bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposition of the First Epistle of St. John
Authors: Rothe
Published: March 2008

"Children, it is the last hour: and as ye have heard that the antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists ; whereby we know that it is the last hour. They have gone out from us, but they were not of us ; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they had to be made manifest ; because not all are of us. And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you that ye know not the truth, but that ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the anti christ, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father ; he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also."
An Interview With the Rt. Hon. Earl Russell, O.M., F.R.S
Authors: Russell Bertrand
Published: March 2008

In August of this year, Dr. Dalzell-Ward visited Lord Russell at his home and discussed subjects which ranged from mental health to the wellbeing of the aged, and which included the special problems of the adolescent. As readers will see, Lord Russell had some valuable advice to offer pn the use of leisure, and advocated adventure and the challenge of natural forces for the young.

We wish to express our gratitude to Lord Russell for granting this interview and for permission to publish the following extracts from the discussion.
L'École Des Parents
Authors: Isambert Andre
Published: March 2008

Monsieur André Isambert, President of L'École des Parents et des Éducateurs. Paris, was a guest speaker at the C.C.H.E.'s Annual Conference in January, 1962. Monsieur Isambert gave the following account of the activities and approach of his organisation, which is described as the National Centre for Family Education.
A Note on Population Analysis of Dissolution‐Absorption Models Using the Inverse Gaussian Function
Authors: Wang Jian , Weiss Michael , D'Argenio David Z.
Published: March 2008

Because conventional absorption models often fail to describe plasma concentration‐time profiles following oral administration, empirical input functions such as the inverse Gaussian function have been successfully used. The purpose of this note is to extend this model by adding a first‐order absorption process and to demonstrate the application of population analysis using maximum likelihood estimation via the EM algorithm (implemented in ADAPT 5). In one example, the analysis of bioavailability data of an extended‐release formulation, as well as the mean dissolution times estimated in vivo and in vitro with the use of the inverse Gaussian function, is well in accordance, suggesting that the inverse Gaussian function indeed accounts for the in vivo dissolution process. In the other example, the kinetics of trapidil in patients with liver disease, the absorption/dissolution parameters are characterized by a high interindividual variability. Adding a first‐order absorption process to the inverse Gaussian function improved the fit in both cases.
Modeling Parents and Nurses' Relationships
Authors: de Montigny Francine , Lacharité Carl
Published: March 2008

Over the past 20 years, the transition to parenting has been widely investigated as much in nursing as in psychology. The challenges of this developmental period, such as developing parenting efficacy, and the resources available to one or both parents have been explored. Different factors have been found to influence parents' perceived efficacy, such as the quality of social support, the quality of the marital relationship, and the level of stress and anxiety. Little attention has been paid, however, to the influence of nurses' relationships with parents on parents' development of parenting efficacy, especially with multiparous parents. This information is needed to better understand nurses' contribution to parenting development. A model of the primary variables of interest—perceived parenting efficacy, critical events, and nurses' collaborative and help-giving practices—is presented.
Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate and Noninsertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Kane Timothy P. C. , Ismail Muhammad , Calder James D. F.
Published: March 2008

Background

Topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) therapy has been advocated in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. The mechanism of action is unknown but may be related to modulation of local nitric oxide levels.

Hypothesis

Topical GTN therapy for noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy will significantly enhance clinical improvement and will be associated with increased collagen synthesis within the tendon.

Study Design

Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Forty patients were recruited. Twenty underwent standard nonoperative physical therapy, and 20 underwent physical therapy and topical GTN daily. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) visual analog score. Patients who failed to improve with conservative measures and who underwent surgical decompression had histological and immunohistochemical examination of samples from the Achilles tendon.

Results

Glyceryl trinitrate did not offer any additional clinical benefit over standard nonoperative treatment for noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy. After 6 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in scores between the groups for pain (3.0 vs 3.1, P = .42) or disability (2.15 vs 2.25, P = .38). Histological examination did not show any difference in neovascularization, collagen synthesis, or stimulated fibroblasts between the 2 groups. There was no evidence of modulation of nitric oxide synthase, a marker of nitric oxide production, in those tendons treated with GTN.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

This study has failed to support the clinical benefit of GTN patches previously described in the literature. In the available tissue samples, there did not appear to be any histological or immunohistochemical change in Achilles tendinopathy treated with GTN compared with those undergoing standard nonoperative therapy.
Effect of a Neuromuscular Training Program on the Kinetics and Kinematics of Jumping Tasks
Authors: Chappell Jonathan D. , Limpisvasti Orr
Published: March 2008

Background

Altered motor control strategies are a proposed cause of the female athlete's increased risk for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury. Injury prevention programs have shown promising results in decreasing the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Modified Neuromuscular Training Program on the biomechanics of select jumping tasks in the female collegiate athlete.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Thirty female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I soccer and basketball players performed vertical jump, hopping tests, and 2 jumping tasks (drop jump and stop jump). All subjects completed a 6-week neuromuscular training program with core strengthening and plyometric training. Three-dimensional motion analysis and force plate data were used to compare the kinetics and kinematics of jumping tasks before and after training.

