bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Peptide from the Beta‐strand Region of CD2 Protein that Inhibits Cell Adhesion and Suppresses Arthritis in a Mouse Model
Authors: Satyanarayanajois Seetharama D. , Büyüktimkin Barlas , Gokhale Ameya , Ronald Sharon , Siahaan Teruna J. , Latendresse John R.
Published: June 2010

Cell adhesion molecules play a central role at every step of the immune response. The function of leukocytes can be regulated by modulating adhesion interactions between cell adhesion molecules to develop therapeutic agents against autoimmune diseases. Among the different cell adhesion molecules that participate in the immunologic response, CD2 and its ligand CD58 (LFA‐3) are two of the best‐characterized adhesion molecules mediating the immune response. To modulate the cell adhesion interaction, peptides were designed from the discontinuous epitopes of the β‐strand region of CD2 protein. The two strands were linked by a peptide bond. β‐Strands in the peptides were nucleated by inserting a β‐sheet‐inducing Pro‐Gly sequence with key amino acid sequences from CD2 protein that binds to CD58. Using a fluorescence assay, peptides that exhibited potential inhibitory activity in cell adhesion were evaluated for their ability to bind to CD58 protein. A model for peptide binding to CD58 protein was proposed based on docking studies. Administration of one of the peptides, P3 in collagen‐induced arthritis in the mouse model, indicated that peptide P3 was able to suppress rheumatoid arthritis in mice.
The dental safety net, its workforce, and policy recommendations for its enhancement
Authors: Edelstein Burton
Published: June 2010

Objective: The dental safety net includes the facilities, providers, and payment programs that support dental care for underserved populations including those individuals disadvantaged by a variety of social, economic, and health conditions. Its components‐health centers, dental schools, clinics, Medicaid‐oriented dental practices, free‐care programs, hospital emergency rooms, and others‐vary in availability, comprehensiveness, continuity, and quality. The objective of this overview is to identify options and opportunities for policy changes to enhance oral health professional workforce in the safety net.

Methods: Characteristics of the dental safety net and its components are reviewed and compared.

Results: Professionals who now staff the dental safety net are a small subset of US dental providers and few current trainees anticipate practicing in these programs. Therefore, the safety net will continue to confront workforce challenges.

Conclusions: Multifactorial policy alternatives to increase the availability of dental professionals who care of the underserved include proposed changes in dental education, licensure, scope of practice for allied dental personnel, and federal and state financing of public insurance. Also needed are local efforts to establish social norms and activities among private dentists that engage more private practitioners in care of the underserved.
Improving oral healthcare delivery systems through workforce innovations: an introduction
Authors: Mertz Elizabeth A. , Finocchio Len
Published: June 2010

The objective of this paper is to describe the purpose, rationale and key elements of the special issue, Improving Oral Healthcare Delivery Systems through Workforce Innovations. The purpose of the special issue is to further develop ideas presented at the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) workshop, Sufficiency of the U.S. Oral Health Workforce in the Coming Decade. Using the IOM discussions as their starting point, the authors evaluate oral health care delivery system performance for specific populations' needs and explore the roles that the workforce can play in improving the care delivery model. The contributing articles provide a broad framework for stimulating and evaluating innovation and change in the oral health care delivery system. The articles in this special issue point to many deficits in the current oral health care delivery system and provide compelling arguments and proposals for improvements. The issues presented and solutions recommended are not entirely new, but add to a growing body of work that is of critical importance given the context of wider health care reform.
Passenger Train Slipstream Characterization Using a Rotating Rail Rig
Authors: Gil N. , Baker C. J. , Roberts C. , Quinn A.
Published: June 2010

This paper presents the results of a new experimental technique to determine the structure of train slipstreams. The highly turbulent, nonstationary nature of the slipstreams make their measurement difficult and time consuming as in order to identify the trends of behavior several passings of the train have to be made. This new technique has been developed in order to minimize considerably the measuring time. It consists of a rotating rail rig to which a 1/50 scale model of a four car high speed train is attached. Flow velocities were measured using two multihole Cobra probes, positioned close to the model sides and top. Tests were carried out at different model speeds, although if the results were suitably normalized, the effect of model speed was not significant. Velocity time histories for each configuration were obtained from ensemble averages of the results of a large number of runs (of the order of 80). From these it was possible to define velocity and turbulence intensity contours along the train, as well as the displacement thickness of the boundary layer, allowing a more detailed analysis of the flow. Also, wavelet analysis was carried out on different runs to reveal details of the unsteady flow structure around the vehicle. It is concluded that, although this methodology introduces some problems, the results obtained with this technique are in good agreement with previous model and full scale measurements.
Effects of Channel Scale on Slip Length of Flow in Micro/Nanochannels
Authors: Yang Xiaofan , Zheng Zhongquan C.
Published: June 2010

