bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EEG‐fMRI reveals activation of brainstem and thalamus in patients with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome
Authors: Siniatchkin Michael , Coropceanu Diana , Moeller Friederike , Boor Rainer , Stephani Ulrich
Published: January 2011

Purpose: Even if etiologies of Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome (LGS) are diverse, the multiple causes converge into a final common pathway that results in this specific epilepsy phenotype. There is little knowledge, however, about neuronal networks that may be a part of this pathway.

Methods: To investigate these networks, 11 children with LGS and 9 control children with multifocal epileptic activity were investigated using simultaneous recordings of EEG and functional MRI (EEG‐fMRI) in a 3 Tesla scanner.

Key Findings: Individual and group analyses revealed significant activation of brainstem and thalamus (especially centromedian and anterior thalamus) associated with epileptiform discharges in patients with LGS. None of the patients with multifocal epileptic activity presented with the same hemodynamic activation pattern.

Significance: Because brainstem activation has been associated with infantile spasms, which often evolve into LGS, and thalamus activation has been observed in patients with primary (idiopathic generalized syndromes) and secondary (focal epilepsies) bilateral synchrony, the described network in LGS may represent the common pathogenetic pathway of these different conditions.
Peroxiredoxin‐2 as a candidate biomarker to test oxidative stress levels of stored red blood cells under blood bank conditions
Authors: Rinalducci Sara , D'Amici Gian M. , Blasi Barbara , Vaglio Stefania , Grazzini Giuliano , Zolla Lello
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND: Several researches on aging red blood cells (RBCs)—performed both in vivo and under blood bank conditions—revealed that RBC membrane proteins undergo a number of irreversible alterations, mainly due to oxidative stress. The individuation of proteins to be used as indicators of irreversible RBC injury and to be proposed as candidate biomarkers of oxidative damage or aging status during blood storage is therefore of great interest.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Based on this purpose we performed proteomic analysis of the membranes of RBCs during various storage periods under blood bank conditions. Changes in protein composition of RBC membranes were monitored as a function of the storage period by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis coupled with immunoblotting and mass spectrometry analyses.

RESULTS: During storage, a progressive linkage of typical cytosolic proteins to the membrane was detected, including both antioxidant and metabolic enzymes (such as catalase, peroxiredoxin‐2 [Prx2], and 2,3‐bisphosphoglycerate‐mutase), as well as nonreducible cross‐linkings of probably oxidized or denatured hemoglobin. This phenomenon was unequivocally related to oxidative stress, since storage of RBCs under anaerobic conditions showed a suppression of these protein recruitments to the membrane.

CONCLUSION: The detailed analysis of these protein associations to the membrane of aged RBCs allowed Prx2 to be suggested as a potential RBC oxidative stress marker for the sake of developing new approaches in quality assurance of blood components.
The Hidden Effect of Interface Energies in the Polymorphic Stability of Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Castro Ricardo H. R. , Wang Beibei
Published: January 2011

Rutile is the thermodynamically stable phase of coarsely crystalline titanium dioxide; however, metastable anatase is frequently present in TiO2 nanoparticles as a result of the lower surface (solid–vapor) energy of this last polymorph. Here, we show that the presence of a solid–solid interface (frequently present due to aggregation or sintering after synthesis and calcination procedures) also markedly influences the polymorphic stability of TiO2 at the nanoscale. By revisiting calorimetric data reported on TiO2 polymorphs, and using a different analysis approach, we derive both surface and interface energies for anhydrous and hydrous interfaces and redraw the stability diagram for anatase and rutile at the nanoscale including an interface term for the first time. The presence of the solid–solid interface (grain boundary) is observed to shift the critical size of the anatase–rutile transition. A similar approach is suggested to be required to provide a better understanding of reported calorimetric data on nanomaterials such as ZrO2 and Fe2O3.
Effect of Temperature on the Microstructure of Boron Nitride Formed In Situ on Chemical Vapor‐Deposited Boron in Ammonia Gas
Authors: Li Siwei , Zhang Litong , Ye Fang , Liu Yongsheng , Cheng Laifei , Feng Zude , Chen Lifu
Published: January 2011

Boron nitride thin layers are in situ fabricated on chemical vapor‐deposited boron in ammonia gas. Characterization by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveals that the nitridation is dominated by different processes with varying temperatures. Below 1300°C the surface reaction is in control and leads to the formation of uniformly thin layer with mostly sp3 boron nitride. As the temperature rises, the nitridation is gradually turned as a diffusion‐determining process, after which a thicker but uneven layer with hexagonal sp2 boron nitride is produced.
Comparison of the Acute Rejection Incidence Rate in Spousal Donor Transplantation Before and After Anti‐CD20 Antibody (Rituximab) Protocol as Desensitization Therapy
Authors: Hirai Toshihito , Ishida Hideki , Toki Daisuke , Miyauchi Yuuki , Kohei Naoki , Iida Shouichi , Tokita Daisuke , Shimizu Tomokazu , Shirakawa Hiroki , Omoto Kazuya , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: January 2011

