bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of centriole elimination duringC. elegansoogenesis
Authors: Mikeladze-Dvali Tamara , von Tobel Lukas , Strnad Petr , Knott Graham , Leonhardt Heinrich , Schermelleh Lothar , Gönczy Pierre
Published: April 2012

Centrosomes are the principal microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) of animal cells and comprise a pair of centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material (PCM). Centriole number must be carefully regulated, notably to ensure bipolar spindle formation and thus faithful chromosome segregation. In the germ line of most metazoan species, centrioles are maintained during spermatogenesis, but eliminated during oogenesis. Such differential behavior ensures that the appropriate number of centrioles is present in the newly fertilized zygote. Despite being a fundamental feature of sexual reproduction in metazoans, the mechanisms governing centriole elimination during oogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we investigate this question in C. elegans. Using antibodies directed against centriolar components and serial-section electron microscopy, we establish that centrioles are eliminated during the diplotene stage of the meiotic cell cycle. Moreover, we show that centriole elimination is delayed upon depletion of the helicase CGH-1. We also find that somatic cells make a minor contribution to this process, and demonstrate that the germ cell karyotype is important for timely centriole elimination. These findings set the stage for a mechanistic dissection of centriole elimination in a metazoan organism.
Suppression of PDGF-induced PI3 kinase activity by imatinib promotes adipogenesis and adiponectin secretion
Authors: Fitter Stephen , Vandyke Kate , Gronthos Stan , Zannettino Andrew C W
Published: April 2012

Improved glucose and lipid metabolism is a unique side effect of imatinib therapy in some chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients. We recently reported that plasma levels of adiponectin, an important regulator of insulin sensitivity, are elevated following imatinib therapy in CML patients, which could account for these improved metabolic outcomes. Adiponectin is secreted exclusively from adipocytes, suggesting that imatinib modulates adiponectin levels directly, by transcriptional upregulation of adiponectin in pre-existing adipocytes, and/or indirectly, by stimulating adipogenesis. In this report, we have demonstrated that imatinib promotes adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which in turn secrete high-molecular-weight adiponectin. Conversely, imatinib does not stimulate adiponectin secretion from mature adipocytes. We hypothesise that inhibition of PDGFRα (PDGFRA) and PDGFRβ (PDGFRB) is the mechanism by which imatinib promotes adipogenesis. Supporting this, functional blocking antibodies to PDGFR promote adipogenesis and adiponectin secretion in MSC cultures. We have shown that imatinib is a potent inhibitor of PDGF-induced PI3 kinase activation and, using a PI3 kinase p110α-specific inhibitor (PIK-75), we have demonstrated that suppression of this pathway recapitulates the effects of imatinib on MSC differentiation. Furthermore, using mitogens that activate the PI3 kinase pathway, or MSCs expressing constitutively activated Akt, we have shown that activation of the PI3 kinase pathway negates the pro-adipogenic effects of imatinib. Taken together, our results suggest that imatinib increases plasma adiponectin levels by promoting adipogenesis through the suppression of PI3 kinase signalling downstream of PDGFR.
Six Developmental Trajectories Characterize Children With Autism
Authors: Fountain Christine , Winter Alix S. , Bearman Peter S.
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE:

The goal of this study was to describe the typical longitudinal developmental trajectories of social and communication functioning in children with autism and to determine the correlates of these trajectories.

METHODS:

Children with autism who were born in California from 1992 through 2001 and enrolled with the California Department of Developmental Services were identified. Subjects with <4 evaluations present in the database were excluded, resulting in a sample of 6975 children aged 2 to 14 years. Score sequences were constructed based on 9 evaluative items for social, communication, and repetitive behavior functioning. Typical trajectories were identified by using group-based latent trajectory modeling, and multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the odds of classification within each trajectory varied by individual and family-level factors.

RESULTS:

Six typical patterns of social, communication, and repetitive behavior functioning were identified. These trajectories displayed significant heterogeneity in developmental pathways, and children whose symptoms were least severe at first diagnosis tended to improve more rapidly than those severely affected. One group of ∼10% of children experienced rapid gains, moving from severely affected to high functioning. Socioeconomic factors were correlated with trajectory outcomes; children with non-Hispanic, white, well-educated mothers were more likely to be high functioning, and minority children with less-educated mothers or intellectual disabilities were very unlikely to experience rapid gains.

CONCLUSIONS:

Children with autism have heterogeneous developmental pathways. One group of children evidenced remarkable developmental change over time. Understanding what drives these outcomes is thus critical.
Obese Mexican American Children Have Elevated MCP-1, TNF-α, Monocyte Concentration, and Dyslipidemia
Authors: Breslin Whitney L. , Johnston Craig A. , Strohacker Kelley , Carpenter Katie C. , Davidson Tiffany R. , Moreno Jennette P. , Foreyt John P. , McFarlin Brian K.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Obesity is an independent risk factor for chronic disease. The prevalence of obesity is especially high among Mexican American children. Peripheral blood monocytes are altered with obesity contributing to elevated systemic inflammation and increased risk of chronic disease. In addition, obesity alters the circulating levels of cytokines/chemokines that influence monocyte behavior. The study objective was to investigate alterations in blood monocytes and plasma cytokines/chemokine levels among healthy weight (standardized BMI [zBMI] ≤85th percentile; n = 66), overweight (zBMI 85th–95th percentile; n = 23), and obese (zBMI ≥95th percentile; n = 39) Mexican American children.

