bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Male Soul in Drag: Women-as-Job in the Testament of Job
Authors: Klancher Nancy
Published: April 2010

Scholarship has interpreted the emphatic presence of female characters in the Testament of Job as an extended literary device, symbolizing the limitations of a feminized humanity. The female characters have been understood as foils to Job’s superiority; their only function, to enhance through negative contrast Job’s virtue and spiritual knowledge. Yet the text encourages a reading of the women as representations of several aspects of Job, as figures that mirror his struggles and victories. This article offers a close reading of the function of the female characters-as-Job. It concludes with some reflections on analogous literary traditions whose female characters function similarly, in the context of feminist biblical studies.
Toxicokinetics of a dipyridamole (Persantin) intoxication: Case report
Authors: Lagas Jurjen S , Wilhelm Abraham J , Vos René M , van den Dool Erik-Jan , van der Heide Yvonne , Huissoon Sandra , Beijnen Jos H , Brandjes Desiderius PM
Published: April 2010

We report a case of a 51-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital after ingestion of large doses of dipyridamole (12 g), temazepam (1 g) and oxazepam (0.2 g) with suicidal intent. The highest dipyridamole concentration that was measured in serum was 9.2 mg/L, which was paralleled by impaired platelet activation. For temazepam and oxazepam, peak serum concentrations were 8.5 and 1.3 mg/L, respectively. The patient was treated with activated charcoal, magnesium sulfate and aminophylline and could be discharged in good physical condition within 17 hours. This is the first report that provides toxicokinetic data and a corresponding pharmacodynamic effect after an intoxication with dipyridamole.
A registry of archived electronic journals
Authors: Sparks Sue , Look Hugh , Bide Mark , Muir Adrienne
Published: April 2010

Concerns about e-journal archiving have increased in recent years.There is no central list of archived titles and there are inconsistencies in the information available about them. This makes it difficult for journal collection managers to take decisions on discarding print back runs and moving to electronic only subscriptions. In 2007, the UK’s Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) commissioned a scoping and feasibility study for a registry of archived e-journals. The study involved desk research, interviews and workshops. The study found that there is a perceived need for more, easily accessible, information about archived e-journals. However, librarians expect a solution which goes beyond simply recording where a journal title is archived and tracking changes over time. Librarians need to understand, and be reassured about, their access route to journals if their normal route is unavailable. In addition, the archives and the registry must be sustainable over the long term.
In Pursuit of an International Education Destination
Authors: Mehtap-Smadi Salime , Hashemipour Majid
Published: April 2010

This research aims to explain why international students choose to pursue their education in a university in a small island state (North Cyprus)—which is suffering under international embargoes, yet has been successful in establishing a global higher education sector. One hundred and eighty-four international students studying at the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) answered a questionnaire that gauged their reasons for coming to EMU, their satisfaction with the university, and their willingness to transfer to another institution if given the chance. The top three reasons for choosing EMU were the internationally recognized diploma, reasonable tuition fees, and English medium of instruction. Although students did not seem to be dissatisfied with the university facilities and the education they were receiving, 58.9% indicated that they would still transfer to a university abroad. This shows that EMU needs to work harder at its retention strategies and to further improve student satisfaction. Implications for EMU management and guidelines for universities in other developing nations—in particular small island states with limited natural resources—who want to establish themselves as higher education centers are discussed.
Effect of a Motivational Group Intervention on Exercise Self-Efficacy and Outcome Expectations for Exercise in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Humphrey Beebe Lora , Smith Kathlene , Burk Renee , Dessieux Olivera , Velligan Dawn , Tavakoli Abbas , Tennison Clif
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND: Persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) contend with multiple barriers to exercise. Interventions are needed to enhance attitudes theoretically linked to exercise behavior. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of Walk, Address Sensations, Learn About Exercise, Cue Exercise for SSDs (WALC-S) intervention on exercise self-efficacy (SEE) and outcome expectations (OEES) in 97 outpatients with SSDs. DESIGN: Experimental, pre- and posttest. Randomization to experimental (WALC-S) or time-and-attention control (TAC) after baseline SEE and OEES measures. Measures repeated after WALC-S or TAC. RESULTS: N = 97, 46% female, 43% African American, average age 46.9 years ( SD = 2.0). Mean SEE scores were significantly higher in WALC-S participants after intervention, F(1, 95) = 5.92, p = .0168, however, mean OEES scores were significantly higher in control participants after intervention, F(1, 95) = 5.76, p = .0183. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine SEE and OEES in SSDs. Interventions to enhance exercise attitudes are a critical first step toward the ultimate goal of increasing exercise participation.
Clinical trial of a formal group fatigue program in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hugos CL , Copperman LF , Fuller BE , Yadav V. , Lovera J. , Bourdette DN
Published: April 2010

