bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-Year Assessment of Entecavir Resistance in Lamivudine-Refractory Hepatitis B Virus Patients Reveals Different Clinical Outcomes Depending on the Resistance Substitutions Present
Authors: Tenney Daniel J. , Rose Ronald E. , Baldick Carl J. , Levine Steven M. , Pokornowski Kevin A. , Walsh Ann W. , Fang Jie , Yu Cheng-Fang , Zhang Sharon , Mazzucco Charles E. , Eggers Betsy , Hsu Mayla , Plym Mary Jane , Poundstone Patricia , Yang Joanna , Colonno Richard J.
Published: December 2006

Entecavir (ETV) is a deoxyguanosine analog approved for use for the treatment of chronic infection with wild-type and lamivudine-resistant (LVDr) hepatitis B virus (HBV). In LVD-refractory patients, 1.0 mg ETV suppressed HBV DNA levels to below the level of detection by PCR (<300 copies/ml) in 21% and 34% of patients by Weeks 48 and 96, respectively. Prior studies showed that virologic rebound due to ETV resistance (ETVr) required preexisting LVDr HBV reverse transcriptase substitutions M204V and L180M plus additional changes at T184, S202, or M250. To monitor for resistance, available isolates from 192 ETV-treated patients were sequenced, with phenotyping performed for all isolates with all emerging substitutions, in addition to isolates from all patients experiencing virologic rebounds. The T184, S202, or M250 substitution was found in LVDr HBV at baseline in 6% of patients and emerged in isolates from another 11/187 (6%) and 12/151 (8%) ETV-treated patients by Weeks 48 and 96, respectively. However, use of a more sensitive PCR assay detected many of the emerging changes at baseline, suggesting that they originated during LVD therapy. Only a subset of the changes in ETVr isolates altered their susceptibilities, and virtually all isolates were significantly replication impaired in vitro. Consequently, only 2/187 (1%) patients experienced ETVr rebounds in year 1, with an additional 14/151 (9%) patients experiencing ETVr rebounds in year 2. Isolates from all 16 patients with rebounds were LVDr and harbored the T184 and/or S202 change. Seventeen other novel substitutions emerged during ETV therapy, but none reduced the susceptibility to ETV or resulted in a rebound. In summary, ETV was effective in LVD-refractory patients, with resistant sequences arising from a subset of patients harboring preexisting LVDr/ETVr variants and with approximately half of the patients experiencing a virologic rebound.
Synergistic Activity of R207910 Combined with Pyrazinamide against Murine Tuberculosis
Authors: Ibrahim M. , Andries K. , Lounis N. , Chauffour A. , Truffot-Pernot C. , Jarlier V. , Veziris N.
Published: December 2006

In previous studies, the diarylquinoline R207910 (also known as TMC207) was demonstrated to have high bactericidal activity when combined with first- or second-line antituberculous drugs. Here we extend the evaluation of R207910 in the curative model of murine tuberculosis by assessing the activities of one-, two-, and three-drug combinations containing R207910 and isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA), or moxifloxacin (MXF) in the setting of a high initial bacillary load (7.2 log
10
CFU). Two months of treatment with the combinations R207910-PZA, R207910-PZA-INH, R207910-PZA-RIF, or R207910-PZA-MXF resulted in culture-negative lung homogenates in 70 to 100% of the mice, while mice treated with INH-RIF-PZA (the reference regimen) or RIF-MXF-PZA remained culture positive. Combinations including R207910 but not PZA (e.g., R207910-INH-RIF and R207910-MXF-RIF) were less active than R207910-PZA-containing regimens administered either alone or with the addition of INH, RIF, or MXF. These results reveal a synergistic interaction between R207910 and PZA. Three-drug combinations containing these two drugs and INH, RIF, or MXF have the potential to significantly shorten the treatment duration in patients, provided that these results can be confirmed in long-term experiments including periods of relapse.
Detection of a New SHV-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase, SHV-31, in a
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Strain Causing a Large Nosocomial Outbreak in The Netherlands
Authors: Mazzariol A. , Roelofsen E. , Koncan R. , Voss A. , Cornaglia G.
Published: December 2006

A
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strain resistant to third-generation cephalosporins was isolated in the eastern Netherlands. The strain was found to carry a novel extended-spectrum β-lactamase, namely, SHV-31. The combination of the two mutations by which SHV-31 differs from SHV-1, namely, L35Q and E240K, had previously only been described in association with one or more additional mutations.
Quinoline Derivative MC1626, a Putative GCN5 Histone Acetyltransferase (HAT) Inhibitor, Exhibits HAT-Independent Activity against
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Smith Aaron T. , Livingston Meredith R. , Mai Antonello , Filetici Patrizia , Queener Sherry F. , Sullivan William J.
Published: December 2006

We report that quinoline derivative MC1626, first described as an inhibitor of the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) GCN5, is active against the protozoan parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
in vitro. However, MC1626 does not inhibit
Toxoplasma
GCN5 HATs or reduce HAT-mediated activity; rather, this quinoline may target the plastid organelle called the apicoplast.
In Vitro Activities of Cloxyquin (5-Chloroquinolin-8-ol) against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hongmanee Poonpilas , Rukseree Kamolchanok , Buabut Benjamas , Somsri Boontiwa , Palittapongarnpim Prasit
Published: December 2006

