bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic profiling in an animal model of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Fétaud Vanessa , Frossard Jean‐Louis , Farina Annarita , Pastor Catherine M. , Bühler Léo , Dumonceau Jean‐Marc , Hadengue Antoine , Hochstrasser Denis F. , Lescuyer Pierre
Published: August 2008

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, which evolves in approximately 20% of the patients to a severe illness associated with a high mortality rate. In this study, we performed a comparative proteomic analysis of pancreatic tissue extracts from rats with AP and healthy rodent controls in order to identify changes in protein expression related to the pathobiological processes of this disease. Pancreatic extracts from diseased and controls rats were analyzed by 2‐DE and MS/MS. A total of 125 proteins were identified from both samples. Comparative analysis allowed the detection of 42 proteins or protein fragments differentially expressed between diseased and control pancreas, some of them being newly described in AP. Interestingly, these changes were representative of the main pathobiological pathways involved in this disease. We observed activation of digestive proteases and increased expression of various inflammatory markers, including several members of the α‐macroglobulin family. We also detected changes related to oxidative and cell stress responses. Finally, we highlighted modifications of 14‐3‐3 proteins that could be related to apoptosis regulation. These results showed the interest of proteomic analysis to identify changes characterizing pancreatic tissue damage and, therefore, to highlight new potential biomarkers of AP.
Comprehensive proteomics of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 metabolism under single carbon and nonmethylotrophic conditions
Authors: Bosch Gundula , Skovran Elizabeth , Xia Qiangwei , Wang Tiansong , Taub Fred , Miller Jonathan A. , Lidstrom Mary E. , Hackett Murray
Published: August 2008

In order to validate a gel free quantitative proteomics assay for the model methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, we examined the M. extorquens AM1 proteome under single carbon (methanol) and multicarbon (succinate) growth, conditions that have been studied for decades and for which extensive corroborative data have been compiled. In total, 4447 proteins from a database containing 7556 putative ORFs from M. extorquens AM1 could be identified with two or more peptide sequences, corresponding to a qualitative proteome coverage of 58%. Statistically significant nonzero (log2 scale) differential abundance ratios of methanol/succinate could be detected for 317 proteins using summed ion intensity measurements and 585 proteins using spectral counting, at a q‐value cut‐off of 0.01, a measure of false discovery rate. The results were compared to recent microarray studies performed under equivalent chemostat conditions. The M. extorquens AM1 studies demonstrated the feasibility of scaling up the multidimensional capillary HPLC MS/MS approach to a prokaryotic organism with a proteome more than three times the size of microbes we have investigated previously, while maintaining a high degree of proteome coverage and reliable quantitative abundance ratios.
The impact of tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) on the proteome of murine macrophages and their response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
Authors: Radwan Marta , Miller Ingrid , Grunert Tom , Marchetti‐Deschmann Martina , Vogl Claus , O'Donoghue Niaobh , Dunn Michael J. , Kolbe Thomas , Allmaier Günter , Gemeiner Manfred , Müller Mathias , Strobl Birgit
Published: August 2008

Tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) belongs to the Janus kinase (Jak) family and is involved in signalling via a number of cytokines. Tyk2‐deficient mice are highly resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxin shock. Macrophages are key players in the pathogenesis of endotoxin shock and, accordingly, defects in the LPS responses of Tyk2−/− macrophages have been reported. In the present study, the molecular role of Tyk2 is investigated in more detail using a proteomics approach. 2‐D DIGE was applied to compare protein patterns from wild‐type and Tyk2−/− macrophages and revealed significant differences in protein expression patterns between the genotypes before and after LPS treatment. Twenty‐one proteins deriving from 25 differentially expressed spots were identified by MALDI/ESI MS. Among them, we show for N‐myc interactor that its mRNA transcription/stability is positively influenced by Tyk2. In contrast, LPS‐induced expression of plasminogen activator 2 protein but not mRNA is strongly enhanced in the absence of Tyk2. Our data furthermore suggest an influence of Tyk2 on the subcellular distribution of elongation factor 2 and on LPS‐mediated changes in the peroxiredoxin 1 spot pattern. Thus, our results imply regulatory roles of Tyk2 at multiple levels and establish novel connections between Tyk2 and several cellular proteins.
Good effect of IgY against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Nilsson Elin , Larsson Anders , Olesen Hanne V. , Wejåker Per‐Erik , Kollberg Hans
Published: August 2008

This is an extended open study of oral prophylactic treatment with egg yolk antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Anti‐Pseudomonas IgY, of 17 Swedish patients with cystic fibrosis. They have been on prophylactic IgY treatment for up to 12 years and altogether for 114 patient years. A group of 23 Danish CF patients served as control. There has been a total absence of adverse events. Only 29 cultures have been positive for P. aeruginosa (cultures after chronic colonization not included), that is, 2.3/100 treatment months compared to 7.0/100 months in the control group (P = 0.028). In the IgY treated group only one pair of siblings (2/17) has been chronically colonized with P. aeruginosa compared to seven patients (7/23) in the control group. Atypical mycobacteria, S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, and A. fumigatus have appeared only sporadically. There have been no cultures positive for B. cepacia. There was no decrease in pulmonary functions (P = 0.730) within the IgY group. Body mass index values were normal or close to normal for all IgY treated patients. In conclusion, Anti‐Pseudomonas IgY has great potential to prevent P. aeruginosa infections. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:892–899. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Susceptibility to neonicotinoids and risk of resistance development in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Wang Yanhua , Chen Jin , Zhu Yu Cheng , Ma Chongyong , Huang Yue , Shen Jinliang
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: In recent years, outbreaks of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), have occurred more frequently in China. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of N. lugens to neonicotinoids and other insecticides in major rice production areas in China.

