bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bulimia nervosa presenting as rectal purging and rectal prolapse: Case report and literature review
Authors: Guerdjikova Anna I. , O'Melia Anne , Riffe Kris , Palumbo Todd , McElroy Susan L.
Published: September 2011

Rectal prolapse, but not rectal purging (excessive finger evacuation to induce defecation), has been formally associated with eating disorders in the medical literature. We describe a young woman with bulimia nervosa and irritable bowel syndrome who used rectal purging as a method of counteracting the effects of her binge eating and who underwent two corrective surgeries for rectal prolapse in a 15‐month interval. Further research into the relationship between eating disorders, rectal purging, and gastrointestinal dysfunction is called for. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)
Comprehensive numerical analysis of fault‐structure systems – Computation of the large‐scale seismic structural response to a given earthquake scenario –
Authors: Ichimura T. , Hori M. , Quinay P. E. , Wijerathne M. L. L. , Suzuki T. , Noguchi S.
Published: September 2011

The seismic structural response is affected by temporal and spatial variations in strong ground motion. It can be evaluated through the fault‐structure system: the fault mechanism, wave propagation through the crust, amplification near the surface, and soil‐structure interaction. To analyze this system at high resolution and accuracy, we previously proposed a new multiscale analysis method and numerically verified its validity. However, the problem of the extremely large computation cost of constructing a three‐dimensional numerical model and solving the discretized governing equations still remains. Here, we introduce a new method to resolve these difficulties. By combining this new method with our multiscale analysis, we developed a tool for fault‐structure system analysis. The accuracy of this tool is verified by comparing it to a Green's function solution. Finally, we demonstrate the potential utility of the method by estimating the seismic response of a large and complex underground highway junction in a given earthquake scenario. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SEPT9_i1 and genomic instability: Mechanistic insights and relevance to tumorigenesis
Authors: Peterson Esther A. , Stanbery Laura , Li Christina , Kocak Hande , Makarova Olga , Petty Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2011

Septins are highly conserved cytoskeletal GTP‐binding proteins implicated in numerous cellular processes from apoptosis to vesicle trafficking. Septins have been associated with leukemia and solid tumor malignancies, including breast, ovarian, and prostate. We previously reported that high SEPT9_i1 expression in human mammary epithelial cell lines (HMECs) led to malignant cellular phenotypes such as increased cell proliferation, invasiveness, motility, and genomic instability. Our goal here was to better understand how SEPT9_i1 expression might contribute to genomic instability and malignant progression. First, we confirmed that even transient expression of SEPT9_i1 was sufficient to increase aneuploidy in HMECs. We then analyzed SEPT9_i1 by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies and found that SEPT9_i1 interacts with both α and γ tubulin. SEPT9_i1 expressing cells demonstrated dramatic chromosome segregation defects, centrosome amplification and cytokinesis defects, suggesting two possible molecular mechanisms contributing to the development of genomic instability. This suggests that SEPT9_i1 may promote genomic instability through both cytokinesis and mitotic spindle defects which lead to chromosome missegregation. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The prevalence, incidence and risk factors for delirium in Dutch nursing homes and residential care homes
Authors: Boorsma Marijke , Joling Karlijn J. , Frijters Dinnus H. M. , Ribbe Miel E. , Nijpels Giel , van Hout Hein P. J.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To estimate and compare the prevalence and incidence of delirium and its risk factors in residents of Dutch nursing homes and residential care homes.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Long‐Term Care Facility (inter RAI‐LTCF) version of the Resident Assessment Instrument, which was filled in a routine care cohort for a total of 3627 residents. 828 residents of six nursing homes and 1365 residents of 23 residential homes were included in the analyses. Delirium was defined as a positive score on the adjusted Nursing Home–CAM.

Results

The prevalence of delirium was 8.9% in the nursing homes and 8.2% in the residential homes. The incidence was highest in the nursing homes with 20.7 versus 14.6 per 100 person‐years. Multivariate tests of risk factors for developing delirium included chair restraints (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.27–4.28), dementia (odds ratio (OR) 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.03–5.24) and Parkinson's disease (OR 2.3; 95% CI 0.96–5.63) for residents in nursing homes, and dementia (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.31–2.55) and fall incidents (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.20–2.48) for residents in residential care homes.

Conclusion

The prevalence and incidence of delirium was high in both nursing homes and residential care homes. More focus on modifiable risk factors such as the use of restraints in nursing homes and fall incidents in residential care homes may help to prevent delirium. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engagement in leisure activities and benzodiazepine use in a French community‐dwelling elderly population
Authors: Bazin Fabienne , Noize Pernelle , Dartigues Jean‐François , Ritchie Karen Anne , Tavernier Beatrice , Moore Nicholas , Pariente Antoine , Fourrier‐Reglat Annie
Published: September 2011

Objective

The prevalence of benzodiazepine use among community‐dwelling older persons varies between 10% and 30%. The aim of this study was to explore the association between leisure activities and the use of benzodiazepine among older persons living at home.

