bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefits
Authors: Bissett Donald L
Published: December 2006

Both glucosamine and its derivative N‐acetyl glucosamine are amino‐monosaccharides that serve key biochemical functions on their own and as substrate precursors for the biosynthesis of polymers such as glycosaminoglycans (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and for the production of proteoglycans. Glucosamine has an excellent safety profile and has been shown to provide benefits in several clinical disorders. Glucosamine compounds have been reported to have several beneficial effects on the skin or skin cells. Because of its stimulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis, glucosamine has been shown to accelerate wound healing, improve skin hydration, and decrease wrinkles. In addition, as an inhibitor of tyrosinase activation, it inhibits melanin production and is useful in treatment of disorders of hyperpigmentation. Mechanistically, glucosamine also has both anti‐inflammatory and chondroprotective effects. Clinical trials have shown benefit in using oral glucosamine supplementation to improve symptoms and slow the progression of osteoarthritis in humans. Glucosamine has also been used to prevent and treat osteoarthritis in animals. Based on other observations, glucosamine has been suggested for additional clinical uses, including treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, migraine headaches, and viral infections. The current clinical uses for topical and oral glucosamine compounds and the mechanistic rationale for these uses are reviewed here.
Effects of topical calcipotriol on the expression of adhesion molecules in psoriasis
Authors: Savoia Paola , Novelli Mauro , De Matteis Antonietta , Verrone Anna , Bernengo Maria Grazia
Published: December 2006

Seven patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were treated with topical calcipotriol for 8 to 24 weeks; the lesions improved in 5 patients. Immunohistochemistry was performed on frozen sections, to evaluate the expression of adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix components before and after therapy. Changes in expression and topography of β and β4 integrins were found on psoriatic lesions before therapy and a reduction in the expression of tenascin was detected as well. Moreover, several activation markers such as ICAM‐1, HLA‐DR, CD26 were focally positive, with a diffuse cytoplasmic reactivity, in basal and suprabasal layers in untreated lesions.

In the 5 patients in whom lesions regressed after topical calcipotriol treatment, we observed a histological normalization of the epidermis and the inflammatory infiltrate was reduced. Moreover, not only was there a normalization in the expression and topography of adhesion molecules, but also the integrin pattern observed after therapy was superimposable to that of normal skin.
Differential expression of connective tissue growth factor gene in cutaneous fibrohistiocytic and vascular tumors
Authors: Igarashi Atsuyuki , Hayashi Nobukazu , Nashiro Kiyoko , Takehara Kazuhiko
Published: December 2006

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a member of a family of immediate early gene products that may play an important role during tissue regeneration, wound repair and skin fibrosis. In this study, CTGF gene expression in mesenchymal tumors was investigated by in situ hybridization and CD34 antigen expression was studied by means of immunohistochemical staining. CTGF mRNA was expressed in fibroblasts of all nine dermatofibromas examined, but five of seven dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) or two cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma were negative for its expression. In contrast, CD34 antigen was expressed only in DFSP. In vascular tumors, CTGF mRNA was expressed in pyogenic granuloma but not in angiosarcoma. In addition, the endothelial cells in angiolipoma and angioleiomyoma, but not in venous lake, expressed CTGF mRNA. These vascular lesions were all positive for CD34 expression. Tumors of other origins were negative for CTGF mRNA. Our findings indicated that benign fibroblasts and/or vascular endothelial cells have the capability to express CTGF mRNA when activated, but these cells lose this ability when they achieve malignant potency. Thus, examination of CTGF gene expression may be useful for differentiating between benign and malignant mesenchymal tumors, or to determine the origin of the tumors in connective tissue.
CD44 and variants in melanocytic skin neoplasms
Authors: Schaider Helmut , Soyer H. Peter , Heider Karl‐Heinz , Hofmann‐Wellenhof Rainer , Zatloukal Kurt , Smolle Josef , Kerl Helmut
Published: December 2006

Expression of cell surface molecules that mediate cell‐matrix and cell‐cell interactions largely contributes to the ability of melanoma cells to migrate and spread beyond the primary site of the tumor. CD44, the principal cell‐surface receptor for hyaluronate, and its numerous splice variants have been reported to play a crucial role in invasion and the metastatic process of different human neoplasms, including primary malignant melanoma (PMM). The aim of this study was to clarify which isoforms of CD44 (standard CD44 and CD44 variants) are distributed in PMM with a vertical tumor thickness of >1.4 mm. Staining of CD44 standard (CD44s) and splice variants was further examined for diagnostic and prognostic relevance in a panel of melanocytic skin lesions. Ten cases of PMM with Breslow >1.4 mm were analysed by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies specific for CD44s and the splice variants v3, v5, v6, v7, v7‐8, and v10. In addition, using anti‐CD44s, v5, and v6 antibodies, 55 meianocytic lesions, including dermal nevi (n=12), Clark nevi (dysplastic nevi) (CN; n=11), melanoma in situ (Mis; n=8), PMM (n=18), and cutaneous metastasis of malignant melanoma (cM‐MM; n=6) were assessed. Staining intensities were scored visually and evaluated by means of a staining index. In ten cases of PMM with a Breslow index >1.4 mm positive staining was ascertained for CD44s, v5 and for v6 in three cases. No staining was found for v3, v7, v7‐8, and v10. Examination of CD44s, v5, and v6 in 55 melanocytic skin lesions revealed a high index for CD44s in all specimens and a weak staining of v5 in Mis; dermal nevi and CN did not stain for v5. However, in PMM and cMMM we found v5 to be strongly positive. The isoform v6 showed a variable index only in PMM, but without connection to established prognostic criteria. We conclude that CD44s and splice variants can not be regarded as indicators for tumor progression in malignant melanomas. However, v5 may potentially serve as a diagnostic marker for meianocytic skin lesions.
Altered E‐cadherin/β‐catenin expression in oral squamous carcinoma with and without nodal metastasis
Authors: Mahomed F , Altini M , Meer S
Published: December 2006