Fatigue: Take Control is a novel program to teach fatigue management to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) following recommendations in the Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis guideline. Fatigue: Take Control includes six 2-hour group sessions with DVD viewing, discussion and homework and accompanying participant and leader workbooks. While many people have participated in Fatigue: Take Control programs, its efficacy has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether participation in Fatigue: Take Control reduces fatigue and increases self-efficacy in people with MS. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a group who immediately participated in the program (FTC) or a wait-list group (WL). The primary outcome was the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and secondary outcomes were the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSE) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The MFIS was administered on 10 occasions. Other measures were administered on four occasions. A mixed model tested the effects using all observations. Compared with the WL, the FTC group had significantly more improvement on the MFIS [F(1, 269) = 7.079, p = 0.008] and the MSSE [F(1, 111) = 5.636, p = 0.019]. No significant effect was found for the FSS. Across all visits, fatigue was significantly lower and self-efficacy was significantly higher for the FTC group compared with the WL group. This pilot study demonstrated significant effects in fatigue and self-efficacy among subjects taking the Fatigue: Take Control program, suggesting that this comprehensive program based on the Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis guideline may be beneficial in MS.
Maladaptive enlargement of the brachial artery in severe obesity is reversed with weight loss
Authors: Hamburg Naomi M , Mott Melanie M , Bigornia Sherman J , Duess Mai-Ann , Kluge Matthew A , Hess Donald T , Apovian Caroline M , Vita Joseph A , Gokce Noyan
Published: April 2010

Maladaptive peripheral arterial remodeling, which leads to large arteries with low shear stress, may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypothesis that arterial enlargement in severe obesity represents maladaptive remodeling and that weight reduction would reverse this process. We evaluated brachial arterial diameter and flow using ultrasound in 244 severely obese patients (age 44 ± 11 years, 80% female, body mass index (BMI) 46 ± 9 kg/m) at baseline and in a group of 67 subjects who experienced weight loss at 1 year. Higher BMI was associated with larger brachial artery diameter ( p = 0.01) and lower shear stress ( p = 0.008), indicating maladaptive remodeling. Significant (≥ 10%) weight reduction was associated with a decrease in resting arterial diameter (—0.19 ± 0.47 mm, p = 0.02) along with a trend toward increased shear stress. Decreased systemic inflammation was associated with weight loss-induced reverse remodeling of the brachial artery. Our findings demonstrate the presence of maladaptive arterial remodeling in advanced obesity that was ameliorated by significant weight loss.
Critical Conversations
Authors: Hackner Dani , Cox Christopher , Hassenpflug Meg Stearn , Balfe David , Zapata Arthur , Killu Claude , Carson Shannon S.
Published: April 2010

Case:

Mrs. Smith is an 85-year-old woman with longstanding chronic kidney disease (NKF Stage 5, <15 mL per 1.73 m2) who has been on hemodialysis for the past year. She is admitted to the intensive care unit from the community with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Her comorbidities include diabetes and hypertension (JNC7 Hypertension, Stage 2). The patient receives empiric treatment for health-care-associated pneumonia but remains ventilator dependent and on a high FIO2 after 2 weeks. The patient is off vasopressors.
New method to characterise grain boundary plane orientations based on EBSD orientation microscopy for serial sectioned surfaces
Authors: Chou C. T. , Gholinia A.
Published: April 2010

A new ‘elementary facet’ method has been developed to measure grain boundary (GB) plane orientations using three-dimensional electron backscattered diffraction on serial sectioned surfaces in a sample. The method defines different types of elementary facets in an orthogonal coordinate system in the sample. These elementary facets are used to pave GBs. For a flat GB, its projected areas on the orthogonal coordinate planes in the sample are obtained from the numbers of different facets paved in the GB. From the projected areas of the GB plane in the three coordinate planes, the GB plane normal is derived. For uneven GBs, a convolution method has been developed to obtain the GB plane orientations at different GB locations. In essence, this new method measures the GB orientations at every elementary facet that is used to pave the GBs in the sample. Together with the measured crystal orientations of different grains, the GB five parameters at all facets can be obtained readily. The distribution of GB five parameters for the whole GB population in a sample can be derived from the collection of properties of individual GB facets in the sample.
Orientation microscopy with fast EBSD
Authors: Schwarzer R. A. , Hjelen J.
Published: April 2010

Automated backscatter Kikuchi diffraction in the SEM is about to become a tool for process and quality control. Mandatory requirements for these applications are a high speed and provisions to enable re-examination of the results at any time. Means and motivation for high speed electron backscattering diffraction are discussed. Separate acquisition and store of pattern sequences in an unprocessed data format, followed by offline calculation of the grain orientations, has many advantages over online orientation microscopy. With actually >1000 acquired patterns per second it is significantly faster than conventional electron backscattering diffraction. The data can be examined again using the original backscatter Kikuchi sequences, and the presence of a priori unknown phases can be checked for. Online pattern solving, as a dual task, is optional.
Solidification, processing and properties of ductile cast iron
Authors: Tiedje N. S.
Published: April 2010