The concept of slip length, related to surface velocity and shear rate, is often used to analyze the slip surface property for flow in micro- or nanochannels. In this study, a hybrid scheme that couples molecular dynamics simulation (used near the solid boundary to include the surface effect) and a continuum solution (to study the fluid mechanics) is validated and used for the study of slip length behavior in the Couette flow problem. By varying the height of the channel across multiple length scales, we investigate the effect of channel scale on surface slip length. In addition, by changing the velocity of the moving-solid wall, the influence of shear rate on the slip length is studied. The results show that within a certain range of the channel heights, the slip length is size dependent. This upper bound of the channel height can vary with the shear rate. Under different magnitudes of moving velocities and channel heights, a relative slip length can be introduced, which changes with channel height following a logarithmic function, with the coefficients of the function being the properties of the fluid and wall materials.
Application of the k-ε Turbulence Model to Buoyant Adiabatic Wall Plumes
Authors: Delichatsios Michael A. , Brescianini C. P. , Paterson D. , Wang H. Y. , Most J. M.
Published: June 2010

Computational fluid dynamics based on Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations is used to model a turbulent planar buoyant adiabatic wall plume. The plume is generated by directing a helium/air source upwards at the base of the wall. Far from the source, the resulting plume becomes self-similar to a good approximation. Several turbulence models based predominantly on the k-ε modeling technique, including algebraic stress modeling, are examined and evaluated against experimental data for the mean mixture fraction, the mixture fraction fluctuations, the mean velocity, and the Reynolds shear stress. Several versions of the k-ε model are identified that can predict important flow quantities with reasonable accuracy. Some new results are presented for the variation in a mixing function for the mixture normal to the wall. Finally, the predicted (velocity) lateral spread is as expected smaller for wall flows in comparison to the free flows, but quite importantly, it depends on the wall boundary conditions in agreement with experiments, i.e., it is larger for adiabatic than for hot wall plumes.
Impact of Surface Roughness on Compressor Cascade Performance
Authors: Back Seung Chul , Sohn June Hyuk , Song Seung Jin
Published: June 2010

This paper presents an experimental investigation of roughness effects on aerodynamic performance in a low-speed linear compressor cascade. Equivalent sandgrain roughnesses of 12 μm, 180 μm, 300 μm, 425 μm, and 850 μm have been tested. In nondimensional terms, these roughnesses represent compressor blade roughnesses found in actual gas turbines. Downstream pressure, velocity, and angle have been measured with a five-hole probe at 0.3 chord downstream of the blade trailing edge. For the tested roughnesses of 180 μm, 300 μm, 425 μm, and 850 μm, the axial velocity ratio across the blade row decreases by 0.1%, 2.1%, 2.5%, and 5.4%, respectively. For the same cases, the exit flow angle deviation increases by 24%, 38%, 51%, and 70%, respectively. Finally, the mass-averaged total pressure loss increases by 12%, 44%, 132%, and 217%, respectively. Also, the loss increases more rapidly in the transitionally rough region. Thus, among the three parameters, the loss responds most sensitively to changes in compressor blade roughness.
Spatial resistivity distribution of transparent conducting impurity-doped ZnO thin films deposited on substrates by dc magnetron sputtering
Authors: Minami Tadatsugu , Oda Jun-ichi , Nomoto Jun-ichi , Miyata Toshihiro
Published: June 2010

In transparent conducting impurity-doped ZnO thin films prepared by a conventional dc magnetron sputtering deposition (dc-MSD), the key factors in the deposition conditions that are necessary for practical use in transparent electrode applications were investigated. It was found that impurity-doped ZnO targets with a resistivity higher than approximately 3 mΩ cm are unsuitable for practical use in the preparation of transparent conducting Al-doped ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO thin films by conventional dc-MSD. Improvements of both the resulting resistivity distribution and resistivity can be sufficiently obtained only by using targets with a resistivity lower than about 0.5 mΩ cm. Using a low oxygen content target having a lower resistivity was found to reduce both the amount of oxygen in the chamber and the amount of oxygen reaching the substrate surface. As a result, it was demonstrated that sintered impurity-doped ZnO targets optimized for the preparation of thin films with lower resistivity as well as more uniform resistivity distribution on the substrate surface tended to exhibit a resistivity lower than about 0.5 mΩ cm.
Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit
Authors: Boegh Victoria E. , Hecimovich Gary L.
Published: June 2010

The U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes an opportunity for small life sciences companies to earn tax credits for research and development activities or exchange these credits for grants.
It's a Matter of Life and Death
Authors: Bentley-Lewis Rhonda
Published: June 2010

A seemingly proapoptotic transcription factor may actually enhance β-cell function in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 30 June 2010
Authors: Boegh Victoria E. , Hecimovich Gary L. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2010

A conversation with Gary L. Hecimovich and Victoria E. Boegh from Deloitte Tax LLP on the new $1 billion program created by the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Photothermal laser ablation of Barrett’s oesophagus: endoscopic and histological evidence of squamous re-epithelialisation
Authors: Barham C P , Jones R L , Biddlestone L R , Hardwick R H , Shepherd N A , Barr H
Published: June 2010

Background—Barrett’s oesophagus is acquired by severe gastro-oesophageal reflux and is a premalignant condition. Acid suppression or anti-reflux surgery alone do not cause significant regression of the metaplastic mucosa nor reduce the malignant potential. Recent reports have suggested that the combination of mucosal ablation with acid suppression may result in squamous regeneration.

