bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Streptococcus suis Capsular Polysaccharide Inhibits Phagocytosis through Destabilization of Lipid Microdomains and Prevents Lactosylceramide-Dependent Recognition
Authors: Houde Mathieu , Gottschalk Marcelo , Gagnon Fleur , Van Calsteren Marie-Rose , Segura Mariela
Published: November 2011

Streptococcus suis
type 2 is a major swine pathogen and a zoonotic agent, causing meningitis in both swine and humans.
S. suis
infects the host through the respiratory route, reaches the bloodstream, and persists until breaching into the central nervous system. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of
S. suis
type 2 is considered a key virulence factor of the bacteria. Though CPS allows
S. suis
to adhere to the membrane of cells of the immune system, it provides protection against phagocytosis. In fact, nonencapsulated mutants are easily internalized and killed by macrophages and dendritic cells. The objective of this work was to study the molecular mechanisms by which the CPS of
S. suis
prevents phagocytosis. By using latex beads covalently linked with purified CPS, it was shown that CPS itself was sufficient to inhibit entry of both latex beads and bystander fluorescent beads into macrophages. Upon contact with macrophages, encapsulated
S. suis
was shown to destabilize lipid microdomains at the cell surface, to block nitric oxide (NO) production during infection, and to prevent lactosylceramide accumulation at the phagocytic cup during infection. In contrast, the nonencapsulated mutant was easily internalized via lipid rafts, in a filipin-sensitive manner, leading to lactosylceramide recruitment and strong NO production. This is the first report to identify a role for CPS in lipid microdomain stability and to recognize an interaction between
S. suis
and lactosylceramide in phagocytes.
LytF, a Novel Competence-Regulated Murein Hydrolase in the Genus Streptococcus
Authors: Berg Kari Helene , Ohnstad Hilde Solheim , Håvarstein Leiv Sigve
Published: November 2011

Streptococcus pneumoniae
and probably most other members of the genus
Streptococcus
are competent for natural genetic transformation. During the competent state,
S. pneumoniae
produces a murein hydrolase, CbpD, that kills and lyses noncompetent pneumococci and closely related species. Previous studies have shown that CbpD is essential for efficient transfer of genomic DNA from noncompetent to competent cells
in vitro
. Consequently, it has been proposed that CbpD together with the cognate immunity protein ComM constitutes a DNA acquisition mechanism that enables competent pneumococci to capture homologous DNA from closely related streptococci sharing the same habitat. Although genes encoding CbpD homologs or CbpD-related proteins are present in many different streptococcal species, the genomes of a number of streptococci do not encode CbpD-type proteins. In the present study we show that the genomes of nearly all species lacking CbpD encode an unrelated competence-regulated murein hydrolase termed LytF. Using
Streptococcus gordonii
as a model system, we obtained evidence indicating that LytF is a functional analogue of CbpD. In sum, our results show that a murein hydrolase gene is part of the competence regulon of most or all streptococcal species, demonstrating that these muralytic enzymes constitute an essential part of the streptococcal natural transformation system.
Interleukin-10 Ablation Promotes Tumor Development, Growth, and Metastasis
Authors: Tanikawa Takashi , Wilke Cailin Moira , Kryczek Ilona , Chen Grace Y. , Kao John , Núñez Gabriel , Zou Weiping
Published: November 2011

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a broadly acting immune inhibitory cytokine that is generally thought to support tumor growth. Here we challenge this view with evidence that genetic ablation of IL-10 in the mouse significantly heightens sensitivity to chemical carcinogenesis, growth of transplanted tumors, and formation of metastases. Tumor growth in IL-10–deficient (IL-10−/−) mice was associated with an increased level of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in both the tumor microenvironment and the tumor-draining lymph nodes. IL-10−/− MDSCs express high levels of MHC and IL-1, and they efficiently induced formation of Treg cells. IL-1 signaling blockade reduced tumor growth mediated by IL-10 deficiency, associated with a partial rescue of tumor infiltration and function of effector T cells and a decrease in tumor angiogenesis and tumor infiltration by Treg cells. Taken together, our findings establish that endogenous IL-10 inhibits inflammatory cytokine production and hampers the development of Treg cells and MDSCs, two key components of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thereby inhibiting tumor development, growth, and metastasis. Cancer Res; 72(2); 420–9. ©2011 AACR.
Ironic Effects of Antiprejudice Messages
Authors: Legault Lisa , Gutsell Jennifer N. , Inzlicht Michael
Published: November 2011

Although prejudice-reduction policies and interventions abound, is it possible that some of them result in the precise opposite of their intended effect—an increase in prejudice? We examined this question by exploring the impact of motivation-based prejudice-reduction interventions and assessing whether certain popular practices might in fact increase prejudice. In two experiments, participants received detailed information on, or were primed with, the goal of prejudice reduction; the information and primes either encouraged autonomous motivation to regulate prejudice or emphasized the societal requirement to control prejudice. Ironically, motivating people to reduce prejudice by emphasizing external control produced more explicit and implicit prejudice than did not intervening at all. Conversely, participants in whom autonomous motivation to regulate prejudice was induced displayed less explicit and implicit prejudice compared with no-treatment control participants. We outline strategies for effectively reducing prejudice and discuss the detrimental consequences of enforcing antiprejudice standards.
Exploring the Demand Aspects of Sports Consumption and Fan Avidity
Authors: DeSarbo Wayne , Madrigal Robert
Published: November 2011

