bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment with a neutralizing anti-murine interleukin-17 antibody after the onset of coxsackievirus b3-induced viral myocarditis reduces myocardium inflammation
Authors: Fan Yang , Weifeng Wu , Yuluan Yan , Qing Kong , Yu Pang , Yanlan Huang
Published: January 2011

Background

Recently, some studies indicate that interleukin (IL)-17, known as a T cell (Th17)-derived proinflammatory cytokine, is the major mediator of tissue inflammation in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Viral myocarditis (VMC) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, but the role for IL-17 in VMC is not well defined.

Results

Using IL-17 monoclonal antibody (IL-17mAb)-treated VMC mice, we tested the pathogenic role of IL-17 in the development of VMC. VMC mice were treated with monoclonal rat anti-murine IL-17 antibody (anti-IL-17) or rat IgG2Aisotype control or phosphate-buffered solution 3 days after Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) injection. Normal mice without any manipulation were taken as normal control. The survival rates of mice were monitored and heart pathology was examined histologically. IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA of the myocardium were assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Systemic IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and local myocardium IL-17 expression was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. Flow cytometric analysis was used to evaluate the frequencies of Th17 subsets in CD4+T cells. Results showed that neutralization of IL-17 with anti-IL-17 can ameliorate clinical symptoms, defer disease course, decrease serum IL-17 level, without declining the IL-17, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA transcript level and serum IL-6, TNF-α level. The differentiation and proliferation of the Th17 cells were unchanged.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that IL-17 is crucially involved in the pathogenesis of murine VMC, IL-17 inhibition might ameliorate the myocardium inflammation after the onset of VMC.
Dropped head syndrome due to myogenic atrophy --- a case report of surgical treatment
Authors: Zenmyo Michihisa , Abematsu Masahiko , Yamamoto Takuya , Ishidou Yasuhiro , Komiya Setsuro , Ijiri Kosei
Published: January 2011

We report a case of a 69-year-old man with dropped head syndrome associated with isolated neck extensor myopathy (INEM). Over a period of 2 years, he exhibited progressive inability to lift his chin off his chest, resulting in the dropped head position that impaired his activities of daily living. He had a disturbed gait with severe imbalance of spinal alignment. Computed tomography revealed osseous contracture of cervical vertebral bodies in flexed position. Anterior combined posterior reconstruction surgery yielded a successful outcome in his activities of daily living, including his walking balance of spinal alignment. Pathologic study confirmed myogenic atrophy in the cervical extensor muscles. We suggest that consideration for surgical management should be given to dropped head syndrome especially due to INEM.
Genotypes of human papilloma virus in Sudanese women with cervical pathology
Authors: Salih Magdi M , Safi Mohamed El , Hart Keith , Tobi Khater , Adam Ishag
Published: January 2011

Background

Knowledge of the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among women with cervical lesion and in invasive cervical cancer is crucial to guide the introduction of prophylactic vaccines. There is no published data concerning HPV and cervical abnormalities in Sudan. This study aimed to define the prevalence of HPV and its subtypes in the cervical smears of women presenting with gynecological complains at Omdurman Military Hospital, Sudan.

During the period between March 2003 and April 2004, 135 cervical smears collected from these women, were screened using cytological techniques, and analysed by PCR for (beta)-globin and HPV DNA using gel electrophoresis and ELISA.

Results

Of these 135 smears, there were 94 (69.3%) negative, 22 (16.3%) positive for inflammation, 12(8.9) mild dyskaryosis, 5 (3.7) moderate dyskaryosis and 2 (1.8) severe dyskaryosis. There were 60.7% ß. globin positive samples for HPV indicating DNA integrity. HPV DNA was identified in three samples (2.2%) by gel electrophoresis and. was positive in four samples (2.9%) as single and multiple infections by PCR-ELISA. The high risk HPV types 16 and 58 were identified in one sample as a mixed infection. The low risk HPV types 40 and 42 were also found as a mixed infection in another patient. HPV types 58 and 42 were identified in the other two patients.

Conclusion

HPV type distribution in Sudan appears to differ from that in other countries. The HPV genotypes identified were not associated with cancer.
Epstein-Barr virus-specific methylation of human genes in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Ryan Julie L , Jones Richard J , Kenney Shannon C , Rivenbark Ashley G , Tang Weihua , Knight Elizabeth RW , Coleman William B , Gulley Margaret L
Published: January 2011

Background

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is found in 10% of all gastric adenocarcinomas but its role in tumor development and maintenance remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine EBV-mediated dysregulation of cellular factors implicated in gastric carcinogenesis.

Methods

Gene expression patterns were examined in EBV-negative and EBV-positive AGS gastric epithelial cells using a low density microarray, reverse transcription PCR, histochemical stains, and methylation-specific DNA sequencing. Expression of PTGS2 (COX2) was measured in AGS cells and in primary gastric adenocarcinoma tissues.

