bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvements in Speech Perception after the Upgrade from the TEMPO+ to the OPUS 2 Audio Processor
Authors: Seebens Yvonne , Diller Gottfried
Published: November 2011

Objective: To assess if speech perception improves after the upgrade from the TEMPO+ to the OPUS 2 processor. Method: In this retrospective study, 45 subjects (54 ears) implanted with a cochlear implant were upgraded from the TEMPO+ (continuous interleaved sampling + coding strategy) to the OPUS 2 processor (fine structure processing). Before the upgrade, patients were tested with the Freiburg monosyllable (FM) and the Hochmair-Schulz-Moser (HSM) sentence test in quiet and in noise. Four weeks after the upgrade, subjects were again assessed with the same tests. Results: In quiet, mean FM results improved from 62.0% (±21.3%) to 77.8% (±15.2%) and HSM sentences from 69.9% (±26.1%) to 77.9% (±22.1%). In noise, mean FM results improved from 27.3% (±17.1%) to 52.1% (±18.6%) and HSM sentences from 40.4% (±29.1%) to 58.0% (±26.1%). The upgrade to the OPUS 2 was statistically very significant for all speech perception tests (p < 0.001). Additionally, subjects stated that the OPUS 2 initially sounded ‘awkward’ but that quality and speech perception improved after a certain adaptation time. Conclusion: Speech understanding in quiet and noise significantly improved with the OPUS 2 in all speech perception tests.
Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Satureja hortensis Seed Essential Oil, Hydroalcoholic and Polyphenolic Extracts in Animal Models
Authors: Hajhashemi Valiollah , Zolfaghari Behzad , Yousefi Abbas
Published: November 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Satureja hortensis seed extracts and to analyze their essential oil constituents. Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic and polyphenolic extracts and essential oil of S. hortensis seeds were prepared using standard methods. Analgesic activity was assessed in male mice (25-35 g) using standard methods (acetic acid and formalin tests). For the evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity, the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test was used. The mice were pretreated with 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg, i.p., hydroalcoholic or polyphenolic extracts or 100 or 200 µl/kg, p.o. Results: Hydrodistillation of the seeds of S. hortensis afforded a pale yellowish oil in a yield of 0.05% (v/w). Pretreatment of mice with hydroalcoholic or polyphenolic extracts or essential oil significantly (p < 0.001) reduced acetic acid-induced abdominal twitches. Hydroalcoholic extracts also significantly reduced pain responses in early and late phases of the formalin test whereas the polyphenolic extract and essential oil were only effective in the late phase of the formalin test. All three fractions were found to reduce paw edema in the carrageenan test. Conclusion: These results clearly demonstrate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of S. hortensis seeds and since the hydroalcoholic extract relieved pain in the first phase of the formalin test, it seems that at least part of its analgesic activity may be mediated centrally. The results of this study substantiated the traditional use of S. hortensis plant seeds in painful and inflammatory ailments.
The Shema (Deut 6:4-5) in the Story of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-15)
Authors: Yoo Yoon Jong
Published: November 2011

Although the significance of the shema (Deut 6:4-5) has been noticed by many scholars, its connection with other texts of the Bible has not been explored thoroughly. The author pursues how the shema is reflected in the story of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-15). In addition to 1 Sam 15:22, a famous verse on the shema, three more points will be demonstrated. They are the usage of “with all your heart”; YHWH is One; and the law of ḥerem. The existence of such a connection points to the conclusion that the story of Samuel reflects the shema theology of Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
Preparation and characterization of CaCO3 crystals and CaCO3/La2(CO3)3 composited fluorescent materials
Authors: Luo Chong-Xiao , Xie Hong-Zhen , Liu Jin-Ku , Li Guang-Ming
Published: November 2011

Using semipermeable celloidin membrane as a basic template and organic reagents as cooperation additives, the CaCO3 crystals with different morphologies were successfully synthesized. All the products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, etc. With the view of the different solubility products ( Ksp) of La2(CO3)3 and CaCO3, a novel core/shell CaCO3/La2(CO3)3 composited fluorescent material was synthesized for the first time. The morphologies and properties of the core/shell CaCO3/La2(CO3)3 composited fluorescent materials were also investigated.
Preparation of photosensitizer-loaded PLLA nanofibers and its anti-tumor effect for photodynamic therapy in vitro
Authors: Wu Hai-ming , Chen Na , Wu Zhong-Ming , Chen Zhi-Long , Yan Yi-Jia
Published: November 2011