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of E‐cadherin, a tumour‐suppressor gene product involved in establishing cell–cell adhesion and one of its associated proteins, β‐catenin, as markers of nodal metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials and methods:  Thirty invasive OSCCs in patients with (n = 19) and without (n = 11) nodal metastases, as confirmed on histopathologic examination of the resected regional lymph nodes (n = 30), were examined for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression by immunohistochemistry.

Results:  There was a highly significant association (P < 0.0001) between E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression and tumour differentiation by conventional Broders’ grading of the whole tumour. Irrespective of the nodal status and invasive tumour front (ITF) grading score, however, loss of expression was recorded at the ITF in 28 (93%) of 30 tumours and 22 (73%) of 30 tumours stained for E‐cadherin and β‐catenin respectively.

Conclusion:  The results of this study suggest an association between loss of expression of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin and a lower degree of differentiation; however, their use as markers of nodal metastasis in OSCC appears unreliable.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—EQUINE MAST CELL TUMOR
Authors: COLE ROBERT , BERKLEY CHESEN A. , POOL ROY , WATKINS JEFFREY
Published: December 2006

Equine mast cell tumors are typically benign solitary growths of the head, neck, trunk, or limbs. When involving the limbs, these masses tend to be adjacent to joints without involving them. In radiographs there is often a well‐circumscribed soft tissue mass with granular mineralization. The Arabian breed appears to be over represented. Surgical removal is usually curative. In this report, we describe the diagnosis, clinical features, and management of mast cell tumors in the rear limb of a horse.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC INTESTINAL HYPERECHOIC MUCOSAL STRIATIONS IN DOGS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LACTEAL DILATION
Authors: SUTHERLAND‐SMITH JAMES , PENNINCK DOMINIQUE G. , KEATING JOHN H. , WEBSTER CYNTHIA R. L.
Published: December 2006

In this retrospective study, the medical records of 23 dogs with the sonographic feature of small intestinal hyperechoic mucosal striations and an endoscopic or surgical intestinal biopsy were reviewed. Histopathologic lacteal dilation was present in 96% of dogs with mucosal striations. Sonographic findings associated with mucosal striations included: mild jejunal wall thickening (96%), mild duodenal wall thickening (78%), mucosal speckles (70%), and abdominal effusion (87%). The mucosal striations were diffuse (70%) or multifocal (30%) and did not cause loss of wall layering, except in one dog with a severe mural lipogranuloma. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was identified in 9% of dogs. Thirteen dogs with endoscopic biopsies had mild to moderate villus lacteal dilation and the nine dogs with surgical biopsies had moderate to severe dilation. Inflammatory infiltrates were mild (61%) or moderate (30%) with variable numbers and combinations of cells, including eosinophils (65%), plasma cells (61%), lymphocytes (57%), and neutrophils (30%); one dog had disseminated villus histiocytic sarcoma. The biochemistry changes and clinical signs were consistent with protein‐losing enteropathy in 78% of dogs. Hyperechoic mucosal striations in dogs are associated with lacteal dilation and are frequently associated with mucosal inflammation and protein losing enteropathy.
UREA- AND THERMAL-INDUCED UNFOLDING OF BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN
Authors: MA BAOLIANG , TIE ZUOXIU , ZOU DAWEI , LI JING , WANG WEI
Published: December 2006

In this work, the difference between pH-induced isomerization and urea-induced unfolding, and the urea- and thermal-induced unfolding processes in different isomeric forms of Bovine serum albumin (BSA) are studied experimentally. Our results show that urea-induced unfolding is a two-step, three-state transition in both the N-form and the B-form, but a single-step, two-state transition in both the E-form and the F-form. At the same time, thermal-induced unfolding shows a two-state transition in all isomeric forms, but the cooperativity of unfolding is different.
RETRIEVAL FROM SHAPE DATABASES USING CHANCE PROBABILITY FUNCTIONS AND FIXED CORRESPONDENCE
Authors: SUPER BOAZ J.
Published: December 2006

