bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards priority-setting and rationing in healthcare — an exploratory survey of Swedish medical students
Authors: Omar Faisal , Tinghög Gustav , Tinghög Petter , Carlsson Per
Published: January 2009

Background: Healthcare priority-setting is inextricably linked to the challenge of providing publicly funded healthcare within a limited budget, which may result in difficult and potentially controversial rationing decisions. Despite priority-setting's increasing prominence in policy and academic discussion, it is still unclear what the level of understanding and acceptance of priority-setting is at different levels of health care. Aims: The aim of this study is threefold. First we wish to explore the level of familiarity with different aspects of priority-setting among graduating medical students. Secondly, to gauge their acceptance of both established and proposed Swedish priority-setting principles. Finally to elucidate their attitudes towards healthcare rationing and the role of different actors in decision making, with a particular interest in comparing the attitudes of medical students with data from the literature examining the attitudes among primary care patients in Sweden. Methods: A cross-sectional survey containing 14 multiple choice items about priority-setting in healthcare was distributed to the graduating medical class at Linkoöping University. The response rate was 92% (43/47). Results: Less than half of respondents have encountered the notion of open priority-setting, and the majority believed it to be somewhat or very unclear. There is a high degree of awareness and agreement with the established ethical principles for priority-setting in Swedish health care; however respondents are inconsistent in their application of the cost-effectiveness principle. A larger proportion of respondents were more favourable to physicians and other health personnel being responsible for rationing decisions as opposed to politicians. Conclusions: Future discussion about priority-setting in medical education should be contextualized within an explicit and open process. There is a need to adequately clarify the role of the cost-effectiveness principle in priority-setting. Medical students seem to acknowledge the need for rationing in healthcare to a greater extent when compared with previous results from Swedish primary care patients.
Review: Vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease: the tip of the chalk-berg
Authors: Brincat Stephan , Goldsmith David Ja
Published: January 2009

The most common cause of death in dialysis patients is cardiovascular disease. As yet, no convincing evidence of useful therapeutic interventions exists. This huge increase in cardiovascular mortality may be due in part to the presence of excess vascular calcification, particularly in the form of extensive coronary artery calcification, which can be observed even in very young dialysis patients. The reasons for this very widespread problem are in fact complicated and numerous, with an interaction between patient characteristics, external changes, such as mineral and bone metabolism parameters, and other less well characterised influences. The use of sevelamer rather than significant doses of calcium as the primary oral phosphate binder seems to be associated with a reduction in the development and progression of vascular calcification, at least in some studies. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis, 2008; 8: 264—269
Meeting UK national targets for lipids in acute coronary syndrome with early and intensive lipid reduction: a single centre District general hospital experience
Authors: Kuppuswamy Velmurugan , Mela Marianna , Eustace Ian , Gupta Sandeep
Published: January 2009

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains the leading cause of death in the industrialised world and is ever increasing in developing populations. This study assesses the safety and effectiveness of atorvastatin 40 mg in meeting new targets for lipids in patients presenting to the coronary care unit with ACS. A group of 79 consecutive patients admitted with ACS were initiated on or changed to atorvastatin 40 mg during admission. The reduction in total cholesteron (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and incidence of any adverse effects were assessed at one week, one month and three months after hospitalisation. At baseline only 13% and 23% of patients had their TC and LDL-C respectively within Joint British Societies 2 (JBS2) national institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) targets for patients with cardiovascular disease. After 1 month of atorvastatin therapy these values had increased to 77% and 70% respectively with an absolute reduction in TC and LDL-C of 30%. At baseline 47% and 50% of patients had TC and LDL-C within National Service framework (NSF) targets at baseline, however, 1 week after atorvastatin therapy the proportion of patients achieving NSF targets increased to 88% and 84% for TC and LDL-C respectively. These data suggest that early and intensive reduction of lipids with atorvastatin 40 mg for ACS patients in hospital is a safe and effective strategy to meet recommended targets for lipids. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2008; 8: 286—290
Translating the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Into Real-World Practice
Authors: Black Sally , Washington Ericka , Trent Vernard , Harner Patricia , Pollock Erica
Published: January 2009

This article describes the application of a community collaboration model implementing an evidence-based bullying-prevention program in elementary and middle schools. Between 2001 and 2006, the Office of School Climate and Safety, Office of Research and Evaluation, the local chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and a local researcher partnered to implement the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (BPP). The BPP is a blueprints program for youth violence prevention, following the public health model of needs assessment, problem definition, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This article describes the practical application of the model in a large urban district with multiple obstacles to implementation. The description provides a model for other community collaborations in community public health practice. A strength of collaborative practice is the ability to draw on the different capabilities of partners to provide a seamless program. A suggestion for policy is to promote community collaborations of evidence-based programs through preferential funding.
Evidence-Based Practice in Health Education and Promotion: A Review and Introduction to Resources
Authors: Hill Elizabeth K. , Alpi Kristine M. , Auerbach Marilyn
Published: January 2009

