bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of pamphlets for cancer patients in disaster situations based on the study of cancer patients’ care needs
Authors: KAWASAKI Yuko , UCHINUNO Atsuko , MAKINO Sachiko , NUMATA Yasuko , KOBAYASHI Tamami , SAKASHITA Reiko , ARAO Harue
Published: May 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study is to develop a care package to help cancer patients improve their self‐care abilities and better prepare for a disaster, so that they can continue treatment and perform symptom management strategies in disaster situations.

Methods:  In this study, the “Care Package for Cancer Patients in Times of Disaster”, which comprises four pamphlets, was developed through discussions among the eight members of the study group. The care package was produced by making additions and modifications, based on the findings obtained in the above two steps, to the patient education booklets developed in the area of oncology.

Results:  Of the areas that cancer patients find difficult in times of disaster, the following six were extracted: difficulty in continuing treatment, the possibility of running out of pain medicines and how to store pain medicines, the possibility of not being able to go to a regular hospital, the shortage of stoma‐care appliances and other products, the possibility of exposure to infections at a shelter, and the necessity of providing care for cancer patients and their families before and after death. By incorporating these pieces of information, we developed the four pamphlets. These pamphlets are posted on the website for public use.

Conclusion:  The newly developed pamphlets incorporate information on how to cope with specific situations in times of disaster, based on the findings obtained from the “Survey on Actual Conditions of Treatment and Nursing Care to Cancer Patients in Disaster Situations”.
Keeping it Professional: The Influence of Political Consultants on Candidate Attitudes toward Negative Campaigning
Authors: Francia Peter L. , Herrnson Paul S.
Published: May 2007

Conventional wisdom suggests that political consultants encourage candidates to “go negative” and to accept the ethos of winning election at any cost. However, recent studies indicate that some campaign professionals draw ethical distinctions between different forms of negative campaigning. While there is a growing literature on campaign consultants, less is known about their influence on those running for political office. Using a nationwide survey of candidates, we find that those who wage professional campaigns are more likely than those who wage amateur campaigns to consider it acceptable to use negative campaign tactics and to find it appropriate to raise issues against an opponent concerning legal infractions. However, contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that candidates' acceptance of personalized attacks, which critics judge to be most harmful to democracy, are not attributable to consultants, but rather to other factors and incentives inherent in the U.S. electoral system.
Economic Status versus Same‐Sex Marriage Referenda in the 2004 Democratic Presidential Vote in “Appalachian” Counties
Authors: LaFrance T. Casey , Frederick Brian
Published: May 2007

Using multivariate regression analysis, this study compares the relative effects of traditional aggregate rational choice electoral behavior with a more recent perspective focusing on the preservation of group norms and group morality in the context of county economic classification and the presence or absence of same‐sex marriage referenda in the 2004 presidential election in Appalachian counties. Our findings suggest that economic factors, in the aggregate, retain the explanatory value commonly afforded them, but the presence of same‐sex marriage referenda fails to conform with the expectations of the group norm/morality perspective of rational choice behavior. We discuss how this study fits with other analyses of same‐sex marriage referenda in the 2004 election. Our findings suggest that the region can no longer, if it ever was, be considered politically and socially cohesive.
Government and Market Pathologies of Privatization: The Case of Prison Privatization1
Authors: Morris John C.
Published: May 2007

The recent growth in the number of privately operated and privately owned prisons in the United States focuses our attention on the nature of the privatization arrangements employed in this setting. This article argues that the privatization of correctional facilities is best understood as a combination of government failures, market failures, and political incentives. Using a case‐study approach to examine prison privatization in Mississippi, the article concludes that prison privatization not only fails to correct certain government or market failures, but also actually creates additional (hybrid) pathologies that combine elements of both government and market failures.
Extending the Shelf Life of Kohlrabi Stems by Modified Atmosphere Packaging
Authors: Escalona V.H. , Aguayo E. , Artés F.
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT:  Kohlrabi stems (without leaves) were stored under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for 60 d at 0 °C. An additional retail sale period of 3 d at 12 °C after each cold storage evaluation (30 and 60 d) was applied. Under high relative humidity (RH) and 0 °C, the stems showed low metabolic activity, as no changes in sugars and organic acids were found. From day 21 at 0 °C, air‐stored stems showed a yellowing of stalks and later they fell down. This disorder severely affected the appearance of stems. A gas composition of 4.5 to 5.5 kPa O2 plus 11 to 12 kPa CO2 was reached using antimist oriented polypropylene plastic bags of 20‐μm thicknesses. The stems in MAP conditions kept a high sensorial quality. It was enough for commercial purpose of 2 mo. The storage of kohlrabi stems in plastic bags, either MA or in perforated (control) packages, provided an additional protection reducing physical damage. The MAP conditions delayed the weight loss and development of bacterial soft and black rot, extending the shelf life of kohlrabi stems to 60 d at 0 °C plus 3 d at 12 °C. Stems are not chilling injury sensitive.
Physical Properties of Whey Protein Coating Solutions and Films Containing Antioxidants
Authors: Han J.H. , Krochta J.M.
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT:  Antioxidants (ascorbyl palmitate and α‐tocopherol) were incorporated into 10% (w/w) whey protein isolate (WPI) coating solution containing 6.67% (w/w) glycerol (WPI:glycerol = 6:4). Before incorporation, the antioxidants were mixed using either powder blending (Process 1) or ethanol solvent‐mixing (Process 2). After the antioxidant mixtures were incorporated into heat‐denatured WPI solution, viscosity and turbidity of the WPI solutions were determined. The WPI solutions were dried on a flat surface to produce WPI films. The WPI films were examined to determine transparency and oxygen‐barrier properties (permeability, diffusivity, and solubility). WPI solution containing antioxidants produced by Process 1 and Process 2 did not show any difference in viscosity and turbidity, but viscosity was greater for the WPI solution with rather than without antioxidants. WPI films produced by Process 2 were more transparent than the films produced by Process 1. Oxygen permeability of Process 1 film was lower than Process 2 film. However, both the diffusivity and solubility of oxygen were statistically the same in Process 1 and Process 2 films. Both control WPI films and antioxidant‐containing WPI films had very low oxygen solubility, comparable to polyethylene terephthalate films. Permeability of antioxidant‐incorporated films was not enhanced compared to control WPI films.
SOFCRoll Development at St. Andrews Fuel Cells Ltd.
Authors: Jones Fran G. E. , Connor Paul A. , Feighery Alan J. , Nairn Julie , Rennie Jim , Irvine John T. S.
Published: May 2007

