bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro bioactivity and osteoblast response of porous NiTi synthesized by SHS using nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti reaction agent
Authors: Gu Y.W. , Li H. , Tay B.Y. , Lim C.S. , Yong M.S. , Khor K.A.
Published: April 2006

Porous NiTi with an average porosity of 55 vol % and a general pore size of 100–600 μm was synthesized by self‐propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) with the addition of mechanically alloyed nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti as the reaction agent. The SHS of porous NiTi using elemental powders was also performed for comparison. To enhance the bioactivity of the metal surface, porous NiTi synthesized by nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti was subjected to chemical treatment to form a layer of TiO2 coating. The porous NiTi with TiO2 coating was subsequently immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF) to investigate its apatite forming ability. The effects of the addition of nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti as reaction agent and the application of apatite coating on osteoblastic behavior were studied in primary cultures of human osteoblast cells. Results showed that the main phases in porous NiTi synthesized by elemental powders were NiTi, Ti2Ni, and unreacted free Ni. By using nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti as reaction agent, the secondary intermetallic phase of Ti2Ni was significantly reduced and the free Ni was eliminated. TiO2 coating with anatase phase was formed on the surface of porous NiTi after the chemical treatment. A layer consisting of nanocrystalline carbonate‐containing apatite was formed on the surface of TiO2 coating after soaking in SBF. The preliminary cell culture studies showed that the porous NiTi synthesized with the addition of nanocrystalline Ni‐Ti attracted marked attachment and proliferation of the osteoblast cells. This gives the evidence of the potential biomedical applications of the porous NiTi. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Intra‐articular calcium phosphate cement: Its fate and impact on joint tissues in a rabbit model
Authors: Braun C. , Rahn B. , Fulmer M. , Steiner A. , Gisep A.
Published: April 2006

Clinical application of injectable ceramic cement in comminuted fractures revealed penetration of the viscous paste into the joint space. Not much is known on the fate of this cement and its influence on articular tissues. The purpose of this experimental study was to assess these unknown alterations of joint tissues after intra‐articular injection of cement in a rabbit knee. Observation periods were from 1 week up to 24 months, with three rabbits per group. Norian SRS® cement was injected into one knee joint, the contralateral side receiving the same volume of Ringers' solution. Light microscopic evaluation of histologic sections was performed, investigating the appearance of the cement, inflammatory reactions, and degenerative changes of the articular surface. No signs of pronounced acute or chronic inflammation were visible. The injected cement was mainly found as a single particle, anterior to the cruciate ligaments. It became surrounded by synovial tissues within 4 weeks and showed signs of superficial resorption. In some specimens, bone formation was seen around the cement. Degeneration of the articular surface showed no differences between experimental and control side, and no changes over time became apparent. No major degenerative changes were induced by the injected cement. The prolonged presence of cement still seems to make it advisable to remove radiologically visible amounts from the joint space. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Does ice immersion influence ankle joint position sense?
Authors: Hopper Diana , Whittington Dean , Chartier Jennifer Davies
Published: April 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a fifteen minute ice immersion treatment influenced the normal ankle joint position sense at 40% and 80% range of inversion and to establish the length of treatment effect through monitoring the re‐warming process. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Nanobubbles influence on BSA adsorption on mica surface
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Zhang Xuehua , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Gang , Sun Jielin , Zhang Yi , Li Minqian , Hu Jun
Published: April 2006

Nanobubbles have been shown to exist at liquid/solid interfaces and have become the focus of research in varied interfacial processes. In the present work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on mica was used as a model system to investigate the effect of nanobubbles on protein adsorption at the liquid/solid interface. The adsorption of BSA on mica in two types of surfaces, with and without nanobubbles, was imaged by means of an atomic force microscope (AFM) in both liquid and air. By comparing the data from the two groups, it has been shown clearly that the adsorption of BSA was indeed influenced by the nanobubbles. Generally, nanobubbles blocked BSA adsorption and resulted in circular hollows on the BSA films on mica. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Care needs and home-help services for older people in Sweden: does improved functioning account for the reduction in public care?
Authors: LARSSON KRISTINA
Published: April 2006

Over the last few decades in Sweden, the proportion of older people living in the community who receive public home-help services has decreased, even amongst the oldest old. At the same time, the abilities of older people in the activities of daily living have on average improved. This paper reports a study of the changes between 1988/89 and 2002/03 in the allocation and utilisation of public home-help services and in the support and care needs of older people (aged 65 or more years). The aims were to analyse whether the reduction in the percentage of home-help recipients could be explained by a reduction in needs among the older population, whether public home-help services had been targeted at people with greater needs, and whether informal care had increased. It was confirmed that over the 15 years, even after taking needs factors into account, the likelihood of an older person being a recipient of public home care had declined. Home help had clearly been targeted at more needy individuals. Among older women (aged 80+ years) with limitations in the activities of daily living and who lived alone, the proportion that received home help declined and the proportion that received informal care increased, which suggests that informal care had substituted for formal care. The findings indicate that the Swedish welfare system had reduced its commitment to the support of older people who require less intensive care and that, in effect, the concept of need for public social care support had been redefined.
Rosuvastatin treatment protects against nitrate‐induced oxidative stress in eNOS knockout mice: implication of the NAD(P)H oxidase pathway
Authors: Otto Anne , Fontaine Jeanine , Tschirhart Eric , Fontaine David , Berkenboom Guy
Published: April 2006

Nitrate tolerance is associated with an enhanced superoxide anion (O2−) production and may be attenuated by statins as they interact with the two main endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and NAD(P)H oxidase pathways involved in this oxidative stress.