Similarity-based retrieval from shape databases typically employs a pairwise shape matcher and one or more indexing techniques. In this paper, we focus specifically on the design of a pairwise matcher for retrieval of 2-D shape contours. In the past, the matchers used for the one-to-many problem of shape retrieval were often designed for the problem of matching an isolated pair of shapes. This approach fails to exploit two characteristics of the one-to-many matching problem that distinguish it from the one-to-one matching problem. First, the output of shape retrieval systems tends to be dominated by matches to relatively similar shapes. In this paper, we demonstrate that by not expending computational resources on unneeded accuracy of matching, both the speed and the accuracy of retrieval can be increased. Second, the shape database is a large statistical sample of the population of shapes. We introduce a probabilistic model for exploiting that statistical knowledge to further increase retrieval accuracy. The model has several benefits: (1) It does not require class labels on the database shapes, thus supporting unlabeled retrieval. (2) It does not require feature independence. (3) It is parameter-free. (4) It has a fast runtime implementation. The probabilistic model is general and thus potentially applicable to other one-to-many matching problems.
Characterization of Bacillus subtilis Mutants with Carbon Source-Independent Glutamate Biosynthesis
Authors: Commichau Fabian M. , Wacker Ingrid , Schleider Jan , Blencke Hans-Matti , Reif Irene , Tripal Philipp , Stülke Jörg
Published: December 2006

Bacillus subtilis synthesizes glutamate from 2-oxoglutarate and glutamine using the glutamate synthase, encoded by the gltAB operon. Glutamate degradation involves the catabolic glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) RocG. Expression of both gltAB and rocG is controlled by the carbon and nitrogen sources. In the absence of glucose or other well-metabolizable carbon sources, B. subtilis is unable to grow unless provided with external glutamate. In this work, we isolated mutations that suppressed this growth defect of B. subtilis on minimal media (sgd mutants). All mutations enabled the cells to express the gltAB operon even in the absence of glucose. The mutations were all identified in the rocG gene suggesting that the catabolic GDH is essential for controlling gltAB expression in response to the availability of sugars.
Rbf1-independent termination of E2f1-target gene expression during earlyDrosophilaembryogenesis
Authors: Shibutani Shusaku , Swanhart Lisa M. , Duronio Robert J.
Published: December 2006

The initiation and maintenance of G1 cell cycle arrest is a key feature of animal development. In the Drosophila ectoderm, G1 arrest first appears during the seventeenth embryonic cell cycle. The initiation of G117 arrest requires the developmentally-induced expression of Dacapo, a p27-like Cyclin E-Cdk2 inhibitor. The maintenance of G117arrest requires Rbf1-dependent repression of E2f1-regulated replication factor genes, which are expressed continuously during cycles 1-16 when S phase immediately follows mitosis. The mechanisms that trigger Rbf1 repressor function and mediate G117 maintenance are unknown. Here we show that the initial downregulation of expression of the E2f1-target gene RnrS, which occurs during cycles 15 and 16 prior to entry into G117, does not require Rbf1 or p27Dap. This suggests a mechanism for Rbf1-independent control of E2f1 during early development. We show that E2f1 protein is destroyed in a cell cycle-dependent manner during S phase of cycles 15 and 16. E2f1 is destroyed during early S phase, and requires ongoing DNA replication. E2f1 protein reaccumulates in epidermal cells arrested in G117, and in these cells the induction of p27Dap activates Rbf1 to repress E2f1-target genes to maintain a stable G1 arrest.
Mercury Speciation in Flue Gases after an Oxidative Acid Wet Scrubber
Authors: Löthgren C.‐J. , Takaoka M. , Andersson S. , Allard B. , Korell J.
Published: December 2006

Flue gases from a hazardous waste incinerator have been sampled in three campaigns, before and after, an oxidative acid wet scrubber working with the MercOx‐process. A continuous emission monitor for mercury speciation was used before the scrubber in the first campaign. In all campaigns, impingers with KCl and KMnO4 were used. A solid adsorption method was used in the last campaign. The mercury leaving the scrubber is oxidized at > 90 % efficiency (independent of the inlet speciation). A substantial decrease in the redox potential of the scrubber liquid caused an increased fraction of elemental gaseous mercury to be present in the clean gas. The measurements also show that the scrubber has the ability to readily absorb mercury peaks. During one extreme peak of 3,600 μg/m3 (dry gas) in the raw gas, the removal efficiency was above 99.9 %.
Finite Volume Simulation of Supersonic to Hypersonic Gas Flow and Heat Transfer through Microchannels
Authors: Chaudhuri A. , Guha C. , Dutta T. K.
Published: December 2006

The heat transfer characteristics of supersonic to hypersonic gas flow in microchannels are numerically studied by solving a two‐dimensional Navier‐Stokes (NS) system of equations utilizing Maxwell's velocity slip with thermal creep, and a corresponding temperature jump relationship derived by von Smoluchowski. An explicit Finite Volume (FV) solver has been developed using modified advection upwind splitting methods (AUSM+) to simulate the high speed microscale gas flow. The influence of the inlet Mach number on overall hydrodynamics and heat transfer is also studied. The supersonic test case has been compared with the Direct Solution Monte Carlo (DSMC) and Finite Element (FE) results available in the literature. The study of high speed flow through microchannels demonstrates an increase in temperature due to the wall friction and that fluid flow decelerates throughout the microchannels. The wall temperature jump and the centerline temperature are higher for larger inlet Mach numbers.
Improvement of Filter Tow Quality through Statistical Analysis
Authors: Nasser R. , Taqueda M. E. S.
Published: December 2006