METHODS:

Blood samples were analyzed for total and subset monocyte concentration via flow cytometry. Serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), fractalkine, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured by using a Milliplex MagPix assay. Serum cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and glucose were measured by using an enzymatic assay.

RESULTS:

Total monocyte concentration (P = .012), classic monocyte concentration (P = .045), MCP-1 (P = .015), and TNF-α (P = .002) were significantly greater in obese children compared with healthy weight children. Also, overweight and obese children had elevated triglycerides (P = .001) and reduced high-density lipoproteins (P = .033) compared with healthy weight children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Childhood obesity alters monocytes and circulating chemokines, putting children at a greater risk of developing obesity-related chronic diseases in adulthood. Further characterization of early immune alterations in childhood obesity may provide additional clinical insight into the assessment of obesity-related disease risk.
Tenfold Medication Errors: 5 Years’ Experience at a University-Affiliated Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Doherty Catherine , Mc Donnell Conor
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Tenfold medication errors are a significant source of risk to pediatric patients. This may be because of wide variations in age, weight, dosing ranges, and off-label practices, but few studies exclusively devoted to examining pediatric 10-fold error have identified the circumstances and mechanisms that lead to such errors. We examined all 10-fold medication errors reported within an academic, university-affiliated pediatric hospital to make recommendations for future initiatives that could improve medication safety in pediatric practice.

METHODS:

We retrospectively evaluated all medication-related incident reports submitted to a voluntary safety-reporting database over a 5-year period for reports describing 10-fold medication error. Main outcome measures comprised severity of error, drugs and drug classes involved, 10-fold medication error enablers, mechanisms, and contributing causes.

RESULTS:

From 6643 medication-related safety reports, 252 10-fold medication errors were identified at a mean reporting rate of 0.062 per 100 total patient days. Morphine was the most frequently reported medication, and opioids were the most frequently reported drug class. Twenty-two reports described patient harm. Intravenous formulations, paper ordering, and drug-delivery pumps were frequent error enablers. Errors of dose calculation, documentation of decimal points, and confusion with zeroes were frequent contributing causes to 10-fold medication error.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study exclusively and comprehensively examined 10-fold medication errors over a prolonged time in pediatric inpatients. We discuss recommendations of vigilance for specific drugs and standardized order sets for opioids and antibiotics, and identify the administering phase of the medication process as a high-risk practice that can result in pediatric 10-fold medication error.
Métodos simplificados para o problema de minimização de pilhas abertas
Authors: Carvalho Marco Antonio Moreira de , Soma Nei Yoshihiro
Published: April 2012

Este trabalho apresenta dois métodos para a solução do Problema de Minimização de Pilhas Abertas (ou MOSP, de Minimization of Open Stacks Problem), um problema de sequenciamento de padrões oriundo do contexto de produção de peças, cuja aplicação industrial é direta. O primeiro é relativo a uma heurística baseada em teoria de grafos e critérios gulosos, enquanto o segundo é relativo a um método de programação dinâmica. Os resultados do experimento realizado comprovam a eficácia das simplificações propostas quando comparadas com os métodos da literatura.
Chronic Pain in a Biracial Cohort of Young Women
Authors: Plesh Octavia , A. Gansky Stuart , A. Curtis Donald
Published: April 2012

This is a longitudinal study of a large US biracial community cohort of 732 young women – 50% African-American and 50% Caucasian – specifically investigating incidence, remission, and progression of, as well as factors associated with common chronic pains (back, head, face, chest and abdomen). The results show back, head and abdominal pains were the most common, severe and persistent pains. Facial pain, although less common and severe, was the only pain presenting significant racial differences with Caucasians having higher prevalence, incidence and persistence; incidence per 1000 person-years was 58 for Caucasians and 18 for African-Americans while remission per 1000 personyears was 107 for Caucasians and 247 for African-Americans (p<0.05). Risk factors associated with incidence (I) differed from those associated with persistence(P), perhaps due to the young age and shorter pain duration in this population. Face pain incidence, but not persistence for example, was associated with student status, fatigue, perceived stress and general
health. Depression does not seem to be associated with any of these pains. However, increased number of existing pain sites was related to subsequent increase chance of developing new pain (I) or maintaining the existing pain (P). Perspective: This study offers insight into risk factors associated with incidence and progression of chronic pains in young women. We showed certain types of pain such as headaches and back pain present higher severity and persistence, and predicted the incidence of other chronic pains. The clinical implications of these findings relate to the needs for more aggressive intervention in young women developing these types of pain when addressing women’s health problems.
Eye Movements on Facades: The Subjective Perception of Balance in Architecture and Its Link to Aesthetic Judgment
Authors: Hasse Catrin , Weber Ralf
Published: April 2012