Results

Dynamic knee valgus moment during the stance phase of stop jump tasks decreased after completion of the neuromuscular training program ( P = .04), but differences were not observed for the drop jump. Initial knee flexion ( P = .003) and maximum knee flexion ( P = .006) angles increased during the stance phase of drop jumps after training, but differences were not observed for the stop jump. The athletes showed improved performance in vertical jump ( P < .001), right 1-legged hop ( P < .001), and left 1-legged hop( P<.001).

Conclusion

Completion of a 6-week neuromuscular training program improved select athletic performance measures and changed movement patterns during jumping tasks in the subject population.

Clinical Relevance

The use of this neuromuscular training program could potentially modify the collegiate athlete's motion strategies, improve performance, and lower the athlete's risk for injury.
Life Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Health Status Among Elder Korean Women: Focus on Living Arrangements
Authors: An Ji-Young , An Kyungeh , O'Connor Linda , Wexler Sharon
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine whether living arrangements significantly affect life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status of elder Korean women. A total of 121 women aged 65 to 89 was interviewed in an urban community senior center in Korea. The convenience sample was obtained by face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status were strongly correlated with each other. Living arrangements significantly affected life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health status. Women who live with their married son had the highest life satisfaction and self-esteem and perceived themselves to be healthier in comparison to their counterparts. Therefore, government programs need to be developed to assist children in caring for their parents to improve their overall well-being.
Bereavement of Spousal Suicide
Authors: Watford Monique L.
Published: March 2008

This study is a reflective exploration of my experience as a survivor of spousal suicide within the context of the suicidology literature. I use my experience in heuristic research to question the rationale of concentrating on the differences and/or similarities of people bereaved by suicide versus people bereaved by other modes of death and whether it might be more helpful to compare suicide survivors to each other. I also explore the possibility of looking to the prodramata in order to discover potential within-group variability that may shed some light on suicide survivor experiences and grief reactions.
Bcl-2–family proteins and hematologic malignancies: history and future prospects
Authors: Reed John C.
Published: March 2008

BCL-2 was the first antideath gene dis-covered, a milestone that effectively launched a new era in cell death research. Since its discovery more than 2 decades ago, multiple members of the human Bcl-2 family of apoptosis-regulating proteins have been identified, including 6 antiapoptotic proteins, 3 structurally similar proapoptotic proteins, and several structurally diverse proapoptotic interacting proteins that operate as upstream agonists or antagonists. Bcl-2–family proteins regulate all major types of cell death, including apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. As such, they operate as nodal points at the convergence of multiple pathways with broad relevance to biology and medicine. Bcl-2 derives its name from its original discovery in the context of B-cell lymphomas, where chromosomal translocations commonly activate the BCL-2 protooncogene, endowing B cells with a selective survival advantage that promotes their neoplastic expansion. The concept that defective programmed cell death contributes to malignancy was established by studies of Bcl-2, representing a major step forward in current understanding of tumorigenesis. Experimental therapies targeting Bcl-2 family mRNAs or proteins are currently in clinical testing, raising hopes that a new class of anticancer drugs may be near.
Notch-dependent control of myelopoiesis is regulated by fucosylation
Authors: Zhou Lan , Li Lebing Wei , Yan Quanjian , Petryniak Bronislawa , Man Yunfang , Su Charles , Shim Jeongsup , Chervin Stephanie , Lowe John B.
Published: March 2008

Cell-cell contact–dependent mechanisms that modulate proliferation and/or differentiation in the context of hematopoiesis include mechanisms characteristic of the interactions between members of the Notch family of signal transduction molecules and their ligands. Whereas Notch family members and their ligands clearly modulate T lymphopoietic decisions, evidence for their participation in modulating myelopoiesis is much less clear, and roles for posttranslational control of Notch-dependent signal transduction in myelopoiesis are unexplored. We report here that a myeloproliferative phenotype in FX−/− mice, which are conditionally deficient in cellular fucosylation, is consequent to loss of Notch-dependent signal transduction on myeloid progenitor cells. In the context of a wild-type fucosylation phenotype, we find that the Notch ligands suppress myeloid differentiation of progenitor cells and enhance expression of Notch target genes. By contrast, fucosylation-deficient myeloid progenitors are insensitive to the suppressive effects of Notch ligands on myelopoiesis, do not transcribe Notch1 target genes when cocultured with Notch ligands, and have lost the wild-type Notch ligand-binding phenotype. Considered together, these observations indicate that Notch-dependent signaling controls myelopoiesis in vivo and in vitro and identifies a requirement for Notch fucosylation in the expression of Notch ligand binding activity and Notch signaling efficiency in myeloid progenitors.
Association of dopaminergic pathway gene polymorphisms with chronic renal insufficiency among Asian Indians with type-2 diabetes
Authors: Prasad Pushplata , Kumar KM Prasanna , Ammini AC , Gupta Arvind , Gupta Rajeev , Thelma BK
Published: March 2008

Background

Genetic markers conferring susceptibility to diabetes specific renal disease remains to be identified for early prediction and development of effective drugs and therapies. Inconsistent results obtained from analysis of genes from classical pathways generate need for examination of unconventional genetic markers having role in regulation of renal function. Experimental and clinical evidences suggest that dopamine is an important natriuretic hormone. Therefore, various genes involved in regulation of dopamine bioavailability could play a role in diabetic chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). We investigated the contribution of 12 polymorphisms from five Dopaminergic pathway genes to CRI among type-2 diabetic Asian Indian subjects.

