bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Competence of Parenting Education Programs Used by Latino Families
Authors: Vesely Colleen K. , Ewaida Marriam , Anderson Elaine A.
Published: December 2013

The cultural competence of 13 parenting education programs for Latino families with young children was examined in this study. Based on our analyses, we make several recommendations for improving the cultural competence and effectiveness of parenting education programs for Latino families with young children. Specifically, we recommend the following based on this review: (1) consider the importance of context for cultural competence; (2) recognize that cultural competence is a process that evolves over time; (3) connect with local Latino communities and stakeholders as it is imperative to program cultural competence; (4) ensure that the diverse voices of constituents, including Latinos, are heard throughout all phases of development, implementation, and evaluation of parenting programs for Latino families; (5) go beyond translation of materials and consider cultural values, beliefs, and experiences to move toward cultural competence; and, (6) offer ongoing training and mentoring to program staff.
Confirmation of Gastric Tube Bedside Placement With the Sky Blue Method
Authors: Imamura Takashi , Maeda Hajime , Kinoshita Hidetoshi , Shibukawa Yasuko , Suda Kiyomi , Fukuda Yutaka , Goto Aya , Nagasawa Katsutoshi
Published: December 2013

Background: The purpose was to review our experiences and determine if applying the sky blue method is reliable in confirming gastric tube (GT) placement in neonates. Methods: The study population consisted of 44 infants (55 placements) who were admitted to the Takeda General Hospital between April 2012 and March 2013 and who required GT exchange. The sky blue method using indigo carmine (IC) was indicated for planned tube exchange only. Diluted IC was injected into the gastric space via the old GT just before the tube exchange. The tube was exchanged using a standard method. Then, we checked whether the diluted IC could be collected through the new GT or not. Results: The reasons for GT placement were a gestational age of < 35 weeks in 31 (56.4%), poor sucking or swallowing disorders in 17 (30.4%), and respiratory disorders in 7 (12.7%) of the 55 placements. GT placement using the sky blue method was considered successful in 52 placements (94.4%), with the remaining 3 placements (5.6%) considered to be failures due to the inability to obtain IC from the gastric space. No adverse events were observed during the tube exchange period. Conclusion: Based on the results, the sky blue method can be considered to be reliable method for the confirmation of GT placement. These results also suggest that the number of radiologic evaluations performed to confirm correct replacement of the GT in infants can be reduced in the future.
Annealing effects on magnetic properties and strength of organic-silicon epoxy resin-coated soft magnetic composites
Authors: Xiao Ling , Sun Yanhua , Ding Chunhua , Yang Lihua , Yu Lie
Published: December 2013

Soft magnetic composites (SMCs) can be described as soft magnetic powders covered by electrically insulating layers. In this work, iron powders with high purity and organic-silicon epoxy resin were chosen for good magnetic properties, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, respectively. The effect of amount of resin, different annealing temperatures on the microstructure, and performance of SMCs was investigated. Results show that organic-silicon epoxy resin has excellent properties as dielectric coating materials for coating iron powders and maximum heat-resistant temperature is about 400 ℃. According to magnetic properties and flexural strength analysis, the optimum annealing temperature of organic-silicon epoxy resin-coated composite is 200 ℃. Furthermore, the finite element analysis indicates that the strength of the whole composites is related to the adhesion of resin and iron and the strength of resin itself.
Leg kinematic analysis and prototype experiments of walking-operating multifunctional hexapod robot
Authors: Yang Pan , Gao Feng
Published: December 2013

This paper presents kinematic analysis of a 3-degree of freedom parallel mechanism for hexapod walking-operating multifuctional robot. Each leg of the robot consists of three limbs: universal joint – prismatic joint chain (1-UP) and universal joint – prismatic joint – spherical joint chain (2-UPS) and at the end of the leg there is passive spherical joint to adjust to the uneven ground. In this paper, first the forward kinematic model is built and it shows that the model has close-form solution. Then the work space is discussed in which the robot feet trajectories can be projected. It can be shown that the current trajectories of the feet only take very small work space. After that force analysis is performed and the results show that the payload capability of the mechanism is very high. Experiments of the prototype show that the robot can walk easily with more than 150 kg loads while the step size is more than 0.5 m.
How to improve your PubMed/MEDLINE searches: 2. display settings, complex search queries and topic searching
Authors: Fatehi Farhad , Gray Leonard C , Wootton Richard
Published: December 2013

Summary

The way that PubMed results are displayed can be changed using the Display Settings drop-down menu in the result screen. There are three groups of options: Format, Items per page and Sort by, which allow a good deal of control. The results from several searches can be temporarily stored on the Clipboard. Records of interest can be selected on the results page using check boxes and can then be combined, for example to form a reference list. The Related Citations is a valuable feature of PubMed that can provide a set of similar articles when you have identified a record of interest among the results. You can easily search for RCTs or reviews using the appropriate filters or field tags. If you are interested in clinical articles, rather than basic science or health service research, then the Clinical Queries tool on the PubMed home page can be used to retrieve them.
Frameworks for Response to Intervention in Early Childhood
Authors:   Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children,   National Association for the Education of Young Children,   National Head Start Association
Published: December 2013

