bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confidence intervals for proportion difference from two independent partially validated series
Authors: Qiu Shi-Fang , Poon Wai-Yin , Tang Man-Lai
Published: January 2014

Partially validated series are common when a gold-standard test is too expensive to be applied to all subjects, and hence a fallible device is used accordingly to measure the presence of a characteristic of interest. In this article, confidence interval construction for proportion difference between two independent partially validated series is studied. Ten confidence intervals based on the method of variance estimates recovery (MOVER) are proposed, with each using the confidence limits for the two independent binomial proportions obtained by the asymptotic, Logit-transformation, Agresti–Coull and Bayesian methods. The performances of the proposed confidence intervals and three likelihood-based intervals available in the literature are compared with respect to the empirical coverage probability, confidence width and ratio of mesial non-coverage to non-coverage probability. Our empirical results show that (1) all confidence intervals exhibit good performance in large samples; (2) confidence intervals based on MOVER combining the confidence limits for binomial proportions based on Wilson, Agresti–Coull, Logit-transformation, Bayesian (with three priors) methods perform satisfactorily from small to large samples, and hence can be recommended for practical applications. Two real data sets are analysed to illustrate the proposed methods.
Towards a better understanding of people’s responses to renewable energy technologies: Insights from Social Representations Theory
Authors: Batel Susana , Devine-Wright Patrick
Published: January 2014

In the past few years, social research has been examining what contributes to the attitude–behaviour gap in people’s responses to large-scale renewable energy technologies. The NIMBY explanation for the gap has long dominated that area of research, but has also been criticised. Alternative proposals to NIMBY were advanced, but it is still evident that some of those maintain presuppositions of NIMBY and that this area of research needs more integration, namely at a theoretical level. In this paper we argue that to overcome those aspects it is relevant, first, to situate the promotion of renewable energy production as a social change process in today’s societies, and, second, to therefore consider the socio-psychological aspects involved in people’s responses to social change. We discuss specifically how the Theory of Social Representations may help us with that and contribute to a better understanding of people’s responses to renewable energy technologies.
The Sydney Mental Health Client Mortality Audit: what does it tell us and what are we to do?
Authors: O’Connor Nick , Hunt Glenn E , O’Hara-Aarons Maureen , Hall Allan , Snars Jeff , Storm Victor , Lambert Tim
Published: January 2014

Objectives:

To examine the characteristics of those mental health clients of an Australian metropolitan health service who died during a 6 year period, 2005 – 2010.

Methods:

The medical records, and where available, coronial post-mortem examinations were audited for 109 people with schizophrenia who died while they were clients of the mental health service.

Results:

The mean age of death for men was 45 years and for women, 47 years, compared to the general population’s male and female life expectancy of 79 and 84 years, respectively. About one-half of the deaths were due to suicide ( n = 55), followed by natural causes ( n = 42; 39%), undetermined causes ( n = 7), and accidents or acts of violence ( n = 5). Smoking rates, diagnosed diabetes and hypertension were higher in the group that died from natural causes. Morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m2) rates were higher in the group that died of natural causes (38%), compared with the suicide group (5%).

Conclusions:

While suicide accounts for the majority of those dying prematurely in this study cohort, it appears that for those who survive the risk of suicide in the earlier period of a chronic psychotic illness, there is yet another threat to life expectancy: death from preventable cardiorespiratory disorders, due to a poor lifestyle and social deprivation.
Primary High-Grade Salivary-Type Duct Carcinoma of the Lung
Authors: Lee Chih-Ling , Wang Tao-Yeuan , Tzen Chi-Yuan , Chen Chi-Kuan
Published: January 2014

Primary salivary gland–type lung cancers are a rare group of tumors. When they do occur, the most common type is adenoid cystic carcinoma, followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Primary high-grade salivary-type duct carcinoma (HGSDC) arising in the lung has not been described. We report a case of primary pulmonary HGSDC in a 55-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital for a suspicious lung tumor. The chest computed tomography revealed a solid mass in the left upper lobe. A lobectomy was performed afterward, and the mass was a primary lung HGSDC. To the best of our knowledge, HGSDC arising in the lung has not been reported previously.
Can Friends Also Become Customers? The Impact of Employee Referral Programs on Referral Likelihood
Authors: Wentzel Daniel , Tomczak Torsten , Henkel Sven
Published: January 2014

Customer referral programs, which encourage existing customers to recommend a firm’s services in their social network, have become a popular marketing tool. This research focuses on another social group that may also issue recommendations, namely a firm’s own employees. Drawing on social identity research, the authors find that employees are more likely to promote their firm’s services when their employee identity is highly salient. Moreover, this effect is moderated by relational norms, such that employees are only willing to refer their friends when they feel that this is an appropriate behavior in a friendship. Specifically, the results reveal that identity salience only affects referral likelihood when referrals are framed in terms of communal sharing rather than market pricing (Study 1) and when referral rewards are assigned to the friends rather than to the employees (Study 2). Finally, Study 3 shows that relational framing is only effective in increasing referrals when employees feel that there is little risk that their firm’s services will not perform as expected. Thus, managers interested in increasing employee referrals of friends may not only need to link referrals to employees’ organizational identity but may also need to convince employees that referrals do not violate relational norms.
Tuberculosis–Diagnostic Expert System: An architecture for translating patients information from the web for use in tuberculosis diagnosis
Authors: Osamor Victor C , Azeta Ambrose A , Ajulo Oluseyi O
Published: January 2014

Background:

Over 1.5–2 million tuberculosis deaths occur annually. Medical professionals are faced with a lot of challenges in delivering good health-care with unassisted automation in hospitals where there are several patients who need the doctor’s attention.

