bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corticotropin‐releasing factor‐2 activation prevents gentamicin‐induced oxidative stress in cells derived from the inner ear
Authors: Basappa Johnvesly , Turcan Sevin , Vetter Douglas E.
Published: June 2010

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a common denominator in many conditions leading to cell death in the cochlea, yet little is known of the cochlea's endogenous mechanisms involved in preventing oxidative stress and its consequences in the cochlea. We have recently described a corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) signaling system in the inner ear involved in susceptibility to noise‐induced hearing loss. We use biochemical and proteomics assays to define further the role of CRF signaling in the response of cochlear cells to aminoglycoside exposure. We demonstrate that activity via the CRF2 class of receptors protects against aminoglycoside‐induced ROS production and activation of cell death pathways. This study suggests for the first time a role for CRF signaling in protecting the cochlea against oxidative stress, and our proteomics data suggest novel mechanisms beyond induction of free radical scavengers that are involved in its protective mechanisms. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The characteristics of laser‐driven shock wave investigated by time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Song Yunfei , Zheng Xianxu , Yu Guoyang , Zhao Jun , Jiang Lilin , Liu Yuqiang , Yang Bin , Yang Yanqiang
Published: June 2010

An accurate and simple method, Raman peak‐shift simulation, is proposed to determine the characteristics of a laser‐driven shock wave. Using the principle of the Raman peaks shifting at high pressure and the pressure distribution in the gauge layer, the profile of the Raman peak can be numerically simulated. Combined with time‐resolved Raman spectroscopy, some main characteristics of the shock wave were determined. In the experiment, polycrystalline anthracene was used as the pressure gauge. The pump–probe technique was used to obtain the time‐resolved Raman spectra of anthracene under shock loading. The velocity of the shock wave, the peak pressure and the rise time of the shock front were determined by simulating the experimental spectra numerically. The result shows that the method of Raman peak‐shift simulation is effective in obtaining the characteristics of a laser‐driven shock wave. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in treatment for synchronous colorectal liver metastases: Differences in outcome before and after 2000
Authors: van der Pool Anne E.M. , Lalmahomed Zarina S. , de Wilt Johannes H.W. , Eggermont Alexander M.M. , Ijzermans Jan N.M. , Verhoef Cornelis
Published: June 2010

Background

The traditional treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer has changed from palliative chemotherapy toward an aggressive multimodality approach. In the current study outcome in patients who underwent surgery for synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CLM) in a single center was evaluated.

Methods

From January 1991 to May 2008 all consecutive patients with synchronous CLM who underwent curative resection of both primary and metastatic disease were included. Date of resection was divided into two groups: date of hepatic resection before and after the year 2000.

Results

Fifty patients (26%) with synchronous CLM were resected before 2000 and 142 patients (74%) underwent resection after 2000. The estimated 5‐year disease‐free survival before and after 2000 was 9% and 27%, respectively (P = 0.379). More patients who underwent resection after 2000 were treated with local therapy or underwent resection for intra‐hepatic recurrence (62% vs. 28%, P = 0.033). The estimated 5‐year survival before and after 2000 was 26% and 44%, respectively (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Survival rates in patients with synchronous CLM have been increased in the past decade. The introduction of new chemotherapeutic drugs and a more aggressive treatment approach in patients with liver recurrence were probably major factors in this progress. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:413–418. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extensive lymphatic spread of cancer cells in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Detection of CEA‐mRNA in the three‐field lymph nodes
Authors: Imamura Yu , Hayashi Naoko , Sato Nobutaka , Kinoshita Koichi , Kurashige Junji , Saito Seiya , Hirashima Kotaro , Karashima Ryuichi , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Nagai Yohei , Watanabe Masayuki , Baba Hideo
Published: June 2010

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study is to clarify the extent of lymphatic spread of cancer cells using a novel genetic test to examine patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

A total of 35 patients who underwent an esophagectomy with three‐field lymph node (LN) dissection were eligible. The regional LN stations were categorized into the cervical (C), recurrent nerve (RN), paraesophageal (PE), tracheo‐bronchial (TB), and perigastric (PG) nodes. Lymphatic spread was pathologically diagnosed with Hematoxylin‐Eosin (HE) and anti‐cytokeratin immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and CEA‐mRNA expression was examined using the transcription‐reverse transcription concerted (TRC) reaction.

Results

The rates of lymphatic spread with HE, IHC, and TRC were 7.2%, 10.1%, and 55.5%, respectively. The number of CEA‐mRNA(+) LN stations significantly correlated with tumor depth, LN metastasis diagnosed by HE, and vascular invasions. CEA‐mRNA expression was observed in 42.9%, 94.3%, 77.1%, 80.0%, and 82.9% of C, RN, TB, PE, and PG nodes, respectively.

