bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing stapled haemorrhoidopexy with conventional haemorrhoidectomy
Authors: Shao W-J , Li G-C H , Zhang Z H-K , Yang B-L , Sun G-D , Chen Y-Q
Published: January 2008

Background

This paper compares stapled haemorrhoidopexy with conventional haemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of haemorrhoids.

Methods

An electronic literature search was undertaken to identify primary studies and systematic reviews. Results on efficacy and safety were analysed. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine long-term outcomes.

Results

Twenty-nine randomized clinical trials recruiting 2056 patients were identified. Meta-analysis showed that stapled haemorrhoidopexy was less painful than conventional haemorrhoidectomy. Stapled haemorrhoidopexy required a shorter inpatient stay (weighted mean difference (WMD) − 0·95 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) − 1·32 to − 0·59) days; P < 0·001) and operating time (WMD − 11·42 (95 per cent c.i. − 18·26 to − 4·59) min; P = 0·001). It was also associated with a faster return to normal activities (WMD − 11·75 (95 per cent c.i. − 21·42 to − 2·08) days; P = 0·017). No significant difference was noted between the two techniques in terms of the total incidence of complications. Stapled haemorrhoidopexy was associated with a higher rate of recurrent disease (relative risk 2·29 (95 per cent c.i. 1·57 to 3·33); P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy offers some short-term benefits over conventional operation but the total complication rates are similar for both techniques. Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is associated with a higher rate of recurrent disease.
Monomer Formation and Function of p‐Hydroxybenzoate Hydroxylase in Reverse Micelles and in Dimethylsulfoxide/Water Mixtures
Authors: Kudryashova Elena V. , Visser Antonie J. W. G. , van Berkel Willem J. H.
Published: January 2008

It has previously been postulated that the dimeric form of the flavoprotein p‐hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH) is important for catalysis. Here it is demonstrated that the monomeric form of PHBH is active. In a water/AOT/isooctane reverse micellar system, the function of the monomeric and dimeric forms of PHBH could be observed separately by varying the size of the micelles. A considerable decrease in the KM value for p‐hydroxybenzoate (POHB) was found for monomeric PHBH, accompanied by a 1.5‐fold decrease in enzymatic activity. The same tendency was observed when monomers of PHBH were formed by adding DMSO to the buffer. The FAD in PHBH and PHBH labeled with the fluorescence dye Alexa488 was investigated by time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy to observe monomer formation in water/DMSO mixtures. Monomer formation of PHBH occurred gradually with increasing DMSO content in the mixture. Pure PHBH monomers were detected at DMSO concentrations of 30 % (v/v) and higher.
A guide to characterizing heat release rate measurement uncertainty for full‐scale fire tests
Authors: Bryant Rodney A. , Mulholland George W.
Published: January 2008

Accurate heat release rate measurements provide essential information to defining the fire safety characteristics of products. The size, complexity, and cost of full‐scale fire tests make achieving accurate and quantitative results a serious challenge. A detailed uncertainty analysis of a large‐scale heat release rate measurement facility is presented as a guide to the process of estimating the uncertainty of similar facilities. Quantitative heat release rate measurements of full‐scale fires up to 2.7 MW were conducted using the principle of oxygen consumption calorimetry. Uncertainty estimates were also computed for the heat input measurements from a well‐controlled natural gas burner. The measurements of heat input and heat release rate were performed independently, and the discrepancy between the two was well within the uncertainty limits. The propagation of uncertainty was performed at the level of voltage and temperature measurements, which avoided using mutually dependent measurement parameters. Reasons for the significant contribution to the combined uncertainty from the oxygen concentration and exhaust flow measurements are demonstrated. Also presented is a first‐order effort to account for the uncertainty due to factors in full‐scale fire tests such as operator error and environmental influences that are not modeled by the heat release rate equation. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A better bound for the cop number of general graphs
Authors: Chiniforooshan Ehsan
Published: January 2008

In this note, we prove that the cop number of any n‐vertex graph G, denoted by ${{c}}({{G}})$, is at most ${{O}}\big({{{n}}\over {{\rm lg}} {{n}}}\big)$. Meyniel conjectured ${{c}}({{G}})={{O}}(\sqrt{{{n}}})$. It appears that the best previously known sublinear upper‐bound is due to Frankl, who proved ${{c}}({{G}})\leq ({{1}}+ {{o}}({{1}})){{{n}}{{\rm lg}}{{\rm lg}} {{n}}\over {{\rm lg}} {{n}}}$. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 58: 45–48, 2008
Activated K‐RAS increases polyamine uptake in human colon cancer cells through modulation of caveolar endocytosis
Authors: Roy Upal K. Basu , Rial Nathaniel S. , Kachel Karen L. , Gerner Eugene W.
Published: January 2008

