bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Discontented Bostonians to Patriotic Industrialists: The Boston Associates and the Transcontinental Treaty, 1790–1825
Authors: Schakenbach Lindsay
Published: August 2011

Exploring the roots of the relationship between government and industry, the essay examines how the formerly anti-expansionist Boston Associates profited from claims reimbursements granted by the 1819 Transcontinental Treaty with Spain. Their windfall helps us rethink the federal government's role in facilitating their transition from merchants to industrialists, which ushered in a new age of capitalist economic growth.
Exercising Their Right: African American Voter Turnout in Antebellum Newport, Rhode Island
Authors: Rohrs Richard C.
Published: August 2011

During the 1840s, the town meeting minutes of Newport, Rhode Island, recorded the names of local residents who voted. Correlating this information with census data, one can determine that African Americans who voted were more likely to be older, wealthier, native-born Rhode Islanders who were civic and religious leaders in their community.
"The Fellows from the Fogg": Modernism, Homosexuality, and Art-World Authority
Authors: Stoneley Peter
Published: August 2011

The spread of modernist painting in the early-twentieth-century United States was met with cries of "degeneracy" and "homosexual conspiracy." This essay explores the claims and counter-claims. Above all, Stoneley argues that the battles reflected larger shifts in art-world authority, with the museums and the "museum professional" emerging as controlling forces.
The Book in, and as, American History
Authors: Johns Adrian
Published: August 2011

Reviewing the recently completed, five-volume History of the Book in America, this essay discusses the project's inception within the context of the rise of the history of the book as an intellectual pursuit. It concludes by considering the role of the historian of the book today.
Filtration performance of electrospun polyamide nanofibres loaded with bactericides
Authors: De Vrieze Sander , Daels Nele , Lambert Karel , Decostere Bjorge , Hens Zeger , Van Hulle Stijn , De Clerck Karen
Published: August 2011

Electrospinning is a process to generate nanofibrous nonwovens. With these nonwovens, many applications can be targeted, such as water filtration. In this paper, polyamide nanofibrous membranes are evaluated for their pore size, a key parameter in water filtration, and for their removal of microorganisms. To increase the removal efficiency to values exceeding the state of the art, innovative functionalization of the nanofibres is studied. The nanofibrous membranes are functionalized using a one step method. Different functionalization chemicals are investigated which are Ag nanoparticles and bactericides. Ag functionalized nanofibres are used as a reference medium to compare with a novel bactericide based functionalization system. It is seen that nanofibrous membranes functionalized with the bactericides exceed the normal removal efficiencies obtained by microfiltration membranes. Furthermore, knowledge is built up on how these bactericides are inserted in the nanofibres themselves.
Relation between Peritonsillar Infection and Acute Tonsillitis
Authors: Kordeluk Sofia , Novack Lena , Puterman Moshe , Kraus Mordechai , Joshua Ben‐Zion
Published: August 2011

Objective

To investigate the relationship between tonsillar and peritonsillar infections.

Study Design

Retrospective population‐based study and a retrospective case series review.

Settings

Tertiary academic medical facility.

Subjects and Methods

All individuals hospitalized with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) or peritonsillar cellulitis (PTC) during 2004‐2008 were reviewed. Patient age, gender, diagnosis of PTA or PTC, recurrence, and date of presentation were recorded. In addition, a database of patients diagnosed in the community with acute tonsillitis (AT) was reviewed for the same time period. The weekly number of patients with AT was recorded, and a comparison between incidence of tonsillar infections and peritonsillar infection was performed.

Results

A total of 685 patients were hospitalized with either PTA (467) or PTC (218). Incidence of both upper respiratory infections and AT peaked in January and February of every year with a nadir in August. In contrast, PTA and PTC showed a consistent rate of infection throughout the year. Likewise, assessment based on weekly intervals showed that peaks of PTA and PTC did not follow those of acute tonsillitis with a 1 to 2 weekly lag as would be expected if peritonsillar infection is a complication of AT. Rather, an association between peritonsillar infection and tonsillitis was found within the same week (P =. 04).

Conclusion

Higher rates of occurrence of PTA or PTC following AT outbreaks were not found. These results lend further support to the theory that peritonsillar infection is associated not only with complications of AT but may occur from infection of Weber glands or other unknown causes.
Factor Structure and Reliability of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Prevalence Estimates of Trauma for Male and Female Street Youth
Authors: Forde David R. , Baron Stephen W. , Scher Christine D. , Stein Murray B.
Published: August 2011