The in vitro activities of cloxyquin (5-chloroquinolin-8-ol) against 9 standard strains and 150 clinical isolates of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
were studied. The MICs ranged from 0.062 to 0.25 μg/ml. The MIC
50
and MIC
90
were 0.125 and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. These indicate that cloxyquin exhibited good antituberculosis activity, even for multidrug-resistant isolates.
Expression of the
Yersinia enterocolitica
pYV-Encoded Type III Secretion System Is Modulated by Lipopolysaccharide O-Antigen Status
Authors: Pérez-Gutiérrez Camino , Llompart Catalina M. , Skurnik Mikael , Bengoechea José A.
Published: December 2006

We show that the expression of a
Yersinia enterocolitica
O:8 pYV-encoded type III secretion system was altered in a rough mutant (YeO8-R) due to elevated levels of FlhDC. H-NS might underlie
flhDC
upregulation in YeO8-R, and the data suggest a relationship between the absence of O antigen and the expression of H-NS.
Pseudolipasin A Is a Specific Inhibitor for Phospholipase A
2
Activity of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Cytotoxin ExoU
Authors: Lee Vincent T. , Pukatzki Stefan , Sato Hiromi , Kikawada Eriya , Kazimirova Anastasia A. , Huang Jin , Li Xiaohua , Arm Jonathan P. , Frank Dara W. , Lory Stephen
Published: December 2006

A number of bacterial pathogens utilize the type III secretion pathway to deliver effector proteins directly into the host cell cytoplasm. Certain strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
associated with acute infections express a potent cytotoxin, exoenzyme U (ExoU), that is delivered via the type III secretion pathway directly into contacting host cells. Once inside the mammalian cell, ExoU rapidly lyses the intoxicated cells via its phospholipase A
2
(PLA
2
) activity. A high-throughput cell-based assay was developed to screen libraries of compounds for those capable of protecting cells against the cytotoxic effects of ExoU. A number of compounds were identified in this screen, including one group that blocks the intracellular activity of ExoU. In addition, these compounds specifically inhibited the PLA
2
activity of ExoU in vitro, whereas eukaryotic secreted PLA
2
and cytosolic PLA
2
were not inhibited. This novel inhibitor of ExoU-specific PLA
2
activity, named pseudolipasin A, may provide a new lead for virulence factor-based therapeutic design.
c-Fos-Deficient Mice Are Susceptible to
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium Infection
Authors: Maruyama Kenta , Sano Gen-ichiro , Ray Neelanjan , Takada Yasunari , Matsuo Koichi
Published: December 2006

c-Fos is a component of transcription factor AP-1. We show that macrophages lacking c-Fos exhibit enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines, potentiated NF-κB phosphorylation, and increased cell death following
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium infection. Furthermore, mice lacking c-Fos are highly susceptible to infection, suggesting that c-Fos confers resistance to
Salmonella
infection in mice.
Chlamydia muridarumInfection Elicits a Beta Interferon Response in Murine Oviduct Epithelial Cells Dependent on Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 and TRIF
Authors: Derbigny Wilbert A. , Hong Soon-Cheol , Kerr Micah S. , Temkit M'hamed , Johnson Raymond M.
Published: December 2006

Chlamydia trachomatisis the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the United States. Utilizing cloned murine oviduct epithelial cell lines, we previously identified Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) as the principal epithelial pattern recognition receptor (PRR) for infection-triggered release of the acute inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The infected oviduct epithelial cell lines also secreted the immunomodulatory cytokine beta interferon (IFN-β) in a largely MyD88-independent manner. Although TLR3 was the only IFN-β production-capable TLR expressed by the oviduct cell lines, we were not able to determine whether TLR3 was responsible for IFN-β production because the epithelial cells were unresponsive to the TLR3 ligand poly(I-C), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) techniques were ineffective at knocking down TLR3 expression. To further investigate the potential role of TLR3 in the infected epithelial cell secretion of IFN-β, we examined the roles of its downstream signaling molecules TRIF and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) using a dominant-negative TRIF molecule and siRNA specific for TRIF and IRF-3. Antagonism of either IRF-3 or TRIF signaling significantly decreased IFN-β production. These data implicate TLR3, or an unknown PRR utilizing TRIF, as the source of IFN-β production byChlamydia-infected oviduct epithelial cells.
The ingestible telemetric body core temperature sensor: a review of validity and exercise applications
Authors: Byrne Christopher , Lim Chin Leong
Published: December 2006

