bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing and evaluating kalas
Authors: Svensson Martin , Höök Kristina , Cöster Rickard
Published: November 2005

The idea of social navigation is to aid users to navigate information spaces through making the collective, aggregated, or individual actions of others visible and useful as a basis for making decisions on where to go next and what to choose. These social markers should also help in turning the navigation experience into a social and pleasurable one rather than the tedious, boring, frustrating, and sometimes even scary experience of a lonely traveler. To evaluate whether it is possible to design for social navigation, we built the food recipe systemKalas. It includes several different forms of aggregated trails of user actions and means of communication between users: recommender system functionality (recommendations computed from others' choices), real-time broadcasting of concurrent user activity in the interface, possibilities to comment and vote on recipes, the number of downloads per recipe, and chatting facilities. Recipe author was also included in the recipe description.Kalas was tried with 302 users during six months, and 73 of the users answered a final questionnaire. The overall impression was that users liked and acted on aggregated trails and navigated differently because of them. 18% of the selected recipes came from the list of recommended recipes. About half of the 73 users understood that recommendations were computed from their own and others actions, while the rest had not reflected upon it or had erroneous beliefs. Interestingly, both groups selected a large proportion of their recipes from the recommendations.Unfortunately, there were not enough users to populate the space at every occasion, and thus both chatting and following other users moving in the space was for the most part not possible, but when possible, users move to the space where most other users could be found. Of the other social textures, users themselves claimed to be most influenced by other users' comments attached to the recipes and less by recipe author or number of downloads. Users are more positive to the possibility of expressing themselves in terms of comments and voting than seeing the comments and votes of others.It was noted that users did not pick more recommended recipes towards the end of the study period when the accuracy of recommendations should have been higher. More or less from the start, they picked recommended recipes and went on doing so throughout the whole period.
Benefits of merging command selection and direct manipulation
Authors: Guimbretière François , Martin Andrew , Winograd Terry
Published: November 2005

Toolglass [Bier et al. 1993] demonstrated a two-handed command selection technique that combined command selection and direct manipulation. While empirical evaluations showed a speed advantage for ToolGlass, they did not examine the relative importance of two possible factors in its improved performance: (1) the use of two hands and (2) the merging of command selection and direct manipulation.We conducted a study comparing the relative benefits of three command selection techniques that merge command selection and direct manipulation: one two-handed technique, Toolglass, and two one-handed techniques, namely, control menus [Pook et al. 2000] and FlowMenu [Guimbretière and Winograd 2000]. Participants performed sequences of operations that required both selecting a color and designating the endpoints of a line. Our results show that control menus and FlowMenu are significantly faster than Toolglass. Further analysis suggests that the merging of command selection and direct manipulation is the most important factor in the performance of all three techniques.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule: Implications for Clinical Research
Authors: Nosowsky Rachel , Giordano Thomas J.
Published: November 2005

In the short time since it became effective for health care organizations, a privacy regulation issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has had a significant adverse impact on the conduct of clinical research in the United States, without a substantial corresponding increase in privacy protection for research participants. Some of the problems associated with HIPAA have been resolved through revisions since the regulation's initial promulgation in December 2000, and other problems can be addressed by better educating health care providers and researchers about its requirements and available alternatives for compliance; however, considerable structural challenges remain. These constitute substantial barriers to research and resulting medical advances. Additional revisions to HIPAA based on the principles and trade-offs reflected in the Common Rule—which responsibly balances an individual's interest in privacy protection with the public interest in gaining knowledge through biomedical research—can go a long way to remedying remaining flaws in the system.
An incredible decade for the primary cilium: a look at a once-forgotten organelle
Authors: Davenport James R. , Yoder Bradley K.
Published: November 2005

Since the discovery that numerous proteins involved in mammalian disease localize to the basal bodies and cilia, these organelles have emerged from relative obscurity to the center of intense research efforts in an expanding number of disease- and developmental-related fields. Our understanding of the association between cilia and human disease has benefited substantially from the use of lower organisms such as Chlamydomonas and Caenorhabditis elegans and the availability of murine models and cell culture. These research endeavors led to the discovery that loss of normal ciliary function in mammals is responsible for cystic and noncystic pathology in the kidney, liver, brain, and pancreas, as well as severe developmental patterning abnormalities. In addition, the localization of proteins involved in rare human disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome has suggested that cilia-related dysfunction may play a role in modern human epidemics such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Although we have made great advances in demonstrating the importance of cilia over the past decade, the physiological role that this organelle plays in most tissues remains elusive. Research focused on addressing this issue will be of critical importance for a further understanding of how ciliary dysfunction can lead to such severe disease and developmental pathologies.
Stability of difference analogue of linear mathematical invertedpendulum
Authors: Shaikhet L.
Published: November 2005

A sufficient condition to preserve the property of asymptotic
stability for a difference analogue of the linear mathematical
inverted pendulum is obtained.
Stability and global attractivity for a class ofnonlinear delay difference equations
Authors: Dai Binxiang , Zhang Na
Published: November 2005