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising new treatment for cancer that has been recently accepted clinically. PDT is based on the administration of tumor-localizing photosensitizers (PSs), followed by exposing the neoplastic area to the light absorbed by the PS. In this article, a novel anticancer nanofiber membrane containing purpurin-18 (0.1%) was successfully prepared. The thickness of membrane was 0.028 mm, and the average fiber diameter was around 357 nm by scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was indicated that purpurin-18 possessed excellent compatibility with PLLA from FTIR spectrum. The physical properties of fiber membrane were also characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cell morphology and the interaction between cells and nanofibers were studied by SEM. The results showed that both SMMC 7721 and ECA109 cells can adhere and spread on the surface of the polymer nanofiber, and both cells can interact and integrate well with the surrounding fibers. The efficacy of PDT was determined by MTT assays. The results showed that the cells were killed immediately after PDT and purpurin-18 had no different efficacy to different cancer cell lines. In summary, the PS-loaded PLLA nanofibers were prepared successfully, and the SMMC 7721 and ECA109 cells could be inhibited and killed through photodynamic therapy.
A hybridization design of an air motor and an electric motor based on field programmable gate array controller
Authors: Huang Shih-Yao , Hwang Yean-Ren
Published: November 2011

Among the elements of developing electric vehicles, the battery is usually the weakest point, as well as the most expensive component. If the battery life is too short, the frequently replacement of the battery is necessary, which will increase the overall cost. This article presents a novel hybridization design and implementation of an air motor and an electric motor which utilizes magnetic powder brake to integrate these two motors together. In this research, by the use of batteries, operation in the large discharge region can be avoided and more electric energy can be saved using an air motor as the auxiliary power. The testing results obtained using the proposed experimental platform indicate that the output current of the battery is 126 A with no air motor-assisted power, and the output current is 64 A when the pre-set switching point is 1400 r/m. These results clearly show that the current reduction is about 49%, and thus the service life of the batteries can be greatly increased. Furthermore, a prototype is built with a proportional–integral speed controller based on a field programmable gate array in order to facilitate the entire analysis of the velocity switch experiment. Through the modular methodology of field programmable gate array, the electric motor can successfully operate at the desired velocity with the proportional–integral speed controller.
Feasibility study on a neutron diffraction method for non-destructive evaluation of residual strain distribution of a combustion chamber
Authors: Moriya S , Masuoka T , Suzuki H
Published: November 2011

A regeneratively cooled combustion chamber of a cryogenic liquid rocket engine is exposed to a large temperature difference between a combustion gas and a liquid hydrogen coolant. The large temperature difference induces large thermal stress in the chamber wall, and the strain is accumulated throughout the cyclic firing tests. Evaluation of the stress and the strain distribution in a chamber wall is essential for chamber life prediction because the chamber life is related to such stress and strain. A feasibility study on a neutron diffraction method for evaluation of residual strain distribution in a chamber wall was conducted. A method of positioning cooling channels inside a combustion chamber was established. The measurement time was adjusted to improve the fluctuation of the diffraction data. The measured data were compared with the numerical data by finite element analysis.
Design and performance of spinal fixation pedicle screw system
Authors: Demir Teyfik , Camuşcu Necip
Published: November 2011

Pedicle screw-rod bilateral constructions are extensively used in spinal fixation. In this study, the common cause for failure of bilateral constructions has been determined to be the high stress concentration at the rod–setscrew interface. In order to overcome this problem, a design modification has been made by using a supplementary part (shoe) between rod and setscrew. Performance comparison of the conventional design and modified design has been done by conducting static tests. Design modification has resulted in 11%, 27%, 42% and 31% improvements in axial gripping capacity, torsional gripping capacity, flexion/extension resistance and subassembly compression strength, respectively. The most outstanding achievement has been obtained in the fatigue life, which was extended by almost three times.
Quantitative high-resolution winter (JJA) precipitation reconstruction from varved sediments of Lago Plomo 47°S, Patagonian Andes, ad 1530–2002
Authors: Elbert Julie , Grosjean Martin , von Gunten Lucien , Urrutia Roberto , Fischer Daniela , Wartenburger Richard , Ariztegui Daniel , Fujak Marian , Hamann Yvonne
Published: November 2011

High-resolution climate reconstructions from a range of natural archives across the world are fundamental to place current climate change into perspective. Paleoclimate records for the Southern Hemisphere are scarce and only a few quantitative high-resolution reconstructions exist for the past millennium. We present a record of annually laminated sediments of Lago Plomo (46°59′S, 72°52′W,203 m a.s.l.) located east of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field (NPI). Radiometric dating (210Pb, 137Cs, 14C AMS) is consistent with counts of millimetre-scale laminae, confirming the annual nature of the laminae couplets with a light summer and a dark winter layer. The varves were analyzed for thickness, mass accumulation rate (MAR), scanning x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning reflectance spectroscopy in the visible range (VIS-RS). MAR data were calibrated against austral winter (JJA) precipitation data (CRU TS 3.0) for the period ad 1930–2002 ( r = 0.67, p(aut) < 0.05). Using a linear inverse regression model we reconstructed winter precipitation for Lago Plomo back to ad 1530. The root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) is small (13.3 mm/month; 12% of the average precipitation) compared with the pronounced decadal and multidecadal variability, suggesting that most of the reconstructed variability is significant. Wetter phases (reference ad 1930–2002) were observed around ad 1600, ad 1630–1690 and ad 1780–1850, and a prolonged drier period ad 1690–1780 with a multidecadal minimum centered on ad 1770. The spatial correlation for South America suggests that the JJA precipitation record from Lago Plomo is representative for large areas in the southwest between c. 41°S and 51°S.
Worldviews and discursive construction of GMO-related risk perceptions in Turkey
Authors: Veltri Giuseppe A. , Suerdem Ahmet K.
Published: November 2011

