bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GENERALIZED LR PARSING ALGORITHM FOR BOOLEAN GRAMMARS
Authors: OKHOTIN ALEXANDER
Published: June 2006

The generalized LR parsing algorithm for context-free grammars is extended for the case of Boolean grammars, which are a generalization of the context-free grammars with logical connectives added to the formalism of rules. In addition to the standard LR operations, Shift and Reduce, the new algorithm uses a third operation called Invalidate, which reverses a previously made reduction. This operation makes the mathematical justification of the algorithm significantly different from its prototype. On the other hand, the changes in the implementation are not very substantial, and the algorithm still works in time O(n4).
ON SOME PROPERTIES OF THE LANGUAGE OF 2-COLLAPSING WORDS
Authors: PRIBAVKINA ELENA V.
Published: June 2006

We present two new results on 2-collapsing words. First, we show that the language of all 2-collapsing words over 2 letters is not context-free. Second, we prove that the length of a 2-collapsing word over an arbitrary finite alphabet Σ is at least 2|Σ|2 thus improving the previously known lower bound |Σ|2 + 1.
FAST ALGORITHMS FOR COMPARISON OF SIMILAR UNORDERED TREES
Authors: FUKAGAWA DAIJI , AKUTSU TATSUYA
Published: June 2006

We present fast algorithms for computing the largest common subtree (LCST) and for computing the optimal alignment when two similar unordered trees are given. For the LCST problem for rooted trees, we present an O(4Kn) time algorithm, where n is the maximum size of two input trees and the total number of non-common nodes is bounded by K. We extend this algorithm for unrooted trees and obtain an O(K4Kn) time algorithm. Both of these are subquadratic for two similar trees within K = o( log 4 n) differences. We also show that the alignment problem for rooted and unordered trees of bounded degree can be solved in O(γKn) time for a constant γ. Particularly γ is at most 4.45 for unlabeled binary trees.
ON DEGENERATE DOUBLE-LOOP L-SHAPES
Authors: LEE JU-SI , LAN JAMES K. , CHEN CHIUYUAN
Published: June 2006

Most of the results about the L-shapes of double-loop networks are given in terms of the four parameters ℓ, h, p, n. But these parameters are not well defined in the degenerate case. Recently, Cheng and Hwang proposed an efficient algorithm to compute the four parameters ℓ, h, p, n of an L-shape which works for both the regular and the degenerate cases. On the other hand, Chen and Hwang gave a set of rules to determine the four parameters ℓ, h, p, n of a degenerate L-shape. Unfortunately, the solutions given by the above two methods do not always coincide. In this paper, we investigate their respective meanings and their relations. We also prove that, in the degenerate case, the set of rules given by Chen and Hwang is the most reasonable one among all known methods.
MAESTRO2: EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF COMMUNICATION PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES IN THE LINK LAYER
Authors: YAMAGIWA SHINICHI , SOUSA LEONEL , FERREIRA KEVIN , AOKI KEIICHI , ONO MASAAKI , WADA KOICHI
Published: June 2006

Cluster computers became the vehicle of choice to build high performance computing environments. To fully exploit the computing power of these environments, technologies for high performance networks and protocols have to be applied, since the communication patterns of parallel applications running on clusters demand low latency and high throughput. Our previous work identifies the main drawbacks of conventional network technologies, and proposed some techniques to solve them within a new network solution called Maestro. This paper describes not only the architecture and the evaluation platform of the Maestro2, but also the technologies introduced for enhancing the performance of the original Maestro framework. Novel techniques are proposed at the link layer and at the switching level, and its design and implementation in the Maestro2 is discussed: continuous network burst and out-of-order switching. Moreover, a specialized communication library has been developed to take full advantage of these new techniques for implementing high speed cluster networks based on the Maestro2 environment. Experimental results clearly show that the new proposed techniques provide significant improvements, both in terms of latency and throughput, which are essential to efficient cluster computing.
Adipose tissue production of hepatocyte growth factor contributes to elevated serum HGF in obesity
Authors: Bell Lauren N. , Ward Jennifer L. , Degawa-Yamauchi Mikako , Bovenkerk Jason E. , Jones RoseMarie , Cacucci Brenda M. , Gupta Christine E. , Sheridan Carol , Sheridan Kevin , Shankar Sudha S. , Steinberg Helmut O. , March Keith L. , Considine Robert V.
Published: June 2006

