bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐cancer effect of bee venom in prostate cancer cells through activation of caspase pathway via inactivation of NF‐κB
Authors: Park Mi Hee , Choi Myoung Suk , Kwak Dong Hoon , Oh Ki‐Wan , Yoon Do Young , Han Sang Bae , Song Ho Sueb , Song Min Jong , Hong Jin Tae
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND

Bee venom has been used as a traditional medicine to treat arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, cancerous tumors, and skin diseases. However, the effects of bee venom on the prostate cancer and their action mechanisms have not been reported yet.

METHODS T

o determine the effect of bee venom and its major component, melittin on the prostate cancer cells, apoptosis is analyzed by tunnel assay and apoptotic gene expression. For xenograft studies, bee venom was administrated intraperitoneally twice per week for 4 weeks, and the tumor growth was measured and the tumor were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. To investigate whether bee venom and melittin can inactivate nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), we assessed NF‐κB activity in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Bee venom (1–10 µg/ml) and melittin (0.5–2.5 µg/ml) inhibited cancer cell growth through induction of apoptotic cell death in LNCaP, DU145, and PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells. These effects were mediated by the suppression of constitutively activated NF‐κB. Bee venom and melittin decreased anti‐apoptotic proteins but induced pro‐apoptotic proteins. However, pan caspase inhibitor abolished bee venom and melittin‐induced apoptotic cell death and NF‐κB inactivation. Bee venom (3–6 mg/kg) administration to nude mice implanted with PC‐3 cells resulted in inhibition of tumor growth and activity of NF‐κB accompanied with apoptotic cell death. Therefore, these results indicated that bee venom and melittin could inhibit prostate cancer in in vitro and in vivo, and these effects may be related to NF‐κB/caspase signal mediated induction of apoptotic cell death. Prostate 71:801–812, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histopathologic changes in rat kidneys exposed to acute and chronic immobilization stress
Authors: Vesna Stojanovic , Nada Vuckovic , Nenad Barisic , Aleksandra Doronjski
Published: November 2010

Aim of this study was to detect and quantify histological changes in kidneys after exposure to acute and chronic stress. Rats were divided into the groups consisting of 12 animals: control group—freely moving (unstressed); rats subjected to immobilization for 2  h; rats subjected to repeated 2  h immobilization for ten consecutive days; rats subjected to repeated 2  h immobilization for two consecutive days. Eight features of histopathological damage were scored on normal (0) to severe (4) scale. Changes occured in the kidneys during both, acute and chronic stress. The most common type of degeneration is ‘cloudy swelling’ in epithelial cells of proximal and distal tubules and interstitial edema. Chronic stress induces more prominent changes, which inflict more glomeruls than acute stress. Acute and repetitive stress induces mild or moderate histopathologic changes in kidneys. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strangers in a familiar land: the psychological consequences of internal migration in a developing country
Authors: Pyakuryal Amod , Tausig Mark , Subedi Sree , Subedi Janardan
Published: November 2010

There is still much that we do not know about the effects of international migration on mental health, but we know even less about the mental health consequences of rural‐to‐urban migration. This may be particularly important in developing countries where the health of internal migrating populations may affect economic development. We use a large representative sample of adults residing in Kathmandu, Nepal to investigate the utility of a stress process model for understanding the mental health effects of rural‐to‐urban migration. Because our sample contains both migrants and non‐migrants, we are able to compare the importance of stressors common to all urban dwellers and those specific to migrants (i.e. acculturation stressors) as they affect the well‐being of urban residents. Results show that acculturation‐related stressors and social support problems are less salient for explaining distress and mental health symptoms than common stressors and social support problems. Migrants do face more chronic stressors, have more social support problems and report higher levels of distress and symptoms. We speculate that this has more to do with the social inequality that results from migration than with specific migration‐related stressors or loss of social resources. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consistent‐sufficient sleep predicts improvements in self‐regulatory performance and psychological strain
Authors: Barber Larissa K. , Munz David C.
Published: November 2010

Sleep may have psychological implications for the stress process because of its effect on self‐regulatory functioning. This study explored the psychological benefits of sleep using an integrated self‐regulatory strength model, which includes resource enhancement in addition to resource replenishment. Combined with the restorative effects of sufficient sleep duration, prolonged consistent sleep practices may build self‐regulatory capacity via exercising self‐control. The proposed sleep sufficiency–consistency interaction predicted improvements in self‐regulatory performance and psychological strain over the course of 5 days. Only consistent–sufficient sleepers experienced an increase in self‐regulatory performance and a decrease in strain. Changes in self‐regulatory strength also predicted changes in strain during the week, rather than the reverse. These findings were robust even when controlling for confounding factors related to dispositional factors, circadian rhythm disruption, typical sleep hygiene, health behaviours and stressors. Much like other routine activities that have shown to increase self‐regulatory strength, continued explorations into the potential resource enhancement aspect of consistent sleep may be a promising topic for stress management research. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zur Bestimmung reeller Nullstellen von reellen Funktionen einer Variablen
Authors: Pflanz Erwin
Published: November 2010

Obere und untere Schranken für eine Nullstelle x* einer Funktion y=f(x) kann man—Monotonie der Ableitung f(N)(x) in der Umgebung von x* vorausgesetzt—durch die Nullstellen gewisser, f(x) dort „einschließender”︁ Polynome N ten Grades in x erhalten. Für dieses Verfahren wind u. a. nachgewiesen, wie sich seine Konvergenz beschleunigen läßt und daß es auch bei Nichtzutreffen der Monotonievoraussetzung nach einfacher Abänderung Schranken für x* liefert.
Hauptaufsätze: Zur Gaußischen Verteilung im n‐dimensionalen Raume
Authors: Richter H.
Published: November 2010

