bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Written content indicators of problematic approach behavior toward political officials
Authors: Schoeneman Katherine A. , Scalora Mario J. , Darrow Charles D. , McLawsen Julia E. , Chang Grace H. , Zimmerman William J.
Published: February 2011

Those charged with assessing and managing threatening communications must utilize risk factors that are behavioral, operational, and reasonably attainable during investigations. This project examined 326 written correspondence cases of an inappropriate, disruptive, or threatening nature that targeted political officials, with the specific goal of identifying written content indicators of problematic approach behavior. Results revealed that subjects who engaged in problematic approach activity toward their targets had more criminal history, past threat assessment activity, familiarity with firearms, past substance use, and indicators of serious mental illness. Approachers were more likely to engage in multiple contact methods, target dispersion, more overall contacts, and prior contact with their target. Numerous content themes were associated with future problematic approach, including longer handwritten correspondence, referencing specific events, making demands, mentioning stressors, focus on personal themes, feeling their rights were violated, and expressing an intention to approach. Harassing, insulting, and threatening language was not related to approach behavior. The implications of these findings are wide‐ranging for the practice of threat assessment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management and treatment of stalkers: Problems, options, and solutions
Authors: MacKenzie Rachel D. , James David V.
Published: February 2011

Legal sanctions alone are often ineffective in preventing stalking because, in the absence of treatment, the fundamental problems driving the stalker remain unresolved. Criminal justice interventions can be problematic because of difficulties in framing anti‐stalking legislation and inconsistencies in their application. Civil remedies in the form of restraining orders may be ineffective or counterproductive. Treatment of stalkers involves pharmacotherapy when mental illness is present, but the mainstays of treatment for non‐psychotic stalkers are programmes of psychological intervention. These depend on accurate assessment of the risks inherent in stalking and on the identification of psychological deficits, needs, and responsivity factors specific to the individual. Treatment can then be tailored to suit the stalker, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Developing a framework for identifying the risk factors and shaping the delivery of treatment is crucial. Two service innovations developed specifically to work with stalkers are presented as options to overcome current management deficiencies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Same‐gender stalking in Sweden and Australia
Authors: Strand Susanne , McEwan Troy E.
Published: February 2011

This study examined the phenomenon of same‐gender stalking and sought to identify differences between same‐ and opposite‐gender stalking cases. Ninety‐four same‐gender and 160 opposite‐gender stalking cases from Sweden and Australia were compared on demographic, offense, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. The groups were largely similar, differing mainly in the nature of the prior relationship between stalker and victim and the stalker's motivation. The most notable distinction was the significantly greater prevalence of ex‐intimate partner stalkers in the opposite‐gender group (65%) versus the same‐gender group (32%), leading to the exclusion of ex‐intimates from the subsequent analysis to remove this potentially confounding variable. Amongst non‐ex‐intimates, same‐gender stalkers were significantly more likely to be female and to stalk out of a sense of resentment and grievance. The results showed that the gender of the victim and perpetrator was less important to the course and conduct of a stalking episode than were the stalker's motivation and the nature of the prior relationship to the victim. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular biology of mammalian bitter taste receptors. A review.
Authors: Meyerhof Wolfgang , Born Stephan , Brockhoff Anne , Behrens Maik
Published: February 2011

Bitter taste prevents mammals from ingesting food potentially contaminated with bitter‐tasting toxins, which are frequent and structurally diverse. It is mediated by a family of heptahelical G protein‐coupled receptors, called taste 2 receptors or TAS2Rs or T2Rs. The number of TAS2R genes differs greatly across mammalian species, suggesting that some species depend less than others on the protective effect of TAS2Rs. TAS2Rs are glycosylated to become substrates for chaperones required for them to complete biosynthesis and cell surface expression. TAS2Rs recognize several to many bitter compounds, a property that accounts for our ability to detect the numerous bitter substances. Although TAS2Rs oligomerize, heteromers apparently do not increase the number of detectable bitter substances. A small molecule antagonist that inhibits bitter taste in vivo blocks several TAS2Rs in vitro, thereby sharing the property with bitter agonists to interact with several receptors. TAS2Rs possess only one binding pocket, in which they accommodate their ligands by contacting different but overlapping sets of amino acids in the upper parts of transmembrane segments 2–7. Pronounced genetic variability has been observed for human TAS2R genes, including single nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations and indels, which determine functionally different receptor variants and influence subjects' sensitivity for the bitterness of specific compounds. However, whether differences in taste sensitivity influence preferences in nutrition remains elusive and is only indirectly supported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Class C receptor activation mechanisms illustrated by mGlu and GABAB receptors. A review.
Authors: Prézeau Laurent , Rondard Philippe , Goudet Cyril , Kniazeff Julie , Pin Jean‐Philippe
Published: February 2011