In February, 2013, the Division of Early Childhood, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the National Head Start Association released a collaborative paper to provide clarification and assistance regarding the relationship of response to intervention (RTI) with the field of early childhood (EC). In addition to promoting a broader discussion of this topic, in this article, I provide a valuable resource for families, and general and special education early childhood teachers, administrators, and leaders in the field. The following key elements are discussed: context for RTI in K–12 and EC, features of RTI frameworks in EC, misunderstandings and misconceptions of RTI, and the future of RTI in EC programs.
Author Reply: What is a Basic Emotion Theorist?
Authors: Ellsworth Phoebe C.
Published: December 2013

William James was not a basic emotion theorist in that he did not propose a list of basic emotions or concern himself with the question of which emotions were really basic. He may have believed that some emotions evolved earlier and spread more widely than others; whether this makes him a basic emotion theorist is a matter of taste.
Author Reply: Comments by Reisenzein and Stephan
Authors: Laird James D. , Lacasse Katherine
Published: December 2013

At the empirical center of James’s theory of emotion is the prediction that people induced to act emotionally will report feeling the corresponding emotion. While the research more or less inspired by James is complex, it is also large. Reisenzein and Stephan (2014) identify a number of problems in this literature, but we think, on balance, the research supports James’s hypothesis. At a minimum, there are literally hundreds of studies showing that people induced to act as if they felt an emotion, an attitude, or a judgment report those feelings. Critics of James’s theory are left with the task of accounting for these findings.
High Ability Students’ Voice on Learning Motivation
Authors: Garn Alex C. , Jolly Jennifer L.
Published: December 2013

This study used a self-determination theory lens to investigate high ability learners’ motivational experiences. Participants were 15 high ability youth involved in a summer learning camp for gifted students. Two major themes emerged from qualitative data analysis: (a) The Fun Factor of Learning and (b) The Rewards and Pressures of Good Grades. Fun learning experiences (i.e., intrinsic motivation, identified regulation) occurred when parents and teachers tailored learning activities to personalized interests and goals. Likewise, learning choices helped increase intrinsic motivation and identified regulation. Motivational experiences were decreased when parents exerted high levels of pressure on academic outcomes (e.g., grades): therefore, introjected regulation could be especially relevant in understanding motivation in high ability learners.
Biarsenical ligands bind to endogenous G-protein α-subunits and enable allosteric sensing of nucleotide binding
Authors: Tõntson Lauri , Kopanchuk Sergei , Rinken Ago
Published: December 2013

Background

Heterotrimeric G-proteins relay extracellular signals to intracellular effector proteins. Multiple methods have been developed to monitor their activity; including labeled nucleotides and biosensors based on genetically engineered G-proteins. Here we describe a method for monitoring unlabeled nucleotide binding to endogenous G-proteins α-subunits in a homogeneous assay based on the interaction of 4′,5′-bis(1,2,3-dithioarsolan-2-yl)-2′,7′-difluorofluorescein (F2FlAsH) with G-protein α-subunits.

Results

The biarsenic fluorescent ligand F2FlAsH binds to various wild-type G-protein α-subunits (αi1, αi2, αi3, αslong, αsshort, αolf, αq, α13) via high affinity As-cysteine interactions. This allosteric label enables real time monitoring of the nucleotide bound states of α-subunits via changes in fluorescence anisotropy and intensity of their F2FlAsH-complexes. We have found that different α-subunits displayed different signal amplitudes when interacting with F2FlAsH, being more sensitive to nucleotide binding to αi, αs, αolf and αq than to α13. Addition of nucleotides to F2FlAsH-labeled α-subunits caused concentration-dependent effects on their fluorescence anisotropy. pEC50 values of studied nucleotides depended on the subtype of the α-subunit and were from 5.7 to 8.2 for GTPγS, from 5.4 to 8.1 for GppNHp and from 4.8 to 8.2 for GDP and lastly up to 5.9 for GMP. While GDP and GMP increased the fluorescence anisotropy of F2FlAsH complexes with αi-subunits, they had the opposite effect on the other αβγM complexes studied.

Conclusions

Biarsenical ligands interact allosterically with endogenous G-protein α-subunits in a nucleotide-sensitive manner, so the presence or absence of guanine nucleotides has an effect on the fluorescence anisotropy, intensity and lifetime of F2FlAsH-G-protein complexes.
Comprehensive analysis of the Corynebacterium glutamicum transcriptome using an improved RNAseq technique
Authors: Pfeifer-Sancar Katharina , Mentz Almut , Rückert Christian , Kalinowski Jörn
Published: December 2013

Background

The use of RNAseq to resolve the transcriptional organization of an organism was established in recent years and also showed the complexity and dynamics of bacterial transcriptomes. The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate the transcriptome of the industrially relevant amino acid producer and model organismCorynebacterium glutamicumby RNAseq in order to improve its genome annotation and to describe important features for transcription and translation.