Für den Fall, daß die Koordinaten der Meßpunkte im n‐dimensionalen Raume in unbekannter Weise linear von einer unbekannten Anzahl unabhängiger Variabler mit Gaußischer Verteilung abhängen, jedoch der Streuungstensor aus Versuchen bekannt ist, wird der von den Meßpunkten erfüllte Teilraum und die Wahrscheinlichkeitsdichte in demselben sowie die Genauigkeitshyperfläche bestimmt.
Näherungstheorie des unsymmetrischen Schalldurchgangs in einer Lavaldüse
Authors: Behrbohm Hermann
Published: November 2010

Das Verhalten einer ebenen Düsenströmung in der Umgebung des kritischen Zustandes wird approximativ durch die Differentialgleichung der Wärmeleitung beschrieben und deren Lösung bei den entsprechenden Rand‐ und Anfangsbedingungen angegeben. Durch geeignete Spezialisierung der Einlaufsbedingungen wird ein einfaches Beispiel erhalten, das alles physikalisch Wesentliche bereits zeigt.
On the Asymptotic Behavior of Some Polycondensation Processes
Authors: Grüouger K.
Published: November 2010

Die vorliegende Arbeit befaßt sich mit dem asymptotischen Verhaltenfür große Zeiten von Lösungen eines speziellen Systems von Diffusions‐Reaktionsgleichungen, das einen Polykondensationsprozeß beschreibt. Mit Hilfe einer Liapunov‐Funktion, die eng mit der Dissipationsrate des modellierten Prozesses zusammenhängt, wird gezeigt, daß sich jede Lösung exponentiell einem Gleichgewichtszustand nähert, der von der sogenannten stöchiometrischen Kompatibilitätsklasse der Lösung abhängt.
On the Numerical Evaluation of a Class of Finite‐Part Integrals
Authors: Ioakimidis N. I.
Published: November 2010

Two more methods for the derivation of the interpolatory quadrature rules (including Gaussian quadrature rules as a special case) for the numerical evaluation of finite‐part integrals with a double‐pole singularity inside the integration interval are presented. The first of these methods is based on the definition of finite‐part integrals and the second of them on the second generalized PLEMELJ formula. The present results can be generalized to the case of finite‐part integrals with pole singularities of higher order.
On the “Symmetry” of Tangent Operators in Nonlinear Mechanics
Authors: Makowski J. , Stumpf H.
Published: November 2010

In the nonlinear theory of thin elastic shells with the displacement vector as the only independent variable we are concerned with the functional of total potential energy defined on a normed linear space, where the second Gâteaux differential of the functional is symmetric leading to a symmetric tangent stiffness matrix in finite element approximation procedures. On the other hand, in shell theories with displacement vector and rotation tensor as independent kinematical variables the corresponding functional is defined on a manifold without vector space structure. The question whether or not the second derivative and the associated tangent stiffness matrix are symmetric is controversely discussed in the recent literature. Using notions and methods of differential geometry we consider in this paper definition and symmetry property of the second differential of a functional defined on a finite dimensional manifold and Lie group (rotation group), respectively, and we discuss related problems and implications in detail. As it is shown the results obtained for linear spaces cannot be generalized to manifolds and Lie groups in a straightforward way.
The Numerical Integration of Neutral Functional‐Differential Equations by Fully Implicit One‐Step Methods
Authors: Jackiewicz Z. , Lo E.
Published: November 2010

An algorithm for the numerical solution of neutral functional‐differential equations is described. This algorithm is based on divided difference representation of fully implicit one‐step methods. The resulting systems of nonlinear equations are solved using the predictor‐corrector approach for nonstiff equations and by the modified Newton method for stiff equations. The step control strategy is based on local error estimation by comparing two approximations of successive orders. The details of implementations are described for systems of neutral delay‐differential equations with state dependent delays, for Volterra integro‐differential equations and for stiff delay‐differential equations. The results of some numerical experiments on four test examples are presented and discussed.
On the Tensor Function Representations of 2nd‐Order and 4th‐Order Tensors. Part I
Authors: Zheng‐S Q. , Betten J.
Published: November 2010

In this paper, we establish the complete representations for isotropic scalar‐, 2nd‐order tensor‐ and 4th‐order tensor‐valued functions of any finite number of 2nd‐ and 4th‐order tensors in both 2‐ and 3‐dimensional spaces, and prove the irreducibility of these representations. The fourth‐order tensors under consideration are those regarded as skew‐symmetric linear transformations of both symmetric and skew‐symmetric 2nd‐order tensors in 3‐dimensional space, symmetric linear transformations of skew‐symmetric 2nd‐order tensors in 3‐dimensional space, and both symmetric and skew‐symmetric linear transformations of both symmetric and skew‐symmetric 2nd‐order tensors in 2‐dimensional space. Complete and irreducible isotropic tensor function representations in 3‐dimensional space involving 4th‐order tensors as symmetric linear transformations of symmetric 2nd‐order tensors are derived in a continued paper (Part II). These representations allow general forms of constitutive laws involving 4th‐order tensor agencies (damage tensors, internal variables) of isotropic materials to be developed.
Comparison of Classical and Alternative Fluid Equations Using Symmetry Methods
Authors: Ames W. F. , Nucci M. C. , Straub D. , Lauster M. , Adams E.
Published: November 2010

