bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of facial skin attributes on the perceived age of Caucasian women
Authors: Nkengne A , Bertin C , Stamatas GN , Giron A , Rossi A , Issachar N , Fertil B
Published: June 2008

Background and objective The facial appearance of a person does not always reflect the chronological age; some people look younger or older than they really are. Many studies have described the changes in skin properties (colour, wrinkles, sagging, micro relief, etc.) with age, but few of them have analysed their influence on the perceived age. The primary objective of this study was to assess the contribution of individual skin attributes of the face on the perceived age of Caucasian women. Secondary objectives were to assess the influence of age and gender of graders with regard to the age perception.

Subjects and method A random sample of 173 subjects of 20 to 74 years of age was taken from a database of more than 5000 healthy Caucasian women. A trained grader performed visual assessment of facial skin attributes (using a visual analogue scale), and a front face photograph was taken from each subject. Photographs were shown to 48 graders (20 men and 28 women, aged 22–64 years) who were asked to estimate the age of the subjects. Graders were classified as young (less than 35 years), middle age (35–50 years) and seniors (older than 50 years).

Partial Least Square regression models were built to predict the chronological and the perceived age from the measured facial individual attributes. The contribution of each attribute within the regression model enabled to measure the relevance of this attribute with regards to age prediction.

Results The eye area and the skin colour uniformity were the main attributes related to perceived age. For age prediction, older graders’ estimations were more driven by lips border definition shape and eyes opening, whereas younger graders’ (older than 50 years) estimations were more driven by dark circles, nasolabial fold and brown spots.

There were statistically significant differences in graders’ age perception between gender and among age ranges. Our findings suggest that female graders are more accurate than male, and younger graders (under 35 years) are more accurate than older (over 50 years) to predict Caucasian women age from facial photographs.

Conclusions Different skin attributes influence the estimation of age. These attributes have a different weight in the evaluation of the perceived age, depending on the age and of the observer. The most important attributes to estimate age are eyes, lips and skin colour uniformity.
Nail changes in chronic renal failure patients under haemodialysis
Authors: Salem A , Al Mokadem S , Attwa E , Abd El Raoof S , Ebrahim HM , Faheem KT
Published: June 2008

Background  Chronic renal failure is known to cause various nail pathologies. They may be directly related to the renal condition itself or its complications or to the therapy.

Objective  To compare nail changes in end‐stage renal failure patients under haemodialysis with healthy persons and to study the potential relationship with various parameters in the patients.

Patients and Methods  The study comprised 100 patients with chronic renal failure under regular haemodialysis as well as 100 healthy control subjects of matched age and sex. Both groups were subjected to full history taking and thorough general and nail examination. Complete blood picture, liver and kidney function tests and fasting blood glucose level were investigated.

Results  Nail disorders were more prevalent in patients (76%) than in control group (30%). The half and half nail was the most common finding (20%) followed by – in descending manner – absent lunula, onycholysis, brittle nail, Beau's lines, clubbing, longitudinal ridging, onychomycosis, subungual hyperkeratosis, koilonychias, total leukonychia, splinter hemorrhage, pitting and pincer nail deformity. There was non‐significant correlation between nail changes and age of the patients or duration of haemodialysis. In addition, no evidence of significant relation was found between nail changes and both haemoglobin and albumin levels.

Conclusion  Frequent nail changes are observed on systematic nail examination of uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis; however, the cause of them remains obscure and could not be traced to a particular abnormality in the renal condition, medication or the procedure itself and it needs further investigations.
Extra cardiac activity detected on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy after intra‐arterial injection of 99mTc‐MIBI
Authors: Afzelius Pia , Henriksen Jens H.
Published: June 2008

Purpose:  We present an unusual case of extra cardiac activity of 99mTc‐MIBI in the left part of thorax and left upper extremity in a patient admitted for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Methods:  A standard 2‐day protocol of 99mTc‐MIBI perfusion scintigraphies starting day 1 with stress (dipyridamol) imaging and followed by rest imaging day 2 was performed.

Results:  On day 2, when rest perfusion scintigraphy was carried out, extra cardiac activity was present in the left part of thorax and in the left upper extremity resulting in reduced accumulation of 99mTc‐MIBI in cardiac tissue, prolongation of the study and interference of the extra cardiac activity with the cardiac image reconstructions. Whole‐body scintigraphy disclosed an arterial flow distribution of activity to skeletal muscles in left shoulder and upper limb.

Conclusion:  Accidentally injected radiotracer retrogradely into the arterial system resulted in an unusual extra cardiac activity interfering with later image processing.
Arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation are independently related to coronary risk in the elderly: the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study
Authors: Lind Lars
Published: June 2008

Background:  Measurements of both arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation have previously been related to coronary risk factors, but not in the same study. In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, we studied the interplay between arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation on coronary risk.

Methods:  In the population‐based PIVUS study (1016 subjects aged 70 years), arterial compliance was determined by ultrasound in the carotid artery, by pulse wave analysis (augmentation index) and the stroke volume to pulse pressure ratio by echocardiography, while endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) was assessed by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine , brachial artery ultrasound [flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD)] and pulse wave analysis with terbutaline provocation [change in reflection index (RI)].

