bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient perceptions of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection: the psychological influence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Donaldson A. D. , Jalaludin B. B. , Chan R. C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIntroduction: Patients form their own representations of their illness, which can be important determinants of their coping and influence outcome. Our aims were to (i) assess patient perceptions of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection, (ii) compare perceptions of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) with non‐MRSA infection and (iii) investigate the emotional aspects of these infections.Methods: A questionnaire was developed from the ‘Illness Perception Questionnaire’ of Weinman et al.with additional questions assessing emotional response. This was offered to all patients with osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection attending the Liverpool Hospital Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic during a 3‐month period.Results: There were 91 respondents − 25 with MRSA infection, 14 with MRSA colonization and 52 without MRSA. Seventy‐nine per cent of all respondents felt that their infection was very serious and 76% felt their infection had had major consequences on their life. On multivariate analysis MRSA was associated with a greater emotional effect; the consequences and emotional effects of infection were greater in younger people and prosthetic joint infection was associated with less sense of control or cure.Conclusion: Osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection have a significant effect on an individual. Ongoing support and education are important, particularly for the young, those with prosthetic joint infection and patients with MRSA.
Changes in medication use from age 26 to 32 in a representative birth cohort
Authors: Thomson W. M. , Poulton R. , Hancox R. J. , Ryan K. M. , Al‐Kubaisy S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground: To date, longitudinal studies of medications have been confined to older adults or clinical samples, with no data from prospective studies of younger adults. The aim of the study was to examine changes in medication usage between ages 26 and 32 in a prospective study of a representative birth cohort.Methods: Medication use during the previous 2 weeks was investigated among 960 individuals at ages 26 and 32.Results: Nearly two‐thirds took at least one medication at each age, with medication prevalence higher among women than among men. Three‐quarters of those taking at least one at age 26 were doing so at 32. Over‐the‐counter medication prevalence increased from 35 to 43% between 26 and 32 years of age. Although the prevalence of prescribed medications decreased (from just under half to just over one‐third, and from two‐thirds to below half among women), there was no significant difference between the ages once hormonal contraceptives were accounted for. By 32, reduced usage of hormonal contraceptives was apparent, with one‐third of age‐26 users still taking these at 32. Other categories showing major changes were analgesics (increased), anti‐asthma drugs (decreased), antidepressants (increased) and antiulcer drugs (increased). At 32, 82% of those taking analgesics, 85% of those taking nutrient supplements, 71% of those taking antihistamines and 33% of those taking antiulcer drugs had self‐prescribed them.Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the sample used medications by age 32, and there was considerable change between 26 and 32. The changes are likely to have been due to a mix of ageing and period effects.
Heterogeneity in the coding in rat barrel cortex of the velocity of protraction of the macrovibrissae
Authors: Rajan R. , Browning Andrew S. , Bourke Justin L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRats whisk to explore their environment and obtain information on object features, and the responses of somatosensory cortical neurones must precisely encode aspects of whisker movements. Using trapezoidal stimuli to deflect whiskers, with a wide range of velocities and amplitudes of whisker protraction, we recorded responses from a relatively homogeneous population of isolated cells and neuronal multiunits within the postero‐medial barrel sub‐field of somatosensory cortex, and analysed responses in an early post‐stimulus‐onset window. For 92% of neurones the function relating response strength to velocity was a saturating sigmoid but there were differences between neurones in the slopes and ranges over which responses changed. Responses of other neurones were non‐monotonic, with response strength decaying at very high whisker deflection velocities. Generally, barrel cortex neurones were responsive to a much wider range of whisker protraction velocities than hitherto reported, especially to much slower velocities than generally assumed to be the main range of sensitivity. This carries implications for coding of whisker deflection velocity, a parameter that appears to be a significant information‐bearing element of natural whisking. The effect of amplitude of deflection upon neural responses was evident in only ∼24% of units and only when the dominant velocity effect had saturated.
