bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced terrestrial carbon uptake in the Northern High Latitudes in the 21st century from the Coupled Carbon Cycle Climate Model Intercomparison Project model projections
Authors: QIAN HAIFENG , JOSEPH RENU , ZENG NING
Published: June 2009

The ongoing and projected warming in the northern high latitudes (NHL; poleward of 60 °N) may lead to dramatic changes in the terrestrial carbon cycle. On the one hand, warming and increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration stimulate vegetation productivity, taking up CO2. On the other hand, warming accelerates the decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), releasing carbon into the atmosphere. Here, the NHL terrestrial carbon storage is investigated based on 10 models from the Coupled Carbon Cycle Climate Model Intercomparison Project. Our analysis suggests that the NHL will be a carbon sink of 0.3 ± 0.3 Pg C yr−1 by 2100. The cumulative land organic carbon storage is modeled to increase by 38 ± 20 Pg C over 1901 levels, of which 17 ± 8 Pg C comes from vegetation (43%) and 21 ± 16 Pg C from the soil (8%). Both CO2 fertilization and warming enhance vegetation growth in the NHL. Although the intense warming there enhances SOM decomposition, soil organic carbon (SOC) storage continues to increase in the 21st century. This is because higher vegetation productivity leads to more turnover (litterfall) into the soil, a process that has received relatively little attention. However, the projected growth rate of SOC begins to level off after 2060 when SOM decomposition accelerates at high temperature and then catches up with the increasing input from vegetation turnover. Such competing mechanisms may lead to a switch of the NHL SOC pool from a sink to a source after 2100 under more intense warming, but large uncertainty exists due to our incomplete understanding of processes such as the strength of the CO2 fertilization effect, permafrost, and the role of soil moisture. Unlike the CO2 fertilization effect that enhances vegetation productivity across the world, global warming increases the productivity at high latitudes but tends to reduce it in the tropics and mid‐latitudes. These effects are further enhanced as a result of positive carbon cycle–climate feedbacks due to additional CO2 and warming.
Effects of variations in simulated changes in soil carbon contents and dynamics on future climate projections
Authors: YUROVA ALLA YU , VOLODIN EUGENY M. , ÅGREN GÖRAN I. , CHERTOV OLEG G. , KOMAROV ALEXANDER S.
Published: June 2009

Climatic variables have major effects on all components and processes of the global carbon (C) cycle, including soil C contents and dynamics, which in turn have significant feedback effects on the global climate. We have investigated the interactive effects between soil C and projected climatic changes using the Institute of Numerical Mathematics Climate Model (INMCM) climate–C cycle model coupled to three soil organic matter dynamics models [the Lund–Potsdam–Jena (LPJ) soil biogeochemistry, ROMUL and Q models] based on three markedly differing conceptual interpretations of soil organic matter transformation (biochemical, discrete succession and continuous quality, respectively). According to simulations using all these couplings the positive effect of CO2 fertilization on plant productivity outweighed the negative effects of increased soil temperature on soil C, consequently soils were projected to contain 10–104 Pg more C in 2100 than in the preindustrial period. However, the projected soil respiration rates tended to be higher and additional C storage lower when the LPJ soil biochemistry model was used rather than either the ROMUL or Q models. Global temperatures for 2100 predicted by the INMCM coupled to either the ROMUL or Q models were almost identical, but 0.4 °C lower than those predicted by the INMCM coupled to the LPJ soil biochemistry model. The differences in global predictions obtained with the ROMUL and Q models were smaller than expected given the fundamental difference in their formulations of the relationship between the quality and temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition.
Consensus guidelines into the management of epilepsy in adults with an intellectual disability
Authors: Kerr M. , Scheepers M. , Arvio M. , Beavis J. , Brandt C. , Brown S. , Huber B. , Iivanainen M. , Louisse A. C. , Martin P. , Marson A. G. , Prasher V. , Singh B. K. , Veendrick M. , Wallace R. A.
Published: June 2009

Background  Epilepsy has a pervasive impact on the lives of people with intellectual disability and their carers. The delivery of high‐quality care is impacted on by the complexity and diversity of epilepsy in this population. This article presents the results of a consensus clinical guideline process.

Results  A Delphi process identified a list of priority areas for the development of evidence‐based guidelines. All guidelines were graded and consensus on scoring was achieved across the guideline group.

Conclusion  There is a dearth of high‐quality evidence from well‐constructed studies on which to base guidance. However, the development of internationally derived consensus guidelines may further support the management of epilepsy in adults with an intellectual disability.
Enhancing capacity to make sexuality‐related decisions in people with an intellectual disability
Authors: Dukes E. , McGuire B. E.
Published: June 2009

Aim  The aim of the study was to apply an intervention to the area of sexual knowledge in order to determine if capacity to make sexuality‐related decisions could be improved.