Conclusions

The high frequency of CEA‐mRNA expression suggests that systemic therapy is necessary in addition to esophagectomy with adequate LN dissection. Conversely, a relatively low frequency of CEA‐mRNA expression in the C node does not support the routine dissection of the LNs in this area. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:509–515. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overexpression of Pim‐1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Hong‐Tao , Wang Ning , Wang Xin , Li Sheng‐Lei
Published: June 2010

Background and Objectives

It is well known that provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus 1 (Pim‐1) plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of tumors. Here, we investigated expression of Pim‐1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and assessed the correlation between Pim‐1 level and prognosis of the patients with ESCC.

Methods

Expression of Pim‐1 was investigated by RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization methods. Kaplan–Meier statistics was used to examine the relationship between levels of Pim‐1 and prognosis using log‐rank test.

Results

The results demonstrated that ESCC tissues appeared strong expression levels of Pim‐1 mRNA and protein while the normal esophageal tissues were either negative or showed only weak Pim‐1 mRNA and protein levels. In addition, we found that Pim‐1 expression was significantly correlated with histology grade, clinical staging, and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05), but not related to age and sex (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the results of survival rates analyzed by Kaplan–Meier curve revealed that patients with high Pim‐1 mRNA and protein expressions had a poorer prognosis than those with the low Pim‐1 expression (P = 0.010 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that Pim‐1 may be used as molecular marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with ESCC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:683–688. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐Assembly‐Peptide Hydrogels as Tissue‐Engineering Scaffolds for Three‐Dimensional Culture of Chondrocytes in vitro
Authors: Liu Jingping , Song Hong , Zhang Lanlan , Xu Hongyan , Zhao Xiaojun
Published: June 2010

The promising potential of a RAD‐16 self‐assembly‐peptide hydrogel as a scaffold for tissue‐engineered cartilage was investigated. Within 3 weeks of in vitro culture, chondrocytes within the hydrogel produced a high amount of GAG and type‐II collagen, which are the components of cartilage‐specific extracellular matrix (ECM). With the culture time increased, toluidine‐blue staining for GAG and immuno‐histochemistry staining for type‐II collagen of the chondrocytes‐hydrogel composites became more intense. Analysis of the gene expression of the ECM molecules also confirmed the chondrocytes in the peptide hydrogel maintained their phenotype within 3 weeks of in vitro culture.

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Abnormal explicit but normal implicit sequence learning in premanifest and early Huntington's disease
Authors: Schneider Susanne A. , Wilkinson Leonora , Bhatia Kailash P. , Henley Susie M. D. , Rothwell John C. , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Jahanshahi Marjan
Published: June 2010

Learning may occur with or without awareness, as explicit (intentional) or implicit (incidental) learning. The caudate nucleus and the putamen, which are affected early in Huntington's disease (HD), are thought to be essential for motor sequence learning. However, the results of existing studies are inconsistent concerning presence/absence of deficits in implicit and explicit motor sequence learning in HD. We assessed implicit and explicit motor sequence learning using sequences of equivalent structure in 15 individuals with a positive HD genetic test (7 premanifest; 8 early stage disease) and 11 matched controls. The HD group showed evidence of normal implicit motor sequence learning, whereas explicit motor sequence learning was impaired in manifest and premanifest HD gene carriers, with progressive decline with progressive disease. Explicit sequence learning may be a useful cognitive biomarker for HD progression. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
The pharmacological treatment for uremic restless legs syndrome: Evidence‐based review
Authors: de Oliveira Márcio Moysés , Conti Cristiane Fiquene , Valbuza Juliana Spelta , de Carvalho Luciane Bizari Coin , do Prado Gilmar Fernandes
Published: June 2010

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common and often misdiagnosed entity among the general population and it may be more common among dialysis patients, with an estimated prevalence of 6.6 to 21.5%. The treatment for uremic RLS has been controversial and therefore a systematic synthesis of the evidence is needed in order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatments for uremic RLS. This was a systematic review of randomized or quasi‐randomized double‐blind trials on treatments for uremic RLS. The outcomes considered were relief of RLS symptoms marked on a validated scale, subjective sleep quality, sleep quality measured using night polysomnography and actigraphy, quality of life measured subjectively, and adverse events associated with these treatments. Six eligible clinical trials were included. The results from subjective analyses in these studies were divergent, although objective analyses in one trial showed that there was a statistically significant improvement in periodic leg movement while asleep in the treatment group. No combined analysis (meta‐analysis) was performed. The most common adverse event seen was gastrointestinal symptoms. Only a few therapeutic trials on patients with uremia with RLS have been published, and there is insufficient scientific evidence to favor any specific therapeutic regimen for uremic‐associated RLS. Therapy using levodopa, dopaminergic agonists, anticonvulsants, and clonidine tend to be effective, but further studies are needed. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Objective detection of subtle freezing of gait episodes in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Delval Arnaud , Snijders Anke H. , Weerdesteyn Vivian , Duysens Jacques E. , Defebvre Luc , Giladi Nir , Bloem Bastiaan R.
Published: June 2010

