bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapy with GAD in diabetes
Authors: Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: March 2009

The enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is of great importance for the neurotransmission in the central nervous system, and therefore of interest for treatment of pain and neurological disease. However, it is also released in pancreas although its role is not quite clear. GAD is a major auto‐antigen in the process leading to type 1 diabetes with both a clear cell‐mediated immune response to GAD and auto‐antibodies to GAD (GADA), which can be used as a predictor of diabetes. Administration of the isoform GAD65 can prevent autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice and the subsequent need for exogenous insulin replacement. In Phase I and II studies an alum‐formulated vaccine (Diamyd) has shown to be safe, and in a dose‐finding study in Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) patients 20‐µg was given subcutaneously one month apart indicating preservation of residual insulin secretion. A double‐blind randomized Phase II trial in 70 patients (10–18 years old) with recent‐onset type 1 diabetes showed significant preservation of residual insulin secretion and a GAD‐specific immune response, both humoral and cell‐mediated, but no treatment‐related adverse events. With this promising background further studies are on their way, both intervention in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients, and trials to prevent the disease. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C‐peptide in the natural history of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Palmer Jerry P.
Published: March 2009

Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed when the patient's endogenous insulin secretion decreases to a level which results in hyperglycemia. After diagnosis, insulin secretion continues to decline. As a reference for clinical trials trying to preserve endogenous beta‐cell function in patients with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes, in this short review I attempt to summarize the natural history of endogenous beta‐cell function after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of supplementary health insurance on switching behaviour: evidence from Swiss data
Authors: Dormont Brigitte , Geoffard Pierre‐Yves , Lamiraud Karine
Published: March 2009

This paper focuses on the switching behaviour of enrolees in the Swiss basic health insurance system. Even though the new Federal Law on Social Health Insurance (LAMal) was implemented in 1996 to promote competition among health insurers in basic insurance, there is limited evidence of premium convergence within cantons. This indicates that competition has not been effective so far, and reveals some inertia among consumers who seem reluctant to switch to less expensive funds. We investigate one possible barrier to switching behaviour, namely the influence of supplementary insurance. We use survey data on health plan choice (a sample of 1943 individuals whose switching behaviours were observed between 1997 and 2000) as well as administrative data relative to all insurance companies that operated in the 26 Swiss cantons between 1996 and 2005. The decision to switch and the decision to subscribe to a supplementary contract are jointly estimated.

Our findings show that holding a supplementary insurance contract substantially decreases the propensity to switch. However, there is no negative impact of supplementary insurance on switching when the individual assesses his/her health as ‘very good’. Our results give empirical support to one possible mechanism through which supplementary insurance might influence switching decisions: given that subscribing to basic and supplementary contracts with two different insurers may induce some administrative costs for the subscriber, holding supplementary insurance acts as a barrier to switch if customers who consider themselves ‘bad risks’ also believe that insurers reject applications for supplementary insurance on these grounds. In comparison with previous research, our main contribution is to offer a possible explanation for consumer inertia. Our analysis illustrates how consumer choice for one's basic health plan interacts with the decision to subscribe to supplementary insurance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who pays attention in stated‐choice surveys?
Authors: Özdemir Semra , Mohamed Ateesha F. , Johnson F. Reed , Hauber A. Brett
Published: March 2009

Responses of inattentive or inconsistent subjects in stated‐choice (SC) surveys can lead to imprecise or biased estimates. Several SC studies have investigated inconsistency and most of these studies dropped subjects who were inconsistent. However, none of these studies reported who is more likely to fail consistency tests. We investigated the effect of the personal characteristics and task complexity on preference inconsistency in eight different SC surveys. We found that white, higher‐income and better‐educated female subjects were less likely to fail consistency tests. Understanding the characteristics of subjects who are inattentive to the choice task may help in designing and pre‐testing instruments that work effectively for a wider range of subjects. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of rural mutual health care on health status: evaluation of a social experiment in rural China
Authors: Wang Hong , Yip Winnie , Zhang Licheng , Hsiao William C.
Published: March 2009

Despite widespread efforts to expand health insurance in developing countries, there is scant evidence as to whether doing so actually improves people's health. This paper aims to fill this gap by evaluating the impact of Rural Mutual Health Care (RMHC), a community‐based health insurance scheme, on enrollees' health outcomes. RMHC is a social experiment that was conducted in one of China's western provinces from 2003 to 2006. The RMHC experiment adopted a pre–post treatment‐control study design. This study used panel data collected in 2002, 1 year prior to the intervention, and followed up in 2005, 2 years after the intervention, both in the intervention and control sites. We measured health status using both a 5‐point Categorical Rating Scale and the EQ‐5D instruments. The estimation method used here is difference‐in‐difference combined propensity score matching. The results show that RMHC has a positive effect on the health status of participants. Among the five dimensions of EQ‐5D, RMHC significantly reduces pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression for the general population, and has a positive impact on mobility and usual activity for those over 55‐years old. Our study provides useful policy information on the development of health insurance in developing countries, and also identifies areas where further research is needed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Independent effects of physical activity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease #
Authors: St. George Alexis , Bauman Adrian , Johnston Amanda , Farrell Geoffrey , Chey Tien , George Jacob
Published: March 2009

