bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The House on Sant Pere Street: Four Generations of Women's Land Holding in Thirteenth-Century Barcelona
Authors: McMillin Linda
Published: June 2006

The house on Sant Pere Street on the outskirts of Barcelona, leased from the Monastery of Sant Pere de les Puelles in the early thirteenth century by the widow Ermessenda Montserrat and subsequently passed through three generations of her female decendents, provides a case study for exploring larger issues of women's land holding in the neighborhood of Barcelona dominated by the Monastery. An important landowner during the thirteenth century, the Monastery maintained archives holding over 500 parchments from the period. The majority of these documents concern the Monastery's exploitation of its land holdings through a complex network of leases and subleases. Women appear often as lessees acting both individually and in concert with other family members. A systematic study of this documentation reveals the vital role women played in the management of both urban buildings and agricultural lands. This study shows that the Montserrat women were representative rather than exceptional examples of women's participation in property holding in thirteenth-century Barcelona.
Unequal in Charity? Women and Hospitals in Medieval Catalonia
Authors: Brodman James
Published: June 2006

This study asks whether charity in Catalonia had, in fact, any basis in gender, how treatment here compared with what historians have found in Italy, and what all of this says about the role that gender played within Catalan society. Late medieval Catalan charities assisted both men and women, but in different ways. Orphans, the sick, and the homeless of both genders received shelter and care, but, to some degree, males in these categories received more benefits than females. Other charity, such as assistance to poor, single women and to prostitutes, targeted females specifically and had no male counterpart. Gender considerations in the calculation of Catalan authorities seem to reflect an interest in promoting and preserving families and a social consciousness that privileged the so-called deserving poor over their marginalized sisters and brothers.
Modeling Prosecutors' Charging Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases
Authors: Worrall John L. , Ross Jay W. , McCord Eric S.
Published: June 2006

Relatively little research explaining prosecutors'charging decisions in criminal cases is available. Even less has focused on charging decisions in domestic violence cases. Past studies have also relied on restrictive definitions of domestic violence, notablycases with male offenders and female victims, and they have not considered prosecutors'decisions to pursue misdemeanor instead of felony charges—or vice versa. In response to these limitations, the authors collected data on prosecutors'charging decisions in 245 domestic violence cases filed by police officers in a Southern California city. They then examined the effects of victim, offender, and case characteristics on prosecutors' charging decisions. The authors found that (a) arrest and serious victim injuries were associated with prosecutors'charging decisions, (b) criminal charges were more likely in cases with male suspects, and (c) victim preference for prosecution was likely to result in felony rather than misdemeanor charges.
The Glass Menagerie as Heuristic for Explicating Nursing Theory
Authors: Pilkington F. Beryl , Frederickson Keville , Velsasco-Whetsell Martha
Published: June 2006

Tennessee Williams’ play, The Glass Menagerie, is interpreted through the lens of two different nursing theories, the Roy adaptation model and the human becoming theory. In the Roy adaptation model interpretation, adaptive levels of reality testing and stimuli that instigate withdrawal are explored, while in the human becoming theory interpretation, the themes of meaning, rhythmicity, and contranscendence are explicated.
A Mother and Daughter’s Reflections on Nursing Education
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt , Berkland Diana , Berkland Melissa A.
Published: June 2006

The following column presents a conversation with a mother and daughter enrolled in nursing education programs. Both mother and daughter utilized the teaching-learning strategies of dialogue and reflective journaling in coming to understand the meaning of their experiences in nursing education. The following ideas surfaced from their conversation: the importance of nursing theory-based teaching-learning, the importance of mentoring across the academic-clinical spectrum, the importance of questioning as a teaching-learning strategy, and, the importance of valuing time when developing teaching-learning experiences in nursing.
The Force of Nursing Theory-Guided Practice
Authors: Reed Pamela G.
Published: June 2006

This column is the first of two that features summaries of the papers presented by nursing theory-guided practice experts at the American Academy of Nursing meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November 2005. Their presentations inform us about the diversity of nursing processes that facilitate human health and define the discipline. In this column, the focus is on the Roy adaptation model, King’s transaction process and concept of goal attainment, and the concept of trust as a pattern manifestation of Rogers’ human-environment process.
What Does Expert Nursing Practice Mean?
Authors: Baumann Steven L.
Published: June 2006

Becoming an expert practice nurse should be the goal of all nurses and those planning for such a career. But the meaning of what an expert nurse in clinical practice is, is not as easy to define or evaluate, as it is in nursing education or nursing research. The Royal College of Nursing’s Expertise in Practice Project has studied nursing throughout the United Kingdom and has made a considerable contribution by re-defining expert nursing practice. This column explicates that contribution.
Research-Based Theatre: The Making of I’m Still Here!
Authors: Mitchell Gail J. , Jonas-Simpson Christine , Ivonoffski Vrenia
Published: June 2006

