bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male spike strobiles withGnetumaffinity from the Early Cretaceous in western Liaoning, Northeast China
Authors: GUO Shuang‐Xing , SHA Jin‐Geng , BIAN Li‐Zeng , QIU Yin‐Long
Published: April 2009

A fossil withGnetumaffinity was found in the Jianshangou Member (Barremian Age) of the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous Epoch) of the Jehol Group in western Liaoning, northeastern China. The single fossil specimen is represented by both elongate‐cylindrical male spike strobiles which borne within a nodal bract of cauliflorous branch. The spike strobiles have apparent nodes, invisible internodes, and numerous verticillate involucral collars. The microsporangiate units within involucral collars are not seen. The male spike strobiles with verticillate involucral collars occur exclusively inGnetum; hence, the fossil strobiles are attributed to a new taxon,Khitania columnispicatagen. & sp. nov., being closely related toGnetum.The general isotopic dating suggests an age of Barremian, ca. 125–122 million years (Myr) ago for the Jianshangou Member. The palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic inference based on the compositions of flora and fauna, and lithological characters of the fossil locality suggests that the fossil plants grew in a subtropical mesophytic forest and under a warmer climate. The remains of male spike strobiles are the first record of gnetalean macrofossil. It documents the evolution of the distinct gnetoid morphology and indicates a wider range of distribution of Gnetaceae in the Early Cretaceous than present day.
Adsorption and conformation of porphyrins on metallic surfaces
Authors: Brede Jens , Linares Mathieu , Lensen Roy , Rowan Alan E. , Funk Markus , Bröring Martin , Hoffmann Germar , Wiesendanger Roland
Published: April 2009

Tetraphenyl porphyrins (TPP) belong to a highly interesting class of molecules with a large variety of electronic, magnetic, and structural properties. So far, local investigations by scanning probe techniques were primarily focused on larger agglomerates of TPP molecules. Here, experimental results of the observation and manipulation of isolated molecules adsorbed on cold metal substrates by means of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy are presented. Depending on the surface geometry, i.e., Cu(111) vs Cu(100) three distinct deformations of the molecular structure are identified reflecting the interaction of the phenyl periphery with the substrate. In a second step, controlled manipulation in terms of deformation of the porphyrin core, ligand dissociation, and lateral displacement of the phenyl periphery are demonstrated.
Fabrication of nanogap electrodes by field-emission-induced electromigration
Authors: Tomoda Yusuke , Takahashi Keisuke , Hanada Michinobu , Kume Watari , Shirakashi Jun-ichi
Published: April 2009

The authors report a simple and easy technique for the fabrication of nanogaps with separations of less than 10nm. This technique is based on electromigration induced by field emission current. Here, the authors investigated the dependence of tunnel resistance on the shape of nanogap electrodes and initial gap separation. The initial nanogap electrodes having asymmetrical shape with the separation of 30–60nm were fabricated by electron-beam lithography and lift-off process. In the nanogaps with asymmetrical shape, the tunnel resistance was controlled by the magnitude of the preset current during field-emission-induced electromigration and decreased from the order of 100TΩto100kΩ with increasing the preset current from 1nAto150μA. This tendency was quite similar to that of nanogaps with symmetrical shape. Furthermore, the tunnel resistance after the electromigration was less dependent on the initial gap separation and was completely determined by the preset current. This suggests that it is possible to control the tunnel resistance of nanogaps by field-emission-induced electromigration.
Strain distributions in lattice-mismatched semiconductor core-shell nanowires
Authors: Søndergaard Niels , He Yuhui , Fan Chun , Han Ruqi , Guhr Thomas , Xu H. Q.
Published: April 2009

The authors study the elastic deformation field in lattice-mismatched core-shell nanowires with single and multiple shells. The authors consider infinite wires with a hexagonal cross section under the assumption of translational symmetry. The strain distributions are found by minimizing the elastic energy per unit cell using the finite element method. The authors find that the trace of the strain is discontinuous with a simple, almost piecewise variation between core and shell, whereas the individual components of the strain can exhibit complex variations.
Fabrication of annular photonic crystals by atomic layer deposition and sacrificial etching
Authors: Feng Junbo , Chen Yao , Blair John , Kurt Hamza , Hao Ran , Citrin D. S. , Summers Christopher J. , Zhou Zhiping
Published: April 2009

In this article, the fabrication process of annular photonic crystals on silicon-on-insulator wafers was addressed for the first time. A self-alignment procedure for nanofabrication using atomic layer deposition and sacrificial etching was established to place accurately nanosized dielectric rods in nanosized circular air holes. Avoiding the challenging electron-beam lithography alignment, this method achieves atomic level precision and shows high stability.
Topography and surface potential in Kelvin force microscopy of perfluoroalkyl alkanes self-assemblies
Authors: Alexander John , Magonov Sergei , Moeller Martin
Published: April 2009