Methods

The study population included 4848 persons aged 65 years and over living in either of two French cities. Information was collected from a questionnaire administered to the respondents by trained psychologists during face‐to‐face interviews at home and from a self‐administered questionnaire. Baseline examination included socio‐demographic characteristics, drug use and leisure activities. We classified as benzodiazepine users subjects who reported use of at least one benzodiazepine during the month preceding the interview. The association between the use of benzodiazepine and leisure activities was assessed by logistic regression adjusted on known potential confounders.

Results

More than 18% of participants reported use of at least one benzodiazepine. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of benzodiazepine use associated with no or lower participation versus participation in the following activities were as follows: OR = 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09 to 1.58) for mental activity; OR = 1.50 (CI: 1.12 to 2.03) for physical activity; OR = 1.28 (CI: 1.05 to 1.55) for productive activity and OR = 0.82 (CI: 0.69 to 0.97) for recreational activity.

Conclusion

Low engagement in stimulating activities and high engagement in sedentary activities were associated with recent benzodiazepine use. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the anterior cingulate cortex in emotional response inhibition
Authors: Albert Jacobo , López‐Martín Sara , Tapia Manuel , Montoya Daniel , Carretié Luis
Published: September 2011

Although the involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in emotional response inhibition is well established, there are several outstanding issues about the nature of this involvement that are not well understood. The present study aimed to examine the precise contribution of the ACC to emotion‐modulated response inhibition by capitalizing on fine temporal resolution of the event‐related potentials (ERPs) and the recent advances in source localization. To this end, participants (N = 30) performed an indirect affective Go/Nogo task (i.e., unrelated to the emotional content of stimulation) that required the inhibition of a motor response to three types of visual stimuli: arousing negative (A−), neutral (N), and arousing positive (A+). Behavioral data revealed that participants made more commission errors to A+ than to N and A−. Electrophysiological data showed that a specific region of the ACC at the intersection of its dorsal and rostral subdivisions was significantly involved in the interaction between emotional processing and motor inhibition. Specifically, activity reflecting this interaction was observed in the P3 (but not in the N2) time range, and was greater during the inhibition of responses to A+ than to N and A−. Additionally, regression analyses showed that inhibition‐related activity within this ACC region was associated with the emotional content of the stimuli (its activity increased as stimulus valence was more positive), and also with behavioral performance (both with reaction times and commission errors). The present results provide additional data for understanding how, when, and where emotion interacts with response inhibition within the ACC. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2147–2160, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disease and genetic contributions toward local tissue volume disturbances in schizophrenia: A tensor‐based morphometry study
Authors: Yang Yaling , Nuechterlein Keith H. , Phillips Owen R. , Gutman Boris , Kurth Florian , Dinov Ivo , Thompson Paul M. , Asarnow Robert F , Toga Arthur W. , Narr Katherine L.
Published: September 2011

Structural brain deficits, especially frontotemporal volume reduction and ventricular enlargement, have been repeatedly reported in patients with schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear whether brain structural deformations may be attributable to disease‐related or genetic factors. In this study, the structural magnetic resonance imaging data of 48 adult‐onset schizophrenia patients, 65 first‐degree nonpsychotic relatives of schizophrenia patients, 27 community comparison (CC) probands, and 73 CC relatives were examined using tensor‐based morphometry (TBM) to isolate global and localized differences in tissue volume across the entire brain between groups. We found brain tissue contractions most prominently in frontal and temporal regions and expansions in the putamen/pallidum, and lateral and third ventricles in schizophrenia patients when compared with unrelated CC probands. Results were similar, though less prominent when patients were compared with their nonpsychotic relatives. Structural deformations observed in unaffected patient relatives compared to age‐similar CC relatives were suggestive of schizophrenia‐related genetic liability and were pronounced in the putamen/pallidum and medial temporal regions. Schizophrenia and genetic liability effects for the putamen/pallidum were confirmed by regions‐of‐interest analysis. In conclusion, TBM findings complement reports of frontal, temporal, and ventricular dysmorphology in schizophrenia and further indicate that putamen/pallidum enlargements, originally linked mainly with medication exposure in early studies, also reflect a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia. Thus, brain deformation profiles revealed in this study may help to clarify the role of specific genetic or environmental risk factors toward altered brain morphology in schizophrenia. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2081–2091, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intensive care of the patient with cirrhosis
Authors: Olson Jody C. , Wendon Julia A. , Kramer David J. , Arroyo Vicente , Jalan Rajiv , Garcia-Tsao Guadalupe , Kamath Patrick S.
Published: September 2011