Filter tow production is controlled by individual supervision of the main variables based on the determination of the Cpk, which indicates instability when individual values are below 1. This paper describes a process improvement methodology, which uses statistical tools to correlate the production variables, and thus control the variability of the dependent variables. The analysis was performed over several sets of data, identifying dependent variables – yield (g) and tensile strength (daN) – and establishing relationships of cause and effect with the production variables, indicating the possibility of achieving a new form of control through adjusted multiple regression models, resulting in the Cpk of the dependent variables being greater than 1. These results were improved through an industrial test, using DOE 2k, which led to the conclusion that the process can be supervised by means of the fitted models, ensuring better control and greater stability.
Evaluations and Modifications on Reynolds Stress Model in Cyclone Simulations
Authors: Jiao J. , Liu Z. , Zheng Y.
Published: December 2006

The prediction performance of the Reynolds stress model (RSM) on the flow field in a cyclone has been validated by using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) experimental results. The validations mainly focus on two features of the flow information with averaged and fluctuating flow fields, which can mostly reflect the turbulent flow properties in the cyclone. The comparisons between predictions and measurements show that the RSM has good performance on the averaged flow field prediction, especially on the prediction of the mean tangential velocity. However, for the fluctuating flow field, the prediction performance of RSM is rather poor. The predicted root mean square (RMS) velocities are greatly underestimated. The standard model coefficients used in RSM have to be modified to enhance its accuracy when used to predict the fluctuating structure of the strong swirling flow in the cyclone. The recommended model coefficients give much better predictions on the fluctuating flow field than the standard coefficients, without decreasing the prediction accuracy on the mean flow field.
The effect of texture on the pass/fail colour tolerances of injection‐molded plastics
Authors: Ariño Ingrid , Johansson Sofia , Kleist Ulf , Liljenström‐Leander Eleonore , Rigdahl Mikael
Published: December 2006

The effect of surface texture on the pass/fail colour tolerance region was estimated using acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene injection‐molded plaques in three different colours and with different surface textures. Variations in the measured colour coordinates due to differences in texture for three selected colours were observed using the specular component excluded mode (SCE) of the spectrophotometer. Such variations could not, however, be clearly distinguished in the specular component included mode. The colour tolerance regions were assessed through a combination of colour measurement and a psychometric study involving 35 observers. The limits of acceptance of colour differences varied substantially with the surface texture. In some cases, the observers accepted a larger colour difference for the textured than for the smooth surface, whereas in other cases, the reverse situation was noted. Thus, no general conclusion regarding the influence of texture on the tolerance region can be drawn, since the acceptable differences were colour‐ and/or surface texture‐dependent. In the case of textured surfaces, measurements made in the SCE mode of the spectrophotometer appear to be more meaningful for assessing perceived colour differences and tolerance regions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 47–54, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20284
Effect of purity on hue (Abney effect) in various conditions
Authors: Pridmore Ralph W.
Published: December 2006

The effect of purity on hue has been reported severally (including Munsell and NCS data on constant hue loci) over 100 years but without general agreement. For example, the number of hue shift nulls in the data vary from 2 to 6. Hence, despite this effect's commonality it lacks reliable data for modeling underlying mechanisms or color appearance. The purity of a stimulus may be decreased by adding white (as in Abney's experiment), by adding black, or by adding gray such that luminance, or alternatively lightness, remains constant. This article gives new data for CRT stimuli for illuminant D65 for all four conditions but mainly for equal luminance, for 31 observers and 13 test dominant wavelengths. Further, samples were observed in two temporal conditions: either simultaneously as pairs (the contrast mode) or singly (the no‐contrast mode). Three types of samples were tested: (1) equal luminance 30 cd/m2 for all dominant wavelengths, (2) equal lightness for all dominant wavelengths, and (3) zero‐gray colors, requiring different luminances for different dominant wavelengths. In all the above conditions, the resultant hue shifts graphed a robust bimodal curve (two peaks in cyan and red, two troughs in blue and green) across the hue cycle, similar to Munsell and NCS data except the definite peak in cyan.© 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 25–39, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20286
Delta expression in post‐mitotic neurons identifies distinct subsets of adult‐specific lineages in Drosophila
Authors: Cornbrooks Carson , Bland Christin , Williams Darren W. , Truman James W. , Rand Matthew D.
Published: December 2006

