bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons Learned from the PMI Case Study: The Community Perspective
Authors: Hare Martha L. , Orians Carlyn E. , Kennedy May G. , Goodman Kenneth J. , Wijesinha Shyanika , Seals Brenda F.
Published: April 2010

Individuals from the five sites that participated in the Prevention Marketing Initiative (PMI) Local Site Demonstration Project, an HIV prevention program targeting adolescents, were interviewed in a two-part qualitative case study. This article summarizes lessons learned from 179 community participants on topics ranging from organizing initial planning committees to financially sustaining federal demonstration programs over time. The insights of participants involved in the process may help ensure the success of future Prevention Marketing efforts. Overall, they found the process to be challenging but worthwhile, and felt that the resulting multifaceted HIV prevention programs for young people were successful.
Whose Behavior is it Anyway? The Broader Potential of Social Marketing
Authors: Hastings Gerard , MacFadyen Lynn , Anderson Susan
Published: April 2010

Social marketing has established itself as an effective technology for changing the health behaviors of individual citizens. However, people's behavior is not just determined by their own choices but also by their social context. An unhealthy diet, for instance, may result as much from poverty as poor food choice, and the continued use of tobacco from nicotine addiction rather than self-determination. Social marketing needs to address these “upstream” influences if it is to reach its full potential, as well as avoid intellectual and ethical criticism.

These influences occur at two different levels: in the local community (e.g., diet may be determined by what is available in the local shops or exercising by access to sports facilities)- “the immediate environment”; and in society as a whole (e.g., smoking may be encouraged if it is felt to have tacit endorsement from government)-“the wider social context.” In addition there are other influences on people's health outcomes, such as the addition of fluoride to water or folic acid to bread, that don't involve the individual in any action at all but do require behavior change by policy makers. Four case studies are used to show that social marketing can contribute at each of these levels, using the standard principles of consumer orientation, exchange and strategic planning.
An Analysis of Unit Costs in Selected Condom Social Marketing Programs, 1990–1996
Authors: Stallworthy Guy , Meekers Dominique
Published: April 2010

Condom social marketing has become central to Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention programs around the world. Excluding the large family planning-oriented social marketing programs of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India (which accounted for over 500 million condoms in 1996), sales of socially marketed condoms increased more than sixfold from 49 million condoms (in 30 countries) in 1991 to 312 million condoms (in 54 countries) by 1996 (Gardner, Blackburn, & Upadhyay, 1999). This study aims to fill the gap in information about condom social marketing costs.

In the field of family planning, considerable effort has been put into analyzing costs per couple-year of protection (CYP) for social marketing and other service delivery approaches (Barberis & Harvey, 1997; Stover & Wagman, 1992). The cost of condom social marketing has yet to be analyzed independently of the cost per CYP of contraceptive social marketing. The cost per condom sold in condom social marketing programs should be analyzed independently for two reasons. First, CYP is a measure designed to aggregate multiple contraceptive methods and therefore is not appropriate for programs that only market condoms. Second, a thorough understanding of the unit costs in condom social marketing is an essential prerequisite to attempting to base AIDS prevention strategies on a rational allocation of resources (World Bank, 1997).

The purpose of this study is to contribute toward an increased understanding of condom social marketing costs. Ultimately, this improved understanding may facilitate a more rational allocation of AIDS resources.
Identity Building and Branding at CDC: A Case Study
Authors: Kirby Susan D. , Taylor Melissa Kraus , Freimuth Vicki S. , Parvanta Claudia Fishman
Published: April 2010

When asked to describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people think of outbreak investigations and“blue rubber suits.”This narrow view of CDC's broad scope of work makes it harder to ensure that critical health information gets to people who need it to live safer and healthier lives. CDC's Director recognizes that making our science available and understandable can help us be more effective in meeting our public health mission. To build a system that will help people better understand CDC's broad scope, the Director initiated an identity-building process based on audience research. The findings consistently pointed to CDC's reputation for action, as well as three aspects of CDC's work that were seen as valuable and unique: protecting people's health and safety, providing health information people can count on, and improving health through strong partnerships. From this foundation, graphic and writing standards, a new logo, tagline, and a brand architecture strategy that all communicate CDC's identity and benefits of its work were created and tested. This article provides an in-depth case study of this initiative to date at CDC.
Hall polynomials for affine quivers
Authors: Hubery Andrew
Published: April 2010

We use Green’s comultiplication formula to prove that Hall polynomials exist for all Dynkin and affine quivers. For Dynkin and cyclic quivers this approach provides a new and simple proof of the existence of Hall polynomials. For non-cyclic affine quivers these polynomials are defined with respect to the decomposition classes of Bongartz and Dudek, a generalisation of the Segre classes for square matrices.
Lattès maps and finite subdivision rules
Authors: Cannon J. , Floyd W. , Parry W.
Published: April 2010

