bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Truth‐telling to cancer patients in the western european context
Authors: Weil M. , Smith M. , Khayat D.
Published: February 2007

The meaning and the practice of truth‐telling have undergone many changes throughout western European history. Although Plato noted the conflict between the idea of protecting individuals from information which could frighten them and the idea of respecting their autonomy and freedom to know, Greek physicians displayed a more pragmatic attitude. In contrast, the Catholic church has always condemned any form of lying. The emergence in the Middle Ages of the notion that Catholics had to receive the sacrament of extreme unction in order to ensure salvation made it necessary to inform patients of the approach of death. But the gradual decline of the Church's influence since the eighteenth century led to the increasing practise of telling medical ‘white lies’. Rapid changes are occurring, however, in light of medical progress, evolving ethical beliefs and major sociological changes, especially the increasing role of the media. In fact, the medical ‘secret’ is shared by many people and the problem is no longer whether physicians must tell the truth but how to tell it. Patients often do not understand the information they are given because the words are too esoteric. Failures in physician/patient communication arise also because of the phenomenon of denial, which is a part of the normal adaptation process. The physician has the responsibility of making the decision and of imparting to the patient a sense of innovation and progress.
Social work with stepfamilies and their children with cancer
Authors: Gould Hilary , Gould Nick
Published: February 2007

This paper explores the complexities of medical social work undertaken with stepfamilies caring for a child suffering from cancer. Although there is a growing literature dealing with the psycho‐social effects of childhood cancer, there is an unexamined assumption that children are cared for by their birth parents within a traditional nuclear family. It is argued that the paediatric oncology social worker is challenged increasingly to develop understandings and modes of intervention which are appropriate and sympathetic to the particular issues facing stepfamilies. Using a systemic and chronological framework from referral and diagnosis through to bereavement, the authors identify challenges for the stepfamily, corresponding implications for social work practice, and questions for future research.
Cognitive responses and psychiatric disorder in women with operable breast cancer
Authors: Pinder Karen L. , Ramirez Amanda J. , Richards Michael A. , Gregory Walter M.
Published: February 2007

The relationships between patient characteristics, cognitive responses and psychiatric disorder have been examined in 105 women with operable breast cancer in the 6 months around the time of diagnosis. Patients underwent interview‐based psychosocial assessments at approximately 6 and 20 weeks post diagnosis. Information concerning patient characteristics was obtained at the 6 week assessment. Cognitive responses were assessed using a newly developed schedule at both the 6 and 20 week assessments. Psychiatric disorder from one month prior to diagnosis to five months post diagnosis was assessed at 20 weeks using the Present State Examination and Bedford College Rating Criteria. The point prevalence of psychiatric disorder (borderline and full case) was 48% at 6 weeks and 17% at 20 weeks post diagnosis. The period prevalence for the 6 months around the time of diagnosis was 66%, with 37% of women experiencing psychiatric disorder which was unresolved 6 weeks after diagnosis (persistent psychiatric disorder).

The patient characteristics independently associated with psychiatric disorder included age < 50 (p = 0.05), lack of an intimate relationship (p = 0.05) and having previous psychological difficulties (p = 0.07). The frequencies of the cognitive responses assessed were generally similar at 6 and 20 weeks. So too was the extent to which each individual response was reported by each patient at each time point. Lack of optimism was significantly associated with psychiatric disorder at 20 weeks (p = 0.04), but not at 6 weeks post diagnosis. None of the other cognitive responses assessed were related to psychiatric disorder at either assessment.
Concerns, confiding and psychiatric disorder in newly diagnosed cancer patients: A descriptive study
Authors: Harrison Judy , Maguire Peter , Ibbotson Tracey , MacLeod Rhona , Hopwood Penelope
Published: February 2007

A total of 520 patients were assessed by trained interviewers within 8 weeks of a cancer diagnosis. A semi‐structured interview, the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule, a checklist of concerns and assessment of degree of confiding of concerns in others were used to determine the relationship between concerns, confiding and affective disorder. The most common concerns were the illness itself (65%), inability to do things (36%), the future (31%) and physical symptoms (28%). Concerns about the illness itself, the future, job, finances and personal relationships were distributed evenly across disease groups. Concerns about sexuality, feeling upset or feeling different from other people were related to cancer type. Patients with these concerns or who had four or more concerns had significantly more anxiety or depression. No relationship was found between degree of confiding and psychological morbidity. The nature and number of concerns could be useful markers for those with affective disorders and a focus for psychological and/or psychiatric intervention in the cancer population.
Psychoneuroimmunology and the course of breast cancer: An overview the impact of psychosocial factors on progression of breast cancer through immune and endocrine mechanisms
Authors: Van Der Pompe G. , Antoni M. H. , Mulder C. L. , Heijnen C. , Goodkin K. , De Graeff A. , Garssen B. , De Vries M. J.
Published: February 2007

