bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-Based Variation in Cardiomyopathy Genes
Authors: Golbus Jessica R. , Puckelwartz Megan J. , Fahrenbach John P. , Dellefave-Castillo Lisa M. , Wolfgeher Don , McNally Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2012

Background—

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy arise from mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins including
MYH7
,
MYBPC3
, and
TTN
. Genetic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy relies on complete sequencing of the gene coding regions, and most pathogenic variation is rare. The 1000 Genomes Project is an ongoing consortium designed to deliver whole genome sequence information from an ethnically diverse population and, therefore, is a rich source to determine both common and rare genetic variants.

Methods and Results—

We queried the 1000 Genomes Project database of 1092 individuals for exonic variants within 3 sarcomere genes
MHY7
,
MYBPC3
, and
TTN
. We focused our analysis on protein-altering variation, including nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion/deletion polymorphisms, or splice site altering variants. We identified known and predicted pathogenic variation in
MYBPC3
and
MYH7
at a higher frequency than what would be expected based on the known prevalence of cardiomyopathy. We also found substantial variation, including protein-disrupting sequences, in
TTN
.

Conclusions—

Cardiomyopathy is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in multiple genes. The frequency of predicted pathogenic protein-altering variation in cardiomyopathy genes suggests that many of these variants may be insufficient to cause disease on their own but may modify phenotype in a genetically susceptible host. This is suggested by the high prevalence of
TTN
insertion/deletions in the 1000 Genomes Project cohort. Given the possibility of additional genetic variants that modify the phenotype of a primary driver mutation, broad-based genetic testing should be employed.
Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis for Improving Diagnostic and Therapeutic Development
Authors: Quillard Thibaut , Libby Peter
Published: July 2012

Despite recent progress, cardiovascular and allied metabolic disorders remain a worldwide health challenge. We must identify new targets for therapy, develop new agents for clinical use, and deploy them in a clinically effective and cost-effective manner. Molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions has become a major experimental tool in the last decade, notably by providing a direct gateway to the processes involved in atherogenesis and its complications. This review summarizes the current status of molecular imaging approaches that target the key processes implicated in plaque formation, development, and disruption and highlights how the refinement and application of such tools might aid the development and evaluation of novel therapeutics.
Created Equal?
Authors: Leri Annarosa , Kajstura Jan
Published: July 2012

RETRACTION

This article has been retracted:

Circ Res
. 2018;123:e00. DOI: 10.1161/RES.0000000000000251.
Nano in Sight: Epistemology, Aesthetics, Comparisons and Public Perceptions of Images of Nanoscale Objects
Authors: Toumey Chris , Cobb Michael
Published: July 2012

Images of atoms, molecules and other nanoscale objects constitute one of the principal ways of communicating scientific knowledge about nanotechnology, both within and beyond the scientific community. This paper reports on four kinds of insights from studies of nano images: (1) a critical epistemology of these images; (2) aesthetic interpretations intended to counterbalance problems identified in the epistemology; (3) comparisons with issues of visualization from other scientific areas; and (4) a consideration of how persons in the public interpret artistic pictures of nanobots. These insights demonstrate how the humanities and social sciences contribute to the understanding of nanotechnology.
Network Art Unbound?
Authors: Pilcher Jeremy
Published: July 2012

Internet art that visualizes data has art historical precedents that invite its critical effect to be engaged with as rhetoric and not only an accurate representation of a specific state of affairs. Art that opens an engagement with a representation of data as an iteration of an underlying system invites an awareness of the contingency of that system. The nature of the internet makes it an effective site for this to occur. Internet art may allow an awareness of how a system might become more ethical in the future.
Screens — The Place of the Image in Digital Culture
Authors: Hoelzl Ingrid
Published: July 2012

This article presents the theoretical framework, conceptual background, hypotheses and aims of ongoing research on the place of the image in digital culture. The author investigates how the new generic mode of display, the screen, affects the conception and the production of images, and how the myriad forms, uses and mobilities of urban screens contribute to the constitution of the shared space through which images and citizens circulate and communicate: the augmented city.
Rediscovering the City with UrbanRemix
Authors: Freeman Jason , DiSalvo Carl , Nitsche Michael , Garrett Stephen
Published: July 2012

UrbanRemix is a collaborative and locative sound project. Participants record geo-tagged sounds on their mobile devices, explore and remix them through a web-based interface, and share them with professional DJs for live performances. This article discusses the background and goals of the project, its design and implementation, and its realization at several workshops and public events.
The Role of Atmospheric Dynamics and Climate Change on the Possible Fate of Glaciers in the Karakoram
Authors: Janes Tamara J. , Bush Andrew B. G.
Published: July 2012