Method  The study adopted a single subject design using multiple baseline method with four adults with a moderate intellectual disability. The intervention consisted of individually tailored sex education adapted from Living Your Life (Bustard 2003). Treatment was offered to each participant twice weekly for a 10‐week period on a one‐to‐one basis. The Sexual Consent and Education Assessment (SCEA, Kennedy 1993) was used for measurement purposes. The SCEA K‐Scale (knowledge) and the S‐Scale (safety practices) were administered weekly throughout the baseline, treatment and post‐treatment phases of the study. Staff concerns were also assessed using the SCEA Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour Scale.

Results  All four participants improved their decision‐making capacity in all targeted areas as measured by improvements in K‐Scale and S‐Scale scores. Staff concerns were not increased as indicated by results on the Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour Scale. Six‐month follow‐up data for three of the participants showed maintenance of scores on the S‐Scale and some decay in scores on the K‐Scale from post‐intervention performance.

Conclusion  The results demonstrate that tailored sexuality education can improve capacity to make sexuality‐related decisions.
GPR30 Differentially Regulates Short Latency Responses of Luteinising Hormone and Prolactin Secretion to Oestradiol
Authors: Lebesgue D. , Reyna‐Neyra A. , Huang X. , Etgen A. M.
Published: June 2009

Rapid, nongenomic actions of 17β‐oestradiol (E2) on hypothalamic neurones that may be relevant to reproductive function were described decades ago. The orphan G protein‐coupled receptor, GPR30, was recently shown to bind oestrogens and to trigger rapid signalling in vitro, and is expressed in several rat and human brain regions, including the hypothalamus. We used two complementary approaches to investigate the role of GPR30 in hypothalamic responses to E2 that are relevant to reproductive physiology. Serial blood sampling after the acute administration of the selective GPR30 agonist G1 was used to assess the role of GPR30 in short latency negative‐feedback inhibition of luteinising hormone (LH) secretion and facilitation of prolactin secretion in ovariohysterectomised female rats. In vivo RNA interference (RNAi), mediated by adeno‐associated virus‐expressing small hairpin RNA (shRNA) infused into the mediobasal hypothalamus, was used to study the effects of GPR30 knockdown on these rapid responses to E2. Longer‐term actions of E2 on female sexual behaviour (lordosis) were also examined in female rats subjected to in vivo RNAi. Administration of E2 or G1 triggered a short latency surge of prolactin secretion, and animals subjected to GPR30 RNAi showed significantly less E2‐dependent prolactin release than animals receiving control virus. G1 did not mimic E2 negative‐feedback inhibition of LH secretion, and GPR30 RNAi did not interfere with E2 suppression of LH or facilitation of lordosis behaviour. These findings suggest that activation of GPR30 promotes short latency prolactin secretion but does not mediate E2 negative‐feedback inhibition of LH secretion or E2 facilitation of female reproductive behaviour.
Central Adiponectin Functions to Inhibit Arginine Vasopressin Release in Conscious Rats
Authors: Iwama Shintaro , Sugimura Yoshihisa , Murase Takashi , Hiroi Maiko , Goto Motomitsu , Hayashi Masayuki , Arima Hiroshi , Oiso Yutaka
Published: June 2009

The adipocyte‐derived hormone adiponectin plays an important role in modulating energy homeostasis through peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. Several studies have reported that adiponectin exists in cerebrospinal fluid and that adiponectin receptors are expressed in the hypothalamus, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which plays a key role in controlling pituitary hormone secretion. Furthermore, it has been reported that magnocellular arginine vasopressin (AVP) neurones within the PVN express adiponectin receptors. These findings suggest a central role of adiponectin in the modulation of neuroendocrinological functions. In the present study, we investigated the effect of centrally‐administered adiponectin on AVP release in conscious rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of adiponectin significantly reduced the basal plasma AVP concentration in a dose‐dependent manner, with a maximal effect being obtained 10 min after administration. The plasma AVP increase in response to either hyperosmolar or hypovolaemic stimulation was also significantly attenuated by an i.c.v. injection of adiponectin. Treatment with AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C (100 nmol, i.c.v.) partially reversed the inhibitory effects of adiponectin on AVP release. These findings suggest that central adiponectin plays an inhibitory role in the osmoregulation and baroregulation of AVP release, that the AMPK pathway is at least partly involved in the action of adiponectin, and further suggest a novel physiological or pathophysiological role for central adiponectin in water balance via inhibition of AVP release.
The proline biosynthetic genes P5CS1 and P5CS2 play overlapping roles in Arabidopsis flower transition but not in embryo development
Authors: Mattioli Roberto , Falasca Giuseppina , Sabatini Sabrina , Altamura Maria Maddalena , Costantino Paolo , Trovato Maurizio
Published: June 2009