This paper analyses the discursive construction of the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) issue in the Turkish political arena following the public debate on the pending legislation on biosecurity. The study proposes an operational approach to semiotic/actor network theory (Latour) applied to public representations of a new technology within the theoretical frameworks of social representation theory and cultural theory of risks. It aims to highlight how different worldviews produce different risk discourses of GMOs in Turkey. Using cluster analysis to inductively extract evaluative categories, we use these to identify themes by human coding. Lastly, we apply formal concept analysis to link themes to actors and their worldviews, establishing their semantic networks. Formal concept analysis revealed four discourse networks reflecting nationalist, Islamist, progressive (left) and neo-liberal worldviews. Finally, these structures will be grounded back in the articles for a richer interpretive analysis.
Effects of Hospital Workplace Factors on the Psychological Well-being and Job Satisfaction of Health Care Employees
Authors: Agarwal Manisha , Sharma Abhishek
Published: November 2011

The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effects of perception of the hospital workplace factors on the job satisfaction and psychological well-being of a sample of paramedical health care employees (N =200) from a medical college (teaching) hospital and public (non-teaching) government-run hospitals. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that despite significant differences in perceived work-place factors, the reported levels of psychological well-being and job satisfaction of the participants were nearly similar in the two types of public hospitals. Stepwise regression analysis of the data revealed that the organization’s structure-related factors, co-ordination and work autonomy were significantly predictive of job satisfaction and psychological well-being of health care employees, while the process-related workplace factors, participative decision making and intra-professional relations, emerged as significant predictors of psychological well-being and job satisfaction in both types of hospitals. Results have significant implications for public hospitals which are currently facing competition from the state-of-the-art health care technology being introduced by private hospitals, and are therefore under pressure for retention of skilled health care employees.
Friendship characteristics and activity patterns of adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kuo Melissa H. , Orsmond Gael I. , Cohn Ellen S. , Coster Wendy J.
Published: November 2011

This study compared perceptions of adolescents’ friendships between adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents, examined factors associated with friendship qualities, and investigated the adolescents’ reports on the activities they did with friends and how activity patterns differed by gender. Ninety-one adolescents with an ASD and their parents completed mail-based surveys during the summer months. Adolescents with an ASD identified more friends than did their parents, but they agreed on the friends’ characteristics. About half of the adolescents spent an average of 4 hours per day with friends during the summer months. Male adolescents with an ASD most frequently played video games with friends, whereas females most frequently had conversations with friends. The findings suggest that adolescents with an ASD and their parents identify different peers as the adolescent’s friends. The findings also reveal similarities and differences in friendships between adolescents with an ASD and typically developing adolescents.
Lipid lowering in patients with chronic kidney disease: a SHARP turn in the wrong direction?
Authors: Berthold Heiner K , Krone Wilhelm , Erdmann Erland , Gouni-Berthold Ioanna
Published: November 2011

The question whether lipid-lowering treatment is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease has been disputed for a while, with recent trials in patients on haemodialysis failing to show benefit. Recently, the long-awaited results of the SHARP (Study of Heart And Renal Protection) trial were published. This randomized trial compared the effects of either simvastatin 20 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg daily or placebo on the occurrence of a first major vascular event in 9720 patients with chronic kidney disease. There was a 17% relative risk reduction but no benefit on survival. We address our concerns regarding the conclusions drawn from this trial. The trial has a major design flaw by comparing the effects of two different lipid-lowering drugs with placebo. Although the SHARP trial showed that lipid lowering may be beneficial for patients with chronic kidney disease, the clinically as well as economically important question remains unanswered as to whether it was statin therapy and/or ezetimibe that mediated this effect. A great opportunity to investigate superiority, equipoise, or potential inferiority of ezetimibe compared to statins was missed.
The disintegration of the state model in the English speaking Caribbean
Authors: Storr Juliette
Published: November 2011

Public service broadcasting evolved in the small states of the English speaking Caribbean as state broadcasting. As such, state broadcasting has been forced to change to compete with private broadcasters, cable, satellite and the internet. This article assesses the paradigm shift in public service broadcasting within the former British colonies of the Caribbean, with particular emphasis on Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. Then the article discusses the changes in state broadcasting in the Caribbean region in recent decades in relation to market sector, audiences and digital technology. This is followed by a discussion on the policy directions, programming and mission of newly minted public service broadcasting (PSB) in the English speaking Caribbean with questions of the future of PSB in these small states.
The globalization of Chinese television
Authors: Zhang Hong
Published: November 2011