St. Andrews Fuel Cells Ltd. is a spin-off company (formed in February 2005) from the University of St. Andrews. The company’s focus is on the development of the SOFCRoll fuel cell. The SOFCRoll design is produced from tape casting and is fired in a single unit, offering reduced fuel cell production costs. Additionally, the self-supporting nature of the SOFCRoll geometry removes the need for thick cell components, further reducing cell cost and offering increased power densities. This paper reviews the development of the SOFCRoll concerning the processing and performance testing.
Syntheses of New Titanium(IV) and Rhodium(I) Guanidinido Complexes
Authors: Fandos Rosa , Otero Antonio , Rodríguez Ana , Terreros Pilar
Published: May 2007

The new titanium guanidinido complexes [TiCp*Me2{(PhN)2CNH2}] (1), and [TiCp*Cl2- {(PhN)2CNH2}] (2) (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) have been synthesized. The reaction of complex 1 with [Rh(μ-OH)(cod)]2 affords the rhodium guanidinido complex [Rh{(PhNH)(PhN)CNH}(cod)]2 (3). The molecular structures of complexes 1 and 3 were studied by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 3 can also be prepared by reaction of [Rh(μ-OH)(cod)]2 with N,N'-diphenylguanidine.
IMPROVED ALGORITHM FOR MINIMUM COST RANGE ASSIGNMENT PROBLEM FOR LINEAR RADIO NETWORKS
Authors: DAS GAUTAM K. , GHOSH SASTHI C. , NANDY SUBHAS C.
Published: May 2007

In the unbounded version of the range assignment problem for all-to-all communication in 1D, a set of n radio-stations are placed arbitrarily on a line; the objective is to assign ranges to these radio-stations such that each of them can communicate with the others (using at most n - 1 hops) and the total power consumption is minimum. A simple incremental algorithm for this problem is proposed which produces optimum solution in O(n3) time and O(n2) space. This is an improvement in the running time by a factor of n over the best known existing algorithm for the same problem.
RATIONAL APPROXIMATIONS OF POLYNOMIAL FACTORIAL LANGUAGES
Authors: SHUR ARSENY M.
Published: May 2007

We approximate factorial languages by languages with finite antidictionaries. Let s and m be positive integers with s ≤ m. We construct a language of complexity Θ(ns), and a sequence of languages with finite antidictionaries, each of those having the complexity Θ(nm), such that this sequence converges to the original language.
INHOMOGENEITY OF ELECTRON LIQUID AND EFFECTS OF INTERLAYER COUPLING IN GaAs/AlGaAs SUPERLATTICES IN THE REGIME OF THE QUANTUM HALL EFFECT
Authors: PUSEP Y. A. , GUIMARÃES F. E. G. , ARAKAKI H. , DE SOUZA C. A. , CHIQUITO A. J.
Published: May 2007

Formation of the electron state with the integer filling factor was studied by magneto-capacitance and magneto-photoluminescence measurements in weakly coupled GaAs/AlGaAs multilayers where quasi-two dimensional electrons revealed the integer Quantum Hall Effect. The disorder modulated compressibility of the quantized Hall phase with the filling factor ν=2 was determined. The incompressible fraction of this phase was shown to rapidly disappear with the increasing temperature. The quantized Hall phase of the weakly coupled multilayers was shown to emit the asymmetrical photoluminescence lines. We demonstrated that the observed asymmetry is caused by a partial population of the extended electron states formed in the quantized Hall conductor phase due to the disorder induced interlayer tunneling.
WEAK-LOCALIZATION IN n- AND p-TYPE FILMS OF Pb1-xEuxTe
Authors: Peres M. L. , Chitta V. A. , Gusev G. M. , Oliveira Nei F. , Rappl P. H. O. , Ueta A. Y. , Abramof E.
Published: May 2007