Self-assemblies of two perfluoroalkyl alkanes [F(CF2)n(CH2)mH with n=14, m=20 and n=12, m=8] on different substrates (mica, Si, and graphite) were examined with Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) by detecting either the electrostatic tip-sample force or its gradient. Both measurements were realized in the single pass operation using different frequencies for monitoring topography and surface potential changes. Furthermore, the KFM imaging was performed in the intermittent contact regime that allowed high-resolution mapping of surface potential changes without noticeable cross-talk between signals related to mechanical and electric forces. The use of force gradient for electrostatic force measurements led to high-resolution surface potential images of the perfluoroalkyl alkane adsorbates with strong contrast of the particular self-assemblies (spirals, ribbons, and toroids). The obtained potential data are close to ones recorded with macroscopic Kelvin probe and to theoretical estimates. The surface potential correlates with the orientation of molecular dipoles of –CF3 and –CF2–CH2– groups with respect to the substrate. Therefore, topography and surface potential data indicate that the fluorocarbon parts are mostly oriented vertically, whereas hydrocarbon segments are partially or fully spread on the substrate. In addition, the ability of KFM to monitor a transformation of the self-assemblies was demonstrated by studies of these objects in humid air.
Double layer-coated carbon nanotubes: Field emission and secondary-electron emission properties under presence of intense electric field
Authors: Lee Jungwoo , Park Jaehong , Sim Kijo , Yi Whikun
Published: April 2009

The authors measured the field emission (FE) and secondary-electron emission (SEE) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) after coating with wide-band-gap materials, such as MgO and CsI. The FE was increased successively after MgO coating and subsequent CsI coating for both single-walled and multiwalled CNTs. SEE also showed the same increase after monolayer and double-layer coating. The field-enhancement factor, β, was calculated from the Fowler–Nordheim equation of FE results, and SEE yield, δ, was measured directly from the SEE measurements, for both monolayer- and double-layer-coated nanotubes. Both values showed similar trends that may be described as follows: (1) The trend for the double-layer-coated CNTs was higher than that for the monolayer-coated CNTs. (2) The trend for the single-walled CNTs was higher than that for the multiwalled CNTs.
The Bent Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Track: Inheriting the Mantle Wind
Authors: Tarduno John , Bunge Hans-Peter , Sleep Norm , Hansen Ulrich
Published: April 2009

Bends in volcanic hotspot lineaments, best represented by the large elbow in the Hawaiian-Emperor chain, were thought to directly record changes in plate motion. Several lines of geophysical inquiry now suggest that a change in the locus of upwelling in the mantle induced by mantle dynamics causes bends in hotspot tracks. Inverse modeling suggests that although deep flow near the core-mantle boundary may have played a role in the Hawaiian-Emperor bend, capture of a plume by a ridge, followed by changes in sub-Pacific mantle flow, can better explain the observations. Thus, hotspot tracks can reveal patterns of past mantle circulation.
Comparison of Recombinant
Trypanosoma cruzi
Peptide Mixtures versus Multiepitope Chimeric Proteins as Sensitizing Antigens for Immunodiagnosis
Authors: Camussone Cecilia , Gonzalez Verónica , Belluzo María S. , Pujato Nazarena , Ribone María E. , Lagier Claudia M. , Marcipar Iván S.
Published: April 2009

The aim of this work was to determine the best strategy to display antigens (Ags) on immunochemical devices to improve test selectivity and sensitivity. We comparatively evaluated five
Trypanosoma cruzi
antigenic recombinant peptides, chose the three more sensitive ones, built up chimeras bearing these selected Ags, and systematically compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the performance of the assortments of those peptides with that of the multiepitope constructions bearing all those peptides lineally fused. The better-performing Ags that were compared included peptides homologous to the previously described
T. cruzi
flagellar repetitive Ag (here named RP1), shed acute-phase Ag (RP2), B13 (RP5), and the chimeric recombinant proteins CP1 and CP2, bearing repetitions of RP1-RP2 and RP1-RP2-RP5, respectively. The diagnostic performances of these Ags were assessed for discrimination efficiency by the formula +OD/cutoff value (where +OD is the mean optical density value of the positive serum samples tested), in comparison with each other either alone, in mixtures, or as peptide-fused chimeras and with total parasite homogenate (TPH). The discrimination efficiency values obtained for CP1 and CP2 were 25% and 52% higher, respectively, than those of their individual-Ag mixtures. CP2 was the only Ag that showed enhanced discrimination efficiency between Chagas' disease-positive and -negative samples, compared with TPH. This study highlights the convenience of performing immunochemical assays using hybrid, single-molecule, chimeric Ags instead of peptide mixtures. CP2 preliminary tests rendered 98.6% sensitivity when evaluated with a 141-Chagas' disease-positive serum sample panel and 99.4% specificity when assessed with a 164-Chagas' disease-negative serum sample panel containing 15 samples from individuals infected with
Leishmania
spp.
Three-Decade Epidemiological Analysis of
Escherichia coli
O15:K52:H1
Authors: Olesen Bente , Scheutz Flemming , Menard Megan , Skov Marianne N. , Kolmos Hans Jørn , Kuskowski Michael A. , Johnson James R.
Published: April 2009

