bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IFATS Collection: Stem Cell Antigen-1-Positive Ear Mesenchymal Stem Cells Display Enhanced Adipogenic Potential
Authors: Staszkiewicz Jaroslaw , Gimble Jeffrey M. , Manuel Jessica A. , Gawronska-Kozak Barbara
Published: July 2008

Hyperplasia is a major contributor to the increase in adipose tissue mass that is characteristic of obesity. However, the identity and characteristics of cells that can be committed into adipocyte lineage remain unclear. Stem cell antigen 1 (Sca-1) has been used recently as a candidate marker in the search for tissue-resident stem cells. In our quest for biomarkers of cells that can become adipocytes, we analyzed ear mesenchymal stem cells (EMSC), which can differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Our previous studies have demonstrated that EMSC abundantly expressed Sca-1. In the present study, we have analyzed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes in Sca-1-enriched and Sca-1-depleted EMSC fractions. Sca-1-enriched EMSC accumulated more lipid droplets during adipogenic differentiation than Sca-1-depleted. Similarly, EMSC isolated from Sca-1−/− mice displayed reduced lipid accumulation relative to EMSC from wild-type controls (p < .01). Comparative analysis of the adipogenic differentiation process between Sca-1-enriched and Sca-1-depleted populations of EMSC revealed substantial differences in the gene expression. Preadipocyte factor 1, CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β, C/EBPα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2, lipoprotein lipase, and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein were expressed at significantly higher levels in the Sca-1-enriched EMSC fraction. However, the most striking observation was that leptin was detected only in the conditioned medium of Sca-1-enriched EMSC. In addition, we performed loss-of-function (Sca-1 morpholino oligonucleotide) experiments. The data presented here suggest that Sca-1 is a biomarker for EMSC with the potential to become functionally active adipocytes.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Recombinant Vitronectin Is a Functionally Defined Substrate That Supports Human Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal via αVβ5 Integrin
Authors: Braam Stefan R. , Zeinstra Laura , Litjens Sandy , Ward-van Oostwaard Dorien , van den Brink Stieneke , van Laake Linda , Lebrin Franck , Kats Peter , Hochstenbach Ron , Passier Robert , Sonnenberg Arnoud , Mummery Christine L.
Published: July 2008

Defined growth conditions are essential for many applications of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Most defined media are presently used in combination with Matrigel, a partially defined extracellular matrix (ECM) extract from mouse sarcoma. Here, we defined ECM requirements of hESC by analyzing integrin expression and ECM production and determined integrin function using blocking antibodies. hESC expressed all major ECM proteins and corresponding integrins. We then systematically replaced Matrigel with defined medium supplements and ECM proteins. Cells attached efficiently to natural human vitronectin, fibronectin, and Matrigel but poorly to laminin + entactin and collagen IV. Integrin-blocking antibodies demonstrated that αVβ5 integrins mediated adhesion to vitronectin, α5β1 mediated adhesion to fibronectin, and α6β1 mediated adhesion to laminin + entactin. Fibronectin in feeder cell-conditioned medium partially supported growth on all natural matrices, but in defined, nonconditioned medium only Matrigel or (natural and recombinant) vitronectin was effective. Recombinant vitronectin was the only defined functional alternative to Matrigel, supporting sustained self-renewal and pluripotency in three independent hESC lines.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Neural network prediction of energy demand and supply in China
Authors: Li Z.-S. , Zhang G.-Q. , Li D.-M. , Liu X.-H. , Mei S. , Wu J.
Published: July 2008

Traditional methods used to predict energy production and consumption analyse the relationship between cause and effect; such models thus tend to be complicated and not particularly accurate. Artificial neural network (ANN) methods are extensively used for prediction in non-linear systems; however, the back-propagation (BP) neural network (NN) method is not ideal for convergence and local minimum problems. The radial basis function (RBF) NN is capable of fast calculation and extrapolation, has a strong non-linear reflection function and is very adaptive. The objective of this paper is to apply a RBF NN to predict China's energy supply and demand. The core of the method is to process historic energy data as a static data series in order to simplify the model. All energy outputs depend only on historic data and the prediction requires a small calculation time. The results indicate that dynamic energy prediction based on a RBF NN shows good correlation with actual data and the method appears to be more appropriate for dynamic energy prediction than other models.
Adoption of energy efficiency innovations in new UK housing
Authors: Ko J. , Fenner R.
Published: July 2008

The UK is committed to increasing housing—the Department for Communities and Local Government has set a target to provide three million more homes in England by 2020. The housing sector is responsible for over a quarter of the nation's total carbon emissions and new targets require all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016. This is a challenging objective and will require developers to adopt energy efficiency innovations more widely. Yet change in the house building industry has been slow and building regulations in England and Wales lag behind energy standards in other European countries. This paper considers the house building industry as a complex socio-technical system made up of many actors who both act together and constrain each other's actions. Through interviews with commercial developers, local and central government bodies, architectural consultancies and housing associations, barriers relating to these actors' willingness, motivation and capacity for change in introducing energy-efficient measures into new build housing are identified. A series of policy responses are proposed to overcome these barriers and help suggest strategies to drive improved energy performance in UK new build homes. In order to provide a real context to explore the implications of these recommendations, the paper considers how such responses may be integrated into a sustainable new town development. It is concluded that to stimulate innovation, all parts of the sociotechnical system need to be influenced by all the mechanisms available to the UK government.
Electric vehicles for low-carbon transport
Authors: Gibbins J. , Beaudet A. , Chalmers H. , Lamperth M.
Published: July 2008

