bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated Saliva Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide Levels During Acute Migraine Predict Therapeutic Response to Rizatriptan
Authors: Cady Roger K. , Vause Carrie V. , Ho Tony W. , Bigal Marcelo E. , Durham Paul L.
Published: September 2009

Objectives.— (1) To measure calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) levels in the saliva of individuals with migraine during the premonitory period, mild headache, moderate to severe headache, and post‐resolution phases as compared with baseline (interictal) CGRP levels. (2) To correlate response to rizatriptan administered during moderate headache with levels of CGRP levels measured in saliva.

Background.— CGRP is implicated in the underlying pathophysiology of migraine. To date no study has measured changes of saliva CGRP through the clinical evolution of a migraine attack and correlated saliva CGRP levels to clinical response to therapy.

Methods.— Data were summarized using tables and descriptive statistics. Statistical analysis was performed with the non‐parametric signed‐rank test using Minitab15 statistical software. Results of statistical analyses were considered significant at P < .05. Responding subjects were defined as those who were symptom free at the time of the last collected saliva sample and did not have to rescue. Non‐responding subjects were defined as those who rescued with an additional dose of rizatriptan or another medication or who were not symptom free at the end of the collection period.

Results.— Statistically significant elevations of CGRP were noted in the premonitory, mild headache, and moderate to severe headache phase of the migraine compared with baseline (interictal) levels. A better therapeutic response to rizatriptan was observed in subjects with elevated saliva CGRP levels. Successful treatment with rizatriptan correlated with saliva CGRP levels returning to near baseline levels. In the rizatriptan non‐responder group, no significant change in saliva CGRP levels was found at any phase of the migraine attack.

Conclusions.— Elevation of saliva CGRP is predictive of responsiveness to rizatriptan. In the rizatriptan responsive population, CGRP levels are elevated beginning with the premonitory period and throughout mild and moderate/severe headache. Successful response to rizatriptan correlated with return of saliva CGRP levels to near baseline (interictal) values.
MEASUREMENT OF IN SITU SPECIFIC GROWTH RATES OF MICROCYSTIS (CYANOBACTERIA) FROM THE FREQUENCY OF DIVIDING CELLS1
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Tsukada Hajime
Published: September 2009

Diel changes in the frequency of dividing cells (FDC) of three Microcystis species were investigated in a small eutrophic pond from July to October 2005. The representative species was M. aeruginosa (Kütz.) Kütz., constituting 57%–86% of the Microcystis population throughout the study period, and the remainder were M. viridis (A. Braun) Lemmerm. and M. wesenbergii (Komárek) Komárek. The FDC of M. aeruginosa and M. wesenbergii increased in the daytime and fell in the nighttime in July and August, but this regular variation was not observed in September or October. The in situ specific growth rates of Microcystis species were estimated based on the assumption that the specific growth rate can be given as an absolute value of the derivative of FDC with respect to time. The calculated values were similar among species—0.15–0.38 · d−1 for M. aeruginosa, 0.14–0.63 · d−1 for M. viridis, and 0.18–0.61 · d−1 for M. wesenbergii. The specific growth rates in July and August slightly exceeded those in September and October. The analysis of the in situ specific growth rate of Microcystis indicated that recruitment of the benthic population or morphological change, rather than massive growth, was at least partly responsible for the dominance of M. aeruginosa in the study pond.
INHIBITION OF CASPASE‐LIKE ACTIVITIES PREVENTS THE APPEARANCE OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND DARK‐INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN THE UNICELLULAR CHLOROPHYTE DUNALIELLA TERTIOLECTA1
Authors: Segovia María , Berges John A.
Published: September 2009

When the chlorophyte alga Dunaliella tertiolecta Butcher is placed in darkness, a form of programmed cell death with many similarities to apoptosis is induced, including the induction of caspase‐like proteases. Many uncertainties about the regulation and mediators that participate in the process remain. To examine the relationship between caspase‐like activities and different apoptotic events (i.e., phosphatidylserine [PS] translocation), increases in membrane permeability and numbers of dead cells revealed by SYTOX‐green staining, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), we used the broad‐range caspase inhibitor Boc‐D‐FMK to block the activity of the whole class of caspase‐like proteins simultaneously. In the presence of the inhibitor, ROS were not produced, and cells did not die. Loss of membrane asymmetry, indicated by external labeling of PS by annexin V, was apparent at midstages of light deprivation, although it did not conform to the typical pattern for PS exposure observed in metazoans or vascular plants, which occurs at early stages of the apoptotic event. Thus, we have evidence for a link between ROS and cell death involving caspase‐like enzymes in an alga. The fact that caspase‐like inhibitors prevent not only cell death, but also ROS and loss of cell membrane integrity and asymmetry, suggests that caspase‐like proteases might have regulatory roles early in cell death, in addition to dismantling functions.
TAXONOMIC REVISION AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF THE SUBGENUS SARGASSUM (FUCALES, PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC ISLANDS BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR ANALYSES1
Authors: Mattio Lydiane , Payri Claude E. , Verlaque Marc
Published: September 2009

