bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a cat with nodal and pulmonary metastases
Authors: Buza Elizabeth L. , Menzies Robert A. , Goldschmidt Michael H. , Durham Amy C.
Published: May 2012

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors in domestic cats are infrequently reported and are often locally invasive. An 11-year-old Domestic Shorthair cat was originally diagnosed with a right maxillary benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor at incisional biopsy. At necropsy, the neoplasm had features of malignancy including metastases to the regional lymph nodes and lung. Histologically, the neoplasm contained 2 distinct regions: spindle cells arranged in dense interwoven bundles with Antoni A areas and Verocay bodies and Antoni B regions with loosely arranged spindle cells separated by a mucinous matrix. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells in the primary mass and right mandibular lymph node were strongly positive for vimentin, S-100, and glial fibrillar acidic protein. The neoplastic cells within the lung were strongly positive for vimentin and weakly positive for S-100 and glial fibrillar acidic protein.
If Local Weather Was Our Only Indicator
Authors: Szafran Robert F. , Williams Jerry L. , Roth Jeffery E.
Published: May 2012

It is understandably difficult for individuals and communities to recognize the effect of gradual climate change when it occurs in the context of local weather patterns, which normally vary from year to year. This recognition difficulty delays discussion of the causes of climate change and forestalls adjustments in policy and action. In this article, the authors estimate the length of time it would take a majority of localities to simultaneously acknowledge climate change if the only source of information about climate change was local weather. They run computer simulations using U.S. weather station data from 1946 to 2005. Local weather is allowed to vary randomly around a constant mean (models assuming no climate change) or a rising mean (models assuming climate change). They run separate models for annual average temperature, annual maximum temperature, and annual variation in monthly precipitation, varying the definition of unusual weather from 0.5 to 2.5 standard deviations from the historic average and varying the number of consecutive years of unusual weather required to reject the belief of normal variation and accept the belief of climate change from 1 year to 5 years. When it is assumed that acknowledgment of climate change requires three consecutive years of weather, a full standard deviation or more above the historic mean, it requires, depending on which weather event is being modeled, an average of 21 years, 86 years, or 82 years for a majority of localities to be in a state of climate change belief.
My Affair With the “Other”
Authors: Empson Laura
Published: May 2012

The extent of the divide between management research and practice is now widely accepted but debate persists about the desirability and feasibility of attempting to bridge the divide. This article introduces an individual-level perspective to this literature by asking, how is a management academic’s identity affected by sustained engagement with management practitioners? Using autoethnographic methods, I identify the intense identity conflict that an academic can experience as he or she seeks to cross the research–practice divide. I develop an identity narrative to explain how I experienced and ultimately reconciled my conflicting work identities. I identify the factors that can create and exacerbate identity conflict, examine the experience of identity conflict, and suggest tactics for resolving identity conflict. I consider the broader implications of this autoethnography for our understanding of the research–practice divide and offer some final reflections to encourage management scholars who seek to cross this divide.
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Core Bereavement Items
Authors: Holland Jason M. , Nam Ilsung , Neimeyer Robert A.
Published: May 2012

Despite being a routinely administered assessment of grieving, few studies have empirically examined the psychometric properties of the Core Bereavement Items (CBI). The present study investigated the factor structure, internal reliability, and concurrent validity of the CBI in a large, diverse sample of bereaved young adults ( N = 1,366). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (conducted on randomly selected halves of the sample) supported a two-factor structure, with items tapping into grief-related Thoughts and Emotional Response to loss. These factors showed strong internal consistency and unique associations with demographic variables, circumstantial factors surrounding the loss, and a measure of prolonged/severe grief—highlighting the potential applicability of the identified factor structure.
Riluzole
Authors: Cifra Alessandra , Mazzone Graciela L. , Nistri Andrea
Published: May 2012

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder for which the only licensed treatment is riluzole. Although riluzole clinical efficacy is rather limited, its use has important implications for identifying those parameters that might improve its clinical benefits (dose, timing, disease stage) and for its off-label administration in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as spinal cord injury. Studies of riluzole also have an intrinsically heuristic value to unveil mechanisms regulating the excitability of brain and spinal neurons because this drug is a pharmacological tool to probe the function of certain ion channels, or to study neurotransmitter release processes, and intracellular neuroprotective pathways. The present review focuses on how riluzole acts on brain and spinal neurons within motor networks, what mechanisms can be deduced from its effects, and what conditions may favor its use to contrast neurodegeneration or to ameliorate late symptoms like spasticity. Taking as an example the experimental neurodegeneration caused by overactivation of glutamatergic synapses (excitotoxicity), it seems likely that protection of motor networks by riluzole involves selected administration timing and dosing to target processes for releasing glutamate from very active synapses or for dampening repetitive firing by hyperfunctional motor cells.
Treating volunteers as ‘members of an association’ and the implications for English discrimination law
Authors: Royston Tom
Published: May 2012