Serum HGF is elevated in obese individuals. This study examined the contribution of excess adipose tissue to increased circulating HGF levels in obesity. Serum HGF was measured by ELISA before and after weight loss due to bariatric surgery or a 24-h fast. At 6.1 ± 0.1 mo following surgery, BMI (50.6 ± 1.6 vs. 35.1 ± 1.3 kg/m2; P < 0.0001) and serum HGF were significantly decreased (1,164 ± 116 vs. 529 ± 39 pg/ml, P < 0.001). A 24-h fast did not change serum HGF, but serum leptin was significantly reduced (67.7 ± 7.1 vs. 50.3 ± 8.3 ng/ml, P = 0.02). HGF secretion in vitro from adipocytes of obese (BMI 40.3 ± 2.8 kg/m2) subjects was significantly greater (80.9 ± 10.4 vs. 21.5 ± 4.0 pg/105 cells, P = 0.008) than release from adipocytes of lean (BMI 23.3 ± 1.4 kg/m2) subjects. HGF mRNA levels determined by real-time RT-PCR were not different in adipocytes from lean (BMI 24.0 ± 0.8 kg/m2) and obese (45.7 ± 3.0 kg/m2) subjects, but serum HGF was significantly elevated in the obese individuals studied (787 ± 61 vs. 489 ± 49 pg/ml, P = 0.001). TNF-α (24 h treatment) significantly increased HGF release from subcutaneous adipocytes 23.6 ± 8.3% over control ( P = 0.02). These data suggest that elevated serum HGF in obesity is in part attributable to excess adipose tissue and that this effect can be reversed by reducing adipose tissue mass through weight loss. Increased HGF secretion from adipocytes of obese subjects may be due to posttranscriptional events possibly related to adipocyte size and stimulation by elevated TNF-α in the adipose tissue of obese individuals.
Molecular Mechanism of the Inhibitory Effect of Aldosterone on Endothelial NO Synthase Activity
Authors: Nagata Daisuke , Takahashi Masao , Sawai Kuniko , Tagami Tetsuya , Usui Takeshi , Shimatsu Akira , Hirata Yasunobu , Naruse Mitsuhide
Published: June 2006

Although the proinflammatory and profibrotic actions of aldosterone (Aldo) on the vasculature have been reported, the effects and molecular mechanisms of Aldo on endothelial function are yet to be determined. We investigated how Aldo regulates endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) function in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were incubated for 16 hours with Aldo 10
−7
mol/L. The concentration of reactive oxygen species was estimated by measuring 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate chemiluminescence. Signal transduction was estimated by Western immunoblots. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to measure expression of transcripts of endogenous GTP cyclohydrolase-1 and components of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. To eliminate the possible effect of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and to emphasize the role of mineralocorticoid receptor, we used GR small interfering RNA and knocked down GR expression in several experiments. NO output was estimated by intracellular cGMP concentration. Reactive oxygen species production increased significantly in Aldo-treated HUVECs but was abolished by pretreatment with eplerenone. Transcripts of p47
phox
were increased by Aldo treatment. Vascular endothelial growth factor–induced eNOS Ser 1177 but not Akt Ser 473 phosphorylation levels were reduced significantly by pretreatment with Aldo. Pretreatment with either eplerenone or okadaic acid restored phosphorylation levels of eNOS Ser 1177 in Aldo-treated cells, suggesting that protein phosphatase 2A was upregulated by Aldo via mineralocorticoid receptor. The decrease in NO output caused by Aldo pretreatment was reversed significantly by 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin, GTP cyclohydrolase-1 overexpression, or p47
phox
knockdown. These results suggest that Aldo inhibits eNOS function through bimodal mechanisms of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency and protein phosphatase 2A activation.
Aerobic Capacity in Patients Entering Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Ades Philip A. , Savage Patrick D. , Brawner Clinton A. , Lyon Caroline E. , Ehrman Jonathan K. , Bunn Janice Y. , Keteyian Steven J.
Published: June 2006

Background—

Symptom-limited treadmill testing is commonly performed on entry to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for its prognostic value and to design a safe and effective exercise program. Normative values for this evaluation are not available. The primary goals of this study were to establish normative values for peak aerobic capacity (peak V̇
o
2
) for patients entering CR and to create nomograms for conversion of peak V̇
o
2
to a percentage of predicted exercise capacity, stratified by age, gender, and diagnosis.

Methods and Results—

Peak V̇
o
2
was measured in 2896 patients entering CR from 1996 to 2004. Peak V̇
o
2
was higher in men than in women: 19.3±6.1 mL · kg
−1
· min
−1
(range, 5.2 to 49.7 mL · kg
−1
· min
−1
) versus 14.5±3.9 mL · kg
−1
· min
−1
(range, 3.8 to 29.8 mL · kg
−1
· min
−1
) (
P
<0.0001). Peak V̇
o
2
decreased steadily with age with a greater rate of decline in men than women (−0.242 versus −0.116 mL · kg
−1
· min
−1
per year) (
P
<0.01). Factors associated with lower peak V̇
o
2
include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), angina at stress testing, hypertension, and, in women, β-blocking medications. Nomograms are presented for individual values to be compared with mean values by age, gender, and cardiac diagnosis. These include a nomogram to convert estimated maximal metabolic equivalents to actual peak V̇
o
2
for patients who do not undergo direct measurement of peak V̇
o
2
.

