bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Headache and Migraine: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Adams Jon , Barbery Gaery , Lui Chi‐Wai
Published: October 2012

Contexts.— An evidence base for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) consumption within general populations is emerging. However, research data on CAM use for headache disorders remain poorly documented. This paper, constituting the first critical review of literature on this topic, provides a synopsis and evaluation of the research findings on CAM use among patients with headache and migraine.

Methods.— A comprehensive search of literature from 2000 to 2011 in CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, and Health Sources was conducted. The search was confined to peer‐reviewed articles published in English reporting empirical research findings of CAM use among people with primary headache or migraine.

Results.— The review highlights a substantial level of CAM use among people with headache and migraine. There is also evidence of many headache and migraine sufferers using CAM concurrent to their conventional medicine use. Overall, the existing studies have been methodologically weak and there is a need for further rigorous research employing mixed method designs and utilizing large national samples.

Discussion.— The critical review highlights the substantial prevalence of CAM use among people with headache and migraine as a significant health care delivery issue, and health care professionals should be prepared to inquire and discuss possible CAM use with their patients during consultations. Health care providers should also pay attention to the possible adverse effects of CAM or interactions between CAM and conventional medical treatments among headache and migraine patients.
Cluster‐Like Headache Secondary to Parasagittal Hemangiopericytoma
Authors: Fontaine Denys , Almairac Fabien , Mondot Lydiane , Lanteri‐Minet Michel
Published: October 2012

We describe an original case of cluster‐like headache CLH) revealing a parasagittal tumor invading the superior sagittal sinus (SSS). Resection of the tumor (hemangiopericytoma) allowed the re‐permeabilization of the SSS and was followed by the complete disappearance of CLH. Several mechanisms including obstruction of the SSS, hypervascularization with arterio‐veinous shunt, and overflow in the cavernous sinus might explain the symptoms.
Soft Tissue Artifact in Canine Kinematic Gait Analysis
Authors: Schwencke Monique , Smolders Luc A. , Bergknut Niklas , Gustås Pia , Meij Bjorn P. , Hazewinkel Herman A.
Published: October 2012

Objective

To investigate, noninvasively, the soft tissue artifact (STA) in canine kinematic gait analysis.

Study Design

Experimental study.

Animals

Labrador retrievers (n = 4).

Methods

Kinematic study: Reflective markers were glued to the skin over bony landmarks, with the distance between 2 markers representing the length of the underlying scapula, humerus, ulna, femur, and crus. The distance between these markers (marker distance [MD]) was measured with infrared cameras while the dogs stood still or walked on a treadmill.Fluoroscopy study: Radiopaque markers were glued on the skin over the spinous process of the L6 vertebra and the stifle to allow fluoroscopic observation of the markers and underlying skeletal segments while the dogs walked on the treadmill. The position of the markers was compared with the position of the underlying skeletal segments during different phases of the step cycle.

Results

Kinematic study: Significant differences were found between MD during standing and walking for all bones investigated. Mean percentage differences in MD ranged from –18% to +6%.Fluoroscopy study: Significant displacements relative to the bony landmarks were found ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 cm.

Conclusions

Analysis of the motion of skeletal structures with the use of markers attached to the skin showed that the skin moves relative to underlying skeletal structures. When working with a 3‐D motion‐capture system using skin markers, researchers should be aware that the STA could significantly influence their results.
Dynamic Use Diffusion Model in a Cross‐National Context: A Comparative Study of the United States, Sweden, and India
Authors: Shih Eric , Venkatesh Alladi , Chen Steven , Kruse Erik
Published: October 2012

This study proposes a model of dynamic use diffusion that serves as a basis for investigating post‐adoption technology‐usage behavior. Dynamic use diffusion measures the extent to which technology usage has evolved since the time of adoption. Herein, antecedents and consequences of dynamic use diffusion are investigated. A large‐scale, random sample survey was conducted in the United States, Sweden, and India on the use of Internet and computing technology. The survey results suggest that while the antecedents of dynamic use diffusion are similar across the three countries, the consequences are somewhat different for India. These differences can be attributed to the national cultural differences of India compared with the United States and Sweden with regard to power distance beliefs.
The Effects of Brand Strategy and Technological Uncertainty on Pioneering Advantage in the Multigenerational Product Market
Authors: Chang Dae Ryun , Park Se‐Bum
Published: October 2012

This research investigates how brand strategy and technological uncertainty influence the order‐of‐entry effects for a previous generation pioneer in the successive generation. The findings of our longitudinal experiment reemphasize the importance of continuous pioneering, demonstrating that consumers exhibit a strong preference for a previous generation pioneer's product when it continues to pioneer the successive generation. More importantly, the findings indicate that continuous pioneering with a new brand leads to greater brand preferences when technological uncertainty is high. This is because in that condition, consumers perceive greater innovativeness with a new brand than with the extant one. On the other hand, an extant brand increases consumer brand preferences for a previous generation pioneer's product in the successive generation when technological uncertainty is low. The theoretical and practical implications of the results for understanding and managing pioneering advantage and brand strategy in the multigenerational product markets are discussed.
How Do Employees Invest Abundant Resources? The Mediating Role of Work Effort in the Job‐Embeddedness/Job‐Performance Relationship
Authors: Wheeler Anthony R. , Harris Kenneth J. , Sablynski Chris J.
Published: October 2012

