bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians Managing Early HIV Infection
Authors:   HIV Guideline Panel U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Published: May 2007

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains highlights from the Clinical Practice Guideline on Evaluation and Management of Early HIV Infection, which was developed by a private‐sector panel of health care providers and consumers. Selected aspects of evaluating and managing patients, both adults and children, who are in the early stages of human immunodeficiency virus infection are presented. Topics covered include disclosure of HIV status, monitoring of CD4 lymphocyte counts, prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, initiation of antiretroviral therapy, treatment of syphilis, eye and oral care, performance of Papanicolaou smears. diagnosis of HIV infection in infants and children, preventive therapy for PCP and assessment of neurologic problems in HIV‐infected children, pregnancy counseling, and development of a comprehensive case management system. Algorithms are included that show the sequence of events related to evaluating and managing early HIV infection in adults and children, as well as drug dosing tables for antiretroviral. PCP, and M. tuberculosis therapies. This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains excerpts from the Clinical Practice Guideline, but users should not rely on these excerpts alone. Clinicians should refer to the complete Clinical Practice Guideline for more detailed analysis and discussion of the available research, critical evaluation of the assumptions and knowledge of the field, health care decision making, and references.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Its Use in the Management of Acute Menopausal Symptoms
Authors: Turner Carol , Fitzgerald Margaret
Published: May 2007

Editor's Note: Prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a woman at menopause is a clinical issue of some controversy. This article focuses on its short‐term use in the woman with bothersome menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and tachycardia. Later articles will focus on the pros and cons of long‐term HRT use for cardioprotection and osteoporosis prevention, as well as herbal and other therapies.
Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians
Authors:   Cancer Pain Guideline Panel
Published: May 2007

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains highlights from the Clinical Practice Guideline on Management of Cancer Pain, which was developed by a private‐sector panel of health care providers and consumers. Selected aspects of evaluating and managing pain in adults with cancer pain are presented. Topics covered include initial assessment, pharmacologic treatment, administration of medications, side effects of medications, adjuvant medications, cognitive‐behavioral interventions, and discussion of other more invasive palliative techniques, A flowchart is included that shows the sequence of events in evaluating and managing cancer pain, as well as drug dosing tables and forms to assist the clinician and patient to adequately describe and assess pain.

The Clinical Practice Guideline, a critical synthesis of research and knowledge in the field, is designed to help any clinician working with cancer patients in any setting. The Guideline presents a thorough discussion of ways to manage procedure‐induced pain and invasive modalities of pain control therapy, for use when simpler methods do not control pain. It also devotes considerable attention to pain control in special populations, including patients with concurrent medical and substance abuse problems, those with psychiatric problems related to pain and cancer, and members of minority and ethnic groups. Because pain problems in patients with HIV/AIDS are often assessed and treated using the same approaches as those used for cancer pain, HIV/AIDS pain is described as well. Practitioners should review the Clinical Practice Guideline carefully to become familiar with the various options for management of cancer pain and then use the Quick Reference Guide to help them remember the major points in managing cancer pain.
Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians
Authors:   Acute Low Back Problems Guideline Panel
Published: May 2007

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains highlights from Acute Low Back Problems in Adults, Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14, which was developed by a private‐sector panel of health care providers and consumers. The Quick Reference Guide is an example of how a clinician might implement the panel's findings and recommendations on the management of acute low back problems in working‐age adults. Topics covered include the initial assessment of patients presenting with acute low back problems, identification of red flags that may indicate the presence of a serious underlying medical condition, initial management, special studies and diagnostic considerations, and further management considerations. Instructions for clinical testing for sciatic tension, recommendations for sitting and unassisted lifting, tests for identification of clinical pathology, and algorithms for patient management are included. Decisions to adopt particular recommendations from either publication must be made by practitioners in light of available resources and circumstances presented by the individual patient.
Memory Strategies Used by Cognitively Intact and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
Authors: McDougall Graham J.
Published: May 2007

This study examined the influence of depression and health on the use of memory strategies of cognitively impaired (n= 55) and cognitively intact (n= 169) older adults. The intact group used memory strategies more often than the impaired group and were more likely to use external strategies such as diaries, notes, and lists, instead of internal strategies such as elaboration and rehearsal. The impaired group used the internal strategy effort more often. There was no difference in perception of memory capacity between groups. Depression had a negative influence on perceptions of capacity and change in both groups.
Almost Misdiagnosed: Utilization of Romhilt‐Estes Electrocardiographic Criteria for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Davault Georgia
Published: May 2007

The diagnosis of hypertension is based on explicit guidelines presented by the Joint National Committee on Hypertension, but the methodology one uses to obtain the necessary data is up to the individual practitioner. The following case study demonstrates the necessity for the use of the most accurate and precise equipment and criteria to ensure a correct diagnosis of hypertension.
Management of Upper and Lower Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnant Women
Authors: Hamilton Edith M.
Published: May 2007