Results:  Factor analysis disclosed three major factors. The first factor was reflecting the three arterial compliance methods, the second factor was reflecting EDV and the change in RI, while the third factor mainly was reflecting FMD. All these three factors were independently related to the Framingham risk score in multiple regression analysis (P<0·0001, P = 0·0002 and P = 0·0046, respectively).

Conclusions:  In conclusion, both arterial compliance and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation were independently related to the Framingham risk score, suggesting that it is worthwhile to evaluate the parallel use of these two vascular characteristics in a prospective fashion.
Spatial Personas: A New Technique for Interpreting Colonial Encounters in Colonial North America
Authors: Chambers Ian
Published: June 2008

This article by proposing the theoretical tool of a ‘spatial persona’ hopes to situate space, its definition and movement within and across it, as a tool of understanding for the complex relations that exist within colonial contact. By taking a confused moment of interaction from the eighteenth century American southeast it will detail how spatial understandings can help unravel uncertainty to give a more nuanced explanation of European Native American interaction.
Determining the dependence of colour values on yarn structure
Authors: Ozturk Mehmet , Nergis Banu Uygun
Published: June 2008

The colour values of knitted cotton fabrics made from single and plied ring and compact yarns were investigated before and after dyeing. The fabric samples were knitted under the same constructional properties and then dyed with direct and reactive dyes. It was found that fabrics with ring yarns had high lightness and low chroma and colour strength values compared with fabrics with compact yarns. Also colour strength and colour difference values of dyed fabrics were assessed after increasing abrasion cycles (2500, 5000, 7500 and 10 000). The main changes in colour strength values were observed at 2500 abrasion cycles. The effect of abrasion on colour difference values of fabrics having ring yarns was more obvious than fabrics having compact yarns.
Adsorption of basic dyes from model aqueous solutions onto novel spherical silica support
Authors: Jesionowski Teofil , Andrzejewska Agnieszka , Krysztafkiewicz Andrzej
Published: June 2008

Removal of CI Basic Blue 9 or CI Basic Red 5 from model aqueous solutions has been studied with spherical silica precipitated in an emulsion system used as an adsorbent. The process of removal of the dye impurities has been studied for the dyes in a wide range of concentrations (50–2000 mg dm−3) in model systems. The degree of dye adsorption, chemical stability of the pigments obtained and their detailed physicochemical and morphological characterisation have been ascertained. In particular, the dye removal method proposed has been found to be highly effective in removing CI Basic Blue 9 (99.9%). The degree of dye extraction from the silica (SiO2) surface at the dye concentration in the model solutions in the range 1000–2000 mg dm−3 did not exceed 1.0%. The pigment composites produced are characterised by high uniformity of the particles (polydispersity index = 0.005) with the diameters ranging from 360 to 510 nm. The pigment particles are spherical in shape and of intense blue or red colour.
Effects of cationic fixing agents on the direct dyeing properties of cotton fabrics
Authors: Sharif Saima , Ahmad Saeed , Siddiqui Waseeq Ahmad
Published: June 2008

One mono‐reactive and two bis‐reactive 2,3‐epoxypropyl derivatives of quaternary ammonium chloride have been synthesised and characterised using different spectroscopic techniques. The effects of these compounds as fixing agents have been evaluated on the direct dyeing properties of cotton fabrics. The results indicated that pretreatment of cotton fabrics with these cationic agents enhanced the colour strength and fastness properties of direct dyeings over the untreated dyeings without using high electrolyte concentrations. However, bis‐reactive derivatives have proved to be more effective than the mono‐reactive derivative. Amongst bis‐reactive derivatives, the compound with lower steric hindrance has shown superior results.
Differential Neural Response to Alcohol Priming and Alcohol Taste Cues Is Associated With DRD4 VNTR and OPRM1 Genotypes
Authors: Filbey Francesca M. , Ray Lara , Smolen Andrew , Claus Eric D. , Audette Amy , Hutchison Kent E.
Published: June 2008

Background:  Studies suggest that polymorphisms in the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4) and opioid receptor, μ1 (OPRM1) genes are involved in differential response to the effects of alcohol and to alcohol cues. However, to date, the mechanisms that underlie these differences remain largely unknown.

Methods:  Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, hemodynamic response in mesocorticolimbic structures after exposure to alcohol tastes was contrasted with a control taste and compared between DRD4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) genotypes and OPRM1 A118G genotypes. Additionally, the effects of a priming dose of alcohol on this response were examined.

Results:  The results indicated that DRD4 VNTR >7 repeat individuals (DRD4.L) had significantly greater response to alcohol cues in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and striatum compared with individuals with <7 repeats (DRD4.S) prior to a priming dose of alcohol (p < 0.05), but not after a priming dose. In the OPRM1 comparisons, results showed that individuals with at least 1 copy of the OPRM1 + 118 G allele had greater hemodynamic response in mesocorticolimbic areas both before and after priming compared with those who were homozygous for the OPRM1 + 118 A allele. For the DRD4.L and OPRM1 + 118 G groups, brain response in the striatum was highly correlated with measures of alcohol use and behavior such that greater activity corresponded with greater frequency and quantity of alcohol use.

