bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking the peritoneal dialysis prescription: Results of recent studies (Review Article)
Authors: BARGMAN JOANNE M
Published: April 2006

SUMMARY:  Peritoneal dialysis treats uraemia in a way different from hemodialysis. The continuous nature of peritoneal dialysis optimises the removal of uraemic toxins of larger molecular weight, the so‐called ‘middle molecules’. Initially, there was an appreciation of the efficacy of this kind of slow, continuous dialysis. However, with the growing emphasis on adequacy as defined by small solute kinetics, blood purification by peritoneal dialysis was considered to be inferior to that performed with hemodialysis. With the subsequent publication of studies showing a lack of correlation of small solute clearance parameters with outcome in peritoneal dialysis, attention is again being paid to the benefits of continuous dialysis that treats renal failure in a way not quantifiable by small solute kinetics.
Steiner cephalometric analysis: predicted and actual treatment outcome compared
Authors: Abdullah RTH , Kuijpers MAR , Bergé SJ , Katsaros C
Published: April 2006

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Abdullah RTH, Kuijpers MAR, Bergé SJ, Katsaros C

Objective –  To examine the accuracy and precision of the Steiner prediction cephalometric analysis.

Setting and Subjects –  The sample consisted of 275 randomly selected patients, treated between 1970 and 1995 at a university department.

Methods –  Lateral cephalograms before (T1) and after orthodontic treatment (T2) were analyzed using the Steiner analysis. A prediction of the final outcome at T2 for the variables ANB°, U1 to NA mm, L1 to NB mm, and Pg to NB mm was performed at T1. The difference between the actual outcome at T2 and the Steiner predicted value (SPV), which was done at T1, was calculated. Accuracy (mean difference between T2 and SPV) and precision (standard deviation of the mean prediction discrepancies) of the prediction were studied. Paired t‐test was used to detect under‐ or overestimation of the predicted values.

Results –  The mean decrease in angle ANB was 1.4 ± 2.7° and for U1 to NA 2.0 ± 2.6 mm, while L1 to NB increased 0.8 ± 2.0 mm and Pg to NB 0.7 ± 1.1 mm. The predicted values for the changes in ANB angle, the distance of upper incisor U1 to NA as well as the distance Pg to NB were significantly overestimated when compared with the actual outcome, while the change in the distance of lower incisor L1 to NB was underestimated.

Conclusion –  The prediction of cephalometric treatment outcome as used in the Steiner analysis is not accurate enough to base orthodontic treatment decisions upon.
Profiling patients suspected of drug seeking in an adult emergency department
Authors: McNabb Charley , Foot Carole , Ting Joseph , Breeze Katina , Stickley Mark
Published: April 2006

Objectives:  (i) To profile ED consultations where drug seeking is considered; (ii) to clarify if an Australian patient cohort shares the characteristics identified in the literature, that is, high rate of psychiatric, chronic pain and drug dependency problems; and (iii) to quantify the extent of missed organic disease in suspected drug‐seeking presentations.

Methods:  Prospective descriptive study with an initial enrolment period of 3 months, follow up at 3 and 5 years. Tertiary hospital ED doctors voluntarily identified suspected drug‐seeking behaviour. Patients’ demographic information, past history, presenting features, investigations, management and missed diagnoses of organic pathology were collected. Recurrent presentations of drug seeking, self‐harming, psychiatric, chronic pain and drug dependency complaints were documented.

Results:  Thirty‐seven presentations (31 patients) of 10 958 total attendances were analysed. All patients were less than 65 years. Twenty‐one patients (68%, 95% confidence interval [CI 49.7–85.8]) were on unemployment or disability pension. Twenty‐six presentations (70%[95% CI 54.2–86.3]) described psychiatric problems, whereas three presentations (8%[95% CI 0.0–18.3]) had chronic pain and 10 presentations (27%[95% CI 11.4–42.7]) had drug dependency problems. Twenty‐six patients (84%[95% CI 69.3–98.4]) recurrently presented with self‐harming and drug‐seeking behaviour at 3 years. The risk of missing organic pathology was 8/37 (22%[95% CI 7.0–36.2]).

Conclusions:  Further characterization of this population would help accurate diagnosis of this aberrant behaviour and decrease the risk of missing organic pathology. The management of frequently presenting patients should prompt formulation of departmental plans to effectively assess and manage these people.
Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT): First steps towards the development of an Australian and New Zealand research network
Authors: Babl Franz , Borland Meredith , Ngo Peter , Acworth Jason , Krieser David , Pandit Sharad , Pitt W Robert , Cotterell Elizabeth , Jamison Sarah
Published: April 2006

Paediatric emergency research is hampered by a number of barriers that can be overcome by a multicentre approach. In 2004, an Australia and New Zealand‐based paediatric emergency research network was formed, the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT). The founding sites include all major tertiary children's hospital EDs in Australia and New Zealand and a major mixed ED in Australia. PREDICT aims to provide leadership and infrastructure for multicentre research at the highest standard, facilitate collaboration between institutions, health‐care providers and researchers and ultimately improve patient outcome. Initial network‐wide projects have been determined. The present article describes the development of the network, its structure and future goals.
Blood pressure measurements on children in the emergency department
Authors: Gilhotra Yuri , Willis Frank
Published: April 2006

Background:  There is no consensus on routine blood pressure (BP) measurement for children presenting to the ED. By contrast, BP measurements are performed routinely in adult ED. With increasing childhood obesity, and the knowledge that elevated BP in childhood correlates with hypertension in adulthood, routine BP measurement in children should be considered.