Results

In array studies, nearly half of the 96 human genes tested, representing 15 different cancer-related signal transduction pathways, were dysregulated after EBV infection. Reverse transcription PCR confirmed significant impact on factors having diverse functions such as cell cycle regulation (IGFBP3, CDKN2A, CCND1, HSP70, ID2, ID4), DNA repair (BRCA1, TFF1), cell adhesion (ICAM1), inflammation (COX2), and angiogenesis (HIF1A). Demethylation using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine reversed the EBV-mediated dysregulation for all 11 genes listed here. For some promoter sequences, CpG island methylation and demethylation occurred in an EBV-specific pattern as shown by bisulfite DNA sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was less sensitive than was western blot for detecting downregulation of COX2 upon EBV infection. Virus-related dysregulation of COX2 levels in vitro was not recapitulated in vivo among naturally infected gastric cancer tissues.

Conclusions

EBV alters human gene expression in ways that could contribute to the unique pathobiology of virus-associated cancer. Furthermore, the frequency and reversability of methylation-related transcriptional alterations suggest that demethylating agents have therapeutic potential for managing EBV-related carcinoma.
Atrial fibrillation in healthy adolescents after highly caffeinated beverage consumption: two case reports
Authors: Di Rocco Jennifer R , During Adelaide , Morelli Peter J , Heyden Marybeth , Biancaniello Thomas A
Published: January 2011

Introduction

Energy drinks and highly caffeinated drinks comprise some of the fastest growing products of the beverage industry, often targeting teenagers and young adults. Cardiac arrhythmias in children related to high caffeine consumption have not been well described in the literature. This case series describes the possible association between the consumption of highly caffeinated drinks and the subsequent development of atrial fibrillation in the adolescent population.

Case presentations

We report the cases of two Caucasian adolescent boys of 14 and 16 years of age at the time of presentation, each without a significant cardiac history, who presented with palpitations or vague chest discomfort or both after a recent history of excessive caffeine consumption. Both were found to have atrial fibrillation on electrocardiogram; one patient required digoxin to restore a normal sinus rhythm, and the other self-converted after intravenous fluid administration.

Conclusion

With the increasing popularity of energy drinks in the pediatric and adolescent population, physicians should be aware of the arrhythmogenic potential associated with highly caffeinated beverage consumption. It is important for pediatricians to understand the lack of regulation in the caffeine content and other ingredients of these high-energy beverages and their complications so that parents and children can be educated about the risk of cardiac arrhythmias with excessive energy drink consumption.
Effect of children's shoes on gait: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wegener Caleb , Hunt Adrienne E , Vanwanseele Benedicte , Burns Joshua , Smith Richard M
Published: January 2011

Background

The effect of footwear on the gait of children is poorly understood. This systematic review synthesises the evidence of the biomechanical effects of shoes on children during walking and running.

Methods

Study inclusion criteria were: barefoot and shod conditions; healthy children aged ≤ 16 years; sample size of n > 1. Novelty footwear was excluded. Studies were located by online database‐searching, hand‐searching and contact with experts. Two authors selected studies and assessed study methodology using the Quality Index. Meta‐analysis of continuous variables for homogeneous studies was undertaken using the inverse variance approach. Significance level was set at P < 0.05. Heterogeneity was measured by I2. Where I2 > 25%, a random‐effects model analysis was used and where I2 < 25%, a fixed‐effects model was used.

Results

Eleven studies were included. Sample size ranged from 4‐898. Median Quality Index was 20/32 (range 11‐27). Five studies randomised shoe order, six studies standardised footwear. Shod walking increased: velocity, step length, step time, base of support, double‐support time, stance time, time to toe‐off, sagittal tibia‐rearfoot range of motion (ROM), sagittal tibia‐foot ROM, ankle max‐plantarflexion, Ankle ROM, foot lift to max‐plantarflexion, ‘subtalar’ rotation ROM, knee sagittal ROM and tibialis anterior activity. Shod walking decreased: cadence, single‐support time, ankle max‐dorsiflexion, ankle at foot‐lift, hallux ROM, arch length change, foot torsion, forefoot supination, forefoot width and midfoot ROM in all planes. Shod running decreased: long axis maximum tibial‐acceleration, shock‐wave transmission as a ratio of maximum tibial‐acceleration, ankle plantarflexion at foot strike, knee angular velocity and tibial swing velocity. No variables increased during shod running.

Conclusions

Shoes affect the gait of children. With shoes, children walk faster by taking longer steps with greater ankle and knee motion and increased tibialis anterior activity. Shoes reduce foot motion and increase the support phases of the gait cycle. During running, shoes reduce swing phase leg speed, attenuate some shock and encourage a rearfoot strike pattern. The long‐term effect of these changes on growth and development are currently unknown. The impact of footwear on gait should be considered when assessing the paediatric patient and evaluating the effect of shoe or in‐shoe interventions.
Comparison of the McGrath® Series 5 and GlideScope® Ranger with the Macintosh laryngoscope by paramedics
Authors: Piepho Tim , Weinert Kathrin , Heid Florian M , Werner Christian , Noppens Rüdiger R
Published: January 2011

Background

Out-of-hospital endotracheal intubation performed by paramedics using the Macintosh blade for direct laryngoscopy is associated with a high incidence of complications. The novel technique of video laryngoscopy has been shown to improve glottic view and intubation success in the operating room. The aim of this study was to compare glottic view, time of intubation and success rate of the McGrath® Series 5 and GlideScope® Ranger video laryngoscopes with the Macintosh laryngoscope by paramedics.