Methods

Genetic association of 12 polymorphisms (SNPs) from five genes namely-dopamine receptor-1 (DRD1),DRD2,DRD3,DRD4, andcatechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) with diabetic CRI was investigated using a case-control approach. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to correlate various clinical parameters with genotypes, and to study pair wise interactions between SNPs of different genes.

Results

SNPs-141 ins/del C and G>A(1 kb upstream from exon 2) in DRD2 gene showed significant allelic and genotypic association. Allele-141 insCand genotype-141 insC/insCof-141 ins/del Cpolymorphism, and allele A ofG>ASNP were found to be predisposing to CRI. Our result of allelic and genotypic association of -141 insC/delCSNP was also reflected in the haplotypic association. Heterozygous genotype of polymorphism900 ins/del C in COMTgene was predisposing towards CRI.

Conclusion

Some polymorphisms inDRD2andCOMTgenes are significantly associated with susceptibility to CRI in the Asian Indian population which, if confirmed would be consistent with a suggested role of dopamine metabolism in disease occurrence.
Indirect genomic effects on survival from gene expression data
Authors: Ferkingstad Egil , Frigessi Arnoldo , Lyng Heidi
Published: March 2008

In cancer, genes may have indirect effects on patient survival, mediated through interactions with other genes. Methods to study the indirect effects that contribute significantly to survival are not available. We propose a novel methodology to detect and quantify indirect effects from gene expression data. We discover indirect effects through several target genes of transcription factors in cancer microarray data, pointing to genetic interactions that play a significant role in tumor progression.
Beyond Ontology and Sexual Difference: An Interview with the Italian Feminist Philosopher Adriana Cavarero
Authors: Cavarero Adriana , Bertolino Elisabetta
Published: March 2008

This interview with the Italian feminist philosopher Adriana Cavarero situates Cavarero's thought among the philosophical positions of such thinkers as Jacques Derrida, Giorgio Agamben, Jean-Luc Nancy, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Emmanuel Levinas, and Hannah Arendt, as well as engaging the feminist theory of Judith Butler. While addressing such topics as globalization, terrorism, violence, and vulnerability, the question of ontology is central to the interview. Cavarero refines Arendt's perspective and emphasizes an ontology of singularity characterized by the materiality of human uniqueness together with its necessary relationality and vulnerability. Sceptical of postmodern, poststructuralist, and deconstructive theories that share a refusal of ontology and an avoidance of metaphysical closure, Cavarero points out that such a refusal tends to think ontology as something necessarily metaphysical. In contrast, for Cavarero ontology, must be reconsidered and treated with cattive intenzioni, bad intentions, because if it is simply questioned or deconstructed, and thus avoided, then ontology itself is not transformed. By focusing on the uniqueness of the individual as an ontological category, Cavarero disrupts the sacrificial economy of traditional ontology.
Optimal Betting Strategies for Simultaneous Games
Authors: Grant Andrew , Johnstone David , Kwon Oh Kang
Published: March 2008

In this paper we consider the problem of optimal betting on simultaneous games when the bookmaker accepts bets on the joint outcome of subsets of any combination of those events, called parlays, accumulators, or multibets. When the bookmaker's take is a fixed proportion of the wager, multibetting on all n games replicates any other betting strategy and dominates separate (simultaneous) bets on individual games. When, more typically, the bookmaker quotes multiplicative payouts, and hence takes a higher percentage on multibets than bets on single games, the optimal betting strategy depends on the bettor's utility function. We consider the special case of a Kelly (log utility) bettor, and the more general case of a λ-Kelly bettor who wagers a fixed fraction λ ≤ 1 of the full-Kelly bet. Our main result is that when the bookmaker offers multiplicative payouts, a Kelly or λ-Kelly bettor realizes the same monetary outcome by multibetting as would have been achieved by sequential betting on single games (were sequential bets possible). It follows, therefore, that even when games are sequential, a Kelly or λ-Kelly bettor should only bet sequentially when there is an expectation of the bookmaker's odds becoming more favorable nearer to game time.
On Near Optimality of the Set of Finite-State Controllers for Average Cost POMDP
Authors: Yu Huizhen , Bertsekas Dimitri P.
Published: March 2008