Modulation of neuronal responses in macaque primary visual cortex in a memory task
Authors: Vidyasagar Trichur R. , Pigarev Ivan N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe primary visual cortex, a relatively early station in the visual pathway, has long been considered mainly as a site of basic feature detection but evidence is emerging that is consistent with the existence of feedback influences from higher cortical areas. We show that in a delayed match‐to‐sample memory task, where the monkey needs to remember both the visual pattern and its location, there is significant modulation of neuronal activity in the primary visual cortex suggestive of a feedback signal. Responses to identical patterns are remarkably different depending upon their place in the memory task. These modulatory influences are significantly less when the same visual patterns are shown during a simple fixation task, where these stimuli can be ignored and not attended to. The results indicate that neural processing specific to attentional and mnemonic functions can involve even primary sensory areas.
The influence of Pavlovian cues on instrumental performance is mediated by CaMKII activity in the striatum
Authors: Wiltgen Brian J. , Law Matthew , Ostlund Sean , Mayford Mark , Balleine Bernard W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPavlovian cues associated with reward exert a powerful motivational influence on the performance of goal‐directed actions. This motivational process depends critically on the ventral striatum, although little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate it. In the current experiments we examined the role of calcium calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) by using transgenic mice that express a constitutively active form of this kinase. We found that controlled expression of active CaMKII in the striatum did not affect learning but did impair the motivation of goal‐directed actions by Pavlovian cues associated with reward. Mutant mice learned to lever press for reward, remained sensitive to outcome devaluation and contingency degradation manipulations, and were able to acquire Pavlovian responses to cues paired with reward. However, Pavlovian cues were completely unable to motivate lever pressing in mutant mice. This was true even in mice trained with the CaMKII transgene turned off and then tested with it turned on. We were also able to suppress transgene expression in impaired mutants and fully restore the motivational effects of reward cues in these animals. Therefore, the current experiments demonstrate that normal CaMKII activity in the striatum is essential for the motivational effects of reward cues on goal‐directed actions.
Neurokinin3 receptor activation potentiates the psychomotor and nucleus accumbens dopamine response to cocaine, but not its place conditioning effects
Authors: Jocham Gerhard , Lauber Andrea C. , Müller Christian P. , Huston Joseph P. , De Souza Silva M. Angélica 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNeurokinin3 receptors (NK3‐Rs) have been implicated in psychomotor activity and reinforcement mechanisms. Recently, we showed that NK3‐R antagonism blocked the psychostimulant properties of cocaine both in rats and in primates. Here, using in vivo microdialysis in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of freely moving rats, we investigated the effect of the NK3‐R agonist senktide (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg s.c.) on the cocaine‐evoked increase in dopamine. Cocaine (10 mg/kg i.p.) increased dopamine levels to 404 and 480% of baseline in the core and shell of the NAc, respectively. Pretreatment with senktide at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg potentiated this effect to 666 (core) and 869% (shell) of baseline, without having any effect on dopamine when given alone. Behavioural measurements revealed that 0.2 mg/kg senktide also potentiated the cocaine‐induced increase in horizontal and vertical activity. Senktide alone induced a short‐lasting increase in activity that was not accompanied by any alterations of the neurochemical parameters. In conditioned place preference (CPP) experiments, senktide pretreatment did not alter CPP induced by cocaine (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.), and had no effect when given alone. Likewise, cocaine‐conditioned locomotor activity was not affected by the NK3‐R agonist. However, as in the microdialysis studies, cocaine‐induced (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) hyperactivity was potentiated by senktide, and there was evidence for a facilitation of sensitization to the hyperlocomotor effects of cocaine by senktide. These data provide evidence that NK3‐Rs are involved in the control of the hyperlocomotor and NAc DA response to cocaine, but not in cocaine‐induced CPP.
