bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: Expanding Roles for Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy and the Blood Transfusion Services
Authors: Hodby Katharine , Pamphilon Derwood
Published: July 2011

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have remained at the forefront of stem cell research for the past 50 years, since the therapeutic potential of bone marrow transplantation was realized. Uniquely, among stem and progenitor cells, research progress has been made in parallel between the laboratory benchtop and hospital bedside during this period. Integral to this work has been the role of the transfusion medicine services in the collection, storage, and processing of HSCs. The next decade promises to bring further developments: with new fields of cellular therapies, stem cell vaccination, and stem cell drug testing opening up. This article summarizes exciting areas of research concerning the behavior and potential clinical applications of HSCs. For the purposes of clarity, we describe in turn the trafficking and transfer of HSCs; ex vivo expansion of HSC units from different sources; and finally, applications of specifically selected subsets of hematopoietic cells and their progeny.
Prevention of preterm delivery in twin gestations (PREDICT): a multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial on the effect of vaginal micronized progesterone
Authors: Rode L. , Klein K. , Nicolaides K. H. , Krampl‐Bettelheim E. , Tabor A. ,   for the PREDICT Group
Published: July 2011

Objective

Studies on high‐risk singleton gestations have shown a preventive effect of progesterone treatment on preterm delivery. This study was conducted to investigate the preventive effect of vaginal micronized progesterone in a large population of twin gestations.

Methods

This was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial performed in 17 centers in Denmark and Austria. Women with twin gestations were randomized to daily treatment with progesterone pessaries or apparently identical placebo pessaries, starting from 20–24 weeks until 34 weeks' gestation. Primary outcome was incidence of delivery before 34 weeks' gestation. Secondary outcomes were maternal and neonatal complications and long‐term infant follow‐up, by Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), 6 months and 18 months after the expected date of delivery. We also updated a published meta‐analysis to include our data and those of another recently published twin trial.

Results

A total of 677 women were randomized to the two treatments. Two women in the placebo group were lost to follow‐up. Baseline characteristics for the groups were similar. Incidence of delivery before 34 weeks was 15.3% in the progesterone group vs 18.5% in the placebo group (odds ratio, 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5–1.2)). Risks of maternal and neonatal complications were comparable for the two groups. Mean ASQ scores at 6 months and 18 months were not significantly different between the two groups (215 for infants in the progesterone group and 218 for infants in the placebo group at 6 months (P = 0.45) and 193 and 194, respectively, at 18 months (P = 0.89)). The meta‐analysis gave a pooled odds ratio of 1.06 (95% CI, 0.86–1.31).

Conclusion

Progesterone treatment did not prevent preterm delivery in twin gestations. There were no harmful effects to fetuses and infants of maternal progesterone treatment. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonanthropocentric climate ethics
Authors: Nolt John
Published: July 2011

Anthropogenic climate change may contribute to a mass extinction that would leave biodiversity depleted for millions of years—quite possibly longer than the duration of the human species. Such effects are arguably of ethical concern, but because established ethical theories are anthropocentric—that is, focused on the relatively short‐term interests of human beings—they offer no guidance on such vast temporal scales. There has been significant work in recent decades in both longer‐term intergenerational anthropocentric climate ethics and near‐term nonanthropocentric ethics, but so far these novel developments have not been integrated into a long‐term nonanthropocentric climate ethic. This article considers prospects for the development and justification of such an ethic, difficulties it would face, and its relevance to climate policy.WIREs Clim Change2011 2 701–711 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.131

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Comparative Environmental Values
SINEs
Authors: Kramerov Dmitri A. , Vassetzky Nikita S.
Published: July 2011

Short interspersed elements (SINEs) are mobile genetic elements that invade the genomes of many eukaryotes. Since their discovery about 30 years ago, many gaps in our understanding of the biology and function of SINEs have been filled. This review summarizes the past and recent advances in the studies of SINEs. The structure and origin of SINEs as well as the processes involved in their amplification, transcription, RNA processing, reverse transcription, and integration of a SINE copy into the genome are considered. Then we focus on the significance of SINEs for the host genomes. While these genomic parasites can be deleterious to the cell, the long‐term being in the genome has made SINEs a valuable source of genetic variation providing regulatory elements for gene expression, alternative splice sites, polyadenylation signals, and even functional RNA genes. WIREs RNA 2011 2 772–786 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.91

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
Evaluating the potential biases in carnivore capture–recapture studies associated with the use of lure and varying density estimation techniques using photographic‐sampling data of the Malagasy civet
Authors: Gerber Brian D. , Karpanty Sarah M. , Kelly Marcella J.
Published: July 2011

