bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for impaired quality of life and psychosocial adjustment after pediatric heart, kidney, and liver transplantation
Authors: Haavisto Anu , Korkman Marit , Sintonen Harri , Holmberg Christer , Jalanko Hannu , Lipsanen Jari , Qvist Erik
Published: February 2013

Few studies compare HRQOL and PSA in children who have undergone different types of solid organ Tx. In this cross‐sectional study, HRQOL and PSA were assessed in 74 Tx patients (16 heart, 44 kidney, 14 liver) at a mean age of 11.5 (range 6.3–16.7), 7.2 yr post‐Tx (range 1.0–15.0). HRQOL was self‐assessed using standardized health utility questionnaires (15D–17D). The patients' PSA was evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist for parents, Youth Self‐Report for patients aged 11–16 yr, and Teacher Report Form. Outcomes did not differ significantly between Tx groups. Preadolescents (8–11 yr) reported poorer HRQOL compared with same‐age peers (p = 0.020). In contrast, adolescents reported similar HRQOL and PSA compared to the general population. Proxy‐reports revealed more PSA problems compared with age expectations (p < 0.01), mainly in internalizing behavior (p < 0.01). Lower HRQOL was associated with shorter follow‐up time since Tx, congenital disease, and a psychiatric or neurological diagnosis. PSA problems were associated with family‐related variables, neurological diagnosis, shorter follow‐up time, and in teacher‐reports longer disease duration before Tx. Different pediatric Tx groups have similar outcome. Neurological comorbidity and shorter follow‐up time are important risk factors, but the impact of family‐related variables on PSA indicate the need of family interventions.
Starvation endurance in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi depends on group size, body size and access to larvae
Authors: MODLMEIER ANDREAS P. , FOITZIK SUSANNE , SCHARF INON
Published: February 2013

Social interactions in animal groups can buffer environmental stress and may enhance survival under unfavourable conditions. In the present study, the impact on starvation endurance of social group, access to larvae and cold shock is studied in the ant Temnothorax nylanderi Förster. Resource sharing is expected to lead to grouped workers surviving longer than isolated ones. Access to larvae may increase longevity if larvae serve as food, or may interfere with survival if they induce caring behaviour in workers. Cold shock serves as a stress factor and a negative influence on survival is expected. The results show that isolated workers have a shorter lifespan than grouped workers, which in turn live for a shorter period than grouped workers with larvae. Beneficial ‘group effects’ contribute to group survival and the presence of larvae increases worker survival because the workers presumably feed on the larvae. Thus, improved starvation endurance may reflect an additional benefit of a social lifestyle. Moreover, variance in survival is lower for grouped workers than for isolated workers: group members not only demonstrate improved survival, but also smaller within‐group differences. Although a negative influence on survival is the expected outcome, this type of thermal stress is found to have no direct impact on starvation endurance other than moderating the differences between isolated and grouped workers.
Low prostaglandin E2 and cyclooxygenase expression in nasal mucosa fibroblasts of aspirin‐intolerant asthmatics
Authors: Roca‐Ferrer Jordi , Pérez‐Gonzalez Maria , Garcia‐Garcia Francesc J. , Pereda Javier , Pujols Laura , Alobid Isam , Mullol Joaquim , Picado Cesar
Published: February 2013

Background and objective

Anomalies in the regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 and ‐2 have been described in nasal polyps of aspirin‐induced asthma (AIA). Whether these anomalies are specific to nasal polyps or affect all the nasal mucosa (NM) of upper airways is still unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the COX pathway in NM of AIA patients with the NM of control subjects.

Methods

Fibroblasts were isolated from NM of five AIA patients (AIA‐NM) and five control subjects (control‐NM). Cells were treated with 10 ng/mL interleukin (IL)‐1β for up to 72 h. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), expression of COX‐1 protein by Western blot and COX‐2 protein by ELISA, Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques.

Results

IL‐1β increased PGE2 production and COX‐1 protein expression in control‐NM fibroblasts, but no changes were found in AIA‐NM. IL‐1β provoked a significant time‐dependent increase in COX‐2 protein expression in control‐NM fibroblasts but had a very mild effect on COX‐2 protein expression in AIA‐NM.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that abnormalities in the COX pathway are not a phenomenon exclusive to nasal‐polyp mucosa as they are also present in all the NM of AIA patients. These anomalies may be involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug intolerance in asthma patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis.
Fibrin Sheath and its Relation to Subsequent Events after Tunneled Dialysis Catheter Exchange
Authors: Shanaah Almothana , Brier Michael , Dwyer Amy
Published: February 2013

The use of tunneled catheters (TDC) for chronic hemodialysis is frequent and often fails due to fibrin or thrombus and infection. We hypothesized that the presence of fibrin sheath in TDC increases the risk for subsequent catheter malfunction and infection. We did a retrospective review of TDC exchanges and de novo placements from January 2005 to September 2011. Demographic data, information about the catheter procedure, and radiological data were collected. Final outcome analysis included 168 procedure events. Three groups of catheter procedures were identified: catheter exchange without a fibrin sheath (CE), catheter exchange with a treated fibrin sheath (CEF), and de novo catheter placements (DCP). Fibrin sheath incidence was 47%. In the CEF group, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of subsequent infections or dysfunctions (7% and 60%, respectively), when compared with the CE group (9% and 43%, respectively), (p = 0.3). Mean time to subsequent dysfunction or infection was similar for CEF and CE (135 vs. 136 days, p‐value, 0.98). Fibrin sheaths are common and should be evaluated when performing TDC exchange. If the fibrin sheath is treated, there is no increased incidence in subsequent catheter dysfunction or infection compared with patients without a fibrin sheath.
The Ca2+‐binding protein PCaP2 located on the plasma membrane is involved in root hair development as a possible signal transducer
Authors: Kato Mariko , Aoyama Takashi , Maeshima Masayoshi
Published: February 2013