Recipients of spousal donor transplantation (SDT) have poorer histocompatibility and higher human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization due to pregnancy than those receiving related donor transplantation (RDT). Thus, SDT carries a higher risk of acute rejection (AR). In our department, patients at a high immunological risk, such as those with ABO incompatibility and HLA sensitization, were considered for desensitization by double filtration plasmapheresis and preoperative administration of rituximab. In this study we compared the AR incidence rates between SDT and RDT according to their immunological risk. We performed RDT in 279 and SDT in 100 patients, a total of 379 cases, between 2000 and 2008; 48.7% of RDT and 67.0% of SDT cases were considered to be at a high immunological risk and underwent preoperative desensitization (P = 0.002). Even though the AR incident rate of SDT was higher than RDT in the low immunological risk group, in which the patients had undergone transplantation without desensitization (RDT 24.4%, SDT 37.0%, P = 0.012), there was no significant difference between the two donor type groups in the high immunological risk group, in which transplantation with desensitization occurred (RDT 21.3%, SDT 31.3%, P > 0.05). Preoperative administration of rituximab significantly reduced AR from 37.4% to 10.6% (P < 0.001), especially T‐cell mediated rejection (36.4% to 20.2%, P = 0.01). SDT no longer carries a high risk when appropriate desensitization, including the use of rituximab, is performed. Overall, the five‐year graft survival rates were similar between RDT and SDT.
Error Control of Iterative Linear Solvers for Integrated Groundwater Models
Authors: Dixon Matthew F. , Bai Zhaojun , Brush Charles F. , Chung Francis I. , Dogrul Emin C. , Kadir Tariq N.
Published: January 2011

An open problem that arises when using modern iterative linear solvers, such as the preconditioned conjugate gradient method or Generalized Minimum RESidual (GMRES) method, is how to choose the residual tolerance in the linear solver to be consistent with the tolerance on the solution error. This problem is especially acute for integrated groundwater models, which are implicitly coupled to another model, such as surface water models, and resolve both multiple scales of flow and temporal interaction terms, giving rise to linear systems with variable scaling. This article uses the theory of “forward error bound estimation” to explain the correspondence between the residual error in the preconditioned linear system and the solution error. Using examples of linear systems from models developed by the US Geological Survey and the California State Department of Water Resources, we observe that this error bound guides the choice of a practical measure for controlling the error in linear systems. We implemented a preconditioned GMRES algorithm and benchmarked it against the Successive Over‐Relaxation (SOR) method, the most widely known iterative solver for nonsymmetric coefficient matrices. With forward error control, GMRES can easily replace the SOR method in legacy groundwater modeling packages, resulting in the overall simulation speedups as large as 7.74×. This research is expected to broadly impact groundwater modelers through the demonstration of a practical and general approach for setting the residual tolerance in line with the solution error tolerance and presentation of GMRES performance benchmarking results.
Tidal Boundary Conditions in SEAWAT
Authors: Mulligan Ann E. , Langevin Christian , Post Vincent E.A.
Published: January 2011

SEAWAT, a U.S. Geological Survey groundwater flow and transport code, is increasingly used to model the effects of tidal motion on coastal aquifers. Different options are available to simulate tidal boundaries but no guidelines exist nor have comparisons been made to identify the most effective approach. We test seven methods to simulate a sloping beach and a tidal flat. The ocean is represented in one of the three ways: directly using a high hydraulic conductivity (high‐K) zone and indirect simulation via specified head boundaries using either the General Head Boundary (GHB) or the new Periodic Boundary Condition (PBC) package. All beach models simulate similar water fluxes across the upland boundary and across the sediment‐water interface although the ratio of intertidal to subtidal flow is different at low tide. Simulating a seepage face results in larger intertidal fluxes and influences near‐shore heads and salinity. Major differences in flow occur in the tidal flat simulations. Because SEAWAT does not simulate unsaturated flow the water table only rises via flow through the saturated zone. This results in delayed propagation of the rising tidal signal inland. Inundation of the tidal flat is delayed as is flow into the aquifer across the flat. This is severe in the high‐K and PBC models but mild in the GHB models. Results indicate that any of the tidal boundary options are fine if the ocean‐aquifer interface is steep. However, as the slope of that interface decreases, the high‐K and PBC approaches perform poorly and the GHB boundary is preferable.
Monitoring Regional Groundwater Extraction: The Problem
Authors: Bredehoeft J.D.
Published: January 2011

As hydraulic disturbances (signals) are propagated through a groundwater system two things happen: (1) the higher frequencies in the disturbance are filtered out by the physics of the system and (2) the disturbance takes time to propagate through the system. The filtering and time delays depend on the aquifer diffusivity. This means, for example, if one is observing a water table aquifer at some distance from where annual recharge is occurring, only the long‐term average effect of the recharge will be transmitted to the observation point—the system filters out annual variations. These facts have profound impacts on what is feasible to monitor. For example, if one is concerned about the impact of pumping on a spring in a water table aquifer, where the pumping is more than 20 miles or so from the spring, there will be a long delay before the pumping impacts the spring and there will be an equally long delay before a long‐term reduction in the pumping regime will restore the spring. The filtering by lower diffusivity groundwater systems makes it impossible to discriminate between the impacts of several major pumpers in the system and/or long‐term climate changes.
Various patterns of IgH deletion identified by FISH using combined IgH and IgH/CCND1 probes in multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: HWANG Y. , LEE J. Y. , MUN Y. C. , SEONG C. M. , CHUNG W. S. , HUH J.
Published: January 2011