Nurse practitioners often manage pregnant women for many health problems. Early recognition, treatment, or timely referral of any infectious process, especially urinary tract infections, is crucial to an optimal pregnancy outcome. Knowledge of urinary tract anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy and bacterial features necessary for infection to occur expands understanding the foundation of urinary tract infection prevention and treatment. This article discusses urinary tract infections, specifically focusing on clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment measures among pregnant women.
Getting Black Women to Screen for Cancer: Incorporating Health Beliefs Into Practice
Authors: Jennings Kathleen
Published: May 2007

Designing a culturally appropriate, user‐friendly cancer screening and educational program is a challenge for nurse practitioners, particularly when working with populations having poor health promotion behaviors. Health beliefs have been identified as being influential in health promotion behaviors, particularly among African American women, making the understanding of specific health beliefs regarding cancer important for the nurse practitioner providing care. This paper presents a strategic plan to increase health promotion behaviors regarding cancer prevention and early detection among African American women by incorporating their health beliefs into clinical practice.
Managing Acute and Chronic Urinary Incontinence
Authors:   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Published: May 2007

This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians contains highlights from the Clinical Practice Guideline Update on Urinary Incontinence in Adults: Acute and Chronic Management, which was developed by a multidisciplinary panel of health care providers and a consumer representative. Findings and recommendations are presented for identification and evaluation of urinary incontinence (Ul); use of behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical treatment as well as supportive devices; long‐term management of chronic intractable Ul; and education of health care providers and the public. An algorithm is included to show the sequence of events related to the overall management of Ul. Tables and forms are included to outline assessment and treatment options.
Nurse Practitioners' Reactions to Persons With HIV/AIDS: The Role of Patient Contact and Education
Authors: Dimick Laurie A. , Levinson Richard M. , Manteuffel Brigitte A. , Donnellan Madge
Published: May 2007

Attitudes about caring for patients with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) were investigated in a survey mailed to all nurse practitioners (NPs) in Georgia. There was a 53% response rate to the survey (286 of 539 questionnaires were returned). It was hypothesized that exposure to continuing education on HIV/AIDS and to HIV‐positive patients would be associated with more positive attitudes and less extreme behavioral changes associated with fear of transmission. Factor analytic procedures were used to generate three scales: resentment of PWAs (RESENT), anxiety or fear about contact with PWAs (FEELINGS), and changes in personal life related to fear of transmission after contact with PWAs (CHANGE). Descriptive findings indicated that a significant minority of NPs were worried about risk, harbored some resentment toward PWAs, and had changed their behavior out of concern about the possible transmission of HIV. Differences of means and stepwise regression analyses (with several potentially confounding variables controlled) found exposure to continuing education associated with less fear and anxiety, less resentment, and less behavioral change. Exposure to HIV‐positive patients was associated with less behaviora, change, as predicted, but not with less fear/anxiety or resentment. The cross‐sectional survey design limits the attribution of causality, but offers some support for the role of continuing education in improving attitudes toward PWAs.
Monitoring asthma therapy using indirect bronchial provocation tests*
Authors: Brannan John D. , Koskela Heikki , Anderson Sandra D.
Published: May 2007

Objectives:  Bronchial provocation tests that assess airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are known to be useful in assisting the diagnosis of asthma and in monitoring inhaled corticosteroid therapy. We reviewed the use of bronchial provocation tests that use stimuli that act indirectly for monitoring the benefits of inhaled corticosteroids.

Data Source:  Published clinical trials investigating the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in persons with asthma were used for this review.

Study Selection:  Studies using indirect stimuli to provoke airway narrowing such as exercise, eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation, cold air hyperventilation, hypertonic saline, mannitol, or adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to assess the effect of inhaled corticosteroids were selected.

Results:  Stimuli acting indirectly result in the release of a variety of bronchoconstricting mediators such as leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and histamine, from cells such as mast cells and eosinophils. A positive response to indirect stimuli is suggestive of active inflammation and AHR that is consistent with a diagnosis of asthma. Persons with a positive response to indirect stimuli benefit from daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Symptoms and lung function are not useful to predict the long‐term success of inhaled corticosteroid dose as they usually resolve rapidly, and well before inflammation and AHR has resolved. Following treatment, AHR to indirect stimuli is attenuated. Further, during long‐term treatment, asthmatics can become as non‐responsive as non‐asthmatic healthy persons, suggesting that asthma is not active.

Conclusions:  Non‐responsiveness to indirect bronchial provocation tests following inhaled corticosteroids occurs weeks to months following the resolution of symptoms and lung function. Non‐responsiveness to indirect stimuli may provide a goal for adequate therapy with inhaled corticosteroids.