Conclusions:  The DRD4 VNTR and OPRM1 A118G polymorphisms are associated with functional neural changes in mesocorticolimbic structures after exposure to alcohol cues. This provides evidence for the contributions of the DRD4 and OPRM1 genes in modulating neural activity in structures that are involved in the motivation to drink.
Alcohol Sensitizes Cerebral Responses to the Odors of Alcoholic Drinks: An fMRI Study
Authors: Bragulat Veronique , Dzemidzic Mario , Talavage Thomas , Davidson Dena , O’Connor Sean J. , Kareken David A.
Published: June 2008

Background:  Small, priming doses of alcohol enhance desire to drink, and thus play a role in the loss of control of alcohol consumption. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we previously showed that alcoholic drink odors (AO; subjects’ drinks of choice) induce greater nucleus accumbens (NAc) activity than non‐appetitive odors (NApO; grass, leather) in subjects at risk for alcoholism. Here we hypothesized that priming exposure to alcohol would enhance responses to AO in the NAc and orbitofrontal cortex in comparison to NApO (grass, leather) and to the appetitive control odors (ApCO) of chocolate and grape.

Methods:  Ten hazardous drinkers (mean age = 22.7; SD = 2.9, average drinks per drinking day = 5.9, SD = 2.3; drinking days/90 days = 50.4, SD = 13.7) were scanned on a 1.5T GE Signa MR scanner during intravenous infusion of lactated Ringer’s or 6% ethanol in lactated Ringer’s that was pharmacokinetically modeled to achieve a constant breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 50 mg% throughout imaging. During scanning, subjects sniffed AO, NApO, and ApCO.

Results:  Alcohol infusion enhanced the contrast between AO and NApO in the NAc, and in orbitofrontal, medial frontal, and precuneus/posterior cingulate regions. The contrast between AO and appetitive control odors (ApCO; chocolate and grape) was similarly larger in the orbital, medial frontal, precuneus, and posterior cingulate/retrosplenial areas, with the most robust finding being a potentiated response in the posterior cingulate/retrosplenial area. The orbital region is similar to an area previously shown to manifest satiety‐related decreases in activity induced by food cues.

Conclusions:  The results suggest that priming exposure to alcohol renders a limbic network more responsive to alcohol cues, potentially enhancing desire to drink.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Alcohol Use Disorders: A Potential New Endophenotype?
Authors: Meyerhoff Dieter J. , Durazzo Timothy C.
Published: June 2008

Background:  Current effort is directed at defining new classification schemes for alcohol use disorders (AUD) based on genetic/biological, physiological, and behavioral endophenotypes.

Methods:  We describe briefly findings of in vivo brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) studies in AUD and propose that they be further explored and expanded regarding their value as a potential endophenotype for AUD.

Results:  In vivo 1H MRS, as part of the emerging field of “imaging genomics,” may provide readily accessible, objective, functionally significant and region‐specific neurobiological measures that successfully link genotypes to neurocognition and to psychiatric symptomatology in relatively small patient cohorts. We discuss several functional gene variants that may affect specific 1H MRS‐detectable metabolites and provide recent data from our own work that supports the view of genetic effects on metabolite measures.

Conclusions:  MRS‐genetics research will not only offer clues to the functional significance and downstream effects of genetic differences in AUD, but, via monitoring and/or predicting the efficacy of pharmacological and behavioral interventions as a function of genotype, has the potential to influence future clinical management of AUD.
Development and Pilot Validation of Computer‐Assisted Self‐Infusion of Ethanol (CASE): A New Method to Study Alcohol Self‐Administration in Humans
Authors: Zimmermann Ulrich S. , Mick Inge , Vitvitskyi Victor , Plawecki Martin H. , Mann Karl F. , O’Connor Sean
Published: June 2008

Background:  Human alcohol self‐administration studies employing oral intake are subject to high variability of the resulting blood alcohol concentrations because of idiosyncrasies of gastrointestinal absorption kinetics among subjects. We sought to improve the subjects’ opportunity to control their brain alcohol exposure by computer‐assisted i.v. self‐administration.

Methods:  Instead of drinking, subjects could request increments of their arterial blood alcohol concentration (aBAC) of precisely 7.5 mg% at any time they wanted by pressing a button, provided their aBAC would not exceed 100 mg%. The latency between pushing the button and reaching the new aBAC peak was preset to be 2.5 minutes on the first day and was randomly changed to 1.5 or 3.5 minutes on days 2 and 3 in a crossover design. The necessary rate and amount of alcohol infusion was calculated by the software about once every second. Nine healthy social drinkers (4 females/5 males; mean age 25.0 ± 4.0 year) participated in 3 sessions each. Outcome measures were mean and maximum observed aBAC, and the number of alcohol requests.