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, characterized by elevated liver enzymes, central obesity, and insulin resistance, is becoming increasingly prevalent. The effects of changes in physical activity on the metabolic profile of this group have not been reported. We assessed at 3 months the impact of a behavior change-based lifestyle intervention on physical activity and the effects of this change on the metabolic profile of people with fatty liver disease. In all, 141 participants with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were prospectively enrolled into either a low- or moderate-intensity lifestyle intervention or to a control group. Physical activity was assessed using a validated reporting tool and physical fitness was measured using the YMCA protocol on a cycle ergometer. Individualized counseling to increase physical activity was provided. Overall, 96% of participants attended the 3-month follow-up assessment. Participants in the moderate- and low-intensity intervention groups were 9 times more likely to increase physical activity by an hour or more per week compared to controls. Patients increasing or maintaining their reported physical activity to ≥150 minutes/week, and those who increased their objective levels of fitness, had the greatest improvements in liver enzymes and other metabolic indices compared to those who were least active. This effect was independent of weight loss and was corroborated by an objective measure of fitness. There was no dose-response effect on liver enzymes with incremental increases in physical activity above 60 minutes/week. Conclusion: Lifestyle counseling interventions are effective in improving physical activity behavior. Maintaining or increasing physical activity provides health benefits for patients with fatty liver, independent of changes in weight. (Hepatology 2009.)
Spatial and temporal patterns of break‐up and ice‐jam flooding in the Mackenzie Delta, NWT
Authors: Goulding Holly L. , Prowse Terry D. , Beltaos Spyros
Published: March 2009

The Mackenzie Delta is covered in freshwater lakes that provide habitat for a myriad of species. The hydrology and ecology of these delta lakes are dominated by cryospheric processes, specifically spring break‐up ice jams, which typically produce the largest hydrologic event of the year. Despite the importance of ice‐induced flooding in the delta, the patterns and processes characterizing these events are poorly understood. In this paper, archived records at a dozen hydrometric stations in the delta for the period from 1974 to 2006, improved with information from remotely sensed imagery, are used to assemble a break‐up chronology for the delta, and examine the spatial and temporal patterns of break‐up flooding. Analysis of backwater level and discharge at the Mackenzie River at Arctic Red River (MARR) station are used to explain the physical rationale of the resulting patterns. Results highlight years of extensive delta flooding, and within the subset of significant flood years, two event types are identified: (1) ice‐driven events, with high backwater levels at MARR associated with high levels in the southern and eastern/western delta, and (2) discharge‐driven events, with extensive high‐water levels in the mid/outer delta and along Middle Channel, despite lower upstream peak water levels. Temporally, the break‐up initiation during ice‐ (discharge‐) driven events occurs earlier (later) than the delta average. These occur later (earlier) in the time‐series that is trending toward earlier break‐ups. The MARR station is determined to be a suitable index of delta peak water levels for continued investigation into the hydroclimatic controls on extreme hydrological events in the Mackenzie Delta. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential of low cost close‐range photogrammetry system in soil microtopography quantification
Authors: Abd Elbasit Mohamed A. M. , Anyoji Hisao , Yasuda Hiroshi , Yamamoto Shunichi
Published: March 2009

Soil microtopography is a dynamic soil property which affects most soil‐surface and water interaction processes. The importance of soil microtopography has been recognized for a long time, but only limited reports are available in the literature. In this study, the potential of using consumer‐grade cameras and close‐range photogrammetry procedures to quantify soil microtopography at plot‐scale level (≤1 m2) were assessed. Five fabricated gypsum surfaces with different degrees of roughness were used to simulate the soil surface conditions with different soil aggregates. The surfaces' digital elevation model (DEM) was generated using the photogrammetry system (PHM) involving a consumer‐grade camera, and pin‐microrelief meter (PM). The DEM generated using the PHM was assessed for accuracy, roughness indices (RI), depression area percentage (DA%), depression storage capacity (DSC), and micro‐rills delineation in comparison with the PM. The accuracy was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) in the x‐, y‐, and z‐directions. Visual comparison between the 3D‐visions of the DEM showed strong agreement between the DEM generated by the PHM and the PM, and between the PHM and the 2D images for the different gypsum surfaces. The average RMSE in the x‐. y‐, and z‐direction were 2·08, 1·52, and 0·82 mm for the rough surface, and 4·42, 1·65, and 3·22 mm for the smooth surface. The RIs calculated from the two methods were highly correlated. The small discrepancy between the two methods was discussed. The micro‐rills delineation was also similar for the two methods regarding the network density. The grid size did not effect the RI calculation, and has a strong influence on the DA%, DSC, and the delineated micro‐rills orders. Results suggest that a consumer‐grade camera and close‐range photogrammetry have the potential to quantify the soil microtopography. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute liver acetaminophen toxicity in rabbits and the use of antidotes: a metabonomic approach in serum
Authors: Zira Athina , Mikros Emmanuel , Giannioti Konstantina , Galanopoulou Panagiota , Papalois Apostolos , Liapi Charis , Theocharis Stamatios
Published: March 2009

