC) patients and correlated with gastric histopathology. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis found intermediate region typing superior to signal or mid region typing for screening high risk patients. vacA i1 allele was identified as an independent predictor of dysplasia (OR = 9.044; 95% CI: 1.11–73.33). Possession of s1/i1/cagA+ strains was also identified as a predictor of intestinal metaplasia (OR = 3; 95% CI: 1.13–7.95), dysplasia (OR = 9.9; 95% CI: 1.23–80.86) and risk of GC (OR = 6.9; 95% CI: 2.5–18.66) as well as induction of anti-VacA sero-positivity (OR = 5.04; 95% CI: 1.8–13.6). Anti-VacA serology correctly detected 83.8% of s1/i1/cagA+ strains carried by high-risk patients. Conclusions: The current study emphasizes the implication of vacA polymorphic structure, especially the s1/i1/cagA+ genotype, in increasing the risk of GC by revealing their association with gastric pre-neoplastic changes and their reflection in VacA sero-positivity which encourages the application of noninvasive procedures in population screening.
Incidence and Factors Predicting the Detection of Prostate Cancer after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate for Clinically Benign Disease
Authors: Bright Elizabeth A. , Manuel Clare , Goddard Jonathan C. , Khan Masood A.
Published: September 2009

Introduction: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is commonly performed as the surgical management of lower urinary tract symptoms due to clinically benign disease. However, prostate cancer is not uncommonly diagnosed after such a procedure. We, therefore, determined in a retrospective study the incidence and factors that might predict the detection of prostate cancer after TURP. Patients and Methods: Between June 2005 and June 2007, a total of 476 men underwent TURP at our department. Of these, 411 men (86%) were thought to have benign disease and were included in the study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using age, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), urinary retention status, prostate resection weight, FBC and U&E were performed to determine whether prostate cancer could be predicted. Results: A total of 47 men (11.4%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer [24/47 with pT1a (51%) and 23/47 with pT1b (49%)]. Furthermore, the Gleason scores ranged from 5 to 9. Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that only age (mean: 76 years, range: 54–90 vs. mean: 71 years, range: 49–91 for prostate cancer and non-cancer cases, respectively) and serum PSA (mean: 14.9 ng/ml, range: 0.4–78.0 vs. mean: 7.4 ng/ml, range: 0.2–90.0 for prostate cancer cases and non-cancer cases, respectively) were able to distinguish between cancer and non-cancer cases. In addition, using multivariate logistic regression, age and serum PSA were also the only variables that separated the two groups with a ROC-AUC of 70%. Conclusions: Our retrospective study has demonstrated that a substantial percentage of men are unexpectedly found to have prostate cancer after TURP. In addition, age and serum PSA were independent predictors of those who are likely to have prostate cancer.
Human Acid-Labile Subunit Deficiency: Clinical, Endocrine and Metabolic Consequences
Authors: Domené Horacio M. , Hwa Vivian , Argente Jesús , Wit Jan M. , Camacho-Hübner Cecilia , Jasper Héctor G. , Pozo Jesús , van Duyvenvoorde Hermine A. , Yakar Shoshana , Fofanova-Gambetti Olga V. , Rosenfeld Ron G.
Published: September 2009

The majority of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II circulate in the serum as a complex with the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 or IGFBP-5, and an acid-labile subunit (ALS). The function of ALS is to prolong the half-life of the IGF-I-IGFBP-3/IGFBP-5 binary complexes. Fourteen different mutations of the human IGFALS gene have been identified in 17 patients, suggesting that ALS deficiency may be prevalent in a subset of patients with extraordinarily low serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 that remain abnormally low upon growth hormone stimulation. Postnatal growth was clearly affected. Commonly, the height standard deviation score before puberty was between –2 and –3, and approximately 1.4 SD shorter than the midparental height SDS. Pubertal delay was found in 50% of the patients. Circulating IGF-II, IGFBP-1, -2 and -3 levels were reduced, with the greatest reduction observed for IGFBP-3. Insulin insensitivity was a common finding, and some patients presented low bone mineral density. Human ALS deficiency represents a unique condition in which the lack of ALS proteins results in the disruption of the entire IGF circulating system. Despite a profound circulating IGF-I deficiency, there is only a mild impact on postnatal growth. The preserved expression of locally produced IGF-I might be responsible for the preservation of linear growth near normal limits.
Antigen-Induced Contraction of Human Isolated Lung Preparations Passively Sensitized with Monoclonal IgE: Effects of Indomethacin
Authors: Norel Xavier , Haye-Legrand Isabelle , Labat Carlos , Benveniste Jacques , Brink Charles
Published: September 2009