An ingestible telemetric temperature sensor for measuring body core temperature (Tc) was first described 45 years ago, although the method has only recently gained widespread use for exercise applications. This review aims to (1) use Bland and Altman’s limits of agreement (LoA) method as a basis for quantitatively reviewing the agreement between intestinal sensor temperature (Tintestinal), oesophageal temperature (Toesophageal) and rectal temperature (Trectal) across numerous previously published validation studies; (2) review factors that may affect agreement; and (3) review the application of this technology in field-based exercise studies. The agreement between Tintestinaland Toesophagealis suggested to meet our delimitation for an acceptable level of agreement (ie, systematic bias <0.1°C and 95% LoA within ±0.4°C). The agreement between Tintestinaland Trectalshows a significant systematic bias >0.1°C, although the 95% LoA is acceptable. Tintestinalresponds less rapidly than Toesophagealat the start or cessation of exercise or to a change in exercise intensity, but more rapidly than Trectal. When using this technology, care should be taken to ensure adequate control over sensor calibration and data correction, timing of ingestion and electromagnetic interference. The ingestible sensor has been applied successfully in numerous sport and occupational applications such as the continuous measurement of Tcin deep sea saturation divers, distance runners and soldiers undertaking sustained military training exercises. It is concluded that the ingestible telemetric temperature sensor represents a valid index of Tcand shows excellent utility for ambulatory field-based applications.
Hydrodilatation (distension arthrography): a long-term clinical outcome series
Authors: Watson Lyn , Bialocerkowski Andrea , Dalziel Rodney , Balster Simon , Burke Frank , Finch Caroline
Published: December 2006

Objectives:To describe and compare the medium to long-term effectiveness of hydrodilatation and post-hydrodilatation physiotherapy in patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology.

Methods:Patients with primary and secondary glenohumeral contractures associated with rotator cuff pathology were recruited into a 2-year study. They all underwent hydrodilatation, followed by a structured physiotherapy programme. Patients were assessed at baseline, 3 days, 1 week, 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after hydrodilatation with primary outcome measures (Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Shoulder Disability Index and percentage rating of “normal” function; SD%) and secondary outcome measures (range of shoulder abduction, external rotation and hand behind back). Comparisons in recovery were made between the primary and secondary glenohumeral contracture groups at all timeframes and for all outcome measures.

Results:A total of 53 patients (23 with primary and 30 with secondary glenohumeral contractures) were recruited into the study. At the 2-year follow-up, 12 patients dropped out from the study. At baseline, the two contracture groups were similar with respect to their demographic and physical characteristics. The two groups of patients recovered in a similar fashion over the 2-year follow-up period. A significant improvement was observed in all outcomes measures over this period (p<0.01), so that both function and range of movement increased. The rate of improvement was dependent on the outcome measure that was used.

Conclusions:Hydrodilatation and physiotherapy increase shoulder motion in individuals with primary and secondary glenohumeral joint contracture associated with rotator cuff pathology. This benefit continues to improve or is maintained in the long term, up to 2 years after hydrodilatation.
Higher plantar pressure on the medial side in four soccer-related movements
Authors: Wong Pui-lam , Chamari Karim , Mao De Wei , Wisløff Ulrik , Hong Youlian
Published: December 2006

Objective:To measure the plantar pressure in four soccer-related movements in 15 male soccer players (mean (SD) age 20.9 (1.3) years, height 173 (4) cm, weight 61.7 (3.6) kg).

Design:: To record plantar pressure distribution, the players wore soccer boots with 12 circular studs and with an insole pressure recorder device equipped with 99 sensors. Plantar pressure was recorded in five successful trials in each of the four soccer-related movements: running, sideward cutting, 45° cutting and landing from a vertical jump. Each footprint was divided into 10 recorded areas for analysis.

Results:: Compared with running at 3.3 m/s, maximal speed sideward cutting and 45° cutting induced higher peak pressure (p<0.05) under the second toe, medial forefoot, medial arch and medial heel. The peak pressure of the maximal jump landing was lower under the medial forefoot and lateral forefoot as compared with running (p<0.05). The pressure–time integral showed that sideward cutting and 45° cutting induced higher pressures (p<0.05) than running for all recorded areas, except for the lateral forefoot and the lateral arch. In all the four soccer-related movements, a higher pressure was found on the medial side of the plantar surface as compared with the lateral side.

Conclusions:: These data suggest that the medial side of the plantar surface may be more prone to injuries, and that foot orthosis adoption, improved soccer boot design and specific muscle training could be considered to reduce pressure and the subsequent risk of injury.
Validation of a field test to determine the maximal aerobic power in triathletes and endurance cyclists
Authors: González-Haro C , Galilea P A , Drobnic F , Escanero J F
Published: December 2006

Objective:To validate a field test to assess the maximal and submaximal exercise aerobic adaptation under specific conditions, for endurance modality cyclists and triathletes.

Methods:30 male and 4 female endurance modality cyclists and triathletes, with heterogeneous performance levels, performed three incremental tests: one in the laboratory and two in the field. Assessment of the validity of the field protocol was carried out by the Student’sttest, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) of the maximal variables (maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal aerobic power (MAP), maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal blood lactate concentration ([La−]max) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max)) and submaximal variables (heart rate, HR) measured in each one of the tests. The errors in measurement were calculated. The repeatability of the field tests was assessed by means of the test–retest of the two field tests, and the validity by means of the test–retest of the laboratory test with respect to the mean of the two field tests.

Results:No significant differences were found between the two field tests for any of the variables studied, but differences did exist for some variables between the laboratory tests with respect to the field tests (MAP, [La−]max, humidity (H), barometric pressure (Pb) and some characteristics of the protocols). The ICC of all the variables was high and the CV for the MAP was small. Furthermore, the measurement errors were small and therefore, assumable.