The present study extends conservation of resources (COR) theory by examining how employees invest abundant resources. Building on the notion of resource caravans, we conceptualized job embeddedness as a state of resource abundance that employees invest into work effort, which mediates the job‐embeddedness/job‐performance relationship. Using mediated usefulness analyses on data obtained from a sample of 1,989 employees working across 6 locations within a hospital system, we found work effort fully mediated the organizational job‐embeddedness/job‐performance relationship, while also finding that community job embeddedness directly predicted job performance. We interpret these results as evidence that employees are differentially motivated to invest resources into effort and performance. Implications for COR theory and management practice are discussed.
Biotic and abiotic effects on cohort size distributions in fish
Authors: Ohlberger Jan , Otero Jaime , Edeline Eric , Winfield Ian J. , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Vøllestad L. Asbjørn
Published: October 2012

Intraspecific variation in body size is common in animals and plants. Body size affects trophic interactions like foraging ability and vulnerability to predation, which in turn affect individual fitness as well as population stability and extinction risk. Experimental and theoretical work has shown that the size distribution of individuals within cohorts is strongly influenced by intraspecific competition for resources, often leading to skewed frequency distributions. However, little is known about the effects of environmental factors such as climate and eutrophication on the cohort size‐structure of natural populations. We use a long‐term time series of scientific monitoring of a freshwater fish (European perch Perca fluviatilis) to investigate the effects of density dependence, predation, nutrient availability, climate and the timing of spawning on the cohort size distributions. We find that the mean length of the fish is best predicted by the extrinsic factors phosphorus concentration and summer temperature, and the densities of the different age‐classes, whereas the skewness of the length distribution is best predicted by phosphorus concentration, summer temperature, abundance of small fish, and the timing of spawning. Higher nutrient levels, temperatures and densities of small fish increase food availability and thus reduce competition, which is reflected in increased mean length and decreased skewness. The timing of spawning affects skewness presumably through changes in the initial size variation of the cohort and the length of the first growth season. Our results indicate that higher temperatures increase the mean length and decrease skewness due to the concurrent eutrophication of the lake. The study thereby highlights the potential impact of human‐induced environmental change on the size structure of fish populations. More studies are needed to understand better the complex mechanisms through which these factors alter the intensity of intraspecific competition in fish communities.
Simulated responses of moose populations to browsing‐induced changes in plant architecture and forage production
Authors: Pastor John , De Jager Nathan R.
Published: October 2012

We and others have previously shown that browsing by large mammalian herbivores can alter the fractal dimension and other architectural properties of plant crowns. Using data from an experiment in northern Sweden which manipulated moose population densities from 0 to 50 moose per 1000 ha and measured architectural responses of birch, Betula pendula and B. pubescens, and Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, we constructed a simulation model to examine how these changes in plant crown architecture affect moose population dynamics. Architectural changes in birch tree crowns caused forage availability to increase from low to moderate moose population densities, then decline at higher densities. In contrast, forage availability of pine decreased monotonically with increasing moose population density. The model, which incorporated equations fitted to these experimental results, predicted realistic moose population densities for northern Sweden. More importantly, the model also predicted that the quadratic responses of birch crowns to moose browsing results in moose population oscillations on high productivity sites because the moose population density overshoots the maximum birch forage availability then declines. Changes in the geometry of plant canopies caused by mammalian browsers and soil fertility may feed back on the population dynamics of the browsers themselves and even result in complex dynamics such as population oscillations.
High‐temperature‐induced reductions in cropping in everbearing strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are associated with reduced pollen performance
Authors: Karapatzak E.K. , Wagstaffe A. , Hadley P. , Battey N.H.
Published: October 2012

Heat‐induced short‐term reductions in cropping (often referred to as ‘thermodormancy’ by UK strawberry growers) occur frequently in extended‐season everbearing strawberry production in the UK. A 2‐year study evaluated the effects of high temperatures on the performance of pollen in two everbearing strawberry cultivars (cvs ‘Everest’ and ‘Diamante’). Pollen from both cultivars lost its ability to germinate following exposure to a period of high temperature (30/20°C day/night). However, after termination of the high‐temperature episode, germination capacity recovered to levels similar to control plants that were not exposed to high temperature. High temperature also resulted in slower rates of pollen tube growth. As a result, only a small proportion of high‐temperature‐affected flowers developed into fruits. These results suggest that heat‐induced reductions in cropping in everbearing strawberries are associated with reduced pollen performance.
A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of nightly sildenafil citrate to preserve erectile function after radiation treatment for prostate cancer
Authors: Ilic Dragan , Hindson Ben , Duchesne Gillian , Millar Jeremy L
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common adverse event associated with treatment for prostate cancer. This study aimed to identify whether early, regular use of sildenafil after radiation treatment for prostate cancer is effective at reducing the rate of ED at 2 years.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial with 27 men planned for radiation treatment for localised prostate cancer recruited from a single radiotherapy centre in Australia. Men were randomised to receive daily sildenafil, or a placebo tablet, for 6 months. The primary end‐point was erectile function, as measured by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, at 2‐year follow‐up. The abridged IIEF‐5 survey was also used during the treatment period, and could be derived from the full IIEF at other time‐points. Two‐sided Student's t‐tests and Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used for the analysis of continuous outcomes, with Fisher's exact test for dichotomous outcomes.

