bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression Pattern of G Protein-Coupled Receptor 30 in LacZ Reporter Mice
Authors: Isensee Jörg , Meoli Luca , Zazzu Valeria , Nabzdyk Christoph , Witt Henning , Soewarto Dian , Effertz Karin , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus-Durner Valérie , Busch Dirk , Adler Thure , de Angelis Martin Hrabé , Irgang Markus , Otto Christiane , Noppinger Patricia Ruiz
Published: December 2008

Multiple reports implicated the function of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)-30 with nongenomic effects of estrogen, suggesting that GPR30 might be a G-protein coupled estrogen receptor. However, the findings are controversial and the expression pattern of GPR30 on a cell type level as well as its function in vivo remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify cell types that express Gpr30 in vivo by analyzing a mutant mouse model that harbors a lacZ reporter (Gpr30-lacZ) in the Gpr30 locus leading to a partial deletion of the Gpr30 coding sequence. Using this strategy, we identified the following cell types expressing Gpr30: 1) an endothelial cell subpopulation in small arterial vessels of multiple tissues, 2) smooth muscle cells and pericytes in the brain, 3) gastric chief cells in the stomach, 4) neuronal subpopulations in the cortex as well as the polymorph layer of the dentate gyrus, 5) cell populations in the intermediate and anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and 6) in the medulla of the adrenal gland. In further experiments, we aimed to decipher the function of Gpr30 by analyzing the phenotype of Gpr30-lacZ mice. The body weight as well as fat mass was unchanged in Gpr30-lacZ mice, even if fed with a high-fat diet. Flow cytometric analysis revealed lower frequencies of T cells in both sexes of Gpr30-lacZ mice. Within the T-cell cluster, the amount of CD62L-expressing cells was clearly reduced, suggesting an impaired production of T cells in the thymus of Gpr30-lacZ mice.
Molecular Mechanism of Action of Pharmacoperone Rescue of Misrouted GPCR Mutants: The GnRH Receptor
Authors: Janovick Jo Ann , Patny Akshay , Mosley Ralph , Goulet Mark T. , Altman Michael D. , Rush Thomas S. , Cornea Anda , Conn P. Michael
Published: December 2008

The human GnRH receptor (hGnRHR), a G protein-coupled receptor, is a useful model for studying pharmacological chaperones (pharmacoperones), drugs that rescue misfolded and misrouted protein mutants and restore them to function. This technique forms the basis of a therapeutic approach of rescuing mutants associated with human disease and restoring them to function. The present study relies on computational modeling, followed by site-directed mutagenesis, assessment of ligand binding, effector activation, and confocal microscopy. Our results show that two different chemical classes of pharmacoperones act to stabilize hGnRHR mutants by bridging residues D98 and K121. This ligand-mediated bridge serves as a surrogate for a naturally occurring and highly conserved salt bridge (E90–K121) that stabilizes the relation between transmembranes 2 and 3, which is required for passage of the receptor through the cellular quality control system and to the plasma membrane. Our model was used to reveal important pharmacophoric features, and then identify a novel chemical ligand, which was able to rescue a D98 mutant of the hGnRHR that could not be rescued as effectively by previously known pharmacoperones.
Prediction of maximum forming load and billet dimensions using an abductive network and finite element method simulation of a near net-shaped helical gear forging
Authors: Yang T S
Published: December 2008

This study applies the finite element method (FEM) in conjunction with an abductive network to predict maximum forging load and billet dimensions during near net-shaped helical gear forging. Maximum forging load and the billet dimensions are determined for different process parameters, such as modules, number of teeth, and helical angle of the near net-shaped gear forging, using the FEM. The abductive network is then utilized to synthesize the datasets acquired from numerical simulations. Finally, prediction models are established for predicting maximum forging load and the billet dimensions under an appropriate range of process parameters.
Tool wear characteristics in high-speed milling of graphite using a coated carbide micro endmill
Authors: Zhou L , Wang C Y , Qin Z
Published: December 2008

High-speed milling using a coated carbide micro endmill is one of the dominant precision manufacturing techniques for graphite electrodes in the die and mould industries. The abrasive and frictional properties of graphite result in severe tool wear in high-speed milling processes. In this paper, a carbide micro endmill with an AlTiN coating is used in the high-speed milling of graphite. The endmill is thoroughly examined using a scanning electronic microscope and the wear and failure mechanisms are deduced. It is found that all the worn areas increase almost linearly with tool displacement, and flank wear is the dominant wear pattern in the steady wear stage. In the initial stage, premature coating delamination and edge microchipping occurred. The steady wear stage occurred with the creation of abrasive and erosion wear mechanisms. Tool failure occurred owing to the creation of coating delamination failure, severe chipping, and impact fatigue spalling. Polishing abrasive wear is the primary wear mechanism of the endmill. No major diffusion of elements occurred during the tool wear. Increasing the feed-per-tooth level and cutting speed facilitated the tool performance in terms of reducing tool wear and improving productivity.
Comparison between particle simulation and measurements of a stationary plasma thruster plume
Authors: Qian Z , Wang P , Du Z
Published: December 2008

