bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond pulsed laser direct write production of nano- and microfluidic channels
Authors: McDonald Joel P. , Mistry Vanita R. , Ray Katherine E. , Yalisove Steven M.
Published: May 2006

Nano- and microfluidic channels were produced by selectively delaminating 1200nm thermally grown oxide films (SiO2) films from Si(100) substrates using a femtosecond pulsed laser. Single pass channels exhibiting bell-like cross sections with widths of 24μm and heights of 355nm were directly written at a speed of 1cm∕s, while larger channels (320μm in width and ∼15μm in height) were produced by laterally overlapping single pass channels. The results of an investigation of the interior surfaces of the channels via atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are presented.
Large bulk soft magnetic [(Fe0.5Co0.5)0.75B0.20Si0.05]96Nb4 glassy alloy prepared by B2O3 flux melting and water quenching
Authors: Bitoh T. , Makino A. , Inoue A. , Greer A. L.
Published: May 2006

The large bulk soft magnetic glassy [(Fe0.5Co0.5)0.75B0.20Si0.05]96Nb4 alloy specimens with the diameters up to 7.7mm have been prepared by water quenching the melt immersed in the molten flux of B2O3. The maximum diameter of the obtained specimens is approximately 1.5 times as large as the previous result for copper mold casting. The bulk specimen with 7.7mm in diameter exhibits the saturation magnetization of 1.13T, the coercivity lower than 20A∕m at room temperature, and the Curie temperature of 732K. This bulk specimen is the thickest of any soft magnetic glassy alloys formed until now.
Effect of Cosolvents on Toxaphene Aqueous Solubility
Authors: Paan Padma , Chen Xiaosong , Clark II Clayton J.
Published: May 2006

Environmental Context.Remediation of sites contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds is a significant priority. Toxaphene was widely used as a pesticide until its ban by the USA Environmental Protection Agency, but its prevalence in the environment continues to make it a significant priority pollutant. The present research examined the effectiveness of the cosolvents methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and propanol in increasing toxaphene solubility in water for easier removal in potential field remediation applications. Cosolvents were found to increase toxaphene solubility in water nearly a thousand-fold, and show they can greatly increase the efficiency of removing toxaphene from contaminated soil with water flushing.
Abstract.Remediation of sites contaminated by chlorinated organic compounds is a significant priority in the environmental field. Toxaphene was widely used as a pesticide until it was banned by USA Environmental Protection Agency, but its prevalence in the environment continues to make it a significant priority pollutant. The present research examined the effectiveness of the cosolvents methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and propanol in increasing toxaphene aqueous solubility for potential in situ flushing application. Aqueous solubility of toxaphene was found to increase as a function of cosolvent fraction increase in solution. Cosolvency powers for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and propanol were determined to be 3.43, 3.64, 3.51, and 3.91 respectively. Experimentally derived data were found to compare favourably to theoretically derived data from established log–linear models, including the modified Universal Quasichemical Functional Group Activity Coefficient model. Solubility of toxaphene in water was also noted to increase with an increase in the number of carbon atoms of the cosolvents in solution, and branched cosolvents solubilized less toxaphene than straight-chained alcohols of equivalent length, and mass. Potential applications of the present research include chemical and environmental remediation of sites or aquifers contaminated not only with toxaphene, but also potentially other pesticides and complex hazardous chemicals.
Water-Soluble and Total Sulfur in Particulate Matter Determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Dynamic Reaction Cell Mass Spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS)
Authors: Kan Suk Fun , Tanner Peter A.
Published: May 2006

Environmental Context.Sulfate in particulate matter is usually collected by a high-volume air sampler and analysed as a soluble extract by ion chromatography. The use of an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer fitted with a dynamic reaction cell enables not only the water-soluble, but also the total sulfate to be determined at the same time as the analyses of metal ions. Results from Hong Kong show that sulfate is strongly correlated with crustal species in particulate matter.
Abstract.An instrumental method has been developed for the determination of sulfur in particulate matter using inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry. The reaction gas O2 was employed to convert S+ into the diatomic species SO+, and analysed at two different mass-to-charge ratios. The limit of detection for the 32S16O+ determination is ~1 ng S m–3. The method has the advantages that not only soluble sulfur (as commonly analysed by ion chromatography) but also total sulfur can be determined on the same instrument as many metal species. The mean values (± standard deviations) for a spring sampling program of particulate matter of diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) in Hong Kong (n = 13) for soluble and total S were 5.2 ± 1.2 μg m–3 and 5.5 ± 1.3 μg m–3 respectively. These values are quite low owing to a predominantly easterly airstream. Sulfur in PM10 is strongly correlated with the crustal species Ca, Al and Mn.
In-Cloud Concentrations and Below-Cloud Scavenging Processes in Hong Kong, China
Authors: Tanner Peter A. , Tam Christopher W. F.
Published: May 2006