The species diversity of the subgenus Sargassum was reassessed for the southwestern Pacific with special focus on the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Wallis. Five taxa were recognized on the basis of morphological characters and corroborated by DNA analyses of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS‐2), chloroplastic partial rbcLS‐operon, and mitochondrial cox3. Based on the study of diagnoses and type specimens, four taxa were identified to S. polyphyllum J. Agardh, S. polycystum C. Agardh, S. aquifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, and S. ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh, while one taxon remained unidentified. We present a key for identification that includes detailed descriptions of the species and illustrations of their morphological variability. In light of our findings, we propose to consider several new synonymies for S. aquifolium, S. ilicifolium, S. polycystum, and S. polyphyllum. We also include a review of Sargassum floras from Samoa, Tonga, and Nauru and discuss species distribution in the southwest and central Pacific. Finally, DNA phylogenies pointed to the polyphyly of section Acanthocarpicae and underlined the need for a new section in which to place S. polycystum, S. herporhizum Setch. et N. L. Gardner, and S. stolonifolium Phang et T. Yoshida. The new section Polycystae Mattio et Payri is described to fit species of the subgenus Sargassum with stolon‐like branches.
The Relationship Between Short‐Term Mortality and Quality of Care for Hip Fracture: A Meta‐Analysis of Clinical Pathways for Hip Fracture
Authors: Neuman Mark D. , Archan Sylvia , Karlawish Jason H. , Schwartz J. Sanford , Fleisher Lee A.
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between use of clinical pathways for hip fracture and changes in the rates of five inpatient complications and short‐term mortality.

DESIGN: Meta‐analysis of published studies examining clinical pathways for hip fracture, identified through systematic searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and hand searches of selected article bibliographies.

SETTING: Observational and interventional studies of clinical pathways for hip fracture examining rates of deep venous thrombosis, pressure ulcer, surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and inpatient or 30‐day mortality.

PARTICIPANTS: Two reviewers.

MEASUREMENTS: Reviewers independently assessed eligibility and quality of studies and extracted data for outcomes of interest.

RESULTS: Meta‐analysis of nine studies (4,637 patients) demonstrated lower odds of deep venous thrombosis (odds ratio (OR)=0.33, 95% CI=0.14–0.75), pressure ulcer (OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.30–0.75), surgical site infection (OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.25–0.89), and urinary tract infection (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.52–0.98) in patients managed according to clinical pathways than in those receiving usual care. Statistically significant differences were not observed in the odds of pneumonia (OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.67–1.53) or in a combined outcome of in‐hospital or 30‐day mortality (OR=0.86, 95% CI=0.66–1.13).

CONCLUSION: An association was observed between clinical pathway use and lower odds of four common complications of hospitalization after hip fracture; only a small, statistically insignificant association was observed between pathway use and changes in short‐term mortality, suggesting that assessments of hospital quality based on short‐term mortality may not reflect important improvements in patient outcomes that hospitals may achieve using clinical pathways.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus in an Aging Population, a Complication of Success
Authors: Kirk Jason B. , Goetz Matthew Bidwell
Published: September 2009

The proportion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients aged 50 and older has greatly increased since the beginning of the epidemic, particularly since 1996, when combination antiretroviral therapy became available. By 2015, 50% of HIV‐infected individuals in the United States are likely to be aged 50 and older. The rate of progression of untreated HIV disease, response to therapy, and complicating effects of comorbidities differ in older and younger patients. Older untreated patients with HIV demonstrate faster rates of CD4+ cell loss and more rapid progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and death than younger individuals. Synergistic deleterious effects of chronic immune activation on the course of HIV infection with the immune senescence of aging may promote this accelerated course. Despite the increasing prevalence in older patients and cost‐effectiveness analyses that favor HIV testing, older patients are less likely to be routinely evaluated for HIV infection. Consequently, when diagnosed, older patients have more‐advanced disease than do younger patients and, upon presentation with AIDS‐defining conditions, are less likely to receive timely appropriate therapy. The treatment of older HIV‐infected patients is complicated by preexisting comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular, hepatic, and metabolic complications, which in turn may be exacerbated by the effects of HIV infection per se, modest immunodeficiency (i.e., at CD4+ counts >350 cells/μL), and the metabolic and other adverse effects of combination antiretroviral therapy. Nevertheless, older patients derive substantial benefit from combination antiretroviral therapy despite having less of an immunological response than expected given their adherence to therapy and excellent virological responses.
Prediction of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Older Men Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Clinical Factors and Value of the Six‐Minute Walk Distance
Authors: Oursler Krisann K. , Katzel Leslie I. , Smith Barbara A. , Scott Wayne B. , Russ David W. , Sorkin John D.
Published: September 2009

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors related to cardiorespiratory fitness in older human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients and to explore the utility of 6‐minute walk distance (6‐MWD) in measuring fitness.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study in clinic‐based cohort.