Methods

Thirty paramedics performed six intubations in a randomised order with all three laryngoscopes in an airway simulator with a normal airway. Subsequently, every participant performed one intubation attempt with each device in the same manikin with simulated cervical spine rigidity using a cervical collar. Glottic view, time until visualisation of the glottis and time until first ventilation were evaluated.

Results

Time until first ventilation was equivalent after three intubations in the first scenario. In the scenario with decreased cervical motion, the time until first ventilation was longer using the McGrath® compared to the GlideScope® and AMacintosh (p < 0.01). The success rate for endotracheal intubation was similar for all three devices. Glottic view was only improved using the McGrath® device (p < 0.001) compared to using the Macintosh blade.

Conclusions

The learning curve for video laryngoscopy in paramedics was steep in this study. However, these data do not support prehospital use of the McGrath® and GlideScope® devices by paramedics.
Noninvasive method to estimate anaerobic threshold in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sales Marcelo M , Campbell Carmen Sílvia G , Morais Pâmella K , Ernesto Carlos , Soares-Caldeira Lúcio F , Russo Paulo , Motta Daisy F , Moreira Sérgio R , Nakamura Fábio Y , Simões Herbert G
Published: January 2011

Background

While several studies have identified the anaerobic threshold (AT) through the responses of blood lactate, ventilation and blood glucose others have suggested the response of the heart rate variability (HRV) as a method to identify the AT in young healthy individuals. However, the validity of HRV in estimating the lactate threshold (LT) and ventilatory threshold (VT) for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) has not been investigated yet.

Aim

To analyze the possibility of identifying the heart rate variability threshold (HRVT) by considering the responses of parasympathetic indicators during incremental exercise test in type 2 diabetics subjects (T2D) and non diabetics individuals (ND).

Methods

Nine T2D (55.6 ± 5.7 years, 83.4 ± 26.6 kg, 30.9 ± 5.2 kg.m2(-1)) and ten ND (50.8 ± 5.1 years, 76.2 ± 14.3 kg, 26.5 ± 3.8 kg.m2(-1)) underwent to an incremental exercise test (IT) on a cycle ergometer. Heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate and expired gas concentrations were measured at the end of each stage. HRVT was identified through the responses of root mean square successive difference between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD) and standard deviation of instantaneous beat-to-beat R-R interval variability (SD1) by considering the last 60 s of each incremental stage, and were known as HRVT by RMSSD and SD1 (HRVT-RMSSD and HRVT-SD1), respectively.

Results

No differences were observed within groups for the exercise intensities corresponding to LT, VT, HRVT-RMSSD and HHVT-SD1. Furthermore, a strong relationship were verified among the studied parameters both for T2D (r = 0.68 to 0.87) and ND (r = 0.91 to 0.98) and the Bland & Altman technique confirmed the agreement among them.

Conclusion

The HRVT identification by the proposed autonomic indicators (SD1 and RMSSD) were demonstrated to be valid to estimate the LT and VT for both T2D and ND.
A noise-reduction GWAS analysis implicates altered regulation of neurite outgrowth and guidance in autism
Authors: Hussman John P , Chung Ren-Hua , Griswold Anthony J , Jaworski James M , Salyakina Daria , Ma Deqiong , Konidari Ioanna , Whitehead Patrice L , Vance Jeffery M , Martin Eden R , Cuccaro Michael L , Gilbert John R , Haines Jonathan L , Pericak-Vance Margaret A
Published: January 2011

Background

Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) have proved invaluable for the identification of disease susceptibility genes. However, the prioritization of candidate genes and regions for follow-up studies often proves difficult due to false-positive associations caused by statistical noise and multiple-testing. In order to address this issue, we propose the novel GWAS noise reduction (GWAS-NR) method as a way to increase the power to detect true associations in GWAS, particularly in complex diseases such as autism.

Methods

GWAS-NR utilizes a linear filter to identify genomic regions demonstrating correlation among association signals in multiple datasets. We used computer simulations to assess the ability of GWAS-NR to detect association against the commonly used joint analysis and Fisher's methods. Furthermore, we applied GWAS-NR to a family-based autism GWAS of 597 families and a second existing autism GWAS of 696 families from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) to arrive at a compendium of autism candidate genes. These genes were manually annotated and classified by a literature review and functional grouping in order to reveal biological pathways which might contribute to autism aetiology.