High-resolution regional climate simulations for the Karakoram Mountain range in the greater Himalayas have been performed to investigate the atmospheric dynamics of this region, and their role in the Karakoram’s snowfall accumulation and possible glacial evolution through the next century. It has been found through a combination of field measurements and satellite observations that glaciers in this region appear to be reacting differently to contemporary climate change than those in other regions. This region has exhibited a relatively large number of either static or advancing glaciers while other glaciers in the central and eastern Himalayas, as well as around the world, are nearly all retreating. The amount of precipitation received in the Karakoram region depends on the interplay between two climate systems: the westerly winds flowing over the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas, and the South Asian monsoon winds (also referred to as the Indian monsoon) flowing over the Indian Ocean. This study extends the modeling time frame by performing time-slice calculations for the Karakoram region through the twenty-first century. Despite regionwide simulated temperature changes, the highly elevated regions of the Karakoram Mountain range experience positive climatic mass balance until the end of the modeling time period. This result arises from a strong positive correlation between climatic mass balance and simulated increases in regional precipitation, which outweighs the negative correlation between climatic mass balance and simulated increases in temperature. Also, the extreme elevations within the Karakoram allow regional alpine glaciers to benefit from a strong elevation-dependent signal simulated in net snowfall accumulation, and hence climatic mass balance.
Geophysical Applications of Partial Wavelet Coherence and Multiple Wavelet Coherence
Authors: Ng Eric K. W. , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: July 2012

In this paper, the application of partial wavelet coherence (PWC) and multiple wavelet coherence (MWC) to geophysics is demonstrated. PWC is a technique similar to partial correlation that helps identify the resulting wavelet coherence (WTC) between two time series after eliminating the influence of their common dependence. MWC, akin to multiple correlation, is, however, useful in seeking the resulting WTC of multiple independent variables on a dependent one. The possible El Niño–Southern Oscillation–related impact of the large-scale atmospheric factors on tropical cyclone activity over the western North Pacific is used as an example. A software package for PWC and MWC has been developed. It also includes modified software that rectified the bias in the wavelet power spectrum and wavelet cross-spectrum. The package is available online (see http://www.cityu.edu.hk/gcacic/wavelet).
Observed Inner-Core Structural Variability in Hurricane Dolly (2008)*
Authors: Hendricks Eric A. , McNoldy Brian D. , Schubert Wayne H.
Published: July 2012

Hurricane Dolly (2008) exhibited dramatic inner-core structural variability during a 6-h rapid intensification and deepening event just prior to making landfall in southern Texas at 1800 UTC 23 July. In particular, the eyewall was highly asymmetric from 0634–1243 UTC, with azimuthal wavenumber m = 4–7 patterns in the eyewall radar reflectivity and prominent mesovortex and polygonal eyewall signatures. Evidence is presented that the most likely cause of the high-wavenumber asymmetries is a convectively modified form of barotropic instability of the thin eyewall potential vorticity ring. The rapid intensification and deepening event occurred while Dolly was in a favorable environment with weak deep-layer vertical wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures; however, the environmental conditions were becoming less favorable during the period of rapid intensification. Therefore, it is plausible that the internal vortex dynamics were dominant contributors to the rapid intensification and deepening.
Including Uncertainties of Sea Surface Temperature in an Ensemble Kalman Filter: A Case Study of Typhoon Sinlaku (2008)
Authors: Kunii Masaru , Miyoshi Takemasa
Published: July 2012

Sea surface temperature (SST) plays an important role in tropical cyclone (TC) life cycle evolution, but often the uncertainties in SST estimates are not considered in the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The lack of uncertainties in SST generally results in the lack of ensemble spread in the atmospheric states near the sea surface, particularly for temperature and moisture. In this study, the uncertainties of SST are included by adding ensemble perturbations to the SST field, and the impact of the SST perturbations is investigated using the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) in the case of Typhoon Sinlaku (2008). In addition to the experiment with the perturbed SST, another experiment with manually inflated ensemble perturbations near the sea surface is performed for comparison. The results indicate that the SST perturbations within EnKF generally improve analyses and their subsequent forecasts, although manually inflating the ensemble spread instead of perturbing SST does not help. Investigations of the ensemble-based forecast error covariance indicate larger scales for low-level temperature and moisture from the SST perturbations, although manual inflation of ensemble spread does not produce such structural effects on the forecast error covariance. This study suggests the importance of considering SST perturbations within ensemble-based data assimilation and promotes further studies with more sophisticated methods of perturbing SST fields such as using a fully coupled atmosphere–ocean model.
Thermogravimetric characterization of dairy manure as pyrolysis and combustion feedstocks
Authors: Wu Hanjing , Hanna Milford A , Jones David D
Published: July 2012

