bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lifetime history of alcohol consumption and K‐ras mutations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Crous‐Bou Marta , Porta Miquel , López Tomàs , Jariod Manel , Malats Núria , Morales Eva , Guarner Luisa , Rifà Juli , Carrato Alfredo , Real Francisco X. ,   for the PANKRAS II Study Group
Published: March 2009

Background:

In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), evidence on the etiopathogenic role of alcohol consumption in the occurrence of K‐ras mutations is scant, and the role of alcohol in pancreatic carcinogenesis is not well established. We analyzed the relation between lifetime consumption of alcohol and mutations in codon 12 of the K‐ras oncogene in patients with PDA.

Methods:

Incident cases of PDA were prospectively identified and interviewed face‐to‐face during hospital admission about lifetime alcohol consumption and other lifestyle factors. Logistic regression was used to compare PDA cases (N = 107) with mutated and wild‐type K‐ras tumors (case–case study).

Results:

Mutated cases were moderate or heavy drinkers more frequently than wild‐type cases: the odds ratio adjusted by age, sex, smoking, and history of pancreatitis (ORa) was 3.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.02–9.93; P = 0.046). Total grams of alcohol and years of consumption were higher in mutated than in wild‐type cases: the ORa for lifetime alcohol consumption over 507,499 g was 3.35 (95% CI: 0.81–13.88); and for more than 40 years of alcohol consumption it was 4.47 (95% CI: 1.05–19.02). Age at onset of alcohol consumption and years of abstinence were also associated with the presence of K‐ras mutations. There were no significant differences in alcohol dependency.

Conclusions:

Alcohol consumption is weakly associated with an increased risk of having a K‐ras mutated PDA. To confirm or to refute the hypothesis that ethanol, acetaldehyde or other alcohol‐related substances might influence the acquisition or persistence of K‐ras mutations in the pancreatic epithelium, large and unselected studies are warranted. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LSM–YSZ Reactions in Different Atmospheres
Authors: Chen M. , Liu Y. ‐L. , Hagen A. , Hendriksen P. V. , Poulsen F. W.
Published: March 2009

The influences of the oxygen partial pressure and the LSM/YSZ ratio on the LSM–YSZ interface reactions at 1,000 °C were investigated. Both pellets and diffusion couples were employed in the study. The equilibrium thermodynamics of the LSM–YSZ reactions was clarified based on the pellet study–powder reaction. LSM reacts differently with YSZ in different atmospheres. In air, m‐ZrO2 (monoclinic) is formed; while in N2, SrZrO3 and/or La2Zr2O7 are formed depending on the initial LSM/YSZ ratio. The reactions are reversible with varying P(O2) i.e. treating the sample in air after the heat treatment in N2 results in a decomposition of the formed La‐ and Sr‐zirconates. The de‐stabilisation of the LSM–YSZ interface under long‐term annealing at 1,000 °C originates mainly from the inter‐diffusion across the interface. Under reduced P(O2), the Mn diffusion from LSM into YSZ is enhanced. High P(O2) (≥0.21 atm) promotes the m‐ZrO2 formation.
Are inositol pyrophosphates signalling molecules?
Authors: Burton Adam , Hu Xiaowen , Saiardi Adolfo
Published: March 2009

The inositol polyphosphate family of small, cytosolic molecules has a prominent place in the field of cell signalling, and inositol pyrophosphates are the most recent addition to this large family. First identified in 1993, they have since been found in all eukaryotic organisms studied. The defining feature of inositol pyrophosphates is the presence of the characteristic ‘high energy’ pyrophosphate group, which immediately attracted interest in them as possible signalling molecules. In addition to their unique ‘high energy’ pyrophosphate bond, their concentration in the cell is tightly regulated with an extremely rapid turnover. This, together with the history of other inositol polyphosphates, makes it likely that they have an important role in intracellular signalling involving some basic cellular processes. This hypothesis is supported by the surprisingly wide range of cellular functions where inositol pyrophosphates seem to be involved. A seminal finding was that inositol pyrophosphates are able to directly phosphorylate pre‐phosphorylated proteins, thereby identifying an entirely new post‐translational protein modification, namely serine‐pyrophosphorylation. Rapid progress has been made in characterising the metabolism of these molecules in the 15 years since their first identification. However, their detailed signalling role in specific cellular processes and in the context of relevant physiological cues has developed more slowly, particularly in mammalian system. We will discuss inositol pyrophosphates from the cell signalling perspective, analysing how their intracellular concentration is modulated, what their possible molecular mechanisms of action are, together with the physiological consequences of this novel form of signalling. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 8–15, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The APC tumor suppressor is required for epithelial integrity in the mouse mammary gland
Authors: Prosperi Jenifer R. , Becher Kimberly R. , Willson Tara A. , Collins Margaret H. , Witte David P. , Goss Kathleen H.
Published: March 2009

Inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor has been associated with mammary tumorigenesis in mouse models and through epidemiological studies of human breast cancers, but the normal role for APC in mammary development has not been thoroughly characterized. We report here that ApcMin/+ mice containing one functional allele of Apc have severely disrupted lobuloalveolar development during pregnancy and lactation, time points at which Apc gene expression is at its highest levels in normal mice. This phenotype was accompanied by altered proliferation during pregnancy and involution, increased apoptosis throughout lactation, the formation of preneoplastic lesions and changes in specific genes associated with each of these processes. Neither modifications in β‐catenin localization, nor the expression of β‐catenin transcriptional target genes, were observed in ApcMin/+ mammary tissues; however, tissues from lactating ApcMin/+ mice had a significantly altered epithelial architecture, including disrupted localization of junctional proteins and polarization. Consistent with these findings, APC knockdown in non‐transformed mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro resulted in altered monolayer formation and proliferation without changes in β‐catenin‐mediated transcription. These results suggest that APC expression is tightly regulated during mammary gland development and is required for normal mammary homeostasis and tumor suppression primarily through maintaining epithelial integrity. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 319–331, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Applications of transgenics in studies of bone sialoprotein
Authors: Zhang Jin , Tu Qisheng , Chen Jake
Published: March 2009

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a major non‐collagenous protein in mineralizing connective tissues such as dentin, cementum and calcified cartilage tissues. As a member of the Small Integrin‐Binding Ligand, N‐linked Glycoprotein (SIBLING) gene family of glycoproteins, BSP is involved in regulating hydroxyapatite crystal formation in bones and teeth, and has long been used as a marker gene for osteogenic differentiation. In the most recent decade, new discoveries in BSP gene expression and regulation, bone remodeling, bone metastasis, and bone tissue engineering have been achieved with the help of transgenic mice. In this review, we discuss these new discoveries obtained from the literatures and from our own laboratory, which were derived from the use of transgenic mouse mutants related to BSP gene or its promoter activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 30–34, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth inhibition of the pulmonary metastatic tumors by systemic delivery of the p27kip1 gene using lyophilized lipid‐polycation‐DNA complexes
Authors: Sun Xun , Zhang Hong‐Wei , Zhang Zhi‐Rong
Published: March 2009

Background

p27kip1 (p27), a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI), is an important regulator of cell cycle progression and a putative tumor suppressor gene, and plays an important role in the inhibition of genesis and progression of several kinds of cancers. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti‐tumor effects of p27 gene therapy by a nonviral gene delivery strategy on pulmonary metastatic tumors.

Methods

A recombinant plasmid composed of a p27 sequence was constructed and identified; it was then formulated with condensing agent protamine sulfate and entrapped into cationic liposomes. The resulting lipid‐polycation‐DNA complexes (LPD) were prepared into lyophilized forms. 5 × 105 of CT26 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells were inoculated into female Balb/c mice via the tail vein to establish lung tumor models. On the second day, mice were randomly divided into six groups for different intravenous treatments: phosphate‐buffered saline, empty liposomes, naked pDNA, LPD‐p27 kip1, Cisplatin (DPP), and LPD‐p27 kip1 plus DPP, respectively.

Results

The growth curve of tumor and the growth inhibition rate of tumor showed that p27‐LPDs could prolong the lifespan of the mice significantly, whereas the combination of p27‐LPDs and DPP could further prolong the lifespan of the tumor‐bearing animals. The histology of tumors examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that p27‐LPDs had a stronger inhibition effect. Significant expression of p27 was detected in tumors using an immunohistochemical technique.

Conclusions

Lyophilized LPD could be used as a potential in vivo gene delivery carrier for lung cancer gene therapy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism underlying apolipoprotein E (ApoE) isoform‐dependent lipid efflux from neural cells in culture
Authors: Minagawa Hirohisa , Gong Jiang‐Sheng , Jung Cha‐Gyun , Watanabe Atsushi , Lund‐Katz Sissel , Phillips Michael C. , Saito Hiroyuki , Michikawa Makoto
Published: March 2009

