bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Generation of Inertia–Gravity Waves during the Merging of Two Baroclinic Anticyclones
Authors: Pallàs-Sanz Enric , Viúdez Álvaro
Published: February 2008

The spontaneous generation and propagation of short-scale inertia–gravity waves (IGWs) during the merging of two initially balanced (void of IGWs) baroclinic anticyclones is numerically investigated. The IGW generation is analyzed in flows with different potential vorticity (PV) anomaly, numerical diffusion, numerical resolution, vortex aspect ratio, and background rotation. The vertical velocity and its vertical derivative are used to identify the IGWs in the total flow, while the unbalanced flow (the waves) is diagnosed using the optimal PV balance approach. Spontaneous generation of IGWs occurs in all the cases, primarily as emissions of discrete wave packets. The increase of both the vortex strength and vortex extent isotropy enhances the IGW emission. Three possible indicators, or theories, of spontaneous IGW generation are considered, namely, the advection of PV, the material rate of change of the horizontal divergence, and the three-dimensional baroclinic IGW generation analogy of Lighthill sound radiation theory. It is suggested that different mechanisms for spontaneous IGW generation may be at work. One mechanism is related to the advection of PV, with the IGWs in this case having wave fronts similar to the PV isosurfaces in the upper layers, and helical patterns in the deep layers. Trapped IGWs are ubiquitous in the vortex interior and have annular wave front patterns. Another mechanism is related to the spatially coherent motion of preexisting IGWs, which eventually cooperate to produce mean flow, in particular larger-scale horizontal divergence, and therefore larger-scale vertical motion, which in turns triggers the emission of new IGWs.
Eddies in the Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean, Observed from Ice-Tethered Profilers
Authors: Timmermans M-L. , Toole J. , Proshutinsky A. , Krishfield R. , Plueddemann A.
Published: February 2008

Five ice-tethered profilers (ITPs), deployed between 2004 and 2006, have provided detailed potential temperature θ and salinity S profiles from 21 anticyclonic eddy encounters in the central Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean. The 12–35-m-thick eddies have center depths between 42 and 69 m in the Arctic halocline, and are shallower and less dense than the majority of eddies observed previously in the central Canada Basin. They are characterized by anomalously cold θ and low stratification, and have horizontal scales on the order of, or less than, the Rossby radius of deformation (about 10 km). Maximum azimuthal speeds estimated from dynamic heights (assuming cyclogeostrophic balance) are between 9 and 26 cm s−1, an order of magnitude larger than typical ambient flow speeds in the central basin. Eddy θ–S and potential vorticity properties, as well as horizontal and vertical scales, are consistent with their formation by instability of a surface front at about 80°N that appears in historical CTD and expendable CTD (XCTD) measurements. This would suggest eddy lifetimes longer than 6 months. While the baroclinic instability of boundary currents cannot be ruled out as a generation mechanism, it is less likely since deeper eddies that would originate from the deeper-reaching boundary flows are not observed in the survey region.
Workers' Rights in Open Economies
Authors: Mosley Layna
Published: February 2008

Previous large-N research suggests that globalization could have either positive or negative consequences for labor rights in developing nations. This article examines the ways in which domestic political institutions and interests conditions the effects of economic globalization. It develops several hypotheses regarding the impact of domestic factors on labor rights outcomes and uses the case of Costa Rica to assess these hypotheses. The result is that although segments of the Costa Rican economy and labor force have benefited from industrial upgrading in recent years, the enclave nature of the export-oriented economy and the historical repression of organized labor render difficult the achievement of some internationally recognized core labor rights. The article concludes by discussing some of the issues for future research that are highlighted by the Costa Rican case.
Oil prices and world inflation
Authors: Barrell Ray , Pomerantz Olga
Published: February 2008

Between NIESR's October 2007 and January 2008 global economy forecasts, oil prices rose by almost $20 per barrel, and they averaged $86 a barrel in the fourth quarter of 2007, as against our assumption of $71 a barrel. In the first quarter of 2008 we project that they will average $90 a barrel, $19 above the level we projected in October. Real oil prices have risen almost to the level seen in around 1980, as we can see from figure 1. There has, however, been no resurgence of inflationary pressure on the scale that was observed in the mid-1970s and early 1980s in response to oil price increases. This has been much as we anticipated, as is discussed in Barrell and Pomerantz (2004), and our model simulation results reflect the changed environment in which the increase has taken place.
The Men Who Would Not Be Amban and the One Who Would
Authors: Ho Dahpon David
Published: February 2008

