bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting natural gas prices using cointegration technique
Authors: Ghouri Salman Saif
Published: January 2007

This paper uses Augmented Dickey‐Fuller and Phillips‐Perron technique for determining whether individual crude oil prices (West Texas Intermediate, Brent, Japan crude cocktail) and natural gas prices‐ Henry Hub (HH), National Balancing Point (NBP), European and Japanese liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices are stationary or non‐stationary. It then applies Johansen and Juselius cointegration technique for establishing long‐run correlation between respective oil prices and natural gas prices. The paper concludes that all individual series pertaining to oil and natural gas prices are non‐stationary and indeed having long‐run relationship, despite short term drift. Ordinary least square method was used to forecast individual natural gas prices in various markets, assuming of course, that historical relationship continues to hold with respective oil prices throughout the forecasting period. Natural gas prices in each of the markets are expected to be stronger during 2005–25 as compared to respective historical average prices showing the tightness of the market. The mean NBP and HH forecast during 2005–25 are expected to be 92 and 84 per cent stronger than the historical average, whilst LNG prices in Japan continue to exhibit stronger trends during the forecast period as compared to rest of the markets in Europe and North America ‐ showing greater dependency of imports and security of supply considerations.
Individual and Family Decisions About Organ Donation
Authors: WILKINSON T. M.
Published: January 2007

abstract  This paper examines, from a philosophical point of view, the ethics of the role of the family and the deceased in decisions about organ retrieval. The paper asks: Who, out of the individual and the family, should have the ultimate power to donate or withhold organs? On the side of respecting the wishes of the deceased individual, the paper considers and rejects arguments by analogy with bequest and from posthumous bodily integrity. It develops an argument for posthumous autonomy based on the liberal idea of self‐development and argues that this establishes a right of veto over donation. It claims, however, that whether the family's power to veto would conflict with posthumous autonomy rights depends on how it comes about. On the side of respecting the family's wishes, the paper first considers an argument from family distress. This supports a contingent, non‐rights‐based reason for the family's power that is trumped by the deceased's rights. It then outlines and criticises an argument based on family autonomy. The conclusion is that the individual has the right to veto the family's wish to donate and that, while the family has no right to veto the individual's wishes to donate, it can legitimately acquire this power and has done so in practice.
Directed Organ Donation: Discrimination or Autonomy?
Authors: PENNINGS GUIDO
Published: January 2007

abstract  Numerous measures have been proposed to change the collection procedure in order to increase the supply of organ donations. One such proposal is to give the candidate donors the right to direct their organs to groups of recipients characterised by specific features like sex, age, disease and geographic location. Four possible justifications for directed donation of organs are considered: the utilitarian benefit, the egalitarian principle of justice, the maximin principle of justice and the autonomy principle. It is concluded that none of these principles justifies the acceptance of designated donations. When potentially life‐saving resources are distributed, only a pure egalitarian distribution is in agreement with the principle of justice.s
Measuring potential negative effects of traditional harvesting practices on waterbirds: a case study with migrating curlews
Authors: Navedo J. G. , Masero J. A.
Published: January 2007

Because of potential conflicts between commercial and conservation interests, one challenge in coastal‐area management is how to regulate harvesting practices in coastal areas without adversely affecting the survival of migratory waterbirds. In most Spanish intertidal areas of importance for shorebirds, managers have concentrated only on stock management of the shellfish species. Here, we studied aspects of the foraging behaviour of Eurasian curlews Numenius arquata migrating through a Ramsar area in north Spain in the presence and absence of hand harvesters. We aimed to assess potential negative effects on curlews with a view to making coastal management recommendations that would help reduce conflict between local people and waterbirds. The average density of hand harvesters and foraging curlews at low tide was 0.56±0.09 persons per 10 ha and 16.47±0.73 birds per 10 ha, respectively. The presence of harvesters had a significant effect on foraging activity (no harvesting: 86.47±1.01%; harvesting: 82.70±1.00%). However, the absence of significant differences in all other foraging variables, between days with and without harvesting, indicated that curlews were able to compensate for the impact of harvesters on their foraging activity. We recommend, as a point of departure, that intertidal coastal managers of this Spanish site and similar areas of importance for shorebirds limit the harvesting load to <0.56 persons per 10 ha−1 at least during autumn migration.
Use of insulin glargine during pregnancy: a case–control pilot study
Authors: Price N , Bartlett C , Gillmer MD
Published: January 2007

Objective  To determine whether the use of insulin glargine during pregnancy is associated with an increase in the incidence of fetal macrosomia or adverse neonatal outcome.

Design  A matched case–control study.

Setting  Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.

Sample  Sixty‐four pregnant women treated with insulin during their pregnancies, 20 with type I diabetes and 44 with gestational diabetes.

