bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Activation of Invariant NK T Cells in Periodontitis Lesions
Authors: Nowak Michael , Krämer Benjamin , Haupt Manuela , Papapanou Panos N. , Kebschull Justus , Hoffmann Per , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. , Jepsen Søren , Brossart Peter , Perner Sven , Kebschull Moritz
Published: January 2013

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent human inflammatory diseases. The major clinical phenotypes of this polymicrobial, biofilm-mediated disease are chronic and aggressive periodontitis, the latter being characterized by a rapid course of destruction that is generally attributed to an altered immune-inflammatory response against periodontal pathogens. Still, the biological basis for the pathophysiological distinction of the two disease categories has not been well documented yet. Type I NKT cells are a lymphocyte subset with important roles in regulating immune responses to either tolerance or immunity, including immune responses against bacterial pathogens. In this study, we delineate the mechanisms of NKT cell activation in periodontal infections. We show an infiltration of type I NKT cells in aggressive, but not chronic, periodontitis lesions in vivo. Murine dendritic cells infected with aggressive periodontitis-associated Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans triggered a type I IFN response followed by type I NKT cell activation. In contrast, infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis, a principal pathogen in chronic periodontitis, did not induce NKT cell activation. This difference could be explained by the absence of a type I IFN response to P. gingivalis infection. We found these IFNs to be critical for NKT cell activation. Our study provides a conceivable biological distinction between the two periodontitis subforms and identifies factors required for the activation of the immune system in response to periodontal bacteria.
Constitutive Lymphocyte Transmigration across the Basal Lamina of High Endothelial Venules Is Regulated by the Autotaxin/Lysophosphatidic Acid Axis
Authors: Bai Zhongbin , Cai Linjun , Umemoto Eiji , Takeda Akira , Tohya Kazuo , Komai Yutaka , Veeraveedu Punniyakoti Thanikachalam , Hata Erina , Sugiura Yuki , Kubo Akiko , Suematsu Makoto , Hayasaka Haruko , Okudaira Shinichi , Aoki Junken , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Albers Harald M. H. G. , Ovaa Huib , Miyasaka Masayuki
Published: January 2013

Lymphocyte extravasation from the high endothelial venules (HEVs) of lymph nodes is crucial for the maintenance of immune homeostasis, but its molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this article, we report that lymphocyte transmigration across the basal lamina of the HEVs is regulated, at least in part, by autotaxin (ATX) and its end-product, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX is an HEV-associated ectoenzyme that produces LPA from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which is abundant in the systemic circulation. In agreement with selective expression of ATX in HEVs, LPA was constitutively and specifically detected on HEVs. In vivo, inhibition of ATX impaired the lymphocyte extravasation from HEVs, inducing lymphocyte accumulation within the endothelial cells (ECs) and sub-EC compartment; this impairment was abrogated by LPA. In vitro, both LPA and LPC induced a marked increase in the motility of HEV ECs; LPC’s effect was abrogated by ATX inhibition, whereas LPA’s effect was abrogated by ATX/LPA receptor inhibition. In an in vitro transmigration assay, ATX inhibition impaired the release of lymphocytes that had migrated underneath HEV ECs, and these defects were abrogated by LPA. This effect of LPA was dependent on myosin II activity in the HEV ECs. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that HEV-associated ATX generates LPA locally; LPA, in turn, acts on HEV ECs to increase their motility, promoting dynamic lymphocyte–HEV interactions and subsequent lymphocyte transmigration across the basal lamina of HEVs at steady state.
A Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Transgene with PolymorphicCd72Inhibits the Development of Glomerulonephritis and Vasculitis in MRL-FaslprLupus Mice
Authors: Oishi Hisashi , Tsubaki Takahito , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Ono Masao , Nose Masato , Takahashi Satoru
Published: January 2013

Systemic lupus erythematosus is considered to be under the control of polygenic inheritance, developing according to the cumulative effects of susceptibility genes with polymorphic alleles; however, the mechanisms underlying the roles of polygenes based on functional and pathological genomics remain uncharacterized. In this study, we substantiate that a CD72 polymorphism in the membrane-distal extracellular domain impacts on both the development of glomerulonephritis and vasculitis in a lupus model strain of mice, MRL/MpJ-Faslpr, and the reactivity of BCR signal stimulation. We generated mice carrying a bacterial artificial chromosome transgene originating from C57BL/6 (B6) mice that contains the Cd72b locus (Cd72B6 transgenic [tg]) or the modified Cd72b locus with an MRL-derived Cd72c allele at the polymorphic region corresponding to the membrane-distal extracellular domain (Cd72B6/MRL tg). Cd72B6 tg mice, but not Cd72B6/MRL tg mice, showed a significant reduction in mortality following a marked improvement of disease associated with decreased serum levels of IgG3 and anti-dsDNA Abs. The number of splenic CD4−CD8− T cells in Cd72B6 tg mice was decreased significantly in association with a reduced response to B cell receptor signaling. These results indicate that the Cd72 polymorphism affects susceptibility to lupus phenotypes and that novel functional rescue by a bacterial artificial chromosome transgenesis is an efficient approach with wide applications for conducting a genomic analysis of polygene diseases.
T Cell Ig Mucin-3 Promotes Homeostasis of Sepsis by Negatively Regulating the TLR Response
Authors: Yang Xiaomei , Jiang Xingwei , Chen Guojiang , Xiao Yan , Geng Shaoxia , Kang Chunyan , Zhou Tingting , Li Yurong , Guo Xiaoqin , Xiao He , Hou Chunmei , Wang Renxi , Lin Zhou , Li Xinying , Feng Jiannan , Ma Yuanfang , Shen Beifen , Li Yan , Han Gencheng
Published: January 2013