There are three main energy options for decarbonising road transport: biofuels, hydrogen and electricity. While the ‘hydrogen economy’ and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) are often seen as the only viable long-term option, and liquid biofuels as the only short/medium-term option, the potential for battery-dominant electric vehicles (including ‘plug-in’ hybrids) charged by low-carbon electricity has tended to be neglected in recent policy debates. However, even if low-carbon hydrogen were available it is likely to be as efficient to convert it to electricity for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as to use it for FCVs. Low-carbon electricity (e.g. from renewables, nuclear) is more efficiently used directly in electric vehicles than via conversion to hydrogen. Electric vehicles also generally have less challenging technical, infrastructural, financial and commercial barriers. In particular, the electrification of road transport can ‘piggyback’ on existing grid and off-peak generation capacity as well as market-driven R&D on advanced batteries and other electric drive components. Electricity production is also a highly efficient route for using a wide range of biomass materials in transport. Adding carbon dioxide capture and storage would give a further negative carbon dioxide emission of about 125 g/km to set against other lifecycle emissions.
Commercial development of underground coal gasification
Authors: Walker L. K.
Published: July 2008

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a process by which coal seams at depths uneconomic for open pit mining can be converted, using drillhole access, to a gas suitable for use as a fuel for power generation or as a chemical feedstock. Its application draws on a wide range of engineering and related disciplines including chemistry, geology, geohydrology, geotechnical engineering (including drilling techniques) and chemical engineering. This paper describes the UCG process and traces its historical development with particular reference to the vast amount of work undertaken in the former Soviet Union since the 1930s. Reference is also made to the most recent UCG tests in Australia (1999–2002), Spain (1997) and the USA (1987–1988), and to the new generation of projects that are in various stages of planning and development. The significance of the required specialist technical disciplines is discussed, and both environmental and commercial issues of specific relevance to UCG project developmen,t are reviewed.
Assessing and achieving structural safety
Authors: Brown C. B. , Elms D. G. , Melchers R. E.
Published: July 2008

Structures seldom fail, so it is reasonable to conclude that they are ‘safe’ and that this state was attained in the processes of designing and building them. The process of achieving structural safety and the process of assessing whether structural safety has actually been achieved for a given structure are, however, two very different matters. This is the essence of this paper and the issues are discussed in terms of the four related topics of responsibility, failure, uncertainty and decision. The first deals with the domain of responsibility of structural engineers: what it is and what it should be and how this relates to structural failure. Four sources of failure are distinguished: technical, process errors, technical ignorance and various non-technical matters. The relative contributions of these are then discussed. Recent codes of practice have focused narrowly on technical uncertainty and a notional probability of failure, with little attempt to incorporate non-technical matters and the ontological uncertainty, which is shown to be the origin of most failures. Finally, the nature of decision making is discussed for both code development and structural design and it is concluded that in both cases the decision process is one of satisficing rather than optimising. The whole process is less rational than is generally supposed and requires a broader view in the outlook and training of structural engineers.
Mouse Pancreatic Endocrine Cell Transcriptome Defined in the Embryonic Ngn3-Null Mouse
Authors: Juhl Kirstine , Sarkar Suparna A. , Wong Randall , Jensen Jan , Hutton John C.
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—To document the transcriptome of the pancreatic islet during the early and late development of the mouse pancreas and highlight the qualitative and quantitative features of gene expression that contribute to the specification, growth, and differentiation of the major endocrine cell types. A further objective was to identify endocrine cell biomarkers, targets of diabetic autoimmunity, and regulatory pathways underlying islet responses to physiological and pathological stimuli.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—mRNA expression profiling was performed by microarray analysis of e12.5–18.5 embryonic pancreas from neurogenin 3 (Ngn3)-null mice, a background that abrogates endocrine pancreatic differentiation. The intersection of this data with mRNA expression in isolated adult pancreatic islets and pancreatic endocrine tumor cell lines was determined to compile lists of genes that are specifically expressed in endocrine cells.

RESULTS—The data provided insight into the transcriptional and morphogenetic factors that may play major roles in patterning and differentiation of the endocrine lineage before and during the secondary transition of endocrine development, as well as genes that control the glucose responsiveness of the β-cells and candidate diabetes autoantigens, such as insulin, IA-2 and Slc30a8 (ZnT8). The results are presented as downloadable gene lists, available at https://www.cbil.upenn.edu/RADQuerier/php/displayStudy.php?study_id=1330, stratified by predictive scores of relative cell-type specificity.