This column describes the process undertaken by a team of researchers, artists, and actors to create a research-based drama about living with dementia. Researchers had several studies, guided by the human becoming theory, about what life was like when living with dementia, and an additional study in progress about the lived experience of loss for daughters whose mothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers partnered with an experienced artistic director and playwright in order to craft a script and performance that could help others understand and see life with dementia in a new light. The crafting of the script was also informed by the experiences and insights of actors, healthcare professionals, and persons living with dementia. The play premiered before a group of 100 persons and families living with dementia and has since been performed approximately 40 times to hundreds of professionals and families. The evaluation of the play, at six of the performances, is presented in this column.
Re-Defining Nursing Expertise in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hardy Sally , Titchen Angie , Manley Kim , McCormack Brendan
Published: June 2006

There is now international recognition of the importance of practice expertise in modern and effective health services. The Expertise in Practice Project in the United Kingdom began in May 1998 and continued to 2004. It included nurses working in all four countries of the United Kingdom, and it covered clinical specialists from pediatrics to palliative care. The project added to the current understanding of what nursing practice expertise is, through the identification and verification of attributes and factors which enable expert practice. The proposed framework offers a language for sharing what constitutes practice expertise and offers insight into what occurs between the expert practitioner and the people that experience their care. The Expertise in Practice Project demonstrates that nurses affect change and facilitate performance and organizational development.
Values and Beliefs About Obesity and Weight Reduction Among African American and Caucasian Women
Authors: Blixen Carol E. , Singh Anisha , Thacker Holly
Published: June 2006

Designing culturally relevant weight-reduction programs requires understanding of ethnic variations and illness beliefs. Preliminary data on the values and beliefs about obesity and weight reduction were obtained from women of different ethnic/racial backgrounds. Purposive sampling was used to recruit African American (AA) and Caucasian (C) women with a body mass index (BMI)[.greaterequal] 30 from the general internal medicine clinics of a large tertiary care facility. Four focus groups (2 with AA women and 2 with C women) consisting of a total of 20 subjects were conducted in a 2-month period. AA women cited culture specific barriers to weight loss more so than did C women. AA women and C women also differed on how health care professionals could help them with weight loss. These findings have implications for nursing's role in the design of culturally relevant weight-loss programs.
The Nutrition Transition in American Indians
Authors: Compher Charlene
Published: June 2006

The purpose of this article was to examine whether a nutritional transition has occurred among American Indians (AI) by evaluating related articles and government health statistics. Findings indicate that although the primary health risk for the AI population around 1970 was undernutrition, now there is an obesity epidemic among all age groups that is associated with a loss of traditional food practices and reduced physical activity. Deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer have outpaced death from infectious disease. With abundant high-energy foods and limited physical activity, the acculturated environment has resulted in obesity and increased mortality from chronic diseases. To improve AI health and survival, the obesity epidemic must be approached in a concerted, culturally appropriate manner with encouragement of traditional foods and safe opportunities for physical activity.
Dominant Western Health Care: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Katz Lorraine Levitt , Abraham Máire
Published: June 2006

Diabetes is a major public health problem with serious complications. In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that 18.2 million people in the United States had diabetes. One in every 400 to 500 adolescents is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), and pediatric type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents an emerging public health concern. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) identified 337 children with T2DM through 2004. These children were mostly female and obese with a strong family history of T2DM. One patient's course of treatment for 1.5 years after initial presentation is described. Nineteen percent of the patients at CHOP were diagnosed with a neuropsychiatric illness before T2DM onset, further complicating their treatment. There is an imperative need for large-scale studies investigating the pathophysiology, treatment, and complications of T2DM in adolescents and youth.
Diabetes Prevention in Indian Country: Developing Nutrition Models to Tell the Story of Food-System Change
Authors: Conti Kibbe M.
Published: June 2006

The disruption of the traditional food systems of Native Americans is generally believed to have contributed to the epidemic levels of type 2 diabetes and obesity present on U.S. Indian reservations today. Tribes are increasingly engaged in disease prevention and health promotion efforts including restoring components of their traditional food system. This article discusses the development of nutrition models for tribes in two regions; California and the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota. Each nutrition model tells the story of food system change and its health consequences through narrative and cultural imagery. Ultimately the models suggest ways to eat that reflect the traditional food pattern by using contemporary and traditional foods available today.
Research and Educational Approaches to Reducing Health Disparities Among American Indians and Alaska Natives
Authors: Warne Donald
Published: June 2006

Research and educational programs have the potential to improve health care. American Indians (AIs) suffer from considerable health disparities as compared with the general U.S. population, including significantly higher incidence and prevalence of preventable diseases like diabetes, alcoholism, and their complications. Underfunding of health programs, including the Indian Health Service, and lower socioeconomic status among AIs contribute to these disparities. Improvements in disease prevention and treatment potentially offered by research and health education programs could help to reduce health disparities. However, a history of nonparticipation in the research process and a history of dishonest research practices have raised barriers to conducting research in AI communities. Additional barriers are generated from a shortage of AI researchers and health care professionals. A research paradigm that includes the community as a full partner is necessary to promote research and education in AI communities and to translate health research into reductions in health disparities.
The Medicine Wheel
Authors: Dapice Ann N.
Published: June 2006