Groups of wild‐type (wt, C57Bl/6J) and eNOS knock‐out mice (eNOS−/−) received rosuvastatin (20 mg kg−1 day−1 p.o.) for 5 weeks and a cotreatment with the statin plus nitroglycerin (NTG; 30 mg kg−1 day−1, subcutaneous injections b.i.d.) for the last 4 days. Another group received only NTG (30 mg kg−1 d−1, b.i.d. for 4 days) and finally control mice from both strains received no treatment.

Rings of thoracic aortas from these groups were studied in organ baths. Relaxations to NTG (0.1 nM–0.1 mM) were determined on thromboxane analogue (U44619)‐precontracted rings and O2− production (RLU 5 s−1 mg−1 of total protein content) was assessed in aorta homogenates with the lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence technique. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed on aortas from both mice strains.

In vivo NTG treatment induced a significant rightward shift of the concentration–effect curve to NTG compared to control group. There was, however, no cross‐tolerance with non‐nitrate sources of NO (unaltered response to acetylcholine in wt group). The rosuvastatin+NTG cotreatment was able to protect against the development of nitrate tolerance in both mice strains and L‐mevalonate abolished this protective effect of rosuvastatin.

In vivo treatment with apocynin, a purported NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor, also produced a similar protection to that observed with rosuvastatin in both strains.

Superoxide anion formation was increased after NTG treatment in both mice strains and the rosuvastatin+NTG cotreatment was able to reduce that production.

Moreover, rosuvastatin treatment abolished the increase in gp91phox mRNA (an endothelial membrane NAD(P)H oxidase subunit) expression induced by in vivo exposure to NTG.

These findings suggest that long‐term rosuvastatin treatment protects against nitrate tolerance by counteracting NTG‐induced increase in O2− production, probably via a direct interaction with the NAD(P)H oxidase pathway.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 544–552. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706738
Simulations of solvation free energies and solubilities in supercritical solvents
Authors: Su Zemin , Maroncelli Mark
Published: April 2006

Computer simulations are used to study solvation free energies and solubilities in supercritical solvents. Solvation free energies are calculated using the particle insertion method. The equilibrium solvent configurations required for these calculations are based on molecular dynamics simulations employing model solvent potentials previously tuned to reproduce liquid-vapor coexistence properties of the fluids Xe, C2H6, CO2, and CHF3. Solutes are represented by all-atom potentials based on ab initio calculations and the OPLS-AA parameter set. Without any tuning of the intermolecular potentials, such calculations are found to reproduce the solvation free energies of a variety of typical solid solutes with an average accuracy of ±2kJ∕mol. Further calculations on simple model solutes are also used to explore general aspects of solvation free energies in supercritical solvents. Comparisons of solutes in Lennard-Jones and hard-sphere representations of Xe show that solvation free energies and thus solubilities are not significantly influenced by solvent density fluctuations near the critical point. The solvation enthalpy and entropy do couple to these fluctuations and diverge similarly to solute partial molar volumes. Solvation free energies are also found to be little affected by the local density augmentation characteristic of the compressible regime. In contrast to solute-solvent interaction energies, which often provide a direct measure of local solvent densities, solvation free energies are remarkably insensitive to the presence of local density augmentation.
Governing equation for the measurement of nonuniform stress distributions in thin films using a substrate deformation technique
Authors: Zhu Meiling , Kirby Paul B.
Published: April 2006

Determination of stress in thin films deposited on substrates is a basic and essential requirement in micronanotechnology. Most often local measurements of the induced substrate curvature are related to local stress using the Stoney equation. However, it is well known that this method gives incorrect results if the stress distribution is nonuniform. Here a general governing equation for the evaluation of nonuniform stress distributions in thin films is derived, which has the new feature of being able to treat the cases of anisotropic stress and also the effect on substrate deformation of a large in-plane thin film tension.
Ultrasoft pseudopotentials for lanthanide solvation complexes: Core or valence character of the 4f electrons
Authors: Pollet Rodolphe , Clavaguéra Carine , Dognon Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2006