Conclusions:The incremental protocol of the proposed field test turned out to be valid to assess the maximal and submaximal aerobic adaptation.
The additional value of a night splint to eccentric exercises in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: de Vos R J , Weir A , Visser R J A , de Winter ThC , Tol J L
Published: December 2006

Aim:To assess whether the use of a night splint is of added benefit on functional outcome in treating chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Methods:This was a single-blind, prospective, single centre, randomised controlled trial set in the Sports Medical Department, The Hague Medical Centre, The Netherlands. Inclusion criteria were: age 18–70 years, active participation in sports, and tendon pain localised at 2–7 cm from distal insertion. Exclusion criteria were: insertional disorders, partial or complete ruptures, or systemic illness. 70 tendons were included and randomised into one of two treatment groups: eccentric exercises with a night splint (night splint group, n = 36) or eccentric exercises only (eccentric group, n = 34).

Interventions:Both groups completed a 12-week heavy-load eccentric training programme. One group received a night splint in addition to eccentric exercises. At baseline and follow-up at 12 weeks, patient satisfaction, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A) score and reported compliance were recorded by a single-blind trained researcher who was blinded to the treatment.

Results:After 12 weeks, patient satisfaction in the eccentric group was 63% compared with 48% in the night splint group. The VISA-A score significantly improved in both groups; in the eccentric group from 50.1 to 68.8 (p = 0.001) and in the night splint group from 49.4 to 67.0 (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in VISA-A score (p = 0.815) and patient satisfaction (p = 0.261).

Conclusion:A night splint is not beneficial in addition to eccentric exercises in the treatment of chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy.
ON UNCERTAINTY, BRAIDING AND ENTANGLEMENT IN GEOMETRIC QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: BENVEGNÙ ALBERTO , SPERA MAURO
Published: December 2006

Acting within the framework of geometric quantum mechanics, an interpretation of quantum uncertainty is discussed in terms of Jacobi fields, and a connection with the theory of elliptic curves is outlined, via classical integrability of Schrödinger's dynamics and the cross-ratio interpretation of quantum transition probabilities. Furthermore, a thoroughly geometrical construction of all special unitary representations of the 3-strand braid group on the quantum 1-qubit space is given, and the connection of one of them with elliptic curves admitting complex multiplication automorphisms — the physically relevant one corresponding to the anharmonic ratio — is shown. Also, contact is made with the Temperley–Lieb algebra theoretic constructions of Kauffman and Lomonaco, and it is shown that the standard trace relative to one of the above representations computes the Jones polynomial for particular values of the parameter, for knots arising as closures of 3-strand braids. Subsequently, a geometric entanglement criterion (in terms of Segre embeddings) is discussed, together with a projective geometrical portrait for quantum 2-gates. Finally, Aravind's idea of describing quantum states via knot theory is critically analyzed, and a geometrical picture — involving a blend of SU(2)-representation theory, classical projective geometry, binary trees and Brunnian and Hopf links — is set up in order to describe successive measurements made upon generalized GHZ states, close in spirit to the quantum knot picture again devised by Kauffman and Lomonaco.
THE TOPOLOGY OF T-DUALITY FOR Tn-BUNDLES
Authors: BUNKE ULRICH , RUMPF PHILIPP , SCHICK THOMAS
Published: December 2006

In string theory, the concept of T-duality between two principal Tn-bundles E and Ê over the same base space B, together with cohomology classes h ∈ H3(E,ℤ) and ĥ ∈ H3(Ê,ℤ), has been introduced. One of the main virtues of T-duality is that h-twisted K-theory of E is isomorphic to ĥ-twisted K-theory of Ê.

In this paper, a new, very topological concept of T-duality is introduced. We construct a classifying space for pairs as above with additional "dualizing data", with a forgetful map to the classifying space for pairs (also constructed in the paper). On the first classifying space, we have an involution which corresponds to passage to the dual pair, i.e. to each pair with dualizing data exists a well defined dual pair (with dualizing data).

We show that a pair (E, h) can be lifted to a pair with dualizing data if and only if h belongs to the second step of the Leray–Serre filtration of E (i.e. not always), and that in general many different lifts exist, with topologically different dual bundles.

We establish several properties of the T-dual pairs. In particular, we prove a T-duality isomorphism of degree -n for twisted K-theory.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES: DIFFERENT VALUES SO DIFFERENT PROCESS OF CREATION, NO?
Authors: DORADO SILVIA
Published: December 2006

Entrepreneurship scholars have identified factors that frame the entrepreneurial process, such as the gender, race, ethnicity and wealth of entrepreneurs, the technological nature of the products or services offered, or the geographic location of ventures. Ventures bridging profit and service goals in new and creative ways are mushrooming. Building on a review of current research, the author speculates that "bridging profit and service" should be added to the list of factors that define the entrepreneurial process. In doing so, she calls for caution when extending to social entrepreneurial ventures' findings on research regarding business ventures, and for more research exploring the impact of this factor on the entrepreneurial process.
DETERMINANTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE IN NEW VENTURES: EVIDENCE FROM SWEDISH LONGITUDINAL DATA
Authors: ÖRTQVIST DANIEL , MASLI ERYADI K. , RAHMAN SHEIKH F. , SELVARAJAH CHRISTOPHER
Published: December 2006