Results

RNAseq data sets were obtained by two methods, one that focuses on 5′-ends of primary transcripts and another that provides the overall transcriptome with an improved resolution of 3′-ends of transcripts. Subsequent data analysis led to the identification of more than 2,000 transcription start sites (TSSs), the definition of 5′-UTRs (untranslated regions) for annotated protein-coding genes, operon structures and many novel transcripts located between or in antisense orientation to protein-coding regions. Interestingly, a high number of mRNAs (33%) is transcribed as leaderless transcripts. From the data, consensus promoter and ribosome binding site (RBS) motifs were identified and it was shown that the majority of genes inC. glutamicumare transcribed monocistronically, but operons containing up to 16 genes are also present.

Conclusions

The comprehensive transcriptome map ofC. glutamicumestablished in this study represents a major step forward towards a complete definition of genetic elements (e.g. promoter regions, gene starts and stops, 5′-UTRs, RBSs, transcript starts and ends) and provides the ideal basis for further analyses on transcriptional regulatory networks in this organism. The methods developed are easily applicable for other bacteria and have the potential to be used also for quantification of transcriptomes, replacing microarrays in the near future.
A retrospective study of acute pancreatitis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
Authors: Zhu Yin , Chen You-Xiang , Zhu Yong , Liu Pi , Zeng Hao , Lu Nong-Hua
Published: December 2013

Background

Etiological diagnosis is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis. Hantavirus infection is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis, which is easy to ignore. There is a need to analyze clinical features of acute pancreatitis caused by Hantavirus.

Methods

This is a retrospective study conducted from May 1, 2006 to May 31, 2012 on patients diagnosed with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome at our hospital. We reviewed these patients medical records, laboratory results and radiologic examinations to determine the prevalence and summarize clinical features of acute pancreatitis in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Results

A total of 218 patients were diagnosed with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome during the 6-year study period. Only 2.8% (6/218) of the total hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome patients were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The first symptom for all six of the patients with acute pancreatitis was fever. All six patients experienced hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia during the disease course, which was different from general acute pancreatitis. In addition, we presented two misdiagnosed clinical cases.

Conclusions

Acute pancreatitis is not a frequent complication in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Clinicians should be alerted to the possibility of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome when acute pancreatitis patients with epidemiological data have high fever before abdominal pain.
Reliability tests and validation tests of the client satisfaction questionnaire (CSQ-8) as an index of satisfaction with childbirth-related care among Filipino women
Authors: Matsubara Chieko , Green Joseph , Astorga Linda Teresa , Daya Edgardo L , Jervoso Honorato C , Gonzaga Edgardo M , Jimba Masamine
Published: December 2013

Background

Satisfaction is an important indicator of the quality of care during childbirth. Previous research found that a good environment at a health facility can increase the number of deliveries at that facility. In contrast, an unsatisfying childbirth experience could cause postpartum mental disorder. Therefore it is important to measure mothers’ satisfaction with their childbirth experiences. We tested whether the eight-item Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) provided useful information about satisfaction with childbirth-related care. The government of the Philippines promotes childbirth at health facilities, so we tested the CSQ-8 in the Philippine cities of Ormoc and Palo.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. We targeted multigravid mothers whose last baby had been delivered at a hospital (without complications) and whose 2nd-to-last baby had been delivered at a hospital or at home (without complications). We developed versions of the CSQ-8 in Cebuano and Waray, which are two of the six major Filipino languages. Reliability tests and validation tests were done with data from 100 Cebuano-speaking mothers and 106 Waray-speaking mothers.

Results

Both the Cebuano and Waray versions of the CSQ-8 had high coefficients of internal-consistency reliability (greater than 0.80). Both versions were also unidimensional, which is generally consistent with the English CSQ-8 in a mental-health setting. As hypothesized, the scores for data regarding the second-to-last delivery were higher for mothers who had both their second-to-last and their last delivery in a hospital, than for mothers who had their second-to-last delivery at home and their last delivery in a hospital (Cebuano: p < 0.001, rho = 0.51, Waray: p < 0.001, rho = 0.55).

Conclusions

Scores on the CSQ-8 can be used as indices of general satisfaction with childbirth-related services in clinical settings. This study also exemplifies a convenient method for developing versions of the CSQ-8 in more than one language. These versions of the CSQ-8 can now be used to assess mothers’ satisfaction, so that mothers’ opinions can be taken into account in efforts to improve childbirth-related services, which could increase the proportion of deliveries in medical facilities and thus reduce maternal mortality.
Adverse childhood experiences and the cardiovascular health of children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pretty Chelsea , O’Leary Deborah D , Cairney John , Wade Terrance J
Published: December 2013

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, household dysfunction, and neglect, have been shown to increase adults’ risk of developing chronic conditions and risk factors for chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Much less work has investigated the effect of ACEs on children’s physical health status that may lead to adult chronic health conditions. Therefore, the present study examined the relationship between ACEs and early childhood risk factors for adult cardiovascular disease.

