bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid beta peptides in human plasma and tissues and their significance for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Roher Alex E. , Esh Chera L. , Kokjohn Tyler A. , Castaño Eduardo M. , Van Vickle Gregory D. , Kalback Walter M. , Patton R. Lyle , Luehrs Dean C. , Daugs Ian D. , Kuo Yu‐Min , Emmerling Mark R. , Soares Holly , Quinn Joseph F. , Kaye Jeffrey , Connor Donald J. , Silverberg Nina B. , Adler Charles H. , Seward James D. , Beach Thomas G. , Sabbagh Marwan N. 
Published: December 2008

BackgroundWe evaluated the amounts of amyloid beta (Aβ)) peptides in the central nervous system (CNS) and in reservoirs outside the CNS and their potential impact on Aβ plasma levels and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.MethodsAmyloid β levels were measured in (1) the plasma of AD and nondemented (ND) controls in a longitudinal study, (2) the plasma of a cohort of AD patients receiving a cholinesterase inhibitor, and (3) the skeletal muscle, liver, aorta, platelets, leptomeningeal arteries, and in gray and white matter of AD and ND control subjects.ResultsPlasma Aβ levels fluctuated over time and among individuals, suggesting continuous contributions from brain and peripheral tissues and associations with reactive circulating proteins. Arteries with atherosclerosis had larger amounts of Aβ40 than disease‐free vessels. Inactivated platelets contained more Aβ peptides than activated ones. Substantially more Aβ was present in liver samples from ND patients. Overall, AD brain and skeletal muscle contained increased levels of Aβ.ConclusionsEfforts to use plasma levels of Aβ peptides as AD biomarkers or disease‐staging scales have failed. Peripheral tissues might contribute to both the circulating amyloid pool and AD pathology within the brain and its vasculature. The wide spread of plasma Aβ values is also due in part to the ability of Aβ to bind to a variety of plasma and membrane proteins. Sources outside the CNS must be accounted for because pharmacologic interventions to reduce cerebral amyloid are assessed by monitoring Aβ plasma levels. Furthermore, the long‐range impact of Aβ immunotherapy on peripheral Aβ sources should also be considered.
Corrections
Authors: Anderson P. W. 
Published: December 2008

Some points that appeared in the published version of my article on Brian Josephson (November, page 23) require clarification:
The article states that I served as nominal head of the Solid State Theory Group at the Mond Laboratory in 1961–2. I could not have done this as a visiting lecturer, and the Mond Laboratory is a subdivision of the Cavendish Laboratory specializing in low-temperature experimental physics and has never had a formal theoretical group. The group of which I am now head is a division of the Cavendish Laboratory of which Brian Josephson is now a member.
I am employed both by Bell Telephone Laboratories and by Cambridge University.
I travelled to Kyoto to attend and speak at the meeting and was therefore asked by Josephson and the committee on the London prize to accept it for him, since he was unable to, and to give an appreciation of his work, which was the source of the PHYSICS TODAY article.
What future for medium-energy physics?
Authors: Kolstad George A. 
Published: December 2008

According to Harvey Brooks, there are four main reasons for the support of scientific research: cultural, economic, social and educational. Needless to say, opinions differ as to the proper measure of Federal responsibility for each of these purposes. Brooks, who is chairman of the US National Academy of Sciences Committee on Science and Public Policy, goes on to describe four models of the research system based on these reasons for support:
▸ Science as a quasiautonomous, self-structuring activity that ultimately benefits society but must be left to develop according to its own internal dynamics if the social benefits are to be realized most efficiently (model attributed to Michael Polanyi and Derek de Solla Price)
▸ Science as a social overhead on applied research and development, aimed at specific social objectives and missions (model attributed to Alvin Weinberg)
▸ Science as a social overhead investment, in which research and education—in the broadest sense of the development of institutional and individual capacity to the maximum potential—are inseparable objectives (unattributed)
▸ Science as a tertiary industry or consumption good, representing the nonmaterial, nonproduction aspect of the goals and activities of an increasingly affluent society (model attributed to Stephen Toulmin)
The concept of the photon
Authors: Scully Marlan O. , Sargent Murray 
Published: December 2008

The idea of the photon has stirred the imaginations of physicists ever since 1905 when Einstein originally proposed the use of light quanta to explain the photoelectric effect. This concept is formalized in the quantum theory of radiation, which has had unfailing success in explaining the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter, seemingly limited only by the ability of physicists to perform the indicated calculations. Nevertheless, it has its conceptual problems—various infinities and frequent misinterpretations. Consequently an increasing number of workers are asking, “to what extent is the quantized field really necessary and useful?” In fact the experimental results of the photoelectric effect were explained by G. Wentzel in 1927 without the quantum theory of radiation. Similarly most electro-optic phenomena such as stimulated emission, reaction of the emitted field on the emitting atom, resonance fluorescence, and so on, do not require the quantization of the field for their explanation. As we will see, these processes can all be quantitatively explained and physically understood in terms of the semiclassical theory of the matter–field interaction in which the electric field is treated classically while the atoms obey the laws of quantum mechanics. The quantized field is fundamentally required for accurate descriptions of certain processes involving fluctuations in the electromagnetic field: for example, spontaneous emission, the Lamb shift, the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron, and certain aspects of blackbody radiation. (The Compton effect also fits here, but see later under references 8b and c.) Here we will outline how the photon concept originated and developed, where it is not required and is often misused, and finally where it plays an essential role in the understanding of physical phenomena. In our discussion we will attempt to give a logically consistent definition of the word “photon”—a statement far more necessary than one might think, for so many contradictory uses exist of this elusive beast. In particular consider the original coining of the word by G. N. Lewis:
“[because it appears to spend] only a minute fraction of its existence as a carrier of radiant energy, while the rest of the time it remains an important structural element within the atom…, I therefore take the liberty of proposing for this hypothetical new atom which is not light but plays an essential part in every process of radiation, the name photon!”