Accidents, violence, and certain chronic diseases kill American Indians greatly out of proportion to other racial groups. Complex interactions between previously adaptive survival mechanisms, historical and cultural factors, and U.S. policy must be understood to respond effectively to these health issues. The traditional medicine wheel provides a conceptual framework that is culturally grounded and also supported by solid scientific research. Research related to complex neuroendocrine and behavioral responses to the stressors of life provides a basis for effective treatment programs for American Indians.
Measures of Fiscal Dependency
Authors: Ruggeri Joe , Zou Yang
Published: June 2006

There is a concern in many countries that projected increases in the population age sixty-five and older will impose unsustainable burdens on future generations. These fiscal pressures are often expressed with reference to population dependency ratios. The authors argue that concerns about fiscal sustainability may be legitimate, but the use of population dependency ratios as indicators of fiscal pressures is not. They develop an approach to this issue that includes (1) a comprehensive coverage of the public sector, (2) a new methodology for capturing the fiscal effects of population aging, and (3) the integration of demographic, economic, and fiscal variables. This approach is applied to the Canadian fiscal system for the period from 2002-2003 to 2025- 2026. The results indicate that the current fiscal system is sustainable over the long run and does not incorporate intergenerational inequities.
Assessing the “Pro-Poorness” of Government Fiscal Policy in Thailand
Authors: Son Hyun H.
Published: June 2006

This article proposes a methodology to assess the “pro-poorness” of government fiscal policies in view of bringing marginal reforms. A government policy is said to be “pro-poor” if it benefits the poor proportionally more than the non-poor. The author first derives the poverty elasticity for the general class of poverty. Then, using the idea of poverty elasticity, she proposes a pro-poor index that can be used to assess government expenditure and tax policies. This index may be useful in making government fiscal system more beneficial toward the poor through marginal reforms. The proposed methodology is applied to Thailand, using the 1998 Socio-Economic Survey.
The Problematic Pipeline
Authors: Chapa Jorge , De La Rosa Belinda
Published: June 2006

This article addresses Latino population growth in the United States and their participation in higher education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. The demographic and educational trends outlined here suggest that although the Latino population will continue to grow very rapidly, the participation in higher education by Latino students and faculty will not keep pace. The projected increase of school-age Latinos will increase the pool of students at the K-12 end of the educational pipeline; however, without effective interventions, the higher education end of this pipeline will remain narrow, and only a small number of Latinos with graduate degrees will be produced.
Strengthening the Academic Pipeline Leading to Careers in Math, Science, and Technology for Latino Students
Authors: Gándara Patricia
Published: June 2006

Because Latino students begin school far behind their non-Hispanic peers, moving more of them into the math and science pipeline will require a broad strategy that begins with preliteracy skills. This article reviews existing data on the costs of effective intervention and suggests that we would have to invest from 1.5 to 2 times what we now invest per pupil to provide a seamless web of support to begin to even the playing field for Latino students.
A Variscan slow-spreading ridge (MOR-LHOT) in Limousin (French Massif Central): magmatic evolution and tectonic setting inferred from mineral chemistry
Authors: Berger J. , Féménias O. , Mercier J.C.C. , Demaiffe D.
Published: June 2006

The Limousin ophiolite (French Massif Central) occurs as elongate bodies forming a (nearly) continuous suture zone between two major lithotectonic units of the French Variscan belt. The mantle section of the ophiolite is made of diopside-bearing harzburgite, harzburgite and dunite characteristic of a lherzolite-harzburgite ophiolite type (LHOT). The plutonic section is essentially composed of troctolites, wehrlites and gabbros locally intruded by ilmenite-rich mafic dykes. All the rocks were strongly affected by an ocean-floor hydrothermal metamorphism. The composition and evolution of primary magmatic phases (olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase and spinel) throughout the lowermost magmatic sequence correspond to those described in oceanic cumulates (ODP data). The Limousin ophiolite is thus of MOR type instead of SSZ type. The whole lithological section, the mineral chemistry, the extensive hydrothermal oceanic alteration and the relatively thin crustal section are typical of a slow-spreading ridge ocean (i.e. Mid-Atlantic ridge). Comparison of the Limousin ophiolite with other ophiolites from European Variscides suggests that the oceanic domain was actively spreading during the Late Palaeozoic and extended from the Armorican massif to the Polish Sudetes.
57Fe Mössbauer effect study of bannisterite: a modulated 2:1-type phyllosilicate
Authors: E. A. Ferrow
Published: June 2006

Bannisterite is a modulated 2:1-type phyllosilicate having ten octahedral sites with hydroxyl groups in trans, cis and combined trans-cis configurations. Each octahedral site, depending on its proximity to the layer modulation, is exposed to a different degree of distortion. The electric field gradient at the Fe site and the site distortion are used to propose a model for the site assignment and oxidation mechanism in bannisterite. The results show that two models are compatible with the experimental results of fitting the spectrum of bannisterite. However, the model which allows for site distortion accounts better for the observed line overlap of the [6]Fe2+ sites. Accordingly, the octahedral sites with a greater degree of distortion are assigned to the [6]Fe2+ with lower electric quadrupole splitting, and the octahedral sites with lower site distortion are assigned to the [6]Fe2+ with higher electric quadrupole splitting. Moreover, the ease of oxidation decreases in the order trans > trans-cis > cis.
The crystal structure of perhamite
Authors: Mills S. , Mumme G. , Grey I. , Bordet P.
Published: June 2006