Plasma membrane‐associated Ca2+‐binding protein–2 (PCaP2) of Arabidopsis thaliana is a novel‐type protein that binds to the Ca2+/calmodulin complex and phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PtdInsPs) as well as free Ca2+. Although the PCaP2 gene is predominantly expressed in root hair cells, it remains unknown how PCaP2 functions in root hair cells via binding to ligands. From biochemical analyses using purified PCaP2 and its variants, we found that the N–terminal basic domain with 23 amino acids (N23) is necessary and sufficient for binding to PtdInsPs and the Ca2+/calmodulin complex, and that the residual domain of PCaP2 binds to free Ca2+. In mutant analysis, a pcap2 knockdown line displayed longer root hairs than the wild‐type. To examine the function of each domain in root hair cells, we over‐expressed PCaP2 and its variants using the root hair cell‐specific EXPANSIN A7 promoter. Transgenic lines over‐expressing PCaP2, PCaP2G2A (second glycine substituted by alanine) and ∆23PCaP2 (lacking the N23 domain) exhibited abnormal branched and bulbous root hair cells, while over‐expression of the N23 domain suppressed root hair emergence and elongation. The N23 domain was necessary and sufficient for the plasma membrane localization of GFP‐tagged PCaP2. These results suggest that the N23 domain of PCaP2 negatively regulates root hair tip growth via processing Ca2+ and PtdInsP signals on the plasma membrane, while the residual domain is involved in the polarization of cell expansion.
Seroprevalence and incidence of hepatitis E virus infection in German blood donors
Authors: Juhl David , Baylis Sally A. , Blümel Johannes , Görg Siegfried , Hennig Holger
Published: February 2013

Background

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is transmissible by transfusion. More data are needed about seroprevalence, incidence, and viremia in blood donors for the assessment of risk of transfusion‐transmitted (TT)‐HEV infections.

Study Design and Methods

Samples from 1019 whole blood donors were tested for anti‐HEV immunoglobulin (Ig)G by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. The incidence of HEV and presence of HEV RNA in donors who seroconverted were determined by testing archive samples and recipients of viremic donations were traced. Anti‐HEV IgM and alanine transaminase (ALT) testing were also performed to assess the value of such measures in the prevention of TT‐HEV infections.

Results

A total of 69 of 1019 donors tested positive for anti‐HEV IgG (6.8% seroprevalence), and seroconversion for anti‐HEV IgG occurred in seven of 69 donors within 2 years (incidence, 0.35%/year). Three of seven (42.8%) seroconverting donors provided an archive sample in which HEV RNA was detectable. One recipient of these donations was traceable; anti‐HEV IgG, IgM, and HEV RNA testing were negative 41 days after transfusion. Neither ALT levels nor anti‐HEV IgM detection correlated with the presence of HEV RNA.

Conclusions

The seroprevalence of HEV was 6.8%, and the annual incidence 0.35%. HEV RNA was detectable in several seroconverting donors, without evidence for HEV transmission in the only traceable recipient. Since neither ALT nor anti‐HEV IgM testing correlate with the presence of HEV RNA, HEV nucleic acid testing currently provides the only method for the prevention of TT‐HEV infection. However, before implementation, more data about clinical relevance of TT‐HEV infections and infectious dose of HEV are required.
Anti‐CD2 producing pig xenografts effect localized depletion of human T cells in a huSCID model
Authors: Brady Jamie L. , Sutherland Robyn M. , Hancock Manuela , Kitsoulis Susie , Lahoud Mireille H. , Phillips Peta M. , Hawthorne Wayne J. , d'Apice Anthony J. F. , Cowan Peter J. , Harrison Leonard C. , O'Connell Philip J. , Lew Andrew M.
Published: February 2013

Background

We investigated whether graft produced anti‐human CD2, mediated by adenovirus (Adv) transduction of pig neonatal islet cell clusters (pNICC), would protect xenografts in a humanized mouse model from immune attack and whether such immunosuppression would remain local.

Methods

A mouse anti‐human CD2 Ab (CD2hb11) previously generated by us was genetically engineered to produce chimeric and humanized versions. The three forms of CD2hb11 were named dilimomab (mouse), diliximab (chimeric) and dilizumab (humanized). All 3 forms of CD2hb11 Ab were tested for their ability to bind CD3+ human T cells and to inhibit a human anti‐pig xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). They were administered systemically in a humanized mouse model in order to test their ability to deplete human CD3+ T cells and whether they induced a cytokine storm. An adenoviral vector expressing diliximab was generated for transduction of pNICC. Humanized mice were transplanted with either control‐transduced pNICC or diliximab‐transduced pNICC and human T cells within grafts and spleens were enumerated by flow cytometry.