The metabonomic approach has been widely used in toxicology to investigate mechanisms of toxicity. In the present study alterations in the metabolic profiles, monitored by1H‐NMR spectroscopy, on serum samples in acetaminophen (APAP)‐induced liver injury in rabbits were examined. Furthermore, the effect of the established antidoteN‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and the proposed antidotes silybinin (SIL), cimetidine (CIM) and SIL/CIM was also investigated. A single dose of APAP (2 g kg−1b.w., i.g.) was administered to rabbits and APAP combined with the antidotes SIL, CIM and NAC. Animals were sacrificed at 24 h post‐APAP treatment. Healthy untreated animals served as controls.1H‐NMR spectra of serum samples were acquired and underwent principal component analysis (PCA). Acute liver injury was verified by histopathological examination and the alterations of serum biochemical enzymes AST and ALT.1H‐NMR spectroscopy revealed variations in the serum metabolic profile of APAP‐intoxicated rabbits compared with controls. Co‐administration of APAP with NAC, CIM and SIL + CIM seems to ameliorate the metabolic profile of animals compared with simply APAP‐treated ones. In this study, the model of APAPinduced liver injury was successfully described using the1H‐NMR based metabonomic approach in serum. Furthermore, the use of antidotes that reduced the toxic insult was also recorded using this technique. The combination of NMR spectroscopy and PCA is a rapid methodology, capable of detecting alterations in the metabolic profile, and produces adequate models that could be used for the characterization of unknown samples, both experimental and clinical, reinforcing its future use in clinical settings.Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the maximum cocliques of the rank 3 graph of 211 : M24
Authors: Horiguchi Naoyuki , Kitazume Masaaki , Nakasora Hiroyuki
Published: March 2009

In this article, we consider the maximum cocliques of the 211: M24 ‐graph Λ. We show that the maximum cocliques of size 24 of Λ can be obtained from two Hadamard matrices of size 24, and that there are exactly two maximum cocliques up to equivalence. We verify that the two nonisomorphic designs with parameters 5‐(24,9,6) can be constructed from the maximum cocliques of Λ, and that these designs are isomorphic to the support designs of minimum weights of the ternary extended quadratic residue and Pless symmetry [24,12,9] codes. Further, we give a new construction of Λ from these 5‐(24,9,6) designs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 323–332, 2009
On arcs sharing the maximum number of points with ovals in cyclic affine planes of odd order
Authors: Korchmáros Gábor , Sonnino Angelo
Published: March 2009

The sporadic complete 12‐arc in PG(2, 13) contains eight points from a conic. In PG(2,q) withq>13 odd, all known completek‐arcs sharing exactly ½(q+3) points with a conic 𝒞 have size at most ½(q+3)+2, with only two exceptions, both due to Pellegrino, which are complete (½(q+3)+3) arcs, one in PG(2, 19) and another in PG(2, 43). Here, three further exceptions are exhibited, namely a complete (½(q+3)+4)‐arc in PG(2, 17), and two complete (½(q+3)+3)‐arcs, one in PG(2, 27) and another in PG(2, 59). The main result is Theorem 6.1 which shows the existence of a (½(qr+3)+3)‐arc in PG(2,qr) withrodd andq≡3 (mod 4) sharing ½(qr+3) points with a conic, whenever PG(2,q) has a (½(qr+3)+3)‐arc sharing ½(qr+3) points with a conic. A survey of results for smallerqobtained with the use of the MAGMA package is also presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 18: 25–47, 2010
Microwave photocatalysis II: novel continuous‐flow microwave photocatalytic experimental set‐up with titania‐coated mercury electrodeless discharge lamps
Authors: Žabová Hana , Církva Vladimír , Hájek Milan
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: A continuous‐flow microwave photocatalytic reactor was set up consisting of a glass tube equipped with microwave powered mercury electrodeless discharge lamps (EDLs) coated with thin films of nanoporous titanium(IV) oxide. The effect of operational parameters on photocatalytic degradation of aqueous mono‐chloroacetic acid (MCAA) by a TiO2/UV/MW process was investigated.

RESULTS: Studies were carried out at a relatively high concentration of MCAA (0.1 mol L−1), and revealed that reaction temperature and light intensity of the EDLs depend inversely on the flow rate, but that the 366 nm line intensity of EDL is directly proportional to the reaction temperature. The photodegradation of MCAA was enhanced by heating and significantly enhanced by air bubbling of the reaction mixture in the glass reservoir at laboratory temperature. The photocatalytic efficiency increased with the number of titania‐coated EDLs inserted in the glass tube reactor.

CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the operational parameters (i.e. flow rate, reaction temperature, number of titania‐coated EDLs, and air bubbling) had important effects on degradation efficiency. The photocatalytic degradation of MCAA on thin films of titanium(IV) oxide in the continuous‐flow microwave photoreactor can be enhanced in the TiO2/UV/MW system. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Determinants of eggshell strength in endangered raptors
Authors: Castilla Aurora M. , Herrel Anthony , Van Dongen Stefan , Furio Naoki , Negro Juan José
Published: March 2009

We compared eggshell strength in a group of falcon taxa including the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus), the red shaheen falcon (F. peregrinus babylonicus), the saker falcon (F. cherrug), the gyr falcon (F. rusticolus) and some interspecific and intraspecific hybrids. Our results showed that smaller falcons (<1,000 g) of the peregrine group have eggshells that are significantly softer ($\bar{x}$=13.3 N) and thinner ($\bar{x}$=0.26 mm) (n=107 eggs) than larger falcons (>1,000 g) of the gyr‐saker group ($\bar{x}$=20.8 N and 0.39 mm, respectively, n=81 eggs). We found a significant positive correlation between egg hardness and eggshell thickness. Linear mixed models showed that clutches from heavier females consisted of larger and harder eggs with thicker shells and thicker egg membranes. Eggs produced by older females and eggs laid later in the laying sequence were relatively smaller and softer and had relatively thin egg membranes and eggshells. Individual females, irrespective of their age, contributed significantly to the observed variation in egg strength. Egg size and hardness of hybrid eggs were similar to that of the pure species suggesting that hybridization does not affect eggshell hardness or thickness. Our study provides quantitative evidence of several factors, other than levels of contamination, which may affect eggshell thickness and hardness in falcons. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:303–311, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chimerization of astroglial population in the lumbar spinal cord after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation prolongs survival in a rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Boucherie Cédric , Schäfer Sabrina , Lavand'homme Patricia , Maloteaux Jean‐Marie , Hermans Emmanuel
Published: March 2009

Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit neuroprotective properties when introduced into the degenerating central nervous system through different putative mechanisms including secretion of growth factors and transdifferentiation. In the present study, we injected MSCs into the cerebrospinal fluid of symptomatic hSOD1G93A rats, a transgenic animal model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) expressing a mutated form of the human superoxide dismutase. MSCs were found to infiltrate the nervous parenchyma and migrate substantially into the ventral gray matter, where motor neurons degenerate. Even though overall astrogliosis was not modified, MSCs differentiated massively into astrocytes at the site of degeneration. The intrathecal delivery of MSCs and the subsequent generation of healthy astrocytes at symptomatic stage decreased motor neuron loss in the lumbar spinal cord, preserving motor functions and extending the survival of hSOD1G93A rats. This neuroprotection was correlated with decreased inflammation, as shown by the lower proliferation of microglial cells and the reduced expressiontion of COX‐2 and NOX‐2. Together, these data highlight the protective capacity of adult MSC‐derived astrocytes when grafted into the central nervous system and illustrate an attractive strategy to target excessive inflammation in ALS. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rac1 inhibition negatively regulates transcriptional activity of the amyloid precursor protein gene
Authors: Wang Pi‐Lin , Niidome Tetsuhiro , Akaike Akinori , Kihara Takeshi , Sugimoto Hachiro
Published: March 2009

Rac1, a member of the Rho family GTPases, participates in a variety of cellular functions including lamellipodia formation, actin cytoskeleton organization, cell growth, apoptosis, and neuronal development. Recent studies have implicated Rac1 in cytoskeletal abnormalities, production of reactive oxygen species, and generation of the amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) observed in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we examined the relationship between Rac1 and amyloid precursor protein (APP), because the abnormal proteolytic processing of APP is a pathologic feature of Alzheimer's disease. In primary hippocampal neurons, the Rac1‐specific inhibitor NSC23766 decreased both Rac1 activity and APP protein levels in a concentration‐dependent manner. To elucidate how NSC23766 decreases APP protein levels, we examined the effects of NSC23766 on APP processing, degradation, and biosynthesis. NSC23766 did not increase the levels of the proteolytic products of APP, sAPPα, Aβ40, and Aβ42. The proteasome inhibitor lactacystin did not reverse the NSC23766‐induced decrease in APP protein levels. NSC23766 did, however, decrease the levels of both APP mRNA and APP protein. Decreased levels of APP mRNA and protein were also observed when HEK293 cells were transfected with an expression vector containing a dominant‐negative Rac1 mutant or with siRNA targeting Rac1. By overexpressing progressively deleted fragments of the APP promoter in HEK293 cells, we identified a Rac1 response site at positions −233 to −41 bp in the APP promoter. Taken together, our results suggest that Rac1 regulates transcription of the APP gene in primary hippocampal neurons. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Analysis of outcome with respect to surgical margins and technique
Authors: Everett Marc , Gutman Haim
Published: March 2009

When this article was originally published in J Surg Oncol. 2008 Dec 15;98(8):588–593 (2008), it contained error in the degree of Marc Everett. The corrected degree appears above in the authorship. The publisher deeply regrets the error.
A prospective randomized evaluation of scar assessment measures
Authors: Brandt Michael G. , Moore Corey C. , Micomonaco Damian , Fung Kevin , Franklin Jason H. , Yoo John , Doyle Philip C.
Published: March 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine the efficacy of interventions to improve and monitor skin scarring, a valid assessment instrument must be used. Current tools used for the evaluation of skin scarring employ equal appearing interval (EAI) scales that assume scar dimensions conform to linear models. Some scar features meet these assumptions, whereas others may not be accurately described. This study determined if current methods of scar evaluation validly characterize inherent features of scars, and in doing so, empirically validate if specific scar dimensions were best represented by linear or nonlinear mathematical models.