Methods

1 234 grade six to eight students participated in school-based data collection, which included resting measures of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Parents of these children completed an inventory of ACEs taken from the Childhood Trust Events Survey. Linear regression models were used to assess the relationship between experiencing more than 4 ACEs experienced, systolic BP, HR, BMI and WC. In additional analysis, ACEs were assessed ordinally in their relationship with systolic BP, HR, and BMI as well as clinical obesity and hypertension status.

Results

After adjustment for family education, income, age, sex, physical activity, and parental history of hypertension, and WC for HR models, four or more ACEs had a significant effect on HR (b = 1.8 bpm, 95% CI (0.1-3.6)) BMI (b =1.1 kg/m2, 95% CI (0.5-1.8)), and WC (b = 3.6 cm, 95% CI (1.8-5.3)). A dose–response relationship between ACE accumulation and both BMI and WC was also found to be significant. Furthermore, accumulation of 4 or more ACEs was significantly associated with clinical obesity (95th percentile), after controlling for the aforementioned covariates.

Conclusions

In a community sample of grade six to eight children, accumulation of 4 or more ACEs significantly increased BMI, WC and resting HR. Therefore, risk factors related to reported associations between ACEs and cardiovascular outcomes among adults are identifiable in childhood suggesting earlier interventions to reduce CVD risk are required.
Accuracy and consistency of weights provided by home bathroom scales
Authors: Yorkin Meredith , Spaccarotella Kim , Martin-Biggers Jennifer , Quick Virginia , Byrd-Bredbenner Carol
Published: December 2013

Background

Self-reported body weight is often used for calculation of Body Mass Index because it is easy to collect. Little is known about sources of error introduced by using bathroom scales to measure weight at home. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and consistency of digital versus dial-type bathroom scales commonly used for self-reported weight.

Methods

Participants brought functioning bathroom scales (n = 18 dial-type, n = 43 digital-type) to a central location. Trained researchers assessed accuracy and consistency using certified calibration weights at 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg, 75 kg, 100 kg, and 110 kg. Data also were collected on frequency of calibration, age and floor surface beneath the scale.

Results

All participants reported using their scale on hard surface flooring. Before calibration, all digital scales displayed 0, but dial scales displayed a mean absolute initial weight of 0.95 (1.9 SD) kg. Digital scales accurately weighed test loads whereas dial-type scale weights differed significantly (p < 0.05). Imprecision of dial scales was significantly greater than that of digital scales at all weights (p < 0.05). Accuracy and precision did not vary by scale age.

Conclusions

Digital home bathroom scales provide sufficiently accurate and consistent weights for public health research. Reminders to zero scales before each use may further improve accuracy of self-reported weight.
Hydrogen evolution reaction measurements of dealloyed porous NiCu
Authors: Koboski Kyla R , Nelsen Evan F , Hampton Jennifer R
Published: December 2013

Porous metals are of interest for their high surface area and potential for enhanced catalytic behavior. Electrodeposited NiCu thin films with a range of compositions were electrochemically dealloyed to selectively remove the Cu component. The film structure, composition, and reactivity of these samples were characterized both before and after the dealloying step using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electrochemical measurements. The catalytic behavior of the dealloyed porous Ni samples towards the hydrogen evolution reaction was measured and compared to that of the as-deposited samples. The dealloyed samples were generally more reactive than their as-deposited counterparts at low overpotentials, making the dealloying procedure a promising area of exploration for improved hydrogen evolution catalysts.
Performance evaluation of a MIMO channel model for simplified OTA test systems
Authors: Pasisingi Sahrul , Nakada Katsuhiro , Kosako Akira , Karasawa Yoshio
Published: December 2013

This paper shows performance evaluation results of the proposed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel model with simplified configuration for OTA measurement systems. The key feature of our proposal is the adoption of a simple antenna branch-controlled configuration for generating various Rayleigh fading environments composed of a number of multipath delayed waves. The scheme matches well with FPGA implementation with IF band signal processing. The channel model and its theoretical background, and the basic configuration of the measurement system are presented. From an eigenvalue analysis of the generated channel matrix, it is verified that an 8-probe antenna system can realize a very accurate multipath environment for the performance measurement of a 2 × 2 MIMO system, while a 12- or 16-probe antenna system can do the same for a 4 × 4 MIMO system.
Eosinophilic myocarditis: two case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Rizkallah Jacques , Desautels Angela , Malik Amrit , Zieroth Shelley , Jassal Davinder , Hussain Farrukh , Cordova Francisco
Published: December 2013

Background

Eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare and often under-diagnosed subtype of myocarditis with only around 30 cases published in the medical literature. In this article we present two patients with eosinophilic myocarditis with the aim to demonstrate the often elusive nature of the disease and present the current scientific literature on this topic.

