bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kaplan–Meier curves for survivor causal effects with time-to-event outcomes
Authors: Chiba Yasutaka
Published: April 2013

Background

In clinical trials, an outcome of interest may be undefined for individuals who die before the outcome is evaluated. One approach to deal with such issues is to consider the survivor causal effect (SCE), which is defined as the effect of treatment on the outcome among the subpopulation that would have survived under either treatment arm. Although several methods have been presented to estimate the SCE with time-to-event outcomes, they are difficult to implement in practice.

Purpose

We present a simple method to create Kaplan–Meier curves and to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for the SCE with time-to-event outcomes.

Methods

To develop such a method, we applied the weighted average method presented for the SCE to outcomes with no censoring, where weights are calculated using the probability that a patient would have survived had the patient been in the other treatment arm. By multiplying the weight to each patient, Kaplan–Meier curves can be created for the SCE to outcomes with censoring. The HR is then calculated using a weighted proportional hazard model. For this method, two assumptions need to be introduced to achieve unbiasedness.

Results

The proposed method is illustrated using data from a randomized Phase II clinical trial, comparing two chemotherapy treatments with radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer. Here, we focus on the loco-regional control rate, which is calculated from the time after randomization until recurrence in the radiation field. The duration is undefined for patients who died without recurrence. The proposed method yielded a HR of 1.026 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.627, 1.677). The standard method, where data of patients who died without progression were regarded as censored at the time of death, yielded a HR of 1.121 (95% CI: 0.688, 1.827).

Limitations

The proposed method requires two assumptions. As a general problem, unfortunately, whether these assumptions hold cannot be confirmed from the observed data. Thus, we cannot confirm whether the Kaplan–Meier curves and the HR are unbiased.

Conclusion

We have proposed a simple method for the SCE with time-to-event outcomes, which is easy to implement in practice. The proposed method is a potentially valuable supplement to the standard method.
The intertwining of talk and technology: How talk and typing are combined in the various phases of the police interrogation
Authors: Van Charldorp Tessa
Published: April 2013

Different institutional tasks are accomplished in the Dutch police interrogation: from filling in required paperwork, to getting the confession (or truth) on paper, to editing the text of the written statement. All these different phases have different goals and go hand in hand with different typing practices. The intertwining of these activities in the various phases of the police interrogation is of interest because it demonstrates that these two activities and the way they influence and structure each other in interaction are related to the institutional goal of that phase. Subsequently, this may have an effect on the product that is being constructed – the police record.
Common variants of the ALDH2 and DHDH genes and the risk of Dupuytren’s disease
Authors: Żyluk A , Dębniak T , Puchalski P
Published: April 2013

The object of this study was the investigation of four common variants of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the aldehyde dehydrogenase H2 gene and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene and their association with the occurrence of Dupuytren’s disease. DNA samples were obtained from the peripheral blood of 300 consecutive patients. The control group comprised 300 healthy adults who were age matched with the Dupuytren’s patients. All four common variants were analysed using TaqMan® genotyping assays and sequencing. The differences in the frequencies of variants of single nucleotide polymorphisms in patients and the control group were statistically tested. No significant differences were found in the frequencies of the variants of the aldehyde dehydrogenase H2 and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase genes between the groups. Likewise, no significant differences were found in the frequencies of the variants of the genes between men and women. We noted a statistically significantly higher prevalence of the variants of the dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene ( rs2270941 and rs11666105) in the group with a positive familial history of Dupuytren’s disease, in comparison with the group with a negative familial history.
Alveolar macrophage phagocytic activity is enhanced with LPS priming, and combined stimulation of LPS and lipoteichoic acid synergistically induce pro-inflammatory cytokines in pigs
Authors: Islam Mohammad Ariful , Pröll Maren , Hölker Michael , Tholen Ernst , Tesfaye Dawit , Looft Christian , Schellander Karl , Cinar Mehmet Ulas
Published: April 2013

The objective of the present study was to investigate LPS and lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced TLRs, associated signaling molecules and inflammatory mediators, as well as to compare their combined effect in porcine alveolar macrophages. Macrophages were incubated for 24 h with various concentrations of LPS, LTA, LPS + LTA or control. Multiple concentrations of LPS elicited marked up-regulation in mRNA for TLR2 and TLR4, CD14, MD2, MyD88, IRAK-4 and TRAF6 compared with the control. LTA had no effect on TLR4 and MD2; only higher doses up-regulated TLR2, CD14, MyD88, IRAK-4 and TRAF6 mRNA. LPS-activated cells released IL1-β, IL12-β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner, while LTA had no effect on IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-γ. Higher doses of LTA induced IL-12β, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10. Combined stimulation augmented TLR2, CD14 and MyD88 mRNA, and subsequently produced elevated levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-8 when compared with LPS and LTA alone. Additionally, phagocytosis of macrophages was significantly increased following low concentration of LPS treatment. Only low levels of NO (nitric oxide) were detected in the LPS group. Overall, compared with LPS, LTA was a relatively weak inducer, and co-stimulation accelerated gene and cytokine production associated with pulmonary innate immune function.
Human β-defensin-3 correlates with muscle fibre degeneration in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Güttsches Anne-Katrin , Jacobsen Frank , Theiss Carsten , Rittig Andrea , Rehimi Rizwan , Kley Rudolf A , Vorgerd Matthias , Steinstraesser Lars
Published: April 2013