Human isolated lung preparations were passively sensitized using mouse monoclonal dinitrophenyl (DNP)-specific IgE antibodies. The contractile response to antigen (DNP-bovine serum albumin; DNP-BSA) was approximately 80% of the histamine response (50 µM: 0.20 ± 0.03 g/mm2) in bronchial muscle preparations. In passively sensitized pulmonary vascular and parenchymal preparations, the contraction to antigen was negligible. Indomethacin (1.7 µM; 30 min) did not alter the contractile response to DNP-BSA (5 µg/ml) in bronchial tissues. In passively sensitized bronchial muscle preparations stimulated with DNP-BSA, there was a significant increase (2-fold) in prostanoid production. This production was inhibited by indomethacin. These data suggest that endogenous prostaglandins may not play a role in the regulation of human isolated bronchial muscle contraction to antigen in vitro.
A Duration-Dependent Account of Coarticulation for Hyper- and Hypoarticulation
Authors: Lindblom Björn , Sussman Harvey M. , Agwuele Augustine
Published: September 2009

Previous studies investigating anticipatory coarticulation in emphatically stressed CV sequences and during fast speaking rates reported that three factors contributed to the overall extent of the documented coarticulation. These factors were: (1) vowel identity, (2) vowel space expansion (emphasis) or reduction (fast rate), and a hypothesized (3) ‘deeper’ and ‘shallower’ stop closure contact in emphatic and faster speech, respectively. The objective of the current research was to conceptually and quantitatively unify these two studies. This was accomplished by showing that the opposite changes to frequency onsets of F2 transitions due to emphatic and rapid speech systematically vary as a function of the durational changes in the stop closure interval. Specifically, the decrease in coarticulation in emphatic speech is characterized by increases in F2 onsets and longer stop closures (relative to a normal baseline); the increase in coarticulation due to rapid speech shows concomitant decreases in F2 onsets coinciding with shorter stop closure intervals. Vocal tract area function simulations corresponding to emphatic and reduced speech implicitly support ‘deeper’ and ‘shallower’ closure contacts as a third factor contributing to the overall extent of anticipatory CV coarticulation.
Mechanism of Simvastatin-Induced K562 Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Yang Yong-Chang , Xiao Dai-Wen , Liu Hua , Chuan Liang-Min , Zeng Ya-Li , Zhou Ding-An , Liu Wen , Xu Guo-Qiang , Huang Wen-Fang
Published: September 2009

Statins are being widely used for the therapy and prevention of several types of tumors, including human chronic myelogenous leukemia, but the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown. Therefore, inhibition of cell proliferation, apoptosis and involved molecules were investigated in K562 cells after incubation with simvastatin.The results showed that simvastatin diminished K562 cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. At the same time, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular calcium concentration increased. Furthermore, nitric oxide (NO) content and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression were significantly higher in the simvastatin-treated group than in the corresponding control group. The elevated ROS level and intracellular calcium concentration, enhanced mRNA expression of iNOS and total NO content might be responsible for the apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of simvastatin in K562 cells.
The Impact of Admissions for the Management of End-Stage Renal Disease on Hospital Bed Occupancy
Authors: Quinn Michael P. , Cardwell Christopher R. , Rainey Andrea , McNamee Peter T. , Kee Frank , Maxwell Alexander P. , Fogarty Damian G. , Courtney Aisling E.
Published: September 2009