mGlu and GABAB receptors belong to the class C G protein‐coupled receptors, together with receptors for Ca2+ ions, for pheromone and sweet and umami taste compounds. They form dimers, either homo‐ (mGlu) or heterodimers (GABAB). The mechanism of activation of these receptors has been extensively studied in recent years, leading to a better understanding of the roles of the different domains of both protomers in the dimers. Each protomer is constituted of an extracellular domain (ECD) and a transmembrane domain (7TM) formed by seven transmembrane helices. In the ECD, a so‐called Venus flytrap module (VFT) recognizes the ligand and undergoes a modification of conformation that traps the ligand like a clamshell, and might undergo a second modification of conformation that induces a rotation of both VFTs, leading to the activation of the 7TM of the receptors and then to the activation of the G proteins. Except in GABAB receptor, a cystein‐rich domain (CRD) links the VFT to the 7TM and is likely crucial for the transmission of the active conformation information from the VFT toward the 7TM. The activation of the 7TM involves modification of interactions between TM helices and some crucial residues. Allosteric interactions between the different domains make the functioning of the dimeric receptors quite complex. Last but not least, only one of the two 7TMs is active at a time and able to activate the G proteins, as for the GABAB heterodimer, in which only GABAB2 activates the G proteins, as has also been demonstrated for the homomeric mGlu receptor. This last decade, the discovery of compounds regulating receptors by acting at sites different from the endogenous ligand‐binding site led to the identification of positive and negative allosteric modulators. The general mechanisms are likely similar in most of the class C receptors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is birth weight associated with childhood lymphoma? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Papadopoulou C. , Antonopoulos C.N. , Sergentanis T.N. , Panagopoulou P. , Belechri M. , Petridou E.T.
Published: February 2011

Several risk factors have been identified for childhood lymphomas. The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to synthesize current evidence regarding the association between birth weight with primarily the risk for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), given its similarity to acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and any category of lymphoma. Two cohort (278,751 children) and seven case–control studies (2,660 cases and 69,274 controls) were included. Effects estimates regarding NHL, HL and any lymphoma were appropriately pooled using fixed or random effects model in two separate analyses: specifically, high was compared to normal or any birth weight. Similarly, low was compared to normal or any birth weight. No statistically significant association was found between high birth weight, as compared to normal birth weight, and risk for NHL plus Burkitt lymphoma (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.76–1.80, random effects), HL (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.64–1.38, fixed effects) or any plus Burkitt lymphoma (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.76–1.56, fixed effects). A null association emerged when low was compared with normal birth weight for NHL plus Burkitt lymphoma (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.71–1.62, random effects), HL (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.54–1.65, fixed effects) or any plus Burkitt lymphoma (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.79–1.33, fixed effects). Accordingly, no association was found when high or low birth weight was compared to any birth weight. Although current evidence suggests no association, birth weight might be a too crude indicator to reveal a genuine association of fetal growth with specific lymphoma categories; hence, there is an emerging need for use of more elaborate proxies, at least those accounting for gestational week.
Osteoblast-targeted overexpression of PPARγ inhibited bone mass gain in male mice and accelerated ovariectomy-induced bone loss in female mice
Authors: Cho Sun Wook , Yang Jae-Yeon , Her Sun Ju , Choi Hyung Jin , Jung Ju Yeon , Sun Hyun Jin , An Jee Hyun , Cho Hwa Young , Kim Sang Wan , Park Kyong Soo , Kim Seong Yeon , Baek Wook-Young , Kim Jung-Eun , Yim Mijung , Shin Chan Soo
Published: February 2011

PPARγ has critical role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes while suppressing osteoblastic differentiation. We generated transgenic mice that overexpress PPARγ specifically in osteoblasts under the control of a 2.3-kb procollagen type 1 promoter (Col.1-PPARγ). Bone mineral density (BMD) of 6- to 14-week-old Col.1 − PPARγ male mice was 8% to 10% lower than that of their wild-type littermates, whereas no difference was noticed in Col.1-PPARγ female mice. Col.1-PPARγ male mice exhibited decreased bone volume (45%), trabecular thickness (23%), and trabecular number (27%), with a reciprocal increase in trabecular spacing (51%). Dynamic histomorphometric analysis also revealed that bone-formation rate (42%) and mineral apposition rate (32%) were suppressed significantly in Col.1-PPARγ male mice compared with their wild-type littermates. Interestingly, osteoclast number and surface also were decreased by 40% and 58%, respectively, in Col.1-PPARγ male mice. In vitro whole-marrow culture for osteoclastogenesis also showed a significant decrease in osteoclast formation (approximately 35%) with the cells from Col.1-PPARγ male mice, and OPG/RANKL ratio was reduced in stromal cells from Col.1-PPARγ male mice. Although there was no significant difference in BMD in Col.1-PPARγ female mice up to 30 weeks, bone loss was accelerated after ovariectomy compared with wild-type female mice (−3.9% versus −6.8% at 12 weeks after ovariectomy, p < .01), indicating that the effects of PPARγ overexpression becomes more evident in an estrogen-deprived state in female mice. In conclusion, in vivo osteoblast-specific overexpression of PPARγ negatively regulates bone mass in male mice and accelerates estrogen-deficiency-related bone loss in female mice. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Seasonal variations in red deer (Cervus elaphus) hematology related to antler growth and biometrics measurements
Authors: Gaspar‐López Enrique , Landete‐Castillejos Tomás , Estevez Jose Antonio , Ceacero Francisco , Gallego Laureano , García Andrés Jose
Published: February 2011