Introduction:  Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) can identify submicroscopic deletions adjacent to the breakpoints of rearrangements undetected by conventional cytogenetics. In this study, the characteristics and frequency of the IgH deletion identified by interphase FISH were investigated in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods:  The study group included 29 patients with MM and eight patients with CLL. Interphase FISH was performed with the IgH dual color, break‐apart rearrangement probe and the IgH/CCND1 dual color, dual fusion translocation probe.

Results:  The IgH deletion was found in 14% (4/29) of patients with MM and 13% (1/8) of the patients with CLL. Four patients had deletions of the whole or variable region of IgH on the native chromosome 14, whereas one patient had a deletion of the IgH variable region on a der(11)t(11;14). In two patients, the IgH break‐apart FISH showed both patterns with and without IgH deletions. In cases showing the same pattern by IgH break‐apart FISH, the IgH/CCND1 FISH showed different patterns, and vice versa.

Conclusion:  A variety of patterns of the IgH deletion were identified by interphase FISH using IgH break‐apart and IgH/CCND1 probes in patients with MM and CLL. The results of this study suggest that the integrated information obtained with IgH break‐apart and IgH/CCND1 FISH was needed to interpret FISH results unambiguously.
Vegetation patterns and ecological factors in the Ili River Valley, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Xu Yuan‐Jie , Chen Ya‐Ning , Li Wei‐Hong , Zhou Hong‐Hua , Sun Hui‐Lan , Li Zhi , Chen Ya‐Peng
Published: January 2011

The Ili River Valley is located in western Xinjiang as a ‘wet island’ in an arid region, and is rich with unique plant species. In this paper, TWINSPAN (two‐way indicator species analysis) and DCCA (detrended canonical correspondence analysis) were performed to analyze the vegetation patterns and influential factors based on data from a field investigation in the mountainous region of the valley. 259 species were recorded in the 85 plots, up to 235 species all appeared in the herb layer, and species of woody plants were very limited. The species composition varied widely between the northern slope and the southern slope. 35 plots on the northern slope were clustered into 10 groups, and 50 plots on the southern slope were clustered into 11 groupes. The DCCA ordination indicated that elevation as a compound factor was the critical driver of species composition on both the slopes. The vegetation patterns were also related to slope gradient, aspect, soil water, soil pH, organic matter and total nitrogen. Available phosphorus and available potassium were important factors on the southern slope only, maybe because of the appearance of shrubs there. The proportion of variation explained was 49.54% on the northern slope and 41.08% on the southern slope. Edaphic variables were more important than topographical variables on the northern slope, while topographical variables seemed to be more influential on the southern slope.
Cosmic‐ray exposure history of the Norton County enstatite achondrite
Authors: HERZOG G. F. , ALBRECHT Achim , MA Peixue , FINK David , KLEIN Jeffrey , MIDDLETON Roy , BOGARD Donald D. , NYQUIST L. E. , SHIH C.‐Y. , GARRISON D. H. , REESE Young , MASARIK J. , REEDY R. C. , RUGEL G. , FAESTERMANN T. , KORSCHINEK G.
Published: January 2011

Abstract– We report measurements of cosmogenic nuclides in up to 11 bulk samples from various depths in Norton County. The activities of 36Cl, 41Ca, 26Al, and 10Be were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry; the concentrations of the stable isotopes of He, Ne, Ar, and Sm were measured by electron and thermal ionization mass spectrometry, respectively. Production rates for the nuclides were modeled using the LAHET and the Monte Carlo N‐Particle codes. Assuming a one‐stage irradiation of a meteoroid with a pre‐atmospheric radius of approximately 50 cm, the model satisfactorily reproduces the depth profiles of 10Be, 26Al, and 53Mn (<6%) but overestimates the 41Ca concentrations by about 20%. 3He, 21Ne, and 26Al data give a one‐stage cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) age of 115 Ma. Argon‐36 released at intermediate temperatures, 36Arn, is attributed to production by thermal neutrons. From the values of 36Arn, an assumed average Cl concentration of 4 ppm, and a CRE age of 115 Ma, we estimate thermal neutron fluences of 1–4 × 1016 neutrons cm−2. We infer comparable values from ε149Sm and ε150Sm. Values calculated from 41Ca and a CRE age of 115 Ma, 0.2–1.4 × 1016 neutrons cm−2, are lower by a factor of approximately 2.5, indicating that nearly half of the 149Sm captures occurred earlier. One possible irradiation history places the center of proto‐Norton County at a depth of 88 cm in a large body for 140 Ma prior to its liberation as a meteoroid with a radius of 50 cm and further CRE for 100 Ma.
Streptococcus cristatus attenuates Fusobacterium nucleatum‐induced cytokine expression by influencing pathways converging on nuclear factor‐κB
Authors: Zhang G. , Rudney J.D.
Published: January 2011