Unter Verwendung von Symmetriegruppen und‐reduktionen werden exakt gültige Lösungsfamilien für Systeme nichtlinearer partieller DGL der Strömungsmechanik konstruiert. Dabei werden Rand‐oder Anfangsbedingungen nicht berücksichtigt. Es handelt sich um die klassischen Navier‐Stokes‐Gleichungen und zwei Systeme vom Typ der Nehring‐Gleichungen. Die Lösungsfamilien hängen von den physikalischen Eingangsparametern aus den DGL und von freien Koeffizienten aus der Konstruktion ab. Es werden die durch solche Familien gebotenen Vergleichsmöglichkeiten der Strukturen der Lösungen verschiedener Systeme nichtlinearer partieller DGL diskutiert. Für die hier interessierenden DGL‐Systeme sind insbesondere durch laufende Wellen dargestellte Familien konstruiert. Unter Verwendung der im wesentlichen expliziten Darstellung der Lösungs‐Familien ergeben sich daraus Folgerungen u. a. über (a) das Auftreten beschränkter bzw. unbeschränkter Lösungen, (b) die Abhängigkeiten der Wellengeschwindigkeit von Transport‐Koeffizienten und (c) den Grenzfall des Verschwindens eines Transport‐Koeffizienten.
On the Closed‐Form Solutions of the Wave, Diffusion and Burgers Equations in Fluid Mechanics
Authors: Panayotounakos D. E. , Drikakis D.
Published: November 2010

In dieser Arbeit werden die Lösungen der Wellengleichung erster Ordnung mit Quelltermen ut +g(u) ux = f (u) und die Diffusionsgleichung der allgemeinen Form ut + g(u)ux = v aufgestellt. Beide Gleichungen werden für glatte Anfangs‐und Randbedingungen betrachtet, nämlich u(0, x) = (x); bzw. u(0, x) = (x) und u(t,x0) = f(t). Ferner wird der Fall der Burgersgleichung mit Quelltermen ut + uux = vuxx‐δu, die in der Theorie der Aerodynamik eine Rolle spielt, betrachtet die vorgestellte Lösungstechnik und die erhaltenen Lösungen in geschlossener Form werden durch Anwendungen bestätigt.
Convergence Improvement for the Infinite Determinants of Hill Systems
Authors: Denk R.
Published: November 2010

Die Floquet‐Exponenten der matrizenwertigen Version der endlichen Hillschen Differentialgleichung können als Nullstellen einer unendlichen Determinante berechnet werden. In dieser Arbeit wird die Konvergenz dieser Determinante durch Abspaltung geeigneter unendlicher Produkte verbessert. Die Definition dieser Produkte verwendet dabei die Kenntnis des asymptotischen Verhaltens der endlichen Abschnittsdeterminanten. Verschiedene Methoden der Konvergenzverbesserung werden sowohl für den symmetrischen als auch für den nicht‐symmetrischen Fall der endlichen Hillschen Differentialgleichung vorgestellt Numerische Beispiele belegen, daß diese Methoden zu einer effizienten Berechnung der unendlichen Determinante führen
A Half‐Plane Crack under Tangential Load: A Complete Solution
Authors: Fabrikant V. I. , Rubin B. S. , Karapetian E. N.
Published: November 2010

In einem querisotropen elastischen Raum, der einer beliebigen Tangentialbelastung ausgesetzt ist, wird ein ebener Riß in einer Halbebene betrachtet. Im ganzen Raum erhält man für das gesamte Feld der Spannungen und Verrückungen eine exakte geschlossene Lösung in Form von Elementarfunktionen. Es werden sowohl der quer‐isotrope als auch der rein isotrope Fall betrachtet. Ebenso werden explizite Formeln für die Spannungsintensitätsfaktoren angegeben. Die Lösung gründet sich auf Ergebnisse, die früher vom ersten Autor publiziert wurden.
Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions for Accelerations for Multi‐Body Systems with Friction
Authors: Klepp H. J.
Published: November 2010

Es wird ein Mehrkörpersystem mit einem Freiheitsgrad und reibungsbehafteten Bindungen betrachtet. Die mit der Lagrangeschen Gleichung zweiter Art bestimmte Bewegungsdifferentialgleichung, die aus kinetischen Gleichgewichtsbedingungen ermittelten Gleichungen zur Berechnung der Reaktionskräfte und die Reibungsgesetze bilden ein nichtlineares algebraisches Gleichungs‐system zur Bestimmung der Beschleunigungen. Mit diesen Gleichungen können Grenzwerte der Reibparameter ermittelt werden, für die es endliche Lösungen für die Beschleunigungen gibt. Für Reibparameter größer als diese Grenzwerte gibt es keine Lösungen oder sie sind nicht eindeutig. Die Lösungen werden mit der Methode der direkten Iteration berechnet.
Some Results on Thermoelasticity for Dielectric Materials with Voids
Authors: Ciarletta M. , Scarpetta E.
Published: November 2010