This review examines evidence-based practice (EBP) in health education and promotion with a focus on how academically trained health educators develop EBP skills and how health education and promotion practitioners access the literature to inform their activities. Competencies and credentialing in health education related to evidence-based practice are outlined and sources for evidence-based practice literature in health education and promotion are described. An exploratory questionnaire to consider teaching and resources in evidence-based practice was distributed to faculty and librarians from the top 10 ranked health education doctoral programs. Findings highlighted the integral value of EBP instruction to the curriculum. Growth opportunities in evidence-based health education and health promotion for instructors, practitioners, and librarians include promotion and expansion of online evidence-based public health resources to close the evidence-practice gap.
International Soccer Success and National Institutions
Authors: Leeds Michael A. , Marikova Leeds Eva
Published: January 2009

A growing literature has examined the causes of success in international soccer. We build on this literature by constructing a model of international success, as measured by the number of ``Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) points'' a national team has earned and by the resulting rank. We generate testable hypotheses about the impact of a nation's political regime, colonial heritage, and institutions on its soccer performance. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) and negative binomial regressions, we show that our proxies for these variables affect soccer performance. Specifically, we find that the international success of a country's club teams positively affects the national team's success.
Studies on Polyester/Waste Silk Core-spun Yarns and Fabrics
Authors: Rameshkumar C. , Rengasamy R.S. , Anbumani N.
Published: January 2009

In this study, 100% polyester and silk yarns and core-spun polyester silk yarns with two core/sheath ratios are produced. Fabrics are knitted from these yarns. Effect of core positioning on sheath coverage and core-sheath ratios and plying on various properties of yarns is analyzed. High level of unevenness is observed for core-spun yarns and plying improves many of the yarn characteristics. Z-twisted core-spun yarn produced with core filaments positioned left to the silk fibers during spinning has poor sheath coverage. Tenacity, elongation, and their CV are improved with increased percentage of core. It is observed that in a core-spun yarn sheath also contribute substantially to the yarn strength. The yarn to metal friction increases with increasing polyester content. Silk-rich core-spun yarn has less hairiness and better uniformity than the yarn with less silk content. Thermal comfort and wicking behavior of these fabrics are investigated in terms of fabric thickness, yarn structure, and fiber properties. The thermal conductivity of silk fabrics is the highest followed by silk rich and then polyester-rich fabrics. The thermal resistance of the fabrics is directly proportional to fabric thickness. The higher water vapor permeability, wicking, and transient heat flow observed for polyester and polyester rich fabrics indicate that they give an unpleasant cool effect to skin.
Surgical Gown: A Critical Review
Authors: Behera B.K. , Arora H.
Published: January 2009

With increasing awareness about the highly communicable bacteria and viruses, medical professionals and associations are making it mandatory to use protective surgical gowns to barrier the spreading of various diseases like SARS, HIV, hepatitis, etc. These diseases, which may be caused by a variety of microorganisms, can pose significant risks to human life and health unless sufficient measures are taken. Are medical professionals really feeling safe with existing surgical gowns prevalent in the market? Do these gowns provide absolute barrier to viruses along with providing comfort? Can we rely on the performance or is there something else we need to understand and modify? This article reveals some facts pertaining to these questions and precisely highlights various issues related to the development, application, and quality evaluation of surgical gowns. It also deals with the types of gowns available, their classification, technology behind them, technical aspects, testing means, their limitations, and future course of action to satisfy the growing needs of our health care professionals.
A Single-Port Technique for Laparoscopic Extended Stapled Appendectomy
Authors: Nguyen Ninh T. , Reavis Kevin M. , Hinojosa Marcelo W. , Smith Brian R. , Stamos Michael J.
Published: January 2009

background data. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has become an exciting area of surgical development. Significant limitations to this surgical concept include lack of surgical expertise and appropriate flexible instrumentation. An alternative and competing technology to NOTES is single-incision laparoscopic surgery. Methods. This study describes a patient in whom a laparoscopic surgical technique for appendectomy used incisions that were all placed within the umbilicus. Results. The operative time was 40 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged on postoperative day 1. There were no perioperative complications at 1-month follow-up. Conclusion. Appendectomy performed through laparoscopic incisions placed within the umbilicus was technically feasible and safe. Development of advanced flexible instrumentation and visualization platform may facilitate this new operative approach.
Laser ablation modelling of aluminium, silver and crystalline silicon for applications in photovoltaic technologies
Authors: Colina M , Molpeceres C , Morales M , Allens-Perkins F , Guadaño G , Ocaña J L
Published: January 2009