Sepsis is an excessive inflammatory condition with a high mortality rate and limited prediction and therapeutic options. In this study, for the first time, to our knowledge, we found that downregulation and/or blockade of T cell Ig and mucin domain protein 3 (Tim-3), a negative immune regulator, correlated with severity of sepsis, suggesting that Tim-3 plays important roles in maintaining the homeostasis of sepsis in both humans and a mouse model. Blockade and/or downregulation of Tim-3 led to increased macrophage activation, which contributed to the systemic inflammatory response in sepsis, whereas Tim-3 overexpression in macrophages significantly suppressed TLR-mediated proinflammatory cytokine production, indicating that Tim-3 is a negative regulator of TLR-mediated immune responses. Cross-talk between the Tim-3 and TLR4 pathways makes TLR4 an important contributor to Tim-3–mediated negative regulation of the innate immune response. Tim-3 signaling inhibited LPS–TLR4–mediated NF-κB activation by increasing PI3K–AKT phosphorylation and A20 activity. This negative regulatory role of Tim-3 reflects a new adaptive compensatory and protective mechanism in sepsis victims, a finding of potential importance for modulating innate responses in these patients.
Rheumatoid Factor B Cell Memory Leads to Rapid, Switched Antibody-Forming Cell Responses
Authors: Sweet Rebecca A. , Cullen Jaime L. , Shlomchik Mark J.
Published: January 2013

B cells are critical in the initiation and maintenance of lupus. Autoreactive B cells clonally expand, isotype switch, and mutate—properties associated with memory B cells (MBCs), which are typically generated via germinal centers. The development and functions of autoreactive MBCs in lupus are poorly understood. Moreover, mounting evidence implicates the extrafollicular (EF) response in the generation of switched and mutated autoantibodies that are driven by BCR and TLR corecognition, raising the question of whether MBCs are generated in this context. In this study, we investigated autoreactive MBC generation associated with this type of response. We transferred B cells from AM14 site-directed BCR transgenic mice into nontransgenic normal recipients and elicited an EF response with anti-chromatin Ab, as in prior studies. By following the fate of the stimulated cells at late time points, we found that AM14 B cells persisted at increased frequency for up to 7 wk. Furthermore, these cells had divided in response to Ag but were subsequently quiescent, with a subset expressing the memory marker CD73. These cells engendered rapid, isotype-switched secondary plasmablast responses upon restimulation. Both memory and rapid secondary responses required T cell help to develop, emphasizing the need for T–B collaboration for long-term self-reactivity. Thus, using this model system, we show that the EF response generated persistent and functional MBCs that share some, but not all, of the characteristics of traditional MBCs. Such cells could play a role in chronic or flaring autoimmune disease.
(Self-)similar groups and the Farrell–Jones conjectures
Authors: Bartholdi Laurent
Published: January 2013

We show that contracting self-similar groups satisfy the Farrel–Jones conjectures as soon as their universal contracting cover is non-positively curved. This applies in particular to bounded self-similar groups.

We define, along the way, a general notion of contraction for groups acting on a rooted tree in a not necessarily self-similar manner.
Combinatorial modulus, the combinatorial Loewner property, and Coxeter groups
Authors: Bourdon Marc , Kleiner Bruce
Published: January 2013

We study combinatorial modulus on self-similar metric spaces. We give new examples of hyperbolic groups whose boundaries satisfy a combinatorial version of the Loewner property, and prove Cannon’s conjecture for Coxeter groups. We also establish some connections with

\ell_p

-cohomology.
Groups not presentable by products
Authors: Kotschick Dieter , Löh Clara
Published: January 2013

In this paper we study obstructions to presentability by products for finitely generated groups. Along the way we develop both the concept of acentral subgroups, and the relations between presentability by products on the one hand, and certain geometric and measure or orbit equivalence invariants of groups on the other. This leads to many new examples of groups not presentable by products, including all groups with infinitely many ends, the (outer) automorphism groups of free groups, Thompson’s groups, and even some elementary amenable groups.
Optical properties of alkaline earth borate glasses
Authors: Rao S. Lakshimi Srinivasa , Ramadevudu G , Shareefuddin Md. , Hameed Abdul , Narasimha Chary M , Lakshmipathi Rao M
Published: January 2013

