bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addition of muramyl tripeptide to chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed metastatic osteosarcoma
Authors: Chou Alexander J. , Kleinerman Eugenie S. , Krailo Mark D. , Chen Zhengjia , Betcher Donna L. , Healey John H. , Conrad Ernest U. , Nieder Michael L. , Weiner Michael A. , Wells Robert J. , Womer Richard B. , Meyers Paul A. ,   on behalf of the Children's Oncology Group
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

The addition of liposomal muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (MTP‐PE) to chemotherapy has been shown to improve overall survival in patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma (OS). The authors report the results of addition of liposomal MTP‐PE to chemotherapy for patients with metastatic OS.

METHODS:

Intergroup‐0133 was a prospective randomized phase 3 trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with OS. The authors compared 3‐drug chemotherapy with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and high‐dose methotrexate (Regimen A) to the same 3 drugs with the addition of ifosfamide (Regimen B). The addition of liposomal MTP‐PE to chemotherapy was evaluated.

RESULTS:

Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) for patients who received liposomal MTP‐PE (n = 46) was 42% versus 26% for those who did not (n = 45) (relative risk for liposomal MTP‐PE, 0.72; P = .23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42‐1.2). The 5‐year overall survival for patients who received MTP‐PE versus no MTP‐PE was 53% and 40%, respectively (relative risk for liposomal MTP‐PE, 0.72; P = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.40‐1.3). The comparison of Regimen A with Regimen B did not suggest a difference for EFS (35% vs 34%, respectively; relative risk for Regimen B, 1.07; P = .79; 95% CI, 0.62‐1.8) or overall survival (52% vs 43%, respectively; relative risk for Regimen B, 1.1, P = .75; 95% CI, 0.61‐2.0).

CONCLUSIONS:

When the metastatic cohort was considered in isolation, the addition of liposomal MTP‐PE to chemotherapy did not achieve a statistically significant improvement in outcome. However, the pattern of outcome is similar to the pattern in nonmetastatic patients. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Multimodality therapy for locoregional extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Fuller Clifton D. , Wang Samuel J. , Choi Mehee , Czito Brian G. , Cornell John , Welzel Tania M. , McGlynn Katherine A. , Luh Join Y. , Thomas Charles R.
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND:

Although surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the majority of patients present with advanced disease. Due in part to numeric rarity, the optimum role of radiotherapy (RT) for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, as well as its relative benefit, is an area of debate. The specific aim of this series was to estimate survival for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients receiving surgery and adjuvant RT using a robust population‐based data set.

METHODS:

Data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) limited‐use data set for selected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cases. Lognormal multivariate survival analysis was implemented to estimate survival for patients for treatment cohorts based on extent of surgical intervention and RT.

RESULTS:

Parametric estimated median survival for patients receiving total/radical resection + RT was 26 months; it was 25 months for total/radical resection alone, 25 months for subtotal/debulking resection + RT, 21 months for subtotal/debulking resection, 12 months for RT alone, and 9 months for those not receiving surgery or RT. Parametric multivariate analysis revealed age, American Joint Committee on Cancer Stage, grade, and surgical/radiation regimen as statistically significant covariates with survival. Surgery alone and adjuvant RT cohorts demonstrated evidence of improved survival compared with no treatment; comparatively, RT alone was associated with survival decrement. Early improvement in survival in adjuvant cohorts was not observed at later time points.

CONCLUSIONS:

Survival estimates using SEER data suggest an early survival advantage for adjuvant RT for patients with locoregional extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Although future prospective series are needed to confirm these observations, SEER data represent the largest domestic population‐based extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cohort, and may provide useful baseline survival estimates for future studies. Cancer 2009. Published 2009 by the American Cancer Society.
Prominent system of RFamide immunoreactive neurons in the rhopalia of box jellyfish (cnidaria: Cubozoa)
Authors: Parkefelt Linda , Ekström Peter
Published: July 2009

The four visual sensory structures of a cubomedusa, the rhopalia, display a surprisingly elaborate organization by containing two lens eyes and four bilaterally paired pigment cup eyes. Peptides containing the peptide sequence Arg‐Phe‐NH2 (RFamide) occur in close association with visual structures of cnidarians, including the rhopalia and rhopalial stalk of cubomedusae, suggesting that RFamide functions as a neuronal marker for certain parts of the visual system of medusae. Using immunofluorescence we give a detailed description of the organization of the RFamide‐immunoreactive (ir) nervous system in the rhopalia and rhopalial stalk of the cubomedusae Tripedalia cystophora and Carybdea marsupialis. The bilaterally symmetric RFamide‐ir nervous system contains four cell groups and three morphologically different cell types. Neurites spread throughout the rhopalia and occur in close vicinity of the pigment cup eyes and the lower lens eye. Two commissures connect the two sides of the system and neurites of one rhopalial cell group extend into the rhopalial stalk. The RFamide‐ir nervous system in the rhopalia of cubomedusae is more widespread and comprises more cells than earlier discerned. We suggest that the system might not only integrate visual input but also signals from other senses. One of the RFamide‐ir cell groups is favorably situated to represent pacemaker neurons that set the swimming rhythm of the medusa. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:157–165, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating the maintenance of effect of duloxetine in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Skljarevski Vladimir , Desaiah Durisala , Zhang Qi , Chappell Amy S. , Detke Michael J. , Gross Jorge L. , Ziegler Dan
Published: July 2009

Background

To evaluate the maintenance of effect of duloxetine 60 mg QD over 26 weeks in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP).

