bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Intraindividual Variation in Disease Progression and the Ensuing Tight Window of Opportunity Affect Estimation of Screening Benefits?
Authors: Koffijberg Hendrik , Rinkel Gabriel , Buskens Erik
Published: January 2009

Background . The effects of variation in disease progression between individuals on the effectiveness of screening have been assessed extensively in the literature. For several diseases, progression may also vary within individuals over time. The authors study the effects of intraindividual variation and the combined effects of inter- and intraindividual variation in disease progression on the effectiveness of screening. Methods . The authors investigated the risk reduction of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) achieved by screening for intracranial aneurysms in a simulation study as a function of the inter- and intraindividual variation in the risk of aneurysm rupture. They also extended a previously constructed Markov model for the cost-effectiveness analysis of screening for new aneurysms in patients with clipped aneurysms after SAH. A time-varying risk of aneurysm rupture was introduced, and the influence of this variation on cost-effectiveness was assessed. Results . The risk reduction provided by screening decreased with increasing intraindividual variation in disease progression. The expected number of prevented instances of SAH was overestimated by 58% in this simulation study when high degrees of inter- and intraindividual variation were present. Interindividual variation alone resulted in up to 33% overestimation and intraindividual variation in up to 43% overestimation. In the extended Markov model, screening benefits were overestimated by 24% when a high degree of intraindividual variation was present but ignored. Conclusions . If intraindividual variation in disease progression is ignored in decision models, subsequent cost-effectiveness analyses of screening strategies will overestimate the benefits provided by screening. This bias is comparable to, but partially independent of, the bias caused by ignoring interindividual heterogeneity.
Does It Make Any Difference if She Is a Mother?
Authors: Vatnar Solveig Karin Bø , Bjørkly Stål
Published: January 2009

The authors report on the impact of motherhood and pregnancy on interactional aspects of intimate partner violence (IPV) among help-seeking women. Is having children a protective or a risk factor for IPV severity, injury, duration, frequency, and mortal danger, controlling for sociodemographics? Regarding interactional aspects of IPV, do survivors who experience IPV during pregnancy differ from those who do not? Is IPV during pregnancy characterized by different severity, injury, frequency, and mortal danger? A representative sample of women was interviewed. Motherhood increased the risk for longer duration of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, even controlling for duration of partnership. Combinations of main categories of IPV during pregnancy were different from when not pregnant. Duration of physical and psychological IPV was the only variable increasing the likelihood of experiencing IPV during pregnancy. All physical IPV variables were significantly lower during pregnancy. For psychological IPV, all variables but frequency were lower. Only mortal danger was significantly lower in the sexual IPV main category.
Quality of Life in Relation to Mood, Coping Strategies, and Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Montel Sébastien , Bonnet Anne-Marie , Bungener Catherine
Published: January 2009

Given the variability of the results found in the literature, the current study is a step toward better clarifying the influence of motor and nonmotor factors on quality of life in Parkinson's disease. A total of 135 participants with Parkinson's disease were selected. Semistructured interviews were carried out, after which their mental and cognitive states were assessed using different scales (MINI, MADRS, EHD, HAMA). Finally, all participants completed 3 self-report questionnaires: 2 assessing coping strategies (WCC, CHIP) and 1, quality of life (Parkinson's disease questionnaire-39). It appears that the presence of dyskinesia, depression, and anxiety were linked to a poor quality of life. Interestingly, some different coping strategies, namely diversion as well as emotional strategies, were associated with a poor quality of life. These results encourage us to develop interventions focused on coping strategies and tailored to the emotional and clinical characteristics of each patient.
Asymptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sugiura T , Kumon Y , Kataoka H , Matsumura Y , Takeuchi H , Doi YL
Published: January 2009

To determine the frequency and clinical correlates of asymptomatic pericardial effusion (PE) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), echocardiography and electrocardiography were performed in 50 consecutive patients with SLE. Among 50 patients with SLE, 12 patients (24%) had PE and 17 patients (34%) had hypoalbuminaemia. Patients with PE had a significantly lower serum albumin ( P < 0.001), higher incidence of proteinuria ( P = 0.003), higher C-reactive protein ( P = 0.036) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( P = 0.011) and tended to have a higher incidence of PR-segment depression ( P = 0.082) compared with those without PE. When four variables (PR-segment depression, C-reactive protein, serum albumin and pulmonary artery systolic pressure) were used in the multivariate analysis, serum albumin ( P = 0.005, odds ratio = 0.016) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( P = 0.010, odds ratio = 1.106) emerged as significant variables related to the occurrence of asymptomatic PE. Thus, an increase in hydrostatic pressure of the right heart cavities and a decrease in colloid osmotic pressure were important factors associated with the presence of asymptomatic PE in patients with SLE.
Up-regulated renal expression of TNF-α signalling adapter proteins in lupus glomerulonephritis
Authors: Zhu L , Yang X , Ji Y , Chen W , Guan W , Zhou SF , Yu X
Published: January 2009

