bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous transformation of murine epithelial cells requires the early acquisition of specific chromosomal aneuploidies and genomic imbalances
Authors: Padilla‐Nash Hesed M. , Hathcock Karen , McNeil Nicole E. , Mack David , Hoeppner Daniel , Ravin Rea , Knutsen Turid , Yonescu Raluca , Wangsa Danny , Dorritie Kathleen , Barenboim Linda , Hu Yue , Ried Thomas
Published: December 2011

Human carcinomas are defined by recurrent chromosomal aneuploidies, which result in a tissue‐specific distribution of genomic imbalances. In order to develop models for these genome mutations and to determine their role in tumorigenesis, we generated 45 spontaneously transformed murine cell lines from normal epithelial cells derived from bladder, cervix, colon, kidney, lung, and mammary gland. Phenotypic changes, chromosomal aberrations, centrosome number, and telomerase activity were assayed in control uncultured cells and in three subsequent stages of transformation. Supernumerary centrosomes, binucleate cells, and tetraploidy were observed as early as 48 hr after explantation. In addition, telomerase activity increased throughout progression. Live‐cell imaging revealed that failure of cytokinesis, not cell fusion, promoted genome duplication. Spectral karyotyping demonstrated that aneuploidy preceded immortalization, consisting predominantly of whole chromosome losses (4, 9, 12, 13, 16, andY) and gains (1, 10, 15, and 19). After transformation, focal amplifications of the oncogenesMycandMdm2were frequently detected. Fifty percent of the transformed lines resulted in tumors on injection into immunocompromised mice. The phenotypic and genomic alterations observed in spontaneously transformed murine epithelial cells recapitulated the aberration pattern observed during human carcinogenesis. The dominant aberration of these cell lines was the presence of specific chromosomal aneuploidies. We propose that our newly derived cancer models will be useful tools to dissect the sequential steps of genome mutations during malignant transformation, and also to identify cancer‐specific genes, signaling pathways, and the role of chromosomal instability in this process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
WNT5A is induced by inflammatory mediators in bone marrow stromal cells and regulates cytokine and chemokine production
Authors: Rauner Martina , Stein Nicola , Winzer Maria , Goettsch Claudia , Zwerina Jochen , Schett Georg , Distler Jörg HW , Albers Joachim , Schulze Jochen , Schinke Thorsten , Bornhäuser Martin , Platzbecker Uwe , Hofbauer Lorenz C
Published: December 2011

WNT5A has recently been implicated in inflammatory processes, but its role as a bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC)–derived mediator of joint inflammation in arthritis is unclear. Here, we investigated whether inflammatory stimuli induce WNT5A in BMSC to control inflammatory responses. WNT5A levels were determined in human BMSC after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α,) and in synovial cells and tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and human TNF-α transgenic (hTNFtg) mice. A microarray analysis of WNT5A-treated murine osteoblasts was performed using Affymetrix gene chips. The regulation of cytokine/chemokine expression was confirmed by qPCR, ELISA, and Luminex technology in BMSC after stimulation with WNT5A or WNT5A knockdown. Relevant signaling pathways were identified using specific inhibitors. Migration of MACS-purified T lymphocytes and monocytes was assessed using the FluoroBlok system. WNT5A expression was increased threefold in BMSC after stimulation with LPS or TNF-α. Synovial fibroblasts from patients with RA showed a twofold increase of WNT5A expression compared with control cells, and its expression was highly induced in the synovial tissue of patients with RA and hTNFtg mice. Microarray analysis of WNT5A-treated osteoblasts identified cytokines and chemokines as targets. The induction of IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL1, and CXCL5 by WNT5A was confirmed in BMSC and depended on the activation of the NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein (MAPK), and Akt pathways. Accordingly, knockdown of WNT5A markedly reduced the basal and LPS-induced cytokine/chemokine production. Finally, migration of monocytes and T cells toward the supernatant of WNT5A-treated BMSC was increased by 25% and 20%, respectively. This study underlines the critical role of BMSC-derived WNT5A in the regulation of inflammatory processes and suggests its participation in the pathogenesis of RA. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on nonvertebral fracture risk in rheumatoid arthritis: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Kim Seo Young , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Liu Jun , Solomon Daniel H
Published: December 2011

