bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local Heaviside‐weighted LRPIM meshless method and its application to two‐dimensional potential flows
Authors: Saeedpanah Iraj , Jabbari E.
Published: July 2008

In this paper, the local radial point interpolation meshless method (LRPIM) is used for the analysis of two‐dimensional potential flows, based on a local‐weighted residual method with the Heaviside step function as the weighting function over a local subdomain. Trial functions are constructed using radial basis functions. The present method is a truly meshless method based only on a number of randomly located nodes. Integration over the subdomains requires only a simple integration cell to obtain the solution. No element matrix assembly is required and no special treatment is needed to impose the essential boundary conditions. The novelty of the paper is the use of a local Heaviside weight function in the LRPIM, which does not need local domain integration and integrations only on the boundary of the local domains are needed. Effects of the sizes of local subdomain and interpolation domain on the performance of the present method are investigated. The behavior of shape parameters of multiquadrics has been systematically studied. Two numerical tests in groundwater and fluid flows are presented and compared with closed‐form solutions and finite element method. The results show that the use of a local Heaviside weight function in the LRPIM is highly accurate and possesses no numerical difficulties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of liquid crystalline polymer flow into two‐dimensional thin cavity moulds
Authors: Sun Jianye
Published: July 2008

In this paper, flows of liquid crystalline polymers into two‐dimensional thin cavity moulds are simulated. The flows are modelled by Ericksen–Leslie equations of motion in the high viscosity limit. An elliptic pressure equation is derived under Hele–Shaw approximations, and the non‐isothermal natures of the flow are modelled. The equations are solved using the finite‐difference technique. A new boundary‐mapping technique is developed in this study to solve the difficulty in the finite‐difference treatment of arbitrarily shaped boundaries, which possess no natural coordinate system. This new method avoids the difficult mesh control in the body‐fitted mapping process and makes the mapping process easy to implement. It can also solve the problems caused by the uneven distribution of grid nodes in the traditional body‐fitted mapping technique. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of mass lumping on gravity and Rossby waves in 2D finite‐element shallow‐water models
Authors: Le Roux D. Y. , Hanert E. , Rostand V. , Pouliot B.
Published: July 2008

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of mass lumping on the dispersion properties of four finite‐element velocity/surface‐elevation pairs that are used to approximate the linear shallow‐water equations. For each pair, the dispersion relation, obtained using the mass lumping technique, is computed and analysed for both gravity and Rossby waves. The dispersion relations are compared with those obtained for the consistent schemes (without lumping) and the continuous case. The P0−P1, RT0 and P−P1 pairs are shown to preserve good dispersive properties when the mass matrix is lumped. Test problems to simulate fast gravity and slow Rossby waves are in good agreement with the analytical results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implicit–explicit finite‐difference lattice Boltzmann method with viscid compressible model for gas oscillating patterns in a resonator
Authors: Wang Yong , He Yaling , Huang Jing , Li Qing
Published: July 2008

Difficulties for the conventional computational fluid dynamics and the standard lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to study the gas oscillating patterns in a resonator have been discussed. In light of the recent progresses in the LBM world, we are now able to deal with the compressibility and non‐linear shock wave effects in the resonator. A lattice Boltzmann model for viscid compressible flows is introduced firstly. Then, the Boltzmann equation with the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook approximation is solved by the finite‐difference method with a third‐order implicit–explicit (IMEX) Runge–Kutta scheme for time discretization, and a fifth‐order weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization. Numerical results obtained in this study agree quantitatively with both experimental data available and those using conventional numerical methods. Moreover, with the IMEX finite‐difference LBM (FDLBM), the computational convergence rate can be significantly improved compared with the previous FDLBM and standard LBM. This study can also be applied for simulating some more complex phenomena in a thermoacoustics engine. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional numerical simulation of compound meandering open channel flow by the Reynolds stress model
Authors: Jing H. , Guo Y. , Li C. , Zhang J.
Published: July 2008

Turbulent flow in a compound meandering open channel with seminatural cross sections is one of the most complicated turbulent flows as the flow pattern is influenced by the combined action of various forces, such as centrifugal force, pressure, and shear stresses. In this paper, a three‐dimensional (3D) Reynolds stress model (RSM) is adopted to simulate the compound meandering channel flows. Governing equations of the flow are solved numerically with finite‐volume method. The velocity fields, wall shear stresses, and Reynolds stresses are calculated for a range of input conditions. Good agreement between the simulated results and measurements indicates that RSM can successfully predict the complicated flow phenomenon. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A semi‐implicit finite volume implementation of the CSF method for treating surface tension in interfacial flows
Authors: Raessi M. , Bussmann M. , Mostaghimi J.
Published: July 2008