Estimating density of elusive carnivores with capture–recapture analyses is increasingly common. However, providing unbiased and precise estimates is still a challenge due to uncertainties arising from the use of (1) bait or lure to attract animals to the detection device and (2) ad hoc boundary‐strip methods to compensate for edge effects in area estimation. We used photographic‐sampling data of the Malagasy civet Fossa fossana collected with and without lure to assess the effects of lure and to compare the use of four density estimators which varied in methods of area estimation. The use of lure did not affect permanent immigration or emigration, abundance and density estimation, maximum movement distances, or temporal activity patterns of Malagasy civets, but did provide more precise population estimates by increasing the number of recaptures. The spatially‐explicit capture–recapture (SECR) model density estimates ±SE were the least precise as they incorporate spatial variation, but consistent with each other (Maximum likelihood‐SECR = 1.38 ± 0.18, Bayesian‐SECR = 1.24 ± 0.17 civets/km2), whereas estimates relying on boundary‐strip methods to estimate effective trapping area did not incorporate spatial variation, varied greatly and were generally larger than SECR model estimates. Estimating carnivore density with ad hoc boundary‐strip methods can lead to overestimation and/or increased uncertainty as they do not incorporate spatial variation. This may lead to inaction or poor management decisions which may jeopardize at‐risk populations. In contrast, SECR models free researchers from making subjective decisions associated with boundary‐strip methods and they estimate density directly, providing more comparable and valuable population estimates.
Modified‐Policosanol Does Not Reduce Plasma Lipoproteins in Hyperlipidemic Patients When Used Alone or in Combination with Statin Therapy
Authors: Backes James M. , Gibson Cheryl A. , Ruisinger Janelle F. , Moriarty Patrick M.
Published: July 2011

Policosanol is a poorly absorbed nutritional supplement used primarily for cholesterol management. Findings from previous trials evaluating the effects of policosanol are mixed with early data reporting positive lipid effects while more recent studies indicate negligible efficacy. We hypothesized that re‐formulating policosanol would result in an improvement in major lipoproteins and possibly provide some explanation for previously conflicting trial data. Our primary objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of modified‐policosanol (MP) on the major lipoproteins among hyperlipidemic subjects receiving background statin therapy or as monotherapy. This 8‐week clinical trial consisted of 3 arms. Subjects receiving chronic statin therapy (N = 36) were randomized in a double‐blind design to MP 20 mg daily or placebo. In the third arm, subjects not receiving statin therapy (N = 18) were assigned open‐label MP 20 mg daily. The utilization of MP when added to background statin therapy or as monotherapy resulted in no significant changes in major lipoproteins (all p > 0.05). The MP therapy was well tolerated with no major adverse events reported. Consistent with recent clinical trial data, MP demonstrated an excellent safety profile but produced no significant effects on major lipoproteins when used as monotherapy or when given with concomitant statin therapy.
Mixed Alkyl Esters from Cottonseed Oil: Improved Biodiesel Properties and Blends with Diesel Fuel
Authors: Joshi Hem , Moser Bryan R. , Walker Terry
Published: July 2011

Transesterification of refined cottonseed oil (CSO) was carried out with methanol, ethanol, 1‐butanol, and various mixtures of these alcohols to produce biodiesel. In the mixed alcohol transesterifications, formation of methyl esters was favored over ethyl and butyl esters. The influence of ester head group on fuel properties was determined. Specifically, cold flow properties, lubricity, and energy content improved in the order: CSO butyl esters (CSBE, best) > ethyl esters (CSEE) > methyl esters (CSME). Higher kinematic viscosities (KVs) as well as lower iodine values (IVs) and wear scars were observed with larger ester head groups. Blends of CSME, CSEE and CSBE exhibited properties intermediate to the neat esters. All ester samples were within the limits prescribed in ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 for cetane number, acid value (AV), glycerol (free and total) content, sulfur, and phosphorous. Also examined was the influence of blending alkyl esters with petrodiesel. All blends exhibited improved cold flow properties versus unblended alkyl esters. Enhanced lubricity was observed after blending. With increasing content of biodiesel, higher KVs and lower energy contents were observed. Finally, all blends were within the limits specified in ASTM D975 and D7467 for AV, KV and sulfur.
Aberrant immune responses in arsenical skin cancers
Authors: Lee Chih‐Hung , Liao Wei‐Ting , Yu Hsin‐Su
Published: July 2011

Arsenic is a well‐known human carcinogen. It also impairs immune functions and activation in many aspects. However, only a small portion of arsenic‐exposed population develops skin abnormalities, including Bowen's disease and skin cancers. Differential immune activation among the individuals might account for the different susceptibilities. In patients with arsenic‐induced Bowen's disease, there is a selective CD4 T‐cell apoptosis through tumor necrosis factor‐alpha pathway, decrease in macrophage differentiation and phagocytosis, reduced Langerhans cell numbers and dendrites, altered regulatory T‐cell distribution, and other immune alterations. Several lines of evidence from mouse and fish studies also confirmed the potent and multifaceted effects of arsenic in the immune system. The molecular bases of immunosuppression by arsenic in lymphocytes may include chromosomal and DNA abnormalities, decreased T‐cell receptor activation, and the cellular status of oxidation and methylation. This article also reviews the causative and differential role of selective CD4 cell apoptosis and the carcinogenesis of arsenic‐induced Bowen's disease.
Arsenic and diabetes: Current perspectives
Authors: Huang Chun Fa , Chen Ya Wen , Yang Ching Yao , Tsai Keh Sung , Yang Rong Sen , Liu Shing Hwa
Published: July 2011