We previously reported that Streptococcus cristatus, an oral commensal, was able to downregulate the interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) response to Fusobacterium nucleatum, a putative oral pathogen in oral epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to extend the understanding of how S. cristatus regulates cytokine expression in oral epithelial cells on a broad basis, and investigate whether the modulation of a Toll‐like receptor (TLR) pathway was involved in this process. KB and TERT‐2 cells were co‐cultured with F. nucleatum and S. cristatus, either alone or in combination. Total RNA was extracted and pathway‐specific focused microarrays were used to profile the transcriptional responses of various cytokine genes and those related to TLR‐mediated signal transduction. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reactions (RT‐PCR) and protein assays were performed to confirm the microarray results for selected genes. We found that exposure to either S. cristatus or F. nucleatum alone led to distinct changes in cytokine expression patterns. Fusobacterium nucleatum induced a greater number of gene expression changes than S. cristatus (15% vs. 4%, respectively). The presence of S. cristatus with F. nucleatum attenuated the expression of a number of inflammatory cytokines, and upregulated several anti‐inflammatory mediators. The RT‐PCR confirmed the messenger RNA attenuation of IL‐1α, tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 by S. cristatus. Profiling of TLR‐signaling‐related genes revealed that S. cristatus most significantly impacted the downstream pathways, especially nuclear factor‐κB, rather than altering TLRs and their adaptors and interacting proteins. Our data suggest that S. cristatus may attenuate the epithelial proinflammatory cytokine response to F. nucleatum by influencing pathways converging on nuclear factor‐κB.
Decomposition of Deterministic Unsteadiness in a Centrifugal Turbomachine: Nonlinear Interactions Between the Impeller Flow and Volute for a Double Suction Pump
Authors: Fernández Oro Jesús Manuel , González José , Argüelles Díaz Katia M. , Guerras Colón Francisco Israel
Published: January 2011

Modern designs for centrifugal pumps consider flow unsteadiness as a main concern. The averaged impact of blade to blade structures and impeller-tongue or impeller-diffuser interactions is considered relevant to accurately address the machine performance. In this framework, the search for a comprehensive way to explain unsteady patterns would be particularly desirable. In the present paper, an analysis of the deterministic interaction between the impeller flow and both the inlet and outlet volute tongues in a double suction centrifugal pump is carried out. The zero velocity condition imposed in both tongues gives rise to an interaction that, up to the authors’ knowledge, has not yet been studied for this type of pumps. A well-tested numerical model, developed by the authors for previous studies with the same pump, has been exploited to predict deterministic correlations in the interaction region. Therefore, the main goal of this paper becomes the evaluation of the nonuniformities induced by both the inlet and the outlet tongues over the blade to blade distributions within the impeller. As a consequence, fluctuation levels in the blade loadings, derived from deterministic nonuniformities of the inlet tongue, can be provided in the relative frame of reference. The collected data using the numerical model can be further employed to establish modeling issues for deterministic stresses. Since more and more often, it becomes a widespread practice for pump manufacturers to include the analysis of the unsteady flow patterns in the design process, the availability of methodological tools to characterize pure unsteady terms in the early stages may be extremely useful for designers. Comparison of deterministic fluctuations with unresolved turbulence intensities is also available in this study, showing the importance of unsteady mechanisms in the modeling of pumping turbomachines.
On the Use of Velocity Data for Load Estimation of a VAWT in Dynamic Stall
Authors: Ferreira Carlos J. Simão , van Bussel Gerard J. W. , van Kuik Gijs A. M. , Scarano Fulvio
Published: January 2011

This paper focuses on evaluating the feasibility of estimating loads on vertical axis wind turbine blades in dynamic stall with velocity data acquired with Particle Image Velocimetry. The study uses numerical simulation data of a 2D Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in dynamic stall to verify sources of error and uncertainty and estimate the accuracy of the method. The integration of the forces from the velocity field overcomes the difficulties and limitations presented by pressure sensors for estimating the local section loads, but adds the difficulty in determining the correct velocity field and its time and spatial derivatives. The analysis also evaluates the use of phase-locked average data as an estimator of average loads.
Heat Transfer From Novel Target Surface Structures to a 3×3 Array of Normally Impinging Water Jets
Authors: Jeffers Nicholas M. R. , Punch Jeff , Walsh Edmond J. , McLean Marc
Published: January 2011

