bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proliferation markers and prognosis in Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Carson Henry J. , Reddy Vijaya , Taxy Jerome B.
Published: December 2006

Merkel cell carcinotna (MCC) is a frequently aggressive primary cutaneous neuroendocrine malignancy. We investigated 3 cell proliferation markers which may be useful in predicting the aggressiveness of MCC: 1) p53, a tumor suppressor protein, 2) Ki‐67, a marker of cell cycling, and 3) proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Twenty patients with MCC were studied. The 3 cell proliferation markers were studied by immunoperoxidase. Clinical and immunoperoxidase results were tabulated according to recurrence or death from disease. Of the 20 patients, 10 experienced recurrence, and 10 did not. Seven tumors were positive for p53. We found correlations between recurrence and death in MCC patients, between p53 positivity and recurrence/death, and between p53 positivity and head/neck primary sites. We found no correlation with recurrence by gender or primary site. PCNA was positive in only 1 patient, while Ki‐67 was positive in all patients, making these 2 markers unsuitable for predicting recurrence. Further clinical studies will be helpful to confirm and refine the application of this test. Prognostic information from such studies may be useful in planning observation and treatment for patients in the future.
Solitary subcutaneous mucinosis surrounded by bizarre‐shaped, factor XIIIa‐positive cells with intranuclear vacuoles
Authors: Terui Tadashi , Aiba Setsuya , Tagami Hachiro
Published: December 2006

We describe a subcutaneous mucinosis developing in the right cheek of a 38‐year‐old man. Histologic examination revealed bipolar fibroblast‐like cells embedded in a well demarcated mucinotis stroma in the stibcutis without a manifest reticulin network. In addition, bizarre, sometimes multinucleate, cells with intra‐nuclear vacuoles were found at the periphery of the mucinous stroma. Immunohistologically, both the bipolar fibroblastic cells and bizarre‐shaped cells were positive for vimentin, but were negative for smooth nuiscle A‐actin, desmin, CD34, S‐100, trypsin, or chymotrypsin. However, the latter reacted to anti‐factor XIIIa antibody, suggesting that they are derived from dermal dendritic cells. We think that this solitary subcutaneous mucinosis is a unique variant of cutaneous focal mucinosis, because neither a reticulin network nor reactivity to anti‐smooth muscle A‐actin antibody were demonstrable.
Dentin structure in familial hypophosphatemic rickets: benefits of vitamin D and phosphate treatment
Authors: Chaussain‐Miller C , Sinding C , Septier D , Wolikow M , Goldberg M , Garabedian M
Published: December 2006

Objective:  To evaluate the outcome of 1‐(OH) vitamin D and oral phosphate treatment on dentin structure in patients with familial hypophosphatemic rickets, and expression of SIBLINGs (a family of non‐collagenous proteins involved in dentinogenesis) and osteocalcin.

Patients and methods:  Seven patients with familial hypophosphatemic rickets (age 3–16 years) were studied before or during treatment. Deciduous and permanent teeth were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and immunohistochemistry.

Results:  Untreated or inadequately treated patients had necrotic teeth with impaired dentin mineralization including unmerged calcospherites and accumulation of non‐collagenous proteins in wide interglobular spaces. Most of the primary incisors analyzed displayed fissures linking enamel subsurface to pulp horn. These elements may explain the bacterial penetration and dental abscesses despite the absence of carious lesions. Well‐treated patients had healthy teeth with good dentin mineralization and little evidence of calcospherites.

Conclusion:  Treatment of hypophosphatemic children with 1‐(OH) vitamin D and oral phosphate insures good dentin development and mineralization, and prevents clinical anomalies such as the dental necrosis classically associated with the disease. Starting treatment during early childhood and good adherence to the therapy are mandatory to observe these beneficial effects.
SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE PROXIMAL METACARPAL AND METATARSAL REGIONS OF HORSES WITH PROXIMAL SUSPENSORY DESMITIS
Authors: DYSON SUE J. , WEEKES JO S. , MURRAY RACHEL C.
Published: December 2006

The aim of the study was to characterize radiopharmaceutical uptake patterns in horses with clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of proximal suspensory desmitis. It was hypothesized that radiopharmaceutical uptake in the proximal palmar (plantar) aspect of the third metacarpal (metatarsal) bone would be greater in lame limbs of horses with proximal suspensory desmitis than in sound limbs and that there would be a positive correlation between the severity of ultrasonographic abnormalities and the degree of radiopharmaceutical uptake. Nuclear scintigraphic evaluation of the proximal metacarpal or metatarsal regions of 126 horses with ultrasonographic evidence of proximal suspensory desmitis was performed. In all horses lameness was substantially improved by perineural analgesia of the palmar metacarpal (subcarpal) or plantar metatarsal (subtarsal) nerves. Scintigraphic images were assessed subjectively, by profile analysis and using region of interest analysis. Associations between the degree of ultrasonographic abnormality and radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios and the presence of radiographic abnormalities and radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios were analyzed. Subjectively, the majority of horses had normal radiopharmaceutical uptake. Profile analysis provided little additional information. However with region of interest analysis there was greater radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios in plantar images in the proximal metatarsal regions of lame limbs compared with nonlame limbs. There was no association between radiological abnormalities and radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios. In forelimbs there was no association between ultrasonographic lesion grade and radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios, however in hindlimbs there was a significant relationship between ultrasonographic grade and radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios.
Creating a Successful School‐Based Mobile Dental Program
Authors: Jackson David M. , Jahnke Lauren R. , Kerber Lisa , Nyer Genie , Siemens Kammi , Clark Carol
Published: December 2006

