bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strong photoacoustic oscillations in layered TlGaSe2 semiconductor
Authors: Grivickas Vytautas , Bikbajevas Vitalijus , Gulbinas Karolis , Gavryushin Vladimir , Linnros Jan
Published: September 2007

Periodic deflections of infrared probe are observed in TlGaSe2 after lateral excitation with optical pulse. The effect is explained by generation of photoacoustic dilatational wave, which propagates within the crystal. Low pulse fluence (0.01 mJ/cm2) is needed to induce such wave when the layer plane is excited. Acoustic wave is generated within a μm‐distance near the excited face, much shorter then the light penetration depth, 1/α, where α is the absorption coefficient. In the temperature range 105–120 K, where ferroelectric‐paraelectric phase transition occur in TlGaSe2, discontinuous changes of the longitudinal sound velocity have been detected. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantitative Structure‐Activity Relationship Modeling of Triaminotriazine Drugs Based on Heuristic Method
Authors: Liu Kunping , Xia Binbin , Ma Weiping , Zheng Bo , Zhang Xiaoyun , Fan Botao
Published: September 2007

A quantitative structure‐activity relationship was developed by the Heuristic Method (HM) to study a series of triaminotriazine drugs. Five classes' descriptors were calculated by the software CODESSA in this study. HM was used both for pre‐selecting molecular descriptors and for developing the linear model. The in vitro cell growth inhibition activity of triaminotriazine drugs toward HT‐29, a Colorectal Cancer (CRC) cell line, was correlated with five descriptors, with a squared correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.8780 and squared cross‐validated correlation coefficient ($\rm{ R_{_{{\rm{cv}}} }^2 }$) of 0.8199, respectively. The stability and validity of the model were evaluated by validation. This paper provided a way to predict the in vitro cell growth inhibition activity of triaminotriazine drugs toward HT‐29 from their structures alone and gave some insight into structural features related to triaminotriazine drugs.
Coherent superposition of resonance wave function in terms of weighted orthogonalized natural localized configurations
Authors: Pakiari A. H. , Azami S. M.
Published: September 2007

In this research, the projection technique has been applied in order to decompose the electronic wave function into its weighted orthogonalized resonance components. These components have been constructed by determinants whose orbitals are selected among natural bond orbitals. However, the procedure is general and any other localized orbitals can be used as well. Both σ and π delocalize systems have been considered in order to check the reliability of the calculated resonance weights. For π‐systems, the presented procedure could predict significant decrease of weight of certain resonance structures when the molecular planarity was destroyed. Water cyclic clusters were also tested and the results confirmed the existence of strong σ‐delocalization in the clusters. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Identification of primary and sequential bioactivation pathways of carbamazepine in human liver microsomes using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bu Hai‐Zhi , Zhao Ping , Dalvie Deepak K. , Pool William F.
Published: September 2007

Carbamazepine (CBZ)‐induced idiosyncratic toxicities are commonly believed to be related to the formation of reactive metabolites. CBZ is metabolized primarily into carbamazepine‐10,11‐epoxide (CBZE), 2‐hydroxycarbamazepine (2‐OHCBZ) and 3‐hydroxycarbamazepine (3‐OHCBZ), in human liver microsomes (HLM). Over the past two decades, the 2,3‐arene oxidation has been commonly assumed to be the major bioactivation pathway of CBZ. Recently, CBZE has been also confirmed to be chemically reactive. In order to identify other possible primary and sequential CBZ bioactivation pathways, individual HLM incubations of CBZ, CBZE, 2‐OHCBZ and 3‐OHCBZ were conducted in the presence of glutathione (GSH). In the CBZ incubation, a variety of GSH adducts were formed via individual or combined pathways of 10,11‐epoxidation, arene oxidation and iminoquinone formation. In the CBZE incubation, the only detected GSH adducts were CBZE‐SG1 and CBZE‐SG2, which represented the two most abundant conjugates observed in the CBZ incubation. In the incubation of either 2‐OHCBZ or 3‐OHCBZ, a number of sequential GSH adducts were observed. However, none of the 2‐OHCBZ‐derived GSH adducts were detected in the CBZ incubation. Meanwhile, several GSH adducts were only observed in the CBZ incubation. In conclusion, CBZ can be bioactivated in HLM via 10,11‐epoxidation, 2,3‐arene oxidation, and several other pathways. In addition, the sequential bioactivation of 3‐OHCBZ appeared to play a more important role than that of either CBZE or 2‐OHCBZ in the overall bioactivation of CBZ in HLM. The identification of several new bioactivation pathways of CBZ in HLM demonstrates that possible CBZ bioactivation can be more complex than previously thought. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The contribution of corporate social responsibility to sustainable development
Authors: Moon Jeremy
Published: September 2007

