bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methodological approaches in the assessment of interferon‐alfa‐induced depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C – a critical review
Authors: Schäfer Arne , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Seufert Jochen , Kraus Michael R.
Published: January 2008

In recent years, research on interferon (IFN)‐induced depressive symptoms in antivirally treated patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C (CHC) has considerably intensified. Profound scientific knowledge of this complication is of great relevance with regard to adherence, compliance, and premature therapy discontinuation.

Presently, there is considerable variability of both, the frequency and extent of IFN‐induced depression reported in different cohorts of patients.

The aim of the presented study was to systematically review recent literature of research within this field; and particularly (1) to identify to what extent methodological bias contributed to inconsistent results in different studies, (2) to critically appraise methods and results of studies published so far, and (3) to suggest directions for future work, especially with respect to alternative and improved methodological approaches.

The results of this critical review suggest that the variability of findings seem to be largely due to different study populations, treatment regimens, methodological approaches, and sometimes arbitrary or at least poorly defined choice of screening instruments for depression, particularly criteria for clinically relevant depression (cut‐off criteria).

Study designs and methodological approaches to investigate IFN‐alfa‐induced depression in patients with CHC have been incoherent. Future research in this field needs agreement on the use of standardized assessment of IFN‐induced depression in CHC. Furthermore, objective criteria and guidelines for the treatment of IFN‐induced depression in these patients are needed in clinical practice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal and neonatal ovarian cysts: is surgery indicated?
Authors: Monnery‐Noché Marie‐Emmanuelle , Auber Frédéric , Jouannic Jean‐Marie , Bénifla Jean‐Louis , Carbonne Bruno , Dommergues Marc , Lenoir Marion , Lepointe Hubert Ducou , Larroquet Michèle , Grapin Christine , Audry Georges , Hélardot Pierre G.
Published: January 2008

Objectives

To evaluate the frequency of ovarian torsion in neonates with ovarian cysts (OCs) and to analyze the outcome after surgical treatment.

Methods

A retrospective review of all infants with OCs managed in our institution during 20 years, was conducted. Our management included a follow‐up (FU) of prenatal serial ultrasound (US) scan without prenatal cyst aspiration and early postnatal US scan. Neonatal surgery was indicated for cysts that appeared complex regardless of size and for simple cysts larger than 20 mm.

Results

Sixty‐seven OCs detected through prenatal diagnosis were identified. Cysts were detected at a median gestational age (GA) of 33 weeks. At diagnosis, median size of the OCs was 40 mm, and 18% were complex. On the postnatal US scan, 55% were complex. Neonatal surgery was performed for 64 OCs : 56% were torsed, 6% were hemorrhagic, and 38% were uncomplicated. Proportions of complex‐ and simple‐appearing cysts on prenatal or postnatal US scan were the only significantly different parameters found between infants with torsed or not torsed OC.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that OC bears a high risk of ovarian loss. These findings have implications regarding information and treatment offered to pregnant women bearing an affected fetus. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rethinking autonomy in the context of prenatal screening decision‐making
Authors: García Elisa , Timmermans Danielle R. M. , van Leeuwen Evert
Published: January 2008

Objectives

Answering the question: Does the offer of prenatal screening impede women in making autonomous choices?

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews with 59 women to whom a prenatal screening test was offered and who were in the process of taking a decision.

Results

Women described the offer as confronting but expressed a positive attitude towards screening and considered the offer as an opportunity for making up their minds about testing. Participants stated that they took decisions freely to follow their individual perspectives. Nevertheless, they preferred to share the responsibility of taking decisions, and its consequences for other family members, with their partner and close persons.

Conclusions

The active offer of an unsolicited prenatal test need not be considered as an impediment for making an autonomous choice. The moral significance of prenatal testing is inseparably bound with the social context in which it is practiced. Influence from other persons and emotional reactions due to the test offer can be interpreted as supportive for making a choice. In clinical practice, testing should be timely offered in order to give women the opportunity of discussing their views with significant others. Caregivers should care for the emotions experienced by women so as to help them decide according to their values. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies in the first trimester: an update of the impact of chorionicity on maternal serum markers
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Kagan Karl O. , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: January 2008

Objective

To examine the distribution of first‐trimester biochemical markers of aneuploidy in twin pregnancies, and to assess whether there are differences in the distributions between monochorionic and dichorionic twins.

Methods

Maternal serum‐free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A were measured between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks as part of a routine first‐trimester screening program in conjunction with fetal nuchal translucency (NT) performed at two sites. Data from twin pregnancies were extracted from the fetal databases along with information on the chorionicty. The individual marker concentrations were expressed as weight corrected, ethnicity corrected, smoking corrected and IVF corrected MoM using data from singleton pregnancies as the reference. The overall medians were compared to those in singleton pregnancies and between monochorionic and dichorionic twins.