We investigated the magnetotransport properties of n- and p-type films of Pb 1-x Eu x Te grown by molecular beam epitaxy, with Eu concentrations close to the Metal-Insulator transition. The n-type sample shows a negative magnetoresistance which magnitude increases continually as the temperature is lowered. On the other hand, for the p-type sample, a negative magnetoresistance can be observed only for temperatures below 7 K. Comparing the magnetoresistance of both samples we show that the scattering mechanism should have a different origin.
COMBINED EXCITON-ELECTRON PROCESSES IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRON GAS
Authors: Kochereshko V. P. , Andronikov D. A. , Klochikhin A. A. , Mikhailov G. V. , Crooker S. A. , Karczewski G. , Kossut J.
Published: May 2007

Modifications of photoluminescence (PL) spectra taken from modulation doped CdTe/CdMgTe quantum well (QW) structures have been studied in magnetic fields up to 45T as a function of 2D electron concentration.
MAGNETOPLASMONS IN SYMMETRY DRIVEN BILAYER ELECTRON SYSTEM
Authors: BISTI V. E.
Published: May 2007

The effect of space symmetry on magnetoplasmon charge density excitations in a weekly tunnel coupled bilayer electron system is considered. The magnetic field corresponds to the filling factor ν = 4. The energy of optic magnetoplasmon is not affected by space symmetry. Three other collective magnetoplasmon modes are determined by relations between parameters of asymmetry, tunnel parameter and energy of acoustic plasmon.
DIRECT BANDGAP QUANTUM DOTS EMBEDDED IN A TYPE-II GaAs/AlAs DOUBLE QUANTUM WELL STRUCTURE
Authors: CHWALISZ-PIȨTKA BARBARA , WYSMOŁEK ANDRZEJ , STȨPNIEWSKI ROMAN , POTEMSKI MAREK , RAYMOND SYLVAIN , BOŻEK RAFAŁ , THIERRY-MIEG VERONIQUE
Published: May 2007

Quantum dots with strong three dimensional confinement and low surface density have been identified in a structure which was nominally grown as a type-II GaAs/AlAs bilayer surrounded by GaAlAs barriers. Micro-luminescence experiments in magnetic fields performed on these dots display excitonic spin-splitting and orbital Zeeman effects for the excited states. The modification by the magnetic field of the diffusion and/or trapping of photoexcited carriers into the dots is also observed.
RESIDENCE TIME DISTRIBUTIONS FOR DOUBLE-SCROLL ATTRACTORS
Authors: GRETE PATRICK , MARKUS MARIO
Published: May 2007

We investigated a choice of prototypical double-scroll attractors, namely trajectories resulting from Lorenz equations and from two sets of equations related to Chua's circuits. We found that the probability distribution for the residence times within a given scroll consists of prominent, exponentially decaying peaks. Similar peaks had been reported for stochastically resonant systems, which are driven periodically; however, in view of our results in autonomous systems, the appearance of such peaks has a higher degree of generality. In the systems we investigated, each peak corresponds to a subset of the attractor having a particular number of loops. Moreover, the sets of initial conditions leading to different peaks are interleaved in an analogous way as riddled or intermingled basins of attraction.
A MODEL-BASED DESIGN-FOR-VERIFICATION APPROACH TO CHECKING FOR DEADLOCK IN MULTI-THREADED APPLICATIONS
Authors: SARNA-STAROSTA BEATA , STIREWALT R. E. K. , DILLON LAURA K.
Published: May 2007

This paper explores an approach to design for verification in systems built atop a middleware framework which separates synchronization concerns from the "core-functional logic" of a program. The framework is based on a language-independent compositional model of synchronization contracts, called Szumo, which integrates well with popular OO design artifacts and provides strong guarantees of non-interference for a class of strictly exclusive systems. An approach for extracting models from Szumo design artifacts and analyzing the generated models to detect deadlocks is described. A key decision was to use Constraint Handling Rules to express the semantics of synchronization contracts, which allowed a transparent model of the implementation logic.
Ubiquitination is involved in glucose-mediated downregulation of GIP receptors in islets
Authors: Zhou Jie , Livak Mauren F. A. , Bernier Michel , Muller Denis C. , Carlson Olga D. , Elahi Dariush , Maudsley Stuart , Egan Josephine M.
Published: May 2007

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a gastrointestinal hormone that has a potent stimulatory effect on insulin release under conditions of normal glucose tolerance. However, its insulinotropic effect is reduced or even absent entirely in type 2 diabetic patients. In this study, we addressed the role of glucose concentration in the diabetic range of ≥11 mM, i.e., hyperglycemia per se, as a cause of the lack of response to GIP. Culturing rat and human pancreatic islets in ≥11 mM glucose for up to 24 h resulted in prevention of GIP-mediated intracellular cAMP increase compared with culturing in 5 mM glucose. Western blot analysis revealed a selective 67 ± 2% (rat) and 60 ± 8% (human) decrease of GIP-R expression in islets exposed to ≥11 mM glucose compared with 5 mM glucose ( P < 0.001). We further immunoprecipitated GIP-R from islets and found that GIP-R was targeted for ubiquitination in a glucose- and time-dependent manner. Downregulation of GIP-R was rescued by treating isolated islets with proteasomal inhibitors lactacystin and MG-132, and the islets were once again capable of increasing intracellular cAMP levels in response to GIP. These results suggest that the GIP-R is ubiquitated, resulting in downregulation of the actions of GIP.
Effect of sleep apnea syndrome on the circadian profile of cortisol in obese men
Authors: Dadoun F. , Darmon P. , Achard V. , Boullu-Ciocca S. , Philip-Joet F. , Alessi M. C. , Rey M. , Grino M. , Dutour A.
Published: May 2007