This paper considers the motivations for and nature of business contributions to sustainable development though the medium of corporate social responsibility (CSR). It compares CSR with sustainable development, given that they are both ‘essentially contested concepts’; it introduces CSR's changing meaning and it explains why there has been a recent increase in CSR with reference to the increasing socialization of markets as a result of narrow market drivers, along with other social, governmental and globalization drivers. It uses Hart's ‘A natural‐resource‐based view of the firm’ to explain the way in which these drivers give rise to sustainable development agendas in companies and provides illustration of these. The concluding discussion identifies some limitations to CSR as a vehicle for sustainable development and signals important avenues of research for policy‐makers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Communicating strategic intent with systemigrams: Application to the network‐enabled challenge
Authors: Blair Charles D. , Boardman John T. , Sauser Brian J.
Published: September 2007

The U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD) has mandated the development of a network enabled capability (NEC) across all of defense, aimed at producing agile military and nonmilitary effects via a network of networks. This paper provides an overview of NEC, representing it as a complex human activity system of systems (SoS), analysis of which cannot rely on purely traditional reductionist engineering approaches, requiring instead a soft‐systems engineering approach. A literature review is then provided, covering nontraditional systems methodologies of the past 25 years, highlighting the more recent trend towards multimethodological practice. The paper introduces the systemic diagram, or systemigram, conceptual model, explaining its evolution from a form of visual language to its use as an appreciative learning system in a soft‐systems methodology. Using the written prose of MoD policy makers, a systemigram model is constructed which represents the NEC concept, providing a systemic visualization of its complexity and an elucidation of the key SoS attributes of emergence, hierarchy, and boundary. Finally, the NEC systemigram is used in an example storyboarding technique, demonstrating its utility as a platform for stakeholder dialog leading towards a refined model that reflects a deeper understanding of NEC strategy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10:309–322, 2007
Application of synchrotron‐radiation‐induced TXRF‐XANES for arsenic speciation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) xylem sap
Authors: Meirer F. , Pepponi G. , Streli C. , Wobrauschek P. , Mihucz V. G. , Záray G. , Czech V. , Broekaert J. A. C. , Fittschen U. E. A. , Falkenberg G.
Published: September 2007

Synchrotron‐radiation‐induced total reflection x‐ray fluorescence (SR‐TXRF) analysis was used for x‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements for the speciation of arsenic in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) xylem sap. The objective of the presented work was to exploit the advantages of the TXRF geometry for XANES analysis. Measurements were accomplished at the bending magnet beamline L of HASYLAB, Hamburg, Germany, using a Si(111) double crystal monochromator and a silicon drift detector (SDD). Experiments were performed by growing cucumber plants in hydroponics containing arsenite [As(III)] or arsenate [As(V)] in order to identify the arsenic species of the collected xylem saps by K‐edge SR‐TXRF XANES. Cucumber xylem saps, as well as nutrient solutions containing arsenic in the two above‐mentioned species, were analyzed and compared with arsenate and arsenite standard solutions. Arsenic speciation in xylem sap down to 30 ng/ml (30 ppb) was achieved, and no alteration of the oxidation state was observed during the measurements. Analysis of xylem saps showed that As(V) taken up from the nutrient solution was reduced to As(III). As(III) contained in the nutrient solutions was found to be partially oxidized to As(V). These results confirmed the preliminary measurements obtained with flow injection analysis (FIA) and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC‐HR‐ICP‐MS) and showed the competitive capability of SR‐TXRF XANES analysis for this application. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling dynamic processes in yeast
Authors: Klipp Edda
Published: September 2007

Yeast molecular and cell biology has accumulated large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data of diverse cellular processes. The results are often summarized as verbal or graphical descriptions. Moreover, a series of mathematical models has been developed that should help to interpret such data, to integrate them into a coherent picture and to allow for an understanding of the underlying processes. Dynamic modelling of regulatory processes in yeast focuses on central carbon metabolism, on a number of selected signalling pathways and on cell cycle regulation. These models can explain questions of general relevance, such as whether the dynamics of a network can be understood from the combination of in vitro kinetics of its individual reactions. They help to elucidate complicated dynamic features, such as glycolytic oscillations, effects of feedback regulation or the optimal regulation of gene expression. The availability of comprehensive qualitative information, such as protein interactions or pathway composition, and sets of quantitative data make yeast a perfect model organism. Therefore, yeast‐related data are often used to develop and examine computational approaches and modelling methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brewing yeast genomes and genome‐wide expression and proteome profiling during fermentation
Authors: Smart Katherine A.
Published: September 2007

The genome structure, ancestry and instability of the brewing yeast strains have received considerable attention. The hybrid nature of brewing lager yeast strains provides adaptive potential but yields genome instability which can adversely affect fermentation performance. The requirement to differentiate between production strains and assess master cultures for genomic instability has led to significant adoption of specialized molecular tool kits by the industry. Furthermore, the development of genome‐wide transcriptional and protein expression technologies has generated significant interest from brewers. The opportunity presented to explore, and the concurrent requirement to understand both, the constraints and potential of their strains to generate existing and new products during fermentation is discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence of effects of human disturbance on alert response in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus)
Authors: Li Chunwang , Jiang Zhigang , Tang Songhua , Zeng Yan
Published: September 2007