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire short form (CTQ-SF) with street youth who have run away or been expelled from their homes ( N = 397). Internal reliability coefficients for the five clinical scales ranged from .65 to .95. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to test the five-factor structure of the scales yielding acceptable fit for the total sample. Additional multigroup analyses were performed to consider items by gender. Results provided only evidence of weak factorial invariance. Constrained models showed invariance in configuration, factor loadings, and factor covariances but failed for equality of intercepts. Mean trauma scores for street youth tended to fall in the moderate to severe range on all abuse/neglect clinical scales. Females reported higher levels of abuse and neglect. Prevalence of child maltreatment of individual forms was very high with 98% of street youth reporting one or more forms; 27.4% of males and 48.9% of females reported all five forms. Results of this study support the viability of the CTQ-SF for screening maltreatment in a highly vulnerable street population. Caution is recommended when comparing prevalence estimates for male and female street youth given the failure of the strong factorial multigroup model.
Preliminary Evaluation of the Childhood Experiences of Violence Questionnaire Short Form
Authors: Tanaka Masako , Wekerle Christine , Leung Eman , Waechter Randall , Gonzalez Andrea , Jamieson Ellen , MacMillan Harriet L.
Published: August 2011

Despite advances in child maltreatment research, accurate measurement of exposure remains a key issue. In this study, we evaluated a short form (CEVQ-SF) of the Childhood Experiences of Violence Questionnaire (CEVQ) in a sample of adolescents involved with child protection services in an urban city in Ontario, Canada. Focusing on the two most readily defined maltreatment types, physical and sexual abuse, we evaluated the short form’s comparability with the full version of the CEVQ. Both versions had good internal consistency and moderate-to-good 2-week test-retest reliability. The criterion validity of the two CEVQ versions in comparison with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was satisfactory. Construct validity for both versions was demonstrated: physically and sexually abused youth had higher odds of reporting clinical traumatic symptoms compared with either type alone. The CEVQ-SF is as reliable and valid as its full version. Implications for its use in large population-based surveys are discussed.
Answering Five Key Questions About Workplace Bullying
Authors: Lutgen-Sandvik Pamela , Tracy Sarah J.
Published: August 2011

Organizational communication research is vital for understanding and addressing workplace bullying, a problem that affects nearly half of working adults and has devastating results on employee well-being and organizational productivity. A communication approach illustrates the toxic complexity of workplace bullying as it is condoned through societal discourses, sustained by receptive workplace cultures, and perpetuated through local interactions. Examining these (macro, meso, and micro) communicative elements addresses the most pressing questions about workplace bullying, including (a) how abuse manifests, (b) how employees respond, (c) why it is so harmful, (d) why resolution is so difficult, and (e) how it might be resolved. This article provides tips for addressing and transforming workplace bullying, which may be of particular interest to consultants and human resource professionals, while also offering a theoretical synthesis and launching pad for future research.
Unequal diversity – on the political economy of social cohesion in Vienna
Authors: Novy Andreas
Published: August 2011

The article reflects on the contradictory dynamics inherent in policies and political strategies to achieve social cohesion in cities, given the current European political-economic conjuncture of multiculturalism as well as increasing socioeconomic inequality. It takes the history of the city of Vienna with its rich story of social cohesion and of a melting pot of cultures as a historic case study, stressing path-dependency and the necessity of path-shaping. Furthermore, it describes two good practices of socially innovative current attempts to achieve social cohesion. The empirical insights, together with a broad overview of different disciplinary and policy discourses, help to problematize social cohesion as a key issue for European urban development. The article closes by proposing three lessons that can be learned from Vienna: to overcome culturalist reductionism, to be aware of scale-sensitive institution-building, and to reflect on the political and economic preconditions for building a European social citizenship.
The Eight Elements of an “Effective” Compliance Program
Authors: Rowe Jimmy , Gingerich Barbara Stover
Published: August 2011

This article outlines practical suggestions that home health care providers can utilize to develop an effective compliance program that meets the standards and requirements. The program model was designed to meet the New York State Medicaid regulations but is easily transferable to other state and federal compliance program requirements. By using these elements, a compliance program can be put in place for other state Medicaid programs providing services in the home care setting. The article is intended to expand the home health care provider’s organizational inquiry into identifying the most salient areas to be considered in the development of the compliance program’s eight required elements. Providers are encouraged to compare existing compliance programs to the required eight elements to assure ongoing comprehensiveness of their existing programs.
Impact of gene dosage, loss of wild-type allele, and FLT3 ligand on Flt3-ITD–induced myeloproliferation
Authors: Kharazi Shabnam , Mead Adam J. , Mansour Anna , Hultquist Anne , Böiers Charlotta , Luc Sidinh , Buza-Vidas Natalija , Ma Zhi , Ferry Helen , Atkinson Debbie , Reckzeh Kristian , Masson Kristina , Cammenga Jörg , Rönnstrand Lars , Arai Fumio , Suda Toshio , Nerlov Claus , Sitnicka Ewa , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W.
Published: August 2011

Acquisition of homozygous activating growth factor receptor mutations might accelerate cancer progression through a simple gene-dosage effect. Internal tandem duplications (ITDs) of FLT3 occur in approximately 25% cases of acute myeloid leukemia and induce ligand-independent constitutive signaling. Homozygous FLT3-ITDs confer an adverse prognosis and are frequently detected at relapse. Using a mouse knockin model of Flt3–internal tandem duplication (Flt3-ITD)–induced myeloproliferation, we herein demonstrate that the enhanced myeloid phenotype and expansion of granulocyte-monocyte and primitive Lin−Sca1+c-Kit+ progenitors in Flt3-ITD homozygous mice can in part be mediated through the loss of the second wild-type allele. Further, whereas autocrine FLT3 ligand production has been implicated in FLT3-ITD myeloid malignancies and resistance to FLT3 inhibitors, we demonstrate here that the mouse Flt3ITD/ITD myeloid phenotype is FLT3 ligand-independent.
Proteomic analysis of palmitoylated platelet proteins
Authors: Dowal Louisa , Yang Wei , Freeman Michael R. , Steen Hanno , Flaumenhaft Robert
Published: August 2011

