bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PDE4 inhibitors roflumilast and rolipram augment PGE2inhibition of TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblasts
Authors: Togo Shinsaku , Liu Xiangde , Wang Xingqi , Sugiura Hisatoshi , Kamio Koichiro , Kawasaki Shin , Kobayashi Tetsu , Ertl Ronald F. , Ahn Youngsoo , Holz Olaf , Magnussen Helgo , Fredriksson Karin , Skold C. Magnus , Rennard Stephen I.
Published: March 2009

Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix together with distortion and disruption of tissue architecture. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)4 inhibitors, by preventing the breakdown of cAMP, can inhibit fibroblast functions and may be able to mitigate tissue remodeling. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a mediator of fibrosis, can potentially modulate cAMP by altering PGE2metabolism. The present study assessed whether PDE4 inhibitors functionally antagonize the profibrotic activity of fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β1. The PDE4 inhibitors roflumilast and rolipram both inhibited fibroblast-mediated contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels and fibroblast chemotaxis toward fibronectin in the widely studied human fetal lung fibroblast strain HFL-1 and several strains of fibroblasts from adult human lung. Roflumilast was ∼10-fold more potent than rolipram. There was a trend for PDE4 inhibitors to inhibit more in the presence of TGF-β1 (0.05 < P < 0.08). The effect of the PDE4 inhibitors was mediated through cAMP-stimulated protein kinase A (PKA), although a PKA-independent effect on gel contraction was also observed. The effect of PDE4 inhibitors depended on fibroblast production of PGE2and TGF-β1-induced PGE2production. PDE4 inhibitors together with TGF-β1 resulted in augmented PGE2production together with increased expression of COX mRNA and protein. The present study supports the concept that PDE4 inhibitors may attenuate fibroblast activities that can lead to fibrosis and that PDE4 inhibitors may be particularly effective in the presence of TGF-β1-induced fibroblast stimulation.
Hyperoxia-induced neonatal rat lung injury involves activation of TGF-β and Wnt signaling and is protected by rosiglitazone
Authors: Dasgupta Chiranjib , Sakurai Reiko , Wang Ying , Guo Pinzheng , Ambalavanan Namasivayam , Torday John S. , Rehan Virender K.
Published: March 2009

Despite tremendous technological and therapeutic advances, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a leading cause of respiratory morbidity in very low birth weight infants, and there are no effective preventive and/or therapeutic options. We have previously reported that hyperoxia-induced neonatal rat lung injury might be prevented by rosiglitazone (RGZ). Here, we characterize 1) perturbations in wingless/Int (Wnt) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling, and 2) structural aberrations in lung morphology following 7-day continuous in vivo hyperoxia exposure to neonatal rats. We also tested whether treatment of neonatal pups with RGZ, concomitant to hyperoxia, could prevent such aberrations. Our study revealed that hyperoxia caused significant upregulation of Wnt signaling protein markers lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (Lef-1) and β-catenin and TGF-β pathway transducers phosphorylated Smad3 and Smad7 proteins in whole rat lung extracts. These changes were also accompanied by upregulation of myogenic marker proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and calponin but significant downregulation of the lipogenic marker peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) expression. These molecular perturbations were associated with reduction in alveolar septal thickness, radial alveolar count, and larger alveoli in the hyperoxia-exposed lung. These hyperoxia-induced molecular and morphological changes were prevented by systemic administration of RGZ, with lung sections appearing near normal. This is the first evidence that in vivo hyperoxia induces activation of both Wnt and TGF-β signal transduction pathways in lung and of its near complete prevention by RGZ. Hyperoxia-induced arrest in alveolar development, a hallmark of BPD, along with these molecular changes strongly implicates these proteins in hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Administration of PPARγ agonists may thus be a potential strategy to attenuate hyperoxia-induced lung injury and subsequent BPD.
Prolyl hydroxylase 2 deficiency limits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Schultz Kelly , Murthy Vanishree , Tatro Jeffrey B. , Beasley Debbie
Published: March 2009

Arterial O2 levels are thought to modulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and vascular remodeling, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PHD2, a prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD)-containing O2 sensor, modulates growth factor-induced proliferative responses of human pulmonary artery SMC (HPASMC). We found that both PHD1 and PHD2 were robustly expressed by HPASMC, and inhibiting prolyl hydroxylase activity pharmacologically by using the nonselective dioxygenase inhibitor dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) inhibited proliferation and cyclin A expression induced by PDGF-AB or FGF-2. Specific knockdown of PHD2 using small interfering RNAs had similar effects. The inhibitory effects of DMOG and PHD2 knockdown on proliferation and cyclin A expression were seen under both normoxic (20% O2) and moderately hypoxic (5% O2) conditions, and PHD2 expression was not affected by O2 level nor by stimulation with PDGF or FGF-2, indicating that the proproliferative influence of PHD2 does not involve alterations of its expression. Knockdown of PHD2 increased hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression, as expected, but we also found that HIF-1α knockdown abolished the inhibitory effect of PHD2 knockdown on PDGF-induced cyclin A expression. Therefore, we conclude that PHD2 promotes growth factor-induced responses of human VSMC, acting by HIF-1α-dependent mechanisms. Given the role of PHD2 as an oxygen sensor in mammalian cells, these results raise the possibility that PHD2 links VSMC proliferation to O2 availability.
Mass spectrometric analysis of biomarkers and dilution markers in exhaled breath condensate reveals elevated purines in asthma and cystic fibrosis
Authors: Esther Charles R. , Boysen Gunnar , Olsen Bonnie M. , Collins Leonard B. , Ghio Andrew J. , Swenberg James W. , Boucher Richard C.
Published: March 2009