On February 12, 1910, a Chinese expeditionary army marched into Lhasa and fired on unarmed civilians, overturned the Tibetan government, and forced the thirteenth Dalai Lama to flee to India. Many have condemned the invasion as a breaking point in Sino-Tibetan relations, but its origins remain murky. If it was not the handiwork of “Butcher” Zhao Erfeng, as many have supposed, then what happened on that fateful winter day, and why? This article examines late-Qing forward policy in Tibet through four key officials: Zhang Yintang, the diplomat who called for reforms and a Tibetan standing army; Zhao Erfeng, the ruthless frontier commissioner in Kham; Lianyu, the last amban of Tibet; and Zhong Ying, the neophyte who led the 1910 Lhasa expedition. Their stories reveal not a monolithic Qing policy but a contest of policy and personality that exploded into bloody strife, with aftershocks that are felt to this day.
Localizing the Global
Authors: Löwy Ilana , Gaudillière Jean Paul
Published: February 2008

Tests for hereditary predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer have figured among the first medical applications of the new knowledge gleaned from the Human Genome Project. These applications have set off heated debates on general issues such as intellectual property rights. The genetic diagnosis of breast cancer risks, and the management of women “at risk” has nevertheless developed following highly localized paths. There are major differences in the organization of testing, uses of genetic tests, and the follow up of patients. This article studies testing practices and ways of managing breast cancer risk in France and compares them with those in the United States and United Kingdom. It shows how the complex interaction between global and local factors shapes the multiple meanings assumed by the phrase cancer risk.
Dynamics of Frailty and ADL Dependence in a Five-Year Longitudinal Study of Octogenarians
Authors: Guilley Edith , Ghisletta Paolo , Armi Franca , Berchtold André , d'Epinay Christian Lalive , Michel Jean-Pierre , de Ribaupierre Anik
Published: February 2008

Using a sample of octogenarians from the Swiss Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study on the Oldest Old, the authors investigated the predictive validity of an expanded working definition of frailty based on deficiencies in mobility, memory, energy, and physical or sensory capacities and analyzed the resulting health transitions. The five domains were considered as predictors of the onset of dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and death using logistic multilevel and Cox survival regression models. Health transitions were studied with Markov chains. Deficiencies in memory, energy, and sensory capacities contributed to the prediction of the onset of ADL dependence and death in participants free of physical pains and mobility impairments. With two domains affected, frailty in very old persons indicated an increased risk of adverse outcomes. The study of transitions showed that ADL-independent frailty was a highly probable and relatively long transitional stage between robustness and ADL dependence.
Application of Folded Plate Formulation in Analyzing Stiffened Laminated Composite and Sandwich Folded Plate Vibration
Authors: Pal Sreyashi , Guha Niyogi A.
Published: February 2008

A nine noded flat plate element, considering first order transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia with five degrees of freedom per node, is used to compute element stiffness and mass matrices for composite plates. Drilling degrees of freedom are introduced to account for three translations and three rotations per node, and transformed to obtain the global matrices for computing the dynamic response of stiffened laminated composite and sandwich folded plate structures. The stiffeners are visualized as parts of the folded plate. The formulation works well. New results for stiffened folded plates are reported with different arrangements of stiffeners to observe their effects.
Analysis of Underwater Free Vibrations of a Composite Propeller Blade
Authors: Lin H.J. , Tsai J.F.
Published: February 2008

The free vibration characteristics of a composite marine propeller blade were studied. MAB and composite materials were used. Composites with symmetric, balanced and unbalanced stacking sequences were analyzed. Rotational effects and added mass were considered using the finite element method. The natural frequency of the blade in water was much lower than in air. The mode shapes of the blade are almost the same in air as in water. The anisotropy of the composites shift the contours of the mode shape. Generally, greater anisotropy corresponds to a lower natural frequency. The rotational effects can be ignored because the marine propeller rotates slowly.
Effects of Moisture on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Wood Fiber Composites Studied by Dynamic FT-IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Almgren Karin M. , Åkerholm Margaretha , Gamstedt E. Kristofer , Salmen Lennart , Lindström Mikael
Published: February 2008

Wood fiber reinforced polylactide is a biodegradable composite where both fibers and matrix are from renewable resources. In the development of such new materials, information on mechanical behavior on the macroscopic and the molecular level is useful. In this study, dynamic Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to measure losses at the molecular level during cyclic tensile loading for bonds that are characteristic of the cellulosic fibers and the polylactid matrix. This molecular behavior is compared with measured macroscopic hysteresis losses for different moisture levels. The results show that moisture ingress will transfer the load from the fibers to the matrix, and that a more efficient fiber-matrix interface would diminish mechanical losses. Although the dynamic FT-IR spectroscopy method is still qualitative, this investigation shows that it can provide information on the stress transfer of the constituents in wood fiber reinforced plastics.
Scaling Effects in the Low Velocity Impact Response of Fiber-Metal Laminates
Authors: Carrillo J.G. , Cantwell W.J.
Published: February 2008

