bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete Elimination of Colorectal Tumor Xenograft by Combined Manganese Superoxide Dismutase with Tumor Necrosis Factor–Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Gene Virotherapy
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Gu Jinfa , Zhao Lili , He Lingfeng , Qian Wenbin , Wang Jinhui , Wang Yigang , Qian Qijun , Qian Cheng , Wu Jian , Liu Xin Yuan
Published: April 2006

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a latent tumor suppressor gene. To investigate the therapeutic effect of MnSOD and its mechanisms, a replication-competent recombinant adenovirus with E1B 55-kDa gene deletion (ZD55) was constructed, and human MnSOD and tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) genes were inserted to form ZD55-MnSOD and ZD55-TRAIL. ZD55-MnSOD exhibited an inhibition in tumor cell growth ∼1,000-fold greater than Ad-MnSOD. ZD55-TRAIL was shown to induce the MnSOD expression in SW620 cells. Accordingly, by the combined use of ZD55-MnSOD with ZD55-TRAIL (i.e., “dual gene virotherapy”), all established colorectal tumor xenografts were completely eliminated in nude mice. The evidence exists that the MnSOD overexpression led to a slower tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo as a result of apoptosis caused by MnSOD and TRAIL overexpression after adenoviral transduction. Our results showed that the production of hydrogen peroxide derived from MnSOD dismutation activated caspase-8, which might down-regulate Bcl-2 expression and induce Bax translocation to mitochondria. Subsequently, Bax translocation enhanced the release of apoptosis-initiating factor and cytochrome c. Cytochrome c finally triggered apoptosis by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3 in apoptotic cascade. Bax-mediated apoptosis seems to be dependent on caspase-8 activation because the inhibition of caspase-8 prevented Bid processing and Bax translocation. In conclusion, our dual gene virotherapy completely eliminated colorectal tumor xenografts via enhanced apoptosis, and this novel strategy points toward a new direction of cancer treatment. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4291-8)
Related to Testes-Specific, Vespid, and Pathogenesis Protein-1 (RTVP-1) Is Overexpressed in Gliomas and Regulates the Growth, Survival, and Invasion of Glioma Cells
Authors: Rosenzweig Tovit , Ziv-Av Amotz , Xiang Cunli , Lu Wei , Cazacu Simona , Taler Dvir , Miller Cathie G. , Reich Reuven , Shoshan Yigal , Anikster Yair , Kazimirsky Gila , Sarid Ronit , Brodie Chaya
Published: April 2006

In this study, we examined the expression and functions of related to testes-specific, vespid, and pathogenesis protein 1 (RTVP-1) in glioma cells. RTVP-1 was expressed in high levels in glioblastomas, whereas its expression in low-grade astrocytomas and normal brains was very low. Transfection of glioma cells with small interfering RNAs targeting RTVP-1 decreased cell proliferation in all the cell lines examined and induced cell apoptosis in some of them. Overexpression of RTVP-1 increased astrocyte and glioma cell proliferation and the anchorage-independent growth of the cells. In addition, overexpression of RTVP-1 rendered glioma cells more resistant to the apoptotic effect of tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand and serum deprivation. To delineate the molecular mechanisms involved in the survival effects of RTVP-1, we examined the expression and phosphorylation of various apoptosis-related proteins. We found that overexpression of RTVP-1 decreased the phosphorylation of c-Jun-NH2-kinase and increased the expression of Bcl2 and that the protective effect of RTVP-1 was partially mediated by Bcl2. Finally, we found that RTVP-1 regulated the invasion of glioma cells as was evident by their enhanced migration through Matrigel and by their increased invasion in a spheroid confrontation assay. The increased invasive potential of the RTVP-1 overexpressors was also shown by the increased activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in these cells. Our results suggest that the expression of RTVP-1 is correlated with the degree of malignancy of astrocytic tumors and that RTVP-1 is involved in the regulation of the growth, survival, and invasion of glioma cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that RTVP-1 is a potential therapeutic target in gliomas. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4139-48)
Characterization of the Mouse IFN-λ Ligand-Receptor System: IFN-λs Exhibit Antitumor Activity against B16 Melanoma
Authors: Lasfar Ahmed , Lewis-Antes Anita , Smirnov Sergey V. , Anantha Shubha , Abushahba Walid , Tian Bin , Reuhl Kenneth , Dickensheets Harold , Sheikh Faruk , Donnelly Raymond P. , Raveche Elizabeth , Kotenko Sergei V.
Published: April 2006