The crystal structure of perhamite, (Ca,Sr)3Al7.7Si3P4O23.5(OH)14.1 8H2O, from the Emmons mine, Maine, USA, has been determined using single crystal X-ray data. The average structure has trigonal symmetry, Pml, with cell parameters a=7.021(1) Å and c = 20.218(1) Å. It was refined to R1 = 0.044 for 618 observed reflections. The structure comprises ordered blocks of crandallite-type structure, centred at z = 0, intergrown parallel to (001) with disordered aluminosilicate structure blocks centred at z = 1/2 to form a microporous structure containing large channels along [100]. These channels are bounded by 8-member rings of 6 tetrahedra (2 SiO4, 2 A1O4 and 2 PO4) and 2 A1O6 octahedra. Calcium atoms and water molecules are distributed in the [100] channels. A model was developed for the local ordering of silicon into the fractionally occupied sites in the (001) layer at z = 1/2 and this model was refined in space group P321 to R1 = 0.041 for 933 observed reflections. The dominant contributors to the local order are Si3O9 rings of corner-shared tetrahedra, together with Si2O7 pairs of tetrahedra. These units corner-link to (Al,Si)O4 tetrahedra above and below the plane at z = 1/2 to form 4-member rings, which in turn corner-share to PO4 tetrahedra in the crandallite blocks to give the 8-member rings. The analysis suggests that 5-coordinated Si may also be present in the (001) plane at z = 1/2.
Water-related IR characteristics in natural fibrous diamonds
Authors: Zedgenizov D. A. , Shiryaev A. A. , Shatsky V. S. , Kagi H.
Published: June 2006

Water-related features were studied using infrared absorption spectroscopy in fibrous diamonds with micro-inclusions. Both OH-stretching and HOH-bending vibrations were observed. The lack of correlation between the intensities of HOH and OH bands in different samples and the complexity of the OH-stretching band indicate that a large fraction of water is present as hydroxyl groups in minerals.

Heating and cooling experiments were performed to elucidate the properties of fluids in micro-inclusions in diamonds. The results of experiments at various temperatures support the presence of several water-related components in individual diamonds. These spectroscopic investigations of fibrous diamonds revealed two or more interrelated water-related components preserved in micro-inclusions. The existence of several water phases or water solutions with different salinity and solutes within one diamond crystal is possible.
An ephemeral pentasodium phosphate carbonate from natrocarbonatite lapilli, Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania
Authors: Mitchell R. H.
Published: June 2006

Lapilli formed by a Strombolian eruption are associated with the formation of a large lava flow of natrocarbonatite on or about 21–22 July, 2000 at Oldoinyo Lengai volcano, Tanzania. Fresh lapilli consist of vesicular natrocarbonatite similar to that occurring in rapidly quenched lavas. The lapilli were altered at low temperature (<50°C) by degassing to aggregates of sodian sylvite, potassian halite, trona, thermonatrite and a novel F-bearing sodium phosphate-carbonate. The latter is considered to be a new mineral as it has a composition (Na5–4.5PO4(CO3,F,Cl) that is not similar to that of nahpoite (Na2HPO4), dorfmanite [Na2(PO3OH).2H2O] or natrophosphate [Na7(PO4)2F.19H2O]. However, in common with these minerals, it is ephemeral and undergoes rapid decomposition under normal atmospheric conditions. The sodium phosphate-carbonate and associated halide-sodium carbonate assemblages are considered to be a part of a previously unrecognized hyperagpaitic assemblage forming as sublimates at Oldoinyo Lengai.
The bovine QTL viewer: a web accessible database of bovine Quantitative Trait Loci
Authors: Polineni Pavana , Aragonda Prathyusha , Xavier Suresh R , Furuta Richard , Adelson David L
Published: June 2006

Background

Many important agricultural traits such as weight gain, milk fat content and intramuscular fat (marbling) in cattle are quantitative traits. Most of the information on these traits has not previously been integrated into a genomic context. Without such integration application of these data to agricultural enterprises will remain slow and inefficient. Our goal was to populate a genomic database with data mined from the bovine quantitative trait literature and to make these data available in a genomic context to researchers via a user friendly query interface.

Description

The QTL (Quantitative Trait Locus) data and related information for bovine QTL are gathered from published work and from existing databases. An integrated database schema was designed and the database (MySQL) populated with the gathered data. The bovine QTL Viewer was developed for the integration of QTL data available for cattle. The tool consists of an integrated database of bovine QTL and the QTL viewer to display QTL and their chromosomal position.