For architects, designing the visible form of buildings is usually intuitive, but sometimes it is a rationally-based exercise in arranging forms and masses into a balanced yet dynamic whole. Does this mean that the balance of a facade's composition influences assessments of its beauty? A study was conducted to test how judgments of beauty, balance, dynamism, and interest in a facade depend on compositional balance, and if there are differences between how architects and non-architects judge the facades. Eye movements were also recorded. The results demonstrated that compositional balance affected judgments of balance, dynamism, and interest, but not judgments of beauty. The link between balance and aesthetic judgments was moderated by expertise in architecture and viewing time. Furthermore, balance oriented the gaze, and evoked a shift of eye movements toward the lower left side of compositions. The implications of the findings for the relation between balance and beauty are discussed.
Microwave assisted synthesis of novel 4h-chromene derivatives bearing phenoxypyrazole and their antimicrobial activity assess
Authors: Sangani Chetan , Shah Nimesh , Patel Manish , Patel Ranjan
Published: April 2012

A new series of 4H-chromene derivatives 4(a-p) bearing 5-phenoxypyrazole
nucleus has been synthesized under microwave irradiation by reaction of
5-phenoxypyrazole-4-carbaldehyde 1(a-h), malononitrile 2 and compounds
(Cyclohexanedione, Dimedon) 3(a-b) in presence of NaOH as basic catalyst. All
the compounds were screened against three Gram positive bacteria
(Streptococcus pneumoniae, Clostridium tetani, Bacillus subtilis), three Gram
negative bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli) and
two fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans) using broth microdilution
MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) method. Upon study of antimicrobial
screening, it has been observed that, majority of the compounds were found to
be active against Clostridium tetani and Bacillus subtilis as well as against
Candida albicans as compared to standard drugs.
Learning Internal Controls from a Fraud Case at Bank of China
Authors: Higgins Huong Ngo
Published: April 2012

This case provides an opportunity to discuss principles of internal control, the process by which an entity's board of directors, management, and other personnel provide reasonable assurance that fraud and theft are prevented and detected. The case also facilitates discussion of the unique corporate governance and internal control environments in China, a fast-growing economy. Readers will be asked to apply the fraud triangle theory to identify internal control weaknesses and to design control activities for preventing fraud. The case is intended for beginning auditing students, but is also suitable for a more general audience such as accounting, management, and business students at the M.B.A. or undergraduate level.

The case introduces Bank of China (BOC) against the backdrop of China's banking sector. It describes the proliferation of non-performing loans in Chinese banks, the failure to report these loans correctly, and the way in which these conditions create a climate where fraud and theft might be easily hidden. These problems and the need for internal controls become evident in the description of a major fraud scheme at BOC. After relating this scheme, the case concludes by reviewing recent reform initiatives to modernize internal controls in Chinese banks.
Accuracy, intermethod agreement, and inter-reviewer agreement for use of magnetic resonance imaging and myelography in small-breed dogs with naturally occurring first-time intervertebral disk extrusion
Authors: Bos Alexandra Squires , Brisson Brigitte A. , Nykamp Stephanie G. , Poma Roberto , Foster Robert A.
Published: April 2012

Objective—To determine accuracy, intermethod agreement, and inter-reviewer agreement for multisequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2-view orthogonal myelography in small-breed dogs with first-time intervertebral disk (IVD) extrusion.

Design—Prospective evaluation study.

Animals—24 dogs with thoracolumbar IVD extrusion.

Procedures—Each dog underwent MRI and myelography. Images obtained with each modality were independently evaluated and assigned standardized scores in a blinded manner by 3 reviewers. Results were compared with surgical findings. Inter-reviewer and intermethod agreements were assessed via κ statistics. Accuracy was assessed as the percentage of dogs for which ≥ 2 of 3 reviewers recorded findings identical to those determined surgically.

Results—Inter-reviewer agreement was substantial for site (κ = 0.70) and side of IVD extrusion (κ = 0.62) in T2-weighted magnetic resonance images and was substantial for site (κ = 0.72) and fair for side of extrusion (κ = 0.37) in myelographic images. Agreement for site between each modality and surgical findings was near perfect (κ = 0.94 and 0.88 for MRI and myelography, respectively). Intermethod agreement was substantial for site (κ = 0.71) and moderate for side of extrusion (κ = 0.40). Accuracy of MRI for site and side was 100% when results for T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences were combined. Accuracy of myelography was 90.9% and 54.5% for site and side, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Agreement between imaging results and surgical findings for identification of IVD extrusion sites in small-breed dogs was similar for MRI and myelography. However, MRI appeared to be more accurate than myelography and allowed evaluation of extradural compressive mass composition.
Endoscopic placement of ureteral stents for treatment of congenital bilateral ureteral stenosis in a dog
Authors: Lam Nathaniel K. , Berent Allyson C. , Weisse Chick W. , Bryan Christine , Mackin Andrew J. , Bagley Demetrius H.
Published: April 2012

Case Description—A 5-year-old 8.6-kg (18.9-lb) spayed female Pug was evaluated because of chronic hematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections.

