bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A benchmark for microRNA quantification algorithms using the OpenArray platform
Authors: McCall Matthew N. , Baras Alexander S. , Crits-Christoph Alexander , Ingersoll Roxann , McAlexander Melissa A. , Witwer Kenneth W. , Halushka Marc K.
Published: March 2016

Background

Several techniques have been tailored to the quantification of microRNA expression, including hybridization arrays, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and high-throughput sequencing. Each of these has certain strengths and limitations depending both on the technology itself and the algorithm used to convert raw data into expression estimates. Reliable quantification of microRNA expression is challenging in part due to the relatively low abundance and short length of the miRNAs. While substantial research has been devoted to the development of methods to quantify mRNA expression, relatively little effort has been spent on microRNA expression.

Results

In this work, we focus on the Life Technologies TaqMan OpenArrayⓇ system, a qPCR-based platform to measure microRNA expression. Several algorithms currently exist to estimate expression from the raw amplification data produced by qPCR-based technologies. To assess and compare the performance of these methods, we performed a set of dilution/mixture experiments to create a benchmark data set. We also developed a suite of statistical assessments that evaluate many different aspects of performance: accuracy, precision, titration response, number of complete features, limit of detection, and data quality. The benchmark data and software are freely available via two R/Bioconductor packages, miRcomp and miRcompData. Finally, we demonstrate use of our software by comparing two widely used algorithms and providing assessments for four other algorithms.

Conclusions

Benchmark data sets and software are crucial tools for the assessment and comparison of competing algorithms. We believe that the miRcomp and miRcompData packages will facilitate the development of new methodology for microRNA expression estimation.
Systematic examination of
publicly-available information reveals the diverse and extensive corporate political
activity of the food industry in Australia
Authors: Mialon Melissa , Swinburn Boyd , Allender Steven , Sacks Gary
Published: March 2016

Background

The political influence of the food industry, referred to as
corporate political activity (CPA), represents a potential barrier to the
development and implementation of effective public health policies for
non-communicable diseases prevention. This paper reports on the feasibility and
limitations of using publicly-available information to identify and monitor the
CPA of the food industry in Australia.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted for information from food
industry, government and other publicly-available data sources in Australia. Data
was collected in relation to five key food industry actors: the Australian Food
and Grocery Council; Coca Cola; McDonald’s; Nestle; and Woolworths, for the period
January 2012 to February 2015. Data analysis was guided by an existing framework
for classifying CPA strategies of the food industry.

Results

The selected food industry actors used multiple CPA strategies, with
‘information and messaging’ and ‘constituency building’ strategies most
prominent.

Conclusions

The systematic analysis of publicly-available information over a
limited period was able to identify diverse and extensive CPA strategies of the
food industry in Australia. This approach can contribute to accountability
mechanisms for NCD prevention.
Role of VEGF-A in angiogenesis promoted by umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells: in vitro study
Authors: Arutyunyan Irina , Fatkhudinov Timur , Kananykhina Evgeniya , Usman Natalia , Elchaninov Andrey , Makarov Andrey , Bolshakova Galina , Goldshtein Dmitry , Sukhikh Gennady
Published: March 2016

Background

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells derived from human umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) uniquely combine properties of embryonic and postnatal MSCs and may be the most acceptable, safe, and effective source for allogeneic cell therapy e.g. for therapeutic angiogenesis. In this report we describe pro-angiogenic properties of UC-MSCs as manifested in vitro.

Methods

UC-MSCs were isolated from human Wharton’s jelly by enzymatic digestion. Presence of soluble forms of VEGF-A in UC-MSC-conditioned media was measured by ELISA. Effects of the conditioned media on human umbilical vein-derived endothelial EA.hy926 cells proliferation were measured by MTT-assay; changes in cell motility and directed migration were assessed by scratch wound healing and transwell chamber migration assays. Angiogenesis was modeled in vitro as tube formation on basement membrane matrix. Progressive differentiation of MSCs to endothelioid progeny was assessed by CD31 immunostaining.

Results

Although no detectable quantities of soluble VEGF-A were produced by UC-MSCs, the culture medium, conditioned by the UC-MSCs, effectively stimulated proliferation, motility, and directed migration of EA.hy926 cells. In 2D culture, UC-MSCs were able to acquire CD31+ endothelial cell-like phenotype when stimulated by EA.hy926-conditioned media supplemented with VEGF-A165. UC-MSCs were capable of forming unstable 2D tubular networks either by themselves or in combinations with EA.hy926 cells. Active spontaneous sprouting from cell clusters, resulting from disassembling of such networks, was observed only in the mixed cultures, not in pure UC-MSC cultures. In 3D mode of sprouting experimentation, structural support of newly formed capillary-like structures was provided by UC-MSCs that acquired the CD31+ phenotype in the absence of exogenous VEGF-A.

