bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Processing in Decision-Making Systems
Authors: van der Meer Matthijs , Kurth-Nelson Zeb , Redish A. David
Published: April 2012

Decisions result from an interaction between multiple functional systems acting in parallel to process information in very different ways, each with strengths and weaknesses. In this review, the authors address three action-selection components of decision-making: The Pavlovian system releases an action from a limited repertoire of potential actions, such as approaching learned stimuli. Like the Pavlovian system, the habit system is computationally fast but, unlike the Pavlovian system permits arbitrary stimulus-action pairings. These associations are a “forward’’ mechanism; when a situation is recognized, the action is released. In contrast, the deliberative system is flexible but takes time to process. The deliberative system uses knowledge of the causal structure of the world to search into the future, planning actions to maximize expected rewards. Deliberation depends on the ability to imagine future possibilities, including novel situations, and it allows decisions to be taken without having previously experienced the options. Various anatomical structures have been identified that carry out the information processing of each of these systems: hippocampus constitutes a map of the world that can be used for searching/imagining the future; dorsal striatal neurons represent situation-action associations; and ventral striatum maintains value representations for all three systems. Each system presents vulnerabilities to pathologies that can manifest as psychiatric disorders. Understanding these systems and their relation to neuroanatomy opens up a deeper way to treat the structural problems underlying various disorders.
Want to be on the top? Algorithmic power and the threat of invisibility on Facebook
Authors: Bucher Taina
Published: April 2012

This article explores the new modalities of visibility engendered by new media, with a focus on the social networking site Facebook. Influenced by Foucault’s writings on Panopticism – that is, the architectural structuring of visibility – this article argues for understanding the construction of visibility on Facebook through an architectural framework that pays particular attention to underlying software processes and algorithmic power. Through an analysis of EdgeRank, the algorithm structuring the flow of information and communication on Facebook’s ‘News Feed’, I argue that the regime of visibility constructed imposes a perceived ‘threat of invisibility’ on the part of the participatory subject. As a result, I reverse Foucault’s notion of surveillance as a form of permanent visibility, arguing that participatory subjectivity is not constituted through the imposed threat of an all-seeing vision machine, but by the constant possibility of disappearing and becoming obsolete.
Identifying Domestic and International Sex-Trafficking Victims During Human Service Provision
Authors: Macy Rebecca J. , Graham Laurie M.
Published: April 2012

Children, youth, and adults of both genders are sex trafficked into and throughout the United States every day. Regrettably, little attention has been given to how human service providers might identify the sex-trafficking victims they are likely to encounter. To address this knowledge gap, the authors review 20 documents with the aim of detecting and synthesizing service identification recommendations in the scientific literature, government reports, and documents produced by organizations working with sex-trafficking victims. The review shows consensus regarding identification recommendations, including (a) trafficking indicators, (b) victim interaction strategies, (c) immediate response strategies, and (d) child-specific information. The review also shows consensus regarding screening questions that are important for service providers to use in identifying sex-trafficking victims. These questions relate to the victims’ safety, employment, living environment, and travel and immigration status in addition to specific questions used with children and youth. The review results offer human service providers a preliminary set of screening strategies and questions that can be used to identify sex-trafficking victims in the context of human services. Building on the review findings, the authors offer policy and research recommendations.
Study on the thermal behaviour of polysulfonamide/ multi-wall carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Bin-Jie Xin , Zhuo-Ming Chen , Xiang-Ji Wu , Xiao-Feng Wang
Published: April 2012

Polysulfonamide polymers are defined by their heat-resistant ability subjected to a high temperature. The thermal behaviour of polysulfonamide polymers can be tailored by using the polymer as a matrix of multiphase composites. Multi-wall carbon nanotubes were blended with polysulfonamide polymers and the corresponding fibers were prepared by wet spinning. In the present paper, we have presented thermal behaviour of functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotube-reinforced polysulfonamide polymer by thermal gravimetric analysis and presented a heat conducting model to explain its thermal conductive behaviour. The experimental results showed that the thermal behaviour of developed multi-wall carbon nanotube-reinforced polysulfonamide composites were influenced by multi-wall carbon nanotube weight fraction in the polymer matrix. Multi-wall carbon nanotube in the polysulfonamide does have much influence on the thermal decomposition ratio of the polysulfonamide/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites.
Increased incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Castillo Jorge J. , Mull Nikhil , Reagan John L. , Nemr Saed , Mitri Joanna
Published: April 2012

