bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European quality assurance programme in rectal cancer – are we ready to launch?
Authors: Mroczkowski P. , Ortiz H. , Penninckx F. , Påhlman L.
Published: October 2011

Aim  There have been initiatives to create a European audit project. This paper addresses the issue of differences in data collected by different registries.

Method  Patients with rectal cancer treated in 2008 and recorded in quality registries from Belgium, Germany/Poland, Spain and Sweden were analyzed. The comparison included number of patients, gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, preoperative diagnostic and staging procedures, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical treatment and quality of surgery, postoperative complications and adjuvant treatment.

Results  The Belgian database consisted of 622 patients, the German/Polish database consisted of 3,393 patients, the Spanish database consisted of 1,641 patients and the Swedish database consisted of 1,826 patients. The percentage of patients in each ASA stage was highly variable. MRI use was highest in Spain and Sweden and very low in Germany/Poland. The percentage of cT4 stage tumours in Sweden was much higher than in all other countries. Sweden recorded the highest percentage of primary metastatic disease (20.3%) and Belgium recorded the lowest (10.2%). Neoadjuvant therapy in different protocols was administered to 41.2% patients in Germany/Poland, to 50.8% in Spain, to 55.2% in Belgium and to 62% in Sweden. Laparoscopic surgery (conversion rate) was performed for cure in 5% (28%) of patients in Sweden, in 20.8% (20.6%) in Spain, in 28.6% (15.2%) in Belgium and in 14.5% (8.9%) in Germany/Poland. The 30‐day mortality for anterior resection, abdominoperineal excision and Hartmann’s procedure in Sweden, Belgium and Spain was 2.0%, 2.3% and 3.1%, respectively. The German/Polish database reported an in‐hospital mortality of 3.2%.

Conclusion  A European quality assurance project in rectal cancer is possible only after data collection is standardized.
Diagnostic yield and economic implications of endoscopic colonic biopsies in patients with chronic diarrhoea
Authors: Hotouras A. , Collins P. , Speake W. , Tierney G. , Lund J. N. , Thaha M. A.
Published: October 2011

Aims  Random colonic biopsies are recommended to exclude microscopic colitis in patients with chronic diarrhoea especially when mucosa is macroscopically normal at endoscopy. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcome and economic impact of such a policy in an unselected group of patients with macroscopically normal mucosa.

Methods  All new patients undergoing colonoscopy for investigation of chronic diarrhoea between April and December 2009 were included. Patients were divided into two groups: macroscopically normal mucosa and macroscopically inflamed mucosa. Endoscopic findings were correlated with histology of random biopsies and haematological parameters. Symptom status and any treatment were established from follow‐up. The breakdown and overall cost of random biopsies for each patient with a macroscopically normal mucosa were determined, and cost incurred per diagnosis of microscopic colitis was established.

Results  Altogether 137 (90.1%) of 152 patients with chronic diarrhoea had macroscopically normal mucosa at colonoscopy. Overall incidence of microscopic colitis in the study was 1.3% (2/152); both patients belonged to the macroscopically normal mucosa group. At follow‐up, both these patients had spontaneous symptom resolution without any specific treatment. The policy of undertaking random biopsies in patients with macroscopically normal mucosa incurred an extra cost of £22 057 to diagnose two cases of microscopic colitis but did not alter medical treatment.

Conclusions  In unselected patients with chronic diarrhoea and macroscopically normal mucosa, random colonic biopsies have a low diagnostic yield and incur a high cost. Continued research for predictive markers to improve patient selection for targeted biopsies is needed to develop a cost‐effective investigative algorithm in chronic diarrhoea.
Understanding factors associated with teacher‐directed student use of technology in elementary classrooms: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Miranda Helena P. , Russell Michael
Published: October 2011

Analyses presented here are secondary data analyses of the Use, Support and Effect of Instructional Technology study aimed at identifying predictors of teacher‐directed student use of technology (TDS) in elementary classrooms. Using data from a convenience sample of 1040 teachers nested within 81 schools in 21 Massachusetts' school districts, researchers developed a teacher‐level structural equation modeling for TDS depicting relationships between and among factors associated with TDS. Researchers relied on diffusion and adoption theories as well as prior empirical evidence to specify the hypothetical model. Evidence presented here suggests that the strongest predictors of TDS are as follows: (1) teachers' experience with technology, (2) belief that technology is beneficial to meet instructional goals, (3) perceived importance of technology for teaching and that (4) experiencing obstacles with the integration of technology appears to be one deterrent to teachers using technology in the classroom. The most important finding reported here is that two of the most important factors in increasing TDS are teachers' beliefs about the benefits of technology and perceived importance of technology for teaching.
“Holy cow! This stuff is real!” From Imagining Ministry to Pastoral Imagination
Authors: Campbell‐Reed Eileen R. , Scharen Christian
Published: October 2011