Conclusion

We present a web accessible, integrated database of bovine (dairy and beef cattle) QTL for use by animal geneticists. The viewer and database are of general applicability to any livestock species for which there are public QTL data. The viewer can be accessed at http://bovineqtl.tamu.edu.
MATER protein expression and intracellular localization throughout folliculogenesis and preimplantation embryo development in the bovine
Authors: Pennetier Sophie , Perreau Christine , Uzbekova Svetlana , Thélie Aurore , Delaleu Bernadette , Mermillod Pascal , Dalbiès-Tran Rozenn
Published: June 2006

Background

Mater (Maternal Antigen that Embryos Require), also known as Nalp5 (NACHT, leucine rich repeat and PYD containing 5), is an oocyte-specific maternal effect gene required for early embryonic development beyond the two-cell stage in mouse. We previously characterized the bovine orthologue MATER as an oocyte marker gene in cattle, and this gene was recently assigned to a QTL region for reproductive traits.

Results

Here we have analyzed gene expression during folliculogenesis and preimplantation embryo development. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry on bovine ovarian section revealed that both the transcript and protein are restricted to the oocyte from primary follicles onwards, and accumulate in the oocyte cytoplasm during follicle growth. In immature oocytes, cytoplasmic, and more precisely cytosolic localization of MATER was confirmed by immunohistochemistry coupled with confocal microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy. By real-time PCR, MATER messenger RNA was observed to decrease strongly during maturation, and progressively during the embryo cleavage stages; it was hardly detected in morulae and blastocysts. The protein persisted after fertilization up until the blastocyst stage, and was mostly degraded after hatching. A similar predominantly cytoplasmic localization was observed in blastomeres from embryos up to 8-cells, with an apparent concentration near the nuclear membrane.

Conclusion

Altogether, these expression patterns are consistent with bovine MATER protein being an oocyte specific maternal effect factor as in mouse.
Comparative genomics of regulation of heavy metal resistance in Eubacteria
Authors: Permina EA , Kazakov AE , Kalinina OV , Gelfand MS
Published: June 2006

Background

Heavy metal resistance (HMR) in Eubacteria is regulated by a variety of systems including transcription factors from the MerR family (COG0789). The HMR systems are characterized by the complex signal structure (strong palindrome within a 19 or 20 bp promoter spacer), and usually consist of transporter and regulator genes. Some HMR regulons also include detoxification systems. The number of sequenced bacterial genomes is constantly increasing and even though HMR resistance regulons of the COG0789 type usually consist of few genes per genome, the computational analysis may contribute to the understanding of the cellular systems of metal detoxification.

Results

We studied the mercury (MerR), copper (CueR and HmrR), cadmium (CadR), lead (PbrR), and zinc (ZntR) resistance systems and demonstrated that combining protein sequence analysis and analysis of DNA regulatory signals it was possible to distinguish metal-dependent members of COG0789, assign specificity towards particular metals to uncharacterized loci, and find new genes involved in the metal resistance, in particular, multicopper oxidase and copper chaperones, candidate cytochromes from the copper regulon, new cadmium transporters and, possibly, glutathione-S-transferases.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that the specificity of the COG0789 systems can be determined combining phylogenetic analysis and identification of DNA regulatory sites. Taking into account signal structure, we can adequately identify genes that are activated using the DNA bending-unbending mechanism. In the case of regulon members that do not reside in single loci, analysis of potential regulatory sites could be crucial for the correct annotation and prediction of the specificity.
Inhaled ciclesonide versus inhaled budesonide or inhaled beclomethasone or inhaled fluticasone for chronic asthma in adults: a systematic review
Authors: Dyer Matthew J , Halpin David MG , Stein Ken
Published: June 2006

Background

Ciclesonide is a new inhaled corticosteroids licensed for the prophylactic treatment of persistent asthma in adults. Currently beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide and fluticasone propionate are the most commonly prescribed inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma but there has been no systematic review comparing the effectiveness and safety ciclesonide to these agents. We therefore aimed to systematically review published randomised controlled trials of the effectiveness and safety of ciclesonide compared to alternative inhaled corticosteroids in people with asthma.

Methods

We performed literature searches on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, the COCHRANE LIBRARY and various Internet evidence sources for randomised controlled trials or systematic reviews comparing ciclesonide to beclomethasone or budesonide or fluticasone in adult humans with persistent asthma. Data was extracted by one reviewer.

Results

Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was variable. There were no trials comparing ciclesonide to beclomethasone. There was no significant difference between ciclesonide and budesonide or fluticasone on the following outcomes: lung function, symptoms, quality of life, airway responsiveness to a provoking agent or inflammatory markers. However, the trials were very small in size, increasing the possibility of a type II error. One trial demonstrated that the combined deposition of ciclesonide (and its active metabolite) in the oropharynx was 47% of that of budesonide while another trial demonstrated that the combined deposition of ciclesonide (and its active metabolite) in the oropharynx was 53% of that of fluticasone. One trial demonstrated less suppression of cortisol in overnight urine collection after ciclesonide compared to fluticasone (geometric mean fold difference = 1.5, P < 0.05) but no significant difference in plasma cortisol response.

