bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macrophage presence is essential for the regeneration of ascending afferent fibres following a conditioning sciatic nerve lesion in adult rats
Authors: Aguilar Salegio Ernesto A , Pollard Anthony N , Smith Malcolm , Zhou Xin-Fu
Published: January 2011

Background

Injury to the peripheral branch of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons prior to injury to the central nervous system (CNS) DRG branch results in the regeneration of the central branch. The exact mechanism mediating this regenerative trigger is not fully understood. It has been proposed that following peripheral injury, the intraganglionic inflammatory response by macrophage cells plays an important role in the pre-conditioning of injured CNS neurons to regenerate. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of macrophage cells is crucial for this type of regeneration to occur. We used a clodronate liposome technique to selectively and temporarily deplete these cells during the conditioning phase of DRG neurons.

Results

Retrograde and anterograde tracing results indicated that in macrophage-depleted animals, the regenerative trigger characteristic of pre-conditioned DRG neurons was abolished as compared to injury matched-control animals. In addition, depletion of macrophage cells led to: (i) a reduction in macrophage infiltration into the CNS compartment even after cellular repopulation, (ii) astrocyte up-regulation at rostral regions and down-regulation in brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration in the serum.

Conclusion

Activation of macrophage cells in response to the peripheral nerve injury is essential for the enhanced regeneration of ascending sensory neurons.
Apoptosis-related deregulation of proteolytic activities and high serum levels of circulating nucleosomes and DNA in blood correlate with breast cancer progression
Authors: Roth Carina , Pantel Klaus , Müller Volkmar , Rack Brigitte , Kasimir-Bauer Sabine , Janni Wolfgang , Schwarzenbach Heidi
Published: January 2011

Background

As cell-free circulating DNA exists predominantly as mono- and oligonucleosomes, the focus of the current study was to examine the interplay of circulating nucleosomes, DNA, proteases and caspases in blood of patients with benign and malignant breast diseases.

Methods

The concentrations of cell-free DNA and nucleosomes as well as the protease and caspase activities were measured in serum of patients with benign breast disease (n = 20), primary breast cancer (M0, n = 31), metastatic breast cancer (M1, n = 32), and healthy individuals (n = 28) by PicoGreen, Cell Death Detection ELISA, Protease Fluorescent Detection Kit and Caspase-Glo®3/7 Assay, respectively.

Results

Patients with benign and malignant tumors had significantly higher levels of circulating nucleic acids in their blood than healthy individuals (p = 0.001, p = 0.0001), whereas these levels could not discriminate between benign and malignant lesions. Our analyses of all serum samples revealed significant correlations of circulating nucleosome with DNA concentrations (p = 0.001), nucleosome concentrations with caspase activities (p = 0.008), and caspase with protease activities (p = 0.0001). High serum levels of protease and caspase activities associated with advanced tumor stages (p = 0.009). Patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer had significantly higher nucleosome levels in their blood than node-negative patients (p = 0.004). The presence of distant metastases associated with a significant increase in serum nucleosome (p = 0.01) and DNA levels (p = 0.04), and protease activities (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that high circulating nucleic acid concentrations in blood are no indicators of a malignant breast tumor. However, the observed changes in apoptosis-related deregulation of proteolytic activities along with the elevated serum levels of nucleosomes and DNA in blood are linked to breast cancer progression.
Dietary energy density and adiposity: Employing bias adjustments in a meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Wilks Désirée C , Mander Adrian P , Jebb Susan A , Thompson Simon G , Sharp Stephen J , Turner Rebecca M , Lindroos Anna Karin
Published: January 2011

Background

Dietary studies differ in design and quality making it difficult to compare results. This study quantifies the prospective association between dietary energy density (DED) and adiposity in children using a meta-analysis method that adjusts for differences in design and quality through eliciting and incorporating expert opinion on the biases and their uncertainty.

Method

Six prospective studies identified by a previous systematic literature search were included. Differences in study quality and design were considered respectively as internal and external biases and captured in bias checklists. Study results were converted to correlation coefficients; biases were considered either additive or proportional on this scale. The extent and uncertainty of the internal and external biases in each study were elicited in a formal process by five quantitatively-trained assessors and five subject-matter specialists. Biases for each study were combined across assessors using median pooling and results combined across studies by random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

The unadjusted combined correlation between DED and adiposity change was 0.06 (95%CI 0.01, 0.11; p = 0.013), but with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 52%). After bias-adjustment the pooled correlation was 0.17 (95%CI - 0.11, 0.45; p = 0.24), and the studies were apparently compatible (I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

This method allowed quantitative synthesis of the prospective association between DED and adiposity change in children, which is important for the development of evidence-informed policy. Bias adjustment increased the magnitude of the positive association but the widening confidence interval reflects the uncertainty of the assessed biases and implies that higher quality studies are required.
Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using calcium hydroxyl apatite in dogs
Authors: Bakhtiari Jalal , Kajbafzadeh Abdol Mohammad , Marjani Mahdi , Veshkini Abbas , Tavakoli Azin , Gharagozlou Mohammad Javad , Niasari-Naslaji Amir
Published: January 2011

Background

Injection of biomaterial to suburetral region, using minimally invasive procedure, has become an interesting topic for urologists to treat vesicoureteral reflux. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of injecting newly introduced calcium hydroxyl apatite to suburetral region, for treating an experimentally induced vesicoureteral reflux in dogs.