To understand effects of human disturbance on alert response of Père David's deer, we carried out an experiment in the Dafeng Père David's Deer Reserve (32°59′–33°03′N, 120°47′–120°53′E), China. In the spring and summer, we observed alert responses (including stare, walking away, and flee) of deer and recorded the intensity of tourist disturbance in a small display pen using a laser‐range finder to measure the alert distance of a free‐ranging group in a large enclosure. We also recorded the pattern of head orientation when deer were resting in these two deer groups. After statistical analysis, we found that: 1) in small pen, the frequency of alert response was significantly different among different intensities of human disturbance; strong disturbance resulted in higher frequency of alert response; 2) stare distance in the free‐ranging group in summer was significantly longer than that in spring, but the distance of walking away and the distance of flee showed no significant difference between the two seasons; and 3) in free‐ranging group, there was no significant directional difference in head orientation, whereas in display group, there was a significant directional difference in head orientation. We suggest that: 1) under the captive situation, human disturbance may be one of the factors that affect alert response in Père David's deer; and 2) Père David's deer adopted different alert response to adapt to human disturbance under different circumstance. We recommended that relationships between alert response and human disturbance should be considered in ex situ conservation of this field extinct deer. Zoo Biol 26:461–470, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Egyptian tortoise conservation: A community‐based, field research program developed from a study on a captive population
Authors: Attum Omar , Baha El Din Mindy , Baha El Din Sherif , Habinan Suliman
Published: September 2007

Local community participation and ex situ conservation has the potential to assist the recovery of the endangered Egyptian tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni. We initiated an in situ community‐based conservation and research program from a captive population of T. kleinmanni. We used a captive population of the Egyptian tortoise to train a member of the local community as a research technician and used his indigenous tracking skills and knowledge of the area to collect activity and dietary data on 28 captive tortoises. We overcame problems with illiteracy by creating a data sheet based on symbols and numbers. This data sheet allowed us to use the indigenous knowledge of various people from the community, and employ them in the future. Our local community approach to data collection, in conjunction with a craft program, made the conservation of the Egyptian tortoise more rewarding to the local community by providing a more sustainable form of income than collecting animals for the pet trade. Our multidimensional approach (local community participation as research technicians, craft program, and trust building) for gaining local support eventually led to the rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, which was significant, as this species was presumed extinct in Egypt. We have now shifted our focus to in situ conservation, using the research and local capacity building template developed from this captive population study. Our template can be used by zoos and conservation organizations with small budgets and collections of native species in natural habitats to create similar captive research programs that can be applied to in situ conservation. Zoo Biol 26:397–406, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Labor Force Participation among Low-Income Married Women
Authors: Miller Carole F.
Published: September 2007

Race differences exist in the factors that influence the probability of participation by married women in low-income households. Given a relatively low average level of schooling among the women drawn from the low-income subsample, educational status is not a significant determinant, but experience is a significant positive determinant of the probability of participation among women of both races. The presence of preschool children has a significant, impeding effect on the probability of participation by white women, but is an insignificant factor for black women. Household financial status does not influence the probability of participation by married women from low-income households. Results from a Hausman test suggest that the influence of these variables should be accounted for in the fixed effect rather than as determinants of the demand for leisure.

One limitation of the fixed effects model is the assumption of time-invariance of the latent characteristics. Some determinants of labor supply may not remain constant over time, such as the marginal utility of initial wealth. Results from a life cycle model in a setting of uncertainty may provide richer estimates than those reported in this paper.
Assessment of technological options and economical feasibility for cyanophycin biopolymer and high-value amino acid production
Authors: Mooibroek Hans , Oosterhuis Nico , Giuseppin Marco , Toonen Marcel , Franssen Henk , Scott Elinor , Sanders Johan , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: September 2007

Major transitions can be expected within the next few decades aiming at the reduction of pollution and global warming and at energy saving measures. For these purposes, new sustainable biorefinery concepts will be needed that will replace the traditional mineral oil-based synthesis of specialty and bulk chemicals. An important group of these chemicals are those that comprise N-functionalities. Many plant components contained in biomass rest or waste stream fractions contain these N-functionalities in proteins and free amino acids that can be used as starting materials for the synthesis of biopolymers and chemicals. This paper describes the economic and technological feasibility for cyanophycin production by fermentation of the potato waste stream Protamylasse™ or directly in plants and its subsequent conversion to a number of N-containing bulk chemicals.
Lateral Mobilization of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve to Facilitate Tracheal Surgery in Patients with Thyroid Cancer Invading the Trachea Near Berry’s Ligament
Authors: Miyauchi Akira , Ito Yasuhiro , Miya Akihiro , Higashiyama Takuya , Tomoda Chisato , Takamura Yuuki , Kobayashi Kaoru , Matsuzuka Fumio
Published: September 2007

Background

Thyroid cancer often invades the trachea and the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) at or near Berry’s ligament, which fixes the thyroid gland to the trachea. In patients with thyroid cancer invading the trachea near the ligament, preservation of the RLN is very difficult. Regardless of whether the nerve is preserved or is resected and reconstructed, the presence of the nerve interferes with tracheal resection and repair. We proposed a new technique to solve this problem.