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasingly prevalent but the inpatient costs associated with this condition are poorly defined due to limitations with data extraction and failure to differentiate between hospitalisation for renal and non-renal disease reasons. The impact of admissions primarily for the management of ESRD on hospital bed utilisation was assessed over a 5-year period in a large teaching hospital. Methods: All admission episodes were reviewed and the ESRD group was identified by a primary International Classification of Diseases code for ESRD or a non-specific primary renal failure code with a secondary code for ESRD. The frequency and duration of hospitalisation and contribution to bed day occupancy of this group with ESRD was determined. Results: There were 70,808 patients responsible for a total of 116,915 admissions and 919,212 bed days over the study period. Of these, 988 (1.4%) patients were admitted for the management of ESRD, accounting for 2,387 (2.0%) of admissions and utilisation of 23,011 (2.5%) bed days. After adjustment for age and gender, those admitted for ESRD management were significantly more likely to have a prolonged admission exceeding 30 days (odds ratio 1.46, 95% confidence interval 1.23–1.72, p < 0.001). When the admission was an emergency rather than an elective event, the patient was 4.6 times more likely to be hospitalised for over 30 days. Conclusions: Persons admitted for ESRD management are hospitalised more frequently and for longer than the overall inpatient population, occupying a substantial number of bed days.
The Traditional Herbal Medicine Saireito Exerts Its Inhibitory Effect on Murine Oxazolone-Induced Colitis via the Induction of Th1-Polarized Immune Responses in the Mucosal Immune System of the Colon
Authors: Watanabe Tetsuo , Yamamoto Takeshi , Yoshida Minako , Fujiwara Kanae , Kageyama-Yahara Natsuko , Kuramoto Hirofumi , Shimada Yutaka , Kadowaki Makoto
Published: September 2009

Background: Ulcerative colitis is an intractable inflammatory colonic disease, and its etiology remains unclear. Saireito, a traditional herbal medicine, is widely used for treating ulcerative colitis in Japan. We analyzed the immunological characteristics of an oxazolone (OXZ)-induced colitis (OC) model and examined the effects of sareito on this model. Methods: OXZ was injected into the colon of BALB/c mice. Saireito was orally administered once a day for 3 consecutive days. Colitis was assessed by scoring the symptoms and macroscopic findings. The transcription patterns in the middle colon and spleen were analyzed with global transcriptome analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The above-mentioned scores were increased in the OC mice. The transcription levels of Th2 cytokines were significantly upregulated in the spleen and middle colon of the OC mice, whereas those of the Th1 cytokine interferon (IFN)-γ decreased in the spleen and increased in the middle colon. Saireito significantly ameliorated OC. In the middle colon of the saireito-treated mice, enhanced expression of Th2 cytokine mRNAs was markedly downregulated, while that of IFN-γ mRNA was further upregulated. In contrast, in the spleen, saireito had no effect on the transcription of either type of cytokine. After global transcriptome analysis, real-time PCR analysis revealed that saireito greatly downregulated the enhanced expression of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 mRNA in the middle colon of OC mice. Conclusions: Saireito exhibits inhibitory effects on OC by the induction of Th1-polarized immune responses in the mucosal immune system of the colon.
Incidence and Remission of Specific IgE Aeroallergen Sensitization from Age of 40 to 60 Years, and Association with Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Linneberg A. , Friedrich N. , Husemoen L.L.N. , Thuesen B. , Gonzalez-Quintela A. , Vidal C. , Bodtger U. , Johansen N. , Drivsholm T.
Published: September 2009

