bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the dental lymphatic system and identification of cells immunopositive to specific lymphatic markers
Authors: Berggreen Ellen , Haug Sivakami R. , Mkonyi Lilian E. , Bletsa Athanasia
Published: January 2009

The lymphatic system is important for immune barrier function and for tissue fluid balance. During inflammation, lymphangiogenesis takes place to enhance the transport of filtered fluid, proteins, and immune cells. Dental tissue is frequently exposed to inflammatory insults, but the lymphatic system and its responses to injury have not been investigated in detail using specific lymphatic markers. We aimed to study this system and to establish whether lymphangiogenesis takes place during wound healing. Immunostaining of the lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor‐1 (LYVE‐1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐3 (VEGFR‐3) demonstrated initial lymphatics in the coronal molar pulp, whereas in incisors the initial lymphatics were found only in the apical part. In molars, lymphatic vessels exit the pulp through the apex and lateral canals. In interdental bone, transverse lymphatics were found, raising the possibility that an infection can be spread from the periodontal ligament to a neighbouring tooth. LYVE‐1+ and VEGFR‐3+ immune cells were found in both molar and incisor pulps, and phenotyping of the cells showed that they are of a monocytic lineage. In inflamed pulp these cells were not observed. Macrophages are suggested to contribute directly to the formation of lymphatic vessels after pulp exposure.
Promoter hypermethylation of mismatch repair genes, hMLH1 and hMSH2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Czerninski R , Krichevsky S , Ashhab Y , Gazit D , Patel V , Ben‐Yehuda D
Published: January 2009

Objectives:  Major risk factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are environmental and can lead to DNA mutagenesis. Mismatch repair (MMR) system functions to repair small DNA lesions, which can be targeted for promoter hypermethylation. We therefore wanted to test whether hypermethylation of MMR genes (hMLH1, hMSH2) could contribute to oral carcinogenesis by correlating the information to patient clinical data.

Methods:  Genomic DNA was extracted from 28 OSCC and six normal oral epithelium samples. The methylation status of the two MMR genes was assessed using Methylation Specific PCR after DNA modification with sodium bisulfite. Serial sections of the same tissues were immunostained with antibodies against hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein.

Results:  Promoter hypermethylation was observed in 14/28 OSCC cases. Remarkably, 100% of patients with multiple oral malignancies showed hypermethylation in hMLH1 or hMSH2 compared with 31.5% of single tumor patients. In 10 cancer cases, expression of the hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes by immunostaining showed reduced or absence of expression of one of the genes, although some did not reflect the methylation status.

Conclusions:  Hypermethylation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 might play a role in oral carcinogenesis and may be correlated with a tendency to develop multiple oral malignancies.
Structural framework of the GABARAP–calreticulin interface – implications for substrate binding to endoplasmic reticulum chaperones
Authors: Thielmann Yvonne , Weiergräber Oliver H. , Mohrlüder Jeannine , Willbold Dieter
Published: January 2009

The 4‐aminobutyrate type A receptor‐associated protein (GABARAP) is a versatile adaptor protein that plays an important role in intracellular vesicle trafficking, particularly in neuronal cells. We have investigated the structural determinants underlying the interaction of GABARAP with calreticulin using spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques. Specifically, we present the crystal structure of GABARAP in complex with its major binding epitope on the chaperone. Molecular modeling of a complex containing full‐length calreticulin suggests a novel mode of substrate interaction, which may have functional implications for the calreticulin/calnexin family in general.
SHORT‐TERM TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT FOR PERFORMANCE OF A SENSORY DESCRIPTIVE PANEL FOR THE OLFACTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF AROMA EXTRACTS
Authors: BIANCHI GIULIA , ZERBINI PAOLA ECCHER , RIZZOLO ANNA
Published: January 2009

A study on the performances of a panel on the ability to discriminate between odor notes characteristic to nectarine fruits of different maturity (from unripe to fully ripe) was carried out by computing, from analysis of variance results of standardized scores, the agreement coefficient, which describes variation of ratings for a single product, and the reliability coefficient, which reflects discrimination ability of a panel for a group of products. Panelists, after short‐term training for recognition of the main odor attributes of peach aroma, scored the odor profile of both model solutions and Spring Bright nectarine aroma extracts from pool of fruit having well‐defined maturation degrees. Panel performances were good in terms of both agreement and reliability for the descriptors related to unripeness (sharp, herbaceous) while were good for agreement but fair for reliability for descriptors related to ripeness (fruity, ripe).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of agreement and reliability coefficient, which are based on classical reliability theory and recent advances in psychological measurement, is quite a novel technique in evaluating performances of sensory panels. In this study, these coefficients were applied to monitor and compare performances of both the whole panel in evaluating attributes and the single panelist in evaluating each attribute. The results of the study underlined the usefulness of the graphical presentation of the two indices on the rating quality space in comparing individual panelist performances. In this way the selection of panelists according to their ability in rating a distinctive feature of a product can be easily accomplished.
GUSTATORY REACTION TIME AND TIME INTENSITY MEASUREMENTS OF TREHALOSE AND SUCROSE SOLUTIONS AND THEIR MIXTURES
Authors: GALMARINI MARA VIRGINIA , ZAMORA MARÍA CLARA , CHIRIFE JORGE
Published: January 2009