Endocytic pathways have been implicated in polyamine transport in mammalian cells, but specific mechanisms have not been described. We have shown that expression of a dominant negative (DN) form of the GTPase Dynamin, but not Eps15, diminished polyamine uptake in colon cancer cells indicating a caveolar and nonclathrin uptake mode. Polyamines co‐sediment with lipid raft/caveolin‐1 rich fractions, of the plasma membrane in a sucrose density gradient. Knock down of caveolin‐1 significantly increased polyamine uptake. Conversely, ectopic expression of this protein resulted in diminished polyamine uptake. We also found that presence of an activated K‐RAS oncogene significantly increased polyamine uptake by colon cancer cells. This effect is through an increase in caveolin‐1 phosphorylation at tyrosine residue 14. Caveolin‐1 is a negative regulator of caveolar endocytosis and phosphorylation in a K‐RAS dependent manner leads to an increase in caveolar endocytosis. In cells expressing wild type K‐RAS, addition of exogenous uPA was sufficient to stimulate caveolar endocytosis of polyamines. This effect was abrogated by the addition of a SRC kinase inhibitor. These data indicate that polyamine transport follows a dynamin‐dependent and clathrin‐independent endocytic uptake route, and this route is positively regulated by the oncogenic expression of K‐RAS in a caveolin‐1 dependent manner. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Security and privacy for the next wireless generation
Authors: Urien Pascal , Pujolle Guy
Published: January 2008

This paper presents research performed during the last 4 years (2003–2007), in order to design applications (usually referred asEAP smart cards) which enhance security and privacy in emerging WLAN infrastructures. It introduces smart cards ensuring strong authentication in IP networks, according to the extensible authentication protocol (EAP). An open software implementation has been released for Java cards. These devices may be deployed on clients' terminals (such as IEEE 802.1X supplicants) or in RADIUS servers. Experimental results, observed with platforms including win32 computers, Wi‐Fi access points and smart card enabled RADIUS servers, demonstrate that this approach is realistic, even with today's smart cards. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surfactant‐free synthesis of amphiphilic copolymer of poly(styrene‐co‐acrylamide) in aqueous emulsion with the assistance of ultrasound
Authors: Yan Lifeng , Ji Jing , Xie Dinghai , Li Wan , Zhang Guangzhao
Published: January 2008

The hydrophilic monomer acrylamide (AM) and hydrophobic monomer styrene (St) have been directly copolymerized in a surfactant‐free aqueous emulsion with the assistance of powerful ultrasound. Fourier Transform Infrared spectrocopy (FT‐IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed that copolymers of AM and St were obtained. Elemental analysis was used to calculate the composition of the copolymer. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) measurement showed that the molecular weight (Mw) of the copolymer is 1.86 × 105 g/mol and the polydispersity index (PDI( = 2.31. The self‐assembly behavior in different solvents was investigated utilizing laser light scattering (LLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); the copolymer film showed amphiphilicity, as measured by contact angle goniometry. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of new membranes based on sulfonated aromatic copolyimides
Authors: Rabiee Ahmad , Mehdipour‐Ataei Shahram , Banihashemi Ahmad , Yeganeh Hamid
Published: January 2008

New sulfonated aromatic copolyimides with controlled degree of sulfonation were prepared via polycondensation reactions of a sulfonated diamine and two unsulfonated diamines with 1,4,5,8‐naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (NDA). The sulfonated diamine 3,3′‐disulfonic acid‐ bis[4‐(5‐amino‐1‐naphthoxy)phenyl]sulfone (DANPS) was synthesized through nucleophilic substitution reaction of 5‐amino‐1‐naphthol with disodium‐3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichlorodiphenysulfone (SDCDPS) and subsequent acidification. Two unsulfonated diamines 4,4′‐(5‐amino‐1‐naphthoxy)diphenylsulfone (ANDS) and 4,4′‐(4‐aminophenoxy)diphenylsulfone (APDS) were prepared by nucleophilic reaction of 5‐amino‐1‐naphthol and 4‐aminophenol with 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone in the presence of potassium carbonate, respectively. After characterization of the monomers and polymers with common methods, the physical properties of the polymers including thermal behavior and stability, viscosity, molecular weight, and ion exchange capacity (IEC) were studied. The polymers showed high thermal stability and ion exchange capacity which were the basic requirements for application as fuel cell membranes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of fluorescent starch using fluorescein as fluorophore: potential polymeric temperature/pH indicators
Authors: Guan Xiaolin , Su Zhixing
Published: January 2008

A convenient method for attaching fluorescein (via its epoxy derivate) to natural starch and its temperature/pH‐sensitive qualities of fluorescence were investigated. 3‐epoxypropoxy fluorescein (EPF) was first synthesized through the reaction between fluorescein and epichlorohydrin, and starch‐bearing fluorescein (ST‐EPF) was prepared via ring‐opening reaction with EPF in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution, in the presence of NaH as a catalyst. Both of them were characterized by the methods of 1H NMR, MS, IR, XRD, UV–Vis, and luminescence spectra, respectively. The chemiluminescent and photophysical behaviors of the dye fluorescein derivative and the polymer‐containing fluorescein were studied. The results indicated that ST‐EPF could still provide temperature and pH sensitivity similar to that of fluorescein and could achieve better long‐term stability and fast equilibrium response. ST‐EPF had an excellent linear response between relative fluorescence intensity and temperature in the range of 0–60°C and a nonlinear relationship between relative fluorescence intensity and pH in the wide range of 0.0–12.0, and so it has promise as an optical transducer for temperature and pH value determinations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal properties and combustion behaviors of UV‐cured phosphate triacrylate/star poly(urethane acrylate) oligomer blends
Authors: Chen Xilei , Hu Yuan , Song Lei , Xing Weiyi
Published: January 2008