Arsenic is a naturally occurring toxic metalloid of global concern. Many studies have indicated a dose–response relationship between accumulative arsenic exposure and the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in arseniasis‐endemic areas in Taiwan and Bangladesh, where arsenic exposure occurs through drinking water. Epidemiological researches have suggested that the characteristics of arsenic‐induced DM observed in arseniasis‐endemic areas in Taiwan and Mexico are similar to those of non‐insulin‐dependent DM (Type 2 DM). These studies analyzed the association between high and chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water and the development of DM, but the effect of exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic on the risk of DM is unclear. Navas‐Acien et al. recently proposed that a positive association existed between total urine arsenic and the prevalence of Type 2 DM in people exposed to low to moderate levels of arsenic. However, the diabetogenic role played by arsenic is still debated upon. An increase in the prevalence of DM has been observed among residents of highly arsenic‐contaminated areas, whereas the findings from community‐based and occupational studies in low‐arsenic‐exposure areas have been inconsistent. Recently, a population‐based cross‐sectional study showed that the current findings did not support an association between arsenic exposure from drinking water at levels less than 300 μg/L and a significantly increased risk of DM. Moreover, although the precise mechanisms for the arsenic‐induced diabetogenic effect are still largely undefined, recent in vitro experimental studies indicated that inorganic arsenic or its metabolites impair insulin‐dependent glucose uptake or glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Nevertheless, the dose, the form of arsenic used, and the experimental duration in the in vivo studies varied greatly, leading to conflicting results and ambiguous interpretation of these data with respect to human exposure to arsenic in the environment. Moreover, the experimental studies were limited to the use of arsenic concentrations much higher than those relevant to human exposure. Further prospective epidemiological studies might help to clarify this controversy. The issues about environmental exposure assessment and appropriate biomarkers should also be considered. Here, we focus on the review of mechanism studies and discuss the currently available evidence and conditions for the association between environmental arsenic exposure and the development of DM.
Arsenic exposure and adverse health effects: A review of recent findings from arsenic and health studies in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Yunus Mohammad , Sohel Nazmul , Hore Samar Kumar , Rahman Mahfuzar
Published: July 2011

The recent discovery of large‐scale arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater has raised much concern in Bangladesh. Reliable estimates of the magnitude of As exposure and related health problems have not been comprehensively investigated in Bangladesh. A large population‐based study on As and health consequences in Matlab (AsMat) was done in Matlab field site where International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh has maintained a health and demographic surveillance system registering prospectively all vital events. Taking advantage of the health and demographic surveillance system and collecting data on detailed individual level As exposure using water and urine samples, AsMat investigated the morbidity and mortality associated with As exposure. Reviews of findings to date suggest the adverse effects of As exposure on the risk of skin lesions, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, chronic disease, and all‐cause infant and adult disease mortality. Future studies of clinical endpoints will enhance our knowledge gaps and will give directions for disease prevention and mitigations.
Body composition and appetite: fat-free mass (but not fat mass or BMI) is positively associated with self-determined meal size and daily energy intake in humans
Authors: Blundell John E. , Caudwell Phillipa , Gibbons Catherine , Hopkins Mark , Näslund Erik , King Neil A. , Finlayson Graham
Published: July 2011

The idea of body weight regulation implies that a biological mechanism exerts control over energy expenditure and food intake. This is a central tenet of energy homeostasis. However, the source and identity of the controlling mechanism have not been identified, although it is often presumed to be some long-acting signal related to body fat, such as leptin. Using a comprehensive experimental platform, we have investigated the relationship between biological and behavioural variables in two separate studies over a 12-week intervention period in obese adults (totaln92). All variables have been measured objectively and with a similar degree of scientific control and precision, including anthropometric factors, body composition, RMR and accumulative energy consumed at individual meals across the whole day. Results showed that meal size and daily energy intake (EI) were significantly correlated with fat-free mass (FFM,Pvalues < 0·02–0·05) but not with fat mass (FM) or BMI (Pvalues 0·11–0·45) (study 1,n58). In study 2 (n34), FFM (but not FM or BMI) predicted meal size and daily EI under two distinct dietary conditions (high-fat and low-fat). These data appear to indicate that, under these circumstances, some signal associated with lean mass (but not FM) exerts a determining effect over self-selected food consumption. This signal may be postulated to interact with a separate class of signals generated by FM. This finding may have implications for investigations of the molecular control of food intake and body weight and for the management of obesity.
A school-based obesity control programme: Project Energize. Two-year outcomes
Authors: Rush Elaine , Reed Peter , McLennan Stephanie , Coppinger Tara , Simmons David , Graham David
Published: July 2011