Conclusion

These data suggest that a VEGF-A-independent paracrine mechanism and at least partially VEGF-A-independent differentiation mechanism are involved in the pro-angiogenic activity of UC-MSCs.
Fixed point and periodic point results for α-type F-contractions in modular metric spaces
Authors: Padcharoen Anantachai , Gopal Dhananjay , Chaipunya Parin , Kumam Poom
Published: March 2016

Motivated by Gopal et al. (Acta Math. Sci. 36B(3):1-14, 2016). We introduce the notion of α-type F-contraction in the setting of modular metric spaces which is independent from one given in (Hussain et al. in Fixed Point Theory Appl. 2015:158, 2015). Further, we establish some fixed point and periodic point results for such contraction. The obtained results encompass various generalizations of the Banach contraction principle and others.
Comparative Effectiveness of Home Dialysis Therapies: A Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Nesrallah Gihad E. , Li Lihua , Suri Rita S.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Home dialysis is being increasingly promoted among patients with end-stage renal disease, but the comparative effectiveness of home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis is unknown.

Objective:

To determine whether patients receiving home daily hemodialysis have reduced mortality risk compared with matched patients receiving home peritoneal dialysis.

Design:

This study is an observational, propensity-matched, new-user cohort study.

Setting:

Linked electronic data were from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) and a large dialysis provider's database.

Patients:

The patients were adults receiving in-center hemodialysis in the USA between 2004 and 2011 and registered in the USRDS.

Measurements:

Baseline comorbidities, demographics, and outcomes for both groups were ascertained from the United States Renal Data System.

Methods:

We identified 3142 consecutive adult patients initiating home daily hemodialysis (≥5 days/week for ≥1.5 h/day) and matched 2688 of them by propensity score to 2688 contemporaneous US patients initiating home peritoneal dialysis. We used Cox regression to compare all-cause mortality between groups.

Results:

After matching, the two groups were well balanced on all baseline characteristics. Mean age was 51 years, 66 % were male, 72 % were white, and 29 % had diabetes. During 10,221 patient-years of follow-up, 1493/5336 patients died. There were significantly fewer deaths among patients receiving home daily hemodialysis than those receiving peritoneal dialysis (12.7 vs 16.7 deaths per 100 patient-years, respectively; hazard ratio (HR) 0.75; 95 % CI 0.68–0.82; p < 0.001). Similar results were noted with several different analytic methods and for all pre-specified subgroups.

Limitations:

We cannot exclude residual confounding in this observational study.

Conclusions:

Home daily hemodialysis was associated with lower mortality risk than home peritoneal dialysis.
Uterine natural killer cell partnerships in early mouse decidua basalis
Authors: Felker Allison M , Croy B Anne
Published: March 2016

The decidua basalis of developing mouse implantation sites is highly enriched in CD45+ leukocytes. In intact, syngeneically mated C57BL/6 decidua basalis examined at gestation day 8.5 by whole-mount in situ immunohistochemistry, leukocyte, but not trophoblast, conjugations were reported. Nothing is known regarding time course, frequency, composition, or importance of physiologic decidual CD45+ cell pairing. In this study, we confirmed the presence of anti-CD54+/anti-CD11a+ immune synapses in CD45+ decidual cell conjugates and characterized their cellular heterogeneity. Conjugated cell pairs were virtually absent before implantation (virgin and gestation days 3.5 and 4.5), were infrequent at gestation day 5.5, but involved 19% of all CD45+ cells by gestation day 8.5, then declined. By gestation day 8.5, almost all CD45+ cells coexpressed CD31, and 2 CD45+CD31+ cells composed most conjugates. Conjugation partners were defined for 2 nonoverlapping uterine natural killer cell subsets (Ly49C/I +/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin− and Ly49C/I−/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+). Ly49C/I+ uterine natural killer cells were the major subset from before mating up to gestation day 6.5. At gestation day 5.5/6.5, uterine natural killer cell conjugates involving Ly49C/I + cells were more abundant. By gestation day 8.5/9.5, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+ uterine natural killer cells were the dominant subset with Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+ homologous conjugates and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin− heterologous conjugates dominating uterine natural killer cell pairings. At gestation day 6.5, both Ly49C/I+/CD45+ and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/CD45+ heterologous conjugate pairs strongly engaged antigen-presenting cells (CD11c+, CD68+, or major histocompatibility complex class II+). By gestation day 8.5, dominant partners of Ly49C/I+/CD45+ and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin+/CD45+ heterologous conjugates are T cells (CD8+ >CD4+). Heterologous conjugates that did not involve uterine natural killer cells occurred but did not suggest antigen presentation to T cells. These data identify gestation day 6.5–8.5 in the pregnant mouse as a critical window for leukocyte interactions that may establish immune regulation within implantation sites.
Modifiable Factors Associated With Aging Phenotypes Among Adult Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Wilson Carmen L. , Chemaitilly Wassim , Jones Kendra E. , Kaste Sue C. , Srivastava Deo Kumar , Ojha Rohit P. , Yasui Yutaka , Pui Ching-Hon , Robison Leslie L. , Hudson Melissa M. , Ness Kirsten K.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for low bone mineral density (BMD) and frail health, outcomes potentially modifiable by altering health behaviors and/or treating endocrine abnormalities. We evaluated associations between lifestyle and hormonal deficits with risk of low BMD and frailty among survivors of ALL.