Protein palmitoylation is a dynamic process that regulates membrane targeting of proteins and protein-protein interactions. We have previously demonstrated a critical role for protein palmitoylation in platelet activation and have identified palmitoylation machinery in platelets. Using a novel proteomic approach, Palmitoyl Protein Identification and Site Characterization, we have begun to characterize the human platelet palmitoylome. Palmitoylated proteins were enriched from membranes isolated from resting platelets using acyl-biotinyl exchange chemistry, followed by identification using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This global analysis identified > 1300 proteins, of which 215 met criteria for significance and represent the platelet palmitoylome. This collection includes 51 known palmitoylated proteins, 61 putative palmitoylated proteins identified in other palmitoylation-specific proteomic studies, and 103 new putative palmitoylated proteins. Of these candidates, we chose to validate the palmitoylation of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)–like transcript-1 (TLT-1) as its expression is restricted to platelets and megakaryocytes. We determined that TLT-1 is a palmitoylated protein using metabolic labeling with [3H]palmitate and identified the site of TLT-1 palmitoylation as cysteine 196. The discovery of new platelet palmitoyl protein candidates will provide a resource for subsequent investigations to validate the palmitoylation of these proteins and to determine the role palmitoylation plays in their function.
Detection of splicing events and multiread locations from RNA-seq data based on a geometric-tail (GT) distribution of intron length
Authors: Lou Shao-Ke , Li Jing-Woei , Qin Hao , Yim Aldrin Kay-Yuen , Lo Leung-Yau , Ni Bing , Leung Kwong-Sak , Tsui Stephen Kwok-Wing , Chan Ting-Fung
Published: August 2011

Background

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) measures gene expression levels and permits splicing analysis. Many existing aligners are capable of mapping millions of sequencing reads onto a reference genome. For reads that can be mapped to multiple positions along the reference genome (multireads), these aligners may either randomly assign them to a location, or discard them altogether. Either way could bias downstream analyses. Meanwhile, challenges remain in the alignment of reads spanning across splice junctions. Existing splicing-aware aligners that rely on the read-count method in identifying junction sites are inevitably affected by sequencing depths.

Results

The distance between aligned positions of paired-end (PE) reads or two parts of a spliced read is dependent on the experiment protocol and gene structures. We here proposed a new method that employs an empirical geometric-tail (GT) distribution of intron lengths to make a rational choice in multireads selection and splice-sites detection, according to the aligned distances from PE and sliced reads.

Conclusions

GT models that combine sequence similarity from alignment, and together with the probability of length distribution, could accurately determine the location of both multireads and spliced reads.
Development and implementation of a highly-multiplexed SNP array for genetic mapping in maritime pine and comparative mapping with loblolly pine
Authors: Chancerel Emilie , Lepoittevin Camille , Le Provost Grégoire , Lin Yao-Cheng , Jaramillo-Correa Juan Pablo , Eckert Andrew J , Wegrzyn Jill L , Zelenika Diana , Boland Anne , Frigerio Jean-Marc , Chaumeil Philippe , Garnier-Géré Pauline , Boury Christophe , Grivet Delphine , González-Martínez Santiago C , Rouzé Pierre , Van de Peer Yves , Neale David B , Cervera Maria T , Kremer Antoine , Plomion Christophe
Published: August 2011

Background

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most abundant source of genetic variation among individuals of a species. New genotyping technologies allow examining hundreds to thousands of SNPs in a single reaction for a wide range of applications such as genetic diversity analysis, linkage mapping, fine QTL mapping, association studies, marker-assisted or genome-wide selection. In this paper, we evaluated the potential of highly-multiplexed SNP genotyping for genetic mapping in maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), the main conifer used for commercial plantation in southwestern Europe.

Results

We designed a custom GoldenGate assay for 1,536 SNPs detected through the resequencing of gene fragments (707 in vitro SNPs/Indels) and from Sanger-derived Expressed Sequenced Tags assembled into a unigene set (829 in silico SNPs/Indels). Offspring from three-generation outbred (G2) and inbred (F2) pedigrees were genotyped. The success rate of the assay was 63.6% and 74.8% for in silico and in vitro SNPs, respectively. A genotyping error rate of 0.4% was further estimated from segregating data of SNPs belonging to the same gene. Overall, 394 SNPs were available for mapping. A total of 287 SNPs were integrated with previously mapped markers in the G2 parental maps, while 179 SNPs were localized on the map generated from the analysis of the F2 progeny. Based on 98 markers segregating in both pedigrees, we were able to generate a consensus map comprising 357 SNPs from 292 different loci. Finally, the analysis of sequence homology between mapped markers and their orthologs in a Pinus taeda linkage map, made it possible to align the 12 linkage groups of both species.