The early years are seen as a crucial period for the survival of ventures and yet only a limited number of studies have focused on successful new ventures when studying capital structure. Furthermore, only a few studies have included longitudinal data, tracking ventures over time, or have elaborated on the difference between short-term and long-term debt ratios when studying capital structure. In this paper, hypotheses are developed, based on capital structure theories and literature on new venture financing, and are tested on longitudinal empirical data. Results of multivariate analysis, through structural equation modeling, reveals that: (1) asset structure assists in explaining the variance in capital structure; (2) explained variance in dependent variables is decreasing for each of the four years studied; and (3) multi-group analysis reveals that the determinants influence short-term and long-term debt differently in the first four years of venture existence. Implications of this study suggest that determinants of capital structure in new ventures require theorizing of its own and demand special attention in entrepreneurial policy-making.
START-UP AND GROWTH OF IMMIGRANT SMALL BUSINESSES: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL AND HUMAN CAPITAL
Authors: SEQUEIRA JENNIFER M. , RASHEED ABDUL A.
Published: December 2006

Networks, and their resulting social capital, can be key determinants of successful business start-up for immigrant entrepreneurs. Historically, immigrants have settled in communities characterized by networks that consist of strong ties. Network theory suggests that in addition to strong ties, success also requires the development of weak ties. In this paper, we develop a model of the relationships between strong and weak ties, and the likelihood of a business start-up and its subsequent growth. We also specifically consider the moderating effect of the entrepreneur's human capital in these relationships. Based on this model, we derive a number of theoretical propositions.
Chronic Treatment With Long-Acting Nifedipine Reduces Vasoconstriction to Endothelin-1 in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Sudano Isabella , Virdis Agostino , Taddei Stefano , Spieker Lukas , Corti Roberto , Noll Georg , Salvetti Antonio , Luscher Thomas F.
Published: December 2006

Essential hypertension is associated with enhanced biological activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists have antioxidant activity in vitro, and they improve endothelial function in vivo. We tested whether calcium antagonists also influence the biological activity of ET-1 in essential hypertensive (EH) patients in the presence and absence of hypercholesterolemia. In 9 healthy subjects (normotensive [NT] subjects, age: 48.3±7.6 years; blood pressure: 118±8.6/69±5.4 mm Hg) and 21 EH subjects (age: 50.0±7.8 years; blood pressure: 164.4±5.4/103.8±4.4 mm Hg), we studied forearm blood flow and its modification induced by intrabrachial administration of ET-1, phenylephrine, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment with a nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (30 to 60 mg per day). At baseline, the first dose of ET-1 (0.5 μg/100 mL of forearm tissue per minute) caused a slight vasodilatation in NT but not in EH subjects, whereas the following higher doses caused a comparable dose-dependent vasoconstriction in EH and NT subjects. The effect of acetylcholine was significantly reduced in EH as compared with NT subjects. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine had similar effects in NT and EH subjects. After chronic treatment with the nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system, the vasoconstrictor effect induced by both ET-1 and phenylephrine was significantly blunted, whereas the response to acetylcholine was significantly increased and the vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside unchanged. Hypercholesterolemic EH subjects showed a further reduced response to acetylcholine compared with normocholesterolemic EH subjects, and the nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system restored the vasodilation to acetylcholine in this subgroup. In conclusion, in EH subjects, chronic treatment with a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonist not only exhibits a blood pressure-lowering effect but also reduces ET-1–induced vasoconstriction and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Those vasculoprotective effects may importantly contribute to a reduction in major clinical events seen during treatment with these compounds.
Is Dual-Chamber Programming Inferior to Single-Chamber Programming in an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator?
Authors: Olshansky Brian , Day John D. , Moore Stephen , Gering Lawrence , Rosenbaum Murray , McGuire Maureen , Brown Scott , Lerew Darin R.
Published: December 2006

Background—

The INTRINSIC RV (Inhibition of Unnecessary RV Pacing with AVSH in ICDs) study tested the hypothesis that dual-chamber rate-responsive (DDDR) with atrioventricular search hysteresis (AVSH) 60-130 programming is not inferior to single-chamber (VVI)–40 programming in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator with respect to all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations using an equivalence margin of 5%.

Methods and Results—

At 108 centers, 1530 patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator indication received a VITALITY AVT (Guidant Corporation, St. Paul, Minn) implantable cardioverter defibrillator programmed consistently to DDDR AVSH 60-130 for the first week. Of those, 988 patients with <20% right ventricular pacing at 1 week were randomized to DDDR AVSH 60-130 or to VVI-40 programming. Among those randomized, 502 were assigned to DDDR AVSH and 486 to VVI. Groups were similar with regard to coronary disease (68%), gender (21% female), and New York Heart Association functional class >I (79%). A total of 32 patients (6.4%) in the DDDR AVSH arm and 46 patients (9.5%) in the VVI arm died or were hospitalized for heart failure during a mean follow-up of 10.4 months (relative risk=0.67,
P
=0.072 in favor of DDDR AVSH). DDDR AVSH was not inferior to VVI programming (
P
<0.001). All-cause mortality was not significantly different between the DDDR AVSH arm (3.6%) and the VVI arm (5.1%;
P
=0.23). The mean percent right ventricular pacing in the DDDR AVSH arm was 10% (median 4%) versus 3% (median 0%) in the VVI arm.