Results

Data was available from 1914 sets of twins. Of these, 1214 had information with respect to chorionicity, with 1024 being dichorionic and 190 being monochorionic. The overall median weight corrected, ethnicity corrected, smoking corrected and IVF corrected MoM amongst twin pregnancies were 2.023 for free β‐hCG (sd log10 MoM = 0.2611 and 2.121 for PAPP‐A (sd log10 MoM = 0.2255)—both medians were significantly greater than the medians in singleton pregnancies (1.00 MoM). In the case of monochorionic and dichorionic twins the median weight corrected, ethnicity corrected, smoking corrected and IVF corrected, free β‐hCG MoM's were not significantly different (1.983 v 2.041), however for PAPP‐A the median weight corrected, ethnicity corrected, smoking corrected and IVF corrected MoM in monochorionic twins was significantly lower than in dichorionic twins (1.756 v 2.250) whilst the sd log10 MoM's were not significantly different (0.2185 v 0.2167).

Conclusion

Screening in twin pregnancies requires adjustment of the calculated MoM to account for the presence of two fetuses. In general, for free β‐hCG, this should be by dividing the observed corrected MoM by 2.023. For PAPP‐A two different factors are required − 2.192 in dichorionic twins and 1.788 in monochorionic twins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality use of medicines: a new method of combining antibiotic consumption and sensitivity data—application in a Russian hospital
Authors: Goryachkina Ksenia , Babak Svetlana , Burbello Aleksandra , Wettemark Björn , Bergman Ulf
Published: January 2008

Purpose

Antibiotic use and resistance is subject of great concern. There is a need for internationally comparable and locally useful data collection and reporting. We developed a new method to combine and present data on antibiotic use and resistance in a figure in a Russian 1300 bed‐hospital.

Methods

We applied World Health Organization (WHO) Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification/defined daily doses (DDD) analysis on antibacterials for systemic use (ATC: J01) delivered by the pharmacy for the years 2003–2005. Microbial resistance data were presented within the range of drugs accounting for 90% of the volume in DDD, i.e. drug utilisation 90% (DU90%).

Results

From the DU90% profile the following was seen: in 2003, 12 of 25 drugs accounted for 90% of the volume. For six of the most commonly used antibiotics, including the two cheapest (gentamicin, ampicillin), a significant number of the strains tested were resistant. For the remaining antibiotics no resistance data were available. These data were discussed in early 2004. A general decrease of antibiotic use and resistance was seen in 2005 (by 57% from 15.5 to 8.8 DDD/100 bed days) with a concomitant decrease in expenditures (by 64%) and a shift to more potent antibiotics.

Conclusions

The created profile highlighted potential problems in a clear and easy form. Besides being an indicator of the quality of antibiotic use it was a powerful alert and driving force for change. It can be used for external comparisons and for local monitoring of antibiotic use and resistance and can be applied with routinely available data in any hospital. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of diet and micronutrient supplements on the expression of neuroendocrine markers in murine Lady transgenic prostate
Authors: Palmer Jodie , Venkateswaran Vasundara , Fleshner Neil E. , Klotz Laurence H. , Cox Michael E.
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND

Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation (NED) in prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with morbidity and death; however, the underlying cause(s) promoting NED in PCa have yet to be determined. In this study, we examined the effect of both diet and micronutrient supplementation on the expression of NE markers using the Lady (12T‐10) transgenic model of PCa. Lady (12T‐10) transgenic animals develop advanced adenocarcinoma with NE characteristics that exhibits metastases in approximately 80% of cases. In this model a high fat diet has been shown to increase the severity of disease, while the use of micronutrients can inhibit this progression.

METHODS

In this study we used immunohistochemical analysis to determine expression of the NE markers: chromogranin A (CgA), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), bombesin, parathyroid hormone‐related peptide (PTHrP), neurotensin and serotonin in prostates of PCa‐bearing Lady (12T‐10) mice.

RESULTS

High fat diet was correlated with significantly elevated expression of CgA and serotonin in prostate tissue of Lady (12T‐10) mice. Addition of micronutrients to the control and high fat diet reproducibly elevated PTHrP and bombesin expression and suppressed NSE expression, while prostate tissue from the control diet supplemented with micronutrients exhibited significantly lower numbers of calcitonin‐ and neurotensin‐positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the importance of dietary control in management of disease and identify differential changes in NE marker expression, which may be diagnostically viable in monitoring the impact of therapies on disease status. Prostate 68: 345–353, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Water‐mediated interactions between DNA and PhoB DNA‐binding/transactivation domain: NMR‐restrained molecular dynamics in explicit water environment
Authors: Yamane Tsutomu , Okamura Hideyasu , Ikeguchi Mitsunori , Nishimura Yoshifumi , Kidera Akinori
Published: January 2008