A series of UV‐curable intumescent flame retardant resins was obtained by blending phosphate triacrylate (TAEP) in certain ratios with star poly(urethane acrylate) (SPUA) oligomer. The flammability of the cured films was characterized by limited oxygen index (LOI), UL 94, and the cone calorimeter. The results showed that the cured TAEP/SPUA samples greatly expanded while burning. A distinct synergistic effect was found between TAEP and SPUA. TAEP2 sample showed the highest LOI value (41) among all resins. The cone calorimeter results showed that the peak heat release rates and carbon monoxide yield decreased to the approximate level. The degradation was monitored by thermogravimetric analysis and real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A degradation mechanism is suggested in which the phosphate group in TAEP first degraded to form poly(phosphoric acid)s, which further catalyzed the degradation of the material to form char with emission of carbon dioxide and nitrogen volatiles from SPUA, leading to the formation of expanding char. The morphologic structures of crusts of the formed chars were observed by scanning electron microscopy, demonstrating the synergistic effect between TAEP and SPUA. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of melamine‐formaldehyde polycondensates as the thermal stabilizer of polyoxymethylene through ultrasonic irradiation
Authors: Zhao Xiaowen , Ye Lin , Hu Youliang
Published: January 2008

Melamine (MA), as the formaldehyde (FA) absorbent of polyoxymethylene (POM), was polymerically modified by a condensation reaction with FA to form the melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) polycondensates with high molecular weight and comparatively high processing thermal stability. Ultrasonic irradiation was used for the synthesis, and ultrafine, crosslinked, and thermally stable MF polycondensates were obtained. The synthetic technique was discussed, and the thermal stabilization and nucleation effects of MF on POM were studied by the measurements of isothermal weight loss, balance torque, analysis of the formaldehyde emission amounts (FEAs), multiple extrusions, polarized light microscopy (PLM), isothermal and non‐isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which indicated that the thermal stability and the crystallization performance of POM was greatly enhanced by using MF as a thermal stabilizer and nucleation agent. The MF prepared using ultrasonic irradiation can improve the mechanical properties of POM more effectively compared with that prepared with normal mechanical stirring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and adsorption of novel cellulosic fibers modified by β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Xia Youyi , Wan Junmin
Published: January 2008

Novel cellulosic fibers modified by β‐cyclodextrin (CFEC) were prepared for adsorption for heavy metal ions like copper (II) and organic dye like neutral red from their aqueous solutions. The modified cellulosic fibers gave higher copper ion adsorption, and showed copper ion uptake values of 6.24 mg/g at 293°C, as against no adsorption for unmodified cellulosic fibers. Adsorption isotherm model indicated the adsorption of the novel modified fibers for heavy metal ions best fitted for Langmiur model. The adsorption was an exothermic reaction, and the reaction caloric was 6.295 kJ/mol. Copper ions could form a 7:4 complex with β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The novel modified cellulosic fibers could also form inclusion complexes with neutral red via β‐CD molecules. In addition, it was found that the novel modified cellulosic fibers had nearly the same mechanical and thermal properties as the unmodified cellulosic fibers because the modification did not destroy the main chain of cellulose molecules. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are protein complexes made of cores, modules and attachments?
Authors: Pang Chi Nam Ignatius , Krycer James Robert , Lek Angela , Wilkins Marc Ronald
Published: January 2008

It has recently been proposed by Gavin et al. (Nature 2006, 440, 631–636) that protein complexes in the cell exist in different forms. The proteins within each complex were proposed to exist as three different classes, being core, module or attachment proteins. This study investigates whether the core–module–attachment classification of proteins within each complex is supported by other high‐throughput protein data. Core proteins were found to have lower abundance, and shorter half‐life as compared to attachment proteins, whilst the abundance and half‐life of core and module proteins were similar. When the cell was perturbed, core proteins had smaller changes in abundance as compared to module and attachment proteins. Comparisons between six different pairwise interaction types of core, module and attachment proteins within a complex showed interaction types involving core or module proteins were more likely to be mediated by domain–domain interactions (DDIs) than interaction types involving attachment proteins. Interaction types that involve attachment proteins had a relatively higher ratio of abundance and ratio of half‐life. So we conclude that, the core, module and attachment model of protein complexes is supported by data from these proteomic scale datasets, and describe a model for a typical protein complex that considers the above results.
Modelling the light induced metastable effects in amorphous silicon
Authors: Munyeme G. , Chinyama G. K. , Zeman M. , Schropp R. I. , van der Weg W. F.
Published: January 2008