Conclusions

Our results show that the GoldenGate assay can be used successfully for high-throughput SNP genotyping in maritime pine, a conifer species that has a genome seven times the size of the human genome. This SNP-array will be extended thanks to recent sequencing effort using new generation sequencing technologies and will include SNPs from comparative orthologous sequences that were identified in the present study, providing a wider collection of anchor points for comparative genomics among the conifers.
Genome-wide survey of yeast mutations leading to activation of the yeast cell integrity MAPK pathway: Novel insights into diverse MAPK outcomes
Authors: Arias Patricia , Díez-Muñiz Sonia , García Raúl , Nombela César , Rodríguez-Peña José M , Arroyo Javier
Published: August 2011

Background

The yeast cell wall integrity mitogen-activated protein kinase (CWI-MAPK) pathway is the main regulator of adaptation responses to cell wall stress in yeast. Here, we adopt a genomic approach to shed light on two aspects that are only partially understood, namely, the characterization of the gene functional catalog associated with CWI pathway activation and the extent to which MAPK activation correlates with transcriptional outcomes.

Results

A systematic yeast mutant deletion library was screened for constitutive transcriptional activation of the CWI-related reporter gene MLP1. Monitoring phospho-Slt2/Mpk1 levels in the identified mutants revealed sixty-four deletants with high levels of phosphorylation of this MAPK, including mainly genes related to cell wall construction and morphogenesis, signaling, and those with unknown function. Phenotypic analysis of the last group of mutants suggests their involvement in cell wall homeostasis. A good correlation between levels of Slt2 phosphorylation and the magnitude of the transcriptional response was found in most cases. However, the expression of CWI pathway-related genes was enhanced in some mutants in the absence of significant Slt2 phosphorylation, despite the fact that functional MAPK signaling through the pathway was required. CWI pathway activation was associated to increased deposition of chitin in the cell wall - a known survival compensatory mechanism - in about 30% of the mutants identified.

Conclusion

We provide new insights into yeast genes related to the CWI pathway and into how the state of activation of the Slt2 MAPK leads to different outcomes, discovering the versatility of this kind of signaling pathways. These findings potentially have broad implications for understanding the functioning of other eukaryotic MAPKs.
Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum is associated with an altered temporal pattern of transcription
Authors: Mok Sachel , Imwong Mallika , Mackinnon Margaret J , Sim Joan , Ramadoss Ramya , Yi Poravuth , Mayxay Mayfong , Chotivanich Kesinee , Liong Kek-Yee , Russell Bruce , Socheat Duong , Newton Paul N , Day Nicholas PJ , White Nicholas J , Preiser Peter R , Nosten François , Dondorp Arjen M , Bozdech Zbynek
Published: August 2011

Background

Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria has emerged in Western Cambodia. This is a major threat to global plans to control and eliminate malaria as the artemisinins are a key component of antimalarial treatment throughout the world. To identify key features associated with the delayed parasite clearance phenotype, we employed DNA microarrays to profile the physiological gene expression pattern of the resistant isolates.

Results

In the ring and trophozoite stages, we observed reduced expression of many basic metabolic and cellular pathways which suggests a slower growth and maturation of these parasites during the first half of the asexual intraerythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). In the schizont stage, there is an increased expression of essentially all functionalities associated with protein metabolism which indicates the prolonged and thus increased capacity of protein synthesis during the second half of the resistant parasite IDC. This modulation of the P. falciparum intraerythrocytic transcriptome may result from differential expression of regulatory proteins such as transcription factors or chromatin remodeling associated proteins. In addition, there is a unique and uniform copy number variation pattern in the Cambodian parasites which may represent an underlying genetic background that contributes to the resistance phenotype.

Conclusions

The decreased metabolic activities in the ring stages are consistent with previous suggestions of higher resilience of the early developmental stages to artemisinin. Moreover, the increased capacity of protein synthesis and protein turnover in the schizont stage may contribute to artemisinin resistance by counteracting the protein damage caused by the oxidative stress and/or protein alkylation effect of this drug. This study reports the first global transcriptional survey of artemisinin resistant parasites and provides insight to the complexities of the molecular basis of pathogens with drug resistance phenotypes in vivo.
Myosin VI contributes to synaptic transmission and development at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction
Authors: Kisiel Marta , Majumdar Debolina , Campbell Shelagh , Stewart Bryan A
Published: August 2011

Background

Myosin VI, encoded by jaguar (jar) in Drosophila melanogaster, is a unique member of the myosin superfamily of actin-based motor proteins. Myosin VI is the only myosin known to move towards the minus or pointed ends of actin filaments. Although Myosin VI has been implicated in numerous cellular processes as both an anchor and a transporter, little is known about the role of Myosin VI in the nervous system. We previously recovered jar in a screen for genes that modify neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development and here we report on the genetic analysis of Myosin VI in synaptic development and function using loss of function jar alleles.