Information content and recency effect of the audit report in loan rating decisions
Authors: Guiral‐Contreras Andrés , Gonzalo‐Angulo Jose A. , Rodgers Waymond 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe examined the significance of the audit report in loan rating decisions using the belief revision model. We designed a laboratory experiment where the sign of the audit report is mixed with other annual financial information in a series of sequential evidence. The results of an experimental design, using 106 loan officers from international financial institutions, support the hypothesis that the qualified audit report appears to be an independent and useful piece of evidence when it is contrary to favourable financial expectations. Our findings also support that the ‘recency effect’ might influence international commercial loan officers’ perception of the qualified audit report.
Oscillations in total body fat content through life: an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Zafon C. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryAdipose tissue is considered an efficient system in which to store energy. Throughout life, the total amount of body fat exhibits some oscillations. Typically, there are three specific periods in which there are notable increases in fat mass, specifically early in life, during pregnancy and lactation, and with ageing. The existence of the first two peaks in fat mass has been interpreted, from an evolutionary point of view, as a beneficial manoeuvre to protect against the scarcity of energy to the offspring of the species. Nevertheless, the role of increasing body fat with ageing is more dubious. However, recent evidence suggests that the gain in adiposity in senescence may also be interpreted in the same evolutionary context. The aim of this review is to focus on the age‐related changes in fat depots. In addition, an evolutionary explanation to the observed changes has been emphasized.
Categorical Measurement Semantics: A New Second Space for Geography
Authors: Ahlqvist Ola , Ban Hyowon 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCommonly used categorically or nominally measured data often portray each category as separate from other categories with no inherent ordering. Contrary to this portrayal and the perception that categorical data offer limited analytical capabilities, we examine the philosophical, cognitive, and practical basis for re‐thinking categorical measurements in terms of a second conceptual space for mapping out categorical semantics. The article presents a perspective that an inherent ordering of categories can be described through this space that provides a transformation into a numerical measurement domain. The article provides several examples of how geographic information analysis can benefit from adding this second conceptual space to the geographic data, together with a discussion of potential applications.
Wind Energy: Status and Trends
Authors: Barthelmie Rebecca 
Published: April 2007

AbstractInstalled wind energy capacity has been increasing rapidly worldwide over the last 5 years and now exceeds 70 GW. Wind energy contributes up to 18.5% of electricity consumption in Denmark and about 3% in Europe. Wind energy is economically competitive at good wind sites, can be rapidly deployed compared to conventional sources and contributes to the goal of meeting increasing electricity demand while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. This article discusses current wind energy technology and how it is being deployed, particularly in Europe. There are many factors involved in both the cost and the price of wind energy that are explained in brief. The status of wind energy in Europe, around the world and offshore are listed. Finally, some selected research areas such as wind speed profiles, climatic variations and wind turbine wakes are outlined, together with barriers to wind energy development.
World Cities and Union Renewal
Authors: Tufts Steven 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis article discusses how interpretive accounts and practices of labour union renewal in the Anglo‐American context are linked to the forms of post‐industrialism and polarized labour markets evident in world cities. I accordingly argue that the world city is implicated in various components of union renewal, including changing organizational structures, intensive organizing, leadership and democracy, coalition building, new labour internationalism, and labour‐management cooperation. Furthermore, the influence of the world city can limit both the scope and scale of the union renewal narratives and practices. The article concludes with a call for the union renewal project to expand beyond world city frameworks and explore multiple sectors and spaces.
Activated Pregnenolone X-Receptor Is a Target for Ketoconazole and Its Analogs
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Huang Haiyan , Li Hao , Teotico Denise G. , Sinz Michael , Baker Sharyn D. , Staudinger Jeffrey , Kalpana Ganjam , Redinbo Matthew R. , Mani Sridhar 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Purpose: Variations in biotransformation and elimination of microtubule-binding drugs are a major cause of unpredictable side effects during cancer therapy. Because the orphan receptor, pregnenolone X-receptor (PXR), coordinately regulates the expression of paclitaxel metabolizing and transport enzymes, controlling this process could improve therapeutic outcome.