We determined the molecular mechanisms underlying apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‐isoform‐dependent lipid efflux from neurons and ApoE‐deficient astrocytes in culture. The ability of ApoE3 to induce lipid efflux was 2.5‐ to 3.9‐fold greater than ApoE4. To explore the contributions of the amino‐ and carboxyl‐terminal tertiary structure domains of ApoE to cellular lipid efflux, each domain was studied separately. The amino‐terminal fragment of ApoE3 (22‐kDa‐ApoE3) induced lipid efflux greater than 22‐kDa‐ApoE4, whereas the common carboxyl‐terminal fragment of ApoE induced very low levels of lipid efflux. Addition of segments of the carboxyl‐terminal domain to 22‐kDa‐ApoE3 additively induced lipid efflux in a length‐dependent manner; in contrast, this effect did not occur with ApoE4. This observation, coupled with the fact that introduction of the E255A mutation (which disrupts domain–domain interaction) into ApoE4 increases lipid efflux, indicates that interaction between the amino‐ and carboxyl‐terminal domains in ApoE4 reduces the ability of this isoform to mediate lipid efflux from neural cells. Dimeric 22‐kDa or intact ApoE3 induced higher lipid efflux than monomeric 22‐kDa or intact ApoE3, respectively, indicating that dimerization of ApoE3 enhances the ability to release lipids. The adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is involved in ApoE‐induced lipid efflux. In conclusion, there are two major factors, intramolecular domain interaction and intermolecular dimerization, that cause ApoE‐isoform‐dependent lipid efflux from neural cells in culture. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sclerosing peritonitis and mortality after liver transplantation
Authors: Mekeel Kristin , Moss Adyr , Reddy Kunam Sudhakar , Douglas David , Mulligan David
Published: March 2009

Sclerosing peritonitis describes the development of a peel or rind of fibrosis that spreads over the peritoneal surface and can lead to recalcitrant ascites, bowel obstruction, and sepsis. It is well described as a complication of peritoneal dialysis, especially with episodes of bacterial peritonitis. It is also a complication of end-stage liver disease with ascites and liver transplantation. This article describes 3 cases of sclerosing peritonitis present at the time of liver transplantation or soon after. All 3 patients had massive refractory ascites with episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prior to transplantation. Two patients had evidence of a fibrous peel at the time of transplantation. Postoperatively, all 3 patients continued to have refractory ascites and episodes of peritonitis, along with partial small bowel obstructions, abdominal pain, and malnutrition. Two patients also had constriction of the graft, including biliary obstruction and inferior vena cava and outflow obstruction, which has not been previously described. All 3 patients eventually died from complications related to the sclerosing peritonitis.
Acute graft-versus-host disease after liver transplant: Novel use of etanercept and the role of tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors
Authors: Thin Lena , MacQuillan Gerry , Adams Leon , Garas George , Seow Cynthia , Cannell Paul , Augustson Bradley , Mitchell Andrew , Delriveire Luc , Jeffrey Gary
Published: March 2009

Acute graft-versus-host disease following orthotopic liver transplantation is a rare but feared complication arising in 1% to 2% of cases with a dismal prognosis. It most often presents as fever, rash, and diarrhea with or without pancytopenia. Patients die from complications of marrow failure such as sepsis or bleeding. Because of its low incidence, there is no clear treatment protocol for this complication. Both increasing and withdrawing immunosuppression have been attempted with variable success. Although anti–tumor necrosis factor α therapy has been widely used for the treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant setting, there previously have been no reported cases of its use in liver transplantation. The aim of this report is to review a case of acute graft-versus-host disease and the use of etanercept to manage this complication. Etanercept has never previously been used in liver transplantation complicated by acute graft-versus-host disease. In the hematology literature, the success of its use is offset by significant rates of serious infectious (especially fungal) complications. However, preliminary results are encouraging and offer insight into its use as a potentially viable therapeutic option. We report the first successful use of etanercept in liver transplantation–associated graft-versus-host disease, albeit complicated by invasive aspergillosis, and recommend concurrent antifungal prophylaxis when the drug is used in this setting.
An analysis of budget compliance measurement in South African local government best‐practice financial management technical assistance programs, 2001—2003
Authors: Dollery Brian , Graves Nigel
Published: March 2009

South Africa's local government financial management best‐practice technical assistance program (known as MFMTAP) was to reform municipal financial management; achieve credible, realistic budgets and prevent financial failure. We consider whether a budget compliance procedure, developed by National Treasury (NT) to measure funding requirements compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) focusing on ‘realistic’ revenue budgeting, improves our understanding of technical assistance effectiveness. We assess a metropolitan municipality's compliance before, during and after advisory assistance. The compliance procedure was robust. Potential exists for wider application to assess best‐practice technical assistance (BPTA) program financial reform effectiveness. The findings from this single, important sample suggest that MFMA funding requirements are not being sustained 4 years after MFMTAP commencement, attributable to either BPTA performance or termination effects. We conclude that MFMA financial performance can be assessed by the procedure, from analysis of the metropolitan municipality performance assisted by a BPTA advisor for approximately 3 years. The analysis raises questions about BPTA program reform sustainability, but we add the caveat that conclusions cannot be drawn from a single sample metropolitan municipality, but a larger sample need be used for further methodology development to confirm its efficacy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The political economy of accountability in Timor‐Leste: Implications for public policy
Authors: Blunt Peter
Published: March 2009

