bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of incremental speed-dependent treadmill training on postural instability and fear of falling in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cakit Burcu Duyur , Saracoglu Meryem , Genc Hakan , Erdem Hatice Rana , Inan Levent
Published: September 2007

Objective : To detect the effectiveness of incremental speed-dependent treadmill training on postural instability, dynamic balance and fear of falling in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Design : Randomized controlled trial.

Setting : Ankara Education and Research Hospital, 2nd PM&R Clinic, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Unit.

Subjects : Fifty-four patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease in stage 2 or 3 of the Hoehn Yahr staging entered, and 31 patients (21 training, 10 control) had outcome data.

Interventions : Postural instability of patients with Parkinson's disease was assessed using the motor component of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Test, Dynamic Gait Index and Falls Efficacy Scale. Twenty-one patients with Parkinson's disease participated in an eight-week exercise programme using incremental speed-dependent treadmill training. Before and after the training programme, balance, gait, fear of falling and walking distance and speed on treadmill were assessed in both Parkinson's disease groups.

Main measures : Walking distance and speed on treadmill, UPDRS, Berg Balance Test, Dynamic Gait Index and Falls Efficacy Scale.

Results : Initial total walking distance of the training group on treadmill was 266.45 ± 82.14 m and this was progressively increased to 726.36 ± 93.1 m after 16 training session (P < 0.001). Tolerated maximum speed of the training group on treadmill at baseline was 1.9 ± 0.75 km/h and improved to 2.61 ± 0.77 km/h (P < 0.001). Berg Balance Test, Dynamic Gait Index and Falls Efficacy Scale scores of the training group were improved significantly after the training programme (P < 0.01). There was no significant improvement in any of the outcome measurements in the control group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions : Specific exercise programmes using incremental speed-dependent treadmill training may improve mobility, reduce postural instability and fear of falling in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The rapid resolution of depression and anxiety symptoms after lower limb amputation
Authors: Singh Rajiv , Hunter John , Philip Alistair
Published: September 2007

Objective : To ascertain the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms shortly after amputation and again after a period of inpatient rehabilitation.

Design and settings : A cohort study in inpatients admitted to a rehabilitation ward after lower limb amputation.

Subjects : One hundred and five successive admissions over a one-year period. Interventions : Nil.

Main measures : Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on admission and discharge with correlation to demographic and patient features.

Results : At admission, 28 (26.7%) and 26 (24.8%) patients had symptoms of depression and anxiety respectively. This dropped to 4 (3.8%) and 5 (4.8%) by time of discharge, a mean of 54.3 days later. These reductions were statistically significant, as was the association between patients having symptoms of both depression and anxiety (P < 0.001). Patient stay was longer in those with symptoms (depression, P < 0.03; anxiety P < 0.001). There was no association with level of amputation, success of limb-fitting, age or gender. Depressive symptoms were associated with presence of other medical conditions (P < 0.01) and anxiety scores with living in isolation (P < 0.05).

Conclusion : Depression and anxiety are commonly reported after lower limb amputation and previously thought to remain high for up to 10 years. We have found that levels of both depression and anxiety resolve rapidly. It is possible that a period of rehabilitation teaching new skills and improving patient independence and mobility may modify the previous bleak outlook of amputees. This positive finding may be useful in the rehabilitation of even the most distressed of amputees.
Additional exercise for older subacute hospital inpatients to prevent falls: benefits and barriers to implementation and evaluation
Authors: Haines Terry P. , Hill Keith D. , Bennell Kim L. , Osborne Richard H.
Published: September 2007

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and implementation of a falls prevention exercise programme for preventing falls in the subacute hospital setting.

Design: Randomized controlled trial, subgroup analysis.

Participants: Patients of a metropolitan subacute/aged rehabilitation hospital who were recommended for a falls prevention exercise programme when enrolled in a larger randomized controlled trial of a falls prevention programme.

Methods: Participants in both the control and intervention groups who were recommended for the exercise programme intervention were followed for the duration of their hospital stay to determine if falls occurred. Participants had their balance, strength and mobility assessed upon referral for the exercise programme and then again prior to discharge. Participation rates in the exercise programme were also recorded.

Results: Intervention group participants in this subgroup analysis had a significantly lower incidence of falls than their control group counterparts (control: 16.0 falls/1000 participant-days, intervention: 8.2 falls/1000 participant-days, log-rank test: P = 0.007). However few differences in secondary balance, strength and mobility outcomes were evident.

Conclusion: This exercise programme provided in addition to usual care may assist in the prevention of falls in the subacute hospital setting.
The use of long-term low-molecular weight heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in palliative care patients with advanced cancer: a case series of sixty two patients
Authors: Noble S.I.R. , Hood K. , Finlay I.G.
Published: September 2007

The advantages of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) over warfarin, in the treatment of cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) are well reported. However the studies supporting LMWH include few patients representative of the palliative care population. Although LMWH has advantages over warfarin it is still unclear, within the palliative care environment, how long anticoagulation should be continued, what dose of LMWH should be used and whether palliative care patients experience different complication rates such as bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and osteoporosis.

