bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Prostatic Lesions with Histologic Correlation
Authors: Islam Tariqul , Chowdhury Tamanna , Khan KH , Barua AR , Kamal Mohammed , Rahman AJE Nahar
Published: July 2009

Cytologic diagnosis by fine needle aspiration of the prostate was compared to histological diagnosis by either core biopsy or transurethral prostatic resection in 58 patients suspected to have prostatic lesion by rectal examination.The diagnostic accuracy between cytological and histological diagnosis was 93% and the false negative rate was 3.03% for fine needle aspiration. Inadequate cytological samples occurred only in two cases. This study was conducted during the period of April 2003 to February 2004. Fine needle aspiration cytology of prostatic lesions is a recently introduced procedure in Bangladesh. Our results indicate that fine needle aspiration is an easily performed, diagnostically reliable outpatient procedure with minimal complication. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2007; 1(1): 7-10 Key words : FNAC, Franzen, Papaniculaou   doi: 10.3329/imcj.v1i1.2888
Characterization of the Sesbania rostrata Phytochelatin Synthase Gene: Alternative Splicing and Function of Four Isoforms
Authors: Li An-Ming , Yu Bing-Yun , Chen Fu-Hua , Gan Hui-Yan , Yuan Jian-Gang , Qiu Rongliang , Huang Jun-Chao , Yang Zhong-Yi , Xu Zeng-Fu
Published: July 2009

Phytochelatins (PCs) play an important role in detoxification of heavy metals in plants. PCs are synthesized from glutathione by phytochelatin synthase (PCS), a dipeptidyltransferase. Sesbania rostrata is a tropical legume plant that can tolerate high concentrations of Cd and Zn. In this study, the S. rostrata PCS gene (SrPCS) and cDNAs were isolated and characterized. Southern blot and sequence analysis revealed that a single copy of the SrPCS gene occurs in the S. rostrata genome, and produces four different SrPCS mRNAs and proteins, SrPCS1-SrPCS4, by alternative splicing of the SrPCS pre-mRNA. The SrPCS1 and SrPCS3 proteins conferred Cd tolerance when expressed in yeast cells, whereas the SrPCS2 and SrPCS4 proteins, which lack the catalytic triad and the N-terminal domains, did not. These results suggested that SrPCS1 and SrPCS3 have potential applications in genetic engineering of plants for enhancing heavy metal tolerance and phytoremediation of contaminated soils.
A VARIATIONAL APPROACH FOR AN ELECTRO‐ELASTIC UNILATERAL CONTACT PROBLEM
Authors: Matei Andaluzi
Published: July 2009

We consider a mechanical model which describes the frictionless unilateral contact between an electro‐elastic body and a rigid electrically non‐conductive foundation. For this model, a mixed variational formulation is provided. Then, using elements of the saddle point theory and a fixed point technique, an abstract result is proved. Based on this result, the existence of a unique weak solution of the mechanical problem is established.
SEPARABLE SOLUTIONS TO AN INTERACTING HUMAN COMMUNITIES MODEL
Authors: Skakauskas Vladas
Published: July 2009

A model for age‐structured human communities is studied taking into account a religion factor. The model describes dynamics of interacting religions which tolerate pairs with different confessions, parents can choose a religion not necessarily their own for their offsprings, but it is forbidden to change a confession for any individual. In the case of stationary vital rates, the existence of separable solutions is studied.
EXISTENCE AND ITERATION OF A POSITIVE SOLUTION TO A SECOND‐ORDER QUASILINEAR PROBLEM
Authors: Yao Qingliu
Published: July 2009

A successive iteration sequence of positive solution is structured for a singular second‐order quasilinear problem. The sequence can converge uniformly to the positive solution of the problem. Main tools are the Hammerstein integral equation and the monotone iteration technique on cone. The iteration sequence starts with known constant function and, therefore, is useful in computation analysis.
Professionnels de l'information-documentation, qui êtes-vous ?
Authors: Ranjard Sophie , Giret Jean-François , Thiolon Catherine , Velten Dominique , Volant Christiane
Published: July 2009

Résumé Comme elle le fait régulièrement depuis 1964, l’ADBS a conduit entre juin et août 2005 une enquête sur les professionnels de l’IαD qui permet d’actualiser les données recueillies en 1993 et 1999. L’objectif de l’association était de mieux cerner l’évolution d’une profession dont les contours évoluent au gré des mutations technologiques, économiques et politiques, à l’instar des métiers fortement liés aux technologies de l’information. Cet article analyse les principaux résultats de cette enquête sur les statuts, les rémunérations, les niveaux de formation, les pratiques, les outils utilisés, la mobilité, etc. Et propose en contrepoint des réactions de plusieurs professionnels sur les évolutions que révèle ou confirme cette enquête.
Mise en place d'un service de veille collective pour la recherche : déroulement du projet, évaluation et perspectives
Authors: Bodart Marie-Gabrielle , Falize Caroline
Published: July 2009