RESULTS: Results indicated that substantial variations in the susceptibility to different insecticides existed in N. lugens. Field populations had developed variable resistance levels to neonicotinoids, with a high resistance level to imidacloprid (RR: 135.3–301.3‐fold), a medium resistance level to imidaclothiz (RR: 35–41.2‐fold), a low resistance level to thiamethoxam (up to 9.9‐fold) and no resistance to dinotefuran, nitenpyram and thiacloprid (RR < 3‐fold). Further examinations indicated that a field population had developed medium resistance level to fipronil (up to 10.5‐fold), and some field populations had evolved a low resistance level to buprofezin. In addition, N. lugens had been able to develop 1424‐fold resistance to imidacloprid in the laboratory after the insect was selected with imidacloprid for 26 generations.

CONCLUSION: Long‐term use of imidacloprid in a wide range of rice‐growing areas might be associated with high levels of resistance in N. lugens. Therefore, insecticide resistance management strategies must be developed to prevent further increase in resistance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized trial
Authors: Stough Con , Downey Luke A. , Lloyd Jenny , Silber Beata , Redman Stephanie , Hutchison Chris , Wesnes Keith , Nathan Pradeep J.
Published: August 2008

While Ayurvedic medicine has touted the cognitive enhancing effects of Bacopa monniera for centuries, there is a need for double‐blind placebo‐controlled investigations. One hundred and seven healthy participants were recruited for this double‐blind placebo‐controlled independent group design investigation. Sixty‐two participants completed the study with 80% treatment compliance. Neuropsychological testing using the Cognitive Drug Research cognitive assessment system was conducted at baseline and after 90 days of treatment with a special extract of Bacopa monniera (2 × 150 mg KeenMind) or placebo. The Bacopa monniera product significantly improved performance on the ‘Working Memory’ factor, more specifically spatial working memory accuracy. The number of false‐positives recorded in the Rapid visual information processing task was also reduced for the Bacopa monniera group following the treatment period. The current study provides support for the two other published studies reporting cognitive enhancing effects in healthy humans after a 90 day administration of the Bacopa monniera extract. Further studies are required to ascertain the effective dosage range, the time required to attain therapeutic levels and the effects over a longer term of administration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimulatory constituents of Eclipta prostrata on mouse osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Lee Mi Kyeong , Ha Na Ry , Yang Hyekyung , Sung Sang Hyun , Kim Young Choong
Published: August 2008

One flavonoid, diosmetin (1), and two isoflavonoids, 3′‐hydroxybiochanin A (2) and 3′‐O‐methylorobol (3), were isolated from the methanol extract of Eclipta prostrata L. by a bioactivity‐guided fractionation technique using primary cultures of mouse osteoblasts as an in vitro assay system. All three compounds significantly increased osteoblast differentiation as assessed by the alkaline phosphatase activity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radioprotective effects of fucoidan in mice treated with total body irradiation
Authors: Lee Jeeyoung , Kim Jeongtae , Moon Changjong , Kim Sung‐Ho , Hyun Jin Won , Park Jae Woo , Shin Taekyun
Published: August 2008

The effects of fucoidan on the survival rate of mice treated with total body irradiation were examined. BALB/c mice were pretreated with various doses of fucoidan prior to total‐body irradiation and were monitored for 30 days. A significant improvement of survival was observed by pretreatment with fucoidan at 100 mg/kg body weight. Using this optimal dosage, survival was examined by radiation dose reduction analysis and a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.20 was determined at 30 days post‐irradiation. Mice pretreated with fucoidan also exhibited dose‐dependent increases in the number of bone marrow cells and endogenous spleen cell colonies at day 9 post‐irradiation. It is concluded that the increased survival of whole‐body irradiated mice pretreated with fucoidan may be attributable to the radioprotective effects of fucoidan on hematopoietic cell viability, proliferation and/or mobility, possibly through antioxidation or antiinflammatory mechanisms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical models for the mean flow inside dense canopies on gentle hilly terrain
Authors: Poggi D. , Katul G. G. , Finnigan J. J. , Belcher S. E.
Published: August 2008