Overexpression of the proline biosynthetic gene P5CS1 results in early flowering in Arabidopsis. However, the p5cs1 loss‐of‐function mutant exhibits a modest delay in flowering, suggesting that P5CS2, a duplicated P5CS1 gene present in the Arabidopsis, may also play a role in flower transition. In situ mRNA hybridizations and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) revealed that P5CS1 and P5CS2 are expressed at similar levels and with the same pattern of expression in vegetative and floral shoot apical meristems as well as in axillary meristems. Arabidopsis lines homozygous for the p5cs1 mutant and simultaneously heterozygous for the p5cs2 mutation showed a stronger late‐flowering phenotype than p5cs1 single mutants, confirming that also P5CS2 plays a role in flower transition and supporting the notion of overlapping functions of the two P5CS genes in this developmental process. P5CS1 and P5CS2 have identical messenger RNA (mRNA) distributions also in embryos, but only p5cs2 mutant embryos exhibit alterations of the cellular division planes and consequently stop developing. This suggests a specific role of P5CS2 in embryogenesis and an involvement of proline in cell division. Accordingly, exogenous proline accelerated organ growth and meristem formation, and stimulated expression of the cell cycle‐related protein CYCB1;1.
Plastic and adaptive responses of plant respiration to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration
Authors: Gonzàlez‐Meler Miquel A , Blanc‐Betes Elena , Flower Charles E , Ward Joy K , Gomez‐Casanovas Nuria
Published: June 2009

The concentration of atmospheric CO2 has increased from below 200 μl l−1 during last glacial maximum in the late Pleistocene to near 280 μl l−1 at the beginning of the Holocene and has continuously increased since the onset of the industrial revolution. Most responses of plants to increasing atmospheric CO2 levels result in increases in photosynthesis, water use efficiency and biomass. Less known is the role that respiration may play during adaptive responses of plants to changes in atmospheric CO2. Although plant respiration does not increase proportionally with CO2‐enhanced photosynthesis or growth rates, a reduction in respiratory costs in plants grown at subambient CO2 can aid in maintaining a positive plant C‐balance (i.e. enhancing the photosynthesis‐to‐respiration ratio). The understanding of plant respiration is further complicated by the presence of the alternative pathway that consumes photosynthate without producing chemical energy [adenosine triphosphate (ATP)] as effectively as respiration through the normal cytochrome pathway. Here, we present the respiratory responses of Arabidopsis thaliana plants selected at Pleistocene (200 μl l−1), current Holocene (370 μl l−1), and elevated (700 μl l−1) concentrations of CO2and grown at current CO2 levels. We found that respiration rates were lower in Pleistocene‐adapted plants when compared with Holocene ones, and that a substantial reduction in respiration was because of reduced activity of the alternative pathway. In a survey of the literature, we found that changes in respiration across plant growth forms and CO2 levels can be explained in part by differences in the respiratory energy demand for maintenance of biomass. This trend was substantiated in the Arabidopsis experiment in which Pleistocene‐adapted plants exhibited decreases in respiration without concurrent reductions in tissue N content. Interestingly, N‐based respiration rates of plants adapted to elevated CO2 also decreased. As a result, ATP yields per unit of N increased in Pleistocene‐adapted plants compared with current CO2 adapted ones. Our results suggest that mitochondrial energy coupling and alternative pathway‐mediated responses of respiration to changes in atmospheric CO2 may enhance survival of plants at low CO2 levels to help overcome a low carbon balance. Therefore, increases in the basal activity of the alternative pathway are not necessarily associated to metabolic plant stress in all cases.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in secreted frizzled‐related protein 1 gene with bone mineral density in Japanese women
Authors: Ohnaka Keizo , Yamamoto Ken , Nakamura Kenjiro , Adachi Masahiro , Kawate Hisaya , Kono Suminori , Takayanagi Ryoichi
Published: June 2009

Aim:  Recent studies have demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in bone metabolism. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the gene of secreted frizzled‐related protein 1 (SFRP1), a Wnt antagonist, is involved in the etiology of osteoporosis using association study.

Methods:  Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the SFRP1 gene were genotyped and analyzed for association with bone mineral density (BMD) in 931 Japanese women (63.5 ± 6.7 years old, mean ± standard deviation).

Results:  One SNP (rs16890444) located in intron and another (rs3242) located in the 3′‐untranslated region of the sFRP1 gene were significantly associated with the lumbar spine BMD value, and BMD values for both the femoral neck and the total hip, respectively. Women with the T/T genotype of the former SNP had a lower BMD value of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) compared with those with C/C or C/T (BMD value adjusted for age, duration after menopause, and body mass index: 0.781 vs 0.830, P = 0.037), while women with the T/T genotype of the latter SNP had higher BMD values of femoral neck and total hip compared with those with C/C or C/T (adjusted BMD value: femoral neck, 0.721 vs 0.633, P = 0.025; total hip, 0.834 vs 0.737, P = 0.027).