Methods

Adult patients with DPNP and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) 24‐h average pain ≥4 were treated in this open‐label study with duloxetine 60 mg QD for 8 weeks. Responders (≥30% pain reduction) continued on duloxetine 60 mg QD (maintenance arm) for 26 weeks while non‐responders had duloxetine increased to 120 mg QD (rescue arm). The primary outcome measure was the mean change from baseline (Week 8) to endpoint (Week 34) in BPI average pain in the maintenance arm. A number of secondary efficacy measures, as well as safety and tolerability, were assessed.

Results

Two hundred and sixteen patients entered the study and their baseline BPI average pain was 5.9. Thirty‐two patients (15%) discontinued during the acute phase. One hundred and fifteen (53%) patients were found to be responders to 60 mg dose and they entered the maintenance arm. During the maintenance period they reported a mean change of BPI average pain of 0.35, with 0.79 as the upper bound of the one‐sided 97.5% CI, which was less than the pre‐specified non‐inferiority margin of 1.5 (p < 0.001). Non‐responders, upon dose increase to 120 mg QD, reported a statistically significant pain reduction. Total of 119 patients completed either arm of the study. Twenty patients experienced 27 serious adverse events including one death.

Conclusion

In this open‐label study, the effect of duloxetine 60 mg QD in patients with DPNP was maintained over 6‐month period. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships between groundwater level and furbearer abundance in the Northern Arkansas Mississippi Alluvial Valley
Authors: Kidd John B. , Kissell Robert E.
Published: July 2009

Abundances of hydrophilic furbearers, such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), are known to change with alterations in surface water availability. Unconfined aquifers dynamically interact with surface water, and surface water availability is often reduced when groundwater levels decline. However, the relationship between groundwater level and furbearer abundance is not well understood. Groundwater depths in the Mississippi Alluvial Aquifer have increased such that critical groundwater areas have been designated in the Arkansas portion of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. We tested the effect of groundwater level on furbearer abundance using three depth‐to‐groundwater categories: shallow (<6·4 m), medium (6·4–13·99 m) and deep (≥14·0 m). In each category we surveyed furbearer relative abundance with scent station lines (N = 40) and minimum density estimates with aerial thermal infrared transects (N = 7). Relative abundance indices of furbearers collectively were not different (F = 2·67, P = 0·08), nor were minimum density estimates (F = 2·21, P = 0·22) among groundwater depths. Only relative abundance indices for Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana; F = 4·76, P = 0·01) were different among groundwater depths. More research is needed to discern if potential ecologically significant relationships exist between groundwater level and furbearer abundance. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Nanostructure in Improving the Performance of Electrodes for Energy Storage and Conversion
Authors: Centi Gabriele , Perathoner Siglinda
Published: July 2009

The nanostructure is a critical element to improve the performance of electrodes and realize the demanding expectation for a more sustainable and efficient conversion and storage of energy. This microreview analyzes some examples related to advanced electrodes for Li‐ion batteries, PEM fuel cells, titania photoanodes and solar cells. The role of a proper nanoarchitecture and hierarchical organization in the electrode, which requires the understanding of the complex physicochemical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale level, is discussed. The need to use cost‐effective methods for a robust and scalable preparation is also mentioned. Specific materials and topics discussed are (i) nanostructured carbons (nanotubes and nanofibres, and tube‐in‐tube materials), (ii) their hybrid nanocomposites with oxides (TiO2, V2O5), (iii) their use as support for noble metal nanoparticles, and (iv) ordered or non‐ordered arrays of titania nanotubes and nanorods.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
On–Off Switchable Binuclear Chemosensor Based on Thiacalix[4]crown Armed with Pyrene Moieties
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Dhir Abhimanew , Bhalla Vandana
Published: July 2009

A new fluorescent “on–off” switchable chemosensor 2 based on a thiacalix[4] arene with a 1,3‐alternate conformation and two different types of cation binding sites has been synthesized. Two pyrene moieties linked to a cation recognition unit composed of two imine groups form a strong excimer in solution. Of the metal ions tested, the fluorescence of 2 was strongly quenched by Hg2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions. The fluorescence was revived by the addition of only K+ to the Cu2+ ligand complex. Thus, metal‐ion exchange triggers an “on–off” switchable fluorescent chemosensor. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Characterization of de novo synthesized proteins released from human colorectal tumour explants
Authors: Shi Hong Jun , Stubbs Richard , Hood Kylie
Published: July 2009