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and polymyositis (PM) are characterized by muscle inflammation, with sIBM showing additional degenerative alterations. In this study we investigated human beta defensins and associated TLRs to elucidate the role of the innate immune system in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), and its association with inflammatory and degenerative alterations. Expression levels of human beta-defensin (HBD)-1, HBD-2, HBD-3 and TLR2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR in skeletal muscle tissue. Localization of HBD-3, collagen 6, dystrophin, CD8-positive T-cells, CD-68-positive macrophages, β-amyloid, the autophagy marker LC3, and TLR3 were detected by immunofluorescence and co-localization was quantified. HBD-3 and all TLRs except for TLR9 were overexpressed in both IIM with significant overexpression of TLR3 in sIBM. HBD-3 showed characteristic intracellular accumulations near deposits of β-amyloid, LC3 and TLR3 in sIBM, and was detected in inflammatory infiltrations and macrophages invading necrotic muscle fibres in both IIM. The characteristic intracellular localization of HBD-3 near markers of degeneration and autophagy, and overexpression of endosomal TLR3 in sIBM hint at different pathogenetic mechanisms in sIBM compared with PM. This descriptive study serves as a first approach to the role of the innate immune system in sIBM and PM.
Aluminium foil for the prevention of post-amputation pain: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial
Authors: Minnee Robert C , Bosma Jan , Lam Kayan Y , Wisselink Willem , Vahl Anco C
Published: April 2013

Introduction:

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a painful sensation perceived in the missing limb after amputation. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear. Until recently, only opioid analgesics have been proven to be effective in prospective studies. Anecdotally, patients with PLP employ self-help measures, sometimes including ‘wrapping up’ or rubbing their stump with aluminium foil for relief. Our hypothesis is that wrapping an amputation stump with aluminium foil perioperatively will prevent PLP in the postoperative period.

Methods:

From September 2007 to September 2009, 32 consecutive patients were included in a crossover, double-blinded, randomised clinical trial. Perioperative fitting of an aluminium stump bandage was compared with a placebo paper foil. Scores were noted daily in a variable diary. The observation period was 2 weeks: in the first week participants were double blinded, and in the second week there was a change of bandage from aluminium to placebo or vice versa. A visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used as primary research variable. Secondary variables were use of analgesics, VAS measures of wound pain and the incidence of wound infections. Statistical analysis was done by means of Student’s t-test for non-paired observations.

Results:

Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. A period effect ( p= 0.84) and treatment–period interaction ( p = 0.79) were not present. There was no significant difference (mean difference 0.42) between both treatments in PLP VAS scores (95% CI −2.56 to −1.81, p = 0.71). VAS measure of wound pain showed no significant difference between both groups (mean difference 0.34, 95% CI −2.32 to −1.66, p = 0.72). Also, the other secondary endpoints did not differ.

Conclusion:

Patients receiving an aluminium foil stump wrapping do not experience less phantom pain than with a placebo.
School Funding Issues
Authors: Pouncey Warren C. , Ennis Leslie S. , Woolley Thomas W. , Connell Peggy H.
Published: April 2013

This study was undertaken to examine the differences in school funding perceptions between Alabama school superintendents and legislators. The overarching purpose was to determine areas of agreement and disagreement so that intermediaries working with both of these groups can help public policy makers make the best education funding decisions through the legislative process.
IL-7/anti–IL-7 mAb complexes augment cytokine potency in mice through association with IgG-Fc and by competition with IL-7R
Authors: Martin Christopher E. , van Leeuwen Ester M. M. , Im Se Jin , Roopenian Derry C. , Sung Young-Chul , Surh Charles D.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

IL-7/antibody complexes are potent because they prolong IL-7 availability in vivo by decreasing specific and nonspecific consumption.
Thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Hill Anita , Kelly Richard J. , Hillmen Peter
Published: April 2013