Dynamic sweetness perception of commercial food grade trehalose, sucrose solutions and their mixtures were studied for a wide range of concentrations. For gustatory reaction time (GRT), concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 13.8% for sucrose and up to 23.0% for trehalose. For time intensity (T‐I) sucrose or trehalose solutions (concentration range 2.3–36.8%) and their combinations (23.0 and 36.8% total solids) were analyzed. Trehalose had bigger GRT along the studied range. Both sugars presented similar values for persistence and times of plateau and to maximum intensity, while a significant difference was observed in intensity and GRT at equal concentrations. Trehalose had longer persistence than sucrose in equi‐sweet solutions. Overall sweetness profile of some sucrose solutions (i.e., 29.9% sucrose solution and 0.6 sucrose/trehalose ratio mixture at 36.8% total solids) were perceived as similar to mixtures of sucrose/trehalose or single trehalose solutions, which suggests the possibility of sugar replacement without completely modifying sweetness perception.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

It has been suggested that trehalose may be a potential substitute for sucrose and other sugars used in food formulation because, although its chemical structure is very similar to that of sucrose, it is more stable at low pH and high temperatures. It is not involved in caramelization and does not participate in Maillard reaction with amino acids/proteins. In order to fully establish the potential of trehalose as a functional replacement of sucrose we have determined the sweetness dynamic profile (gustatory reaction time and time‐intensity curves) of trehalose solutions and sucrose/trehalose solutions; this aspect is needed for adequately replacing (partially or totally) sucrose in food systems.
CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR VISUALLY PRESENTED MEALS
Authors: REISFELT HANS HENRIK , GABRIELSEN GORM , AASLYNG MARGIT DALL , BJERRE MARIA SCHMIDT , MØLLER PER
Published: January 2009

The aim of the study was to investigate consumers' preferences for variations of a visually presented meal. The study was conducted in three middle‐sized Danish towns, including 768 respondents who were presented with a computerized questionnaire that initially displayed four consecutive series of photos. The series each consisted of eight unique photos of randomized food dishes arranged around the center square in a 3 × 3 array. Five meal components, each with two levels, were investigated. One level of each component was used for each photo, in total 25 = 32 combinations.

The respondents were asked to select the meal they preferred the most, the second most and the least, respectively. Significant interactions were found between meal components and background variables such as, gender, age, geographic variables, purchase store and level of education. The current procedure can be applied to help solve a number of problems involving consumer choices.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study outlines an approach to use visual images for investigations of food. Our results suggest that rather complex food stimuli of great similarity can be used to subdivide consumers based on sociodemographic background variables. We present an efficient and cheap quick method that provides and captures more information than an ordinary survey that focuses merely on the most preferred option. As a prerequisite for success, stimuli should be well known and appropriately selected. Hence, the present quick method can easily be applied for several practical purposes, such as pretesting, labeling, product flop prevention, and for specific optimization and selection tasks, e.g., convenience meals and institutional meal services in various contexts.

The conjoint layout used allows for late‐based segmentation. It further allows for estimation on aggregate as well as individual level. The current approach is useful for database and/or online implementation.
PROJECTIVE MAPPING AND DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF MILK AND DARK CHOCOLATES
Authors: KENNEDY J. , HEYMANN H.
Published: January 2009

Recently there has been renewed interest in the use of projective mapping to evaluate overall product similarity. Previous studies show a high degree of similarity between product maps from projective mapping and descriptive analysis techniques; however, trained panels had been used in these studies. In this study, three groups of untrained panelists performed projective mapping on a set of chocolates and then were trained and performed descriptive analysis. Principal component analysis and multifactor analysis were used to generate product maps of the descriptive analysis and projective mapping data, respectively. All six maps were visually similar, and RV‐coefficients between the six data sets were greater than 0.8. The results indicate that the use of untrained judges for the projective mapping provided equivalent product spaces as obtained by descriptive analysis for this set of products. Furthermore, the similarity among panels indicates that overall the panelists perceived the chocolates in a similar manner.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The current study indicates that projective mapping can provide equivalent product maps to those obtained by descriptive analysis. On its own, projective mapping presents an efficient method to obtain overall product differences from consumers or trained judges. In combination with a descriptive technique, projective mapping performed by consumers can provide insight as to which attributes are most important to consumers in determining product differences.
Narrativising contract law
Authors: Mitchell Catherine
Published: January 2009