Findings

Bilateral vesicoureteral refluxed (VUR) mixed breed dogs (n = 12; 10-15 kg live weight, 3-6 months of age) were selected for this study. The presence and grade of the reflux were determined using cystography. Accordingly, 6 dogs displayed grade 1 & 2 and the other 6 showed grade 3 & 4 bilateral VUR. Every single dog, with bilateral VUR, underwent endoscopic treatment and received an injection of calcium hydroxyl apatite (an Iranian made product) into the left (treated side) and an injection of the similar volume of normal saline in to the right (control side) subureteric space. One week, 3 and 6 months after treatment, cystography was performed. On each occasion, 4 dogs were euthanized by gas inhalation and biopsy samples were collected for histopathological study from ureter, bladder, kidney, lung and spleen in order to investigate the biomaterial migration into different organs. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test. In control sides, radiographs confirmed the same grade of VUR, found at the initiation of the study. VUR was resolved in 100% (6/6) of Grade 1 & 2 and 83.33% (5/6) of Grade 3 & 4 in treated side. Therefore, the total success rate of this study was 91.67% (11/12). Macroscopic examination of the vesicouretral region of the treated side revealed a firm and consistent biomaterial mass at the site of injection. Histological findings confirmed inflammation at treated side. In contrast, there was no tissue reaction on control side. There was no evidence for biomaterial migration in macroscopic and microscopic observations in this study.

Conclusion

In the present study, a new biocompatible material produced a firm, consist and sustainable biomaterial mass in the suburetral region for treating vesicouretral reflux without any evidence of biomaterial migration.
Molecular mechanism of the schedule-dependent synergistic interaction in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer cell lines treated with paclitaxel and gefitinib
Authors: Cheng Hua , An She-Juan , Dong Song , Zhang Yi-Fang , Zhang Xu-Chao , Chen Zhi-Hong , Jian-Su  , Wu Yi-Long
Published: January 2011

Background

Chemotherapy combined concurrently with TKIs produced a negative interaction and failed to improve survival when compared with chemotherapy or TKIs alone in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study investigated the sequence-dependent interaction between paclitaxel and gefitinib and clarified the underlying mechanism.

Methods

The effects on cell proliferation, EGFR signaling pathway, and TGFα expression were evaluated in a panel of human NSCLC cell lines harboring EGFR mutations with three different combination sequences: sequential treatment with paclitaxel followed by gefitinib (T→G), sequential treatment with gefitinib followed by paclitaxel (G→T), or concomitant treatment (T + G).

Results

The sequence-dependent anti-proliferative effects differed between EGFR-TKI-sensitive and -resistant cell lines carryingEGFRmutations. A synergistic anti-proliferative activity was obtained with paclitaxel treatment followed by gefitinib in all cell lines, with mean CI values of 0.63 in Hcc827, 0.54 in PC-9, 0.81 in PC-9/GR, and 0.77 in H1650 cells for the T→G sequence. The mean CI values for the G→T sequence were 1.29 in Hcc827, 1.16 in PC-9, 1.52 in PC-9/GR, and 1.5 in H1650 cells. The mean CI values for T+G concomitant treatment were 0.88 in Hcc827, 0.91 in PC-9, 1.05 in PC-9/GR, and 1.18 in H1650 cells. Paclitaxel produced a dose-dependent increase in EGFR phosphorylation. Paclitaxel significantly increased EGFR phosphorylation compared with that in untreated controls (mean differences: +50% in Hcc827, + 56% in PC-9, + 39% in PC-9/GR, and + 69% in H1650 cells;p< 0.05). The T→G sequence produced significantly greater inhibition of EGFR phosphorylation compared with the opposite sequence (mean differences: -58% in Hcc827, -38% in PC-9, -35% in PC-9/GR, and -30% in H1650 cells;p< 0.05). Addition of a neutralizing anti-TGFα antibody abolished paclitaxel-induced activation of the EGFR pathway in PC-9 and H1650 cells. Sequence-dependent TGFα expression and release are responsible for the sequence-dependent EGFR pathway modulation.

Conclusion

The data suggest that the sequence of paclitaxel followed by gefitinib is an appropriate treatment combination for NSCLC cell lines harboring EGFR mutations. Our results provide molecular evidence to support clinical treatment strategies for patients with lung cancer.
Enhanced RAD21 cohesin expression confers poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy in high grade luminal, basal and HER2 breast cancers
Authors: Xu Huiling , Yan Max , Patra Jennifer , Natrajan Rachael , Yan Yuqian , Swagemakers Sigrid , Tomaszewski Jonathan M , Verschoor Sandra , Millar Ewan KA , van der Spek Peter , Reis-Filho Jorge S , Ramsay Robert G , O'Toole Sandra A , McNeil Catriona M , Sutherland Robert L , McKay Michael J , Fox Stephen B
Published: January 2011

Introduction

RAD21 is a component of the cohesin complex, which is essential for chromosome segregation and error-free DNA repair. We assessed its prognostic and predictive power in a cohort of in situ and invasive breast cancers, and its effect on chemosensitivity in vitro.