Conclusion

There is very little evidence comparing CIC to other ICS, restricted to very small, phase II studies of low power. These demonstrate CIC has similar effectiveness and efficacy to FP and BUD (though equivalence is not certain) and findings regarding oral deposition and HPA suppression are inconclusive. There is no direct comparative evidence that CIC causes fewer side effects since none of the studies reported patient-based outcomes.
Fecopneumothorax and colopleural fistula – uncommon complications of Crohn's disease
Authors: Barišiæ G , Krivokapiæ Z , Adžiæ T , Pavloviæ A , Popoviæ M , Gojniæ M
Published: June 2006

Background

Colopleural fistula and fecopneumothorax are very rare complications of Crohn's disease. Fistula formation is frequent in Crohn's disease and occurs in approximately 33% of patients. On the other hand, fistulous communication between the pleural cavity and adjacent organs below the diaphragm is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We describe the case of 27 year-old female with colopleural fistula as a complication of Crohn's disease. The diagnosis was established with clinical exam, barium enema, chest X-ray, abdominal and chest CT exam. The treatment was surgical.

Conclusion

Colopleural fistula and fecopneumothorax are rare but life treating complications of Crohn's disease. Surgical treatment is mandatory as soon as the diagnosis is established.
Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) is required for LPS-mediated macrophage activation through CD14
Authors: Cuschieri Joseph , Billgren Jens , Maier Ronald V
Published: June 2006

Lipid rafts, composed of sphingolipids, are critical to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) assembly during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure, as a result of protein kinase C (PKC)-ζ activation. However, the mechanism responsible for this remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine if LPS-induced TLR4 assembly and activation are dependent on the sphingolipid metabolite ceramide produced by phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) or CD14. To study this, THP-1 cells were stimulated with LPS. Selected cells were pretreated with the PC-PLC inhibitor D609, exogenous C2 ceramide, CD14 neutralizing antibody, or TLR4 neutralizing antibody. LPS led to production of ceramide, phosphorylation of PKC-ζ, and assembly of the TLR4 within lipid rafts. This was followed by activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and the liberation of cytokines. Pretreatment with D609 or CD14 blockade was associated with attenuated LPS-induced ceramide production, TLR4 assembly on lipid rafts, and cytokine production. Pretreatment with TLR4 blockade did not affect LPS-induced ceramide production but was associated with significant attenuation in cytokine production. Treatment with C2 ceramide prior to LPS reversed the inhibitory effects induced by D609 but not of CD14 or TLR4 blockade. C2 ceramide alone induced the activation of PKC-ζ and the assembly of TLR4 but was not associated with cytokine liberation. This study demonstrates that TLR4 assembly and activation following LPS exposure require the production of ceramide by PC-PLC, which appears to be CD14-dependent.
Surface process models and the links between tectonics and topography
Authors: Codilean Alexandru T. , Bishop Paul , Hoey Trevor B.
Published: June 2006

Advances in the theoretical understanding of large-scale tectonic and surface processes, along with a rapid growth of computing technology, have stimulated interest in the use of numerical surface process models (SPMs) of long-term landscape evolution, especially in relation to the links between tectonics and topography. Because of these advances and possibilities and because SPMs continue to play an important part in recent geological, geomorphological, thermochronological and other geosciences research, the models warrant review and assessment. This review summarizes and evaluates the important issues concerning SPMs of long-term landscape evolution that have been addressed only in a passing way by previous authors. The issues reviewed here are: (1) the formulation of the ‘laws’ that represent fluvial and hillslope processes in SPMs; (2) the implementation of the various algorithms on numerical grids; (3) model parameterization and calibration; and (4) model testing.
Proline-Directed Protein Kinase FA Is a Powerful and Independent Prognostic Predictor for Progression and Patient Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Yu-Chen , Fu Hsiao-Hui , Jeng Yung-Ming , Lee Po-Huang , Yang Shiaw-Der
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Molecular, cellular, and animal studies have established that overexpressed proline-directed protein kinase FA (PDPK FA) is essential for the development of tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis of human cancer cells. However, the prognostic role of PDPK FA in cancer patients remains largely unknown. In this study, association of PDPK FA expression with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients was examined.

Patients and Methods

PDPK FA expression in the resected tumors of 134 HCC patients (112 men and 22 women) with ages ranging from 33 to 83 years (mean, 55 years) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Highly condensed cytoplasmic and nuclear PDPK FA associated with tumor cells was used as the major scoring parameter for positive PDPK FA expression.

Results

Approximately 68% of the patients (91 of 134) exhibited positive PDPK FA expression. Patients with positive PDPK FA showed poorer disease-free survival and overall survival (P < .001). Cox multivariate regression analysis further established PDPK FA as the strongest independent prognosticator for progression and patient survival of HCC (hazard ratio [HR], 2.878; 95% CI, 1.634 to 5.067 for disease-free survival; and HR, 5.035; 95% CI, 2.137 to 11.866 for overall survival; P < .001).