Wir betrachten das Zuwachsproblem der Thermoelastizität für poröse dielektrische Materialien. Mittels der Nichtstandardtechnik werden die Reziprozitätseigenschaften untersucht und mit der Eindeutigkeit der Lösungen verbunden; eine Variationscharakterisierung vom Gurtin‐Typ wird auch bestimmt.
Feasibility and Stability Behaviour of the BDF Applied to Index‐2 Differential Algebraic Equations
Authors: Tischendore C.
Published: November 2010

Die Arbeit behandelt die BDF mit variabler Schrittweite und variabler Ordnung für nichtlineare Index‐2‐DAEs. Unter schwachen Glattheitsvoraussetzungen wird das Stabilitätsverhalten für die Masse der zeitabhängigen quasilinearen Systeme diskutiert. Weiterhin werden präzise Bedingungen für die Störungen angegeben, die die Durchführbarkeit der Methode garantieren.
Effects of Virtual Reality Simulator Training Method and Observational Learning on Surgical Performance
Authors: Snyder Christopher W. , Vandromme Marianne J. , Tyra Sharon L. , Porterfield John R. , Clements Ronald H. , Hawn Mary T.
Published: November 2010

Background

Virtual reality (VR) simulators and Web‐based instructional videos are valuable supplemental training resources in surgical programs, but it is unclear how to optimally integrate them into minimally invasive surgical training.

Methods

Medical students were randomized to proficiency‐based training on VR laparoscopy and endoscopy simulators by two different methods: proctored training (automated simulator feedback plus human expert feedback) or independent training (simulator feedback alone). After achieving simulator proficiency, trainees performed a series of laparoscopic and endoscopic tasks in a live porcine model. Prior to their entry into the animal lab, all trainees watched an instructional video of the procedure and were randomly assigned to either observe or not observe the actual procedure before performing it themselves. The joint effects of VR training method and procedure observation on time to successful task completion were evaluated with Cox regression models.

Results

Thirty‐two students (16 proctored, 16 independent) completed VR training. Cox regression modeling with adjustment for relevant covariates demonstrated no significant difference in the likelihood of successful task completion for independent versus proctored training [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.28; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.96–1.72; p = 0.09]. Trainees who observed the actual procedure were more likely to be successful than those who watched the instructional video alone (HR 1.47; 95% CI 1.09–1.98; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Proctored VR training is no more effective than independent training with respect to surgical performance. Therefore, time‐consuming human expert feedback during VR training may be unnecessary. Instructional videos, while useful, may not be adequate substitutes for actual observation when trainees are learning minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Hereditäre Paragangliome
Authors: Müller U.
Published: November 2010

Hereditäre Paragangliome/Phäochromozytome werden autosomal-dominant vererbt. Es lassen sich 3 Formen, PGL1, PGL3 und PGL4 unterscheiden. Sie werden verursacht durch Mutationen in den Genen SDHD, SDHC und SDHB, welche für Komponenten des Komplexes II der mitochondrialen Atmungskette (Succinat-Ubiquinon-Reduktase, SDH) kodieren. Bei allen 3 Formen findet sich „loss of heterozygosity“ (LOH) der Region des mutierten Gens in Tumor-DNA. Dies führt zu Funktionsverlust der SDH, Anhäufung von Succinat sowie Sauerstoffradikalen. Dadurch werden hypoxieabhängige Stoffwechselwege aktiviert, welche zur Tumorbildung führen könnten. Während PGL3 und PGL4 sowohl durch maternal als auch durch paternal vererbte Keimbahnmutationen der Gene SDHC bzw. SDHB verursacht werden, findet sich PGL1 fast ausschließlich bei paternaler Transmission des mutierten SDHD-Gens. Diese Beobachtung lässt sich erklären durch partielle Inaktivierung (Imprinting) des maternalen SDHD-Gens und Induktion hypoxieabhängiger Gene in Paragangliengewebe, wodurch der Verlust des gesamten maternalen Chromosoms 11 durch Non-Disjunction begünstigt werden könnte.
Perceived corruption, distributive justice, and the legitimacy of the system of social stratification in the Czech Republic
Authors: Smith Michael L.
Published: November 2010

This article examines the relationship between social justice norms and the perceived legitimacy of the social stratification system in the Czech Republic. Despite the fact that meritocratic values have remained the dominant part of ideology in the Czech Republic throughout the transformation process, those values have played only a very minor role in fostering evaluations of system legitimacy, such as perceptions of system closure and widespread inequality. This article argues that perceived corruption is the key factor that negatively mediates the relationship between norms of distributive justice and beliefs about social legitimacy, and ultimately plays a major role in reducing the legitimacy of the social stratification system. The main analysis uses a structural equation model based on Czech data from the ISSP Role of Government Survey in 2006. The evidence lends support to the path dependency view of the social transformation process, according to which rampant corruption, which was a core legacy of the market transformation process, continues to shape system legitimacy even in the face of relative economic prosperity of the mid 2000s.
The UIAA Medical Commission Injury Classification for Mountaineering and Climbing Sports
Authors: Schöffl Volker , Morrison Audry , Hefti Urs , Ullrich Schwarz , Küpper Thomas
Published: November 2010

Objective

Variations in definitions, scores, and methodologies have created differences in the results and conclusions obtained from studies on mountaineering and climbing sports injuries and illnesses; this has made interstudy comparisons difficult or impossible. To develop a common, simple, and sport-specific scoring system to classify injuries and illnesses in mountaineering and climbing studies; such retrospective scoring would facilitate the analysis and surveillance of their frequencies, severity and fatalities, and outcomes of any treatment.

