bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role ofPseudomonas aeruginosa dinB-Encoded DNA Polymerase IV in Mutagenesis
Authors: Sanders Laurie H. , Rockel Andrea , Lu Haiping , Wozniak Daniel J. , Sutton Mark D.
Published: December 2006

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a human opportunistic pathogen that chronically infects the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality of people afflicted with this disease. A striking correlation between mutagenesis and the persistence ofP. aeruginosahas been reported. In other well-studied organisms, error-prone replication by Y family DNA polymerases contributes significantly to mutagenesis. Based on an analysis of the PAO1 genome sequence,P. aeruginosacontains a single Y family DNA polymerase encoded by thedinBgene. As part of an effort to understand the mechanisms of mutagenesis inP. aeruginosa, we have cloned thedinBgene ofP. aeruginosaand utilized a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches to characterize the activity and regulation of theP. aeruginosaDinB protein (DinBPa). Our results indicate that DinBPais a distributive DNA polymerase that lacks intrinsic proofreading activity in vitro. Modest overexpression of DinBPafrom a plasmid conferred a mutator phenotype in bothEscherichia coliandP. aeruginosa. An examination of this mutator phenotype indicated that DinBPahas a propensity to promote C→A transversions and −1 frameshift mutations within poly(dGMP) and poly(dAMP) runs. The characterization oflexA+and ΔlexA::aacC1 P. aeruginosastrains, together with in vitro DNA binding assays utilizing cell extracts or purifiedP. aeruginosaLexA protein (LexAPa), indicated that the transcription of thedinBgene is regulated as part of an SOS-like response. The deletion of thedinBPagene sensitizedP. aeruginosato nitrofurazone and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, consistent with a role for DinBPain translesion DNA synthesis overN2-dG adducts. Finally,P. aeruginosaexhibited a UV-inducible mutator phenotype that was independent ofdinBPafunction and instead requiredpolAandpolC, which encode DNA polymerase I and the second DNA polymerase III enzyme, respectively. Possible roles of theP. aeruginosa dinB,polA, andpolCgene products in mutagenesis are discussed.
Patient–physician relationship in the aftermath of war
Authors: Stambolović V , Đurić M , Đonić D , Kelečević J , Rakočević Z
Published: December 2006

During the period of conflict that led to the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, the Serbian healthcare system suffered greatly; as a result, relationships between physicians and their patients reached an all-time low. After cessation of the various wars, a group of medical students attempted to assess the state of the patient–physician relationship in Serbia. Their study showed a relationship characterised by very meek patients and rather arrogant physicians. Empowered by their engagement, the medical students constructed a set of standards for achieving a proper patient–physician relationship; physicians should be capable of hearing and understanding patients, with the result that the ensuing empowerment can enable patients and physicians to create a tool for changing the relationship between both parties.
Participation of French general practitioners in end-of-life decisions for their hospitalised patients
Authors: Ferrand E , Jabre P , Fernandez-Curiel S , Morin F , Vincent-Genod C , Duvaldestin P , Lemaire F , Hervé C , Marty J
Published: December 2006

Background and objective:Assuming the hypothesis that the general practitioner (GP) can and should be a key player in making end-of-life decisions for hospitalised patients, perceptions of GPs’ role assigned to them by hospital doctors in making withdrawal decisions for such patients were surveyed.

Design:Questionnaire survey.

Setting:Urban (districts located near Paris) and rural (southern France) areas.

Participants:GPs.

Results:The response rate was 32.2% (161/500), and it was observed that 70.8% of respondents believed that their participation in withdrawal decisions for their hospitalised patients was essential, whereas 42.1% believed that the hospital doctors were sufficiently skilled to make withdrawal decisions without input from the GPs. Most respondents were found to believe that they had the necessary skills (91.9%) and enough time (87.6%) to participate in withdrawal decisions. The last case of treatment withdrawal in hospital for one of their patients was described by 40% (65/161) of respondents, of whom only 40.0% (26/65) believed that they had participated actively in the decision process. The major factors in the multivariate analysis were the GP’s strong belief that his or her participation was essential (p = 0.01), information on admission of the patient given to the GP by the hospital department (p = 0.007), rural practice (p = 0.03), visit to the patient dying in hospital (p = 0.02) and a request by the family to be kept informed about the patient (p = 0.003).

Conclusion:Strong interest was evinced among GPs regarding end-of-life issues, as well as considerable experience of patients dying at home. As GPs are more closely corrected to patients’ families, they may be a good choice for third-party intervention in making end-of-life decisions for hospitalised patients.
Non-reporting and inconsistent reporting of race and ethnicity in articles that claim associations among genotype, outcome, and race or ethnicity
Authors: Shanawani H , Dame L , Schwartz D A , Cook-Deegan R
Published: December 2006

Background:The use of race as a category in medical research is the focus of an intense debate, complicated by the inconsistency of presumed independent variables, race and ethnicity, on which analysis depends. Interpretation is made difficult by inconsistent methods for determining the race or ethnicity of a participant. The failure to specify how race or ethnicity was determined is common in the published literature.

