bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Cyp3a5 genotype on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in young kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Ferraresso Mariano , Tirelli Amedea , Ghio Luciana , Grillo Paolo , Martina Valentina , Torresani Erminio , Edefonti Alberto
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  CYP3A enzyme plays a pivotal role in TAC metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively the influence of CYP3A5 gene polymorphism on TAC pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in 30 teenage kidney transplant recipients. TAC dose, trough blood levels, apparent volume of distribution, as well as blood pressure and antihypertensive therapy obtained at different post‐transplant periods, were correlated with the corresponding genotype. Despite a therapeutic monitoring strategy, heterozygotes (CYP3A5*1/*3) displayed a lower TAC blood concentration compared with homozygotes (CYP3A5*3/*3). Therefore, a two‐fold increase of the daily TAC dose was required in the heterozygotes to reach the desired therapeutic target level. A significant group by time interaction effect was present for both variables (repeated measures anova: p = 0.002) meaning a significant different pharmacokinetic response in these two cohorts. Mean blood pressure was also elevated in CYP3A5*1/*3 recipients despite similar antihypertensive treatment. This was parallel with an elevated apparent volume of distribution of TAC in this group. Thus, the allele‐effect was correlated with one of the most common TAC side‐effects suggesting a possible influence of CYP3A5 polymorphism on TAC pharmacodynamics. The authors concluded that a pre‐emptive CYP3A5 pharmacogenetic screening could contribute to better individualization of TAC therapy.
Neonatal presentations to a Mixed Emergency Department
Authors: Ung Setthy , Woolfenden Sue , Holdgate Anna , Lee Marian , Leung Melissa
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To investigate the characteristics of neonates presenting to a metropolitan Mixed Emergency Department (MED). To examine whether there are maternal and neonatal characteristics which increase the risk of presentation to the ED in the neonatal period.

Methods:  A retrospective chart review was performed of all neonatal presentations occurring between July 2002 and June 2003 to Liverpool Hospital Emergency Department, a Level 6 MED located in south‐western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, seeing approximately 45 000 presentations annually of which 20% are paediatric. Comparisons of maternal and neonatal characteristics were made with Liverpool Hospital, Area Health Service and New South Wales Mothers and Babies data, and with other paediatric presentations to the MED.

Results:  179 neonates made 194 neonatal presentations. Compared with all paediatric presentations, the neonatal triage category assignment, admission and transfer proportions were significantly higher, although just over half had ‘primary care type illnesses’. Mothers of neonates presenting to this MED were more likely to be younger and first time mothers in comparison to the general population of mothers and newborns. This study did not find an over‐representation of neonates who were discharged within 48 h after birth.

Conclusion:  The implications of these results for practice include a consideration of the availability and appropriateness of after‐hours service available to new mothers. Further studies investigating parental reasons for neonatal ED presentation are recommended.
Sleep problems in young infants and maternal mental and physical health
Authors: Bayer Jordana K , Hiscock Harriet , Hampton Anne , Wake Melissa
Published: January 2007

Aim:  Sleep problems in the second 6 months of life are common and associated with maternal depression. This paper extends previous research to (i) establish the prevalence of sleep problems in younger infants from a broader socio‐economic spectrum, (ii) examine the relationship between infant sleep problems and maternal physical, as well as mental, health, and (iii) explore mothers’ sleep quality as a potential mediator of this relationship.

Methods:  Design: Cross‐sectional, community survey in Melbourne, Australia. Sample: Mothers of 3‐ to 6‐month‐old infants (mean 4.6 months) recruited from well‐child clinics in six sociodemographically diverse metropolitan local government areas. Outcome measures: Maternal mental and physical health; standardised questionnaire on infant sleep patterns; maternal report of an infant sleep problem (yes/no).

Results:  The survey was completed by 692 mothers; 237 (34%) reported an infant sleep problem, of whom 73 (31%) rated the problem as severe. Sleep patterns characterising a problem included the infant waking seven nights per week, nursing the infant to sleep at the beginning of the night, the infant sleeping in the parent’s room, and parental disagreement regarding managing infant sleep. There was no relationship between sleep problems and socio‐economic levels. Mothers reporting infant sleep problems had poorer mental and physical health compared with those not reporting sleep problems.