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a clinically defined phenomenon of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent evidence suggests that subtle FOG episodes can be elicited in a gait laboratory using suddenly appearing obstacles during treadmill walking. We evaluated which quantitative gait parameters identify such subtle FOG episodes. We included 10 PD patients with FOG, 10 PD patients without FOG, and 10 controls. Subjects walked on a motorized treadmill while avoiding unexpectedly appearing obstacles. Treadmill walking was videotaped, and FOG episodes were identified by two independent experts. Gait was also analyzed using detailed kinematics. Knee joint signals were processed using time–frequency analysis with combinations of sliding fast Fourier transform and wavelets transform. Twenty FOG episodes occurred during treadmill walking in 5 patients (all with clinically certified FOG), predominantly in relation to obstacle avoidance. FOG was brief when it occurred just before or after obstacle crossing and was characterized by short, rapid steps. Frequency analysis showed a typical qualitative pattern: before the FOG episode an increase in dominant frequency in the 0 to 3 Hz band (festination), followed by decreased power in 0 to 3 Hz band and an increased power in the 3 to 8 Hz band during the FOG episode. This pattern led to an increased FOG index as a qualitative measure. These approaches detected even very brief FOG with acceptable sensitivity (75–83%) and specificity (>95%). We conclude that time–frequency analysis is an appropriate approach to detect brief and subtle FOG episodes. Future work will need to decide whether this approach can support or even replace expert clinical opinion. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Longitudinal tracking of gait and balance impairments in cerebellar disease
Authors: Morton Susanne M. , Tseng Ya‐Weng , Zackowski Kathleen M. , Daline Jaclyn R. , Bastian Amy J.
Published: June 2010

Cerebellar damage typically results in ataxia and can be caused by stroke, tumor, or one of many forms of degenerative disease. Since few pharmacological options are available, most treatments rely heavily on rehabilitation therapy. Little data exist on methods for tracking the progression of ataxia, which is critical for assessing the efficacy of current and newly developing treatments. Here, we tracked the severity of ataxia, with a particular emphasis on gait and balance dysfunction, in a group of individuals with cerebellar damage using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) and several instrumented laboratory measures of gait and balance impairments over 1 year. We found that the ICARS was able to distinguish between subjects with static lesions and those with degenerative disorders, was sensitive to increases in ataxia severity occurring over 1 year, and correlated well with specific instrumented measures of gait in persons with cerebellar degeneration. These results suggest the ICARS is a valuable tool for clinicians and investigators to document and track long‐term changes in gait and balance performance in individuals with cerebellar degenerative disorders. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Lipid accumulation and metabolism in polychaete spermatogenesis: Role of the large discoidal lipoprotein
Authors: Schenk Sven , Hoeger Ulrich
Published: June 2010

In most oviparous animals, lipoprotein‐mediated lipid transport plays an important role in the nutrient supply for the oocyte. In male gametes, lipids are used as energy substrates in spermatozoa but nothing is yet known about their origin and metabolism throughout spermatogenesis. The lipid profiles analyzed from different stages of male germ cell development in the marine annelid Nereis virens were found to undergo a dramatic change from primary triacylglycerides at the beginning of germ cell development to cholesterol and phospholipids at the end of development as demonstrated by HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection and mass spectrometry. The uptake of a large discoidal lipoprotein into the developing germ cells could be demonstrated by fluorescence labeling and electron microscopic techniques as well as by the presence of a lipoprotein receptor in the germ cells, thus establishing its role in lipid supply. The incorporated lipoprotein discs were found to be stored as intact complexes indicating that they are not readily degraded upon endocytotic uptake. The change in lipid composition during germ cell development reflects their metabolic activity, especially in spermatogonia. The high concentration of lipids maintained by spermatogonia during the early phase of gametogenesis seems to be required for the later rapid processes of meiosis and spermatocyte differentiation. At times when peak demand of lipids arises for membrane synthesis and increased metabolism, this may be met more efficiently by a rapid on‐site mobilization of lipids instead of an external supply. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 710–719, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous myocardial strain and dark‐blood perfusion imaging using a displacement‐encoded MRI pulse sequence
Authors: Le Yuan , Stein Ashley , Berry Colin , Kellman Peter , Bennett Eric E. , Taylor Joni , Lucas Katherine , Kopace Rael , Chefd'Hotel Christophe , Lorenz Christine H. , Croisille Pierre , Wen Han
Published: June 2010

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a displacement‐encoded pulse sequence for simultaneous perfusion and strain imaging. Displacement‐encoded images in two to three myocardial slices were repeatedly acquired using a single‐shot pulse sequence for 3 to 4 min, which covers a bolus infusion of Gadolinium contrast. The magnitudes of the images were T1 weighted and provided quantitative measures of perfusion, while the phase maps yielded strain measurements. In an acute coronary occlusion swine protocol (n = 9), segmental perfusion measurements were validated against microsphere reference standard with a linear regression (slope 0.986, R2 = 0.765, Bland‐Altman standard deviation = 0.15 mL/min/g). In a group of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients (n = 11), the scan success rate was 76%. Short‐term contrast washout rate and perfusion are highly correlated (R2 = 0.72), and the pixelwise relationship between circumferential strain and perfusion was better described with a sigmoidal Hill curve than linear functions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of measuring strain and perfusion from a single set of images. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of protein trans‐splicing to produce active and segmentally 2H, 15N labeled mannuronan C5‐epimerase AlgE4
Authors: Buchinger Edith , Aachmann Finn L. , Aranko A. Sesilja , Valla Svein , Skjåk‐BræK Gudmund , Iwaï Hideo , Wimmer Reinhard
Published: June 2010