The sports industry is one of the world's fastest-growing business sectors, and its primary source of revenue is ultimately derived from sports fans. However, little is known about fans' allocations of time, effort, and financial expenditures to the sports they care most about or how they determine their allocations. The objective of our research is to explore the dimensions of sports consumption and fan avidity, and the nature of heterogeneity of such demand aspects vis-à-vis derived market segments. We develop a new constrained latent-structure multidimensional scaling procedure to uncover the underlying dimensions of sports consumption and fan avidity for student college football fans at a large university, and simultaneously derive latent market segments to explore demand heterogeneity. We collected data from a sample of student football fans from a large US public university known for its excellence in college football. We developed 35 expressions of manifestations of fan avidity and investigated how these college fans follow and support their football team. We then extracted four interpretable dimensions and four market segments with the application of this new spatial multidimensional scaling model. This paper discusses the managerial implications of applying this new latent-structure procedure to this college football context.
Welfare, Maternal Work, and On-Time Childhood Vaccination Rates
Authors: Sohn Min-Woong , Yoo Joan , Oh Elissa H. , Amsden Laura B. , Holl Jane L.
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To examine effects of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare cash assistance and maternal work requirements on “on-time” childhood vaccination rates.

METHODS:

A stratified random sample of Illinois children from low-income families affected by welfare reform was monitored from 1997 to 2004. Medical records from pediatricians' offices and Medicaid claims data were used to identify the timeliness of 18 recommended vaccinations. Random-intercept logistic models were used to estimate on-time vaccine administration as a function of welfare receipt and maternal work with adjustment for characteristics of the children and mothers and time-varying covariates pertaining to the administration window for each recommended vaccine dose.

RESULTS:

Of all recommended vaccinations, 55.9% were administered on time. On-time vaccination rates were higher when families were receiving welfare than not (57.4% vs 52.8%). Children in families that either were receiving welfare or had working mothers were 1.7 to 2.1 times more likely to receive vaccinations on time compared with children in families that were not receiving welfare and did not have working mothers. When vaccine doses were stratified according to welfare status, maternal work was associated with decreased on-time vaccination rates (odds ratio: 0.73 [95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.90]) when families received welfare but increased on-time vaccination rates (odds ratio: 1.68 [95% confidence interval: 1.27–2.22]) when they did not receive welfare.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate that maternal work requirements of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families had negative effects on timely administration of childhood vaccinations, although receipt of welfare itself was associated with increased on-time rates.
Efficacy of Porcine Versus Bovine Surfactants for Preterm Newborns With Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Singh Neetu , Hawley Kristy L. , Viswanathan Kristin
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the efficacy of a porcine surfactant (poractant alfa) versus bovine surfactants (beractant and calfactant) with respect to clinical outcomes among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS:

A search of major electronic databases, including Medline (1980–2010) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for randomized controlled trials that compared poractant alfa versus beractant and/or calfactant among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome who required intubation and surfactant treatment was performed. The primary outcome was oxygen requirement at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks.

RESULTS:

Five randomized controlled trials involving 529 infants compared poractant alfa versus beractant for rescue treatment. No trials studied surfactant prophylaxis, and none compared poractant alfa versus calfactant. The incidences of oxygen dependence at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks were similar for poractant alfa and beractant. Infants treated with poractant alfa at 100 mg/kg (low dose) or 200 mg/kg (high dose) exhibited statistically significant reductions in deaths (relative risk: 0.51 [95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.89]), the need for redosing (relative risk: 0.71 [95% confidence interval: 0.57–0.88]), oxygen requirements, duration of oxygen treatment, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The test of heterogeneity yielded positive results for the latter 2 outcomes. The difference remained statistically significant for deaths and the need for redosing with high-dose poractant alfa but not for low dose poractant alfa.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were significant reductions in deaths and the need for redosing with high-dose poractant alfa but not low-dose poractant alfa, compared with beractant.
Age-Dependent Decline of Association Between Obesity and Hyperglycemia in Men and Women
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro , Daimon Takashi
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether age influences the association between obesity and hyperglycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The subjects were 57,576 Japanese male and female workers aged 35–70 years. The associations of adiposity indices, including BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio, with risk for hyperglycemia were compared among different age groups (35–39, 40–49, 50–59, and 60–70 years) using odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