We present an implementation of Hysing's (Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids 2006; 51:659–672) semi‐implicit method for treating surface tension, for finite volume models of interfacial flows. Using this method, the surface tension timestep restriction, which is often very stringent, can be exceeded by at least a factor of 5 without destabilizing the solution. The surface tension force in this method consists of an explicit part, which is the regular continuum surface force, and an implicit part which represents the diffusion of velocities induced by surface tension on fluids interfaces. The surface tension force is applied to the velocity field by solving a system of equations iteratively. Since the equations are solved only near interfaces, the computational time spent on the iterative procedure is insignificant. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel V600E BRAF mutations in imatinib‐naive and imatinib‐resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Agaram Narasimhan P. , Wong Grace C. , Guo Tianhua , Maki Robert G. , Singer Samuel , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Besmer Peter , Antonescu Cristina R.
Published: July 2008

BRAF and NRAS are commonly mutated in cancer and represent the most frequent genetic events in malignant melanoma. More recently, a subset of melanomas was shown to overexpress KIT and harbor KIT mutations. Although most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) exhibit activating mutations in either KIT or PDGFRA, about 10% of the cases lack mutations in these genes. It is our hypothesis following the melanoma model that mutations in BRAF or NRAS may play a role in wild‐type GIST pathogenesis. Alterations in RAS/MEK/ERK pathway may also be involved in development of imatinib resistance in GIST, particularly in tumors lacking secondary KIT or PDGFRA mutations. Imatinib‐naive wild‐type GISTs from 61 patients, including 15 children and 28 imatinib‐resistant tumors without secondary KIT mutations were analyzed. Screening for hot spots mutations in BRAF (exons 11 and 15) and NRAS (exons 2 and 3) was performed. A BRAF exon 15 V600E was identified in 3 of 61 GIST patients, who shared similar clinical features, being 49‐ to 55‐years‐old females and having their tumors located in the small bowel. The tumors were strongly KIT immunoreactive and had a high risk of malignancy. An identical V600E BRAF mutation was also identified in one of 28 imatinib resistant GIST lacking a defined mechanism of drug resistance. In conclusion, we identified a primary BRAF V600E mutations in 7% of adult GIST patients, lacking KIT/PDGFRA mutations. The BRAF‐mutated GISTs show predilection for small bowel location and high risk of malignancy. A secondary V600E BRAF mutation could represent an alternative mechanism of imatinib resistance. Kinase inhibitors targeting BRAF may be effective therapeutic options in this molecular GIST subset. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multipoint lods provide reliable linkage evidence despite unknown limiting distribution: type I error probabilities decrease with sample size for multipoint lods and mods
Authors: Hodge Susan E. , Rodriguez‐Murillo Laura , Strug Lisa J. , Greenberg David A.
Published: July 2008

We investigate the behavior of type I error rates in model‐based multipoint (MP) linkage analysis, as a function of sample size (N). We consider both MP lods (i.e., MP linkage analysis that uses the correct genetic model) and MP mods (maximizing MP lods over 18 dominant and recessive models). Following Xing and Elston (2006Genet. Epidemiol, 30: 447–458), we first consider MP linkage analysis limited to a single position; then we enlarge the scope and maximize the lods and mods over a span of positions. In all situations we examined,type I error rates decrease with increasing sample size, apparently approaching zero. We show: (a) For MP lods analyzed only at a single position, well‐known statistical theory predicts that type I error rates approach zero. (b) For MP lods and mods maximized over position, this result has a different explanation, related to the fact that one maximizes the scores over only a finite portion of the parameter range. The implications of these findings may be far‐reaching: Although it is widely accepted that fixed nominal critical values for MP lods and mods are not known, this study shows that whatever the nominal error rates are, the actual error rates appear to decrease with increasing sample size. Moreover, the actual (observed) type I error rate may be quite small for any given study. We conclude that MP lod and mod scores provide reliable linkage evidence for complex diseases, despite the unknown limiting distributions of these MP scores.Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A partial least‐square approach for modeling gene‐gene and gene‐environment interactions when multiple markers are genotyped
Authors: Wang Tao , Ho Gloria , Ye Kenny , Strickler Howard , Elston Robert C.
Published: July 2008

Genetic association studies achieve an unprecedented level of resolution in mapping disease genes by genotyping dense single nucleotype polymorphisms (SNPs) in a gene region. Meanwhile, these studies require new powerful statistical tools that can optimally handle a large amount of information provided by genotype data. A question that arises is how to model interactions between two genes. Simply modeling all possible interactions between the SNPs in two gene regions is not desirable because a greatly increased number of degrees of freedom can be involved in the test statistic. We introduce an approach to reduce the genotype dimension in modeling interactions. The genotype compression of this approach is built upon the information on both the trait and the cross‐locus gametic disequilibrium between SNPs in two interacting genes, in such a way as to parsimoniously model the interactions without loss of useful information in the process of dimension reduction. As a result, it improves power to detect association in the presence of gene‐gene interactions. This approach can be similarly applied for modeling gene‐environment interactions. We compare this method with other approaches, the corresponding test without modeling any interaction, that based on a saturated interaction model, that based on principal component analysis, and that based on Tukey's one‐degree‐of‐freedom model. Our simulations suggest that this new approach has superior power to that of the other methods. In an application to endometrial cancer case‐control data from the Women's Health Initiative, this approach detected AKT1 and AKT2 as being significantly associated with endometrial cancer susceptibility by taking into account their interactions with body mass index. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age of the peel sandstone group, isle of man
Authors: Crowley Stephen F. , Higgs Kenneth T. , Piper John D.A. , Morrissey Lance B.
Published: July 2008