Case presentation

A 76 years old Caucasian gentleman and a 36 years old Aboriginal gentleman both presenting with heart failure symptoms were eventually diagnosed with eosinophilic myocarditis after extensive evaluation. Their presentation, assessment, and medical management is explored in this article.

Conclusions

Eosinophilic myocarditis remains a rare and likely under-diagnosed subtype of myocarditis. The key features of this disease include myocardial injury in the setting of non-contributory coronary artery disease. Endomyocardial biopsy remains the definitive gold standard for diagnosis of noninfectious eosinophilic myocarditis. Non-invasive cardiac imaging in the setting of peripheral eosinophilia can be strongly suggestive of eosinophilic myocarditis with potential for earlier diagnosis. Failure to diagnose eosinophilic myocarditis and the delay of therapy may lead to irreversible myocardial injury. Therapies for this disease have yet to be validated in large prospective studies.
Outcomes of patients with acetaminophen-associated toxic hepatitis at a far east poison center
Authors: Hou Yi-Chou , Lin Ja-Liang , Huang Wen-Hung , Weng Cheng-Hao , Lee Shen-Yang , Hsu Ching-Wei , Wang I-Kuan , Liang Chih-Chia , Chang Chiz-Tzung , Lin Wey-Ran , Yen Tzung-Hai
Published: December 2013

Background

There is an overall paucity of data regarding the outcomes of patients with acetaminophen-associated toxic hepatitis in Taiwan. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to recruit a larger number of patients and to examine the clinical features, the degrees of toxic hepatitis, the physiological markers, and the clinical outcomes after intentional acetaminophen poisoning, and to determine what association, if any, might exist between these findings.

Methods

We examined the medical records of 187 patients with intentional acetaminophen poisoning who were examined at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2011. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to hepatic complications, i.e. with (n = 15) or without (n = 172) toxic hepatitis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, and the mortality rate was analyzed.

Results

It was found that patients with toxic hepatitis had higher serum acetaminophen level (P = 0.007), but they also arrived to the hospital later (P < 0.001) than patients without toxic hepatitis. Furthermore, patients with toxic hepatitis showed higher incidences of acute respiratory failure (P = 0.012) than those shown by patients who did not have hepatitis. The laboratory examinations also revealed greater degrees of granulocytosis (P < 0.001) and poorer liver function tests (P < 0.001) in patients with hepatitis than in patients without hepatitis. Nevertheless, a univariate logistic regression model failed to identify any significant risk factors for toxic hepatitis complication after ingestion (P > 0.05). At the end of the analysis, 1 patient with toxic hepatitis died of liver failure. Finally, there was no significant difference in mortality between patients with and without hepatitis (P = 0.080).

Conclusion

The analytical data revealed that toxic hepatitis was not uncommon (15/187 or 8.0%) after acetaminophen overdose. Further studies are warranted.
Autologous or Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Chemotherapy-Sensitive Mantle-Cell Lymphoma: Analysis of Transplantation Timing and Modality
Authors: Fenske Timothy S. , Zhang Mei-Jie , Carreras Jeanette , Ayala Ernesto , Burns Linda J. , Cashen Amanda , Costa Luciano J. , Freytes César O. , Gale Robert P. , Hamadani Mehdi , Holmberg Leona A. , Inwards David J. , Lazarus Hillard M. , Maziarz Richard T. , Munker Reinhold , Perales Miguel-Angel , Rizzieri David A. , Schouten Harry C. , Smith Sonali M. , Waller Edmund K. , Wirk Baldeep M. , Laport Ginna G. , Maloney David G. , Montoto Silvia , Hari Parameswaran N.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To examine the outcomes of patients with chemotherapy-sensitive mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) following a first hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HCT), comparing outcomes with autologous (auto) versus reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic (RIC allo) HCT and with transplantation applied at different times in the disease course.

Patients and Methods

In all, 519 patients who received transplantations between 1996 and 2007 and were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research were analyzed. The early transplantation cohort was defined as those patients in first partial or complete remission with no more than two lines of chemotherapy. The late transplantation cohort was defined as all the remaining patients.

Results

Auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT resulted in similar overall survival from transplantation for both the early (at 5 years: 61% auto-HCT v 62% RIC allo-HCT; P = .951) and late cohorts (at 5 years: 44% auto-HCT v 31% RIC allo-HCT; P = .202). In both early and late transplantation cohorts, progression/relapse was lower and nonrelapse mortality was higher in the allo-HCT group. Overall survival and progression-free survival were highest in patients who underwent auto-HCT in first complete response. Multivariate analysis of survival from diagnosis identified a survival benefit favoring early HCT for both auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT.