Impinging jet arrays provide a means to achieve high heat transfer coefficients and are used in a wide variety of engineering applications such as electronics cooling. The objective of this paper is to characterize the heat transfer from an array of 3×3 submerged and confined impinging water jets to a range of target surface structures. The target surfaces consisted of a flat surface, nine 90 deg swirl generators, a 6×6 pin fin array, and nine pedestals with turn-down dishes that turned the flow to create an additional annular impingement. In order to make comparisons with a previous single jet study by the authors, each impinging jet within the array was geometrically constrained to a round, 8.5 mm diameter, square-edged nozzle at a jet exit-to-target surface spacing, of H/D=0.5. A custom measurement facility was designed and commissioned in order to measure the heat transfer coefficient and the pressure loss coefficient of each of the target surface augmentations. The heat transfer results are presented in terms of Nu/Pr0.4, and the pressure results are presented in terms of pressure loss coefficient. Comparing the array of jets to a single jet showed a decrease in heat transfer. Full field velocity magnitude images showed that this decrease in heat transfer was caused by neighboring jet interference cross-flow coupled with a greater back pressure effect. The analysis of the different target surface augmentations showed that the performance of the pedestal with the turn-down dish was the least compromised by the addition of the surrounding jets. It showed both the highest fin efficiency of 95.1% and fin effectiveness of 2.27. However, it showed the highest overall pressure loss coefficient compared with the other target surfaces, and therefore the nine 90 deg swirl generators performed the best in terms of both pressure loss coefficient and thermal performance. The findings of this paper are of practical relevance to the design of primary heat exchangers for high-flux thermal management applications, where the boundaries of cooling requirements continue to be tested.
Numerical Study of Circular Hydraulic Jump Using Volume-of-Fluid Method
Authors: Passandideh-Fard Mohammad , Teymourtash Ali Reza , Khavari Mohammad
Published: January 2011

When a vertical liquid jet impacts on a solid and horizontal surface, the liquid starts spreading radially on the surface, until a sudden increase in the fluid height occurs and a circular hydraulic jump (CHJ), easily seen in the kitchen sink, is formed. In this study, the formation of CHJ is numerically simulated by solving the flow governing equations, continuity and momentum equations, along with an equation to track the free surface advection using the volume-of-fluid (VOF) method and Youngs’ algorithm. The numerical model is found to be capable of simulating the jump formation and its different types. Extensive comparisons are performed between the model results and those of the available experiments and modified Watson’s theory. The model is shown to accurately predict the jump location and its behavior. Also a parametric study for the effects of different parameters including volumetric flow rate, downstream height, viscosity and gravity on the jump radius, and its characteristics is carried out. Compared with previous works on CHJ available in the literature, employing the VOF method considering the surface tension effects and performing a full parametric study and a complete comparison with experiments and theory are new in this paper. The simulations are performed for two different liquids, water and ethylene glycol, where it is found that the jump is more stable and its location is less sensitive to the downstream height for the more viscous liquid (ethylene glycol). When the downstream height is increased, the radius of the circular hydraulic jump reduces up to a certain limit after which there would be no stable jump. If the gravity is decreased, the radius of the jump and the length of the transition zone will both increase. The radius of the jump in microgravity conditions is less sensitive to the downstream height than it is in normal gravity.
Path to achieve sub-10-nm half-pitch using electron beam lithography
Authors: Tavakkoli K. G. A. , Piramanayagam S. N. , Ranjbar M. , Sbiaa R. , Chong T. C.
Published: January 2011

Achieving dense patterns with good resolution is a key step for several applications in micro- and nanoelectronics. Based on the mechanical strength and capillary forces between nanometer scale features, the authors have proposed that the use of thin resist is a solution to achieve dense array of patterns. Therefore, the authors have studied the effect of resist thickness on the resolution of dense patterns for both lines and dots. Based on the experimental results using hydrogen silsesquioxane resist, dense patterns with sub-10-nm half-pitch were achieved. The authors also propose a new method for calculating contrast for nanostructures.
Structures of SAS-6 Suggest Its Organization in Centrioles
Authors: van Breugel Mark , Hirono Masafumi , Andreeva Antonina , Yanagisawa Haru-aki , Yamaguchi Shoko , Nakazawa Yuki , Morgner Nina , Petrovich Miriana , Ebong Ima-Obong , Robinson Carol V. , Johnson Christopher M. , Veprintsev Dmitry , Zuber Benoît
Published: January 2011

Self-assembly of a centriolar protein may contribute to organizing the cartwheel-like hub and establishing centriole symmetry.
The Magnitude and Duration of Late Ordovician–Early Silurian Glaciation
Authors: Finnegan Seth , Bergmann Kristin , Eiler John M. , Jones David S. , Fike David A. , Eisenman Ian , Hughes Nigel C. , Tripati Aradhna K. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: January 2011

Carbonate isotopes reveal a link between past ocean temperatures and mass extinction.
Linking Policy on Climate and Food
Authors: Godfray H. C. J. , Pretty J. , Thomas S. M. , Warham E. J. , Beddington J. R.
Published: January 2011

Agriculture and the food system need to move center stage in preparing for UN climate negotiations in December 2011.
History of maltreatment among unintentional injury deaths: analyses of Texas child fatality review data, 2005–2007
Authors: Parks Sharyn E , Mirchandani Gita , Rodriguez Susan , Hellsten John
Published: January 2011

Objective

This report examines unintentional injury deaths among children with and without a history of child maltreatment.