The solution structure of the complex between the transcription factor PhoB DNA‐binding/transactivation domain and DNA was determined by NMR spectroscopy and simulated annealing in a periodic boundary box of explicit water with the particle mesh Ewald method. The refined structures provided better convergence and better local geometry compared with the structures determined in vacuum. The hydrogen bond interactions between the PhoB domain and DNA in the aqueous environment were fully formed. The complex structure was found to be very similar to the crystal structure, particularly at the PhoB‐DNA interface, much more so than expected from the vacuum structure. These results indicate the importance of the proper treatment of electrostatic and hydration influences in describing protein‐DNA interactions. The hydration structures observed for the refined structures contained most of the crystal waters as a subset. We observed that various water‐mediated PhoB‐DNA interactions contributed to the molecular recognition between PhoB and DNA. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiation between two‐state and multi‐state folding proteins based on sequence
Authors: Huang Ji‐Tao , Cheng Jin‐Pei
Published: January 2008

Prediction of protein‐folding rates follows different rules in two‐state and multi‐state kinetics. The prerequisite for the prediction is to recognize the folding kinetic pathway of proteins. Here, we use the logistic regression and support vector machine to discriminate between two‐state and multi‐state folding proteins. We find that chain length is sufficient to accurately recognize multi‐state proteins. There is a transition boundary between two kinetic models. Protein folds with multi‐state kinetics, if its length is larger than 112 residues. The logistic prediction from amino acid composition shows that the kinetic pathway of folding is closely related to amino acid volume. Small amino acids make two‐state folding easier, and vice versa. However, cysteine, alanine, arginine, lysine, histidine, and methionine do not conform to this rule. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiable, multi‐dimensional, knowledge‐based energy terms for torsion angle probabilities and propensities
Authors: Amir El‐Ad David , Kalisman Nir , Keasar Chen
Published: January 2008

Rotatable torsion angles are the major degrees of freedom in proteins. Adjacent angles are highly correlated and energy terms that rely on these correlations are intensively used in molecular modeling. However, the utility of torsion based terms is not yet fully exploited. Many of these terms do not capture the full scale of the correlations. Other terms, which rely on lookup tables, cannot be used in the context of force‐driven algorithms because they are not fully differentiable. This study aims to extend the usability of torsion terms by presenting a set of high‐dimensional and fully‐differentiable energy terms that are derived from high‐resolution structures. The set includes terms that describe backbone conformational probabilities and propensities, side‐chain rotamer probabilities, and an elaborate term that couples all the torsion angles within the same residue. The terms are constructed by cubic spline interpolation with periodic boundary conditions that enable full differentiability and high computational efficiency. We show that the spline implementation does not compromise the accuracy of the original database statistics. We further show that the side‐chain relevant terms are compatible with established rotamer probabilities. Despite their very local characteristics, the new terms are often able to identify native and native‐like structures within decoy sets. Finally, force‐based minimization of NMR structures with the new terms improves their torsion angle statistics with minor structural distortion (0.5 Å RMSD on average). The new terms are freely available in the MESHI molecular modeling package. The spline coefficients are also available as a documented MATLAB file. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of the amino acid sequence in domain swapping of the B1 domain of protein G
Authors: Sirota Fernanda L. , Héry‐Huynh Stephanie , Maurer‐Stroh Sebastian , Wodak Shoshana J.
Published: January 2008

Substitution of four amino acid residues (L5V,F30V, Y33F,A34F) in the B1 domain of the immunoglobulin G binding protein (GB1) leads to the formation of a swapped dimer, shown to be in equilibrium with a native‐like monomeric state of the protein (Byeon et al., J Mol Biol 2003;333:141–152). In this study, we employ protein design calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the role of these substitutions in fostering the swapping reaction. DESIGNER, a fully automatic procedure for computing the amino acid sequences likely to stabilize a given backbone structure is used to investigate the effect of the four substitutions on the stability of the wild type native monomeric conformation. Results indicate that at least three of these substitutions (L5V,F30V, A34F) have a destabilizing effect. The L5V forms destabilizing interactions with surrounding residues, whereas F30V causes local strain due to unfavorable interactions with its own backbone. A dual role in the swapping reaction is played by A34F. It destabilizes the monomer conformation while stabilizing the swapped dimer. Our calculations find an energetically favorable conformation for the 34F side chain in the core of the monomer, but only at the expense of forcing the wild type W43 side chain into a highly strained rotamer, and forming unfavorable interactions with both W43 and V54. Although detailed calculations could not be performed on the swapped dimer, due to the lower accuracy of the model, analysis revealed that the 34F side chain from both subunits are tightly packed against each other in the dimer core, suggesting that their replacement by the smaller Ala, as in the wild type, would be highly destabilizing through the creation of a large internal cavity possibly accompanied by a substantial conformational change. Analysis of room temperature molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the wild type and the modeled quadruple mutant structures reveals that the latter structure fluctuates more than its wild type counterpart. In addition, its C‐terminal β‐hairpin, which is exchanged in the swapping reaction, undergoes a conformation change, which pushes it further away from the remainder of the protein. Simulations at higher temperature (450 K) show that the quadruple mutant unfolds earlier and more completely than the wild type following a sequence of events that is compatible with the description of the highly fluctuating monomeric state of this mutant observed by NMR. Our findings thus support the notion that domain swapping in GB1 is fostered by three main factors: a decrease in stability and increased flexibility of the monomer conformation, concomitant with stabilization of the swapped dimer conformation through new interactions that have no counterparts in the monomer. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electron impact K‐shell ionization cross sections of atoms at relativistic energies
Authors: Patoary M. A. R. , Alfaz Uddin M. , Haque A. K. F. , Basak A. K. , Talukder M. R. , Karim K. R. , Saha B. C.
Published: January 2008