This article is attempted to study the plume characteristics of a stationary plasma thruster (SPT). First, electron density, electron temperature, and current density of a SPT plume in a chamber are measured experimentally by a double Langmuir probe. Then, a numerical model based on particle-in-cell and direct simulation Monte Carlo hybrid method is employed to simulate the flow field. The simulation is verified by comparing the computational results and the experimental data. The research indicates that the electron temperature of the flow field is ∼ 2 eV and the electron number density is ∼2.5×1016−5×1015 m−3 at the centre-line and at a distance of 0.3—1.0 m downstream of the thruster exit. The divergence angle of the researched SPT plume is ∼30° and the influence of backpressure is observable at the wings of the flow field.
Optimization of the stress distribution in ceramic femoral heads by means of finite element methods
Authors: Affolter C , Weisse B , Stutz A , Köbel S , Terrasi G P
Published: December 2008

Ceramic ball heads for total hip replacement are highly loaded in vivo and must meet the sternest requirements concerning strength and safety. High stresses inside the ball head originate from the press fit between the conical stem (made of titanium alloy or steel) and the borehole of the ball. The aim of this study was the development of an optimized contour at the fillet inside the ball head by means of numerical methods, in order to reduce local stress concentrations. The computer-aided optimization method was applied on the customary engineering fillet radius to reduce local stress peaks. The local notch stress of the examined ball head design was reduced by up to 27 per cent for the relevant load cases. Verification by rupture testing of prototypes turned out to be difficult for axisymmetric load cases, since the static fracture load is governed by the hoop stresses in the contact area of the taper (global maximum), thus making it difficult to prove a local improvement. The sensitivity of the design to asymmetric loading was clearly shown (varying the load angle and bearing type). Stress relocation in the ball—stem interface at higher burst loads indicated the necessity of optimizing each ceramic femoral head design individually (i.e. for different borehole depths).
Multirater agreement on arthroscopic image quality
Authors: Tuijthof G J M , Abbink M , Sierevelt I N , van Dijk C N
Published: December 2008

In arthroscopy (minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery), the view is frequently disturbed. To optimize the view, quantification of the arthroscopic image quality is important. Thereto, disturbances were categorized as bleeding, air bubbles, turbidity (synovial fluid), loose fibrous tissue, and attached fibrous tissue, which cover the arthroscopic image area. The goal is to determine the percentages of disturbance coverage for which the view is acceptable. Thirty-two short films of the five disturbances were selected from arthroscopic knee procedures. The films showed disturbances covering different percentages of the image area. Thirty-nine orthopaedic surgeons were asked to judge whether or not the view of each film was acceptable. Multiple-choice questions on irrigation and disturbances were asked. A clear transition from acceptable to unacceptable view was found for bleeding (5 per cent of the covered area was acceptable; 25 per cent was not acceptable), and air bubbles (10 per cent was acceptable; 20 per cent was not acceptable). Loose fibrous tissue showed a gradual transition where 25 per cent was still accepted by a third of the surgeons. Turbidity and attached fibrous tissue were tolerated up to 50 per cent by half of the surgeons. Surgeons using a mechanical pump tolerated a lower percentage of synovial fluid ( p<0.05). The most intolerable disturbance was bleeding. The results were consistent and will be used for computerized detection of disturbances.
Load- and displacement-controlled finite element analyses on fusion and non-fusion spinal implants
Authors: Zhong Z-C , Chen S-H , Hung C-H
Published: December 2008

This study used finite element (FE) analysis with the load-controlled method (LCM) and the displacement-controlled method (DCM) to examine motion differences at the implant level and adjacent levels between fusion and non-fusion implants. A validated three-dimensional intact (INT) L1—L5 FE model was used. At the L3—L4 level, the INT model was modified to surgery models, including the artificial disc replacement (ADR) of ProDisc II, and the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) cage with pedicle screw fixation. The LCM imposed 10 N m moments of four physiological motions and a 150 N preload at the top of L1. The DCM process was in accordance with the hybrid testing protocol. The average percentage changes in the range of motion (ROM) for whole non-operated levels were used to predict adjacent level effects (ALE%). At the implant level, the ALIF model showed similar stability with both control methods. The ADR model using the LCM had a higher ROM than the model using the DCM, especially in extension and torsion. At the adjacent levels, the ALIF model increased ALE% (at least 17 per cent) using the DCM compared with the LCM. The ADR model had an ALE% close to that of the INT model, using the LCM (average within 6 per cent), while the ALE% decreased when using the DCM. The study suggests that both control methods can be adopted to predict the fusion model at the implant level, and similar stabilization characteristics can be found. The LCM will emphasize the effects of the non-fusion implants. The DCM was more clinically relevant in evaluating the fusion model at the adjacent levels. In conclusion, both the LCM and the DCM should be considered in numerical simulations to obtain more realistic data in spinal implant biomechanics.
Median sternotomy: Comparative testing of braided superelastic and monofilament stainless steel sternal sutures
Authors: Baril Y , Brailovski V , Chartrand M , Terriault P , Cartier R
Published: December 2008