Objective:

To automate the pre-laboratory screening process against tuberculosis infection to aid diagnosis and make it fast and accessible to the public via the Internet. The expert system we have built is designed to also take care of people who do not have access to medical experts, but would want to check their medical status.

Methods:

A rule-based approach has been used, and unified modeling language and the client–server architecture technique were applied to model the system and to develop it as a web-based expert system for tuberculosis diagnosis. Algorithmic rules in the Tuberculosis–Diagnosis Expert System necessitate decision coverage where tuberculosis is either suspected or not suspected. The architecture consists of a rule base, knowledge base, and patient database. These units interact with the inference engine, which receives patient’ data through the Internet via a user interface.

Results:

We present the architecture of the Tuberculosis–Diagnosis Expert System and its implementation. We evaluated it for usability to determine the level of effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction. The result of the usability evaluation reveals that the system has a usability of 4.08 out of a scale of 5. This is an indication of a more-than-average system performance.

Conclusion:

Several existing expert systems have been developed for the purpose of supporting different medical diagnoses, but none is designed to translate tuberculosis patients’ symptomatic data for online pre-laboratory screening. Our Tuberculosis–Diagnosis Expert System is an effective solution for the implementation of the needed web-based expert system diagnosis.
Hope in the dark: geographies of volunteer and dark tourism in Cambodia
Authors: Koleth Maria
Published: January 2014

Increasing theoretical attention has recently been given to the importance of material experience to the emergence of hope. Drawing on geographies of hope and the monstrous, I explore the convergence of the hope for a better world with sites of past violence within volunteer tourism placements in Cambodia. Volunteer tourism, for which Cambodia is a popular destination, allows people to volunteer for short periods of time with development or conservation organizations. Volunteer tourists on medical and community development placements attest to a hopeful belief in contributing to the eradication of poverty through improving education and medical care. However, their hope for a better future is rarely considered in the context of the monstrous sites of remembered violence and deprivation that mark the history of the impoverished places where they volunteer. Using interviews with returned volunteer tourists and auto-ethnographic reflections on participant observation in Cambodia, I consider volunteers’ visits to memorials for Khmer Rouge atrocities and communities of poverty as sites in which to observe the becoming of hope in a better future. This article gestures towards the capacity of post-phenomenological geographies of experience within specific sites to enable a greater appreciation of how this kind of hope comes to matter. The materiality of hope can then be construed as a contestation with the monstrous; between future connection and past violence.
Helicobacter pylori-driven modulation of NK cell expansion, intracellular cytokine expression and cytotoxic activity
Authors: Rudnicka Karolina , Miszczyk Eliza , Matusiak Agnieszka , Walencka Maria , Moran Anthony P , Rudnicka Wiesława , Chmiela Magdalena
Published: January 2014

During Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infections , innate immune cells may be positively or negatively modulated by Hp compounds or by Hp-induced cytokines. We have shown previously that the natural cytotoxic activity of PBMC was lower in Hp-infected [Hp(+)] than Hp-uninfected individuals [Hp(−)]. Here, we asked whether the Hp-modulated cytotoxic amplitude is associated with changes in the number of NK cells, their activation or intracellular cytokine expression. Flow cytometry immunophenotyping of PBMC was performed with regard to the surface receptors CD3, CD56 and CD25, and intracellular cytokine expression of IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-10 after in vitro stimulation with Hp glycine acid extract (GE), Hp LPS or standard Escherichia coli LPS . Hp GE-driven enhancement of lymphocyte cytotoxic activity was associated with the expansion of CD3−CD56+CD25+ NK cells and the up-regulation of IFN-γ and/or IL-2 synthesis, up to the higher level in Hp(−) than in Hp(+), while Hp LPS-mediated decrease in lymphocyte cytotoxicity was accompanied by the lack of CD3−CD56+CD25+ NK propagation, the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and intense expansion of IL-10–producing NK cells. Thus, the cytotoxic and cytokine activities of NK cells were dependent on the type of antigenic challenge and the Hp status, that is, NK cells could be modulated positively by Hp GE Ags and negatively by Hp LPS.
A woman with familial partial lipodystrophy and the complications of her four pregnancies
Authors: Nijjar Simrit , Laji Ken , Stone Sophia
Published: January 2014