Recently discovered type III IFNs (IFN-λ) exert their antiviral and immunomodulatory activities through a unique receptor complex composed of IFN-λR1 and interleukin-10 receptor 2. To further study type III IFNs, we cloned and characterized mouse IFN-λ ligand-receptor system. We showed that, similar to their human orthologues, mIFN-λ2 and mIFN-λ3 signal through the IFN-λ receptor complex, activate IFN stimulated gene factor 3, and are capable of inducing antiviral protection and MHC class I antigen expression in several cell types including B16 melanoma cells. We then used the murine B16 melanoma model to investigate the potential antitumor activities of IFN-λs. We developed B16 cells constitutively expressing murine IFN-λ2 (B16.IFN-λ2 cells) and evaluated their tumorigenicity in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Although constitutive expression of mIFN-λ2 in melanoma cells did not affect their proliferation in vitro, the growth of B16.IFN-λ2 cells, when injected s.c. into mice, was either retarded or completely prevented. We found that rejection of the modified tumor cells correlated with their level of IFN-λ2 expression. We then developed IFN-λ-resistant B16.IFN-λ2 cells (B16.IFN-λ2Res cells) and showed that their tumorigenicity was also highly impaired or completely abolished similar to B16.IFN-λ2 cells, suggesting that IFN-λs engage host mechanisms to inhibit melanoma growth. These in vivo experiments show the antitumor activities of IFN-λs and suggest their strong therapeutic potential. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4468-77)
High Expression of Ligands for Chemokine Receptor CXCR2 in Alveolar Epithelial Neoplasia Induced by Oncogenic Kras
Authors: Wislez Marie , Fujimoto Nobukazu , Izzo Julie G. , Hanna Amy E. , Cody Dianna D. , Langley Robert R. , Tang Hongli , Burdick Marie D. , Sato Mitsuo , Minna John D. , Mao Li , Wistuba Ignacio , Strieter Robert M. , Kurie Jonathan M.
Published: April 2006

CXCL8, a ligand for the chemokine receptor CXCR2, was recently reported to be a transcriptional target of Ras signaling, but its role in Ras-induced tumorigenesis has not been fully defined. Here, we investigated the role of KC and MIP-2, the murine homologues of CXCL8, in KrasLA1 mice, which develop lung adenocarcinoma owing to somatic activation of the KRAS oncogene. We first investigated biological evidence of CXCR2 ligands in KrasLA1 mice. Malignant progression of normal alveolar epithelial cells to adenocarcinoma in KrasLA1 mice was associated with enhanced intralesional vascularity and neutrophilic inflammation, which are hallmarks of chemoattraction by CXCR2 ligands. In in vitro migration assays, supernatants of bronchoalveolar lavage samples from KrasLA1 mice chemoattracted murine endothelial cells, alveolar inflammatory cells, and the LKR-13 lung adenocarcinoma cell line derived from KrasLA1 mice, an effect that was abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with a CXCR2-neutralizing antibody. CXCR2 and its ligands were highly expressed in LKR-13 cells and premalignant alveolar lesions in KrasLA1 mice. Treatment of KrasLA1 mice with a CXCR2-neutralizing antibody inhibited the progression of premalignant alveolar lesions and induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells within alveolar lesions. Whereas the proliferation of LKR-13 cells in vitro was resistant to treatment with the antibody, LKR-13 cells established as syngeneic tumors were sensitive, supporting a role for the tumor microenvironment in the activity of CXCR2. Thus, high expression of CXCR2 ligands may contribute to the expansion of early alveolar neoplastic lesions induced by oncogenic KRAS. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4198-207)
Ligand Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor β Inhibits Colon Carcinogenesis
Authors: Marin Holly E. , Peraza Marjorie A. , Billin Andrew N. , Willson Timothy M. , Ward Jerrold M. , Kennett Mary J. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Peters Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2006

There is considerable debate whether peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor β/δ (PPARβ/δ) ligands potentiate or suppress colon carcinogenesis. Whereas administration of a PPARβ ligand causes increased small intestinal tumorigenesis in Apcmin/+ mice, PPARβ-null (Pparb−/−) mice exhibit increased colon polyp multiplicity in colon cancer bioassays, suggesting that ligand activation of this receptor will inhibit colon carcinogenesis. This hypothesis was examined by treating wild-type (Pparb+/+) and Pparb−/− with azoxymethane, coupled with a highly specific PPARβ ligand, GW0742. Ligand activation of PPARβ in Pparb+/+ mice caused an increase in the expression of mRNA encoding adipocyte differentiation–related protein, fatty acid–binding protein, and cathepsin E. These findings are indicative of colonocyte differentiation, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. No PPARβ-dependent differences in replicative DNA synthesis or expression of phosphatase and tensin homologue, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase, integrin-linked kinase, or phospho-Akt were detected in ligand-treated mouse colonic epithelial cells although increased apoptosis was found in GW0742-treated Pparb+/+ mice. Consistent with increased colonocyte differentiation and apoptosis, inhibition of colon polyp multiplicity was also found in ligand-treated Pparb+/+ mice, and all of these effects were not found in Pparb−/− mice. In contrast to previous reports suggesting that activation of PPARβ potentiates intestinal tumorigenesis, here we show that ligand activation of PPARβ attenuates chemically induced colon carcinogenesis and that PPARβ-dependent induction of cathepsin E could explain the reported disparity in the literature about the effect of ligand activation of PPARβ in the intestine. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4394-401)
Identification of Domains of BRCA1 Critical for the Ubiquitin-Dependent Inhibition of Centrosome Function
Authors: Sankaran Satish , Starita Lea M. , Simons Amanda M. , Parvin Jeffrey D.
Published: April 2006