Conclusion:  These results suggest that the SFRP1 may be a candidate gene for a BMD determinant, but further studies need to consolidate the present findings.
Relationship between female mating strategy, litter success and offspring dispersal
Authors: Laloi David , Richard Murielle , Fédérici Pierre , Clobert Jean , Teillac‐Deschamps Pauline , Massot Manuel
Published: June 2009

The relationship between mating systems and dispersal has generally been studied at the population and species levels. It has hardly ever been investigated at the individual level, by studying the variations of mating and dispersal strategies between individuals. We investigated this relationship in a natural population of the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara). Assuming that dispersal has a genetic basis, juvenile dispersal would be expected to be more family‐dependent in monoandrous litters than in polyandrous litters. The opposite pattern was observed. Thus, maternal effects and/or litter effects play a greater role than genetic determinism in shaping the dispersal phenotype of juveniles. Moreover, the relationship between female mating strategy and offspring dispersal depended on litter success, in a way consistent with an influence of mother‐offspring competition. Such a link between mating and dispersal strategies of individuals may have major repercussions for the way we consider the roles of these processes in population functioning.
Radiotherapy for patients with localized hormone‐refractory prostate cancer: results of the Patterns of Care Study in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Tomonari , Nakamura Katsumasa , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Onishi Hiroshi , Okamoto Atsushi , Koizumi Masahiko , Shioyama Yoshiyuki , Mitsumori Michihide , Teshima Teruki ,   the Japanese Patterns of Care Study Working Subgroup on Prostate Cancer
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical results of radiotherapy (RT) for patients with regionally localized hormone‐refractory prostate carcinoma (HRPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

As part of a Patterns of Care Study in Japan, a nationwide survey was conducted of RT for patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. We reviewed the detailed information of 140 patients with regionally localized HRPC who received RT between 1996 and 1998, and between 1999 and 2001, in 117 randomly selected institutes in Japan. The median (range) age of the patients was 74 (51–94) years, and their tumours were defined as well (14), moderately (51) or poorly (54) differentiated, or of unknown differentiation (21). The median (range) interval between hormonal therapy (HT) and RT was 32.5  (1.1–168.4) months. Ninety‐five patients had T3‐4 tumours and 28 had regional lymph node metastases before treatment. The median (range) prostate‐specific antigen levels before the initial HT and before RT were 35.0 (1.5–276) and 10.0 (0.06–760.3) ng/mL, respectively. External beam RT was administered, with a median total dose of 66 Gy; 70 patients (50%) received pelvic irradiation.

RESULTS

At a median follow‐up of 20.7 months, the 5‐year overall and clinical progression‐free survival rates (95% confidence interval) were 48.1 (36–60)% and 36.7 (26–47)%, respectively. Although there were distant metastases in 46 patients, only six had local progression. There was late morbidity of grade ≥3 in six patients.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this study comprises the largest series of regionally localized HRPC treated with RT reported to date. RT might have a limited role for HRPC, because in most patients RT failed, with distant metastasis.
The effect of obesity and lower serum prostate‐specific antigen levels on prostate‐cancer screening results in American men
Authors: Culp Stephen , Porter Michael
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine if lower serum total prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in obese American men affect prostate‐cancer screening results, as an increased body mass index (BMI) is inversely associated with PSA level, but the effect of this association on PSA screening results for prostate cancer is unknown.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We analysed the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES 2001–2002, 2003–2004, and 2005–2006), a nationally representative cross‐sectional sample of non‐institutionalized adults aged ≥20 years. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of an ‘abnormal’ PSA level (4.0 or 2.5 ng/mL) based on BMI categories of normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25–29.9) and obese (30–39.9) in men who were eligible for prostate‐cancer screening with serum total PSA tests (age 40–75 years, BMI 18.5–39.9 kg/m2, PSA <20 ng/mL).

RESULTS

In all, 3152 participants with no known prostate cancer, representing 46 million American men, were eligible for prostate‐cancer screening. After controlling for age and race, there was a statistically significant trend of a lower likelihood of having a serum total PSA level of ≥4.0 ng/mL with increased BMI. When men were stratified by race, this effect was apparent only in white non‐Hispanic men, with obese men in this group having a 46% lower likelihood of having an ‘abnormal’ PSA level (odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.31–0.91; P = 0.024) than those with a normal BMI. There was no observable trend in either African‐American or Hispanic men. In addition, there was no observable trend with a serum total PSA threshold of 2.5 ng/mL, regardless of race.

CONCLUSIONS

Obese white non‐Hispanic men are about half as likely as those with a normal BMI to have a PSA level of ≥4.0 ng/mL. These results might affect prostate‐cancer screening with serum total PSA. Further studies are needed to better define the association of BMI and PSA in racial minority subgroups.
Long‐term quality‐of‐life outcome after mesh sacrocolpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse
Authors: Thomas Arun Z. , Giri Subhasis K. , Cox Ann‐Marie , Creagh Tom
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long‐term outcome of mesh sacrocolpopexy (MSC, which aims to restore normal pelvic floor anatomy to alleviate prolapse related symptoms) and its effect on patient’s quality of life, as women with vaginal vault prolapse commonly have various pelvic floor symptoms that can affect urinary, rectal and sexual function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2000 to June 2006, consecutive patients with confirmed stage 2–4 vaginal vault prolapse subsequently had a MSC. Detailed telephone interviews using the Cleveland Clinic Short Form‐20 Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI) questionnaire, with Urinary Distress Inventory (UDI), Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory (POPDI) and Colorectal‐Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI) subscales was completed by all patients to assess symptoms before and after MSC, improvement in sexual function and overall satisfaction.

