bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmaceutical opioid analgesic and heroin dependence: How do treatment‐seeking clients differ in Australia?
Authors: NIELSEN SUZANNE , BRUNO RAIMONDO , LINTZERIS NICHOLAS , FISCHER JANE , CARRUTHERS SUSAN , STOOVÉ MARK
Published: May 2011

Introduction and Aims. Non‐prescribed use of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics (POA) has been escalating internationally. In Australia, few studies have examined if POA users have similar characteristics and treatment needs to heroin users. The aim of this study was to compare those presenting for treatment where heroin versus POA were the primary drugs of concern.

Design and Methods. A convenience sample of 192 treatment entrants were recruited from alcohol and drug treatment services in four Australian jurisdictions. A structured interview collected data on demographic characteristics, substance use, self‐perceived mental and physical health, crime and harms resulting from drug use. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify characteristics which may differentiate those seeking treatment for heroin compared with POA.

Results. Most treatment entrants sampled reported a history of injection drug use and use of both heroin and POA. However, those with primary POA problems were less likely to report an overdose history (adjusted odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.81–0.99) and more likely to initiate opioid use for pain (adjusted odds ratio 2.52, 95% confidence interval 1.04–6.12) than those with primary heroin problems. Latent Class Analysis found that, while most of the POA group were similar to heroin users in demographics, health and injecting drug use, there was a small, distinct group of primary POA problem users that did not typically inject and who commonly initiated opioid use for pain and also experienced elevated physical and mental health disability.

Discussion and Conclusions. While some differences existed, this study of Australian treatment seekers found many similar characteristics between those with primary problems with heroin and POA. Few non‐injecting POA were recruited in this sample. This finding contrasts with reports of a growing population of opioid‐dependent people with characteristics that are distinct from traditional opioid‐dependent populations, which may reflect the orientation of current treatment systems in Australia towards injection drug users.[Nielsen S, Bruno R, Lintzeris N, Fischer J, Carruthers S, Stoové M. Pharmaceutical opioid analgesic and heroin dependence: How do treatment‐seeking clients differ in Australia? Drug Alcohol Rev 2011;30:291–299]
A REGION‐BASED MULTI‐ISSUE NEGOTIATION PROTOCOL FOR NONMONOTONIC UTILITY SPACES
Authors: Lopez‐Carmona Miguel A. , Marsa‐Maestre Ivan , De La Hoz Enrique , Velasco Juan R.
Published: May 2011

Nonmonotonic utility spaces are found in multi‐issue negotiations where the preferences on the issues yield multiple local optima. These negotiations are specially challenging because of the inherent complexity of the search space and the difficulty of learning the opponent’s preferences. Most current solutions successfully address moderately complex preference scenarios, while solutions intended to operate in highly complex spaces are constrained by very specific preference structures. To overcome these problems, we propose the Region‐Based Multi‐issue Negotiation Protocol (RBNP) for bilateral automated negotiation. RBNP is built upon a nonmediated recursive bargaining mechanism which efficiently modulates a region‐based joint exploration of the solution space. We empirically show that RBNP produces outcomes close to the Pareto frontier in reasonable negotiation times, and show that it provides a significantly better performance when compared to a generic Similarity‐Based Multi‐issue Negotiation Protocol (SBNP), which has been successfully used in many negotiation models. We have paid attention to the strategic issues, proposing and evaluating several concession mechanisms, and analyzing the equilibrium conditions. Results suggest that RBNP may be used as a basis to develop negotiation mechanisms in nonmonotonic utility spaces.
A class of stochastic volatility models for environmental applications
Authors: Huang Wenying , Wang Ke , Jay Breidt F. , Davis Richard A.
Published: May 2011

Many environmental data sets have a continuous domain, in time and/or space, and complex features that may be poorly modelled with a stationary (in space and time) Gaussian process (GP). We adapt stochastic volatility modelling to this context, resulting in a stochastic heteroscedastic process (SHP), which is unconditionally stationary and non‐Gaussian. Conditional on a latent GP, the SHP is a heteroscedastic GP with non‐stationary (in space and time) covariance structure. The realizations from SHP are versatile and can represent spatial inhomogeneities. The unconditional correlation functions of SHP form a rich isotropic class that can allow for a smoothed nugget effect. We apply an importance sampling strategy to implement pseudo maximum likelihood parameter estimation for the SHP. To predict the process at unobserved locations, we develop a plug‐in best predictor. We extend the single‐realization SHP model to handle replicates across time of SHP realizations in space. Empirical results with simulated data show that SHP is nearly as efficient as a stationary GP in out‐of‐sample prediction when the true process is a stationary GP, and outperforms a stationary GP substantially when the true process is SHP. The SHP methodology is applied to enhanced vegetation index data and US NO3 deposition data for illustration.
Margin involvement and clinical pattern of basal cell carcinoma with mixed histology
Authors: Betti R. , Radaelli G. , Crosti C. , Ghiozzi S. , Moneghini L. , Menni S.
Published: May 2011

Background  Mixed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has not been sufficiently and specifically studied.

Objective  The aim of this study was to estimate in adults the prevalence of mixed cases observed among primary BCCs and to compare clinical and anatomical features of mixed vs. single BCCs, with focus on the incomplete excision.

