bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separating Forced from Chaotic Climate Variability over the Past Millennium
Authors: Schurer Andrew P. , Hegerl Gabriele C. , Mann Michael E. , Tett Simon F. B. , Phipps Steven J.
Published: March 2013

Reconstructions of past climate show notable temperature variability over the past millennium, with relatively warm conditions during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and a relatively cold Little Ice Age (LIA). Multimodel simulations of the past millennium are used together with a wide range of reconstructions of Northern Hemispheric mean annual temperature to separate climate variability from 850 to 1950 CE into components attributable to external forcing and internal climate variability. External forcing is found to contribute significantly to long-term temperature variations irrespective of the proxy reconstruction, particularly from 1400 onward. Over the MCA alone, however, the effect of forcing is only detectable in about half of the reconstructions considered, and the response to forcing in the models cannot explain the warm conditions around 1000 CE seen in some reconstructions. The residual from the detection analysis is used to estimate internal variability independent from climate modeling, and it is found that the recent observed 50- and 100-yr hemispheric temperature trends are substantially larger than any of the internally generated trends even using the large residuals over the MCA. Variations in solar output and explosive volcanism are found to be the main drivers of climate change from 1400 to 1900, but for the first time a significant contribution from greenhouse gas variations to the cold conditions during 1600–1800 is also detected. The proxy reconstructions tend to show a smaller forced response than is simulated by the models. This discrepancy is shown, at least partly, to be likely associated with the difference in the response to large volcanic eruptions between reconstructions and model simulations.
Examining the Relationships Between Physical Functioning, Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, Familismo, and Depressive Symptoms for Latino Older Adults
Authors: Chavez-Korell Shannon , Benson-Flórez Gregory , Rendón Angélica Delgado , Farías René
Published: March 2013

In this study, the authors examined the contributions of physical functioning, acculturation, the Latino cultural value of familismo, and ethnic identity in predicting depressive symptoms in a community sample of Latino older adults. The participants were 98 Latino older adults, age 65 and older, from a moderately sized Midwestern city. Multiple regression analyses indicated that physical functioning, acculturation, familismo, and ethnic identity were significantly related to depressive symptoms. Due to the limited empirical research focused on ethnic identity among older adults, the construct of ethnic identity was closely examined in an effort to extend ethnic identity theory and research specific to Latino older adults. The findings are discussed within the context of ethnic identity theory and implications for research and practice.
Assessing the Measurement Properties of the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale
Authors: Hallinger Phillip , Wang Wen-Chung , Chen Chia-Wen
Published: March 2013

Background: In a recent article, Hallinger (2011b) reviewed 135 empirical studies that had employed the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) over the prior three decades. The author concluded that the PIMRS appeared to have attained a consistent record of yielding reliable and valid data on principal instructional leadership. However, given the focus of the review, little detail was provided on measurement results related to the PIMRS instrument. Research Design: In light of the extensive past and current use of the PIMRS, the current article seeks to provide a comprehensive and detailed picture of reliability results. More specifically, the authors present a meta-analysis of reliability results derived from 52 data sets derived from 43 independent empirical studies in which the PIMRS had been employed for data collection. Conclusions: The main contribution of this article lies in elaborating on and updating information regarding the measurement properties of the PIMRS, among the most widely used scales in the study and assessment of principal leadership. This information will be useful for researchers who are planning empirical studies of leadership and learning as well as practitioners who have a need for reliable measures of principal instructional leadership.
Postcolonial print cultures
Authors: Brouillette Sarah , Finkelstein David
Published: March 2013

This article provides an overview of the contributions to a special issue on “Postcolonial Print Cultures”.
Praising God Online
Authors: Duff Nancy J.
Published: March 2013

After identifying some of the strengths and weaknesses of online social interaction, this article examines whether church practices (specifically confession of sin and communion) should ever be offered online. Readers are invited to consider this question critically without immediately dismissing it as absurd and then consider how church practices as we typically experience them (with a physically present congregation) can be evaluated by comparing them to their online versions. Whether Christian practices should be offered online or not, this article encourages churches to consider making more extensive use of the Internet; ignoring online communication today would be like ignoring the telephone when it became a common means of connecting us to one another.
“Bring On Your Wrecking Ball”: Psalm 73 and Public Witness
Authors: Lapsley Jacqueline E.
Published: March 2013

This article explores Bruce Springsteen’s recent album Wrecking Ball and Psalm 73 as forms of public witness. Both artists rage against the injustice of profiteers, until, in the case of Psalm 73, there is a decisive turn toward praise once the psalmist enters the sanctuary. How does this kind of resistance (and praise) art become rhetorically effective? Both Springsteen and the psalmist concretize their work through the use of memory, memory that draws their audience in, thus making the performance (a Springsteen concert, or the psalm itself) the first instance of a larger posture of resistance. For Springsteen, stories conjure other stories in the audience, thus making public what were private griefs, and transforming individual despair into a solidarity of resistance. That first opportunity to stand up against oppression funds other opportunities. The psalmist also concretizes injustice, and resistance to it, within Israel’s memory and story. The psalmist’s hearers can call upon their own collective experience in order to understand how Psalm 73 sets the stage for a new beginning of justice and resistance to the injustice that is still pervasive in the land. Such a new beginning calls for a cry of praise, for finally, when injustice abounds, one must keep on singing.
Just Water?
Authors: Mikoski Gordon S.
Published: March 2013