Scaling effects in the low velocity impact response of a polypropylene-based fiber-metal laminate (FML) structure have been investigated. The FML was based on a 2024 aluminum alloy, a self-reinforced polypropylene composite and a polypropylene film acting as an interlayer adhesive. The study focuses on the assessing the possibility of using scale model tests for predicting the full scale low velocity impact response of FMLs based on [Aln, 0°/90°n]s and [Al, 0°/90°]ns configurations. These two systems were used to scale four different sample sizes (n = 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full scale). The impact load-displacement traces were normalized and found to collapse onto a single curve, suggesting that the laminates obey a scaling law. Attention also focused on characterizing the resulting damage in these multi-layered systems, where it was shown that the deformation modes and failure mechanisms were similar in all four scaled sizes. Other parameters such as the maximum impact force and the time to maximum load showed little sensitivity to scale size. This evidence suggests that data collected from tests on small FML plates can be used to predict the low velocity impact response of larger, more representative structures.
A Taguchi Approach for Investigation of Erosion of Glass Fiber — Polyester Composites
Authors: Patnaik Amar , Satapathy Alok , Mahapatra S.S. , Dash R.R.
Published: February 2008

Polyester composites reinforced with three different weight fractions of woven E-glass fiber reinforcement are developed. To study the effect of various operational and material parameters on erosive wear behavior of these composites in an interacting environment, erosion test are carried out. For this purpose, an air jet type erosion test rig and the design of experiments approach utilizing Taguchi's orthogonal arrays are used. The findings of the experiments indicate that erodent size, fiber loading, impingement angle and impact velocity are the significant factors in a declining sequence affecting the wear rate. Significance of erosion efficiency in identifying the wear mechanism is highlighted. It is confirmed that the glass-reinforced-polyester composites exhibit mostly semi-ductile erosion response. An optimal parameter combination is determined, which leads to minimization of erosion rate. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is performed on the measured data and signal to noise (S/N) ratios. A correlation derived from the results of Taguchi experimental design is proposed as a predictive equation for estimation of erosion wear rate of these composites. It is demonstrated that the predicted results obtained using this equation are consistent with experimental observations. Finally, optimal factor settings for minimum wear rate are determined using genetic algorithm.
Mechanical Behavior of Glass/Epoxy Composites at Liquid Nitrogen Temperature
Authors: Surendra Kumar M. , Sharma Neeti , Ray B.C.
Published: February 2008

The present experimental investigation deals with the mechanical behavior of glass/epoxy composites at cryogenic temperature. Woven and chopped E-glass fibers of 50 weight percentage were reinforced with epoxy matrix to prepare the laminated composites. 3-point bend tests were carried out to assess interlaminar fracture behavior at cryogenic and at ambient conditions. The specimens were tested at a range of 2mm/min to 500mm/min crosshead speed to evaluate the sensitivity of mechanical response during loading at these conditions. The mechanical performances of the laminated specimens at cryogenic conditions were compared with room temperature property by using SEM photographs. DSC was carried out to study whether there is any change in glass transition temperature. Glass/epoxy composites were found to be loading rate sensitive. DSC analysis shows increase in glass transition temperature after cryogenic conditioning which may be due to irreversibility of the chain mobility. The phenomenological behavior of these composite materials may be attributed to polymer relaxation at low temperature, cryogenic hardening, matrix cracking, and misfit strain due to a differential thermal coefficient of the fiber and the matrix and also by an enhanced mechanical keying factor by compressive residual stresses generated at cryogenic temperatures.
Community Violence in Context
Authors: Aisenberg Eugene , Herrenkohl Todd
Published: February 2008

Although some community violence research has examined the context of community violence, including the social, economic, and structural organization of neighborhoods, more needs to be learned about family, school, and community-level factors that may promote and lessen the incidence and prevalence of community violence. In addition, further research is needed on various social, environmental, and contextual factors hypothesized to protect youth from exposure. This article (a) reviews and examines the relation between neighborhood context and risk of violence exposure, (b) reviews current literature on predictors of community violence and mental health and behavioral consequences for children and families adversely affected by community violence, (c) examines sources of resilience and community strengths that extend beyond the individual, (d) discusses the contributions and limitations of current conceptualizations of risk and resilience, and (e) highlights directions for future research. Information from this review can inform community and government efforts to lessen community violence through prevention and treatment.
Historical Trauma in American Indian/Native Alaska Communities
Authors: Evans-Campbell Teresa
Published: February 2008

Over multiple generations, American Indian communities have endured a succession of traumatic events that have enduring consequences for community members. This article presents a multilevel framework for exploring the impact of historically traumatic events on individuals, families, and communities. The critical connection between historically traumatic events and contemporary stressors is also discussed at length.
Heterogeneity Among Violence-Exposed Women
Authors: Nurius Paula S. , Macy Rebecca J.
Published: February 2008