There were significant trends for the crude ORs of obese subjects versus nonobese subjects for hyperglycemia to be lower as age increased in men and women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed these trends of age-dependent decreases in ORs for hyperglycemia were not altered by adjustment for confounders such as smoking, alcohol drinking, and habitual exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the association between obesity and hyperglycemia declines with age in men and women.
Convective motion in collisionless trapped electron mode turbulence
Authors: Xiao Y. , Lin Z.
Published: November 2011

Global gyrokinetic particle simulation of collisionless trapped electron mode turbulence in toroidal plasmas finds both diffusive and convective electron motion using a Lagrangian analysis. The convective motion is identified using simulation and analytic theory to arise from the conservation of the second invariant when resonant trapped electrons lose kinetic energy to the drift wave. A resonance broadening model fits well the diffusive and convective electron motion.
Equitable Access to Health Care for the Elderly in South Korea
Authors: Kim Dongjin , Shin Hosung , Kim Chang-yup
Published: November 2011

The aim of this study was to examine whether the principle of “equal treatment in equal need” was met in health care utilization in Korea regardless of income among the elderly. Using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 1998, 2001, and 2005, the authors measured the horizontal inequity of health care utilization and identified the factors contributing to inequality. There were income-related inequalities favoring the better-off for both outpatient and inpatient care utilization among the elderly, for which illness variables and enabling variables of individuals were the most important contributing factors, respectively. In addition, there was horizontal inequity across socioeconomic subgroups in the utilization of both types of care, with significant inequities among the less educated and lower income groups. This study reveals that income-related inequities exist in health care utilization among the elderly and that financial resources are an important determinant of health care utilization despite universal coverage by national health insurance.
Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐ene Reaction of β‐Ketoesters with Alkynes: A DFT Study
Authors: Yin Yanchun , Wang Mian , Wang Jianyi , Zhou Longchang , Duan Wengui
Published: November 2011

Density functional calculations have been performed to comparatively investigate two possible pathways of Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reaction of β‐ketoesters with alkynes. Our studies find that, under the assistance of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO), the β‐ketoester is the most likely to undergo Model II to isomerize into its enol form, in which TfO plays a proton transfer role through a 6‐membered ring transition state. The coordination of the Au(I) catalyst to the alkynes triple bond can enhance the eletrophilic capability and reaction activity of the alkynes moiety, which triggers the nucleophilic addition of the enol moiety on the alkynes moiety to give a vinyl‐Au intermediate. This cycloisomerizaion step is exothermal by 21.3 kJ/mol with an energy barrier of 56.0 kJ/mol. In the whole catalytic process, the protonation of vinyl‐Au is almost spontaneous, and the formation of enol is a rate‐limiting step. The generation of enol and the activation of Au(I) catalyst on the alkynes are the key reasons why the Conia‐ene reaction can occur in mild condition. These calculations support that Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reactions of β‐ketoesters with alkynes go through the pathway 2 proposed by Toste.
Study of the Reaction of 5‐Aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyra‐zolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Zheng Yan‐Song , Atta Kamal F. M.
Published: November 2011

A novel synthetic method for the preparation of 5‐aryl‐7‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidines and 1‐(5‐aryl‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidin‐7‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ols is provided by condensative cyclization of 5‐aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds. The study of the more reactive position for electrophilic substitusion reactions on such ring system was also achieved.
In-situ extended energy-loss fine structure analysis of the solid and liquid phases in sub-micron Al particles
Authors: Palanisamy Prakash , Howe James M.
Published: November 2011

Extended energy-loss fine structure (EXELFS) analysis was used to study the behavior of the nearest-neighbor atomic distance and thermal vibration behavior of pure Al particles heated and cooled through the melting temperature in situ in a transmission electron microscope. The results show that the increase in first nearest-neighbor distance for solid Al with temperature compares reasonably well with calculated values based on thermal expansion and that anharmonic thermal vibrations lead to an asymmetry in the Gaussian shape of radial-distribution function (RDF) peaks with temperature. In addition to thermal disorder, structural disorder also contributes to an increased asymmetry in the RDF peaks in liquid Al. Comparison of the first nearest-neighbor distance change with the inverse volume plasmon energy obtained from a previous study shows that the nearest-neighbor distance does not follow the same hysteresis as the plasmon energy during supercooling of liquid Al. The apparent contraction in the nearest-neighbor distance observed during supercooling is explained as due to the asymmetry in the RDF peaks at high temperatures caused by the thermal vibrations, possibly combined with the formation of local (icosahedral) clusters in the liquid.
Quantum Hall-like effect in gated four-terminal graphene devices without magnetic field
Authors: Yang Mou , Ran Xian-Jin , Cui Yan , Wang Rui-Qiang
Published: November 2011

We investigate the transport properties of a four-terminal graphene device of which two terminals are beneath a pair of reversal top gate voltages. We find there exists quantum Hall-like effect without magnetic field applied. The curve of Hall conductance versus the Fermi energy shows steps, and the disorder can make the steps clearer. The average length of Hall conductance plateaus is of the order meV for the devices with the terminal widths of the order μm, which is within the scope of the experimental observation. The influences of gate voltage, device dimensions, and dispersion gap are also discussed.
Mandatory use of technology in teaching: Who cares and so what?
Authors: Yeung Alexander Seeshing , Taylor Peter G. , Hui Chenri , Lam‐Chiang Audrey Cheausim , Low Ee‐Ling
Published: November 2011