CONCLUSIONS—The deposited data provide a rich resource that can be used to address diverse questions related to islet developmental and cell biology and the pathogenesis of type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Metabolically Favorable Remodeling of Human Adipose Tissue by Human Adenovirus Type 36
Authors: Rogers Pamela M. , Mashtalir Nazar , Rathod Miloni A. , Dubuisson Olga , Wang Zhong , Dasuri Kumar , Babin Scott , Gupta Alok , Markward Nathan , Cefalu William T. , Dhurandhar Nikhil V.
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Experimental infection of rats with human adenovirus type 36 (Ad-36) promotes adipogenesis and improves insulin sensitivity in a manner reminiscent of the pharmacologic effect of thiozolinediones. To exploit the potential of the viral proteins as a therapeutic target for treating insulin resistance, this study investigated the ability of Ad-36 to induce metabolically favorable changes in human adipose tissue.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We determined whether Ad-36 increases glucose uptake in human adipose tissue explants. Cell-signaling pathways targeted by Ad-36 to increase glucose uptake were determined in the explants and human adipose–derived stem cells. Ad-2, a nonadipogenic human adenovirus, was used as a negative control. As a proof of concept, nondiabetic and diabetic subjects were screened for the presence of Ad-36 antibodies to ascertain if natural Ad-36 infection predicted improved glycemic control.

RESULTS—Ad-36 increased glucose uptake by adipose tissue explants obtained from nondiabetic and diabetic subjects. Without insulin stimulation, Ad-36 upregulated expressions of several proadipogenic genes, adiponectin, and fatty acid synthase and reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokine macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 in a phosphotidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent manner. In turn, the activation of PI3K by Ad-36 was independent of insulin receptor signaling but dependent on Ras signaling recruited by Ad-36. Ad-2 was nonadipogenic and did not increase glucose uptake. Natural Ad-36 infection in nondiabetic and diabetic subjects was associated with significantly lower fasting glucose levels and A1C, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS—Ad-36 proteins may provide novel therapeutic targets that remodel human adipose tissue to a more metabolically favorable profile.
HES-1 Is Involved in Adaptation of Adult Human β-Cells to Proliferation In Vitro
Authors: Bar Yael , Russ Holger A. , Knoller Sarah , Ouziel-Yahalom Limor , Efrat Shimon
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—In vitro expansion of β-cells from adult human islets could solve the tissue shortage for cell replacement therapy of diabetes. Culture of human islet cells typically results in <16 cell doublings and loss of insulin expression. Using cell lineage tracing, we demonstrated that the expanded cell population included cells derived from β-cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in β-cell fate in vitro is crucial for optimizing expansion and redifferentiation of these cells. In the developing pancreas, important cell-fate decisions are regulated by NOTCH receptors, which signal through the hairy and enhancer of split (HES)-1 transcriptional regulator. Here, we investigated the role of the NOTCH signaling pathway in β-cell dedifferentiation and proliferation in vitro.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Isolated human islets were dissociated into single cells. β-Cells were genetically labeled using a Cre-lox system delivered by lentiviruses. Cells were analyzed for changes in expression of components of the NOTCH pathway during the initial weeks in culture. HES-1 expression was inhibited by a small hairpin RNA (shRNA), and the effects on β-cell phenotype were analyzed.

RESULTS—Human β-cell dedifferentiation and entrance into the cell cycle in vitro correlated with activation of the NOTCH pathway and downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p57. Inhibition of HES-1 expression using shRNA resulted in significantly reduced β-cell replication and dedifferentiation.

CONCLUSIONS—These findings demonstrate that the NOTCH pathway is involved in determining β-cell fate in vitro and suggest possible molecular targets for induction of β-cell redifferentiation following in vitro expansion.
Mechanism of Oxidative DNA Damage in Diabetes
Authors: Simone Simona , Gorin Yves , Velagapudi Chakradhar , Abboud Hanna E. , Habib Samy L.
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—To investigate potential mechanisms of oxidative DNA damage in a rat model of type 1 diabetes and in murine proximal tubular epithelial cells and primary culture of rat proximal tubular epithelial cells.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Phosphorylation of Akt and tuberin, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) levels, and 8-oxoG-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) expression were measured in kidney cortical tissue of control and type 1 diabetic animals and in proximal tubular cells incubated with normal or high glucose.

RESULTS—In the renal cortex of diabetic rats, the increase in Akt phosphorylation is associated with enhanced phosphorylation of tuberin, decreased OGG1 protein expression, and 8-oxodG accumulation. Exposure of proximal tubular epithelial cells to high glucose causes a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation that correlates with the increase in Akt and tuberin phosphorylation. High glucose also resulted in downregulation of OGG1 protein expression, paralleling its effect on Akt and tuberin. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt significantly reduced high glucose–induced tuberin phosphorylation and restored OGG1 expression. Hydrogen peroxide stimulates Akt and tuberin phosphorylation and decreases OGG1 protein expression. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine significantly inhibited ROS generation, Akt/protein kinase B, and tuberin phosphorylation and resulted in deceased 8-oxodG accumulation and upregulation of OGG1 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS—Hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes and treatment of proximal tubular epithelial cells with high glucose leads to phosphorylation/inactivation of tuberin and downregulation of OGG1 via a redox-dependent activation of Akt in renal tubular epithelial cells. This signaling cascade provides a mechanism of oxidative stress–mediated DNA damage in diabetes.
Potent Inhibition of Cicatricial Contraction in Proliferative Vitreoretinal Diseases by Statins
Authors: Kawahara Shuhei , Hata Yasuaki , Kita Takeshi , Arita Ryoichi , Miura Muneki , Nakao Shintaro , Mochizuki Yasutaka , Enaida Hiroshi , Kagimoto Tadahisa , Goto Yoshinobu , Hafezi-Moghadam Ali , Ishibashi Tatsuro
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Despite tremendous progress in vitreoretinal surgery, certain postsurgical complications limit the success in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinal diseases (PVDs), such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). One of the most significant complications is the cicatricial contraction of proliferative membranes, resulting in tractional retinal detachment and severe vision loss. Novel pharmaceutical approaches are thus urgently needed for the management of these vision-threatening diseases. In the current study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of statins on the progression of PVDs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Human vitreous concentrations of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. TGF-β2–and vitreous-dependent phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC), a downstream mediator of Rho-kinase pathway, and collagen gel contraction simulating cicatrical contraction were analyzed using cultured hyalocytes. Inhibitory effects of simvastatin on cicatrical contraction were assessed both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS—Human vitreous concentrations of TGF-β2 were significantly higher in the samples from patients with PVD compared with those without PVD. Simvastatin inhibited TGF-β2–dependent MLC phosphorylation and gel contraction in a dose- and time-dependent manner and was capable of inhibiting translocation of Rho protein to the plasma membrane in the presence of TGF-β2. Vitreous samples from patients with PVD enhanced MLC phosphorylation and gel contraction, whereas simvastatin almost completely inhibited these phenomena. Finally, intravitreal injection of simvastatin dose-dependently prevented the progression of diseased states in an in vivo model of PVR.

