bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Moderate Alcohol Consumption on Fat Distribution and Adipocytokines
Authors: Beulens Joline W.J. , van Beers Roderik M. , Stolk Ronald P. , Schaafsma Gertjan , Hendriks Henk F.J.
Published: April 2008

Objective: To investigate the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on fat distribution, adipose tissue secreted proteins (adiponectin and resistin), and insulin sensitivity in healthy middle‐aged men with abdominal obesity.

Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty‐four healthy men between 35 and 70 years old, with increased waist circumference (≥94 cm), participated in a randomized, controlled cross‐over design trial. They drank 450 mL of red wine (40 grams of alcohol) or 450 mL of de‐alcoholized red wine daily during 4 weeks. At the end of each treatment period, fat distribution, adipose tissue proteins, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were measured.

Results: Subcutaneous and abdominal fat contents and body weight did not change after 4 weeks of moderate alcohol consumption. Liver fat (quip index) was slightly higher after consumption of red wine (6.8 ± 0.1) as compared with de‐alcoholized red wine (6.5 ± 0.1) but not significantly different (p = 0.09). Plasma adiponectin concentration increased (p < 0.01) to 6.0 ± 0.1 μg/mL after 28 days of moderate alcohol consumption compared with de‐alcoholized red wine (5.5 ± 0.1 μg/mL). Serum resistin concentrations and ISI were not affected by alcohol consumption. Percentage changes in serum resistin correlated significantly with changes in ISI (r = −0.69, p < 0.01), whereas this correlation was not present between changes in plasma adiponectin and ISI (r = 0.31, p = 0.22).

Discussion: Moderate alcohol consumption for 4 weeks is not associated with differences in subcutaneous and abdominal fat contents or body weight. Thus, the 10% increase in adiponectin was not associated with a change in fat distribution or body weight change.
Body Mass Index Gain, Fast Food, and Physical Activity: Effects of Shared Environments over Time
Authors: Nelson Melissa C. , Gordon‐Larsen Penny , North Kari E. , Adair Linda S.
Published: April 2008

Objective: The magnitude of environmental vs. genetic effects on BMI, diet, and physical activity (PA) is widely debated. We followed a sibling cohort (where individuals shared households in childhood and adolescence) to young adulthood (when some continued sharing households and others lived apart) to examine the role of discordant environments in adult twins’ divergent trends in BMI and health behaviors and to quantify the variation in BMI and behavior among all siblings that is attributable to environmental and additive genetic effects.

Research Methods and Procedures: In the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, siblings sharing households for ≥10 years as adolescents (mean age = 16.5 ± 1.7 years; N = 5524) were followed into adulthood (mean = 22.4 ± 1.8 years; N = 4368), self‐reporting PA, sedentary behavior, and dietary characteristics. Adult BMI and adolescent z scores were derived from measured height and weight.

Results: Compared with those living together, twins living apart exhibited greater discordance in change in BMI, PA, and fast food intake from adolescence to adulthood. Adolescent household environments accounted for 8% to 10% of variation in adolescent fast food intake and sedentary behaviors and 50% of variation in adolescent overweight. Adolescent household effects on PA were substantially greater in young adulthood (accounting for 50% of variation) vs. adolescence. Young adult fast food intake was significantly affected by young adult household environment, accounting for 12% of variation.

Discussion: These findings highlight important environmental influences on BMI, PA, and fast food intake during the transition to adulthood. Household and physical environments play an important role in establishing long‐term behavior patterns.
The Look AHEAD Study: A Description of the Lifestyle Intervention and the Evidence Supporting It
Authors:   The Look AHEAD Research Group
Published: April 2008

The Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) study is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether intentional weight loss reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study began in 2001 and is scheduled to conclude in 2012. A total of 5145 participants have been randomly assigned to a lifestyle intervention or to an enhanced usual care condition (i.e., diabetes support and education). This article describes the lifestyle intervention and the empirical evidence to support it. The two principal intervention goals are to induce a mean loss ≥ 7% of initial weight and to increase participants’ moderately intense physical activity to ≥175 min/wk. For the first 6 months, participants attend one individual and three group sessions per month and are encouraged to replace two meals and one snack a day with liquid shakes and meal bars. From months 7 to 12, they attend one individual and two group meetings per month and continue to replace one meal per day (which is recommended for the study's duration). Starting at month 7, more intensive behavioral interventions and weight loss medication are available from a toolbox, designed to help participants with limited weight loss. In Years 2 to 4, treatment is provided mainly on an individual basis and includes at least one on‐site visit per month and a second contact by telephone, mail, or e‐mail. After Year 4, participants are offered monthly individual visits. The intervention is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes medical staff who monitor participants at risk of hypoglycemic episodes.
Fasting Ghrelin Does Not Predict Food Intake after Short‐term Energy Restriction
Authors: Blom Wendy A. M. , Mars Monica , Hendriks Henk F. J. , de Groot Lisette C.P.G.M. , Stafleu Annette , Kok Frans J. , de Graaf Cees
Published: April 2008

Objective: To study the role of ghrelin as a hunger signal during energy restriction and to test the hypothesis that changes in fasting leptin concentrations during energy restriction are associated with changes in fasting ghrelin concentrations.