Methods  Two groups of women were compared in matched pairs. A study group of 32 pregnant women with diabetes treated with insulin glargine during their pregnancy and a control group of 32 pregnant women treated with an intermediate‐acting human insulin (isophane or insulin zinc suspension) and matched for weight at booking, height, gestation at delivery, parity, fetal sex, duration of insulin use in pregnancy and glycaemic control during the third trimester of pregnancy (glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] concentration and mean blood glucose concentration).

Main outcome measures  Birthweight, centile birthweight, the incidence of fetal macrosomia (birthweight > 90th percentile) and neonatal morbidity in the two study groups.

Results  There was no significant difference between the birthweight or centile birthweight of babies born to the women treated with insulin glargine during pregnancy and that of the babies born to those in the control group treated with intermediate‐acting human insulin. The overall incidence of fetal macrosomia was 12/32 (37.5%) in the insulin glargine group and 13/32 (40.6%) in the control group. There was no significant difference in neonatal morbidity between the groups.

Conclusions  The results of this pilot study indicate that insulin glargine treatment during pregnancy does not appear to be associated with increased fetal macrosomia or neonatal morbidity.
Bimodal occurrence of aspartoacylase in myelin and cytosol of brain
Authors: Wang Jianfeng , Matalon Reuben , Bhatia Gita , Wu Gusheng , Li Hong , Liu Tong , Lu Zi‐Hua , Ledeen Robert W.
Published: January 2007

The growing use of N‐acetylaspartate as an indicator of neuronal viability has fostered interest in the biological function(s) of this unusual amino acid derivative. In considering the various physiological roles that have been proposed for this relatively abundant molecule one is obliged to take into account its unusual metabolic compartmentalization, according to which synthesis and storage occur in the neuron and hydrolytic cleavage in the oligodendrocyte. The latter reaction, catalyzed by aspartoacylase (ASPA), produces acetyl groups plus aspartate and has been proposed to occur in both soluble and membranous subfractions of white matter. Our study supports such bimodal occurrence and we now present immunoblot, proteomic, and biochemical evidence that the membrane‐bound form of ASPA is intrinsic to purified myelin membranes. This was supported by a novel TLC‐based method for the assay of ASPA. That observation, together with previous demonstrations of numerous lipid‐synthesizing enzymes in myelin, suggests utilization of acetyl groups liberated by myelin‐localized ASPA for lipid synthesis within the myelin sheath. Such synthesis might be selective and could explain the deficit of myelin lipids in animals lacking ASPA.
Differentiating embryonic neural progenitor cells induce blood–brain barrier properties
Authors: Weidenfeller Christian , Svendsen Clive N. , Shusta Eric V.
Published: January 2007

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a multifunctional endothelial interface separating the bloodstream from the brain interior. Although the mature BBB is well characterized, the embryonic development of this complex system remains poorly understood. Embryonic neural progenitor cells (NPC) are a potential inductive cell type populating the developing brain, and their ability to influence BBB properties was therefore examined. When puromycin‐purified brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) were co‐cultured with embryonic NPC in a two‐compartment Transwell system, the BMEC exhibited enhanced barrier properties in the form of increased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and decreased permeability to the small molecule tracer, sodium fluorescein. These changes required the presence of NPC in the early stages of differentiation and were accompanied by alterations in the fidelity of BMEC tight junctions as indicated by occludin, claudin 5, and zonula occluden‐1 redistribution at cell–cell borders. In contrast to the findings with NPC, post‐natal astrocytes elicited a delayed, but longer duration response in BMEC TEER. BMEC co‐culture also suppressed neuronal differentiation of NPC indicating a reciprocal signaling between the two cell populations. This study demonstrates that NPC–BMEC interactions are prevalent and for the first time demonstrates that NPC are capable of inducing BBB properties.
Amyloid β peptide ratio 42/40 but not Aβ42 correlates with phospho‐Tau in patients with low‐ and high‐CSF Aβ40 load
Authors: Wiltfang Jens , Esselmann Hermann , Bibl Mirko , Hüll Michael , Hampel Harald , Kessler Holger , Frölich Lutz , Schröder Johannes , Peters Oliver , Jessen Frank , Luckhaus Christian , Perneczky Robert , Jahn Holger , Fiszer Magdalena , Maler Juan Manuel , Zimmermann Rüdiger , Bruckmoser Ralf , Kornhuber Johannes , Lewczuk Piotr
Published: January 2007