Methods

RAD21 immunohistochemistry was performed on 345 invasive and 60 pure in situ carcinomas. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed on a further 48 grade 3 invasive cancers. Chemosensitivity was assessed in breast cancer cell lines with an engineered spectrum of RAD21 expression.

Results

RAD21 expression correlated with early relapse in all patients (hazard ratio (HR) 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 2.86, P = 0.029). This was due to the effect of grade 3 tumors (but not grade 1 or 2) in which RAD21 expression correlated with early relapse in luminal (P = 0.040), basal (P = 0.018) and HER2 (P = 0.039) groups. In patients treated with chemotherapy, RAD21 expression was associated with shorter overall survival (P = 0.020). RAD21 mRNA expression correlated with DNA copy number, with amplification present in 32% (7/22) of luminal, 31% (4/13) of basal and 22% (2/9) of HER2 grade 3 cancers. Variations in RAD21 mRNA expression in the clinical samples were reflected in the gene expression data from 36 breast cancer cell lines. Knockdown of RAD21 in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line significantly enhanced sensitivity to cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil and etoposide. The findings for the former two drugs recapitulated the clinical findings.

Conclusions

RAD21 expression confers poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy in high grade luminal, basal and HER2 breast cancers. RAD21 may be a novel therapeutic target.
Aberrations in Pseudoautosomal Regions (PARs) Found in Infertile Men with Y-Chromosome Microdeletions
Authors: Jorgez Carolina J. , Weedin John W. , Sahin Aysegul , Tannour-Louet Mounia , Han Shuo , Bournat Juan C. , Mielnik Anna , Cheung Sau Wai , Nangia Ajay K. , Schlegel Peter N. , Lipshultz Larry I. , Lamb Dolores J.
Published: January 2011

Context:

The pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) of the Y-chromosome undergo meiotic recombination with the X-chromosome. PAR mutations are associated with infertility and mental and stature disorders.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine whether men with Y-chromosome microdeletions have structural defects in PARs.

Design and Participants:

Eighty-seven infertile men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and 35 controls were evaluated for chromosomal rearrangements using commercial or custom (X- and Y-chromosome) array comparative genomic hybridization or by quantitative PCR of selected PAR genes. Multisoftware-defined chromosomal gains or losses were validated by quantitative PCR and FISH.

Results:

Array comparative genomic hybridization confirmed the AZF deletions identified by multiplex PCR. All men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and an abnormal karyotype displayed PAR abnormalities, as did 10% of men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and a normal karyotype. None of the control subjects or infertile men without Y-chromosome microdeletions had PAR duplications or deletions. SHOX aberrations occurred in 14 men (nine gains and five losses); four were short in stature (<10th percentile), and one was tall (>95th percentile). In contrast, the height of 23 men with Y-chromosome microdeletions and normal PARs was average at 176.8 cm (50th percentile).

Conclusions:

Y-chromosome microdeletions can include PAR defects causing genomic disorders such as SHOX, which may be transmitted to offspring. Previously unrecognized PAR gains and losses in men with Y-chromosome microdeletions may have consequences for offspring.
Plasma Cholesteryl Ester Transfer, But Not Cholesterol Esterification, Is Related to Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2: Possible Contribution to an Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profile
Authors: Dullaart Robin P. F. , Constantinides Alexander , Perton Frank G. , van Leeuwen Jeroen J. J. , van Pelt Joost L. , de Vries Rindert , van Tol Arie
Published: January 2011

Context:

Plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) predicts incident cardiovascular disease and is associated preferentially with negatively charged apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. The plasma cholesteryl ester transfer (CET) process, which contributes to low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and small, dense low-density lipoproteins, is affected by the composition and concentration of apolipoprotein B-containing cholesteryl ester acceptor lipoproteins.

Objective:

We tested relationships of CET with Lp-PLA2 in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Design and Setting:

In 68 subjects with MetS and 74 subjects without MetS, plasma Lp-PLA2 mass, cholesterol esterification (EST), lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity level, CET, CET protein (CETP) mass, and lipoproteins were measured.

Results:

EST, LCAT activity, CET (P < 0.001 for all), and CETP (P = 0.030) were increased, and Lp-PLA2 was decreased (P = 0.043) in MetS. CET was correlated positively with Lp-PLA2 in subjects with and without MetS (P < 0.05 for both). EST and LCAT activity were unrelated to Lp-PLA2, despite a positive correlation between EST and CET (P < 0.001). After controlling for age, sex, and diabetes status, CET was determined by Lp-PLA2 in the whole group (β = 0.245; P < 0.001), and in subjects with (β = 0.304; P = 0.001) and without MetS (β = 0.244; P = 0.006) separately, independently of triglycerides and CETP.

Conclusions:

Plasma CET is related to Lp-PLA2 in subjects with and without MetS. The process of CET, but not EST, may be influenced by Lp-PLA2. These findings provide a rationale to evaluate whether maneuvers that inhibit Lp-PLA2 will reduce CET, and vice versa to document effects of CETP inhibition on Lp-PLA2.
Interrelationship between Fatty Liver and Insulin Resistance in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sung Ki-Chul , Kim Sun H.
Published: January 2011

Context:

Although fatty liver and insulin resistance are known to be associated, the relationship between the two in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is unclear.