Aims—To destroy Barrett’s mucosa by thermal ablation (in the setting of acid suppression) and so induce squamous regeneration.

Patients—Sixteen patients with non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus were recruited from a surveillance programme. All had been on a proton pump inhibitor.

Methods—At intervals, non-circumferential areas of columnar mucosa were ablated using the KTP laser. Acid suppression was obtained with 40 mg omeprazole daily. Multiple biopsy specimens were obtained for histological examination from ablated areas.

Results—Ablation of all areas of glandular mucosa resulted in squamous regeneration. The number of treatments required depended on the length of the Barrett’s segment. In 11 patients there was evidence of squamous regeneration over remaining Barrett’s glands (in some of the post-treatment biopsy specimens) whilst in nine patients squamous metaplasia was seen within Barrett’s glands.

Conclusion—Mucosal ablation of Barrett’s oesophagus by laser, in the setting of acid suppression, results in squamous regeneration (though some burying of Barrett’s glands did occur).
The inhibitory role of nitric oxide in the control of porcine and human sphincter of Oddi activity
Authors: Sand J , Arvola P , Jäntti V , Oja S , Singaram C , Baer G , Pasricha P J , Nordback I
Published: June 2010

Background—The possible role of nitric oxide in the regulation of the sphincter of Oddi is not known in species with a resistor-like sphincter of Oddi such as humans and pigs.

Methods—Sphincter of Oddi perfusion manometry and simultaneous electromyography (EMG) were recorded transduodenally in eight anaesthetised pigs. Acetylcholine (4 μg/kg) was given intra-arterially, with or without sodium nitroprusside (10–100 μg/kg), an exogenous nitric oxide donor. For in vitro studies the sphincter was removed from the eight pigs and from six patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, cut into rings, and the amplitude of contraction was measured in an ex vivo bath. Each ring was stimulated with acetylcholine (100 μM) and KCl (125 mM). The stimulation was repeated after incubation with l-NAME (a stereospecific competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase), withl-NAME plus l-arginine (a substrate for nitric oxide synthase), and with sodium nitroprusside. The sphincter rings were then submersed in liquid nitrogen and stored. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to localise nitric oxide synthase in the pig and human sphincter specimens.

Results—In vivo EMG revealed 2–3 phasic bursts per minute with the basal pressure variation 6–40 mm Hg. Acetylcholine induced a large electrical burst and the pressure increased by (mean (SE)) 20 (10) mm Hg (p <0.01) for 17 (4) seconds. After sodium nitroprusside (10 μg/kg) acetylcholine did not induce pressure changes and electrical activity was almost abolished. In vitro, l-NAME increased the KCl induced sphincter contraction in both pig and human specimens (p<0.01). In human, but not in pig, specimens l-NAME increased the amplitude of acetylcholine induced contraction (p<0.01). l-Arginine partly reversed the effect of l-NAME in both pig and human specimens. Sodium nitroprusside decreased the acetylcholine and KCl induced contractions in both pig and human specimens. Immunohistochemical studies localised nitric oxide synthase to rich plexi of nerve fibres in the mucosa and the muscle in both pig and human sphincter of Oddi.

Conclusions—The sphincter of Oddi in both pigs and humans has endogenous nitric oxide synthase activity and immunoreactivity. Inhibition of endogenous nitric oxide production enhances contractility while exogenous nitric oxide decreases sphincter contractility and electrical activity.
Sclerosing cholangitis, race and sex
Authors: Kelly P , Patchett S , McCloskey D , Alstead E , Farthing M , Fairclough P
Published: June 2010

Background—Primary sclerosing cholangitis develops in 3–10% of patients with ulcerative colitis, and may be associated with an increased cancer risk. Ulcerative colitis is probably less common in people of African origin than in populations of European descent.

Aims and methods—To review the records of all patients under regular follow up for ulcerative colitis at St Bartholomew’s Hospital (London, UK) , a tertiary referral centre, prompted by discovering a cluster of cases with common features.

Results and conclusions—Among 166 patients with ulcerative colitis under regular follow up, only four (all women) are of African or Caribbean genetic origin, and three of these have developed sclerosing cholangitis within three years of presentation with colitis, compared with four of 162 patients of European or Asian descent (odds ratio 119, 95% confidence interval 8–3837; p=0.0002). This cluster, which is not explained by common HLA DR or DQ type, suggests that Africans and Afro-Caribbeans, especially women, may be at increased risk of sclerosing cholangitis. This may reflect genetic influences on the development of enteric and hepatobiliary inflammatory disease.
A prospective randomised controlled study of the use of ranitidine in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Primrose J N , Miller G V , Preston S R , Gokhale J , Ambrose N S , Ward U M , Mills J G , Ehsanullah R S B , Darekar B ,   and the Yorkshire GI Tumour Group
Published: June 2010

Background—Does the use of the histamine H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine improve the outcome of patients with gastric cancer?

Patients—A total of 222 patients with gastric cancer who had received radical or palliative resection or who were deemed inoperable at presentation.

Setting—Hospitals within Yorkshire, the participating clinicians being members of the Yorkshire GI Tumour Group.

Methods—A multicentre prospective randomised double blind trial comparing ranitidine 150 mg twice daily with placebo twice daily was undertaken. The principal outcome measures were survival and survival excluding those who died within 30 days of operation.