Conclusion:  Sleep problems are common in early infancy across metropolitan socio‐economic levels and are associated with poorer maternal health and well‐being. Preventive strategies for infant sleep problems need to begin early in primary care to improve mothers’ health.
New Australian Neonatal Resuscitation guidelines
Authors: Morley Colin
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  New Australian Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines highlight the recent advances in neonatal resuscitation. Resuscitation should start with air and only use oxygen if the infant does not respond. CPAP and PEEP should be considered for premature infants with meconium stained liquor. Sucking out the mouth and nose is not necessary. Infants less than 28 weeks gestation should be placed in a polyethylene bag or wrap to keep warm. Chest compressions, when required, remain at 3:1 inflation. The endotracheal tube position must be verified with a carbon dioxide detector.
Temperature‐dependent development and distribution in the soil profile of pupae of greyback canegrub Dermolepida albohirtum (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Queensland sugarcane
Authors: Logan David P , Kettle Catherine G
Published: January 2007

Abstract  The temperature‐dependent development rate of pupae of greyback canegrub, Dermolepida albohirtum (Waterhouse) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a major pest of sugarcane in central and northern Queensland, was determined under six constant temperature regimes: 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 and 30°C, and for four geographically separated populations. Development rate increased significantly with increasing temperature. Parameters of the linear regression equation did not differ among populations and common coefficients were calculated. Developmental zero, at and below which no development occurs, for pupae was 12.0°C and the thermal constant was 476 day‐degrees (D°). Minimum and maximum periods for pupal development were 26 days at 30°C and 75 days at 18°C, respectively. The phenology of pupae was determined in soil‐filled cubicles in a shade house and in the field at Ayr (19°35′S, 147°25′E), north Queensland, using D. albohirtum field‐collected as late‐stage third‐instar larvae and kept in containers. Pupation of D. albohirtum began in late August or early September and eclosion was complete by mid‐ to late October. The phenology data were used to validate the development model. Eclosion was predicted by summing hourly fractions of day‐degrees until 476 D° was reached and was close to actual eclosion. As temperature, and hence pupal development rate, varies with soil depth, the distribution of the third instars in pupal cells in the soil profile was determined in recently harvested fields of sugarcane in the Burdekin sugarcane district centred on Ayr. Numbers of late third instars in pupal cells peaked at 300–400 mm, with pupae found from 30 to 700 mm. Pupal development was simulated using hourly soil temperatures measured at depths of 200 and 400 mm at Ayr and at Sarina (21°22′S, 149°13′E). The pupal stage was predicted to take up to 2–10 days longer at 200 mm deep than at 400 mm depending on pupation site and date. When pupation was simulated in late August, as is likely in the field, pupal development at 400 mm deep took 48–56 days at Ayr and 58–62 days at Sarina.
Following anterior resection for rectal cancer, defunctioning ileostomy closure may be significantly delayed by adjuvant chemotherapy: a retrospective study
Authors: Lordan J. T. , Heywood R. , Shirol S. , Edwards D. P.
Published: January 2007

Objective  A temporary loop ileostomy is often created to minimize the impact of peritoneal sepsis from an anastomotic dehiscence following colo‐anal or low colorectal anastomosis. These stomas are not without complications. Clinicians tend to advise patients that their loop ileostomy will be reversed within 6–12 weeks of formation. However, factors such as adjuvant chemotherapy may affect the timing of closure. The aim of this study was to review the time between formation and closure of loop ileostomies following total mesorectal excision in patients with rectal cancer.

Method  A retrospective study of 50 patients with loop ileostomies to defunction total mesorectal excisions for rectal cancer, between April 2002 and July 2005.

Results  Of the 50 patients with defunctioning loop ileostomies, 24 received adjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy, and 26 did not. There was a 28% morbidity. The overall median time from formation to closure was 142 days (35–575). Median time from formation to closure in those with adjuvant therapy was 197 days (35–575) and in those with no adjuvant therapy was 133 days (75–395). This was a significant delay (P = 0.049). Sixteen stomas were not closed to date.

Conclusion  Time between formation and closure of loop ileostomy following anterior resection of rectum is significantly delayed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Because of their high morbidity, defunctioning ileostomies should be closed as early as medically possible, especially if adjuvant chemotherapy is planned.
The Concept of Democracy: Muslim Views
Authors: Al-Jarrah Abdallah , Cullingford Cedric
Published: January 2007

The political rhetoric behind ‘regime change’ in the Middle East relies on the idea of introducing democracy to the region, with a gradual knock-on effect. For those in the area the notion has quite different connotations, partly as a result of the invasion of Iraq. This study explores the responses of university students to the term. They are from a state sympathetic to the West and not in any way militant, but they are vociferous in their interpretation of ‘democracy’ and its associations.
Social Conflict and Gradual Political Succession: An Illustrative Model*
Authors: Jack William , Lagunoff Roger
Published: January 2007

This paper studies the evolution of political institutions in the face of conflict. We examine institutional reform in a class of pivotal mechanisms—institutions that behave as if the resulting policy were determined by a “pivotal” decision maker drawn from the potential population of citizens and who holds full policy‐making authority at the time. A rule‐of‐succession describes the process by which pivotal decision makers in period t + 1 are, themselves, chosen by pivotal decision makers in period t. Two sources of conflict—class conflict, arising from differences in wealth, and ideological conflict, arising from differences in preferences—are examined. In each case, we characterize the unique Markov‐perfect equilibrium of the associated dynamic political game, and show that public decision‐making authority evolves monotonically downward in wealth and upward in ideological predisposition toward the public good. We then examine rules‐of‐succession when ideology and wealth exhibit correlation.
Bipolar Multicandidate Elections with Corruption
Authors: Myerson Roger B.
Published: January 2007