The role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) signalling adapters in lupus nephritis (LN) is poorly understood. This study investigated renal expression of TNF-α and TNF signalling adapter proteins, including TNF receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD), receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and TNF receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF-2) in patients with LN. The renal expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD68 was also measured. The study showed that glomerular and tubular expression of TNF-α, TRADD, RIP and TRAF-2 was significantly up-regulated in class III and IV LN in which the intense staining was observed on the crescents, proximal and distal tubules and interstitial mononuclear cells. The number of PCNA-positive cells and CD68-positive cells (macrophages) was increased obviously in class III and IV LN. There was a correlation between the expression levels of TNF-α, TRADD, RIP, TRAF-2 and the number of PCNA-positive or CD68-positive cells and active index of renal pathology. These findings suggest that TNF-α and TNF-α adapters in patients with LN play a role in immunopathogenic injury via transmitting abnormal cell proliferating and proinflammatory signals. The findings have provided further insights into the role of TNF-α and its adapter proteins in the pathogenesis of LN and have important therapeutic implications.
Mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of juvenile onset SLE: a multicenter study
Authors: Falcini F , Capannini S , Martini G , La Torre F , Vitale A , Mangiantini F , Nacci F , Cerinic MM , Cimaz R , Zulian F
Published: January 2009

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has proved to be an efficacious and safe therapy in adult lupus nephritis. Recently, this drug has been suggested as a possible new alternative treatment also for juvenile-onset SLE (juvenile-SLE). A multicenter study has been performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MMF in controlling the disease activity in children and adolescents with juvenile-SLE. Our results show that MMF was effective in reducing the disease activity or as a steroid-sparing agent in 14 of 26 patients (54%), stabilised the disease in 8 (31%) and was ineffective in 4 (15%). In particular, in patients without renal involvement, a good response was registered in 9 of 13 patients (69%). Among those patients with renal involvement, MMF was effective in 5 of 13 patients (38%), partially effective in 4 (31%) and ineffective in 4 (31%). No severe side effects have been observed; only two patients stopped the drug because of severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain. With the limits of a retrospective study, MMF seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of juvenile-SLE, especially in patients with no renal involvement.
The Role of Collective Efficacy in Adventure Racing Teams
Authors: Edmonds William A. , Tenenbaum Gershon , Kamata Akihito , Johnson Michael B.
Published: January 2009

This study examines the relationship between collective efficacy and performance in a single competition of adventure racing. Adventure racing is a team-based sport that requires the multidisciplinary tasks of trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, and climbing to navigate through a preplanned racecourse. Seventeen teams competing in an adventure race completed measures of prior performance, preparation effort, and a collective efficacy assessing perceptions of their team's functioning in six performance areas. Three in-race measures of collective efficacy and environmental factors-conditions are taken at various checkpoints. A correlational analysis indicates a positive relationship between preparation effort and initial perceptions of collective efficacy. A repeated measures analysis reveals the dynamic nature of collective efficacy and the reciprocal relationship between efficacy and performance. The results are consistent with D. L. Feltz and C. D. Lirgg's (1998) examination of collegiate teams and A. Bandura's (2000) contention that collective efficacy fosters a sense of motivational investment and an increased sense of staying power.
Screening for Hemophilia A Carriers: Utility of PCR-RFLP—Based Polymorphism Analysis
Authors: Tasleem Raza Syed , Husain Nuzhat , Kumar Ashutosh
Published: January 2009

Health schemes are promoting application of molecular diagnosis and screening in peripheral diagnostics labs. Intragenic restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the intron 18 ( BclI), intron 19 ( HindIII), and intron 22 ( XbaI) of the Factor VIII gene were studied in 100 patients with hemophilia A and their relatives at risk from different regions of north India. For Bcl I, HindIII , and XbaI, the positive allele frequency was 0.57, 0.38, and 0.43, respectively, and heterozygosity was 0.54, 0.49, 0.41, respectively, whereas the heterozygosity in terms of informativity of the above markers was 53% for BclI, 44% for HindIII, and 34% for XbaI. Combined informativity of these markers was 77%. Review of Indian and world literature shows a marked variation in the informativity of polymorphic sites. Screening for carriers forms the baseline for prevention of hemophilia A. Polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism is a low-cost procedure, efficient in the north Indian population.
Sound Radiation Modes of MDOF Waveguide Suppressor in Outer Fluid
Authors: Gu X. , Du D. , Peng D. , Zhu B.
Published: January 2009

For a multiple degree-of-freedom (MDOF) waveguide suppressor attached to a large baffleplate, we achieved the analysis solution to this problem by replacing a MDOF waveguide suppressor as an equivalent Timoshenko beam. Based on the theory of acoustic radiation mode, we discussed the properties of acoustic energy radiated from MDOF waveguide suppressor and acoustic energy transfer in outer fluid, which indicate the patterns of acoustic energy radiation and transfer in fluid. The surface sound intensity and fluid sound intensity may be classified into two parts1 one part can propagate towards the far field, while the other part may exchange between suppressor and fluid within the near field, which means only when we curb the acoustic energy radiation patterns of waveguide suppressor propagating to the far field effectively, can we depress the sound radiation level in outer fluid.
Vibration Suppression of Non-uniform Curved Beams under Random Loading using Optimal Tuned Mass Damper
Authors: Yang F. , Sedaghati R. , Esmailzadeh E.
Published: January 2009