This paper is concerned with realizing Lattès maps as subdivision maps of finite subdivision rules. The main result is that the Lattès maps in all but finitely many analytic conjugacy classes can be realized as subdivision maps of finite subdivision rules with one tile type. An example is given of a Lattès map which is not the subdivision map of a finite subdivision rule with either (i) two tile types and 1-skeleton of the subdivision complex a circle or (ii) one tile type.
Annual Fees and Recreation Choice
Authors: English Eric
Published: April 2010

Models of recreation behavior have typically ignored the role of fixed annual fees, such as the fee for a recreational license, in determining choice and welfare. We demonstrate how techniques from the literature on discrete‐continuous choice and two‐part tariffs can address a situation where fixed annual fees are essential to determining the choice of a recreation site. We explore how accounting for value captured by fixed fees can influence the way resource changes are assessed.
TAPIR, a web server for the prediction of plant microRNA targets, including target mimics
Authors: Bonnet Eric , He Ying , Billiau Kenny , Van de Peer Yves
Published: April 2010

Summary: We present a new web server called TAPIR, designed for the prediction of plant microRNA targets. The server offers the possibility to search for plant miRNA targets using a fast and a precise algorithm. The precise option is much slower but guarantees to find less perfectly paired miRNA-target duplexes. Furthermore, the precise option allows the prediction of target mimics, which are characterized by a miRNA-target duplex having a large loop, making them undetectable by traditional tools.

Availability: The TAPIR web server can be accessed at: http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/tapir

Contact:  yves.vandepeer@psb.vib-ugent.be

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Involvement of Interleukin‐10 in the Anti‐Inflammatory Effect of Sanyinjiao (SP6) Acupuncture in a Mouse Model of Peritonitis
Authors: da Silva Morgana Duarte , Guginski Giselle , de Paula Werner Maria Fernanda , Baggio Cristiane Hatsuko , Marcon Rodrigo , Santos Adair Roberto Soares
Published: April 2010

In this study, we determined the anti‐inflammatory effect of manual acupuncture at the Sanyinjiao or Spleen 6 (SP6) point on carrageenan‐induced peritonitis in mice and investigated mechanisms that may underlie this effect. In the first set of experiments, male Swiss mice were allocated into five groups: the control (sterile saline), dexamethasone (DEXA), invasive sham‐acupuncture (non‐acupoint), SP6 acupuncture and carrageenan‐treated groups. Ten minutes after needle retention or 30 min after DEXA treatment, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of carrageenan (750 μg/mouse). After 4 h, total leukocyte and differential cell counts (neutrophils and mononuclear), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, vascular permeability and cytokine levels were evaluated. In another set of experiments, adrenalectomized (ADX) mice were used to study the involvement of the adrenal gland on the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. Mice were allocated into two groups: the ADX and sham‐operated animals (Sham ADX) that were subdivided into four subgroups each: the control (sterile saline), DEXA, SP6 acupuncture and carrageenan‐treated groups. The SP6 and DEXA treatments inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular permeability and MPO activity in carrageenan‐injected mice. In addition, the SP6 treatment also increased interleukin (IL)‐10 levels. In contrast, when the animals were adrenalectomized, the SP6 treatment failed to reduce total leukocyte and the plasma extravasation. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates the anti‐inflammatory effect of SP6 acupuncture in a model of carrageenan‐induced peritonitis. Our results demonstrated that SP6 acupuncture depends of the adrenal glands and increased IL‐10 levels to produce its anti‐inflammatory action.
Variation in size and growth of West Greenland capelin (Mallotus villosus) along latitudinal gradients
Authors: Hedeholm R. , Grønkjær P. , Rosing-Asvid A. , Rysgaard S.
Published: April 2010

Hedeholm, R., Grønkjær, P., Rosing-Asvid, A., and Rysgaard, S. 2010. Variation in size and growth of West Greenland capelin (Mallotus villosus) along latitudinal gradients. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1128–1137. Capelin (Mallotus villosus) is the dominant pelagic species in the West Greenland ecosystem. Historical data are re-examined and new data are presented on the size distribution and the growth pattern of capelin along latitudinal gradients of temperature and other growth factors extending over a distance of 1300 km. The average size of capelin increases with latitude. Fish 3 years old were 48 mm larger (54%) at the secondmost northern station compared with the most southern one. Otolith analysis revealed a significant effect of age as well as area on back-calculated growth. Hence, at all ages, fish grew faster in the north than in the south. Average somatic growth across areas in the first and fourth years was 56 and 15 mm, respectively. Temperature data suggest a 2°C difference in temperature between areas, temperatures being warmest in the north. Hence, the increase in temperature with latitude explains much of the latitudinal growth gradient and suggests a growth difference in West Greenland capelin of 0.4–0.6 cm °C−1 year−1. However, the difference in growth and size distribution between northern and southernmost stations, where temperatures are similar, suggests that other factors, such as differences in available prey and diet composition, also contribute to the differences.
Infinite-dimensional numerical linear algebra: theory and applications
Authors: Hansen Anders C.
Published: April 2010

We present a new method for computing spectra and pseudospectra of bounded operators on separable Hilbert spaces. The core in this theory is a generalization of the pseudospectrum called the
n
-pseudospectrum.
Curvature in nematic elastica responding to light and heat
Authors: Warner M. , Modes C. D. , Corbett D.
Published: April 2010