Tumours release many proteins into their microenvironment. These proteins may enter the blood stream and have value as cancer biomarkers. We examined the range of proteins released by colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis (LM) specimens and normal colon mucosa during 16 h culture as explants in the presence of [35S]‐methionine. Proteins released into the conditioned media were isolated and separated by 2‐DE and detected by CBB stain and de novo synthesized proteins by autoradiography. The majority of proteins released by CRC LM explants in short‐term culture were plasma proteins from tumour interstitial fluid and tissue breakdown products including mitochondrial and nuclear proteins from pre‐existing necrotic cells within the tumours. De novo synthesized proteins were present at a lower abundance and included a high proportion of cytoplasmic proteins in addition to classically secreted proteins. Many cytoplasmic proteins were also present in the autoradiograph secretomes of four CRC cell lines examined, despite high cell viability (>97%), suggestive of an alternative release mechanism. The secretome profiles varied significantly between different patients, and also between different cell lines, despite low intra‐experimental variation. Quantitative analysis of the autoradiograph secretome profiles prepared from tumour and normal colon mucosa tissues revealed 32 protein spots that were differentially abundant between the normal and cancer tissue secretome, including desmocollin‐2 and fibrinogen γ chain, which were upregulated and downregulated in the CRC LM secretomes, respectively. Further characterization of de novo synthesized proteins released from human tumours may help to discover a novel set of serological markers for CRC.
Proteomic identification of cytosolic proteins that undergo arginine methylation during rat liver regeneration
Authors: An Sinae , Yun Miyong , Park Yun Gyu , Park Gil Hong
Published: July 2009

Protein arginine methylation plays a crucial role in signal transduction, protein–protein interactions, and transcriptional regulation. Previously, we showed that protein arginine methyltransferase activity increased significantly during rat liver regeneration. In the present study, in vivo arginine methylation during liver regeneration was investigated. The presence of symmetric or asymmetric dimethylarginine in proteins varied significantly at the early stage of regeneration after partial hepatectomy. The nature of the 31 proteins that showed significant variations in arginine methylation were identified using 2‐DE and MS. Many of these proteins were oxidative stress‐related or oxidation‐prone proteins that exhibited significant variations in arginine methylation without changes in their expression levels. The oxidation of some of the oxidation‐prone proteins under oxidative stress such as carbonic anhydrase 3 decreased with increased levels of arginine methylation, whereas normal levels of protein oxidation were recovered as arginine methylation subsided. Taken together, this study demonstrated that time‐dependent methylation events in hepatocytes during the early period of rat liver regeneration may participate in the regulation or protection of protein activities, thus presenting a significant new insight into the biology of proliferating cells at the post‐translational modification level and into a key population of proteins involved in these processes.
A relatively simple and economical protocol for proteomic analyses of human 20S proteasome: Compatible with both scaled‐up and scaled‐down purifications
Authors: Chen Guoqiang , Luo Yuanming , Wang Xinli , Zhao Zhiyun , Liu Hui , Zhang Haijing , Li Zhili
Published: July 2009

The 20S core particle (CP) is composed of 28 subunits arranged in four stacked heptameric rings (α7β7β7α7) forming a symmetrical barrel‐shaped structure. Typically, in previous reports, the purification of CP mainly relied on the antibody, liquid chromatography and affinity tag‐based strategies. In this study, we report a relatively simple and economical protocol for proteomic analyses of CP, which combines differential centrifugations with native‐PAGE. Furthermore, it is compatible with both scaled‐up purification from erythrocytes and scaled‐down purification from low to around 3.0×107 pancreatic cancer cells, SW1990. In addition, a direct three‐dimensional gel electrophoresis approach that omits the interval procedure between native‐PAGE and IEF/SDS‐PAGE is introduced. The results obtained in this study show that this protocol has a valuable potential for the studies of CP and other protein complexes.
Microvalves actuated sandwich immunoassay on an integrated microfluidic system
Authors: Gao Xinghua , Jiang Lei , Su Xiaoou , Qin Jianhua , Lin Bingcheng
Published: July 2009

In this study, we developed an integrated and automatic microfluidic immunoassay system, which comprised a multi‐layer immunoassay microfluidic chip and a rotary confocal LIF scanner. The normally closed elastomeric microvalves were integrated on the multi‐layer microfluidic chip to realize flexible reagents delivery for the rapid immunoassay. The various operations of immunoassay including coating, blocking and washing could be performed on a single chip with reduced reagents consumption and analysis time. The homemade rotary LIF scanner was able to detect the signals from the multichannels sequentially in a short period of time, enabling the potential capability for high‐throughput immunoassay. The performance of this system was demonstrated by the sandwich immunoassay of human immunoglobulin G with a LOD <10 ng/mL (S/N=3). The linear range was from 500 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL. This system has also been applied to the measurement of human immunoglobulin G from 15 real samples, demonstrating the potential of this platform for biomedical applications.
Analysis of multiple abused drugs and hypnotics in urine by sweeping CE
Authors: Chiang Jui‐Feng , Hsiao Yu‐Tzu , Ko Wei‐Kung , Wu Shou‐Mei
Published: July 2009