An Early Devonian age for the continental, red‐bed succession of the Peel Sandstone Group can be defined on the basis of: (1) a derived marine fauna of late Wenlock (Homerian) age, (2) a Scoyenia ichnofacies assemblage (including Beaconites and Diplichnites) characteristic of latest Silurian to Early Devonian (Lower Old Red Sandstone magnafacies) sediments in the British Isles, (3) a microflora of late Lochkovian to Pragian age, (4) a detrital palaeomagnetic remanence that pre‐dates local, Acadian palaeomagnetic directions and coincides with a prominent, southerly, Late Silurian to Early Devonian excursion in the local apparent polar wander path, and (5) a mid‐Devonian palaeomagnetic remanence that overprints (?)Acadian, thrust‐related folding. Data presented in this study confirm previous suggestions (Allen and Crowley 1983) that the Peel Sandstone Group represents a rare example of Early Devonian sedimentation preserved on the northern margin of the former Eastern Avalonia microcontinent. Potential correlations and linkages with other Lower Old Red Sandstone successions exposed in the Anglo‐Welsh Basin are developed and discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aggregate sources and supplies in Jamaica
Authors: Scott Peter W. , Harrison David J.
Published: July 2008

Aggregate resources in Jamaica are sand and gravel found in active river systems, and limestone. Other rocks in Cretaceous inliers and elsewhere are generally too weathered at the surface or too remote from centres of population to be considered suitable as significant sources of aggregates. Sand and gravel generally supplies the south of the country with limestone production and markets being concentrated along the northern coastal areas. Limestone aggregates are produced by ripping and crushing, blasting being uncommon. Sand and gravel are often simply processed using a single screen, although fixed crushing and screening plant are used in some operations. The aggregate industry operates inefficiently, generally utilizing old plant, although an economic assessment shows it to be very profitable. Substitution of sand and gravel by limestone would help mitigate the negative environmental impact of extraction of aggregates from active river systems, but would considerably distort the supply of aggregates throughout the country. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confocal imaging and tracking of the exocytotic routes for D‐serine‐mediated gliotransmission
Authors: Martineau Magalie , Galli Thierry , Baux Gérard , Mothet Jean‐Pierre
Published: July 2008

D‐Serine is an astrocyte‐derived regulator for N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors, but the intracellular routes of its trafficking are still largely unknown. Here, we combined confocal microscopy with colocalization quantification to track the astrocytic organelles that store D‐serine. We report that D‐serine colocalizes with the transfected eGFP‐synaptobrevin/VAMP2 and eGFP‐cellubrevin/VAMP3, two v‐SNAREs of the regulated secretory pathway. No significant colocalization was found with markers of the endosomal sorting and recycling system: EEA1, eGFP‐endobrevin/VAMP8, eGFP‐TI‐VAMP/VAMP7, LAMP1, and CD63. Blockade of vesicular budding with colchicine shows that secretory vesicles import D‐serine downstream to the Golgi apparatus. Finally, treatment of astrocytes with the Ca2+‐ionophore A23187, glutamate agonists, or bradykinin trigger translocation of synaptobrevin/VAMP2 to the plasma membrane with a concomitant disappearance of D‐serine from the regulated secretory pathway. Our results provide morphological evidence for a vesicular storage of D‐serine in the regulated secretory pathway and the possible recruitment of these stores by Ca2+ mobilization to release D‐serine. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GLT‐1 expression and Glu uptake in rat cerebral cortex are increased by phencyclidine
Authors: Fattorini Giorgia , Melone Marcello , Bragina Luca , Candiracci Chiara , Cozzi Andrea , Pellegrini Giampietro Domenico E. , Torres‐Ramos Monica , Pérez‐Samartín Alberto , Matute Carlos , Conti Fiorenzo
Published: July 2008

Using western blottings, microdialysis, and functional assays we tested the hypothesis that phencyclidine (PCP) modifies the expression and function of glutamate (Glu) transporters in the rat frontal cortex. Western blotting studies revealed that administration of PCP (10 mg/kg/day; 7 days) increased significantly the expression of the astrocytic Glu transporter GLT‐1/EAAT2. Functional studies showed that PCP increased significantly Na+‐dependent Glu uptake in slices and in neuron/astrocyte co‐cultures, and microdialysis studies evidenced that PCP treatment reduced basal Glu output. In our experimental conditions, PCP did not induce toxicity. These studies show that PCP increases the expression of GLT‐1 in the cerebral cortex, thereby increasing Glu uptake and reducing extracellular [Glu]. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retracted:Integrated specialty mental health care among older minorities improves access but not outcomes: results of the PRISMe study
Authors: Areán Patricia A. , Ayalon Liat , Jin Chengshi , McCulloch Charles E. , Linkins Karen , Chen Hongtu , McDonnell‐Herr Betsy , Levkoff Sue , Estes Carroll
Published: July 2008

This paper, by Patricia A. Areán, Liat Ayalon, Chengshi Jin, Charles E. McCulloch, Karen Linkins, Hongtu Chen, Betsy McDonnell‐Herr, Sue Levkoff and Carroll Estes has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editors and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to this being the unrevised version of the article. The final accepted version of this manuscript can now be found with the following identification. DOI: 10.1002/gps.2100.