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analyses promise simple and noninvasive methods to measure airway biomarkers but pose considerable methodological challenges. We utilized mass spectrometry to measure EBC purine biomarkers adenosine and AMP plus urea to control for dilutional variability in two studies: 1) a cross-sectional analysis of 28 healthy, 40 cystic fibrosis (CF), and 11 asthmatic children; and 2) a longitudinal analysis of 26 CF children before and after treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation. EBC adenosine, AMP, and urea were readily detected and quantified by mass spectrometry, and analysis suggested significant dilutional variability. Using biomarker-to-urea ratios to control for dilution, the EBC AMP-to-urea ratio was elevated in CF [median 1.3, interquartile range (IQR) 0.7–2.3] vs. control (median 0.75, IQR 0.3–1.4; P < 0.05), and the adenosine-to-urea ratio was elevated in asthma (median 1.5, IQR 0.9–2.9) vs. control (median 0.4, IQR 0.2–1.6; P < 0.05). Changes in EBC purine-to-urea ratios correlated with changes in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ( r = −0.53 AMP/urea, r = −0.55 adenosine/urea; P < 0.01 for both) after CF exacerbation treatment. Similar results were observed using dilution factors calculated from serum-to-EBC urea ratios or EBC electrolytes, and the comparable ratios of EBC electrolytes to urea in CF and control (median 3.2, IQR 1.6–6.0 CF; median 5.5, IQR 1.4–7.7 control) validated use of airway urea as an EBC dilution marker. These results show that mass spectrometric analyses can be applied to measurement of purines in EBC and demonstrate that EBC adenosine-to-urea and AMP-to-urea ratios are potential noninvasive biomarkers of airways disease.
Paracrine purinergic signaling determines lung endothelial nitric oxide production
Authors: Kiefmann Rainer , Islam Mohammad N. , Lindert Jens , Parthasarathi Kaushik , Bhattacharya Jahar
Published: March 2009

Although the vascular bed is a major source of nitric oxide (NO) production, factors regulating the production remain unclear. We considered the role played by paracrine signaling. Determinations by fluorescence microscopy in isolated, blood-perfused rat and mouse lungs revealed that a brief lung expansion enhanced cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+cyt) oscillations in alveolar epithelial (AEC) and endothelial (EC) cells, and NO production in EC. Furthermore, as assessed by a novel microlavage assay, alveolar ATP production increased. Intra-alveolar microinfusion of the purinergic receptor antagonist, PPADS, and the nucleotide hydrolyzing enzyme, apyrase, each completely blocked the Ca2+cyt and NO responses in EC. Lung expansion induced Ca2+cyt oscillations in mice lacking the P2Y1, but not the P2Y2, purinergic receptors, which were located in the perivascular interstitium basolateral to AEC. Prolonged lung expansion instituted by mechanical ventilation at high tidal volume increased EC expression of nitrotyrosine, indicating development of nitrosative stress in lung microvessels. These findings reveal a novel mechanism in which mechanically induced purinergic signaling couples cross-compartmental Ca2+cyt oscillations to microvascular NO production.
Surfactant protein C-deficient mice are susceptible to respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Glasser Stephan W. , Witt Teah L. , Senft Albert P. , Baatz John E. , Folger Dusti , Maxfield Melissa D. , Akinbi Henry T. , Newton Danforth A. , Prows Daniel R. , Korfhagen Thomas R.
Published: March 2009

Patients with mutations in the pulmonary surfactant protein C (SP-C) gene develop interstitial lung disease and pulmonary exacerbations associated with viral infections including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Pulmonary infection with RSV caused more severe interstitial thickening, air space consolidation, and goblet cell hyperplasia in SP-C-deficient ( Sftpc−/−) mice compared with SP-C replete mice. The RSV-induced pathology resolved more slowly in Sftpc−/−mice with lung inflammation persistent up to 30 days postinfection. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte and macrophage counts were increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of Sftpc−/−mice. Viral titers and viral F and G protein mRNA were significantly increased in both Sftpc−/−and heterozygous Sftpc+/−mice compared with controls. Expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) mRNA was increased in the lungs of Sftpc−/−mice relative to Sftpc+/+mice before and after RSV infection. Consistent with the increased TLR3 expression, BAL inflammatory cells were increased in the Sftpc−/−mice after exposure to a TLR3-specific ligand, poly(I:C). Preparations of purified SP-C and synthetic phospholipids blocked poly(I:C)-induced TLR3 signaling in vitro. SP-C deficiency increases the severity of RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation through regulation of TLR3 signaling.
Current Recommendations on Diagnosis and Management of Right-Sided Diverticulitis
Authors: Telem Dana A. , Buch Kerri E. , Nguyen Scott Q. , Chin Edward H. , Weber Kaare J. , Divino Celia M.
Published: March 2009