Hematologic malignancies are a heterogeneous group of conditions with an unclear etiology. We hypothesized that diabetes mellitus type 2 is associated with increased risk of developing lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. A literature search identified 26 studies (13 case-control and 13 cohort studies) evaluating such an association. Outcome was calculated as the odds ratio (OR) using a random effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated using the I2 index and the trim-and-fill analysis, respectively. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The OR for non-Hodgkin lymphoma was increased at 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.39; P < .01) but the OR for Hodgkin lymphoma was not. There was an increased OR for peripheral T-cell lymphoma (OR = 2.42, 95% CI, 1.24-4.72; P = .009) but not for other non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes. The OR for leukemia was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.03-1.44; P = .02) and the OR for myeloma was 1.22 (95% CI, 0.98-1.53; P = .08). Although diabetes mellitus type 2 seems to increase the risk of developing lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma, future studies should focus on evaluating other potential confounders such as obesity, dietary habits, physical activity, and/or antidiabetic therapy.
Circulating IL-15 exists as heterodimeric complex with soluble IL-15Rα in human and mouse serum
Authors: Bergamaschi Cristina , Bear Jenifer , Rosati Margherita , Beach Rachel Kelly , Alicea Candido , Sowder Raymond , Chertova Elena , Rosenberg Steven A. , Felber Barbara K. , Pavlakis George N.
Published: April 2012

IL-15 is an important cytokine for the function of the immune system, but the form(s) of IL-15 produced in the human body are not fully characterized. Coexpression of the single-chain IL-15 and the IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) in the same cell allows for efficient production, surface display, and eventual cleavage and secretion of the bioactive IL-15/IL-15Rα heterodimer in vivo, whereas the single-chain IL-15 is poorly secreted and unstable. This observation led to the hypothesis that IL-15 is produced and secreted only as a heterodimer with IL-15Rα. We purified human IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes from overproducing human cell lines and developed an ELISA specifically measuring the heterodimeric form of IL-15. Analysis of sera from melanoma patients after lymphodepletion revealed the presence of circulating IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes in amounts similar to the total IL-15 quantified by a commercial IL-15 ELISA that detects both the single-chain and the heterodimeric forms of the cytokine. Therefore, in lymphodepleted cancer patients, the serum IL-15 is exclusively present in its heterodimeric form. Analysis of the form of IL-15 present in either normal or lymphodepleted mice agrees with the human data. These results have important implications for development of assays and materials for clinical applications of IL-15.
Related bifunctional restriction endonuclease-methyltransferase triplets: TspDTI, Tth111II/TthHB27I and TsoI with distinct specificities
Authors: Zylicz-Stachula Agnieszka , Zolnierkiewicz Olga , Lubys Arvydas , Ramanauskaite Danute , Mitkaite Goda , Bujnicki Janusz M , Skowron Piotr M
Published: April 2012

Background

We previously defined a family of restriction endonucleases (REases) from Thermus sp., which share common biochemical and biophysical features, such as the fusion of both the nuclease and methyltransferase (MTase) activities in a single polypeptide, cleavage at a distance from the recognition site, large molecular size, modulation of activity by S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and incomplete cleavage of the substrate DNA. Members include related thermophilic REases with five distinct specificities: TspGWI, TaqII, Tth111II/TthHB27I, TspDTI and TsoI.

Results

TspDTI, TsoI and isoschizomers Tth111II/TthHB27I recognize different, but related sequences: 5'-ATGAA-3', 5'-TARCCA-3' and 5'-CAARCA-3' respectively. Their amino acid sequences are similar, which is unusual among REases of different specificity. To gain insight into this group of REases, TspDTI, the prototype member of the Thermus sp. enzyme family, was cloned and characterized using a recently developed method for partially cleaving REases.

Conclusions

TspDTI, TsoI and isoschizomers Tth111II/TthHB27I are closely related bifunctional enzymes. They comprise a tandem arrangement of Type I-like domains, like other Type IIC enzymes (those with a fusion of a REase and MTase domains), e.g. TspGWI, TaqII and MmeI, but their sequences are only remotely similar to these previously characterized enzymes. The characterization of TspDTI, a prototype member of this group, extends our understanding of sequence-function relationships among multifunctional restriction-modification enzymes.
European ST80 community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital cellulitis in a neonate
Authors: Tsironi Evangelia E , Zacharaki Fani , Grivea Ioanna N , Tachmitzi Sophia V , Michoula Aspasia N , Vlychou Marianna , Petinaki Efthimia , Syrogiannopoulos George A
Published: April 2012

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital environment, but also, lately, in the community. This case report is, to our knowledge, the first detailed description of a community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus ST80 orbital cellulitis in a previously healthy neonate. Possible predisposing factors of microbial acquisition and treatment selection are also discussed.

Case presentation

A 28-day-old Caucasian boy was referred to our hospital with the diagnosis of right orbital cellulitis. His symptoms included right eye proptosis, periocular edema and redness. Empirical therapy of intravenous daptomycin, rifampin and ceftriaxone was initiated. The culture of pus yielded a methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolate and the molecular analysis revealed that it was a Panton-Valentine leukocidine-positive ST80 strain. The combination antimicrobial therapy was continued for 42 days and the infection was successfully controlled.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware that young infants, even without any predisposing condition, are susceptible to orbital cellulitis caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Prompt initiation of the appropriate empirical therapy, according to the local epidemiology, should successfully address the infection, preventing ocular and systemic complications.
Adherence to antihypertensive treatment and associated factors among patients on follow up at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Ambaw Abere Dessie , Alemie Getahun Asres , W/Yohannes Solomon Meseret , Mengesha Zelalem Birhanu
Published: April 2012

Background

Hypertension is an overwhelming global challenge with high morbidity and mortality rates. The prevalence of HTN is estimated to be 6% in Ethiopia and 30% in Addis Ababa. Poor adherence is associated with bad outcome of the disease and wastage of healthcare resources. In Ethiopia, particularly in the study area little is known about treatment adherence and associated factors. Therefore this study aimed to assess adherence to antihypertensive therapy and associated factors among HTN patients on follow up at University of Gondar Referral Hospital.