Objective:  To review the current practice of BP measurement in children presenting to the ED of Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, a tertiary referral paediatric centre.

Method:  A prospective observational study of 504 children presenting to the ED over a 6 month period in 2003.

Results:  In total, 114 children (22.6%) had their BP measured. A total of 35 (30.7%) had a BP above the 95th percentile for age and sex. In total, 19 (54.3%) of 35 with abnormal BP had their BP remeasured. Only one child of 10 with consecutive hypertensive measurements was followed up. BP measurement was more common in children aged 2 years and above, and in higher triage category patients.

Conclusions:  The present study demonstrates that BP measurement in the ED is both relatively infrequent and inconsistent. Further research into this area is required to determine the usefulness and feasibility of routine BP measurements in children presenting to the ED. This might improve the quality of health care and positively impact on public health for the future.
ABILITY OF COLICIN V TO CONTROL ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 IN GROUND BEEF
Authors: ABERCROMBIE JOHN G. , PAYNTER MALCOLM J.B. , HAYASAKA STEVEN S.
Published: April 2006

Culture counts of Escherichia coli O157:H7 showed that colicin V caused rapid death in buffered (pH 7) cell suspensions at 30C. A decrease in optical density of cell suspensions indicated that colicin V lysed cells. Decreased optical densities were proportional to increased colicin V concentrations. Colicin V was also effective in killing E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef at 4, 20 and 30C. Initial rates of killing were directly proportional to temperature.
INHIBITION OF SALMONELLA SEROVARS, ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 AND LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES DURING DRY‐CURING AND DRYING OF MEAT: A CASE STUDY WITH BASTURMA
Authors: INGHAM STEVEN C. , SEARLS GINA , BUEGE DENNIS R.
Published: April 2006

Basturma, a spiced beef product intended to be cooked before consumption, was prepared in three trials by dry‐curing intact surface‐inoculated (6 log cfu per piece with Salmonella serovars, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes) beef eye of round subprimals for 21 days at 6.7C, and then rinsing, pressing and drying for 6–8 days at 21–27C. The finished products had percentage water‐phase salt concentrations of 8.3–18.0 and water activity of 0.84–0.95. In the finished product, no surviving Salmonella serovars and E. coli O157:H7 were detected (<1.0 log cfu) in two trials; in the third trial the reductions were 4.5 and 5.0 log cfu, respectively. L. monocytogenes populations decreased 4.0–4.9 log cfu. Basturma prepared by dry‐curing, rinsing, pressing and drying appears to present little risk of foodborne infection because this process reduces populations of Salmonella serovars, E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. Dry‐curing and drying are potentially very important pathogen‐reduction steps.
OspE2 of
Shigella sonnei
Is Required for the Maintenance of Cell Architecture of Bacterium-Infected Cells
Authors: Miura Masashi , Terajima Jun , Izumiya Hidemasa , Mitobe Jiro , Komano Teruya , Watanabe Haruo
Published: April 2006

The OspE2 product of
Shigella
spp., the expression of which is regulated by the
mxiE
gene, is secreted through a type III secretion system into host cells. We investigated the function of OspE2 of
Shigella sonnei
by using cultured epithelial cells. Cells invaded by an
ospE2
deletion mutant altered their morphology into the rounding shape, which was not due to cell death, whereas cells invaded by the wild-type strain kept their cell shape intact. The
ospE2
mutation did not affect initial cell entry and multiplication in cells, but the mutant formed smaller-than-normal plaques on cell monolayers, indicating a deficiency in cell-to-cell spread by the bacteria. An
mxiE
deletion mutant also showed changes in cell morphology and deficiency in bacterial spread to adjacent cells. In cells invaded by the
ospE2
mutant, disturbance of actin stress fibers was prominent at 3 h after invasion. Analysis of OspE2 localization indicated that the OspE2 protein accumulated on focal contact-like structures in the infected host cells. These results suggest that colocalization of the OspE2 protein in the focal contacts of infected cells may function to maintain an intact cell morphology. The morphological change induced by invasion of the
ospE2
mutant may affect secondary bacterial transmission.
A Reduced Risk of Infection with
Plasmodium vivax
and Clinical Protection against Malaria Are Associated with Antibodies against the N Terminus but Not the C Terminus of Merozoite Surface Protein 1
Authors: Nogueira Paulo Afonso , Piovesan Alves Fabiana , Fernandez-Becerra Carmen , Pein Oliver , Rodrigues Santos Neida , Pereira da Silva Luiz Hildebrando , Plessman Camargo Erney , del Portillo Hernando A.
Published: April 2006