Although key baptismal theologians like Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, and John Calvin made explicit connections between the sacrament of baptism and ethical living, they did so only in relation to Uri Bronfenbrenner’s categories of micro-, meso-, and exosystems. They did not spell out connections between baptism and social witness in relation to the macrosystem of society as a whole. The linkage between the praise of God in and through baptism and public witness must today include attention to the macrosystem.
Infant face preferences after binocular visual deprivation
Authors: Mondloch Catherine J. , Lewis Terri L. , Levin Alex V. , Maurer Daphne
Published: March 2013

Early visual deprivation impairs some, but not all, aspects of face perception. We investigated the possible developmental roots of later abnormalities by using a face detection task to test infants treated for bilateral congenital cataract within 1 hour of their first focused visual input. The seven patients were between 5 and 12 weeks old ( n = 3) or older than 12 weeks ( n = 4). Like newborns, but unlike visually normal age-matched controls, the patients looked preferentially toward config (three squares arranged as facial features) over its inverted version and none of the older patients preferred a positive-contrast face over the negative-contrast version. We conclude that postnatal changes in face perception are experience-dependent, and that interference with their typical development may contribute to later deficits in face processing.
Attention-orienting and attention-holding effects of faces on 4- to 8-month-old infants
Authors: DeNicola Christopher A. , Holt Nicholas A. , Lambert Amy J. , Cashon Cara H.
Published: March 2013

Attention-orienting and attention-holding effects of faces were investigated in a sample of 64 children, aged 4 to 8 months old. A visual preference task was used, in which pairs of faces and toys were presented in eight 10-second trials. Effects of age and sitting-ability were examined. Attention-orienting toward faces was measured using the direction of infants’ first looks toward faces. The effect of attention-holding of faces was measured by calculating infants’ face preference scores at 1-second time intervals across the duration of each trial. Faces were not found to attract infants’ first looks significantly more than chance. However, during the first second of looking-time, infants displayed a face preference that was maintained throughout trial length. This attention-holding effect by faces was not related to sitting-ability or age.
A Critical Review of the Literature for Sales Educators
Authors: Cummins Shannon , Peltier James W. , Erffmeyer Robert , Whalen Joel
Published: March 2013

The Journal of Marketing Education is publishing a special issue on Sales Education and Training in August 2014. In this article, we review the sales education literature from four primary journals and the business literature at large. The four primary journals are the Journal of Marketing Education, Marketing Education Review, Journal of Education in Business, and the Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management. Of the 107 identified articles, experiential learning, assessment, and career development were the three most prominent topics. Future research opportunities in sales education, including those for the special issue, are offered across nine topical areas.
Locating librarianship’s identity in its historical roots of professional philosophies: towards a radical new identity for librarians of today (and tomorrow)
Authors: Gray Sara Wingate
Published: March 2013

‘Librarian identity’ is a contested arena, seemingly caught up in a values-war between traditional principles of ‘citizenship’ and late 20th century’s shift to a democracy of consumerists. New professionals may be wary of associating with established systems of their own professional hierarchies when professional associations may be perceived as not having paid enough attention to how this shift in values has been effected, yet this is the key question to address: how has this shift towards ‘information management/consumption’; the library member now as ‘customer’; and new models of library provision by private or social enterprises, impacted on the profession’s identity as a whole? What does it means to call yourself a Librarian in the 21st century? This paper will trace the roots of the philosophy of Librarianship, in its changing shapes, to establish how professional identities are formed, ranging from Edwards and Dewey’s originating ‘librarian’ as book keeper/cataloguer or library ‘economiser’; through to Otlet and Shera’s ‘Documentationalist’; Ranganathan’s librarian ‘helper’; and present day incarnations such as Lankes’ librarian as ‘community knowledge creation facilitator’. Incorporating historical analysis of the roots of librarianship’s philosophies, this paper develops a thesis relating to how modern day librarian professionals, practicing in non-traditional areas and ways, may be helpful in suggesting a route out of the LIS echo-chamber of identity crisis, alongside the evidence of librarianship’s historical trail. It is proposed that by investigating librarianship’s underlying philosophies, and by listening to those who may not necessarily have traditional library qualifications or work in traditional settings, but who work as members of the profession in information and info-literacy skills, a way to forging a new identity can be observed. Examples of member/non-member outreach and activities are provided to illustrate how this new identity can be shaped to rise, phoenix-like, in a radical new, engaging, and engaged form.
Re-training of librarians for the digital work environment by the Nigerian Library Association
Authors: Gbaje Ezra Shiloba
Published: March 2013