Neurochemical dementia diagnostics (NDD) can significantly improve the clinically based categorization of patients with early dementia disorders, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of amyloid β peptides ending at the amino acid position of 42 (Aβx‐42 and Aβ1‐42) are widely accepted biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, in subjects with constitutively high‐ or low‐CSF concentrations of total Aβ peptides (tAβ), the NDD interpretation might lead to erroneous conclusions as these biomarkers seem to correlate better with the total Aβ load than with the pathological status of a given patient in such cases. In this multicenter study, we found significantly increased CSF concentrations of phosphorylated Tau (pTau181) and total Tau in the group of subjects with high CSF Aβx‐40 concentrations and decreased Aβx‐42/x‐40 concentration ratio compared with the group of subjects with low CSF Aβx‐40 and normal Aβ ratio (p < 0.001 in both cases). Furthermore, we observed significantly decreased Aβ ratio (p < 0.01) in the group of subjects with APOE ε4 allele compared with the group of subjects without this allele. Surprisingly, patients with low‐Aβx‐40 and the decreased Aβ ratio characterized with decreased pTau181 (p < 0.05), and unaltered total Tau compared with the subjects with high Aβx‐40 and the Aβ ratio in the normal range. We conclude that the amyloid β concentration ratio should replace the ‘raw’ concentrations of corresponding Aβ peptides to improve reliability of the neurochemical dementia diagnosis.
bold: The Barcode of Life Data System (http://www.barcodinglife.org)
Authors: RATNASINGHAM SUJEEVAN , HEBERT PAUL D. N.
Published: January 2007

The Barcode of Life Data System (bold) is an informatics workbench aiding the acquisition, storage, analysis and publication of DNA barcode records. By assembling molecular, morphological and distributional data, it bridges a traditional bioinformatics chasm. bold is freely available to any researcher with interests in DNA barcoding. By providing specialized services, it aids the assembly of records that meet the standards needed to gain BARCODE designation in the global sequence databases. Because of its web‐based delivery and flexible data security model, it is also well positioned to support projects that involve broad research alliances. This paper provides a brief introduction to the key elements of bold, discusses their functional capabilities, and concludes by examining computational resources and future prospects.
Sixteen new simple sequence repeat markers from Brassica juncea expressed sequences and their cross‐species amplification
Authors: HOPKINS CLARE J. , COGAN NOEL O. I. , HAND MELANIE , JEWELL ERICA , KAUR JATINDER , LI XI , LIM GERALDINE A. C. , LING ALISON E. , LOVE CHRISTOPHER , MOUNTFORD HAYLEY , TODOROVIC MARIJA , VARDY MEGAN , SPANGENBERG GERMAN C. , EDWARDS DAVID , BATLEY JACQUELINE
Published: January 2007

The availability of expressed sequence data derived from gene discovery programs enables mining for simple sequence repeats (SSR), providing useful genetic markers for crop improvement. These markers are inexpensive, require minimal labour to produce and can frequently be associated with functionally annotated genes. This study presents the development and characterization of 16 expressed sequence tags (EST)‐SSR markers from Brassica juncea and their cross‐amplification across Brassica species. Sixteen primer pairs were assessed for polymorphism in all genomes of the diploid and amphidiploid Brassica species. The markers show reliable amplification, considerable polymorphism and high transferability across species, demonstrating the utility of EST‐SSRs for genetic analysis of brassicas.
Assessing the potential of changing land use for reducing soil erosion and sediment yield of catchments: a case study in the highlands of northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tamene L. , Vlek P. L. G.
Published: January 2007

Reservoir sedimentation is the most serious threat for water harvesting schemes and hydroelectric power dams in Ethiopia. Designing watershed conservation strategies and management is crucial to reduce the rate of sedimentation. Because different landscape types have varying potentials for enhancing erosion processes, site‐ and process‐specific conservation measures are needed to target an appropriate intervention to the most needed locations. In this study, a GIS‐based distributed soil erosion/deposition model was used to simulate the potential of land‐use and cover (LUC) changes and conservation measures for reducing water induced soil erosion and potential sediment yield for two catchments in northern Ethiopia. LUC change and conservation measures targeted gully and stream buffers, protection of steep slopes and protection of areas with soil loss greater than a given threshold. The results show that land management measures targeted at hot‐spot areas of erosion and gully formation could reduce potential annual sediment yield from catchments by approximately 60% compared with the current losses. The study demonstrates the potential of a GIS‐based LUC‐redesign approach as a tool for optimizing land‐use and management strategies to reduce run‐off and erosion rates in the highlands of northern Ethiopia.
Utilizing New Prescription Drugs: Disparities among Non‐Hispanic Whites, Non‐Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanic Whites
Authors: Wang Junling , Zuckerman Ilene H. , Miller Nancy A. , Shaya Fadia T. , Noel Jason M. , Mullins C. Daniel
Published: January 2007

Objective. To examine racial and ethnic disparities in new prescription drug use.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Secondary data analyses of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (1996–2001), a national survey representative of U.S. noninstitutionalized civilian population. Drug approval dates were from the GenRx database of Mosby.

Study Design. A negative binomial model was used to compare annual number of times when new drugs were obtained across racial and ethnic groups. Covariates in the model were demographic, economic characteristics, and health status. Drugs were considered new if approved within the past 5 years. We compared non‐Hispanic whites with non‐Hispanic blacks, and non‐Hispanic whites with Hispanic whites, respectively, to examine racial and ethnic disparities separately.