Environmental Context.There are fewer studies of cloudwater than of precipitation because of the limited occurrence of cloud events, and technical and logistic sampling difficulties. In order to assess the importance of in-cloud and below-cloud processes, cloudwater and rainwater samples were collected at the highest mountain in Hong Kong and also near sea level.
Abstract.Preliminary measurements of ionic concentrations in cloudwater collected at the highest mountain in Hong Kong show that the pH can be as low as 3.4, which is lower than that of rainwater collected in urban–residential Hong Kong. Sulfate is the most abundant anion, and hydrogen or ammonium ions are the most abundant cations in the cloudwater samples. Results are also presented for analyte concentrations in sequential samples taken during a rain event from a maritime airmass. The concentrations of sea salt species were high and exhibited an exponential decrease with concentration at the start of the event. The concentrations of other species also decreased to fairly constant, low values after ~10 mm rainfall. The fitting of the concentration–rainfall plots enabled in-cloud and below-cloud mechanisms of incorporation of the species to be distinguished.
Life on Earth. Extremophiles Continue to Move the Goal Posts
Authors: Pakchung Amalie A. H. , Simpson Philippa J. L. , Codd Rachel
Published: May 2006

Environmental Context.Since the discovery of a diverse array of microbial life associated with hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, where conditions are hot, reducing and acidic, scientists have been seeking insight into the mechanisms used by ‘extremophilic’ organisms (those that reside permanently under environmental extremes of temperature (hot or cold), pH (acid or alkaline), salinity, or pressure) to thrive under such seemingly inhospitable conditions. Abstract.The discovery of an abundance of microorganisms that flourish in a diverse range of environments, from the frigid waters of the Antarctic, to the superheated waters of the hydrothermal vents, at the bottom of 11-km deep ocean trenches and in salt-saturated lakes, has fuelled research aimed to understand the novel survival strategies evolved by these extreme-loving (extremophilic) organisms. Adaptations of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, membranes and small molecules) evolved by extremophiles are wide ranging. Compared with a protein from a ‘regular’ organism, the extremophilic analogue might feature changes to the relative frequencies of amino acid residues that modulate the properties (e.g. conformational flexibility and stability) of the protein under conditions of the specific environmental challenge. The integrity of RNA and DNA from extremophiles may be maintained by subtle structural changes to RNA nucleobases and, in the case of (hyper)thermophiles, the expression of the enzyme reverse gyrase, which catalyses positive DNA supercoiling. The expression of small molecular weight heat-shock or related caretaker proteins also features as a common adaptive strategy for maintaining cell viability at environmental extremes. Membrane architecture in extremophiles can be modulated by the environmental temperature, with additional thermal stability in membranes from some hyperthermophiles conferred by novel (cyclised) lipid chains. In addition, a selection of osmolytes and small molecules are biosynthesised or sequestered by extremophilic organisms that have adapted to conditions of high salt and/or micronutrient deprivation.
Soil quality indices and their application in the hilly loess plateau region of China
Authors: Xu Mingxiang , Zhao Yunge , Liu Guobin , Argent Robert M.
Published: May 2006

Soil quality in the hilly Loess Plateau region of China is seriously degraded due to hillside cultivation and severe soil erosion. No established methods are available for evaluating the regional soil quality nor has integrated soil quality assessment been conducted in the region. Our objectives were to (i) develop soil quality models and assessment methods, (ii) verify the representativeness of selected soil quality indicators, and (iii) evaluate landuse effects on regional soil quality. The research was conducted on 707 km2 of typical hilly Loess Plateau in Shaanxi province, China. Soil samples (total 208) were taken from 5 catchments under 10 different landuse types. Two integrated evaluation methods (weighted summation and weighted product) and 2 indicator sets (a whole and a minimum set) were tested, each producing a soil quality index. Quantitative evaluation of soil quality in different landuse types was also performed. The results showed that the weighted product method provided better differentiation of soil quality between landuses. The minimum indicator set of 8 soil quality indicators, selected by factor analysis from a complete set of 29 soil attributes, reflected all or most of the information of the whole set in assessing regional soil quality. Soil quality index (SQI) values under different landuse types ranged from 0.842 for natural woodland to 0.150 for orchard. Index values for orchard, cropland, revegetated grassland, and planted grassland were significantly less than those for 6 other landuse types, whereas planted shrubland, planted woodland, and natural grassland indices were significantly less than those for greenhouse, natural shrubland, and natural woodland. No significant difference in SQI was found between orchard, cropland, revegetated grassland, and planted grassland, or between planted shrubland and planted woodland. Overall, it was found that soil quality was generally poor across the region, except for natural woodland, shrubland and greenhouse areas.
The bundling activity of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein is required for filopodium formation
Authors: Schirenbeck Antje , Arasada Rajesh , Bretschneider Till , Stradal Theresia E. B. , Schleicher Michael , Faix Jan
Published: May 2006