We propose an extension of the modified simplified‐improved‐binary‐encounter dipole (MRIBED) model (Uddin et al., Phys Rev A 2005, 72, 032715), incorporating both the ionic and relativistic corrections, to investigate the K‐shell ionization of atomic targets with atomic numbers Z = 1 − 92 for incident energies up to 2 GeV. We also revisit our earlier models, MBELL (Haque et al. Phys Rev A 2006, 73, 012708) and MKLV (Uddin et al. Eur Phys J D 2006, 37, 361), for the K‐shell ionization at these ultra‐relativistic energies. The results from our extended version of MRIBED, MBELL, and MKLV models agree well with the experimental findings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Simulation for Team Training and Assessment: Case Studies of Online Training with Virtual Worlds
Authors: Heinrichs William LeRoy , Youngblood Patricia , Harter Phillip M. , Dev Parvati
Published: January 2008

Individuals in clinical training programs concerned with critical medical care must learn to manage clinical cases effectively as a member of a team. However, practice on live patients is often unpredictable and frequently repetitive. The widely substituted alternative for real patients—high‐fidelity, manikin‐based simulators (human patient simulator)—are expensive and require trainees to be in the same place at the same time, whereas online computer‐based simulations, or virtual worlds, allow simultaneous participation from different locations. Here we present three virtual world studies for team training and assessment in acute‐care medicine: (1) training emergency department (ED) teams to manage individual trauma cases; (2) prehospital and in‐hospital disaster preparedness training; (3) training ED and hospital staff to manage mass casualties after chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incidents. The research team created realistic virtual victims of trauma (6 cases), nerve toxin exposure (10 cases), and blast trauma (10 cases); the latter two groups were supported by rules‐based, pathophysiologic models of asphyxia and hypovolemia. Evaluation of these virtual world simulation exercises shows that trainees find them to be adequately realistic to “suspend disbelief,” and they quickly learn to use Internet voice communication and user interface to navigate their online character/avatar to work effectively in a critical care team. Our findings demonstrate that these virtual ED environments fulfill their promise of providing repeated practice opportunities in dispersed locations with uncommon, life‐threatening trauma cases in a safe, reproducible, flexible setting.
Using the Internet for scientific publishing: FQS as an example
Authors: Mruck Katja , Mey Günter
Published: January 2008

Since the “Public Library of Science” launched its first open-access journals and the “Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities” has been released in 2003 and found enormous attention, the claim for open access—to make publicly funded journal articles available for the public—started to reach German scientists too. But still no experience has been made with electronic publishing in general and more specifically with open-access publishing. One consequence is that the potential capacity of open access—the (inter) national and (trans) disciplinary visibility and accessibility of scientific output—is not sufficiently used by German researchers. Ways to successfully establish an open-access journal are presented in this article by referring to “Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum:Qualitative Social Research” (FQS) as an example: after introducing the current state of FQS traditional and innovative ways of publishing are being discussed which had been employed while developing FQS and which helped FQS to become the most important electronic journal in the field of qualitative research.
Neonatal screening for medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency in The Netherlands: The importance of enzyme analysis to ascertain true MCAD deficiency
Authors: Derks T. G. J. , Boer T. S. , van Assen A. , Bos T. , Ruiter J. , Waterham H. R. , Niezen‐Koning K. E. , Wanders R. J. A. , Rondeel J. M. M. , Loeber J. G. , ten Kate L. P. , Smit G. P. A. , Reijngoud D.‐J.
Published: January 2008

The outcome was determined of population‐wide neonatal screening for medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in The Netherlands, between October 2003 and September 2005. Prospective population‐wide neonatal screening for MCAD deficiency was performed in the northern part of The Netherlands. In newborns with blood octanoylcarnitine (C8:0) concentrations ≥0.3 μmol/L, clinical and laboratory follow‐up was initiated, including MCAD enzymatic measurements which played a decisive role. In a 2‐year period, 66 216 newborns were investigated for MCAD deficiency and follow‐up was initiated in 28 newborns. True‐positives (n = 14) were identified based upon MCAD enzyme activity <50%, measured with hexanoyl‐CoA as substrate. The observed prevalence of MCAD deficiency was 1/6600 (95% CI: 1/4100–1/17 400). In addition to an elevated C8:0 concentration, a C8:0/C10:0 molar ratio >5.0 turned out to differentiate between false‐positives and true‐positives. Measurement of MCAD activity using phenylpropionyl‐CoA as a substrate further discriminated between newborns with MCAD deficiency and so‐called mild MCAD deficiency. To summarize, neonatal screening for MCAD deficiency in the northern part of The Netherlands resulted in the predicted number of affected newborns. Measurement of MCAD activity in leukocytes or lymphocytes using phenylpropionyl‐CoA as a substrate can be regarded as the gold standard to diagnose MCAD deficiency upon initial positive screening test results.
Comparison of tetrahydrofuran and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents for urinary organic acid analysis
Authors: Wittmann Gy. , Karg E. , Mühl A. , Bodamer O. A. , Túri S.
Published: January 2008