Background:  Dental disease is one of the leading causes of school absenteeism for children. This article describes the creation and evolution of the St. David’s Dental Program, a mobile school‐based dental program for children.

Methods:  The dental program is a collaboration of community partners in Central Texas that provides free dental care to low‐income children in schools without relying on reimbursements or government funding.

Results:  Since 1998, the program has provided 132,791 screenings for oral health treatment needs and 38,634 encounters for sealants or treatment. In 2005, the program provided $2.1 million worth of services at a cost of $1.2 million (not including donated services). Factors important to the program’s success included sustained funding for general operating costs; well‐compensated clinicians to deliver care and experienced human service workers to manage program operations; the devotion of resources to maximize consent form return rates; and the development of strong relationships with school district and individual school staff.

Conclusions:  By removing cost, time, transportation, and bureaucratic barriers, the program was able to reach more children than fixed‐site clinics. The program was a merging of private and public health dentistries. This model can be useful to other communities in light of the unmet need for dental care and tighter federal, state, and local government budgets.
Changes in EMG coherence between long and short thumb abductor muscles during human development
Authors: Farmer Simon F. , Gibbs John , Halliday David M. , Harrison Linda M. , James Leon M. , Mayston Margaret J. , Stephens John A.
Published: December 2006

In adults, motoneurone pools of synergistic muscles that act around a common joint share a common presynaptic drive. Common drive can be revealed by both time domain and frequency domain analysis of EMG signals. Analysis in the frequency domain reveals significant coherence in the range 1–45 Hz, with maximal coherence in low (1–12 Hz) and high (16–32 Hz) ranges. The high‐frequency range depends on cortical drive to motoneurones and is coherent with cortical oscillations at ∼20 Hz frequencies. It is of interest to know whether oscillatory drive to human motoneurone pools changes with development. In the present study we examined age‐related changes in coherence between rectified surface EMG signals recorded from the short and long thumb abductor muscles during steady isometric contraction obtained while subjects abducted the thumb against a manipulandum. We analysed EMG data from 36 subjects aged between 4 and 14 years, and 11 adult subjects aged between 22 and 59 years. Using the techniques of pooled coherence analysis and the χ2 difference of coherence test we demonstrate that between the ages of 7 and 9 years, and 12 and 14 years, there are marked increases in the prevalence and magnitude of coherence at frequencies between 11 and 45 Hz. The data from subjects aged 12–14 years were similar to those obtained from adult controls. The most significant differences between younger children and the older age groups were detected at frequencies close to 20 Hz. We believe that these are the first reported results demonstrating significant late maturational changes in the ∼20 Hz common oscillatory drive to human motoneurone pools.
B(s), D(s)→ π, K, η, ρ, K*, ω, ϕ TRANSITION FORM FACTORS AND DECAY RATES WITH EXTRACTION OF THE CKM PARAMETERS |Vub|, |Vcs|, |Vcd|
Authors: WU Y. L. , ZHONG M. , ZUO Y. B.
Published: December 2006

A systematic calculation for the transition form factors of heavy to light mesons (B, Bs, D, Ds→ π, K, η, ρ, K*, ω, ϕ) is carried out by using light-cone sum rules in the framework of heavy quark effective field theory. The heavy quark symmetry at the leading order of 1/mQexpansion enables us to reduce the independent wave functions and establish interesting relations among form factors. Some relations hold for the whole region of momentum transfer. The meson distribution amplitudes up to twist-4 including the contributions from higher conformal spin partial waves and light meson mass corrections are considered. The CKM matrix elements |Vub|, |Vcs| and |Vcd| are extracted from some relatively well-measured decay channels. A detailed prediction for the branching ratios of heavy to light meson decays is then presented. The resulting predictions for the semileptonic and radiative decay rates of heavy to light mesons (B, Bs, D, Ds→ π, K, η, ρ, K*, ω, ϕ) are found to be compatible with the current experimental data and can be tested by more precise experiments at B-factory, LHCb, BEPCII and CLEOc.
ENTROPY OF SCALAR FIELD NEAR A SCHWARZSCHILD BLACK HOLE HORIZON
Authors: SETARE M. R.
Published: December 2006