The successful
Escherichia coli
O15:K52:H1 clonal group provides a case study for the emergence of multiresistant clonal groups of
Enterobacteriaceae
generally. Accordingly, we tested the hypotheses that, over time, the O15:K52:H1 clonal group has become increasingly (i) virulent and (ii) resistant to antibiotics. One hundred archived international
E. coli
O15:K52:[H1] clinical isolates from 100 unique patients (1975 to 2006) were characterized for diverse phenotypic and molecular traits. All 100 isolates derived from phylogenetic group D and, presumptively, sequence type ST393. They uniformly carried the F16
papA
allele and
papG
allele II (P fimbria structural subunit and adhesin variants),
iha
(adhesin-siderophore),
fimH
(type 1 fimbriae),
fyuA
(yersiniabactin receptor),
iutA
(aerobactin receptor), and
kpsM
II (group 2 capsule); 85% to 89% of them contained a complete copy of the
pap
operon and
ompT
(outer membrane protease). Slight additional virulence profile variation was evident, particularly within a minor diarrhea-associated subset (biotype C). However, in contrast to the clonal group's fairly stable virulence profiles over the past 30+ years, during the same interval the clonal group members' antimicrobial resistance profiles increased by a mean of 2.8 units per decade (
P
< 0.001). Moreover, the numbers of virulence genes and resistance markers were positively associated (
P
= 0.046), providing evidence against antimicrobial resistance and virulence being mutually exclusive in these strains. Thus, the O15:K52:H1 clonal group has become increasingly resistant to antimicrobials while maintaining (or expanding) its virulence potential, a particularly concerning trend if other emerging multiresistant enterobacterial clonal groups follow a similar pattern.
Nonparametric Methods for Modeling Nonlinearity in Regression Analysis
Authors: Andersen Robert
Published: April 2009

The linear model and related generalized linear model (GLM) are important tools for sociologists. If the relationships between y (or in the case of the GLM, the linear predictor η) and the xs are linear, these methods provide elegant summaries of the data. However, these methods fail to adequately model underlying relationships if they are characterized by complex nonlinear patterns. In such cases, nonparametric regression, which allows the functional form between y and x to be determined by the data themselves, is more suitable. There are many types of nonparametric simple regression. I focus on locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (lowess or loess) and smoothing splines because they are the most widely used. I also describe additive and generalized additive models (GAM), which allow modeling of categorical dependent variables, and I explain how these methods can handle both parametric and nonparametric (i.e., lowess and smoothing splines) effects for many predictors. Finally, I briefly introduce the more recent development of the vector generalized additive model (VGAM), which further extends the GAM to handle multivariate dependent variables, and the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM), which allows specification of smooth functions within the mixed model framework.
Outsourcing and the Changing Nature of Work
Authors: Davis-Blake Alison , Broschak Joseph P.
Published: April 2009

While much has been written about the effects of outsourcing on the location of jobs and on the wages of workers, the effects of outsourcing on the experience of work and on the design of work and organizations have received limited research attention. A full understanding of the consequences of outsourcing requires examining the effects of outsourcing on the nature of both work and the organizations that define and delimit work. In this review, we define outsourcing and describe the key dimensions of outsourcing arrangements that are likely to affect the nature of work. We then review existing research on the effects of outsourcing on individuals’ attitudes and behaviors, work group dynamics, job design, and organizational structure and culture. We conclude with a discussion of the critical research issues that must be addressed to fully understand the effects of outsourcing on the nature of work.
Tonotopic Gradient in the Developmental Acquisition of Sensory Transduction in Outer Hair Cells of the Mouse Cochlea
Authors: Lelli Andrea , Asai Yukako , Forge Andrew , Holt Jeffrey R. , Géléoc Gwenaëlle S. G.
Published: April 2009

Inner ear hair cells are exquisite mechanosensors that transduce nanometer scale deflections of their sensory hair bundles into electrical signals. Several essential elements must be precisely assembled during development to confer the unique structure and function of the mechanotransduction apparatus. Here we investigated the functional development of the transduction complex in outer hair cells along the length of mouse cochlea acutely excised between embryonic day 17 (E17) and postnatal day 8 (P8). We charted development of the stereociliary bundle using scanning electron microscopy; FM1-43 uptake, which permeates hair cell transduction channels, mechanotransduction currents evoked by rapid hair bundle deflections, and mRNA expression of possible components of the transduction complex. We demonstrated that uptake of FM1-43 first occurred in the basal portion of the cochlea at P0 and progressed toward the apex over the subsequent week. Electrophysiological recordings obtained from 234 outer hair cells between E17 and P8 from four cochlear regions revealed a correlation between the pattern of FM1-43 uptake and the acquisition of mechanotransduction. We found a spatiotemporal gradient in the properties of transduction including onset, amplitude, operating range, time course, and extent of adaptation. We used quantitative RT–PCR to examine relative mRNA expression of several hair cell myosins and candidate tip-link molecules. We found spatiotemporal expression patterns for mRNA that encodes cadherin 23, protocadherin 15, myosins 3a, 7a, 15a, and PMCA2 that preceded the acquisition of transduction. The spatiotemporal expression patterns of myosin 1c and PMCA2 mRNA were correlated with developmental changes in several properties of mechanotransduction.
Delay Activity in Rodent Frontal Cortex During a Simple Reaction Time Task
Authors: Narayanan Nandakumar S. , Laubach Mark
Published: April 2009