Objective:

We investigated the 5-yr risk of developing T2DM in individuals diagnosed with fatty liver using ultrasound and stratified by insulin sensitivity using quartiles of fasting insulin concentration.

Design and Methods:

We examined the clinical and laboratory data of 11,091 Koreans who had a medical evaluation including fasting insulin concentration and abdominal ultrasound at baseline and had a follow-up after 5 yr.

Results:

At baseline, 27% of the population had fatty liver. Almost half (47%) of the individuals with fatty liver had baseline insulin concentration in the highest quartile compared with 17% in those without fatty liver (P < 0.001). Regardless of baseline insulin concentration, individuals with fatty liver had significantly (P < 0.001) more baseline clinical and metabolic abnormalities, including higher glucose and triglyceride concentration and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. In addition, regardless of baseline insulin concentration, individuals with fatty liver had a significantly increased risk for incident T2DM compared with those without fatty liver [crude odds ratio, 5.05 (95% confidence interval, 2.08–12.29) in the lowest insulin quartile and 6.34 (3.58–11.21) in the highest quartile]. In individuals in the highest insulin quartile, the odds ratio for developing T2DM remained significant even after multivariate adjustment including baseline glucose concentration [2.42 (1.23–4.75)].

Conclusion:

Although associated with insulin resistance, fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasound appears to independently increase the risk of T2DM.
Infectivity period of mice inoculated with human adenoviruses
Authors: Krishnapuram Rashmi , Kirk-Ballard Heather , Zuberi Aamri , Dhurandhar Nikhil V
Published: January 2011

Due to non-productive infections, mice are not a good model to study some human adenoviruses. However, mice provide an excellent model to study the metabolic effects of human adenovirus, Ad36. Research interest in Ad36 is increasing rapidly, and consequently an increase in the use of mice as a model is anticipated. However, little is known about the transmission potential of Ad36 from infected mice to other laboratory animals or personnel. While underestimating the infectivity could promote inadvertent spread of Ad36, overstating it could drain valuable laboratory resources and animals. Therefore, we determined the duration of infectivity in female C57BL/6J mice that were experimentally infected with human adenoviruses Ad36 or Ad2. Other uninfected mice were co-housed for one week with the experimentally-infected animals, four or eight weeks postinfection. Additionally, uninfected mice were housed in the cages of mice that were infected with Ad36, 12 weeks earlier. The presence of viral DNA in tissues was used to indicate infection of mice. Although experimentally-infected mice harboured viral DNA at least up to 12 weeks, the horizontal transmission of infection was observed in co-housed mice only up to four weeks postinfection. Thus, Ad36-infected mice should be considered potentially infective for eight weeks and appropriate handling and barrier containment should be used. After eight week postinfection, horizontal transmission appears unlikely. This information may provide guidelines for animal handling, and experimental design using Ad36, which may increase safety for laboratory personnel and reduce the number of mice required for experiments.
Stuck in the Adoption Funnel: The Effect of Interruptions in the Adoption Process on Usage
Authors: Lambrecht Anja , Seim Katja , Tucker Catherine
Published: January 2011

Many firms have introduced Internet-based customer self-service applications such as online payments or brokerage services. Despite high initial sign-up rates, not all customers actually shift their dealings online. We investigate whether the multistage nature of the adoption process (an “adoption funnel”) for such technologies can explain this low take-up. We use exogenous variation in events that possibly interrupt adoption, in the form of vacations and public holidays in different German states, to identify the effect on regular usage of being interrupted earlier in the adoption process. We find that interruptions in the early stages of the adoption process reduce a customer's probability of using the technology regularly. Our results suggest significant cost-saving opportunities from eliminating interruptions in the adoption funnel.
Organizing Contests for Status: The Matthew Effect vs. the Mark Effect
Authors: Bothner Matthew S. , Podolny Joel M. , Smith Edward Bishop
Published: January 2011

What is the best way to design tournaments for status, in which individuals labor primarily for the esteem of their peers? What process, in other words, should organizers of status-based contests impose upon those who covet peer recognition? We propose a formal model of status-based competition that contrasts two competing alternatives. The first, following Merton, is the “Matthew Effect,” according to which a tournament's architect directs slack resources to elite actors and thus widens the distribution of rewards by favoring cumulative advantage. The second is the “Mark Effect,” under which a tournament's designer instead pushes slack resources to marginal actors and thus tightens the distribution of rewards. Our results suggest that although the Mark Effect is better for the social welfare of most tournaments, the Matthew Effect is preferable in two distinct contexts: in small tournaments where variation in underlying ability translates into acute advantages for the most capable contestants; and in large tournaments whose contestants face constant, rather than rising, marginal costs—a condition we relate to contestants' perception of their work as intrinsically valuable. Our contributions are twofold: We find, counter to the thrust of Merton's work, that cumulative advantage is not invariably optimal for the functioning of status contests; and we identify circumstances in which the production of superstars is likely to make contests for status better off in aggregate. Implications for future research on status and management are discussed.