The Editors of International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Stressful life events in older bipolar patients
Authors: Beyer John L. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Cassidy Frederick , Krishnan K. Ranga R
Published: July 2008

Objective

Theories about the impact of stressful life events (SLE) in bipolar disorder have focused on their role early in the disease. Few studies have examined SLE in older bipolar patients. We wanted to assess the impact of SLE in late life bipolar disorder

Methods

We evaluated negative SLE experienced by older bipolar subjects compared with younger bipolar subjects and older controls for number, type, and their association with phase of illness, age of onset, and previous episodes.

Results

Both younger and older bipolar subjects have more SLE than similarly aged controls. There was no significant difference in the number of stressors that younger and older bipolar subjects experienced, based on mood state, previous episodes, or age‐of‐onset. Both older and younger depressed bipolar subjects reported more SLE in the previous 12 months compared with those in a manic state.

Conclusions

Negative SLE are much more prevalent in bipolar patients compared with age‐matched controls, and continue to be frequent in later life. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Major depression and emergency medical services utilization in community‐dwelling elderly persons with disabilities
Authors: Lee Benjamin W. , Conwell Yeates , Shah Manish N. , Barker William H. , Delavan Rachel L. , Friedman Bruce
Published: July 2008

Objective

To examine the association between major depression and emergency medical services (EMS) use by community‐dwelling older adults with disabilities.

Methods

A prospective observational.study including 1,444 participants age 65+ in 19 counties in three US states that participated in the Medicare Primary and Consumer‐Directed Care Demonstration. Eligibility criteria included needing or receiving help with either 2+ activities of daily living (ADLs) or 3+ instrumental ADLs, and having received recent significant healthcare services use. The presence of major depression was measured at baseline by the MINI Major Depressive Episode module. EMS utilization data for the following 2 years were obtained from a daily journal concurrently completed by each subject or a caregiver.

Results

More persons with major depression (43%) than without (35%) reported EMS use. When other factors were controlled in a logistic regression model, this effect was no longer statistically significant. However, of those with at least one episode of EMS transport, the depressed reported significantly (25%) more episodes (mean = 2.10) than the non‐depressed (mean = 1.68). Major depression was significantly associated with more EMS episodes in both Poisson (Z = 1.99; p = 0.047) and ordinary least squares (t = 2.08; p = 0.038) regression models.

Conclusions

Depressed disabled older adults who utilize EMS have more EMS episodes than those without depression. This higher use may be driven in part by affective illness. Research is needed to determine whether more EMS episodes are necessary to address symptoms of major depression, especially suicidal ideation, or whether they are due to other illnesses that are exacerbated by symptoms of major depression. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older adults receiving home delivered meals
Authors: Sirey Jo Anne , Bruce Martha L. , Carpenter Mae , Booker Diane , Reid M. Carrington , Newell Kerry‐Ann , Alexopoulos George S.
Published: July 2008

Objective

Homebound older adults may be vulnerable to the deleterious impact of untreated depression. Yet because these elders are difficult to reach, there is little data on the rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among this group. The objective of this study is to document the rates of depression and correlates among a population of homebound elders.

Methods

Using a community based participatory research partnership, we implemented a routine screening for depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older recipients of Westchester County's home meal program. Older adults enrolled in the home delivered meal program were administered the Physician Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ‐9), and questions to assess pain, falls, alcohol abuse and perceived emotional distress.

Results

In our sample of 403 meal recipients, 12.2% of older adults reported clinically significant depression (PHQ‐9 > 9) and 13.4% reported suicidal thoughts. One‐third of recipients with significant depressive symptoms were currently taking an antidepressant. Almost one‐third of older adults who endorsed suicide ideation did not report clinically significant depressive symptoms. Among men, suicidal thoughts were associated with chronic pain and greater depression severity, whereas pain was not a predictor of suicidal thoughts among women.

Conclusion

More than one in nine elders suffer from depression; most are untreated with one‐third undertreated. Through partnerships between public agencies that provide age related services and academic investigators there is an opportunity for improved detection of unmet mental health needs. Future research should explore innovative models to improve access to mental health services once unmet need is detected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of burden in those who care for someone with dementia
Authors: Campbell P. , Wright J. , Oyebode J. , Job D. , Crome P. , Bentham P. , Jones L. , Lendon C.
Published: July 2008

Objectives

Caregiver burden is a key measure in caregiver research and is frequently used as a baseline measure in intervention studies. Previous research has found numerous factors associated with caregiver burden such as the relationship quality between carer and patient, the patient's cognitive ability, behavioural and psychological symptoms displayed by the patient, caregiver gender, adverse life events to name a few. Many studies have investigated these factors singularly however current thought suggests a multi‐factorial role and inter‐dependence of these factors. Based on this it was decided to investigate factors associated with caregiver burden using a multiple regression analysis in order to ascertain the predictive quality of these factors of caregiver burden.