Conclusion

Consistent with PDPK FA’s essential role in the development of highly malignant phenotypes, the present study establishes the potential prognostic role of PDPK FA in progression and patient survival of surgically resected primary HCC. Taken together, PDPK FA represents a new modifiable signal-transducing target for prognostic prediction and adjuvant treatment of patients with aggressive HCC after hepatic resection.
Estrogen-Independent Proliferation Is Present in Estrogen-ReceptorHER2-Positive Primary Breast Cancer After Neoadjuvant Letrozole
Authors: Ellis Matthew J. , Tao Yu , Young Oliver , White Sharon , Proia Alan D. , Murray Julliette , Renshaw Lorna , Faratian Dana , Thomas Jeremy , Dowsett Mitch , Krause Andreas , Evans Dean B. , Miller William R. , Dixon J. Michael
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To investigate the impact of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 1 and HER2 gene amplification on endocrine therapy responsiveness, a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study was conducted on tumor samples from 305 postmenopausal patients with stage II and III estrogen receptor (ER) –positive (ER ≥ 10%) breast cancers treated on two independent neoadjuvant endocrine therapy trials.

Patients and Methods

FISH analysis focused on HER1 and/or HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) -positive patients and a random selection of HER1/2 IHC-negative patients. HER2 FISH status was correlated with response and changes in the proliferation marker Ki67.

Results

HER1 was rarely amplified (< 1%), and HER2 amplification was observed in 9.2% of patients. Letrozole response by clinical measurement (71% HER2 FISH positive v 71% HER2 FISH negative), mammogram (44% HER2 FISH positive v 47% HER2 FISH negative), or ultrasound (47% HER2 FISH positive v 54% HER2 FISH negative) was not impaired by HER2 FISH-positive status. In contrast, HER2 FISH-positive tumors showed higher histologic grade (P = .009), higher pretreatment Ki67 (P = .005), and less Ki67 suppression after letrozole when compared with HER2 FISH-negative tumors (P = .0001). Similar observations regarding Ki67 were made in a smaller cohort of tamoxifen-treated tumors.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant letrozole is clinically effective in ER-positive HER2 FISH-positive tumors, indicating sensitivity to short-term estrogen deprivation. However, continued proliferation despite ongoing letrozole or tamoxifen treatment in the majority of ER-positive HER2 FISH-positive samples (88%) could imply therapeutic resistance that may manifest later in the clinical course of the disease. Discordance between clinical and biomarker findings in this study serves to emphasize the need for surrogate end point validation in neoadjuvant endocrine trials through correlation with information on long-term outcomes.
Rituximab-CHOP Versus CHOP Alone or With Maintenance Rituximab in Older Patients With Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Habermann Thomas M. , Weller Edie A. , Morrison Vicki A. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Cassileth Peter A. , Cohn Jeffrey B. , Dakhil Shaker R. , Woda Bruce , Fisher Richard I. , Peterson Bruce A. , Horning Sandra J.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To address early and late treatment failures in older patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we designed a two-stage randomized trial of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) versus rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP), with a second random assignment to maintenance rituximab (MR) or observation in responding patients.

Patients and Methods

Untreated DLBCL patients who were 60 years or older were randomly assigned to R-CHOP (n = 318) or CHOP (n = 314); 415 responders were randomly assigned to MR (n = 207) or observation (n = 208). The primary end point was failure-free survival (FFS). All P values were two sided.

Results

Three-year FFS rate was 53% for R-CHOP patients and 46% for CHOP patients (P = .04) at a median follow-up time of 3.5 years. Two-year FFS rate from second random assignment was 76% for MR compared with 61% for observation (P = .009). No significant differences in survival were seen according to induction or maintenance therapy. FFS was prolonged with MR after CHOP (P = .0004) but not after R-CHOP (P = .81) with 2-year FFS rates from second random assignment of 77%, 79%, 74%, and 45% for R-CHOP, R-CHOP + MR, CHOP + MR, and CHOP, respectively. In a secondary analysis excluding MR patients, R-CHOP alone reduced the risks of treatment failure (P = .003) and death (P = .05) compared with CHOP alone.

Conclusion

Rituximab administered as induction or maintenance with CHOP chemotherapy significantly prolonged FFS in older DLBCL patients. After R-CHOP, no benefit was provided by MR. These results, which are consistent with an additive effect of rituximab, suggest that future studies could focus on maintenance strategies with novel agents as well as new induction therapies.
The Chemistry of Disilyne with a Genuine Si–Si Triple Bond: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity
Authors: Sekiguchi Akira , Ichinohe Masaaki , Kinjo Rei
Published: June 2006

In this account, our recent results on the chemistry of a stable silicon–silicon triply-bonded compound, disilyne, including recent advances in the chemistry of stable alkyne analogues of heavier group 14 elements, are described. Our original extremely bulky trialkylsilyl substituent, Dis2iPrSi [Dis = CH(SiMe3)2], has enabled the isolation of disilyne as a stable compound, which has been completely characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, as well as X-ray crystallography. Some reactivity of our isolable disilyne will be discussed.
Selective Recognition of Trp- and Tyr-Rich Oligopeptides by Self-Assembled Coordination Hosts
Authors: Tashiro Shohei , Fujita Makoto
Published: June 2006