It has been hypothesized that sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) increases hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and, through increased cortisol levels, participates in the pathophysiology of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. We compared the circadian profiles of cortisol in obese men with [obSAS+; apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 20/h] and without SAS (obSAS−; AHI ≤ 5/h). 1) Salivary cortisol (5 samples: before/30 min after dinner, 2100, upon/30 min after awakening) was measured in 15 obSAS+, 19 obSAS−, and 19 normal-weight controls (NWC). 2) Plasma cortisol (every 30 min for 24 h under highly controlled conditions and portable EEG device) was measured in 9 obSAS+, 8 obSAS−, and 10 NWC men. Visceral adipose tissue surface was measured by CT scan. In both studies, obSAS+ and obSAS− men were comparable for age, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. First, no difference was found, using ANOVA for repeated measures, between obSAS+ and obSAS− subjects for any salivary cortisol measurement. No correlation was found between salivary cortisol and AHI or nocturnal SaO2. Similarly, obSAS+ and obSAS− men showed no difference in plasma cortisol rhythmicity: 24-h minimum, maximum, and mean, ANOVA for repeated measures, mathematical modeling of cortisol rhythm (COSINOR), and morning secretory peak. Conversely, ANOVA for repeated measures showed decreased cortisol levels in obese vs. NWC men during both the trough (2200–0130) and the peak (0600–0900) independently of SAS status. We show that SAS per se is not associated with any change of the level or of the features of salivary and plasma cortisol rhythmicity and confirm that men with visceral obesity display lower plasma cortisol levels than NWC men.
Programming of intermediate metabolism in young lambs affected by late gestational maternal undernourishment
Authors: Husted S. M. , Nielsen M. O. , Tygesen M. P. , Kiani A. , Blache D. , Ingvartsen K. L.
Published: May 2007

Effects of moderate maternal undernourishment during late gestation on the intermediary metabolism and maturational changes in young lambs were investigated. 20 twin-bearing sheep, bred to two different rams, were randomly allocated the last 6 wk of gestation to either a NORM diet [barley, protein supplement, and silage ad libitum ∼15 MJ metabolizable energy (ME)/day] or a LOW diet (50% of ME intake in NORM, offered exclusively as silage ∼7 MJ ME/day). Post partum, ewes were fed to requirement. After weaning, lambs were fed concentrate and hay ad libitum. At 10 and 19 wk of age, lambs were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IGTT) followed by 24 h of fasting. Heat energy (HE) was determined in a respiration chamber at 9 or 20 wk of age. LOW lambs had a lower birth weight and continued to be lighter throughout the experiment. Glucose tolerance did not differ between groups. However, 19-wk-old LOW lambs secreted less insulin during IGTT, released more NEFA, and tended to have lower leptin during fasting than NORM. Surprisingly, several metabolite and hormone responses during IGTT and fasting were greatly influenced by the paternal heritage. In conclusion, when lambs entered adolescence (19 wk) programming effects of late prenatal malnutrition on the glucose-insulin homeostasis and metabolism were manifested: LOW lambs had less insulin-secretory capacity, but this was apparently compensated for by increased target tissue sensitivity for insulin, and adipose lipolytic capacity increased during fasting. Thereby, glucose may be spared through increased lipid oxidation, but overall energetic efficiency is apparently deteriorated rather than improved.
Fatalistic Beliefs about Cancer Prevention and Three Prevention Behaviors
Authors: Niederdeppe Jeff , Levy Andrea Gurmankin
Published: May 2007

Background: A substantial proportion of US adults hold fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention. Although evidence suggests that fatalistic beliefs discourage people from engaging in screening behaviors that can reduce their cancer risk, far less is known about associations between cancer fatalism and other prevention behaviors. We examined sociodemographic correlates of these beliefs and their associations with regular exercise, smoking, and fruit and vegetable consumption with a national sample of American adults.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the first wave of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 2003). HINTS used random-digit dialing to complete phone interviews with adult Americans (N = 6,369).

Results: Nearly half of respondents (47.1%) agreed that “It seems like almost everything causes cancer,” 27.0% agreed that “There's not much people can do to lower their chances of getting cancer,” and 71.5% agreed that “There are so many recommendations about preventing cancer, it's hard to know which ones to follow.” These beliefs were stronger in subjects who were less educated but generally weaker among both African Americans and Hispanics relative to Whites. Fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention were negatively associated with exercising weekly, not smoking, and eating five or more fruits and vegetables daily in multivariate analysis controlling for sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusions: Americans who hold fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention may be at greater risk of cancer because they are less likely to engage in various prevention behaviors. Results have notable implications for future cancer communication and education efforts. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):998–1003)
The Intersection of Cancer and Aging: Establishing the Need for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Authors: Schmitz Kathryn H. , Cappola Anne R. , Stricker Carrie T. , Sweeney Carol , Norman Sandra A.
Published: May 2007