Hypothesis:Criteria by which they assign a research participant to racial or ethnic categories are not reported by published articles.

Methods:Methods were reviewed for assigning race and ethnicity of research participants in 268 published reports reporting associations among race (or ethnicity), health outcome and genotype.

Results:Of the 268 published reports reviewed, it was found that 192 (72%) did not explain their methods for assigning race or ethnicity as an independent variable. This was despite the fact that 180 (67%) of those reports reached conclusions about associations among genetics, health outcome and race or ethnicity.

Conclusions:More attention needs to be given to the definition of race and ethnicity in genetic studies, especially in those diseases where health disparities are known to exist.
Doctor–patient sexual relationships in medical oaths: Table 1
Authors: Pérez S G , Gelpi R J , Rancich A M
Published: December 2006

Background:Doctor–patient sexual relationship is considered to be unfair because the first party would be abusing the second party’s vulnerability. The prohibition of this relationship is noted in the Hippocratic oath. Currently, a reprise of the use of oaths in medical schools can be observed.

Aim:To determine whether the prohibition has been maintained and how its expression has varied in the oaths during different periods.

Methods:50 oaths were studied: 13 ancient–medieval and 37 modern–contemporary. Of the 50 texts, 19 were versions of the original oaths. The oaths that pointed out the prohibited doctor–patient relationship referred to any sexual aspect or included paragraphs that began as the Hippocratic oath does were noted.

Results:Of the 24 (48%) texts that expressed the prohibition, 8 (62%) were ancient–medieval and 16 (43%) were modern–contemporary. Some expressly call it Hippocratic oath, many use general terminology (corruption or vice) and others describe it in association with other commitments (abortion and euthanasia).

Conclusions:The clause on the prohibition of the doctor–patient sexual relationship in Hippocratic oath was included to be for legal, economic and social reasons at the time. That the clause is found mostly in the ancient–medieval oaths can be attributed to the influence of the original. This commitment is generalised and associated with others by contemporary formulas. Currently, sexual relationships are the subject of legal and ethical analysis and their inclusion in the oaths is being debated.
Cause for concern: the absence of consideration of public and ethical interest in British public policy
Authors: Pattison S , Evans H M
Published: December 2006

In the UK, many fundamentally important policy decisions that are likely to affect the relationship between citizens and care services are now made at the sublegislative level and without adequate ethical consideration and scrutiny. This is well exemplified in the proposed guidance on the disclosure of information on children. A recent consultation paper by the UK government on the subject proposes an approach that seeks a simple technical solution to a complex problem, emphasising control and surveillance. This reflects pressure to be seen to act. The document fails with regard to ethical reflection appropriate to the complexity of the issue, an appreciation of complex relationships of trust, and a proper sense of the richness and complexity of the public interest. Such policies would, if implemented, fundamentally change the relationships between citizens and their carers, and among carers and the law and the state. This and similar proposals require far more ethical scrutiny and consideration of the public interest in the widest sense.
Reporting ethics committee approval and patient consent by study design in five general medical journals
Authors: Schroter S , Plowman R , Hutchings A , Gonzalez A
Published: December 2006

Background:Authors are required to describe in their manuscripts ethical approval from an appropriate committee and how consent was obtained from participants when research involves human participants.

Objective:To assess the reporting of these protections for several study designs in general medical journals.

Design:A consecutive series of research papers published in theAnnals of Internal Medicine,BMJ,JAMA,LancetandThe New England Journal of Medicinebetween February and May 2003 were reviewed for the reporting of ethical approval and patient consent. Ethical approval, name of approving committee, type of consent, data source and whether the study used data collected as part of a study reported elsewhere were recorded. Differences in failure to report approval and consent by study design, journal and vulnerable study population were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results:Ethical approval and consent were not mentioned in 31% and 47% of manuscripts, respectively. 88 (27%) papers failed to report both approval and consent. Failure to mention ethical approval or consent was significantly more likely in all study designs (except case–control and qualitative studies) than in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Failure to mention approval was most common in theBMJand was significantly more likely than inThe New England Journal of Medicine. Failure to mention consent was most common in theBMJand was significantly more likely than in all other journals. No significant differences in approval or consent were found when comparing studies of vulnerable and non-vulnerable participants.

Conclusion:The reporting of ethical approval and consent in RCTs has improved, but journals are less good at reporting this information for other study designs. Journals should publish this information for all research on human participants.
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination and student collusion: marks do not tell the whole truth
Authors: Parks R , Warren P M , Boyd K M , Cameron H , Cumming A , Lloyd-Jones G
Published: December 2006

Objective:To determine whether the marks in the third year Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) were affected by the collusion reported by the students themselves on an electronic discussion board.

Design:A review of the student discussion, examiners’ feedback and a comparison of the marks obtained on the 2 days of the OSCE.

Participants:255 third year medical students.

Setting:An OSCE consisting of 15 stations, administered on three sites over 2 days at a UK medical school.