In this paper the coupled governing equations of motion for general curved beams with the attached tuned mass damper including the effects of curved beam axis extensibility, shear deformation and rotary inertia have been derived. Then by applying the Galerkin weighted residual technique and using an appropriate shape function, the finite element model of the system has been developed. Random vibration analysis based on the state-space method is used to efficiently find the variance of the response under stationary random loadings. The developed analysis module is then combined with the Sequential Quadratic Programming optimization algorithm to obtain the optimal design variables in the tuned mass dampers to efficiently suppress vibration of different types of curved beam. Illustrative examples are analyzed to demonstrate the validity of the methodology.
Effect of Mass Based Imperfections on Behavior of Linear Vibrating Plates Near Degenerate Modes
Authors: Altintas Gokhan
Published: January 2009

The principal objective in this study is to investigate the special behaviors of linear vibrating plates with special parameters near degenerate modes. Near degenerate modes, plates may lack geometric stability because they exhibit a qualitatively different behavior under an arbitrarily small change in special parameters. The special parameters considered in this study are the location and quantity of an additional mass, which have an effect on removing the system symmetry. To this end, analyses are carried out for three plate systems with each having different boundary conditions. The effect of the location and the quantity of additional mass on degenerate modes are significantly different from those of other mode types. Clearly, these effects are of theoretical importance and should be taken into consideration in practical applications. With the view of the deterministic approach, it can be stated that the study determines some unspecified parts of forced vibration behaviors of mass loaded plates.
Finding My . . . A Story of Female Identity
Authors: Mackie Cara T.
Published: January 2009

This piece delves into an identity shaped by and a history filled with sexual violence. It was created from a performance script, various journal entries, and field notes, using the process of systematic sociological introspection1 to write through emotional experience. It also takes the form of autoethnographic 2 research, where I use self-reflection, connecting personal experience to a larger social context of violence against women. “Finding my . . . ” embodies gender identity and uses voice/telling to show the move into a more confident “self.” While I attempt to make sense out of and share my experiences, I hope to encourage further conversation on this topic and reduce the stigma and shame that accompanies these encounters.
Broadening the Educational Evaluation Lens With Communicative Evaluation
Authors: Brooks-LaRaviere Margaret , Ryan Katherine , Miron Luis , Samuels Maurice
Published: January 2009

Outcomes-based accountability in the form of test scores and performance indicators are a primary lever for improving student achievement in the current educational landscape. The article presents communicative evaluation as a complementary evaluation approach that may be used along with the primary methods of school accountability to provide a more comprehensive picture of the school environment. Through document reviews of state school report cards and the communicative evaluation of an educational program, the article discusses the study on challenges to academic achievement and possible solutions proffered by the students struggling to meet state graduation standards. The article identifies several issues emerging from the case connected to moving communicative evaluation from theory to practice. A brief discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of communicative evaluation and how it might best be utilized in evaluation practice is included.
Microbiological and Sensory Effects of Musts Treated by High-pressure Homogenization
Authors: Puig A. , Olmos P. , Quevedo J.M. , Guamis B. , Mínguez S.
Published: January 2009

