bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sentencing young minority males for drug offenses
Authors: Curry Theodore R. , Corral-Camacho Guadalupe
Published: July 2008

Using a random sample of Texas felony drug offenders sentenced during the height of the US War on Drugs, results from the present research show main and conditional effects of race/ethnicity, gender and age on sentence severity. The probability of receiving prison time was greater and sentences were longer for African Americans, African American males and African American males ages 22—30. The likelihood of going to prison was also higher for Hispanic males, and Hispanic males ages 31—40, but no differences were observed for sentence length. These findings generally support hypotheses that young minority males will pay a penalty cost at sentencing, and comport with recent research on drug sentences and the conditional effects of race/ethnicity, gender and age on sentencing.
Nordic newspapers on the EU
Authors: Tjernström Vanni
Published: July 2008

Previous studies (by the author of this article) on coverage of the EU in 1993 and 1996 by four leading Nordic newspapers generated three theoretical categories for a `European political journalism'. The categories were named participation, legitimacy and mondialization/universalism. The present study revisited the same Nordic newspapers over 10 years later in 2005, shortly before and after the referenda on the proposed new EU Constitution in France and the Netherlands, to test the validity of these categories. Generally speaking, the same conceptual landscape still applies to Nordic journalism on the EU, but some of the empirical material seemed to demand the new category of `identity'. This category seemed to be linked both to threats to national identity and to the loss of an emerging `core European identity'. The article suggests that the core category of journalism's sense-making about the EU is the question of `participation'. This core category is grounded on the classical Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft distinctions. The three other important categories — legitimacy, mondialization and identity — can be seen as supporting categories in the analysis of media coverage of the European Union. Within this general and normative conceptual frame, there are remarkable differences in the way the Nordic newspapers contribute to such European political journalism.
Modeling authoritarian regimes
Authors: Schofield Norman , Levinson Micah
Published: July 2008

In the past few years, a body of ideas based on political economy theory has been built up by North and Weingast, Olson, Przeworski, and Acemoglu and Robinson. One theme that emerges from this literature concerns the transition to democracy: why would dominant elites give up oligarchic power? This article addresses this question by considering a formal model of an authoritarian regime, and then examining three historical regimes: the Argentine junta of 1976—83; Francoist Spain, 1938—75; the Soviet system, 1924—91. We argue that these historical analyses suggest that party dictatorships are more institutionally durable than military or fascist ones.
Can economics rank slavery against free labor in terms of efficiency?
Authors: White Lawrence H.
Published: July 2008

The standard allocative efficiency criteria used by economists (Pareto efficiency and Kaldor-Hicks efficiency) are fundamentally unable to rank a slave-labor system against a free-labor system. Given either set of initial property rights assignments the market can reach (or fail to reach) allocative efficiency (that is, allocate resources to their highest-valued uses), but welfare economics provides no meta-framework for ranking initial assignments. This finding underscores the limits to the usefulness of efficiency criteria: they cannot settle all questions, and unfortunately are least decisive just where the stakes are greatest (namely, where wealth effects of alternative assignments are greatest). Explicitly ethical criteria are needed to make the ranking.
A note on List's modal logic of republican freedom
Authors: de Bruin Boudewijn
Published: July 2008

In this note, I show how Christian List's modal logic of republican freedom (as published in this journal in 2006) can be extended (1) to grasp the differences between liberal freedom (noninterference) and republican freedom (non-domination) in terms of two purely logical axioms and (2) to cover a more recent definition of republican freedom in terms of `arbitrary interference' that gains popularity in the literature.
The Greek Connection(s)
Authors: Antonopoulos Georgios A.
Published: July 2008

Despite the fact that cigarette smuggling has a long history in specific contexts, it has only relatively recently received some media attention in Greece. It is now suggested that contraband cigarettes represent 8 percent of total cigarette consumption in the country and that the cigarette-smuggling business deprives the Greek state of millions in taxes. The purpose of this article, which draws on a variety of data sources and builds on a previous study of a cigarette-smuggling network in Greece, is to provide an account of the social organization of the cigarette black market in Greece.
How Serious Is the Problem of Item Nonresponse in Delinquency Scales and Aetiological Variables?
Authors: Pauwels Lieven , Svensson Robert
Published: July 2008

The phenomenon of item nonresponse, i.e. missing data, in surveys is well known among methodologists. Item nonresponse is a problem when it is biased to the dependent variables in aetiological research. The occurrence of item nonresponse in self-reported delinquency studies has been associated with the threatening nature of questions about previous delinquent behaviour, but item nonresponse also occurs in scales measuring aetiological variables (theoretical concepts) in aetiological research, and in sociology has also been associated with negative attitudes towards the survey, although evidence from self-reported delinquency studies in support of this concern has not yet been given. The aim of this study is to evaluate the seriousness of the problem of item nonresponse in two independently drawn self-reported delinquency data sets of two classroom delinquency studies conducted among adolescents in Antwerp (Belgium) and Halmstad (Sweden) using paper and pencil interviews (PAPI). We do this by evaluating the non-random character of item nonresponse in scales of delinquency and aetiological variables, by looking at the correlates of item nonresponse and by evaluating the effects of assigning values on the missing data with regard to reliability and correlational validity. The results are rather optimistic about the hypothesized negative effects of item nonresponse.
Self-Control in Global Perspective
Authors: Rebellon Cesar J. , Straus Murray A. , Medeiros Rose
Published: July 2008