Methods

The UIAA (The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation) makes recommendations, sets policy, and advocates on behalf of the climbing and mountaineering community internationally through its various commissions. Using a nominal group consensus model approach, a working group was formed during the UIAA Medical Commission's meeting in Adršpach – Zdoňov, in the Czech Republic, 2008. This group critically examined climbing and other relevant literature for various methodological approaches in measuring injury incident rates and severity, including data sources, and produced a working document that was later edited and ratified by all members of the UIAA Medical Commission.

Results

Definitions of injury location, injury classification, and fatality risk are proposed. Case fatality, time-related injury risk, and a standardized metric climbing difficulty scale are also defined.

Conclusions

The medical commission of the UIAA recommends the use of the described criteria and scores for future research in mountaineering and climbing sports in order to enable robust and comprehensive interstudy comparisons and epidemiological analysis.
Economic versus Cultural Differences: Forms of Ethnic Diversity and Public Goods Provision
Authors: BALDWIN KATE , HUBER JOHN D.
Published: November 2010

Arguments about how ethnic diversity affects governance typically posit that groups differ from each other in substantively important ways and that these differences make effective governance more difficult. But existing cross-national empirical tests typically use measures of ethnolinguistic fractionalization (ELF) that have no information about substantive differences between groups. This article examines two important ways that groups differ from each other—culturally and economically—and assesses how such differences affect public goods provision. Across 46 countries, the analysis compares existing measures of cultural differences with a new measure that captures economic differences between groups: between-group inequality (BGI). We show that ELF, cultural fractionalization (CF), and BGI measure different things, and that the choice between them has an important impact on our understanding of which countries are most ethnically diverse. Furthermore, empirical tests reveal that BGI has a large, robust, and negative relationship with public goods provision, whereas CF, ELF, and overall inequality do not.
Newhouse phenomenon and homoclinic classes
Authors: YANG JIAGANG
Published: November 2010

We show that for a C1 generic subset of diffeomorphisms far from homoclinic tangencies, any infinite sequence of sinks or sources must accumulate on a homoclinic class of some saddle point with codimension one.
Topological and symbolic dynamics for hyperbolic systems with holes
Authors: BUNDFUSS STEFAN , KRÜGER TYLL , TROUBETZKOY SERGE
Published: November 2010

We consider an axiom A diffeomorphism or a Markov map of an interval and the invariant set Ω* of orbits which never falls into a fixed hole. We study various aspects of the symbolic representation of Ω* and of its non-wandering set Ωnw. Our results are on the cardinality of the set of topologically transitive components of Ωnw and their structure. We also prove that Ω* is generically a subshift of finite type in several senses.
Banning front-of-package food labels: First Amendment constraints on public health policy
Authors: Lytton Timothy D
Published: November 2010

In recent months, the FDA has begun a crackdown on misleading nutrition and health claims on the front of food packages by issuing warning letters to manufacturers and promising to develop stricter regulatory standards. Leading nutrition policy experts Marion Nestle and David Ludwig have called for an even tougher approach: a ban on all nutrition and health claims on the front of food packages. Nestle and Ludwig argue that most of these claims are scientifically unsound and misleading to consumers and that eliminating them would ‘aid educational efforts to encourage the public to eat whole or minimally processed foods and to read the ingredients list on processed foods’. Nestle and Ludwig are right to raise concerns about consumer protection and public health when it comes to front-of-package food labels, but an outright ban on front-of-package nutrition and health claims would violate the First Amendment. As nutrition policy experts develop efforts to regulate front-of-package nutrition and health claims, they should be mindful of First Amendment constraints on government regulation of commercial speech.
Das Konzept der chronischen Erkrankung in der Palliativbehandlung onkologischer Patientinnen: Schweizer Daten und Fakten zu Mamma- und Ovarialkarzinom
Authors: Güth  , Kilic  , Schmid
Published: November 2010

Die Umsetzung von Palliativkonzepten hat in den letzten Jahren dazu geführt, inkurable onkologische Erkrankungen vermehrt auch als chronische Erkrankung anzusehen. Um das Konzept der chronischen Erkrankung in der palliativen onkologischen Situation zu demonstrieren, müssen Gesamttherapieverläufe aller Patientinnen möglichst lückenlos (d.h. von der Diagnose des Rezidivs bis zum Tod) verfolgt werden. Dieser Ansatz wurde in der internationalen Literatur bisher selten vorgestellt. Wir berichten Langzeit-Daten aus der Schweiz (1990–2007) zu den Tumorentitäten Mamma- und Ovarialkarzinom und zeigen Möglichkeiten und Probleme einer exakten retrospektiven Datenerhebung auf. Wenn sich eine inkurable Krankheit durch wiederholte Behandlungszyklen über eine längere Zeit zurückdrängen, bzw. stabilisieren lässt, und diese Therapien möglichst nebenwirkungsarm und unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Lebensqualität gestaltet werden, sind die Kriterien einer Behandlungsstrategie im Sinne einer chronischen Erkrankung erfüllt.
Photochemische Internalisierung (PCI): eine Weiterentwicklung der photodynamischen Therapie zur Behandlung von Hautkrebs
Authors: Johansen  , Berg  , Selbo  , Hofbauer
Published: November 2010