Patients and Methods

Participants included 862 survivors of ALL (median age, 31.3 years [range, 18.4 to 59.7 years]) enrolled in the St Jude Lifetime Cohort study. Bone density was measured using quantitative computed tomography of L1 through L2 vertebrae; low BMD was defined as an age- and sex-standardized z score < −1. The presence of frailty or prefrailty was defined as having at least two of the following: low muscle mass, self-reported exhaustion, low energy expenditure, slow walking speed, and weakness. Hormonal deficiencies were determined according to medical history, medications, and laboratory findings (insulin-like growth factor 1, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels). Logistic regression was used to examine associations between lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption, and activity levels) and deficiencies in growth hormone (GHD) and/or sex steroids with low BMD and frailty.

Results

Thirty percent of survivors met criteria for low BMD, and 18.6% for frailty/prefrailty. After adjusting for body mass index, low BMD was associated with GHD (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.13) and current smoking (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.85) among men; and GHD (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.78) and moderate alcohol consumption (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.83) among women. After adjusting for current age, the odds of frailty/prefrailty were increased among men with GHD (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.56 to 5.67) and those who smoked (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.65 to 6.43); there were no significant associations among women.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that survivors of ALL should receive counseling regarding lifestyle and undergo screening for hormonal deficits to minimize the risk of low BMD and frailty.
Optimizing Treatment Risk and Benefit for Elderly Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Right Treatment for the Right Patient
Authors: Presley Carolyn J. , Gross Cary P. , Lilenbaum Rogerio C.
Published: March 2016

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors’ suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice.

A 78-year-old woman with a 40-pack-year smoking history has been referred for treatment of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. She presented with a persistent cough and worsening dyspnea on exertion. A chest x-ray followed by a chest computed tomography scan revealed a 3-cm right upper lobe mass along with a moderate-size pleural effusion. Pleural fluid cytology was positive for adenocarcinoma. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan was negative. A reflex molecular profile, including KRAS, EGFR, ALK, BRAF, HER2, RET, MET, and ROS, did not reveal an actionable abnormality. Her past medical history includes diabetes, hypertension, and osteopenia. Her medications include a β-blocker, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, oral antidiabetic agent, calcium, and vitamin D. The laboratory evaluation is notable for a hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL and a creatinine clearance of 36 mL/min. The other laboratories are within normal limits. She is somewhat limited by the shortness of breath but maintains an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1. She is independent in all of her instrumental and basic activities of daily living and denies falls. She has been referred to discuss treatment options.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Adverse Outcomes Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Liu Qi , Leisenring Wendy M. , Ness Kirsten K. , Robison Leslie L. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Yasui Yutaka , Bhatia Smita
Published: March 2016

Purpose

Childhood cancer survivors carry a high burden of treatment-related morbidity; however, race/ethnicity–specific risks of adverse outcomes are not well understood.

Methods

Data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a cohort of survivors of at least 5 years, were used to compare Hispanic (n = 750, 5.4%) and non-Hispanic black (NHB: n = 694, 5.0%) survivors to non-Hispanic white patients (NHW: n = 12,397, 89.6%) for late mortality, subsequent neoplasms, and chronic health conditions.

Results

NHBs and Hispanics reported lower socioeconomic status (SES) and higher prevalence of obesity, and NHBs reported higher prevalence of hypertension. NHBs had higher rate of all-cause mortality (relative rate [RR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.9; P = .008), which was abrogated (RR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.4; P = .9) after adjusting for SES. Nonmelanoma skin cancer was not observed among irradiated NHBs, and the risk was lower among Hispanic survivors (RR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.7) compared with NHWs. Both NHBs and Hispanics demonstrated elevated risks for diabetes; these risks persisted after adjusting for SES and obesity (NHBs: RR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.7; Hispanics: RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 6.4). NHBs were more likely to report cardiac conditions (RR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.7), but the risk was attenuated after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Therapeutic exposures did not affect racial/ethnic differences in mortality (all cause or cause specific), chronic health conditions, or subsequent neoplasms.

Conclusion

By and large, NHB and Hispanic childhood cancer survivors experience a comparable burden of morbidity and mortality to their NHW counterparts. The few differences in risk were explained by the racial/ethnic differences in socioeconomic status and/or cardiovascular risk factors.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrates for Bleeding in the Perioperative Setting
Authors: Ghadimi Kamrouz , Levy Jerrold H. , Welsby Ian J.
Published: March 2016