RESULTS

In all, 21 patients had abdominal MSC; the median (range) follow‐up was 52.2 (21–99) months. Total PFDI scores were significantly better after MSC (mean 44.0/300) than before (mean 113.9/300; P < 0.001). Analysis of the subscale scores showed that all patients reported a significant improvement of symptoms in the POPDI category (P < 0.001). CRADI subscale scores showed no significant change after MSC (before, mean 7.43/100 vs after 8.47/100; P = 0.542). There was an improvement of urinary symptoms on the UDI subscale after MSC but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.08). Analysis of score differences over time after MSC showed an insignificant decreasing slope (P = 0.227), suggesting long‐term stability of symptoms after surgery; 90% of patients reported a significant improvement in sexual function and excellent long‐term overall satisfaction with MSC.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that MSC is a safe and effective surgical option for treating vaginal vault prolapse, providing symptom improvement and stability in the long term.
Urinary catheter balloons should only be filled with water: testing the myth
Authors: Huang James G. , Ooi Jason , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Chan Steven T.F. , Travis Douglas , Wong Lih‐Ming
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that urinary catheter balloons filled with sterile water, saline or glycine have equivalent rates of failure to deflate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was an in vitro equivalence study designed to test whether saline or glycine are neither substantially worse nor substantially better than water in terms of balloon‐deflation failure rates. Glycine was chosen as the third arm, as it is readily available during endoscopic procedures and would be useful to use in such situations. We hypothesised that balloon‐deflation failure rates using saline or glycine were no worse than water by 10%. We calculated the sample size for equivalence testing; 600 catheters were randomized by computer‐generated random numbers to receive 10 mL of water, saline or glycine, and then immersed in a heated artificial urine solution for 6 weeks. The catheter balloons were then deflated, noting any failures to deflate and recording the deflation volumes.

RESULTS

There was no failure to deflate in all 600 catheters. The median deflation volume for water, saline and glycine was 9.0, 9.2 and 9.1 mL, respectively (P < 0.001 Kruskal–Wallis test). Post‐hoc pair‐wise comparisons showed that the deflation volume difference between water and saline was significant (P < 0.001), as was that between water and glycine (P < 0.001). The practical implication of this difference is not apparent from this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of saline or glycine in catheter balloons has an equivalent deflation failure rate to using water, which in this study was zero.
A novel strategy based on histological protein profiling in‐silico for identifying potential biomarkers in urinary bladder cancer
Authors: Segersten M. Ulrika , Edlund E. Karolina , Micke Patrick , De La Torre Manuel , Hamberg Hans , Edvinsson Åsa E.L. , Andersson Sandra E.C. , Malmström Per‐Uno , Wester H. Kenneth
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To screen a publicly available immunohistochemistry (IHC) based web‐atlas, to identify key proteins in bladder cancer that might serve as potential biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The first version of the Human Protein Atlas (HPA 1.0), with 660 proteins, was visually examined to identify proteins with a variable staining pattern among the 12 tissue samples representing bladder cancer. None or limited previous characterization in bladder cancer, as well as a supportive Western blot, were also required. The selected proteins were then evaluated in an independent set of patient samples (106 tumour samples of differing stage and grade) represented in a tissue microarray (TMAi). The IHC expression of the identified proteins in the TMAi was scored and related to tumour stage and grade.

RESULTS

The expression profiles of the 13 proteins selected from the web‐atlas were confirmed in the TMAi. Expression patterns for seven proteins were significantly altered (P < 0.05) with higher stage and/or grade. Three of those (CN130, DSG3, PHF6) lack characterization in bladder cancer, whereas the remaining four proteins have previously been suggested as key proteins/potential biomarkers in cancer, some of them also in bladder cancer.

CONCLUSION

New candidate proteins for urinary bladder cancer were identified through screening of the publicly available HPA 1.0. Although further evaluation is necessary, this strategy is promising in the search for new biomarkers, with potential to improve the management of patients with this disease.
Urinary nerve growth factor level is increased in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and decreased in responders to treatment
Authors: Liu Hsin‐Tzu , Tyagi Pradeep , Chancellor Michael B. , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To measure urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), and to evaluate the role of urinary NGF in predicting the response to treatment, as the clinical diagnosis of IC/BPS is based on subjective symptoms and recent investigations suggest that urinary NGF is increased in patients with IC/BPS.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Urine samples from 122 patients with IC/BPS and 28 normal controls were measured for NGF levels using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnosis of IC/BPS was based on bladder pain symptoms and the results of cystoscopic hydrodistension. Patients’ perception of pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a ‘global’ response assessment after treatment. Urinary NGF levels were further normalized to the concentration of urinary creatinine (NGF/Cr) and compared between control and IC/BPS subgroups at diagnosis and after treatment.

