bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermoscopic Pattern of Psoriatic Lesions on Specific Body Sites
Authors: Lallas Aimilios , Apalla Zoe , Argenziano Giuseppe , Sotiriou Eleni , Di Lernia Vito , Moscarella Elvira , Longo Caterina , Sidiropoulos Theodoros , Zalaudek Iris
Published: February 2014

Background: Scarce evidence exists on the dermoscopic pattern of psoriasis on specific body sites. Objective: To describe the dermoscopic characteristics of psoriatic plaques located on the scalp, face, folds, palms, soles and genitalia. Methods: Dermoscopic images of psoriatic lesions located on the aforementioned body sites were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of predefined criteria. Results: A total of 139 lesions from 85 patients were included in the study. Dotted vessels were the commonest dermoscopic criterion (97.1%) followed by white scales (64.7%), while vessel distribution was regular in 87.7% of cases. Regularly distributed dotted vessels represented a constant finding in all locations, while the frequency of white scales varied significantly among different body sites. Conclusion: The well-known dermoscopic criteria of psoriasis can also be seen in lesions located on the scalp, face, palms, soles, folds and genitalia, with the frequency of white scales varying among different body sites.
The Royan Public Umbilical Cord Blood Bank: Does It Cover All Ethnic Groups in Iran Based on HLA Diversity?
Authors: Ebrahimkhani Saeideh , Farjadian Shirin , Ebrahimi Marzieh
Published: February 2014

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells allow the transplantation of partially human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched grafts and are a valuable resource for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and heritable hematologic, immunologic and metabolic diseases, especially when a compatible bone marrow donor is unavailable. The aim of this study was to determine how many ethnic groups in Iran are covered by the available UCB units based on HLA diversity. Methods: From 2009 until mid-2013, 4,981 (30.3%) of the 16,437 UCB samples collected met the storage criteria and were cryopreserved at a public cord blood bank (CBB) in Tehran, Iran. HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 were typed in 1,793 samples. Results: The mean volume of the cryopreserved samples was 81.25 ± 20.3 ml. The range of total nucleated cells per unit was 51 × 107-107 × 107. The most common HLA alleles were HLA-A*2 (17%) and HLA-A*24 (15.6%), HLA-B*35 (16.8%) and HLA-B*51 (13.9%), and HLA-DRB1*11 (20%) and HLA-DRB1*15 (14%). The predominant haplotypes were HLA-A*24-B*35-DRB1*11 (2%), HLA-A*02-B*50-DR*07 (1.8%), and HLA-A*02-B*51-DRB1*11 (1.5%). Conclusions: Based on the HLA-DRB1 profiles, the UCB units available at the Royan public UCB bank are a potentially adequate resource for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Iranian recipients belonging to particular ethnic groups. Regular educational programs to improve the public knowledge of UCB for transplantation can enhance the public CBB stocks for all Iranian ethnic groups in the future.
Competition in Colon Cancer Screening? What Is the Role of Colonoscopy?
Authors: Hoffman Arthur , Teubner Daniel , Kiesslich Ralf
Published: February 2014

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the Western world. The incidence could be reduced if this cancer were to be diagnosed at an early stage of disease. A competition has started between the existing screening methods to be the most efficient in detecting premalignant conditions. This review illustrates the current state of screening techniques for CRC. Method: Pubmed was searched for meta-analyses and prospective studies on screening for CRC, with an emphasis on colonography, computed tomographic colonography (CTC), magnetic resonance colonography (MRC), stool DNA testing, and colon capsule endoscopy, and critical appraisal of the research was done by the reviewers. Results: The imaging techniques (CTC and MRC) had similar detection rates for bigger lesions (≥10 mm) as colonoscopy. High-definition colonoscopy showed better efficiency with smaller lesions. The techniques developing around colonoscopy such as the retro-viewing colonoscope, the balloon colonoscope, or the 330-degree viewing colonoscope try to enhance efficacy by reducing the adenoma miss rate in right-sided, non-polypoid lesions. Colon capsule endoscopy and the stool detection systems are limited to identifying cancer but not necessarily adenomas. Conclusion: Colonoscopy is the preferred CRC screening strategy and the undisputed gold standard in terms of efficacy.
Integratives Management unter Einsatz von Ayurveda-Medizin bei einer Patientin mit fortgeschrittenem Malignen Müllerschen Mischtumor - ein Fallbericht
Authors: Kronpaß Ludwig , Krampol Stefan , Brattinger Petra , Stapelfeldt Elmar , Kessler Christian
Published: February 2014