Clinical Findings—Excretory urography, ultrasonography, and excretory CT urography were performed. Results indicated that the dog had bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter and suspected proximal ureteral stenosis. Retrograde ureteropyelography confirmed the presence of stenosis at the ureteropelvic junction of each ureter, along with a large amount of endoluminal ureteral debris. Clinical findings suggested that the dog had a congenital bilateral anomaly of the upper urinary tract.

Treatment and Outcome—The dog was anesthetized, and 2 double-pigtail ureteral stents were placed cystoscopically with fluoroscopic guidance for immediate relief of the ureteropelvic junction obstructions. Each stent extended from the left or right renal pelvis to the urinary bladder. The procedures and the patient's recovery from anesthesia were uncomplicated. Continuing improvements in severity of hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and dysuria were evident during routine follow-up examinations at 2, 4, 12, 16, and 45 weeks after stent placement. Over the subsequent 12 months, all clinical signs remained resolved other than a urinary tract infection that was successfully treated with antimicrobials.

Clinical Relevance—Ureteral stenosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for hydronephrosis in dogs, particularly when urinary tract calculi or neoplasia is not present. Chronic hematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections can be associated with this condition. Placement of ureteral stents may be a successful treatment option for ameliorization of congenital ureteral obstructions.
Comparison of the effects of xylazine bolus versus medetomidine constant rate infusion on cardiopulmonary function and depth of anesthesia in horses anesthetized with isoflurane
Authors: Creighton Catherine M. , Lemke Kip A. , Lamont Leigh A. , Horney Barbara S. , Riley Christopher B.
Published: April 2012

Objective—To compare the effects of xylazine bolus versus medetomidine constant rate infusion (MCRI) on cardiopulmonary function and depth of anesthesia in dorsally recumbent, spontaneously breathing, isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

Design—Prospective, randomized crossover study.

Animals—10 healthy adult Standardbreds.

Procedures—Horses were premedicated with xylazine or medetomidine IV. Anesthesia was induced with diazepam and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane for 150 minutes. For the xylazine treatment, end-tidal isoflurane concentration was maintained at 1.7%, and xylazine (0.2 mg/kg [0.09 mg/lb], IV) was administered as a bolus at the end of anesthesia. For the MCRI treatment, end-tidal isoflurane concentration was maintained at 1.4%, and medetomidine (0.005 mg/kg/h [0.0023 mg/lb/h], IV) was infused throughout anesthesia. Physiologic data (ie, heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, bispectral index, and electromyographic values) were compared between treatments with xylazine bolus versus MCRI.

Results—Heart rate was lower, but mean arterial blood pressure was higher from 20 to 40 minutes with MCRI treatment, compared with conventional treatment with xylazine. Respiratory rate and rectal temperature were greater with MCRI treatment. Bispectral index was lower with MCRI treatment from 80 to 150 minutes, and electromyographic values were lower with MCRI treatment from 30 to 150 minutes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In isoflurane-anesthetized horses, premedication with medetomidine followed by administration of medetomidine as a constant rate infusion resulted in decreased heart rate, higher arterial blood pressure from 20 through 40 minutes after induction of anesthesia, and better preserved body temperature, compared with conventional treatment with xylazine. Greater depth of anesthesia and muscle relaxation were seen with MCRI treatment, despite the lower isoflurane concentration.
The Patient-Specific Functional Scale: Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness in Patients With Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Problems
Authors: Hefford Cheryl , Abbott J. Haxby , Arnold Richard , Baxter G. David
Published: April 2012

Study Design

Clinical measurement, longitudinal; multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objectives

To examine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) in patients with musculoskeletal upper extremity problems being treated in physical therapy.

Background

The clinimetric properties of the PSFS have not been established nor compared with region-specific outcome measures in patients with upper extremity problems.

Methods

Patients completed the PSFS, Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI), and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) at baseline and follow-up, and were categorized as improved, stable, or worsened, using the global rating of change. Construct validity was assessed by comparing the change scores of the stable and improved groups, using independent-samples t tests. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) with 95% confidence intervals. Bland-Altman plots determined limits of agreement. Responsiveness and minimal important difference (MID) were determined with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

One hundred eighty patients met the inclusion criteria. Construct validity was supported for the PSFS and the UEFI (P<.001). Reliability was moderate to good for the PSFS (ICC2,1 = 0.713) and UEFI (ICC2,1 = 0.848). Reported estimates of reliability may be lower than true values because the group of “stable” patients from this cohort had, on average, a small positive change. Bland-Altman plots indicated good agreement. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was significantly different from the null value of 0.5 for the PSFS (0.887) and the UEFI (0.877), indicating good accuracy in distinguishing improved patients from stable patients. MID was 1.2 for the PSFS (scale, 0–10) and 8.5 for the UEFI (scale, 0–80).