Please cite this paper as: Brannan JD, Koskela H and Anderson SD. Monitoring asthma therapy using indirect bronchial provocation tests. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2007;1:3–15.
PHASE TIME FOR A TUNNELING PARTICLE
Authors: BANDOPADHYAY SWARNALI , JAYANNAVAR A. M.
Published: May 2007

We study the nature of tunneling phase time for various quantum mechanical structures such as networks and rings having potential barriers in their arms. We find the generic presence of the Hartman effect, with superluminal velocities as a consequence, in these systems. In quantum networks, it is possible to control the "super arrival" time in one of the arms by changing the parameters on another arm which is spatially separated from it. This is yet another quantum nonlocal effect. Negative time delays (time advancement) and "ultra Hartman effect" with negative saturation times have been observed in some parameter regimes. In the presence and absence of Aharonov-Bohm (AB) flux, quantum rings show the Hartman effect. We obtain the analytical expression for the saturated phase time. In the opaque barrier regime, this is independent of even the AB flux thereby generalizing the Hartman effect. We also briefly discuss the concept of "space collapse or space destroyer" by introducing a free space in between two barriers covering the ring. Further, we show in presence of absorption that the reflection phase time exhibits the Hartman effect in contrast to the transmission phase time.
DIFFUSION IN UNDAMPED LINEAR OSCILLATORS: EFFECTS OF THE SIGNAL MODULATION AND THE CROSS-CORRELATION OF NOISES
Authors: CAO LI , WU DA-JIN
Published: May 2007

The diffusion in an undamped linear oscillator driven by cross-correlated colored noises in which one of the noises is modulated by a biased periodic signal is studied. We have found the following: (1) The signal with higher frequency tends to suppress the diffusion; (2) The diffusion coefficient as a function of signal frequency Ω exhibits a pronounced resonance peak at [Formula: see text], here [Formula: see text] denotes the oscillator frequency; (3) The noise cross-correlation results in the appearance of a minimum in the curve of diffusion coefficient as a function of noise intensity. The position and deepness of the minimum are controlled by the signal. In the case of a large signal, the minimum disappears and the diffusion coefficient increases monotonously with increasing noise intensity as usual.
MONTE CARLO STUDY ON THE ENTROPY OF TAIL-LIKE POLYMER CHAIN WITH ONE END ATTACHED TO FLAT SURFACE
Authors: CHEN YING-CAI , LUO MENG-BO
Published: May 2007

Dynamic Monte Carlo simulations are performed for lattice self-avoiding tail-like polymer chains with one end attached to a non-interacting and impenetrable flat surface. The configurational entropy STL of the tail-like chain is determined by the scanning method. The entropy STL is smaller than that of the free chain without surface SF. The entropy drop ΔS=SF-STL increases linearly with ln n for short chains and increases linearly with n for long chains. However, the average entropy drop per bead ΔS/n decreases with n, indicating that the average effect of the surface on one chain bead decreases with the increase in chain length.
DYNAMIC COMPLEXITIES IN AN EPIDEMIC MODEL WITH BIRTH PULSES AND PULSE CULLING
Authors: GAO SHUJING , CHEN LANSUN , TENG ZHIDONG , XIE DEHUI
Published: May 2007

In this paper, we propose a model for the dynamics of a fatal infectious disease in a wild animal population with birth pulses and pulse culling, where periodic birth pulses and pulse culling occur at different fixed times. Using the discrete dynamical system determined by stroboscopic map, we obtain an exact cycle of the system, and obtain the threshold conditions for its stability. Bifurcation diagrams are constructed with the birth rate (or culling effort) as the bifurcation parameter, and these are observed to display complex dynamic behaviors, including chaotic bands with period windows, period-doubling and period-halving bifurcations, pitch-fork and tangent bifurcations, nonunique dynamics (meaning that several attractors or attractor and chaos coexist), basins of attraction and attractor crisis. This suggests that birth pulses and pulse culling provide a natural period or cyclicity that makes the dynamical behaviors more complex. Moreover, we investigate the sufficient conditions for global stability of semi-trivial periodic solutions.
CHAOS IN SIMPLE CELLULAR NEURAL NETWORKS WITH CONNECTION MATRICES SATISFYING DALE'S RULE
Authors: YANG XIAO-SONG , LI QINGDU
Published: May 2007

In this paper, it is shown that chaos can take place in simple three-dimensional cellular neural networks with connection matrices satisfying Dale's rule. In addition, a rigorous computer-assisted verification of chaoticity in these cellular neural networks is given by virtue of topological horseshoe theory.
CHAOTIC STABILITY IN SPATIALLY-RESOLVED HOST-PARASITE REPLICATORS: THE RED QUEEN ON A LATTICE
Authors: SARDANYÈS JOSEP , SOLÈ RICARD V.
Published: May 2007

Evolutionary patterns of change are often linked to complex coupled responses associated to predator-prey, immune system-viruses or host–parasite interactions. Under some conditions, it has been postulated that the final outcome of such interactions are oscillatory patterns of genotypic and phenotypic change, generically labeled as Red Queen dynamics (RQD). In RQD, changes occur in a changing pattern ensuring the persistence of both partners at the cost of constant changing. In this paper, we analyze the dynamics of two populations of host-parasite replicators extended on a surface considering three scenarios associated to neutral landscapes on binary hypercubes. Stochastic simulations show three asymptotic dynamic states: (i) host survival and parasite extinction, (ii) host-parasite extinction, and (iii) a stable RQD scenario able to maintain chaotic oscillations. The RQD scenario is shown to be facilitated with the increase of the genotypic diversity associated to the increase of the length of the replicators. Such diversity, jointly with the inclusion of spatial degrees of freedom and mutation, can act as a stabilizing factor.
Embedding Science in Politics: “Complex Utilization” and Industrial Ecology as Models of Natural Resource Use
Authors: Salmi Olli , Toppinen Aino
Published: May 2007