Research concerning Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) General Theory of Crime has paid inadequate attention to the reliability and validity of self-control measures in non-Western settings, to the relationship between parenting and self-control in non-Western settings, and to Gottfredson and Hirschi's assertion that macro-level cultural forces have little or no influence on criminal behavior. The present study addresses each of these issues using a six-item self-control scale and two separate crime measures among young adult respondents from 32 Western and non-Western settings on all six humanly habitable continents. Across Western and non-Western settings, results suggest that (1) the six-item self-control scale demonstrates reliability comparable to that of prior self-control scales in the existing criminological literature; (2) the scale is associated significantly with both violence and property crime, and (3) an eight-item parental neglect scale is associated with self-control in both Western and non-Western settings. At the same time, HLM (Hierarchical Linear and Nonlinear Modeling) analysis suggests that there exists a macro-level contextual effect, unanticipated by Gottfredson and Hirschi, of aggregate parental neglect on individual-level self-control. Results further suggest a robust individual-level association, also unanticipated by Gottfredson and Hirschi, between personal and peer crime that tends to remain independent of adjustments for self-control.
Validity of Self-Reported Adherence Among Injection Drug Users
Authors: Kerr Thomas , Hogg Robert S. , Yip Benita , Tyndall Mark W. , Montaner Julio , Wood Evan
Published: July 2008

Background: In Vancouver, the availability of prescription refill data for all HIV-infected individuals plus a prospective cohort of injection drug users (IDUs) permitted an examination of the validity of self-reported highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) adherence among IDUs. Methods: Self-reported HAART adherence among Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study participants was compared with pharmacy refill rates from the British Columbia Drug Treatment Program database. Pearson's correlation coefficient and Pearson's χ2 test were used to assess associations between adherence as measured by self-report and pharmacy refill data. Results: Among 88 HIV-infected IDUs, 48 (55%) had an adherence rate of ≥75% as measured by pharmacy refill adherence, whereas 81 (92%) had an adherence rate of ≥75% as measured by self-report. Self-reported adherence was not statistically associated with pharmacy refill adherence ( P > .1). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the validity of self-report measures may be limited when applied to community-recruited IDUs.
Limitations of Communities of Practice
Authors: Kerno Steven J.
Published: July 2008

Communities of practice are becoming increasingly common on the organizational landscape. Organizations are simultaneously incorporating communities of practice into internal knowledge management systems and spanning elements from the external environment. However, the literature has tended to favor the positive outcomes with the approach. This article explores potential challenges confronting communities of practice so that organizations may better manage conditions crucial to their success. Perspectives of time constraints, organizational hierarchies, and regional culture are highlighted, and propositions bearing consideration when implementing a community of practice are stated. A discussion section ends this article.
Effects of Career Plateauing on Turnover
Authors: Heilmann Sharon G. , Holt Daniel T. , Rilovick Christine Y.
Published: July 2008

Completed questionnaires from 223 organizational members were analyzed to test the extent to which career plateaus were positively associated with intentions to leave and that structure and content plateaus explained unique variation in turnover intentions after considering job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job search behavior, and several demographic characteristics. Findings supported both of these hypotheses. The authors also found that career plateaus influenced turnover intentions differently than job satisfaction and commitment in that plateaus directly influenced intentions rather than being mediated through job search behaviors.
Distribution of germanium between phenocrysts and melt in peralkaline
rhyolites from the Kenya Rift Valley
Authors: Macdonald R. , Rogers N. W. , Tindle A. G.
Published: July 2008

Germanium abundances, determined by laser ablation-inductively coupled
plasma-mass spectrometry, are presented for phenocrysts and glass matrices from a
metaluminous trachyte and four peralkaline rhyolites from the Greater Olkaria
Volcanic Complex, Kenya Rift Valley, Africa. Abundances (in ppm) are: sanidine
0.45–0.61; fayalite 4.8–11.7; hedenbergite 5.1–9.0; titanomagnetite 2.7; ilmenite
0.48; amphibole 8.3–8.9; biotite 7.0; chevkinite-(Ce) 309; trachyte glass 3.0;
rhyolitic glasses 2.3–3.9. These values are generally greater than those recorded
for silicic rocks in the literature, whilst the chevkinite-(Ce) value is the
largest yet found in a magmatic mineral. Apparent partition coefficients range
from 0.15–0.26 in sanidine to 124 in chevkinite-(Ce). Those for fayalite and
hedenbergite increase with whole-rock peralkalinity and Fe content. The
possibility of a role for accessory phases in influencing Ge distribution in
rock-forming minerals is also raised.
Long-term progression-free survival of mantle cell lymphoma after intensive front-line immunochemotherapy with in vivo–purged stem cell rescue: a nonrandomized phase 2 multicenter study by the Nordic Lymphoma Group
Authors: Geisler Christian H. , Kolstad Arne , Laurell Anna , Andersen Niels S. , Pedersen Lone B. , Jerkeman Mats , Eriksson Mikael , Nordström Marie , Kimby Eva , Boesen Anne Marie , Kuittinen Outi , Lauritzsen Grete F. , Nilsson-Ehle Herman , Ralfkiær Elisabeth , Åkerman Måns , Ehinger Mats , Sundström Christer , Langholm Ruth , Delabie Jan , Karjalainen-Lindsberg Marja-Liisa , Brown Peter , Elonen Erkki ,   for the Nordic Lymphoma Group
Published: July 2008