Patients and methods  A total of 3636 histologically confirmed primary BCCs were examined. Data on gender, age, histological subtype, anatomical location and margin involvement were collected. Mixed type was defined as a combination of two or more single subtypes.

Results  Prevalence of single and mixed BCCs was 82.2% and 17.8% respectively. Prevalence of BCCs on the upper limbs was higher in mixed than single cases (8.8% vs. 4.0%; P < 0.001) while prevalence on the back was lower (16.9% vs. 23.7%; P < 0.001). Tumour was aggressive in 59.1% of mixed vs. 16.0% of single BCCs (P < 0.001). Margin involvement was more prevalent in mixed than in single BCCs (16.7% vs. 9.6%; P < 0.0001). At multivariate analysis being mixed vs. single BCC was associated with aggressiveness of tumour (OR = 8.5, 95% CI, 6.9–10.4), lateral margin involvement (OR = 1.98, 95% CI, 1.42–2.76) and subject being man (OR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.10–1.60) but not with deep involvement of margin or anatomical location.

Conclusion  Among BCCs, the mixed type may be observed in adults with relatively high rate and may represent a complex and individual subset of BCCs with potential aggressive behaviour.
Proteomic analysis of metabolic, cytoskeletal and stress response proteins in human heart failure
Authors: Li Weiming , Rong Rong , Zhao Sheng , Zhu Xiaoming , Zhang Ke , Xiong Xin , Yu Xueqing , Cui Qinghua , Li Shuqiang , Chen Li , Cai Jun , Du Jie
Published: May 2011

Human heart failure is a complex syndrome and a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. However, the molecular pathways involved in the remodelling process are poorly understood. In this study, we performed exhaustive global proteomic surveys of cardiac ventricle isolated from failing and non‐failing human hearts, and determined the regulatory pathway to uncover the mechanism underlying heart failure. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in specimens from failing (n = 9) and non‐failing (n = 6) human hearts. A total of 25 proteins with at least 1.5‐fold change in the failing heart were identified; 15 proteins were up‐regulated and 10 proteins were down‐regulated. The altered proteins belong to three broad functional categories: (i) metabolic [e.g. NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone), dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit]; (ii) cytoskeletal (e.g. myosin light chain proteins, troponin I type 3 and transthyretin) and (iii) stress response (e.g. αB‐crystallin, HSP27 and HSP20). The marked differences in the expression of selected proteins, including HSP27 and HSP20, were further confirmed by Western blot. Thus, we carried out full‐scale screening of the protein changes in human heart failure and profiled proteins that may be critical in cardiac dysfunction for future mapping.
The Effects of Season and Sex in the Metal Levels of Mature Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in Mersin Bay, Northeastern Mediterranean
Authors: Ayas Deniz , Ozogul Yesim
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  The effects of sex and season on metal levels of the mantle of the common cuttlefish that was caught from Mersin Bay were evaluated. The annual range of mantle length (ML), total length (TL), and weight of common cuttlefish specimens were 110 to 183 mm, 380 to 581 mm, and 150.24 to 477.13 g, respectively. The annual range of metal levels in the mantle tissue of common cuttlefish were: 2.34 to 3.89 μg Cd g−1, 0.30 to 0.63 μg Cr g−1, 0.15 to 0.54 μg Pb g−1, 2.35 to 14.90 μg Cu g−1, 23.22 to 51.88 μg Zn g−1, and 5.12 to 10.65 μg Fe g−1. Cu levels of females were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those found in male throughout all the seasons while Pb levels were lower (P < 0.05) in males than females. Cr levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish did not change throughout the seasons. On the contrary, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe levels in the mantle tissue of cuttlefish changed throughout all the seasons. The highest Cd, Zn, and Fe levels were obtained in spring while the highest Cu levels were obtained in autumn. It was also found out that this species was rich in terms of metal levels, particularly, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Fe. It was found out that the mantle tissue of the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, which was caught from Mersin Bay, was contaminated with Cd in all the seasons.
Use of a systems approach and evidence‐based One Health for zoonoses research
Authors: Asokan G.V. , Asokan Vanitha , Fedorowicz Zbys , Tharyan Prathap
Published: May 2011

The World Health Organization estimates that 25% of the 57 million annual deaths that occur globally are caused by microbes. A study reported 1415 species of infectious organisms are known to be pathogenic to humans. Zoonoses constitute 61% of all known infectious diseases, with humans serving as the primary reservoir for only 3% of them. Of the 175 infectious species considered to be emerging, 75% are zoonotic. Zoonotic diseases and their impact on human and animal health are not monitored, prevented, and treated in an integrated way, despite the fact that etiologies and treatments are similar across species. The efficacy and resistance of a drug in one species has a bearing on others, in the context of zoonoses. Further, an RCT involving many species is effective in a natural setting, is robust, and may require fewer human volunteers. One Health is based on a systems approach and a collaborative effort of multiple disciplines – working locally, nationally, and globally – to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment. Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have so far been independent and discipline oriented. Pooling of results for diagnostic test accuracies and treatment effects of drugs for zoonoses across species has to be done, since the results of preclinical trials emanate from laboratory animals. The Cochrane Collaboration is the platform of choice to initiate a new group on zoonoses to carry out systematic meta‐analyses of diagnostic tests and drug efficacies without bias, thus underpinning the systems approach and One Health.
Scaffold Proteins: Hubs for Controlling the Flow of Cellular Information
Authors: Good Matthew C. , Zalatan Jesse G. , Lim Wendell A.
Published: May 2011