We discuss a case of a woman ultimately diagnosed with familial partial lipodystrophy following her fourth pregnancy. In her previous pregnancies she had numerous complications thought to be related to diabetes including recurrent macrosomia and polyhydramnios. In her second pregnancy she underwent emergency caesarean section for fetal tachycardia at 34 weeks’ gestation. Her baby was diagnosed with unexplained cerebral ischaemic injury and limb ischaemia requiring amputation. Postnatally she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus with subsequent poor control. Very high insulin demands in this fourth pregnancy and an unusual phenotypic appearance in the patient and her mother raised suspicion of an underlying condition. Genetic studies confirmed the clinical diagnosis of familial partial lipodystrophy.
We love our school toilets: involving primary school students in improving their school toilets
Authors: Senior Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

This article reports on the planning, implementation and evaluation of an intervention to improve school students’ experience of using the school toilet in a primary school in Melbourne, Australia. 20 students from grades 2–6 participated in focus groups, to discuss what they valued about the school and raise awareness of issues they were not happy about. A common theme from all of the focus groups was that students reported avoiding use of the school toilets. Using the ideas generated from the focus groups, the student council (with input from staff), developed a self-administered pre- and post-test questionnaire. This was given to 220 students in grades 1–4, aged 6–10 years. Improvements suggested by the students were made to the toilet block, and then a post-test was administered. Independent t tests were conducted. The pre-test indicated that 71% of girls and 65% of boys feared the behaviour of other students in the toilet. Overwhelmingly, the qualitative comments focused on poor student behaviour in the toilets, with lack of privacy due to student misbehaviour mentioned in 90% of the comments. After the toilets were revamped, the greatest gains were made in students’ attitudes toward the toilets, with a 37% increase in students who indicated they now liked the toilet facility. Incidents of vandalism also decreased; however, student misconduct in the toilets was still regarded as a problem. Involving students in refurbishing their toilets improved how students viewed the toilets and reduced vandalism; however, a different intervention is required to change inappropriate behaviours in the toilet.
Biodegradation behaviours of soy protein isolate/carboxymethyl cellulose blend films
Authors: Wang X.-Y. , Su J.-F.
Published: January 2014

The objective of the present work was to investigate the colour, transparency, mechanical property stability in air under photo-oxidative degradation influencing consumer acceptance and biodegradation behaviours in soil of soy protein isolate (SPI)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend films during 40 days. The results showed that CMC could dilute the yellow colour and make the SPI based films less dark in application, and the transparency of SPI/CMC films at various stages of degradation was improved. The addition of CMC enhanced the mechanical properties of blend films compared to pure SPI film in 40 days. Aerobic biodegradation of films in soil proved that the CMC compound interacting with protein imposed negative effects on biodegradation of blend films prolonging their decomposing time. The present study further expressed the opinion that the SPI/CMC films surely possessed of higher property stability than pure SPI films.
Influence of Al2O3 concentration in yttria based face coats for investment casting Ti–45Al–2Mn–2Nb–0·2TiB alloy
Authors: Cheng X. , Yuan C. , Blackburn S. , Withey P. A.
Published: January 2014

An Al2O3–Y2O3 based face coat material was researched by adding Al2O3 into yttria in different concentrations to reduce the mould cost whilst retaining the face coat chemical inertness. The face coat compositions and sintering properties at different temperatures were investigated using X-ray diffraction, friability and dilatometers. Meanwhile, the chemical inertness of the face coats was identified using a sessile drop test method to interact with a Ti–45Al–2Mn–2Nb–0·2TiB alloy. The results show that at different firing temperatures, a series of phase transformations have taken place between Y2O3 and Al2O3, resulting in different face coat compositions and sintering properties. However, the chemical inertness of the face coat against the molten TiAl alloy was not influenced by the phase transformations, and it was dependent on the amount of Al2O3 added to the face coat. In this experiment, no interaction was observed between the Al2O3–Y2O3 face coat material and TiAl alloy when Al2O3 additions were lower than 33·33 mol.-; however, increasing addition amount of Al2O3 will increase the chance of face coat and metal interaction.
Microstructural evolution and densification of Fe80P11C9 metallic glass under high pressure
Authors: Wang Y. Y. , Yu P. F. , Zhang T. , Li G. , Xiong L. , Li Y. C. , Liu R. P.
Published: January 2014

The structural evolution of Fe80P11C9 metallic glass was investigated by X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation under high pressure up to 32 GPa at room temperature. The diffraction data, structure factor and pair distribution function show no indication of phase transition. The positions of the first sharp diffraction peak q1 are increasing and scale with pressure. The nearest neighbour distance r1 decreases with increasing pressure. After decompression, q1 and r1 do not revert to normal levels at ambient pressure. The results indicate that microstructural relaxation occurs during pressure progress. The annihilation of free volumes and reduction of voids in the amorphous matrix increase the packing density of amorphous alloys. The present study demonstrated that high pressure induces a ‘highly ordered’ glass state and densification of metallic glass.
Effect of extrusion press exit temperature and chromium on grain structure of EN AW 6082 alloy forgings
Authors: Birol Y.
Published: January 2014