Background: Data on incidence and long-term persistence of IgE aeroallergen sensitization in older adults are limited. Alcohol consumption is a strong immune-modulator with a significant impact on the IgE response. Objectives: We aimed to assess the incidence and remission of aeroallergen sensitization from the age of 40 to 60 years. Furthermore, we examined the relationship of alcohol consumption to the prevalence and incidence of aeroallergen sensitization. Methods: In 1976–1977, a total of 1,200 people born in 1936 and randomly selected from the general population were invited for a health examination (1,052 were examined). At 60 years, they were invited for a re-examination (695 were examined). Stored serum samples from both examinations were analyzed consecutively for serum-specific IgE to aeroallergens by using a qualitative multi-allergen immunoassay. Results: We observed a total of 32 (7.1% of those not sensitized at 40 years) incident cases and 35 (41.1% of those sensitized at 40 years) remittent cases of aeroallergen sensitization over this 20 year period. Persistent as well as incident sensitization was significantly associated with self-reported atopic disease at 60 years. Alcohol consumption (>14 drinks per week) at 40 years was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensitization at 40 years, but not with the incidence of sensitization. Conclusions: In older adults, aeroallergen sensitization as reflected by serum-specific IgE positivity to aeroallergens is a dynamic process. Both persistent and incident sensitization was associated with atopic disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the influence of alcohol on the allergen-specific IgE response.
Occupational Inhalant Allergy to Pork followed by Food Allergy to Pork and Chicken: Sensitization to Hemoglobin and Serum Albumin
Authors: Hilger C. , Swiontek K. , Hentges F. , Donnay C. , de Blay F. , Pauli G.
Published: September 2009

Background: Animal-derived proteins are implicated in primary food allergies, but also in inhalant allergies with secondary food allergy symptoms. The objective of this study was to define the allergen(s) implicated in a case of food allergy to chicken meat, which developed in a person previously sensitized to pork after occupational exposure. Methods: A 42-year-old female with a history of occupational inhalant allergy to pork reported rhinitis, asthma, dysphonia and conjunctivitis 30 min after ingestion of chicken. Skin tests were positive to chicken meat. Protein extracts were prepared from chicken meat. Allergens were characterized by IgE immunoblotting, N-terminal sequencing and ELISA. Results: The patient showed specific IgE binding to chicken meat proteins at 12, 14, 26, 55 and 65 kDa. N-terminal amino acid sequencing identified the 12- and 14-kDa proteins as the α- and β-chain of hemoglobin. ELISA and immunoblot showed specific IgE binding to hemoglobin purified from chicken blood. IgE antibodies to chicken serum albumin were detected by ELISA. Inhibition studies with chicken and porcine hemoglobin as well as with serum albumins demonstrated cross-reactive IgE antibodies. Conclusions: We report a case of confirmed occupational inhalant allergy due to pork followed by food allergy to pork and 3 years later by food allergy to chicken. Porcine and chicken hemoglobin were found to be cross-reactive allergens. Cross-reactivity between porcine and chicken serum albumin was possibly linked to a prior sensitization to cat serum albumin.
Reasons for Cannabis Use and Effects of Cannabis Use as Reported by Patients with Psychotic Disorders
Authors: Dekker N. , Linszen D.H. , De Haan L.
Published: September 2009

Background: Cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances in patients with a psychotic disorder and is associated with a higher risk of psychotic relapses. Identifying reasons for cannabis use and subjective effects in patients with psychotic disorders can provide insight into the functions of cannabis use, and this may lead to targeted interventions. Methods: A literature search of the PubMed and PsycINFO databases for articles published from 1985 till 2008 was carried out to review studies that examined self-reported reasons for cannabis use and self-reported effects of cannabis use in patients with psychotic disorders. Results: Only a few studies were found that specifically assessed reasons for and effects of cannabis use. Despite the heterogeneity in the study samples and methodology, patients commonly reported that their reasons for cannabis use were enhancement of positive affect, relief of dysphoria and social enhancement. Fewer patients reported reasons related to relief of psychotic symptoms or relief of side effects of medication. Frequently reported positive effects of cannabis were positive changes in affect and relaxation. A large proportion of patients reported that cannabis negatively affected positive symptoms. Conclusions: Patients suffering from psychotic disorder report using cannabis mainly for affect regulation and socialization, despite the awareness that cannabis has a negative effect on positive symptoms. In spite of the heterogeneity of the studies, the results turned out to be broadly comparable and support the external validity of this review to a broad range of cannabis-using patients with psychotic disorder.
Anomalous Self-Experience in Adolescents at Risk of Psychosis
Authors: Davidsen Kirstine Agnete
Published: September 2009