Through-school nutrition and physical activity interventions are designed to help reduce excess weight gain and risk of chronic disease. From 2004 to 2006, Project Energize was delivered in the Waikato Region of New Zealand as a longitudinal randomised controlled study of 124 schools (year 1–6), stratified by rurality and social deprivation, and randomly assigned to intervention or control. Children (686 boys and 662 girls) aged 5 (1926) and 10 (1426) years (692 interventions and 660 controls) had height, weight, body fat (by bioimpedance) and resting blood pressure (BP) measured at baseline and 2 years later. Each intervention school was assigned an ‘Energizer’; a trained physical activity and nutrition change agent, who worked with the school to achieve goals based on healthier eating and quality physical activity. After adjustment for baseline measures, rurality and social deprivation, the intervention was associated with a reduced accumulation of body fat in younger children and a reduced rate of rise in systolic BP in older children. There was some evidence that the pattern of change within an age group varied with rurality, ethnicity and sex. We conclude that the introduction of an ‘Energizer led’ through-school programme may be associated with health benefits over 2 years, but the trajectory of this change needs to be measured over a longer period. Attention should also be paid to the differing response by ethnicity, sex, age group and the effect of rurality and social deprivation.
Effects of inactivated and live cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on in vitro ruminal fermentation of diets with different forage:concentrate ratio
Authors: OPSI F. , FORTINA R. , TASSONE S. , BODAS R. , LÓPEZ S.
Published: July 2011

The effects of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, either inactivated (by osmotic pressure, designated IY) or provided as a culture containing live yeast cells (YC), on ruminal fermentation of two different diets were investigated in vitro. Total mixed rations (TMR) having forage:concentrate ratios of 0·6:0·4 (medium–high forage diet) and 0·2:0·8 (low-forage diet) were incubated in batch cultures of mixed ruminal micro-organisms to which either IY (to reach concentrations of 500 and 250 mg product/l incubation medium) or YC (at a concentration of 150 mg product/l) were added directly as powder. To evaluate the effects of the additive on ruminal microbial population, sheep used as donors of rumen fluid were allocated to three experimental groups: Control (no additive), IY and YC, that received a diet with the corresponding additive for 10 days. With both diets, YC decreased ruminal pH compared to control, whereas IY had no effect. Adding yeast products to the high-fibre diet affected total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and VFA composition, in general with a slight increase in IY and a significantly greater increase in response to the addition of YC. Ammonia nitrogen (P=0·006), total gas production (P<0·001) and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVD) (P<0·001) showed the highest values with YC. Methane production was higher than the control when the IY inoculum was used, and increased even more with the YC inoculum (P<0·001). With the high-concentrate TMR, no effects on total VFA concentration were observed when yeast additives were used. Similar trends were shown for lactate and methane production and total gas production, where values tended to be higher when using the YC inoculum (P values of 0·055, <0·001, 0·006 and <0·001, respectively). After 144 h of incubation, differences were observed only with the high-fibre diet in the cumulative gas production at 24 h of incubation and in the average fermentation rate, which was greater with YC, although the asymptotic gas production was not affected. These results indicate that live yeasts affect ruminal fermentation slightly more than inactivated yeasts, although both products require a regular administration and some adaptation of the ruminal microbial population for the stimulatory effects to become apparent. The effects of yeasts on ruminal fermentation are diet-dependent, being more noticeable with a high-fibre substrate, and subtle with a high-concentrate diet.
‘A good shepherd, but with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome’: traditional uvulectomy case series and literature review
Authors: Ravesloot M J L , de Vries N
Published: July 2011

Background:

In the West, removal of the uvula is predominantly undertaken as part of palatal surgery, in cases of obstructive sleep apnoea. In the developing world, such as the Middle East and Africa, uvulectomy is a more common practice. The uvula is removed for curative or preventive purposes, or as part of ritual practice. Due to immigration from developing to developed world countries, and to Western doctors working abroad, such doctors are increasingly being confronted with unfamiliar traditional healing practices, within a medical context.

Methods:

The Medline and Embase online databases were systematically searched for literature on traditional uvulectomy. We present a review of this literature. We also present the first report, to our best knowledge, of obstructive sleep apnoea as a late complication of traditional uvulectomy.

Discussion:

Traditional uvulectomy may be complicated by post-operative haemorrhage and local infections, among many other problems. We report cases of obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring caused by palatal stenosis resulting from traditional uvulectomy during childhood.
Nasal extranodal natural killer T cell lymphoma: an atypical presentation
Authors: Sharma A , Dandekar M , Deshmukh S , Dabholkar J
Published: July 2011

Objective:

We report two cases of nasal natural killer T cell lymphoma which presented atypically following surgical intervention.

