bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term Results of an Unloader Brace in Patients With Unicompartmental Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wilson Becky , Rankin Heather , Barnes C. Lowry
Published: August 2011

Previously, we reported a prospective study of 30 patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee treated nonoperatively with an unloader brace and average follow-up of 2.7 years. Although the initial study suggested short-term benefit according to pain and function measures, the objective of the current study was to evaluate these same patients via telephone questionnaire to determine the status of their brace use and any surgical procedures on the affected limb. Because we noted that even at 2.7 years, some patients opted for surgical management despite good response to bracing, our hypothesis was that these patients would not opt for long-term brace wear. Twenty-four of 30 patients were available for reporting based on telephone interview; in addition, we talked with family members of 5 patients who had died. When evaluated at 2.7 years, 41% of the 30 patients were still using the brace, 35% had discontinued brace use, and 24% had undergone arthroplasty. When contacted for the follow-up survey at an average of 11.2 years, 17 (58.6%) of the 29 patients had undergone arthroplasty. The mean interval between initial evaluation and arthroplasty was 3.9 years. In addition, 7 patients had undergone arthroscopic surgery. Importantly, none of the patients were still wearing the brace. The use of an unloader brace is effective in providing short-term pain relief and improved function; however, most patients subsequently opt for total knee replacement on the symptomatic knee.
Management of Combined Bone Defect and Limb-length Discrepancy After Tibial Chronic Osteomyelitis
Authors: Liu Tang , Zhang Xiangsheng , Li Zhihong , Peng Dan
Published: August 2011

Bone defects and leg shortening due to chronic osteomyelitis are rare yet challenging problems to treat. The aim of this study was to summarize our experience with a distraction osteogenesis technique performed with an external fixator for these conditions.

Twenty-three consecutive patients with tibial bone defects and limb-length discrepancy caused by osteomyelitis were treated from January 1994 to January 2009. Thirteen boys and 10 girls had a mean age of 12.2 years (range, 8–16 years). Twenty of the 23 patients (87.0%) had undergone an unsuccessful bone grafting procedure. Mean amount of bone defect was 3.6 cm (range, 1.5–6.2 cm) as measured on plain radiographs. Mean leg-length discrepancy was 4.0 cm (range, 0–8.0 cm). All patients were followed for a mean of 116 months (range, 31–182 months). Mean external fixation index was 48.0 days/cm (range, 40.7–66.5 days/cm). Mean lengthening was 9.3 cm (range, 5.8–12.1 cm). Based on the criteria recommended by Paley et al, 16 bone results were excellent, 6 good, and 1 fair. Fifteen functional results were excellent, 7 good, 1 fair, and 0 poor. This study shows that distraction osteogenesis with an external fixator is an effective treatment for massive postosteomyelitis bone defects and leg shortening.
Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Patient With Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
Authors: Fraser Michael R. , Sechriest V. Franklin
Published: August 2011

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPH) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple musculoskeletal anomalies and normal serum calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels. Although the musculoskeletal manifestations of PPH are well known, little has been reported on the management of orthopedic problems. We report a case of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in a patient with PPH. To our knowledge, this case is not only unique to the arthroplasty literature but is the first report of its kind. This report illustrates the unique pathoanatomy of PPH, the medical and surgical management required, and a previously unreported musculoskeletal abnormality associated with PPH: synovial osteochondromatosis of the knee.

Common musculoskeletal anomalies associated with PPH include shortening/bowing of long bones; shortening of metacarpals, metatarsals, and/or phalanges; exostoses; calcification/ossification of subcutaneous and/or periarticular soft tissues; a thickened calvarium; microcephaly; bony coalitions of the hand; vertebral column abnormalities; cubitus valgus; radius/ulna curvus; coxa vara; coxa valga; and genu valgum. This case is the first to report an association of synovial osteochondromatosis with PPH. Because synovial osteochondromatosis and PPH share a common disorder of soft tissue calcification/ossification, as well as abnormal bone formation, this clinical finding does not seem merely coincidental.
Imaging Presentation Highly Manifested as Tuberculosis in a Case of Spinal Metastatic Carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Chuang-Yi , Liu Dong-Xin , Luo Shao-Wei , Du Shi-Xin
Published: August 2011

Usually the clinical manifestations between spinal tuberculosis (Pott’s disease) and metastasis are not characteristic. Nevertheless, their respective imaging presentations are typical and specific, which makes it relatively easier to attain a correct diagnosis. Imaging features of Pott’s disease, in general, include narrowing of intervertebral disk space, collapse of vertebral bodies with eventual progression to kyphotic deformity, destruction of the anterior parts of adjacent vertebrae, formation of a large paravertebral abscess, and calcifications or sequestra within the paravertebral abscess.

Spinal tuberculosis is usually endemic, especially in Eastern countries. However, the trend of cancer incidence is also increasing in modern society, which makes it difficult to diagnose spinal osseous lesions. This article presents a case of a 45-year-old man with a 9-month history of low back pain. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine supported the initial diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. However, pathological examination on the excised specimen resulted in the diagnosis of spinal metastatic adenocarcinoma.