Thermogravimetric analysis was used to examine the thermal behavior of dairy manure as a pyrolysis and combustion feedstock. Nitrogen and air were used as purging gases to analyze the pyrolysis and combustion reactions, respectively, and heating rates of 20°C min−1, 40°C min−1 and 60°C min−1 were applied. An Arrhenius model was used to estimate the kinetic parameters (activation energy, reaction order and pre-exponential factor). Results showed four steps for both the pyrolysis and the combustion reactions, with the second step being the most critical one and during which most thermal decomposition of cellulose, hemicelluloses, starch and protein occurred. Thermochemical reactions were determined mainly by temperature. Heating rate influenced the start and the end of the thermal conversions. The activation energies for the two major reaction zones were 93.63 kJ mol−1 and 84.53 kJ mol−1 for pyrolysis, and 83.03 kJ mol−1 and 55.65 kJ mol−1 for combustion. Knowledge of the thermal behavior of dairy manure provides guidelines for future energy utilization.
Traiter des « masses » de données prosopographiques par la numérisation d’annuaires - Espoirs et vertiges
Authors: Laurens Sylvain , Marchan Francis
Published: July 2012

Treating“Masses” of Prosopographical Data by Scanning Directories - Hopes and Disorientation: This note aims to provide an update on the progress made in optical character recognition (OCR) and the contribution of these techniques to the creation of prosopographical data bases in social sciences. With the example of a European investigation of European business associations, it highlights the progress made possible by OCR with the analysis of several biographical directories identifying groups of business interests. Based on this example, it is hypothesized that the development of digital technologies allow the creation of corpuses of data much larger than in the past in the framework of quantitative inquiries conducted by smaller teams. However, this article also highlights the fact that this extension of corpuses – made possible by scanning – raises new problems of method, starting with the increased time devoted to the standardization of digital data.
Childhood Cerebellar Ataxia
Authors: Fogel Brent L.
Published: July 2012

Childhood presentations of ataxia, an impairment of balance and coordination caused by damage to or dysfunction of the cerebellum, can often be challenging to diagnose. Presentations tend to be clinically heterogeneous, but key considerations may vary based on the child’s age at onset, the course of illness, and subtle differences in phenotype. Systematic investigation is recommended for efficient diagnosis. In this review, we outline common etiologies and describe a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of both acquired and genetic cerebellar ataxia in children.
Cardiomyopathy in Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Payne R. Mark , Wagner Gregory R.
Published: July 2012

Friedreich ataxia is the most common human ataxia and results from inadequate production of the frataxin protein, most often the result of a triplet expansion in the nuclear FXN gene. The gene cannot be transcribed to generate the messenger ribonucleic acid for frataxin. Frataxin is an iron-binding protein targeted to the mitochondrial matrix. In its absence, multiple iron-sulfur-dependent proteins in mitochondria and the cytosol lack proper assembly, destroying mitochondrial and nuclear function. Mitochondrial oxidant stress may also participate in ongoing cellular injury. Although progressive and debilitative ataxia is the most prominent clinical finding, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart failure is the most common cause of early death in this disease. There is no cure. In this review the authors cover recent basic and clinical findings regarding the heart in Friedreich ataxia, offer recommendations for clinical management of the cardiomyopathy in this disease, and point out new research directions to advance the field.
Microsimulation Modeling of Student Success in Community Colleges Using MicroCC
Authors: Spielauer Martin , Anderson Ronald E.
Published: July 2012

While microsimulation modeling has not been utilized extensively in either social science or educational research, it offers to greatly improve understanding, especially of careers and institutional changes over time. The MicroCC microsimulation model was developed and tested on over 250,000 community college students who enrolled in Connecticut and Rhode Island. MicroCC simulated term-by-term progress and completion of new students for 4.5 years. Using data-based effect coefficients, the model simulated decisions for four process factors: re-enrollment, full-time attendance, the number of courses taken, and course completions. The model allowed decomposition of racial, gender, and other differences in success rates by process factors. The findings have major relevance for improving student success rates, especially by suggesting ways to make student advising more effective. Besides serving as an analytical tool, MicroCC allows projection of completion rates under “what-if” scenarios. Illustrative input data for MicroCC and a user and access guide are given in appendices.
Does Childhood Misfortune Increase Cancer Risk in Adulthood?
Authors: Morton Patricia M. , Schafer Markus H. , Ferraro Kenneth F.
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To address the inconsistent findings on whether childhood misfortune increases adult cancer occurrence.

Methods:

This study uses longitudinal data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) that first sampled 3,032 respondents aged 25 to 74 during 1995-1996. A series of logistic regressions were estimated separately for men and women to test whether the effect of childhood misfortune on adult cancer was largely cumulative or specific to the type or profile of misfortune.

Results:

For men, additive childhood misfortune, physical abuse by father, and frequent abuse by either parent increased cancer risk. For women, physical abuse by mother and frequent abuse by either parent increased cancer risk.