The increasing success of treatments for common cancers has resulted in growing awareness of the unique health care needs of cancer survivors. Cancer treatments can be toxic and have long-lasting effects on health, potentially accelerating the aging process and producing associated declines in physical function. In this synthesis of the literature, we critically examine the strength of existing evidence that breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are associated with a disproportionate decline in physical function compared with the effects of living without cancer for the same number of years. There is some observational epidemiologic evidence that women treated for breast cancer report greater declines in physical function than their peers. Discerning the factors associated with such declines and their clinical significance remains to be addressed. Physiologic, psychological, and behavioral changes associated with both aging and cancer treatment are reviewed. Parallels are proposed between existing preventive and rehabilitative programs and possibilities for similar interventions aimed at preventing, reversing, or halting declines in physical function in cancer survivors. Finally, a program of research is proposed to evaluate whether there is some subset of breast cancer survivors for whom prevention or rehabilitation of functional status declines is needed, as well as development of targeted, mechanistically driven interventions. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):866–72)
A Possible Explanation for the Effect of Acupuncture on Pain
Authors: Richardson D.E. , Akil Huda
Published: May 2007

The physiological basis for the interruption of pain by acupuncture for anesthesia and analgesia has been of great interest in the last few years, since communications with Red China have become more common. The physiological basis for the effect of acupuncture on pain is still conjectural, but may well be related to a peripheral field effect from differential sensory input. To study this phenomenon, twelve cats were used in an acute preparation. Responses to C fiber input were recorded in the medial thalamus, both by average evoked responses and by single cell recordings with microelectrodes. When large myelinated fiber input from a different portion of the body was used in conjunction with noxious input, gross evoked responses to pain were clearly diminished, and single cell responses were altered. This modulation of C fiber input by large fibers was long lasting – a single interaction between two inputs led to a diminution of evoked responses to the noxious stimulus alone lasting up to 1 h. Analysis of single cell responses to noxious and non-noxious input to the thalamus suggested that a supraspinal gating mechanism was responsible for the different types of cellular responses being recorded in the centre median pulvinar and parafascicularis area. This supraspinal gating is discussed in relation to the analgesic effect of acupuncture nerve stimulation and other methods of pain relief as well as the theoretical method of processing sensory information in the thalamus.
Effects of Stereotaxic Thalamotomy on Late Components of the Somatosensory Evoked Response
Authors: Taren J.A. , Tucker R.P. , Kooi K.A.
Published: May 2007

Ten patients undergoing stereotaxic thalamotomies had electroencephalograms and computer averaging of cortical responses evoked by left and right median nerve stimulation preoperatively peroperatively and postoperatively. Most of the thalamotomies were performed to relieve rigidity or abnormal movements. All thalamotomies were performed by the posterior trajectory using radiologic and electrophysiologic techniques to localize the targets which were usually V.O.p. and V.O.a. nuclei. Evoked responses were also obtained from V.P. The postoperative EEG changes were minor in general but the somatosensory-evoked responses showed variable changes with some showing general simplification on the side of the lesion with contralateral stimulation. This finding was seen with no apparent clinical deficit. A lesion for pain in CM-Pf. region produced bilateral changes. Four thalamotomies with V.O.p. lesions and V.O.a. lesions or V.O.p. lesions alone produced amplitude increases in late components on the lesion side with ipsilateral stimulation. The findings suggest that somatosensory evoked responses may be abnormal in the absence of any objective neurologic deficit or EEG changes following thalamotomy.
Recording and Stimulation of the Ventralis Intermedius Nucleus of the Human Thalamus
Authors: Ohye Ch. , Nakamura R. , Fukamachi A. , Narabayashi H.
Published: May 2007

Extracellular recording of the spontaneous and evoked activity in and around the thalamic ventralis intermedius (V.i.m.) nucleus and electrical stimulation of the recorded point were alternated during the course of stereotaxic operation on awake parkinsonian patients to elucidate the possible function of the V.i.m. nucleus. In V.i.m., the neurons were found which responded to contralateral natural stimuli such as passive and active joint movement or muscle compression indicating kinesthetic origin. V.i.m. nucleus and its dorsal area were, in an other part, rich in spontaneous burst discharges, rhythmic and nonrhythmic, most of them being independent from peripheral afferent inflow. When V.i.m. area was stimulated electrically (rectangular pulse of 0.5 msec, 60 Hz, 10 V), weak intensity stimulation produced paresthetic sensation exactly in its peripheral receptive field, and stronger stimulation often resulted in complex movement of the contralateral upper limb around its receptive field, generally being predominant in extensor muscle. The effect of stimulation as well as results of microrecording were compared with those obtained from other surrounding areas and sensorymotor integrative action of V.i.m. was suggested.
Central Stimulation in the Treatment of Pain
Authors: Adams Johnn E. , Hosobuchi Yoshio , Rutkin Burton
Published: May 2007

In April, 1972, the authors first reported the use of chronic thalamic stimulation for the control of facial anesthesia dolorosa. This incapacitating pain syndrome had previously been refractory to definitive treatment. Chronic thalamic stimulation was undertaken following observation that acute stimulation in the sensory relay nuclei of the thalamus produced a tingling sensation which replaced pain in several patients who were undergoing thalamotomy for the treatment of other types of pain. This experience encouraged us to attempt to utilize chronic thalamic stimulation in the treatment of constant tenacious incapacitating anesthesia dolorosa. Three successfully treated patients were reported. Subsequently this concept has been extended to treat ‘thalamic’ pain syndromes and other types of painful states of central origin by chronic stimulation in either the main thalamic sensory nuclei or the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Cases will be reported, the techniques discussed and the theoretical basis for successful pain relief by such central stimulation discussed.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diffuse Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Neumaier Michael
Published: May 2007