We present the case of a 52-year-old female with recurrent symptomatic ascending colon diverticulitis who ultimately underwent elective laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. The following is a case report and literature review pertaining to right colonic diverticular disease.
Idiopathic Acquired Leukonychia in a 34-Year-Old Patient
Authors: Bongiorno Maria Rita , Aricò Mario
Published: March 2009

We present a rare case of a 34-year-old patient with persistent, progressive, acquired leukonychia totalis and partialis. Idiopathic acquired leukonychia is a rare chromatic disorder of the nail not associated with other abnormalities and discernible etiology. Our case report did not link the inheritance of leukonychia with diverse clinical syndromes. To our knowledge, only five cases of idiopathic, acquired, true total leukonychia were found in literature. This case was the sixth patient with asymptomatic idiopathic, white fingernails, and toenails without a hereditary cause.
Influence of pH and Compression on Electrohydrodynamic Effects in Nanoporous Packed Beds
Authors: Schaefer Bastian , Nirschl Hermann
Published: March 2009

Fluid flow and charge transport in fine structures can be driven both by pressure gradients and by electric fields if electrochemical double layers are present on the surfaces. The interrelated electrohydrodynamic effects may be used to drive liquids without moving parts, for example, in dewatering or in electroosmotic chromatography, or to generate small electric currents. While the electrohydrodynamic transport is well understood for simple geometries, models for porous structures are complex. Furthermore, the interconnected porous structure of a packed bed itself strongly depends on the electrochemical double layers. In this study, the electrohydrodynamic transport in packed beds consisting of boehmite particles with an average diameter of 38 nm is investigated. We describe a new approach to the electrokinetic effects by treating the packed beds as theoretical sets of cylindrical capillaries. The charge transport and the electrically driven fluid flow predicted with this model agree well with experimental results. Furthermore, the hydraulic permeability was found to be a nonlinear function of the porosity, independent of whether the porosity change is caused by changing the compression or the electrochemical double layer.
Demonstration of an All‐Optical 2‐to‐4 Level Encoder Based on an Optical Parametric Amplifier
Authors: Liang Yu , Chui P. C. , Wong Kenneth Kin-Yip
Published: March 2009

We demonstrated a novel technique for all‐optical 2‐to‐4 level amplitude‐shift keying (ASK) coding based on a fiber optical parametric amplifier. A 20‐Gb/s signal is realized by multiplexing two 10‐Gb/s data streams.
Inflammation Imaging in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rudd James H.F. , Hyafil Fabien , Fayad Zahi A.
Published: March 2009

Inflammation is important at many stages of atherosclerotic plaque development. We highlight several imaging modalities that can quantify the degree of plaque inflammation noninvasively. Imaging of this type might allow testing of novel antiatherosclerosis drugs, identification of patients at risk of plaque rupture, and deeper insight into the biology of the disease. The imaging modalities are discussed in relation to their potential use in these areas.
Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Distinct Patterns of Myocardial Substrate Use in Humans With Coronary Artery Disease or Left Ventricular Dysfunction During Surgical Ischemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Turer Aslan T. , Stevens Robert D. , Bain James R. , Muehlbauer Michael J. , van der Westhuizen Johannes , Mathew Joseph P. , Schwinn Debra A. , Glower Donald D. , Newgard Christopher B. , Podgoreanu Mihai V.
Published: March 2009

Background—

Human myocardial metabolism has been incompletely characterized in the setting of surgical cardioplegic arrest and ischemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, the effect of preexisting ventricular state on ischemia-induced metabolic derangements has not been established.

Methods and Results—

We applied a mass spectrometry–based platform to profile 63 intermediary metabolites in serial paired peripheral arterial and coronary sinus blood effluents obtained from 37 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, stratified by presence of coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. The myocardium was a net user of a number of fuel substrates before ischemia, with significant differences between patients with and without coronary artery disease. After reperfusion, significantly lower extraction ratios of most substrates were found, as well as significant release of 2 specific acylcarnitine species, acetylcarnitine and 3-hydroxybutyryl-carnitine. These changes were especially evident in patients with impaired ventricular function, who exhibited profound limitations in extraction of all forms of metabolic fuels. Principal component analysis highlighted several metabolic groupings as potentially important in the postoperative clinical course.