The most frequent and feared complication of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is thrombosis. Recent research has demonstrated that the complement and coagulation systems are closely integrated with each influencing the activity of the other to the extent that thrombin itself has recently been shown to activate the alternative pathway of complement. This may explain some of the complexity of the thrombosis in PNH. In this review, the recent changes in our understanding of the pathophysiology of thrombosis in PNH, as well as the treatment of thrombosis, will be discussed. Mechanisms explored include platelet activation, toxicity of free hemoglobin, nitric oxide depletion, absence of other glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked proteins such as urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and endothelial dysfunction. Complement inhibition with eculizumab has a dramatic effect in PNH and has a major impact in the prevention of thrombosis as well as its management in this disease.
Random attractor for a stochastic viscous coupled Camassa-Holm equation
Authors: Huang Zhehao , Tang Hao , Liu Zhengrong
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we study the asymptotic dynamics of the stochastic viscous coupled Camassa-Holm equation with periodic boundary condition. We investigate the existence of a random attractor for the dynamical system associated with the equation. The random attractor is invariant and attracts every pull-back tempered random set under the forward flow. We establish the asymptotic compactness of the random dynamical system by compactness of embedding of Sobolev space.
On λ-statistical convergence of order α of sequences of function
Authors: Et Mikail , Çınar Muhammed , Karakaş Murat
Published: April 2013

In this study we introduce the concept of

S
λ
α

(
f
)

-statistical convergence of sequences of real valued functions. Also some relations between

S
λ
α

(
f
)

-statistical convergence and strong

w

λ
p

β

(
f
)

-summability are given.

MSC:40A05, 40C05, 46A45.
Comparative analysis of fungal genomes reveals different plant cell wall degrading capacity in fungi
Authors: Zhao Zhongtao , Liu Huiquan , Wang Chenfang , Xu Jin-Rong
Published: April 2013

EDITOR'S NOTE

Readers are alerted that there is currently a discussion regarding the use of some of the unpublished genomic data presented in this manuscript. Appropriate editorial action will be taken once this matter is resolved.

Background

Fungi produce a variety of carbohydrate activity enzymes (CAZymes) for the degradation of plant polysaccharide materials to facilitate infection and/or gain nutrition. Identifying and comparing CAZymes from fungi with different nutritional modes or infection mechanisms may provide information for better understanding of their life styles and infection models. To date, over hundreds of fungal genomes are publicly available. However, a systematic comparative analysis of fungal CAZymes across the entire fungal kingdom has not been reported.

Results

In this study, we systemically identified glycoside hydrolases (GHs), polysaccharide lyases (PLs), carbohydrate esterases (CEs), and glycosyltransferases (GTs) as well as carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) in the predicted proteomes of 103 representative fungi fromAscomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, andZygomycota. Comparative analysis of these CAZymes that play major roles in plant polysaccharide degradation revealed that fungi exhibit tremendous diversity in the number and variety of CAZymes. Among them, some families of GHs and CEs are the most prevalent CAZymes that are distributed in all of the fungi analyzed. Importantly, cellulases of some GH families are present in fungi that are not known to have cellulose-degrading ability. In addition, our results also showed that in general, plant pathogenic fungi have the highest number of CAZymes. Biotrophic fungi tend to have fewer CAZymes than necrotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungi. Pathogens of dicots often contain more pectinases than fungi infecting monocots. Interestingly, besides yeasts, many saprophytic fungi that are highly active in degrading plant biomass contain fewer CAZymes than plant pathogenic fungi. Furthermore, analysis of the gene expression profile of the wheat scab fungusFusarium graminearumrevealed that most of the CAZyme genes related to cell wall degradation were up-regulated during plant infection. Phylogenetic analysis also revealed a complex history of lineage-specific expansions and attritions for the PL1 family.

Conclusions

Our study provides insights into the variety and expansion of fungal CAZyme classes and revealed the relationship of CAZyme size and diversity with their nutritional strategy and host specificity.
Screening of differentially expressed genes in the growth plate of broiler chickens with Tibial Dyschondroplasia by microarray analysis
Authors: Tian Wen-xia , Li Jia-kui , Qin Ping , Wang Rui , Ning Guan-bao , Qiao Jian-gang , Li Hong-quan , Bi Ding-ren , Pan Si-yi , Guo Ding-zong
Published: April 2013

Background

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a common skeletal disorder in broiler chickens. It is characterized by the presence of a non-vascularized and unmineralized cartilage in the growth plate. Previous studies have investigated differential expression of genes related to cartilage development during latter stages of TD. The aim of our study was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the growth plate of broiler chickens, which were associated with early stage TD. We induced TD using tetramethylthiuram disulfide (thiram) for 1, 2, and 6 days and determined DEGs with chicken Affymetrix GeneChip assays. The identified DEGs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays.