Method

Cross‐sectional study using validated measures of a patient's cognitive ability, ability to carry out day‐to‐day tasks and behavioural and psychological symptoms. Caregiver outcomes used are caregiver burden, relationship quality, caregiver confidence, experience of adverse life events, neuroticism, age and gender. Interviews and questionnaires were carried out on 74 patients diagnosed with dementia and their main caregivers from the Midlands of England.

Results

Multiple regression analysis showed that caregiver overload, carer‐patient relationship quality, the experience of adverse life events, caregiver gender, caregivers' level of neuroticism, caregiver role captivity and the level of caregiver confidence accounted for over 80% of the variance in caregiver burden.

Conclusion

These results confirm previous correlational research on caregiver burden. Furthermore, due to the use of multiple regression analysis the findings also show factors that are clear predictors of caregiver burden and we offer possible suggestions from these findings on future clinical practice interventions on caregiver burden. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harm reduction among at‐risk elderly drinkers: a site‐specific analysis from the multi‐site Primary Care Research in Substance Abuse and Mental Health for Elderly (PRISM‐E) study
Authors: Lee Heather Sophia , Mericle Amy A. , Ayalon Liat , Areán Patricia A.
Published: July 2008

Objectives

To assess the efficacy of a harm‐reduction based intervention to enhance access to treatment and clinical outcomes among elderly at‐risk drinkers.

Design

A site‐specific secondary data analysis of Primary Care Research in Substance Abuse and Mental Health for Elders study (PRISM‐E).

Participants

Thirty‐four at‐risk drinkers age 65 or older who were randomized into one of two treatment conditions: an integrated care condition which incorporated a harm‐reduction based approach to treatment and an enhanced referral condition.

Measures

Access to subsequent services and clinical outcomes were examined 6 months post index‐interview date. Clinical outcomes included changes in the number of drinks in the week prior to assessment, changes in the number of binges in the past 3 months prior to assessment, and changes in scores on the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test‐Geriatric Version (SMAST‐G).

Results

At‐risk drinkers in the integrated care condition were more likely to access treatment than at‐risk drinkers assigned to the enhanced referral condition (93% vs 35%; χ2 = 11.38, df = 1, p = 0.001). Among those who received treatment, there were no differences in the total amount of treatment visits or in the number of brief alcohol interventions received among at‐risk drinkers in the two conditions. However, those in integrated care condition received services sooner than those in the referral condition. Those in the integrated care condition showed a significant decrease in the number of drinks in the past week and in the number of binge drinking episodes in the past 3 months while there were no significant changes in these outcomes among the at‐risk drinkers in the enhanced referral condition.

Conclusions

At‐risk drinkers in the integrated care condition were more likely to access treatment and decrease harmful drinking behaviors than those in the enhanced referral condition. Implications for future research and treatment are discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bringing the bedside to the bench, and then to the community: a prospectus for intervention research in late‐life anxiety disorders
Authors: Lenze Eric J. , Wetherell Julie Loebach
Published: July 2008

Background

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in elderly persons, and they are associated with functional impairment, poorer quality of life, and adverse long‐term consequences such as cognitive decline. Intervention research in late‐life anxiety disorders (LLAD) lags behind where it ought to be. Research in cognitive neuroscience, aging, and stress intersects in LLAD and provides the opportunity to develop innovative interventions to prevent chronic anxiety and its consequences in this age group.

Methods

This paper evaluates gaps in the evidence base for treatment of LLAD and synthesizes recent research in cognitive neuroscience, basic behavioral science, stress, and aging.

Results

We examine three intervention issues in LLAD: (1) prevention; (2) acute treatment; and (3) pre‐empting adverse consequences. We propose combining randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with mechanistic biobehavioral methodologies as an optimal approach for developing novel, optimized, and personalized treatments. Additionally, we examine three barriers in the field of LLAD research: (1) How do we measure anxiety?; (2) How do we raise awareness?; (3) How will we ensure our research is applicable to underserved populations (particularly minority groups)?

Conclusions

This prospectus outlines approaches for intervention research that can reduce the morbidity of LLAD. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A pilot randomised controlled trial of a brief cognitive behavioural group intervention to reduce recurrence rates in late life depression
Authors: Wilkinson Philip , Alder Nicola , Juszczak Edmund , Matthews Helen , Merritt Claire , Montgomery Harriet , Howard Robert , Macdonald Alastair , Jacoby Robin
Published: July 2008

Objectives

To standardise the delivery of a brief group cognitive behaviour therapy intervention (CBT‐G). To apply the intervention in a research setting and to estimate its effect on recurrence rates in recently depressed older adults, in preparation for a definitive study.