SETTING: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐three HIV‐infected men, median age 57 (range 50–82), without recent acquired immunodeficiency syndrome–related illness and receiving antiretroviral (ARV) therapy.

MEASUREMENTS: Peak oxygen utilization (VO2peak) according to treadmill graded exercise testing, 6‐MWD, grip strength, quadriceps maximum voluntary isometric contraction, cross‐sectional area, muscle quality, and muscle adiposity.

RESULTS: There was a moderate correlation between VO2peak (mean ± SD; 18.4 ± 5.6 mL/kg per minute) and 6‐MWD (514 ± 91 m) (r=0.60, P<.001). VO2peak was lower in subjects with hypertension (16%, P<.01) and moderate anemia (hemoglobin 10–13 gm/dL; 15%, P=.09) than in subjects without these conditions. CD4 cell count (median 356 cells/mL, range 20–1,401) and HIV‐1 viral load (84% nondetectable) were not related to VO2peak. Among muscle parameters, only grip strength was an independent predictor of VO2peak. Estimation of VO2peak using linear regression, including age, 6‐MWD, grip strength, and hypertension as independent variables, explained 61% of the variance in VO2peak.

CONCLUSION: Non‐AIDS‐related comorbidity predicts cardiorespiratory fitness in older HIV‐infected men receiving ARV therapy. The 6‐MWD is a valuable measure of fitness in this patient population, but a larger study with diverse subjects is needed.
Frailty Correlated Default
Authors: DUFFIE DARRELL , ECKNER ANDREAS , HOREL GUILLAUME , SAITA LEANDRO
Published: September 2009

The probability of extreme default losses on portfolios of U.S. corporate debt is much greater than would be estimated under the standard assumption that default correlation arises only from exposure to observable risk factors. At the high confidence levels at which bank loan portfolio and collateralized debt obligation (CDO) default losses are typically measured for economic capital and rating purposes, conventionally based loss estimates are downward biased by a full order of magnitude on test portfolios. Our estimates are based on U.S. public nonfinancial firms between 1979 and 2004. We find strong evidence for the presence of common latent factors, even when controlling for observable factors that provide the most accurate available model of firm‐by‐firm default probabilities.
Do Hedge Fund Managers Misreport Returns? Evidence from the Pooled Distribution
Authors: BOLLEN NICOLAS P.B. , POOL VERONIKA K.
Published: September 2009

We find a significant discontinuity in the pooled distribution of monthly hedge fund returns: The number of small gains far exceeds the number of small losses. The discontinuity is present in live and defunct funds, and funds of all ages, suggesting that it is not caused by database biases. The discontinuity is absent in the 3 months culminating in an audit, suggesting it is not attributable to skillful loss avoidance. The discontinuity disappears when using bimonthly returns, indicating a reversal in fund performance following small gains. This result suggests that the discontinuity is caused at least in part by temporarily overstated returns.
Reduced Fluoroscopy During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Benefits of Robotic Guided Navigation
Authors: STEVEN DANIEL , SERVATIUS HELGE , ROSTOCK THOMAS , HOFFMANN BORIS , DREWITZ IMKE , MÜLLERLEILE KAI , SULTAN ARIAN , AYDIN MUHAMMET ALI , MEINERTZ THOMAS , WILLEMS STEPHAN
Published: September 2009

Reduced Fluoroscopy in PVI Using RN. Background: Recently, a nonmagnetic robotic navigation system (RN, Hansen‐Sensei™) has been introduced for remote catheter manipulation.

Objective: To investigate the influence of RN combined with intuitive 3‐dimensional mapping on the fluoroscopy exposure to operator and patient during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in a prospective randomized trial.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to undergo PVI either using a RN guided (group 1; n = 30, 20 male, 62 ± 7.7 years) or conventional ablation approach (group 2; n = 30, 14 male, 61 ± 7.6 years). A 3‐dimensional mapping system (NavX™) was used in both groups.

Results: Electrical disconnection of the ipsilateral pulmonary veins (PVs) was achieved in all patients. Use of RN significantly lowered the overall fluoroscopy time (9 ± 3.4 vs 22 ± 6.5 minutes; P < 0.001) and reduced the operator's fluoroscopy exposure (7 ± 2.1 vs 22 ± 6.5 minutes; P < 0.001). The difference in fluoroscopy duration between both groups was most pronounced during the ablation part of the procedure (3 ± 2.4 vs 17 ± 6.3 minutes; P < 0.001). The overall procedure duration tended to be prolonged using RN without reaching statistical significance (156 ± 44.4 vs 134 ± 12 minutes, P = 0.099). No difference regarding outcome was found during a midterm follow‐up of 6 months (AF freedom group 1 = 73% vs 77% in group 2 [P = 0.345]).