The Drosophila ventral nerve cord is comprised of numerous neuronal lineages, each derived from a stereotypically positioned neuroblast (NB). At the embryonic stage the unique identities of each NB, and several of their neuronal progeny, are well characterized by spatial and temporal expression patterns of molecular markers. These patterns of expression are not preserved at the larval stage and thus the identity of adult‐specific lineages remains obscure. Recent clonal analysis using MARCM has identified 24 adult‐specific lineages arising from thoracic NBs at the larval stage. In this study, we have explored a role for the Delta protein in development of the post‐embryonic Drosophila ventral nerve cord. We find that Delta expression identifies 7 of the 24 adult‐specific lineages of the thoracic ganglia by being highly enriched in clusters of newly born post‐mitotic neurons and their neurite bundles. The Delta lineages constitute the majority of bundles projecting to the ventral neuropil, consistent with a role in processing leg sensory information. Targeted knockdown of Delta in neurons using RNAi results in significantly decreased leg chemosensory response and a relatively unaffected leg mechanosensory response. Delta RNAi knockdown in Delta lineages also gives a more diffuse bundle terminal morphology while the overall path‐finding of neurite bundles is unaffected. We also identify a male‐specific Delta lineage in the terminal abdominal ganglia, implicating a role for Delta in development of sexually dimorphic neural networks. Examples of Delta‐expressing neurites contacting Notch‐expressing glia are also seen, but are not common to all Delta lineages. Altogether, these data reveal a fundamental pattern of Delta expression that is indicative of an underlying developmental program that confers identity to adult lineage neurons. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 67: 23–38, 2007
Developmental and dominance‐associated differences in mushroom body structure in the paper wasp Mischocyttarus mastigophorus
Authors: O'Donnell Sean , Donlan Nicole , Jones Theresa
Published: December 2006

Primitively eusocial paper wasps exhibit considerable plasticity in their division of labor. Dominance interactions among nest mates play a strong role in determining the task performance patterns of adult females. We asked whether dominance status and task performance differences were associated with the development of subregions of the mushroom bodies (MB) of female Mischocyttarus mastigophorus queens and workers. We found that the MB calycal neuropils were better developed (relative to the Kenyon cell body layer) in the dominant females that spent more time on the nest. Increased MB calyx development was more strongly associated with social dominance than with high rates of foraging. The MB of queens resembled those of dominant workers. The results suggest that social interactions are particularly relevant to M. mastigophorus females' cognition. By examining the MB of newly emerged females, we also found evidence for significant age‐related changes in MB structure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 67: 39–46, 2007
A versatile incompressible Navier–Stokes solver for blood flow application
Authors: Garbey M. , Pacull F.
Published: December 2006

We present in this paper an integrated approach to compute quickly an incompressible Navier–Stokes (NS) flow in a section of a large blood vessel using medical imaging data. The goal is essentially to provide a first‐order approximation of some main quantities of interest in cardiovascular disease: the shear stress and the pressure on the wall. The NS solver relies on the L2 penalty approach pioneered by Caltagirone and co‐workers and combines nicely with a level set method based on the Mumford–Shah energy model. Simulations on stenosis cases based on angiogram are run in parallel with MatlabMPI on a shared‐memory machine. While MatlabMPI communications are based on the load and save functions of Matlab and have high latency indeed, we show that our Aitken–Schwarz domain decomposition algorithm provides a good parallel efficiency and scalability of the NS code. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Doppelleben des Birnengitterrostes
Authors: Lutz Matthias , Bauer Robert , Oberwinkler Franz
Published: December 2006

Mit ihren Fäden können Pilze mühelos lebende Organismen besiedeln. Rostpilze, die Birnbäume als Wirtspflanze nutzen, legen dabei einen erstaunlichen Lebenskreislauf an den Tag – als Pflanzenparasit und Pilzparasit zugleich
Einstmals an der Weihrauchstraße
Authors: Eichmann Ricardo , Hausleiter Arnulf , Götzelt Thomas
Published: December 2006

Tayma war die bedeutendste Palmenoase Arabiens, an der Karamelkarawanen rasteten und ihre Handelswaren verkauften. Siedlungsgeschichtliche Grabungen und neue archäologische Funde zeigen, dass sich die Oase an einem markanten Schnittpunkt der antiken Kulturen entwickelte
Investigation of downstream target genes of PAX3c, PAX3e and PAX3g isoforms in melanocytes by microarray analysis
Authors: Wang Qiuyu , Kumar Shant , Mitsios Nick , Slevin Mark , Kumar Patricia
Published: December 2006

PAX3 encodes a transcription factor, which with Zic1 is necessary for induction of the neural crest during early embryonic development. There are 7 human PAX3 isoforms (a–h). PAX3e is the full length isoform comprising 10 exons. PAX3c comprises 8 exons plus 5 codons of intron 8, while PAX3g has a truncated transactivation domain. Previous studies by us indicated that these isoforms have different activities in melanocytes in vitro. In this study, a mouse gene oligo array (∼7.5 k oligos), from the Human Genome Mapping Project (HGMP) Resource Centre, was used to screen for alterations in downstream gene expression in PAX3c, PAX3e and PAX3g melanocyte transfectants, compared with empty vector controls. The data analyses identified 109 genes up or downregulated, at least 2‐fold, and involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, migration, adhesion, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR and Western blotting confirmed the changes identified by microarrays for several putative targets of PAX3, including Met, MyoD and Muc18, and previously undescribed targets, including Dhh, Fgf17, Kitl and Rac1. Thus, our data reveal that PAX3 isoforms regulate distinct but overlapping sets of genes in melanocytes in vitro. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The pharmacological properties of anisodamine
Authors: Poupko Jay M. , Baskin Steven I. , Moore Eric
Published: December 2006