The breast and ovarian cancer specific tumor suppressor BRCA1, bound to BARD1, has multiple functions aimed at maintaining genomic stability in the cell. We have shown earlier that the BRCA1/BARD1 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity regulates centrosome-dependent microtubule nucleation. In this study, we tested which domains of BRCA1 and BARD1 were required to control the centrosome function. In the present study, (a) we confirmed that the ubiquitination activity of BRCA1 regulates centrosome number and function in Hs578T breast cancer cells; (b) we observed that both the amino and carboxyl termini of BRCA1 are required for regulation of centrosome function in vitro; (c) an internal domain (770-1,290) is dispensable for centrosome regulation; (d) BARD1 is required for regulation of centrosome function and protein sequences within the terminal 485 amino acids are necessary for activity; and (e) BARD1 is localized at the centrosome throughout the cell cycle. We conclude that the BRCA1-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase functions to restrain centrosomes in mammary cells, and loss of BRCA1 in the precancerous breast cell leads to centrosomal hypertrophy, a phenotype commonly observed in incipient breast cancer. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 4100-7)
Akt Signaling and Cancer: Surviving but not Moving On
Authors: Toker Alex , Yoeli-Lerner Merav
Published: April 2006

The frequent deregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt survival signaling pathway in cancer has prompted significant interest in blocking this pathway to treat cancer. Recently, however, two studies have shown that the Akt isoform Akt1 limits the invasive migration of breast cancer cells. These studies suggest that Akt1 may have a dual role in tumorigenesis, acting not only pro-oncogenically by suppressing apoptosis but also anti-oncogenically by suppressing invasion and metastasis. We discuss the possible implications of these findings for therapeutic development of Akt inhibitors to treat cancer. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(8): 3963-6)
Salinity Assimilation Using S(T): Covariance Relationships
Authors: Haines K. , Blower J. D. , Drecourt J-P. , Liu C. , Vidard A. , Astin I. , Zhou X.
Published: April 2006

Assimilation of salinity into ocean and climate general circulation models is a very important problem. Argo data now provide far more salinity observations than ever before. In addition, a good analysis of salinity over time in ocean reanalyses can give important results for understanding climate change. Here it is shown from the historical ocean database that over large regions of the globe (mainly midlatitudes and lower latitudes) variance of salinity on an isotherm S(T) is often less than variance measured at a particular depth S(z). It is also shown that the dominant temporal variations in S(T) occur more slowly than variations in S(z), based on power spectra from the Bermuda time series. From ocean models it is shown that the horizontal spatial covariance of S(T) often has larger scales than S(z). These observations suggest an assimilation method based on analyzing S(T). An algorithm for assimilating salinity data on isotherms is then presented, and it is shown how this algorithm produces orthogonal salinity increments to those produced during the assimilation of temperature profiles. It is argued that the larger space and time scales can be used for the S(T) assimilation, leading to better use of scarce salinity observations. Results of applying the salinity assimilation algorithm to a single analysis time within the ECMWF seasonal forecasting ocean model are also shown. The separate salinity increments coming from temperature and salinity data are identified, and the independence of these increments is demonstrated. Results of an ocean reanalysis with this method will appear in a future paper.
A Methodology for the Regional-Scale-Decomposed Atmospheric Water Budget: Application to a Simulation of the Canadian Regional Climate Model Nested by NCEP–NCAR Reanalyses over North America
Authors: Bielli Soline , Laprise René
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this work is to study the added value of a regional climate model with respect to the global analyses used to drive the regional simulation, with a special emphasis on the nonlinear interactions between different spatial scales, focusing on the moisture flux divergence. The atmospheric water budget is used to apply the spatial-scale decomposition approach, as it is a key factor in the energetics of the climate. A Fourier analysis is performed individually for each field on pressure levels. Each field involved in the computation of moisture flux divergence is separated into three components that represent selected scale bands, using the discrete cosine transform. The divergence of the moisture flux is computed from the filtered fields. Instantaneous and monthly mean fields from a simulation performed with the Canadian Regional Climate Model are decomposed and allowed to separate the added value of the model to the total fields.

Results show that the added value resides in the nonlinear interactions between large (greater than 1000 km) and small (smaller than 600 km) scales. The main small-scale forcing of the wind is topographic, whereas the humidity tends to show more small scales over the ocean. The time-mean divergence of moisture flux is also decomposed into contributions from stationary eddies and transient eddies. Both stationary and transient eddies are decomposed into different spatial scales and show very different patterns. The time-mean divergence due to transient eddies is dominated by large-scale (synoptic scale) features with little small scales. The divergence due to stationary eddies is a combination of small- and large-scale terms, and the main small-scale contribution occurs over the topography.

The same decomposition has been applied to the NCEP–NCAR reanalyses used to drive the regional simulation; the results show that the model best reproduces the time-fluctuation component of the moisture flux divergence, with a correlation between the model simulation and the NCEP–NCAR reanalyses above 0.90.
Brazil as a Regional Power and Its Relations with the United States
Authors: Bandeira Luiz Alberto Moniz
Published: April 2006

Since the mid-nineteenth century, Brazil’s interests have conflicted with those of the great industrial powers. Its alignment with the United States in the first half of the twentieth century reflected its dependence on coffee exports and the North American market, and even then it did not always passively accept U.S. predominance. An inevitable consequence of Brazil’s ambition to win its rightfully prominent place in the international structure of power has led to a withering away of that unwritten alliance over the past quarter of a century. Brazil has steadily improved its ties with other South American countries in an effort to expand its room for maneuver and increase its bargaining power. While the current administration has pursued friendly relations with the United States, divergences between the two countries remain. In particular, along with other South American countries, Brazil has serious economic and political concerns that run counter to the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Race, Incarceration, and Health
Authors: London Andrew S. , Myers Nancy A.
Published: April 2006