The 4f electrons of lanthanides, because of their strong localization in the region around the nucleus, are traditionally included in a pseudopotential core. This approximation is scrutinized by optimizing the structures and calculating the interaction energies of Gd3+(H2O) and Gd3+(NH3) microsolvation complexes within plane wave Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof calculations using ultrasoft pseudopotentials where the 4f electrons are included either in the core or in the valence space. Upon comparison to quantum chemical MP2 and CCSD(T) reference calculations it is found that the explicit treatment of the 4f electrons in the valence shell yields quite accurate results including the required small spin polarization due to ligand charge transfer with only modest computational overhead.
Pressure tunes atomic packing in metallic glass
Authors: Sheng H. W. , Ma E. , Liu H. Z. , Wen J.
Published: April 2006

By employing the state-of-the-art in situ high-pressure synchrotron x-ray measurements and ab initio modeling, we have resolved atomic-level packing details in a metallic glass as a function of pressure. We demonstrate pronounced changes in atomic size ratio (and correspondingly coordination number) with increasing pressure and the accompanying conversion of prism-type coordination to icosahedral short-range order.
Exercise may decrease further destruction in the adult haemophilic joint
Authors: HARRIS S. , BOGGIO L. N.
Published: April 2006

Summary. The effect of exercise on adult haemophilic joints was investigated. Forty‐six subjects with existing joint disease were evaluated and range of motion (ROM) in joints was measured. The effect of exercise of large joint ROM in haemophilia was evaluated by comparing the ranges of motion in subjects who exercised at least three times weekly against those subjects who did not exercise. The exercise group showed improvement in the majority of joint ranges of motion compared with the non‐exercise group (P = 0.003). Thus regular exercise may help reduce further destruction in haemophilic joints by strengthening muscle ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint thereby protecting them from damage caused by recurrent haemarthrotic events.
Rituximab for adolescents with haemophilia and high titre inhibitors
Authors: FOX R. A. , NEUFELD E. J. , BENNETT C. M.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  Neutralizing alloantibodies (inhibitors) to factor VIII or factor IX develop in approximately 25% of patients with haemophilia A and <3% of patients with haemophilia B treated with factor concentrate. Patients with high titre inhibitors, in whom immune tolerance therapy fails, have few treatment options. Targeted anti‐B‐cell therapy with rituximab (chimeric anti‐CD20) has been useful in several antibody‐mediated autoimmune states. Case reports of rituximab treatment in small numbers of haemophilia patients with inhibitors have been inconclusive. We describe three adolescent patients with severe haemophilia and inhibitors treated with four weekly doses of rituximab, 375 mg m−2. Treatment with rituximab was effective in reducing the inhibitor titre in two of three patients. Rituximab may be beneficial for patients with severe haemophilia and inhibitors in whom standard therapies have failed, but larger prospective studies are required to determine safety, efficacy and predictors of success.
Sustained expression of Epstein–Barr virus episomal vector mediated factor VIII in vivo following muscle electroporation
Authors: MEI W.‐H. , QIAN G.‐Q. , ZHANG X.‐Q. , ZHANG P. , LU J.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  Haemophilia A treatment is an attractive candidate for gene therapy. The aim of haemophilia gene therapy is to obtain long‐term therapeutic level of factor VIII (FVIII). We investigated Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐based episomal vector combined with in vivo electroporation of naked DNA as a safe, efficient and simple method for correcting FVIII deficiency. A combinant FVIII expression EBV‐based episomal vector pcDNA3‐FVIII‐EBVR was constructed and expressed in COS‐7 cells. Then the naked plasmid DNA was injected into the quadriceps of mice following the electric pulse stimulation. Our data showed that pcDNA3‐FVIII‐EBVR expression in transfected COS‐7 can maintain stably for at least 60 days and the hFVIII:Ag in plasma in two pcDNA3‐FVIII‐EBVR groups mice was higher than that in pcDNA‐FVIII groups no matter with or without electric pulse stimulation. With the stimulating of electric pulse, the FVIII expression in plasma of recipient mice was increased two‐ to fourfolds and can be lasted for at least 90 days. No severe muscle damage was detected. So this novel strategy that FVIII expression mediated by EBV episomal vector following muscle electroporation is efficient, safe, simple and economic and may be applicable to clinical usage.
Conservative management of a large maxillary cyst
Authors: REES J. S.
Published: April 2006

This article describes the treatment of a large maxillary cyst by root canal treatment and decompression using a hollow drain made from surgical suction tubing. The rationale behind the use of this technique is reviewed and its advantages highlighted.
Corporate Reputation and Social Performance: The Importance of Fit
Authors: Brammer Stephen J. , Pavelin Stephen
Published: April 2006

abstract  Utilizing data on a sample of large firms, we estimate a model of corporate reputation. We find reputation, derived from the assessments of managers and market analysts, to be determined by a firm's social performance, financial performance, market risk, the extent of long‐term institutional ownership, and the nature of its business activities. Furthermore, the reputational effect of social performance is found to vary both across sectors, and within sectors across the various types of social performance. Specifically, our results demonstrate the need to achieve a ‘fit’ among the types of corporate social performance undertaken and the firm's stakeholder environment. For example, a strong record of environmental performance may enhance or damage reputation depending on whether the firm's activities ‘fit’ with environmental concerns in the eyes of stakeholders.
Strategic Moves and Organizational Survival in Turbulent Environments: The Case of Spanish Banks (1983–97)*
Authors: Zúñiga‐Vicente José Á. , Vicente‐Lorente José D.
Published: April 2006