Conclusion

For patients with chemotherapy-sensitive MCL, the optimal timing for HCT is early in the disease course. Outcomes are particularly favorable for patients undergoing auto-HCT in first complete remission. For those unable to achieve complete remission after two lines of chemotherapy or those with relapsed disease, either auto-HCT or RIC allo-HCT may be effective, although the chance for long-term remission and survival is lower.
Phase II Pilot Study of Intravenous High-Dose Interferon With or Without Maintenance Treatment in Melanoma at High Risk of Recurrence
Authors: Payne Miranda J. , Argyropoulou Katerina , Lorigan Paul , McAleer James J. , Farrugia David , Davidson Neville , Kelly Charles , Chao David , Marshall Ernest , Han Cheng , Wellman Sandie , Middleton Mark R.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

High-dose interferon alfa-2b (HDI) has emerged as a potentially effective adjuvant therapy in patients with resected melanoma at high risk of recurrence. Evidence suggests it may be the early, very-high-dose part of the regimen that is critical. This pilot study sought to provide an early indication of whether the same effects can be achieved with the intravenous component of HDI alone and inform the feasibility and design of a phase III trial.

Patients and Methods

Patients with stage 2B, 2C, 3B, and 3C melanoma were randomly assigned to receive interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α-2b) 20 MIU/m2 intravenously (IV) daily 5 days per week for 4 weeks (arm A) versus the same regimen followed by IFN-α-2b 10 MIU/m2 administered subcutaneously three times per week for 48 weeks (arm B) and observed for relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival.

Results

Between 2003 and 2009, 194 patients were enrolled (arm A, 96; arm B, 98). After median follow-up of 39.5 months, RFS was 22.7 months (95% CI, 14.1 to 38.1 months) in arm A versus 33.3 months (95% CI, 18.2 to not reached) in arm B (P = .28). The proportions of patients free of relapse at 2 years were 50% and 54.1% (P = .569; hazard ratio, 0.89), respectively. Overall survival favored arm B (median, 41.5 months v not reached; P = .05).

Conclusion

Clinical outcomes were better in patients who had the longer regimen. Our results do not support either the use of a month of IV HDI alone in place of the year-long regimen or the initiation of a larger trial on this question.
Predicting and Communicating the Risk of Recurrence and Death in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review of Risk Prediction Models
Authors: Engelhardt Ellen G. , Garvelink Mirjam M. , de Haes J. (Hanneke) C.J.M. , van der Hoeven Jacobus J.M. , Smets Ellen M.A. , Pieterse Arwen H. , Stiggelbout Anne M.
Published: December 2013

Background

It is a challenge for oncologists to distinguish patients with breast cancer who can forego adjuvant systemic treatment without negatively affecting survival from those who cannot. Risk prediction models (RPMs) have been developed for this purpose. Oncologists seem to have embraced RPMs (particularly Adjuvant!) in clinical practice and often use them to communicate prognosis to patients. We performed a systematic review of published RPMs and provide an overview of the prognosticators incorporated and reported clinical validity. Subsequently, we selected the RPMs that are currently used in the clinic for a more in-depth assessment of clinical validity. Finally, we assessed lay comprehensibility of the reports generated by RPMs.

Methods

Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched. Two reviewers independently selected relevant articles and extracted data. Agreement on article selection and data extraction was achieved in consensus meetings.

Results

We identified RPMs based on clinical prognosticators (N = 6) and biomolecular features (N = 14). Generally predictions from RPMs seem to be accurate, except for patients ≤ 50 years or ≥ 75 years at diagnosis, in addition to Asian populations. RPM reports contain much medical jargon or technical details, which are seldom explained in lay terms.

Conclusion

The accuracy of RPMs' prognostic estimates is suboptimal in some patient subgroups. This urgently needs to be addressed. In their current format, RPM reports are not conducive to patient comprehension. Communicating survival probabilities using RPM might seem straightforward, but it is fraught with difficulties. If not done properly, it can backfire and confuse patients. Evidence to guide best communication practice is needed.
Origins of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms along the Texas coast
Authors: Thyng Kristen M. , Hetland Robert D. , Ogle Marcus T. , Zhang Xiaoqian , Chen Fei , Campbell Lisa
Published: December 2013

Lay Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of Mexico are primarily caused by the dinoflagellate species Karenia brevis. During blooms, toxins produced by K. brevis are concentrated by suspension‐feeding shellfish, which, if consumed by humans, can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, and can lead to fish kills. A complication in understanding the underlying cause of the blooms is that the observed rate of growth of the bloom is too high to be explained by algal growth alone. Additionally, blooms occur sporadically in Texas waters, compared with more predictable blooms on the western Florida continental shelf. This study proposes a series of physical mechanisms to explain the interannual variability of bloom occurrences. Wind data along the coast are weaker on average in years in which HAB events occur. We propose that typical northward summer winds bring higher concentrations of cells from the southern Gulf of Mexico and then these cells are transported toward the Texas coastline by the southwestward fall winds. Strong winds wash out the accumulating cells, whereas weaker winds allow algal cells to aggregate.
The LIM and POU homeobox genes ttx-3 and unc-86 act as terminal selectors in distinct cholinergic and serotonergic neuron types
Authors: Zhang Feifan , Bhattacharya Abhishek , Nelson Jessica C. , Abe Namiko , Gordon Patricia , Lloret-Fernandez Carla , Maicas Miren , Flames Nuria , Mann Richard S. , Colón-Ramos Daniel A. , Hobert Oliver
Published: December 2013