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is considered incurable. Intensive immunochemotherapy with stem cell support has not been tested in large, prospective series. In the 2nd Nordic MCL trial, we treated 160 consecutive, untreated patients younger than 66 years in a phase 2 protocol with dose-intensified induction immunochemotherapy with rituximab (R) + cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone (maxi-CHOP), alternating with R + high-dose cytarabine. Responders received high-dose chemotherapy with BEAM or BEAC (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan/cyclophosphamide) with R-in vivo purged autologous stem cell support. Overall and complete response was achieved in 96% and 54%, respectively. The 6-year overall, event-free, and progression-free survival were 70%, 56%, and 66%, respectively, with no relapses occurring after 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed Ki-67 to be the sole independent predictor of event-free survival. The nonrelapse mortality was 5%. The majority of stem cell products and patients assessed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after transplantation were negative. Compared with our historical control, the Nordic MCL-1 trial, the event-free, overall, and progression-free survival, the duration of molecular remission, and the proportion of PCR-negative stem cell products were significantly increased (P < .001). Intensive immunochemotherapy with in vivo purged stem cell support can lead to long-term progression-free survival of MCL and perhaps cure. Registered at www.isrctn.org as #ISRCTN 87866680.
Low nucleosome occupancy is encoded around functional human transcription factor binding sites
Authors: Daenen Floris , van Roy Frans , De Bleser Pieter J
Published: July 2008

Background

Transcriptional regulation of genes in eukaryotes is achieved by the interactions of multiple transcription factors with arrays of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) on DNA and with each other. Identification of these TFBSs is an essential step in our understanding of gene regulatory networks, but computational prediction of TFBSs with either consensus or commonly used stochastic models such as Position-Specific Scoring Matrices (PSSMs) results in an unacceptably high number of hits consisting of a few true functional binding sites and numerous false non-functional binding sites. This is due to the inability of the models to incorporate higher order properties of sequences including sequences surrounding TFBSs and influencing the positioning of nucleosomes and/or the interactions that might occur between transcription factors.

Results

Significant improvement can be expected through the development of a new framework for the modeling and prediction of TFBSs that considers explicitly these higher order sequence properties. It would be particularly interesting to include in the new modeling framework the information present in the nucleosome positioning sequences (NPSs) surrounding TFBSs, as it can be hypothesized that genomes use this information to encode the formation of stable nucleosomes over non-functional sites, while functional sites have a more open chromatin configuration.

In this report we evaluate the usefulness of the latter feature by comparing the nucleosome occupancy probabilities around experimentally verified human TFBSs with the nucleosome occupancy probabilities around false positive TFBSs and in random sequences.

Conclusion

We present evidence that nucleosome occupancy is remarkably lower around true functional human TFBSs as compared to non-functional human TFBSs, which supports the use of this feature to improve current TFBS prediction approaches in higher eukaryotes.
Specific genetic markers for detecting subtypes of dengue virus serotype-2 in isolates from the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Gardella-Garcia Catalina E , Perez-Ramirez Gerardo , Navarrete-Espinosa Joel , Cisneros Alejandro , Jimenez-Rojas Fabiola , Ramírez-Palacios Luis R , Rosado-Leon Rocio , Camacho-Nuez Minerva , Munoz Maria de L
Published: July 2008

Background

Dengue (DEN) is an infectious disease caused by the DEN virus (DENV), which belongs to the Flavivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae. It has a (+) sense RNA genome and is mainly transmitted to humans by the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti. Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4). Epidemiological and evolutionary studies have indicated that host and viral factors are involved in determining disease outcome and have proved the importance of viral genotype in causing severe epidemics. Host immune status and mosquito vectorial capacity are also important influences on the severity of infection. Therefore, an understanding of the relationship between virus variants with altered amino acids and high pathogenicity will provide more information on the molecular epidemiology of DEN. Accordingly, knowledge of the DENV serotypes and genotypes circulating in the latest DEN outbreaks around the world, including Mexico, will contribute to understanding DEN infections.