abstract  The main purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of ‘strategic moves’ (or strategic change) on the likelihood of organizational survival in a population of firms which has undergone radical transformations in its environment. To this end, we propose and test two competitive hypotheses which are the result of two other theoretical perspectives about the consequences of strategic change: the adaptation view (classic strategic management and dynamic capabilities) and the ecological approach. While from the former, in general, it is assumed that strategic change has a positive effect on the likelihood of organizational survival, from the ecological approach, it is frequently argued that attempts at reorganization in general and strategic change in particular tend to be associated with an increase in the likelihood of organizational extinction. The sample used to test the two proposed hypotheses is the Spanish bank population over the period 1983–97. The results confirm the positive and significant effect of strategic moves (or strategic change) on the likelihood of organizational survival, in line with the conclusions of the adaptive perspective and other empirical research carried out in different settings. This paper introduces two important methodological innovations: (a) the definition and measurement of ‘strategic moves’ (or strategic change) by using a new cluster algorithm, the MCLUST; and (b) the control of the non‐observable heterogeneity using panel data models for ‘probit’ regression.
On the Review Process and Journal Development
Authors: Clark Timothy , Floyd Steven W. , Wright Mike
Published: April 2006

abstract  This paper describes the editorial and review process currently operating at JMS and offers the Editors' perspective on the journal's growth over the past three years. We first outline what we think is the essence of a JMS article. Then, we describe the review process from the editor's initial decision, to the reviewers' comments, to the editor's final editorial decisions, and including the process of accepting a paper. We suggest four main reasons for rejecting a paper: lack of contribution, failure to develop a theoretical contribution, fatal flaws in methods and deficiencies in analysis. With respect to the journal's progress, we show that JMS has significantly increased its position in the ISI rankings to 19th and its impact factor to 1.180. In addition, the journal experienced a 222 per cent increase in submissions from 2003 to 2005.
Organization Creativity and the Empiricist Image of Novelty
Authors: Styhre Alexander
Published: April 2006

This paper examines the notion of the new (and its associative concepts such as novelty, newness, originality) so central to the organization creativity and innovation literature. Rather than taking the idea of the new and novelty for granted, the ontological and epistemological assumptions regarding the idea of the new deserve a proper analysis. In this article, an empiricist philosophical tradition of thinking represented by for instance James and Deleuze is examined. While rationalist traditions of thinking are praising the new and novelty as an extraordinary event, empiricism conceives of creation and novelty as continually taking place in the restless change innate to being. In empiricist thinking, the idea of the new is something of a truism because new connections and assemblages are continuously produced in the course of action. Thinking of creation and innovation as not extraordinary events but a regular operation may open up for alternative views of creativity and innovation management previously neglected or marginalized.
Impacts of Roads and Hunting on Central African Rainforest Mammals
Authors: LAURANCE WILLIAM F. , CROES BARBARA M. , TCHIGNOUMBA LANDRY , LAHM SALLY A. , ALONSO ALFONSO , LEE MICHELLE E. , CAMPBELL PATRICK , ONDZEANO CLAUDE
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  Road expansion and associated increases in hunting pressure are a rapidly growing threat to African tropical wildlife. In the rainforests of southern Gabon, we compared abundances of larger (>1 kg) mammal species at varying distances from forest roads and between hunted and unhunted treatments (comparing a 130‐km2 oil concession that was almost entirely protected from hunting with nearby areas outside the concession that had moderate hunting pressure). At each of 12 study sites that were evenly divided between hunted and unhunted areas, we established standardized 1‐km transects at five distances (50, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 m) from an unpaved road, and then repeatedly surveyed mammals during the 2004 dry and wet seasons. Hunting had the greatest impact on duikers (Cephalophus spp.), forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus), and red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus), which declined in abundance outside the oil concession, and lesser effects on lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and carnivores. Roads depressed abundances of duikers, sitatungas (Tragelaphus spekei gratus), and forest elephants (Loxondonta africana cyclotis), with avoidance of roads being stronger outside than inside the concession. Five monkey species showed little response to roads or hunting, whereas some rodents and pangolins increased in abundance outside the concession, possibly in response to greater forest disturbance. Our findings suggest that even moderate hunting pressure can markedly alter the structure of mammal communities in central Africa. Roads had the greatest impacts on large and small ungulates, with the magnitude of road avoidance increasing with local hunting pressure.
Scholarly Communities in Entrepreneurship Research: A Co–Citation Analysis
Authors: Schildt Henri A. , Zahra Shaker A. , Sillanpää Antti
Published: April 2006