Research Methods and Procedures: Thirty‐five healthy, lean men (23 ± 3 years of age; BMI: 22.3 ± 1.6 kg/m2) participated in a controlled intervention study. Fasting ghrelin and leptin concentrations were measured before and after 2 days of 62% energy restriction and after a 2‐day period of ad libitum food intake. Energy intake during the latter period was assessed.

Results: On average, ghrelin concentrations did not change (0.05 μg/liter; 95% confidence interval, −0.03; 0.12) during energy restriction. Changes in ghrelin concentration during energy restriction were not associated with energy intake during the ad libitum period (r = 0.07; not significant). Ad libitum energy intake was, however, associated with the change in ghrelin concentrations during the same period (r = −0.34; p = 0.05). Ghrelin and leptin concentrations were not associated. In addition, the ratio of percentage changes in ghrelin and leptin during energy restriction was not correlated with ad libitum food intake after energy restriction (r = −0.26; p = 0.14).

Discussion: Fasting ghrelin concentrations did not rise after a 2‐day energy restriction regimen. Moreover, changes in ghrelin concentrations during energy restriction were not associated with subsequent ad libitum food intake, suggesting that fasting ghrelin does not act as a hunger signal to the brain. The data did not support our hypothesis that leptin suppresses ghrelin levels.
Energy Intake, Diet Composition, Energy Expenditure, and Body Fatness of Adolescents in Northern Greece
Authors: Hassapidou Maria , Fotiadou Elena , Maglara Evangelia , Papadopoulou Sousana K.
Published: April 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine energy intake, energy expenditure, diet composition, and obesity of adolescents in Northern Greece.

Research Methods and Procedures: Anthropometric measurements were taken for all participants. Height, weight, and skinfold thickness at two sites were measured. BMI and percentage body fat were calculated. Energy intake and macronutrient and micronutrient intakes were determined by a 3‐day weighed dietary diary. Energy expenditure was calculated based on calculated resting metabolic rate (RMR)1 multiplied by an activity factor based on reported physical activity.

Results: Thirty‐one percent of boys and 21% of girls had BMI corresponding to ≥25 kg/m2 at 18 years and were classified as overweight. Both overweight boys and girls reported a lower energy intake compared with their non‐overweight counterparts when expressed as kilocalories per kilogram body weight. Overweight children had a higher negative energy balance. Both overweight and non‐overweight adolescents had higher than recommended fat intakes. Mean daily carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake, expressed as grams per kilogram body weight, of overweight adolescents were significantly lower compared with the non‐overweight adolescents. Total daily carbohydrate intake, when expressed in grams, was found to be higher for non‐overweight adolescents. Both overweight boys and girls had lower iron intakes than their non‐overweight counterparts. Overweight boys had statistically lower fiber and niacin intakes than non‐overweight boys. Both overweight and non‐overweight adolescents had lower than recommended iron intakes. Furthermore, overweight adolescents consumed more snacks (potato chips, chocolate bars, pizza, cheese pie, and cream pie), more sugar, jam, and honey, and fewer legumes, vegetables, and fruits than their non‐overweight counterparts.

Discussion: Reported energy intake of overweight adolescents was lower than their non‐overweight counterparts. Regarding diet composition overweight subjects had significantly lower intakes of carbohydrates compared with non‐overweight subjects. The food consumption pattern of overweight children showed less adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet.
New, unexpected, and dominant mechanisms in the hydrogen exchange reaction
Authors: Greaves Stuart J. , Murdock Daniel , Wrede Eckart , Althorpe Stuart C.
Published: April 2008

A quasiclassical trajectory study of the state specific H+D2(υ=0,j=0)→HD(υ′=0,j′=0)+D reaction at a collision energy of 1.85eV (total energy of 2.04eV) found that the scattering is governed by two unexpected and dominant new mechanisms, and not by direct recoil as is generally assumed. The new mechanisms involve strong interaction with the sloping potential around the conical intersection, an area of the potential energy surface not previously considered to have much effect upon reactive scattering. Initial investigations indicate that more than 50% of reactive scattering could be the result of these new mechanisms at this collision energy. Features in the corresponding quantum mechanical results can be attributed to these new (classical) reaction mechanisms.
Admittance characterization of semiconductor junctions
Authors: Nardone M. , Karpov V. G.
Published: April 2008

We propose a phenomenological theory of admittance characterization of diode structures with resistive electrodes, including photovoltaic cells and Schottky junctions. The concept of decay length is introduced which describes how far an ac signal propagates through the resistive electrode in the lateral direction. The measured capacitance and conductance strongly depend on the decay length and the electrode configuration of the device. We show that properly arranged admittance circuitry and adequate characterization allow one to extract much more information from the data than previously believed.
Generalized synchronization via nonlinear control
Authors: Juan Meng , Xingyuan Wang
Published: April 2008