Method

Institution based cross sectional study was conducted. Systematic sampling technique was used to select 384 participants. A structured standard questionnaire was used after some modifications. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used for labeling patients as adherent or non-adherent. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Results

More than half (64.6 %) of the study participants were found to be adherent to their treatment. Sex (AOR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.28, 0.82), knowledge about HTN and its treatment (AOR = 6.21, 95%CI = 3.22, 11.97), distance from the hospital (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI =1.19-3.43) and co morbidity (AOR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.01, 6.21) variables were found significantly associated with treatment adherence.

Conclusion

Only 64.6% of the study subjects were found to be adherent to their treatment. Factors such as sex, distance from the hospital, number of co morbidities, Knowledge about HTN and its treatment were associated with adherence behavior of patients. Early diagnosis and management of co morbidities, adherence counseling and patient education about the disease and its treatment are important to improve adherence status of patients.
Rheological and biological properties of a hydrogel support for cells intended for intervertebral disc repair
Authors: Benz Karin , Stippich Claudia , Osswald Claudia , Gaissmaier Christoph , Lembert Nicolas , Badke Andreas , Steck Eric , Aicher Wilhelm K , Mollenhauer Juergen A
Published: April 2012

Background

Cell-based approaches towards restoration of prolapsed or degenerated intervertebral discs are hampered by a lack of measures for safe administration and placement of cell suspensions within a treated disc. In order to overcome these risks, a serum albumin-based hydrogel has been developed that polymerizes after injection and anchors the administered cell suspension within the tissue.

Methods

A hydrogel composed of chemically activated albumin crosslinked by polyethylene glycol spacers was produced. The visco-elastic gel properties were determined by rheological measurement. Human intervertebral disc cells were cultured in vitro and in vivo in the hydrogel and their phenotype was tested by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Matrix production and deposition was monitored by immuno-histology and by biochemical analysis of collagen and glycosaminoglycan deposition. Species specific in situ hybridization was performed to discriminate between cells of human and murine origin in xenotransplants.

Results

The reproducibility of the gel formation process could be demonstrated. The visco-elastic properties were not influenced by storage of gel components. In vitro and in vivo (subcutaneous implants in mice) evidence is presented for cellular differentiation and matrix deposition within the hydrogel for human intervertebral disc cells even for donor cells that have been expanded in primary monolayer culture, stored in liquid nitrogen and re-activated in secondary monolayer culture. Upon injection into the animals, gels formed spheres that lasted for the duration of the experiments (14 days). The expression of cartilage- and disc-specific mRNAs was maintained in hydrogels in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the maintenance of a stable specific cellular phenotype, compared to monolayer cells. Significantly higher levels of hyaluronan synthase isozymes-2 and -3 mRNA suggest cell functionalities towards those needed for the support of the regeneration of the intervertebral disc. Moreover, mouse implanted hydrogels accumulated 5 times more glycosaminoglycans and 50 times more collagen than the in vitro cultured gels, the latter instead releasing equivalent quantities of glycosaminoglycans and collagen into the culture medium. Matrix deposition could be specified by immunohistology for collagen types I and II, and aggrecan and was found only in areas where predominantly cells of human origin were detected by species specific in situ hybridization.

Conclusions

The data demonstrate that the hydrogels form stable implants capable to contain a specifically functional cell population within a physiological environment.
Polar extracts from (Tunisian) Acacia salicina Lindl. Study of the antimicrobial and antigenotoxic activities
Authors: Boubaker Jihed , Mansour Hedi Ben , Ghedira Kamel , Ghedira Leila Chekir
Published: April 2012

Background

Methanolic, aqueous and Total Oligomer Flavonoids (TOF)-enriched extracts obtained from the leaves of Acacia salicina 'Lindl.' were investigated for antibacterial, antimutagenic and antioxidant activities.

Methods

The antimicrobial activity was tested on the Gram positive and Gram negative reference bacterial strains. The Mutagenic and antimutagenic activities against direct acting mutagens, methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NOPD), and indirect acting mutagens, 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) and benzo[a]pyrene (B(a)P) were performed with S. typhimurium TA102 and TA98 assay systems. In addition, the enzymatic and nonenzymatic methods were employed to evaluate the anti-oxidative effects of the tested extracts.

Results

A significant effect against the Gram positive and Gram negative reference bacterial strains was observed with all the extracts. The mutagenic and antimutagenic studies revealed that all the extracts decreased the mutagenicity induced by B(a)P (7.5 μg/plate), 2-AA (5 μg/plate), MMS (1.3 mg/plate) and NOPD (10 μg/plate). Likewise, all the extracts showed an important free radical scavenging activity towards the superoxide anion generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase assay system, as well as high Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), against the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS)+• radical. TOF-enriched extract exhibited the highest protective effect against free radicals, direct acting-mutagen and metabolically activated S9-dependent mutagens.