Results

No difference was seen at 2 years in the primary end‐point, and IIEF scores did not differ significantly between groups during the study. Men in the sildenafil group exhibited significantly better IIEF‐5 scores at 4 weeks (P = 0.02) and 6 months (P = 0.02). There was no difference in erectile function scores between the two groups throughout the treatment period. No significant difference in adverse events was identified between the two groups.

Conclusion

There was no evidence from this trial that sildenafil provides long‐term erectile function for patients while on medication. Regular use of sildenafil may improve short‐term sexual function for patients while on medication. Larger trials are required to examine the effectiveness of implementing sildenafil for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.
Radiation with cisplatin or carboplatin for locally advanced cervix cancer: The experience of a tertiary cancer centre
Authors: Au‐Yeung George , Mileshkin Linda , Bernshaw David M , Kondalsamy‐Chennakesavan Srinivas , Rischin Danny , Narayan Kailash
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Definitive treatment with concurrent cisplatin and radiation is the standard of care for locally advanced cervix cancer. The optimal management of patients with a contraindication to cisplatin has not been established. We conducted a retrospective audit of concurrent chemotherapy in a cohort of patients with locally advanced cervix cancer.

Methods

All patients with locally advanced cervix cancer treated with definitive radiation were entered into a prospective database. Information regarding their demographics, stage, histology, recurrence and survival were recorded. Pharmacy records were reviewed to determine concurrent chemotherapy use.

Results

A total of 442 patients were included in the audit. Two hundred sixty‐nine patients received cisplatin, 59 received carboplatin and 114 received no concurrent chemotherapy. Overall survival was significantly improved with the use of concurrent cisplatin compared with radiation alone (adjusted hazard ratio 0.53, P = 0.001), as was disease‐free survival and rate of distant failure. The use of carboplatin was not associated with any significant benefit in terms of overall survival or disease‐free survival.

Conclusion

The results of this audit are consistent with the known significant survival benefit with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy. However, there did not appear to be any significant benefit with carboplatin although there were potential confounding factors. The available evidence in the literature would favour the use of non‐platinum chemotherapy rather than carboplatin in patients with contraindications to cisplatin.
Human cytomegalovirus infection in humanized liver chimeric mice
Authors: Kawahara Toshiyasu , Lisboa Luiz Filipe , Cader Sonia , Douglas Donna N. , Nourbakhsh Mahra , Pu Christopher H. , Lewis Jamie T. , Churchill Thomas A. , Humar Atul , Kneteman Norman M.
Published: October 2012

Aim

Cytomegalovirus is a common viral pathogen that influences the outcome of organ transplantation. To date, there is no established method to evaluate the effects of human CMV (HCMV) treatments in vivo except for human clinical trials. In the current study, we describe the development of a mouse model that supports the in vivo propagation of HCMV.

Methods

One million viable human hepatocytes, purified from human livers, were injected into the spleens of severe combined immunodeficient/albumin linked‐urokinase type plasminogen activator transgenic mice. A clinical strain of HCMV was inoculated in mice with confirmed human hepatocyte engraftment or in non‐chimeric controls. Infection was monitored through HCMV titers in the plasma. Mice were administrated ganciclovir (50 mg/kg per day, i.p.) beginning at 2 days post‐HCMV inoculation, or human liver natural killer (NK) cells (20 × 106 cells/mouse, i.v.) 1 day prior to HCMV inoculation.

Results

Chimeric mice that received HCMV showed high plasma titers of HCMV DNA on days 1 and 6 that became undetectable by day 11 post‐inoculation. In contrast, non‐transplanted mice had only residual plasma inoculum detection at day 1 and no detectable viremia thereafter. The levels of HCMV DNA were reduced by ganciclovir treatment or by human liver NK cell adoptive transfer, while HCMV‐infected chimeric mice that were not treated sustained viremia during the follow up.

Conclusion

Human liver chimeric mice provide an in vivo model for the study of acute HCMV infection of hepatocytes.
Association of internal exposure of cadmium and lead with periodontal disease: a study of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Won Young‐Soon , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Kim Young‐Soo , Bae Kwang‐Hak
Published: October 2012

Aims

This study was performed to examine the association of the internal exposure of cadmium and lead with periodontitis in a representative sample of adults, who were involved in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Materials and methods

One thousand nine hundred and sixty‐six subjects over the age of 19 who participated in KNHANES were examined. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) exposure were grouped into three categories: low (<25th percentile), middle (25th–75th percentile) and high (≥75th percentile). The periodontal status was assessed by the Community Periodontal Index. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to get the adjusted odds ratio (OR), and subgroup analysis was also performed. All analyses considered a complex sampling design.