We present results of computer simulations of the light induced degradation of amorphous silicon solar cells. It is now well established that when amorphous silicon is illuminated the density of dangling bond states increases. Dangling bond states produce amphoteric electronic mid‐gap states which act as efficient charge trapping and recombination centres. The increase in dangling bond states causes a decrease in the performance of amorphous silicon solar cells. To show this effect, a modelling approach has been developed which uses the density of localised states with exponentially increasing band‐tails and dangling bond defect states distribution chosen according to the defect pool model. The calculation of the evolution of dangling bond state density during illumination has been achieved through a dynamic scaling relation derived from a defect creation model. The approach considers the amphoteric nature of the dangling bond state and thus accounts for the contributions of the different charge states of the dangling bond during the degradation process. This paper attempts to describe the simulation approach which calculates the defect density as a function of energy, position in the solar cell and illumination time. In excellent agreement with other workers, our simulation results show that the increase in the density of neutral dangling bond states during illumination is higher than of the charged states. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron transport properties of indium oxide – indium nitride metal‐oxide‐semiconductor heterostructures
Authors: Lebedev V. , Wang Ch. Y. , Hauguth S. , Polyakov V. , Schwierz F. , Cimalla V. , Kups T. , Morales F. M. , Lozano J. G. , González D. , Himmerlich M. , Schaefer J. A. , Krischok S. , Ambacher O.
Published: January 2008

The structural, chemical and electron transport properties of In2O3/InN heterostructures and oxidized InN epilayers are reported. It is shown that the accumulation of electrons at the InN surface can be manipulated by the formation of a thin surface oxide layer. The epitaxial In2O3/InN heterojunctions show an increase in the electron concentration due to the increasing band banding at the heterointerface. The oxidation of InN results in improved transport properties and in a reduction of the sheet carrier concentration of the InN epilayer very likely caused by a passivation of surface donors. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Below bandgap emission with intensity higher than band‐to‐band transition in GaAsN
Authors: Sentosa D. , Xiaohong Tang , Chua S. J. , Yin Zongyou
Published: January 2008

The existence of energy level inside the band gap energy of GaAsN was discussed in this paper. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the GaAsN epilayers grown by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) consists of two distinguished peaks separated by 0.2 eV energy difference. First peak belongs to the energy band gap transition emission, while the second peak resides at longer wavelength with intensity more than ten times stronger than that of the band‐to‐band emission. The activation energy of this second emission peak is found to be 113 meV. The peak shows a characterization of a defect in the epilayer where its PL intensity decreases when the GaAsN epilayer was exposed to rapid thermal annealing (RTA). This type of defect related emission is the first reported in as‐grown GaAsN epilayer. This defect emission peak can be overcome with optimization of V/III ratio during the MOCVD growth combined with post‐growth RTA annealing. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Contactless electroreflectance spectroscopy of inter‐ and intersub‐band transitions in AlInN/GaInN quantum wells
Authors: Kudrawiec R. , Motyka M. , Cywin’︁ski G. , Siekacz M. , Skierbiszewski C. , Nevou L. , Doyennette L. , Tchernycheva M. , Julien F. H. , Misiewicz J.
Published: January 2008

Contactless electroreflectance (CER) spectroscopy has been applied to study inter‐ and intesub‐band transitions in AlInN/GaInN multi quantum wells (MQWs). Due to strong built‐in electric field, which is typical of III‐nitrides, interband transitions between all QW subbands have been clearly observed. The energy difference between electron subbands has been found analyzing the 1H1C and 1H2C transitions (or 2H1C and 2H2C transitions), where k Hl C denotes a transition between the k th valence and the l th conduction subbands. In addition, an intersubband transition between the first and the second electron subbands has been observed in CER spectrum at 0.8 eV. It has been observed that the energy difference between electron subbands, which is extracted from interband transitions, is consistent with this one which is obtained from direct measurements of intersubband transitions by CER and photo induced absorption. It shows that CER is very promising technique to study both the inter‐ and intersub‐band transitions in Al(In)N/Ga(In)N QWs. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cyanoethylation of Tamarind Kernel Powder
Authors: Goyal Puja , Kumar Vineet , Sharma Pradeep
Published: January 2008

Tamarind Kernel Powder (TKP) is derived from the seeds of Tamarindus indica Linn., a common tree of India and South East Asia with high economic importance. TKP is used in cotton sizing, as a wet‐end additive in the paper industry as well as a thickening, stabilizing and gelling agent in the food industry. Cyanoethylation of TKP was carried out with acrylonitrile (AN) in presence of sodium hydroxide under different reaction conditions. Variables studied were concentration of sodium hydroxide and AN, gum‐liquor ratio as well as reaction temperature and time. The degree of substitution (DS), reaction efficiency (RE) and total extent of etherification were determined. The optimum conditions for preparing cyanoethyl‐TKP (DS 0.49) comprised 0.088 mol (1.3 equiv./OH group) of sodium hydroxide, and 0.050 mol (0.7 equiv./OH group) of AN at 30°C for 45 min using 0.026 mol TKP (0.07 mol OH groups) in 100 mL water. Rheological studies of cyanoethyl‐TKP solution exhibited non‐Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior, relatively high viscosity, cold‐water solubility, solution stability and clarity as compared with unmodified TKP.
An SEC−MALLS Study of Molecular Features of Water‐soluble Amylopectin and Amylose of Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] Starches
Authors: Bultosa Geremew , Hamaker Bruce R. , BeMiller James N.
Published: January 2008