A class of nonlinear delay difference equations are considered
and some sufficient conditions for global attractivity of
solutions of the equation are obtained. It is shown that the
stability properties, both local and global, of the equilibrium of
the delay equation can be derived from those of an associated
nondelay equation.
A new chaotic attractor from 2D discrete mappingvia border‐collision period‐doubling scenario
Authors: Elhadj Zeraoulia
Published: November 2005

The following map is studied:
(x, y) → (1 + a(|x| − y2) + y, bx). It is proved numerically
that this model can display two different chaotic
attractors, one is new
and the other is a Lozi‐type attractor. The new chaotic attractor
is allowed via a border‐collision period‐doubling scenario, which
is different from the classical period‐doubling bifurcation.
On the optimal control of single‐stage hybrid manufacturing systems via novel and different variants of particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Arumugam M. Senthil , Rao M. V. C.
Published: November 2005

This paper presents several novel approaches of particle swarm
optimization (PSO) algorithm with new particle velocity equations
and three variants of inertia weight to solve the optimal control
problem of a class of hybrid systems, which are motivated by the
structure of manufacturing environments that integrate process and
optimal control. In the proposed PSO algorithm, the particle
velocities are conceptualized with the local best (or
pbest) and global best (or gbest) of the swarm,
which makes a quick decision to direct the search towards the
optimal (fitness) solution. The inertia weight of the proposed
methods is also described as a function of pbest and gbest, which
allows the PSO to converge faster with accuracy. A typical
numerical example of the optimal control problem is included to
analyse the efficacy and validity of the proposed algorithms.
Several statistical analyses including hypothesis test are done to
compare the validity of the proposed algorithms with the existing
PSO technique, which adopts linearly decreasing inertia weight.
The results clearly demonstrate that the proposed PSO approaches
not only improve the quality but also are more efficient in
converging to the optimal value faster.
Detecting synchronization in spatially extended discrete systems by complexity measurements
Authors: Sánchez Juan R. , López-Ruiz Ricardo
Published: November 2005

The synchronization of two stochastically coupled one‐dimensional
cellular automata (CA) is analyzed. It is shown that the
transition to synchronization is characterized by a dramatic
increase of the statistical complexity of the patterns generated
by the difference automaton. This singular behavior is verified
to be present in several CA rules displaying complex behavior.
Abstracts of Papers Presented at the 2005 Pittsburgh Conference
Authors: Stockwell Peter B.
Published: November 2005

To attend or not to attend, that is the question. The Pittsburgh
Conference continues to pose this conundrum to conferees and
exhibitors alike. This year′s conference was the first to be
presented without a set of paper abstracts—a good thing some
would say but this old codger always used the paper abstracts to
select papers of interest to our readership and to seek a full
publication. The exhibit took its usual format but it seemed
that there were less manufacturers present. The information
presented to the attendees was also lacking and many companies′
details were missing from the final program book, an omission no
doubt on their behalf—my company was one of these—however I
feel sure that past Pittcon organizers would have been more
persistent in getting the required details for the audience. As
is now the norm, many of the presentations take the form of
posters displayed within the exhibition area. Without a driver
to get the audience there, the traffic was slow, to say the
least. Lecture presentations were also attended in a mixed
fashion. So the Pittsburgh Conference show moves on, and again
next year it will be held in Orlando from 12 March to 17 March
2006. No doubt I will be there making it a straight 31 in a row;
in Pittsburgh Conference terms I am just a beginner with many of
the attendees making more shows in a run than that. Selected
abstracts dealing with topics of interest to the readers of this
journal follow—hopefully many of these groups will be willing
to publish their work either within this journal or elsewhere.
Association of Serum Reactive Oxygen Metabolite Levels with Different Histopathological Types of Lung Cancer
Authors: Gencer Mehmet , Ceylan Erkan , Aksoy Nurten , Uzun Kürsat
Published: November 2005

Background: Oxygen is required for respiration and the energetic processes that enable aerobic life. Costs associated with oxygen use are free radical and reactive oxygen metabolite (ROM) formations, which create oxidative stress and contribute to various processes including aging, degenerative diseases and cancer. Additionally, they may have a role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer with different histopathological types. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the degree of oxidative stress in different types of carcinoma such as small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma, including epidermoid carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, and to find out whether the degree of oxidative stress shows any difference among them and whether it can be used as an index for their differential diagnosis. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with lung cancer and 26 healthy persons were included in the study. Of the patients with lung cancer, 14 had epidermoid carcinoma, 12 adenocarcinoma and 12 small cell carcinoma. Serum ROM levels were detected by using an available commercial kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results:The ROM levels were significantly lower in the controls than in the patients (p<0.001). Although all subtypes had significantly high ROM levels compared with the controls, the highest significance was found in the small cell carcinoma (p<0.001), and then in the adenocarcinoma and epidermoid carcinoma (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively). Conclusions: In the light of these data, it might be possible to conclude that the serum ROM levels increase in patients with different types of lung cancers and may be an index parameter for lung cancer. It could be thought that this increase, particularly in small cell carcinoma, may contribute to its poor progression.
Clinically Equivalent Bronchodilatation Achieved with Formoterol Delivered via Easyhaler® and Aerolizer®
Authors: Dubakiene Ruta , Nargela Remigijus , Sakalauskas Raimundas , Vahteristo Mikko , Silvasti Matti , Lähelmä Satu
Published: November 2005