This review focuses upon possible mediators of the frequently noted associations between psychosocial factors and the progression of breast cancer. First, host‐related endocrine and immunological processes that may play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of breast cancer are summarized. Second, the effects of several endocrines on different components of the immune system that have been shown to be related to the course of breast cancer are addressed. Third, studies examining the effect of psychosocial factors on immune function conducted with breast cancer patients and healthy individuals are described. Based on this review, it can be concluded that causal relations between psychosocial stressors, endocrine and immune processes, and breast cancer progression remain to be elucidated. It can be hypothesized that psychosocial stressors influence the course of breast cancer by modulating endocrine processes which are directly related to tumor growth or indirectly related by decreasing immunologic control over tumor development and metastases. Finally, methodological pitfalls that plague this line of research are summarized and recommendations for future psychoneuroimmunologic research in breast cancer are provided.
Post‐traumatic stress after childhood cancer I: The role of appraisal
Authors: Stuber Margaret L. , Meeske Kathleen , Gonzalez Sandra , Houskamp Beth M. , Pynoos Robert
Published: February 2007

Life threat or physical injury have been shown to produce post‐traumatic stress symptoms in children. Recent studies have demonstrated that a subset of survivors of pediatric cancer report post‐traumatic stress symptoms years after completing successful treatment. However, it is not clear whether these symptoms represent a response to the perception of life‐threat or to the repeated intrusive procedures that accompany cancer treatment. In this exploratory study, 30 childhood cancer survivors 8 to 19 years old, who were at least 22 months off treatment without recurrence of disease, were evaluated using self‐report questionnaires. The survivor's appraisal of treatment intensity signficantly correlated with the severity of post‐traumatic stress symptoms. When age at the time of diagnosis was evaluated, appraisal of treatment intensity was significantly correlated with symptoms only in those six years old and younger. For children aged seven years or older at the time of diagnosis, duration of treatment was a significant contributor to symptoms. Diagnostic category (leukemia or solid tumor), length of time since completion of treatment and the child's appraisal of life‐threat were not significantly correlated with severity of post‐traumatic stress symptoms. Further study of the impact of intensive pediatric treatment on children and the importance of developmental factors in traumatic response to illness appears to be indicated.
Eysenck personality inventory L‐scores in patients with Hodgkin's disease and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Ratcliffe Marcia A. , Dawson Audrey A. , Walker Leslie G.
Published: February 2007

Sixty‐three patients with Hodgkin's disease and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma were followed up for exactly 5 years after first diagnosis. Survival analysis was carried out using the log‐rank test (univariate) and Cox's proportional hazards regression method (multivariate). Variables examined were: age at diagnosis; gender; stage; symptoms; type of disease; grade of tumour, performance status; presence or absence of hypnotherapy or relaxation training; Eysenck Personality Inventory L‐scores; and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores. At diagnosis, in keeping with previous studies, L‐scores were high. Although L‐scores can be raised for several reasons, the L‐scale may be a useful measure of the cancer‐prone (type C) personality. Moreover, as predicted, L‐scores were associated with an increased risk of death within 5 years; L‐scores emerged as an independent risk factor as did depression scores. A relaxation‐based intervention may also have enhanced survival. Replication in the lymphomas, and investigation in other cancers, should be carried out.
Psychosocial interventions to reduce affective disorders in cancer patients: Research priorities
Authors: Maguire Peter
Published: February 2007

Major depressive illness, generalised anxiety disorders and adjustment disorders develop in over 25% of cancer patients within the first two or three years of diagnosis. Key research questions are identified and discussed which should lead to more effective ways of recognising, treating and preventing these disorders.
Suicide risk in pediatric cancer patients: An exploratory study
Authors: Kunin Howard M. , Patenaude Andrea Farkas , Grier Holcombe E.
Published: February 2007

This descriptive, retrospective study was undertaken to identify suicide histories in children and adolescents at a pediatric cancer center and to identify potential suicide risk factors in this population. Physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists and social workers at the Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute were surveyed to identify patients known to have made suicide attempts, successful or not. Medical and psychosocial histories, including specifics of the event, were obtained from a semi‐structured interview with the respondent and a review of the medical chart, and evaluated for psychosocial risk factors. Thirty‐eight clinicians identified 10 patients with suicidal events between 1974 and 1991: two successful suicides, four unsuccessful attempts, two deaths under unclear circumstances and two instances of self‐destructive behavior with unclear intent. Subjects ranged in age from 10 to 27 years at the time of the event (median age 16.34 years) and diagnoses included Hodgkin's disease (4), leukemia (2), Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma and neuroblastoma. Psychosocial risk factors or stresses of the current medical situation were present in nine out of the 10 patients (median score, 4 factors). Depression or hopelessness was present in eight patients, and stressful familial events (in addition to patient's illness) such as parental divorce, additional familial illness or financial pressures were present in seven patients. Current medical factors, such as advanced illness/poor prognosis and pain management issues, were present in three and two patients, respectively. Six out of the 10 subjects were off medical treatment at the time of their attempts. Suicide or suicide attempts in this sample indicated that medical factors alone are not adequate to explain the emotional states which may give rise to self‐destructive behavior. Psychosocial stressors from non‐medical sources appear to contribute to increased suicide risk for pediatric cancer patients. The finding that six out of 10 suicide attempts occurred in cancer survivors raises concerns about the special risk to this population. These findings suggest more extensive study is needed of suicidal behavior among pediatric cancer patients and, particularly, survivors of pediatric cancer. In addition to further identification of specific medical and psychosocial factors, the interrelationship between these factors needs to be better understood for its potential to contribute to suicidality in this population. The cumulative effect of chronic stress from medical factors also deserves further investigation.
The married couple's assessment of the experience of early breast cancer—A longitudinal interview study
Authors: Omne‐Pontén M. , Holmberg L. , Sjödén P. O. , Bergström R.
Published: February 2007

