bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual representation of emotion in manga: Loss of control is Loss of hands in Azumanga Daioh Volume 4
Authors: Abbott Michael , Forceville Charles
Published: May 2011

Comics and manga have many ways to convey the expression of emotion, ranging from exaggerated facial expressions and hand/arm positions to the squiggles around body parts that Kennedy (1982) calls ‘pictorial runes’. According to Ekman at least some emotions — happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, disgust — are universal, but this is not necessarily the case for their expression in comics and manga. While many of the iconic markers and pictorial runes that Forceville (2005) charted in an Asterix album to indicate that a character is angry occur also in Japanese manga, Shinohara and Matsunaka also found markers and runes that appear to be typical for manga. In this article we examine an unusual signal conveying that a character is emotionally affected in Volume 4 of Kiyohiko Azuma’s Azumanga Daioh: the ‘loss of hands’. Our findings (1) show how non-facial information helps express emotion in manga; (2) demonstrate how hand loss contributes to the characterization of Azuma’s heroines; (3) support the theorization of emotion in Conceptual Metaphor Theory.
Anticipated discussion and cooperation in a social dilemma
Authors: Torsvik Gaute , Molander Anders , Tjøtta Sigve , Kobbeltvedt Therese
Published: May 2011

We study how announced post-play, face-to-face discussions affect individual contributions to a public good in an experimental setting. To our surprise ex-post discussions reduced the average contribution to the public good. The negative impact of discussions was turned around when we labelled the choice of not contributing to the public good as ‘free-riding’. The same label had no impact in the no-discussion baseline version of our game. Our explanation of why we observe these patterns is that the announcement of ex-post discussions draws attention to empirical expectations (what will others do?) and to norms of cooperation (what is the morally right choice?).
Intrinsic religious orientation and religious rewards: An empirical evaluation of two approaches to religious motivation
Authors: Lavrič Miran , Flere Sergej
Published: May 2011

Gordon Allport defined intrinsic religious orientation as the polar opposite of the utilitarian and instrumental extrinsic orientation. On the other hand, Rodney Stark and associates developed a theory of religion according to which the utilitarian motive is at the very core of (any) religious motivation. A study of undergraduate students from three social settings with different dominant religions (Catholic, Islamic and Eastern Orthodox) showed that the intrinsic religious orientation and the perceived religious rewards, such as expectations of eternal life in heaven or perceptions of God’s help in everyday life, tend to form a unidimensional construct in all the observed samples. On the one hand, these results shed new light on the assumption of intrinsic religious orientation being free of utilitarian and instrumental motives. On the other hand, they lend substantial support to the basic assumption of the rational choice approach to religion.
Rationality, choice and modernism: Notes on Jon Elster’s theory of creativity
Authors: Osborne Thomas
Published: May 2011

This article sketches an assessment of Jon Elster’s theory of creativity in the arts, especially in the context of modernism. Elster’s perspective on constraints in the arts is immensely valuable for thinking through questions of artistic strategies, norms, innovation and originality. The article considers Elster’s views on artistic maxima, including a consideration of the distinction between aesthetic and non-aesthetic emotions, and then applies some of his insights to the field of modern poetic discourse as a means of assessing some aspects of his theory. It is argued that Elster’s prioritising of classical principles of artistic creativity as against modernist principles is not in fact necessitated by his own theoretical perspective. Indeed, constraint theory is in many ways as applicable to modernism as it is to classicism.
A cucumber for a cow: A theoretical exploration of the causes and consequences of religious hypocrisy
Authors: Wollschleger Jason , Beach Lindsey
Published: May 2011

This paper offers a first step in a theory of religious hypocrisy. Religious hypocrisy is shown to be a rational strategy at the individual level through which the individual maximizes his/her religious gain by accessing religious rewards and minimizing the costs through selective non-compliance to the religion’s objective commitments. The pervasiveness of religious hypocrisy is argued to be a result of group level characteristics, namely the extensiveness of the religious group’s objective commitments. The level of objective hypocrisy can be moderated through variation in the members’ dependence on the group and the group’s capacity to control its members. Religious hypocrisy is a maximizing behavior; however, it is not costless and it can lead to the experience of moral dissonance. This dissonance can have group level outcomes including decline due to exit and secularization.
Creating Safe Environments for Students With Disabilities Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender
Authors: Morgan Joseph J. , Mancl Dustin B. , Kaffar Bradley J. , Ferreira Danielle
Published: May 2011

Adolescence is an important time in human development. Teenagers spend much time questioning their core belief structures and developing the foundations of their identity. For students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), this path of development is difficult in American schools because of strongly held homophobic beliefs. Barriers in sexuality identity development could cause problems for students with disabilities, including low self-esteem, psychological problems, and suicidal ideations. This article addresses action steps that educators can take to support this student population.
A Structural/Strategic Lens in the Treatment of Children With Obesity
Authors: Jones Kathryn E. , Lettenberger Cassandra L. , Wickel Katharine
Published: May 2011