The winemaking sector needs to ensure the microbiological quality of its products to guarantee acceptance and wide commercialization. There are treatments such as high pressure homogenization (HPH) that, apparently, do not affect the final nutritional and sensory food properties. This study is presented to evaluate possibilities of utilizing HPH treatments to reduce the indigenous flora accompanying wine musts, as well as their effects on the fermentative process, oenological parameters, color, aroma, and taste properties. Two different must varieties were used: a white must (Parellada variety) and a red one (Trepat variety). Results showed that the use of HPH at 200 MPa is capable of reducing the microbial load of musts. Residual populations of total bacteria were detected, but neither fungi, nor yeasts, nor lactic acid bacteria were detected after the treatment in either musts. Furthermore, as a result of the decrease of the wild microbiota of the musts, the implantation of the selected yeast for alcoholic fermentation was improved. Sensory assessments of the must and wines showed that there were no significant changes caused by the treatment.
Growth of Pre-ruminant Kid Goats and the Composition of Carcass Fat Deposits: Effects of Providing a PUFA-rich Fat in the Milk Replacer and Influence of the Kidding Season
Authors: García Navarro M.C. , Ramos Morales E. , De la Torre Adarve G. , Fernández Navarro J.R. , Rodríguez Osorio M. , Gil Extremera F. , Sanz Sampelayo M.R.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of improving the composition of goat meat in terms overall, of the fatty acid composition of different fat deposits. The experiment is designed in an 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments consist of two different milk replacers, one including and one excluding 2% of fish oil, and two different kidding seasons (spring or autumn). Twelve animals are allocated at random, to each treatment. Animals are slaughtered when they reached a body weight of 7000 ± 200 g. The inclusion of fish oil has no significant effect on growth rate, food efficiency ratio or dressing percentage. The cover, intermuscular and intramuscular fat of the leg from the animals fed with the milk replacer including fish oil, present higher and lower proportions of n-3 PUFA and saturated fatty acids respectively, while that of n-6 PUFA remains unchanged. The inclusion of fish oil in the milk replacer increases the 20 : 5 content in the leg muscle from about 0.4 to 3.5% and 22: 6 content from 0.4 to 2.3%. The fatty acids 20: 5 and 22: 6 are also detected in the cover and intermuscular fat when fish oil is included in the diet. The kid goats born in autumn, show a higher birth weight and growth rate. The leg obtained from these animals, presents a higher proportion of muscle and a lower proportion of bone. However, in the animals born in spring, a somewhat more favourable composition is obtained in the leg fat deposits. The improvement in the quality of meat obtained is discussed, taking into account the feeding strategy provided and the class of animals in question.
Composition and Technological Quality of Malagueña Goat Milk. Effect of Genotype for Synthesis of αs1-Casein in Milk and Protein Content in the Diet
Authors: De La Torre G. , Ramos E. , Ares J.L. , Serradilla J.M. , Sanz Sampelayo M.R.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to identify the possible interaction between protein content in the diet and animal genotype, with respect to its higher or lower capability to synthesis α S1-casein in milk, in relation to the production, composition, and technological quality of the goat milk. Twenty-five goats of the Malagueña breed were used, with 13 of them belonging to genotypes with a high capability for synthesis of αS1-casein, and 12 belonging to genotypes with a low capability. The protein content in the diets were: 136 (D1) and 177 (D2) g/kg dry matter. Within each group, a milk production assay was conducted using the two different diets in a two-period balanced changeover design. Within each period, half of the animals consumed the D1 and the other half consumed the D2 diet. According to the results obtained it is deduced the change from D1 to D2 can be considered positive. In the low capability animals, this change would lead to the production of a greater amount of milk. In those with a high capability, this change would either give rise to the production of a greater amount of milk or to the production of a similar amount of milk but one presenting a higher αS1-casein content and, therefore, a milk with better technological quality.
Noninvasive Cardiac Output Determination: Broadening the Applicability of Hemodynamic Monitoring
Authors: Compton Friederike , Schäfer Jürgen-Heiner
Published: January 2009

Although cardiac output (CO) monitoring is usually only used in intensive care units (ICUs) and operating rooms, there is increasing evidence that CO should be determined and optimized as early as possible, even before admission to the ICU, in the care of hemodynamically compromised patients. A variety of different minimally or noninvasive CO determination techniques have been developed, but not all of them are suitable for early hemodynamic monitoring outside the ICU. In this review, the different available methods for CO monitoring are presented and their potential for early hemodynamic assessment is discussed.
Implications of population ageing for the development of tourism products and destinations
Authors: Glover Petra , Prideaux Bruce
Published: January 2009

Population ageing has been identified as a critical element of demographic change which is a key driver for future consumer demand. Driven by the size of the baby boomer generation, population ageing is likely to affect the future choice of tourism activities and destinations. As the baby boomers retire, their demand patterns and preferences will grow in significance and will strongly influence the future structure of tourism product development. Two case studies are used to demonstrate possible impacts of population ageing on tourism demand and the potential implications for product and destination development. The paper discusses the need to consider demand preferences that are influenced by generational membership and identifies the conditions that may lead to the emergence of a product gap if the changing patterns of demand are ignored.
The many faces of Macau: A correspondence analysis of the images communicated by online tourism information sources in English and Chinese
Authors: Tang Liang , Choi Soojin , Morrison Alastair M. , Lehto Xinran Y.
Published: January 2009

This research aimed to compare Macau's tourism image in English- and Chinese-language websites from five sets of online information sources. It systematically identified Macau's online tourism image by content analyzing its official Macau Government Tourist Office website (MGTO), travel agency, guidebook and magazine websites, and blogs of tourists. This study revealed that the overall Macau images projected on English and Chinese websites are quite different. Cultural differences, when combined with other salient factors (such as distance from Macau), seem to influence destination image. The variations are not surprising, considering different communication objectives and targets of destination marketers, travel agencies, publishers and tourists. Macau destination marketers undoubtedly need to keep these deviations in mind when proposing communication strategies. While adequate communication about the government's intended Macau image becomes essential among destination marketers and other industry practitioners, it is also important to be aware of the various other communicated images online and harmonize the efforts as much as possible.
Modeling and Simulation of Normal and Damage Vibration Signatures of Idealized Gears
Authors: Kaul Upender K.
Published: January 2009