Results:  Maximum aBAC was 76.5 ± 26.3 mg% on average over all experiments. When grouping days 2 and 3 according to latency (1.5 vs. 3.5 minutes), maximum aBAC and the number of requests in the session were significantly higher with the faster rise and all 3 outcome measures were significantly correlated between days. No such correlations were found between the first and either of the following days.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that CASE is practical and safe, and results in considerable alcohol exposure that can be manipulated with parameters chosen for the incremental exposure. Following 1 practice day, test–retest stability was good, suggesting a potential for use in scientific studies.
Effect of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase‐2 Genotype on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Responses to Moderate Alcohol Ingestion
Authors: Akamatsu Yasunori , Hayashi Tatsuya , Sakane Naoki , Moritani Toshio
Published: June 2008

Background:  Asian people are divided into the individuals who can ingest alcohol and cannot because of the difference of aldehyde dehydrogenase‐2 (ALDH2) genotype. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ALDH2 genotype on cardiac autonomic nervous responses to moderate alcohol ingestion.

Methods:  Subjects were 17 healthy male students at Kyoto University. According to the difference of ALDH2 genotype, they were divided into two groups: the STRONG (n = 10) and WEAK (n = 7) group. The subjects ingested 10 (the LITTLE trial) or 30 g (the MUCH trial) of pure alcohol on a separate day randomly. We collected ECG data and analyzed QT interval.

Results:  ECG QT interval, the important marker for sudden cardiac death in cardiac patients as well as healthy people, of the STRONG group were not prolonged after alcohol ingestion, but that of the WEAK group were significantly prolonged, compared to control. Moreover, with respect to the comparison of the change of QT interval between the LITTLE and MUCH trials, there were also no significant differences in the STRONG group. In the WEAK group, however, the change was more marked at MUCH trial.

Conclusions:  It is concluded that the cardiovascular response to alcohol ingestion is influenced by ALDH2 genotype and that the drinking assumed to be in moderation puts a strain on the hearts for the ALDH2‐deficient individuals. The results of this investigation show that moderate drinking does not have a good effect on everybody with respect to QT interval. This study also shows that moderate alcohol intake does not have a bad effect on the immune system regardless of ALDH2 genotype.
Treatment outcome of immediately loaded implants installed in edentulous jaws following computer‐assisted virtual treatment planning and flapless surgery
Authors: Komiyama Ai , Klinge Björn , Hultin Margareta
Published: June 2008

Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the outcome of immediately loaded implants installed in edentulous jaws following computer‐assisted virtual treatment planning combined with flapless surgery.

Material and methods: Twenty‐nine edentulous patients (9 females, 20 males, mean age of 71.5 years) were treated using the Nobel Guide™ protocol for surgical planning, fixture installation and immediate functioning of a prefabricated fixed implant prosthesis. One hundred and seventy‐six fixtures were installed to support 21 maxillary and 10 mandibular reconstructions. Patients were followed for up to 44 months.

Results: Nineteen out of 176 fixtures were lost between 2 and 18 months after installation. Fixture survival rate was 89% (92% maxilla, 83% mandible). Implant‐supported suprastructures remained stable during the follow‐up period in 26 out of 31 jaws (90% maxilla, 70% mandible). Surgical or technical complications occurred in 42% of treated cases. Misfit of abutment‐bridge appeared in five cases, resulting in disconnection of the bridge in two patients where fixtures were left for unloaded healing. Fixture losses resulted in the removal of the suprastructure in three patients, who returned to removable dentures. Extensive adjustments of occlusion were made in 10% of the immediately connected bridges. Radiographic bone defects developed in three patients after drilling, which appeared in two cases after anchor‐pin drilling in the maxilla and another in a severely resorbed mandible.

Conclusion: The patient's post‐operative discomfort such as swelling and pain was almost negligible. However, compared to conventional protocols, the occurrences of surgical and technical complications were higher, and thus this method must still be regarded to be in an exploratory phase.
Effectiveness of a Computer‐Based Educational Program on Nurses' Knowledge, Attitude, and Skill Level Related to Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Hart Patricia , Eaton LeeAnna , Buckner Marlette , Morrow Beth N. , Barrett Darcy T. , Fraser Danielle D. , Hooks Dwayne , Sharrer Rebecca L.
Published: June 2008

Purpose: To conduct a baseline assessment of nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to evidence‐based practice (EBP) and research utilisation; determine the level of organisational readiness for implementing EBP and research; and examine the effectiveness of a computer‐based educational program on nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to EBP and research utilisation.

Design: A descriptive, quasi‐experimental design with a one‐group, pre‐intervention survey, intervention, and post‐intervention survey method was used. A convenience sample of 744 nurses working in an integrated health care system was recruited. The study was conducted from May 2006 through November 2006.

Methods: Data collection instruments were a demographic data questionnaire and the Evidence‐Based Nursing Questionnaire. An education intervention on principles of EBP and research utilisation was conducted via three computer‐based learning modules.

Findings: Statistically significant differences in perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level, as well as beliefs about organisational readiness were found after nurses participated in the computer‐based education intervention. Although nurses indicated having positive attitudes about using research to support best nursing practice, gaps in knowledge and skills in retrieving research publications, evaluating the evidence, and incorporating the evidence into practice remain. Nurses rated their managers, senior nursing administrators, and staff nurses on their unit higher than hospital managers in supporting changes to practice based on research.