Borate glasses containing fixed concentrations of heavy metal oxides (MO= ZnO, PbO, TeO2, Bi2O3) and alkaline earth oxides (R= Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) are prepared by melt quenching technique. The optical band gap values are estimated from the optical absorption spectra using absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) method. The values of electronic polarizability, optical basicity and interaction parameters of the glass were discussed. The increment of refractive index values in each series is attributed to the substitution of alkaline earth oxides of increasing mass. Optical band gap (Eopt) values decreased with the replacement of RO oxides in the glass matrix. The cut-off wavelengths have shown a red shift with composition. The decrease in optical band gap values and consequently increase in Urbach’s energies confirms more extension of the localized states within the band gap. As a result there shall be an increase in the disorder of the glass network. The variation in optical parameters is owing to substitution of RO oxides in MO-B2O3 glass network.Keywords: alkaline earth borate glasses, optical band gap, Urbach energy, refractive index, electronic polarizability, molar refraction
Environmental effect of water absorption and flexural strength of red mud filled jute fiber/polymer composite
Authors: Patel B.C. , Acharya S.K. , Mishra D
Published: January 2013

Natural fibers are considered as a good reinforcement in composite material because of their good mechanical properties and low density. However the main drawback of these fibers is moisture absorption in their outdoor applications. The present investigation is aimed at processing a composite using jute fiber and epoxy resin as matrix and red mud as a filler material. The degradation of the composite mechanical properties such as flexural strength has been studied when it is subjected to different environmental conditions. To increase the adhesion between fiber and matrix material and to increase the moisture resistance chemical surface treatment has been performed on the fibers. The composites flexural strength and moisture resistance with modified fibers have also been investigated. It was found that chemical modification of fibers reduced the overall water uptake of the jute fibers. The flexural strength of the composite with modified fibers increases significantly compared to untreated fibers.Keywords: Jute fiber, Red mud, Alkali treatment, Flexural Strength, Weathering behavior
Effect of thermal radiation on boundary layer flow and heat transfer of dusty fluid over an unsteady stretching sheet
Authors: Manjunatha S , Gireesha B.J. , Bagewadi C.S.
Published: January 2013

The aim of this paper is to study the boundary layer flow and heat transfer analysis of an unsteady viscous dusty fluid over a porous stretching surface. Momentum Boundary layer equation considers the effect of transverse magnetic field whereas thermal Boundary layer equation considers the effect of thermal radiation. The governing partial Differential equations are reduced to coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation. Numerical solutions of these equations are obtained with the help of RKF-45 method. The solution is found to be dependent on different governing parameters. Some important findings reported in this work reveal that the effect of radiation has significant impact in controlling the rate of heat transfer in the boundary layer region.Keywords: Unsteady flow and heat transfer; Boundary layer flow; Stretching porous Surface; Dusty fluid; Thermal radiation; Numerical solution
Comparison of wind pressure measurements on Silsoe experimental building from full-scale observation, wind-tunnel experiments and various CFD techniques
Authors: Irtaza H , Beale R.G. , Godley M.H.R. , Jameel A
Published: January 2013