Results

The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed associations of Cd with periodontitis. Subjects with a high Cd had a 1.57 (95% CI: 1.03‐2.38) times higher OR for periodontitis than those with a low Cd. In the subgroup analysis, the association of Pb and Cd with periodontitis was different according to the strata of gender and smoking.

Conclusions

High Cd could be associated with periodontitis in females and current smokers, and middle Pb showed associations in females and non‐smokers among a representative sample of adults in Korea.
New records of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) predation by Brazilian Hemipteran predatory bugs
Authors: Bueno V. H. P. , van Lenteren J. C. , Lins J. C. , Calixto A. M. , Montes F. C. , Silva D. B. , Santiago L. D. , Pérez L. M.
Published: October 2012

The tomato borer Tuta absoluta, native to western South America, is an extremely devastating pest in tomato crops in most of South America, Europe and Africa North of the Sahel, causes yield losses up to 100% and decreases fruit quality in open field and greenhouse crops if control methods are not applied. In Brazil two other important lepidopteran pests – Neoleucinodes elegantalis and Helicoverpa zea – occur in tomato, as well as thrips, whiteflies and aphids. For control of these pests, frequent applications of pesticides of up to 5 times per week are needed, and these resulted in the appearance of resistant populations to a number of active ingredients and decimation of natural enemies. Biological control may offer a better, safer and more sustainable opportunity for pest management. Mirid predatory bugs are currently used with success in southern Europe to control T. absoluta and other pests. In Brazil, four Hemipteran predatory bugs, not yet known to attack T. absoluta, were found to successfully prey on eggs and larvae of this pest. The first results on their predation capacity, development, survival and reproduction on T. absoluta on tomato plants are presented.
Modeling the Growth of Escherichia coli under the Effects of Carum copticum Essential Oil, pH, Temperature and NaCl Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Shahnia Maryam , Schaffner Donald W. , Khanlarkhani Ali , Shahraz Farzaneh , Radmehr Behrad , Khaksar Ramin
Published: October 2012

The effects of temperature (20–42C), pH value (4.5–8.5), concentration of sodium chloride (0–5% w/v) and concentration of Carum copticum essential oil (0–750 ppm) on the growth parameters of Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) were investigated. The growth curves generated within different conditions were fitted using Baranyi function. To achieve much more useful results in the context of hazard analysis and critical control points and risk analysis studies, the variation on model parameters was obtained using Monte Carlo analysis. A normal distribution over the experimental data was considered. Two growth parameters (growth rate [GR] and lag time [LT]) of the growth curves under combined effects of temperature, pH, sodium chloride and essential oil were modeled using a quadratic polynomial equation of response surface (RS) model. Mathematical evaluation demonstrated that the standard error of prediction (%SEP) and root mean square error obtained by RS model were 13.941% and 0.011 for GR and 0.274% and 0.053 for LT for model establishing. The results showed that RS model provided a useful and accurate method for predicting the growth parameters of E. coli and could be applied to ensure food safety with respect to E. coli control.

Practical Applications

The increasing incidence of foodborne outbreaks resulting in social and economic losses still provokes the need to search for novel strategies in order to prevent food contamination. In this panorama, plant extracts have emerged as unique sources of useful metabolites to provide microbiological safety of foods. Carum copticum is an aromatic, grassy, annual plant that geographically grows in Iran, India, Pakistan and Egypt, and its antimicrobial activities have been established in previous studies. In addition, during the recent decades, there has been a dramatic enhancement in research on the development of mathematical models. Growth predictive modeling has been so widespread that it is now one of the most rapidly advancing fields of study. Over the past few years, response surface methodology (RSM) has been proposed as an efficient modeling technique in predictive microbiology. Considering this, we suggest that RSM can be used as a prediction tool in food safety.
Medical termination of pregnancy in cynomolgus macaques
Authors: Micks Elizabeth , Shekell Taylor , Stanley Jessica , Zelinski Mary , Martin Lauren , Riefenberg Serena , Adevai Tiffany , Jensen Jeffrey
Published: October 2012

Background

Although pregnancy is expected during studies of novel contraceptives in non‐human primates, gestation, delivery, and lactation remove females from groups for prolonged intervals. As the macaque cervix does not facilitate transcervical surgical termination of pregnancy, we sought to establish a medical termination protocol.

Methods

A descriptive case series of outcomes of medical termination of pregnancy up to 32 days gestation in cynomolgus monkeys. Efficacy and time to uterine resolution were determined according to medication, dose, and route of administration.

Results

Thirty‐seven macaques underwent 65 medical terminations. Over 80% of animals terminated after initial treatment with mifepristone 20 mg intramuscularly (IM). Intrafetal methotrexate was effective for salvage treatment. Medical termination regimens were less effective for animals receiving investigational contraceptive agents.