Hintergrund: Das Karzinosarkom des Uterus ist ein seltener maligner Tumor mit äußerst schlechter Prognose. Aufgrund der wenigen beschriebenen Fälle besteht kaum Evidenz in Bezug auf mögliche Behandlungsoptionen. Eine Verbesserung der unbefriedigenden Therapiesituation ist erforderlich. Falldarstellung: Beschrieben wird das Management eines zum Zeitpunkt der Primärdiagnose weit fortgeschrittenen Karzinosarkoms des Uterus im Stadium FIGO 4 bei einer 67-jährigen Patientin unter Einsatz von mehrfachen chirurgischen Interventionen, Strahlentherapie, Polychemotherapie sowie der komplementären Anwendung von Elementen der Ayurveda-Medizin. Das bislang 3-jährige Follow-up erbrachte keinen Hinweis auf eine Fernmetastasierung. Eine hohe Lebensqualität konnte kontinuierlich gewährleistet werden. Schlussfolgerung: Auch Tumorentitäten mit infauster Prognose können unter Nutzung aller zur Verfügung stehenden Ressourcen beherrschbar sein und ermöglichen eine zufriedenstellende Lebensqualität ohne gravierende subjektive Einschnitte über einen längeren Zeitabschnitt. Dazu kann der komplementäre Einsatz eines naturheilkundlichen Systems wie der Ayurveda-Medizin hilfreich sein.
Impact of Age, Race and Ethnicity on Dialysis Patient Survival and Kidney Transplantation Disparities
Authors: Rhee Connie M. , Lertdumrongluk Paungpaga , Streja Elani , Park Jongha , Moradi Hamid , Lau Wei Ling , Norris Keith C. , Nissenson Allen R. , Amin Alpesh N. , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar
Published: February 2014

Background: Prior studies show that African-American and Hispanic dialysis patients have lower mortality risk than whites. Recent age-stratified analyses suggest this survival advantage may be limited to younger age groups, but did not concurrently compare Hispanic, African-American, and white patients, nor account for differences in nutritional and inflammatory status as potential confounders. Minorities experience inequities in kidney transplantation access, but it is unknown whether these racial/ethnic disparities differ across age groups. Methods: The associations between race/ethnicity with all-cause mortality and kidney transplantation were separately examined among 130,909 adult dialysis patients from a large national dialysis organization (entry period 2001-2006, follow-up through 2009) within 7 age categories using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for case-mix and malnutrition and inflammatory surrogates. Results: African-Americans had similar mortality versus whites in younger age groups (18-40 years), but decreased mortality in older age groups (>40 years). In contrast, Hispanics had lower mortality versus whites across all ages. In sensitivity analyses using competing risk regression to account for differential kidney transplantation rates across racial/ethnic groups, the African-American survival advantage was limited to >60-years age categories. African-Americans and Hispanics were less likely to undergo kidney transplantation from all donor types versus whites across all ages, and these disparities were even more pronounced for living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Conclusions: Hispanic dialysis patients have greater survival versus whites across all ages; in African-Americans, this survival advantage is limited to patients >40 years of age. Minorities are less likely to undergo kidney transplantation, particularly LDKT, across all ages.
Medical Online Consultation Service in CAM at the University Hospital Zurich
Authors: Schmidt-Weitmann Sabine , Jenny Katharina , Neuhaus Bühler Rachel , Saller Reinhard , Brockes Christiane
Published: February 2014

Background: The University Hospital Zurich offers medical online consultation services in individual health concerns. We examined the need for users' information in the field of CAM. For this purpose, the content of the questions, the users' profiles, and the online responses of the physicians were analyzed. Methods: The retrospective study analyzed 154 (1.3%) out of 11,827 questions and responses, selected by a literature-based keyword list between 2006 and 2007. They were evaluated by means of an inductive category system described by Mayring using a professional text analysis program (MAXQDA). Frequencies and mean values of the categories were statistically determined. Results: Users (aged 39.2 ± 16, females 61%) asked questions, which were in 73% allocated to herbal medicine, 7% to homeopathy, and 2% to acupuncture. The questions referred to medical fields, such as gynecology (18%), dermatology (13%), psychiatry (11%), and oncology (8%). One third of the responses provided detailed information about herbal treatment options. Conclusions: The email-based online consultation service was used as a source of medical information in order to get more professional consultation in the field of CAM. Future scientific evaluation should investigate if online consultation services which are embedded in an environment of highly qualified health professionals may contribute to a better health literacy and empowerment of the patients.
A Tale of Persian Cupping Therapy: 1001 Potential Applications and Avenues for Research
Authors: Bamfarahnak Hossein , Azizi Amir , Noorafshan Ali , Mohagheghzadeh Abdolali
Published: February 2014

Cupping therapy (CT) is one of the oldest medical techniques available, and is still used in several cultures instead of or as an adjunct or complement to ‘western academic' medicine. Moreover, CT (wet or dry) is claimed to have therapeutic effects in many types of disorders which do not fully respond to conventional medicine or for which no effective treatment is available. However, no recent reviews of the clinical practice of cupping are available to the best of our knowledge. We describe the applications of CT as used in Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM). Several databases were searched for relevant literature. In addition, we studied the main traditional treatises on TIM regarding the history and practice of CT. Information about current practices was obtained from a systematic survey among practitioners. Our results suggest that CT is currently prescribed for up to 120 diseases and disorders that are difficult to treat, including cutaneous (21.7%), musculoskeletal (15%), and central nervous system (13.3%) disorders. Moreover, TIM treatises note 25 specific sites on the body surface which correspond to certain diseases, and on which wet-cupping therapy has therapeutic effects. Additional clinical studies of CT may lead to findings on new therapeutic methods and may shed light on mechanisms of disease and illness that are not fully understood in conventional medicine.
What Influences the Quality of Prevention Colonoscopy?
Authors: Schmidt-Tänzer Wolfgang , Eickhoff Axel
Published: February 2014