Multiple drugs usage is very common in addicts (AD). However, some parent drugs were undetectable in urine, it was necessary to monitor their metabolites simultaneously. A sweeping CE was established for the determination of several kinds of abused drug and their metabolites in AD urine. This method was developed using chemometric experimental design to simplify the CE optimization. The capillary was filled by separation buffer (phosphate buffer (75 mM, pH 2.5) and methanol (70:30 v/v)) and then hydrodynamically injected large volume of samples into capillary (1 psi, 200 s). Following was using sweeping buffer (phosphate buffer (75 mM, pH 2.5) and methanol (90:10 v/v) containing 65 mM SDS) to sweep and stack analytes. The separation voltage was set at −15 kV (anode at detector end). During method validation, calibration plots were linear (r≥0.992) over a range of 0.1–3 μg/mL for codeine, ketamine, and methamphetamine, 0.15–3 μg/mL for morphine, 0.1–1 μg/mL for alprazolam and oxazepam, and 0.1–1.2 μg/mL for other other benzodiazepines and its metabolites. During intra‐ and inter‐day analysis, relative standards and relative errors were less than 14%. The analytes could be simultaneously analyzed and have a detection limit down to 20–50 ng/mL (S/N=3). The results showed good coincidence with GC‐MS or LC‐ESI‐MS. This method was feasible for application to detect trace levels of abused drugs in AD' urine.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Water in Operating Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Tsushima S. , Hirai S.
Published: July 2009

Water management in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is extremely important for the high performance and durable operation of fuel cells. Therefore, fundamental understanding of water transport involved in operating PEMFCs is necessary. This article presents a review of in situ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualisation of water in operating PEMFCs, which is recognised as a powerful diagnostic tool for probing water behaviours, both in flow fields and in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The basic principles and hardware related to MRI visualisation are described with emphasis on the design, construction and material selection of a PEMFC for MRI experiments. The MRI results reported by several groups are outlined to illustrate the versatility and potential usefulness of in situ visualisation of water in operating PEMFCs using MRI.
Corporate usage of financial derivatives, information asymmetry, and insider trading
Authors: Nguyen Hoa , Faff Robert , Hodgson Allan
Published: July 2009

This article investigates whether financial derivative usage by Australian corporations constitutes information asymmetry when proxied by profitable trading in the firms' securities by insiders. The findings show that insiders who trade in companies that employ derivatives make larger purchase returns compared to insiders in nonuser firms with regard to trading identity, trading intensity, variability of usage, volume of trading, and industry effects. A plausible explanation is that asymmetry is driven by derivative traders who undertake noisy transactions in firms where risk outcomes were previously transparent. Excess returns are confined to purchase transactions consistent with insiders primarily selling for noninformation reasons. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:25–47, 2010
A maximal affine stochastic volatility model of oil prices
Authors: Hughen W. Keener
Published: July 2009

This study develops and estimates a stochastic volatility model of commodity prices that nests many of the previous models in the literature. The model is an affine three‐factor model with one state variable driving the volatility and is maximal among all such models that are also identifiable. The model leads to quasi‐analytical formulas for futures and options prices. It allows for time‐varying correlation structures between the spot price and convenience yield, the spot price and its volatility, and the volatility and convenience yield. It allows for expected mean‐reversion in the short term and for an increasing expected long‐term price, and for time‐varying risk premia. Furthermore, the model allows for the situation in which options' prices depend on risk not fully spanned by futures prices. These properties are desirable and empirically important for modeling many commodities, especially crude oil. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:101–133, 2010
Dealing with downside risk in a multi‐commodity setting: A case for a “Texas hedge”?
Authors: Power Gabriel J. , Vedenov Dmitry
Published: July 2009

This study analyzes the problem of multi‐commodity hedging from the downside risk perspective. The lower partial moments (LPM2)‐minimizing hedge ratios for the stylized hedging problem of a typical Texas panhandle feedlot operator are calculated and compared with hedge ratios implied by the conventional minimum‐variance (MV) criterion. A kernel copula is used to model the joint distributions of cash and futures prices for commodities included in the model. The results are consistent with the findings in the single‐commodity case in that the MV approach leads to over‐hedging relative to the LPM2‐based hedge. An interesting and somewhat unexpected result is that minimization of a downside risk criterion in a multi‐commodity setting may lead to a “Texas hedge” (i.e. speculation) being an optimal strategy for at least one commodity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:290–304, 2010
Reversing the lead, or a series of unfortunate events? NYMEX, ICE, and Amaranth
Authors: Kofman Paul , Michayluk David , Moser James T.
Published: July 2009