Results

Computer simulations indicate that GWAS-NR achieves a significantly higher classification rate for true positive association signals than either the joint analysis or Fisher's methods and that it can also achieve this when there is imperfect marker overlap across datasets or when the closest disease-related polymorphism is not directly typed. In two autism datasets, GWAS-NR analysis resulted in 1535 significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks overlapping 431 unique reference sequencing (RefSeq) genes. Moreover, we identified the nearest RefSeq gene to the non-gene overlapping LD blocks, producing a final candidate set of 860 genes. Functional categorization of these implicated genes indicates that a significant proportion of them cooperate in a coherent pathway that regulates the directional protrusion of axons and dendrites to their appropriate synaptic targets.

Conclusions

As statistical noise is likely to particularly affect studies of complex disorders, where genetic heterogeneity or interaction between genes may confound the ability to detect association, GWAS-NR offers a powerful method for prioritizing regions for follow-up studies. Applying this method to autism datasets, GWAS-NR analysis indicates that a large subset of genes involved in the outgrowth and guidance of axons and dendrites is implicated in the aetiology of autism.
HLA-DQA1*02:01 Is a Major Risk Factor for Lapatinib-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Spraggs Colin F. , Budde Laura R. , Briley Linda P. , Bing Nan , Cox Charles J. , King Karen S. , Whittaker John C. , Mooser Vincent E. , Preston Alaknanda J. , Stein Steven H. , Cardon Lon R.
Published: January 2011

Purpose

Hepatobiliary adverse events (AEs) have been observed in a small proportion of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treated with lapatinib. This study sought to identify gene variants associated with lapatinib-induced ALT elevation and hepatobiliary AEs.

Patients and Methods

A two-stage pharmacogenetic investigation of ALT elevation was conducted in lapatinib-treated patients with MBC. Exploratory marker identification evaluated classical HLA alleles, candidate genes, and genome-wide screening in 37 cases with ALT greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and 286 controls with ALT ≤ 1× ULN, selected from 901 lapatinib-treated patients in 12 trials. Markers achieving prespecified association thresholds were progressed to an independent confirmatory data set of 24 ALT cases and 155 controls selected from a subsequent trial of 374 lapatinib-treated patients.

Results

Of 58 variants associated with ALT elevation in the exploratory data set, four exceeded the prespecified significance threshold in the confirmatory analysis. These variants reside in the same MHC genomic locus and include HLA-DQA1*02:01. In the confirmatory study, DQA1*02:01 allele carriage was present in 71% of ALT cases and in 21% of controls (P < .001; odds ratio, 9.0; 95% CI, 3.2 to 27.4). As a predictor of liver safety risk in ALT cases versus noncases, DQA1*02:01 had negative and positive predictive values of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95 to 0.99) and 0.17 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.26), respectively.

Conclusion

These results support a role for immune mechanisms in lapatinib-induced hepatotoxicity. Further work is required to determine whether testing for DQA1*02:01 allele carriage is clinically useful in managing liver safety risk during lapatinib treatment.
Clinical Dutch-English Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS) Tumor Association Prediction Score Accurately Predicts Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the LEMS
Authors: Titulaer Maarten J. , Maddison Paul , Sont Jacob K. , Wirtz Paul W. , Hilton-Jones David , Klooster Rinse , Willcox Nick , Potman Marko , Smitt Peter A.E. Sillevis , Kuks Jan B.M. , Roep Bart O. , Vincent Angela , van der Maarel Silvère M. , van Dijk J. Gert , Lang Bethan , Verschuuren Jan J.G.M.
Published: January 2011

Purpose

Approximately one half of patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) have small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLC), aggressive tumors with poor prognosis. In view of its profound impact on therapy and survival, we developed and validated a score to identify the presence of SCLC early in the course of LEMS.

Patients and Methods

We derived a prediction score for SCLC in LEMS in a nationwide cohort of 107 Dutch patients, and validated it in a similar cohort of 112 British patients. A Dutch-English LEMS Tumor Association Prediction (DELTA-P) score was developed based on multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Age at onset, smoking behavior, weight loss, Karnofsky performance status, bulbar involvement, male sexual impotence, and the presence of Sry-like high-mobility group box protein 1 serum antibodies were independent predictors for SCLC in LEMS. A DELTA-P score was derived allocating 1 point for the presence of each of the following items at or within 3 months from onset: age at onset ≥ 50 years, smoking at diagnosis, weight loss ≥ 5%, bulbar involvement, erectile dysfunction, and Karnofsky performance status lower than 70. The area under the curve of the receiver operating curve was 94.4% in the derivation cohort and 94.6% in the validation set. A DELTA-P score of 0 or 1 corresponded to a 0% to 2.6% chance of SCLC, whereas scores of 4, 5, and 6 corresponded to chances of SCLC of 93.5%, 96.6%, and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion

The simple clinical DELTA-P score discriminated patients with LEMS with and without SCLC with high accuracy early in the course of LEMS.
Impaired Hypothalamic Regulation of Endocrine Function and Delayed Counterregulatory Response to Hypoglycemia in Magel2-Null Mice
Authors: Tennese Alysa A. , Wevrick Rachel
Published: January 2011