Conclusion

The PSFS is a valid, reliable, and responsive outcome measure for patients with upper extremity problems. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(2):56–65. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3953
Nurses lived experiences of conscience reaction: a qualitative phenomenological study
Authors: Hasani Parkhideh , Jalali Rostam , Abedsaeedi Zhila
Published: April 2012

Background and objectives: Conscience is a cornerstone of ethics, affecting both our private and professional lives. Everyday health care practice raises questions about conscience and how to understand its role. Conscience has also been described as inducing self-growth and protecting personal integrity. Nurses views on their reactions to behaviors consistent or contrary to conscience could therefore help us to understand the meaning of the reactions of conscience. This study aimed to illuminate meanings of nurses lived experience of conscience reaction in their daily practices.Material and methods: Interviews with nine nurses were interpreted using a phenomenological hermeneutic (Colaizzi, 1978) method. Data was collected in 2010 among nurses working in various hospitals in Kermanshah. The nurses were selected for participation purposively.Results: The nurses lived experience of conscience reaction was formulated in three themes and ten sub-themes. The first theme is being peace, which includes three sub-themes: Being calm, being pleased, and being satisfying. The second theme is trouble conscience which includes four subthemes: guilt, thinking engagement, discomfort, and fretfulness. The third theme is responding which includes three sub-themes: expressing, compensation, and lack of repeat.Conclusions: The nurses lived experience of conscience reaction showed that nurses considered conscience reaction to be an important factor in the exercise of their profession, as revealed by the descriptive categories: being peace when they act consistent with conscience; trouble conscience when they act contrary on conscience; and responding after doing an anti conscience practice. They perceived that conscience played a role in nursing actions involving patients and next of kin, and guided them in their efforts to provide high quality care.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i3.10257Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011;2(3):3-9
Ethics in dissection of cadaver in teaching and learning of anatomy
Authors: Nurunnabi Abu Sadat Mohammad , Ara Shamim , Khalil Mohsin , Khalil Mansur
Published: April 2012

Dissection of dead body is a time honoured part of medical education. Undergraduate and postgraduate students do dissection as a part of the learning human anatomy. According to the state regulations, most of the cadavers are obtained from the forensic mortuary declared as unclaimed body. Some are collected through body donation as well. However, use of human tissue for research and the use of human cadavers for teaching and training purposes are surrounded by ethical uncertainties. Moreover, the main ethical concern of cadaver dissection lies in respect to human life. This writing has been aimed to put a nominal guideline how to act in an ethical way in cadaver dissection by the medical students in medical colleges and pave the way for better understanding how to respond in an ethical manner in medical professional life. Some rules and regulations have been recommended for maintaining the highest standard of a dissection hall as well as the dignity of the cadavers.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i3.10258  Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011;2(3):10-15
From Metal Thiobenzoates to Metal Sulfide Nanocrystals: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation
Authors: Zhang Zhihua , Lim Wen Pei , Wong Chiong Teck , Xu Hairuo , Yin Fenfang , Chin Wee Shong
Published: April 2012

A simple preparation of metal sulfide nanoparticles via the decomposition of thiobenzoate precursors at room temperature is presented and discussed. Long chain alkylamines were found to mediate the breakdown of metal thiobenzoates, such as those containing Ag, Cu, In and Cd, to produce uniform Ag2S, Cu2−xS, In2S3 and CdS nanoparticles respectively. The long chain amines are assumed to play dual roles as the nucleophilic reagent and the capping agent. It was found that sizes of the nanoparticles can be controlled by changing the type of amine used, as well as the molar ratio between amine and the precursor. We performed DFT calculations on a proposed mechanism involving an initial nucleophilic addition of amine molecule onto the thiocarboxylates. The proposed reaction was also confirmed through the analysis of by-products via infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of this understanding, we propose to manipulate the stability of the precursors by coordination with suitable stabilizing groups, such that the reaction kinetics can be modified to generate different nanostructures of interest.
MRI versus bone scintigraphy
Authors: Hoffmeyer B. , Ruf J. , Seidensticker M. , Steffen I. G. , Zarva A. , Fischbach F. , Wieners G. , Furth C. , Lohmann C. H. , Amthauer H. , Dobrindt O.
Published: April 2012

Aim: This study was set up to determine the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone scintigraphy (BS) for the diagnosis of stress injuries in athletes, and furthermore to assess reliability and prediction of healing time. Patients, methods: Imaging data was analyzed retrospectively from 28 athletes who had received MRI and BS examinations for suspected stress injuries. MRI- and BSdata were rated by three specialists each in a blinded read, using a 5-point score (i.e. 0–4: inconspicuous to high-grade stress fracture). An interdisciplinary expert truth-panel set the reference standard. Standard statistical parameters, Fleiss' kappa (κ), and group comparisons were calculated. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for detection of stress injuries were 71.4%, 85.7%, 78.6%, 83.3% and, 75.0%, for MRI and 92.9%, 73.8%, 83.3%, 78.0% and, 91.2% for BS, respectively. Interobserver reliability for the diagnosis of a stress injury was κ = 0.9 for BS and κ = 0.85 for MRI. Mean healing times of mild (grades 1 and 2) and severe (grades 3 and 4) stress injuries were 88 days (d) versus 142d for BS and 57d versus 116d for MRI. No significant difference in healing time could be shown. Conclusions: MRI and BS reliably detect stress injuries. MRI is to be recommended as the primary imaging modality due to its potential for assessment of differential diagnoses and the lack of radiation exposure, the value of BS lies in the exclusion of stress fractures after inconclusive MRI examinations.
Clinical-Scale Isolation of Interleukin-2-Stimulated Liver Natural Killer Cells for Treatment of Liver Transplantation with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ohira Masahiro , Nishida Seigo , Tryphonopoulos Panagiotis , Tekin Akin , Selvaggi Gennaro , Moon Jang , Levi David , Ricordi Camillo , Ishiyama Kohei , Tanaka Yuka , Ohdan Hideki , Tzakis Andreas G.
Published: April 2012