Résumé À la suite de réformes menées par le ministère de la Recherche ont été créées des unités mixtes de recherche qui, sur une même thématique, associent des partenaires de divers horizons. Restructurant son département d’économie et sociologie rurales, l’INRA de Montpellier a ainsi créé deux UMR dotées d’un centre de documentation commun. Simultanément, un audit de ce centre a fait ressortir le besoin des scientifiques de disposer d’un service de veille. Cet article relate l’expérience engagée en étroite collaboration avec les chercheurs : enquête de besoins, lancement du projet, organisation de la veille, résultats obtenus, bilan de l’investissement des documentalistes, bénéfices retirés par chercheurs et documentalistes, perspectives.
Journée d'étude ADBS audiovisuel
Authors: Boulogne Arlette , Jadoul Marie-Berthe , Masse Claudine , Ménillet Dominique , Pappano Hortensia
Published: July 2009

Résumé Au moment de la sortie du numéro spécial thématique de Documentaliste – Sciences de l’information consacré à l’image et à l’audiovisuel (vol. 42, n? 6, 2005), le secteur Audiovisuel de l’ADBS proposait, le 9 mars 2006 à l’IRD, une journée d’étude consacrée à l’indexation des images et des sons. Quelles conséquences la numérisation des images et des documents sonores et musicaux peut-elle avoir sur le travail documentaire en général et plus précisément sur la pratique de l’indexation ? Quel usage faire des métadonnées ? Comment fonctionnent les outils de recherche par le contenu ? Exposés théoriques et présentations d’expérimentations ont tenté de répondre à ces questions.
Journée d'étude ADBS-INTD
Authors: Baudry de Vaux Marie , Dalbin Sylvie
Published: July 2009

Résumé Les différents usages des métadonnées pour la gestion du cycle de vie des documents et pour la production et la diffusion d’information par différents canaux, l’impact des métadonnées sur la valorisation de l’information grâce à sa manipulation par des programmes informatiques : tels étaient les thèmes d’une journée d’étude conjointement organisée le 4 avril 2006 au CNAM par a commission Technologies et méthodes de l’Association des professionnels de l’information et de la documentation (ADBS) et l’Institut national des techniques de la documentation (INTD-CNAM).
Congrès i-expo 2006. Quelques échos juridiques, politiques et techniques des conférences et ateliers
Authors: Battisti Michèle
Published: July 2009

Résumé Organisé par le GFII, le congrès i-expo s’est tenu au CNIT, à Paris, les 31 mai et 1 er juin 2006. Des nombreuses sessions, conférences et ateliers proposés aux participants, nous présentons ici quelques séances consacrées à l’actualité juridique et aux outils de gestion des droits de propriété intellectuelle, aux dimensions politiques des projets de bibliothèque numérique européenne, et enfin aux développements récents et aux perspectives des blogs et fils RSS.
Rencontres FORMIST. Exploitation et usages de l'information par les étudiants avancés
Authors: Lamouroux Mireille
Published: July 2009

Résumé Les Rencontres organisées chaque année depuis 2001 par la cellule FORMIST (Formation à l’information scientifique et technique) de l’École nationale supérieure des sciences de l’information et des bibliothèques ont eu lieu le 15 juin dernier à Villeurbanne. FORMIST est un réseau francophone créé au sein de l’ENSSIB pour apprendre aux étudiants à rechercher, évaluer et utiliser l’information. Ces sixièmes Rencontres se sont penchées sur l’exploitation et les usages de l’information par les étudiants de deuxième et troisième cycles, à la recherche des difficultés auxquelles ils se heurtent et de pistes que l’on peut suivre pour y remédier.
Georges Anderla
Authors: Chaumier Jacques
Published: July 2009

Résumé Georges Anderla, qui est mort le 21 avril 2005 à Antibes, a été, au cours de la période 1970-1990, un acteur important dans le développement de l’information scientifique et technique. Européen convaincu, cheville ouvrière d’Euronet, il a aussi été un théoricien de la prévision technologique et, à ce titre, mérite d’être redécouvert.
Journée d'étude ADBS
Authors: Ferchaud Bernadette
Published: July 2009

Résumé Dans le cadre du dernier Forum de la GEIDE, l’Association des professionnels de l’information et de la documentation (ADBS) proposait le 3 octobre 2006 une demi-journée d’étude pour faire le point sur l’usage de la gestion électronique de documents pour la constitution de fonds documentaires : les différentes étapes à respecter, les précautions à prendre selon les documents que l’on traite et les objectifs assignés à leur numérisation, les formats de représentation auxquels on peut recourir. L’exemple du portail documentaire de Radio France a été présenté en illustration.
Conference Juriconnexion 2006
Authors: Battisti Michèle
Published: July 2009

Résumé Sous le titre « Internet juridique 2.0 : comment la nouvelle génération des outils et moyens de l’internet juridique peut améliorer immédiatement et facilement votre service d’information juridique (veille, recherches, stockage, échanges, etc.) ? », l’association Juriconnexion proposait, le 23 novembre 2006 à Paris, sa conférence annuelle. Elle s’est attachée à identifier les techniques à maîtriser et les stratégies à développer pour utiliser au mieux les outils du web 2.0 dans le domaine juridique. Parmi les sujets abordés : l’importance des wikis dans l’évolution de la circulation du droit, l’optimisation de l’utilisation des blogs et des fils RSS, les enjeux du XML dans le monde de la documentation juridique, ainsi que les questions juridiques soulevées par l’utilisation de ces nouvelles techniques.
Canon, intertextuality and history in Nehemiah 7:72b–10:40
Authors: Venter Pieter M.
Published: July 2009