Two questions were addressed in a prospective interview study of breast cancer patients: (1) Is there an agreement between the spouses' assessments of the experience of breast cancer? (2) Could the husband's assessment be used as a predictor of the patient's psychosocial outcome? Semi‐structured interviews were conducted by one interviewer with 56 couples at 4 and 13 months after the woman's primary surgery for breast cancer; 91% of the couples in the sample had been married 10 years or more. The results demonstrate an overall high degree of agreement in the couple's assessment, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 (p <0.05). In multiple regression analysis, we found that the husband's assessment of the marital relationship was significantly related to the patient's psychosocial outcome at 13 months (p <0.01). The spouses' degree of agreement did not vary with the type of surgery (breast‐conserving surgery versus mastectomy). Agreement increased over time irrespective of whether the adjustment was assessed to be better or worse. The results reinforce the assumption that a supportive marital relationship is important for psychosocial adjustment.
Truth‐telling to the patient in advanced cancer: Family information filtering and prospects for change
Authors: Arraras Juan Ignacio , Illarramendi José Juan , Valerdi Juan José , Wright Stephen James
Published: February 2007

This study investigated ‘truth telling’ to the patient in Navarre, Spain. Knowledge of diagnosis amongst a group of 89 advanced cancer patients was compared with the hypothetical desire for information of a convenience sample of 78 non‐patients. The views of patients' families were also assessed. Of the patient sample, 46% reported complete or partial knowledge of the diagnosis, whereas over 90% of the general population sample indicated that they would want complete or partial knowledge of the diagnosis. Two factors were found to be predictive of knowledge status amongst the patient group—including primary tumour site (lung/larynx vs breast) and the family's wish for the diagnosis to be withheld. Age and educational level were found to be predictive of attitudes towards ‘truth telling’ amongst the general population sample. These results indicate a clear wish for greater knowledge amongst (potential) patients. Although the family will almost certainly continue to play a central role in health care, it is concluded that there are already early signs of the desired trend towards greater diagnostic disclosure by families.
The measurement of coping in breast cancer patients
Authors: Thomas Sally F. , Marks David F.
Published: February 2007

The feasibility of using the COPE Scale (Carver, Scheier and Weintraub, 1989) as a measure of coping with breast cancer was tested on a sample of 61 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer more than one year previously. Results showed that acceptance and positive reframing were the most common coping responses, replicating earlier research, but that overall the COPE was poor at discriminating between strategies. With the exception of positive reframing, all subscales correlated negatively with well‐being. Frequency of strategy use was negatively associated with well‐being, i.e. the more strategies used, the greater the distress. It was concluded that the abstract wording of some items plus a perceived lack of positive coping responses may have caused the questionnaire to be seen as somewhat irrelevant to the circumstances of this particular group of patients.
The relationship between emotional adjustment and two factor structures of the mental adjustment to cancer (MAC) scale
Authors: Schnoll Robert A. , Mackinnon John R. , Stolbach Leo , Lorman Constance
Published: February 2007

Using two different factor structures for the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale, the present study examined the relationship between mental attitude and emotional adjustment in a sample of 58 cancer patients. Analyses, using the original Watson MAC subscales, showed that: (a) fighting spirit was associated with better emotional adjustment, whereas hopelessness/helplessness and anxious preoccupation were associated with poor emotional adjustment and (b) subjects with low fighting spirit, high hopelessness/helplessness and moderate anxious preoccupation also had high levels of emotional distress. Analyses, on the alternative Schwartz MAC subscales, showed that: (a) positive reappraisal was associated with better emotional adjustment, whereas hopelessness was associated with poor emotional adjustment and (b) subjects with low hopelessness, high positive reappraisal, high positive attitude and high vigilant participation also had lower levels of emotional distress. However, for both factor structures, certain subscales showed a weak association to mood. Overall, the results validate both MAC factor structures, but highlight the need for additional refinement of the MAC scale.
Psychosexual adjustment among women receiving hormone replacement therapy for premature menopause following cancer treatment
Authors: Moadel Alyson B. , Ostroff Jamie S. , Lesko Lynna M. , Bajorunas Daiva R.
Published: February 2007