Laser material processing is being extensively used in photovoltaic applications for both the fabrication of thin film modules and the enhancement of the crystalline silicon solar cells. The two temperature model for thermal diffusion was numerically solved in this paper. Laser pulses of 1064, 532 or 248 nm with duration of 35, 26 or 10 ns were considered as the thermal source leading to the material ablation. Considering high irradiance levels (108–109 W cm−2), a total absorption of the energy during the ablation process was assumed in the model. The materials analysed in the simulation were aluminium (Al) and silver (Ag), which are commonly used as metallic electrodes in photovoltaic devices. Moreover, thermal diffusion was also simulated for crystalline silicon (c-Si). A similar trend of temperature as a function of depth and time was found for both metals and c-Si regardless of the employed wavelength. For each material, the ablation depth dependence on laser pulse parameters was determined by means of an ablation criterion. Thus, after the laser pulse, the maximum depth for which the total energy stored in the material is equal to the vaporisation enthalpy was considered as the ablation depth. For all cases, the ablation depth increased with the laser pulse fluence and did not exhibit a clear correlation with the radiation wavelength. Finally, the experimental validation of the simulation results was carried out and the ability of the model with the initial hypothesis of total energy absorption to closely fit experimental results was confirmed.
Regions of acquired uniparental disomy at diagnosis of follicular lymphoma are associated with both overall survival and risk of transformation
Authors: O'Shea Derville , O'Riain Ciarán , Gupta Manu , Waters Rachel , Yang Youwen , Wrench David , Gribben John , Rosenwald Andreas , Ott German , Rimsza Lisa M. , Holte Harald , Cazier Jean-Baptiste , Johnson Nathalie A. , Campo Elias , Chan Wing C. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Young Bryan D. , Staudt Louis M. , Lister T. Andrew , Fitzgibbon Jude
Published: January 2009

Acquired homozygosity in the form of segmental acquired uniparental disomy (aUPD) has been described in follicular lymphoma (FL) and is usually due to mitotic recombination. SNP array analysis was performed with the use of the Affymetrix 10K 2.0 Gene-chip array on DNA from 185 diagnostic FL patients to assess the prognostic relevance of aUPD. Genetic abnormalities were detected in 118 (65%) of 182 patients. Number of abnormalities was predictive of outcome; more than 3 abnormalities was associated with inferior overall survival (OS; P < .03). Sites of recurrent aUPD were detected on 6p (n = 25), 16p (n = 22), 12q (n = 17), 1p36 (n = 14), 10q (n = 8), and 6q (n = 8). On multivariate analysis aUPD on 1p36 correlated with shorter OS (P = .05). aUPD on 16p was predictive of transformation (P = .03) and correlated with poorer progression-free survival (P = .02). aUPD is frequent at diagnosis of FL and affects probability of disease transformation and clinical outcome.
BioMart – biological queries made easy
Authors: Smedley Damian , Haider Syed , Ballester Benoit , Holland Richard , London Darin , Thorisson Gudmundur , Kasprzyk Arek
Published: January 2009

Background

Biologists need to perform complex queries, often across a variety of databases. Typically, each data resource provides an advanced query interface, each of which must be learnt by the biologist before they can begin to query them. Frequently, more than one data source is required and for high-throughput analysis, cutting and pasting results between websites is certainly very time consuming. Therefore, many groups rely on local bioinformatics support to process queries by accessing the resource's programmatic interfaces if they exist. This is not an efficient solution in terms of cost and time. Instead, it would be better if the biologist only had to learn one generic interface. BioMart provides such a solution.

Results

BioMart enables scientists to perform advanced querying of biological data sources through a single web interface. The power of the system comes from integrated querying of data sources regardless of their geographical locations. Once these queries have been defined, they may be automated with its "scripting at the click of a button" functionality. BioMart's capabilities are extended by integration with several widely used software packages such as BioConductor, DAS, Galaxy, Cytoscape, Taverna. In this paper, we describe all aspects of BioMart from a user's perspective and demonstrate how it can be used to solve real biological use cases such as SNP selection for candidate gene screening or annotation of microarray results.

Conclusion

BioMart is an easy to use, generic and scalable system and therefore, has become an integral part of large data resources including Ensembl, UniProt, HapMap, Wormbase, Gramene, Dictybase, PRIDE, MSD and Reactome. BioMart is freely accessible to use at http://www.biomart.org.
Combining chemical genomics screens in yeast to reveal spectrum of effects of chemical inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis
Authors: Kemmer Danielle , McHardy Lianne M , Hoon Shawn , Rebérioux Delphine , Giaever Guri , Nislow Corey , Roskelley Calvin D , Roberge Michel
Published: January 2009

Background

Single genome-wide screens for the effect of altered gene dosage on drug sensitivity in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae provide only a partial picture of the mechanism of action of a drug.