The forming of the Hebrew Bible can be depicted as an ongoing movement from traditum to traditio. Several parallel and interactive phenomena contributed to this process. One of these was intertextuality, which played a major role in the process. This article indicates that intertextuality was not restricted to mere quotations or the recycling of existing traditum, but also included dialogue with older genres and existing ideological patterns. Aesthetic and polylogic intertextuality are shown to have been part of this process of inner-biblical exegesis. These two aspects of intertextuality are demonstrated in a discussion of the narrative in Nehemiah 7:72b. Aggadic exegesis linked to aesthetic intertextuality is found in several places in this passage. Polylogic intertextuality can be seen in the use of the Gattungen of Historical Review and Penitential Prayer in Nehemiah 9:1–37. These are linked to a Sitz im Leben during the fifth century BCE when an endeavour was made to find a new identity for the Judaeans.
The friendship of Matthew and Paul: A response to a recent trend in the interpretation of Matthew’s Gospel
Authors: Willitts Joel
Published: July 2009

David Sim has argued that Matthew’s so-called Great Commission (Mt 28:16–20) represents a direct anti-Pauline polemic. While this thesis may be theoretically possible and perhaps fi ts within the perspective of an earlier era in New Testament research, namely that of the Tübingen School, the evidence in both Matthew and the Pauline corpus does not support such a reading of early Christianity. In this paper, I argue that an antithetical relationship between Matthew’s Great Commission and Paul’s Gentile mission as reflected in his epistles is possible only (1) with a certain reading of Matthew and (2) with a caricature of Paul. In light of the most recent research on both Matthew’s Great Commission and the historical Paul, these two traditions can be seen as harmonious and not antithetical in spite of the recent arguments to the contrary. My argument provides a further corrective to the view of early Christianity, which posits a deep schism between so-called Jewish Christianity and Paul’s ostensibly Law-free mission to the Gentiles.
Quantification of gypsum crystal nucleation, growth, and breakage rates in a wet flue gas desulfurization pilot plant
Authors: Hansen Brian B. , Kiil Søren , Johnsson Jan E.
Published: July 2009

The aim of this work is to study the influence of nucleation, growth and breakage on the particle size distribution (PSD) of gypsum crystals produced by the wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process. The steady state PSD, obtained in a falling film wet FGD pilot plant during desulfurization of a 1000 ppm(v) SO2 gas stream, displayed a strong nonlinear behaviour (in a ln(n(l)) vs. l plot) at the lower end of the particle size range, compared to the well‐known linear mixed suspension mixed product removal model. A transient population balance breakage model, fitted to experimental data, was able to model an increase in the fraction of small particles, but not to the extent observed experimentally. A three‐parameter, size‐dependent growth model, previously used for sodium sulphate decahydrate and potash alum, was able to describe the experimental data, indicating either size‐dependent integration kinetics or growth rate dispersion. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Development, testing, and validation of a patient satisfaction questionnaire for use in the clinical genetics setting
Authors: Zellerino Barbara , Milligan Sharon A. , Brooks Ron , Freedenberg Debra L. , Collingridge Dave S. , Williams Marc S.
Published: July 2009

Patient satisfaction is an important component of assessing quality of care. The purpose of this study is to develop a concise patient satisfaction tool specifically for use in the clinical genetics setting. An international survey identified two domains, “Respect Given” and “Patient Questions Answered” as being important components of satisfaction in the genetic encounter. A working group of professionals assembled a 14‐question pilot questionnaire that was subsequently tested in 13 clinical sites. Nearly 400 responses were used to validate the tool and ultimately construct a 7‐item questionnaire. The 7‐item questionnaire was found to be reliable and valid and addresses two key components of patient satisfaction: technical aspects of care and interpersonal relations. The tool is compared to other patient satisfaction tools developed for use in the clinical genetics setting. A Spanish version is also provided. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a fluorimetric detection method for cinnabarinic acid using ortho‐tolyl hydrazine as the derivatization reagent
Authors: Iizuka Hideaki , Obata Kensaku , Yajima Takehiko , Ichiba Hideaki , Fukushima Takeshi
Published: July 2009

A fluorimetric detection method for one of the tryptophan metabolites, cinnabarinic acid (CA), which has recently been reported to have the ability to induce apoptosis in thymocytes, was developed using o‐tolyl hydrazine (TH) as the derivatization reagent. The carbonyl group at position 3 in CA was tagged with the hydrazino moiety of TH at 100°C for 30 min, and the generated derivative, CA tagged with TH, fluoresced at 412 nm with a 316 nm excitation wavelength. The CA tagged with TH was separated on a reversed‐phase HPLC and detected fluorometrically. The relative standard deviation was in the range of 1.1–8.9% (n = 3), and the detection limit was approximately 12?fmol (signal‐to‐noise ratio, 3). The proposed HPLC method can be useful for the sensitive detection of CA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Son, Ltd.
HPLC of basic drugs using non‐aqueous ionic eluents: evaluation of a 3 μm strong cation‐exchange material
Authors: Morgan Phillip E. , Manwaring Victoria , Flanagan Robert J
Published: July 2009