The spatial and temporal organization of molecules within a cell is critical for coordinating the many distinct activities carried out by the cell. In an increasing number of biological signaling processes, scaffold proteins have been found to play a central role in physically assembling the relevant molecular components. Although most scaffolds use a simple tethering mechanism to increase the efficiency of interaction between individual partner molecules, these proteins can also exert complex allosteric control over their partners and are themselves the target of regulation. Scaffold proteins offer a simple, flexible strategy for regulating selectivity in pathways, shaping output behaviors, and achieving new responses from preexisting signaling components. As a result, scaffold proteins have been exploited by evolution, pathogens, and cellular engineers to reshape cellular behavior.
Single-Cell Mass Cytometry of Differential Immune and Drug Responses Across a Human Hematopoietic Continuum
Authors: Bendall Sean C. , Simonds Erin F. , Qiu Peng , Amir El-ad D. , Krutzik Peter O. , Finck Rachel , Bruggner Robert V. , Melamed Rachel , Trejo Angelica , Ornatsky Olga I. , Balderas Robert S. , Plevritis Sylvia K. , Sachs Karen , Pe’er Dana , Tanner Scott D. , Nolan Garry P.
Published: May 2011

Simultaneous measurement of more than 30 properties in individual human cells is used to characterize signaling in the immune system.
Flow Cytometry, Amped Up
Authors: Benoist Christophe , Hacohen Nir
Published: May 2011

The novel technique of mass cytometry opens a new chapter in single-cell biology.
Mechanical Disruption of Lysis-Resistant Bacterial Cells by Use of a Miniature, Low-Power, Disposable Device
Authors: Vandeventer Peter E. , Weigel Kris M. , Salazar Jose , Erwin Barbara , Irvine Bruce , Doebler Robert , Nadim Ali , Cangelosi Gerard A. , Niemz Angelika
Published: May 2011

Molecular detection of microorganisms requires microbial cell disruption to release nucleic acids. Sensitive detection of thick-walled microorganisms such as
Bacillus
spores and
Mycobacterium
cells typically necessitates mechanical disruption through bead beating or sonication, using benchtop instruments that require line power. Miniaturized, low-power, battery-operated devices are needed to facilitate mechanical pathogen disruption for nucleic acid testing at the point of care and in field settings. We assessed the lysis efficiency of a very small disposable bead blender called OmniLyse relative to the industry standard benchtop Biospec Mini-BeadBeater. The OmniLyse weighs approximately 3 g, at a size of approximately 1.1 cm
3
without the battery pack. Both instruments were used to mechanically lyse
Bacillus subtilis
spores and
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG cells. The relative lysis efficiency was assessed through real-time PCR. Cycle threshold (

C
T

) values obtained at all microbial cell concentrations were similar between the two devices, indicating that the lysis efficiencies of the OmniLyse and the BioSpec Mini-BeadBeater were comparable. As an internal control, genomic DNA from a different organism was spiked at a constant concentration into each sample upstream of lysis. The

C
T

values for PCR amplification of lysed samples using primers specific to this internal control were comparable between the two devices, indicating negligible PCR inhibition or other secondary effects. Overall, the OmniLyse device was found to effectively lyse tough-walled organisms in a very small, disposable, battery-operated format, which is expected to facilitate sensitive point-of-care nucleic acid testing.
Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Encoding 15-Prostaglandin Dehydrogenase Mitigates Immune Suppression and Reduces Ectopic Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer in Mice
Authors: Walker Jason D. , Sehgal Inder , Kousoulas Konstantin G.
Published: May 2011

Oncolytic herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) viruses armed with immunomodulatory transgenes have shown potential for enhanced antitumor therapy by overcoming tumor-based immune suppression and promoting antitumor effector cell development. Previously, we reported that the new oncolytic HSV-1 virus, OncSyn (OS), engineered to fuse tumor cells, prevented tumor growth and metastasis to distal organs in the 4T1/BALB/c immunocompetent breast cancer mouse model, suggesting the elicitation of antitumor immune responses (Israyelyan et al., Hum. Gen. Ther. 18:5, 2007, and Israyelyan et al., Virol. J. 5:68, 2008). The OSV virus was constructed by deleting the OS viral host shutoff gene (vhs; UL41) to further attenuate the virus and permit dendritic cell activation and antigen presentation. Subsequently, the OSVP virus was constructed by inserting into the OSV viral genome a murine 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) expression cassette, designed to constitutively express 15-PGDH upon infection. 15-PGDH is a tumor suppressor protein and the primary enzyme responsible for the degradation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is known to promote tumor development. OSVP, OSV, and OS treatment of 4T1 tumors in BALB/c mice effectively reduced primary tumor growth and inhibited metastatic development of secondary tumors. OSVP was able to significantly inhibit the development and accumulation of 4T1 metastatic tumor cells in the lungs of treated mice.Ex vivoanalysis of immune cells following treatment showed increased inflammatory cytokine production and the presence of mature dendritic cells for the OSVP, OSV, and OS viruses. A statistically significant decrease in splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) was observed only for OSVP-treated mice. These results show that intratumoral oncolytic herpes is highly immunogenic and suggest that 15-PGDH expression by OSVP enhanced the antitumor immune response initiated by viral infection of primary tumor cells, leading to reduced development of pulmonary metastases. The availability of the OSVP genome as a bacterial artificial chromosome allows for the rapid insertion of additional immunomodulatory genes that could further assist in the induction of potent antitumor immune responses against primary and metastatic tumors.
Multiploid Inheritance of HIV-1 during Cell-to-Cell Infection
Authors: Del Portillo Armando , Tripodi Joseph , Najfeld Vesna , Wodarz Dominik , Levy David N. , Chen Benjamin K.
Published: May 2011