Conclusions: Nurses in clinical settings need to be able to use research findings and incorporate EBP into their nursing practice to promote positive patient outcomes. Appropriate organisational infrastructures are essential for promoting EBP and research utilisation in clinical settings. Diverse and effective methods are essential in educating and engaging nurses in EBP and research utilisation. Computer‐based education is an effective approach that can be used by nursing leaders in health care organisations to educate and engage nurses in EBP initiatives and research utilisation.
Accounting for Intraclass Correlations and Controlling for Baseline Differences in a Cluster‐Randomised Evidence‐Based Practice Intervention Study
Authors: Xie Xian‐Jin , Titler Marita G. , Clarke William R.
Published: June 2008

Background:In health care and community‐based intervention studies, cluster‐randomised designs have been increasingly used because of administrative convenience, a desire to decrease treatment contamination, and the need to avoid ethical issues that might arise. While useful, cluster‐randomised designs present challenges for data analysis. First, because of dependencies that exist among subjects within a cluster, methods that account for intra‐class correlations have to be used. Second, on many occasions, because of unavailability of large numbers of clusters, lack of balance on baseline measures has to be carefully examined and appropriately controlled for.

Aim/Methodology:Two strategies are presented that can be used when analysing data from a cluster‐randomised design; both account for baseline differences. Examples of these challenges are provided by a pain management intervention study designed to promote the adoption of evidence‐based pain management practices. One approach involves use of a mixed model via SAS PROC MIXED. The other approach involves use of a marginal model: Generalised estimating equations using SAS PROC GENMOD.

Implications:In cluster‐randomised design, one must adjust for intra‐class correlation when evaluating the intervention effect. Although the parameter estimates and their standard errors might be comparable with both random effect and marginal strategies for certain link functions (identity link or log link only), the interpretations are quite different and the two approaches are suitable for indicating answers to different questions. If differences are present concerning baseline measures between experimental and control groups, accounting for baseline measures is important. The choice between a mixed model or marginal approach should be dictated by whether the primary interest is a population or individual.
Understanding consumers' perceptions of functional ingredients: Studies of selenium and protein
Authors: COX David N.
Published: June 2008

Consumer research provides important information on perceptions that have relevance for nutritional guidance and the development of the food supply. The National Centre for Excellence in Functional Foods supported research projects in consumer understanding of selenium‐enriched foods and potential drivers of consumption of such foods. Second, research was undertaken on consumer understanding of the benefits of high‐protein foods for weight control. This paper briefly outlines the projects and comments on the findings. The selenium study found little knowledge of the relationship between particular nutrients and particular health outcomes. While promoting information about the substantiation of benefit claims and highlighting vulnerability may increase perceived ‘importance of Se enriched foods’, confidence and ability are likely to drive consumption; therefore, efforts to facilitate ease of consumption will be required. The protein research found a suggestion that participants possessed ‘attribute knowledge’ but not ‘consequence knowledge’ of high‐protein foods, indicating that there is incomplete knowledge or a belief that other factors may impact upon the weight control ability. There are implications for better communication strategies, so that consumers can make cognitive decisions to consume high‐protein diets with subsequent improvement in sustained use.
Target Gene Activation of the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Nuclear β‐Catenin Accumulating Cells of Adamantinomatous Craniopharyngiomas
Authors: Hölsken Annett , Kreutzer Jürgen , Hofmann Bernd M. , Hans Volkmar , Oppel Falk , Buchfelder Michael , Fahlbusch Rudolf , Blümcke Ingmar , Buslei Rolf
Published: June 2008

Activating β‐catenin (CTNNB1) mutations can be identified in the majority of adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (adaCP), suggesting an aberrant Wnt signaling pathway in this histopathologically peculiar tumor entity. However, there is no proven evidence that nuclear translocation of β‐catenin is associated with CTNNB1 mutations and target gene activation. We performed a laser‐microdissection‐based study comparing β‐catenin accumulating vs. non‐accumulating tumor cells. Mutational analysis and gene expression profiling using real‐time polymerase chain reaction were conducted in adamantinomatous and papillary tumor specimens. Target gene activation, that is, over‐expression of Axin2 could be detected in adaCP, especially in tumor cells with nuclear β‐catenin accumulation. In addition, increased expression of BMP4 was identified in the accumulating cell population, which supports the hypothesis of an oral ectodermal origin. Interestingly, accumulating and non‐accumulating tumor cell populations carried CTNNB1 mutations within exon 3. We extended the analysis, therefore, towards genetic regions encoding for membrane linkage and active/passive nuclear transport mechanisms (exon 4 and exon 8–13), but could not detect any alteration. This is the first report demonstrating an association between nuclear β‐catenin accumulation and target gene activation in adaCP. The results confirm the Wnt signaling pathway as molecular basis of the distinct and challenging clinical and morphological phenotype of adaCP.
Thin filament Ca2+ binding properties and regulatory unit interactions alter kinetics of tension development and relaxation in rabbit skeletal muscle
Authors: Kreutziger Kareen L. , Piroddi Nicoletta , Scellini Beatrice , Tesi Chiara , Poggesi Corrado , Regnier Michael
Published: June 2008