Extruded bar is the typical forging stock in the manufacture of EN AW 6082 forged suspension components. The frictional heating and high strains introduced during extrusion leads to fine equiaxed surface grains that inevitably grow during forging owing to a very small initial grain size and a strain-free state. Higher extrusion temperatures as well as Cr addition have a favourable impact on the depth of the coarse grain zone in 6082 forgings. The interior fibrous grains may recrystallise to produce small equiaxed grains during forging and suffer abnormal growth during the solution heat treatment. Sections with entirely coarse grains appear to be the standard after the T6 heat treatment when the 6082 alloy is Cr-free regardless of the press exit temperature of the extrusion step in the production cycle. However, coarse grains are confined to the surface regions in forgings produced from 6082 alloy with as much as 0·13 wt-Cr regardless of the press exit temperature. High extrusion temperatures reduce the strain energy while Cr forms dispersoids that retard recrystallisation and grain growth during subsequent processing.
Comparison of tool life and surface characteristics of uncoated, coated carbide and ceramic tools during machining of SiC reinforced ZA43 alloy MMC
Authors: Marigoudar R. N. , Sadashivappa K.
Published: January 2014

In the present investigation, machinability issues of zinc–aluminium (ZA43) alloy reinforced with silicon carbide particles (SiC) were evaluated. The fabrication of composite was done through liquid metallurgy technique. Metal matrix composite (MMC) was subjected to turning using conventional lathe with three grades of cutting tools, namely, uncoated carbide tool, coated carbide tool and ceramic tool. Surface roughness and tool wear were measured during the machining process. Results reveal that roughness increases with increase in the reinforcement concentration and particle size. Feed has direct influence on roughness, i.e. surface deteriorates with higher feeds. Depth of cut has very minimum effect on the surface roughness, while inverse effect of cutting speed on the roughness was observed (i.e. increase in the cutting speed leads to better finish on the specimen). Tool wear was studied during the investigation, and it was noticed that MMC with higher reinforcement concentration and particle size cause severe wear on the flank of the cutting tool. Increase in the cutting speed, feed and depth of cut also increases the flank wear on the tool. Out of all the three grades of tools, coated carbide tool outperformed uncoated carbide and ceramic tools.
Cyclic deformation and microstructural behaviour of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steels
Authors: Batista M. N. , Alvarez-Armas I. , Giordana M. F. , Hereñú S. , Armas A. F.
Published: January 2014

The present paper presents results about cyclic behaviour and the evolution of the dislocation structure of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steels and commercial martensitic steels AISI 410 and 420. The variation of the free dislocation density within subgrains and subgrain size was mainly analysed during the cyclic softening of EUROFER 97 steel. From the analysis of the flow stress components, the friction and back stresses, and the information of the evolution of the dislocation structure, it could be concluded that the softening of tempered martensitic steels at 20°C is produced by the contribution of the friction stress and aided later by the back stress.
Influence of soaking temperature on transformation behaviour and precipitate coarsening of new cold rolled weathering steel containing niobium and titanium
Authors: Wang X. P. , Du L. X. , Zhou M. , Sun G. S.
Published: January 2014

The continuous cooling transformation (CCT) behaviour and precipitate coarsening of a new cold rolled weathering steel containing Nb and Ti were investigated. Three different soaking temperatures (780, 820 and 860°C) were applied to the steel. CCT diagrams were obtained by Formastor-F II automatic phase transformation analysis. The microstructures and second precipitated particles were examined by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The initial sample microstructures were identified as cold rolled ferrite and pearlite structures. Results showed that increasing soaking temperatures would decrease ferrite start temperature ( Fs) and increase martensite start temperature ( Ms). This was mainly attributed to the changes in austenite grain size as well as the average carbon content. At the lowest cooling rate of 0·5°C s−1, a small amount of martensite structure could be observed. Ms increased smoothly with lower cooling rates and showed a dramatic increase at elevated cooling rates, at which point a coarse structure was readily obtained from transformation of coarse grained austenite and composed of bainite and martensite structures in the inner and peripheral regions respectively. Niobium/titanium precipitate coarsening took place during the soaking process: coarsening became serious as soaking temperature increased.
Inherited genetic susceptibility to monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance
Authors: Weinhold Niels , Johnson David C. , Rawstron Andrew C. , Försti Asta , Doughty Chi , Vijayakrishnan Jayaram , Broderick Peter , Dahir Nasrin B. , Begum Dil B. , Hosking Fay J. , Yong Kwee , Walker Brian A. , Hoffmann Per , Mühleisen Thomas W. , Langer Christian , Dörner Elisabeth , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Eisele Lewin , Nöthen Markus M. , Hose Dirk , Davies Faith E. , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Morgan Gareth J. , Hemminki Kari , Houlston Richard S.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Inherited genetic variation increases risk to developing multiple myeloma through predisposition to MGUS. Loci identified that increase risk of developing MGUS include 2p23.3, 3p22.1, 3q26.2, 6p21.33, 7p15.3, 17p11.2, and 22q13.1.
Gene expression profiling of mesenteric lymph nodes from sheep with natural scrapie
Authors: Filali Hicham , Martín-Burriel Inmaculada , Harders Frank , Varona Luis , Hedman Carlos , Mediano Diego R , Monzón Marta , Bossers Alex , Badiola Juan J , Bolea Rosa
Published: January 2014