Socio-legal scholarship in contract maintains that the classical law is ineffective in regulating commercial agreements, and that the law should be more attentive to the role played by relational norms of cooperation and implicit understandings in business dealings. This paper explores the extent to which the parties' own narratives about their business relationship, as presented to a judge through testimony, can be both a source of information to judges about how business is conducted and a corrective to the classical contract law mindset, which favours the operation of individualist over cooperative norms in the resolution of commercial disputes. The paper examines a body of ‘law and narrative’ scholarship which underlines narrative's power to subvert traditional legal norms. It also considers some of the difficulties with relying on party narratives as evidence of the implicit dimensions of commercial agreements, but concludes that such narratives may have a role to play in the development of a more relationally constituted contract law and are thus worthy of closer scrutiny.
Suppressing human rights? A rights-based approach to the use of pharmacotherapy with sex offenders
Authors: Harrison Karen , Rainey Bernadette
Published: January 2009

The use of pharmacotherapy (more emotively known as chemical castration) is the use of drugs to treat and help manage the risk that sex offenders, and in particular paedophiles, pose to society. Due to the increased climate of public fear of this risk, the government recently published aReview of the Protection of Children from Sex Offenders(the Review). This Review, published in June 2007, sought to explore how the protection of children could be improved and how greater reassurance to the public on the management of sex offenders could be provided. The Review makes several proposals with regard to managing high-risk sex offenders. Amongst the list of 20 actions, the trialling of polygraph tests, satellite tracking technology and the use of anti-libidinal suppressants is included. This paper examines the latter, pharmacotherapy, and assesses how concepts such as dignity and consent underpin the human rights' implications of its use. The paper will also assess the recent changes to mental health legislation and evaluate whether such treatment for incompetent or competent offenders is a viable option given the UK's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Photocycles of Channelrhodopsin‐2
Authors: Nikolic Konstantin , Grossman Nir , Grubb Matthew S. , Burrone Juan , Toumazou Chris , Degenaar Patrick
Published: January 2009

Recent developments have used light‐activated channels or transporters to modulate neuronal activity. One such genetically‐encoded modulator of activity, channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2), depolarizes neurons in response to blue light. In this work, we first conducted electrophysiological studies of the photokinetics of hippocampal cells expressing ChR2, for various light stimulations. These and other experimental results were then used for systematic investigation of the previously proposed three‐state and four‐state models of the ChR2 photocycle. We show the limitations of the previously suggested three‐state models and identify a four‐state model that accurately follows the ChR2 photocurrents. We find that ChR2 currents decay biexponentially, a fact that can be explained by the four‐state model. The model is composed of two closed (C1 and C2) and two open (O1 and O2) states, and our simulation results suggest that they might represent the dark‐adapted (C1‐O1) and light‐adapted (C2‐O2) branches. The crucial insight provided by the analysis of the new model is that it reveals an adaptation mechanism of the ChR2 molecule. Hence very simple organisms expressing ChR2 can use this form of light adaptation.
Sunlight‐induced DNA Damage in Marine Micro‐organisms Collected Along a Latitudinal Gradient from 70°N to 68°S
Authors: Meador Jarah A. , Baldwin Amy J. , Catala Phillipe , Jeffrey Wade H. , Joux Fabien , Moss Joseph A. , Dean Pakulski J. , Stevens Richard , Mitchell David L.
Published: January 2009

We examined ultraviolet radiation (UVR)‐induced DNA damage in marine micro‐organisms collected from surface seawater along a latitudinal transect in the Central Pacific Ocean from 70°N to 68°S. Samples were collected predawn and incubated under ambient UVR in transparent incubators at in situ temperatures until late afternoon at which time they were filtered into primarily bacterioplankton and eukaryotic fractions. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6‐4) photoproducts [(6‐4)PDs] were quantified in DNA extracts using radioimmunoassays. UVB was lowest in the polar regions and highest near the equator and correlations between UVB and DNA damage were observed. The eukaryotic fraction showed significant CPDs across the entire transect; (6‐4)PDs were detected only in the tropics. The bacterial fraction showed no accumulation of (6‐4)PDs at any latitude, although residual (6‐4)PDs were observed. Bacterial cell volumes were greatest in the sub‐Arctic and northern temperate latitudes and lower in the tropics and southern hemisphere, a unique observation that parallels Bergmann’s rule. A strong negative correlation was observed between cell volume and CPDs. The environmental impact of solar UVR on marine micro‐organisms in the open ocean is complex and our results suggest that several factors such as DNA repair, cell size, temperature, salinity, nutrients and species composition are important in determining relative sensitivity.
Gold Nanorods as Contrast Agents for Biological Imaging: Optical Properties, Surface Conjugation and Photothermal Effects†
Authors: Tong Ling , Wei Qingshan , Wei Alexander , Cheng Ji‐Xin
Published: January 2009

Gold nanorods (NRs) have plasmon‐resonant absorption and scattering in the near‐infrared (NIR) region, making them attractive probes for in vitro and in vivo imaging. In the cellular environment, NRs can provide scattering contrast for darkfield microscopy, or emit a strong two‐photon luminescence due to plasmon‐enhanced two‐photon absorption. NRs have also been employed in biomedical imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography or photoacoustic tomography. Careful control over surface chemistry enhances the capacity of NRs as biological imaging agents by enabling cell‐specific targeting, and by increasing their dispersion stability and circulation lifetimes. NRs can also efficiently convert optical energy into heat, and inflict localized damage to tumor cells. Laser‐induced heating of NRs can disrupt cell membrane integrity and homeostasis, resulting in Ca2+ influx and the depolymerization of the intracellular actin network. The combination of plasmon‐resonant optical properties, intense local photothermal effects and robust surface chemistry render gold NRs as promising theragnostic agents.
Application of Nonlinear Optical Microscopy for Imaging Skin†
Authors: Hanson Kerry M. , Bardeen Christopher J.
Published: January 2009