Ductile cast iron has been an important engineering material in the past 50 years. In that time, it has evolved from a complicated material that required the foundry metallurgist's highest skill and strict process control to being a commonly used material that can easily be produced with modern process technology. Yet, for the skilled metallurgist and foundry engineer, it is a material that can be engineered to meet extreme demands with regard to mechanical properties and geometrical complexity. It is therefore a material that has been in growing use since its discovery. And the results of the latest years of research indicate that ductile cast iron in the future will become a highly engineered material in which strict control of a range of alloy elements combined with intelligent design and highly advanced processing allows us to target properties to specific applications to a much higher degree than we have seen previously. It is the aim of the present paper to present ductile iron as a modern engineering material and present the many different possibilities that the material hides. Focus will be on the latest research in solidification and melt treatment. But for completeness and to illustrate how ductile iron's properties are optimised, the essentials of heat treatment are described too. It is the hope that researchers will find a comprehensive treatment of ductile cast iron metallurgy and that engineers and designers will be presented with the latest information on, and references to, the properties and possibilities in ductile cast iron.
Loss of juxtaposition of RAG-induced immunoglobulin DNA ends is implicated in the precursor B-cell differentiation defect in NBS patients
Authors: van der Burg Mirjam , Pac Malgorzata , Berkowska Magdalena A. , Goryluk-Kozakiewicz Bozenna , Wakulinska Anna , Dembowska-Baginska Bozenna , Gregorek Hanna , Barendregt Barbara H. , Krajewska-Walasek Malgorzata , Bernatowska Ewa , van Dongen Jacques J. M. , Chrzanowska Krystyna H. , Langerak Anton W.
Published: April 2010

The Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a rare inherited condition, characterized by microcephaly, radiation hypersensitivity, chromosomal instability, an increased incidence of (mostly) lymphoid malignancies, and immunodeficiency. NBS is caused by hypomorphic mutations in the NBN gene (8q21). The NBN protein is a subunit of the MRN (Mre11-Rad50-NBN) nuclear protein complex, which associates with double-strand breaks. The immunodeficiency in NBS patients can partly be explained by strongly reduced absolute numbers of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. We show that NBS patients have a disturbed precursor B-cell differentiation pattern and significant disturbances in the resolution of recombination activating gene-induced IGH breaks. However, the composition of the junctional regions as well as the gene segment usage of the reduced number of successful immunoglobulin gene rearrangements were highly similar to healthy controls. This indicates that the NBN defect leads to a quantitative defect in V(D)J recombination through loss of juxtaposition of recombination activating gene-induced DNA ends. The resulting reduction in bone marrow B-cell efflux appeared to be partly compensated by significantly increased proliferation of mature B cells. Based on these observations, we conclude that the quantitative defect will affect the B-cell receptor repertoire, thus contributing to the observed immunodeficiency in NBS patients.
Increased angiogenic sprouting in poor prognosis FL is associated with elevated numbers of CD163+ macrophages within the immediate sprouting microenvironment
Authors: Clear Andrew J. , Lee Abigail M. , Calaminici Maria , Ramsay Alan G. , Morris Kelly J. , Hallam Simon , Kelly Gavin , MacDougall Finlay , Lister T. Andrew , Gribben John G.
Published: April 2010

Follicular lymphoma has considerable clinical heterogeneity, and there is a need for easily quantifiable prognostic biomarkers. Microvessel density has been shown to be a useful prognostic factor based on numerical assessment of vessel numbers within histologic sections in some studies, but assessment of tumor neovascularization through angiogenic sprouting may be more relevant. We therefore examined the smallest vessels, single-staining structures measuring less than 30 μm2 in area, seen within histologic sections, and confirmed that they were neovascular angiogenic sprouts using extended focal imaging. Tissue microarrays composing diagnostic biopsies from patients at the extremes of survival of follicular lymphoma were analyzed with respect to numbers of these sprouts. This analysis revealed higher angiogenic activity in the poor prognostic group and demonstrated an association between increased sprouting and elevated numbers of infiltrating CD163+ macrophages within the immediate microenvironment surrounding the neovascular sprout.
Thrombotic complications in adult patients with lymphoma: a meta-analysis of 29 independent cohorts including 18 018 patients and 1149 events
Authors: Caruso Vanesa , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Meschengieser Susana , Lazzari Maria A. , de Gaetano Giovanni , Storti Sergio , Iacoviello Licia , Donati Maria Benedetta
Published: April 2010