CONCLUSIONS—Statins might have therapeutic potential in the prevention of PVDs.
Correction of HDL Dysfunction in Individuals With Diabetes and the Haptoglobin 2-2 Genotype
Authors: Asleh Rabea , Blum Shany , Kalet-Litman Shiri , Alshiek Jonia , Miller-Lotan Rachel , Asaf Roy , Rock Wasseem , Aviram Michael , Milman Uzi , Shapira Chen , Abassi Zaid , Levy Andrew P.
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Pharmacogenomics is a key component of personalized medicine. The Israel Cardiovascular Events Reduction with Vitamin E Study, a prospective placebo-controlled study, recently demonstrated that vitamin E could dramatically reduce CVD in individuals with diabetes and the haptoglobin (Hp) 2-2 genotype (40% of diabetic individuals). However, because of the large number of clinical trials that failed to demonstrate benefit from vitamin E coupled with the lack of a mechanistic explanation for why vitamin E should be beneficial only in diabetic individuals with the Hp 2-2 genotype, enthusiasm for this pharmacogenomic paradigm has been limited. In this study, we sought to provide such a mechanistic explanation based on the hypothesis that the Hp 2-2 genotype and diabetes interact to promote HDL oxidative modification and dysfunction.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Hb and lipid peroxides were assessed in HDL isolated from diabetic individuals or mice with the Hp 1-1 or Hp 2-2 genotypes. HDL function was assessed based on its ability to promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages. A crossover placebo-controlled study in Hp 2-2 diabetic humans and in Hp 1-1 and Hp 2-2 diabetic mice assessed the ability of vitamin E to favorably modify these structural and functional parameters.

RESULTS—Hb and lipid peroxides associated with HDL were increased and HDL function was impaired in Hp 2-2 diabetic individuals and mice. Vitamin E decreased oxidative modification of HDL and improved HDL function in Hp 2-2 diabetes but had no effect in Hp 1-1 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS—Vitamin E significantly improves the quality of HDL in Hp 2-2 diabetic individuals.
Ser1369Ala Variant in Sulfonylurea Receptor Gene ABCC8 Is Associated With Antidiabetic Efficacy of Gliclazide in Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Feng Yan , Mao Guangyun , Ren Xiaowei , Xing Houxun , Tang Genfu , Li Qiang , Li Xueqi , Sun Lirong , Yang Jinqui , Ma Weiqing , Wang Xiaobin , Xu Xiping
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to investigate whether genetic variants could influence the antidiabetic efficacy of gliclazide in type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A total of 1,268 type 2 diabetic patients whose diabetes was diagnosed within the past 5 years and who had no recent hypoglycemic treatment were enrolled from 23 hospitals in China. All of the patients were treated with gliclazide for 8 weeks. Fasting and oral glucose tolerance test 2-h plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and A1C were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. We used two independent cohorts to test the associations of 25 single nuclear polymorphisms in 11 candidate genes with the antidiabetic efficacy of gliclazide. A general linear regression model was used to test the association with adjustment for important covariates.

RESULTS—After 8 weeks of gliclazide therapy, mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was reduced from 11.1 mmol/l at baseline to 7.7 mmol/l. In cohort 1, we genotyped all 25 SNPs (n = 661) and found that Ser1369Ala of the ABCC8 gene and rs5210 of the KCNJ11 gene were significantly associated with decreases in FPG (P = 0.002). We further genotyped Ser1369Ala in cohort 2 (n = 607) and confirmed the association identified in cohort 1. In the pooled analysis, compared with subjects with the Ser/Ser genotype, subjects with the Ala/Ala genotype had a 7.7% greater decrease in FPG (P < 0.001), an 11.9% greater decrease in 2-h plasma glucose (P = 0.003), and a 3.5% greater decrease in A1C (P = 0.06) after 8 weeks of treatment with gliclazide.