In den letzten Jahren wurden mehrere neue und vor allem nicht-invasive Techniken zur Behandlung von weissem Hautkrebs untersucht und in die Klinik eingeführt. So sind heute topisch neben 5-FU und Kryotherapie die Behandlung mit z.B. Imiquimod oder Diclofenac/Hyaluronsäure nicht mehr wegzudenken. Zur Standardbehandlung gehört inzwischen ebenfalls die photodynamische Therapie (PDT). Eine Weiterentwicklung davon, die photochemische Internalisierung (PCI), unterläuft zurzeit erste klinische Tests mit vielversprechenden Ergebnissen bei der Behandlung von Osteosarkom, spinozellulärem Karzinom (SCC) der Haut und der Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Region sowie von Adenokarzinomen der Brust.
Gastro-Highlights 2010
Authors: Wirth  , Bauerfeind  , Häfner  , Müllhaupt  , Rösch  , Schwizer  , Rogler  , Fried
Published: November 2010

In diesem Sommer fand die alljährlich am Universitätsspital Zürich durchgeführte Fortbildungsveranstaltung «Gastro-Highlights» bereits zum fünfzehnten Mal statt. Im Rahmen dieses wiederum gut besuchten Symposiums wurden die wichtigsten neuen Erkenntnisse auf dem Fachgebiet der Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, die im vergangenen Jahr gewonnen und an der «Digestive Disease Week (DDW)» vorgestellt wurden, für die praktizierenden Gastroenterologen und Internisten zusammengefasst.
Regional modeling of the geomagnetic field in Europe from 6000 to 1000 B.C.
Authors: Pavón‐Carrasco F. Javier , Osete Maria Luisa , Torta J. Miquel
Published: November 2010

We have developed a first low‐degree regional geomagnetic model for the European continent valid for the period 6000–1000 B.C. from a selected compilation of sedimentary and archeomagnetic data (the SCHA.DIF.8K model). This model provides information about both direction (declination and inclination) and intensity of the Earth's magnetic field. By connecting it with our previous model, SCHA.DIF.3K, valid from 1000 B.C. to 1900 A.D., and the IGRF, we furnish continuous geomagnetic field information for the last 8000 years in Europe. It has been developed using the Revised Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis in 2 Dimensions technique (R‐SCHA2D) and using the norm of the Earth's magnetic field to constrain the inversion problem. The size of the cap is 22°, and the maximum degree of the expansion is 2. The linearization problem was solved by using the truncated Taylor's series applied to the expressions representing the relationship between the declination, inclination, and intensity data and the Cartesian components of the geomagnetic field. We used the geocentric axial dipole (GAD) field as our initial or reference field. For time, we used the classical sliding overlapping window method. The size of the window was set to 100 years shifted by 50 years. We compared the model's prediction with the input data, with the global CALS7K.2 model, and with new independent data. The regional model shows a better fit to the input and to the independent data than the global model, especially in terms of intensity, and agrees with the virtual axial dipole moment given by other studies. For the last 8000 years, the European geomagnetic field has recorded rapid changes or archeomagnetic jerks. The average field for the last 8000 years in Europe is indistinguishable from the GAD field.
A bootstrap algorithm for deriving the archeomagnetic field intensity variation curve in the Middle East over the past 4 millennia BC
Authors: Thébault E. , Gallet Y.
Published: November 2010

Recent compilations of archeomagnetic intensity data have shown the existence of outliers. Acknowledging this problem, we propose a new way of generating and studying the uniqueness of regional archeomagnetic master curves bypassing the need to assume a normal data error distribution. Our approach lessens the weight of outliers by applying an iteratively re‐weighted least‐squares method combined with a bootstrap algorithm. Given a particular set of archeomagnetic data associated with experimental and dating uncertainties, we produce an ensemble of curves that are designed to sample the conditional probability distribution of the ‘true’ master curve. Using this technique, we propose an archeointensity master curve with its probability density for the Middle East region that covers the past four millennia BC.
Reduced‐complexity modeling of free bar morphodynamics in alluvial channels
Authors: Nicholas A. P.
Published: November 2010

Reduced‐complexity models of river behavior that neglect much of the physics governing fluvial processes have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, previous studies have demonstrated that channel morphology simulated by such models can be both unrealistic and highly sensitive to model grid resolution. A new reduced‐complexity model is presented here and applied to simulate the development and migration of free alternate bars in straight channels. This model incorporates a simple new treatment of lateral flow redistribution driven by topographic steering but neglects the role of momentum conservation, secondary circulation, and factors such as spatial variability in bed roughness. This approach is shown to replicate many of the characteristics of alternate bars observed in individual laboratory experiments conducted by Lanzoni (2000) and to produce results that are in agreement with more generic relationships evident in a larger experimental data set presented previously by Ikeda (1984). Moreover, model results are shown to be independent of grid resolution and are largely consistent with those obtained using more sophisticated models based on the depth‐averaged form of the Navier‐Stokes equations. There remains a need to evaluate and refine model process parameterizations for a wider range of conditions (including those in natural channels) and to examine model behavior in situations involving variable channel width and curvature. However, the results presented here provide the first evidence that such reduced‐complexity models may be able to simulate the vertical and streamwise scaling of free bars in alluvial channels and represent the morphodynamic feedbacks that control their temporal evolution.
Efficacy of Aspergillus galactomannan‐directed preemptive therapy for the prevention of invasive aspergillosis in organ transplant recipients
Authors: Marino I.R. , Panarello G. , Singh N.
Published: November 2010

Editor's comment: This letter from Marino et al. represents confirmation of an important principle: a preemptive antimicrobial strategy based on a reliable laboratory finding is an excellent way to prevent clinical disease due to an important pathogen. We hope this approach can be expanded as useful early diagnostic techniques become more available. It is my belief that a therapeutic prescription based on a laboratory marker is a more robust approach than “empiric therapy,” where therapy is prescribed by algorithm rather than measurable laboratory findings (3).