Results

We identified 1630 DEGs, with 82, 1385, and 429 exhibiting at least 2.0-fold changes (P < 0.05) at days 1, 2, and 6, respectively. These DEGs participate in a variety of biological processes, including cytokine production, oxidation reduction, and cell surface receptor linked signal transduction on day 1; lipid biosynthesis, regulation of growth, cell cycle, positive and negative gene regulation, transcription and transcription regulation, and anti-apoptosis on day 2; and regulation of cell proliferation, transcription, dephosphorylation, catabolism, proteolysis, and immune responses on day 6. The identified DEGs were associated with the following pathways: neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction on day 1; synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, ether lipid metabolism, JAK-STAT, GnRH signaling pathway, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, TGF-β signaling, focal adhesion, and Wnt signaling on day 2; and arachidonic acid metabolism, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, JAK-STAT, insulin signaling, and glycolysis on day 6. We validated seven DEGs by qPCR.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate previously unrecognized changes in gene transcription associated with early stage TD. The DEGs we identified by microarray analysis will be used in future studies to clarify the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of TD. From these findings, potential pathways involved in early stage TD warrant further investigation.
An infectious disease model on empirical networks of human contact: bridging the gap between dynamic network data and contact matrices
Authors: Machens Anna , Gesualdo Francesco , Rizzo Caterina , Tozzi Alberto E , Barrat Alain , Cattuto Ciro
Published: April 2013

Background

The integration of empirical data in computational frameworks designed to model the spread of infectious diseases poses a number of challenges that are becoming more pressing with the increasing availability of high-resolution information on human mobility and contacts. This deluge of data has the potential to revolutionize the computational efforts aimed at simulating scenarios, designing containment strategies, and evaluating outcomes. However, the integration of highly detailed data sources yields models that are less transparent and general in their applicability. Hence, given a specific disease model, it is crucial to assess which representations of the raw data work best to inform the model, striking a balance between simplicity and detail.

Methods

We consider high-resolution data on the face-to-face interactions of individuals in a pediatric hospital ward, obtained by using wearable proximity sensors. We simulate the spread of a disease in this community by using an SEIR model on top of different mathematical representations of the empirical contact patterns. At the most detailed level, we take into account all contacts between individuals and their exact timing and order. Then, we build a hierarchy of coarse-grained representations of the contact patterns that preserve only partially the temporal and structural information available in the data. We compare the dynamics of the SEIR model across these representations.

Results

We show that a contact matrix that only contains average contact durations between role classes fails to reproduce the size of the epidemic obtained using the high-resolution contact data and also fails to identify the most at-risk classes. We introduce a contact matrix of probability distributions that takes into account the heterogeneity of contact durations between (and within) classes of individuals, and we show that, in the case study presented, this representation yields a good approximation of the epidemic spreading properties obtained by using the high-resolution data.

Conclusions

Our results mark a first step towards the definition of synopses of high-resolution dynamic contact networks, providing a compact representation of contact patterns that can correctly inform computational models designed to discover risk groups and evaluate containment policies. We show in a typical case of a structured population that this novel kind of representation can preserve in simulation quantitative features of the epidemics that are crucial for their study and management.
The screening of visual impairment among preschool children in an urban population in Malaysia; the Kuching pediatric eye study: a cross sectional study
Authors: Premsenthil Mallika , Manju Rose , Thanaraj Asokumaran , Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Alwi , Aik Kah Tan
Published: April 2013

Background

To screen for visual impairment in Malaysian preschool children.

Methods

Visual screening was conducted in 400 preschool children aged 4 to 6 years. The screening involved two basic procedures; the distant visual acuity test using the Sheridan Gardiner chart and the depth perception test using the Langs stereoacuity test. Criteria for referral were a visual acuity of 6/12 or less in the better eye or a fail in the depth perception test.

Results

The prevalence of visual impairment was 5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3, 7.6). Of the 400 preschool children screened, 20 of them failed the distant visual acuity test or the stereopsis test. Refractive errors were the most common cause of visual impairment (95%, 95% CI = 76.2, 98.8); myopic astigmatism was the commonest type of refractive error (63.2%, 95% CI = 40.8, 80.9).

Conclusion

The study is a small but important step in the effort to understand the problem of visual impairment among our preschool children. Our study showed that it is feasible to measure distant visual acuity and stereopsis in this age group.
A case-control study of medium-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide pollution and hospitalization for stroke
Authors: Johnson Julie YM , Rowe Brian H , Allen Ryan W , Peters Paul A , Villeneuve Paul J
Published: April 2013

Background

There are several plausible mechanisms whereby either short or long term exposure to pollution can increase the risk of stroke. Over the last decade, several studies have reported associations between short-term (day-to-day) increases in ambient air pollution and stroke. The findings from a smaller number of studies that have looked at long-term exposure to air pollution and stroke have been mixed. Most of these epidemiological studies have assigned exposure to air pollution based on place of residence, but these assignments are typically based on relatively coarse spatial resolutions. To date, few studies have evaluated medium-term exposures (i.e, exposures over the past season or year). To address this research gap, we evaluated associations between highly spatially resolved estimates of ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a marker of traffic pollution, and emergency department visits for stroke in Edmonton, Canada.