Today's teachers are expected to use modern digital technology (DT) to optimise pedagogical effects. Singaporean policy makers have introduced directives to explicitly require teachers to apply DT in teaching. Inherent in such directives is an assumption that by requiring teachers to apply DT, they will perceive its value and use it in their teaching. This paper tests this assumption. Students in initial teacher education programs in Singapore responded to a survey on four variables about their use of DT: (1) compliance with requirements, (2) sense of competence, (3) perceived value and (4) frequency of DT application. Compliance was found to be negatively correlated with competence and uncorrelated with frequency, indicating that teachers who were more competent in DT were less likely to be compliant and those who were compliant may not actually apply DT in teaching. In contrast, both competence and value were positively correlated with frequency of application. Compliance differs for students in different programs and is higher for females. The results indicate that mandating use of DT may not be useful. A more productive approach may be to enhance the competence of teachers in DT so that they value its effectiveness and are confident to apply it in classroom activities.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

There is a global trend that education authorities require teachers to apply educational technology in classroom practices.

Requiring people to comply with directives from the authority may not always lead to conformity.

Self‐perception of competence has significant positive influence on human behaviour.

What this paper adds

Teachers who are more competent with DT are less likely to be compliant.

Teachers who are compliant may not actually apply DT in teaching.

It is essential for teachers to see the value of DT and build up their competence to use technology effectively.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Teacher educators need to reconsider their training approaches in order to cultivate positive attitudes towards DT and develop preservice teachers' competence in using DT for teaching and learning.

School administration should strive to create a culture that values DT in teaching and learning.

Teachers need to have successful experiences in DT application that in turn change their perceptions and classroom practices.
Concerted and adaptive alignment of decorin dermatan sulfate filaments in the graded organization of collagen fibrils in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon
Authors: Watanabe Takafumi , Imamura Yasutada , Suzuki Daisuke , Hosaka Yoshinao , Ueda Hiromi , Hiramatsu Kohzy , Takehana Kazushige
Published: November 2011

The equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) has a graded distribution of collagen fibril diameters, with predominantly small‐diameter fibrils in the region of the myotendinous junction (MTJ), a gradual increase in large‐diameter fibrils toward the osteotendinous junction (OTJ), and a mixture of small‐ and large‐diameter fibrils in the middle metacarpal (MM) region. In this study, we investigated the ultrastructure of the SDFT, to correlate the spatial relationship of the collagen fibrils with the graded distribution. The surface‐to‐surface distances of pairs of fibrils were found to be almost constant over the entire tendon. However, the center‐to‐center distances varied according to fibril diameter. Decorin is the predominant proteoglycan in normal mature tendons, and has one dermatan sulfate (DS) or chondroitin sulfate (CS) filament as a side chain which is associated with the surfaces of the collagen fibrils via its core protein. We identified a coordinated arrangement of decorin DS filaments in the equine SDFT. The sizes of the decorin DS filaments detected by Cupromeronic blue staining showed a unique regional variation; they were shortest in the MM region and longer in the MTJ and OTJ regions, and a considerable number of filaments were arranged obliquely to adjacent collagen fibrils in the MTJ region. This regional variation of the filaments may be an adaptation to lubricate the interfibrillar space in response to local mechanical requirements. The results of this study suggest that the MTJ region, which receives the muscular contractile force first, acts as a buffer for mechanical forces in the equine SDFT.
DESCRIPTION AND VALIDATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING‐GUIDED STEREOTACTIC BRAIN BIOPSY DEVICE IN THE DOG
Authors: Chen Annie V. , Wininger Fred A. , Frey Stephen , Comeau Roch M. , Bagley Rodney S. , Tucker Russell L. , Schneider Adam R. , Gay John M.
Published: November 2011

A stereotactic brain biopsy system that is magnetic resonance (MR) imaging‐guided has not been validated in dogs. Our purpose was to determine the mean needle placement error in the caudate nucleus, thalamus, and midbrain of a canine cadaver brain using the modifiedBrainsight™ stereotactic system. Relocatable reference markers (fiducial markers) were attached to the cadaver head using a dental bite block. AT1‐weighted gradient echo three‐dimensional (3D) sequence was acquired using set parameters. Fiducial markers were used to register the head to the acquiredMRimages in reference to a 3Dposition sensor. This allowed the planning of trajectory path to brain targets in real time. Coordinates (X,Y,Z) were established for each target and 0.5 μl of diluted gadolinium was injected at each target using a 26‐gauge needle to create a lesion. The center of the gadolinium deposition was identified on the postoperativeMRimages and coordinates (X′,Y′,Z′) were established. The precision of this system in bringing the needle to target (needle placement error) was calculated. Seventeen sites were targeted in the brain. The mean needle placement error for all target sites was 1.79 ± 0.87 mm. The upper bound of error for this stereotactic system was 3.31 mm. There was no statistically significant relationship between needle placement error and target depth (P= 0.23). The ease of use and precision of this stereotactic system support its development for clinical use in dogs with brain lesions >3.31 mm.
Extracting the Structure of Design Information From Collaborative Tagging
Authors: Panchal Jitesh H. , Messer Matthias
Published: November 2011