A number of studies compare the efficiency and transparency of floor trading with automated/electronic trading systems in the competition for order flow. Although most of these studies find that electronic systems lead price discovery, a few studies highlight the weaknesses of electronic trading in highly volatile market conditions. A series of unusual events in 2006, sparking extreme volatility in natural gas futures trading, provide an ideal setting to revisit the resilience of trading system price leadership in the face of high volatility. We estimate time‐varying Hasbrouck‐style information shares to investigate the intertemporal and cross‐sectional dynamics in price discovery. The results strongly suggest that the information share is time‐dependent and contract‐dependent. Floor trading dominates price discovery in the less liquid longer‐maturity contracts, whereas electronic trading dominates price discovery in the most liquid spot‐month contract. We find that the floor trading information share increases significantly with realized volatility. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 29:1130–1160, 2009
Economic evaluation of cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for dementia: comparison of Alzheimer's disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Gustavsson Anders , Van Der Putt Rohan , Jönsson Linus , McShane Rupert
Published: July 2009

Objective

To assess the cost effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Method

We used 4‐month open label follow‐up data from routine memory clinic patients. There were 852 patients with AD and 112 with DLB. We applied three predictive models to estimate clinical and economic outcomes at five years, comparing AD and DLB patients with hypothetical untreated controls.

Results

The mean improvement in MMSE in 852 AD patients was 0.57 (SD 3.4) at 4 months, and in the subgroup with baseline MMSE of 10–20 (moderate) was 1.6 (SD 3.7). Overall, the 112 DLB patients improved by 1.4 (SD 3.7). DLB patients with an MMSE 10–20 improved by 3.1 (SD 4.5) points. These efficacy data were input into the SHTAC, microsimulation and Markov models and produced estimated costs per QALY gained (CQG) for all AD of £194,066, £67,904 and £123,935 respectively. In comparison, the CQGs for all DLB were £46,794, £2,706 and £35,922. For the moderate subgroups only the SHTAC and microsimulation models were applicable. These gave CQG estimates for moderate AD of £39,664 and cost saving respectively. For moderate DLB, both estimates were cost saving.

Conclusion

The cost per QALY gained of cholinesterase treatment of all patients with DLB (including those with MMSE outside the 10–20 range) is comparable to that of patients with moderate AD, and is probably cost saving. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of associations between alcohol use disorder and polymorphisms on ALDH2, BDNF, 5‐HTTLPR, and MTHFR genes in older Korean men
Authors: Shin Sangmoon , Stewart Robert , Ferri Cleusa P , Kim Jae‐Min , Shin Il‐Seon , Kim Sung‐Wan , Yang Su‐Jin , Yoon Jin‐Sang
Published: July 2009

Background

This study aimed to investigate the association of alcohol use disorder (AUD) with four candidate genes in older Korean men: aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2, 1/2), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF, val66met), serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR, s/l), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR, c.677C > T).

Methods

A community sample of 300 men aged 65 or over were categorized into 68 subjects with AUD and 232 controls according to clinical examinations and DSM‐IV criteria. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared.

Results

Men with AUD had significantly higher ALDH2*1 and BDNF met allele frequencies compared to controls (p‐values < 0.05). No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were found for 5‐HTTLPR or MTHFR (p‐values > 0.3).

Conclusions

AUD was associated with ALDH2*1 and BDNF met alleles in older Korean men. The first is consistent with previous research and likely to be explained by a protective effect of unpleasant symptoms following alcohol consumption associated with ALDH2*2. The second finding is novel and might be accounted for by BDNF‐mediated serotonin or dopamine pathways. However, given the relatively small sample size, the results should be regarded as preliminary and requiring independent replication. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specialization in the default mode: Task‐induced brain deactivations dissociate between visual working memory and attention
Authors: Mayer Jutta S. , Roebroeck Alard , Maurer Konrad , Linden David E.J.
Published: July 2009

The idea of an organized mode of brain function that is present as default state and suspended during goal‐directed behaviors has recently gained much interest in the study of human brain function. The default mode hypothesis is based on the repeated observation that certain brain areas show task‐induced deactivations across a wide range of cognitive tasks. In this event‐related functional resonance imaging study we tested the default mode hypothesis by comparing common and selective patterns of BOLD deactivation in response to the demands on visual attention and working memory (WM) that were independently modulated within one task. The results revealed task‐induced deactivations within regions of the default mode network (DMN) with a segregation of areas that were additively deactivated by an increase in the demands on both attention and WM, and areas that were selectively deactivated by either high attentional demand or WM load. Attention‐selective deactivations appeared in the left ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex and the left lateral temporal cortex. Conversely, WM‐selective deactivations were found predominantly in the right hemisphere including the medial‐parietal, the lateral temporo‐parietal, and the medial prefrontal cortex. Moreover, during WM encoding deactivated regions showed task‐specific functional connectivity. These findings demonstrate that task‐induced deactivations within parts of the DMN depend on the specific characteristics of the attention and WM components of the task. The DMN can thus be subdivided into a set of brain regions that deactivate indiscriminately in response to cognitive demand (“the core DMN”) and a part whose deactivation depends on the specific task. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A model of knowledge‐sharing motivation
Authors: Gagné Marylène
Published: July 2009