To understand how different parts of the frontal cortex control the timing of action, we characterized the firing patterns of single neurons in two areas of rodent frontal cortex—dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and motor cortex—during a simple reaction time task. Principal component analysis was used to identify major patterns of delay-related activity in frontal cortex: ramping activity and sustained delay activity. These patterns were similar in dmPFC and motor cortex and did not change as animals learned to respond at novel delays. Many neurons in both areas were modulated early in the delay period. Other neurons were modulated in a persistent manner over the duration of the delay period. Delay-related modulations started earlier in motor cortex than in dmPFC and terminated around different task events (at the time of release in dmPFC, just before release of the lever in motor cortex). A subpopulation of neurons was found in dmPFC, but not motor cortex, that fired in response to the trigger stimulus. These results suggest that populations of neurons in rodent frontal cortex are coordinated during delay periods to enable proactive inhibitory control of action.
Role and Therapeutic Potential of VEGF in the Nervous System
Authors: Ruiz de Almodovar Carmen , Lambrechts Diether , Mazzone Massimiliano , Carmeliet Peter
Published: April 2009

The development of the nervous and vascular systems constitutes primary events in the evolution of the animal kingdom; the former provides electrical stimuli and coordination, while the latter supplies oxygen and nutrients. Both systems have more in common than originally anticipated. Perhaps the most striking observation is that angiogenic factors, when deregulated, contribute to various neurological disorders, such as neurodegeneration, and might be useful for the treatment of some of these pathologies. The prototypic example of this cross-talk between nerves and vessels is the vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF. Although originally described as a key angiogenic factor, it is now well established that VEGF also plays a crucial role in the nervous system. We describe the molecular properties of VEGF and its receptors and review the current knowledge of its different functions and therapeutic potential in the nervous system during development, health, disease and in medicine.
eNOS Activation by Physical Forces: From Short-Term Regulation of Contraction to Chronic Remodeling of Cardiovascular Tissues
Authors: Balligand J.-L. , Feron O. , Dessy C.
Published: April 2009

Nitric oxide production in response to flow-dependent shear forces applied on the surface of endothelial cells is a fundamental mechanism of regulation of vascular tone, peripheral resistance, and tissue perfusion. This implicates the concerted action of multiple upstream “mechanosensing” molecules reversibly assembled in signalosomes recruiting endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in specific subcellular locales, e.g., plasmalemmal caveolae. Subsequent short- and long-term increases in activity and expression of eNOS translate this mechanical stimulus into enhanced NO production and bioactivity through a complex transcriptional and posttranslational regulation of the enzyme, including by shear-stress responsive transcription factors, oxidant stress-dependent regulation of transcript stability, eNOS regulatory phosphorylations, and protein-protein interactions. Notably, eNOS expressed in cardiac myocytes is amenable to a similar regulation in response to stretching of cardiac muscle cells and in part mediates the length-dependent increase in cardiac contraction force. In addition to short-term regulation of contractile tone, eNOS mediates key aspects of cardiac and vascular remodeling, e.g., by orchestrating the mobilization, recruitment, migration, and differentiation of cardiac and vascular progenitor cells, in part by regulating the stabilization and transcriptional activity of hypoxia inducible factor in normoxia and hypoxia. The continuum of the influence of eNOS in cardiovascular biology explains its growing implication in mechanosensitive aspects of integrated physiology, such as the control of blood pressure variability or the modulation of cardiac remodeling in situations of hemodynamic overload.
Planar C-Band Antenna with Electronically Controllable Switched Beams
Authors: Barba Mariano , Page Juan E. , Encinar Jose A.
Published: April 2009

The design, manufacturing, and measurements of a switchable-beam antenna at 3.5 GHz for WLL or Wimax base station antennas in planar technology are presented. This antenna performs a discrete beam scan of a60∘sector in azimuth and can be easily upgraded to 5 or more steps. The switching capabilities have been implemented by the inclusion of phase shifters based on PIN diodes in the feed network following a strategy that allows the reduction of the number of switches compared to a classic design. The measurements show that the design objectives have been achieved and encourage the application of the acquired experience in antennas for space applications, such as X-band SAR and Ku-band DBS.
Comorbidities of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Feudjo-Tepie M. A. , Le Roux G. , Beach K. J. , Bennett D. , Robinson N. J.
Published: April 2009

A person experiencing more than one medical condition may have ambiguous clinical presentation. ITP is a serious autoimmune disease with little epidemiological evidence on its burden, risk factors, and comorbidities. Using the United Kingdom general practice research database, we conducted a 14 years population-based case control-type study to explore medical conditions more likely to cooccur with ITP and their temporal relationship in association with ITP. ITP patients were matched to non-ITP on practice, age, gender, and follow-up period. Potential comorbidities were represented by patients’ medical information at the preferred term level of the MedDRA international classification. As well as death (; 95% CI [4.47–806.0]) and known clinical signs and symptoms of ITP, ITP is associated with considerable number of medical conditions. The association between ITP and some of these conditions is apparent both before and after ITP diagnosis. Specific targeted studies can now be setup to reexamine observed associations.
Emergent Cerebrovascular Disease Risk Factor Weighting: Is Transient Ischemic Attack an Imminent Threat?
Authors: Gállego Jaime , Muñoz Roberto , Martínez-Vila Eduardo
Published: April 2009