A physics-based first principles approach is adopted in this study to simulate vibration signatures from an idealized gear such as a thin spur gear under plane dynamic stresses induced by an impulsive rotation. The governing equations of velocity—stress are solved using a finite-difference formulation in generalized curvilinear coordinates and a fully characteristic set of boundary conditions based on the theory of hyperbolic systems. The vibration signatures are thus directly obtained in the time domain. A second-order accurate in time and space, time-staggered leapfrog scheme, is used to integrate the time-dependent partial differential equations. Normal as well as damage signatures are obtained and compared; normal signatures correspond to uniform material properties of the gear, and damage signatures correspond to one of the gear teeth being made less rigid in a certain fashion so as to mimic a damage such as due to impact-induced pitting, deformation or incipient crack formation. It is observed that significant deviations from the normal signature occur in amplitude due to this seeded damage. Using this approach, baseline or reference vibration signatures can be obtained for any structural subsystem to aid in its health monitoring.
An Algorithm for Simultaneous Optimization of Parameters of Condition-based Preventive Maintenance
Authors: Naga Srinivasa Rao P. , Achutha Naikan V.N.
Published: January 2009

A new condition-based preventive maintenance model for a system, subject to deterioration-failures and to random failures with increasing intensity, is presented. Deterioration is modeled as discrete stages. After an inspection, based on the degree of deterioration, a minimal maintenance or a major maintenance is performed, or no action is taken. Deterioration failures are restored by complete replacements; Random failures are restored by minimal repair. Major maintenance restores the system to `τ' deterioration stages younger (τ > 1), while minimal maintenance restores the system one stage. The proposed model considers an accumulated deterioration based increasing intensity for the random failures. A continuously increasing failure rate (for example Weibull) is converted into a stepwise increasing failure rate using stair-step approximation. An exact recursive algorithm computes the steady-state probabilities of the system. Based on maximization of the system availability or minimization of total cost, an optimal inspection policy within this strategy, optimal inter-inspection time, and threshold deterioration level for replacement, are obtained. The effects of threshold deterioration level for deterioration replacements, inspection, maintenance, and repair parameters are investigated.
Wound healing defect of Vav3−/− mice due to impaired β2-integrin–dependent macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils
Authors: Sindrilaru Anca , Peters Thorsten , Schymeinsky Jürgen , Oreshkova Tsvetelina , Wang Honglin , Gompf Anne , Mannella Francesca , Wlaschek Meinhard , Sunderkötter Cord , Rudolph Karl Lenhard , Walzog Barbara , Bustelo Xosé R. , Fischer Klaus D. , Scharffetter-Kochanek Karin
Published: January 2009

Vav proteins are guanine-nucleotide exchange factors implicated in leukocyte functions by relaying signals from immune response receptors and integrins to Rho-GTPases. We here provide first evidence for a role of Vav3 for β2-integrins–mediated macrophage functions during wound healing. Vav3−/− and Vav1−/−/Vav3−/− mice revealed significantly delayed healing of full-thickness excisional wounds. Furthermore, Vav3−/− bone marrow chimeras showed an identical healing defect, suggesting that Vav3 deficiency in leukocytes, but not in other cells, is causal for the impaired wound healing. Vav3 was required for the phagocytotic cup formation preceding macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. Immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy revealed Vav3 activation and colocalization with β2-integrins at the macrophage membrane upon adhesion to ICAM-1. Moreover, local injection of Vav3−/−or β2-integrin(CD18)−/− macrophages into wound margins failed to restore the healing defect of Vav3−/− mice, suggesting Vav3 to control the β2-integrin–dependent formation of a functional phagocytic synapse. Impaired phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by Vav3−/− macrophages was causal for their reduced release of active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, for decreased myofibroblasts differentiation and myofibroblast-driven wound contraction. TGF-β1 deficiency in Vav3−/− macrophages was causally responsible for the healing defect, as local injection of either Vav3-competent macrophages or recombinant TGF-β1 into wounds of Vav3−/− mice fully rescued the delayed wound healing.
Detecting intergene correlation changes in microarray analysis: a new approach to gene selection
Authors: Hu Rui , Qiu Xing , Glazko Galina , Klebanov Lev , Yakovlev Andrei
Published: January 2009

Background

Microarray technology is commonly used as a simple screening tool with a focus on selecting genes that exhibit extremely large differential expressions between different phenotypes. It lacks the ability to select genes that change their relationships with other genes in different biological conditions (differentially correlated genes). We intend to enrich the above procedure by proposing a nonparametric selection procedure that selects differentially correlated genes.

Results

Using both simulations and resampling techniques, we found that our procedure correctly detected genes that were not differentially expressed but differentially correlated. We also applied our procedure to a set of biological data and found some potentially important genes that were not selected by the traditional method.