The goals of democratic competition are not only to implement a majority's preference on policy questions, but also to provide a deterrent against corrupt abuse of power by political leaders. We consider a simple model of multicandidate elections in which different electoral systems can be compared according to these two criteria. Among a wide class of single‐winner scoring rules, only approval voting is found to satisfy both effectiveness against corruption and majoritarianism for this model.
PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIES OF PRIVACY: IMPLICATIONS FOR AN ADEQUATE ONLINE PRIVACY POLICY
Authors: TAVANI HERMAN T.
Published: January 2007

Abstract: This essay critically examines some classic philosophical and legal theories of privacy, organized into four categories: the nonintrusion, seclusion, limitation, and control theories of privacy. Although each theory includes one or more important insights regarding the concept of privacy, I argue that each falls short of providing an adequate account of privacy. I then examine and defend a theory of privacy that incorporates elements of the classic theories into one unified theory: the Restricted Access/Limited Control (RALC) theory of privacy. Using an example involving data‐mining technology on the Internet, I show how RALC can help us to frame an online privacy policy that is sufficiently comprehensive in scope to address a wide range of privacy concerns that arise in connection with computers and information technology.
Are two doses of misoprostol after mifepristone for early abortion better than one?
Authors: Coyaji K , Krishna U , Ambardekar S , Bracken H , Raote V , Mandlekar A , Winikoff B
Published: January 2007

Objective  The objective of this study was to determine if a repeat dose of misoprostol following mifepristone or a single dose of misoprostol increases the efficacy of medical termination of pregnancy.

Design  Randomised, placebo controlled trial.

Setting  K.E.M. Hospital, Pune, India, and the Health Centre, Larsen and Toubro Limited, Mumbai, India.

Sample  A total of 300 women seeking an abortion with amenorrhoea of 8 weeks or less.

Methods  Women were randomised to receive one or two doses of 400 microgram oral misoprostol at the clinic 48 hours after administration of 200 mg mifepristone.

Main outcome measure  Complete abortion without surgical intervention.

Results  The repeat administration of misoprostol 400 microgram improved the complete abortion rate from 86 to 92% and significantly reduced the rate of continuing pregnancy from 7 to 1%. Almost all the women who were administered the additional dose of misoprostol were either very satisfied (58%) or satisfied (37%) with the method.

Conclusion  While an additional oral dose of 400 microgram misoprostol did not significantly increase the rate of complete abortion without surgical intervention, the additional dose did significantly reduce the rate of continuing pregnancies without compromising the acceptability and ease of use of the method.
In vivo induction of heat shock proteins in the substantia nigra following L‐DOPA administration is associated with increased activity of mitochondrial complex I and nitrosative stress in rats: regulation by glutathione redox state
Authors: Calabrese Vittorio , Mancuso Cesare , Ravagna Agrippino , Perluigi Marzia , Cini Chiara , Marco Carlo De , Allan Butterfield D. , Stella Anna Maria Giuffrida
Published: January 2007

Increasing evidence suggests a critical role for oxidative and nitrosative stress in the pathogenesis of most important neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a severe depletion in number of dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra (SN). Administration of L‐DOPA (LD) is the more effective treatment for patients with PD. However, the vast majority of patients suffer LD‐related complications, which represent the major problem in the clinical management of PD. In the present study, LD administration to rats resulted in a significant dose‐dependent increase in Hsp70 synthesis which was specific for the SN. The amount of 70 kDa protein increased after 6 h treatment reaching the maximal induction after 24–48 h. Induction of Hsp70 in the SN was associated with a significant increase in constitutive Hsc70 and mitochondrial Hsp60 stress proteins, and with increased expression of mitochondrial complex I whereas no significant changes were found in the activity of complex IV. In the same experimental conditions, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione was observed, which was associated with an increased content of oxidized glutathione content as well as nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity, NO metabolites and nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity. Interestingly, Hsp70 induction, iNOS up‐regulation and nitrotyrosine formation have been confirmed also in SN and striatum of rats treated with LD and carbidopa, this latter being an inhibitor of the peripheral DOPA decarboxylase. Our data are in favor of the importance of the heat shock signal pathway as a basic mechanism of defense against neurotoxicity elicited by free radical oxygen and nitrogen species produced in aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
Major Chemical Accidents in Industrializing Countries: The Socio‐Political Amplification of Risk
Authors: de Souza Porto Marcelo Firpo , de Freitas Carlos Machado
Published: January 2007