Discussion:

Analyses revealed the importance of examining alternative specifications of childhood misfortune for men and women. Additive childhood misfortune predicted cancer for men only, whereas child abuse by parent of the same sex predicted cancer for men and women.
Preparation and characterization of nitrile butadiene rubber-nanoclay composites with maleic acid anhydride as compatibilizer. Part I
Authors: Sadek E. M. , El-Nashar D. E.
Published: July 2012

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-nanoclay composites have been prepared. Maleic acid anhydride-treated organoclay (MOC) was synthesized and utilized as a compatibilizer. The prepared clay structures were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the FTIR investigation confirmed the incorporation of (MOC) in the NBR matrix, X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that an exfoliated structure was obtained, and scanning electron microscope images displayed the good interaction between the MOC and the rubber matrix. The influence of the MOC content (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 phr) relative to the micrometer clay (i.e. 10, 20 phr) on the NBR compounds was analyzed through rheometric and swelling characteristics. The rheometric study demonstrated an increase in minimum and maximum torques, delayed scorch time and optimum cure time for the MOC (3 phr)-incorporated NBR compound compared to pure NBR. The cure rate index followed the same trend. In addition, these particular compounds showed decreased equilibrium swelling in toluene solvent, increased crosslinking density, a greater volume fraction and bound rubber content compared to the corresponding rubber filled with micrometer clay.
Discourses of Europeanness in the reception of the European Capital of Culture events: The case of Pécs 2010
Authors: Lähdesmäki Tuuli
Published: July 2012

Europeanness has been determined in various ways in academic, political and everyday discussions. The concept has become profoundly current in European Union (EU) policy during the past few decades: the EU is paying more and more interest in creating cultural coherence in Europe. The EU has various cultural instruments, such as the European Capital of Culture programme (ECOC), which aim to produce and strengthen Europeanness and cultural identification with Europe among its citizens. The ECOC programme creates an ideological frame for an urban cultural event: the frame directs the reception and experiences of the festivals, exhibitions and performances in the ECOC. Pécs – a city in southern Hungary – was selected as one of the ECOCs in 2010. In the article I analyse the discourses of Europeanness in the reception of the ECOC events in Pécs. The found discourses indicate how transnational spatial categories, such as Europe, and their spatial identities are constantly constituted in local settings through multiple processes in which sensory, perceived, materialized space is intertwined with linguistic and symbolic representations of space, and its subjective experiences, beliefs and uses.
Geographical interdependence, international trade and economic dynamics: The Chinese and German solar energy industries
Authors: Dunford Michael , Lee Kyoung H , Liu Weidong , Yeung Godfrey
Published: July 2012

The trajectories of the German and Chinese photovoltaic industries differ significantly yet are strongly interdependent. Germany has seen a rapid growth in market demand and a strong increase in production, especially in the less developed eastern half of the country. Chinese growth has been export driven. These contrasting trajectories reflect the roles of market creation, investment and credit and the drivers of innovation and competitiveness. Consequent differences in competiveness have generated major trade disputes.
Disconcerting aspects in the everyday professional life of the mental health clinician: a brief overview
Authors: Restifo Sam
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To collate and briefly outline some commonly encountered sources of unease in the professional life of mental health clinicians.

Method:

This paper is based on observations from a range of workplace settings, personal reflection and ideas drawn from the professional literature.

Conclusion:

There is considerable room for reducing work-related feelings of unease in mental health clinicians, such as through arriving at a better understanding of: the limitations of the academic literature with regard to clinical work and low predictability of treatment outcomes, the almost inevitable presence of patients’ ambivalence toward treatment, the rather personal nature of the work, the issues around ownership over patients’ difficulties and decisions pertaining to treatment, and clinicians cultivating a capacity for circumspection about ‘fixing’ patients and in so doing reduce their own levels of performance anxiety.
Optimization of multiple tuned mass dampers for vibration control of system under external excitation
Authors: Bandivadekar TP , Jangid RS
Published: July 2012

Using a numerical searching technique the optimum parameters of multiple tuned mass dampers (MTMD) for suppressing the dynamic response of a damped main system subjected to external excitation are investigated. The criteria selected for the optimality is the minimization of the steady-state displacement of the main system under external harmonic excitation. The parameters of the MTMD that are optimized include: the damping ratio, the tuning frequency ratio and the frequency band-width. The optimum parameters of the MTMD system and corresponding steady-state displacement are obtained for different damping ratios of the main system and the mass ratios of the MTMD system. The explicit formulae for the optimum parameters of MTMD (i.e. damping ratio, band-width and tuning frequency) are then derived using a curve-fitting scheme that can readily be used for engineering applications. The error in the proposed explicit expressions is investigated and found to be quite negligible. The effectiveness of optimally designed MTMD system is also compared with that of the optimum single tuned mass damper and it is observed that the optimally designed MTMD system is found to be more effective for vibration control than the single tuned mass damper. Further, the damping in the main system significantly influences the optimum parameters and the effectiveness of the MTMD system. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of optimally designed MTMD system to study its performance under uncertainty in the parameter is also carried out.
Organizational learning and emotion: Constructing collective meaning in support of strategic themes
Authors: Shipton Helen , Sillince John
Published: July 2012