Several prior investigations demonstrate an improvement in bone mineral density associated with use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). We compared the risk of osteoporotic fractures among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initiating a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). A population-based cohort study was conducted using health care utilization data (1996–2008) from a Canadian province and a U.S. commercial insurance plan. Patients with at least two RA diagnoses were identified, and follow-up began with the first prescription for a DMARD. Drug regimens were categorized into three mutually exclusive hierarchical groups: (1) TNFi with or without nonbiologic DMARDs (nbDMARD), (2) methotrexate (MTX) without a TNFi, or (3) other nbDMARD without a TNFi or MTX. Main outcomes were hospitalizations for fractures of the hip, wrist, humerus, or pelvis based on diagnoses and procedure codes. The study cohort consisted of 16,412 RA patients with 25,988 new treatment episodes: 5856 TNFi, 12,554 MTX, and 7578 other nbDMARD. The incidence rate per 1000 person-years for osteoporotic fracture were 5.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.50–7.45] for TNFi, 5.35 (95% CI 4.08–7.02) for MTX, and 6.38 (95% CI 3.78–10.77) for other nbDMARD. After multivariable adjustment for osteoporosis and fracture-related risk factors, the risk of nonvertebral osteoporotic fracture was not different in either TNFi [hazard ratio (HR) 1.07, 95% CI 0.57–1.98] or MTX (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.60–2.34) compared with nbDMARD. Among subjects diagnosed with RA, the adjusted risk of nonvertebral fracture was similar across persons starting a TNFi, MTX, or other nbDMARD. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Parathyroid hormone treatment improves the cortical bone microstructure by improving the distribution of type I collagen in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
Authors: Ascenzi Maria-Grazia , Liao Vivian P , Lee Brittany M , Billi Fabrizio , Zhou Hua , Lindsay Robert , Cosman Felicia , Nieves Jeri , Bilezikian John P , Dempster David W
Published: December 2011

Although an important index, the level of bone mineral density (BMD) does not completely describe fracture risk. Another bone structural parameter, the orientation of type I collagen, is known to add to risk determination, independently of BMD, ex vivo. We investigated the Haversian system of transiliac crest biopsies from postmenopausal women before and after treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH). We used the birefringent signal of circularly polarized light and its underlying collagen arrangements by confocal and electron microscopy, in conjunction with the degree of calcification by high-resolution micro-X-ray. We found that PTH treatment increased the Haversian system area by 11.92 ± 5.82 mm2 to 12.76 ± 4.50 mm2 (p = 0.04); decreased bright birefringence from 0.45 ± 0.02 to 0.40 ± 0.01 (scale zero to one, p = 0.0005); increased the average percent area of osteons with alternating birefringence from 48.15% ± 10.27% to 66.33% ± 7.73% (p = 0.034); and nonsignificantly decreased the average percent area of semihomogeneous birefringent osteons (8.36% ± 10.63% versus 5.41% ± 9.13%, p = 0.40) and of birefringent bright osteons (4.14% ± 8.90% versus 2.08% ± 3.36%, p = 0.10). Further, lamellar thickness significantly increased from 3.78 ± 0.11 µm to 4.47 ± 0.14 µm (p = 0.0002) for bright lamellae, and from 3.32 ± 0.12 µm to 3.70 ± 0.12 µm (p = 0.045) for extinct lamellae. This increased lamellar thickness altered the distribution of birefringence and therefore the distribution of collagen orientation in the tissue. With PTH treatment, a higher percent area of osteons at the initial degree of calcification was observed, relative to the intermediate-low degree of calcification (57.16% ± 3.08% versus 32.90% ± 3.69%, p = 0.04), with percentage of alternating osteons at initial stages of calcification increasing from 19.75 ± 1.22 to 80.13 ± 6.47, p = 0.001. In conclusion, PTH treatment increases heterogeneity of collagen orientation, a starting point from which to study the reduction in fracture risk when PTH is used to treat osteoporosis. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Synthesis of [D4]‐ and [D7]‐4β‐hydroxycholesterols for use in a novel drug–drug interaction assay
Authors: Turley Wesley A. , Burrell Richard C. , Bonacorsi Samuel J. , Goodenough Angela K. , Onorato Joelle M.
Published: December 2011

Cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) enzymes are involved in the metabolism of over half of today's prescription drugs. As a result, drugs metabolized by CYP3A have a risk of drug–drug interactions (DDIs). Recent studies have shown the potential to use 4β‐hydroxycholesterol as an endogenous biomarker of CYP3A activity and predictor of potential DDIs. Bristol–Myers Squibb has developed a liquid chromatography‐electron ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry method that accurately measures 4β‐hydroxycholesterol levels in clinical plasma samples following treatment with a CYP3A inducer or inhibitor. Stable isotope labeled (SIL) [D4]‐ and [D7]‐4β‐hydroxycholesterols were synthesized to assist in the development of this new quantification method. The SIL analogs were prepared from the appropriate [D4]‐ or [D7]‐cholesterol starting material in two steps. The labeled cholesterols were oxidized with bromine and silver acetate in pyridine to give an acetate protected hydroxy group at C4. Hydrolysis of the acetate protecting group provided [D4]‐ and [D7]‐4β‐hydroxycholesterols in 15%–28% overall yield. 4α‐Hydroxycholesterol was also required during method development and was prepared in four steps from cholesteryl benzoate in 1% overall yield.
Site‐specific 2H‐labeled oleic acid and derived esters for use as tracers of ethyl oleate metabolism in honey bees
Authors: Chen Hao , Plettner Erika
Published: December 2011

The inventory of labeled fatty acids and protocols for their syntheses are constantly increasing, but site‐specific labeled precursors in biosynthetic studies are still needed. Ethyl oleate (EO) is an important primer pheromone in honeybees, which is responsible for the regulation of behavioral maturation. During our biosynthetic studies on EO, a site‐specific labeled oleic acid precursor was required. In this report, a synthetic route adaptable to the preparation of [9,10,11,11‐D4] oleic acid and its derived esters for use as tracers of EO metabolism in honey bees is presented.
Graphene‐coated fiber for solid‐phase microextraction of triazine herbicides in water samples
Authors: Wu Qiuhua , Feng Cheng , Zhao Guangying , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: December 2011