Conclusions—

The preexisting ventricular state is associated with significant differences in myocardial fuel uptake at baseline and after ischemia/reperfusion. The dysfunctional ventricle is characterized by global suppression of metabolic fuel uptake and limited myocardial metabolic reserve and flexibility after global ischemia/reperfusion stress in the setting of cardiac surgery. Altered metabolic profiles after ischemia/reperfusion are associated with postoperative hemodynamic course and suggest a role for perioperative metabolic monitoring and targeted optimization in cardiac surgical patients.
Redescription of Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) from South Korea
Authors: Yeon Il-Kweon , Singh Gaurav , Ahmad Irfan , Choi Chung-Don
Published: March 2009

The type species of the genus Butlerius, viz., B. butleri Goodey, 1929, is redescribed and illustrated from specimens collected in South Korea. Additional information is provided for the cuticle, stoma structure, female reproductive system and the male caudal region. The Korean population is 1336-1857 μm long, a = 33.9-43.5, b = 5.41-6.34, c = 3.38-4.20, c′ = 14.13-19.0 and V = 40-45%. Males have spicules 39-49 μm long and a gubernaculum 25-33 μm long. There are nine pairs of genital papillae, three pairs precloacal and six pairs postcloacal. The v5,6,7 clusters are widely separated, one group situated just posterior to the phasmids and the other group at level of pd. Although there are some differences in morphometrics as compared with the type population, the species is easily identified by the similarities in the structure of the stoma, pharynx, spicules and gubernaculum. Butlerius singularis and B. filicaudatus are proposed as synonyms of the type species.
Description of Ektaphelenchoides spondylis n. sp. (Nematoda: Ektaphelenchinae) isolated from Spondylis buprestoides (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin-Davis Robin , Center Barbara
Published: March 2009

Ektaphelenchoides spondylis n. sp. is described and figured from Spondylis buprestoides. The new species is characterised by the bipartite stylet conus, male spicule with rounded condylus, blunt rostrum and plate-like cucullus, long postuterine sac and long and smoothly tapering female tail. The new species is almost morphologically identical to E. compsi, but can be distinguished from it by stylet morphology, female tail shape, male ratio (a) and molecular sequence of the D2/D3 expansion segment of the large subunit of ribosomal DNA. In the molecular phylogenetic analysis, E. spondylis n. sp. formed a well supported clade with E. compsi within Ektaphelenchoides. Based upon molecular phylogenetic analysis with one locus, Ektaphelenchoides spp. formed a well supported clade and Ektaphelenchus and Cryptaphelenchus also formed a well supported clade. However, the molecular and morphological information available from our study are insufficient to revise the generic taxonomy of the subfamily. More sampling and an integrated taxonomic revision of the subfamily Ektaphelenchinae are needed.
Poikilolaimus floridensis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae) associated with termites (Kalotermitidae)
Authors: Scheffrahn Rudolf , Giblin-Davis Robin , Center Barbara , Kanzaki Natsumi
Published: March 2009

A survey of termite-associated nematodes was done in southern Florida to compare the diversity of such associations with other latitudes in the Neotropics. Six species (15 colonies) of termites (Isoptera) were collected from the field and eight species (15 colonies) from laboratory populations were examined for nematode associates. All six field-collected termite species, Cryptotermes cavifrons, Incisitermes snyderi, Neotermes jouteli, N. castaneus, Prorhinotermes simplex and Reticulitermes flavipes, representing two families (Kalotermitidae and, for the latter two species, Rhinotermitidae), were associated with nematodes. Nematodes were also isolated from laboratory populations of I. snyderi and Coptotermes formosanus. In total, seven putative species of nematodes were discerned using molecular bar-coding and culturing (when successful) including four rhabditids, one diplogastrid, Rhabditis rainai and a nematode that we are describing herein as Poikilolaimus floridensis n. sp. This nematode was isolated as dauer juveniles in the foregut of N. jouteli, N. castaneus and I. snyderi. It was recovered from workers, a soldier and an alate, suggesting internal phoresy. It is characterised by six triangular cuticular flaps covering the stomatal opening, simple tube-like stomatal structure, i.e., absence of teeth and glottoid apparatus, cuticularised and refractile secretory-excretory pore, conical male tail lacking 'bursa' or spike, short and conical female tail and didelphic female reproductive system. Poikilolaimus floridensis n. sp. is morphologically characteristic and does not easily fit the current genus definition of Poikilolaimus which is redefined herein. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on near full length SSU ribosomal DNA sequence showed that the new species occupies a basal position in the genus.
Additional data on Enchodelus veletensis Guerrero, Liébanas & Peña-Santiago, 2007 (Dorylaimida: Nordiidae) from Iran, and phylogeny of the genus
Authors: Pedram Majid , Guerrero Pablo , Robbins Robert , Niknam Gholamreza , Ye Weimin
Published: March 2009

Additional information on the recently described species, Enchodelus veletensis, is provided, with females, males, intersex and juveniles being described from a population recovered from soil samples collected about grasses in a natural region of north-western Iran. This is the first report of this species for male, intersex and juveniles. Nearly full length of 1560 bp 18S rDNA and 828 bp ITS1 were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA supported two distinct monophyletic groups of Enchodelus species, those with rounded tail vs conical tail. Enchodelus veletensis is closely related to E. brevidentatus and E. arcuatus. It has identical sequences with E. brevidentatus in 638 bp partial 18S rDNA yet is morphologically distinct.
Trichodorus arasbaranensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichodoridae) from a natural forest in Arasbaran, north-west Iran
Authors: Niknam Gholamreza , Karegar Akbar , Zahedi Ebrahim , Decraemer Wilfrida
Published: March 2009