A debate persists about the distinctiveness of entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship research is seen as fragmented and its results are considered noncumulative, handicapping the evolution of the field as a respected scholarly discipline. In this article we conduct a bibliometric analysis to shed light on these issues. We analyze co–citation patterns of entrepreneurship–related articles published in the years 2000 to 2004 and identify the 25 most central research streams in entrepreneurship. We describe these groups and investigate their mutual relationships. Although the United States represents by far the greatest source of entrepreneurship articles, other countries represent significant sources of research in specific streams.
Quality of Life and Treatment Outcome in Panic Disorder: Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy Effects in Patients Refractory to Medication Treatment
Authors: Heldt Elizeth , Blaya Carolina , Isolan Luciano , Kipper Leticia , Teruchkin Betina , Otto Michael W. , Fleck Marcelo , Manfro Gisele G.
Published: April 2006

Background: Improvements in quality of life (QoL) as well as symptomatic relief are important outcomes for the treatment of panic disorder (PD). The aim of this study is to assess the impact of brief cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT) for panic disorder on QoL and to identify the clinical features associated with these changes. Methods: Thirty-six patients with PD refractory to pharmacological treatment took part in a treatment protocol consisting of 12 sessions of CBGT. To evaluate the changes in QoL, the WHOQOL-bref was administered before and after treatment. Results: Thirty-two patients completed the treatment. Significant improvement in all domains of QoL was observed (p< 0.001), which was associated with reductions in general and anticipatory anxiety (p = 0.018) and agoraphobic avoidance (p = 0.046). Consistent with previous findings, associations between QoL and panic-free status did not reach significance in this small study (p = 0.094). Conclusions: CBGT was efficacious in the treatment of PD; the symptoms of anticipatory anxiety and avoidance appear to be more important than episodic panic episodes in affecting QoL.
Higher Serum Triglyceride Level in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Is Associated with Lower Infarct Volume on CT Brain Scans
Authors: Pikija Slaven , Milevčić Dražen , Trkulja Vladimir , Kidemet-Piskač Spomenka , Pavliček Ivan , Sokol Nedeljko
Published: April 2006

We investigated the relationship between serum triglyceride level and acute ischemic stroke severity using infarct volume on CT brain scans as a marker. A total of 121 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients (53 males and 68 females, age 47–93 years) with anterior circulation (75%), posterior circulation (9%) or lacunar infarcts (16%) were examined. All patients were admitted within 24 h of the symptom onset, and CT scans were taken over the subsequent 24–72 h. With adjustment for the infarct type, age, sex, timing of CT imaging (24–36, >36–48 or >48–72 h since admission), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels, a higher (≧1.70 mmol/l) fasting serum triglyceride level (within 24 h after admission) was associated with a lower infarct volume (p = 0.014). In line with a recent report on milder clinical symptoms in acute ischemic stroke patients with higher triglycerides, the results suggest an independent association between serum triglyceride level and stroke severity.
Dose-Dependent Therapeutic Antiinfectives from Ethnomedicines of Bay Islands
Authors: Chattopadhyay D. , Arunachalam G. , Mandal A.B. , Bhattacharya S.K.
Published: April 2006

Background: The methanol extract of Ophirrhiza nicobarica,Alstonia macrophylla and Mallotus peltatus, ethnomedicines of Little Andaman, were investigated for antiinfective, antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. Methods: Toxicity was determined in cells and in an animal model. Antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activity was determined by plaque reduction, disc diffusion and agar dilution methods. The antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities were also studied. Results:O. nicobarica at 300 µg ml–1 showed anti-HSV activity while M. peltatus and A. macrophylla showed antibacterial activity at 64–1,000 µg ml–1. Both extracts showed significant dose-dependent antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity at nontoxic concentrations. Conclusion: The alkaloid, flavonoid and β-sitosterol isolated from bioactive parts had a dose-dependent therapeutic efficacy, justifying their use. Further study is required to know the mechanism of action.
Docetaxel Pharmacokinetics with Pre- and Post-Dialysis Administration in a Hemodyalized Patient
Authors: Mencoboni M. , Olivieri R. , Vannozzi M.O. , Schettini G. , Viazzi F. , Ghio R.
Published: April 2006

Background: Docetaxel has a proven significant activity against breast, non-small cell lung, ovarian, head and neck, and hormone refractory prostate cancer. Preclinical pharmacokinetic studies have shown that hepatobiliary extraction is the major route of elimination. We conducted this study to elucidate the feasibility and safety of the use of docetaxel in hemodialysis patients. Patient and Methods: In a 72-year-old hormone refractory prostate cancer patient on hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy for 3 years, a first dose (35 mg/m2 iv) of docetaxel was completed 30 min before starting dialysis, while a second dose was administered 30 min after completion of a different hemodialysis session. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed following both infusions. Results: No apparent differences could be seen in the plasma concentration-time curves of docetaxel administered before or after dialysis. The patient experienced no significant toxicityafter either administration of docetaxel. Conclusions: Docetaxel is safe in dialysis patients and does not require dose reduction. Dialysis does not remove this drug from blood.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is Responsible for Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Induced Peritoneal Mesothelial Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Chow Kai-Ming , Lai Ka-Bik , Szeto Carol Yi-Ki , Kwan Bonnie Ching-Ha , Li Philip Kam-Tao
Published: April 2006