Accidents in the chemical industry, such as those that took place in Seveso (1976) and Bhopal (1984), may kill or injure thousands of people, cause serious health hazards and irreversible environmental damage. The aim of this paper is to examine the ever‐increasing risk of similar accidents becoming a frequent ocurrence in the so‐called industrializing countries. Using figures from some of the worst chemical accidents in the last decades, data on the Bhopal disaster, and Brazil's social and institutional characteristics, we put forward the hypothesis that present social, political and economic structures in industrializing countries make these countries much more vulnerable to such accidents and create the type of setting where–if and when these accidents occur–they will have even more catastrophic consequences. The authors argue that only the transformation of local structures, and stronger technical cooperation between international organizations, industrialized and industrializing countries could reduce this vulnerability.
Host‐associated variation in sexual size dimorphism and fitness effects of adult feeding in a bruchid beetle
Authors: Gianoli Ernesto , Suárez Lorena H. , Gonzáles Wilfredo L. , González‐Teuber Marcia , Acuña‐Rodríguez Ian S.
Published: January 2007

We studied the effect of larval host (two Convolvulus L. species, Convolvulaceae) on sexual size dimorphism and on the fitness consequences of adult feeding in the bruchid beetle Megacerus eulophus (Erichson) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Whereas Convolvulus chilensis Pers. occurs in low density in semiarid habitats, Convolvulus bonariensis Cav. occurs in less stressful environments and exhibits higher population density. Host plants neither differ in seed mass nor in seed nitrogen content, and there were no consistent host‐associated differences in female fitness. Consequently, host quality was considered to be similar. Sexual size dimorphism, expressed as the female:male ratio of body size, was significantly greater in C. chilensis than in C. bonariensis. A greater female size in the C. chilensis population could be selectively advantageous due to higher survival during host‐plant search in stressful environments. Female longevity was affected by food availability (starvation vs. honey‐pollen solution) and by the interaction between food availability and larval host. Fed females lived longer than starved females. This trend was found in both hosts, but it was of greater magnitude in C. chilensis than in C. bonariensis. Fecundity was significantly affected by adult feeding and larval host, and marginally affected by their interaction. Fed females laid more eggs than starved females. However, the increase in fitness of fed females was greater in C. chilensis. Results might be explained by differential selection on plasticity in life‐history traits in contrasting environments. Females in stressful environments should take a greater advantage of the transient availability of resources.
Treatment modalities for allergic reactions in pigmented tattoos
Authors: Zwad Julia , Jakob Antje , Groß Christof , Rompel Rainer
Published: January 2007

Decorative tattoos have become very popular. As a result, a higher number of hypersensitivity reactions are seen, caused by the mostly undeclared tattoo dyes. If local and intralesional therapy with corticosteroids is not effective, total excision was formerly considered the best approach. Selective laser therapy offers an alternative approach for removing the offending pigment. Case reports are used to illustrate the individual treatment options for removal of tattoos.
Sexual Desire in a Nationally Representative Danish Population
Authors: Eplov Lene , Giraldi Annamaria , Davidsen Michael , Garde Karin , Kamper-Jørgensen Finn
Published: January 2007

Introduction

There are only a few studies on the frequency of sexual desire in the general population, whereas studies investigating the frequency of disordered sexual desire are more common.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of sexual desire in a representative sample of the adult Danish population and to analyze the relationships between a number of relevant variables and sexual desire.

Methods

The study population (N=10,458, response rate 84.8%) answered a questionnaire with questions on sexual matters. The representativity of the population was examined. The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire over a 5-year period was calculated for the two genders across age cohorts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between potential determinants and sexual desire.

Main Outcome Measures

The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire was examined. Factors of importance for sexual desire were tested using two outcome measures: (i) often having sexual desire; and (ii) seldom having sexual desire.

Results

A significant association between gender and sexual desire was found in all age groups, as men had a significantly higher level of sexual desire than women. In both genders, the frequency of sexual desire was significantly reduced with increasing age. Among the 45- to 66-year-olds, 57% of the men and 47% of the women reported no change in the level of sexual desire over the past 5 years. In general terms, factors related to seldom having sexual desire were age and social, psychological, and physical distress in both genders.