Hypothalamic dysfunction may underlie endocrine abnormalities in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic disorder that features GH deficiency, obesity, and infertility. One of the genes typically inactivated in PWS, MAGEL2, is highly expressed in the hypothalamus. Mice deficient for Magel2 are obese with increased fat mass and decreased lean mass and have blunted circadian rhythm. Here, we demonstrate that Magel2-null mice have abnormalities of hypothalamic endocrine axes that recapitulate phenotypes in PWS. Magel2-null mice had elevated basal corticosterone levels, and although male Magel2-null mice had an intact corticosterone response to restraint and to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, female Magel2-null mice failed to respond to hypoglycemia with increased corticosterone. After insulin-induced hypoglycemia, Magel2-null mice of both sexes became more profoundly hypoglycemic, and female mice were slower to recover euglycemia, suggesting an impaired hypothalamic counterregulatory response. GH insufficiency can produce abnormal body composition, such as that seen in PWS and in Magel2-null mice. Male Magel2-null mice had Igf-I levels similar to control littermates. Female Magel2-null mice had low Igf-I levels and reduced GH release in response to stimulation with ghrelin. Female Magel2-null mice did respond to GHRH, suggesting that their GH deficiency has a hypothalamic rather than pituitary origin. Female Magel2-null mice also had higher serum adiponectin than expected, considering their increased fat mass, and thyroid (T4) levels were low. Together, these findings strongly suggest that loss of MAGEL2 contributes to endocrine dysfunction of hypothalamic origin in individuals with PWS.
Dynamic stage-specific changes in imprinted differentially methylated regions during early mammalian development and prevalence of non-CpG methylation in oocytes
Authors: Tomizawa Shin-ichi , Kobayashi Hisato , Watanabe Toshiaki , Andrews Simon , Hata Kenichiro , Kelsey Gavin , Sasaki Hiroyuki
Published: January 2011

Mammalian imprinted genes are associated with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that are CpG methylated on one of the two parental chromosomes. In mice, at least 21 DMRs acquire differential methylation in the germline and many of them act as imprint centres. We previously reported the physical extents of differential methylation at 15 DMRs in mouse embryos at 12.5 days postcoitum. To reveal the ontogeny of differential methylation, we determined and compared methylation patterns of the corresponding regions in sperm and oocytes. We found that the extent of the gametic DMRs differs significantly from that of the embryonic DMRs, especially in the case of paternal gametic DMRs. These results suggest that the gametic DMR sequences should be used to extract the features specifying methylation imprint establishment in the germline: from this analysis, we noted that the maternal gametic DMRs appear as unmethylated islands in male germ cells, which suggests a novel component in the mechanism of gamete-specific marking. Analysis of selected DMRs in blastocysts revealed dynamic changes in allelic methylation in early development, indicating that DMRs are not fully protected from the major epigenetic reprogramming events occurring during preimplantation development. Furthermore, we observed non-CpG methylation in oocytes, but not in sperm, which disappeared by the blastocyst stage. Non-CpG methylation was frequently found at maternally methylated DMRs as well as non-DMR regions, suggesting its prevalence in the oocyte genome. These results provide evidence for a unique methylation profile in oocytes and reveal the surprisingly dynamic nature of DMRs in the early embryo.
Gas-Phase Study of Molecular Switches Based on Tautomeric Proton Transfer
Authors: Nedeltcheva Daniela , Kurteva Vanya , Antonov Liudmil
Published: January 2011

The keto–enol tautomeric equilibrium in two newly developed molecular switches was studied by using various mass spectral techniques. In these two compounds, namely 4-(phenyldiazenyl)-2-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)naphthalen-1-ol and 2-[(1,4,7,10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecan-13-yl)methyl]-4-(phenyldiazenyl)naphthalen-1-ol, the switching on/off states are achieved by a controlled shift of the tautomeric equilibrium. In the first compound, electron impact–mass spectrometry confirms that the unprotonated dye exists as an enol tautomer, while the electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) experiment proves the clear shift to the keto tautomeric form under switching with acid addition. In the second compound, the addition of the alkali metal ions causes transition of the tautomeric equilibrium from the pure enol to the pure keto form. The ESI-MS study demonstrated better sensitivity towards lithium ions.
A Feasibility Study Using Simplified near Infrared Imaging to Detect Fruit Fly Larvae in Intact Fruit
Authors: Saranwong Sirinnapa , Haff Ronald P. , Thanapase Warunee , Janhiran Athit , Kasemsumran Sumaporn , Kawano Sumio
Published: January 2011