Childhood obesity is an issue affecting an increasing number of families in the United States and the international community. In the past, obesity has been treated primarily by medical models that may or may not have included family therapy. It has been found that the use of family therapy in treating childhood obesity is helpful to produce long-term results. The authors suggest that the use of structural/strategic family therapy may also be useful in treating children and families dealing with obesity, as well as other medical issues that are a result of it.
Evaluation of Hypercoagulability in Obese Children With Thrombin Generation Test and Microparticle Release: Effect of Metabolic Parameters
Authors: Şıklar Zeynep , Öçal Gönül , Berberoğlu Merih , Hacıhamdioğlu Bülent , Erdeve Şenay Savas , Eğin Yonca , Akar Nejat
Published: May 2011

Obesity is associated with a hypercoagulable state. Thrombin generation test (TGT) and microparticle levels were not studied in obese children extensively. It is aimed to determine whether any differences in the coagulation system between obese and normal weighed children exist with the use of TGT and microparticles release. A total of 120 obese and 38 healthy children were included to the study. An increase of thrombin generation and microparticles levels were found in obese children. Hyperinsulinism could not find a risk factor for hypercoagulability in our obese children. None of the parameters of TGT has been shown to be related to metabolic parameters and metabolic syndrome. Microparticles release time is found to correlate only to body mass index (BMI) Standard deviation score (SDS) in obese children. Hypercoagulability is associated with childhood obesity. Significant correlation between degree of obesity and microparticles release suggested that high adipokine levels secreted from adipose tissue can stimulate procoagulant status-independent metabolic dearrangements.
Continuous Active State of Coagulation System in Patients With Nonthrombotic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Alkim Huseyin , Ayaz Selime , Alkim Canan , Ulker Aysel , Sahin Burhan
Published: May 2011

This study was planned for searching possible changes of the total coagulation and fibrinolysis system in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in order to obtain some clues for explaining the relation between IBD and hypercoagulability. A total of 24 patients with ulcerative colitis, 12 patients with Crohn disease, and 20 healthy controls were studied. Platelets; prothrombin time (PT); partial thromboplastin time (PTT); fibrinogen; d-dimer; fibrinogen degradation products; protein C; protein S; antithrombin; thrombin time; von Willebrand factor; coagulation factors V, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XIII; plasminogen; antiplasmin; tissue plasminogen activator; plasminogen activator inhibitor 1; and prothrombin fragments 1 + 2 were studied. Most of the procoagulants (platelets, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, coagulation factor IX, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) were found increased together with decreases in some anticoagulants (protein S and antithrombin) in IBD. Also the activation markers of coagulation (d-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, and prothrombin fragments 1 + 2) were all increased. The parameters of the total coagulation–fibrinolysis system were increased in IBD, regardless of the form and the activity of the disease.
Heparin Platelet Factor 4 Antibody Positivity in Pseudothrombocytopenia
Authors: Balcik Ozlem Sahin , Akdeniz Derya , Cipil Handan , Uysal Sema , Isik Ayşe , Kosar Ali
Published: May 2011

Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) is a laboratory event of platelet clustering related to drugs used for anticoagulation. This condition is engendered by autoantibodies against platelets in usually EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Pseudothrombocytopenia has no clinical significance but when evaluated as true thrombocytopenia, this misconception may lead to unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is a complication of heparin treatment caused by heparin platelet factor 4 (HPF-4) antibodies, leading to platelet activation and hypercoagulability. In our study, 48 patients with PTCP and 36 healthy volunteers were included. Heparin platelet factor 4 antibody positivity was detected in 12 patients from PTCP group; nobody from control group had. Citrated serum samples and peripheral blood smears showed normal platelet count. Of the 4 patients using heparin derivative, 1 (2.1%) had antibody positivity but without any bleeding symptoms. In conclusion, HPF-4 antibody positivity might be a risk factor for PTCP. Clinicians should be aware of this kind of condition.
Review: Starch Matrices and the Glycemic Response
Authors: Parada J. , Aguilera J.M.
Published: May 2011

Starch is the most important source of energy for humans, and it is present in many products derived from cereals, legumes and tubers. Interestingly, some of these food products can have different metabolic effects (e.g. change of postprandial blood glucose concentration) although the total amount of starch is the same. This review focuses on a microstructural perspective of the glycemic response, in search of an alternative and complementary explanation of this phenomenon. Several starch and food microstructures are responsible for the change in starch bioaccessibility. Aspects such as the characterization of the microstructure of starchy products and, its relation to the metabolic problem, the crucial role of the food matrix and other components in the ingested meal, and the gaps in our present knowledge are discussed.
World visions in dispute in contemporary Latin America: development x harmonic life
Authors: Ceci Misoczky Maria
Published: May 2011