Simplifications and scaling arguments employed in analytical models that link topographic variations to mean velocity perturbations within dense canopies are explored using laboratory experiments. Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements are conducted in a neutrally‐stratified boundary‐layer flow within a large recirculating flume over a train of gentle hills covered by a dense canopy. The hill and canopy configuration are such that the mean hill slope is small and the hill is narrow in relation to the canopy (H/L ≪ 1 and Lc/L ≈ 1, where H is the hill height, L the half‐length, and Lc the canopy adjustment length‐scale). The LDA data suggest that the often‐criticized linearizations of the advective terms, turbulent‐shear‐stress gradients and drag force appear reasonable except in the deep layers of the canopy. As predicted by a previous analytical model, the LDA data reveal a recirculation region within the lower canopy on the lee slope. Adjusting the outer‐layer pressure perturbations by a virtual ground that accounts for the mean streamline distortions induced by this recirculation zone improves this model's performance. For the velocity perturbations in the deeper layers of the canopy, a new analytical model, which retains a balance between mean horizontal advection, mean pressure gradient and mean drag force but neglects the turbulent‐shear‐stress gradient, is developed. The proposed model reproduces the LDA measurements better than the earlier analytical model, which neglected advection but retained the turbulent‐shear‐stress gradient in the lower layers of the canopy and near the hill top. This finding is consistent with the fact that the earlier model was derived for tall hills in which advection inside the canopy remains small. In essence, the newly‐proposed model for the narrow hill studied here assumes that in the deeper layers of the canopy the spatial features of the mean flow perturbations around their background state can be approximated by the inviscid mean‐momentum equation. We briefly discuss how to integrate all these findings with recent advances in canopy lidar remote‐sensing measurements of general topography and canopy height. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Model error and sequential data assimilation: A deterministic formulation
Authors: Carrassi A. , Vannitsem S. , Nicolis C.
Published: August 2008

Data assimilation schemes are confronted with the presence of model errors arising from the imperfect description of atmospheric dynamics. These errors are usually modelled on the basis of simple assumptions such as bias, white noise, and first‐order Markov process. In the present work, a formulation of the sequential extended Kalman filter is proposed, based on recent findings on the universal deterministic behaviour of model errors in marked contrast with previous approaches. This new scheme is applied in the context of a spatially distributed system proposed by Lorenz. First, it is found that, for short times, the estimation error is accurately approximated by an evolution law in which the variance of the model error (assumed to be a deterministic process) evolves according to a quadratic law, in agreement with the theory. Moreover, the correlation with the initial condition error appears to play a secondary role in the short‐time dynamics of the estimation error covariance. Second, the deterministic description of the model error evolution, incorporated into the classical extended Kalman filter equations, reveals that substantial improvements of the filter accuracy can be gained compared with the classical white‐noise assumption. The universal short‐time quadratic law for the evolution of the model error covariance matrix seems very promising for modelling estimation error dynamics in sequential data assimilation. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Power‐law velocity profile in a turbulent Ekman layer on a transitional rough surface
Authors: Afzal Noor
Published: August 2008

A two‐layer asymptotic theory of mean momentum in a turbulent Ekman layer without any closure model (such as eddy viscosity, mixing length, or k − ϵ) for large Rossby numbers is proposed. The flow in the inner wall layer and the outer wake layer are matched, using the Izakson–Millikan–Kolmogorov hypothesis; this leads to an open functional equation. Another open functional equation is obtained from the ratio of two successive derivatives of the basic functional equation; this admits two functional solutions, with power‐law and log‐law velocity profiles. The envelope of the geostrophic‐drag power law leads to the log law, and determines the power‐law index and prefactor as a function of the surface Rossby number or the drag coefficient. The log laws and power laws for velocity and friction velocity, including the power‐law constants, are universal, and independent of the wall roughness. This universality is well supported by extensive experimental and laboratory data. In traditional smooth‐wall variables, there is no universality of scalings, and different expressions are needed for different types of roughness. Approximate solutions of the power‐law geostrophic drag and cross‐isobaric angle are also obtained. The power‐law geostrophic‐drag solution for each prescribed value of the power‐law index is valid for a limited domain of Rossby numbers. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Soft reliability: an interdisciplinary approach with a user–system focus
Authors: Koca A. , Funk M. , Karapanos E. , Rozinat A. , van der Aalst W. M. P. , Corporaal H. , Martens J. B. O. S. , van der Putten P. H. A. , Weijters A. J. M. M. , Brombacher A. C.
Published: August 2008

A recent trend in technological innovation is towards the development of increasingly multifunctional and complex products to be used within rich socio‐cultural contexts such as the high‐end office, the digital home, and professional or personal healthcare. One important consequence of the development of strongly innovative products is a growing market uncertainty regarding ‘if’, ‘how’, and ‘when’ users can and will adopt such products. Often, it is not even clear to what extent these products are understood and interacted with in the intended manner. The mentioned problems have already become an evident concern in the field, where there is a significant rise in the numbers of seemingly sound products being complained about, signaling a lack of soft reliability. In this paper, we position soft reliability as a growing and critical industrial problem, whose solution requires new academic expertise from various disciplines. We illustrate potential root causes for soft reliability problems, such as discrepancy between the perceptions of users and designers. We discuss the necessary approach to effectively capture subjective feedback data from actual users, e.g. when they contact call centers. Furthermore, we present a novel observation and analysis approach that enables insight into actual product usage, and outline opportunities for combining such objective data with the subjective feedback provided by users. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of phase‐breaking events on electron transport in mesoscopic and nanodevices
Authors: Jayasekera Thushari , Pillalamarri Pavan K. , Mintmire J. W. , Meunier V.
Published: August 2008