Filopodia are highly dynamic finger-like cell protrusions filled with parallel bundles of actin filaments. Previously we have shown that Diaphanous-related formin dDia2 is involved in the formation of filopodia. Another key player for the formation of filopodia across many species is vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). It has been proposed that the essential role of VASP for formation of filopodia is its competition with capping proteins for filament barbed-end interaction. To better understand the function of VASP in filopodium formation, we analyzed the
in vitro
and
in vivo
properties of
Dictyostelium
VASP (DdVASP) and extended our findings to human VASP. Recombinant VASP from both species nucleated and bundled actin filaments, but did not compete with capping proteins or block depolymerization from barbed ends. Together with the finding that DdVASP binds to the FH2 domain of dDia2, these data indicate that the crucial role of VASP in filopodium formation is different from uncapping of actin filaments. To identify the activity of DdVASP required in this process, rescue experiments of DdVASP-null cells with mutant DdVASP constructs were performed. Only WT DdVASP, but not a mutant lacking the F-actin bundling activity, could rescue the ability of these cells to form WT-like filopodia. Our data suggest that DdVASP is complexed with dDia2 in filopodial tips and support formin-mediated filament elongation by bundling nascent actin filaments.
Full-length and truncated neurokinin-1 receptor expression and function during monocyte/macrophage differentiation
Authors: Lai J.-P. , Ho W. Z. , Kilpatrick L. E. , Wang X. , Tuluc F. , Korchak H. M. , Douglas S. D.
Published: May 2006

The substance P (SP)-preferring receptor neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) has two forms: a full-length receptor consisting of 407 aa and a truncated receptor consisting of 311 aa. These two receptors differ in the length of the C terminus of NK-1R. We studied the undifferentiated and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated human monocyte/macrophage cell line THP-1 to investigate the expression and function of NK-1R. The expression of full-length and truncated NK-1R in this cell line was determined by using real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Undifferentiated THP-1 cells expressed only truncated NK-1R. The differentiation of THP-1 cells with PMA to a macrophage-like phenotype resulted in the expression of full-length NK-1R, which was functionally accompanied by an SP (10−6M)-induced Ca2+increase. In contrast, the addition of SP (10−6M) did not trigger Ca2+response in undifferentiated THP-1 cells; however, SP did enhance the CCR5-preferring ligand RANTES (CCL5)-mediated Ca2+increase. When a plasmid containing the full-length NK-1R was introduced into undifferentiated THP-1 cells, exposure to SP triggered Ca2+increase, demonstrating that the full-length NK-1R is required for SP-induced Ca2+increase. The NK-1R antagonist aprepitant (Emend, Merck) inhibited both the SP-induced Ca2+increase in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells and the SP priming effect on the CCL5-mediated Ca2+increase, indicating that these effects are mediated through the full-length and truncated NK-1R, respectively. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that there are unique characteristics of NK-1R expression and NK-1R-mediated signaling between undifferentiated THP-1 cells and THP-1 cells differentiated to the macrophage phenotype.
An automated algorithm for determining respiratory rate by photoplethysmogram in children
Authors: Leonard Paul A. , Clifton David , Addison Paul S. , Watson James N. , Beattie Tom
Published: May 2006

Background: We have developed an automated algorithm to allow the measurement of respiratory rate directly from the photoplethysmogram (pulse oximeter waveform). Aim: To test the algorithm's ability to determine respiratory rate in children. Methods: A convenience sample of patients attending a paediatric Accident and Emergency Department was monitored using a purpose‐built pulse oximeter and the photoplethysmogram (PPG) recorded. Respiration was also recorded by an observer activating a push‐button switch in synchronization with the child's breathing. The switch marker signals were processed to derive a manual respiratory rate that was compared with the wavelet‐based oximeter respiratory rate derived from the PPG signal. Results: Photoplethysmograms were obtained from 18 children aged 18 mo to 12 y, breathing spontaneously at rates of 17 to 27 breaths per minute. There was close correspondence between the wavelet‐based oximeter respiration rate and the manual respiratory rate, with the difference between them being less than one breath per minute in all children.

Conclusion: Our automated algorithm allows the accurate determination of respiratory rate from photoplethysmograms of a heterogeneous group of children. We believe that our automated wavelet‐based signal‐processing techniques could soon be easily incorporated into current pulse oximetry technology.
Growth references for Turkish children aged 6 to 18 years
Authors: NEYZI OLCAY , FURMAN ANDRZEJ , BUNDAK RUVEYDE , GUNOZ HULYA , DARENDELILER FEYZA , BAS FIRDEVS
Published: May 2006

Aim: To create up‐to‐date reference standards for Turkish children, and to compare these with growth standards for US children (CDC 2000 Growth Charts) and with previous local data. Subjects and Methods: Height and weight measurements of 1100 boys and 1020 girls were obtained by biannual visits to six schools located in relatively well‐off districts of Istanbul city. All children came from well‐to‐do families and all were healthy. All measurements were made by two trained technicians. The LMS method was used in the analyses. Results: Heights of the boys and girls in all age groups were close to the updated 2000 USA growth references and showed an increase from data on Turkish children born 30 y earlier. Weight values were high compared to reference data on US children and to the older data on Turkish children.

Conclusion: These results indicate that height growth in Turkish school‐age children of high socio‐economic level conforms to the updated growth data on US children. The data also show a secular upward trend in Turkey. Weight‐for‐age values indicate an increase in obesity. The results also point to the value of collecting and evaluating local growth data periodically.
Changes in drug prescription over a decade in an Arctic child population
Authors: Niclasen Birgit V.‐L.
Published: May 2006

Aim: To describe the changes in drug prescription to 0–14‐y‐old outpatient children from 1991 to 2001. Methods: ATC codes on prescriptions were compared. Main results: Prescriptions rose from 2.00 to 2.18 drugs/child/year, and the proportion of prescribed drugs rose from 60.7% to 70.4% of the child population (p<0.001). The 10 most prescribed subgroups accounted for 92.7% of all drugs in 0–1‐y‐olds and 75.9% in the schoolchildren. The individual prescription of anti‐asthmatics increased by 155% (p<0.001), the use of nasal preparations and drugs against cough decreased, and more of the antibiotics were penicillin V. In 0–1‐y‐olds, prescriptions halved, while they nearly doubled in schoolchildren (p<0.001).