Experimental Design: In vitro RNA-, protein-, and transcription-based assays in multiple cell lines derived from hepatocytes and PXR wild-type and null mouse studies were employed to show the effects of ketoconazole and its analogues on ligand-activated PXR-mediated gene transcription and translation.
Results: The transcriptional activation of genes regulating biotransformation and transport by the liganded human nuclear xenobiotic receptor, PXR, was inhibited by the commonly used antifungal ketoconazole and related azole analogs. Mutations at the AF-2 surface of the human PXR ligand-binding domain indicate that ketoconazole may interact with specific residues outside the ligand-binding pocket. Furthermore, in contrast to that observed in PXR (+/+) mice, genetic loss of PXR results in increased (preserved) blood levels of paclitaxel.
Conclusions: These studies show that some azole compounds repress the coordinated activation of genes involved in drug metabolism by blocking PXR activation. Because loss of PXR maintains blood levels of paclitaxel upon chronic dosing, ketoconazole analogues may also serve to preserve paclitaxel blood levels on chronic dosing of drugs. Our observations may facilitate new strategies to improve the clinical efficacy of drugs and to reduce therapeutic side effects.
Serum Cytokine Profiling as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool in Ovarian Cancer: A Potential Role for Interleukin 7
Authors: Lambeck Annechien J.A. , Crijns Anne P.G. , Leffers Ninke , Sluiter Wim J. , ten Hoor Klaske A. , Braid Mike , van der Zee Ate G.J. , Daemen Toos , Nijman Hans W. , Kast W. Martin 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate if serum cytokine levels could be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers in ovarian cancer.
Experimental Design: A cytokine bead array was done to simultaneously analyze 14 cytokines in the sera of 187 ovarian cancer patients with complete clinicopathologic data and follow-up, 45 patients with benign ovarian tumors, and 50 healthy controls. Serum levels of the well-known serum tumor marker CA-125 were routinely measured in all patients.
Results: Serum levels of CA-125, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-7, and IL-10 were elevated in ovarian cancer patients compared with patients with benign ovarian tumors. Analyzing the cytokines in combination with CA-125 showed that a combination of IL-7 and CA-125 serum levels could accurately predict 69% of the ovarian cancer patients, without falsely classifying patients with benign pelvic mass. The cytokines IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and IP-10 and CA-125 were associated with disease-free and overall survival in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, IL-7 and IP-10 were independent predictors of overall survival, although after inclusion of the clininopathologic parameters, only stage and residual disease remained as independent predictors of survival.
Conclusions: IL-7 levels were found to be strongly associated with ovarian cancer and could be used in combination with CA-125 to distinguish between malignant and benign ovarian tumors.
Systemic Interleukin-2 and Adoptive Transfer of Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells Improves Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in Patients with Relapsed B-Cell Lymphoma Treated with Rituximab
Authors: Berdeja Jesús G. , Hess Allan , Lucas David M. , O'Donnell Paul , Ambinder Richard F. , Diehl Louis F. , Carter-Brookins Denise , Newton Susan , Flinn Ian W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPurpose: Murine models have shown that antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) can be improved with addition of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells to monoclonal antibodies. A pilot trial of rituximab and LAK cells in patients with rituximab-refractory CD20+ lymphoma was conducted to evaluate this approach.Experimental Design: Ten patients received 3 million units/m2 of interleukin-2 (IL-2) i.v. qd on days 1 to 5 and leukapheresed on days 8, 9, and 10. The leukapheresis product was cultured with IL-2 for 48 h to produce LAK cells. Patients then received 375 mg/m2 i.v. rituximab and LAK cells on days 10, 11, and 12. The patients also received 3 million units/m2 of IL-2 i.v. for 5 days starting day 10. For safety purposes, the first three patients did not receive any LAK cell infusions.Results: The LAK cell infusions improved the ADCC activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes compared with pretreatment activity and prevented the decline in ADCC seen after infusion of rituximab alone. Therapy was well tolerated and the most clinically significant toxicities were fever and fatigue. Two patients achieved a partial remission and five had stable disease.Conclusions: The results from these studies suggest that the addition of LAK cells to rituximab augments ADCC in patients with rituximab-refractory lymphoma.