Results:40 students contributed to the discussion on the electronic discussion board. The main points raised were perceived inequity between students who did, or did not, have prior knowledge of the station content, and the lack of honesty and professionalism of their peers. Most contributors claimed to have received, or knew of others receiving, prior knowledge, but none confessed to passing on information. No significant difference (p = 0.16) was observed in the overall mark for the OSCE on day 1 (mean 390 (SD 37)) and day 2 (mean 397 (38)). On day 2, marks were considerably greater for four stations and markedly lower for three stations. It was not obvious why collusion should affect these station marks. A clear indication of the effects of collusion could only be obtained from a single subsection of an individual station (pathology) where 82 students on day 2 incorrectly gave the diagnosis from day 1.

Conclusion:Marks do not provide a sound inference of student collusion in an OSCE and may mask the aspects of professional development of students.
The truth-telling issue and changes in lifestyle in patients with cancer
Authors: Kostopoulou V , Katsouyanni K
Published: December 2006

Objective:To compare the attitudes of patients with cancer toward making changes in lifestyle, according to their awareness of the diagnosis.

Method:Personal interviews with 50 patients with breast cancer, 24 patients with prostate cancer and 50 patients with colorectal cancer were conducted in a cancer hospital in Athens, Greece.

Analysis:Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio as a measure of the association of the characteristics of participants with changes in lifestyle.

Results:Overall, 22.6% of the patients were not aware of the diagnosis. Among the changes in lifestyle, 41.1% reported changing their diet to a healthier one, 22.6% of the smokers reduced or stopped smoking and 13.7% added new physical activity. Compared with uninformed patients, those who were aware of the diagnosis, after adjusting for the confounding effect of educational status (an index of socioeconomic status), were 2.5 times as likely to make dietary changes (p<0.1). Among the other characteristics under study, older patients were less likely to add new physical activity than younger ones (p<0.01), and newly diagnosed patients were more likely to stop or reduce smoking (p<0.1) than patients with a diagnosis made more than 12 months previously.

Conclusion:Patients with cancer are motivated to attempt changes in lifestyle and can benefit from more factual information about the diagnosis.
Black markets, transplant kidneys and interpersonal coercion
Authors: Taylor J S
Published: December 2006

One of the most common arguments against legalising markets in human kidneys is that this would result in the widespread misuse that is present in the black market becoming more prevalent. In particular, it is argued that if such markets were to be legalised, this would lead to an increase in the number of people being coerced into selling their kidneys. Moreover, such coercion would occur even if markets in kidneys were regulated, for those subject to such coercion would not be able to avail themselves of the legal protections that regulation would afford them. Despite the initial plausibility of this argument, there are three reasons to reject it. Firstly, the advantages of legalising markets in human kidneys would probably outweigh its possible disadvantages. Secondly, if it is believed that no such coercion can ever be tolerated, markets in only those human kidneys that fail to do away with coercion should be condemned. Finally, if coercion is genuinely opposed, then legalising kidney markets should be supported rather than opposed, for more people would be coerced (ie, into not selling) were such markets to be prohibited.
What people close to death say about euthanasia and assisted suicide: a qualitative study: Table 1
Authors: Chapple A , Ziebland S , McPherson A , Herxheimer A
Published: December 2006

Objective:To explore the experiences of people with a “terminal illness”, focusing on the patients’ perspective of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Method:A qualitative study using narrative interviews was conducted throughout the UK. The views of the 18 people who discussed euthanasia and assisted suicide were explored. These were drawn from a maximum variation sample, who said that they had a “terminal” illness, malignant or non-malignant.

Results:That UK law should be changed to allow assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia was felt strongly by most people. Those who had seen others die were particularly convinced that this should be a right. Some had multiple reasons, including pain and anticipated pain, fear of indignity, loss of control and cognitive impairment. Those who did not want to be a burden also had other reasons for wanting euthanasia. Suicide was contemplated by a few, who would have preferred a change in the law to allow them to end their lives with medical help and in the company of family or friends. The few who opposed a change in UK law, or who felt ambivalent, focused on involuntary euthanasia, cited religious reasons or worried that new legislation might be open to abuse.

Conclusion:Qualitative research conducted on people who know they are nearing death is an important addition to the international debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide. Those who had seen others die were particularly convinced that the law should be changed to allow assisted death.
A public health perspective on research ethics
Authors: Buchanan D R , Miller F G
Published: December 2006

Ethical guidelines for conducting clinical trials have historically been based on a perceived therapeutic obligation to treat and benefit the patient-participants. The origins of this ethical framework can be traced to the Hippocratic oath originally written to guide doctors in caring for their patients, where the overriding moral obligation of doctors is strictly to do what is best for the individual patient, irrespective of other social considerations. In contrast, although medicine focuses on the health of the person, public health is concerned with the health of the entire population, and thus, public health ethics is founded on the societal responsibility to protect and promote the health of the population as a whole. From a public health perspective, research ethics should be guided by giving due consideration to the risks and benefits to society in addition to the individual research participants. On the basis of a duty to protect the population as a whole, a fiduciary obligation to realise the social value of the research and the moral responsibility to distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly across society, how a public health perspective on research ethics results in fundamental re-assessments of the proper course of action for two salient topical issues in research ethics is shown: stopping trials early for reasons of efficacy and the conduct of research on less expensive yet less effective interventions.
Narratives of psychiatric malingering in works of fiction
Authors: Kuperman V
Published: December 2006