The aim of the study was to relate seasonal hematology changes with the rest of physiological variations suffered by red deer, such as antler and biometrics cycle, and to assess the relationship between hematology and the effort performed in antler development. Blood samples were taken from 21 male red deer every 4 weeks during 18 months. Samples were analyzed for the main hematological parameters. Simultaneously, biometrics measurements were taken, such as antler length, body weight, body condition score, testicular diameter (TD), and thoracic and neck girth. All the blood cell types (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets) showed seasonal variations, increasing as antler cleaning approached, as did hematocrit and hemoglobin. The final size of antlers was negatively related to leukocyte count, nonlymphoid leukocyte count, red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, and TD, whereas it was positively related to body condition during antler growth. Huge seasonal variations in some hematological values have been found to be related to changes in antler and biometrics measurements. Since these variations are even greater than the caused by deer handling, they should be taken into account when evaluating hematology in deer populations. J. Exp. Zool. 315A:242–249, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Whispering gallery modes and effect of coating on Raman spectra of single microspheres
Authors: Dantham Venkata Ramanaiah , Bisht Prem Ballabh , Dobal Pramod Singh
Published: February 2011

Raman spectra and fluorescence of BaTiO3 and silica microspheres of different sizes have been studied. The observed whispering gallery modes (WGMs) have been assigned using theoretical simulations based on the Lorenz–Mie theory. The WGMs are found to have selective enhancements in the Raman spectra. The variations in the Raman spectra with the radial position of the excitation spot and excitation wavelength have been correlated with the morphology‐dependent internal field distributions of the microspheres. The effect of a thin dye coating on the fluorescence and Raman spectra was studied, and a coating thickness of ∼200 nm was estimated from the theoretical simulation of experimentally observed data based on the Aden and Kerker theory. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐pressure Raman spectroscopic and other structural studies of hydrotalcites containing intercalated dicarboxylic acid anions
Authors: Wright Josh , Barsan Mirela M. , Butler Ian S. , Gilson Denis F. R. , Adebajo Moses O. , Frost Ray L.
Published: February 2011

The results of pressure‐tuning Raman spectroscopic, X‐ray powder diffraction and solid‐state 13C‐NMR studies of selected dicarboxylate anions intercalated in a Mg–Al layered double hydroxide lattice are reported. The pressure dependences of the vibrational modes are linear for pressures up to 4.6 GPa, indicating that no phase transitions occur. The interlayer spacings show that the oxalate, malonate and succinate dianions are oriented perpendicular to the layers, but the glutarate and adipate are tilted. The solid‐state 13C‐NMR spectra of these materials show full chemical shift anisotropy and, therefore, the anions are not mobile at room temperature. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the minerals diadochite and destinezite Fe3+2(PO4,SO4)2(OH)· 6H2O: implications for soil science
Authors: Frost Ray L. , Palmer Sara J.
Published: February 2011

The two minerals diadochite and destinezite of formula Fe2(PO4,SO4)2(OH)· 6H2O have been characterised by Raman spectroscopy and complemented with infrared spectroscopy. Both these minerals are found in soils and are identical except for their morphology. Diadochite is amorphous whereas destinezite is highly crystalline. The spectra of diadochite are broad and ill defined, whereas the spectra of destinezite are intense and well defined. Bands are assigned to phosphate and sulfate stretching and bending modes. Two symmetric stretching modes for both phosphate and sulfate support the concept of non‐equivalent phosphate and sulfate units in the mineral structure. Multiple water bending and stretching modes imply that non‐equivalent water molecules in the structure exist with different hydrogen‐bond strengths. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Involvement of weak CH···X hydrogen bonds in metal‐to‐semiconductor regime change in one‐dimensional organic conductors (o‐DMTTF)2X (X = Cl, Br, and I): combined IR and Raman studies
Authors: Jankowski Damian , Świetlik Roman , Reinheimer Eric W. , Fourmigué Marc
Published: February 2011

We report on the infrared (IR) and Raman studies of the three isostructural quasi‐one‐dimensional cation radical salts of 3,4‐dimethyl‐tetrathiafulvalene (o‐DMTTF)2X (X = Cl, Br, and I), which all exhibit metallic properties at room temperature and undergo transitions to a semiconducting state in two steps: a soft metal‐to‐semiconductor regime change in the temperature region Tρ = 5–200 K and then a sharp phase transition at about TMI = 50 K. Polarized IR reflectance spectra (700–16 000 cm−1) and Raman spectra (50–3500 cm−1, excitation λ = 632.8 nm) of single crystals were measured as a function of temperature (T = 5–300 K) to assess the eventual formation of a charge‐ordered state below 50 K. Additionally, the temperature dependence of the IR absorption spectra of powdered crystals in KBr discs was also studied. The Raman spectra and especially the bands related to the CC stretching vibration of o‐DMTTF provide unambiguous evidence of uniform charge distribution on o‐DMTTF down to the lowest temperatures, without any modification below 50 K. However, the temperature dependence of Raman spectra indicates a regime change below about 200 K. Temperature dependence of both electronic dispersion and vibrational features observed in the IR spectra also clearly confirms the regime change below about 200 K and shows the involvement of CH···X hydrogen bonds in the electronic localization; some spectral changes can be also related with the phase transition at 50 K. Additionally, using density functional theory methods, the normal vibrational modes of the neutral o‐DMTTF0 and cationic o‐DMTTF+ species, as well as their theoretical IR and Raman spectra, were calculated. The theoretical data were compared with the experimental IR and Raman spectra of neutral o‐DMTTF molecule. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photodissociation effects on pulsed laser deposited silver oxide thin films: surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering
Authors: Ravi Chandra Raju N. , Jagadeesh Kumar K.
Published: February 2011

