bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mothers’ and fathers’ guidance behaviours during storybook reading
Authors: Vandermaas-Peeler Maureen , Sassine Bianca , Price Carly , Brilhart Caitlin
Published: October 2011

The nature of parental guidance during book reading is an important influence on developmental outcomes linked to literacy and language. Despite extensive research documenting the importance of gender roles and schemas on young children’s participation in the sociocultural environment, little is known about the possible influences of parent and child gender on participation in literacy activities. The purpose of this study was to observe guidance behaviours employed by 26 mothers and fathers when reading to their three-year-old child in separate sessions. There was a consistent pattern of findings indicating that fathers provided more guidance to daughters, whereas mothers had higher rates of guided participation with sons. However, there were no differences on parental ratings of enjoyment or frequency of reading with sons or daughters. Theresults highlight interesting differences in parent-child interactions during reading and suggest that both parent and child gender may influence exchanges during shared storybook reading.
The staff's view on dementia and the care in three cultures: A qualitative study in France, Portugal and Sweden
Authors: Emilsson Ulla Melin
Published: October 2011

This article discusses the staff's view on dementia and its impact on the care delivered arising out of a qualitative comparative study focusing on long-term care of older people in France, Portugal and Sweden. The aim was to explore the staff's view on the illness dementia; on older people suffering from dementia; the care provided and the impact of various views on the care. The care was studied through observations at 22 care settings in the three countries and the staff's attitudes were explored by means of interviews with 79 people. A relation-oriented phenomenological approach was used. Great differences appeared regarding the various staff groups’ views. The findings also indicated that the staff's view; the cultural context and the organizational environment might have an impact on the care provided. However the impact of professional affiliation and the way of collaborating seemed to be of greater significance than other similarities or differences. An interdisciplinary based starting point, with close collaboration between medical based health care and social care of older people suffering from dementia in integrative care models, is therefore of vital importance.
End-stage dementia: Aminoff suffering syndrome and decubitus ulcers
Authors: Zvi Aminoff Bechor
Published: October 2011

Objective: to study possible interrelations between decubitus ulcers and Aminoff suffering syndrome in end-stage dementia (ESD).

Subjects: a cohort study of 200 ESD patients with a six-month follow-up period.

Methods: interrelations between decubitus ulcers and Mini-Suffering State Examination scores on admission were studied.

Results: on the day of admission to the Geriatric Department, 40% of ESD patients, of whom 63.8% (51/80) were male, suffered from decubitus ulcers (80/200). Patients with decubitus ulcers had a higher Mini-Suffering State Examination score (5.49 + 2.17) than those without bedsores (3.48 ± 2.22), with a significant difference ( P < 0.0001). During a six-month follow-up period, 71.2% (57/80) of end-stage patients with decubitus ulcers were diagnosed as having Aminoff suffering syndrome and subsequently died, versus 45.8% (55/120) ESD patients who had not bedsores ( P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Decubitus ulcers contribute to the development of Aminoff suffering syndrome in ESD.
Leading for Innovation
Authors: Hunter Samuel T. , Cushenbery Lily
Published: October 2011

Despite growing interest in developing and producing creative products, much remains unknown about how to best facilitate the innovative process. Through a review and integration of creativity, innovation, and leadership literatures, we propose that leaders are one of the primary driving forces in increasing innovative output. To help clarify how leaders achieve this influence, we offer a model of leading for innovation where creativity and innovation are depicted as series of interrelated processes that span multiple levels of analysis (individual, team, and organization). The proposed framework illustrates the direct and indirect ways direct leaders enhance innovation with the resulting discussion helping to highlight the range of behaviors and activities that leaders might engage in to help encourage creative productivity. The implications of our model for HRD scholars, professionals, and other stakeholders—such as executive level leaders, retailers, investors, and consumers—are also discussed.
Website of memory: The War of the Pacific (1879–84) in the global age of YouTube
Authors: Drinot Paulo
Published: October 2011

This article is an examination of the comments attached to a video upload on YouTube of a Chilean television mini-series on the War of the Pacific (1879–84), one of Latin America’s rare international wars, which pitted Chile against Peru and Bolivia, and which in many ways remains an open historical wound. Posted by anonymous commentators whose national subject positions as Chileans, Peruvians, Bolivians and Argentines are nevertheless discernable, the comments offer a compelling perspective on the ways in which digital artefacts such as YouTube enable the circulation and reproduction of collective memories in de-territorialized and transnational ways. However, the analysis of these comments suggests that the operation of memory in global virtual spaces does not guarantee or even necessarily enable the unmooring of memory from the national. In fact, the evidence presented here suggests that global spaces such as YouTube may contribute to the strengthening of national, and indeed, nationalist memories.
Inhalation Injuries
Authors: Schwartz Steven J. , Pantle Hardin , McQuay Nathaniel
Published: October 2011