Anisodamine is a naturally occurring atropine derivative that has been isolated, synthesized and characterized by scientists in the People's Republic of China. Like atropine and scopolamine, anisodamine is a non‐specific cholinergic antagonist exhibiting the usual spectrum of pharmacological effects of this drug class. It appears to be less potent and less toxic than atropine and displays less CNS toxicity than scopolamine. Anisodamine has been shown to interact with and disrupt liposome structure which may reflect its effects on cellular membranes. Experimental evidence implicates anisodamine as an anti‐oxidant that may protect against free radical‐induced cellular damage. Its cardiovascular properties include depression of cardiac conduction and the ability to protect against arrhythmia induced by various agents. Anisodamine is a relatively weak α1 adrenergic antagonist which may explain its vasodilating activity. Its anti‐thrombotic activity may be a result of inhibition of thromboxane synthesis. The T1/2 of anisodamine in humans is about 2–3 h. Numerous therapeutic uses of anisodamine have been proposed including treatment of septic shock, various circulatory disorders, organophosphorus (OP) poisoning, migraine, gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal colic, acute glomerular nephritis, eclampsia, respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, obstructive jaundice, opiate addiction, snake bite and radiation damage protection. The primary therapeutic use of anisodamine has been for the treatment of septic shock. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain its beneficial effect though most mechanisms are based upon the assumption that anisodamine ultimately acts by an improvement of blood flow in the microcirculation. Preliminary studies suggest another important therapeutic use of anisodamine is for the treatment of OP poisoning. Additional research is needed to delineate further the clinical usefulness of anisodamine relative to other anti‐muscarinic drugs such as atropine and scopolamine. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can lease contracts block your reorganization?
Authors: Contino Richard M.
Published: December 2006

Should your reorganization due diligence include a review of your equipment leases? The author of this article—an expert in equipment leasing and financing—warns that an equipment lease can restrict your company's ability to reorganize. He explains how to avoid these problems and offers a handy checklist to help you stay out of trouble. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FTC tackles M&A review reforms
Authors: Rouse Robert W. , DeLaurell Roxane
Published: December 2006

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) monitors all M&A transactions. Most transactions are cleared without any problems. But in some cases, companies are asked for additional information— which frequently results in some kind of enforcement response and serious consequences for the companies involved. It is also very costly and time‐consuming. Recognizing that the FTC has proposed some reforms. But what are they? And how will they affect companies? The authors of this article have some answers. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Private‐company GAAP: A closer look
Authors: Tackett James , Wolf Fran , Kinsley Jessie
Published: December 2006

In June 2006, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) agreed to create a joint committee. Its goal: make recommendations about changes in accounting for private companies. What are the differing positions of the AICPA and the FASB about establishing these new standards? © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parallel machine scheduling with job assignment restrictions
Authors: Glass Celia A. , Kellerer Hans
Published: December 2006

In the classical multiprocessor scheduling problem independent jobs must be assigned to parallel, identical machines with the objective of minimizing the makespan. This article explores the effect of assignment restrictions on the jobs for multiprocessor scheduling problems. This means that each job can only be processed on a specific subset of the machines. Particular attention is given to the case of processing times restricted to one of two values, 1 and λ, differing by at most 2. A matching based polynomial time ε‐approximation algorithm is developed that has a performance ratio tending to
$2-{1 \over 1+\lambda}$
. This algorithm is shown to have the best possible performance, tending to 3/2, for processing times 1 and 2. For the special case of nested processing sets, i.e., when the sets of machines upon which individual jobs may be assigned are non‐overlapping, the behavior of list scheduling algorithms is explored. Finally, for assignment restrictions determined by just one characteristic of the machines, such as disc storage or memory constraint in the case of high performance computing, we contribute an algorithm that provides a 3/2 worst case bound and runs in time linear in the number of jobs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007
Brief report: Methods for collecting sexual behaviour information from South African adolescents—a comparison of paper versus personal digital assistant questionnaires
Authors: Jaspan Heather B. , Flisher Alan J. , Myer Landon , Mathews Catherine , Seebregts Chris , Berwick Jessica R. , Wood Robin , Bekker Linda‐Gail
Published: December 2006

Reporting bias in adolescent behavioural research may be overcome with the use of personal digital assistants (PDA) or other computer based technologies. However, there is little insight into the use of these tools among adolescents in low resource settings. We compared self‐administered paper questionnaires with PDA questionnaires to collect sexual behaviour data from a sample of 11–19 year olds living in a periurban, Xhosa‐speaking community in South Africa. There was a high level of agreement between sexual risk behaviour data collected via each method (kappas≥0.50). Data collected from the PDA questionnaires were more complete. Subjectively, adolescents found the use of PDA to be simple and confidential. PDA may be a useful method to collect sensitive, self‐reported information from adolescents in resource‐limited settings.
Buellia peregrina sp. nov., a new, euendolithic calcicolous lichen species from the Namib Desert
Authors: BUNGARTZ Frank , WIRTH Volkmar
Published: December 2006