Results

Dilimomab and diliximab inhibited a human anti‐pig xenogeneic response but dilizumab did not. All 3 forms of CD2hb11 Ab bound human T cells in vitro though dilimomab and diliximab exhibited 300‐fold higher avidity than dilizumab. All 3 anti‐CD2 Abs could deplete human CD3+ T cells in vivo in a humanized mouse model without inducing upregulation of activation markers or significant release of cytokines. Humanized mice transplanted with diliximab‐transduced pNICC afforded depletion of CD3+ T cells at the graft site leaving the peripheral immune system intact.

Conclusions

Local production of a single Ab against T cells can reduce graft infiltration at the xenograft site and may reduce the need for conventional, systemic immunosuppression.
IMPUTATION OF MISSING DATA WITH DIFFERENT MISSINGNESS MECHANISM
Authors: KANG HO MING , YUSOF FADHILAH , MOHAMAD ISMAIL
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a study on the estimation of missing data. Data samples with different missingness mechanism namely Missing Completely At Random (MCAR), Missing At Random (MAR) and Missing Not At Random (MNAR) are simulated accordingly. Expectation maximization (EM) algorithm and mean imputation (MI) are applied to these data sets and compared and the performances are evaluated by the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that EM is able to estimate the missing data with minimum errors compared to mean imputation (MI) for the three missingness mechanisms. However the graphical results showed that EM failed to estimate the missing values in the missing quadrants when the situation is MNAR.
FUZZY TIME SERIES AND SARIMA MODEL FOR FORECASTING TOURIST ARRIVALS TO BALI
Authors: Elena Maria , Lee Muhamad Hisyam , H. Suhartono , I. Hossein , Abd Rahman Nur Haizum , Bazilah Nur Arina
Published: February 2013

Forecasting is very important in many types of organizations since predictions of future events must be incorporated into the decision–making process. In the case of tourism demand, better forecast would help directors and investors make operational, tactical, and strategic decisions. Generally, in time series we can divide forecasting method into classical method and modern methods. Although recent studies show that the newer and more advanced forecasting techniques tend to result in improved forecast accuracy under certain circumstances, no clear–cut evidence shows that any one model can consistently outperform other models in the forecasting competition [1]. In this study, the forecasting performance between Box–Jenkins approaches of seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and four models of fuzzy time series has been compared by using MAPE, MAD and RMSE as the forecast measures of accuracy. The empirical results show that Chen's fuzzy time series model outperforms the SARIMA and the other fuzzy time series models.
COUMARINS VIA KNOEVENAGEL CONDENSATION REACTION (KCR) AND PECHMANN CONDENSATION REACTION
Authors: WONG KOK TONG , BASAR NORAZAH
Published: February 2013

Knoevenagel condensation reaction (KCR) and Pechmann condensation reaction are the simplest and most widely used method to synthesize various substituted coumarins. The compounds such as 3–acetylcoumarin, 3–acetyl–7–(diethylamino)coumarin, and 7–(diethylamino)–3–(1–oxobutyl)coumarin were synthesized by KCR method which involved the condensation of salicylaldehyde or 4–(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde with ethyl acetoacetate, 4–(diethylamino)– salicylaldehyde with ethyl butyrylacetate in the presence of dimethylamine as a catalyst. Meanwhile, 7–hydroxy–4–methylcoumarin, 4–methyl–2H–benzo[h]chromen–2–one, 7–hydroxy–4,8–dimethyl– coumarin, 7–hydroxy–4–propylcoumarin, 4–propyl–2H–benzo[h]chromen–2–one, 7–hydroxy–8–methyl–4–propylcoumarin and 7,8–dihydroxy–4–propylcoumarin were synthesized through Pechmann condensation reaction by condensation of resorcinol, 1–napthol or 2–methylresorcinol with ethyl acetoacetate, and resorcinol, 1–napthol, 2–methylresorcinol or pyrogallol with ethyl butyrylacetate, respectively in the presence of sulphuric acid as a catalyst. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques using infrared (IR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C NMR).
PARAMETER ESTIMATION ON HURDLE POISSON REGRESSION MODEL WITH CENSORED DATA
Authors: SAFFAR SEYED EHSAN , ADNAN ROBIAH , GREENE WILLIAM
Published: February 2013

A Poisson model typically is assumed for count data. In many cases, there are many zeros in the dependent variable and because of these many zeros, the mean and the variance values of the dependent variable are not the same as before. In fact, the variance value of the dependent variable will be much more than the mean value of the dependent variable and this is called over–dispersion. Therefore, Poisson model is not suitable anymore for this kind of data because of too many zeros. Thus, it is suggested to use a hurdle Poisson regression model to overcome over–dispersion problem. Furthermore, the response variable in such cases is censored for some values. In this paper, a censored hurdle Poisson regression model is introduced on count data with many zeros. In this model, we consider a response variable and one or more than one explanatory variables. The estimation of regression parameters using the maximum likelihood method is discussed and the goodness–of–fit for the regression model is examined. We study the effects of right censoring on estimated parameters and their standard errors via an example.
TREND ANALYSIS FOR DROUGHT EVENT IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Authors: YUSOF FADHILAH , HUI–MEAN FOO , SUHAILA SHARIFFAH , CHING–YEE KONG
Published: February 2013