The analysis of urinary organic acids is crucial for the diagnosis of many inborn errors of metabolism. A vital part of the analytical process is the extraction procedure. The sensitivity and linearity of the analysis of 26 diagnostically important urinary metabolites with tetrahydrofuran (THF) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) as extraction solvents were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Good linearity (r2 > 0.90) was observed for all of the compounds in the investigated concentration range (290–900 μmol/L) for both solvents. For less polar compounds, THF extraction yielded lower or similar sensitivities as compared with EtOAc (sensitivity ratio: 0.6–1.3). For more polar compounds, however, much higher sensitivities were observed when THF was used (sensitivity ratio: 1.8–17.2). Our results provide information concerning the use of THF for the sensitive quantitative analysis of polar urinary metabolites which are difficult to quantify using EtOAc.
Depletion of capsaicin sensitive afferents prevents lamina‐dependent increases in spinal N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor subunit 1 expression and phosphorylation associated with thermal hyperalgesia in neuropathic rats
Authors: Roh Dae‐Hyun , Kim Hyun‐Woo , Yoon Seo‐Yeon , Seo Hyoung‐Sig , Kwon Young‐Bae , Han Ho‐Jae , Beitz Alvin J. , Lee Jang‐Hern
Published: January 2008

Phosphorylation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR1 subunit (pNR1) in the spinal cord is associated with increased neuronal responsiveness, which underlies the process of central sensitization. Because of the importance of NR1 in central sensitization, the first goal of this study was to examine both time‐ and lamina‐dependent changes in spinal NR1 and pNR1 expression in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. Increased excitability of capsaicin sensitive primary afferents (CSPAs), which express TRPV1 receptors, also contributes to central sensitization. Thus, we next examined whether the depletion of CSPAs with resiniferatoxin (RTX) modified the change of spinal NR1 and pNR1 expression induced by CCI. Experimental rats were euthanized at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post‐CCI surgery and spinal cords processed for NR1 or pNR1 immunostaining. The number of NR1 or pNR1‐immunoreactive neurons was significantly increased in all lamina (I–VI) of the ipsilateral L4/L5 dorsal horn from 1 or 7 days post‐CCI, respectively. Pretreatment with RTX (0.3mg/kg, s.c. in the scruff of the neck or intraplantar) 2 days prior to CCI completely prevented induction of thermal hyperalgesia, but not mechanical allodynia in neuropathic rats. Interestingly, RTX treatment significantly attenuated the CCI‐induced upregulation of NR1 and pNR1 in spinal laminae I–II and V–VI, but not laminae III–IV as compared with that of vehicle‐treated CCI rats. These findings demonstrate that the increased expression of NR1 and pNR1 in spinal laminae I–II and V–VI is dependent on activation of CSPAs, which ultimately contribute to the development of thermal hyperalgesia in neuropathic rats.
Circulating antioxidant defences are decreased in healthy people after a high-fat meal
Authors: Cardona Fernando , Túnez Isaac , Tasset Inmaculada , Garrido-Sánchez Lourdes , Collantes Eduardo , Tinahones Francisco José
Published: January 2008

The aim of this study was to examine the responses of uric acid, antioxidant defences and pro-oxidant variables after a high-fat meal. Twenty-five healthy persons without criteria for the metabolic syndrome, underwent a high-fat meal with Supracal®(60 g fat). Measurements were made at baseline and 3 h after the meal of TAG, uric acid, HDL-cholesterol, total proteins and oxidative stress. Following the high-fat meal, we detected a significant increase in pro-oxidative variables and a decrease in antioxidative variables. The uric acid concentrations were significantly lower after the high-fat meal and the reduction correlated significantly with the oxidative stress variables. The inverse relation between reduced uric acid and increased carbonylated proteins remained in multiple regression analysis. We conclude that uric acid is a powerful antioxidant and its reduction following a high-fat meal may be related with its acute antioxidative action.
Increasing transparency in the British Journal of Nutrition
Authors: Calder Philip C.
Published: January 2008