Background: Colorectal cancer still has a high incidence and mortality. Although colonoscopy is considered as gold standard of colorectal cancer screening, there still exists an unsatisfactory level of adenomas missed in screening and surveillance colonoscopy. Furthermore, patients bear the burden of potentially unpleasant and painful examination and preparation procedures. Method: A search of the literature using PubMed was carried out, supplemented by a review of the programs of the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) 2011-2013. Results: Several new approaches to colonoscopy were described: water, CO2 and cap colonoscopy, and application of spasmolytics such as hyoscine butylbromide and glucagon. The use of these methods does not necessitate the purchase of new endoscopes. They are feasible and safe, facilitate achieving the aim of more comfort and less pain, and perhaps allow lower doses of sedatives to be used. However, a clear effect on procedure time is lacking. Furthermore, the published data do not consistently answer the question of whether these techniques have a positive impact on the most important goal, the better detection of carcinoma precursors. Conclusion: More efforts to optimize bowel preparation have to be made to improve visualization of the mucosal surface. The most reliable criteria for the quality of screening and surveillance colonoscopy remain a minimum cecal intubation rate of >90%, a withdrawal time of at least 6 or better 9 min, and an adenoma detection rate of >20%. These results should be achieved with a complication rate lower than 1%, including polypectomy.
Relative Contribution of C1q and Apoptotic Cell-Surface Calreticulin to Macrophage Phagocytosis
Authors: Verneret Mélanie , Tacnet-Delorme Pascale , Osman Rim , Awad Rida , Grichine Alexei , Kleman Jean-Philippe , Frachet Philippe
Published: February 2014

C1q has been shown to recognize apoptotic cells, to enhance their uptake and to modulate cytokine release by phagocytes and thus promote immune tolerance. Surface-exposed calreticulin (CRT), known as a C1q receptor, is also considered to be an early eat-me signal that enhances the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and is capable of eliciting an immunogenic response. However, the molecular mechanisms that trigger these functions are not clear. We hypothesized that CRT and C1q might act together in these processes. We first showed, by means of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), that CRT interacts with the C1q globular region at the surface of early apoptotic cells. Next, we pointed out that knockdown of CRT on early apoptotic HeLa cells impairs the enhancement effect of C1q on their uptake by THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. Furthermore, a deficiency of CRT induces contrasting effects on cytokine release by THP-1 macrophages, increasing interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1/CCL2 and decreasing IL-8. Remarkably, these effects were greatly reduced when apoptotic cells were opsonized by C1q, which counterbalanced the effect of the CRT deficiency. These results demonstrate that CRT-C1q interaction is involved in the C1q bridging function and they highlight the particular ability of C1q to control the phagocyte inflammatory status, i.e. by integrating the molecular changes that could occur at the surface of dying cells.
Detection of Herpesviruses 1-6 and Community-Acquired Respiratory Viruses in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Costa Cristina , Garzaro Massimiliano , Boggio Valeria , Sidoti Francesca , Simeone Salvatore , Raimondo Luca , Cavallo Giovanni Patrick , Pecorari Giancarlo , Cavallo Rossana
Published: February 2014

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of human herpesviruses (HHV) 1-6 and community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARVs) in specimens from patients with nasal polyposis undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and investigate the potential clinical role. Methods: Viral occurrence was evaluated by molecular methods in polyp, turbinate mucosa, and pre- and postoperative scraping specimens from 35 consecutive patients at different time points in relation to FESS. Results: Overall, 21 patients (60%) were positive to at least one virus in at least one specimen; in particular, 12.1% of all specimens for HHV-6 (3/35 polyps, 11/31 turbinates, 1 presurgical scraping) and 10.5% for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (8/35 polyps, 3/31 turbinates, 1/29 pre- and 1/29 postsurgical scraping), followed by CMV and HSV-1 (both 1.6%; 1/35 polyps, 1/29 postsurgical scraping and 2/35 polyps, respectively). EBV positivity tended to be higher in polyps, as well as HHV-6 in adjacent healthy turbinate mucosa, although no significant association was found. Only one preoperative cytological specimen was positive to parainfluenza virus-1. Conclusion: No association between the development of nasal polyps, herpesviruses and CARVs seems to exist. However, the higher EBV frequency in polyps could suggest a causative role or persistence in the inflammatory lymphoid tissue.
A phylogenetic analysis and new delimitation of Crepidiastrum (Asteraceae, tribe Cichorieae)
Authors: Peng Yu-lan , Zhang Yu , Gao Xin-fen , Tong Lin-jing , Li Liang , Li Ren-Yuan , Zhu Zhang-Ming , Xian Jun-ren
Published: February 2014