HPLC columns packed with 3 μm particle size HPLC Technology Techsphere SCX (propylsulfonic acid‐modified) silica offer considerable advantages over 5 μm SCX packings in the analysis of basic drugs using 100% methanol eluents containing an ionic modifier such as ammonium perchlorate. The basic drugs studied included clozapine and norclozapine, olanzapine, quinine and quinidine, and amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine and desipramine. The 3 μm column was not only more efficient for a given column length compared with 5 μm materials, but also elution times were less, a phenomenon observed in reversed‐phase systems. The high efficiencies and excellent peak shapes obtained with the 3 μm SCX‐modified packing together with the relatively low back‐pressures attained show that such materials deserve serious consideration by laboratories involved in the analysis of basic drugs. Manufacturers should offer such packings as a matter of routine. Alternative ionic modifiers such as ammonium acetate are available for use with mass spectrometric detection if required. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of pentoxyverine citrate and guaifenesin in human plasma—application to pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies
Authors: Wen Jinhua , Zhang Hong , Xia Chunhua , Hu Xiao , Xu Wenwei , Cheng Xiaohua , Gao Jun , Xiong Yuqing
Published: July 2009

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry method for the identification and quantification of pentoxyverine citrate and guaifenesin in human plasma has been developed. After extraction from plasma samples by ethyl acetate, the internal standard and analytes were separated by high‐performance liquid chromatographic on a Shim‐pack VP‐ODS C18 column (150 × 2.0 mm) using a mobile phase consisting of A (methanol) and B (0.4% glacial acetic acid and 4 mmol/L ammonium acetate) (A:B, 43 : 57). Analysis was performed on a Shimadzu LC/MS‐2010A in selected ion monitoring mode with a positive electrospray ionization interface. The method was linear in the concentration range of 1.0–640.0 ng/mL for pentoxyverine citrate and 0.025–6.4 μg/mL for guaifenesin. The inter‐ and intra‐ precision were all within 12% and accuracy ranged from 85 to 115%.The lower limits of quantification were 1.0 ng/mL for pentoxyverine citrate and 25.0 ng/mL for guaifenesin. The extraction recovery was on average 81.95% for pentoxyverine citrate and 89.03% for guaifenesin. This is the first assay method reported for the simultaneous determination of pentoxyverine citrate and guaifenesin in plasma using one chromatographic run. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candidemia in patients with hematologic malignancies in the era of new antifungal agents (2001‐2007)
Authors: Sipsas Nikolaos V. , Lewis Russell E. , Tarrand Jeffrey , Hachem Ray , Rolston Kenneth V. , Raad Issam I. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

The incidence, epidemiology, Candida species distribution, resistance patterns, and outcome of candidemia in high‐risk hematologic malignancy and/or stem cell transplantation patients have not been extensively described since the introduction of new antifungal agents.

METHODS:

In this retrospective study, the authors reviewed the medical records and microbiologic data of hematologic malignancy patients with candidemia at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from March 2001 to February 2007.

RESULTS:

The authors analyzed 173 episodes of candidemia (170 patients), 125 (72%) of which were breakthrough cases after prior antifungal agents, mainly fluconazole (28 [22%]), caspofungin (25 [20%]), and voriconazole (18 [14%]). The incidence of candidemia (per 100,000 inpatient days) remained relatively stable, from 13.9 in 2001 to 19.2 in 2006. However, compared with the findings of previous studies at the authors' institution, the frequency of Candida glabrata and C. krusei infection decreased (to 5% and 17%, respectively) and C. parapsilosis (24%) and C. tropicalis (21%) increased. C. parapsilosis fungemia was associated with prior caspofungin use (P < .001). The overall 30‐day crude mortality rate was 38%, and the attributable mortality rate was 19%, similar to previous findings at the authors' institution. The Candida species associated with the highest mortality rate was C. glabrata.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the widespread use of antifungal prophylaxis and the introduction of new antifungal agents, the incidence and associated mortality rates of candidemia remained stable in high‐risk hematologic malignancy patients. However, its epidemiological characteristics have shifted, with C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis becoming more common. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
A grid workflow environment for brain imaging analysis on distributed systems
Authors: Pandey Suraj , Voorsluys William , Rahman Mustafizur , Buyya Rajkumar , Dobson James E. , Chiu Kenneth
Published: July 2009

Scientific applications like neuroscience data analysis are usually compute and data‐intensive. With the use of the additional capacity offered by distributed resources and suitable middlewares, we can achieve much shorter execution time, distribute compute and storage load, and add greater flexibility to the execution of these scientific applications than we could ever achieve in a single compute resource. In this paper, we present the processing of image registration (IR) for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies on Global Grids. We characterize the application, list its requirements and then transform it to a workflow. We use Gridbus Broker and Gridbus Workflow Engine technologies for executing the neuroscience application on the Grid. We developed a complete web‐based portal integrating GUI‐based workflow editor, execution management, monitoring and visualization of tasks and resources. We describe each component of the system in detail. We then execute the application on Grid'5000 platform and present extensive performance results. We show that the IR application can have (1) significantly improved makespan, (2) distribution of compute and storage load among resources used, and (3) flexibility when executing multiple times on Grid resources. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of microRNA in anticancer drug resistance
Authors: Zheng Tongsen , Wang Jiabei , Chen Xi , Liu Lianxin
Published: July 2009