Principal Findings. Descriptive analyses found smaller racial disparities than ethnic disparities: the average annual number of times when new drugs were obtained was higher among non‐Hispanic whites than non‐Hispanic blacks (1.71 versus 1.36; p<.01) and Hispanic whites (1.71 versus 1.11; p<.01). Multivariate analyses found smaller ethnic than racial disparities: the number was 22–33 percent lower among non‐Hispanic blacks than non‐Hispanic whites (significant), and 5–16 percent lower among Hispanic whites than non‐Hispanic whites (not always significant), respectively. While the absolute racial disparities decreased over the early years of the life cycles of the products, the reduction in disparities over time was not significant.

Conclusions. There are racial disparities in the use of new medications, which persist during the first 5 years of marketing. Socioeconomic and health characteristics account for a larger share of ethnic disparities than racial disparities.
Surgical anatomy of the liver, hepatic vasculature and bile ducts in the rat
Authors: Martins Paulo Ney Aguiar , Neuhaus Peter
Published: January 2007

Background: The rat is the most used experimental model in surgical research. Virtually all procedures in clinical liver surgery can be performed in the rat. However, the use of the rat model in liver surgery is limited by its small size and limited knowledge of the liver anatomy. As in humans, the rat liver vasculature and biliary system have many anatomical variations. The development of surgical techniques, and the study of liver function and diseases require detailed knowledge of the regional anatomy.

Aim: The objective of this study was to describe and illustrate systematically the surgical anatomy of the rat liver to facilitate the planning and performance of studies in this animal. Knowledge of the diameter and length of liver vessels is also important for the selection of catheters and perivascular devices.

Methods: Twelve Wistar rat livers were dissected using a surgical microscope. Hepatic and extrahepatic anatomical structures were measured under magnification with a millimeter scale.

Conclusion: In this study, we describe the rat liver topographical anatomy, compare it with the human liver and review the literature. Increased knowledge of the rat liver anatomy and microsurgical skills permit individualized dissection, parenchymal section, embolization and ligature of vascular and biliary branches.
Binocular Visual‐Field Loss Increases the Risk of Future Falls in Older White Women
Authors: Coleman Anne L. , Cummings Steven R. , Yu Fei , Kodjebacheva Gergana , Ensrud Kristine E. , Gutierrez Peter , Stone Katie L. , Cauley Jane A. , Pedula Kathryn L. , Hochberg Marc C. , Mangione Carol M. ,   for the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between binocular visual field loss and the risk of incident frequent falls in older white women.

DESIGN: A multicenter, prospective cohort study.

SETTING: Four clinic centers within the United States in Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon; and the Monongahela Valley, Pennsylvania.

PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand seventy‐one community‐dwelling white women aged 70 and older participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures.

MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was incident frequent falls, defined as two or more falls within 1 year. Primary risk factors were binocular visual field loss, distance visual acuity in the better eye, and contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency in the better eye.

RESULTS: Of 4,071 women, 409 (10%) had severe binocular visual field loss at the eye examination, and 643 (16%) experienced frequent falls within 1 year after their eye examination. Severe binocular visual field loss was significantly associated with frequent falls when adjusting for age, study site, and cognitive function (odds ratio=1.50, 95% confidence interval=1.11–2.02). The data showed a trend for increasing odds of two or more falls with greater binocular visual field loss (P<.001). In older white women with severe binocular visual field loss, 33.3% of frequent falls were attributable to visual field loss.

CONCLUSION: Women with binocular visual field loss are at greater risk of future frequent falls. Screening for binocular visual field loss may identify individuals at high risk of falling.
Regional abundance of a planthopper pest: the effect of host patch area and configuration
Authors: Grilli Mariano P. , Bruno Marina
Published: January 2007

The effect of host patch area and configuration on the abundance of dispersing individuals ofDelphacodes kuscheliFennah (Homoptera: Delphacidae), the vector of Río Cuarto disease in maize, was investigated in the main maize production area of Argentina. Actively dispersingD.kuscheliindividuals were collected from 15 sampling sites during the spring seasons of 1999 and 2000, using sticky traps placed at 6 m above ground level. Host patches were detected and quantified using Landsat 5 TM images for the periods studied. The spatial pattern analysis program FRAGSTATS was used to estimate the total class area, largest patch index, mean proximity index, and patch cohesion index for patches of winter pastures (the main insect host during winter) as observed from the satellite images. Landsat 5 TM estimations showed local variability in the proportion of winter pastures, with patches bigger during 1999 than during 2000, but these patches represented only a very small part of the total landscape. Proximity between host patches was also variable between sites and higher values of cohesion occurred during the first sampling season. The relationship between host area andD. kuschelimean abundance was adjusted to an exponential (R2= 77.5%) model. Host patch dominance, host patch isolation, and host patch connectivity all showed a positive relationship withD. kuschelimean abundance, adjusting significantly to linear models (R2= 92%, R2= 90%, and R2= 22%, respectively). Outbreaks of Río Cuarto disease in the main maize production area of Argentina are related to high vector populations. The results indicate that the abundance ofD. kuschelidepends on factors related to the abundance and configuration of its host patches.
Oral health of monozygotic twins with and without coronary heart disease: a pilot study
Authors: Tabrizi Farnaz , Buhlin Kåre , Gustafsson Anders , Klinge Björn
Published: January 2007

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health in monozygotic twins where one twin had coronary heart disease (CHD) and the other twin had no clinical signs of the disease.