How do seminarians move from imagining ministry to embodying pastoral imagination? Stories gathered from seminarians in their final year of study show the complexity of shifting from classroom work, which foregrounds theory and intellectual imagination, to more embodied, relational, and emotionally intense engagements of ministry. Stories about learning ministry articulate a process we call the birth of pastoral imagination. New ministers test their use of knowledge acquired in classroom and books within the limits of actual ministry situations. They become overwhelmed by multiple variables in situations where they must make choices and act. These moments of action are fraught with risk and responsibility for the outcomes. Articulation and theological reflection are formative for students learning the practice of ministry. Implications for theological education include making greater “use of knowledge” in ministry practice and “use of practice” in classrooms. Points of crisis in the student stories raise additional questions about how some complications and interruptions to the “birth process” may present tragic consequences.
Move for Change Part I: a European survey evaluating the impact of the EPDA Charter for People with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Bloem B.R. , Stocchi F.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  The 1997 European Parkinson’s Disease Association’s (EPDA) Charter for People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) outlines their rights in terms of standards of care. It states that all patients have the right to: be referred to a doctor with a special interest in PD; receive an accurate diagnosis; have access to support services; receive continuous care; and take part in managing their illness. Move for Change is a three‐part series of pan‐European patient surveys based on this Charter.

Methods:  This first survey, consisting of 23 questions, focusing on the initial two points of the Charter, was administered online through the EPDA and affiliated patient associations’ Web sites. Of 2149 forms received from 35 European countries, 2068 (96.2%) were analyzed, with the remainder excluded, mainly due to incomplete responses.

Results:  The majority of patients were diagnosed within 2 years from the onset of first symptoms (82.7%; range, <1 year to ≥5 years). In relation to diagnosis delivery, 45.3% of patients stated that it was ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. During the 2 years following diagnosis, 43.8% of respondents had never seen a PD specialist. Care was usually overseen by generically active neurologists (92.5%) or family doctors (81.0%), with considerable overlap between the two.

Conclusions:  These data highlight challenges that patients with PD face during the period of diagnosis, despite introduction of the Charter. These findings can assist healthcare professionals and policy makers in improving the level of care for patients and their families across Europe, and we offer suggestions about how this can be achieved.
Ethylene‐induced differential petiole growth in Arabidopsis thaliana involves local microtubule reorientation and cell expansion
Authors: Polko Joanna K. , van Zanten Martijn , van Rooij Jop A. , Marée Athanasius F. M. , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Peeters Anton J. M. , Pierik Ronald
Published: October 2011

Hyponastic growth is an upward petiole movement induced by plants in response to various external stimuli. It is caused by unequal growth rates between adaxial and abaxial sides of the petiole, which bring rosette leaves to a more vertical position. The volatile hormone ethylene is a key regulator inducing hyponasty in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we studied whether ethylene‐mediated hyponasty occurs through local stimulation of cell expansion and whether this involves the reorientation of cortical microtubules (CMTs).

To study cell size differences between the two sides of a petiole in ethylene and control conditions, we analyzed epidermal imprints. We studied the involvement of CMT orientation in epidermal cells using the tubulin marker line as well as genetic and pharmacological means of CMT manipulation.

Our results demonstrate that ethylene induces cell expansion at the abaxial side of the‐ petiole and that this can account for the observed differential growth. At the abaxial side, ethylene induces CMT reorientation from longitudinal to transverse, whereas, at the adaxial side, it has an opposite effect. The inhibition of CMTs disturbed ethylene‐induced hyponastic growth.

This work provides evidence that ethylene stimulates cell expansion in a tissue‐specific manner and that it is associated with tissue‐specific changes in the arrangement of CMTs along the petiole.
19th Century Latin America Imperialism from a Global Perspective
Authors: Powelson Michael
Published: October 2011