Transcription factors that drive neuron type-specific terminal differentiation programs in the developing nervous system are often expressed in several distinct neuronal cell types, but to what extent they have similar or distinct activities in individual neuronal cell types is generally not well explored. We investigate this problem using, as a starting point, the C. elegans LIM homeodomain transcription factor ttx-3, which acts as a terminal selector to drive the terminal differentiation program of the cholinergic AIY interneuron class. Using a panel of different terminal differentiation markers, including neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes, neurotransmitter receptors and neuropeptides, we show that ttx-3 also controls the terminal differentiation program of two additional, distinct neuron types, namely the cholinergic AIA interneurons and the serotonergic NSM neurons. We show that the type of differentiation program that is controlled by ttx-3 in different neuron types is specified by a distinct set of collaborating transcription factors. One of the collaborating transcription factors is the POU homeobox gene unc-86, which collaborates with ttx-3 to determine the identity of the serotonergic NSM neurons. unc-86 in turn operates independently of ttx-3 in the anterior ganglion where it collaborates with the ARID-type transcription factor cfi-1 to determine the cholinergic identity of the IL2 sensory and URA motor neurons. In conclusion, transcription factors operate as terminal selectors in distinct combinations in different neuron types, defining neuron type-specific identity features.
Premature dyad separation in meiosis II is the major segregation error with maternal age in mouse oocytes
Authors: Yun Yan , Lane Simon I. R. , Jones Keith T.
Published: December 2013

As women get older their oocytes become susceptible to chromosome mis-segregation. This generates aneuploid embryos, leading to increased infertility and birth defects. Here we examined the provenance of aneuploidy by tracking chromosomes and their kinetochores in oocytes from young and aged mice. Changes consistent with chromosome cohesion deterioration were found with age, including increased interkinetochore distance and loss of the centromeric protector of cohesion SGO2 in metaphase II arrested (metII) eggs, as well as a rise in the number of weakly attached bivalents in meiosis I (MI) and lagging chromosomes at anaphase I. However, there were no MI errors in congression or biorientation. Instead, premature separation of dyads in meiosis II was the major segregation defect in aged eggs and these were associated with very low levels of SGO2. These data show that although considerable cohesion loss occurs during MI, its consequences are observed during meiosis II, when centromeric cohesion is needed to maintain dyad integrity.
Identification of expressed and conserved human noncoding RNAs
Authors: Nielsen Morten Muhlig , Tehler Disa , Vang Søren , Sudzina Frantisek , Hedegaard Jakob , Nordentoft Iver , Ørntoft Torben Falck , Lund Anders H. , Pedersen Jakob Skou
Published: December 2013

The past decade has shown mammalian genomes to be pervasively transcribed and identified thousands of noncoding (nc) transcripts. It is currently unclear to what extent these transcripts are of functional importance, as experimental functional evidence exists for only a small fraction. Here, we characterize the expression and evolutionary conservation properties of 12,115 known and novel nc transcripts, including structural RNAs, long nc RNAs (lncRNAs), antisense RNAs, EvoFold predictions, ultraconserved elements, and expressed nc regions. Expression levels are evaluated across 12 human tissues using a custom-designed microarray, supplemented with RNAseq. Conservation levels are evaluated at both the base level and at the syntenic level. We combine these measures with epigenetic mark annotations to identify subsets of novel nc transcripts that show characteristics similar to known functional ncRNAs. Few novel nc transcripts show both high expression and conservation levels. However, overall, we observe a positive correlation between expression and both conservation and epigenetic annotations, suggesting that a subset of the expressed transcripts are under purifying selection and likely functional. The identified subsets of expressed and conserved novel nc transcripts may form the basis for further functional characterization.
Identification and codon reading properties of 5-cyanomethyl uridine, a new modified nucleoside found in the anticodon wobble position of mutant haloarchaeal isoleucine tRNAs
Authors: Mandal Debabrata , Köhrer Caroline , Su Dan , Babu I. Ramesh , Chan Clement T.Y. , Liu Yuchen , Söll Dieter , Blum Paul , Kuwahara Masayasu , Dedon Peter C. , RajBhandary Uttam L.
Published: December 2013