The aim of this article paper is to offer a Latin-American perspective on the field of post-colonial studies. Following the modernity/coloniality/de-coloniality approach it is possible to recognize how the complicity between modernity and rationality has worked to homogenize knowledge throughout this part of the world. Such an approach makes it possible to reflect on how this process towards homogeneity has been resisted, as seen in the current indigenous struggles against extractive development policies. These struggles show that the various critiques of development need to be articulated and renewed in order to account for processes such as these, incorporating multiple scales perspectives and knowledge produced from the epistemic colonial difference. The critique of managerialism also needs further developments to account for the new roles of management in contexts of open conflict. It is defended that the re-consideration of Marxist Theory of Dependency could enrich the way we understand global capitalism and that at least part of OS could be liberated from the hegemony of management, opening possibilities for multiple interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogues.
Factions with clout: Presidential cabinet coalition and policy in the Uruguayan parliament
Authors: Magar Eric , Moraes Juan Andrés
Published: May 2011

We investigate bill passage by party factions in Uruguay and show that those joining cabinet coalitions earn policy influence. The policy advantage of coalition is therefore not collected by the president alone, as often implied: partners acquire clout in law-making and use it to pass bills of their own and to strike deals with outside factions. Analysis of all bills initiated between 1985 and 2005 reveals that the odds of passing a bill sponsored alone by a majority cabinet faction was about 0.5, up from about 0.15 otherwise. Contingent upon the cabinet status of factions involved, the odds of co-sponsored bills conform well to patterns expected by a view that policy rewards are a fundamental part of the politics of coalition in presidentialism.
Discourses on Text Integrity: Information and Interpretation in the Contested Fallout Knowledge Community
Authors: Milner R.M.
Published: May 2011

In an effort to further understand the nature of the productive consumption of media fans in an era of digital connectivity, this article expands on Lévy’s (1997) concept of the knowledge community as it applies to fans of the digital-game series Fallout. Lévy proposed that the age of digital-connectivity would usher in knowledge communities where participation was voluntary, aggregate, and democratic. I argue that Baym’s (2000) interpretive and informative practices, which serve as the lynchpins of fan discourse, may be understood as the lynchpins of the knowledge community as well. Further, here interpretive and informative practices are not only used to build community and negotiate values, but also to define status and position within the contested Fallout knowledge community. By testing the knowledge community against such an environment, and integrating it into previous research on the role of fan labor in an era where producers are increasingly interested in that labor, this article proposes an understanding of the concept that may well add nuance and context beyond the theory’s utopian roots.
Coming to Terms with Convergence Journalism: Cross-Media as a Theoretical and Analytical Concept
Authors: Erdal Ivar John
Published: May 2011

As a result of the emergence of convergent ‘media houses’ at all levels of news journalism, few modern media organizations publish on only one platform. Changing professional practices related to this raise a number of important questions about the relationship between organizational strategies, new technologies, and everyday news journalism. This article addresses these developments from two perspectives, news work and news texts, through the concept of ‘cross-media’. This concept describes communication or production where two or more media platforms are involved in an integrated way. The article argues that in order to be more precise for theoretical and analytical purposes we have to distinguish between cross-media communication, and cross-media production processes. The article concludes by outlining a model that integrates the perspectives of news work and news texts in convergence journalism.
Defining the law: (Mis)using the dictionary to decide cases
Authors: Hobbs Pamela
Published: May 2011

Legislatures enact laws and the courts interpret them. Under the doctrine of legislative supremacy, a judge is not free to ignore or modify a statutory provision in order to substitute a rule that seems to him to be better reasoned; thus where the language of a statute is clear and unambiguous, interpretation is unnecessary and it must be enforced according to its terms. Nevertheless, gaps and ambiguities can arise and, in such cases, courts apply interpretive rules, or ‘canons of construction’, to resolve these ambiguities. One frequently invoked rule requires that words that are not defined by a statute be given their ordinary meaning by the interpreting court. In recent years, the United States Supreme Court has increasingly relied upon dictionary definitions in applying this rule. The Court’s use of dictionaries as authority for its interpretations incorporates the assumption that the dictionary is the best source for ascertaining the meaning of statutory texts. This article challenges that assumption on linguistic grounds. I argue that the focus on definitions skews the interpretation of statutory language by isolating words from their semantic context. By comparing two cases in which the Court used dictionary definitions to a third case in which the definition used by the Court was contained in the statute itself, I demonstrate that the ordinary meaning of legal terms cannot be determined by dictionary definitions.
A discourse-based study of three communities of practice: How members maintain a harmonious relationship while threatening each other’s face via email
Authors: Chung Kwong Ho Victor
Published: May 2011