This paper examines re-training of librarians for the digital work environment by the Nigerian Library Association (NLA). In addition to personal observation a documentary analysis of the contents of NLA Information Technology Section workshops training Compact Disc (CD) for the period 2007 to 2011 was used to collect data for this study. Findings from the analysis revealed that the Information Technology Section of the Nigerian Library Association has been playing a vital role in re-training librarians for the digital work environment in their annual Library and Information Technology Today workshops. Recommendations include streamlining the topics covered in the annual workshops for effectiveness.
The ANC youth league and the politicization of race
Authors: Posel Deborah
Published: March 2013

One of the most striking features of the South African polity, as the 20th anniversary of democratization draws closer, is the intensity of public arguments about race that show no signs of abating any time soon. In the midst of worsening socio-economic inequality, it’s the economic question – of the terms of access to wealth, status and economic power, and of how to erase the residues of apartheid’s economic dispossession – that dominates these arguments. In recent years, the ANC Youth League – a renewal of the Youth League originally created in 1944 and then banned in 1960 – effectively positioned itself at the forefront of this politicization of race. I argue in this essay that from 1994 to early 2012, the contemporary Youth League retained its predecessor’s political persona of precocious provocateur, particularly on matters of race – but differently styled, and deployed to different political ends in the new conjuncture. The repertoire of the Youth League during this period was shaped by a clientelist politics, informed by a version of freedom as a freedom to consume, and the concomitant spectacles of conspicuous consumption that infused the iconography of the ‘new’ South Africa. These tendencies were most dramatically illustrated during Julius Malema’s controversial tenure as Youth League president. Largely disconnected from discursive, deliberative notions of the political, the Youth League’s version of politics became an amalgamation of angry street protest, patronage, and lavish partying, which produced a racialized iconography of being well-heeled and down-trodden in a seamless narrative of black solidarity.
The political economy of pervasive rent-seeking
Authors: de Kadt Raphael , Simkins Charles
Published: March 2013

This article provides an account of rent-seeking in relation both to economic policies and political practices in South Africa. The article draws attention to continuities and similarities in this regard between the two distinct periods of nationalist rule from 1948 to 1994 and from 1994 to 2012. The economic dimensions that are specifically addressed are industrial policy, the labour market, state administration and tenders and service delivery and welfare. The more specifically political dimensions addressed include the electoral system, the relationship between constitutionalism and the judiciary, and the rule of law. The article highlights the dangers posed by excessive rent-seeking and especially its negative implications for redistribution, economic growth and the consolidation of democracy in a highly unequal society.
Art and culture in contemporary South Africa
Authors: Klopper Sandra
Published: March 2013

This article focuses on the complex ways in which artistic innovation and creativity have been fostered by the experience of living in late apartheid and post-apartheid society. It argues that contemporary South African artists, film-makers and performers have developed highly inventive formal and conceptual vocabularies in their effort to negotiate the ever-changing landscape of contradictory and sometimes irreconcilable realities they encounter on a daily basis, often attaining major international acclaim in the process. Blurring the boundaries between long-established artistic genres, and challenging racial, sexual and other stereotypes, they have refused to abandon the hope of achieving the ideals of a renewal and respacialization of the current socio-cultural landscape. Many of them have done so against the odds of vociferous opprobrium from state officials and legal challenges by the ANC, which in recent years has questioned the right to freedom of expression of a number of artists.
Gossip, Self-Monitoring, and Fashion Consumer Groups
Authors: Lee Seung-Hee , Workman Jane E.
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine tendency to gossip and self-monitoring among fashion consumer groups. Word-of-mouth is acknowledged as a powerful force in transmission of fashion product information. Because gossip reflects and communicates norms, gossip may be a way of conveying information about fashion. The questionnaire included items measuring demographics and scales measuring tendency to gossip, self-monitoring, and fashion innovativeness and opinion leadership. Participants (n = 400; 280 females; 120 males) were undergraduates from a large university in Korea. Fashion change agents (compared with fashion followers) scored higher on tendency to gossip, self-monitoring, and on sensitivity to the expressive behavior of others (subscale of self-monitoring). Tendency to gossip and self-monitoring were positively correlated.
The changing public face of Muslim associations in Britain: Coming together for common ‘social’ goals?
Authors: Bolognani Marta , Statham Paul
Published: March 2013

This article examines the Muslim organizational field in Britain based on interviews with activists. It applies a political opportunity perspective to address the degree to which organizations’ aims and activities have been shaped by the contextual factors confronting them, or more independently, by ‘bottom-up’ beliefs and commitments drawn from their relationships to the community. Specifically, the empirical part examines, first, how activists perceive media representation as an opportunity or constraint, and second, how their organizations have constructed collective identities in order to advance their aims within the UK context. Generally, we find that organizations have come together using under a broad ascriptive ‘Muslim’ label that works across denominational, national and ethnic differences. Not only is this orientation a direct response to the pressures of community cohesion policies and discourses but it also has a strong independent and faith-based component in serving the community and its social needs. The resultant Muslim organizational field is strongly acculturative to UK society, but remains critically independent of governing authorities. Finally, organizations have responded to what they see as poor media representation of Muslims by proactively engaging in media work.
Dynamics of contestation over Islamic religious rights in Western Europe
Authors: Carol Sarah , Koopmans Ruud
Published: March 2013