A new device to reduce the risk of post-operative complications following median sternotomy is proposed, made of a superelastic shape memory alloy and called a braided tubular superelastic (BTS) suture. This study compares the viability of the BTS suture with that of the standard monofilament stainless steel (MSS) suture. A custom test bench was developed to perform comparative testing of the two sternal closure systems. Sternal models made of polyurethane were closed using common wiring configurations. Static and dynamic tensile separation forces, up to a maximum of 1200 N, were then applied to the closed sternums. The MSS and BTS sutures are compared in terms of the force required to open completely the sternum, the compression force at the sternum midline, and the permanent sternum opening. With a smaller sternum opening and a higher tensile separation force, the MSS suture showed greater rigidity than the BTS suture. The BTS suture, however, displayed a better capacity to reapply compression forces at the sternum midline following the repetitive application and release of tensile separation forces. These results confirm the potential of the BTS suture technology, but further studies using cadaveric sterna are needed to attest definitely to the benefits of using the BTS suture to improve bone healing.
The biomechanics of the T2 femoral nailing system: A comparison of synthetic femurs with finite element analysis
Authors: Bougherara H , Zdero R , Miric M , Shah S , Hardisty M , Zalzal P , Schemitsch E H
Published: December 2008

Intramedullary nails are commonly used to repair femoral fractures. Fractures in normal healthy bone often occur in the young during motor vehicle accidents. Although clinically beneficial, bone refracture and implant failure persist. Large variations in human femur quality and geometry have motivated recent experimental use of synthetic femurs that mimic human tissue and the development of increasingly sophisticated theoretical models. Four synthetic femurs were fitted with a T2 femoral nailing system (Stryker, Mahwah, New Jersey, USA). The femurs were not fractured in order to simulate post-operative perfect union. Six configurations were created: retrograde nail with standard locking (RS), retrograde nail with advanced locking ‘off’ (RA-off), retrograde nail with advanced locking ‘on’ (RA-on), antegrade nail with standard locking (AS), antegrade nail with advanced locking ‘off’ (AA-off), and antegrade nail with advanced locking ‘on’ (AA-on). Strain gauges were placed on the medial side of femurs. A 580 N axial load was applied, and the stiffness was measured. Strains were recorded and compared with results from a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model. Experimental axial stiffnesses for RA-off (771.3 N/mm) and RA-on (681.7 N/mm) were similar to intact human cadaveric femurs from previous literature (757 ± 264 N/mm). Conversely, experimental axial stiffnesses for AS (1168.8 N/mm), AA-off (1135.3 N/mm), AA-on (1152.1 N/mm), and RS (1294.0 N/mm) were similar to intact synthetic femurs from previous literature (1290 ± 30 N/mm). There was better agreement between experimental and FE analysis strains for RS (average percentage difference, 11.6 per cent), RA-on (average percentage difference, 11.1 per cent), AA-off (average percentage difference, 13.4 per cent), and AA-on (average percentage difference, 16.0 per cent), than for RA-off (average percentage difference, 33.5 per cent) and AS (average percentage difference, 32.6 per cent). FE analysis was more predictive of strains in the proximal and middle sections of the femur—nail construct than the distal. The results mimicked post-operative clinical stability at low static axial loads once fracture healing begins to occur.
Minimal-resection arthroplasty to treat meniscal tears with associated condyle lesions: Finite element analysis
Authors: Hopkins A R , Taylor M
Published: December 2008

An early intervention prosthesis which minimizes the extent of resected healthy bone would be advantageous to patients for whom a total or unicompartmental replacement would sacrifice extensive healthy tissue. In this study the use of a device to treat osteoarthritis localized upon a single condyle of the femur with an associated irreparable meniscal tear is considered. The effects of implant alignment are considered from the standpoint of kinematics and potential for cartilage damage. The results suggest that alterations in implant position influence joint kinematics during stance. Anteroposterior (AP) adjustment of the medial prosthesis minimizes the capability of the knee to rotate internally, placing higher demands on the cruciate ligaments. AP adjustments of the lateral prosthesis induces greater posterior drawback, reducing internal—external rotation. Natural knee kinematics are best reproduced by the medial condyle rather than the lateral condyle. Stress exposure of the cartilage increased with the introduction of the femoral condyle prosthesis, which may progress eventually to osteoarthritis, although the results indicate that the medial condyle device is less likely to lead to cartilage damage than is lateral condyle replacement. This study demonstrates that a minimal-resection femoral condyle device may provide sufficient knee joint function to serve as an interim treatment prior to total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
Application of near Infrared Spectroscopy for Estimating Wood Mechanical Properties of Small Clear and Full Length Lumber Specimens
Authors: Fujimoto Takaaki , Kurata Yohei , Matsumoto Kazushige , Tsuchikawa Satoru
Published: December 2008