Graphene is a novel and interesting carbon material that could be used for the separation and purification of some chemical compounds. In this investigation, graphene was used as a novel fiber‐coating material for the solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) of four triazine herbicides (atrazine, prometon, ametryn and prometryn) in water samples. The main parameters that affect the extraction and desorption efficiencies, such as the extraction time, stirring rate, salt addition, desorption solvent and desorption time, were investigated and optimized. The optimized SPME by graphene‐coated fiber coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) was successfully applied for the determination of the four triazine herbicides in water samples. The linearity of the method was in the range from 0.5 to 200 ng/mL, with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9998. The limits of detection of the method were 0.05‐0.2 ng/mL. The relative standard deviations varied from 3.5 to 4.9% (n=5). The recoveries of the triazine herbicides from water samples at spiking levels of 20.0 and 50.0  ng/mL were in the range between 86.0 and 94.6%. Compared with two commercial fibers (CW/TPR, 50 μm; PDMS/DVB, 60 μm), the graphene‐coated fiber showed higher extraction efficiency.
Habitat selection by grassland snakes at northern range limits: Implications for conservation
Authors: Martino Jessica A. , Poulin Ray G. , Parker Dennilyn L. , Somers Christopher M.
Published: December 2011

Animal populations at northern range limits may use habitat differently from those at range cores, requiring distinct conservation plans. Snakes are ectotherms that often have very specific requirements, but few studies have focused on the effect of northern latitudes on habitat selection by grassland snakes. We studied movement and habitat selection of 2 sympatric snake species at their northern range limits on the North American Great Plains: the eastern yellow‐bellied racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, hereafter racer), a Threatened species in Canada, and the bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi), which is listed as Data Deficient. Both of these species are potentially vulnerable to extinction in Canada because of habitat loss. Snakes from our study populations traveled up to 10‐times farther from winter dens and occupied home ranges 3–104 times larger than populations further south. Both snake species moved from winter dens in the slopes of a major river valley to habitat in adjacent lowlands, including riparian zones (racers) and hilly areas with native grass species (bullsnakes). Multivariate modeling revealed that proximity to retreat sites was a significant predictor of snake site use for both species. Considering the need for winter dens and summering areas, our data suggest that snakes in northern latitudes should ideally have much larger protected areas compared to snakes near the core of their range. An alternative strategy is to conserve corridors linking wintering dens and summer habitats. Retreat sites such as burrows and shrubs are critical components of local habitat and should be included in conservation plans. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Unique in utero identification of fetuses in multifetal mouse pregnancies by placental bidirectional arterial spin labeling MRI
Authors: Avni Reut , Raz Tal , Biton Inbal E. , Kalchenko Vyacheslav , Garbow Joel R. , Neeman Michal
Published: December 2011

Noninvasive imaging is a critical part of the study of developing embryos/fetuses, particularly in the context of alterations of gene expression in genetically modified animals. However, in litter‐bearing animals, such as mice, the inability to accurately identify individual embryo/fetus in utero is a major obstacle to longitudinal, noninvasive in vivo studies. Arterial spin labeling MRI was adopted here to determine the fetal order along the uterine horns in vivo, based on the specific pattern of dual arterial blood supply within the mouse uterine horns. Blood enters the mouse uterus cranially through the ovarian artery and caudally through the uterine artery. Saturation slices were alternately placed on the maternal heart or on the bifurcation point of the common iliac artery, thereby saturating either downward inflow via the ovarian arteries or upward inflow via the uterine arteries, respectively. Saturation maps provided a unique signature with highly significant correlation between the direction‐dependent magnetization transfer and the position of the fetuses/placentas along the uterine horns. The bidirectional arterial spin labeling‐MRI method reported here opens possibilities to determine and pursue phenotypic alterations in fetuses and placentas in longitudinal studies of transgenic and knockout mice models, and for studying defects in placental vascular architecture. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐angle ratiometric approach to measure chemical exchange in amide proton transfer imaging
Authors: Zu Zhongliang , Janve Vaibhav A. , Li Ke , Does Mark D. , Gore John C. , Gochberg Daniel F.
Published: December 2011

Amide proton transfer imaging, a specific form of chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging, has previously been applied to studies of acute ischemic acidosis, stroke, and cancer. However, interpreting the resulting contrast is complicated by its dependence on the exchange rate between amides and water, the amide concentration, amide and water relaxation, and macromolecular magnetization transfer. Hence, conventional chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast is not specific to changes such as reductions in pH due to tissue acidosis. In this article, a multi‐angle ratiometric approach based on several pulsed‐chemical exchange saturation transfer scans at different irradiation flip angles is proposed to specifically reflect exchange rates only. This separation of exchange effects in pulsed‐chemical exchange saturation transfer experiments is based on isolating rotation vs. saturation contributions, and such methods form a new subclass of chemical exchange rotation transfer (CERT) experiments. Simulations and measurements of creatine/agar phantoms indicate that a newly proposed imaging metric isolates the effects of exchange rate changes, independent of other sample parameters. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Four‐dimensional flow MRI using spiral acquisition
Authors: Sigfridsson Andreas , Petersson Sven , Carlhäll Carl‐Johan , Ebbers Tino
Published: December 2011