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a neglected condition and a marker of atherothrombotic disease. Several cohort studies have demonstrated that the risk of early cerebral infarct after TIA is much higher than previously thought. Many studies have shown that the risk of stroke is high after TIA, and is on average 4–6% in the first 2 days. Up to 23% of strokes are preceded by transient ischemic attack (TIA), and there is substantial research interest in improving prevention during the short window between TIA and stroke. Nonetheless, patients with TIA are often managed without urgency. The currently available evidence suggests that the application of clinical scales is useful for the detection of patients with high risk of recurrence, and this is increased significantly when the information from neuroimaging and Doppler assessments is added. However, the limited prognostic value of these clinical variables together with the elevated risk of suffering an adverse vascular event are driving the search for new predictive factors (biological markers, neuroimaging data, ultrasound) that will help towards a better discrimination of high-risk patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that prompt evaluation and treatment of patients with TIA in a dedicated outpatient unit is associated with a lower than expected risk of subsequent stroke.
Systemic Thrombolysis in Clinical Practice: What Have We Learned after the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitoring Study?
Authors: Wahlgren Nils
Published: April 2009

The Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke Monitoring Study (SITS-MOST) of 6,483 patients treated with intravenous alteplase within 3 h after stroke onset showed that this treatment was as safe and as effective in clinical practice as in randomized controlled trials. SITS-MOST was based on the SITS registry, available over a secure Internet connection. The SITS registry today includes over 22,000 treatment files on intravenous thrombolysis with an inclusion rate of 1,200–1,300 new files every 4 months. SITS now opens for other interventions than intravenous thrombolysis and will soon be available as an optional general stroke register. After SITS-MOST, the registry is generating new information on outcome predictors, treatments in patients in later time windows, patients with hyperdense middle cerebral artery signs, and several publications are in preparation. Important information is currently collected on the effect on door-to-needle time and safety of a broad implementation of thrombolysis in a later time window.
Cognitive Decline and Dementia Related to Cerebrovascular Diseases: Some Evidence and Concepts
Authors: Pantoni Leonardo , Poggesi Anna , Inzitari Domenico
Published: April 2009

Background: Cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered the second most common cause of cognitive decline in the elderly after neurodegeneration of the Alzheimer’s type. Despite impressive epidemiological data, the actual burden of CVDs in terms of cognitive decline is still incompletely appreciated by physicians and health regulators. Methods: In this brief position paper, we review some evidence related to the topic and its clinical relevance, and we present some concepts that we consider of crucial importance for the correct recognition of the problem. Results and Conclusions: We conclude that: (1) different approaches to the topic exist (clinical, neuroimaging-based, pathological) and the inconsistent use of one or another, together with lack of definitions, has limited the appreciation of the contribution of CVDs to cognitive decline; (2) cognitive impairment related to CVDs is very frequent and constitutes a topic with high epidemiological impact; (3) cognitive impairment associated with CVDs is heterogeneous in clinical and pathogenic terms; (4) vascular lesions often interact with other type lesions, the most important of which are today considered those of the Alzheimer’s type, in determining cognitive impairment; (5) for some vascular lesions, namely white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts, strong evidence suggests their role as determinants of cognitive decline; (6) cognitive impairment is only part of the consequences of CVDs as it is almost invariably accompanied by gait disturbances, depressive symptoms, and sphincteric control dysfunction, all factors contributing to loss of independence.
Overnight Levels of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Growth Hormone before and during Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue Treatment in Short Boys Born Small for Gestational Age
Authors: van der Kaay Daniëlle C.M. , de Jong Frank H. , Rose Susan R. , Odink Roelof J.H. , Bakker-van Waarde Willie M. , Sulkers Eric J. , Hokken-Koelega Anita C.S.
Published: April 2009

Aims: To evaluate if 3 months of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) treatment results in sufficient suppression of pubertal luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) profile patterns in short pubertal small for gestational age (SGA) boys. To compare growth hormone (GH) profiles and fasting insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels after 3 months of GnRHa treatment with those at baseline. Methods: After measurement of baseline overnight profiles and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, 14 short pubertal SGA boys received leuprorelide acetate depots of 3.75 mg subcutaneously, every 4 weeks. Results: At baseline, mean GH levels were comparable with those of controls, whereas IGF-I and IGFBP-3 standard deviation scores (SDS) were significantly lower than zero SDS. After 3 months of GnRHa treatment, all boys showed clinical arrest of puberty. The area under the curve above zero, mean and maximum LH and FSH had significantly decreased to prepubertal levels. Peak LH during the GnRH agonist test, however, indicated insufficient pubertal suppression in 43% of boys. Overnight GH profile characteristics and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels did not significantly change. Conclusions: Puberty was sufficiently suppressed by GnRHa treatment, as shown by the prepubertal LH and FSH profiles. After 3 months of GnRHa treatment, overnight GH profile characteristics had not significantly changed, reflecting that GH levels are comparable for prepubertal and early pubertal boys.
Opioid Maintenance Treatment during Pregnancy: Occurrence and Severity of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Authors: Bakstad Brittelise , Sarfi Monica , Welle-Strand Gabrielle K. , Ravndal Edle
Published: April 2009