Significant racial disparities in health outcomes have been consistently documented in the United States. Life-course and population-health models are often used to explain these disparities, but they generally do not take incarceration effects into account. Incarceration may have direct effects on health, but it is more likely to indirectly affect health by shaping employment, income, and marital trajectories. The authors contend that the failure of health researchers to take incarceration effects into account is problematic given the large increase in the incarceration of Black men over the past few decades. Moreover, because large numbers of incarcerated Black men are not present in research samples, racial disparities in health outcomes may be underestimated. Incarceration effects should be included in life-course and population-health models, study designs, and policy development processes.
The Incredible Shrinking Program
Authors: Elder Todd E. , Powers Elizabeth T.
Published: April 2006

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program features have changed little since 1974, and elderly participation has declined over time. A behavioral model of aged household SSI participation is used to simulate various policy alternatives. The failure to index asset limits has had little effect on participation, but the indexation of both asset and income disregard limits would have raised the SSI participation rate of aged households by about 30%. If, in addition, states had been required to hold the real value of their supplemental benefits constant over time, the elderly household SSI participation rate would have doubled. Finally, the model is used to estimate the impact of a recent policy change, the increase in the normal retirement age (NRA) in the regular Social Security system. When fully phased in, the increase in the NRA is predicted to raise the SSI participation of elderly households from 4.9% to 7.8%.
Changing Demographics and New Pension Risks
Authors: Shuey Kim M. , O'Rand Angela M.
Published: April 2006

This study used longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to examine the hazards of pension saving associated with variations in household arrangements among two cohorts of older workers. Results from multivariate models predicting pension participation, plan type, and pension cash-out highlight that under the defined-contribution plans characteristic of the new pension environment, women continue to bear greater risks associated with family position and lower workplace earnings. Unmarried women were the most likely to be without any type of pension. High rates of divorce among recent cohorts coincide with the spread of individualized pensions and raise additional concerns about women's pension-related income security. Women are vulnerable to income and savings losses in response to marital dissolution, and findings provide evidence that these women are at greater risk of benefit loss due to pension cash-out. The results suggest that these risks may be even greater for younger cohorts of workers.
Recent Trends in U.S. Social Welfare Policy
Authors: Quadagno Jill , Street Debra
Published: April 2006

Many scholars have characterized the United States as a welfare state “laggard,” less generous than most other nations because of a peculiarly American set of historical circumstances and values. This article explores “American exceptionalism” in the context of welfare state reforms over the past two decades. The authors first describe recent social policy innovations in Western democracies, considering two competing views of welfare state change. The first asserts that welfare states have been fundamentally transformed into “enabling” states, characterized by efforts to promote work, privatize benefits and services, and target benefits to the most needy. The second holds that policy structures have remained essentially intact because of “path-dependent” processes that create institutional continuity. Although evidence for the United States is somewhat mixed, the general direction of policy decisions and current frameworks of policy debates is consistent with a transition toward an enabling state.
The Role of Relational and Operational Performance in Business-to-Business Customers’ Adoption of Self-Service Technology
Authors: Bhappu Anita D. , Schultze Ulrike
Published: April 2006

The authors explore whether and why business-to-business customers using service relationship designs—service delivery systems that promote repeated personal interactions between a customer and a specific service provider—will adopt self-service technology (SST). Their results show that these customers associate operational performance gains and relational performance losses with a prospective SST. Whereas perceived operational performance gains increase customers’ intention to adopt SST, perceived relational performance losses decrease it. However, these main effects are moderated by customers’ purchase frequency and their enacted service design, which refers to the way that customers actually experience firms’ intended service designs. Specifically, the positive effect of perceived operational performance gains on customers’ intention to adopt SST was weaker for customers with higher purchase frequency. Similarly, the negative effect of perceived relational performance losses on customers’ intention to adopt SST was strongest for customers who had enacted strong service relationships.
Effects of Firms’ Relationship-Oriented Behaviors on Financial Performance: A Case of the Restaurant Industry
Authors: Kim Byeong Yong , Oh Haemoon , Gregoire Mary
Published: April 2006

The business-to-business and business-to-customer relationship marketing literature includes little effort to develop a conceptual framework for understanding both supplier and customer relationship-oriented behaviors. The purpose of this study is to investigate how a firm’s supplier and customer relationship-oriented behaviors affect its financial performance through three relationship performance outcomes: supplier relationship performance, product and service quality performance, and customer relationship performance. The authors critically revisit extant knowledge on the subject, develop a conceptual framework integrating supplier and customer relationship management practices, and test the framework in the independent restaurant industry context. Results support the usefulness of the framework and suggest that building relationships with suppliers and customers plays an important role in providing values to restaurant firms and stakeholders such as suppliers and customers, leading to high financial performance of the restaurant firms.
The Effect of Holidays on Hotel Daily Revenue
Authors: DeMicco Fred J. , Lin Yan , Liu Ling , Rejtõ Lídia , Beldona Srikanth , Bancroft Diccon
Published: April 2006