With a view to establishing the likelihood of the occurrence of state capture and different forms of corruption and the feasibility of their management and prevention, important aspects of the historical, social, economic, political and governance context of Timor‐Leste are examined. This context is found to be conducive to various forms of state capture and systemic grand and petty corruption, and to be resistant to conventional short‐term technocratic anticorruption remedies. While the latter are likely to have public relations benefits that may be helpful to the maintenance of political stability in the short run, it is argued that significant anticorruption progress is a long‐term endeavour, achievable principally through: sustained impartial service delivery that undermines beliefs in patronage; hastening—through general education and the creation of a conducive legal environment for business—the emergence of leaders of integrity and the growth of a middle class; and the establishment of the rule of law. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of carbon black and nanoclay filler loading in chlorobutyl vulcanizates using response surface methodology
Authors: Sridhar V. , Shanmugharaj A.M. , Kim Jin Kuk , Tripathy D.K.
Published: March 2009

In this article, an attempt has been made to study the applicability of using organo nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) and carbon black (HAF, N330) in chlorinated isobutyl isoprene rubber vulcanizates. Statistical design of experimentation was adopted so that maximum information can be obtained from a minimum number of experiments. Response surface methodology was applied successfully to rubber compound design using a rotatable central compound design. Compounding trials were carried out at design points, and the rubber vulcanizates were characterized for modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, bound rubber, and free volume parameters τ3 and I3. The experimental data was used to generate mathematical models by multiple linear regression analysis using MATLAB (version 6) package. The variability of the postulated models was tested by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and R2 tests and was found to be adequate. The accuracy of the models generated was tested by making an experimental trial. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Estimating the extent of near‐surface permafrost using remote sensing, Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territories
Authors: Nguyen T‐N. , Burn C. R. , King D. J. , Smith S. L.
Published: March 2009

The extent of near‐surface permafrost, or perennially frozen ground within 3 m of the surface, was estimated for the Mackenzie River delta by determining its association with riparian vegetation communities in the field, and by subsequently mapping these vegetation communities using SPOT‐5 data and the supervised maximum‐likelihood classification technique. Near‐surface permafrost was absent beneath willow–horsetail (Salix‐Equisetum) vegetation communities on point bars and alluvial islands throughout the delta and beneath horsetail (Equisetum) communities in the southern and central delta. Near‐surface permafrost was found beneath all other vegetation communities and land surface types. Multispectral SPOT‐5 data were classified with overall accuracies greater than 80 per cent. Using the remotely sensed vegetation community data, near‐surface permafrost was estimated to occur beneath 93 per cent, 95 per cent and 96 per cent of the land surface within the investigation areas of the southern, central and northern delta, respectively. In contrast to the most recent Permafrost Map of Canada, these results indicate that the Mackenzie Delta is part of the continuous permafrost zone. Copyright © 2009 Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential dermal pesticide exposure affected by greenhouse spray application technique
Authors: Nuyttens David , Braekman Pascal , Windey Stijn , Sonck Bart
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Operator safety is still one of the main problems concerning greenhouse spray applications in South European horticulture. The main objective of this study was to compare potential dermal exposure (PDE) between traditional handheld spray application techniques (i.e. a standard spray gun walking forwards, a spray lance walking forwards and backwards) and novel spray application techniques with spray booms (i.e. a trolley, the Fumimatic and the Fumicar).

RESULTS: PDE varied from 19.7 mL h−1 for the Fumimatic to 460 mL h−1 for the spray lance walking forwards. Walking backwards reduced PDE by a factor 7. With the trolley, Fumimatic and Fumicar, PDE was respectively 20, 60 and 8 times lower than with the standard spray gun. With the spray lance, PDE was about 2.5 times higher than with the spray gun. Pesticide distribution over the operator's body was non‐uniform and correlated strongly with the application technique. With the traditional techniques, exposure to the legs and feet represents 60–80% of the total exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: Novel spray application techniques using spray booms greatly decrease operator exposure because the operator is not walking directly into the spray cloud and the sprayed crop, and because of their higher capacity. Depending on the type of spray application, different parts of the body need to be protected most. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis analysis of regression models with a continuous outcome
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Hua , Hu Nan , Hu Guizhou , Root Martin
Published: March 2009

To estimate the multivariate regression model from multiple individual studies, it would be challenging to obtain results if the input from individual studies only provide univariate or incomplete multivariate regression information. Samsa et al. (J. Biomed. Biotechnol. 2005; 2:113–123) proposed a simple method to combine coefficients from univariate linear regression models into a multivariate linear regression model, a method known as synthesis analysis. However, the validity of this method relies on the normality assumption of the data, and it does not provide variance estimates. In this paper we propose a new synthesis method that improves on the existing synthesis method by eliminating the normality assumption, reducing bias, and allowing for the variance estimation of the estimated parameters. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using short‐term response information to facilitate adaptive randomization for survival clinical trials
Authors: Huang Xuelin , Ning Jing , Li Yisheng , Estey Elihu , Issa Jean‐Pierre , Berry Donald A.
Published: March 2009