The potential for near infrared (NIR) imaging technology to yield improved sensitivity for detecting oriental fruit flies infested in intact mangoes was investigated. Hyperspectral data from 400 nm to 1000 nm were acquired from eight infested mangoes and eight control mangoes at Oh, 24 h and 48 h after infestation. Sixteen pores were created on each mango. Four mangoes from each class were set aside as independent test samples. From each of the eight remaining fruit, nine spectra (3 × 3 pixel) from the area of each pore were extracted. Each spectrum was considered to be an individual, multiple-feature sample. The features were input into an iterative Bayesian discriminant analysis routine for the classification. Using the three selected wavelengths for spectra measured at 48 h after infestation, classification results were 0.9% false negatives (infested fruit misclassified) (range of fruit fly larvae: 8–57) and 5.7% false positives (control fruit misclassified). Grey-scale images of the area (4 × 4 cm) containing the pores for each fruit were generated based on the Mahalanobis distance calculated from the pretreated 48 h absorbance values at each of the three wavelengths selected. Clear distinction between infested areas were observed with few false positive results in the control fruit, indicating the feasibility of using NIR imaging as the basis for a low-cost, high-speed device for the detection of the oriental fruit fly in mangoes.
Ranking Intervals and Dominance Relations for Ratio-Based Efficiency Analysis
Authors: Salo Ahti , Punkka Antti
Published: January 2011

We develop comparative results for ratio-based efficiency analysis (REA) based on the decision-making units' (DMUs') relative efficiencies over sets of feasible weights that characterize preferences for input and output variables. Specifically, we determine (i) ranking intervals, which indicate the best and worst efficiency rankings that a DMU can attain relative to other DMUs; (ii) dominance relations, which show what other DMUs a given DMU dominates in pairwise efficiency comparisons; and (iii) efficiency bounds, which show how much more efficient a given DMU can be relative to some other DMU or a subset of other DMUs. Unlike conventional efficiency scores, these results are insensitive to outlier DMUs. They also show how the DMUs' efficiency ratios relate to each other for all feasible weights, rather than for those weights only for which the data envelopment analysis (DEA) efficiency score of some DMU is maximized. We illustrate the usefulness of these results by revisiting reported DEA studies and by describing a recent case study on the efficiency comparison of university departments.

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, decision analysis.
Enhancement of ruthenium-catalyzed olefin metathesis reactions: Searching for new catalyst or new reaction conditions?
Authors: Szadkowska Anna , Samojłowicz Cezary , Grela Karol
Published: January 2011

Olefin metathesis as a catalytic process constantly gains interest among organic chemists. Over the last decade, it became an efficient tool to accomplish the synthesis of many complex molecules. The development of new well-defined catalysts and continuous examination of novel ligands led to the establishment of metathesis methodology in a group of widespread chemical transformations. Not only does the selection of the catalyst seem to be of crucial importance, but modifying the reaction conditions, such as choice of the solvent and temperature, also allows one to make olefin metathesis a practical industrial process. This contribution, based on examples from our research, is devoted to answering the question “What may have a greater impact on the performance of metathesis reaction: a sophisticated catalyst design or unique reaction conditions?” Based on the data reported in the paper, we discuss two complementary strategies concerning the tuning of the olefin metathesis process.
Chirospecific synthesis: Catalysis and chiral pool hand in hand
Authors: Koskinen Ari M. P.
Published: January 2011

Nature provides us with a wonderful pool of enantiopure starting materials for synthesis: amino acids, sugars, and many (but not all!) terpenes can be isolated even in large quantities in an uncompromised 100 % ee. Vicinal amino alcohols constitute a versatile group of organic structures; they are, in principle, available in enantiopure form from the chiral pool compounds or through chiral catalysis; they are potent intermediates for the synthesis of natural products and medicinally/biologically active compounds, and they provide a highly desirable scaffold for the construction of ligands for metals as well as organocatalysts. These new techniques will open up valuable new possibilities for the invention of new technologies for chemical synthesis, the desired course of chemical discoveries for the future. A robust entry to enantiopure vicinal amino alcohols from inexpensive naturally occurring amino acids has therefore become a key challenge for our endeavors in the development of methodology.
Stratification and Mobility in Contemporary Egypt
Authors: Nagi Saad Z. , Nagi Omar
Published: January 2011

The objectives in this statement are to characterize and explain the patterns of change in stratification and mobility in Egypt, over the last half century, by placing them within conceptual, explanatory, and historical contexts. First, literature relevant to the primary concepts of "class" and "status", is reviewed. Second, four institutions whose influence is fundamental in shaping these patterns are identified to form an explanatory context: family, polity, economy, and education. And third, an historical account is presented to demonstrate the interplay of these institutions and their consequences for stratification and mobility. For this, four periods are identified that are marked by change in the dominance of institutions and their corresponding influence on stratification and mobility. In addition to data available in relevant literature, this analysis utilizes primary data generated through a national probability household survey.
Applying a Biopsychosocial Perspective to Investigate Factors Related to Emotional Adjustment and Quality of Life for Individuals With Brain Tumour
Authors: Ownsworth Tamara , Hawkes Anna L. , Chambers Suzanne , Walker David G. , Shum David
Published: January 2011