As a result of their cancer treatment, many young cancer survivors experience primary ovarian failure and subsequent premature menopause. This study examined the psychosexual adjustment of women who experience premature menopause due to cancer therapy. Severity of menopausal symptoms, relationship adjustment, body image and psychological distress were also assessed. Participants were 34 women (mean age 36 years) receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least 3 months for early menopause following non‐surgical treatment for cancer. Twenty‐four healthy female peers with normal menses served as a comparison sample. Prematurely menopausal women demonstrated a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (p<0.01), greater psychological distress (p<0.02) and more distressing menopausal symptoms (p<0.003) than the healthy women with normal menses. Twenty‐eight women (82%) reported reduced sexual functioning, with 13 women (38%) meeting DSM‐IV criteria for one or more sexual dysfunctions. Prematurely menopausal cancer survivors with diagnosable sexual dysfunctions tended to have greater menopausal symptoms, which itself was associated with higher psychological distress (p<0.001). Menopausal symptoms and relationship adjustment together were the best predictors of sexual dysfunction (p<0.07). Further exploration is needed of the factors contributing to psychosexual dysfunction and the development of clinical interventions for the psychosexual needs of women with cancer treatment‐induced menopause.
Crystalloids in prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Bennett Betsy , Gardner William A.
Published: February 2007

Prostatic crystalloids previously reported only in association with carcinoma were identified in 3.6% of a series of 456 cases of prostatic hyperplasia. Seventy percent of cases with crystalloids contained multiple areas of atypical hyperplasia. The incidence of crystalloids in cases of atypical hyperplasia was 9.6%. One patient subsequently developed adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The follow‐up period of the majority of these patients is too short to allow evaluation of the prognostic significance of prostatic crystalloids with regard to the development of prostate carcinoma.
Prostate antigen: A new potential marker for prostatic cancer
Authors: Wang M. C. , Papsidero L. D. , Kuriyama M. , Valenzuela L. A. , Murphy G. P. , Chu T. M.
Published: February 2007

A prostate‐specific antigen, distinct from acid phosphatase, was identified by immunologic procedures in prostate tissues (normal, benign hypertrophic, and cancerous) and seminal plasma, as well as in sera of patients with prostatic cancer and of nude mice bearing human prostatic tumor. This antigen was shown by immunoperoxidase staining to be confined to epithelial cells comprising the prostatic ductal elements. Prostate antigen was purified from prostatic tissue and seminal plasma, and it was shown to have a molecular weight of 33,000‐34,000 with no subunit component. The isolectric point of purified antigen was around 6.9, though several unpurified isomers with different isoelec‐tric points also were observed. Serum‐borne prostate antigen showed a molecular weight of 90,000‐100,000, but it exhibited a molecular weight of 36,000 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A sandwich‐type, peroxidase‐linked immunosorbent assay capable of detecting 0.1ng of the antigen per milliliter of blood was developed. With this technique, serum level of the antigen was found to increase in patients with prostatic cancer as compared with normal males. The prostate‐specific antigen can be a useful marker for detection of prostatic cancer.
Epithelial and fibroblastoid cell lines derived from the normal canine prostate. I. Separation and characterization of epithelial and stromal components
Authors: Eaton C. L. , Pierrepoint C. G.
Published: February 2007

Cell cultures displaying exclusively epithelial or fibroblastoid morphology have been isolated by spillage and collagenase digest techniques, respectively. Primary cultures of both cell types have been readily subcultured. The use of a type I collagen substrate has been shown to be essential to the growth of normal prostatic epithelium in monolayer cultures. The ability to generate replicate subcultures of both cell types has allowed the quantitative characterization of the mitogenicity of fetal bovine serum and insulin in early subcultures. The control of culture conditions has permitted uniform cell population growth in early subculture with regular population doubling times in log phase of growth. Epithelial cultures have been shown to display many ultrastructural characteristics common to the normal epithelium of the canine prostate.
Mechanisms of action of androgens and antiandrogens: Effects of antiandrogens on translocation of cytoplasmic androgen receptor and nuclear abundance of dihydrotestosterone
Authors: Callaway Terrance W. , Bruchovsky Nicholas , Rennie Paul S. , Comeau Trudy
Published: February 2007