Progress towards the development of a malaria vaccine against
Plasmodium vivax
, the most widely distributed human malaria parasite, will require a better understanding of the immune responses that confer clinical protection to patients in regions where malaria is endemic. The occurrence of clinical protection in
P. vivax
malaria in Brazil was first reported among residents of the riverine community of Portuchuelo, in Rondônia, western Amazon. We thus analyzed immune sera from this same human population to determine if naturally acquired humoral immune responses against the merozoite surface protein 1 of
P. vivax
, PvMSP1, could be associated with reduced risk of infection and/or clinical protection. Our results demonstrated that this association could be established with anti-PvMSP1 antibodies predominantly of the immunoglobulin G3 subclass directed against the N terminus but not against the C terminus, in spite of the latter being more immunogenic and capable of natural boosting. This is the first report of a prospective study of
P. vivax
malaria demonstrating an association of reduced risk of infection and clinical protection with antibodies against an antigen of this parasite.
Identification and Characterization of a Hemolysin Gene Cluster in
Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Rock Jessica L. , Nelson David R.
Published: April 2006

Vibrio anguillarum
is a causative agent of vibriosis in fish. Hemolytic activity has been suggested as a virulence factor by contributing to hemorrhagic septicemia and diarrhea. In order to identify and characterize the hemolysin genes and examine the role of hemolytic activity in virulence, a mini-Tn
10
Kan mutagenesis clone bank of
V. anguillarum
was screened. While no hemolysin-negative strains were observed, several mutants with two- to threefold-increased hemolytic activity were found. The region containing the insertion mutation was cloned, sequenced, and found to contain the
V. anguillarum
hemolysin (
vah1
) and two other open reading frames, coding for a putative lactonizing lipase (
llpA
) and a putative phospholipase (
plp
). The mini-Tn
10
Kan was inserted into
plp
. Site-directed mutagenesis of each gene revealed that mutations in
vah1
and
llpA
did not affect hemolytic activity, but insertions into
plp
caused a two- to threefold increase in hemolysis. Double mutations in
plp
and either
vah1
or
llpA
resulted in wild-type hemolytic activity. Complementation of
plp
restored hemolytic activity to wild-type levels. Spectrophotometric determination of hemolysin specific activity revealed that activity on a per cell basis peaked during the first 2 h of growth in LB20. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR used to quantitate transcription of the hemolysin genes
plp
and
vah1
in
V. anguillarum
wild-type strains M93Sm and NB10 revealed that transcription of
plp
and
vah1
peaked at 2 h of growth in LB20. Additionally, expression of
vah1
measured in the
plp
mutant strain, JL01, during the first 2 h of growth was >8 times higher than that in M93Sm. Mutations in
plp
and
llpA
did not affect virulence of
V. anguillarum
. The mutation in
vah1
attenuated
V. anguillarum
virulence in fish. These data show that several genes are responsible for hemolytic activity in
V. anguillarum
. At least three genes (
plp
,
llpA
, and
vah1
) are responsible for one hemolytic activity. The data also suggest that
plp
acts as a negative regulator of
vah1
and
llpA
.
Influence of Slc11a1 on the Outcome ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Enteritidis Infection in Mice Is Associated with Th Polarization
Authors: Caron Judith , Larivière Line , Nacache Mayss , Tam Mifong , Stevenson Mary M. , McKerly Colin , Gros Philippe , Malo Danielle
Published: April 2006

Genetic analyses identifiedSes1as a significant quantitative trait locus influencing the carrier state of 129S6 mice following a sublethal challenge withSalmonella entericaserovar Enteritidis. Previous studies have determined thatSlc11a1was an excellent candidate gene forSes1. Kinetics of infection in 129S6 mice andSlc11a1-deficient (129S6-Slc11a1tm1Mcg) mice demonstrated that the wild-type allele ofSlc11a1contributed to theS. entericaserovar Enteritidis carrier state as early as 7 days postinfection. Gene expression profiling demonstrated that 129S6 mice had a significant up-regulation of proinflammatory genes associated with macrophage activation at day 10 postinfection, followed by a gradual increase in immunoglobulin transcripts, whereas 129S6-Slc11a1tm1Mcgmice had higher levels of immunoglobulins earlier in the infection. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR revealed an increase in Th1 cytokine (IfngandIl12) and Th1-specific transcription factorTbx21expression during infection in both the 129S6 and 129S6-Slc11a1tm1Mcgstrains. However, the expression ofGata3, a transcription factor involved in Th2 polarization,Cd28, andIl4was markedly increased inSlc11a1-deficient mice during infection, suggesting a predominant Th2 phenotype in 129S6-Slc11a1tm1Mcganimals followingS. entericaserovar Enteritidis infection. A strong immunoglobulin G2a response, reflecting Th1 activity, was observed only in 129S6 mice. All together, these results are consistent with an impact ofSlc11a1on Th cell differentiation during chronicS. entericaserovar Enteritidis infection. The presence of a Th2 bias inSlc11a1-deficient mice is associated with improved bacterial clearance.
The
hbhA
Gene of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Is Specifically Upregulated in the Lungs but Not in the Spleens of Aerogenically Infected Mice
Authors: Delogu Giovanni , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Posteraro Brunella , Rocca Stefano , Zanetti Stefania , Fadda Giovanni
Published: April 2006

We report that
hbhA
is differentially regulated during
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection. Upregulation was observed in epithelial cell infection but not in macrophage infection and in the lungs but not in the spleens of infected mice, and it was greater during the early steps of infection, when bacilli disseminate from the site of primary infection.
A Distinct QscR Regulon in the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Quorum-Sensing Circuit
Authors: Lequette Yannick , Lee Joon-Hee , Ledgham Fouzia , Lazdunski Andrée , Greenberg E. Peter
Published: April 2006

The opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
possesses two complete acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) signaling systems. One system consists of LasI and LasR, which generate a 3-oxododecanoyl-homoserine lactone signal and respond to that signal, respectively. The other system is RhlI and RhlR, which generate butanoyl-homoserine lactone and respond to butanoyl-homoserine lactone, respectively. These quorum-sensing systems control hundreds of genes. There is also an orphan LasR-RhlR homolog, QscR, for which there is no cognate acyl-HSL synthetic enzyme. We previously reported that a
qscR
mutant is hypervirulent and showed that QscR transiently represses a few quorum-sensing-controlled genes. To better understand the role of QscR in
P. aeruginosa
gene regulation and to better understand the relationship between QscR, LasR, and RhlR control of gene expression, we used transcription profiling to identify a QscR-dependent regulon. Our analysis revealed that QscR activates some genes and represses others. Some of the repressed genes are not regulated by the LasR-I or RhlR-I systems, while others are. The LasI-generated 3-oxododecanoyl-homoserine lactone serves as a signal molecule for QscR. Thus, QscR appears to be an integral component of the
P. aeruginosa
quorum-sensing circuitry. QscR uses the LasI-generated acyl-homoserine lactone signal and controls a specific regulon that overlaps with the already overlapping LasR- and RhlR-dependent regulons.
ECONOMIC LOAD DISPATCH BASED ON HYBRID EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHM AND FUZZY NUMBER RANKING METHOD
Authors: ZHANG GUOLI , LI GENGYIN , XIE HONG , MA JIANWEI
Published: April 2006

In this paper we propose a new economic load dispatch model considered the cost function coefficients with uncertainties and the constraints of ramp rate. The uncertain parameters are represented by fuzzy numbers, with the model called fuzzy dynamic economic load dispatch model (FDELD). A novel hybrid evolutionary algorithm and fuzzy number ranking method is proposed to solve FDELD problem. Hybrid evolutionary algorithm combines evolutionary algorithm of very strong global search ability with quasi-simplex technique of better local search capability. The fuzzy number ranking method is used to compare the fuzzy cost function values when optimizing fuzzy cost function. In addition, this paper gives a novel method dealing with directly constrained conditions, and it is not necessary to construct penalty function, as a common disposal constraints method. The experimental study shows that FDELD is practical and the algorithm and techniques proposed are very efficient to solve FDELD problem.
CGRP inhibits osteoprotegerin production in human osteoblast-like cells via cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway
Authors: Villa I. , Mrak E. , Rubinacci A. , Ravasi F. , Guidobono F.
Published: April 2006

The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) system was evaluated as a potential target of CGRP anabolic activity on bone. Primary cultures of human osteoblast-like cells (hOB) express calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1, and, because CGRP stimulates cAMP (one of the modulators of OPG production in osteoblasts), it was investigated whether it affects OPG secretion and expression in hOB. CGRP treatment of hOB (10−11 M–10−7 M) dose-dependently inhibited OPG secretion with an EC50 of 1.08 × 10−10 M, and also decreased its expression. This action was blocked by the antagonist CGRP8–37. Forskolin, a stimulator of cAMP production, and dibutyryl cAMP also reduced the production of OPG. CGRP (10−8 M) enhanced protein kinase A (PKA) activity in hOB, and hOB exposure to the PKA inhibitor, H89 (2 × 10−6 M), abolished the inhibitory effect of CGRP on OPG secretion. Conditioned media from CGRP-treated hOB increased the number of multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells and the secretion of cathepsin K in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared with the conditioned media of untreated hOB. These results show that the cAMP/PKA pathway is involved in the CGRP inhibition of OPG mRNA and protein secretion in hOB and that this effect favors osteoclastogenesis. CGRP could thus modulate the balance between osteoblast and osteoclast activity, participating in the fine tuning of all of the bone remodeling phases necessary for the subsequent anabolic effect.
Glucokinase and hexokinase expression and activities in rainbow trout tissues: changes with food deprivation and refeeding
Authors: Soengas José L. , Polakof Sergio , Chen Xi , Sangiao-Alvarellos Susana , Moon Thomas W.
Published: April 2006

The expression and activities of glucokinase (GK) and hexokinase (HK) were assessed in different tissues of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) under different feeding conditions (fed, fasted for 14 days, and refed for 7 days). Two different HK-I cDNAs were identified with different tissue distributions. One transcript named heart or H-HK-I was observed in the four brain regions assessed, white muscle, kidney, and gills but not in liver or erythrocytes. A second transcript named liver or L-HK-I was found in all tissues surveyed. GK mRNA was identified only in liver and the four brain regions. GK expression was altered by feeding conditions, especially in liver and hypothalamus where food deprivation decreased and re-feeding increased expression; changes in expression reflected activity changes and changes in tissue glycogen levels. In contrast, feeding conditions did not alter expression of either HK-I transcript but did alter tissue HK activities. The reduced phosphorylating capacity noted with food deprivation correlates primarily with changes in tissue HK, whereas increased capacity, as with refeeding, was associated with changes in GK; these changes fit with the different Km values of the GK and HK enzymes. These results provide evidence for the hypothalamus acting as a glucosensor in trout, as hyperglycemia produced increased GK expression and activity, as well as increased glycogen levels. Thus, even though trout use glucose poorly, none of the parameters tested here relate to this inability to use glucose and suggest that, at least, rainbow trout, if given an appropriate carbohydrate diet, could metabolically adjust to such a diet.
Role of NH2 and COOH termini in targeting, stability, and activity of sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1
Authors: Espiritu Doris Joy D. , Bernardo Angelito A. , Arruda Jose A. L.
Published: April 2006