The molecular features of five tef starches along with those of commercial normal maize starch were investigated by size‐exclusion chromatography with multi‐angle laser light scattering‐differential refractive index detection (SEC/MALLS‐DRI) after solubilization in water by cooking in a household pressure cooker. The weight‐average molar mass ($\displaystyle \bar M_w $) and weight‐average root‐mean square radius of gyration (w) of the amylopectin (AP) of tef starches ranged from 10.1×107 g/mol (156 nm) to 16.5×107 g/mol (205 nm) with a mean of 13.9×107 g/mol (186 nm). The AP $\displaystyle \bar M_w $ of the tef starches was considerably smaller than that of maize starch ($\displaystyle \bar M_w $ = 19.6×107 g/mol, w = 207 nm). These considerably smaller AP molecules in tef starches were most probably responsible for the low paste viscosity of tef starches as compared to maize starch. In most tef starches, the polydispersity index (PI) of the AP was broader than that of the AP of maize starch. The intermediate fraction (IN) $\displaystyle \bar M_w$ 1.0−1.6, mean = 1.1) of most tef starches were similar to those of the IN of maize starch. The amylose (AM) $\displaystyle \bar M_w $ (range 1.5×106−3.0×106 g/mol, mean = 2.2×106 g/mol) and size (range 176−214 nm, mean = 191 nm) of most tef starches was also apparently similar to that of the maize starch ($\displaystyle \bar M_w $ = 2.3×106 g/mol, w = 193 nm), but the polymer distribution was narrower. The AM−iodine complex of the tef starches had a λmax range of 611−679 nm and the absorption shifted toward longer wavelengths by 8−14 nm as compared to the maize starch AM−iodine complex. The blue value (absorption at λmax) for 1 mg/mL of tef AM had a range of 2.3−2.8 (mean = 2.5), whereas for the maize starch, the mean was 2.2. The branched nature of tef starches was also investigated by debranching with isoamylase and determination of chain lengths (DPn) of the branches by size exclusion chromatography with refractive index detector (SEC‐RI). The AP in tef starches had a polymodal distribution with a periodicity similar to that of cereal starches. The branches had DPn values of A = 11, B1 = 16, B2 = 46 (range 46−47), B3 = 70 (range 69−72) and B4 = 118 (range 113−123). The outer (A + B1) chains were shorter than those of maize starch AP with abundance (74%, w/w) only slightly less than that of the maize starch (75%, w/w). The slow rate of retrogradation, the slightly lower percent crystallinity, the lower gelatinization temperatures and the lower gelatinization enthalpy observed for tef starches (as compared to maize starch) are probably related to the shorter outer (A + B1) chain lengths of their amylopectin molecules, and may be the foundation of the comparably good keeping quality of tef injera, the main staple in the Ethiopian diet.
Within‐season adjustment of sex expression in females and hermaphrodites of the clonal gynodioecious herb Glechoma longituba (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Wen , Yang Chun‐Feng , Gituru Wahiti Robert , Guo You‐Hao
Published: January 2008

The within‐season modification or adjustment of sex expression was studied in the gynodioecious herb Glechoma longituba. The results from seven natural populations indicated that the seed sets of hermaphrodite ramets were relatively stable compared to those of female ramets. However, a negative correlation was detected between the seed set of female ramets and their frequency of occurrence in a population. Moreover, a negative correlation was also detected between the degree of gender modification in the late flowering period and the seed set in female ramets. Controlled experiments on both wild and cultivated plants indicated that the resource adjustment, presumably caused by flower removal or the hand pollination of flowers, in the early‐middle flowering season could induce a greater degree of gender modification in later flowers from female to hermaphrodite and vice versa. However, the ranges of degree of gender modification were different between the two sex morphs, and the variation in females was greater than in hermaphrodites. This phenomenon could not be adequately explained based on the sequential adjustment of investment hypothesis which has been invoked in previous studies. We propose that the results of this study may provide a variation to the model of sequential adjustment of investment in serial flowering annual gynodioecious plants, including Glechoma longituba. We postulate that the variation of sex expression might be beneficial for the female in order to avoid pollen limitation and, further, to obtain a selective advantage.
Proteomic Analysis of Two Non-Bronchoscopic Methods of Sampling the Lungs of Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Authors: Chang Dong W. , Colucci Giuseppe , Vaisar Tomas , King Trevor , Hayashi Shinichi , Matute-Bello Gustavo , Bumgarner Roger , Heinecke Jay , Martin Thomas R. , Domenighetti Guido M.
Published: January 2008

Objective

The collection of lung fluid using a suction catheter (s-Cath) and non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (mini-BAL) are two minimally invasive methods of sampling the distal airspaces in patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The objective of this study was to determine the similarity of the lung fluid samples recovered by these methods using proteomic analysis.

Methods

Distal lung fluid samples were collected from seven mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS using both s-Cath and mini-BAL in each patient and compared using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Protein spots of interest were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Main Results

An average of 2,164 spots was detected in the s-Cath and mini-BAL samples. Of these, 68.4% of the protein spots were similar between the s-Cath and mini-BAL samples, 13.2% were increased in s-Cath compared to mini-BAL, and 18.4% were decreased in s-Cath compared to mini-BAL. For each of the seven subjects, overabundance analysis showed that the actual number of differentially expressed spots in the mini-BAL and s-Cath sample was more than the expected number if the samples were identical. There were nine proteins that were consistently differentially expressed between the mini-BAL and s-Cath samples. Of these nine proteins, five are abundantly found in neutrophils or airway epithelial cells, suggesting that the s-Cath may sample the bronchial airways to a greater extent than mini-BAL.