Background: Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) is widely used to treat pregnant women with a history of opioid dependence. This study investigated whether maternal methadone/buprenorphine dose and nicotine use in pregnancy affects the occurrence and duration of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the infant. Methods: Forty-one pregnant women from OMT programmes in Norway who gave birth between January 2005 and January 2007 were enrolled in a national prospective study. Thirty-eight women (81% of the population) were interviewed in the last trimester of pregnancy and 3 months after delivery. Data from the European Addiction Severity Index and a questionnaire measuring enrolled birth information were compared with medical records and urine analyses. Results: Treatment requiring NAS occurred in 58% of the methadone-exposed and in 67% of the buprenorphine-exposed infants. There was no significant relationship between a maternal dose of methadone or buprenorphine in pregnancy and NAS treatment duration for the infant. The mean number of cigarettes consumed correlated significantly with NAS treatment duration for the methadone group. Birth weight for the methadone group was approximately 200 g above international findings despite high doses during pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal methadone/buprenorphine dose predicted neither the occurrence nor the need for NAS treatment for the infant.
Management of Hyperleukocytosis and Prevention of Tumor Lysis Syndrome with Low-Dose Prednisone Continuous Infusion in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Ozdemir Mehmet Akif , Karakukcu Musa , Patiroglu Turkan , Torun Yasemin Altuner , Kose Mehmet
Published: April 2009

Introduction: The standard management of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia with hyperleukocytosis is unclear and its treatment has focused on prompt leukocytoreduction. Cytoreductive therapies have been used for the prevention of tumor lysis syndrome, but the outcomes have been variable and their benefits have not been proven in controlled clinical trials. This condition needs further investigation to develop effective therapeutic strategies. Methods: In the present prospective trial, 15 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and hyperleukocytosis (range 101–838 × 109/l) were treated with intravenous low-dose prednisone continuous infusion (6 mg/m2/24 h). Doses were increased daily and on approximately the fifth day, the full dose of prednisone (60 mg/m2/day) was applied. Results: The mean reduction in white blood cell count achieved by this treatment was 34.4% on first day, 56.9% on second day and 76.6% on third day. The treatment was well tolerated. None of the 15 patients developed life-threatening metabolic disorders or required dialysis. Conclusions: Intravenous low-dose prednisone continuous infusion treatment can prevent the progression to tumor lysis syndrome and it may be used for the patients presenting with white blood cell counts between 100 and 400 × 109/l in centers where leukoapheresis is not readily available.
Effects of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker on Blood Pressure Variability and Cardiovascular Remodeling in Hypertensive Patients on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Shigenaga Atsu-ichiro , Tamura Kouichi , Dejima Toru , Ozawa Motoko , Wakui Hiromichi , Masuda Shin-ichiro , Azuma Koichi , Tsurumi-Ikeya Yuko , Mitsuhashi Hiroshi , Okano Yasuko , Kokuho Toshiharu , Sugano Teruyasu , Ishigami Tomoaki , Toya Yoshiyuki , Uchino Kazuaki , Tokita Yasuo , Umemura Satoshi
Published: April 2009

Aims: In this study, we examined whether addition of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), candesartan or valsartan, to conventional antihypertensive treatment could improve blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertensive patients on peritoneal dialysis. Methods: 45 hypertensive patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis therapy were randomly assigned to the ARB treatment groups either by candesartan (n = 15) or valsartan (n = 15), or the control group (n = 15). At baseline and 6 months after the treatment, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, echocardiography, and measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were performed. Results: After the 6 months of treatment, 24-hour ambulatory BP values were similarly decreased in both the control group and ARB groups. However, short-term BP variability assessed on the basis of the standard deviation of 24-hour ambulatory BP was significantly decreased in the ARB groups, but remained unchanged in the control group. Furthermore, parameters of cardiovascular remodeling assessed by natriuretic peptides, echocardiography, and baPWV were significantly improved in the ARB groups but not in the control group. Conclusion: ARB treatment and control antihypertensive treatment similarly controlled 24-hour ambulatory BP values in hypertensive patients on peritoneal dialysis. However, ARB treatment is beneficial for the suppression of pathological cardiovascular remodeling with a decrease in BP variability.
Diagnostic Strategies for Pre-Treatment Staging of Patients with Oesophageal Cancer
Authors: van Heijl Mark , Omloo Jikke M.T. , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I. , Smits Nico J. , Phoa Saffire S.K.S. , Bergman Jacques J.G.H.M. , Sloof Gerrit W. , van Lanschot J. Jan B. , Bossuyt Patrick M.M.
Published: April 2009