Conclusions—

Values of peak V̇
o
2
on entry to CR are extremely low, particularly in women, approaching values seen with severe chronic heart failure. This underscores the importance of CR after a major cardiac event to improve physical function and long-term prognosis.
The Roman Catholic Church and the Immigration Issue
Authors: Itçaina Xabier
Published: June 2006

Immigration has come to the fore in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, turning into a political issue both with regard to public policy and political jousting in Spain and Italy. In this context, secular and Catholic third sectors are actively engaged in building a “register of hospitality” quite distinct from other interpretations of immigration, such as security-oriented, utilitarian, or citizenship-based approaches. This article analyzes the role played by the Catholic church in Spain and highlights the way a religious institution builds a threefold register of interpretation. The article provides significant insights into the relative secularization of immigration-related politics in Spain and Southern Europe. Catholic activism indicates that effective withdrawal of the church as a dominant social institution has not signified the demise of its influence on the political scene. In fact, the church’s activism highlights a political void occasioned by the inability of political and administrative actors to cope with this issue.
Faith, Ethnicity, and Culture in Refugee Resettlement
Authors: Nawyn Stephanie J.
Published: June 2006

This article addresses the role faith-based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play in refugee resettlement and how they are both different from and similar to secular resettlement NGOs. The author examines how faith-based and secular NGOs assist in the process of refugee resettlement in the United States. Data indicate that most faith-based resettlement NGOs are similar to secular NGOs in their practice but express their religiosity in their organizational rhetoric and networks. As a practice, religion is frequently tied to culture and, therefore, ethnic organizations engage in religious practice as a way of practicing that ethnicity’s culture.
A Qualitative Examination of a Spiritually-Based Intervention and Self-Management in the Workplace
Authors: Richards T. Anne , Oman Doug , Hedberg John , Thoresen Carl E. , Bowden Jeanne
Published: June 2006

This qualitative study assesses the experience of an intervention that provided spiritually based self-management tools to hospital-based nurses. Drawing on wisdom traditions of the major world religions, the eight point program can be practiced by adherents to any religious faith, or those outside of all traditions. Five of eight program points were perceived as directly useful in improving the nurses’ workplace interactions and enhancing fulfillment of compassionate caregiving missions. The findings suggest that this program can be an effective intervention among nurses in dealing with the demands of the healthcare environment and may be a resource for continuing education curricula.
Violence in Native America: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Hukill Sheree L.
Published: June 2006

This article is meant to provide an overview of common Native American values and the effect of the imposition of non-Native American belief systems on our communities. The article uses common abusive tactics employed by batterers and juxtaposes these tactics with a historical overview of the dominant culture's treatment of native cultures. This material serves as an outline to examine one's own community, tribe, or nation to gain a greater understanding of how society has traveled to this place and where the social order goes from here.
Analyzing the Interdependence of Regulation and Taxation
Authors: Hettich Walter , Winer Stanley L.
Published: June 2006

This article draws attention to the interdependence of regulation and taxation. The authors analyze the nature of policy equilibrium, as well as the implications of historically important political and economic shocks, for the joint use of the two policy instruments in a framework that embodies relationships common in the literature. Regulation is represented by barriers to entry created by the government for favored industries. Among the results are the following: the introduction of new methods of communication in politics, such as television advertising, leads to increased taxation of the average voter, lower business tax rates, greater entry barriers in private markets, and greater resource use for campaign advertising, with the marginal cost of the new medium and the elasticity of supply in regulated industries playing crucial roles. Budgetary government size declines. The two additional shocks analyzed, namely, growth in the labor force participation of women and increased offshore production also have substantial consequences for tax rates as well as regulation. The article concludes with a consideration of the efficiency of policy equilibrium and the analytical problems that arise in evaluating efficiency in such a context.
Tax Burden and the Mismeasurement of State Tax Policy
Authors: Reed W. Robert , Rogers Cynthia L.
Published: June 2006

Tax Burden, defined as the ratio of total tax revenues over personal income, is frequently used to measure state tax policy. The authors analyze the empirical relationship between changes in Tax Burden and changes in tax policies from 1987 to 2000 using states’ forecasts of revenue impacts of new tax legislation. Their two major findings have important implications. First, they demonstrate that income-induced, nontax policy changes are a significant determinant of changes in Tax Burden. These income effects are likely to cause misinterpretation when Tax Burden is used as a variable in economic growth regressions. Second, they estimate that approximately half of the total variation in Tax Burden is due to changes in nontax policy factors. This finding quantifies the extent of the “mismeasurement” problem that has been discussed, but not analyzed, in previous literature. In concluding, the authors promote the use of alternative approaches for estimating the economic effects of taxes.
The Public-Private Sector Pay Differential in Greece
Authors: Papapetrou Evangelia
Published: June 2006

This article examines the earnings differential between the public and private sectors pay in Greece employing quantile regression analysis and using micro data. The results suggest that average earnings are higher in the public sector than in the private sector for both genders but earnings in the public sector show a smaller dispersion with respect to the private sector. The findings indicate that employees in the public sector at the lower end of the earnings distribution earn a higher wage gap compared with their counterparts in the private sector but this gap decreases at higher quantiles. In addition, quantile regression estimation reveals that the earnings differences in the low quantiles are mainly attributed to the unobserved characteristics and partly to the differences in endowment. By contrast, in the highest quantiles the differences in earnings between sectors for both genders are mainly attributed to the observed differences in the endowment characteristics.
A Model of Success
Authors: Merisotis Jamie P. , Kee Arnold M.
Published: June 2006

The Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) Grant, funded by the National Science Foundation and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, enhanced student pathways into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It achieved these results through 10 years of sustained investment and collaborative leadership. Components of the MIE model included faculty development, laboratory renovation, student scholarships, intensified student services, and undergraduate research. This article describes the components of the MIE model in more detail and explains how its cycle of impact increased the capacity of the University of Texas at El Paso and Universidad Metropolitana to produce graduates in STEM.
A GRE Test for the STEM Disciplines
Authors: Payne David G. , Briel Jacqueline B. , Hawthorn John , Riedeburg Karen
Published: June 2006

Plans are described for creating a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test for the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines. Previous work showed that a quantitative measure for the STEM disciplines exacerbated group differences beyond those reflected in the current GRE General Test. A test development approach is described that links the development of the GRE STEM as an admissions test with the development of a learning scaffolding that will describe the skills assessed in the new measure. This learning scaffolding can be used with undergraduate students to help prepare them for the GRE STEM, thus making the test an assessment both of and for learning.
Gene Designer: a synthetic biology tool for constructing artificial DNA segments
Authors: Villalobos Alan , Ness Jon E , Gustafsson Claes , Minshull Jeremy , Govindarajan Sridhar
Published: June 2006

Background

Direct synthesis of genes is rapidly becoming the most efficient way to make functional genetic constructs and enables applications such as codon optimization, RNAi resistant genes and protein engineering. Here we introduce a software tool that drastically facilitates the design of synthetic genes.

Results

Gene Designer is a stand-alone software for fast and easy design of synthetic DNA segments. Users can easily add, edit and combine genetic elements such as promoters, open reading frames and tags through an intuitive drag-and-drop graphic interface and a hierarchical DNA/Protein object map. Using advanced optimization algorithms, open reading frames within the DNA construct can readily be codon optimized for protein expression in any host organism. Gene Designer also includes features such as a real-time sliding calculator of oligonucleotide annealing temperatures, sequencing primer generator, tools for avoidance or inclusion of restriction sites, and options to maximize or minimize sequence identity to a reference.

Conclusion

Gene Designer is an expandable Synthetic Biology workbench suitable for molecular biologists interested in the de novo creation of genetic constructs.
An analysis of intra array repeats: the good, the bad and the non informative
Authors: Elbez Yedid , Farkash-Amar Shlomit , Simon Itamar
Published: June 2006

Background

On most common microarray platforms many genes are represented by multiple probes. Although this is quite common no one has systematically explored the concordance between probes mapped to the same gene.

Results

Here we present an analysis of all the cases of multiple probe sets measuring the same gene on the Affymetrix U133a GeneChip and found that although in the majority of cases both measurements tend to agree there are a significant number of cases in which the two measurements differ from each other. In these cases the measurements can not be simply averaged but rather should be handled individually.

Conclusion

Our analysis allows us to provide a comprehensive list of the correlation between all pairs of probe sets that are mapped to the same gene and thus allows microarray users to sort out the cases that deserve further analysis. Comparison between the set of highly correlated pairs and the set of pairs that tend to differ from each other reveals potential factors that may affect it.
Large scale copy number variation (CNV) at 14q12 is associated with the presence of genomic abnormalities in neoplasia
Authors: Braude Ilan , Vukovic Bisera , Prasad Mona , Marrano Paula , Turley Stefanie , Barber Dwayne , Zielenska Maria , Squire Jeremy A
Published: June 2006

Background

Advances made in the area of microarray comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) have enabled the interrogation of the entire genome at a previously unattainable resolution. This has lead to the discovery of a novel class of alternative entities called large-scale copy number variations (CNVs). These CNVs are often found in regions of closely linked sequence homology called duplicons that are thought to facilitate genomic rearrangements in some classes of neoplasia. Recently, it was proposed that duplicons located near the recurrent translocation break points on chromosomes 9 and 22 in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) may facilitate this tumor-specific translocation. Furthermore, ~15–20% of CML patients also carry a microdeletion on the derivative 9 chromosome (der(9)) and these patients have a poor prognosis. It has been hypothesised that der(9) deletion patients have increased levels of chromosomal instability.

Results

In this study aCGH was performed and identified a CNV (RP11-125A5, hereafter called CNV14q12) that was present as a genomic gain or loss in 10% of control DNA samples derived from cytogenetically normal individuals. CNV14q12 was the same clone identified by Iafrate et al. as a CNV. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to determine the relative frequency of this CNV in DNA from a series of 16 CML patients (both with and without a der(9) deletion) together with DNA derived from 36 paediatric solid tumors in comparison to the incidence of CNV in control DNA. CNV14q12 was present in ~50% of both tumor and CML DNA, but was found in 72% of CML bearing a der(9) microdeletion. Chi square analysis found a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.001) between the incidence of this CNV in cancer and normal DNA and a slightly increased incidence in CML with deletions in comparison to those CML without a detectable deletion.