We suggest that a definitive diagnosis of spinal metastasis or tuberculosis should not be based on imaging alone. Instead, more attention should be paid to atypical imaging presentations. In addition, biopsy is usually necessary for final diagnosis.
The Protein Kinase IKKε Is a Potential Target for the Treatment of Inflammatory Hyperalgesia
Authors: Möser Christine V. , Kynast Katharina , Baatz Katharina , Russe Otto Quintus , Ferreirós Nerea , Costiuk Heike , Lu Ruirui , Schmidtko Achim , Tegeder Irmgard , Geisslinger Gerd , Niederberger Ellen
Published: August 2011

Inhibitor-κB kinase ε (IKKε) was only recently identified as an enzyme with high homology to the classical I-κB kinase subunits, IKKα and IKKβ. Despite this similarity, it is mainly discussed as a repressor of viral infections by modulating type I IFNs. However, in vitro studies also showed that IKKε plays a role in the regulation of NF-κB activity, but the distinct mechanisms of IKKε-mediated NF-κB activation are not clear. Given the paramount role of NF-κB in inflammation, we investigated the regulation and function of IKKε in models of inflammatory hyperalgesia in mice. We found that IKKε was abundantly expressed in nociceptive neurons in the spinal cord and in dorsal root ganglia. IKKε mRNA and protein levels rapidly increased in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia during hind paw inflammation evoked by injection of zymosan or formalin. IKKε knockout mice showed normal nociceptive responses to acute heat or mechanical stimulation. However, in inflammatory pain models, IKKε-deficient mice exhibited a significantly reduced nociceptive behavior in comparison with wild type mice, indicating that IKKε contributed to the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. Antinociceptive effects were associated with reduced activation of NF-κB and attenuated NF-κB–dependent induction of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NO synthase, and metalloproteinase-9. In contrast, IRF-3, which is an important IKKε target in viral infections, was not regulated after inflammatory nociceptive stimulation. Therefore, we concluded that IKKε modulates inflammatory nociceptive sensitivity by activation of NF-κB–dependent gene transcription and may be useful as a therapeutic target in the treatment of inflammatory pain.
MPYS Is Required for IFN Response Factor 3 Activation and Type I IFN Production in the Response of Cultured Phagocytes to Bacterial Second Messengers Cyclic-di-AMP and Cyclic-di-GMP
Authors: Jin Lei , Hill Krista K. , Filak Holly , Mogan Jennifer , Knowles Heather , Zhang Bicheng , Perraud Anne-Laure , Cambier John C. , Lenz Laurel L.
Published: August 2011

Cyclic-di-GMP and cyclic-di-AMP are second messengers produced by bacteria and influence bacterial cell survival, differentiation, colonization, biofilm formation, virulence, and bacteria–host interactions. In this study, we show that in both RAW264.7 macrophage cells and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages, the production of IFN-β and IL-6, but not TNF, in response to cyclic-di-AMP and cyclic-di-GMP requires MPYS (also known as STING, MITA, and TMEM173). Furthermore, expression of MPYS was required for IFN response factor 3 but not NF-κB activation in response to these bacterial metabolites. We also confirm that MPYS is required for type I IFN production by cultured macrophages infected with the intracellular pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Francisella tularensis. However, during systemic infection with either pathogen, MPYS deficiency did not impact bacterial burdens in infected spleens. Serum IFN-β and IL-6 concentrations in the infected control and MPYS−/− mice were also similar at 24 h postinfection, suggesting that these pathogens stimulate MPYS-independent cytokine production during in vivo infection. Our findings indicate that bifurcating MPYS-dependent and -independent pathways mediate sensing of cytosolic bacterial infections.
Physiologic Control of IDO Competence in Splenic Dendritic Cells
Authors: Baban Babak , Chandler Phillip R. , Johnson Burles A. , Huang Lei , Li Minghui , Sharpe Marlon L. , Francisco Loise M. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Blazar Bruce R. , Munn David H. , Mellor Andrew L.
Published: August 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) competent to express the regulatory enzyme IDO in mice are a small but distinctive subset of DCs. Previously, we reported that a high-dose systemic CpG treatment to ligate TLR9 in vivo induced functional IDO exclusively in splenic CD19+ DCs, which stimulated resting Foxp3-lineage regulatory T cells (Tregs) to rapidly acquire potent suppressor activity. In this paper, we show that IDO was induced in spleen and peripheral lymph nodes after CpG treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Induced IDO suppressed local T cell responses to exogenous Ags and inhibited proinflammatory cytokine expression in response to TLR9 ligation. IDO induction did not occur in T cell-deficient mice or in mice with defective B7 or programmed death (PD)-1 costimulatory pathways. Consistent with these findings, CTLA4 or PD-1/PD-ligand costimulatory blockade abrogated IDO induction and prevented Treg activation via IDO following high-dose CpG treatment. Consequently, CD4+CD25+ T cells uniformly expressed IL-17 shortly after TLR9 ligation. These data support the hypothesis that constitutive interactions from activated T cells or Tregs and IDO-competent DCs via concomitant CTLA4→B7 and PD-1→PD-ligand signals maintain the default potential to regulate T cell responsiveness via IDO. Acute disruption of these nonredundant interactions abrogated regulation via IDO, providing novel perspectives on the proinflammatory effects of costimulatory blockade therapies. Moreover, interactions between IDO-competent DCs and activated T cells in lymphoid tissues may attenuate proinflammatory responses to adjuvants such as TLR ligands.
The Requirement for Potent Adjuvants To Enhance the Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Protein Vaccines Can Be Overcome by Prior Immunization with a Recombinant Adenovirus
Authors: de Cassan Simone C. , Forbes Emily K. , Douglas Alexander D. , Milicic Anita , Singh Bijender , Gupta Puneet , Chauhan Virander S. , Chitnis Chetan E. , Gilbert Sarah C. , Hill Adrian V. S. , Draper Simon J.
Published: August 2011