In this paper, the generalized synchronization problem of drive-response systems is investigated. Using the drive-response concept and the nonlinear control theory, a control law is designed to achieve the generalized synchronization of chaotic systems. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a generalized synchronization condition is derived. Theoretical analyses and numerical simulations further demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed technique.
First principles calculations of the formation energy and deep levels associated with the neutral and charged vacancy in germanium
Authors: Śpiewak P. , Vanhellemont J. , Sueoka K. , Kurzydłowski K. J. , Romandic I.
Published: April 2008

Density functional theory with local density approximation including on-site Coulomb interaction has been used to calculate the formation energy of the neutral and charged vacancy in germanium as a function of the Fermi level. The calculations suggest that vacancies in germanium are multiple-level acceptors with a first level at 0.02eV and a second level at 0.26eV above the valence band maximum in agreement with published experimental data. The formation energies of the neutral and charged vacancies line up well with the experimental values estimated from quenching experiments.
The symmetries of five-dimensional minimal supergravity reduced to three dimensions
Authors: Clément Gérard
Published: April 2008

The 14 Killing vectors of the target space for five-dimensional minimal supergravity reduced to three dimensions are explicitly constructed in terms of the original field variables. These vectors generate the Lie algebra of G2. We also construct a symmetrical 7×7 matrix representative of the coset G2(+2)∕((SL(2,R)×SL(2,R))) as a function of the same fields.
An investigation of correlation between transport characteristics and trap states in n-channel organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Kawasaki Naoko , Ohta Yohei , Kubozono Yoshihiro , Konishi Atsushi , Fujiwara Akihiko
Published: April 2008

Transport characteristics in n-channel organic field-effect transistors are discussed on the basis of density of states (DOS) for trap states determined with multiple trap and release model. First the trap-free intrinsic mobilities, the activation energies, and total effective DOS for conduction band are determined with the effective field-effect mobility versus temperature plots and total DOS of trap states. Second the general formula for subthreshold swing S applicable to organic field-effect transistors is derived and the surface potentials are determined from the S determined from the transfer curves and the DOS for the trap states according to the general formula.
Thermal conductivity of nanoparticle suspensions in insulating media measured with a transient optical grating and a hotwire
Authors: Schmidt Aaron J. , Chiesa Matteo , Torchinsky Darius H. , Johnson Jeremy A. , Nelson Keith A. , Chen Gang
Published: April 2008

The thermal conductivities of nanoparticle suspensions of Al2O3 in C10H22 (decane) and isoparaffinic polyalphaolefin (PAO) have been measured using two dissimilar techniques: a transient hotwire measurement based on the heat loss and resistivity of a heated wire in solution, and the thermal decay of a transient grating generated by the interference of two picosecond light pulses. Agreement between the two techniques is good, indicating that either is a reliable way for measuring the thermal conductivity of colloidal suspensions. Suspensions with volume concentrations from 0.125% to 1% were measured. The Al2O3 particles were suspended by means of surfactants added to the base fluids and sonication. The thermal conductivity of the suspensions was greater than expected from classical continuum models, with a greater enhancement observed in decane than in PAO.
Two-bit effect of trigate nanowires polycrystalline silicon thin-film-transistor nonvolatile memory with oxide/nitride/oxide gate dielectrics
Authors: Wu Yung-Chun , Hung Min-Feng , Chang Chin-Wei , Su Po-Wen
Published: April 2008

This work studies the two-bit effect of trigate nanowires polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors with silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon nonvolatile memory. The two-bit effect is clearly demonstrated by the localized charge trapping in a nitride layer. The programing operation is performed by channel hot electrons injection, and erasing is performed by channel hot holes injection. The threshold voltage shifts between forward read and reverse read schemes is 2.2V. At a large gate length of 5μm, the programing is dominated by Fowler–Nordheim tunneling, resulting in the absence of two-bit storage capacity. Regarding the two-bit programing and erasing speed characteristics, one-bit programing or erasing does not affect the other bit.
The difference of the transport properties of graphene with corrugation structure and with flat structure
Authors: Li G. Q. , Cai J. , Deng J. K. , Rocha A. R. , Sanvito S.
Published: April 2008

The transport properties of devices made from graphene ribbons with either perfectly flat or corrugated structures and sandwiched between metallic electrodes are investigated with first principles method. The relaxed geometry of the devices is obtained by using molecular dynamics based on the Tersoff’s potential, while the transport is evaluated with a combination of density functional theory and the nonequilibrium Green’s function method. In general, the transport properties of the two graphene structures differ from each other. In particular, we find that corrugation greatly enhances the conductance through the device.
Residual multiparticle entropy does not generally change sign near freezing
Authors: Krekelberg William P. , Shen Vincent K. , Errington Jeffrey R. , Truskett Thomas M.
Published: April 2008