The paper is the result of extensive research concentrated on analyzing the accuracy and numerical stability to assess the various turbulence models available widely and the state of the art techniques for the numerical simulation of turbulent fluid flow with a view of finding the most appropriate models for computational wind engineering. These investigations suggest that a turbulence model, suitable for wind engineering applications, should be able to model the anisotropy of turbulent flow while maintaining the ease of use and computational stability. Keeping this in mind five turbulence models such as Standard k −ε , RNG k −ε , Realizable k −ε , Reynolds Stress Method and Large Eddy Simulation have been tested in an attempt to account for anisotropic turbulence and curvature related strain effects and the same have been compared with the full-scale and wind-tunnel data for the present study. Better turbulence models that will be more accurately predict bluff body flow fields and that are numerically stable for complex geometries are of paramount importance if the uses of CFD techniques are to gain wide acceptance by the wind engineeringcommunity.Keywords: Silsoe Experimental Building, CFD, Low-rise building, Wind-tunnel
MAX-DOAS formaldehyde slant column measurements during CINDI: intercomparison and analysis improvement
Authors: Pinardi G. , Van Roozendael M. , Abuhassan N. , Adams C. , Cede A. , Clémer K. , Fayt C. , Frieß U. , Gil M. , Herman J. , Hermans C. , Hendrick F. , Irie H. , Merlaud A. , Navarro Comas M. , Peters E. , Piters A. J. M. , Puentedura O. , Richter A. , Schönhardt A. , Shaiganfar R. , Spinei E. , Strong K. , Takashima H. , Vrekoussis M. , Wagner T. , Wittrock F. , Yilmaz S.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We present intercomparison results for formaldehyde (HCHO) slant column measurements performed during the Cabauw Intercomparison campaign of Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments (CINDI) that took place in Cabauw, the Netherlands, in summer 2009. During two months, nine atmospheric research groups simultaneously operated MAX-DOAS (MultiAXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) instruments of various designs to record UV-visible spectra of scattered sunlight at different elevation angles that were analysed using common retrieval settings. The resulting HCHO data set was found to be highly consistent, the mean difference between instruments generally not exceeding 15% or 7.5 × 1015 molec cm−2, for all viewing elevation angles. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the uncertainties in the HCHO slant column retrieval when varying key input parameters such as the molecular absorption cross sections, correction terms for the Ring effect or the width and position of the fitting interval. This study led to the identification of potentially important sources of errors associated with cross-correlation effects involving the Ring effect, O4, HCHO and BrO cross sections and the DOAS closure polynomial. As a result, a set of updated recommendations was formulated for HCHO slant column retrieval in the 336.5–359 nm wavelength range. To conclude, an error budget is proposed which distinguishes between systematic and random uncertainties. The total systematic error is estimated to be of the order of 20% and is dominated by uncertainties in absorption cross sections and related spectral cross-correlation effects. For a typical integration time of one minute, random uncertainties range between 5 and 30%, depending on the noise level of individual instruments.
Pan-Arctic linkages between snow accumulation and growing season air temperature, soil moisture and vegetation
Authors: Luus K. A. , Gel Y. , Lin J. C. , Kelly R. E. J. , Duguay C. R.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Arctic field studies have indicated that the air temperature, soil moisture and vegetation at a site influence the quantity of snow accumulated, and that snow accumulation can alter growing season soil moisture and vegetation. Climate change is predicted to bring about warmer air temperatures, greater snow accumulation and northward movements of the shrub and tree lines. Understanding the response of northern environments to changes in snow and growing season land surface characteristics requires: (1) insights into the present-day linkages between snow and growing season land surface characteristics; and (2) the ability to continue to monitor these associations over time across the vast pan-Arctic. The objective of this study was therefore to examine the pan-Arctic (north of 60° N) linkages between two temporally distinct data products created from AMSR-E satellite passive microwave observations: GlobSnow snow water equivalent, and NTSG (growing season air temperature, soil moisture and vegetation transmissivity). Due to the complex and interconnected nature of processes determining snow and growing season land surface characteristics, these associations were analyzed using the modern non-parametric technique of Alternating Conditional Expectations (ACE), as this approach does not impose a predefined analytic form. Findings indicate that regions with lower vegetation transmissivity (more biomass) at the start and end of the growing season tend to accumulate less snow at the start and end of the snow season, possibly due to interception and shading. Warmer air temperatures at the start and end of the growing season were associated with diminished snow accumulation at the start and end of the snow season. High latitude sites with warmer mean annual growing season temperatures tended to accumulate more snow, probably due to the greater availability of water vapor for snow season precipitation at warmer locations. Regions with drier soils preceding snow onset tended to accumulate greater quantities of snow, likely because drier soils freeze faster and more thoroughly than wetter soils. Understanding and continuing to monitor these linkages at the regional scale using the ACE approach can allow insights to be gained into the complex response of Arctic ecosystems to climate-driven shifts in air temperature, vegetation, soil moisture and snow accumulation.
Optimising the FAMOUS climate model: inclusion of global carbon cycling
Authors: Williams J. H. T. , Smith R. S. , Valdes P. J. , Booth B. B. B. , Osprey A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. FAMOUS fills an important role in the hierarchy of climate models, both explicitly resolving atmospheric and oceanic dynamics yet being sufficiently computationally efficient that either very long simulations or large ensembles are possible. An improved set of carbon cycle parameters for this model has been found using a perturbed physics ensemble technique. This is an important step towards building the "Earth System" modelling capability of FAMOUS, which is a reduced resolution, and hence faster running, version of the Hadley Centre Climate model, HadCM3. Two separate 100 member perturbed parameter ensembles were performed; one for the land surface and one for the ocean. The land surface scheme was tested against present-day and past representations of vegetation and the ocean ensemble was tested against observations of nitrate. An advantage of using a relatively fast climate model is that a large number of simulations can be run and hence the model parameter space (a large source of climate model uncertainty) can be more thoroughly sampled. This has the associated benefit of being able to assess the sensitivity of model results to changes in each parameter. The climatologies of surface and tropospheric air temperature and precipitation are improved relative to previous versions of FAMOUS. The improved representation of upper atmosphere temperatures is driven by improved ozone concentrations near the tropopause and better upper level winds.
Segmentation of the Izu-Bonin and Mariana slabs based on the analysis of the Benioff seismicity distribution and regional tomography results
Authors: Jaxybulatov K. , Koulakov I. , Dobretsov N. L.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. We present a new model of P and S velocity anomalies in the mantle down to a depth of 1300 km beneath the Izu-Bonin and Mariana (IBM) arcs. This model is derived based on tomographic inversion of global travel time data from the revised ISC catalogue. The results of inversion are thoroughly verified using a series of different tests. The obtained model is generally consistent with previous studies by different authors. We also present the distribution of relocated deep events projected to the vertical surface along the IBM arc system. Unexpectedly, the seismicity forms elongated vertical clusters instead of horizontal zones indicating phase transitions in the slab. We propose that these vertical seismicity zones mark zones of intense deformation and boundaries between semi-autonomous segments of the subducting plate. The P and S seismic tomography models consistently display the slab as prominent high-velocity anomalies coinciding with the distribution of deep seismicity. We can distinguish at least four segments which subduct differently. The northernmost segment of the Izu-Bonin arc has the gentlest angle of dipping which is explained by backward displacement of the trench. In the second segment, the trench stayed at the same location, and we observe the accumulation of the slab material in the transition zone and its further descending to the lower mantle. In the third segment, the trench is moving forward causing the steepening of the slab. Finally, for the Mariana segment, despite the backward displacement of the arc, the subducting slab is nearly vertical. Between the Izu-Bonin and Mariana arcs we clearly observe a gap which can be traced down to about 400 km in depth. Based on joint consideration of the tomography results and the seismicity distribution, we propose two different scenarios of the subduction evolution in the IBM zone during the recent time, depending on the reference frame of plate displacements. In the first case, we consider the movements in respect to the Philippine Plate, and explain the different styles of the subduction by the relative backward and forward migrations of the trench. In the second case, all the elements of the subduction system move westward in respect to the stable Asia. Different subduction styles are explained by the "anchoring" of selected segments of the slab, different physical properties of the subducting plate and the existence of buoyant rigid blocks related to sea mount and igneous provinces.
The Inquisitor Ralph of Ligny, Two German Templars, and Marguerite Porete
Authors: Sean L. Field
Published: January 2013