Missing in the organizational learning literature is an integrative framework that reflects the emotional as well as the cognitive dynamics involved. Here, we take a step in this direction by focusing in depth over time (five years) on a selected organization which manufactures electronic equipment for the office industry. Drawing on personal construct theory, we define organizational learning as the collective re-construal of meaning in the direction of strategically significant themes. We suggest that emotions arise as members reflect on progress or lack of progress in achieving organizational learning. Our evidence suggests that invalidation – where organizational learning fails to correspond with expectations – gives rise to anxiety and frustration, while validation – where organizational learning is aligned with or exceeds expectations – evokes comfort or excitement. Our work aims to capture the key emotions involved as organizational learning proceeds.
Epstein–Barr virus, latitude and multiple sclerosis
Authors: Disanto Giulio , Pakpoor Julia , Morahan Julia M , Hall Carolina , Meier Ute C , Giovannoni Gavin , Ramagopalan Sreeram V
Published: July 2012

Several lines of evidence support a role for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the aetiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). This includes the observation that nearly all MS patients show serological markers of past EBV infection. Given the well-known association between MS prevalence and latitude, we investigated whether EBV seropositivity also increases with distance from the equator. We found that the proportion of EBV positive individuals is positively associated with latitude independently of MS status (odds ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02–1.09, p = 0.002). Latitude-related factors may be implicated in the immune response to EBV and its role in MS aetiology.
The idea of dignity
Authors: Misztal Barbara A
Published: July 2012

The aim of this article is to bring to social theorists’ attention the growing visibility of the notion of dignity within human rights legislation, bioethics and public discourse generally, as well as to evaluate this term’s potential to enhance our capacities to respond to old and new challenges. The article starts with a short presentation of the career of the concept and discussion of the various impasses and conceptual tensions connected with the notion of human dignity. It is followed by an exploration of how the idea of human dignity has become one of the main achievements of modern times. The question of how respect for human dignity has turned out to be the fundamental feature of democratic society is addressed with help from both Waldron’s perspective on human dignity as the ground of human rights and Habermas’s approach that stresses the moral content of human rights. The final part of the article examines the value of the notion of dignity for social theorizing by looking at ways the employment of the concept may contribute to sociological thought and enquiry.
‘To actually be sociological’: Autoethnography as an assessment and learning tool
Authors: Cook Peta S.
Published: July 2012

As a qualitative and experiential research method, autoethnography enables students to explore the relationship between their personal, lived experiences with wider social structures and forces, thus actively developing and engaging their sociological imagination. However, while various studies advocate the use of autoethnography as a learning and assessment tool, no study explores the acquisition of knowledge and learning from the student’s perspective. This is the first study that explores student reactions to and experiences of autoethnography as an assessment and learning tool in sociology. Through the feedback of 15 undergraduate students on qualitative open-ended surveys, this article shows that autoethnography actively engaged the students and enhanced their sociological learning by stimulating their critical thinking on the relationship between their lived experiences and the social. While there are some ethical issues that need to be considered when assigning an autoethnography as an assessment item, the potential benefits for students, as identified by them, far outweigh the possible negatives.
A Review of Factors Influencing Utilization of Home and Community-Based Long-Term Care
Authors: Rosenfeld Peri , Russell David
Published: July 2012

Over the past several decades, home- and community-based services (HCBS) have played an increasingly important role in providing care to patients with complex health problems and functional impairments, and in enabling patients to remain independent in their own homes. This article identifies developments in U.S. health care policy during the past three decades that have led to increases in demand for and utilization of home- and community-based health care. We discuss the implications of these policy developments, societal trends, and the unique opportunities they present for the nursing workforce. Descriptive analyses of data from the 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses ( N = 28,402) reveal significant differences between nurses employed in HCBS and hospital settings, and provide little evidence that the nursing workforce has responded to the shifting needs for nursing resources in HCBS.
Chinese Migrant Women in the Sex Industry
Authors: Liu Min
Published: July 2012

Rapidly growing migration and entertainment industry in China since the 1980s have resulted in numerous rural migrant women working as prostitutes. Previous studies have identified a number of factors contributing to women’s involvement in prostitution. It is unknown, however, whether these factors apply to Chinese women’s situation. The current study’s findings show that the presence of friends and/or coworkers, the prevalence of entertainment establishments, and advertisements appear as indispensable factors in women’s involvement in prostitution. It is suggested that future studies pay attention to the effects of situational factors on women’s involvement in prostitution.
Surgical team members’ compliance with and knowledge of basic hand hygiene guidelines and intraoperative hygiene
Authors: Swenne CL , Alexandrén Katrin
Published: July 2012

The aim of the present study was to observe surgical team members’ compliance with basic hand hygiene and intraoperative hygiene guidelines during the anaesthetic and surgical procedure. A secondary aim was to investigate the team members’ knowledge and attitudes toward these guidelines. A structured observation schedule was designed to capture observational data on compliance with hygiene guidelines. A questionnaire was also designed to elicit written responses on attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about hygiene routines.