Conclusions

The present study indicates that the extracts from A. salicina leaves are a significant source of compounds with the antimutagenic and antioxidant activities, and this may be useful for developing potential chemopreventive substances.
A gallotannin-rich fraction from Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze displays cytotoxic activity and raises sensitivity to doxorubicin in a leukemia cell line
Authors: Castañeda Diana M , Pombo Luis Miguel , Urueña Claudia Patricia , Hernandez John Fredy , Fiorentino Susana
Published: April 2012

Background

Enhancement of tumor cell sensitivity may help facilitate a reduction in drug dosage using conventional chemotherapies. Consequently, it is worthwhile to search for adjuvants with the potential of increasing chemotherapeutic drug effectiveness and improving patient quality of life. Natural products are a very good source of such adjuvants.

Methods

The biological activity of a fraction enriched in hydrolysable polyphenols (P2Et) obtained from Caesalpinia spinosa was evaluated using the hematopoietic cell line K562. This fraction was tested alone or in combination with the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, camptothecin and taxol. The parameters evaluated were mitochondrial depolarization, caspase 3 activation, chromatin condensation and clonogenic activity.

Results

We found that the P2Et fraction induced mitochondrial depolarization, activated caspase 3, induced chromatin condensation and decreased the clonogenic capacity of the K562 cell line. When the P2Et fraction was used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs at sub-lethal concentrations, a fourfold reduction in doxorubicin inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) was seen in the K562 cell line. This finding suggested that P2Et fraction activity is specific for the molecular target of doxorubicin.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a natural fraction extracted from Caesalpinia spinosa in combination with conventional chemotherapy in combination with natural products on leukemia cells may increase therapeutic effectiveness in relation to leukemia.
Stream-based Hebbian eigenfilter for real-time neuronal spike discrimination
Authors: Yu Bo , Mak Terrence , Li Xiangyu , Smith Leslie , Sun Yihe , Poon Chi-Sang
Published: April 2012

Background

Principal component analysis (PCA) has been widely employed for automatic neuronal spike sorting. Calculating principal components (PCs) is computationally expensive, and requires complex numerical operations and large memory resources. Substantial hardware resources are therefore needed for hardware implementations of PCA. General Hebbian algorithm (GHA) has been proposed for calculating PCs of neuronal spikes in our previous work, which eliminates the needs of computationally expensive covariance analysis and eigenvalue decomposition in conventional PCA algorithms. However, large memory resources are still inherently required for storing a large volume of aligned spikes for training PCs. The large size memory will consume large hardware resources and contribute significant power dissipation, which make GHA difficult to be implemented in portable or implantable multi-channel recording micro-systems.

Method

In this paper, we present a new algorithm for PCA-based spike sorting based on GHA, namely stream-based Hebbian eigenfilter, which eliminates the inherent memory requirements of GHA while keeping the accuracy of spike sorting by utilizing the pseudo-stationarity of neuronal spikes. Because of the reduction of large hardware storage requirements, the proposed algorithm can lead to ultra-low hardware resources and power consumption of hardware implementations, which is critical for the future multi-channel micro-systems. Both clinical and synthetic neural recording data sets were employed for evaluating the accuracy of the stream-based Hebbian eigenfilter. The performance of spike sorting using stream-based eigenfilter and the computational complexity of the eigenfilter were rigorously evaluated and compared with conventional PCA algorithms. Field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs) were employed to implement the proposed algorithm, evaluate the hardware implementations and demonstrate the reduction in both power consumption and hardware memories achieved by the streaming computing

Results and discussion

Results demonstrate that the stream-based eigenfilter can achieve the same accuracy and is 10 times more computationally efficient when compared with conventional PCA algorithms. Hardware evaluations show that 90.3% logic resources, 95.1% power consumption and 86.8% computing latency can be reduced by the stream-based eigenfilter when compared with PCA hardware. By utilizing the streaming method, 92% memory resources and 67% power consumption can be saved when compared with the direct implementation of GHA.

Conclusion

Stream-based Hebbian eigenfilter presents a novel approach to enable real-time spike sorting with reduced computational complexity and hardware costs. This new design can be further utilized for multi-channel neuro-physiological experiments or chronic implants.
Hybrid magnetite nanoparticles/Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil nanobiosystem with antibiofilm activity
Authors: Chifiriuc Carmen , Grumezescu Valentina , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Saviuc Crina , Lazăr Veronica , Andronescu Ecaterina
Published: April 2012