19th century Latin America was subjected to imperialist aggression from both the European nations and the United States. The form of imperialism, however, changed over the course of the century, with the ‘traditional’ imperialism of the colonial period giving way to the ‘gentlemanly’ imperialism of the early to mid‐19th century. By the century’s end, a ‘new’ imperialism emerged noted for its association with the growing world capitalist economy, especially the need for the capitalist nations of Europe and the United States to acquire new markets for their goods, cheaper sources of labor, and greater access to raw materials.
Terra Firma‐Forme Dermatosis: A Retrospective Review of 31 Patients
Authors: Berk David R.
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Terra firma‐forme dermatosis is an idiopathic condition characterized by acquired, dirtlike plaques despite normal hygiene. A diagnosis can be reached by removing lesions with gentle alcohol swabbing. Although Terra firma‐forme dermatosis was first described more than 20 years ago and is thought to be not uncommon in clinical practice, it has never been systematically studied. There are few publications about this condition, including no case series of more than six patients. In particular, little is known about the incidence, peak age groups, and most common locations of Terra firma‐forme dermatosis. A retrospective review was conducted to identify cases of Terra firma‐forme dermatosis in a single‐provider practice consisting of 55% pediatric and 45% adult patients. Thirty‐one patients with Terra firma‐forme dermatosis were identified, including 10 who presented with Terra firma‐forme dermatosis as their primary concern. Only two patients were older than 17 years. The median duration of lesions was 4 months. The most common lesion locations were the neck, ankles, and face. Before presenting to the dermatology clinic, three patients had undergone endocrine evaluations, and four had been prescribed topical corticosteroids. Terra firma‐forme dermatosis is relatively common and most often occurs in children on the neck or posterior malleolus. This series exemplifies the importance of recognizing Terra firma‐forme dermatosis so as to provide rapid relief for patients and avoid unnecessary tests and treatments.
Safe and Successful Treatment of Acne Vulgaris with Isotretinoin in a Patient with Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Authors: Alonso‐de‐Celada Ricardo M. , de‐Lucas Laguna Raúl
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Isotretinoin for acne vulgaris in the setting of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a controversial therapeutic option. In this inherited immunodeficiency, inefficient tissue responses to bacteria and fungi lead to chronic and recurrent infections. Isotretinoin is known to be associated with several mucocutaneous side effects that could worsen the immune response in individuals with CGD. We report the fourth published case of acne vulgaris treated with isotretinoin in an individual with CGD, with a safe and successful outcome.
Poikiloderma with Neutropenia: Report of Three Cases Including One with Calcinosis Cutis
Authors: Chantorn Rattanavalai , Shwayder Tor
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN), Clericuzio type (OMIM #604173) is a new, unique genodermatosis first described by Clericuzio et al (Am J Med Genet A, 2011, 155, 337) in Navajo Indian population. This disease is characterized by poikiloderma that usually develops in the first year of life and is associated with nail abnormality, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, chronic neutropenia, and recurrent infections. The rash typically starts from the extremities and spreads centripetally to involve the trunk, face, and ears. Recently, a homozygous mutation in the C16orf57 gene on chromosome 16q13 was identified as a strong candidate as the gene responsible for PN. We report three cases of PN whose clinical presentations, laboratory investigations, and C16orf57 mutation support the diagnosis of PN. One child has developed multiple painful calcinosis cutis lesions. Early‐onset poikiloderma should prompt a complete blood count as a screening test.
Acceptance of Elective Bradypacing by Patients: An African Perspective
Authors: THOMAS MARTINS OLUWAFEMI
Published: October 2011

Background:
 In our practice, we noticed that patients respond differently when pacemaker insertion is recommended to them. We then saw the need to study how African patients accept elective pacemaker implantation.

Aim:
 The study was conducted to determine African patients’ responses to elective pacemaker insertion.

Patients and Methods:
 We recruited patients who reported at our outpatient clinic with indications for elective pacemaker insertion. The study period lasted 64 months from September 1999. The patients were counseled before insertion and we sought their consent before being recruited for the study. Five possible responses were used to grade acceptance. They were followed up for 12 months each. Patients who were brought in emergency and those who refused participation were excluded. Those who missed follow‐up were also dropped.

Results:
 Ninety‐two patients (n = 92) met our study criteria after dropping eight patients who missed follow‐up clinic attendance. Most of the candidates (71.7%) felt they had no options but to accept pacemakers at the time of operation. The remaining candidates either accepted the procedure with hope or wholeheartedly. Most of the candidates migrated up the ladder of acceptance over the 12‐month period.

Discussion and Conclusion:
 We concluded that most patients would accept pacemakers wholeheartedly over time. (PACE 2012; 35:58–61)
A Large Coronary‐Pulmonary Artery Fistula in a Cyanotic Patient Leading to Severe Biventricular Dysfunction and Heart Failure
Authors: Kapoor Aditya , Walia Rohit , Jain Sunil , Kumar Sudeep
Published: October 2011

In cases of pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD), the commonest source of pulmonary blood flow is via major aortoplumonary collaterals. Collaterals may also arise from the coronary arteries and the reported prevalence of such coronary‐pulmonary artery fistulas (CPAF) in PA with VSD is 10%. However gross congestive heart failure (CHF) and ventricular dysfunction is extremely rare in such cases. We report a 17‐year‐old male with PA with VSD and a large CPAF from the anterior right aortic sinus connecting to the left pulmonary artery, who presented with severe CHF. The left anterior descending and the right coronary artery both arose from the proximal part of the CPAF, possibly leading to extensive coronary steal and biventricular dysfunction (Echocardiography 2011;28:E207‐E211)
Reproducibility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Three‐Layer Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in a Swine Chronic Ischemia Model
Authors: Kimura Koichi , Takenaka Katsu , Ebihara Aya , Uno Kansei , Iwata Hiroshi , Sata Masataka , Kohro Takahide , Morita Hiroyuki , Yatomi Yutaka , Nagai Ryozo
Published: October 2011