Conclusion

This study shows that overall, men have a higher level of sexual desire than women; sexual desire decreases with increasing age; and social, psychological, or physical distress are associated with low level of sexual desire in both genders.
THE INVESTIGATION OF MICROBIAL SUCCESSION AND COMPARISON AMONG PCA, EMB, MRS AND KANG‐FUNG MEDIUM IN CHINESE PICKLE WITH DIFFERENT SALT CONCENTRATIONS
Authors: WU VIVIAN C.H. , FUNG DANIEL Y.C.
Published: January 2007

Using the traditional recipe, Chinese pickle fermentation was studied. Blends of vegetables were placed in 2, 10 and 20° salometer brine (1° salometer = 0.264% NaCl). The pH decreased fastest in the presence of 10° salometer. The salinity increased in 2° salometer, but decreased in 20° salometer by the end of the fermentation. No significant change of salinity in 10° salometer was observed. The viable cell counts on eosin methylene blue agar dropped to zero after 2 days. The counts on deMan Rogosa Sharpe agar (MRS) and Kang‐Fung (KF) medium increased at least 4 logs by the end of the fermentation. KF medium selected more lactic acid bacteria than MRS (47.9 versus 10.4%) in a mixture of bacterial environment. After 1 month of refrigeration, the pickles in 2° salometer salt were soft and had an unacceptable flavor. The 10° salometer of brine was concluded as the best for Chinese pickle in terms of color, flavor and taste.
Effect of Intermolecular Forces on the Dynamic Response of a Slider
Authors: Deoras Saurabh K. , Talke Frank E.
Published: January 2007

A single-degree-of-freedom spring-mass-damper model has been developed to simulate the dynamic response of a typical magnetic recording slider under the effect of intermolecular forces. Thornton and Bogy (2003, IEEE Trans. Magn., 39(5), pp. 2420–2422) have previously reported that the slider “snaps” to the surface of the disk, below a certain “critical” flying height, due to the intermolecular forces. We have studied impulse response of the model to show that the slider can snap even at flying heights greater than the critical flying height and that the occurrance of snapping also depends on the magnitude of the applied impulse.
Three-Dimensional Sliding Contact Analysis of Multilayered Solids With Rough Surfaces
Authors: Cai Shaobiao , Bhushan Bharat
Published: January 2007

Friction/stiction and wear are among the main issues in magnetic storage devices and microelectromechanical systems/nanoelectromechanical systems having contact interfaces. A numerical model which simulates the actual contact situations of those devices is needed to obtain optimum design parameters including materials with desired mechanical properties, layers thickness, and to predict and analyze the contact behavior of devices in operation. This study presents a first attempt to develop a numerical three-dimensional multilayered elastic–perfectly plastic rough solids model to investigate the contact behavior under combined normal loading and tangential traction. Energy method is used to formulate the problem, and variational principle in which the contact pressure distributions are those which minimize the total complementary potential energy is applied. A quasi-Newton method is used to find the minimum, and fast Fourier transform is applied to enhance the computation efficiency. In-depth analyses of the effects of friction force, layers properties, and layers thickness to contact statistics and stresses are performed. The optimum layer parameters which decrease friction/stiction and wear are investigated and identified.
A comprehensive mathematical model of microscopic dose deposition in photodynamic therapy
Authors: Kang‐Hsin Wang Ken , Mitra Soumya , Foster Thomas H.
Published: January 2007

We have developed a comprehensive theoretical model for rigorously describing the spatial and temporal dynamics of oxygen consumption and transport and microscopic photodynamic dose deposition during photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vivo. Previously published models have been improved by considering perfused vessels as a time‐dependent source and linking the concentration in the vessel to that within the tissue through the Hill equation. The time‐dependent photochemical consumption rate incorporates sensitizer photobleaching effects and an experimentally determined initially nonuniform photosensitizer distribution. The axial transport of is provided for in the capillaries and in the surrounding tissue. A self‐sensitized singlet oxygen ‐mediated bleaching mechanism and the measured, initially nonuniform distribution of meso‐tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin at after intravascular administration were used to demonstrate the capabilities of the model. Time‐evolved distributions of concentration were obtained by numerically solving two‐dimensional diffusion‐with‐reaction equations both in the capillary and the adjacent tissue. Using experimentally established physiological and photophysical parameters, the mathematical model allows computation of the dynamic variation of hemoglobin‐ saturation within the vessels, irreversible sensitizer degradation due to photobleaching, and the microscopic distributions of , sensitizer concentration, and dose deposition under various irradiation conditions. The simulations reveal severe axial gradients in and in photodynamic dose deposition in response to a wide range of clinically relevant treatment parameters. Thus, unlike former Krogh cylinder‐based models, which assume a constant concentration at the vessel, this new model identifies conditions in which depletion and minimal deposition of reacting exist near the end of axial segments of vessels and shows that treatment‐limiting depletion is induced at fluence rates as low as . These calculations also demonstrate that intercapillary heterogeneity of photosensitizer contributes significantly to the distribution of photodynamic dose. This more rigorous mathematical model enables comparison with experimentally observable, volume‐averaged quantities such as and the loss of sensitizer fluorescence through bleaching that have not been included in previous analyses. Further, it establishes some of the intrinsic limitations of such measurements. Specifically, our simulations demonstrate that tissue measurements of and of photobleaching are necessarily insensitive to microscopic heterogeneity of photodynamic dose deposition and are sensitive to intercapillary spacing. Because prior knowledge of intercapillary distances in tumors is generally unavailable, these measurements must be interpreted with caution. We anticipate that this model will make useful dosimetry predictions that should inform optimal treatment conditions and improve current clinical protocols.
Dose contributions from large‐angle scattered particles in therapeutic carbon beams
Authors: Kusano Yohsuke , Kanai Tatsuaki , Kase Yuki , Matsufuji Naruhiro , Komori Masataka , Kanematsu Nobuyuki , Ito Atsushi , Uchida Hirohisa
Published: January 2007