This paper argues that the representation of psychiatric malingering in literary and cinematographic narratives informs societal stereotypes, and thus influences the clinical phenomenology of malingering. The study aims to identify sociocultural models of malingering in contemporary Western society based on the narrative analysis of about 60 fictional and non-fiction texts. Two behavioural patterns derived from the Foucauldian categories folly and madness are recognisable in naïve conceptualisations of fake insanity. Fabricated significations of deviation originate in grand societal narratives rather than in medical discourse, and construct characters such as animal like underdeveloped simpletons or detached, irrational, violent madmen. Each pattern stems from its own archaic conceptual basis and dictates a distinct framework for strategies of malingering. The semiotic structure of artistic narratives of malingering is discussed in comparison with the symptomatology of existing psychiatric models.
Nietzsche’s morality: a genealogy of medical malpractice
Authors: Papadimos T J
Published: December 2006

Medical malpractice is of increasing concern and 60 billion dollars are added annually to healthcare costs. The practice of defensive medicine, decreased availability of doctors, and increased health insurance premiums are all results of medical malpractice. An argument is made from the perspective of Friedrich Nietzsche’sOn the Genealogy of Moralsthat a primal cause of the litigiousness of the public against doctors results from resentment or “ressentiment”. The relationship of promises, responsibility, and guilt between doctors and patients is explored, as well as what may be necessary to reduce the public’s ressentiment. Modern malpractice in the US is covered by Nietzsche’s line of reasoning inOn the Genealogy of Morals, although his reasoning is condemned by most Western philosophers. Doctors may be able to better manage their interactions with patients and limit their exposure to litigation by understanding and exploring alternative philosophical and historical origins—or aetiologies—of patient/doctor conflict.
Discourse ethics in practical medicine
Authors: Keller F , Allert G , Baitsch H , Sponholz G
Published: December 2006

Problems emerge in practical medicine because the binary ethics of the classic patient/doctor relationship has been replaced by multiagent interaction between those engaged in the process of diagnosis and treatment. New methods are required to deal with complex problems in every patient. Where and why the current practice can fail is illustrated with an example of an unspectacular routine case of cancer. The failure may result from basing the procedure on mechanistic methods or from the deficit and difficulty in communication. Whether rule based algorithms could have improved the treatment in the patient with cancer is discussed. How discourse ethics may fit better with the course of the case is described. Clinical Medicine follows a similar logic to that modelled by discursive ethics, ethics thinking should essentially contribute to the procedural logic of medical practice. Discourse ethics can be used as a procedural model that copes with the complexity and temporality of practical medicine. Applied discourse ethics can turn out to be both instrumental in mediating inherent conflicts and constitutive for value based problem solving in modern medical practice.
The missing future tense in medical narrative
Authors: Olson L G , Terry W
Published: December 2006

Medical narrative is normally assumed to be a past tense narrative. Patients’ and students’ past tense narratives should be supplemented by future tense narratives, and in particular by what we call hypothetical narratives—narratives such as those offered by a medical student in response to the instruction “Tell me a story about when you are a doctor”. These narratives are suggested to be especially useful in clinical and educational contexts because they offer greater insight into the narrator’s hopes and expectations than past tense narratives, which can be helpful in planning management and teaching. The narrator’s ethical principles are also exposed more clearly than when using the past tense narrative. Some ethical concerns raised by analysing narratives offered by patients or students, as if they were literary narratives, are avoided by hypothetical narratives. This suggestion is based on Ricoeur’s account of the ethical importance of veracity in narrative, or “attestation of what has occurred”. The patient/doctor or student/teacher relationship is found to have an implicit concern for the narrator’s intention that makes the assumptions underlying literary analysis untenable.
Enhancement: are ethicists excessively influenced by baseless speculations?
Authors: Jones D G
Published: December 2006

Most commentators draw a sharp distinction between therapy and enhancement, applauding therapy and rejecting enhancement. Not only is this distinction unclear but enhancement is often seen in grandiose terms in which human beings are radically transformed. Such far-reaching visions are then used to reject current procedures such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. To overcome this highly problematic impasse, enhancement has been divided into three categories, ranging from the health-related enhancement of category 1, through the non-health-related enhancement of category 2, to the transhumanism or posthumanism of category 3. Arguably, most enhancements are of the category 1 variety, and hence closely related to treatment. Also, we are already enhanced, when compared with our forebears. It is only when we accept this and dispense with baseless speculation will we be in a position to conduct ethical discussions within a realistic framework.
Need humanities be so useless? Justifying the place and role of humanities as a critical resource for performance and practice
Authors: Edgar A , Pattison S
Published: December 2006