This article discusses and compares the way the members of three communities of practice maintained a harmonious relationship with one another by managing rapport and performing relational work while threatening other members’ face in making requests through emails. The three communities of practice differed from one another in terms of the aim and nature of their joint enterprise, cultural composition and size. The ways rapport was managed were revealed by examining the employment of linguistic strategies of expressiveness-restraint, the choice of rhetorical strategies, the blending of institutional, professional and personal discourses, and the inclusion of various rapport-building moves. The performing of relational work was approached by identifying those discursive elements whose absence would not have made the current situation any the worse for it. It is found that the three communities of practice demonstrated both similarities and differences in the way they managed rapport and performed relational work.
A Case of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome to Disseminated Histoplasmosis
Authors: Dawood Halima
Published: May 2011

Histoplasmosis is an uncommon cause of hepatosplenomegaly in South Africa. A case of immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS) to disseminated histoplasmosis in a patient presented to a tertiary hospital in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, is described.
Effect of outpatient exercise training programmes in patients with chronic heart failure: a systematic review
Authors: van der Meer Suzan , Zwerink Marlies , van Brussel Marco , van der Valk Paul , Wajon Elly , van der Palen Job
Published: May 2011

Background: Advantages of outpatient exercise training are reduced waiting lists, better compliance, reduced time investment by the patient with reduced travel expenses, and less dependence on other people to participate. Therefore, this systematic review studies the effects of outpatient exercise training programmes compared with usual care on exercise capacity, exercise performance, quality of life, and safety in patients with chronic heart failure. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials concerning patients with chronic heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, were included. A meta-analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-two studies were included. VO2max, 6-min walking test, and quality of life showed significant differences in favour of the intervention group of 1.85 ml/kg/min, 47.9 m, and 6.9 points, respectively. In none of the studies, a significant relationship was found between exercise training and adverse events. Conclusion: This meta-analysis illustrates the efficacy and safety of outpatient training programmes for patients with chronic heart failure.
Cyclophosphamide-refractory scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease: remarkable clinical and radiological response to a single course of rituximab combined with high-dose corticosteroids
Authors: Haroon Muhammad , McLaughlin Patrick , Henry Michael , Harney Sinead
Published: May 2011

We would like to report our experience of using rituximab in cyclophosphamide refractory, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) in a patient with limited scleroderma. A 40-year-old man presented with 10-week history of inflammatory polyarthritis, which responded to a short course of oral corticosteroids. However, 3 weeks later, he developed new onset of exertional dyspnoea. High-resolution CT of the thorax was suggestive of early ILD. Surgical lung biopsy showed features of fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia. He was diagnosed with scleroderma on the basis of: presence of anticentromere antibodies, Raynaud’s phenomenon, pulmonary fibrosis, digital oedema and hypomotility along with a dilated oesophagus. He was treated aggressively with pulse doses of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide; however, his ILD continued to deteriorate. At this stage, he received rituximab (two pulses of 1 g each), which led to a gradual clinical improvement. Now, 12 months since his rituximab infusion, he walks 2 miles daily without any exertional dyspnoea.
Assessing the benefits of participatory research: a rationale for a realist review
Authors: Macaulay Ann C. , Jagosh Justin , Seller Robbyn , Henderson Jim , Cargo Margaret , Greenhalgh Trisha , Wong Geoff , Salsberg Jon , Green Lawrence W. , Herbert Carol P. , Pluye Pierre
Published: May 2011

Participatory research (PR) experts believe that increased community and stakeholder participation in research augments program pertinence, quality, outcome, sustainability, uptake, and transferability. There is, however, a dearth of assessments and measurement tools to demonstrate the contribution of participation in health research and interventions. One systematic review of PR, conducted for the Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ), provided no conclusive evidence concerning the benefits of community participation to enhance research and health outcomes. To overcome methodological gaps and barriers of the AHRQ review, we propose to conduct a systematic realist review, which can be understood as a theory-driven qualitative review capable of capturing the often complex, diffuse and obtuse evidence concerning participation. Reviewing how PR mechanisms and contextual factors mediate and moderate outcomes, the review will generate and test hypotheses (middle-range theories) conceptualizing the benefits of participation and will portray the manner and circumstances in which participation influences outcomes.
Research capacity building: a US-South African partnership
Authors: Airhihenbuwa Collins O. , Shisana Olive , Zungu Nompumelelo , BeLue Rhonda , Makofani Daisy M. , Shefer Tammy , Smith Edward , Simbayi Leickness
Published: May 2011