Methods

Data are from reviews of 1192 unintentional injury deaths occurring among children in Texas during 2005–2007. The study examined differences in child demographic characteristics, injury mechanism, and supervisor status at time of death between children with and without maltreatment history by using descriptive statistics and χ2tests. Separate analyses compared characteristics of asphyxia, drowning, and poisoning deaths.

Results

In 10% of the unintentional injury deaths that were reviewed, the child had a history of maltreatment. The prevalence of a history of maltreatment was highest among black decedents and lowest among white decedents. Prevalence of a history of maltreatment was highest among infant decedents and lowest among youth decedents, ages 10–14 years. Among deaths where there was no maltreatment history, 54% were due to motor vehicle related incidents, whereas 51% of deaths among children with maltreatment history were caused by drowning, asphyxia, and poisoning. Supervisors of child decedents with a history of maltreatment were significantly more likely to have been alcohol impaired (6.9% vs 1.6%; p<0.0005), or asleep (12.1% vs 6.6%; p=0.03) at the time of death. Differences between child decedents with and without maltreatment history were observed in infant sleep surface in suffocation deaths, location and barrier type in drowning deaths, and substance type in poisoning deaths.

Conclusions

These data show that the mechanisms and circumstances surrounding unintentional injury deaths among children with a history of maltreatment differ from those without a history of maltreatment. This underscores the need for appropriate interventions to prevent unintentional and intentional injuries in families with a history of maltreatment.
Analysis of paediatric drowning deaths in Washington State using the child death review (CDR) for surveillance: what CDR does and does not tell us about lethal drowning injury
Authors: Quan Linda , Pilkey Diane , Gomez Anthony , Bennett Elizabeth
Published: January 2011

Background

Drowning is second cause of paediatric injury death in Washington State. Child death review (CDR) data provide the unique opportunity to identify regional risk factors and opportunities for drowning prevention.

Methods

CDR teams' data for drowning deaths of children <18 years between 1999 and 2003 were analysed for victim and event characteristics, and existing prevention/protective factors. A working group made data driven recommendations. Subsequent interventions were noted.

Results

Drowning death rates were significantly higher among Asian Pacific Islander children (3.3 per 100 000). Disproportionately, 32% of deaths involved families with prior child protective services (CPS) referrals. Most deaths (73%) occurred in open water; the proportion in open water increased from 42% of <5-year-olds, 83% of 5–9-year-olds, to 90% of 10–17-year-olds. Thirty per cent drowned at parks; 29% drowned in residential settings. Pre-drowning activity for 42% was swimming or playing in the water. Alcohol and drug use were low. Neglect/poor supervision was considered a factor in 68% (21/31) of the deaths of children <5 years of age. State CDR recommendations led to the development of a drowning prevention campaign targeted to an Asian American community, intra-agency changes resulting in reinstatement of lifeguard staffing and addition of lifejacket loaner programmes, collaboration with state commissions to enforce a state pool fencing ordinance, and model legislation prohibiting swimming in dangerous waterways.

Conclusion

CDR data collection and review process was an effective surveillance tool. It identified specific regional high risk groups and sites for drowning prevention and led to recommendations and implementation of effective local and state injury prevention interventions.
Developing effective child death review: a study of ‘early starter’ child death overview panels in England
Authors: Sidebotham Peter , Fox John , Horwath Jan , Powell Catherine
Published: January 2011

Aim

This qualitative study of a small number of child death overview panels aimed to observe and describe their experience in implementing new child death review processes, and making prevention recommendations.

Methods

Nine sites reflecting a geographic and demographic spread were selected from Local Safeguarding Children Boards across England. Data were collected through a combination of questionnaires, interviews, structured observations, and evaluation of documents. Data were subjected to qualitative analysis.

Results

Data analysis revealed a number of themes within two overarching domains: the systems and structures in place to support the process; and the process and function of the panels. The data emphasised the importance of child death review being a multidisciplinary process involving senior professionals; that the process was resource and time intensive; that effective review requires both quantitative and qualitative information, and is best achieved through a structured analytic framework; and that the focus should be on learning lessons, not on trying to apportion blame. In 17 of the 24 cases discussed by the panels, issues were raised that may have indicated preventable factors. A number of examples of recommendations relating to injury prevention were observed including public awareness campaigns, community safety initiatives, training of professionals, development of protocols, and lobbying of politicians.

Conclusions

The results of this study have helped to inform the subsequent establishment of child death overview panels across England. To operate effectively, panels need a clear remit and purpose, robust structures and processes, and committed personnel. A multi-agency approach contributes to a broader understanding of and response to children's deaths.
Collaborative process improvement to enhance injury prevention in child death review
Authors: Johnston Brian D , Bennett Elizabeth , Pilkey Diane , Wirtz Stephen J , Quan Linda
Published: January 2011

Objective

To increase the number and quality of injury prevention recommendations made by Washington State (USA) child death review teams.

Design

Before and after study design involving four intervention teams and 21 comparison teams.