Acute deterioration of patients with cirrhosis manifests as multiple organ failure requiring admission to an intensive care unit. Precipitating events may be viral hepatitis, typically in Asia, and drug or alcoholic hepatitis and variceal hemorrhage in the West. Patients with cirrhosis in the intensive care unit have a high mortality, and each admission is associated with a mean charge of US $116,200. Prognosis is determined by the number of organs failing (sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score), the presence of infection, and the degree of liver dysfunction (Child-Turcotte-Pugh or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores). The most common organ failing is the kidney; sepsis is associated with further deterioration in liver function by compromise of the microcirculation. Care of these critically ill patients with impending multiple organ failure requires a team approach with expertise in both hepatology and critical care. Treatment is aimed at preventing further deterioration in liver function, reversing precipitating factors, and supporting failing organs. Liver transplantation is required in selected patients to improve survival and quality of life. Treatment is futile in some patients, but it is difficult to identify these patients a priori. Artificial and bioartificial liver support systems have thus far not demonstrated significant survival benefit in these patients. (Hepatology 2011)
Immunization With Aspartate–β–Hydroxylase–Loaded Dendritic Cells Produces Antitumor Effects in A Rat Model of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Noda Takehiro , Shimoda Masafumi , Ortiz Vivian , Sirica Alphonse E. , Wands Jack R.
Published: September 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) capture and process proteins and present peptides on the cell surface in the context of major histocompatibility complex I and II molecules to induce antigen–specific T cell immune responses. The aims of this study were to (1) employ an expanded and purified DC population and load them with aspartate–β–hydroxylase (ASPH), a highly expressed tumor–associated cell surface protein, and (2) to determine if immunization induced antitumor effects in an orthotopic rat model of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Splenocytes were incubated with ASPH–coated beads and passed through a magnetic field to yield an 80% pure DC OX62+ population. This DC subset was stimulated with granulocyte–macrophage colony–stimulating factor, interleukin–4, CD40L, and interferon–γ, resulting in a 40–fold increase in interleukin–12A messenger RNA expression to subsequently generate a T helper 1–type immune response. After incubation with the cytokine cocktail, DCs were found to have matured, as demonstrated by increased expression of CD40, CD80, and CD86 costimulatory molecules. Immunization with ASPH–loaded DCs induced antigen–specific immunity. A clone of the parental tumorigenic rat BDEneu cholangiocyte cell line, designated BDEneu–CL24, was found to have the highest number of cells expressing this surface protein (97%); it maintained the same phenotypic characteristics of the parental cell line and was used to produce intrahepatic tumors in immunocompetent syngeneic Fisher–344 rats. Immunization with ASPH–loaded DCs generated cytotoxicity against cholangiocarcinoma cells

in vitro

and significantly suppressed intrahepatic tumor growth and metastasis, and was associated with increased CD3+ lymphocyte infiltration into the tumors.

Conclusion

: These findings suggest that immunization with ASPH–loaded DCs may constitute a novel therapeutic approach for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, because this protein also appears to be highly conserved and expressed on human hepatobiliary tumors. (Hepatology 2012;55:86–97)
Immunoglobulin M Levels Inversely Correlate With CD40 Ligand Promoter Methylation in Patients With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Authors: Lleo Ana , Liao Jieyue , Invernizzi Pietro , Zhao Ming , Bernuzzi Francesca , Ma Le , Lanzi Gaetana , Ansari Aftab A. , Coppel Ross L. , Zhang Peng , Li Yijun , Zhou Zhiguang , Lu Qianjin , Gershwin Eric M.
Published: September 2011

The cross–talk of cluster of differentiation (CD)40/CD40 ligand (CD40L) plays a key role in CD4+ T–cell priming, B–cell terminal maturation, and immunoglobulin (Ig) class–switch recombination. Genetic defects in the CD40L lead to a disorder characterized by elevated concentrations of serum IgM and immunodeficiency. Patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) characteristically show circulating antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs), liver–infiltrating autoreactive T lymphocytes against mitochondrial antigens, and high levels of IgM. We hypothesized that CD40L may play a key role in the pathogenesis of the elevated serum IgM and analyzed genetic and epigenetic modifications of the gene coding for CD40L in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells isolated from circulating mononuclear cells from PBC patients and healthy controls. We herein demonstrate significantly lower levels of DNA methylation of the CD40L promoter in CD4+ T cells from PBC patients, as compared with controls, and this decreased methylation was inversely correlated with levels of serum IgM in PBC patients.