In this paper, the geostatistics application is employed for analysis of drought events in verifying the upward or increasing and downward or decreasing trend during the drought occurrence. About 33 years of daily precipitation data obtained from 69 stations during the period of November, 1975 to October, 2008 in Peninsular Malaysia are analyzed to characterize the trend of dry events. The amount of precipitation is classified based on the standardized precipitation index (SPI) to determine the drought periods and proceed with the Mann–Kendall test for trend identification. These results are further verified by applying the kriging method. The kriging results describe that the trend values for drought events in Peninsular Malaysia interprets an upward trend especially in eastern and western parts.
Molecular beam deposited zirconium dioxide as a high-κ dielectric for future GaN based power devices
Authors: Freese Annett , Grube Matthias , Wachowiak Andre , Geidel Marion , Adolphi Barbara , Schmult Stefan , Mikolajick Thomas
Published: February 2013

Molecular beam deposited zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) was assessed as high-κ gate dielectric for future GaN based devices. To compare and study electrical and structural properties, thin ZrO2 films were deposited on three different substrates, n++-c-plane GaN, p-(100) Si, and TiN. The films were fabricated by electron beam evaporation from a single stoichiometric ZrO2 target. A substrate-independent phase transition from amorphous ZrO2 to the tetragonal/cubic phase was identified by gracing incidence x-ray diffractometry. Finally, monoclinic ZrO2 emerged with increasing film thickness. As found by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ZrO2 formed an abrupt interface to both GaN and TiN without intermixture. Dielectric constants in the range of 14–25 were extracted from capacitance versus voltage measurements for as-deposited ZrO2 films. The leakage currents of ZrO2 on GaN resembled their counterparts on Si as well as on TiN.
Model‐based prediction of portal dose images during patient treatment
Authors: Chytyk‐Praznik K. , VanUytven E. , vanBeek T. A. , Greer P. B. , McCurdy B. M. C.
Published: February 2013

Purpose:

Dosimetric verification of radiation therapy is crucial when delivering complex treatments like intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT. Pretreatment verification, characterized by methods applied without the patient present and before the treatment start date, is typically carried out at most centers.In vivo dosimetric verification, characterized by methods applied with the patient present, is not commonly carried out in the clinic. This work presents a novel, model‐based EPID dosimetry method that could be used for routine clinical in vivo patient treatment verification.

Methods:

The authors integrated a detailed fluence model with a patient scatter prediction model that uses a superposition of scatter energy fluence kernels, generated via Monte Carlo techniques, to determine patient scatter fluence delivered to the EPID. The total dose to the EPID was calculated using the sum of convolutions of the calculated energy fluence distribution entering the EPID with monoenergetic dose kernels, specific to the a‐Si EPID. Measured images with simple, square fields delivered to slab phantoms were validated against predicted images. Measured and predicted images acquired during the delivery of IMRT fields to slabs and an anthropomorphic phantom were compared using theχ‐comparison for 3% dose difference and 3 mm distance‐to‐agreement criteria.

Results:

Predicted and measured images of the square fields with slabs in the field agreed within 2.5%. Predicted portal dose images of clinical IMRT fields delivered to slabs and an anthropomorphic phantom agreed with measured images within 3% and 3 mm for an average of at least 97% of the infield pixels (defined as >10% maximum field dose) for each case, over all fields.

Conclusions:

This work presents the first validation of the integration of a comprehensive fluence model with a patient and EPID radiation transport model that accounts for patient transmission, including complex factors such as patient scatter and the energy response of the a‐Si detector. The portal dose image prediction model satisfies the 3% and 3 mm criteria for IMRT fields delivered to slab phantoms and could be used for patient treatment verification.
Characterization of the count rate performance of modern gamma cameras
Authors: Silosky M. , Johnson V. , Beasley C. , Cheenu Kappadath S.
Published: February 2013

Purpose:

Evaluation of count rate performance (CRP) is an integral component of gamma camera quality assurance and system deadtime (τ) may be utilized for image correction in quantitative studies. This work characterizes the CRP of three modern gamma cameras and estimates τ using two established methods (decay and dual source) under a variety of experimental conditions.

Methods:

For the decay method, uncollimated detectors were exposed to a Tc‐99m source of relatively high activity and count rates were sampled regularly over 48 h. Input count rate at each time point was based on the lowest observed count rate data point. The input count rate was plotted against the observed count rate and fit via least‐squares to the paralyzable detector model (PDM) to estimateτ (rates method). A novel expression for observed counts as a function of measurement time interval was derived, taking into account the PDM and the presence of background but making no assumption regarding input count rate. The observed counts were fit via least‐squares to this novel expression to estimate τ (counts method). Correlation and Bland‐Altman analyses were performed to assess agreement in estimates of τ between the rates and counts methods. The dependence of τ on energy window definition and incident energy spectrum were characterized. The dual source method was also used to estimate τ and its agreement with estimates from the decay method under identical conditions was also investigated. The dependences of τ on the total activity and the ratio of source activities were characterized.