Variability of experience and outcomes among violence-exposed people pose considerable challenges toward developing effective prevention and treatment protocols. To address these needs, the authors present an approach to research and a class of methodologies referred to as person oriented. Person-oriented tools support assessment of meaningful patterns among people that distinguish one group from another, subgroups for whom different interventions are indicated. The authors review the conceptual base of person-oriented methods, outline their distinction from more familiar variable-oriented methods, present descriptions of selected methods as well as empirical applications of person-oriented methods germane to violence exposure, and conclude with discussion of implications for future research and translation between research and practice. The authors focus on violence against women as a population, drawing on stress and coping theory as a theoretical framework. However, person-oriented methods hold utility for investigating diversity among violence-exposed people's experiences and needs across populations and theoretical foundations.
Dietary Patterns and Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among Low‐Income Families Participating in Community Food Assistance Programs in a Midwest Town
Authors: Nnakwe Nweze E.
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this study is to determine the dietary patterns and prevalence of food insecurity in low‐income families participating in community food assistance programs. A total of 236 head of households are selected as a convenience sample and interviewed using the Radimer/Cornell Hunger Questionnaire and food frequency table. Pearson Chi‐square is used to analyze the prevalence of food insecurity and the association between food insecurity and dietary intake. Fifty‐one percent of households with children are food secure, 24.3% are food insecure without hunger, 12.2% are food insecure with moderate hunger, and 12.2% report food insecurity with severe hunger. Ten percent of households without children are food insecure with moderate hunger, and 5% report food insecurity with severe hunger. Results also show that consumption of foods from the food groups recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture decreases as the presence of food insecurity increases.
Conceptualizing Immoral and Unethical Consumption Using Neutralization Theory
Authors: McGregor Sue L. T.
Published: February 2008

Neutralization is a defense mechanism through which people downplay the repercussions of their behavior. This article demonstrates the ability of neutralization theory (especially 13 neutralization techniques) to contribute theoretical understandings into how consumers can justify the negative impacts of their purchasing behavior, how they can continually or periodically rationalize their less than moral and ethical consumption decisions. Guided by the intent to galvanize empirical and interpretative consumer scholarship informed by neutralization theory, 13 consumer vignettes were developed to illustrate the powerful insights to be gained from bringing this theoretical perspective to bear on the immorality of consumption.
The Presence of Stigma Among Users of the MMORPG RMT
Authors: Grundy David
Published: February 2008

In those massive multiplayer online role-play games in which the real money trade (RMT) is specifically prohibited by the end user license agreement and terms of service, researchers should be aware of the impact of their work into potentially sensitive topic areas. If these users of the RMT secondary market feel they are a stigmatized community, this will potentially directly affect access to data, data integrity, data bias, and the ability to disclose and disseminate back to the research community. A hypothetical qualitative case study approach is applied using three separate research elements to aid in the understanding of why prospective research candidates could potentially feel stigmatized.
Regulation of LFA-1–dependent inflammatory cell recruitment by Cbl-b and 14-3-3 proteins
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Orlova Valeria V. , Fagerholm Susanna C. , Nurmi Susanna M. , Zhang Li , Ballantyne Christie M. , Gahmberg Carl G. , Chavakis Triantafyllos
Published: February 2008

Inside-out signaling regulation of the β2-integrin leukocyte function–associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) by different cytoplasmic proteins, including 14-3-3 proteins, is essential for adhesion and migration of immune cells. Here, we identify a new pathway for the regulation of LFA-1 activity by Cbl-b, an adapter molecule and ubiquitin ligase that modulates several signaling pathways. Cbl-b−/− mice displayed increased macrophage recruitment in thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, which was attributed to Cbl-b deficiency in macrophages, as assessed by bone marrow chimera experiments. In vitro, Cbl-b−/− bone marrow–derived mononuclear phagocytes (BMDMs) displayed increased adhesion to endothelial cells. Activation of LFA-1 in Cbl-b–deficient cells was responsible for their increased endothelial adhesion in vitro and peritoneal recruitment in vivo, as the phenotype of Cbl-b deficiency was reversed in Cbl-b−/−LFA-1−/− mice. Consistently, LFA-1–mediated adhesion of BMDM to ICAM-1 but not VLA-4–mediated adhesion to VCAM-1 was enhanced by Cbl-b deficiency. Cbl-b deficiency resulted in increased phosphorylation of T758 in the β2-chain of LFA-1 and thereby in enhanced association of 14-3-3β protein with the β2-chain, leading to activation of LFA-1. Consistently, disruption of the 14-3-3/β2-integrin interaction abrogated the enhanced ICAM-1 adhesion of Cbl-b−/− BMDMs. In conclusion, Cbl-b deficiency activates LFA-1 and LFA-1–mediated inflammatory cell recruitment by stimulating the interaction between the LFA-1 β-chain and 14-3-3 proteins.
Telomere maintenance and human bone marrow failure
Authors: Calado Rodrigo T. , Young Neal S.
Published: February 2008