Methods

Before tracheal surgery, the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle was divided along the lateral edge of the thyroid cartilage, and the RLN was mobilized and retracted laterally. We applied this technique in 11 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea. Two patients demonstrated vocal cord paralysis preoperatively. The procedures used for tracheal surgery in this series were partial resection of the trachea with creation of a tracheocutaneostomy, that with direct suture, and shaving off the tumor in 7, 2, and 2 patients, respectively.

Results

The RLN could be preserved and mobilized laterally in eight patients. While three patients demonstrated transient vocal cord paralysis, the remaining five had functioning cords postoperatively. In three patients the RLN was resected, and the remaining distal stump was mobilized and anastomosed with the ansa cervicalis. These patients recovered their voices and maximum phonation time increased to the normal level. The tracheocutaneous stoma was closed with local skin flap about four months later in all patients.

Conclusion

Lateral mobilization of the RLN facilitates the preservation of the nerve and the performance of tracheal surgery in patients with thyroid cancer invading the trachea at or near Berry’s ligament.
Aortopexy in Infants and Children—Long‐term Follow‐up in Twenty Patients
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Ulf , Simon Andreas , Ahrens Peter , Heller Klaus , Moritz Anton , Fieguth Hans‐Gerd
Published: September 2007

Background

Aortopexy has become an established surgical procedure for the treatment of tracheomalacia (TM) in infants and children. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and respiratory function after aortopexy in the long term.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2006, 20 patients (6 female, 14 male) with TM were treated by bronchoscopically monitored pexis of the aorta via a right anterior thoracotomy. Patient age ranged from 4 months to 11 years (mean: 29 months). Five infants had previous surgery of esophageal atresia or tracheo‐esophageal fistulae, and five other patients were operated on for gastroesophageal reflux. Postoperative tidal expiratory flow (TEF25%) was compared to age‐related values.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 7.8 years (range: 13 months to 10.7 years). There was no early or late mortality. Most patients (n = 16) showed immediate and permanent relief of symptoms. Compared to corresponding age groups, median TEF25% was slightly but not significantly decreased after aortopexy (p = 0.15). In one patient a re‐aortopexy was necessary. Another patient experienced recurrent tracheo‐esophageal fistula 3 years after aortopexy.

Conclusions

The bronchoscopically guided aortopexy is an efficient and simple method in the surgical treatment of TM in infants and children. The follow‐up data in this series of 20 patients showed improvement of respiratory function and permanent relief of symptoms in the long term.
Transesterification of Fish Oil to Produce Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters Using Ultrasonic Energy
Authors: Armenta Roberto E. , Vinatoru Mircea , Burja Adam M. , Kralovec Jaroslav A. , Barrow Colin J.
Published: September 2007

This study evaluated the production of fatty acid ethyl esters from fish oil using ultrasonic energy and alkaline catalysts dissolved in ethanol. The feasibility of fatty acid ethyl ester production was determined using an ultrasonic bath and probe, and between 0.5 and 1% KOH (added to the fish oil). Furthermore, factors such as ultrasonic device (bath and probe), catalyst (KOH and C2H5ONa), temperature (20 and 60 °C), and duration of exposure (10–90 min) were assessed. Sodium ethoxide was found to be a more efficient catalyst than KOH when transesterifying fish oil. Ultrasonic energy applied for greater than 30 min at 60 °C using 0.8% of C2H5ONa as a catalyst transesterified over 98% fish oil triglycerides to fatty acid ethyl esters. It is reasonable to conclude that the yield of fatty acid ethyl esters produced by applying ultrasonic energy to fish oil is related to the sonication time. Due to increases in the surface area contact between the reactants and the catalyst, ultrasonic energy has the potential to reduce the production time required by a conventional large‐scale commercial transesterification method that uses agitation as a way of mixing.
Ethnic and national identity among second‐generation immigrant adolescents in France: The role of social context and family
Authors: Sabatier Colette
Published: September 2007

This study, based on 365 second‐generation adolescents from five ethnic groups, examined the cultural identity according to two orientations (ethnic and national) including two components (affirmation and exploration). Parents (356 mothers, 292 fathers) are also interviewed. Following ecological models of development and acculturation, multiple layers of context and their influence were analyzed: socialization with peers (ethnic composition of school and friends), the perception of discrimination and several aspects of parent–adolescent relationship including the perception of adolescent of their relationship with parents and both mothers’ and fathers’ reports on their own ethnic and national enculturation practices and on their parental styles. Ethnic and national affirmations were found to be two independent orientations. Regression analysis showed that the highest explanation of variance came from the adolescent's perception of their relationship with their parents, followed by parental enculturation, and perceived discrimination. The school and peer context explained a lesser amount of variance. Parents’ contribution to cultural identity is not limited to the ethnic orientation; parents also contribute in a positive way to national identity. The parents’ contribution was different in the case of mothers and fathers. This reflects the dynamic of acculturation within immigrant families.
Dexamethasone promotes DMP1 mRNA expression by inhibiting negative regulation of Runx2 in multipotential mesenchymal progenitor, ROB‐C26
Authors: Mikami Yoshikazu , Takahashi Tomihisa , Kato Shigeyuki , Takagi Minoru
Published: September 2007