We consider the average cost problem for partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDP) with finite state, observation, and control spaces. We prove that there exists an ϵ-optimal finite-state controller (FSC) functionally independent of initial distributions for any ϵ > 0, under the assumption that the optimal liminf average cost function of the POMDP is constant. As part of our proof, we establish that if the optimal liminf average cost function is constant, then the optimal limsup average cost function is also constant, and the two are equal. We also discuss the connection between the existence of nearly optimal finite-history controllers and two other important issues for average cost POMDP: the existence of an average cost that is independent of the initial state distribution, and the existence of a bounded solution to the constant average cost optimality equation.
Alternating Projections on Manifolds
Authors: Lewis Adrian S. , Malick Jérôme
Published: March 2008

We prove that if two smooth manifolds intersect transversally, then the method of alternating projections converges locally at a linear rate. We bound the speed of convergence in terms of the angle between the manifolds, which in turn we relate to the modulus of metric regularity for the intersection problem, a natural measure of conditioning. We discuss a variety of problem classes where the projections are computationally tractable, and we illustrate the method numerically on a problem of finding a low-rank solution of a matrix equation.
Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique IndividualsJoan A. Friedman (2008). Da Capo Press, Life Long Books, 224 pp., US$15.95, ISBN 13 978 0 7382 1087 2
Authors: Cath Danielle
Published: March 2008

To raise twins is a challenge, just as it is to be part of a twin pair. This was the message communicated by Joan Friedman, the author of the book: Emotionally Healthy Twins: A New Philosophy for Parenting Two Unique Individuals. Friedman is a twin herself and also a mother of twins, and a psychotherapist specialized in the treatment of twin-related problems. The book presents seven basic concepts meant to raise twins in such a way that they become emotionally healthy adults.
Pegvisomant increases intra-abdominal fat in patients with acromegaly: a pilot study.
Authors: Plöckinger U , Reuter T
Published: March 2008

Objective

Acromegalic patients have increased lipolysis and decreased fat mass as well as reduced insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance. During somatostatin analog therapy, these changes persist despite GH suppression, but they are now due to drug-induced suppression of insulin secretion. By contrast, during pegvisomant (PEG) therapy, GH no longer stimulates lipolysis due to the blockade of its receptor, while insulin action is unabated. Hence, both insulin sensitivity and fat mass, including intra-abdominal fat, should increase. We therefore studied intra-abdominal fat and insulin resistance in acromegalic patients after a 3-month octreotide-washout period, i.e., during untreated acromegaly, and during PEG treatment.

Methods

Five acromegalic patients, not controlled on octreotide (OCT) therapy, were studied after 3-month OCT washout and 6-month PEG therapy. Insulin sensitivity was determined by homeostatic model assessment value and hyperinsulinemic, normoglycemic clamp. Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat were measured by electron beam computed tomography.

Results

During PEG therapy, all the patients had normal, age-adjusted IGF-I concentrations. Compared with washout, insulin sensitivity (HOMA andMvalue) was not significantly different. However, intra-abdominal fat mass increased significantly during therapy (median (range) cm2: 112 (84–480) and 172 (112–524) respectively,P<0.05), while subcutaneous fat was not significantly different. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides remained unchanged.

Conclusions

During PEG therapy of acromegalic patients, intra-abdominal fat increases. Visceral obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Hence, confirmation and further studies in a larger cohort of acromegalic patients on PEG treatment are warranted.
Repeated administration of ghrelin to patients with functional dyspepsia: its effects on food intake and appetite.
Authors: Akamizu Takashi , Iwakura Hiroshi , Ariyasu Hiroyuki , Hosoda Hiroshi , Murayama Toshinori , Yokode Masayuki , Teramukai Satoshi , Seno Hiroshi , Chiba Tsutomu , Noma Shunichi , Nakai Yoshikatsu , Fukunaga Mikihiko , Nakai Yoshihide , Kangawa Kenji ,   FD Clinical Study Team
Published: March 2008

Background

Ghrelin plays a major role in the regulation of food intake (FI), which makes it a strong candidate for the treatment of anorexia.

Objective

We attempted to evaluate the clinical response to repeated ghrelin administration in patients with anorexia caused by functional disorders, such as functional dyspepsia (FD).

Subjects and methods

Subjects included in this study were those who 1) were diagnosed with functional anorexia, including FD and other eating disorders with the exception of anorexia nervosa; 2) were lean (body mass index (BMI)<22 kg/m2); and 3) exhibited decreased FI. Subjects received an i.v. infusion of ghrelin (3 μg/kg) for 30 min twice a day (before breakfast and dinner) for 2 weeks. We investigated the effects of ghrelin administration on FI, appetite, hormones, and metabolic parameters.