In vivoImaging of Oral Mucositis in an Animal Model Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Doppler Tomography
Authors: Wilder-Smith Petra , Hammer-Wilson Marie J. , Zhang Jun , Wang Qiang , Osann Kathryn , Chen Zhongping , Wigdor Harvey , Schwartz Joel , Epstein Joel 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPurpose: To assess noninvasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical Doppler tomography (ODT) for early detection and evaluation of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.Experimental Design: Cheek pouches of 10 Syrian golden hamsters were imaged using OCT/ODT during development of chemotherapy-induced mucositis. I.p. injections of 5-fluorouracil and mechanical irritation induced oral lesions. At 2, 4, 7, and 11 days, one hamster was sacrificed and processed for histopathology. OCT images were visually examined; ODT results were semiquantified. Imaging data were compared with histologic findings.Results: During the development of mucositis, OCT/ODT identified the following events: (a) change in epithelial thickness (beginning on day 2), (b) loss of surface keratinized layer continuity (beginning on day 4), (c) loss of epithelial (day 4 onwards) and submucosal integrity (day 7 onwards), (d) changes in axial blood flow velocity (increased on days 2 and 4; decreased on day 7), and (e) changes in blood vessel size (diameter doubled on day 2; quadrupled on day 4; unchanged on day 7). The semiquantitative imaging-based scoring system identified the severity of mucositis as defined by histopathology. The combination of imaging criteria used allowed for the detection of early, intermediate, and late mucositic changes. Imaging data gave higher scores compared with clinical scores early on, suggesting that the imaging-based diagnostic scoring was more sensitive to early mucositic change than the clinical scoring system. Once mucositis was established, imaging and clinical scores converged.Conclusion: OCT/ODT identified chemotherapy-induced oral changes before their clinical manifestation, and the proposed scoring system for oral mucositis was validated for the semiquantification of mucositic change.
Polymorphisms of MTHFD, Plasma Homocysteine Levels, and Risk of Gastric Cancer in a High-Risk Chinese Population
Authors: Wang Lina , Ke Qiao , Chen Wensen , Wang Jianming , Tan Yongfei , Zhou Yan , Hua Zhaolai , Ding Weiliang , Niu Juying , Shen Jing , Zhang Zuofeng , Wang Xinru , Xu Yaochu , Shen Hongbing 
Published: April 2007

Abstract
Purpose: Accumulative evidence suggests that folate has a protective effect on gastric cancer. The methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD) plays an important role in folate and homocysteine metabolisms, and polymorphisms of MTHFD may result in disturbance of the folate-mediated homocysteine pathway. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that genetic variants of MTHFD and plasma homocysteine levels are associated with risk of gastric cancer and modulated by genotypes of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).
Experimental Design: We genotyped G1958A and T401C in MTHFD and C677T in MTHFR and detected total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in a case-control study of 589 gastric cancer cases and 635 cancer-free controls in a high-risk Chinese population.
Results: The variant genotypes of MTHFD 1958AA and 401CC were associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.05; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.34-3.13 for 1958AA; adjusted OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.14-1.80 for 401CC] compared with 1958GG/GA and 401TT/TC genotypes, respectively. Both of the effects were more evident in the subjects carrying MTHFR 677CT/TT genotypes. The average tHcy level was significantly higher in gastric cancer cases than in controls (P &lt; 0.01), and the upper quartile of tHcy (&gt;13.6 μmol/L) was associated with an 82% significantly increased risk of gastric cancer, compared with the lowest quartile of tHcy (≤8.0 μmol/L; adjusted OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20-2.75).
Conclusions: The strong associations between MTHFD variants and the plasma tHcy levels and gastric cancer risk suggest, for the first time, a possible gene-environment interaction between genetic variants of folate-metabolizing genes and high tHcy levels in gastric carcinogenesis.