Background: User-friendly devices for the delivery of asthma drugs are needed to enhance treatment compliance. Formoterol inhalation powder has been developed to Easyhaler® multidose powder inhaler to enable the treatment of all asthma severities with the same device. Objectives: This double-blind, double-dummy, single- dose, placebo-controlled, cross-over study aimed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of the bronchodilating effect of formoterol 12 µg delivered via Easyhaler versus via Aerolizer®. In addition, dose responses following placebo, 12-µg and 48-µg doses of formoterol via Easyhaler were compared. Furthermore, onset and duration of action, and safety of formoterol inhaled using the two inhalers were compared. Methods: Sixty-seven adult asthmatic subjects showing ≧15% increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after short-acting sympathomimetic inhalation were enrolled and completed the study. The study comprised screening and 4 treatment days, with each subject inhaling a single 12-µg dose of formoterol via Easyhaler, a 12-µg dose via Aerolizer, a 48-µg dose via Easyhaler or placebo. Repeat spirometry and vital sign measurements were performed for 12 h during treatment days. The primary efficacy variable was the area under the flow volume curve (AUC0–12) of FEV1. Secondary efficacy variables comprised maximum FEV1 (FEV1max), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the need of rescue medication during the treatment days. Safety was evaluated by determining blood pressure, heart rate and the number of adverse events (AEs). Results: Results showed the non-inferiority of the bronchodilating effect of 12 µg formoterol via Easyhaler® compared to Aerolizer®. The Easyhaler-Aerolizer ratio for AUC0–12 of FEV1 was 0.991 (95% confidence interval from 0.969 to 1.013). No statistically significant differences emerged for secondary efficacy variables. A statistically significant dose response was seen following placebo, 12- and 48-µg doses in FEV1. No safety differences emerged for the 12-µg dose inhaled via Easyhaler or Aerolizer, but the incidence of AEs was higher following formoterol 48 µg and placebo treatments. Conclusions: Formoterol delivered via Easyhaler was therapeutically equivalent to Aerolizerat the 12-µg dose. The 48-µg dose via Easyhaler demonstrated statistically significantly greater bronchodilation but showed an increased occurrence of AEs.
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation in Patients with Respiratory Failure due to Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Jaber Samir , Chanques Gérald , Sebbane Mustapha , Salhi Farida , Delay Jean-Marc , Perrigault Pierre-François , Eledjam Jean-Jacques
Published: November 2005

Background:Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who require mechanical ventilation have high morbidity and mortality rates. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) delivered through a mask has become increasingly popular for the treatment of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and may limit some mechanical ventilation complications. Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to evaluate our clinical experience with the use of NPPV in AP patients with ARF. Methods: From 1997 to 2003, we documented clinical data, gas exchange and outcome of the 62 AP patients admitted to our intensive care unit. Patients who benefited from NPPV (success) were compared with those who failed (intubated). Results:Twenty-nine patients were intubated at admission and 5 did not develop ARF. Of the 28 patients treated with NPPV, 15 were not intubated (54%). Both groups had a similar PaO2/FiO2 ratio (142 ± 21 vs. 133 ± 20; p = 0.127) and severity of illness (Ranson and Balthazar scores). Presence of atelectasis, bilateral alveolar infiltrates and abdominal distension were associated with failure of NPPV. Oxygenation improved and respiratory rate decreased significantly only in the success group. Additionally, the length of stay at the intensive care unit was significantly lower in the success group. Conclusion: NPPV is feasible and safe to treat ARF in selected patients with AP who require ventilatory support.
Inhaled Ethanolic and Aqueous Solutions via Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler Are Well-Tolerated in Asthma Patients
Authors: Patel K.R. , Pavia D. , Lowe L. , Spiteri M.
Published: November 2005

Background: Respimat® Soft Mist™ Inhaler (SMI) is a new-generation inhaler offering improved lung deposition compared with other devices. Bronchodilators administered via Respimat SMI are preserved and stabilized with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA); both have been reported to cause paradoxical bronchoconstriction if a threshold dose is exceeded. Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, three-period, crossover study was to establish that the safety of inhaled ethanolic and aqueous placebo solutions (containing BAC and EDTA) is equivalent to that of inhaled normal saline solution when administered to asthma patients via Respimat SMI. Methods: Thirty-seven asthma patients with airway hyper-reactivity were randomized to receive four actuations of each of the following three treatments via Respimat SMI, one on each of 3 study days: ethanolic placebo (12 µl 96% ethanol + 0.13 µg EDTA/actuation), aqueous placebo (12 µl water + 5.5 µg EDTA + 1.1 µg BAC/actuation), and normal saline (12 µl 0.9% sodium chloride/actuation). Pulmonary function tests were performed at baseline and at 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after inhalation; the primary endpoint was the lowest FEV1 recorded between 0 and 30 min. Results: The mean lowest FEV1 recorded between 0 and 30 min after inhalation minus the study day baseline was –0.090 litres for ethanolic placebo, –0.121 litres for aqueous placebo and –0.094 litres for normal saline (SEM 0.034 litres for all). The mean treatment differences were: ethanolic placebo versus normal saline 0.004 litres (90% CI –0.075–0.083 litres, p = 0.002), and aqueous placebo versus normal saline –0.028 litres (90% CI –0.107–0.052 litres, p = 0.006). Since both 90% CIs fell within the pre-determined equivalence region of ±0.15 litres, both treatments were considered equivalent to normal saline. Conclusion: Ethanolic and aqueous solutions administered via Respimat SMI are safe with regard to paradoxical bronchoconstriction in asthma patients with airway hyper-reactivity.
Identification of Hevamine and Hev b 1 as Major Latex Allergens in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Mey-Fann , Chen Yi-Hsing , Lin Huei-Chin , Wang Huei-Lin , Hwang Guang-Yuh , Wu Chii-Huei
Published: November 2005