Results—The median survival (95% confidence intervals) was 331 (232 to 393) days for patients in the ranitidine group compared with 187 (143 to 269) for those in the placebo group. The difference in survival was not statistically significant (p = 0.225). When patients who died within 30 days of operation were excluded (21 in the placebo group, 15 in the ranitidine group), the difference in survival remained not significant (p = 0.358). No subgroup could be identified who significantly benefited from treatment, but for patients with stage VIa cancer the median survival was 134 days with placebo compared with 313 days with ranitidine (p = 0.073).

Conclusion—This study does not show significant benefit from the use of ranitidine for gastric cancer but further larger studies may be indicated.
Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with early gastric cancer by the endoscopic phenol red test
Authors: Iseki K , Tatsuta M , Iishi H , Baba M , Ishiguro S
Published: June 2010

Background—An endoscopic procedure that uses a pH indicator called phenol red to assess Helicobacter pyloriinfected gastric mucosa has recently been developed. This test makes it possible to take biopsy specimens from H pylori infected areas.

Aim—This test was applied to patients with early gastric cancers to clarify the role of H pylori in gastric carcinogenesis.

Subjects—Sixty five patients with early gastric cancer (50 with differentiated adenocarcinoma and 15 with undifferentiated adenocarcinoma).

Methods—Patients with early gastric cancer underwent the endoscopic phenol red test before their operation. In this test, areas infected with H pylori can be observed as “coloured” areas where phenol red was turned from yellow to red.

Results—H pylori infection was significantly (p<0.001) more frequent in patients with differentiated adenocarcinomas than in those with undifferentiated adenocarcinomas. Differentiated adenocarcinomas were usually located in areas of mucosa infected with H pylori, but undifferentiated adenocarcinomas were frequently located in non-infected areas.

Conclusion—H pylori may be a strong risk factor for differentiated early gastric cancer.
Effect of the nitric oxide donor, glyceryl trinitrate, on human gall bladder motility
Authors: Greaves R , Miller J , O’Donnell L , McLean A , Farthing M J G
Published: June 2010

Background—Nitric oxide is a major neurotransmitter in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) pathways. NANC inhibitory innervation has been shown in human gall bladder muscle in vitro; the role of nitric oxide in human gall bladder emptying however is undefined.

Aims—To study the effect of glyceryl trinitrate, a nitric oxide donor, on gall bladder emptying in healthy subjects using a randomised, double blind, crossover, placebo controlled design.

Methods—Ultrasonographic gall bladder volume was measured in the fasting state in eight healthy volunteers after randomised administration of either glyceryl trinitrate 1200 μg buccal spray or placebo spray. On two further occasions, after randomised administration of either glyceryl trinitrate 1200 μg buccal spray or placebo spray, gall bladder volumes were also measured after a liquid test meal.

Results—Glyceryl trinitrate significantly increased fasting gall bladder volume to a mean of 114% (SEM 5%) of pretreatment volume (p=0.039). Glyceryl trinitrate also significantly impaired gall bladder emptying between five and 40 minutes postprandially. Gall bladder ejection fraction was also reduced after glyceryl trinitrate compared with placebo (43 (6.9)% versus 68.4 (6.5)%, p=0.016).

Conclusions—This study shows that glyceryl trinitrate produces gall bladder dilatation in the fasting state and reduces postprandial gall bladder emptying, suggesting that nitric oxide mechanisms may be operative in the human gall bladder in vivo.
Infrequent K-ras codon 12 mutation in serrated adenomas of human colorectum
Authors: Ajioka Y , Watanabe H , Jass J R , Yokota Y , Kobayashi M , Nishikura K
Published: June 2010

Background—Serrated adenoma is a new morphological subtype of colorectal adenoma. The lesion provides a distinct morphological route to carcinoma, but the underlying genetic changes have not yet been investigated.

Aims—To determine the frequency of K-ras mutation in serrated adenoma.

Methods—The frequency of K-ras codon 12 point mutation in 20 serrated adenomas, five atypical hyperplastic polyps, and 58 sporadic polypoid adenomas was investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods.

Results—Although most of the serrated adenomas were large (average size 11.4 mm) and polypoid, K-rascodon 12 point mutation was detected in only one of the 20 (5%), which is a significantly lower frequency than that in sporadic polypoid adenomas (18/60; 30%) (p = 0.017). No mutation was detected in the atypical hyperplastic polyps. Three of 20 (15%) serrated adenomas contained a focus of carcinoma in situ, indicating their malignant potential and the existence of a serrated adenoma-carcinoma sequence, but no mutation was detected in the foci of carcinoma in situ.

Conclusions—K-ras mutation is uncommon in serrated adenomas, indicating a different spectrum of genetic alterations in these lesions from those in typical polypoid sporadic adenomas. This subtype of colorectal adenoma represents a new genetic pathway in the histogenesis of colorectal carcinoma.
Ductal dilatation and stenting for residual hepatolithiasis: a promising treatment strategy
Authors: Sheen-Chen S-M , Cheng Y-F , Chen F-C , Chou F-F , Lee T-Y
Published: June 2010

Background and aims—Hepatolithiasis is prevalent in south-east Asia and presents a difficult management problem. Intrahepatic strictures with or without awkward ductal angulation of the biliary tree are the main reasons for the reported high incidence of postoperative residual stones. Without proper treatment, biliary strictures and residual stones can lead to repeated episodes of cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and death from sepsis or hepatic failure. The purposes of our treatment strategy were to achieve complete clearance of the stones and relief of bile stasis.