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an acidic phosphorylated extracellular protein and essential for mineralization of dentin and bone; however, the precise mechanism regulating DMP1 expression is not fully understood. A synthetic glucocorticoid (GC), dexamethasone (Dex), promotes an early osteoblast differentiation of a mesenchymal progenitor, ROB‐C26 (C26), in parallel with inductive expression of an osteoblast‐specific transcription factor, Runx2, and other extracellular matrix proteins such as osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein (BSP). We have examined the effect of Dex on DMP1 expression via induction of Runx2 in C26 cells. Real time RT‐PCR showed that Dex increases DMP1 mRNA expression levels at time‐ and dose‐dependent manners and a GC antagonist, RU486, drastically inhibited DMP1 mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, Dex increased the luciferase activity of six‐repeated osteoblast‐specific cis‐acting element 2 (6 × OSE2), which is the binding sequence of Runx2, suggesting that Dex stimulates DMP1 expression via activation of Runx2. However, unexpected results showed that overexpression of exogenous Runx2 depressed DMP1 mRNA expression level, even after cells had been treated with Dex, while downregulated expression of endogenous Runx2 enhanced Dex‐induced DMP1 mRNA expression level. These results imply that large amounts of exogenous Runx2 inhibit DMP1 expression, whereas small amounts are more effective for Dex‐induced DMP1 expression in C26 cells. Therefore, Dex may activate some factors that inhibit negative action of Runx2 on DMP1 expression. Since mitogen‐activating protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase‐1 (MKP‐1) has been reported to affect the Dex‐induced osteoblast differentiation via decrease of Runx2‐phosphorylation, we focus on the relationship between MKP‐1 and DMP1 expression. Dex increases MKP‐1 expression, and overexpression of exogenous MKP‐1 showed significant increase of luciferase activity of 6 × OSE up to the level detected in Dex‐treated C26 cells. However, no inductive DMP1 mRNA expression level was found in C26 cells unlike BSP and OPN. These results suggest that although MKP‐1 increases DNA‐binding activity of Runx2, DMP1 expression may require the collaboration of MKP‐1 and additive factors to stimulate Runx2‐mediated DMP1 expression in the post‐transcriptional event of Dex‐treated C26 cells.
The effects of skin‐to‐skin contact during acute pain in preterm newborns
Authors: Castral Thaila C. , Warnock Fay , Leite Adriana M. , Haas Vanderlei J. , Scochi Carmen G.S.
Published: September 2007

Background and purpose: Several promising non‐pharmacological interventions have been developed to reduce acute pain in preterm infants including skin‐to‐skin contact between a mother and her infant. However, variability in physiological outcomes of existing studies on skin‐to‐skin makes it difficult to determine treatment effects of this naturalistic approach for the preterm infant. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of mother and infant skin‐to‐skin contact during heel prick in premature infants.

Method: Fifty nine stable preterm infants (born at least 30 weeks gestational age) who were undergoing routine heel lance were randomly assigned to either 15min of skin‐to‐skin contact before, during and following heel prick (n=31, treatment group), or to regular care (n=28, control group). Throughout the heel lance procedure, all infants were assessed for change in facial action (NFCS), behavioral state, crying, and heart rate.

Results: Statistically significant differences were noted between the treatment and control groups during the puncture, heel squeeze and the post phases of heel prick. Infants who received skin‐to‐skin contact were more likely to show lower NFCS scores throughout the procedure. Both groups of infants cried and showed increased heart rate during puncture and heel squeeze although changes in these measures were less for the treated infants.

Conclusions: Skin‐to‐skin contact promoted reduction in behavioral measures and less physiological increase during procedure. It is recommended that skin‐to‐skin contact be used as a non‐pharmacologic intervention to relieve acute pain in stable premature infants born 30 weeks gestational age or older.
Analgesic and antinociceptive effects of peripheral nerve neurostimulation in an advanced human experimental model
Authors: Ristić Dejan , Spangenberg Peter , Ellrich Jens
Published: September 2007

Electrical peripheral nerve neurostimulation (PNS) is reported to be an effective pain treatment. An objective proof of antinociceptive effect is lacking. The human experimental study addressed PNS effects on nociception and pain by electrophysiology and psychophysics.

In 23 healthy volunteers, 39 sessions were conducted. Three experiments (PNS ipsilateral, PNS contralateral, Control) consisted of 13 sessions each. Conditioning PNS (100Hz) of left (PNS ipsilateral) or right (PNS contralateral) superficial radial nerve trunk evoked non‐painful, tingling sensations on the hand dorsum. Local cutaneous anesthesia at PNS site provided for preferential nerve trunk stimulation. Cortical laser‐evoked potentials (LEP) after painful stimulation at left hand dorsum were recorded together with mechanical and thermal perception thresholds at the same site before (T1), during (T2), and after (T3) PNS or a no stimulation period (Control).