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) contain vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) and are marketed as 3 or 4 factor-PCC formulations depending on the concentrations of factor VII. PCCs rapidly restore deficient coagulation factor concentrations to achieve hemostasis, but like with all procoagulants, the effect is balanced against thromboembolic risk. The latter is dependent on both the dose of PCCs and the individual patient prothrombotic predisposition. PCCs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the reversal of vitamin K antagonists in the setting of coagulopathy or bleeding and, therefore, can be administered when urgent surgery is required in patients taking warfarin. However, there is growing experience with the off-label use of PCCs to treat patients with surgical coagulopathic bleeding. Despite their increasing use, there are limited prospective data related to the safety, efficacy, and dosing of PCCs for this indication. PCC administration in the perioperative setting may be tailored to the individual patient based on the laboratory and clinical variables, including point-of-care coagulation testing, to balance hemostatic benefits while minimizing the prothrombotic risk. Importantly, in patients with perioperative bleeding, other considerations should include treating additional sources of coagulopathy such as hypofibrinogenemia, thrombocytopenia, and platelet disorders or surgical sources of bleeding. Thromboembolic risk from excessive PCC dosing may be present well into the postoperative period after hemostasis is achieved owing to the relatively long half-life of prothrombin (factor II, 60–72 hours). The integration of PCCs into comprehensive perioperative coagulation treatment algorithms for refractory bleeding is increasingly reported, but further studies are needed to better evaluate the safe and effective administration of these factor concentrates.
Intrathecal Hydromorphone and Morphine for Postcesarean Delivery Analgesia: Determination of the ED90 Using a Sequential Allocation Biased-Coin Method
Authors: Sviggum Hans P. , Arendt Katherine W. , Jacob Adam K. , Niesen Adam D. , Johnson Rebecca L. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Tien Michael , Mantilla Carlos B.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Intrathecal (IT) morphine is considered the “gold standard” for analgesia after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia, most commonly administered at a dose of 100 to 200 μg. There is less experience with IT hydromorphone for postcesarean analgesia and limited information on its optimal analgesic dose. We conducted this study to determine the effective analgesic dose for 90% patients (ED90) of IT hydromorphone that provides effective analgesia for women undergoing elective cesarean delivery and its potency ratio to IT morphine.

METHODS:

In this dose-finding trial, 80 patients received spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Participants were randomized to receive IT morphine or IT hydromorphone at a dose determined using up–down sequential allocation with a biased-coin design to determine ED90. All patients received standardized multimodal analgesia postoperatively in addition to IT opioid. An effective dose was defined as a numeric response score for pain of ≤3 (scale 0–10) 12 hours after spinal injection.

RESULTS:

The ED90 was 75 μg (95% confidence interval [CI], 46–93 μg) for IT hydromorphone and 150 μg (95% CI, 145–185 μg) for IT morphine. At these doses, the 95% CI for the percentage of patients with effective analgesia (numeric rating scale ≤3) was 64% to 100% for hydromorphone and 68% to 100% for morphine. Exploratory findings showed that the incidence of nausea and pruritus was not different among the most commonly used doses of IT hydromorphone (P = 0.44 and P = 0.74) or IT morphine (P = 0.67 and P = 0.38, respectively). When administering IT opioids at ED90 doses or higher, 100% (21/21) of IT hydromorphone and 95% (37/39) of IT morphine patients were satisfied with their analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS:

The ratio of IT morphine to IT hydromorphone for effective postcesarean analgesia is 2:1. Patient satisfaction was high with both medications.
Sevoflurane Inhibits Glutamate-Aspartate Transporter and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Expression in Hippocampal Astrocytes of Neonatal Rats Through the Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) Pathway
Authors: Wang Wei , Lu Rui , Feng Da-yun , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

The mechanisms underlying general anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity are unclear. Astrocytes have been recognized as important contributors to neuronal development. Until now, the response of the astrocytes to neonatal general anesthetic exposure has been unreported.

METHODS:

Postnatal day 7 rats received 2.5% sevoflurane for 6 hours. Expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and phosphorylation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway were detected on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after sevoflurane inhalation. In addition, cultured astrocytes were exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane for 2 hours and GFAP, GLAST expressions, and JAK/STAT phosphorylation were evaluated. Furthermore, we pharmacologically disrupted JAK/STAT signaling in vivo by treatment with the JAK/STAT inhibitor AG490 and in vitro by treatment with JAK inhibitor I to detect the consequent expression of GFAP and GLAST.

RESULTS:

Sevoflurane induced a robust decrease of GFAP and GLAST expression in hippocampal tissue compared with sham control groups at 1 to 14 days after sevoflurane exposure. Immunohistochemistry showed colocalization of GFAP, GLAST, and pSTAT3 in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blot analysis also revealed a significant decrease of pJAK1, pJAK2, and pSTAT3 in the sevoflurane group. In vitro study showed that GFAP, GLAST, pJAK1, pJAK2, and pSTAT3 expressions in cultured astrocytes were remarkably decreased at 24 to 48 hours after sevoflurane treatment. Either AG490 or JAK inhibitor I significantly decreased expressions of GFAP and GLAST in hippocampus or cultured astrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Astrocytic GLAST was inhibited by sevoflurane in the hippocampus of neonatal rats. Inactivation of the JAK/STAT pathway possibly contributes to this effect of sevoflurane. Astrocytic dysfunction induced by sevoflurane may contribute to its neurotoxicity in the developing brain.
Signaling mechanism by the Staphylococcus aureus two-component system LytSR: role of acetyl phosphate in bypassing the cell membrane electrical potential sensor LytS
Authors: Patel Kevin , Golemi-Kotra Dasantila
Published: March 2016