R.H. Rubin, MD
The pathogenesis and management of influenza virus infection in organ transplant recipients
Authors: Vilchez R.A. , Fung J. , Kusne S.
Published: November 2010

Abstract: Infection with influenza viruses poses specific problems in adult and pediatric organ transplant recipients, including a higher rate of pulmonary and extra‐pulmonary complications. Also, data suggest that influenza is associated with acute cellular rejection and chronic allograft dysfunction. The main strategy of influenza prevention has been influenza immunization in order to stimulate local and systemic antibodies. However, studies have shown that antibody response to inactivated influenza vaccine is decreased in all groups of organ transplant recipients. A live attenuated influenza virus vaccine is nearing approval in the United States. However, studies are needed in organ transplant recipients to determine whether the live attenuated influenza virus vaccine can enable these patients to mount a protective immune response and what degree of protection or amelioration of illness is provided by such vaccine. It is also important to verify the safety of this vaccine in organ transplant recipients because live virus may cause severe disease in these patients. Therefore, other modalities of prevention against influenza, such as chemoprophylaxis with antiviral drugs, should be considered in this patient population. The current review provides an overview of the incidence, clinical manifestations, and strategies for the prevention and management of influenza in organ transplant recipients.
Multidrug‐resistant Corynebacterium striatum pneumonia in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Tarr P.E. , Stock F. , Cooke R.H. , Fedorko D.P. , Lucey D.R.
Published: November 2010

Abstract: Corynebacterium striatum is a rare, but likely underreported, cause of serious infections in immunocompromised hosts and generally is susceptible to multiple classes of antimicrobial agents. Here we report the first case of C. striatum infection in a solid organ transplant recipient. Three years after heart transplantation, a 58‐year‐old man developed bilateral pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. He did not improve with levofloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, and heparin treatment. A homogeneous population of abundant gram‐positive rods was repeatedly demonstrated in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and C. striatum was grown in pure culture. The isolate was unusual for its multidrug‐resistant (MDR) antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. The pneumonia resolved with 4 weeks of vancomycin therapy, in combination with rifampin given only during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The isolation of coryneforms (“diphtheroids”) is often attributed to contamination. Their abundant presence on direct examination of specimens and/or their growth in pure culture suggest a pathogenic role, however, and indicate the need for accurate microbiological identification, particularly in immunocompromised hosts who have been hospitalized and previously treated with antibiotics. Combination therapy that includes vancomycin may be the most prudent treatment for MDR C. striatum infections.
Antigen‐Stimulated Trafficking from the Recycling Compartment to the Plasma Membrane in RBL Mast Cells
Authors: Naal Rose Mary Z. G. , Holowka Eric P. , Baird Barbara , Holowka David
Published: November 2010

Binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐conjugated cholera toxin B subunit to ganglioside GM1 on RBL‐2H3 cells at 37 °C results in labeling of the plasma membrane as well as a pool of perinuclear intracellular membranes identified as the endosomal recycling compartment. Antigen‐mediated activation of IgE receptor signaling causes rapid, sustained outward trafficking of these labeled endosomes, that is monitored as an increase in FITC fluorescence due to relief of quenching in the acidic endosomes upon delivery to the plasma membrane. Stimulation of this process depends on the integrity of cholesterol‐dependent lipid rafts and occurs in response to Ca2+‐mobilizing thapsigargin as well as antigen. Inhibitors of some early signaling enzymes stimulated by FcεRI, including Syk tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, have little or no effect on this trafficking response. Other signaling pathways, including activation of phospholipase C and Ca2+ influx, do not appear to be necessary for the initiation of the outward trafficking response, but they contribute to maintaining the sustained phase of this process. Consistent with this, antigen‐stimulated ruffles are labeled with FITC‐cholera toxin B in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. Thus, this trafficking response provides a mechanism by which an internal membrane pool can contribute to plasma membrane remodeling during stimulated membrane ruffling, cell motility, and phagocytosis.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Internalization through Clathrin‐Coated Pits Requires Cbl RING Finger and Proline‐Rich Domains But Not Receptor Polyubiquitylation
Authors: Jiang Xuejun , Sorkin Alexander
Published: November 2010