Chemotherapy has been widely used in treatment of cancer, both as systemic therapy and as part of local treatment. Unfortunately, many kinds of cancer are still refractory to chemotherapy. The anticancer drug resistance mechanisms have been extensively explored, yet have not been fully characterized. Recent works have underlined the involvement of noncoding RNAs in cancer development, with several studies regarding their possible involvement in the evolution of drug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs (20–23 nucleotides) that negatively regulate the gene expressions at the post‐transcriptional level by base pairing to the 3′ untranslated region of target messenger RNAs. Evidence is emerging that particular microRNAs (miRNA) alterations are involved in the initiation and progression of human cancer. More recently, accumulating evidence is revealing an important role of miRNAs in anticancer drug resistance and miRNA expression profiling can be correlated with the development of anticancer drug resistance. The micro‐RNA‐mediated form of drug resistance adds yet another mechanism of drug resistance. So, exploiting the emerging knowledge of miRNAs for the development of new human therapeutic applications for overcoming anticancer drug resistance will be important.
Preclinical in vivo evaluation of rapamycin in human malignant peripheral nerve sheath explant xenograft
Authors: Bhola Priya , Banerjee Sutapa , Mukherjee Joydeep , Balasubramanium Anand , Arun Vedant , Karim Zia , Burrell Kelly , Croul Sidney , Gutmann David H. , Guha Abhijit
Published: July 2009

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients are prone to the development of malignant tumors, the most common being Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST). NF1‐MPNST patients have an overall poor survival due to systemic metastasis. Currently, the management of MPNSTs includes surgery and radiation; however, conventional chemotherapy is not very effective, underscoring the need for effective biologically‐targeted therapies. Recently, the NF1 gene product, neurofibromin, was shown to negatively regulate the phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/Protein Kinase‐B (Akt)/mammalian Target Of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, with loss of neurofibromin expression in established human MPNST cell lines associated with high levels of mTOR activity. We developed and characterized a human NF1‐MPNST explant grown subcutaneously in NOD‐SCID mice, to evaluate the effect of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. We demonstrate that rapamycin significantly inhibited human NF1‐MPNST mTOR pathway activation and explant growth in vivo at doses as low as 1.0 mg/kg/day, without systemic toxicities. While rapamycin was effective at reducing NF1‐MPNST proliferation and angiogenesis, with decreased CyclinD1 and VEGF respectively, there was no increase in tumor apoptosis. Rapamycin effectively decreased activation of S6 downstream of mTOR, but there was accompanied increased Akt activation. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential and limitations of rapamycin in NF1‐associated, and likely sporadic, MPNSTs.
Evidence for the contribution of insulin resistance to the development of cachexia in tumor‐bearing mice
Authors: Asp Michelle L. , Tian Min , Wendel Angela A. , Belury Martha A.
Published: July 2009

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome of unintentional weight loss that is characterized by wasting of both skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance have been associated with cancer cachexia. However, it is unknown whether resistance to insulin has a role in the development of cachexia. In the present study, male CD2F1 mice with colon‐26 adenocarcinoma tumors underwent an insulin tolerance test before the onset of weight loss. Compared to mice without tumors, mice with tumors had a profoundly blunted blood glucose response to insulin. Corroborating these findings, mice with tumors had decreased phosphorylation of Akt in quadriceps muscle and epididymal adipose tissue at the end of the study. Expression of Akt‐regulated genes Atrogin‐1, MuRF‐1, and Bnip3 was increased in muscle, suggesting a role for decreased insulin signaling in the induction of both proteasomal proteolysis and autophagy in cachectic muscle. Rosiglitazone treatment increased serum adiponectin, insulin sensitivity, and body weight, and decreased Atrogin‐1 and MuRF‐1 expression in the skeletal muscle of tumor‐bearing mice. In conclusion, insulin resistance is an early event in mice with cachexia induced by colon‐26 tumors. Rosiglitazone improves insulin sensitivity and decreases early markers of cachexia. These data provide evidence that insulin resistance is not only present in cachexia, but also has a role in cachexia pathogenesis. Correction of insulin resistance may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer cachexia.
Bcl‐XL and MCL‐1 constitute pertinent targets in ovarian carcinoma and their concomitant inhibition is sufficient to induce apoptosis
Authors: Brotin Emilie , Meryet‐Figuière Matthieu , Simonin Karin , Duval Raphaël E. , Villedieu Marie , Leroy‐Dudal Johanne , Saison‐Behmoaras Ester , Gauduchon Pascal , Denoyelle Christophe , Poulain Laurent
Published: July 2009