Methods

This was a case-control study with cases defined as those who presented to an Edmonton area hospital emergency department between 2007 and 2009 with an acute ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or transient ischemic attack. Controls were patients who presented to the same emergency departments for lacerations, sprains, or strains. A land-use regression model provided estimates of NO2 that were assigned to the place of residence. Logistic regression methods were used to estimate odds ratios for stroke in relation to an increase in the interquartile range of NO2 (5 ppb), adjusted for age, sex, meteorological variables, and neighborhood effects.

Results

The study included 4,696 stroke (cases) and 37,723 injury patients (controls). For all strokes combined, there was no association with NO2. Namely, the odds ratio associated with an interquartile increase in NO2 was 1.01 (95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.94-1.08). No associations were evident for any of the stroke subtypes examined.

Conclusion

When combined with our earlier work in Edmonton, our findings suggest that day-to-day fluctuations in air pollution increase the risk of ischemic stroke during the summer season, while medium term exposures are unrelated to stroke risk. The findings for medium term exposure should be interpreted cautiously due to limited individual-level risk factor data.
Trends in knee arthroscopy and subsequent arthroplasty in an Australian population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Harris Ian A , Madan Navdeep S , Naylor Justine M , Chong Shanley , Mittal Rajat , Jalaludin Bin B
Published: April 2013

Background

Knee arthroscopy is a common procedure in orthopaedic surgery. In recent times the efficacy of this procedure has been questioned with a number of randomized controlled trials demonstrating a lack of effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Consequently, a number of trend studies have been conducted, exploring rates of knee arthroscopy and subsequent conversion to Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) with varying results. Progression to TKA is seen as an indicator of lack of effect of primary knee arthroscopy.

The aim of this paper is to measure overall rates of knee arthroscopy and the proportion of these patients that undergo subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) within 24 months, and to measure trends over time in an Australian population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all adults undergoing a knee arthroscopy and TKA in all hospitals in New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 2000 and 2008. Datasets obtained from the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL) were analysed using negative binomial regression. Admission rates for knee arthroscopy were determined by year, age, gender and hospital status (public versus private) and readmission for TKA within 24 months was calculated.

Results

There was no significant change in the overall rate of knee arthroscopy between 2000 and 2008 (-0.68%, 95% CI: -2.80 to 1.49). The rates declined in public hospitals (-1.25%, 95% CI: -2.39 to -0.10) and remained relatively steady in private hospitals (0.42%, 95% CI: -1.43 to 0.60). The proportion of patients 65 years or over undergoing TKA within 24 months of knee arthroscopy was 21.5%. After adjusting for age and gender, there was a significant decline in rates of TKA within 24 months of knee arthroscopy for all patients (-1.70%, 95% CI:-3.13 to -0.24), patients admitted to private hospitals (-2.65%, 95% CI: -4.06 to -1.23) and patients aged ≥65 years (-3.12%, 95% CI: -5.02 to -1.18).

Conclusions

Rates of knee arthroscopy are not increasing, and the proportion of patients requiring a TKA within 24 months of a knee replacement is decreasing in the age group most likely to have degenerative changes in the knee.
Research collaboration in health management research communities
Authors: Zhang Chichen , Yu Qi , Fan Qinghua , Duan Zhiguang
Published: April 2013

Background

This study uses scientometrics methodology to reveal the status quo and emerging issues of collaboration in health management.

Methods

We searched all the articles with the keyword “health management” in the period 1999–2011 in Web of Knowledge, then 3067 articles were found. Methods such as Social network analysis (SNA), co-authorship, co-word analysis were used in this study.

Results

Analysis of the past 13 years of research in the field of health management indicates that, whether the production of scientific research, or authors, institutions and scientific research collaboration at the national level, collaboration behavior has been growing steadily across all collaboration types. However, the international scientific research cooperation about health management study between countries needs to be further encouraged. 17 researchers can be seen as the academic leaders in this field. 37 research institutions play a vital role in the information dissemination and resources control in health management. The component analysis found that 22 research groups can be regarded as the backbone in this field. The 8 institution groups consisting of 33 institutions form the core of this field. USA, UK and Australia lie in the center by cohesive subgroup analysis; Based on keywords analysis, 44 keywords with high frequency such as care, disease, system and model were involved in the health management field.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that although it is growing steadily, collaboration behavior about health management study needs to be enhanced, especially between different institutions or countries/regions, which would promote the progress and internationalization of health management. Besides, researchers should pay attention to the cooperation of representative scholars and institutions, as well as the hot areas of research, because their experience would help us promote the research development of our nation.
In vivo MRI-based simulation of fatigue process: a possible trigger for human carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture
Authors: Huang Yuan , Teng Zhongzhao , Sadat Umar , He Jing , Graves Martin J , Gillard Jonathan H
Published: April 2013