We report a case series of 62 patients with advanced malignancy and VTE treated with long-term LMWH according to either the CLOT (full dose) or Monreal (reduced dose) regime. Seventy-four percent of patients self-administered LMWH, whereas 24% had it given by a carer and 2% by the district nurse. LMWH was given for median duration of 97 days; the most common reason for discontinuation of therapy being admission to die or commencement of the care pathway (n = 50, 81%). A further 11% (n = 7) stopped after 6 months of treatment. Of these 3 (43%) developed clinical symptomatic recurrence of VTE. The overall minor bleeding rate was 8.1% (95% confidence interval 3.5—17.5%), and this was not associated with NSAID or steroid use. No major bleeding events were observed. No patients developed evidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or osteoporosis.

Long-term LMWH appears effective in treatment of VTE in the palliative care population with advanced cancer. A randomised control trial is required to identify the best dose required to ensure optimum efficacy and safety. Palliative Medicine 2007;21 : 473—476
Effect of Impactor Parameters and Laminate Characteristics on Impact Response and Damage in Curved Composite Laminates
Authors: Kumar Surendra , Nageswara Rao B. , Pradhan B.
Published: September 2007

The impact response and the impact-induced damage in a curved composite laminate subjected to transverse impact by a metallic impactor are studied using a three-dimensional finite element method. Several example problems of a graphite/epoxy cylindrical shell are considered and effects of impactor parameter (impactor velocity and impactor mass) and laminate characteristics (shell curvature and fiber orientation of plies) are established. Impact-induced damages (matrix cracking and delamination) are predicted using appropriate three-dimensional stress-based failure criteria. In order to take account of degradation of material due to damage during the impact, the stiffness matrix of the failed region of the laminate is reduced as the solution progresses.
Composition-graded Films of Fluoroapatite/PHB Fabricated via Electrospinning for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zhao D.M. , Wang Y.X. , Xu R.W. , Wu G. , Zhang L.Q. , Yu D.S. , Cui F.Z. , Chen D.F. , Tian W.
Published: September 2007

Composition-graded films (CGF) of fluoroapatite (FAP) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) were prepared via electrospinning solutions of FAP and PHB using a gradient composition of CGF. Thermal properties, mechanical properties and surface morphology of the films were investigated. Designed thermal and mechanical properties obtained by precise control of the composition gradient of the FAP/PHB CGF. The introduction of FAP in pure PHB film significantly changed the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and extension rate of the pure PHB. Mouse fibroblast cells (L-929) were cultured on FAP/PHB uniform-films; the MTT test and cell morphology analysis indicate good biocompatibility of the modified CGF. This new method of processing makes CGF a potential candidate as an electrospinning scaffold material for tissue engineering.
In Vitro Evaluation of Drug Solubility and Gamma Irradiation on the Release of Betamethasone under Simulated In Vivo Conditions
Authors: Rafienia Mohammad , Mirzadeh Hamid , Mirzadeh Hamid , Mobedi Hamid , Jamshidi Ahmad
Published: September 2007

In situ—forming biodegradable polymeric systems loaded with betamethasone (BTM) and betamethasone acetate (BTMA) (5, 7, and 10% (w/w)) were prepared using poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (33% (w/w)), ethyl heptanoate (5% (w/w)), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as biodegradable material, additive, and solvent, respectively. The effects of gamma irradiation, drug loading, and solvent removal on release profiles were evaluated. The drug release in phosphate-buffered solution (pH = 7.4, 37°C) was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The release profiles of irradiated and nonirradiated formulations based on BTMA showed a three-phase release pattern, whereas the pattern for BTM was biphasic. Gamma irradiation had no significant effect on the BTMA release profiles ( p>0.05). Unexpectedly, irradiation had a significant effect on release behavior of BTM ( p<0.05); also, the rate of BTM release was decreased with an increase in drug loading up to 10%. The amount of BTM that was released in the burst phase decreased by about 1.4 and 1.5 times for 7 and 10% BTM loading, respectively. The duration of BTM release was more than that of BTMA. Changes in hydrophobicity and hydrogen bonding had a strong effect on the release behavior of the two forms of BTM from the in situ—forming systems.
The Sources and Uses of Funds for Community Development Financial Institutions: The Role of the Nonprofit Intermediary
Authors: Smith Brent C.
Published: September 2007

The interorganizational connections maintained by community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are examined with data obtained from a survey of CDFI executive directors and three case studies. The network actors are observed across three dimensions: collaboration, resource dependence, and information exchange, from the perspective of an intermediary organization. The following analysis, couched in the theory of efficient network structure, illustrates that governance structures within the CDFI industry involve an identifiable cohort of public, nonprofit, and private sector actors, and these associations facilitate a system of network links across an expansive array of resource needs.
UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: ESD Section
Published: September 2007