The systematic position of Paraixeris humifusa (Asteraceae) is hard to define, because the circumscription of Paraixeris, Youngia and Crepidiastrum, three closely related genera in subtribe Crepidinae (Cichorieae), is not clear. This paper reports on the relationships between 30 species in subtribe Crepidinae, based on an analysis of nucleotides from one nuclear (ITS) and three chloroplast DNA regions ( trnL-F, rps16 and atpB-rbcL). The phylogenetic analyses used maximum parsimony with maximum likelihood inference. The monophyly of Crepidiastrum in the most recent generic classification of Shih & Kilian (2011) is explored. The results show that 12 species in Crepidiastrum constitute a monophyletic group, and that Paraixeris humifusa should be treated as Youngia humifusa.
Salacca acehensis (Arecaceae), A New Species from Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Zumaidar Zumaidar - , Chikmawati Tatik , Hartana Alex , Sobir Sobir , Mogea Johanis Palar , Borchsenius Finn
Published: February 2014

A new species of Salacca sect. Salacca from Sumatra is described and illustrated. It is characterized by dwarf habit, with leaves to 2.5 m long; erect and slender staminate inflorescences to 7 cm long; and small infructescences, to 10 cm long, with up to 3 branches The most similar species, S. rupicola from Borneo, is different in having the apical leaflets composed ca. 8 united segments versus 2 in the new species, and in having larger inflorescences, the staminate to 15 cm long and the pistillate to 40 cm long.
A new trans-Andean Stick Catfish of the genus Farlowella Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with the first record of the genus for the río Magdalena Basin in Colombia
Authors: BALLEN GUSTAVO A. , MOJICA JOSÉ IVÁN
Published: February 2014

A new species of Farlowella is described from El Carmen de Chucurí in the Departamento de Santander, western flank of the Cordillera Oriental, río Magdalena Basin, Colombia. Farlowella yarigui n. sp. differs from its congeners in lateral body plate morphology, abdominal cover, cephalic hypertrophied odontodes, and details of coloration. This is the first verifiable record of the genus in the Magdalena drainage. Aspects of natural history and implications of this finding are provided concerning the state of knowledge of the fishes of the río Magdalena Basin. Previous records of Farlowella gracilis in the río Cauca basin are examined and herein considered erroneous, rendering the new species the only representative of the genus in the Magdalena-Cauca system. A key to species of Farlowella from Colombia is provided.
Nematodes from terrestrial, freshwater and brackish water habitats in Belgium: an updated list with special emphasis on compost nematodes
Authors: STEEL HANNE , COOMANS AUGUST , DECRAEMER WILFRIDA , MOENS TOM , BERT WIM
Published: February 2014

A study of nematodes from a semi-artificial and controlled composting process in Eastern Flanders revealed 35 taxa, 21 of which were new records for Belgium. An updated checklist of free-living, plant-parasitic and entomopathogenic nematodes from terrestrial, freshwater and brackish water habitats in Belgium is presented. The Belgian non-marine nematofauna comprises 418 taxa, representing 4 subclasses, 14 orders, and 76 families. In total 127 new records were added: i.e. 21 from the newly explored compost habitat, 7 from freshwater samples and 99 from published data in literature.
Palaearctic osmiine bees of the genera Hofferia and Stenoheriades (Megachilidae, Osmiini): biology, taxonomy and key to species
Authors: Müller Andreas , Trunz Vincent
Published: February 2014

Hofferia and Stenoheriades are closely related, species-poor genera of the osmiine bees (Megachilidae). Analysis of female pollen loads and field observations indicate that species of both genera have a strong affinity to Asteraceae as pollen hosts. Both genera use insect burrows in dead wood as nesting site, and Hofferia schmiedeknechti was found to build cell walls and nest plug with resin partly mixed with small pebbles. The taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic Hofferia and Stenoheriades species revealed the existence of a still undescribed species in the Levant, Stenoheriades levantica spec. nov.. Stenoheriades hofferi (Tkalců, 1984) is synonymized with S. coelostoma (Benoist, 1935), which is distinct from S. asiatica (Friese, 1921), and Heriades integra Benoist, 1934, formerly considered a Stenoheriades species, is synonymized with Osmia (Hoplosmia) scutellaris Morawitz, 1868. Keys for the delimitation of Hofferia and Stenoheriades from the other Palaearctic osmiine bee genera and for the identification of the Palaearctic species are given.
Two new combinations and a key to the species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)
Authors: LEE SEUNG-GYU , AHN KEE-JEONG
Published: February 2014

Earota babai (Sawada, 1989), comb. nov. and Earota koreana (Paśnik, 2001), comb. nov. are transferred from the genera Pelioptera Kraatz, 1857 and Aloconota Thomson, 1858, respectively. Earota babai is recorded from the Korean Peninsula for the first time and E. koreana is a new addition to South Korea. Redescriptions, habitus photographs, illustrations of diagnostic characters of these two species and a key to the known species of the genus Earota Mulsant & Rey, 1874 are provided to facilitate identification.
Rogue Logics: Organization in the Grey Zone
Authors: Land Christopher , Loren Scott , Metelmann Jörg
Published: February 2014