Conclusion: The use of RN for PVI seems to be effective and significantly reduces overall fluoroscopy time and operator's fluoroscopy exposure without affecting mid‐term outcome after 6‐month follow‐up. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 6–12, January 2010)
Optimized Measurement of Activation Rate at Left Atrial Sites with Complex Fractionated Electrograms During Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: CIACCIO EDWARD J. , BIVIANO ANGELO B. , WHANG WILLIAM , WIT ANDREW L. , COROMILAS JAMES , GARAN HASAN
Published: September 2009

Local Activation Rate in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background:
Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) have become targets for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Frequency components of AF signals have also become important markers for identifying potential mechanisms of AF, yet inaccuracies exist, particularly in standard dominant frequency (SDF) calculations especially at CFAE sites. We developed new methodology to improve accuracy of AF rate determinations at such recording sites.

Objective:
To develop optimal methods for estimating activation rates in paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Methods:
Electrograms were obtained from one right atrial, coronary sinus, and 6 left atrial (LA) endocardial regions manifesting CFAEs in paroxysmal (N = 7) and persistent (N = 7) AF patients. SDF was measured from 8.4 s intervals and compared to (1) optimized DF (ODF) calculated by optimizing the filter coefficients which maximized dominant frequency power, (2) autocorrelation (AC), with the rate estimated as the inverse of the signal phase shift generating the largest autocorrelation coefficient, and (3) ensemble average (EA), with the rate estimated by summing successive signal segments and selecting segment length yielding maximum power. Rate measurements were compared between groups, at baseline and with additive interference, having similar frequency content to the electrograms, to test the robustness of the different methods.

Results:
From pooled data (N = 168 recording sites), a significantly higher LA dominant frequency was found in persistent versus paroxysmal patients using each method (P < 0.001), with a mean value for all methods of 6.23 ± 0.08 Hz versus 5.32 ± 0.10 Hz, respectively. At the highest additive interference level, the rate measurement error was significantly greater in SDF as compared with EA (P = 0.010) and ODF (P = 0.035), and at all interference levels SDF had the largest error of any method.

Conclusions:
SDF appears less robust to additive interference, compared to the ODF and EA methods of estimating the activation rate at CFAE sites in this small group of patients. Use of optimized filter coefficients for DF measurement, or use of correlative methods such as EA, that reinforce the signal rather than filtering the noise, may improve calculation of activation rates. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 133‐143, February 2010)
Microwave Dielectric Properties of SrRE4Si3O13 (RE=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm, Yb, and Y) Ceramics
Authors: Thomas Sherin , Sebastian Mailadil Thomas
Published: September 2009

The apatite type SrRE4Si3O13 (RE=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm, Yb, and Y) ceramics have been prepared by the conventional solid‐state ceramic route. The phase purity and surface morphology of the sintered ceramics were studied using X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. These materials showed poor sinterability and was improved by the addition of a small weight percentage of zinc borosilicate glass. The microwave dielectric properties of these materials were studied for the first time. SrRE4Si3O13 ceramics have a low relative permittivity (ɛr) in the range 9–16, a Q‐factor (Qu×f) upto 26 000 GHz and a low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf). The SrLa4Si3O13 ceramics possessed a high Qu×f of nearly 26 000 GHz but with a high negative τf of −46 ppm/°C. The τf of SrLa4Si3O13 ceramics was tuned by the addition of suitable amount of TiO2.
Why We Love the Recession … Sort Of
Authors: Erickson Ken C
Published: September 2009

Shirley Fiske and Niel Tashima are contributing editors of “Anthropology Works,” the AAA Committee on Practicing, Applied and Public Interest Anthropology column in Anthropology News.
Quantifying spatiotemporal changes in a sagebrush ecosystem in relation to energy development
Authors: Walston Leroy J. , Cantwell Brian L. , Krummel John R.
Published: September 2009

Energy development has been occurring in the intermountain western United States for over a century, yet few studies have attempted to spatially quantify the impacts of this disturbance on native ecosystems. We used temporal remotely sensed data for the Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA) in western Wyoming, a region that has experienced increased natural gas development within the past 10 yr, to quantify the spatiotemporal distribution of Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata, natural gas development, and other landcover types. Our analyses included 5 Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images of the PAPA over a 22‐yr period (1985–2006). We determined whether Wyoming big sagebrush spatiotemporal patterns were associated with natural gas development or other landcover types. We also developed a footprint model to determine the direct and indirect impacts of natural gas development on the distribution of Wyoming big sagebrush habitats. Over the 22‐yr period, we observed an inverse relationship between the amount of Wyoming big sagebrush habitat and natural gas development. During this time, Wyoming big sagebrush habitat declined linearly at a rate of 0.2% yr−1 (4.5% total net loss), whereas natural gas development increased exponentially at a rate of 20% yr−1 (4800% total net increase). Our evaluation indicated that, by 2006, natural gas development directly impacted 2.7% (1750 ha) of original Wyoming big sagebrush habitat. Indirect impacts, quantified to account for degraded habitat quality, affected as much as 58.5% (assuming 1000‐m buffers) of the original Wyoming big sagebrush habitat. Integrating assessments of the direct and indirect impacts will yield a better elucidation of the overall effects of disturbances on ecosystem function and quality.
Metapopulation viability of an endangered holoparasitic plant in a dynamic landscape
Authors: Meulebrouck Klaar , Verheyen Kris , Brys Rein , Hermy Martin
Published: September 2009