CONCLUSIONS—In two independent cohorts of Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, we found consistent evidence that the Ser1369Ala variant in the ABCC8 gene can influence the antidiabetic efficacy of gliclazide.
A1C but Not Serum Glycated Albumin Is Elevated in Late Pregnancy Owing to Iron Deficiency
Authors: Hashimoto Kunihiko , Noguchi Sanai , Morimoto Yasuhiko , Hamada Shinichi , Wasada Kenshi , Imai Shiro , Murata Yuji , Kasayama Soji , Koga Masafumi
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—A1C levels have been shown to be elevated in relation to glycemia in late pregnancy, although the precise mechanisms remain undetermined. We hypothesized that iron deficiency is involved in the A1C increase in late pregnancy.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In study 1, A1C, serum glycated albumin, erythrocyte indexes, and iron metabolism indexes were determined in 47 nondiabetic pregnant women not receiving iron supplementation who were divided into four groups according to gestational period (group I, 21–24 weeks; group II, 25–28 weeks; group III, 29–32 weeks; and group IV, 33–36 weeks). In study 2, these determinants were obtained at two gestational periods (20–23 weeks and 32–33 weeks) in 17 nondiabetic pregnant women.

RESULTS—In study 1, A1C levels were higher in groups III and IV than those in groups I and II, whereas serum glycated albumin levels were not different among these four groups. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were lower in groups III and IV. A1C levels were negatively correlated with MCH, serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin. In study 2, A1C levels were significantly increased at gestational weeks 32–33 from those at weeks 20–23, whereas serum glycated albumin levels did not differ between the two gestational periods. MCH, serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were decreased at gestational weeks 32–33. A1C levels showed a negative correlation with MCH, serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin.

CONCLUSIONS—A1C levels were elevated in late pregnancy owing to iron deficiency. Serum glycated albumin may offer a better index for monitoring glycemic control in pregnancy.
Prospective Cohort Study of Type 2 Diabetes and the Risk of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Driver Jane A. , Smith Ashley , Buring Julie E. , Gaziano J. Michael , Kurth Tobias , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the association between type 2 diabetes and newly reported Parkinson's disease.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Our study included 21,841 participants in the Physicians’ Health Study, a cohort of U.S. male physicians. Diabetes and Parkinson's disease were self-reported via questionnaire. We used time-varying Cox regression to calculate adjusted relative risk (RR) for Parkinson's disease.

RESULTS—Over 23 years, 556 individuals with Parkinson's disease were identified. Subjects with diabetes had an increased Parkinson's disease risk (multivariable-adjusted RR 1.34 [95% CI 1.01–1.77]). The association remained significant after exclusion of those with known vascular disease. The diagnosis of diabetes was clustered around the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and was more apparent among men with short diabetes duration and those without complications from diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS—Results of this large prospective study in men do not suggest that diabetes is a preceding risk factor for Parkinson's disease. Whether the positive association may be explained by ascertainment bias or a common underlying biological mechanism remains to be established.
Youth Auto Theft: A Survey of a General Population of Canadian Youth
Authors: Dhami Mandeep K.
Published: July 2008

Research on youth auto theft has been based mostly on young offenders who have been caught. The present study involved a sample of 779 youth attending 13 schools across BC, Canada. A sizable proportion (n = 184) of this sample from a general population had thought of or engaged in auto theft behaviours, from thinking about stealing a vehicle, through riding in a stolen vehicle, to being caught stealing a vehicle. This group differed from youth who had neither thought of nor engaged in any form of auto theft in terms of some demographic characteristics, their beliefs about the factors that prevent them from auto theft, their perceptions of young auto thieves’ characteristics and motivations, and their perceptions of the problem and prevention of youth auto theft. These findings have implications for targeting and developing youth auto theft prevention and intervention strategies. The findings also highlight the importance of studying auto theft in the general population.
Theory-Based Programme Development and Evaluation in Physiotherapy
Authors: Huijbregts Maria P.J. , Kay Theresa , Klinck Beth
Published: July 2008

Purpose: Programme evaluation has been defined as “the systematic process of collecting credible information for timely decision making about a particular program.” Where possible, findings are used to develop, revise, and improve programmes. Theory-based programme development and evaluation provides a comprehensive approach to programme evaluation.

Summary of key points: In order to obtain meaningful information from evaluation activities, relevant programme components need to be understood. Theory-based programme development and evaluation starts with a comprehensive description of the programme. A useful tool to describe a programme is the Sidani and Braden Model of Program Theory, consisting of six programme components: problem definition, critical inputs, mediating factors, expected outcomes, extraneous factors, and implementation issues. Articulation of these key components may guide physiotherapy programme implementation and delivery and assist in the development of key evaluation questions and methodologies. Using this approach leads to a better understanding of client needs, programme processes, and programme outcomes and can help to identify barriers to and enablers of successful implementation. Two specific examples, representing public and private sectors, will illustrate the application of this approach to clinical practice.