Background

Atherosclerotic plaque is subjected to a repetitive deformation due to arterial pulsatility during each cardiac cycle and damage may be accumulated over a time period causing fibrous cap (FC) fatigue, which may ultimately lead to rupture. In this study, we investigate the fatigue process in human carotid plaques using in vivo carotid magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Method

Twenty seven patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease were included in this study. Multi-sequence, high-resolution MR imaging was performed to depict the plaque structure. Twenty patients were found with ruptured FC or ulceration and 7 without. Modified Paris law was used to govern crack propagation and the propagation direction was perpendicular to the maximum principal stress at the element node located at the vulnerable site.

Results

The predicted crack initiations from 20 patients with FC defect all matched with the locations of the in vivo observed FC defect. Crack length increased rapidly with numerical steps. The natural logarithm of fatigue life decreased linearly with the local FC thickness (R2 = 0.67). Plaques (n=7) without FC defect had a longer fatigue life compared with those with FC defect (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Fatigue process seems to explain the development of cracks in FC, which ultimately lead to plaque rupture.
Cross-cultural French adaptation and validation of the Impact On Family Scale (IOFS)
Authors: Boudas Raphaël , Jégu Jérémie , Grollemund Bruno , Quentel Elvire , Danion-Grilliat Anne , Velten Michel
Published: April 2013

Background

The IOFS (Impact On Family Scale) questionnaire is a useful instrument to assess the impact of chronic childhood conditions on general family quality of life. As this instrument was not validated in French, we proposed to translate, adapt and validate the IOFS questionnaire for clinical and research use in French-speaking populations.

Findings

The sample studied comprised French-speaking parents with a child presenting a cleft lip or cleft lip and palate, aged 6 to 12 years and treated in the University Hospital of Strasbourg, France. The 15-item version of the IOFS was translated into French and then sent to the parents by post. The structure of the measure was studied using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability was studied by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

A total of 209 parents answered the questionnaire. Its acceptability was good, with 67.9% of mothers and 59.9% of fathers answering the questionnaire. EFA identified one main factor that explained 77% of the variance. Internal consistency was good, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.93. Finally, the ICC values were 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.66–0.85) and 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.80–0.92) for inter- and intra-observer reliability respectively.

Conclusions

The French version of the IOFS questionnaire exhibited very good psychometric properties. For practitioners, this instrument will facilitate the assessment of the impact of chronic childhood conditions on quality of life among French-speaking families.
S100A7 enhances invasion of human breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells through activation of nuclear factor-κB signaling
Authors: Liu Huamin , Wang Lei , Wang Xingang , Cao Zhiwei , Yang Qifeng , Zhang Kejun
Published: April 2013

Background

S100A7 signaling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of human breast cancers but the precise role and mechanism of S100A7 for tumor invasion remains unclear. in the present study, we investigated whether S100A7 overexpression could be mechanistically associated with the up-regulation of NF-κB, VEGF and MMP-9, resulting in the promotion of breast cancer cell invasion and growth, and vice versa.

Methods

pcDNA3.1-S100A7 cDNA plasmid was constructed and transfected into the MDA-MB-468 cells. 4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect cell proliferation, Matrigel was used to detect cell mobility and invasion in vitro.The MMP-9 and VEGF expression and levels was detected by western blot and ELISA assay. NF-κB DNA binding activity was detected by Electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Results

Up-regulation of S100A7 by stable S100A7 cDNA transfection increased cell invasion and proliferation, whereas downregulation of S100A7 by small interfering RNA in S100A7 cDNA-transfected MDA-MB-468 cells decreased cell invasion and proliferation. Consistent with these results, we found that the up-regulation of S100A7 increased NF-κB DNA-binding activity and MMP-9 and VEGF expression. Down-regulation of S100A7 in S100A7 cDNA -transfected decreased NF-κB DNA-binding activity and MMP-9 and VEGF expression.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that the S100A7 gene controls the proliferation and invasive potential of human MDA-MB-468 cells through regulation of NF-κB activity and its target genes, such as MMP-9 and VEGF expression. Down-regulation of S100A7 could be an effective approach for the down-regulation and inactivation of NF-κB and its target genes, such as MMP-9 and VEGF expression, resulting in the inhibition of invasion and growth.
Initial and cumulative recurrence patterns of glioblastoma after temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy and salvage treatment: a retrospective cohort study in a single institution
Authors: Ogura Kengo , Mizowaki Takashi , Arakawa Yoshiki , Ogura Masakazu , Sakanaka Katsuyuki , Miyamoto Susumu , Hiraoka Masahiro
Published: April 2013

Purpose

To analyze initial recurrence patterns in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma after radiotherapy plus concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide, and to investigate cumulative recurrence patterns after salvage treatment, including surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with glioblastoma that recurred after concurrent temozolomide and localized radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed (11 male, 10 female; median age, 57 years; range, 27–74). Disease progression was assessed by new response criteria proposed by the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Working Group of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The pattern of recurrence was determined by relationships between locations of recurrent tumors and irradiated doses. Central, in-field, marginal, and out-field recurrences were defined relative to the prescribed isodose line. Distant recurrence was operationally defined as subependymal or disseminated disease. Initial and cumulative patterns of recurrence were evaluated in each patient.