Background: The subendocardial myocardium normally has higher systolic strain than the subepicardial myocardium and can be damaged first in face of ischemia. We investigated the reproducibility and feasibility of novel three‐layer speckle tracking system and compared the diagnostic accuracy with experienced visual interpretation. Methods: An ameroid constrictor was placed around the proximal left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery in 19 pigs. Four weeks later, subtotal stenosis was confirmed in all pigs by coronary angiogram. Two dead pigs and three pigs with pathological infarction were excluded. Transthoracic left ventricle (LV) short‐axis echocardiograms were recorded at rest before and 4 weeks after the operation. LV posterior wall motion was scored by two experienced doctors and analyzed by the speckle tracking system (n = 14). Results: Strain variables gave reasonable intra/interobserver reproducibility (mean absolute percentage errors = 13/19, intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.97/0.92). All strain variables and visual wall‐motion scores changed significantly during stenosis (P < 0.05). Of all variables, endocardial strains, particularly the circumferential strain demonstrated the highest area under curve (AUC), showing better diagnostic accuracy than experienced visual interpretation (sensitivity 0.93 vs. 0.79, specificity 0.93 vs. 0.73, AUC 0.95 vs. 0.77, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Three‐layer speckle tracking is a feasible and reproducible modality. In particular, endocardial speckle tracking provides incremental value in accurately identifying regional ischemia even in the rest echocardiography. (Echocardiography 2011;28:1148‐1155)
Transthoracic Echocardiography Guidance during Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: Oto Ali , Aytemir Kudret , Özkutlu Süheyla , Kaya Ergün Barış , Yorgun Hikmet , Canpolat Uğur , Ateş Ahmet Hakan , Özkutlu Hilmi
Published: October 2011

Background: Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been increasingly performed for several indications; mostly due to cryptogenic stroke. In this study we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance during percutaneous closure of PFO in using the Amplatzer and Occlutech Figulla PFO occluder devices. Methods: Between October 2005 and March 2011, 139 patients (74 male, mean age: 40.4 ± 10.3) underwent transcatheter PFO closure. In all patients transesophageal echocardiography performed subsequently to diagnose, assess the size and evaluate for suitability of the defect for percutaneous closure. During the procedure fluoroscopy and TTE were used for guidance. Results: Among 139 patients, Amplatzer PFO occluder was used in 74 patients and in 65 of them Occlutech Figulla device was selected for occlusion. The indications for PFO closure were ischemic stroke in 98 (70.5%), recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIA) in 40 (28.7%), peripheral embolism in 1 (0.8%) of the patients. In all patients, percutaneous intervention was performed successfully under TTE guidance. There have been no neurologic (recurrent strokes or TIAs) and cardiovascular complications during the immediate and long‐term follow‐up period (2–67 months, median 29). There was significant difference between the mean fluoroscopic time from the beginning which is 8.6 ± 3.4 min in the former versus 3.4 ± 1.9 min in the latter (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study confirms the efficacy and safety of TTE guidance during percutaneous closure of PFO, which shortens the procedural time and obviates the need for general anesthesia or endotracheal intubation. (Echocardiography 2011;28:1074‐1080)
Hydrologic response of a small forested swamp complex, Seymour Valley, British Columbia
Authors: Martin John E.
Published: October 2011

Wetlands are common in Coastal Western Hemlock forests yet the hydrologic processes that generate runoff from small swamps are not completely understood. Direct field observations, hydrologic, and electrical conductivity data were collected from a gently sloping forested swamp complex from July to November 2009. Swamps occupied depressions between raised mounds (0.1 to 3 m high) and were connected by an ephemeral creek. Runoff was controlled by antecedent moisture conditions and influenced by basin microtopography. Two hydrologic regimes occurred during the study period and different runoff processes dominated each regime. Runoff was generated by subsurface flow during dry antecedent conditions as swamps remained hydrologically disconnected from each other. Runoff was generated by surface outflow from hydrologically connected swamps during wet antecedent conditions as ponded water spilled out of the depressions. The forested swamp complex produced a faster but limited hydrologic response during dry antecedent conditions compared to a slower but greater hydrologic response during wet antecedent conditions. Stormwater runoff and runoff ratios were up to two orders of magnitude higher in wet conditions than during similarly sized events in dry conditions. These factors should be considered when designing monitoring programs or runoff models in forested swamps with significant microtopography. Field surveys and estimates of hydrologic inputs and outputs may be useful in predicting the potential hydrologic connectivity of isolated forested swamps.
Critical Analysis of Glass Stability Parameters and Application to Lithium Borate Glasses
Authors: Ferreira Eduardo B. , Zanotto Edgar D. , Feller Steve , Lodden Grant , Banerjee Joy , Edwards Trent , Affatigato Mario
Published: October 2011