Research capacity building engenders assets that allow communities (and, in this case, student fellows) to respond adequately to health issues and problems that are contextual, cultural and historical in nature. In this paper, we present a US—South African partnership that led to research training for 30 postgraduate students at two South African universities. We begin by exploring the nature of research capacity building in a partnership research project designed to promote HIV and AIDS-related stigma reduction. We examine methodological issues and their relevance to training of postgraduate students in South Africa. We conclude with recommendations for a successful model of partnership for building capacity of health researchers in Africa with the goal of developing research that informs policies and helps to bridge the health inequity gap globally.
Developing a scale to measure synergy in health promotion partnerships
Authors: Jones Jacky , Barry Margaret M.
Published: May 2011

Synergy is the degree to which a partnership combines the assets of all the partners in the search for better solutions and is generally regarded as the product of a partnership including vertical integration, shared know-how and shared resources. There has been very little research on the determinants and measurement of synergy in health promotion partnerships. This study was designed to describe how synergy is conceptualized in health promotion partnerships and to develop a synergy measurement tool. Five focus groups were organized with 36 health promotion partners in order to explore how synergy is conceptualized in their partnerships. Participants represented health, community, education, arts, sports and youth sectors. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A content analysis was carried out on the transcripts using counting and data reduction techniques. An item pool was generated from these findings and an eight-item five-point scale was developed called the Jones synergy scale. This scale was incorporated into an overall questionnaire on partnership functioning which was posted to 469 partners in 40 health promotion partnerships. A response rate of 72% was achieved for the postal survey ( n = 337). The Jones synergy scale was subjected to reliability and validity tests. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.91. Corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.6 to 0.7 with a Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted of 0.9 for all items. Principal components analysis (PCA) was the chosen factor analysis method. One component was extracted explaining 62% of the variance. Coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.70 with an initial eigenvalue of 4.94. The scale was subjected to item-convergent, item-discriminant and concurrent validity tests. All items correlated more strongly with their own scale than with any other scales used in the questionnaire. The Jones synergy scale was highly correlated (0.73, P < 0.01) with an existing synergy scale.
The use of conversation analysis to study social accessibility of an online support group on eating disorders
Authors: Stommel Wyke , Meijman Frans J.
Published: May 2011

We conducted a conversation analysis of 21 threads initiated by newcomers of an online support group (OSG) on eating disorders, to examine the discursive process of entering such a group. The analysis revealed three important issues. First, many newcomers articulate that the step to join the group is extremely difficult. Second, a presentation of the self in terms of a diagnosis works as a legitimization for joining the forum. The data suggest that participants who do not fulfil the conditions for such a legitimization do not join the forum. Third, the option of acquiring a serious symptom as a solution to the legitimization problem is offered by one of the regular members. Hence, the newcomers’ discourse reveals issues relevant to the accessibility for undiagnosed sufferers. We discuss these findings theoretically as a phenomenon of self-presentation in relation to community norms. The analysis generates the hypothesis that newcomers are confronted with implicit norms regarding membership legitimacy that they should obey in their self-presentation, although they may not be ready yet to actually do so. OSGs should find strategies to facilitate various possibilities for newcomers to present themselves to the group while becoming a member.
Health promotion as a behavioural challenge: are we missing attitudes?
Authors: Panagopoulou Efharis , Montgomery Anthony , Benos Alexis
Published: May 2011

Despite the considerable financial and organizational resources of health promotion campaigns, their effectiveness in tackling current health problems is limited. In the following commentary, we argue that health promotion is best understood as a behavioural challenge. Behaviour can be understood in terms of three aspects: knowledge, skills and attitudes. While knowledge and skills have received adequate attention, the attitudinal approach has been significantly underutilized. To this end, we have used the examples of prevention of H1N1 transmission, hand washing in hospitals and prevention of cervical cancer to elucidate our points. We also provide recommendations of how the attitudinal approach can enhance the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. (Global Health Promotion, 2011; 18(2): 54—57)
Correlation of Anthropometric Measures Among Obese and Severely Obese Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Hastings Elisabeth S. , Anding Roberta H. , Middleman Amy B.
Published: May 2011

Anthropometric measures beyond the basic weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) calculation, such as skinfold thicknesses and arm circumference, are valuable assessments of adiposity in normal weight populations. However, they are difficult and time-consuming to obtain. This study investigates the correlations between anthropometric variables to determine the utility of obtaining measures beyond weight and height among obese and severely obese Hispanic adolescents. Data from anthropometric measurements of 58 obese and severely obese Hispanic females aged 14 to 24 years were analyzed. Weight, height, BMI, arm circumference, average deltoid skinfold thickness, and average triceps skinfold thickness measures were compared. Correlations were determined between obese (30 kg/m2 ≥ BMI < 40 kg/m2) and severely obese (40 kg/m2 ≥ BMI <52 kg/m2 ) subjects. There were significant differences between the obese and severely obese groups for weight, BMI, arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness. However, significant correlations between almost all anthropometric variables existed in the severely obese group versus only one correlation between 2 types of skinfold measurements in the obese group. These data indicate that obtaining anthropometric measures beyond weight and height, including skinfold thickness, reveal no additional, clinically useful information among severely obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) adolescent patients. These findings predict a valuable economy of time and effort obtaining anthropometrical data in future studies on the severely obese.
Parenteral Iron Therapy in the Pediatric Patient
Authors: Gura Kathleen , Chang Esther , Casey Ashley , Roach Erin
Published: May 2011