In this paper we compute the correction to the entropy of Schwarzschild black hole due to the vacuum polarization effect of massive scalar field. The Schwarzschild black hole is supposed to be confined in spherical shell. The scalar field obeying mixed boundary condition on the spherical shell.
Altered expression of genes regulating skeletal muscle mass in the portacaval anastamosis rat
Authors: Dasarathy Srinivasan , Muc Sean , Hisamuddin Kola , Edmison John M. , Dodig Milan , McCullough Arthur J. , Kalhan Satish C.
Published: December 2006

We examined the temporal relationship between portacaval anastamosis (PCA), weight gain, changes in skeletal muscle mass and molecular markers of protein synthesis, protein breakdown, and satellite cell proliferation and differentiation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with end to side PCA ( n = 24) were compared with sham-operated pair-fed rats ( n = 24). Whole body weight, lean body mass, and forelimb grip strength were determined at weekly intervals. The skeletal muscle expression of the ubiquitin proteasome system, myostatin, its receptor (the activin 2B receptor) and its signal, cyclin-dependant kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p21, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and its receptor (IGF-I receptor-α), and markers of satellite cell proliferation and differentiation were quantified. PCA rats did not gain body weight and had lower lean body mass, forelimb grip strength, and gastrocnemius muscle weight. The skeletal muscle expression of the mRNA of ubiquitin proteasome components was higher in PCA rats in the first 2 wk followed by a lower expression in the subsequent 2 wk ( P < 0.01). The mRNA and protein of myostatin, activin 2B receptor, and CDKI p21 were higher, whereas IGF-I and its receptor as well as markers of satellite cell function (proliferating nuclear cell antigen, myoD, myf5, and myogenin) were lower at weeks 3 and 4 following PCA ( P < 0.05). We conclude that PCA resulted in uninhibited proteolysis in the initial 2 wk. This was followed by an adaptive response in the later 2 wk consisting of an increased expression of myostatin that may have contributed to reduced muscle protein synthesis, impaired satellite cell function, and lower skeletal muscle mass.
Ventilatory muscle activation and inflammation: cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide
Authors: Vassilakopoulos Theodoros , Hussain Sabah N. A.
Published: December 2006

Strenuous diaphragmatic contractions that are induced by inspiratory resistive breathing initiate an inflammatory response that involves the elevation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines within the diaphragm, which may then spill into the circulation. The production of reactive oxygen species within working respiratory muscles increases in response to these strenuous diaphragmatic contractions. At the same time, diaphragmatic nitric oxide (NO) production declines significantly, despite a time-dependent increase in NO synthase isoform protein expression. The increase in adhesion molecule expression and infiltration of granulocytes and macrophages that follows may contribute to the contraction-induced diaphragm injury. Enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress augmentation, reduced NO production, and glycogen depletion are potential stimuli for the cytokine induction that is secondary to strenuous diaphragmatic contractions. This production of cytokines within the diaphragm may contribute to the diaphragmatic muscle fiber injury that occurs with strenuous contractions or to the expected repair process. TNF-α is a cytokine that compromises diaphragmatic contractility and may contribute to muscle wasting. IL-6 is a cytokine that may have beneficial systemic effects by mobilizing glucose from the liver and free fatty acids from the adipose tissue and providing them to the strenuously working respiratory muscles. Thus cytokine upregulation within the working diaphragm may be adaptive and maladaptive.
Update onEpidermal Growth Factor ReceptorMutations in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Riely Gregory J. , Politi Katerina A. , Miller Vincent A. , Pao William
Published: December 2006

In 2004, several investigators reported that somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene were associated with clinical responses to erlotinib and gefitinib in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Since then, multiple groups have examined the biological properties that such mutations confer as well as the clinical relevance of these mutations in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. Although a tremendous amount of knowledge has been gained in the past 2 years, there remain a number of important epidemiologic, biological, and clinical questions.
Molecular Profiling of ADAM12 in Human Bladder Cancer
Authors: Fröhlich Camilla , Albrechtsen Reidar , Dyrskjøt Lars , Rudkjær Lise , Ørntoft Torben F. , Wewer Ulla M.
Published: December 2006

Purpose: We have previously found ADAM12, a disintegrin and metalloprotease, to be an interesting biomarker for breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the gene and protein expression profiles of ADAM12 in different grades and stages of bladder cancer.

Experimental Design: ADAM12 gene expression was evaluated in tumors from 96 patients with bladder cancer using a customized Affymetrix GeneChip. Gene expression in bladder cancer was validated using reverse transcription-PCR, quantitative PCR, and in situ hybridization. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining on tissue arrays of bladder cancers. The presence and relative amount of ADAM12 in the urine of cancer patients were determined by Western blotting and densitometric measurements, respectively.