Results

Our experiments on Drosophila third instar larvae revealed decreased locomotor activity, a decrease in NMJ length, a reduction in synaptic bouton number, and altered synaptic vesicle localization in jar mutants. Furthermore, our studies of synaptic transmission revealed alterations in both basal synaptic transmission and short-term plasticity at the jar mutant neuromuscular synapse.

Conclusions

Altogether these findings indicate that Myosin VI is important for proper synaptic function and morphology. Myosin VI may be functioning as an anchor to tether vesicles to the bouton periphery and, thereby, participating in the regulation of synaptic vesicle mobilization during synaptic transmission.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract inhibits glutamate-induced cell death through inhibition of calcium signals and nitric oxide formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Ahn Seo-Hee , Kim Hee Jung , Jeong Imju , Hong Yi Jae , Kim Myung-Jun , Rhie Duck-Joo , Jo Yang-Hyeok , Hahn Sang June , Yoon Shin Hee
Published: August 2011

Background

Proanthocyanidin is a polyphenolic bioflavonoid with known antioxidant activity. Some flavonoids have a modulatory effect on [Ca2+]i. Although proanthocyanidin extract from blueberries reportedly affects Ca2+ buffering capacity, there are no reports on the effects of proanthocyanidin on glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i or cell death. In the present study, the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity was investigated through calcium signals and nitric oxide (NO) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Results

Pretreatment with GSPE (0.3-10 μg/ml) for 5 min inhibited the [Ca2+]i increase normally induced by treatment with glutamate (100 μM) for 1 min, in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) for 5 min significantly decreased the [Ca2+]i increase normally induced by two ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). GSPE further decreased AMPA-induced response in the presence of 1 μM nimodipine. However, GSPE did not affect the 50 mM K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. GSPE significantly decreased the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (RS)-3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, but it did not affect caffeine-induced response. GSPE (0.3-6 μg/ml) significantly inhibited synaptically induced [Ca2+]i spikes by 0.1 mM [Mg2+]o. In addition, pretreatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) for 5 min inhibited 0.1 mM [Mg2+]o- and glutamate-induced formation of NO. Treatment with GSPE (6 μg/ml) significantly inhibited 0.1 mM [Mg2+]o- and oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neuronal cell death.

Conclusions

All these data suggest that GSPE inhibits 0.1 mM [Mg2+]o- and oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity through inhibition of calcium signals and NO formation in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.
Increased incidence of kidney diseases in general practice after a nationwide albuminuria self-test program
Authors: de Borst Julia , Nielen Markus MJ , Verheij Robert A , Schellevis François G
Published: August 2011

Background

To study the influence of a nationwide albuminuria self-test program on the number of GP contacts for urinary complaints and/or kidney diseases and the number of newly diagnosed patients with kidney diseases by the GP.

Methods

Data were used from the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH), including a representative sample of general practices with a dynamic population of approximately 300.000 listed patients. Morbidity data were retrieved from electronic medical records, kept in a representative sample of general practices. The incidence of kidney diseases and urinary complaints before and after the albuminuria self-test program was compared with logistic regression analyses.

Results

Data were used from 139 general practices, including 444,220 registered patients. The number of GP consultations for kidney diseases and urinary complaints was increased in the year after the albuminuria self-test program and particularly shortly after the start of the program. Compared with the period before the self-test program, more patients have been diagnosed by the GP with symptoms/complaints of kidney disease and urinary diseases (OR = 1.7 (CI 1.4 - 2.0) and OR = 2.1 (CI 1.9 - 2.3), respectively). The odds on an abnormal urine-test in the period after the self-test program was three times higher than the year before (OR = 3.0 (CI 2.4 - 3.6)). The effect of the self-test program on newly diagnosed patients with an abnormal urine test was modified by both the presence of the risk factors hypertension and diabetes mellitus. For this diagnosis the highest OR was found in patients without both conditions (OR = 4.2 (CI 3.3 - 5.4)).

Conclusions

A nationwide albuminuria self-test program resulted in an increasing number of newly diagnosed kidney complaints and diseases the year after the program. The highest risks were found in patients without risk factors for kidney diseases.
Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy or by surgery and chemoradiotherapy for patients with resectable gastric cancer (CRITICS)
Authors: Dikken Johan L , van Sandick Johanna W , Maurits Swellengrebel HA , Lind Pehr A , Putter Hein , Jansen Edwin PM , Boot Henk , van Grieken Nicole CT , van de Velde Cornelis JH , Verheij Marcel , Cats Annemieke
Published: August 2011

Background

Radical surgery is the cornerstone in the treatment of resectable gastric cancer. The Intergroup 0116 and MAGIC trials have shown benefit of postoperative chemoradiation and perioperative chemotherapy, respectively. Since these trials cannot be compared directly, both regimens are evaluated prospectively in the CRITICS trial. This study aims to obtain an improved overall survival for patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy and surgery by incorporating radiotherapy concurrently with chemotherapy postoperatively.