All European countries are confronted with claims by Islamic groups for religious rights in the public domain, as well as counterclaims by those who want to deny Muslims such rights. Examples are controversies over mosque construction, religious education and the right to wear headscarves and burqas. We show that across European countries there are striking differences in the kind of rights for Muslims around which public conflicts centre. Issues that are highly controversial in some countries are entirely absent from the debate in other countries. We explain these differences with reference to national path dependencies resulting from existing church–state arrangements and immigrant integration policy traditions. Using the method of political claims analysis, we conducted analyses of the German, Swiss, Dutch, Belgian, French and UK media debates on religious rights for Muslims, based on a selection of 30 national newspapers for the period 1999–2008.
Rivaroxaban modulates electrical and mechanical characteristics of left atrium
Authors: Chang Chien-Jung , Chen Yao-Chang , Lin Yung-Kuo , Huang Jen-Hung , Chen Shih-Ann , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: March 2013

Background

Rivaroxaban reduces stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrium (LA) plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of AF. However, the electromechanical effects of rivaroxaban on LA are not clear.

Results

Conventional microelectrodes and a whole-cell patch-clamp were used to record the action potentials (APs) and ionic currents in rabbit LA preparations and isolated single LA cardiomyocytes before and after the administration of rivaroxaban. Rivaroxaban (10, 30, 100, and 300 nM) concentration-dependently reduced LA (n = 7) AP durations at 90% repolarization (APD90) from 76 ± 2 to 79 ± 3, 67 ± 4 (P < 0.05, vs. control), 59 ± 5, (P < 0.01, vs. control), and 56 ± 4 ms (P < 0.005, vs. control), respectively. Rivaroxaban (10, 30, 100, and 300 nM) concentration-dependently increased the LA (n = 7) diastolic tension by 351 ± 69 (P < 0.05, vs. control), 563 ± 136 (P < 0.05, vs. control), 582 ± 119 (P < 0.05, vs. control), and 603 ± 108 mg (P < 0.005, vs. control), respectively, but did not change LA contractility. In the presence of L-NAME (100 μM) and indomethacin (10 μM), additional rivaroxaban (300 nM) treatment did not significantly further increase the LA (n = 7) diastolic tension, but shortened the APD90 from 73 ± 2 to 60 ± 6 ms (P < 0.05, vs. control). Rivaroxaban (100 nM) increased the L-type calcium current and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier potassium current, but did not change the transient outward potassium current in isolated LA cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

Rivaroxaban modulates LA electrical and mechanical characteristics with direct ionic current effects.
Interleukin (IL)-13 promoter polymorphisms (-7402 T/G and -4729G/A) condition susceptibility to pediatric severe malarial anemia but not circulating IL-13 levels
Authors: Okeyo Winnie A , Munde Elly O , Okumu Wilson , Raballah Evans , Anyona Samuel B , Vulule John M , Ong’echa John M , Perkins Douglas J , Ouma Collins
Published: March 2013

In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission areas such as western Kenya, severe malarial anemia [SMA, hemoglobin (Hb) < 6.0 g/dL, with any density parasitemia] is the most common clinical manifestation of severe malaria resulting in high rates of pediatric morbidity and mortality in these regions. Previous studies associated interleukin (IL)-13 with pathogenesis of different infectious diseases, including P. falciparum malaria. However, the functional roles of polymorphic variants within the IL-13 promoter in conditioning susceptibility to SMA remain largely unexplored. As such, the association between the IL-13 variants -7402 T/G (rs7719175) and -4729G/A (rs3091307) and susceptibility to SMA was determined in children (n = 387) presenting with clinical symptoms of falciparum malaria and resident in a holoendemic transmission region in western Kenya. Our results indicated no difference in the proportions of individual genotypes among children presenting with non-SMA (n = 222) versus SMA (n = 165). Similarly, there was no associations between the individual genotypes (-7402 T/G and -4729G/A) and SMA. Additional analyses, however, revealed that proportions of individuals with -7402 T/-4729A (TA) haplotype was significantly higher in children presenting with SMA than non-SMA group (P = 0.043). A further multivariate logistic regression analyses, controlling for confounding factors, demonstrated that carriage of the TA haplotype was associated with increased susceptibility to SMA (OR; 1.564, 95% CI; 1.023-2.389, P = 0.039). In addition, circulating levels of IL-13 were comparable between the clinical groups as well as across genotypes and haplotypes. Collectively, findings presented here suggest that haplotypes within the IL-13 promoter at -7402 T/G and -4729G/A may modulate SMA pathogenesis, but do not affect circulating IL-13 levels.
EcoTILLING in Beta vulgaris reveals polymorphisms in the FLC-like gene BvFL1that are associated with annuality and winter hardiness
Authors: Frerichmann Sebastian LM , Kirchhoff Martin , Müller Andreas E , Scheidig Axel J , Jung Christian , Kopisch-Obuch Friedrich J
Published: March 2013

Background

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris L.) is an important crop for sugar and biomass production in temperate climate regions. Currently sugar beets are sown in spring and harvested in autumn. Autumn-sown sugar beets that are grown for a full year have been regarded as a cropping system to increase the productivity of sugar beet cultivation. However, for the development of these “winter beets” sufficient winter hardiness and a system for bolting control is needed. Both require a thorough understanding of the underlying genetics and its natural variation.