Results: ADAM12 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated in bladder cancer, as determined by microarray analysis, and the level of ADAM12 mRNA correlated with disease stage. Reverse transcription-PCR, quantitative PCR, and in situ hybridization validated the gene expression results. Using immunohistochemistry, we found ADAM12 protein expression correlated with tumor stage and grade. Finally, ADAM12 could be detected in the urine by Western blotting; ADAM12 was present in higher levels in the urine from patients with bladder cancer compared with urine from healthy individuals. Significantly, following removal of tumor by surgery, in most bladder cancer cases examined, the level of ADAM12 in the urine decreased and, upon recurrence of tumor, increased.

Conclusions: ADAM12 is a promising biomarker of bladder cancer.
Phase I, Pharmacokinetic, and Biological Study of Erlotinib in Combination with Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Patnaik Amita , Wood Debra , Tolcher Anthony W. , Hamilton Marta , Kreisberg Jeffrey I. , Hammond Lisa A. , Schwartz Garry , Beeram Muralidhar , Hidalgo Manuel , Mita Monica M. , Wolf Julie , Nadler Paul , Rowinsky Eric K.
Published: December 2006

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of administering erlotinib, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin, and to identify pharmacokinetic interactions, evaluate downstream effects of EGFR inhibition on surrogate tissues, and seek preliminary evidence for clinical activity.

Experimental Design: Patients with advanced solid malignancies were treated continuously with erlotinib at doses of 100, 125, and 150 mg/d orally along with fixed i.v. doses of paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 6 mg·min/mL, both on day 1 every 3 weeks.

Results: Twenty evaluable patients were treated with 136 courses of erlotinib, paclitaxel, and carboplatin. Myelosuppression, skin rash, and diarrhea were the principal toxicities. Dose limiting diarrhea occurred in 1 of 6 patients at the 100 mg erlotinib dose level, whereas 0 of 9 evaluable patients at the 125 mg erlotinib dose level experienced dose limiting toxicity and 3 of 5 evaluable patients at 150 mg erlotinib experienced dose limiting skin rash and neutropenic sepsis. There was no evidence of pharmacokinetic interactions between paclitaxel and erlotinib; however, total carboplatin exposure trended higher in the presence of erlotinib. No consistent downstream effects on EGFR inhibition were found in skin. Durable objective responses were observed in non–small-cell lung and head and neck cancers.

Conclusions: A dose level of erlotinib 125 mg combined with paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 6 mg·min/mL is recommended for disease-directed studies. This phase I trial was followed by a randomized phase III study in non–small-cell lung cancer using a similar regimen.
Expression of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Tie2 in Neoplastic Glial Cells Is Associated with Integrin β1-Dependent Adhesion to the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Lee Ok-Hee , Xu Jing , Fueyo Juan , Fuller Gregory N. , Aldape Kenneth D. , Alonso Marta M. , Piao Yuji , Liu Ta-Jen , Lang Frederick F. , Bekele B. Nebiyou , Gomez-Manzano Candelaria
Published: December 2006