This article argues that the inquisitor Ralph of Ligny, known from a letter to Philip IV of France describing the interrogation of two German Templars in 1307, must also be the “inquisitor of Lorraine” who questioned Marguerite Porete (d. 1310) at about the same time. It then considers some of the implications of this identification and reedits Ralph's letter to Philip IV (Paris, Archives nationales J 413 no. 15).
Constructing Identity and Heritage at the Crossroads: Albanian Families’ Cross-Border Connections and Homemaking Projects in Athens
Authors: Vomvyla Eleni
Published: January 2013

Drawing from the author’s ethnographic/participatory work with Albanian families in Athens, this paper tells the story of two families constructing identity and heritage in Greece and Albania. The processes involved in the families’ literal and metaphorical connections with the ‘old country’, manifested in cross-border links, everyday routines and material cultures, are integral to their homebuilding projects in their new locale. Given families’ multiple-place-allegiance and disenfranchised status in a Greek context, theories on transnationalism and history and heritage from below are utilised in order to consider identity and heritage formation in the course of everyday routines. It is argued that the experience of building lives in more than two worlds results in the emergence of plurilocal identities, challenging spatially bounded notions of heritage.
Vision Servoing Based on the Density Analysis of Texture Elements
Authors: Liu Xiaomin , Zhu Feng
Published: January 2013

We present a novel vision servoing method, which is fit for climbing robots and those in unstructured environments, based on texture analysis. A large textured area is the target for observation. After the definition of texture element distribution density, the relationship between the change of the density at some selected points and the camera pose is deduced. The vision servoing control law, which meets the requirement of Lyapunov stability is designed in this paper. Experiments show the effectiveness of this method.
Terrain Inclination Aided Three-Dimensional Localization and Mapping for an Outdoor Mobile Robot
Authors: Zhu Xiaorui , Qiu Chunxin , Minor Mark A.
Published: January 2013

A new 3D localization and mapping technique with terrain inclination assistance is proposed in this paper to allow a robot to identify its location and build a global map in an outdoor environment. The Iterative Closest Points (ICP) algorithm and terrain inclination-based localization are combined together to achieve accurate and fast localization and mapping. Inclinations of the terrains the robot navigates are used to achieve local localization during the interval between two laser scans. Using the results of the above localization as the initial condition, the ICP algorithm is then applied to align the overlapped laser scan maps to update the overhanging obstacles for building a global map of the surrounding area. Comprehensive experiments were carried out for the validation of the proposed 3D localization and mapping technique. The experimental results show that the proposed technique could reduce time consumption and improve the accuracy of the performance.
Control Architecture of a 10 DOF Lower Limbs Exoskeleton for Gait Rehabilitation
Authors: Koceska Natasa , Koceski Saso , Durante Francesco , Zobel Pierluigi Beomonte , Raparelli Terenziano
Published: January 2013

This paper describes the control architecture of a 10 DOF (Degrees of Freedom) lower limbs exoskeleton for the gait rehabilitation of patients with gait dysfunction. The system has 4 double-acting rod pneumatic actuators (two for each leg) that control the hip and knee joints. The motion of each cylinder's piston is controlled by two proportional pressure valves, connected to both cylinder chambers.

The control strategy has been specifically designed in order to ensure a proper trajectory control for guiding patient's legs along a fixed reference gait pattern.

An adaptive fuzzy controller which is capable of compensating for the influence of the dry friction was successfully designed, implemented and tested on an embedded real-time PC/104.

In order to verify the proposed control architecture, laboratory experiments without a patient were carried out and the results are reported here and discussed.
Notalgia paresthetica: the unreachable itch
Authors: Ellis Carolyn
Published: January 2013

Background: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a very common, under-recognized condition characterized by pruritus in a unilateral, dermatomal distribution in the mid-back. Chronic pruritus is sometimes accompanied by pain, paresthesias, or altered sensation to touch.

Objectives: To review the current literature with regards to the cause of NP and its most appropriate treatment.

Methods: Comprehensive literature review using PubMed to inspect the available data on NP.

Results: The most likely cause of NP is cutaneous nerve damage. Many therapies have been tried in the treatment of NP, mostly in small case studies.