Results:

The observed CRP curves for each gamma camera agreed with the PDM at low count rates but deviated substantially from it at high count rates. The estimates ofτ determined from the paralyzable portion of the CPR curve using the rates method and the counts method were found to be highly correlated (r = 0.999) but with a small (∼6%) difference. No statistically significant difference was observed between the estimates of τ using the decay or dual source methods under identical experimental conditions (p = 0.13). Estimates of τ increased as a power‐law function with decreasing ratio of counts in the photopeak to the total counts. Also, estimates of τ increased linearly as spectral effective energy decreased. No significant difference was observed between the dependences of τ on energy window definition or incident spectrum between the decay and dual source methods. Estimates of τ using the dual source method varied as a quadratic on the ratio of the single source to combined source activities and linearly with total activity.

Conclusions:

The CRP curves for three modern gamma camera models have been characterized, demonstrating unexpected behavior that necessitates the determination of bothτ and maximum count rate to fully characterize the CRP curve. τ was estimated under a variety of experimental conditions, based on which guidelines for the performance of CRP testing in a clinical setting have been proposed.
Nonredundant Functions for Ras GTPase-Activating Proteins in Tissue Homeostasis
Authors: King Philip D. , Lubeck Beth A. , Lapinski Philip E.
Published: February 2013

Mutations in Ras guanosine triphophatase–activating proteins (RasGAPs) cause disease in humans.
No Time to Waste
Authors: Anderson Margaret
Published: February 2013

The United States must strengthen its support of the medical research and development ecosystem.
Lipoxin A
4
Regulates Natural Killer Cell and Type 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Activation in Asthma
Authors: Barnig Cindy , Cernadas Manuela , Dutile Stefanie , Liu Xiaoli , Perrella Mark A. , Kazani Shamsah , Wechsler Michael E. , Israel Elliot , Levy Bruce D.
Published: February 2013

The pro-resolving mediator lipoxin A
4
regulates natural killer cells and type 2 innate lymphoid cells in severe asthma.
Transferred WT1-Reactive CD8
+
T Cells Can Mediate Antileukemic Activity and Persist in Post-Transplant Patients
Authors: Chapuis Aude G. , Ragnarsson Gunnar B. , Nguyen Hieu N. , Chaney Colette N. , Pufnock Jeffrey S. , Schmitt Thomas M. , Duerkopp Natalie , Roberts Ilana M. , Pogosov Galina L. , Ho William Y. , Ochsenreither Sebastian , Wölfl Matthias , Bar Merav , Radich Jerald P. , Yee Cassian , Greenberg Philip D.
Published: February 2013

Donor-derived WT1-specific CD8
+
T cells transferred after hematopoietic cell transplantation mediate antileukemic activity and can establish persistent responses without toxicity to normal tissues in high-risk leukemia patients.
A New Horizon in Asthma: Inhibiting ILC Function
Authors: Peebles R. Stokes
Published: February 2013

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) produce cytokines that drive allergic responses in asthma and can be inhibited by lipoxin A
4
(Barnig
et al
., this issue).
Insights into Aging Vessels
Authors: Skarke Carsten
Published: February 2013

The transcription factor JunD links oxidative stress and vascular aging.
The Adhesin Complex Protein (ACP) of Neisseria meningitidis Is a New Adhesin with Vaccine Potential
Authors: Hung Miao-Chiu , Heckels John E. , Christodoulides Myron
Published: February 2013

The
acp
gene encoding the 13-kDa adhesin complex protein (ACP) from
Neisseria meningitidis
serogroup B strain MC58 was cloned and expressed in
Escherichia coli
, and the purified recombinant ACP (rACP) was used for immunization studies. Analysis of the ACP amino acid sequences from 13 meningococcal strains, isolated from patients and colonized individuals, and 178 strains in the Bacterial Isolate Genome Sequence (BIGS) database showed the presence of only three distinct sequence types (I, II, and III) with high similarity (>98%). Immunization of mice with type I rACP in detergent micelles and liposomes and in saline solution alone induced high levels of serum bactericidal activity (SBA; titers of 1/512) against the homologous strain MC58 and killed strains of heterologous sequence types II and III with similar SBA titers (1/128 to 1/512). Levels of expression of type I, II, or III ACP by different meningococcal strains were similar. ACP functioned as an adhesin, as demonstrated by reduced adherence of
acp
knockout (MC58 ΔACP) meningococci to human cells
in vitro
and the direct surface binding of rACP and by the ability of anti-rACP sera to inhibit adherence of wild-type bacteria. ACP also mediated the invasion of noncapsular meningococci into human epithelial cells, but it was not a particularly impressive invasin, as the internalized bacterial numbers were low. In summary, the newly identified ACP protein is an adhesin that induces cross-strain bactericidal activity and is therefore an attractive target antigen for incorporation into the next generation of serogroup B meningococcal vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Infections caused by
Neisseria meningitidis
serogroup B are still significant causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and broadly protective vaccines of defined antigen composition are not yet licensed. Here, we describe the properties of the adhesin complex protein (ACP), which we demonstrate is a newly recognized molecule that is highly conserved and expressed to similar levels in meningococci and facilitates meningococcal interactions with human cells. We also report that a recombinant ACP protein vaccine induces murine antibodies that significantly kill meningococci expressing different ACP. Taken together, these properties demonstrate that ACP merits serious consideration as a component of a broadly protective vaccine against serogroup B meningococci.
Exposure to benzene and childhood leukaemia: a pilot case-control study
Authors: Lagorio Susanna , Ferrante Daniela , Ranucci Alessandra , Negri Sara , Sacco Paolo , Rondelli Roberto , Cannizzaro Santina , Torregrossa Maria Valeria , Cocco Pierluigi , Forastiere Francesco , Miligi Lucia , Bisanti Luigi , Magnani Corrado
Published: February 2013