Results

1. We obtained 88 isolates of DENV, 27 from Oaxaca and 61 from Veracruz. 2. Of these 88 isolates, 16 were serotype 1; 62 serotype 2; 7 serotype 3; and 2 serotype 4. One isolate had 2 serotypes (DENV-2 and -1). 3. Partial nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding C- prM (14 sequences), the NS3 helicase domain (7 sequences), the NS5 S-adenosyl methionine transferase domain (7 sequences) and the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain (18 sequences) were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that DENV-2 isolates belonged to the Asian/American genotype. In addition, the Asian/American genotype was divided into two clusters, one containing the isolates from 2001 and the other the isolates from 2005–2006 with high bootstrap support of 94%.

Conclusion

DENV-2 was the predominant serotype in the DF and DHF outbreak from 2005 to 2006 in Oaxaca State as well as in the 2006 outbreak in Veracruz State, with the Asian/American genotype prevalent in both states. Interestingly, DENV-1 and DENV-2 were the only serotypes related to DHF cases. In contrast, DENV-3 and DENV-4 were poorly represented according to epidemiological data reported in Mexico. We found that isoleucine was replaced by valine at residue 106 of protein C in the isolates from these 2005–2006 outbreaks and in those from the 1997, 1998 and 2001 outbreaks in the Caribbean islands. We suggested that this amino acid change may be used as a signature for isolates arising in the Caribbean islands and pertaining to the Asian/American genotype. Other amino acid changes are specific for the Asian/American, Asian and American strains.
A dengue receptor as possible genetic marker of vector competence in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Mercado-Curiel Ricardo F , Black William C , Muñoz Maria de L
Published: July 2008

Background

Vector competence refers to the intrinsic permissiveness of an arthropod vector for infection, replication and transmission of a virus. Notwithstanding studies of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) that influence the ability ofAedes aegyptimidgut (MG) to become infected with dengue virus (DENV), no study to date has been undertaken to identify genetic markers of vector competence. Furthermore, it is known that mosquito populations differ greatly in their susceptibility to flaviviruses. Differences in vector competence may, at least in part, be due to the presence of specific midgut epithelial receptors and their identification would be a significant step forward in understanding the interaction of the virus with the mosquito. The first interaction of DENV with the insect is through proteins in the apical membrane of the midgut epithelium resulting in binding and receptor-mediated endocytosis of the virus, and this determines cell permissiveness to infection. The susceptibility of mosquitoes to infection may therefore depend on their specific virus receptors. To study this interaction inAe. aegyptistrains that differ in their vector competence for DENV, we investigated theDS3strain (susceptible to DENV), theIBO-11strain (refractory to infection) and the membrane escape barrier strain,DMEB, which is infected exclusively in the midgut epithelial cells.

Results

(1) We determined the MG proteins that bind DENV by an overlay protein binding assay (VOPBA) inAe. aegyptimosquitoes of theDS3,DMEBandIBO-11strains. The main protein identified had an apparent molecular weight of 67 kDa, although the protein identified in theIBO-11strain showed a lower mass (64 kDa). (2) The midgut proteins recognized by DENV were also determined by VOPBA after two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. (3) To determine whether the same proteins were identified in all three strains, we obtained polyclonal antibodies against R67 and R64 and tested them against the three strains by immunoblotting; both antibodies recognized the 67 and 64 kDa proteins, corroborating the VOPBA results. (4) Specific antibodies against both proteins were used for immunofluorescent location by confocal microscopy; the antibodies recognized the basal lamina all along the MG, and cell membranes and intercellular spaces from the middle to the end of the posterior midgut (pPMG) in the neighborhood of the hindgut. (5) Quantitative analysis showed more intense fluorescence inDS3andDMEBthan inIBO-11. (6) The viral envelope antigen was not homogeneously distributed during MG infection but correlated with MG density and the distribution of R67/R64.

Conclusion

In this paper we provide evidence that the 67 kDa protein (R67/R64), described previously as a DENV receptor, is related to vector competence inAe. aegypti. Consequently, our results strongly suggest that this protein may be a marker of vector competence for DENV inAe. aegyptimosquitoes.
Xenohormone transactivities are inversely associated to serum POPs in Inuit
Authors: Krüger Tanja , Ghisari Mandana , Hjelmborg Philip S , Deutch Bente , Bonefeld-Jorgensen Eva C
Published: July 2008

Background

The persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are highly lipophilic and resistant to biodegradation and found in e.g. seafood and marine mammals. Greenlandic Inuit have high intake of marine food and thus high POP burden that varies according to local conditions and dietary preference. We do for the very first time report the serum POP related non-steroidal xenohormone activity of Inuit across Greenland.

The aims were 1) to determine the integrated xenohormone bioactivities as an exposure biomarker of the actual lipophilic serum POP mixture measuring the effect on estrogen (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) transactivity in citizens from different Greenlandic districts and 2) to evaluate associations to serum POP markers (14 PCBs and 10 pesticides) and lifestyle characteristics.

Methods

Serum samples from 121 men and 119 women from Nuuk, Sisimiut and Qaanaaq were extracted using SPE-HPLC fractionation to obtain the serum POP fraction free of endogenous hormones. The serum POP fraction was used for determination of xenohormone transactivity using ER and AR reporter gene assays.