Conclusions

Medical termination for macaques is safe and effective. We recommend a protocol with mifepristone 20 mg IM and misoprostol 200 µg buccally as initial treatment.
Regulation of iron–sulphur cluster homeostasis through transcriptional control of the Isc pathway by [2Fe–2S]–IscR in Escherichia coli
Authors: Giel Jennifer L. , Nesbit April D. , Mettert Erin L. , Fleischhacker Angela S. , Wanta Brendan T. , Kiley Patricia J.
Published: October 2012

Fe–S clusters are essential across the biological world, yet how cells regulate expression of Fe–S cluster biogenesis pathways to cope with changes in Fe–S cluster demand is not well understood. Here, we describe the mechanism by which IscR, a [2Fe–2S] cluster‐containing regulator of Escherichia coli, adjusts the synthesis of the Isc Fe–S biogenesis pathway to maintain Fe–S homeostasis. Our data indicate that a negative feedback loop operates to repress transcription of the iscRSUA–hscBA–fdx operon, encoding IscR and the Isc machinery, through binding of [2Fe–2S]–IscR to two upstream binding sites. IscR was shown to require primarily the Isc pathway for synthesis of its Fe–S cluster, providing a link between IscR activity and demands for Fe–S clusters through the levels of the Isc system. Surprisingly, the isc operon was more repressed under anaerobic conditions, indicating increased Fe–S cluster occupancy of IscR and decreased Fe–S cluster biogenesis demand relative to aerobic conditions. Consistent with this notion, overexpression of a Fe–S protein under aerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions, led to derepression of PiscR. Together, these data show how transcriptional control of iscRSUA–hscBA–fdx by [2Fe–2S]–IscR allows E. coli to respond efficiently to varying Fe–S demands.
Identification of glucose kinase‐dependent and ‐independent pathways for carbon control of primary metabolism, development and antibiotic production inStreptomyces coelicolorby quantitative proteomics
Authors: Gubbens Jacob , Janus Marleen , Florea Bogdan I. , Overkleeft Herman S. , van Wezel Gilles P.
Published: October 2012

Members of the soil‐dwelling prokaryotic genusStreptomycesare indispensable for the recycling of complex polysaccharides, and produce a wide range of natural products. Nutrient availability is a major determinant for the switch to development and antibiotic production in streptomycetes. Carbon catabolite repression (CCR), a main signalling pathway underlying this phenomenon, was so far considered fully dependent on the glycolytic enzyme glucose kinase (Glk). Here we provide evidence of a novelGlk‐independent pathway inStreptomyces coelicolor, using advanced proteomics that allowed the comparison of the expression of some 2000 proteins, including virtually all enzymes for central metabolism. WhileCCRand inducer exclusion of enzymes for primary and secondary metabolism and precursor supply for natural products is mostly mediated viaGlk, enzymes for the urea cycle, as well as for biosynthesis of the γ‐butyrolactoneScb1 and the responsive cryptic polyketideCpkare subject toGlk‐independentCCR. Deletion ofglkAled to strong downregulation of biosynthetic proteins for prodigionins and calcium‐dependent antibiotic (CDA) in mannitol‐grown cultures. Repression ofbldB,bldN, and its targetbldMmay explain the poor development ofS. coelicoloron solid‐grown cultures containing glucose. A new model for carbon catabolite repression in streptomycetes is presented.
Arecoline‐stimulated placenta growth factor production in gingival epithelial cells: modulation by curcumin
Authors: Cheng S‐J , Ko H‐H , Cheng S‐L , Lee J‐J , Chen H‐M , Chang H‐H , Kok S‐H , Kuo MY‐P , Chiang C‐P
Published: October 2012

Objective

Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is associated with the progression and prognosis of oral cancer.

Materials and Methods

This study used ELISA, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting to study the arecoline‐stimulated (PlGF) protein or mRNA expression in human gingival epithelial S‐G cells.

Results

Arecoline, a major areca nut alkaloid and an oral carcinogen, could stimulate PlGF protein synthesis in S‐G cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The levels of PlGF protein secretion increased about 3.1‐ and 3.8‐fold after 24‐h exposure to 0.4 and 0.8 mM arecoline, respectively. Pretreatment with antioxidant N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) and ERK inhibitor PD98059, but not NF‐κB inhibitor Bay 11‐7082, JNK inhibitor SP600125, p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, and PI3‐K inhibitor LY294002, significantly reduced arecoline‐induced PlGF protein synthesis. ELISA analyses demonstrated that NAC and PD98059 reduced about 43% and 38% of the arecoline‐induced PlGF protein secretion, respectively. However, combined treatment with NAC and PD98059 did not show additive effect. Moreover, 10 μM curcumin and 4 mM NAC significantly inhibited arecoline‐induced ERK activation. Furthermore, 10 μM curcumin completely blocked arecoline‐induced PlGF mRNA expression.