Study Design:

Prospective, randomized, cross‐over trial.

Methods:

Twenty‐seven observers evaluated 30 scar photos utilizing both EAI and direct magnitude estimation (DME) scaling methods. The method of scaling and the assessed dimensions of vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, pliability, and surface area were randomized. EAI and DME data were evaluated to identify whether each scar dimension conformed to linear or curvilinear mathematical models.

Results:

Best‐fit analysis revealed the dimensions of vascularity and pigmentation to be more accurately described using curvilinear functions, whereas pliability, thickness and surface area were best defined using linear models.

Conclusions:

The scar dimension under assessment must be considered when attempting to validly apply an assessment instrument. Several commonly evaluated dimensions of skin scarring are not appropriately characterized using linear EAI scales. Thus, present assessment instruments must be revised to account for this aberration to allow for a valid means of objectively evaluating skin scarring. Laryngoscope, 2009
Histologic study of gore‐tex removed after rhinoplasty
Authors: Jang Tae Young , Choi Ji Yun , Jung Dong Hak , Park Hyo Jin , Lim Sung Chul
Published: March 2009

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Gore‐Tex is known to be a relatively safe material. However, it leads to complications. Although widely used, the reasons complications occur are poorly understood. Thus, this study attempted to investigate histological changes between the Gore‐Tex, removed within a certain period of time after rhinoplasty, and its neighboring tissues.

Methods:

This study involved 122 Gore‐Tex samples obtained at the time of reoperation in patients who had undergone augmentation rhinoplasty. The subject group included 31 men and 91 women. The mean patient age was 30.2 years, and the mean Gore‐Tex implantation period was 23.2 months (range, 1 week–13 years). We noted the shapes of the Gore‐Tex samples, their relationships and extent of adhesion with neighboring tissues, and the changes of thickness. We also observed tissue ingrowth, calcification, inflammation, foreign body reaction, and structural changes using light microscopy and electron microscopy.

Results:

After the Gore‐Tex samples had been in place for an extended period of time, the neighboring tissues grew into the central portions of the samples, which enhanced adhesion between the samples and the tissues. In addition, Gore‐Tex samples that had been implanted for longer periods of time were associated with decreased thickness and calcification, foreign body reactions, and increased structural changes.

Conclusions:

In contrast to previous studies, our study showed that Gore‐Tex samples implanted in human bodies for extended periods of time prompted ingrowth of neighboring tissues, calcified tissue degeneration, and inflammation. Foreign body reactions were found in a large number of samples. The Gore‐Tex structures were destroyed and transformed. As a result, it is important to follow the stability of Gore‐Tex material on a long‐term basis. Laryngoscope, 2009
Transcriptional regulation of Foxp3 gene: Multiple signal pathways on the road
Authors: Shen Zhu , Chen Ling , Hao Fei , Wu Jinjin
Published: March 2009

Foxp3, forkhead/winged helix transcription factor 3, is a master transcription factor for the development and function of regulatory T cells. Foxp3 has been proved to be associated with immunoregulation, autoimmune diseases, infections, and tumor immune evasion/escape. Foxp3 regulates other critical gene transcriptions. However, the mechanism how the transcription of Foxp3 itself is regulated remains partly clear. In this article, we provided an overview of the current understanding of the transcriptional regulation of Foxp3 gene, including signaling pathways initiated by TCR, IL‐2R/STAT pathway, TGF‐β/Smad pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis, Notch signal pathway, IFN/IRF and IFN/nitric oxide axis, and epigenetic mechanisms. Some therapeutic agents on Foxp3 regulation were also reviewed. Points for attention in further study of Foxp3 transcription regulation, such as the combinations/cross‐talks, the bi‐directional functions, and species specificity of these pathways, were discussed as well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 29, No. 5, 742–766, 2009
Analysis of bladder diary with urinary perception to assess overactive bladder symptoms in community‐dwelling women
Authors: Honjo Hisashi , Kawauchi Akihiro , Ukimura Osamu , Nakao Masahiro , Kitakoji Hiroshi , Miki Tsuneharu
Published: March 2009

Aim

Bladder diaries including bladder perception grades were analyzed to assess overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in community‐dwelling women 40 years of age or older.

Methods

Three hundred ten women (mean 58 years) completed a 3‐day bladder diary. The perception grades were defined as follows: 0 = no bladder sensation, 1 = sensation of bladder filling without desire to void, 2 = desire to void, 3 = strong desire to void, 4 = urgency without urge urinary incontinence (UUI), and 5 = urgency with UUI.