Throughout the short history of industrial ecology, issues of implementation have been heavily emphasized. Less attention has been given to the ways in which the technical models of industrial ecology interact with social processes. Yet the practitioners of industrial ecology frequently encounter challenges pertaining to contextualization when embedding a general model in different local contexts. In addition, there are reasons to believe that the models of industrial ecological systems become politically meaningful only when they are carefully contextualized and linked to localized needs. In this article, we aim at a better understanding of the political embedding of industrial ecology. In order to demonstrate some general mechanisms of embedding, we first conduct a frame analysis of complex utilization—a scientific policy instrument analogous to industrial ecology, developed in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. We identify five frames in which complex utilization has been promoted between 1935 and 2005. These frames are then compared to six frames identified in the industrial symbiosis in Kalundborg, Denmark. We find that effective political embedding relies on frames that function both on a general level and in specific contexts. General frames, such as efficiency, economy, and environment, need to be aligned with localized perceptions of particular issues. What is more, sensitivity to purely context‐specific frames is necessary for effective political embedding. Finally, the political processes of framing also shape the scientific‐technical models that are being promoted.
Latitudinal Variations of the Convective Source and Propagation Condition of Inertio-Gravity Waves in the Tropics
Authors: Chun Hye-Yeong , Goh Jung-Suk , Song In-Sun , Ricciardulli Lucrezia
Published: May 2007

Latitudinal variations of the convective source and vertical propagation condition of inertio-gravity waves (IGWs) in the tropical region (30°S–30°N) are examined using high-resolution Global Cloud Imagery (GCI) and 6-hourly NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, respectively, for 1 yr (March 1985–February 1986). The convective source is estimated by calculating the deep convective heating (DCH) rate using the brightness temperature of the GCI data. The latitudinal variation of DCH is found to be significant throughout the year. The ratio of the maximum to minimum values of DCH in the annual mean is 3.2 and it is much larger in the June–August (JJA) and December–February (DJF) means. Spectral analyses show that DCH has a dominant period of 1 day, a zonal wavelength of about 1600 km, and a Gaussian-type phase-speed spectrum with a peak at the zero phase speed.

The vertical propagation condition of IGWs is determined, in the zonal wavenumber and frequency domain, by two factors: (i) latitude, which determines the Coriolis parameter, and (ii) the basic-state wind structure in the target height range of wave propagation. It was found that the basic-state wind significantly influences the wave propagation condition in the lower stratosphere between 150 and 30 hPa, and accordingly a large portion of the source spectrum is filtered out. This is prominent not only in the latitudes higher than 15° where strong negative shear exists, but also near the equator where strong positive shear associated with the westerly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) filters out large portions of the low-frequency components of the convective source. There is no simple relationship between the ground-based frequency and latitude; lower latitudes are not always favorable for low-frequency IGWs to be observed in the stratosphere. The basic-state wind in the Tropics, which has seasonal, annual, and interannual variations, plays a major role not only in determining the wave propagation condition in the stratosphere but also in producing convective sources in the troposphere.
Monsoon Dynamics with Interactive Forcing. Part II: Impact of Eddies and Asymmetric Geometries
Authors: Privé Nikki C. , Plumb R. Alan
Published: May 2007

The roles of eddies and forcing asymmetry in the dynamics of the large-scale monsoon circulation are investigated with a general circulation model. The net impact of eddies is found to be a slight weakening of the zonal mean monsoon circulation. The eddies strongly impact the momentum budget of the circulation, but the qualitative behavior of the monsoon flow is not substantially altered. The introduction of asymmetric forcing reveals the limitations of axisymmetric studies in representing the fully three-dimensional monsoon. Advection of low subcloud moist static energy air from the midlatitude oceans is seen to strongly impact the subcloud moist static energy budget in the continental subtropics, limiting the poleward extent of the monsoon. The advection of low moist static energy air must be blocked by orography, or the source of low moist static energy air must be removed, in order to induce strong precipitation over the subtropical landmass. An equatorial SST gradient is needed to induce a cross-equatorial meridional monsoon circulation. The location of the maximum subcloud moist static energy remains a good indicator for the limit of the monsoon.
A novel mechanism controls the Ca2+ oscillations triggered by activation of ascidian eggs and has an absolute requirement for Cdk1 activity
Authors: Levasseur Mark , Carroll Michael , Jones Keith T. , McDougall Alex
Published: May 2007

Fertilisation in ascidians triggers a series of periodic rises in cytosolic Ca2+ that are essential for release from metaphase I arrest and progression through meiosis II. These sperm-triggered Ca2+ oscillations are switched off at exit from meiosis II. Ascidian zygotes provided the first demonstration of the positive feedback loop whereby elevated Cdk1 activity maintained these Ca2+ oscillations. Since then it has been reported that Cdk1 sensitises the type I inositol trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] receptor in somatic cells, and that sperm-triggered Ca2+ oscillations in mouse zygotes stop because the forming pronuclei sequester phospholipase C zeta that was delivered to the egg by the fertilising sperm.