This paper was accepted by Olav Sorenson, organizations and social networks.
Volume Flexibility, Product Flexibility, or Both: The Role of Demand Correlation and Product Substitution
Authors: Goyal Manu , Netessine Serguei
Published: January 2011

We analyze volume flexibility—the ability to produce above/below the installed capacity for a product—under endogenous pricing in a two-product setting. We discover that the value of volume flexibility is a function of demand correlation between products, an outcome that cannot be explained by classical risk-pooling arguments. Furthermore, whereas the value of product flexibility always decreases in demand correlation, we show that the value of volume flexibility can increase or decrease in demand correlation depending on whether the products are strategic complements or substitutes. We further find that volume flexibility better combats aggregate demand uncertainty for the two products, whereas product flexibility is better at mitigating individual demand uncertainty for each product. Our results thus underscore the necessity of analyzing volume flexibility with more than one product and emphasize the contrast with product flexibility. Furthermore, we highlight the possible pitfalls of combining flexibilities: we show that although adding volume flexibility to product flexibility never hurts performance, adding product flexibility to volume flexibility is not always beneficial, even when such an addition is costless.
Pricing Services Subject to Congestion: Charge Per-Use Fees or Sell Subscriptions?
Authors: Cachon Gérard P. , Feldman Pnina
Published: January 2011

Should a firm charge on a per-use basis or sell subscriptions when its service experiences congestion? Queueing-based models of pricing primarily focus on charging a fee per use for the service, in part because per-use pricing enables the firm to regulate congestion—raising the per-use price naturally reduces how frequently customers use a service. The firm has less control over usage with subscription pricing (by definition, with subscription pricing customers are not charged proportional to their actual usage), and this is a disadvantage when customers dislike congestion. However, we show that subscription pricing is more effective at earning revenue. Consequently, the firm may be better off with subscription pricing, even, surprisingly, when congestion is intuitively most problematic for the firm: e.g., as congestion becomes more disliked by consumers. We show that the absolute advantage of subscription pricing relative to per-use pricing can be substantial, whereas the potential advantage of per-use pricing is generally modest. Subscription pricing becomes relatively more attractive if consumers become more heterogeneous in their service rates (e.g., some know they are “heavy” users and others know they are “light” users) as long as capacity is fixed, the potential utilization is high, and the two segments have substantially different usage rates. Otherwise, heterogeneity in usage rates makes subscription pricing less attractive relative to per-use pricing. We conclude that subscription pricing can be effective even if congestion is relevant for the overall quality of a service.
The relationship between testosterone deficiency and frailty in elderly men
Authors: Saad Farid
Published: January 2011

The vulnerable health status usually preceding the onset of overt disability is often referred to as frailty. A stringent definition is elusive but it can be viewed as a physiological syndrome, characterized by decreased reserve and diminished resistance to stressors, resulting from a cumulative decline across multiple physiological systems and causing vulnerability to adverse outcomes. Elements of frailty are related to the neurological system, metabolism, joints, bones, and muscles. Sarcopenia seems to be the major determinant of frailty. Several components of the frailty syndrome are related to loss of physiological actions of testosterone (T). T and/or its aromatized metabolite, estradiol, are necessary for maintenance of bone mineral density. Furthermore, T stimulates erythrocyte formation. T has a profound effect on body composition. Androgens promote differentiation of mesenchymal pluripotent cells into the myogenic lineage and inhibit differentiation into the adipogenic lineage. Skeletal muscles of older men are as responsive to the anabolic effects of T as of younger men. Thus, although frailty is obviously a complex syndrome, some elements are androgen-associated and these can improve in men with subnormal T levels when treated with T. Evidence suggests that T treatment in frail elderly men with low T improves body composition, quality of life, and physical function, including increased axial bone mineral density and body composition. The data available to date strongly suggest a relationship between T-deficiency and frailty and warrant further basic and clinical investigations to extend these observations to the management of elderly men with frailty.
Ti–Al–Si–C–N Hard Coatings Synthesized by Hybrid Arc-Enhanced Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Wu Guizhi , Liu Sitao , Ma Shengli , Xu Kewei , Ji Vincent , Chu Paul K.
Published: January 2011

Ti–Al–Si–C–N coatings are deposited by hybrid arc-enhanced magnetron sputtering and characterized by various micro and macro-tools. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that the coatings are probably nanocomposites consisting of nanocrystallites and amorphous phases. They are generally in the form of nc-(Ti,Al)(C,N)/a-SiN/a-C, depending on the composition of the coatings. With increasing Al concentrations, the X-ray diffraction peaks shift to a lower angle and the measured hardness diminishes, implying a reduced contribution of the self-organized stable nanostructure. The dry friction coefficients of the Ti–Al–Si–C–N coatings are about 0.3, which is lower than that of conventional Ti–Si–N coatings. These coatings can find potential applications requiring heavy contact loading subject to high temperature.
High prevalence of vertebral fractures despite normal bone mineral density in patients with long-term controlled acromegaly
Authors: Wassenaar M J E , Biermasz N R , Hamdy N A T , Zillikens M C , van Meurs J B J , Rivadeneira F , Hofman A , Uitterlinden A G , Stokkel M P M , Roelfsema F , Kloppenburg M , Kroon H M , Romijn J A , Pereira A M
Published: January 2011

Objective

To establish the prevalence of osteoporosis, vertebral fractures (VFs), and non-VFs in acromegaly patients with long-term controlled disease and factors potentially influencing fracture risk.