Results

Six patients with FD were enrolled in this study. Ghrelin administration tended to increase daily FI in comparison with levels before and after completion of treatment, but this difference that was the primary endpoint of this study did not reach statistical significance (P=0.084). Hunger sensation was significantly elevated at the end of drip infusion (P<0.0001). No severe adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ghrelin administration is safe and that this treatment has stimulatory effects on appetite in patients with FD. Further studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of ghrelin treatment for anorexia-related disorders.
Plasma 1,25(OH)2D levels decrease in postmenopausal women with hypovitaminosis D.
Authors: Rejnmark Lars , Vestergaard Peter , Heickendorff Lene , Mosekilde Leif
Published: March 2008

Objective

Although calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D) is considered the biologically active vitamin D metabolite, several studies have shown that calcidiol (25OHD) is the vitamin D metabolite that is most closely linked to parathyroid function and indices of calcium homeostasis. Moreover, low levels of 25OHD have been associated with increased risk of different diseases including cancer, diabetes, and myopathy.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

We studied relations between plasma concentrations of 25OHD, 1,25(OH)2D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in fasting plasma samples from 315 healthy postmenopausal women randomly selected from the local background population.

Results

P-1,25(OH)2D levels varied in a concentration-dependent manner with P-25OHD levels (P<0.001). Thus, P-1,25(OH)2D levels were the lowest in women with vitamin D insufficiency, i.e., P-1,25(OH)2D levels were reduced by approximately one-third in subjects with P-25OHD levels below 25 nmol/l compared with levels above 80 nmol/l (P<0.01). The association was most pronounced at P-25OHD concentrations below 80 nmol/l, whereas no major increase in P-1,25(OH)2D was observed at P-25OHD concentrations above 80 nmol/l. In multiple regression analysis, PTH was a minor although significant predictor of P-1,25(OH)2D levels.

Conclusions

In normal postmenopausal women, the conversion of 25OHD to active vitamin D depends on the substrate concentration. Our data support that vitamin D insufficiency should be considered at P-25OHD levels below 80 nmol/l.
Daily insulin requirement of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: effect of age, gender, body mass index and mode of therapy.
Authors: Wiegand Susanna , Raile Klemens , Reinehr Thomas , Hofer Sabine , Näke Andrea , Rabl Wolfgang , Holl Reinhard W , _ _
Published: March 2008

Design

The purpose of this study was to generate insulin dose (ID) percentiles for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) having the opportunity to assess this important parameter in relation to age and sex.

Methods

Daily IDs per weight (ID/kg) were recorded in 22 177 patients with DM1 (3–25 years of age, DM1 duration of more than 2 years, 48% female) and ID percentiles (ID-Perc) were created statistically. The ID-Perc were compared between male and female, and between multiple insulin injection therapy (MIT) and continuous s.c. insulin infusion (CSII). A multivariate regression analysis was performed for ID in the third year of DM1 with ID/kg, body weight, age, gender, and insulin delivery regimen as variables.

Results

The 50th ID-Perc (P50) varied among 0.67 IU/kg (age 3 years), 0.93 IU/kg (13 years), and 0.70 IU/kg (23 years) increasing from early childhood to adolescence and decreasing toward adulthood. Highest P50 ID was found at 12 years in females (0.94 IU/kg) and at 14 years in males (0.92 IU/kg). Using ICT, the ID was significantly higher compared with CSII (P50: 0.94 IU/kg versus 0.79 IU/kg at 13 years). In multivariate regression analysis, ID was significantly (P>0.001) associated with age, gender, and insulin delivery regime.

Conclusion

The ID-Perc were significantly different during various periods of childhood and were influenced by gender, body weight, and insulin injection regimes. Therefore, the presented data 1) provide evidence to interpret individual ID in children and adolescents with DM1 and 2) more specifically identify children with unusually high (insulin resistance and non-compliance) or low (MODY and persistent remission) insulin requirement.
Escenarios mundiales y regionales de la educación superior
Authors: López Segrera Francisco
Published: March 2008

El presente artículo presenta un análisis y un ejercicio prospectivo de posibles escenarios y alternativas globales de la educación superior, de entre ellos: modelo tradicional; modelo de libre mercado; educación permanente; red global de instituciones; desaparición de las universidades. Estos escenarios tienen relaciones con el desarrollo de temas de largo contexto, como la globaliazación, la sociedad del conocimiento, las redes de cooperación regionales, la educación permanente y sobre todo los desdoblamientos de la disputa respecto al significado de la educación superior como bien público o comercio rentable.
Perforated epiphrenic diverticulum with secondary septic pleuritis in two horses
Authors: Gonzalez M. , Swor T. M. , Hines M. T.
Published: March 2008

This report describes 2 cases of oesophageal diverticula in horses in which the perforation of the diverticulum led to septic pleuritis. Both cases presented as emergencies with the clinical complaint of colic and had evidence of endotoxic/septic shock. Due to its rareness and its tendency to masquerade as a variety of more common conditions, the recognition and management of intrathoracic oesophageal perforation in horses can be difficult, and neither of the horses presented here had clinical signs consistent with oesophageal obstruction upon presentation.