Here, using enucleation, we demonstrate in ascidian eggs that Ca2+ spiking stops at the correct time in the absence of pronuclei. Sequestration of sperm factor is therefore not involved in terminating Ca2+ spiking for these eggs. Instead we found that microinjection of the Cdk1 inhibitor p21 blocked Ca2+ spiking induced by ascidian sperm extract (ASE). However, such eggs were still capable of releasing Ca2+ in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor agonists, indicating that ASE-triggered Ca2+ oscillations can stop even though the response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 remained elevated. These data suggest that Cdk1 activity promotes Ins(1,4,5)P3 production in the presence of the sperm factor, rather than sensitising the Ca2+ releasing machinery to Ins(1,4,5)P3. These findings suggest a new link between this cell cycle kinase and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 pathway.
Chemical Biology that Controls DNA Structure and Function: Lessons in Organic Chemistry from Nature
Authors: Sugiyama Hiroshi
Published: May 2007

Fifty years after the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA, the complete sequence of the human genome has been determined. All genetic information, which is necessary for life, is written in 30 billion base pairs of DNA. Many diseases, including cancer, and hereditary and viral diseases, can now be understood at the DNA sequence level. Local DNA conformations are also thought to play an important role in biological processes, such as gene expression. Therefore, DNA sequences and local DNA conformations are the targets of novel drugs that would precisely switch certain genes on or off. Modified bases that perform various functions can also be incorporated into defined DNA sequences. DNA can now be synthesized by the phosphoramidite method and amplified by PCR, and by using organisms such as Escherichia coli, DNA becomes a promising unit for nanotechnology applications. In this review, I focus on our efforts in understanding the DNA reactivity, structure, and function of DNA. The prospective uses of the chemical biology of DNA will also be discussed.
The Effect of Magnetic Field on the Bleaching of Indigo Dyes with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Imidazole
Authors: Rousan Akram A , Al-Ajlouni Ahmad M
Published: May 2007

The effect of applying an external magnetic field on the catalytic oxidation of indigo dyes with H2O2/imidazole was investigated. It was found that the rate of oxidation, in the presence of imidazole as a catalyst, was enhanced by applying an external magnetic field in the range of 0.035–0.12 T. The magnetic field did not affect the reaction in the absence of imidazole. A mechanism that involves radical intermediates is proposed.
Cationic Iron-catalyzed Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Olefins
Authors: Komeyama Kimihiro , Mieno Yasuhiro , Yukawa Syotaro , Morimoto Takayuki , Takaki Ken
Published: May 2007

Cationic iron salts were found to be good catalysts for intra- and intermolecular addition of carboxylic acids to olefins, which afforded the corresponding esters in good yields.
Formation of Single Crystal of Hofmann Clathrate, Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4·0.5H2O, at Higher Temperature by Means of Spray Pyrolysis of Sucrose and Nickel Nitrate
Authors: Kashiwagi Takeshi , Suzuki Hiroe , Nina Masashi , Nishiguchi Hiroyasu , Nagaoka Katsutoshi , Takita Yusaku
Published: May 2007

Single crystal of Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4·0.5H2O was formed by the pyrolysis of mist of aqueous sucrose and nickel nitrate solution at higher temperatures as 873–1073 K in an inert gas without using harmful organic and inorganic compounds such as NH3 and HCN.
Synergistic Effects of Nell-1 and BMP-2 on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Myoblasts
Authors: Cowan Catherine M , Jiang Xinquan , Hsu Tiffany , Soo Chia , Zhang Beiji , Wang Joyce Z , Kuroda Shun'ichi , Wu Benjamin , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Xinli , Ting Kang
Published: May 2007

Osteogenesis is synergistically enhanced by the combined effect of complimentary factors. This study showed that Nell-1 and BMP-2 synergistically enhanced osteogenic differentiation of myoblasts and phosphorylated the JNK MAPK pathway. The findings are important because of the osteochondral specificity of Nell-1 signaling and the potential therapeutic effects of coordinated BMP-2 and Nell-1 delivery.

Introduction: BMPs play an important role in the migration and proliferation of mesenchymal cells and have a unique ability to alter the differentiation of mesenchymal cells toward chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Signaling upstream of Cbfa1/Runx2, BMPs effects are not limited to cells of the osteoblast lineage. Thus, additional osteoblast-specific factors that could synergize with BMP-2 would be advantageous for bone regeneration procedures. NELL-1 (NEL-like molecule-1; NEL [a protein strongly expressed in neural tissue encoding epidermal growth factor like domain]) is a novel growth factor believed to preferentially target cells committed to the osteochondral lineage.