Results

Forty‐eight women (15.5%) had OAB symptoms on medical interview, including 37 (11.9%) without UUI (OAB‐Dry) and 11 (3.5%) with UUI (OAB‐Wet). In the analysis of 5,709 voids, the voided volume significantly increased with the grades of perception. The 24 hr voided volume in the OAB‐Dry group was significantly larger than that in the Normal group. The average voided volume in the OAB‐Wet group was significantly smaller than in the OAB‐Dry and the Normal groups. The mean voided volume at grade 3 in the Normal without urgency group was significantly larger than volumes in any other group. In the analysis of grades 4 and 5, voided volumes in the OAB‐Wet group were significantly smaller than those in the Normal and/or OAB‐Dry groups.

Conclusions

A bladder diary that includes a new bladder perception grade was thought to be useful in assessing urinary sensation or incontinence as well as voiding pattern. The causes of symptoms such as urgency or urinary frequency may be different between the Normal, OAB‐Dry, and OAB‐Wet groups. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:982–985, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence of multiexponential T2 in rat glioblastoma
Authors: Dortch Richard D. , Yankeelov Thomas E. , Yue Zoe , Quarles Christopher C. , Gore John C. , Does Mark D.
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study was to characterize multiexponential T2 (MET2) relaxation in a rat C6 glioblastoma tumor model. To do this, rats (n = 11) were inoculated with the C6 cells via stereotaxic injection into the brain. Ten days later, MET2 measurements were performed in vivo using a single‐slice, multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence at 7.0 T. Tumor signal was biexponential in eight animals with a short‐lived T2 component (T2 = 20.7 ± 5.4 ms across samples) representing 6.8 ± 6.2% of the total signal and a long‐lived T2 component (T2 = 76.4 ± 9.3 ms) representing the remaining signal fraction. In contrast, signal from contralateral grey matter was consistently monoexponential (T2 = 48.8 ± 2.3 ms). Additional ex vivo studies (n = 3) and Monte Carlo simulations showed that the in vivo results were not significantly corrupted by partial volume averaging or noise. The underlying physiological origin of the observed MET2 components is unknown; however, MET2 analysis may hold promise as a non‐invasive tool for characterizing tumor microenvironment in vivo on a sub‐voxel scale. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Almost sure asymptotic optimality for online routing and machine scheduling problems
Authors: Jaillet Patrick , Wagner Michael R.
Published: March 2009

In this article, we study algorithms for online routing and machine scheduling problems. The problems are “online” because the problem instances are revealed incrementally. We first study algorithms for the online Traveling Repairman Problem (TRP), where a single server is to visit a set of locations in a network with the objective of minimizing the sum of weighted completion times. We then analyze well‐known online algorithms for a variety of machine scheduling problems, which are appropriate models for many network optimization problems; in the scheduling notation of Graham et al. 18, we consider 1|rj,pmtn|∑jwjCj, 1|rj|∑jwjCj, Q|rj,pmtn|∑jCj, P|rj|∑jCj, Q|rj,pmtn|∑jwjCj and Q|rj|∑jwjCj. We introduce general probabilistic assumptions about the problem data as a tool to study the online algorithms for these online combinatorial problems. The algorithms do not utilize the underlying probabilistic assumptions in any way. We prove that these online algorithms are almost surely asymptotically optimal. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
Parallelization in time for thermo‐viscoplastic problems in extrusion of aluminium
Authors: Celledoni Elena , Kvamsdal Trond
Published: March 2009

The ParaReal algorithm (C.R. Acad. Sci. Paris 2001; 332:1–6) is a parallel approach for solving numerically systems of ordinary differential equations by exploiting parallelism across the steps of the numerical integrator. The method performs well for dissipative problems and problems of fluid–structure interaction (Int. J. Numer. Methods Engng 2003; 58:1397–1434). We consider here a convergence analysis for the method and we report the performance achieved from the parallelization of a Stokes/Navier–Stokes code via the ParaReal algorithm. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information asymmetries as trade barriers: ISO 9000 increases international commerce
Authors: Potoski Matthew , Prakash Aseem
Published: March 2009

Spatial, cultural, and linguistic barriers create information asymmetries between buyers and sellers that impede international trade. The International Organization for Standardization's ISO 9000 program is designed to reduce these information asymmetries by providing assurance about the product quality of firms that receive its certification. Based on analyses of a panel of 140 countries from 1994 to 2004, we find that ISO 9000 certification levels are associated with increases in countries' bilateral exports, particularly for developing countries' exports, which may be due to their more severe quality assurance challenges. © 2009 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Understanding commenter influence during agency rule development
Authors: Naughton Keith , Schmid Celeste , Yackee Susan Webb , Zhan Xueyong
Published: March 2009

We provide the first empirical assessment of commenter influence during the rule development stage of administrative rulemaking. We argue that public com‐menters play a critical agenda‐setting role during rule development. To test this proposition, we analyze data from 36 Department of Transportation rules and almost 500 comments. Each of these rules began with an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—a procedure that allows us to track the formal participation of interested parties during rule development. Our analyses are supplemented by face‐to‐face interviews with agency officials. We find a strong agenda‐setting role for early commenters—both in terms of affecting the content of future regulations and in thwarting unwanted regulations. We conclude that “early‐bird” com‐menters are well positioned to frame public policy debates as rules move through the regulatory process. © 2009 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Lamb Wave Interactions with Non‐symmetric Features at Structural Boundaries
Authors: Mofakhami M. R. , Boller C.
Published: March 2009