Background: Proteins from latex gloves have been documented to trigger occupational latex allergy among health care workers. Allergen characterization of latex glove extract has never been studied in Taiwan. This study aimed to identify allergenic proteins from latex gloves. Methods: Crude extracts of latex gloves were prepared with phosphate-buffered saline and 20 medical workers with a history of latex allergy were enrolled in this study. The specific IgE antibody was determined by the Pharmacia CAP system and in-house enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunoblotting. The target proteins were excised from two-dimensional PAGE and analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Immunoblotting of glove extracts revealed three IgE-binding proteins at a molecular mass of 45, 30 and 14 kDa. Peptide mass fingerprinting revealed that the protein at 45 kDa, which was recognized by 10% (2/20) of atopic sera tested, was an allergenic lipolytic esterase from Hevea brasiliensis (Hev b 13). The 30- and 14-kDa proteins, which were recognized by 55% (11/20) and 85% (17/20) of patients’ sera, were found to be hevamine and rubber elongation factor (Hev b 1), respectively. Conclusions: Our results indicated that hevamine and Hev b 1 are the major allergens from latex gloves in Taiwan, which differs from the reports in Western countries.
Identification and Possible Disease Mechanisms of an Under-Recognized Fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans
Authors: Taylor Philip E. , Esch Robert , Flagan Richard C. , House James , Tran Lisa , Glovsky M. Michael
Published: November 2005

Background: Investigations into the occurrence and health effects of yeast-like fungi in the outdoor air in the US have been limited. We sought to identify a respirable-sized fungus common in the Pasadena air, locate a major source for the emissions and investigate its relevance to allergic disease. Methods: Yeast-like fungi sampled from the environment were isolated, microscopically examined and sequenced. Pasadena allergy patients were skin tested with commercially available fungal extracts. Patient serum was immunoanalyzed for specific IgE reactivity. Nearby vegetation was analyzed in a controlled emission chamber to find a major source for the aerosols. Results: Hyaline unicellular conidia comprised up to 90% (41,250 m–3 of air) of total fungal counts and generally peaked at night and during periods of rainfall and ensuing winds throughout the fall and winter. Flowers were determined to be a major source of the emissions. The cellular and colonial morphology of isolates were consistent with Aureobasidium species. The sequence of the D1/D2 region of the 26S ribosomal subunit of isolates from flowers showed identity to two strains of Aureobasidium pullulans (black yeast). Seventeen percent (16/94) of atopic individuals had positive skin testing with A. pullulans extract. Patient sera IgE identified several high molecular weight allergens in Aureobasidium extracts. Conclusions: Respirable-sized conidia of A. pullulans are emitted from flowers and form high concentrations in the air. They are associated with immediate reactivity on skin tests, bind to patient sera IgE, and might be relevant in allergic upper and lower airway diseases.
Physiologically Relevant Measurements of Nitric Oxide in Cardiovascular Research Using Electrochemical Microsensors
Authors: Wadsworth Roger , Stankevicius Edgaras , Simonsen Ulf
Published: November 2005

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of blood flow. Pharmacological tools and a series of other techniques have been developed for studying the NO/L-arginine pathway, but it has proved difficult to make a quantitative link between effect and tissue NO concentration. NO microsensors have been applied with success for the measurement of NO in suspensions of mitochondria and cells, such as platelets and leukocytes, and in cell cultures, which together with other interventions or measurements are particularly useful for the examination of cell signalling related to the NO/L-arginine pathway. In isolated vascular segments, studies using the NO microsensor have defined the relationship between NO concentration and relaxation and revealed residual NO release in the presence of NO synthase inhibitors. Moreover, simultaneous measurements of NO concentration and vasorelaxation in isometric preparations have shown that agonist-induced relaxation is L-arginine dependent and NO release is reduced in hypertension. By placing NO microsensors in catheters, it is possible to measure NO in the living animal and man. This approach has been applied for the measurements of NO concentration in relation to increases in flow, erection, in conditions of hypoxia, and in endotoxemia. However, further methodological development of NO microsensors is necessary to avoid the influence of changes in temperature, pH and oxygen on the measurements.
Functional Interaction of a β-Adrenergic Agonist and Cyclic GMP Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor in Control and Hypertrophic Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Zhang Shengjun , Rodriguez Roberto , Scholz Peter M. , Weiss Harvey R.
Published: November 2005