During cell-to-cell transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), many viral particles can be simultaneously transferred from infected to uninfected CD4 T cells through structures called virological synapses (VS). Here we directly examine how cell-free and cell-to-cell infections differ from infections initiated with cell-free virus in the number of genetic copies that are transmitted from one generation to the next, i.e., the genetic inheritance. Following exposure to HIV-1-expressing cells, we show that target cells with high viral uptake are much more likely to become infected. Using T cells that coexpress distinct fluorescent HIV-1 variants, we show that multiple copies of HIV-1 can be cotransmitted across a single VS. In contrast to cell-free HIV-1 infection, which titrates with Poisson statistics, the titration of cell-associated HIV-1 to low rates of overall infection generates a constant fraction of the newly infected cells that are cofluorescent. Triple infection was also readily detected when cells expressing three fluorescent viruses were used as donor cells. A computational model and a statistical model are presented to estimate the degree to which cofluorescence underestimates coinfection frequency. Lastly, direct detection of HIV-1 proviruses using fluorescence
in situ
hybridization confirmed that significantly more HIV-1 DNA copies are found in primary T cells infected with cell-associated virus than in those infected with cell-free virus. Together, the data suggest that multiploid inheritance is common during cell-to-cell HIV-1 infection. From this study, we suggest that cell-to-cell infection may explain the high copy numbers of proviruses found in infected cells
in vivo
and may provide a mechanism through which HIV preserves sequence heterogeneity in viral quasispecies through genetic complementation.
RNA Sequence Determinants of a Coupled Termination-Reinitiation Strategy for Downstream Open Reading Frame Translation in Helminthosporium victoriae Virus 190S and Other Victoriviruses (Family Totiviridae)
Authors: Li Hua , Havens Wendy M. , Nibert Max L. , Ghabrial Said A.
Published: May 2011

The genome-length, dicistronic mRNA of the double-stranded RNA fungal virus
Helminthosporium victoriae
virus 190S (genus
Victorivirus
, family
Totiviridae
) contains two long open reading frames (ORFs) that overlap in the tetranucleotide AUGA. Translation of the downstream ORF, which encodes the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has been proposed to depend on ribosomal reinitiation following termination of the upstream ORF, which encodes the capsid protein. In the current study, we examined the RNA sequence determinants for RdRp translation in this virus and demonstrated that a coupled termination-reinitiation (stop-restart) strategy is indeed used. Signals for termination-reinitiation are found within a 32-nucleotide stretch of RNA immediately upstream of the AUGA motif, including a predicted pseudoknot structure. The close proximity in which this predicted structure is followed by the upstream ORF's stop codon appears to be especially important for promoting translation of the downstream ORF. The normal strong preferences for an AUG start codon and the canonical sequence context to favor translation initiation appear somewhat relaxed for the downstream ORF. Similar sequence motifs and predicted RNA structures in other victoriviruses suggest that they all share a related stop-restart strategy for RdRp translation. Members of the genus
Victorivirus
thus provide new and unique opportunities for exploring the molecular mechanisms of translational coupling, which remain only partly understood in this and other systems.
Interleukin-6, Produced by Resident Cells of the Central Nervous System and Infiltrating Cells, Contributes to the Development of Seizures following Viral Infection
Authors: Libbey Jane E. , Kennett Nikki J. , Wilcox Karen S. , White H. Steve , Fujinami Robert S.
Published: May 2011

Cells that can participate in an innate immune response within the central nervous system (CNS) include infiltrating cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs], macrophages, and natural killer [NK] cells) and resident cells (microglia and sometimes astrocytes). The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is produced by all of these cells and has been implicated in the development of behavioral seizures in the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced seizure model. The assessment, via PCR arrays, of the mRNA expression levels of a large number of chemokines (ligands and receptors) in TMEV-infected and mock-infected C57BL/6 mice both with and without seizures did not clearly demonstrate the involvement of PMNs, monocytes/macrophages, or NK cells in the development of seizures, possibly due to overlapping function of the chemokines. Additionally, C57BL/6 mice unable to recruit or depleted of infiltrating PMNs and NK cells had seizure rates comparable to those of controls following TMEV infection, and therefore PMNs and NK cells do not significantly contribute to seizure development. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice treated with minocycline, which affects monocytes/macrophages, microglial cells, and PMNs, had significantly fewer seizures than controls following TMEV infection, indicating monocytes/macrophages and resident microglial cells are important in seizure development. Irradiated bone marrow chimeric mice that were either IL-6-deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type bone marrow cells or wild-type mice reconstituted with IL-6-deficient bone marrow cells developed significantly fewer behavioral seizures following TMEV infection. Therefore, both resident CNS cells and infiltrating cells are necessary for seizure development.
The Host Phosphoinositide 5-Phosphatase SHIP2 Regulates Dissemination of Vaccinia Virus
Authors: McNulty Shannon , Powell Kimberly , Erneux Christophe , Kalman Daniel
Published: May 2011