China’s television sector has undergone rapid transformation since the country’s reform and opening-up in the late 1970s. This article presents the main results of a recently completed PhD project, aiming to understand the role of the Chinese party-state in this transformation. The project supports global transformation theories and develops a three-tier analytical framework to assess (1) the transformation of television governance by the party-state; (2) the impact of party-state policies on Chinese television; and (3) the interplay of party-state policies with other power factors. The findings suggest that the transformation of Chinese television has undergone three stages – internationalization, transnationalization and renationalization – in accordance with the changing role of the Chinese party-state under globalization. The study complements global transformation theories in presenting evidence from a transitional Communist country to show that the (party-) state not only remains a key actor for globalization, but has itself also undergone profound changes in response to it.
Radio sound and social realism
Authors: Skuse Andrew
Published: November 2011

This article explores the use of sound in the context of two BBC World Service development-focused social realist radio drama productions in Afghanistan ( New Home, New Life) and Nepal ( Sweet Tales of the Sarangi). It examines the various ‘sound strategies' employed to enhance the realist aspirations of the productions, while examining the ‘creative labour’ employed in crafting discrete ‘acoustic environments' or ‘soundscapes'. It argues that sound helps to index narrative, but in doing so suggests that too specific a rendering of sound environment may confound the abilities of listeners to construct a satisfying sense of place and therein affect any sense of social realism derived.
Morphologic Characterization of Intraneural Flow Associated With Median Nerve Pathology
Authors: Evans Kevin D. , Volz Kevin R. , Hutmire Cristina , Roll Shawn C.
Published: November 2011

A prospective cohort of 47 symptomatic patients who reported for nerve conduction studies and 44 asymptomatic controls was examined with sonography to evaluate the median nerve. Doppler studies of the median nerve were collected with handheld sonography equipment and a 12-MHz linear broadband transducer. Strict inclusion criteria were established for assessing 435 waveforms from 166 wrists. Two sonographers agreed that 245 waveforms met the a priori criteria and analyzed the corresponding data. Spectral Doppler waveforms provided direct quantitative and qualitative data for comparison with indirect provocative testing results. These Doppler data were compared between the recruitment groups. No statistical difference existed in waveforms between the groups ( P < .05). Trending of the overall data indicated that as the number of positive provocative tests increased, the mean peak systolic velocity within the carpal tunnel (mid) also increased, whereas the proximal mean peak systolic velocity decreased. However, by using multiple provocative tests as an indirect comparative measure, researchers may find mean peak spectral velocity at the carpal tunnel inlet a helpful direct measure in identifying patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Emergence and evolution of the glycoprotein hormone and neurotrophin gene families in vertebrates
Authors: Dos Santos Sandra , Mazan Sylvie , Venkatesh Byrappa , Cohen-Tannoudji Joëlle , Quérat Bruno
Published: November 2011

Background

The three vertebrate pituitary glycoprotein hormones (GPH) are heterodimers of a common α and a specific β subunit. In human, they are located on different chromosomes but in a similar genomic environment. We took advantage of the availability of genomic and EST data from two cartilaginous fish species as well as from two lamprey species to identify their repertoire of neurotrophin, lin7 and KCNA gene family members which are in the close environment of gphβ. Gphα and gphβ are absent outside vertebrates but are related to two genes present in both protostomes and deuterostomes that were named gpa2 and gpb5. Genomic organization and functional characteristics of their protein products suggested that gphα and gphβ might have been generated concomitantly by a duplication of gpa2 and gpb5 just prior to the radiation of vertebrates. To have a better insight into this process we used new genomic resources and tools to characterize the ancestral environment before the duplication occurred.

Results

An almost similar repertoire of genes was characterized in cartilaginous fishes as in tetrapods. Data in lampreys are either incomplete or the result of specific duplications and/or deletions but a scenario for the evolution of this genomic environment in vertebrates could be proposed. A number of genes were identified in the amphioxus genome that helped in reconstructing the ancestral environment of gpa2 and gpb5 and in describing the evolution of this environment in vertebrates.

Conclusion

Our model suggests that vertebrate gphα and gphβ were generated by a specific local duplication of the ancestral forms of gpa2 and gpb5, followed by a translocation of gphβ to a new environment whereas gphα was retained in the gpa2-gpb5 locus. The two rounds of whole genome duplication that occurred early in the evolution of vertebrates generated four paralogues of each gene but secondary gene losses or lineage specific duplications together with genomic rearrangements have resulted in the present organization of these genes, which differs between vertebrate lineages.
Effects of genome-wide copy number variation on expression in mammalian cells
Authors: Wang Richard T , Ahn Sangtae , Park Christopher C , Khan Arshad H , Lange Kenneth , Smith Desmond J
Published: November 2011

Background

There is only a limited understanding of the relation between copy number and expression for mammalian genes. We fine mapped cis and trans regulatory loci due to copy number change for essentially all genes using a human-hamster radiation hybrid (RH) panel. These loci are called copy number expression quantitative trait loci (ceQTLs).