Methods—From January 1991 to July 1992, 90 patients with residual postoperative hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic strictures were treated. Postoperative ductal dilatation with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy tube stenting through a mature T tube tract was performed. Choledochoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy was applied when impacted or large stones were encountered.

Results—Complete clearance of stones was achieved in 78 patients (87%). Mild haemobilia occurred in five patients (5.5%) and fever developed in seven patients (7.7%), and these patients recovered after conservative treatment. The rate of stone recurrence after a mean follow up of 43 months was 8%. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma developed in one patient (1.1%).

Conclusion—Postoperative ductal dilatation and stenting, combined with endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy when indicated, is an effective and safe treatment with a low recurrence rate for complicated residual hepatolithiasis with biliary stricture.
Ischaemic enterocolitis complicating idiopathic dysautonomia
Authors: Woodward J M , Sanders D S A , Keighley M R , Allan R N
Published: June 2010

A previously fit 23 year old adult male who presented with a sudden onset of profound autonomic neuropathy, for which no cause could be found, is described. The patient subsequently developed ischaemic enterocolitis that ultimately necessitated colectomy and subtotal enterectomy. Potential neural and humoral mechanisms are discussed.
Involvement of two different pathways in the motor effects of erythromycin on the gastric antrum in humans
Authors: Coulie B , Tack J , Peeters T , Janssens J
Published: June 2010

Background—During the interdigestive state in humans, erythromycin 40 mg induces a premature activity front that starts in the stomach, while erythromycin 200 mg induces a prolonged period of enhanced antral contractile activity.

Aims—To study the involvement of a cholinergic pathway in the motor effects of erythromycin using the muscarinic antagonist atropine and the neural 5-HT1receptor agonist sumatriptan.

Methods—In 30 healthy volunteers, fasted antroduodenojejunal motor activity was studied by stationary manometry. Placebo (n=10), atropine (15 μg/kg intravenous bolus plus 15 μg/kg/h over 30 minutes; n=10), or sumatriptan (6 mg subcutaneously; n=10) was administered, followed by infusion of erythromycin 40 mg or 200 mg.

Results—After placebo, erythromycin 40 mg induced a premature activity front with gastric onset after 19.1 (1.7) minutes in all volunteers. After atropine, erythromycin 40 mg failed to induce a premature activity front during a 60 minute period in all volunteers (p<0.001), while sumatriptan prevented the induction of a premature activity front during a 60 minute period in all but one volunteer (p<0.005). The number of antral contractions and their mean amplitude in the 60 minutes after erythromycin 200 mg did not differ significantly after atropine or sumatriptan versus placebo.

Conclusions—The antral motor effects of erythromycin in humans are mediated via different pathways. The induction of a premature activity front is mediated through activation of an intrinsic cholinergic pathway, while the induction of enhanced antral contractile activity may be mediated via a pathway potentially involving activation of a muscular receptor.
Pancreatic dysfunction and its association with fat malabsorption in HIV infected children
Authors: Carroccio A , Fontana M , Spagnuolo M I , Zuin G , Montalto G , Canani R B , Verghi F , Di Martino D , Bastoni K , Buffardi F , Guarino A
Published: June 2010

Background—Nutrient malabsorption frequently occurs in HIV infected children, but very few studies have investigated exocrine pancreatic digestive capacity in these cases.

Aims—To investigate pancreatic function in HIV infected children and to determine whether faecal fat loss, a prominent feature of intestinal dysfunction, is associated with pancreatic dysfunction.

Patients—Forty seven children with HIV infection without apparent pancreatic disease and 45 sex and age matched healthy controls.

Methods—Pancreatic function was evaluated by measuring elastase 1 concentration and chymotrypsin activity in stools by ELISA and colorimetric methods, respectively. Intestinal function was evaluated by measuring fat and protein loss by the steatocrit method and by faecal α1 antitrypsin concentration.

Results—14 (30%) had abnormal pancreatic function tests: seven had isolated elastase activity deficiency, three isolated chymotrypsin deficiency, and four pancreatic deficiencies in both enzymes. Patient enzyme values were significantly lower than those of controls. Low faecal pancreatic enzymes were not associated with symptoms. Twelve children had steatorrhoea and four had increased α1 antitrypsin. Steatorrhoea was significantly associated with reduced faecal pancreatic enzymes. There was a significant negative correlation between elastase 1 concentration and steatocrit. Children with pathological faecal elastase 1 or chymotrypsin values did not differ from the other HIV infected children with respect to nutritional and immunological status, stage of HIV disease, presence of opportunistic infections, or drug administration.