We reevaluated nine parameters of glass stability (GS) against crystallization determined from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments to predict the glass‐forming ability (GFA) of oxide liquids on cooling. Then, borate glasses were prepared and tested, covering the Li2O–B2O3 system with 20.0–66.7 mol% lithia. The glasses were prepared from both commercial chemical and powders, obtained by a solution method. The GS parameters were calculated using characteristic glass transition, crystallization, and melting peaks of DSC thermograms. We found that seven stability parameters give similar trends for compositions up to 33.3 mol% lithia, where, as we expected, GS significantly decreases with lithia content. Thereafter, up to 66.7 mol% lithia, GS shows a broad shallow maximum, but is approximately constant indicating that, surprisingly, composition does not significantly affect the GFA in this wide compositional range. This result qualitatively agrees with our successful experience of preparing glasses with compositions up to 74 mol% lithia and corroborates the adequacy of simple DSC tests to comparatively gauge the GS and GFA of glass‐forming liquids.
Testing the Efficiency of Markov Chain Monte Carlo With People Using Facial Affect Categories
Authors: Martin Jay B. , Griffiths Thomas L. , Sanborn Adam N.
Published: October 2011

Exploring how people represent natural categories is a key step toward developing a better understanding of how people learn, form memories, and make decisions. Much research on categorization has focused on artificial categories that are created in the laboratory, since studying natural categories defined on high‐dimensional stimuli such as images is methodologically challenging. Recent work has produced methods for identifying these representations from observed behavior, such as reverse correlation (RC). We compare RC against an alternative method for inferring the structure of natural categories called Markov chain Monte Carlo with People (MCMCP). Based on an algorithm used in computer science and statistics, MCMCP provides a way to sample from the set of stimuli associated with a natural category. We apply MCMCP and RC to the problem of recovering natural categories that correspond to two kinds of facial affect (happy and sad) from realistic images of faces. Our results show that MCMCP requires fewer trials to obtain a higher quality estimate of people’s mental representations of these two categories.
Tracking human impact on current tree species distribution using plant communities
Authors: E Silva Daniel , Badeau Vincent , Legay Myriam , Corcket Emmanuel , Dupouey Jean‐Luc
Published: October 2011

Questions

Can we adequately model beech distribution based on accompanying vegetation, and how does this compare with a climate model? To what extent does accompanying vegetation predict larger extension of beech at its SW margin compared with current distribution? Do human factors explain the discrepancy between current and potential distribution?

Location

Lowland forests at the SW European range margin of beech.

Methods

We built a logistic regression model of beech presence based on accompanying understorey vegetation using 66 976 plots in the French National Forest Inventory (NFI) network. Explanatory variables were obtained by multivariate reduction of 252 species in NFI plots. The model was calibrated in regions where human impact on beech has been comparatively low. The probability of beech presence was estimated at its SW margin and compared with current distribution. We tested whether forest management factors could explain beech absence in locations where the flora predicted its presence. Performance of this model was compared with a classical climatic‐envelope model.

Results

Modelled potential distribution of beech along its SW margin was larger than observed distribution, suggesting area shrinkage under man's influence. Sites where beech was predicted as present but was currently absent were significantly less common in high forest stands, and more common in coppices, plantations and private forests. Characteristics of species replacing beech (early‐successional, plantation or exotic species) confirmed the role of forest management and disturbance in beech disappearance. The floristic model provided a finer resolution distribution map than the climatic‐envelope model.

Conclusions

Plant communities, together with precise tree species maps, allowed us to estimate manipulation of beech by man, and main silvicultural causes of its disappearance. The improvement in quality of current distribution models has important implications for modelling of niches under future climate scenarios.
Inhibition of autophagy may suppress the development of hepatoblastoma
Authors: Chang Yanxin , Chen Lei , Liu Yuan , Hu Liang , Li Liang , Tu Qianqian , Wang Ruoyu , Wu Mengchao , Yang Jiahe , Wang Hongyang
Published: October 2011

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare cancer but represents the most common liver malignancy in children under 3 years of age. Nevertheless, a clear understanding of the pathogenesis is lacking. Although the treatment of HB has been dramatically improved by combining chemotherapy regimens with surgery, its fatal outcome of fast development and recurrence makes new treatment strategies for HB, based on an improved understanding of the pathogenesis, essential. Autophagy is believed to be important in the progression of cancers. However, the role of autophagy in HB remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that autophagy is activated in HB tissues and cells under the conditions of starvation or chemotherapy, coupled with the over‐expression of autophagic‐related genes BECN1 and ATG5. Suppression of autophagy with pharmacological agents and small interfering RNAs significantly increased cell apoptosis and retarded proliferation in response to nutrition deprivation and treatment with chemotherapeutics. Our data demonstrate that the BECN1 and ATG5‐dependent phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is essential for the survival of HB cells and their tolerance to chemotherapy and starvation‐induced death, and suggests that modifying such autophagic genes may suppress the development of HB, thus offering a therapeutic potential for patients with HB.
Enhancement of Mitomycin C‐Induced Cytotoxicity by Curcumin Results from Down‐Regulation of MKK1/2‐ERK1/2‐Mediated Thymidine Phosphorylase Expression
Authors: Weng Shao‐Hsing , Tsai Min‐Shao , Chiu Yu‐Fan , Kuo Ya‐Hsun , Chen Huang‐Jen , Lin Yun‐Wei
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a phenolic compound obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has been found to inhibit cell proliferation in various human cancer cell lines, including non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is considered an attractive therapeutic target, because increased TP expression can suppress cancer cell death induced by DNA‐damaging agents. Mitomycin C (MMC), a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat NSCLC, inhibits tumour growth through DNA cross‐linking and breaking. Whether MMC can affect TP expression in NSCLC is unknown. Therefore, in this study, we suggested that curcumin enhances the effects of MMC‐mediated cytotoxicity by decreasing TP expression and ERK1/2 activation. Exposure of human NSCLC cell lines H1975 and H1650 to curcumin decreased MMC‐elicited phosphorylated MKK1/2‐ERK1/2 protein levels. Moreover, curcumin significantly decreased MMC‐induced TP protein levels by increasing TP mRNA and protein instability. Enhancement of ERK1/2 activation by constitutively active MKK1/2 (MKK1/2‐CA) increased TP protein levels and cell viability in curcumin‐ and MMC‐co‐treated cells. In contrast, U0126, a MKK1/2 inhibitor, augmented the cytotoxic effect and the down‐regulation of TP by curcumin and MMC. Specific inhibition of TP by siRNA significantly enhanced MMC‐induced cell death and cell growth inhibition. Our results suggest that suppression of TP expression or administration of curcumin along with MMC may be a novel lung cancer therapeutic modality in the future.
Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships and Docking Studies of Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide Antagonists
Authors: Kyani Anahita , Mehrabian Mohadeseh , Jenssen Håvard
Published: October 2011