Time‐resolved three‐dimensional phase‐contrast MRI is an important tool for physiological as well as clinical studies of blood flow in the heart and vessels. The application of the technique is, however, limited by the long scan times required. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using spiral readouts to reduce the scan time of four‐dimensional flow MRI without sacrificing quality. Three spiral approaches are presented and evaluated in vivo and in vitro against a conventional Cartesian acquisition. In vivo, the performance of each method was assessed in the thoracic aorta in 10 volunteers using pathline‐based analysis and cardiac output analysis. Signal‐to‐noise ratio and background phase errors were investigated in vitro. Using spiral readouts, the scan times of a four‐dimensional flow acquisition of the thoracic aorta could be reduced 2–3‐fold, with no statistically significant difference in pathline validity or cardiac output. The shortened scan time improves the applicability of four‐dimensional flow MRI, which may allow the technique to become a part of a clinical workflow for cardiovascular functional imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Should actinic keratosis be seen as an early form of skin cancer?
Authors: Morton Colin
Published: December 2011

The traditional approach to the management of actinic keratoses is to consider them to be lesions with a slow rate of progression to squamous cell carcinoma. Guidelines now recommend, however, that most should be viewed as an early form of skin cancer. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
Direct detection of isoprene photooxidation products by using synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Pan Gang , Hu Changjin , Wang Zhenya , Cheng Yue , Zheng Xiaohong , Gu Xuejun , Zhao Weixiong , Zhang Weijun , Chen Jun , Liu Fuyi , Shan Xiaobin , Sheng Liusi
Published: December 2011

We report the combination of a vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometer, operating on the basis of synchrotron radiation, with an environmental reaction smog chamber for the first time. The gas‐ and pseudo‐particle‐phase products of OH‐initiated isoprene photooxidation reactions were measured on‐line and off‐line, respectively, by mass spectrometry. It was observed that aldehydes, methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone, methelglyoxal, formic acid, and similar compounds are the predominant gas‐phase photooxidation products, whereas some multifunctional carbonyls and acids mainly exist in the particle phase. This finding is reasonably consistent with results of studies conducted in other laboratories using different methods. The results indicate that synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry coupled with a smog chamber is a potentially powerful tool for the study of the mechanism of atmospheric oxidations and the formation of secondary organic aerosols. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Practical recommendations for the reduction of memory effects in compound‐specific 15N/14N‐ratio analysis of enriched amino acids by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Petzke Klaus J. , Metges Cornelia C.
Published: December 2011

Gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC‐C‐IRMS) is a highly sensitive approach which allows the analysis of the 13C/12C and 15N/14N isotope composition of amino acids in the range of natural abundance or in slightly 13C‐ and 15N‐enriched samples. However, the accuracy of measurements remains a permanent challenge. Here we show the effect of the presence of slightly 15N‐enriched compounds in physiological samples on the accuracy and reproducibility of 15N‐abundances of amino acids within or between analytical runs. We spiked several individual amino acids with the respective 15N‐labelled isotopomer and measured the 15N/14N ratios of other amino acids in the same sample or in the following analytical runs. Intra‐ and inter‐run memory effects can be observed in 15N/14N ratios of amino acids. Sample throughput is reduced when cleaning runs using standard mixtures are required to restore initial conditions after runs of samples with 15N‐enriched analytes. Possible reasons for the observed phenomenon and its implications for work in the lower 15N‐enrichment range (<0.5 APE) are discussed and include different aspects of gas chromatography, derivatisation, and hot catalytic metal surface effects. Results need to be interpreted with caution if complex physiological samples contain 15N‐enriched amino acids beyond 500‰ δ15N (~0.18 APE). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Knowledge Networks to Develop Preschoolers’ Content Vocabulary
Authors: Pollard‐Durodola Sharolyn D. , Gonzalez Jorge E. , Simmons Deborah C. , Davis Matthew J. , Simmons Leslie , Nava‐Walichowski Miranda
Published: December 2011

Research shows that children accrue vocabulary knowledge by understanding relationships between new words and their connected concepts. This article describes three research‐based principles that preschool teachers can use to design shared book reading lessons that accelerate content vocabulary knowledge by helping young children to talk about important connections between words and related science and social studies concepts. These three principles guide teachers in building networks of content vocabulary knowledge in preschool children by making connections between words and world knowledge via informational and narrative texts.
Elektrospray‐Ionisation (ESI)
Authors: Altmann Korinna , Schulze Rolf‐Dieter , Hidde Gundula , Friedrich Jörg
Published: December 2011