Justifying the existence, position, and relevance of academic humanities scholarship may be difficult in the face of chronic practical needs in health care. Such scholarship may seem parasitic on human activity and performance that directly contributes to human wellbeing and health care. Here, a possible and partial justification for the importance of scholarship in the humanities as a critical resource for practice and performance is undertaken by two humanities scholars. Human identity and emotion are reflected and defined by performances, both in the traditional disciplines of the humanities, such as art and literature, and in the sciences and medicine. The critical attitude that such performances might inadvertently undermine is sustained by the humanities. The humanities disciplines ask the question: “What is it to be human?” Uncritical emotion and expression, arising, for example, from understanding developments in medicine and science, which might exclude or corrupt much that is of value in the healthcare sector and other areas of practical performance, can be constrained by this.
A silly expression: Consultants’ implicit and explicit understanding of Medical Humanities. A qualitative analysis
Authors: Knight L V
Published: December 2006

The term Medical Humanities has still not been established in the wider medical, educational and academic communities. This qualitative study, conducted across three acute care trusts, is an exploration of whether clinicians were familiar with the term Medical Humanities, and if so, what the term meant to them and whether they considered the associated concepts relevant to medical practice and education. Reactions to the term Medical Humanities were varied: many clinicians had not heard of the term before, some were unsure what it meant, others displayed mistrust or contempt for it. Explicit definitions that were elicited were categorised (inductively) according to three main approaches to the understanding of Medical Humanities: Humanistic-holistic, Humanities-medicine seperate and Intellectual exercise. Findings indicate that the lack of clarity about the term Medical Humanities among experienced healthcare professionals, contrasts with their sophisticated implicit knowledge of key issues frequently associated with Medical Humanities. Thus, while some clinicians could not define Medical Humanities and some definitions separated humanities from medicine, all clinicians implicitly acknowledged the importance of Medical Humanities issues within their clinical and teaching practices during conversations prior to any mention of the term. It appears that clinicians as role models for medical students can inadvertently convey an ambivalent position towards the Medical Humanities that encompass the very values and attitudes they are trying to inculcate, sending out mixed messages to the novices.
Proposal for Sets of 77Se NMR Chemical Shifts in Planar and Perpendicular Orientations of Aryl Group and the Applications
Authors: Hayashi Satoko , Nakanishi Waro
Published: December 2006

The orientational effect of p‐YC6H4 (Ar) on δ(Se) is elucidated for ArSeR, based on experimental and theoretical investigations. Sets of δ(Se) are proposed for pl and pd employing 9‐(arylselanyl)anthracenes (1) and 1‐(arylselanyl)anthraquinones (2), respectively,
where Se–CR in ArSeR is on the Ar plane in pl and perpendicular to the plane in pd. Absolute magnetic shielding tensors of Se (σ(Se)) are calculated for ArSeR (R = H, Me, and Ph), assuming pl and pd, with the DFT‐GIAO method. Observed characters are well reproduced by the total shielding tensors (σt(Se)). The paramagnetic terms (σP(Se)) are governed by σP(Se) xx + σP(Se) yy, where the direction of nP(Se) is set to the z‐axis. The mechanisms of the orientational effect are established
both for pl and pd. Sets of δ(Se: 1) and δ(Se: 2) act
as the standards for pl and pd, respectively, when δ(Se) of ArSeR are analyzed based on the
orientational effect.
A short proof of the Cushing‐Henson conjecture
Authors: Stevic Stevo
Published: December 2006

We give a short proof of the Cushing‐Henson conjecture
concerning Beverton‐Holt difference equation, which is important in theoretical
ecology. The main result shows that a periodic environment is
always deleterious for populations modeled by the Beverton‐Holt difference
equation.
Positive solutions of three‐point boundary value problems for higher‐order p‐Laplacian with infinitely many singularities
Authors: Xu Fuyi , Wu Yonghong , Liu Lishan , Zhou Yunming
Published: December 2006

We study a three‐point nonlinear boundary value problem with higher‐order
p‐Laplacian. We show that there exist countable many positive solutions by using the fixed point index
theorem for operators in a cone.
Existence results for semilinear perturbed functional differential equations with nondensely defined operators
Authors: Belmekki M , Benchohra M , Ntouyas SK
Published: December 2006

We will establish sufficient conditions for the existence of integral solutions and extremal integral solutions for semilinear functional differential equations with nondensely defined operators in Banach spaces.
Strong convergence to common fixed points of nonexpansive mappings without commutativity assumption
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Chen Rudong , Zhou Haiyun
Published: December 2006

We introduce an iteration scheme for nonexpansive mappings in a Hilbert space and prove that the iteration converges strongly to common fixed points of the mappings without commutativity assumption.
Towards viscosity approximations of hierarchical fixed-point problems
Authors: Moudafi A , Maingé P-E
Published: December 2006