Background: To evaluate the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in neovascular or edematous retinal diseases. Methods: In the clinical comparative interventional study, VEGF and bFGF concentrations in aqueous humor samples of 35 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 21 patients with diabetic macular edema and 24 patients of a control group were measured using a solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: Concentrations of VEGF and bFGF, respectively, were significantly higher in the diabetic group (184.7 ± 107.0 and 5.0 ± 10.2 pg/l) than in the AMD group (107.7 ± 73.0 pg/l, p = 0.002; 2.2 ± 7.4 pg/l, p = 0.002) and the control group (71.5 ± 94.7 pg/l, p = 0.001; 0.00 pg/l, p = 0.001). The two latter groups did not vary significantly (p = 0.10). Conclusions: VEGF and bFGF are present in considerably higher concentrations in eyes with diabetic macular edema than in eyes with exudative AMD or normal eyes. The differences were more marked for VEGF than for bFGF.
Increased Osteopontin Levels in the Vitreous of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Kase Satoru , Yokoi Masahiko , Saito Wataru , Furudate Naoki , Ohgami Kazuhiro , Kitamura Mizuki , Kitaichi Nobuyoshi , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Kase Manabu , Ohno Shigeaki , Uede Toshimitsu
Published: May 2007

Purpose: Osteopontin (OPN) has diverse functions such as cell adhesion, chemoattraction, immunomodulation, and angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to analyze the OPN levels in vitreous fluid obtained from diabetic retinopathy (DR) and non-DR patients. Methods: Nineteen patients out of 11 with DR and 8 without DR underwent pars plana vitrectomy and vitreous fluid was obtained simultaneously. Two distinct sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems (systems 1 and 2) were applied, which have been developed in our laboratories to quantify the OPN concentrations in vitreous fluid. Results: The non-thrombin-cleaved full-length OPN levels in the vitreous fluid were 921.63 ± 45.38 ng/ml in DR and 632.80 ± 83.43 ng/ml in non-DR using system 1. Also, vitreous thrombin-cleaved and noncleaved OPN levels were increased to 2,109.22 ± 151.651 and 1,651.13 ± 229.82 ng/ml in patients with DR and non-DR using system 2. The vitreous OPN levels were significantly higher in DR than those in non-DR (p < 0.01 by system 1 and p < 0.05 by system 2). Conclusion: Thrombin-cleaved and noncleaved vitreous OPN levels in patients with DR were increased compared with control subjects, suggesting that OPN plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinal ischemia.
Chronic Anemia and Thrombocytosis as the Initial Presentation of Still’s Disease in an Elderly Patient
Authors: Vilá Luis M. , Molina María J.
Published: May 2007

Still’s disease is very rare in elderly patients. We report a case of Still’s disease in an elderly patient that had an atypical initial presentation. A 76-year-old woman developed unexplained chronic anemia and thrombocytosis. Three years later she had acute onset of high fever, arthritis, maculopapular rash, pleuritic chest pain, abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies were negative. She responded favorably to prednisone and methotrexate treatment. Anemia and thrombocytosis as well as Still’s disease manifestations resolved.
Effective Treatment of Locally Advanced Endocrine Tumors of the Pancreas with Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Strosberg Jonathan , Hoffe Sarah , Gardner Nancy , Choi Junsung , Kvols Larry
Published: May 2007

Background/Aims: The use of chemoradiation in the management of locally advanced pancreatic endocrine tumors has not been reported in the medical literature. Patients with unresectable tumors are often included in trials of systemic chemotherapy, and use of external beam radiation has been only described in few case reports. Given the sensitivity of pancreatic endocrine tumors to cytotoxic agents including streptozocin, doxorubicin and 5-FU, we have hypothesized that the combination of concurrent and sequential chemotherapy and radiation will yield higher response rates than acheivable with chemotherapy alone. Methods: Six patients with locally advanced pancreatic endocrine tumors were treated with a protocol consisting of radiation concurrent with infusional 5-FU (or capecitabine) along with induction and consolidation chemotherapy (streptozocin and doxorubicin). We retrospectively determined the objective radiographic response rate. Results: The objective response rate was 80%. With a median follow-up of 29 months, all six patients in the study have had continued reduction in tumor size from the time of the first posttreatment scan to the most recent scan. None of the patients have experienced local or metastatic disease progression. Treatment was well tolerated with minimal toxicity. Conclusion: The combination of concurrent and sequential chemoradiotherapy appears to be a highly effective treatment for locally advanced pancreatic endocrine tumors.
Results of European post-marketing surveillance of bosentan in pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Humbert M. , Segal E. S. , Kiely D. G. , Carlsen J. , Schwierin B. , Hoeper M. M.
Published: May 2007

After the approval of bosentan for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), European authorities required the introduction of a post-marketing surveillance system (PMS) to obtain further data on its safety profile.

A novel, prospective, internet-based PMS was designed, which solicited reports on elevated aminotransferases, medical reasons for bosentan discontinuation and other serious adverse events requiring hospitalisation. Data captured included demographics, PAH aetiology, baseline functional status and concomitant PAH-specific medications. Safety signals captured included death, hospitalisation, serious adverse events, unexpected adverse events and elevated aminotransferases.