Temporal Raman scattering measurements with 488, 532 and 632 nm excitation wavelengths and normal Raman studies by varying the power (from 30 W/cm2 to 2 MW/cm2) at 488 nm were performed on silver oxide thin films prepared by pulsed‐laser deposition. Initially, silver oxide Raman spectra were observed with all three excitation wavelengths. With further increase in time and power, silver oxide photodissociated into silver nanostructures. High‐intensity spectral lines were observed at 1336 ± 25 and 1596 ± 10 cm−1 with 488 nm excitation. No spectral features were observed with 633 nm excitation. Surface‐enhanced resonance Raman scattering theory is used to explain the complex behavior in the intensity of the 1336/1596 cm−1 lines with varying power of 488 nm excitation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Raman spectroscopic study of bukovskýite Fe2(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)· 7H2O, a mineral phase with a significant role in arsenic migration
Authors: Loun Jan , Čejka Jiří , Sejkora Jiří , Plášil Jakub , Novák Milan , Frost Ray L. , Palmer Sara J. , Keeffe Eloise C.
Published: February 2011

The Raman spectrum of bukovskýite [Fe3+2(OH)(SO4)(AsO4)· 7H2O] has been studied and compared with that of an amorphous gel containing specifically Fe, As and S, which is understood to be an intermediate product in the formation of bukovskýite. The observed bands are assigned to the stretching and bending vibrations of (SO4)2− and (AsO4)3− units, stretching and bending vibrations and vibrational modes of hydrogen‐bonded water molecules, stretching and bending vibrations of hydrogen‐bonded (OH)− ions and Fe3+(O,OH) units. The approximate range of OH···O hydrogen bond lengths was inferred from the Raman spectra. Raman spectra of crystalline bukovskýite and of the amorphous gel differ in that the bukovskýite spectrum is more complex, the observed bands are sharp and the degenerate bands of (SO4)2− and (AsO4)3− are split and more intense. Lower wavenumbers of δ H2O bending vibrations in the spectrum of the amorphous gel may indicate the presence of weaker hydrogen bonds compared to those in bukovskýite. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Female sexual self‐schema after interpersonal trauma: Relationship to psychiatric and cognitive functioning in a clinical treatment‐seeking sample
Authors: Blain Leah M. , Galovski Tara E. , Peterson Zoë D.
Published: February 2011

This study assessed the relationship between sexual self‐schema and posttraumatic functioning in a clinical sample of 112 female sexual assault survivors. Contrary to hypotheses, posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive symptom severity were unrelated to the valence of sexual self‐schema. Yet, negative posttraumatic cognitions were related to sexual self‐schemas. Specifically, less positive self‐views were associated with more negative schema (r = −.35). In a multivariate analysis, the measure of negative views of the world and others was associated with more positive schema. Results indicate that intervening to improve survivors' postassault appraisals of the self may help to reduce the impact of interpersonal trauma on women's sexual functioning.
Selective intestinal decontamination with fluoroquinolones for the prevention of early bacterial infections after liver transplantation
Authors: San-Juan Rafael , Aguado Jose M. , Lumbreras Carlos , Fortun Jesus , Len Oscar , Munoz Patricia , Montejo Miguel , Moreno Asunción , Cordero Elisa , Blanes Marino , Ramos Antonio , Torre-Cisneros Julian , López-Medrano Francisco , Carratala Jordi , Moreno Enrique
Published: February 2011