The two-component system LytSR has been linked to the signal transduction of cell membrane electrical potential perturbation and is involved in the adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to cationic antimicrobial peptides. It consists of a membrane-bound histidine kinase, LytS, which belongs to the family of multiple transmembrane-spanning domains receptors, and a response regulator, LytR, which belongs to the novel family of non-helix-turn-helix DNA-binding domain proteins. LytR regulates the expression of cidABC and lrgAB operons, the gene products of which are involved in programmed cell death and lysis. In vivo studies have demonstrated involvement of two overlapping regulatory networks in regulating the lrgAB operon, both depending on LytR. One regulatory network responds to glucose metabolism and the other responds to changes in the cell membrane potential. Herein, we show that LytS has autokinase activity and can catalyze a fast phosphotransfer reaction, with 50% of its phosphoryl group lost within 1 minute of incubation with LytR. LytS has also phosphatase activity. Notably, LytR undergoes phosphorylation by acetyl phosphate at a rate that is 2-fold faster than the phosphorylation by LytS. This observation is significant in lieu of the in vivo observations that regulation of the lrgAB operon is LytR-dependent in the presence of excess glucose in the medium. The latter condition does not lead to perturbation of the cell membrane potential but rather to the accumulation of acetate in the cell. Our study provides insights into the molecular basis for regulation of lrgAB in a LytR-dependent manner under conditions that do not involve sensing by LytS.
The Russian Civil and Cultural Identity of Student´s Youth As a Basis of Harmonization of the Relations in Multinational Society
Authors: Батарчук  , Batarchuk D.
Published: March 2016

The аrticle is devoted to a social and psychological problem of development of the Russian civil and cultural identity of student’s youth in the conditions of the

multinational educational environment. The article gives the description of specifi cs and the analysis of model of development of the Russian civil and cultural

identity and the organizational set tasks. The interrelation between the level of the Russian civil and cultural identity and characteristic individual manifestations

of student’s youth is revealed.

It is defi ned that formation of the Russian civil and cultural identity of youth in the conditions of multinational Russia is operated by means of the accounting

of certain factors and creation of the corresponding psychology and pedagogical conditions. The attention in research is paid to the most eff ective psychology

and pedagogical conditions; ways, methods and means at various stages of formation of the Russian civil and cultural identity are defi ned. In the article the

necessity to be based on the principles as requirements to activity of the subject at the organization of complex research of system of development of the

personality in the conditions of a modern ethnic variety of the Russian society is staticized.
From Magnum Opus to Mea Culpa: A Cautionary Tale of Lessons Learned from a Failed Decision Support System
Authors: Gorman Michael F.
Published: March 2016

In this article, I present a case study of a failed decision support system (DSS) and describe the creation and collapse of a decision support project conducted with a client over a number of years. I provide insights and advice on organization, systems, data, and ongoing management and software support, as gleaned from mistakes made during the course of the project. The insights should prove useful for researchers, developers, and students of OR/MS-based decision support systems and the organizations that implement them.
The Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange Improves Its Matching Process
Authors: Slaugh Vincent W. , Akan Mustafa , Kesten Onur , Ünver M. Utku
Published: March 2016

The Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) helps caseworkers who represent children in Pennsylvania’s child welfare system by recommending prospective families for adoption. We describe PAE’s operational challenges using caseworker surveys, and analyze child outcomes through a regression analysis of data collected over multiple years. A match recommendation spreadsheet tool implemented by PAE incorporates insights from this analysis and allows PAE managers to better utilize available information. Using a discrete-event simulation of PAE, we justify the value of a statewide adoption network, and demonstrate the importance of generating better information about family preferences for increasing the percentage of children who are successfully adopted. Finally, we detail a series of simple improvements that PAE achieved by collecting more valuable information and aligning incentives for families to provide useful preference information.
Judgment Extremity and Accuracy Under Epistemic vs. Aleatory Uncertainty
Authors: Tannenbaum David , Fox Craig R. , Ülkümen Gülden
Published: March 2016

People view uncertain events as knowable in principle (epistemic uncertainty), as fundamentally random (aleatory uncertainty), or as some mixture of the two. We show that people make more extreme probability judgments (i.e., closer to 0 or 1) for events they view as entailing more epistemic uncertainty and less aleatory uncertainty. We demonstrate this pattern in a domain where there is agreement concerning the balance of evidence (pairings of teams according to their seed in a basketball tournament) but individual differences in the perception of the epistemicness/aleatoriness of that domain (Study 1), across a range of domains that vary in their perceived epistemicness/aleatoriness (Study 2), in a single judgment task for which we only vary the degree of randomness with which events are selected (Study 3), and when we prime participants to see events as more epistemic or aleatory (Study 4). Decomposition of accuracy scores suggests that the greater judgment extremity of more epistemic events can manifest itself as a trade-off between enhanced resolution and diminished calibration. We further relate our findings to the hard–easy effect and also show that differences between epistemic and aleatory judgment are amplified when judges have more knowledge concerning relevant events.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2344 .