Mechanical and thermal perception decreased in the anesthetized area. Late LEP amplitude decreased independently of PNS site. Exclusively under ipsilateral PNS, N2 latency increased and laser ratings decreased. Mechanical detection threshold transiently increased during ipsilateral PNS at hand dorsum.

PNS induced strong reduction of mechanical perception due to peripheral collision of orthodromic (test stimulus) and antidromic (PNS) selective Aβ fiber excitation. Delay of N2 component and reduction of laser pain were specific to ipsilateral PNS. Divergent and common effects of ipsilateral and contralateral PNS suggest a combination of peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms. The study in man documents inhibition of nociception and pain by PNS and provides with an experimental model for future objectives in neuromodulation.
Dose‐ and time‐dependent estradiol modulation of morphine antinociception in adult female rats
Authors: Craft Rebecca M. , Ulibarri Catherine , Leitl Michael D. , Sumner Jean E.
Published: September 2007

To clarify the activational role of ovarian hormones on pain and analgesia, the present study determined whether estradiol (E2) modulation of nociception and morphine antinociception in adult female rats depends on (1) the dose of E2 and (2) the interval between E2 treatment and nociceptive testing. Female rats were ovariectomized (OvX) and either oil vehicle (0), or E2 (0.25, 2.5 or 25μg/0.1ml vehicle) was injected s.c. two consecutive days of every four days for five cycles before testing. Either 4, 24, 48 or 96h after the last injection, nociception was evaluated on the 50°C hotplate and warm water tail withdrawal tests before and after escalating doses of s.c. morphine. Lordosis behavior and uterine weight were assessed in other rats at the same E2 doses and time points. E2 significantly lengthened latency to respond on the hotplate test at 24h after the last injection, but had no significant effect on tail withdrawal latencies. The lower doses of E2 significantly increased morphine antinociceptive potency at 4–24h on one or both tests, but the intermediate E2 dose significantlydecreasedmorphine potency at 48h on the hotplate test. Thus, E2 modulation of morphine antinociception in the adult female rat is bidirectional, and occurs at E2 doses producing cyclic changes in sexual behavior, uterine weight and vaginal cytology that are similar to those observed in gonadally intact, cycling females.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor activates Wnt signal to sustain gap junction function through recruitment of β‐catenin and cadherin
Authors: Kuwabara Masanori , Kakinuma Yoshihiko , Katare Rajesh G. , Ando Motonori , Yamasaki Fumiyasu , Doi Yoshinori , Sato Takayuki
Published: September 2007

Our previous study reveals that connexin (Cx) 43 is targeted by ACh to prevent lethal arrhythmia. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), used against ischemic heart failure, may be another candidate, however, with unknown mechanisms. Therefore, we investigated the cellular effects of G‐CSF. G‐CSF activated the Wnt and Jak2 signals in cardiomyocytes, and up‐regulated Cx43 protein and phosphorylation levels. In addition, G‐CSF enhanced the localization of Cx43, β‐catenin and cadherin on the plasma membrane. G‐CSF inhibited the reduction of Cx43 by enhancing Cx43 anchoring and sustained the cell–cell communication during hypoxia. Consequently, G‐CSF suppressed ventricular arrhythmia induced by myocardial infarction. As a result, G‐CSF could be used as a therapeutic tool for arrhythmia.
The alternative complex III from Rhodothermus marinus – A prototype of a new family of quinol:electron acceptor oxidoreductases
Authors: Pereira Manuela M. , Refojo Patricia N. , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur O. , Hjorleifsdottir Sigridur , Teixeira Miguel
Published: September 2007

The biochemical and genetic search for a bc
1 complex in Rhodothermus marinus was always fruitless; however, a functional equivalent, i.e. having quinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase activity was characterized. Now, with the sequencing of R. marinus genome, it was possible to assign the N‐terminal sequences of several proteins of this complex to its coding genes. The alternative complex III from R. marinus has the same genomic organization of the so‐called MFIcc complexes, proposed to be oxidoreductases of the respiratory and photosynthetic electron transfer chains. In this report, we establish undoubtedly the existence of an alternative complex III, a functional substitute of the bc
1 complex, by its identification at both the biochemical and genomic level.
Resistin induces lipolysis and re‐esterification of triacylglycerol stores, and increases cholesteryl ester deposition, in human macrophages
Authors: Rae Colin , Robertson Stephanie A. , Taylor Janice M.W. , Graham Annette
Published: September 2007

Human resistin, found within atheroma, exerts inflammatory, angiogenic and proliferative effects in vascular cells and may predict coronary events. Here, we investigate mechanisms by which resistin contributes to macrophage ‘foam cell’ formation. Increases in macrophage (THP‐1) cholesteryl ester mass, in the presence or absence of oxidized LDL, were not explained by altered cholesterol efflux. Instead, resistin enhanced fractional turnover of the endogenous triacylglycerol pool, increased uptake and decreased oxidation of exogenous fatty acids, and decreased phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxylase, all factors increasing the availability of fatty acyl CoA substrate for acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase‐1, thereby enhancing macrophage cholesteryl ester deposition.
Strengthening public health priority‐setting through research on fistula, maternal health, and health inequities
Authors: Bangser M.
Published: September 2007

Objective

Findings from 4 studies conducted by the Women's Dignity Project and partners on the subjects of obstetric fistula, maternal mortality and morbidity, and health inequities are presented.