Results

In overall, the xenohormone transactivities differed between districts as well as between the genders. Associations between the transactivities and age, n-3/n-6 and smoker years were observed. The xenoestrogenic and xenoandrogenic transactivities correlated negatively to the POPs for the combined female and male data, respectively.

Conclusion

The non-steroidal xenohormone transactivities can be used as an integrated biomarker of POP exposure and lifestyle characteristics. The actual serum POP mixtures antagonized the age adjusted sex hormone receptor functions. Comparison of different study populations requires in addition to age inclusion of diet and lifestyle factors.
(Errors in statistical tests)3
Authors: Phillips Carl V , MacLehose Richard F , Kaufman Jay S
Published: July 2008

In 2004, Garcia-Berthou and Alcaraz published "Incongruence between test statistics and P values in medical papers," a critique of statistical errors that received a tremendous amount of attention. One of their observations was that the final reported digit of p-values in articles published in the journal Nature departed substantially from the uniform distribution that they suggested should be expected. In 2006, Jeng critiqued that critique, observing that the statistical analysis of those terminal digits had been based on comparing the actual distribution to a uniform continuous distribution, when digits obviously are discretely distributed. Jeng corrected the calculation and reported statistics that did not so clearly support the claim of a digit preference. However delightful it may be to read a critique of statistical errors in a critique of statistical errors, we nevertheless found several aspects of the whole exchange to be quite troubling, prompting our own meta-critique of the analysis.

The previous discussion emphasized statistical significance testing. But there are various reasons to expect departure from the uniform distribution in terminal digits of p-values, so that simply rejecting the null hypothesis is not terribly informative. Much more importantly, Jeng found that the original p-value of 0.043 should have been 0.086, and suggested this represented an important difference because it was on the other side of 0.05. Among the most widely reiterated (though often ignored) tenets of modern quantitative research methods is that we should not treat statistical significance as a bright line test of whether we have observed a phenomenon. Moreover, it sends the wrong message about the role of statistics to suggest that a result should be dismissed because of limited statistical precision when it is so easy to gather more data.

In response to these limitations, we gathered more data to improve the statistical precision, and analyzed the actual pattern of the departure from uniformity, not just its test statistics. We found variation in digit frequencies in the additional data and describe the distinctive pattern of these results. Furthermore, we found that the combined data diverge unambiguously from a uniform distribution. The explanation for this divergence seems unlikely to be that suggested by the previous authors: errors in calculations and transcription.
The relation between Ashworth scores and neuromechanical measurements of spasticity following stroke
Authors: Alibiglou Laila , Rymer William Z , Harvey Richard L , Mirbagheri Mehdi M
Published: July 2008

Background

Spasticity is a common impairment that follows stroke, and it results typically in functional loss. For this reason, accurate quantification of spasticity has both diagnostic and therapeutic significance. The most widely used clinical assessment of spasticity is the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), an ordinal scale, but its validity, reliability and sensitivity have often been challenged. The present study addresses this deficit by examining whether quantitative measures of neural and muscular components of spasticity are valid, and whether they are strongly correlated with the MAS.

Methods

We applied abrupt small amplitude joint stretches and Pseudorandom Binary Sequence (PRBS) perturbations to both paretic and non-paretic elbow and ankle joints of stroke survivors. Using advanced system identification techniques, we quantified the dynamic stiffness of these joints, and separated its muscular (intrinsic) and reflex components. The correlations between these quantitative measures and the MAS were investigated.

Results

We showed that our system identification technique is valid in characterizing the intrinsic and reflex stiffness and predicting the overall net torque. Conversely, our results reveal that there is no significant correlation between muscular and reflex torque/stiffness and the MAS magnitude. We also demonstrate that the slope and intercept of reflex and intrinsic stiffnesses plotted against the joint angle are not correlated with the MAS.

Conclusion

Lack of significant correlation between our quantitative measures of stroke effects on spastic joints and the clinical assessment of muscle tone, as reflected in the MAS suggests that the MAS does not provide reliable information about the origins of the torque change associated with spasticity, or about its contributing components.
Gastroesophageal reflux-associated chronic cough in an adolescent and the diagnostic implications: a case report
Authors: Jinnai Makiko , Niimi Akio , Takemura Masaya , Matsumoto Hisako , Konda Yoshitaka , Mishima Michiaki
Published: July 2008

A 15-year-old girl was referred with a 2-year history of perennial non-productive cough, which had been preceded by Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia and subsequent asthma. Symptoms were only partially responsive to anti-asthma treatment including an inhaled corticosteroid and a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The patient's BMI was 27.8; she had gained over 10 kg in the previous two years. Typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were not evident except for belch. Coughing worsened on eating and rising from bed. Although esophagography failed to disclose reflux esophagitis, esophageal pH monitoring revealed significant acid reflux. Asthma was considered well controlled. Treatment with the proton-pump inhibitor rabeprazole resulted in disappearance of cough. Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) score, a questionnaire evaluating the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, was initially high but normalized after treatment. Capsaicin cough sensitivity also diminished with treatment.