Methods/design

In this phase III multicentre study, patients with resectable gastric cancer are treated with three cycles of preoperative ECC (epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine), followed by surgery with adequate lymph node dissection, and then either another three cycles of ECC or concurrent chemoradiation (45 Gy, cisplatin and capecitabine). Surgical, pathological, and radiotherapeutic quality control is performed. The primary endpoint is overall survival, secondary endpoints are disease-free survival (DFS), toxicity, health-related quality of life (HRQL), prediction of response, and recurrence risk assessed by genomic and expression profiling. Accrual for the CRITICS trial is from the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, and more countries are invited to participate.

Conclusion

Results of this study will demonstrate whether the combination of preoperative chemotherapy and postoperative chemoradiotherapy will improve the clinical outcome of the current European standard of perioperative chemotherapy, and will therefore play a key role in the future management of patients with resectable gastric cancer.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov NCT00407186
Non prescribed sale of antibiotics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Bin Abdulhak Aref A , Al Tannir Mohamad A , Almansor Mohammed A , Almohaya Mohammed S , Onazi Atallah S , Marei Mohammed A , Aldossary Oweida F , Obeidat Sadek A , Obeidat Mustafa A , Riaz Muhammad S , Tleyjeh Imad M
Published: August 2011

Background

Antibiotics sales without medical prescriptions are increasingly recognized as sources of antimicrobial misuse that can exacerbate the global burden of antibiotic resistance. We aimed to determine the percentage of pharmacies who sell antibiotics without medical prescriptions, examining the potential associated risks of such practice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by simulation of different clinical scenarios.

Methods

A cross sectional study of a quasi-random sample of pharmacies stratified by the five regions of Riyadh. Each pharmacy was visited once by two investigators who simulated having a relative with a specific clinical illness (sore throat, acute bronchitis, otitis media, acute sinusitis, diarrhea, and urinary tract infection (UTI) in childbearing aged women).

Results

A total of 327 pharmacies were visited. Antibiotics were dispensed without a medical prescription in 244 (77.6%) of 327, of which 231 (95%) were dispensed without a patient request. Simulated cases of sore throat and diarrhea resulted in an antibiotic being dispensed in (90%) of encounters, followed by UTI (75%), acute bronchitis (73%), otitis media (51%) and acute sinusitis (40%). Metronidazole (89%) and ciprofloxacin (86%) were commonly given for diarrhea and UTI, respectively, whereas amoxicillin/clavulanate was dispensed (51%) for the other simulated cases. None of the pharmacists asked about antibiotic allergy history or provided information about drug interactions. Only 23% asked about pregnancy status when dispensing antibiotics for UTI-simulated cases.

Conclusions

We observed that an antibiotic could be obtained in Riyadh without a medical prescription or an evidence-based indication with associated potential clinical risks. Strict enforcement and adherence to existing regulations are warranted.
Localization and dynamic link detection for geographic routing in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments
Authors: Kong Youngbae , Kwon Younggoo , Shin Jongho , Park Gwitae
Published: August 2011

IEEE 802.15.4a networks can provide the geographic routing solution with high location accuracy for the indoor environments. However, in the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments, the IEEE 802.15.4a networks may have a large scale location error and an unstable communication link. In this article, we propose a location estimation and dynamic link detection scheme for the geographic routing in the NLOS environments. The proposed approach corrects the large scale location error and detects the NLOS link in the geographic routing procedure. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed approach can enhance the performance of the geographic routing.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus could partly be evacuated by pregnant BALB/c mouse during abortion or preterm delivery
Authors: Xu Lili , Bao Linlin , Deng Wei , Qin Chuan
Published: August 2011

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus is one of candidates for future pandemic. Since H5N1 viruses had previously been isolated only from avian species, the outbreak raised questions about the ability of these viruses to cause severe disease and death in humans. Pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-associated illness and death. However, little is known about whether influenza viruses could transmit to the fetus through the placenta, and the effects of abortion and preterm delivery to maternal influenza infection are not well understood. We found that the H5N1 viruses could vertical transmit to the fetus through the placenta in the BALB/c mouse model, and the viruses could partly be evacuated by the pregnant mice during abortion or preterm delivery. This study may further our understanding about the transmission of this highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, supply optimized clinical treatment method for pregnant women, and shed some light on better preventing and controlling for future potential outbreak of H5N1 influenza pandemic.
Lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 3 is involved in influenza A virus replication in human lung epithelial (A549) cells
Authors: Zhou Zhuo , Xue Qinghua , Wan Yuli , Yang Yaowu , Wang Jianwei , Hung Tao
Published: August 2011

Background

Influenza A virus mutates rapidly, rendering antiviral therapies and vaccines directed against virus-encoded targets ineffective. Knowledge of the host factors and molecular pathways exploited by influenza virus will provide further targets for novel antiviral strategies. However, the critical host factors involved in influenza virus infection have not been fully defined.