Conclusions—Abnormal pancreatic function tests are a frequent feature of paediatric HIV infection; this condition is associated with steatorrhoea, which probably contributes to the disease.
Management of fibrosing pancreatitis in children presenting with obstructive jaundice
Authors: Sylvester F A , Shuckett B , Cutz E , Durie P R , Marcon M A
Published: June 2010

Background—Children with fibrosing pancreatitis are conventionally treated surgically to relieve common bile duct (CBD) obstruction caused by pancreatic compression. Residual pancreatic function has not been formally tested in these patients.

Aims—To evaluate the usefulness of non-surgical temporary drainage in children with fibrosing pancreatitis and to assess pancreatic function after resolution of their CBD obstruction.

Patients—Four children (1.5–13 years; three girls).

Methods and results—Abdominal sonography and computed tomography revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas, predominantly the head. The CBD was dilated due to compression by the head of the pancreas. Pancreatic biopsy specimens obtained in three patients showed notable acinar cell atrophy and extensive fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis was excluded. No other cause of pancreatitis was identified. Pancreatic tissue from one patient contained viral DNA sequences for parvovirus B19 detected by polymerase chain reaction; serum IgM to parvovirus was positive. Three patients had temporary drainage of the CBD and one patient underwent a choledochojejunostomy. Serial imaging studies revealed resolution of the CBD obstruction with reduction in pancreatic size. Exocrine pancreatic function deteriorated. Three patients developed pancreatic insufficiency within two to four months of presentation. The fourth patient has notably diminished pancreatic function, but remains pancreatic sufficient. None has diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions—Temporary drainage of the CBD obstruction is recommended in fibrosing pancreatitis in children along with close monitoring of the clinical course, before considering surgery.
Identification of common epitopes on gliadin, enterocytes, and calreticulin recognised by antigliadin antibodies of patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Krupičková S , Tučková L , Flegelová Z , Michalak M , Walters J R F , Whelan A , Harries J , Vencovský J , Tlaskalová-Hogenová H
Published: June 2010

Background

Sera of patients with coeliac disease, containing IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (AGA) and various IgA autoantibodies, react with isolated enterocytes. AGA cross react with enterocyte antigens, one of which has been identified as calreticulin.

Aims

To characterise the antigenic structures of gliadin, enterocytes, and calreticulin recognised by AGA from patients with active coeliac disease.

Methods

AGA were isolated from sera of nine patients by affinity chromatography and tested by competitive ELISA using 40 α-gliadin synthetic dodecapeptides (A1–F6).

Results

Reactivity of gliadin with all purified AGA tested was inhibited by peptide A4 at the N-terminal region; by C2, C3, and D4 at the central region; and by F3 and F4 at the C-terminal region of the gliadin molecule. AGA cross reactivity with enterocytes was inhibited by peptides A4, D1–D4, and F6 and with calreticulin by peptides A4, D3, and D4. As dominant epitopes AGA of coeliac patients recognise similar structures corresponding to peptides A4, D3, D4, and F6 present on gliadin, enterocytes, and calreticulin. Substitution of glutamine in the A4 peptide by glutamic acid caused loss of inhibitory capacity. Shortening of peptide A4 on the N-terminal by three amino acids increased its inhibitory effect.

Conclusions

AGA of patients with coeliac disease react with similar structures on gliadin and potential autoantigens on enterocytes.
Risk of primary biliary liver cirrhosis in patients with coeliac disease: Danish and Swedish cohort data
Authors: Sørensen H T , Thulstrup A M , Blomqvist P , Nørgaard B , Fonager K , Ekbom A
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Several case reports, but only a few studies, have examined the coexistence of coeliac disease and primary biliary cirrhosis.

AIM

To estimate the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis in two national cohorts of patients with coeliac disease in Denmark and Sweden.

METHODS

Through record linkage all Danish patients hospitalised with coeliac disease were followed for possible occurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis from 1 January 1977 until 31 December 1992. All patients hospitalised with coeliac disease in Sweden from 1987 to 1996 were also followed in a separate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 896 patients with coeliac disease were identified in Denmark with a median follow up period of 9.1 years for a total of 8040 person-years at risk. Two cases of primary biliary cirrhosis were observed where 0.07 were expected, giving a standardised incidence ratio of 27.6 (95% confidence interval 2.9 to 133.5). A total of 7735 patients with coeliac disease were identified in Sweden with a median follow up period of 5.1 years for a total of 39 284 person-years at risk. Twenty two people with primary biliary cirrhosis were identified compared with 0.88 expected, giving a standardised incidence ratio of 25.1 (95% confidence interval 15.7 to 37.9).

CONCLUSION

Patients with coeliac disease are at increased risk of having primary biliary cirrhosis.
HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes in inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Stokkers P C F , Reitsma P H , Tytgat G N J , van Deventer S J H
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND

Susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is partially genetically determined and the HLA class II genes are candidates for a role in genetic susceptibility to IBD, because their products play a central role in the immune response. Multiple studies have reported associations between HLA-DR or -DQ phenotypes and either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, but much of the data are still controversial.

AIMS

To estimate overall associations between HLA class II phenotypes and IBD, and to establish the relative risk conferred by HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes by meta-analysis.