The abnormal function of tyrosine kinase receptors is a hallmark of malignant gliomas. Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase is a specific endothelial cell receptor whose function is positively regulated by angiopoietin 1 (Ang1). Recently, Tie2 has also been found in the nonvascular compartment of several tumors, including leukemia as well as breast, gastric, and thyroid cancers. There is, however, little information on the function of the Ang1/Tie2 pathway in the non–stromal cells within human tumors. We found that surgical glioblastoma specimens contained a subpopulation of Tie2+/CD31− and Tie2+/GFAP+ cells, suggesting that Tie2 is indeed expressed outside the vascular compartment of gliomas. Furthermore, analysis of a tissue array consisting of 116 human glioma samples showed that Tie2 expression in the neoplastic glial cells was significantly associated with progression from a lower to higher grade. Importantly, Ang1 stimulation of Tie2+ glioma cells resulted in increased adherence of the cells to collagen I and IV, suggesting that Tie2 regulates glioma cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Conversely, the down-regulation of Tie2 levels by small interference RNA or the addition of soluble Tie2 abrogated the Ang1-mediated effect on cell adhesion. In studying the expression of cell adhesion molecules, we found that Tie2 activation was related to the up-regulation of integrin β1 levels and the formation of focal adhesions. These results, together with the reported fact that malignant gliomas express high levels of Ang1, suggest the existence of an autocrine loop in malignant gliomas and that a Tie2-dependent pathway modulates cell–to–extracellular matrix adhesion, providing new insights into the highly infiltrative phenotype of human gliomas. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(12):915–26)
Who Wins in the Status Games? Violence, Sexual Violence, and an Emerging Single Standard among Adolescent Women
Authors: KRAUSS BEATRICE J. , O'DAY JOANNE , GODFREY CHRISTOPHER , RENTE KEVIN , FREIDIN ELIZABETH , BRATT ERICA , MINIAN NADIA , KNIBB KRAIG , WELCH CHRISTY , KAPLAN ROBERT , SAXENA GAURI , McGINNISS SHAWN , GILROY JACQUELINE , NWAKEZE PETER , CURTAIN SAUNDRA
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  Throughout U.S. history, women have changed their sexual behaviors in response to, or as actors affecting, economic, political, and legal imperatives; to preserve health; to promote new relationship, identity or career paths; to assert a set of values; as a result of new reproductive technologies; or to gain status. In adjusting to pressures or goals, women have not always acted, or been able to act, in the interests of their own health, identity, or status. As this article will demonstrate, women, in the short or long run, may attempt to preserve status at the cost of other values such as health. This may occur through conscious and critical choice or through less conscious processes in reaction to relatively larger forces whose impact has not been critically analyzed. With the awareness in the 1980s in the United States of an emergent and incurable sexually transmissible infection, HIV, it would have been anticipated that a new sexual caution may have appeared. Yet, across several research projects in the late 1990s and into the 21st century, as our research team interviewed youth in a high HIV seroprevalence neighborhood in New York City about HIV prevention, we began to hear that a substantial minority of young women and men were participating in social settings for sexual behavior that (1) put youth at risk for HIV; (2) appeared to be motivated by acquisition of status (“props,”“points”); and (3) offered few ways for women to win in these status games. We estimate from one random dwelling unit sample that about one in eight youth have been present in these settings and half of them have participated in risky sexual behavior in such settings. The settings are often characterized by men's publicly offhand attitudes toward sexual encounters, are organized around men's status maintenance, and evidence peer pressures that are poorly understood by both young men and women participants. To regain status, some women participants have adopted attitudes more characteristic of men.
Violence against Women as a Public Health Issue
Authors: CHRISLER JOAN C. , FERGUSON SHEILA
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  Violence can be considered “infectious” in rape‐prone cultures that celebrate violence and domination. The number of annual injuries and deaths due to violence against women and girls is high enough to demand the type of active interventions and public policies that have been targeted at infectious diseases by public health agencies. In this article, we review data on the physical and mental health effects that violence has on victims of domestic violence, rape, stalking, and sexual harassment. We also focus on the economic costs to the health care system, business and industry, families, and the broader society that accrue as a result of the widespread violence against women and girls. Victims' suffering can never be accounted for by economic data, but those data may be helpful in pushing governments to allocate funds and agencies to take preventive actions.
Violence against Women in Mexico
Authors: PICK SUSAN , CONTRERAS CARMEN , BARKER‐AGUILAR ALICIA
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  Violence against women has been a problem in human cultures for centuries. This is still the case both in developed and in developing countries, but it is in developing countries where the problem is aggravated as the result of cultural norms that are tolerant of men exerting power over women and girls as a commonly accepted practice. This power is often put into practice through physical and psychological acts of violence. In Mexico, as in many other countries, there is a legal framework that protects women from such acts, yet in the case of Mexico it has not yet been translated into actual improvements in their lives. We present an overview of advances in legal remedies regarding violence towards females internationally and in Mexico. The fact that these advances per se do not lead to changes in social norms that tolerate violence against females is emphasized. Also presented is the experience of the Mexican Institute for Research on Family and Population (IMIFAP) with the design and implementation of programs that promote protective factors and changes in behaviors in such a way that violence is effectively prevented. These programs focus on the development of psychosocial skills and knowledge through participatory workshops that promote self reflection, and they are developed and evaluated before being then applied on a large scale in poverty‐stricken communities. These workshops lead to more egalitarian relationships between genders. IMIFAP's programs address not only violence but also other areas are integrated such that the enablement of psychosocial skills is applied in the broader socio‐cultural context, leading to healthier and economically more productive lives. These programs are derived from the Framework for Enabling Agentic Empowerment (FENAE), which enables choice and the development of agentic empowerment through integrating skills, knowledge, and the context in which people live.
Domestic Violence in Israel
Authors: MUHLBAUER VARDA
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  For many years, knowledge of the prevalence of violence against women in Israel was marginalized in such a way that it never figured in public discourse. Elite groups of academics and feminist activists with a Western background, together with human rights groups, delivered subversive messages that gradually infiltrated into larger circles and ultimately changed public policies. The issue is now central in public affairs. This article discusses the extent of violence against women in Israel and suggests explanations for the shift from denial to greater public awareness.
Lack of Mutual Respect in Relationship
Authors: ALAO AMOS A.
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  Violence in a relationship and in a family setting has been an issue of concern to various interest groups and professional organizations. Of particular interest in this article is violence against women in a relationship. While there is an abundance of knowledge on violence against women in general, intimate or partner femicide seems to have received less attention. Unfortunately, the incidence of violence against women, and intimate femicide in particular, has been an issue of concern in the African setting.