The residual multiparticle entropy (RMPE) of two- and three-dimensional fluids changes sign near the freezing line, providing a quasiuniversal “one-phase” rule for the location of the liquid-solid transition. We present new simulation results for d-dimensional hard-sphere fluids (d=1−5) which show, however, that this freezing criterion fails in other spatial dimensions. The results also call into question the idea that a change in sign of the RMPE implies the emergence of a new kind of local structural order in the fluid.
Novel pattern of foliar metal distribution in a manganese hyperaccumulator
Authors: Fernando Denise R. , Marshall Alan T. , Gouget Barbara , Carrière Marie , Collins Richard N. , Woodrow Ian E. , Baker Alan J.
Published: April 2008

The primary sequestration of foliar manganese (Mn) in Mn-hyperaccumulating plants can occur in either their photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic tissues, depending on the species. To date, only non-photosynthetic tissues have been found to be the major sinks in other hyperaccumulators. Here, electron (SEM) and proton (PIXE) microprobes were used to generate qualitative energy dispersive (EDS) X-ray maps of leaf cross sections. Two Mn hyperaccumulators, Garcinia amplexicaulis Vieill. (Clusiaceae) and Maytenus fournieri (Panch. and Sebert) Loesn. (Celastraceae), and the Mn accumulator Grevillea exul Lindley (Proteaceae) were studied. PIXE/EDS data obtained here for M. fournieri were in agreement with existing SEM/EDS data showing that the highest localised foliar Mn concentrations were in the epidermal tissues. However, this is the first in situ microprobe investigation of G. amplexicaulis and G. exul. The Mn X-ray maps of G. amplexicaulis revealed a previously undescribed third spatial distribution pattern among Mn-hyperaccumulating species. Manganese was relatively evenly distributed throughout the leaf photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues, while in G. exul it was most highly concentrated in the epidermal cells.
A seed coat cyanohydrin glucosyltransferase is associated with bitterness in almond (Prunus dulcis) kernels
Authors: Franks Tricia K. , Yadollahi Abbas , Wirthensohn Michelle G. , Guerin Jennifer R. , Kaiser Brent N. , Sedgley Margaret , Ford Christopher M.
Published: April 2008

The secondary metabolite amygdalin is a cyanogenic diglucoside that at high concentrations is associated with intense bitterness in seeds of the Rosaceae, including kernels of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.), syn. Prunus amygdalus D. A. Webb Batsch). Amygdalin is a glucoside of prunasin, itself a glucoside of R-mandelonitrile (a cyanohydrin). Here we report the isolation of an almond enzyme (UGT85A19) that stereo-selectively glucosylates R-mandelonitrile to produce prunasin. In a survey of developing kernels from seven bitter and 11 non-bitter genotypes with polyclonal antibody raised to UGT85A19, the enzyme was found to accumulate to higher levels in the bitter types in later development. This differential accumulation of UGT85A19 is associated with more than three-fold greater mandelonitrile glucosyltransferase activity in bitter kernels compared with non-bitter types, and transcriptional regulation was demonstrated using quantitative-PCR analysis. UGT85A19 and its encoding transcript were most concentrated in the testa (seed coat) of the kernel compared with the embryo, and prunasin and amygdalin were differentially compartmentalised in these tissues. Prunasin was confined to the testa and amygdalin was confined to the embryo. These results are consistent with the seed coat being an important site of synthesis of prunasin as a precursor of amygdalin accumulation in the kernel. The presence of UGT85A19 in the kernel and other tissues of both bitter and non-bitter types indicates that its expression is unlikely to be a control point for amygdalin accumulation and suggests additional roles for the enzyme in almond metabolism.
Loss of
Hoxb8
alters spinal dorsal laminae and sensory responses in mice
Authors: Holstege Jan C. , de Graaff Wim , Hossaini Mehdi , Cano Sebastian Cardona , Jaarsma Dick , van den Akker Eric , Deschamps Jacqueline
Published: April 2008

Although
Hox
gene expression has been linked to motoneuron identity, a role of these genes in development of the spinal sensory system remained undocumented.
Hoxb
genes are expressed at high levels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
Hoxb8
null mutants manifest a striking phenotype of excessive grooming and hairless lesions on the lower back. Applying local anesthesia underneath the hairless skin suppressed excessive grooming, indicating that this behavior depends on peripheral nerve activity. Functional ablation of mouse
Hoxb8
also leads to attenuated response to nociceptive and thermal stimuli. Although spinal ganglia were normal, a lower postmitotic neural count was found in the dorsalmost laminae at lumbar levels around birth, leading to a smaller dorsal horn and a correspondingly narrowed projection field of nociceptive and thermoceptive afferents. The distribution of the dorsal neuronal cell types that we assayed, including neurons expressing the itch-specific gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, was disorganized in the lumbar region of the mutant. BrdU labeling experiments and gene-expression studies at stages around the birth of these neurons suggest that loss of
Hoxb8
starts impairing development of the upper laminae of the lumbar spinal cord at approximately embryonic day (E)15.5. Because none of the neuronal markers used was unexpressed in the adult dorsal horn, absence of Hoxb8 does not impair neuronal differentiation. The data therefore suggest that a lower number of neurons in the upper spinal laminae and neuronal disorganization in the dorsal horn underlie the sensory defects including the excessive grooming of the
Hoxb8
mutant.
Reflexive Local and Regional Economic Development and International Policy Transfer
Authors: Haughton Graham , Naylor Rachel
Published: April 2008