Conclusions—

In the INTRINSIC RV trial, among those randomized, DDDR AVSH was associated with similar outcomes as with VVI backup pacing.
Prediction of “Fear” Acquisition in Healthy Control Participants in a De Novo Fear-Conditioning Paradigm
Authors: Otto Michael W. , Leyro Teresa M. , Christian Kelly , Deveney Christen M. , Reese Hannah , Pollack Mark H. , Orr Scott P.
Published: December 2006

Studies using fear-conditioning paradigms have found that anxiety patients are more conditionable than individuals without these disorders, but these effects have been demonstrated inconsistently. It is unclear whether these findings have etiological significance or whether enhanced conditionability is linked only to certain anxiety characteristics. To further examine these issues, the authors assessed the predictive significance of relevant subsyndromal characteristics in 72 healthy adults, including measures of worry, avoidance, anxious mood, depressed mood, and fears of anxiety symptoms (anxiety sensitivity), as well as the dimensions of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Of these variables, the authors found that the combination of higher levels of subsyndromal worry and lower levels of behavioral avoidance predicted heightened conditionability, raising questions about the etiological significance of these variables in the acquisition or maintenance of anxiety disorders. In contrast, the authors found that anxiety sensitivity was more linked to individual differences in orienting response than differences in conditioning per se.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies to Alleviate Preoperative Anxiety in Children
Authors: Wright Kristi D. , Stewart Sherry H. , Finley G. Allen , Buffett-Jerrott Susan E.
Published: December 2006

Preoperative anxiety (anxiety regarding impending surgical experience) in children is a common phenomenon that has been associated with a number of negative behaviors during the surgery experience (e.g., agitation, crying, spontaneous urination, and the need for physical restraint during anesthetic induction). Preoperative anxiety has also been associated with the display of a number of maladaptive behaviors postsurgery, including postoperative pain, sleeping disturbances, parent-child conflict, and separation anxiety. For these reasons, researchers have sought out interventions to treat or prevent childhood preoperative anxiety and possibly decrease the development of negative behaviors postsurgery. Such interventions include sedative premedication, parental presence during anesthetic induction, behavioral preparation programs, music therapy, and acupuncture. The present article reviews the existing research on the various modes of intervention for preoperative anxiety in children. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
Pubertal Status and Emotional Reactivity to a Voluntary Hyperventilation Challenge Predicting Panic Symptoms and Somatic Complaints
Authors: Leen-Feldner Ellen W. , Reardon Laura E. , Zvolensky Michael J.
Published: December 2006

The main and interactive effects of pubertal status and emotional reactivity to bodily sensations elicited by a voluntary hyperventilation challenge were examined in relation to panic symptoms and selfand parent-reported somatic complaints among 123 (56 females) adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years ( M age = 15.05; SD = 1.50). As expected, after controlling for baseline anxiety, age, and gender, there was a significant interaction between pubertal status and challenge response in predicting the outcome variables. Specifically, adolescents reporting more advanced pubertal status and greater reactivity to the challenge evidenced greater levels of panic symptoms and somatic complaints, whereas pubertal status had relatively less of an effect on these variables among adolescents who did not respond as fearfully to the challenge. Results are discussed in terms of extant theory and research on anxiety vulnerability among adolescents.
Risk Factor Research and Prevention for Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Schmidt Norman B. , Zvolensky Michael J.
Published: December 2006

In relation to treatment-related research in the United States, there is relatively little systematic effort focused on the combination of risk and prevention for anxiety pathology. This article broadly discusses risk factor research and prevention program development for anxiety psychopathology. The authors also specifically discuss papers in this special issue that are focused on these topics. Risk factor research should be used by clinical researchers to inform prevention programs, and reciprocally, prevention knowledge should be effectively utilized to drive new, clinically focused risk factor research.
Women's Use of Physical and Nonphysical Self-Defense Strategies During Incidents of Partner Violence
Authors: Downs William R. , Rindels Barb , Atkinson Christine
Published: December 2006

Two incidents of partner violence are investigated using qualitative methodology to discover strategies women use to protect themselves and examine women's use of violence. Data were collected from 447 women (age 18 or older) from 7 domestic violence programs and 5 substance use disorder treatment programs in a midwestern state. Women were found to have developed numerous self-protection strategies, some using nonphysical means only, others using physical means only, and others combining nonphysical and physical means. Women often used a variety of strategies in the same incident. Few women initiated violence against partners. Implications for theory and research are discussed.
Exploring Couple Attributes and Attitudes and Marital Violence in Vietnam
Authors: Luke Nancy , Schuler Sidney Ruth , Mai Bui Thi Thanh , Vu Thien Pham , Minh Tran Hung
Published: December 2006

Using a couple-centered approach, this study focuses on the relative attributes and attitudes of spouses as predictors of marital violence. Analysis of data from Vietnam showed that 37% of married women have ever been hit by their husbands. Regression results found that husbands with lower resources or status than their wives were more likely to have abused. Results also found that the association between husbands' gender attitudes and marital violence depends on the level of equity of wives'attitudes. The decline in violence among couples in which husbands expressed gender equitable attitudes was greater when wives also expressed equitable attitudes.
The Impact of Women’s Status and Gender Inequality on Female Homicide Victimization Rates
Authors: Vieraitis Lynne M. , Britto Sarah , Kovandzic Tomislav V.
Published: December 2006

Feminists have long argued that structural inequality between men and women influences the prevalence of female homicide victimization. In the present study, a cross-sectional analysis was performed using data on 3,083 U.S. counties in 2000 to assess the impact of women’s absolute status and gender inequality along educational, employment, income, and occupational dimensions and patriarchal culture on their risk of homicide victimization. The findings indicate that only women’s absolute status contributes to our understanding of cross-sectional variation in female homicide rates across U.S. counties and lends support to Marxist feminist theory.
Becoming an Ex–Sex Worker
Authors: Sanders Teela
Published: December 2006

This article has four core aims. First, to identify the processes of change women undertake to leave sex work through a typology of transitions. The typology suggests four dominant ways out of sex work as reactionary, gradual planning, natural progression, and “yo-yoing.” Second, the article argues against the low self-control theory by asserting that sex workers engage in specific deviant “careers” rather than stable deviant roles and, therefore, exit to “complete conformist” once sex work is ceased. Third, it rejects Mansson and Hedin’s claim that the “emotional commitment” of individual women is the key factor to leaving but instead argues that structural, political, cultural, and legal factors as well as cognitive transformations and agency are key determinants in trapping women in the industry. Fourth, the article challenges the U.K. policy context that reinforces “exiting” through compulsory rehabilitation and the criminalization of sex work.
V.—Note on the occurrence of Scorodite, Pharmacosiderite and Olivenite in Greenstone at Terras Mine, St. Stephens
Authors: Collins J. H.
Published: December 2006

At Terras mine there is an interesting junction of a well-marked tin-bearing elvan, whose course is about north and south, with a bed of greenstone, whose general bearing is nearly east and west. Near the junction, a few years since, a shaft was sunk 40 fathoms deep for the purpose of working a tin lode which was believed to cross the elvan just refered to at that point. At a depth of about 10 fathoms the bed of greenstone was met with, and it continued for 6 fathoms in depth in a very hard state, but from thence to the bottom of shaft it was much softer.

The rock is one of the hardest and toughest I have ever come across. Ordinarily it is composed of a fine-grained mixture of hornblende and silica, but it contains numerous narrow cavities or partial fissures, which near the shaft in question are often studded over or lined with small crystals of the three arseniates mentioned above.
VI.—Note on paragenetic formations of carbonate of lime and oxide of iron, and of quarts and oxide of iron, at the Mwyndy iron mines, Glamorganshire
Authors: Vivian Wm.
Published: December 2006

These constitute interesting objects for the microscope. The first mentioned is calc spar, having perfect rhombohedral cleavage; it is transparent, or translucent, apparently coloured topaz yellow or mnber, by the intimate diffusion of oohreous iron throughout. The distribution of the colouring iron oxide through the carbonate of lime is minutely microscopic, in tangled interlacing curved lines, many of which, if not all of them, are hollow tubes not unlike maccaroni or vermicelli, but, although this form of iron oxide is distributed through the calc spar in such close masses, it does not seem to affect the cleavage planes of the latter, which separate as readily as if no ochreous iron had been present.
III.—Remarks on the “Principle of least paste, as regulating the Crystallization of Fused Rocks”
Authors: Haughton Samuel
Published: December 2006

I have been lately examining in conjunction with Prof. Hull a a large series of lavas from Vesuvius, which were collected by Prof. Ouiscardi, of the University of Naples, with a view of determining whether, in the space of 300 years, any difference had occurred in the composition of the lava flow. In the course of this investigation a much more important question arose, viz. :—What is the proportion of each mineral present in the lava, and why does that proportion exist ?

The rock is composed of unknown quantities of nine minerals, of known composition viz.: Leucite, Plagioclase, Magnetite, Olivine, Augite, Hornblende, Mica, Nephcline, and Sodalite, together with an unknown quantity of a paste of unknown composition; from which it is easy to shew that the unknown quantities exceed the number of equations; and consequently, the discussion of the composition of the rock belongs to a branch of the Indeterminate Analysis.
IV.—Some Notes from an Old Catalogue of Minerals
Authors: Church A. H.
Published: December 2006