This article has been compiled from materials produced and collected by UNESCO and partner organisations committed to advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Due to the great diversity in the implementation of the DESD at regional, national and local levels, this report highlights trends and developments that have emerged during the first two years of the Decade. While there is general agreement on principles of sustainability and supporting concepts, there are nuanced differences according to local contexts, priorities and approaches. Each country must define its own sustainability and education priorities and actions. In addition, there is great variety in the responses to the implementation of the Decade in terms of the chosen formats of committees and teams which countries have adopted in their respective contexts. Furthermore, the article highlights some of the many challenges that must be successfully dealt with for the successful implementation of DESD policies, and to achieve its goals.
International Workshop on the UNDESD, Bonn, Germany
Authors: Calder Wynn , Leicht Alexander
Published: September 2007

Education experts from over 35 countries gathered in Bonn on 28 and 29 November 2006 for an international workshop on the UNDESD to analyse how the concept of ESD is being perceived the world over and what are the commonalities and differences in the approaches to and the practice of ESD. The workshop acknowledged that while in some ways the conceptualisation of ESD is universal, there are certain regional as well as country-specific differences that cause considerable variation in the DESD priorities for each region. The participants identified the major similarities and differences, posed some crucial questions and reflected on the possible challenges for ESD.
Linking Theory With Practice: Theory-Derived Interventions in Prevention and Family Therapy
Authors: L'Abate Luciano , Cusinato Mario
Published: September 2007

This article shows how it is possible to progress from evaluations to direct interventions in prevention and family therapy. Models derived from a developmental relational theory of competence socialization in intimate relationships can be applied when evaluation is linked directly to specific intervention. The theory is linked to normative and nonnormative dimensions isomorphic with classifications from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—IV. In addition to verbally based interventions, nonverbal prescriptive tasks derived from models of the theory can also be administered as homework assignments. Self-help written workbooks or protocols derived from theoretical models can also be administered as alternative or additional structured interventions.
Highly Educated Stay-at-Home Mothers: A Study of Commitment and Conflict
Authors: Rubin Stacey E. , Wooten H. Ray
Published: September 2007

Women continue to take on financial responsibility for their families while remaining the primary caretaker of the children. The tension between the dual roles of mother and professional leads some women to trade their career for more time with their children. This qualitative study investigated the lived experience of 10 highly educated stay-at-home mothers using individual in-depth interviews. The dominant themes encompassed the decision to stay home, the benefits and challenges of staying home, and the need for self-care. Findings indicate that women who have achieved a high degree of education and professional success and stay home full-time face a complex range of emotions and experiences significant to counselors working with this population.
Inclusion of Sexuality in Relationship Education Programs
Authors: Lieser Monica L. , Tambling Rachel B. , Bischof Gary H. , Murry Nikita
Published: September 2007

Physical affection and sexual relations are important aspects of most couple relationships. This article examines the extent to which physical intimacy and sexuality are addressed in prominent premarital and relationship education programs in the United States. The six programs reviewed are Premarital Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), Couples Communication (CC), The Marriage Survival Kit, Relationship Enhancement (RE), PREPARE/ENRICH, and Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS). Brief summaries of each program's attention to sexuality are provided. The authors offer recommendations for the inclusion of sexuality in relationship education programs, with particular focus on more specific attention to sexuality, and expanded consideration of sexuality for diverse forms of couples, such as same-sex or cohabitating couples.
The Relationship Between Self-Worth and Marital Infidelity: A Pilot Study
Authors: Eaves Susan H. , Robertson-Smith Misty
Published: September 2007

Marital infidelity is becoming increasingly common in today's marriages. Prior research identifies numerous factors that may provide impetus for cheating on a spouse. Though self-worth has been included as one of many potential variables in several studies, it has not been examined exclusively. We examined the relationship between self-worth and the occurrence of marital infidelity. Three different data collection methods were employed as part of the pilot study in an attempt to identify the most beneficial method for future data collection efforts. In addition, data were analyzed to test for differences in self-worth levels by gender for those who have and have not cheated.
The Plurality of Cognitive Formats and Engagements
Authors: Thévenot Laurent
Published: September 2007

Cognitive forms vary considerably as a human being detaches herself from what is closest and most personal and moves to communicate — in the broad sense of taking part in a common matter — across increasing relational distances. The article proposes to deal with the variety of cognitive formats which cannot `commonize' cognition to an equal degree, relating them to a set of regimes of engagement with the world that are identified in terms of the dependency between the human agent and her environment. The good that engagement aims to guarantee orients how reality is grasped and specifies the format of what constitutes relevant information. This analysis offers new insight into the composition of communities as well as persons who have to cope with the plurality of cognitive formats and engagements from the very familiar to the most public.
The Rutgers School
Authors: Brekhus Wayne
Published: September 2007