Objective:This exploratory study applied a biopsychosocial perspective to investigate cognitive and psychosocial factors related to emotional adjustment and QoL after brain tumour.Methods:Participants included 30 adults with a brain tumour (60% benign and 40% malignant) who were aged 28 to 71 years (M= 51.5,SD= 12.3) and on average 5.4 years post-diagnosis (SD= 5.6 years). Participants completed a brief battery of cognitive tests and self-report measures of emotional status (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale), subjective impairment (Patient Competency Rating Scale), coping (COPE), social support (Brief Social Support Questionnaire), and QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy — Brain Tumour [FACT-Br]).Results:QoL was significantly associated with global cognitive ability (r= .49,p< .01), subjective impairment (r= .66,p< .01), and satisfaction with support (r= .50,p< .05). Level of depressive symptoms was significantly correlated with premorbid IQ (r= -.49,p< .01), use of planning to cope (r= -.48,p< .01), and satisfaction with support (r= -.47,p< .01).Conclusions:Overall, these exploratory findings indicate that emotional adjustment and QoL after brain tumour is related to a slightly different pattern of neuropsychological, psychological (self-perceptions and coping) and social factors. The clinical implications for interventions with individuals with brain tumour are discussed.
Adaptive Self-Explication of Multiattribute Preferences
Authors: Netzer Oded , Srinivasan V.
Published: January 2011

The authors propose a Web-based adaptive self-explicated approach for multiattribute preference measurement (conjoint analysis) with a large number (ten or more) of attributes. The proposed approach overcomes some of the limitations of previous self-explicated approaches. The authors develop a computer-based self-explicated approach that breaks down the attribute importance question into a ranking of attributes followed by a sequence of constant-sum paired comparison questions. In the proposed approach, the questions are chosen adaptively for each respondent to maximize the information elicited from each paired comparison question. Unlike the traditional self-explicated approach, the proposed approach provides standard errors for attribute importance. In two studies involving digital cameras and laptop computers described on 12 and 14 attributes, respectively, the authors find that the ability to correctly predict validation choices of the proposed adaptive approach is substantially and significantly greater than that of adaptive conjoint analysis, the fast polyhedral method, and the traditional self-explicated approach. In addition, the adaptive self-explicated approach yields a significantly higher predictive validity than a nonadaptive fractional factorial constant-sum paired comparison design.
More or Less: A Model and Empirical Evidence on Preferences for Under- and Overpayment in Trade-In Transactions
Authors: Kim Jungkeun , Rao Raghunath Singh , Kim Kyeongheui , Rao Akshay R.
Published: January 2011

Trade-in transactions typically involve an exchange of an old, used version for a new or newer version of the product. When consumers trade in their used model for a new model, the firm faces the choice of paying the consumer a relatively low price for the used model and charging a commensurately low price for the new model or paying a relatively high price for the used model and charging a commensurately high price for the new model. The extant literature suggests that consumers always prefer to be overpaid in trade-in transactions because they disproportionately value the gain associated with the revenues from the sale of the used version of the product. The authors draw from the prospect theory value function to develop a simple analytical model that identifies a condition under which this preference for overpayment is reversed. Their model predicts that even when faced with economically equivalent price formats, consumers prefer to be overpaid when the ratio of the price of their used product to the price of the new product is low, but when that ratio is high, the preference for overpayment is reversed. They observe support for the predictions that emerge from the model in laboratory experiments.
When Trade-Offs Matter: The Effect of Choice Construal on Context Effects
Authors: Khan Uzma , Zhu Meng , Kalra Ajay
Published: January 2011

Everyday decisions present consumers with several trade-offs. In turn, these trade-offs can influence the decision outcome. The authors show that the level at which people construe a choice can affect trade-off making, such that a high construal of a choice decreases comparative trade-offs relative to a low construal. They use six studies to illustrate the idea in three important trade-off-relevant context effects. The results show that a high (versus a low) construal decreases the compromise and background-contrast effects and increases the attraction effect by reducing attribute-level trade-offs.
Learning and Acting on Customer Information: A Simulation-Based Demonstration on Service Allocations with Offshore Centers
Authors: Sun Baohong , Shibo Li
Published: January 2011

As service centers become crucial corporate assets for increasing customer relationships and profits, it is imperative to understand customer reactions to service allocations. Using customer call history from a DSL service, the authors empirically investigate how customers’ onshore and offshore experiences affect service duration and customer retention. They formulate service channel allocation decisions as solutions to a dynamic programming problem in which the firm learns about heterogeneous customer preferences, balances short-term service costs with long-term customer retention, and optimally matches customers with their preferred centers to maximize long-term profit. They demonstrate through simulations that learning enables a firm to make more customized allocations and that acting on long-term customer responses prompts the firm to make proactive decisions that prevent customers from leaving. As a result, the firm can improve customer retention and profit. The proposed framework also mirrors the recent trend of companies seeking solutions that transform customer information into customized and dynamic marketing decisions to improve long-term profit.
Stress Potentiates Early and Attenuates Late Stages of Visual Processing
Authors: Shackman Alexander J. , Maxwell Jeffrey S. , McMenamin Brenton W. , Greischar Lawrence L. , Davidson Richard J.
Published: January 2011