Methods

Intervention teams received injury prevention training, collaborative process improvement coaching, and access to web based prevention resources. An equal number of randomly selected child death review case reports filed with the state before the intervention by the intervention and comparison teams were included in the baseline sample. All reports submitted by the intervention and comparison teams after the intervention were included in the follow-up sample. Reports were scored on the completeness of prevention related data elements and on the quality of written prevention recommendations.

Results

Data completion for prevention relevant items increased in intervention teams from 73% at baseline to 88% at follow-up. In comparison teams, this measure fell from 77% to 56% over the same period. The quality of written recommendations produced by intervention teams increased from 4.3 (95% CI 3.4 to 5.1) to 7.6 (95% CI 6.7 to 8.5), while comparison teams showed no significant change (4.0 (95% CI 2.5 to 5.3) to 3.7 (95% CI 2.2 to 5.2)). Specifically, improvements were noted in the identification of evidence based best practices and the development of clear, actionable written recommendations.

Conclusion

Injury prevention recommendations are generated in the systematic local review of child deaths. This process can be analysed, measured, supported, and improved.
Paediatric low speed vehicle run-over fatalities in Queensland
Authors: Griffin Bronwyn , Watt Kerrianne , Wallis Belinda , Shields Linda , Kimble Roy
Published: January 2011

Introduction

Child pedestrian fatalities associated with motor vehicles reversing or moving at low speed are difficult to identify in surveillance data. This study aims to determine the incidence of fatalities associated with what is thought to be an under-reported and preventable fatal injury mechanism.

Methods

The term low speed vehicle run-over (LSVRO) incidents encompasses pedestrian fatalities where vehicles run-over a child at low speed. Data were obtained for children aged 0–15 years in the Australian state of Queensland (January 2004–December 2008).

Results

There were 15 deaths (12 boys and 3 girls) during 2004–2008 (rate:1.67/100 000). Over half were aged 0 and 1 years of age (n=8; 53.3%, rate: 14.67/100 000), and one quarter were 2 and 3 years of age (n=4, 27%, rate 7.46/100 000). There were no LSVRO deaths recorded among 10–15 year olds. Most (13/15) of the incidents occurred on private property, and only two occurred on a street/road. Almost half of the fatalities were caused by a four wheel drive (4WD) vehicle; large family sedans were involved in four fatalities, and heavy vehicles were involved in three deaths. In 11 of the fatalities, parents were the drivers of the vehicle involved (mothers 5; fathers 6). In nine, the vehicle involved was reversing before it came in contact with the child. Fatalities occurred in each of the Socio-Economic Indexes For Areas (SEIFA) levels.

Conclusion

The unique data provided by the child death review team has signalled that LSVRO fatalities are a significant problem in Queensland. The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG) continue to collect data, which, when combined, will provide outcomes that will act as an impetus for promoting intervention and child advocacy.
The US National Child Death Review Case Reporting System: Table 1
Authors: Covington Theresa M
Published: January 2011

The National Child Death Review Case Reporting System (NCDR-CRS) was developed in the USA to provide child death review teams with a simple method for capturing, analysing, and reporting on the full set of information shared at a child death or serious injury review. The NCDR-CRS is a web based system currently being used by 35 of the 50 US states. This article describes the purpose, features, limitations, and strengths of the system. It describes current and planned efforts for the dissemination of the data to inform and catalyse local, state, and national efforts to keep children safe, healthy, and alive.
Assessing and improving child death review team recommendations
Authors: Wirtz Stephen J , Foster Valodi , Lenart Gretchen A
Published: January 2011

Background

Child death review teams (CDRTs) are multi-agency, multidisciplinary teams that review the circumstances surrounding child deaths. Although the potential of CDRTs to promote systems improvement and prevention is well recognised, teams often struggle to translate their findings into effective preventive actions.

Objective

To present results from a study assessing the quality of written recommendations in published CDRT reports; and provide guidelines for improving the quality and effectiveness of these written recommendations.

Methods

A descriptive, non-experimental design was used to analyse a set of 1093 recommendations from 21 randomly selected, publicly available state and local CDRT reports. An assessment instrument, modelled on the public health approach, was developed to score the quality of recommendations. It consists of three components divided into 10 dimensions: problem assessment; written recommendations; and action on recommendations.

Results

CDRT reports scored highest in the problem assessment component (mean score: 2.7/dimension), followed by written recommendations (2.2/dimension), and action on recommendations (1.9/dimension). Even among the highest ranked dimensions, the average scores were only in the mid range of quality on our assessment scale.

Conclusions

The results suggest that CDRTs are doing a better job of ‘assessing the problem’ than in ‘proposing solutions’ as indicated by their written recommendations. CDRT reports often do not address follow-up of their written recommendations. Guidelines are offered for use as a practical tool to help CDRTs enhance the likelihood of producing effective recommendations that prevent future child injuries and deaths.
The novel use of fast track CT to select patients for lung cancer clinics: effect on clinic efficiency, waiting times, and patient satisfaction
Authors: Lal Abhimanyu , Phillips Sophie , Russell Carolyn , Woolhouse Ian
Published: January 2011

Background

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, and triaging patients ‘straight to test’ is recommended to improve patient experience and outcomes. While such pathways are likely to lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, the data to support this assumption are limited.