Buellia peregrina is described as new to science from small limestone pebbles on exposed ground of the coastal Namib Desert, Namibia. The species is unusual for two reasons: (1) it is the only species in Buellia s.l. currently known to grow euendolithically, i.e., establishing a thallus entirely within its rock substratum, and (2) its apothecia contain a previously unknown blue pigment, here described as peregrina-blue according to its colour and characteristic reactions with HNO3, KOH and HCl.
Massalongiaceae fam. nov., an overlooked monophyletic group among the cyanobacterial lichens (Peltigerales, Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota)
Authors: WEDIN Mats , JØRGENSEN Per Magnus , WIKLUND Elisabeth
Published: December 2006

In this investigation we utilized parsimony and Bayesian analyses of mtSSU and nuLSU rDNA sequence datasets to show that the lichenized ascomycete genera Leptochidium and Polychidium (formerly classified in Placynthiaceae) form a well-supported monophyletic group with Massalongia (Peltigerales, Lecanoromycetes, Ascomycota). This group is also supported by morphological characteristics (ascus type, ascoma ontogeny and anatomy), but does not have a formal name on any level. We describe it here as the family Massalongiaceae. Massalongiaceae is related to a group consisting of Peltigeraceae-Nephromataceae, and Lobariaceae, but the detailed relationships within this group are not resolved with convincing support.
The Influence of Criminal Facial Stereotypes on Juridic Judgments
Authors: Dumas Rafaële , Testé Benoît
Published: December 2006

In order to further research into the influence of facial stereotypes on juridic judgments, we investigated the influence of face/offence congruency on such judgments, taking into account the strength of the case against the defendant and the maturity and attractiveness attributes of the defendant’s face. Each participant (N = 169) read a fictitious case file that: (1) established the defendant’s guilt with either a high degree of ambiguity or with a low degree of ambiguity; (2) included a photo of the defendant that was congruent with the offence or not congruent with the offence. Participants were asked to evaluate the defendant’s guilt (in a dichotomous manner and on a continuous scale), to state their degree of confidence in their decision, to recommend a sentence, and to rate the attractiveness and maturity of the defendant’s face. The results show that participants’ judgments were affected by face/offence congruency and that this influence was not dependent on the ambiguity of the case or on the maturity or attractiveness of the face.
Retrospective analysis of artemisinin pharmacokinetics: application of a semiphysiological autoinduction model
Authors: Asimus Sara , Gordi Toufigh
Published: December 2006

What is already known about this subject?

• A previous semiphysiological model has been published, describing the time course of the autoinduction of artemisinin.

• The model, which was based on saliva sampling, has been successfully applied in another set of saliva data.

What this study adds?

• In this report, we applied the same model to plasma data from six clinical studies involving healthy volunteers and malaria patients.

• The model performed well and we suggest that it could be used as a general model in cases of time‐dependent pharmacokinetics and drug‐drug interactions.

Aims

To describe the time‐course of the autoinduction of artemisinin by applying a semiphysiological pharmacokinetic model.

Methods

Plasma concentration‐time data from six clinical studies involving oral administration of artemisinin to healthy subjects and malaria patients were included in the analysis. NONMEM was used to apply a semiphysiological model incorporating metabolizing enzymes and a pharmacokinetic model including a separate hepatic compartment.

Results

The model described the data well. The hepatic extraction ratio increased from 0.74 at pre‐induced conditions to 0.98 after autoinduction of metabolism.

Conclusions

Our model successfully described the time‐course of autoinduction of metabolism of artemisinin in subjects receiving oral artemisinin.
Factors influencing patients' emotional reactions to hospitalization
Authors: Wilson‐Barnett Jenifer , Carrigy Ann
Published: December 2006

This is a study of factors causing distress, particularly anxiety and depression, among medical ward patients. A longitudinal design was used to trace patients' emotional responses throughout their stay in hospital. Personality assessment, illness classification, social status, sex and age variables were examined to establish associations between events and the emotional reactions. A trait measure of emotionality was shown to have a strong association with anxiety and depression responses in this sample. This test is thought to be of use in identifying patients prone to high levels of these emotions while in hospital.
The selection and organization of curricular experience in nursing
Authors: Wong Julia , Wong Shirley
Published: December 2006

Curriculum is the educational design of learning experiences for the students. Curricular experiences include course content as well as learning activities. The selection and organization of curricular experiences must also reflect the philosophy of the school.

The identifying and organizing of curricular experiences begins with the analysis of curriculum objectives. The most commonly used approach in selecting learning experiences is the logical approach in which the process is treated as content in curriculum development. This paper attempts to analyse the selection and organization of the first year curricular experiences of the proposed curriculum by applying the logical approach.