Alginate epimerases are large multidomain proteins capable of epimerising C5 on β‐D‐mannuronic acid (M) turning it into α‐L‐guluronic acid (G) in a polymeric alginate. Azotobacter
vinelandii secretes a family of seven epimerases, each of which is capable of producing alginates with characteristic G distribution patterns. All seven epimerases consist of two types of modules, denoted A and R, in varying numbers. Attempts to study these enzymes with solution‐state NMR are hampered by their size—the smallest epimerase, AlgE4, consisting of one A‐ and one R‐module, is 58 kDa, resulting in heavy signal overlap impairing the interpretation of NMR spectra. Thus we obtained segmentally 2H, 15N labeled AlgE4 isotopomeres (A‐[2H, 15N]‐R and [2H, 15N]‐A‐R) by protein trans‐splicing using the naturally split intein of Nostoc punctiforme. The NMR spectra of native AlgE4 and the ligated versions coincide well proving the conservation of protein structure. The activity of the ligated AlgE4 was verified by two different enzyme activity assays, demonstrating that ligated AlgE4 displays the same catalytic activity as wild‐type AlgE4.
Stability region bifurcations of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems: Type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcations
Authors: Amaral F. M. , Alberto L. F. C.
Published: June 2010

The behavior of stability regions of nonlinear autonomous dynamical systems subjected to parameter variation is studied in this paper. In particular, the behavior of stability regions and stability boundaries when the system undergoes a type‐zero sadle‐node bifurcation on the stability boundary is investigated in this paper. It is shown that the stability regions suffer drastic changes with parameter variation if type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcations occur on the stability boundary. A complete characterization of these changes in the neighborhood of a type‐zero saddle‐node bifurcation value is presented in this paper. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Filtering of discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems with uncertain transition probabilities
Authors: Gonçalves Alim P. C. , Fioravanti André R. , Geromel José C.
Published: June 2010

This article addresses the filtering design problem for discrete‐time Markov jump linear systems (MJLS) under the assumption that the transition probabilities are not completely known. We present the methods to determine ℋ︁2‐ and ℋ︁∞‐norm bounded filters for MJLS whose transition probability matrices have uncertainties in a convex polytope and establish an equivalence with the ones with partly unknown elements. The proposed design, based on linear matrix inequalities, allows different assumptions on Markov mode availability to the filter and on system parameter uncertainties to be taken into account. Under mode‐dependent assumption and internal model knowledge, observer‐based filters can be obtained and it is shown theoretically that our method outperforms some available ones in the literature to date. Numerical examples illustrate this claim. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fuzzy Bayesian system reliability assessment based on prior two‐parameter exponential distribution under different loss functions
Authors: Gholizadeh Ramin , Shirazi Aliakbar Mastani , Gildeh Bahram Sadeghpour
Published: June 2010

The fuzzy Bayesian system reliability assessment based on prior two‐parameter exponential distribution under squared error symmetric loss function and precautionary asymmetric loss function is proposed in this paper. In order to apply the Bayesian approach, the fuzzy parameters are assumed as fuzzy random variables with fuzzy prior distributions. Because the goal of the paper is to obtain fuzzy Bayes point estimators of system reliability assessment, prior distributions of location‐scale family has been changed to scale family with change variable. On the other hand, also the computational procedures to evaluate the membership degree of any given Bayes point estimate of system reliability have been provided. In order to achieve this purpose, we transform the original problem into a non‐linear programming problem. This non‐linear programming problem is then divided into four sub‐problems for the purpose of simplifying computation. Finally, the sub‐problems can be solved by using any commercial optimizers, e.g. GAMS or LINGO. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A DFT Study of the Energetical and Structural Landscape of the Tetrahedral to Square‐Planar Conversion of Tetrahalide Complexes of Copper(II)
Authors: Atanasov Mihail , Delley Bernard , Reinen Dirk
Published: June 2010