Trichodorus arasbaranensis n. sp. is described from the rhizosphere of Carpinus betulus growing in forests in Arasbaran, north-west Iran. The new species is characterised by its large body length (1020-1520 μm in males; 1100-1500 μm in females), cuticle abnormally swollen upon fixation, onchiostyle medium-sized (41-66 μm in males; 49-65 μm in females) and secretory-excretory pore at level of pharyngeal bulb. Males have a single ventromedian cervical papilla varying in position from anterior to posterior to secretory-excretory pore, sperm cells with sausage-shaped nucleus, large (74-110 μm), smooth, ventrally curved spicules, manubrium wide, not offset from lamina, lamina narrowed in mid-region and with a distal ventral velum, and gubernaculum 25.5-34.5 μm long. Females have a short, but well developed, rounded vagina with large, rounded, triangular to oval-shaped, sclerotised vaginal pieces in lateral view. Because of its large body size, the new species most closely resembles T. magnus, T. elegans, T. obtusus, T. californicus and T. nanjingensis, from which the female can be differentiated by the short vagina length in relation to the corresponding body diam. and large size of the vaginal sclerotised pieces, and the male by the longer and differently shaped spicule which bears a velum. A key to the males and females of the Trichodorus spp. recorded from Iran is provided.
Characterisation of mjap genes encoding novel secreted proteins from the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica
Authors: Tzortzakakis Emmanuel , Blok Vivian , Adam Mohamed , Phillips Mark
Published: March 2009

Two homologues of map-1, which encodes a putative avirulence factor, were found in a single egg mass line of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica that was virulent to the Mi-resistant gene. The main difference between the two encoded proteins of these homologues, MJ-MAP-1 and MJ-MAP-2, was the position of a 13 amino acid repeat region. Genes encoding two related but novel proteins, MJAP-1 and MJAP-2 (290 and 283 amino acids, respectively, including a potential signal secretion peptide), were also isolated from M. javanica. They have high similarity to MAP at the C-terminus. MJAP-1 and MJAP-2 differ from each other in the number and position of a seven-amino-acid repeat and in five other amino acids. The mjap genes are expressed in the subventral pharyngeal glands of second-stage juveniles of M. javanica, and transcription analysis in different developmental stages showed expression in the juvenile stage but not in eggs or adult females. Both mjap-1 and mjap-2 were expressed in both Mi-virulent and avirulent lines of M. javanica.
Developmental and growth patterns in Xiphinema parasimile and X. simile (Nematoda: Dorylaimida), members of the X. americanum-group
Authors: Barsi László
Published: March 2009

Xiphinema parasimile and X. simile are morphologically and morphometrically very similar, yet molecularly different, species with different developmental and growth patterns, a different number of juvenile developmental stages (four vs three) and a different post-embryonic growth pattern. Body length, body volume and odontostyle and replacement odontostyle lengths served for comparison of the post-embryonic growth patterns in these species. A percentage method was used to make the data sets comparable between one population of X. parasimile and three populations of X. simile. The mean body lengths of the first, second and pre-adult stages in X. simile showed similarity with those of the second, third and pre-adult stages in X. parasimile. In X. simile there was no unique growth pattern of body length and body volume from stage to stage applicable for all populations, just a similar trend with more or less similar values. The difference between replacement odontostyle and functional odontostyle lengths in all juvenile stages was higher in X. simile and lower in X. parasimile, despite the very similar mean odontostyle length in the female stage of both species.
Rapid and accurate prediction of the frequencies of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and B. mucronatus in mixed nematode samples using real-time species-specific PCR
Authors: Lee Si Hyeock , Moon Il Sung , Kang Jae Soon , Shin Sang Chul , Lee Sang Gil
Published: March 2009

Accurate detection of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and prediction of its frequency in crude nematode samples is often hindered by the coexistence of related nematode species, such as B. mucronatus, that are morphologically similar but non-pathogenic. To establish a detection system enabling determination of the relative frequencies of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus from field nematode samples, we developed a real-time species-specific PCR (rtssPCR) protocol which targets the substantial sequence differences in the 5S rRNA marker gene between the two nematode species. Using standard DNA mixtures of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus in various ratios, plots of percent species proportion vs cycle threshold value (Ct value) were generated for the prediction of species frequency. The rtssPCR protocol enables the detection of target nematode frequencies as low as 0.16% at the 95% confidence level. When nematode DNA samples were extracted from the mixed specimens of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus in various ratios and analysed by rtssPCR, the semi-log plot was nearly identical to the plot generated from standard mixed DNA samples, demonstrating that field populations of the nematodes can be directly used for rtssPCR analysis. The rapid and accurate determination of B. xylophilus or B. mucronatus frequencies by this rtssPCR protocol makes it ideal for routine monitoring and quarantine of B. xylophilus in the field.
Psychotherapy and Traditional Healing for American Indians: Exploring the Prospects for Therapeutic Integration
Authors: Gone Joseph P.
Published: March 2009