In ovarian carcinomas, recurrence and acquired chemoresistance are the first leading causes of therapeutic failure and are responsible for the poor overall survival rate. Cisplatin exposure of sensitive cells has been previously associated with a down‐regulation of Bcl‐XL expression and apoptosis, whereas recurrence was systematically observed when Bcl‐XL expression was maintained. Bcl‐XL down‐regulation could thus constitute an interesting chemosensitizing strategy. We showed that a Bcl‐XLtargeted RNA interference strategy efficiently sensitized chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma cells to cisplatin, but some of them were still able to re‐proliferate. Considering the possible cooperation between Bcl‐XLand MCL‐1, we investigated the possibility to avoid recurrence in vitro using a multi‐targeted RNAi strategy directed against these two anti‐apoptotic proteins. We showed that their concomitant inhibition lead to massive apoptosis in absence of cisplatin, this multi‐targeted RNAi approach being much more efficient than conventional chemotherapy. We thus demonstrated that Bcl‐XL and MCL‐1 cooperate to constitute together a strong molecular “bolt”, which elimination could be sufficient to allow chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma cells apoptosis. Moreover, we demonstrated that in presence of a low concentration of cisplatin, the concomitant down‐regulation of Bcl‐XL and MCL‐1 allowed a complete annihilation of tumour cells population thus avoiding subsequent recurrence in vitro in cell lines highly refractory to any type of conventional chemotherapy. Therefore, Bcl‐XL and MCL‐1 targeted strategies could constitute an efficient therapeutic tool for the treatment of chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma, in association with conventional chemotherapy.
‘Click labelling’ in PET radiochemistry
Authors: Glaser Matthias , Robins Edward G.
Published: July 2009

The copper(I)‐catalysed 1,3‐dipolar cylcoaddition of terminal alkynes with substituted azides has seen a rapidly growing popularity in a wide range of applications. This versatile coupling reaction has been also recognised as an invaluable tool to meet the high radiosynthetic demands of tracers for Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Here, we are reviewing publications from 2006 to March 2009. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postglacial chironomid assemblage succession in northernmost Ungava Peninsula, Canada
Authors: Saulnier‐Talbot Émilie , Pienitz Reinhard
Published: July 2009

Sediment cores spanning the postglacial period were recovered from two coastal freshwater basins located 300 km apart in northernmost Ungava (Nunavik, Canada). A basal date from the sequence recovered near Wakeham Bay suggests that the region was ice‐free by as early as 9600 cal. a BP. The initial development of both investigated lacustrine ecosystems was characterised by chironomid assemblages strongly dominated by the Subtribe Tanytarsina. These early postglacial assemblages showed greatly reduced diversity but much greater abundance than during subsequent periods of lake evolution. An abrupt and distinct turnover in sedimentary chironomid assemblage composition and productivity, marked by a switch to a dominance of Orthocladiinae, occurred around 6 ka BP. This turnover likely corresponds with a significant disturbance in the regional environment, which could be linked to the final disappearance of the last remnants of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. These findings, based on the first palaeolimnological investigations undertaken in northernmost Ungava, provide new insights into lateglacial and postglacial faunal recolonisation patterns in aquatic ecosystems of the eastern Canadian Arctic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategies in developing promising histone deacetylase inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Lei , Fang Hao , Xu Wenfang
Published: July 2009

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of enzymes that have been of interest in drug discovery for more than 30 years. Inhibitors of HDACs are potential therapeutics for various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, viral infection, and especially cancer. Most HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are designed for cancer therapy. In 2006, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for once‐daily oral treatment of advanced cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma. In the meantime, there have been aggressive efforts to bring HDACi to the market for every major tumor type, either as a single therapy or in combination, and a number of compounds are currently undergoing clinical trials. Multiple strategies have been applied to the rational design of drugs targeting HDACs by taking advantage of the new developments in proteomics, chemogenomics, cheminformatics, and computational chemistry/biology. Herein, we review the current methods successfully used in developing novel HDACi. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 30, No. 4, 585–602, 2010
Post void dribbling: Incidence and risk factors
Authors: Ablove Tova
Published: July 2009

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence of post void dribbling (PVD) in women being evaluated for pelvic floor dysfunction. The secondary aim was to identify other conditions present in women with symptoms of PVD.

Materials and Methods

163 consecutive women with complaints of PVD who underwent urodynamic testing were studied. Testing was performed to evaluate women scheduled for surgery for incontinence, irritative bladder, urinary retention and pelvic organ prolapse. Subjects completed a medical history and voiding diary. A complete pelvic exam was performed. Patients were questioned regarding symptoms of PVD, stress incontinence, urge incontinence and insensible urine loss. Menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy status, age, body mass index, residual urine volume, genital hiatus length, and evidence of pelvic organ prolapse were recorded. Maximal urethral closure pressure, urethral length, pressure transmission ratio, and documentation of detrusor overactivity or urodynamic stress incontinence were determined by urodynamic testing.

Results

42% of patients had symptoms of PVD. The incidence of PVD decreased with age. In pre‐ and peri‐menopausal women, there was an association between PVD and urge incontinence. In post‐menopausal women, there was an association between age, body mass index, and genital hiatus length.