The effects of antiandrogens on the translocation of androgen receptor and the accumulation of nuclear dihydrotestosterone in rat ventral prostate were investigated. Using an isotope‐exchange assay and radioimmunoassay it was found that 1 hr after the injection of 70 nmol of dihydrotestosterone into 1‐day castrated rats, 19,000 ± 2,350 (mean ± SE) receptor molecules and 99,300 ± 8,200 molecules of dihydrotestosterone were recovered per nucleus. When equivalent doses of antiandrogens were substituted for dihydrotestosterone only 0–1,500 receptor molecules were translocated. After injection of antiandrogens followed 1 hr later by injection of dihydrotestosterone, the inhibition of translocation given by the reduction in the mean numbers of molecules of receptor and dihydrotestosterone, respectively, was as follows: 17β‐estradiol (0, 0); megestrol acetate (2000, 0); diethylstilbestrol (6000, 4000); cyproterone acetate (5500, 27000); flutamide (10000, 29000); R2956 (10000, 28000). With the exception of the effect of cyproterone acetate on receptor translocation, the reductions produced by the latter three antiandrogens were all statistically significant (P < 0.5). Since less than 20% of the dihydrotestosterone in the nucleus is bound to receptor in dihydrotestosterone‐treated rats, and since the concentrations of receptor and dihydrotestosterone are unequally affected by some antiandrogens, we infer that the nuclear abundance of dihydrotestosterone may be regulated in part through nonreceptor‐mediated processes.
Simultaneous determination of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Qing , Wang Guang‐Ji , Sun Jian‐Guo , Hu Xiao‐Lin , Lu Yi‐Hong , Zhang Qian
Published: February 2007

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma with paclitaxel as internal standard (IS). The analytes were extracted from rat plasma by using a liquid‐liquid extraction technique with ethyl acetate and the LC separation was performed on a Cosmosil‐C18 analytical column (150 mm × 2.0 mm i.d., Nacalai Tesque Inc., Japan). The extracted samples were analyzed with LC/MS/MS, operating in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The SRM transitions of precursor ions to product ions were 830.3→549.1 (m/z) for docetaxel, 531.2→489.3 (m/z) for ketoconazole, and 876.7→307.9 (m/z) for the IS. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 2–500 ng/mL for docetaxel and 50–20 000 ng/mL for ketoconazole, with coefficients of correlation above 0.999. The limits of quantification for docetaxel and ketoconazole were both 2 ng/mL. The limit of detection for each analyte was 1 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision (CV) of analysis were within 7%, and the accuracy ranged from 95 to 110%. The overall recoveries for docetaxel and ketoconazole were about 89.0% and 91.1%, respectively. The total analysis time was only 9.0 min. This quantitation method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of docetaxel and ketoconazole in rat plasma and some potential interaction was found in the current coadministration pharmacokinetic study. This established method was also utilized in the in vitro and in vivo drug‐drug interaction study of docetaxel and ketoconazole (to be published). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural characterization of sialylated glycoforms of H. influenzae by electrospray mass spectrometry: fragmentation of protonated and sodiated O‐deacylated lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Li Jianjun , Dzieciatkowska Monika , Hood Derek W. , Cox Andrew D. , Schweda Elke K. H. , Moxon E. Richard , Richards James C.
Published: February 2007

Sialylated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) glycoforms from Haemophilus influenzae were characterized by tandem mass spectrometry using a new generation hyphenated mass spectrometer which combines a triple quadrupole and a linear ion trap (Q‐Trap). The fragmentation of both protonated and sodiated molecular ions from O‐deacylated LPS (LPS‐OH) obtained in MS2 experiments in the positive mode was studied. The MS2 spectra of protonated ions provided unambiguous evidence for the presence and sequence of sialylated lactosamine present in lacto‐N‐neotetraose oligosaccharide extensions but not for sialyl‐lactose structures whilst fragmentation of sodiated adducts, [M+Na]+, afforded information diagnostic of mono‐ and disialylated lactose extensions. To study this we used a highly sialylated LPS from a H. influenzae strain capable of sialyl‐lactose expression only. We then applied the method to the H. influenzae genome strain, Rd, in which glycoforms containing both sialyl‐lactose and sialyl‐lacto‐N‐neotetraose were detected from diagnostic B‐ions at m/z 638.2 ([Neu5Ac1 Hex2+Na]+) and 657.2 ([Neu5Ac1 Hex1 HexNAc1+H]+). Unique fragmentation patterns provided the locations and sequences of these oligosaccharide extensions. This is the first time both sialylated lactose and sialylated lacto‐N‐neotetraose units have been detected and characterized by tandem mass spectrometry in the same molecule. This methodology is of general applicability for determination of common sialylated oligosaccharide extension in bacterial LPS. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The copyright in the contributions of J. Li, M. Dzieciatkowska, A. D. Cox and J. C. Richards belongs to the Crown in the right of Canada and such copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the National Research Council of Canada.
Theoretical and gas‐phase studies of specific cationized purine base quartet
Authors: Mezzache Sakina , Alves Sandra , Paumard Jean‐Paul , Pepe Claude , Tabet Jean‐Claude
Published: February 2007