Keen readers of the BJN will have noticed the recent appearance of ‘conflict of interest’ statements and of more complete descriptions of the contribution of each author to the publication. I have introduced these innovations in order to increase the transparency of the articles that we publish in the BJN; further strategies to increase accuracy, transparency and accountability of papers published in the journal will follow in order to encourage a climate of intellectual honesty and to decrease the risk of misconduct. In particular, the journal will follow as closely as possible the recommendations and guidelines of the Committee on Publishing Ethics (COPE)(1) and of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)(2). COPE and ICMJE have made available a range of guidelines aimed at establishing best practice in scientific publishing. These include guidelines for authors and for the conduct of reviewers, editorial boards and editors. Many of the guidelines are already followed by the BJN, but others are not yet fully in place.
Why don’t the French do Think Tanks?: France faces up to the Anglo-Saxon superpowers, 1918–1921
Authors: WILLIAMS ANDREW
Published: January 2008

This article asks the question: ‘Why have the French not developed ‘‘think tanks’’?’ by looking at the period when such institutions were being set up in The UK and the United States, during the preparation for the Paris Peace Conference and its aftermath. It is suggested that the reasons were a mixture of French bureaucratic and intellectual disposition but also in a growing revulsion in Paris at what was seen as duplicity and conspiracy by its Allies to ignore the legitimate concerns and needs of the French people. The central source material used is the papers of the ‘Commission Bourgeois’ whose deliberations are often rather air brushed out of academic literature on the period and work done within the French Foreign Ministry.
Hegemony and the structure-agency problem in International Relations: a scientific realist contribution
Authors: JOSEPH JONATHAN
Published: January 2008

This article argues for a concept of hegemony that goes beyond current usages in IR to examine its more structural aspect. First, it looks at this more structural aspect in relation to some of Gramsci’s own arguments. Then it adds hegemony to the structure-agency debate. It develops the concept of hegemony in two ways – first as a mediating moment between structure and agency, second as a factor in securing the unity of structural combinations. These arguments are in turn dependent upon a scientific realist ontology that sees structure as more than just intersubjective relations. Finally, the article tries to show how this reworked concept of hegemony allows for a social theory of international relations, while respecting the specificity of the international.
Foregrounding ontology: dualism, monism, and IR theory
Authors: JACKSON PATRICK THADDEUS
Published: January 2008

While the recent proliferation in philosophical discussions in International Relations indicates a welcome increase in the discipline’s conceptual sophistication, a central issue has gone relatively unremarked: the question of how to understand the relationship between scholarly observers and their observed objects. This classical philosophical problem has a number of implications for the conduct of inquiry in the discipline, and raises particular challenges for the status of knowledge-claims advanced by constructivists. I clarify these issues and challenges by distinguishing between ‘dualist’ and ‘monist’ ontological standpoints, in the hope of provoking a more focused philosophical discussion.
Prediction of atmospheric δ13CO2 using fossil plant tissues
Authors: Jahren A. Hope , Arens Nan Crystal , Harbeson Stephanie A.
Published: January 2008

Reconstruction of the carbon isotope composition of atmospheric CO2 is critical to the understanding of long‐term global carbon cycling. We have suggested that the δ13C value of land plant carbon (δ13Cp) preserved in the geologic record should reflect the δ13CO2 at the time during which the plants grew (δ13Ca), based on a meta‐analysis of modern plant data. Here we present the results of laboratory experiments designed to quantify the relationship between plant tissue δ13C and δ13CO2 values under varying environmental conditions, including differential pCO2 ranging from 1 to 3 times today's levels. As predicted, plants grown under elevated pCO2 showed increased average biomass compared to controls grown at the same temperature. Across a very large range in δ13Ca (≈24‰) and pCO2 (≈740 ppmv) we observed a consistent correlation between δ13Ca and δ13Cp (p < 0.001). We show an average isotopic depletion of −25.4‰ for aboveground tissue and −23.2‰ for belowground tissue of Raphanussativus L. relative to the composition of the atmosphere under which it formed. For aboveground and belowground tissue, grown at both ∼23°C and ∼29°C, correlation was strong and significant (r2 ≥ 0.98 and p < 0.001); variation in pCO2 level had little or no effect on this relationship. These results validate our initial conclusion that in the absence of environmental stress, plant δ13C primarily reflects atmospheric δ13CO2 linearly across pCO2 levels; the demonstrated excellent correlation in δ13Ca and δ13Cp suggests a high level of predictive power across varying environmental conditions.
Impact of extensive irrigation on the formation of cumulus clouds
Authors: Kawase Hiroaki , Yoshikane Takao , Hara Masayuki , Kimura Fujio , Sato Tomonori , Ohsawa Shingo
Published: January 2008

Irrigated farmland in an arid region creates a prominent heat contrast along its boundary. A statistical analysis of satellite images indicated that the frequency distribution of clouds has a clear contrast between the Hetao Irrigation District in China and the surrounding dry area in the summer. In this paper, we use a mesoscale model to clarify the impact of the extensive irrigation on the cloud formation. The numerical experiment assuming simplified irrigation indicates that the colder surface of the irrigated area induces a surface wind toward the dry area, where the surface temperature is higher. This wind is a part of a land‐use‐induced circulation. The circulation matures in the early afternoon and generates clouds near the border of the dry area and irrigated area.
Alterations in plasma and tissue lipids associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Aguilera Concepción M. , Gil-Campos Mercedes , Cañete Ramón , Gil Ángel
Published: January 2008