Sodium bicarbonate cotransporter 1 (NBC1) mediates 80% of bicarbonate reabsorption by the kidney, but the molecular determinants for activity, targeting, and cell membrane stability are poorly understood. We generated truncation mutants involving the entire NH2 (ΔN424) or the entire COOH (ΔC92) terminus and examined the effects of these truncations on targeting, cell membrane stability, and NBC1 activity. ΔN424 and ΔC92 targeted to the plasma membrane of HEK293 cells or to the basolateral membrane of opossum kidney (OK) cells at 24 h but did not display NBC1 activity. Unlike the NBC1 wild-type and the ΔN424, ΔC92 expression was significantly decreased in the basolateral membrane at 48 h and yet the total ΔC92 expression in the cell was constant. We found that decreased ΔC92 expression in the basolateral membrane was due to increased endocytosis and mistargeting to the apical membrane. Increased endocytosis was prevented when both ΔN424 and ΔC92 were cotransfected together and more stable expression of ΔC92 was observed. Immunoprecipitation studies using NBC1 antibody specific for the COOH epitope were able to detect the COOH truncated NBC1 when probed with NH2 epitope-specific antibody or vice versa. Similar findings were observed with Ni-NTA pull-down assay. Cotransfection of both mutants partially restored NBC1 activity. In summary, NBC1 targets to the basolateral membrane of OK cells by a default mechanism and the COOH terminus plays a role on NBC1 stability in the basolateral membrane.
Buccal DNA Collection: Comparison of Buccal Swabs with FTA Cards
Authors: Milne Elizabeth , van Bockxmeer Frank M. , Robertson Laila , Brisbane Joanna M. , Ashton Lesley J. , Scott Rodney J. , Armstrong Bruce K.
Published: April 2006

Collection and analysis of DNA, most commonly from blood or buccal cells, is becoming more common in epidemiologic studies. Buccal samples, which are painless to take and relatively easily collected, are often the preferred source. There are several buccal cell collection methods: swabs, brushes, mouthwash, and treated cards, such as FTA or IsoCode cards. Few studies have systematically compared methods of buccal cell collection with respect to DNA yield and amplification success under similar conditions. We compared buccal DNA collection and amplification using buccal swabs and FTA cards in 122 control subjects from our Australian case-control study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Buccal DNA was quantified using a real-time PCR for β-actin and genotyped at the loci of three polymorphisms (MTHFR 677C>T, ACE I/D, and XPD 1012G>A). PCR was successful with DNA from buccal swabs for 62% to 89% of subjects and from FTA cards for 83% to 100% of subjects, depending on the locus. The matched pair odds ratios (95% confidence interval) comparing success of FTA cards with buccal swabs are as follows: MTHFR 677C>T using PCR-RFLP, 12.5 (11.6-13.5) and using real-time PCR, 130.0 (113.1-152.8); ACE I/D using PCR-amplified fragment length polymorphism, 3.36 (3.2-3.5); XPD 1012G>A using real-time PCR, 150.0 (132.7-172.3). FTA cards are a robust DNA collection method and generally produce DNA suitable for PCR more reliably than buccal swabs. There are, however, technical challenges in handling discs punched from FTA cards that intending users should be aware of. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(4):816–9)
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonist Directly Inhibits Proximal Tubule Sodium Pump Activity in Obese But Not in Lean Zucker Rats
Authors: Hakam Amer C. , Hussain Tahir
Published: April 2006

We have reported recently that the renal angiotensin II type 2 (AT
2
) receptors are upregulated and involved in promoting natriuresis/diuresis in obese but not in lean Zucker rats. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that there is an enhanced AT
2
receptor signaling via NO/cGMP pathway leading to greater inhibition of the Na
+
, K
+
-ATPase (NKA) activity in the proximal tubules (PT) of obese rather than lean Zucker rats. The AT
2
agonist CGP42112 (0.1 to 100 nmol/L) inhibited (33% at 100 nmol/L) the NKA activity in the PTs of obese but not in lean Zucker rats. The AT
2
antagonist PD123319 (1 μmol/L), not the angiotensin II type 1 antagonist losartan (1 μmol/L), significantly diminished the CGP42112-induced inhibition of the NKA activity in obese rats. The AT
2
agonist (10 nmol/L)–induced NKA inhibition was abolished by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (10 μmol/L), the NO synthase inhibitor
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester (100 μmol/L), and the protein kinase G inhibitor K1388 (2 μmole/L). CGP42112 (10 nmol/L) caused an increase in serine phosphorylation of NKA α1-subunit in PT of obese rats. Measurement of cGMP and NO revealed that CGP42112 (0.1 to 100 nmol/L) increased cGMP and NO accumulation in the PTs of obese but not lean rats. The CGP42112-induced stimulation of NO and cGMP was blocked by PD123319 (1 μmol/L),
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester (100 μmol/L), and 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (10 μmol/L) but not by losartan (1 μmol/L). The data suggest that the AT
2
receptor activation via stimulation of the NO/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway directly inhibits the tubular NKA activity that provides as a mechanism responsible for the AT
2
receptor–mediated natriuresis in obese but not in lean Zucker rats.
The story of the Si6 magic cluster
Authors: Zdetsis Aristides D.
Published: April 2006