Background: Previous studies found that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces mesothelial production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which may be downstream mediators of TGF-β. Since high dose TGF-β induces apoptosis of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC), we study the effect of CTGF blockade in the system of TGF-β-induced PMC apoptosis. Method: We examined the effect of TGF-W in primary culture of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC). PMC apoptosis was studied by flow cytometry. The effect of CTGF was blocked by antibody and short-interfering RNA (siRNA). Expression of apoptotic gene was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Result: In cultured unstimulated rat PMC, there is a low but definite incidence of spontaneous apoptosis. Stimulation with TGF-β 50 pg/ml induces an upregulation of apoptotic gene BAX expression and a downregulation of anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2L expression, and a 4-fold increase in PMC apoptosis. The effect of TGF-β-induced PMC apoptosis was partly prevented by antibody against CTGF, and completely abolished by CTGF-specific siRNA, while CTGF-blockade by siRNA had no effect on PMC necrosis. CTGF silencing by siRNA prevented the down-regulation of BCL-2L expression induced by TGF-β, had no effect on the BAX expression. Conclusion: Our results indicate that CTGF is an important downstream mediator of TGF-β-induced PMC apoptosis.
Study of Erythrocyte ATPases in Infants Evaluated during the Recovery Phase of Severe Dehydration Caused by Diarrhea
Authors: Cavinatto José Nélio , de Araujo Magali , Seguro Antonio Carlos , Carrazza Francisco Roque , Helou Claudia Maria Barros
Published: April 2006

Background/Aims: Patients severely dehydrated from diarrhea are at risk of developing hyperkalemia consequent to fluid therapy treatment. In parallel with the regulation of external potassium balance by the kidney and gastrointestinal tract, plasma potassium is rapidly regulated by redistribution of potassium between the extracellular and intracellular compartments. Erythrocytes contain ATPases that play a role in this potassium movement. In this study, erythrocyte ATPase effectiveness was evaluated in infants dehydrated from diarrhea and compared to that of healthy infants. Methods: Blood samples were collected from dehydrated and healthy infants. The activity of Na+,K+-ATPase and of an ouabain-insensitive K+-ATPase were assessed. Serum electrolytes and blood pH were also determined. Results: No hyperkalemia was found, even in dehydrated infants presenting with severe hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. In the erythrocytes of dehydrated infants, Na+,K+-ATPase activity was increased correlating positively with the amount of sodium administered. High K+-ATPase activity in the erythrocytes correlated with low plasma potassium. The K+-ATPase activity correlated positively with the amount of potassium administered to dehydrated infants. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the erythrocytes Na+,K+-ATPase and K+-ATPase both protect against plasma potassium abnormalities in dehydrated infants. In such infants, the risk of hyperkalemia is probably low.
Decreased Expression of Aquaporin Water Channels in Denervated Rat Kidney
Authors: Lee JongUn , Yoo Kwangjay , Kim Soo Wan , Jung Kyoon Ho , Ma Seong Kwon , Lee Yeon Kyung , Kim Wan-Young , Kim Jin , Choi Ki Chul
Published: April 2006

Aims: A neural mechanism regulating aquaporin (AQP) water channels in the kidney was investigated. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Renal denervation was induced by painting the renal vessels with 10% phenol. The expression of AQP1–4 proteins was determined in the denervated and contralateral kidneys. The expression was also examined in rats which were renally denervated and subjected to water restriction or deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment. Results: Following the unilateral denervation, tissue contents of norepinephrine were significantly decreased in the denervated kidney, while increased in the contralateral kidney. Accordingly, the expression of AQP1–4 proteins was decreased by 15–40% in the denervated kidney, and increased by 30–50% in the contralateral kidney. Immunohistochemistry of AQP2 confirmed its decreases in the denervated kidney and increases in the contralateral kidney. In bilaterally denervated rats, the urine flow increased along with decreased osmolarity. The water restriction increased the expression of AQP channels, however, the magnitude of which was lower in the denervated than in the contralateral kidney. Renal denervation decreased the degree of DOCA-salt hypertension, along with lower expression of AQP channels. Conclusion: It is suggested that the sympathetic nerve should play a specific excitatory role in the regulation of AQP channels in the kidney.
New Insights Into the Initiation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hoffmann Ellen , Sulke Neil , Edvardsson Nils , Ruiter Jacob , Lewalter Thorsten , Capucci Alessandro , Schuchert Andreas , Janko Sabine , Camm John
Published: April 2006

Background—

This study investigated onset scenarios of atrial fibrillation (AF), the first phase of the Atrial Fibrillation Therapy (AFT) trial, to determine potential arrhythmogenic triggers as targets for atrial pacing algorithms that have been proposed for prevention of AF.