The proposed curriculum is designed for a 2‐year diploma school of nursing. Nursing is offered as a continuum of increasing complexity throughout the three semesters of each year. The curricular framework is based on the health field concept; curricular experiences are selected and organized in accordance with this concept. Courses related to the four elements of the health field concept become mandatory classes for all students. Similarly clinical experience is organized so that a total integration of knowledge from these four elements is enhanced. The first year students study the general aspects of health and health field concept; the nursing process; helping relationships and selected skills necessary for meeting patient's physiological needs. The last semester of the first year is a synthesis practicum proposed to integrate principles and theories which the students have acquired previously and to apply them to the practice of nursing.
The nursing process – is the title right?
Authors: Henderson Virginia
Published: December 2006

The use of the term nursing process is traced from the 1950s. The author argues that the nursing process is now used as a substitute for nursing. In this paper questions are raised as to whether problem‐solving is all there is to nursing and whether problem solving is peculiar to nursing. It is further argued that whilst the nursing process recognizes the purpose of the problem‐solving aspects of the nurse's work, it ignores the subjective or intuitive aspects of nursing. It also ignores the role of experience, logic and expert opinion as bases for nursing practice, the author contends. She concludes that because the nursing process stresses a dominant and independent function for the nurse this may undermine the value of collaboration of health professionals and the development of the client's self reliance.
Measuring nurses' accuracy of estimating blood loss
Authors: Higgins Patricia Grant
Published: December 2006

Estimation is the most commonly used method to determine blood loss. According to the literature, estimating blood loss is not exact; there are wide margins of error and blood loss tends to be underestimated. Forty‐two registered nurses were asked to estimate varied amounts of blood on 20 peripads. Both over‐ and underestimation occurred; 71% overestimated and 25% underestimated blood loss. There was also disagreement as to what constituted heavy, moderate or slight blood loss. There was no difference in accuracy among variables of education, years of experience, specialty area, or when and how nurses learned to estimate. Contrary to current literature, these nurses: 1 overestimated blood loss; 2 had significant difficulty in estimating very small and very large amounts of blood; 3 although in error, were consistent in estimating repeated samples with the same amounts of blood; 4 were not consistent in estimating heavy, moderate, and slight blood loss.
Has the discipline of nursing developed to the stage where nurses do ‘think nursing’?
Authors: Perry Judith
Published: December 2006

With the increasing complexity and changing conditions of nursing practice, as well as the encroachment of other professions on nursing's traditional domain, it is becoming increasingly important for nurses to gain insights into the nature of nursing knowledge and practice. This paper attempts to outline the meaning of the expression ‘to think nursing’ and the factors involved in such a capacity. The work of nurse scholars is then discussed in terms of their contribution towards developing the discipline of nursing to the stage where nurses do ‘think nursing'.
Lovastatin attenuates nerve injury in an animal model of Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Sarkey Jason P. , Richards Michael P. , Stubbs Evan B.
Published: December 2006

Statins, widely used as clinically effective inhibitors of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, exhibit anti‐inflammatory properties that may be of therapeutic benefit for the management of some neurological disorders. In this study, a short‐term course of lovastatin treatment is shown to markedly inhibit the development of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) in the absence of hepatotoxic or myotoxic complications. Independent of cholesterol reduction, lovastatin treatment prevented EAN‐induced peripheral nerve conduction deficits and morphologic nerve injury. Co‐administration with mevalonate neutralized the prophylactic effects of lovastatin. When administered therapeutically, lovastatin significantly shortened the disease course. Autoreactive immunity, measured in vitro by myelin‐stimulated proliferation of splenocytes, was significantly diminished by in vivo lovastatin treatment. Th1‐dominant immune responses, measured by cytokine profiling, however, were not affected by lovastatin. Sciatic nerves of lovastatin‐treated immunized rats showed markedly reduced levels of cellular infiltrates. Treating peripheral nerve endothelial monolayers with lovastatin significantly inhibited the in vitro migration of autoreactive splenocytes. Together, these data demonstrate that a short‐term course of lovastatin attenuates the development and progression of EAN in Lewis rats by limiting the proliferation and migration of autoreactive leukocytes.
The third dimension in facial rejuvenation: a review
Authors: Donofrio Lisa , Weinkle Susan
Published: December 2006

Background  Facial rejuvenation has long been dominated by surgical techniques that act on only two dimensions of the face, ignoring the third dimension (facial volume); therefore, a truly youthful look remains elusive.

Objectives  This paper aims to define the various surgical procedures employed by cosmetic surgeons that can be combined with alloplastic implants or injectable devices in order to restore lost facial volume.

Methods and materials  A search of the literature was performed.

Results  Alloplastic augmentation and implants provide permanent restoration of facial volume, but require invasive surgery. Soft‐tissue fillers include autologous fat, calcium hydroxylapatite, and a variety of polymers. Devices based on collagen and hyaluronic acids provide correction of superficial lines and folds, but cannot offer long‐lasting restoration of facial volume. The only fillers that have been proven to augment facial volume are autologous fat, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly‐l‐lactic acid, polyacrylamide, poly‐alkyl‐imide, and methylpolysiloxane.

Conclusions  For optimal facial rejuvenation, the accepted surgical techniques of skin lifting and tightening could be combined with volumizing devices, thereby addressing ptosis, lines, folds, and volume loss.