This study tested the hypothesis that the positive inotropic effect of β-adrenoceptor stimulation would be inhibited by increases in cyclic GMP in control cardiomyocytes and that this response would be modified in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Cell functional data as well as GMP and cyclic AMP data were collected from 7 control and 7 1K1C (one-kidney-one-clip) renal hypertensive hypertrophic rabbits. Using isolated control and IKIC ventricular myocytes, data were obtained at baseline and after treatment with the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (10–8, –6 mol/l) or the cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast (10–5 mol/l) followed by isoproterenol (10–8, –6 mol/l). We found that in control rabbits, isoproterenol (10–6 mol/l) increased percent shortening (4.8 ± 0.2 to 6.4 ± 0.3%) and cyclic AMP (2.3 ± 0.3 to 5.0 ± 0.7 pmol/105 cells). Zaprinast 10–5 mol/l increased cyclic GMP (150 ± 20 to 209 ± 14 fmol/105 cells) and decreased percent shortening (6.2 ± 0.4 to 5.2 ± 0.3). Zaprinast 10–5 mol/l prevented the functional response to isoproterenol in control (5.2 ± 0.3 to 4.7 ± 0.3), without changing cyclic AMP levels. In 1K1C rabbits, isoproterenol (10–6 mol/l) increased cyclic AMP (4.9 ± 0.8 to 7.6 ± 1.4 pmol/105 cells) without changing function. Zaprinast 10–5 mol/l increased cyclic GMP (182 ± 23 to 233 ± 24 fmol/105 cells) and decreased percent shortening (6.6 ± 0.9 to 4.7 ± 0.5), but did not alter the lack of effect of isoproterenol in 1K1C. In control cardiomyocytes, cyclic GMP blunted the isoproterenol contraction response without changing cyclic AMP levels, but isoproterenol’s functional effect was not seen in 1K1C cardiomyocytes.
Association between β2-Adrenergic Receptor Genetic Polymorphisms and Total Serum IgE in Asthmatic Patients of Chinese Han Nationality
Authors: Qiu Yu-ying , Zhang Xi-Long , Yin Kai-Sheng
Published: November 2005

Background: β2-Adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) polymorphisms occurring at amino acid position 16 (Arg-Gly) and 27 (Gln-Glu) are known to be functionally relevant and also disease-modifying in subjects with asthma. It has been found in Caucasoid asthmatic patients that the Gln27 genotype β2-AR was associated with an increase in total serum IgE levels. The association between β2-AR genetic polymorphisms and total serum IgE in asthmatic patients of Chinese Han nationality remains to be established.Objectives: It was the aim of this study to investigate the association between β2-AR genetic polymorphisms and total serum IgE in asthmatic patients of Chinese Han nationality. Methods: All 59 asthmatic patients investigated (27 males and 32 females, aged between 16 and 60 years) were people of Chinese Han nationality. They were tested for their total serum IgE levels with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, and β2-AR genetic polymorphisms were tested with the polymerase chain reaction allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization assay. Results: There was a significant difference of serum IgE levels among three β2-AR 27 loci groups (p < 0.0001), with the highest IgE level [(1.24 ± 0.25) × 106 IU/l] in the Gln/Gln group and the lowest IgE level [(0.48 ± 0.06) × 106 IU/l] in the Glu/Glu group. No polymorphism of β2-AR 16 loci was found to be associated with total serum IgE (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our research suggested that in asthmatic patients of Chinese Han nationality, the β2-AR genetic polymorphism at 27 loci could be associated with serum IgE levels and it might therefore play an important role in the determination of phenotypes of bronchial asthma.
Insights into GABA Receptor Signalling in TM3 Leydig Cells
Authors: Doepner Richard F.G. , Geigerseder Christof , Frungieri Monica B. , Gonzalez-Calvar Silvia I. , Calandra Ricardo S. , Raemsch Romi , Föhr Karl , Kunz Lars , Mayerhofer Artur
Published: November 2005

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an emerging signalling molecule in endocrine organs, since it is produced by endocrine cells and acts via GABAA receptors in a paracrine/autocrine fashion. Testicular Leydig cells are producers and targets for GABA. These cells express GABAA receptor subunits and in the murine Leydig cell line TM3 pharmacological activation leads to increased proliferation. The signalling pathway of GABA in these cells is not known in this study. We therefore attempted to elucidate details of GABAA signalling in TM3 and adult mouse Leydig cells using several experimental approaches. TM3 cells not only express GABAA receptor subunits, but also bind the GABA agonist [3H]muscimol with a binding affinity in the range reported for other endocrine cells (Kd = 2.740 ± 0.721 nM). However, they exhibit a low Bmax value of 28.08 fmol/mg protein. Typical GABAA receptor-associated events, including Cl– currents, changes in resting membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+ or cAMP, were not measurable with the methods employed in TM3 cells, or, as studied in part, in primary mouse Leydig cells. GABA or GABAA agonist isoguvacine treatment resulted in increased or decreased levels of several mRNAs, including transcription factors (c-fos, hsf-1, egr-1) and cell cycle-associated genes (Cdk2, cyclin D1). In an attempt to verify the cDNA array results and because egr-1 was recently implied in Leydig cell development, we further studied this factor. RT-PCR and Western blotting confirmed a time-dependent regulation of egr-1 in TM3. In the postnatal testis egr-1 was seen in cytoplasmic and nuclear locations of developing Leydig cells, which bear GABAA receptors and correspond well to TM3 cells. Thus, GABA acts via an untypical novel signalling pathway in TM3 cells. Further details of this pathway remain to be elucidated.
Sex Differences in Hippocampal Estradiol-Induced N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Binding and Ultrastructural Localization of Estrogen Receptor-Alpha
Authors: Romeo Russell D. , McCarthy J. Brian , Wang Athena , Milner Teresa A. , McEwen Bruce S.
Published: November 2005