Conclusion

The increased incidence of CNV14q12 in tumor samples suggests that either acquired or inherited genomic variation of this new class of variation may be associated with onset or progression of neoplasia.
Under- treatment and under diagnosis of hypertension: a serious problem in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Abdulle Abdishakur M , Nagelkerke Nico JD , Abouchacra Samra , Pathan Javed Y , Adem Abdu , Obineche Enyioma N
Published: June 2006

Background

Hypertension, notably untreated or uncontrolled, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) morbidity and mortality. In countries in transition, little is known about the epidemiology of hypertension, and its biochemical correlates. This study was carried out in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, to characterize self-reported (SR) normotensives and hypertensives in terms of actual hypertension status, demographic variables, CVD risk factors, treatment, and sequalae.

Methods

A sample, stratified by SR hypertensive status, of 349 SR hypertensives (Mean age ± SD; 50.8 ± 9.2 yrs; Male: 226) and 640 SR normotensives (42.9 ± 9.3 yrs, Male: 444) among nationals and expatriates was used. Hypertensives and normotensive subjects were recruited from various outpatient clinics and government organizations in Al-Ain city, United Arab Emirates (UAE) respectively. Anthropometric and demographic variables were measured by conventional methods.

Results

Both under-diagnosis of hypertension (33%) and under-treatment (76%) were common. Characteristics of undiagnosed hypertensives were intermediate between normotensives and SR hypertensives. Under-diagnosis of hypertension was more common among foreigners than among nationals. Risk factors for CVD were more prevalent among SR hypertensives. Obesity, lack of exercise and smoking were found as major risk factors for CVD among hypertensives in this population.

Conclusion

Hypertension, even severe, is commonly under-diagnosed and under-treated in the UAE. Preventive strategies, better diagnosis and proper treatment compliance should be emphasized to reduce incidence of CVD in this population.
Overexpression of connexin 43 using a retroviral vector improves electrical coupling of skeletal myoblasts with cardiac myocytes in vitro
Authors: Tolmachov Oleg , Ma Yu-Ling , Themis Michael , Patel Pravina , Spohr Hilmar , MacLeod Kenneth T , Ullrich Nina D , Kienast Yvonne , Coutelle Charles , Peters Nicholas S
Published: June 2006

Background

Organ transplantation is presently often the only available option to repair a damaged heart. As heart donors are scarce, engineering of cardiac grafts from autologous skeletal myoblasts is a promising novel therapeutic strategy. The functionality of skeletal muscle cells in the heart milieu is, however, limited because of their inability to integrate electrically and mechanically into the myocardium. Therefore, in pursuit of improved cardiac integration of skeletal muscle grafts we sought to modify primary skeletal myoblasts by overexpression of the main gap-junctional protein connexin 43 and to study electrical coupling of connexin 43 overexpressing myoblasts to cardiac myocytes in vitro.

Methods

To create an efficient means for overexpression of connexin 43 in skeletal myoblasts we constructed a bicistronic retroviral vector MLV-CX43-EGFP expressing the human connexin 43 cDNA and the marker EGFP gene. This vector was employed to transduce primary rat skeletal myoblasts in optimised conditions involving a concomitant use of the retrovirus immobilising protein RetroNectin® and the polycation transduction enhancer Transfectam®. The EGFP-positive transduced cells were then enriched by flow cytometry.

Results

More than four-fold overexpression of connexin 43 in the transduced skeletal myoblasts, compared with non-transduced cells, was shown by Western blotting. Functionality of the overexpressed connexin 43 was demonstrated by microinjection of a fluorescent dye showing enhanced gap-junctional intercellular transfer in connexin 43 transduced myoblasts compared with transfer in non-transduced myoblasts. Rat cardiac myocytes were cultured in multielectrode array culture dishes together with connexin 43/EGFP transduced skeletal myoblasts, control non-transduced skeletal myoblasts or alone. Extracellular field action potential activation rates in the co-cultures of connexin 43 transduced skeletal myoblasts with cardiac myocytes were significantly higher than in the co-cultures of non-transduced skeletal myoblasts with cardiac myocytes and similar to the rates in pure cultures of cardiac myocytes.

Conclusion

The observed elevated field action potential activation rate in the co-cultures of cardiac myocytes with connexin 43 transduced skeletal myoblasts indicates enhanced cell-to-cell electrical coupling due to overexpression of connexin 43 in skeletal myoblasts. This study suggests that retroviral connexin 43 transduction can be employed to augment engineering of the electrocompetent cardiac grafts from patients' own skeletal myoblasts.
The functional "KL-VS" variant of KLOTHO is not associated with type 2 diabetes in 5028 UK Caucasians
Authors: Freathy Rachel M , Weedon Michael N , Melzer David , Shields Beverley , Hitman Graham A , Walker Mark , McCarthy Mark I , Hattersley Andrew T , Frayling Timothy M
Published: June 2006

Background

Klotho has an important role in insulin signalling and the development of ageing-like phenotypes in mice. The common functional "KL-VS" variant in the KLOTHO (KL) gene is associated with longevity in humans but its role in type 2 diabetes is not known. We performed a large case-control and family-based study to test the hypothesis that KL-VS is associated with type 2 diabetes in a UK Caucasian population.

Methods

We genotyped 1793 cases, 1619 controls and 1616 subjects from 509 families for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) F352V (rs9536314) that defines the KL-VS variant. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls. Family-based analysis was used to test for over- or under-transmission of V352 to affected offspring.