The MS (metabolic syndrome) is a cluster of clinical and biochemical abnormalities characterized by central obesity, dyslipidaemia [hypertriglyceridaemia and decreased HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol)], glucose intolerance and hypertension. Insulin resistance, hyperleptinaemia and low plasma levels of adiponectin are also widely related to features of the MS. This review focuses on lipid metabolism alterations associated with the MS, paying special attention to changes in plasma lipids and cellular fatty acid oxidation. Lipid metabolism alterations in liver and peripheral tissues are addressed, with particular reference to adipose and muscle tissues, and the mechanisms by which some adipokines, namely leptin and adiponectin, mediate the regulation of fatty acid oxidation in those tissues. Activation of the AMPK (AMP-dependent kinase) pathway, together with a subsequent increase in fatty acid oxidation, appear to constitute the main mechanism of action of these hormones in the regulation of lipid metabolism. Decreased activation of AMPK appears to have a role in the development of features of the MS. In addition, alteration of AMPK signalling in the hypothalamus, which may function as a sensor of nutrient availability, integrating multiple nutritional and hormonal signals, may have a key role in the appearance of the MS.
Long-term histological and immunohistochemical findings in human venous aorto-coronary bypass grafts
Authors: Ribichini Flavio , Pugno Francesco , Ferrero Valeria , Wijns William , Vacca Giovanni , Vassanelli Corrado , Virmani Renu
Published: January 2008

The aim of the present study was to analyse the long-term histology and immunohistochemistry of the plaque composition and cellular infiltration of SVGs (saphenous vein grafts) containing metallic stents. Percutaneous interventions in SVGs have a worse long-term clinical outcome compared with stenting of coronary arteries. Whether the pathological features of old degenerated SVGs condition the efficacy of drug-eluting stents is also unknown. Histology and immunohistochemistry of seven SVGs in the coronary circulation containing 12 metallic stents implanted 5 to 61 months before retrieval were analysed in patients undergoing a second aorto-coronary bypass surgery at a mean time of 11±6 years. The pathology of the old SVGs showed an important thrombotic and necrotic composition of the plaque, with plaque protrusion through the stent wires and a fragile media layer that could easily be damaged by stent placement with subsequent neointimal proliferation; indeed, stents with medial fracture had significantly greater mean neointimal thickness than those without (1.37±0.68 compared with 0.81±0.47 mm2; P<0.02). Neointimal inflammatory cell density correlated with increased neointimal thickness in patent vessels (r2=0.43, P<0.001). Immunostaining showed the total absence of ERs (oestrogen receptors), a poor cellular proliferative state as indicated by the presence of the Ki-67 marker, and persistent inflammation close to the stent wires as revealed by KP-1 and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) immunostaining in most inflammatory cells in contact with the metal. These pathological findings may contribute to the more severe progression of disease and worse clinical outcome observed after conventional stented angioplasty of SVGs and might also interfere with the efficacy of drug-eluting stents in this specific atherosclerotic milieu.
Friedman, Kendall and Taylor Win Nobel Prize for First Quark Evidence
Authors: Lubkin Gloria B.
Published: January 2008

The 1990 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Jerome Friedman and Henry Kendall of MIT and Richard Taylor of SLAC “for their pioneering investigations concerning deep inelastic scattering of electrons on protons and bound neutrons, which have been of essential importance for the development of the quark model in particle physics.” The prize of $710 000, which the three recipients shared equally, was awarded in Stockholm on 10 December.
Special Supplement Physics News in 1988
Authors: Schewe Phillip F.
Published: January 2008

Physics News in 1988, prepared by the Public Information Division of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), is the 20th in a series of annual reviews of physics news. In past years Physics News was published in booklet form and was distributed to reporters, students, librarians, teachers, scientists, and to the general public. More recently Physics News has been published as a supplementary report in the January issue of Physics Today, beginning with the January 1984 issue.
Physics Nobel Prize to Lederman, Schwartz and Steinberger
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

Twenty-six years after they demonstrated that neutrinos come in more than one flavor, Leon Lederman, Melvin Schwartz and Jack Steinberger have been awarded the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics for this seminal experiment. Not only did it provide a fundamental piece of information essential to the development of the now “standard” model of the elementary particles; it also introduced the basic technique for the experimental study of the weak interactions at high energies. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded them jointly the $390 000 prize “for the neutrinobeam method and the demonstration of the doublet structure of the leptons through the discovery of the muon neutrino.”
Why is the Cosmological Constant So Very Small?
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

A blatant discrepancy between theory and observation can be seen as a promising spur toward deeper understanding. But the gap between theory and measurements of the cosmological constant was too much of a good thing. If one expresses this fundamental parameter of cosmic geometry as the inverse square of a length, it is clear from observation of distant galaxies that this length is, at the very least, a billion light years. The quantum field theory of the elementary particles, however, could not allow a length much larger than 10−33 cm—the Planck length—unless one invoked a seemingly miraculous and totally implausible cancellation of elementary-particle parameters.
Electron Superconductors Challenge Theories, Start a New Race
Authors: Khurana Anil
Published: January 2008