Methods and Results—

Ninety-eight patients (58 men; age 65±11 years) with recurrent, symptomatic, drug-refractory AF and a conventional pacemaker indication in 31 of 98 received a dual-chamber pacemaker. Using novel diagnostic pacemaker features AF onset scenarios were prospectively evaluated in 612 AF episodes during a 2-month monitoring period, with atrial pacing limited to 40 bpm. The most common onset scenario was premature atrial complexes (PACs) before AF (48% onsets per patient), followed by bradycardia (33%), sudden onset (17%), and tachycardia (0%). Combinations of onset scenarios were frequent (median 2 different scenarios per patient). A main study finding was the significance of repetitive AF, with 33% of onsets per patient being initiated within 5 minutes of a previous AF episode. Sudden onsets were more frequent among patients with than without repetitive AF (24% versus 0% onsets per patient,
P
=0.011), whereas the proportion of PACs before AF was not statistically different (50% versus 37%,
P
=0.52); however, patients with repetitive AF had more PACs per hour (72 versus 29,
P
=0.023) and a higher number of AF episodes per day (17 versus 0,
P
=0.001) and were more likely to have at least 1 PAC-related onset (90% versus 53%,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

Novel diagnostic pacemaker features allowed a detailed individual analysis of rate and rhythm changes before AF and thus uncovered a substantial intraindividual and interindividual variability of AF onset scenarios.
Dynamics of Sheared Convective Boundary Layer Entrainment. Part I: Methodological Background and Large-Eddy Simulations
Authors: Conzemius Robert J. , Fedorovich Evgeni
Published: April 2006

The reported study examines the dynamics of entrainment and its effects on the evolution of the dry atmospheric convective boundary layer (CBL) when wind shear is present. The sheared CBL can be studied by means of direct measurements in the atmosphere, laboratory studies, and numerical techniques. The advantages and disadvantages of each technique are discussed in the present paper, which also describes the methodological background for studying the dynamics of entrainment in sheared CBLs. For the reported study, large-eddy simulation (LES) was chosen as the primary method of convective entrainment investigation. Twenty-four LES runs were conducted for CBLs growing under varying conditions of surface buoyancy flux, free-atmospheric stratification, and wind shear. The simulations were divided into three categories: CBL with no mean wind (NS), CBL with a height-constant geostrophic wind of 20 m s−1 (GC), and CBL with geostrophic wind shear (GS). In the simulated cases, the sheared CBLs grew fastest, relative to the NS CBLs, when the surface buoyancy flux was weak and the atmospheric stratification was moderate or weak.

Three fundamental findings resulted from the investigated CBL cases: (i) the entrainment zone shear is much more important than the surface shear in enhancing CBL entrainment, although entrainment zone shear is indirectly affected by surface shear; (ii) the sheared entrainment zone features a sublayer of nearly constant flux Richardson number, which points to a balance between shear production and buoyancy consumption of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) that regulates entrainment; and (iii) the fraction of entrainment zone shear-generated TKE spent on the entrainment is lower than suggested by earlier studies.
Sensitivity of the Simulated Distributions of Water Masses, CFCs, and Bomb 14C to Parameterizations of Mesoscale Tracer Transports in a Model of the North Pacific
Authors: Xu Yongfu , Aoki Shigeaki , Harada Koh
Published: April 2006

A basinwide ocean general circulation model of the North Pacific Ocean is used to study the sensitivity of the simulated distributions of water masses, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and bomb carbon-14 isotope (14C) to parameterizations of mesoscale tracer transports. Five simulations are conducted, including a run with the traditional horizontal mixing scheme and four runs with the isopycnal transport parameterization of Gent and McWilliams (GM). The four GM runs use different values of isopycnal and skew diffusivities. Simulated results show that the GM mixing scheme can help to form North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW). Greater isopycnal diffusivity enhances formation of NPIW. Although greater skew diffusivity can also generate NPIW, it makes the subsurface too fresh. Results from simulations of CFC uptake show that greater isopycnal diffusivity generates the best results relative to observations in the western North Pacific. The model generally underestimates the inventories of CFCs in the western North Pacific. The results from simulations of bomb 14C reproduce some observed features. Greater isopycnal diffusivity generates a longitudinal gradient of the inventory of bomb 14C from west to east, whereas greater skew diffusivity makes it reversed. It is considered that the ratio of isopycnal diffusivity to skew diffusivity is important. An increase in isopycnal diffusivity increases storage of passive tracers in the subtropical gyre.
A Consistent Diffusion–Dissipation Parameterization in the ECHAM Climate Model
Authors: Burkhardt Ulrike , Becker Erich
Published: April 2006

The diffusion–dissipation parameterizations usually adopted in GCMs are not physically consistent. Horizontal momentum diffusion, applied in the form of a hyperdiffusion, does not conserve angular momentum and the associated dissipative heating is commonly ignored. Dissipative heating associated with vertical momentum diffusion is often included, but in a way that is inconsistent with the second law of thermodynamics.