Die Elektrospray‐Ionisations (ESI)‐Vernebelung von Polymerlösungen wird analytisch zur massenspektrometrischen Bestimmung der Molmassen von Makromolekülen genutzt. Dabei werden die Polymermoleküle nach einem speziellen Mechanismus im Hochspannungsfeld unter Normaldruckbedingungen vereinzelt und in das Massenspektrometer überführt. Dieser Prozeß kann auch zur flächigen Abscheidung einzelner Polymermoleküle genutzt werden. Die Struktur und Zusammensetzung sowie die Molmassenverteilung der Polymere bleiben dabei erhalten. Schichten polarer oder ionischer Polymere der Dicke einer Quasi‐Monolage bis hin zu mehreren 100 Nanometern können abgeschieden werden. Erwähnenswert ist, daß der ESI‐Prozeß zu den elektrophoretischen Verfahren gehört, was die Ausbildung lochfreier Schichten auf elektrisch leitenden Substraten nicht nur auf der der Spraydüse zugewandten Seite ermöglicht, sondern auch auf der abgeschatteten Rückseite. Dieses Verhalten wurde zur vollständigen ESI‐Umhüllung von dichtgepackten Kohlenstoff‐Faser‐Bündeln mit haftvermittelnden Polymerschichten ausgenutzt.
Großflächige Plasmabeschichtungen: Niederdruck oder Atmosphärendruck?
Authors: Hegemann Dirk
Published: December 2011

Die Forschung auf dem Gebiet der Atmosphärenplasmen wird häufig mit dem Argument motiviert, dass diese im Vergleich mit Niederdruckplasmen die kostengünstigeren Prozesse erwarten lassen. Ein Kostenvergleich von plasmachemischen Prozessen, die auch an Atmosphäre möglich sind, ergeben jedoch ein anderes Bild: Hohe Gasflüsse, die bei Atmosphärenplasmen notwendig sind, erweisen sich als kostenintensiver als Vakuumtechnologie für großflächige Plasmabeschichtungen.
Explanation of two non-blocking shared-variable communication algorithms
Authors: Bornat Richard , Amjad Hasan
Published: December 2011

Simpson and Harris have described multi-slot algorithms implementing a single-place buffer, each operating without explicit hardware synchronisation mechanisms. Conventional refinement and proof techniques have explained
that
these algorithms work, but do not give convincing descriptions of
how
they work. An unconventional refinement process starting from the classic single-variable buffer, using both data and atomicity refinement and drawing information from unsuccessful steps, derives each algorithm. The logic used is RGSep, a marriage of rely/guarantee and concurrent separation logic. Extensive detailed verifications are described. The result is an explanation of how the algorithms work and some pointers to how such algorithms might be devised.
Trainees' Clinical Exposure in the General Urological Outpatient Environment and its Relevance to Their Expected Clinic Throughput at Completion of Surgical Training
Authors: Vissamsetti Bharat , Pearce Ian , Payne Steve
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the number of patients seen in urological outpatient clinics by consultants and juniors in general urology clinics to determine whether trainees experience a workload they might expect in their future practice.

Materials and methods:

Data were acquired prospectively for two consultants' outpatient activity and the general urology component extracted. Collection of new and follow-up patients attendances, and who saw them, was recorded in addition to the booked patient load. Data were analysed to show clinical throughput by consultants and junior doctors in formalized training or in trust-grade posts.

Results:

7645, 2465 new and 5180 follow-up, patients attended 467 general urology clinics. 54.9% of new, and 65% of follow up patients were seen by the consultants when they and junior were present. There was no apparent difference in the numbers of patients seen by trainees and trust doctors irrespective of their experience.

Conclusion:

In a general urology setting juniors' exposure to the available outpatient workload seems to be appropriate for what they might expect to encounter at the completion of training. Further research is required to determine the quality, and emphasis, in training necessary to optimize efficient patient management in this environment.
Continental recycling and true continental growth
Authors: Komiya Tsuyoshi
Published: December 2011

Continental crust is very important for evolution of life because most bioessential elements are supplied from continent to ocean. In addition, the distribution of continent affects climate because continents have much higher albedo than ocean, equivalent to cloud. Conventional views suggest that continental crust is gradually growing through the geologic time and that most continental crust was formed in the Phanerozoic and late Proterozoic. However, the thermal evolution of the Earth implies that much amounts of continental crust should be formed in the early Earth. This is “Continental crust paradox”.

Continental crust comprises granitoid, accretionary complex, and sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The latter three components originate from erosion of continental crust because the accretionary and metamorphic complexes mainly consist of clastic materials. Granitoid has two components: a juvenile component through slab-melting and a recycling component by remelting of continental materials. Namely, only the juvenile component contributes to net continental growth. The remains originate from recycling of continental crust. Continental recycling has three components: intracrustal recycling, crustal reworking, and crust–mantle recycling, respectively. The estimate of continental growth is highly varied. Thermal history implied the rapid growth in the early Earth, whereas the present distribution of continental crust suggests the slow growth. The former regards continental recycling as important whereas the latter regarded as insignificant, suggesting that the variation of estimate for the continental growth is due to involvement of continental recycling.