Just when discoveries of superconductors having critical temperatures up to 70–80 K had ceased to cause much commotion in the popular press, or to compel researchers to give up their ongoing projects and start studying the new materials, announcement of a new class of 20-K superconductors in January once again put the superconductivity community on a high alert. In all of the high-temperature, cuprate superconductors discovered in the past three years, the charge carriers are holes, or vacancies in the valence band. By contrast, in the superconductors announced in January the charge carriers are electrons. The discovery may provide the key to the correct theoretical model for the cuprate superconductors. It might also guide the search for new materials with critical temperatures even higher than the current record of 125 K.
Stanford Linear Collider Finally Starts Producing the Z0
Authors: Schwarzchild Bertram
Published: January 2008

There was great rejoicing, and considerable relief, at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center on the morning of 12 April. The Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) had finally recorded its first Z0 particle—two years after the last piece of this unique electron-positron accelerator was put in place.
LEP, the World's Biggest Accelerator, is on the Air
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

LEP, by far the largest scientific instrument ever built, has begun doing physics. This 27-km-circumference electron-positron collider ring, bestriding the French-Swiss frontier at CERN, delivered up its first Z0 particle shortly before midnight on 13 August—a scant 8 minutes after its countercirculating beams of 45.5-GeV positrons and electrons were first brought into collison. Thus the world's second “Z0 factory” was in business just 30 days after it was handed over by its builders on Bastille Day.
Does Quantum Mechanics Have Nonlinear Terms?
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: January 2008

One hears about testing quantum electrodynamics or relativity theory, but the theoretical basis of quantum mechanics is rarely questioned. Nevertheless, Steven Weinberg (University of Texas) has recently called for high-precision tests of quantum mechanics that are independent of any particular quantum mechanical theory. To pave the way for an examination of quantum mechanics, he has suggested one possible way of generalizing quantum mechanics to make it nonlinear. As Eugene Wigner pointed out in a 1939 paper, the linearity of quantum mechanics is an important assumption and one that may not necessarily always prove true. Weinberg stressed to us that he does not really feel that quantum mechanics is in any immediate danger, but he does believe that we can learn by questioning it: If we find that quantum mechanics cannot be generalized any further, we may come to understand better why it works so well. If we find that the theory can be generalized in a plausible way, then we must ask why ordinary quantum mechanics is so nearly valid—and we may discover some hidden physics in the process.
Bosons Condense and Fermions ‘Exclude’, But Anyons…?
Authors: Khurana Anil
Published: January 2008

The familiar classification of particles into bosons and fermions may not hold in certain two-dimensional systems. Those systems allow the existence of particles or particle-like excitations with properties that are intermediate between those of fermions and bosons. Frank Wilczek (Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton) named such entities anyons in 1982, in the third of a series of papers that year in which he laid the foundation for their systematic study. The logical affirmation of the existence of anyons rests on some of the most intriguing ideas in physics, such as the magnetic monopole, the Aharonov-Bohm effect and the quantization of charge and angular momentum.
Ramsey, Dehmelt, Paul Win Nobel for Helping to Set High Standards
Authors: Levi Barbara Goss
Published: January 2008

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 1989 Nobel Physics Prize to three physicists who have made important contributions to “the development of atomic precision spectroscopy.” The new laureates are Norman Ramsey of Harvard University, Hans Dehmelt of the University of Washington and Wolfgang Paul of the University of Bonn. Their work laid the basis for the cesium clock standard, which today is accurate to 2 parts in 1014, and for a possible successor based on the optical transition of a single isolated ion. Ramsey helped develop the hydrogen maser, which is far more stable than the cesium clock for time periods of a few hours and which may be made more stable yet. Techniques developed by the three prizewinners have enabled high-precision tests of general relativity and quantum electrodynamics and accurate measurements of a number of physical constants.
Quantum Hall Effect Shows Surprising Even-Denominator Plateau
Authors: Schwarzschild Bertram
Published: January 2008

Yet another surprise from the quantum Hall effect. Since its first observation in 1980 by Klaus von Klitzing and coworkers, this remarkable quantum behavior of two-dimensional electron systems at low temperature and high magnetic field has not ceased to challenge theorists with the totally unexpected. The first great surprise was the observation of broad plateaus of constant Hall conductivity at quantized values that agreed with a manifestly simplistic theory to a quite incredible accuracy of a few parts in 108. Von Klitzing won the 1985 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery.
Mystery Spots, X-Rays, γ Rays: Is the Dust Settling from SN1987a?
Authors: Andersen Per H.
Published: January 2008

Supernova 1987a, which appeared as a naked-eye object 23 February 1987 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (see the article by David Helfand in PHYSICS TODAY, August, page 25), continues to challenge observers and theorists.