Method

A CBT‐G therapy manual was produced and the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTS‐R) modified to assess therapy delivery. Forty‐five adults aged 60 and over who had met ICD‐10 criteria for major depression in the previous year and were still taking antidepressant medication were randomly allocated to CBT‐G/antidepressant combination or antidepressant alone. Depression severity was measured at baseline, randomisation and 6 and 12 months after start of CBT‐G using the Montgomery Åsberg Rating Scale for Depression (MADRS).

Results and conclusion

One‐year recurrence rates on the MADRS were encouragingly lower in participants receiving CBT‐G [5/18 (27.8%)] compared with controls [8/18 (44.4%)] although this did not achieve statistical significance (adjusted RR 0.70 [95% CI 0.26–1.94]). In contrast, overall scores on the secondary outcome measure, the Beck Depression Inventory, increased in participants receiving CBT‐G. The CBT‐G manual was successfully implemented and therapy delivery achieved an overall satisfactory level of competence. We believe that evaluation of this promising intervention in a full‐scale trial is warranted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regenerate: assessing the feasibility of a strength‐training program to enhance the physical and mental health of chronic post stroke patients with depression
Authors: Sims J. , Galea M. , Taylor N. , Dodd K. , Jespersen S. , Joubert L. , Joubert J.
Published: July 2008

Objective

The Regenerate pilot study explored whether a 10‐week, community‐based progressive resistance training (PRT) program could reduce depressive symptoms in depressed chronic stroke survivors.

Methods

Participants were screened for depressive status using the PHQ‐9 and confirmed by psychiatric assessment. Eligible people (n = 45) were randomised to PRT or a waiting‐list comparison group. The PRT program included two high intensity sessions/week for 10 weeks at a community‐based gymnasium. Depressive status, physical and mental health and quality of life were measured at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months. Muscle strength was assessed using 1 repetition maximum (1‐RM) for upper and lower limbs.

Results

The participants' median age was 69 years: 27 were male. The intervention group had lower depression scores than the comparison group at all time points. At 6‐month follow‐up, there was a trend for PRT participants to be more likely to be no longer depressed than the comparison group, but the difference was not significant after adjusting for baseline scores. There were modest improvements in health and wellbeing over time, but many scores were lower than reported in non‐depressed people. Intervention participants demonstrated significant improvements in strength. Program adherence was good: on average 75% of the 10‐week program was completed.

Conclusions

The intervention appeared to be feasible within a community‐based setting. To optimize stroke recovery and improve the quality of life of stroke survivors, health professionals should continue to focus on helping survivors' mental health recovery as well their physical rehabilitation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Koy Susanne , Plaschke Jens , Luksch Hella , Friedrich Katrin , Kuhlisch Eberhard , Eckelt Uwe , Martinez Ramon
Published: July 2008

Background.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been reported with a wide range of frequencies. The aim of our study was to disclose the frequency and basis of MSI in HNSCC and to correlate MSI and findings on loss of heterozygosity (LOH) with the clinical data.

Methods.

We analyzed MSI and LOH in 91 tumors. All tumors presenting instability were analyzed for the expression of mismatch repair genes (MMR) proteins.

Results.

Low‐level microsatellite instability (MSI‐L) was seen in 7.7% of the HNSCC. None of the MSI‐L tumors had aberrant MMR protein expression. LOH rates up to 57% were identified for different regions on chromosome 3p. For the marker D10S197, we found a significant correlation between LOH and tumor stage IV.

Conclusion.

Our results indicate that MMR gene inactivation is rare among primary HNSCC. In contrast, the MSI‐L phenotype plays a role in a small subset of tumors. LOH on chromosome arm 3p and 10p12 seems to be involved in tumorigenesis and progression HNSCC, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 30: 1105–1113, 2008
Interpretation of positive transcription-mediated amplification test results from polymerase chain reaction–negative samples obtained after treatment of chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Morishima Chihiro , Morgan Timothy R. , Everhart James E. , Wright Elizabeth C. , Apodaca Minjun C. , Gretch David R. , Shiffman Mitchell L. , Everson Gregory T. , Lindsay Karen L. , Lee William M. , Lok Anna S. F. , Dienstag Jules L. , Ghany Marc G. , Curto Teresa M.
Published: July 2008

The Siemens VERSANT® transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) assay is extremely sensitive for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum. Eleven of 180 subjects in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial who achieved polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-defined sustained virological response (SVR) at week 72 also had TMA-positive results from the same blood draw; six were positive on repeat testing. We report the follow-up on these 11 patients, and the reproducibility of TMA test results from PCR-negative samples in relationship to antiviral treatment outcome. Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment was initiated in 1145 prior interferon nonresponders with advanced hepatic fibrosis. Treatment was continued for 48 weeks if patients had undetectable HCV RNA by PCR at treatment week 20. Frozen serum samples from weeks 12, 20, 24, 48, and 72 were subsequently tested by TMA. Nine of the 11 patients returned for testing (median, 30 months after the week 72 visit), and all had undetectable HCV RNA by TMA and PCR. Among 759 PCR-negative samples obtained during treatment that were tested twice by TMA, 17% overall exhibited consistently positive results, and 21% exhibited inconsistently positive results. SVR was more likely if TMA was consistently negative than if consistently or inconsistently positive. With continued treatment, patients with inconsistently positive TMA results were more likely to become TMA-negative than TMA-positive (

P

< 0.0001).