Conclusion: In Nuuk, a unique possibility exists: to be able to study changes in drug use and prescriptions to individual children over time from one health clinic. In the last decade, major changes have occurred regarding the number of drugs, the distribution of therapeutic subgroups, and prescriptions to all age groups. If interpreting from the magnitude of prescriptions, the prevalence of asthma doubled in this period. In summary, this study has revealed changes in prescription that can hardly be explained by changes in disease patterns. Even if unrecognized, this might also be found elsewhere.
Vibrio vulnificus serovar A: an emerging pathogen in European anguilliculture
Authors: Fouz B , Larsen J L , Amaro C
Published: May 2006

The spread of the emerging pathogen Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 serovar A in Danish anguilliculture is reported. Serovar A was originally isolated in a Spanish eel farm in 2000 and occurred in Denmark in the summer of 2004, affecting eels of 5–10 g body weight cultured in fresh water. The Danish eels showed clinical signs different from those reported for Spanish eels, such as severe haemorrhages in the head and gill region with necrosis of the soft tissues. Danish isolates were biochemically and serologically identical to Spanish serovar A strains and also highly virulent for eels by both intraperitoneal injection and immersion challenges. Vaccination with Vulnivaccine, a vaccine against V. vulnificus serovar E, cross‐protected eels against serovar A. The LD50 for experimentally infected vaccinated animals was significantly higher than for non‐vaccinated animals.
Scale of relief growth in the forearc of the Andes of Northern Chile (Arica latitude, 18°S)
Authors: Schlunegger Fritz , Zeilinger Gerold , Kounov Alexandre , Kober Florian , Hüsser Bernice
Published: May 2006

The stream profiles of rivers of northern Chile reveal two graded segments separated by 20‐km‐long knickzones. Their formation was initiated in the Late Miocene in response to surface uplift of the western flank of the Altiplano. This phase of uplift that was coeval with the shift of deformation from the Altiplano to the sub‐Andean zone caused relief to grow at the scale of the whole drainage basin. Above and beneath these knickzones, the presence of braided channels and the absence of erosion on adjacent pediplains suggest no substantial modification in the local relief. The knickzones, however, show bedrock channels, and fluvial dissection rates have exceeded erosion rates on adjacent pediplains by two orders of magnitudes. Hence, the data imply that the only geomorphic recorders of relief growth are the knickzones that currently transpose the effects of the Late Miocene phase of surface uplift from the coast to the Altiplano.
Over‐expression of SOB5 suggests the involvement of a novel plant protein in cytokinin‐mediated development
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Wrage Elizabeth L. , Vankova Radomira , Malbeck Jiri , Neff Michael M.
Published: May 2006

Cytokinins are a class of phytohormones that play a critical role in plant growth and development. sob5‐D, an activation‐tagging mutant, shows phenotypes typical of transgenic plants expressing the Agrobacterium tumefaciens isopentenyltransferase (ipt) gene that encodes the enzyme catalyzing the first step of cytokinin biosynthesis. The sob5‐D mutant phenotypes are caused by over‐expression of a novel gene, SOB5. Sequence analysis places SOB5 in a previously uncharacterized family of plant‐specific proteins. A translational fusion between SOB5 and the green fluorescent protein reporter was localized in the cytoplasm as well as associated with the plasma membrane when transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells. Analysis of transgenic plants harboring an SOB5:SOB5–β‐glucuronidase (GUS) translational fusion under the control of the SOB5 promoter region showed GUS activity in vegetative tissues (hydathodes and trichomes of leaves, shoot meristems and roots) as well as in floral tissues (pistil tips, developing anthers and sepal vasculature). Cytokinin quantification analysis revealed that adult sob5‐D plants accumulated higher levels of trans‐zeatin riboside, trans‐zeatin riboside monophosphate and isopentenyladenine 9‐glucoside when compared to the wild‐type. Consistent with this result, AtIPT3 and AtIPT7 were found to be up‐regulated in a tissue‐specific manner in sob5‐D mutants. Physiological analysis of the sob5‐D mutant demonstrated reduced responsiveness to exogenous cytokinin in both root‐elongation and callus‐formation assays. Taken together, our data suggest a role for the novel gene SOB5 in cytokinin‐mediated plant development.
Effect of montelukast on lung function in asthma patients with allergic rhinitis: analysis from the COMPACT trial
Authors: Price D. B. , Swern A. , Tozzi C. A. , Philip G. , Polos P.
Published: May 2006

Background:  The Clinical Outcomes with Montelukast as a Partner Agent to Corticosteroid Therapy (COMPACT) trial demonstrated that montelukast added to budesonide (MNT + BD) was as efficacious as double the dose of budesonide (dBD) in improving morning peak expiratory flow (AM PEF) in adult asthmatics. Recent studies have demonstrated that montelukast is also effective in treating daytime and nighttime allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in asthmatic patients. This analysis was designed to examine whether asthmatic patients with comorbid AR respond differently than patients without comorbid AR in terms of asthma control (lung function).

Methods:  There were 216 asthmatic patients in the MNT + BD group and 184 patients in the dBD group with AR. Treatment differences in the change from baseline in AM PEF were compared. Least square (LS) mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived from an anova model adjusting for baseline and study site.

Results:  There was a 9.2% increase in AM PEF from baseline in the MNT + BD group compared with a 6% increase in the dBD group. The LS mean difference [(MNT + BD) − dBD] was 14.2 l/min (P = 0.028). Other secondary endpoints were similar between groups.

Conclusion:  In the subgroup of asthmatic patients with AR, a combined treatment approach that included montelukast and budesonide provided significantly greater efficacy in reducing airflow obstruction compared with doubling the dose of budesonide. These results support recommendations by the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma initiative that suggest a unified approach aimed at treating the airway inflammation common to both diseases is beneficial for the large proportion of asthmatics who also suffer from AR.
Nasal nitric oxide in objective evaluation of chronic rhinosinusitis therapy
Authors: Ragab S. M. , Lund V. J. , Saleh H. A. , Scadding G.
Published: May 2006

Background:  The assessment of the response of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to therapy is difficult. Computerized tomographic (CT) scans cannot be repeatedly used so measures such as symptom scores, endoscopic findings, and parallel measures such as saccharin clearance time are employed instead.

Objective:  To study the effect of CRS therapy on nasal nitric oxide and to see whether nasal nitric oxide level changes correlate with other assessments.

Methods:  The study was a prospective randomized trial of patients with CRS, with or without polyps, who had failed initial medical therapy with douching and nasal corticosteroids and who then had abnormal CT scans. They were treated either medically or surgically, with follow up at 6 and 12 months whilst still taking nasal corticosteroids. Nasal nitric oxide was measured initially and at 6 and 12 months as well as symptom scores, endoscopy, polyp grading, and saccharin clearance time.

Results:  Initial absolute nasal nitric oxide levels correlated inversely with CT scan changes, (P < 0.001). The percentage rise in nasal nitric oxide seen on both medical and surgical treatment correlated with changes in symptom scores (P < 0.001), saccharin clearance time (P < 0.001), endoscopic changes (P < 0.001), polyp grades (P < 0.05 at 6 months, P < 0.01 at 12 months) and surgical scores (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation with age, sex, smoking or allergy.

Conclusion:  Nasal nitric oxide, which is easily measured, provides a valuable non‐invasive objective measure of the response of CRS to therapy. Topical nasal corticosteroids may be needed to reduce the contribution of nasal epithelial nitric oxide and allow that emanating from the sinuses to be measured.
Factors responsible for differences between asymptomatic subjects and patients presenting an IgE sensitization to allergens. A GA2LEN project
Authors: Bousquet J. , Anto J. M. , Bachert C. , Bousquet P. J. , Colombo P. , Crameri R. , Daëron M. , Fokkens W. , Leynaert B. , Lahoz C. , Maurer M. , Passalacqua G. , Valenta R. , Van Hage M. , Van Ree R.
Published: May 2006

The synthesis of allergen‐specific IgE is required for the development of allergic diseases including allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma (patients), but many individuals with allergen‐specific IgE do not develop symptoms (asymptomatic subjects). Differences may exist between asymptomatic subjects and patients. Whether the presence of allergen‐specific IgE translates into clinical allergy most likely depends on a complex interplay of multiple factors. These include a family history of atopy, the levels of total serum IgE and, allergen‐specific IgE or IgG, epitope‐specificity of IgE and their degree of polyclonality (mono‐ vs polysensitized), as yet unidentified serum factors, the balance of T regulatory cells (Treg) and Th1/Th2 cells, the polymorphisms of the high affinity receptor for IgE (FcɛRI) and other factors regulating the activation of FcɛRI‐bearing cells. Asymptomatic subjects may be more often monosensitized than patients who may be more often polysensitized. There are many unanswered important questions that need to be addressed in order to better understand how IgE sensitization translates into clinical allergy. The assessment of differences between the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups of subjects represent one of the scientific programs of Global Allergy and Asthma European Network funded by the European Union and the hypotheses underlying these differences are presented in this paper.
Alteration and acquisition of Siglecs during in vitro maturation of CD34+ progenitors into human mast cells
Authors: Yokoi H. , Myers A. , Matsumoto K. , Crocker P. R. , Saito H. , Bochner B. S.
Published: May 2006