Chronic cough due to gastroesophageal reflux disease has been considered rare in adolescents, but this condition might be increasing in line with the recent trend in adults. Clinical features of gastroesophageal reflux disease-associated cough typical for adult patients and a specific questionnaire for evaluating gastroesophageal reflux disease validated in adults may also be useful diagnostic clues in adolescents.
Filarioid nematodes in cattle, sheep and horses in Finland
Authors: Solismaa Milla , Laaksonen Sauli , Nylund Minna , Pitkänen Elisa , Airakorpi Riitta , Oksanen Antti
Published: July 2008

Background

In autumn 2006, Finnish meat inspection data revealed lesions in tendons, muscles and ligaments of bovine hind legs leading to partial condemnation of carcasses. In gross pathological examination at Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Oulu (now Fish and Wildlife Health) Research Unit, Onchocerca sp. (Filarioidea; Onchocercidae) nematodes were detected in lesions. Due to this, a pilot study was made in order to find out what filarioid nematodes do occur in cattle, horses and sheep in Finland.

Methods

Ventral skin biopsies from 209 dairy cattle and 42 horses, as well as blood samples from 209 cattle, 146 horses and 193 sheep, were collected from different parts of Finland and examined for microfilariae. Visceral organs and other tissues from 33 cattle with parasitic lesions were studied histopathologically.

Results

Onchocerca sp. microfilariae (mf), 240 μm long, range 225–260 μm, 5.4 μm thick, were found in 37% of the skin biopsies of cattle. All blood samples from cattle, horses and sheep and skin biopsies from horses were negative for mf. Ventral skin microfilaria prevalence in cattle was higher in southern Finland than in the North (p = 0.001). Animal age and sampling time was not associated with mf prevalence. The infection was evenly distributed among young and older animals. Macroscopic lesions on tissues included greenish-grey discolouration and often oedema. In most of the lesions, small pale nodules were seen on the fasciae. Histopathologic examination of the samples revealed mild to intense infiltration with eosinophilic granulocytes and multifocal nodular lymphoplasmacytic aggregations were seen. In some samples, there were granulomatotic lesions with central necrotic tissue and cell detritus, surrounded by eosinophilic granulocytes, lympho-, plasma- and histiocytes and some multinucleated giant cells. Around living nematodes no or only weak inflammatory changes were observed.

Conclusion

Onchocerca sp. infection in cattle was found to be common in Finland, but the amount of pathological changes leading to condemnation of infected parts is low compared to the mf prevalence. Pronounced pathological changes are distinct but rare and mild changes are difficult to distinguish. No other filarioid nematodes were observed from the animals and it appears that horses and sheep may be free from filarioid nematodes in Finland.
Ultrasound properties of articular cartilage in the tibio-femoral joint in knee osteoarthritis: relation to clinical assessment (International Cartilage Repair Society grade)
Authors: Kuroki Hiroshi , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Mori Koji , Kobayashi Masahiko , Yasura Ko , Okamoto Yukihiro , Suzuki Takashi , Nishitani Kohei , Nakamura Takashi
Published: July 2008

Introduction

There is a lack of data relating the macroscopic appearance of cartilage to its ultrasound properties. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate degenerated cartilage and healthy-looking cartilage using an ultrasound system.

Methods

Ultrasound properties – signal intensity (a measure of superficial cartilage integrity), echo duration (a parameter related to the surface irregularity) and the interval between signals (that is, time of flight – which is related to the thickness and ultrasound speed of cartilage) – of 20 knees were measured at seven sites: the lateral femoral condyle (site A, anterior; site B, posterior), the medial condyle (site C), the lateral tibial plateau (site D, center; site E, under the meniscus) and the medial tibial plateau (site F, anterior; site G, posterior). The sites were evaluated macroscopically and classed using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading system.

Results

The signal intensity of grade 0 cartilage was significantly greater than the intensities of grade 1, grade 2 or grade 3 cartilage. Signal intensity decreased with increasing ICRS grades. The signal intensity was greater at site B than at site C, site D, site F and site G. The signal intensity of grade 0 was greater at site B than at site E. The echo duration did not differ between the grades and between the sites. The interval between signals of grade 3 was less than the intervals of grade 0, grade 1 or grade 2. The interval between signals at site C was less than the intervals at site A, site B, site D, and site E.

Conclusion

Site-specific differences in signal intensity suggest that a superficial collagen network may be maintained in cartilage of the lateral condyle but may deteriorate in cartilage of the medial condyle and the medial tibial plateau in varus knee osteoarthritis. Signal intensity may be helpful to differentiate ICRS grades, especially grade 0 cartilage from grade 1 cartilage.
Pemetrexed Plus Gemcitabine As First-Line Chemotherapy for Patients With Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Final Report of a Phase II Trial
Authors: Simon George R. , Verschraegen Claire F. , Jänne Pasi A. , Langer Corey J. , Dowlati Afshin , Gadgeel Shirish M. , Kelly Karen , Kalemkerian Gregory P. , Traynor Anne M. , Peng Guangbin , Gill John , Obasaju Coleman K. , Kindler Hedy L.
Published: July 2008

Purpose

Pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin is approved for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma and is active in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM). Pemetrexed and gemcitabine are synergistic in preclinical models, but the activity of this combination in MPeM is unknown. This clinical study assessed safety and efficacy of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine in chemotherapy-naïve patients with MPeM.