Results

Unexpected findings from a previous study of a mouse-hamster RH panel were replicated. These findings included decreased expression as a result of increased copy number for 30% of genes and an attenuated relationship between expression and copy number on the X chromosome suggesting an Xist independent form of dosage compensation. In a separate glioblastoma dataset, we found conservation of genes in which dosage was negatively correlated with gene expression. These genes were enriched in signaling and receptor activities. The observation of attenuated X-linked gene expression in response to increased gene number was also replicated in the glioblastoma dataset. Of 523 gene deserts of size > 600 kb in the human RH panel, 325 contained trans ceQTLs with -log10
P > 4.1. Recently discovered genes, ultra conserved regions, noncoding RNAs and microRNAs explained only a small fraction of the results, suggesting a substantial portion of gene deserts harbor as yet unidentified functional elements.

Conclusion

Radiation hybrids are a useful tool for high resolution mapping of cis and trans loci capable of affecting gene expression due to copy number change. Analysis of two independent radiation hybrid panels show agreement in their findings and may serve as a discovery source for novel regulatory loci in noncoding regions of the genome.
The bacteriophage WORiC is the active phage element in wRi of Drosophila simulans and represents a conserved class of WO phages
Authors: Biliske Jennifer A , Batista Philip D , Grant Chantalle L , Harris Harriet L
Published: November 2011

Background

The alphaproteobacterium Wolbachia pipientis, the most common endosymbiont in eukaryotes, is found predominantly in insects including many Drosophila species. Although Wolbachia is primarily vertically transmitted, analysis of its genome provides evidence for frequent horizontal transfer, extensive recombination and numerous mobile genetic elements. The genome sequence of Wolbachia in Drosophila simulans Riverside (wRi) is available along with the integrated bacteriophages, enabling a detailed examination of phage genes and the role of these genes in the biology of Wolbachia and its host organisms. Wolbachia is widely known for its ability to modify the reproductive patterns of insects. One particular modification, cytoplasmic incompatibility, has previously been shown to be dependent on Wolbachia density and inversely related to the titer of lytic phage. The wRi genome has four phage regions, two WORiBs, one WORiA and one WORiC.

Results

In this study specific primers were designed to distinguish between these four prophage types in wRi, and quantitative PCR was used to measure the titer of bacteriophages in testes, ovaries, embryos and adult flies. In all tissues tested, WORiA and WORiB were not found to be present in excess of their integrated prophages; WORiC, however, was found to be present extrachromosomally. WORiC is undergoing extrachromosomal replication in wRi. The density of phage particles was found to be consistent in individual larvae in a laboratory population. The WORiC genome is organized in conserved blocks of genes and aligns most closely with other known lytic WO phages, WOVitA and WOCauB.

Conclusions

The results presented here suggest that WORiC is the lytic form of WO in D. simulans, is undergoing extrachromosomal replication in wRi, and belongs to a conserved family of phages in Wolbachia.
DPOFA, a Cl-/HCO3
-exchanger antagonist, stimulates fluid absorption across basolateral surface of the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Iserovich Pavel , Qin Qiong , Petrukhin Konstantin
Published: November 2011

Background

Retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which sensory retina separates from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to accumulation of fluid in subretinal space. Pharmacological stimulation of fluid reabsorption from subretinal space to choroid across the RPE has been suggested as a treatment strategy for retinal detachment. DPOFA, (R)-(+)-(5,6-dichloro 2,3,9,9a-tetrahydro 3-oxo-9a-propyl-1H-fluoren-7-yl)oxy]acetic acid, is an abandoned drug capable of inhibiting Cl-/HCO3
- exchanger activity. We hypothesized that DPOFA may increase fluid absorption across basolateral surface of the RPE.

Methods

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of mRNA for six different transporters that may act as Cl-/HCO3
- exchangers was conducted in bovine and human RPE to confirm that RPE from two species expresses the same repertoire of Cl-/HCO3
- exchanger isoforms. The degree of amino acid homology between orthologous human and bovine RPE-specific isoforms was calculated after performing protein alignments. Transport of fluid across bovine RPE-choroid explants mounted in the Ussing chamber was used to assess the ability of DPOFA to modulate fluid absorption across the RPE.

Results

Using RT-PCR we showed that three isoforms (SLC4A2, SLC4A3, and SLC26A6) are strongly expressed in human and bovine RPE preparations. Amino acid comparisons conducted for RPE-specific isoforms support the use of bovine RPE-choroid explants as an adequate experimental system for assessing fluid absorption activity for DPOFA. Our data is consistent with the fact that DPOFA stimulates fluid absorption across the RPE in bovine RPE-choroid explants.

Conclusions

DPOFA seems to stimulate transport of water across the RPE in bovine RPE-choroid explants. Additional experiments are required to establish dose-dependent effect of DPOFA on fluid absorption in the bovine RPE-choroid experimental system.
Evaluation of the role of location and distance in recruitment in respondent-driven sampling
Authors: McCreesh Nicky , Johnston Lisa G , Copas Andrew , Sonnenberg Pam , Seeley Janet , Hayes Richard J , Frost Simon DW , White Richard G
Published: November 2011

Background

Respondent-driven sampling(RDS) is an increasingly widely used variant of a link tracing design for recruiting hidden populations. The role of the spatial distribution of the target population has not been robustly examined for RDS. We examine patterns of recruitment by location, and how they may have biased an RDS study findings.