The results showed that the clinical procedures for basic hand hygiene and intraoperative hygiene were flawed in three areas. Hand disinfection before and after direct patient contact was incomplete. Secondly, the team members used gloves in an incorrect way. Thirdly, the scrub nurse did not always change sterile gloves after intraoperative skin disinfection before handling sterile instruments. The quantity of 0.5% chlorhexidine with 70% ethanol used varied and the mechanical performance of skin disinfection varied. Knowledge of hand hygiene routines and intraoperative hygiene routines among surgical team members is incomplete and adherence needs to improve. Regular routine observations and continuous feedback to all staff may be necessary to improve compliance and avoid deterioration of practice.
The Importance of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Education in Medical School
Authors: Rao Ahsan , Shakeel Muhammad , Trinidade Aaron , Rao Ghaus , Pearce Amy , Ah-See Kim-Wong
Published: July 2012

The authors investigated the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine usage among medical students and assessed their knowledge and attitude. A survey was conducted, and the following results were obtained: the response rate was 91% (408/450), 61% were female and 67% were 22 years old or younger, 66% had used complementary and alternative medicine, and 17% were using complementary and alternative medicine currently. Most commonly mentioned complementary and alternative medicine include echinacea, cod liver oil, and aloevera. More than half were not sure about complementary and alternative medicine’s efficacy and safety, but 88% would recommend it to others. Only 16% had informed their general practitioner about complementary and alternative medicine use. With respect to formal teaching on complementary and alternative medicine, 56% of the students had not received any and 28% expressed an interest in receiving some. complementary and alternative medicine use among medical students is common despite most being unaware of potential side effects and drug–herb interactions. Such information is vital in enabling them to counsel future patients. Education on complementary and alternative medicine should be standardized and compulsory in all UK medical schools.
On finite groups with their character tables having at most "Equation missing" zeros in each column
Authors: Yan Yanxiong , Xu Haijing , Chen Guiyun
Published: July 2012

In the present paper, the authors classify finite solvable groups whose character tables have at most

p
+
1

zeros in each column, where p is the minimal prime divisor of their orders.

MSC:20C15.
Synthesized OVA323-339MAP octamers mitigate OVA-induced airway inflammation by regulating Foxp3 T regulatory cells
Authors: Su Wen , Zhong Wenwei , Zhang Yanjie , Xia Zhenwei
Published: July 2012

Background

Antigen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) has been widely practiced in treating allergic diseases such as asthma. However, this therapy may induce a series of allergic adverse events during treatment. Peptide immunotherapy (PIT) was explored to overcome these disadvantages. We confirmed that multiple antigen peptides (MAPs) do not cause autoimmune responses, which led to the presumption that MAPs intervention could alleviate allergic airway inflammation without inducing adverse effects.

Results

In this study, synthesized OVA323-339MAP octamers were subcutaneously injected into ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized and -challenged Balb/c mice to observe its effect on allergic airway inflammation, Th2 immune response,and immune regulating function. It was confirmed that OVA sensitization and challenge led to significant peritracheal inflammatory,cell infiltration,and intensive Th2 response. Treatment of OVA323-339MAP octomers in the airway inflammation mice model increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T regulatory (Treg) cells and their regulatory function in peripheral blood, mediastinal draining lymph nodes, and the spleen. Furthermore, OVA323-339MAP increased IL-10 levels in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF); up-regulated the expression of IL-10, membrane-bound TGF-β1, as well as Foxp3 in lung tissues; and up-regulated programmed death-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) on the surface of Treg cells. These results were further correlated with the decreased OVA specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) level and the infiltration of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and lymphocytes in BALF. However, OVA323-339peptide monomers did not show any of the mentioned effects in the same animal model.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that OVA323-339MAP had significant therapeutic effects on mice allergic airway inflammation by regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 response through Treg cells in vivo.
Month of birth, vitamin D and risk of immune-mediated disease: a case control study
Authors: Disanto Giulio , Chaplin George , Morahan Julia M , Giovannoni Gavin , Hyppönen Elina , Ebers George C , Ramagopalan Sreeram V
Published: July 2012

Background

A season of birth effect in immune-mediated diseases (ID) such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes has been consistently reported. We aimed to investigate whether season of birth influences the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and systemic lupus erythematosus in addition to multiple sclerosis, and to explore the correlation between the risk of ID and predicted ultraviolet B (UVB) light exposure and vitamin D status during gestation.