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, coupled with multivariate analytic statistical techniques, has been used to predict the mechanical properties of solid wood samples taken from small clear and full length lumber specimens of hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi). The specific mechanical characteristics evaluated were modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) in bending tests, maximum crushing strength in compression parallel to grain (CS), dynamic modulus of elasticity of air-dried lumbers (Efr), and wood density (DEN). Partial least squares (PLS) regression calibrations were developed for each wood property. The calibrations had relatively strong relationships between laboratory-measured and NIR-predicted values in small clear specimens, with coefficients of determination ranging from 0.61 to 0.89. The calibration models were applied to the prediction data sets and results suggested that NIR spectroscopy has the potential to predict mechanical properties of small clears with adequate accuracy (standardised prediction error=2.06-2.82). The PLS models based on spectra from the radial face ( R2 = 0.73-0.89) of wood were slightly superior to those from the tangential face ( R2 = 0.61-0.84). This might be due to the differences of the surface condition in terms of the anatomical structures and, thus, radial face better represents the sample. A reasonable predictive model for wood stiffness was also obtained from the full length lumber specimens, but the accuracy of the calibration for prediction was less than the small clear specimens ( R2 = 0.49-0.78). The regression coefficients obtained from the PLS models showed similar trends in all mechanical properties. It was suggested that the absorption bands due to the OH-groups in cellulose were the major contributors to building robust models for predicting the mechanical properties of wood
Standardisation of near Infrared Spectrometers: Evaluation of Some Common Techniques for Intra- and Inter-Brand Calibration Transfer
Authors: Igne Benoit , Hurburgh Charles R.
Published: December 2008

Six standardisation methods (direct standardisation, piecewise direct standardisation, robust standardisation, slope and bias and bias only post regression correction and no standardisation or spectral pre-treatment only) were compared for the transfer of whole soybean protein, oil and linolenic acid models. Two Foss Infratec and two Bruins OmegAnalyzerGs instruments were used to evaluate the standardisation methods in intra- and inter-brand scenarios. Each instrument was calibrated on its own calibration set for comparison. Partial least squares was used to develop all models. For each brand, a master was selected and the calibrations developed on it were transferred to the secondary unit of its own network (intra-brand transfer) and to the two units of the other brand (inter-brand transfer). Foss Infratec models were transferable to Bruins OmegAnalyzerG units with a similar or better precision than when all instruments were calibrated on their own calibration sets and vice versa. Optical standardisation methods (techniques that modify spectra of secondary units to match those of the master unit) performed significantly poorer than other methods. Other techniques provided similar results. Pre-processing of the spectra with or without simple treatment of the predictions was sufficient to erase absorption differences and wavelength shifts.
Research on Active Absorption and Active Isolation using Piezoelectric Ceramics
Authors: Zhu Congyun , Shang Huichao , Du Hong , Huang Qibai
Published: December 2008

A method of active absorption and active isolation using piezoelectric ceramic is posed for the excellent mechanic and electric coupling performance of piezoelectric material. Two pieces of piezoelectric ceramic are used as materials of active absorption and active isolation, two pieces of PVDF are placed in the front of the piezoelectric ceramic at distances d and 2d to measure the incident plane wave and the reflected wave. Voltages are applied on the surface of the piezoelectric ceramic in order to make the reflected wave and transmission wave zero using adaptive controlling. Finally emulation is carried out with plane wave and good absorption and isolation effects are achieved.
The effects of Posture on seat-to-head Whole-Body Vibration Transmission
Authors: Jack Robert J. , Eger Tammy
Published: December 2008

Five male subjects were exposed to root-mean-square whole-body vibration (WBV) acceleration levels ranging from 0.011m/s2to 0.615m/s2while seated on a vibration simulator. During the WBV exposure, subjects adopted 5 unsupported trunk flexion/extension positions (15, 10, 0, −10 and −15, ±2.5 degrees from vertical), and 4 hip flexion positions (−10, 0, 10, and 20 degrees from the horizontal). WBV measurements were taken with a tri-axial accelerometer at the buttock/seat interface and the head. Hydrostatic weighing was also conducted to determine the subject's adipose content. Adipose content of the individual had no significant relationship with the seat-to-head transmission of vibration. Vibration exposures at 4Hz had significantly more transmission than vibration exposures at 6.3Hz. Vibration exposures in the Z-axis (vertical) had significantly more vibration transmission than vibration exposures in the X- (front-to-back) and Y-axes (left-to-right). A significant interaction was also found between trunk position, frequency and axis of exposure.
Low-Frequency Vibroisolation Mounting of Power Plants for New Generation Airplanes with Engines of Extra-High by-Pass Ratio
Authors: Baklanov Viatcheslav S.
Published: December 2008

Compliance of aircraft with new noise standards defines the tendency to switch to extra-high bypass ratio engines.

Substantial noise redistribution has occurred in the aircraft of the new generation. While jet noise has been reduced dramatically, the engine still remains the basic source of noise, which is a fan noise. In the forward hemisphere, beside the discrete components at fan blade frequency, long row of discrete components has been observed around the principal blade frequencies as result of shockwave influence. This phenomenon is called “buzz-saw noise”.