Volunteers are not as a category expressly protected against discrimination under English law. This paper analyses the argument that volunteers ought to be protected by being treated as employees, with particular reference to X v Mid Sussex CAB. It considers the potential alternative argument that volunteers ought to be treated as service recipients. It concludes that neither argument is likely to succeed. However, volunteers might profitably contend that they are ‘members of associations’, and therefore entitled to protection under Part 7 of the Equality Act 2010.
Numerical Study on the Contribution of Convective Mass Transfer Inside High-Porosity Adsorbents in the VOC Adsorption Process
Authors: Zhang Ge , He Wenna , Fang Lei , Ma Fei
Published: May 2012

The transfer mechanism of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being trapped inside the various types of adsorbents is usually regarded as mere diffusion. This paper investigated the contribution of convective mass transfer inside the adsorbents used for VOC air-cleaning. The adsorbents are typically characterized by their high porosity and thickness which can be as thin as hundreds of microns. By numerical simulation, it was found that the air flow could penetrate the adsorbent matrix when the porosity was high. When the porosity is about 0.7 or even higher, the velocity profile inside the adsorbent and cavity would form, approximately, a consecutive parabola. The convective mass transfer inside the adsorbents would have little impact on the axial VOC transfer but could affect the average adsorption rate significantly at high porosities. The Peclet number Pe which is based on the inlet velocity, the pore diameter and the effective mass diffusion coefficient in the adsorbent could be used to judge the negligibility of the convective mass transfer inside the adsorbent. Pe = 0.52 could be taken as the critical point of neglecting the convective mass transfer inside the adsorbent, with the relative error of average adsorption rate of less than 10% as found by this study.
Stochastic dynamics and fatigue analysis of large-scale mechanical models using multilevel substructuring
Authors: Valsamos G , Sikelis K , Natsiavas S
Published: May 2012

An efficient methodology is presented for predicting dynamic response and fatigue life of large-scale nonlinear mechanical models, subjected to random excitation. The methodology developed is based on a combination of techniques leading to a fast and accurate determination of the dynamic response with a method related to an efficient prediction of fatigue life. Specifically, the first step involves application of an appropriate coordinate transformation, causing a drastic reduction in the degrees of freedom. This opens the way to the application of another numerical method, leading to direct determination of periodic steady-state response of nonlinear systems under periodic forcing. This approach provides a solid foundation for the subsequent application of a rainflow stress cycle counting method, leading to prediction of fatigue failure. The computational accuracy and effectiveness of the methodology is illustrated by a quite involved example model, representing a city bus subjected to road excitation. Typical results are presented for both the stochastic response and the fatigue life by considering excitation arising from selected road profiles with known statistical properties. Special attention is paid to assessing the effect of the nonlinearity, by considering profiles of different quality. Moreover, a critical comparison is performed on results referring to the expected fatigue lifetime, obtained by applying methods in both the frequency and the time domain. In this way, the applicability of classical spectral methods in nonlinear models is also investigated.
‘Unsatisfactory Saturation’: a critical exploration of the notion of saturated sample sizes in qualitative research
Authors: O’Reilly Michelle , Parker Nicola
Published: May 2012

Measuring quality in qualitative research is a contentious issue with diverse opinions and various frameworks available within the evidence base. One important and somewhat neglected argument within this field relates to the increasingly ubiquitous discourse of data saturation. While originally developed within grounded theory, theoretical saturation, and later termed data/thematic saturation for other qualitative methods, the meaning has evolved and become transformed. Problematically this temporal drift has been treated as unproblematic and saturation as a marker for sampling adequacy is becoming increasingly accepted and expected. In this article we challenge the unquestioned acceptance of the concept of saturation and consider its plausibility and transferability across all qualitative approaches. By considering issues of transparency and epistemology we argue that adopting saturation as a generic quality marker is inappropriate. The aim of this article is to highlight the pertinent issues and encourage the research community to engage with and contribute to this important area.
Process modelling for contingency tables with ordered categories
Authors: Heaton Matthew J , Gray Simone C , Gelfand Alan E
Published: May 2012

We consider the setting of a multi-way contingency table with ordinal classifications. The contribution of this paper is to propose a joint probability model for the uncensored variables that is apart from the imposed categorization. Specifically, for an m-way table, we assume that the cell counts arise as a binned point pattern over a bounded set in m-dimensional Euclidean space where the point pattern is a realization of a non-homogeneous Poisson process. The intensity which drives the point pattern is itself viewed as a realization of a log Gaussian process over the set.

With such an approach we achieve full inference regarding the underlying joint distribution, in particular, inference for familiar associations between the ordinal variables in the absence of interval censoring. Additionally, inference can be provided for any newly created cells where such creation is achieved through redefinition of the ordinal classifications. That is, rather than ad hoc reallocation, we achieve a fully model-based reallocation enabling quantification of uncertainty. For a contingency table with nominal classifications as well, our approach creates an intensity for the ordinal variables for each level of the nominal variables.