Conclusions: Theory-based programme development helps clinicians, administrators, and researchers develop an understanding of who benefits the most from which types of programmes and facilitates the implementation of processes to improve programmes.
Intramedullary mature teratoma of the cervical spinal cord at C1–2 associated with occult spinal dysraphism in an adult
Authors: Makary Raafat , Wolfson David , Dasilva Victor , Mohammadi Amir , Shuja Sania
Published: July 2008

✓There is a well-recognized association between dysontogenetic tumors of the spinal cord (including teratomas and enterogenous cysts) and dysraphic congenital spinal malformations. The authors present a case of an adult with an intramedullary mature teratoma (IMMT) at the level of C1–2 of the cord associated with dysraphic congenital spinal malformations. Intramedullary mature teratomas of the cervical region of the spinal cord are very rare in adults; only four such lesions have been reported, two of which involved upper cervical segments. Despite the potentially critical location of the tumor, monitored microsurgery resulted in complete removal of the tumor with an intact surrounding capsule, associated fibrous tract, and ellipse of skin with a central dimple. There was an excellent postoperative neurological outcome. The clinical features, imaging studies, treatment options, postoperative outcome, and plausible pathological correlations of IMMTs are discussed.
Spinal hydatidosis accompanied by a secondary infection
Authors: Kotil Kadir , Tatar Zeynep , Bilge Turgay
Published: July 2008

✓Spinal hydatid disease is rarely encountered in nonendemic regions. It is a progressive disease that is associated with risks of serious morbidity. The authors report a case of an isolated primary hydatid cyst of the spine in a 34-year-old woman who presented with back pain, which had lasted for 3 months, as well as lower-extremity pain and fatigue, which had persisted for 2 months. A neurological examination yielded findings indicative of upper motor neuron involvement with complete sensory loss below the level of T-11. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed multiple extradural cystic lesions with an abscess formation at T-11 and involvement of the paraspinal muscles. The patient underwent spinal decompression in which stabilization and total excision of the multiple epidural and psoas abscesses and paraspinal multiloculated cysts were performed. The diagnosis of hydatid disease associated with another infection was confirmed by histopathological evaluation. Albendazole was administered during the postoperative period.

Previous reports of secondary infections accompanying this disease in extraspinal locations have been published. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been no publications about a secondary infection associated with hydatidosis in the spinal cord. One should bear in mind that spinal hydatidosis may be accompanied by other infections in endemic regions. Antihelminthic treatment should be administered for a long period following early decompressive surgery and adequate stabilization.
Diurnal fluctuations in borehole water levels: configuration of the drainage system beneath Bench Glacier, Alaska, USA
Authors: Fudge T.J. , Humphrey Neil F. , Harper Joel T. , Tad Pfeffer W.
Published: July 2008

Water levels were measured in boreholes spaced along the entire length of Bench Glacier, Alaska, USA, for a period in excess of 2 years. Instrumented boreholes were arranged as nine pairs along the center line of the glacier and an orthogonal grid of 16 boreholes in a 3600 m2 region at the center of the ablation area. Diurnal fluctuations of the water levels were found to be restricted to the late melt season. Pairs of boreholes spaced along the length of the ablation area often exhibited similar fluctuations and diurnal changes in water levels. Three distinct and independent types of diurnal fluctuations in water level were observed in clusters of boreholes within the grid of boreholes. Head gradients suggest water did not flow between clusters, and a single tunnel connecting the boreholes could not explain the observed pattern of diurnal water-level fluctuations. Inter-borehole and borehole-cluster connectivity suggests the cross-glacier width of influence of a segment of the drainage system connected to a borehole was limited to tens of meters. A drainage configuration whereby boreholes are connected to a somewhat distant tunnel by drainage pipes of differing lengths, often hundreds of meters, is shown with a numerical test to be a plausible explanation for the observed borehole behavior.
Snow accumulation rate on Qomolangma (Mount Everest), Himalaya: synchroneity with sites across the Tibetan Plateau on 50–100 year timescales
Authors: Kaspari Susan , Hooke Roger LeB. , Mayewski Paul Andrew , Kang Shichang , Hou Shugui , Qin Dahe
Published: July 2008

Annual-layer thickness data, spanning AD 1534–2001, from an ice core from East Rongbuk Col on Qomolangma (Mount Everest, Himalaya) yield an age–depth profile that deviates systematically from a constant accumulation-rate analytical model. The profile clearly shows that the mean accumulation rate has changed every 50–100 years. A numerical model was developed to determine the magnitude of these multi-decadal-scale rates. The model was used to obtain a time series of annual accumulation. The mean annual accumulation rate decreased from ∼0.8 m ice equivalent in the 1500s to ∼0.3 m in the mid-1800s. From ∼1880 to ∼1970 the rate increased. However, it has decreased since ∼1970. Comparison with six other records from the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau shows that the changes in accumulation in East Rongbuk Col are broadly consistent with a regional pattern over much of the Plateau. This suggests that there may be an overarching mechanism controlling precipitation and mass balance over this area. However, a record from Dasuopu, only 125 km northwest of Qomolangma and 700 m higher than East Rongbuk Col, shows a maximum in accumulation during the 1800s, a time during which the East Rongbuk Col and Tibetan Plateau ice-core and tree-ring records show a minimum. This asynchroneity may be due to altitudinal or seasonal differences in monsoon versus westerly moisture sources or complex mountain meteorology.
A novel method for obtaining very large ancient air samples from ablating glacial ice for analyses of methane radiocarbon
Authors: Petrenko Vasilii V. , Severinghaus Jeffrey P. , Brook Edward J. , Mühle Jens , Headly Melissa , Harth Christina M. , Schaefer Hinrich , Reeh Niels , Weiss Ray F. , Lowe Dave , Smith Andrew M.
Published: July 2008