New, physically consistent, dissipative heating schemes due to horizontal diffusion (Becker) and vertical diffusion (Becker, and Boville and Bretherton) have been developed and tested. These schemes have now been implemented in 19- and 39-level versions of the ECHAM4 climate model. The new horizontal scheme requires the replacement of the hyperdiffusion with a ∇2 scheme.

Dissipation due to horizontal momentum diffusion is found to have maximum values in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere in midlatitudes and in the winter hemispheric sponge layer, resulting in a warming of the area around the tropopause and of the polar vortex in Northern Hemispheric winter. Dissipation associated with vertical momentum diffusion is largest in the boundary layer. The change in parameterization acts to strengthen the vertical diffusion and therefore the associated dissipative heating. Dissipation due to vertical momentum diffusion has an indirect effect on the upper-tropospheric/stratospheric temperature field in northern winter, which is to cool and strengthen the northern polar vortex. The warming in the area of the tropopause resulting from the change in both dissipation parameterizations is quite similar in both model versions, whereas the response in the temperature of the northern polar vortex depends on the model version.
Theoretical Underpinnings of Separate Educational Programs
Authors: Frattura Elise M. , Topinka Carol
Published: April 2006

In this article, the authors focus on the continued marginalization of students to peripheral educational programs, such as special education programs, at-risk programs, and English as a second language programs, and the theoretical connections perpetuating the educational status quo. As the repercussions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) have time to make an impact, educators will have marginalized even more students to remedial programs in the name of educational accountability. The authors delineate the theoretical and pathological premises that have enabled an educational model that alienates and oppresses groups of children in our public schools and, hence, society. Most important, the authors address the use of voice through critical pragmatism in efforts to confront oppression and reconstruct our educational services for all learners in the name of social justice.
Categorizing collections of objects: Linguistic and cognitive factors influencing Welsh and English speakers' judgements
Authors: Roberts Seren Haf , Gathercole Virginia C. Mueller
Published: April 2006

This study examines the effect of collective nouns in Welsh on children's processing. Welsh- and English-speaking children aged 4, 8 and 11 were tested in a categorization and a recognition task. Results show significant effects of number of objects and numbers of collections in displays, as well as of the syntax used in presenting novel words, on participants' categorization. The most robust finding was that Welsh-speaking participants took significantly longer to respond in the categorization task than their English-speaking counterparts, if the displays could be interpreted as either a number of individuals or a number of collections. We suggest that Welsh speakers took longer because they had to consider competing interpretations of stimuli, due to the dual possibilities of interpretation available in the Welsh language.
Can English-learning toddlers acquire and generalize a novel spatial word?
Authors: Casasola Marianella , Wilbourn Makeba Parramore , Yang Sujin
Published: April 2006

English-learning toddlers of 21 and 22 months were taught a novel spatial word for four actions resulting in a tight-fit spatial relation, a relation that is lexically marked in Korean but not English (Choi & Bowerman, 1991). Toddlers in a control condition viewed the same tight-fit action events without the novel word. Toddlers' comprehension of the novel word was tested in a preferential-looking paradigm. Across four videotaped pairs of action events, a tight-fit event was paired with a loose-fit event. Only toddlers who were taught the novel spatial word looked significantly longer at the tight-fit events during the test trials that presented the novel word than during control trials that presented neutral linguistic stimuli. The results indicate that toddlers can map and generalize a novel word onto actions resulting in a tight-fit relation, given limited experience with the novel word. The results provide insight into how young word learners begin to form language-specific semantic spatial categories.
Temperament Styles of Children from the People's Republic of China and the United States
Authors: Oakland Thomas , Lub Li
Published: April 2006

Preferences for four bipolar temperament qualities (i.e. extroversion-introversion, practical-imaginative, thinking-feeling and organized-flexible styles) of 400 Chinese children, ages 9, 11, 13 and 15, first are described and then compared to temperament qualities of 3,539 US children of the same ages. Chinese children more frequently prefer extroversion to introversion styles, practical to imaginative styles, thinking to feeling styles and organized to flexible styles. In contrast to Chinese boys, Chinese girls are more likely to prefer practical and feeling styles. All four bipolar temperament styles display some age changes, with practical-imaginative and organized-flexible styles displaying the most changes. Although Chinese and US children did not differ on extroversion-introversion styles, they differ on three temperament styles. Compared to US children, Chinese children are more likely to prefer practical, thinking and organized styles; these differences were found within boys and girls from the two countries. Temperament preferences displayed by Chinese and US children may reflect qualities important to values prominent in either a collectivist or individualist society.
Teaching Information Literacy at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad
Authors: Hosein Sharida
Published: April 2006

This paper describes the development of IL100: Foundations of Information Literacy, an online course designed to teach information literacy skills to students of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. The course uses the WebCT course management software and consists of seven modules. Students can follow the course as a whole or can select the module appropriate to their information needs. Positive feedback about the course has been received from faculty and students who have done the course. The Library would like it to be incorporated into the curriculum, either within a current foundation course or as a stand-alone course for credit. Future enhancements to the course will include assessment and evaluation materials.