bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solitary cutaneous histiocytosis with granular cell changes: a morphological variant of reticulohistiocytoma?
Authors: Caltabiano Rosario , Magro Gaetano , Vecchio Giada Maria , Lanzafame Salvatore
Published: July 2009

We first report a case of granular cell histiocytosis occurring as a solitary polypoid lesion of the nipple in a 15‐year‐old girl. Histologically, the lesion was composed of a dermal population of medium‐ to large‐sized, short spindle‐ to round‐ to epithelioid‐shaped cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm containing numerous and small diastase‐resistant periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) positive granules. No associated inflammatory cells were observed. Immunohistochemical studies, revealing immunoreactivity exclusively to vimentin and CD68, were consistent with their histiocytic profile. Based on clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features, the diagnosis of ‘solitary cutaneous histiocytosis with granular cell changes’ was proposed.

The absence of an inflammatory cell component, such as lymphocytes and leucocytes, along with no history of a previous trauma or medical treatment, suggest that the present lesion could fit into the morphological spectrum of the so‐called solitary epithelioid histiocytoma, also known as reticulohistiocytoma. Alternatively, the possibility of a histiocytic reaction to unknown stimuli cannot be completely ruled out. Nevertheless, awareness of solitary cutaneous histiocytosis with granular cell changes is useful to avoid confusion with other dermal tumors, especially ‘granular cell tumor’ and ‘dermal non‐neural granular cell tumor’.

Caltabiano R, Magro G, Vecchio GM, Lanzafame S. Solitary cutaneous histiocytosis with granular cell changes: a morphological variant of reticulohistiocytoma?
Extrinsic ageing in the human skin is associated with alterations in the expression of hyaluronic acid and its metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Tzellos T. G. , Klagas I. , Vahtsevanos K. , Triaridis S. , Printza A. , Kyrgidis A. , Karakiulakis G. , Zouboulis C. C. , Papakonstantinou E.
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  Extrinsic skin ageing or ‘photoageing’, as opposed to intrinsic skin ageing, is the result of exposure to external factors, mainly ultraviolet irradiation. Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and particularly hyaluronic acid (HA) are major components of the cutaneous extracellular matrix involved in tissue repair. However, their involvement in extrinsic skin ageing remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression of HA and its metabolizing enzymes in photoexposed and photoprotected human skin tissue specimens, obtained from the same patient. Total GAG were isolated, characterized using specific GAG‐degrading enzymes and separated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes and polyacrylamide gels. Quantitation of HA in total GAG was performed using ELISA. Gene expression of hyaluronan synthases (HAS), hyaluronidases (HYAL) and HA receptors CD44 and receptor for HA‐mediated motility (RHAMM) was assessed by RT‐PCR. We detected a significant increase in the expression of HA, of lower molecular mass, in photoexposed skin as compared with photoprotected skin. This increase was associated with a significant decrease in the expression of HAS1 and an increase in the expression of HYAL1‐3. Furthermore, the expression of HA receptors CD44 and RHAMM was significantly downregulated in photoexposed as compared with photoprotected skin. These findings indicate that extrinsic skin ageing is characterized by distinct homoeostasis of HA. The elucidation of the role of HA homoeostasis in extrinsic skin ageing may offer an additional approach in handling cutaneous ageing.
MMP‐10 (Stromelysin‐2) and MMP‐21 in human and murine squamous cell cancer
Authors: Boyd Sonja , Virolainen Susanna , Pärssinen Jenita , Skoog Tiina , Van Hogerlinden Max , Latonen Leena , Kyllönen Lauri , Toftgard Rune , Saarialho‐Kere Ulpu
Published: July 2009

Abstract:  The squamous cell cancers (SCC) of renal transplant recipients are more aggressive and metastasize earlier than those of the non‐immunocompromised population. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a central role in tumor initiation, invasion and metastasis. Our aim was to compare the expression of MMPs‐10, ‐12 and ‐21 in SCCs from immunosuppressed (IS) and control patients and the contribution of MMPs‐10 and ‐21 to SCC development in the FVB/N‐Tg(KRT5‐Nfkbia)3Rto mouse line. Immunohistochemical analysis of 25 matched pairs of SCCs, nine of Bowen’s disease and timed back skin biopsies of mice with selective inhibition of Rel/NF‐κB signalling were performed. Semiquantitatively assessed stromal MMP‐10 expression was higher (P = 0.009) in the control group when compared with IS patients. Tumor cell‐derived MMP‐10, ‐12 and ‐21 expression did not differ between the groups but stromal fibroblasts of the control SCCs tended to express MMP‐21 more abundantly. MMP‐10 expression was observed already in Bowen’s disease while MMP‐21 was absent. MMP‐10 and ‐21 were present in inflammatory or stromal cells in ageing mice while dysplastic keratinocytes and invasive cancer were negative. Our results suggest that MMP‐10 may be important in the initial stages of SCC progression and induced in the stroma relating to the general host‐response reaction to skin cancer. MMP‐21 does not associate with invasion of SCC but may be involved in keratinocyte differentiation.
WNT‐5A, but not matrix metalloproteinase 3 or β‐catenin protein, expression is related to early stages of lip carcinogenesis
Authors: Xavier Flávia Caló Aquino , Rodini Camila Oliveira , Ramalho Luciana Maria Pedreira , Mantesso Andrea , Nunes Fabio Daumas
Published: July 2009