The holiday effect phenomenon has been studied in industry sectors such as securities, retail, and so on. Literature is devoid of a purposeful study specific to the hospitality industry that evaluates the economic impact of holidays on the hotel industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of holidays on hotel daily revenue. Using daily occupancy data of the U.S. lodging industry between January 2000 and February 2004, the study found a significant holiday effect prevalent in the hotel industry. Findings indicate that individual effects of holidays on hotel daily revenue differ significantly from one to another. In addition, some holidays have differential impacts depending on the day of the week on which they fall. Findings can be used to develop more targeted strategies by the lodging industry as a whole.
Blended Delivery Strategies for Competency-Based Training
Authors: Holton Elwood F. , Coco Mary Leah , Lowe Janis L. , Dutsch Jacqueline V.
Published: April 2006

With employees located across a wide geographical area, the ability of organizations to provide equitable training programs is costly. Travel funds, enabling employees to attend on-site training events, can be severely limited or even nonexistent. Compounding the problem is the simple fact that travel to a central training location frequently results in longer workdays for employees, causing increased compensation expenses to cover the training associated over time. These factors, coupled with the organizational need to provide just-in-time or skill-based training can impose challenges for the human resource development practitioner. Thus, practitioners are turning to blended learning strategies as a way to overcome these obstacles. This solution, however, is not without its problems. This article describes blended learning within the context of learning theories and provides recommendations for best practice.
Competency-Based Assessment Center Design: A Case Study
Authors: Melancon Sylvia C. , Williams Martha S.
Published: April 2006

Designing a competency-based assessment center can be an exceptional complement to a competency-based training program. Although there is substantial literature to assist with the development of assessment center simulations, literature investigating the process for tailoring a competency-based assessment center to assess learning outcomes is sparse. This study is a case demonstration that details the design process researchers used to design a competency-based assessment center in order to assess learning outcomes. The researchers used the Guidelines and Ethical Considerations for Assessment Center Operations as the conceptual framework for the assessment center design process. The design process consisted of four phases: review, assess, design, and plan. The result is an ideal model for developing an assessment center that links competencies to training evaluation and allows for the assessment of knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through training.
Baseball's International Division of Labor
Authors: Osborne Evan
Published: April 2006

Major League Baseball draws players from many nations. This article tests the predictions of neoclassical and product-lifecycle trade theory against the careers of Major League Baseball players from six foreign countries. Sustained specialization, consistent with neoclassical trade theory, is found in pitching versus other positions, as well as within the various fielding positions. Home-run production is found to be a later stage skill in the product-lifecycle sense.
The Decline of Attendance in the Korean Professional Baseball League
Authors: Lee Young Hoon
Published: April 2006

The Korean Professional Baseball League (KPBL) experienced a rapid decline in attendance after the mid-1990s. The annual attendance in 2000 was less than half what it had been 5 years before. Most consider the severe economic crisis of 1998 and competitive imbalance to have been the main reasons for this decline in attendance. The empirical evidence suggests that the emergence of Major League Baseball as a rival league to the KPBL in Korea accounted for more than half of the decline in attendance that occurred between 1995 and 2000.
Reply: "Professional Team Sports Are Only a Game: The Walrasian Fixed-Supply Conjecture Model, Contest-Nash Equilibrium, and the Invariance Principle"
Authors: Szymanski Stefan
Published: April 2006

Szymanski (2004) explained that at a noncooperative Nash equilibrium for talent choice in a team sports league, revenue sharing will lead to a less-balanced distribution of talent (assuming teams have asymmetric revenue-generating potential). This proposition contradicts the well-known invariance principle. Eckard suggests that these results rest on assumptions about the elasticity of talent supply. This reply explains that this is not the case and that revenue sharing leads to a reduction in competitive balance, whether the supply of talent is elastic or not.
Chloropropyl-modified MCM-41 as Gas Chromatography Matrix for the Separation of Water–Alcohol Mixtures
Authors: Guan Lianxiu , Li Junping , Cao Hu , Zhao Ning , Wang Xiuzhi , Wei Wei , Sun Yuhan
Published: April 2006

In the present work, chloropropyl-functionlized MCM-41 were prepared by a simple synthetic pathway and firstly studied as gas chromatography matrix for the separation of water–alcohol mixtures.
A Novel Method to Identify Illegal Diesel Fuel, II: the Use of [1-D] n-Alkane with Stable Hydrogen Isotope Analysis
Authors: Suzuki Yaeko , Korenaga Takashi , Chikaraishi Yoshito
Published: April 2006

We demonstrated a novel identification method of illegal diesel fuel by using a deuterium (D) labeled n-alkane ([1-D] n-alkane) as a new chemical marker instead of coumarin. In a mixing system of diesel fuel with marker-labeled kerosene, kerosene content is quantitatively determined by D-enrichment of a target n-alkane in a mixed oil using compound-specific stable hydrogen isotope analysis. Thus, [1-D] n-alkane will become a high potential chemical marker instead of coumarin.
Professional Decision Modeling: Practitioner as Professor
Authors: Regan Peter J.
Published: April 2006