A central goal in vaccinology is the induction of high and sustained Ab responses. Protein-in-adjuvant formulations are commonly used to achieve such responses. However, their clinical development can be limited by the reactogenicity of some of the most potent preclinical adjuvants and the cost and complexity of licensing new adjuvants for human use. Also, few adjuvants induce strong cellular immunity, which is important for protection against many diseases, such as malaria. We compared classical adjuvants such as aluminum hydroxide to new preclinical adjuvants and adjuvants in clinical development, such as Abisco 100, CoVaccine HT, Montanide ISA720, and stable emulsion-glucopyranosyl lipid A, for their ability to induce high and sustained Ab responses and T cell responses. These adjuvants induced a broad range of Ab responses when used in a three-shot protein-in-adjuvant regimen using the model Ag OVA and leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate Ags. Surprisingly, this range of Ab immunogenicity was greatly reduced when a protein-in-adjuvant vaccine was used to boost Ab responses primed by a human adenovirus serotype 5 vaccine recombinant for the same Ag. This human adenovirus serotype 5–protein regimen also induced a more cytophilic Ab response and demonstrated improved efficacy of merozoite surface protein-1 protein vaccines against a Plasmodium yoelii blood-stage challenge. This indicates that the differential immunogenicity of protein vaccine adjuvants may be largely overcome by prior immunization with recombinant adenovirus, especially for adjuvants that are traditionally considered poorly immunogenic in the context of subunit vaccination and may circumvent the need for more potent chemical adjuvants.
Thyroid Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Citgez Bulent , Uludag Mehmet , Yetkin Gurkan , Gurbulak Esin Kabul , Ozguven Banu Yılmaz , Citgez Sinharib , Yalcin Veli
Published: August 2011

Metastases to the thyroid gland are rare. We report the case of a 50-year-old man with an isolated thyroid metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 3 years after radical nephrectomy for the primary disease. Although uncommon, if a patient with a previous history of malignancy has a new thyroid mass, it should be considered metastatic tumor of recurrent malignancy until proved otherwise.
Choice in Public Health Insurance: Evidence from West Virginia Medicaid Redesign
Authors: Gurley-Calvez Tami , Pellillo Adam , Fitzgerald M. Paula , Walsh Michael F.
Published: August 2011