Guanine tetraplexes are biological non‐covalent systems stabilized by alkali cations. Thus, self‐clustering of guanine, xanthine and hypoxanthine with alkali cations (Na+, K+ and Li+) is investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) in order to provide new insights into G‐quartets, hydrogen‐bonded complexes. ESI assays displayed magic numbers of tetramer adducts with Na+, Li+ and K+, not only for guanine, but also for xanthine bases. The optimized structures of guanine and xanthine quartets have been determined by B3LYP hybrid density functional theory calculations. Complexes of metal ions with quartets are classified into different structure types. The optimized structures obtained for each quartet explain the gas‐phase results. The gas‐phase binding sequence between the monovalent cations and the xanthine quartet follows the order Li+ > Na+ > K+, which is consistent with that obtained for the guanine quartet in the literature. The smallest stabilization energy of K+ and its position versus the other alkali metal ions in guanine and xanthine quartets is consistent with the fact that the potassium cation can be located between two guanine or xanthine quartets, for providing a [gua(or (xan))8+K]+ octamer adduct. Even if an abundant octamer adduct with K+ for xanthine was detected by ESI‐MS, it was not the case for guanine. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyporheic invertebrate community composition in streams of varying salinity in south‐western Australia: diversity peaks at intermediate thresholds
Authors: Boulton A. J. , Marmonier P. , Sarriquet P.‐E. X.
Published: February 2007

Many streams of southwestern Australia have become secondarily saline through land clearance and other human activities in their catchments. Elevated salinities impact on aquatic biota and ecological processes of surface streams but little is known of the effects on the diversity and community composition of hyporheic (subsurface) invertebrates occupying the saturated sediments where surface and groundwaters exchange. We hypothesized that biodiversity of hyporheic invertebrates would decline with increasing salinity, especially where saline groundwater upwelled into the surface stream. We also predicted changes in community composition associated with salinity and direction of vertical hydrological exchange. Water and hyporheic invertebrates were sampled from downwelling and upwelling zones of 13 streams in southwestern Australia ranging in median surface water salinity from 0.27 to 17.86 g L−1. Overall, taxa richness of hyporheic invertebrates was uncorrelated with salinity but, surprisingly, correlated positively with the salinity of upwelling water. However, when the sites were divided into ‘fresh’ (<3 g L−1) and ‘mesosaline’ (>3 g L−1) groups, this relationship became non‐significant. Instead, taxa richness and total abundance were correlated positively with salinity of downwelling water in fresh sites and negatively in mesosaline sites, resulting in a peak in richness at intermediate salinities. Community composition was unrelated to direction of hydrological exchange but was strongly associated with hyporheic salinity. Hyporheic assemblages of ‘fresh’ rivers were typified by harpacticoid copepods and candoniid ostracods, whereas the amphipod Austrochiltonia and several dipteran groups were more common below ‘mesosaline’ rivers. Although many hyporheic taxa collected in this study apparently have broad tolerances to salinity, secondary salinization due to human activities potentially changed community composition, possibly altering rates of ecological processes such as organic matter breakdown occurring within the sediments of streams undergoing salinization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycrystalline iron and mild steel surfaces in caustic solution
Authors: Costine Allan , Thurgate Stephen , Thornber Mike , Vernon Chris
Published: February 2007

Combined ultrahigh vacuum‐electrochemical (UHV‐EC) methods were utilized to expose polycrystalline iron and mild steel surfaces to 0.01 M NaOH and for the subsequent transfer back to the UHV analysis chamber without exposure to air. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was then employed to elucidate a chemical description of the iron surfaces as a function of the emersion potential. The mild steel electrodes display lower corrosion resistance in the alkali solution, underlining a crucial role played by minor alloying components, such as sulfide and/or carbide. Carbonate, an unavoidable contaminant of caustic solutions, is strongly adsorbed to both iron surfaces, its concentration generally being unaffected by a subsequent water wash. Polycrystalline iron extracted in the soluble ferrate domain shows enhanced corrosion resistance, which is suspected to arise through surface impurity enrichment following the anodic leaching of the FeO42− species. In contrast, mild steel extracted in the ferrate domain exhibits poor corrosion resistance, further highlighting the detrimental effect of certain alloying elements. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple method of determining confidence intervals for population attributable risk from complex surveys
Authors: Natarajan Sundar , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Rimm Eric
Published: February 2007

Methods to assess uncertainty in the estimated population attributable risk (PAR) by calculating 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) are not readily available in software for complex sample surveys. Using the Bonferroni inequality, a simple method to obtain CIs for the PAR is developed. The method is demonstrated using a simulation in a (2 × 2) table as well as a cohort study to calculate CIs for PAR of coronary heart disease death (using proportional hazards regression). This article demonstrates a straightforward, theoretically valid method of determining CIs for the PAR. Using this method, researchers analysing complex surveys can routinely provide a population perspective and a valid measure of the uncertainty for these estimates. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Low‐overhead method for software process appraisal
Authors: Wilkie F. G. , Mc Caffery F. , McFall D. , Lester Neil , Wilkinson Emmanuel
Published: February 2007

This article describes a low‐overhead method of software process appraisal that has been developed and used by the Centre for Software Process Technologies (CSPT) to appraise small‐to‐medium sized software development organisations in Northern Ireland (NI) that have little or no experience of software process improvement programmes.