Methods

Total-population data were available on a range of characteristics on a population of 2402 male household-heads from an open cohort of 25 villages in rural Uganda. The locations of households were known a-priori. An RDS survey was carried out in this population, employing current RDS methods of sampling and statistical inference.

Results

There was little heterogeneity in the population by location. Data suggested more distant contacts were less likely to be reported, and therefore recruited, but if reported more distant contacts were as likely as closer contacts to be recruited. There was no evidence that closer proximity to a village meeting place was associated with probability of being recruited, however it was associated with a higher probability of recruiting a larger number of recruits. People living closer to an interview site were more likely to be recruited.

Conclusions

Household location affected the overall probability of recruitment, and the probability of recruitment by a specific recruiter. Patterns of recruitment do not appear to have greatly biased estimates in this study. The observed patterns could result in bias in more geographically heterogeneous populations. Care is required in RDS studies when choosing the network size question and interview site location(s).
Dietary weight loss and exercise interventions effects on quality of life in overweight/obese postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Imayama Ikuyo , Alfano Catherine M , Kong Angela , Foster-Schubert Karen E , Bain Carolyn E , Xiao Liren , Duggan Catherine , Wang Ching-Yun , Campbell Kristin L , Blackburn George L , McTiernan Anne
Published: November 2011

Background

Although lifestyle interventions targeting multiple lifestyle behaviors are more effective in preventing unhealthy weight gain and chronic diseases than intervening on a single behavior, few studies have compared individual and combined effects of diet and/or exercise interventions on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). In addition, the mechanisms of how these lifestyle interventions affect HRQOL are unknown. The primary aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of dietary weight loss and/or exercise interventions on HRQOL and psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, stress, social support). The secondary aim was to investigate predictors of changes in HRQOL.

Methods

This study was a randomized controlled trial. Overweight/obese postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to 12 months of dietary weight loss (n = 118), moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (225 minutes/week, n = 117), combined diet and exercise (n = 117), or control (n = 87). Demographic, health and anthropometric information, aerobic fitness, HRQOL (SF-36), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI)-18], anxiety (BSI-18) and social support (Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey) were assessed at baseline and 12 months. The 12-month changes in HRQOL and psychosocial factors were compared using analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline scores. Multiple regression was used to assess predictors of changes in HRQOL.

Results

Twelve-month changes in HRQOL and psychosocial factors differed by intervention group. The combined diet + exercise group improved 4 aspects of HRQOL (physical functioning, role-physical, vitality, and mental health), and stress (p ≤ 0.01 vs. controls). The diet group increased vitality score (p < 0.01 vs. control), while HRQOL did not change differently in the exercise group compared with controls. However, regardless of intervention group, weight loss predicted increased physical functioning, role-physical, vitality, and mental health, while increased aerobic fitness predicted improved physical functioning. Positive changes in depression, stress, and social support were independently associated with increased HRQOL, after adjusting for changes in weight and aerobic fitness.

Conclusions

A combined diet and exercise intervention has positive effects on HRQOL and psychological health, which may be greater than that from exercise or diet alone. Improvements in weight, aerobic fitness and psychosocial factors may mediate intervention effects on HRQOL.

Trial Registration

Clinical Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov register, NCT00470119
Blind recovery of k/n rate convolutional encoders in a noisy environment
Authors: Marazin Melanie , Gautier Roland , Burel Gilles
Published: November 2011

In order to enhance the reliability of digital transmissions, error correcting codes are used in every digital communication system. To meet the new constraints of data rate or reliability, new coding schemes are currently being developed. Therefore, digital communication systems are in perpetual evolution and it is becoming very difficult to remain compatible with all standards used. A cognitive radio system seems to provide an interesting solution to this problem: the conception of an intelligent receiver able to adapt itself to a specific transmission context. This article presents a new algorithm dedicated to the blind recognition of convolutional encoders in the general k/n rate case. After a brief recall of convolutional code and dual code properties, a new iterative method dedicated to the blind estimation of convolutional encoders in a noisy context is developed. Finally, case studies are presented to illustrate the performances of our blind identification method.
Survival of tumor cells after proton irradiation with ultra-high dose rates
Authors: Auer Susanne , Hable Volker , Greubel Christoph , Drexler Guido A , Schmid Thomas E , Belka Claus , Dollinger Günther , Friedl Anna A
Published: November 2011

Background

Laser acceleration of protons and heavy ions may in the future be used in radiation therapy. Laser-driven particle beams are pulsed and ultra high dose rates of >109 Gy s-1may be achieved. Here we compare the radiobiological effects of pulsed and continuous proton beams.

Methods

The ion microbeam SNAKE at the Munich tandem accelerator was used to directly compare a pulsed and a continuous 20 MeV proton beam, which delivered a dose of 3 Gy to a HeLa cell monolayer within < 1 ns or 100 ms, respectively. Investigated endpoints were G2 phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and colony formation.