Results

Using the example of the tumor cell invasion inhibitor dihydromotuporamine C, we show that a more complete picture of drug action can be obtained by combining different chemical genomics approaches – analysis of the sensitivity of ρ
0 cells lacking mitochondrial DNA, drug-induced haploinsufficiency, suppression of drug sensitivity by gene overexpression and chemical-genetic synthetic lethality screening using strains deleted of nonessential genes. Killing of yeast by this chemical requires a functional mitochondrial electron-transport chain and cytochrome c heme lyase function. However, we find that it does not require genes associated with programmed cell death in yeast. The chemical also inhibits endocytosis and intracellular vesicle trafficking and interferes with vacuolar acidification in yeast and in human cancer cells. These effects can all be ascribed to inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis by dihydromotuporamine C.

Conclusion

Despite their similar conceptual basis, namely altering drug sensitivity by modifying gene dosage, each of the screening approaches provided a distinct set of information that, when integrated, revealed a more complete picture of the mechanism of action of a drug on cells.
Identification of ATP synthase beta subunit (ATPB) on the cell surface as a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated antigen
Authors: Lu Ze-jun , Song Qi-fang , Jiang Sa-sa , Song Qi , Wang Wei , Zhang Gao-hua , Kan Bin , Gou Lan-tu , Chen Li-juan , Luo Feng , Qian Zhi Yong , Yang Jin-liang , Wei Yu Quan
Published: January 2009

Background

Antibody-based immuneotherapy has achieved some success for cancer. But the main problem is that only a few tumor-associated antigens or therapeutic targets have been known to us so far. It is essential to identify more immunogenic antigens (especially cellular membrane markers) for tumor diagnosis and therapy.

Methods

The membrane proteins of lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 were used to immunize the BALB/c mice. A monoclonal antibody 4E7 (McAb4E7) was produced with hybridoma technique. MTT cell proliferation assay was carried out to evaluate the inhibitory effect of McAb4E7 on A549 cells. Flow cytometric assay, immunohistochemistry, western blot and proteomic technologies based on 2-DE and mass spectrometry were employed to detect and identify the corresponding antigen of McAb4E7.

Results

The monoclonal antibody 4E7 (McAb4E7) specific against A549 cells was produced, which exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 cells. By the proteomic technologies, we identified that ATP synthase beta subunit (ATPB) was the corresponding antigen of McAb4E7. Then, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the localization of the targeting antigen of McAb4E7 was on the A549 cells surface. Furthermore, immunohistochemstry showed that the antigen of McAb4E7 mainly aberrantly expressed in tumor cellular membrane in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but not in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The rate of ectopic expressed ATPB in the cellular membrane in lung adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and their adjacent nontumourous lung tissues was 71.88%, 66.67% and 25.81% respectively.

Conclusion

In the present study, we identified that the ectopic ATPB in tumor cellular membrane was the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) associated antigen. ATPB may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for the immunotherapy of NSCLC.
Freund's vaccine adjuvant promotes Her2/Neu breast cancer
Authors: Cotroneo Michelle S , Haag Jill D , Stapel Nicholas R , Waller Jordy L , Woditschka Stephan , Gould Michael N
Published: January 2009

Background

Inflammation has been linked to the etiology of many organ-specific cancers. Indirect evidence suggests a possible role for inflammation in breast cancer. We investigated whether the systemic inflammation induced by Freund's adjuvant (FA) promotes mammary carcinogenesis in a rat model in which cancer is induced by the neu oncogene.

Methods

The effects of FA on hyperplastic mammary lesions and mammary carcinomas were determined in a neu-induced rat model. The inflammatory response to FA treatment was gauged by measuring acute phase serum haptoglobin. In addition, changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis following FA treatment were assessed.

Results

Rats receiving FA developed twice the number of mammary carcinomas as controls. Systemic inflammation following FA treatment is chronic, as shown by a doubling of the levels of the serum biomarker, haptoglobin, 15 days following initial treatment. We also show that this systemic inflammation is associated with the increased growth of hyperplastic mammary lesions. This increased growth results from a higher rate of cellular proliferation in the absence of changes in apoptosis.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that systemic inflammation induced by Freund's adjuvant (FA) promotes mammary carcinogenesis. It will be important to determine whether adjuvants currently used in human vaccines also promote breast cancer.
Factors associated with utilization of traditional Chinese medicine by white collar foreign workers living in Taiwan
Authors: Daly Maria , Tai Chen-Jei , Deng Chung-Yeh , Chien Li-Yin
Published: January 2009

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has remained an integral part of Chinese culture and society for thousands of years. In Taiwan TCM is a recognized element of its National Health Insurance Scheme. However, there is no knowledge about how TCM is accessed by foreign workers from a non-Asian cultural background. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence and patterns of TCM use among non-Asian white-collar workers living in Taiwan, and examine factors likely to influence their use of TCM.