Information representation in engineering design is currently dominated by top–down approaches such as taxonomies and ontologies. While top–down approaches provide support for computational reasoning, they are primarily limited due to their static nature, limited scope, and developer-centric focus. Bottom–up approaches, such as folksonomies, are emerging as means to address the limitations of top–down approaches. Folksonomies refer to collaborative classification by users who freely assign tags to design information. They are dynamic in nature, broad in scope, and are user focused. However, they are limited due to the presence of ambiguities and redundancies in the tags used by different people. Considering their complementary nature, the ideal approach is to use both top–down and bottom–up approaches in a synergistic manner. To facilitate this synergy, the goal in this paper is to present techniques for using dynamic folksonomies to extract global characteristics of the structure of design information, and to create hierarchies of tags that can guide the development of structured taxonomies and ontologies. The approach presented in this paper involves using (a) tools such as degree distribution and K-neighborhood connectivity analysis to extract the global characteristics of folksonomies and (b) set-based technique and hierarchical clustering to develop a hierarchy of tags. The approach is illustrated using data from a collective innovation platform that supports collaborative tagging for design information. It is shown that despite the flat nature of the folksonomies insights about the hierarchy in information can be gained. The effects of various parameters on the tag hierarchy are discussed. The approach has potential to be used synergistically with top–down approaches such as ontologies to support the next generation collaborative design platforms.
Genomewide Association Studies in Cardiovascular Disease—An Update 2011
Authors: Zeller Tanja , Blankenberg Stefan , Diemert Patrick
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND

Genomewide association studies have led to an enormous boost in the identification of susceptibility genes for cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize the most important findings of recent years.

CONTENT

We have carefully reviewed the current literature (PubMed search terms: “genome wide association studies,” “genetic polymorphism,” “genetic risk factors,” “association study” in connection with the respective diseases, “risk score,” “transcriptome”).

Multiple novel genetic loci for such important cardiovascular diseases as myocardial infarction, hypertension, heart failure, stroke, and hyperlipidemia have been identified. Given that many novel genetic risk factors lie within hitherto-unsuspected genes or influence gene expression, these findings have inspired discoveries of biological function. Despite these successes, however, only a fraction of the heritability for most cardiovascular diseases has been explained thus far. Forthcoming techniques such as whole-genome sequencing will be important to close the gap of missing heritability.
Washington State Pediatricians' Attitudes Toward Alternative Childhood Immunization Schedules
Authors: Wightman Aaron , Opel Douglas J. , Marcuse Edgar K. , Taylor James A.
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the frequency of parents' requests for alternative childhood immunization schedules (ACISs) and pediatricians' comfort with and willingness to use ACISs.

METHODS:

Washington State primary care pediatricians were asked to complete an Internet-based survey on ACISs. The main outcome measures were the frequency of parents' requests for ACISs, pediatricians' comfort with their use, and pediatricians' willingness to use ACISs for individual vaccines. In addition, respondents were asked to characterize their practices and to provide demographic information.

RESULTS:

Of the 311 respondents (response rate: 65%), 209 met inclusion criteria and were included in analyses. Overall, 77% of eligible respondents reported that parents sometimes or frequently requested ACISs, and 61% were comfortable using an ACIS if requested by a parent. Pediatricians were least willing to consider using ACISs for diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Pediatricians who practiced in a neighborhood or community clinic were less comfortable using ACISs than were those in a 1- or 2-physician practice (odds ratio: 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS:

Washington State pediatricians are regularly being asked to use ACISs, and most of them are comfortable using them if requested. Pediatricians are least willing to delay H influenzae type b vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which suggests prioritization of immunizations that protect against potentially devastating bacterial infections of infancy and early childhood.
Homograft Tympanic Membrane Myringoplasty
Authors: Brandow Edward C.
Published: November 2011

• During a six-year period, homograft tympanic membranes have been used successfully for myringoplasty or tympanoplasty in 85% of 175 cases. This percentage is not as high as might be expected with fascia, and the homografts have not been as dependable in the wet, draining ear. However, the results do show that the homograft is an acceptable grafting material. The eardrums are not suggested as substitutes for fascia, but should be available for difficult cases. Their use is indicated in large or total defects to restore the natural anatomical conical shape of the eardrum, particularly in congenital atresia. The prime indication for their use is a missing malleus, and the malleus handle can be included within the transplant. The eardrum's rigid properties and the possibility of inclusion of ossicles make the homografts valuable in reconstruction of the old mastoid cavity.
Fluctuation between icosahedral and body-centered-cube short-range orders in undercooled Zr liquid
Authors: Wu S. , Fang X. W. , Wang S. Y. , Wang C. Z. , Yao Y. X. , Ho K. M. , Ding Z. J. , Chen L. Y.
Published: November 2011