The methodology is detailed within a hierarchical framework, showing associated computation and convenient dimension reduction techniques to facilitate model fitting. We illustrate with both simulated data and a real census dataset.
Maximum likelihood estimation of mixed C-vines with application to exchange rates
Authors: Czado Claudia , Schepsmeier Ulf , Min Aleksey
Published: May 2012

Multivariate copulas are commonly used in economics, finance and risk management. They allow for very flexible dependency structures, even though they are applied to transformed financial data after marginal time dependencies are removed. This is necessary to facilitate statistical parameter estimation. In this paper we consider a very flexible class of mixed C-vines, which allows the variables to be ordered according to their influence. Vines are built from bivariate copulas only and the term ‘mixed’ refers to allowing the pair-copula family to be chosen individually for each term. In addition there are many C-vine structure specifications possible and therefore we propose a novel data driven sequential selection procedure, which selects both the C-vine structure and its attached pair-copula families with parameters. After the model selection maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of the parameters is facilitated using the sequential estimates as starting values. An extensive simulation study shows a satisfactory performance of ML estimates in small samples. Finally an application involving US-exchange rates demonstrates the need for mixed C-vine models.
A factor mixture analysis model for multivariate binary data
Authors: Cagnone Silvia , Viroli Cinzia
Published: May 2012

The paper proposes a latent variable model for binary data coming from an unobserved heterogeneous population. The heterogeneity is taken into account by replacing the traditional assumption of Gaussian distributed factors by a finite mixture of multivariate Gaussians. The aim of the proposed model is twofold: it allows to achieve dimension reduction when the data are dichotomous and, simultaneously, it performs model based clustering in the latent space. Model estimation is obtained by means of a maximum likelihood method via a generalized version of the EM algorithm. In order to evaluate the performance of the model a simulation study and two real applications are illustrated.
Applying fuzzy quality function deployment to evaluate solutions of the service quality for international port logistics centres in Taiwan
Authors: Liang Gin-Shuh , Ding Ji-Feng , Pan Chiao-Ling
Published: May 2012

The main purpose of this paper is to apply the fuzzy quality function deployment approach to evaluate solutions of the service quality for international port logistics centres in Taiwan. First, the paper examines house-of-quality matrices to facilitate handling of the ‘what’ aspects (i.e. requirements of the service quality) and the ‘how’ aspects (i.e. solutions of the service quality) of the quality function deployment problem. In conjunction with fuzzy sets theory, systematic procedures using the fuzzy quality function deployment approach were proposed in this paper. Subsequently, a case study concerning an international port logistics centre Z in Taiwan is utilized to demonstrate the systematic appraisal process for evaluating solutions of the service quality. Then, 34 attributes with 11 feasible solutions of the service quality of customer requirements are measured by employing the house-of-quality matrices. Finally, the empirical results show that the top five feasible solutions of the service quality of customer requirements for the port logistics centre Z are identified. They consist of ‘service personnel’s professionalism’, ‘a complete information system’, ‘the ability to track cargoes’, ‘service personnel’s response ability’ and ‘strengthening of warehousing security management’ respectively. Furthermore, some discussion is given on these five feasible solutions.
Managing the Approach-Avoidance Dialectic in Treating a Complex Veteran With Panic and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Beason-Smith Melissa , Hiatt Emily L. , Grubbs Kathleen M. , Teng Ellen J.
Published: May 2012

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for panic disorder (PD); however, the effectiveness of the treatment is often thought to be diminished in the presence of comorbid conditions. PD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occur in veteran populations, potentially complicating the effective treatment of each disorder. The individual presented in this case is a female veteran in her mid-50s who received treatment for PD and presented with significant comorbidities (PTSD, histrionic personality traits, major depressive disorder, and chronic suicidality). She participated in an intensive weekend treatment for PD that involved psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and interoceptive exposure. This case illustrates the challenges in implementing a manualized treatment for panic with a diagnostically complex veteran and the improvement in panic symptoms despite comorbid presentation.
Living With Tics
Authors: McGinty Heather L. , De Nadai Alessandro S. , Park Jennifer M. , Storch Eric A.
Published: May 2012

Available treatment for chronic tic disorders (CTD) focuses on the reduction of tics but often does not directly address the psychosocial impairment associated with tics. There is empirical support for a new psychosocial intervention to reduce tics and their related impairment, but this treatment has not yet been applied to adults with CTD. With this in mind, the authors report on the case of “Jim,” a 22-year-old male with significantly impairing tic symptoms. Following 10 sessions of weekly cognitive-behaviorally oriented therapy combining habit reversal training, distress tolerance, cognitive restructuring, and problem solving, Jim exhibited marked improvement in tic severity as illustrated by a decrease in his score on the total tic score of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale from 16 at baseline to 8 at posttreatment. Therapeutic gains were maintained at 4-month follow-up. This case study provides preliminary support for the use of a psychosocial intervention for addressing coping with CTD in young adults.
Charting the liquidity of online news
Authors: Karlsson Michael
Published: May 2012