Methods: Ten monozygotic twin pairs (age 55–81 years, eight male, and two female pairs) were recruited from the Swedish twin register. The inclusion criterion for participation was discordance regarding the presence of CHD within every twin pair. All participants underwent a full dental clinical examination including a panoramic radiograph.

Results: Twins with CHD had 51.5% bleeding on probing compared with 21.1% without CHD (p=0.01), and more pathological pockets (4 mm) were detected among those with CHD (20±15 versus 8±5), p=0.047). Twins with CHD had a reduced horizontal bone level in comparison with the healthy group (73%versus 78%, p=0.03). Logistic analyses using odds ratio (OR) showed that an increase of one periodontal pocket (4 mm) resulted in an increased risk for the actual twin of belonging to the CHD group (OR 1.17, p=0.03).

Conclusions: This study indicates worsened periodontal conditions among twins with CHD compared with their siblings with no history of CHD. This strengthens the association between periodontal inflammation and the presence of atherosclerosis.
Photoprotective effects of green tea polyphenols
Authors: Yusuf Nabiha , Irby Cynthia , Katiyar Santosh K. , Elmets Craig A.
Published: January 2007

Non‐melanoma skin cancer is the most common malignancy in humans and is equivalent to the incidence of malignancies in all other organs combined in the United States. Current methods of prevention depend on sunscreens in humans, efficacy of which is largely undetermined for non‐melanoma skin cancers. Green tea polyphenols have the greatest effect with respect to chemoprevention and have been found to be most potent at suppressing the carcinogenic activity of UV radiation. They protect against many of the other damaging effects of UV radiation such as UV‐induced sunburn response, UV‐induced immunosuppression and photoaging of the skin. They exert their photoprotective effects by various cellular, molecular and biochemical mechanisms in in vitro and in vivo systems. Green tea polyphenols thus have the potential, when used in conjunction with traditional sunscreens, to further protect the skin against the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are absent in skin lesions of polymorphic light eruption
Authors: Wackernagel Alexandra , Massone Cesare , Hoefler Gerald , Steinbauer Elisabeth , Kerl Helmut , Wolf Peter
Published: January 2007

Background/purpose: Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a common photodermatosis of potential autoimmune origin, and an overlap with lupus erythematosus (LE) has been described. Plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC)‐induced expression of interferon (IFN)‐α has been found to be present in LE skin lesions and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of LE by promoting autoimmunity. We therefore asked whether PDCs may also be involved in the pathogenesis of PLE and searched for those cells [which can be identified by their high levels of interleukin (IL)‐3 receptor α chain (CD123), combined with other cell markers such as CD68] in skin lesions.

Methods: Paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens from a total of 27 patients with clinically and histologically confirmed PLE (nine women, mean age 32.7 years, age range 18–43), LE (seven women, four men, CCLE: n=4, SCLE: n=2, lupus tumidus: n=5, mean age 48.5 years, age range 41–65) or psoriasis (four women, three men, mean age 43.3 years, age range 19–54) (as control group) were analyzed by immunohistochemical CD68/CD123 double staining. Quantification of the immunohistochemical staining was performed by visual cell counting of CD68−/CD123+, CD68+/123–, and CD68+/CD123+ cells separately in the epidermis and dermis of the samples in at least 10 random fields per sample at × 400 microscopic magnification by two of the investigators in a blinded fashion.

Results: Microscopic examination of the immunohistochemically stained sections revealed that CD68+/CD123+ cells were present in most specimens obtained from LE [10/11 (91%)] and psoriasis [6/7 (86%)] patients but not at all in those obtained from PLE patients. Quantification and statistical analysis of the dermal infiltrate revealed that CD68+/CD123+ cells were present at a mean±SEM field density of 5.6±1.3 in LE, 1.6±0.6 in psoriasis but totally absent in PLE (P=0.0010 vs. LE, P=0.0135 vs. psoriasis by an unpaired Student's t‐test).

Conclusion: The results confirm the potential significance of PDCs in LE and psoriasis, however the absence of PDCs in PLE contradicts the hypothesis that these cells might play a role in the latter disease.
Photosensitive rash due to the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib
Authors: Luu Minnelly , Lai Susan E. , Patel Jyoti , Guitart Joan , Lacouture Mario E.
Published: January 2007

A papulopustular rash occurs in 45–100% of patients undergoing anti‐cancer treatment with epidermal growth factor (EGFR) inhibitors. Although the majority of cases involve the face and upper trunk, ultraviolet radiation has not yet been documented to play a major role in inducing or exacerbating symptoms. We describe a 75‐year‐old man who was being treated with the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib and developed the characteristic rash on unprotected areas of the trunk after photoexposure, while the protected areas (face and neck) remained uninvolved. This case underscores the importance of sun protection in patients treated with EGFR inhibitors and supports in vitro data showing that EGFR blockade results in altered keratinocyte survival and proliferation in response to ultraviolet radiation.
Microbial‐associated oral lichenoid reactions
Authors: Bäckman K , Jontell M
Published: January 2007

Objective:  The objective of the present study was to compare a new type of symptomatic lichenoid reaction, specifically located on the mucosal side of the lips, and associated with microorganisms, with a matched group presenting with reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) of the buccal mucosa.