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the liquid and undercooled liquid of zirconium. Local structure orders in the liquid at temperatures from 2500 K down to 1830 K are analyzed by using the recently developed cluster alignment method. Our study clearly shows the presence of body-centered-cube (BCC) short-range order in the undercooled liquid in addition to icosahedral order. A strong fluctuation and competition between the short-range icosahedra and BCC orders in the undercooled liquid at 1830 K are also demonstrated from the cluster alignment scheme.
PathVar: analysis of gene and protein expression variance in cellular pathways using microarray data
Authors: Glaab Enrico , Schneider Reinhard
Published: November 2011

Summary: Finding significant differences between the expression levels of genes or proteins across diverse biological conditions is one of the primary goals in the analysis of functional genomics data. However, existing methods for identifying differentially expressed genes or sets of genes by comparing measures of the average expression across predefined sample groups do not detect differential variance in the expression levels across genes in cellular pathways. Since corresponding pathway deregulations occur frequently in microarray gene or protein expression data, we present a new dedicated web application, PathVar, to analyze these data sources. The software ranks pathway-representing gene/protein sets in terms of the differences of the variance in the within-pathway expression levels across different biological conditions. Apart from identifying new pathway deregulation patterns, the tool exploits these patterns by combining different machine learning methods to find clusters of similar samples and build sample classification models.

Availability: freely available at http://pathvar.embl.de

Contact:  enrico.glaab@uni.lu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cruciferous vegetables intake and risk of prostate cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Ben , Mao Qiqi , Cao Min , Xie Liping
Published: November 2011

Objective:  To evaluate the relationship between cruciferous vegetables intake and risk of prostate cancer.

Methods:  A systematic literature search up to June 2011 was carried out in PubMed, and the references of retrieved articles were screened. The summary relative risks with 95% confidence interval for the highest versus the lowest intake of cruciferous vegetables were calculated. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also evaluated.

Results:  Seven cohort and six population‐based case–control studies met the inclusion criteria of the meta‐analysis. A significantly decreased prostate cancer risk was observed overall in the cruciferous vegetables intake group (relative risks = 0.90; 95% confidence interval 0.85–0.96) and the subgroup of case–control studies (relative risks = 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.89), but not in cohort studies (relative risks = 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.02). No heterogeneity and publication bias were detected across studies.

Conclusion:  Cruciferous vegetables intake is related to the decreased risk of prostate cancer. Because of the limited number of studies, further prospective studies are needed to explore the protective effect of cruciferous vegetables on prostate cancer.
Alopecia as a rare but distinct manifestation of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Veraitch O. , Ohyama M. , Yamagami J. , Amagai M.
Published: November 2011

Background  Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients may develop scalp erosions, however, the development of alopecia has been reported to be extremely rare.

Objective  To delineate the clinicopathological features of alopecia in PV and provide insight into the pathogenesis of this rarely observed manifestation.

Methods  A retrospective case note review was performed on five PV patients presenting with progressive hair loss and alopecic patches. Data were collected on demographics and clinical findings. Results for hair pull tests, direct immunofluorescence study of plucked hairs, established laboratory tests to detect anti‐desmoglein 1 and 3 autoantibodies and scalp swab culture were recorded. A combination of vertical and horizontal sectioning technique enabled detailed histopathological analysis of alopecic patches. Clinical course was monitored.

Results  Anagen hair follicles with the outer root sheath structure were easily pulled from perilesional scalp, with intercellular IgG deposition on the outer root sheath keratinocytes. Acantholysis between outer root sheath keratinocytes extending from the infundibulum to suprabalbar level was evident in anagen hair follicles of affected lesions. Perifollicular cell infiltration was observed in the lesions where scalp swabs detected micro‐organisms. The bulge stem cell area was mostly intact. Alopecia was non‐scarring and following 4 weeks of therapy hair re‐growth was seen in all patients.

Conclusion  In PV, the combination of anti‐desmoglein autoantibody‐mediated acantholysis in conjunction with secondary factors, such as inflammatory changes due to infection, may cause weakening of hair follicle anchorage resulting in hair loss and alopecic patches. This unusual clinical phenotype should alert physicians to PV as a potential diagnosis.
Maternal Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D During Pregnancy and Risk of Type 1 Diabetes in the Offspring
Authors: Sørensen Ingvild M. , Joner Geir , Jenum Pål A. , Eskild Anne , Torjesen Peter A. , Stene Lars C.
Published: November 2011