Terms such as liquid, dynamic and fluid news have been used to illustrate and emphasize the ever-changing, user-influenced and border-crossing nature of contemporary online news. However, although often used, what such terms actually denote often remains unspecified, and no existing studies have tried to propose a way to measure and analyse the impact of liquidity’s potential on authentic online news. The three-fold purpose of this exploratory study is therefore to move towards a clearer understanding of liquid news and to propose and explore a method of empirically measuring online news’s liquidity.
Evaluation of a Standardized All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Education Intervention for Youth in Rural Central Illinois
Authors: Novak Joshua A. , Hafner John W. , Aldag Jean C. , Getz Marjorie A.
Published: May 2012

Background: Although research investigating all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders and ATV injury patterns has led to support for legislative and educational efforts to decrease injuries in users younger than 16 years, there is little published data regarding the utility of ATV safety education programs. This study investigates the effectiveness of a standardized adolescent ATV safety program in changing the safety knowledge and safe ATV riding practices reported by rural Central Illinois youths. Methods: A convenience sample of 260 rural Central Illinois middle and high school students received an ATV safety presentation with both didactic and interactive features during the 2009-2010 school year. Preintervention and postintervention surveys were distributed and collected by teachers. Survey questions consisted of multiple-choice questions pertaining to demographics, ATV safety knowledge, and ATV riding practices. More than 200 surveys were collected prior to the intervention and 165 surveys were collected 12 to 24 weeks after the intervention. Percentages are reported, with differences in nominal variables tested by χ2 test and interval variables by t test. Results: Following the intervention, there was a significant increase in the correct response rate for ATV safety knowledge questions (45.2% vs 56.2%, P < .001). For adolescents who reported riding ATVs, both safety gear use (11.8% to 21.2%, P = .05) and helmet use (25.4% to 29.0%, P = .56) increased; changes were not significant. Adolescent ATV riders reporting 2 or more accidents showed a slight nonsignificant decrease (25.2% vs 23.4%, P = .77) between the time of the pretest and posttest. Conclusion: This safety program was effective at increasing ATV safety knowledge but demonstrates limited effect on safe riding practices.
Older Adult Opinions of “Advance Driving Directives”
Authors: Betz Marian E. , Lowenstein Steven R. , Schwartz Robert
Published: May 2012

Background: Discussions about driving cessation are difficult. “Advance driving directives” (ADDs), like advance directives for end-of-life care, would allow drivers to designate someone to help make driving decisions for them in the future. It is not known if older drivers support the concept of ADDs. Design and methods: Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of English-speaking drivers (55+ years) at 2 independent living facilities and 2 community centers who completed anonymous surveys. Results: Of 168 participants, 80% were female; the median age was 76.5 years (range = 56-93 years). Most (74%) drove daily or almost daily, and 7% reported a crash in the past year. Few had spoken with someone about driving safety (5%) or their wishes when driving skills decline (21%). Of the few who had discussed this topic, 83% had spoken with a family member; only 17% had spoken with a health care provider. However, participants were open to driving discussions, and 54% said they would be willing to complete an ADD if recommended. Of these, 79% said it was “likely” or “very likely” they would comply with the directive in the future. Most (73%) supported mandatory, age-based retesting; the median recommended testing age suggested was 80 years. More participants thought the driver (71%), a family member (61%), or a physician (59%) should determine license revocation for an unsafe driver, rather than the department of motor vehicles (32%). Conclusions: Many older drivers may be open to discussing their driving plans with physicians and family members. ADDs may facilitate these discussions in the present and help define driving-related wishes in the future.
CD62L− memory T cells enhance T-cell regeneration after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by eliminating host resistance in mice
Authors: Zhang Jifeng , Barefoot Brice E. , Mo Wenjian , Deoliveira Divino , Son Jessica , Cui Xiuyu , Ramsburg Elizabeth , Chen Benny J.
Published: May 2012

A major challenge in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is how to transfer T-cell immunity without causing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Effector memory T cells (CD62L−) are a cell subset that can potentially address this challenge because they do not induce GVHD. Here, we investigated how CD62L− T cells contributed to phenotypic and functional T-cell reconstitution after transplantation. On transfer into allogeneic recipients, CD62L− T cells were activated and expressed multiple cytokines and cytotoxic molecules. CD62L− T cells were able to deplete host radioresistant T cells and facilitate hematopoietic engraftment, resulting in enhanced de novo T-cell regeneration. Enhanced functional immune reconstitution was demonstrated in CD62L− T-cell recipients using a tumor and an influenza virus challenge model. Even though CD62L− T cells are able to respond to alloantigens and deplete host radioresistant immune cells in GVHD recipients, alloreactive CD62L− T cells lost the reactivity over time and were eventually tolerant to alloantigens as a result of prolonged antigen exposure, suggesting a mechanism by which CD62L− T cells were able to eliminate host resistance without causing GVHD. These data further highlight the unique characteristics of CD62L− T cells and their potential applications in clinical hematopoietic cell transplantation.
WHIM syndrome caused by a single amino acid substitution in the carboxy-tail of chemokine receptor CXCR4
Authors: Liu Qian , Chen Haoqian , Ojode Teresa , Gao Xiangxi , Anaya-O'Brien Sandra , Turner Nicholas A. , Ulrick Jean , DeCastro Rosamma , Kelly Corin , Cardones Adela R. , Gold Stuart H. , Hwang Eugene I. , Wechsler Daniel S. , Malech Harry L. , Murphy Philip M. , McDermott David H.
Published: May 2012