During the appraisal, information is collected and reviewed to produce a findings report. The findings report consists of a list of strengths, issues and suggested actions for each of the process areas evaluated. The suggested actions detail how the assessed company may improve their processes in line with their business goals. Because the NI software industry is mainly composed of small‐to‐medium sized software development companies, it is sometimes difficult, both in terms of financial expense and time, for such companies to engage in regular appraisals with the CSPT appraisal team. Therefore, since the main purpose of the CSPT is to instil a software process improvement culture into the NI software industry, a pragmatic and relatively non‐evasive solution has been developed.

This solution has two parts. The first part enables an initial software process appraisal to be performed on‐site by the CSPT appraisal team. The second part is an on‐line appraisal tool used by the company itself during the follow‐on periodic self‐appraisals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolving strategies for software architecture and reuse
Authors: Nedstam Josef , Staples Mark
Published: February 2007

To achieve their business objectives, software developing companies employ different technical and managerial strategies concerning architecture and reuse. These strategies include component‐based development, software platforms, product lines and highly configurable code bases. Frameworks for describing these strategies have recently emerged, presenting them in orders of ‘increasing maturity’, with researchers declaring specific architectural strategies to be more mature than others. Such frameworks can be useful in helping a company realize a particular architectural strategy but they do not provide guidelines concerning which architectural strategies are appropriate for companies in particular situations.

Different companies have different needs—the business context and business goals of a company will determine which architectural strategy is most suitable for that company. There is no universally ‘most mature’ strategy. In this article, we have studied architectural situations in thirteen companies in order to determine why and how these companies have moved between architectural strategies and how these relate to reuse and business goals and conditions. We present a framework for describing these and provide guidelines for companies about how to traverse the maze of architectural evolution. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chronic kidney disease in children: the global perspective
Authors: Warady Bradley A. , Chadha Vimal
Published: February 2007

In contrast to the increasing availability of information pertaining to the care of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) from large-scale observational and interventional studies, epidemiological information on the incidence and prevalence of pediatric CKD is currently limited, imprecise, and flawed by methodological differences between the various data sources. There are distinct geographic differences in the reported causes of CKD in children, in part due to environmental, racial, genetic, and cultural (consanguinity) differences. However, a substantial percentage of children develop CKD early in life, with congenital renal disorders such as obstructive uropathy and aplasia/hypoplasia/dysplasia being responsible for almost one half of all cases. The most favored end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment modality in children is renal transplantation, but a lack of health care resources and high patient mortality in the developing world limits the global provision of renal replacement therapy (RRT) and influences patient prevalence. Additional efforts to define the epidemiology of pediatric CKD worldwide are necessary if a better understanding of the full extent of the problem, areas for study, and the potential impact of intervention is desired.
Deer density affects ground‐layer vegetation differently in conifer plantations and hardwood forests on the Boso Peninsula, Japan
Authors: Suzuki Maki , Miyashita Tadashi , Kabaya Hajime , Ochiai Keiji , Asada Masahiko , Tange Takeshi
Published: February 2007

Deer overabundance reduces forest ground‐layer vegetation and can cause cascading impacts on a forest ecosystem. To predict these effects, we must elucidate the relationship between deer density and the status of ground‐layer vegetation. This relationship was studied in the Boso Peninsula, where the deer population density exhibits a clear geographical gradient. We examined species richness and cover of ground‐layer vegetation at several cedar plantations and hardwood forests in the Boso Peninsula. We also examined whether deer impacts were altered by light condition, soil water content and forest type (cedar and hardwood). Species richness of ground‐layer vegetation was maximized at an intermediate level of deer density, suggesting an intermediate disturbance effect. This phenomenon was compatible with the observation that evergreen species, which were competitive dominants, decreased with increasing deer density, whereas less competitive deciduous species increased until herbivory was intermediate. As deer density increased, cover of ground‐layer vegetation gradually decreased, but species unpalatable to deer increased in abundance, suggesting indirect positive effects of deer for unpalatable species. Cedar plantations tended to have greater species richness and ground‐layer cover than hardwood forests with similar deer levels. Canopy openness, an indicator of light conditions, increased species richness of hardwood forests and ground‐layer cover of cedar plantations, even under deer herbivory. Topographic wetness index, an indicator of soil water content, significantly increased the ground‐layer cover of cedar plantations under deer herbivory. These results emphasize the importance of environmental productivity and forest type in the management of ground‐layer vegetation experiencing deer overabundance.
Does the theory of planned behavior elements mediate the relationship between perceived constraints and intention to participate in physical activities? A study among older individuals
Authors: Alexandris Konstantinos , Barkoukis Vasilis , Tsormpatzoudis Charalampos
Published: February 2007