Previous studies indicate reduced risk of type 1 diabetes after intake of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy or early childhood. We aimed to test whether lower maternal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH D) during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. In this case-control study nested within a cohort of 29,072 women in Norway, 25-OH D levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay on samples from late pregnancy in 109 women delivering a child who developed type 1 diabetes before 15 years of age (case subjects) and from 219 control women. Dividing the levels of maternal 25-OH D into quartiles, there was a trend toward a higher risk of type 1 diabetes with lower levels of vitamin D during pregnancy. The odds of type 1 diabetes was more than twofold higher for the offspring of women with the lowest levels of 25-OH D compared with the offspring of those with levels above the upper quartile. Given future replication in independent cohorts, our findings provide support for the initiation of a randomized intervention trial to prevent type 1 diabetes in children by enhancing maternal 25-OH D status during pregnancy.
Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses of diploid Leucaena (Leguminosae; Mimosoideae) reveal cryptic species diversity and patterns of divergent allopatric speciation
Authors: Govindarajulu Rajanikanth , Hughes Colin E. , Bailey C. Donovan
Published: November 2011

• Premise of the study: Leucaena comprises 17 diploid species, five tetraploid species, and a complex series of hybrids whose evolutionary histories have been influenced by human seed translocation, cultivation, and subsequent spontaneous hybridization. Here we investigated patterns of evolutionary divergence among diploid Leucaena through comprehensively sampled multilocus phylogenetic and population genetic approaches to address species delimitation, interspecific relationships, hybridization, and the predominant mode of speciation among diploids.

• Methods: Parsimony‐ and maximum‐likelihood‐based phylogenetic approaches were applied to 59 accessions sequenced for six SCAR‐based nuclear loci, nrDNA ITS, and four cpDNA regions. Population genetic comparisons included 1215 AFLP loci representing 42 populations and 424 individuals.

• Results: Phylogenetic results provided a well‐resolved hypothesis of divergent species relationships, recovering previously recognized clades of diploids as well as newly resolved relationships. Phylogenetic and population genetic assessments identified two cryptic species that are consistent with geography and morphology.

• Conclusions: Findings from this study highlight the importance and utility of multilocus data in the recovery of complex evolutionary histories. The results are consistent with allopatric divergence representing the predominant mode of speciation among diploid Leucaena. These findings contrast with the potential hybrid origin of several tetraploid species and highlight the importance of human translocation of seed to the origin of these tetraploids. The recognition of one previously unrecognized species (L. cruziana) and the elevation of another taxon (L. collinsii subsp. zacapana) to specific status (L. zacapana) is consistent with a growing number of newly diagnosed species from neotropical seasonally dry forests, suggesting these communities harbor greater species diversity than previously recognized.
Audiometric, Impedance, and Otoscopic Findings in Children With Cleft Palates
Authors: Bess Fred H. , Schwartz Daniel M. , Redfield Nicholas P.
Published: November 2011

• We examined the prevalence of hearing loss and/or middle ear disease among 34 children with cleft palates, using pure-tone audiometry, acoustic impedance, and pneumatic otoscopy. The overall incidence of hearing loss and otitic complications varied from 57% to 68%, depending on the procedure used. Of the three clinical procedures used in this study, pure-tone audiometry exhibited the poorest diagnostic efficiency. Close predictive agreement was found between impedance and otoscopy.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Thermal Behavior of 4,5‐Diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine
Authors: Xu Kangzhen , Wang Min , Zhang Hang , Yan Biao , Song Jirong , Wang Bozhou , Zhao Fengqi
Published: November 2011

A new energetic material, 4,5‐diacetoxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DADNI), was synthesized by the reaction of 4,5‐dihydroxyl‐2‐(dinitromethylene)‐imidazolidine (DDNI) and acetic anhydride, and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Crystal data for DADNI are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a=15.9167(3) Å, b=8.6816(4) Å, c=8.5209(3) Å, β=103.294(9)°, V=1145.9(3) Å3, Z=4, µ=0.150 mm−1, F(000)=600, Dc=1.682 g·cm−3, R1=0.0565 and wR2=0.1649. Thermal decomposition behavior of DADNI was studied and an intensely exothermic process was observed. The kinetic equation of the decomposition reaction is: dα/dT=(1016.64/β)×4α3/4exp(−1.582×105/RT). The critical temperature of thermal explosion is 163.76°C. The specific heat capacity of DADNI was studied with micro‐DSC method and theoretical calculation method. The molar heat capacity is 343.30 J·mol−1·K−1 at 298.15 K. The adiabatic time‐to‐explosion of DADNI was calculated to be 87.7 s.
Synthesis of Functionalized Thiophenes by Four‐component Reactions of 1,3‐Thiazolidinedione, Aromatic Aldehydes, Cyanoacetamide and Cyclic Secondary Amines
Authors: Yao Rong , Xia Eryan , Sun Jing , Yan Chaoguo
Published: November 2011