Recent advances in the use of nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) in skin microscopy are presented. Nonresonant spectroscopies including second harmonic generation, coherent anti‐Stokes Raman and two‐photon absorption are described and applications to problems in skin biology are detailed. These nonlinear techniques have several advantages over traditional microscopy methods that rely on one‐photon excitation: intrinsic 3D imaging with <1 μm spatial resolution, decreased photodamage to tissue samples and penetration depths up to 1000 μm with the use of near‐infrared lasers. Thanks to these advantages, nonlinear optical spectroscopy has become a powerful tool to study the physical and biochemical properties of the skin. Structural information can be obtained using the response of endogenous chemical species in the skin, such as collagen or lipids, indicating that optical biopsy may replace current invasive, time‐consuming traditional histology methods. Insertion of specific probe molecules into the skin provides the opportunity to monitor specific biochemical processes such as skin transport, molecular penetration, barrier homeostasis and ultraviolet radiation‐induced reactive oxygen species generation. While the field is quite new, it seems likely that the use of NLOM to probe structure and biochemistry of live skin samples will only continue to grow.
A biparametric flow cytometry analysis for the study of reticulocyte patterns of maturation
Authors: BORRIONE P. , SPACCAMIGLIO A. , PARISI A. , SALVO R. A. , PAUTASSO M. , PIGOZZI F. , ANGELI A.
Published: January 2009

Automated haematological analysers still represent the gold standard for the study of reticulocyte maturation even if this technique is based on structural properties and staining affinity rather than on functional aspects. On the contrary, flow cytometry allows the simultaneous analysis of multiple cellular characteristics including functional features. Aim was to investigate whether simultaneous analysis of different reticulocyte parameters using flow cytometry may add functional information when considering their pattern of maturation. Thirty‐nine healthy donors (H) and 31 haemodialysed patients on treatment with rHuEpo (HDT) were analysed. Reticulocyte counts and their stages of maturation were studied both with ADVIA 2120 and by flow cytometry. TO/CD71 scattergraph reticulocyte analysis designed a peculiar distribution which was similar among the same group of subjects (H or HDT), but different between H and HDT. distribution of the percentage of reticulocytes in low, medium and high boxes calculated by ADVIA 2120 did not show any difference between H and HDT groups, while the analysis using flow cytometry pointed out statistically significant differences between H and HDT groups in the three boxes where the TO+/CD71+ reticulocytes were localized. The present study suggests that TO/CD71 analysis was reproducible and could detect different pattern of maturation of a particular clinical setting.
Mononucleotide repeats represent an important source of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: CHRISTIANS JULIAN K. , WATT CORTNEY A.
Published: January 2009

In fungi, microsatellites occur less frequently throughout the genome and tend to be less polymorphic compared with other organisms. Most studies that develop microsatellites for fungi focus on dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats, and thus mononucleotide repeats, which are much more abundant in fungal genomes, may represent an overlooked resource. This study examined the relative probabilities of polymorphism in mononucleotide, dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats in Aspergillus nidulans. As previously found, the probability of polymorphism increased with increasing number of repeating units. Dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats had higher probabilities of polymorphism than mononucleotide repeats, but this was offset by the presence of numerous long mononucleotide repeats within the genome. Mononucleotide microsatellites with 20 or more repeating units have a probability of polymorphism similar to dinucleotide and trinucleotide microsatellites, and therefore, consideration of mononucleotide repeats will substantially increase the number of potential markers available.
Isolation and characterization of 11 microsatellite markers from Sagittaria latifolia (Alismataceae)
Authors: YAKIMOWSKI SARAH B. , RYMER PAUL D. , STONE HARRIET , BARRETT SPENCER C. H. , DORKEN MARCEL E.
Published: January 2009

We developed 11 microsatellite loci for Sagittaria latifolia, an aquatic plant common to wetlands of North America. From an (AG)‐enriched library, we identified 66 unique microsatellite sequences for which primers could be designed. Twenty‐two loci reliably amplified a clear single band of expected size, and 11 loci were scoreable and polymorphic. For these 11 loci, we genotyped a monoecious and a dioecious population, yielding four to 14 alleles per locus. Three loci exhibited significant linkage disequilibrium leaving eight independent variable loci. Eight loci also amplified in four other Sagittaria species. These microsatellite loci will be useful to compare genetic structure among monoecious and dioecious populations of S. latifolia.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Arenaria grandiflora L. (Caryophyllaceae)
Authors: ZAVODNA MONIKA , BOTTIN LORRAINE , LAMBOURDIERE JOSIE , MACHON NATHALIE
Published: January 2009