By creating transient patch mosaics, disturbance can influence the dynamics of interacting populations in many ecosystems. In European heathland, traditional land use created such dynamic systems favourable for both early and later successional species. Little empirical evidence is, however, available on the impact of current management on metapopulations occurring in such landscapes. This paper looks at the metapopulation viability of the endangered holoparasiteCuscuta epithymum, a species that typically occurs in early successional stages of recently managed heathlands. We used both observational and experimental data from a 4‐yr study to parameterise a spatially explicit metapopulation model. This model explores the impact of demographic characteristics and spatiotemporal landscape patterns created by management events on metapopulation viability. Both occasional long‐distance dispersal and dormant seeds are shown to be critical for the long‐term survival ofC. epithymumin a dynamic heathland landscape subjected to a fixed rotational mowing of 15 yr. A relatively high management frequency (<15 yr between two consecutive mowing events) appeared to be necessary to sustain a viableC. epithymummetapopulation. When there is a longer interval between management events, grazing can counterbalance the negative effects of vegetation succession. Our results indicate that small‐scale cyclical management events combined with extensive grazing are the most appropriate management strategy to maintain viable populations ofC. epithymuminstead of the current large‐scale management events. Our results further emphasise the importance of incorporating both spatiotemporal patch availability and key demographic characteristics, especially seed banks, for a realistic view of metapopulation dynamics in disturbed landscapes. This study clearly demonstrates the usefulness of metapopulation models to understand the impact of management events and to provide new ecological insights into processes acting at a landscape scale.
Local and landscape correlates of non‐native species invasion in restored wetlands
Authors: Matthews Jeffrey W. , Peralta Ariane L. , Soni Arun , Baldwin Patrick , Kent Angela D. , Endress Anton G.
Published: September 2009

Vulnerability of natural communities to invasion by non‐native plants has been linked to factors such as recent disturbance and high resource availability, suggesting that recently restored habitats may be especially invasible. Because non‐native plants can interfere with restoration goals, monitoring programs should anticipate which sites are most susceptible to invasion and which species are likely to become problematic at a site. Restored sites of larger area and those with high rates of propagule input should have higher species richness of both natives and non‐natives, leading to a positive correlation between the two. However, in restored wetlands, urbanization, riparian landscape settings, and nitrogen enrichment likely favor non‐native relative to native species. We sampled 28 restored wetlands in Illinois, USA, modeled the responses of native richness, non‐native richness and non‐native cover to local and landscape predictors with linear regression, and modeled the presence/absence of 21 non‐native species with logistic regressions. Unexpectedly, native and non‐native richness were uncorrelated, suggesting different responses to environmental factors. Native richness declined with increasing available soil nitrogen and urbanization in the surrounding landscape. Non‐native richness, the richness of non‐natives relative to natives, and the likelihood of invasion by several individual invasive species decreased with increasing distance from the city of Chicago, likely in response to decreasing non‐native propagule pressure. Total cover of non‐natives, however, as well as cover by non‐native Phalaris arundinacea, increased with nitrogen availability. Our results indicate that although non‐native richness was better predicted by factors related to propagule pressure, non‐native species dominance was more closely related to local abiotic factors. Non‐native richness in restoration sites may be beyond the control of restoration practitioners, and furthermore, may be of limited relevance for conservation goals. In contrast, limiting the relative dominance of non‐natives should be a restoration priority and may be achievable through management of nutrient availability.
Ex vivo expansion and lentiviral transduction of Macaca nemestrina CD4+ T cells
Authors: Muñoz Nina M. , Trobridge Grant D. , Kiem Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2009

Background  Macaca nemestrina is a nonhuman primate used as a model in preclinical studies of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and adoptive transfer of T cells. Adoptive T cell transfer studies typically require ex vivo expansion of substantial numbers of T cells prior to their reinfusion into the subject.

Methods  Pigtailed macaque peripheral blood CD4+ cells were expanded using CD3 and CD28 antibody‐coated beads. These cells were transformed using Herpesvirus saimiri and were also transduced with HIV‐1 based lentiviral vectors.

Results  We report an efficient method for the ex vivo expansion of CD4+ T cells from Macaca nemestrina peripheral blood. With this protocol, primary CD4+ T cells can be expanded between 300‐ to 6000‐fold during 24‐day period and can be efficiently transduced with lentiviral vectors. Furthermore, these T cells can be transformed by Herpesvirus saimiri and maintained in culture for several months. The transformed T cell lines can be productively infected with the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain SIVmac239.