Thrombotic complications in hematologic malignancies have important clinical implications. In this meta-analysis we sought to obtain accurate estimates of the thrombotic risk in lymphoma patients. Articles were searched in electronic databases and references. Eighteen articles were identified (29 cohorts, 18 018 patients and 1149 events). Pooled incidence rates (IRs) were calculated by the use of a method based on the exact maximum likelihood binomial distribution. The global IR of thrombosis was 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0%-6.8%). The global IRs of venous or arterial events were 5.3% (95% CI, 5.0%-5.7%) and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.9%-1.2%), respectively. The IR of thrombosis observed in subjects with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was 6.5% (95% CI, 6.1%-6.9%), significantly greater than that observed for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.9%-5.6%). Within NHL, patients with high-grade disease had a greater risk of events (IR 8.3%; 95% CI, 7.0%-9.9%) than low-grade disease (IR 6.3%; 95% CI, 4.5%-8.9%). This meta-analysis shows that the IR of thrombosis in lymphoma patients is quite high, especially in those with NHL at an advanced stage of the disease. These results may help better defining lymphoma populations at high thrombotic risk, to whom prophylactic approaches could be preferentially applied.
Clinical and immunologic outcome of patients with cartilage hair hypoplasia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bordon Victoria , Gennery Andrew R. , Slatter Mary A. , Vandecruys Els , Laureys Genevieve , Veys Paul , Qasim Waseem , Friedrich Wilhelm , Wulfraat Nico M. , Scherer Franziska , Cant Andrew J. , Fischer Alain , Cavazzana-Calvo Marina , Bredius Robbert G. M. , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Mazzolari Evelina , Neven Benedicte , Güngör Tayfun
Published: April 2010

Cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the RMRP gene. Beside dwarfism, CHH has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including variable grades of combined immunodeficiency, autoimmune complications, and malignancies. Previous reports in single CHH patients with significant immunodeficiencies have demonstrated that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for the severe immunodeficiency, while growth failure remains unaffected. Because long-term experience in larger cohorts of CHH patients after HSCT is currently unreported, we performed a European collaborative survey reporting on 16 patients with CHH and immunodeficiency who underwent HSCT. Immune dysregulation, lymphoid malignancy, and autoimmunity were important features in this cohort. Thirteen patients were transplanted in early childhood (∼ 2.5 years). The other 3 patients were transplanted at adolescent age. Of 16 patients, 10 (62.5%) were long-term survivors, with a median follow-up of 7 years. T-lymphocyte numbers and function have normalized, and autoimmunity has resolved in all survivors. HSCT should be considered in CHH patients with severe immunodeficiency/autoimmunity, before the development of severe infections, major organ damage, or malignancy might jeopardize the outcome of HSCT and the quality of life in these patients.
Distinct evolutionary histories of the DNA-A and DNA-B components of bipartite begomoviruses
Authors: Briddon Rob W , Patil Basavaprabhu L , Bagewadi Basavaraj , Nawaz-ul-Rehman Muhammad Shah , Fauquet Claude M
Published: April 2010

Background

Viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) have genomes consisting of either one or two genomic components. The component of bipartite begomoviruses known as DNA-A is homologous to the genomes of all geminiviruses and encodes proteins required for replication, control of gene expression, overcoming host defenses, encapsidation and insect transmission. The second component, referred to as DNA-B, encodes two proteins with functions in intra- and intercellular movement in host plants. The origin of the DNA-B component remains unclear. The study described here was initiated to investigate the relationship between the DNA-A and DNA-B components of bipartite begomoviruses with a view to unraveling their evolutionary histories and providing information on the possible origin of the DNA-B component.

Results

Comparative phylogenetic and exhaustive pairwise sequence comparison of all DNA-A and DNA-B components of begomoviruses demonstrates that the two molecules have very distinct molecular evolutionary histories and likely are under very different evolutionary pressures. The analysis highlights that component exchange has played a far greater role in diversification of begomoviruses than previously suspected, although there are distinct differences in the apparent ability of different groups of viruses to utilize this "sexual" mechanism of genetic exchange. Additionally we explore the hypothesis that DNA-B originated as a satellite that was captured by the monopartite progenitor of all extant bipartite begomoviruses and subsequently evolved to become the integral (essential) genome component that we recognize today. The situation with present-day satellites associated with begomoviruses provides some clues to the processes and selection pressures that may have led to the "domestication" of a wild progenitor of the DNA-B component.

Conclusions

The analysis has highlighted the greater genetic variation of DNA-B components, in comparison to the DNA-A components, and that component exchange is more widespread than previously demonstrated and confined to viruses from the Old World. Although the vast majority of New World and some Old World begomoviruses show near perfect co-evolution of the DNA-A and DNA-B components, this is not the case for the majority of Old World viruses. Genetic differences between Old and New World begomoviruses and the cultivation of exotic crops in the Old World are likely factors that have led to this dichotomy.
α-Synuclein overexpression increases dopamine toxicity in BE(2)-M17 cells
Authors: Bisaglia Marco , Greggio Elisa , Maric Dragan , Miller David W , Cookson Mark R , Bubacco Luigi
Published: April 2010

Background

Oxidative stress has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). A plausible source of oxidative stress in nigral dopaminergic neurons is the redox reactions that specifically involve dopamine and produce various toxic molecules, i.e., free radicals and quinone species. α-Synuclein, a protein found in Lewy bodies characteristic of PD, is also thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of PD and point mutations and multiplications in the gene coding for α-synuclein have been found in familial forms of PD.