Conclusion

: The findings of an absence of genetic modifications of the CD40L gene, in concert with decreased DNA methylation of the CD40L promoter in PBC patients, suggests that environmental factors, rather than genetics, must play a major role in the pathogenesis of elevated serum IgM in PBC. (Hepatology 2012)
Effect of characteristic lengths of electron, ion, and gas diffusion on electrode performance and electrochemical reaction area in a solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Konno Akio , Iwai Hiroshi , Saito Motohiro , Yoshida Hideo
Published: September 2011

A precise evaluation of the active reaction zone in the electrodes is important to design an effective solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). A scale analysis and one‐dimensional numerical simulations are conducted to obtain a better understanding of the electrochemical reaction zone in a SOFC anode. In the scale analysis, the characteristic lengths of the electron, oxide ion, and gas transports are evaluated from their conservation equations. Relative comparisons of the characteristic lengths show that the transport phenomena in the SOFC anode are primarily governed by the oxide‐ion conduction under standard operating conditions. The gas diffusion may affect the extent and the location of the active reaction zone at high temperature and/or low reaction gas concentration conditions. The one‐dimensional numerical simulations for an anode provided detailed information such as the electric potential of electron‐ and ion‐conducting phases, the gas concentration, and local charge‐transfer current distributions. It is found that the electrochemical reaction actively occurs in the vicinity of the anode–electrolyte interface. The effective thickness increases as the characteristic length of the ion conduction is increased resulting in better power generation performance. The effective thickness is also increased when the gas‐diffusion length is short. The cell performance is, however, lowered in this case because the low gas diffusivity yields the increase of the ohmic loss of ion conduction as well as the concentration overpotential. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20373
Spatial variations of throughfall through secondary succession of evergreen broad‐leaved forests in eastern China
Authors: Huitao Shen , Xiaoxue Wang , Yue Jiang , Wenhui You
Published: September 2011

Linking spatial variations of throughfall with shifting patterns during forest succession is important for understanding developmental patterns of ecosystem function. However, no such approach has been previously used for the chronosequence of evergreen broad‐leaved forests in subtropical regions. This study was conducted in a chronosequence of secondary forest succession in Tiantong National Forest Park, to determine the optimum number of collectors within certain limits of error. Throughfall was 66, 55 and 77% of gross precipitation in an early‐succession (SS), sub‐climax (SE) and climax (CE) forest, respectively. The coefficient of variations (CV) of throughfall reduced with increasing rainfall amounts. Monte Carlo resampling approach was used to find mean values and 90 and 95% confidence intervals of a variable number of collectors (n) ranging from 2 to 24. During the study period, with nine collectors at SS, five at SE and five at CE, the error in the mean individual throughfall did not exceed 10%, respectively. This error was reduced to 5% when using 16, 10 and 10 collectors at SS, SE and CE, respectively. The CVs decreased greatly with increasing sample size when the sample size was less than 16 for the three successional stages, regardless of rainfall amounts. Based on the Student's t‐value analysis of the mean individual throughfall volumes, a sample size of 16 at SS, five at SE and four at CE would be enough for throughfall estimates at an accepted error of 10% of 95% confidence level, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the 25 of collectors used in the present study were sufficient to estimate the throughfall value at an accepted error of 10% at 90 and 95% confidence levels, even for those small rainfalls in eastern China. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions between dam‐regulated river flow and riparian groundwater: a case study from the Yellow River, China
Authors: Zhao Tongqian , Richards Keith S. , Xu Huashan , Meng Hongqi
Published: September 2011

The Xiaolangdi Dam, completed in 2000, is second in scale in China to the Three Gorges Project. It has generated remarkable economic and social benefits but with profound impacts to the riverine and regional environments. This paper reports field monitoring of riparian groundwater in the Kouma section of the Yellow River to illustrate the interactions between dam‐regulated river flow and riparian groundwater. The results show that the hydrological condition in riparian zones downstream from the dam has changed from a typical wet–dry cycle to a condition of semi‐permanent dryness, resulting in degradation of the typical attributes and functions of the wetland ecosystem. Hydrological processes in the riparian zone have changed from a complex multiple flooding regime to a simple regime of dominant groundwater drainage towards the river, which only reverses temporarily during the water and sediment regulation period of the dam. Data on groundwater level and groundwater quality show that there are two key points, at ca 200 and 400 m from the river bank, which distinguish zones with different sensitivity to changes of river flow and indicate different interactions between river water and groundwater. The shallow groundwater quality also is negatively affected by the intensive agricultural development that has occurred since the dam was completed. Ecological restoration needs to be carried out to construct a protective natural riparian zone within ca 200 m from the river, this being an ecotone, which is key to the protection of both riparian groundwater and the river. The riparian zone from 200 to 400 m also should be treated as a transitional zone. In addition, ecologically sensitive agriculture and ecotourism organized by local communities would be beneficial in the area beyond 400 m. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of Joint Attention in Young Siblings' Play
Authors: Benigno Joann P. , Farrar M. Jeffrey
Published: September 2011

The nature of joint attention (JA) engagement of 32 sibling pairs (M age older sibling = 55.21 months; M age younger sibling = 19.60 months) was assessed in a free play context. Relations among JA engagement states, both siblings' age, temperament, and language, and older sibling theory of mind were explored. The frequency of coordinated JA was related to features of temperament of both the younger siblings (emotionality) and the older siblings (activity level and sociability). Younger siblings' age was significantly related to siblings' engagement in coordinated JA, whereas the older siblings' age and theory of mind correlated with the frequency of passive JA engagement. Implications regarding the role of partner characteristics in young sibling JA interactions will be discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal Expressive Style and Children's Emotional Development
Authors: Nelson Jackie A. , O'Brien Marion , Calkins Susan D. , Leerkes Esther M. , Marcovitch Stuart , Blankson A. Nayena
Published: September 2011