Conclusion

Arecoline‐induced PlGF synthesis is probably mediated by reactive oxygen species/ERK pathways, and curcumin may be an useful agent in controlling oral carcinogenesis.
Significant reduction of homocysteine level with multiple B vitamins in atrophic glossitis patients
Authors: Sun A , Wang Y‐P , Lin H‐P , Chen H‐M , Cheng S‐J , Chiang C‐P
Published: October 2012

Objective

This study evaluated whether supplementations of different vitamins and iron could reduce the serum homocysteine levels in 91 atrophic glossitis (AG) patients.

Materials and Methods

Atrophic glossitis (AG) patients with concomitant deficiencies of vitamin B12 only (n = 39, group I), folic acid only (n = 10, group II), iron only (n = 9, group III), or vitamin B12 plus iron (n = 19, group IV) were treated with vitamin BC capsules plus deficient hematinics. AG patients without definite hematinic deficiencies (n = 14, group V) were treated with vitamin BC capsules only. The blood homocysteine and hematinic levels at baseline and after treatment till all oral symptoms had disappeared were measured and compared by paired t‐test.

Results

Supplementations with vitamin BC capsules plus corresponding deficient hematinics for groups I, II, III, IV patients and with vitamin BC capsules only for group V patients could reduce the high serum homocysteine levels to significantly lower levels after a mean treatment period of 8.3–11.6 months (all P‐values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Supplementations with vitamin BC capsules plus corresponding deficient hematinics or with vitamin BC capsules only can reduce the high serum homocysteine levels to significantly lower levels in AG patients.
RNAi‐mediated Ultra‐low gossypol cottonseed trait: performance of transgenic lines under field conditions
Authors: Palle Sreenath R. , Campbell LeAnne M. , Pandeya Devendra , Puckhaber Lorraine , Tollack Lauren K. , Marcel Sylvain , Sundaram Sabarinath , Stipanovic Robert D. , Wedegaertner Thomas C. , Hinze Lori , Rathore Keerti S.
Published: October 2012

Cottonseed remains a low‐value by‐product of lint production mainly due to the presence of toxic gossypol that makes it unfit for monogastrics. Ultra‐low gossypol cottonseed (ULGCS) lines were developed using RNAi knockdown of δ‐cadinene synthase gene(s) in Gossypium hirsutum. The purpose of the current study was to assess the stability and specificity of the ULGCS trait and evaluate the agronomic performance of the transgenic lines. Trials conducted over a period of 3 years show that the ULGCS trait was stable under field conditions and the foliage/floral organs of transgenic lines contained wild‐type levels of gossypol and related terpenoids. Although it was a relatively small‐scale study, we did not observe any negative effects on either the yield or quality of the fibre and seed in the transgenic lines compared with the nontransgenic parental plants. Compositional analysis was performed on the seeds obtained from plants grown in the field during 2009. As expected, the major difference between the ULGCS and wild‐type cottonseeds was in terms of their gossypol levels. With the exception of oil content, the composition of ULGCS was similar to that of nontransgenic cottonseeds. Interestingly, the ULGCS had significantly higher (4%–8%) oil content compared with the seeds from the nontransgenic parent. Field trial results confirmed the stability and specificity of the ULGCS trait suggesting that this RNAi‐based product has the potential to be commercially viable. Thus, it may be possible to enhance and expand the nutritional utility of the annual cottonseed output to fulfil the ever‐increasing needs of humanity.
Criticising from “Outside”
Authors: Diamond Cora
Published: October 2012

I look at a disagreement between Elizabeth Anscombe, on the one hand, and Peter Winch and Ilham Dilman, on the other, about whether it is legitimate to call something an error that counts as knowledge within some alien system of belief; and I look also at the question what Wittgenstein's view was. I try to show that our understanding of what is real cannot be adequately elucidated if we consider only its role within language‐games, and I argue that an important element in our thinking about what is and is not real emerges in our response to conflicting modes of thought.
CanIHave Your Pain?
Authors: Schroeder Severin
Published: October 2012

In the so‐called private language argument,Wittgenstein argues both against the alleged epistemological privacy of sensations and against their alleged ontological privacy, that is, the common view that somebody else cannothavemy pain. A prominent proponent of the claim of sensations' ontological privacy wasGottlobFrege, whose position has recently been defended byWolfgangKünne. This paper reconsidersWittgenstein's objections to ontological privacy and attempts to defendWittgenstein's position againstKünne'sFrege‐inspired arguments.
Firm Heterogeneity, Informal Wage and Good Governance
Authors: Marjit Sugata , Kar Saibal
Published: October 2012

This paper provides an analysis of enforcement policies applicable to formal sector in dual labor markets, using a framework with heterogeneous firms, endogenous determination of informal wage, and politically dictated enforcement strategies. Firms that operate both in the formal and informal sectors do very little to increase employment when faced with the opportunity of hiring workers in the informal labor market. Thus enforcement of labor laws and other regulations should not have aggregate employment effects, particularly when workers are productively homogeneous. For firms operating exclusively in the informal sector, the outcome is different. Such features determine the stringency of enforcement in a market characterized by firms with varying levels of productivity. For example, in the case of firms with relatively high levels of productivity, enforcement has to be stricter than in the case with relatively low productivity firms. Taxing the more productive seems to be the optimal strategy.
Firing Regulations and Firm Size in the Developing World: Evidence from Differential Enforcement
Authors: Almeida Rita K. , Susanlı Z. Bilgen
Published: October 2012