The role of selective intestinal decontamination with fluoroquinolones (FQ-SID) in the prevention of early bacterial infections (EBIs) in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) is unknown. We used the online database of the Spanish Network of Infection in Transplantation/Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases, which prospectively analyzed 1010 LTRs from 12 Spanish hospitals from September 2003 to February 2005. We compared the incidence and etiology of EBIs (30 days after transplantation) in 415 LTRs from 4 centers that used FQ-SID (>7 days) and in 595 LTRs from 8 hospitals that did not use FQ-SID. A multivariate logistic regression analysis (including an adjustment for the transplant center factor) was performed to evaluate the potential protective factor of FQ-SID in the development of EBIs. We reported 266 EBI episodes in 252 LTRs (incidence = 24.9%). There were no differences in the incidence of EBIs between patients in the FQ-SID group and patients not in the FQ-SID group [109/415 (26.3%) versus 143/595 (24%), P = 0.9]. Although LTRs who received FQ-SID had a lower incidence of infections due to enteric bacteria (2.7% versus 6.5%, P = 0.007) and a higher incidence of infections due to nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (6.6% versus 2.6%, P = 0.004), these findings could not be confirmed after an adjustment by the center factor in the multivariate models. We found no significant differences in the incidence of enterococcal infections (3.4% with FQ-SID versus 3.9% without FQ-SID, P = 0.5). Multivariate analysis did not confirm any protective effect of FQ-SID against the development of EBIs by enteric bacteria. In conclusion, FQ-SID does not reduce the incidence of EBIs in LTRs and could be withheld from this group of patients. Liver Transpl 17:896–904, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Urodynamic results and clinical outcomes with intradetrusor injections of onabotulinumtoxina in a randomized, placebo‐controlled dose‐finding study in idiopathic overactive bladder
Authors: Rovner Eric , Kennelly Michael , Schulte‐Baukloh Heinrich , Zhou Jihao , Haag‐Molkenteller Cornelia , Dasgupta Prokar
Published: February 2011

Aims

We assessed the effects of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) on clinical and urodynamic variables in patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary urgency incontinence (UUI) with or without detrusor overactivity (DO), inadequately managed with anticholinergics.

Methods

Three hundred thirteen patients with OAB were randomized to double‐blind intradetrusor injection with placebo (n = 44) or 1 of 5 onabotulinumtoxinA doses (50–300 U; n = 269). Primary efficacy variable was change from baseline in UUI episodes/week at week 12. Urodynamic assessments at baseline and weeks 12 and 36 included maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) and volume at first involuntary detrusor contraction (IDC).

Results

76.0% of patients had baseline DO. Changes from baseline in MCC and volume at first IDC with onabotulinumtoxinA ≥100 U were superior to placebo at week 12, generally decreasing by week 36. Significant dose‐dependent increases in MCC were observed for all onabotulinumtoxinA doses at week 12, and for 150, 200, and 300 U at week 36. Data suggested a dose–response relationship. At week 12 on diary, 15.9% of placebo and 29.8–57.1% of onabotulinumtoxinA 50–300 U recipients, respectively, did not demonstrate UUI. OnabotulinumtoxinA doses >150 U were more commonly associated with post‐void residual urine volumes >200 ml.

Conclusions

Improvements in urodynamic parameters and clinical outcomes generally trended together following onabotulinumtoxinA treatment. This therapy improved key urodynamic parameters in patients with idiopathic OAB and UUI, with no differences in outcomes between those with and those without baseline DO. Therefore, successful idiopathic OAB treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA does not appear to be related to pretreatment finding of DO. 30:556–562, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of female urinary incontinence and urgency on women's and their partners' sexual life
Authors: Nilsson Margareta , Lalos Othon , Lindkvist Håkan , Lalos Ann
Published: February 2011

Aims. To assess the impact of female urinary incontinence (UI) and urgency on women's and their partners' sexual life in sexually active couples and to elucidate the concordance of answers within couples. Methods. Women aged 18–74 years with UI and/or urgency (n = 206) were consecutively recruited from four outpatient clinics. Those with a partner (n = 170) completed a questionnaire regarding relationship and sexual life and gave a similar questionnaire to him. The present paper focuses on 99 couples with an active sexual life. Results. Twenty‐two percent of the men and 43% of the women stated that the female urinary symptoms impaired their sexual life. Forty‐nine percent of the women expressed worries about having urinary leakage during sexual activity, but most of their men, 94%, did not. Twenty‐three percent of the men and 39% of the women responded that the woman leaked urine during sexual activity. The majority, 84%, of women considered this a problem, but 65% of their partners did not. Except for this disparity, the rest of the answers were significant concordant within the couples. Conclusions. Female UI and urgency negatively affected sexual life in almost half of the women and in every fifth partner. A need for information and advice concerning sexual issues due to the woman's urinary disorder was found in one fifth of the couples. The majority of women with urinary leakage during sexual activities considered this as a problem, but most of their partners did not. Overall, the concordance of the answers within the couples was high. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1276–1280, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) signaling in idiopathic overactive bladder urothelial cells
Authors: Li Mingkai , Sun Yan , Simard J. Marc , Chai Toby C.
Published: February 2011

Aims

To measure transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) signaling in human bladder urothelial cells (BUC) from non‐neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) patients and control subjects (NB) BUC.

Materials and Methods

Primary BUC cell cultures were derived from cystoscopic biopsies from two OAB and two NB subjects. TRPV1 expression was detected by immunofluorescence, PCR and Western blot staining. TRPV1 function was assessed by capsaicin (CAP, 6 µM)‐evoked intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) changes measured by microfluorimetry imaging. CAP evoked changes in inward and outward currents were recorded electrophysiologically using excised outside‐out patches and whole cell configurations using various protocols.