Background

Prion diseases are characterized by the accumulation of the pathogenic PrPSc protein, mainly in the brain and the lymphoreticular system. Although prions multiply/accumulate in the lymph nodes without any detectable pathology, transcriptional changes in this tissue may reflect biological processes that contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of prion diseases. Little is known about the molecular processes that occur in the lymphoreticular system in early and late stages of prion disease. We performed a microarray-based study to identify genes that are differentially expressed at different disease stages in the mesenteric lymph node of sheep naturally infected with scrapie. Oligo DNA microarrays were used to identify gene-expression profiles in the early/middle (preclinical) and late (clinical) stages of the disease.

Results

In the clinical stage of the disease, we detected 105 genes that were differentially expressed (≥2-fold change in expression). Of these, 43 were upregulated and 62 downregulated as compared with age-matched negative controls. Fewer genes (50) were differentially expressed in the preclinical stage of the disease. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were largely associated with the following terms: glycoprotein, extracellular region, disulfide bond, cell cycle and extracellular matrix. Moreover, some of the annotated genes could be grouped into 3 specific signaling pathways: focal adhesion, PPAR signaling and ECM-receptor interaction. We discuss the relationship between the observed gene expression profiles and PrPSc deposition and the potential involvement in the pathogenesis of scrapie of 7 specific differentially expressed genes whose expression levels were confirmed by real time-PCR.

Conclusions

The present findings identify new genes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of natural scrapie infection in the lymphoreticular system, and confirm previous reports describing scrapie-induced alterations in the expression of genes involved in protein misfolding, angiogenesis and the oxidative stress response. Further studies will be necessary to determine the role of these genes in prion replication, dissemination and in the response of the organism to this disease.
Performance research on time-triggered Ethernet based on network calculus
Authors: Xiang Yu , Wang Wei , Zhang Xiang , Li Zhenwei
Published: January 2014

In the paper, we research on the performance of time-triggered Ethernet based on network calculus. Three kinds of data with different priority are imported to research on time-triggered Ethernet. Firstly, we adopt network calculus to obtain the theory-bound value of the network performance parameters. Then, we design and implement the time-triggered Ethernet clock synchronization, redundancy fault-tolerant, multi-data communication, service-performance model, node model, and network model successfully in two different topologies. Lastly, we compare the simulation value with the network calculus value and obtain the comparison result. The result shows that the performance parameters of time-triggered Ethernet well meet the theory value, and time-triggered Ethernet specification is feasible.
Morphometric characterization of microglial phenotypes in human cerebral cortex
Authors: Torres-Platas Susana G , Comeau Samuel , Rachalski Adeline , Bo Gregory Dal , Cruceanu Cristiana , Turecki Gustavo , Giros Bruno , Mechawar Naguib
Published: January 2014

Background

Microglia can adopt different morphologies, ranging from a highly ramified to an amoeboid-like phenotype. Although morphological properties of microglia have been described in rodents, little is known about their fine features in humans. The aim of this study was to characterize the morphometric properties of human microglia in gray and white matter of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), a region implicated in behavioral adaptation to neuroinflammation. These properties were compared to those of murine microglia in order to gain a better appreciation of the differences displayed by these cells across species.

Methods

Postmortem dACC samples were analyzed from 11 individuals having died suddenly without any history of neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, nor psychiatric illness. Tissues were sectioned and immunostained for the macrophage marker Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1). Randomly selected IBA1-immunoreactive (IBA1-IR) cells displaying features corresponding to commonly accepted microglial phenotypes (ramified, primed, reactive, amoeboid) were reconstructed in 3D and all aspects of their morphologies quantified using theNeurolucidasoftware. The relative abundance of each morphological phenotype was also assessed. Furthermore, adult mouse brains were similarly immunostained, and IBA1-IR cells in cingulate cortex were compared to those scrutinized in human dACC.

Results

In human cortical gray and white matter, all microglial phenotypes were observed in significant proportions. Compared to ramified, primed microglia presented an average 2.5 fold increase in cell body size, with almost no differences in branching patterns. When compared to the primed microglia, which projected an average of six primary processes, the reactive and amoeboid phenotypes displayed fewer processes and branching points, or no processes at all. In contrast, the majority of microglial cells in adult mouse cortex were highly ramified. This was also the case following a postmortem interval of 43 hours. Interestingly, the morphology of ramified microglia was strikingly similar between species.