Results

We screened a diversity panel of 268 B. vulgaris accessions for three flowering time genes via EcoTILLING. This panel had been tested in the field for bolting behaviour and winter hardiness. EcoTILLING identified 20 silent SNPs and one non-synonymous SNP within the genes BTC1, BvFL1 and BvFT1, resulting in 55 haplotypes. Further, we detected associations of nucleotide polymorphisms in BvFL1 with bolting before winter as well as winter hardiness.

Conclusions

These data provide the first genetic indication for the function of the FLC homolog BvFL1 in beet. Further, it demonstrates for the first time that EcoTILLING is a powerful method for exploring genetic diversity and allele mining in B. vulgaris.
Anti-inflammatory effects of triptolide improve left ventricular function in a rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wen He-Ling , Liang Zhong-Shu , Zhang Rui , Yang Kan
Published: March 2013

Aims

Given the importance of inflammation in the onset and progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we investigated the potential protective effects of triptolide, an anti-inflammatory agent, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and in H9c2 rat cardiac cells exposed to high glucose.

Methods and results

Diabetic rats were treated with triptolide (100, 200, or 400 μg/kg/day respectively) for 6 weeks. At the end of this study, after cardiac function measurements were performed, rats were sacrificed and their hearts were harvested for further histologic and molecular biologic analysis. Enhanced activity and expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 in diabetic hearts were associated with increased inflammatory response, as demonstrated by increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules and invading inflammatory cells, as well as increased fibrosis, in line with impaired left ventricular function. Triptolide attenuated these morpho-functional alterations. Furthermore, triptolide (20 ng/ml) also attenuated high glucose-induced inflammation in H9c2 rat cardiac cells.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that anti-inflammatory effects of triptolide involving the NF-κB signaling pathway can improve left ventricular function under diabetic conditions, suggesting triptolide treatment might be beneficial in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Association of BDNF and BMPR1A with clinicopathologic parameters in benign and malignant gallbladder lesions
Authors: Xiong Li , Deng Xiaofeng , Wen Yu , Yang Zhulin , Miao Xiongying
Published: March 2013

Background

Neurotrophic factors such as brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are synthesized in a variety of neural and non-neuronal cell types and regulate survival, proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) inhibit the proliferation of pulmonary large carcinoma cells bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type IA (BMPR1A). Little is known about the expression of BDNF or BMPR1A in malignant gall bladder lesions. This study was to evaluate BDNF and BMPR1A expression and evaluate the clinicopathological significance in benign and malignant lesions of the gallbladder.

Methods

The BDNF and BMPR1A expression of gallbladder adenocarcinoma, peritumoral tissues, adenoma, polyp and chronic cholecystitis were Immunohistochemically determined.

Results

BDNF expression was significantly higher in gallbladder adenocarcinoma than in peritumoral tissues, adenoma, polyps and chronic cholecystitis samples. However, BMPR1A expression was significantly lower in gallbladder adenocarcinoma than in peritumoral tissues, adenomas, polyps and chronic cholecystitis tissues. The specimens with increased expression of BDNF in the benign lesions exhibited moderate- or severe-dysplasia of gallbladder epithelium. BDNF expression was significantly lower in well-differentiated adenocarcinomas with maximum tumor diameter <2 cm, no metastasis to lymph nodes, and no invasion of regional tissues compared to poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas with maximal tumor diameter >2 cm, metastasis of lymph node, and invasiveness of regional tissues in gallbladder adenocarcinoma. BMPR1A expression were significantly higher in the well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with maximal tumor diameter <2 cm, no metastasis of lymph node, and no invasion of regional tissues compared to poorly-differentiated adenocarcinomas with maximal tumor diameter >2 cm, metastasis of lymph node, and invasiveness of regional tissues in gallbladder. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated increased expression of BDNF or decreased expression of BMPR1A was associated with decreased disease specific survival (DSS) rates. Similarly, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed increased expression of BDNF or decreased expression of BMPR1A are independent predictors of poor DSS rates in gallbladder adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

In gallbladder malignancies, the increased expression of BDNF and decreased expression of BMPR1A were associated with increased risk of metastasis, regional invasion and mortality. They might serve as novel indicators of gallbladder adenocarcinoma outcomes, which may prove valuable for the development of personalized therapeutic paradigms.
Variable Ki67 proliferative index in 65 cases of nodular fasciitis, compared with fibrosarcoma and fibromatosis
Authors: Lin Xu-Yong , Wang Liang , Zhang Yong , Dai Shun-Dong , Wang En-Hua
Published: March 2013