A coordination host recognized various aromatic peptides containing Trp and Tyr residues in a highly sequence-selective fashion. For example, two similar hexa-peptides, Ac-Ser-Gly-Ala-Trp-Trp-Ala-NH2 and Ac-Ala-Trp-Trp-Ala-Gly-Ser-NH2, were selectively discriminated by the restricted inner space of coordination cages. We also demonstrated that the charged peptides were efficiently discriminated by the cage owing to the highly cationic property of the cage (12+). Furthermore, the cages selectively discriminated two similar peptides, Ac-Ala-Trp-Trp-NH2 and Ac-Ala-Tyr-Tyr-NH2, because of differences in the strength of charge-transfer interaction between the cage and the electron-rich aromatic residues. This selectivity was controlled by modulating the solution pH. The colorization of the aromatic peptide solutions by charge-transfer interaction could also be applicable to the naked-eye recognition of three aromatic residues, Trp, Tyr, and Phe.
Synthesis and Properties of Trispiro[truxenetris(cycloalkane)]s
Authors: Satoh Hiroyasu , Yamamoto Gaku , Mazaki Yasuhiro
Published: June 2006

Four of the title compounds, where cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and cyclohexane rings are spiro-annelated at the 5-, 10-, and 15-positions of truxene, were synthesized and their spectral properties were studied. X-ray molecular structures were elucidated for the cyclopropane compound.
Reversible On–Off Photoswitching of Hydrogen Bonding for Self-Assembled Fibers Comprising Physical Gels
Authors: Moriyama Masaya , Mizoshita Norihiro , Kato Takashi
Published: June 2006

We report on photo-stimulated reversible association and dissociation of hydrogen bonding for self-assembled fibers comprising physical gels. The gels are formed by a hydrogen-bonded gelator containing photochromic azobenzene moieties. The photoswitching of hydrogen bonding is caused by the changes of molecular polarity for the azobenzene moieties.
Age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Arden G B
Published: June 2006

Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of blindness. Its incidence is increasing, partly due to the advancing age of the population in North America and Europe, but there is no doubt that the age-adjusted rates are also increasing, which points to some environmental influence. The condition is characterized by the appearance of retinal deposits called drusen. These and other changes form a barrier between the retinal pigment epithelium and the choroidal circulation. As a result, new vessels may grow from the choroid and penetrate the retina. These new vessels are delicate and can leak or bleed. Such episodes occur in the 'wet' form of age-related macular degeneration and cause the well known disciform degeneration, which in turn leads to distortion of the image and rapid loss of vision. Even when this does not happen, areas of retina may atrophy, probably due to anoxia: this is the 'dry' form of the disease, also called geographic atrophy. In trials, scattered laser burns have been applied to the retina but the long-term benefits of this are as yet uncertain. New micro-pulse lasers are coming into use which may be more effective. Surgical treatments include translocation of the retina and photodynamic therapy. Medical therapies attracting attention are intraocular injections of anti-angiogenic drugs, such as ranibizumab. These need further evaluation, as does the role of diet. Within a few years blindness due to age-related macular degeneration may be reduced by combining dietary control, screening for visual loss, and medical and surgical methods of treatment.
Age at menopause, and knowledge of and attitudes to menopause, of women in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Baig L A , Karim S A
Published: June 2006

Objectives. The objectives of the study were to identify the average age at menopause in Karachi and to assess knowledge of and attitudes to the menopause among Pakistani women in different social strata.

Study design. A population-based cross-sectional study of 960 women aged over 35 years was conducted.

Results. As insufficient data were available for 35 women, 925 interviews were analysed. There were 287 menopausal women, whose mean (SD) age at menopause was 47.1 (4.7) years (95% CI 46.8 to 47.6). Of these 287 women, 135 (47%) wanted their menses to continue and 235 (82%) had consulted a physician after the menopause. Of all 925 women, 58% knew the correct definition of the menopause, all had consulted a physician for various symptoms related to the menopause and 53% said that women should consult a physician premenopausally. Symptoms experienced by premenopausal women included lack of sleep (25%), fear of infertility (13%) and urinary incontinence (18%). The majority of the overall sample (52%) were sexually active. Of the sexually active women, 16% had marital problems, compared with 44% of sexually inactive women, and this difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.0001). Source of knowledge about the menopause included relatives (35%), television (18%), neighbours (17%), friends (17%) and health-care providers (14%).

Conclusions. Evidence-based information about the menopause should be provided for Pakistani women.
The role of nutrition in dementia: an overview
Authors: Salerno-Kennedy Rossana , Cashman Kevin D
Published: June 2006

The human life span is increasing and there is a need to maintain functional wellbeing in old age. Cognitive function is a major determinant of quality of life in older age. Cognitive impairment can be influenced by a number of factors and the effect of nutrition on cognitive function has become a topic of increasing scientific and public interest. The data available are not sufficient for definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding the relationship between diet and dementia, which is the most common form of cognitive impairment in the elderly; however, there is evidence that dietary lipids, oxidative stress and related antioxidant vitamins, and homocysteine-related vitamins can affect the risk of dementia. This review provides a brief overview of this topic.