Nematic elastic bodies can develop a gradient of response to heat, light and other stimuli. They then bend and develop curvature in a complex manner depending on director field distributions, on whether they are monodomain or polydomain structures and on linear or nonlinear light absorptive processes. In each case, we derive the general weak response where bend in each direction is treated independently of that in others. In a subsequent paper, we address the reverse phenomenon, that is of strong spontaneous distortion leading to curvature suppression.
Suppression of curvature in nematic elastica
Authors: Warner M. , Modes C. D. , Corbett D.
Published: April 2010

Nematic elastic bodies can develop a gradient of response to heat, light and other stimuli. They then bend and develop curvature in a complex manner. Using the results for a general weak response derived in the preceding paper, we solve for strong spontaneous distortion where bend in one direction causes stretch in another direction if that too is bending, and vice versa. Since stretch is elastically expensive, it can cause suppression of one of the bends (we determine which), thus eliminating Gaussian curvature. This is the spontaneous distortion equivalent of the classical Lamb calculation of the anti-clastic suppression when large distortions are imposed in classical elastica. In practice, spontaneously deforming nematic solids, e.g. in actuation, are in this strong bend limit.
Virulence gene distribution in clinical, nosocomial and environmental isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bradbury R. S. , Roddam L. F. , Merritt A. , Reid D. W. , Champion A. C.
Published: April 2010

The virulence factor genotypes of a large cohort of clinical, nosocomial environment and community environment isolates (184 in total) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Tasmania, Australia, were determined by PCR. The virulence factor genotype of the majority of isolates was highly conserved, with the exception of the virulence gene exoU, which demonstrated low prevalence (33 isolates; 18 %) in the population tested. Isolates collected from the environment of intensive therapy wards (intensive care unit and neurosurgical units) of the major tertiary referral hospital in Tasmania were found to be more likely (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively) to possess the virulence factor gene exoU than all other isolates. Adult cystic fibrosis isolates showed a decreased prevalence of the exoU gene (P<0.01) when compared to other clinical isolates (P<0.01), which may indicate decreased virulence. No specific virulence factor genotype was associated with the cystic fibrosis epidemic strains tested.
Overexpression of TUF1 restores respiratory growth and fluconazole sensitivity to a Cryptococcus neoformans vad1Δ mutant
Authors: Panepinto John C. , Misener Amanda L. , Oliver Brian G. , Hu Guowu , Park Yoon Dong , Shin Soowan , White Theodore C. , Williamson Peter R.
Published: April 2010

The yeast-like fungusCryptococcus neoformansfavours respiration as a mechanism of energy production, and thus depends heavily on mitochondrial function. Previous studies of aC. neoformansvad1Δ mutant revealed reduced expression of the mitochondrial elongation factorTUF1and defects in glycerol utilization, consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we found thatin transexpression ofTUF1in thevad1Δ mutant suppressed the mitochondrial defects, including growth on respiration-dependent carbon sources and fluconazole resistance, associated withVAD1deletion. Tetracycline, an inhibitor of mitochondrial translation, was found to confer resistance to fluconazole in the wild-type andvad1Δ mutant, whereas the fluconazole susceptibility of theTUF1-overexpressing strain was unaffected by tetracycline treatment. In the presence of fluconazole, thevad1Δ mutant exhibited increased activation of the global transcriptional regulator Sre1.TUF1overexpression failed to alter cleavage of Sre1 in response to fluconazole in thevad1Δ mutant, suggesting thatTUF1repression in thevad1Δ mutant is distal to Sre1, or that it occurs through an independent pathway.
Mixotrophic and photoheterotrophic metabolism in Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 under continuous light
Authors: Feng Xueyang , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Berla Bert , Page Lawrence , Wu Bing , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Tang Yinjie J.
Published: April 2010

The unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 (Cyanothece 51142) is able to grow aerobically under nitrogen-fixing conditions with alternating light–dark cycles or continuous illumination. This study investigated the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources on Cyanothece 51142 metabolism via 13C-assisted metabolite analysis and biochemical measurements. Under continuous light (50 μmol photons m−2 s−1) and nitrogen-fixing conditions, we found that glycerol addition promoted aerobic biomass growth (by twofold) and nitrogenase-dependent hydrogen production [up to 25 μmol H2 (mg chlorophyll) −1 h−1], but strongly reduced phototrophic CO2 utilization. Under nitrogen-sufficient conditions, Cyanothece 51142 was able to metabolize glycerol photoheterotrophically, and the activity of light-dependent reactions (e.g. oxygen evolution) was not significantly reduced. In contrast, Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 showed apparent mixotrophic metabolism under similar growth conditions. Isotopomer analysis also detected that Cyanothece 51142 was able to fix CO2 via anaplerotic pathways, and to take up glucose and pyruvate for mixotrophic biomass synthesis.
Analysis of membrane proteins in metagenomics: Networks of correlated environmental features and protein families
Authors: Patel Prianka V. , Gianoulis Tara A. , Bjornson Robert D. , Yip Kevin Y. , Engelman Donald M. , Gerstein Mark B.
Published: April 2010