This article looks at the international dimension of local and regional economic development policy. We illustrate our argument about the difficulties of comparing the relative effectiveness of policy using the experience of a comparative study of local and regional economic development in Australia, the US, England and Northern Ireland. The empirical work suggests that the preferred tools of local economic development and their locally perceived effectiveness vary but that careful interpretation is necessary to understand why this is the case. Given that international policy exchange is neither inherently bad nor good, but that it is inevitable, we argue for further exploration of the process of cross-national policy transfer to ensure we are learning appropriate lessons.
Voices of disability on the radio
Authors: O'Malley Mary Pat
Published: April 2008

Background: While much commentary exists in relation to the portrayal of disabled people in the media, very little research examines the talk itself in any detail. This paper examines the how people with communication disabilities and disabled people are dealt with in the talk of a radio programme about disability.

Aims: To show how the voices of disabled people, and in particular people with communication difficulties, are dealt with on a radio programme titled For and About People with Disability (http:www.rte.ie).

Methods & Procedures: Analysis of 15 episodes of an Irish radio programme for and about people with disability called Outside the Box to identify frames governing the discourse.

Outcomes & Results: Three frames are identified: radio programme frame; presenter frame; and interview frame. Communication disability never appears as a topic in the radio programme frame. In the presenter and interview frames the presenter foregrounds medical aspects of experiences, asks questions that only seek factual information, and fails to respond to subjective aspects of disabled people's experiences. Analysis of the interviewees' responses show how they hold the floor and introduce subjective accounts of living with disability.

Conclusions: Frame analysis reveals how disability (including communication disability) is dealt with in the talk of a radio programme for and about people with disability. There is an overemphasis on medical aspects of disability and a view of disability as a primarily physical phenomenon is broadcast. In spite of mainly medical/factual questions, interviewees manage to include rich accounts of their experience. People with communication disability are not included, possibly due to issues of intelligibility or lack of awareness. Speech and language therapists have a valuable role to play in terms of ‘learning to listen’ and ‘helping to tell’.
GRASP55 Regulates Golgi Ribbon Formation
Authors: Feinstein Timothy N. , Linstedt Adam D.
Published: April 2008

Recent work indicates that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1 signaling at the G2/M cell cycle transition unlinks the contiguous mammalian Golgi apparatus and that this regulates cell cycle progression. Here, we sought to determine the role in this pathway of Golgi reassembly protein (GRASP)55, a Golgi-localized target of MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation at mitosis. In support of the hypothesis that GRASP55 is inhibited in late G2 phase, causing unlinking of the Golgi ribbon, we found that HeLa cells depleted of GRASP55 show a fragmented Golgi similar to control cells arrested in G2 phase. In the absence of GRASP55, Golgi stack length is shortened but Golgi stacking, compartmentalization, and transport seem normal. Absence of GRASP55 was also sufficient to suppress the requirement for MEK1 in the G2/M transition, a requirement that we previously found depends on an intact Golgi ribbon. Furthermore, mimicking mitotic phosphorylation of GRASP55 by using aspartic acid substitutions is sufficient to unlink the Golgi apparatus in a gene replacement assay. Our results implicate MEK1/ERK regulation of GRASP55-mediated Golgi linking as a control point in cell cycle progression.
The Northwest Atlantic deep-sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens) population before and after the onset of harvesting
Authors: Wahle Richard A. , Bergeron Charlene E. , Chute Antonie S. , Jacobson Larry D. , Chen Yong
Published: April 2008

Wahle, R. A., Bergeron, C. E., Chute, A. S., Jacobson, L. D., and Chen, Y. 2008. The Northwest Atlantic deep-sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens) population before and after the onset of harvesting. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 862–872. The population structure of deep-sea red crab (Chaceon quinquedens) in a nearly unexploited state is compared with its condition three decades later after more than a decade of sustained harvesting. Our study is based on a camera and net trawl survey conducted in 1974, which we repeated between 2003 and 2005 on the southern New England shelf break. Although the overall biomass of red crabs was estimated to be higher than in 1974, the abundance of large males, which are targeted by the fishery, was considerably lower. In particular, the biomass of large males (≥114 mm carapace width), considered in 1974 to be marketable, declined by 42%. Declines were most evident at depths and regions most accessible to the fishing fleet based in southern New England. With the change in fishery selectivity towards smaller male crabs, the abundance of currently harvestable crabs is about equal to 1974 levels. No declines were observed in the biomass of female and smaller male crabs not targeted by the fishery. Indeed, the abundance of juveniles appears considerably higher than in 1974. Perhaps, adverse effects on reproduction attributable to a reduction in the numbers of large males may be a consequence of fishing, but fishery impacts and productivity are difficult to assess because key biological information is lacking.
Minimally Invasive Video‐Assisted Thyroidectomy
Authors: Vaysberg Mikhail , Steward David L.
Published: April 2008

Background: Minimally invasive video‐assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been developed and successfully used in Italy to perform thyroidectomy and central node dissection through an incision of 2 to 3 cm.