We present techniques for obtaining large (∼100 L STP) samples of ancient air for analysis of 14C of methane (14CH4)and other trace constituents. Paleoatmospheric 14CH4 measurements should constrain the fossil fraction of past methane budgets, as well as provide a definitive test of methane clathrate involvement in large and rapid methane concentration ([CH4]) increases that accompanied rapid warming events during the last deglaciation. Air dating to the Younger Dryas–Preboreal and Oldest Dryas–Bølling abrupt climatic transitions was obtained by melt extraction from old glacial ice outcropping at an ablation margin in West Greenland. The outcropping ice and occluded air were dated using a combination of δ15N of N2, δ18O of O2, δ18Oice and [CH4] measurements. The [CH4] blank of the melt extractions was <4 ppb. Measurements of δ18O and δ15N indicated no significant gas isotopic fractionation from handling. Measured Ar/N2, CFC-11 and CFC-12 in the samples indicated no significant contamination from ambient air. Ar/N2, Kr/Ar and Xe/Ar ratios in the samples were used to quantify effects of gas dissolution during the melt extractions and correct the sample [CH4]. Corrected [CH4] is elevated over expected values by up to 132 ppb for most samples, suggesting some in situ CH4 production in ice at this site.
Termination V in the Vostok (Antarctica) ice core
Authors: Suwa Makoto
Published: July 2008

The age–depth relationship of the Vostok (Antarctica) ice core has been reconstructed in the depth interval 3300–3347 m, by comparing three gas properties in ice (CO2, CH4 and δ18Oatm) with those in the EPICA Dome C (Antarctica) core. Fourteen Vostok depths were examined in this interval, and it was found that nine samples are uniquely dated if candidate ages are restricted to the interval between 400 and 650 kyr. One of these samples is uniquely dated without restriction. The analysis supports previous reports that this section contains ice from Termination V, but that the stratigraphic order of ice is reversed. The top of the overturned layer lies between 3316 and 3319 m. At least one other stratigraphic disturbance was found between 3340 and 3343 m, as indicated by another reversal of the age–depth relationship. Finally, the oldest ice in this section is dated at ≥440 kyr, confirming the existence of ice from the cold marine isotope stage (MIS) 12 interval.
A 5 year record of surface energy and mass balance from the ablation zone of Storbreen, Norway
Authors: Andreassen Liss M. , Van Den Broeke Michiel R. , Giesen Rianne H. , Oerlemans Johannes
Published: July 2008

A 5 year record of data from an automatic weather station (AWS) operating in the ablation zone of Storbreen, Norway, has been used to calculate the local surface energy and mass balance. The AWS observations cover five mass-balance years with an unusually strong mass deficit on Storbreen. The average energy flux (Q) contributing to melt for the period 2001–06 is 113 W m−2. Of this, the net shortwave radiation flux is the dominant contributor (92 W m−2), followed by the sensible heat flux (20 W m−2) and the latent heat flux (9 W m−2). The net longwave radiation (–6 W m−2) and the subsurface heat flux (–2 W m−2) contribute negatively to the budget. Net radiation thus produces 76% of the melt, while the turbulent fluxes and the subsurface heat flux produce 24% of the total melt. The seasonal mean incoming shortwave radiation is remarkably constant between the years, whereas variations in temperature and reflected shortwave radiation (albedo) explain most of the interannual variation in melt. The modelled ablation compares well with the measured ablation from stake readings. The sensitivity of the energy-balance model was examined by varying the surface roughness length of momentum and the sensitivity of the calculated melt by perturbations of temperature, wind speed and relative humidity.
Characteristics and small-scale variability of GPR signals and their relation to snow accumulation in Greenland’s percolation zone
Authors: Dunse Thorben , Eisen Olaf , Helm Veit , Rack Wolfgang , Steinhage Daniel , Parry Victoria
Published: July 2008

We investigate snowpack properties at a site in west-central Greenland with ground-penetrating radar (GPR), supplemented by stratigraphic records from snow pits and shallow firn cores. GPR data were collected at a validation test site for CryoSat (T05 on the Expéditions Glaciologiques Internationales au Groenland (EGIG) line) over a 100 m × 100 m grid and along 1 km sections at frequencies of 500 and 800 MHz. Several internal reflection horizons (IRHs) down to a depth of 10 m were tracked. IRHs are usually related to ice-layer clusters in vertically bounded sequences that obtain their initial characteristics near the surface during the melt season. Warm conditions in the following melt season can change these characteristics by percolating meltwater. In cold conditions, smaller melt volumes at the surface can lead to faint IRHs. The absence of simple mechanisms for internal layer origin emphasizes the need for independent dating to reliably interpret remotely sensed radar data. Our GPR-derived depth of the 2003 summer surface of 1.48 m (measured in 2004) is confirmed by snow-pit observations. The distribution of IRH depths on a 1 km scale reveals a gradient of increasing accumulation to the northeast of about 5 cm w.e. km−1. We find that point measurements of accumulation in this area are representative only over several hundred metres, with uncertainties of about 15% of the spatial mean.
COOPERATION ‐ THE FORM OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN LATVIA / BENDRADARBIAVIMAS – DARNAUS LATVIJOS TURIZMO FORMA
Authors: Šavriņa Baiba , Grundey Dainora , Bērziņa Kristīne
Published: July 2008