Multicultural advocates within professional psychology routinely call for “culturally competent” counseling interventions. Such advocates frequently cite and celebrate traditional healing practices as an important resource for developing novel integrative forms of psychotherapy that are distinctively tailored for diverse populations. Despite this interest, substantive descriptions of specific forms of traditional healing vis-à-vis psychotherapy have appeared infrequently in the psychology literature. This article explores the prospects for therapeutic integration between American Indian traditional healing and contemporary psychotherapy. Systematic elucidation of historical Gros Ventre healing tradition and Eduardo Duran’s (2006) culture-specific psychotherapy for American Indians affords nuanced comparison of distinctive therapeutic paradigms. Such comparison reveals significant convergences as well as divergences between these therapeutic traditions, rendering integration efforts and their evaluation extremely complex. Multicultural professional psychology would benefit from collaborative efforts undertaken with community partners, as interventions developed in this manner are most likely to effectively integrate non-Western healing traditions and modern psychotherapy.
An Oral Human Drug Absorption Study to Assess the Impact of Site of Delivery on the Bioavailability of Bevirimat
Authors: Connor Alyson , Evans Phil , Doto Judy , Ellis Corey , Martin David E.
Published: March 2009

Bevirimat is a first in class, orally active, potent and selective inhibitor of HIV‐1. It may have utility for the treatment of HIV‐1‐infected patients who are failing current regimens because of the development of drug resistance. In earlier studies in HIV‐1‐infected patients, an immediate‐release tablet formulation exhibited a relative bioavailability (Frel) of 50% or greater and a higher intersubject variability than an oral solution. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this pharmacokinetic profile is attributable to a narrow permeability‐dependent absorption window within the gastrointestinal tract. Three groups of subjects completed an open‐label, 2‐way crossover, randomized pharmacoscintigraphic study. Subjects received a 25‐mg bevirimat oral immediate‐release solution plus 25 mg bevirimat solution delivered to the proximal small bowel, distal small bowel, or colon via the Enterion™ capsule. The results indicate that the permeability of bevirimat throughout the small intestine was excellent and suggest that the variability observed for the immediate release tablet was not related to the presence of an absorption window in the small intestine.
Regional Business Cycles in Japan
Authors: Hayashida Motonari , Hewings Geoffrey J. D.
Published: March 2009

In previous studies of regional business cycles in Japan, critical differences in the amplitudes and the turning points in business cycles by region were revealed. However, there is a problem in the previous studies; they relied on one series, typically an index of industrial production in manufacturing sectors, hence, it is necessary to include information on sectors other than manufacturing to provide a more complete measure of the business conditions of a region. Specifically, we extract a regional business index from four business indicators using the principal components and applied the regime switching model to identify the turning points in regional business cycles. Our result shows that the sector that generates the greatest influence on the business cycles differs by region. Furthermore, different regions have different features also from the viewpoint of the turning points of business cycles.
The Lifelong Mortality Risks of World War II Experiences
Authors: Elder Glen H. , Clipp Elizabeth C. , Brown J. Scott , Martin Leslie R. , Friedman Howard S.
Published: March 2009

In this longitudinal study of American veterans, the authors investigated the mortality risks of five World War II military experiences (e.g., combat exposure) and their variation among veterans in the postwar years. The male subjects ( n = 854) were members of the Stanford-Terman study, and 38% served in World War II. Cox models (proportional-hazards regressions) were used to compare the relative mortality risk associated with each military experience. Overseas duty, service in the Pacific theater, and exposure to combat significantly increased the mortality risks of veterans in the study. Individual differences in education, mental health in 1950, and age at entry into the military, as well as personality factors, made no difference in these results. In conclusion, a gradient was observed such that active duty on the home front, followed by overseas duty, service in the Pacific, and combat exposure, markedly increased the risk for relatively early mortality. Potential linking mechanisms include heavy drinking.
Grandmother Coresidence, Maternal Orphans, and School Enrollment in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Parker Erin M. , Short Susan E.
Published: March 2009

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa has brought renewed attention to the role of grandmothers as caregivers of children. Using 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey data, the authors examine the relationship between coresidence with a grandmother and child schooling in Lesotho, a country with one of the highest rates of HIV infection. Results confirm the critical role grandmothers play in the event of maternal death. Maternal orphans who live with a grandmother are just as likely to be in school as children living with a mother. The protective effect of living with a grandmother is also important for children whose mothers are alive but not affiliated with their households. The results of the analysis underscore the importance of attending to the simultaneous presence of mothers and grandmothers, as well as the circumstances associated with mother absence, when assessing the relationship between grandmother coresidence and child outcomes.
Sports and Environmental Justice
Authors: Sze Julie
Published: March 2009