I teach a short elective course on decision science to 40 percent of the second-year class in Dartmouth’s MBA program. Students use MS/OR to clarify the value of an industrial asset in a spin-off negotiation. Students design, build, and refine spreadsheet models incrementally. I introduce techniques to support each week’s case challenges. The decision context evolves with new information and unexpected demands. My teaching success depends on quick, detailed feedback and effectively guiding students with varying proficiency. My hybrid role as practitioner-professor developed over several years. I encourage practitioners and full-time faculty to collaborate on similar courses or segments of longer courses.
Mediated Modeling of the Impacts of Enhanced UV‐B Radiation on Ecosystem Services
Authors: van den Belt Marjan , Bianciotto Oscar A. , Costanza Robert , Demers Serge , Diaz Susana , Ferreyra Gustavo A. , Koch Evamaria W. , Momo Fernando R. , Vernet Maria
Published: April 2006

This article describes the use of group model building to facilitate interaction with stakeholders, synthesize research results and assist in the development of hypotheses about climate change at the global level in relation to UV‐B radiation and ecosystem service valuation. The objective was to provide a platform for integration of the various research components within a multidisciplinary research project as a basis for interaction with stakeholders with backgrounds in areas other than science. An integrated summary of the scientific findings, along with stakeholder input, was intended to produce a bridge between science and policymaking. We used a mediated modeling approach that was implemented as a pilot project in Ushuaia, Argentina. The investigation was divided into two participatory workshops: data gathering and model evaluation. Scientists and the local stakeholders supported the valuation of ecosystem services as a useful common denominator for integrating the various scientific results. The concept of economic impacts in aquatic and marsh systems was represented by values for ecosystem services altered by UV‐B radiation. In addition, direct local socioeconomic impacts of enhanced UV‐B radiation were modeled, using data from Ushuaia. We worked with 5 global latitudinal regions, focusing on net primary production and biomass for the marine system and on 3 plant species for the marsh system. Ecosystem service values were calculated for both sectors. The synthesis model reflects the conclusions from the literature and from experimental research at the global level. UV‐B is not a significant stress for the marshes, relative to the potential impact of increases in the sea level. Enhanced UV‐B favors microbial dynamics in marine systems that could cause a significant shift from primary producers to bacteria at the community level. In addition, synergetic effects of UV‐B and certain pollutants potentiate the shift to heterotrophs. This may impact the oceanic carbon cycle by increasing the ratio of respiratory to photosynthetic organisms in surface waters and, thus, the role of the ocean as a carbon sink for atmospheric CO2. In summary, although changes in the marine sector due to anthropogenic influences may affect global climate change, marshes are expected to primarily be affected by climate change.
Comparative clinical study of preterm and full-term newborn neonatal seizures
Authors: Holanda Manoel R.R. , Melo Áurea N. de
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of neonatal seizures between preterm and full-term infants in intensive care unit. METHOD: A prospective study was developed with 104 high-risk newborn, 30 preterm and 74 full-term infants, with clinical seizures. The dependent variable was gestational age. Statistical analyses: Fisher's exact test, odds-ratio and Mann Witney U test. RESULTS: There were significant differences (p<0.05): i) premature neonates develop neonatal seizures later, probably related to the etiologies of the seizures; ii) etiologically, there is a predominance of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm and of asphyxia in full term neonates; iii) clonic seizures are most frequent in preterm and subtle seizures in full term neonates. CONCLUSION: Although the study had a clinical basis, it was possible to identify differences when the dependent variable was gestational age.
Associação entre tamanho e potencial proliferativo em neurinomas do acústico
Authors: Tella Oswaldo Inácio de , Stavale João Norberto , Herculano Marco Antonio , Paiva Neto Manoel Antonio de , Onishi Franz Jooji , Guimarães Filho Francisco de Assis Vaz , Silva Luciano Ricardo França e
Published: April 2006

Schwanomas do acústico são os tumores mais freqüentes localizados no ângulo pontocerebelar. Os mecanismos moleculares que levam a sua geração e crescimento ainda não são bem conhecidos. Várias características clínicas, radiológicas e imuno-histoquímicas já foram estudadas e correlacionadas ao crescimento tumoral. Estudamos e correlacionamos aspectos clínicos e imuno-histoquímicos (MIB-1) de 11 schwanomas do acústico operados no Hospital São Paulo/UNIFESP. O tamanho dos tumores correlacionou-se com o índice proliferativo (Ki-67), não havendo correlação com significância estatística entre a idade dos pacientes, duração dos sintomas e índice proliferativo.
Meningeoma da goteira olfatória
Authors: Tella Jr Osvaldo Inácio de , Paiva Neto Manoel Antonio de , Herculano Marco Antonio , Faedo Neto Atílio
Published: April 2006