Case report:

Two patients with a previous history of endoscopic nasal surgery presented with progressive facial swelling and necrosis. The histology of several nasal biopsies was suggestive of acute, necrotising inflammation. Considering these patients' midline destruction of the nose and face, and their inconclusive biopsies, immunohistochemical studies were undertaken, enabling the diagnosis of peripheral natural killer T cell lymphoma.

Conclusion:

Natural killer T cell lymphoma of the sinonasal tract is an important differential diagnosis of destructive lesions of the nose and midface. The definitive diagnosis is often delayed. Hence, this tumour should be considered in patients with atypical presentations of acute inflammation following surgical intervention; such patients should be thoroughly investigated. Early immunohistochemical investigation is needed to enable prompt diagnosis in suspicious cases.
Abnormal prefrontal activity subserving attentional control of emotion in remitted depressed patients during a working memory task with emotional distracters
Authors: Kerestes R. , Ladouceur C. D. , Meda S. , Nathan P. J. , Blumberg H. P. , Maloney K. , Ruf B. , Saricicek A. , Pearlson G. D. , Bhagwagar Z. , Phillips M. L.
Published: July 2011

Background

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) show deficits in processing of facial emotions that persist beyond recovery and cessation of treatment. Abnormalities in neural areas supporting attentional control and emotion processing in remitted depressed (rMDD) patients suggests that there may be enduring, trait-like abnormalities in key neural circuits at the interface of cognition and emotion, but this issue has not been studied systematically.

Method

Nineteen euthymic, medication-free rMDD patients (mean age 33.6 years; mean duration of illness 34 months) and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC; mean age 35.8 years) performed the Emotional Face N-Back (EFNBACK) task, a working memory task with emotional distracter stimuli. We used blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure neural activity in the dorsolateral (DLPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), ventral striatum and amygdala, using a region of interest (ROI) approach in SPM2.

Results

rMDD patients exhibited significantly greater activity relative to HC in the left DLPFC [Brodmann area (BA) 9/46] in response to negative emotional distracters during high working memory load. By contrast, rMDD patients exhibited significantly lower activity in the right DLPFC and left VLPFC compared to HC in response to positive emotional distracters during high working memory load. These effects occurred during accurate task performance.

Conclusions

Remitted depressed patients may continue to exhibit attentional biases toward negative emotional information, reflected by greater recruitment of prefrontal regions implicated in attentional control in the context of negative emotional information.
Subjective experience and meaning of psychoses: the German Subjective Sense in Psychosis Questionnaire (SUSE)
Authors: Klapheck K. , Nordmeyer S. , Cronjäger H. , Naber D. , Bock T.
Published: July 2011

Background

Clinical research on subjective determinants of recovery and health has increased, but no instrument has been developed to assess the subjective experience and meaning of psychoses. We have therefore constructed and validated the Subjective Sense in Psychosis Questionnaire (SUSE) to measure sense making in psychotic disorders.

Method

SUSE was based on an item pool generated by professionals and patients. For pre-testing, 90 psychosis patients completed the instrument. Psychometric properties were assessed using methods of classical test theory. In the main study, SUSE was administered to a representative sample of 400 patients. Factor structure, reliability and validity were assessed and confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used for testing subscale coherence and adequacy of the hypothesized factor structure. Response effects due to clinical settings were tested using multilevel analyses.

Results

The final version of SUSE comprises 34 items measuring distinct aspects of the experience and meaning of psychoses in a consistent overall model with six coherent subscales representing positive and negative meanings throughout the course of psychotic disorders. Multilevel analyses indicate independence from clinical context effects. Patients relating psychotic experiences to life events assessed their symptoms and prospects more positively. 76% of patients assumed a relationship between their biography and the emergence of psychosis, 42% reported positive experience of symptoms and 74% ascribed positive consequences to their psychosis.

Conclusions

SUSE features good psychometric qualities and offers an empirical acquisition to subjective assessment of psychosis. The results highlight the significance of subjective meaning making in psychoses and support a more biographical and in-depth psychological orientation for treatment.
Drug cue induced overshadowing: selective disruption of natural reward processing by cigarette cues amongst abstinent but not satiated smokers
Authors: Freeman T. P. , Morgan C. J. A. , Beesley T. , Curran H. V.
Published: July 2011

Background

Addicts show both reward processing deficits and increased salience attribution to drug cues. However, no study to date has demonstrated that salience attribution to drug cues can directly modulate inferences of reward value to non-drug cues. Associative learning depends on salience: a more salient predictor of an outcome will ‘overshadow’ a less salient predictor of the same outcome. Similarly, blocking, a demonstration that learning depends on prediction error, can be influenced by the salience of the cues employed.

Method

This study investigated whether salient drug cues might interact with neutral cues predicting financial reward in an associative learning task indexing blocking and overshadowing in satiated smokers (n=24), abstaining smokers (n=24) and non-smoking controls (n=24). Attentional bias towards drug cues, craving and expired CO were also indexed.