Nodular fasciitis is the most common pseudosarcomatous lesion of soft tissue. Ki67 was considered as a useful marker for distinguishing some benign and malignant lesions. To study the usefulness of Ki67 in diagnosis of nodular fasciitis, the expression of Ki67 was examined by using immunostaining in 65 nodular fasciitis specimens, 15 desmoid fibromatosis specimens and 20 fibrosarcoma specimens. The results showed that there was a variable Ki67 index in all 65 cases of nodular fasciitis, and the mean labeling index was 23.71±15.01%. In majority (70.77%) of all cases,the index was ranged from 10% to 50%, in 6.15% (4/65) of cases the higher Ki67 index (over 50%) could be seen. The Ki67 proliferative index was closely related to duration of lesion, but not to age distribution, lesion size, sites of lesions and gender. Moreover, the mean proliferative index in desmoid fibromatosis and fibrosarcoma was 3.20±1.26% and 26.15±3.30% respectively. The mean Ki67 index of nodular fasciitis was not significantly lower than fibrosarcoma, but higher than desmoid fibromatosis. The variable and high Ki67 index in nodular fasciitis may pose a diagnostic challenge. We should not misdiagnose nodular fasciitis as a sarcoma because of its high Ki67 index. The recurrence of nodular fasciitis is rare; and the utility of Ki67 immunostaining may be not suitable for recurrence assessment in nodular fasciitis.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/4782335818876666
The last generation of bacterial growth in limiting nutrient
Authors: Bren Anat , Hart Yuval , Dekel Erez , Koster Daniel , Alon Uri
Published: March 2013

Background

Bacterial growth as a function of nutrients has been studied for decades, but is still not fully understood. In particular, the growth laws under dynamically changing environments have been difficult to explore, because of the rapidly changing conditions. Here, we address this challenge by means of a robotic assay and measure bacterial growth rate, promoter activity and substrate level at high temporal resolution across the entire growth curve in batch culture. As a model system, we study E. coli growing under nitrogen or carbon limitation, and explore the dynamics in the last generation of growth where nutrient levels can drop rapidly.

Results

We find that growth stops abruptly under limiting nitrogen or carbon, but slows gradually when nutrients are not limiting. By measuring growth rate at a 3 min time resolution, and inferring the instantaneous substrate level, s, we find that the reduction in growth rate μ under nutrient limitation follows Monod’s law,

μ
=

μ
0

s

k
s

+
s

. By following promoter activity of different genes we found that the abrupt stop of growth under nitrogen or carbon limitation is accompanied by a pulse-like up-regulation of the expression of genes in the relevant nutrient assimilation pathways. We further find that sharp stop of growth is conditional on the presence of regulatory proteins in the assimilation pathway.

Conclusions

The observed sharp stop of growth accompanied by a pulsed expression of assimilation genes allows bacteria to compensate for the drop in nutrients, suggesting a strategy used by the cells to prolong exponential growth under limiting substrate.
Design and evaluation of Lumefantrine – Oleic acid self nanoemulsifying ionic complex for enhanced dissolution
Authors: Patel Ketan , Sarma Vidur , Vavia Pradeep
Published: March 2013

Background

Lumefantrine, an antimalarial molecule has very low and variable bioavailability owing to its extremely poor solubility in water. It is recommended to be taken with milk to enhance its solubility and bioavailability. The aim of present study was to develop a Self Nanoemulsifying Delivery system (SNEDs) of lumefantrine (LF) to achieve rapid and complete dissolution independent of food-fat and surfactant in dissolution media.

Methods

Solubility of LF in oil, co-solvent/co-surfactant and surfactant solution and emulsification efficiency of surfactant were analyzed to optimize the LF loaded self nanoemulsifying preconcentrate. Effect of LF-oleic acid complexation on emulsification, droplet size, zeta potential and dissolution were investigated. Effect of milk concentration and fat content on saturation solubility and dissolution of LF was investigated. Dissolution of marketed formulation and LF-SNEDs was carried out in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer.

Results

LF exhibited very high solubility in oleic acid owing to complexation between tertiary amine of LF and carboxyl group of oleic acid (OA). Cremophore EL and medium chain monoglyceride were selected surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. Significantly smaller droplet size (37 nm), shift in zeta potential from negative to positive value, very high drug loading in lipid based system (> 10%), no precipitation after dissolution are the major distinguish characteristics contributed by LF-OA complex in the SNED system. Saturation solubility and dissolution study in milk containing media pointed the significant increment in solubility of LF in the presence of milk-food fat. LF-SNEDs showed > 90% LF release within 30 min in pH 1.2 while marketed tablet showed almost 0% drug release.