DFT results and the analysis of the energetic and structural landscape of the title complexes are reported. It is shown that the minima of the ground state potential energy surface occur at positions corresponding to tetragonally compressed structures of D2d symmetry, with rather distinct electronic stabilization energies in respect to the tetrahedral parent complexes. The structural distortion and the accompanying energetic effects are found to increase with increasing ligand hardness, i.e. from Br– to Cl– to F–. The results are discussed and compared by conventional vibronic coupling and angular overlap model calculations. The Jahn–Teller interaction between the 2T2 ground state and the ϵ‐vibrational mode of tetrahedral CuX42– splits the 2T2 ground state; this coupling is supported by 3d–4s mixing, which softens the ground state potential energy surface along the ϵ normal mode [formally a T2(d9) ⊕ ϵ ⊕ T2 (d8s1) pseudo Jahn–Teller coupling interaction in Td]. The vibronic activity may also occur along the trigonal τ2 modes, which leads to C3v‐ or, if both types of pathway are involved, C2v‐ [2T2 ⊕ (ϵ + τ2) coupling] distorted structures, which are very weak as compared to D2d deformations. Theoretical results are validated and used to explain the structural diversity and electronic spectra reported for CuCl42– in various crystal structures. A strain model, which differentiates between an elastic and a binding component, is qualified for getting an understanding for the appearance of structures from tetrahedral to square planar. In the considered cases, it is generally the elastic strain component, which governs the structural and energetic scene, though the binding strain increment is not negligible sometimes (e.g. Cs2CuCl4). Predictions in respect to corresponding compounds with F– and Br– ligands are made.
On sufficient conditions of blowing‐up of solution of initial‐boundary‐value problem for strongly nonlinear Sobolev type equation
Authors: Korpusov M.O.
Published: June 2010

We consider the initial‐boundary‐value problem for the N‐dimensional, Sobolev‐type equation with source. Under some conditions, the theorems on blowup of solutions at finite time of this problem are obtained. Twosided estimates for blowing‐up time are derived.
A Typology of Youth Participation and Empowerment for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion
Authors: Wong Naima T. , Zimmerman Marc A. , Parker Edith A.
Published: June 2010

Research suggests that increasing egalitarian relations between young people and adults is optimal for healthy development; however, the empirical assessment of shared control in youth–adult partnerships is emerging, and the field still requires careful observation, identification, categorization and labeling. Thus, our objective is to offer a conceptual typology that identifies degrees of youth–adult participation while considering the development potential within each type. We use an empowerment framework, rooted in evidence‐based findings, to identify five types of youth participation: (1) Vessel, (2) Symbolic, (3) Pluralistic, (4) Independent and (5) Autonomous. The typology is constructed as a heuristic device to provide researchers, practitioners and policy‐makers with a common language for articulating degrees of youth participation for optimal child and adolescent health promotion.
Hand Numbness and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome after Volar Plating of Distal Radius Fracture
Authors: Ho Angela Wing Hang , Ho S. T. , Koo S. C. , Wong K. H.
Published: June 2010

We report the incidence of late onset postoperative carpal tunnel syndrome (late carpal tunnel syndrome) and late median nerve neuropathy after volar plating of distal radius fracture by conducting a retrospective study on volar plating for distal radius fracture performed during 2002 to 2006. Two hundred eighty-two volar plating were performed for acute distal radius fracture after exclusion. Post-operative hand numbness occurred in 24 patients of which nine had carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, the incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome was 3.2% (9/282). Of the eight (8/24, 33%) patients with postoperative hand numbness that failed to respond to conservative treatment, five had carpal tunnel release and three had neurolysis of median nerve at distal forearm. All had clinical improvement except in one patient. The incidence of late carpal tunnel syndrome after volar plating of distal radius in the present series is similar to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in general population. The incidence is low compared with other series, regardless of treatment method (conservative treatment, volar or dorsal plating). The outcome of post-operative hand numbness is generally favourable.
Bradykinesia In Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Pasquini M. , Fabbrini G. , Moretti G. , Berardelli I. , Mandarelli G. , Delle Chiaie R. , Leone C. , Biondi M. , Berardelli A.
Published: June 2010

Objective

To investigate the frequency of bradykinesia in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and to see whether patients with OCD who also have bradykinesia display distinctive neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric features.

Methods

We studied 23 antipsychotic-free patients with OCD and 13 healthy controls. Bradykinesia was assessed with section III of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale. The Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scales-Revised (WAIS-R) was used to assess the Full Scale IQ and to measure visuospatial, visuoconstructional ability and psychomotor speed/mental slowness.

Results

Of the 23 patients with OCD studied, 8 (34%) had mild symptoms of bradykinesia. No relationship was found between bradykinesia and the sociodemographic variables assessed but this motor symptom was significantly associated with the severity of compulsions. Patients with bradykinesia differed from those without: they had a higher frequency of repeating compulsions, and lower IQ scores, performance scores, and WAIS-R subtest scores for similarities and picture completion. No significant differences were found between patients without bradykinesia and healthy controls in any test.

Conclusions

Clinical assessment of motor symptoms in adult patients with OCD often discloses mild bradykinesia sometimes associated with repeating compulsions and poor WAIS-R performance scores.
Physical coercion, perceived pressures and procedural justice in the involuntary admission and future engagement with mental health services
Authors: O’Donoghue B. , Lyne J. , Hill M. , Larkin C. , Feeney L. , O’Callaghan E.
Published: June 2010

Objectives

We sought to determine the level of procedural justice experienced by individuals at the time of involuntary admission and whether this influenced future engagement with the mental health services.

Methods

Over a 15-month period, individuals admitted involuntarily were interviewed prior to discharge and at one-year follow-up.