Methods

The studies include qualitative and quantitative research, a survey, and an analysis of secondary data that examine women's experiences of fistula; constraints in service delivery for fistula treatment; factors shaping women's access to delivery care and constraints health workers face in providing care; and health inequities.

Results

Findings from the studies are being used to improve fistula prevention and management, strengthen access to and provision of quality maternity care, and redress the health inequities that so adversely affect the poor.

Conclusion

The studies provide policy makers, program managers, and service providers with evidence and the impetus to re‐equilibrate policies, financial and human resources, and services in the interest of those in greatest need: women living in poverty.
Improving community knowledge of obstetric fistula prevention and treatment
Authors: Wegner M.N. , Ruminjo J. , Sinclair E. , Pesso L. , Mehta M.
Published: September 2007

In recent years, information has emerged in the scientific literature regarding the experience of physicians and clinical staff who try to prevent and treat obstetric fistulas at health facilities in developing countries. However, little is known about attempts to match the services they provide with policy and programmatic interventions in the communities they serve. To determine what is known about community involvement in the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistulas, the authors inquired into experiments carried out by EngenderHealth and partners in 15 African and Asian countries. From raw data, gray literature, and personal communications with those working in the field, they learned that engaging the community may be the keystone in the eradication of fistulas in low‐resource settings, and they learned how to engage the community.
The difficult adolescents who are referred to a psychiatric unit—II. Clinical features and response to treatment
Authors: Place M. , Framrose R. , Willson C.
Published: September 2007

The development of a new adolescent psychiatric unit for an urban area afforded the opportunity to study the range of cases that were referred. Using a special inventory that was developed and validated for the project distinct groups of youngsters were identified and their family characteristics studied. Of the conduct disordered group, a large proportion proved to be rather solitary and impulsive with a tendency towards outbursts of aggression. These adolescents and their families found least benefit from the family orientated approach of the unit. Of the remaining youngsters about 70 per cent showed symptomatic improvement, a rate which compares well with the findings from other outcome studies.
The life cycle of Hapladena gymnocephali sp. nov. (Digenea: Haploporidae) from the bald glassy perchlet Ambassis gymnocephalus in Kerala, India
Authors: Sheena P. , Janardanan K.P.
Published: September 2007

The life cycle of a new haploporid digenean, Hapladena gymnocephali sp. nov., infecting the bald glassy perchlet Ambassis gymnocephalus from the Chaliyar and Kadalundi rivers of Kozhikode district, Kerala, India, is elucidated. The new species is described in detail, its systematic position discussed and compared with related species, H. acanthuri Siddiqi & Cable, 1960 and H. spinosa Manter & Pritchard, 1961. Hapladena gymnocephali is distinctly different from the two latter species in the shape and size of body, nature of testis, extent of vitelline field and excretory bladder. Hapladena gymnocephali has a typical haploporid, two-host life cycle: the gymnocephalous, bi-ocellate, distome cercariae released by the snail Gabbia travancorica are ingested by the fish and develop directly into adults without undergoing a metacercarial stage of development. This is the first report of the genus Hapladena from India, and also the first report of the life cycle of the genus.
Western blot antibody determination in sera from patients diagnosed with Anisakis sensitization with different antigenic fractions of Anisakis simplex purified by affinity chromatography
Authors: Rodero M. , Cuéllar C. , Chivato T. , Mateos J.M. , Laguna R.
Published: September 2007

Using Western blot techniques, the specificities of crude and purified (PAK and PAS) Anisakis simplex antigens were compared against 24 sera from patients diagnosed with Anisakis sensitization. All patients recognized a 60 kDa protein against the A. simplex crude extract, while 37.5% and 12.5% reacted with proteins of 40 and 25 kDa, respectively, when IgG was tested. In the case of IgE determination, 41.6% of sera were negative, while 12.5% and 20.8% appeared to cross-react against Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum, respectively. When the PAK antigen (A. simplex antigen purified by means of a column of IgG anti-A. simplex) was tested, immune recognition towards the 60, 40 and 25 kDa proteins increased in 83.3%, 16.7% and 4.2%, respectively, when the Ig antibodies were tested. In the case of the PAS antigen (PAK antigen purified by means of a column of IgG anti-A. suum), the reaction against the 40 and 25 kDa proteins increased to 45.8% and 25%, respectively, when Ig antibodies were used. Finally, when the EAS antigen (eluted from the anti-A. suum column after PAK purification) was tested, 83.3% of the assayed sera reacted against the 14 kDa protein, when the Ig antibodies, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins were measured. With the IgE determination, the reactions were observed in 41.7% of patients with proteins between 60 and 35 kDa against the PAS antigen. With the EAS antigen, reactive bands of 184, 84 and 14 kDa appeared. In conclusion, in the purification process of the A. simplex larval crude extract, the proteins implicated in cross-reactions with Ascaris and Toxocara were eliminated, with an important concentration of proteins responsible for the induction of specific responses.
Cardiac history, prior depression and personality predict course of depressive symptoms after myocardial infarction
Authors: Martens E. J. , Smith O. R. F. , Winter J. , Denollet J. , Pedersen S. S.
Published: September 2007

Background

Although many studies have focused on post-myocardial infarction (MI) depression, there is limited information about the evolution and determinants of depressive symptoms in the first year post-MI. Therefore we examined (1) the course of depressive symptoms during the first year post-MI and (2) the predictors of these symptom trajectories.