The paper initially describes on a numerical basis how a Lamb wave would have to perform that has been initiated in a pure mode (either symmetric or anti–symmetric) and what the wave would have to anticipate in terms of mode conversion when being reflected at a surface not perpendicular to its traveling direction. The effects of changing in geometric specifications of non–symmetric artificial features like angle of sloping edge or partially sloping edges are studied. The results obtained from these studies are presented as the reflected and converted parts of the incident wave versus angle of the edge or percentage of the sloped edge. It has been further shown that Lamb waves being generated experimentally by a finite size transducer into a plate like structure thus most likely result in a combination of modes. Reflection of these combined modes at structural boundaries will therefore generate an even more complex coupling of modes. This situation is further aggravated if the structural boundary is not purely perpendicular to the traveling wave but has a slightly varying angle such as it might have to be anticipated at a countersunk rivet, a notch or even more extreme a crack in a metallic component. However from understanding the background of Lamb wave generation, mode separation and superposition, a systematic approach can be established that allows complex Lamb waves, such as they are observed when monitoring true structures, to be interpreted and understood. This approach has been explained on the basis of numerical result obtained from finite element analyses first before proving the findings by some fundamental experiments performed with variable angle beam transducers which demonstrates the difficulties in de–coupling Lamb wave modes and how to handle those coupled modes in terms of structural condition monitoring. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fear of cancer progression and cancer‐related intrusive cognitions in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Mehnert Anja , Berg Petra , Henrich Gerhard , Herschbach Peter
Published: March 2009

Objective: To assess the character and frequency of fear of progression (FoP) and to clarify its relationship with cancer‐related intrusive cognitions in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A sample of 1083 patients was recruited in this cross‐sectional study through a population‐based Cancer Registry an average of 47 month following diagnosis (66% response rate). Participants completed self‐report measures assessing fear of cancer progression (FoP‐Q‐SF), posttraumatic stress‐disorder symptoms (PCL‐C), coping strategies (DWI) and quality of life (QoL) (SF‐8).

Results: In total, 23.6% of women were classified as having moderate to high FoP. Being nervous prior to doctors' appointments or examinations and being afraid of relying on strangers for activities of daily living were the most frequent fears. FoP was significantly associated with younger age, having children, disease progress, chemotherapy, perceived amount of impairments, physical and mental QoL, but not with time since initial diagnosis. Intrusive cognitions were screened in 37% of the sample. We found significant correlations between FoP and intrusive thoughts (r=0.63), avoidance (r=0.57), hyperarousal (r=0.54) and posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis (r=0.42). Factors significantly associated with moderate and high FoP included a depressive coping style as well as an active problem‐oriented coping style, intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms (Nagelkerke's R2=0.44).

Conclusions: Findings of this study give information regarding the frequency and the character of anxiety in breast cancer survivors and underline the relation of FoP to the reality of living with breast cancer. Results suggest that intrusive cognitions as well as avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms seem to be closely related to future‐oriented fears of cancer recurrence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel communication role for CYP17A1 in the progression of castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Locke Jennifer A. , Fazli Ladan , Adomat Hans , Smyl Jil , Weins Kristin , Lubik Amy A. , Hales Dale B. , Nelson Colleen C. , Gleave Martin E. , Tomlinson Guns Emma S.
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND

CYP17A1 is currently a target for total androgen blockade in advanced prostate cancer (CaP) patients. After castration, or removal of testicular androgens, CYP17A1 can act as a rate‐limiting enzyme in androgen synthesis from cholesterol or other adrenal precursors within the tumor microenvironment ultimately contributing to disease progression. Herein we provide evidence that CYP17A1 could also be a mediator of cell‐to‐cell communication within the CaP tumor microenvironment.

METHODS

CYP17A1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of human tumor sections and Western blot analysis of CaP patients' serum and exosome isolates. CYP17A1 activity assays were conducted in human serum (and positive control human liver and kidney microsomes) using progesterone as a precursor and an LC‐MS endpoint.

RESULTS

These studies revealed that the expression pattern of CYP17A1 is typical of a secretory protein as it is localized to the luminal pole of the cells in exocrine secretory mode. CYP17A1 is expressed in human serum and in fact is elevated in the serum of CaP patients as compared to healthy controls. Serum CYP17A1 activity could not be confirmed, however, verification of CYP17A1 expression in exosomes suggests a role in cell‐to‐cell communication within the tumor microenvironment.