Results

We used dopaminergic human neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17 cell lines stably transfected with WT or A30P mutant α-synuclein to characterize the effect of α-synuclein on dopamine toxicity. Cellular toxicity was analyzed by lactate dehydrogenase assay and by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. Increased expression of either wild-type or mutant α-synuclein enhances the cellular toxicity induced by the accumulation of intracellular dopamine or DOPA.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that an interplay between dopamine and α-synuclein can cause cell death in a neuron-like background. The data presented here are compatible with several models of cytotoxicity, including the formation of α-synuclein oligomers and impairment of the lysosomal degradation.
Quality of cause-of-death reporting using ICD-10 drowning codes: a descriptive study of 69 countries
Authors: Lu Tsung-Hsueh , Lunetta Philippe , Walker Sue
Published: April 2010

Background

The systematic collection of high-quality mortality data is a prerequisite in designing relevant drowning prevention programmes. This descriptive study aimed to assess the quality (i.e., level of specificity) of cause-of-death reporting using ICD-10 drowning codes across 69 countries.

Methods

World Health Organization (WHO) mortality data were extracted for analysis. The proportion of unintentional drowning deaths coded as unspecified at the 3-character level (ICD-10 code W74) and for which the place of occurrence was unspecified at the 4th character (.9) were calculated for each country as indicators of the quality of cause-of-death reporting.

Results

In 32 of the 69 countries studied, the percentage of cases of unintentional drowning coded as unspecified at the 3-character level exceeded 50%, and in 19 countries, this percentage exceeded 80%; in contrast, the percentage was lower than 10% in only 10 countries. In 21 of the 56 countries that report 4-character codes, the percentage of unintentional drowning deaths for which the place of occurrence was unspecified at the 4th character exceeded 50%, and in 15 countries, exceeded 90%; in only 14 countries was this percentage lower than 10%.

Conclusion

Despite the introduction of more specific subcategories for drowning in the ICD-10, many countries were found to be failing to report sufficiently specific codes in drowning mortality data submitted to the WHO.
CD133 expression in chemo-resistant Ewing sarcoma cells
Authors: Jiang Xiaohua , Gwye Ynnez , Russell Darren , Cao Christine , Douglas Dorothea , Hung Long , Kovar Heinrich , Triche Timothy J , Lawlor Elizabeth R
Published: April 2010

Background

Some human cancers demonstrate cellular hierarchies in which tumor-initiating cancer stem cells generate progeny cells with reduced tumorigenic potential. This cancer stem cell population is proposed to be a source of therapy-resistant and recurrent disease. Ewing sarcoma family tumors (ESFT) are highly aggressive cancers in which drug-resistant, relapsed disease remains a significant clinical problem. Recently, the cell surface protein CD133 was identified as a putative marker of tumor-initiating cells in ESFT. We evaluated ESFT tumors and cell lines to determine if high levels of CD133 are associated with drug resistance.

Methods

Expression of the CD133-encoding PROM1 gene was determined by RT-PCR in ESFT tumors and cell lines. CD133 protein expression was assessed by western blot, FACS and/or immunostaining. Cell lines were FACS-sorted into CD133+ and CD133- fractions and proliferation, colony formation in soft agar, and in vivo tumorigenicity compared. Chemosensitivity was measured using MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assays.

Results

PROM1 expression was either absent or extremely low in most tumors. However, PROM1 was highly over-expressed in 4 of 48 cases. Two of the 4 patients with PROM1 over-expressing tumors rapidly succumbed to primary drug-resistant disease and two are long-term, event-free survivors. The expression of PROM1 in ESFT cell lines was similarly heterogeneous. The frequency of CD133+ cells ranged from 2-99% and, with one exception, no differences in the chemoresistance or tumorigenicity of CD133+ and CD133- cell fractions were detected. Importantly, however, the STA-ET-8.2 cell line was found to retain a cellular hierarchy in which relatively chemo-resistant, tumorigenic CD133+ cells gave rise to relatively chemo-sensitive, less tumorigenic, CD133- progeny.

Conclusions

Up to 10% of ESFT express high levels of PROM1. In some tumors and cell lines the CD133+ fraction is relatively more drug-resistant, while in others there is no apparent difference between CD133+ and CD133- cells. These studies reveal heterogeneity in PROM1/CD133 expression in ESFT tumors and cell lines and confirm that high levels of PROM1 expression are, in at least some cases, associated with chemo-resistant disease. Further studies are required to elucidate the contribution of PROM1/CD133 expressing cells to therapeutic resistance in a large, prospective cohort of primary ESFT.
Health-related quality of life in overweight and obese youths: Results of a multicenter study
Authors: Wille Nora , Bullinger Monika , Holl Reinhard , Hoffmeister Ulrike , Mann Reinhard , Goldapp Cornelia , Reinehr Thomas , Westenhöfer Joachim , Egmond-Froehlich Andreas , Ravens-Sieberer Ulrike
Published: April 2010

Background

We examined treatment-seeking overweight and obese youths to better understand the gender, age, and treatment modality differences in generic and disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods

This multicenter study included 1,916 patients (mean = 12.6 years; 57% females; mean zBMI = 2.4) who started treatment for overweight and obesity in 48 treatment facilities between July 2005 and October 2006. The facilities offered either inpatient treatment or outpatient programs. Prior to treatment, all participants completed the generic KIDSCREEN-27 HRQOL-questionnaire, the self-perception subscale of the generic KIDSCREEN-52 and the disease-specific obesity module of the KINDLR.