Existing ballistic models for electron transport in mesoscopic and nanoscale systems break down as the size of the device becomes longer than the phase coherence length of electrons in the system. Krstic et al. experimentally observed that the current in single‐wall carbon nanotube systems can be regarded as a combination of a coherent part and a noncoherent part. In this article, we discuss the use of Büttiker phase‐breaking technique to address partially coherent electron transport, generalize that to a multichannel problem, and then study the effect of phase‐breaking events on the electron transport in two‐terminal graphene nanoribbon devices. We also investigate the difference between the pure‐phase randomization and phase/momentum randomization boundary conditions. While momentum randomization adds an extra resistance caused by backward scattering, pure‐phase randomization smooths the conductance oscillations because of interference. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
N‐bands Hubbard models. IV. Comparisons of electron‐ or hole‐doped quaternary oxypictides LaOMPn superconductors with cuprates
Authors: Yamaguchi K. , Yamanaka S. , Isobe H. , Hagihara M. , Yamaki D. , Nishihara M. , Kitagawa Y. , Kawakami T. , Okumura M.
Published: August 2008

A lot of theoretical and experimental results are examined to obtain a unified picture of magnetism and superconductivity in strongly correlated electron systems. First principle computational results reported recently have been used to elucidate electronic structures of strongly correlated electron systems. In this series of articles theoretical efforts for the systems such as transition metal oxides have been extended to search high‐Tc superconductors (HTSC) other than cuprates in relation to possible mechanism(s) of high‐Tc superconductivity. Very recently, Kamihara et al. have found that quaternary oxypictides LaOMPn (M = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Pn = P, As) are a new family of high‐Tc superconductors, exhibiting high‐transition temperature Tc = 26 K for the case of M = Fe and Pn = As. Since iron has been believed to be magnetic in many systems, their finding raises extremely interesting question concerning with relationships between magnetism and superconductivity. Moreover, coexistence of antiferromagnetism (AF) and superconductivity (SC) is also discovered in the recently synthesized cuprates with five CuO2 planes. This may indicate the uniformly mixed phase of AF and SC in cuprates without disorder corresponds to spin glass, instead of other complex phases resulting from random potentials in disordered cuprates. Coexistence of AF and SC phases and multiband effects are also suggested for quaternary oxypictides LaOMPn. Here, comparison between quaternary oxypictides LaOMPn and cuprates is carried out from both theoretical and experimental grounds, leading to an extension of our magnetic (J) model for LaOMPn. Implications of these analyses are discussed in relation to possible candidates of HTSC with multi (N)‐layers consisted of iso‐electronic π‐d, π‐R, and σ‐R systems, for which similar electronic phases are expected from the theoretical grounds. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Some simple explicit examples of correlated one‐electron theory and density matrix functionals
Authors: Weiner B.
Published: August 2008

Some examples are presented displaying how general spin orbitals (GSOs) and their occupation numbers uniquely determine N‐electron antisymmetrized geminal power states. This provides a correlated one‐electron model that generalizes the independent particle model that is universally used in picturing chemical behavior. These examples also demonstrate that one‐electron models, involving GSOs and occupation numbers, and the one based on a first order density matrix are not equivalent. This difference is shown by displaying sets of different GSOs that have the same occupation numbers that correspond to the same density matrix but different N‐electron states. This observation also leads to the explicit construction of a density matrix functional. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Study on the photostability of guaiazulene by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Fiori Jessica , Gotti Roberto , Albini Angelo , Cavrini Vanni
Published: August 2008

The photostability of guaiazulene (1,4‐dimethyl‐7‐isopropylazulene; GA), a natural azulenic compound used in cosmetic and health‐care products, as well as in pharmaceutical preparations, was investigated in solution (methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile), by different techniques: gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high‐performance liquid chromatography combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry and UV detection (LC/APCI‐MS and HPLC/UV). A solar simulator (xenon‐arc lamp) was used as UV‐A radiation source. The study involved: monitoring compound decomposition, identifying products of photodegradation (PPs), assessing the role of oxygen and evaluating the kinetics of the process. Minor PPs are volatile compounds and were characterized by GC/MS, while oligomeric polyoxygenated compounds, tentatively characterized on the basis of MS and MS/MS spectra, were found to be the main photoproducts. The photodegradation was found to be enhanced by the presence of oxygen; nevertheless, determination of the singlet oxygen quantum yield for GA gave a lower value than that for the reference standard Rose Bengal. The obtained results and the developed stability‐indicating methods (GC/MS and LC/MS) are of interest for stability studies and/or quality control purposes of GA as raw material or cosmetic products. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetus‐supporting flexible manipulator with balloon‐type stabilizer for endoscopic intrauterine surgery
Authors: Liao Hongen , Suzuki Hirokazu , Matsumiya Kiyoshi , Masamune Ken , Dohi Takeyoshi , Chiba Toshio
Published: August 2008

Background

Minimally invasive endoscopic fetal surgery enables intrauterine intervention with reduced risk to the mother and fetus. A novel surgical manipulator is described for stabilizing the fetus and restraining it from floating free during endoscopic intrauterine surgery.