Results

Abstaining smokers showed drug cue induced overshadowing, attributing higher reward value to drug cues than to neutral cues that were equally predictive of reward. Overshadowing was positively correlated with expired CO levels, which, in turn, were correlated with craving in abstainers. An automatic attentional bias towards cigarette cues was found in abstainers only.

Conclusions

These findings provide the first evidence that drug cues interact with reward processing in a drug dependent population.
On Sumsets of Convex Sets
Authors: SCHOEN TOMASZ , SHKREDOV ILYA D.
Published: July 2011

A set of reals A = {a1,. . .,an} is called convex if ai+1 − ai > ai − ai−1 for all i. We prove, among other results, that for some c > 0 every convex A satisfies |A−A| ≥ c|A|8/5log−2/5|A|.
Caring Letters Project
Authors: Luxton David D. , Kinn Julie T. , June Jennifer D. , Pierre Laura W. , Reger Mark A. , Gahm Gregory A.
Published: July 2011

Background: The Caring Letters Project (CLP) is a suicide prevention program that involves sending brief caring letters to discharged inpatients following psychiatric hospitalization. Several studies suggest that repeatedly sending caring messages may reduce suicides and suicide attempts in high-risk populations. Aims: The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate feasibility of use in the military setting, (2) explore trends toward reduction of psychiatric rehospitalizations, (3) assess preference for and test e-mail correspondence, and (4) identify best practices and gather data to inform a randomized controlled study. Methods: A total of 110 psychiatric inpatients at a military treatment facility consented, were interviewed, and then received personalized handwritten letters or e-mails at regular intervals following discharge. Data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, preference for e-mail versus postal mail, rates of undeliverable and return correspondence, rehospitalizations, and adverse events requiring safety procedures. Results: A total of 436 letters and e-mails have been sent to date. Most participants indicated preference for e-mail versus postal mail. Fifteen participants were readmitted for treatment compared to 20 patients in usual care. Twenty participants sent responses and all were positive statements about the program. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: This program is feasible for use at a military treatment facility. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine whether the intervention can reduce suicide rates among military and veteran populations.
What Do We Know About Needs for Help After Suicide in Different Parts of the World?
Authors: Dyregrov Kari
Published: July 2011

Background: “A person’s death is not only an ending: it is also a beginning – for the survivors. Indeed, in the case of suicide, the largest public health problem is neither the prevention of suicide (...), nor the management of attempts (...), but the alleviation of the effects of stress in the survivor-victims of suicidal deaths, whose lives are forever changed and who, over a period of years, numbers in the millions ...” (Edwin S. Shneidman, 1973 ). Aims: As there is no doubt that suicide postvention should be given a more prominent position on the agenda than is presently the case, this paper explores what we now know about perceived needs for help on the part of suicide bereaved in different parts of the world. Methods: A search of related literature in the field was undertaken using the PubMed/PsychInfo databases. In addition, professionals throughout the world working in the field of suicide postvention were invited to submit reports about suicide postvention measures or literature. Results: Very little research was found that reflected the perceived needs for help on the part of the bereaved – and all the studies stemmed from countries in the Western world. However, the bereaved in these studies agreed about a common need for peer and social support, and that professional help must be adapted to and offered with respect for individual needs. Thus, it seems that in societies in which the stigma about suicide has diminished, the bereaved experience very similar needs for help, whereas in other societies it is difficult to talk about their need for help because of the sanctions and taboos connected to suicide. Conclusions: We need far more culturally sensitive research in order to explore and clarify how each community understands suicide and reacts to families who have lost someone by suicide.
Present and future contribution of glacier storage change to runoff from macroscale drainage basins in Europe
Authors: Huss Matthias
Published: July 2011

The contribution of glaciers to runoff from large‐scale drainage basins in Europe is analyzed for the major streams originating in the Alps: Rhine, Rhone, Po, and Danube. Detailed information on glacier storage change is available from monthly mass balance data of 50 Swiss glaciers for the period 1908–2008. Storage changes are extrapolated to all glaciers in the European Alps. By comparing monthly runoff yields from glacierized surfaces in the summer months with measured runoff at gauges along the entire length of the streams, the relative portion of water from glacier storage change for each month is calculated. Macroscale drainage basins with a size of 100,000 km2 (1% ice‐covered) can show a 25% contribution of glaciers to August runoff over the last century. In the lower Danube (0.06% glacierization) glacier meltwater accounts for 9% of observed runoff in September of the extreme year 2003. The relative importance of glacier contribution to runoff does not scale linearly with the percentage of glacierization, as high glacier runoff in summer dominates lowland areas with little precipitation and high evapotranspiration. Thus, glacial meltwaters are relevant to the hydrological regime of macroscale watersheds and do not only have a regional impact. By transiently modeling future glacier retreat until 2100 using climate scenarios, a reduction of glacierized areas in the Alps to 12% of the current value is found. In consequence, summer runoff contribution from currently glacierized basins will be strongly reduced, intensifying issues with water shortage in summer also in poorly glacierized catchments.
Expression patterns of mRNAs for methanotrophy and thiotrophy in symbionts of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis
Authors: Wendeberg Annelie , Zielinski Frank U , Borowski Christian , Dubilier Nicole
Published: July 2011

The hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis (Mytilidae) from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge hosts symbiotic sulfur- and methane-oxidizing bacteria in its gills. In this study, we investigated the activity and distribution of these two symbionts in juvenile mussels from the Logatchev hydrothermal vent field (14°45′N Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Expression patterns of two key genes for chemosynthesis were examined: pmoA (encoding subunit A of the particulate methane monooxygenase) as an indicator for methanotrophy, and aprA (encoding the subunit A of the dissimilatory adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate reductase) as an indicator for thiotrophy. Using simultaneous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of rRNA and mRNA we observed highest mRNA FISH signals toward the ciliated epithelium where seawater enters the gills. The levels of mRNA expression differed between individual specimens collected in a single grab from the same sampling site, whereas no obvious differences in symbiont abundance or distribution were observed. We propose that the symbionts respond to the steep temporal and spatial gradients in methane, reduced sulfur compounds and oxygen by modifying gene transcription, whereas changes in symbiont abundance and distribution take much longer than regulation of mRNA expression and may only occur in response to long-term changes in vent fluid geochemistry.
RNA interference‐mediated silencing of focal adhesion kinase inhibits growth of human malignant glioma xenograft in nude mice
Authors: Wang Guan‐Jie , Ma Yong‐Ping , Yang Yang , Zhang Na , Wang Wei , Liu Sheng‐Yong , Chen Li‐Juan , Jiang Yu , Zhao Xia , Wei Yu‐Quan , Deng Hong‐Xin
Published: July 2011

FAK (focal adhesion kinase), which plays a pivotal role in mediating cell proliferation, survival and migration, is frequently overexpressed in human malignant glioma. The expression of FAK increases with the advance of tumour grade and stage. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that attenuation of FAK expression may have inhibitory effects on the growth of malignant glioma. In the present study, human glioma cell line U251 was transfected with plasmids containing U6 promoter‐driven shRNAs (small‐hairpin RNAs) against human FAK using cationic liposome. The effects of FAK knockdown in U251 cells in vitro were analysed by using flow cytometry and PI (propidium iodide)‐staining assays. Based on the encouraging in vitro results with FAK silencing, plasmids encoding FAK‐targeted shRNA were encapsulated by DOTAP (dioleoyltrimethylammonium propane): Chol (cholesterol) cationic liposome and injected via tail vein to evaluate its therapeutic efficiency on suppressing tumour growth in a human glioma xenograft model. PCNA (proliferating‐cell nuclear antigen), CD34 immunostaining and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labelling) assay were used to assess the changes in tumour angiogenesis, apoptosis and proliferation respectively. The results indicated that DOTAP:Chol cationic liposome could deliver therapeutic plasmids systemically to tumour xenografts, resulting in suppression of tumour growth. Treatment with plasmid encoding FAK‐targeted shRNA reduced mean tumour volume by approx. 70% compared with control groups (P<0.05), accompanied with angiogenesis inhibition (P<0.05), tumour cell proliferation suppression (P<0.05) and apoptosis induction (P<0.05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that shRNA‐mediated silencing of FAK might be a potential therapeutic approach against human malignant glioma.
Managing local tourism: Building sustainable tourism management practices across local government divides
Authors: Dredge Dianne , Ford Emma-Jane , Whitford Michelle
Published: July 2011

Increasingly, the challenge for local government in managing tourism is not in preparing plans and policies or undertaking new initiatives but in collaborating across internal organisational silos and across artificial administrative boundaries to provide a more integrated approach. The Managing Local Government Master Class was a programme designed to develop a ‘joined-up’ integrated approach to local government tourism management. This article outlines the Master Class approach within the increasingly complex context facing Australian local governments, and discusses two applications in Northern Rivers, NSW and Perth's Eastern Metropolitan Region. It was found that while the Master Class offers a mechanism to increase collaboration and leverage the benefits of working more effectively within and across councils, there remain political and administrative impediments to improved collaboration.
Climate change mitigation among accommodation providers in the South West of England: Comparisons between members and non-members of networks
Authors: Coles Tim , Zschiegner Anne-Kathrin
Published: July 2011

Networks are a well-established feature in contemporary tourism governance and management. The aim of this article is to examine the extent to which there are differences among members and non-members of tourism networks in their efforts to introduce measures to mitigate the effects of climate change in their operations. Among accommodation providers in the South West of England, there is no significant difference between members and non-members of networks in the modest levels of innovation they have introduced. Possible reasons for the lack of difference are identified including the nature of the networks and the way in which knowledge is exchanged and retained among businesses. The article argues that, while formal networks still represent an important platform to promote climate change mitigation, their importance may also be in knowledge spillovers and boundary spanning behaviours ‘beyond the network’.
Photosensitized generation of singlet oxygen in porous silicon studied by simultaneous measurements of luminescence of nanocrystals and oxygen molecules
Authors: Gongalsky M. B. , Kharin A. Yu. , Zagorodskikh S. A. , Osminkina L. A. , Timoshenko V. Yu.
Published: July 2011