The patients' HRQOL was compared to the KIDSCREEN reference sample from the general population by one-way analyses of variance, adjusting for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Independent t-tests were conducted to compare disease-specific HRQOL scores between patients by gender and age group. Significant mean differences in HRQOL between inpatients and outpatients were explored by one-way analyses of variance, adjusting for age, gender, and zBMI. Effect sizes 'd' were calculated employing the estimated marginal means and the pooled standard deviation (mtreatment - mnorm/SDpooled).

Results

The patients' HRQOL scores were impaired relative to German norms, with effect sizes up to d = 1.12. The pattern of impairment was similar in boys and girls as well as in children and adolescents. In each of the analyses, at least three of six KIDSCREEN subscales were affected. Regardless of gender and age group, the highest impairments were found in self-perception and physical well-being. Because of the strong decrease in HRQOL in the general population during adolescence, compared to age-specific norms, adolescents were less impaired than were children. However, overweight and obese adolescents (especially females) reported the lowest absolute HRQOL scores. HRQOL varied with the intensity of treatment. Inpatients had significantly lower scores than did outpatients, even after adjusting for age, gender and zBMI.

Conclusions

The results suggest the presence of differences in HRQOL with regard to gender, age, and treatment modality in treatment-seeking overweight and obese youths. Research and clinical practice must consider the particular impairments of inpatients as well as the impairments of (especially female) adolescents.
Integrated network analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic data in psoriasis
Authors: Piruzian Eleonora , Bruskin Sergey , Ishkin Alex , Abdeev Rustam , Moshkovskii Sergey , Melnik Stanislav , Nikolsky Yuri , Nikolskaya Tatiana
Published: April 2010

Background

Psoriasis is complex inflammatory skin pathology of autoimmune origin. Several cell types are perturbed in this pathology, and underlying signaling events are complex and still poorly understood.

Results

In order to gain insight into molecular machinery underlying the disease, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of proteomics and transcriptomics of psoriatic lesions from independent studies. Network-based analysis revealed similarities in regulation at both proteomics and transcriptomics level. We identified a group of transcription factors responsible for overexpression of psoriasis genes and a number of previously unknown signaling pathways that may play a role in this process. We also evaluated functional synergy between transcriptomics and proteomics results.

Conclusions

We developed network-based methodology for integrative analysis of high throughput data sets of different types. Investigation of proteomics and transcriptomics data sets on psoriasis revealed versatility in regulatory machinery underlying pathology and showed complementarities between two levels of cellular organization.
Environmental risk mapping of canine leishmaniasis in France
Authors: Chamaillé Lise , Tran Annelise , Meunier Anne , Bourdoiseau Gilles , Ready Paul , Dedet Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2010

Background

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic disease caused byLeishmania infantum, a Trypanosomatid protozoan transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Leishmaniasis is endemic in southern France, but the influences of environmental and climatic factors on its maintenance and emergence remain poorly understood. From a retrospective database, including all the studies reporting prevalence or incidence of CanL in France between 1965 and 2007, we performed a spatial analysis in order to i) map the reported cases in France, and ii) produce an environment-based map of the areas at risk for CanL. We performed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) followed by a Hierarchical Ascendant Classification (HAC) to assess if the locations of CanL could be grouped according to environmental variables related to climate, forest cover, and human and dog densities. For each group, the potential distribution of CanL in France was mapped using a species niche modelling approach (Maxent model).

Results

Results revealed the existence of two spatial groups of CanL cases. The first group is located in the Cévennes region (southern Massif Central), at altitudes of 200-1000 m above sea level, characterized by relatively low winter temperatures (1.9°C average), 1042 mm average annual rainfall and much forest cover. The second group is located on the Mediterranean coastal plain, characterized by higher temperatures, lower rainfall and less forest cover. These two groups may correspond to the environments favoured by the two sandfly vectors in France,Phlebotomus ariasiandPhlebotomus perniciosusrespectively. Our niche modelling of these two eco-epidemiological patterns was based on environmental variables and led to the first risk map for CanL in France.

Conclusion

Results show how an ecological approach can help to improve our understanding of the spatial distribution of CanL in France.
Experimental infection and co-infection of dogs with Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis: hematologic, serologic and molecular findings
Authors: Gaunt SD , Beall MJ , Stillman BA , Lorentzen L , Diniz PPVP , Chandrashekar R , Breitschwerdt EB
Published: April 2010

Background

Rhipicephalus sanguineusis a ubiquitous tick responsible for transmittingEhrlichia canisand most likelyAnaplasma platysto dogs, as either single or co-infections. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of either simultaneous or sequential experimental infections withE. canisandA. platyson hematological and serological parameters, duration of infection, and efficacy of doxycycline therapy in dogs infected with one or both organisms. Six dogs per group were either uninfected,A. platysinfected,E. canisinfected,A. platysandE. canisco-infected,A. platysinfected andE. canischallenged orE. canisinfected andA. platyschallenged at day 112 post-infection (PI). Doxycycline treatment was initiated at 211 days PI, followed by dexamethasone immunosuppression beginning 410 days PI.