Conclusion

Proteomic analysis of mini-BAL and s-Cath samples shows for the first time that, although these two methods for sampling the lungs of critically ill patients are generally similar, the s-Cath method oversamples the distal airways compared to the mini-BAL method.
Examining the influences of gender, race, ethnicity, and social capital on the subjective health of adolescents
Authors: Almgren Gunnar , Magarati Maya , Mogford Liz
Published: January 2008

We investigate the factors that influence adolescent self‐assessed health, based upon surveys conducted between 2000 and 2004 of high‐school seniors in Washington State (N=6853). A large proportion of the sample (30%) was first and second generation immigrants from Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Findings include a robust negative effect of female gender on self‐reported health that is largely unmodified by demographic, developmental, social capital, and parental support variables, gender differences in the covariates of self‐reported health, and the tendency of male adolescents of Cambodian and Vietnamese origin to report lower levels of self‐reported health despite controls for other health‐related individual characteristics. Social capital dimensions such as positive school affiliation, social network cohesion, and a safe learning environment were found to covary with the self‐reported health of adolescent females.
The PPARγ ligand rosiglitazone influences triacylglycerol metabolism in non-obese males, without increasing the transcriptional activity of PPARγ in the subcutaneous adipose tissue
Authors: Joosen Annemiek M. C. P. , Bakker Arjen H. F. , Kersten Sander , Westerterp Klaas R.
Published: January 2008

PPARγ is obligatory for fat mass generation and is thought to determine the amount of TAG stored per fat cell. We investigated whether ligand availability for PPARγ is rate limiting in fat mass generation and substrate metabolism. Twenty healthy men (20–29 years) were randomly assigned to receive the PPARγ ligand rosiglitazone (RSG) (8 mg/d) (n 10) or a placebo (n 10) during a stay of 7 d in a respiration chamber. Food intake was ad libitum, resulting in positive energy balances of 32·2 MJ (placebo) and 44·7 MJ (RSG). Fat cell size and expression of PPARγ, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), adipsin, adiponectin and fasting-induced adipose factor (FIAF) were determined in subcutaneous abdominal fat biopsies. The total amount of fat stored and the amount of TAG per fat cell were not different between groups. For the entire group, fat cell size was decreased after overeating (P = 0·02). FIAF mRNA levels were decreased after overeating in the RSG group (P = 0·01), with a trend towards a decrease in the placebo group. Unexpectedly, RSG treatment did not influence the expression levels of PPARγ and of the PPARγ responsive genes aP2, adiponectin and adipsin. In addition, RSG resulted in a larger increase in plasma TAG during overeating than placebo treatment. These results suggest that in healthy, non-obese males the PPARγ ligand RSG influences TAG metabolism, independent of its PPARγ transcriptional activity in the subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Vagus nerve stimulation for depression: efficacy and safety in a European study
Authors: Schlaepfer T. E. , Frick C. , Zobel A. , Maier W. , Heuser I. , Bajbouj M. , O'Keane V. , Corcoran C. , Adolfsson R. , Trimble M. , Rau H. , Hoff H.-J. , Padberg F. , Müller-Siecheneder F. , Audenaert K. , Van den Abbeele D. , Matthews K. , Christmas D. , Stanga Z. , Hasdemir M.
Published: January 2008

Background

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is associated with a decrease in seizure frequency in partial-onset seizure patients. Initial trials suggest that it may be an effective treatment, with few side-effects, for intractable depression.

Method

An open, uncontrolled European multi-centre study (D03) of VNS therapy was conducted, in addition to stable pharmacotherapy, in 74 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Treatment remained unchanged for the first 3 months; in the subsequent 9 months, medications and VNS dosing parameters were altered as indicated clinically.

Results

The baseline 28-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-28) score averaged 34. After 3 months of VNS, response rates (⩾50% reduction in baseline scores) reached 37% and remission rates (HAMD-28 score <10) 17%. Response rates increased to 53% after 1 year of VNS, and remission rates reached 33%. Response was defined as sustained if no relapse occurred during the first year of VNS after response onset; 44% of patients met these criteria. Median time to response was 9 months. Most frequent side-effects were voice alteration (63% at 3 months of stimulation) and coughing (23%).

Conclusions

VNS therapy was effective in reducing severity of depression; efficacy increased over time. Efficacy ratings were in the same range as those previously reported from a USA study using a similar protocol; at 12 months, reduction of symptom severity was significantly higher in the European sample. This might be explained by a small but significant difference in the baseline HAMD-28 score and the lower number of treatments in the current episode in the European study.
Attentional bias to incentive stimuli in frequent ketamine users
Authors: Morgan C. J. A. , Rees H. , Curran H. V.
Published: January 2008

Background

The attention-grabbing properties of drugs to drug-using individuals have been well documented and recent research has begun to suggest that such attentional bias may be related to the severity of drug dependency. Dependence on ketamine has been reported anecdotally but no systematic study has investigated this phenomenon. We aimed to explore attentional biases to incentive stimuli in different populations of ketamine users.

Method

Using a dot-probe paradigm, attentional bias to both drug-related and money-related stimuli was investigated in 150 participants: 30 frequent ketamine users, 30 infrequent ketamine users, 30 ex-ketamine users, 30 poly-drug users and 30 non-drug-using controls. Two stimulus presentation times were used (200 and 2000 ms) to investigate whether attentional bias was as a result of an automatic or a more conscious attentional shift. Participants also rated the degree to which stimuli used in the dot-probe paradigm were pleasurable.