The cases reported here illustrate the importance of a complete physical evaluation, and of taking into consideration the thorax as a source of colic signs and systemic inflammatory response syndrome in horses.
Unilateral testicular mastocytoma in a Peruvian Paso stallion
Authors: Brown James A. , O'Brien M. A. , Hodder A. D. J. , Peterson T. , Claes A. , Liu I. K. M. , Ball B. A.
Published: March 2008

A 12‐year‐old Peruvian Paso stallion was examined for scrotal swelling and unilateral testicular enlargement of 4–6 weeks duration. Physical examination and ultrasonography of the scrotum revealed an enlarged, nonpainful right testis with a well encapsulated mass at the cranial‐medial aspect containing echodense flocculent material. Unilateral castration was performed and the testis, spermatic cord and vaginal tunic were submitted for histological examination, which revealed a mastocytoma with accompanying evidence of malignancy. Short‐term follow‐up examination did not reveal any evidence of abdominal metastasis and the stallion has since successfully achieved pregnancy in a small number of mares. Although considered rare, mast cell neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis when unilateral testicular enlargement is encountered.
Laparoscopic repair of a ruptured bladder in an adult mare
Authors: Rijkenhuizen A. B. M. , van Loon T. J. A. M. , Boswinkel M.
Published: March 2008

A bladder rupture suffered by an adult mare during parturition was repaired, using a laparoscopic approach with the mare in dorsal recumbency. During the laparoscopic approach, the bladder was empty, inverted and had a rent on the dorsal apical surface. The bladder was located far caudally within the pelvis. By grasping the left lateral ligament and exerting gentle traction, it proved possible to manoeuvre the bladder more cranially where the rupture could be sutured. The benefits of the laparoscopic approach are reduction in incision size, visualisation of the tear, reachability of the empty bladder and the tear, and reduced reconvalescence time.
Assignment of relevés to pre‐defined classes by supervised clustering of plant communities using a new composite index
Authors: van Tongeren Onno , Gremmen Niek , Hennekens Stephan
Published: March 2008

Question:How does a newly designed method of supervised clustering perform in the assignment of relevé (species composition) data to a previously established classification. How do the results compare to the assignment by experts and to the assignment using a completely different numerical method?

Material:Relevés analysed represent 4186 Czech grassland plots and 4990 plots from a wide variety of vegetation types (359 different associations or basal communities) in The Netherlands. For both data sets we had at our disposal an expert classification, and for the Czech data we also had available a numerical classification as well as a classification based on a neural network method (multi‐layer perceptron).

Methods:Two distance indices, one qualitative and one quantitative, are combined into a single index by weighted multiplication. The composite index is a distance index for the dissimilarity between relevés and vegetation types. For both data sets the classifications by the new method were compared with the existing classifications.

Results:For the Czech grasslands we correctly classified 81% of the plots to the classes of an expert classification at the alliance level and 71% to the classes of the numerical classification. Correct classification rates for the Dutch relevés were 64, 78 and 83 % for the lowest (subassociation or association), association, and alliance level, respectively.

Conclusion:Our method performs well in assigning community composition records to previously established classes. Its performance is comparable to the performance of other methods of supervised clustering. Compared with a multi‐layer perceptron (a type of artificial neural network), fewer parameters have to be estimated. Our method does not need the original relevé data for the types, but uses synoptic tables. Another practical advantage is the provision of directly interpretable information on the contributions of separate species to the result.
Genetic analysis of 14 families with Schnyder crystalline corneal dystrophy reveals clues to UBIAD1 protein function
Authors: Weiss Jayne S. , Kruth Howard S. , Kuivaniemi Helena , Tromp Gerard , Karkera Jayaprakash , Mahurkar Sunil , Lisch Walter , Dupps William J , White Peter S. , Winters R. Scott , Kim Chaesik , Rapuano Christopher J. , Sutphin John , Reidy Jim , Hu Fung‐Rong , Lu Da Wen , Ebenezer Neil , Nickerson Michael L.
Published: March 2008

Schnyder crystalline corneal dystrophy (SCCD) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by progressive corneal opacification resulting from abnormal deposition of cholesterol and phospholipids. Recently, six different mutations on the UBIAD1 gene on chromosome 1p36 were found to result in SCCD. The purpose of this article is to further characterize the mutation spectrum of SCCD and identify structural and functional consequences for UBIAD1 protein activity. DNA sequencing was performed on samples from 36 individuals from 14 SCCD families. One affected individual was African American and SCCD has not been previously reported in this ethnic group. We identified UBIAD1 mutations in all 14 families which had 30 affected and 6 unaffected individuals. Eight different UBIAD1 mutations, 5 novel (L121F, D118G, and S171P in exon 1, G186R and D236E in exon 2) were identified. In four families with DNA samples from both affected and unaffected individuals, the D118G, G186R, T175I, and G177R mutations cosegregated with SCCD. In combination with our previous report, we have identified the genetic mutation in UBIAD1 in 20 unrelated families with 10 (including 5 reported here), having the N102S mutation. The results suggest that N102S may be a mutation hot spot because the affected families were unrelated including Caucasian and Asian individuals. There was no genotype phenotype correlation except for the T175I mutation which demonstrated prominent diffuse corneal haze, typically without corneal crystals. Protein analysis revealed structural and functional implications of SCCD mutations which may affect UBIAD1 function, ligand binding and interaction with binding partners, like apo E. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Array comparative genomic hybridization in global developmental delay
Authors: Shevell M.I. , Bejjani B.A. , Srour M. , Rorem E.A. , Hall N. , Shaffer L.G.
Published: March 2008