This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, judgment and decision making.
Clinical Trials Versus Laboratory Studies
Authors: Harvey Roy E.
Published: March 2016

The Editor welcomes letters relating to published work or other subjects relevant to wound care. These may be edited. Please send your letters to the Editor, Journal of Wound Care, Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London NW1 7EJ, or via email jwc@emap.co.uk
A change for the better? Measuring improvements in upgraded alternating-pressure air mattresses
Authors: Rithalia S.V.S. , Heath G.H.
Published: March 2016

This study used measurements of interface pressure over time (the pressure relief index) to investigate improvements made to two alternating-pressure air mattresses. Two older models, the Nimbus 2 (Huntleigh Technology) and Pegasus Airwave (Pegasus Egerton), were compared with two new versions, the Nimbus 3 and Cairwave systems, respectively.

Pressure relief was improved in seven out of 12 areas in the Nimbus 3 system, and in four out of 12 areas in the Cairwave. Significant differences in pressure relief index measurements at the heel between the Nimbus 3 and Cairwave products may explain the former's better clinical outcomes in this area, but superior pressure relief index performance at the sacrum did not predict better clinical outcomes. Therefore, different levels of pressure relief may be needed at different body sites. Individual practitioners must decide whether these improvements merit list price increases of 11% and 15%, respectively, and whether other features justify a 20% price difference between the two new systems.
The Use of Pre-Reading Activities in Reading Skills Achievement in Preschool Education
Authors: Michael Aboagye , Jing Qing , Natalia Ihnatushchenko , Abrampah Mensah
Published: March 2016

Although wealth of empirical researches have covered the impact of crucial, indispensable role reading skills play in the development of individuals’ mental faculties through the acquisition of knowledge in a particular language, scientific works on the assessment of the relationship(s) between pre-reading activities (consisting of games, puzzle solving, match making) and reading skills achievement remain depressingly scanty in Ghana. This study in the light of foregoing atmosphere explored how pre-reading activities facilitate pre-reading and reading skills among preschoolers with the use of randomized experimental control groups design which adopted pre and post-test of two classes, as well as observation guides to diagnose the problem of reading among the KG children in the two groups (control and treatment groups). The findings from these experimentations clearly portrayed the significant influence that pre-reading activities exert on the level of preschoolers reading skills achievements. Upon thorough analysis, and discussions predicated on the research outcome, it has been recommended that preschool educators incorporate levelappropriate pre-reading activities to enrich Preschool Education in Ghana.
A Note on Multilevel Based Error Estimation
Authors: Harbrecht Helmut , Schneider Reinhold
Published: March 2016

By employing the infinite multilevel representation of
the residual, we derive computable bounds to estimate
the distance of finite element approximations to the
solution of the Poisson equation. If the finite element
approximation is a Galerkin solution, the derived error
estimator coincides with the standard element and edge based estimator.
If Galerkin orthogonality is not satisfied,
then the discrete residual additionally appears in terms of
the BPX preconditioner. As a by-product of the present
analysis, conditions are derived such that the hierarchical
error estimation is reliable and efficient.
Recovery of harmonic functions from partial boundary data respecting internal pointwise values
Authors: Leblond Juliette , Ponomarev Dmitry
Published: March 2016

We consider partially overdetermined boundary-value problem for Laplace PDE in a planar simply connected domain with Lipschitz boundary

∂
⁡
Ω

${\partial\Omega}$

. Assuming Dirichlet and Neumann data available on

Γ
⊂

∂
⁡
Ω

${\Gamma\subset\partial\Omega}$

to be real-valued functions in

W

1
/
2

,
2

⁢

(
Γ
)

${W^{1/2,2}(\Gamma)}$

and

L
2

⁢

(
Γ
)

${L^{2}(\Gamma)}$

classes, respectively, we develop a non-iterative method for solving this ill-posed Cauchy problem choosing

L
2

${L^{2}}$

bound of the solution on

∂
⁡
Ω

∖
Γ

${\partial\Omega\setminus\Gamma}$

as a regularizing parameter. The present complex-analytic approach also naturally allows imposing additional pointwise constraints on the solution which, on practical side, can help incorporating outlying boundary measurements without changing the boundary into a less regular one.
A functional Hodrick–Prescott filter
Authors: Djehiche Boualem , Nassar Hiba
Published: March 2016

We propose a functional version of the Hodrick–Prescott filter for functional data which take values in an infinite-dimensional separable Hilbert space. We further characterize the associated optimal smoothing operator when the associated linear operator is compact and the underlying distribution of the data is Gaussian.
Trusted frequency region of convergence for the enclosure method
in thermal imaging
Authors: Ikehata Masaru , Kwon Kiwoon
Published: March 2016