(our exclamation point). Clearly the present usage of the word is very different.
Comorbid Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Disorders: Recent Treatment Research
Authors: Riggs Paula , Levin Frances , Green Alan I. , Vocci Frank 
Published: December 2008

Psychiatric comorbidity is defined as the co-occurrence of a psychiatric disorder in a patient with a substance use disorder. Psychiatric disorders in substance abuse patients can antedate the substance use disorder or be a consequence of the substance abuse. There is emerging evidence that drug use in adolescence may alter the onset of certain psychiatric disorders in vulnerable individuals. Patients with concurrent comorbid disorders present special challenges for the substance abuse treatment system in terms of diagnosis and management because each disorder has the capability of exacerbating the other. This manuscript is a summary of an ISAM symposium that featured three speakers who discussed the following topics: 1. Etiology and treatment of comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders in adolescents; 2. Treatment of ADHD and substance use disorders in adults; 3. Effects of substance abuse on the onset, severity, and treatment of schizophrenia. Recommendations for further research will be presented.
DIRECT SIMULATIONS OF PARTICLE ACCELERATION IN A FLUCTUATING ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ACROSS A SHOCK
Authors: Muranushi Takayuki , Inutsuka Shu-ichiro 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
We simulate the acceleration processes of collisionless particles in a shock structure with magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) fluctuations. The electromagnetic field is represented as a sum of MHD shock solutions (B
0, E
0) and torsional Alfvén mode spectra (δB, δE). We represent fluctuation modes in logarithmic wavenumber space. Since the electromagnetic fields are represented analytically, our simulations can easily cover as large as eight orders of magnitude in resonant frequency, and do not suffer from spatial limitations of box size or grid spacing. We deterministically calculate the particle trajectories under the Lorenz force for a time interval of up to 10 years, with a time step of ∼0.5 s. This is sufficient to resolve Larmor frequencies without a stochastic treatment. Simulations show that the efficiency of the first-order Fermi acceleration can be parameterized by the fluctuation amplitude

. Convergence of the numerical results is shown by increasing the number of wave modes in Fourier space while fixing η. The efficiency of the first-order Fermi acceleration has a maximum at η ≃ 101. The acceleration rate depends on the angle between the shock normal and B
0, and is highest when the angle is zero. Our method will provide a convenient tool for comparing collisionless turbulence theories with, for example, observations of bipolar structure of supernova remnants and shell-like synchrotron-radiating structure.
Adenosine increases anagen hair growth and thick hairs in Japanese women with female pattern hair loss: A pilot, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: OURA Hajimu , IINO Masato , NAKAZAWA Yosuke , TAJIMA Masahiro , IDETA Ritsuro , Nakaya Yutaka , ARASE Seiji , KISHIMOTO Jiro 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAdenosine upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor‐7 in cultured dermal papilla cells. It has been shown that, in Japanese men, adenosine improves androgenetic alopecia due to the thickening of thin hair due to hair follicle miniaturization. To investigate the efficacy and safety of adenosine treatment to improve hair loss in women, 30 Japanese women with female pattern hair loss were recruited for this double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study. Volunteers used either 0.75% adenosine lotion or a placebo lotion topically twice daily for 12 months. Efficacy was evaluated by dermatologists and by investigators and in phototrichograms. As a result, adenosine was significantly superior to the placebo according to assessments by dermatologists and investigators and by self‐assessments. Adenosine significantly increased the anagen hair growth rate and the thick hair rate. No side‐effects were encountered during the trial. Adenosine improved hair loss in Japanese women by stimulating hair growth and by thickening hair shafts. Adenosine is useful for treating female pattern hair loss in women as well as androgenetic alopecia in men.