Objective: Array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is an emerging technology that allows for the genome‐wide detection of DNA copy number changes (CNC) such as deletions or duplications. In this study, array‐based CGH was applied to a consecutive series of children with previously undiagnosed non‐syndromal global developmental delay (GDD) to assess potential etiologic yield. Methods: The children in this study were drawn from a previously reported consecutive series of children with well‐defined GDD. Almost all subjects had undergone prior karyotyping and neuroimaging studies with non‐diagnostic results. Array‐based CGH was undertaken using the SignatureChip® (1887 BACs representing 622 loci) with abnormalities verified by subsequent FISH analysis and testing of parents to distinguish between pathogenic and familial non‐pathogenic variants. Results: On CGH analysis in our study, 6 of 94 children (6.4%) had a causally related pathogenic CNC. Three were sub‐telomeric in location. An analysis of a variety of clinical factors revealed that only the presence of minor dysmorphic features (<3) was predictive of etiologic yield on CGH analysis (4/26 vs. 2/68, P = 0.05). Severity of delay was not found to be predictive. Interpretation: In children with non‐syndromal GDD, array‐based CGH has an etiologic yield of 6.4%. This suggests that this emerging technology may be of diagnostic value when applied subsequent to detailed history, physical examination, and targeted laboratory testing. Array CGH may merit consideration as a first‐tier test in the context of a child with unexplained GDD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Candidate genes for schizophrenia: A survey of association studies and gene ranking
Authors: Sun Jingchun , Kuo Po‐Hsiu , Riley Brien P. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Zhao Zhongming
Published: March 2008

More than 500 genes have been reported with positive or negative association with schizophrenia. The wealth of this information, along with the complex nature of psychiatric disorders, provides a challenging but also unique opportunity for the investigation of molecular and cellular mechanisms in schizophrenia. In this study, we performed a comprehensive survey of the published association studies collected in the SchizophreniaGene database. We observed over time a strong trend for increases in the number of published reports, the number of studied genes, and the sample size of the studies. We also examined the studies, genes, and sample sizes in different ethnic populations and the distribution of these association studies and their employed markers among these susceptibility genes. We then selected and ranked candidate genes using a combined odds ratio method. The evaluation of this candidate gene set against sets selected by other methods suggested its utility in follow‐up association studies and in further bioinformatics analysis. We also examined the functional biases of the selected genes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exclusion of linkage to chromosome 14q in a large South Tyrolean family with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC)
Authors: Volpato Claudia Béu , De Grandi Alessandro , Buffone Ebba , Pichler Irene , Gebert Uwe , Schifferle Günther , Schönhuber Rudolf , Pramstaller Peter P.
Published: March 2008

Familial Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification (FIBGC) is a neurodegenerative syndrome that usually follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Linkage to only one locus on chromosome 14q (IBCG1) has been described so far. We identified and characterized a large multigenerational Italian family from a population isolate with 14 FIBGC affected members. Linkage analysis excluded the IBCG1 locus, thus demonstrating further locus heterogeneity for this disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A genome‐wide linkage scan provides evidence for both new and previously reported loci influencing common migraine
Authors: Ligthart Lannie , Nyholt Dale R. , Hottenga Jouke‐Jan , Distel Marijn A. , Willemsen Gonneke , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: March 2008

Latent class analysis was performed on migraine symptom data collected in a Dutch population sample (N = 12,210, 59% female) in order to obtain empirical groupings of individuals suffering from symptoms of migraine headache. Based on these heritable groupings (h2 = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.41–0.57) individuals were classified as affected (migrainous headache) or unaffected. Genome‐wide linkage analysis was performed using genotype data from 105 families with at least 2 affected siblings. In addition to this primary phenotype, linkage analyses were performed for the individual migraine symptoms. Significance levels, corrected for the analysis of multiple traits, were determined empirically via a novel simulation approach. Suggestive linkage for migrainous headache was found on chromosomes 1 (LOD = 1.63; pointwise P = 0.0031), 13 (LOD = 1.63; P = 0.0031), and 20 (LOD = 1.85; P = 0.0018). Interestingly, the chromosome 1 peak was located close to the ATP1A2 gene, associated with familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2). Individual symptom analysis produced a LOD score of 1.97 (P = 0.0013) on chromosome 5 (photo/phonophobia), a LOD score of 2.13 (P = 0.0009) on chromosome 10 (moderate/severe pain intensity) and a near significant LOD score of 3.31 (P = 0.00005) on chromosome 13 (pulsating headache). These peaks were all located near regions previously reported in migraine linkage studies. Our results provide important replication and support for the presence of migraine susceptibility genes within these regions, and further support the utility of an LCA‐based phenotyping approach and analysis of individual symptoms in migraine genetic research. Additionally, our novel “2‐step” analysis and simulation approach provides a powerful means to investigate linkage to individual trait components. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A hybrid approach to Web forum interactional coherence analysis
Authors: Fu Tianjun , Abbasi Ahmed , Chen Hsinchun
Published: March 2008