The influence of Ca2+ binding properties of individual troponin versus cooperative regulatory unit interactions along thin filaments on the rate tension develops and declines was examined in demembranated rabbit psoas fibres and isolated myofibrils. Native skeletal troponin C (sTnC) was replaced with sTnC mutants having altered Ca2+ dissociation rates (koff) or with mixtures of sTnC and D28A, D64A sTnC, that does not bind Ca2+ at sites I and II (xxsTnC), to reduce near‐neighbour regulatory unit (RU) interactions. At saturating Ca2+, the rate of tension redevelopment (kTR) was not altered for fibres containing sTnC mutants with decreased koff or mixtures of sTnC:xxsTnC. We examined the influence of koff on maximal activation and relaxation in myofibrils because they allow rapid and large changes in [Ca2+]. In myofibrils with M80Q sTnCF27W (decreased koff), maximal tension, activation rate (kACT), kTR and rates of relaxation were not altered. With I60Q sTnCF27W (increased koff), maximal tension, kACT and kTR decreased, with no change in relaxation rates. Surprisingly, the duration of the slow phase of relaxation increased or decreased with decreased or increased koff, respectively. For all sTnC reconstitution conditions, Ca2+ dependence of kTR in fibres showed Ca2+ sensitivity of kTR (pCa50) shifted parallel to tension and low‐Ca2+kTR was elevated. Together the data suggest the Ca2+‐dependent rate of tension development and the duration (but not rate) of relaxation can be greatly influenced by koff of sTnC. This influence of sTnC binding kinetics occurs primarily within individual RUs, with only minor contributions of RU interactions at low Ca2+.
Regulation of single inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor channel activity by protein kinase A phosphorylation
Authors: Wagner Larry E. , Joseph Suresh K. , Yule David I.
Published: June 2008

Phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R) by PKA represents an important, common route for regulation of Ca2+ release. Following phosphorylation of the S2 splice variant of InsP3R‐1 (S2– InsP‐1), Ca2+ release is markedly potentiated. In this study we utilize the plasma membrane (PM) expression of InsP3R‐1 and phosphorylation state mutant InsP3R‐1 to study how this regulation occurs at the single InsP3R‐1 channel level. DT40‐3KO cells stably expressing rat S2– InsP3R‐1 were generated and studied in the whole‐cell mode of the patch clamp technique. At hyperpolarized holding potentials, small numbers of unitary currents (average ∼1.7 per cell) were observed which were dependent on InsP3 and the presence of functional InsP3R‐1, and regulated by both cytoplasmic Ca2+ and ATP. Raising cAMP markedly enhanced the open probability (Po) of the InsP3R‐1 and induced bursting activity, characterized by extended periods of rapid channel openings and subsequent prolonged refractory periods. The activity, as measured by the Po of the channel, of a non‐phosphorylatable InsP3R‐1 construct (Ser1589Ala/Ser1755Ala InsP3R‐1) was markedly less than wild‐type (WT) InsP3R‐1 and right shifted some ∼15‐fold when the concentration dependency was compared to a phosphomimetic construct (Ser1589Glu/Ser1755Glu InsP3R‐1). No change in conductance of the channel was observed. This shift in apparent InsP3 sensitivity occurred without a change in InsP3 binding or Ca2+ dependency of activation or inactivation. Biophysical analysis indicated that channel activity can be described by three states: an open state, a long lived closed state which manifests itself as long interburst intervals, and a short‐lived closed state. Bursting activity occurs as the channel shuttles rapidly between the open and short‐lived closed state. The predominant effect of InsP3R‐1 phosphorylation is to increase the likelihood of extended bursting activity and thus markedly augment Ca2+ release. These analyses provide insight into the mechanism responsible for augmenting InsP3R‐1 channel activity following phosphorylation and moreover should be generally useful for further detailed investigation of the biophysical properties of InsP3R.
Excitatory and anti‐oscillatory actions of nitric oxide in thalamus
Authors: Yang Sunggu , Cox Charles L.
Published: June 2008

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) not only serves as the obligatory pathway for visual information transfer from the retina to neocortex but can also generate intrathalamic rhythmic activities associated with different arousal states and certain pathological conditions. The gating activity of thalamocortical circuits is under neuromodulatory control by various brainstem nuclei as well as intrinsic thalamic neurons (e.g. thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) neurons and dLGN interneurons). In this study, we examined the effect of the putative neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO) on thalamic neuron excitability. There are multiple potential sources of NO in thalamus: cholinergic terminals originating from brainstem nuclei, GABAergic TRN neurons, and local GABAergic interneurons. Using whole cell recording techniques in in vitro thalamic slices, we found that the NO donor SNAP produced a robust, long‐lasting depolarization in TRN neurons, a weaker depolarization in thalamocortical relay neurons, and no effect in local interneurons. SNAP preferentially depolarized stereotypical TRN neurons that could produced strong burst discharge. In contrast, SNAP had little effect on atypical burst and non‐burst TRN cells. The NO donor SIN‐1 and the endogenous NO precursor, l‐arginine, mimicked the SNAP‐mediated actions. The NO‐mediated depolarizations were blocked by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ indicating involvement of the cGMP pathway. In addition, the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor zaprinast depolarized and occluded the NO‐mediated depolarization in TRN neurons. At the circuit level, NO activation significantly attenuated intrathalamic rhythmic activities likely resulting from the shifting of the firing mode of thalamic neurons, perhaps both TRN and thalamocortical neurons, from burst‐ to tonic‐discharge mode. These alterations in thalamic neuron excitability not only change rhythmic circuit activity, but could also influence sensory information processing through thalamocortical circuits.
Response to Comment on "Intermittent Plate Tectonics?"
Authors: Silver Paul G. , Behn Mark D.
Published: June 2008