WHIM syndrome is a rare, autosomal dominant, immunodeficiency disorder so-named because it is characterized by warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (defective neutrophil egress from the BM). Gain-of-function mutations that truncate the C-terminus of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 by 10-19 amino acids cause WHIM syndrome. We have identified a family with autosomal dominant inheritance of WHIM syndrome that is caused by a missense mutation in CXCR4, E343K (1027G → A). This mutation is also located in the C-terminal domain, a region responsible for negative regulation of the receptor. Accordingly, like CXCR4R334X, the most common truncation mutation in WHIM syndrome, CXCR4E343K mediated approximately 2-fold increased signaling in calcium flux and chemotaxis assays relative to wild-type CXCR4; however, CXCR4E343K had a reduced effect on blocking normal receptor down-regulation from the cell surface. Therefore, in addition to truncating mutations in the C-terminal domain of CXCR4, WHIM syndrome may be caused by a single charge-changing amino acid substitution in this domain, E343K, that results in increased receptor signaling.
Bronchoalveolar lavage neuregulin-1 is elevated in acute lung injury and correlates with inflammation
Authors: Finigan James H. , Mishra Rangnath , Vasu Vihas T. , Silveira Lori J. , Nethery David E. , Standiford Theodore J. , Burnham Ellen L. , Moss Marc , Kern Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2012

Shedding of neuregulin (NRG)-1 from the pulmonary epithelium leads to activation of the epithelial human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2 receptor, increased pulmonary epithelial permeability and acute lung injury (ALI). We sought to determine whether NRG-1 was detectable and elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and plasma from patients with ALI compared with controls and to determine whether a correlation exists between NRG-1 and inflammation and outcome in ALI.

Matched BAL and plasma samples were obtained from 23 ALI patients requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Control patients (n=5) included healthy volunteers. NRG-1 and indices of inflammation were measured in BAL and plasmaviaELISA.

The mean±sdBAL NRG-1 concentration in ALI patients was 187.0±21.35 pg·mL−1compared with 85.50±9.2 pg·mL−1in controls (p=0.001). Increased BAL NRG-1 was associated with markers of inflammation, and inversely correlated with ventilator-free days (VFDs; r= -0.51, p=0.015). Plasma NRG-1 was elevated in ALI patients compared with controls (611.7±354.2versus25.17±19.33 pg·mL−1, p<0.001) and inversely correlated with VFDs (r= -0.51, p=0.04).

These results confirm shedding of NRG-1 in ALI and suggest that the NRG-1–HER2 pathway is active in patients with ALI.
Targeted hypoglossal neurostimulation for obstructive sleep apnoea: a 1-year pilot study
Authors: Mwenge Gimbada B. , Rombaux Philippe , Dury Myriam , Lengelé Benoît , Rodenstein Daniel
Published: May 2012

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective but cumbersome treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Noncompliant patients need alternative therapies.

We studied a tongue neurostimulation approach: targeted hypoglossal neurostimulation (THN) therapy with the aura6000™ System. A multi-contact electrode positioned around the main trunk of the twelfth nerve connected to an implanted pulse generator stimulates segments of the nerve, activating dilator muscles. The primary objective was to improve the polysomnographically determined apnoea/hypopnoea index (AHI) at 3 months, and maintain the improvement after 12 months of treatment. 13 out of 14 operated patients were successfully implanted.

At 12 months, the AHI decreased from 45±18 to 21±17, a 53% reduction (p<0.001). The 4% oxygen desaturation index fell from 29±20 to 15±16 and the arousal index from 37±13 to 25±14, both p<0.001. The Epworth sleepiness scale decreased from 11±7 to 8±4 (p=0.09). THN was neither painful nor awakened patients, who all complied with therapy. There were two transient tongue paresis.

The present study represents the longest study of any hypoglossal neurostimulation reported to date. We conclude that THN is safe and effective to treat OSA in patients not compliant with CPAP.
A new double-tracer gas single-breath washout to assess early cystic fibrosis lung disease
Authors: Singer Florian , Stern Georgette , Thamrin Cindy , Abbas Chiara , Casaulta Carmen , Frey Urs , Latzin Philipp
Published: May 2012

In cystic fibrosis (CF), tests for ventilation inhomogeneity are sensitive but not established for clinical routine. We assessed feasibility of a new double-tracer gas single-breath washout (SBW) in school-aged children with CF and control subjects, and compared SBW between groups and with multiple-breath nitrogen washout (MBNW).