This study aimed to investigate the degree to which the elements of the theory of planned behavior mediate the relationship between constraints and intention to continuing participation in physical activities. The sample of the study consisted of 119 (N = 119) older individuals who participated in organized physical activity programs. The results indicated that attitudes and perceived behavioral control were negatively correlated with constraints, whereas the subjective norm variable had no relationship with them. In terms of the mediation role of the elements of the theory of planned behavior, the results indicated that both attitudes and perceived behavioral control partially mediated the relationship between constraints and intention, with the perceived behavioral control variable being the strongest mediator. These findings suggest that the theory of planned behavior elements mediate the constraints–intention relationship and determine, in a large degree, the older individuals’ intention to continuing taking part in physical activities.
Simultaneous Determination of Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Sulfate and Linear Alkylbenzensulfonate in Washing Powder by Attenuated Total Reflectance: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry
Authors: Khanmohammadi M. , Ashori A. , Kargosha K. , Garmarudi A. Bagheri
Published: February 2007

An analytical procedure has been developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium sulfate (SS) and Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (LABS) in a single washing powder sample. The method is based on the partial least squares treatment of data obtained by the Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectrometric method in the wavenumber range of 800–1,290 cm−1. Absorbance spectra were employed for measurement using 29 aqueous standard solutions of STPP, SS and LABS. The method is simple, rapid and accurate and has been applied to commercial washing powders analysis performing the STPP, SS and LABS determination with a simplified sample preparation step consisting only of powder dissolution in distilled water. The other advantage of this method is its minimal time consumption (about 15 min), in comparison with previously introduced methods based on the determination of separated analytes (more than 4 h). The relative standard deviations of the proposed method for analyzing these real samples were 0.99, 0.56 and 0.91% for STPP, SS and LABS, respectively.
Leucine and Calcium Regulate Fat Metabolism and Energy Partitioning in Murine Adipocytes and Muscle Cells
Authors: Sun Xiaocun , Zemel Michael B
Published: February 2007

Dietary calcium modulation of adiposity is mediated, in part, by suppression of calcitriol, while the additional effect of dairy products is mediated by additional components; these include the high concentration of leucine, a key factor in the regulation of muscle protein turnover. We investigated the effect of leucine, calcitriol and calcium on energy metabolism in murine adipocytes and muscle cells and on energy partitioning between adipocytes and skeletal muscle. Leucine induced a marked increase in fatty acid oxidation in C2C12 muscle cells (P < 0.001) and decreased FAS expression by 66% (P < 0.001) in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Calcitriol decreased muscle cell fatty acid oxidation by 37% (P < 0.001) and increased adipocyte FAS gene expression by threefold (P < 0.05); these effects were partially reversed by either leucine or calcium channel antagonism with nifedipine. Co‐culture of muscle cells with adipocytes or incubation with 48‐h adipocyte conditioned medium decreased muscle fatty acid oxidation by 62% (P < 0.001), but treating adipocytes with leucine and/or nifedipine attenuated this effect. Leucine, nifedipine and calcitriol also modulated adiponectin production and thereby exerted additional indirect effects on fatty acid oxidation in C2C12 myotubes. Adiponectin increased IL‐15 and IL‐6 release by myotubes and partially reversed the inhibitory effects of calcitriol. Comparable effects of leucine, calcitriol and adiponectin were found in myotubes treated with conditioned medium derived from adipocytes or co‐cultured with adipocytes. These data suggest that leucine and nifedipine promote energy partitioning from adipocytes to muscle cells, resulting in decreased energy storage in adipocytes and increasing fatty acid utilization in muscle.
Acidity of oryzanol and its contribution to free fatty acids value in vegetable oils
Authors: Krishna A. G. Gopala , Hemakumar K. H. , Khatoon Sakina
Published: February 2007

Model oil systems containing physically refined rice bran oil to which oryzanol was added were examined to determine the effects of oryzanol concentration on FFA values. When oryzanol was added to the model oils at a 0.5% level and FFA was determined, increases in FFA value were 0.28% as determined with phenolphthalein, 0.58% with thymolphthalein, and 0.07% with alkali blue 6B. Oils containing added oryzanol at 0.5–1.5% showed a proportionate increase in FFA values with an average increase of 0.413% per gram of oryzanol. A direct titration of purified oryzanol showed an acidity of 42.5% expressed as FFA. In spectroscopic studies, the phenolic group in the ferulic acid moiety of oryzanol was titrated by sodium hydroxide. Based on these data, indicator correction factors for oryzanol's acidity and a formula for calculating real FFA content of vegetable oils containing oryzanol were developed.