Within 30 months, 4,994 patients were included, representing 79% of patients receiving bosentan in Europe. In total, 4,623 patients were naïve to treatment; of these, 352 had elevated aminotransferases, corresponding to a crude incidence of 7.6% and an annual rate of 10.1%. Bosentan was discontinued due to elevated aminotransferases in 150 (3.2%) bosentan-naïve patients. Safety results were consistent across subgroups and aetiologies.

The novel post-marketing surveillance captured targeted safety data (“potential safety signals”) from the majority of patients and confirmed that the incidence and severity of elevated aminotransferase levels in clinical practice was similar to that reported in clinical trials. These data complement those from randomised controlled clinical trials and provide important additional information on the safety profile of bosentan.
Neuropsychological patterns in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with depression
Authors: Kozora Elizabeth , Arciniegas David B , Zhang Lening , West Sterling
Published: May 2007

Thirteen patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and depression (Depressed-SLE), 10 Depressed-Control subjects, and 25 Healthy Control subjects completed cognitive testing and self-report questionnaires of pain, depression, and fatigue. The Depressed-SLE group scored higher on the American College of Rheumatology Neuropsychological Battery for systemic lupus erythematosus cognitive impairment index compared to Depressed-Control and Healthy Control subjects (p < 0.05 and p < 0.02, respectively). No correlations between cognitive impairment and pain, fatigue, or perceived cognitive failures were observed in the Depressed-SLE participants. Moderate agreement (86.4%) was found between a comprehensive neuropsychology battery cognitive impairment index and the ACR-SLE impairment index in the Depressed-SLE patients. Overall, the magnitude and pattern of cognitive impairment in Depressed-SLE patients cannot be explained by depression alone.
Acute and long-term survival in chronically critically ill surgical patients: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Hartl Wolfgang H , Wolf Hilde , Schneider Christian P , Küchenhoff Helmut , Jauch Karl-Walter
Published: May 2007

Introduction

Various cohort studies have shown that acute (short-term) mortality rates in unselected critically ill patients may have improved during the past 15 years. Whether these benefits also affect acute and long-term prognosis in chronically critically ill patients is unclear, as are determinants relevant to prognosis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected from March 1993 to February 2005. A cohort of 390 consecutive surgical patients requiring intensive care therapy for more than 28 days was analyzed.

Results

The intensive care unit (ICU) survival rate was 53.6%. Survival rates at one, three and five years were 61.8%, 44.7% and 37.0% among ICU survivors. After adjustment for relevant covariates, acute and long-term survival rates did not differ significantly between 1993 to 1999 and 1999 to 2005 intervals. Acute prognosis was determined by disease severity during ICU stay and by primary diagnosis. However, only the latter was independently associated with long-term prognosis. Advanced age was an independent prognostic determinant of poor short-term and long-term survival.

Conclusion

Acute and long-term prognosis in chronically critically ill surgical patients has remained unchanged throughout the past 12 years. After successful surgical intervention and intensive care, long-term outcome is reasonably good and is mainly determined by age and underlying disease.
A distance difference matrix approach to identifying transcription factors that regulate differential gene expression
Authors: De Bleser Pieter , Hooghe Bart , Vlieghe Dominique , van Roy Frans
Published: May 2007

We introduce a method that considers target genes of a transcription factor, and searches for transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) of secondary factors responsible for differential responses among these targets. Based on the distance difference matrix concept, the method simultaneously integrates statistical overrepresentation and co-occurrence of TFBSs. Our approach is validated on datasets of differentially regulated human genes and is shown to be highly effective in detecting TFBSs responsible for the observed differential gene expression.
The Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Met158 Low-Activity Allele and Association with Nonvertebral Fracture Risk in Elderly Men
Authors: Stolk Lisette , van Meurs Joyce B. J. , Jhamai Mila , Arp Pascal P. , van Leeuwen Johannes P. T. , Hofman Albert , de Jong Frank H. , Pols Huibert A. P. , Uitterlinden André G.
Published: May 2007

Context: Because sex steroids play an important role in bone development, variants in genes encoding proteins involved in estrogen synthesis and metabolism could contribute to interindividual variation in bone parameters and fracture risk. An example is catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an estrogen-degrading enzyme involved in inactivation of catechol-estrogens. Its gene contains a functional valine to methionine substitution at codon 158.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine whether this polymorphism is associated with bone parameters and fracture risk in elderly subjects.

Methods: COMT genotypes were determined using TaqMan allelic discrimination in 2515 men and 3554 women from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study of individuals aged 55 and older. Associations with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone loss were analyzed using ANOVA or analysis of covariance, whereas fracture risk was analyzed using Cox’s proportional hazard regression analysis. COMT mRNA expression in three osteoblastic cell lines (SaOS, MG63, and SVHFO) was analyzed by RT-PCR.

Results: Male carriers of the Met158 allele had an increased risk for osteoporotic fractures (hazard ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.4) and for fragility fractures (hazard ratio = 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–5.9), with evidence for a dominant effect. Adjustments for age, height, weight, and BMD did not change the risk estimates. In women, this association was weaker and not significant. BMD was not significantly associated with the variant in either men or women. COMT mRNA was expressed in all three osteoblastic cell lines tested.