Methods

We designed and fabricated a prototype fetus‐supporting manipulator equipped with flexible joint and bending mechanisms and a soft balloon stabilizer. The flexible joint and bending mechanisms enable the stabilizer to reach the target sites within the confined space of the uterus under the guidance of an ultrasound device. The balloon stabilizer could be inserted into the uterus through a small incision.

Results

The accuracy evaluation showed that the maximum error of the bending mechanism was as small as 7 mm and the standard deviation of the joint mechanism was just 1.6° . In the experiments using a fetus model, the manipulator could be well controlled with guidance from ultrasound images and its bending mechanism with the balloon stabilizer could be clearly visualized while stabilizing the fetus model.

Conclusions

The manipulator has the potential to be used in minimally invasive intrauterine surgery, although further improvements and experiments remain to be carried out. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy of MRI vs CT imaging with particular reference to patient specific templates for total knee replacement surgery
Authors: White D. , Chelule K. L. , Seedhom B. B.
Published: August 2008

Background

The present study compares the accuracy of MRI and CT imaging for the manufacture of patient‐specific templates for total knee replacement surgery.

Methods

A total of 10 ovine knees were imaged using MRI and CT scanners. Each set of images was reconstructed in 3D and then used to manufacture physical models of each bone, using rapid prototyping technology. After imaging the soft tissues were removed and specific measurements of the bony anatomy compared with measurements from the MRI and CT models.

Results

Bone models generated from MRI scans were dimensionally less accurate than those generated from CT scans. Furthermore, the bone models generated from MRI scans were visibly inferior to those generated from the CT scans.

Conclusions

Current MRI scans do not offer a viable alternative to CT. Although adaptation of the template system to accommodate MRI imaging is possible, the changes required are neither practical nor desirable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noninferiority hypotheses and choice of noninferiority margin
Authors: Ng Tie‐Hua
Published: August 2008

Ng (Drug Inf. J. 1993; 27:705–719; Drug Inf. J. 2001; 35:1517–1527) proposed that the noninferiority (NI) margin should be a small fraction of the therapeutic effect of the active control as compared with placebo in the setting of testing the NI hypothesis of the mean difference with a continuous outcome. For testing the NI hypothesis of the mean ratio with a continuous outcome, a similar NI margin on a log scale is proposed. This approach may also be applied in the setting of testing the NI hypotheses for survival data based on hazard ratios. Some pitfalls of testing the NI hypotheses with binary endpoints based on the difference or the ratio of proportions will be discussed. Testing the NI hypothesis with binary endpoints based on the odds ratio is proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite sample adjustments in estimating equations and covariance estimators for intracluster correlations
Authors: Preisser John S. , Lu Bing , Qaqish Bahjat F.
Published: August 2008

Bias‐corrected covariance estimators are introduced in the context of an estimating equations approach for intracluster correlations among binary outcomes. Simulation study results show that the bias‐corrected covariance estimators perform better than uncorrected sandwich estimators in terms of bias and coverage probabilities. Additionally, introduction of a matrix‐based bias‐correction into the estimating equations considerably improves point and interval estimation for the intracluster correlations. The methods are illustrated using data from a nested cross‐sectional cluster trial on reducing underage drinking. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Software process re‐engineering: a model and its application to an industrial case study
Authors: Napier Nannette P. , Kim Jonathan , Mathiassen Lars
Published: August 2008

Many software organizations engage in software process improvement (SPI), but process descriptions may soon become outdated especially if the organization, for a while, has given low priority to SPI. As a result, software organizations may need to re‐engineer process descriptions that are inconsistent with desired process practices. While the literature addresses how organizations can re‐engineer business processes and legacy systems, no guidance exists on re‐engineering legacy process descriptions. Software process re‐engineering (SPR) is a transitional activity that helps organizations effectively re‐engage in SPI by assessing legacy process descriptions; selecting process descriptions that need to be removed, innovated, or implemented; and defining a plan to align process descriptions with desired process practices. SPR results in a repository of managed process descriptions and a plan for disciplined software process management. In this article, we derive principles for SPR, use these principles to propose a model for re‐engineering legacy process descriptions, and present an industrial case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the model. In the presented case, SPR had several benefits: it leveraged earlier investments in SPI; it engaged key stakeholders in revitalizing improvement efforts; it created a shared understanding of the organization's desired process practices; and, it established a solid platform for continued SPI. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From Cocoa to CSR: Finding sustainability in a cup of hot chocolate
Authors: Long John C.
Published: August 2008