Conclusions  We have established methods for the expansion and transformation of primary M. nemestrina CD4+ T cells and demonstrated the utility of these methods for several applications.
Relationship between aerobic and anaerobic parameters and functional classification in wheelchair basketball players
Authors: De Lira C. A. B. , Vancini R. L. , Minozzo F. C. , Sousa B. S. , Dubas J. P. , Andrade M. S. , Steinberg L. L. , Da Silva A. C.
Published: September 2009

Participation in sports for individuals with disabilities continues to gain popularity. In order to provide fair and equitable competition among persons with different disabilities and functional capacity, a separate functional classification system has been devised for each sport. The aims of the present study were to evaluate aerobic and anaerobic performance of wheelchair basketball athletes and verify a correlation with the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation functional classification system. For this, 17 highly trained male Brazilian basketball wheelchair athletes (25.4±4.4 years) from the national team who had taken part in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games were assessed. These athletes were submitted to cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Wingate‐like 30‐s sprint test using upper limbs. The present study demonstrated that the functional classification score correlated with relative (r=0.90; P<0.0001) and absolute peak power (r=0.50; P=0.0353) and absolute mean power (r=0.93; P<0.0001) obtained from the Wingate‐like 30‐s sprint test and also correlated with absolute O2 peak (r=0.68; P=0.0026) and O2 at ventilatory threshold (r=0.71; P=0.0014), measured on cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Therefore, our findings support the functional classification created to classify athletes' functional capability on the court, which also correlated with aerobic and anaerobic performance parameters of the elite wheelchair basketball players.
Effects of music tempo upon submaximal cycling performance
Authors: Waterhouse J. , Hudson P. , Edwards B.
Published: September 2009

In an in vivo laboratory controlled study, 12 healthy male students cycled at self‐chosen work‐rates while listening to a program of six popular music tracks of different tempi. The program lasted about 25 min and was performed on three occasions – unknown to the participants, its tempo was normal, increased by 10% or decreased by 10%. Work done, distance covered and cadence were measured at the end of each track, as were heart rate and subjective measures of exertion, thermal comfort and how much the music was liked. Speeding up the music program increased distance covered/unit time, power and pedal cadence by 2.1%, 3.5% and 0.7%, respectively; slowing the program produced falls of 3.8%, 9.8% and 5.9%. Average heart rate changes were +0.1% (faster program) and −2.2% (slower program). Perceived exertion and how much the music was liked increased (faster program) by 2.4% and 1.3%, respectively, and decreased (slower program) by 3.6% and 35.4%. That is, healthy individuals performing submaximal exercise not only worked harder with faster music but also chose to do so and enjoyed the music more when it was played at a faster tempo. Implications of these findings for improving training regimens are discussed.
Lung Imaging in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Hughes D. , Tiddens H. , Wild J.M.
Published: September 2009

Management of CF patients currently relies on clinical status, lung function tests, sputum cultures and scoring systems based on chest X‐ray (CXR). None of these tests give adequate information about regional lung function or are sensitive enough to demonstrate subtle changes that may aid in assessing early lung disease status, planning therapy or evaluating response to treatment. There is increasing evidence from recent studies with CT and MRI that current routine measures of lung physiology, (spirometry) and structure (CXR), may not accurately reflect disease progression nor identify early stages of lung disease, often remaining within a normal range even when significant and irreversible pulmonary damage has already occurred. Thus accurate, non‐invasive, regional methods of diagnosis and follow up of CF patients based upon imaging endpoints are highly desirable. In this paper, state of the art methods of imaging signs of lung disease in the CF lung are reviewed with discussions on the technical advances in CT, proton and hyperpolarised gas MRI with example images from groups active in the area of CF lung imaging.
Is there a relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and erosive reflux disease in children?
Authors: Emiroglu Halil Haldun , Sokucu Semra , Suoglu Ozlem Durmaz , Gulluoglu Mine , Gokce Selim
Published: September 2009

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and erosive reflux disease in children.

Methods:  A total of 206 children [mean age 8.4 ± 4.9 (0.16–18) years] who underwent diagnostic upper endoscopy were tested for H. pylori infection between 2002 and 2005 and the relationship between H. pylori infection and gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease was investigated retrospectively. Endoscopic and histopathological findings were examined retrospectively. When reflux‐related oesophageal damage was identified as a result of the histological examination of endoscopic biopsy samples collected from distal oesophagus, the patients were diagnosed with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and divided into two groups: those with macroscopic erosions or ulceration constituted the erosive oesophagitis group; those without constituted the non‐erosive reflux disease group.