Background:  Oncogenic Wnt/β‐catenin signaling occurs in numerous types of cancers, but little is known about the role of the Wnt protein family member, WNT‐5A, in lip carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate WNT‐5A, β‐catenin, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3 protein expression in actinic cheilitis (AC), and lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods:  Twenty‐one cases of AC, and fifty‐one cases of LSCC were analyzed, with normal lip mucosa used as a control. Qualitative and semi‐quantitative analyses of WNT‐5A, β‐catenin, and MMP‐3 immunostaining pattern and cellular distribution were performed.

Results:  WNT‐5A was observed in more than 50% of the cells, scattered in all layers of AC, in contrast to the absence of immunostaining in normal lip mucosa. AC presented a higher level of WNT‐5A expression than LSCC (P = 0.0289, Fisher test), while MMP‐3 immunoexpression was statistically more significant in LSCC than in AC (P = 0.0285, Fisher test). Immunolabeling of β‐catenin protein was differentially distributed between samples; the majority of AC cases (61.90%) demonstrated a membranous‐cytoplasmic pattern, while a considerable number of LSCC cases (29.41%) revealed a cytoplasmic pattern, instead of the usual membranous pattern.

Conclusions:  The present results suggest that WNT‐5A may be an important marker during initial events of AC malignant transformation, in which non‐canonical and canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways could be involved. Additionally, WNT‐5A might recruit other events in LSCC, such as MMP‐3 protein synthesis, as its presence is increased in established malignant processes without β‐catenin dependency.
Targeted drug delivery system for oral cancer therapy using sonoporation
Authors: Maeda Hironobu , Tominaga Kazuhiro , Iwanaga Kenjiro , Nagao Fuminori , Habu Manabu , Tsujisawa Toshiyuki , Seta Yuji , Toyoshima Kuniaki , Fukuda Jin‐ichi , Nishihara Tatsuji
Published: July 2009

Ultrasound‐mediated destruction of microbubbles has been proposed as an innovative non‐invasive drug delivery system for cancer therapy. We developed a specific drug delivery system for squamous cell carcinoma that uses sonoporation with the anti‐epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody. Administration of a low dose of bleomycin (BLM) by sonoporation with the anti‐EGFR antibody produced a marked growth inhibition of Ca9‐22 cells in vitro. In addition, scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed apparent surface deformation of Ca9‐22 cells treated with sonoporation in the presence of the antibody. Interestingly, the population of apoptotic cells was remarkably increased when a low dose of BLM was delivered using sonoporation with the Fab fragment of the anti‐EGFR antibody. These findings indicate that sonoporation with the Fab fragment makes it possible to administer drugs into cells more efficiently and specifically, suggesting a novel application for chemotherapy and gene therapy treatments for oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Oral distribution of Candida species and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy
Authors: De Araújo Navas Edna Aparecida Ferraz , Inocêncio Aline Cássia , Almeida Janete Dias , Back‐Brito Graziella Nuernberg , Mota Adolfo José , Jorge Antonio Olavo Cardoso , Querido Silvia Maria Rodrigues , Balducci Ivan , Koga‐Ito Cristiane Yumi
Published: July 2009

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Candida spp. and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy (MDT).

Methods:  Thirty‐eight individuals (18 males and 20 females, median age 53 years) clinically and microbiologically diagnosed as leprosy (lepromatous variant), and under MDT for at least 45 days were studied. The control group constituted by 38 healthy individuals (median age 53.5), matched to the test group in relation to age, gender and oral conditions. Oral rinses were collected and the Candida identification was performed by phenotypic tests. The existence of Candida dubliniensis among the isolates was analyzed using a validated multiplex PCR assay. Twenty‐nine leprosy patients were examined intra‐orally for the presence of lesions. Data were analyzed by z‐ and Mann–Whitney tests (α = 5%).

Results:  Yeast carriage rate between leprosy patients (65.8%) and controls (47.4%) was similar (P = 0.099), and no significant difference between yeast counts was observed (P = 0.1004). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. In the leprosy group, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were also identified. In the control group, we additionally identified Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida kefyr. Candida dubliniensis was not detected. No leprosy‐related oral lesion was registered.

Conclusion:  Within the limits of the study, we concluded that Brazilian leprosy patients under MDT showed similar levels of carriage and Candida species distribution in relation to the controls.
Metallothionein and p‐Akt proteins in oral dysplasia and in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Pontes H. A. R. , De Aquino Xavier F. C. , Da Silva T. S. P. , Fonseca F. P. , Paiva H. B. , Pontes F. S. C. , Dos Santos Pinto Jr D.
Published: July 2009

Background:  Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the main potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 95% of all malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the immunoexpression of p‐Akt and Metallothionein (MT) proteins in dysplasic and neoplasic oral lesions.