Genomic libraries of Arenaria grandiflora enriched for di‐ and trinucleotide repeats were used for the development of novel microsatellite markers. The subset of 13 polymorphic markers was characterized on 40 individuals of A. grandiflora originating from lowland locations in France. The loci amplified 3 to 10 alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.46 to 0.83. The newly developed markers will be used for population genetic studies and for assessing genetic composition of a restoration experiment of lowland A. grandiflora populations that are protected in France.
Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium caused by low levels of microsatellite genotyping errors
Authors: MORIN PHILLIP A. , LEDUC RICHARD G. , ARCHER FREDERICK I. , MARTIEN KAREN K. , HUEBINGER RYAN , BICKHAM JOHN W. , TAYLOR BARBARA L.
Published: January 2009

Microsatellite genotyping from samples with varying quality can result in an uneven distribution of errors. Previous studies reporting error rates have focused on estimating the effects of both randomly distributed and locus‐specific errors. Sample‐specific errors, however, can also significantly affect results in population studies despite a large sample size. From two studies including six microsatellite markers genotyped from 272 sperm whale DNA samples, and 33 microsatellites genotyped from 213 bowhead whales, we investigated the effects of sample‐ and locus‐specific errors on calculations of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The results of a jackknife analysis in these two studies identified seven individuals that were highly influential on estimates of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for six different markers. In each case, the influential individual was homozygous for a rare allele. Our results demonstrate that Hardy–Weinberg P values are very sensitive to homozygosity in rare alleles for single individuals, and that > 50% of these cases involved genotype errors likely due to low sample quality. This raises the possibility that even small, normal levels of laboratory errors can result in an overestimate of the degree to which markers are out of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and hence overestimate population structure. To avoid such bias, we recommend routine identification of influential individuals and multiple replications of those samples.
How molecular pathology is changing and will change the therapeutics of patients with follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer: Table 1
Authors: Couto J Pinto , Prazeres H , Castro P , Lima J , Máximo V , Soares P , Sobrinho-Simões M
Published: January 2009

Well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas comprise two well-defined histological types: papillary and follicular (PTCs and FTCs, respectively). Despite being derived from the same cell (thyroid follicular cell), these two types of tumour accumulate distinct genetic abnormalities during progression. The molecular pathology of thyroid cancer is now better understood because of our ability to identify RET/PTC rearrangements and BRAF mutations in the aetiopathogenesis of the large majority of PTCs and the high prevalence of RAS mutations and PAX8/PPARγ rearrangements in follicular patterned carcinomas (FTCs and follicular variant of PTCs). This review summarises most of the molecular alterations currently used as targets for new biological treatments and looks at some of the changes that are already occurring or may occur in the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer. For simplicity, the review is divided up according to the major genetic alterations identified in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas (RET/PTC rearrangements, BRAF mutations, RAS mutations and mitochondrial DNA deletions and mutations) and their respective treatments.
Habitat alteration by geese at a large arctic goose colony: consequences for lemmings and voles
Authors: Samelius Gustaf , Alisauskas Ray T.
Published: January 2009

Heavy grazing by Ross’s geese ( Chen rossi (Cassin, 1861)) and lesser snow geese ( Chen caerulescens (L., 1758)) has resulted in substantial habitat alteration in some parts of the Arctic. However, the influence of these habitat alterations on other animals is poorly understood. We therefore examined how habitat alteration by geese influenced small-mammal (lemmings and voles) abundance at the large goose colony near Karrak Lake, Nunavut, by comparing small-mammal abundance and aboveground biomass of plants inside and outside the colony. Heavy grazing by geese resulted in virtually complete removal of graminoid plants (grasses and sedges) in lowland areas in the colony, which in turn was associated with a reduction in small-mammal abundance of about one order of magnitude compared with that in lowland areas outside the colony. Aboveground biomass of plants in upland areas in the colony was also reduced compared with that in upland areas outside the colony, although this reduction was less pronounced than that in lowland areas in the colony. Moreover, this reduction was not associated with a reduction in small-mammal abundance. There was, thus, a strong negative correlation between habitat alteration by geese and distribution and abundance of small mammals at this colony.
ON THE DOMAIN OF NONSYMMETRIC ORNSTEIN–UHLENBECK OPERATORS IN BANACH SPACES
Authors: MAAS JAN , VAN NEERVEN JAN
Published: January 2009

We consider the linear stochastic Cauchy problem [Formula: see text] where A generates a C0-semigroup on a Banach space E, WH is a cylindrical Brownian motion over a Hilbert space H, and B: H → E is a bounded operator. Assuming the existence of a unique minimal invariant measure μ∞, let Lp denote the realization of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck operator associated with this problem in Lp (E, μ∞). Under suitable assumptions concerning the invariance of the range of B under the semigroup generated by A, we prove the following domain inclusions, valid for 1 < p ≤ 2: [Formula: see text] Here [Formula: see text] denotes the kth order Sobolev space of functions with Fréchet derivatives up to order k in the direction of H. No symmetry assumptions are made on Lp.
PROBABILISTIC IMPLICATIONS OF SYMMETRIES OF q-HERMITE AND AL-SALAM–CHIHARA POLYNOMIALS
Authors: SZABŁOWSKI PAWEŁ J.
Published: January 2009