Results

Initially, transient decreases in hematocrit occurred in all groups infected withE. canis, but the mean hematocrit was significantly lower in theA. platysandE. canisco-infected group. All dogs except the controls developed marked thrombocytopenia after initial infection followed by gradually increased platelet counts by 112 days PI in groups with the single infections, while platelet counts remained significantly lower in theA. platysandE. canisco-infected group. Both sequential and simultaneous infections ofA. platysandE. canisproduced an enhanced humoral immune response toA. platyswhen compared to infection withA. platysalone. Likewise, co-infection withE. canisandA. platysresulted in a more persistentA. platysinfection compared to dogs infected withA. platysonly, but nearly allA. platysinfected dogs becameA. platys PCR negative prior to doxycycline treatment.E. canisinfected dogs, whether single or co-infected, remained thrombocytopenic andE. canisPCR positive in blood for 420 days. When treated with doxycycline, allE. canisinfected dogs becameE. canisPCR negative and the thrombocytopenia resolved. Despite immunosuppression, neitherA. platysnorE. canisDNA was PCR amplified from doxycycline-treated dogs.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that simultaneous or sequential infection withA. platysandE. caniscan alter various pathophysiological parameters in experimentally infected dogs, and because natural exposure to multiple tick-borne pathogens occurs frequently in dogs, awareness of co-infection is important in clinical practice.
Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates and their determinants in children with chronic medical conditions
Authors: Giannattasio Antonietta , Squeglia Veronica , Lo Vecchio Andrea , Russo Maria Teresa , Barbarino Alessandro , Carlomagno Raffaella , Guarino Alfredo
Published: April 2010

Background

To investigate the rates of pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and their determinants in children with chronic medical conditions.

Patients and Methods

Children with HIV infection, cystic fibrosis, liver transplantation and diabetes mellitus were enrolled. Physicians of regional Reference Centres for each condition, primary care paediatricians and caregivers of children provided information through specific questionnaires. For diabetes, 3 Reference Centres were included.

Results

Less than 25% of children in each group received pneumococcal vaccination. Vaccination rates against influenza were 73% in patients with HIV-infection, 90% in patients with cystic fibrosis, 76% in patients with liver transplantation, and ranged from 21% to 61% in patients with diabetes mellitus. Reference Centres rather than primary care paediatricians had a major role in promoting vaccinations. Lack of information was the main reason for missing vaccination. Awareness of the severity of pneumococcus infection by key informants of at-risk children was associated with higher vaccination rate.

Conclusions

Vaccination rates in children with chronic conditions were poor for pneumococcus and slightly better for influenza. Barriers to vaccination include lack of awareness, health care and organization problems.
A systematic review of the impact of sedation practice in the ICU on resource use, costs and patient safety
Authors: Jackson Daniel L , Proudfoot Clare W , Cann Kimberley F , Walsh Tim
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often receive sedation for prolonged periods. In order to better understand the impact of sub-optimal sedation practice on outcomes, we performed a systematic review, including observational studies and controlled trials which were conducted in sedated patients in the ICU and which compared the impact of changes in or different protocols for sedation management on economic and patient safety outcomes.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase and CINAHL online literature databases from 1988 to 15th May 2008 and hand searched conferences. English-language studies set in the ICU, in sedated adult humans on mechanical ventilation, which reported the impact of sedation practice on cost and resource use and patient safety outcomes, were included. All abstracts were reviewed twice by two independent reviewers, with all conflicts resolved by a third reviewer, to check that they met the review inclusion criteria. Full-text papers of all included studies were retrieved and again reviewed twice against inclusion criteria. Data were doubly extracted from studies. Study aims, design, population, and outcomes including duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay in ICU and hospital, costs and rates of mortality and adverse events were extracted. Due to heterogeneity between study designs and outcomes reported, no quantitative data synthesis such as meta-analysis was possible.

Results

Included studies varied in design, patient population and aim, with the majority being before-after studies. Overall, studies showed that improvements in sedation practice, such as the introduction of guidelines and protocols, or daily interruption of sedation, were associated with improvements in outcomes including ICU and hospital length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and costs. Mortality and the incidence of nosocomial infections were also reduced.

Conclusions

Systematic interventions to improve sedation practice and maintain patients at an optimal sedation level in the ICU may improve patient outcomes and optimize resource usage.
Comparative genomics reveals 104 candidate structured RNAs from bacteria, archaea, and their metagenomes
Authors: Weinberg Zasha , Wang Joy X , Bogue Jarrod , Yang Jingying , Corbino Keith , Moy Ryan H , Breaker Ronald R
Published: April 2010

Background

Structured noncoding RNAs perform many functions that are essential for protein synthesis, RNA processing, and gene regulation. Structured RNAs can be detected by comparative genomics, in which homologous sequences are identified and inspected for mutations that conserve RNA secondary structure.