Tumor recurrence is the main limitation of liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and can be promoted by immunosuppressants. However, there is no prevention or treatment for HCC recurrence after LT. Here we describe a clinical-scale method for an adoptive immunotherapy approach that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from deceased donor liver graft perfusate to prevent tumor recurrence after LT. Liver mononuclear cells (LMNCs) that were extracted from deceased donor liver graft perfusate contained a high percentage of NK cells (45.0 ± 4.0%) compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (21.8 ± 5.2%) from the same donor. The CD69 activation marker and the natural cytotoxicity receptors, NKp44 and NKp46, were expressed at high levels in freshly isolated liver NK cells. Furthermore, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-stimulated NK cells showed greater upregulation of activation markers and the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which is critical for NK cell-mediated antitumor cell death and increased production of interferon. Moreover, IL-2 stimulation induced LMNCs to exhibit a strong cytotoxicity against NK-susceptible K562 target cells compared with PBMCs ( p < 0.01). Finally, we also showed that the final product contained a very low T-cell contamination (0.02 ± 106cells/kg−1), which reduces the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Collectively, our results suggest that the adoptive transfer of IL-2-stimulated NK cells from deceased donor liver graft perfusate could be a promising treatment for LT patients with HCC.
Genetic diversity and differentiation of core vs. peripheral populations of eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae)
Authors: Pandey Madhav , Rajora Om P.
Published: April 2012

• Premise of the study: Geographically peripheral (marginal) populations are expected to have lower genetic diversity and higher genetic differentiation than geographically core (central) populations as a result of supposedly lower effective population size (Ne) and higher genetic drift, founder effect, fragmentation, and isolation in peripheral than in core populations. Here we address this issue for a long‐lived plant species, eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis).

• Methods: Genetic diversity and population structure of 13 natural populations of eastern white cedar from its Canadian eastern peripheral and core natural ranges in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island were studied using six nuclear microsatellite DNA markers.

• Key results: The core populations of eastern white cedar had significantly higher allelic diversity (mean A = 8.83, Ar = 8.13, Ae = 4.03) and Ne (428) than the peripheral populations (A = 6.64, Ar = 6.15, Ae = 3.12, Ne = 198). However, expected heterozygosity was similar in the core (He = 0.64) and peripheral (He = 0.60) populations. Genetic differentiation was significantly higher among the peripheral (FST = 0.089) than among the core (FST = 0.032) populations. No genetic differentiation (FST/ΦRT = 0.000) was detected between core and peripheral regions.

• Conclusions: Peripheral populations have significantly lower Ne and genetic diversity in terms of allelic diversity (richness) and significantly higher genetic differentiation than the core populations of eastern white cedar in its Canadian eastern range. However, core and peripheral populations have similar levels of expected heterozygosity. Implications for conservation of eastern white cedar genetic resources are discussed.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the wild South American Passiflora cincinnata (Passifloraceae)
Authors: Cerqueira‐Silva Carlos B. M. , Santos Elisa S. L. , Souza Alisson M. , Mori Gustavo M. , Oliveira Eder J. , Corrêa Ronan X. , Souza Anete P.
Published: April 2012

• Premise of the study: We developed the first set of microsatellite markers for the passion fruit, Passiflora cincinnata, to provide tools for further study of its genetic diversity and to support current conservation and genetic studies.

• Methods and Results: We used a microsatellite‐enriched library approach to isolate and characterize 25 new molecular markers. Seven primer pairs successfully amplified polymorphic microsatellite regions, with an average of five alleles per locus. The mean values of expected and observed levels of heterozygosity were 0.516 and 0.525, respectively.

• Conclusions: The microsatellite markers identified in this study may be valuable tools for population genetic studies, and this set of markers also may be useful in the design of a genetic conservation strategy, mating system, and hybridization studies.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Emmenopterys henryi (Rubiaceae), a rare tree from China
Authors: Ma Wei‐Wei , Zhai Sheng‐Nan , Zhang Yong‐Hua , Qiu Ying‐Xiong
Published: April 2012

• Premise of the study: Compound microsatellite primers were developed for Emmenopterys henryi, an endangered deciduous tree endemic to China, to assess its genetic diversity and population structure as well as its evolutionary history.

• Methods and Results: Using the compound microsatellite marker technique, 10 pairs of polymorphic microsatellite primers were isolated and characterized in E. henryi. Levels of polymorphism were tested across a total of 63 individuals from three natural populations. Allele numbers varied from 10 to 20 per locus, with an average of 14.50 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.125 to 0.962, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.377 to 0.903.