Objectives: Determine the safety, utility, and complication rates of MIVAT in a university setting within the United States.

Study Design: Single surgeon series of MIVAT performed during an 18‐month period.

Results: Two hundred fifty thyroidectomies were performed between January 2006 and June 2007. Ninety‐two (37%) met eligibility criteria for MIVAT. Six (7%) procedures were converted to open thyroidectomy (incision 4–5 cm) because of extent of the disease (3 strap muscle invasions, 1 thyroiditis, and 2 excessive size goiters). Eighty‐six (93%) procedures were completed via the MIVAT technique. There was one case of transient and no cases of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (0.7% of nerves at risk). There were two cases of transient hypocalcemia (3.6% of total/completion cases). There were no hematomas or seromas. There were five (5.8%) cases of minor superficial skin burn. Mean operative times were significantly reduced during the study period (67 to 42 min for hemithyroidectomy, P = .0005; 110 to 77 min for total thyroidectomy, P = .02). Mean incision length measured after wound closure was 2.5 cm.

Conclusion: We found implantation of MIVAT to be safe, with rates of hypocalcemia, vocal cord paresis, and hematoma comparable with those reported for the traditional open approach. Procedure times varied based on extent of thyroidectomy, patient factors, and experience of the operator and were significantly reduced during the study period.
Endoscopic Treatment of Salivary Gland Injuries due to Facial Rejuvenation Procedures
Authors: Nahlieli Oded , Abramson Alex , Shacham Rachel , Puterman Max B. , Baruchin Abraham M.
Published: April 2008

Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe innovative surgical techniques for treatment of salivary gland injuries caused by facial rejuvenation procedures.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2007, a total of 14 patients, all females ages 46 to 70 who suffered from salivary gland injuries caused by facial rejuvenation procedures, were treated, primarily by an endoscopic‐guided technique that involved location of the injury and endoscopic repair.

Results: There were four types of postsurgical injuries of the salivary glands that were caused by operations for facial rejuvenation: 1) compression of salivary ducts with temporary swelling (n = 1); 2) laceration of the capsule of the salivary gland (n = 3); 3) stretching and compression of the ducts with penetration of the capsule of the duct leading to sialocele and long‐term swelling (types 1 and 2 combined) (n = 5); and 4) complete cut or penetration of the main salivary duct or of one of its main branches resulting in sialocele (n = 5). The endoscopic technique treatment was successful in all cases.

Conclusion: The main reasons for salivary gland injuries due to facial rejuvenation procedures in our patients were: poor anatomical identification of the border between the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) and the parotid capsule; penetration of the salivary gland capsule by blunt or sharp dissection; unnecessary use of sharp‐tip scissors; and a tear of the salivary duct by hooks during a face‐lift procedure. Plastic surgeons should be aware of these complications and try to improve their techniques accordingly. To avoid atrophy of the salivary gland, once the diagnosis it made, it is advisable to send the patient to a maxillofacial or ENT surgeon skilled in endoscopy.
Reduced Levels of Lactoferrin in Biofilm‐Associated Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Psaltis Alkis J. , Wormald Peter‐John , Ha Kien R. , Tan Lor Wai
Published: April 2008

Objective/Hypothesis: The diverse antipathogenic action of lactoferrin has been well characterized. In addition, it is the human body's only known antimicrobial peptide with antibiofilm properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the nasal mucosal expression of lactoferrin in the biofilm‐mediated disease, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Study Design/Methods: Nasal biopsies from 41 CRS patients and 21 healthy controls were analyzed using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the presence of biofilms. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein level of lactoferrin in this tissue were also determined by quantitative real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

Results: Lactoferrin expression in chronic rhinosinusitis patients at both mRNA and protein level was downregulated relative to controls. Biofilm‐positive CRS patients showed a much greater reduction in lactoferrin expression than biofilm‐negative patients; mRNA median fold change biofilm positive = 0.03 (interquartile range 0.005–0.15) and biofilm‐negative CRS median fold change = 0.49 (interquartile range 0.15–0.81) with median lactoferrin protein expression biofilm‐positive patients' median lactoferrin protein expression = 32.58 ng/mL (interquartile range 8.67–59.9 ng/mL) and biofilm‐negative patients' median lactoferrin expression = 114.40 ng/mL (interquartile range 75.41–163.1 ng/mL).

Conclusions: Genetic, transcriptional, or translational deficiencies in lactoferrin synthesis may reduce the functional level of this important antimicrobial/antibiofilm peptide in the nasal secretions of CRS patients, predisposing certain individuals to bacterial colonization, biofilm development, and recalcitrant sinus disease.
Chronologic Changes of Nitric Oxide Concentration in the Cochlear Lateral Wall and Its Role in Noise‐Induced Permanent Threshold Shift
Authors: Chen Yuh‐Shyang , Tseng Fen‐Yu , Lin Kai‐Nan , Yang Ting‐Hua , Lin‐Shiau Shoei Yn , Hsu Chuan‐Jen
Published: April 2008

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the chronologic changes of nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the cochlear lateral wall and to explore its possible role in permanent threshold shift (PTS) after intense noise exposure.