In carbon therapy, doses at center of spread‐out Bragg peaks depend on field size. For a small field of , the central dose reduces to 96% of the central dose for the open field in case of carbon beam. Assuming the broad beam injected to the water phantom is made up of many pencil beams, the transverse dose distribution can be reconstructed by summing the dose distribution of the pencil beams. We estimated dose profiles of this pencil beam through measurements of dose distributions of broad uniform beams blocked half of the irradiation fields. The dose at a distance of a few cm from the edge of the irradiation field reaches up to a few percent of the central dose. From radiation quality measurements of this penumbra, the large‐angle scattered particles were found to be secondary fragments which have lower LET than primary carbon beams. Carbon ions break up in beam modifying devices or in water phantom through nuclear interaction with target nuclei. The angular distributions of these fragmented nuclei are much broader than those of primary carbon particles. The transverse dose distribution of the pencil beam can be approximated by a function of the three‐Gaussian form. For a simplest case of mono‐energetic beam, contributions of the Gaussian components which have large mean deviations become larger as the depth in the water phantom increases.
Jaws‐only IMRT using direct aperture optimization
Authors: Earl M. A. , Afghan M. K. N. , Yu C. X. , Jiang Z. , Shepard D. M.
Published: January 2007

Using direct aperture optimization, we have developed an inverse planning approach that is capable of producing efficient intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans that can be delivered without a multileaf collimator. This “jaws‐only” approach to IMRT uses a series of rectangular field shapes to achieve a high degree of intensity modulation from each beam direction. Direct aperture optimization is used to directly optimize the jaw positions and the relative weights assigned to each aperture. Because the constraints imposed by the jaws are incorporated into the optimization, the need for leaf sequencing is eliminated. Results are shown for five patient cases covering three treatment sites: pancreas, breast, and prostate. For these cases, between 15 and 20 jaws‐only apertures were required per beam direction in order to obtain conformal IMRT treatment plans. Each plan was delivered to a phantom, and absolute and relative dose measurements were recorded. The typical treatment time to deliver these plans was . The jaws‐only approach provides an additional IMRT delivery option for clinics without a multileaf collimator.
Specificity of the Immune Response to a Modified Group B Meningococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Moore Samuel , Farley Esmé K. , Fusco Peter C. , Michon Francis
Published: January 2007

Antibodies to a modified group B meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were examined for antigenic and functional specificities. Bactericidal determinants were investigated by using immunoaffinity columns and competitive inhibition of bactericidal activity in an in vitro killing assay. We conclude that nearly all of the vaccine-induced bactericidal activity is specific for the native polysaccharide.
Identification of the Capsular Polysaccharides in
Staphylococcus aureus
Clinical Isolates by PCR and Agglutination Tests
Authors: Verdier Isabelle , Durand Geraldine , Bes Michele , Taylor Kimberly L. , Lina Gerard , Vandenesch François , Fattom Ali I. , Etienne Jerome
Published: January 2007

Staphylococcus aureus
is a major cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The predominance of two capsular polysaccharides, types 5 and 8, on the surface of clinical isolates led to the development of a conjugate vaccine (StaphVAX) based on capsular polysaccharides types 5 and 8 conjugated to a carrier protein. We have studied the capsular phenotypes and genotypes of 195 isolates representative of all clinical syndromes that encompassed both hospital and community-acquired infections. These isolates were mainly detected in France between January 2001 and December 2004. In this population, most of clinical isolates (87%) expressed either capsular polysaccharide type 5 (42%) or 8 (45%), whereas 13% were nontypeable by the serotyping method with antibodies specific to capsular polysaccharide type 5 or 8. These 26 nontypeable strains were further serotyped and were demonstrated to express the cell wall surface antigen 336, a polyribitol phosphate
N
-acetylglucosamine, which resembles cell wall teichoic acid. Among methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains, we found a predominance of serotype 5 for 64% of strains, whereas MSSA isolates were predominantly capsular serotype 8 (60%). All
S. aureus
clinical isolates included in the present study have been investigated by PCR method, demonstrating that all isolates carried either the
cap5
or the
cap8
locus.
Novel β-Barrel Fold in the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structure of the Replicase Nonstructural Protein 1 from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Almeida Marcius S. , Johnson Margaret A. , Herrmann Torsten , Geralt Michael , Wüthrich Kurt
Published: January 2007