We prove the existence of stationary random fields with linear regressions for q > 1 and thus close an open question posed by W. Bryc et al. We prove this result by describing a discrete one-dimensional conditional distribution and then checking Chapman–Kolmogorov equation. Support of this distribution consists of zeros of certain Al-Salam–Chihara polynomials. To find them we refer to and expose known result concerning addition of q-exponential function. This leads to generalization of a well-known formula [Formula: see text], where Hk(x) denotes kth Hermite polynomial.
ON A CONVOLUTION FOR q-NORMAL ELEMENTS
Authors: KULA ANNA , RICARD ÉRIC
Published: January 2009

In 2000 Carnovale and Koornwinder defined a q-convolution and proved that for some classes of measures it is associative and commutative. We investigate its positivity preserving properties. One of them is the notion of q-positivity related to q-moments. In this paper we describe an algebraic interpretation of q-positivity which leads us to the definition of (p, q)-convolution. It has a form similar to the q-convolution of Carnovale and Koornwinder coming from a braided algebra. For the new convolution we find an appropriate analogue of Fourier transform and also present a central limit theorem.
Lactobacillus reuteriprevents colitis by reducing P-selectin-associated leukocyte- and platelet-endothelial cell interactions
Authors: Schreiber O. , Petersson J. , Phillipson M. , Perry M. , Roos S. , Holm L.
Published: January 2009

Recent findings indicate that dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis is associated with a prothrombogenic phenotype, with P-selectin playing a major role in platelet recruitment. It has been suggested that probiotics may ameliorate colonic inflammation. We therefore investigated how treatment with Lactobacillus reuteri influenced P-selectin expression, leukocyte and platelet endothelial cell interactions , and colitis severity in DSS-treated rats. Rats were divided into the following four groups: nontreated, DSS treated (5% in drinking water for 9 days), L. reuteri, and L. reuteri and DSS treated. The rats were anesthetized with Inactin (120 mg/kg ip), and the dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique was used to quantify P-selectin expression. Leukocyte-endothelial and platelet-endothelial cell interactions were studied in colonic venules with intravital microscopy. Colitis severity was assessed using a disease activity index. Disease activity index increased, as did the expression of P-selectin in the entire colon after DSS treatment, but both were reduced to control levels with L. reuteri pretreatment. The increased platelet- and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions after DSS treatment were abolished by pretreatment with L. reuteri. L. reuteri protects against DSS-induced colitis in rats. The protection is associated with reduced P-selectin expression and a decrease in leukocyte- and platelet-endothelial cell interactions.
Frontal and motor cortex oxygenation during maximal exercise in normoxia and hypoxia
Authors: Subudhi Andrew W. , Miramon Brittany R. , Granger Matthew E. , Roach Robert C.
Published: January 2009

Reductions in prefrontal oxygenation near maximal exertion may limit exercise performance by impairing executive functions that influence the decision to stop exercising; however, whether deoxygenation also occurs in motor regions that more directly affect central motor drive is unknown. Multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy was used to compare changes in prefrontal, premotor, and motor cortices during exhaustive exercise. Twenty-three subjects performed two sequential, incremental cycle tests (25 W/min ramp) during acute hypoxia [79 Torr inspired Po2 (PiO2)] and normoxia (117 Torr PiO2) in an environmental chamber. Test order was balanced, and subjects were blinded to chamber pressure. In normoxia, bilateral prefrontal oxygenation was maintained during low- and moderate-intensity exercise but dropped 9.0 ± 10.7% (mean ± SD, P < 0.05) before exhaustion (maximal power = 305 ± 52 W). The pattern and magnitude of deoxygenation were similar in prefrontal, premotor, and motor regions ( R2 > 0.94). In hypoxia, prefrontal oxygenation was reduced 11.1 ± 14.3% at rest ( P < 0.01) and fell another 26.5 ± 19.5% ( P < 0.01) at exhaustion (maximal power = 256 ± 38 W, P < 0.01). Correlations between regions were high ( R2 > 0.61), but deoxygenation was greater in prefrontal than premotor and motor regions ( P < 0.05). Prefrontal, premotor, and motor cortex deoxygenation during high-intensity exercise may contribute to an integrative decision to stop exercise. The accelerated rate of cortical deoxygenation in hypoxia may hasten this effect.
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Fibrin Clot Phenotypes
Authors: Williams Frances M.K. , Carter Angela M. , Kato Bernet , Falchi Mario , Bathum Lise , Surdulescu Gabriela , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Palotie Aarno , Spector Tim D. , Grant Peter J.
Published: January 2009

Objectives—

Fibrin makes up the structural basis of an occlusive arterial thrombus, and variability in fibrin phenotype relates to cardiovascular risk. The aims of the current study from the EU consortium EuroCLOT were to (1) determine the heritability of fibrin phenotypes and (2) identify QTLs associated with fibrin phenotypes.