Methods

This study applied a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 207 white-collar foreign workers of a non-Asian background currently holding National Health Insurance cards who had lived in Taiwan for 4 months or more participated in this study.

Results

The prevalence of TCM use was 45%. The most frequently used therapies were traditional Chinese herbs/medicine and acupuncture. Factors indicating the likelihood of TCM usage were age 31–40 years, visit to an allopathic medical doctor in the last year, ability to read Chinese, having a friend or family member available to assist in the use of TCM, and access to information about TCM services available in Taiwan.

Conclusion

Utilization of TCM by people of a non-Asian background living in Taiwan appears to be most influenced by enabling factors including language ability, access to information, and informal reference persons.
Penetrating eyelid injury: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Wasfi Ehab , Kendrick B , Yasen T , Varma Priya , Abd-Elsayed Alaa A
Published: January 2009

Introduction

In literature, many different types of foreign objects have been found to have caused eye injuries. These objects can range from organic to inorganic matter such as glass, wood, pencil, nails and fishhooks. Once the injury is recognized, removal of the foreign body and technique used in the management of the injury is very important to reduce further ocular damage. This case report investigates an injury caused by an object similar to a fishhook that pierced into the eyelid in the opposite direction to normal.

Case presentation

A 19 year old man presented with a one hour history of the right upper eyelid injury from a wire fence. The loose end of the wire penetrated the full thickness of the eyelid in the direction opposite to the normal. The wire passed from under the eyelid, through the centre of the upper lid, to the external surface. After the application of topical anesthetic drops, the eye could be opened manually, the lid averted, and the wire passed out through the defect. No complications were observed. Post removal, the acuity increased to 6/9 and there was no intraocular penetration. Full recovery was observed as well.

Conclusion

A severe eyelid penetrating injury can be uncomplicated with a full recovery when there is no intraocular penetration. It is also possible to have an injury pass under the lower margin of the lid and penetrate from inside to out, with no associated corneal injury.
Insulin-degrading enzyme is exported via an unconventional protein secretion pathway
Authors: Zhao Ji , Li Lilin , Leissring Malcolm A
Published: January 2009

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a ubiquitously expressed zinc-metalloprotease that degrades several pathophysiologically significant extracellular substrates, including insulin and the amyloid β-protein (Aβ), and accumulating evidence suggests that IDE dysfunction may be operative in both type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer disease (AD). Although IDE is well known to be secreted by a variety of cell types, the underlying trafficking pathway(s) remain poorly understood. To address this topic, we investigated the effects of known inhibitors or stimulators of protein secretion on the secretion of IDE from murine hepatocytes and HeLa cells. IDE secretion was found to be unaffected by the classical secretion inhibitors brefeldin A (BFA), monensin, or nocodazole, treatments that readily inhibited the secretion of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) overexpressed in the same cells. Using a novel cell-based Aβ-degradation assay, we show further that IDE secretion was similarly unaffected by multiple stimulators of protein secretion, including glyburide and 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (Bz-ATP). The calcium ionophore, A23187, increased extracellular IDE activity, but only under conditions that also elicited cytotoxicity. Our results provide the first biochemical evidence that IDE export is not dependent upon the classical secretion pathway, thereby identifying IDE as a novel member of the select class of unconventionally secreted proteins. Further elucidation of the mechanisms underlying IDE secretion, which would be facilitated by the assays described herein, promises to uncover processes that might be defective in disease or manipulated for therapeutic benefit.
Coexpression of Dopamine and Somatostatin Receptor Subtypes in Corticotroph Adenomas
Authors: de Bruin Christiaan , Pereira Alberto M. , Feelders Richard A. , Romijn Johannes A. , Roelfsema Ferdinand , Sprij-Mooij Diane M. , van Aken Maarten O. , van der Lelij Aart-Jan , de Herder Wouter W. , Lamberts Steven W. J. , Hofland Leo J.
Published: January 2009

Context: Previous studies have demonstrated the expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes (mainly sst5) and dopamine (DA) receptor subtypes (mainly D2) in smaller series of human corticotroph adenomas. In line with these findings, sst5 and D2-targeting agents have already been used clinically in patients with Cushing’s disease (CD) and have shown promising results in subsets of patients. To what extent these receptor subtypes are coexpressed within individual adenomas, is not known however.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the (co-)expression of both sst and DA receptors in a large series of human corticotroph adenomas.

Design: We performed in vitro analysis of corticotroph adenoma tissue obtained via transsphenoidal adenomectomy.

Setting: The study was conducted at two university medical centers.

Patients: Adenoma tissue from 30 patients with CD was analyzed in this study.