This paper examines how stringent de facto firing regulations affect firm size throughout the developing world. A large firm level dataset is used across 63 countries and within country variation in the enforcement of the labor codes in countries with very different de jure firing regulations is explored. The findings strongly suggest that firms facing a stricter enforcement of firing regulations are on average smaller. This finding is interpreted as supportive of the fact that more stringent de facto firing regulations tend to reduce average employment. Robust evidence is found that this effect is stronger for more labor intensive manufacturing firms, especially those operating in low‐technology sectors. Evidence also shows that this negative correlation does not hold in countries with a very weak rule of law.
Public Disclosure, Reputation Sensitivity, and Labor Law Compliance: Evidence from Better Factories Cambodia
Authors: Ang Debra , Brown Drusilla , Dehejia Rajeev , Robertson Raymond
Published: October 2012

Public disclosure of labor conditions has been suggested as one way to encourage compliance with labor law and improvements in working conditions. Analyzing labor law compliance data in the apparel industry from Better Factories Cambodia, this paper finds that after the elimination of public disclosure of factory‐level noncompliance the rate of increase in compliance slowed,but did not return to the baseline, even in the absence of a reputation sensitive buyer.
Contribution Evasion and Expected Survival: Evidence from Bulgaria
Authors: Perotti Valeria
Published: October 2012

This paper analyzes the evasion of social security contributions and its relationship with individual characteristics such as subjective survival expectations and perceptions on the link between contributions and benefits. In the theoretical framework, a representative worker maximizes expected intertemporal utility by choosing the optimal fraction of evaded contributions. The model predicts that under the assumption of liquidity constraints evasion may be optimal even when it has negative implications on the budget constraint, because it provides a way of weakening the liquidity constraint. In particular, evasion is decreasing in the individual's survival probability and in the Bismarckian factor characterizing the pension system. Results from the empirical analysis, carried out using data from a pilot survey in Bulgaria, show that the evasion of social security contributions is less likely among individuals with higher subjective survival probabilities and who perceive a strong link between contributions and pension benefits.
The Effect of Home‐country and Host‐country Corruption on Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Brada Josef C. , Drabek Zdenek , Perez M. Fabricio
Published: October 2012

The effect of corruption on FDI is analysed. Using FDI outflows from a sample of East European transition economies that had virtually no outward FDI before 1995, FDI flows are observed based mainly on current investment decisions and less on the inertia of past investments. The model separates the effects of corruption on FDI location decisions and on the amount invested. A linear and negative relationship is found between host‐country corruption and the likelihood of MNCs locating in that country. The relationship between home‐country corruption and FDI is non‐monotonic, with an inverse U shape where both high and low levels of corruption in the home country reducing the probability of outward FDI flows. If FDI is undertaken to a host country, the volume of FDI is affected by home‐country but not by host‐country corruption.
The Informal Sector, Productivity, and Enforcement in West Africa: A Firm‐level Analysis
Authors: Benjamin Nancy C. , Mbaye Ahmadou Aly
Published: October 2012

The informal sector accounts for a major share of African economies' GDP, employment and firms. Most national surveys of the sector focus on informal employment rather than the structure of informal businesses, with sample designs oriented to small scale individual or household firms. Here, firm‐level data are used, collected on 900 formal and informal businesses in the capitals of Benin, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Data from these surveys, complemented by semi‐structured interviews of major stakeholders in the three cities as well as data from national accounts, document huge enforcement problems, leading to the emergence of large informal actors coexisting with smaller informal businesses. While there is a significant difference in productivity between formal and informal firms, the productivity gap is much smaller for large informal firms than for small informal firms, suggesting that large informal firms have the pre‐requisites to formalize but choose not to do so.
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and pulmonary mucormycosis
Authors: Schneidawind D. , Nann D. , Vogel W. , Faul C. , Fend F. , Horger M. , Kanz L. , Bethge W.
Published: October 2012

Mucormycosis is a serious invasive fungal infection in immunocompromised patients. Patients undergoing treatment for hematologic malignancies are predominantly prone to the pulmonary manifestation of mucormycosis. Historically, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients suffering from pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) was considered contraindicated owing to mortality rates up to 90%. We present 3 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and PM who were treated with radical surgical debridement combined with high‐dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAB), and subsequently underwent successful allogeneic HCT. To date, all 3 patients are in complete remission and show no signs of mucormycosis. Allogeneic HCT in patients with PM seems feasible provided that the infectious focus is completely removed surgically and adequate antifungal pharmacotherapy, such as high‐dose LAB or posaconazole, is established.
Subacute cytomegalovirus appendicitis in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Posen A. , Renckens I. , Sagaert X. , Kuypers D.
Published: October 2012