In this article, I present a model of knowledge‐sharing motivation based on a combination of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and self‐determination theory (SDT), along with a review of research supporting the model and suggestions for future research and methodologies to study knowledgesharing behavior. I also give suggestions for designing five important human resource management (HRM) practices, including staffing, job design, performance and compensation systems, managerial styles, and training. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interunit interaction contexts, interpersonal social capital, and the differing levels of knowledge sharing
Authors: Mäkelä Kristiina , Brewster Chris
Published: July 2009

Firms use different structural arrangements to carry out their internal work, and interunit interactions that take place in the context of these arrangements may have different consequences for knowledge sharing. We explore four contexts of such interunit interaction—interunit meetings, project groups, cross‐border teams, and expatriate/ repatriate interactions—and we examine the extent to which they are associated with social capital and knowledge sharing. Data from structured interviews with multinational corporation (MNC) managers, which we explored using MANCOVA/ANCOVA and regression analysis, showed that cross‐border and expatriate/repatriate interaction contexts are associated with more interpersonal trust and shared cognitive ground than interunit meeting and project group ones, and the expatriate/repatriate context with more shared cognitive ground than all other contexts. The regression results show a significant relationship between the cross‐border team and expatriate/repatriate contexts and knowledge sharing. We also find that affective and cognitive social capital mediate the relationship between cross‐border team and expatriate/repatriate contexts and knowledge sharing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic HR: global applications from IBM
Authors: Morris Shad S. , Calamai Robert
Published: July 2009

As business leaders increasingly understand the importance of effectively managing a global workforce, attention turns to the human resource (HR) function. But as HR groups focus largely on best practices, they lose sight of the constantly shifting demands of a global environment that requires next practices. We propose a new Dynamic HR framework that allows HR managers constantly to renew and reintegrate their practices throughout the organization in a way that focuses on flexible entrepreneurship and coordinated networking among dispersed HR managers. Such demands require HR managers who not only are connected with one another across the globe, but also are one step ahead of shifting local and global demands. Using practical examples from IBM, we discuss techniques that might help HR become more dynamic. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bringing the knowledge perspective into HRM
Authors: Minbaeva Dana , Foss Nicolai , Snell Scott
Published: July 2009

In this introduction to this Special Issue, we briefly describe the knowledge perspective that has emerged in management research over the last two decades, discuss its current and potential future relations to Human Resources Management (HRM) research, and summarize the papers in this issue.
Elevated mPer1 gene expression in tumor stroma imaged through bioluminescence
Authors: Geusz Michael E. , Blakely Kenneth T. , Hiler Daniel J. , Jamasbi Roudabeh J.
Published: July 2009

The tumor stroma has significant effects on cancer cell growth and metastasis. Interactions between cancer and stromal cells shape tumor progression through poorly understood mechanisms. One factor regulating tumor growth is the circadian timing system that generates daily physiological rhythms throughout the body. Clock genes such as mPer1 serve in molecular timing events of circadian oscillators and when mutated can disrupt circadian rhythms and accelerate tumor growth. Stimulation of mPer1 by cytokines suggests that the timing of circadian oscillators may be altered by these tumor‐derived signals. To explore tumor and stromal interactions, the pattern of mPer1 expression was imaged in tumors generated through subcutaneous injection of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. Several imaging studies have used bioluminescent cancer cell lines expressing firefly luciferase to image tumor growth in live mice. In contrast, this study used non‐bioluminescent cancer cells to produce tumors within transgenic mice expressing luciferase controlled by the mPer1 gene promoter. Bioluminescence originated only in host cells and was significantly elevated throughout the tumor stroma. It was detected through the skin of live mice or by imaging the tumor directly. No effects on the circadian timing system were detected during three weeks of tumor growth according to wheel‐running rhythms. Similarly, no effects on mPer1 expression outside the tumor were found. These results suggest that mPer1 activity may play a localized role in the interactions between cancer and stromal cells. The effects might be exploited clinically by targeting the circadian clock genes of stromal cells.
Inflammatory disease and cancer with a decrease in Kupffer cell numbers in Nucling‐knockout mice
Authors: Sakai Takashi , Liu Li , Teng Xichuan , Ishimaru Naozumi , Mukai‐Sakai Rika , Tran Nam Hoang , Kim Sun Mi , Sano Nobuya , Hayashi Yoshio , Kaji Ryuji , Fukui Kiyoshi
Published: July 2009