Results

At 10 h after pulsed irradiation, the fraction of G2 cells was significantly lower than after irradiation with the continuous beam, while all other endpoints including colony formation were not significantly different. We determined the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for pulsed and continuous proton beams relative to x-irradiation as 0.91 ± 0.26 and 0.86 ± 0.33 (mean and SD), respectively.

Conclusions

At the dose rates investigated here, which are expected to correspond to those in radiation therapy using laser-driven particles, the RBE of the pulsed and the (conventional) continuous irradiation mode do not differ significantly.
Effects of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing of JMJD2A on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 in vitro
Authors: Li Bei-Xu , Zhang Ming-Chang , Luo Cheng-Liang , Yang Peng , Li Hui , Xu Hong-Mei , Xu Hong-Fei , Shen Yi-Wen , Xue Ai-Min , Zhao Zi-Qin
Published: November 2011

Previous data demonstrate that JMJD2A is a cancer-associated gene and may be involved in human breast cancer by demethylation of H3K9me3. The aim of this study was to investigate depressive effects on JMJD2A by transfection with JMJD2A-sepcific siRNA in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and effects on cell proliferation, invasion and migration. JMJD2A-specific siRNA was chemically synthesised and transfected into human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Expression levels of JMJD2A were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Cells proliferation was evaluated by using flow cytometric anlysis and MTT assay. The abilities of invasion and migration were evaluated by cell migration and invasion assay with Boyden chambers. The results showed that the transfection was successful and expression levels of JMJD2A mRNA and protein in siRNA group were both down-regulated. By MTT assay, the mean actual absorbance in siRNA group was significantly lower than that in blank control group (P < 0.05) and negative control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase in siRNA group was significantly more than that in blank control group (P < 0.05) and negative control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, by cell invasion and migration assay, the decreased number of migrated cells in siRNA group was observed (P < 0.05). These data imply that silencing JMJD2A gene could result in cell cycle change and proliferation inhibition, and lead to suppress tumor cell invasion and migration. It provides a new perspective in understanding the pleiotropic functions of JMJD2A and its contribution to human breast cancer.
Relationship between Dietary and Other Lifestyle Habits and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Men
Authors: Katano Sayuri , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Okuda Nagako , Murakami Yoshitaka , Chiba Nagako , Yoshita Katsushi , Tanaka Taichiro , Tamaki Junko , Takebayashi Toru , Okayama Akira , Miura Katsuyuki , Okamura Tomonori , Ueshima Hirotsugu ,   HIPOP-OHP Research Group
Published: November 2011

Background

Prevalence of men with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) is increasing in Japan. Few studies have comprehensively examined the relation between lifestyles and CMRF.

Methods

We examined the baseline data from 3,498 male workers ages 19 to 69 years who participated in the high-risk and population strategy for occupational health promotion (HIPOP-OHP) study at 12 large-scale companies throughout Japan. The physical activity of each participant was classified according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Dietary intake was surveyed by a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. We defined four CMRF in this study as follows: 1) high blood pressure (BP): systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg, or diastolic BP ≥ 85 mmHg, or the use of antihypertensive drugs; 2) dyslipidemia: high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration < 40 mg/dl, or triglycerides concentration ≥ 150 mg/dl, or on medication for dyslipidemia; 3) impaired glucose tolerance: fasting blood sugar concentration ≥110 mg/dl; 4) obese: a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2.

Results

Those who had 0 to 4 CMRF accounted for 1,597 (45.7%), 1,032 (29.5%), 587 (16.8%), 236 (6.7%), and 44 (1.3%) participants, respectively, in the Poisson distribution. Poisson regression analysis revealed that independent factors that contributed to the number of CMRF were age (b = 0.020, P < 0.01), IPAQ (b = -0.091, P < 0.01), alcohol intake (ml/day) (b = 0.001, P = 0.03), percentage of protein intake (b = 0.059, P = 0.01), and total energy intake (kcal)(b = 0.0001, P < 0.01). Furthermore, alcohol intake and its frequency had differential effects.

Conclusions

Alcohol intake, percent protein and total energy intake were positively associated, whereas drinking frequency and IPAQ were inversely associated, with the number of CMRF.
Quality of Care in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Findings From 11 Oncology Practices in Florida
Authors: Tanvetyanon Tawee , Corman Michelle , Lee Ji-Hyun , Fulp William J. , Schreiber Fred , Brown Richard H. , Levine Richard M. , Cartwright Thomas H. , Abesada-Terk Guillermo , Kim George P. , Alemany Carlos , Faig Douglas , Sharp Philip V. , Markham Merry-Jennifer , Bepler Gerold , Siegel Erin , Shibata David , Malafa Mokenge , Jacobsen Paul B.
Published: November 2011

On the basis of this data set of participating institutions in Florida, several areas in the care of patients with non–small-cell lung cancer were identified as targets for future quality improvement efforts.
Integration of Palliative Medicine Into Routine Oncological Care: What Does the Evidence Show Us?
Authors: Debono David J.
Published: November 2011