This paper examines the factors that affect plan choice in a public health insurance program. West Virginia recently redesigned its state Medicaid program, offering members a choice between two plans—a basic plan and an enhanced plan. The latter plan includes more benefits, but requires additional agreements intended to lead patients to adopt healthier lifestyles. We use administrative claims records and survey data to examine plan choice. Our results yield convincing evidence that members with higher health care utilization patterns are more likely to enroll in the enhanced plan, but other factors such as education are also important.
Measurement of ambient aerosol hydration state at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Taylor N. F. , Collins D. R. , Spencer C. W. , Lowenthal D. H. , Zielinska B. , Samburova V. , Kumar N.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. We present results from two field deployments of a unique tandem differential mobility analyzer (TDMA) configuration with two primary capabilities: identifying alternative stable or meta-stable ambient aerosol hydration states associated with hysteresis in aerosol hydration behavior and determining the actual Ambient hydration State (AS-TDMA). This data set is the first to fully classify the ambient hydration state of aerosols despite recognition that hydration state significantly impacts the roles of aerosols in climate, visibility and heterogeneous chemistry. The AS-TDMA was installed at a site in eastern Tennessee on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for projects during the summer of 2006 and winter of 2007–2008. During the summer, 12 % of the aerosols sampled in continuous AS-TDMA measurements were found to posses two possible hydration states under ambient conditions. In every case, the more hydrated of the possible states was occupied. The remaining 88 % did not posses multiple possible states. In continuous measurements during the winter, 49 % of the aerosols sampled possessed two possible ambient hydration states; the remainder possessed only one. Of those aerosols with multiple possible ambient hydration states, 65 % occupied the more hydrated state; 35 % occupied the less hydrated state. This seasonal contrast is supported by differences in the fine particulate (PM2.5) composition and ambient RH as measured during the two study periods. In addition to seasonal summaries, this work includes case studies depicting the variation of hydration state with changing atmospheric conditions.
Up/Down trend in the MODIS Aerosol Optical Depth and its relationship to the Sulfur Dioxide Emission Changes in China during 2000 and 2010
Authors: Itahashi S. , Uno I. , Yumimoto K. , Irie H. , Osada K. , Ogata K. , Fukushima H. , Wang Z. , Ohara T.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Anthropogenic SO2 emissions increased alongside economic development in China at a rate of 12.7 % yr−1 from 2000 to 2005. However, under new Chinese government policy, SO2 emissions declined by 3.9 % yr−1 between 2005 and 2009. Between 2000 and 2010, we found that the variability in the fine-mode (submicron) aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the oceans adjacent to East Asia increased by 4–8 % yr−1 to a peak around 2005–2006 and subsequently decreased by 4–7 % yr−1, based on observations by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA's Terra satellite and simulations by a chemical transport model. This trend is consistent with ground-based observations of the number-size distribution of aerosol particles at a mountainous background observation site in central Japan. These fluctuations in SO2 emission intensity and AOD are thought to reflect the widespread installation of fuel-gas desulfurization (FGD) devices in power plants in China because aerosol sulfate is a major determinant of the AOD in East Asia. Using a chemical transport model, we confirmed that the above-mentioned fluctuation in AOD is mainly caused by changes in SO2 emission rather than by varying meteorological conditions in East Asia. High correlation was also found between satellite-retrieved SO2 vertical column density and bottom-up SO2 emissions, both of which were also consistent with observed AOD trends. We proposed a simplified approach for evaluating changes in SO2 emissions in China, combining the use of modeled sensitivity coefficients that describe the variation of AOD with changes in SO2 emissions and satellite retrieval. Satellite measurements of the AOD above Sea of Japan marked the 4.1 % yr−1 declining between 2007 and 2010, and this correspond to the SO2 emissions from China decreased by ~9 % yr−1 between the same period.
The composition and variability of atmospheric aerosol over Southeast Asia during 2008
Authors: Trivitayanurak W. , Palmer P. I. , Barkley M. P. , Robinson N. H. , Coe H. , Oram D. E.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. We use a nested version of the GEOS-Chem global 3-D chemistry transport model to better understand the composition and variation of aerosol over Borneo and the broader Southeast Asian region in conjunction with aircraft and satellite observations. We particularly focus on July 2008 during when the UK BAe-146 research aircraft was deployed over northern Malaysian Borneo as part of the ACES/OP3 measurement campaign. During July 2008 we find using the model that Borneo (defined as Borneo Island and the surrounding Indonesian islands) was a net exporter of primary organic aerosol (42 kT) and black carbon aerosol (11 kT). We find only 13 % of volatile organic compound oxidation products partition to secondary organic aerosol (SOA), with Borneo being a net exporter of SOA (15 kT). SOA represents approximately 19 % of the total organic aerosol over the region. Sulphate is mainly from aqueous-phase oxidation (68 %), with smaller contributions from gas-phase oxidation (15 %) and advection into the regions (14 %). We find that there is a large source of sea salt, as expected, but this largely deposits within the region; we find that dust aerosol plays only a relatively small role in the aerosol burden. In contrast to coincident surface measurements over Northern Borneo that find a pristine environment with evidence for substantial biogenic SOA formation we find that the free troposphere is influenced by biomass burning aerosol transported from the northwest of the Island and further afield. We find several transport events during July 2008 over Borneo associated with elevated aerosol concentrations, none of which coincide with the aircraft flights. We use MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) data and the model to put the July campaign into a longer temporal perspective. We find that Borneo is where the model has the least skill at reproducing the data, reflecting the small-scale island-marine environment, with the model showing more skill at reproducing observed AOD over larger regions such as China and other parts of Southeast Asia. The model shows that AOD over Borneo is approximately evenly split between organic and sulphate aerosol with sea salt representing 10–20 % during May to September; there is a similar breakdown over continental Southeast Asia but with less sea salt aerosol and more dust aerosol. In contrast, East China AOD is determined mainly by sulphate aerosol and a seasonal source of dust aerosol, as expected. Realistic sensitivity runs designed to test our underlying assumptions about emissions and chemistry over Borneo constrained by MODIS AOD show that the model is most sensitive to isoprene emissions and organic gas-phase partitioning.
Atmospheric trace gas measurements using ion mobility spectrometer
Authors: Viitanen A.-K. , Saukko E. , Junninen H. , Rantanen S. , Kulmala M. , Virtanen A. , Mäkelä J. M.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) was implemented to measure gas phase compounds from ambient air in order to study the suitability of the technique for on-line atmospheric measurements. The measurements took place at the SMEAR II station in Hyytiälä, Finland during spring periods on 2008 and 2009. We were able to separate several different atmosphere related ion mobility peaks form the measured ion mobility distributions. The hypothetic origins of these peaks are discussed accompanying the comparison with earlier trace gas measurements by different techniques. The potential of the IMS for atmospheric studies utilizing the concept used here was found out to be in monitoring the overall cleanness of prevailing atmospheric conditions as well as fast detection of the changes of those conditions. With further developing of the technique based on experience gathered in this study the IMS could be tuned to better respond to current measurement needs in atmospheric studies.
Efficient modeling of sun/shade canopy radiation dynamics explicitly accounting for scattering
Authors: Bodin P. , Franklin O.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. The separation of global radiation (Rg) into its direct (Rb) and diffuse constituents (Rd) is important when modeling plant photosynthesis because a high Rd:Rg ratio has been shown to enhance Gross Primary Production (GPP). To include this effect in vegetation models, the plant canopy must be separated into sunlit and shaded leaves, for example using an explicit 3-dimensional ray tracing model. However, because such models are often too intractable and computationally expensive for theoretical or large scale studies simpler sun-shade approaches are often preferred. A widely used and computationally efficient sun-shade model is a model originally developed by Goudriaan (1977) (GOU), which however does not explicitly account for radiation scattering. Here we present a new model based on the GOU model, but which in contrast explicitly simulates radiation scattering by sunlit leaves and the absorption of this radiation by the canopy layers above and below (2-stream approach). Compared to the GOU model our model predicts significantly different profiles of scattered radiation that are in better agreement with measured profiles of downwelling diffuse radiation. With respect to these data our model's performance is equal to a more complex and much slower iterative radiation model while maintaining the simplicity and computational efficiency of the GOU model.
Shvo’s Catalyst and [IrCp*Cl2(amidine)] Effectively Catalyze the Formation of Tertiary Amines from the Reaction of Primary Alcohols and Ammonium Salts
Authors: Segarra Candela , Mas‐Marzá Elena , Mata José A. , Peris Eduardo
Published: August 2011