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in transplant patients is a well‐known disease. We describe the first case, to our knowledge, documenting CMV appendicitis in a renal transplant patient, and its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Experimental Demonstration of Shakedown in a Vessel Submitted to Impulsive Loading
Authors: Simoens B. , Lefebvre M. H. , Nickell R. E. , Minami F.
Published: October 2012

Vessels subjected to internal impulsive loadings, such as those used for controlled-detonation chambers, can be designed for a single impulsive load application or for multiple impulsive loads. Design of a single-use vessel may take advantage of the capability of the vessel material to absorb energy through elastic-plastic behavior, provided that the public health and safety is protected, even though the owner’s investment in the vessel may be compromised because of severe distortion and potential loss of containment functionality. However, when the vessel is designed to contain multiple internal impulse loads, the usual design practice is to require completely elastic response or, at most, very localized elastic-plastic behavior. A recently approved ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 3 action (Code Case 2564-2) provides limits for the accumulated plastic strains in such vessels, including a limit on the accumulated plastic strain averaged across the wall thickness of the vessel, that are sufficiently conservative to permit the design of vessels for both single-impulse and for multiple-impulse applications. Analytical or experimental demonstration to meet the Code Case 2564-2 strain limits is straightforward for the single-impulse vessel design and is relatively straightforward for multiple-impulse vessel designs when the vessel response to any of the individual impulsive loads is nearly elastic. However, when the design-basis impulsive loading for a multiple-impulse vessel design leads to significant plastic straining, the demonstration of design adequacy becomes extremely complex, raising issues of impulsive loading sequences (since elastic-plastic response is load-path dependent, what is the temporal order of the impulse loadings?) and demonstration of shakedown to elastic or near-elastic behavior. In such cases, an analytical demonstration of design adequacy may be impractical, while an experimental demonstration may be both practical and illuminating, especially if the demonstration is carried out at a scale that is both economical and convincing. Here, a one-seventh-scale model of a controlled-detonation vessel is used as the basis for demonstrating the effect of shakedown to essentially elastic behavior, with no further accumulation of plastic straining, along with the satisfaction of ASME Code Section VIII, Division 3, local ductility exhaustion requirements. The experiments on a scale model vessel have proved that the phenomenon of shakedown can be demonstrated experimentally, for internal detonation loadings that initially led to plastic strains up to 0.7%.
Primary Creep Modeling Based on the Dependence of the Activation Energy on the Internal Stress
Authors: Esposito Luca , Bonora Nicola
Published: October 2012

In high temperature design, the accumulation of creep strain during the primary stage has to be considered since most of the allowable design strain occurs in this stage. In this work, assuming that the creep rate in the transient regime can be given as a fraction of the steady state creep rate and function of the internal stress, a mechanism based model for primary creep has been derived. Taking into account that the apparent activation energy varies with the internal stress, which evolves with creep strain, an exponential form of the creep rate versus creep strain has been obtained. The proposed model for primary creep requires the identification of two material parameters only which are shown to be function of the applied stress and independent of temperature. The proposed model has been validated for high chromium steel P91.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Gas Side Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop of Finned Tubes—Part II: Numerical Analysis
Authors: Hofmann Rene , Walter Heimo
Published: October 2012

The heat transfer and pressure drop behavior of segmented circular and helical as well as solid finned tubes are investigated in a three-dimensional numerical study. The simulation is carried out using a finite volume method for calculating the steady-state temperature and flow field of the fluid as well as the temperature distribution of the tube material. For modeling the turbulence, the k-ε turbulence model based on the renormalization group theory (RNG) is used to resolve the near-wall treatment between adjacent fins. All simulations are performed in the Re range between 3500 ≤ Re ≤ 50,000. The influence of Reynolds number and fin geometry (segmented or solid and circular or helical) on the local and global averaged heat transfer and pressure drop was studied. A comparison between solid and segmented finned tube has shown that the heat transfer and pressure drop for the segmented finned tubes is higher. The numerical results are compared with experimental data.
Viability of Spray Cooling an Air-Cooled Condenser in a Personnel Microclimate Cooling System
Authors: Odom Brent A. , Phelan Patrick E.
Published: October 2012

Attaining a reasonable size and weight for a personnel microclimate cooling system for an individual person who operates away from logistical support remains a problem. This work analyzes whether spray cooling the ambient air before it cools the condenser in a small vapor compression cycle is worthwhile in terms of battery weight savings. The analysis specifies essential characteristics of each of the main components of an ideal vapor compression cycle in order to determine equations describing their expected performance. Then, a mathematical technique is used to find balance points for the model system at different ambient air temperatures. The balance points show the decrease in condensing temperature and compressor work that result from a decrease in ambient air temperature. The saved compressor work is converted to battery weight savings and compared to the weight of water required to reduce the air temperature. It is found that the potential battery weight savings do not offset the amount of cooling water required, i.e., spray cooling the air-cooled condenser should not be pursued to decrease system weight.