Methods:  Immunohistochemical studies were carried out on 10 normal epithelium, 30 OL and 15 OSCC paraffin‐embedded samples. Immunoperoxidase reaction for p‐Akt and MT proteins was applied on the specimens, and the positivity of the reactions was calculated for 1000 epithelial cells.

Results:  Using the ANOVA and the Tukey’s post hoc statistical analyses, it was observed a significant difference in the immunoexpression for p‐Akt and MT when the OSCC samples were compared with normal and dysplasic epithelial groups. In addition, the Pearson’s correlation test showed a significant correlation between the proteins’ expression.

Conclusion:  Based on the data obtained, p‐Akt and MT activation may play an important role in the conversion of a potentially malignant oral lesion to a malignant carcinoma since its earlier stages.
Use of quantum dots to detect human papillomavirus in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xue J. , Chen H. , Fan M. , Zhu F. , Diao L. , Chen X. , Fan L. , Li P. , Xia D.
Published: July 2009

Objective:  To examine the association of oral squamous cell carcinoma with human papillomavirus (HPV) using quantum dots (QD) in situ hybridization (ISH).

Methods:  Expression of HPV16/18 was analyzed in a representative collection of 21 oral squamous cell carcinomas by tissue microarrays. The presence of HPV16/18 high risk was detected by applying QDISH which is compared with conventional ISH.

Results:  Seven cases out of 21 (33.3%) were positive for QDISH while 1 out of 21 (4.8%) was positive for ISH, although all of HPV DNA were localized in the nuclei in the spinous and basal cell layer of the epithelium. The difference between these two methods was significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that the QD might be an efficient method for determination of HPV infection and HPV‐associated oral squamous cell carcinoma.
The antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy in dental plaque‐derived biofilms
Authors: Fontana C. R. , Abernethy A. D. , Som S. , Ruggiero K. , Doucette S. , Marcantonio R. C. , Boussios C. I. , Kent R. , Goodson J. M. , Tanner A. C. R. , Soukos N. S.
Published: July 2009

Background and Objective:  Photodynamic therapy has been advocated as an alternative to antimicrobial agents to suppress subgingival species and to treat periodontitis. Bacteria located within dense biofilms, such as those encountered in dental plaque, have been found to be relatively resistant to antimicrobial therapy. In the present study, we investigated the ability of photodynamic therapy to reduce the number of bacteria in biofilms by comparing the photodynamic effects of methylene blue on human dental plaque microorganisms in the planktonic phase and in biofilms.

Material and Methods:  Dental plaque samples were obtained from 10 subjects with chronic periodontitis. Suspensions of plaque microorganisms from five subjects were sensitized with methylene blue (25 μg/mL) for 5 min then exposed to red light. Multispecies microbial biofilms developed from the same plaque samples were also exposed to methylene blue (25 μg/mL) and the same light conditions as their planktonic counterparts. In a second set of experiments, biofilms were developed with plaque bacteria from five subjects, sensitized with 25 or 50 μg/mL of methylene blue and then exposed to red light. After photodynamic therapy, survival fractions were calculated by counting the number of colony‐forming units.

Results:  Photodynamic therapy killed approximately 63% of bacteria present in suspension. By contrast, in biofilms, photodynamic therapy had much less of an effect on the viability of bacteria (32% maximal killing).

Conclusion:  Oral bacteria in biofilms are affected less by photodynamic therapy than bacteria in the planktonic phase. The antibacterial effect of photodynamic therapy is reduced in biofilm bacteria but not to the same degree as has been reported for treatment with antibiotics under similar conditions.
Osteoprotegerin induces osteopontin via syndecan‐1 and phosphoinositol 3‐kinase/Akt in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Yongchaitrakul T. , Manokawinchoke J. , Pavasant P.
Published: July 2009

Background and Objective:  Our previous study found that thrombin induced osteoprotegerin synthesis in human periodontal ligament cells. As elevated levels of osteoprotegerin can exert biological effects on various cell types, in the present study we investigated the effect of osteoprotegerin on the expression of osteopontin in human periodontal ligament cells.

Material and Methods:  Cultured human periodontal ligament cells were treated with recombinant human osteoprotegerin (0–100 ng/mL) for 24–48 h. The expression of osteopontin mRNA and protein was analyzed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively. Phosphoinositol 3‐kinase inhibitor, Akt inhibitor, heparinase, neutralizing antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) and syndecan‐1, and small interfering RNA against syndecan‐1, were used to determine the mechanism involved.

Results:  Osteoprotegerin up‐regulated the mRNA and protein expression of osteopontin in human periodontal ligament cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Addition of neutralizing antibody against RANKL attenuated the inductive effect of osteoprotegerin on osteopontin expression. In addition, the inductive effect of osteoprotegerin was abolished by phosphoinositol 3‐kinase and Akt inhibitors, as well as by syndecan‐1 antibody or syndecan‐1 small interfering RNA. None of the inhibitors had any effect on the background level of osteopontin expression.