This paper draws attention to building networking and partnership amongst the market players of tourism industry in Latvia. The authors define cooperation as a process, which manifests in all fields of business operations, e.g. it occurs when two or more parties (enterprises) have business objectives which are mutually dependent. There are many ways and forms of cooperation that are of choice for every entrepreneur – formal and informal, vertical and horizontal, centralised and decentralised and others; it is just needed to evaluate all the benefits and contributions when to choose to compete and when to cooperate. Santrauka Šiame straipsnyje autorės dėsto darnaus turizmo principus Latvijos rinkoje, pasitelkdamos tinklų ir partnerystės konceptus. Visų pirma autorės pateikia bendradarbiavimo sampratą, kuri apibūdinama kaip procesas, pasireiškiantis visose verslo operacijose, t. y. kai du arba daugiau partnerių (įmonių) kuria strateginius susijusius verslo tikslus. Straipsnyje aptariamos įvairios bendradarbiavimo formos, kurios galėtų skatinti darnaus turizmo plėtrą Latvijoje, t. y. formalus ir neformalus, vertikalus ir horizontalus, centralizuotas ir decentralizuotas. Straipsnyje pateikiami pirminiai empirinio tyrimo, atlikto 2004 m. Latvijos turizmo rinkoje, duomenys.
INDEPENDENT AUDITING DEVELOPMENT TENDENCIES / NEPRIKLAUSOMO AUDITO RAIDOS TENDENCIJOS
Authors: Lakis Vaclovas
Published: July 2008

Different countries of the world face some misunderstandings or even scandals concerning the inappropriate information about financial problems in different companies, which, in its turn, decreases society's confidence in independent auditing and encourages discussions on the role of auditing in economy. EU, international trade unions, governments make great efforts to improve the quality of independent auditing. The article investigates the functions of auditors, factors influencing the auditing state, the reasons for fraud of financial statements, motives and means, the efforts of international organizations and governments to improve the auditing quality and unsolved auditing problems.

Santrauka

Nagrinėjamos auditorių funkcijos; veiksniai, darantys įtaką audito būklei; finansinių ataskaitų klastojimo tikslai, motyvai ir priemonės; tarptautinių organizacijų ir atskirų šalių vyriausybių pastangos pagerinti audito kokybę; neišspręstos audito problemos. Daroma išvada, kad kai kurie norminiai aktai nesiderina su audito standartais ir kelia auditoriams sunkiai įvykdomų reikalavimų.

Pabrėžiama, kad dėl įvairių priežasčių nepriklausomas auditas pernelyg supaprastėjo. Nepriklausomo audito raidoje ryškėja dviejopa tendencija. Viena, tarptautinės organizacijos ir atskirų šalių vyriausybės deda pastangų, kurios padeda gerinti audito kokybę. Kartu pastebima ir kita tendencija – nepriklausomas auditas pernelyg supaprastėjo, per siaurai formuluojamas audito tikslas. Taip pat audito metu atliekama kur kas daugiau procedūrų, negu reikia audito tikslui pasiekti, tačiau informacija, sukaupta per auditą, užsakovams pateikiama tik iš dalies. Rekomenduojama praplėsti audito tikslą ir procedūras, taip pat numatyti, kad visais atvejais užsakovui kartu su auditoriaus išvada būtų pateikta išsami audito ataskaita.
MULTI‐ATTRIBUTE CONTRACTORS RANKING METHOD BY APPLYING ORDERING OF FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES OF SOLUTIONS IN TERMS OF PREFERABILITY TECHNIQUE / DAUGIATIKSLIS RANGOVŲ PARINKIMO METODAS TAIKANT ĮMANOMŲ SPRENDINIŲ ALTERNATYVŲ RANGAVIMO PRIORITETO POŽIŪRIU BŪDĄ
Authors: Turskis Zenonas
Published: July 2008

Contractor evaluation is a vital part of the project management cycle and deals with risk and risk management. One of the most important phases in the construction industry is the bidding process. In order to select the most appropriate contractor for the project and prepare the most realistic and accurate bid proposal, stakeholders have to know all financial, technical and general information about these contractors. The information can be determined as qualitative, quantitative or verbal data. This paper presents the multi‐attribute contractors ranking method bay applying Ordering of feasible alternatives of solutions in terms of preferability technique. This method allows dealing with qualitative and quantitative data as well as with data expressed in words (verbal data). Finally, an illustrative example of contractor selection is used to demonstrate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed model. Santrauka Rangovų vertinimas – gyvybiškai svarbi projekto vadybos ciklo dalis, susijusi su rizika ir rizikos valdymu. Viena svarbiausių projekto įgyvendinimo dalių – kainos nustatymas konkurso tvarka. Investuotojai siekia pasirinkti geriausiai jų tikslus atitinkantį rangovą, realiausią ir tiksliausią kainos pasiūlymą. Tam reikia turėti išsamios informacijos apie finansinę rangovo būklę, techninį pasirengimą ir kvalifikaciją. Straipsnyje aprašomas daugiatikslis rangovų parinkimas taikant įmanomų sprendinių alternatyvų rangavimo prioriteto požiūriu metodą. Šio būdo sprendimų priėmimo matricos informacija gali būti aprašoma kokybiniais, kiekybiniais ir verbaliniais (žodžiais reiškiamais) duomenimis. Pateiktas straipsnio pabaigoje rangovų parinkimo pavyzdys parodo šio modelio taikymo tikslingumą ir praktiškumą.