Discussion and Conclusion

Microarray technology yields multidimensional information on the function of the whole genome. Rather than treating intergene correlation as a nuisance to the traditional gene selection procedures which are essentially univariate, our method utilizes the rich information contained in the correlation as a new selection criterion. It can provide additional useful candidate genes for the biologists.
Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and immunostimulatory effect of extracts from Byrsonima crassa Nied. (Malpighiaceae)
Authors: Bonacorsi Cibele , Raddi Maria Stella G , Carlos Iracilda Z , Sannomiya Miriam , Vilegas Wagner
Published: January 2009

Background

Several in vitro studies have looked at the effect of medicinal plant extracts against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Regardless of the popular use of Byrsonima crassa (B. crassa) as antiemetic, diuretic, febrifuge, to treat diarrhea, gastritis and ulcers, there is no data on its effects against H. pylori. In this study, we evaluated the anti-H. pylori of B. crassa leaves extracts and its effects on reactive oxygen/nitrogen intermediates induction by murine peritoneal macrophages.

Methods

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution method and the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) by the horseradish peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red and Griess reaction, respectively.

Results

The methanolic (MeOH) and chloroformic (CHCl3) extracts inhibit, in vitro, the growth of H. pylori with MIC value of 1024 μg/ml. The MeOH extract induced the production H2O2 and NO, but CHCl3 extract only NO.

Conclusion

Based in our results, B. crassa can be considered a source of compounds with anti-H. pylori activity, but its use should be done with caution in treatment of the gastritis and peptic ulcers, since the reactive oxygen/nitrogen intermediates are involved in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury induced by ulcerogenic agents and H. pylori infections.
Characterization and comparative profiling of the small RNA transcriptomes in two phases of locust
Authors: Wei Yuanyuan , Chen Shuang , Yang Pengcheng , Ma Zongyuan , Kang Le
Published: January 2009

Background

All the reports on insect small RNAs come from holometabolous insects whose genome sequence data are available. Therefore, study of hemimetabolous insect small RNAs could provide more insights into evolution and function of small RNAs in insects. The locust is an important, economically harmful hemimetabolous insect. Its phase changes, as a phenotypic plasticity, result from differential gene expression potentially regulated at both the post-transcriptional level, mediated by small RNAs, and the transcriptional level.

Results

Here, using high-throughput sequencing, we characterize the small RNA transcriptome in the locust. We identified 50 conserved microRNA families by similarity searching against miRBase, and a maximum of 185 potential locust-specific microRNA family candidates were identified using our newly developed method independent of locust genome sequence. We also demonstrate conservation of microRNA*, and evolutionary analysis of locust microRNAs indicates that the generation of miRNAs in locusts is concentrated along three phylogenetic tree branches: bilaterians, coelomates, and insects. Our study identified thousands of endogenous small interfering RNAs, some of which were of transposon origin, and also detected many Piwi-interacting RNA-like small RNAs. Comparison of small RNA expression patterns of the two phases showed that longer small RNAs were expressed more abundantly in the solitary phase and that each category of small RNAs exhibited different expression profiles between the two phases.

Conclusions

The abundance of small RNAs in the locust might indicate a long evolutionary history of post-transcriptional gene expression regulation, and differential expression of small RNAs between the two phases might further disclose the molecular mechanism of phase changes.
Watching, Sight, and the Temporal Shape of Perceptual Activity
Authors: Crowther Thomas
Published: January 2009

There has been relatively little discussion, in contemporary philosophy of mind, of the active aspects of perceptual processes. This essay presents and offers some preliminary development of a view about what it is for an agent to watch a particular material object throughout a period of time. On this view, watching is a kind of perceptual activity distinguished by a distinctive epistemic role.

The essay presents a puzzle about watching an object that arises through elementary reflection on the consequences of two apparent truths about watching an object throughout a period of time. It proposes that the puzzle can be resolved by a view according to which for an agent to watch an object throughout a period of time is for that agent to maintain visual awareness of that object with the aim of perceptually knowing what that object is doing.

The essay goes on to make some further suggestions about how the apparatus developed in connection with the notion of watching may enable us to offer related explanations of other kinds of perceptual activity. It proposes that a useful distinction can be drawn between perceptual activities like watching which have as their aim knowledge of what an object is doing and activities like looking or visually scrutinizing which have as their aims knowledge of the states or conditions of the objects of perceptual awareness.
Truth and Freedom
Authors: Merricks Trenton
Published: January 2009

Suppose that time t is just a few moments from now. And suppose that the proposition that Jones sits at t was true a thousand years ago. Does the thousand-years-ago truth of that proposition imply that Jones's upcoming sitting at t will not be free? This article argues that it does not. It also argues that Jones even now has a choice about the thousand-years-ago truth of that Jones sits at t. Those arguments do not require the complex machinery of Ockhamism, with its distinction between hard facts and soft facts; indeed, those arguments do not require any complex machinery at all. Instead, those arguments are built on an uncontroversial understanding of the idea that truth depends on the world. In the final section of the article, those arguments are extended to show that foreknowledge of an action does not threaten that action's freedom.
Water homeostasis in bees, with the emphasis on sociality
Authors: Nicolson Susan W.
Published: January 2009