Conclusion:  An increased level of osteoprotegerin can generate signals via a RANKL/syndecan‐1/phosphoinositol 3‐kinase/Akt pathway. The results also suggest that osteopontin is one of the downstream targets of the pathway mediated by osteoprotegerin in human periodontal ligament cells. Thus, in addition to counteracting RANKL in the RANKL–osteoprotegerin system, osteoprotegerin may play a role in periodontal tissue remodeling through modulation of the extracellular matrix.
The influence of the amount of sunscreen applied and its sun protection factor (SPF): evaluation of two sunscreens including the same ingredients at different concentrations
Authors: Schalka Sergio , Dos Reis Vitor Manoel Silva , Cucé Luis Carlos
Published: July 2009

Background: To estimate labeled sun protection factor (SPF) for sunscreen, the amount of product applied on volunteers, according to food and drug administration (FDA) and International protocols, is 2 mg/cm2. However, different studies have shown that consumers actually apply much less product when exposed to the sun. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings in an attempt to correlate the amount applied in relation to SPF. The objective of the present study was to estimate the influence of the quantity of sunscreen applied in the determination of SPF, according to the FDA methodology.

Subjects and methods: Forty volunteers were included in two groups (SPF 15 and 30). The selected sunscreen was then applied in four different quantities (2, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 mg/cm2). All areas were irradiated with a solar simulator. After 24 h, the minimal erythemal dose (MED) and SPF were determined.

Results: In both groups, we observed that the SPF decreased when the amount of sunscreen applied was decreased. The differences between the 2 mg/cm2 area and the others were significant in both groups (P<0.001). The correlation between specified SPF and applied amount grew exponentially.

Conclusion: The protection provided by sunscreen is related to the amount of product applied. It is essential to educate consumers to apply larger amounts of sunscreen for adequate photoprotection.
The role of glass as a barrier against the transmission of ultraviolet radiation: an experimental study
Authors: Duarte Ida , Rotter Anita , Malvestiti Andrey , Silva Mariana
Published: July 2009

Background/Purpose: Excessive exposure of the skin to sunlight may cause many symptoms and skin cancer. The aim was to measure the transmission of ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB radiation through glasses of different types, according to the distance from the light source.

Methods: The baseline radiation from UVA and UVB sources was measured at different distances from the photometers. Next, the radiation from the same sources was measured at the same distances, but transmitted by different types of glass. The baseline values were compared with the results after protection using glass.

Results: Laminated glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while smooth ordinary glass transmitted the highest dose (74.3%). Greater thicknesses of glass implied less radiation transmitted, but without a significant difference. Green glass totally blocked UVA radiation, while blue glass transmitted the highest dose of radiation (56.8%). The presence of a sunlight control film totally blocked UVA radiation. All glasses totally blocked UVB radiation.

Conclusion: The main characteristics of glass that make it a photoprotective agent are its type (especially laminated glass) and color (especially green), which give rise to good performance by this material as a barrier against the transmission of radiation.
A time course investigation of the fluorescence induced by topical application of 5‐aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinate on normal human skin
Authors: Lesar Andrea , Ferguson James , Moseley Harry
Published: July 2009

Background: Treatment of non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) with topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment of choice for many clinicians. The two most commonly used PDT photosensitizer precursors are 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL). Current PDT treatment regimes advise longer (4–6 h) application times for ALA and shorter times (3 h) for MAL.

Aims: To establish the time course characteristics of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence following the application of ALA and MAL in normal skin.

Methods: A total of 17 healthy volunteers were recruited, and both ALA and MAL were applied to the inner forearm for varying times (1–6 h). PpIX fluorescence was detected using a non‐invasive spectroscopy system.

Results and conclusion: PpIX fluorescence (following the application of either ALA or MAL) is dependent on duration of application. Following the application of ALA for 1–3 h peak fluorescence was noted at 7 h. Longer duration times (4–6 h) resulted in sustained fluorescence, which peaked at 24 h. MAL‐induced fluorescence peaked at 7 h and was significantly decreased by 24 h for all application times. ALA induced fluorescence was shown to be significantly greater than MAL. The findings from this study have shown that potentially it would be more beneficial to apply ALA for shorter periods of time and MAL for longer than current practice.
Dilaceration among Nigerians: prevalence, distribution, and its relationship with trauma
Authors: Udoye Christopher I. , Jafarzadeh Hamid
Published: July 2009

Abstract –  Dilaceration is the result of a developmental anomaly in which an abrupt change in the axial inclination between crown and root is observed. Its prevalence in various races is different and its association with history of trauma is controversial. This study assessed the prevalence and distribution of dilacerated teeth among Nigerians and also investigated whether there was a relation between a history of trauma and teeth that had dilaceration. A total of 465 records of adult attendees (involving 706 teeth and 256 films) were retrospectively studied. Dilacerated teeth were scored using Hamasha et al.’s criteria. Dilaceration occurred more often in the maxilla, posterior teeth and in women, though no association between a history of trauma and occurrence of dilaceration was found. Prevalence of dilaceration in the population and in all teeth was 4.5% and 2.97%, respectively. Dentists should pay detailed attention to baseline radiographs, especially in maxilla and posterior teeth.
Reversibility of acute intermediate phase bilirubin encephalopathy
Authors: Hansen Thor Willy Ruud , Nietsch Lutz , Norman Elisabeth , Bjerre Jesper Vandborg , Hascoet Jean‐Michel , Mreihil Khalaf , Ebbesen Finn
Published: July 2009

Aim:  To show the potential for reversing acute intermediate to advanced phase bilirubin encephalopathy.