Results

Eighty-one people participated in the study and 81% were interviewed at one-year follow-up. At the time of involuntary admission, over half of individuals experienced at least one form of physical coercion and it was found that the level of procedural justice experienced was unrelated to the use of physical coercive measures. A total of 20% of participants intended not to voluntarily engage with the mental health services upon discharge and they were more likely to have experienced lower levels of procedural justice at the time of admission. At one year following discharge, 65% of participants were adherent with outpatient appointments and 18% had been readmitted involuntarily. Insight was associated with future engagement with the mental health services; however, the level of procedural justice experienced at admission did not influence engagement.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the use of physical coercive measures is a separate entity from procedural justice and perceived pressures.
Mcl‐1; the molecular regulation of protein function
Authors: Thomas Luke W. , Lam Connie , Edwards Steven W.
Published: June 2010

Apoptosis, an essential and basic biological phenomenon, is regulated in a complex manner by a multitude of factors. Myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl‐1), an anti‐apoptotic member of the B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) family of apoptosis‐regulating proteins, exemplifies a number of the mechanisms by which a protein's contribution to cell fate may be modified. The N‐terminus of Mcl‐1 is unique amongst the Bcl‐2 family, in that it is rich in experimentally confirmed and putative regulatory residues and motifs. These include sites for ubiquitination, cleavage and phosphorylation, which influence the protein's stability, localisation, dimerization and function. Here we review what is known about the regulation of Mcl‐1 expression and function, with particular focus on post‐translational modifications and how phosphorylation interconnects the complex molecular control of Mcl‐1 with cellular state.
Isolation and genotyping of vaginal non‐albicans Candida spp. in women from two different ethnic groups in Lanzhou, China
Authors: Wei Yu‐Ping , Feng Jie , Luo Zhi‐Cheng
Published: June 2010

Objective

To investigate whether the vaginal flora of women from 2 different ethnic groups living in the same region of China harbored the same species of Candida in the same proportions.

Methods

The ethnicity of the women was determined by conventional cultural identification, and the Candida spp. harbored by the women were determined by conventional methods and DNA genotyping.

Results

Candida albicans accounted for 77.1% and 89.6%, respectively, of the Candida spp. isolated from the normal vaginal flora of Han Chinese and Tibetan women. This difference was statistically significant and may explain the differences in the rates of opportunistic infections in these 2 groups. Among the non‐albicans Candida spp. isolated were C. glabrata and C. tropicalis.

Conclusion

Different species of Candida were differently distributed in the normal vaginal flora of ethnic Han Chinese and Tibetan women living in the same geographic region.
EFFECTS OF RICE STRAW MULCH AND PLANTING DENSITY ON POTATO GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE IN LOWLANDS OF BURUNDI
Authors: HARAHAGAZWE D. , LEDENT J. F. , RUSUKU G.
Published: June 2010

Two types of experiments on the potato crop (Solanum tuberosum) were conducted in the lowlands of Burundi, one on the use of rice straw mulch and another on planting densities. Contrary to what was expected, effects of mulch were evident on plant emergence only, tuber yield and components being unaffected. This might be due to the use of heat tolerant genotypes. At the same time, the yields obtained with four different plant population densities corresponding to four distances between rows did not differ significantly according to the ANOVA analysis. However, a very strong correlation was found between tuber yield and distance between rows. This trial allowed us to achieve a tuber yield never previously reached in the lowlands of Burundi: an average of 23.5 t ha−1 of fresh matter equivalent to 4.2 t ha−1 of dry matter was obtained.
The Power of Polemic: Catholic Responses to the Calendar in Foxe's ‘Book of Martyrs’
Authors: FREEMAN THOMAS
Published: June 2010

Although scholars have come increasingly to recognise the considerable influence of early modern Catholic writers upon the historiography of the English Reformation, a crucial aspect of this influence has received scant attention: the impact of Catholic polemical writings upon perceptions of the Reformation. This article will examine a particularly striking and important example of the effects of Catholic polemic, the attacks on the calendar of martyrs included in editions of John Foxe's Acts and monuments. It will describe how these attacks merged with traditions of anti-Puritanism to create a stereotype of the Marian martyrs as being poor, from the lowest social classes, uneducated and disrespectful of authority to the point of rebellion. These attacks also laid the foundation for the myth, still prevalent today, that many of the Marian martyrs were guilty of Trinitarian or sacramentarian heresies which would have led to their condemnation as heretics even under a Protestant regime.
Why Did Richard Baxter and John Owen Diverge? The Impact of The First Civil War
Authors: COOPER TIM
Published: June 2010