Design

Case–control study.

Patients and measurements

Eighty-nine patients (46% male, mean age: 58 years) were included. We studied VFs and non-VFs, bone mineral density (BMD), and markers of bone turnover. In 48 patients, BMD assessment was also obtained 7 years prior to the current study. To compare VF prevalence, data from a sample of the Dutch population (n=3469) were used.

Results

VF prevalence was 59% (men 64% and women 54%), significantly increased when compared with controls (odds ratio up to 6.5), and independent of the duration of disease control, BMD, markers of bone turnover, and acromegalic disease characteristics. Mean number of VFs per patient was 3.4±0.3 (range 1–8). There was no relationship between the number and severity of fractures, parameters of bone turnover, and follow-up BMD measurements. BMD did not change during prolongation of follow-up by 7 years of controlled acromegaly.

Conclusion

There is a very high prevalence of VFs in acromegaly patients with long-term controlled disease, independently of BMD. In view of the significant morbidity and mortality associated with VFs in general and the inability of BMD to predict fracture risk in acromegalic patients, we propose to include VF assessment, for example by lateral conventional radiographs of the spine in the screening of patients with acromegaly, both at diagnosis and during follow-up after establishment of disease control.
Endoscopic resection of intrathoracic tumors: experience with and long-term results for 26 patients
Authors: Ponce Francisco A. , Killory Brendan D. , Wait Scott D. , Theodore Nicholas , Dickman Curtis A.
Published: January 2011

Object

Thoracoscopy may be used in place of thoracotomy to resect intrathoracic neoplasms such as paraspinal neurogenic tumors. Although these tumors are rare, they account for the majority of tumors arising in the posterior mediastinum.

Methods

A database was maintained of all patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for tumors. The authors analyzed the presenting symptoms, pathological diagnoses, and outcomes of 26 patients (7 males and 19 females, mean age 37.2 years) who were treated for intrathoracic tumors via thoracoscopy between January 1995 and May 2009. Fourteen patients were diagnosed incidentally (54%). Five patients (19%) presented with dyspnea or shortness of breath, 4 (15%) with pain, 1 (4%) with pneumonia, 1 (4%) with hoarseness, and 1 (4%) with Horner syndrome.

Results

Pathology demonstrated schwannomas in 20 patients (77%). Other diagnoses included ganglioneurofibroma, paraganglioma, epithelioid angiosarcoma, benign hemangioma, benign granular cell tumor, and infectious granuloma. One patient required conversion to open thoracotomy due to pleural scarring to the tumor. One underwent initial laminectomy due to intraspinal extension of the tumor. Gross-total resection was obtained in 25 cases (96%). The remaining patient underwent biopsy followed by radiation therapy. The mean surgical time was 2.5 hours, and the mean blood loss was 243 ml. The mean duration of chest tube insertion was 1.3 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 3.0 days. Cases that were treated in the second half of the cohort were more often diagnosed incidentally, performed in less time, and had less blood loss than those in the first half of the cohort. There was 1 case of permanent treatment-related morbidity (mild Horner syndrome). All previously employed patients were able to return to work (mean clinical follow-up 43 months). There were no recurrences (mean imaging follow-up 54 months).

Conclusions

Endoscopic transthoracic approaches can reduce approach-related soft-tissue morbidity and facilitate recovery by preserving the normal tissues of the chest wall, by avoiding rib retraction and muscle transection, and by reducing postoperative pain. This less invasive approach thus shortens hospital stay and recovery time.
Isolated intradural lumbosacral tailgut cyst with carcinoid features
Authors: Niazi Toba N. , Shah Lubdha M. , Chin Steven S. , Schmidt Meic H.
Published: January 2011

Tailgut cysts are developmental cysts that arise from remnants of the embryonic postanal gut and are typically located within the presacral, retrorectal space. Isolated cases of aberrant locations, including prerectal, perirenal, perianal, retrovesical, and subcutaneous locations, have been reported. Malignant transformations with the presence of adenocarcinomas or carcinoids have been recognized within these entities. It is well recognized that anterior sacrococcygeal abnormalities are present and are frequently caused by the slow-growing nature of the tailgut cysts and related mass effect; however, the authors are aware of no reports in the literature of isolated tailgut cysts within the thecal sac in direct contact with neural elements, without extension into the peritoneal cavity. In this case, a 28-year-old woman presented with progressive back pain, frequent urinary tract infections, and bowel dysfunction. She was found to have a purely intradural tailgut cyst with malignant transformation consistent with carcinoid. No peritoneal extension of her disease was found. The authors hypothesize that this is a rare developmental aberration that has not been commonly recognized and potentially has implications for embryological development.
Some Aspects of Glacial Erosion and Deposition in North Germany
Authors: Ehlers Jürgen
Published: January 2011

In the marginal areas of the Pleistocene Scandinavian ice sheet in north Germany there are few signs of direct glacial erosion. Fine gravel analyses show that glacial reworking was not very important. This may be partly due to the fact that at least in the late phases of the glaciation the active parts of the ice sheet moved over dead ice and were not in direct contact with the underlying substratum. Buried tunnel valleys with a depth of more than 400m show that considerable erosion by sub glacial melt-water streams took place, at least during the Elsterian glaciation.
Digital Subtraction Angiogram (DSA) is Superior to Duplex Ultrasound (USD) in Diagnosis of Extracranial Carotid Stenosis - A Comparative Study
Authors: Chowdhury Rajib Nayan , Rahman Kazi Mohibur , Khan Shariff Uddin , Sarker Rabindranath , Nabi Shahriar , Siddiqui Mahmudur Rahman , Mohammad Quazi Deen
Published: January 2011