The nonstructural protein 1 (nsp1) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus has 179 residues and is the N-terminal cleavage product of the viral replicase polyprotein that mediates RNA replication and processing. The specific function of nsp1 is not known. Here we report the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the nsp1 segment from residue 13 to 128, which represents a novel α/β-fold formed by a mixed parallel/antiparallel six-stranded β-barrel, an α-helix covering one opening of the barrel, and a 3
10
-helix alongside the barrel. We further characterized the full-length 179-residue protein and show that the polypeptide segments of residues 1 to 12 and 129 to 179 are flexibly disordered. The structure is analyzed in a search for possible correlations with the recently reported activity of nsp1 in the degradation of mRNA.
The Merits of a Just-In-Time Knowledge Management (JITKM) Approach to Decision-Making Support
Authors: Conteh Nabie Y. , Forgionne Guisseppi , Schulte William D. , O'Sullivan Kevin J.
Published: January 2007

This paper advances the argument that, a knowledge base, rather than playing a crucial role in expediting the delivery of knowledge, obscures the process. The paper therefore offers an alternative strategy by way of the Just-In-Time knowledge delivery concept. The concept's benefits are demonstrated empirically, and the results are used to recommend strategies for maximising the benefits from the use of knowledge bases.

The results of this study confirm that focussed and timely delivery of knowledge through a Just-in-Time Knowledge Management (JITKM) concept may be more effective than traditional decision support systems for decision-making support. This paper offers a novel and innovative information system, the Intelligent Just-in-Time Decision-Making Support System (IJDSS) to implement the JITKM concept in practice.

The study also shows that simulation can be used to generate quality data for information system testing and evaluation. Moreover, this study suggests that simulation can be used to replace a subject-based empirical approach. As census studies, the results from such evaluations should be more generalisable in comparison to sample studies that use limited samples of subjects. Adaptations of these simulation models could also be used in diverse sectors.
On a Ranking Problem Associated with Basel II
Authors: Falkowski Bernd-Juergen
Published: January 2007

Perceptron learning is discussed in the context of so-called scoring systems used for assessing creditworthiness as stipulated in the Basel II central banks capital accord of the G10-states. The solution of a related ranking problem using a generalised version of the pocket algorithm is described. A correctness proof of the algorithm is given. It is argued that the results obtained may be exploited to compute associated probabilities using a logistic activation function and maximum likelihood methods. Some experimental results concerning an Excel implementation and a Java prototype are exhibited.
Subcellular location of serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 in renal and mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Cordas Emily , Náray-Fejes-Tóth Anikó , Fejes-Tóth Géza
Published: January 2007

Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 (SGK1) is involved in aldosterone-induced Na+ reabsorption by increasing epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) activity in cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells, but its exact mechanisms of action are unknown. Although several potential targets such as Nedd4-2 have been described in expression systems, endogenous substrates mediating SGK1's physiological effects remain to be identified. In addition, subcellular localization studies of SGK1 have provided controversial results. We determined the subcellular location of SGK1 using SGK1-autofluorescent protein (AFP) fusion proteins. Rabbit CCD (RCCT-28A) cells were transiently transfected with a construct encoding for SGK1-AFP and were stained or cotransfected with markers for various subcellular compartments. In live cells, transiently expressed SGK1-AFP clearly colocalized with the mitochondrial marker rhodamine 123. Similarly, SGK1-AFP colocalized with the mitochondrial marker MitoTracker when stably expressed using a retroviral system in either RCCT-28A cells or the mammary epithelial cell line MCF10A. To determine which region of SGK1 is responsible for this subcellular localization, we generated RCCT-28A cell lines stably expressing SGK1 mutants. The results indicate that the NH2-terminal 60-amino acid region of SGK1 is necessary and sufficient for its subcellular localization. Localization of SGK1 to the mitochondria raises the possibility that SGK1 may play a role in regulating energy metabolism.
TPRpred: a tool for prediction of TPR-, PPR- and SEL1-like repeats from protein sequences
Authors: Karpenahalli Manjunatha R , Lupas Andrei N , Söding Johannes
Published: January 2007

Background

Solenoid repeat proteins of the Tetratrico Peptide Repeat (TPR) family are involved as scaffolds in a broad range of protein-protein interactions. Several resources are available for the prediction of TPRs, however, they often fail to detect divergent repeat units.

Results

We have developed TPRpred, a profile-based method which uses a P-value-dependent score offset to include divergent repeat units and which exploits the tendency of repeats to occur in tandem. TPRpred detects not only TPR-like repeats, but also the related Pentatrico Peptide Repeats (PPRs) and SEL1-like repeats. The corresponding profiles were generated through iterative searches, by varying the threshold parameters for inclusion of repeat units into the profiles, and the best profiles were selected based on their performance on proteins of known structure. We benchmarked the performance of TPRpred in detecting TPR-containing proteins and in delineating the individual repeats therein, against currently available resources.