METHODS

Medline was searched for publications reporting on the relation between IBD and HLA class II phenotypes. Raw data were extracted by recalculating the number of phenotypes or the number of alleles of the main antigens. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated according to the Mantel-Haenszel method.

RESULTS

DR2, DR9, and DRB1*0103 were positively associated with ulcerative colitis, and a negative association was found for DR4 and ulcerative colitis. For Crohn’s disease a positive association was found with DR7, DRB3*0301, and DQ4 and a negative association with DR2 and DR3.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are associated with specific HLA class II phenotypes. Further analysis of these phenotypes and subgroup analysis may elucidate how these alleles contribute to susceptibility to IBD.
The role of motorcycle taxi drivers in the pre-hospital care of road traffic injury victims in rural Dominican Republic: Table 1
Authors: Arellano Naira , Mello Michael J , Clark Melissa A
Published: June 2010

This study explored the role of motorcycle taxi drivers in the pre-hospital care of road traffic injury victims in the province of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of 58 motorcycle taxi drivers working at six different highway taxi posts. The majority of drivers surveyed (67.2%) indicated witnessing a motor vehicle crash. The most common type of help drivers reported providing was transportation of crash victims (41%). Only 15.8% of drivers had ever attended a first-aid course but 84.5% expressed interest in attending a course if given the opportunity.
Elimination of membrane compliance in undrained triaxial testing.II. Mitigation by injection compensation
Authors: Nicholson P.G. , Seed R.B. , Anwar H.A.
Published: June 2010

A computer-controlled injection-correction system has been developed to continuously and completely mitigate the adverse effects of membrane compliance for undrained testing of granular soils. The system was developed with the explicit idea that it could be quickly and easily adapted to most any up to date triaxial testing apparatus. A relationship between effective confining stress and volumetric compliance can be predetermined, as volumetric-compliance errors have been shown to be a direct and repeatable function of effective confining stresses for a given material. The predetermination of volumetric-compliance errors represents a suitable basis for control of injection–removal compensation for membrane compliance during undrained testing. A closed-loop computer-controlled system continuously monitors changes in sample effective confining stresses such that precalculated volumetric-compliance errors can be continuously offset by injecting or removing volumes of water equal to those errors throughout the duration of each test. The validity of the injection system was verified by comparison of the compensated tests to results of large-scale (300 mm diameter) tests of the same materials, as compliance effects for large-scale tests of this material were negligible. Key words : membrane, penetration, compliance, undrained testing, triaxial, compensation, liquefaction.
The stability of embankments reinforced with steel
Authors: Rowe R. Kerry , Mylleville Brian L.J.
Published: June 2010

The undrained behaviour of embankments constructed on soft cohesive deposits is examined for the case where the embankment is reinforced using steel strips. A finite-element analysis that considers plastic failure of the fill and the foundation, pullout of steel strips, and potential yield of the reinforcement is used to demonstrate how steel reinforcement can improve embankment stability. The effect of strip spacing on the mode of failure and embankment stability is examined for a range of soil strength profiles that involve an increase in undrained shear strength with depth. A simple approach for the analysis of steel-reinforced embankments is proposed and illustrated by means of a worked example. A design based on these simple considerations of bearing capacity and limit equilibrium is then checked against the results of a full finite-element analysis of the problem and found to be slightly conservative. Key words : reinforcement, steel strips, finite element, limit equilibrium, soft soil, undrained stability.
Evaluation of the hydraulic conductivity of aquitards
Authors: Rowe R. Kerry , Nadarajah Prebaharan
Published: June 2010

The evaluation of the bulk vertical hydraulic conductivity of an aquitard based on its response to the pumping of an adjacent aquifer is examined using Biot's theory. Consideration is given to the errors in interpretation of the results of pumping tests which arise as a result of the time lag associated with different types of piezometers as well as the length of the piezometer. Factors to allow for correction of these errors are presented. Although these factors are originally developed for isotropic aquitards, they can be used for anisotropic aquitards with appropriate modifications described in the paper. A comparison is made between the results obtained from diffusion theory (as assumed in the development of techniques currently used in practice) and the more rigorous Biot's theory. The application of the technique is illustrated by two examples. Key words : hydraulic conductivity, field test, analysis, pumping test, piezometers, anisotropy.
Application de la méthode de Bishop simplifiée aux remblais renforcés par les géosynthétiques
Authors: Houam Abdelkader , Nuyens Jean
Published: June 2010

A new approach to stability analysis and design of geosynthetic reinforced slopes based on Bishop's method is presented. The effect of sheet inclination across the slip surface on the safety factor or on tensile strength of the sheet is materialized by the introduction, in the computation, of a factor varying from 0 to 1. The reason for this move is to take the flexibility of the sheet into account. Two tables of procedure were made up in case of analysis and design. Some examples are presented by way of illustrations. Key words : slope, safety, slip surface, slice, geosynthetics.
THE STRUCTURE OF COMPLETE MANIFOLDS WITH WEIGHTED POINCARÉ INEQUALITY AND MINIMAL HYPERSURFACES
Authors: FU HAIPING , LI ZHENQI
Published: June 2010