RESULTS

Urinary NGF/Cr levels were very low when the bladder was not distended and significantly elevated with a full bladder in patients with IC/BPS. However, urinary NGF/Cr levels were not correlated with VAS scores or cystometric bladder capacity at diagnosis, or maximum bladder capacity during hydrodistension. Patients who responded to treatment and had an improvement in VAS pain score of ≥2 had significantly lower NGF/Cr levels than nonresponders who had a VAS improvement of <2.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IC/BPS had greater urinary NGF/Cr levels than controls. A decrease of urinary NGF level was associated with greater pain reduction and a successful response, suggesting that urinary NGF levels can be a useful biomarker for detecting the severity of the bladder condition in patients with IC/BPS.
ADAMTS1, a putative anti‐angiogenic factor, is decreased in human prostate cancer
Authors: Gustavsson Heléne , Wang Wanzhong , Jennbacken Karin , Welén Karin , Damber Jan‐Erik
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of ‘ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type I motif, 1’ (ADAMTS1) in human prostate cancer, and to study its relationship to microvessel density (MVD) and metastasis. ADAMTS1 has been described as an anti‐angiogenic and antitumour factor, but its function in prostate cancer is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ADAMTS1 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in specimens obtained by transurethral resection of the prostate from patients with hormone‐naïve and hormone‐refractory prostate tumours, including adjacent benign tissue. A semiquantitative scoring system was used for evaluating the staining. MVD was quantified by counting the number of CD34‐positive blood vessels.

RESULTS

ADAMTS1 was strongly expressed in the luminal epithelial cells in benign prostate glands, whereas expression was significantly lower in prostate cancer cells. There was no obvious difference between hormone‐naïve and hormone‐refractory tumours, and ADAMTS1 expression did not correlate with Gleason score. However, in hormone‐refractory tumours from patients with metastatic disease, the expression of ADAMTS1 was significantly lower than in tumours from patients without metastases. Furthermore, the MVD was higher in hormone‐refractory than in hormone‐naïve tumours and benign tissue, and MVD correlated with Gleason score. There was no association between ADAMTS1 and MVD in the hormone‐naïve tumours, while hormone‐refractory tumours with low ADAMTS1 expression had a higher MVD than those with moderate/high expression.

CONCLUSION

ADAMTS1 expression is decreased in prostate cancer, and might be involved in the early steps of prostate cancer development. Further, ADAMTS1 might have an anti‐angiogenic and antimetastatic role in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer, where low ADAMTS1 expression is associated with a high MVD and metastasis.
Interest of methylated genes as biomarkers in urothelial cell carcinomas of the urinary tract
Authors: Phé Véronique , Cussenot Olivier , Rouprêt Morgan
Published: June 2009

Urothelial cell carcinomas (UCC), including bladder cancer and upper urinary tract cancer, are the second most common malignancy of the urogenital tract after prostate cancer. It is a critical issue to differentiate accurately those patients whose tumour will recur and/or progress after initial treatment from those without recurrence and/or progression because tumours with a similar morphology behave differently. Patients undergo lifelong cystoscopic and cytology surveillance to detect subsequent tumour recurrence. New noninvasive methods for the diagnosis and surveillance of UCCs are required. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation and plays essential roles in tumour initiation and progression. Currently, aberrant promoter hypermethylation has been investigated in specific genes, i.e. tumour‐suppressor genes, proto‐oncogenes, genes involved in cell adhesion, and genes of cell cycle regulation. E‐cadherin has been shown to be an independent marker of prognosis. Other genes, e.g. APC, RASSF1a, TNFRSF25, EDNRB, and p14, are implicated in tumour progression. IGFBP3 and APAF‐1 are independent markers of recurrence. APAF‐1 is also correlated with tumour stage and grade. In urine, hypermethylation of DAPK, RARβ, E‐cadherin and p16 has been shown to have a good sensitivity and specificity for bladder cancer detection. Several studies found that analysis of hypermethylation using a panel of tumour‐suppressor genes yielded superior results to cytology in the detection of bladder cancer and its progression. Hence, the different panels (e.g. RASSF1a/APC/p14, RAR_/DAPK/E‐cadh/p16, p16/p14/MGMT/GSTP1, and RASSF1a/E‐cadh/APC) are of interest in the detection of bladder cancer. The last panel and RASSF1a/E‐cadh/APC/TNFRSF25/EDNRB are also interesting for tumour progression. There is evidence that the extent of the mutator and methylator phenotypes in UCCs differs with tumour location, perhaps suggesting that carcinogens affect the urinary tract in different ways. For all loci studied except DAPK, there was more frequent methylation in UUT‐UCCs than in the bladder cancers; this difference was statistically significant for hMLH1, RARB, E‐cadherin, p16 and MINT31. In contrast to UUT‐UCCs, hMLH1 and MINT31 were rarely methylated in bladder tumours, suggesting that they play a role in UUT carcinogenesis but not bladder cancer.
Hybrid Dirichlet Mixture Models for Functional Data
Authors: Petrone Sonia , Guindani Michele , Gelfand Alan E.
Published: June 2009