Recent metagenomics studies have begun to sample the genomic diversity among disparate habitats and relate this variation to features of the environment. Membrane proteins are an intuitive, but thus far overlooked, choice in this type of analysis as they directly interact with the environment, receiving signals from the outside and transporting nutrients. Using global ocean sampling (GOS) data, we found nearly ∼900,000 membrane proteins in large-scale metagenomic sequence, approximately a fifth of which are completely novel, suggesting a large space of hitherto unexplored protein diversity. Using GPS coordinates for the GOS sites, we extracted additional environmental features via interpolation from the World Ocean Database, the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, and empirical models of dust occurrence. This allowed us to study membrane protein variation in terms of natural features, such as phosphate and nitrate concentrations, and also in terms of human impacts, such as pollution and climate change. We show that there is widespread variation in membrane protein content across marine sites, which is correlated with changes in both oceanographic variables and human factors. Furthermore, using these data, we developed an approach, protein families and environment features network (PEN), to quantify and visualize the correlations. PEN identifies small groups of covarying environmental features and membrane protein families, which we call “bimodules.” Using this approach, we find that the affinity of phosphate transporters is related to the concentration of phosphate and that the occurrence of iron transporters is connected to the amount of shipping, pollution, and iron-containing dust.
The genome sequence of the spontaneously hypertensive rat: Analysis and functional significance
Authors: Atanur Santosh S. , Birol İnanç , Guryev Victor , Hirst Martin , Hummel Oliver , Morrissey Catherine , Behmoaras Jacques , Fernandez-Suarez Xose M. , Johnson Michelle D. , McLaren William M. , Patone Giannino , Petretto Enrico , Plessy Charles , Rockland Kathleen S. , Rockland Charles , Saar Kathrin , Zhao Yongjun , Carninci Piero , Flicek Paul , Kurtz Ted , Cuppen Edwin , Pravenec Michal , Hubner Norbert , Jones Steven J.M. , Birney Ewan , Aitman Timothy J.
Published: April 2010

The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most widely studied animal model of hypertension. Scores of SHR quantitative loci (QTLs) have been mapped for hypertension and other phenotypes. We have sequenced the SHR/OlaIpcv genome at 10.7-fold coverage by paired-end sequencing on the Illumina platform. We identified 3.6 million high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between the SHR/OlaIpcv and Brown Norway (BN) reference genome, with a high rate of validation (sensitivity 96.3%–98.0% and specificity 99%–100%). We also identified 343,243 short indels between the SHR/OlaIpcv and reference genomes. These SNPs and indels resulted in 161 gain or loss of stop codons and 629 frameshifts compared with the BN reference sequence. We also identified 13,438 larger deletions that result in complete or partial absence of 107 genes in the SHR/OlaIpcv genome compared with the BN reference and 588 copy number variants (CNVs) that overlap with the gene regions of 688 genes. Genomic regions containing genes whose expression had been previously mapped as cis-regulated expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) were significantly enriched with SNPs, short indels, and larger deletions, suggesting that some of these variants have functional effects on gene expression. Genes that were affected by major alterations in their coding sequence were highly enriched for genes related to ion transport, transport, and plasma membrane localization, providing insights into the likely molecular and cellular basis of hypertension and other phenotypes specific to the SHR strain. This near complete catalog of genomic differences between two extensively studied rat strains provides the starting point for complete elucidation, at the molecular level, of the physiological and pathophysiological phenotypic differences between individuals from these strains.
Novel Hydroxycinnamoyl-Coenzyme A Quinate Transferase Genes from Artichoke Are Involved in the Synthesis of Chlorogenic Acid
Authors: Sonnante Gabriella , D'Amore Rosalinda , Blanco Emanuela , Pierri Ciro L. , De Palma Monica , Luo Jie , Tucci Marina , Martin Cathie
Published: April 2010

Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus) extracts have high antioxidant capacity, due primarily to flavonoids and phenolic acids, particularly chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid [CGA]), dicaffeoylquinic acids, and caffeic acid, which are abundant in flower bracts and bioavailable to humans in the diet. The synthesis of CGA can occur following different routes in plant species, and hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A transferases are important enzymes in these pathways. Here, we report on the isolation and characterization of two novel genes both encoding hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme A quinate transferases (HQT) from artichoke. The recombinant proteins (HQT1 and HQT2) were assayed after expression in Escherichia coli, and both showed higher affinity for quinate over shikimate. Their preferences for acyl donors, caffeoyl-coenzyme A or p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A, were examined. Modeling and docking analyses were used to propose possible pockets and residues involved in determining substrate specificities in the HQT enzyme family. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of gene expression indicated that HQT1 might be more directly associated with CGA content. Transient and stable expression of HQT1 in Nicotiana resulted in a higher production of CGA and cynarin (1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid). These findings suggest that several isoforms of HQT contribute to the synthesis of CGA in artichoke according to physiological needs and possibly following various metabolic routes.
ODDSOC2 Is a MADS Box Floral Repressor That Is Down-Regulated by Vernalization in Temperate Cereals
Authors: Greenup Aaron G. , Sasani Shahryar , Oliver Sandra N. , Talbot Mark J. , Dennis Elizabeth S. , Hemming Megan N. , Trevaskis Ben
Published: April 2010