Biofilms formed by fungal organisms are associated with drastically enhanced resistance against most antimicrobial agents, contributing to the persistence of the fungi despite antifungal therapy. The purpose of this study is to combine the unique properties of nanoparticles with the antimicrobial activity of the Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil in order to obtain a nanobiosystem that could be pelliculised on the surface of catheter pieces, in order to obtain an improved resistance to microbial colonization and biofilm development by Candida albicans and C. tropicalis clinical strains. The R. officinalis essential oils were extracted in a Neo-Clevenger type apparatus, and its chemical composition was settled by GC-MS analysis. Functionalized magnetite nanoparticles of up to 20 nm size had been synthesized by precipitation method adapted for microwave conditions, with oleic acid as surfactant. The catheter pieces were coated with suspended core/shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4/oleic acid:CHCl3), by applying a magnetic field on nanofluid, while the CHCl3 diluted essential oil was applied by adsorption in a secondary covering treatment. The fungal adherence ability was investigated in six multiwell plates, in which there have been placed catheters pieces with and without hybrid nanoparticles/essential oil nanobiosystem pellicle, by using culture-based methods and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The R. officinalis essential oil coated nanoparticles strongly inhibited the adherence ability and biofilm development of the C. albicans and C. tropicalis tested strains to the catheter surface, as shown by viable cell counts and CLSM examination. Due to the important implications of Candida spp. in human pathogenesis, especially in prosthetic devices related infections and the emergence of antifungal tolerance/resistance, using the new core/shell/coated shell based on essential oil of R. officinalis to inhibit the fungal adherence could be of a great interest for the biomedical field, opening new directions for the design of film-coated surfaces with antibiofilm properties.
No significant improvement of cardiovascular disease risk indicators by a lifestyle intervention in people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia compared to usual care: results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Broekhuizen Karen , van Poppel Mireille NM , Koppes Lando L , Kindt Iris , Brug Johannes , van Mechelen Willem
Published: April 2012

Background

People with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) may benefit from lifestyle changes supporting their primary treatment of dyslipidaemia. This project evaluated the efficacy of an individualised tailored lifestyle intervention on lipids (low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides), systolic blood pressure, glucose, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in people with FH.

Methods

Adults with FH (n = 340), recruited from a Dutch cascade screening program, were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The personalised intervention consisted of web-based tailored lifestyle advice and personal counselling. The control group received care as usual. Lipids, systolic blood pressure, glucose, BMI, and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Regression analyses were conducted to examine differences between both groups.

Results

After 12 months, no significant between-group differences of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk indicators were observed. LDL-C levels had decreased in both the intervention and control group. This difference between intervention and control group was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

This project suggests that an individually tailored lifestyle intervention did not have an additional effect in improving CVD risk indicators among people with FH. The cumulative effect of many small improvements in all indicators on long term CVD risk remains to be assessed in future studies.

Trial registration

NTR1899 at ww.trialregister.nl
Characterizing mammographic images by using generic texture features
Authors: Häberle Lothar , Wagner Florian , Fasching Peter A , Jud Sebastian M , Heusinger Katharina , Loehberg Christian R , Hein Alexander , Bayer Christian M , Hack Carolin C , Lux Michael P , Binder Katja , Elter Matthias , Münzenmayer Christian , Schulz-Wendtland Rüdiger , Meier-Meitinger Martina , Adamietz Boris R , Uder Michael , Beckmann Matthias W , Wittenberg Thomas
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Although mammographic density is an established risk factor for breast cancer, its use is limited in clinical practice because of a lack of automated and standardized measurement methods. The aims of this study were to evaluate a variety of automated texture features in mammograms as risk factors for breast cancer and to compare them with the percentage mammographic density (PMD) by using a case-control study design.

Methods

A case-control study including 864 cases and 418 controls was analyzed automatically. Four hundred seventy features were explored as possible risk factors for breast cancer. These included statistical features, moment-based features, spectral-energy features, and form-based features. An elaborate variable selection process using logistic regression analyses was performed to identify those features that were associated with case-control status. In addition, PMD was assessed and included in the regression model.

Results

Of the 470 image-analysis features explored, 46 remained in the final logistic regression model. An area under the curve of 0.79, with an odds ratio per standard deviation change of 2.88 (95% CI, 2.28 to 3.65), was obtained with validation data. Adding the PMD did not improve the final model.

Conclusions

Using texture features to predict the risk of breast cancer appears feasible. PMD did not show any additional value in this study. With regard to the features assessed, most of the analysis tools appeared to reflect mammographic density, although some features did not correlate with PMD. It remains to be investigated in larger case-control studies whether these features can contribute to increased prediction accuracy.
Annexin A1 modulates natural and glucocorticoid-induced resolution of inflammation by enhancing neutrophil apoptosis
Authors: Vago Juliana P , Nogueira Camila R C , Tavares Luciana P , Soriani Frederico M , Lopes Fernando , Russo Remo C , Pinho Vanessa , Teixeira Mauro M , Sousa Lirlândia P
Published: April 2012

Annexin A1 is a mediator of natural and glucocorticoid-induced resolution of inflammation, with profound effects on neutrophil apoptosis in vivo.