This article examines the trends of intimate femicide in an African setting in general, and in Botswana in particular. The increase in intimate femicide is an issue of concern, which calls for collective effort to address. This article also examines trends of femicide in Botswana, and the antecedents and the precipitating factors. Some studies have implicated societal and cultural dynamics as playing significant roles in intimate femicide in the African setting. It is believed that the patriarchal nature of most African settings and the ideology of male supremacy have relegated women to a subordinate role. Consequently, respect for women in any relationship with men is lopsided in favor of men and has led to abuse of women, including intimate femicide. Other militating factors in intimate femicide are examined and the implications for counseling to assist the endangered female partner are discussed.
Potency of testicular somatic environment to support spermatogenesis in XX/Sry transgenic male mice
Authors: Ishii Mayuko , Tachiwana Tsuyoshi , Hoshino Anshin , Tsunekawa Naoki , Hiramatsu Ryuji , Matoba Shogo , Kanai-Azuma Masami , Kawakami Hayato , Kurohmaru Masamichi , Kanai Yoshiakira
Published: December 2006

The sex-determining region of Chr Y (Sry) gene is sufficient to induce testis formation and the subsequent male development of internal and external genitalia in chromosomally female mice and humans. In XX sex-reversed males,such as XX/Sry-transgenic (XX/Sry) mice, however, testicular germ cells always disappear soon after birth because of germ cell-autonomous defects. Therefore,it remains unclear whether or not Sry alone is sufficient to induce a fully functional testicular soma capable of supporting complete spermatogenesis in the XX body. Here, we demonstrate that the testicular somatic environment of XX/Sry males is defective in supporting the later phases of spermatogenesis. Spermatogonial transplantation analyses using XX/Sry male mice revealed that donor XY spermatogonia are capable of proliferating, of entering meiosis and of differentiating to the round-spermatid stage. XY-donor-derived round spermatids, however, were frequently detached from the XX/Sry seminiferous epithelia and underwent cell death, resulting in severe deficiency of elongated spermatid stages. By contrast, immature XY seminiferous tubule segments transplanted under XX/Sry testis capsules clearly displayed proper differentiation into elongated spermatids in the transplanted XY-donor tubules. Microarray analysis of seminiferous tubules isolated from XX/Sry testes confirmed the missing expression of several Y-linked genes and the alterations in the expression profile of genes associated with spermiogenesis. Therefore, our findings indicate dysfunction of the somatic tubule components,probably Sertoli cells, of XX/Sry testes, highlighting the idea that Sry alone is insufficient to induce a fully functional Sertoli cell in XX mice.
Chromatin looping mediates boundary element promoter interactions
Authors: Celniker Susan E. , Drewell Robert A.
Published: December 2006

One facet of the control of gene expression is long‐range promoter regulation by distant enhancers. It is an important component of the regulation of genes that control metazoan development and has been appreciated for some time but the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation have remained poorly understood. A recent study by Cleard and colleagues1 reports the first in vivo evidence of chromatin looping and boundary element promoter interaction. Specifically, they studied the function of a boundary element within the cis‐regulatory region of the Abdominal‐B (Abd‐B) gene of Drosophila melanogaster. BioEssays 29: 7–10, 2007. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Color matching functions when one primary wavelength is changed
Authors: Brill Michael H. , Worthey James A.
Published: December 2006

Color‐matching functions (cmfs) produced by monochromatic primaries change in an orderly way when the wavelengths of the primaries are changed. When only one of the three wavelengths is varied, the corresponding cmf changes in scale but not in shape. That is, changing one primary changes all three cmfs, but if only the red primary is changed, for example, then the red cmf changes only in scale. A set of primaries will exist such that each cmf has a maximum value of 1, and that peak occurs at the primary wavelength, by a prior theorem. Those are Thornton's prime colors, and if they are the initial primaries, then changing one primary wavelength can only increase the scale of its cmf. Precise prime color sets have been calculated: (603, 538, 446) for the CIE 2° observer, and (600, 536, 445) for the CIE 10° observer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 22–24, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20283
Editorial: Cryst. Res. Technol. 1/2007
Authors: Neumann W. , Benz K.‐W.
Published: December 2006

The beginning of a new year is traditionally a time for both looking back on the highlights of the previous year and for getting ready to start into the year to come.

The last year was remarkable with respect to two events. First, our journal celebrated its 40th anniversary. The journal was founded as “Kristall und Technik ” by Professors Will Kleber and Hermann Neels in 1966. The content of the first issue of “Kristall und Technik” (subtitle: Zeitschrift für experimentelle und technische Kristallographie) consisted of 19 original papers, where 18 of them were written in German and 1 in Russian, and 1 short note. Nowadays, “Crystal Research and Technology” is a fully international journal where all contributions are published in English. Moreover, papers ever published in “Crystal Research and Technology” are now available online.

Second, the crystallographic community celebrated the 100th anniversary of Will Kleber, one of the founders of Crystal Research and Technology. This event was appreciated by a colloquium on December 15, 2006. A brief report about its topics will be given in a forthcoming issue.