Smoke inhalation remains a serious and life-threatening problem in the pediatric population, with the combination of thermal injury and inhaled toxins triggering a cascade of morbidity and mortality. Consensus on how to manage children with smoke inhalation is problematic because there are no uniform definitions or diagnostic criteria and few interventions have been subjected to randomized controlled trials. Additionally, each fire produces a slightly different toxic profile, and the physiology of pediatric patients uniquely affects their response to smoke inhalation. Young children are most at risk because of their low physiological reserve, while small children are especially vulnerable because they are less likely to escape a confined space. Infants and children are at increased risk for toxic exposures because of their higher minute ventilation, while the relatively smaller diameter of the pediatric airway predisposes to airway obstruction due to edema and obstructing material. This article summarizes the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of pediatric smoke inhalation, and also reviews initial treatment strategies regarding intubation, ventilator management, and pharmacologic adjuncts.
Year in Review in Trauma Surgery
Authors: Yeh Daniel Dante
Published: October 2011

In the past few years, there have been many exciting advances in the broad discipline of trauma surgery. Recognizing time and space constraints and hoping to avoid duplicate coverage, this review will focus on selected topics not explicitly reviewed by other speakers in this conference. Specifically, we will discuss recent developments in crystalloid resuscitation, recombinant activated factor VII, ultrasound applications in trauma patients, anti-factor Xa levels in thromboprophylaxis, and intensive insulin therapy in trauma patients.
Implementing Sepsis Quality Initiatives in a Multiprofessional Care Model
Authors: Rivers Emanuel P. , Rubinfeld Ilan S. , Manteuffel Jacob , Dagher Gilbert Abou , McGregor Kristine , Mlynarek Mark
Published: October 2011

Studies of acute myocardial infarction, trauma, and stroke have resulted in improved outcomes through earlier diagnosis and application of therapy at the most proximal stage of hospital presentation. Most critical therapies for these diseases are frequently instituted prior to admission to an ICU. This systems-based approach to the sepsis patient has been lacking. To change this paradigm, a trial comparing early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) versus standard care was performed using specific criteria for the early identification of high-risk sepsis patients and a consensus-derived protocol to reverse the hemodynamic perturbations of hypovolemia, vasoregulation, myocardial suppression, and increased metabolic demands. One decade later, EGDT has been shown to modulate inflammation, decrease the progression of organ failure, improve microcirculatory function, and decrease health resource consumption and mortality. A standard operating procedure beginning with EGDT for severe sepsis and septic shock is a hospital-wide initiative.
Caring for the Critically Ill
Authors: Chung-Esaki Hangyul M. , Wilson Jennifer G. , Rodriguez Robert M.
Published: October 2011

The number of critically ill patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) in the United States is on the rise, with increasing length of ED stay. Early identification of these patients with initiation of specific interventions may improve outcomes, similar to the resuscitation of a trauma patient in the “golden hour.” Close collaboration between physicians in the ED and ICU is essential to ensure delivery of optimal critical care, regardless of underlying pathology and patient location.
Dietary antioxidants and forced expiratory volume in 1 s decline: the Health, Aging and Body Composition study
Authors: Bentley A.R. , Kritchevsky S.B. , Harris T.B. , Holvoet P. , Jensen R.L. , Newman A.B. , Lee J.S. , Yende S. , Bauer D. , Cassano P.A.
Published: October 2011

Increased antioxidant defences are hypothesised to decrease age- and smoking-related decline in lung function.

The relationship between dietary antioxidants, smoking and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was investigated in community-dwelling older adults in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study. 1,443 participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, self-reported smoking history and had measurements taken of FEV1at both baseline and after 4 yrs of follow-up. The association of dietary intake of nutrients and foods with antioxidant properties and rate of FEV1decline was investigated using hierarchical linear regression models.

In continuing smokers (current smokers at both time-points), higher vitamin C intake and higher intake of fruit and vegetables were associated with an 18 and 24 mL·yr−1slower rate of FEV1decline compared with a lower intake (p<0.0001 and p=0.003, respectively). In quitters (a current smoker at study baseline who had quit during follow-up), higher intake was associated with an attenuated rate of decline for each nutrient studied (p≤0.003 for all models). In nonsmoking participants, there was little or no association of diet and rate of decline in FEV1.

The intake of nutrients with antioxidant properties may modulate lung function decline in older adults exposed to cigarette smoke.
Transcriptomics of shading-induced and NAA-induced abscission in apple (Malus domestica) reveals a shared pathway involving reduced photosynthesis, alterations in carbohydrate transport and signaling and hormone crosstalk
Authors: Zhu Hong , Dardick Chris D , Beers Eric P , Callanhan Ann M , Xia Rui , Yuan Rongcai
Published: October 2011

Background

Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), a synthetic auxin analogue, is widely used as an effective thinner in apple orchards. When applied shortly after fruit set, some fruit abscise leading to improved fruit size and quality. However, the thinning results of NAA are inconsistent and difficult to predict, sometimes leading to excess fruit drop or insufficient thinning which are costly to growers. This unpredictability reflects our incomplete understanding of the mode of action of NAA in promoting fruit abscission.

Results

Here we compared NAA-induced fruit drop with that caused by shading via gene expression profiling performed on the fruit abscission zone (FAZ), sampled 1, 3, and 5 d after treatment. More than 700 genes with significant changes in transcript abundance were identified from NAA-treated FAZ. Combining results from both treatments, we found that genes associated with photosynthesis, cell cycle and membrane/cellular trafficking were downregulated. On the other hand, there was up-regulation of genes related to ABA, ethylene biosynthesis and signaling, cell wall degradation and programmed cell death. While the differentially expressed gene sets for NAA and shading treatments shared only 25% identity, NAA and shading showed substantial similarity with respect to the classes of genes identified. Specifically, photosynthesis, carbon utilization, ABA and ethylene pathways were affected in both NAA- and shading-induced young fruit abscission. Moreover, we found that NAA, similar to shading, directly interfered with leaf photosynthesis by repressing photosystem II (PSII) efficiency within 10 minutes of treatment, suggesting that NAA and shading induced some of the same early responses due to reduced photosynthesis, which concurred with changes in hormone signaling pathways and triggered fruit abscission.

Conclusions

This study provides an extensive transcriptome study and a good platform for further investigation of possible regulatory genes involved in the induction of young fruit abscission in apple, which will enable us to better understand the mechanism of fruit thinning and facilitate the selection of potential chemicals for the thinning programs in apple.
TP53 mutation p.R337H in gastric cancer tissues of a 12-year-old male child - evidence for chimerism involving a common mutant founder haplotype: case report
Authors: da Silva Edaise M , W Achatz Maria Isabel , Martel-Planche Ghyslaine , Montagnini André L , Olivier Magali , Prolla Patricia A , Hainaut Pierre , Soares Fernando A
Published: October 2011

Background

Gastric adenocarcinoma is rare in children and adolescents, with about 17 cases under age 21 in the world's literature. We report a case of invasive well-differentiated metastatic gastric cancer in a Brazilian 12-year-old boy without documented familial history of cancer.

Case presentation

The patient, diagnosed with metastatic disease, died seven months after surgery. DNA from intra-surgical specimens revealed a TP53 mutation at codon 337 (p.R337H) in samples with neoplastic cells (dysplasia, tumor and metastasis) but not in non-transformed cells (incomplete intestinal metaplasia and non-involved celiac lymph node). In all mutation-positive tissues, p.R337H occurred on the same background, a founder allele identified by a specific haplotype previously described in Brazilian Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients. The same mutant haplotype, corresponding to a founder mutation present in 0.3% of the general population in Southern Brazil, was found in the genome of the father. Presence of this inherited haplotype in the tumor as well as in the father's germline, suggests a rare case of microchimerism in this patient, who may have harbored a small number of mutant cells originating in another individual, perhaps a dizygotic twin that died early in gestation.

Conclusion

This case represents one of the earliest ages at diagnosis of gastric cancer ever reported. It shows that cancer inheritance can occur in the absence of an obvious germline mutation, calling for caution in assessing early cancers in populations with common founder mutations such as p.R337H in Southern Brazil.
Structural studies of the PARP-1 BRCT domain
Authors: Loeffler Paul A , Cuneo Matthew J , Mueller Geoffrey A , DeRose Eugene F , Gabel Scott A , London Robert E
Published: October 2011

Background

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is one of the first proteins localized to foci of DNA damage. Upon activation by encountering nicked DNA, the PARP-1 mediated trans-poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of DNA binding proteins occurs, facilitating access and accumulation of DNA repair factors. PARP-1 also auto-(ADP-ribosyl)ates its central BRCT-containing domain forming part of an interaction site for the DNA repair scaffolding protein X-ray cross complementing group 1 protein (XRCC1). The co-localization of XRCC1, as well as bound DNA repair factors, to sites of DNA damage is important for cell survival and genomic integrity.

Results

Here we present the solution structure and biophysical characterization of the BRCT domain of rat PARP-1. The PARP-1 BRCT domain has the globular α/β fold characteristic of BRCT domains and has a thermal melting transition of 43.0°C. In contrast to a previous characterization of this domain, we demonstrate that it is monomeric in solution using both gel-filtration chromatography and small-angle X-ray scattering. Additionally, we report that the first BRCT domain of XRCC1 does not interact significantly with the PARP-1 BRCT domain in the absence of ADP-ribosylation. Moreover, none of the interactions with other longer PARP-1 constructs which previously had been demonstrated in a pull-down assay of mammalian cell extracts were detected.

Conclusions

The PARP-1 BRCT domain has the conserved BRCT fold that is known to be an important protein:protein interaction module in DNA repair and cell signalling pathways. Data indicating no significant protein:protein interactions between PARP-1 and XRCC1 likely results from the absence of poly(ADP-ribose) in one or both binding partners, and further implicates a poly(ADP-ribose)-dependent mechanism for localization of XRCC1 to sites of DNA damage.
Practical seismic petrophysics: The effective use of log data for seismic analysis
Authors: Smith Tad M.
Published: October 2011

A quick scan of the SEG web site shows that the phrase “seismic petrophysics” has been used explicitly in the title of a paper or abstract six times, the earliest of which was by Williams et al. in 1996 (“The Hugoton cross-well survey; A direct look at stratigraphy, seismic petrophysics and shale anisotropy”). However, the first attempt at a definition and an expanded description of “seismic petrophysics” was published by Wayne Pennington in The Leading Edge in 1997 (“Seismic petrophysics: An applied science for reservoir geophysics”). He defines seismic petrophysics as follows: “…the purposeful application of rock physics theory, as calibrated by laboratory and well measurements, to the interpretation of seismic data…”
The chicken, the egg, and the workstation
Authors: Herron Don
Published: October 2011

In an article titled “The future of interpretation” on the President's Page in the May 2011 issue of TLE, John Eastwood characterized the state of interpretation as being “stuck in a paradigm (or rut).” After correctly identi-fying the existence of some truly 3D interpretation tools and workflows that “either fill only niche areas of the entire interpretation process or are dependent on high-quality seismic data,” he observed that the “pragmatic prevalence” of manual interpretation, which he describes as “interpreting surfaces and fault planes on 2D lines and slowly building a self-consistent 3D framework,” satisfies two critical needs: 1) interpreting multiple data sets at multiple scales simultaneously, and 2) incorporating external data such as well information or regional data.
Introduction to this special section: Land acquisition, vibroseis
Authors: Liner Chris , Ronen Shuki
Published: October 2011

How many of us have chosen to become geophysicists after an undergraduate course in which programming vibroseis correlation was one of the assignments? The first time a student understands the mathematical foundation of vibroseis is often an epiphany. The topic is a microcosm of seismology, requiring knowledge of the Fourier transform, convolution, reflection coefficient series, correlation, amp-litude and phase spectra, all aimed at the final unlikely goal of recovering a band-limited estimate of subsurface reflection coefficients by injecting a long, slowly varying signal into the ground with a truck the size of a bus. But it worked, and we went from explosive sources with only two crude control levers (shot depth and charge size) to a source with a dashboard of fine-tuning control knobs (number of vibes, source array, sweep length, up- or down-sweep, and so on).
Using VLF-EM to delineate a fracture zone in basement granites for uranium exploration
Authors: Rajaraman H. S. , Babu V. Ramesh , Dandele P. S. , Chavan S. J. , Achar K. K. , Babu P. V. Ramesh
Published: October 2011

This article describes a survey using low-frequency electromagnetics (VLF-EM) over an unconformity-related uranium mineralization in the northern part of India's Cuddapah Basin. The uranium occurs in granite close to the contact between basement granite and Srisailam sediments. The uranium mineralization is controlled by the basement fractures containing rich concentrations of coffinite and pitchblende. The basement granite is Palaeoproterozoic age.
Characteristics of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Patients With a BRCA1 Mutation: Results From a Population-Based Study of Young Women
Authors: Lee Eunjung , McKean-Cowdin Roberta , Ma Huiyan , Spicer Darcy V. , Van Den Berg David , Bernstein Leslie , Ursin Giske
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are tumors with low or no expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. These tumors have a poor prognosis, remain a clinical challenge, and are more common among women with BRCA1 mutations. We tested whether there are distinguishing features of TNBC after BRCA1 mutation status has been taken into account.

Patients and Methods

We sequenced BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in a population-based sample of 1,469 patients with incident breast cancer age 20 to 49 years from Los Angeles County (California). Information on tumor receptor status was available for 1,167 women. Clinical, pathologic, and hormone-related lifestyle characteristics were compared across patient subgroups defined by BRCA1 mutation status and triple-negative receptor status.

Results

Forty-eight percent of BRCA1 mutation carriers had TNBC compared with only 12% of noncarriers. Within BRCA1 mutation carriers, as well as within noncarriers, triple-negative receptor status was associated with younger age at diagnosis and higher tumor grade. Among women without a BRCA1 mutation, we observed that women with TNBC had higher premenopausal body mass index and earlier age at first full-term pregnancy than those with non-TNBC. Age at menarche and other reproductive factors were not associated with triple-negative status regardless of BRCA1 mutation status. Within BRCA1 mutation carriers, Ashkenazi Jewish women were about five times more likely to have TNBC than non–Ashkenazi Jewish women.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that among BRCA1 mutation carriers, as among noncarriers, there are unique characteristics associated with the triple-negative subtype. The findings in Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA1 mutation carriers should be confirmed.
Five-Year Outcomes of a Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing Adjuvant Chemotherapy With S-1 Versus Surgery Alone in Stage II or III Gastric Cancer
Authors: Sasako Mitsuru , Sakuramoto Shinichi , Katai Hitoshi , Kinoshita Taira , Furukawa Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Toshiharu , Nashimoto Atsushi , Fujii Masashi , Nakajima Toshifusa , Ohashi Yasuo
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The first planned interim analysis (median follow-up, 3 years) of the Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trial of S-1 for Gastric Cancer confirmed that the oral fluoropyrimidine derivative S-1 significantly improved overall survival, the primary end point. The results were therefore opened at the recommendation of an independent data and safety monitoring committee. We report 5-year follow-up data on patients enrolled onto the ACTS-GC study.

Patients and Methods

Patients with histologically confirmed stage II or III gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were randomly assigned to receive S-1 after surgery or surgery only. S-1 (80 to 120 mg per day) was given for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rest. This 6-week cycle was repeated for 1 year. The primary end point was overall survival, and the secondary end points were relapse-free survival and safety.

Results

The overall survival rate at 5 years was 71.7% in the S-1 group and 61.1% in the surgery-only group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.669; 95% CI, 0.540 to 0.828). The relapse-free survival rate at 5 years was 65.4% in the S-1 group and 53.1% in the surgery-only group (HR, 0.653; 95% CI, 0.537 to 0.793). Subgroup analyses according to principal demographic factors such as sex, age, disease stage, and histologic type showed no interaction between treatment and any characteristic.

Conclusion

On the basis of 5-year follow-up data, postoperative adjuvant therapy with S-1 was confirmed to improve overall survival and relapse-free survival in patients with stage II or III gastric cancer who had undergone D2 gastrectomy.
On exact sampling of stochastic perpetuities
Authors: Blanchet Jose H. , Sigman Karl
Published: October 2011

A stochastic perpetuity takes the form D∞=∑n=0∞ exp(Y1+⋯+Yn)Bn, where Yn:n≥0) and (Bn:n≥0) are two independent sequences of independent and identically distributed random variables (RVs). This is an expression for the stationary distribution of the Markov chain defined recursively by Dn+1=AnDn+Bn, n≥0, where An=eYn; D∞ then satisfies the stochastic fixed-point equation D∞D̳AD∞+B, where A and B are independent copies of the An and Bn (and independent of D∞ on the right-hand side). In our framework, the quantity Bn, which represents a random reward at time n, is assumed to be positive, unbounded with EBnp <∞ for some p>0, and have a suitably regular continuous positive density. The quantity Yn is assumed to be light tailed and represents a discount rate from time n to n-1. The RV D∞ then represents the net present value, in a stochastic economic environment, of an infinite stream of stochastic rewards. We provide an exact simulation algorithm for generating samples of D∞. Our method is a variation of dominated coupling from the past and it involves constructing a sequence of dominating processes.
Multivariate Hawkes processes: an application to financial data
Authors: Embrechts Paul , Liniger Thomas , Lin Lu
Published: October 2011

A Hawkes process is also known under the name of a self-exciting point process and has numerous applications throughout science and engineering. We derive the statistical estimation (maximum likelihood estimation) and goodness-of-fit (mainly graphical) for multivariate Hawkes processes with possibly dependent marks. As an application, we analyze two data sets from finance.
HESX1- and TCF3-mediated repression of Wnt/β-catenin targets is required for normal development of the anterior forebrain
Authors: Andoniadou Cynthia L. , Signore Massimo , Young Rodrigo M. , Gaston-Massuet Carles , Wilson Stephen W. , Fuchs Elaine , Martinez-Barbera Juan Pedro
Published: October 2011

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an essential role during regionalisation of the vertebrate neural plate and its inhibition in the most anterior neural ectoderm is required for normal forebrain development. Hesx1 is a conserved vertebrate-specific transcription factor that is required for forebrain development in Xenopus, mice and humans. Mouse embryos deficient for Hesx1 exhibit a variable degree of forebrain defects, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these defects are not fully understood. Here, we show that injection of a hesx1 morpholino into a ‘sensitised’ zygotic headless (tcf3) mutant background leads to severe forebrain and eye defects, suggesting an interaction between Hesx1 and the Wnt pathway during zebrafish forebrain development. Consistent with a requirement for Wnt signalling repression, we highlight a synergistic gene dosage-dependent interaction between Hesx1 and Tcf3, a transcriptional repressor of Wnt target genes, to maintain anterior forebrain identity during mouse embryogenesis. In addition, we reveal that Tcf3 is essential within the neural ectoderm to maintain anterior character and that its interaction with Hesx1 ensures the repression of Wnt targets in the developing forebrain. By employing a conditional loss-of-function approach in mouse, we demonstrate that deletion of β-catenin, and concomitant reduction of Wnt signalling in the developing anterior forebrain of Hesx1-deficient embryos, leads to a significant rescue of the forebrain defects. Finally, transcriptional profiling of anterior forebrain precursors from mouse embryos expressing eGFP from the Hesx1 locus provides molecular evidence supporting a novel function of Hesx1 in mediating repression of Wnt/β-catenin target activation in the developing forebrain.
Complex functions of Mef2 splice variants in the differentiation of endoderm and of a neuronal cell type in a sea anemone
Authors: Genikhovich Grigory , Technau Ulrich
Published: October 2011

In triploblastic animals, mesoderm gives rise to many tissues and organs, including muscle. By contrast, the representatives of the diploblastic phylum Cnidaria (corals, sea anemones, jellyfish and hydroids) lack mesoderm but possess muscle. In vertebrates and insects, the transcription factor Mef2 plays a pivotal role in muscle differentiation; however, it is also an important regulator of neuron differentiation and survival. In the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, an organism that lacks mesoderm but has muscles and neurons, Mef2 (Nvmef2) has been reported in single ectodermal cells of likely neural origin. To our surprise, we found that Nvmef2 is alternatively spliced, forming differentially expressed variants. Using morpholino-mediated knockdown and mRNA injection, we demonstrate that specific splice variants of Nvmef2 are required for the proliferation and differentiation of endodermal cells and for the development of ectodermal nematocytes, a neuronal cell type. Moreover, we identified a small conserved motif in the transactivation domain that is crucially involved in the endodermal function of Nvmef2. The identification of a crucial and conserved motif in the transactivation domain predicts a similarly important role in vertebrate Mef2 function. This is the first functional study of a determinant of several mesodermal derivatives in a diploblastic animal. Our data suggest that the involvement of alternative splice variants of Mef2 in endomesoderm and neuron differentiation predates the cnidarian-bilaterian split.
Motion analysis of total cervical disc replacements using computed tomography: Preliminary experience with nine patients and a model
Authors: Svedmark Per , Lundh Fredrik , Németh Gunnar , Noz Marilyn E , Maguire Gerald Q , Zeleznik Michael P , Olivecrona Henrik
Published: October 2011

Background

Cervical total disc replacement (CTDR) is an alternative to anterior fusion. Therefore, it is desirable to have an accurate in vivo measurement of prosthetic kinematics and assessment of implant stability relative to the adjacent vertebrae.

Purpose

To devise an in vivo CT-based method to analyze the kinematics of cervical total disc replacements (CTDR), specifically of two prosthetic components between two CT scans obtained under different conditions.

Material and Methods

Nine patients with CTDR were scanned in flexion and extension of the cervical spine using a clinical CT scanner with a routine low-dose protocol. The flexion and extension CT volume data were spatially registered, and the prosthetic kinematics of two prosthetic components, an upper and a lower, was calculated and expressed in Euler angles and orthogonal linear translations relative to the upper component. For accuracy analysis, a cervical spine model incorporating the same disc replacement as used in the patients was also scanned and processed in the same manner.

Results

Analysis of both the model and patients showed good repeatability, i.e. within 2 standard deviations of the mean using the 95% limits of agreement with no overlapping confidence intervals. The accuracy analysis showed that the median error was close to zero.

Conclusion

The mobility of the cervical spine after total disc replacement can be effectively measured in vivo using CT. This method requires an appropriate patient positioning and scan parameters to achieve suitable image quality.
Monitoring early response of lymph node metastases to radiotherapy in animal models: diffusion-weighted imaging vs. morphological MR imaging
Authors: Chen Jie , Sheng Jing , Xing Wei , Aoun Hussein , Chen Ming , Bi Heng-Liang , Tian Jian-Ming , Dai Yong-Ming
Published: October 2011

Background

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) offers a non-invasive technique that can reveal microscopic details about the architecture of both normal and anomalous tissues. Some studies have confirmed DWI can detect the early changes of tumors that have originated from various organs, even after treatment.

Purpose

To compare the usefulness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and morphologic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for monitoring the therapeutic response of metastatic disease in lymph nodes to radiotherapy.

Material and Methods

Twenty-six rabbits (metastatic, n = 17; non-metastatic, n = 9) were divided into group A (metastatic, n = 10), group B (metastatic, n = 7) and group C (non-metastatic, n = 9). Groups A and C underwent irradiation, whereas group B was set as a reference. Standard MR imaging and DWI were performed before and 1, 3, and 7 days after radiotherapy for all rabbits. The lymph node volumes and ADCs were measured and evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA. The difference between group A and B was analyzed using Student's t-test.

Results

In all rabbits, a total of 35 lymph nodes were found, including 16 nodes in group A, 10 in group B and nine in group C. In group A, 3 and 7 days after therapy ADCs were significantly higher than pre-treatment and 1 day after therapy ( P < 0.05). For groups A and B, a significant difference of ADCs was present 7 days after therapy. A significant difference of variation of ADCs among the three groups was also present ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

DWI is superior to morphological MRI in monitoring early radiation response in animal models.
Partner notification for Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infections: eight years of patient referral experience in the major Portuguese sexually transmitted infections clinic, 2000–07
Authors: Santo I , Azevedo J , Nunes B , Gomes J P , Borrego M J
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective evaluation of the success of patient referral for partner notification of chlamydial infections to the major Portuguese sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. A total of 8277 patients were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis during 2000–2007, and 695 (8.4%) tested positive. The sexual partners of 34% of these index cases attended the clinic as contacts following partner referral. In univariate analysis, heterosexual men referred partners more frequently than men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV-negative index cases referred partners four-fold more frequently than HIV-positives; however, these associations were non-significant after multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7–2.6; adjusted OR 4.2, 95% CI 0.9–18.7, respectively). Index patients who reported lower numbers of partners referred more frequently, and this association remained significant after multivariate analysis. One-third of the referred individuals tested C. trachomatis-positive; the risk for infection was three-fold higher for referred partners from symptomatic index cases ( P < 0.001, adjusted OR, 95% CI 1.8–6.3). In conclusion, the results of the present study concerning sexual behaviour, HIV status and clinical signs highlight the need for further evaluations that may shape future partner notification strategies in order to reduce the chlamydial disease burden.
Increased myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular dysfunction in Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Yiu Kai Hang , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Delgado Victoria , Biermasz Nienke R , Holman Eduard R , Smit Johannes W A , Feelders Richard A , Bax Jeroen J , Pereira Alberto M
Published: October 2011

Objective

Active Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with cardiomyopathy, characterized by myocardial structural, and ultrastructural abnormalities. The extent of myocardial fibrosis in patients with CS has not been previously evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess myocardial fibrosis in CS patients, its relationship with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and function, and its reversibility after surgical treatment.

Design and methods

Fifteen consecutive CS patients (41±12 years) were studied together with 30 hypertensive (HT) patients (matched for LV hypertrophy) and 30 healthy subjects. Echocardiography was performed in all patients including i) LV systolic function assessment by conventional measures and by speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain, ii) LV diastolic function assessment using E/E′, and iii) myocardial fibrosis assessment using calibrated integrated backscatter (IBS). Echocardiography was repeated after normalization of cortisol secretion (14±3 months).

Results

CS patients showed the highest value of calibrated IBS (−15.1±2.5 dB) compared with HT patients (−20.0±2.6 dB,P<0.01) and controls (−23.8±2.4 dB,P<0.01), indicating increased myocardial fibrosis independent of LV hypertrophy. Moreover, calibrated IBS in CS patients was significantly related to both diastolic function (E/E′,r=0.79,P<0.01) and systolic function (global longitudinal strain,r=0.60,P=0.02). After successful surgical treatment, calibrated IBS normalized (−21.0±3.8 vs −15.1±2.5 dB,P<0.01), suggestive of regression of myocardial fibrosis.

Conclusions

Patients with CS have increased myocardial fibrosis, which is related to LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Successful treatment of CS normalizes the extent of myocardial fibrosis. Therefore, myocardial fibrosis appears to be an important factor in the development and potential regression of CS cardiomyopathy.
Functional human to mouse adipose tissue xenotransplantation
Authors: Ablamunits Vitaly , Klebanov Simon , Giese Sharon Y , Herold Kevan C
Published: October 2011

White adipose tissue (WAT) produces a number of metabolically important factors and, therefore, some inborn errors of metabolism may potentially be corrected by transplantation of normal allogeneic WAT. To explore the ability of human WAT (HuWAT) to compensate for a missing factor and to induce allogeneic immune response, we created leptin-deficient, immunodeficient mice and transplanted them with either 2.5 or 5 ml HuWAT. Recipient mice showed stable levels of human leptin in circulation, reduced body mass gain, and amelioration of hepatic steatosis. Food consumption and plasma insulin levels were reduced only in recipients of 5 ml WAT. Transfer of 2×107human mononuclear cells to reject WAT as an allograft was ineffective and resulted only in some reduction of circulating leptin and a limited damage to the WAT grafts followed by the loss of human leukocytes.
Medical Home and Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs for Children With Special Health Care Needs
Authors: Porterfield Shirley L. , DeRigne LeaAnne
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:

We examined key factors that affect out-of-pocket medical expenditures per $1000 of household income for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) with a broad range of conditions, controlling for insurance type and concentrating on the potentially moderating role of the medical home.

METHODS:

A Heckman selection model was used to estimate whether the medical home influenced out-of-pocket medical costs per $1000 of household income for children covered by either private or public health insurance. Data from the 2005–2006 National Survey of CSHCN (N = 31 808) were used.

RESULTS:

For families that incurred out-of-pocket medical costs for their CSHCN, these costs represented 2.2% to 3.9% of income. Both insurance type and the medical home had significant effects on out-of-pocket costs. Lower out-of-pocket medical costs per $1000 of income were incurred by children with public insurance and those receiving care coordination services.

CONCLUSIONS:

Families with CSHCN incur lower out-of-pocket medical costs when their children receive health care in a setting in which the care-coordination component of the medical home is in place.
Nanodot Formation in Thermally Annealed UHV-RTCVD Grown Si1-XGeX Epitaxial Layers on Silicon for Photovoltaics
Authors: Karoui Abdennaceur , Ethiraj Anita S.
Published: October 2011

The surface and interface of SiGe layers on Si were found to incur drastic changes during layer rapid growth and post-growth rapid annealing. As deposited and thermal annealed samples were characterized using Energy dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX) enhanced by Monte Carlo simulation for precise evaluation of Ge concentration. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) data exhibited a small shift of the SiGe (400) peak towards low 2θ values, which was attributed, primarily, to change in the Ge concentration. Confocal Raman Spectroscopy of samples showed regions of high and low strain that resulted from fluctuations in Ge concentrations. Nano- and submicronpyramidal features at the surface of Si1-xGex layers (x=17% and 28%) were revealed by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and SEM. Additionally, pyramidal nanodots were revealed for [Ge]=17% samples and high density nanostructure for 28% appeared along the crosshatch strain pattern induced by misfit dislocations, when annealed at 700°C and 900°C, respectively. The observed Ge-rich nano-features, which were obtained with low thermal budget low cost techniques, are expected to be useful for bandgap engineering and third generation solar cells.
Grassland restoration with and without fire: evidence from a tree‐removal experiment
Authors: Halpern Charles B. , Haugo Ryan D. , Antos Joseph A. , Kaas Sheena S. , Kilanowski Allyssa L.
Published: October 2011

Forest encroachment threatens the biological diversity of grasslands globally. Positive feedbacks can reinforce the process, affecting soils and ground vegetation, ultimately leading to replacement of grassland by forest species. We tested whether restoration treatments (tree removal, with or without fire) reversed effects of nearly two centuries of encroachment by Abies grandis and Pinus contorta into dry, montane meadows in the Cascade Range, Oregon, USA. In nine, 1‐ha plots containing a patchy mosaic of meadow openings and forests of varying age (20 to >140 yr), we compared three treatments affecting the ground vegetation: control (no trees removed), unburned (trees removed, slash burned in piles leaving 90% of the area unburned), and burned (trees removed, slash broadcast burned). We quantified changes over 3–4 years in soils, abundance and richness of species with differing habitat associations (meadow, forest, and ruderal), and recruitment of conifers. Except for a transient increase in available N (especially in burn scars), effects of burning on soils were minimal due, in part, to mixing by gophers. Tree removal greatly benefited meadow species at the expense of forest herbs. Cover and richness of meadow species increased by 47% and 38% of initial values in unburned plots, but changed minimally in burned plots. In contrast, cover and richness of forest herbs declined by 44% and 26% in unburned plots and by 79% and 58% in burned plots. Ruderal species and conifer seedlings were uncommon in both treatments. Although vegetation was consumed beneath burn piles, meadow species recovered significantly after three years. Long‐term tree presence did not preclude recovery of meadow species; in fact, colonization was greater in older than in younger forests. In sum, temporal trends were positive for most indicators, suggesting strong potential for restoration. Contrary to conventional wisdom, tree removal without fire may be sufficient to shift the balance from forest to meadow species. In meadows characterized by historically infrequent fire, small‐scale disturbances and competitive interactions may be more critical to ecosystem maintenance and restoration. Managers facing the worldwide phenomenon of tree invasion should critically evaluate the ecological vs. operational need for fire in ecosystem restoration.
Language Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias
Authors: Leticia Lessa Mansur
Published: October 2011

Language disturbances are frequently found in several forms of dementia and may greatly compromise patients' daily performance in cognitive and social tasks, as well as impair their quality of life. In this text the linguistic-cognitive alterations of aging, emphasizing language, will be presented and alterations in ‘ mild cognitive impairment’ (MCI) shall be briefly highlighted. Subsequently, the language characteristics of different dementias will be addressed: Alzheimer's disease (AD), Vascular Dementia (VD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). The hallmark of language impairment in AD is related to lexico-semantic aspects, while in VD word recognition, naming and repetition are more impaired. Impairment of language in VD is in great part a consequence of a disexecutive syndrome (including working memory dysfunction). In FTD, discourse organization and pragmatic alterations predominate. PPA can be subdivided in several clinical subtypes including agrammatic, semantic and logopenic deficits. Prominent semantic deficits appear in the so-called Semantic PPA (SPPA); in nonfluent PPA (NFPPA), the language production is reduced and effortful with marked agrammatism and difficulties in comprehension of complex grammatical structures. Logopenic PPA (LPPA) is characterized by deficits in lexical recuperation and repetition of sentences, with preserved word comprehension, and absence of agrammatism.
Alteration of secretory IgA in human breast milk and stool samples after the intake of a probiotic — report of 2 cases
Authors: Nikolov Petar , Baleva Marta
Published: October 2011

Only a few studies reveal immunological changes in breast milk after the intake of probiotic and none focus on secretory IgA (sIgA). The aim our report was to investigate the levels of sIgA in human breast milk and stools before and after 4 weeks of probiotic intake in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) and a control. The study included 2 lactating women: 1 with UC and 1 control. Both received daily 3.75 billion viable Lactobacillus bulgaricus for 28 days. SIgA was measured in breast milk and stools before and after the probiotic intake. The concentration of sIgA in breast milk before the probiotic intake in UC was 408.5 vs 137.4 µg/ml in contol. Fecal sIgA in UC was 420 vs 274 µg/ml in control. After 28 days of probiotic intake there was a decrease in breast milk sIgA in UC but an increase in control — 266.7 vs 914 µg/ml respectively. There was an increase in fecal sIgA both in UC and control — 674.4 vs 1033 µg/ml. It is tempting to speculate that the different sIgA secretion towards the probiotic may be a result of an altered mucosal immune response in UC.
Henna tattoo contact dermatitis — a report of four cases and brief review of the selected literature
Authors: Prcic Sonja , Matic Aleksandra , Matic Milan , Petrovic Aleksandra , Djuran Verica , Gajinov Zorica
Published: October 2011

Temporary henna tattoos have recently become increasingly popular, especially among teenagers. Combining henna with other colouring agents such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD) may increase its potential for contact sensitization, cross-reaction to related compounds, as well as life-long allergy. Several cases of contact dermatitis from temporary tattoos with black henna have been reported in the literature. We present our experiences with 4 pediatric cases of allergic contact dermatitis induced by henna tattooing and give a brief review of the literature. The agent responsible for contact allergy was proven to be PPD in 3 patients, and in one patch testing revealed positive reactions to PPD and benzocaine, as well as to wool alcohols, nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate, to previously used hair dye—all being of clinical relevance.