Methods:  Case studies.

Results:  Six extremely jaundiced infants had symptoms of intermediate to advanced phase acute bilirubin encephalopathy. The infants were treated aggressively. Two patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging showing increased signals in the globus pallidus. On follow‐up, all infants are neurologically normal.

Conclusions:  Intermediate‐to‐advanced stage acute bilirubin encephalopathy may occasionally be reversible. These cases provide a strong argument in favour of rapid and aggressive intervention in infants presenting with extreme jaundice and neurological symptoms.
Community‐level consequences of species interactions in an annual plant community
Authors: Rajaniemi Tara K. , Turkington Roy , Goldberg Deborah
Published: July 2009

Question: How does the intensity of species interactions affect species and functional group composition of an annual plant community?

Location: Sede Boqer, Negev Desert, Israel.

Methods: The potential for competitive interactions in two annual plant communities (desert and coastal) from semi‐stabilized sand dunes was manipulated by varying seed bank density and therefore the number of potentially interacting individuals. Communities were exposed to three different irrigation regimes, mimicking precipitation at the desert site, the coastal site, and an intermediate precipitation level. Plots were maintained for 3 years, and percentage cover of each species in the plots was recorded at the end of each growing season. We used redundancy analysis to test for effects of initial density, irrigation, and year on the species and functional group composition of the communities.

Results: Initial density had significant effects on species composition, and these effects remained significant over 3 years, even as total community percentage cover became more similar among treatments over time. Density effects did not depend on resource availability (irrigation level). Functional group identity or individual plant size did not predict which species would be good competitors, and a species' competitive ability did not predict its abundance in the field.

Conclusions: Species interactions strongly affect community composition, and those effects carry over into subsequent years such that competition does not lead to convergence in community structure over time. However, the particular changes in composition observed were not predictable by some of the traits that have been found important in individual‐level experiments. We speculate that the outcome of competition in diverse communities will depend on multiple traits, in contrast to the outcome of individual‐level pairwise experiments. We also speculate that the shift in composition with density could mean that local variation in density may contribute to maintenance of diversity in this system.
The Humour of Children: Performance, Gender, and the Early Modern Children's Companies
Authors: Munro Lucy
Published: July 2009

This article focuses on the professional and semi‐professional children's companies of early modern England. I first provide a brief overview of the children's companies, suggesting that criticism needs to provide fuller accounts of both early sixteenth‐century and mid‐seventeenth‐century experiments with children's performance. In the second section, I explore recent criticism of the children's companies and children's performance. In doing so, I suggest that one advantage of recent criticism has been its movement away from the traditional characterisation of adults’ and children's drama as ‘rival traditions’. Although there is a tradition of children's performance, it is not a monolithic, singular entity: children's performance could take on different meanings and associations at different times, and the composition and character of the children's companies was also unstable. Recent gender‐orientated criticism also suggests ways in which the juvenile performers in children's companies can be considered separately from the boy actresses of the adult companies. Finally, the article provides re‐readings of some children's company plays in relation to issues such as performance and gender, paying particular attention to the important but often‐overlooked question of age.
Prevention of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders in Youth: The Institute of Medicine Report and Implications for Nursing
Authors: Evans Mary E.
Published: July 2009

TOPIC:  Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders among Young People: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report and Implications for Nursing.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of this manuscript is to review the recently released IOM report on preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people and to identify some implications of this report for nursing.

SOURCES:  The primary source of this information is the recently released IOM report.

CONCLUSIONS:  Mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders are common among young people, and a growing research base supports preventive interventions. Nurses can play an important role in supporting the implementation and evaluation of these interventions in a variety of practice and community settings.
Improving Recruitment and Retention Rates in Preventive Longitudinal Research with Adolescent Mothers
Authors: Seed Mary , Juarez Magdalena , Alnatour Ranya
Published: July 2009

PROBLEM:  In order to understand the risks and protective factors associated with poor health outcomes in adolescent mothers and their children, nurses need to design rigorous longitudinal research. Attrition of subjects can contribute to sampling error. Recruitment and retention efforts need to be optimized.

METHODS:  In a 4‐year longitudinal study with adolescent mothers and their babies, the design for tracking included frequent phone calls, progressive monetary incentives, gifts, and one phone number of an alternative contact.

FINDINGS:  Of the 97 mother–infant dyads recruited, retention was 54% at 6 months and 38% at final data collection. Successful strategies included persistence in making contacts and utilizing alternative contact numbers.