For more than 50 years, iron dextran has been the mainstay of parenteral iron therapy in the United States. In October 2009, the Food and Drug Administration expanded its existing black box warning that cautioned practitioners to administer a test dose first because of the risk of anaphylactic, often fatal adverse reactions. It further modified the warning, stating that fatal reactions can still occur even in patients who tolerated the test dose. As a result, health care providers have sought safer alternatives to parenteral iron dextran when oral iron repletion is not an option. The purpose of this review is to discuss the currently available formulations, with a focus on the needs of the pediatric patient, in whom there is limited experience in using products other than iron dextran.
Toward an interactive article: integrating journals and biological databases
Authors: Rangarajan Arun , Schedl Tim , Yook Karen , Chan Juancarlos , Haenel Stephen , Otis Lolly , Faelten Sharon , DePellegrin-Connelly Tracey , Isaacson Ruth , Skrzypek Marek S , Marygold Steven J , Stefancsik Raymund , Cherry J Michael , Sternberg Paul W , Müller Hans-Michael
Published: May 2011

Background

Journal articles and databases are two major modes of communication in the biological sciences, and thus integrating these critical resources is of urgent importance to increase the pace of discovery. Projects focused on bridging the gap between journals and databases have been on the rise over the last five years and have resulted in the development of automated tools that can recognize entities within a document and link those entities to a relevant database. Unfortunately, automated tools cannot resolve ambiguities that arise from one term being used to signify entities that are quite distinct from one another. Instead, resolving these ambiguities requires some manual oversight. Finding the right balance between the speed and portability of automation and the accuracy and flexibility of manual effort is a crucial goal to making text markup a successful venture.

Results

We have established a journal article mark-up pipeline that links GENETICS journal articles and the model organism database (MOD) WormBase. This pipeline uses a lexicon built with entities from the database as a first step. The entity markup pipeline results in links from over nine classes of objects including genes, proteins, alleles, phenotypes and anatomical terms. New entities and ambiguities are discovered and resolved by a database curator through a manual quality control (QC) step, along with help from authors via a web form that is provided to them by the journal. New entities discovered through this pipeline are immediately sent to an appropriate curator at the database. Ambiguous entities that do not automatically resolve to one link are resolved by hand ensuring an accurate link. This pipeline has been extended to other databases, namely Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) and FlyBase, and has been implemented in marking up a paper with links to multiple databases.

Conclusions

Our semi-automated pipeline hyperlinks articles published in GENETICS to model organism databases such as WormBase. Our pipeline results in interactive articles that are data rich with high accuracy. The use of a manual quality control step sets this pipeline apart from other hyperlinking tools and results in benefits to authors, journals, readers and databases.
Combining an Evolution-guided Clustering Algorithm and Haplotype-based LRT in Family Association Studies
Authors: Lee Mei-Hsien , Tzeng Jung-Ying , Huang Su-Yun , Hsiao Chuhsing Kate
Published: May 2011

Background

With the completion of the international HapMap project, many studies have been conducted to investigate the association between complex diseases and haplotype variants. Such haplotype-based association studies, however, often face two difficulties; one is the large number of haplotype configurations in the chromosome region under study, and the other is the ambiguity in haplotype phase when only genotype data are observed. The latter complexity may be handled based on an EM algorithm with family data incorporated, whereas the former can be more problematic, especially when haplotypes of rare frequencies are involved. Here based on family data we propose to cluster long haplotypes of linked SNPs in a biological sense, so that the number of haplotypes can be reduced and the power of statistical tests of association can be increased.

Results

In this paper we employ family genotype data and combine a clustering scheme with a likelihood ratio statistic to test the association between quantitative phenotypes and haplotype variants. Haplotypes are first grouped based on their evolutionary closeness to establish a set containing core haplotypes. Then, we construct for each family the transmission and non-transmission phase in terms of these core haplotypes, taking into account simultaneously the phase ambiguity as weights. The likelihood ratio test (LRT) is next conducted with these weighted and clustered haplotypes to test for association with disease. This combination of evolution-guided haplotype clustering and weighted assignment in LRT is able, via its core-coding system, to incorporate into analysis both haplotype phase ambiguity and transmission uncertainty. Simulation studies show that this proposed procedure is more informative and powerful than three family-based association tests, FAMHAP, FBAT, and an LRT with a group consisting exclusively of rare haplotypes.