Defining the role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide in migraine pathogenesis could lead to the application of calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonists as novel migraine therapeutics. In this work, quantitative structure–activity relationship modeling of biological activities of a large range of calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonists was performed using a panel of physicochemical descriptors. The computational studies evaluated different variable selection techniques and demonstrated shuffling stepwise multiple linear regression to be superior over genetic algorithm‐multiple linear regression. The linear quantitative structure–activity relationship model revealed better statistical parameters of cross‐validation in comparison with the non‐linear support vector regression technique. Implementing only five peptide descriptors into this linear quantitative structure–activity relationship model resulted in an extremely robust and highly predictive model with calibration, leave‐one‐out and leave‐20‐out validation R2 of 0.9194, 0.9103, and 0.9214, respectively. We performed docking of the most potent calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonists with the calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor and demonstrated that peptide antagonists act by blocking access to the peptide‐binding cleft. We also demonstrated the direct contact of residues 28–37 of the calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonists with the receptor. These results are in agreement with the conclusions drawn from the quantitative structure–activity relationship model, indicating that both electrostatic and steric factors should be taken into account when designing novel calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonists.
Effects of Dietary Supplements on Growth Performance and Phosphorus Waste Production of Australian Catfish, Tandanus tandanus, Fed with Diets Containing Soybean Meal as Fishmeal Replacement
Authors: Huynh Huy P.V. , Nugegoda Dayanthi
Published: October 2011

Effects of dietary phytase, amino acid (AA), and inorganic phosphorus (P) in soybean meal (SBM) diets on the growth, feed utilization, and P waste of Australian catfish, Tandanus tandanus, were evaluated. In Experiment 1, SBM replaced 30% of fishmeal (FM) protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase (1000–3000 FTU/kg). In Experiment 2, SBM replaced 45% of FM protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase, AAs, inorganic P, or their combinations. Inclusion of 3000 FTU/kg significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization of catfish. Ortho‐P waste was significantly lower in fish fed with SBM diets. At 30% FM protein replacement, dietary SBM did not reduce the total P waste of catfish while dietary phytase significantly did. At 45% FM protein replacement, phytase alone did not significantly improve the growth and feed utilization of catfish fed with SBM diets while significantly better results were obtained when both phytase and AAs were supplemented. Dietary inclusion of inorganic P significantly decreased P utilization and increased P waste of the fish. Dietary phytase significantly improved P utilization of catfish in both experiments.
Method for Determining Apparent Digestibility of Carbohydrate and Protein Sources for Artificial Diets for Juvenile Sea Cucumber, Australostichopus mollis
Authors: Slater Matthew J. , Lassudrie Malwenn , Jeffs Andrew G.
Published: October 2011

Effective nursery diets can greatly reduce the cost of producing juvenile sea cucumbers for release to aquaculture or restocking programs. However, methods for systematically testing the bioavailability of artificial diet ingredients for sea cucumbers are poorly developed, and consequently, there has been little research in this field. The current study presents methods developed to test the suitability of common carbohydrate and protein sources for inclusion in artificial diets for juvenile Australostichopus mollis. Apparent digestibility of carbohydrates was moderate and did not exceed 50% for any carbohydrates assayed. Wheat starch and carrageenans showed the highest digestibility amongst carbohydrates. Differences in apparent digestibility were not reflected in growth performance of juvenile A. mollis fed carbohydrate diets; overall growth performance was poor for all diets. Artificial protein sources consistently exhibited higher apparent digestibility, ranging from 75.1% for fish meal to 98.1% for casein. Low‐cost protein sources, like meat meal, show promise for future use in artificial diet formulation. However, delivering high protein content may reduce ingestion rates and thereby lower overall digestive efficiency in juveniles. Results show that artificial carbohydrate sources have some potential as diet constituents for juvenile sea cucumbers but are unsuitable as primary energy sources. Future testing of artificial carbohydrate sources for A. mollis may require predigestion to improve digestibility.
Preliminary Study of the Optimum Dietary Riboflavin Level in Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)
Authors: Okorie Okorie E. , Ko Su Hong , Go Sugeun , Bae Jun‐Young , Yoo Gwang Yeol , Lee Jun‐Ho , Kim Tae‐Ik , Bai Sungchul C.
Published: October 2011