CONCLUSIONS:  Retention rates for this study were low. With today's technology, many additional strategies need to be employed to improve retention rates with adolescent mothers.
Synthesis and Dielectric Properties of Niobia Coating on BaTiO3
Authors: Gan Jia‐Jia , Wei Wen‐Cheng J.
Published: July 2009

Different from conventional powder mixing, this study demonstrates a method of homogeneous coating for niobia (Nb2O5) on ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) powders. The precipitation of Nb coating with pH has been determined quantitatively by the inductance‐coupled plasma method. Crystalline phases were determined by X‐ray diffractometry, and the formation of a “core‐shell” structure with a Nb concentration gradient was observed by a transmission electron microscope with X‐ray energy‐dispersive spectroscopy. The dielectric constant (K) of the samples prepared by the nanocoating method showed a more stable temperature coefficient of capacitance and well satisfied the requirements of X7R.
PhysicoChemical Characterization of Strontium‐ and Cobalt‐Doped Lanthanum Chromite Powders Produced by Combustion Synthesis
Authors: Setz Luiz F. G. , Mello‐Castanho Sonia R. H. , Moreno Rodrigo , Colomer María T.
Published: July 2009

Doped lanthanum chromites are investigated as ceramic interconnect materials to be used in high‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, a La0.80Sr0.20Cr0.92Co0.08O3 powder was produced by combustion synthesis and characterized in terms of phases and crystalline structure, thermal evolution, particle size, and surface behavior. The effects of milling time on the particle size distribution and the agglomeration factor were also studied. The physicochemical characterization was completed with ζ potential measurements in order to establish the isoelectric point and the best pH conditions because slurry‐processing techniques are mostly used for the manufacture of the SOFC devices.
Synthesis and Characterization of BaTiO3‐Based Foams with a Controlled Microstructure
Authors: Wucherer Laurel , Nino Juan C. , Basoli Francesco , Traversa Enrico
Published: July 2009

BaTiO3 foams were synthesized via the direct foaming method using commercial powders. In order to control the microstructure and by extension the properties, synthesis parameters such as foaming agent, composition, sintering time, and sintering temperature were varied to determine their influence. The effect of each parameter on the microstructure was measured and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, helium pycnometry, and mercury porosimetry. Microstructure was classified in terms of strut characteristics, average grain size, average cell window size, porosity, and grain boundary integrity. For example, foams with 30% ceramic volume were synthesized using a laboratory‐developed and a commercial polyurethane (PU) system, both silicon (Si) free. When sintered at 1400°C for 8 h, they produced thick, dense struts and uniform pore‐size distributions, although with different characteristics. The foam prepared with the laboratory‐synthesized PU had a porosity of 90%, an average grain size of 44.4 μm, and an average cell window size of 66.7 μm, while the foam prepared with the commercial PU had a porosity of 87%, an average grain size of 20 μm, and an average cell window size of 99 μm.
Characterization of the Microstructure of Three‐Dimensional‐Needled Carbon/Silicon Carbide Composites
Authors: Xu Fang , Xu Yongdong , Meng Xiangkang , Chen Yanfeng , Lu Haiming , Zhang Yi , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei , Fan Shangwu
Published: July 2009

Three‐dimensional‐needled, carbon‐fiber‐reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites (C/SiC) were prepared by a chemical vapor infiltration and reactive melt infiltration method. It was found that two kinds of SiC existed in the C/SiC composites, that is, micro‐β‐SiC grains within the range of 5–15 μm and nano‐β‐SiC grains with a size of about 100 nm. The interface of C/SiC and the distribution of SiC showed evidence for the reaction mechanism of the reactive melt infiltration process.
Isolation and characterization of the trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase gene from Locusta migratoria manilensis
Authors: Cui Shu‐Yan , Xia Yu‐Xian
Published: July 2009

Abstract  Trehalose plays an important role in protecting organisms from various stresses. Trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase (TPS) is the key enzyme in trehalose synthesis, but in insects only a few TPS genes have been identified and their function has not been well characterized. To better understand the function of TPS in insects, a complete TPS complementary DNA (cDNA) clone was obtained from the fat body of the locust Locusta migratoria manilensis (GenBank accession number: EU131894). The full‐length cDNA is 2 806 bp, including an open reading frame of 2 442 bp, which encodes an 813 amino acids protein with a calculated molecular weight of 91 976 Daltons and an isoelectric point of 6.14. The deduced amino acid sequence is highly similar to other published insect TPS and its C‐terminal also has a region homologous to trehalose phosphate phsophatase (TPP). Semi‐quantitative analysis indicated that the TPS transcript was expressed not only in fat body, but also in gut, hemolymph and leg muscle. These data may facilitate studies of TPS function in insects and improve our understanding of trehalose metabolism.
Development and Analysis of a Supply Chain Strategy Taxonomy
Authors: MCKONE‐SWEET KATHLEEN , LEE YOO‐TAEK
Published: July 2009