Materials and Methods: Seventeen guinea pigs were subjected to a single continuous exposure to broadband white noise at 105 ± 2 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 40 hours and were divided into four groups according to various postnoise recovery periods. Another 12 guinea pigs were not exposed to noise and served as controls. The hearing status of all animals was evaluated with auditory brainstem responses (ABR) evoked by condensation “click” sounds. ABR were recorded both prior to noise exposure and immediately before killing the animal. After death, NO concentration in the cochlear lateral wall was directly measured with an NO/ozone chemiluminescence technique.

Results: An approximately 1.7‐fold increase in NO concentration was observed immediately postnoise exposure, which persisted for up to 28 days. The threshold of ABR elevation (mean, 30 dB SPL) peaked immediately after cessation of noise exposure and gradually resolved to a PTS (mean, 14.5 dB SPL) 56 days after noise exposure when NO concentration had returned to its prenoise exposure level.

Conclusion: Noise‐induced threshold shift, which resolved to a mild PTS, can be partially attributed to NO elevation in the cochlear lateral wall. Our results revealed a nonlinear correlation between ABR recovery and depletion of NO, indicating that the mechanisms of NO changes in the cochlear lateral wall may be more complicated than previously conceived and that other pathophysiologic mechanisms may also play important roles in noise‐induced PTS.
Sialendoscopy and Associated Complications: A Preliminary Experience
Authors: Walvekar Rohan R. , Razfar Ali , Carrau Ricardo L. , Schaitkin Barry
Published: April 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: To review our experience with diagnostic and therapeutic sialendoscopy for the management of major salivary gland disorders with respect to complications and also to validate its use in our patient population.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: We identified 56 consecutive cases of sialendoscopy procedures performed over 2 years in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh from July 2005 to August 2007.

Results: The mean age of presentation was 43 (range, 7–77) years, with a male to female sex ratio of 1:2. The most common indications included sialolithiasis (52%) followed by salivary gland swelling (16%). The average size of the stones ranged from 2 to 12 mm. The overall success rate for endoscopic stone removal was 74% (14 of 19). Three (3 of 29) patients required a planned combined technique for stone removal. The overall complication rate was 25% (14 of 56). The major and minor complication rates were 2% (1 of 56) and 23% (13 of 56), respectively.

Conclusions: Sialendoscopy is a safe and effective technology for treating major salivary gland disorders. In the early phases of sequential learning, complications rates are significant. However, major complications are infrequent and in general can be salvaged by standard salivary gland surgery.
Postirradiated Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Sinonasal Tract
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Ping , Hsieh Chia‐Ying , Chang Yih‐Leong , Lou Pei‐Jen , Yang Tsung‐Lin , Ting Lai‐Lei , Ko Jenq‐Yuh
Published: April 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the sinonasal tract is rare. In this present study, we report our treatment experience with sinonasal NEC.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical outcomes and pathology of 18 patients with NEC arising from the sinonasal region.

Results: Ten tumors were primary NEC without previous radiation, and eight tumors were postirradiated NEC occurring within the radiation field for previous nasopharyngeal carcinoma in six patients and tonsillar lymphoma in one and neck metastasis of unknown primary origin in one, with an interval between previous radiotherapy and diagnosis of NEC from 82 to 385 months, with a mean of 197 months. Fifteen tumors were small cell carcinoma, two were atypical carcinoid, and one was typical carcinoid tumor. Fifteen patients underwent surgery with/without postoperative adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Three patients received induction chemotherapy or primary radiotherapy with further definitive treatment. The 5‐year disease‐free and overall survival rates of all 18 patients were 56.1% and 62.2%, respectively. In comparing primary NEC with postirradiated NEC, they were similar in age, sex distribution, stage, pathology, and treatment, and the 5‐year overall survival rates were 70% and 62.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: In this series, postirradiated NEC is common, which may be the result of there being a large number of long‐term nasopharyngeal carcinoma survivors. The prognoses of postirradiated NEC and primary NEC appear to be similar despite the relatively short follow‐up period in the postirradiated NEC group.
Gene Expression Profiling of Nasal Polyps Associated With Chronic Sinusitis and Aspirin‐Sensitive Asthma
Authors: Stankovic Konstantina M. , Goldsztein Hernan , Reh Douglas D. , Platt Michael P. , Metson Ralph
Published: April 2008

Objective: To identify genes whose expression is most characteristic of chronic rhinosinusitis and aspirin‐sensitive asthma through genome‐wide transcriptional profiling of nasal polyp tissue.

Study Design: Prospective, controlled study conducted at a tertiary care institution.

Methods: Thirty genome‐wide expression microarrays were used to compare nasal polyp tissue from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis alone (CRS, n = 10) or chronic rhinosinusitis and a history of aspirin‐sensitive asthma (ASA, n = 10) to normal sinonasal mucosa from patients who underwent surgery for non‐sinus related conditions (controls, n = 10). Genes found to be most characteristic of each polyp phenotype, as determined from bioinformatic analyses, were validated using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry in different patient sets.