After fusing with the plasma membrane, enveloped poxvirus virions form actin-filled membranous protrusions, called tails, beneath themselves and move toward adjacent uninfected cells. While much is known about the host and viral proteins that mediate formation of actin tails, much less is known about the factors controlling release. We found that the phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase SHIP2 localizes to actin tails. Localization requires phosphotyrosine, Abl and Src family tyrosine kinases, and neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) but not the Arp2/Arp3 complex or actin. Cells lacking SHIP2 have normal actin tails but release more virus. Moreover, cells infected with viral strains with mutations in the release inhibitor A34 release more virus but recruit less SHIP2 to tails. Thus, the inhibitory effects of A34 on virus release are mediated by SHIP2. Together, these data suggest that SHIP2 and A34 may act as gatekeepers to regulate dissemination of poxviruses when environmental conditions are conducive.
FUZZY QUALITATIVE REASONING ABOUT DYNAMIC SYSTEMS CONTAINING TRIGONOMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: COGHILL GEORGE M. , LIU HONGHAI , BRUCE ALLAN , WISLEY CAROL
Published: May 2011

In this paper we present a system which incorporates the features of Fuzzy Qualitative Trigonometry (FQT) with those of the Fuzzy Qualitative Reasoning system, Morven. FQT is designed for modeling and reasoning about robot kinematic systems whereas Morven was designed for simulation and envisionment of straightforward dynamic systems. It has been the case that thus far QR systems have not been designed to reason about the behaviour of dynamic system containing fuzzy trigonometric relations. The resulting tool described in this paper goes some way to addressing this deficit.
MALIGNANT TRANSFORMATION OF AN ENCHONDROMA OF THE HAND: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Ozcanli H. , Alimoglu E. , Aydin A. T.
Published: May 2011

Secondary chondrosarcomas according to malignant transformations of the solitary enchondromas were extremely rare in the hand.

The aim of this study is to present a case of a 43-year-old male having rare malignant transformation of the solitary enchondroma treated with total excision and replacement with iliac bone graft.
NONLINEAR ELECTROSTRICTIVE PROPERTIES OF PbZrO3:Sn SINGLE CRYSTALS WITH ANTIFERROELECTRIC PHASE TRANSITIONS
Authors: JANKOWSKA-SUMARA IRENA , ROLEDER KRYSTIAN , MAJCHROWSKI A. , ŻMIJA J.
Published: May 2011

The electrostrictive properties above Tε max represented by the field-related and polarization-related M and Q coefficients have been measured for PbZr 1 - x Sn x O 3 single crystals with aniferroelectric phase transitions. The investigations presented in this paper have proved that the M11(T) and Q11(T) runs bring direct information of the pre-transitional effects connected with the co-existence of local polar objects with nonpolar matrix. Due to this co-existence, nonlinear Q11(T) dependence in the neighborhood of T C has been detected. Observed even in a wide temperature above T C , this co-existence is a natural feature of the material with ABO3 perovskite structure that undergoes structural transition to polar phase.
Cascade-Based Controlled Attitude Synchronization and Tracking of Spacecraft in Leader-Follower Formation
Authors: Schlanbusch Rune , Loría Antonio , Nicklasson Per Johan
Published: May 2011

We propose controllers for leader-follower attitude synchronization of spacecraft formations in the presence of disturbances, that is, the leader spacecraft is controlled to follow a given reference, while a follower spacecraft is controlled to synchronize its motion with the leader's. In the ideal disturbance-free scenario, we show that synchronization takes place asymptotically. Moreover, we show the property of uniform practical asymptotic stability which implies that the synchronization is robust to bounded disturbances.
A Hybrid Approach for the Random Dynamics of Uncertain Systems under Stochastic Loading
Authors: Betti Michele , Biagini Paolo , Facchini Luca
Published: May 2011

This paper presents a hybrid Galerkin/perturbation approach based on Radial Basis Functions for the dynamic analysis of mechanical systems affected by randomness both in their parameters and loads. In specialized literature various procedures are nowadays available to evaluate the response statistics of such systems, but sometimes a choice has to be made between simpler methods (that could provide unreliable solutions) and more complex methods (where accurate solutions are provided by means of a heavy computational effort). The proposed method combines a Radial Basis Functions (RBF) based Galerkin method with a perturbation approach for the approximation of the system response. In order to keep the number of differential equations to be solved as low as
possible, a Karhunen‐Loève (KL) expansion for the excitation is used. As case study a non‐linear single degree of freedom (SDOF) system with random parameters subjected to a stochastic windtype load is analyzed and discussed in detail; obtained numerical solutions are compared with the results given by Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to provide a validation of the proposed approach. The proposed method could be a valid alternative to the classical procedures as it is able to provide satisfactory approximations of the system response.
Breast Milk Hormones and Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Savino Francesco , Liguori Stefania Alfonsina , Sorrenti Miriam , Fissore Maria Francesca , Oggero Roberto
Published: May 2011