Conclusions

There was a significant correlation between PVD and urge incontinence in pre‐menopausal patients. The overall incidence and causes of PVD relative to age require further study. Body mass index and genital hiatus length may play an important role in PVD, especially in post‐menopausal women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:432–436, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Obesity is associated with a more severe overactive bladder disease state that is effectively treated with once‐daily administration of trospium chloride extended release
Authors: Chancellor Michael B. , Oefelein Michael G. , Vasavada Sandip
Published: July 2009

Aims

Obesity is an established risk factor for urinary incontinence, yet no information exists as to the efficacy of antimuscarinic agents in this population. The goal of this study is to examine the efficacy of once daily trospium chloride (Sanctura™) XR in overweight and obese patients with the overactive bladder syndrome.

Methods

The primary and secondary end‐points of the 1,165 study subjects from the integrated trospium chloride XR pivotal trials were stratified by World Health Organization (WHO) obesity levels I and II.

Results

Obesity (WHO level I, II criteria) was associated with a more severe baseline OAB disease state (P < 0.01). Trospium chloride XR was more effective than placebo at reducing the primary endpoints (toilet voids, UUI, P < 0.0001) and at improving the secondary end‐points (percent patients continent and urgency severity, P < 0.0001) for WHO obesity levels I and II.

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with a more severe OAB disease state. Once daily trospium chloride XR is efficacious in the obese patient with the OAB syndrome. Neurourol. Urodynam. 29:551–554, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lingering environmental pessimism and the role of government in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Timothy Ka‐Ying , Wan Po‐San
Published: July 2009

Based on data from two opinion surveys conducted in 2000 and 2008, this study shows that Hong Kong people have been consistently highly aware of the seriousness of different environmental problems and relatively pessimistic about the future resolution of these problems. Such pessimism is arguably related to their lack of confidence in the government's enforcement of environmental protection. Through an analysis of the environmental policy‐making and enforcement agency and three selected enforcement cases, the study further finds that the people's lack of confidence can be traced to the government's failure to bring about a comprehensive, integrated, far‐sighted environmental strategy with sophisticated institutional support and detailed enforcement mechanisms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Alchemy of Jargon: Etymologies of urologic neologisms. number 6: The language of the urogenital system
Authors: Shelfer Lochlan
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND

As the scientific community is increasingly severed from the study of linguistics, the underlying significance of their common technical words is becoming blurred. This article will focus on the genesis of terminology of the urogenital system.

METHODS

These notes will give a detailed background of the history of technical terms, including how they came into being, whence they were derived, and how they impacted the scientific community through the ages.

RESULTS

In this installment, following terms are analyzed: Penis, Ampulla, Vas Deferens, Epididymis, Gonad, and Bladder.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of the history and significance of scientific terms common to the urological community works towards a fortification of their power by offering a reminder of their origins. Prostate 69: 1611–1612, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of domain boundary predictions and the prediction of intramolecular contacts in CASP8
Authors: Ezkurdia Iakes , Graña Osvaldo , Izarzugaza José M. G. , Tress Michael L.
Published: July 2009

This article details the assessment process and evaluation results for two categories in the 8th Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction experiment (CASP8). The domain prediction category was evaluated with a range of scores including the Normalized Domain Overlap score and a domain boundary distance measure. Residue‐residue contact predictions were evaluated with standard CASP measures, prediction accuracy, and Xd. In the domain boundary prediction category, prediction methods still make reliable predictions for targets that have structural templates, but continue to struggle to make good predictions for the few ab initio targets in CASP. There was little indication of improvement in the domain prediction category. The contact prediction category demonstrated that there was renewed interest among predictors and despite the small sample size the results suggested that there had been an increase in prediction accuracy. In contrast to CASP7 contact specialists predicted contacts more accurately than the majority of tertiary structure predictors. Despite this small success, the lack of free modeling targets makes it unlikely that either category will be included in their present form in CASP9. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shape and evolution of thermostable protein structure
Authors: Coleman Ryan G. , Sharp Kim A.
Published: July 2009

Organisms evolved at high temperatures must maintain their proteins' structures in the face of increased thermal disorder. This challenge results in differences in residue utilization and overall structure. Focusing on thermostable/mesostable pairs of homologous structures, we have examined these differences using novel geometric measures: specifically burial depth (distance from the molecular surface to each atom) and travel depth (distance from the convex hull to the molecular surface that avoids the protein interior). These along with common metrics like packing and Wadell Sphericity are used to gain insight into the constraints experienced by thermophiles. Mean travel depth of hyperthermostable proteins is significantly less than that of their mesostable counterparts, indicating smaller, less numerous and less deep pockets. The mean burial depth of hyperthermostable proteins is significantly higher than that of mesostable proteins indicating that they bury more atoms further from the surface. The burial depth can also be tracked on the individual residue level, adding a finer level of detail to the standard exposed surface area analysis. Hyperthermostable proteins for the first time are shown to be more spherical than their mesostable homologues, regardless of when and how they adapted to extreme temperature. Additionally, residue specific burial depth examinations reveal that charged residues stay unburied, most other residues are slightly more buried and Alanine is more significantly buried in hyperthermostable proteins. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of surfactants on the processing of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes in reinforced cement matrix composites
Authors: Luo Jianlin , Duan Zhongdong , Li Hui
Published: July 2009