Korenaga takes issue with our proposal that intermittent plate tectonics provides a solution to the thermal catastrophe paradox, arguing that the heat flux in the absence of plate tectonics is too high. We show that this flux is small enough and changes rapidly enough in response to variations in slab flux to produce a reasonable thermal history back to at least 3 billion years ago.
High Impulsivity Predicts the Switch to Compulsive Cocaine-Taking
Authors: Belin David , Mar Adam C. , Dalley Jeffrey W. , Robbins Trevor W. , Everitt Barry J.
Published: June 2008

Both impulsivity and novelty-seeking have been suggested to be behavioral markers of the propensity to take addictive drugs. However, their relevance for the vulnerability to compulsively seek and take drugs, which is a hallmark feature of addiction, is unknown. We report here that, whereas high reactivity to novelty predicts the propensity to initiate cocaine self-administration, high impulsivity predicts the development of addiction-like behavior in rats, including persistent or compulsive drug-taking in the face of aversive outcomes. This study shows experimental evidence that a shift from impulsivity to compulsivity occurs during the development of addictive behavior, which provides insights into the genesis and neural mechanisms of drug addiction.
The Transcription/Migration Interface in Heart Precursors of
Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Christiaen Lionel , Davidson Brad , Kawashima Takeshi , Powell Weston , Nolla Hector , Vranizan Karen , Levine Michael
Published: June 2008

Gene regulatory networks direct the progressive determination of cell fate during embryogenesis, but how they control cell behavior during morphogenesis remains largely elusive. Cell sorting, microarrays, and targeted molecular manipulations were used to analyze cardiac cell migration in the ascidian
Ciona intestinalis
. The heart network regulates genes involved in most cellular activities required for migration, including adhesion, cell polarity, and membrane protrusions. We demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor signaling and the forkhead transcription factor FoxF directly upregulate the small guanosine triphosphatase RhoDF, which synergizes with Cdc42 to contribute to the protrusive activity of migrating cells. Moreover, RhoDF induces membrane protrusions independently of other cellular activities required for migration. We propose that transcription regulation of specific effector genes determines the coordinated deployment of discrete cellular modules underlying migration.
Disinhibitory Involvement of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in the Descending Antinociceptive Effect Induced by Electroacupuncture Stimulation in Rats
Authors: Hirano Takafumi , Zeredo Jorge L. , Kimoto Mari , Moritaka Kentaro , Nasution Fajar H. , Toda Kazuo
Published: June 2008

The present study was conducted to clarify the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACCX) in acupuncture analgesia. Experiments were performed on 35 female Wistar albino rats weighing about 300 g. Single unit recordings were made from ACCX neurons with a tungsten microelectrode. Descending ACCX neurons were identified by antidromic activation from electrical shocks applied to the ventral part of the ipsilateral PAG through a concentric needle electrode. Cathodal electroacupuncture stimulation of Ho-Ku (0.1 ms in duration, 45 Hz) for 15 min was done by inserting stainless steel needles bilaterally. An anodal silver-plate electrode (30 mm × 30 mm ) was placed on the center of the abdomen. Naloxone (1.0 mg/kg, i.v.) was used to test whether changes of ACCX activities were induced by the endogenous opioid system. Data were collected from a total of 73 ACCX neurons. Forty-seven neurons had descending projection to the PAG, and the other 26 had no projections to the PAG. A majority of descending ACCX neurons were inhibited by electroacupuncture stimulation. By contrast, non-projection ACCX neurons were mainly unaffected by electroacupuncture. Naloxone did not reverse acupuncture effects on the changes of ACCX neuronal activities. Acupuncture stimulation had predominantly inhibitory effects on the activities of descending ACCX neurons. Since the functional connection between ACCX and PAG is inhibitory, electroacupuncture caused disinhibition of PAG neurons, whose activity is closely related to descending antinociception to the spinal cord. This disinhibitory effect elicited by acupuncture stimulation is thought to play a significant role in acupuncture analgesia.
Gynostemma pentaphyllumDecreases Allergic Reactions in a Murine Asthmatic Model
Authors: Huang Wen-Chung , Kuo Ming-Ling , Li Ming-Liang , Yang Rong-Chi , Liou Chian-Jiun , Shen Jiann-Jong
Published: June 2008