The Si6 cluster is considered as one of the best studied and well established theoretically and experimentally. Due to dynamic on top of static Jahn-Teller distortions its structure is not rigid and its energy hyper-surface is extremely flat. As a result high level correlation, beyond single-reference perturbation theory is necessary for the description of the electronic and geometric characteristics of this cluster. Failure to recognize this can lead to misunderstandings and discrepancies. The present work examines the geometric and electronic structure of Si6 using various theoretical techniques. This work can serve as a simple example of a case where a seemingly good agreement between theoretical and experimental results can be fortuitous or misleading.
Dynamic Breaking and Restoring of Finite Water Chains inside Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Liu Yi , Consta Styliani
Published: April 2006

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations combined with an electrostatic point charge model reveal that quasi one-dimensional (1D) water chains break down and restore dynamically inside the carbon nanotube (6, 6). The models of finite water chains include a pair of hydronium and hydroxyl ions separated by several water molecules. Fluctuations of the hydrogen-bonded path interrupt the continuous proton transport along the 1D water chains considerably. Driven by electrostatics, protons can move either toward or away from the breaking point of the water chains depending on the dipole orientation of the end water. As a result, both the hydronium and the hydroxyl ions are repelled by the breaking point of the water chains.
Television and taste hierarchy: the case of Dutch television comedy
Authors: Kuipers Giselinde
Published: April 2006

How are hierarchical relationships between taste cultures possible in a fragmented, popular and accessible medium like television? This article explores this question by looking at relationships between taste cultures in Dutch television comedy. A survey of 340 Dutch people showed four humour tastes, two of which were related hierarchically: a lowbrow style disliked by educated informants, and a highbrow style mostly unknown to less-educated informants. Interview materials were used to understand the mechanisms behind this asymmetric pattern of knowledge and dislike. Whereas educated informants' readings of lowbrow humour were confidently rejecting, less-educated informants' readings of highbrow comedy are best described as ‘despondent’. These findings fit Bourdieu's notion of legitimate taste rather than Hall's encoding/decoding model. The article argues that taste must be understood not only as a pattern of preferences, but also as cultural knowledge. This knowledge varies between groups, and is crucial in the perpetuation of taste hierarchies.
Comorbidity and Disability in Elderly Mexican and Mexican American Adults
Authors: Patel Kushang V. , Peek M. Kristen , Wong Rebeca , Markides Kyriakos S.
Published: April 2006

This article aims to compare the effects of morbid and comorbid medical conditions on disability in elderly Mexican and Mexican American adults. Data from the 2001 Mexican Health and Aging Study ( N = 4,872) and 1993 to 1994 Hispanic Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly ( N = 3,050) were analyzed. Prevalence of medical conditions and disability in activities of daily living were calculated and logistic models were used to test associations. Prevalence of disability in older Mexicans was 16.3% while it was slightly lower in Mexican Americans (13.1%). Prevalence of arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke were substantially higher in Mexican Americans than in older adults living in Mexico. Diabetes, stroke, and heart attack were comorbid conditions that raised the likelihood of disability in both populations among subjects with other medical conditions. Despite differences in prevalence, the associations of morbidity and comorbidity with disability had similar magnitudes in both populations.
Comparative Analysis of Cognitive Impairment Among Mexicans and Spanish-Speaking Immigrant’s Elders
Authors: Mejía Silvia , Miguel Alejandro , Gutiérrez Luis Miguel , Villa Antonio R. , Ostrosky-Solis Feggy
Published: April 2006

Objectives: This study aims to compare the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Mexicans and Spanish-speaking U.S. immigrants. Methods: The relationship of cognitive impairment with social and demographic variables was explored using data from five different population based survey studies. Results: Prevalence rates increased with age, with low educational level, didn’t show a clear association with gender and decreased in married subjects. Estimates of cognitive and functional impairment combined are greater in the immigrant samples than those for Mexican residents. Primary memory measures are the least discriminative for cognitive impairment, whereas orientation, attention, and secondary verbal memory measures discriminate better. Discussion: Mexicans and Spanish-speaking USA immigrants have similar prevalence estimates of cognitive impairment. However, prevalence of functional impairment differs between Mexicans and immigrants because of measurement issues and cultural factors.
Social comparison processes and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome
Authors: Hedley Darren , Young Robyn
Published: April 2006