Objectives

Main purposeTo evaluate the feasibility of a measurement-based assessment of benzene exposure in case-control studies of paediatric cancer;Additional aimsTo identify the sources of exposure variability; to assess the performance of two benzene biomarkers; to verify the occurrence of participation bias; to check whether exposures to benzene and to 50 Hz magnetic fields were correlated, and might exert reciprocal confounding effects.

Design

Pilot case-control study of childhood leukaemia and exposure to benzene assessed by repeated seasonal weekly measurements in breathing zone air samples and outside the children's dwellings, with concurrent determinations of cotinine,t-t-muconic acid (MA) and sulfo-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) in urine.

Participants

108 cases and 194 controls were eligible for inclusion.

Results

Full-participation was obtained from 46 cases and 60 controls, with low dropout rates before four repeats (11% and 17%); an additional 23 cases and 80 controls allowed the collection of outdoor air samples only. The average benzene concentration in personal and outdoor air samples was 3 μg/m3(SD 1.45) and 2.7 μg/m3(SD 1.41), respectively. Personal exposure was strongly influenced by outdoor benzene concentrations, higher in the cold seasons than in warm seasons, and not affected by gender, age, area of residence or caseness. Urinary excretion of S-PMA and personal benzene exposure were well correlated. Outdoor benzene levels were lower among participant controls compared with non-participants, but did not differ between participant and non-participant cases; the direction of the bias was found to depend on the cut-point chosen to distinguish exposed and unexposed. Exposures to benzene and extremely low-frequency magnetic fields were positively correlated.

Conclusions

Repeated individual measurements are needed to account for the seasonal variability in benzene exposure, and they have the additional advantage of increasing the study power. Measurement-based assessment of benzene exposure in studies of childhood leukaemia appears feasible, although it is financially and logistically demanding.
Reproducibility of tender point examination in chronic low back pain patients as measured by intrarater and inter-rater reliability and agreement: a validation study
Authors: Jensen Ole Kudsk , Callesen Jacob , Nielsen Merete Graakjaer , Ellingsen Torkell
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the reliability and agreement of digital tender point (TP) examination in chronic low back pain (LBP) patients.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

Hospital-based validation study.

Participants

Among sick-listed LBP patients referred from general practitioners for low back examination and return-to-work intervention, 43 and 39 patients, respectively (18 women, 46%) entered and completed the study.

Main outcome measures

The reliability was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and agreement was calculated for up to ±3 TPs. Furthermore, the smallest detectable difference was calculated.

Results

TP examination was performed twice by two consultants in rheumatology and rehabilitation at 20 min intervals and repeated 1 week later. Intrarater reliability in the more and less experienced rater was ICC 0.84 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.98) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.95), respectively. The figures for inter-rater reliability were intermediate between these figures. In more than 70% of the cases, the raters agreed within ±3 TPs in both men and women and between test days. The smallest detectable difference between raters was 5, and for the more and less experienced rater it was 4 and 6 TPs, respectively.

Conclusions

The reliability of digital TP examination ranged from acceptable to excellent, and agreement was good in both men and women. The smallest detectable differences varied from 4 to 6 TPs. Thus, TP examination in our hands was a reliable but not precise instrument. Digital TP examination may be useful in daily clinical practice, but regular use and training sessions are required to secure quality of testing.
Developing a smartphone ‘app’ for public health research: the example of measuring observed smoking in vehicles
Authors: Patel Vimal , Nowostawski Mariusz , Thomson George , Wilson Nick , Medlin Hamish
Published: February 2013

Background

We have developed manual methods to gather data on the point prevalence of observed smoking in road vehicles. To enable the widespread international collection of such data, we aimed to develop a smartphone application (app) for this work.

Methods

We developed specifications for an app that described the: (1) variables that could be collected; (2) transfer of data to an online repository; (3) user interface (including visual schematics) and (4) processes to ensure the data authenticity from distant observers. The app functionality was trialled in roadside situations and the app was made publicly available.

Results

The smartphone app and its accompanying website were developed, tested and released over a period of 6 months. Users (n=18) who have registered themselves (and who met authentication criteria), have reported no significant problems with this application to date (observing 20 535 vehicles as of 5 July 2012). The framework, methodology and source code for this project are now freely available online and can be easily adapted for other research purposes. The prevalence of smoking in vehicles was observed in: Poland 2.7% (95% CI 2.3% to 3.1%); Australia 1.0% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.3%); New Zealand 2.9% (95% CI 2.6% to 3.2%)—similar to results using preapp methods in 2011 (3.2%, 95% CI 3.1% to 3.3%).