A 14‐wk feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary riboflavin (vitamin B2) level in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. A total of 360 sea cucumbers averaging 1.49 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks, and each tank was then randomly assigned to one of three replicates of six diets containing 0.29 (B20), 4.22 (B24), 8.93 (B29), 17.9 (B218), 56.7 (B257), and 577 (B2577) mg riboflavin/kg diet. At the end of 14 wk of feeding trial, average weight gain (WG) of sea cucumbers fed B29, B218, B257, and B2577 diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of animals fed B20 diet. WG of sea cucumbers fed B218, B257, and B2577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B20 and B24 diets. Specific growth rate of sea cucumbers fed B29, B218, B257, and B2577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B20 and B24 diets. Feed efficiency of sea cucumbers fed B29, B257, and B2577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B20 and B24 diets. Although significant differences were recorded in proximate composition of sea cucumbers fed the experimental diets, no clear trends were observed. The ANOVA test suggested that the optimum dietary riboflavin level in sea cucumber could be 17.9 mg/kg diet but broken‐line analysis of WG indicated a level of 9.73 mg riboflavin/kg diet. Therefore, these results may indicate that the optimum dietary riboflavin level in sea cucumber could be higher than 9.73 mg/kg diet but lower than 17.9 mg/kg diet.
The Book of Isaiah in Contemporary Research
Authors: Hays Christopher B.
Published: October 2011

This article surveys scholarship on the book of Isaiah since roughly the start of the 21st century. Noting that theories of the book's formation based on internal textual data have not commanded consensus, it calls for stronger methodological controls for models of composition and redaction, on the basis of comparative data from other ancient Near Eastern texts, especially prophetic texts. Although there has been an outpouring of scholarship from every angle, significant recent trends include centripetal/holistic approaches to the book and study of its reception history.
Affiliation Goals and Health Behaviors
Authors: Cullum Jerry , O’Grady Megan A. , Tennen Howard
Published: October 2011

People are inherently driven by the need to form and maintain relationships, and these affiliation goals can influence health behaviors in two ways: (a) indirectly, by increasing a person’s attention to others and subsequently leaving them more likely to emulate the health behaviors of others (social contagion); (b) directly, by leading people to be more likely to engage in health behaviors they perceive as helping them to form and maintain relationships with others (self‐initiated behavioral engagement). In this review, we discuss the evidence for the catalyzing role of affiliation goals in these two processes for a variety of positive (e.g., exercising, smoking‐cessation) and detrimental (e.g., binge drinking and eating, needle sharing) health behaviors. We also discuss individual difference factors that may temporarily or chronically activate affiliation goals and ultimately influence health behaviors. Affiliation goals hold many implications for the study of health behavior, and for improving interventions.
Selective Exposure, Decision Uncertainty, and Cognitive Economy: A New Theoretical Perspective on Confirmatory Information Search
Authors: Fischer Peter
Published: October 2011

We propose that a variety of findings on selective exposure effects (confirmatory information search) and their different underlying psychological processes can be integrated utilizing a new model based upon perceived decision uncertainty and cognitive economy. The proposed model assumes that (a) perceived decision uncertainty is negatively related to the extent of engagement in confirmatory information search; (b) that decision makers are fundamentally motivated to preserve cognitive energy; and (c) that the cognitive processing of decision‐consistent information requires fewer cognitive resources than the processing of decision‐inconsistent information. By employing these three basic assumptions on cognitive economy and confirmatory information processing, we can integrate classic motivational (dissonance) and cognitive (informational) accounts of selective exposure.
Hegemonic Masculinity on the Sidelines of Sport
Authors: Grindstaff Laura , West Emily
Published: October 2011

Nearly a quarter of a century old, the concept of hegemonic masculinity as developed by R. W. Connell remains both influential and contested among gender scholars. In this essay, we use our research on coed cheerleading in the United States as a springboard to explore the bounds and limits of hegemonic masculinity as both cultural script and analytic construct. Cheerleading constitutes a public stage for ‘doing gender’ in ways that highlight normative, taken‐for‐granted notions of gender difference; consequently, we use cheerleading as a vehicle for asking under what circumstances and to what degree heterosexuality remains central to the enactment of hegemonic masculinity, which reflects a larger question about the flexibility of the concept and its openness to contestation and change. Building on the work of Connell and others, we stress the need for relational analyses of gender when studying both masculinities and femininities, as well as the importance of linking individual‐level data to broader structures of gendered power and inequality.
Assessing Family Caregiving: A Comparison of Three Retrospective Parentification Measures
Authors: Hooper Lisa M. , Doehler Kirsten
Published: October 2011