Method

To assess depressive symptoms, 287 patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory during hospitalization for MI, and 2, and 12 months post-MI. Personality was assessed with the Type-D scale during hospitalization. We used latent class analysis to examine the evolution of depressive symptoms over a 1-year period and multinomial logit regression analyses to examine predictors of these symptom trajectories.

Results

The course of depressive symptoms was stable during the first year post-MI. Four groups were identified and classified as non-depressed [40%, intercept (IC) 2.52], mildly depressed (42%, IC 6.91), moderately depressed (14%, IC 13.73) or severely depressed (4%, IC 24.54). In multivariate analysis, cardiac history (log ORsevere2.93,p=0.02; log ORmoderate1.81,p=0.02; log ORmild1.46,p=0.01), history of depression (log ORsevere4.40,p<0.001; log ORmoderate1.97,p=0.03) and Type-D personality (log ORsevere4.22,p<0.001; log ORmoderate=4.17,p<0.001; log ORmild1.66,p=0.02) were the most prominent risk factors for persistence of depressive symptoms during the first year post-MI.

Conclusions

Symptoms of depression tend to persist during the first year post-MI. Cardiac history, prior depression and Type-D personality were identified as independent risk factors for persistence of depressive symptoms. The results of this study strongly argue for routine psychological screening during hospitalization for acute MI in order to identify patients who are at risk for chronicity of depressive symptoms and its deleterious effects on prognosis.
Comparing entropy measures of idea links in design protocols: Linkography entropy measurement and analysis of differently conditioned design sessions
Authors: Kan Jeff W.T. , Bilda Zafer , Gero John S.
Published: September 2007

This paper explores using Shannon's entropy of information to measure linkographs of 12 design sessions that involved six architects in two different experimental conditions. The aim is to find a quantitative tool to interpret the linkographs. This study examines if the differences in the design processes and the design outcomes can be reflected in the entropic interpretations. The results show that the overall entropy of one design condition is slightly higher than the other. Further, there are indications that the change of entropy might reflect design outcomes.
Aliens in disguise: Byzantine and Gallican chants in the Latin liturgy
Authors: NARDINI LUISA
Published: September 2007

Comparison of a considerable number of Gregorian sources dating from the tenth to the thirteenth centuries reveals a handful of Mass Proper items that do not belong to the standard repertory and show possible ties with the Byzantine and/or Gallican traditions. These pieces are not recorded in most of the earliest French and German sources of the Gregorian tradition. Some of them seem to have been composed in Italy (but not in Rome), while others would appear to have Eastern or Frankish ties. Comparative melodic analysis, along with the discussion of their position in the liturgical year, discloses insights about their origin, date, routes of transmission and the ways to compare chants belonging to different liturgical families.
Embolization of a pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm with endovascular coils
Authors: Menon Shaji C. , Stanson Anthony W. , Hagler Donald J.
Published: September 2007

Unrecognized pseudoaneurysm or rupture of a pulmonary artery is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of pulmonary arterial catheterization. Herein, we describe a teenage patient with a pulmonary arterial pseudoaneurysm, probably iatrogenic, who presented with haemoptysis following catheterization of the right heart. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully embolized using coils inserted by catheter. Increased awareness of this lesion, its rapid recognition, and prompt therapy are the keys to a successful outcome.
The effect of atrial septostomy on the concentration of brain-type natriuretic peptide in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: O’Byrne Michael L , Rosenzweig Erika S Berman , Barst Robyn J
Published: September 2007

Atrial septostomy has improved haemodynamics and clinical symptoms in selected patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. We found that, in 5 patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, septostomy resulted in decreased levels of brain-type natriuretic peptide, and improvement in symptoms of cardiac failure, suggesting that serial measurements of the peptide may have clinical utility.
The Qualitative Longitudinal Case History: Practical, Methodological and Ethical Reflections
Authors: Thomson Rachel
Published: September 2007

This paper describes the development of ‘case histories’ from a qualitative longitudinal data set that followed 100 young people's transitions to adulthood over a ten year period. The paper describes two stages in the analytic process: first, the forging of a case history from a longitudinal archive and second, bringing case histories into conversation with each other. The paper emphasises two aspects of a qualitative longitudinal data set: the longitudinal dimension that privileges the individual case, and the cross sectional dimension that privileges the social and the spatial context. It is argued that both aspects should always be kept in play in analysis. The paper concludes by reflecting on the ethical and practical challenges associated with the case history approach, heightened by the growing demand to archive and share qualitative longitudinal data sets.