Methods

The monthly distribution of births of patients with ID from the UK (n = 115,172) was compared to that of the general population using the Cosinor test. Predicted UVB radiation and vitamin D status in different time windows during pregnancy were calculated for each month of birth and correlated with risk of ID using the Spearman's correlation coefficient.

Results

The distributions of ID births significantly differed from that of the general population (P = 5e-12) with a peak in April (odds ratio = 1.045, 95% confidence interval = 1.024, 1.067, P < 0.0001) and a trough in October (odds ratio = 0.945, 95% confidence interval = 0.925, 0.966, P < 0.0001). Stratification by disease subtype showed seasonality in all ID but Crohn's disease. The risk of ID was inversely correlated with predicted second trimester UVB exposure (Spearman's rho = -0.49, P = 0.00005) and third trimester vitamin D status (Spearman's rho = -0.44, P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

The risk of different ID in the UK is significantly influenced by the season of birth, suggesting the presence of a shared seasonal risk factor or factors predisposing to ID. Gestational UVB and vitamin D exposure may be implicated in the aetiology of ID.
Inhibition of AMPA receptor trafficking at hippocampal synapses by β-amyloid oligomers: the mitochondrial contribution
Authors: Rui Yanfang , Gu Jiaping , Yu Kuai , Hartzell H Criss , Zheng James Q
Published: July 2012

Background

Synaptic defects represent a major mechanism underlying altered brain functions of patients suffering Alzheimer's disease (AD) [1–3]. An increasing body of work indicates that the oligomeric forms of β-amyloid (Aβ) molecules exert profound inhibition on synaptic functions and can cause a significant loss of neurotransmitter receptors from the postsynaptic surface, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated a potential contribution of mitochondria to Aβ inhibition of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking.

Results

We found that a brief exposure of hippocampal neurons to Aβ oligomers not only led to marked removal of AMPARs from postsynaptic surface but also impaired rapid AMPAR insertion during chemically-induced synaptic potentiation. We also found that Aβ oligomers exerted acute impairment of fast mitochondrial transport, as well as mitochondrial translocation into dendritic spines in response to repetitive membrane depolarization. Quantitative analyses at the single spine level showed a positive correlation between spine-mitochondria association and the surface accumulation of AMPARs. In particular, we found that spines associated with mitochondria tended to be more resistant to Aβ inhibition on AMPAR trafficking. Finally, we showed that inhibition of GSK3β alleviated Aβ impairment of mitochondrial transport, and effectively abolished Aβ-induced AMPAR loss and inhibition of AMPAR insertion at spines during cLTP.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that mitochondrial association with dendritic spines may play an important role in supporting AMPAR presence on or trafficking to the postsynaptic membrane. Aβ disruption of mitochondrial trafficking could contribute to AMPAR removal and trafficking defects leading to synaptic inhibition.
CD44+/CD24- phenotype contributes to malignant relapse following surgical resection and chemotherapy in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yan , Zhong Ying , Guan Heng , Zhang Xiaohui , Sun Qiang
Published: July 2012

Background

Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast malignancy, with varying molecular features and resistance to treatment. Although CD44+/CD24- cells are believed to act as breast cancer stem cells and to be linked to poor prognosis in some patients, the association between these cells and tumor recurrence or metastasis in all or some types of invasive ductal carcinoma is unclear.

Methods

A total of 147 randomly selected primary and secondary invasive ductal carcinoma samples were assayed for expression of CD44, CD24, ER, PR, and Her2. The association between the proportions of CD44+/CD24- tumor cells and the clinico-pathological features of these patients was evaluated.

Results

CD44+/CD24- tumor cells were detected in 70.1% of the tumors, with a median proportion of 5.8%. The proportion of CD44+/CD24- tumor cells was significantly associated with lymph node involvement (P = 0.026) and PR status (P = 0.038), and was correlated with strong PR status in patients with recurrent or metastatic tumors (P = 0.046) and with basal-like features (p = 0.05). The median disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with and without CD44+/CD24-/lowtumor cells were 22.9 ± 2.2 months and 35.9 ± 3.8 months, and the median overall survival (OS) of patients with and without CD44+/CD24-/lowtumor cells were 39.3 ± 2.6 months and 54.0 ± 3.5 months, respectively, and with both univariate and multivariate analyses showing that the proportion of CD44+/CD24-/lowtumor cells was strongly correlated with DFS and OS.