Despite the frequent use of the Parentification Questionnaire (PQ) and the Parentification Scale (PS) in research studies, scant attention has been directed toward the psychometric properties of the scores derived from these measures. Moreover, given the importance of parentification as a clinical topic for treatment, it is surprising that more attention has not been paid to the accuracy and psychometric properties of parentification instruments. The current study was the first to compare the psychometric properties of these two commonly used parentification instruments (i.e., PQ and PS). This study also examined another parentification instrument, newly developed: the Parentification Inventory (PI). More specifically, the psychometric properties of the PI were compared comprehensively with those of the PQ and PS in a sample of college students (N = 787). Scores derived from the three measures were found to be comparable, valid, and reliable. Implications for couple and family system practice, and directions for future research are proffered.
Contracting and Coordination under Asymmetric Production Cost Information
Authors: Çakanyıldırım Metin , Feng Qi , Gan Xianghua , Sethi Suresh P.
Published: October 2011

We analyze a supply chain consisting of a supplier and a retailer. The supplier's unit production cost, which characterizes his type, is only privately known to him. When trading with the retailer, the supplier demands a reservation profit that depends on his unit production cost. We model this problem as a game of adverse selection. In this model, the retailer offers a menu of contracts, each of which consists of two parameters: the ordering quantity and the supplier's share of the channel profit. We show that the optimal contract depends critically on a surrogate measure—the ratio of the types’ reservation profit differential to their production cost differential. An important implication from our analysis is that information asymmetry alone does not necessarily induce loss in channel efficiency. The optimal contract can coordinate the supply chain as long as the low‐cost supplier's cost efficiency is neither much overvalued nor much undervalued in the outside market. We further discuss the retailer's preference of the supplier's type under different market conditions, as well as evaluate the effects of the supplier's reservation profit, the retail price, and the demand uncertainty on the optimal contract.
A Comparison of Concrete and Virtual Manipulative Use in Third‐ and Fourth‐Grade Mathematics
Authors: Burns Barbara A. , Hamm Ellen M.
Published: October 2011

The primary purpose of this classroom experiment was to examine the effectiveness of concrete (hands‐on) manipulatives as compared with virtual (computer‐based) manipulatives on student review of fraction concepts in third grade and introduction of symmetry concepts in fourth grade. A pretest–posttest design was employed with a sample of 91 third‐grade students and 54 fourth‐grade students who were randomly assigned to complete a lesson using either concrete or virtual manipulatives. Students used a variety of manipulative materials during the lessons. Results of the posttest suggest that student learning was unchanged by lesson condition.
Transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein regulation of competitive antagonism: a problem of interpretation
Authors: MacLean David M. , Bowie Derek
Published: October 2011

Non‐Technical Summary  Communication between neurons is often carried out by neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, and their receptor proteins, such as AMPA‐type glutamate receptors. It has become clear that these AMPA receptors are not alone in cell membranes but are often associated with auxiliary proteins which alter their responsiveness to blocking drugs. In particular, the transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein (TARP) family of auxiliary proteins has been argued to make the receptor less sensitive to antagonists and more sensitive to neurotransmitter. Here we apply basic pharmacological principles to argue that these two effects are not separate but linked to each other, i.e. AMPA receptors are less sensitive to antagonists because they are more sensitive to neurotransmitter. We further highlight that when considering the very rapid nature of signalling between nerve cells, neurotransmitters have insufficient time to dislodge antagonists from their binding site. As a result, antagonists appear to work through a different mechanism.
Application of Tonal Tracking to Ship Acoustic Signature Feature Identification
Authors: Seto M. L.
Published: October 2011

A ship’s radiated acoustic signature is known after a range measurement, but it changes from that the longer the ship is in-service. The Ship Signatures Management System (SSMS) provides an organic, real-time capability for a naval ship to monitor its own signature in order to evaluate the impact of proposed actions on its counter-detection range and sensor performance. Ship protection is enhanced through insightful and timely signature data. In particular, this paper discusses the tonal detection and tracking algorithms used to monitor on-board machinery and propeller activity. The paper specifically addresses tonals that appear or disappear as a consequence of changes in the background level, as well as that of crossed tonals. This is of significance because it impacts the SSMS’s ability to attribute cause to changes in the ship acoustic signature. In particular, it is impossible to associate tonals that are time synchronized in their frequency and intensity changes as being created by a single cause (e.g., piece of machinery) with a known tonal set. The use of tonal amplitude and the cause for the signal-to-noise ratio change, in addition to the signal-to-noise ratio, remedies the detection and tracking of tonals that appear/disappear relative to the background. The additional use of tonal width is suggested as a means to remedy the problem of crossed tonals.