• Conclusions: The highly polymorphic markers developed and characterized in this study will facilitate evolutionary and population genetic studies in E. henryi.
Molecular phylogenetics of Hydatellaceae (Nymphaeales): Sexual‐system homoplasy and a new sectional classification
Authors: Iles William J. D. , Rudall Paula J. , Sokoloff Dmitry D. , Remizowa Margarita V. , Macfarlane Terry D. , Logacheva Maria D. , Graham Sean W.
Published: April 2012

• Premise of the study: Species relationships are unknown in Hydatellaceae, a small family of dwarf aquatics related to water lilies that arose near the base of angiosperm phylogeny. Here we use molecular evidence to infer a species tree for the family and apply this to reconstructing major transitions in morphology and sexual system in this early branch of angiosperms.

• Methods: We assembled plastid (atpB, matK, ndhF, rbcL) and nuclear (ribosomal ITS) data for 50 samples (including outgroups) and estimated a species tree for Hydatellaceae using a Bayesian multispecies coalescent approach. We reconstructed the evolution of several morphological characters, then tested for associations between sexual system and reproductive morphology using phylogenetic ANOVA.

• Key results: Dioecious species of Hydatellaceae have significantly greater stamen number and anther length than do cosexual species, suggesting changes in male function. The perennial habit that defines one subclade likely represents a reversion from annuality. Species relationships do not fall along traditional morphological divisions, but new sections proposed here are supported by fruit and seed synapomorphies. The earliest split in the family is reflected in geography and climate (i.e., tropical vs. subtropical/temperate clades). We found limited evidence of incongruence between plastid and nuclear trees, with one exception involving gene‐tree nonmonophyly for two close relatives (Trithuria submersa, T. bibracteata).

• Conclusions: While the direction of sexual‐system evolution is ambiguous, transitions are significantly associated with changes in involucral phyllome length and proxies of pollen production. We propose a new sectional circumscription based on fruit, seed, and DNA evidence.
Regio- and stereoselective oxidation of unactivated C–H bonds with Rhodococcus rhodochrous
Authors: O’Reilly Elaine , Aitken Suzanne J , Grogan Gideon , Kelly Paul P , Turner Nicholas J , Flitsch Sabine L
Published: April 2012

The ability of Rhodococcus rhodochrous (NCIMB 9703) to catalyse the regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of a range of benzyloxy-substituted heterocycles has been investigated. Incubation of 2-benzyloxytetrahydropyrans with resting cell suspensions of the organism yielded predominantly a mixture of 5-hydroxylated isomers in combined yields of up to 40%. Exposure of the corresponding 2-benzyloxytetrahydrofuran derivatives to the cell suspensions gave predominantly the 4-hydroxylated isomers in yields of up to 26%. Most interestingly, 2-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)tetrahydrofuran and 2-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)tetrahydropyran were transformed in high yields to the 4-hydroxylated and 5-hydroxylated products, respectively.
Corps mortel, immortelle libido
Authors: Dadoun Roger
Published: April 2012

L'homme est mortel, ça se sait. La mort passe par le corps, défini primordialement, à tous égards, comme « corps mortel », à la fois savoir incontestable et troublante opacité. Cette ligne de force traverse avec une acuité croissante le grand âge. S'y oppose une ligne de vie, « élan vital », sous le signe de la libido (énergie sexuelle), éros (la vie même) : « immortelle libido », rompant le « corps-masse » avec sa mosaïque d'éclats, et ouvrant sur le monde multiple avec son holistique du corps-espace – perspective agonique et grandiose pour le grand âge.
« Vieilles peaux » : exploration en terre utopique
Authors: Morestin Frédéric , Dreyer Pascal
Published: April 2012

Alors que la Maison des Babayagas de Montreuil est désormais en construction, cet article présente une expérience d’atelier de mouvement dansé réalisé avec onze des femmes engagées dans le projet. Il montre comment d’un projet, qualifié d’utopique et à forte charge imaginaire, le collectif et chaque participante ont pu prendre en compte le corps vieillissant, souffrant et douloureux sans renoncer à le percevoir comme vivant.
Grand âge et sexualité : d'une modernité à l'autre ou démocratisme contre société des images
Authors: Quentin Bertrand
Published: April 2012

Une sexualité dans la vieillesse a été envisagée à d’autres époques et dans d’autres cultures. Mais dans nos sociétés occidentales, les impulsions natalistes et antihédonistes du religieux ont été renforcées par le culte contemporain des images, où seuls les beaux corps ont droit à la jouissance. S’y ajoutent bien sûr d’autres freins, que l’on peut essayer de décoder psychanalytiquement. Cependant, nos sociétés révèleraient aussi depuis peu une tendance inverse, fondée sur la reconnaissance démocratique des aspirations individuelles et tendant à être plus libérale sur la reconnaissance et la promotion d’une telle sexualité. Au sein de ces flux et reflux déstabilisants, il dépendra de nous de ne pas oublier nos responsabilités de modèle à l’égard des jeunes générations.
La sexualité, entre renoncement et idéalisation
Authors: Talpin Jean-Marc
Published: April 2012