We estimated erosion rate of continental crust and calculated secular changes of continental formation and destruction to fit four conditions: present distribution of continental crust (no continental recycling), geochronology of zircons (intracontinental recycling), Hf isotope ratios of zircons (crustal reworking) and secular change of mantle temperature. The calculation suggests some important insights. (1) The distribution of continental crust around at 2.7 Ga is equivalent to the modern amounts. (2) Especially, the distribution of continental crust from 2.7 to 1.6 Ga was much larger than at present, and the sizes of the total continental crust around 2.4, 1.7, and 0.8 Ga became maximum. The distribution of continental crust has been decreasing since then. More amounts of continental crust were formed at higher mantle temperatures at 2.7, 1.9, and 0.9 Ga, and more amounts were destructed after then. As a result, the mantle overturns led to both the abrupt continental formation and destruction, and extinguished older continental crust. The timing of large distribution of continental crust apparently corresponds to the timing of icehouse periods in Precambrian.
Tectonics and geodynamics of the western Central Asian Fold Belt (Kazakhstan Paleozoides)
Authors: Korobkin V.V. , Buslov M.M.
Published: December 2011

On the basis of stratigraphical and geological data, paleogeographical and palinspastic reconstructions of the Kazakhstan Paleozoides were done; their multistage geodynamic evolution was considered; their tectonic zoning was proposed. The main stages are described: the initiation of the Cambrian and Ordovician island arcs; the development of the Kazakhstan accretionary–collisional composite continent in the Late Ordovician as a result of continental subduction and the amalgamation of Gondwana blocks with the island arcs (a long granitoid collisional belt also formed in this period); the development of the Devonian and Carboniferous–Permian active margins of the composite continent and its tectonic destruction in the Late Paleozoic.

In the Late Ordovician, compensated terrigenous and volcanosedimentary complexes formed within Kazakhstania and developed in the Silurian. The Sakmarian, Tagil, Eastern Urals, and Stepnyak volcanic arcs formed at the boundaries with the Ural, Turkestan, and Junggar–Balkhash Oceans. In the late Silurian, Kazakhstania collided with the island arcs of the Turkestan and Ob’–Zaisan Oceans, with the formation of molasse and granite belts in the northern Tien Shan and Chingiz. This was followed by the development of the Devonian and Carboniferous–Permian active margins of the composite continent and the inland formation of the Early Devonian rift-related volcanosedimentary rocks, Middle–Late Devonian volcanic molasse, Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous rift-related volcanosedimentary rocks, terrigenous–carbonate shelf sediments, and carbonaceous lake–bog sediments, and the Middle–Late Carboniferous clastic rocks of closed basins. In the Permian, plume magmatism took place on the southern margin of the Kazakhstan composite continent. It was simultaneous with the formation of red-colored molasse and the tectonic destruction of the Kazakhstan Paleozoides as a result of a collision between the East European and Kazakhstan–Baikal continents.
Geological framework and Paleozoic tectonic history of the Chinese Altai, NW China: a review
Authors: Cai Keda , Sun Min , Yuan Chao , Long Xiaoping , Xiao Wenjiao
Published: December 2011

The Chinese Altai, as a key portion of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is dominated by variably deformed and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks and granitic intrusions. Its Early Paleozoic tectonic setting has been variously considered as a passive continental margin, a subduction-accretion complex, or a Precambrian microcontinent, and two representative competing tectonic models have been proposed, i.e., open-closure versus subduction-accretion. Recent studies demonstrate that the high-grade metamorphic rocks previously considered as fragments of a Precambrian basement have zircon U-Pb ages (predominantly 528 to 466 Ma) similar to those of the widely distributed low-grade metasedimentary rocks named as Habahe Group in the region, and all these meta-sedimentary rocks were dominantly deposited in the Early Paleozoic. Petrological evidence and geochemical compositions further suggest that these meta-sedimentary rocks were probably deposited in an active margin, not a passive continental margin as previously proposed. The detrital zircons of sediments and igneous zircons from granitoids including the inherited ones (mainly 543–421 Ma) mostly give positive ɛHf(t) values, suggesting significant contributions from mantle-derived juvenile materials to the lower crust. A modeling calculation based on zircon Hf isotopic compositions suggests that as much as 84% of the Chinese Altai is possibly made up of “juvenile” Paleozoic materials. Thus, available data do not support the existence of a Precambrian basement, but rather indicate that the Chinese Altai represented a huge subduction-accretion complex in the Paleozoic. Zircon U-Pb dating results for granitoids indicate that magmatism was active continuously from the Early to Middle Paleozoic, and the strongest magmatic activity took place in the Devonian, coeval with a significant change in zircon Hf isotopic composition. These findings, together with the occurrence of chemically distinctive igneous rocks and the high-T metamorphism, can be collectively accounted for by ridge-trench interaction during the accretionary orogenic process.
ON THE ALGEBRAIC CONVERGENCE OF FINITELY GENERATED KLEINIAN GROUPS IN ALL DIMENSIONS
Authors: FU XI
Published: December 2011