We introduce methods which seem to be a new and promising tool in hierarchical fixed-point problems. The goal of this note is to analyze the convergence properties of these new types of approximating methods for fixed-point problems. The limit attained by these curves is the solution of the general variational inequality, "Equation missing", where "Equation missing" denotes the normal cone to the set of fixed point of the original nonexpansive mapping "Equation missing" and "Equation missing" a suitable nonexpansive mapping criterion. The link with other approximation schemes in this field is also made.
Awareness of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology Among Residents and Residency Directors
Authors: Beigi Richard H. , Switzer Galen E. , Presley Larraine , Soper David E.
Published: December 2006

Awareness of the subspecialty of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology is low among United States residents and residency directors.
Objective. Given the burden of infectious diseases on women′s health, we sought to assess current awareness, interest, and perceived value of the subspecialty of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology among current United States obstetrics and gynecology residents and residency directors. Methods. Two separate surveys addressing awareness, perceived value and interest in the subspecialty were sent to (1) a random 20% sample of obstetrics and gynecology residents and (2) all obstetrics and gynecology residency directors. Results. Seventy percent of the residency directors were familiar with the subspecialty and 67.0% placed value on infectious disease specialists in an academic department. Thirty percent of the residents reported awareness of the subspecialty. Thirty‐six percent of residency directors reported that medical infectious disease specialists deliver formal education to the obstetrics and gynecology residents. Conclusion. United States obstetrics and gynecology residents and residency directors have a low awareness of the subspecialty. An open niche exists for formal education of residents in infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology by department specialists. These findings can be incorporated into ongoing recruitment efforts for the subspecialty of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology.
On the Fourier expansions of Jacobi forms of half‐integral weight
Authors: Ramakrishnan B. , Sahu Brundaban
Published: December 2006

Using the relationship between Jacobi forms of half‐integral weight and
vector valued modular forms, we obtain the number of components which
determine the given Jacobi form of index p, p2 or pq, where p and q are odd primes.
Ramanujan sums via generalized Möbius functions and applications
Authors: Laohakosol Vichian , Ruengsinsub Pattira , Pabhapote Nittiya
Published: December 2006

A generalized Ramanujan sum (GRS) is defined by replacing the usual Möbius function in the classical Ramanujan sum with the Souriau‐Hsu‐Möbius function. After collecting basic properties of a GRS, mostly containing existing ones, seven aspects of a GRS are studied. The first shows that the unique representation of even functions with respect to GRSs is possible. The second is a derivation of the mean value of a GRS. The third establishes analogues of the remarkable Ramanujan′s formulae connecting divisor functions with Ramanujan sums. The fourth gives a formula for the inverse of a GRS. The fifth is an analysis showing when a reciprocity law exists. The sixth treats the problem of dependence. Finally, some characterizations of completely multiplicative function using GRSs are obtained and a connection of a GRS with the number of solutions of certain congruences is indicated.
Low temperature exciton‐exciton annihilation in amphi‐PIPE J‐aggregates
Authors: Spitz C. , Daehne S.
Published: December 2006

The mobility of optically excited excitons on J‐aggregates can be demonstrated by the phenomena of exciton‐exciton annihilation. In this intensity‐dependent process the collision of two excitons results in their annihilation and hence in a shortening of the mean excitation lifetime. By measuring the intensity‐dependent fluorescent lifetime in contrast to the predicted immobilization of the excitons at low temperature we could prove the excellent mobility of the excitons at a temperature (4K), which is far below their expected freezing point.
A Computational Approach to Pivot Selection in the LP Relaxation of Set Problems
Authors: Djannaty F. , Rostamy B.
Published: December 2006

It has long been known to the researchers that choosing a variable having the most negative reduced cost as the entering variable is not the best choice in the simplex method as shown by Harris (1975). Thus, suitable modifications in the pivot selection criteria may enhance the algorithm. Previous efforts such as that by Dantzig and steepest-edge rules for pivot selection are based on finding a unified strategy for entering variable in all linear programming problems. In the present work, a number of strategies for pivot selection in the LP relaxation of the set problems are proposed which consider the specific knowledge of the problem. A significant reduction in the number of iterations is achieved for a set of randomly generated test problems.
Nucleofection: A New Method for Cutaneous Gene Transfer?
Authors: Jacobsen Frank , Mertens-Rill Janine , Beller Juergen , Hirsch Tobias , Daigeler Adrien , Langer Stefan , Lehnhardt Marcus , Steinau Hans-Ulrich , Steinstraesser Lars
Published: December 2006