Meningeomas da goteira olfatória representam 8-18% dos meningeomas intracranianos e geralmente são diagnosticados quando alcançam grande tamanho. Relatamos uma série de 13 casos consecutivos de meningeomas de goteira olfativa operados nos Hospitais São Paulo (UNIFESP) e Professor Edmundo Vasconcelos no período de 1995 a 2003, estudados retrospectivamente quanto ao quadro clínico, resultados cirúrgicos e complicações. Os pacientes foram submetidos a ressecção cirúrgica destes tumores pela via subfrontal, em 9 casos a ressecção foi completa incluindo dura-máter e osso infiltrado por tumor e em 4 a dura-máter foi somente coagulada. Um paciente morreu devido a infarto cerebral e três pacientes evoluíram com fístulas liquóricas. Não houve recorrência sintomática no período que variou de 11 meses a 8 anos. Com as técnicas microcirúrgicas atuais, estes tumores podem ser removidos com baixa morbidade.
Occipital bi-transtentorial/falcine approach for falcotentorial meningioma: case report
Authors: Gusmão Sebastião , Oliveira Marcelo Magaldi , Arantes Aluízio , Ulhoa Tales Henrique , Morato Eric Grossi
Published: April 2006

Lesions located in the bilateral posterior incisural space are difficult to treat due to limited exposure. The classical approaches to this area are limited for lesions located bilaterally and especially when the lesion extends also below the tentorium as it may occur with meningiomas. Kawashima et al. reported, in anatomic studies, a new occipital transtentorial approach: the occipital bi-transtentorial/falcine approach, to treat such lesions. We present a patient with a large falcotentorial meningioma, located bilaterally in the posterior incisural space. The occipital bi-transtentorial/falcine approach allowed an excellent surgical exposure and complete tumor removal with an excellent patient outcome.
Severe hyponatremia and the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) associated with fluoxetine: case report
Authors: Twardowschy Carlos Alexandre , Bertolucci Cristina Buselatto , Gracia Cleverson de Macedo , Brandão Marta Ângela de Souza
Published: April 2006

Hyponatremia is a significant complication of treatment with serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). We describe a case of a 53-year-old woman that was started on fluoxetine 20 mg/day for depression. Nine days later, the patient started with weakness, nausea, progressing to confusion, inapetence and vomit. Three hours later she became unresponsive and had a generalized seizure. She was brought to our emergency service. On admission, the patient was normovolemic, without focal motor deficits, but had mild generalized muscle rigidity and Babinski's sign bilaterally. Serum sodium was 105 mmol/L, serum osmolality, 220 mmol/L, and urinary osmolality, 400 mmol/L. The other laboratory exams, chest X-ray, cerebrospinal fluid and cranium tomography were normal. She was found to have fluoxetine-induced SIADH and it was descontinued. We started the hyponatremia correction and, in 5 days, the mental status of the patient gradually returned to a normal baseline, paralleling the resolution of her hyponatremia, without recurrence. Hyponatremia and SIADH should be considered if a patient experiences deterioration in his or her clinical condition while taking SSRI. The use of SSRI antidepressants should be remembered in the differential diagnosis of drug-induced hyponatremia.
Hypersexuality following bilateral thalamic infarction: case report
Authors: Mutarelli Eduardo G. , Omuro Antonio M.P. , Adoni Tarso
Published: April 2006

Hypersexuality is a rare but well recognized condition following brain injury. It has been described secondarily to dysfunction in the hypothalamus, the temporal and frontal lobes. We report a 63 year-old man that developed neuropsychological disturbances with hypersexuality as a prominent feature, disinhibition and moderate memory loss, hypersomnia and irritability after a bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction. A SPECT showed frontal hypoperfusion. We believe that these findings are expression of frontal-subcortical circuits dysfunction, particularly the orbitofrontal circuit, secondary to dorso medial thalamic infarction which probably plays a role in the determination of human sexual behavior. This case favors a thalamic modulation of frontal function.
Angiopatia amilóide cerebral simulando tumor cerebral: relato de caso
Authors: Andrade Gustavo Cardoso de , Silveira Roberto Leal , Pinheiro Jr. Nilson , Rocha Eckstânio Marcos Melo , Pittella José Eymard Homem
Published: April 2006

Descrevemos o raro caso de um paciente de 45 anos portador de lesão expansiva intracraniana por angiopatia amilóide cerebral com características clínicas e de imagem compatíveis com um glioma de baixo grau. A biópsia revelou angiopatia amilóide cerebral. Os achados clínicos, radiológicos e histopatológicos são discutidos e analisados juntamente à literatura disponível.
Configuração das pregas vestibulares em laringes de pacientes com nódulo vocal
Authors: Tuma Juliane , Camponês do Brasil Osíris Oliveira , Pontes Paulo Augusto de Lima , Yasaki Reinaldo Kasuo
Published: April 2006

O nódulo vocal está entre as laringopatias mais comuns que resultam em alterações na função vocal. O mecanismo da produção da fala é complexo e exige interação de diversos sistemas do organismo humano. A importância das pregas vocais na fisiologia e na formação da fonte sonora glótica é evidente; contudo, quanto à participação das pregas vestibulares neste processo, ainda não existe consenso entre os estudiosos da área. OBJETIVO: Verificar se existe diferença na conformação das pregas vestibulares entre dois grupos de indivíduos do sexo feminino, sendo um composto por pacientes com diagnóstico de nódulo vocal e outro por pacientes sem alteração da voz e sem lesão em pregas vocais. FORMA DE ESTUDO: clínico com coorte transversal MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram analisadas 96 imagens de laringes, de indivíduos do sexo feminino, sendo 48 sem queixa vocal e 48 com diagnóstico de nódulo vocal. Foram medidos os ângulos formados nas pregas vestibulares durante a fonação, dos lados direito e esquerdo, bem como feita classificação das mesmas quanto à forma (côncava, linear ou convexa). RESULTADOS: Das 96 pregas vestibulares analisadas em cada grupo, a forma côncava foi predominante, seguida da linear e da convexa. No grupo controle, apenas uma das pregas estudadas tinha a conformação convexa, 27 conformação linear e 68 eram côncavas, enquanto no grupo nódulo vocal os resultados foram 8 convexas, 15 lineares e 73 côncavas. Estas diferenças não apresentaram significância, bem como as diferenças nos ângulos, cujas médias foram bastante semelhantes. CONCLUSÃO: As pregas vestibulares no sexo feminino se comportam da mesma maneira tanto nas pacientes com nódulo vocal quanto nas mulheres sem queixa vocal.
Uso do acamprosato no tratamento do zumbido: um estudo duplo-cego
Authors: Azevedo Andréia A. , Figueiredo Ricardo R.
Published: April 2006