Results: Analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR, D2 and sst5 were significantly (co-) expressed in the majority (60%) of adenomas, whereas 23% of adenomas only expressed D2, but not sst5. The remaining 17% of adenomas did not significantly express either sst5 or D2. Overall, expression of sst1–4 and D4 was low to nondetectable. Corticotroph adenomas with invasive growth invariably showed loss of sst5 and D2 expression. Autoradiography revealed clear D2 and/or SS-14 binding in a subset of cases, which correlated well with their respective mRNA data.

Conclusions: Sst5 and especially D2 are highly expressed in the majority of human corticotroph adenomas, with coexpression of sst5 and D2 being a common phenomenon. These findings support the current studies with sst5 and D2-targeting agents in patients with CD and highlight the rationale behind sst5-D2 combination therapy.
Response of titanium aluminide alloy to abrasive waterjet cutting: Geometrical accuracy and surface integrity issues versus process parameters
Authors: Kong M C , Axinte D
Published: January 2009

Due to their low thermal conductivity, high abrasion of cutting edges and a tendency to crack during machining, titanium aluminide (TiAl) alloys are notoriously difficult-to-cut materials when using conventional (e.g. turning, grinding, drilling, milling) cutting operations. Despite their low machinability TiAl alloys find niche application areas in the manufacture of complex shaped components for aerospace gas turbine engines. Abrasive waterjet (AWJ) machining is one of the most promising non-conventional machining processes for difficult-to-cut materials because of the reduced mechanical and thermal damage to workpiece surfaces produced using this technique. However, there is no information about the AWJ machining of TiAl alloys in the open literature. Based on a generic design of an aeroengine component, this paper investigates the response of a TiAl alloy to AWJ cutting process variables to enable generation of high-integrity surfaces. The effects of operating parameters (pump pressure, material removal rate, abrasive flow rate, and stand-off distance) on the output process quality measures have been investigated as follows: geometrical accuracy (kerf straightness); surface roughness homogeneity (measured along cutting direction on the cutting front surface to study the striation formation); workpiece surface integrity (grit embedment and possible recast micro-layers or material pull-out / micro-cracking after cutting). Advanced surface topography and metallurgical (e.g. SEM, EDX) analyses have been carried out to characterize the response of TiAl alloy to various AWJ conditions leading to the fulfilment of quality criteria of a group of targeted aeroengine components. It was found that the AWJ process has a very high capability (e.g. satisfactory geometrical accuracy, surface quality, minimum surface anomies) to cut TiAl alloy despite grit embedment. However, the authors have addressed this problem by plain waterjet cleaning know-how. In addition, a surprising phenomenon (bubble-like ‘TiO2-based spot’) caused by a strong exothermic reaction was found on the AWJ cut surfaces.
Empirical modelling of the influence of operating parameters on the spifability of a titanium sheet using response surface methodology
Authors: Hussain G , Gao L , Hayat N
Published: January 2009

Single-point incremental forming (SPIF) has the potential to replace conventional sheet forming processes for customized and small batch size sheet metal products. In this research work, the operating parameters (i.e. step size, tool size, and forming speed) which can affect the formability during SPIF process were altered over wide ranges and their effect on the formability of a titanium sheet was investigated. A six-dimensional hyper-surface showing the influence of investigated parameters on the formability was developed by using a response surface methodology. The capability of the SPIF process to enhance the cold formability of titanium sheet was also examined. This was carried out by comparing the sheet formability in SPIF and stamping processes.
An active suspension system for railway pantographs: the T2006 prototype
Authors: Allotta B , Pugi L , Bartolini F
Published: January 2009

On railways, the current collection from the overhead line is assured by the pantograph which is an articulated suspension system. Interaction between the contact wire and pantograph produces oscillations which, in order to assure a satisfying quality of current collection, have to be compensated. On high-speed railways, this problem is very important because insufficient quality of current collection involves performance limitations and negative consequences both in maintenance costs and service reliability.

A possible solution to improve current collection quality is to optimize the dynamical response of the pantograph suspension system through an active or semi-active suspension system.

Trenitalia SPA has financed a research team composed of many Italian Universities (Università di Firenze, Politecnico di Milano, Università di Pisa, and Università di Napoli) to develop an innovative railway pantograph for Italian high speed lines. The activities have been coordinated by Italcertifer. Researchers from Università di Firenze designed the layout of the control system (actuation system, sensors, drive and control algorithm, etc.). In order to improve the tuning of the control strategy, an identification phase has been carried out to obtain a mathematical model of the prototype. Non-linearity of the real pantograph has been take into account by the Bouc—Wen model. The proposed control strategy has been successfully tested on a prototype build by Fabrica Machinale SRL. Experimental results of laboratory tests and performance index of the proposed solution are shown in order to demonstrate the goodness and feasibility of the proposed solution.
Investigations of methods to measure longitudinal forces in continuous welded rail tracks using the tamping machine
Authors: Koc W , Wilk A
Published: January 2009

This paper briefly presents a survey of the attempts made to find an effective method for the determination of longitudinal forces in continuous welded rails (CWR). Particular attention has been paid to the enforced lateral displacement technique. The primary assertion, which was to prove the necessity of abandoning the lifting of a rail section disconnected from the sleepers, and to concentrate efforts on horizontal displacements, has drawn attention to the use of the tamping machine for diagnostic purposes.