Conclusion:

In PCR-negative samples, positive TMA results may indicate the presence of low levels of HCV RNA. However, because patients with positive TMA results may achieve SVR, management decisions during therapy should not be based on a single positive TMA test result. (Hepatology 2008.)
Fatty acid synthase is up-regulated during hepatitis C virus infection and regulates hepatitis C virus entry and production
Authors: Yang Wei , Hood Brian L. , Chadwick Sara L. , Liu Shufeng , Watkins Simon C. , Luo Guangxiang , Conrads Thomas P. , Wang Tianyi
Published: July 2008

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen that causes serious illness, including acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Using a mass spectrometry–based proteomics approach, we have identified 175 proteins from a cell culture supernatant fraction containing the HCV genotype 2a (JFH1) virus, among which fatty acid synthase (FASN), the multifunctional enzyme catalyzing the

de novo

synthesis of fatty acids, was confirmed to be highly enriched. Subsequent studies showed that FASN expression increased in the human hepatoma cell line, Huh7, or its derivative, upon HCV infection. Blocking FASN activity by C75, a pharmacological FASN inhibitor, led to decreased HCV production. Reduction of FASN by RNA interference suppressed viral replication in both replicon and infection systems. Remarkably, FASN appeared to be selectively required for the expression of claudin-1, a tight junction protein that was recently identified as an entry coreceptor for HCV, but not for the expression of another HCV coreceptor, CD81. The decrease in Claudin-1 expression resulting from FASN inhibition was accompanied by a decrease in transepithelial electric resistance of Huh7 cells, implying a reduction in the relative tightness of the cell monolayer. Consequently, the entry of human immunodeficiency virus–HCV pseudotypes was significantly inhibited in C75-treated Huh7 cells.

Conclusion:

As far as we know, this is the first line of evidence that demonstrates that HCV infection directly induces FASN expression, and thus suggests a possible mechanism by which HCV infection alters the cellular lipid profile and causes diseases such as steatosis. (Hepatology 2008.)
Performance parameters of the diagnostic scoring systems for autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Czaja Albert J.
Published: July 2008

The diagnostic criteria for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been codified by an international panel, and a revision of the original scoring system based on 12 clinical components has been promulgated. A simplified scoring system has been proposed recently that is based on four clinical components. The goals of this study were to compare the performance parameters of the revised original and the simplified scoring systems and to determine the prowess of each as a diagnostic instrument. Diagnostic scores were determined using each scoring system in 435 patients with diverse chronic liver diseases, including 153 individuals with AIH by codified clinical criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictability of each scoring system for the pretreatment diagnosis of AIH were determined. The revised original scoring system had greater sensitivity for the diagnosis than the simplified scoring system (100% versus 95%), and seven patients diagnosed as AIH using the revised original system were nondiagnostic by the simplified system (5%). The revised original scoring system also ascribed a diagnosis of AIH to 20 of 21 patients with cryptogenic chronic hepatitis, whereas only five patients were similarly classified by the simplified system (95% versus 24%). The simplified system had greater specificity (90% versus 73%) and predictability (92% versus 82%) for AIH than the revised original system, and it more commonly excluded the diagnosis in other diseases with concurrent immune features (83% versus 64%).

Conclusion:

The revised original scoring system performs better in patients with few or atypical features of AIH, and the simplified system is better at excluding the diagnosis in diseases with concurrent immune manifestations. Each system has attributes that can be exploited. (Hepatology 2008.)
Prediction of clinical outcomes in primary biliary cirrhosis by serum enhanced liver fibrosis assay
Authors: Mayo Marlyn J. , Parkes Julie , Adams-Huet Beverley , Combes Burton , Mills A. S. , Markin Rodney S. , Rubin Raphael , Wheeler Donald , Contos Melissa , West A. B. , Saldana Sandra , Getachew Yonas , Butsch Robert , Luketic Velimir , Peters Marion , Di Bisceglie Adrian , Bass Nathan , Lake John , Boyer Thomas , Martinez Enrique , Boyer James , Garcia-Tsao Guadalupe , Barnes David , Rosenberg William M.
Published: July 2008