Materials and Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were transduced with AdLacZ, AdNell-1, AdBMP-2, or AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 overexpression viruses. Effects were studied by cell morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin production, and MAPK signaling. Additionally, in a nude mouse model, viruses were injected into leg muscles, and new bone formation was examined after 2 and 8 wk.

Results: C2C12 myoblasts co-transduced with AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 showed a synergistic effect on osteogenic differentiation as detected by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteopontin production. Nell-1 stimulation on AdNell-1 + AdBMP-2 preconditioned C2C12 cells revealed significant activation of the non-BMP-2 associated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK signaling pathway, but not the p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) MAPK pathways. Importantly Nell-1 alone did not induce osteogenic differentiation of myoblasts. In a nude mouse model, injection of AdNell-1 alone stimulated no bone formation within muscle; however, injection of AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 stimulated a synergistic increase in bone formation compared with AdBMP-2 alone.

Conclusions: These findings are important because of the confirmed osteochondral specificity of Nell-1 signaling and the potential therapeutic effects of enhanced BMP-2 action with coordinated Nell-1 delivery.
Raman studies of technetium in borosilicate waste glass
Authors: McKeown David A. , Buechele Andrew C. , Lukens Wayne W. , Shuh D. K. , Pegg Ian L.
Published: May 2007

The characterization of technetium (Tc) environments in borosilicate glasses is important with regard to the long-term isolation of Tc in nuclear wastes from the environment by waste vitrification. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to detect Tc in various borosilicate waste glass formulations in which Tc valence and average coordination environment were previously characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Raman spectral comparisons between chemically equivalent Tc-containing and Tc-free borosilicate glass pairs indicate Tc-dependent features near 320 and 910 cm−1 resulting from internal vibrational modes of pertechnetate tetrahedral (Tc7+ in TcO4
−), similar to those observed for pertechnetate aqueous solutions. Initial observations of the pertechnetate Tc–O symmetric stretch mode near 910cm−1 indicate a peak area dependence on pertechnetate concentration and a detection limit near 50 ppm Tc7+ in borosilicate glass. Pertechnetate Tc–O symmetric stretch mode frequency versus composition relationships for the borosilicate waste glasses suggest that pertechnetate tetrahedra are surrounded by network-modifying cations. However, Raman spectroscopy is insensitive to six-coordinated Tc4+ species in borosilicate glasses.
Mordanting of mercury on styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads from aqueous solutions
Authors: Khalid Nasir , Ali Saqib , Iqbal Arif , Ahmad Shujaat
Published: May 2007

The sorption of mercury ions from aqueous solutions on styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads (St-DVB) has been investigated for the decontamination of mercury from aqueous media. Various physico-chemical parameters, such as selection of appropriate electrolyte, contact time, amount of adsorbent, concentration of adsorbate, effect of diverse ions and temperature were optimized to simulate the best conditions which can be used to decontaminate mercury from aqueous media using St-DVB beads as an adsorbent. The radiotracer technique was used to determine the distribution of mercury. The highest adsorption was observed at 0.001 mol L−1acid solutions (HNO3, H2SO4and HClO4) using 0.2 g of adsorbent for 5.14×10−5mol L−1mercury concentration in five minutes equilibration time. Studies show that the adsorption decreases with the increase in the concentrations of all the acids. The adsorption data follows the Freundlich isotherm over the mercury concentration range of 2.19×10−4to 5.90×10−3mol L−1. The characteristic Freundlich constants,i.e.1/n= 0.42±0.01 andA= (1.54±0.03)×10−3mol g−1have been computed for the sorption system. The sorption mean free energy from Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm is 11.9±0.1 kJ mol−1indicating ion-exchange mechanism of chemisorption. The uptake of mercury increases with the rise in temperature. Thermodynamic parameters,i.e.ΔG, ΔSand ΔHhave also been calculated for the system.
A Look Back by Two Leading Museum Anthropologists
Authors: Herold Joyce
Published: May 2007

?The Making of a Museum Anthropologist Nancy Oestreich Lurie  ?The Council for Museum Anthropology and Anthropological Collections Richard I Ford
Archeology Division
Authors: Alexander Rani T
Published: May 2007

?Cultural Property Advisory Committee Hearings (CPAC) ?International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) Janet Levy  ?Make Teaching Easier: Use AP3A in the Classroom Susan Gillespie
Middle East Section
Authors: Starrett Gregory
Published: May 2007

?Muslim Youth in New York City Louis Cristillo
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges
Authors: Miller Lloyd
Published: May 2007

?SACC 2008 ?Leonard Lieberman Remembered
Society for Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology
Authors: Caballero‐Arias Hortensia
Published: May 2007

?Nash‐Roseberry Graduate Student Award ?SLACA Invited Sessions ?Conversations Across the Americas: Caribbeanizing Latin America, Latin‐Americanizing the Caribbean
Society for Medical Anthropology
Authors: Taylor Janelle S , Ragsdale Kathleen
Published: May 2007