This study aimed at assessing whether AnxA1, a downstream mediator for the anti-inflammatory effects of GCs, could affect the fate of immune cells in tissue exudates, using LPS-induced pleurisy in BALB/c mice. AnxA1 protein expression in exudates was increased during natural resolution, as seen at 48–72 h post-LPS, an effect augmented by treatment with GC and associated with marked presence of apoptotic neutrophils in the pleural exudates. The functional relevance of AnxA1 was determined using a neutralizing antibody or a nonspecific antagonist at FPR/ALXRs: either treatment inhibited both spontaneous and GC-induced resolution of inflammation. Injection of Ac2-26 (100 μg, given 4 h into the LPS response), an AnxA1-active N-terminal peptide, promoted active resolution and augmented the extent of neutrophil apoptosis. Such an effect was prevented by the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk. Mechanistically, resolution of neutrophilic inflammation was linked to cell apoptosis with activation of Bax and caspase-3 and inhibition of survival pathways Mcl-1, ERK1/2, and NF-κB. These novel in vivo data, using a dynamic model of acute inflammation, provide evidence that AnxA1 is a mediator of natural and GC-induced resolution of inflammation with profound effects on neutrophil apoptosis.
FcγRI mediates serum amyloid P inhibition of fibrocyte differentiation
Authors: Crawford Jeffrey R , Pilling Darrell , Gomer Richard H
Published: April 2012

The pentraxin serum amyloid P, at least in part, uses FcγRI (CD64) and FcγRγ to inhibit fibrocyte differentiation.

Fibrotic diseases, such as cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis, have a poor prognosis with no FDA approved therapies. Monocyte-derived, fibroblast-like cells, called fibrocytes, participate in the formation of fibrotic lesions. The conserved pentraxin protein SAP inhibits fibrocyte differentiation in cell culture, and injections of SAP significantly reduce fibrosis in several animal models. SAP binds to the receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcγR) and has been crystallized bound to FcγRIIa (CD32a). The in vivo activity of SAP appears to be dependent on the FcRγ. We find that mutagenesis of the residues critical for SAP binding to FcγRIIa only moderately decreases the ability of SAP to inhibit fibrocyte differentiation. In murine cells, deletion of FcRγ or FcγRI (CD64) significantly reduced sensitivity to SAP. Deletion of the combination of FcγRIIb, FcγRIIIa, and FcγRIV did not significantly affect sensitivity to SAP, whereas deletion of just the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIb (CD32b) increased sensitivity to SAP. In human cells, siRNA-mediated reduction of FcRγ or FcγRI levels significantly decreased sensitivity to SAP, whereas reduction of FcγRIIb levels increased sensitivity to SAP. These observations suggest that SAP, at least in part, uses FcγRI and FcRγ to inhibit fibrocyte differentiation.
Quality of Breast Cancer Care: Perception Versus Practice
Authors: Bickell Nina A. , Neuman Jennifer , Fei Kezhen , Franco Rebeca , Joseph Kathie-Ann
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Because insurers use performance and quality metrics to inform reimbursement, identifying remediable causes of poor-quality cancer care is imperative. We undertook this descriptive cohort study to assess key predictors of women's perceived quality of their breast cancer care and actual guideline-concordant quality of care received.

Patients and Methods

We surveyed inner-city women with newly diagnosed and surgically treated early-stage breast cancer requiring adjuvant treatment who were enrolled onto a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of patient assistance to reduce disparities in care. We assessed women's perceived quality of care and perceived quality of the process of getting care, such as getting referrals, test results, and treatments; we abstracted records to determine the actual quality of care.

Results

Of the 374 new patients with early-stage breast cancer enrolled onto the RCT, only a slight majority of women (55%) perceived their quality of care as excellent; 88% actually received good-quality, guideline-concordant care. Excellent perceived quality (P < .001) was significantly associated with patients' perception of the quality of the process of getting care (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.78; 95% CI, 1.65 to 1.87). Also associated with perceived quality—and mediated by race—were trust in one's physician (adjusted RR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.64) and perceived racism, which affected black women more than women of other races/ethnicities (black race–adjusted RR for perceived racism, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.10 to 0.87]; black race–adjusted RR for trust, 1.61 [95% CI, 0.97 to 1.90]; c = 0.82 for the model; P < .001). Actual quality of care provided did not affect perceived quality of care received.

Conclusion

Patients' perceived quality of care differs from their receipt of high-quality care. Mutable targets to improve perceived quality of care include the processes of getting care and trusting their physician.
Preoperative Chemotherapy Plus Trastuzumab, Lapatinib, or Both in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive Operable Breast Cancer: Results of the Randomized Phase II CHER-LOB Study
Authors: Guarneri Valentina , Frassoldati Antonio , Bottini Alberto , Cagossi Katia , Bisagni Giancarlo , Sarti Samanta , Ravaioli Alberto , Cavanna Luigi , Giardina Giovanni , Musolino Antonino , Untch Michael , Orlando Laura , Artioli Fabrizio , Boni Corrado , Generali Daniele Giulio , Serra Patrizia , Bagnalasta Michela , Marini Luca , Piacentini Federico , D'Amico Roberto , Conte PierFranco
Published: April 2012

Purpose

This is a noncomparative, randomized, phase II trial of preoperative taxane-anthracycline in combination with trastuzumab, lapatinib, or combined trastuzumab plus lapatinib in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive, stage II to IIIA operable breast cancer. The primary aim was to estimate the percentage of pathologic complete response (pCR; no invasive tumor in breast and axillary nodes).