This paper explores the concept of the ‘rogue’ through an examination of how the figure appears in business ethics and as the rogue trader. Reading the rogue trader through institutional logics and Jacques Derrida’s book Rogues, we suggest that the rogue is not on the dark side of organization so much as in an indeterminate grey zone, where the boundary between acceptable behaviour and misconduct is unclear. We further argue that this boundary is necessarily unclear as it is in the nature of organization, at least within capitalist trading systems, to push the boundaries of what is possible and acceptable. The rogue thus helps produce the boundaries of ethically acceptable organizational behaviour in the very act of transgressing them. The location-bound specificity of the rogue, as well as the symbolic process of naming an individual or a state a rogue, finds a relevant correlate in the villain, as Derrida suggests. But what we call ‘rogue organization’ may be constitutive of organization per se. As such, there is a potential roguishness in organization that should be addressed when considering the dark side of ethics in organization studies.
Light in the Darkness? Managers in the Back Office of a Kafkaesque Bank
Authors: McCabe Darren
Published: February 2014

The ‘dark side’ of organizations has been represented in the literature as dysfunctional or abnormal, while more critical scholars regard it a condition of the ‘normal’ way in which organizations operate within a capitalist system. Drawing on the work of Franz Kafka, this paper develops a critique of both approaches. It is argued that we can learn much from Kafka because his representations challenge a top-down view of power and, therefore, suggest that there is light in the darkness. These insights are applied to a case study of a United Kingdom bank, to explore how managers, who are often neglected in critical accounts, are constituted through power relations, and how in the process of enrolling and controlling others, they discipline themselves. In taking this approach, the paper makes four main contributions. First, it elucidates how the ‘dark side’ has become an integral feature of everyday life in a contemporary organization and, second, it indicates limitations to the power that managers are able to exercise. Third, it explores how managers are fabricated as particular types of subject as they endeavour to discipline others, and finally it argues that whole layers of management can be understood as victims of the ‘dark side’.
Theorizing and Researching the Dark Side of Organization
Authors: Linstead Stephen , Maréchal Garance , Griffin Ricky W.
Published: February 2014

The paper offers an introduction to research that concerns itself with the ‘dark side’ of organization and attempts to bring theoretical resources from a range of disciplines to bear upon the problem. This stream of research has emerged most visibly since the 1990s, although its concerns can be found in much earlier research. Frustrations with the tendencies of mainstream work to overlook, ignore or suppress difficult ethical, political and ideological issues, which may well mean life or death to some people, has in recent years led to a research that self-identifies its concerns as being with the dark side. We structure our review around key contributions on the dark side of organizational behaviour, mainly in psychology but also including the concept of organizational misbehaviour; the sociology of the dark side, with particular reference to mistakes, misconduct and disaster; and a wider range of critical approaches to the dark side including Marxist, post-Marxist and postcolonial perspectives. We also undertake a review of methodologies for investigating dark side phenomena, and finally introduce the five papers that comprise this special issue.
LDsplit: screening for cis-regulatory motifs stimulating meiotic recombination hotspots by analysis of DNA sequence polymorphisms
Authors: Yang Peng , Wu Min , Guo Jing , Kwoh Chee Keong , Przytycka Teresa M , Zheng Jie
Published: February 2014

Background

As a fundamental genomic element, meiotic recombination hotspot plays important roles in life sciences. Thus uncovering its regulatory mechanisms has broad impact on biomedical research. Despite the recent identification of the zinc finger protein PRDM9 and its 13-mer binding motif as major regulators for meiotic recombination hotspots, other regulators remain to be discovered. Existing methods for finding DNA sequence motifs of recombination hotspots often rely on the enrichment of co-localizations between hotspots and short DNA patterns, which ignore the cross-individual variation of recombination rates and sequence polymorphisms in the population. Our objective in this paper is to capture signals encoded in genetic variations for the discovery of recombination-associated DNA motifs.

Results

Recently, an algorithm called “LDsplit” has been designed to detect the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and proximal meiotic recombination hotspots. The association is measured by the difference of population recombination rates at a hotspot between two alleles of a candidate SNP. Here we present an open source software tool of LDsplit, with integrative data visualization for recombination hotspots and their proximal SNPs. Applying LDsplit on SNPs inside an established 7-mer motif bound by PRDM9 we observed that SNP alleles preserving the original motif tend to have higher recombination rates than the opposite alleles that disrupt the motif. Running on SNP windows around hotspots each containing an occurrence of the 7-mer motif, LDsplit is able to guide the established motif finding algorithm of MEME to recover the 7-mer motif. In contrast, without LDsplit the 7-mer motif could not be identified.

Conclusions

LDsplit is a software tool for the discovery of cis-regulatory DNA sequence motifs stimulating meiotic recombination hotspots by screening and narrowing down to hotspot associated SNPs. It is the first computational method that utilizes the genetic variation of recombination hotspots among individuals, opening a new avenue for motif finding. Tested on an established motif and simulated datasets, LDsplit shows promise to discover novel DNA motifs for meiotic recombination hotspots.
Public and private pregnancy care in Reggio Emilia Province: an observational study on appropriateness of care and delivery outcomes
Authors: Bonvicini Laura , Candela Silvia , Evangelista Andrea , Bertani Daniela , Casoli Morena , Lusvardi Annarella , Messori Antonella , Giorgi Rossi Paolo
Published: February 2014

Background

In industrialized countries, improvements have been made in both maternal and newborn health. While attention to antenatal care is increasing, excessive medicalization is also becoming more common.

The aim of this study is to compare caesarean section (CS) frequency and ultrasound scan utilization in a public model of care involving both midwives and obstetricians with a private model in which care is provided by obstetricians only.