Results

Despite good power to detect odds ratios of 1.2, there were no significant associations between alleles or genotypes and type 2 diabetes (V352 allele: odds ratio = 0.96 (0.84–1.09)). Additional analysis of quantitative trait data in 1177 healthy control subjects showed no association of the variant with fasting insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL- or LDL-cholesterol (all P > 0.05). However, the HDL-cholesterol levels observed across the genotype groups showed a similar, but non-significant, pattern to previously reported data.

Conclusion

This is the first large-scale study to examine the association between common functional variation in KL and type 2 diabetes risk. We have found no evidence that the functional KL-VS variant is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes in a large UK Caucasian case-control and family-based study.
Inter-relationship between microsatellite instability, thymidylate synthase expression, and p53 status in colorectal cancer: implications for chemoresistance
Authors: Popat Sanjay , Wort Richard , Houlston Richard S
Published: June 2006

Background

Studies indicate that thymidylate synthase (TS) expression, p53 and mismatch repair status have potential to influence colorectal cancer (CRC) outcome. There is, however, little data on the inter-relationship between these three markers. We sought to investigate whether relationships exist between these markers that might contribute to CRC phenotypes.

Methods

Four hundred and forty-one stage I-III CRCs were investigated. p53 status and TS expression were assessed by standard immunohistochemistry methods. Mismatch repair status was determined by assessment of microsatellite instability (MSI) using radiolabelled microsatellite genotyping.

Results

244 tumours (55%) over-expressed p53, and 259 (58%) expressed high TS levels. 65 tumours (15%) had MSI. A significant relationship between p53 over-expression and high TS expression was observed (p = 0.01). This was independent of MSI status. A highly significant inverse relationship between MSI and p53 status was observed (p = 0.001). No relationship was seen between MSI status and TS expression (p = 0.59).

Conclusion

Relationships exist between p53 status and TS expression, and MSI and p53 status. These inter-relationships may contribute to the clinical phenotype of CRCs associated with each of the molecular markers. High TS expression is unlikely to account for the clinical behaviour of CRCs with MSI.
Efficacy of topical cobalt chelate CTC-96 against adenovirus in a cell culture model and against adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis in a rabbit model
Authors: Epstein Seth P , Pashinsky Yevgenia Y , Gershon David , Winicov Irene , Srivilasa Charlie , Kristic Katarina J , Asbell Penny A
Published: June 2006

Background

Adenovirus (Ad), associated with significant morbidity, has no topical treatment. A leading CTC compound (CTC-96), a CoIII chelate, was found to have potent in vitro and in vivo antiviral efficacy against herpes viruses. In this study CTC-96 is being tested for possible anti-Adenovirus activity.

Methods

The biological anti-adenovirus activity of CTC-96 in concentrations from 5 to 250 ug/ml, was evaluated initially by viral inactivation (viral exposure to CTC-96 followed by dilution and inoculation of cells), virucidal (viral exposure to CTC-96 and inoculation of cells without dilution) and antiviral (effect of CTC-96 on previously adsorbed virus) plaque assays on HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), A549 (human lung carcinoma) and SIRC (rabbit corneal) cells. After verifying the antiviral activity, New Zealand White rabbits were infected with Ad-5 into: 1) the anterior cul-de-sac scarifying the conjunctiva (Group "C+"); 2) the anterior cul-de-sac scarifying the conjunctiva and cornea (Group "CC+"); 3) the stroma (Group "CI+"). Controls were sham-infected ("C-", "CC-", "CI-"). Other rabbits, after "CC", were treated for 21 days with: 1) placebo, 9x/day ("-"); 2) CTC-96, 50 ug/ml, 9x/day ("50/9"); CTC-96, 50 ug/ml, 6x/day ("50/6"); CTC-96, 25 ug/ml, 6x/day ("25/6"). All animals were monitored via examination and plaque assays.

Results

In vitro viral inactivation, virucidal and antiviral assays all demonstrated CTC-96 to be effective against Adenvirus type 5 (ad-5). The in vivo model of Ad keratoconjunctivitis most similar to human disease and producing highest viral yield was "CC". All eyes (6/6) developed acute conjunctivitis. "CI" yielded more stromal involvement (1/6) and iritis (5/6), but lower clinical scores (area × severity). Infection via "C" was inconsistent (4/6). Fifty (50) ug/ml was effective against Ad-5 at 6x, 9x dosings while 25 ug/ml (6x) was only marginally effective.

Conclusion

CTC-96 demonstrated virucidal activity against Ad5 in tissue culture with HeLa, A549 and SIRC cell lines.

Animal Model Development: 1) "CC" produced conjunctival infection with occasional keratitis similar to human disease; "CI" yielded primarily stromal involvement; 2) "C" consistently produced neither conjunctivitis nor keratitis.