This retrospective crossectional observational study was conducted in the department of Neurology, DMCH, Dhaka from December 2008 to December 2009. This study included a total of 40 patients, out of all, 35 suffered from nondisabling ischaemic stroke, other 5 had TIAs. Patients with ≥50% extracranial carotid stenosis on Duplex Ultrasound were then selected for DSA. DSA was done on these vessels and stenosis was measured using NASCET criteria. Results of USD and DSA were compared to determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of Duplex Ultrasound (USD). ROC graph of RICA and LICA showed that most left and upper point of the curve lies at the level of 70% stenosis. At ≥70% stenosis of RICA and LICA the Sensitivity, Specificity and Accuracy were 91.2%, 50%, 85% and 86.83%, 50%, 85% respectively. This level of diagnostic efficiency of USD is less than that of DSA of carotid arteries. Study revealed that USD underestimates or overestimates degree of carotid stenosis, and DSA is safe and effective in determining stenosis. So before taking any decision to intervene in the form of Carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting, it would be wise to do Digital Subtraction Angiogram of carotid vessels. Key word: Digital Subtraction Angiogram; Duplex Ultrasound; carotid vessels. DOI: 10.3329/jom.v12i1.6926J Medicine 2011; 12 : 12-16
Study of Prognostic Factors of Acute Pancreatitis in a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Ahad Md Abdul , Ahmed Kamal Uddin , Kamal SM , Ekram ARM Saifuddin
Published: January 2011

This hospital based cross sectional descriptive study was performed to find out the prognostic factors of acute pancreatitis from the available clinical, biochemical, haematological and radiological data. A total of 50 cases were studied. Peak incidence was in the fourth decade. Among the known aetiological factors 18% were due to gallstone disease, 10% alcoholism, 4% pancreatobiliary ascariasis, but 60% were idiopathic. In this study 82% patients were had mild and 18% had severe acute pancreatitis. Overall mortality rate was 6%, mortality was significantly higher (33.33%) in severe acute pancreatitis (33.3% vs 0%). A higher mortality was associated with concomitant medical or surgical diseases, leucocytosis. Other factors associated with a higher mortality were high blood glucose, serum creatinine level and a lower serum albumin and calcium level. This study highlights the need of further study with more detailed recording of relevant data from primary care hospital to find out the clinical pattern of complications and prognostic factors in our country. Keyword: Acute Pancreatitis; Prognosis; Mortality DOI: 10.3329/jom.v12i1.6927J Medicine 2011; 12 : 21-25
Selective Extrapontine Myelinolysis in Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome in a Case of Previously Undiagnosed Sheehan's Syndrome with Recurrent Hyponatraemia - A Rare Association
Authors: Siddiqui FM , Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman , Hoque Md Azharul , Shujon Saeedur Rahman , Hossain Ahmed
Published: January 2011

Selective extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) following a marked change in osmolarity, usually due to the rapid correction of hyponatraemia. Association of EPM in hyponatraemia from Sheehan's syndrome is very rare. We report a 38 years old lady with EPM, who presented with repeated attacks of hyponatraemia for 2 years, which were corrected several times after hospital admissions. She has got history of postpartum haemorrhage about 10 years back followed by secondary amenorrhoea and lactational failure. At present she came to us with features of parkinsonism, dystonia, mutism, insomnia and emotional outburst. Her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed features of myelinolysis with atrophied pituitary gland. Her serum pituitary hormonal levels confirm presence of hypopituitarism with secondary adrenal failure due to Sheehan's syndrome. Now her present features are due to selective extrapontine myelinolysis of osmotic demyelination, might be due to any episode of inappropriate intravenous correction of hyponatraemia. Keyword: Sheehan's syndrome; Hyponatraemia; Extrapontine myelinolysis; Osmotic demyelination syndrome DOI: 10.3329/jom.v12i1.6936J Medicine 2011; 12 : 77-80
Microsatellite primers in the planktonic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata (Bacillariophyceae)
Authors: Tesson Sylvie V. M. , Borra Marco , Kooistra Wiebe H. C. F. , Procaccini Gabriele
Published: January 2011

• Premise of the study: Seven microsatellite loci were characterized for the toxic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata Takano (Takano) to investigate intraspecific variability and estimate population genetic structure over blooms, seasons, and sexual and vegetative reproduction.

• Methods and Results: Selected microsatellites consisted of di‐ and trinucleotide repeats in the core region, and showed four to twelve alleles per locus in strains of P. multistriata collected in the Gulf of Naples (Italy). Primer pairs were species‐specific since they positively amplified against conspecific strains from Portugal and Spain but failed to generate PCR products from the diatoms Pseudo‐nitzschia pseudodelicatissima (Hasle) Hasle and Leptocylindrus minimum Gran.