The present study investigated the relationship between social comparison processes and depressive symptoms in 36 participants (34 males and two females) aged 10 to 16 years with Asperger syndrome. Participants completed the Social Comparison Scale and the Children’s Depression Inventory. Depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with the SCS ( r = 0.52, p = 0.001), specifically perceived group membership ( r = 0.56, p < 0.001). A regression analysis revealed that perceived group membership significantly and independently predicted depression scores (β= 0.56, p = 0.002). It is suggested social comparison is a salient factor related to depressive symptoms in this group, and interventions involving adolescents with AS should therefore address this factor.
Chemokine Receptor CCR6 Expression Level and Liver Metastases in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ghadjar Pirus , Coupland Sarah Ellen , Na Il-Kang , Noutsias Michel , Letsch Anne , Stroux Andrea , Bauer Sandra , Buhr Heinz J. , Thiel Eckhard , Scheibenbogen Carmen , Keilholz Ulrich
Published: April 2006

Purpose

The liver is the primary organ of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemokine receptor CCR6 is expressed on a subset of T cells and is associated with their migration into the liver. This study was performed to analyze a possible association between CCR6 expressed by primary CRC and liver metastases.

Patients and Methods

CCR6 expression levels were evaluated by immunohistology in 64 CRC primary tumor specimens. Twenty-four of 64 patients had synchronous liver metastases. Evaluation of immunostaining was performed semiquantitatively by visual assessment and quantitatively by digital image analysis (DIA). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess relevant parameters for liver metastases.

Results

CCR6 expression was verified in all 64 primary tumor specimens with considerable variations in intensity; 21 tumors (33%) demonstrated weak CCR6 staining, 32 (50%) demonstrated intermediate staining, and 11 (17%) demonstrated strong staining. Quantitative assessment by DIA showed an up to 5-log difference in CCR6 values. CCR6 staining was significantly stronger in tumor cells compared with adjacent colon epithelial cells (P < .0005). Multiple logistic regression analysis, controlling for age, sex, tumor stage, nodal status, pathologic grade, and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels, revealed that CCR6 staining in the primary tumor was independently associated with the presence of liver metastases (odds ratio = 2.1; P = .002).

Conclusion

The association between expression level of CCR6 in primary CRC and synchronous liver metastases suggests that CCR6 and its ligand may be involved in the metastatic spread to the liver. Therefore, CCR6 may be a potential target for specific therapeutic interventions.
Immediate or Deferred Androgen Deprivation for Patients With Prostate Cancer Not Suitable for Local Treatment With Curative Intent: European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Trial 30891
Authors: Studer Urs E. , Whelan Peter , Albrecht Walter , Casselman Jacques , de Reijke Theo , Hauri Dieter , Loidl Wolfgang , Isorna Santiago , Sundaram Subramanian K. , Debois Muriel , Collette Laurence
Published: April 2006

Purpose

This study (EORTC 30891) attempted to demonstrate equivalent overall survival in patients with localized prostate cancer not suitable for local curative treatment treated with immediate or deferred androgen ablation.

Patients and Methods

We randomly assigned 985 patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer T0-4 N0-2 M0 to receive androgen deprivation either immediately (n = 493) or on symptomatic disease progression or occurrence of serious complications (n = 492).

Results

Baseline characteristics were well balanced in the two groups. Median age was 73 years (range, 52 to 81). At a median follow-up of 7.8 years, 541 of 985 patients had died, mostly of prostate cancer (n = 193) or cardiovascular disease (n = 185). The overall survival hazard ratio was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.48; noninferiority P > .1) favoring immediate treatment, seemingly due to fewer deaths of nonprostatic cancer causes (P = .06). The time from randomization to progression of hormone refractory disease did not differ significantly, nor did prostate-cancer specific survival. The median time to the start of deferred treatment after study entry was 7 years. In this group 126 patients (25.6%) died without ever needing treatment (44% of the deaths in this arm).

Conclusion

Immediate androgen deprivation resulted in a modest but statistically significant increase in overall survival but no significant difference in prostate cancer mortality or symptom-free survival. This must be weighed on an individual basis against the adverse effects of life-long androgen deprivation, which may be avoided in a substantial number of patients with a deferred treatment policy.
Full-field pulsed magnetophotoelasticity – a description of the instrument
Authors: Gibson S , Jewell G. W , Tomlinson R. A
Published: April 2006

This paper describes a novel instrument used for the analysis of full-field through-thickness stress distributions using the theory of magnetophotoelasticity (MPE) developed by Aben [1] and developed by Clarke et al. [2, 3]. MPE is an experimental stress analysis technique that involves the application of a magnetic field parallel to an electromagnetic wave propagating through a birefringent model within a polariscope. The effect viewed through the polariscope is then a combination of the model's birefringence and the Faraday rotation created in the model by the magnetic field. Aben developed this technique especially for use in the measurement of stress profiles where the integrated photoelastic pattern alone yields little information. Clarke et al. developed MPE in order to study toughened glass.