In this article, the Zerubavelian culturalist cognitive paradigm which comprises an emerging Rutgers School of Sociology is presented. This perspective employs a comparative cognitive pluralist approach to the study of cognition and takes as its central premise that the mind is social. The key roots of the perspective in Simmelian classical sociology and in the twentieth-century sociology of knowledge approaches of Fleck, Mannheim, Berger and Luckmann and others are outlined. The key concepts and parameters of the field and its concern with perception, attention, classification, meaning-making, memory, time and identity are discussed. Finally, its methodological approach is outlined and it is suggested that the Zerubavelian perspective provides a unique analytic literacy that cuts across the various subfields of contemporary sociology.
Stethoscopes: a study of contamination and the effectiveness of disinfection procedures
Authors: Waghorn D.J. , Wan W.Y. , Greaves C. , Whittome N. , Bosley H.C. , Cantrill S.
Published: September 2007

tethoscopes are universally used by healthcare professionals. They can come into contact with numerous patients and may harbour organisms that can be transferred between individuals. Wycombe hospital has a policy that stethoscopes should be disinfected with a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab after each patient use. A study was undertaken to assess the degree of stethoscope contamination and the effectiveness of the disinfection procedure.

A randomly chosen group of healthcare professionals submitted their stethoscopes for microbiological analysis. A selection of ward-based stethoscopes were also tested. Personal stethoscopes were then disinfected with an alcohol wipe and re-sampled.

All stethoscopes showed bacterial contamination before disinfection, the highest concentration of organisms being seen on doctors' stethoscopes. Skin flora was grown from all samples and 12% grew Staphylococcus aureus. Following decontamination, bacterial levels were greatly reduced, but three contaminated stethoscopes remained heavily colonised even after the disinfection procedure.

Staff need to be made more aware of the need to routinely disinfect stethoscopes correctly between each patient use. The increased placement of bed- or ward-specific stethoscopes needs to be considered.
Behold a pale horse: confronting 21st century plagues
Authors: Pratt R.
Published: September 2007

his is adapted from a keynote address given at the 2006 ICNA annual conference in Brighton on 26 September.
Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis: a new threat to global public health
Authors: Pratt R.J.
Published: September 2007

Throughout the world, eight million people develop active tuberculosis (TB) each year and 5,000 of them will die from this disease every day. Although treatable and curable, globally about 3% of all newly-diagnosed patients have multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR TB) making their treatment complicated, expensive and uncertain. In September 2006 the World Health Organization announced a further worsening of the MDR TB pandemic with multiple reports in all regions of the world of the emergence of extensively resistant (XDR) strains of TB resistant to virtually all antituberculosis drugs. XDR TB may become the primary health scourge of the 21st century and in this brief report, the current status of our understanding of this new peril is discussed.
Using computer technology to deliver an infection control update on hand hygiene
Authors: Columbine A.M. , Wharrad H.J.
Published: September 2007

Media coverage of life-threatening hospital infections highlights the importance of ongoing infection control education for healthcare workers. Using computer technology to deliver infection control updates to healthcare workers has the advantage of being accessible throughout the 24-hour shift pattern. The update can therefore be undertaken at a time to suit the healthcare worker and their workload.

This paper describes the development process required to produce a computer-aided learning (CAL) package on hand hygiene, suitable for use as an infection control update for hospital nurses. It outlines the resources and costs involved and the technical problems encountered in implementation.

It was trialled by 12 nurses who found it an enjoyable and acceptable method of updating. It provides useful information and recommendations for other clinical educators, who may be considering this method of update delivery.
Learning through `being' and `doing'
Authors: Grant Suzanne
Published: September 2007

Our research may not emerge in the tidy, linear manner often described in research papers, and hoped for outcomes may never eventuate. Amid this seeming confusion, researchers may experience personal discomfort and perceptions of failure. Drawing on my experiences as a doctoral candidate I address two of the areas for which my own reading of literature left me ill-prepared. I focus first on the emergent nature of action research, and second on the contributions reflection can make to our development as action researchers. Students and teachers of action research are encouraged to appreciate the richness and variety of experiences which interaction and engagement in the research process may bring, for it is these activities which shape our development as researchers.
Action research pedagogy in a new cultural setting
Authors: Barazangi Nimat Hafez
Published: September 2007

I discuss a unique action research (AR) pedagogical experience of professors at four public universities (Damascus, Aleppo, Al-Ba'ath, and Tishreen) in the Syrian Arab Republic. The approach in this experience began by contextualizing some lessons and experiences of AR pedagogy at Cornell University and issues about university reform in a very different cultural and academic setting, under the program `Higher Education and Training Program in Contemporary Social Sciences' (HETPCSS). This collaborative program in Syria was a unique opportunity to address new dimensions of action research in a developing country, where a real gap exists in paying attention to many aspects of conducting any serious research in the social sciences and the humanities. The program was intended to partially remedy this gap through introducing AR in Syria. Few are those universities in the US or Europe that have contextualized AR and the relation between university and society in an effective pro-social way. The experience of the Syrian universities is unique in that some of their professors are being educated in AR despite the adverse national political and economic conditions. One may even suggest that we are able to educate these professors in action research because of the contemporary adverse conditions.
Crime and Criminal Policy in Italy
Authors: Maffei Stefano , Merzagora Betsos Isabella
Published: September 2007