Acquired and congenital aplastic anemias recently have been linked molecularly and pathophysiologically by abnormal telomere maintenance. Telomeres are repeated nucleotide sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes and protect them from damage. Telomeres are eroded with cell division, but in hematopoietic stem cells, maintenance of their length is mediated by telomerase. Accelerated telomere shortening is virtually universal in dyskeratosis congenita, caused by mutations in genes encoding components of telomerase or telomere-binding protein (TERT, TERC, DKC1, NOP10, or TINF2). About one-third of patients with acquired aplastic anemia also have short telomeres, which in some cases associate with TERT or TERC mutations. These mutations cause low telomerase activity, accelerated telomere shortening, and diminished proliferative capacity of hematopoietic progenitors. As in other genetic diseases, additional environmental, genetic, and epigenetic modifiers must contribute to telomere erosion and ultimately to disease phenotype. Short telomeres also may cause genomic instability and malignant progression in these marrow failure syndromes. Identification of short telomeres has potential clinical implications: it may be useful in dyskeratosis congenita diagnosis, in suggesting mutations in patients with acquired aplastic anemia, and for selection of suitable hematopoietic stem cell family donors for transplantation in telomerase-deficient patients.
Risk of multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance among white and black male United States veterans with prior autoimmune, infectious, inflammatory, and allergic disorders
Authors: Brown Linda Morris , Gridley Gloria , Check David , Landgren Ola
Published: February 2008

In a retrospective cohort of more than 4 million white and black male United States (US) veterans, we explored the role of specific prior autoimmune, infectious, inflammatory, and allergic disorders in the etiology of multiple myeloma (MM) and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Patients were selected from computerized inpatient discharge records at US Veterans Affairs hospitals. The analysis included 4641 patients (3040 white, 1601 black) and 2046 patients (1312 white; 734 black) with a discharge diagnosis of MM and MGUS, respectively. Using Poisson regression, we calculated age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship between MM, MGUS, and specific prior medical conditions. Significantly elevated risks of MM were associated with broad categories of autoimmune (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.28), infectious (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.20-1.38), and inflammatory disorders (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.10-1.27) and specific prior autoimmune (polymyositis/dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pernicious anemia, and ankylosing spondylitis), infectious (pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, septicemia, herpes zoster, and poliomyelitis), and inflammatory (glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and osteoarthritis) disorders. Risks for MGUS were generally of similar magnitude. Our results indicate that various types of immune-mediated conditions might act as triggers for MM/MGUS development.
Survivin overexpression alone does not alter megakaryocyte ploidy nor interfere with erythroid/megakaryocytic lineage development in transgenic mice
Authors: McCrann Donald J. , Yezefski Todd , Nguyen Hao G. , Papadantonakis Nicholas , Liu Hui , Wen Qiang , Crispino John D. , Ravid Katya
Published: February 2008

The level of survivin was reported to be scarce in mouse megakaryocytes (MKs) compared with erythroid cells. Considering this finding and previously reported in vitro data showing decreased MK ploidy upon retroviral-mediated overexpression of survivin, we sought to examine whether ectopic survivin expression in the MK lineage might alter ploidy level in vivo. Here we report the generation of 2 tissue specific hematopoietic transgenic mouse models, one expressing survivin in both the erythroid and MK lineages and the other expressing survivin solely in the MK lineage. Survivin protein overexpression was confirmed in MKs and erythrocytes. Surprisingly, analysis of both transgenic mouse lines showed no detectable changes in MK number, ploidy level, and platelet and erythrocyte counts, as compared with control mice. We conclude that elevated survivin expression does not alter MK/erythroid lineage development and that elevated survivin, alone, does not interfere with MK ploidy in vivo.
Flow-cytometric monitoring of disease-associated expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins in combination with known CD antigens, as an index for MRD in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a two-year longitudinal follow-up study
Authors: Chowdhury Suchandra , Bandyopadhyay Suman , Mandal Chandan , Chandra Sarmila , Mandal Chitra
Published: February 2008

Background

Over expression of 9-O-acetylated sialoglycoproteins (Neu5,9Ac2-GPs, abbreviated as OAcSGP) has been demonstrated as a disease-associated antigen on the lymphoblasts of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Achatinin-H, a lectin, has selective affinity towards terminal 9-O-acetylated sialic acids-α2-6-Nacetylated galactosamine. Exploring this affinity, enhanced expression of OAcSGP was observed, at the onset of disease, followed by its decrease with chemotherapy and reappearance with relapse. In spite of treatment, patients retain the diseased cells referred to as minimal residual disease (MRD) responsible for relapse. Our aim was to select a suitable template by using the differential expression of OAcSGP along with other known CD antigens to monitor MRD in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) of Indian patients with B- or T-ALL during treatment and correlate it with the disease status.

Methods

A two-year longitudinal follow-up study was done with 109 patients from the onset of the disease till the end of chemotherapy, treated under MCP841protocol. Paired samples of PB (n = 1667) and BM (n = 999) were monitored by flow cytometry. Three templates selected for this investigation were OAcSGP+CD10+CD19+ or OAcSGP+CD34+CD19+ for B-ALL and OAcSGP+CD7+CD3+ for T-ALL.