Methods and Results—

447 dizygotic (DZ) and 460 monozygotic (MZ) pairs of healthy UK white female twins and 199 DZ twin pairs from Denmark were studied. D-dimer, an indicator of fibrin turnover, was measured by ELISA and measures of clot formation, morphology, and lysis were determined by turbidimetric assays. Heritability estimates and genome-wide linkage analysis were performed. Estimates of heritability for d-dimer and turbidometric variables were in the range 17% to 46%, with highest levels for maximal absorbance which provides an estimate of clot density. Genome-wide linkage analysis revealed 6 significant regions with LOD >3 on 5 chromosomes (5, 6, 9, 16, and 17).

Conclusions—

The results indicate a significant genetic contribution to variability in fibrin phenotypes and highlight regions in the human genome which warrant further investigation in relation to ischemic cardiovascular disorders and their therapy.
Toll-Like Receptors 4 and 5 Induce Distinct Types of Vasculitis
Authors: Deng Jiusheng , Ma-Krupa Wei , Gewirtz Andrew T. , Younge Brian R. , Goronzy Jörg J. , Weyand Cornelia M.
Published: January 2009

Large vessel vasculitides, such as Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis, affect vital arteries and cause clinical complications by either luminal occlusion or vessel wall destruction. Inflammatory infiltrates, often with granulomatous arrangements, are distributed as a panarteritis throughout all of the artery’s wall layers or cluster in the adventitia as a perivasculitis. Factors determining the architecture and compartmentalization of vasculitis are unknown. Human macrovessels are populated by indigenous dendritic cells (DCs) positioned in the adventitia. Herein, we report that these vascular DCs sense bacterial pathogens and regulate the patterning of the emerging arteritis. In human temporal artery–SCID chimeras, lipopolysaccharides stimulating Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and flagellin stimulating TLR5 trigger vascular DCs and induce T-cell recruitment and activation. However, the architecture of the evolving inflammation is ligand-specific; TLR4 ligands cause transmural panarteritis and TLR5 ligands promote adventitial perivasculitis. Underlying mechanisms involve selective recruitment of functional T cell subsets. Specifically, TLR4-mediated DC stimulation markedly enhances production of the chemokine CCL20, biasing recruitment toward CCL20-responsive CCR6
+
T cells. In adoptive transfer experiments, CCR6
+
T cells produce an arteritis pattern with media-invasive T cells damaging vascular smooth muscle cells. Also, CCR6
+
T cells dominate the vasculitic infiltrates in patients with panarteritic giant cell arteritis. Thus, depending on the original danger signal, vascular DCs edit the emerging immune response by differentially recruiting specialized T effector cells and direct the disease process toward distinct types of vasculitis.
Inadvertent Intra-Arterial Contrast Agent Injection Mimicking Bilateral Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Arteries in a Patient With Suspected Stroke on Maximum-Slope, Nondeconvolution Perfusion Computed Tomography
Authors: Morhard Dominik , Pellkofer Hannah , Reiser Maximilian F. , Ertl-Wagner Birgit
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Inadvertent contrast agent injection in the left cubital artery may lead to decisively altered perfusion parameters in stroke CT. These effects have not previously been described.

Summary of Case—

A 77-year-old woman with a suspected stroke underwent subsequent stroke CT imaging. No signs of intracranial hemorrhage or acute cerebral ischemia were noted on nonenhanced CT. Qualitative analysis of perfusion CT using the maximum slope model demonstrated an extremely delayed and decreased perfusion of the territories of the anterior circulation system and higher values of cerebral blood flow and blood volume of the posterior circulation system mimicking a bilateral occlusion of the internal carotid arteries. CT angiography revealed no relevant stenoses or occlusions of the internal carotid arteries. Intensive investigation into the potential causes of these controversial findings showed that the contrast medium was administered into the left brachial artery due to inadvertent arterial placement of the antecubital catheter.

Conclusions—

It is important to be familiar with this unusual constellation of perfusion parameters to avoid diagnostic uncertainty in patients with an inadvertent intra-arterial application of contrast agent.
Can Self-Reported Strokes Be Used to Study Stroke Incidence and Risk Factors?
Authors: Glymour M. Maria , Avendano Mauricio
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Most stroke incidence studies use geographically localized (community) samples with few national data sources available. Such samples preclude research on contextual risk factors, but national samples frequently collect only self-reported stroke. We examine whether incidence estimates from clinically verified studies are consistent with estimates from a nationally representative US sample assessing self-reported stroke.

Methods—

Health and Retirement Study (HRS) participants (n=17 056) age 50+ years were followed for self- or proxy-reported first stroke (1293 events) from 1998 to 2006 (average, 6.8 years). We compared incidence rates by race, sex, and age strata with those previously documented in leading geographically localized studies with medically verified stroke. We also examined whether cardiovascular risk factor effect estimates in HRS are comparable to those reported in studies with clinically verified strokes.