This article examines a contemporary and unfolding conflict in downtown Brooklyn in New York City where the siting of a professional sport stadium intersects with the politics of race, class, and the built environment. The Atlantic Yards project is a $4.2-billion project to bring housing, retail, open space, and most significantly (for the developers in their public relations campaign), a professional basketball franchise, the Brooklyn Nets. The author uses an analytic frame drawing from environmental justice studies through which to analyze the cultural and representational politics of the controversy. In doing so, this case complicates and further illuminates environmental justice and the sports and siting literature in the context of the geography of neoliberalism.
Parkour, Anarcho-Environmentalism, and Poiesis
Authors: Atkinson Michael
Published: March 2009

As innovated by French “free runners” David Belle and Sébastien Foucan in the1990s, Parkour is a physical cultural lifestyle of athletic performance focusing on uninterrupted and spectacular gymnastics over, under, around, and through obstacles in urban settings. Through the public practice of Parkour across late modern cities, advocates collectively urge urban pedestrians to reconsider the role of athleticism in fostering self—other environment connections. This article taps ethnographic data collected on Parkour enthusiasts in Toronto (Canada). For 2 years, the author spent time in the field with “traceurs” (i.e., those who practice Parkour) and conducted open-ended interviews with them regarding their experiences with the movement. In this article, the author explores Parkour as an emerging urban “anarcho-environmental” movement, drawing largely on Heidegger's critique of technology along with Schopenhauer's understanding of the will to interpret the practice of Parkour as a form of urban deconstruction.
Social Control in an American Pacific Island
Authors: Dalisay Francis
Published: March 2009

Not much research has examined the social roles of local media in the Pacific Islands. In an attempt to fill this gap, this article critically analyzes news articles, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, and editorials printed in Guam's local newspaper, the Pacific Daily News ( PDN). The items were published between the 50th and 60th anniversaries (1994-2004) of the American liberation of Guam. My analysis revealed that the PDN downplayed a conflict between pro-American and prolocal ideological stances. It rallied behind American interests, and when it reported about the resistances of prolocal actors in news articles, it first reaffirmed the actors' loyalty to the United States. This article concludes that the PDN served to hegemonically maintain Guam's society as an unincorporated American territory.
Legalisation of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide: survey of doctors’ attitudes
Authors: Seale C
Published: March 2009

This study reports UK doctors’ opinions about legalisation of medically assisted dying (euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide), comparing this with the UK general public. A postal survey of 3733 UK medical practitioners was done. The majority of UK doctors are opposed to legalisation, contrasting with the UK general public. Palliative medicine specialists are particularly opposed. A strong religious belief is independently associated with opposition to assisted dying. Frequency of treating patients who die is not independently associated with attitudes. Many doctors supporting legalisation also express reservations and advocate safeguards; many doctors opposing legalisation believe and accept that treatment and nontreatment decisions may shorten life. It is hoped that future debates about legalisation can proceed with this evidence in mind.
The use of thalidomide in the management of bleeding from a gastric cancer
Authors: Lambert K , Ward J
Published: March 2009

Medical management of severe gastrointestinal bleeding can present a therapeutic challenge. We describe a case of bleeding secondary to gastric cancer that failed to settle, despite treatment with tranexamic acid, etamsylate and sucralfate. Thalidomide was prescribed for its antiangiogenic properties. Bleeding settled within 1 week of starting 300 mg of thalidomide nocte. The effect appeared to be dose dependant, with bleeding recurring only when the dose was reduced to 100 mg of thalidomide nocte.
“We will remember them”: a mixed-method study to explore which post-funeral remembrance activities are most significant and important to bereaved people living with loss, and why those particular activities are chosen
Authors: Vale-Taylor P
Published: March 2009

In an increasingly secular age in which society no longer offers a code of behaviour for those who are bereaved as in Victorian times, the majority of people do not seek support from church-based rituals of remembrance. Most hospices provide religious Services of Remembrance and Thanksgiving or non-faith remembrance gatherings for families and friends, and although these are usually well attended, the average number of families represented is usually less than 20% raising the question of whether alternative support should be offered to the remaining majority of families. This study explored which post-funeral remembrance activities are most significant and important to people living with death-related loss, and why those particular activities are chosen. A total of 43 participants took part in a mixed-method study using 2 different data sets: a self-report questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. To add further contextual data to support the study, a third dataset was created when six hospice bereavement counsellors met as a Focus Group. Results indicated that although formal remembrance events are valued, informal rituals created by the bereaved are more important and significant to them. Results could be divided into four different categories: rituals to maintain a ‘direct link’, or those undertaken ‘for’ the deceased, rituals that remember the deceased within the community and those viewed as an act of remembrance. The most common reason for choosing a ritual was to keep a bond with the deceased or ensure that the deceased was remembered by others. Remembrance and ritual is personal to each individual and is dynamic, altering from day to day. Remembrance appears to be a journey made up of many small daily rituals, some of which are generic to bereaved people and some of which are highly individualistic. For the majority of people, their informal rituals are far more important than the large planned events that hospices offer because the informal rituals occur and serve to sustain people in the context of their daily lives.
Characteristics and implications of attrition in health-related quality of life studies in palliative care
Authors: Ahlner-Elmqvist M , Bjordal K , Jordhøy MS , Kaasa S , Jannert M
Published: March 2009