This research derives a numerical taxonomy that classifies manufacturers with similar combinations of supply chain (SC) capabilities into three SC Strategy Groups. This research also explores the relationship between the SC Strategy Groups and contextual factors, competitive priorities and firm performance. There are significant differences among the SC Strategy Groups for the location of the firm, the level of uncertainty, the competitiveness of the market and firm performance. Surprisingly, there is no relationship between the SC Strategy Groups and a firm's competitive priorities, indicating that firms are often not linking their SC strategy to their competitive strategy.
Towards Flexible Coexistence Regulations for GM crops in the EU   Vers des réglementations flexibles en terme de coexistence pour les cultures transgéniques dans l’Union européenne   Hin zu flexiblen Koexistenzregelungen für genetisch veränderte Feldfrüchte in der EU
Authors: Demont Matty , Devos Yann , Sanvido Olivier
Published: July 2009

Towards Flexible Coexistence Regulations for GM crops in the EU

The European Union (EU) is currently facing a challenge that might unnecessarily hamper the adoption of GM crops: regulating the coexistence of genetically modified (GM) and non‐GM crops. Member states are currently implementing or developing both ex ante coexistence regulations and ex post liability schemes to ensure that both GM and non‐GM crops can be cultivated in the EU. In this article, we explore in detail how national and/or regional policymakers can build in a certain degree of flexibility in ex ante coexistence regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden on certain agricultural options and avoid jeopardising the economic incentives for coexistence. We use the example of GM maize as a case study, being the only GM crop planted over a significant area in the EU. We conclude that flexibility could be integrated into regulations at different levels: (i) at the regulatory level by relaxing some of the regulatory rigidity in ex ante regulations; (ii) at the farm level by allowing the substitution of isolation distances by pollen barriers; and (iii) at the national/regional level through plural coexistence measures, consistent with heterogeneity of farming in the EU.
Articulation Characteristics of Severely and Profoundly Deaf Children and Approaches to Therapy: A Review of the Electropalatography Literature
Authors: Ellis Lucy
Published: July 2009

This article provides a concise review of (i) the segmental articulation errors produced by severely and profoundly deaf children and (ii) the approaches to therapy carried out to remediate these errors. In both cases, evidence is gathered from studies using electropalatography (EPG), an instrumental technique which provides a direct articulatory display of the timing and location of contact between the tongue and the hard palate during speech. Attention is paid to what is known about the generalisation and maintenance of improvements in speech production following EPG visual feedback therapy.
CHILDHOOD BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS
Authors: Jr William F. Northey. , Wells Karen C. , Silverman Wendy K. , Bailey C. Everett
Published: July 2009

We reviewed the literature on family treatment for childhood behavioral and emotional disorders and found an increase in the number of studies since 1995; however there was significant variation by disorder and therapy model. There is substantially more research on externalizing disorders (i.e., conduct disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder) then internalizing disorders, depression and anxiety disorders. The data support the conclusion that family‐based interventions produce results comparable to individually oriented interventions, and in some cases family‐based interventions are superior to individual treatments. To date, cognitive behavioral family therapy and parent management have been the two models studied, almost exclusively. Implications for family therapy and future research are considered.
META‐ANALYSIS OF MFT INTERVENTIONS
Authors: Shadish William R. , Baldwin Scott A.
Published: July 2009

This article briefly reviews 20 meta‐analyses of marital and family interventions. These metaanalyses support the efficacy of both MFT for distressed couples, and marital and family enrichment. Those effects are slightly reduced at follow‐up, but still significant. Differences among kinds of marital and family interventions tend to be small. MFT produce clinically significant results in 40–50% of those treated, but the effects of MFT in clinically representative settings have not been much studied. The article also introduces the concept of meta‐analytically supported treatments (MASTs), which are treatments that meet certain criteria for efficacy in meta‐analysis, and which remedy certain problems in the empirically supported treatment (EST) literature. The article concludes with recommendations for doing better meta‐analyses.
The British Housing Market: What has been happening?*
Authors: Nickell Stephen
Published: July 2009

The current system of planning and development in the UK generates new homes at a rate which has been well below the rate of increase of households for many years. This has helped to generate very rapid increases in house prices relative to incomes in the last decade as well as rapidly lengthening waiting lists for social housing. The fundamental problem has been the severe rationing of land for new house building by Local Authorities as they respond to opposition to housing development on the part of their constituents and the absence of any significant financial incentives to encourage development. Our policy proposals are geared to alleviate the situation by allowing Local Authorities to access the large financial gains accruing to landowners consequent on the granting of planning permission. The money can then be used to subsidize social housing and improve the locality more generally.
Collective Behavior
Authors: Goldstone Robert L. , Gureckis Todd M.
Published: July 2009