Results—

The weighted first-stroke incidence rate was 10.0 events/1000 person-years. Total age-stratified incidence rates in whites were mostly comparable with those reported elsewhere and were not systematically higher or lower. However, among blacks in HRS, incidence rates generally appeared higher than those previously reported. HRS estimates were most comparable with those reported in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Incidence rates approximately doubled per decade of age and were higher in men and blacks. After demographic adjustment, all risk factors predicted stroke incidence in whites. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease predicted incident stroke in blacks.

Conclusions—

Associations between known risk factors and stroke incidence were verified in HRS, suggesting that misreporting is nonsystematic. HRS may provide valuable data for stroke surveillance and examination of classical and contextual risk factors.
Ambulatory Activity of Stroke Survivors
Authors: Manns Patricia J. , Baldwin Evan
Published: January 2009

Background and Purpose—

Walking activity is an important part of exercise prescription for stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to: (1) compare ambulatory activity parameters in subacute stroke survivors over three time periods; and (2) discuss options for measurement of ambulatory activity data with respect to absolute activity, intensity of activity, and variability and pattern of activity.

Methods—

Ten subacute stroke survivors participated (mean±SD; age: 66±15 years; time from stroke to discharge: 75±31 days). Data collection was completed across three time periods, predischarge, 2 weeks postdischarge, and 6 weeks postdischarge. The Step Activity Monitor (Cyma Corporation) was used to measure daily activity parameters. Parameters representing dose, intensity, and variability/pattern of activity were determined using MatLab.

Results—

Minutes of activity and length of activity bouts significantly increased from predischarge to 6 weeks postdischarge (
P
=0.030).

Conclusions—

The measurement of a variety of ambulatory activity parameters may aid clinicians and stroke survivors to determine whether exercise recommendations are being met with daily activity.
Urban Inequality and Racial Differences in Risk for Violent Victimization
Authors: Like Toya Z.
Published: January 2009

Past research has shown that racial inequality in urban areas—Black and White residential segregation and economic inequality—is associated with increased levels of homicide offending and that victimization among Blacks yet serves as a protection mechanism against such violence among Whites. However, few studies have considered alternative measures of violence, namely nonfatal violent victimization in the study of racial inequality in urban areas. This oversight is problematic, given that although some scholars suggest that homicide is a reliable indicator of all forms of violence in general, victimization reports often point to qualitative differences in lethal and nonlethal forms of violence. Consequently, this research examines the link between city-level White and Black residential segregation and economic inequality and individual risks for nonfatal violent victimization net of individual-level factors that have also been associated with such risks. The data are disaggregated by race, because White and Black residential segregation and economic inequality are believed to have disparate effects on non-Hispanic Whites’ and non-Hispanic Blacks’ risks. Overall, the findings indicate that both forms of racial inequality function to protect Whites from nonfatal violent victimization but concomitantly increase such risks among Blacks. The implications of these findings and areas of future research are also discussed.
Constructing “The Economy”
Authors: Schabas Margaret
Published: January 2009

Economists study “The Economy,” or so one might suppose. Yet this overarching entity is strikingly absent from mainstream theory. Since the 1950s, it has generally been described with a few mathematical propositions and not given a description that attends to institutions, power relations, or the emergent properties that form the leading indicators in macroeconomic theory. There is thus a significant divergence between folk economics and scientific economics on this theoretical entity. This article briefly addresses the history of this concept, noting its heyday in the interwar years, and brings to bear some of the analytical apparatus on institutional facts devised by John Searle. Whatever is meant by “The Economy” in folk economics appears to be significantly divergent from what is posited in scientific economics.
Structural Equation Modeling of Disability in Women with Fibromyalgia or Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Phillips Lorraine J. , Stuifbergen Alexa K.
Published: January 2009

Structural equation modeling (SEM), a popular statistical technique for analysis of multivariate data in the social sciences, is increasingly being used in the behavioral and clinical sciences. SEM is appropriate for posing complex models that evaluate the direct and indirect influence of several variables on one or more outcome variables. A biosocial model of disability, the Disablement Process Model, lends itself to evaluation by SEM. Using SEM, this study examined predictors of disability (Age, Education, Duration of Illness, and Economic Adequacy Functional Limitations, Depressive Symptoms, and Social Support) separately in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and compared the respective models across groups. Data were analyzed with Analysis of Moment Structures (Amos) 7.0. Problems identified in initial confirmatory model testing included collateral correlated errors, a negative error variance, and poor performance of the disability indicators. After specifying well-fitting confirmatory models for each group, a structural model for the larger FMS group was estimated. Model refinement resulted in the reversal of the path between Depressive Symptoms and Social Support. Further model revisions were based on comparative fit statistics and theoretical logic. The structural model developed from the FMS sample required minimal changes to fit the MS sample. The multisample model explained greater variance in disability in women with FMS than in women with MS. Social support and depressive symptoms mediated the effect of functional limitations on disability. Interventions that target modifiable characteristics, such as depression and social support, may improve outcomes such as disability.