In a longitudinal study of 297 palliative care patients, 280 patients were followed from inclusion to death. Characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQL) of the participants and those who later dropped out were compared at inclusion, and 3 and 2 months before their death. At inclusion, the dropouts were older ( P = 0.001), had reduced Karnofsky performance score ( P < 0.001), received more help from the local authority ( P = 0.004) and had reduced HRQL compared with patients who continued in the study and completed the next questionnaire. There were no differences in any of the HRQL parameters between participants and dropouts 3 months before death. Two months before death, differences in HRQL were found, but in favour of the dropouts. Data from patients close to death may be representative of a larger group of patients, whereas initial dropouts may lead to a positive bias of reported HRQL.
Does palliative home oxygen improve dyspnoea? A consecutive cohort study
Authors: Currow DC , Agar M , Smith J , Abernethy AP
Published: March 2009

Palliative oxygen for refractory dyspnoea is frequently prescribed, even when the criteria for long-term home oxygen (based on survival, rather than the symptomatic relief of breathlessness) are not met. Little is known about how palliative home oxygen affects symptomatic breathlessness. A 4 -year consecutive cohort from a regional community palliative care service in Western Australia was used to compare baseline breathlessness before oxygen therapy with dyspnoea sub-scales on the symptom assessment scores (SAS; 0–10) 1 and 2 weeks after the introduction of oxygen. Demographic and clinical characteristics of people who responded were included in a multi-variable logistic regression model. Of the study population ( n = 5862), 21.1% ( n = 1239) were prescribed oxygen of whom 413 had before and after data that could be included in this analysis. The mean breathlessness before home oxygen was 5.3 (SD 2.5; median 5; range 0–10). There were no significant differences overall at 1 or 2 weeks ( P = 0.28) nor for any diagnostic sub-groups. One hundred and fifty people (of 413) had more than a 20% improvement in mean dyspnoea scores. In multi-factor analysis, neither the underlying diagnosis causing breathlessness nor the demographic factors predicted responders at 1 week. Oxygen prescribed on the basis of breathlessness alone across a large population predominantly with cancer does not improve breathlessness for the majority of people. Prospective randomised trials in people with cancer and non-cancer are needed to determine whether oxygen can reduce the progression of breathlessness compared to a control arm.
Prioritisation of future research topics for children’s hospice care by its key stakeholders: a Delphi study
Authors: Malcolm C , Knighting K , Forbat L , Kearney N
Published: March 2009

The Delphi process, widely used in health research to seek consensus on key issues amongst large stakeholder groups, was adopted to allow families, hospice staff/volunteers and linked professionals to identify and prioritise future research priorities for children’s hospice care. In the qualitative Round 1, interviews with families ( n = 5), linked professionals ( n = 18) and focus groups with hospice staff and volunteers ( n = 44) led to the generation of 56 research topics categorised within 14 broad themes. To give a larger number of stakeholders ( n = 621) (including families n = 293; hospice staff/volunteers n = 216 and professionals n = 112) the opportunity to rate the importance of each research topic and seek group consensus on the future research priorities for children’s hospice care, subsequent Rounds 2 and 3 involved the use of postal questionnaires. Response rates to questionnaires were 44% in Round 2 (274/621) and 83% in Round 3 (204/247). Participants prioritised research topics relating to 1) hospice and respite care needs of young people (aged 16 +), 2) pain and symptom management and 3) bereavement and end-of-life care. There was wide acknowledgement by those took part in the process of the difficulty in rating the topics, and emphasis on the fact that all of the topics raised during the project are of high importance and merit further research. The current salient issues perceived by key stakeholders as being the research priorities for children’s hospice care were identified. Addressing these priority topics for research would further contribute to the development of a much needed evidence base in children’s hospice and palliative care research and optimise the delivery of children’s hospice services that are underpinned by valid and robust research.
Deciding about continuous deep sedation: physicians’ perspectives
Authors: Rietjens JAC , Buiting HM , Pasman HRW , van der Maas PJ , van Delden JJM , van der Heide A
Published: March 2009

Although guidelines restrict the use of continuous deep sedation to patients with refractory physical symptoms and a short life-expectancy, its use is not always restricted to these conditions. A focus group study of physicians was conducted to gain more insight in the arguments for and against the use of continuous deep sedation in several clinical situations. Arguments in favour of continuous deep sedation for patients with a longer life-expectancy were that the overall clinical situation is more relevant than life-expectancy alone, and that patients’ wishes should be followed. Continuous deep sedation for patients with predominantly emotional/existential suffering was considered appropriate when physicians empathize with the suffering. Further, some physicians indicated that they may consider the use of sedation in the context of a euthanasia request. Arguments were that the option of continuous deep sedation is a better alternative; it may comfort some patients when their thoughts about potential future suffering become unbearable. Further, some considered continuous deep sedation as less burdening or a bother to perform. We conclude that physicians’ decision-making about continuous deep sedation is characterized by balancing the interests of patients with their own feelings. Accordingly, the reasons for its use are not unambiguous and need further debate.