Growing evidence suggests that a complex relationship exists between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involved in energy homeostasis. It consists in the balance between food intake and energy expenditure and includes the regulation of nutrient levels in storage organs, as well as in blood, in particular blood glucose. Therefore, food intake, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis are strictly connected to each other. Several hormones, such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and ghrelin, are involved in this complex regulation. These hormones play a role in the regulation of glucose metabolism and are involved in the development of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Recently, their presence in breast milk has been detected, suggesting that they may be involved in the regulation of growth in early infancy and could influence the programming of energy balance later in life. This paper focuses on hormones present in breast milk and their role in glucose homeostasis.
Relationship Matrix Nonnegative Decomposition for Clustering
Authors: Pan Ji-Yuan , Zhang Jiang-She
Published: May 2011

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is a popular tool for analyzing
the latent structure of nonnegative data. For a positive pairwise similarity
matrix, symmetric NMF (SNMF) and weighted NMF (WNMF) can be
used to cluster the data. However, both of them are not very efficient for
the ill‐structured pairwise similarity matrix. In this paper, a novel model,
called relationship matrix nonnegative decomposition (RMND), is proposed
to discover the latent clustering structure from the pairwise similarity matrix.
The RMND model is derived from the nonlinear NMF algorithm. RMND
decomposes a pairwise similarity matrix into a product of three low rank
nonnegative matrices. The pairwise similarity matrix is represented as a
transformation of a positive semidefinite matrix which pops out the latent
clustering structure. We develop a learning procedure based on multiplicative
update rules and steepest descent method to calculate the nonnegative
solution of RMND. Experimental results in four different databases show
that the proposed RMND approach achieves higher clustering accuracy.
Nonresponse Error in Mail Surveys: Top Ten Problems
Authors: Daly Jeanette M. , Jones Julie K. , Gereau Patricia L. , Levy Barcey T.
Published: May 2011

Conducting mail surveys can result in nonresponse error, which occurs when the potential participant is unwilling to participate or impossible to contact. Nonresponse can result in a reduction in precision of the study and may bias results. The purpose of this paper is to describe and make readers aware of a top ten list of mailed survey problems affecting the response rate encountered over time with different research projects, while utilizing the Dillman Total Design Method. Ten nonresponse error problems were identified, such as inserter machine gets sequence out of order, capitalization in databases, and mailing discarded by postal service. These ten mishaps can potentiate nonresponse errors, but there are ways to minimize their frequency. Suggestions offered stem from our own experiences during research projects. Our goal is to increase researchers' knowledge of nonresponse error problems and to offer solutions which can decrease nonresponse error in future projects.
Genotype–Environment Interactions in Microsatellite Stable/Microsatellite Instability-Low Colorectal Cancer: Results from a Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Figueiredo Jane C. , Lewinger Juan Pablo , Song Chi , Campbell Peter T. , Conti David V. , Edlund Christopher K. , Duggan Dave J. , Rangrej Jagadish , Lemire Mathieu , Hudson Thomas , Zanke Brent , Cotterchio Michelle , Gallinger Steven , Jenkins Mark , Hopper John , Haile Robert , Newcomb Polly , Potter John , Baron John A. , Marchand Loic Le , Casey Graham
Published: May 2011

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have led to the identification of a number of common susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer (CRC); however, none of these GWAS have considered gene–environment (G × E) interactions. Therefore, it is unclear whether current hits are modified by environmental exposures or whether there are additional hits whose effects are dependent on environmental exposures.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search for G × E interactions using genome wide data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry that included 1,191 cases of microsatellite stable (MSS) or microsatellite instability–low (MSI-L) CRC and 999 controls genotyped using either the Illumina Human1M or Human1M-Duo BeadChip. We tested for interactions between genotypes and 14 environmental factors using 3 methods: a traditional case–control test, a case-only test, and the recently proposed 2-step method by Murcray and colleagues. All potentially significant findings were replicated in the ARCTIC Study.

Results: No G × E interactions were identified that reached genome-wide significance by any of the 3 methods. When analyzing previously reported susceptibility loci, 7 significant G × E interactions were found at a 5% significance level. We investigated these 7 interactions in an independent sample and none of the interactions were replicated.

Conclusions: Identifying G × E interactions will present challenges in a GWAS setting. Our power calculations illustrate the need for larger sample sizes; however, as CRC is a heterogeneous disease, a tradeoff between increasing sample size and heterogeneity needs to be considered.