The increasing incidence of asthma in developing countries emphasizes the importance of identifying more effective treatments that have low cost. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (Cucurbitaceae), a common herbal tea in China, has been used to treat lung inflammation. Since the Th 2 cytokines are the major mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma, Th 1-biased immune responses caused by G. pentaphyllum might have the potential to relieve asthmatic symptoms. We hypothesized that oral administration of G. pentaphyllum extracts might suppress Th 2 cytokine-induced airway inflammation responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitive mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection and challenged 3 times with OVA inhalation (IH) (the IH3 model). G. pentaphyllum was orally administered for 7 consecutive days before the end of the OVA challenge. In the IH5 model, 2 more OVA challenges were administered to mimic the encounter with an allergen after drug treatment. G. pentaphyllum extracts significantly attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inhibited eosinophil infiltration in mice in both models. Serum OVA-specific antibodies were also reduced with the treatment. Decreased Th 2-type cytokines and increased IFN-γ were detected in the cultures of OVA-activated splenocytes from treated mice. Our results suggest that G. pentaphyllum extracts might be beneficial for asthma airway inflammation through the suppression of Th 2 activity.
THEORETICAL CORRELATION BETWEEN POSSIBLE EVIDENCES OF NEUTRINO CHIRAL OSCILLATIONS AND POLARIZATION MEASUREMENTS
Authors: BERNARDINI A. E. , GUZZO M. M.
Published: June 2008

Reporting about the formalism with the Dirac equation we describe the dynamics of chiral oscillations for a fermionic particle non-minimally coupling with an external magnetic field. For massive particles, the chirality and helicity quantum numbers represent different physical quantities of representative importance in the study of chiral interactions, in particular, in the context of neutrino physics. After solving the interacting Hamiltonian (Dirac) equation for the corresponding fermionic Dirac-type particle (neutrino) and quantifying chiral oscillations in the Dirac wave packet framework, we avail the possibility of determining realistic neutrino chirality conversion rates by means of (helicity) polarization measurements. We notice that it can become feasible for some particular magnetic field configurations with large values of B orthogonal to the direction of the propagating particle.
CORROSION INITIATION TIME OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES IN MARINE ENVIRONMENT — A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH
Authors: SRIVIDYA A. , ALLAMPALLEWAR SATISH B.
Published: June 2008

An approximate explicit method from literature to estimate the corrosion initiation time of steel reinforcement in concrete is developed to incorporate random variables which affect the diffusion rate. The method accounts for uncertainties of input parameters and predicate expected time of first corrosion for the chosen risk of corrosion and its variance. Method is also utilized to rank the sensitive parameters to initiate steel reinforcement corrosion. Corrosion is initiated when the chloride concentration on steel reinforcement exceeds a threshold value. Corrosion initiation time is useful for owner, designer, or to an organization to take decision in time of priority of repairs, repair strategy, corrosion protection in order to optimize maintenance planning and budgeting. Planned maintenance at the optimum time is the safest and most cost effective approach.
COMPARING COLLABORATIVE AND PROCESS SEMANTICS FOR COOPERATIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: HENDERSON-SELLERS B. , HAWRYSZKIEWYCZ I.
Published: June 2008

Collaboration is now becoming more common in business processes. Thus, ways are needed to integrate collaborative processes into such business processes. The implication for design methodologies is the need for synergies that integrate collaborative semantics with process metamodels in order to create software applications to assist people to collaborate. This paper describes a semantic model of collaboration, known as the LiveNet metamodel, and two standard process metamodels, SPEM (OMG) and the process part of the methodology metamodel ISO/IEC 24744. The paper suggests synergies between the collaborative and process metamodels and their potential convergence. The analysis carried out in the paper has revealed a number of metaclasses that could be valuably shared between metamodels to integrate process and collaborative semantics. The LiveNet collaborative metamodel has been incorporated into running software so that the theory built up here is substantiated and shown to be useful.
Ins and Outs of Major Facilitator Superfamily Antiporters
Authors: Law Christopher J. , Maloney Peter C. , Wang Da-Neng
Published: June 2008

The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) represents the largest group of secondary active membrane transporters, and its members transport a diverse range of substrates. Recent work shows that MFS antiporters, and perhaps all members of the MFS, share the same three-dimensional structure, consisting of two domains that surround a substrate translocation pore. The advent of crystal structures of three MFS antiporters sheds light on their fundamental mechanism; they operate via a single binding site, alternating-access mechanism that involves a rocker-switch type movement of the two halves of the protein. In the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GlpT) from Escherichia coli, the substrate-binding site is formed by several charged residues and a histidine that can be protonated. Salt-bridge formation and breakage are involved in the conformational changes of the protein during transport. In this review, we attempt to give an account of a set of mechanistic principles that characterize all MFS antiporters.
Skeletal muscle and bone: effect of sex steroids and aging
Authors: Brown Marybeth
Published: June 2008

Both estrogen and testosterone are present in males and females. Both hormones contribute to the well being of skeletal muscle and bone in men and women, and there is evidence that the loss of sex hormones is associated with the age-related decline in bone and skeletal muscle mass. Hormonal supplementation of older adults to restore estrogen and testosterone levels to those of young men and women is not without penalty.