O tratamento do zumbido é, ainda nos dias de hoje, um grande desafio para os otorrinolaringologistas. Várias lacunas persistem em sua fisiopatologia, tendo como resultado vários tipos de tratamento, com resultados muito irregulares. O acamprosato é uma droga utilizada no tratamento do alcoolismo, devido à sua ação reguladora da transmissão glutamatérgica e GABA-érgica, nunca tendo sido empregado no tratamento do zumbido. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a segurança e eficácia do uso do acamprosato, no tratamento do zumbido de causa neurossensorial. FORMA DE ESTUDO: ensaio clinico randomizado. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: 50 pacientes com zumbido de causa neurossensorial foram divididos em 2 grupos, 25 recebendo acamprosato e 25 placebo por 3 meses, em um estudo prospectivo duplo-cego, sendo analisados os efeitos terapêuticos e efeitos colaterais, de acordo com escala (nota) de 1 a 10, atribuída pelo próprio paciente. RESULTADOS: Foi observado algum grau de melhora sintomatológica em 86,9% dos pacientes, sendo que em 47,8% dos casos observamos melhora superior a 50%, dados estatisticamente significativos em relação ao placebo. A incidência de efeitos colaterais encontrada foi baixa (12%) e de intensidade leve, com boa tolerabilidade geral. CONCLUSÃO: O acamprosato, medicação utilizada no tratamento do alcoolismo, é eficaz e seguro para o tratamento do zumbido de causa neurossensorial, com percentual de melhora superior à maioria das medicações utilizadas para o tratamento do zumbido, constituindo uma excelente alternativa terapêutica.
Volume equivalente: um estudo em indivíduos com otite média crônica
Authors: Alencar Ana P. T. , Iório Maria C. M. , Morales Douglas S.
Published: April 2006

O Volume Equivalente do Meato Acústico Externo está na faixa de 0,3ml a 1,0ml em crianças e 0,65ml a 1,75ml em adultos. Em indivíduos com Otite Média Crônica estes valores podem sofrer alterações, de acordo com as condições da doença. OBJETIVO: Estudar o volume equivalente de 52 orelhas de pacientes com Otite Média Crônica com e sem infecção ativa. FORMA DE ESTUDO: clínico prospectivo com coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: O volume equivalente da orelha foi obtido em 52 orelhas com Otite Média Crônica, com e sem infecção ativa, e num grupo controle de mesma idade e sexo do grupo estudo. O grupo estudo com infecção foi avaliado antes e após tratamento clínico. RESULTADOS: A média do volume equivalente para os grupos estudos sem e com infecção e para o grupo controle foi, respectivamente, 2,86ml; 1,42ml e 0,80ml. A média do volume equivalente para o grupo estudo com infecção antes e após tratamento clínico foi, respectivamente, 1,42ml e 1,82ml. CONCLUSÕES: 1. O Volume Equivalente médio da Orelha é maior em pacientes com Otite Média Crônica. 2. Não foi observada variação no Volume Equivalente antes e após o tratamento clínico.
Avaliação do grau de satisfação entre os usuários de amplificação de tecnologia analógica e digital
Authors: Magni Cristiana , Freiberger Francine , Tonn Kátia
Published: April 2006

OBJETIVO: objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar o grau de satisfação entre os usuários de Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora (AAS) de tecnologia analógica e digital. FORMA DE ESTUDO: clínico com coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: A amostra foi constituída de 40 usuários de AAS unilateral, sendo 20 de tecnologia analógica (Grupo I) e 20 de tecnologia digital (Grupo II). Os indivíduos são portadores de perda auditiva neurossensorial, de configuração plana, de grau leve a moderado, com idade entre 40 e 95 anos. O instrumento de avaliação utilizado foi o International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA - Versão em Português) proposto por Cox et al. (2002). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que os usuários do Grupo II utilizam o AAS por mais tempo diariamente e também apresentam um grau de dificuldade menor em determinadas situações com o uso da amplificação, comparado aos usuários do Grupo I. Os usuários do Grupo II relatam que sua perda auditiva não afeta em nada sua relação com terceiros. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de os resultados revelarem que os usuários do Grupo I apresentam um handicap auditivo mais acentuado comparado aos usuários do Grupo II, o grau de satisfação com relação à amplificação não apresenta diferença significativa entre os dois grupos.