Conclusion: The COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with fracture risk in elderly men, through a mechanism independent of BMD.
Metformin Suppresses Interleukin (IL)-1β-Induced IL-8 Production, Aromatase Activation, and Proliferation of Endometriotic Stromal Cells
Authors: Takemura Yuri , Osuga Yutaka , Yoshino Osamu , Hasegawa Akiko , Hirata Tetsuya , Hirota Yasushi , Nose Emi , Morimoto Chieko , Harada Miyuki , Koga Kaori , Tajima Toshiki , Yano Tetsu , Taketani Yuji
Published: May 2007

Context: Metformin, a widely used treatment for diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity, also has both antiinflammatory properties and a modulatory effect on ovarian steroid production, two actions that have been suggested to be efficacious in therapy for endometriosis.

Objective: To determine whether metformin may be effective for the treatment of endometriosis, we evaluated the effects of this agent on inflammatory response, estradiol production, and proliferation of endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs).

Design: ESCs derived from ovarian endometriomas were cultured with various concentrations of metformin.

Main Outcome Measures: IL-8 production, mRNA expression and aromatase activity, and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation in ESCs were measured.

Results: Metformin dose-dependently suppressed IL-1β-induced IL-8 production, cAMP-induced mRNA expression and aromatase activity, and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation in ESCs.

Conclusion: These results suggest that further investigation into the unique therapeutic potential of metformin as an antiendometriotic drug is warranted.
Genomic Checkpoints for Exon 10 Usage in the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Type 1 and Type 2
Authors: Gromoll Jörg , Lahrmann Lisa , Godmann Maren , Müller Thomas , Michel Caroline , Stamm Stefan , Simoni Manuela
Published: May 2007

Alternative splicing is a hallmark of glycoprotein hormone receptor gene regulation, but its molecular mechanism is unknown. The LH receptor (LHR) gene possesses 11 exons, but exon 10 is constitutively skipped in the New World monkey lineage (LHR type 2), whereas it is constitutively spliced in the human (LHR type 1). This study identifies the regulatory elements of exon 10 usage. Sequencing of genomic marmoset DNA revealed that the cryptic LHR exon 10 is highly homologous to exon 10 from other species and displays intact splice sites. Functional studies using a minigene approach excluded the contribution of intronic, marmoset-specific long interspersed nucleotide-1 elements to exon 10 skipping. Sequencing of the genomic regions surrounding exon 10 from several primate lineages, sequence comparisons including the human and mouse LHR gene, revealed the presence of unique nucleotides at 3′-intronic position −19 and −10 and at position +26 within exon 10 of the marmoset LHR. Exon trap experiments and in vitro mutagenesis of these nucleotides resulted in the identification of a composite regulatory element of splicing consisting of cis-acting elements represented by two polypyrimidine tracts and a trans-acting element within exon 10, which affect the secondary RNA structure. Changes within this complex resulted either in constitutive exon inclusion, constitutive skipping, or alternative splicing of exon 10. This work delineates the molecular pathway leading to intronization of exon 10 in the LHR type 2 and reveals, for the first time, the essential function of regulatory and structural elements involved in glycoprotein hormone receptor splicing.
ConditionalKif3aablation causes abnormal hedgehog signaling topography, growth plate dysfunction, and excessive bone and cartilage formation during mouse skeletogenesis
Authors: Koyama Eiki , Young Blanche , Nagayama Motohiko , Shibukawa Yoshihiro , Enomoto-Iwamoto Motomi , Iwamoto Masahiro , Maeda Yukiko , Lanske Beate , Song Buer , Serra Rosa , Pacifici Maurizio
Published: May 2007

The motor protein Kif3a and primary cilia regulate important developmental processes, but their roles in skeletogenesis remain ill-defined. Here we created mice deficient in Kif3a in cartilage and focused on the cranial base and synchondroses. Kif3a deficiency caused cranial base growth retardation and dysmorphogenesis, which were evident in neonatal animals by anatomical and micro-computed tomography (μCT) inspection. Kif3a deficiency also changed synchondrosis growth plate organization and function, and the severity of these changes increased over time. By postnatal day (P)7, mutant growth plates lacked typical zones of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy, and were instead composed of chondrocytes with an unusual phenotype characterized by strong collagen II (Col2a1)gene expression but barely detectable expression of Indian hedgehog(Ihh), collagen X (Col10a1), Vegf (Vegfa), MMP-13 (Mmp13) and osterix (Sp7). Concurrently,unexpected developmental events occurred in perichondrial tissues, including excessive intramembranous ossification all along the perichondrial border and the formation of ectopic cartilage masses. Looking for possible culprits for these latter processes, we analyzed hedgehog signalling topography and intensity by monitoring the expression of the hedgehog effectors Patched 1 and Gli1, and of the hedgehog-binding cell-surface component syndecan 3. Compared with controls, hedgehog signaling was quite feeble within mutant growth plates as early as P0, but was actually higher and was widespread all along mutant perichondrial tissues. Lastly, we studied postnatal mice deficient in Ihh in cartilage; their cranial base defects only minimally resembled those in Kif3a-deficient mice. In summary, Kif3a and primary cilia make unique contributions to cranial base development and synchondrosis growth plate function. Their deficiency causes abnormal topography of hedgehog signaling, growth plate dysfunction, and un-physiologic responses and processes in perichondrial tissues, including ectopic cartilage formation and excessive intramembranous ossification.