Patients and methods:  The mean age for both groups was 66 years with a predominance of women (62%). The lichenoid reaction group (n = 25) presented with a reticular reaction pattern embracing various degrees of erythema. Patients presenting with OLP had similar lesions confined to the buccal mucosa but not on the mucosal side of the lips.

Results:  In both groups, 80% were on any type of medication. However, 56% of the patients with lichenoid reactions medicated with more than three drugs compared with 29% (P < 0.05) in the OLP group. The former group more often used medicaments prescribed for cardiovascular diseases (48%vs 25%). Twenty‐two of the patients with lichenoid reactions were treated with chlorhexidine. In 80% of these patients (n = 18), the lesions improved or completely healed, indicating a microbial association.

Conclusion:  Lichenoid reactions present on the mucosal side of the lips may be initiated by microbial plaque precipitated on the buccal surfaces of the anterior teeth.
Versatile regulation of multisite protein phosphorylation by the order of phosphate processing and protein–protein interactions
Authors: Salazar Carlos , Höfer Thomas
Published: January 2007

Multisite protein phosphorylation is a common regulatory mechanism in cell signaling, and dramatically increases the possibilities for protein–protein interactions, conformational regulation, and phosphorylation pathways. However, there is at present no comprehensive picture of how these factors shape the response of a protein's phosphorylation state to changes in kinase and phosphatase activities. Here we provide a mathematical theory for the regulation of multisite protein phosphorylation based on the mechanistic description of elementary binding and catalytic steps. Explicit solutions for the steady‐state response curves and characteristic (de)phosphorylation times have been obtained in special cases. The order of phosphate processing and the characteristics of protein–protein interactions turn out to be of overriding importance for both sensitivity and speed of response. Random phosphate processing gives rise to shallow response curves, favoring intermediate phosphorylation states of the target, and rapid kinetics. Sequential processing is characterized by steeper response curves and slower kinetics. We show systematically how qualitative differences in target phosphorylation − including graded, switch‐like and bistable responses − are determined by the relative concentrations of enzyme and target as well as the enzyme–target affinities. In addition to collective effects of several phosphorylation sites, our analysis predicts that distinct phosphorylation patterns can be finely tuned by a single kinase. Taken together, this study suggests a versatile regulation of protein activation by the combined effect of structural, kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of multisite phosphorylation.
Cellular response to unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum of plants
Authors: Urade Reiko
Published: January 2007

Secretory and transmembrane proteins are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotic cells. Nascent polypeptide chains, which are translated on the rough ER, are translocated to the ER lumen and folded into their native conformation. When protein folding is inhibited because of mutations or unbalanced ratios of subunits of hetero‐oligomeric proteins, unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER in an event called ER stress. As ER stress often disturbs normal cellular functions, signal‐transduction pathways are activated in an attempt to maintain the homeostasis of the ER. These pathways are collectively referred to as the unfolded protein response (UPR). There have been great advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the UPR in yeast and mammals over the past two decades. In plants, a UPR analogous to those in yeast and mammals has been recognized and has recently attracted considerable attention. This review will summarize recent advances in the plant UPR and highlight the remaining questions that have yet to be addressed.
INFLUENCE OF MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE, TEST FOOD, TEETH AND MUSCLE FORCE INTERACTIONS IN MASTICATORY PERFORMANCE
Authors: GAMBARELI FLÁVIA RIQUETO , SERRA MARCIA DIAZ , PEREIRA LUCIANO JOSÉ , GAVIÃO MARIA BEATRIZ DUARTE
Published: January 2007

The role of texture and flavors in mastication is evident, but it is difficult to understand the interactions among food properties, oral physiology and perception. Mastication results from rhythmic mandibular movements. The teeth and masticatory muscles together form the mechanism whereby the food particles are fragmented. Masticatory performance and efficiency are defined as the capacity to reduce natural or artificial test materials during mastication, or by counting the number of strokes required to reduce food, respectively. Foods eaten for nourishment are very different from the industrial test materials used to quantify masticatory performance, thus, divergences could arise if the chewable material can or cannot be swallowed. This study presents a synopsis of masticatory performance methods, which is also related to muscle force, number of teeth and test chewing substance diversity.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The attributes of food, such as appearance, flavor and texture, as well as its interaction with saliva, number of teeth and conditions of the biomechanical system, influence the chewing process. In addition, reflex control and cognition can influence food perception and breakdown in the mouth. Food acceptability and choice depend on sensory properties of the food, which are perceived during chewing and swallowing. Masticatory performance and maximal occlusal force measurement may provide essential information that could lead to an appropriate diagnosis as regards masticatory function. Masticatory efficiency and performance can be measured to determine the individual's capacity to comminute a natural or a chewable test material. A material with uniform properties that can be reliably reproduced is essential to provide an ideal test bolus for the scientific study of masticatory effectiveness.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF COOKED RICE IN RELATION TO WATER‐TO‐RICE RATIO AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: SRISAWAS WEENA , JINDAL VINOD K.
Published: January 2007