This article explores an important but hitherto neglected factor that helps to account for the early divergence between Richard Baxter (1615–91) and John Owen (1616–83). Theological differences alone cannot account for that divergence, since in the early 1640s Baxter and Owen would have agreed on the issues that later separated them. Their starkly contrasting experiences of the First Civil War helped to set them apart. For Baxter, personally caught up in the upheaval, the war was a disaster that corrupted the Gospel. For Owen, untouched by the fighting, the war was a blessing from God that liberated the Gospel from Arminian captivity. All this helps to illuminate some of the ways in which the civil wars continued to shape religious developments and divisions long after the battles had ceased.
Catechising the Wild: The Continuity and Innovation of Missionary Catechesis under the Carolingians
Authors: PHELAN OWEN M.
Published: June 2010

At the end of the eighth century Alcuin of York adapted an Augustinian catechetical programme for missionary use among the Avars of central Europe. This article explores how and why Alcuin went about adapting Augustine's plan, focusing on the place of his effort in the early medieval tradition. Special emphasis is placed on the idea of ‘innovative deference’ whereby Alcuin distinguished his work from that of his predecessors while consciously preserving a Christian tradition. The article also considers the importance of adaptation to the Carolingian world, including the influence of Alcuin's programme upon other Carolingian thinkers.
Professor Isaac Goldhirsch 11 October 1949–29 April 2010
Authors: Behringer Robert , Jenkins James , Miloh Touvia , Orszag Steven , Pöschel Thorsten , Rosenau Philip , Savage Stuart , Schuss Zeev , Shemer Lev
Published: June 2010

Professor Isaac Goldhirsch, the Raquel and Manuel Klachky Chair of Rheological Flows at the School of Mechanical Engineering of Tel-Aviv University, Israel, died unexpectedly on April 29 at age 60 while on sabbatical leave at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, Germany.
Is halofantrine ototoxic? Experimental study on guinea pig cochlea model
Authors: Iskander N M , Youssef T F , Ahmed M R , Mohamed A A K
Published: June 2010

Introduction:

Halofantrine is a newly developed antimalarial drug used for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The introduction of this drug has been delayed because of its possible side effects, and due to insufficient studies on adverse reactions in humans. There have been no studies investigating its effect on hearing.

Methods:

Thirty guinea pigs were divided into three groups: a control group, a halofantrine therapeutic dose group and a halofantrine double therapeutic dose group. One cochlea specimen from each animal was stained with haematoxylin and eosin and the other with toluidine blue.

Results:

No changes were detected in the control group. The halofantrine therapeutic dose group showed loss and distortion of inner hair cells and inner phalangeal cells, and loss of spiral ganglia cells. In the halofantrine double therapeutic dose group, the inner and outer hair cells were distorted and there was loss of spiral ganglia cells.

Conclusion:

Halofantrine has mild to moderate pathological effects on cochlea histology, and can be considered an ototoxic drug.
Prospective, blinded trial of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography positron emission tomography in staging primary and recurrent cancer of the head and neck
Authors: O'Neill J P , Moynagh M , Kavanagh E , O'Dwyer T
Published: June 2010

Objectives:

To compare the use of computed tomography – positron emission tomography and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging for the staging of head and neck cancer.

Patients and methods:

From January to July 2009, 15 consecutive head and neck cancer patients (11 men and four women; mean age 59 years; age range 19 to 81 years) underwent computed tomography – positron emission tomography and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging for pre-therapeutic evaluation. All scans were staged, as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumour–node–metastasis classification, by two blinded consultant radiologists, in two sittings. Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathological examination of endoscopic biopsies, and in some cases whole surgical specimens.

Results:

Tumour staging showed a 74 per cent concordance, node staging an 80 per cent concordance and metastasis staging a 100 per cent concordance, comparing the two imaging modalities.

Conclusion:

This study found radiological staging discordance between the two imaging modalities. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging is an emerging staging modality with superior visualisation of metastatic disease, which does not require exposure to ionising radiation.
Patent law and bioprospecting in Antarctica
Authors: Tvedt Morten Walløe
Published: June 2010

The number of patents and patent applications related to inventions based on biological material from the Antarctic is increasing. Bioprospecting in the Antarctic is happening with no explicit regulation of property rights or benefit sharing requirements. This leaves patent law as the only legal system to establish exclusive rights to genes, bacteria, and other biological material found in the Antarctic. Patent law is general in form and is applied to all areas of invention with very few adaptations to single fields of innovation. Therefore, it is interesting to identify the issues in patent law in cases in which the biological material from the Antarctic is likely to create challenges or loopholes. The aim of this article is to couple the understanding of this particular legal regime and of biological circumstances in the Antarctic with knowledge of the international patent system for the purpose of contributing to the work of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) regarding bioprospecting in the Antarctic.
Why a theory of human nature cannot be based on the distinction between universality and variability: Lessons from anthropology
Authors: Astuti Rita , Bloch Maurice
Published: June 2010

We welcome the critical appraisal of the database used by the behavioral sciences, but we suggest that the authors' differentiation between variable and universal features is ill conceived and that their categorization of non-WEIRD populations is misleading. We propose a different approach to comparative research, which takes population variability seriously and recognizes the methodological difficulties it engenders.
Cultural congruence between investigators and participants masks the unknown unknowns: Shame research as an example
Authors: Fessler Daniel M. T.
Published: June 2010