Sustainability definitely has become a hot topic in recent years. Clearly, it is a subject that is not going away and whose importance in the corporate world is gaining currency. The notion of “doing well by doing good” is moving incrementally into mainstream business practice. In what might be considered a sea change, some very important customers now want to talk to supplier company CEOs and managers about their sustainability efforts, as do a growing number of consumers. And while it's hard to tell whether consumers are leading or following when it comes to the importance of sustainability, it's definitely on their radar. Business success increasingly is going to depend upon conducting operations today with a clear view to their impact on future generations. For this, and other valid reasons, we, as business leaders, need to arrive at a practical, workable model of sustainability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inorganic and black carbon aerosol concentrations at a high altitude on Mt Kenya
Authors: Gatari Michael J. , Pettersson Jan B. C. , Kimani Wilson , Boman Johan
Published: August 2008

Aerosol samples were collected at an altitude of 3678 m on Mt Kenya in August 2001. A virtual impactor was used to collect particles in fine (aerodynamic diameter, da < 2.5 µm) and coarse (2.5 µm < da < 10 µm) size fractions. The samples were analyzed for particulate mass (PM), black carbon (BC) and 15 elements. The PM concentrations varied in the ranges 3.3 ± 1.1–7.8 ± 2.5 µg m−3 (in fine fraction) and 3.7 ± 1.2–9.6 ± 3.0 µg m−3 (in coarse fraction). The fine fraction was dominated by high concentrations of BC, S and K due to particles formed during biomass burning and sulfate particles from secondary processes in the atmosphere. The coarse fraction was dominated by high concentrations of Si, S, Cl, K, Ca and Fe indicative of the presence of soil dust particles. This was further verified by enrichment factors (EFs) calculated using the elemental content of the average crustal rock. Chemical mass balance (CMB) calculations indicated that the PM was largely attributable to biomass burning, mineral dust and sulfate, while contributions from anthropogenic sources were small. Source apportionment of elemental concentrations compared well with that of an earlier study on the southwestern slope of Mt Kenya, while PM and sulfate concentrations were comparable with those observed at high‐altitude sites in North America and Europe. The observed concentrations were 5–50 times lower than those of urban Kenya. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycogen storage disease type I in Tunisia: An epidemiological analysis
Authors: Chehida A. Ben , Tebib N. , Cherif W. , Turkia H. Ben , Abdelmoula S. , Azzouz H. , Ben Dridi M. F.
Published: August 2008

Objective: Analysis of epidemiological data concerning GSD I in Tunisia. Subjects and methods: All the cases diagnosed as GSD I between 1992 and 2005 in a paediatric department recruiting all the metabolic diseases referred from the North of Tunisia were reviewed. Individual data (sex, socioeconomic and educational background, geographic origins, insurance coverage) were collected and pedigrees were reconstituted. Results: Twenty‐two cases (9 boys and 13 girls from 20 homes) were identified. Fourteen belonged to 11 families originating from the North of Tunisia; ten of them are still alive. Both parents in 4 homes (21%) and one parent in 9 homes (47%) were illiterate. Most of the homes (60%) had a low income and 45% comprised at least 3 children. Only 7 homes (35%) had health insurance. Pedigrees indicated 44 infant deaths and at least 10 other cases fulfilling the clinical features of GSD I but not diagnosed. Conclusion: The paediatric prevalence of GSD I in the North of Tunisia can be estimated to 7.93 cases per one million inhabitants and its incidence to 1/100 000 births. However, it is likely to be more frequent because of underreporting or underdiagnosis leading to precocious deaths.
Cost effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the Nordic region: An analysis based on the CARE‐HF trial
Authors: Blomström P. , Ekman M. , Lundqvist C. Blomström , Calvert M.J. , Freemantle N. , Lönnerholm S. , Wikström G. , Jönsson B;
Published: August 2008

Background:

The aim of this study was to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The analysis was based on the CARE‐HF trial, a randomised clinical trial investigating the efficacy of adding CRT (n=409) to optimal pharmacological treatment (n=404) in patients with moderate to severe heart failure with markers of cardiac dyssynchrony. The average follow‐up time was 29.4 months.

Methods:

The health effects were measured in terms of quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. Data on health care resource consumption from CARE‐HF was combined with costs for CRT implantation and hospitalisation from university hospitals in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Calculations were based on patients' expected life time. The expected device lifetime (6 years) was used for CRT, and no additional gains in clinical effects were assumed after the 6 years.

Results:

The cost‐effectiveness ratio per QALY gained was € 4800 in Denmark, € 3600 in Finland and € 6700 in Sweden. The 95% confidence intervals for the cost per QALY gained varied between a lower limit of € 1169 in Finland to an upper limit of € 17,482 in Sweden. These values were all below the threshold for being cost‐effective in Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

Conclusion:

The study indicates that CRT is a cost‐effective treatment in Scandinavian health care settings compared to traditional pharmacological therapy and can therefore be recommended for routine use in patients with moderate to severe heart failure and markers of dyssynchrony.
Lack of efficacy of alpha‐lipoic acid in burning mouth syndrome: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Carbone Mario , Pentenero Monica , Carrozzo Marco , Ippolito Alessio , Gandolfo Sergio
Published: August 2008

Background: A systematic review from the Cochrane Collaboration stated that alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) may help in the management of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Because all of the data on ALA came from a single group, it has been stressed that its effectiveness should be reproduced in other populations.