Three SBW and MBNW were performed in 118 children (66 with CF) using a side-stream ultrasonic flowmeter setup. The double-tracer gas containing 5% sulfur hexafluoride and 26.3% helium was applied during one tidal breath. Outcomes were SBW phase III slope (SIIIDTG), MBNW-derived lung clearance index (LCI), and indices of acinar (Sacin) and conductive (Scond) ventilation inhomogeneity.

SBW took significantly less time to perform than MBNW. SBW and MBNW were feasible in 109 (92.4%) and 98 (83.0%) children, respectively. SIIIDTGdiffered between children with CF and controls, mean±sdwas -456.7±492.8 and -88.4±129.1 mg·mol·L−1, respectively. Abnormal SIIIDTGwas present in 36 (59%) children with CF. SIIIDTGwas associated with LCI (r= -0.58) andSacin(r= -0.58), but not withScond.

In CF, steeply sloping SIIIDTGpotentially reflects ventilation inhomogeneity near the acinus entrance. This tidal SBW is a promising test to assess ventilation inhomogeneity in an easy and fast way.
Clinical characteristics and corticosteroid treatment of acute eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: Rhee Chin Kook , Min Kyung Hoon , Yim Nam Yeol , Lee Ji Eun , Lee Na Rae , Chung Man Pyo , Jeon Kyeongman
Published: May 2012

The clinical characteristics and optimal duration of corticosteroid treatment for acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) have not been fully evaluated. This was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from 137 patients with AEP, treated with standardised protocol, to clarify the clinical characteristics and compare the efficacies of 2 weeks
versus
4 weeks of corticosteroid treatment for AEP.

The majority of the patients altered their smoking habits within a median (interquartile range) of 17 (13-26) days prior to development of AEP. 80 (58%) patients presented with acute respiratory failure. A total of 127 (92%) patients were treated with corticosteroids: 4 weeks, n=42; 2 weeks, n=85. Major symptoms were resolved in 3 days and the severity of respiratory failure was inversely correlated with clinical outcomes. After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics between the groups, the differences in adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) for resolution of dyspnoea and disappearance of all symptoms were 0.57 (-0.71-1.86) and -0.04 (-1.91-1.83) days, respectively. The difference in adjusted proportion of resolution of radiological abnormalities was 6.92% (-8.19-22.02).

In conclusion, the duration of corticosteroid treatment could be shortened to 2 weeks, even in patients with respiratory failure.
Genetic divergence and the genetic architecture of complex traits in chromosome substitution strains of mice
Authors: Spiezio Sabrina H , Takada Toyoyuki , Shiroishi Toshihiko , Nadeau Joseph H
Published: May 2012

Background

The genetic architecture of complex traits strongly influences the consequences of inherited mutations, genetic engineering, environmental and genetic perturbations, and natural and artificial selection. But because most studies are under-powered, the picture of complex traits is often incomplete. Chromosome substitution strains (CSSs) are a unique paradigm for these genome surveys because they enable statistically independent, powerful tests for the phenotypic effects of each chromosome on a uniform inbred genetic background. A previous CSS survey in mice and rats revealed many complex trait genes (QTLs), large phenotypic effects, extensive epistasis, as well as systems properties such as strongly directional phenotypic changes and genetically-determined limits on the range of phenotypic variation. However, the unusually close genetic relation between the CSS progenitor strains in that study raised questions about the impact of genetic divergence: would greater divergence between progenitor strains, with the corresponding changes in gene regulation and protein function, lead to significantly more distinctive phenotypic features, or alternatively would epistasis and systems constraints, which are pervasive in CSSs, limit the range of phenotypic variation regardless of the extent of DNA sequence variation?

Results

We analyzed results for an extensive survey of traits in two new panels of CSSs where the donor strains were derived from inbred strains with more distant origins and discovered a strong similarity in genetic and systems properties among the three CSS panels, regardless of divergence time.

Conclusion

Our results argue that DNA sequence differences between host and donor strains did not substantially affect the architecture of complex traits, and suggest instead that strong epistasis buffered the phenotypic effects of genetic divergence, thereby constraining the range of phenotypic variation.
Increasing levels of wild-type CREB up-regulates several activity-regulated inhibitor of death (AID) genes and promotes neuronal survival
Authors: Tan Yan-Wei , Zhang Sheng-Jia , Hoffmann Tina , Bading Hilmar
Published: May 2012

Background

CREB (cAMP-response element binding protein) is the prototypical signal-regulated transcription factor. In neurons, it is the target of the synaptic activity-induced nuclear calcium-calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CaMK) IV signaling pathway that controls the expression of genes important for acquired neuroprotection as well as other long-lasting adaptive processes in the nervous system. The function of CREB as a transcriptional activator is controlled by its phosphorylation on serine 133, which can be catalyzed by CaMKIV and leads to the recruitment of the co-activator, CREB binding protein (CBP). Activation of CBP function by nuclear calcium-CaMKIV signaling is a second regulatory step required for CREB/CBP-mediated transcription.