Results

Using each template the level of MRD detection reached 0.01% for a patient in clinical remission (CR). 81.65% of the patients were in CR during these two years while the remaining relapsed. Failure in early clearance of lymphoblasts, as indicated by higher MRD, implied an elevated risk of relapse. Soaring MRD during the chemotherapeutic regimen predicted clinical relapse, at least a month before medical manifestation. Irrespective of B- or T-lineage ALL, the MRD in PB and BM correlated well.

Conclusion

A range of MRD values can be predicted for the patients in CR, irrespective of their lineage, being 0.03 ± 0.01% (PB) and 0.05 ± 0.015% (BM). These patients may not be stated as normal with respect to the presence of MRD. Hence, MRD study beyond two-years follow-up is necessary to investigate further reduction in MRD, thereby ensuring their disease-free survival. Therefore, we suggest use of these templates for MRD detection, during and post-chemotherapy for proper patient management strategies, thereby helping in personalizing the treatment.
Structural basis of GC-1 selectivity for thyroid hormone receptor isoforms
Authors: Bleicher Lucas , Aparicio Ricardo , Nunes Fabio M , Martinez Leandro , Gomes Dias Sandra M , Figueira Ana Carolina Migliorini , Santos Maria Auxiliadora Morim , Venturelli Walter H , da Silva Rosangela , Donate Paulo Marcos , Neves Francisco AR , Simeoni Luiz A , Baxter John D , Webb Paul , Skaf Munir S , Polikarpov Igor
Published: February 2008

Background

Thyroid receptors, TRα and TRβ, are involved in important physiological functions such as metabolism, cholesterol level and heart activities. Whereas metabolism increase and cholesterol level lowering could be achieved by TRβ isoform activation, TRα activation affects heart rates. Therefore, β-selective thyromimetics have been developed as promising drug-candidates for treatment of obesity and elevated cholesterol level. GC-1 [3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-hydroxy-3'-isopropylbenzyl)-phenoxy acetic acid] has ability to lower LDL cholesterol with 600- to 1400-fold more potency and approximately two- to threefold more efficacy than atorvastatin (Lipitor©) in studies in rats, mice and monkeys.

Results

To investigate GC-1 specificity, we solved crystal structures and performed molecular dynamics simulations of both isoforms complexed with GC-1. Crystal structures reveal that, in TRα Arg228 is observed in multiple conformations, an effect triggered by the differences in the interactions between GC-1 and Ser277 or the corresponding asparagine (Asn331) of TRβ. The corresponding Arg282 of TRβ is observed in only one single stable conformation, interacting effectively with the ligand. Molecular dynamics support this model: our simulations show that the multiple conformations can be observed for the Arg228 in TRα, in which the ligand interacts either strongly with the ligand or with the Ser277 residue. In contrast, a single stable Arg282 conformation is observed for TRβ, in which it strongly interacts with both GC-1 and the Asn331.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that the key factors for GC-1 selectivity are the presence of an oxyacetic acid ester oxygen and the absence of the amino group relative to T3. These results shed light into the β-selectivity of GC-1 and may assist the development of new compounds with potential as drug candidates to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and obesity.
Takayasu arteritis presenting as cerebral aneurysms in an 18 month old: A case report
Authors: Weiss Pamela F , Corao Diana A , Pollock Avrum N , Finkel Terri H , Smith Sabrina E
Published: February 2008

Background

Central nervous system involvement occurs in as many as twenty percent of Takayasu arteritis cases. When central nervous system disease is present, it typically manifests as cerebral ischemia or stroke. There are rare reports of intracranial aneurysms in adults with Takayasu arteritis, but none in children.

Case presentation

We describe a case of Takayasu arteritis in an 18 month old girl who presented with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Full body magnetic resonance angiography revealed bilateral iliac, pelvic and intragluteal aneurysms, irregular terminal aorta, and stenotic renal arteries. Iliac vessel biopsy showed a lymphocytic infiltrate and giant cells localized to the internal elastica.

Conclusion

This case highlights cerebral aneurysm as a highly unusual initial manifestation of Takayasu arteritis and demonstrates the challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of response to therapy in TA in children.
Comparative randomised trial of online cognitive–behavioural therapy and an information website for depression: 12-month outcomes
Authors: Mackinnon Andrew , Griffiths Kathleen M. , Christensen Helen
Published: February 2008

Background

An earlier paper reported positive outcomes immediately following access to a cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) internet intervention and a depression information website.

Aims

To determine 6-month and 12-month outcomes of the interventions relative to a placebo control condition.