The reaction of (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)iridium dichloride dimer, [IrCp*Cl2]2, with bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)formamidine allows the preparation of two new [IrCp*Cl2(amidine)] and [IrCp*Cl(amidinate)] complexes, which have been fully characterized. Both complexes have been tested in the β‐alkylation of 1‐phenylethanol with primary alcohols, and in the formation of tertiary amines from the reaction of ammonium salts with primary alcohols, and the results have been compared with those shown by Shvo’s catalyst. Our studies demonstrate that both [IrCp*Cl2(amidine)] and Shvo’s catalyst are very efficient in both catalytic processes. The high activity of the Ir‐amidine complex may be attributed to the presence of the NH group in the amidine ligand.
Evaluation of the Electronic Properties of a Carbodiphosphorane through Gold Catalysis
Authors: El‐Hellani Ahmad , Bour Christophe , Gandon Vincent
Published: August 2011

Carbodiphosphoranes [C(PR3)2] are divalent carbon(0) derivatives which can be used as ligands to form either M←C(PR3)2 or (M)2← C(PR3)2 species. They were computationally predicted to be even stronger electron donors than N‐heterocyclic carbenes. We have introduced hexaphenylcarbodiphosphorane [C(PPh3)2] for the first time in gold catalysis in order to validate this prediction by experimentation. Its mono‐ and digold complexes were compared to tris(2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl) phosphite, triphenylphosphine, and 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene in representative gold(I)‐catalyzed transformations. The advantages and limitations of these ligands are discussed.
Clinical outcome and monitoring of minimal residual disease in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the MLL/ENL fusion gene
Authors: Elia Loredana , Grammatico Sara , Paoloni Francesca , Vignetti Marco , Rago Angela , Cenfra Natalia , Mecarocci Sergio , Mancini Marco , Luciani Matteo , Di Raimondo Francesco , Cazzaniga Giovanni , Matarazzo Mabel , Moleti Maria Luisa , Santoro Lidia , Gaidano Gianluca , Foà Robin , Mandelli Franco , Cimino Giuseppe
Published: August 2011

We analyzed 12 MLL/ENL positive ALL patients consecutively diagnosed between 1999 and 2009. The MLL/ENL fusion was identified in 4/150 (2.6%), 8/993 (0.8%), and 0/70 of pediatric, adult, and elderly patients, respectively. Eight patients had a WBC count >50 × 109/L. Ten cases had an evaluable immunophenotyping. A B or T precursor ALL occurred in 7 and 3 patients, respectively. Eleven/12 patients (92%) achieved CR. At 48 months, overall survival and event‐free survival rates were 73.3% and 67%, respectively. At CR, a parallel RT‐PCR evaluation of the MLL/ENL expression was available in 5 cases. Of these latter, 2 tested MLL/ENL‐negative and 3 positive. The minimal residual disease molecular monitoring showed that MLL/ENL status did not correlate with outcome. In fact, all the 2 PCR‐negative and 1 of the 3 PCR‐positive cases relapsed. Further, a MLL/ENL expression, not preceding a relapse, was detected several times during the follow‐up of five long‐survivors. In conclusion, also in adults, the MLL/ENL fusion identifies a rare leukemic entity with a favorable prognosis. The observed inconsistency between the clinical cure and the presence of detectable MLL/ENL transcript suggests the existence of a MLL/ENL‐expressing “preleukemia” stem cells, similar to what demonstrated for the AML1/ETO‐positive leukemia setting. Am. J. Hematol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ebstein anomaly: Genetic heterogeneity and association with microdeletions 1p36 and 8p23.1
Authors: Digilio Maria Cristina , Bernardini Laura , Lepri Francesca , Giuffrida Maria Grazia , Guida Valentina , Baban Anwar , Versacci Paolo , Capolino Rossella , Torres Barbara , De Luca Alessandro , Novelli Antonio , Marino Bruno , Dallapiccola Bruno
Published: August 2011