CONCLUSIONS

CYP17A1 is a crucial enzyme for de novo androgen synthesis within the tumor microenvironment after removal of testicular androgens by castration. We provide evidence for a novel role for CYP17A1 in serum and further reiterate the importance of targeting this enzyme in CaP progression. Prostate 69: 928–937, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temperature‐dependent hard X‐ray photoemission spectra of ternary Tl compounds with high Seebeck coefficient
Authors: Mimura Kojiro , Ishizu Takahiko , Yamamoto Kazuya , Takasu Junta , Yonehira Yuri , Wakita Kazuki , Mamedov Nazim , Taguchi Yukihiro , Ichikawa Kouichi , Yan Ke , Ikenaga Eiji , Kobayashi Keisuke
Published: March 2009

The temperature dependence of the core‐level and valence‐band electronic structures of TlGaTe2 and TlInSe2 that exhibits high values of Seebeck coefficient has been studied by hard X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy over the temperature range 40–450 K. The relative peak position and peak width for Tl 4f, Ga 2p and Te 3d in TlGaTe2 are determined. It is shown that not only chemical shift defying the peak position but also electron‐phonon interaction responsible for temperature line‐broadening has rather peculiar temperature behaviour that reflects incommensurate phase transition. Thermoelectric power of TlGaTe2 is evaluated and found to be very close to that of TlInSe2. It is shown that Tl 4f spectra of both compounds also display close similarity (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and magnetic properties of Mn‐doped ZnSiAs2/Si heterostructures
Authors: Kochura Aleksey , Fedorchenko Irina , Laiho Reino , Lashkul Alexander , Lähderanta Erkki , Marenkin Sergey , Zakharov Ivan
Published: March 2009

Mn‐doped ZnSiAs2/Si heterostructures were grown by vacuum‐thermal deposition of ZnAs2 and Mn layers on Si substrates followed by annealing. The surface contained a ZnSiAs2 film, but also micro‐crystals with a composition close to ZnAs2 or ZnSiAs2‐Si‐SiAs eutectic. The temperature and field dependencies of the magnetization were measured. Two types of magnetic phases were detected: a paramagnetic one with the mean magnetic moment of 7.6 Bohr magnetons, formed by Mn2+ ions, and a ferromagnetic one with Curie temperature 340 K in 50 kOe magnetic field, formed by MnAs clusters. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermally activated cation ordering in Zn0.5Mn0.5Ga2Se4 single crystals studied by Raman scattering
Authors: Alonso‐Gutiérrez P. , Sanjuán M. L. , Morón M. C.
Published: March 2009

Order/disorder phenomena in Zn0.5Mn0.5Ga2Se4 related to changes in the cation occupancies are studied by Raman scattering. The cation distribution can be modified by submitting the sample to a controlled heating and cooling cycle. Three different stages of order/disorder type were observed. On heating above an onset temperature of ≈250 °C, the partially disordered as‐grown material (I ‐42m space group) evolves toward an ordered configuration with I ‐4 space group. At a temperature close to 500 °C the samples undergoes an order/disorder phase transition to a partially disordered structure that maintains the ordered stoichiometric vacancies. Slow cooling across the phase transition allows the cations to equilibrate and results in an almost fully ordered cation distribution at RT. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Debye temperatures and Grueneisen parameters of chain TlSe and TlInSe2
Authors: Mamedov Nazim , Wakita Kazuki , Orudzhev Guseyn , Shim YongGu , Mimura Kojiro , Schorr Susan , Hamidov Sadig , Kishigui Koiru , Jafarova Vusala , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: March 2009

Debye temperatures and Grueneisen parameters of chain TlSe and TlInSe2 were calculated using our earlier obtained ab‐initio results on phonon band structure and existed experimental data on thermal expansion coefficient. For both compounds, the values of heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) were found to obey cubic law at temperatures less than 2 K. The Debye temperatures were determined to be 95 K and 96 K for TlSe and TInSe2, respectively. The unit cells of TlSe and TInSe2 were relaxed by minimizing Hellman‐Feynman forces and the total energy dependence on the unit cell volume was obtained. The bulk modulus (B0) values in Murnaghan and Birch‐Murnaghan equations of state were shown to be very close to each other. By using above B0 and Cv, as well as available experimental data on linear expansion, the heat capacity at constant pressure (CP) was evaluated. Comparison with experimental CP in a wide temperature range showed a good agreement for TlInSe2 and a noticeable discrepancy for TlSe at temperatures above 170 K. The calculated Grueneisen parameter of TlInSe2 showed a tendency to saturation in a region above Debye temperature. The situation with TlSe is not clear because of the ambiguous character of the available experimental data on thermal expansion. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
NMR shifts for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from first‐principles
Authors: Thonhauser T. , Ceresoli Davide , Marzari Nicola
Published: March 2009

We present first‐principles, density‐functional theory calculations of the NMR chemical shifts for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, starting with benzene and increasing sizes up to the one‐ and two‐dimensional infinite limits of graphene ribbons and sheets. Our calculations are performed using a combination of the recently developed theory of orbital magnetization in solids, and a novel approach to NMR calculations where chemical shifts are obtained from the derivative of the orbital magnetization with respect to a microscopic, localized magnetic dipole. Using these methods we study on equal footing the 1H and 13 shifts in benzene, pyrene, coronene, in naphthalene, anthracene, naphthacene, and pentacene, and finally in graphene, graphite, and an infinite graphene ribbon. Our results show very good agreement with experiments and allow us to characterize the trends for the chemical shifts as a function of system size. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009