Objectives

To assess the impact of a fast track CT pathway to select patients for lung cancer clinics on clinic efficiency, diagnostic and treatment delays, and patient satisfaction.

Methods

Retrospective comparative cohort study of patients referred to lung cancer clinics for investigation of suspicious imaging from January to December 2006 and June to December 2007.

Results

The proportion of patients seen in clinic subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer increased from 124/399 (31%) to 86/168 (51%) (p<0.001). Time from referral to diagnosis reduced from 22 to 17 days (p<0.001). Time from referral to first discussion at the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting fell from 32 to 22 days (p<0.001). Time from referral to decision to treat reduced from 42 to 35 days (p<0.05). Time from referral to first treatment fell from 55 to 49 days (p=0.095). The proportion of patients who felt the diagnostic process took too long fell from 15/80 (19%) to 3/49 (6%) (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The new pathway led to more effective use of clinic appointments, reduced diagnostic delay, and more rapid treatment decision times. Patient satisfaction with the speed of the diagnostic process increased. It is recommended that hospital trusts in England consider adopting similar ‘straight to test’ triaging to select patients for lung cancer clinics.
Epidermal growth factor upregulates serotonin transporter in human intestinal epithelial cells via transcriptional mechanisms
Authors: Gill Ravinder K. , Anbazhagan Arivarasu Natarajan , Esmaili Ali , Kumar Anoop , Nazir Saad , Malakooti Jaleh , Alrefai Waddah A. , Saksena Seema
Published: January 2011

Serotonin transporter (SERT) regulates extracellular availability of serotonin and is a potential pharmacological target for gastrointestinal disorders. A decrease in SERT has been implicated in intestinal inflammatory and diarrheal disorders. However, little is known regarding regulation of SERT in the intestine. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is known to influence intestinal electrolyte and nutrient transport processes and has protective effects on intestinal mucosa. Whether EGF regulates SERT in the human intestine is not known. The present studies examined the regulation of SERT by EGF, utilizing Caco-2 cells grown on Transwell inserts as an in vitro model. Treatment with EGF from the basolateral side (10 ng/ml, 24 h) significantly stimulated SERT activity (∼2-fold, P < 0.01) and mRNA levels compared with control. EGF increased the activities of the two alternate promoter constructs for human SERT gene: SERT promoter 1 (hSERTp1, upstream of exon 1a) and SERT promoter 2 (hSERTp2, upstream of exon 2). Inhibition of EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase activity by PD168393 (1 nM) blocked the stimulatory effects of EGF on SERT promoters. Progressive deletions of the SERT promoter indicated that the putative EGF-responsive elements are present in the −672/−472 region of the hSERTp1 and regions spanning −1195/−738 and −152/+123 of hSERTp2. EGF markedly increased the binding of Caco-2 nuclear proteins to the potential AP-1 cis-elements present in EGF-responsive regions of hSERTp1 and p2. Overexpression of c-jun but not c-fos specifically transactivated hSERTp2, with no effects on hSERTp1. Our findings define novel mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of SERT by EGF via EGFR at the promoter level that may contribute to the beneficial effects of EGF in gut disorders.
Relationships among low-frequency local field potentials, spiking activity, and three-dimensional reach and grasp kinematics in primary motor and ventral premotor cortices
Authors: Bansal Arjun K. , Vargas-Irwin Carlos E. , Truccolo Wilson , Donoghue John P.
Published: January 2011

A prominent feature of motor cortex field potentials during movement is a distinctive low-frequency local field potential ( lf-LFP) (<4 Hz), referred to as the movement event-related potential (mEP). The lf-LFP appears to be a global signal related to regional synaptic input, but its relationship to nearby output signaled by single unit spiking activity (SUA) or to movement remains to be established. Previous studies comparing information in primary motor cortex (MI) lf-LFPs and SUA in the context of planar reaching tasks concluded that lf-LFPs have more information than spikes about movement. However, the relative performance of these signals was based on a small number of simultaneously recorded channels and units, or for data averaged across sessions, which could miss information of larger-scale spiking populations. Here, we simultaneously recorded LFPs and SUA from two 96-microelectrode arrays implanted in two major motor cortical areas, MI and ventral premotor (PMv), while monkeys freely reached for and grasped objects swinging in front of them. We compared arm end point and grip aperture kinematics′ decoding accuracy for lf-LFP and SUA ensembles. The results show that lf-LFPs provide enough information to reconstruct kinematics in both areas with little difference in decoding performance between MI and PMv. Individual lf-LFP channels often provided more accurate decoding of single kinematic variables than any one single unit. However, the decoding performance of the best single unit among the large population usually exceeded that of the best single lf-LFP channel. Furthermore, ensembles of SUA outperformed the pool of lf-LFP channels, in disagreement with the previously reported superiority of lf-LFP decoding. Decoding results suggest that information in lf-LFPs recorded from intracortical arrays may allow the reconstruction of reach and grasp for real-time neuroprosthetic applications, thus potentially supplementing the ability to decode these same features from spiking populations.