In temperate cereals, such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare), the transition to reproductive development can be accelerated by prolonged exposure to cold (vernalization). We examined the role of the grass-specific MADS box gene ODDSOC2 (OS2) in the vernalization response in cereals. The barley OS2 gene (HvOS2) is expressed in leaves and shoot apices but is repressed by vernalization. Vernalization represses OS2 independently of VERNALIZATION1 (VRN1) in a VRN1 deletion mutant of einkorn wheat (Triticum monococcum), but VRN1 is required to maintain down-regulation of OS2 in vernalized plants. Furthermore, barleys that carry active alleles of the VRN1 gene (HvVRN1) have reduced expression of HvOS2, suggesting that HvVRN1 down-regulates HvOS2 during development. Overexpression of HvOS2 delayed flowering and reduced spike, stem, and leaf length in transgenic barley plants. Plants overexpressing HvOS2 showed reduced expression of barley homologs of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) gene FLOWERING PROMOTING FACTOR1 (FPF1) and increased expression of RNase-S-like genes. FPF1 promotes floral development and enhances cell elongation, so down-regulation of FPF1-like genes might explain the phenotypes of HvOS2 overexpression lines. We present an extended model of the genetic pathways controlling vernalization-induced flowering in cereals, which describes the regulatory relationships between VRN1, OS2, and FPF1-like genes. Overall, these findings highlight differences and similarities between the vernalization responses of temperate cereals and the model plant Arabidopsis.
On the coherency-controlled growth habit of precipitates in minerals
Authors: Hwang Shyh-Lung , Shen Pouyan , Yui Tzen-Fu , Chu Hao-Tsu
Published: April 2010

Minimization of interfacial energy is the dominant factor governing the equilibrium habit,i.e.orientation and morphology, of a precipitate in the parent crystal. Existing models of optimum interphase boundaries have established criteria that minimize the lattice misfit and/or the strain energy by the comparison of the interplanar spacings of the two interpenetrating lattices. Based on a detailed analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of two precipitate–matrix systems with different degrees of structural similarity in oxygen sublattices,i.e.hematite in rutile and magnetite in clinopyroxene from metamorphic rocks, it is reported that the optimum interphase boundary and the equilibrium habit of a precipitate in these structurally complex systems can be defined from the special geometry characteristics of diffraction patterns along specific zone axes. Analysis of the TEM results shows that a precipitate in a parent crystal, either with or without a similar oxygen framework, always poses a specific crystallographic relationship with the differences in thegvector pairs (Δg),i.e.misfits of diffraction-spot pairs, of two structures aligned in the same direction, and that the precipitate exhibits a growth habit plane normal to Δg. This new insight into the interfacial energetics, rather than kinetically or topologically controlled mineral growth, can be understood by the coherency of lattice planes in the interphase boundaries and rationalized by the normal-to-Δgprinciple originally developed for structural transformations in alloys with simple close-packed structures. The normal-to-Δgprinciple is formulated to calculate the optimum interphase boundaries in the present systems, feldspars and clinopyroxenes of broad geological/mineralogical interest, and gives results comparable to other models yet in a more straightforward manner. This alternative approach can be readily applied in interphase boundary modelling of minerals and sheds light on the growth habit as a potential geothermobarometer of metamorphic rocks.
Coherent and diffuse X-ray scattering in crystals modulated by a surface acoustic wave
Authors: Punegov Vasily I. , Nesterets Yakov I. , Roshchupkin Dmitry V.
Published: April 2010

Equations describing the coherent and diffuse scattering in a crystal modulated by a surface acoustic wave (SAW) are derived using the dynamical X-ray diffraction theory. The effect of depth attenuation of the Rayleigh surface wave amplitude on the crystal rocking curve profiles is investigated. Results of the numerical simulation of the dynamical diffraction in a mosaic crystal modulated by a SAW, taking into account a block size distribution, are presented. It is shown that the diffuse scattering is distributed in the reciprocal space not only in the vicinity of the main diffraction peak but also about the satellite diffraction peaks, and this distribution depends on the size fluctuations of the crystal defects. Theoretical reciprocal space maps and rocking curves are compared with the corresponding experimental results.
Experimental study on cross‐reactivity of α‐arbutin toward p‐phenylenediamine and hydroquinone in guinea pigs
Authors: TO‐O Kenji , NOMURA Koji , SUGIMOTO Kazuhisa , NISHIMURA Takahisa , KURIKI Takashi , ITOH Masatoshi
Published: April 2010