Conclusions

The proposed procedure takes into account the uncertainty in phase determination and in transmission, utilizes the evolutionary information contained in haplotypes, reduces the dimension in haplotype space and the degrees of freedom in tests, and performs better in association studies. This evolution-guided clustering procedure is particularly useful for long haplotypes containing linked SNPs, and is applicable to other haplotype-based association tests. This procedure is now implemented in R and is free for download.
Characters of homogentisate oxygenase gene mutation and high clonality of the natural pigment-producing Vibrio choleraestrains
Authors: Wang Ruibai , Wang Hengliang , Zhou Haijian , Wang Yuelan , Yue Junjie , Diao Baowei , Kan Biao
Published: May 2011

Background

Some microorganisms can produce pigments such as melanin, which has been associated with virulence in the host and with a survival advantage in the environment. In Vibrio cholerae, studies have shown that pigment-producing mutants are more virulent than the parental strain in terms of increased UV resistance, production of major virulence factors, and colonization. To date, almost all of the pigmented V. cholerae strains investigated have been induced by chemicals, culture stress, or transposon mutagenesis. However, during our cholera surveillance, some nontoxigenic serogroup O139 strains and one toxigenic O1 strain, which can produce pigment steadily under the commonly used experimental growth conditions, were obtained in different years and from different areas. The genes VC1344 to VC1347, which correspond to the El Tor strain N16961 genome and which comprise an operon in the tyrosine catabolic pathway, have been confirmed to be associated with a pigmented phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of pigment production in these strains.

Results

Sequencing of the VC1344, VC1345, VC1346, and VC1347 genes in these pigmented strains suggested that a deletion mutation in the homogentisate oxygenase gene (VC1345) may be associated with the pigmented phenotype, and gene complementation confirmed the role of this gene in pigment production. An identical 15-bp deletion was found in the VC1345 gene of all six O139 pigment-producing strains examined, and a 10-bp deletion was found in the VC1345 gene of the O1 strain. Strict sequence conservation in the VC1344 gene but higher variance in the other three genes of this operon were observed, indicating the different stress response functions of these genes in environmental adaption and selection. On the basis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis typing, the pigment-producing O139 strains showed high clonality, even though they were isolated in different years and from different regions. Additionally all these O139 strains belong to the rb4 ribotype, which contains the O139 strains isolated from diarrheal patients, although these strains are cholera toxin negative.

Conclusion

Dysfunction of homogentisate oxygenase (VC1345) causes homogentisate accumulation and pigment formation in naturally pigmented strains of V. cholerae. The high clonality of these strains may correlate to an environmental survival advantage in the V. cholerae community due to their pigment production, and may imply a potential protective function of melanin in environmental survival of such strains.
Prospecting for Genes involved in transcriptional regulation of plant defenses, a bioinformatics approach
Authors: van Verk Marcel C , Bol John F , Linthorst Huub JM
Published: May 2011

Background

In order to comprehend the mechanisms of induced plant defense, knowledge of the biosynthesis and signaling pathways mediated by salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) is essential. Potentially, many transcription factors could be involved in the regulation of these pathways, although finding them is a difficult endeavor. Here we report the use of publicly available Arabidopsis microarray datasets to generate gene co-expression networks.

Results

Using 372 publicly available microarray data sets, a network was constructed in which Arabidopsis genes for known components of SA, JA and ET pathways together with the genes of over 1400 transcription factors were assayed for co-expression. After determining the Pearson Correlation Coefficient cutoff to obtain the most probable biologically relevant co-expressed genes, the resulting network confirmed the presence of many genes previously reported in literature to be relevant for stress responses and connections that fit current models of stress gene regulation, indicating the potential of our approach. In addition, the derived network suggested new candidate genes and associations that are potentially interesting for future research to further unravel their involvement in responses to stress.

Conclusions

In this study large sets of stress related microarrays were used to reveal co-expression networks of transcription factors and signaling pathway components. These networks will benefit further characterization of the signal transduction pathways involved in plant defense.
Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of maize embryos exposed to camptothecin
Authors: Sánchez-Pons Nuria , Irar Sami , García-Muniz Nora , Vicient Carlos M
Published: May 2011

Background

Camptothecin is a plant alkaloid that specifically binds topoisomerase I, inhibiting its activity and inducing double stranded breaks in DNA, activating the cell responses to DNA damage and, in response to severe treatments, triggering cell death.