Estradiol increases dendritic spine density and synaptogenesis in the CA1 region of the female hippocampus. This effect is specific to females, as estradiol-treated males fail to show increases in hippocampal spine density. Estradiol-induced spinogenesis in the female is dependent upon upregulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor as well as on non-nuclear estrogen receptors (ER), including those found in dendrites. Thus, in the male, the inability of estradiol to induce spinogenesis may be related to a failure of estradiol to increase hippocampal NMDA receptors as well as a paucity of dendritic ER. In the first experiment, we sought to investigate this possibility by assessing NMDA receptor binding, using [3H]-glutamate autoradiography, in estradiol-treated males and females. We found that while estradiol increases NMDA binding in gonadectomized females, estradiol fails to modulate NMDA binding in gonadectomized males. To further investigate sex differences in the hippocampus, we conducted a second separate, but related, ultrastructural study in which we quantified ERα-immunoreactivity (ERα-ir) in neuronal profiles in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in intact males and females in diestrus and proestrus. Consistent with previous reports in the female, we found ERα-ir in several extranuclear sites including dendrites, spines, terminals and axons. Statistical analyses revealed that females in proestrus had a 114.3% increase in ERα-labeled dendritic spines compared to females in diestrus and intact males. Taken together, these studies suggest that both the ability of estrogen to increase NMDA binding in the hippocampus and the presence of ERα in dendritic spines may contribute to the observed sex difference in estradiol-induced hippocampal spinogenesis.
Solitary Microcarcinoid of the Rectal Stump in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Nascimbeni Riccardo , Villanacci Vincenzo , Di Fabio Francesco , Gavazzi Emanuele , Fellegara Giovanni , Rindi Guido
Published: November 2005

A case of solitary microcarcinoid and chronic ulcerative colitis of the rectal stump is described. The association of intestinal carcinoid with ulcerative colitis has been reported previously in 26 patients. Pathogenic pathways are discussed according to the presence of multifocal carcinoid and/or gut endocrine cell hyperplasia.
Epidemiological Association between Some Dietary Habits and the Increasing Incidence of Type 1 Diabetes Worldwide
Authors: Muntoni Sergio , Muntoni Sandro
Published: November 2005

Background/Aims: The variation in incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) worldwide is genetically based. However, its increasing incidence is environmentally determined. Our aim was to describe the role of nutritional habits and of gene-nutrient interactions in the rising incidence of TID. Methods: We did an ecological study in the 37 world areas were a 3% yearly increase of T1D incidence had been reported, and we calculated through the FAO’s Food Balance Sheets the per caput daily supply of milk, meat and cereals from 1961 to 2000 and its correlation with the TID incidence. Results: The supply of milk and cereals remained almost unchanged, whereas that of meat increased by over 31%. The absolute mean TID increase (number of cases per 100,000 per year) was + 0.32. A significant positive correlation with supply of milk was present from 1961 to 2000, while that with meat and cereals became significant in 1983 and 2000. Conclusion: Our ecological analysis indicates that nutritional factors, and in particular meat consumption, play a role in the incidence of T1D and its increase worldwide. Further experimental and case-control studies are warranted in order to assess the gene-nutrient interactions.
Effect of a Mediterranean Meal on Postprandial Carotenoids, Paraoxonase Activity and C-Reactive Protein Levels
Authors: Blum Shany , Aviram Michael , Ben-Amotz Ami , Levy Yishai
Published: November 2005

Background and Aim: Atherosclerosis involves oxidative and inflammatory mediators regulated by fat and antioxidants. Therefore, we studied the postprandial evolution of plasma lipids, carotenoids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and human serum paraoxanase activity (PON1) following two different fatty meals. Subjects and Methods: Eight healthy males consumed a 45% fat 1,000 Kcal Mediterranean-like (Med) meal (monounsaturated 61% of fat) compared to a Western-like (Wes) (saturated 57% of fat) meal. Blood was collected at baseline (time 0) 2, 4 and 7 h postprandial. Plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total carotenoids, CRP, and PON1 were analyzed. Results: There was a marginal increase in cholesterol and glucose after both meals. Triglycerides increased modestly (to less than 200 mg/dl) and insulin increased (more in the Wes-like meal) but still within normal range, indicating a low glycemic index for both meals. Only the Med-like meal resulted in a significant increase in both PON1 activity (16%, p < 0.02) and carotenoids (74%, p < 0.02) with a 2-hour postprandial decrease in CRP (6%, p < 0.02). Conclusion: A postprandial monounsaturated fatty acid rich meal increases both plasma carotenoids and PON1 with a decrease in CRP levels, thus providing a novel potential explanation to the protective properties of a Mediterranean diet against atherogenesis.
Heat Processing in Infant Formulas Induces Changes in Copper Tissue Levels in Suckling and Weanling Rats
Authors: Sarriá Beatriz , Vaquero M. Pilar
Published: November 2005