In addition to questions of the representativeness of Western, educated samples vis-à-vis the rest of humanity, the prevailing practice of studying individuals who are culturally similar to the investigator entails the problem that key features of the phenomena under investigation may often go unrecognized. This will occur when investigators implicitly rely on folk models that they share with their participants.
WEIRD societies may be more compatible with human nature
Authors: Maryanski Alexandra
Published: June 2010

Are WEIRD societies unrepresentative of humanity? According to Henrich et al., they are not useful for generalizing about humans because they are at the extreme end of the distribution for societal formations. In their vision, it is best to stick with the “tried and true” traditional societies for speculations about human nature. This commentary offers a more realistic starting point, and, oddly enough, concludes that WEIRD populations may be more compatible with humans' evolved nature than are most traditional societies.
The weirdest people in the world are a harbinger of the future of the world
Authors: Rozin Paul
Published: June 2010

Although North American undergraduates represent about 0.2% of humanity, and a very unrepresentative subset, they actually provide an advance look at what humanity is becoming. In the face of globalization, this is all the more reason to study the wonderful variants of the human condition before they become homogenized.
Design criteria and validation of a vacuum load current multiplier on a mega-ampere microsecond inductive storage generator
Authors: Chuvatin A.S. , Kim A.A. , Kokshenev V.A. , Kovalchuk B.M. , Lassalle F. , Calamy H. , Krishnan M.
Published: June 2010

The load current multiplier concept (LCM) was suggested for improving the energy transfer efficiency from pulse power generators to loads. The concept was initially demonstrated at atmospheric pressure and dielectric insulation on a compact, 100 kA, microsecond capacitor bank. This paper reports on the LCM design criteria for mega-ampere vacuum pulse power when the LCM comprises a large-inductance magnetic flux extruder cavity without a magnetic core. The analytical and numerical design approach presented was experimentally validated on GIT12 mega-ampere inductive energy storage generator with a constant-inductance load. The LCM technique increased the peak load current from typically 4.6 MA at 1.87 µs on this generator, to 6.43 MA at 2.0 µs. The electromagnetic power into a ~10 nH load increased from 100 GW to 230 GW. This result is in good agreement with the presented numerical simulations and it corresponds to a 95% increase of the achievable magnetic pressure at 8 cm radius in the load. The compact, LCM hardware allows the GIT12 generator to operate more efficiently without modifying the stored energy or architecture. The demonstrated load power and energy increase using the LCM concept is of importance for further studies on power amplification in vacuum and high energy density physics.
Preventing treatment errors in radiotherapy by identifying and evaluating near misses and actual incidents
Authors: Holmberg Ola , McClean Brendan
Published: June 2010

When preparing radiation treatment, the prescribed dose and irradiation geometry must be translated into physical machine parameters. An error in the calculations or machine settings can negatively affect the intended treatment outcome. Analysing incidents originating in the treatment preparation chain makes it possible to find weak links and prevent treatment errors. The aim of this work is to study the effectiveness of a multilayered error prevention system by analysing both near misses and actual treatment errors.

The system utilised in this centre has primary and secondary checking as two layers of independent calculation-checking. We studied near misses as well as the actual errors which were not picked up by these pre-treatment checking procedures over a year (5154 treatment plans). Furthermore, the primary checking was studied in more detail over three years (15,386 treatment plans) to increase the statistical accuracy.

For each reported actual treatment error originating in the treatment preparation chain, 13.8 near misses were found by primary and secondary checking and thereby prevented from becoming actual errors. The total frequency of near misses was 34.4 per 1000 treatment plans. The primary checkers reported 23 types of errors for manual treatment plans (without dose distribution) and 30 types of errors for computer plans. Computer plans also showed a near miss rate that was 42% higher than for manual plans. The high ratio of near misses per actual error demonstrates an effective error prevention system, independent of the quality of the initial treatment preparation. Complex treatment plans were shown to be particularly error-prone, thereby requiring extra vigilance when checking.
A highly efficient 3.5 GHz inverse class-F GaN HEMT power amplifier
Authors: Saad Paul , Fager Christian , Nemati Hossein Mashad , Cao Haiying , Zirath Herbert , Andersson Kristoffer
Published: June 2010

This paper presents the design and implementation of an inverse class-F power amplifier (PA) using a high power gallium nitride high electron mobility transistor (GaN HEMT). For a 3.5 GHz continuous wave signal, the measurement results show state-of-the-art power-added efficiency (PAE) of 78%, a drain efficiency of 82%, a gain of 12 dB, and an output power of 12 W. Moreover, over a 300 MHz bandwidth, the PAE and output power are maintained at 60% and 10 W, respectively. Linearized modulated measurements using 20 MHz bandwidth long-term evolution (LTE) signal with 11.5 dB peak-to-average ratio show that −42 dBc adjacent channel power ratio (ACLR) is achieved, with an average PAE of 30%, −47 dBc ACLR with an average PAE of 40% are obtained when using a WCDMA signal with 6.6 dB peak-to-average ratio (PAR).