Increased survival is a common goal of cancer clinical trials. Owing to the long periods of observation and follow‐up to assess patient survival outcome, it is difficult to use outcome‐adaptive randomization in these trials. In practice, often information about a short‐term response is quickly available during or shortly after treatment, and this short‐term response is a good predictor for long‐term survival. For example, complete remission of leukemia can be achieved and measured after a few cycles of treatment. It is a short‐term response that is desirable for prolonging survival. We propose a new design for survival trials when such short‐term response information is available. We use the short‐term information to ‘speed up’ the adaptation of the randomization procedure. We establish a connection between the short‐term response and the long‐term survival through a Bayesian model, first by using prior clinical information, and then by dynamically updating the model according to information accumulated in the ongoing trial. Interim monitoring and final decision making are based upon inference on the primary outcome of survival. The new design uses fewer patients, and can more effectively assign patients to the better treatment arms. We demonstrate these properties through simulation studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student t‐tests for potentially abnormal data
Authors: Shuster Jonathan J.
Published: March 2009

When the one‐sample or two‐sample t‐test is either taught in the class room or applied in practice to small samples, there is considerable divergence of opinion as to whether or not the inferences drawn are valid. Many point to the ‘Robustness’ of the t‐test to violations of assumptions, while others use rank or other robust methods because they believe that the t‐test is not robust against violations of such assumptions. It is quite likely, despite the apparent divergence of these two opinions, that both arguments have considerable merit. If we agree that this question cannot possibly be resolved in general, the issue becomes one of determining, before any actual data have been collected, whether the t‐test will or will not be robust in a specific application. This paper describes statistical analysis system software, covering a large collection of potential input probability distributions, to investigate both the null and power properties of various one‐ and two‐sample t‐tests and their normal approximations, as well as the Wilcoxon two‐sample and sign‐rank one‐sample tests, allowing potential practitioners to determine, at the study design stage, whether the t‐test will be robust in their specific application. Sample size projections, based on these actual distributions, are also included. This paper is not intended as a tool to assess robustness after the data have been collected. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Addressable Microfluidic Polymer Chip for DNA‐Directed Immobilization of Oligonucleotide‐Tagged Compounds
Authors: Schröder Hendrik , Hoffmann Linda , Müller Joachim , Alhorn Petra , Fleger Markus , Neyer Andreas , Niemeyer Christof M.
Published: March 2009

A microfluidic polymer chip for the self‐assembly of DNA conjugates through DNA‐directed immobilization is developed. The chip is fabricated from two parts, one of which contains a microfluidic channel produced from poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) by replica‐casting technique using a mold prepared by photolithographic techniques. The microfluidic part is sealed by covalent bonding with a chemically activated glass slide containing a DNA oligonucleotide microarray. The dimension of the PDMS–glass microfluidic chip is equivalent to standard microscope slides (76 × 26 mm2). The DNA microarray surface inside the microfluidic channels is configured through conventional spotting, and the resulting DNA patches can be conveniently addressed with compounds containing complementary DNA tags. To demonstrate the utility of the addressable surface within the microfluidic channel, DNA‐directed immobilization (DDI) of DNA‐modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and DNA‐conjugates of the enzymes glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) are carried out. DDI of AuNPs is used to demonstrate site selectivity and reversibility of the surface‐modification process. In the case of the DNA–enzyme conjugates, the patterned assembly of the two enzymes allows the establishment and investigation of the coupled reaction of GOx and HRP, with particular emphasis on surface coverage and lateral flow rates. The results demonstrate that this addressable chip is well suited for the generation of fluidically coupled multi‐enzyme microreactors.
Call admission control with opportunistic scheduling scheme
Authors: Dianati Mehrdad , Tafazolli Rahim , Shen Xuemin (Sherman) , Naik Kshirasagar
Published: March 2009

In this paper, a rate‐based admission control scheme for a single shared wireless base station with opportunistic scheduling and adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) is proposed. The proposed admission scheme maintains minimum average rates of the admitted users, i.e., new users will be admitted if the base station has enough resources to support the required minimum average transmission rates of all users. The proposed scheme relies on an analytical model for the average per‐user rates of an opportunistic scheduling in an unsaturated scenario, where some queues may be empty for certain periods of time. We provide extensive simulation results to demonstrate the accuracy of the base analytical model on which our admission scheme relies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro evaluation of osteoblast‐like cells on hydroxyapatite‐coated porous stainless steel implants by synchrotron radiation x‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Rabionet Mariona , Toque Jay Arre , Ide‐Ektessabi Ari
Published: March 2009