Methods

Design: Observational population-based study. Setting: Reggio Emilia Province. Population: 5957 women resident in the province who delivered between October 2010 and November 2011. Main outcome measures: CS frequency and ultrasound scan utilization, stillbirths, and other negative perinatal outcomes. Women in the study were searched in the public family and reproductive health clinic medical records to identify those cared for in the public system. Outcomes of the two antenatal care models were compared through multivariate logistic regression adjusting for maternal characteristics and, for CS only, by stratifying by Robson’s Group.

Results

Compared to women cared for in private services (N = 3,043), those in public service (N = 2,369) were younger, less educated, more frequently non-Italian, and multiparous. The probability of CS was slightly higher for women cared for by private obstetricians than for those cared for in the public system (31.8% vs. 27.1%; adjusted odds ratio: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.93–1.29): The probability of having more than 3 ultrasound scans was higher in private care (89.6% vs. 49.8%; adjusted odds ratio: 5.11; 95% CI: 4.30–6.08). CS frequency was higher in private care for all Robson’s classes except women who underwent CS during spontaneous labour. Among negative perinatal outcomes only a higher risk of pre-term birth was observed for pregnancies cared for in private services.

Conclusions

The public model provides less medicalized and more guidelines-oriented care than does the private model, with no increase in negative perinatal outcomes.
Regulation of Mcl-1 by constitutive activation of NF-kappaB contributes to cell viability in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Liu Haidan , Yang Jinfu , Yuan Yunchang , Xia Zhenkun , Chen Mingjiu , Xie Li , Ma Xiaolong , Wang Jian , Ouyang Sufeng , Wu Qin , Yu Fenglei , Zhou Xinmin , Yang Yifeng , Cao Ya , Hu Jianguo , Yin Bangliang
Published: February 2014

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies with a 5-year survival rate less than 15%. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ESCC becomes critical to develop more effective treatments.

Methods

Mcl-1 expression was measured by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and Western blotting. Human Mcl-1 promoter activity was evaluated by reporter gene assay. The interactions between DNA and transcription factors were confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in vitro and by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay in cells.

Results

Four human ESCC cell lines, TE-1, Eca109, KYSE150 and KYSE510, are revealed increased levels of Mcl-1 mRNA and protein compare with HaCaT, an immortal non-tumorigenic cell line. Results of reporter gene assays demonstrate that human Mcl-1 promoter activity is decreased by mutation of kappaB binding site, specific NF-kappaB inhibitor Bay11-7082 or dominant inhibitory molecule DNMIkappaBalpha in TE-1 and KYSE150 cell lines. Mcl-1 protein level is also attenuated by Bay11-7082 treatment or co-transfection of DNMIkappaBalpha in TE-1 and KYSE150 cells. EMSA results indicate that NF-kappaB subunits p50 and p65 bind to human Mcl-1-kappaB probe in vitro. ChIP assay further confirm p50 and p65 directly bind to human Mcl-1 promoter in intact cells, by which regulates Mcl-1 expression and contributes to the viability of TE-1 cells.

Conclusions

Our data provided evidence that one of the mechanisms of Mcl-1 expression in human ESCC is regulated by the activation of NF-kappaB signaling. The newly identified mechanism might provide a scientific basis for developing effective approaches to treatment human ESCC.
Syndemics of syphilis, HCV infection, and methamphetamine use along the east coast of China
Authors: Liao Meizhen , Kang Dianmin , Tao Xiaorun , Cox Catherine , Qian Yuesheng , Wang Guoyong , Yang Cui , Zhu XiaoYan , Zhang Na , Bi Zhenqiang , Jia Yujiang
Published: February 2014

Background

An upsurge in club drug use has been observed in recent years in some cities of China, especially methamphetamine, which is quickly replacing heroin to become the most widespread drug across the nation. This study investigated the type of drugs used, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the correlates for syphilis, HCV and unprotected commercial sex behavior among drug users in two cities along the east coast of China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey conducted in 2010 provided demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, HIV knowledge and the utilization of intervention services among drug users. Blood samples were tested for HIV, syphilis, and HCV infection.

Results

Of 805 eligible participants, 0.2% were infected with HIV, 3.7% with HCV, and 9.6% with syphilis. Of the participants, 96.6% were methamphetamine users, 11.9% reported ever having used ≥2 types of these drugs, and 11.4% reported ever injecting drugs. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, participants infected with syphilis were more likely to be female (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-6.5), have ever had commercial sex in the past 12 months (AOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.0-3.9), be infected with HCV (AOR=12.1, 95% CI: 4.1-20.3) and less likely to have ever had sex with regular partners in the past 12 months (AOR=0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.6). Participants infected with HCV were more likely to have ever injected drugs (AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and be infected with syphilis (AOR=8.0, 95% CI: 3.5-18.0). Participants who had unprotected sex with commercial sex partners in the last sexual encounter were more likely to be female (AOR=2.9, 95% CI:1.7-4.9), have middle school or lower level education (AOR=3.4, 95% CI:2.0-5.5), never have received intervention in the last year (AOR=2.1, 95%CI:1.2-3.6) and be infected with syphilis (AOR=4.2, 95% CI:2.4-7.4).