Nucling is a stress‐inducible protein associated with apoptosomes. The cytochrome c‐triggered formation of apoptosomes represents a key‐initiating event in apoptosis. We have recently reported that Nucling regulates the apoptotic pathway by controlling the activation of NF‐κB as well. Here we show that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising spontaneously against a background of hepatitis occurred more frequently in Nucling‐knockout (KO) mice than wild‐type (WT) mice. Biochemical serum testing revealed potential liver dysfunction with hypercholesterolemia in Nucling‐KO males. In the background of Nucling‐KO mice, we observed the up‐regulation of TNFα, spontaneous NF‐κB‐activation and the induction of galectin‐3 expression in liver. In addition, we observed a decrease in the number of Kupffer cells (KCs) in the KO mice. KCs are important for the hepatic immune system, acting as phagocytes or antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). We found that KCs in Nucling‐KO mice were apoptotic possibly through the up‐regulation of TNFα. These observations indicate that Nucling is important for the regulation of NF‐κB signals in liver. We propose that Nucling deficiency could be a powerful tool to reveal the NF‐κB‐related molecular networks leading to hepatitis and HCC development.
In vivo comparison of wear particles between highly crosslinked polyethylene and conventional polyethylene in the same design of total knee arthroplasties
Authors: Iwakiri Kentaro , Minoda Yukihide , Kobayashi Akio , Sugama Ryo , Iwaki Hiroyoshi , Inori Fumiaki , Hashimoto Yusuke , Ohashi Hirotsugu , Ohta Yoichi , Fukunaga Kenji , Takaoka Kunio
Published: July 2009

Reduction of wear with highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXLPE) has been reported in in vitro and in vivo studies of total hip prostheses. However, use of HXLPE in total knee prostheses is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare in vivo polyethylene wear particle generation of HXLPE with that of conventional polyethylene in total knee prostheses of the same design. Synovial fluid was obtained from four knees with HXLPE inserts and three knees with conventional polyethylene inserts at 1 year after operation. Polyethylene particles were isolated and examined using a scanning electron microscope and image analyzer. The total number of particles in each knee was 0.28 ± 0.12 × 106 in HXPLE group (mean ± standard error) and 6.87 ± 2.85 × 106 in conventional polyethylene group (p = 0.040). Particle size (equivalent circle diameter) was 0.64 ± 0.07 μm in HXPLE group and 1.21 ± 0.21 μm in conventional polyethylene group (p = 0.030). Particle shape (aspect ratio) was 1.33 ± 0.10 in HXLPE and 1.88 ± 0.19 in conventional polyethylene (p = 0.035). Thepercentage of particles of submicron size was greater than 90% in HXLPE group and 55% in conventional polyethylene group. Except for the material of the polyethylene insert, the design and material of prostheses were completely the same in both groups. The HXLPE insert generated fewer, smaller, and rounder polyethylene wear particles than the conventional polyethylene insert in the early stage after surgery. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Investigation of viscoelastoplastic response of bone tissue in oral implants press fit process
Authors: Natali Arturo N. , Carniel Emanuele L. , Pavan Piero G.
Published: July 2009

According to the standard surgical protocols, the press fit is obtained inserting an implant in a drilled hole that is provided with a lower diameter. In this way, it is induced a relevant strain state in the peri‐implant bone that favors the primary stability of the implant. Experimental evaluation of this phenomenon is very difficult and does not offer a complete set of information. A numerical analysis is adopted to describe the mechanical phenomena occurring in the peri‐implant tissue. At this purpose, suitable constitutive models are adopted for the bone tissue for the evaluation of plastic and viscous effects caused by the real strain field induced. Specific numerical procedures are developed to model the press fit action of an implant against the surrounding bone tissue and the subsequent viscoelastoplastic effects determined. The results of the numerical analysis make it possible to estimate the deformation caused by the insertion of the implant and the evolutionary trend after insertion by considering the inelastic time‐dependent behavior of bone tissue in peri‐implant region. According to the viscous characteristic of the bone tissue, the numerical analyses show a stress relaxation in the order of 30% around the implant. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Influence of surface treatments on surface roughness, phase transformation, and biaxial flexural strength of Y‐TZP ceramics
Authors: Karakoca Seçil , Yılmaz Handan
Published: July 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface grinding and sandblasting on surface roughness, phase chances, and biaxial flexural strength of yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y‐TZP) materials. Thirty disk specimens of Cercon (C), DentaCAD (DC), Zirkonzahn (ZZ) were fabricated. The specimens were divided into three groups according to surface treatment (control, ground, and sandblasted). Surface roughness was measured, and X‐ray diffraction analysis was performed. Finally, biaxial flexural strength was determined. The data was analyzed by two‐way ANOVA. Weibull statistics was used to analyze the variability of strength. The effects of surface treatments on surface roughness values were different for each material. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that control groups of C and ZZ were composed of tetragonal zirconia. Relative amount of monoclinic zirconia (SD) was 7.366 (0.716)% in the DC control group. In all materials, transformation occurred after treatments. Grinding decreased and sandblasting increased the strength of control groups in all materials. Ground C and DC specimens had higher Weibull modulus than control groups while lower m was found for ground ZZ. Sandblasting, resulted in lower m compared with grinding for all materials although increased strength. The roughness and crystalline phase of Y‐TZP materials were influenced by surface treatments. Biaxial flexural strength of materials decreased after grinding and increased after sandblasting. The low m of sandblasted groups may indicate further weakening of the materials, resulting in unexpected failures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
The effect of loading on μTBS of four all‐in‐one adhesives on bonding to dentin
Authors: Belli Sema , Özçopur Betül , Yeşilyurt Cemal , Bulut Güneş , Ding Xingzhe , Dorsman Greg
Published: July 2009