In the novel approach to the diagnostic tests of the CWR track by the use of the tamping machine, the fundamental statement related to the registration of the curvature with a definite value of the lateral displacement being subjected to verification, can provide a basis for the determination of the longitudinal axial force in the rail. The finally accepted and developed concept of the measuring apparatus was based on the determination of the distance vector between the rail head and the reference point situated on the frame of the tamping machine. For this purpose, six detecting elements were designed and made. To measure the vector modulus, special induction sensors sliding along the top surface of the rail head were prepared. In order to measure the angle created by the vector between the rail head and the reference point located on the tamping machine frame, induction sensors with a cam mechanism close to the axis of rotation of the instrument were made. Provision was also made for a central unit equipped with electronic systems for processing and filtering the signal. For measuring data acquisition, the authors have elaborated their own computer program in Visual C++ language.
Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Fluorinated β-Diketonate Metal (Al3+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+) Complexes
Authors: Hori Akiko , Shinohe Ayaka , Takatani Shohei , Miyamoto Takeshi K
Published: January 2009

Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ complexes with bis(pentafluorobenzoyl)methanide (L, C6F5COCHCOC6F5−) were prepared from [Al(L)3], which was directly synthesized from AlCl3, pentafluorobenzoyl chloride, and vinyl acetate under N2 atmosphere. The complexation of L with Co2+ and Ni2+ ions gave [M2(L)4(OH2)2] (M = Co and Ni) and that with Cu2+ ion gave [Cu(L)2].
MicroRNA-like off-target transcript regulation by siRNAs is species specific
Authors: Burchard Julja , Jackson Aimee L. , Malkov Vladislav , Needham Rachel H.V. , Tan Yejun , Bartz Steven R. , Dai Hongyue , Sachs Alan B. , Linsley Peter S.
Published: January 2009

siRNAs mediate sequence-specific gene silencing in cultured mammalian cells but also silence unintended transcripts. Many siRNA off-target transcripts match the guide-strand “seed region,” similar to the way microRNAs match their target sites. The extent to which this seed-matched, microRNA-like, off-target silencing affects the specificity of therapeutic siRNAs in vivo is currently unknown. Here, we compare microRNA-like off-target regulations in mouse liver in vivo with those seen in cell culture for a series of therapeutic candidate siRNAs targeting Apolipoprotein B (APOB). Each siRNA triggered regulation of consistent microRNA-like off-target transcripts in mouse livers and in cultured mouse liver tumor cells. In contrast, there was only random overlap between microRNA-like off-target transcripts from cultured human and mouse liver tumor cells. Therefore, siRNA therapeutics may trigger microRNA-like silencing of many unintended targets in vivo, and the potential toxicities caused by these off-target gene regulations cannot be accurately assessed in rodent models.
Genetic and structural analysis of base substitutions in the central pseudoknot of Thermus thermophilus 16S ribosomal RNA
Authors: Gregory Steven T. , Dahlberg Albert E.
Published: January 2009

Characterization of base substitutions in rRNAs has provided important insights into the mechanism of protein synthesis. Knowledge of the structural effects of such alterations is limited, and could be greatly expanded with the development of a genetic system based on an organism amenable to both genetics and structural biology. Here, we describe the genetic analysis of base substitutions in 16S ribosomal RNA of the extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus, and an analysis of the conformational effects of these substitutions by structure probing with base-specific modifying agents. Gene replacement methods were used to construct a derivative of strain HB8 carrying a single 16S rRNA gene, allowing the isolation of spontaneous streptomycin-resistant mutants and subsequent genetic mapping of mutations by recombination. The residues altered to give streptomycin resistance reside within the central pseudoknot structure of 16S rRNA comprised of helices 1 and 27, and participate in the U13–U20–A915 base triple, the G21–A914 type II sheared G–A base pair, or the G885–C912 Watson–Crick base pair closing helix 27. Substitutions at any of the three residues engaged in the base triple were found to confer resistance. Results from structure probing of the pseudoknot are consistent with perturbation of RNA conformation by these substitutions, potentially explaining their streptomycin-resistance phenotypes.
The Transcription Factor LMO2 Is a Robust Marker of Vascular Endothelium and Vascular Neoplasms and Selected Other Entities
Authors: Gratzinger Dita , Zhao Shuchun , West Robert , Rouse Robert V. , Vogel Hannes , Gil Elena Cubedo , Levy Ronald , Lossos Izidore S. , Natkunam Yasodha
Published: January 2009