Patients and Methods

In the three arms, chemotherapy consisted of weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) for 12 weeks followed by fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide for four courses every 3 weeks. The patients randomly assigned to arm A received a 4-mg loading dose of trastuzumab followed by 2 mg weekly; in arm B patients received lapatinib 1,500 mg orally (PO) daily; and in arm C, patients received trastuzumab and lapatinib 1,000 mg PO daily.

Results

A total of 121 patients were randomly assigned. Diarrhea and dermatologic and hepatic toxicities were observed more frequently in patients receiving lapatinib. No episodes of congestive heart failure were observed. The rates of breast-conserving surgery were 66.7%, 57.9%, and 68.9% in arms A, B and C, respectively. The pCR rates were 25% (90% CI, 13.1% to 36.9%) in arm A, 26.3% (90% CI, 14.5% to 38.1%) in arm B, and 46.7% (90% CI, 34.4% to 58.9%) in arm C (exploratory P = .019).

Conclusion

The primary end point of the study was met, with a relative increase of 80% in the pCR rate achieved with chemotherapy plus trastuzumab and lapatinib compared with chemotherapy plus either trastuzumab or lapatinib. These data add further evidence supporting the superiority of a dual-HER2 inhibition for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.
Low-Stage Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma: Population-Based Outcomes in British Columbia, Canada, With Evidence for a Survival Benefit As a Result of Irradiation
Authors: Hoskins Paul J. , Le Nhu , Gilks Blake , Tinker Anna , Santos Jennifer , Wong Frances , Swenerton Kenneth D.
Published: April 2012

Purpose

To evaluate the population-based outcomes of stage I and II ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) in a North American population treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel and abdominopelvic irradiation.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed of 241 patients referred in the carboplatin/paclitaxel era. Irradiation was to be used with a few defined exceptions. However, because of differing beliefs as to its effectiveness, its use was consistently avoided by specific oncologists, allowing the opportunity to study its possible effect on disease-free survival (DFS) in these concurrent cohorts.

Results

Five- and 10-year DFS rates were 84% and 70% for stage IA/B; 67% and 57% for stage IC; and 49% and 44% for stage II, respectively. Five- and 10-year DFS rates for those with stage IC disease based purely on rupture were similar to rates for patients with stage IA/B, at 92% and 71%, respectively. The remaining patients with stage IC had 48% 5- and 10-year DFS. Multivariate analysis using a decision tree identified positive cytology as the most important factor (72% relapse rate if positive and 27% if negative or unknown). If, in addition, the capsule surface was involved, then the relapse rate was 93%. Irradiation had no discernible survival benefit for patients with stage IA and IC (rupture alone), whereas for the remainder of patients with stage IC and stage II, it improved DFS by 20% at 5 years (relative risk, 0.5); the benefit was most evident in the cytologically negative/unknown group.

Conclusion

DFS is similar in this North American population with early OCCC to the DFS reported in Asia. A potential benefit from irradiation was evident in a subset.
Molar Volumes of Ethoxylated Nonylphenols in Micellar Solutions
Authors: Vass Szabolcs , Lakatos István , Jákli György , Nagy István
Published: April 2012

Density ρ and apparent molar volume Vφ are determined in aqueous micellar solutions of ethoxylated nonylphenol (ENP) mixtures. The ratio Δρ/c of the excess solution density Δρ and the molar concentration c lays the foundation of a model, which satisfactorily reproduces Δρ and Vφ of the mixtures; predicts these quantities for known composition mixtures; and allows estimation of the partial molar volumes Vi of the components and the volume Vmix of mixing.
Enhancement of Pressure-Induced Hemolysis by Aquaporin-1 Inhibitors in Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Yamaguchi Takeo , Iwata Yohei , Miura Shingo , Maehara Yukari , Nozawa Kazuyuki
Published: April 2012

Pressure-induced hemolysis reflects sensitively membrane perturbations in erythrocytes. The functions of transporters and channels are inhibited by sodium p-chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB). So, we tested the effects of pCMB on hemolysis of human erythrocytes at 200 MPa. Pressure-induced hemolysis was enhanced by pCMB, but restored by dithiothreitol. Such effects of pCMB were also observed in N-ethylmaleimide-pretreated erythrocytes. Similar hemolytic properties were observed by aquaporin-1 (AQP1) inhibitors such Hg2+ and Au3+, but not by inhibitors of Na+–K+ pump, Gardos channels, and glucose transporter. In fact, the results of atomic absorption spectrometry showed the binding of mercury to AQP1. From the 1H spin–spin relaxation time of water, we found that pressure-induced hemolysis was enhanced upon inhibition of water transport. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the enhancement of hemolysis by suppression of fragmentation under pressure. Detachment of cytoskeletal proteins from the membrane by low ionic strength buffer was unaffected by pCMB. Moreover, diameters of vesicles released from intact and pCMB-treated erythrocytes at 200 MPa were 438 and 584 nm, respectively. In both vesicles, spectrin contents were almost the same. Taken together, these data suggest that pCMB bound to AQP1 inhibits water transport and enhances the hemolysis due to the suppression of fragmentation under pressure, but not affect membrane–cytoskeleton interactions.
The Restricted-Subduced-Cycle-Index (RSCI) Method for Counting Matchings of Graphs and Its Application to Z-Counting Polynomials and the Hosoya Index as Well as to Matching Polynomials
Authors: Fujita Shinsaku
Published: April 2012