Five surfactants [sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS), sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), Triton X‐100 (TX10), Arabic gum (AG), and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)] were employed separately or jointly as superficial active agents (SAAs), to enhance solubilization/dispersion of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in aqueous solution and cement matrix. The stabilizations of MWNTs in 12 SAAs solutions were estimated through sedimentation time of each suspension with centrifugation or sitting in 60 days. The mechanical and electrical properties as well as microstructures of MWNTs/cement composites (MNT/CCs) using the SAAs of SDBS, NaDC, AG, or the mixture of SDBS and TX10 were investigated. It was found that the capability of SAAs in dispersing MWNTs roughly decreases in the order as SDBS&TX10, SDBS, NaDC&TX10, NaDC, AG, TX10, and CTAB. The SAA of SDBS and TX10 with a mixing ratio of 3:1 by weight exhibits the best solubilization/dispersion capability. The delaminating time of the suspension of the above SAA with or without centrifugation is 80 min and 60 days, respectively. The microscopy observation indicates that the nanotubes form a stable network in the MNT/CC using SDBS&TX10 SAA. In addition, compared to the Plain/C, the corresponding MNT/CC increases in flexural strength, compressive strength, and the electrical conductivity by 29.10%, 20.8%, and two orders of magnitude, respectively. The enhancements are attributed to the uniform and stable distribution of MWNTs with the suitable surfactants and the ultrasonic dispersion method.
Protonated Melonate Ca[HC6N7(NCN)3]·7H2O – Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Makowski Sophia J. , Gunzelmann Daniel , Senker Jürgen , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: July 2009

Calcium hydrogenmelonate heptahydrate Ca[HC6N7(NCN)3]·7H2O was obtained by metathesis reaction in aqueous solution. The structure of the molecular salt was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of planar monopronated melonate ions, Ca2+ and crystal water molecules. The anions of adjacent layers are staggered so that no π–π stacking occurs. The melonate entities are interconnected by hydrogen bonds within and between the layers. Ca[HC6N7(NCN)3]·7H2O was investigated by solid‐state NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, TG and DTA measurements.
Hepatitis C virus NS5A protein increases hepatic lipid accumulation via induction of activation and expression of PPARgamma
Authors: Kim KyeongJin , Kim Kook Hwan , Ha Eunsin , Park Jin Young , Sakamoto Naoya , Cheong JaeHun
Published: July 2009

MINT‐7229731: PPAR gamma 2 (uniprotkb:P37231‐2) physically interacts (MI:0914) with NS5A (uniprotkb:P26662) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
Altered retinal cell differentiation in the AP‐3 delta mutant (Mocha) mouse
Authors: Baguma‐Nibasheka Mark , Kablar Boris
Published: July 2009

Adaptor‐related protein complex 3 delta 1 (Ap3d1) encodes the delta 1 subunit of an adaptor protein regulating intracellular vesicle‐mediated transport, and the Ap3d‐deletion mutant (Mocha) mouse undergoes rapid photoreceptor degeneration leading to blindness soon after birth. Previous microarray analysis revealed Ap3d down‐regulation in the retina of mouse embryos specifically lacking cholinergic amacrine cells as a result of the absence of skeletal musculature. To investigate the role of Ap3d in the determination of retinal cell fate, the present study examined retinal morphology in newborn Ap3d−/− mice. The Ap3d−/− retina showed a complete absence of cholinergic amacrine cells and a decrease in parvalbumin‐expressing amacrine cells and syntaxin‐ and VC1.1‐expressing amacrine precursor cells, but had a normal number of cell layers and number of cells in each layer with no detectable difference in cell proliferation or apoptosis. These findings indicate that, despite having no apparent effect on the basic spatial organization of the retina at this stage of development, Ap3d could be involved in the regulation of progenitor cell competence and the eventual ratio of resulting differentiated cells. Finding the mouse mutant which phenocopies the eye defect seen in fetuses with no striated muscle was accomplished by the Systematic Subtractive Microarray Analysis Approach (SSMAA), explained in the discussion section.
Multipoint, high time resolution galactic cosmic ray observations associated with two interplanetary coronal mass ejections
Authors: Jordan A. P. , Spence H. E. , Blake J. B. , Mulligan T. , Shaul D. N. A. , Galametz M.
Published: July 2009

Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) play an important role in our understanding of the interplanetary medium (IPM). The causes of their short timescale variations, however, remain largely unexplored. In this paper, we compare high time resolution, multipoint space‐based GCR data to explore structures in the IPM that cause these variations. To ensure that features we see in these data actually relate to conditions in the IPM, we look for correlations between the GCR time series from two instruments onboard the Polar and INTEGRAL (International Gamma Ray Astrophysical Laboratory) satellites, respectively inside and outside Earth's magnetosphere. We analyze the period of 18–24 August 2006 during which two interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) passed Earth and produced a Forbush decrease (Fd) in the GCR flux. We find two periods, for a total of 10 h, of clear correlation between small‐scale variations in the two GCR time series during these 7 days, thus demonstrating that such variations are observable using space‐based instruments. The first period of correlation lasted 6 h and began 2 h before the shock of the first ICME passed the two spacecraft. The second period occurred during the initial decrease of the Fd, an event that did not conform to the typical one‐ or two‐step classification of Fds. We propose that two planar magnetic structures preceding the first ICME played a role in both periods: one structure in driving the first correlation and the other in initiating the Fd.