This paper investigates the development of criminology research in Italy and places it in the context of broader considerations of the country's policies on crime and criminal justice. An overview of Italian research on crime and criminology reveals the versatility of Italian literature and jurisprudence; it also indicates that `new' forms of criminality (such as white-collar crimes, sexual offences and the crimes of immigrants) are being discussed alongside the more traditional topics of murder, crimes against property and organized crime. Furthermore, this survey attempts to clarify why, in Italy, the level of public confidence in the criminal justice system is so low, despite the numerous recent reforms and the official crime rates, according to which Italy is within the European norm for most categories of offences.
Conflict On the Courts
Authors: Fields Sarah K. , Collins Christy L. , Comstock R. Dawn
Published: September 2007

Sports-related violence is a form of interpersonal violence. Violence that occurs in and around the sporting world can have potentially severe physical and psychological repercussions for those involved. Although scholars in a wide range of disciplines have addressed three of the subsets of sports-related violence, they have done so without regard to the interconnected nature of the subsets, choosing instead to look at hazing, brawling, and foul play as independent problems. By separating hazing, brawling, and foul play and failing to recognize that their connection to sport connects them, scholars fail to see how sports-related violence is a broad example of interpersonal violence. This review describes some of the academic literature, primarily from the United States, and identifies similar themes and prevention suggestions that appear across disciplines. It also argues that the three subsets are an interconnected whole of sports-related violence that deserves more detailed study.
CD3+CD4low and CD3+CD8low are induced by HLA-G: novel human peripheral blood suppressor T-cell subsets involved in transplant acceptance
Authors: Naji Abderrahim , Le Rond Solene , Durrbach Antoine , Krawice-Radanne Irene , Creput Caroline , Daouya Marina , Caumartin Julien , LeMaoult Joel , Carosella Edgardo D. , Rouas-Freiss Nathalie
Published: September 2007

HLA-G is a tolerogenic molecule whose detection in sera and within allografted tissues is associated with better graft acceptance. HLA-G mediates T-cell differentiation into suppressor cells, which are thought to promote tolerance. Here, we investigated such T cells phenotypically and functionally and assessed their clinical relevance in the peripheral blood of patients who have undergone transplantation. Our results demonstrate that HLA-G expressed by antigen-presenting cells or present as soluble protein down-regulates the expression of CD4 and CD8 on allostimulated T cells at both transcriptional and posttranslational levels. These CD3+CD4low and CD3+CD8low T-cell subsets are characterized by an increased proportion of cells expressing CD45RA and HLA-DR, and a decreased number of cells expressing CD62L. In addition, these HLA-G–induced CD3+CD4low and CD3+CD8low subpopulations are Foxp3-negative suppressor T cells whose function involves IL-10. Biologic relevance came from analysis of patients who underwent transplantation, with high HLA-G plasma concentrations associated with better graft survival. Peripheral blood from these patients contains increased levels of IL-10 concomitantly to an enhanced representation of CD3+CD4low and CD3+CD8low T cells compared with HLA-G–negative patients who underwent transplantation and healthy individuals. These data define novel immunosuppressive subpopulations of peripheral blood T cells induced by HLA-G with potent implications in peripheral tolerance.
Erythropoiesis and iron metabolism in dominant erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Holme S. Alexander , Worwood Mark , Anstey Alexander V. , Elder George H. , Badminton Michael N.
Published: September 2007

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) results from deficiency of ferrochelatase (FECH). Accumulation of protoporphyrin IX causes life-long acute photosensitivity. Microcytic anemia occurs in 20% to 60% of patients. We investigated 178 patients with dominant EPP confirmed by molecular analysis. Erythropoiesis was impaired in all patients; all had a downward shift in hemoglobin (Hb), and the mean decreased in males by 12 g/L (1.2 g/dL). By World Health Organization criteria, 48% of women and 33% of men were anemic. Iron stores, assessed by serum ferritin (sFn), were decreased by two-thirds, but normal serum soluble transferrin receptor-1 and iron concentrations suggested that erythropoiesis was not limited by iron supply. FECH deficiency in EPP appears to lead to a steady state in which decreased erythropoiesis is matched by reduced iron absorption and supply. This response may in part be mediated by protoporphyrin, but we found no correlation between erythrocyte protoporphyrin and Hb, sFn, total iron-binding capacity, or transferrin saturation.
The evolution of imprinting: chromosomal mapping of orthologues of mammalian imprinted domains in monotreme and marsupial mammals
Authors: Edwards Carol A , Rens Willem , Clarke Oliver , Mungall Andrew J , Hore Timothy , Graves Jennifer A Marshall , Dunham Ian , Ferguson-Smith Anne C , Ferguson-Smith Malcolm A
Published: September 2007

Background

The evolution of genomic imprinting, the parental-origin specific expression of genes, is the subject of much debate. There are several theories to account for how the mechanism evolved including the hypothesis that it was driven by the evolution of X-inactivation, or that it arose from an ancestrally imprinted chromosome.