Background: In research and clinical settings, there is a growing interest in the prodromal state of psychosis. The condition is usually operationalized by the presence of weak positive symptoms. Some studies also point to disorders of self-awareness as a core characteristic of the schizophrenia spectrum detectable before the onset of psychosis. Combining the 2 approaches is a pragmatic solution to the investigation of the role of anomalous self-experience in developing psychosis. Methods: This clinical report describes disorders of self-experience in a small sample of 11 subjects fulfilling the Criteria of Prodromal Syndromes. All subjects were interviewed using the symptom checklist Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience. Through in-depth analysis of cases, interview excerpts have been selected for the purpose of illustrating the phenomena of anomalous self-experience. Results: Disorders of self-experience were found in all subjects who fulfilled the prodromal criteria. There was, however, a difference in the kind and numbers of single features. Examples of disorders of self-experience which differ from the attenuated positive symptoms are illustrated by selected interview excerpts. Conclusions: Anomalous self-experience should be further investigated in subjects at risk of psychosis and in a broader clinical population. The concept of anomalous self-experience should be further elaborated theoretically as well as empirically.
Low Incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death in a Swedish Y111C Type 1 Long-QT syndrome Population
Authors: Winbo Annika , Diamant Ulla-Britt , Stattin Eva-Lena , Jensen Steen M. , Rydberg Annika
Published: September 2009

Background—

A 10% cumulative incidence and a 0.3% per year incidence rate of sudden cardiac death in patients younger than 40 years and without therapy have been reported in type 1 long-QT syndrome. The Y111C-KCNQ1 mutation causes a severe phenotype in vitro, suggesting a high-risk mutation. This study investigated the phenotype among Y111C-KCNQ1 mutation carriers in the Swedish population with a focus on life-threatening cardiac events.

Methods and Results—

We identified 80 mutation carriers in 15 index families, segregating the Y111C-KCNQ1 mutation during a national inventory of mutations causing the long-QT syndrome. Twenty-four mutation carriers <40 years experienced syncope (30%). One mutation carrier had an aborted cardiac arrest (1.25%). No case of sudden cardiac death was reported during a mean nonmedicated follow-up of 25�20 years. This corresponds to a low incidence rate of life-threatening cardiac events (0.05%/year versus 0.3%/year,
P
=0.025). In 8 Y111C families connected by a common ancestor, the natural history of the mutation was assessed by investigating the survival over the age of 40 years for 107 nonmedicated ascertained mutation carriers (n=24) and family members (n=83) born between 1873 and 1968. In total, 4 deaths in individuals younger than 40 years were noted: 1 case of noncardiac death and 3 infant deaths between 1873 and 1915.

Conclusions—

The dominant-negative Y111C-KCNQ1 mutation, associated with a severe phenotype in vitro, presents with a low incidence of life-threatening cardiac events in a Swedish population. This finding of discrepancy emphasizes the importance of clinical observations in the risk stratification of long-QT syndrome.
Regulation of Vascular Contractility and Blood Pressure by the E2F2 Transcription Factor
Authors: Zhou Junlan , Zhu Yan , Cheng Min , Dinesh Deepika , Thorne Tina , Poh Kian Keong , Liu Dongxu , Botros Chantal , Tang Yao Liang , Reisdorph Nichole , Kishore Raj , Losordo Douglas W. , Qin Gangjian
Published: September 2009

Background—

Recent studies have identified a polymorphism in the endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)–1b promoter (−338C/A) that is strongly associated with hypertension in women. The polymorphism is located in a consensus binding sequence for the E2F family of transcription factors. E2F proteins are crucially involved in cell-cycle regulation, but their roles in cardiovascular function are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the potential role of E2F2 in blood pressure regulation.