Let {Gr,i} be a sequence of r-generator Kleinian groups acting on ${\overline {\mathbb {R}}}^n$. In this paper, we prove that if {Gr,i} satisfies the F-condition, then its algebraic limit group Gr is also a Kleinian group. The existence of a homomorphism from Gr to Gr,i is also proved. These are generalisations of all known corresponding results.
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MOBILITY AND GEOGRAPHICAL MIGRATION ON VARIATION IN MALE HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND BODY MASS INDEX IN A BRITISH COHORT
Authors: KRZYŻANOWSKA MONIKA , MASCIE-TAYLOR C. G. NICHOLAS
Published: December 2011

Using a sample of 2090 British father and son pairs the relationships between social and geographical intra- and inter-generational mobility were examined in relation to height, weight and body mass index (BMI). There was much more social mobility than geographical (regional) migration. Social mobility and geographical migration were not independent: socially non-mobile fathers and sons were more likely to be geographical non-migrants, and upwardly socially mobile fathers and sons were more likely to be regional migrants. Upwardly socially mobile fathers and sons were, on average, taller and had a lower BMI than non-mobile and downwardly mobile fathers and sons. In general, no significant associations were found between geographical migration and height or weight. Migrating fathers had a lower BMI than sedentes, as did their sons who migrated between 1965 and 1991. There was no significant interaction that indicated that social mobility and geographical migration were acting in a simple additive way on height, weight and BMI.
Epiphytic biomass of a tropical montane forest varies with topography
Authors: Werner F. A. , Homeier J. , Oesker M. , Boy J.
Published: December 2011

The spatial heterogeneity of tropical forest epiphytes has rarely been quantified in terms of biomass. In particular, the effect of topographic variation on epiphyte biomass is poorly known, although forests on ridges and ravines can differ drastically in stature and exposure. In an Ecuadorian lower montane forest we quantified epiphytic biomass along two gradients: (1) the twig–branch–trunk trajectory, and (2) the ridge–ravine gradient. Twenty-one trees were sampled in each of three forest types (ridge, slope, ravine positions). Their epiphytic biomass was extrapolated to stand level based on basal area–epiphyte load relationships, with tree basal areas taken from six plots of 400 m2 each per forest type. Our results document the successional addition and partial replacement of lichens by bryophytes, angiosperms and finally dead organic matter along the twig–branch–trunk trajectory. Despite having the highest tree basal area, total epiphytic biomass (mean ± SD) of ravine forest was significantly lower (2.6 ± 0.7 Mg ha−1) than in mid-slope forest (6.3 ± 1.1 Mg ha−1) and ridge forest (4.4 ± 1.6 Mg ha−1), whereas maximum bryophyte water storage capacity was significantly higher. We attribute this pattern to differences in forest dynamics, stand structure and microclimate. Although our study could not differentiate between direct effects of slope position (nutrient availability, mesoclimate) and indirect effects (stand structure and dynamics), it provides evidence that fine-scale topography needs to be taken into account when extrapolating epiphytic biomass and related matter fluxes from stand-level data to the regional scale.
Suspected transmission of norovirus in eight long-term care facilities attributed to staff working at multiple institutions
Authors: NGUYEN L. M. , MIDDAUGH J. P.
Published: December 2011

This study reports on gastroenteritis outbreaks suspected of being norovirus infections in eight long-term care facilities. A descriptive epidemiological investigation was used to depict sources of infections and control measures. Outbreaks affected 299 (31%) of 954 residents and 95 (11%) of 843 staff. Attack rates were higher in residents (range 17–55%) than staff (range 3–35%). Person-to-person spread was suspected. The case-hospitalization rate was 2·5%, and no death occurred. Eight staff members were employed at multiple affected facilities and may have introduced disease into three facilities. Thirty-two stool specimens were positive for norovirus by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction or enzyme immunoassay. Sequenced specimens were closely related to GII.4 New Orleans. A concurrentClostridium difficileoutbreak was also detected at one facility. Staff members who work at multiple facilities may transmit norovirus between them. Regulatory agencies should consider precluding ill staff from working in multiple facilities during outbreaks. Guidelines to control norovirus must be applied promptly and meticulously by facilities.
Philosophy, Science and Myth in Marxism
Authors: Gray John N.
Published: December 2011

‘Feuerbach resolves the religious essence into the human essence. But
the human essence is no abstraction inherent in each single individual. In
its reality it is the ensemble of social relations.’

It is a common belief, shared both by Marxists and by critics of
Marxism, that differences in the interpretation of this statement have
important implications for the assessment of Marx's system of ideas. How we
read it will affect our view of the unity of Marx's thought and of the
continuity of its development over his lifetime, and it will bear crucially
on our appraisal of the epistemological status—metaphysical, scientific or
mythopoeic—of the various elements of the Marxian system. Among Marxists,
members of the Frankfurt School have emphasized the paternity of Marxian
metaphysical humanism in Hegel's conception of man as a self-creating being,
while Althusser and his disciples have seen in the extrusion from Marx's
later work of any such ‘anthropomorphic’ notion a guarantee of the
scientific character of his historical materialism. Among Marx's liberal
critics, it is widely agreed that he espoused an essentialist view of man
and, often enough, it is thought that this alone is sufficient to disqualify
his system from scientific status. No consensus exists, however, as to the
cognitive standing of the several components of Marx's thought. That
agreement should be lacking as to the place in it of a conception of human
nature is hardly surprising. Different construals of the role of a view of
man will reflect divergent commitments, not only in the philosophy and
methodology of social and historical inquiry, but in moral and political
thought as well.
DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS AND THE “RUSSIAN CASE”: THE IMPACT OF RUSSIA’S REALITIES AND THINKERS IN THE MID-TWENTIETH-CENTURY DEBATE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Authors: ADAMOVSKY EZEQUIEL
Published: December 2011