Stress can fundamentally alter neural responses to incoming information. Recent research suggests that stress and anxiety shift the balance of attention away from a task-directed mode, governed by prefrontal cortex, to a sensory-vigilance mode, governed by the amygdala and other threat-sensitive regions. A key untested prediction of this framework is that stress exerts dissociable effects on different stages of information processing. This study exploited the temporal resolution afforded by event-related potentials to disentangle the impact of stress on vigilance, indexed by early perceptual activity, from its impact on task-directed cognition, indexed by later postperceptual activity in humans. Results indicated that threat of shock amplified stress, measured using retrospective ratings and concurrent facial electromyography. Stress also double-dissociated early sensory-specific processing from later task-directed processing of emotionally neutral stimuli: stress amplified N1 (184–236 ms) and attenuated P3 (316–488 ms) activity. This demonstrates that stress can have strikingly different consequences at different processing stages. Consistent with recent suggestions, stress amplified earlier extrastriate activity in a manner consistent with vigilance for threat (N1), but disrupted later activity associated with the evaluation of task-relevant information (P3). These results provide a novel basis for understanding how stress can modulate information processing in everyday life and stress-sensitive disorders.
From "Mothers of Humanity" to "Assisting the Emperor": Gendered Belonging in the Wartime Rhetoric of Japanese Feminist Ichikawa Fusae
Authors: Molony Barbara
Published: January 2011

Ichikawa Fusae, like other Japanese feminists from the 1920s through the 1940s, faced a dilemma as Japan pursued an increasingly aggressive foreign policy, first in Asia and later toward Western nations. A founder of the Women's Suffrage League who shared the gender-neutral beliefs of a transnational group of feminists, Ichikawa initially rejected the notion that women deserved the vote because of their status as mothers but eventually adopted this rationale as a strategy to gain inclusion in the Japanese nation-state. By the 1940s she also came to accept that service to the state in wartime—even service to a militaristic state whose policies she deplored—might offer the only means by which women could achieve individual citizenship in Japan. Feminists in Japan and elsewhere continue to debate the legacy of her choices.
Survival of Fish Impinged on a Rotary Disk Screen
Authors: Bigbee Daniel L. , King Ronald G. , Dixon Kent M. , Dixon Douglas A. , Perry Elgin S.
Published: January 2011

An impingement survival study was conducted to determine 48-h survival of fish impinged on a modified rotary disk screen equipped with fish protection features. The rotary disk screen was installed for a technology evaluation at the cooling-water intake structure of the North Omaha Station located on the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska. Hatchery-raised fish and native fish collected from the Missouri River were released in batches into the rotary disk screen bay and collected with a system that was constructed to recover fish from the screen's vacuum system. That system was designed to remove fish from the rotary disk screen and return them to the river. Screen performance was assessed in April and August, representing spring and summer environmental conditions. The 48-h survival rates of hatchery-raised fathead minnow Pimephales promelas, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and a group of mixed native species approached 100%. Survival rates were not statistically different between test groups and controls, indicating that impingement did not contribute to the observed mortality. High survival rates of impinged fish removed from the screen indicated that the rotary disk screen would reduce impingement losses at the North Omaha Station, where losses due to impingement on the existing vertical traveling screens are assumed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to approach 100% because the screens lack fish protection features. Our study results suggest that the rotary disk screen tested could be considered an alternative technology under section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act, which requires power plants to install the best technology available to reduce impingement. Use of hatchery-reared fish and native fish collected from the river assured that an adequate number of fish were tested to provide statistically reliable results and allowed the use of controls to account for mortality due to handling stresses experienced by test fish.
Assessing the Effects of Catch-and-Release Regulations on a Brook Trout Population Using an Age-Structured Model
Authors: Risley Casey A. L. , Zydlewski Joseph
Published: January 2011

As populations of wild brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis decline across the species' native range in North America, angling regulations such as fly-fishing only and catch and release are being used by management agencies to conserve fish while maintaining angling opportunities. Postrelease (hooking) mortality may significantly shift the age structure and size structure of populations. To assess the possible influence of catch-and-release fishing on brook trout population structure, we applied data from several sources to build a deterministic population model that included age-classes up to age 5. To assess the potential effect of fishing, we examined the changes in population density and age structure at varying levels of angler effort (0–400 angler-hours·ha−1·year−1) and hooking mortality rates (0–14%). Assuming a low (5%) hooking mortality rate, trophy brook trout density (ages 4 and 5) decreased by 50% at an angling intensity of 160 angler-hours·ha−1·year−1. As angling effort increased, the proportion of older fish (ages 3–5) declined further. At very high levels of angling effort (>300 angler-hours·ha−1·year−1), age-4 and age-5 fish were eliminated from the population. Increases in postrelease mortality rates resulted in similar declines for older age-classes. The results of this simulation indicate that hooking mortality rates as might be common in catch-and-release fisheries may significantly shift the age structure of a population, thus reducing trophy angling potential.