Conclusions

This study provides fundamental information on the morphological features of microglia in the normal adult human cerebral cortex. These morphometric data will be useful for future studies of microglial morphology in various illnesses. Furthermore, this first direct comparison of human and mouse microglia reveals that these brain cells are morphologically similar across species, suggesting highly conserved functions.
HIV serostatus disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Yonah Gladys , Fredrick Francis , Leyna Germana
Published: January 2014

Background

Disclosing HIV serostatus is important for HIV prevention and maintenance of health for people living with HIV their spouses and the community, it plays a role in the social relation which is critical in reducing HIV transmission. The process may have positive and negative effects to the HIV infected people who disclose their status. The present study was undertaken to describe HIV serostatus disclosure among HIV infected people attending care and treatment clinic at Sekou-Toure hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 270 HIV infected adults attending Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) at Sekou-Toure hospital between September and October, 2010. A Swahili questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and HIV disclosure information.

Results

Hundred and ninety five (72.5%) of all recruited participants were females, 88.1% (238/270) were aged above 30 years and 44.1% (119/270) were married. The prevalence of serostatus disclosure was 93.3% (252/270) with participants aged above 30 years having significantly higher proportion of serostatus disclosure compared to those aged below 30 years (94.5% vs. 84.4%, p < 0.05). Among the participants who disclosed their status, 69.3% reported closeness to the disclosed person as the reason for disclosure while 25.8% (65/252) disclosed because they needed help. Two hundred (79.4%) reported to have received emotional support following disclosure while 25.8% and 29.7% received financial support and freedom to use their anti-retroviral drugs around the person they disclosed their status respectively. Thirty four participants reported to have been discriminated following disclosure and 12 participants reported to have been divorced.

Conclusions

Rate of disclosure of HIV serostatus was noted to be high in this study. Delayed disclosure was also noted in small proportion of participants. Negative outcomes following disclosure of serostatus were reported by participants. Efforts need to be increased to promote disclosure of HIV serostatus in Tanzania through health education and awareness for both HIV infected individuals and the community.
Concurrent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and chemotherapy for postoperative recurrence of mediastinal lymph node metastases in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a phase 2 single-institution study
Authors: Ma Dai-yuan , Tan Bang-xian , Liu Mi , Li Xian-fu , Zhou Ye-qin , Lu You
Published: January 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy plus concurrent weekly cisplatin chemotherapy on the postoperative recurrence of mediastinal lymph node metastases in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

Ninety-eight patients were randomly enrolled to receive either three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy alone (group A) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (group B). A radiation dose of 62–70 Gy/31–35 fractions was delivered to the recurrent tumor. Furthermore, the patients in group B simultaneously received weekly doses of cisplatin (30 mg/m2), and the survival outcomes and toxic effects were compared.

Results

The response rate of group B (91.8%) was significantly greater than that of group A (73.5%) (χ
2 = 5.765, P = 0.016). The 1- and 3-year survival rates of group B (85.7% and 46.9%, respectively) were also greater than those of group A (69.4% and 28.6%, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the 5-year survival rates. The numbers of patients who died of distant metastases in groups A and B were 13 (26.5%) and 5 (10.2%), respectively (χ
2 = 4.356, P = 0.036). Acute radiation-related esophagitis and granulocytopenia in group B was frequent. However, intergroup differences in terms of late toxicity were not significant.

Conclusions

Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) is a practical and feasible technique to treat the recurrence of mediastinal lymph node metastases of postoperative esophageal cancer. In addition, concurrent chemotherapy can increase local tumor control, decrease the distant metastasis rate, and increase the long-term survival rate.
The calmodulin intergenic spacer as molecular target for characterization of Leishmania species
Authors: Miranda Aracelis , Samudio Franklyn , Saldaña Azael , Castillo Juan , Brandão Adeilton , Calzada Jose E
Published: January 2014

Background

Human leishmaniasis is a neglected disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Clinical aspects of this disease can vary significantly, reflecting the wide range of parasites in the genus Leishmania. Knowing accurately the Leishmania species infecting humans is important for clinical case management and evaluation of epidemiological risk. Calmodulin is an essential gene in trypanosomatids that modulates the calcium metabolism in various cellular activities. Despite its strong conservation in trypanosomatids, it has been recently observed that its untranslated regions (UTR) diverge among species.

Methods

In this study we analyzed the sequences and the absolute dinucleotide frequency of the intergenic spacer of the calmodulin gene (containing both, 3′ and 5′UTR) in nine reference Leishmania species and ten clinical isolates obtained from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Results

We show that the short calmodulin intergenic spacers exhibit features that make them interesting for applications in molecular characterization and phylogenetic studies of Leishmania. Dendrograms based on sequence alignments and on the dinucleotide frequency indicate that this particular region of calmodulin gene might be useful for species typing between the Leishmania and Viannia subgenera.

Conclusions

Mutations and composition of the calmodulin intergenic spacer from Leishmania species might have taxonomic value as parameters to define if an isolate is identical to a certain species or belongs to one of the two current subgenera.
Construction of a high-quality genomic BAC library for Chinese peanut cultivar Zhonghua 8 with high oil content
Authors: Chen Yu-Ning , Wei Wen-Hui , Ren Xiao-Ping , Zhao Xue-Ya , Zhou Xiao-Jing , Huang Li , Tang Xing-Chun , Jiang Hui-Fang
Published: January 2014

Background

Arachis hypogaeaL. (2n = 4× = 40, AABB) is one of the most important oil and economic crop plants in the word. This species has the largest genome size of about 2,813 Mb among the oil crop species. Zhonghua 8 is a peanut cultivar planted widely in central China and has several superior traits including high oil content, high yield and disease resistance. A high-quality BAC library of Zhonghua 8 was constructed for future researches on the genomics of Chinese peanut cultivars.