Conclusions

This project indicates that it can be practical and feasible for health researchers to work together with information science researchers and software developers to create smartphone apps for field research in public health. Such apps may be used to collect observational data more widely, effectively and easily than through traditional (non-electronic) methods.
Differences on the effect of heat waves on mortality by sociodemographic and urban landscape characteristics
Authors: Xu Yihan , Dadvand Payam , Barrera-Gómez Jose , Sartini Claudio , Marí-Dell'Olmo Marc , Borrell Carme , Medina-Ramón Mercè , Sunyer Jordi , Basagaña Xavier
Published: February 2013

Background

Mortality increases during heat waves have been reported worldwide. The magnitude of these increases can vary within regions according to sociodemographic and urban landscape characteristics. The objectives of this study were to explore this variation and its determinants, and to identify the most heat-vulnerable areas by mapping heat vulnerability.

Methods

We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover analysis using daily mortality in the Barcelona metropolitan area during the warm seasons of 1999–2006. Temperature data on the date of death were assigned to each individual, which were assigned to their census tract of residence. Eight census tract-level variables on socioeconomic or built environment characteristics were obtained from the census. Residence surrounding greenness was obtained from satellite data. The relative risk (RR) of mortality after three consecutive hot days (defined as those exceeding the 95th percentile of maximum temperature) was calculated via conditional logistic regression. Effect modification was examined by including interaction terms.

Results

Analyses were based on 52 806 deaths. The effect of three consecutive hot days was a 30% increase in all-cause mortality (RR=1.30, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.38). Heterogeneity of this effect was observed across census tracts. The effect of heat on mortality was higher in the census tracts with a large percentage of old buildings (RR=1.21, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.46), manual workers (RR=1.25, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.64) and residents perceiving little surrounding greenness (RR=1.29, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.65). After three consecutive hot days, mortality doubled in the most heat-vulnerable census tracts.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic and urban landscape characteristics are associated to mortality risk during heat waves and are useful to build heat vulnerability maps.
Effects of an acute bout of resistance exercise on fiber-type specific GLUT4 and IGF-1R expression
Authors: Gallagher Philip M. , Touchberry Chad D. , Teson Kelli , McCabe Everlee , Tehel Michelle , Wacker Michael J.
Published: February 2013

The effects of resistance exercise on fiber-type–specific expression of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-1R) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) was determined in 6 healthy males. The expression of both genes increased in Type I fibers (p < 0.05), but only GLUT4 increased (p < 0.05) in Type II fibers. These data demonstrates that an acute bout of resistance exercise can up-regulate mechanisms of glucose uptake in slow and fast-twitch fibers, but the IGF signaling axis may not be as effective in fast-twitch fibers.
How mobile are fish populations? Diel movement, population turnover, and site fidelity in suckers
Authors: Booth Michael T. , Hairston Nelson G. , Flecker Alexander S.
Published: February 2013

Movement of organisms is an important mechanism controlling an array of processes within ecosystems. Recent analyses suggest that movement is composed of individual displacement (distance moved by individuals) and turnover (proportion of individuals moving). Turnover of individuals is important because it influences population size and structure, as well as interactions among individuals and different species within a habitat. We used stationary antennas and passive integrated transponders tags to monitor individual habitat use, turnover, and displacement of Sonora suckers (Catostomus insignis) and desert suckers (Catostomus clarkii) in the West Fork Gila River, New Mexico, USA. Many tagged fish used our focal stationary antenna reach, but only a subset was consistently present. Population size and turnover rates were variable from day to day. Although some individuals spent the majority of their time within the focal reach, most made extended departures (one or more days) from their home pools. Many individuals displayed fidelity to a particular habitat despite forays elsewhere, returning to the focal reach throughout the study. Diel or short-term movements may explain high turnover rates typically observed and, combined with high site fidelity, may result in the misclassification of individuals as sedentary, despite frequent, potentially short-term, movements into other habitats.
Resident rainbow trout produce anadromous offspring in a large interior watershed
Authors: Courter Ian I. , Child David B. , Hobbs James A. , Garrison Thomas M. , Glessner Justin J.G. , Duery Shadia
Published: February 2013

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have diverse life histories, including both freshwater-resident and anadromous “steelhead” life-history forms. Here, we demonstrate that female resident rainbow trout produce anadromous offspring that survive and return to spawn as adult steelhead. This study represents the first successful attempt to quantify steelhead production rates from female resident rainbow trout across a large watershed. Otolith microchemistry (87Sr/86Sr) techniques were used to determine the maternal life history (resident or anadromous) of 498 emigrating steelhead kelts in the Yakima Basin, Washington. Five geochemically distinct freshwater rearing regions were identified within the basin. All five regions were predicted to produce steelhead with resident maternal life histories. Basin-wide, 20% and 7% of steelhead collected in 2010 and 2011, respectively, had resident maternal life histories. Cross-life-history form production may be critical to persistence of anadromous life histories within partially anadromous salmonid populations, particularly in areas where anadromous fish abundance is low due to natural or anthropogenic influences.
CHIRAL EXTENSIONS OF THE MSSM
Authors: FERRETTI GABRIELE , KARATEEV DENIS
Published: February 2013

We present a class of extensions of the MSSM characterized by a fully chiral field content (no μ-terms) and no baryon or lepton number violating term in the superpotential due to an extra U′(1) gauge symmetry. The minimal model consists of the usual matter sector with family dependent U′(1) charges, six Higgs weak doublets, and three singlets required to give masses to the Higgsinos and cancel anomalies. We discuss its main features such as the tree level mass spectrum and the constraints on flavor changing processes.
GALOIS FIELD QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: CHANG LAY NAM , LEWIS ZACHARY , MINIC DJORDJE , TAKEUCHI TATSU
Published: February 2013