Conclusions: The published cases and studies suggest symptoms of NP are due to a cutaneous sensory neuropathy. Treatments addressing the condition as such are more successful than traditional itch therapies. In many cases, a simple explanation for the persistent pruritus is satisfactory for patients. For very distressing cases, therapy should address the condition as a benign sensory neuropathy. Further studies are needed to evaluate which treatments have the greatest potential for providing symptom relief.
Linear atrophoderma of Moulin: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Patsatsi Aikaterini , Kyriakou Aikaterini , Chaidemenos George , Sotiriadis Dimitrios
Published: January 2013

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin is a rare, acquired, linear dermatosis. We present a 17-year-old girl with multiple asymptomatic brownish atrophic plaques in a zosteriform distribution on the left side of the trunk. Clinical presentation and dermatopathology was compatible with the diagnosis of linear atrophoderma. Twenty years after its initial description by Moulin, there are yet a limited number of case reports and unanswered questions regarding this entity.
Dermoscopy of non-pigmented eccrine poromas: study of Mexican cases
Authors: Domínguez-Espinosa Ana Elena , Carlos Ortega Blanca , Quiñones Venegas Ricardo , González Ramírez Roger
Published: January 2013

Background: Eccrine poroma is a benign neoplasm that can mimick a malignant neoplasm dermoscopically. The characteristic vascular pattern of this tumor has not been established.

Objective: To evaluate dermoscopic features of non-pigmented eccrine poroma in Mexican patients.

Method: We retrospectively studied histologically proven cases of eccrine poroma from three Mexican hospitals analyzed by four dermoscopists.

Results: Thirteen cases were studied. A polymorphous vascular pattern was found in most cases. Four presented with irregular linear and branched vessels with semi-elliptical, or semicircular endings (“chalice-form” and “cherry-blossoms” vessels). Structureless pink-white areas were the most common other dermoscopic finding.

Conclusions: “Chalice-form” and “cherry-blossom” vessels have not been reported in other benign or malignant neoplasms and can be a useful clue to the diagnosis of non-pigmented eccrine poroma.

Due to the variability of dermoscopic patterns of eccrine poroma further studies are required to establish the specificity of our findings.
Acral melanoma with hyperkeratosis mimicking a pigmented wart
Authors: Ise Misaki , Yasuda Fumiyo , Konohana Izumi , Miura Keiko , Tanaka Masaru
Published: January 2013

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) of the sole sometimes has a hyperkeratotic appearance and mimics a pigmented wart. We report a case of an 81-year-old woman with an ALM on the left sole with hyperkeratosis. Due to its presentation it was difficult to make a correct diagnosis at the beginning. Finally we noticed several small, pigmented macules around the wart-like lesion with the parallel ridge pattern on dermoscopy, strongly suggesting acral melanoma. When a hyperkeratotic pigmented lesion on the sole is encountered, one should rule out melanoma by careful examination of the periphery of the lesion. Dermoscopy is a helpful adjunct for the diagnosis of an unusual case like this.
Microcystic/Reticular Schwannoma of the Proximal Sigmoid Colon: Case Report With Review of Literature
Authors: Trivedi Anshu , Ligato Saverio
Published: January 2013

We report a case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma of the proximal sigmoid colon in a 61-year-old man. A 12-mm polyp was detected while the patient was undergoing screening for colorectal neoplasm. This rare variant of schwannoma was initially described in 2008 and shows a predilection for the visceral organs, predominantly the gastrointestinal tract. We also review 11 other reported cases of microcystic/reticular schwannomas in the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike conventional gastrointestinal schwannomas, which are more common in the stomach, this variant appears to be more common in the large intestine. Histologic examination of this polyp showed predominant lipoblast-like vacuolated cells within a myxoid stroma with focal spindle cell areas. Features suggestive of malignancy, like nuclear pleomorphism, mitosis, or necrosis, were absent. Immunohistochemistry for S100 protein showed strong nuclear and cytoplasmic positivity, whereas cytokeratin and CD117 stains were negative. It is important to entertain microcystic/reticular schwannoma in the differential diagnosis of a signet ring cell adenocarcinoma or a myxoid gastrointestinal stromal tumor, particularly on small biopsy specimens.
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Potential Pitfall in the Differential Diagnosis of Melanoma
Authors: Pulitzer Melissa , Brady Mary Sue , Blochin Elen , Amin Bijal , Teruya-Feldstein Julie
Published: January 2013

The diagnosis of metastatic melanoma can be complicated by absent characteristic cytology, melanin, or antigen expression in a suspect tumor, putting the pathologist at risk for incorrectly diagnosing recurrent melanoma while missing a second malignancy. We report a 69-year-old man with a history of acral melanoma, metastatic to inguinal nodes, presenting with an ipsilateral thigh nodule. Histology showed a proliferation of pleomorphic cells in the dermis and subcutis, suspicious for melanoma. S100, Melan-A, and HMB-45 immunohistochemistry were negative. However, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and CD117 labeled the neoplasm, prompting consideration of a late metastatic melanoma with loss of antigen expression. Subsequent immunolabeling for CD4, CD43, and CD30 and clonal T-cell gene rearrangements enabled the correct diagnosis of cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma. This case illustrates a pitfall in evaluating tumors in patients with known metastatic melanoma, and emphasizes the need for broad-spectrum immunohistochemistry in cases that are not clear-cut.
Low-Grade Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Mimicking Hemangioma of the Kidney: A Series of 4 Cases
Authors: Kryvenko Oleksandr N. , Roquero Leonardo , Gupta Nilesh S. , Lee Min W. , Epstein Jonathan I.
Published: January 2013

Context.— Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) has a rich, sinusoid-like vascularity frequently used as a diagnostic criterion. CCRCC with predominantly vascular architecture has not been described.