Fan shaft frequency reduction is one of the necessary measures for shockwaves control. Due to the decrease of frequency, the vibration spectrum shifts towards the low-frequency range. Such components will determine dynamical impact spectrum of power plant, transmitted through mounting to the airframe construction. An airframe typically possesses dozens of oscillation modes in the low-frequency spectrum part. Interaction of some of them with the influence of power plant may generation of discrete low-frequency high-level noise components in cabin.

We have designed a new low frequency attachment containing built-in elastic elements with non-linear characteristics and with quasi-zero stiffness zone at proof load by cruise mode.
Trust and Satisfaction, Two Stepping Stones for Successful E-Commerce Relationships: A Longitudinal Exploration
Authors: Kim Dan J. , Ferrin Donald L. , Rao H. Raghav
Published: December 2008

Trust and satisfaction are essential ingredients for successful business relationships in business-to-consumer electronic commerce. Yet there is little research on trust and satisfaction in e-commerce that takes a longitudinal approach. Drawing on three primary bodies of literature, the theory of reasoned action, the extended valence framework, and expectation-confirmation theory, this study synthesizes a model of consumer trust and satisfaction in the context of e-commerce. The model considers not only how consumers formulate their prepurchase decisions, but also how they form their long-term relationships with the same website vendor by comparing their prepurchase expectations to their actual purchase outcome. The results indicate that trust directly and indirectly affects a consumer's purchase decision in combination with perceived risk and perceived benefit, and also that trust has a longer term impact on consumer e-loyalty through satisfaction. Thus, this study extends our understanding of consumer Internet transaction behavior as a three-fold (prepurchase, purchase, and postpurchase) process, and it recognizes the crucial, multiple roles that trust plays in this process. Implications for theory and practice as well as limitations and future directions are discussed.
Is Query Reuse Potentially Harmful? Anchoring and Adjustment in Adapting Existing Database Queries
Authors: Allen Gove , Parsons Jeffrey
Published: December 2008

Reusing database queries by adapting them to satisfy new information requests is an attractive strategy for extracting information from databases without involving database specialists. However, the reuse of information systems artifacts has been shown to be susceptible to the phenomenon of anchoring and adjustment. Anchoring often leads to a systematic adjustment bias in which people fail to make sufficient changes to an anchor in response to the needs of a new task. In a study involving 157 novice query writers from six universities, we examined the effect of this phenomenon on the reuse of Structured Query Language (SQL) queries under varying levels of domain familiarity and for different types of anchors. Participants developed SQL queries to respond to four information requests in a familiar domain and four information requests in an unfamiliar domain. For two information requests in each domain, participants were also provided with sample queries (anchors) that answered similar information requests. We found evidence that the opportunity to reuse sample queries resulted in an adjustment bias leading to poorer quality query results and greater overconfidence in the correctness of results. The results also indicate that the strength of the adjustment bias depends on a combination of domain familiarity and type of anchor. This study demonstrates that anchoring and adjustment during query reuse can lead to queries that are less accurate than those written from scratch. We also extend the concept of anchoring and adjustment by distinguishing between surface-structure and deep-structure anchors and by considering the impact of domain familiarity on the adjustment bias.
Germinal-Center T-Helper-Cell Markers PD-1 and CXCL13 Are Both Expressed by Neoplastic Cells in Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Yu Hongbo , Shahsafaei Aliakbar , Dorfman David M.
Published: December 2008

Gene expression profiling identified genes uniquely expressed by human germinal-center T-helper (GCTh) cells, including programmed death-1 (PD-1) and CXCL13. Recently, we demonstrated that PD-1 is an immunophenotypic marker of GCTh cells and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). The goal of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of CXCL13 in comparison with PD-1. We studied 63 cases of T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, including 22 cases of AITL. In cases of AITL, PD-1+ and CXCL13+ neoplastic cells were seen at foci of expanded CD21+ follicular dendritic cell networks. CXCL13 expression was limited in other peripheral T-cell lymphomas. PD-1 and CXCL13 identified germinal-center T-helper cells, showed a similar pattern of expression in AITL, and should serve as useful new markers for AITL. The similar pattern of expression of CXCL13 and PD-1 in AITL provides further evidence that AITL is a neoplasm derived from germinal-center T-helper cells.
A bcr3/Short Form PML-RARα Transcript in an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Resulted From a Derivative Chromosome 17 Due to Submicroscopic Insertion of the PML Gene Into the RARα Locus
Authors: Wang Huan-You , Ding Jiantao , Vasef Mohammad A. , Wilson Kathleen S.
Published: December 2008

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. Submicroscopic insertion of RARα into PML, resulting in PML-RARα from derivative chromosome 15, has been rarely reported. Herein, we describe a functional PML-RARα transcript from the long arm of derivative chromosome 17 in a patient with microgranular APL. The conventional karyotype showed normal chromosomes 15 and 17. It is interesting that interphase and metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridizations demonstrated a fusion signal on the long arm of one chromosome 17 homolog, with both PML and RARα still present on chromosomes 15 and 17, respectively, although the signal on one chromosome 15 was weaker, indicating partial loss of the PML gene. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction revealed a transcript corresponding to a break cluster region 3 (bcr3) short form PML-RARα. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an APL with a bcr3/short form PML-RARα transcript generated from derivative chromosome 17 due to submicroscopic insertion of the PML gene into the RARα locus.
Evidence-Based Criteria to Help Distinguish Metastatic Breast Cancer From Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma on Thoracic Frozen Section
Authors: Herbst Jonathon , Jenders Robert , McKenna Robert , Marchevsky Alberto
Published: December 2008