Results: The transcriptional signature of the control mucosa was distinctly different from that of either polyp phenotype. Genes most characteristic of the CRS phenotype included two upregulated genes—met proto‐oncogene (MET) and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 9B (PPP1R9B)—and two downregulated genes— prolactin‐induced protein (PIP) and zinc alpha2‐glycoprotein (AZGP1). The gene most characteristic of the ASA phenotype was periostin (POSTN), which was upregulated relative to controls. Differences between the CRS and ASA phenotypes were associated with alterations in the 6p22, 22q13, and 1q23 chromosomal regions.

Conclusions: Nasal polyps appear to have characteristic transcriptional signatures compared to normal sinonasal mucosa. The five genes identified in this study likely play roles in the pathogenesis of polyps associated with CRS and ASA, and are therefore attractive targets for novel medical therapies for these common debilitating diseases.
Correlating Bayesian date estimates with climatic events and domestication using a bovine case study
Authors: Ho Simon Y.W , Larson Greger , Edwards Ceiridwen J , Heupink Tim H , Lakin Kay E , Holland Peter W.H , Shapiro Beth
Published: April 2008

The tribe Bovini contains a number of commercially and culturally important species, such as cattle. Understanding their evolutionary time scale is important for distinguishing between post-glacial and domestication-associated population expansions, but estimates of bovine divergence times have been hindered by a lack of reliable calibration points. We present a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of 481 mitochondrial D-loop sequences, including 228 radiocarbon-dated ancient DNA sequences, using a multi-demographic coalescent model. By employing the radiocarbon dates as internal calibrations, we co-estimate the bovine phylogeny and divergence times in a relaxed-clock framework. The analysis yields evidence for significant population expansions in both taurine and zebu cattle, European aurochs and yak clades. The divergence age estimates support domestication-associated expansion times (less than 12 kyr) for the major haplogroups of cattle. We compare the molecular and palaeontological estimates for theBison–Bosdivergence.
Plant community composition, not diversity, regulates soil respiration in grasslands
Authors: Johnson David , Phoenix Gareth K , Grime J. Philip
Published: April 2008

Soil respiration is responsible for recycling considerable quantities of carbon from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that the richness of plants in a community can have significant impacts on ecosystem functioning, but the specific influences of plant species richness (SR), plant functional-type richness and plant community composition on soil respiration rates are unknown. Here we use 10-year-old model plant communities, comprising mature plants transplanted into natural non-sterile soil, to determine how the diversity and composition of plant communities influence soil respiration rates. Our analysis revealed that soil respiration was driven by plant community composition and that there was no significant effect of biodiversity at the three levels tested (SR, functional group and species per functional group). Above-ground plant biomass and root density were included in the analysis as covariates and found to have no effect on soil respiration. This finding is important, because it suggests that loss of particular species will have the greatest impact on soil respiration, rather than changes in biodiversity
per se
.
Rapid pivot feeding in pipefish: flow effects on prey and evaluation of simple dynamic modelling via computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Van Wassenbergh Sam , Aerts Peter
Published: April 2008

Most theoretical models of unsteady aquatic movement in organisms assume that including steady-state drag force and added mass approximates the hydrodynamic force exerted on an organism's body. However, animals often perform explosively quick movements where high accelerations are realized in a few milliseconds and are followed closely by rapid decelerations. For such highly unsteady movements, the accuracy of this modelling approach may be limited. This type of movement can be found during pivot feeding in pipefish that abruptly rotate their head and snout towards prey. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to validate a simple analytical model of cranial rotation in pipefish. CFD simulations also allowed us to assess prey displacement by head rotation. CFD showed that the analytical model accurately calculates the forces exerted on the pipefish. Although the initial phase of acceleration changes the flow patterns during the subsequent deceleration phase, the accuracy of the analytical model was not reduced during this deceleration phase. Our analysis also showed that prey are left approximately stationary despite the quickly approaching pipefish snout. This suggests that pivot-feeding fish need little or no suction to compensate for the effects of the flow induced by cranial rotation.
Influence of viscosity on the scattering of an air pressure wave by a rigid body: a regular boundary integral formulation
Authors: Homentcovschi Dorel
Published: April 2008

This paper gives a regular vector boundary integral equation for solving the problem of viscous scattering of a pressure wave by a rigid body. Firstly, single-layer viscous potentials and a generalized stress tensor are introduced. Correspondingly, generalized viscous double-layer potentials are defined. By representing the scattered field as a combination of a single-layer viscous potential and a generalized viscous double-layer potential, the problem is reduced to the solution of a vectorial Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. Generally, the vector integral equation is singular. However, there is a particular stress tensor, called pseudostress, which yields a regular integral equation. In this case, the Fredholm alternative applies and permits a direct proof of the existence and uniqueness of the solution. The results presented here provide the foundation for a numerical solution procedure.