The effects of cooking water‐to‐rice (W/R) ratio on the sensory characteristics of cooked rice eating quality of 14 varieties of Thai rice were investigated in relation to their physicochemical properties. Milled rice samples were cooked with five W/R ratios ranging from 1.3 to 2.5 on a weight basis and presented to 12 trained panelists for sensory evaluation. A three‐way analysis of variance and a principal component analysis identified the intensity of sensory hardness as the main characteristic of cooked rice. It decreased with increasing W/R ratio whereas sensory stickiness decreased. The overall acceptability based on appearance, texture and flavor attributes reached peak levels corresponding to optimum W/R ratios for different rice varieties, and was highly correlated with sensory hardness and stickiness. Partial least squares regression models of optimum W/R ratio and peak overall acceptability gave coefficients of determination of 0.991 and 0.980, respectively, thus indicating that the optimum W/R ratio and the acceptability ratings of cooked rice could be reliably predicted from the physicochemical properties such as the apparent amylose content, protein content, gel consistency, alkali‐spreading value and grain elongation ratio of milled rice.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Sensory evaluation of cooked rice eating qualities is a difficult task to carry out routinely on a day‐to‐day basis. Presently, rice varieties are categorized according to grain dimensions and selective physicochemical traits that reflect on the eating quality of cooked rice. Though it has been long realized that the amount of water used for cooking and rice physicochemical properties highly influence the eating quality of cooked rice, no information is currently available on the quantitative evaluation of these factors. Results of this study showed that models could be developed to quantify the optimum amount of water for cooking rice of different varieties with the most desirable sensory eating qualities. The prediction of peak overall sensory acceptability scores that correspond to the optimum cooking water‐to‐rice ratio could be useful for categorizing rice varieties based on their impact on sensory eating quality and for the development of baseline information for consumers by the rice industry.
DIFFERENTIAL CLEARANCE KINETICS OF ADHERED LAYER CONSTITUENTS FROM THE ORAL CAVITY AS MODULATOR FOR AFTERFEEL OF DRESSINGS: ATR FT‐IR MEASUREMENTS OF LOCALIZED ORAL COATINGS
Authors: DE JONGH HARMEN H.J. , JANSSEN ANKE M.
Published: January 2007

By analyzing swabs from different locations in the mouth (front and middle part of the tongue, cheek and palate) of four subjects after oral processing of dressings, the composition of the retained material was evaluated in time using infrared spectroscopy in an attempt to substantiate the physical origin of differences in afterfeel sensations indicated by a trained panel for these dressings. Three dressings were prepared, each containing 40% oil, 10–14% protein and either starch, xanthan or a mixture of these two polysaccharides as thickener. There was no differential retention of fat/oil between the dressings, oral location or subject. Protein and carbohydrates followed that same clearance kinetics, with two exceptions: (1) xanthan/protein from the middle part of the tongue; and (2) starch/protein from the cheek and palate that both cleared only very slowly (10–30 min). The relation of these findings with afterfeel and saliva action is discussed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work points to the origin of afterfeel sensations of composite foods and might therefore serve the food industry to better predict the impact of changes in formulation on consumer perception. It demonstrates that changing food components that are used for thickening of products must be seen in the context of their ingredient‐specific behavior in the oral cavity after consumption. Suppliers that provide tailor‐made ingredients could benefit from these results.
ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF MASSETER MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING CHEWING OF AGARS IN HEALTHY YOUNG MALES
Authors: ASHIDA ICHIRO , IWAMORI HAJIME , KAWAKAMI SHIN‐YA , MIYAOKA YOZO , MURAYAMA ATSUKO
Published: January 2007