Ebstein anomaly is an uncommon congenital heart defect (CHD), characterized by downward displacement of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. To uncover the genetic associations with Ebstein anomaly, we have searched chromosomal imbalances using standard cytogenetic and array‐CGH analysis, and single gene conditions associated with syndromic Ebstein anomaly (with extracardiac anomalies), and screened GATA4 and NKX2.5 mutations in nonsyndromic patients (without extracardiac anomalies). Between January 1997 and September 2009, 44 consecutive patients with Ebstein anomaly were evaluated in two centers of Pediatric Cardiology. Ebstein anomaly was syndromic in 12 (27%) patients, and nonsyndromic in 32 (73%). A recognizable syndrome or complex was diagnosed by clinical criteria in seven patients. In one syndromic patient an 18q deletion was diagnosed by standard cytogenetic analysis. Array‐CGH analysis performed in 10 of the 12 syndromic patients detected an interstitial deletion of about 4 Mb at 8p23.1 in one patient, and a deletion 1pter > 1p36.32/dup Xpter‐ > Xp22.32 in another patient. In the 28 of 32 nonsyndromic patients who underwent molecular testing, no mutation in GATA4 and NKX2.5 genes were detected. We conclude that Ebstein anomaly is a genetically heterogeneous defect, and that deletion 1p36 and deletion 8p23.1 are the most frequent chromosomal imbalances associated with Ebstein anomaly. Candidate genes include the GATA4 gene (in patients with del 8p23.1), NKX2.5 (based on published patients with isolated Ebstein anomaly) and a hypothetical gene in patients with del 1p36). © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limb–body wall defect. Is there a defensible hypothesis and can it explain all the associated anomalies?
Authors: Hunter Alasdair G.W. , Seaver Laurie H. , Stevenson Roger E.
Published: August 2011

Aside from gastroschisis and omphalocele, major defects of the ventral body (thoracoabdominal) wall are relatively uncommon and almost universally lethal. They are most often associated with other anomalies including those of the limbs that may range from amelia to mild positional deformations, unusual craniofacial malformations, and a variety of visceral abnormalities that include the heart, lungs, genitourinary system, and gut. This complex of ventral wall anomalies has been discussed under a broad and changing nomenclature that has included amniotic band disruption complex, amnion rupture sequence, limb–body wall defect (or complex), and simply body wall complex. Three major theories have been suggested to explain this complex: early amnion rupture (operating through uterine pressure and/or disruption by amniotic bands), vascular compromise (primarily hypoperfusion), and an early intrinsic defect of the developing embryo. We present four patients that illustrate the spectrum of ventral body wall defects, and from there critique the current hypotheses of pathogenesis. We conclude that this association of malformations originates as early as the embryonic disc stage, and that some of the observed associated anomalies are secondary complications of the primary disturbance in embryogenesis. We propose a new explanation for the atypical facial clefts and cranial malformations that are often observed. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Poincaré gauge theory with coupled even and odd parity spin‐0 modes: Cosmological normal modes
Authors: Ho F.‐H. , Nester J.M.
Published: August 2011

We are investigating the dynamics of a new Poincaré gauge theory of gravity model, which has cross coupling between the spin‐0+ and spin‐0‐ modes. To this end we are considering a very appropriate situation – homogeneous‐isotropic cosmologies – which is relatively simple, and yet all the modes have non‐trivial dynamics which reveals physically interesting and possibly observable results. More specifically we consider manifestly isotropic Bianchi class A cosmologies. Here the first order equations obtained from an effective Lagrangian are linearized and the normal modes are found. These turn out to control the asymptotic late time cosmological normal modes. Numerical evolution confirms the late time asymptotic approximation and shows the expected effects of the cross parity pseudoscalar coupling.
Gold in C‐C‐Kupplungsreaktionen – ein Katalysator so vielseitig wie ein Schweizer Taschenmesser?
Authors: Wegner Hermann A. , Auzias Mathieu
Published: August 2011

Die Bildung von C‐C‐Bindungen ist für Organiker der wesentlichste Gesichtspunkt bei der Herstellung von Molekülen. Übergangsmetallkatalysierte Kupplungsreaktionen haben sich zu einem der entscheidenden Instrumente für diese Aufgabe entwickelt. In den letzten Jahren wurde auch Gold als Katalysator für diese Art von Reaktionen entdeckt. Gold als milde carbophile π‐Lewis‐Säure, die zudem in C‐H‐Bindungen inserieren und – wie kürzlich erkannt – Redoxreaktionen eingehen kann, bietet eine ideale Kombination von Eigenschaften für den effizienten und ökonomischen Aufbau von Verbindungen. Dieser Kurzaufsatz ist eine kritische Betrachtung der durch Goldkatalyse ermöglichten C‐C‐Kupplungsreaktionen, um zu weiteren Forschungsaktivitäten auf diesem vielversprechenden Gebiet der oxidativen/reduktiven Goldkatalyse zu ermutigen.
Fault detection for a class of discrete‐time nonlinear systems subject to network‐induced uncertainties
Authors: Wan Xiongbo , Fang Huajing
Published: August 2011

This paper addresses the problem of fault detection (FD) for discrete‐time systems with global Lipschitz conditions and network‐induced uncertainties. By utilizing Bernoulli stochastic variables and a switching signal, a unified measurement model is proposed to describe three kinds of network‐induced uncertainties, that is, access constraints, time delays, and packet dropouts. We aim to design a mode‐dependent fault detection filter (FDF) such that, for all external disturbances and the above uncertainties, the error between the residual and fault is made as small as possible. The addressed FD problem is then converted into an auxiliary H∞ filtering problem for discrete‐time stochastic system with multiple time‐varying delays. By applying the Lyapunov‐Krasovskii approach, a sufficient condition for the existence of the FDF is derived in terms of certain linear matrix inequalities (LMI). When these LMIs are feasible, the explicit expression of the desired FDF can also be characterized. A numerical example is exploited to show the effectiveness of the results obtained.

Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Enterovirus 71 adsorption on metal ion‐composite chitosan beads
Authors: Lin Ya‐Ching , Lin Shu‐Ting , Chen Cheng‐Yi , Wu Sheng‐Chi
Published: August 2011

In this study, we developed composite chitosan beads combining various metal ions, including Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Fe2+, for direct adsorption of enterovirus 71 (EV71). The metal‐ion species had significant effects on the adsorption capacity of beads. Among these metal ion‐composite chitosan beads, Ni2+‐chitosan beads exhibited the best adsorption capacity of EV71. Using a concentration of 0.01‐M Ni2+ was found to best provide for bead formation and EV71 adsorption. The adsorption of EV71 for Ni2+‐chitosan beads at neutral or alkaline pH was favored. Under a competitive condition with albumin proteins, Ni2+‐chitosan beads exhibited significant capacity of EV71 adsorption in culture media. The adsorption of EV71 on the Ni2+‐chitosan beads was attributed to the strong binding between Ni2+ ions chelated to the surface amino acid of EV71 capsids and Ni2+ ions chelated on the chitosan materials. Moreover, the adsorbed EV71 retained its antigenicity and infectivity after desorption. The Ni2+‐chitosan beads exhibit a promising application to EV71 adsorption and removal. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Orientation to dissection: Assisting students through the transition
Authors: Lamdin R. , Weller J. , Kerse N.
Published: August 2011

Human dissection continues to be strongly argued for teaching human anatomy to medical students and is technically and emotionally demanding. An orientation to dissection and the laboratory are provided for students before beginning their work because students' and families' reactions to dissection are often complex. This study explored medical students' experiences of attending an orientation to human dissection and the anatomy laboratory. Students' reactions, feelings, and thoughts were enquired about 1 year after beginning dissection at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Qualitative research methods, specifically one‐on‐one semistructured interview were utilized. Third‐year medical students self‐selected into the study and were interviewed 1 year after entering the laboratory. Transcribed audiotapes of the interviews were analyzed for themes across the interviews. One year after dissection students have vivid memories with differing ways of viewing the body that may help or hinder with dissection. The themes presented include orientation, student anticipation, psychological approach to the body, normalizing‐continuing disquiet, and social reference. The orientation eases student entry into the laboratory. There can be ongoing feelings of ambivalence regards the body for some students. Novel findings include that students not only have their own feelings to deal with but also those of friends and family who question them and may feel uncomfortable with the idea of them dissecting. Even one year after beginning dissection, students may emotionally struggle with their work and may require further support, including how they talk about sensitive topics with other people. Clin. Anat. 25:235–240, 2012. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fatty Acyl‐AMP Ligase Involvement in the Production of Alkylresorcylic Acid by a Myxococcus xanthus Type III Polyketide Synthase
Authors: Hayashi Takayuki , Kitamura Yuta , Funa Nobutaka , Ohnishi Yasuo , Horinouchi Sueharu
Published: August 2011

Fatty acyl‐AMP ligases (FAALs) activate fatty acids as acyladenylates, and subsequently catalyze their transfer onto the acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) of polyketide synthases (PKSs) or nonribosomal peptide synthetases to produce lipidic metabolites. Myxococcus xanthus contains a polyketide biosynthesis gene cluster in which putative FAAL (FtpD) and ACP (FtpC) genes are located close to a type III PKS (FtpA) gene. Here we describe the characterization of these three proteins in vitro. FtpD adenylated stearic acid and produced stearoyl‐FtpC. The stearoyl moiety was then transferred to FtpA. When extender substrates (malonyl‐CoA and methylmalonyl‐CoA) were added to the reaction, the alkylresorcinol 5‐heptadecyl‐4‐methyl‐benzene‐1,3‐diol was synthesized. Further in vitro analysis indicated that FtpA produces an alkylresorcylic acid as the direct product, and that this decarboxylates to alkylresorcinol nonenzymatically. This is the first report of a FAAL supplying a long‐chain fatty acyl‐ACP starter substrate to a type III PKS.
Employee Identities in Corporate Codes of Ethics: The Equal, Responsible, Subordinating, and Self‐Monitoring Employee
Authors: Winkler Ingo
Published: August 2011