The transcription factor LMO2 is involved in vascular and hematopoietic development and hematolymphoid neoplasia. We have demonstrated that LMO2 is expressed nearly ubiquitously in native and neoplastic vasculature, including lymphatics. LMO2 reactivity is otherwise virtually absent in nonhematolymphoid tissues except in breast myoepithelium, prostatic basal cells, and secretory phase endometrial glands. Vasculature is LMO2– in adult and fetal heart, brain of older adults, hepatic sinusoids, and hepatocellular carcinoma. LMO2 is uniformly expressed in benign vascular and lymphatic neoplasms and in most malignant vascular neoplasms with the exception of epithelioid vascular neoplasms of pleura and bone. Among nonvascular neoplasms, LMO2 reactivity is present in giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, juvenile xanthogranuloma, a subset of gastrointestinal stromal tumors, small round blue cell tumors, and myoepithelial-derived neoplasms. The restricted expression pattern, nuclear localization, and crisp staining of LMO2 in paraffin blocks make it an attractive candidate for the diagnostic immunohistochemistry laboratory.
Are Encapsulated Papillary Carcinomas of the Breast In Situ or Invasive?
Authors: Esposito Nicole Nicosia , Dabbs David J. , Bhargava Rohit
Published: January 2009

Encapsulated papillary carcinoma (EPC) of the breast is traditionally considered a variant of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). However, recent studies show EPCs lack myoepithelial cells at their periphery, leading some to conclude that EPCs are invasive. We used a robust collagen type IV immunohistochemical procedure to assess invasion in 21 cases of pure EPC and 6 EPCs with adjacent invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and compared these results with those for papilloma, DCIS, and IDC. Moderate to intense collagen type IV expression was seen in all EPCs and was absent or decreased in all IDCs. All patients with pure EPC had negative axillary nodes with the exception of 1 who had a micrometastasis, and all were alive with no evidence of disease at follow-up (mean, 40.4 months). EPCs are in situ carcinomas with an excellent prognosis and can be managed with local therapy with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy.
Management Capacity-Building in the South African Police Service at Station Level
Authors: Schwella Erwin , Ketel Belinda
Published: January 2009

This article focuses on the management capacity of the officers at station level within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Primarily management development is investigated in relation to the effect on service delivery at station level in the SAPS. Station managers in the SAPS are expected simultaneously to drive complex transformation processes as well as competently manage their stations in order to address crime properly in the jurisdictional area of each station. To build the management capacity of the station managers in order to drive the transformation process, a management capacity-building programme was designed by a partnership of six universities in South Africa to assist in the management of crime at local level. This programme became known as the Police Station Management Programme (PSMP). The PSMP was specifically designed to build capacity in terms of the management dimensions of the job profile of station managers in the SAPS. The research problem addressed in this article broadly focuses on the perceived variation in the levels of managerial capacity of a group of current station managers in the SAPS and on how, if at all, these perceptions changed as result of a management development intervention.
An Econometric Method of Allocating Police Resources
Authors: den Heyer Garth , Mitchell Margaret , Ganesh Siva , Devery Christopher
Published: January 2009

Traditionally, police agencies have allocated resources in response to their operational demands or requirements, with the majority of resources being distributed in response to political demands and public calls for service. The changing operating environment to a public service ethos of accountability and ‘do more with less' means that historical methods of allocating police officers may not meet an agency's strategic goals. The relationship between social, economic and demographic factors with the number of police officers is not well understood. This study examines this issue through the presentation of the econometric method of Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) linear regression based on New Zealand social data for the period 1997 to 2002. A model, Police Resource (PRM), is developed and used as the basis to investigate a resource allocation formula for the New Zealand Police. The findings identify that the econometric resource allocation model developed is more defensible than the allocation method currently used by the New Zealand Police or any allocation method based solely on population.
α4-Containing GABAAReceptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Mediate Moderate Intake of Alcohol
Authors: Rewal Mridula , Jurd Rachel , Gill T. Michael , He Dao-Yao , Ron Dorit , Janak Patricia H.
Published: January 2009

Alcohol has subjective and behavioral effects at the pharmacological levels typically reached during the consumption of one or two alcoholic drinks. Here we provide evidence that an α4-subunit-containing GABAAreceptor contributes to the consumption of low-to-moderate levels of alcohol. Using viral-mediated RNA interference (RNAi), we found that reduced expression of the α4 subunit in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell of rats decreased their free consumption of and preference for alcohol. The time course for the reduced alcohol intake paralleled the time course of α4mRNA reductions achieved after viral-mediated RNAi for α4. Furthermore, the reduction in drinking was region- and alcohol-specific: there was no effect of reductions in α4 expression in the NAc core on alcohol intake, and reductions in α4 expression in the NAc shell did not alter sucrose or water intake. These results indicate that the GABAAreceptor α4 subunit in the NAc shell mediates alcohol intake.