Results

We demonstrated that LAMP3, a member of lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP) family, was significantly induced in human lung epithelial (A549) cells upon influenza A virus infection. Knockdown of LAMP3 expression by RNA interference attenuated production of viral nucleoprotein (NP) as well as virus titers. Confocal microscopy results demonstrated that viral NP is colocalized within LAMP3 positive vesicles at early stages of virus infection. Furthermore, knockdown of LAMP3 expression led to a reduction in nuclear accumulation of viral NP and impeded virus replication.

Conclusions

LAMP3 is an influenza A virus inducible gene, and plays an important role in viral post-entry steps. Our observations may provide insights into the mechanism of influenza virus replication and potential targets for novel anti-influenza therapeutics.
Biotechnological approaches to determine the impact of viruses in the energy crop plant Jatropha curcas
Authors: Ramkat Rose C , Calari Alberto , Maghuly Fatemeh , Laimer Margit
Published: August 2011

Background

Geminiviruses infect a wide range of plant species including Jatropha and cassava both belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. Cassava is traditionally an important food crop in Sub - Saharan countries, while Jatropha is considered as valuable biofuel plant with great perspectives in the future.

Results

A total of 127 Jatropha samples from Ethiopia and Kenya and 124 cassava samples from Kenya were tested by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for RNA viruses and polymerase chain reaction for geminiviruses. Jatropha samples from 4 different districts in Kenya and Ethiopia (analyzed by ELISA) were negative for all three RNA viruses tested: Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV), Cassava common mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Three cassava samples from Busia district (Kenya) contained CBSV. Efforts to develop diagnostic approaches allowing reliable pathogen detection in Jatropha, involved the amplification and sequencing of the entire DNA A molecules of 40 Kenyan isolates belonging to African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African cassava mosaic virus - Uganda. This information enabled the design of novel primers to address different questions: a) primers amplifying longer sequences led to a phylogenetic tree of isolates, allowing some predictions on the evolutionary aspects of Begomoviruses in Jatrophia; b) primers amplifying shorter sequences represent a reliable diagnostic tool. This is the first report of the two Begomoviruses in J. curcas. Two cassava samples were co - infected with cassava mosaic geminivirus and CBSV. A Defective DNA A of ACMV was found for the first time in Jatropha.

Conclusion

Cassava geminiviruses occurring in Jatropha might be spread wider than anticipated. If not taken care of, this virus infection might negatively impact large scale plantations for biofuel production. Being hosts for similar pathogens, the planting vicinity of the two crop plants needs to be handled carefully.
Dietary restrictions in healing among speakers of Iquito, an endangered language of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Jernigan Kevin A
Published: August 2011

Background

Ethnobotanical research was carried out with speakers of Iquito, a critically endangered Amazonian language of the Zaparoan family. The study focused on the concept of "dieting" (siyan++niin Iquito), a practice involving prohibitions considered necessary to the healing process. These restrictions include: 1) foods and activities that can exacerbate illness, 2) environmental influences that conflict with some methods of healing (e.g. steam baths or enemas) and 3) foods and activities forbidden by the spirits of certain powerful medicinal plants. The study tested the following hypotheses: H1 - Each restriction will correlate with specific elements in illness explanatory models and H2 - Illnesses whose explanatory models have personalistic elements will show a greater number and variety of restrictions than those based on naturalistic reasoning.

Methods

The work was carried out in 2009 and 2010 in the Alto Nanay region of Peru. In structured interviews, informants gave explanatory models for illness categories, including etiologies, pathophysiologies, treatments and dietary restrictions necessary for 49 illnesses. Seventeen botanical vouchers for species said to have powerful spirits that require diets were also collected.

Results

All restrictions found correspond to some aspect of illness explanatory models. Thirty-five percent match up with specific illness etiologies, 53% correspond to particular pathophysiologies, 18% correspond with overall seriousness of the illness and 18% are only found with particular forms of treatment. Diets based on personalistic reasoning have a significantly higher average number of restrictions than those based on naturalistic reasoning.

Conclusions

Dieting plays a central role in healing among Iquito speakers. Specific prohibitions can be explained in terms of specific aspects of illness etiologies, pathophysiologies and treatments. Although the Amazonian literature contains few studies focusing on dietary proscriptions over a wide range of illnesses, some specific restrictions reported here do correspond with trends seen in other Amazonian societies, particularly those related to sympathetic reasoning and for magical and spiritual uses of plants.
Isolation and characterization of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from the gingiva and the periodontal ligament of the horse
Authors: Mensing Niels , Gasse Hagen , Hambruch Nina , Haeger Jan-Dirk , Pfarrer Christiane , Staszyk Carsten
Published: August 2011

Background

The equine periodontium provides tooth support and lifelong tooth eruption on a remarkable scale. These functions require continuous tissue remodeling. It is assumed that multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) reside in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and play a crucial role in regulating physiological periodontal tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize equine periodontal MSC.

Tissue samples were obtained from four healthy horses. Primary cell populations were har-vested and cultured from the gingiva, from three horizontal levels of the PDL (apical, midtooth and subgingival) and for comparison purposes from the subcutis (masseteric region). Colony-forming cells were grown on uncoated culture dishes and typicalin vitrocharacteristics of non-human MSC, i.e. self-renewal capacity, population doubling time, expression of stemness markers and trilineage differentiation were analyzed.