Results

AHind III-digested genomic BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) library was constructed with the genomic DNA from leaves of Zhonghua 8. This BAC library consists of 160,512 clones and the average insert is estimated about 102 kb ranging from 30 to 150 kb. The library represents about 5.55× haploid genome equivalents, and provides a 99.71% probability of finding specific genes. The empty-vector rate is under 5 percent detected from 200 randomly selected clones. Probing of 384 clones with thepsbAgene of barley chloroplast and theatp6gene of rice mitochondrion indicated that the contamination with organellar DNA is insignificant. Successive subculture of three clones showed that the inserts are stable in one hundred generations.

Conclusions

This study presented the construction of a high-quality BAC library for the genome of Chinese cultivated peanut. Many essential experiences were summarized in the present study. This BAC library can serve as a substantial platform for development of molecular marker, isolation of genes and further genome research.
Safety concerns to application of graphene compounds in pharmacy and medicine
Authors: Mogharabi Mehdi , Abdollahi Mohammad , Faramarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2014

Graphene, the new allotrope of carbon is a single layer of monocrystalline graphite with sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. This compound has received worldwide attention due to its extraordinary physical and chemical properties. Duo to the widespread application of geraphenes, concerns are raising about its environmental safety or the safety protocols for handling and waste of graphene-based materials. The generation of reactive free radicals, adsorption of important biomolecules, and physical toxicity of graphene also matter. Hereby we criticize the concerns on the toxicity of graphenes to provide some perspective on the potential hazards of future development in graphene-based biomaterials.
Variables correlated with elderly referral from nursing homes to general hospitals
Authors: Wagman Shir , Rishpon Shmuel , Kagan Genady , Dubnov Jonathan , Habib Sonia
Published: January 2014

Background

Referring patients from nursing homes to general hospitals exposes them to nosocomial diseases, and may result in the development of a broad spectrum of physical, mental and social damages. Therefore, minimizing the referring of nursing home patients to hospitals is an important factor for keeping the elderly healthy and minimizing health expenditures. In this study we examined the variables related to the referral rates from nursing homes to general hospitals and the relationship between the referral and the mortality rates among the elderly who live in nursing homes in the Haifa Sub-district.

Methods

Thirty-two nursing homes were included in a cross-sectional study. All medical directors and head nurses were interviewed using a structured questionnaire between November 2006 and October 2007. Statistical analysis, including the ANOVA and the nonparametric Spearman tests, were employed to determine the factors that influence referral rates and the correlation between referral rates and mortality rates.

Results

The referral rate ranged between 18 and 222 per 100 financed elderly in a single year. In the multivariate analysis, the absence of a physician from the nursing home at the time of the referral to general hospitals was the only significant variable related to referral rates. No significant relationships were found between referral rates and mortality rates.

Conclusions

Absence of a significant relationship between referral rates and mortality rates may indicate that high referral rates do not necessarily protect the elderly from death. Therefore, any recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) should emphasize in-house treatment rather than hospitalization. Clear instructions on referral from nursing homes to general hospitals need to be constructed by the MOH. The MOH should increase the presence of physicians in the nursing homes, especially, when the need to refer a patient arises. Further quantitative and epidemiologic studies should be conducted in order to, more fully and reliably, create guidelines for policy recommendations.
High mechanical strain of primary intervertebral disc cells promotes secretion of inflammatory factors associated with disc degeneration and pain
Authors: Gawri Rahul , Rosenzweig Derek H , Krock Emerson , Ouellet Jean A , Stone Laura S , Quinn Thomas M , Haglund Lisbet
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Excessive mechanical loading of intervertebral discs (IVDs) is thought to alter matrix properties and influence disc cell metabolism, contributing to degenerative disc disease and development of discogenic pain. However, little is known about how mechanical strain induces these changes. This study investigated the cellular and molecular changes as well as which inflammatory receptors and cytokines were upregulated in human intervertebral disc cells exposed to high mechanical strain (HMS) at low frequency. The impact of these metabolic changes on neuronal differentiation was also explored to determine a role in the development of disc degeneration and discogenic pain.

Methods

Isolated human annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were exposed to HMS (20% cyclical stretch at 0.001 Hz) on high-extension silicone rubber dishes coupled to a mechanical stretching apparatus and compared to static control cultures. Gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), neuronal growth factor (NGF) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) was assessed. Collected conditioned media were analysed for cytokine content and applied to rat pheocromocytoma PC12 cells for neuronal differentiation assessment.