Results

Here we demonstrate that mammalian orthologues of imprinted genes are dispersed amongst autosomes in both monotreme and marsupial karyotypes.

Conclusion

These data, along with the similar distribution seen in birds, suggest that imprinted genes were not located on an ancestrally imprinted chromosome or associated with a sex chromosome. Our results suggest imprinting evolution was a stepwise, adaptive process, with each gene/cluster independently becoming imprinted as the need arose.
Apparent survival of the salamander Salamandra salamandra is low because of high migratory activity
Authors: Schmidt Benedikt R , Schaub Michael , Steinfartz Sebastian
Published: September 2007

Background

Understanding the demographic processes underlying population dynamics is a central theme in ecology. Populations decline if losses from the population (i.e., mortality and emigration) exceed gains (i.e., recruitment and immigration). Amphibians are thought to exhibit little movement even though local populations often fluctuate dramatically and are likely to go exinct if there is no rescue effect through immigration from nearby populations. Terrestrial salamanders are generally portrayed as amphibians with low migratory activity. Our study uses demographic analysis as a key to unravel whether emigration or mortality is the main cause of "losses" from the population. In particular, we use the analysis to challenge the common belief that terrestrial salamanders show low migratory activity.

Results

The mark-recapture analysis of adult salamanders showed that monthly survival was high (> 90%) without a seasonal pattern. These estimates, however, translate into rather low rates of local annual survival of only ~40% and suggest that emigration was important. The estimated probability of emigration was 49%.

Conclusion

Our analysis shows that terrestrial salamanders exhibit more migratory activity than commonly thought. This may be due either because the spatial extent of salamander populations is underestimated or because there is a substantial exchange of individuals between populations. Our current results are in line with several other studies that suggest high migratory activity in amphibians. In particular, many amphibian populations may be characterized by high proportions of transients and/or floaters.
Comparison of direct machine parameter optimization versus fluence optimization with sequential sequencing in IMRT of hypopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Dobler Barbara , Pohl Fabian , Bogner Ludwig , Koelbl Oliver
Published: September 2007

Background

To evaluate the effects of direct machine parameter optimization in the treatment planning of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for hypopharyngeal cancer as compared to subsequent leaf sequencing in Oncentra Masterplan v1.5.

Methods

For 10 hypopharyngeal cancer patients IMRT plans were generated in Oncentra Masterplan v1.5 (Nucletron BV, Veenendal, the Netherlands) for a Siemens Primus linear accelerator.

For optimization the dose volume objectives (DVO) for the planning target volume (PTV) were set to 53 Gy minimum dose and 59 Gy maximum dose, in order to reach a dose of 56 Gy to the average of the PTV. For the parotids a median dose of 22 Gy was allowed and for the spinal cord a maximum dose of 35 Gy. The maximum DVO to the external contour of the patient was set to 59 Gy. The treatment plans were optimized with the direct machine parameter optimization ("Direct Step & Shoot", DSS, Raysearch Laboratories, Sweden) newly implemented in Masterplan v1.5 and the fluence modulation technique ("Intensity Modulation", IM) which was available in previous versions of Masterplan already. The two techniques were compared with regard to compliance to the DVO, plan quality, and number of monitor units (MU) required per fraction dose.

Results

The plans optimized with the DSS technique met the DVO for the PTV significantly better than the plans optimized with IM (p = 0.007 for the min DVO and p < 0.0005 for the max DVO). No significant difference could be observed for compliance to the DVO for the organs at risk (OAR) (p > 0.05). Plan quality, target coverage and dose homogeneity inside the PTV were superior for the plans optimized with DSS for similar dose to the spinal cord and lower dose to the normal tissue. The mean dose to the parotids was lower for the plans optimized with IM. Treatment plan efficiency was higher for the DSS plans with (901 ± 160) MU compared to (1151 ± 157) MU for IM (p-value < 0.05).

Renormalization of the IM plans to the mean of the dose to 95% of the PTV (D95) of the DSS plans, resulted in similar target coverage and dose to the parotids for both strategies, at the cost of a significantly higher dose to the normal tissue and maximum dose to the target. The relative volume of the PTV receiving 107% or more of the prescription dose V107 increased to 35.5% ± 20.0% for the IM plan as compared to a mean of 0.9% ± 0.9% for the DSS plan.

Conclusion

The direct machine parameter optimization is a major improvement compared to the fluence modulation with subsequent leaf sequencing in Oncentra Masterplan v1.5. The resulting dose distribution complies better with the DVO and better plan quality is achieved for identical specification of DVO. An additional asset is the reduced number of MU as compared to IM.
Tramiprosate, a drug of potential interest for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, promotes an abnormal aggregation of tau
Authors: Santa-Maria Ismael , Hernández Félix , Del Rio Joaquín , Moreno Francisco J , Avila Jesús
Published: September 2007

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of two histopathological hallmarks; the senile plaques, or extracellular deposits mainly composed of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), and the neurofibrillary tangles, or intraneuronal inclusions composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.