Background/Aims: Current guidelines for staging oesophageal cancer recommend a series of preoperative investigations. There is no consensus on the recommended order for these investigations or whether all investigations are necessary in all patients. Our aim was to determine an efficient strategy for pre-treatment staging of patients with oesophageal cancer. Methods: We retrospectively compared 15 staging strategies, based on all possible orders of all possible subsets of three staging modalities (computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasonography and external ultrasonography of the neck). We assumed that if distant metastases or local irresectability were found and confirmed, no further investigations would be performed. Main outcome was the minimal number of investigations needed to detect all patients with incurable disease. Results: Using all three investigations in all 412 patients would lead to performance of 1,236 investigations. Both strategies starting with computed tomography or endoscopic ultrasonography and ending with external ultrasonography were most efficient, using a total of 1,112 investigations. Conclusion: The use of a conditional staging strategy with a specific order of imaging can reduce the number of tests necessary to identify incurable patients with oesophageal cancer by 10%. In our opinion, this is not enough to recommend implementation of a logistically more complex diagnostic system.
Selective Synthetic Ligands for Human Nuclear Retinoic Acid Receptors
Authors: Martin Bernard , Bernardon Jean-Michel , Cavey Marie-Thérèse , Bernard Bruno , Carlavan Isabelle , Charpentier Bruno , Pilgrim William R. , Shroot Braham , Reichert Uwe
Published: April 2009

From a series of naphthalene and benzoic acid derivatives we have identified synthetic retinoic acid analogues exhibiting high selectivity for the nuclear retinoic acid receptors RARα (Am 580), RARβ (CD 2019) and RARγ (CD 437) as well as ligands sharing high affinities for all RAR subtypes (CD 367). The compounds were evaluated in two complementary screening systems: (1) binding to nuclear proteins extracted from COS-7 cells after transfection with the appropriate expression vectors, and (2) induction of plasminogen activator in the embryonic mouse teratocarcinoma cell line F9. All compounds behaved as retinoic acid agonists in the F9 test.
Frequency and Clinical Consequences Associated With Sidebranch Occlusion During Stent Implantation Using Zotarolimus-Eluting and Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stents
Authors: Popma Jeffrey J. , Mauri Laura , O'Shaughnessy Charles , Overlie Paul , McLaurin Brent , Almonacid Alexandra , Kirtane Ajay , Leon Martin B.
Published: April 2009

Background—

Myocardial infarction (MI) after drug-eluting stent placement has been associated with an unfavorable late prognosis. Although the etiology of periprocedural MI is multifactorial, sidebranch occlusion may be an important contributing factor. We sought to identify the incidence of sidebranch occlusion during zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) placement and to relate sidebranch occlusion to the occurrence of periprocedural MI.

Methods and Results—

Angiograms were reviewed from patients randomly assigned to treatment with a ZES (597 patients; 943 sidebranches) or a PES (619 patients; 977 sidebranches). Sidebranch occlusion was defined as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 or 1. Sidebranch occlusion was correlated with frequency of MI, as assessed by the creatine phosphokinase MB isoenzyme. Sidebranch occlusion occurred less often after the first stent deployment in patients treated with ZES (2.2%) than in patients treated with PES (4.0%;
P
=0.032). A similar reduction in the frequency of sidebranch occlusion at any point during the procedure was found in patients treated with ZES (2.9% versus 4.8% in PES patients;
P
=0.042). Multivariable predictors of sidebranch occlusion included baseline sidebranch stenosis, complex lesion morphology, smaller baseline minimal lumen diameters, and the use of a PES. Of the 20 patients with MI within 30 days of the procedure, 30% had evidence of sidebranch occlusion during the stent procedure.

Conclusions—

Patients treated with ZES were less likely to develop sidebranch occlusion during stent placement than patients treated with PES. Less frequent sidebranch occlusion with ZES may have contributed to the lower frequency rates of periprocedural MI in this study.
Measurement of Instrumental and Vocal Undergraduate Performance Juries Using a Multidimensional Assessment Rubric
Authors: Ciorba Charles R. , Smith Neal Y.
Published: April 2009

Recent policy initiatives instituted by major accrediting bodies require the implementation of specific assessment tools to provide evidence of student achievement in a number of areas, including applied music study. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of a multidimensional assessment rubric, which was administered to all students performing instrumental and vocal juries at a private Midwestern university during one semester ( N = 359). Interjudge reliability coefficients indicated a moderate to high level of agreement among judges. Results also revealed that performance achievement was positively related to participants' year in school (freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior), which indicates that a multidimensional assessment rubric can effectively measure students' achievement in the area of solo music performance.
The Social Work Research Center at Colorado State University
Authors: Winokur Marc A. , Valentine Deborah P. , Drendel James M.
Published: April 2009