Effect of rosmarinic acid on atopic dermatitis
Authors: LEE Jongsung , JUNG Eunsun , KOH Jassook , KIM Yeong Shik , PARK Deokhoon 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTRosmarinic acid is known to have anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of rosmarinic acid on atopic dermatitis (AD), one of the inflammatory disorders of the skin. Twenty‐one subjects (14 women and seven men, 5–28 years of age) with mild AD participated in this study. Rosmarinic acid (0.3%) emulsion was topically applied to the elbow flexures of AD patients twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening). All subjects were evaluated for skin conditions before treatment at the first visit, and then at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. According to local Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis index results, erythema on antecubital fossa was significantly reduced at 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.05). Transepidermal water loss of the antecubital fossa was significantly reduced at 8 weeks compared to before treatment (P < 0.05). The results from self‐questionnaires on the efficacy of rosmarinic acid indicated that dryness, pruritus and general AD symptoms improved. Our investigation into the AD‐mitigating effect of rosmarinic acid through in vivo experiments demonstrated the possible clinical use of rosmarinic acid as a therapeutic agent for AD.
Systemic lupus erythematosus‐associated cutaneous cryptococcosis treated successfully with an intermittent 3‐day on/off cycle of itraconazole
Authors: UENO Takashi , KUME Hikaru , MITSUISHI Tsuyoshi , MORIMOTO Kensuke , KIKUCHI Izumi , KAWANA Seiji 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTWe describe a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐associated cutaneous cryptococcosis. A 32‐year‐old woman with SLE and lupus nephritis presented with the erythematous maculae on the chest and the extremities, in which encapsulated yeasts were revealed, and was diagnosed with secondary cutaneous cryptococcosis. We administered fluconazole (FLCZ) and then itraconazole (ITCZ) instead of amphotericin B (AMPH‐B) to avoid the risk of renal toxicity of AMPH‐B in the patient. While treatment with FLCZ was not particularly effective, repeated intermittent administration of ITCZ on a “3‐day on/off cycle” (i.e. medication on 3 consecutive days and suspension for the next 3 days in turn) achieved complete remission of the cryptococcosis.
Post‐steroid panniculitis in an adult
Authors: KIM Sang Tae , KIM Tae Kwon , LEE Jin Woo , ROH Hyo Jin , CHOI Soo Young , JEON Young Seung , SUH Kee Suck 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTPost‐steroid panniculitis is known to be very rare and most of the reported cases have been in children after corticosteroid therapy. We present a case of post‐steroid panniculitis occurring in a 60‐year‐old man after massive, long‐term administration of corticosteroids for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Histopathological examination of a nodule revealed a patchy area of fat necrosis, several multinucleated giant cells containing needle‐shaped clefts. The lesions subsided completely in approximately 12 weeks without any treatment. We suggest that post‐steroid panniculitis is not confined to childhood but also occurs in adulthood.
Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G‐protein‐coupled receptor 1 gene with marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle
Authors: Yamada T. , Itoh M. , Nishimura S. , Taniguchi Y. , Miyake T. , Sasaki S. , Yoshioka S. , Fujita T. , Shiga K. , Morita M. , Sasaki Y. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryMarbling defined by the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat, so‐called Shimofuri, is an economically important trait of beef cattle in Japan. The endothelial differentiation sphingolipid G‐protein‐coupled receptor 1 (EDG1) gene, involved in blood vessel formation, has been previously shown to be expressed at different levels in musculus longissimus muscle between low‐marbled and high‐marbled steer groups. It is located within the genomic region of a quantitative trait locus for marbling, and thus was considered as a positionally functional candidate for the gene responsible for marbling. In this study, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) and the 3′ UTR of EDG1, referred to as c.‐312A>G and c.*446G>A, respectively, were detected between the two steer groups. The two SNPs were associated with the predicted breeding value for beef marbling standard number by analyses using a population of Japanese Black beef cattle. The effect of genotypes at each of the SNPs on the predicted breeding value for subcutaneous fat thickness was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Reporter gene assays revealed no significant differences in gene expression between alleles at each of the SNPs. These findings suggest that EDG1 SNPs, although they may not be regarded as a causal mutation, may be useful for effective marker‐assisted selection to increase the levels of marbling in Japanese Black beef cattle.