Background. Transfection efficacy after nonviral gene transfer in primary epithelial cells is limited. The aim of this study was to compare transfection efficacy of the recently available method of nucleofection with the established transfection reagent FuGENE6. Methods. Primary human keratinocytes (HKC), primary human fibroblasts (HFB), and a human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) were transfected with reporter gene construct by FuGENE6 or Amaxa Nucleofector device. At corresponding time points, β‐galactosidase expression, cell proliferation (MTT‐Test), transduction efficiency (X‐gal staining), cell morphology, and cytotoxicity (CASY) were determined.
Results.
Transgene expression after nucleofection was significantly higher in HKC and HFB and detected earlier (3 h vs. 24 h) than in FuGENE6. After lipofection 80%–90% of the cells remained proliferative without any influence on cell morphology. In contrast, nucleofection led to a decrease in keratinocyte cell size, with only 20%–42% proliferative cells.
Conclusion. Related to the method‐dependent increase of cytotoxicity, transgene expression after nucleofection was earlier and higher than after lipofection.
Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α in Temporomandibular Joint Synovial Fluid Predicts Treatment Effects on Pain by Intra‐Articular Glucocorticoid Treatment
Authors: Fredriksson Lars , Alstergren Per , Kopp Sigvard
Published: December 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial fluid and blood on the treatment effect on TMJ pain by intra‐articular injection of glucocorticoid in patients with chronic inflammatory TMJ disorders. High pretreatment level of TNF‐α in the synovial fluid was associated with a decrease of TNF‐α and elimination of pain upon maximal mouth opening. Elimination of this TMJ pain was accordingly associated with decrease in synovial fluid level of TNF‐α. There was also a significant decrease of C‐reactive protein and TMJ resting pain after treatment. In conclusion, this study indicates that presence of TNF‐α in the synovial fluid predicts a treatment effect of intra‐articular injection of glucocorticoid on TMJ movement pain in patients with chronic TMJ inflammatory disorders.
An efficient computational method for statistical moments of Burger′s equation with random initial conditions
Authors: Kim Hongjoong
Published: December 2006

The paper is concerned with efficient computation of numerical solutions to Burger′s equation with random initial conditions. When the Lax‐Wendroff scheme (LW) is expanded using the Wiener chaos expansion (WCE), random and deterministic effects can be separated and we obtain a system of deterministic equations with respect to Hermite‐Fourier coefficients. One important property of the system is that all the statistical moments of the solution to the Burger′s equation
can be computed using the solution of the system only. Thus LW with WCE presents an alternative to computing moments
by the Monte Carlo method (MC). It has been numerically demonstrated that LW with WCE approach is equally accurate but substantially faster than MC at least for certain classes of initial conditions.
A Retrospective Analysis of Vinorelbine Chemotherapy for Patients With Previously Treated Soft‐Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Anderson Sibyl E. , Keohan Mary L. , D′Adamo David R. , Maki Robert G.
Published: December 2006

Introduction. The role of vinorelbine in specific soft tissue sarcoma subtypes is unclear. We present retrospective single institution experience with single‐agent vinorelbine in subjects with metastatic soft tissue malignancies. Methods. Fifty‐eight patients were treated with single agent intravenous vinorelbine between April 1997 and December 2004. Doxorubicin had been administered previously to 53 subjects
(91%), and the median number of lines of previous chemotherapy was 3 (range 0–7). Results. Patients received a median 6 doses of vinorelbine (range 1–65). The overall response rate was 6% (3 patients: 1 angiosarcoma, 1 epithelioid sarcoma, and 1
embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma). Fourteen patients (26%) experienced a best result of
stable disease. Median time to progression was 1.8 months (95% confidence intervals
1.5–2.1 months, Kaplan‐Meier estimate). Eight patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicity,
most commonly febrile neutropenia. Conclusion. Vinorelbine demonstrates limited activity in a heavily pretreated
group of soft‐tissue sarcoma patients. Prospective investigation may be considered for selected sarcoma
subtypes.
Identification and Validation of Differences in Protein Levels in Normal, Premalignant, and Malignant Lung Cells and Tissues Using High-Throughput Western Array and Immunohistochemistry
Authors: Shen Jie , Behrens Carmen , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Feng Lei , Lee J. Jack , Hong Waun Ki , Lotan Reuben
Published: December 2006

The identification of proteins, which exhibit different levels in normal, premalignant, and malignant lung cells, could improve early diagnosis and intervention. We compared the levels of proteins in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) and tumorigenic HBE cells (1170-I) by high-throughput immunoblotting (PowerBlot Western Array) using 800 monoclonal antibodies. This analysis revealed that 87 proteins increased by >2-fold, and 45 proteins decreased by >2-fold, in 1170-I compared with NHBE cells. These proteins are involved in DNA synthesis and repair, cell cycle regulation, RNA transcription and degradation, translation, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell adhesion, cytoskeleton and cell motility, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway. Conventional Western blotting using lysates of normal, immortalized, transformed, and tumorigenic HBEs and non–small cell lung cancer cell lines confirmed some of these changes. The expression of several of these proteins has been then analyzed by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays containing 323 samples, including normal bronchial epithelium, hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, dysplasias, squamous cell carcinomas, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, and adenocarcinomas from 144 patients. The results of the immunohistochemical studies correlated with the Western blotting findings and showed gradual increases (caspase-8, signal transducers and activators of transcription 5, and p70s6K) or decrease (E-cadherin) in levels with tumor progression. These results indicate that the changes in proteins detected in this study may occur early in lung carcinogenesis and persist in lung cancer. In addition, some of the proteins detected by this approach may be novel biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer and novel targets for chemoprevention or therapy. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(23): 11194-206)
Estrogen Receptor β Inhibits Angiogenesis and Growth of T47D Breast Cancer Xenografts
Authors: Hartman Johan , Lindberg Karolina , Morani Andrea , Inzunza José , Ström Anders , Gustafsson Jan-Åke
Published: December 2006