?SMA Takes a Stand on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ?SMA and SfAA Will Meet in Memphis in 2008 ?2007 Basker Prize Competition ?Margaret Clark Award ?Career Achievement Award ?Mark Your Calendar! Upcoming Submission Deadlines
Society for Psychological Anthropology
Authors: Chapin Bambi
Published: May 2007

?The Global Child: Bridging Migration and Human Development Literature Heather Rae‐Espinoza
The metabolic syndrome: one step forward, two steps back
Authors: Kim Sun H , Reaven Gerald M
Published: May 2007

Individuals with insulin resistance are at increased risk of glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia and essential hypertension. In 1988, it was proposed that this cluster of abnormalities associated with insulin resistance identifies individuals at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Recently, in an effort to raise awareness of this problem, both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program have suggested a set of clinical criteria to diagnose individuals with what they both refer to as the metabolic syndrome. Although using the same term, the two groups have different goals for creating this diagnosis and different criteria to identify individuals, which relate to their different institutional goals. This review critically evaluates the similarities and differences between the two groups' concepts of the metabolic syndrome and questions the clinical utility of making the diagnosis with either set of definitions.
Insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease: the role of PPARγ activators beyond their anti-diabetic action
Authors: Walcher Daniel , Marx Nikolaus
Published: May 2007

Over the past few years it has been recognised that insulin resistance (IR) is an independent risk factor for major cardiovascular events. In addition, IR is associated with other factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and endothelial dysfunction, and this cluster of metabolic disorders contributes to the cardiovascular risk of patients with IR. Given the increasing number of patients with IR, the modulation of their cardiovascular risk is a major task in diabetology and vascular medicine. This review will focus on the role of IR as a cardiovascular risk factor and on the potential of activators of the nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) to modulate these risk factors associated with IR.
Hydrophobic Chromophores in Aqueous Micellar Solution Showing Large Two‐Photon Absorption Cross Sections
Authors: Tian Y. , Chen C.‐Y. , Cheng Y.‐J. , Young A. C. , Tucker N. M. , Jen A. K.‐Y.
Published: May 2007

A series of new hydrophobic two‐photon absorbing (2PA) chromophores with varied electron‐donating groups in quasi‐linear and multibranched structures are synthesized to correlate their structure/photophysical property relationships. The feasibility of using these large two‐photon absorption cross‐sectional (δ, expressed in GM = 1 × 10–50 cm4 s photon–1 molecule–1) materials in aqueous solution is also explored. All four hydrophobic 2PA materials can be encapsulated into micelles generated by dispersing an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(methacrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene (PMAA‐b‐PS), into water. The micellar nanostructures are characterized using dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. After these dyes are incorporated into micelles, they exhibit strong fluorescence in water. It is found that the quantum yield and δ values of these chromophores are strongly dependent on the diameters of the micelles, concentrations of the PMAA‐b‐PS, and molecular structures of the 2PA chromophores. One of the compounds that has a strong triarylamino donor and a multibranched structure exhibits a large δ value of 2790 GM and high quantum yield (0.56) in micelle‐containing water. Although this value is smaller than the original value of 5300 GM in toluene, it is still substantially larger than the values of most water‐soluble 2PA materials, which have δ values of less than 100 GM.
A Luminescence and Electrochemical Study of Photoinduced Electron Transfer within the Layers of Zirconium Phosphate
Authors: Brunet E. , Alonso M. , Cerro C. , Juanes O. , Rodríguez‐Ubis J.‐C. , Kaifer Á. E.
Published: May 2007

Electron donors based on Ru(bpy)3 (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) are covalently attached to the walls of γ‐ZrP and acceptor species based on viologen are arranged side by side following quite simple experimental protocols. The resulting materials are characterized by using the usual techniques and their luminescence and electrochemical properties are assessed. Strong evidence is presented of the efficient occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer in the solid state among the active species attached to the transparent inorganic matrix. The prepared materials may find applications in the clean conversion of light into useful energy.
Increased familial risk and genomewide significant linkage for Alzheimer's disease with psychosis
Authors: Hollingworth P. , Hamshere M.L. , Holmans P.A. , O'Donovan M.C. , Sims Rebecca , Powell J. , Lovestone S. , Myers A. , DeVrieze F.W. , Hardy J. , Goate A. , Owen M. , Williams J.
Published: May 2007

Psychotic symptoms are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are associated with increased cognitive impairment and earlier institutionalization. One study has suggested that they are genetically modified and two genome screens have been performed to search for susceptibility loci for AD with psychosis (AD + P). The aim of this study was to further investigate the familial aggregation of AD + P and perform a genome screen for AD, conditioning on the presence or absence of psychotic symptoms. Samples from the UK and US were combined, providing data from 374 families in which at least two members met criteria for AD and had complete data regarding psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess the relationship of psychotic symptoms between siblings. A total of 321 affected relative pairs (ARPs) were genotyped for linkage. There was a significant association between proband psychosis status and the occurrence of AD + P in siblings in the UK (OR = 4.17, P = 0.002) and US (OR = 3.2, P < 0.001) samples. Chromosomewide and genomewide significant linkage peaks were observed on chromosomes 7 (LOD = 2.84) and 15 (LOD = 3.16), respectively, with the strongest evidence coming from pairs concordant for AD without psychosis. A LOD score of 2.98 was observed close to a previously reported AD + P linkage region on chromosome 6, however the increase in LOD attributable to psychosis was not significant. These findings support the hypothesis that psychotic symptoms in AD are genetically modified and that a gene/s implicated in their aetiology may be located on chromosome 7 and 15. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is the Wisconsin card sorting test a useful neurocognitive endophenotype?
Authors: Kremen William S. , Eisen Seth A. , Tsuang Ming T. , Lyons Michael J.
Published: May 2007