CTC Testing: 1) Conjunctivitis in all eyes; 2) Resolution fastest in "50/9" ("50/9". "50/6" > "25/6" > "-"); 3) Efficacy in "50/6" was not statistically different than "50/9"; 4) Conjunctival severity was lower in treatment groups then controls; 5) Little corneal or intra-ocular changes were noted.
Validity of new child-specific thoracic gas volume prediction equations for air-displacement plethysmography
Authors: Higgins Paul B , Silva Analiza M , Sardinha Luis B , Hull Holly R , Goran Michael I , Gower Barbara A , Fields David A
Published: June 2006

Background

To determine the validity of the recently developed child-specific thoracic gas volume (TGV) prediction equations for use in air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) in diverse pediatric populations.

Methods

Three distinct populations were studied: European American and African American children living in Birmingham, Alabama and European children living in Lisbon, Portugal. Each child completed a standard ADP testing protocol, including a measured TGV according to the manufactures software criteria. Measured TGV was compared to the predicted TGV from current adult-based ADP proprietary equations and to the recently developed child-specific TGV equations of Fields et al. Similarly, percent body fat, derived using the TGV prediction equations, was compared to percent body fat derived using measured TGV.

Results

Predicted TGV from adult-based equations was significantly different from measured TGV in girls from each of the three ethnic groups (P < 0.05), however child-specific TGV estimates did not significantly differ from measured TGV in any of the ethnic or gender groups. Percent body fat estimates using adult-derived and child-specific TGV estimates did not differ significantly from percent body fat measures using measured TGV in any of the groups.

Conclusion

The child-specific TGV equations developed by Fields et al. provided a modest improvement over the adult-based TGV equations in an ethnically diverse group of children.
Development and preliminary validation of a Greek-language outpatient satisfaction questionnaire with principal components and multi-trait analyses
Authors: Aletras Vassilis H , Papadopoulos Efthemis A , Niakas Dimitris A
Published: June 2006

Background

In the recent years there is a growing interest in Greece concerning the measurement of the satisfaction of patients who are visiting the outpatient clinics of National Health System (NHS) general acute hospitals. The aim of this study is therefore to develop a patient satisfaction questionnaire and provide its preliminary validation.

Methods

A questionnaire in Greek has been developed by literature review, researchers' on the spot observation and interviews. Pretesting has been followed by telephone surveys in two short-term general NHS hospitals in Macedonia, Greece. A proportional stratified random sample of 285 subjects and a second random sample of 100 outpatients, drawn on March 2004, have been employed for the analysis. These have resulted in scale creation via Principal Components Analysis and psychometric testing for internal consistency, test-retest and interrater reliability as well as construct validity.

Results

Four summated scales have emerged regarding the pure outpatient component of the patients' visits, namely medical examination, hospital environment, comfort and appointment time. Cronbach's alpha coefficients and Pearson, Spearman and intraclass correlations indicate a high degree of scale reliability and validity. Two other scales -lab appointment time and lab experience- capture the apparently distinct yet complementary visitor experience related to the radiographic and laboratory tests. Psychometric tests are equally promising, however, some discriminant validity differences lack statistical significance.

Conclusion

The instrument appears to be reliable and valid regarding the pure outpatient experience, whereas more research employing larger samples is required in order to establish the apparent psychometric properties of the complementary radiographic and laboratory-testing process, which is only relevant to about 25% of the subjects analysed here.
Exercise and functional foods
Authors: Aoi Wataru , Naito Yuji , Yoshikawa Toshikazu
Published: June 2006

Appropriate nutrition is an essential prerequisite for effective improvement of athletic performance, conditioning, recovery from fatigue after exercise, and avoidance of injury. Nutritional supplements containing carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals have been widely used in various sporting fields to provide a boost to the recommended daily allowance. In addition, several natural food components have been found to show physiological effects, and some of them are considered to be useful for promoting exercise performance or for prevention of injury. However, these foods should only be used when there is clear scientific evidence and with understanding of the physiological changes caused by exercise. This article describes various "functional foods" that have been reported to be effective for improving exercise performance or health promotion, along with the relevant physiological changes that occur during exercise.
Financing and cost-effectiveness analysis of public-private partnerships: provision of tuberculosis treatment in South Africa
Authors: Sinanovic Edina , Kumaranayake Lilani
Published: June 2006

Background

Public-private partnerships (PPP) could be effective in scaling up services. We estimated cost and cost-effectiveness of different PPP arrangements in the provision of tuberculosis (TB) treatment, and the financing required for the different models from the perspective of the provincial TB programme, provider, and the patient.

Methods

Two different models of TB provider partnerships are evaluated, relative to sole public provision: public-private workplace (PWP) and public-private non-government (PNP). Cost and effectiveness data were collected at six sites providing directly observed treatment (DOT). Effectiveness for a 12-month cohort of new sputum positive patients was measured using cure and treatment success rates. Provider and patient costs were estimated, and analysed according to sources of financing. Cost-effectiveness is estimated from the perspective of the provider, patient and society in terms of the cost per TB case cured and cost per case successfully treated.

Results

Cost per case cured was significantly lower in PNP (US $354–446), and comparable between PWP (US $788–979) and public sites (US $700–1000). PPP models could significantly reduce costs to the patient by 64–100%. Relative to pure public sector provision and financing, expansion of PPPs could reduce government financing required per TB patient treated from $609–690 to $130–139 in PNP and $36–46 in PWP.