The successful application of artificial implants requires osseointegration in the implanted structures. To stimulate bone growth, synthetic hydroxyapatite obtained by the coprecipitation process was coated onto porous stainless steel substrates in order to enhance the biocompatibility and, consequently, mineralization. The substrate of choice was porous 316L stainless steel for its high resistance, mechanical strength and low density due to its foam structure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological response of the fabricated implants cultured with MC3T3‐E1 mouse osteoblast‐like cells by analyzing the variation in the elemental concentration, mainly calcium, along with the cellular differentiation and mineralization. By employing synchrotron radiation x‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SRXRF), intracellular elemental distribution and concentration could be determined, revealing a clear increase in the total calcium content. This preliminary data suggests that synthetic hydroxyapatite on porous stainless steel substrates might be successfully used for biocompatible medical implants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Library optimization in EDXRF spectral deconvolution for multi‐element analysis of ambient aerosols
Authors: Kellogg Robert B. , Willis Robert D.
Published: March 2009

In multi‐element analysis of atmospheric aerosols, attempts are made to fit overlapping elemental spectral lines for many elements that may be undetectable in samples due to low concentrations. Fitting with many library reference spectra has the unwanted effect of raising the analytical uncertainty of overlapping elements. By carefully choosing the order of elemental processing, library reference spectra can be omitted for non‐analyte lines of undetected elements without loss of information, thus lowering the number of library spectra needed for the fit and thereby reducing the uncertainty. The magnitude of the reduction so achieved is shown for blanks and a sample for 64 elements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changing Drug Users' Risk Environments: Peer Health Advocates as Multi‐level Community Change Agents
Authors: Weeks Margaret R. , Convey Mark , Dickson-Gomez Julia , Li Jianghong , Radda Kim , Martinez Maria , Robles Eduardo
Published: March 2009

Peer delivered, social oriented HIV prevention intervention designs are increasingly popular for addressing broader contexts of health risk beyond a focus on individual factors. Such interventions have the potential to affect multiple social levels of risk and change, including at the individual, network, and community levels, and reflect social ecological principles of interaction across social levels over time. The iterative and feedback dynamic generated by this multi‐level effect increases the likelihood for sustained health improvement initiated by those trained to deliver the peer intervention. The Risk Avoidance Partnership (RAP), conducted with heroin and cocaine/crack users in Hartford, Connecticut, exemplified this intervention design and illustrated the multi‐level effect on drug users' risk and harm reduction at the individual level, the social network level, and the larger community level. Implications of the RAP program for designing effective prevention programs and for analyzing long‐term change to reduce HIV transmission among high‐risk groups are discussed from this ecological and multi‐level intervention perspective.
Requirement for microtubule integrity in the SOCS1‐mediated intracellular dynamics of HIV‐1 Gag
Authors: Nishi Mayuko , Ryo Akihide , Tsurutani Naomi , Ohba Kenji , Sawasaki Tatsuya , Morishita Ryo , Perrem Kilian , Aoki Ichiro , Morikawa Yuko , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: March 2009

MINT‐7014221: Cullin 2 (uniprotkb:Q13617) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Gag (uniprotkb:P05888), elongin C (uniprotkb:Q15370), elongin B (uniprotkb:Q15369), SOCS1 (uniprotkb:O15524) and RBX1 (uniprotkb:P62877) by pull‐down (MI:0096)
Patterns of trematode and nematode lungworm infections in northern leopard frogs and wood frogs from Ontario, Canada
Authors: Dare O.K. , Forbes M.R.
Published: March 2009

In this study we examined trematode and nematode lung helminths commonly found in two species of host ranid frogs for competitive interactions. We examined 147 adult (breeding and non-breeding) and juvenile northern leopard frogs, and 84 breeding male wood frogs in Bishops Mills, Ontario for Haematoloechus spp. (Trematoda) and Rhabdias sp. (Nematoda) infections. A strong negative association between phyla of helminth was observed in breeding and juvenile northern leopard frogs, and also in breeding wood frogs, but not in non-breeding adult northern leopard frogs. Few hosts carried both types of worm concurrently. Thirteen northern leopard frogs carried dual infections, while 77 carried only one phylum of helminth. Twenty-seven wood frogs carried dual infections, while 54 carried only one phylum of helminth. We also observed spatial segregation of the two phyla in host lungs. Our study informs future research on the dynamics of interactions among lung helminths in these two host species.
Modeling, simulating, and simplifying links between stress, attachment, and reproduction
Authors: Petters Dean , Waters Everett
Published: March 2009

John Bowlby's use of evolutionary theory as a cornerstone of his attachment theory was innovative in its day and remains useful. Del Giudice's target article extends Belsky et al.'s and Chisholm's efforts to integrate attachment theory with more current thinking about evolution, ecology, and neuroscience. His analysis would be strengthened by (1) using computer simulation to clarify and simulate the effects of early environmental stress, (2) incorporating information about non-stress related sources of individual differences, (3) considering the possibility of adaptive behavior without specific evolutionary adaptations, and (4) considering whether the attachment construct is critical to his analysis.
Bone health in stroke
Authors: Haddaway MJ , Davie MWJ
Published: March 2009