Patients and Methods

Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, and pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 on day 8, administered immediately before gemcitabine. Treatment was repeated every 21 days for six cycles or until disease progression. All patients received folic acid, vitamin B12, and dexamethasone supplementation. End points included tumor response, toxicity, time to disease progression (TTPD), and overall survival (OS). Disease control rate (DCR) was also calculated.

Results

Twenty patients were enrolled between December 2002 and May 2004. The confirmed response rate was 15% (95% CI, 3.2% to 37.9%), with three patients experiencing a partial response. The DCR was 50% (95% CI, 27.2% to 72.8%). The most common grade 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicities included fatigue (20%), constipation (10%), vomiting (10%), and dehydration (10%). Hematologic toxicities included grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (60%) and febrile neutropenia (10%). One patient death was attributed to treatment. Median TTPD and OS times were 10.4 months and 26.8 months, respectively.

Conclusion

The combination of pemetrexed plus gemcitabine was active in patients with MPeM with a notably high incidence of neutropenia. Median TTPD and OS seem promising. This regimen may provide an alternative to standard therapies, especially for patients who cannot tolerate a platinum-based regimen.
Safety and Efficacy of Oxaliplatin and Fluoropyrimidine Regimens With or Without Bevacizumab As First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results of the TREE Study
Authors: Hochster Howard S. , Hart Lowell L. , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Childs Barrett H. , Hainsworth John D. , Cohn Allen L. , Wong Lucas , Fehrenbacher Louis , Abubakr Yousif , Saif M. Wasif , Schwartzberg Lee , Hedrick Eric
Published: July 2008

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of three oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine regimens, with or without bevacizumab, as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients and Methods

Patients with histologically documented metastatic or recurrent CRC and no prior treatment for advanced disease were randomly assigned to mFOLFOX6 (bolus and infusion fluorouracil [FU] and leucovorin [LV] with oxaliplatin), bFOL (bolus FU and low-dose LV with oxaliplatin), or CapeOx (capecitabine with oxaliplatin), respectively (Three Regimens of Eloxatin Evaluation [TREE-1]). The study was later modified such that subsequent patients were randomized to the same regimens plus bevacizumab (TREE-2).

Results

A total of 150 and 223 patients were randomly assigned in the TREE-1 and TREE-2 cohorts, respectively. Incidence of grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events during the first 12 weeks of treatment were 59%, 36%, and 67% for mFOLFOX6, bFOL, and CapeOx, respectively, (TREE-1) and 59%, 51%, and 56% for the corresponding treatments plus bevacizumab (TREE-2; primary end point). CapeOx toxicity in TREE-1 included grade 3/4 diarrhea (31%) and dehydration (27%); capecitabine dose reduction to 1,700 mg/m2/d in TREE-2 resulted in improved tolerance. Overall response rates were 41%, 20%, and 27% (TREE-1) and 52%, 39%, and 46% (TREE-2); median overall survival (OS) was 19.2, 17.9, and 17.2 months (TREE-1) and 26.1, 20.4, and 24.6 months (TREE-2). For all treated patients, median OS was 18.2 months (95% CI, 14.5 to 21.6; TREE-1) and 23.7 months (95% CI, 21.3 to 26.8; TREE-2).

Conclusion

The addition of bevacizumab to oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine regimens is well tolerated as first-line treatment of mCRC and does not markedly change overall toxicity. CapeOx tolerability and efficacy is improved with reduced-dose capecitabine. First-line oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine-based therapy plus bevacizumab resulted in a median OS of approximately 2 years.
Analysis of Fluorouracil-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation After Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas: Results of a Large, Prospectively Collected Database at the Johns Hopkins Hospital
Authors: Herman Joseph M. , Swartz Michael J. , Hsu Charles C. , Winter Jordan , Pawlik Timothy M. , Sugar Elizabeth , Robinson Ray , Laheru Daniel A. , Jaffee Elizabeth , Hruban Ralph H. , Campbell Kurtis A. , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Asrari Fariba , Donehower Ross , Hidalgo Manuel , Diaz Luis A. , Yeo Charles , Cameron John L. , Schulick Richard D. , Abrams Ross
Published: July 2008

Purpose

To examine the efficacy of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) in patients undergoing resection at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH; Baltimore, MD).

Patients and Methods

Between August 30, 1993, and February 28, 2005, a total of 908 patients underwent PD for PC at JHH. A prospective database was reviewed to determine which patients received fluorouracil (FU) -based CRT. Excluded patients had metastatic disease, died 60 or fewer days after PD, received preoperative therapy, an experimental vaccine, adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation alone. The final cohort includes 616 patients.