Results

OAB BUC had significantly increased expression of TRPV1 compared to NB BUC on Western blot. CAP evoked significantly higher maximal [Ca2+]i change over baseline in OAB (84.71 ± 8.96%) compared to NB BUC (60.32 ± 7.93%) (P < 0.05). CAP induced significantly greater percent change in single channel open probability (205.94 ± 20.53% OAB vs. 141.26 ± 16.53% NB, P < 0.05) and normalized inward currents (13.54 ± 1.6 4 pA/pF OAB vs. 8.28 ± 0.89 pA/pF NB, P < 0.05). CAP caused significantly higher percent increase from baseline of whole cell outward currents in OAB (177.12 ± 44.46%) compared to NB BUC (135.98 ± 44.28%) (P < 0.05). Similarly thermal stimulus (45°C solution) evoked significantly higher percent increase in whole cell outward currents in OAB (183.93 ± 14.07%) compared to NB (145.61 ± 10.12%) BUC (P < 0.05). These responses were blocked by 10 µM capsazepine (CPZ), a TRPV1 antagonist.

Conclusions

Because only a few subjects were studied, augmented TRPV1 signaling cannot be generalized to all OAB subjects. However, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that BUC are involved in sensory signaling. 30:606–611, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ovarian cancer arising in endometrioid cysts: ultrasound findings
Authors: Testa A. C. , Timmerman D. , Van Holsbeke C. , Zannoni G. F. , Fransis S. , Moerman P. , Vellone V. , Mascilini F. , Licameli A. , Ludovisi M. , Di Legge A. , Scambia G. , Ferrandina G.
Published: February 2011

Objectives

To describe sonographic characteristics of malignant transformation in endometrioid cysts.

Methods

Women with a histological diagnosis of ovarian endometrioid cysts, borderline tumors arising in endometrioid cysts and carcinoma arising in endometrioid cysts, preoperatively examined sonographically, were included in this retrospective study. Gray‐scale and Doppler ultrasound characteristics of the endometrioid cysts were compared with those of the borderline tumors and primary cancers arising in endometrioid cysts. The performance of an experienced examiner in classifying the masses was also assessed.

Results

Of 324 cases collected for the study, 309 (95.3%) lesions were classified as endometrioid cysts, four (1.2%) as borderline tumors arising in endometrioid cysts and 11 (3.4%) as carcinoma arising in endometrioid cysts. Women with malignant findings (borderline ovarian tumors and cancers) were older (median age 52 (range, 28–79) years) than those with benign endometrioid cysts (median age 34 (range, 18–76) years) (P < 0.0001), and the prevalence of postmenopausal status was significantly higher in malignant cases. All (15/15) malignant tumors vs. 16% (50/309) of benign tumors were characterized by the presence of solid tissue (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of solid tissue with positive Doppler signals was higher in malignant tumors (100%) than in benign cysts (7.8%) (P < 0.0001). Papillary projections were a more frequent sonographic feature among malignant lesions (86.7%) than among benign endometrioid cysts (11.3%) (P < 0.0001); power Doppler signals were detected within the projections in 92.3% and 37.1% of malignant and benign lesions, respectively. The examiner correctly diagnosed 94.8% (293/309) of benign lesions as benign and 93.3% (14/15) of malignant lesions as malignant. The risk estimation of the examiner was ‘uncertain’ in three (20%) and ‘probably/certainly malignant’ in 12 (80%) of 15 malignant cases.

Conclusion

Borderline tumors and carcinomas arising in endometrioid cysts show a vascularized solid component at ultrasound examination. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic diversity and structure of a Mediterranean endemic plant in Corsica (Mercurialis corsica, Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Migliore Jérémy , Baumel Alex , Juin Marianick , Diadema Katia , Hugot Laetitia , Verlaque Régine , Médail Frédéric
Published: February 2011

The island of Corsica is a Mediterranean hotspot of plant biodiversity characterized by a high rate of plant endemism, but also by a lack of studies combining genetic diversity and conservation. In Corsica, the dioecious and Corso‐Sardinian endemicMercurialis corsicaCosson (Euphorbiaceae) occurs across a wide ecological gradient, but the number of populations have decreased considerably over the last century. The main aim of this study was to examine the patterns of genetic diversity occurring in the Corsican populations ofM. corsica, depending on their location and demographic structure. The rDNA sequences did not show the existence of any polymorphism, whereas the cpDNA sequences revealed the divergence of the western Corsican populations. By contrast, when the AFLP markers were examined, although significant levels of differentiation were detected between populations, no distinct geographical patterns were observed except for the pronounced isolation of the Cap Corse genotypes. No significant correlations were found to exist between population size and the genetic diversity indexes used. The results of this study suggest thatM. corsicahas undergone a complex gene flow history involving past population admixtures, followed by fragmentation processes resulting in population differentiation but no geographical patterns of isolation. These results support the existence of three evolutive conservation units which have to be monitored in priority to determine whether the current pattern of demographic structure is still declining or has stabilized.
Ezetimibe Treatment Lowers Indicators of Oxidative Stress in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects with High Oxidative Stress
Authors: Kostapanos Michael S. , Spyrou Athanasia T. , Tellis Constantinos C. , Gazi Irene F. , Tselepis Alexandros D. , Elisaf Moses , Liberopoulos Evangelos N.
Published: February 2011