Aim: To assess the effects of dehydration, conventional in-bottle sterilization, and ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) sterilization, involved in the production of infant formulas, on the copper bioavailability in rats at two stages. Methods: Two-week-old suckling rats were fed a reconstituted powder (P1) and an in-bottle-sterilized liquid infant formula (SC1) in a drinking bottle for 7 days. Weanling rats were fed P1, SC1, another powder (P2), and a liquid UHT formula (UHT2) complemented with a standard rat diet. Intake, body weight, and percentage copper absorption were calculated, and whole-body, serum, liver, skin, and erythrocyte copper concentrations were determined. Results: Food intake, body weight, and copper intake were reduced in suckling rats consuming SC1, but the percentage copper absorption increased, and whole-body and tissue copper concentrations were unaffected, except for the erythrocyte copper concentration which was significantly higher as compared with pups fed P1. In weanling rats, the only difference observed was the significantly higher liver copper concentration in animals fed the diet containing P1 as compared with the diets containing SC1 and UHT2. Conclusions: Consuming the SC1 formula induced high erythrocyte copper levels in suckling rats, whereas the equivalent dehydrated formula (P1) induced elevated liver copper concentrations in weanling rats. This is associated with the different Maillard reaction products resulting from the processing of each infant formula and with the developmental stage of the animals.
Application of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics to Antimicrobial Therapy of Community-Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Calbo Esther , Garau Javier
Published: November 2005

To achieve bacteriologic and clinical success, sufficient concentrations of antimicrobial at the site of infection must be maintained for an adequate period of time. These dynamics are determined by combining drug pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data with minimum inhibitory concentrations. Bacteriologically confirmed failures have been reported in otitis media and, with a lesser degree of evidence, in pneumococcal pneumonia with a variety of agents that include β-lactams, macrolides and fluoroquinolones. These failures have been shown to be due to infection by resistant pathogens or suboptimal therapy. However, no clinical failure has been reported during therapy for bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia with adequate doses of β-lactams. The failures reported with macrolides or fluoroquinolones have been due to either preexisting resistance to these agents that cannot be overcome by increasing the dose of the antimicrobial or, more rarely, the emergence of resistance during therapy. In this review, we offer an overview of the most important attributes of the main antimicrobials that are currently used in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections from a PK/PD perspective.
Relationship of Allergic Degree and PC20 Level in Adults with Positive Methacholine Challenge Test
Authors: Liu Shih-Feng , Lin Meng-Chih , Chang Hsueh-Wen
Published: November 2005

Background: The relationship between allergic markers and PC20 (provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1) in adults with positive methacholine challenge test (MCT) is still subject to discussion. Objective: The goal of this study is to determine whether the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is correlated with the severity of atopy or not. Methods: Forty patients with persistent cough and/or unexplained episodes of dyspnea exhibiting a normal baseline pulmonary function test and positive MCT were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups according to their Phadiatop response (positive and negative), and three groups by PC20 level: PC20 < 1.25 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml ≤ PC20 < 5 mg/ml, and 5 mg/ml ≤ PC20 < 25 mg/ml. Results: Twenty-three patients (57.5%) were Phadiatop positive. Of the 23 Phadiatop-positive patients, 20 patients (87%) were positive for specific serum IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D1) and Dermatophagoides farinae (D2). The total serum IgE and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) level of the Phadiatop-positive group were higher than those of the Phadiatop-negative group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.005, respectively). The age, gender, FEV1/FVC ratio, ECP and total serum IgE level were not significantly different in the three PC20 subgroups. The Phadiatop response and PC20 level were significantly correlated (p = 0.0063). For Phadiatop-positive adults, PC20 level was not significantly correlated with total serum IgE and specific serum IgE to D1 and D2. Conclusion: Atopy is related to adults with positive MCT. However, the degree of BHR to methacholine is not significantly correlated with the severity of atopy.
Sedative Drug Requirements during Flexible Bronchoscopy
Authors: Chhajed Prashant N. , Wallner Julia , Stolz Daiana , Baty Florent , Strobel Werner , Brutsche Martin H. , Tamm Michael
Published: November 2005