Methods and Results—

Tail-cuff measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in E2F2-null (E2F2
−/−
) mice than in their wild-type littermates, and in ex vivo ring assays, aortas from the E2F2
−/−
mice exhibited significantly greater contractility in response to big endothelin-1. Big endothelin-1 is activated by ECE-1, and mRNA levels of ECE-1b, the repressive ECE-1 isoform, were significantly lower in E2F2
−/−
mice than in wild-type mice. In endothelial cells, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that E2F2 binds the ECE-1b promoter, and promoter-reporter assays indicated that E2F2 activates ECE-1b transcription. Furthermore, loss or downregulation of E2F2 led to a decline in ECE-1b levels, to higher levels of the membranous ECE-1 isoforms (ie, ECE-1a, -1c, and -1d), and to deregulated ECE-1 activity. Finally, Sam68 coimmunoprecipitated with E2F2, occupied the ECE-1b promoter (chromatin immunoprecipitation), and repressed E2F2-mediated ECE-1b promoter activity (promoter-reporter assays).

Conclusion—

Our results identify a cell-cycle–independent mechanism by which E2F2 regulates endothelial function, arterial contractility, and blood pressure.
Pulmonary Hypertensive Medical Therapy in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Before Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy
Authors: Jensen Kurt W. , Kerr Kim M. , Fedullo Peter F. , Kim Nick Hyong , Test Victor J. , Ben-Yehuda Ori , Auger William R.
Published: September 2009

Background—

The currently recommended treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). No convincing evidence for the use of pulmonary hypertensive medical therapy (PHT) exists in operable candidates. We sought to determine the prevalence of the use of PHT on referral for PTE and the effects on pre-PTE hemodynamics and post-PTE outcomes/hemodynamics.

Methods and Results—

We performed a retrospective analysis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients referred for PTE during 2005–2007. The prevalence of PHT was determined for all patients referred to our institution. Hemodynamic and outcomes analysis involved only those undergoing PTE. Data included baseline demographics, PHT medication(s), dosage, duration of therapy, and time to referral. Hemodynamic data were acquired from the time of diagnosis, the time of referral visit, and after PTE. Outcomes included intensive care unit, hospital, and ventilator days; bleeding and infection rates; incidence of reperfusion lung injury; and in-hospital mortality. The control group (n=244) was compared with the PHT group (n=111); subgroups included monotherapy with bosentan, sildenafil, or epoprostenol and combination therapy. The prevalence of PHT significantly increased from 19.9% in 2005 to 37% in 2007. There was minimal benefit of treatment with PHT on pre-PTE mean pulmonary artery pressure, but its use was associated with a significant delay in time to referral for PTE. Both groups experienced significant improvements in hemodynamic parameters after PTE. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in any post-PTE outcome. Similar results were obtained for each subgroup.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that PHT use has minimal effect on pre-PTE hemodynamics and no effect on post-PTE outcomes/hemodynamics.
Prayer Bead Gestures and Television: A Case Study on Cultural Inspirations for Interaction Art Education
Authors: Özcan Oguzhan , Akdemir Emre , O'Neil Mary Lou , Ünlüer A. Ayça
Published: September 2009

The authors, interactive design-art educators, recount their experience in using cultural inspirations as part of student exercises. The authors found that, although students proposed various design concepts drawing from the surrounding culture, very few moved beyond experience design art. In order to remedy this situation without giving explicit direction, the authors encouraged students to examine cultural habits and/or artifacts from their past or their current lives in the hope that this could generate innovative design ideas. One such project is the Prayer Bead Gesture Based TV Input Device.
Music Neurotechnology for Sound Synthesis: Sound Synthesis with Spiking Neuronal Networks
Authors: Miranda Eduardo R. , Matthias John
Published: September 2009

Music neurotechnology is a new research area emerging at the crossroads of neurobiology, engineering sciences and music. Examples of ongoing research into this new area include the development of brain-computer interfaces to control music systems and systems for automatic classification of sounds informed by the neurobiology of the human auditory apparatus. The authors introduce neurogranular sampling, a new sound synthesis technique based on spiking neuronal networks (SNN). They have implemented a neurogranular sampler using the SNN model developed by Izhikevich, which reproduces the spiking and bursting behavior of known types of cortical neurons. The neurogranular sampler works by taking short segments (or sound grains) from sound files and triggering them when any of the neurons fire.
A Film on Leonardo da Vinci by Luciano Emmer
Authors: Emmer Michele
Published: September 2009