Les devenirs de la sexualité au cours du vieillissement donnent lieu à des théorisations qui portent trace du rapport de leurs auteurs à leur propre vieillissement. Les modèles élaborés oscillent entre l'idéalisation du détachement et l'idéalisation d'une sexualité qui ne vieillirait pas. En appui sur une pratique de psychologue clinicien et sur une lecture clinique du roman «  Exit le fantôme  » de Philip Roth, il s'agira de faire travailler les enjeux et processus psychique du renoncement à la sexualité au cours du vieillissement. Ressortira la dimension du contre-investissement mais aussi d'une pulsion qui ne parvient à transformer ses investissements en fonction de l'évolution du corps et des objets d'amour.
Analysis of Direct Sensor-to-Embedded Systems Interfacing
Authors: Bengtsson Lars E.
Published: April 2012

This paper is concerned with the direct interfacing of resistive sensors to different embedded targets. The author uses the idea of “direct sensor-to-microcontroller” technique where analog sensors are interfaced directly to inherently digital controllers and we compare the performance of this technique when applied to a typical microcontroller (PIC18), a CPLD and an FPGA. Experimental results show that 5 V systems, like the PIC18 controller, have an advantage over 3.3 V systems in terms of better precision performance, while the CPLD outperforms both the microcontroller and the FPGA in terms of accuracy. The accuracy depends mainly on the output impedance of the system’s I/O ports and the precision depends mainly on trigger level noise. The PIC18 controller also has the best performance in terms of linearity and sensitivity. A lot of works have been published concerning direct interfacing to microcontrollers, but little attention has been paid to alternative targets like CPLD and FPGA. This work will benchmark these different kinds of targets and prove that the direct interfacing technique can also be applied to CPLDs and FPGAs.
Dependable Services for Mobile Health Monitoring Systems
Authors: Cinque Marcello , Coronato Antonio , Testa Alessandro
Published: April 2012

The design and realization of health monitoring systems has attracted the interest of large communities both from industry and academia. Remote and continuous monitoring of patient’s vital signs is the target of an emerging business market that aims both to improve the quality of life of patients and to reduce costs of national healthcare services. Such applications, however, are particularly critical from the point of view of dependability. This presents the design of a set of services for the assurance of high degrees of dependability to generic mobile health monitoring systems. The design is based on the results of a detailed failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), conducted to identify the typical dependability threats of health monitoring systems. The FMEA allowed the authors to conceive a set of configurable monitoring services, enriching the system with the ability to detect failures at runtime, and enabling the realization of dependable services for future mobile health monitoring systems.
Man in the Browser Attacks
Authors: Dougan Timothy , Curran Kevin
Published: April 2012

Man-in-the-Browser attacks are a sophisticated new hacking technique associated with Internet crime, especially that which targets customers of Internet banking. The security community has been aware of them as such for time but they have grown in ability and success during that time. These attacks are a specialised version of Man-in-the-Middle attack, and operate by stealing authentication data and altering legitimate user transactions to benefit the attackers. This paper examines what Man-in-the-Browser attacks are capable of and how specific versions of the attack are executed, with reference to their control structure, data interaction techniques, and methods for circumventing security. Finally the authors discuss the effectiveness of counter-Man-in-the-Middle strategies, and speculate upon what these attacks tell us about the Internet environment.
E-Government Utilization
Authors: Carter Lemuria , Schaupp Ludwig Christian , Hobbs Jeffrey , Campbell Ronald
Published: April 2012

The implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the public sector has numerous benefits. Government administrators are aggressively seeking ways to enhance the development and implementation of more effective and efficient government services. One electronic government initiative that is growing in importance and popularity is electronic tax filing. This study explores the factors that contribute to e-file utilization. To test the proposed model a survey is administered to 152 taxpayers in the United States. Results of structural equation modeling indicate that performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, optimism bias, perceived reputation and risk all have a significant impact on e-government usage. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Classification of Dataflow Actors with Satisfiability and Abstract Interpretation
Authors: Wipliez Matthieu , Raulet Mickaël
Published: April 2012

Dataflow programming has been used to describe signal processing applications for many years, traditionally with cyclo-static dataflow (CSDF) or synchronous dataflow (SDF) models that restrict expressive power in favor of compile-time analysis and predictability. More recently, dynamic dataflow is being used for the description of multimedia video standards as promoted by the RVC standard (ISO/IEC 23001:4). Dynamic dataflow is not restricted with respect to expressive power, but it does require runtime scheduling in the general case, which may be costly to perform on software. The authors presented in a previous paper a method to automatically classify actors of a dynamic dataflow program within more restrictive dataflow models when possible, along with a method to transform the actors classified as static to improve execution speed by reducing the number of FIFO accesses (Wipliez & Raulet, 2010). This paper presents an extension of the classification method using satisfiability solving, and details the precise semantics used for the abstract interpretation of actors. The extended classification is able to classify more actors than what could previously be achieved.