Results

HMS caused upregulation of TLR2, TLR4, NGF and TNFα gene expression in IVD cells. Medium from HMS cultures contained elevated levels of growth-related oncogene, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-15, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), MCP-3, monokine induced by γ interferon, transforming growth factor β1, TNFα and NGF. Exposure of PC12 cells to HMS-conditioned media resulted in both increased neurite sprouting and cell death.

Conclusions

HMS culture of IVD cells in vitro drives cytokine and inflammatory responses associated with degenerative disc disease and low-back pain. This study provides evidence for a direct link between cellular strain, secretory factors, neoinnervation and potential degeneration and discogenic pain in vivo.
Vaccines against human HER2 prevent mammary carcinoma in mice transgenic for human HER2
Authors: De Giovanni Carla , Nicoletti Giordano , Quaglino Elena , Landuzzi Lorena , Palladini Arianna , Ianzano Marianna Lucia , Dall’Ora Massimiliano , Grosso Valentina , Ranieri Dario , Laranga Roberta , Croci Stefania , Amici Augusto , Penichet Manuel L , Iezzi Manuela , Cavallo Federica , Nanni Patrizia , Lollini Pier-Luigi
Published: January 2014

Introduction

The availability of mice transgenic for the human HER2 gene (huHER2) and prone to the development of HER2-driven mammary carcinogenesis (referred to as FVB-huHER2 mice) prompted us to study active immunopreventive strategies targeting the human HER2 molecule in a tolerant host.

Methods

FVB-huHER2 mice were vaccinated with either IL-12-adjuvanted human HER2-positive cancer cells or DNA vaccine carrying chimeric human-rat HER2 sequences. Onset and number of mammary tumors were recorded to evaluate vaccine potency. Mice sera were collected and passively transferred to xenograft-bearing mice to assess their antitumor efficacy.

Results

Both cell and DNA vaccines significantly delayed tumor onset, leading to about 65% tumor-free mice at 70 weeks, whereas mock-vaccinated FVB-huHER2 controls developed mammary tumors at a median age of 45 weeks. In the DNA vaccinated group, 65% of mice were still tumor-free at about 90 weeks of age. The number of mammary tumors per mouse was also significantly reduced in vaccinated mice. Vaccines broke the immunological tolerance to the huHER2 transgene, inducing both humoral and cytokine responses. The DNA vaccine mainly induced a high and sustained level of anti-huHER2 antibodies, the cell vaccine also elicited interferon (IFN)-γ production. Sera of DNA-vaccinated mice transferred to xenograft-carrying mice significantly inhibited the growth of human HER2-positive cancer cells.

Conclusions

Anti-huHER2 antibodies elicited in the tolerant host exert antitumor activity.
Bortezomib-Melphalan-Prednisone-Thalidomide Followed by Maintenance With Bortezomib-Thalidomide Compared With Bortezomib-Melphalan-Prednisone for Initial Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: Updated Follow-Up and Improved Survival
Authors: Palumbo Antonio , Bringhen Sara , Larocca Alessandra , Rossi Davide , Di Raimondo Francesco , Magarotto Valeria , Patriarca Francesca , Levi Anna , Benevolo Giulia , Vincelli Iolanda Donatella , Grasso Mariella , Franceschini Luca , Gottardi Daniela , Zambello Renato , Montefusco Vittorio , Falcone Antonietta Pia , Omedé Paola , Marasca Roberto , Morabito Fortunato , Mina Roberto , Guglielmelli Tommasina , Nozzoli Chiara , Passera Roberto , Gaidano Gianluca , Offidani Massimo , Ria Roberto , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Musto Pellegrino , Boccadoro Mario , Cavo Michele
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) has improved overall survival in multiple myeloma. This randomized trial compared VMP plus thalidomide (VMPT) induction followed by bortezomib-thalidomide maintenance (VMPT-VT) with VMP in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Patients and Methods

We randomly assigned 511 patients who were not eligible for transplantation to receive VMPT-VT (nine 5-week cycles of VMPT followed by 2 years of VT maintenance) or VMP (nine 5-week cycles without maintenance).

Results

In the initial analysis with a median follow-up of 23 months, VMPT-VT improved complete response rate from 24% to 38% and 3-year progression-free-survival (PFS) from 41% to 56% compared with VMP. In this analysis, median follow-up was 54 months. The median PFS was significantly longer with VMPT-VT (35.3 months) than with VMP (24.8 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; P < .001). The time to next therapy was 46.6 months in the VMPT-VT group and 27.8 months in the VMP group (HR, 0.52; P < .001). The 5-year overall survival (OS) was greater with VMPT-VT (61%) than with VMP (51%; HR, 0.70; P = .01). Survival from relapse was identical in both groups (HR, 0.92; P = .63). In the VMPT-VT group, the most frequent grade 3 to 4 adverse events included neutropenia (38%), thrombocytopenia (22%), peripheral neuropathy (11%), and cardiologic events (11%). All of these, except for thrombocytopenia, were significantly more frequent in the VMPT-VT patients.

Conclusion

Bortezomib and thalidomide significantly improved OS in multiple myeloma patients not eligible for transplantation.