Conclusions

Methamphetamine is the predominant drug used among the drug users, the prevalence of syphilis and HCV infection are alarmingly high, and unprotected commercial sex was common among this group. The findings highlight the need for effective, multifaceted interventions addressing sexual and drug use-related risky behaviors among this group. Further research is needed to better understand the causal pathway of the syndemics.
Motivations and perceptions of community advisory boards in the ethics of medical research: the case of the Thai-Myanmar border
Authors: Maung Lwin Khin , Cheah Phaik Yeong , Cheah Phaik Kin , White Nicholas J , Day Nicholas P J , Nosten Francois , Parker Michael
Published: February 2014

Background

Community engagement is increasingly promoted as a marker of good, ethical practice in the context of international collaborative research in low-income countries. There is, however, no widely agreed definition of community engagement or of approaches adopted. Justifications given for its use also vary. Community engagement is, for example, variously seen to be of value in: the development of more effective and appropriate consent processes; improved understanding of the aims and forms of research; higher recruitment rates; the identification of important ethical issues; the building of better relationships between the community and researchers; the obtaining of community permission to approach potential research participants; and, the provision of better health care. Despite these diverse and potentially competing claims made for the importance of community engagement, there is very little published evidence on effective models of engagement or their evaluation.

Methods

In this paper, drawing upon interviews with the members of a Community Advisory Board on the Thai-Myanmar border, we describe and critically reflect upon an approach to community engagement which was developed in the context of international collaborative research in the border region.

Results and conclusions

Drawing on our analysis, we identify a number of considerations relevant to the development of an approach to evaluating community engagement in this complex research setting. The paper also identifies a range of important ways in which the Community Advisory Board is in practice understood by its members (and perhaps by community members beyond this) to have morally significant roles and responsibilities beyond those usually associated with the successful and appropriate conduct of research.
Quality comparison of electronic versus paper death certificates in France, 2010
Authors: Lefeuvre Delphine , Pavillon Gérard , Aouba Albertine , Lamarche-Vadel Agathe , Fouillet Anne , Jougla Eric , Rey Grégoire
Published: February 2014

Background

Electronic death certification was established in France in 2007. A methodology based on intrinsic characteristics of death certificates was designed to compare the quality of electronic versus paper death certificates.

Methods

All death certificates from the 2010 French mortality database were included. Three specific quality indicators were considered: (i) amount of information, measured by the number of causes of death coded on the death certificate; (ii) intrinsic consistency, explored by application of the International Classification of Disease (ICD) General Principle, using an international automatic coding system (Iris); (iii) imprecision, measured by proportion of death certificates where the selected underlying cause of death was imprecise. Multivariate models were considered: a truncated Poisson model for indicator (i) and binomial models for indicators (ii) and (iii). Adjustment variables were age, gender, and cause, place, and region of death.

Results

533,977death certificates were analyzed. After adjustment, electronic death certificates contained 19% [17%-20%] more codes than paper death certificates for people deceased under 65 years, and 12% [11%-13%] more codes for people deceased over 65 years. Regarding deceased under and over 65 respectively, the ICD General Principle could be applied 2% [0%-4%] and 6% [5%-7%] more to electronic than to paper death certificates. The proportion of imprecise death certificates was 51% [46%-56%] lower for electronic than for paper death certificates.

Conclusion

The method proposed to evaluate the quality of death certificates is easily reproducible in countries using an automatic coding system. According to our criteria, electronic death certificates are better completed than paper death certificates. The transition to electronic death certificates is positive in many aspects and should be promoted.
Identification of sample donor by 24-plex short tandem repeat in a post-race equine plasma containing dexamethasone
Authors: Chen Jin-Wen , Uboh Cornelius E , Soma Lawrence R , You Youwen , Jiang Zibin , Li Xiaoqing , Guan Fuyu , Liu Ying
Published: February 2014

Background

Animal sport such as horseracing is tainted with drug abuse as are human sports. Treatment of racehorses on race day with therapeutic medications in most cases is banned, and thus, it is essential to monitor the illicit use of drugs in the racing horse to maintain integrity of racing, ensure fair competition and protect the health, safety and welfare of the horse, jockeys and drivers. In the event of a dispute over the identity of the sample donor, if the regulator can provide evidence that the DNA genotype profile of the post-race sample matched that of the alleged donor, then the potential drug violation case might be easily resolved without legal challenges.

Case description

We present a case study of a racehorse sample that tested positive for dexamethasone in a post-race plasma sample in Pennsylvania (PA) but the result was challenged by the trainer of the horse. Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid widely used in the management of musculoskeletal problems in horses but its presence in the horse during competition is banned by the PA Racing Commissions. The presence of dexamethasone in the post-competition plasma sample was confirmed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. However, this finding was challenged by the trainer of the horse alleging that the post-race sample was not collected from his/her horse and thus petitioned the Commission to be absolved of any wrong-doing. To resolve the dispute, a DNA test was ordered by the PA Racing Commission to identify the correct donor of the dexamethasone positive sample. For this purpose, a 24-plex short tandem repeat analysis to detect 21 equine markers and three human markers was employed. The results indicated that all the samples tested had identical DNA profiles and thus, it was concluded that the samples were collected from the same horse and that the probability of drawing a false conclusion was approximately zero (1.5 × 10-15).