Results

The median follow-up was 17.8 months (interquartile range, 9.7 to 33.5 months). Overall median survival was 17.9 months (95% CI, 16.3 to 19.5 months). Groups were similar with respect to tumor size, nodal status, and margin status, but the CRT group was younger (P < .001), and less likely to present with a severe comorbid disease (P = .001). Patients with carcinomas larger than 3 cm (P = .001), grade 3 and 4 (P < .001), margin-positive resection (P = .001), and complications after surgery (P = .017) had poor long-term survival. Patients receiving CRT experienced an improved median (21.2 v 14.4 months; P < .001), 2-year (43.9% v 31.9%), and 5-year (20.1% v 15.4%) survival compared with no CRT. After controlling for high-risk features, CRT was still associated with improved survival (relative risk = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.89).

Conclusion

These data suggest that adjuvant concurrent FU-based CRT significantly improves survival after PD for PC when compared with patients not receiving CRT. These data support the use of combined adjuvant CRT for PC.
Preoperative Gemcitabine-Based Chemoradiation for Patients With Resectable Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreatic Head
Authors: Evans Douglas B. , Varadhachary Gauri R. , Crane Christopher H. , Sun Charlotte C. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Pisters Peter W.T. , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas , Wang Huamin , Cleary Karen R. , Staerkel Gregg A. , Charnsangavej Chusilp , Lano Elizabeth A. , Ho Linus , Lenzi Renato , Abbruzzese James L. , Wolff Robert A.
Published: July 2008

Purpose

We conducted a phase II trial to assess the outcomes of patients who received preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for stage I/II pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients with pancreatic head/uncinate process adenocarcinoma and radiographically defined potentially resectable disease received chemoradiation with 7 weekly intravenous (IV) infusions of gemcitabine (400 mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes) plus radiation therapy (30 Gy in 10 fractions over 2 weeks). Patients underwent restaging 4 to 6 weeks after completion of chemoradiation and, in the absence of disease progression, were taken to surgery.

Results

The study enrolled 86 patients. At the time of restaging, disease progression or a decline in performance status precluded 13 patients from surgery. Seventy-three (85%) of 86 patients were taken to surgery, extrapancreatic disease was found in nine, and 64 (74%) of 86 underwent a successful PD. Median overall survival (86 patients) was 22.7 months with a 27% 5-year survival. Median survival was 34 months for the 64 patients who underwent PD and 7 months for the 22 unresected patients (P < .001). The 5-year survival for those who did and did not undergo PD was 36% and 0%, respectively.

Conclusion

Preoperative gemcitabine-based chemoradiation followed by restaging and evaluation for surgery separated the study population into two different subsets: patients likely to benefit from PD (n = 64) and those in whom surgery would be unlikely to provide clinical benefit (n = 22). Furthermore, the encouraging overall survival observed in this large trial supports the continued investigation of gemcitabine-based preoperative therapy in resectable pancreatic cancer.
The 2007 National Practice Benchmark: Results of a National Survey of Oncology Practices
Authors: Barr Thomas R. , Towle Elaine L. , Jordan William M.
Published: July 2008

Long-term trends in the cost of pharmaceutical goods purchased by community oncology practices seem to have dramatically changed in 2007, potentially ending an era of practice growth built on the economic engine of in-office chemotherapy provision.
On the estimation of microstructural effects in the near-threshold fatigue of small cracks
Authors: Vallellano C , Navarro A , García-Lomas F J , Domínguez J
Published: July 2008

The growth of small fatigue cracks is strongly influenced by the microstructure of the material concerned. Particularly in the early stages, the crystallographic orientation of the grains through which the crack must propagate plays a fundamental role. Cracks are generally initiated in well-oriented grains, but afterwards they are forced to grow through less favourably oriented grains. This work examines the influence of this crystallographic resistance to small crack growth in micromechanical terms. It is argued that the crystallographic orientation alone cannot explain the difference between small- and long-crack growth thresholds found in metals. Other phenomena must be called upon to account for this difference. For instance, crack closure exerts a resistance to crack growth whose evolution with crack length is similar to that due to the crystallographic orientation. Finally, it is shown that, when microstructural and mechanical thresholds are interpreted within the context of micromechanical models, a number of classical parameters and expressions usually employed in engineering practice can be naturally obtained and understood.
Parametric model for the analysis of concrete expansion due to alkali—aggregate reaction
Authors: Carrazedo R , Lacerda L A
Published: July 2008

The alkali—aggregate reaction (AAR) is a chemical reaction that provokes a heterogeneous expansion of concrete and reduces important properties such as Young's modulus, leading to a reduction in the structure's useful life. In this study, a parametric model is employed to determine the spatial distribution of the concrete expansion, combining normalized factors that influence the reaction through an AAR expansion law. Optimization techniques were employed to adjust the numerical results and observations in a real structure. A three-dimensional version of the model has been implemented in a finite element commercial package (ANSYS©) and verified in the analysis of an accelerated mortar test. Comparisons were made between two AAR mathematical descriptions for the mechanical phenomenon, using the same methodology, and an expansion curve obtained from experiment. Some parametric studies are also presented. The numerical results compared very well with the experimental data validating the proposed method.