Photosensitization of singlet oxygen generation in porous silicon (PSi) was investigated by simultaneous measurements of the photoluminescence (PL) of silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si) and the infrared emission of the 1Δ-state of oxygen molecules at 1270 nm (0.98 eV) at room temperature. Photodegradation of the nc-Si PL properties was found to correlate with the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation. The quantum efficiency of singlet oxygen generation in PSi was estimated to be about 1%, while the lifetime of singlet oxygen was about fifteen ms. The kinetics of nc-Si PL intensity under cw excitation undergoes a power law dependence with the exponent dependent on the photon energy of luminescence. The experimental results are explained with a model of photodegradation controlled by the diffusion of singlet oxygen molecules in a disordered structure of porous silicon.
Characterisation of H2S⋯CuCl and H2S⋯AgCl isolated in the gas phase: A rigidly pyramidal geometry at sulphur revealed by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations
Authors: Walker Nicholas R. , Tew David P. , Harris Stephanie J. , Wheatley David E. , Legon Anthony C.
Published: July 2011

Pure rotational spectra of the ground vibrational states of eight isotopologues of H2S⋯CuCl and twelve isotopologues of H2S⋯AgCl have been analysed allowing rotational constants and hyperfine coupling constants to be determined. The molecular structures have been determined from the measured rotational constants and are presented alongside the results of calculations at the CCSD(T) level. Both molecules have Cs symmetry at equilibrium and are pyramidal at the sulphur atom. The chlorine, metal, and sulphur atoms are collinear while the local C2 axis of the hydrogen sulphide molecule intersects the axis defined by the heavy atoms at an angle, ϕ = 74.46(2)° for Cu and ϕ = 78.052(6)° for Ag. The molecular geometries are rationalised using simple rules that invoke the electrostatic interactions within the complexes. Centrifugal distortion constants, ΔJ, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χaa(Cu) and χaa(Cl) for H2S⋯CuCl are presented for the first time. The geometry of H2S⋯AgCl is determined with fewer assumptions and greater precision than previously.
Classification of the critical resolved shear stress in the hexagonal-close-packed materials by atomic simulation: Application to α-zirconium and α-titanium
Authors: Poty A. , Raulot J.-M. , Xu H. , Bai J. , Schuman C. , Lecomte J.-S. , Philippe M.-J. , Esling C.
Published: July 2011

We have studied the hierarchy of the activation of dislocation glide in zirconium and titanium alloys and presented experimental results in zirconium alloys. We have compared the experimental results with simulations obtained by two different approaches. The first is by using the stacking fault energy maps (γ surfaces) obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) and by ab initio approaches. A good agreement was observed between the two approaches and with recent published work. The second is to compare the experimental critical resolved shear stresses (CRSS) with those determined by MD simulations based on embedded atom method (EAM) potentials. The CRSS for slip in the -direction for the basal, prismatic (type 1) and pyramidal (type 2) planes for edge dislocations are obtained. Finally, we discuss the hierarchy of the glide systems with the energy criterion of the γ surfaces and with the CRSS values and we compare with both experimental and modeling data.
Absolute calibration method for laser megajoule neutron yield measurement by activation diagnostics
Authors: Landoas Olivier , Yu Glebov Vladimir , Rossé Bertrand , Briat Michelle , Disdier Laurent , Sangster Thomas C. , Duffy Tim , Marmouget Jean Gabriel , Varignon Cyril , Ledoux Xavier , Caillaud Tony , Thfoin Isabelle , Bourgade Jean-Luc
Published: July 2011

The laser megajoule (LMJ) and the National Ignition Facility (NIF) plan to demonstrate thermonuclear ignition using inertial confinement fusion (ICF). The neutron yield is one of the most important parameters to characterize ICF experiment performance. For decades, the activation diagnostic was chosen as a reference at ICF facilities and is now planned to be the first nuclear diagnostic on LMJ, measuring both 2.45 MeV and 14.1 MeV neutron yields. Challenges for the activation diagnostic development are absolute calibration, accuracy, range requirement, and harsh environment. At this time, copper and zirconium material are identified for 14.1 MeV neutron yield measurement and indium material for 2.45 MeV neutrons. A series of calibrations were performed at Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique (CEA) on a Van de Graff facility to determine activation diagnostics efficiencies and to compare them with results from calculations. The CEA copper activation diagnostic was tested on the OMEGA facility during DT implosion. Experiments showed that CEA and Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) diagnostics agree to better than 1% on the neutron yield measurement, with an independent calibration for each system. Also, experimental sensitivities are in good agreement with simulations and allow us to scale activation diagnostics for the LMJ measurement range.