Conclusions

The plasma sample confirmed for the presence of dexamethasone was collected from the alleged horse.
Plasma adrenomedullin is associated with short-term mortality and vasopressor requirement in patients admitted with sepsis
Authors: Marino Rossella , Struck Joachim , Maisel Alan S , Magrini Laura , Bergmann Andreas , Somma Salvatore Di
Published: February 2014

Introduction

The incidence of death among patients admitted for severe sepsis or septic shock is high. Adrenomedullin (ADM) plays a central role in initiating the hyperdynamic response during the early stages of sepsis. Pilot studies indicate an association of plasma ADM with the severity of the disease. In the present study we utilized a novel sandwich immunoassay of bioactive plasma ADM in patients hospitalized with sepsis in order to assess the clinical utility.

Methods

We enrolled 101 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected sepsis in this study. Sepsis was defined by fulfillment of at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria plus clinical suspicion of infection. Plasma samples for ADM measurement were obtained on admission and for the next four days. The 28-day mortality rate was recorded.

Results

ADM at admission was associated with severity of disease (correlation with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score: r = 0.46; P <0.0001). ADM was also associated with 28-day mortality (ADM median (IQR): survivors: 50 (31 to 77) pg/mL; non-survivors: 84 (48 to 232) pg/mL; P <0.001) and was independent from and additive to APACHE II (P = 0.02). Cox regression analysis revealed an additive value of serial measurement of ADM over baseline assessment for prediction of 28-day mortality (P < 0.01). ADM was negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure (r = -0.39; P <0.0001), and it strongly discriminated those patients requiring vasopressor therapy from the others (ADM median (IQR): no vasopressors 48 (32 to 75) pg/mL; with vasopressors 129 (83 to 264) pg/mL, P <0.0001).

Conclusions

In patients admitted with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock plasma ADM is strongly associated with severity of disease, vasopressor requirement and 28-day mortality.
The magnetotelluric transverse electric mode as a natural filter for static effects: Application to the COPROD2 and COPROD2S2 data sets
Authors: Gómez-Treviño Enrique , Esparza Francisco J. , Muñiz Yunuhen , Calderón Armando
Published: February 2014

We regard the amplitude of the magnetotelluric impedance of the transverse electric (TE) mode as output, rather than input, in 2D inverse algorithms. The model obtained in the inversion is in this context only an intermediate product whose TE theoretical response is for all intents and purposes the object of the inversion. The input is the amplitude of the transverse magnetic (TM) mode and the phases of both modes. They are fitted as much as possible by relaxing regularization to its limits, allowing the model to include features not strictly required by the data, but still required by the amplitude of the TE curves. We propose two tests to guaranty the accuracy and reliability of the recovery. The first is a convergence test whereby the output is monitored as a function of the roughness of the model. Second, the TM amplitude data are multiplied by different factors and the output is checked for consistency with the previous test. The resulting TE responses have only electromagnetic induction effects and thus are free from static shifts due to electric charges. We apply the procedure to the synthetic COPROD2S2 data set and compute static factors for TE and TM modes. We propose an image based on depth averages of conductivity along with a nonlinear resolution-variance analysis of the image as the final interpretation of the data. The procedure is also applied to the well-known COPROD2 field data set.
A method to determine optimal grid parameters based on characteristic analysis of discrete data distribution
Authors: Yao Changli , Zhang Chen , Zheng Yuanman , Xie Yongmao
Published: February 2014

We evaluated a method that determines the optimal grid parameters of potential-field data such as the intervals of grid nodes and the grid azimuth. Optimal grid parameters produced the best gridding results with the least amount of data distortions. We used spectral analysis of the data statistics on azimuth projections. The direction with the largest degree of periodicity was defined as the optimal azimuth of the grid. The grid line interval was determined according to the frequency point with the largest amplitude value. By spectral analysis of the data sequence projected in the direction normal to the survey lines, grid point spacing was also determined. Correlative analysis of the template matching method was used to determine the optimal grid range. Tests on simulated and field data proved that this method is rather robust and can be incorporated into gridding software packages.
Inversion of magnetic anomaly on rugged observation surface in the presence of strong remanent magnetization
Authors: Li Shu-Ling , Li Yaoguo
Published: February 2014

We study the inversion of magnetic data acquired over a rugged observation surface and where the buried source bodies have strong remanent magnetization that leads to unknown total magnetization directions. These factors pose significant challenges for processing and inversion of such data. To tackle the challenges from both a rugged observation surface and an unknown magnetization direction, we propose a strategy through the joint use of the equivalent source technique and 3D amplitude inversion to obtain 3D magnetization strength. We use equivalent source processing to calculate the amplitude data in the space domain because the use of the wavenumber-domain method is invalid due to large variations in the data elevation. We then carried out an amplitude inversion to generate a 3D subsurface distribution of the magnitude of the total magnetization vector. The results from a synthetic example and aeromagnetic data in Daye Mine in China showed that this approach is effective and images the magnetic units whose contact zones with the limestone country rock host the mineralization. The method is general and can be applied to a variety of cases with similar challenges.