Results

By applying a comparative genomics-based approach to genome and metagenome sequences from bacteria and archaea, we identified 104 candidate structured RNAs and inferred putative functions for many of these. Twelve candidate metabolite-binding RNAs were identified, three of which were validated, including one reported herein that binds the coenzymeS-adenosylmethionine. Newly identifiedcis-regulatory RNAs are implicated in photosynthesis or nitrogen regulation in cyanobacteria, purine and one-carbon metabolism, stomach infection byHelicobacter, and many other physiological processes. A candidate riboswitch termedcrcBis represented in both bacteria and archaea. Another RNA motif may control gene expression from 3'-untranslated regions of mRNAs, which is unusual for bacteria. Many noncoding RNAs that likely act intransare also revealed, and several of the noncoding RNA candidates are found mostly or exclusively in metagenome DNA sequences.

Conclusions

This work greatly expands the variety of highly structured noncoding RNAs known to exist in bacteria and archaea and provides a starting point for biochemical and genetic studies needed to validate their biologic functions. Given the sustained rate of RNA discovery over several similar projects, we expect that far more structured RNAs remain to be discovered from bacterial and archaeal organisms.
Implementation of prestack reverse time migration using frequency-domain extrapolation
Authors: Xu Kun , Zhou Bing , McMechan George A.
Published: April 2010

We implement prestack reverse time migration (RTM) using frequency-domain extrapolation. We assume the observed data are the scattered field from the seismic experiment; then we time reverse them and derive the corresponding multipoint virtual sources to place along the receiver line rather than treat them as boundary conditions, which are common in time-domain reverse time migration (TRTM). Because the number of virtual sources is equal to the number of independent true sources in prestack frequency-domain reverse-time migration (FRTM), wavefield extrapolation is efficient in the frequency domain using a direct lower/upper (LU) triangular solver for 2D solutions and is still feasible using a parallel iterative or hybrid direct/iterative solver for 3D solutions. Each frequency implicitly contains information for all times, so we can implement the excitation-time and crosscorrelation imaging conditions straightforwardly without disk storage or input/output (I/O). Comparing costs, prestack shot-record FRTM is competitive with prestack shot-record TRTM. In our tests, prestack acoustic-wave FRTM accurately recovers the correct images of subsurface reflectors using 2D synthetic data.
Improving the analysis and inversion of multimode Rayleigh-wave dispersion by using group-delay time information observed on arrays of high-frequency sensors
Authors: Duputel Zacharie , Cara Michel , Rivera Luis , Herquel Georges
Published: April 2010

Near-surface shear-velocity structure can be inferred from multimode dispersion data. Several methods have been developed to isolate the different modes from seismic signals observed on linear arrays of sensors. Most techniques analyze the wavefield through a frequency-wavenumber [Formula: see text] transform, paying little attention to group-delay-time information. Moreover, classical analyses are generally restricted to fundamental-mode dispersion, limiting the resolution power at depth. We have overcome the limitations of classical [Formula: see text] analysis by using a wavefield representation in the group-velocity/phase-velocity [Formula: see text] domain. We have then set up a nonlinear inversion procedure, easily tractable on a common field computer, to constrain the 1D vertical profile of shear velocities. Applications to synthetic data and to a set of actual records show that [Formula: see text] diagrams greatly help to separate dispersion information between different modes, even when they are not detectable on usual [Formula: see text] diagrams. Tests on synthetic and actual data confirm that the inversion procedure quickly converges to the expected model.
Apparent-magnetization mapping using entropic regularization
Authors: Silva João B. , Vasconcelos Suzan S. , Barbosa Valeria C.
Published: April 2010

A new apparent-magnetization mapping method on the horizontal plane combines minimization of first-order entropy with maximization of zeroth-order entropy of the estimated magnetization. The interpretation model is a grid of vertical, juxtaposed prisms in both horizontal directions. To estimate the magnetization of the prisms, assume that the top and bottom of the magnetic sources are horizontal. Minimization of the first-order entropy favors solutions with sharp borders, and the maximization of zeroth-order entropy prevents the tendency of the estimated source to become a single prism with large magnetization. Thus, a judicious combination of both constraints can lead to solutions characterized by regions with virtually constant magnetizations separated by sharp discontinuities. This is applied to synthetic data from simulated intrusive bodies in sediments that have horizontal tops. By comparing the results with those obtained with the common Tikhonov regularization (smoothness constraint) method, it is shown that both methods produce good and equivalent locations of the central positions of the sources. However, entropic regularization delineates the boundaries of the bodies with greater detail. Both the proposed and the smoothness constraints are applied to real anomaly data over a magnetic skarn in Butte Valley, Nevada, U.S.A. Entropic regularization produced an estimated magnetization distribution with sharper boundaries, smaller volume, and higher apparent magnetization as compared with results produced by incorporating the smoothness constraint.