This in vitro study analyzed the effect of mechanical loading on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to dentin of four all‐in‐one adhesives and compared with a total‐etch adhesive system. The tested adhesives were Danville Experimental (an unfilled single‐component adhesive containing a proprietary organophosphate and hydrophobic monomers; Danville Materials), G Bond (GC), Clearfil S3 Bond (Kuraray), AdheSE One (Vivadent), and Prelude Total‐Etch (Danville Materials). Dentin surfaces were exposed and composite resin (AP‐X, Kuraray) build‐ups were created. The samples were divided into two subgroups and the first subgroups were subjected to mechanical fatigue loading (5 × 104; 50 Nat 0.2 Hz). Testing was performed after 1 week using a “nontrimming” μTBS test at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. The data was calculated as MPa and statistically analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance. Multiple comparisons were done using t‐test. Mechanical loading significantly decreased μTBS of the tested materials (p = 0.000). Prelude Total‐etch showed the highest bond strength values when compared to the tested all‐in‐one adhesives (p < 0.01). G Bond and Clearfil S3 Bond showed significantly higher bond strength values than Danville Experimental and AdheSE One (p < 0.01). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
The presence of periosteum is essential for the healing of large diaphyseal segmental bone defects reconstructed with trabecular metal: A study in the femur of goats
Authors: Bullens Pieter H. J. , Schreuder H. W. Bart , Malefijt Maarten C. de Waal , Verdonschot Nico , Buma Pieter
Published: July 2009

Large segmental diaphyseal bone defects can be reconstructed with massive structural allografts, but this technique is associated with high complication rates. Tantalum tabecular metal implants have been successfully used to restore bone defects associated with revision total knee or hip arthroplasties. The aim of this study was to investigate if tantalum cylinders could be used to reconstruct large load bearing segmental diaphyseal bone defects in the presence or absence of a periosteum coverage. Segmental bone defects were reconstructed with tantalum cylinders with or without preservation of the periosteum and stabilized by an intramedullary nail. Radiological analysis was performed postop and at 26 weeks follow‐up. New bone was labeled with fluorochromes at 13 and 26 weeks follow‐up. Reconstructions were tested mechanically and subsequently investigated histologically. Contra‐lateral femurs were used as controls. Clinically all goats returned to normal functional loading after 2 weeks allowing unlimited weight bearing. Radiologically, all tantalum cylinders with periosteum coverage united with the host bone. Reconstructions with cylinders without periosteum coverage lead to radiological nonunion in five out of six cases. The strengths of the reconstruction with and without periosteum preservation were respectively 102.1% and 24.5% compared to controls. In the periosteum covered implants, bone contact was found at all levels of the tantalum cylinder and more and deeper bone ingrowth was found in this group. Tantalum cylinders seem a safe and reliable alternative for a massive cortical graft to reconstruct large diaphyseal bone defects in a goat model if healthy periosteum is present. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010
AMP‐activated protein kinase enhances the expression of muscle‐specific ubiquitin ligases despite its activation of IGF‐1/Akt signaling in C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Tong Jun F. , Yan Xu , Zhu Mei J. , Du Min
Published: July 2009

Two muscle‐specific ubiquitin ligases (UL), muscle atrophy F box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1), are crucial for myofibrillar protein breakdown. The insulin like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) pathway inhibits muscle UL expression through Akt‐mediated inhibition of FoxO transcription factors, while AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) promotes UL expression. The underlying cellular mechanism, however, remains obscure. In this study, the effect of AMPK and its interaction with IGF‐1 on ubiquitin ligases expression was investigated. C2C12 myotubes were treated with 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mM 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside (AICAR) in the presence or absence of 50 ng/ml IGF‐1. IGF‐1 activated Akt, which enhanced phosphorlytion of FoxO3a at Thr 318/321 and reduced the expression of UL. Intriguingly, though activation of AMPK by 0.3 and 1.0 mM AICAR synergized IGF‐1‐induced Akt activation, the expression of UL was not attenuated, but strengthened by AMPK activation. AICAR treatment decreased FoxO3a phosphorylation at 318/321 in the cytoplasm and induced FoxO3 nuclear relocation. mTOR inhibition increased basal MAFbx expression and reversed the inhibitory effect of IGF‐1 on UL expression. In conclusion, our data show that AMPK activation by AICAR stimulates UL expression despite the activation of Akt signaling, which may be due to the possible antagonistic effect of FoxO phosphorylation by AMPK on phosphorylation by Akt. In addition, AMPK inhibition of mTOR may provide an additional explanation for the enhancement of UL expression by AMPK. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 458–468, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.