Using human mast cells (MC) derived by culture of CD34+ peripheral blood precursors, a comprehensive study was performed of expression of 11 known Siglecs. Analysis was initially performed at the mRNA level using gene arrays. Positive results were then validated at the protein level using indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, and for some Siglecs, Western blot analysis was also used. Culture‐derived MC expressed mRNA for CD22 (Siglec‐2), CD33 (Siglec‐3), Siglec‐5, Siglec‐6, Siglec‐8 and Siglec‐10. Flow cytometry confirmed surface expression of all these molecules except for CD22 and Siglec‐10, where levels were low or undetectable. However, Western blotting was able to detect MC expression of CD22 and Siglec‐10, suggesting that these proteins were mostly cytoplasmic. CD34+ precursor cells from peripheral blood constitutively expressed surface CD33, Siglec‐5 and Siglec‐10. As they matured into MC, their constitutive levels of CD33 changed little, Siglec‐5 and Siglec‐10 declined, and Siglec‐6 and Siglec‐8 appeared de novo, all in parallel with accumulation of histamine and other MC markers, such as surface expression of FcɛRIα, and CD51. Phenotypic analysis of LAD‐2 MC yielded a similar pattern of Siglec expression except that CD22 expression was particularly prominent. Finally, immunohistochemistry confirmed expression of these same Siglecs by mature tryptase‐positive MC in human lung tissues. These data demonstrate an extensive and previously unappreciated pattern of Siglec expression on human MC. Whether engagement and signaling through these inhibitory Siglecs can impact MC biology will require further investigation.
The Waiting Place: A caregiver's narrative
Authors: Salmon Nancy
Published: May 2006

Aims:  This autoethnography presents a portion of the author's experience as a full‐time family caregiver awaiting her mother's nursing home placement. The purpose of this article is three pronged: (i) to give voice to an experience shrouded in silent expectations, (ii) to actively support caregivers who know ‘The Waiting Place’ by heart, and (iii) to raise the awareness of health professionals and academics regarding aspects of this critical phase of community‐based caregiving.

Methods and results:  This article combines the narrative analysis of personal diary entries with poetry and autobiographical excerpts to represent the last phase of caregiving at home. The four themes that emerged from the narrative analysis are explored: the waiting place, grieving, coping and the cost of caring.

Conclusion:  Poetry is employed to challenge the reader's beliefs and expectations about caregiving. Specific recommendations for promoting the health of caregivers are embedded within each verse.
Perceptions of occupational therapists practising in rural Australia: A graduate perspective
Authors: Devine Susan
Published: May 2006

Background:  The difficulty in recruiting and retaining health professionals into rural and remote areas of Australia is well recognised. This study explored the perceptions of occupational therapists practising in rural locations regarding the essential skills necessary for rural practice and the ability of undergraduate education to prepare them for rural practice.

Methods:  A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted using semistructured in‐depth interviews. Participants included occupational therapists who were graduates of James Cook University, who were practising in rural areas in Queensland and Victoria, and academic staff.

Results:  This study demonstrates that it is important for universities to develop both a mindset in their graduates for rural practice, as well as developing broader skills in addition to core discipline‐specific skills. While subjects developing core occupational therapy skills are at the centre of undergraduate education, the importance of developing a broader understanding of rural health issues and skills in public health, primary health care and health promotion was emphasised.

Conclusion:  The development of specific skills to become competent rural practitioners and to cope with the challenges of rural practice can be strengthened through initiatives at the undergraduate level. Ongoing commitment from all universities across Australia to include rural curriculum content has the potential to improve recruitment and retention of occupational therapists and other health professionals into rural Australia.
Using a Spanish Surname Match to Improve Identification of Hispanic Women in Medicare Administrative Data
Authors: Wei Iris I. , Virnig Beth A. , John Dolly A. , Morgan Robert O.
Published: May 2006

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of a Spanish surname match for improving the identification of Hispanic women in Medicare administrative data in which Hispanics are historically underrepresented.

Data Sources. We collected self‐identified race/ethnicity data (N=2,997) from a mailed survey sent to elderly Medicare beneficiaries who resided in 11 geographic areas consisting of eight metropolitan counties and three nonmetropolitan areas (171 counties) in the fall of 2004. The 1990 Census Spanish Surname list was used to identify Hispanics in the Medicare data. In addition, we used data published on the U.S. Census Bureau website to obtain estimates of elderly Hispanics.

Study Design. We used self‐identified race/ethnicity as the gold standard to examine the agreement with Medicare race code alone, and with Medicare race code+Spanish surname match. Additionally, we estimated the proportions of Hispanic women and men, in each of the 11 geographic areas in our survey, using the Medicare race code alone and the Medicare race code+Spanish surname match, and compared those estimates with estimates derived from U.S. Census 2000 data.

Principal Findings. The Spanish surname match dramatically increased the accuracy of the Medicare race code for identifying both Hispanic and white women, producing improvements comparable with those seen for men.

Conclusions. We recommend the addition of a proxy race code in the Medicare data using the Spanish surname match to improve the accuracy of racial/ethnic representation.
Use of Geocoding and Surname Analysis to Estimate Race and Ethnicity
Authors: Fiscella Kevin , Fremont Allen M.
Published: May 2006

Objective. To review two indirect methods, geocoding and surname analysis, for estimating race/ethnicity as a means for health plans to assess disparities in care.

Study Design. Review of published articles and unpublished data on the use of geocoding and surname analyses.