The highlight of the year 2007 is certainly the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Wiley Publishing House and its successful service to a broad scientific community. The motto of Wiley “1807 – 2007 Knowledge for Generations” is also guideline for our engagement in the broad field of theoretical and experimental crystallography. The readers can be sure that we will strive to serve best the crystallographic community in this sense. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural and magnetic studies of Mn‐doped ZnO
Authors: Sharma V. K. , Xalxo R. , Varma G. D.
Published: December 2006

The bulk samples of Mn‐doped ZnO were synthesized with the nominal compositions Zn1‐xMnxO (x = 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) by the solid‐state reaction and sol‐gel methods. In both the methods the samples were finally sintered at ∼700 °C in air. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies of the samples synthesized by the solid‐state reaction method exhibit the presence of wurtzite (hexagonal) crystal structure similar to the parent compound (ZnO) in all the samples, suggesting that doped Mn ions sit at the regular Zn sites. However, same studies spread over the samples with Mn content ≥5% and synthesized by the sol‐gel method reveal the occurrence of some secondary phase in addition to the majority wurtzite phase. The magnetic measurements by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) clearly indicate ferromagnetic interaction at room temperature in all the samples. The Curie temperatures (Tc) and magnetization vary with concentration of Mn ions in the samples. However, the samples synthesized by sol‐gel method were found to have lower Tc values and also lower magnetization as compared to the corresponding samples synthesized by solid‐state reaction method. It could possibly be due to the presence of antiferromagnetic islands and smaller crystallite sizes in the samples prepared by sol‐gel method. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Anisotropy of the optical absorption in layered single crystals of MoRe0.001Se1.999
Authors: Vora Mihir M. , Vora Aditya M.
Published: December 2006

Energy gap of MoRe0.001Se1.999 single crystal has been determined by fundamental absorption methods. The incident light was polarized along c‐axis of the crystals. The interpretion of the data is given within frameworks of two and three dimensional models. Both direct and indirect transitions are involved in the absorption process. The indirect transition was found to be allowed with two phonons participating in the process. The three dimensional model could be used to describe the optical properties of the single crystal. The energy gaps depend upon the amount of the intercalating Re material, which show the anisotropy of the chemical bonds. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Crystal Structure of pyridinium isopolymolybdate (C5H6N)2n[Mo4O13]n
Authors: Michalec M. , Stadnicka K. , Hodorowicz S. A.
Published: December 2006

Synthesis and crystal structure are described for pyridinium isopolymolybdate of chemical composition (C5H6N)2n[Mo4O13]n. The crystals are triclinic, space group P1, with the following unit‐cell parameters: a =8.2695(11) Å, b =10.544(4) Å, c =11.177(4) Å, α = 71.76(5)°, β = 89.68(3)°, γ = 78.79(3)°, V =906.4(4) Å3, Z = 2 (chemical formula (C5H6N)2[Mo4O13]), D calcd = 2.755 g·cm–3. Crystal structure was solved by Patterson methods and refined to a final R value 0.085 for 4045 independent reflections. The studied compound, considered in analogy to triclinic (NH4)2Mo4O13 as pyridinium polyoctamolybdate, is proposed to be better described as pyridinium isopolytetramolybdate (C5H6N)2n[Mo4O13]n. It seems that the proper coordination number of molybdenum (VI) ions is five, resulting in pyramidal coordination polyhedra [MoO5]. Coordination polyhedra joined by common edges form tetramolybdate monomeric unit [Mo4O13]. The mers are connected by oxygen bridges Mo ‐ O ‐ Mo into infinite ribbon chains. Each two infinite chains are hold together by weaker intermolecular interactions. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Neurite‐specific Ca2+ dynamics underlying sound processing in an auditory interneurone
Authors: Baden T. , Hedwig B.
Published: December 2006

Concepts on neuronal signal processing and integration at a cellular and subcellular level are driven by recording techniques and model systems available. The cricket CNS with the omega‐1‐neurone (ON1) provides a model system for auditory pattern recognition and directional processing. Exploiting ON1's planar structure we simultaneously imaged free intracellular Ca2+ at both input and output neurites and recorded the membrane potential in vivo during acoustic stimulation. In response to a single sound pulse the rate of Ca2+ rise followed the onset spike rate of ON1, while the final Ca2+ level depended on the mean spike rate. Ca2+ rapidly increased in both dendritic and axonal arborizations and only gradually in the axon and the cell body. Ca2+ levels were particularly high at the spike‐generating zone. Through the activation of a Ca2+‐sensitive K+ current this may exhibit a specific control over the cell's electrical response properties. In all cellular compartments presentation of species‐specific calling song caused distinct oscillations of the Ca2+ level in the chirp rhythm, but not the faster syllable rhythm. The Ca2+‐mediated hyperpolarization of ON1 suppressed background spike activity between chirps, acting as a noise filter. During directional auditory processing, the functional interaction of Ca2+‐mediated inhibition and contralateral synaptic inhibition was demonstrated. Upon stimulation with different sound frequencies, the dendrites, but not the axonal arborizations, demonstrated a tonotopic response profile. This mirrored the dominance of the species‐specific carrier frequency and resulted in spatial filtering of high frequency auditory inputs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 67: 68–80, 2007
Summary of ‘Antiemetics for reducing vomiting related to acute gastroenteritis in children and adolescents’
Authors: Milne Andrea
Published: December 2006