We construct a discrete quantum mechanics (QM) using a vector space over the Galois field GF(q). We find that the correlations in our model do not violate the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH) version of Bell's inequality, despite the fact that the predictions of this discrete QM cannot be reproduced with any hidden variable theory.
ON THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COLORS FOR LINKS
Authors: JABLAN SLAVIK , KAUFFMAN LOUIS H. , LOPES PEDRO
Published: February 2013

For each odd prime p, and for each non-split link admitting non-trivial p-colorings, we prove that the maximum number of colors, mod p, is p. We also prove that we can assemble a non-trivial p-coloring with any number of colors, from the minimum to the maximum number of colors. Furthermore, for any rational link, we prove that there exists a non-trivial coloring of any Schubert Normal Form (SNF) of it, modulo its determinant, which uses all colors available. If this determinant is an odd prime, then any non-trivial coloring of this SNF, modulo the determinant, uses all available colors. We prove also that the number of crossings in the SNF equals twice the determinant of the link minus 2. Facts about torus links and their coloring abilities are also proved.
Bezoar stones, magic, science and art
Authors: Barroso Maria Do Sameiro
Published: February 2013

Bezoars were introduced into Western medicine by Arabian doctors during the twelfth century. They were used as antidotes to arsenic, the poison used most commonly in European courts. The use of bezoars was widespread during the sixteenth century, and their value was ten times more than their weight in gold. These were rare and expensive items and many kings owned one or more specimens, some of which were mounted as pieces of jewelry. Sixteenth and seventeenth century physicians wrote extensively about them, describing their properties and use. ‘Oriental bezoars’ (mostly from Asian porcupines) were introduced at this time.

Difficulty in obtaining bezoars led to the production of numerous dangerous counterfeits containing highly toxic substances including cinnabar, quicksilver and antimony. Possibly for these reasons, their use declined at the end of the seventeenth century and from 1800 onwards, they were no longer used. In strict mineralogical terms, bezoars are not actually stones. However, the Flemish mineralogist and physician, Anselm Boetius de Boodt (1550–1632) included them in his work
Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia (History of Gems and Stones
,
1609
) and their study is an important chapter in the history of toxicology.
β-Adrenergic stimulation does not activate p38 MAP kinase or induce PGC-1α in skeletal muscle
Authors: Kim Sang Hyun , Asaka Meiko , Higashida Kazuhiko , Takahashi Yumiko , Holloszy John O. , Han Dong-Ho
Published: February 2013

There are reports that the β-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol induces a large increase in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in skeletal muscle. This has led to the hypothesis that the increases in PGC-1α and mitochondrial biogenesis induced in muscle by endurance exercise are mediated by catecholamines. In the present study, we evaluated this possibility and found that injecting rats with clenbuterol or norepinephrine induced large increases in PGC-1α and mitochondrial proteins in brown adipose tissue but had no effect on PGC-1α expression or mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle. In brown adipocytes, the increase in PGC-1α expression induced by β-adrenergic stimulation is mediated by activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), which phosphorylates and activates the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) family member activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), which binds to a cyclic AMP response element (CRE) in the PGC-1α promoter and mediates the increase in PGC-1α transcription. Phospho-CREB does not have this effect. Our results show that the reason for the lack of effect of β-adrenergic stimulation on PGC-1α expression in muscle is that catecholamines do not activate p38 or increase ATF2 phosphorylation in muscle.
Dry Needling at Myofascial Trigger Spots of Rabbit Skeletal Muscles Modulates the Biochemicals Associated with Pain, Inflammation, and Hypoxia
Authors: Hsieh Yueh-Ling , Yang Shun-An , Yang Chen-Chia , Chou Li-Wei
Published: February 2013

Background and Purpose. Dry needling is an effective therapy for the treatment of pain associated with myofascial trigger point (MTrP). However, the biochemical effects of dry needling that are associated with pain, inflammation, and hypoxia are unclear. This study investigated the activities ofβ-endorphin, substance P, TNF-α, COX-2, HIF-1α, iNOS, and VEGF after different dosages of dry needling at the myofascial trigger spots (MTrSs) of a skeletal muscle in rabbit. Materials and Methods. Dry needling was performed either with one dosage (1D) or five dosages (5D) into the biceps femoris with MTrSs in New Zealand rabbits. Biceps femoris, serum, and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) were sampled immediately and 5 d after dry needling forβ-endorphin, substance P, TNF-α, COX-2, HIF-1α, iNOS, and VEGF immunoassays.Results. The 1D treatment enhanced theβ-endorphin levels in the biceps femoris and serum and reduced substance P in the biceps femoris and DRG. The 5D treatment reversed these effects and was accompanied by increase of TNF-α, COX-2, HIF-1α, iNOS, and VEGF production in the biceps femoris. Moreover, the higher levels of these biochemicals were still maintained 5 d after treatment.Conclusion. Dry needling at the MTrSs modulates various biochemicals associated with pain, inflammation, and hypoxia in a dose-dependent manner.