Results

Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of maize embryos that had been exposed to camptothecin were conducted. Under the conditions used in this study, camptothecin did not induce extensive degradation in the genomic DNA but induced the transcription of genes involved in DNA repair and repressed genes involved in cell division. Camptothecin also affected the accumulation of several proteins involved in the stress response and induced the activity of certain calcium-dependent nucleases. We also detected changes in the expression and accumulation of different genes and proteins involved in post-translational regulatory processes.

Conclusions

This study identified several genes and proteins that participate in DNA damage responses in plants. Some of them may be involved in general responses to stress, but others are candidate genes for specific involvement in DNA repair. Our results open a number of new avenues for researching and improving plant resistance to DNA injury.
IP-10 response to RD1 antigens might be a useful biomarker for monitoring tuberculosis therapy
Authors: Kabeer Basirudeen Syed Ahamed , Raja Alamelu , Raman Balambal , Thangaraj Satheesh , Leportier Marc , Ippolito Giuseppe , Girardi Enrico , Lagrange Philippe Henri , Goletti Delia
Published: May 2011

Background

There is an urgent need of prognosis markers for tuberculosis (TB) to improve treatment strategies. The results of several studies show that the Interferon (IFN)-γ-specific response to the TB antigens of the QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-IT antigens) decreases after successful TB therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether there are factors other than IFN-γ [such as IFN-γ inducible protein (IP)-10 which has also been associated with TB] in response to QFT-IT antigens that can be used as biomarkers for monitoring TB treatment.

Methods

In this exploratory study we assessed the changes in IP-10 secretion in response to QFT-IT antigens and RD1 peptides selected by computational analysis in 17 patients with active TB at the time of diagnosis and after 6 months of treatment. The IFN-γ response to QFT-IT antigens and RD1 selected peptides was evaluated as a control. A non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired comparisons was used to compare the continuous variables at the time of diagnosis and at therapy completion. A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions.

Results

We did not observe significant IP-10 changes in whole blood from either NIL or QFT-IT antigen tubes, after 1-day stimulation, between baseline and therapy completion (p = 0.08 and p = 0.7 respectively). Conversely, the level of IP-10 release to RD1 selected peptides was significantly different (p = 0.006). Similar results were obtained when we detected the IFN-γ in response to the QFT-IT antigens (p = 0.06) and RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.0003). The proportion of the IP-10 responders to the QFT-IT antigens did not significantly change between baseline and therapy completion (p = 0.6), whereas it significantly changed in response to RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.002). The proportion of IFN-γ responders between baseline and therapy completion was not significant for QFT-IT antigens (p = 0.2), whereas it was significant for the RD1 selected peptides (p = 0.002), confirming previous observations.

Conclusions

Our preliminary study provides an interesting hypothesis: IP-10 response to RD1 selected peptides (similar to IFN-γ) might be a useful biomarker for monitoring therapy efficacy in patients with active TB. However, further studies in larger cohorts are needed to confirm the consistency of these study results.
Effects on quality of life, anti-cancer responses, breast conserving surgery and survival with neoadjuvant docetaxel: a randomised study of sequential weekly versus three-weekly docetaxel following neoadjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in women with primary breast cancer
Authors: Walker Leslie G , Eremin Jennifer M , Aloysius Mark M , Vassanasiri Wichai , Walker Mary B , El-Sheemy Mohamed , Cowley Ged , Beer Jeanette , Samphao Srila , Wiseman Janice , Jibril Jibril A , Valerio David , Clarke David J , Kamal Mujahid , Thorpe Gerald W , Baria Karin , Eremin Oleg
Published: May 2011

Background

Weekly docetaxel has occasionally been used in the neoadjuvant to downstage breast cancer to reduce toxicity and possibly enhance quality of life. However, no studies have compared the standard three weekly regimen to the weekly regimen in terms of quality of life. The primary aim of our study was to compare the effects on QoL of weekly versus 3-weekly sequential neoadjuvant docetaxel. Secondary aims were to determine the clinical and pathological responses, incidence of Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS), Disease Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS).

Methods

Eighty-nine patients receiving four cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were randomised to receive twelve cycles of weekly docetaxel (33 mg/m2) or four cycles of 3-weekly docetaxel (100 mg/m2). The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast and psychosocial questionnaires were completed.

Results

At a median follow-up of 71.5 months, there was no difference in the Trial Outcome Index scores between treatment groups. During weekly docetaxel, patients experienced less constipation, nail problems, neuropathy, tiredness, distress, depressed mood, and unhappiness. There were no differences in overall clinical response (93% vs. 90%), pathological complete response (20% vs. 27%), and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rates (49% vs. 42%). Disease-free survival and overall survival were similar between treatment groups.

Conclusions

Weekly docetaxel is well-tolerated and has less distressing side-effects, without compromising therapeutic responses, Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS) or survival outcomes in the neoadjuvant setting.

Trial registration

ISRCTN: ISRCTN09184069