Results

Frequent ketamine users demonstrated an attentional bias to both types of incentive stimuli only at the short stimulus presentation interval and this was significantly correlated with degree of ketamine use. No attentional biases were observed in any of the other groups. All groups rated money stimuli as more pleasurable than neutral stimuli.

Conclusions

These data support incentive models of drug use and demonstrate the ability of the attentional bias paradigm to discriminate recreational drug users from those with more dependent patterns of use. Ketamine is a potentially dependence-forming drug.
The phenomenology and diagnosis of psychiatric illness in people with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Soni S. , Whittington J. , Holland A. J. , Webb T. , Maina E. N. , Boer H. , Clarke D.
Published: January 2008

Background

Psychotic illness is strongly associated with the maternal uniparental disomy (mUPD) genetic subtype of Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS), but not the deletion subtype (delPWS). This study investigates the clinical features of psychiatric illness associated with PWS. We consider possible genetic and other mechanisms that may be responsible for the development of psychotic illness, predominantly in those with mUPD.

Method

The study sample comprised 119 individuals with genetically confirmed PWS, of whom 46 had a history of psychiatric illness. A detailed clinical and family psychiatric history was obtained from these 46 using the PAS-ADD, OPCRIT, Family History and Life Events Questionnaires.

Results

Individuals with mUPD had a higher rate of psychiatric illness than those with delPWS (22/34 v. 24/85, p<0.001). The profile of psychiatric illness in both genetic subtypes resembled an atypical affective disorder with or without psychotic symptoms. Those with delPWS were more likely to have developed a non-psychotic depressive illness (p=0.005) and those with mUPD a bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms (p=0.00005). Individuals with delPWS and psychotic illness had an increased family history of affective disorder. This was confined exclusively to their mothers.

Conclusions

Psychiatric illness in PWS is predominately affective with atypical features. The prevalence and possibly the severity of illness are greater in those with mUPD. We present a ‘two-hit’ hypothesis, involving imprinted genes on chromosome 15, for the development of affective psychosis in people with PWS, regardless of genetic subtype.
Editorial: Wherein the articles of this issue and some new developments for TRI are introduced
Authors: ROKEM FREDDIE
Published: January 2008

In the summer of 2007 the annual conference of the International Federation of Theatre Research (IFTR/FIRT) met for the first time in Africa. Hosted by Stellenbosch University in South Africa, it was probably the first international theatre conference of its kind on the continent, enabling scholars and practitioners from all over the world as well as from many African countries to present their work on the conference theme: ‘Theatre in Africa – Africa in the Theatre’. This issue of TRI opens with two articles which reflect the deep interest among non-African scholars in the latest developments on African stages as well as the challenge of depicting its complex state of affairs from within. Both contributions examine strategies of subversion mobilized by theatre to create continuity and identity through different readings of the historical past.
Literary Theatre after the Generals: A Personal Itinerary
Authors: OSOFISAN FEMI
Published: January 2008

Let me explain right from the outset that I have chosen the term ‘after the generals’ only as a convenient shorthand. In fact what I mean is something like ‘after the notorious dictatorships of the later half of the last century in Africa south of the Sahara’. Some of these, as you know, were military regimes, like those of Eyadema, Bokassa, Mobutu or Abacha (graphically satirized in Soyinka's A Play of Giants), but quite a number were also civilian governments, such as Arap Moi's Kenya or Boigny's Ivory Coast, always depending, of course, on how you choose to classify them.
From the Greek Stage to the Martinican Shores: A Caribbean Antigone
Authors: BÉRARD STÉPHANIE
Published: January 2008

In his first play, Une Manière d'Antigone (1975), Patrick Chamoiseau brings together Greek mythology and the history of Martinique. This article compares this version with the Sophoclean version, considering the transformations made by the Martinican playwright in terms of time and space, plot, characters and language so as to determine how different or similar the Caribbean Antigone is from her Greek sister. By adapting a famous Greek myth on the Antillean stage, Chamoiseau realizes a literary transposition while reaffirming his strong political opposition towards France. This play inscribes itself in the vast movement of subversion and contestation of the classic literary tradition by postcolonial writers who create their own literature based on the adaptation of Western classics. Chamoiseau's rewriting of the Antigone myth allows for a reappropriation and a revalorization of a forgotten history. Additionally, it presents an assertion of resistance and a plea for emancipation from both literary and political domination.
Intercultural Theatre? A Streetcar Named Desire on the Turkish Stage
Authors: ÖZBIRINCI PÜRNUR UÇAR
Published: January 2008