Since Aβ aggregates are found in the pathological cases, several strategies are under way to develop drugs that interact with Aβ to reduce its assembly. One of them is 3-amino-1-propane sulfonic acid (Tramiprosate, 3-APS, Alzhemed™), that was developed as a sulfated glycosaminoglycan mimetic, that could interact with Aβ peptide, preventing its aggregation.

However, little is known about the action of 3-APS on tau protein aggregation. In this work, we have tested the action of 3-APS on cell viability, microtubule network, actin organization and tau aggregation. Our results indicate that 3-APS favours tau aggregation, in tau transfected non-neuronal cells, and in neuronal cells. We also found that 3-APS does not affect the binding of tau to microtubules but may prevent the formation of tau-actin aggregates. We like to emphasize the importance of testing on both types of pathology (amyloid and tau) the potential drugs to be used for AD treatment.
Genome wide expression analysis in HPV16 Cervical Cancer: identification of altered metabolic pathways
Authors: Pérez-Plasencia Carlos , Vázquez-Ortiz Guelaguetza , López-Romero Ricardo , Piña-Sanchez Patricia , Moreno José , Salcedo Mauricio
Published: September 2007

Background

Cervical carcinoma (CC) is a leading cause of death among women worldwide. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major etiological factor in CC and HPV 16 is the more frequent viral type present. Our aim was to characterize metabolic pathways altered in HPV 16 tumor samples by means of transcriptome wide analysis and bioinformatics tools for visualizing expression data in the context of KEGG biological pathways.

Results

We found 2,067 genes significantly up or down-modulated (at least 2-fold) in tumor clinical samples compared to normal tissues, representing ~3.7% of analyzed genes. Cervical carcinoma was associated with an important up-regulation of Wnt signaling pathway, which was validated by in situ hybridization in clinical samples. Other up-regulated pathways were those of calcium signaling and MAPK signaling, as well as cell cycle-related genes. There was down-regulation of focal adhesion, TGF-β signaling, among other metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

This analysis of HPV 16 tumors transcriptome could be useful for the identification of genes and molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma. Understanding the possible role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of CC deserves further studies.
Interference by new-generation mobile phones on critical care medical equipment
Authors: van Lieshout Erik Jan , van der Veer Sabine N , Hensbroek Reinout , Korevaar Johanna C , Vroom Margreeth B , Schultz Marcus J
Published: September 2007

Introduction

The aim of the study was to assess and classify incidents of electromagnetic interference (EMI) by second-generation and third-generation mobile phones on critical care medical equipment.

Methods

EMI was assessed with two General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) signals (900 MHz, 2 W, two different time-slot occupations) and one Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) signal (1,947.2 MHz, 0.2 W), corresponding to maximal transmit performance of mobile phones in daily practice, generated under controlled conditions in the proximity of 61 medical devices. Incidents of EMI were classified in accordance with an adjusted critical care event scale.

Results

A total of 61 medical devices in 17 categories (27 different manufacturers) were tested and demonstrated 48 incidents in 26 devices (43%); 16 (33%) were classified as hazardous, 20 (42%) as significant and 12 (25%) as light. The GPRS-1 signal induced the most EMI incidents (41%), the GRPS-2 signal induced fewer (25%) and the UMTS signal induced the least (13%; P < 0.001). The median distance between antenna and medical device for EMI incidents was 3 cm (range 0.1 to 500 cm). One hazardous incident occurred beyond 100 cm (in a ventilator with GRPS-1 signal at 300 cm).

Conclusion

Critical care equipment is vulnerable to EMI by new-generation wireless telecommunication technologies with median distances of about 3 cm. The policy to keep mobile phones '1 meter' from the critical care bedside in combination with easily accessed areas of unrestricted use still seems warranted.
Adaptive Control Variates for Finite-Horizon Simulation
Authors: Kim Sujin , Henderson Shane G.
Published: September 2007

Adaptive Monte Carlo methods are simulation efficiency improvement techniques designed to adaptively tune simulation estimators. Most of the work on adaptive Monte Carlo methods has been devoted to adaptively tuning importance sampling schemes. We instead focus on adaptive methods based on control variate schemes. We introduce two adaptive control variate methods, and develop their asymptotic properties. The first method uses stochastic approximation to adaptively tune control variate estimators. It is easy to implement, but it requires some nontrivial tuning of parameters. The second method is based on sample average approximation. Tuning is no longer required, but it can be computationally expensive. Numerical results for the pricing of barrier options are presented to demonstrate the methods.
The Demand-Matching Problem
Authors: Shepherd F. B. , Vetta A.
Published: September 2007