Hydroquinone (HQ) has been used as a skin‐lightening cosmetic ingredient, while it has been known that HQ shows sensitizing potential and cross‐reactivity toward a strong sensitizer, p‐phenylenediamine (PPD). α‐Arbutin, a glycoside of HQ (4‐hydroxyphenyl α‐D‐glucopyranoside), is used worldwide as a skin‐lightening agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross‐reactivity of α‐arbutin toward PPD and HQ. All tests were performed using the guinea pig maximization test. In experiments on the cross‐reactivity of α‐arbutin or HQ to PPD, six animals in each group were induced with PPD at 0.1% by i.d. injection and at 1.0% by topical application. The animals were challenged with α‐arbutin, HQ or PPD (as a positive control) at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1%. In experiments on the cross‐reactivity of α‐arbutin to HQ, four animals in each group were induced with HQ at 2% by i.d. injection and at 1% by topical application. The animals were challenged with α‐arbutin or HQ (as a positive control) at concentrations of 0.2%, 2% and 20%. The cross‐reactivity toward PPD was observed with HQ (4/6) only at 0.1% challenge. However, α‐arbutin showed no apparent cross‐reactivity to either PPD or HQ even at their highest challenge concentrations. Potent sensitization was observed with PPD (6/6) even at 0.01% challenge and with HQ (3/4) at 0.2%. In conclusion, glycosylation of HQ remarkably reduced the sensitization potency of HQ and the cross‐reactivity of HQ to PPD.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 is generated via TGF‐β by myofibroblasts in gastric intestinal metaplasia and carcinoma without H. pylori infection
Authors: Mutoh Hiroyuki , Sashikawa Miho , Hayakawa Hiroko , Sugano Kentaro
Published: April 2010

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stimulates secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) from gastric mucosa. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) expression and macrophage infiltration are recognized in human gastric carcinoma. We have previously generated Cdx2‐transgenic mice as model mice for intestinal metaplasia. Both chronic H. pylori‐associated gastritis and Cdx2‐transgenic mouse stomach develop intestinal metaplasia and finally gastric carcinoma. In this study we have directed our attention to MCP‐1 expression in the intestinal metaplastic mucosa and the gastric carcinoma of Cdx2‐transgenic mouse stomach. Quantitative real‐time PCR was performed to determine MCP‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) mRNA expression levels and single‐ or double‐label immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the localization of MCP‐1, TGF‐β type I receptor, and α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA). We determined that MCP‐1 mRNA dramatically increased in the intestinal metaplastic mucosa and the gastric carcinoma of Cdx2‐transgenic mouse stomach, compared with normal mouse stomach. Both MCP‐1 and TGF‐β type I receptor were co‐expressed in the αSMA‐positive myofibroblasts of intestinal metaplastic mucosa and gastric carcinoma. Exogenous application of TGF‐β1 increased MCP‐1 mRNA expression levels in the intestinal metaplastic tissue. Furthermore, TGF‐β1 was overexpressed and macrophage was strongly infiltrated in the gastric carcinoma. In conclusion, MCP‐1 expression, which was stimulated by TGF‐β1, was recognized in the TGF‐β type I receptor‐expressing myofibroblasts of the intestinal metaplastic mucosa and the gastric carcinoma of Cdx2‐transgenic mouse stomach. The present results suggest that intestinal metaplasia and gastric carcinoma themselves induce MCP‐1 expression independently of H. pylori infection. (Cancer Sci 2010)
Mephentermine dependence without psychosis: a Brazilian case report
Authors: De Sousa Henrique Faria , De Oliveira Matheus Fernandes , Da Costa Lima Murilo Duarte , De Oliveira João Ricardo Mendes
Published: April 2010

Background Substance abuse is a serious health concern. This report presents the case of a 22‐year‐old Brazilian man with a history of mephentermine use who fulfils all the criteria for chemical dependence listed by ICD‐10. Mephentermine is a sympathomimetic agent derived from methamphetamine which, in Brazil, is restricted to veterinary use.

Case description The subject used the substance at a high dose (120 mg) to improve his physical performance while working out at a gym. His symptoms included anorexia and insomnia. After days of intense activity, he felt fatigue and soreness. A physical examination revealed scars on both forearms from the injections and a psychological examination revealed moderate speech and motor agitation.

Conclusions Cases such as this may be common among the general public. They should have some bearing upon medical practice and public health policies involving drugs.
Outcomes of critically ill patients with cirrhosis admitted to intensive care: an important perspective from the non‐transplant setting
Authors: Thomson S. J. , Moran C. , Cowan M. L. , Musa S. , Beale R. , Treacher D. , Hamilton M. , Grounds R. M. , Rahman T. M.
Published: April 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 233–243

Background  Hospital admissions for cirrhosis have been increasing in the United Kingdom, leading to increased pressure on intensive care (ICU) services. Outcome data for patients admitted to ICU are currently limited to transplant centre reports, with mortality rates exceeding 70%. These tertiary reports could fuel a negative bias when patients with cirrhosis are reviewed for ICU admission in secondary care.

Aims  To determine whether disease severity and mortality rates in non‐transplant general ICU are less severe than those reported by tertiary datasets.