Despite the rapid growth of text‐based computer‐mediated communication (CMC), its limitations have rendered the media highly incoherent. This poses problems for content analysis of online discourse archives. Interactional coherence analysis (ICA) attempts to accurately identify and construct CMC interaction networks. In this study, we propose the Hybrid Interactional Coherence (HIC) algorithm for identification of web forum interaction. HIC utilizes a bevy of system and linguistic features, including message header information, quotations, direct address, and lexical relations. Furthermore, several similarity‐based methods including a Lexical Match Algorithm (LMA) and a sliding window method are utilized to account for interactional idiosyncrasies. Experiments results on two web forums revealed that the proposed HIC algorithm significantly outperformed comparison techniques in terms of precision, recall, and F‐measure at both the forum and thread levels. Additionally, an example was used to illustrate how the improved ICA results can facilitate enhanced social network and role analysis capabilities.
Assessment of the Embryonic Stem Cell Test and application and use in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Paquette Jennifer A. , Kumpf Steven W. , Streck Randal D. , Thomson Jason J. , Chapin Robert E. , Stedman Donald B.
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: The European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) designed the Embryonic Stem Cell Test (EST) as a tool for classifying developmentally toxic compounds. An in vitro tool to assess developmental toxicity would be of great value to the pharmaceutical industry to help with toxicity‐associated attrition. METHODS: ECVAM's EST protocol was used, but employing a different mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) line and an alternative differentiation medium. A subset of the compounds used to validate the EST assay along with a number of in‐house pharmaceutical compounds plus marketed pharmaceutical compounds were used to assess the EST performance with receptor‐mediated compounds. RESULTS: Our results with ECVAM compounds mirrored ECVAM's. Compounds that were developmentally toxic in vivo were classified by the EST as moderate risk. Overall, the accuracy was 75% with the current set of data and the predictivity of low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk compounds was 90, 71, and 60% while the precision was 59, 86, and 100%, respectively. Interestingly, a number of the non‐developmentally toxic compounds had values for the 3T3 IC50 values, which were lower than the ESC IC50 and ID50, a situation not taken into account by ECVAM when designing the EST algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: The assay as currently constructed has a significant false‐positive rate (∼40%), but a very low false‐negative rate (∼7%). Additional moderate‐ and high‐risk compounds need to be assessed to increase confidence, accuracy, and understanding in the EST's predictivity. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Salvage chemotherapy with CPT‐11 for recurrent temozolomide‐refractory anaplastic astrocytoma
Authors: Chamberlain Marc C. , Wei‐Tsao Denice D. , Blumenthal Deborah T. , Glantz Michael J.
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND.

The primary objective of this prospective phase 2 study of CPT‐11 in adult patients with recurrent temozolomide‐refractory anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) was to evaluate 6‐month progression‐free survival (PFS).

METHODS.

Forty patients (27 men and 13 women) ages 17 to 58 years (median age, 38 years) with radiographically recurrent AA were treated. All patients had been treated previously with surgery, involved‐field radiotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Fifteen patients were treated at first recurrence with an alternative chemotherapy. All patients were treated at either first or second recurrence with CPT‐11 administered intravenously once every 3 weeks, which was defined operationally as a single cycle. Neurologic and neuroradiographic evaluations were performed every 9 weeks.

RESULTS.

All patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 39 patients were evaluable for response. In total, 302 cycles of CPT‐11 (median, 6 cycles; range, 1–22 cycles) were administered. CPT‐11‐related toxicity included diarrhea (19 cycles), leukopenia (16 cycles), fatigue (11 cycles), anemia (6 cycles), delayed nausea/vomiting (5 cycles), neutropenia (5 cycles), and renal failure (1 patient, 1 toxic death). Two patients (5%) patients required erythrocyte transfusions. Nine patients (23%) demonstrated a radiographic complete response (1 patient) or partial response (8 patients), 16 patients (41%) demonstrated stable disease, and 14 patients (36%) had progressive disease after 3 cycles of CPT‐11. The median time to tumor progression was 4.1 month. The median survival was 6.9 months, and the 6‐month and 12‐month PFS rates were 40% and 5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS.

CPT‐11 demonstrated modest efficacy with acceptable toxicity in this cohort of adult patients with recurrent AA, all of whom had failed on prior temozolomide chemotherapy. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.