The distinction between primary lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic breast carcinoma in patients with a history of breast cancer is difficult by frozen section (FS) analysis. Our experience with 129 FSs from 121 patients with a pulmonary nodule and a history of breast cancer was reviewed. The pretest odds ratio of primary pulmonary carcinoma/metastatic breast carcinoma was 2.6. The incidence of 12 histopathologic features was assessed in a “training set” composed of 20 FSs, 10 with primary lung adenocarcinoma and 10 with metastatic breast cancer. A differential diagnosis model composed of significant pathologic features that favor the diagnosis of primary lung adenocarcinoma (acini, lepidic growth, nuclear pseudoinclusions, and scar) or metastatic breast carcinoma (comedonecrosis, solid nests, trabecular architecture, and cribriform growth) was identified. The external validity of this model was successfully tested by challenging 19 pathologists and trainees with a test set of 20 unknown FSs, supporting the clinical applicability of the diagnostic model.
Lack of Clinical Usefulness of Das-1 Monoclonal Antibody and Mucin Expression as Risk Markers of Gastric Carcinoma in Patients With Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia
Authors: Forné Montserrat , Fernández-Bañares Fernando , González-Mínguez Clarisa , Casalots Jaume , Poblet-Mas Núria , Garcia-Gil L. Jesús , Esteve Maria , Rosinach Mercè , Espinós Jorge , Loras Carme , Salas Antonio , Viver Josep M.
Published: December 2008

Our aim was to evaluate the usefulness of the monoclonal antibody Das-1 as a premalignant marker of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) associated with gastric cancer and its association with mucin expression.

We evaluated Das-1 and mucin expression in 4 groups: 1 (n = 50), gastric carcinoma, paired samples of the cancer area and GIM away from the tumor; 2 (n = 25), gastric or duodenal ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection with GIM and chronic gastritis; 3 (n = 25), H pylori–autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis with GIM; and 4 (n = 25), H pylori–chronic gastritis without GIM.

Das-1 immunostaining was observed in 20 (40%) of 50 cases in cancer areas. The expression of Das-1 in GIM from group 1 cases away from the cancer area was different from that in GIM from nontumor cases (groups 2 and 3): 13 (26%) of 50 vs 2 (8%) and 0 (0%) of 25 (P = .004). There was no association between Das-1 and mucin expression.

Das-1 expression was associated with GIM from patients with gastric cancer. However, this relation was weaker than previously reported, precluding clinical usefulness as a premalignant marker of GIM.
Small B-Cell Neoplasms With Typical Mantle Cell Lymphoma Immunophenotypes Often Include Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemias
Authors: Ho Albert K. , Hill Sally , Preobrazhensky Sergey N. , Miller Mark E. , Chen Zhong , Bahler David W.
Published: December 2008

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are CD5+ small B-cell neoplasms (SBCNs) with overlapping features. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is often used to help differentiate CLL from MCL, and a characteristic CLL phenotype is considered essentially diagnostic. However, previous studies have not specifically examined how well a typical MCL immunophenotype distinguishes MCL from CLL. We identified 28 cases of SBCN with typical flow cytometry–determined MCL immunophenotypes consisting mostly of peripheral blood and bone marrow specimens. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis indicated that 57% (16/28) had t(11;14) translocations consistent with MCL, while 32% (9/28) lacked t(11;14) translocations but harbored other cytogenetic abnormalities commonly found in CLL. There were no significant morphologic or immunophenotypic differences between the t(11;14)-positive and t(11;14)-negative cases. Our findings suggest that many blood-based SBCNs with typical MCL immunophenotypes likely represent cases of phenotypically atypical CLL, which would have important clinical implications.
Young children's understanding of the context‐relativity of normative rules in conventional games
Authors: Rakoczy Hannes , Brosche Nina , Warneken Felix , Tomasello Michael
Published: December 2008

We investigated young children's awareness of the context‐relative rule structure of simple games. Two contexts were established in the form of spatial locations. Familiar objects were used in their conventional way at location 1, but acquired specific functions in a rule game at location 2. A third party then performed the conventional act at either of the two locations, constituting a mistake at location 2 (experimental condition), but appropriate at location 1 (control condition). Three‐year‐olds (but not 2‐year‐olds) systematically distinguished the two conditions, spontaneously intervening with normative protest against the third party act in the experimental, but not in the control condition. Young children thus understand context‐specific rules even when the context marking is non‐linguistic. These results are discussed in the broader context of the development of social cognition and cultural learning.
Determinants of the Acute-Phase Protein C-Reactive Protein in Myocardial Infarction Survivors: The Role of Comorbidities and Environmental Factors
Authors: Rückerl Regina , Peters Annette , Khuseyinova Natalie , Andreani Mariarita , Koenig Wolfgang , Meisinger Christa , Dimakopoulou Konstantina , Sunyer Jordi , Lanki Timo , Nyberg Fredrik , Schneider Alexandra
Published: December 2008

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of the acute-phase response, has been associated with future cardiovascular endpoints independently of other risk factors. A joint analysis of the role of risk factors in predicting mean concentrations and variation of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) in serum has not been carried out previously.