Results

The median follow-up of the recurrent patients was 501 (range, 217–1815) days after initial surgery. Initial recurrences were central in 14 patients (66.7%), in-field in four patients (19.0%), marginal in no patient (0%), out-field in two patients (9.5%), and distant in four patients (19.0%). One patient had both central and in-field recurrences simultaneously, and two had both central and distant recurrences. In the analysis of cumulative recurrence patterns, five patients, who had no scans after initial recurrences, were excluded and the remaining 16 were included. Cumulative recurrences were central in 11 patients (68.8%), in-field in five patients (31.3%), marginal in three patients (18.8%), out-field in five patients (31.3%), and distant in 14 patients (87.5%). Regarding salvage treatments, 11 (52.4%), 11 (52.4%) and 17 (81.0%) patients underwent surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Eighteen (85.7%) patients had died at the time of analysis, and 16 of them (88.9%) had suffered distant recurrences, which could have been the immediate causes of death.

Conclusions

Recurrence patterns of glioblastoma after radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide were mainly central at first, and distant recurrences were often detected during the clinical course. Much better local control and prevention of distant recurrence, including effective salvage treatment, seem to be important.
Early-born neurons in type II neuroblast lineages establish a larval primordium and integrate into adult circuitry during central complex development in Drosophila
Authors: Riebli Nadia , Viktorin Gudrun , Reichert Heinrich
Published: April 2013

Background

The central complex is a multimodal information-processing center in the insect brain composed of thousands of neurons representing more than 50 neural types arranged in a stereotyped modular neuroarchitecture. In Drosophila, the development of the central complex begins in the larval stages when immature structures termed primordia are formed. However, the identity and origin of the neurons that form these primordia and, hence, the fate of these neurons during subsequent metamorphosis and in the adult brain, are unknown.

Results

Here, we used two pointed-Gal4 lines to identify the neural cells that form the primordium of the fan-shaped body, a major component of the Drosophila central complex. We found that these early-born primordium neurons are generated by four identified type II neuroblasts that amplify neurogenesis through intermediate progenitors, and we demonstrate that these neurons generate the fan-shaped body primordium during larval development in a highly specific manner. Moreover, we characterize the extensive growth and differentiation that these early-born primordium neurons undergo during metamorphosis in pupal stages and show that these neurons persist in the adult central complex, where they manifest layer-specific innervation of the mature fan-shaped body.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that early-born neurons from type II neuroblast lineages have dual roles in the development of a complex brain neuropile. During larval stages they contribute to the formation of a specific central complex primordium; during subsequent pupal development they undergo extensive growth and differentiation and integrate into the modular circuitry of the adult brain central complex.
Parents of young people with self-harm or suicidal behaviour who seek help – a psychosocial profile
Authors: Morgan Sophia , Rickard Eóin , Noone Martha , Boylan Carole , Carthy Andreé , Crowley Sinead , Butler John , Guerin Suzanne , Fitzpatrick Carol
Published: April 2013

Background

Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) is a common problem among children and adolescents in clinical and community populations, and there is a considerable amount of literature investigating factors associated with DSH risk and the effects of DSH on the child. However, there is a dearth of research examining the impact of DSH on parents, and there are few support programmes targeted at this population. This cross-sectional study examines the profile of a sample of parents of young people with DSH who participated in a support programme (Supporting Parents and Carers of young people with self-harm: the SPACE programme), with the goal of investigating pre-test parental well-being, family communication, parental satisfaction, perceived parental social support, and child strengths and difficulties.

Methods

Participants were 130 parents who attended the SPACE programme between 2009 and 2012, and who completed six questionnaires at baseline: the General Health Questionnaire-12, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Kansas Parenting Satisfaction Scale, General Functioning Scale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and a demographic questionnaire.

Results

The majority of parents met criteria for minor psychological distress (86%) and rated the quantity and severity of their children’s difficulties as being in the abnormally high range (74%) at baseline. A majority of participants (61%) rated their perceived social support as being poor. Lower parental well-being was significantly correlated with poorer family communication, poorer parenting satisfaction, and a greater number of difficulties for the child. Perceived social support was not significantly correlated with parental well-being. Parents whose children were not attending school at baseline had significantly lower well-being scores than those whose children were. Parents whose children had received a formal diagnosis of a mental health disorder also had significantly lower well-being scores than those whose children had not.