The Social Work Research Center is an innovative university-community partnership within the School of Social Work in the College of Applied Human Sciences at Colorado State University. The center is focused on working with county and state child welfare agencies to generate applied research that translates into evidence-based practice for serving children and families. The history, structure, resources, and funding of the center are described, as are the ongoing and current research projects, lessons learned, and future plans. This article is the latest in a series of reports of social work research centers published in Research on Social Work Practice.
Modest Dietary Reductions in Blood Cholesterol Have Important Public Health Benefits
Authors: Hennekens Charles H. , Schneider Wendy R. , Barice E. Joan , Hebert Patricia R.
Published: April 2009

Large reductions in blood cholesterol produce major clinical and public health benefits. Based on extrapolations from randomized evidence, assuming no threshold, a 3% to 4% reduction in blood cholesterol would decrease risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) by 12%. If so, treating larger numbers of people at lower risk would yield greater reductions in CHD than treating smaller numbers at higher risk. High- and moderate-risk patients require evidence-based doses of high-potency statins, as adjuncts to dietary management and benefits to individuals are large and easily quantifiable in randomized trials. In low-risk patients, however, dietary modifications contribute to a public health benefit while that benefit to any individual is small. Thus, the hypothesis that modest dietary reductions in blood cholesterol have important public health benefits is easily quantifiable by extrapolation from existing data but impossible to test among randomized individuals, as the sample sizes and costs are prohibitively large.
High Hydrostatic Pressure as a Method to Reduce Microbial Contamination of Porcine Blood Plasma
Authors: Pares D. , Saguer E. , Toldra M. , Carretero C.
Published: April 2009

The suitability of high hydrostatic pressure as an alternative method to produce porcine blood plasma with a sufficient microbial stability without affecting its functional properties was evaluated. The effects of high pressure on plasma microorganisms were highly dependent on processing temperature. Treatments of 15 min at 450 MPa carried out at 5 'C led to reductions of about 90% in microbial counts and to 20-50% decreases in the growth ability of the survivors. At 25 'C and 40 'C, the efficiency was increased to reduction values of 99.82 and 99.97%, respectively. The lowering of the growth capacity was about 50% at 25 'C and up to 80% at 40 'C. The most efficient treatment (450 MPa, for 15 min at 40 'C) did not lead to appreciable negative effects on the functional properties of heat-induced gels from porcine blood plasma.
Comparative Study of Two Plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) Cultivars during Growth and Ripening
Authors: Zuzunaga M. , Serrano M. , Martinez-Romero D. , Valero D. , Riquelme F.
Published: April 2009

Some physicochemical parameters related to fruit growth and ripening, as well as the plant growth regulators ethylene, abscisic acid and polyamines were determined in two plum cultivars (Golden Japan and Santa Rosa) during their development and ripening. From the ninth week of development, the physicochemical parameters (punction force, color and ripening index) showed significant modifications, indicating that the ripening process had begun. Santa Rosa cultivar exhibited a climacteric ripening pattern, in which these changes coincided with increase in respiration rate, ethylene emission and l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (free and total) content, while Golden Japan cultivar showed a non-climacteric ripening process, without any increase in ethylene or respiration rate associated with ripening. Polyamines increased in Golden Japan cultivar during ripening (especially putrescine), which could be responsible for the low ethylene emission. In both cultivars, abscisic acid started to increase, coinciding with the changes in the parameters related to ripening.
Optimization of Computational Neural Network for Its Application in the Prediction of Microbial Growth in Foods
Authors: Herv's C. , Zurera G. , Garcfa R. M. , Martinez J. A.
Published: April 2009

The power of computational neural networks (CNN) for microbiological growth prediction was evaluated. The training set consisted of growth responses data from a combination of three strains of Salmonella in a laboratory medium as affected by pH level, sodium chloride concentration and storage temperature. The architecture of CNN was designed to contain three input parameters in the input layer and one output parameter in the output layer. For their optimization, algorithms were developed to prune the net connections, obtaining an improvement in the generalization and a decrease in the number of necessary patterns for the training. The standard error of prediction (%SEP) obtained was under 5% using twenty inputs to the net, and the result was significantly smaller than the one obtained using regression equations. Therefore, the usefulness of CNN for modeling microbial growth is appealing, and its improvement promises results that will be better than those obtained by other estimation methods up to now.
Acceptability of Queso Fresco Cheese by Traditional and Nontraditional Consumers
Authors: Clark S. , Warner H. , Luedecke L.
Published: April 2009

Four replicate batches of high- and low-salt queso fresco cheeses were made to comnpare consumer preferences. Seven trained panelists judged specific attributes of the eight cheeses. Untrained consumers (395) at three Washington state locations noted how much they liked or disliked the same cheeses. Thirty-three percent of the surveyed population was Hispanic, and 45% were familiar with queso fresco. All cheeses, except the one containing the highest percent salt and the highest pH, were liked slightly to moderately. Traditional consumers (either Hispanic or those familiar with queso fresco) preferred high-saltlhigh-pH cheeses to a greater extent than nontraditional consumers. Nontraditional consumers preferred low-salt/low-pH cheeses. The same preference trends were noted for all ages and at all three geographical locations. Queso fresco with 1.4-2.4% salt and a pH between 5.4-6.1 was most acceptable to the widest range of consumers.