Aim: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study, including two test groups (Group A and Group B) and one control group (Group C), was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of systemic ALA (400mg) and ALA (400mg) plus vitamins in the treatment of BMS.

Methods: Sixty‐six patients (54 females and 12 males) were included in an 8‐week trial. Symptoms were evaluated by using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks.

Results: Fifty‐two patients (43 females and 9 males, aged 67.3±11.9 years) completed the study. All three groups had significant reductions in the VAS score and in the mixed affective/evaluative subscale of the MPQ; the responders’ rate (at least 50% improvement in the VAS score) was about 30%. No significant differences were observed among the groups either in the response rate or in the mean latency of the therapeutic effect.

Conclusions: The fairly high placebo effect observed is very similar to data obtained from patients affected by atypical facial pain. This study failed to support a role for ALA in the treatment of BMS, and further investigations are needed to identify the cause of BMS in order to develop efficacious therapies.
Denitration of L‐type calcium channel
Authors: Kang Minho , Akbarali Hamid I.
Published: August 2008

Tyrosine nitration results in altered function of selective proteins, including human smooth muscle L‐type calcium channel, hCav1.2b. We report here that Cav1.2 is also subject to “denitration”. Cell lysates from activated macrophage‐like cell line, RAW264.7 cells, reversed peroxynitrite‐induced nitration of the carboxy terminus of Cav1.2 in a 1D gel assay. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the calcium channel by c‐src kinase was blocked by nitration but reversed by pretreatment with RAW264.7 cell lysates. These findings indicate that denitration may be a physiological mechanism to restore cellular excitability during inflammation.
The α‐kinases TRPM6 and TRPM7, but not eEF‐2 kinase, phosphorylate the assembly domain of myosin IIA, IIB and IIC
Authors: Clark Kristopher , Middelbeek Jeroen , Dorovkov Maxim V. , Figdor Carl G. , Ryazanov Alexey G. , Lasonder Edwin , van Leeuwen Frank N.
Published: August 2008

MINT‐6700314:

GNA1 (uniprotkb:Q96EK6) and GNA1 (uniprotkb:Q96EK6) bind (MI:0407) by X-ray crystallography (MI:0114)
Dispensable residues in the active site of the cytochrome c biogenesis protein CcmH
Authors: Robertson Ian B. , Stevens Julie M. , Ferguson Stuart J.
Published: August 2008

CcmH functions in the assembly of c‐type cytochromes in the Escherichia coli periplasm. The conserved cysteine pair in the N‐terminal of its two membrane‐anchored periplasmic domains is thought to reduce the CXXCH motif of cytochromes c. The recent structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CcmH identified conserved residues that might be functionally important. We replaced with alanine the active‐site cysteines of E. coli CcmH, as well as R42, S54, R63, and tested the effects on cytochrome c production anaerobically and aerobically. Unexpectedly, replacement of the conserved non‐cysteine active‐site residues had little effect, whilst the cysteines were required under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions. We confirmed that removal of the C‐terminal tetratricopeptide‐like domain does not, surprisingly, abolish assembly of cytochromes c.
Influence of age and movement complexity on kinematic hand movement parameters in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Rueckriegel Stefan Mark , Blankenburg Friederike , Burghardt Roland , Ehrlich Stefan , Henze Günter , Mergl Roland , Hernáiz Driever Pablo
Published: August 2008

Development of fine motor functions, especially drawing and handwriting, are crucial for performance in school, autonomy in everyday life and the general human development. A variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions in childhood and adolescence stunt the normal development of fine motor skills. We sought to define the normal development of the kinematic parameters of fine motor movement and determine the influence of gender, laterality of handedness and extracurricular training on fine motor skills.

One hundred and eighty‐seven children and adolescents (mean age: 11.6 years (±S.D.: 3.58), range: 6–18 years) were included in the study. Participants performed drawing and handwriting tasks on a digitizing graphic tablet. Movement and pressure data were transferred to a computer using a sensor‐equipped pen and post‐processed using CSWIN. Movements were segmented into strokes and several kinematic parameters were calculated. The kinematic parameters that were analyzed represented speed (frequency and stroke peak velocity), automation (number of direction changes of velocity per stroke), variability (variation coefficient of stroke peak velocity) and pressure.

Progression of kinematic parameters for each movement domain of the handwriting and circle drawing tasks correlated significantly with age (Pearson's correlation, p < 0.003). Speed, automation and pressure increased with age, whereas variability decreased. Nonlinear regressions revealed maturation of hand movements at a certain age. Age of completed maturation depended on the task complexity (drawing circles vs. handwriting) and kinematic parameters. In the speed and automation domains, handwriting movements finish maturing later than circle drawing. Male subjects drew circles at significantly higher speeds than female subjects. Fine motor practice and laterality of handedness did not influence kinematic parameters. A repeated measure ANOVA confirmed the significant interdependency between age and complexity level for speed and automation (p < 0.001).