In functional data analysis, curves or surfaces are observed, up to measurement error, at a finite set of locations, for, say, a sample of n individuals. Often, the curves are homogeneous, except perhaps for individual-specific regions that provide heterogeneous behaviour (e.g. ‘damaged’ areas of irregular shape on an otherwise smooth surface). Motivated by applications with functional data of this nature, we propose a Bayesian mixture model, with the aim of dimension reduction, by representing the sample of n curves through a smaller set of canonical curves. We propose a novel prior on the space of probability measures for a random curve which extends the popular Dirichlet priors by allowing local clustering: non-homogeneous portions of a curve can be allocated to different clusters and the n individual curves can be represented as recombinations (hybrids) of a few canonical curves. More precisely, the prior proposed envisions a conceptual hidden factor with k-levels that acts locally on each curve. We discuss several models incorporating this prior and illustrate its performance with simulated and real data sets. We examine theoretical properties of the proposed finite hybrid Dirichlet mixtures, specifically, their behaviour as the number of the mixture components goes to ∞ and their connection with Dirichlet process mixtures.
Bootstrapping Frequency Domain Tests in Multivariate Time Series with an Application to Comparing Spectral Densities
Authors: Dette Holger , Paparoditis Efstathios
Published: June 2009

We propose a general bootstrap procedure to approximate the null distribution of non-parametric frequency domain tests about the spectral density matrix of a multivariate time series. Under a set of easy-to-verify conditions, we establish asymptotic validity of the bootstrap procedure proposed. We apply a version of this procedure together with a new statistic to test the hypothesis that the spectral densities of not necessarily independent time series are equal. The test statistic proposed is based on an L2-distance between the non-parametrically estimated individual spectral densities and an overall, ‘pooled’ spectral density, the latter being obtained by using the whole set of m time series considered. The effects of the dependence between the time series on the power behaviour of the test are investigated. Some simulations are presented and a real life data example is discussed.
Robust Discrimination Designs
Authors: Wiens Douglas P.
Published: June 2009

We study the construction of experimental designs, the purpose of which is to aid in the discrimination between two possibly non-linear regression models, each of which might be only approximately specified. A rough description of our approach is that we impose neighbourhood structures on each regression response and determine the members of these neighbourhoods which are least favourable in the sense of minimizing the Kullback–Leibler divergence. Designs are obtained which maximize this minimum divergence. Both static and sequential approaches are studied. We then consider sequential designs whose purpose is initially to discriminate, but which move their emphasis towards efficient estimation or prediction as one model becomes favoured over the other.
Diversification, Refocusing and Firm Value
Authors: Çolak Gönül
Published: June 2009

At any point in time a firm faces three restructuring choices: diversify, refocus, or do nothing. This study analyses the causes and the consequences of these actions in a unified framework using the appropriate methodologies. Various factors, such as firm's characteristics and multinational nature, its industry's characteristics, its exchange and index inclusion, and divested (or acquired) segment(s)' industry conditions, are considered as the determinants of the diversifying and the refocusing decisions. The estimation results from the corresponding multinomial logit model suggest that refocusing occurs generally due to firm‐specific reasons, and diversification due to outside factors, such as industry and economic conditions. Added or dropped segment's industry profitability, its relationship to the core business of the firm, and its relatedness to the businesses of the conglomerate's other segments have a nontrivial effect on either decision. In a related analysis, the paper explicitly models and estimates the valuation consequences that are sustained by the firm after it undertakes a refocusing or a diversification action. To isolate the changes in firm's value that are due to these decisions only, a 2SLS estimation is used to control for endogeneity that arises because the factors that affect a firm's value are likely to have also induced the firm to make the corresponding decision. The novelty of my approach is in its inclusion of variables measuring the consequences due to both actions, the diversification and the refocusing, in the same valuation equation. Contrary to some earlier findings, I find no evidence of ‘diversification discount’ or ‘refocusing premium.’ The choice of this paper to analyse all corporate restructuring decisions in a unified framework yields valuable business insights into the reasons for undertaking such corporate events.
Is there nothing beyond postmodernism and ‘the theoretical Other’? The need for balancing universalism and diversity in social work
Authors: Sohlberg Peter
Published: June 2009

In his article, ‘Against difference and diversity in social work: the case of human rights’, Stephen Webb captures several important problems concerning the application of a postmodern human rights perspective in social work. Although accepting Webb's diagnosis, for example that the postmodern discourse neglects basic structural conditions essential for understanding social problems and thus leads to a policy of symbols and rhetoric, this article argues that Webb reifies the perspectives of diversity and universalism and misses the need for balancing these aspects in the practice of social work. Some general argumentative techniques in the postmodern discourse are identified, and it is argued that several of Webb's conclusions are reached via those argumentative techniques, particularly when it comes to his claim that the philosopher Alain Badiou could play a central role for social work. The possibility of implementing in social work general philosophical programmes such as Alain Badiou's is questioned.
Transport noise: a challenge for sustainable mobility*
Authors: Schade Wolfgang
Published: June 2009