We examine formulations for the well-known b-matching problem in the presence of integer demands on the edges. A subset M of edges is feasible if for each node v the total demand of edges in M incident to v is at most bv. We examine the system of star inequalities for this problem. This system yields an exact linear description for b-matchings in bipartite graphs. For the demand version, we show that the integrality gap for this system is at least 2.5 and at most 2.764. For general graphs, the gap lies between 3 and 3.264. We also describe a 3-approximation algorithm (2.5 for bipartite graphs) for the cardinality version of the problem. A fully polynomial approximation scheme is also presented for the problem on a tree, thus generalising a well-known result for the knapsack problem. Recently, the notion of demand matching has arisen in the design of Clos network switches.
The “Price of Anarchy” Under Nonlinear and Asymmetric Costs
Authors: Perakis Georgia
Published: September 2007

In this paper we characterize the “price of anarchy,” i.e., the inefficiency between user and system optimal solutions, when costs are nonseparable, asymmetric and nonlinear, generalizing earlier work that has addressed “the price of anarchy” under separable costs. The results in this paper apply primarily to nonatomic games such as the traffic equilibrium problem, but also in competitive multiperiod pricing and competitive supply chain settings. The bounds established in this paper are tight and explicitly account for the degree of asymmetry and nonlinearity of the cost function. We first provide a proof method for problems with a positive definite Jacobian matrix. Subsequently, we use ideas from semidefinite optimization in order to account for problems with a positive semidefinite Jacobian matrix (where the first approach does not apply). This latter connection also provides a different application of semidefinite optimization.
Subgame-Perfect Equilibria for Stochastic Games
Authors: Maitra Ashok P. , Sudderth William D.
Published: September 2007

For an n-person stochastic game with Borel state space S and compact metric action sets A1, A2,…, An, sufficient conditions are given for the existence of subgame-perfect equilibria. One result is that such equilibria exist if the law of motion q(⋯∣ s, a) is, for fixed s, continuous in a = (a1,a2,…,an) for the total variation norm and the payoff functions f1, f2,…,fn are bounded, Borel measurable functions of the sequence of states (s1, s2,…) ∈ Sℕ and, in addition, are continuous when Sℕ is given the product of discrete topologies on S.
Subsolutions of an Isaacs Equation and Efficient Schemes for Importance Sampling
Authors: Dupuis Paul , Wang Hui
Published: September 2007

It was established in Dupuis and Wang [Dupuis, P., H. Wang. 2004. Importance sampling, large deviations, and differential games. Stoch. Stoch. Rep. 76 481–508, Dupuis, P., H. Wang. 2005. Dynamic importance sampling for uniformly recurrent Markov chains. Ann. Appl. Probab. 15 1–38] that importance sampling algorithms for estimating rare-event probabilities are intimately connected with two-person zero-sum differential games and the associated Isaacs equation. This game interpretation shows that dynamic or state-dependent schemes are needed in order to attain asymptotic optimality in a general setting. The purpose of the present paper is to show that classical subsolutions of the Isaacs equation can be used as a basic and flexible tool for the construction and analysis of efficient dynamic importance sampling schemes. There are two main contributions. The first is a basic theoretical result characterizing the asymptotic performance of importance sampling estimators based on subsolutions. The second is an explicit method for constructing classical subsolutions as a mollification of piecewise affine functions. Numerical examples are included for illustration and to demonstrate that simple, nearly asymptotically optimal importance sampling schemes can be obtained for a variety of problems via the subsolution approach.
Pathologic Findings of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus A/Duck/Vietnam/12/05 (H5N1) in Experimentally Infected Pekin Ducks, Based on Immunohistochemistry and In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Vascellari M. , Granato A. , Trevisan L. , Basilicata L. , Toffan A. , Milani A. , Mutinelli F.
Published: September 2007

The ongoing H5N1 Asian epidemic is currently affecting a number of avian species including ducks. These birds are an important part of the poultry industry in the affected countries, and it is likely that they are acting as a reservoir of infection. Ten Pekin ducks were challenged with 100 μl containing 107 50% egg infective dose of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A/Duck/Vietnam/12/05 (H5N1), administered by an intra-nasal and oral route. Clinical symptoms were recorded twice a day up to 14 days postinfection (dpi). Clinical signs were first noted at 2 dpi, with conjunctivitis and slight depression, and progressed over a period of 1–3 days to severe neurologic signs consisting of torticollis, incoordination, tremors, and seizures. Survival times varied from 3 to 7 dpi. On postmortem examination, hemorrhages were observed in the duodenum, ceca, proventriculus, ventriculus, trachea, pancreas, and brain. Histologic lesions, as well as immunohistochemistry positivity, were recorded in the pancreas and brain. In situ hybridization revealed viral antigen associated with acinar pancreatic cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and with cells of the central nervous system as well as neurons of the submucosal plexus of the duodenum. Our experimental findings agree with those previously observed in ducks naturally infected with HPAIV H5N1 viruses, confirming the acquired viral neurotropism and pancreatotropism, as previously noted in other avian species, as well as in humans.