This study examined the influences of rheological properties on mastication in eight healthy male subjects by recording an electromyogram (EMG) of the masseter (MS) muscle during chewing. Four different agars were tested: 0.5 and 1.5% ordinary agars (0.5OA and 1.5OA), and 2.5 and 4.0% Ina‐agar (2.5IA and 4.0IA). The hardness, adhesiveness and cohesiveness differed among the four agars, which is most likely because of the differences in the concentrations and constituents of the agars. Mastication time and the average amplitude of the MS EMG during chewing were longest and largest, respectively, with the 1.5OA followed by the 4.0IA. The activity pattern of the MS EMG differed between the first and last cycles of chewing sequences in each of the agars used; there were no differences between the first cycle activity patterns or the last cycle activity patterns when comparisons were made between the four agars. These results suggest that the rheological properties of the agars modify mastication and that the activity patterns of the MS muscle change during chewing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The present findings obtained by the analyses of rheological properties and physiological parameters, especially by the “TP” technique, suggest the following possible uses: (1) the TP technique can analyze foods at different angles from analysis by rheological properties; (2) a combination of rheological properties and physiological parameters (sensory evaluation as well) can lead more diversified analysis of foods in normal adults and (3) the combinational analysis of foods may be more useful in very young and disabled people who have difficulty of expressing impressions and experiences because of the objectiveness of the TP technique. The combinational analysis contributes to development of foods especially for very young and disabled people.
Quality of Life: Erosions and Opportunities Under Managed Care
Authors: Morreim E. Haavi
Published: January 2007

In recent years a number of commentators have discussed the importance of measuring quality of life (QL) in health care. We want to know whether an intervention will help people to live better, not just longer, and whether some treatments cause more trouble than they are worth. New technologies promise wondrous benefits. But when millions of people have no insured access to health care, and when many others face increasingly stringent limits on care, technologies’ high costs require us to choose what weshoulddo from the broader universe of what wecando.

The challenges to measuring QL are formidable. Researchers debate whether to measure general QL or disease-specific QL; whether to focus on functional status such as the patient's ability to walk and dress himself, or on the value people ascribe to that functional status; whether to seek the values of the general public, or to concentrate on people actually affected by a given disease or disability.
ERISA: State Tort Claim for Fraud and Negligent Misrepresentation Survives ERISA Preemption—Shea v. Esensten
Authors: Van Hemel Peter J.
Published: January 2007

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit held that ERISA did not preempt a Minnesota tort claim alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation against primary-care physicians who failed to disclose their financial incentives to minimize specialist referrals. The original action (“Shea I”) was filed in state court after the plaintiff's husband died of heart failure, alleging that his family doctors had assured him that referral to a cardiologist was unnecessary. The plaintiff filed a wrongful death suit against the doctors, their clinic, and her husband's HMO. Her complaint against the HMO alleged that certain financial incentives built into the HMO-physician contract were designed to minimize referrals to specialists. The HMO removed the case to the District of Minnesota, contending that ERISA preempted the plaintiff's wrongful death claim.
EMTALA: OIG/HCFA Special Advisory Bulletin Clarifies EMTALA, American College of Emergency Physicians Criticizes it
Authors: Rowes Jeffey
Published: January 2007

In December 1998, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) solicited comments from health care providers regarding the federal anti-patient dumping statute, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) (42 USCA §1395dd). EMTALA is a federal health care law of unprecedented breadth—the first universal benefit guaranteed by the federal government. It requires Medicare-participating hospitals with public emergency rooms, emergency physicians, and ancillary surgical and medical specialists to render adequate stabilizing treatment to whoever requests it. The 1998 Special Advisory Bulletin (63 FR 67486-01) sought input on four principal dimensions of EMTALA: (1) the statutory obligation to furnish adequate medical screening to anyone who visits an emergency room; (2) the responsibilities of health care providers towards enrollees of managed care organizations (MCOs); (3) the prior authorization and payment rules for Medicare and Medicaid; and (4) what practices would promote hospital compliance with EMTALA.
Is There aLingua Francafor Bioethics at the End of Life?
Authors: Derse Arthur R.
Published: January 2007

In this issue, Raphael Cohen-Almagor reviews some of the terms used in the discussion of bioethical issues at the end of a patient's life; he argues that they are “valueladen” and serve “primarily the physicians, at times at the expense of the patients’ best interest.” Each of the following terms comes under scrutiny: “death with dignity,” “persistent vegetative state,” “futility,” “double effect,” and “brain death.” He argues that these concepts, developed in recent decades, “have generated an unhealthy atmosphere for patients, which might lead to undesirable actions at the end of patients’ lives.” He issues a plea to discontinue the use of the term “persistent vegetative state” because it is dehumanizing, to explain “double effect” and “futility” in detail and with sincerity, and to clarify the motivation for using these terms and others. He warns physicians not to use terminology that is offensive to patients and loved ones or that weakens their patients’ will to live.
The Ethical Analysis of Risk
Authors: Weijer Charles
Published: January 2007

The institutional review board (IRB) is the social-oversight mechanism charged with protecting research subjects. Performing this task competently requires that the IRB scrutinize informed-consent procedures, the balance of risks and potential benefits, and subject-selection procedures in research protocols. Unfortunately, it may be said that IRBs are spending too much time editing informed-consent forms and too little time analyzing the risks and potential benefits posed by research. This time mismanagement is clearly reflected in the research ethics literature. A review of articles published between 1979 and 1990 in IRB: A Review of Human Subjects Research, for example, reveals a large number of articles on informed consent and confidentiality (142 articles) and considerably fewer on the assessment of risks and potential harms (40), study design (20), and subject-selection procedures (5).