Principal Findings. Few published studies have evaluated use of geocoding to estimate racial and ethnic characteristics of a patient population or to assess disparities in health care. Three of four studies showed similar estimates of the proportion of blacks and one showed nearly identical estimates of racial disparities, regardless of whether indirect or more direct measures (e.g., death certificate or CMS data) were used. However, accuracy depended on racial segregation levels in the population and region assessed and geocoding was unreliable for identifying Hispanics and Asians/Pacific Islanders. Similarly, several studies suggest surname analyses produces reasonable estimates of whether an enrollee is Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander and can identify disparities in care. However, accuracy depends on the concentrations of Asians or Hispanics in areas assessed. It is less accurate for women and more acculturated and higher SES persons due intermarriage, name changes, and adoption. Surname analysis is not accurate for identifying African Americans. Recent unpublished analyses suggest plans can successfully use a combined geocoding/surname analyses approach to identify disparities in care in most regions. Refinements based on Bayesian methods may make geocoding/surname analyses appropriate for use in areas where the accuracy is currently poor, but validation of these preliminary results is needed.

Conclusions. Geocoding and surname analysis show promise for estimating racial/ethnic health plan composition of enrollees when direct data on major racial and ethnic groups are lacking. These data can be used to assess disparities in care, pending availability of self‐reported race/ethnicity data.
Justice Excused: The Deployment of Law in Everyday Political Encounters
Authors: Lovell George I.
Published: May 2006

This paper examines the use of legal claims by government officials and citizens in everyday political encounters involving civil rights. Data come from 580 letters sent to the federal government between 1939 and 1941, and from the replies sent by the newly formed Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department. In almost every case, the department refused to intervene and explained its refusal by making legal claims about federal jurisdiction. These legal claims masked the department's discretionary choices and thus helped depoliticize the encounters. Surprisingly, however, a substantial number of letter writers challenged the government's legal claims by deploying their own legal and moral arguments. The willingness of these citizens to challenge official legal pronouncements cautions against making broad generalizations about the capacity of ordinary people to respond effectively when government officials deploy legal rhetoric.
Social Capital and Constraints on Legal Careers
Authors: Dinovitzer Ronit
Published: May 2006

This article focuses on the role of social capital in lawyers' careers by examining the career outcomes of Jewish lawyers. Although research on the legal profession has emphasized social capital as an inherently positive resource, this article conceptualizes social capital as multivalent, with the potential for both positive and negative effects. Drawing on five forms of social capital and examining four separate outcomes (type of practice setting, prestige of field of practice, satisfaction, and income), the analyses demonstrate that particular forms of social capital are indeed related to diverging outcomes. This study finds positive effects for the social capital that derives from reciprocity exchanges, but it also finds that the social capital built through dense social ties can lead to less successful professional settings. The conclusion explores the possibilities this raises for understanding the interplay between religion, capital, and legal careers.
The Lysosomal Trafficking of Acid Sphingomyelinase is Mediated by Sortilin and Mannose 6‐phosphate Receptor
Authors: Ni Xiaoyan , Morales Carlos R.
Published: May 2006

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a member of the saposin‐like protein (SAPLIP) family, is a lysosomal hydrolase that converts sphingomyelin to ceramide. Deficiency of ASM causes a variant form of Niemann‐Pick disease. The mechanism of lysosomal targeting of ASM is poorly known. Previous studies suggest that ASM could use in part the mannose 6‐phosphate receptor (M6P‐Rc). Sortilin, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to a novel family of receptor proteins, presents structural features of receptors involved in lysosomal targeting. In this study we examined the hypothesis that sortilin may be implicated in the trafficking of ASM to the lysosomes. Using a dominant‐negative sortilin construct lacking the cytoplasmic tail, which is essential to recruit adaptor proteins and clathrin, we demonstrated that sortilin is also involved in the lysosomal targeting of ASM. Confocal microscopy revealed that truncated sortilin partially inhibited the lysosomal trafficking of ASM in COS‐7 cells and abolished the lysosomal targeting of ASM in I‐cells. Pulse‐chase experiments corroborated that sortilin is involved in normal sorting of newly synthesized ASM. Furthermore, over‐expression of truncated sortilin accelerated and enhanced the secretion of ASM from COS‐7 cells and I‐cells. Co‐immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the interaction between sortilin and ASM. In conclusion, ASM uses sortilin as an alternative receptor to be targeted to the lysosomes.
Interaction of Hermansky‐Pudlak Syndrome Genes in the Regulation of Lysosome‐Related Organelles
Authors: Gautam Rashi , Novak Edward K. , Tan Jian , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Ito Shosuke , Swank Richard T.
Published: May 2006

Hermansky‐Pudlak Syndrome (HPS) is a genetically heterogeneous disease caused by abnormalities in the synthesis and/or trafficking of lysosome‐related organelles (LROs) including melanosomes, lamellar bodies of lung type II cells and platelet dense granules. At least 15 genes cause HPS in mice, with a significant number specifying novel subunits of protein complexes termed BLOCs (Biogenesis of Lysosome‐related Organelles Complexes). To ascertain whether BLOC complexes functionally interact in vivo, mutant mice doubly or triply deficient in protein subunits of the various BLOC complexes and/or the AP‐3 adaptor complex were constructed and tested for viability and for abnormalities of melanosomes, lung lamellar bodies and lysosomes. All mutants, including those deficient in all three BLOC complexes, were viable though the breeding efficiencies of multiple mutants involving AP‐3 were severely compromised. Interactions of BLOC protein complexes with each other and with AP‐3 to affect most LROs were apparent. However, these interactions were tissue and organelle dependent. These studies document novel biological interactions of BLOC and AP‐3 complexes in the biosynthesis of LROs and assess the role(s) of HPS protein complexes in general health and physiology in mammals. Double and triple mutant HPS mice provide unique and practical experimental advantages in the study of LROs.
Cerebrovascular autoregulation as a neuroimaging tool
Authors: Lagopoulos Jim , Malhi Gin S. , Ivanovski Belinda , Cahill Catherine M. , Lang Erhard W. , Mudaliar Yugan , Dorsch Nick , Yam Alan , Griffith Jane , Mulvey Jamin
Published: May 2006