Results

Here we used recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to increase the levels of wild type CREB or to overexpress a mutant version of CREB (mCREB) containing a serine to alanine mutation at position amino acid 133 in mouse hippocampal neurons. Increasing the levels of CREB was sufficient to boost neuroprotective activity even under basal conditions (i.e., in the absence of stimulation of synaptic activity). In contrast, overexpression of mCREB increased cell death. The ratio of phospho(serine 133)CREB to CREB immunoreactivity in unstimulated hippocampal neurons was similar for endogenous CREB and overexpressed wild type CREB and, as expected, dramatically reduced for overexpressed mCREB. A gene expression analysis revealed that increased expression of CREB but not that of mCREB in hippocampal neurons led to elevated expression levels of bdnf as well as that of several members of a previously characterized set of Activity-regulated Inhibitor of Death (AID) genes, which include atf3, btg2, gadd45β, and gadd45γ.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the expression levels of wild type CREB are a critical determinant of the ability of hippocampal neurons to survive harmful conditions. Increasing the levels of wild type CREB can, even without inducing synaptic activity, increase pro-survival gene expression and strengthen the neurons’ neuroprotective shield. The observed degradation of CREB protein following NMDA treatment of hippocampal neurons suggests that the known CREB shut-off associated with extrasynaptic NMDA receptor-induced excitotoxicity is followed by CREB proteolysis.
A multi-site controlled trial of a cognitive skills program for mentally disordered offenders
Authors: Rees-Jones Angharad , Gudjonsson Gisli , Young Susan
Published: May 2012

Background

The effectiveness of offending behaviour programs in forensic mental health settings is not well established. Thus this study aimed to evaluate the Reasoning and Rehabilitation Mental Health program (R&R2 MHP) among a mentally disordered offender (MDO) population.

Methods

A sample of 121 adult males drawn from 10 forensic mental health sites completed questionnaires at baseline and post-treatment to assess violent attitudes, locus of control, social problem-solving and anger. An informant measure of social and psychological functioning, including disruptive behaviour, was completed by unit staff at the same time. At three month follow-up patients completed again the violent attitudes and locus of control questionnaires. The data of 67 patients who participated in the group condition were compared with 54 waiting-list controls who received treatment as usual.

Results

78% of group participants completed the program. In contrast to controls, significant treatment effects were found at outcome on self-reported measures of violent attitudes, rational problem-solving and anger cognitions. Improvements were endorsed by informant ratings of social and psychological functioning within the establishments. At follow-up significant treatment effects were found for both violent attitudes and locus of control.

Conclusions

R&R2 MHP was effective in a sample of MDOs and had a comparatively low drop-out rate. Future research should use a randomized controlled design.
Sub-optimal breastfeeding of infants during the first six months and associated factors in rural communities of Jimma Arjo Woreda, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Tamiru Dessalegn , Belachew Tefera , Loha Eskindir , Mohammed Shikur
Published: May 2012

Background

Studies have shown that sub-optimal breastfeeding is major contributor to infant and young child mortality in Ethiopia. To address this problem, infant and young child feeding guideline was developed in 2004 and interventions have been going on based on the guidelines. There is no study that assessed whether the infant and child feeding practices are according the guideline or not. This study was carried out to assess sub-optimal breastfeeding practices and associated factors among infants from birth to six months in rural communities of Jimma Arjo Woreda in the Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from December to January 2009. Quantitative data were collected from a sample of 382 respondents supplemented by qualitative data generated using in-depth interviews of 15 index mothers. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of timely initiation of breast feeding and non-exclusive breast feeding among mother-infant pairs.

Results

More than three fourth of mothers breastfeed their infants sub-optimally. Thirty-seven percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding later than one hour after delivery, which was significantly associated with not attending formal education (AOR = 1.05[95%CI: 1.03, 1.94]) and painful breastfeeding experiences (AOR = 5.02[95%CI: 1.01, 10.08]). The majority (67.02%) of mothers had no knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding. Non-exclusive breastfeeding was negatively associated with child’s age of 0-2 months (AOR: 0.27[95%CI: 0.16, 0.47) and 3-4 months (AOR = 0.43 [95%CI: 0.25, 0.73) and ownership of radio (AOR = 0.56[95%CI: 0.37, 0.88]), but positively associated with the practice of discarding colostrums (AOR = 1.78[95%CI: 1.09, 4.94]).