Objective.— To describe 4 unusual CCRCC cases, primarily presenting with hemangioma-like morphologic pattern.

Design.— Clinicopathologic and selected immunohistochemical analysis of 4 cases of CCRCC mimicking hemangioma.

Results.— Cases were seen in 1 woman and 3 men (average age, 48.8 years; range, 40–66 years). Grossly, tumors were red-brown (3 of 4) with scant bright-yellow foci in 1. The average tumor size was 4 cm (range, 2.5–5.5 cm). Microscopically, all were composed of varying proportions of a rich, arborizing, sinusoid-like vasculature with focal hobnail appearance of endothelial cells. Entrapment of renal tubules between blood vessels was seen at the periphery of the tumors. This morphology was reminiscent of anastomosing hemangioma. Isolated tumor cells resembling lymphocytes with clear halos were sparsely interspersed between vessels. Cytokeratin immunostain confirmed the diagnosis of CCRCC.

Conclusion.— Extensive sampling and immunohistochemical workup of what is deemed to be a benign vascular neoplasm of the kidney is needed to rule out the presence of individual carcinoma cells or small viable carcinoma cell clusters.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor Immunohistochemical Expression Is Associated With Gallbladder Cancer Progression
Authors: Garcia Patricia , Leal Pamela , Alvarez Hector , Brebi Priscilla , Ili Carmen , Tapia Oscar , Roa Juan C.
Published: January 2013

Context.— Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasia associated with late diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment, and poor prognosis. Molecular mechanisms involved in GBC pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is thought to play a role in the pathologic processes and is overexpressed in several human cancers, including GBC. No information is available about CTGF expression in early stages of gallbladder carcinogenesis.

Objective.— To evaluate the expression level of CTGF in benign and malignant lesions of gallbladder and its correlation with clinicopathologic features and GBC prognosis.

Design.— Connective tissue growth factor protein was examined by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays containing tissue samples of chronic cholecystitis (n = 51), dysplasia (n = 15), and GBC (n = 169). The samples were scored according to intensity of staining as low/absent and high CTGF expressers. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact probability test with a significance level of P < .05. Survival analysis was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.

Results.— Connective tissue growth factor expression showed a progressive increase from chronic cholecystitis to dysplasia and then to early and advanced carcinoma. Immunohistochemical expression (score ≥2) was significantly higher in advanced tumors, in comparison with chronic cholecystitis (P < .001) and dysplasia (P = .03). High levels of CTGF expression correlated with better survival (P = .04).

Conclusions.— Our results suggest a role for CTGF in GBC progression and a positive association with better prognosis. In addition, they underscore the importance of considering the involvement of inflammation on GBC development.
Approach to Intraoperative Consultation for Donor Liver Biopsies
Authors: Melin Claire , Miick Ronald , Young Nancy A. , Ortiz Jorge , Balasubramanian Manjula
Published: January 2013

Context.— As demand for organs to treat end-stage liver disease increases, donor livers once deemed only marginally suitable for donation are being considered for transplantation. Pathologists are increasingly being asked to evaluate these livers for acceptability. This article provides guidelines for frozen section evaluation of livers for transplantation.

Objective.— This article concentrates on the histopathologic features of transplant suitability with appropriate clinicopathologic correlation for the practicing pathologist. Recommendations for proper handling and sampling of tissue are discussed. Relative and absolute contraindications as well as artifacts and benign conditions are emphasized.

Data Sources.— Sources include a compilation of the authors' experiences in academic and community liver transplantation centers. In addition, relevant medical literature was reviewed, as well as Web sites specializing in organ transplantation, such as Transplant Pathology Internet Services and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

Conclusions.— Malignancy and extensive necrosis in the liver are absolute contraindications to transplantation. Evaluation of macrosteatosis, fibrosis, hepatitis, and necrosis depends on the severity of disease and correlation with the clinical situation. Donor age of greater than 60 years does not preclude transplantation. Artifacts and benign conditions need to be understood to prevent wastage of precious organs and to ensure that an appropriate organ is provided for the recipient.
Time-Splitting Chebyshev-Spectral Method for the Schrödinger Equation in the Semiclassical Regime with Zero Far-Field Boundary Conditions
Authors: Hongsheng Wang  , Yushan Ni  , Junwan Li
Published: January 2013