Methods: We used data from 1003 myocardial infarction (MI) survivors who had hsCRP measured monthly up to 8 times and multivariate mixed effects statistical models to study the role of time-variant and -invariant factors on the geometric mean of and the intraindividual variation in hsCRP concentrations.

Results: Patients with ≥6.5% glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) had 26.2% higher hsCRP concentrations (95% CI, 7.2%–48.6%) and 20.7% greater variation in hsCRP values (P = 0.0034) than patients with lower baseline Hb A1c values (<6.5%). Similar but less pronounced differences were seen in patients with a self-reported diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. hsCRP concentrations showed less variation in patients who reported angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, or emphysema (−11.0%, −24.9%, and −41.6%, respectively, vs patients without these conditions) but greater variation in males and smokers (+24.8% and +27.3%, respectively, vs females and nonsmokers). Exposures in the 24 h before blood sampling, including exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, alcohol consumption, and extreme stress, did not have a major impact.

Conclusions: One or 2 hsCRP measurements may not be sufficient to adequately characterize different patient groups after MI with similar precisions. We found hsCRP concentrations to be especially variable in males, smokers, and patients with increased Hb A1c values.
Auditors' Affirmations of Compliance with IFRS around the World: An Exploratory Study*
Authors: Nobes Christopher W. , Zeff Stephen A.
Published: December 2008

It is widely believed that international financial reporting standards (IFRS) have been adopted in many countries, at least for the consolidated reporting of listed companies. However, in nearly all cases, what the rules require is some national or supranational version of IFRS. This might create problems for investor confidence and comparability. We examine what companies and auditors report concerning compliance with IFRS, focusing on the first full year of IFRS reporting by companies in the stock market indices of four major European countries and Australia. We find that, even when companies were complying with IFRS, they were generally not saying so, which seems to miss part of the point of the 35‐year project on international harmonization. In a small number of cases, auditors provided dual reports: on full IFRS in addition to the mandated reference to national GAAP where the latter corresponds with full IFRS. These cases were found only in Germany and the United Kingdom, and mainly related to companies that filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as foreign private issuers. We propose explanations for the general lack of dual reports and for the exceptions. We call for widespread adoption of dual reporting where a plain report on IFRS is not yet possible.
The Relationship between Fair Value, Market Value, and Efficient Markets*
Authors: Milburn J. Alex
Published: December 2008

This paper proposes that an assumption of reasonable market efficiency is at the essence of the relevance of fair value for financial reporting purposes. The paper's examination of this proposal begins with a review of recent academic literature on market efficiency, and on evidence of inefficiencies and their implications for the ability of the efficient market hypothesis to explain what market prices represent. It concludes that there is wide acceptance in this literature that a reasonable level of efficiency can generally be presumed to exist in active, well‐regulated capital markets.

The paper examines the essential attributes of a reasonably efficient market for fair value measurement purposes, and some basic implications for its reliable estimation. This is done in comparison with the provisions of the fair value measurement standard of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards [SFAS] No. 157). It is concluded that the concept of reasonable market efficiency could provide a sound conceptual framework for defining fair value that is founded in real, observable market prices. It is demonstrated that, in contrast, SFAS No. 157 does not provide a clear, unequivocal concept of fair value, and that it permits estimates of fair value that have no demonstrable basis in real, observable market prices. Nevertheless, it appears that arguments typically put forward by the International Accounting Standards Board and the FASB for the relevance of fair value for financial reporting purposes do imply a presumption of reasonably efficient markets.
Voluntary Disclosure of Good and Bad Earnings News in a Low Litigation Setting*
Authors: Sinnadurai Philip T.
Published: December 2008

This study uses a historical setting in which expected litigation costs were low (i.e., Australia, from 1993 to 1996) to investigate whether companies with good news were more likely to preempt annual earnings than their counterparts with bad news. Empirical tests compare the probability of preemption conditional on having good news with the probability of preemption conditional on having bad news. The models control for other potential determinants of disclosure policy that have been documented in the literature. The results do not support the research hypothesis that companies with good news were more likely to preempt annual earnings than companies with bad news. This finding suggests that there may be other factors driving disclosure of bad news, in addition to those acknowledged in the extant literature. The evidence also indicates that in Australia during the investigation period, the probability of preemption was positively associated with firm size and analyst following and differed as a function of industry membership.
Horizontal transfer of boron by the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) after feedingon treated wood
Authors: Gentz Margaret C. , Grace J. Kenneth , Mankowski Mark E.
Published: December 2008