Leonardo da Vinci probably did not consider the possibility of realizing images with real movement. Many centuries later, however, the author's father, Luciano Emmer, had the idea of reinterpreting the images of the famous artist and scientist using the technique of cinema.
Re-inventing Fourier
Authors: Aucouturier Jean-Julien
Published: September 2009

Artists asked to represent sound in a visual way mysteriously re-invented many of the concepts that preside over the mathematical signal transforms used in computer music. Their drawings adopted a systematic 2-dimensional structure and sometimes resembled time-frequency representations such as the Fourier transform. This makes us ponder here over the different criteria of what makes a “good” computer representation for the scientist, and what makes a “good” visual work for the artist.
The Monument Project (Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice)
Authors: Meigh-Andrews Chris
Published: September 2009

This paper describes the concepts, ideas, background and operations of The Monument Project (Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice), a digital video installation that produces a continuous stream of weather-responsive panoramic images from the top of the Monument in the City of London. The work, which was commissioned by Julian Harrap Architects, was part of a £4.5 million refurbishment of the 17th-century landmark, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Dr. Robert Hooke to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Emergence and Generative Art
Authors: Monro Gordon
Published: September 2009

Emergence, the idea that in some sense more comes out of a system than was put in, is the holy grail of generative art. Yet emergence is a slippery concept. Originating in the philosophy of science, it has been taken up in systems theory, cognitive science and Artificial Life. As a consequence there are numerous definitions of emergence in the literature, but none well-suited to discussions of generative art. The paper reviews some existing definitions and proposes a new definition of generative-art emergence.
Processpatching, Defining New Methods in aRt&D
Authors: Nigten Anne
Published: September 2009

Keywords: Art and technology, collaborations, artistic methods, interface design, electronic art, engineering and computer science.
Teenage Marriage in the Malay/Muslim Community of Singapore: Problems, Perceptions and Programmes
Authors: Rahman Noor Aisha Abdul
Published: September 2009

Teenage marriage within the Malay community of Singapore was thrust under the national spotlight by the government in recent years. Though identified as one of the major social challenges confronting the Malay community, there is still at present, a gross lack of research necessary for an objective understanding of the phenomenon. The adverse implications of the lacunae are reinforced by instant solutions and prescriptions aimed at eradicating the problem. Utilising data obtained from interviews and responses to a survey administered to Malay teenage married couples, this paper examines dominant perceptions of teenage marriage in Singapore and their ramifications on policies and programmes. It is hoped that this paper can contribute towards a more objective understanding of the problem so vital for effective policy making.
What's so Special about Agglomeration? A Survival Analysis of Internet Consultancies in Australia
Authors: Mattar Yasser
Published: September 2009

Since the 1970s, the Australian government has seen the information and communication technology industry as a viable industry for promotion and investment. This paper attempts to empirically evaluate policy initiatives geared towards geographical co-location through a survival analysis of Internet consultancy organisations that were in operation in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory between 1996 and 2003. This will be augmented by anecdotal evidence through interviews done with representatives of organisations sampled from the dataset. It will be shown that co-location in Australia does not offer the necessary resources for survival as predicted by locational economics. Rather, organisational networks that transcend physical displacements are of more importance in ensuring organisational survival.
The Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Freedom of Expression
Authors: Evans Malcolm
Published: September 2009

There is increasing scrutiny of the practice of states in relation to matters of religion or belief and whilst such practice takes place—and is subject to analysis—on many levels, one of the most important issues concerns the manner in which it bears upon the enjoyment of other fundamental rights. Given the importance placed upon the freedom of expression in the western liberal democratic tradition, it is easy to see why the relationship between religion, belief and expression has become so significant an issue and why the manner in which any tensions are addressed tends to assume something of a totemic significance in the eyes of some observers.