The digitizing graphic tablet is an extremely valuable tool in determining the normal development of hand movement skills of children and adolescents by measuring relevant daily tasks like handwriting and drawing. In our study, we showed that future analyses of impaired movement in children and adolescents need to take age and gender into consideration. Furthermore, differences were observed in the maturation of different task complexities, the complex fine motor function reaching maturity later than basic and repetitive movement patterns.
Intimate partner and nonpartner violence against pregnant women in rural Haiti
Authors: Small Maria J. , Gupta Jhumka , Frederic Rikerdy , Joseph Gabriel , Theodore Melanie , Kershaw Trace
Published: August 2008

Objective

To examine the association between violence experienced by pregnant Haitian women in the previous 6 months and pregnancy‐related symptom distress.

Methods

A total of 200 women seeking prenatal care at community health dispensaries in the Artibonite Valley were interviewed.

Results

Over 4 in 10 women (44.0%) reported that they had experienced violence in the 6 months prior to interview; 77.8% of these women reported that the violence was perpetrated by an intimate partner. Those who experienced intimate partner violence reported significantly greater pregnancy‐related symptom distress (β = 0.23, P = 0.001). No significant differences between violence perpetrated by family members or others and reporting of symptoms were observed (β = 0.06, P = 0.38).

Conclusion

The findings indicate the need to integrate violence screening, resources, and primary prevention into prenatal care in rural Haiti.
A lufenuron pre-treatment may enhance the effects of enilconazole or griseofulvin in feline dermatophytosis?
Authors: Mancianti Francesca , Dabizzi Sara , Nardoni Simona
Published: August 2008

The effectiveness of enilconazole (4 weekly rinses with a 0.2% solution) or griseofulvin (50 mg/kg twice daily for 40 days) following a pre-treatment with oral lufenuron (100 mg/kg by-weekly for 8 weeks) was tested on 25 (11+14) Microsporum canis infected cats. Control animals were treated with lufenuron, griseofulvin and enilconazole alone. At day 150 pre-treated animals were culturally negative and clinically cured. While lufenuron alone was found to be ineffective against M canis infection, an immunomodulatory effect of the drug can be suggested, as reported in literature. Its use could be reserved to long-lasting infections, unsuccessfully treated with conventional drugs. Further studies are required to clearly establish the possible adjuvant effect of this molecule when used prior to enilconazole or griseofulvin.
The effect of monetary policy shocks on stock prices accounting for endogeneity and omitted variable biases
Authors: Farka Mira
Published: August 2008

A new high frequency data set is used to estimate the impact of the Fed on the level and volatility of stock prices while accounting for endogeneity and omitted variable biases and potential asymmetries. Results show that after addressing these issues, the effect of policy shocks on the level and volatility of stock returns is higher than previously reported. GARCH findings indicate that the volatility impact is tent‐shaped, spiking during policy announcements and declining before and after the release. The level and conditional volatility of stock returns is found to respond asymmetrically to the type of policy shocks (timing versus future path of monetary policy) and the type of policy action (easing versus tightening).
Short-term effects of selenium supplementation of cows' feed on the content and distribution of selenium, copper and zinc in bovine milk, whey and blood plasma
Authors: Hoac Tien , Stagsted Jan , Lundh Thomas , Nielsen Jacob H , Åkesson Björn
Published: August 2008

The effect of selenium supplementation of feed on the Se content in bovine milk, whey and plasma, and on the distribution of Se, Zn and Cu in whey and plasma was investigated. In a cross-over study two groups of cows were given a basal feed with 0·16 ppm selenite (approx. 3 mg Se/d) with or without 25 mg yeast Se/d for 2 weeks. In the supplemented group the Se content increased 10-fold in milk, 10-fold in whey and 2-fold in plasma, and after the cessation of the supplementation, selenium in milk decreased with a calculated half-life of 3·5 d. In another experiment, two groups of cows were given either 100 mg yeast Se/d for 1 week or only the basal feed. The increase in Se content in both whole and defatted milk was 40–50-fold, and in whey it was approx. 20-fold. Size-exclusion chromatography of whey using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for detection showed that supplementation increased the proportion of Se in the β-lactoglobulin-α-lactalbumin fraction. Distribution of Cu and Zn was essentially unaffected. In plasma, supplementation increased the Se content in all major Se fractions like selenoprotein P, albumin and low-molecular-weight compounds, but the distribution profiles of Zn and Cu underwent no major changes. The study showed for the first time the rapid kinetics of the Se increase and decrease in milk after the initiation and cessation of supplementation, respectively, and the preferential appearance of Se in the β-lactoglobulin-α-lactalbumin fraction of whey. Milk highly enriched in selenium will be a useful tool for different research purposes.