Results

Colony-forming cell populations from all locations showed expression of the stemness markers CD90 and CD105. In vitro self-renewal capacity was demonstrated by colony-forming unit fibroblast (CFU-F) assays. CFU-efficiency was highest in cell populations from the apical and from the mid-tooth PDL. Population doubling time was highest in subcutaneous cells. All investigated cell populations possessed trilineage differentiation potential into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic lineages.

Conclusions

Due to the demonstrated in vitro characteristics cells were referred to as equine subcutaneous MSC (eSc-MSC), equine gingival MSC (eG-MSC) and equine periodontal MSC (eP-MSC). According to different PDL levels, eP-MSC were further specified as eP-MSC from the apical PDL (eP-MSCap), eP-MSC from the mid-tooth PDL (eP-MSCm) and eP-MSC from the subgingival PDL (eP-MSCsg). Considering current concepts of cell-based regenerative therapies in horses, eP-MSC might be promising candidates for future clinical applications in equine orthopedic and periodontal diseases.
Task shifting and integration of HIV care into primary care in South Africa: The development and content of the streamlining tasks and roles to expand treatment and care for HIV (STRETCH) intervention
Authors: Uebel Kerry E , Fairall Lara R , van Rensburg Dingie HCJ , Mollentze Willie F , Bachmann Max O , Lewin Simon , Zwarenstein Merrick , Colvin Christopher J , Georgeu Daniella , Mayers Pat , Faris Gill M , Lombard Carl , Bateman Eric D
Published: August 2011

Background

Task shifting and the integration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care into primary care services have been identified as possible strategies for improving access to antiretroviral treatment (ART). This paper describes the development and content of an intervention involving these two strategies, as part of the Streamlining Tasks and Roles to Expand Treatment and Care for HIV (STRETCH) pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Methods: Developing the intervention

The intervention was developed following discussions with senior management, clinicians, and clinic staff. These discussions revealed that the establishment of separate antiretroviral treatment services for HIV had resulted in problems in accessing care due to the large number of patients at ART clinics. The intervention developed therefore combined the shifting from doctors to nurses of prescriptions of antiretrovirals (ARVs) for uncomplicated patients and the stepwise integration of HIV care into primary care services.

Results: Components of the intervention

The intervention consisted of regulatory changes, training, and guidelines to support nurse ART prescription, local management teams, an implementation toolkit, and a flexible, phased introduction. Nurse supervisors were equipped to train intervention clinic nurses in ART prescription using outreach education and an integrated primary care guideline. Management teams were set up and a STRETCH coordinator was appointed to oversee the implementation process.

Discussion

Three important processes were used in developing and implementing this intervention: active participation of clinic staff and local and provincial management, educational outreach to train nurses in intervention sites, and an external facilitator to support all stages of the intervention rollout.

The STRETCH trial is registered with Current Control Trials ISRCTN46836853.
Can computerized clinical decision support systems improve practitioners' diagnostic test ordering behavior? A decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review
Authors: Roshanov Pavel S , You John J , Dhaliwal Jasmine , Koff David , Mackay Jean A , Weise-Kelly Lorraine , Navarro Tamara , Wilczynski Nancy L , Brian Haynes R ,   the CCDSS Systematic Review Team
Published: August 2011

Background

Underuse and overuse of diagnostic tests have important implications for health outcomes and costs. Decision support technology purports to optimize the use of diagnostic tests in clinical practice. The objective of this review was to assess whether computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSSs) are effective at improving ordering of tests for diagnosis, monitoring of disease, or monitoring of treatment. The outcome of interest was effect on the diagnostic test-ordering behavior of practitioners.

Methods

We conducted a decision-maker-researcher partnership systematic review. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Ovid's EBM Reviews database, Inspec, and reference lists for eligible articles published up to January 2010. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the use of CCDSSs to usual practice or non-CCDSS controls in clinical care settings. Trials were eligible if at least one component of the CCDSS gave suggestions for ordering or performing a diagnostic procedure. We considered studies 'positive' if they showed a statistically significant improvement in at least 50% of test ordering outcomes.

Results

Thirty-five studies were identified, with significantly higher methodological quality in those published after the year 2000 (p = 0.002). Thirty-three trials reported evaluable data on diagnostic test ordering, and 55% (18/33) of CCDSSs improved testing behavior overall, including 83% (5/6) for diagnosis, 63% (5/8) for treatment monitoring, 35% (6/17) for disease monitoring, and 100% (3/3) for other purposes. Four of the systems explicitly attempted to reduce test ordering rates and all succeeded. Factors of particular interest to decision makers include costs, user satisfaction, and impact on workflow but were rarely investigated or reported.

Conclusions

Some CCDSSs can modify practitioner test-ordering behavior. To better inform development and implementation efforts, studies should describe in more detail potentially important factors such as system design, user interface, local context, implementation strategy, and evaluate impact on user satisfaction and workflow, costs, and unintended consequences.