Conclusion

TPRpred performs significantly better in detecting divergent repeats in TPR-containing proteins, and finds more individual repeats than the existing methods. The web server is available at http://tprpred.tuebingen.mpg.de, and the C++ and Perl sources of TPRpred along with the profiles can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.tuebingen.mpg.de/ebio/protevo/TPRpred/.
Development of a series of patient information leaflets for constipation using a range of cognitive interview techniques: LIFELAX
Authors: Lake Amelia A , Speed Chris , Brookes Anna , Heaven Ben , Adamson Ashley J , Moynihan Paula , Corbett Sally , McColl Elaine
Published: January 2007

Background

The aim of the LIFELAX randomised controlled trial (diet and lifestyle vs. laxatives in the management of chronic constipation) is to develop and evaluate a cost effective intervention to promote diet and lifestyle in the treatment and management of chronic constipation for older people in Primary Care. Constipation affects the quality of life in around 20% of older people in the community. In the 65 years plus population, a significant proportion of men and women both living in institutions (81% and 75% respectively) and free living (30% and 37% respectively) use laxatives.

Approximately £42 million is spent each year on prescribed laxatives in England in addition to laxatives purchased over the counter. Although bowel problems are often multifactorial, diet and lifestyle have an extremely important role in their management. This paper describes one aspect of the main study, the development and piloting of the Patient information leaflets (PILs).

Methods

Following review of the literature and interviews with practitioners and patients, 8 PILs were designed on: constipation, activity, bowel health, fruit and vegetables, fibre, fluid, alternative therapies and laxatives. To check the patient's understanding of terms used in the PILS and the clarity and accessibility of the information understanding, cognitive interviews (CI) were used with nine patients (selected from 3 GP surgeries), aged ≥ 55 years, who had received ≥ 3 prescriptions of laxatives over 12 months. Interviews were recorded and transcribed.

Results

Changes made following the CI process included the lay-out, words used (e.g. 'exercise' was changed to 'activity', 'gut motility' changed to 'bowel movement') and descriptions and examples were adapted to be more appropriate for the target population.

Conclusion

Pilot testing with CIs resulted in improvements in the PILs, which emphasises the need to pilot PILs with the target population before use. The techniques employed are relatively inexpensive and could be routinely used when preparing literature for research or clinical use including those intended for use with healthcare professionals and patients.
Cleaning, Draining, and Sanitizing the City: Conceptions and Uses of Water in the Montreal Region
Authors: Dagenais Michèle , Durand Caroline
Published: January 2007

How are political dynamics embodied in the city's materiality, and how, in turn, is the environment used in the moulding of social bonds and power relations? Through an examination of the presence of water in Montreal, in particular of wastewater, this article explores the ways in which this problem, and the solutions advanced to solve it, were constructed and presented. At the turn of the twentieth century, water constituted a central factor in the process of reconfiguring the relations between human beings and natural elements, the effects of which had repercussions on both the relationship between individuals and groups and between city and surrounding areas. This article analyzes certain social and political consequences of this process that transformed the relationship with water, rendering it at once more widespread and more regulated. After presenting the terms on which questions relating to the disposal of wastewater were raised in a context where both the availability of water in the city and its consumption were increasing, the article considers the fallout of wastewater disposal on the shores of the Island of Montreal. On the outskirts of the city, as much as within its boundaries, ways of perceiving and of solving such problems were not only shaped by social and political relations, but also mirrored them. Comment les dynamiques politiques s'incarnent-elles dans la matérialité des villes et comment, en retour, l'environnement est-il mis Ã contribution dans le modelage des relations sociales et des rapports de pouvoir ? Examinant les débats provoqués par la présence de l'eau Ã Montréal, en particulier de l'eau souillée, cet article s'interroge sur la manière dont ce problème et les solutions avancées pour le résoudre ont été construits et présentés. Au tournant du XXe siècle, l'eau représente un élément central dans le processus de reconfiguration des relations entre les humains et les éléments naturels dont les incidences se répercutent Ã la fois sur les rapports entre individus et collectifs et entre ville et milieu environnant. L'article analyse certaines des conséquences sociales et politiques de ce processus qui transforme le rapport Ã l'eau en le rendant plus généralisé en même temps que plus réglementé. Après une présentation des termes suivants lesquels se posent les problèmes soulevés par l'évacuation de l'eau dans un contexte oÃ¹ sa disponibilité dans la ville et sa consommation s'accroissent, l'article s'attarde aux retombées provoquées par l'évacuation des eaux usées sur les rives de l'île de Montréal. Autant aux marges de la ville qu'Ã l'intérieur de ses limites, la manière de percevoir les problèmes liés Ã la gestion de l'eau tout comme de les solutionner se révèle être façonnée par les rapports sociaux et politiques, tout comme elle en constitue une traduction.