Methods  A prospective dual‐centre non‐transplant ICU study. Admissions were screened for cirrhosis and physiological and biochemical data were collected. Disease‐specific and critical illness scoring systems were evaluated.

Results  Cirrhosis was present in 137/4198 (3.3%) of ICU admissions. ICU and hospital mortality were 38% and 47%, respectively; median age 50 [43–59] years, 68% men, 72% alcoholic cirrhosis, median Child Pugh Score (CPS) 10 [8–11], Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) 18 [12–24], Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (APACHE II) 16 [13–22].

Conclusions  Mortality rates and disease staging were notably lower than in the published literature, suggesting that patients have a more favourable outlook than previously considered. Transplant centre data should therefore be interpreted with caution when evaluating the merits of intensive care admission for patients in general secondary care ICUs.
A critical evaluation of cryoprecipitate for replacement of fibrinogen
Authors: Sørensen Benny , Bevan David
Published: April 2010

Maintaining the plasma fibrinogen concentration is important to limit excessive perioperative blood loss. This article considers the evidence for this statement, and questions the justification for using cryoprecipitate rather than virus‐inactivated fibrinogen concentrate to support plasma fibrinogen levels. Haemophilia was historically treated with cryoprecipitate, but specific coagulation factor concentrates are now preferred. In contrast, primary fractions of allogeneic donor blood, including cryoprecipitate, are still commonly used to treat perioperative bleeding. When compared with cryoprecipitate and fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), freeze‐dried fibrinogen concentrate offers standardized fibrinogen content, faster reconstitution and improved efficacy. Pasteurization and purification processes employed in the preparation of fibrinogen concentrate reduce the risk of pathogen transmission and immune‐mediated complications, in comparison with cryoprecipitate and FFP. When all costs associated with administration are taken into consideration, the cost of fibrinogen concentrate is not substantially different to that of cryoprecipitate. In conclusion, wider availability and use of fibrinogen concentrate may improve the management of perioperative bleeding. Further benefits may accrue from more rapid and accurate techniques for monitoring fibrinogen levels. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate methods of measuring fibrinogen and assessing fibrin polymerization, and to define critical haemostatic plasma fibrinogen concentrations in different perioperative situations.
A phase I study of vorinostat in combination with idarubicin in relapsed or refractory leukaemia
Authors: Kadia Tapan M. , Yang Hui , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Maddipotti Sirisha , Schroeder Claudia , Madden Timothy L. , Holleran Julianne L. , Egorin Merrill J. , Ravandi Farhad , Thomas Deborah A. , Newsome Willie , Sanchez‐Gonzalez Blanca , Zwiebel James A. , Espinoza‐Delgado Igor , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo
Published: April 2010

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) affect chromatin remodelling and modulate the expression of aberrantly silenced genes. HDACi have single‐agent clinical activity in haematological malignancies and have synergistic anti‐leukaemia activity when combined with anthracyclines in vitro. We conducted a two‐arm, parallel Phase I trial to investigate two schedules of escalating doses of vorinostat (Schedule A: thrice daily (TID) for 14 d; B: TID for 3 d) in combination with a fixed dose of idarubicin in patients with refractory leukaemia. Of the 41 patients enrolled, 90% had acute myeloid leukaemia, with a median of 3 prior therapies. Seven responses (17%) were documented (two complete response (5%), one complete response without platelet recovery (2·5%), and four marrow responses). The 3‐d schedule of vorinostat was better tolerated than the 14‐d schedule. The maximum tolerated dose for vorinostat was defined as 400 mg TID for 3 d. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities included mucositis, fatigue and diarrhoea. Correlative studies demonstrated histone acetylation in patients on therapy and modulation of CDKN1A and TOP2A (topoisomerase II) gene expression. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed a dose‐related elevation in plasma vorinostat concentrations. The combination of vorinostat and idarubicin is generally tolerable and active in patients with advanced leukaemia and should be studied in the front‐line setting.
Phase I trial of low dose decitabine targeting DNA hypermethylation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: dose‐limiting myelosuppression without evidence of DNA hypomethylation
Authors: Blum Kristie A. , Liu Zhongfa , Lucas David M. , Chen Ping , Xie Zhiliang , Baiocchi Robert , Benson Donald M. , Devine Steven M. , Jones Jeffrey , Andritsos Leslie , Flynn Joseph , Plass Christoph , Marcucci Guido , Chan Kenneth K. , Grever Michael R. , Byrd John C.
Published: April 2010