Conclusion

Self nanoemulsification promoting ionic complexation between basic drug and oleic acid hold great promise in enhancing solubility of hydrophobic drugs.
Contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) analysis and optimisation of breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) acquisition protocols
Authors: Dieckens Dennis , Lavalaye Jules , Romijn Leo , Habraken Jan
Published: March 2013

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in women. Breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is a diagnostic imaging method that uses sestamibi-labelled 99Tc and a dedicated gamma camera to localize malignant lesions in breast tissue. The aim of this study is to investigate if the current acquisition protocol for BSGI at our hospital is optimized for the detection of lesions in our patients.

Methods

We analyzed patient data and performed a phantom study with a Dilon 6800 gamma camera. The patient data were collected from a group of 13 patients (740 MBq 99mTc-sestamibi, four views per patient were dynamically acquired with a frame duration of 30 s per frame and a total acquisition time of 8 min per view). Reduced-time static images were created, and contrast-to-noise ratios of identified hotspots were determined for different acquisition times. For the phantom study, we used a contrast detail phantom to investigate the contrast and resolution properties, within the range of relevant clinical acquisition parameters. The phantom was filled with a concentration of 80 MBq in 500 ml of water, and we dynamically acquired frames for a total acquisition time of 60 min using a general purpose (GP) collimator. To compare the GP collimator with the high-resolution collimator, a second acquisition was made for both collimators with a total acquisition time of 16 min.

Results

The initial analysis of BSGI scans of the 13 patients showed that a dose reduction by a factor of 3 would not have reduced the number of observable hotspots in each of the acquired views. However, a subsequent systematic analysis of our protocol with a contrast-detail phantom showed that dose reduction results in a lower observability of hotspots, whereas increased doses resulted in a higher observability.

Conclusion

We believe that the results of our phantom study are relevant for clinical practice and that further dose reduction cannot be recommended for the BSGI exams at our hospital and that an increase of the administered activity should be considered.
Patient-ventilator asynchronies: may the respiratory mechanics play a role?
Authors: Carlucci Annalisa , Pisani Lara , Ceriana Piero , Malovini Alberto , Nava Stefano
Published: March 2013

Introduction

The mechanisms leading to patient/ventilator asynchrony has never been systematically assessed. We studied the possible association between asynchrony and respiratory mechanics in patients ready to be enrolled for a home non-invasive ventilatory program. Secondarily, we looked for possible differences in the amount of asynchronies between obstructive and restrictive patients and a possible role of asynchrony in influencing the tolerance of non-invasive ventilation (NIV).

Methods

The respiratory pattern and mechanics of 69 consecutive patients with chronic respiratory failure were recorded during spontaneous breathing. After that patients underwent non-invasive ventilation for 60 minutes with a "dedicated" NIV platform in a pressure support mode during the day. In the last 15 minutes of this period, asynchrony events were detected and classified as ineffective effort (IE), double triggering (DT) and auto-triggering (AT).

Results

The overall number of asynchronies was not influenced by any variable of respiratory mechanics or by the underlying pathologies (that is, obstructive vs restrictive patients). There was a high prevalence of asynchrony events (58% of patients). IEs were the most frequent asynchronous events (45% of patients) and were associated with a higher level of pressure support. A high incidence of asynchrony events and IE were associated with a poor tolerance of NIV.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that in non-invasively ventilated patients for a chronic respiratory failure, the incidence of patient-ventilator asynchronies was relatively high, but did not correlate with any parameters of respiratory mechanics or underlying disease.
Recombinant factor VIIa for uncontrollable bleeding in patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: report on 15 cases and literature review
Authors: Repessé Xavier , Au Siu Ming , Bréchot Nicolas , Trouillet Jean-Louis , Leprince Pascal , Chastre Jean , Combes Alain , Luyt Charles-Edouard
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Bleeding is the most frequent complication in patients receiving venoarterial or venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been used in these patients with conflicting results. We describe our experience with rFVIIa for refractory bleeding in this setting and review the cases reported in the literature.

Methods

Clinical characteristics, demographics, bleeding, thrombotic complications, mortality, and rFVIIa administration were retrospectively collected for analysis from the electronic charts of the 15 patients in our intensive care unit who received rFVIIa while being given ECMO from January 2006 to March 2011.

Results

Fifteen patients received rFVIIa for persistent bleeding under venoarterial (n = 11) or venovenous (n = 4) ECMO. Bleeding dramatically decreased in 14 patients, without a major thrombotic event, except in one patient in whom a major stroke could not be ruled out. Two circuits were changed within the 48 hours after rFVIIa administration for clots in the membrane and decreased oxygenation but without massive clotting. The mortality rate was 60%.

Conclusions

rFVIIa use for intractable hemorrhaging in patients receiving ECMO controlled bleeding, without major thrombotic events, and with 60% dying. Hence, its use warrants discussion, and clinicians should be aware of the possibility of potentially life-threatening systemic thrombosis, emboli, or circuit clotting. Whether rFVIIa can save the lives of such patients remains to be determined.
Diagnostic accuracy of early urinary index changes in differentiating transient frompersistent acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: multicenter cohortstudy
Authors: Pons Bertrand , Lautrette Alexandre , Oziel Johanna , Dellamonica Jean , Vermesch Régine , Ezingeard Eric , Mariat Christophe , Bernardin Gilles , Zeni Fabrice , Cohen Yves , Tardy Bernard , Souweine Bertrand , Vincent François , Darmon Michael
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Urinary indices have limited effectiveness in separating transient acute kidneyinjury (AKI) from persistent AKI in ICU patients. Their time-course may vary withthe mechanism of AKI. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate thediagnostic value of changes over time of the usual urinary indices in separatingtransient AKI from persistent AKI.