In 2004 the Stroke Association stated ‘Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.’
Training implications of developments in intermediate care
Authors: Khanna PB , Bhowmick B
Published: March 2009

Key strands in developing future services in geriatric medicine in Wales have been the 2000 ‘Review of Health and Social Care in Wales’ by Sir Derek Wanless, the Welsh Assembly Government document ‘Designed for Life’ of May 2005, and the National Service Framework (NSF) For Older People in Wales (published in March 2006). The common theme in these documents is for older people's health and social care issues to be managed nearer to their home, in the community. At present, the development of Intermediate Care Services has been ‘hit and miss’ – fragmented, unevenly developed and delivered with poor integration into mainstream services. The Academy of the Royal College's Medical Aspect of Intermediate Care identifies the lack of specialist medical input as being one of the reasons for the failure of development of Intermediate Care Services. It recommended that geriatricians should be encouraged to undertake well-defined roles in community work in planning and delivery of Intermediate Care Services.
Reconstructing seawater circulation on the Moroccan shelf of Gondwana during the Late Devonian: Evidence from Nd isotope composition of conodonts
Authors: Dopieralska Jolanta
Published: March 2009

The Nd isotope composition of conodonts is used for the first time as a paleoceanographic proxy to reconstruct seawater circulation. Conodonts from two stratigraphic levels in the eastern Anti‐Atlas, the lower part of the Frasnian Zone 11 (base of the Kellwasser facies) and the boundary interval of the Uppermost crepida/rhomboidea zones (top of the Kellwasser facies), were selected for reconstruction of seawater circulation on the Moroccan shelf of Gondwana during Late Devonian times. The recognized lateral variations in ɛNd values are in very good agreement with current‐related sedimentary features. They provide evidence for communication of the Moroccan shelf with the Rheic Ocean to the southwest and with the Variscan Sea to the north. In the Frasnian, the general seawater flow was directed from the southwest to the east and was influenced by a local riverine input of low radiogenic Nd from the south (the West African Craton and/or the Pan‐African Ougarta Belt) and from the northwest (the Precambrian basement of the Anti‐Atlas). The combined set of Nd isotopic records and directional data from the middle Famennian reveals a circulation pattern different from that of the Frasnian. It was dominated by a general westward flow with a countercurrent in the central Tafilalt area. The establishment of a new circulation system during the Famennian suggests essential changes in paleogeography of the western part of the Variscan realm.
Bed slope effects on turbulent wave boundary layers: 1. Model validation and quantification of rough‐turbulent results
Authors: Fuhrman D. R. , Fredsøe J. , Sumer B. M.
Published: March 2009

A numerical model solving incompressible Reynolds‐averaged Navier‐Stokes equations, combined with a two‐equation k‐ω turbulence closure, is used to study converging‐diverging effects from a sloping bed on turbulent (oscillatory) wave boundary layers. Bed shear stresses from the numerical model are first validated against hydraulically smooth and rough data from flat bed experiments in the form of wave friction factor diagrams. The results show that the model provides acceptable accuracy for wave orbital amplitude to roughness length ratios a/kN ≥ 20. Validation against experimental measurements for steady streaming induced by a skewed free stream velocity signal is also provided. We then simulate a series of experiments involving oscillatory flow in a convergent‐divergent smooth tunnel, and a good match with respect to bed shear stresses and streaming velocities is achieved. The streaming is conceptually explained using analogies from steady converging and diffuser flows. A parametric study is undertaken to assess both the peak and time‐averaged bed shear stresses in converging and diverging half periods under rough‐turbulent conditions. The results are presented as friction factor diagrams. A local similarity condition is derived for relating oscillatory flow in a convergent‐divergent tunnel, as considered herein, to shoaling shallow‐water waves by matching spatial gradients in the free stream orbital length.
Large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns during polar low events over the Nordic seas
Authors: Blechschmidt A.‐M. , Bakan S. , Graßl H.
Published: March 2009

The large‐scale atmospheric circulation during polar low events over the Nordic seas (the North Atlantic between Greenland and Novaya Zemlya) is investigated on the basis of a recently compiled data set that was derived purely from satellite observations. A classification system is applied that divides the polar lows into four types (western polar lows, eastern polar lows, Greenland lee polar lows, and storm track polar lows). Type‐specific large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns are identified from National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis data. These are distinct in sea level pressure, upper level geopotential height, and the difference between the skin temperature of the ocean and upper level temperature. Eastern polar lows are found to be associated with a strong blocking situation caused by anomalously high pressure over Iceland and a synoptic‐scale low‐pressure anomaly over the Barents Sea. A weaker blocking situation with an anomalous ridge over Greenland reaching into the Irminger Sea and a low‐pressure anomaly over the Norwegian Sea favors the development of western polar lows. Typical values for polar low genesis are a geopotential height of 5030 geopotential meters at 500 hPa and a difference of 48 K between the skin temperature of the ocean and the temperature at 500 hPa. The locations of upper level low‐pressure anomalies relative to the locations of the related anomalies at the sea level show that western and eastern polar lows form, on average, in a much less baroclinic large‐scale environment than Greenland lee and storm track polar lows.
Microbial diversity in alpine tundra soils correlates with snow cover dynamics
Authors: Zinger Lucie , Shahnavaz Bahar , Baptist Florence , Geremia Roberto A , Choler Philippe
Published: March 2009