Ezetimibe effectively reduces low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ezetimibe monotherapy may also decrease markers of oxidative stress in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Subjects with hypercholesterolemia and no evidence of cardiovascular disease were randomly allocated to open‐label ezetimibe monotherapy 10 mg/day (EZT group) or therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC group). At baseline and 12 weeks post‐treatment serum lipoprotein and apolipoprotein levels as well as oxidative stress parameters, including oxidized LDL (ox‐LDL), 8‐isoprostanes (8‐epiPGF2a) and reactive oxygen metabolites (d‐ROMs) levels, were blindly determined. A total of 60 patients were included; 30 in each group. Despite a significant decrease in ox‐LDL levels (by 20.8%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline; p < 0.001 vs. TLC group) in the EZT group no change in the ratio ox‐LDL to LDL‐C was noticed following ezetimibe treatment. No significant change in 8‐epiPGF2a and d‐ROMs levels was observed in the EZT group. Of note, a significant decrease in 8‐epiPGF2a and d‐ROMs levels (by 20.4% and 18.2%, respectively, p < 0.01 vs. baseline for both), was noted among patients in the EZT group who exhibited ‘high oxidative stress' at baseline. No change in any of oxidative stress parameters was noted in the TLC group. Ezetimibe may decrease markers of oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemic subjects. This benefit may be more profound among patients who exhibit ‘high oxidative stress' at baseline.
Effect of Extended Surfactant Structure on Interfacial Tension and Microemulsion Formation with Triglycerides
Authors: Phan T. T. , Attaphong C. , Sabatini D. A.
Published: February 2011

In this work, the impacts of extended surfactant structure (number of polypropylene oxide PO groups and branching nature of the hydrocarbon chain) on microemulsion formation and IFT values were examined with triglyceride oils. The results show that branching of the hydrocarbon tail of extended surfactants lowers optimum salinity and IFT values. The results also show that for the surfactants studied ultralow IFTs and microemulsion formation with vegetable oils can be achieved using extended surfactants with at least eight PO groups.
Losses of Expected Lifetime in the United States and Other Developed Countries: Methods and Empirical Analyses
Authors: Shkolnikov Vladimir M. , Andreev Evgeny M. , Zhang Zhen , Oeppen James , Vaupel James W.
Published: February 2011

Patterns of diversity in age at death are examined using e†, a dispersion measure that equals the average expected lifetime lost at death. We apply two methods for decomposing differences in e†. The first method estimates the contributions of average levels of mortality and mortality age structures. The second (and newly developed) method returns components produced by differences between age- and cause-specific mortality rates. The United States is close to England and Wales in mean life expectancy but has higher life expectancy losses and lacks mortality compression. The difference is determined by mortality age structures, whereas the role of mortality levels is minor. This is related to excess mortality at ages under 65 from various causes in the United States. Regression on 17 country-series suggests that e† correlates with income inequality across countries but not across time. This result can be attributed to dissimilarity between the age- and cause-of-death structures of temporal mortality reduction and intercountry mortality variation. It also suggests that factors affecting overall mortality decrease differ from those responsible for excess lifetime losses in the United States compared with other countries. The latter can be related to weaknesses of health system and other factors resulting in premature death from heart diseases, amenable causes, accidents and violence.
The least common multiple of consecutive arithmetic progression terms
Authors: Hong Shaofang , Qian Guoyou
Published: February 2011

Let k ≥ 0, a ≥ 1 and b ≥ 0 be integers. We define the arithmetic function gk,a,b for any positive integer n by

If we let a = 1 and b = 0, then gk,a,b becomes the arithmetic function that was previously introduced by Farhi. Farhi proved that gk,1,0 is periodic and that k! is a period. Hong and Yang improved Farhi's period k! to lcm(1, 2, … , k) and conjectured that (lcm(1, 2, … , k, k + 1))/(k + 1) divides the smallest period of gk,1,0. Recently, Farhi and Kane proved this conjecture and determined the smallest period of gk,1,0. For the general integers a ≥ 1 and b ≥ 0, it is natural to ask the following interesting question: is gk,a,b periodic? If so, what is the smallest period of gk,a,b? We first show that the arithmetic function gk,a,b is periodic. Subsequently, we provide detailed p-adic analysis of the periodic function gk,a,b. Finally, we determine the smallest period of gk,a,b. Our result extends the Farhi–Kane Theorem from the set of positive integers to general arithmetic progressions.
Composition operators on weighted Bergman spaces of a half-plane
Authors: Elliott Sam J. , Wynn Andrew
Published: February 2011

We use induction and interpolation techniques to prove that a composition operator induced by a map ϕ is bounded on the weighted Bergman space $\mathcal{A}^2_\alpha(\mathbb{H})$ of the right half-plane if and only if ϕ fixes the point at ∞ non-tangentially and if it has a finite angular derivative λ there. We further prove that in this case the norm, the essential norm and the spectral radius of the operator are all equal and are given by λ(2+α)/2.
Analysis of a genetically structured variance heterogeneity model using the Box–Cox transformation
Authors: YANG YE , CHRISTENSEN OLE F. , SORENSEN DANIEL
Published: February 2011