In this paper, we refine some results of [arXiv: 0808.1185v1]. As an application, let M be a complete [Formula: see text]-stable minimal hypersurface in an (n + 1)-dimensional Euclidean space ℝn+1with n ≥ 3, we prove that if M has bounded norm of the second fundamental form, then M must have only one end. Moreover, we also prove that if M has finite total curvature, then M is a hyperplane.
POINCARÉ SERIES OF COLLECTIONS OF PLANE VALUATIONS
Authors: CAMPILLO A. , DELGADO F. , GUSEIN-ZADE S. M. , HERNANDO F.
Published: June 2010

In earlier papers there were given formulae for the Poincaré series of multi-index filtrations on the ring [Formula: see text] of germs of functions of two variables defined by collections of valuations corresponding to (reducible) plane curve singularities and by collections of divisorial ones. It was shown that the Poincaré series of a collection of divisorial valuations determines the topology of the collection of divisors. Here we give a formula for the Poincaré series of a general collection of valuations on the ring [Formula: see text] centered at the origin and prove a generalization of the statement that the Poincaré series determines the topology of the collection.
HODGE STRUCTURES OF THE MODULI SPACES OF PAIRS
Authors: MUÑOZ VICENTE
Published: June 2010

Let X be a smooth projective curve of genus g ≥ 2 over ℂ. Fix n ≥ 2, d ∈ ℤ. A pair (E, ϕ) over X consists of an algebraic vector bundle E of rank n and degree d over X and a section ϕ ∈ H0(E). There is a concept of stability for pairs which depends on a real parameter τ. Let [Formula: see text] be the moduli space of τ-semistable pairs of rank n and degree d over X. Here we prove that the cohomology groups of [Formula: see text] are Hodge structures isomorphic to direct summands of tensor products of the Hodge structure H1(X). This implies a similar result for the moduli spaces of stable vector bundles over X.
ON LOCALLY DUALLY FLAT FINSLER METRICS
Authors: CHENG XINYUE , SHEN ZHONGMIN , ZHOU YUSHENG
Published: June 2010

Locally dually flat Finsler metrics arise from information geometry. Such metrics have special geometric properties. In this paper, we characterize locally dually flat and projectively flat Finsler metrics and study a special class of Finsler metrics called Randers metrics which are expressed as the sum of a Riemannian metric and a one-form. We find some equations that characterize locally dually flat Randers metrics and classify those with isotropic S-curvature.
THE GAUGE DUAL OF GAUGED ${\mathcal N}=8$ SUPERGRAVITY THEORY
Authors: AHN CHANGHYUN
Published: June 2010

The most general SU(3) -singlet space of gauged [Formula: see text] supergravity in four-dimensions is studied recently. The SU(3) -invariant six scalar fields are realized by six real four-forms. A family of holographic [Formula: see text] supersymmetric RG flows on M2-branes in three-dimensions is described. This family of flows is driven by three independent mass parameters from the [Formula: see text] theory and is controlled by two IR fixed points, [Formula: see text]-invariant one and [Formula: see text]-invariant one. The generic flow with arbitrary mass parameters is [Formula: see text] supersymmetric and reaches to the [Formula: see text] fixed point where the three masses become identical. A particular [Formula: see text] supersymmetric SU(3) -preserving RG flow from the [Formula: see text]-invariant fixed point to the [Formula: see text]-invariant fixed point is also discussed.
STATISTICAL MODELS OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR: THE EFFECTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
Authors: JONES PAUL A. , BRANTINGHAM P. JEFFREY , CHAYES LINCOLN R.
Published: June 2010

We extend an agent-based model of crime-pattern formation initiated in Short et al. by incorporating the effects of law enforcement agents. We investigate the effect that these agents have on the spatial distribution and overall level of criminal activity in a simulated urban setting. Our focus is on a two-dimensional lattice model of residential burglaries, where each site (target) is characterized by a dynamic attractiveness to burglary and where criminal and law enforcement agents are represented by random walkers. The dynamics of the criminal agents and the target-attractiveness field are, with certain modifications, as described in Short et al. Here the dynamics of enforcement agents are affected by the attractiveness field via a biasing of the walk, the detailed rules of which define a deployment strategy. We observe that law enforcement agents, if properly deployed, will in fact reduce the total amount of crime, but their relative effectiveness depends on the number of agents deployed, the deployment strategy used, and spatial distribution of criminal activity.

For certain policing strategies, continuum PDE models can be derived from the discrete systems. The continuum models are qualitatively similar to the discrete systems at large system sizes.
DIFFUSION IN A CONTINUUM MODEL OF SELF-PROPELLED PARTICLES WITH ALIGNMENT INTERACTION
Authors: DEGOND PIERRE , YANG TONG
Published: June 2010

In this paper, we provide the O(ε) corrections to the hydrodynamic model derived by Degond and Motsch from a kinetic version of the model by Vicsek and co-authors describing flocking biological agents. The parameter ε stands for the ratio of the microscopic to the macroscopic scales. The O(ε) corrected model involves diffusion terms in both the mass and velocity equations as well as terms which are quadratic functions of the first-order derivatives of the density and velocity. The derivation method is based on the standard Chapman–Enskog theory, but is significantly more complex than usual due to both the non-isotropy of the fluid and the lack of momentum conservation.