Maternal expressive styles, based on a combination of positive and negative expressive patterns, were identified at two points in time and related to multiple aspects of preschool children's emotional development. Mother–child pairs from 260 families participated when the children were 3 years old, and 240 participated again at aged 4 years. Expressive styles were identified at age 3 using cluster analysis, replicated at age 4 and examined in relation to children's emotional understanding, expressiveness and regulation. Three expressive styles were identified: high positive/low negative, very low positive/average negative and average positive/very high negative. Cluster membership was stable in 63% of families from age 3 to 4 years; no systematic patterns of change were evident in the remaining families. Expressive style was related to aspects of children's emotional expression at 3 years and to emotion expression and regulation at 4 years. Children's expressiveness and regulation at age 3 were also related to changes in mothers' expressive styles over 1 year. Identifying mothers' expressive styles provides a unique way to understand the potential role of the emotional climates in which preschool‐aged children learn to express and regulate their own emotions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Narrow Replication of Yogo (2004) Estimating the Elasticity of Intertemporal Substitution when Instruments are Weak
Authors: Gomes Fábio Augusto Reis , Paz Lourenço S.
Published: September 2011

This narrow replication exercise of Yogo (Review of Economics and Statistics 2004; 86(3): 797–810) finds results identical to the original paper, and provides results on overidentification tests for specifications that do not suffer from the weak instruments problem. The null hypothesis of the Sargan test is rejected in several cases, in particular for US and UK quarterly data. When other combinations of instruments are used the null of the Sargan test is rejected again in several cases. These rejections cast doubts on either instrument validity or model specification. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender-specific increase of bone mass by CART peptide treatment is ovary-dependent
Authors: Gerrits Han , Bakker Nicole EC , van de Ven-de Laat Cindy JM , Bourgondien Freek GM , Peddemors Carolien , Litjens Ralph HGM , Kok Han J , Vogel Gerard MT , Krajnc-Franken Magda AM , Gossen Jan A
Published: September 2011

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) has emerged as a neurotransmitter and hormone that has been implicated in many processes including food intake, maintenance of body weight, and reward, but also in the regulation of bone mass. CART-deficient mice are characterized by an osteoporotic phenotype, whereas female transgenic mice overexpressing CART display an increase in bone mass. Here we describe experiments that show that peripheral subcutaneous sustained release of different CART peptide isoforms for a period up to 60 days increased bone mass by 80% in intact mice. CART peptides increased trabecular bone mass, but not cortical bone mass, and the increase was caused by reduced osteoclast activity in combination with normal osteoblast activity. The observed effect on bone was gender-specific, because male mice did not respond to treatment with CART peptides. In addition, male transgenic CART overexpressing mice did not display increased bone mass. Ovariectomy (OVX) completely abolished the increase of bone mass by CART peptides, both in CART peptide-treated wild-type mice and in CART transgenic mice. The effect of CART peptide treatment on trabecular bone was not mediated by 17β-estradiol (E2) because supplementation of OVX mice with E2 could not rescue the effect of CART peptides on bone. Together, these results indicate that sustained release of CART peptides increases bone mass in a gender-specific way via a yet unknown mechanism that requires the presence of the ovary. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Calcium intake and prostate cancer among African Americans: Effect modification by vitamin D receptor calcium absorption genotype
Authors: Rowland Glovioell W , Schwartz Gary G , John Esther M , Ingles Sue Ann
Published: September 2011

High dietary intake of calcium has been classified as a probable cause of prostate cancer, although the mechanism underlying the association between dietary calcium and prostate cancer risk is unclear. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a key regulator of calcium absorption. In the small intestine, VDR expression is regulated by the CDX-2 transcription factor, which binds a polymorphic site in the VDR gene promoter. We examined VDR Cdx2 genotype and calcium intake, assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, in 533 African–American prostate cancer cases (256 with advanced stage at diagnosis, 277 with localized stage) and 250 African–American controls who participated in the California Collaborative Prostate Cancer Study. We examined the effects of genotype, calcium intake, and diet–gene interactions by conditional logistic regression. Compared with men in the lowest quartile of calcium intake, men in the highest quartile had an approximately twofold increased risk of localized and advanced prostate cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.40, 3.46), with a significant dose–response. Poor absorbers of calcium (VDR Cdx2 GG genotype) had a significantly lower risk of advanced prostate cancer (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.90). The gene–calcium interaction was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Among men with calcium intake below the median (680 mg/day), carriers of the G allele had an approximately 50% decreased risk compared with men with the AA genotype. These findings suggest a link between prostate cancer risk and high intestinal absorption of calcium. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Soft‐core potentials in thermodynamic integration: Comparing one‐ and two‐step transformations
Authors: Steinbrecher Thomas , Joung InSuk , Case David A.
Published: September 2011