The article invites the reader to engage in a critical perspective. It emphasizes the role of language in formal corporate documents and the discursive practices of language use. It presents the results of a study that analyzes the corporate codes of ethics of the German Dax30‐companies. The study conceives codes of ethics as texts deploying discursive practices in order to position the various actors addressed in the documents. Four distinct identities have been elaborated: the equal, the responsible, the subordinating, and the self‐monitoring employee. This study demonstrates that codes of ethics propose various subject positions of the employee and through this positioning aim to regulate the identification processes. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimised composite numerical schemes in 2‐D for hyperbolic conservation laws
Authors: Appadu A.R.
Published: August 2011

One of the techniques available for optimising parameters that regulate dispersion and dissipation effects in finite difference schemes is the concept of minimised integrated exponential error for low dispersion and low dissipation. In this paper, we work essentially with the two‐dimensional (2D) Corrected Lax–Friedrichs and Lax–Friedrichs schemes applied to the 2D scalar advection equation. We examine the shock‐capturing properties of these two numerical schemes, and observe that these methods are quite effective from the point of being able to control computational noise and having a large range of stability. To improve the shock‐capturing efficiency of these two methods, we derive composite methods using the idea of predictor/corrector or a linear combination of the two schemes. The optimal cfl number for some of these composite schemes are computed. Some numerical experiments are carried out in two dimensions such as cylindrical explosion, shock‐focusing, dam‐break and Riemann gas dynamics tests. The modified equations of some of the composite schemes when applied to the 2D scalar advection equation are obtained. We also perform some convergence tests to obtain the order of accuracy and show that better results in terms of shock‐capturing property are obtained when the optimal cfl obtained using minimised integrated exponential error for low dispersion and low dissipation is used. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulation of multifluid flows
Authors: Shao Songdong
Published: August 2011

This paper presents an incompressible SPH (ISPH) technique to simulate multifluid flows. The SPH method is a mesh‐free particle modeling approach that can treat free surfaces and multi‐interfaces in a simple and efficient manner. The ISPH method employs an incompressible hydrodynamic formulation to solve the fluid pressure that ensures a stable pressure field. Two multifluid ISPH models are proposed following different interface treatments: the coupled ISPH model does not distinguish the different fluid phases and applies the standard ISPH technique across the interface, whereas the decoupled ISPH model first treats each fluid phase separately and then couples the different phases by applying pressure and shear stress continuities across the interface. The two proposed models were used to investigate a gravity underflow with a low density ratio in a Generalized Reservoir Hydrodynamics (GRH) flume and a horizontal lock exchange flow with a high density ratio. Comparisons with data and relevant numerical error analysis indicated that the decoupled model performed well in cases of both low and high density ratios because of the accurate treatment of interface boundaries. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proton‐coupled electron transfer of the phenoxyl/phenol couple: Effect of Hartree‐Fock exchange on transition structures
Authors: Inagaki Taichi , Yamamoto Takeshi , Kato Shigeki
Published: August 2011

Proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reactions of the phenoxyl/phenol couple are studied theoretically by using wave function theory (WFT) as well as DFT methods. At the complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) level, geometry optimization is found to give two transition states (TSs); one is the PCET type with two benzene rings being nearly coplanar, and the other is the HAT type with two benzene rings taking a stacking structure. Geometry optimization at the (semilocal) DFT level, on the other hand, is found to give only one transition state (i.e., the PCET‐type one) and fail to obtain the stacking TS structure. By comparing various levels of theories (including long‐range corrected DFT functionals), we demonstrate that the Hartree‐Fock exchange at long range plays a critical role in obtaining the sufficient stacking stabilization of the present open‐shell system, and that the sole addition of empirical dispersion correction to semilocal DFT functionals may not be adequate for describing such a stacking interaction. Next, we investigate the solvent effect on the PCET and HAT TS thus obtained using the reference interaction site model self‐consistent field (RISM‐SCF) method. The results suggest that the free energy barrier increases with increasing polarity of the solvent, and that the solvent effects are stronger for the PCET TS than the stacking HAT TS pathway. The reason for this is discussed based on the dipole moment of different TS structures in solution. Copyright for JCC Journal: © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Aluminium–phosphorus interactions in plants growing on acid soils: does phosphorus always alleviate aluminium toxicity?
Authors: Chen Rong Fu , Zhang Fu Lin , Zhang Qi Ming , Sun Qing Bin , Dong Xiao Ying , Shen Ren Fang
Published: August 2011

Aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are considered to be the main constraints for crop production in acid soils, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Conventionally, P addition is regarded as capable of alleviating Al toxicity in plants. However, this field is still rife with unsubstantiated theories, especially for different plant species growing on acid soils. In this review, the responses of plants to different methods of AlP treatments are briefly summarized, and possible reasons are proposed by considering recent results from our laboratory. It is shown that: (1) long‐term AlP alternate treatment is advantageous for studying AlP interactions in plants; (2) under the long‐term AlP alternate treatment, the roles of P in Al phytotoxicity might be associated with the Al resistance capability and P use efficiency of the plant, and a P/Al molar ratio exceeding 5 in roots may be the threshold of P alleviating Al toxicity based on the calculation of the tested plants; (3) in acid soils, P application may be effective only after Al stress is overcome for Al–sensitive species. Thus it is concluded that P application does not always alleviate Al toxicity under long‐term AlP alternate treatment. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry