bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal CA3 and CA2 have distinct bilateral innervation patterns to CA1 in rodents
Authors: Shinohara Yoshiaki , Hosoya Aki , Yahagi Kazuko , Ferecskó Alex S. , Yaguchi Kunio , Sík Attila , Itakura Makoto , Takahashi Masami , Hirase Hajime
Published: February 2012

Ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampal CA3–CA1 and CA2–CA1 projections were investigated in adult male Long–Evans rats by retrograde tracing. Injection of the retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B in the strata oriens and radiatum of dorsal CA1 resulted in labeling of predominantly pyramidal cells in ipsilateral and contralateral CA3 and CA2. The contralateral and ipsilateral anterior–posterior extents of CA3 innervation to CA1 were similar. Fifteen to twenty per cent of the hippocampus proper cells that give rise to CA1 stratum oriens innervation were CA2 pyramidal cells, whereas CA2 cells were a mere 3% for CA1 stratum radiatum innervation. The preferred projection of CA2 pyramidal cells to the CA1 stratum oriens was also manifested in transgenic mice that express GFP under the control of the CACNG5 promoter, in which CA2 cells express high amounts of GFP. The ratios of ipsilateral to contralateral projections were compared. For the CA3–CA1 connection, we found that dorsal CA1 stratum radiatum received more ipsilateral projections whereas CA1 stratum oriens received more contralateral innervation. Interestingly, ipsilateral connections dominated for both CA2–CA1 stratum oriens and CA2–CA1 stratum radiatum. These results demonstrate that the primary intrahippocampal target of CA2 pyramidal cells is the ipsilateral CA1 stratum oriens, in contrast to CA3 cells which project more diversely to bilateral CA1 regions. Such innervation patterns may suggest differential dendritic information processing in apical and basal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells.
Traumatic corneal laceration with associated lens capsule disruption: a retrospective study of 77 clinical cases from 1999 to 2009
Authors: Paulsen Michael E. , Kass Philip H.
Published: February 2012

Objective  Examine prognostic factors that may indicate when surgical lens removal is indicated to prevent vision‐threatening complications in patients presented following traumatic perforating corneal laceration with associated lens capsule disruption.

Procedures  Seventy‐seven patients (10 cats and 67 dogs) were evaluated with this injury; of these, 47 were presented acutely and treated surgically and/or medically. Successful outcome was defined as functional vision in the treated eye.

Results  The 47 patients with acute injuries were divided into 3 treatment groups A‐C for comparison; A ‐ corneal repair/lens removal (n = 15), B ‐ corneal repair/no lens removal (n = 9), C – medical management (n = 23). Groups A and B showed a significantly greater rate of vision loss compared to Group C that was most obvious greater than 18 months post‐injury (P = 0.029 and 0.0097, respectively). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis found a significantly higher increased rate of vision loss in Group A (HR = 4.5; P = 0.023) and a higher but nonsignificant increased rate of vision loss in Group B (HR = 3.0; P = 0.23) compared to Group C after controlling for age and cause of injury. The length of the corneal laceration and time interval from injury to referral were also relevant prognostic factors.

Conclusions  Medical management is an appropriate therapy for patients of all ages suffering perforating corneal injuries with associated lens capsule disruption. Patients with corneal injuries requiring surgical repair or managed by lens removal following corneal repair suffered vision‐threatening complications approximately 3 to 4.5 times the rate of patients treated by medical management, respectively. Favorable prognostic signs for treatment by medical management include good corneal wound apposition and a formed anterior chamber without uveal prolapse or continued aqueous leakage.
Robotic single port suprapubic transvesical enucleation of the prostate (R‐STEP): initial experience
Authors: Fareed Khaled , Zaytoun Osama M. , Autorino Riccardo , White Wesley M. , Crouzet Sebastien , Yakoubi Rachid , Haber George‐Pascal , White Michael A. , Kaouk Jihad H.
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Single port transvesical enucleation of the prostate (STEP) performed through a solitary suprapubic incision using a single access port inserted directly into the bladder has been demonstrated to be technically feasible but still challenging.3.

Despite being feasible and providing adequate relief of bladder outlet obstruction, robotic STEP carries a high risk of complications. Further evolution of the technique is likely to be strictly dependent on the development of instrumentation.

OBJECTIVE

To report our initial experience with a novel robot assisted single port procedure for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS

Between March 2009 and July 2010, nine patients with symptomatic BPH were scheduled for robotic single port suprapubic transvesical enucleation of the prostate (R‐STEP).

Prior to intervention, all were submitted to preoperative transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and uroflowmetry.

The surgical procedure included an initial transurethral incision of the prostatic apex. With the patient in the supine position, an approximate 3 cm lower midline incision was made. A cystotomy was created and a GelPort® laparoscopic system positioned in the bladder. The da Vinci S™ robotic operating system was docked through the GelPort® platform and enucleation was performed.

Perioperative outcomes and short‐term postoperative functional outcomes were assessed. Intra‐operative and postoperative complications, graded according to the Dindo‐Clavien system, were recorded.

RESULTS

One patient was excluded from the analysis as the procedure was aborted and converted to open simple prostatectomy.

Median operative time was 3.9 h. Median visual analogue pain scale on discharge was 2. Estimated blood loss was 425 mL. Two patients required intra‐operative blood transfusion.

Postoperatively, two patients developed clot retention and required evacuation and fulguration (grade IIIb), one of them had a deep vein thrombosis (grade II) and a urinary tract infection (grade II). One patient was admitted to the intensive care unit after a myocardial infarction (grade IVa). All patients were discharged after a median of 4.5 days.

There was almost three and four times postoperative improvement in both median maximum flow (Qmax) and average flow (Qave) rates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The first series of R‐STEP is reported herein. Despite being feasible and providing adequate relief of bladder outlet obstruction, the procedure carries a high risk of complications. Further evolution of the technique is likely to be strictly dependent on the development of instrumentation. Thus, its role in the surgical armamentarium of BPH remains to be determined.
FISCAL STABILIZATION WITH PARTIAL EXCHANGE RATE PASS‐THROUGH
Authors: KERSTING ERASMUS K.
Published: February 2012

This article examines the role of fiscal stabilization policy in a two‐country framework that allows for partial exchange rate pass‐through. Analytical solutions for optimal monetary and fiscal policy rules depend on the degree of pass‐through. Each country unilaterally uses its fiscal instrument to stabilize the costs facing exporters. The welfare effects differ strongly depending on the degree of pass‐through. For high levels, both countries are better off with the fiscal instrument and welfare is closer to the benchmark flex‐price level. For low levels, however, the unilateral equilibrium policy rules lead to high volatility in taxes, and fiscal policy ends up being destabilizing by transmitting exchange rate fluctuations. Because these results stem from strategic considerations by the two countries, the fiscal instrument is not used under policy coordination. In addition, imposing a monetary union increases welfare when pass‐through is low, including the case of local currency pricing. (JEL E52, E63, F41, F42)
THE BOOKER DECISION AND DISCRIMINATION IN FEDERAL CRIMINAL SENTENCES
Authors: NUTTING ANDREW W.
Published: February 2012

I test how federal criminal sentences changed after the Supreme Court decision U.S. v. Booker changed the sentencing guidelines from “mandatory” to “advisory.” Conditional on final guideline cell, results show Booker significantly reduced sentences, especially for women and defendants with a terminal high school degree, but less so for college graduates. This suggests discrimination among federal judges. When accounting for judges' control over final offense level, evidence regarding high school graduates and college graduates is unchanged, but evidence that sentences fell for women and the default group weakens substantially. This latter result suggests, perhaps, a new methodology by which judges applied offense levels and guideline‐conditional sentences post‐Booker.
Obesity in the news: directions for future research
Authors: Atanasova D. , Koteyko N. , Gunter B.
Published: February 2012

Obesity attracts large volumes of news coverage. This in turn has spawned academic studies investigating how news framing may affect views about causes of and solutions to obesity. We use key studies to demonstrate that although existing research has made valuable discoveries about how obesity is defined in various media outlets, some methodological and theoretical questions remain unaddressed. We argue that extant research has focused on one dimension of analysis – the problematization of obesity in news stories – precluding insights into the entire process of obesity communication. Drawing on framing and media studies research, we propose a multidimensional approach to shed more light on factors affecting the production of obesity news stories by journalists and how they may be received by audience members. Ways of moving research into this multidimensional direction are proposed, including analysis of journalistic news values, political leaning and style of media outlets, emotion‐eliciting language, readers' comments and obesity‐related news visuals. Knowledge resulting from the exploration of these dimensions of the issue of obesity can be used to improve strategies to inform and engage audience members.
Supranational Fundamental Rights or Primacy of Sovereignty?
Authors: Belling Vojtech
Published: February 2012

This analysis explores in detail various aspects of the possible legal impact of ‘British’ Protocol No 30 (the so‐called opt‐out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights). On the basis of a legal appraisal, it concludes that the Protocol is not in any way to be understood as a substantial derogation from the standard of protection of fundamental rights in the EU or as an ‘opt‐out’ from the Charter in a substantial sense. Nevertheless, its significance is definitely not to be underestimated. Its adoption as a source of primary law enshrines a legally binding interpretation of the Charter and, in particular, an interpretation of its horizontal provisions. In Article 1(2) and Article 2, the Protocol in fact confirms that the application of the Charter cannot lead to a change in the existing competencies framework. These provisions are of a declaratory nature and apply to all Member States. In Article 1(1), the Protocol is of a constitutive nature since it rules out an extensive interpretation of what can be considered national legal acts adopted in the implementation of EU law only for those States signed up to the Protocol. This specifically means that if, in the future, as part of the application of the Charter, the Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) has a tendency to subsume a certain area of national legislation under the ‘implementation of Union law’ outside the field of implementing standards, in the spirit of the Ellinki Radiophonia Tileorassi judgment (and subsequently allow their reviewability with respect to their conformity with the Charter), such action would be admissible only for those Member States that have not acceded to the Protocol. However, the Protocol cannot exclude the continued application of the general principles of law instead of the positively constituted fundamental rights in the Charter by the ECJ.
The Impact of State and Local Tax and Expenditure Limitations on State Economic Growth
Authors: DELLER STEVEN , STALLMANN JUDITH I. , AMIEL LINDSAY
Published: February 2012

Employing a unique index of Tax and Expenditure Limitation (TEL) restrictiveness, we estimate a family of economic growth models using a panel of the 50 U.S. states for the period 1969 to 2005. Our central goal is to assess the relationship between TEL restrictiveness and economic growth. Results suggest that stronger TELs imposed on state governments have a dampening effect on state economic growth and TELs imposed on local governments have a weak negative impact on growth. The results do not support the argument that legislatures can use tax and expenditure limits as a mechanism to promote economic growth.
New Business Survival in Georgia: Exploring the Determinants of Survival Using Regional Level Data
Authors: CHRISTIE TAMOYA , SJOQUIST DAVID L.
Published: February 2012

New business formation is an important stimulant to economic activity. However, some 20 percent of new firms die within their first year of operation. Policy makers designing programs to engineer regional economic development need to know what specific factors affect new firm survival. This paper conducts an analysis of the determinants of survival for new enterprises in the state of Georgia. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of local factors. Duration analysis is applied to four cohorts of new enterprises starting during the period 2001 to 2004. The results show that firms located in urban areas are at a higher risk of failure. However, firms situated in counties that have achieved a high level of economic development stand a better chance of surviving. Other factors such as firm size, ownership structure, industry entry rates, and business cycle fluctuations are also influential.
The Source of Metropolitan Growth: The Role of Commuting
Authors: CHIANG SHU‐HEN
Published: February 2012

Over the past few years, a large number of studies have focused on whether population or employment is critical to the source of metropolitan growth. However, only few attempts have so far been made to additionally consider the suburbanization stage and pattern of commuting, which may both enable us to explore this “chicken–egg” issue a little further. The purpose of this paper is to compare dwelling‐based (housing) with job‐based (job) employment to evaluate the net commuting. The Taipei metropolitan area, for example, now lies at the initial suburbanization stage with only population decentralization and massive in‐commuting to the central city. The estimation results based on a co‐integration system reveal that the central‐city employment can be regarded as an engine of this metropolitan economy. Besides, we also find that dwelling‐based employment distorts the causality between population and employment, especially from the variance‐decomposition accounts. Therefore, the importance of commuting to investigating the evolution of metropolitan economy should not be overlooked.
In vivo measurement of the surface energy of human fingernail plates
Authors: Murdan S. , Poojary C. , Patel D. R. , Fernandes J. , Haman A. , Saundh P. S. , Sheikh Z.
Published: February 2012

Synopsis

The surface energy of the human nail plate is expected to influence the adhesion of microorganisms (and subsequent colonization and infections) as well as that of medicines (and subsequent drug permeation) and of cosmetics. The aim of the study was therefore to measure the surface energy of nail plates in vivo. The surface energy of healthy human fingernails (untreated, hydrated and abraded) and of hoof membranes (often used as a model for the nail plate) was estimated from contact angle measurements of liquids (water, formamide, diiodomethane and glycerol) on the nail plate and subsequent computation using the Lifshitz–van der Waals/acid–base (LW‐AB) approach. The surface energy of untreated fingernail plates was found to be 34 mJ m−2. Most of this total energy was from the apolar Lifshitz–van der Waals component. When the polar component of the surface energy was analysed, the electron donor component was considerably larger than the electron acceptor one. Hydrating the nail plate had no significant influence on the surface energy. In contrast, abrasion caused a small, but statistically significant increase in the apolar surface energy component. The surface energy of bovine hoof membrane was similar to that of the fingernail plate. We conclude that the human fingernail plate is a low‐energy surface and that bovine hoof membranes may be used as a substitute for the nail plate in certain experiments.
Disease severity and therapy as predictors of cardiovascular risk in psoriasis: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Maradit‐Kremers H. , Icen M. , Ernste F.C. , Dierkhising R.A. , McEvoy M.T.
Published: February 2012

Background  Previous studies suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis, but the relative contributions of traditional risk factors and markers of disease severity are unclear. We examined the effect of psoriasis disease characteristics on cardiovascular risk after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods  Study populations included (a) case–cohort sample of 771 patients nested within a population‐based psoriasis incidence cohort, and (b) cohort of 1905 patients with incident and prevalent psoriasis patients. Both cohorts were followed‐up to ascertain disease and treatment characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular outcomes. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify predictors of cardiovascular outcomes.

Results  After adjusting for traditional risk factors, increasing number of psoriasis‐affected body sites at disease onset (HR: 1.53 per additional site, 95% CI: 1.20, 1.95) was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Phototherapy (HR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.45, 5.77) and systemic therapy (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.50, 3.13) were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes in univariate analyses, but these relatively strong associations disappeared after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions  Increasing number of psoriasis‐affected body sites may be a severity indicator in psoriasis and is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Due to low number of patients exposed to systemic therapy, this study had limited power to examine the effect of treatment on cardiovascular risk. Strong associations with phototherapy and systemic therapy suggest that the cardiovascular risk in psoriasis is confined to patients with severe disease.
Parallel Chains of Command in European Union Operation Headquarters: An Experimental Study of the Drivers behind National Perspectives
Authors: Ekman Olof
Published: February 2012

The European Union (EU) military Operation Headquarters (OHQ) construct has been described as a slow starter due to familiarization issues and an arena for parallel chains of command. Similarly, a recent study of a live OHQ showed national perspectives to be common, particularly with staff members from nations prominent in the operation. However, the nature of these flaws remains unclear while scholars debate if the EU OHQ can and should move towards civil‐military integration. This paper investigates individual's national perspectives in an experimental setting with 180 civilian and military professionals related to crisis management. Manipulations include parent‐nation prominence, familiarity with response units, and participants’ ties to the parent‐nation. The results show that national units are significantly favoured when more familiar to the participant compared with foreign units and when representing a minority in the multinational context. This partly mirrors previous findings. Importantly, no significant difference appears between military and civilian participants. It is concluded that the OHQ construct may be flawed by design by requiring a familiarization process, but that OHQ cohesion in terms of receptiveness to national influences would not necessarily change with civil‐military integration.
Relevance of SOX17 Variants for Hypomyelinating Leukodystrophies and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT)
Authors: Combes Patricia , Planche Vincent , Eymard‐Pierre Eléonore , Sarret Catherine , Rodriguez Diana , Boespflug‐Tanguy Odile , Vaurs‐Barriere Catherine
Published: February 2012

The SRY‐BOX17 gene (SOX17) encodes a transcription factor playing a key role in different developmental processes including endoderm formation, cardiac myogenesis, kidney/urinary development and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, the brain myelinating cells. In a candidate gene approach, we analyzed the SOX17 gene in hypomyelinating leukodystrophies (HL) characterized by a permanent deficit in the amount of central nervous system myelin. Five genes are involved in the aetiology of HL but 40% of HL remains without known genetic origin (UHL). New sequence variations in SOX17 were identified but all correspond to nonpathogenic variants, suggesting that SOX17 is not involved in UHL phenotype. In one patient, we identified the c.775T>A (p.Tyr259Asn) variation already reported as causative of congenital kidney and urinary tract abnormalities (CAKUT). Nevertheless, since our patient did not present such a phenotype, we propose that this variant may alternatively represent an “at‐risk” allele for CAKUT rather than a causative allele. This observation strengthens the idea that caution must be taken when linking genetic variation to disease, especially in discrete phenotypes such as CAKUT.
Angiotensin‐(1–7) inhibits allergic inflammation, via the MAS1 receptor, through suppression of ERK1/2‐ and NF‐κB‐dependent pathways
Authors: El‐Hashim Ahmed Z , Renno Waleed M , Raghupathy Raj , Abduo Heba T , Akhtar Saghir , Benter Ibrahim F
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Angiotensin‐(1–7) [Ang‐(1–7)] has anti‐inflammatory effects in models of cardiovascular disease and arthritis, but its effects in asthma are unknown. We investigated whether Ang‐(1–7) has anti‐inflammatory actions in a murine model of asthma.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The effects of Ang‐(1–7) alone or in combination with the MAS1 receptor antagonist, A779, were evaluated over a 4 day period in an ovalbumin‐challenged mouse model of allergic asthma. On day 5, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, and lungs were sectioned and assessed histologically for quantification of goblet cells, perivascular and peribronchial inflammation and fibrosis. Biochemical analysis of the pro‐inflammatory ERK1/2 and IκB‐α was assessed. In addition, the effect of Ang‐(1–7) on proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC) was investigated.

KEY RESULTS Ang‐(1–7) attenuated ovalbumin‐induced increases in total cell counts, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Ang‐(1–7) also decreased the ovalbumin‐induced perivascular and peribronchial inflammation, fibrosis and goblet cell hyper/metaplasia. Additionally, Ang‐(1–7) reduced the ovalbumin‐induced increase in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and IκB‐α. These effects of Ang‐(1–7) were reversed by the MAS1 receptor antagonist A779. Furthermore, Ang‐(1–7) inhibited phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐induced HPBMC proliferation.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Ang‐(1–7), via its MAS1 receptor, acts as an anti‐inflammatory pathway in allergic asthma, implying that activation of the MAS1 receptor may represent a novel approach to asthma therapy.
Chikungunya virus and the safety of plasma products
Authors: Leydold Sandra M. , Farcet Maria R. , Kindermann Johanna , Modrof Jens , Pölsler Gerhard , Berting Andreas , Howard M. Keith , Barrett P. Noel , Kreil Thomas R.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreaks were previously restricted to parts of Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In 2007, however, the first autochthonous CHIKV transmission was reported in Europe. High‐level viremia, a mosquito vector that is also present in large urban areas of Europe and America, and uncertainty around the resistance of this Alphavirus toward physiochemical inactivation processes raised concerns about the safety of plasma derivatives. To verify the safety margins of plasma products with respect to CHIKV, commonly used virus inactivation steps were investigated for their effectiveness to inactivate this newly emerging virus.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Pasteurization for human serum albumin (HSA), vapor heating for Factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity, solvent/detergent (S/D) treatment for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and incubation at low pH for IVIG were investigated for their capacity to inactivate CHIKV and the closely related Sindbis virus (SINV). The obtained results were compared to previous studies with West Nile virus and the commonly used model virus bovine viral diarrhea virus.

RESULTS: The data generated demonstrate the effective inactivation of CHIKV as well as SINV by the inactivation steps investigated and thereby support results from earlier validation studies in which model viruses were used.

CONCLUSION: High inactivation capacities with respect to CHIKV were demonstrated. This provides solid reassurance for the safety of plasma products and the results verify that the use of model viruses is appropriate to predict the inactivation characteristics of newly emerging viruses when their physicochemical properties are well characterized.
Dengue viremia in blood donors identified by RNA and detection of dengue transfusion transmission during the 2007 dengue outbreak in Puerto Rico
Authors: Stramer Susan L. , Linnen Jeffrey M. , Carrick James M. , Foster Gregory A. , Krysztof David E. , Zou Shimian , Dodd Roger Y. , Tirado‐Marrero Lourdes M. , Hunsperger Elizabeth , Santiago Gilberto A. , Muñoz‐Jordan Jorge L. , Tomashek Kay M.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: In 2007, a total of 10,508 suspected dengue cases were reported in Puerto Rico. Blood donations were tested for dengue virus (DENV) RNA and recipients of RNA‐positive donations traced to assess transfusion transmission.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donation samples from 2007 were maintained in a repository and tested individually for DENV RNA by transcription‐mediated amplification (TMA); a subset was further tested by an enhanced TMA (eTMA) assay. TMA‐reactive samples were considered confirmed if TMA (including eTMA) was repeat reactive (RR). All TMA‐RR samples were tested by quantitative, DENV type–specific reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and for anti‐DENV immunoglobulin (Ig)M by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Samples positive by RT‐PCR were further tested for infectivity in mosquito cell culture. Patients receiving components from TMA‐RR donations were followed.

RESULTS: Of 15,350 donation samples tested, 29 were TMA‐RR for a prevalence of 1 per 529 (0.19%). DENV Types 1, 2, and 3 with viral titers of 105 to 109 copies/mL were detected by RT‐PCR in 12 samples of which all were infectious in mosquito culture. Six TMA‐RR samples were IgM positive. Three of the 29 recipients receiving TMA‐RR donations were tested. One recipient in Puerto Rico transfused with red blood cells containing 108 copies/mL DENV‐2 became febrile 3 days posttransfusion and developed dengue hemorrhagic fever. The recipient was DENV‐2 RNA positive by RT‐PCR; both the donor and the recipient viruses had identical envelope sequences.

CONCLUSIONS: High rates of viremia were detected in blood donors in Puerto Rico coupled with the first documented transfusion transmission of severe dengue disease, suggesting that further research on interventions is needed.
Epidemiologic and laboratory findings from 3 years of testing United States blood donors for Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Custer Brian , Agapova Maria , Bruhn Roberta , Cusick Robin , Kamel Hany , Tomasulo Peter , Biswas Hope , Tobler Leslie , Lee Tzong‐Hae , Caglioti Sally , Busch Michael
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: At most blood centers in the United States routine testing of donations for Trypanosoma cruzi using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is followed by supplemental testing by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA). The objective of this study was to report the results of routine testing and risk factor data from allogeneic blood donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: T. cruzi testing data from January 2007 through December 2009 were analyzed, and risk factor interviews and follow‐up studies were conducted on seroreactive donors. Prevalences of confirmed infection and risk factors associated with infection were assessed using logistic and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Of 2,940,491 allogeneic donations from 1,183,076 donors, 305 (0.01% per donation tested and 0.026% per blood donor) were repeat reactive (RR) and 89 of those were confirmed positive by RIPA, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 1 per 33,039 donations and 1 per 13,292 donors. Country of birth and US blood center location differences in the seroprevalence of T. cruzi were evident. The odds of confirmed infection were highest if the donor reported having been bitten by the reduviid (kissing) bug (odds ratio [OR], 76.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.1‐3173) followed by having lived in a rural area of Latin America (OR, 38.6; 95% CI, 15.1‐102.5). In multivariable analyses, having spent 3 months or more in Mexico or Central and/or South America was associated with the highest odds of RIPA‐confirmed infection (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 2.7‐26.5). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of ELISA RR donors exhibited low sensitivity (1/22 [4%] RIPA‐confirmed donors was PCR positive).

CONCLUSION: Risk factors for confirmed infection in US blood donors are consistent with the known epidemiology of Chagas disease. Blood donors or transfusions do not substantially contribute to the burden of T. cruzi infection in the United States.
ABO antibody titers are not predictive of hemolytic reactions due to plasma‐incompatible platelet transfusions
Authors: Karafin Matthew S. , Blagg Lorraine , Tobian Aaron A.R. , King Karen E. , Ness Paul M. , Savage William J.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: The overall risk of hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) from plasma (minor)‐incompatible platelet (PLT) transfusions and the role of a critical anti‐A or anti‐B titer in predicting and preventing these reactions has not been clearly established.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated all apheresis PLT (AP) transfusions for 3 months. Using the gel titer method, we determined the anti‐A and/or the anti‐B immunoglobulin (Ig)G titer for all incompatible APs. Reported febrile transfusion reactions and HTRs were recorded; transfusions were not prospectively evaluated by the study team. A posttransfusion direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and eluate were performed after a reported febrile or hemolytic reaction for patients who received plasma‐incompatible APs.

RESULTS: A total of 647 of 4288 AP transfusions (15.1%) were plasma incompatible. Group O APs (n = 278) had significantly higher anti‐A and anti‐B titers than group A or B APs (p < 0.0001). No group A or B APs had a titer of more than 128 (0/342). For group O APs, 73 had titers of 256 or greater (26.3%), and 27 had titers of 512 or greater (9.7%). No HTRs were reported to any plasma‐incompatible AP transfusion during the study period. Two plasma‐incompatible AP transfusions were associated with fever and chills and positive DATs, of which one had a positive eluate. The incidence of a DAT and eluate‐positive febrile transfusion reaction in the plasma‐incompatible AP population is 0.15% (95% confidence interval, 0.0%‐0.86%).

CONCLUSION: A critical anti‐A or ‐B titer is not sufficient to predict the risk of hemolysis in patients receiving plasma‐incompatible APs, although underreporting of reactions to the blood bank may limit the generalizability of this study.
The Old Man and the Sea: Navigating the Gulf between Special Educators and the Content Area Classroom
Authors: Kennedy Michael J. , Ihle Frances M.
Published: February 2012

The special educator in the content area classroom often experiences an ill‐defined role, which can translate into marginalization within instructional settings. Indeed, most students with learning disabilities (LD) receive content area instruction from a general education teacher with the support of a special educator. However, the literacy demands of the respective content areas often present content specific challenges for students with language‐based disabilities and their teachers. To date, proposed content area literacy interventions have not addressed the specific language‐based needs of students with LD. In this article, we highlight the similarities among history, science, English language arts, and mathematics texts from a language perspective, and present strategies specifically targeting students’ background knowledge. We also provide recommendations to researchers and practitioners for improving content area learning.
Factors Affecting Codon Bias in the Mitochondrial Genomes of the Streptophyte Mesostigma viride and the Chlorophyte Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Hua Jimeng , Lee Robert W.
Published: February 2012

Mitochondrial genomes typically show genome‐wide patterns of synonymous codon usage bias. In animals and land plants, mutation appears more dominant than selection in shaping this bias, while in green algae the relative importance of these factors is not well studied. Based on our analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence from the green algae Mesostigma viride (NIES‐296) and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CC‐277) and a closely related relative of each, we conclude that both mutation and selection are important in shaping synonymous codon usage bias in their mitochondrial genomes, with selection being more dominant. The possible confounding influence of mutational context dependence on our analyses is discussed.
Transparent Nanocrystalline Pure and Ca‐Doped MgO by Spark Plasma Sintering of Anhydrous Nanoparticles
Authors: Tran Tien B. , Hayun Shmuel , Navrotsky Alexandra , Castro Ricardo H. R.
Published: February 2012

Fully dense nanocrystalline MgO‐based ceramics were consolidated by field and pressure assisted sintering (also known as Spark Plasma Sintering) using anhydrous nanosized powders (~5 nm) prepared by laser ablation and handled in a controlled, water‐free environment prior to sintering. The high reactivity of the powders promoted excellent sinterability at relatively low temperatures. Highly transparent specimens were produced by sintering at 0.23–0.28Tm (650°C–800°C) for 15–30 min with good control over the final nanometric grain size. To preserve the nanocrystalline nature of the samples, the high temperature exposure time during sintering was reduced by the application of 300 MPa uniaxial pressure; higher pressure or two‐step procedures did not provide extra benefits to densification or microstructural control.
Targeting of the hNC16A collagen domain to dendritic cells induces tolerance to human type XVII collagen
Authors: Ettinger Monika , Gratz Iris K. , Gruber Christina , Hauser‐Kronberger Cornelia , Johnson Theron S. , Mahnke Karsten , Thalhamer Josef , Hintner Helmut , Peckl‐Schmid Doris , Bauer Johann W.
Published: February 2012

Abstract:  Antibodies, specific to murine DEC205, can be used to target antigens to dendritic cells. The immunodominant domain of human type XVII collagen, hNC16A, was fused to this antibody (DEC‐hNC16A) and was administered as expression plasmid by gene gun transfection with the aim of inducing tolerance to human type XVII collagen in a skin transplantation model. Mice transfected with DEC‐hNC16A were challenged with skin grafts from transgenic mice engineered to express human type XVII collagen. Graft survival was either prolonged or grafts were accepted infinitely (33% and 16%, respectively) upon treatment with DEC‐hNC16A while 100% of grafts were rejected in untreated controls. Graft acceptance was associated with the absence of a CD4+ infiltrate and a dense CD8+ T‐cell infiltrate and was not strictly dependent on antibody production. Our results show that DEC‐hNC16A targets dendritic cells in vivo leading to prolonged survival of transgenic skin grafts. This indicates that DEC205‐targeting may be used for the induction of tolerance to skin antigens, which would increase the chances of successful skin gene therapy of epidermolysis bullosa patients.
Secretive Bacterial Pathogens and the Secretory Pathway
Authors: Hilbi Hubert , Haas Albert
Published: February 2012

Eukaryotic cells possess two extensive endomembrane systems, each consisting of several sub‐compartments connected by vesicular trafficking. One of these systems, the endocytic pathway, serves incoming traffic, and the other system, the secretory pathway (SP), is responsible for surface‐bound traffic of intracellularly formed vesicles. Compartments derived of either system can be colonized by intracellular pathogens. In this review, we discuss the interactions between the SP and prominent intracellular bacterial pathogens of the genera Legionella, Brucella, Chlamydia and Salmonella. We emphasize secreted bacterial effector proteins, which directly manipulate host components of this pathway.
Protein Ligation in Living Cells Using Sortase
Authors: Strijbis Karin , Spooner Eric , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: February 2012

Sortagging is a versatile method for site‐specific modification of proteins as applied to a variety of in vitro reactions. Here, we explore possibilities of adapting the sortase method for use in living cells. For intracellular sortagging, we employ the Ca2+‐independent sortase A transpeptidase (SrtA) from Streptococcus pyogenes. Substrate proteins were equipped with the C‐terminal sortase‐recognition motif (LPXTG); we used proteins with an N‐terminal (oligo)glycine as nucleophiles. We show that sortase‐dependent protein ligation can be achieved in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in mammalian HEK293T cells, both in the cytosol and in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER luminal sortagging enables secretion of the reaction products, among which circular polypeptides. Protein ligation of substrate and nucleophile occurs within 30 min of translation. The versatility of the method is shown by protein ligation of multiple substrates with green fluorescent protein‐based nucleophiles in different intracellular compartments.
Oral self‐injury. An update
Authors: Limeres Jacobo , Feijoo Javier F , Baluja Fernando , Seoane Juan Manuel , Diniz Marcio , Diz Pedro
Published: February 2012

Abstract –  Background: Self‐inflicted oral injuries of organic origin are particularly common in certain diseases, syndromes, and systemic disorders. In this article, we discuss the characteristics of these oral lesions and their treatment. Literature Search: The authors have reviewed the most relevant literature relating to oral self‐injury through a search in textbooks and published articles included in the Medline database for the years 1970–2010, and selected published cases from the last two decades. Results: The majority of the literature on oral self‐injury is in the form of case reports. Self‐injury is particularly prevalent in patients with Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, a heterogeneous group of neurological disorders, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, and mental retardation. It is most common in males in the early years of life, and the sites most frequently involved are the lower lip and the tongue. Therapeutic approaches in these patients have included psychological and pharmacological treatment, intraoral devices, and surgical procedures. Clinical Implications:  Intraoral devices are the best therapeutic option for self‐injury of organic origin, although this approach is not free of complications. The current lack of standardized treatment protocols for oral self‐injury means that therapy must be individualized.
Novel CRLF1 gene mutation in a newborn infant diagnosed with Crisponi syndrome
Authors: Hakan Nilay , Eminoglu Fatma Tuba , Aydin Mustafa , Zenciroglu Aysegul , Karadag Nazmiye Nilgun , Dursun Arzu , Okumus Nurullah , Ceylaner Serdar
Published: February 2012

Crisponi syndrome is an infrequently described disorder with autosomal recessive trait. It is characterized by extensive muscular contractions in the face after even minimal stimuli or crying, hypertonia, opisthotonus, camptodactyly, and typical facial features. Muscle contractions attenuate during rest or when the infant calms down. As a recently described new disease, Crisponi syndrome may be confused with epileptic manifestations. Most of the patients die in the first months of life due to hyperthermia and feeding problems. Recently, it has been demonstrated that mutations of the CRLF1 gene ‘cytokine receptor‐like factor 1’ are associated with Crisponi syndrome. Here, we present a newborn diagnosed with Crisponi syndrome and report a novel homozygous CFRL1 gene mutation.
Gastric hairballs in rabbits: Significance in developmental toxicity study
Authors: Fukumura Kanako , Haneda Ryo , Endoh Takako , Takano Masao , Mizoguchi Yasumoto , Matsuoka Tetsuya , Asano Yuzo
Published: February 2012

We surveyed 1053 pregnant rabbits of the Kbl:NZW strain collected from 27 developmental toxicity studies to reveal the prevalence and significance of gastric hairballs. The incidence of hairballs was 2/525 (0.4%) in the control group and 17/528 (3.2%) in the high dose group. In the high dose group, 16 dams resulted in abortion or death. In addition, decreases in body weight and food consumption were more severe in dams with hairballs than in their group‐mates without hairballs.
Familial severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Left herniation in one sibling and bilateral herniation in another
Authors: Nagase Hiromi , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Kurosawa Kenji , Furuya Noritaka , Itani Yasufumi , Yamanaka Michiko
Published: February 2012

Familial congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is extremely rare; it comprises about 2% of all CDH cases. The empirical risk is about 2%, increasing to 10% in a family with two affected children. This report describes severe CDH in two siblings who had been diagnosed prenatally. The female newborn diagnosed with left CDH prenatally was born at 38 weeks of gestation. Despite surgical repair and intensive treatment, she died 10 days after birth. Her younger brother was born at 39 weeks of gestation after being diagnosed with bilateral CDH prenatally, and died 75 min after birth. Both infants had neither other congenital anomaly nor chromosomal abnormalities. Their parents are healthy without consanguinity. Their first daughter and the fourth child have no congenital anomalies.
Differential requirements of mammalian ESCRTs in multivesicular body formation, virus budding and cell division
Authors: Morita Eiji
Published: February 2012

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) mediate membrane fission from the cytoplasmic face of the bud neck. ESCRTs were originally identified as factors involved in multivesicular body vesicle biogenesis in yeast but have since been shown to function in other membrane fission events in mammalian cells, including enveloped virus budding and the abscission step of cytokinesis. Several recent studies have revealed that not all ESCRT factors are required for each of these biological processes, and this review summarizes our current understanding of the different requirements for ESCRT factors in these three different ESCRT‐mediated mammalian membrane fission processes.
Differential IgE sensitization to cypress pollen associated to a basic allergen of 14 kDa
Authors: Shahali Youcef , Sutra Jean‐Pierre , Charpin Denis , Mari Adriano , Guilloux Laurence , Sénéchal Hélène , Poncet Pascal
Published: February 2012

The common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) (Cups) pollen represents the first cause of respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean basin. The aim of this study was to characterize a novel 14‐kDa cypress pollen allergen (BP14) allowing a clear dissociation of IgE sensitization patterns among allergic patients. The biochemical and immunochemical characterization of BP14 included determination of its isoelectric point, molecular mass, extraction kinetics, IgE binding prevalence, the presence of bromelain‐type cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinant and its IgE reactivity under reducing conditions. The presence of potential cross‐reactive homologues in closely related cypress species, i.e. Cupressus arizonica (Cupa) and Cryptomeria japonica (Cryj), as well as in several taxonomically unrelated species was also investigated. According to our results, BP14 is easily and quickly solubilized in phosphate‐buffered saline and exhibits several allergenic isoforms covering a broad range of pI (6.5–10.5). This allergen displays heat‐stable conformational epitopes and does not include cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants, in contrast to high molecular weight cypress allergens. BP14 is expressed at higher levels in Cups than in Cupa and Cryj. No IgE cross‐reactivity was found between the 14‐kDa Cups pollen protein and proteins from some other non‐Cupressaceae pollen allergenic sources such as orchard, timothy, wheat, maize, birch, ash and pine. Thus, IgE reactivity to BP14 is specific to Cupressaceae and discriminates two groups of patients allergic to cypress pollen. It might correspond to a relevant marker in relation to the sensitization process and/or the symptoms observed in some cypress‐pollen‐allergic patients. Furthermore, the description of BP14 should improve the diagnosis of cypress pollinosis.
Effects of a multi‐method discharge planning educational program for medical staff nurses
Authors: SUZUKI Shigemi , NAGATA Satoko , ZERWEKH Joyce , YAMAGUCHI Takuhiro , TOMURA Hikari , TAKEMURA Yukie , MURASHIMA Sachiyo
Published: February 2012

Aim:  To evaluate the effects of an educational program on discharge planning for staff nurses that was developed to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and practice as well as the organizational climate regarding discharge planning.

Methods:  Quasi‐experimental design was used. Participants were 256 staff nurses on general internal medicine units in a 1210‐bed national university hospital in the Tokyo area. Two groups were studied: an education group consisting of 102 nurses from 4 units and a control group consisting of 154 nurses from 6 units. The 3‐month education program included study meetings, periodic conferences, and home visits following discharge. The control group received no education. Both groups answered an anonymous self‐administered questionnaire before and after the intervention period. For post‐intervention group comparisons, analysis of covariance was used.

Results:  We analyzed the data obtained from 87 education group nurses (response rate: 85.3%) and 104 control group nurses (response rate: 67.5%). In the education group, knowledge increased post intervention regarding home visiting nursing services, the hospital discharge planning department, and two relevant Japanese laws related to discharge planning. In addition, the education group showed improvement in attitudes towards discharge planning. Likewise, co‐workers' recognition of discharge planning needs and their support for discharge planning were significantly improved in education‐group units compared with control‐group units.

Conclusion:  This education program was successful in strengthening knowledge of various systems related to discharge planning, improving the nurses' attitudes towards discharge planning, and impacting the climate of entire units; therefore, it was found to be effective.