Molecular dynamics‐based free energy calculations allow the determination of a variety of thermodynamic quantities from computer simulations of small molecules. Thermodynamic integration (TI) calculations can suffer from instabilities during the creation or annihilation of particles. This “singularity” problem can be addressed with “soft‐core” potential functions which keep pairwise interaction energies finite for all configurations and provide smooth free energy curves. “One‐step” transformations, in which electrostatic and van der Waals forces are simultaneously modified, can be simpler and less expensive than “two‐step” transformations in which these properties are changed in separate calculations. Here, we study solvation free energies for molecules of different hydrophobicity using both models. We provide recommended values for the two parameters αLJ and βC controlling the behavior of the soft‐core Lennard–Jones and Coulomb potentials and compare one‐ and two‐step transformations with regard to their suitability for numerical integration. For many types of transformations, the one‐step procedure offers a convenient and accurate approach to free energy estimates. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
DynamO: a free ${\cal O}$(N) general event‐driven molecular dynamics simulator
Authors: Bannerman M. N. , Sargant R. , Lue L.
Published: September 2011

Molecular dynamics algorithms for systems of particles interacting through discrete or “hard” potentials are fundamentally different to the methods for continuous or “soft” potential systems. Although many software packages have been developed for continuous potential systems, software for discrete potential systems based on event‐driven algorithms are relatively scarce and specialized. We present DynamO, a general event‐driven simulation package, which displays the optimal${\cal O}$(N) asymptotic scaling of the computational cost with the number of particlesN, rather than the${\cal O}$(NlogN) scaling found in most standard algorithms. DynamO provides reference implementations of the best available event‐driven algorithms. These techniques allow the rapid simulation of both complex and large (>106particles) systems for long times. The performance of the program is benchmarked for elastic hard sphere systems, homogeneous cooling and sheared inelastic hard spheres, and equilibrium Lennard–Jones fluids. This software and its documentation are distributed under the GNU General Public license and can be freely downloaded fromhttp://marcusbannerman.co.uk/dynamo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry of syrinx and vocal tract in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Authors: Prince Ben , Riede, Tobias , Goller Franz
Published: September 2011

Sexually dimorphic vocal behavior in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) is associated with a 100% larger syrinx in males and other morphological adaptations of the sound source. The songbird syrinx consists of two independent sound sources, whose specialization for different spectral ranges may be reflected in morphological properties, but the morphology of labia and syringeal skeleton have not been investigated for lateralized specializations. Similarly, little is known whether the morphology of the songbird vocal tract reflects differences in vocal behavior. Here, we tested the hypothesis that different vocal behavior and specialization is reflected in the morphology. We investigated syringeal and upper vocal tract morphology of male and female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Female starlings exhibit smaller vocal repertoires and sing at lower rates than males. In males, the left syrinx produces mostly low frequencies, while the right one is used for higher notes. Macroscopic and histological techniques were used to record nineteen measurements from the syrinx and the vocal tract which were tested for sexual differences in syrinx and vocal tract and for lateral asymmetry within the syrinx. Sexually dimorphic vocal behavior is reflected in the morphology of the starling syrinx. Males have a larger syrinx with the size difference attributable to increased muscle mass and three enlarged elements of the syringeal skeleton. The upper vocal tract, however, does not differ between males and females. Distinct lateralization was found in two elements of the syringeal skeleton of females, and the labia in the left syrinx are larger than those on the right in both sexes. The sexual dimorphism of the syringeal size is smaller in starlings (35%) than in zebra finches (100%), which is consistent with the different vocal behavior of females in both species. The morphological differences between the two sound sources are discussed in relation to their vocal performance. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patellofemoral joint contact forces during activities with high knee flexion
Authors: Trepczynski Adam , Kutzner Ines , Kornaropoulos Evgenios , Taylor William R. , Duda Georg N. , Bergmann Georg , Heller Markus O.
Published: September 2011

The patellofemoral (PF) joint plays an essential role in knee function, but little is known about the in vivo loading conditions at the joint. We hypothesized that the forces at the PF joint exceed the tibiofemoral (TF) forces during activities with high knee flexion. Motion analysis was performed in two patients with telemetric knee implants during walking, stair climbing, sit‐to‐stand, and squat. TF and PF forces were calculated using a musculoskeletal model, which was validated against the simultaneously measured in vivo TF forces, with mean errors of 10% and 21% for the two subjects. The in vivo peak TF forces of 2.9–3.4 bodyweight (BW) varied little across activities, while the peak PF forces showed significant variability, ranging from less than 1 BW during walking to more than 3 BW during high flexion activities, exceeding the TF forces. Together with previous in vivo measurements at the hip and knee, the PF forces determined here provide evidence that peak forces across these joints reach values of around 3 BW during high flexion activities, also suggesting that the in vivo loading conditions at the knee can only be fully understood if the forces at the TF and the PF joints are considered together. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:408–415, 2012
Recapitulation of the Achilles tendon mechanical properties during neonatal development: A Study of differential healing during two stages of development in a mouse model
Authors: Ansorge Heather L. , Hsu Jason E. , Edelstein Lena , Adams Sheila , Birk David E. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: September 2011

During neonatal development, tendons undergo a well‐orchestrated process whereby extensive structural and compositional changes occur in synchrony to produce a normal tissue. Conversely, during the repair response to injury, structural and compositional changes occur, but a mechanically inferior tendon is produced. As a result, developmental processes have been postulated as a potential paradigm through which improved adult tissue healing may occur. By examining injury at distinctly different stages of development, vital information can be obtained into the structure–function relationships in tendon. The mouse is an intriguing developmental model due to the availability of assays and genetically altered animals. However, it has not previously been used for mechanical analysis of healing tendon due to the small size and fragile nature of neonatal tendons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differential healing response in tendon at two distinct stages of development through mechanical, compositional, and structural properties. To accomplish this, a new in vivo surgical model and mechanical analysis method for the neonatal mouse Achilles tendons were developed. We demonstrated that injury during early development has an accelerated healing response when compared to injury during late development. This accelerated healing model can be used in future mechanistic studies to elucidate the method for improved adult tendon healing. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:448–456, 2012
World fertilizer nutrient reserves: a view to the future
Authors: Fixen Paul E , Johnston Adrian M
Published: September 2011

The increasing need for food production in subtropical regions likely translates to a need for additional plant nutrients. As a consequence, knowledge of world fertilizer nutrient reserves is of particular relevance to sustainable agriculture in the subtropics. The stewardship responsibilities of agriculture include the wise use of the raw materials from which commercial fertilizers are produced. Development and implementation of fertilizer best management practices with focus on the 4Rs—right source, right rate, right time, right place—are timely not only for short‐term economic and environmental reasons, but also for the wise stewardship of the non‐renewable nutrient resources upon which food, feed, fiber, and fuel production depend. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Intraperitoneal docetaxel combined with S‐1 for advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshiyuki , Takiguchi Shuji , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Miyata Hiroshi , Yamasaki Makoto , Kurokawa Yukinori , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: September 2011

Background

Our previous phase I study indicated that combination chemotherapy with intraperitoneal docetaxel and S‐1 was well tolerated by gastric cancer patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). This study evaluated the benefits of this combination chemotherapy and subsequent surgery.

Patients and Methods

Neoadjuvant Intra‐Peritoneal and Systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) was introduced to gastric cancer patients with positive cytology or with PC. Two cycles of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with docetaxel combined with S‐1, were administrated and gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed in cases without macroscopic PC at post‐NIPS staging laparoscopy.

Results

Eighteen patients were enrolled in this study. Eight patients had measurable lymph node metastases by the RECIST criteria and computed tomography (CT) showed that five (62.5%) displayed a major response to the treatment. Out of 18 patients, 14 (78%) showed negative results on peritoneal cytology and no macroscopic PC, while the remaining four were cancer cell positive on peritoneal cytology or showed macroscopic PC even after NIPS. The median survival time of the entire group was 24.6 months. No treatment‐related mortality was observed during NIPS and surgery.

Conclusion

This study indicated that the NIPS combined with surgery was highly active and well tolerated by advanced gastric cancer patients with PC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:38–42. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Separation of alkaloids from herbs using high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Fang Lei , Liu Yuqin , Yang Bin , Wang Xiao , Huang Luqi
Published: September 2011

Alkaloids represent a most widespread group of bioactive natural products. Because of their alkalinity and structural diversity, the fractionation and purification of the alkaloids from herbs can often present a number of practical difficulties using the conventional chromatographic techniques. High‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) is a liquid–liquid partition chromatography with a support‐free liquid stationary phase, and is gaining more and more popularity as a viable separation technique for bioactive compounds from natural resources. In the present review, focus is placed on the separation of alkaloids by both conventional HSCCC and pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography (CCC) techniques from herbs. The review presents the separation of over 120 different alkaloid compounds from more than 30 plant species by the conventional HSCCC and pH‐zone‐refining CCC. Based on the data from the literature, the proper solvent systems for the separation of alkaloids by the conventional HSCCC and pH‐zone‐refining CCC are also summarized.
Enhancement of Muramyldipeptide (MDP) Immunostimulatory Activity by Controlled Multimerization on Dendrimers
Authors: Sorensen Nanna S. , Boas Ulrik , Heegaard Peter M. H.
Published: September 2011

Peptidoglycan is a widespread bacterial PAMP molecule and a powerful initiator of innate immune responses. It consists of repeating units of MDP, which as a monomer is only weakly immunostimulatory. Here, MDP‐coupled dendrimers were prepared and investigated for stimulation of pig blood mononuclear cells. Compared to monomeric MDP, MDP‐dendrimers induced a markedly enhanced production of IL‐12 p40, IL‐1β and IL‐6 and completely down‐regulated surface expression of B7 and MHC class II. These results suggest a possible novel strategy based on controlled multimerization of minimal PAMP motifs on dendrimers for preparing molecularly defined immunostimulators with predictable bioactivities.

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Tunable High‐Molecular‐Weight Anion‐Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells
Authors: Luo Yanting , Guo Juchen , Wang Chunsheng , Chu Deryn
Published: September 2011

Tunable alkaline anion‐exchange membranes based on QPMBV are synthesized using a bottom‐up approach, miniemulsion copolymerization, which can incorporate functional groups into the copolymers with designated composition and high molecular weight. The mechanical and electrochemical properties of the obtained QPMBV membranes are tuned by varying the composition. It is found that the ion exchange capacity of the copolymer, the hydrophilicity of the copolymer chains, the molecular weight, and the glass transition temperature of the copolymers are essential to balance the mechanical and OH– transport properties of QPMBV membranes. QPMBV membrane fuel cells show the best power output and the long‐lasting fuel cell performance among the APE membranes in open literature.

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Forcing with the Anti‐Foundation axiom
Authors: Esser Olivier
Published: September 2011

In this paper we define the forcing relation and prove its basic properties in the context of the theory ZFCA, i.e., ZFC minus the Foundation axiom and plus the Anti‐Foundation axiom (AFA).
Is improvement in the quality of life after subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson's disease predictable?
Authors: Daniels Christine , Krack Paul , Volkmann Jens , Raethjen Jan , Pinsker Markus O. , Kloss Manja , Tronnier Volker , Schnitzler Alfons , Wojtecki Lars , Bötzel Kai , Danek Adrian , Hilker Rüdiger , Sturm Volker , Kupsch Andreas , Karner Elfriede , Deuschl Günther , Witt Karsten
Published: September 2011

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) significantly improves quality of life (QoL) in PD. However, QoL fails to improve in a relevant proportion of patients. We studied clinical baseline and progression parameters associated with improvement in QoL after DBS. Data from a German randomized, controlled study comparing DBS (60 patients) with best medical treatment (59 patients) were analyzed. Changes in patients' QoL were assessed using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐39) at baseline and at the 6‐month follow‐up. For the STN‐DBS patients, the changes in PDQ‐39 were correlated with predefined clinical preoperative and progression parameters. Scores for QoL improved after STN‐DBS for 57% of the patients, and for 43% patients, they did not improve. Patients with improvement in QoL showed significantly higher cumulative daily “off” time. Changes in the PDQ‐39 showed a significant positive correlation with the cumulative daily off time at baseline. Logistic regression analysis revealed that 1 additional hour off time at baseline increases the odds for improvement on PDQ‐39 by a factor of 1.33 (odds ratio). In the postoperative course, changes in the PDQ‐39 significantly correlated with the reduction of cumulative daily off time, an improvement on the UPDRS (UPDRS III off), and positive mood changes. Among the baseline parameters, the cumulative daily off time is the strongest predictor for improvement in disease‐related QoL after DBS. Improvement in QoL after STN‐DBS is also correlated with changes in motor functions and changes in depression and anxiety. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Heads or tails? Structural events and molecular mechanisms that promote mammalian sperm acrosomal exocytosis and motility
Authors: Buffone Mariano G. , Ijiri Takashi W. , Cao Wenlei , Merdiushev Tanya , Aghajanian Haig K. , Gerton George L.
Published: September 2011

Sperm structure has evolved to be very compact and compartmentalized to enable the motor (the flagellum) to transport the nuclear cargo (the head) to the egg. Furthermore, sperm do not exhibit progressive motility and are not capable of undergoing acrosomal exocytosis immediately following their release into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, the site of spermatogenesis in the testis. These cells require maturation in the epididymis and female reproductive tract before they become competent for fertilization. Here we review aspects of the structural and molecular mechanisms that promote forward motility, hyperactivated motility, and acrosomal exocytosis. As a result, we favor a model articulated by others that the flagellum senses external signals and communicates with the head by second messengers to affect sperm functions such as acrosomal exocytosis. We hope this conceptual framework will serve to stimulate thinking and experimental investigations concerning the various steps of activating a sperm from a quiescent state to a gamete that is fully competent and committed to fertilization. The three themes of compartmentalization, competence, and commitment are key to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sperm activation. Comprehending these processes will have a considerable impact on the management of fertility problems, the development of contraceptive methods, and, potentially, elucidation of analogous processes in other cell systems. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79:4–18, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.