Avenues of water gain and loss in bees are examined here at two levels of organisation: the individual and the colony. Compared with the majority of terrestrial insects, bees have a high water turnover. This is due to their nectar diet and, in larger species, substantial metabolic water production during flight, counteracted by high evaporative and excretory losses. Water fluxes at the colony level can also be very high. When incoming nectar is dilute, honeybees need to remove large volumes of water by evaporation. On the other hand, water is not stored in the nest and must be collected for evaporative cooling and for feeding the brood. Water regulation has many similarities at individual and colony levels. In particular, manipulation of nectar or water on the tongue is extensively used by bees to increase evaporation for either food-concentrating or cooling purposes.
Too much of a good thing: how insects cope with excess ions or toxins in the diet
Authors: O'Donnell M. J.
Published: January 2009

Much of our understanding of the ionoregulatory and excretory physiology of blood-feeding insects can be traced to a series of papers by Simon Maddrell and colleagues in the 1970s and 1980s. These studies of the Malpighian (renal)tubules of Rhodnius prolixus revealed a number of physiological adaptations to the short-term and long-term stresses associated with blood feeding. More recent electrophysiological studies using voltage- and ion-selective microelectrodes have extended our understanding of the mechanisms and control of ion transport by the secretory and reabsorptive segments of the Rhodnius Malpighian tubule. The discovery that the rates of transport of organic anions, urates and Ca2+ are synchronized to coincide with the appearance of the products of blood meal digestion in the haemolymph of Rhodnius has stimulated parallel studies in Drosophila. This recent research has examined how excretory mechanisms for organic cations and organic anions are altered by exposure to such compounds in the diet. These studies also show that the Drosophila Malpighian tubule provides a useful model for analysis of the roles of transporters such as P-glycoproteins and multidrug resistance-associated proteins in the excretion of toxins.
Neuroendocrine control of ionic homeostasis in blood-sucking insects
Authors: Coast Geoffrey M.
Published: January 2009

The pioneering work of Simon Maddrell established that the rapid postprandial diuresis of the haematophagous insect Rhodnius prolixusis controlled by a diuretic hormone and demonstrated the role of the Malpighian tubules in meeting the volumic, osmotic and ionic challenges posed by an enormous blood meal. A number of diuretic and antidiuretic hormones that control secretion of primary urine by Malpighian tubules have now been identified, but little is known of the interplay between these hormones and those that regulate transport processes in the hindgut. This review therefore focuses on the control of ionic homeostasis in Rhodnius and mosquitoes, because primary urine is voided virtually unchanged during the rapid diuresis that follows a blood meal. At such times, the hindgut has a negligible impact on the volume and composition of the final urine, and neurohormones acting on the Malpighian tubules have a dominant role in the control of ionic homeostasis.
Signaling to the apical membrane and to the paracellular pathway: changes in the cytosolic proteome ofAedesMalpighian tubules
Authors: Beyenbach Klaus W. , Baumgart Sabine , Lau Kenneth , Piermarini Peter M. , Zhang Sheng
Published: January 2009

Using a proteomics approach, we examined the post-translational changes in cytosolic proteins when isolated Malpighian tubules of Aedes aegyptiwere stimulated for 1 min with the diuretic peptide aedeskinin-III (AK-III,10–7 mol l–1). The cytosols of control (C)and aedeskinin-treated (T) tubules were extracted from several thousand Malpighian tubules, subjected to 2-D electrophoresis and stained for total proteins and phosphoproteins. The comparison of C and T gels was performed by gel image analysis for the change of normalized spot volumes. Spots with volumes equal to or exceeding C/T ratios of ±1.5 were robotically picked for in-gel digestion with trypsin and submitted for protein identification by nanoLC/MS/MS analysis. Identified proteins covered a wide range of biological activity. As kinin peptides are known to rapidly stimulate transepithelial secretion of electrolytes and water by Malpighian tubules, we focused on those proteins that might mediate the increase in transepithelial secretion. We found that AK-III reduces the cytosolic presence of subunits A and B of the V-type H+ ATPase, endoplasmin, calreticulin, annexin,type II regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) and rab GDP dissociation inhibitor and increases the cytosolic presence of adducin, actin,Ca2+-binding protein regucalcin/SMP30 and actin-depolymerizing factor. Supporting the putative role of PKA in the AK-III-induced activation of the V-type H+ ATPase is the effect of H89, an inhibitor of PKA,on fluid secretion. H89 reverses the stimulatory effect of AK-III on transepithelial fluid secretion in isolated Malpighian tubules. However,AK-III does not raise intracellular levels of cAMP, the usual activator of PKA, suggesting a cAMP-independent activation of PKA that removes subunits A and B from the cytoplasm in the assembly and activation of the V-type H+ ATPase. Alternatively, protein kinase C could also mediate the activation of the proton pump. Ca2+ remains the primary intracellular messenger of the aedeskinins that signals the remodeling of the paracellular complex apparently through protein kinase C, thereby increasing transepithelial anion secretion. The effects of AK-III on active transcellular and passive paracellular transport are additive, if not synergistic, to bring about the rapid diuresis.
Computation of stability diagrams for milling processes with parallel kinematic machine tools
Authors: Henninger C , Eberhard P
Published: January 2009