The paper starts with a brief overview of the impacts and perception of noise in the past in Europe. It has been well known for about 30 years that transport noise over critical levels causes serious annoyance. Moreover, recent epidemiological research indicates that it might also be responsible for a significant number of potentially fatal heart attacks. In the light of this knowledge, the transport noise protection policies of four European countries are analysed and compared with people's subjective perceptions and objective exposure. Results show that transport noise is one of the most significant environmental problems since about 18–20% of the population in those countries, as in the EU as a whole, suffer seriously from transport noise. Noise protection has in the past focused to a large extent on limiting emissions at the noise source. However, no binding noise standards at the immission point have been set. In the last decade this has changed in Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where noise legislation has been differentiated into non‐binding standards for existing transport infrastructure and binding legislation for planned infrastructure. Looking at the policies that are available to comply with the standards, it is obvious that there is no “silver bullet” to solve the transport noise problem. Instead, the experience of those countries demonstrates that the fight against noise to ensure sustainable mobility can only be won by a comprehensive mix of policies, which require significant investments and, even more important, will take a long time.
Lessons from a landmark US policy for transportation, land use and air quality, and implications for policy changes in other countries*
Authors: Gertz Carsten
Published: June 2009

Normally, discussion about more sustainable mobility concentrates on the travel behaviour of individuals, but the transportation system is also very much influenced by the behaviour of institutions. This paper looks into changes in transportation planning and financing mechanisms initiated by the US Intermodal Transportation Efficiency Act, introduced in 1991, and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, introduced in 1997. In spite of their limitations, these legislative provisions, driven by strong advocacy coalitions, have had a significant impact on US transport policy. They indicate lessons for other countries both in terms of the political process and in terms of interactions between levels of policy making. A top‐down approach at the Federal level can be useful to enhance a nationwide bottom‐up planning process at the local and regional level. The ability to induce reform even in an unbalanced and unsustainable transport system with high car ownership, extreme development of car‐oriented infrastructure, and high car use is an indication of more general potential for change.
Strengthening the role of the social sciences in society: the World Social Science Initiative
Authors: Kazancigil Ali
Published: June 2009

There seems to be a mismatch between the societal demand for social‐science knowledge and the supply of knowledge from the social sciences. The need for a re‐assessment of the way the social sciences operate and their role and status in society, is the main raison d'étre of the World Social Science Initiative (WSSI), promoted by the International Social Science Council. The WSSI, which emerged as a follow‐up to an OECD International Conference Series on “Re‐thinking the Social Sciences” supported by the European Commission's Research Directorate‐General and UNESCO's Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme, offers a flexible framework for enhancing both the scientific quality and the social relevance of the social sciences.
History and visions in the development of data services for the social sciences
Authors: Scheuch Erwin K.
Published: June 2009

The article describes the historical development of data services for the social sciences, not just to recall what happened, but to point out the strategic choices that have shaped the current situation. With respect to future developments, knowledge of these choices is important. Specifically, one should be aware that data archives – the core institutions in this development – were understood to be part of data services, and these in turn as building blocks in an infrastructure for empirical social sciences. Enlarging such an infrastructure was not and is not undertaken with the ambition to supply all the information that the social sciences need. It is necessary to identify, country by country, what gaps need to be closed in data provision, and in general in the infrastructure for the empirical social sciences. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish in parallel access to information and training in the techniques necessary to make effective and rigorous use of it. As access expands and technology evolves, there is room for concern that user expertise, particularly in statistical methods, is tending to lag behind.
Creating data services in new democracies. Experiences from a case study and related neighbours
Authors: Dusa Adrian
Published: June 2009

In Romania, as in other former communist countries, there has long been a deficit of information about social research and its data. In light of the growing need for high‐quality data, which are a pre‐condition for effective social policies, solutions to address the deficit are currently being sought both nationally and internationally. The article summarises the recent establishment of the Romanian Social Data Archive, which is supported by the Institute for Quality of Life Research (an institute of the Romanian Academy of Sciences) and by the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work of the University of Bucharest and points to the main technical and legal challenges that it faces. Indications about collaborative activities are also provided, pointing to the common problems raised by social science data in Eastern Europe and the considerable scope for cooperation in addressing them.
The Research Data Centre Programme in Canada: a holistic approach to evidence‐based research to inform public policy
Authors: Goldmann Gustave
Published: June 2009

As part of a response to the challenges that confront Canadian policy research, a joint task force assembled by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and Statistics Canada proposed the creation of a series of Research Data Centres (RDCs). The network of RDCs was formally launched in December 2000 with the opening of the centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. The RDCs are located throughout the country, so researchers are not obliged to travel to Ottawa to access Statistics Canada data. At the same time, the centres are administered in accordance with all the confidentiality rules required under the Statistics Act. The Research Data Centres meet, in a single location, both the need to facilitate access to detailed micro‐data for crucial social research and the need to protect the confidentiality and security of Canadians' information.