Estrogens, which are stimulators of growth of both the normal breast and malignant breast, mediate their effects through two estrogen receptors (ER), namely ERα and ERβ. ERα mediates the proliferative effect of estrogen in breast cancer cells, whereas ERβ seems to be antiproliferative. We engineered ERα-positive T47D breast cancer cells to express ERβ in a Tet-Off–regulated manner. These cells were then injected orthotopically into severe combined immunodeficient mice, and the growth of the resulting tumors was compared with tumors resulting from injecting the parental T47D cells that do not express ERβ. The presence of ERβ resulted in a reduction in tumor growth. Comparison of the ERβ-expressing and non-ERβ–expressing tumors revealed that the expression of ERβ caused a reduction in the number of intratumoral blood vessels and a decrease in expression of the proangiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor β (PDGFβ). In cell culture, with the Tet-Off–regulated ERβ-expressing cells, expression of ERβ decreased expression of VEGF and PDGFβ mRNA under normoxic as well as hypoxic conditions and reduced secreted VEGF and PDGFβ proteins in cell culture medium. Transient transfection assays with 1,026 bp VEGF and 1,006 bp PDGFβ promoter constructs revealed a repressive effect of ERβ at the promoter level of these genes. Taken together, these data show that introduction of ERβ into malignant cells inhibits their growth and prevents tumor expansion by inhibiting angiogenesis. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(23): 11207-13)
Consistent Liver Metastases in a Rat Model by Portal Injection of Microencapsulated Cancer Cells
Authors: Enomoto Tsuyoshi , Oda Tatsuya , Aoyagi Yasuyuki , Sugiura Shinji , Nakajima Mitsutoshi , Satake Mitsuo , Noguchi Masayuki , Ohkohchi Nobuhiro
Published: December 2006

Consistent liver metastases in animal models is generally observed only with certain cancer cell lines. With the aim of improving on existing animal models of liver metastases, we hypothesized that cancer cells encased in 300 μm microcapsules, mimicking micrometastatic foci, might be effective seeds of liver metastases. A total of 3,000 microcapsules, containing 700 to 1,500 viable cells/capsule in logarithmic growth phase of three human pancreatic cancer cell lines (SUIT-2, AsPC-1, and BxPC-3), were transplanted in nude rats by portal injection. The rate of liver metastases was 100% (12 of 12), 100% (6 of 6), and 83% (5 of 6) for SUIT-2, AsPC-1, and BxPC-3 microcapsules, respectively. In contrast, the administration of an identical number of single cancer cells (2.1–4.5 × 106) did not lead to liver metastases. Metastases was strictly limited to the liver, was quite stable, and could be proportionately tailored by varying the number of cancer microcapsules administered. Microscopic observation showed that two-thirds of the cancer microcapsules were lodged in the peripheral small (20–50 μm) portal veins, although one-third of the cancer microcapsules were trapped in the central wide (200–400 μm) portal vein. Capsules began to burst at day 3, with recognizable metastases produced at day 7, resulting in overt metastases production at days 28 to 42. The present cancer microcapsule method may be useful for obtaining liver metastases in animal models, especially for cell lines that will not form liver metastases with conventional single cell injection methods and/or for experiments requiring the consistent formation of liver metastases. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(23): 11131-9)
Buthionine Sulfoximine Enhancement of Arsenic Trioxide-Induced Apoptosis in Leukemia and Lymphoma Cells Is Mediated via Activation of c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase and Up-regulation of Death Receptors
Authors: Chen Duo , Chan Rosemarie , Waxman Samuel , Jing Yongkui
Published: December 2006

The mechanism of apoptosis induced by treatment with As2O3 alone or in combination with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) was studied in NB4, U937, Namalwa, and Jurkat cells. As2O3 at concentrations <2 μmol/L induced apoptosis in NB4 cells and Namalwa cells but not in U937 and Jurkat cells. As2O3-induced apoptosis in NB4 cells and Namalwa cells correlated with increase of H2O2 and caspase activation without activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). BSO (10 μmol/L) depleted the reduced form of intracellular glutathione without inducing apoptosis but synergized with 1 μmol/L As2O3 to induce apoptosis in all four cell lines. This synergy correlated with JNK activation. Treatment with As2O3 plus BSO, but not with As2O3 alone, increased the levels of death receptor (DR) 5 protein and caspase-8 cleavage. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited the increase in DR5 protein and attenuated apoptosis induced by treatment with As2O3 plus BSO. These observations suggest that a DR-mediated pathway activated by JNK is involved in apoptosis induced by treatment with As2O3 plus BSO. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(23): 11416-22)