This study deals with the numerical implementation
of a formula in the enclosure method as applied to a prototype inverse initial
boundary value problem for thermal imaging in a one-space dimension.
A precise error estimate of the formula is given
and the effect on the discretization of the used integral
of the measured data in the formula is studied.
The formula requires a large frequency to converge; however,
the number of time interval divisions grows exponentially as the frequency increases.
Therefore, for a given number of divisions, we fixed the trusted frequency region of convergence
with some given error bound.
The trusted frequency region is computed theoretically using the theorems provided in
this paper and is numerically implemented for various cases.
Indonesia in 2015
Authors: Hamayotsu Kikue , Nataatmadja Ronnie
Published: March 2016

The new Indonesian president, Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”), has faced formidable challenges on a number of fronts in his first year in office. Although Jokowi has managed to roll out his pet projects for the poor, management of competing partisan and personal interests as well as the economy and religious conflict continues to be a challenge. Overall, the new government’s contribution to democratic reforms has been modest thus far.
Nepal and Bhutan in 2015
Authors: Mocko Anne , Penjore Dorji
Published: March 2016

Nepal faced massive earthquakes, which killed, displaced, or traumatized thousands of people, but it also ratified a new constitution and elected its first female head of state. Bhutan celebrated the legacy of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, made advances in its hydropower infrastructure, and strengthened political relationships with its neighbors.
Russia in 2015
Authors: Wishnick Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Russia’s cooperative approach to Asia contrasts with its assertiveness in Europe and the Middle East, though the Russian military also has made provocative maneuvers near Japan and US Pacific bases. Ukraine may be far from the Asia-Pacific, but the Ukrainian conflict also casts a shadow on Russia’s Asia policy.
Three in a row—how sodium ions cross the channel
Authors: Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: March 2016

Sodium channels are central to a host of fundamental cellular processes, including sensory perception, pain, and muscle contraction. In order to understand any of these processes in detail, it is necessary to know the atomic structure of the channel proteins both with and without bound sodium ions. In this issue, Naylor et al (2016) present the structure of a bacterial sodium channel tetramer. The three bound, partially hydrated sodium ions line up neatly in a row inside the selectivity filter, providing us with the first detailed insights into ion conduction in sodium channels, and the mechanisms by which sodium and potassium ions are discriminated.
Breast cancer in a male-to-female transsexual patient with a BRCA2 mutation
Authors: Corman Vinciane , Potorac Iulia , Manto Florence , Dassy Sarah , Segers Karin , Thiry Albert , Bours Vincent , Daly Adrian F , Beckers Albert
Published: March 2016

Breast cancer is rare in male patients. Certain predisposing factors, be they genetic (e.g., BRCA2 gene mutations) or hormonal (imbalance between estrogen and androgen levels), have been implicated in male breast cancer pathophysiology. Male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism is a condition that generally involves cross-sex hormone therapy. Anti-androgens and estrogens are used to mimic the female hormonal environment and induce the cross-sex secondary characteristics. In certain situations, the change in the hormonal milieu can be disadvantageous and favor the development of hormone-dependent pathologies, such as cancer. We report a case of a MtF transgender patient who developed breast cancer after 7 years of cross-sex hormonal therapy. The patient was found to be BRCA2 positive, and suffered recurrent disease. The patient was unaware of being a member of an established BRCA2 mutation-positive kindred. This represents the first case of a BRCA2 mutation predisposing to breast cancer in a MtF transgender patient.
Studies of the dynamics of nuclear clustering in human syncytiotrophoblast
Authors: Calvert S J , Longtine M S , Cotter S , Jones C J P , Sibley C P , Aplin J D , Nelson D M , Heazell A E P
Published: March 2016

Syncytial nuclear aggregates (SNAs), clusters of nuclei in the syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta, are increased as gestation advances and in pregnancy pathologies. The origins of increased SNAs are unclear; however, a better appreciation of the mechanism may give insight into placental ageing and factors underpinning dysfunction. We developed three models to investigate whether SNA formation results from a dynamic process of nuclear movement and to generate alternative hypotheses. SNA count and size were measured in placental explants cultured over 16 days and particles released into culture medium were quantified. Primary trophoblasts were cultured for 6 days. Explants and trophoblasts were cultured with and without cytoskeletal inhibitors. Anin silicomodel was developed to examine the effects of modulating nuclear behaviour on clustering. In explants, neither median SNA number (108 SNA/mm2villous area) nor size (283 μm2) changed over time. Subcellular particles from conditioned culture medium showed a wide range of sizes that overlapped with those of SNAs. Nuclei in primary trophoblasts did not change position relative to other nuclei; apparent movement was associated with positional changes of the syncytial cell membrane. In both models, SNAs and nuclear clusters were stable despite pharmacological disruption of cytoskeletal activity.In silico, increased nuclear movement, adhesiveness and sites of cytotrophoblast fusion were related to nuclear clustering. The prominence of SNAs in pregnancy disorders may not result from an active process involving cytoskeleton-mediated rearrangement of syncytial nuclei. Further insights into the mechanism(s) of SNA formation will aid understanding of their increased presence in pregnancy pathologies.
Interleukins, interferons, and establishment of pregnancy in pigs
Authors: Mathew Daniel J , Lucy Matthew C , D Geisert Rodney
Published: March 2016