To date, the technique of MPE has been a single-point measurement, which is of limited utility in the investigation of three-dimensional stress in toughened glasses. The pulsed magnetopolariscope (PMP), described here, enables the full-field application of MPE. This paper contains a description of the novel apparatus and demonstrations used to validate the performance of a proof-of-concept PMP instrument. The paper also highlights improvements in the application of MPE, which are now possible with this new equipment. These improvements include the extension of MPE to larger areas of analysis, three-dimensional stress analysis, and the possibility of analysing a general unknown stress distribution.
Including embodied energy considerations at the conceptual stage of building design
Authors: Yohanis Y. G. , Norton B
Published: April 2006

Designers need practical tools to aid decision making at the conceptual stage of building design. The aim of this paper is to investigate, using the early design model, the comparative impact of varying building parameters on the cost of non-domestic buildings. Cost comprises of the cost of operational energy, capital, and embodied energy (EE). Integrated assessment of cost as a function of the following parameters has been carried out: overall heat loss coefficient, obstruction, depth of room, lighting level, installed illuminance, room temperature, rate of infiltration, efficiency of heating plant, incidental heat gain, glazing ratio, cost of windows, and coefficient of performance of cooler. For the specific non-domestic building considered, inclusion of EE in the analysis does not significantly influence design but may have an impact on material choices.
Locative alternation and two levels of verb meaning
Authors: Iwata Seizi
Published: April 2006

Verbs likeloadorsprayare known to alternate between two variants (John sprayed paint onto the wall / John sprayed the wall with paint ). Both Rappaport and Levin (1988) and Pinker (1989) derive one variant from the other, but these lexical rule approaches have a number of problems. This paper argues for a form-meaning correspondence model which distinguishes between two levels of verb meaning: that of a lexical headsprayon the one hand and that of a phrasal constituentspray paint onto the wallorspray the wall with painton the other. Locative alternation stems from the fact that a frame semantic scene encoded byspraycan be construed in two alternate ways. This proposed model allows us to account for the data straightforwardly without suffering from the problems created by lexical rule approaches. This proposed analysis is fundamentally the same as Goldberg’s (1995) in being a version of Construction Grammar approach. But unlike Goldberg’s Correspondence Principle-based account, my analysis makes the most of the semantic compatibility between verbs and constructions, thereby giving a more straightforward account of locative alternation.
Fishy business: Humor in a Sardinian fish market
Authors: Porcu Leide
Published: April 2006

Humor can ease social relations, be exploited to further productivity, and improve the environment and the general well being of the individual. Through humor people negotiate their value as men and demarcate insider/outsiders relations. At the same time, humor often interrupts the flow of work, slowing down productivity, and wasting time and money. Humor can also be exploited ambiguously to further self-interest and justify and re-interpret one's deceitful conduct. In the ambiguously humorous environment, people further their interests, crossing the boundaries of licit and illicit, offensive and acceptable behavior. Humor offers a place to dream a better reality, but it can also actually transform the context. Humorous topics revert around scatology, sex, gender, fish, and value manipulation. These are central fish market themes that define each other relationally. Whatever the practical purpose and the change of context that the jokes are aiming at, jokers construct primarily themselves and in the process they give sense to their life. In this paper I try to draw a picture in which the individual, with his desires and needs, and the culture at large come together.
The masking effects of humor on audience perception of message organization
Authors: Jones John A.
Published: April 2006

Can use of humor in a disorganized speech mask audience perception of disorganization? Employing a 2 × 2 factorial design, findings reveal that use of humor can cause a disorganized speech to be evaluated as better organized than a serious disorganized speech and as comparable to a serious organized speech. By dividing attention, listeners seem likely to focus on the more attractive alternative. Also ratings of speech humorousness and audience member’s levels of sense of humor influence assessments of speech disorganization.
Embodying “you”: Levinas and a question of the second person
Authors: Clarkson Carrol
Published: April 2006

In this paper I examine the effects of considering
Levinas’s philosophy of the relation to the Other as a relation to a second
person “you,” rather than to a third person “he.” To think of the Other as “you”
sheds further light on the ethical encounter that Levinas terms the “Saying:” it
provokes us to think of the event of reading a literary text as an event of the
Saying. In the dynamic potential of the literary text to instantiate an “I” and
a “you” (which is to say, an addresser and an addressee) each time it is read,
and in ways that cannot be exhaustively predicted or epistemologically saturated
in advance, the artwork effects an open yet responsive encounter with the
Other.
Semiotic systems of works of visual art: Signs, connotations, signals
Authors: Somov Georgij Yu.
Published: April 2006

The analysis of works of visual art illustrates
typical groups of elements and interrelations, which form semiotic systems of
these works. Specific systems of connotations and their relations with semantic
structures, paradigmatics, and typical signal structures are described. Like in
linguistic texts, different levels are formed in complex images. The following
basic level types are distinguished: sems and other units of semantic level;
signs subdivided into: icons of represented objects and connotative sign
formations; representamens of basic signs as interpreted by Charles Peirce,
including those of connotations, and signals referred to as basic perceptive
integer units forming an individual level.
What you should know to survive in knowledge societies: On a semiotic understanding of ‘knowledge’
Authors: Hoffmann Michael H. G. , Roth Wolff-Michael
Published: April 2006

Different situations — like school and workplace
— demand different forms of knowledge. Even more important, in particular
for lifelong learning, are forms of knowledge we need for managing movements
between those situations. To develop a better understanding of how to
‘navigate’ knowledge boundaries, this paper analyzes, firstly, interviews with
scientists interpreting familiar and unfamiliar graphs. Our goal is to identify those
forms of knowledge that should receive special attention in education. Secondly,
the article elaborates — based on Peirce’s semiotics — an epistemologically
reflected semiotic model to describe the role and conditions of knowledge
necessary for crossing knowledge boundaries.