Methods

An observational prospective multicenter study was performed in six ICUs involving244 consecutive patients, including 97 without AKI, 54 with transient AKI, and 93with persistent AKI. Urinary sodium, urea and creatinine were measured at ICUadmission (H0) and on 6-hour urine samples during the first 24 ICU hours (H6, H12,H18, and H24). Transient AKI was defined as AKI with a cause for renalhypoperfusion and reversal within 3 days.

Results

Significant increases from H0 to H24 were noted in fractional excretion of urea(median, 31% (22 to 41%) and 39% (29 to 48%) at H24, P < 0.0001),urinary urea/plasma urea ratio (15 (7 to 28) and 20 (9 to 40), P <0.0001), and urinary creatinine/plasma creatinine ratio (50 (24 to 101) and 57 (29to 104), P = 0.01). Fractional excretion of sodium did not changesignificantly during the first 24 hours in the ICU (P = 0.13). Neitherurinary index values at ICU admission nor changes in urinary indices between H0and H24 performed sufficiently well to recommend their use in clinical setting(area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve ≤0.65).

Conclusion

Although urinary indices at H24 performed slightly better than those at H0 indifferentiating transient AKI from persistent AKI, they remain insufficientlyreliable to be clinically relevant.
Dopexamine can attenuate the inflammatory response and protect against organ injury in the absence of significant effects on hemodynamics or regional microvascular flow
Authors: Bangash Mansoor N , Patel Nimesh SA , Benetti Elisa , Collino Massimo , Hinds Charles J , Thiemermann Christoph , Pearse Rupert M
Published: March 2013

Introduction

The effects of dopexamine, a β2-agonist, on perioperative and sepsis-related hemodynamic, microvascular, immune, and organ dysfunction are controversial and poorly understood. We investigated these effects in a rodent model of laparotomy and endotoxemia.

Methods

In two experiments, 80 male Wistar rats underwent laparotomy. In 64 rats, this was followed by administration of endotoxin; the remainder (16) underwent sham endotoxemia. Endotoxemic animals received either dopexamine at 0.5, 1, or 2 μg/kg/min or 0.9% saline vehicle (controls) as resuscitation fluid. The effects of dopexamine on global hemodynamics, mesenteric regional microvascular flow, renal and hepatic function and immune activation were evaluated.

Results

Endotoxin administration was associated with a systemic inflammatory response (increased plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, as well as cell-adhesion molecules CD11a and CD11b), and increased pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (indicating pulmonary leukocyte infiltration), whereas biochemical changes demonstrated lactic acidosis with significant renal and hepatic injury. Dopexamine administration was associated with less-severe lactic acidosis (pooled dopexamine versus controls, (lactate, 2.2 mM ± 0.2 mM versus 4.0 mM ± 0.5 mM; P < 0.001) and reductions in the systemic inflammatory response (pooled dopexamine versus control, 4 hour (TNF-α): 324 pg/ml ± 93 pg/ml versus 97 pg/ml ± 14 pg/ml, p < 0.01), pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and hepatic and renal injury (pooled dopexamine versus control (ALT): 81 IU/L ± 4 IU/L versus 138 IU/L ± 25 IU/L; P < 0.05; (creatinine): 49.4 μM ± 3.9 μM versus 76.2 μM ± 9.8 μM; P < 0.005). However, in this study, clinically relevant doses of dopexamine were not associated with clinically significant changes in MAP, CI, or gut regional microvascular flow.

Conclusions

In this model, dopexamine can attenuate the systemic inflammatory response, reduce tissue leukocyte infiltration, and protect against organ injury at doses that do not alter global hemodynamics or regional microvascular flow. These findings suggest that immunomodulatory effects of catecholamines may be clinically significant when used in critically ill surgical patients and are independent of their hemodynamic actions.
Patchwork: allele-specific copy number analysis of whole-genome sequenced tumor tissue
Authors: Mayrhofer Markus , DiLorenzo Sebastian , Isaksson Anders
Published: March 2013

Whole-genome sequencing of tumor tissue has the potential to provide comprehensive characterization of genomic alterations in tumor samples. We present Patchwork, a new bioinformatic tool for allele-specific copy number analysis using whole-genome sequencing data. Patchwork can be used to determine the copy number of homologous sequences throughout the genome, even in aneuploid samples with moderate sequence coverage and tumor cell content. No prior knowledge of average ploidy or tumor cell content is required. Patchwork is freely available as an R package, installable via R-Forge (http://patchwork.r-forge.r-project.org/).