Impact: The results from this first genome-wide analysis of G × E in CRC identify several challenges, which may be addressed by large consortium efforts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(5); 758–66. ©2011 AACR.
International Approaches to Advancing Biospecimen Science
Authors: Moore Helen M. , Compton Carolyn C. , Alper Joseph , Vaught Jimmie B.
Published: May 2011

Biospecimen quality is affected by a number of preanalytical factors that may or may not be obvious to the investigator. These factors are introduced through multiple biospecimen collection, processing, and storage procedures, which can differ dramatically within and between medical institutions and biorepositories. Biospecimen Science is the emerging field of study that is attempting to quantify and control such variability. A variety of efforts are under way around the world to establish research programs, evidence-based biospecimen protocols, and standards to improve the overall quality of biospecimens for research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(5); 729–32. ©2011 AACR.
A New and Unusual Reciprocal Translocation in Cattle: rcp(11;25)(q11;q14–21)
Authors: Perucatti A. , Genualdo V. , Iannuzzi A. , De Lorenzi L. , Matassino D. , Parma P. , Di Berardino D. , Iannuzzi L. , Di Meo G.P.
Published: May 2011

A new and unusual reciprocal translocation was detected in a heifer of the Agerolese cattle breed during a routine cytogenetic screening carried out on 13 animals (2 males and 11 females) kept at the ConSDABI Conservation Center in Benevento (Southern Italy). The 13 animals investigated had a normal karyotype except for a 1-year-old female, which carried one autosome smaller than the smallest normal bovine autosomes. This small autosome showed very little C-banding in comparison to the other autosomes, while another medium-sized autosome showed 2 distinct and prominent C-bands. RBA-banding and karyotype analysis revealed that these 2 chromosomes were the result of a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 11 and 25. FISH analysis with BAC142G06 mapping to the proximal (subcentromeric) region of both BTA25 and der11, BAC513H08 (ELN) mapping to BTA25q22dist and der25, and BAC533C11 mapping to the proximal region of BTA11 and der11 confirmed the localization of the breakpoints on band q11 (centromere) of chromosome 11 and q14–21 of chromosome 25. Ag-NOR and sequential RBA/Ag-NOR techniques detected the presence of NORs on both BTA11 and BTA25 and both der11 and der25. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a reciprocal translocation event in cattle with the breakpoint located in the centromeric region.
Satellite DNA Derived from 5S rDNA in Physalaemus cuvieri (Anura, Leiuperidae)
Authors: Vittorazzi S.E. , Lourenço L.B. , Del-Grande M.L. , Recco-Pimentel S.M.
Published: May 2011

In the present study, we describe for the first time a family of 190-bp satellite DNA related to 5S rDNA in anurans and the existence of 2 forms of 5S rDNA, type I (201 bp) and type II (690 bp). The sequences were obtained from genomic DNA of Physalaemus cuvieri from Palmeiras, State of Bahia, Brazil. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed that the satellite DNA obtained by digestion with EcoRI, called PcP190EcoRI, is 70% similar to the coding region of type I 5S rDNA and 66% similar to the coding region of type II 5S rDNA. Membrane hybridization and PCR amplification of the sequence showed that PcP190EcoRI is tandemly repeated. The satellite DNA as well as type I and type II 5S rDNA were localized in P. cuvieri chromosomes by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The PcP190EcoRI sequence was found in the centromeres of chromosomes 1–5 and in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 3. Type I 5S rDNA was detected in chromosome 3, coincident with the site of PcP190EcoRI. Type II 5S rDNA was located interstitially in the long arm of chromosome 5. None of these sequences co-localized with nucleolar organizer regions. Our data suggests that this satellite DNA originates from the 5S ribosomal multigene family, probably by gene duplication, nucleotide divergence and sequence dispersion in the genome.
De Novo Interstitial Deletion of 1q32.2–q32.3 Including the Entire IRF6 Gene in a Patient with Oral Cleft and Other Dysmorphic Features
Authors: Salahshourifar I. , Halim A.S. , Sulaiman W.A.W. , Ariffin R. , Naili Muhamad Nor N. , Zilfalil B.A.
Published: May 2011

Background: Microdeletion of the Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) critical region is a relatively rare event, and only a few cases have been reported in the medical literature. The extent of the deletion and the genotype-phenotype correlation are 2 crucial issues. Methods and Results: During analysis of the VWS critical region in 95 families with an isolated cleft of the lip with or without cleft palate, we found a de novo interstitial deletion of 1q32.2–q32.3 in a patient with cleft lip and other dysmorphic features. The present case showed new proximal and distal end breakpoints compared to those previously reported. The results of a short tandem repeat analysis was confirmed using high resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization and showed an interstitial deletion of approximately 2.98 Mb which involved 25 genes, including the entire IRF6 gene. Direct sequencing of the non-deleted allele of the IRF6 gene did not show any mutation, which supports a haploinsufficiency mechanism of the IRF6 gene in the development of the oral cleft. Conclusion: The present report adds to the collective knowledge that oral cleft is a major clinical feature of the 1q32.2–q32.3 deletion.
Cytogenetic Mapping of rRNAs and Histone H3 Genes in 14 Species of Dichotomius (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) Beetles
Authors: Cabral-de-Mello D.C. , Moura R.C. , Martins C.
Published: May 2011

Standard cytogenetic analyses and chromosomal mapping of the genes for 18S and 5S rRNAs and histone H3 were performed in 14 species of beetles of the genus Dichotomius (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae). Conserved karyotypes with 2n = 18 and biarmed chromosomes were observed in all species. Moreover, the presence of a large metacentric pair (pair 1) was characteristic in the studied species, evidencing a remarkable synapomorphy for this genus, which probably originated by an ancient fusion of 2 autosomes while the ancestral sex-chromosome pair remained conserved. FISH showed that the 5S rRNA and histone H3 genes are located in the proximal region of pair 2, with the 2 genes co-located. However, the major rDNA cluster probed by the 18S rRNA gene mapped to 1–3 bivalents, being exclusively autosomal, associated with sex elements, or both. In most species, the major rDNA cluster was observed in pair 3, and it was frequently (64.3%) located in the distal region regardless of the chromosome. The conserved number and position of the 5S rDNA/H3 histone cluster seems to be an ancient pattern shared by all of the studied species. In contrast, the major rDNA clusters apparently tolerate distinct patterns of diversification in the karyotypes of the species that could be associated with small inversions, ectopic recombination, and transposition. Moreover, we reinforced the association/co-localization between the 5S rRNA and histone H3 genes in this group contributing thus to the knowledge about the chromosomal organization and diversification patterns of multigene families in beetles and insects.
Are P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) and % inhibition index equivalent for the expression of P2Y12 inhibition by the VerifyNow® assay? Role of haematocrit and haemoglobin levels
Authors: Voisin Sophie , Bongard Vanina , Tidjane Mohammed A. , Lhermusier Thibault , Carrié Didier , Sié Pierre
Published: May 2011

The results of the whole blood VerifyNow® P2Y12 assay can be expressed as platelet reaction units (PRU) or % inhibition index (%inh), but an optimal cut-off for the assessment of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) predictive of clinical events has been validated only for PRU. The aim of the study was to study the influence of haematological variables, such as platelet and leukocyte counts or haematocrit / haemoglobin, within the limits indicated by the manufacturer for assay validity, on the results of the test. We performed a comparison of PRU and %inh in a series 186 samples obtained from a clinical trial on patients under dual antiplatelet therapy. The results show that PRU significantly decreases with increasing haematocrit / haemoglobin, whereas %inh does not, due to a parallel change in PRU and iso-TRAP baseline value. PRU and % inhibition index are not equivalent for the definition of HPR, because of their different sensitivities to haematocrit / haemoglobin.
South Africa’s Abortion Values Clarification Workshops — An Opportunity to Deepen Democratic Communication Missed
Authors: Vincent Louise
Published: May 2011

A rich literature exists on local democracy and participation in South Africa. While the importance of participation is routinely built into the rhetoric of government, debate has increasingly focused on the dysfunctionality of participatory mechanisms and institutions in post-apartheid South Africa. Processes aimed ostensibly at empowering citizens, act in practice as instruments of social control, disempowerment and cooptation. The present article contributes to these debates by way of a critique of the approach used by the South African state, in partnership with the non-governmental sector, in what are called abortion ‘values clarification’ (VC) workshops. This article examines the workshop materials, methodology and pedagogical tools employed in South African abortion VC workshops which emanate from the organization Ipas — a global body working to enhance women’s sexual and reproductive rights and to reduce abortion-related deaths and injuries. VC workshops represent an instance of a more general trend in which participation is seen as a tool for generating legitimacy and ‘buy-in’ for central state directives rather than as a means for genuinely deepening democratic communication. The manipulation of participation by elites may serve as a means to achieve socially desirable goals in the short term but the long-term outlook for a vibrant democracy invigorated by a knowledgeable, active and engaged citizenry that is accustomed to being required to exercise careful reflection and to its views being respected, is undermined. Alternative models of democratic communication, because they are based on the important democratic principles of inclusivity and equality, have the potential both to be more legitimate and more effective in overcoming difficult social challenges in ways that promote justice.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Atomoxetine and Effect of CYP2D6*10/*10 Genotype in Healthy Japanese Men
Authors: Matsui A. , Azuma J. , Witcher J. W. , Long A. J. , Sauer J.‐M. , Smith B. P. , DeSante K. A. , Read H. A. , Takahashi M. , Nakano M.
Published: May 2011

Atomoxetine is a cytochrome P4502D6 (CYP2D6) substrate. The reduced‐activity CYP2D6*10 allele is particularly prevalent in the Japanese population and may contribute to known ethnic differences in CYP2D6 metabolic capacity. The purpose of this study was to examine atomoxetine pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and the effect of the CYP2D6*10/*10 genotype after single‐stepped dosing (10, 40, 90, or 120 mg) and at steady state (40 or 60 mg twice a day for 7 days) in 49 healthy Japanese adult men. Dose proportionality was shown and tolerability confirmed at all doses studied. Comparison of pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability between Japanese and US subjects showed no clinically meaningful ethnic differences. The CYP2D6*10/*10 subjects had 2.1‐ to 2.2‐fold and 1.8‐fold higher area under the plasma concentration—time curve values relative to the CYP2D6*1/*1 and *1/*2 subjects and the CYP2D6*1/*10 and *2/*10 subjects, respectively. The adverse events reported by CYP2D6*10/*10 subjects were indistinguishable from those of other Japanese participants. The higher mean exposure in CYP2D6*10/*10 subjects is not expected to be clinically significant.