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Alhashimi D, Alhashimi H, Fedorowicz Z. Antiemetics for reducing vomiting related to acute gastroenteritis in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005506. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005506.pub3.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Expert Commentary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commentary on ‘Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children’
Authors: Trompeter Richard S.
Published: December 2006

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Hodson EM, Knight JF, Willis NS, Craig JC. Cortocosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001533. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001533.pub3.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commentary on ‘Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts’, with response from review author
Authors: Langley Joanne M.
Published: December 2006

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Ratilal B, Costa J, Sampaio C. Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005365. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005365.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics and key findings for ‘Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma’
Authors: van Dalen Elvira C. , Martin Offringa , Kremer Leontien C. M.
Published: December 2006

These are the characteristics and key findings for a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Guevara JP, Ducharme FM, Keren R, Nihtianova S, Zore J. Inhaled corticosteroids versus sodium cromoglycate in children and adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003558. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003558.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Expert Commentary articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics and key findings for ‘Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts’
Authors: van Dalen Elvira C. , Offringa Martin , Kremer Leontien C. M.
Published: December 2006

These are the characteristics and key findings for a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Ratilal B, Costa J, Sampaio C. Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical introduction of intracranial ventricular shunts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005365. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005365.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Expert Commentary articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Repeated measurement sampling in genetic association analysis with genotyping errors
Authors: Lai Renzhen , Zhang Hong , Yang Yaning
Published: December 2006

Genotype misclassification occurs frequently in human genetic association studies. When cases and controls are subject to the same misclassification model, Pearson's chi‐square test has the correct type I error but may lose power. Most current methods adjusting for genotyping errors assume that the misclassification model is known a priori or can be assessed by a gold standard instrument. But in practical applications, the misclassification probabilities may not be completely known or the gold standard method can be too costly to be available. The repeated measurement design provides an alternative approach for identifying misclassification probabilities. With this design, a proportion of the subjects are measured repeatedly (five or more repeats) for the genotypes when the error model is completely unknown. We investigate the applications of the repeated measurement method in genetic association analysis. Cost‐effectiveness study shows that if the phenotyping‐to‐genotyping cost ratio or the misclassification rates are relatively large, the repeat sampling can gain power over the regular case‐control design. We also show that the power gain is not sensitive to the genetic model, genetic relative risk and the population high‐risk allele frequency, all of which are typically important ingredients in association studies. An important implication of this result is that whatever the genetic factors are, the repeated measurement method can be applied if the genotyping errors must be accounted for or the phenotyping cost is high.Genet. Epidemiol.© 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Why working capital drives M&A today
Authors: Sagner James S.
Published: December 2006

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activities once focused on strategic transactions for diversification, or for vertical or horizontal integration. But today, the goal of the M&A game is often improving working capital management. It's a complete revolution in the way we look at M&A candidates. What's going on? © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purchase agreements: How one common flaw can cost you big money!
Authors: Venema William H. , Cheskiewicz Scott D.
Published: December 2006

If you are about to buy and sell a company, there's a dangerous ambiguity in most purchase agreements that could be very costly—and most lawyers don't even recognize it. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
M&A in the mideast
Authors: Metwalli Ali M. , Tang Roger Y. W.
Published: December 2006

We all know that the Middle East is a political hotspot. But what has been happening there with mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? This article reports on recent M&A activity and gives breakdowns by nationality, industry, home countries, and more. The authors also compare M&A activities in four key countries: Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
C21ORF105, A chromosome 21‐encoded mRNA, is not a discriminative marker gene for prediction of Down syndrome in maternal plasma
Authors: Go A. T. J. I. , Visser A. , Mulders M. A. M. , Twisk J. W. R. , Blankenstein M. A. , van Vugt J. M. G. , Oudejans C. B. M.
Published: December 2006

Objectives

The presence and detectability of placental mRNA in maternal plasma opens possibilities for the development of non‐invasive prenatal diagnostic tests. In this study, we tested C21orf105, a chromosome 21‐encoded, placentally expressed gene, in maternal plasma of women carrying a fetus with or without trisomy 21.

Methods

Using real‐time RT‐PCR, we determined transcript levels of target (C21orf105) and reference (hPL) genes in first‐trimester plasma samples. Plasma was obtained from first‐trimester EDTA blood after two sequential centrifugation steps and stored at − 70 °C. After RNA extraction, quantitative RT‐PCR was performed using Taqman probes.

Results

From the 51 samples, 43 samples were conclusive. Comparison of transcript levels of C21orf105 in both groups showed no significant differences. When expressed as ratios of hPL/C21orf105, the differences between trisomy 21 and normal pregnancies remained non‐significant.

Conclusions

The amount of C21orf105 mRNA in maternal plasma, although situated in the Down syndrome critical region on chromosome 21 and up regulated in trisomy 21 placentas, is not higher in women carrying a fetus with trisomy 21. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.