Method

Participants allocated to the depression information website condition, the CBT internet intervention and the placebo control condition were followed up at 6 and 12 months by survey. The primary outcome measure was the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression (CES–D) scale. Of 525 participants recruited, 79% completed their assigned intervention and 60% were retained at 12-month follow-up. Attrition was handled using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Both the CBT site and depression information sites were associated with statistically significant benefits in CES–D score reduction compared with controls at post-test. At 6-months follow-up, the reduction seen for the people allocated to the CBT arm remained significant, whereas that for the depression information website arm was not. At 12 months, both active interventions were statistically significantly superior to the control condition.

Conclusions

There is some evidence that benefits of these brief internet interventions are retained beyond their endpoint. The impact of human support provided by interviewers in the trial must be considered when comparing these outcomes to routine use of both internet interventions.
Semantic priming in schizophrenia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pomarol-Clotet E. , Oh T. M. S. S. , Laws K. R. , McKenna P. J.
Published: February 2008

Background

Increased semantic priming is an influential theory of thought disorder in schizophrenia. However, studies to date have had conflicting findings.

Aims

To investigate semantic memory in patients with schizophrenia with and without thought disorder.

Method

Data were pooled from 36 studies comparing patients with schizophrenia and normal controls in semantic priming tasks. Data from 18 studies comparing patients with thought disorder with normal controls, and 13 studies comparing patients with and without thought disorder were also pooled.

Results

There was no support for altered semantic priming in schizophrenia as a whole. Increased semantic priming in patients with thought disorder was supported, but this was significant only in comparison with normal controls and not in comparison with patients without thought disorder. Stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) and general slowing of reaction time moderated the effect size for priming in patients with thought disorder.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis provides qualified support for increased semantic priming as a psychological abnormality underlying thought disorder. However, the possibility that the effect is an artefact of general slowing of reaction time in schizophrenia has not been excluded.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as a potentially aggravating factor in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Philipsen Alexandra , Limberger Matthias F. , Lieb Klaus , Feige Bernd , Kleindienst Nikolaus , Ebner-Priemer Ulrich , Barth Johanna , Schmahl Christian , Bohus Martin
Published: February 2008

Background

Clinical experience suggests that people with borderline personality disorder often meet criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, empirical data are sparse.

Aims

To establish the prevalence of childhood and adult ADHD in a group of women with borderline personality disorder and to investigate the psychopathology and childhood experiences of those with and without ADHD.

Method

We assessed women seeking treatment for borderline personality disorder (n=118) for childhood and adult ADHD, co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders, severity of borderline symptomatology and traumatic childhood experiences.

Results

Childhood (41.5%) and adult (16.1%) ADHD prevalence was high. Childhood ADHD was associated with emotional abuse in childhood and greater severity of adult borderline symptoms. Adult ADHD was associated with greater risk for co-occurring Axis I and II disorders.

Conclusions

Adults with severe borderline personality disorder frequently show a history of childhood ADHD symptomatology. Persisting ADHD correlates with frequency of co-occurring Axis I and II disorders. Severity of borderline symptomatology in adulthood is associated with emotional abuse in childhood. Further studies are needed to differentiate any potential causal relationship between ADHD and borderline personality disorder.
Incidence of childhood-onset bipolar illness in the USA and Europe
Authors: Post Robert M. , Luckenbaugh David A. , Leverich Gabriele S. , Altshuler Lori L. , Frye Mark A. , Suppes Trisha , Keck Paul E. , McElroy Susan L. , Nolen Willem A. , Kupka Ralph , Grunze Heinz , Walden Joerg
Published: February 2008

The relative incidence of childhood-onset bipolar illness in the USA compared with that in Europe is controversial. We examined this issue in more than 500 out-patients (average age 42 years) with bipolar illness who reported age at onset of first episode, family history, and childhood physical or sexual abuse. Childhood or adolescent onset of bipolar illness was reported by 61% of those in the US cohort but by only 30% of those in The Netherlands or Germany. In the USA there was also twice the incidence of childhood adversity and genetic/familial risk for affective disorder. The findings deserve replication and further exploration.
Improved investment in mental health services: value for money?
Authors: Goldberg David
Published: February 2008

Background

This paper examines what has been achieved in the specialist mental health services by the vastly increased health expenditures that the National Health Service (NHS) has enjoyed in the past 5 years.

Aims

To describe the way money has been spent in specialist mental health services and examine why problems remain after such admirable changes to already available resources.

Method

Changes in staff employed by mental health services, where the extra staff are deployed, and patterns of expenditure within the whole service and within community mental health teams are examined.

Results

Some of the new expenditure has been well spent, and has produced improvements in the service. However, one must also take account of the costs of the greatly increased numbers of managers, who impose two sorts of costs: that of their own salaries, and the opportunity costs of front-line staff having to attend meetings and write reports rather than seeing patients. Throughout the rest of the NHS, money has been wasted on needless reorganisations, on consultant and general practitioner contracts, and on information technology that has so far failed to deliver tangible advantages.