Cbl proteins have been implicated in the regulation of endocytic trafficking of epidermal growth factor receptor. However, the precise role of Cbl in epidermal growth factor receptor endocytosis is not defined. To directly visualize Cbl in cells and perform structure‐function analysis of Cbl's role in epidermal growth factor receptor internalization, a yellow fluorescent protein‐fusion of c‐Cbl was constructed. Upon epidermal growth factor receptor activation, Cbl‐yellow fluorescent protein moved with epidermal growth factor receptor to clathrin‐coated pits and endosomes. Localization of Cbl‐yellow fluorescent protein to these endocytic organelles was dependent on a proline‐rich domain of c‐Cbl that interacts with Grb2 as shown by fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy. In contrast, direct binding of Cbl to phosphotyrosine 1045 of the epidermal growth factor receptor was required for epidermal growth factor receptor polyubiquitination, but was not essential for Cbl‐yellow fluorescent protein localization in epidermal growth factor receptor‐containing compartments. These data suggest that the binding of Cbl to epidermal growth factor receptor through Grb2 is necessary and sufficient for Cbl function during clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Overexpression of c‐Cbl mutants that are capable of Grb2 binding but defective in linker/RING finger domain function severely inhibited epidermal growth factor receptor internalization. The same dominant‐negative mutants of Cbl did not block epidermal growth factor receptor recruitment into coated pits but retained receptors in coated pits, thus preventing receptor endocytosis and transport to endosomes. These data suggest that the linker and RING finger domain of Cbl may function during late steps of coated vesicle formation. We propose that the RING domain of Cbl facilitates endocytosis either by epidermal growth factor receptor monoubiquitylation or by ubiquitylation of proteins associated with the receptor.
Presenilin‐1 Exists in Both Pre‐ and Post‐Golgi Compartments and Recycles Via COPI‐Coated Membranes
Authors: Réchards Marloes , Xia Weiming , Oorschot Viola M. J. , Selkoe Dennis J. , Klumperman Judith
Published: November 2010

Presenilin‐1 is involved in intramembrane proteolysis of various proteins, but its intracellular site of action has remained elusive. Here, we determined by quantitative immunogold‐electron microscopy that presenilin‐1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells is present in pre‐Golgi compartments as well as at the plasma membrane and endosomes. Notably, a high percentage of presenilin‐1 resides in COPI‐coated membranes between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, indicating significant recycling to the endoplasmic reticulum. By contrast, the inactive aspartate mutant presenilin‐1D257A is relatively excluded from COPI‐coated membranes, concomitant with increased post‐Golgi levels. These data provide critical evidence for the scenario that the complex containing presenilin‐1 can serve as γ‐secretase at the plasma membrane or endosomes and suggest a role for COPI‐mediated retrograde transport in regulating post‐Golgi levels of presenilin‐1.
Multiple factors influencing the release of hTERT mRNA from pancreatic cancer cell lines in in vitro culture
Authors: Okada Gensaku , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Ohtsubo Koushiro , Mouri Hisatsugu , Yamaguchi Yasushi , Motoo Yoshiharu , Sawabu Norio
Published: November 2010

Since telomerase expression is highly prevalent in human cancers, the quantitation of serum/plasma hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) mRNA levels may be useful for early detection of PCa (pancreatic cancer). To analyse the correspondence between exhTERT (extracellular hTERT) mRNA levels and hTERT expression, we designed a cell culture system to investigate factors modulating the extracellular levels of hTERT mRNA in media conditioned by eight PCa cell lines. We found that the level of exhTERT mRNA was dependent on cell growth rate. MIAPaCa‐2, PANC‐1, KLM‐1 and PK‐9 cells expressed high levels of exhTERT mRNA, independent of cell density, whereas proliferating PK‐59, BxPC‐3 and PK‐45H cells released low levels of exhTERT mRNA. The augmented release of mRNA by spontaneous dead MIAPaCa‐2 cells was further increased at postconfluence. In Capan‐1 cells, low correspondence of marker was also due to RNase secretion. Upon reaching confluence, some PCa cell lines showed down‐regulation of hTERT expression. Following cell—cell adhesion, as shown by E‐cadherin engagement, PK‐59 cells showed levels of extracellular message below the limits of detection, a loss not due to an increase in message degradation. These results suggest that the levels of exhTERT mRNA in the medium of PCa cell lines are altered not only in response to cell growth rate and cell destruction, but are responsive to extracellular cues such as RNases and cell density. A cell‐free assay for exhTERT mRNA may therefore not be useful for early detection of PCa.
Sensitivity and Specificity of French Language and Processing Measures for the Identification of Primary Language Impairment at Age 5
Authors: Thordardottir Elin , Kehayia Eva , Mazer Barbara , Lessard Nicole , Majnemer Annette , Sutton Ann , Trudeau Natacha , Chilingaryan Gevorg
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Research on the diagnostic accuracy of different language measures has focused primarily on English. This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of a range of measures of language knowledge and language processing for the identification of primary language impairment (PLI) in French-speaking children. Because of the lack of well-documented language measures in French, it is difficult to accurately identify affected children, and thus research in this area is impeded.

Method

The performance of 14 monolingual French-speaking children with confirmed, clinically identified PLI (M= 61.4 months of age,SD= 7.2 months) on a range of language and language processing measures was compared with the performance of 78 children with confirmed typical language development (Mage = 58.9 months,SD= 5.7). These included evaluations of receptive vocabulary, receptive grammar, spontaneous language, narrative production, nonword repetition, sentence imitation, following directions, rapid automatized naming, and digit span. Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios were determined at 3 cutoff points: (a) −1SD,(b) −1.28SD,and (b) −2SDbelow mean values. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to identify the most accurate cutoff for each measure.

Results

Significant differences between the PLI and typical language development groups were found for the majority of the language measures, with moderate to large effect sizes. The measures differed in their sensitivity and specificity, as well as in which cutoff point provided the most accurate decision. Ideal cutoff points were in most cases between the mean and −1SD. Sentence imitation and following directions appeared to be the most accurate measures.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that standardized measures of language and language processing provide accurate identification of PLI in French. The results are strikingly similar to previous results for English, suggesting that in spite of structural differences between the languages, PLI in both languages involves a generalized language delay across linguistic domains, which can be identified in a similar way using existing standardized measures.