A Ms. Catalogue of Minerals by the Comte de Bournon has lately come into my possession. From internal evidence the date of the volume may be fixed at 1811—three years after the publication of the Count's Traité de Minéralogié. The collection of minerals described in this catalogue was made for the Government of Brazil ; if the collection still exists, a careful comparison of some of the specimens in it with their descriptions in the catalogue would clear up some obscure points and lead to useful results. Without this aid to a clear understanding of Bournon's descriptions, many interesting facts may be gathered from the manuscript in question. It is, however, a voluminous work extending over 356 pages, and illustrated with a large number of careful drawings of crystalline forms. The author was a very laborious compiler of catalogues. One of these, known to the present writer, is still in existence in the Town Hall of Devonport, along with the magnificent collection of minerals (the St. Aubya collection) to which it refers. A few notes on the Brazilian catalogue may not be without interest.
V.—Manganese in the Sea
Authors: Church A. H.
Published: December 2006

To the geologist, the mineralogist and the chemist, two of the observations made during the voyage of the Challenger are of especial interest. One of these observations is the occurrence over vast areas of the deep sea bottom of a peculiar red clay, containing silica, peroxide of iron, and alumina. The other discovery to which I refer has been described by Sir Wyville Thomson as the occurrence throughout this red clay of nodules of “nearly pure peroxide of manganese.” To these nodules, as well us to the red clay, an organic origin has been assigned. But the immediate source of so much manganese is hard to find, for this element is by no means an abundant constituent of animal or vegetable organisms. The difficulty is, however, somewhat lessened when the manganese nodules are submitted to a more minute chemical examination. From two correspondents I have received an ample supply of these curious concretions, accompanied by a suggestion that they should be submitted to chemical analysis.
VI.—Note on a mineral from New South Wales, presumed to be Laumontite
Authors: Liversidge Archibald
Published: December 2006

This mineral was first observed by Mr. C. E. Wilkinson, the Government Geologist, and obtained by him from a cutting on the Bathurst Road, near the Cox River.

It occurs as small irregular veins, of a pleasing salmon eolour, running through a soft bluish grey shale, the veins together with the included plates of shale are sometimes six inches thick, but usually smaller; the actual veins of the mineral itself being only about one eighth of an inch thick. Some difficulty was on this account experienced in obtaining sufficient of the sample pure enough for analysis.

The mineral appears to be partially crystallized, nothing definite could be made out, but some of the confused crystals had somewhat the appearance of rhombic prisms. It apparently cleaves parallel to the long axis, and lies perfectly at right angles to it.
I.—The Val d'Anniviers
Authors: Hall Marshall
Published: December 2006

I have when travelling, so often wished for some little indication of the scientific features of the country, beyond the meagre information of the guide book, that it occurs to me to suggest collaboration amongst mineralogists for mutual information.

With a view to this, could we not agree to take some localities and work out their details, spending our holidays in un-hackneyed districts, at quiet inns and in fresh air, each reporting his results succinctly in the Mineralogical Magazine, with a sketch map where wanted ?

As a little-worked-out place, I for my part nominate the Val d' Anniviers or Einfischthal, leading from the town of Sierre, in the valley of the Rhone, at nearly right angles to it, into the very heart of some of the suhlimest scenery of the Swiss Alps, and, as it will be seen, affording great facilities for meteorological, botanical, geological and mineralogical studies, economical quarters, warmhearted people, and excursions and scrambles of every grade of length and difficulty.
II.—“Remarks on Gramenite from Smallacombe, and on the Chloropal Group of Minerals”
Authors: Collins J. H.
Published: December 2006

A few years ago, while inspecting some iron ore deposits at Smallacombe, near Bovey Tracey, in Devon, I noticed the occurrence of certain brightly colored green, red and brown clays in considerable quantity. I took several specimens of the green clay at the time, and on my return home laid them aside in a lumber closet, where they became buried with other specimens, from which they have only lately been disinterred. After so long a stay in a tolerably dry situation I thought they might be regarded as in a normally hygrometric condition, and it was in this state that I subjected then to examination and analysis, with the following results.
IV.—A Defence of Turner's method of Detecting Boracic Acid
Authors: Le Neve Foster C.
Published: December 2006

A defence of Turner’s method seems at first sight to be quite unnecessary, for his test has been used over and over again, for upwards of fifty years, and, as far as I am aware, its usefulness has never been questioned till quite lately. Great was my surprise a few days ago to read a paragraph “On the uselessness of Turner’s flux as applied to the detection of boracic acid.” Professor Chapman speaking of Turner’s method, says:— “This test is much quoted in blowpipe books, and works on chemical analysis generally; but it is altogether superfluous. With borate of soda it fails entirely, or yields very unsatisfactory results ; and although it answers for most other borates, and for borosilicates, it is uselessly applied to them, because these bodies colour the flame equally well per se.” He quotes from Buzengeiger (Annales des Mines, 1829, tome v.p. 36), in support of these statements.
VI.—Note on “Doubtful Minerals”
Authors: Readwin T. A.
Published: December 2006

There are found scattered up and down our Mineralogical and other literature, a great many names of Minerals which do not appear to have been satisfactorily determined, or of which very little is actually known.

Many of these minerals have been called Doubtful. The following list, I hope, will be inserted in the Magazine, so that the members of the Mineralogical Society and others interested may be able to supply more definite information concerning them.

Obviously, it is not my object to impugn the general accuracy of any of the authorities appearing in this long list; but the accumulation of the most reliable mineralogical data attainable, and the focusiug of it, so to speak, where it may be seen by anybody interested.