Conclusions

The emphasis on central control undermines local initiatives and wastes resources. Some central control is inevitable, but policies need to be developed in collaboration with clinicians. At local level, expenditure by primary care trusts and mental health trusts also needs to be scrutinised by committees that should include representatives of front-line mental health staff.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists for schizophrenia
Authors: Harrison Paul J.
Published: February 2008

A drug acting at metabotropic glutamate receptors has recently been reported to be an effective antipsychotic, breaking the rule that only dopamine receptor-blocking drugs have this property. The finding complements accumulating evidence that glutamatergic abnormalities are important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Thyroid Hormone Induces Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α Gene Expression through Thyroid Hormone Receptor β/Retinoid X Receptor α-Dependent Activation of Hepatic Leukemia Factor
Authors: Otto Teresa , Fandrey Joachim
Published: February 2008

Thyroid hormones are important regulators of differentiation, growth, metabolism, and physiological function of virtually all tissues. Active thyroid hormone T3 affects expression of genes that encode for angiogenic proteins like adrenomedullin or vascular endothelial growth factor and erythropoietin, as well as for glucose transporters and phospho fructokinase that determine glucose use. Interestingly, those target genes are also hypoxia inducible and under the control of the oxygen-dependent transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1). We and others have reported that T3 stimulates HIF-1 activation, which intimately links T3 and HIF-1 induced gene expression. Here, we studied intracellular pathways that mediate HIF-1α regulation by T3. We found that T3-dependent HIF-1 activation is not limited to hepatoma cells but is also observed in primary human hepatocytes, kidney and lung carcinoma cells. T3 increased the HIF-1α subunit mRNA and protein within a few hours through activation of the thyroid hormone receptor β retinoid X receptor α heterodimer because knockdown of each of the partners abrogated the stimulation by T3. However, T3 had no direct effect on transcription of HIF-1α, but activation of the thyroid hormone receptor β/retinoid X receptor α heterodimer by T3 stimulated expression of the hepatic leukemia factor, which increases HIF-1α gene expression.
Free-flight encounters between praying mantids (Parasphendale agrionina) and bats (Eptesicus fuscus)
Authors: Triblehorn J. D. , Ghose K. , Bohn K. , Moss C. F. , Yager D. D.
Published: February 2008

Through staged free-flight encounters between echolocating bats and praying mantids, we examined the effectiveness of two potential predator-evasion behaviors mediated by different sensory modalities: (1) power dive responses triggered by bat echolocation detected by the mantis ultrasound-sensitive auditory system, and (2) `last-ditch' maneuvers triggered by bat-generated wind detected by the mantis cercal system. Hearing mantids escaped more often than deafened mantids (76% vs 34%, respectively; hearing conveyed 42%advantage). Hearing mantis escape rates decreased when bat attack sequences contained very rapid increases in pulse repetition rates (escape rates <40%for transition slopes >16 p.p.s. 10 ms–1; escape rates>60% for transition slopes <16 p.p.s. 10 ms–1). This suggests that echolocation attack sequences containing very rapid transitions(>16 p.p.s. 10 ms–1) could circumvent mantis/insect auditory defenses. However, echolocation attack sequences containing such transitions occurred in only 15% of the trials. Since mantis ultrasound-mediated responses are not 100% effective, cercal-mediated evasive behaviors triggered by bat-generated wind could be beneficial as a backup/secondary system. Although deafened mantids with functioning cerci did not escape more often than deafened mantids with deactivated cerci (35%vs 32%, respectively), bats dropped mantids with functioning cerci twice as frequently as mantids with deactivated cerci. This latter result was not statistically reliable due to small sample sizes, since this study was not designed to fully evaluate this result. It is an interesting observation that warrants further investigation, however, especially since these dropped mantids always survived the encounter.
Swelling-activated chloride channels in leech Retzius neurons
Authors: Coulon Philippe , Wüsten Hans-Joachim , Hochstrate Peter , Dierkes Paul Wilhelm
Published: February 2008

During periods of high activity neurons are expected to swell due to the uptake of Cl–. To find out whether leech Retzius neurons possess swelling-activated Cl– channels that facilitate Cl– efflux and, hence, volume recovery, we exposed the cells to hypotonic solutions. In hypotonic solutions, the cells slowly swelled but did not undergo a regulatory volume decrease. However, the cell volume increased less than predicted for an ideal osmometer, suggesting the action of a compensatory mechanism. The cell swelling was paralleled by a marked decrease in the input resistance as well as by the activation of a membrane current with a reversal potential close to the Cl–equilibrium potential. This current was substantially diminished by removing bath Cl–, by applying the Cl– channel blocker DIDS, or by treating the cells with the tubulin polymerization inhibitor colchicine. Furthermore, in the presence of colchicine or vinblastine, the cell swelling was substantially increased. It is concluded that leech Retzius neurons possess swelling-activated Cl–channels that require an intact microtubule system for activation. The channels may help to restore cell volume after periods of high neuronal activity.