Conclusion

There is a strong economic case for expanding PPP in TB treatment and potentially for other types of health services. Where PPPs are tailored to target groups and supported by the public sector, scaling up of effective services could occur at much lower cost than solely relying on public sector models.
Quantitative profiling of housekeeping and Epstein-Barr virus gene transcription in Burkitt lymphoma cell lines using an oligonucleotide microarray
Authors: Bernasconi Michele , Berger Christoph , Sigrist Jürg A , Bonanomi Athos , Sobek Jens , Niggli Felix K , Nadal David
Published: June 2006

Background

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with lymphoid malignancies, including Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), and can transform human B cells in vitro. EBV-harboring cell lines are widely used to investigate lymphocyte transformation and oncogenesis. Qualitative EBV gene expression has been extensively described, but knowledge of quantitative transcription is lacking. We hypothesized that transcription levels ofEBNA1, the gene essential for EBV persistence within an infected cell, are similar in BL cell lines.

Results

To compare quantitative gene transcription in the BL cell lines Namalwa, Raji, Akata, Jijoye, and P3HR1, we developed an oligonucleotide microarray chip, including 17 housekeeping genes, six latent EBV genes (EBNA1,EBNA2,EBNA3A,EBNA3C,LMP1,LMP2), and four lytic EBV genes (BZLF1,BXLF2,BKRF2,BZLF2), and used the cell line B95.8 as a reference for EBV gene transcription. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to validate microarray results. We found that transcription levels of housekeeping genes differed considerably among BL cell lines. Using a selection of housekeeping genes with similar quantitative transcription in the tested cell lines to normalize EBV gene transcription data, we showed that transcription levels ofEBNA1were quite similar in very different BL cell lines, in contrast to transcription levels of other EBV genes. As demonstrated with Akata cells, the chip allowed us to accurately measure EBV gene transcription changes triggered by treatment interventions.

Conclusion

Our results suggest uniformEBNA1transcription levels in BL and that microarray profiling can reveal novel insights on quantitative EBV gene transcription and its impact on lymphocyte biology.
Plant invasions: merging the concepts of species invasiveness and community invasibility
Authors: Richardson David M. , Pyšek Petr
Published: June 2006

This paper considers key issues in plant invasion ecology, where findings published since 1990 have significantly improved our understanding of many aspects of invasions. The review focuses on vascular plants invading natural and semi-natural ecosystems, and on fundamental ecological issues relating to species invasiveness and community invasibility. Three big questions addressed by the SCOPE programme in the 1980s (which species invade; which habitats are invaded; and how can we manage invasions?) still underpin most work in invasion ecology. Some organizing and unifying themes in the field are organism-focused and relate to species invasiveness (the tens rule; the concept of residence time; taxonomic patterns and Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis; issues of phenotypic plasticity and rapid evolutionary change, including evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis; the role of long-distance dispersal). Others are ecosystem-centred and deal with determinants of the invasibility of communities, habitats and regions (levels of invasion, invasibility and propagule pressure; the biotic resistance hypothesis and the links between diversity and invasibility; synergisms, mutualisms, and invasional meltdown). Some theories have taken an overarching approach to plant invasions by integrating the concepts of species invasiveness and community invasibility (a theory of seed plant invasiveness; fluctuating resources theory of invasibility). Concepts, hypotheses and theories reviewed here can be linked to the naturalization-invasion continuum concept, which relates invasion processes with a sequence of environmental and biotic barriers that an introduced species must negotiate to become casual, naturalized and invasive. New research tools and improved research links between invasion ecology and succession ecology, community ecology, conservation biology and weed science, respectively, have strengthened the conceptual pillars of invasion ecology.
Multisubstituted Olefins: Platform Synthesis and Applications to Materials Science and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Authors: Itami Kenichiro , Yoshida Jun-ichi
Published: June 2006

The concept of platform synthesis has been successfully demonstrated as a useful strategy for making multisubstituted olefins in a programmable and diversity-oriented format. As well as applications to the synthesis of pharmaceutically important molecules such as tamoxifen and CDP840, applications to materials science, which have led to the discovery of interesting fluorescent materials and properties, are also described.
Dipole Moment and Conformation of CnH2n+1O(CH2CH2O)mH Investigated by the Measurements of Permittivity and FT-IR Spectra in Heptane Solutions and by Ab Initio Calculations
Authors: El-Hefnawy Mohamed , Sameshima Kaori , Matsushita Toshio , Tanaka Reiji
Published: June 2006

The apparent dipole moments (μ) of 2-methoxyethanol (C1E1), 2-ethoxyethanol (C2E1), 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol (C1E2), and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol (C2E2) were determined in heptane solutions for the mole fraction range of 0 < x < 0.03 at T = 298.15 K. To calculate μ values the molar volumes for these solutions and the refractive indices of the pure components were determined at T = 298.15 K. FT-IR spectra for these solutions were also measured at T = 298 K. The conformations of these compounds and that of the dimer of C1E1 were predicted by ab initio calculations. In order to compare the calculated results with experimental, a statistical calculation was performed. The calculated conformers of the isolated molecules correlated well with the experimental results of the dipole moment and the IR spectra.