Semiclassical limit of Schrödinger equation with zero far-field boundary conditions is investigated by the time-splitting Chebyshev-spectral method. The numerical results of the position density and current density are presented. The time-splitting Chebyshev-spectral method is based on Strang splitting method in time coupled with Chebyshev-spectral approximation in space. Compared with the time-splitting Fourier-spectral method, the time-splitting Chebyshev-spectral method is unnecessary to treat the wave function as periodic and holds the smoothness of the wave function. For different initial conditions and potential (e.g. constant potential and harmonic potential), extensive numerical test examples in one-dimension are studied. The numerical results are in good agreement with the weak limit solutions. It shows that the time-splitting Chebyshev-spectral method is effective in capturing ?-oscillatory solutions of the Schrödinger equation with zero far-field boundary conditions. In addition, the time-splitting Chebyshev-spectral method surpasses the traditional finite difference method in the meshing strategy due to the exponentially high-order accuracy of Chebyshev-spectral method.
Caddo Populations in Northeast Texas: A Response to Taylor and Creel
Authors: Perttula Timothy K.
Published: January 2013

I question Taylor and Creel’s (2012) conclusion regarding the biological relationship between Late Prehistoric Caddo farmers and the earlier Archaic and Woodland forager populations in northeast Texas. Because their study did not include the analysis of non-metric dental traits from Late Archaic (ca. 5000-2500 B.P.) and Woodland (ca. 2500-1150 B.P) forager populations that lived in northeast Texas before ca. A.D. 850, the absence of these data impedes any evaluation of their conclusion about the biological relationships between the Caddo and ancestral populations.
Virological outcome and patterns of HIV‐1 drug resistance in patients with 36 months’ antiretroviral therapy experience in Cameroon
Authors: Aghokeng Avelin F , Kouanfack Charles , Eymard‐Duvernay Sabrina , Butel Christelle , Edoul Ginette E , Laurent Christian , Koulla‐Shiro Sinata , Delaporte Eric , Mpoudi‐Ngole Eitel , Peeters Martine
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The current expansion of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the developing world without routine virological monitoring still raises concerns on the outcome of the strategy in terms of virological success and drug resistance burden. We assessed the virological outcome and drug resistance mutations in patients with 36 months’ ART experience, and monitored according to the WHO public health approach in Cameroon.

Methods

We consecutively recruited between 2008 and 2009 patients attending a national reference clinic in Yaoundé – Cameroon, for their routine medical visits at month 36±2. Observance data and treatment histories were extracted from medical records. Blood samples were collected for viral load (VL) testing and genotyping of drug resistance when HIV‐1 RNA≥1000 copies/ml.

Results

Overall, 376 HIV‐1 infected adults were recruited during the study period. All, but four who received PMTCT, were ART‐naïve at treatment initiation, and 371/376 (98.7%) started on a first‐line regimen that included 3TC +d4T/AZT+NVP/EFV. Sixty‐six (17.6%) patients experienced virological failure (VL≥1000 copies/ml) and 53 carried a resistant virus, thus representing 81.5% (53/65) of the patients who failed. Forty‐two out of 53 were resistant to nucleoside and non‐nucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs+NNRTIs), one to protease inhibitors (PI) and NNRTIs, two to NRTIs only and eight to NNRTIs only. Among patients with NRTI resistance, 18/44 (40.9%) carried Thymidine Analog Mutations (TAMs), and 13/44 (29.5%) accumulated at least three NRTI resistance mutations. Observed NNRTI resistance mutations affected drugs of the regimen, essentially nevirapine and efavirenz, but several patients (10/51, 19.6%) accumulated mutations that may have compromised etravirine use.

Conclusions

We observed a moderate level of virological failure after 36 months of treatment, but a high proportion of patients who failed developed drug resistance. Although we found that for the majority of patients, second‐line regimens recommended in Cameroon would be still effective, accumulated resistance mutations are of concern and may compromise future treatment strategies, stressing the need for virological monitoring in resource‐limited settings.
Significance of Palpable Tendon Friction Rubs in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Doré Adam , Lucas Mary , Ivanco Dana , Medsger Thomas A. , Domsic Robyn T.
Published: January 2013

Objective

Palpable tendon friction rubs (TFRs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) have been associated with diffuse skin thickening, increased disability, and poor survival. Our objective was to quantify the prognostic implications of palpable TFRs on the development of disease complications and longer‐term mortality in an incident cohort of early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients.

Methods

We identified early dcSSc patients (disease duration <2 years from the first SSc symptom) first evaluated at the University of Pittsburgh Scleroderma Center between 1980 and 2006 and found to have palpable TFRs. These patients were matched 1:1 with the next consecutive early dcSSc patient without TFRs as a control. All had ≥2 clinic visits and 5 years of followup from the first visit.

Results

A total of 287 early dcSSc patients with TFR were identified and matched to 287 controls. The median disease duration was 0.83 years in TFR patients and 1.04 years in controls. The median followup was 10.1 years in TFR patients and 7.9 years in controls. Over the course of their illness, patients with TFRs had a >2‐fold risk of developing renal crisis and cardiac and gastrointestinal disease complications, even after adjustment for other known risk factors. Patients with TFRs had poorer 5‐ and 10‐year survival rates.

Conclusion

Patients with early dcSSc having ≥1 TFRs are at an increased risk of developing renal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal involvement before and after their first Scleroderma Center visit and have reduced survival. Patients presenting with TFRs should be carefully monitored for serious internal organ involvement.