There is phase III evidence that formal assessment of patients' symptoms and quality of life can lead to measurable improvements in quality of life. Quality of life assessments using validated tools should become routine in cancer centers.
Building on Individual, State, and Federal Initiatives for Advance Care Planning, an Integral Component of Palliative and End-of-Life Cancer Care
Authors: Epstein Andrew S. , Volandes Angelo E. , O'Reilly Eileen M.
Published: November 2011

Recent federal and state public policy focuses on advance care planning, suggesting the promise for care delivery improvements and the means for surmounting barriers.
Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 (CB1) Activation Inhibits Small GTPase RhoA Activity and Regulates Motility of Prostate Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Nithipatikom Kasem , Gomez-Granados Ana Doris , Tang Alan T. , Pfeiffer Adam W. , Williams Carol L. , Campbell William B.
Published: November 2011

The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated in an autocrine fashion by the endocannabinoids (EC), N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The CB1 and its endogenous and synthetic agonists are emerging as therapeutic targets in several cancers due to their ability to suppress carcinoma cell invasion and migration. However, the mechanisms that the CB1 regulates cell motility are not well understood. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanisms that diminish cell migration upon the CB1 activation in prostate carcinoma cells. The CB1 activation with the agonist WIN55212 significantly diminishes the small GTPase RhoA activity but modestly increases the Rac1 and Cdc42 activity. The diminished RhoA activity is accompanied by the loss of actin/myosin microfilaments, cell spreading, and cell migration. Interestingly, the CB1 inactivation with the selective CB1 antagonist AM251 significantly increases RhoA activity, enhances microfilament formation and cell spreading, and promotes cell migration. This finding suggests that endogenously produced EC activate the CB1, resulting in chronic repression of RhoA activity and cell migration. Consistent with this possibility, RhoA activity is significantly diminished by the exogenous application of AEA but not by 2-AG in PC-3 cells (cells with very low AEA hydrolysis). Pretreatment of cells with a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, JZL184, which blocks 2-AG hydrolysis, decreases the RhoA activity. These results indicate the unique CB1 signaling and support the model that EC, through their autocrine activation of CB1 and subsequent repression of RhoA activity, suppress migration in prostate carcinoma cells.
Alcohol induced epigenetic perturbations during the inflammatory stage of fracture healing
Authors: Sampson H Wayne , Chaput Christopher D , Brannen Jason , Probe Robert A , Guleria Rakeshwar S , Pan Jing , Baker Kenneth M , VanBuren Vincent
Published: November 2011

It is well recognized by orthopedic surgeons that fractures of alcoholics are more difficult to heal successfully and have a higher incidence of non-union, but the mechanism of alcohol's effect on fracture healing is unknown. In order to give direction for the study of the effects of alcohol on fracture healing, we propose to identify gene expression and microRNA changes during the early stages of fracture healing that might be attributable to alcohol consumption. As the inflammatory stage appears to be the most critical for successful fracture healing, this paper focuses on the events at day three following fracture or the stage of inflammation. Sprague–Dawley rats were placed on an ethanol-containing or pair-fed Lieber and DeCarli diet for four weeks prior to surgical fracture. Following insertion of a medullary pin, a closed mid-diaphyseal fracture was induced using a Bonnarens and Einhorn fracture device. At three days' post-fracture, the region of the fracture calluses was harvested from the right hind-limb. RNA was extracted and microarray analysis was conducted against the entire rat genome. There were 35 genes that demonstrated significant increased expression due to alcohol consumption and 20 that decreased due to alcohol. In addition, the expression of 20 microRNAs was increased and six decreased. In summary, while it is recognized that mRNA levels may or may not represent protein levels successfully produced by the cell, these studies reveal changes in gene expression that support the hypothesis that alcohol consumption affects events involved with inflammation. MicroRNAs are known to modulate mRNA and these findings were consistent with much of what was seen with mRNA microarray analysis, especially the involvement of smad4 which was demonstrated by mRNA microarray, microRNA and polymerase chain reaction.
General Bounds and Finite-Time Improvement for the Kiefer-Wolfowitz Stochastic Approximation Algorithm
Authors: Broadie Mark , Cicek Deniz , Zeevi Assaf
Published: November 2011

We consider the Kiefer-Wolfowitz (KW) stochastic approximation algorithm and derive general upper bounds on its mean-squared error. The bounds are established using an elementary induction argument and phrased directly in the terms of tuning sequences of the algorithm. From this we deduce the nonnecessity of one of the main assumptions imposed on the tuning sequences by Kiefer and Wolfowitz [Kiefer, J., J. Wolfowitz. 1952. Stochastic estimation of the maximum of a regression function. Ann. Math. Statist. 23(3) 462–466] and essentially all subsequent literature. The optimal choice of sequences is derived for various cases of interest, and an adaptive version of the KW algorithm, scaled-and-shifted KW (or SSKW), is proposed with the aim of improving its finite-time behavior. The key idea is to dynamically scale and shift the tuning sequences to better match them with characteristics of the unknown function and noise level, and thus improve algorithm performance. Numerical results are provided that illustrate that the proposed algorithm retains the convergence properties of the original KW algorithm while dramatically improving its performance in some cases.