A characteristic property of parallel kinematic structures is the strong pose dependency of their dynamic behaviour. For machine tools based on a parallel kinematic concept, the pose dependency of the dynamic behaviour can influence the dynamic stability of cutting processes such as turning or milling. In this contribution, modelling techniques are presented which allow for an efficient computation of pose-dependent stability diagrams. In a case study, it is shown that the H2-norm can serve as a valid criterion for model reduction, which is necessary for handling complex machine models in the context of dynamic stability analysis of cutting processes. The pose-dependent dynamic properties of the six-degrees-of-freedom hexapod machine tool Paralix are investigated, and pose-dependent stability diagrams for two example trajectories are presented.
Simplified dynamic modelling and improvement of a four-degree-of-freedom pick-and-place manipulator with articulated moving platform
Authors: Company O , Pierrot F , Krut S , Nabat V
Published: January 2009

This paper deals with high-speed robots for pick-and-place applications with a high rate of output. After mentioning the families of robot architectures that meet the specifications of pick-and-place, parallel kinematics architectures with articulated moving platform are introduced and described. Indeed, this concept seems very promising for this kind of application. After presenting the reasons to select the PAR4 architecture, it is fully described and modelled: position relationships, velocity relationships, and simplified dynamic model. Experimental results from extensive testing show a high performance potentiality. By analysing the experimental results, an improvement is proposed to have a better dynamic balance among the actuators. The improved version of the robot is the one chosen for the industrial development of the QUATTRO parallel robot.
Repressive Coping, Emotional Adjustment, and Cognition in People Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Suicide
Authors: Parker Holly A. , McNally Richard J.
Published: January 2009

Research indicates that a repressive coping style is psychologically protective against the stress of trauma, yet it is unclear whether this finding generalizes to suicide bereavement. Thus, we assessed cognitive ability and mental health among individuals who lost a loved one to suicide. The results indicate that repressive coping may be associated with greater emotional health during suicide bereavement. Interestingly, “repressors” also had lower scores on both cognitive tasks compared to “nonrepressors,” but it is unclear whether their more recent loss accounts for this difference. These results are based on cross‐sectional data, and should be interpreted with caution.
Long-term treatment of acromegalic patients resistant to somatostatin analogues with the GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant: its efficacy in relation to gender and previous radiotherapy
Authors: Marazuela Mónica , Lucas Tomás , Alvarez-Escolá Cristina , Puig-Domingo Manel , de la Torre Nuria Garcia , de Miguel-Novoa Paz , Duran-Hervada Alejandra , Manzanares Rafael , Luque-Ramírez Manuel , Halperin Irene , Casanueva Felipe F , Bernabeu Ignacio
Published: January 2009

Context

Pegvisomant is an effective treatment for somatostatin analogue-resistant acromegaly, but the determinants defining the response to this treatment are largely unknown.

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of pegvisomant treatment in resistant acromegalic patients (e.g. serum IGF1 at least 1.25×upper normal limit) in a clinical setting and the factors conditioning this response.

Design and setting

A retrospective cross-sectional study performed in six Spanish University hospitals from 2004 to 2007.

Patients

Forty-four acromegalic patients (61.4% female, mean age: 49±14), 95% of whom had undergone pituitary surgery and 61% having received pituitary radiotherapy. The mean follow-up was 22.7±11.2 months.

Main outcome measures

IGF1 levels reflected treatment efficacy, and the influence of gender, age, weight, previous radiotherapy and duration of treatment was assessed.

Results

IGF1 normalisation was achieved in 84% of the patients. Male gender (P<0.05), previous irradiation (P<0.05) and the treatment duration (r=0.364, P<0.02) were associated with a better response to pegvisomant therapy. There was a significant decrease in HbA1c (P<0.001) and in the mean insulin dose (P<0.01) in acromegalic diabetic patients. Although 25% of patients experienced mild adverse events, pegvisomant was only withdrawn in four patients due to side effects (two cases of tumour growth, one liver dysfunction and one headache).

Conclusions

Long-term pegvisomant is a very effective therapy in resistant acromegaly. Male gender and prior radiotherapy influence the therapeutic response rate.
Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Metastatic Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Perspectives in the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Era
Authors: Biswas Swethajit , Kelly John , Eisen Tim
Published: January 2009

Learning Objectives

Summarize the relationship of data on nephrectomy in metastatic RCC to immunotherapy. Apply to your practice available prognostic predictive scoring systems. Compare and contrast the potential benefits and costs of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the TKI era.

This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com.
The National Cancer Institute and Its Director: Worthy of Our Full Support
Authors: Chabner Bruce A.
Published: January 2009

Editor-in-Chief of The Oncologist, Bruce A. Chabner, M.D., calls for full support of the National Cancer Institute and its Director, John E. Niederhuber, in the institute’s five priorities outlined in the article in this issue by Dr. Niederhuber and colleagues.