Cooperative effect of roscovitine and irradiation targets angiogenesis and induces vascular destabilization in human breast carcinoma
Authors: Maggiorella L. , Aubel C. , Haton C. , Milliat F. , Connault E. , Opolon P. , Deutsch E. , Bourhis J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAngiogenesis is considered as an essential process for tumour development and invasion. Previously, we demonstrated that cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibition by roscovitine induces a radiosensitization and a synergistic antitumoral effect in human carcinoma but its effect on the microenvironment and tumour angiogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of the combination roscovitine and ionizing radiation (IR) on normal cells in vitro and on tumour angiogenesis in MDA‐MB 231 tumour xenografts. We observed that the combination roscovitine and IR induced a marked reduction of angiogenic hot spot and microvascular density in comparison with IR or roscovitine treatments alone. The Ang‐2/Tie‐2 ratio was increased in presence of reduced vascular endothelial growth factor level suggesting vessel destabilization. In vitro, no radiosensitization effect of roscovitine was found in endothelial, fibroblast, and keratinocyte cells. IR potentiated the antiproliferative effect of roscovitine without inducing apoptosis in endothelial cells. Roscovitine decreased IR‐stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor secretion of MDA‐MB 231 and endothelial cells. A reduction in the endothelial cells invasion and the capillary‐like tube formation in Matrigel were observed following the combination roscovitine and IR. This combined treatment targets angiogenesis resulting in microvessel destabilization without inducing normal cell toxicity.
Do fatty acids help in overcoming reading difficulties? A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and carnosine supplementation on children with dyslexia
Authors: Kairaluoma L. , Närhi V. , Ahonen T. , Westerholm J. , Aro M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground  There are claims that dietary supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids could help children with dyslexia to overcome their reading problems. However, these claims have not yet been empirically tested.Methods  This study was designed to test whether dietary supplementation was superior to placebo in treating reading, spelling or other reading‐related skills of children with dyslexia. The experimental group (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, n = 30) ate dietary supplements and the control group (placebo, n = 31) placebos during the 90‐day treatment period. The supplements contained omega‐3 fatty acid (ethyl‐EPA, 500 mg/day) and carnosine (400 mg/day). The groups were matched for reading skills, grade, gender, attention problems, intelligence and amount of special education. The literacy‐related skills of the two groups were assessed before and after the treatment period.Results  No group differences were observed between EPA and placebo in measures of reading accuracy or speed, spelling, decoding fluency, arithmetical skills, reading‐related language skills, attention or behavioural problems.Conclusion  The present findings do not support the hypothesis that omega‐3 fatty acid (ethyl‐EPA) or carnosine has a role in the treatment of reading and spelling problems in children with dyslexia.
Is parental coping associated with the level of function in children with physical disabilities?1
Authors: Cavallo S. , Feldman D. E. , Swaine B. , Meshefedjian G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectives  The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe parental coping in a cohort of children with physical disabilities (PDs); (2) to determine whether the child's level of function is associated with parental coping; and (3) to explore whether socio‐demographic factors such as child's age, maternal education and family structure are associated with parental coping.Methods  Parents of 150 children with PDs were interviewed after being referred to community rehabilitation services. They answered the following: the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) and a study questionnaire that addressed socio‐demographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between level of function and other factors and parental coping.Results  Mean (SD) age of the children was 40.9 (15.2) months and 64.7% were male. Parental coping scores, measured by the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, indicated that the parents in our study found seeking out social support from community resources useful. Parents of children with moderate to severe dysfunction in mobility (WeeFIM) found coping behaviours related to communicating with the healthcare professionals regarding their child's condition useful (β coefficient, 2.07; 95% CI, 0.37, 3.78). Greater perceived usefulness of maintaining social support through community resources was associated with lower maternal education, working parents and two‐parent families.Conclusion  These findings underscore the importance of helping parents of children with PDs maintain social support. It is important to help parents understand their child's medical situation, especially those whose children have more severe mobility dysfunction.
Evaluating family‐centred service in paediatric oncology with the measure of processes of care (MPOC‐20)
Authors: Klassen A. F. , Dix D. , Cano S. J. , Papsdorf M. , Sung L. , Klaassen R. J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground In order to evaluate the family‐centeredness of paediatric oncology services, a psychometrically sound measure of family‐centred services is needed. We performed a comprehensive evaluation of the psychometric properties of the 20‐item Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC‐20) in parents of children undergoing treatment for cancer at five paediatric oncology centres in Canada.Methods The sample included 411 parents (80% response rate). Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the best way to group the items into scales. Psychometric tests were used to examine data quality, targeting, internal consistency reliability, within‐scale construct validity and known‐groups validity.Results Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors: a summary measure of family‐centred services and a scale measuring activities that meet parents' general informational needs. Scores spanned the entire scale range, floor and ceiling effects were low, and the sample distribution was not unduly skewed. Scales showed acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alphas ≥0.93). Known‐group hypotheses supported the scales' ability to differentiate between groups hypothesized to differ. Moderate effect sizes were found when MPOC‐20 scale scores for parents and for children with good quality of life were compared with those with poor quality of life.Conclusions The MPOC‐20 is the only evaluated instrument currently available to measure family‐centred services in paediatric oncology. Paediatric cancer programmes can now use this tool to determine parental perception of the extent to which services are family‐centred.