Conclusion

The prevalence of CD44+/CD24- tumor cells varied greatly in invasive ductal carcinomas, with the occurrence of this phenotype high in primary tumors with high PR status and in secondary tumors. Moreover, this phenotype was significantly associated with shorter cumulative DFS and OS. Thus, the CD44+/CD24-phenotype may be an important factor for malignant relapse following surgical resection and chemotherapy in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma.
Missense Mutations in Cancer Predisposing Genes: Can We Make Sense of Them?
Authors: Scott Rodney J. , Meldrum Cliff J.
Published: July 2012

In the analysis of genes associated with predispositions to malignancy the causative status of mutations can be made relatively easily where it is obvious that there is a clear disruption in the coding sequence of the gene. Difficulties arise, however, if missense mutations are identified, as these are not easily categorised into genetic variants that are not associated with disease risk or into clearly causative changes that impart a significant risk of disease.

As more individuals are subject to DNA sequence analysis for the identification of causative changes in genes associated with cancer predisposition, an increasing number of missense mutations are being identified. Causative status assignment to missense mutations continues to be problematic especially where no functional assessment of the alteration can be made. As more information is gathered on missense mutations our predictive ability to assign significance will improve.

In this report we review, in broad terms, what measures can be undertaken to categorise missense mutations into those that are clearly causative, probably causative and most likely not causative.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Appears to Be Safe After Prophylactic Adnexectomy in Premenopausal BRCA1/BRCA2 Mutation Carriers. Reaction to the 'Letter to readers' in Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice, 2005, 3 (2)
Authors: Lubiński Jan
Published: July 2012

In writing the letter to readers of our journal three months ago I was asking about opinions concerning the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in BRCA1/2 carriers after prophylactic adnexectomy, because at that time it was practically impossible to present evidence-based recommendations. Actually, most of the responses we have received have been opinions. It is important to recognise that the situation is now much clearer with studies performed by Tim Rebbeck et al which are to be published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The following responses have been received:
Polymorphisms in leucine-rich repeat genes are associated with autism spectrum disorder susceptibility in populations of European ancestry
Authors: Sousa Inês , Clark Taane G , Holt Richard , Pagnamenta Alistair T , Mulder Erik J , Minderaa Ruud B , Bailey Anthony J , Battaglia Agatino , Klauck Sabine M , Poustka Fritz , Monaco Anthony P ,   International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium (IMGSAC)
Published: July 2012

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders which are characteristically comprised of impairments in social interaction, communication and restricted interests/behaviours. Several cell adhesion transmembrane leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins are highly expressed in the nervous system and are thought to be key regulators of its development. Here we present an association study analysing the roles of four promising candidate genes - LRRTM1 (2p), LRRTM3 (10q), LRRN1 (3p) and LRRN3 (7q) - in order to identify common genetic risk factors underlying ASDs.

Methods

In order to gain a better understanding of how the genetic variation within these four gene regions may influence susceptibility to ASDs, a family-based association study was undertaken in 661 families of European ancestry selected from four different ASD cohorts. In addition, a case-control study was undertaken across the four LRR genes, using logistic regression in probands with ASD of each population against 295 ECACC controls.

Results

Significant results were found for LRRN3 and LRRTM3 (P < 0.005), using both single locus and haplotype approaches. These results were further supported by a case-control analysis, which also highlighted additional SNPs in LRRTM3.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings implicate the neuronal leucine-rich genes LRRN3 and LRRTM3 in ASD susceptibility.
The effect of body position on compartmental intra-abdominal pressure following liver transplantation
Authors: Cresswell Adrian B , Jassem Wayel , Srinivasan Parthi , Prachalias Andreas A , Sizer Elizabeth , Burnal William , Auzinger Georg , Muiesan Paolo , Rela Mohammed , Heaton Nigel D , Bowles Matthew J , Wendon Julia A
Published: July 2012

Background

Current assumptions rely on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) being uniform across the abdominal cavity. The abdominal contents are, however, a heterogeneous mix of solid, liquid and gas, and pressure transmission may not be uniform. The current study examines the upper and lower IAP following liver transplantation.

Methods

IAP was measured directly via intra-peritoneal catheters placed at the liver and outside the bladder. Compartmental pressure data were recorded at 10-min intervals for up to 72 h following surgery, and the effect of intermittent posture change on compartmental pressures was also studied. Pelvic intra-peritoneal pressure was compared to intra-bladder pressure measured via a FoleyManometer.

Results

A significant variation in upper and lower IAP of 18% was observed with a range of differences of 0 to 16 mmHg. A sustained difference in inter-compartmental pressure of 4 mmHg or more was present for 23% of the study time. Head-up positioning at 30° provided a protective effect on upper intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in a significant reduction in all patients. There was excellent agreement between intra-bladder and pelvic pressure.

Conclusions

A clinically significant variation in inter-compartmental pressure exists following liver transplantation, which can be manipulated by changes to body position. The existence of regional pressure differences suggests that IAP monitoring at the bladder alone may under-diagnose intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome in these patients. The upper and lower abdomen may need to be considered as separate entities in certain conditions.