Functional transcranial Doppler (fTCD) sonography provides a high temporal resolution measure of blood flow and has over the years proved to be a valuable tool in the clinical evaluation of patients with cerebrovascular disorders. More recently, due to advances in physics and computing, it has become possible to derive indices of cerebrovascular autoregulation (CA) as well as cerebrovascular pressure reactivity (CR), using non-invasive techniques. These indices provide a dynamic representation of the brain's regulatory blood flow mechanisms not only in pathological states but also in health. However, whilst the temporal resolution of these regulatory indices is very good, spatially, the localization of brain regions remains very poor, thus limiting its brain mapping capacity. Functional MRI, on the contrary, is a brain-imaging technique that operates on similar blood flow principles; however, unlike fTCD, it provides high spatial resolution. Because both fTCD and fMRI determine blood flow-dependant imaging parameters, the coupling of fTCD with fMRI may provide greater insight into brain function by virtue of the combined enhanced temporal and spatial resolution that each technique affords. This review summarizes the fTCD technique with particular emphasis on the CA and CR indices and their relationship in traumatic brain injury as well as in health.
Putting the brain in Jeopardy: a novel comprehensive and expressive language task?
Authors: Berntsen Erik Magnus , Rasmussen Inge-Andre , Samuelsen Petter , Xu Jian , Haraldseth Olav , Lagopoulos Jim , Malhi Gin S.
Published: May 2006

Objective:

To develop and test a novel fMRI compatible comprehensive and expressive language task that reliably and predictably activates both Wernicke's and Broca's cortical brain regions, respectively, and has utility for the determination of hemispheric language dominance.

Methods:

Ten healthy men (seven) and women (three) were administered a task based on the television game Jeopardy that was adapted for fMRI presentation. The task was programmed using E-PRIME software and designed to run as an event-related experiment. The study was conducted on 3 T MRI Phillips Intera scanner, and data was anlysed using Brain Voyager QX. All subjects provided written informed consent.

Results:

The Jeopardy task produced robust left hemisphere activation in regions corresponding to Wernicke's and Broca's areas.

Conclusion:

This novel fMRI compatible task (Jeopardy) reliably maps both Broca's and Wernicke's areas with robust hemispheric lateralization. It is potentially useful in language localization studies as it offers advantages over conventional procedures and other fMRI tasks by virtue of being non-invasive and mapping both language areas in one experiment.
Heat shock protein 60 in rostral ventrolateral medulla reduces cardiovascular fatality during endotoxaemia in the rat
Authors: Chang Alice Y. W. , Chan Julie Y. H. , Chou Jimmy L. J. , Li Faith C. H. , Dai Kuang‐Yu , Chan Samuel H. H.
Published: May 2006

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is the origin of a ‘life‐and‐death’ signal that reflects central cardiovascular regulatory failure during brain stem death. Using an experimental endotoxaemia model, we evaluated the hypothesis that the 60 kDa heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) reduces cardiovascular fatality during brain stem death via an anti‐apoptotic action in the RVLM. In Sprague‐Dawley rats maintained under propofol anaesthesia, proteomic or Western blot analysis revealed a progressive augmentation of HSP60 expression in the RVLM after intravenous administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (30 mg kg−1). Pretreatment with a microinjection of actinomycin D or cycloheximide into bilateral RVLM significantly blunted this HSP60 increase, whereas real‐time PCR showed progressive augmentation of hsp60 mRNA. Intriguingly, superimposed on the augmented expression was a progressive decline in mitochondrial, or elevation in cytosolic, HSP60 in ventrolateral medulla. Loss‐of‐function manipulations in the RVLM using anti‐HSP60 antiserum or antisense hsp60 oligonucleotide exacerbated mortality by potentiating the cardiovascular depression during experimental endotoxaemia, alongside intensified nucleosomal DNA fragmentation, elevated cytoplasmic histone‐associated DNA fragments or augmented cytochromec–caspase‐3 cascade of apoptotic signalling in the RVLM. Immunoprecipitation coupled with immunoblot analysis further revealed a progressive increase in the complex formed between HSP60 and mitochondrial or cytosolic Bax or mitochondrial Bcl‐2 during endotoxaemia, alongside a dissociation of the cytosolic HSP60–Bcl‐2 complex. We conclude that HSP60 redistributed from mitochondrion to cytosol in the RVLM confers neuroprotection against fatal cardiovascular depression during endotoxaemia via reduced activation of the cytochrome c–caspase‐3 cascade of apoptotic signalling through enhanced interactions with mitochondrial or cytosolic Bax or Bcl‐2.