The resurgence of interest in collective behavior is in large part due to tools recently made available for conducting laboratory experiments on groups, statistical methods for analyzing large data sets reflecting social interactions, the rapid growth of a diverse variety of online self‐organized collectives, and computational modeling methods for understanding both universal and scenario‐specific social patterns. We consider case studies of collective behavior along four attributes: the primary motivation of individuals within the group, kinds of interactions among individuals, typical dynamics that result from these interactions, and characteristic outcomes at the group level. With this framework, we compare the collective patterns of noninteracting decision makers, bee swarms, groups forming paths in physical and abstract spaces, sports teams, cooperation and competition for resource usage, and the spread and extension of innovations in an online community. Some critical issues surrounding collective behavior are then reviewed, including the questions of “Does group behavior always reduce to individual behavior?”“Is ‘group cognition’ possible?” and “What is the value of formal modeling for understanding group behavior?”
A Philosopher’s Reflections on the Discovery of Mirror Neurons
Authors: Jacob Pierre
Published: July 2009

Mirror neurons fire both when a primate executes a transitive action directed toward a target (e.g., grasping) and when he observes the same action performed by another. According to the prevalent interpretation, action‐mirroring is a process of interpersonal neural similarity whereby an observer maps the agent’s perceived movements onto her own motor repertoire. Furthermore, ever since Gallese and Goldman’s (1998) influential paper, action‐mirroring has been linked to third‐person mindreading on the grounds that it enables an observer to represent the agent’s intention. In this paper, I criticize the prevalent interpretation on two grounds. First, action‐mirroring could not result in interpersonal neural similarity unless there was a single mechanism active at different times in a single brain during the execution and the perception of acts of grasping. Second, such a neural mechanism is better conceived as underlying the possession of the concept of grasping than as a basis for mindreading.
Performance of the Ascensia ENTRUST glucose meter for determination of blood glucose concentration in rats
Authors: Vijayakumar S. , Everds Nancy E. , Kalaiselvan P. , Shakthidevan R.K. , Murkunde Yogesh Kumar V. , Wells Monique Y.
Published: July 2009

Background: The Ascensia ENTRUST blood glucose meter is intended for self‐monitoring of blood glucose by diabetic patients. Use of such a glucometer would minimize blood volume requirements for the measurement of glucose in small laboratory animals.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of the Ascensia ENTRUST for measuring glucose in whole blood from Wistar rats by evaluating the effect of anticoagulant and sample processing delay and comparing normalized results with plasma glucose concentration.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from the retroorbital sinus of 30 male Wistar rats with a wide range of blood glucose concentrations. Glucose concentration was measured with the Ascensia ENTRUST in nonheparinized (NH) and heparinized samples immediately after collection (Hep‐0) and in heparinized samples after a 15 min delay at 23–28°C (Hep‐15). Heparinized samples were centrifuged and glucose concentration was determined in plasma using an automated chemistry analyzer. Results were compared to assess the effect of anticoagulant (NH vs Hep‐0) and time (Hep 0 vs Hep 15), and to compare normalized Hep‐15 results with plasma glucose concentration.

Results: Glucose concentration was not significantly different between NH and Hep‐0 samples. Glucose concentration was lower in Hep‐15 (77±36.9 mg/dL) than Hep‐0 (88±39.7 mg/dL) samples, but the difference was not significant. With normalization, Hep‐15 glucose concentration correlated well (r≥.98) with plasma glucose concentration but was lower by 6.0±16.7 mg/dL, with a positive bias at low glucose concentrations and a negative bias at high concentrations.

Conclusion: The Ascensia ENTRUST may be adequate for repeated blood glucose measurements in rats, but its results do not accurately predict plasma glucose concentrations measured by an automated clinical chemistry analyzer.
Static Analysis of the Left Ventricle
Authors: To¨zeren A.
Published: July 2009

Static analysis of the left ventricle is developed to estimate the local stresses and deformations that occur during the heart cycle. The left ventricle is represented as a thick hollow tube composed of solid fibers embedded in an inviscid fluid matrix. A finite deformation analysis is developed to estimate the variation of the pressure, fiber tension and fiber extension across the thickness of the left ventricle. Pressure-volume relations are obtained for the diastolic and the systolic peak isovolumetric phases. The fiber stress distribution and pressure variation are estimated as a function of the initial fiber orientation distribution, relative thickness of the ventricle, inner volume of the ventricle and the various tension-extension relations proposed for the fibers of the heart muscle. It is concluded that the diastolic pressure-volume relation is not very sensitive to either the fiber orientation distribution or the thickness of the ventricle. However, the pumping efficiency of the modeled ventricle is shown to increase with increasing thickness of the modeled left ventricle and with increasing contractility of the heart muscle fibers.
Acoustic Modeling of Lung Dynamics Using Bond Graphs
Authors: Margolis D. L. , Tabrizi M.
Published: July 2009

Bond graphs are used to model the acoustic behavior of the respiratory system. The model includes the distributed dynamics of the upper airways while the lower passage generations are represented by “lumping” of resistance and compliance effects. The lower airway representation is terminated with ten lung segments. The model is accurate for frequencies as high as 8500 Hz. The model is currently capable of predicting system eigenvalues as a function of system parameters and geometry for a “nonbreathing” lung. Future plans include modifying the model to include lung segment expansion and contraction as well as turbulence generaton at airway bifurcations.