Early pregnancy in mammals requires complex and highly orchestrated cellular and molecular interactions between specialized cells within the endometrium and the conceptus. Proinflammatory cytokines are small signaling proteins released by leukocytes that augment innate and adaptive immune responses. They are also released by the mammalian trophectoderm as the conceptus apposes the uterine surface for implantation. On approximately day 12 of development in pigs, the conceptus undergoes a rapid morphological transformation referred to as elongation while simultaneously releasing estrogens and a novel conceptus form of interleukin-1 beta (IL1β). Following elongation, pig conceptuses express interferon gamma (IFNγ) and, in lesser amounts, interferon delta (IFNδ). Significant IFN signaling takes place within the endometrium between day 14 and 18 of pregnancy as the conceptus intimately associates with the uterine epithelium. Based on studies carried out in pigs and other mammals, the combined spacio-temporal activities of conceptus estrogens, IL1β, and IFN set in motion a series of coordinated events that promote establishment of pregnancy. This is achieved through enhancement of conceptus development, uterine receptivity, maternal–fetal hemotropic exchange, and endometrial leukocyte function. These events require activation of specific signaling pathways within the uterine luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and stroma. Here, we review proinflammatory cytokine expression by pig conceptuses and the hypothesized actions of these molecules during establishment of pregnancy.
Maternal Iodine Exposure: A Case of Fetal Goiter and Neonatal Hearing Loss
Authors: Overcash Rachael T. , Marc-Aurele Krishelle L. , Hull Andrew D. , Ramos Gladys A.
Published: March 2016

A 27-year-old gravid 1 at 27 weeks 6 days with a history of hypothyroidism had an ultrasound that demonstrated a 3.9 × 3.2 × 3.3-cm well-circumscribed anterior neck mass, an extended fetal head, and polyhydramnios. Further characterization by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a fetal goiter. During her evaluation for the underlying cause of the fetal goiter, the patient revealed she was taking nutritional iodine supplements for treatment of her hypothyroidism. She was ingesting 62.5 times the recommended amount of daily iodine in pregnancy. The excessive iodine consumption caused suppression of the fetal thyroid hormone production, resulting in hypothyroidism and goiter formation. After the iodine supplement was discontinued, the fetal goiter decreased in size. At delivery, the airway was not compromised. The infant was found to have reversible hypothyroidism and bilateral hearing loss postnatally. This case illustrates the importance of examining for iatrogenic causes for fetal anomalies, especially in unregulated nutritional supplements.
Current Workforce of General Pediatricians in the United States
Authors: Freed Gary L. , Moran Lauren M. , Van Kenton D. , Leslie Laurel K. ,   on behalf of the Research Advisory Committee of the American Board of Pediatrics
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

A near vacuum exists for credible information regarding specialty-specific demography, including gender, years since training completion, current employer, academic affiliation, and hours worked in specific tasks. Understanding the current status and changes to the medical workforce and its work patterns is essential to assessing whether the supply and distribution meets the needs of patients, institutions, society, and educational programs.

METHODS:

A self-administered electronic survey sent to all pediatricians at the time of their enrollment in the Maintenance of Certification program in 2013–2014. The survey focused on exploring trends associated with career choice, career paths, time spent in professional activities, and current practice characteristics. Logistic regression and χ2 analyses were conducted.

RESULTS:

The response rate was 87.2% (N = 15 351). Of those who completed the survey, 9253 (64%) self-identified as general pediatricians. An increased likelihood of working part-time was seen among women (odds ratio [OR]: 12.21), those without an academic appointment (OR: 1.32), and those not working in a private/independent practice (OR: 1.15). Overall, 89% (n = 8214) of respondents stated that their current allocation of professional time was approximately what they wanted. Those more likely to be involved in quality improvement in the past year did not work in independent/private practices (OR: 1.78) and worked full-time (OR: 1.16).

CONCLUSIONS:

Understanding the current nature of the pediatric workforce is a first step in providing data to guide future workforce planning and the training experiences required to maintain and shape the workforce to meet the current and future needs of children.
The Treatment of Colorectal Cancer During Pregnancy: Cytotoxic Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy Challenges
Authors: Rogers Jane E. , Dasari Arvind , Eng Cathy
Published: March 2016

Cancer diagnosed during pregnancy has increased because of delayed child-bearing and the known occurrence of age-dependent malignancies. Cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) in pregnancy have recently been reported. With the expected rise in CRC diagnosed in young adults coupled with the current trend of delayed child-bearing, CRC during pregnancy is likely to increase. Treating pregnant women with CRC by using antineoplastics presents a dilemma because there are many unknowns to guide treatment decisions. We review the issues regarding the use of 10 CRC-approved agents in pregnancy.