Conclusions

Parents of young people with DSH behaviours face considerable emotional and practical challenges; they have low levels of well-being, parenting satisfaction, social support, and experience poor family communication. Given the importance of parental support for young people with DSH behaviours, consideration should be given to the need for individual or group support for such parents.
Lipophilic versus hydrophilic statin therapy for heart failure: a protocol for an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis
Authors: Bonsu Kwadwo Osei , Kadirvelu Amudha , Reidpath Daniel Diamond
Published: April 2013

Background

Statins are known to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in primary and secondary prevention studies. Subsequently, a number of nonrandomised studies have shown statins improve clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Small randomised controlled trials (RCT) also show improved cardiac function, reduced inflammation and mortality with statins in HF. However, the findings of two large RCTs do not support the evidence provided by previous studies and suggest statins lack beneficial effects in HF. Two meta-analyses have shown statins do not improve survival, whereas two others showed improved cardiac function and reduced inflammation in HF. It appears lipophilic statins produce better survival and other outcome benefits compared to hydrophilic statins. But the two types have not been compared in direct comparison trials in HF.

Methods/design

We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of lipophilic and hydrophilic statin therapy in patients with HF. Our objectives are:

To determine the effects of lipophilic statins on (1) mortality, (2) hospitalisation for worsening HF, (3) cardiac function and (4) inflammation.

To determine the effects of hydrophilic statins on (1) mortality, (2) hospitalisation for worsening HF, (3) cardiac function and (4) inflammation.

To compare the efficacy of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on HF outcomes with an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis.

We will conduct an electronic search of databases for RCTs that evaluate statins in patients with HF. The reference lists of all identified studies will be reviewed. Two independent reviewers will conduct the search. The inclusion criteria include:

RCTs comparing statins with placebo or no statin in patients with symptomatic HF.

RCTs that employed the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle in data analysis.

Symptomatic HF patients of all aetiologies and on standard treatment.

Statin of any dose as intervention.

Placebo or no statin arm as control.

The exclusion criteria include:

RCTs involving cerivastatin in HF patients.

RCTs with less than 4 weeks of follow-up.

Discussion

We will perform an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis of lipophilic versus hydrophilic statins in patients with HF using placebo or no statin arm as common comparator.
Novel design of combinational and sequential logical structures in quantum dot cellular automata
Authors: Ghosh Bahniman , Gupta Shoubhik , Kumari Smriti , Salimath Akshaykumar
Published: April 2013

Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) is a emerging nanotechnology that promises smaller size and lower power consumption, with faster speed compared to the transistor-based technology. In this paper, we have proposed novel 8-into-3 bit simple encoder, 4-into-2 bit priority encoder, scan flip-flop, and pseudo-random bit sequence generator designs in QCA. These circuits are useful components for the design of many logical and functional circuits. Simulation results of the proposed QCA circuits are obtained by using the QCA designer tool. The correctness of the proposed circuits is hence confirmed.
Correlations between angiogenic factors and capillaroscopic patterns in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Avouac Jérôme , Vallucci Maeva , Smith Vanessa , Senet Patricia , Ruiz Barbara , Sulli Alberto , Pizzorni Carmen , Frances Camille , Chiocchia Gilles , Cutolo Maurizio , Allanore Yannick
Published: April 2013

Introduction

We sought to assess whether nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) patterns are associated with levels of angiogenic factors in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were measured in the peripheral blood of 60 consecutive SSc patients. Serum levels of eight endothelial markers were measured first in these 60 patients, and then in an independent replication cohort of 43 SSc patients in case of association with NVC patterns. NVC patterns were determined by four independent investigators blinded to vascular markers.

Results

Patients with the late-NVC pattern exhibited lower EPC levels (P < 0.0001) and higher VEGF levels (P = 0.03). Higher VEGF levels were confirmed to be associated with the late-NVC pattern in the replication cohort (P = 0.01). By multivariate analysis focused on biomarkers, lower EPC (P = 0.03) and higher VEGF levels (P = 0.001) were independently associated with the late-NVC pattern. In an alternate multivariate model including these two factors and SSc-related disease characteristics, lower EPC counts (P = 0.005), higher VEGF levels (P = 0.01), a history of digital ulcers (P = 0.04), and a modified Rodnan skin score > 14 (P < 0.0001) were independently associated with the late-NVC pattern.

Conclusion

Our data revealed decreased EPC counts and increased VEGF levels in patients with the late-NVC pattern. Further studies are now needed to determine the role of VEGF and EPCs in endothelial injury and repair in SSc.