Results:  Prevalence of H. pylori infection was 31.3% in the patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and 36.7% in the control group (p > 0.05). Prevalence of erosive oesophagitis was found to be 23.8% in the patients with H. pylori infection and 41.3% in those without (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:  No negative significant association was found between the prevalence of H. pylori infection and erosive oesophagitis. Presence of H. pylori infection did not influence the severity of oesophagitis either.
Rice cytosine DNA methyltransferases – gene expression profiling during reproductive development and abiotic stress
Authors: Sharma Rita , Mohan Singh R. K. , Malik Garima , Deveshwar Priyanka , Tyagi Akhilesh K. , Kapoor Sanjay , Kapoor Meenu
Published: September 2009

DNA methylation affects important developmental processes in both plants and animals. The process of methylation of cytosines at C‐5 is catalysed by DNA methyltransferases (MTases), which are highly conserved, both structurally and functionally, in eukaryotes. In this study, we identified and characterized cytosine DNA MTase genes that are activated with the onset of reproductive development in rice. The rice genome (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica) encodes a total of 10 genes that contain the highly conserved MTase catalytic domain. These genes have been categorized into subfamilies on the basis of phylogenetic relationships. A microarray‐based gene expression profile of all 10 MTases during 22 stages/tissues that included 14 stages of reproductive development and five vegetative tissues together with three stresses, cold, salt and dehydration stress, revealed specific windows of MTase activity during panicle and seed development. The expression of six methylases was specifically/preferentially upregulated with the initiation of floral organs. Significantly, one of the MTases was also activated in young seedlings in response to cold and salt stress. The molecular studies presented here suggest a greater role for these proteins and the epigenetic process in affecting genome activity during reproductive development and stress than was previously anticipated.
A novel splicing variant form suppresses the activity of full‐length signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A
Authors: Watanabe Yoshihisa , Ikegawa Masaya , Naruse Yoshihisa , Tanaka Masaki
Published: September 2009

Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) regulate a variety of cellular functions, including differentiation and proliferation. STAT3 and STAT5 are known to play important roles in brain processes, such as energy homeostasis and neuronal development. We isolated a novel splicing variant of STAT5A from a cDNA library of the mouse brainstem. This variant, STAT5A_ΔE18, lacked exon 18 and caused a frameshift in the C‐terminus, resulting in deletion of a tyrosine phosphorylation site and a transactivation domain. Although the frameshift region had no characteristic motifs, it was highly serine/threonine‐rich and contained a short proline‐rich sequence. Expression of STAT5A_ΔE18 was detected in the mouse brainstem, lung and thymus, but not in the mouse cerebrum or cerebellum. We developed a specific antibody against STAT5A_ΔE18 and investigated the intracellular localization of this variant. STAT5A_ΔE18 showed dot‐like structures in the cytoplasm and could not translocate into the nucleus after prolactin treatment. STAT5A_ΔE18 showed a strong tendency to aggregate, which led to coaggregation with STAT5A_full‐length. This coaggregation inhibited the nuclear transport of STAT5A and suppressed prolactin‐induced activation of STAT5A.
The Relationship between Testosterone and Sexual Function in Depressed and Healthy Men
Authors: Rizvi Sakina J. , Kennedy Sidney H. , Ravindran Lakshmi N. , Giacobbe Peter , Eisfeld Beata S. , Mancini Debra , McIntyre Roger S.
Published: September 2009

Aim

Men with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) report high rates of sexual dysfunction, as do healthy males with low levels of testosterone. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of depression and low testosterone across various domains of sexual function.

Methods

Untreated depressed males (N=44) and age-matched healthy controls (N=50) had blood samples drawn to determine morning levels of total testosterone (TT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT). In addition, questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms as well as sexual function were administered.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual function outcomes were measured using the Sex Effects (SexFX) Scale and depression severity was assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 item (HAMD-17).

Results

Using TT criteria, 27.9% of men were categorically defined as hypogonadal compared to 19.3% using BT criteria. Within both TT and BT hypogonadal groups, men with MDD had lower scores on all domains of sexual function compared to healthy controls with hypogonadism. Testosterone levels interacted with MDD status to affect orgasm and desire, although not arousal. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that depression status was the main factor influencing sexual function. Hypogonadal status was not a predictor of sexual function in this sample, although age did play a minor role in the domain of arousal.

Conclusion

While testosterone levels appear to influence sexual function, specifically orgasm, the presence of MDD appears to be a stronger factor and has high predictive value for sexual outcomes.
Sexual Functions and Depressive Symptoms After Photodynamic Therapy for Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus in Postmenopausal Women from the Upper Silesian Region of Poland
Authors: Skrzypulec Violetta , Olejek Anita , Drosdzol Agnieszka , Nowosielski Krzysztof , Kozak-Darmas Iwona , Wloch Stanislaw
Published: September 2009

Introduction

Although lichen sclerosus (LS) may affect women’s physical functioning, mood, and quality of life, restricting their physical activities, sexual, and non-sexual contacts, there are limited data on the sexual functioning of women diagnosed with LS.

Aims

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy for vulvar LS on sexual functions and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women from the Upper Silesian Region of Poland.