Over recent years, statistical support for the presence of genetic factors operating at the level of the environmental variance has come from fitting a genetically structured heterogeneous variance model to field or experimental data in various species. Misleading results may arise due to skewness of the marginal distribution of the data. To investigate how the scale of measurement affects inferences, the genetically structured heterogeneous variance model is extended to accommodate the family of Box–Cox transformations. Litter size data in rabbits and pigs that had previously been analysed in the untransformed scale were reanalysed in a scale equal to the mode of the marginal posterior distribution of the Box–Cox parameter. In the rabbit data, the statistical evidence for a genetic component at the level of the environmental variance is considerably weaker than that resulting from an analysis in the original metric. In the pig data, the statistical evidence is stronger, but the coefficient of correlation between additive genetic effects affecting mean and variance changes sign, compared to the results in the untransformed scale. The study confirms that inferences on variances can be strongly affected by the presence of asymmetry in the distribution of data. We recommend that to avoid one important source of spurious inferences, future work seeking support for a genetic component acting on environmental variation using a parametric approach based on normality assumptions confirms that these are met.
Nutritional deficiencies and later behavioural development
Authors: Grantham-McGregor S. M. , Walker S. P. , Chang S.
Published: February 2011

The literature on the long-term effects of nutritional deficiencies in early life is reviewed. The severity and duration of the deficiency, the stage of the children’s development, the biological condition of the children and the socio-cultural context may all modify the effect. There is substantial evidence that reduced breast-feeding, small-for-gestational-age birth weight, Fe and I deficiency, and protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) are associated with long-term deficits in cognition and school achievement. However, all these conditions are associated with poverty and poor health, which may account for the association. It is difficult to establish that the long-term relationship is causal, as it requires a randomized treatment trial with long-term follow-up. Such studies are only available for I deficiencyin uteroand early childhood PEM. Results from these studies indicate that I deficiency has a long-term effect and PEM probably has a long-term effect.
Factors affecting newborn bone mineral content:in uteroeffects on newborn bone mineralization
Authors: Namgung Ran , Tsang Reginald C.
Published: February 2011

Several factors have been found recently to have a significant impact on newborn bone mineral content (BMC) and developing fetal bone. Recently we showed that maternal vitamin D deficiency may affect fetal bone mineralization. Korean winter-born newborn infants had extremely low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), high serum cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP; a bone resorption marker), and markedly lower (8 %) total body BMC than summer-born newborn infants. Infant total body BMC was positively correlated with cord serum 25-OHD and inversely correlated with ICTP, which was also negatively correlated with vitamin D status. In three separate studies on North American neonates we found markedly lower (8–12 %) BMC in summer newborn infants compared with winter newborn infants, the opposite of the findings for Korean neonates. The major reason for the conflicting BMC results might be the markedly different maternal vitamin D status of the North American and Korean subjects. Recently, we found evidence of decreased bone formation rates in infants who were small-for-gestational age (SGA) compared with infants who were appropriate-for-gestational age; we reported reduced BMC, cord serum osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (the active metabolite of vitamin D), but no alterations in indices of fetal bone collagen metabolism. In theory, reduced utero-placental blood flow in SGA infants may result in reduced transplacental mineral supply and reduced fetal bone formation. Infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) have low BMC at birth, and infant BMC correlated inversely with poor control of diabetes in the mother, specifically first trimester maternal mean capillary blood glucose concentration, implying that factors early in pregnancy might have an effect on fetal BMC. The low BMC in IDM may be related to the decreased transplacental mineral transfer. Cord serum ICTP concentrations were higher in IDM than in control subjects, implying increased intrauterine bone resorption. BMC is consistently increased with increasing body weight and length in infants. Race and gender differences in BMC appear in early life, but not at birth. Ethanol consumption and smoking by the mother during pregnancy affect fetal skeletal development.
The role of retinoic acid in embryonic and post-embryonic development
Authors: Maden Malcolm
Published: February 2011

Retinoic acid (RA) is the bioactive metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) which acts on cells to establish or change the pattern of gene activity. Retinol is converted to RA by the action of two types of enzyme, retinol dehydrogenases and retinal dehydrogenases. In the nucleus RA acts as a ligand to activate two families of transcription factors, the RA receptors (RAR) and the retinoid X receptors (RXR) which heterodimerize and bind to the upstream sequences of RA-responsive genes. Thus, in addition to the well-established experimental paradigm of depriving animals of vitamin A to determine the role of RA in embryonic and post-embryonic development, molecular biology has provided us with two additional methodologies: knockout the enzymes or the RAR and RXR in the mouse embryo. The distribution of the enzymes and receptors, and recent experiments to determine the endogenous distribution of RA in the embryo are described here, as well as the effects on the embryo of knocking out the enzymes and receptors. In addition, recent studies using the classical vitamin A-deprivation technique are described, as they have provided novel insights into the regions of the embryo which crucially require RA, and the gene pathways involved in their development. Finally, the post-embryonic or regenerating systems in which RA plays a part are described, i.e. the regenerating limb, lung regeneration, hair cell regeneration in the ear and spinal cord regeneration in the adult.