Targeting aberrant DNA hypermethylation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with decitabine may reverse epigenetic silencing in B‐cell malignancies. Twenty patients were enrolled in two phase I trials to determine the minimum effective pharmacological dose of decitabine in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL (n = 16) and NHL (n = 4). Patients received 1–3 cycles of decitabine. Dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in 2 of 4 CLL and 2 of 2 NHL patients receiving decitabine at 15 mg/m2 per d days 1–10, consisting of grade 3–4 thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinaemia. Six patients with CLL received decitabine at 10 mg/m2 per d days 1–10 without DLT; however, re‐expression of methylated genes or changes in global DNA methylation were not observed. Therefore, a 5‐day decitabine schedule was examined. With 15 mg/m2 per d decitabine days 1–5, DLT occurred in 2 of 6 CLL and 2 of 2 NHL patients, consisting of grade 3–4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and febrile neutropenia. Eight patients had stable disease. In 17 patients, there were no significant changes in genome‐wide methylation or in target gene re‐expression. In conclusion, dose‐limiting myelosuppression and infectious complications prevented dose escalation of decitabine to levels associated with changes in global methylation or gene re‐expression in CLL and NHL.
Stable long‐term risk of leukaemia in patients with severe congenital neutropenia maintained on G‐CSF therapy
Authors: Rosenberg Philip S. , Zeidler Cornelia , Bolyard Audrey A. , Alter Blanche P. , Bonilla Mary A. , Boxer Laurence A. , Dror Yigal , Kinsey Sally , Link Daniel C. , Newburger Peter E. , Shimamura Akiko , Welte Karl , Dale David C.
Published: April 2010

In severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), long‐term therapy with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) has reduced mortality from sepsis, revealing an underlying predisposition to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML). We have reported the early pattern of evolution to MDS/AML, but the long‐term risk remains uncertain. We updated a prospective study of 374 SCN patients on long‐term G‐CSF enrolled in the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry. Long‐term, the annual risk of MDS/AML attained a plateau (2·3%/year after 10 years). This risk now appears similar to, rather than higher than, the risk of AML in Fanconi anaemia and dyskeratosis congenita.
Quantifying soil organic carbon in complex landscapes: an example of grassland undergoing encroachment of woody plants
Authors: LIU FENG , WU X. BEN , BAI E. , BOUTTON THOMAS W. , ARCHER STEVEN R.
Published: April 2010

The invasion of woody plants into grass‐dominated ecosystems has occurred worldwide during the past century with potentially significant impacts on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, ecosystem carbon sequestration and global climate warming. To date, most studies of tree and shrub encroachment impacts on SOC have been conducted at small scales and results are equivocal. To quantify the effects of woody plant proliferation on SOC at broad spatial scales and to potentially resolve inconsistencies reported from studies conducted at fine spatial scales, information regarding spatial variability and uncertainty of SOC is essential. We used sequential indicator simulation (SIS) to quantify spatial uncertainty of SOC in a grassland undergoing shrub encroachment in the Southern Great Plains, USA. Results showed that both SOC pool size and its spatial uncertainty increased with the development of woody communities in grasslands. Higher uncertainty of SOC in new shrub‐dominated communities may be the result of their relatively recent development, their more complex above‐ and belowground architecture, stronger within‐community gradients, and a greater degree of faunal disturbance. Simulations of alternative sampling designs demonstrated the effects of spatial uncertainty on the accuracy of SOC estimates and enabled us to evaluate the efficiency of sampling strategies aimed at quantifying landscape‐scale SOC pools. An approach combining stratified random sampling with unequal point densities and transect sampling of landscape elements exhibiting strong internal gradients yielded the best estimates. Complete random sampling was less effective and required much higher sampling densities. Results provide novel insights into spatial uncertainty of SOC and its effects on estimates of carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystem and suggest effective protocol for the estimating of soil attributes in landscapes with complex vegetation patterns.
Cerebral palsy: experiences of mothers after learning their child’s diagnosis
Authors: Huang Yu‐Ping , Kellett Ursula M. , St John Winsome
Published: April 2010

huang y.‐p., kellett u.m. & st john w. (2010) Cerebral palsy: experiences of mothers after learning their child’s diagnosis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(6), 1213–1221.

Title.  Cerebral palsy: experiences of mothers after learning their child’s diagnosis.

Aim.  This study is a report of a study describing mothers’ experience of learning that their child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Background.  Learning a child’s diagnosis of disability is a crisis for parents. Their reactions include shock, refusal to accept the diagnosis, anger, fear, and uncertainty about the extent of disability and associated impairment. Knowledge about parental reactions is based on studies conducted in western countries, many of which do not apply to Taiwan where Confucianism strongly influences cultural perspectives of family and disability.

Method.  In this phenomenological study, data were collected in 2005–2006 using in‐depth interviews and journaling with 15 Taiwanese mothers of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Hermeneutic analysis was undertaken of interview transcripts and journal notes.

Findings.  Four shared meanings associated with learning of their child’s diagnosis were revealed: feeling out of control and powerless, mistrusting healthcare professionals, release and confirmation, and feeling blamed for not following traditional practices. Mothers experienced a loss of their ‘ideal’ child when their child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Expectations of ‘normal’ motherhood and fulfilling societal anticipation of giving birth to a healthy child were lost. Maintaining their husband’s family honour and prosperity, as well as saving face in their community were threatened. Mixed feelings of disbelief, rejection, self‐blame and sadness were compounded by uncertainty about their child’s future.

Conclusion.  To promote better understanding of the child’s condition, emotional support and information should be provided to the mother and family, both when informing them of the diagnosis and in the period after diagnosis.