The goal of the present study was to determine whether Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki workers exposed to boron-treated wood were capable of transferring quantifiable amounts of boron to non-exposed nestmates. This effect is called horizontal transfer. Borates are not repellent to termites, nor do they cause rapid mortality, making them excellent candidates for the study of horizontal transfer. In the present study, C. formosanus workers were collected from field colonies maintained in Honolulu, Hawaii and dyed with Sudan Red 7B over a 7-day period. These termites then underwent a 3-day exposure period to one of two types of composite board, either an experimental formulation of zinc borate and anhydrous boric acid or an untreated composite board. Treated termites were placed with an equal number of untreated termites for either 5 or 10 days; sham-dyed donors and recipients were used to control for possible effects of the dye. Horizontal transmission of boron and toxic effects were assessed based on termite wet weight, percent survival, and boron content. Horizontal transfer of boron was noted at both 5 and 10 days over those levels reported in untreated, field-caught termites from the same colony (ca. 7 μg boron g-1 termites). After 5 days, boron content was elevated in both dyed donor and recipient termites (ca. 92 and 38 μg boron g-1 dyed termites, respectively), as well as in undyed donors and recipients (ca. 84 and 30 μg boron g-1 undyed termites). The same pattern was observed after 10 days in both dyed donor and recipient termites (ca. 61 and 46 μg boron g-1, respectively) and undyed donor and recipient termites (59 and 24 μg boron g-1, respectively). Increased boron content of recipient termites after exposure to donor termites (fed on treated wood) demonstrated horizontal transfer of boron.
Acoustic wood tomography on trees and the challenge of wood heterogeneity
Authors: Schubert Sandy , Gsell Daniel , Dual Jurg , Motavalli Masoud , Niemz Peter
Published: December 2008

The assessment of tree stability requires information about the location and the geometry of fungal decay or of a cavity in the interior of the trunk. This work aims at specifying which size of decay or cavity can be detected non-destructively by acoustic wood tomography. In the present work, the elastic waves that propagate in a trunk during a tomographic measurement were visualized by numerical simulations. The numerical model enabled to systematically investigate the influence of fungal decay on tomographic measurements neglecting the heterogeneity of wood. The influence of wood heterogeneity was studied in laboratory experiments on trunks. The experiments indicated that the waveforms of the measured signals are by far more sensitive to the natural heterogeneity of trunk wood than the travel times, thereby making waveforms unsuitable for decay detection. Thus, it is recommended to further develop the travel time inversion algorithms for trunks and to neglect the information in waveforms or amplitudes. Fungal decay is detectable if the influence of the decay is distinguishable from the influence of the heterogeneity. It was found from the numerical analysis that the cross-section of a cavity, which is larger than 5% of the total cross-section of the trunk, can be detected by acoustic wood tomography.
Oxidative modifications of cellulose in the periodate system – Reduction and beta-elimination reactions 2nd ICC 2007, Tokyo, Japan, October 25–29, 2007
Authors: Potthast Antje , Schiehser Sonja , Rosenau Thomas , Kostic Mirjana
Published: December 2008

The conversion of cellulose to dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) by treatment with aqueous periodate was studied by the CCOA method, which is a combination of gel permeation chromatography and carbonyl-selective fluorescence labeling. The beta-alkoxy-elimination reaction under alkaline conditions was used as a diagnostic tool to address the regioselectivity of the oxidation at low degrees of conversion. The oxidation proceeded by random oxidant attack; cluster-like or isolated oxidation patterns were excluded. The beta-alkoxy-elimination proceeded as a competitive process during reduction of DAC by sodium borohydride. Reduction was thus inevitably accompanied by a significant loss in molecular weight. The borohydride treatment decompacted the molecules by reducing the aldehyde groups and destroying hemiacetal crosslinks. As a result, highly flexible chains were produced.
Thyroid dysfunction and kidney disease
Authors: Iglesias P , Díez J J
Published: December 2008

Thyroid hormones (TH) are essential for an adequate growth and development of the kidney. Conversely, the kidney is not only an organ for metabolism and elimination of TH, but also a target organ of some of the iodothyronines' actions. Thyroid dysfunction causes remarkable changes in glomerular and tubular functions and electrolyte and water homeostasis. Hypothyroidism is accompanied by a decrease in glomerular filtration, hyponatremia, and an alteration of the ability for water excretion. Excessive levels of TH generate an increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. Renal disease, in turn, leads to significant changes in thyroid function. The association of different types of glomerulopathies with both hyper- and hypofunction of the thyroid has been reported. Less frequently, tubulointerstitial disease has been associated with functional thyroid disorders. Nephrotic syndrome is accompanied by changes in the concentrations of TH due primarily to loss of protein in the urine. Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease are accompanied by notable effects on the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis. The secretion of pituitary thyrotropin (TSH) is impaired in uremia. Contrary to other non-thyroidal chronic disease, in uraemic patients it is not unusual to observe the sick euthyroid syndrome with low serum triodothyronine (T3) without elevation of reverse T3(rT3). Some authors have reported associations between thyroid cancer and kidney tumors and each of these organs can develop metastases into the other. Finally, data from recent research suggest that TH, especially T3, can be considered as a marker for survival in patients with kidney disease.