Methods

A total of 65 women aged 50–70 visiting an outpatient clinic for assessment of vulvar dermatoses were screened for the clinical trial. Finally, 37 women who met all the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were treated by topical laser therapy (photodynamic therapy). Sexual functions and depressive symptoms were assessed before and after the therapy using Female Sexual Function Index and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual behaviors, sexual functions, and depressive symptoms in females after photodynamic therapy for vulvar LS.

Results

The total FSFI score was significantly lower after the treatment of vulvar LS as compared with the baseline (median 24.6 vs. 15.9). However, the prevalence of clinically significant FSD was stable throughout the medical intervention except lubrication disorders (higher prevalence after the treatment: 40% vs. 68.57%). Although the scores of BDI at the baseline dropped significantly after the photodynamic therapy (median 12.0 and 9.0, respectively), there were no significant differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (48.65% vs. 45.94%).

Conclusions

Topical laser therapy for vulvar LS has a good clinical outcome, especially in the context of no major negative effects on sexual functioning and the positive impact on the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women. However, patients should be informed about the possible lubrication disorders following the treatment.
The Geopolitics of Disease
Authors: Ingram Alan
Published: September 2009

This article reflects on the increasing use of the term geopolitics in discussions of disease. It notes that although the term geopolitics has been used increasingly often, its precise meaning has not received sustained attention. Neither has it been conceptualized in relation to the extensive literature in critical geopolitics. To lay the groundwork for a more considered understanding of geopolitics in relation to disease, the article elaborates upon the senses in which geopolitics has been invoked in recent literature and links them with themes in critical geopolitics. It identifies three intersecting themes, in connection with which issues of geopolitics have been raised: the spatialization of governance, biopolitics and transnational political economies. In discussing these themes, the article identifies a number of questions and avenues for further research. Overall, it argues that there is considerable scope to investigate further the ways in which disease becomes geopolitical. In conclusion, the article raises a series of questions that may serve to connect research on the geopolitics of disease with debates taking place in and around critical geopolitics and geography more generally.
Estimation of the reproductive number and the serial interval in early phase of the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in the USA
Authors: White Laura Forsberg , Wallinga Jacco , Finelli Lyn , Reed Carrie , Riley Steven , Lipsitch Marc , Pagano Marcello
Published: September 2009

Background The United States was the second country to have a major outbreak of novel influenza A/H1N1 in what has become a new pandemic. Appropriate public health responses to this pandemic depend in part on early estimates of key epidemiological parameters of the virus in defined populations.

Methods We use a likelihood‐based method to estimate the basic reproductive number (R0) and serial interval using individual level U.S. data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We adjust for missing dates of illness and changes in case ascertainment. Using prior estimates for the serial interval we also estimate the reproductive number only.

Results Using the raw CDC data, we estimate the reproductive number to be between 2·2 and 2·3 and the mean of the serial interval (μ) between 2·5 and 2·6 days. After adjustment for increased case ascertainment our estimates change to 1·7 to 1·8 forR0and 2·2 to 2·3 days for μ. In a sensitivity analysis making use of previous estimates of the mean of the serial interval, both for this epidemic (μ = 1·91 days) and for seasonal influenza (μ = 3·6 days), we estimate the reproductive number at 1·5 to 3·1.

Conclusions With adjustments for data imperfections we obtain useful estimates of key epidemiological parameters for the current influenza H1N1 outbreak in the United States. Estimates that adjust for suspected increases in reporting suggest that substantial reductions in the spread of this epidemic may be achievable with aggressive control measures, while sensitivity analyses suggest the possibility that even such measures would have limited effect in reducing total attack rates.
DNA Index in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a karyotypic method to validate the flow cytometric measurement
Authors: RACHIERU‐SOURISSEAU P. , BARANGER L. , DASTUGUE N. , ROBERT A. , GENEVIÈVE F. , KUHLEIN E. , CHASSEVENT A.
Published: September 2009

The DNA index (DI) is a prognostic factor in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The accuracy of DI measurement is important for treatment stratification: hyperdiploidy with DI ≥ 1.16 is predictive of favorable prognosis whereas hypodiploidy is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy of the DI measured by flow cytometry (FCM) by comparison with the karyotype. From samples of 112 childhood ALL, we created a formula to calculate a theoretical DNA index (tDI) based on the blast cell karyotype, taking into account the additional or missing chromosome material of the major clone. FCM DI correlated with tDI calculated from karyotype (R = 0.987) and with modal chromosome number (DI = 0.0202 × Modal NB + 0.0675 and R = 0.984). In three cases a hypodiploid blast cell population was detected by FCM, while only the duplicated clone was identified by the karyotype. The strong correlation between tDI and DI validates the accuracy of FCM quantification, which is technically fast on fresh or frozen samples. If the karyotype is essential to analyze chromosomal abnormalities, FCM provides complementary information in aneuploid ALLs, either by confirming the cytogenetic data or by detecting additional clones not identified when only using cytogenetic data.