Background: There is a paucity of data comparing doses of sedative medication during bronchoscopy in immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to define the sedative medication doses used in specific patient groups during bronchoscopy. Methods: Bronchoscopy was performed under local anesthesia, sedation with intermittent boluses of intravenous midazolam and intravenous hydrocodone 5 mg. Two hundred and thirty-nine consecutive bronchoalveolar lavage procedures were included. Procedures in non-immunosuppressed patients were classified as controls (n = 91). Procedures in immunosuppressed patients who received midazolam consisted of stem cell transplant (34), solid organ transplant (25), chemotherapy (33), HIV with drug abuse (10), HIV (5), prednisone (17) and immunosuppression for other diseases (12). Intravenous propofol was administered during 12 procedures due to inability to achieve optimal sedation with midazolam in a previous bronchoscopy (stem cell transplant recipient 1, lung transplant for cystic fibrosis 5) and during the same bronchoscopy due to inadequate sedation with a high dose of midazolam – renal transplant recipient 1, drug abuse (HIV 1, renal transplant recipient 1), bronchoscopy combined with gastroscopy (2) and a hypoxemic patient (1). The mean dose of propofol administered was 2.8 ± 1.3 mg/kg. Results: Midazolam requirement was significantly higher in patients with stem cell transplantation (0.09 ± 0.05 mg/kg) compared with controls (0.06 ± 0.03 mg/kg; p = 0.0002). In the HIV patients with drug abuse (0.12 ± 0.10 mg/kg), there was a tendency for the need of a higher dose of midazolam compared with the control group (p = 0.0754). Conclusion: Stem cell transplant recipients and selected HIV patients with drug abuse need higher doses of midazolam for bronchoscopy.
Adenoviral E1A Suppresses Secretory Leukoprotease Inhibitor and Elafin Secretion in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Bronchial Epithelial Cells
Authors: Higashimoto Yuji , Yamagata Yuko , Iwata Takuya , Ishiguchi Tadashi , Okada Morihiro , Masuda Mitsunori , Satoh Hiroaki , Itoh Hidekazu
Published: November 2005

Background: An imbalance between neutrophil protease and surrounding antiprotease levels has been shown to be important in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Adenoviral E1A DNA and protein are frequently detected in the lungs of COPD patients. As secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) and elafin/skin-derived antileukoproteinase (SKALP) are locally produced in the lung and inhibit neutrophil elastase activity, we hypothesized that adenoviral E1A might affect the production of these antiproteases. Objectives: To examine the effect of E1A on SLPI and elafin/SKALP secretion in A549 (alveolar epithelial) cells and primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Methods: SLPI and elafin/SKALP were quantitated from cell culture supernatants using an ELISA. SLPI mRNA expression was examined by Northern blotting, and SLPI promoter activity was measured using a reporter gene assay. Results: E1A significantly suppressed SLPI and elafin/SKALP secretion by A549 cells upon interleukin (IL)-1β stimulation. E1A also suppressed SLPI and elafin/SKALP secretion by HBE cells. SLPI mRNA expression in A549 cells was suppressed by E1A regardless of IL-1β stimulation. IL-1β-induced SLPI promoter activity was suppressed by E1A gene transfection into A549 cells. Conclusions: Our findings of adenoviral E1A-mediated suppression of SLPI and elafin/SKALP secretion suggest that E1A may be involved in the enhancement of alveolar damage and play a role in the COPD process.
Introduction
Authors: Rüland Jürgen
Published: November 2005

The article provides a thematic and theoretically informed introduction into this EJEAS issue on East Asian regionalism. Its point of departure is the obvious paralysis of East Asian regionalism during and after the Asian financial crisis. It examines as to what extent the subsequent efforts towards damage control and revitalization have lead to a re-invention of East Asian regional institutions as frequently urged in the region. By reviewing the more recent literature and the contributions assembled in the issue, the article notes that despite the crisis the trend towards institutionalist and constructivist theoretical approaches continues. These approaches however often tend to exhibit a certain cooperative bias which may blur the proclivity of foreign policy-makers in the region for political realism. Subsequent sections examine the cohesion of regional institutions and horizontal institutional differentiation. The article concludes that despite a proliferation of regional institutions, there has been no marked deepening of regional groupings and that regime building, as a approach to the management of inter-dependence, has not made noteworthy progress in a broad array of policy areas contending with border-crossing policy problems.
The Evolution of APEC and ASEM: Implications of the New East Asian Bilateralism
Authors: Koo Min Gyo , Aggarwal Vinod
Published: November 2005

The traditional institutional equilibrium in East Asia—the embrace of the WTO at the multilateral level and a focus on market-driven, informal integration at the sub-multilateral level—is under heavy strain. Increasingly, East Asian countries are pursuing greater institutionalisation at the sub-multilateral level, weaving a web of preferential arrangements in response to similar strategies pursued by the US and the EU. This article examines the likely path of trading arrangements in Northeast Asia, its implications for East Asia and the future of APEC and ASEM. We propose an institutional bargaining game approach, focusing on goods, countries' individual bargaining situations and the fit with existing arrangements, and allowing an exploration of the evolution of trading arrangements in East Asia. An East Asian trading bloc has both benign and pernicious elements, depending on the ideas and beliefs held by regional actors. The contribution of a prospective East Asian bloc to APEC and ASEM primarily depends on the balance of interests between the US and the EU concerning East Asia. In view of the tremendous political and economic uncertainty in the global economy, the path to freer trade in Northeast Asia, East Asia and the world system is likely to be a bumpy one.