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) has been utilized extensively as a measure of executive function and working memory and as a neurocognitive probe of prefrontal brain function. In studies of psychiatric illness—particularly schizophrenia—it has also been considered to be a cognitive vulnerability marker or endophenotype. Heritability is an important criterion for an endophenotype, but the very few studies of the heritability of the WCST have yielded inconsistent results. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence WCST performance in a large adult twin sample. A computerized WCST was administered to 660 middle‐aged male twins (170 monozygotic pairs and 160 dizygotic pairs). Polychoric intrapair correlations for six WCST scores were compared between MZ and DZ twins in order to assess heritability. Correlations were relatively low and there were no significant MZ–DZ differences. To our knowledge, this is the largest twin study of the WCST to date. There was no evidence for heritability of the WCST in this midlife adult sample. The WCST remains a valuable research tool, and we do not think that one should conclude from these results that genetic influences on frontal‐executive function are unimportant. Rather, we believe that our results suggest that some properties of this particular test make it undesirable for use as an endophenotype. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The First Cyclopentadienylalkylphosphane Nickel Chelates: Synthesis, Structures, and Reactions
Authors: Hussain Mazhar , Albert Dieter , Wartchow Rudolf , Butenschön Holger
Published: May 2007

The first cyclopentadienylalkylphosphane nickel chelate complexes are reported. The anionic ligand obtained by reaction of spiro[2.4]hepta‐4,6‐diene with lithium di‐tert‐butylphosphide was treated with NiCl2 to yield [η5:κ1‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphanylethyl)cyclopentadienyl]chloronickel(II). From this complex, some acetonitrile‐stabilized cationic complexes were obtained by reaction with the respective silver salts in acetonitrile. Methyl‐ and alkynylnickel chelates were prepared by reaction of the chloronickel complex with methyllithium and by copper‐mediated coupling with terminal alkynes, respectively. Some of the complexes prepared were investigated by X‐ray crystallography or cyclic voltammetry. The alkynylnickel chelates undergo cycloaddition reactions with ethoxycarbonylisothiocyanate or tetracyanoethylene, and the cyclobutenes obtained undergo ring opening to the corresponding dienes. The study includes an NMR spectroscopic investigation of the two conformers of one of these dienes.
The investigation of protein adsorption behaviors on different functionalized polymers films
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Hong , Feng Chuan‐Liang
Published: May 2007

The adsorption of BSA and fibrinogen onto plasma‐polymerized di‐(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether, allylamine, and maleic anhydride films were investigated in detail by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR). The chemical properties of the plasma polymers were initially determined by the plasma deposition conditions during the generation procedure. The analysis of the chemical structure of the films and the refractive index of plasma polymers in aqueous solution was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and waveguide mode spectroscopy, respectively.

Using water contact angle measurement, the surface wettability of plasma polymers was also characterized. These properties have a critical influence on the behavior of protein adsorption on the surface of the plasma polymers. Protein adsorption was found to depend not only on the types of functionalized groups, but also on the plasma polymer thickness since the protein molecules penetrate into the plasma polymer network bulk. According to the size of protein molecules in aqueous solution and the amount of adsorbed proteins observed by SPR, the conformational changes of proteins could be deduced.
Efficient solubilization of inclusion bodies
Authors: Freydell Esteban J. , Ottens Marcel , Eppink Michel , van Dedem Gijs , van der Wielen Luuk
Published: May 2007

The overexpression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli leads in most cases to their accumulation in the form of insoluble aggregates referred to as inclusion bodies (IBs). To obtain an active product, the IBs must be solubilized and thereafter the soluble monomeric protein needs to be refolded. In this work we studied the solubilization behavior of a model‐protein expressed as IBs at high protein concentrations, using a statistically designed experiment to determine which of the process parameters, or their interaction, have the greatest impact on the amount of soluble protein and the fraction of soluble monomer. The experimental methodology employed pointed out an optimum balance between maximum protein solubility and minimum fraction of soluble aggregates. The optimized conditions solubilized the IBs without the formation of insoluble aggregates; moreover, the fraction of soluble monomer was ∼75% while the fraction of soluble aggregates was ∼ 5%. Overall this approach guarantees a better use of the solubilization reagents, which brings an economical and technical benefit, at both large and lab scale and may be broadly applicable for the production of recombinant proteins.