• Conclusions: The seven selected microsatellite markers will be useful in studying population dynamics of Pseudo‐nitzschia multistriata in space and time.
Development of microsatellite loci for Blastophaga javana (Agaonidae), the pollinating wasp of Ficus hirta (Moraceae)
Authors: Tian En‐Wei , Yu Hui , Zhang Da‐Yong , Nason John D.
Published: January 2011

• Premise of the study: To investigate genetic structure of the pollinator and, indirectly, gene flow in its plant host, Blastophaga javana microsatellite primers were developed.

• Methods and Results: Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed using the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences Containing (FIASCO) repeats protocol. Numbers of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to19, with observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.000 to 0.800 and from 0.000 to 0.925, respectively.

• Conclusions: These markers may be useful for further investigation of population genetics of Blastophaga javana and other congeneric species.
Le développement territorial et les systèmes complexes : proposition d'un cadre analytique
Authors: Leloup Fabienne
Published: January 2011

La diversité et l’imprévisibilité des trajectoires et des gouvernements des territoires peuvent être appréhendées par une approche fondée sur les principes de l’analyse des systèmes complexes. L’approche proposée se base sur les apports de l’économie territoriale et de l’analyse de l’action publique locale et reconstitue quatre dynamiques propres au développement territorial : la coordination d’acteurs, la mise en œuvre d’un projet, la structuration spatiale et la création de régulation. L’exemple de l’Eurométropole transfrontalière Lille-Kortrijk-Tournai illustre la démarche analytique proposée.
Intégration économique et IDE verticaux : un modèle à trois régions
Authors: Vechiu Natalia
Published: January 2011

Cet article discute l’impact de l’intégration économique sur les délocalisations et le bien-être dans un cadre à trois régions (une région développée et deux en voie de développement), chaque région se trouvant à un stade différent de développement. L’intégration économique est mesurée par la réduction de coûts commerciaux interrégionaux et par la réduction de coûts de communication entre les sièges et les usines des multinationales. Nous avons montré que le nombre de plus en plus important de pays participant à la mondialisation et leur compétitivité relative peuvent changer considérablement les résultats classiques de la nouvelle économie géographique. Plusieurs pays (développés, émergents ou en voie de développement) peuvent bénéficier de l’accumulation d’industrie (ou croissance des IDE entrants), une périphérie étant capable de devenir un centre.
Sustainability practices and indicators in food retail logistics: findings from an exploratory study
Authors: Matopoulos Aristides , Bourlakis Michael
Published: January 2011

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview and an analysis of recent developments and changes in the implementation of sustainability practices by food retailers. It also aims to explore whether the sustainability measurement criteria and indicators identified in the literature can be applied in practice. A literature review identified the current trends, developments and the proposed sustainability objectives, criteria and indicators. Via case study research, we collected empirical data from four retailers. This involved both qualitative and quantitative data drawn from questionnaires and in-depth interviews with logistics directors from four retailers' distribution centres. The empirical data collected from the interviews indicate similarities in some of the characteristics of distribution centres, as well as differences. However, it was difficult to make cross-company comparisons due to the absence of benchmarks or assessments of the relative importance of each sustainability criterion and indicator. This research focused only on two sustainability objectives. Further research on other sustainability objectives is therefore required. Lessons learnt from the four case studies can be taken into consideration when developing future sustainability performance rating scales. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of sustainability in the food chain, with emphasis on food retailing. Its value lies in presenting an attempt to test in practice how a number of sustainability objectives, criteria and indicators are applied in logistics-related processes, identifying the gaps and reporting the potential difficulties.
Lung Effector Memory and Activated CD4+ T Cells Display Enhanced Proliferation in Surfactant Protein A-Deficient Mice during Allergen-Mediated Inflammation
Authors: Pastva Amy M. , Mukherjee Sambuddho , Giamberardino Charles , Hsia Bethany , Lo Bernice , Sempowski Gregory D. , Wright Jo Rae
Published: January 2011

Although many studies have shown that pulmonary surfactant protein (SP)-A functions in innate immunity, fewer studies have addressed its role in adaptive immunity and allergic hypersensitivity. We hypothesized that SP-A modulates the phenotype and prevalence of dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4+ T cells to inhibit Th2-associated inflammatory indices associated with allergen-induced inflammation. In an OVA model of allergic hypersensitivity, SP-A−/− mice had greater eosinophilia, Th2-associated cytokine levels, and IgE levels compared with wild-type counterparts. Although both OVA-exposed groups had similar proportions of CD86+ DCs and Foxp3+ T regulatory cells, the SP-A−/− mice had elevated proportions of CD4+ activated and effector memory T cells in their lungs compared with wild-type mice. Ex vivo recall stimulation of CD4+ T cell pools demonstrated that cells from the SP-A−/− OVA mice had the greatest proliferative and IL-4–producing capacity, and this capability was attenuated with exogenous SP-A treatment. Additionally, tracking proliferation in vivo demonstrated that CD4+ activated and effector memory T cells expanded to the greatest extent in the lungs of SP-A−/− OVA mice. Taken together, our data suggested that SP-A influences the prevalence, types, and functions of CD4+ T cells in the lungs during allergic inflammation and that SP deficiency modifies the severity of inflammation in allergic hypersensitivity conditions like asthma.