The controversial theory of intercultural performance covers a wide range of theatrical practices, which intend to adapt subject matter and situations from one culture to another. This intention mainly involves a transportation and translation of elements and perspectives across cultures. The translator, the audience or reader, and the director fill in the gaps that are formed during this transportation and translation with their own interpretations, in accordance with the culture they inhabit. However, intercultural performance requires conscious attempts to merge two different cultures. Such attempts should not be done solely for the ‘target’ culture's audience but should also regard the perceptions of the ‘source’ culture as much as possible. In light of this, Turkish State Theatre's director Ferdi Merter's production of A Streetcar Named Desire is analysed in order to locate the distinct changes the Turkish interpretation of the play has incorporated.
Climatic, temporal, and geographic characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus disease in a tropical island population
Authors: OMER S. B. , SUTANTO A. , SARWO H. , LINEHAN M. , DJELANTIK I. G. G. , MERCER D. , MONIAGA V. , MOULTON L. H. , WIDJAYA A. , MULJATI P. , GESSNER B. D. , STEINHOFF M. C.
Published: January 2008

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of morbidity in children worldwide, although data from equatorial regions are limited. We analysed climatic, spatial, and temporal data for children presenting to hospitals in Lombok island, Indonesia with clinical pneumonia. During the study period, 2878 children presented and 741 RSV cases were identified. In multivariate analysis with an 8-day lag, occurrence of rain was associated with 64% higher incidence of RSV disease [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1·64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·13–2·38]. A 1% rise in mean relative humidity and 1°C increase in mean air temperature was associated with a 6% (IRR 1·06, 95% CI 1·03–1·10) and 44% (IRR 1·44, 95% CI 1·24–1·66) increase in RSV cases, respectively. Four statistically significant local clusters of RSV pneumonia were identified within the annual island-wide epidemics. This study demonstrates statistical association of monsoon-associated weather in equatorial Indonesia with RSV. Moreover, within the island-wide epidemics, localized RSV outbreaks suggest local factors influence RSV disease.
Effect of climatological factors on respiratory syncytial virus epidemics
Authors: NOYOLA D. E. , MANDEVILLE P. B.
Published: January 2008

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) presents as yearly epidemics in temperate climates. We analysed the association of atmospheric conditions to RSV epidemics in San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico. The weekly number of RSV detections between October 2002 and May 2006 were correlated to ambient temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, vapour tension, dew point, precipitation, and hours of light using time-series and regression analyses. Of the variation in RSV cases, 49·8% was explained by the study variables. Of the explained variation in RSV cases, 32·5% was explained by the study week and 17·3% was explained by meteorological variables (average daily temperature, maximum daily temperature, temperature at 08:00 hours, and relative humidity at 08:00 hours). We concluded that atmospheric conditions, particularly temperature, partly explain the year to year variability in RSV activity. Identification of additional factors that affect RSV seasonality may help develop a model to predict the onset of RSV epidemics.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosiscausing a large outbreak associated with carrots in Finland, 2006
Authors: RIMHANEN-FINNE R. , NISKANEN T. , HALLANVUO S. , MAKARY P. , HAUKKA K. , PAJUNEN S. , SIITONEN A. , RISTOLAINEN R. , PÖYRY H. , OLLGREN J. , KUUSI M.
Published: January 2008

A large outbreak ofYersinia pseudotuberculosisO:1 infection affected over 400 children from 23 schools and 5 day-care centres in two municipalities in southern Finland in August–September, 2006. A retrospective cohort study conducted in a large school centre showed that the outbreak was strongly associated with the consumption of grated carrots served at a school lunch. The risk of illness increased with the amount of carrots eaten. Poor quality carrots grown the previous year had been delivered to the school kitchens in the two municipalities affected. In the patients' samples and in the environmental samples collected from the carrot distributor's storage facility, identical serotypes and genotypes ofY. pseudotuberculosiswere found, but the original source and the mechanism of the contamination of the carrots remained unclear. Outbreaks ofY. pseudotuberculosislinked to fresh produce have been detected repeatedly in Finland. To prevent future outbreaks, instructions in improved hygiene practices on the handling of raw carrots have been issued to farmers, vegetable-processing plants and institutional kitchens.
Invertebrates from the Low Head Member (Polonez Cove Formation, Oligocene) at Vauréal Peak, King George Island, West Antarctica
Authors: Quaglio Fernanda , Anelli Luiz E. , dos Santos Paulo R. , Perinotto José A. de J. , Rocha-Campos Antonio C.
Published: January 2008

Eight taxa of marine invertebrates, including two new bivalve species, are described from the Low Head Member of the Polonez Cove Formation (latest early Oligocene) cropping out in the Vauréal Peak area, King George Island, West Antarctica. The fossil assemblage includes representatives of Brachiopoda (generaNeothyrissp. andLiothyrellasp.), Bivalvia (Adamussium auristriatumsp. nov., ?Adamussiumcf.A. alanbeuiJonkers, andLimatula(Antarctolima)ferrazianasp. nov.), Bryozoa, Polychaeta (serpulid tubes) and Echinodermata. Specimens occur in debris flows deposits of the Low Head Member, as part of a fan delta setting in a high energy, shallow marine environment.Liothyrellasp.,Adamussium auristriatumsp. nov. andLimatula ferrazianasp. nov. are among the oldest records for these genera in King George Island. In spite of their restrict number and diversification, bivalves and brachiopods from this study display an overall dispersal pattern that roughly fits in the clockwise circulation of marine currents around Antarctica accomplished in two steps. The first followed the opening of the Tasmanian Gateway at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary, along the eastern margin of Antarctica, and the second took place in post-Palaeogene time, following the Drake Passage opening between Antarctic Peninsula and South America, along the western margin of Antarctica.