The aim of this article is to explore whether there is a relevant impact of the Russian case and of Russian economic thought on the twentieth-century Western debate on economic development. It is argued that things Russian continued to have an impact on this notion, similar to the one we have found for the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Russia’s historical experience provided an important standpoint from which to think and rethink the meaning of economic development. As in the previous centuries, Russia’s paradoxical presence—between Europe and Asia, backward but also modern, an “apprentice” who now claimed the position of a teacher—helped to spark new thinking. The resistance of some of her intellectuals and policy makers to accept the certainties of the mainstream of the economic science contributed to raise doubts regarding the validity of Western conceptual frameworks.
Determinants of vitamin D status in young children: results from the Belgian arm of the IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) Study
Authors: Sioen Isabelle , Mouratidou Theodora , Kaufman Jean-Marc , Bammann Karin , Michels Nathalie , Pigeot Iris , Vanaelst Barbara , Vyncke Krishna , De Henauw Stefaan
Published: December 2011

Objective

To describe the vitamin D status of Belgian children and examine the influence of non-nutritional determinants, in particular of anthropometric variables.

Design

Cross-sectional data of Belgian participants of the EU 6th Framework Programme IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) Study.

Setting

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured using RIA. Vitamin D status was categorized as deficient (<25 nmol/l), insufficient (25–50 nmol/l), sufficient (50–75 nmol/l) and optimal (≥75 nmol/l). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses.

Subjects

Children (n 357) aged 4–11 years.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D ranged from 13·6 to 123·5 nmol/l (mean 47·2 (sd 14·6) nmol/l); with 5 % deficient, 53 % insufficient, 40 % sufficient and 2 % optimal. No significant differences were found by age and gender. Significant differences in 25(OH)D were observed for month of sampling (P < 0·001), number of hours playing outside per week (r = 0·140), weight (r = −0·121), triceps (r = −0·112) and subscapular (r = −0·119) skinfold thickness, sum of two skinfold thicknesses (r = −0·125) and waist circumference (r = −0·108). Linear regression analysis of 25(OH)D adjusted for age, month of sampling and hours playing outside per week suggested that (i) weight, (ii) BMI Z-score, (iii) waist circumference and (iv) triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (as well as the sum of both) independently influenced 25(OH)D.

Conclusions

The majority of Belgian children had a suboptimal vitamin D status, with more than half having an insufficient status in winter and spring. Month of the year, weekly number of hours playing outside and body composition – both central and abdominal obesity – were identified as important determinants of vitamin D status in Belgian children.
OPTIMAL REES MATRIX CONSTRUCTIONS FOR ANALYSIS OF DATA
Authors: KELAREV A. V. , YEARWOOD J. L. , ZI LIFANG
Published: December 2011

We introduce a new construction involving Rees matrix semigroups and max-plus algebras that is very convenient for generating sets of centroids. We describe completely all optimal sets of centroids for all Rees matrix semigroups without any restrictions on the sandwich matrices.
With Change Comes Challenge: Law Firm Mergers
Authors: Beaumont Jon , Marshall Helen
Published: December 2011

In January 2011, Harvey Ingram and Borneos merged their businesses creating a full service law firm with over 400 staff and approximately 200 fee-earners. The new organisation is based in five sites over the Midlands and the Home Counties. In this article the Information Officer, Helen Marshall, and the Head of Knowledge Management, Jon Beaumont, examine the practical elements of such a merger from the point of view of the Knowledge and Information Team.
Net removal of major marine dissolved organic carbon fractions in the subsurface ocean
Authors: Hansell Dennis A. , Carlson Craig A. , Schlitzer Reiner
Published: December 2011

Marine dissolved organic matter is a massive reservoir of carbon holding >200x the ocean biomass inventory. Primarily produced at the ocean surface and then exported to depth with overturn of the water column, this carbon can be sequestered in the ocean interior for centuries. Understanding the loss of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) upon export has been data limited, but recent global ocean surveys are overcoming that problem. Here we characterize three fractions of exported carbon by apparent continuity in removal rates: semi‐labile and semi‐refractory, summing to 20 PgC, and the balance as refractory DOC. Distinct lifetimes coupled with ocean circulation control where the fractions are exported to depth, and thus the carbon sequestration time scales. Maximum remineralization rates of exported DOC occur in the convergent subtropical gyres, where a range of ∼500 to <1500 mmol C m−2 yr−1 can exceed remineralization of sinking biogenic particles. Regions of high particle export production and highly stratified systems exhibit minimal exported DOC remineralization.