The polysubstituted thiophene derivatives were conveniently prepared by the four‐component reactions of 1,3‐thiazolidinedione, aromatic aldehydes, cyanoacetamide and cyclic secondary amines such as pyrrolidine, morpholine and piperidine. The reaction mechanism is believed to involve domino reactions of Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, ring‐opening and recyclization of 1,3‐thiazolidinedione.
Effect of nonuniform radial density distribution on the space charge dominated beam bunching
Authors: Sing Babu P. , Goswami A. , Pandit V. S.
Published: November 2011

Beam dynamics of a space charge dominated beam during the bunch compression is studied self consistently for the case of fixed shape non-uniform bell shape and hollow shape density distributions in the transverse direction. We have used thick slices at different parts of the beam to account for variation in the beam radius in the study of the transverse dynamics. The longitudinal dynamics has been studied using the disc model. The axial variation of the radius of the slices and emittance growth arising from the phase dependence of the transverse rf forces are also included in the simulation. We have modified the beam envelope equation to take into account the longitudinal space charge effect on the transverse motion which arises due to the finite bunch size. To demonstrate the application of the theoretical formulations developed, we have studied a sinusoidal beam bunching system and presented detailed numerical results.
Magnetic properties of Sr2FeTaO6 double perovskite epitaxially grown by pulsed-laser deposition
Authors: Chakraverty S. , Saito M. , Tsukimoto S. , Ikuhara Y. , Ohtomo A. , Kawasaki M.
Published: November 2011

We have investigated the magnetic properties of B-site-ordered Sr2FeTaO6 double perovskite thin films grown on (111) SrTiO3 substrates by using pulsed-laser deposition. High degree of ordering of Fe and Ta ions has been confirmed using x-ray diffraction and atomically resolved high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. We have found clear signatures of magnetic frustration in {111} planes of local spin moment arising from next-nearest-neighbor interaction in triangular FeO6 sublattice below 50 K. It is also found that this behavior is suppressed by increasing disorder and eventually leads to antiferromagnetic state.
Epitaxial τ phase MnAl thin films on MgO (001) with thickness-dependent magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Cui Yishen , Yin Wenjing , Chen Wei , Lu Jiwei , Wolf Stuart A.
Published: November 2011

In this study, ferromagnetic MnAl films were prepared by alternating Al/Mn quasi-monolayer deposition using a novel biased target ion beam deposition (BTIBD) technique. XRD results showed that the magnetic τ phase was well formed in MnAl thin films (∼10 nm), which grew epitaxially on single crystal MgO (001) substrates. The optimized saturation magnetization was ∼394 emu/cc. Furthermore, we observed a thickness-dependent uniaxial anisotropy in ferromagnetic MnAl films, which was attributed to the change of the tetragonal lattice distortion as a function of film thickness. The relationship between the film thicknesses and saturation magnetizations suggested the existence of a magnetically dead layer ∼2.7 nm with an extrapolated saturation moment around 523 emu/cc (∼1.90 μB/Mn). This value has exceeded the experimental value in bulk materials and is close to the theoretically predicted magnetization (∼1.975 μB/Mn).
Histone H1 expression in human prostate cancer tissues and cell lines
Authors: Sato Shinya , Takahashi Satoru , Asamoto Makoto , Nakanishi Makoto , Wakita Toshiaki , Ogura Yuji , Yatabe Yasushi , Shirai Tomoyuki
Published: November 2011

Histone H1, one of the histone superfamilies, is known to determine chromatin structure and alter gene expression. It also contributes to regulation of cell proliferation in breast cancer. We hypothesized a similar association in prostate cancer, and therefore examined relationships between histone H1 expression and Gleason pattern, Ki‐67 and androgen receptor levels in a series of prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Histone H1 positive cancer cells increased with the Gleason pattern. Gleason pattern 3 tumors were divided into two groups, one with high histone H1 positivity (H1‐high cases, 60–100% positivity) and the other with low histone H1 positivity (H1‐low cases, 0–20% positivity). Ki‐67 or androgen receptor positivity in H1‐high cases was significantly higher than in H1‐low cases. PC3 cells demonstrated more frequent histone H1 and Ki‐67 positivity as compared to LNCaP cells. Silencing of histone H1 by siRNA transfection significantly reduced cell proliferation in LNCaP and PC3. These findings suggest that histone H1 expression is associated with the Gleason pattern, cell proliferation and androgen receptor expression in prostate cancers.
The early release of planned movement by acoustic startle can be delayed by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex
Authors: Alibiglou Laila , MacKinnon Colum D.
Published: November 2011

Non‐technical summary  Reaction times of planned movements can be reduced to less than 100 ms when a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) is presented immediately prior to, or coincident with, the imperative ‘go’ cue. Based on the short latency of these reaction times, it has been suggested that the early release of planned movements by a SAS is mediated by shorter pathways that pass through the brainstem instead of via the primary motor cortex. Here we show that the application of high intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex, a method that suppresses the excitability of the motor cortex and blocks voluntary drive, caused a significant delay in the onset of SAS‐released movements. These findings provide evidence that the early release of planned movements by a SAS is mediated, in part, by pathways that pass through the primary motor cortex.