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is sometimes diagnosed based on a positive antimitochondrial antibody in the appropriate clinical setting without a liver biopsy. Although a liver biopsy can assess the extent of liver fibrosis and provide prognostic information, serum fibrosis markers avoid biopsy complications and sampling error and provide results as a continuous variable, which may be more precise than categorical histological stages. The current study was undertaken to evaluate serum fibrosis markers as predictors of clinical progression in a large cohort of PBC patients. Serial liver biopsy specimens and serum samples were collected every 2 years in 161 PBC subjects for a median of 7.3 years. Clinical progression was defined as development of one or more of the following events: varices, variceal bleed, ascites, encephalopathy, liver transplantation, or liver-related death. Serum hyaluronic acid, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, and procollagen III aminopeptide were measured and entered into the previously validated enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) algorithm. The ability of ELF, histological fibrosis, bilirubin, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and Mayo Risk Score to differentiate between individuals who would experience a clinical event from those who would not was evaluated at different time points. Event-free survival was significantly lower in those with high baseline ELF. Each 1-point increase in ELF was associated with a threefold increase in future complications. The prognostic performance of all tests was similar when performed close to the time of the first event. However, at earlier times in the disease process (4 and 6 years before the first event), the prognostic performance of ELF was significantly better than MELD or Mayo R score.

Conclusion:

The ELF algorithm is a highly accurate noninvasive measure of PBC disease severity that provides useful long-term prognostic information. (Hepatology 2008.)
A new look at economic convergence in Europe: a common factor approach
Authors: Becker Bettina , Hall Stephen G.
Published: July 2008

We propose a common factor approach to analyse convergence, which we implement using principal components analysis. We show that this method provides a useful new way of approaching the convergence debate. We apply this technique to a data set of monthly exchange rates of the 12 member countries of the European Monetary Union (EMU) over 1970–2001. Our empirical results neatly capture the convergence patterns related to the various regimes from Bretton Woods towards EMU. The UK's Pound Sterling has been on a gradual convergence path to the Euro, although convergence is less progressed than it was for the EMU countries by 1999. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pricing caps and floors with the extended CIR model
Authors: Mannolini Antonio , Mari Carlo , Renò Roberto
Published: July 2008

We use the extended CIR model to value interest rate caps and floors. The extension allows arbitrary initial term structure, in the spirit of Hull and White, a crucial feature since we show that the pricing of the considered contingent claims improves dramatically after taking into account the big stake of market information contained in the yield curve. We compute model prices of at the money caps using only yield curve data, and we compare prices with those obtained when other well‐known short‐rate models are used, including the extended Vasicek model. With respect to natural benchmarks, we find a significant decrease in the pricing error for longer maturity caps when our model is used. These results witness that when a better specification of the dynamics of spot rate is provided, a satisfactory pricing of caps and floors is possible using only the information available in the bond market. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser tissue welding in ophthalmic surgery
Authors: Rossi Francesca , Matteini Paolo , Ratto Fulvio , Menabuoni Luca , Lenzetti Ivo , Pini Roberto
Published: July 2008

Laser welding of ocular tissues is an alternative technique or adjunct to conventional suturing in ophthalmic surgery. It is based on the photothermal interaction of laser light with the main components of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. The advantages of the welding procedure with respect to standard suturing and stapling are reduced operation times, lesser inflammation, faster healing and increased ability to induce tissue regeneration. The procedure we set up is based on the use of an infrared diode laser in association with the topical application of the chromophore Indocyanine Green. Laser light may be delivered either continuously or in pulses, thus identifying two different techniques that have been applied clinically in various types of transplants of the cornea. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A prospective consecutive study of instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion using synthetic hydroxyapatite (Bongros®‐HA) as a bone graft extender
Authors: Lee Jae Hyup , Hwang Chang‐Ju , Song Byung‐Wook , Koo Ki‐Hyung , Chang Bong‐Soon , Lee Choon‐Ki
Published: July 2008

A prospective, single institution, clinical case‐matched, radiographic study was undertaken. Thirty‐two patients underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with cages containing laminectomized bone chips and posterolateral lumbar fusion with pedicle screws. Autogenous bone graft (3 mL) plus 3 mL of hydroxyapatite was placed in one side of a posterolateral gutter, and 6 mL of autogenous iliac bone graft was placed on the other side. Bony union, volumes of fusion mass, and bone absorption rates were postoperatively evaluated using simple radiographs and 3D‐CT scans. Average postoperative Lenke scores at 3 and 6 months in the hydroxyapatite group were statistically higher than in the autograft group, but at 12 months no difference was found between the hydroxyapatite and autograft groups in terms of fusion rate. Complete fusion rates by 3D‐CT were 86.7% in the hydroxyapatite group and 88.9% in the autograft group, which are not significantly different. Volumes of fusion mass and bone absorption rates at 12 months were 2.35 mL in the hydroxyapatite group and 1.31 mL in the autograft group. The mean fusion mass volume was greater in the hydroxyapatite group than in the autograft group. Lumbar posterolateral fusion using a mixture of hydroxyapatite artificial bone and autogenous bone graft showed good bony union similar to that shown with autogenous bone only. This study suggests that hydroxyapatite bone chips could be used usefully as a bone‐graft extender in short‐segment posterolateral spinal fusion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009