Conclusion

The findings showed that the majority of mothers sub-optimally breastfeed their children in the study area. As most of the mothers do not have knowledge on the exclusive breast feeding. Enhancing community based behavior change communications using multiple channels including radio and folk media is recommended to reduce sub-optimal breast feeding practices and associated consequences among children in the study area.
Prevalence of sexual activity and associated factors in hypertensive males and females in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Xiaojun , Zhang Qingying , Tan Xuerui
Published: May 2012

Background

Hypertension is an important factor contributing to sexual dysfunction. The number of people with hypertension is increasing in China, but research into sexual life, which has implications for quality of life, is limited. We aimed to compare sexual activity and the influence of daily behaviors and sexual domain of hypertensive males and females in south China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the health care center of a university-affiliated hospital from 2007 to 2008. We enrolled 502 subjects with hypertension (225 males, 48.79 ± 7.39 years old; 277 females, 48.26 ± 6.93 years old) and 173 with normotension (82 males, 45.69 ± 6.58 years old; 91 females, 46.14 ± 7.03 years old), all sexually active. All subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire on sexual activity before a routine physical check-up. Data were collected on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, use of cigarettes and intake of beverages (including alcohol).

Results

Hypertensive and normotensive subjects differed in frequency of orgasms and of sexual satisfaction, as well as duration of sexual activity. For hypertensive men, low frequency of sexual activity, orgasms and satisfaction were associated with unemployed or retired status than physical labor work (odds ratio [OR] 0.28 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.12–0.69], 0.32 [0.12–0.86], 0.33 [0.19–0.88], respectively; p < 0.05), and long sexual duration was associated with never drinking alcohol than heavy drinking (OR 4.49 [1.28–6.41]). For hypertensive women, low frequency and duration of sexual activity and low satisfaction were associated with never drinking tea than heavy tea drinking (OR 0.42 [0.18–0.96], 0.49 [0.24–0.98], 0.29 [0.14–0.64], respectively; p < 0.05). Medication use and electrocardiography results were not associated with sexual activity for hypertensive patients.

Conclusions

For hypertensive people in China, lifestyle factors are associated with sexual dysfunction, which differs by the sex of the person. Further research needs to examine serum hormone levels to validate the result.
Treatment of one case of cerebral palsy combined with posterior visual pathway injury using autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Li Min , Yu Aixue , Zhang Fangfang , Dai GuangHui , Cheng Hongbin , Wang Xiaodong , An Yihua
Published: May 2012

Background

Cerebral palsy is currently one of the major diseases that cause severe paralysis of the nervous system in children; approximately 9–30% of cerebral palsy patients are also visually impaired, for which no effective treatment is available. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have very strong self-renewal, proliferation, and pluripotent differentiation potentials. Therefore, autologous BMSC transplantation has become a novel method for treating cerebral palsy.

Methods

An 11-year-old boy had a clear history of dystocia and asphyxia after birth; at the age of 6 months, the family members observed that his gaze roamed and noted that he displayed a lack of attention. A brain MRI examination at the age of 7 years showed that the child had cerebral palsy with visual impairment (i.e., posterior visual pathway injury). The patient was hospitalized for 20 days and was given four infusions of intravenous autologous BMSCs. Before transplantation and 1, 6, and 12 months after transplantation, a visual evoked potential test, an electrocardiogram, routine blood tests, and liver and kidney function tests were performed.

Results

The patient did not have any adverse reactions during hospitalization or postoperative follow-up. After discharge, the patient could walk more smoothly than he could before transplantation; furthermore, his vision significantly improved 6 months after transplantation, which was also supported by the electrophysiological examinations.

Conclusions

The clinical application of BMSCs is effective for improving vision in a patient with cerebral palsy combined with visual impairment.
Residue code based low cost SEU-tolerant fir filter design for OBP satellite communication systems
Authors: Yang Wenhui , Gao Zhen , Chen Xiang , Zhao Ming , Wang Jing
Published: May 2012

With the development of satellite communications, on-board processing (OBP) obtains more and more attentions due to the increased efficiency and performance. However, the large amounts of digital circuits in the OBP transponders are sensitive to the high-energy particles in space radiation environments, which may cause various kinds of single event effect. Among these effects, single event upset (SEU) is the major potential reason for the instability of the satellite communication systems. Triple modular redundancy (TMR) is a classical and effective method for mitigating the SEU in digital circuits. However, since three identical logic modules and a voting circuit are needed in TMR, the overhead is so high that the scheme may not be applicable on the on-board digital processing platform with very limited area and power resources. Therefore, how to design a more cost-effective fault-tolerant method becomes a critical issue. Considering that FIR-like processing is frequently used on OBP platform, in this article, a dual modules (DM) plus checking module based on residue code (DM-CRC) architecture for SEU-tolerant FIR design is proposed. Although this architecture reduces the area overhead dramatically, we find that the fault missing rate is still high if single-sample checking (SSC) is used. To solve this problem, a Multi-sample checking DM-CRC (MSC-DM-CRC) is further proposed. Our analysis shows that the MSC-DM-CRC scheme can make the fault missing rate small enough without reducing the actual throughput. By simulations it is shown that, when the modulus for CRC is 7 and the number of samples for MSC is 4, the reduction of area overhead relative to TMR is over 20% and the fault missing rate is as low as 0.05%.