The restricted-subduced-cycle-index (RSCI) method for generating Z-counting polynomials and the Hosoya indices (Z-indices) as well as matching polynomials has been developed by starting from subduced cycle indices (SCI) defined in the unit-subduced-cycle-index (USCI) approach (S. Fujita, Symmetry and Combinatorial Enumeration in Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, 1991). In the RSCI method, k-matchings of a given skeleton (or graph) for deriving these matters are regarded as restricted structures in which vertex substitution and edge substitution occur concurrently under a restricted condition that occupation of a common vertex does not occur. For the purpose of counting such restricted structures, the concepts of territory indicators and territory discriminants are introduced. Thereby, an RSCI for the skeleton (or graph) is derived from an SCI by the subduction to C1 (nonsymmetry). The RSCI gives the generating function for counting the numbers of restricted structures, which is further converted into a Z-counting polynomial, the Hosoya indices, as well as a matching polynomial. The versatility of the RSCI method is illustrated by applying to benzene, naphthalene, dodecahedron, and fullerene C60.
What Makes Firm-based Vocational Training Schemes Successful? The Role of Commitment
Authors: Dustmann Christian , Schönberg Uta
Published: April 2012

This paper studies a possible market failure in the firm-based vocational training market: training may be too complex to be specified in a contract so that it is legally enforceable, resulting in the inability of firms to commit to training provision. We present a model of firm provided training and show that training is substantially lower in the no commitment than in the commitment case. Thus, firm-based vocational training schemes are more successful in countries where commitment to training provision is more widespread. (JEL J24, L25, M12, M53)
Troponin-Specific Autoantibody Interference in Different Cardiac Troponin I Assay Configurations
Authors: Savukoski Tanja , Engström Emilia , Engblom Janne , Ristiniemi Noora , Wittfooth Saara , Lindahl Bertil , Eggers Kai M , Venge Per , Pettersson Kim
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND

Autoantibodies to cardiac troponins (cTnAAb) can interfere with the measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) by immunoassays. The aim of this study was to explore the degree of cTnAAb interference in different cTnI assay configurations.

METHODS

Ternary troponin complex was added into samples (serum or plasma, n = 132, 68% cTnAAb positive) from individuals without known cardiac conditions. The recovery of cTnI was then measured with 6 investigational cTnI assays (2, 3, or 4 antibodies per assay). Three of these assays were then selected for further comparison by use of samples (plasma, n = 210, 33% cTnAAb positive) from non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients in the FRISC-II (FRagmin/Fast Revascularisation during InStability in Coronary artery disease) cohort. Finally, these results were compared to those obtained with 3 commercial cTnI assays.

RESULTS

Analytical recoveries varied widely among the 6 investigational assays. Notably the low recoveries (median 9%) of the midfragment-targeting reference assay were normalized (median 103%) with the use of the 4-antibody assay construct (3 capture, 1 tracer antibody) with only 1 antibody against a midfragment epitope. Reduced analytical recoveries correlated closely with measured autoantibody amounts. cTnI concentrations from cTnAAb-positive patient samples determined with 3 investigational assays confirmed the reduced concentrations expected from the low analytical recoveries. The results from the commercial cTnI assays with antibody selections representative for contemporary assay constructs revealed a similar underestimation (up to 20-fold) of cTnI in cTnAAb-positive samples.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel cTnI assay deviating from the conventional IFCC-recommended midfragment approach substantially improves cTnI detection in samples containing cTnAAbs.
Sorption of Am(III) on attapulgite/iron oxide magnetic composites: effect of pH, ionic strength and humic acid
Authors: Yu T. , Fan Qiao Hui , Wu W. S. , Liu S. P. , Pan D. Q. , Zhang Y. Y. , Li P.
Published: April 2012

Attapulgite/iron oxide magnetic (ATP/IOM) composites was prepared, and the sorption behavior of Am(III) on that composites was studied as a function of pH, ionic strength, the solid-to-liquid ratio (m/V), contact time, and the concentration of Am(III) under ambient conditions using batch technique. The time to achieve the sorption equilibrium was less than 5 h. The sorption of Am(III) on ATP/IOM composites was strongly affected by pH and ionic strength. Though ion exchange reaction contributed to Am(III) sorption over low pH range and low ionic strength, the sorption was mainly dominated by surface complexion (i.e., outer- and/or inner-sphere complexes) in the whole observed pH range. In the presence of humic acid (HA), the sorption edge of Am(III) on ATP/IOM composites obviously shifted to lower pH; but Am(III) sorption gradually became weak after pH exceeded 4, which may be mainly in terms of the soluble complexes of HA-Am(III).