The temporal and spatial snow cover dynamics is the primary factor controlling the plant communities' composition and biogeochemical cycles in arctic and alpine tundra. However, the relationships between the distribution of snow and the diversity of soil microbial communities remain largely unexplored. Over a period of 2 years, we monitored soil microbial communities at three sites, including contiguous alpine meadows of late and early snowmelt locations (LSM and ESM, respectively). Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized by using molecular fingerprinting and cloning/sequencing of microbial ribosomal DNA extracted from the soil. Herein, we show that the spatial and temporal distribution of snow strongly correlates with microbial community composition. High seasonal contrast in ESM is associated with marked seasonal shifts for bacterial communities; whereas less contrasted seasons because of long-lasting snowpack in LSM is associated with increased fungal diversity. Finally, our results indicate that, similar to plant communities, microbial communities exhibit important shifts in composition at two extremes of the snow cover gradient. However, winter conditions lead to the convergence of microbial communities independently of snow cover presence. This study provides new insights into the distribution of microbial communities in alpine tundra in relation to snow cover dynamics, and may be helpful in predicting the future of microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles in arctic and alpine tundra in the context of a warmer climate.
Biogeography of two cold-adapted genera: Psychrobacter and Exiguobacterium
Authors: Rodrigues Debora F , da C Jesus Ederson , Ayala-del-Río Hector L , Pellizari Vivian H , Gilichinsky David , Sepulveda-Torres Lycely , Tiedje James M
Published: March 2009

The genera Exiguobacterium and Psychrobacter have been frequently detected in and isolated from polar permafrost and ice. These two genera have members that can grow at temperatures as low as −5 and −10 °C, respectively. We used quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) to quantify members of these genera in 54 soil or sediment samples from polar, temperate and tropical environments to determine to what extent they are selected by cold environments. These results were further analyzed by multiple linear regression to identify the most relevant environmental factors corresponding to their distribution. Exiguobacterium was detected in all three climatic zones at similar densities, but was patchier in the temperate and tropical samples. Psychrobacter was present in almost all polar samples, was at highest densities in Antarctica sediment samples, but was in very low densities and infrequently detected in temperate and tropical soils. Clone libraries, specific for the 16S rRNA gene for each genus, were constructed from a sample from each climatic region. The clone libraries were analyzed for α and β diversities, as well as for variation in population structure by using analysis of molecular variance. Results confirm that both genera were found in all three climatic zones; however, Psychrobacter populations seemed to be much more diverse than Exiguobacterium in all three climatic zones. Furthermore, Psychrobacter populations from Antarctica are different from those in Michigan and Puerto Rico, which are similar to each other.
Association of OSBPL11 Gene Polymorphisms With Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Obesity
Authors: Bouchard Luigi , Faucher Geneviève , Tchernof André , Deshaies Yves , Marceau Simon , Lescelleur Odette , Biron Simon , Bouchard Claude , Pérusse Louis , Vohl Marie‐Claude
Published: March 2009

The prevalence of morbid obesity and its associated metabolic complications has risen rapidly in the past decade. Recently, we have established the transcriptome of the visceral adipose tissue of nondiabetic severely obese men with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS) that provided new candidate genes for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The oxysterol‐binding protein–like protein 11 (OSBPL11) that belongs to the OSBP family of intracellular receptors was one of the genes found to be significantly overexpressed in the MetS group. To determine whether OSBPL11 gene polymorphisms are associated with CVD risk factors and diabetes, OSBPL11 gene promoter and coding regions were sequenced in 25 individuals and six tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) capturing 85% of gene sequence–derived common genetic variability (minor allele frequency (MAF) > 5%) were genotyped in two samples for a total of 962 obese individuals. Using a multistage experimental design, χ2‐tests and logistic regressions were applied to compare genotype frequencies and to compute odds ratios (ORs) for low and high CVD risk groups. Significant associations between rs1055419 and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 0.53; P = 0.01) were found whereas IVS12+95 T>C, a newly discovered SNP, was associated with low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels (OR = 1.63; P < 0.001), hyperglycemia/diabetes (OR = 1.48; P < 0.004) as well as with MetS per se (OR = 1.56; P < 0.01). These results suggest that the OSBPL11 gene is involved in cholesterol and glucose metabolism in obese individuals.