Most archaea and bacteria use a modified C in the anticodon wobble position of isoleucine tRNA to base pair with A but not with G of the mRNA. This allows the tRNA to read the isoleucine codon AUA without also reading the methionine codon AUG. To understand why a modified C, and not U or modified U, is used to base pair with A, we mutated the C34 in the anticodon of Haloarcula marismortui isoleucine tRNA (tRNA2Ile) to U, expressed the mutant tRNA in Haloferax volcanii, and purified and analyzed the tRNA. Ribosome binding experiments show that although the wild-type tRNA2Ile binds exclusively to the isoleucine codon AUA, the mutant tRNA binds not only to AUA but also to AUU, another isoleucine codon, and to AUG, a methionine codon. The G34 to U mutant in the anticodon of another H. marismortui isoleucine tRNA species showed similar codon binding properties. Binding of the mutant tRNA to AUG could lead to misreading of the AUG codon and insertion of isoleucine in place of methionine. This result would explain why most archaea and bacteria do not normally use U or a modified U in the anticodon wobble position of isoleucine tRNA for reading the codon AUA. Biochemical and mass spectrometric analyses of the mutant tRNAs have led to the discovery of a new modified nucleoside, 5-cyanomethyl U in the anticodon wobble position of the mutant tRNAs. 5-Cyanomethyl U is present in total tRNAs from euryarchaea but not in crenarchaea, eubacteria, or eukaryotes.
Creating Minimum Harm Practice (MiHaP): a concept for continuous improvement
Authors: Singh Ranjit
Published: December 2013

The author asks for the attention of leaders and all other stakeholders to calls of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and the UK National Health Service (NHS) to promote continuous learning to reduce harm to patients. This paper presents a concept for structured bottom-up methodology that enables and empowers all stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and address safety challenges. This methodology takes advantage of the memory of the experiences of all persons involved in providing care. It respects and responds to the uniqueness of each setting by empowering and motivating all team members to commit to harm reduction. It is based on previously published work on “Best Practices Research (BPR)” and on “Systematic Appraisal of Risk and Its Management for Error Reduction (SARAIMER)”. The latter approach, has been shown by the author (with Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) support), to reduce adverse events and their severity through empowerment, ownership and work satisfaction. The author puts forward a strategy for leaders to implement, in response to national and international calls for Better health, Better care, and Better value (the 3B’s of healthcare) in the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  This is designed to enable and implement “A promise to learn- a commitment to act”.  AHRQ has recently published “A Toolkit for Rapid-Cycle Patient Safety and Quality Improvement” that includes an adapted version of SARAIMER.
Antifrictional properties of nanocomposites based on modified wood
Authors: Губанова  , Gubanova Natalya
Published: December 2013

Nanotechnologies enable you to create mate-rials and structures that exhibit significantly improved new physical, mechanical and anti-friction properties, using nano-sized objects (from 1 to 200 nm).

A result of research of antifriction properties and wear resistance of wood, modified wood is recommended for production testing.

As a result of nanomodification OF tribo-logical surfaces wear rate of the modified wood samples with nanofillers significantly decreases.
Research premise of ensuring environmentally friendly recreational use of forests
Authors: Сериков  , Serikov Mikhail
Published: December 2013

Provides a brief analysis of the weaknesses in the systems of forest Inventory and urban planning with regard to ensuring environmentally friendly consumption of forest recreation resources – lack of standar-dized methods and uniform standards for determining the values ​​of the ecological capacity of recreational areas and actual loads, taking into account different degrees of environmental impact, assessment of recrea-tional quality of facilities, their recreational functional zoning that does not allow to make a transfer of recreational use of forests on the principles of the modern concept nature management.
Justification of changes in the conceptual framework of forest management of recreational forests
Authors: Сериков  , Serikov Mikhail
Published: December 2013

This article provides a substantiation for the need to improve the conceptual and terminological framework on the use of forests for recreation and their forest management. This is due to the fact that since the adoption of industry standards, forestry legislation has changed; new concepts and terms have appeared in connection with the necessity of moving of recreational use of forests to the principles of ecosystem nature management concept.
Studies of road constructions of macadam on the shear stress
Authors: Артемьев  , Artemev Vladislav
Published: December 2013

Analysis of calculation of stress and strain of pavement with macadam by the method of ODN 218.046–01 is given. The main objective of strengthening local road-building materials is to identify areas of maximum stress, which should be stren-gthened with the use of geosynthetic or binding materials. As a result zones of maximum stress in the two-layer pavement are revealed. The dependences of the shear stress from the increase in the thickness of pavement with an increase in gravel or sand layers are defined.
The influence of vibration on the friction angle of the soil by working body
Authors: Василенко  , Vasilenko Sergey , Василенко  , Vasilenko Vladimir , Афоничев  , Afonichev Dmitriy , Стуров  , Sturov Denis
Published: December 2013

The results of laboratory tests of the angle and the coefficient of friction of the soil on the steel surface in a state of rest and forced vibrations are given. The studies were conducted in the laboratory of the department of agricultural machinery of Voronezh State Agrarian University. They used a method of measuring these parameters on an inclined plane with produce bend. In the quiescent state friction angle was found to be φ = 0,548 radian, which corresponds to the friction coefficient f = 0,61. The data are obtained as a result of the average of 10 repetitions, the standard deviation σ = 0,003 radian.
The results of theoretical and experimental studies of multi-bladed rotor type working bodies for the distribution of solid manure
Authors: Бровченко  , Brovchenko Aleksey , Шацкий  , Shatskiy Vladimir , Дьячков  , Dyachkov Anatoliy
Published: December 2013

The paper presents the theoretical and experimental studies of the process of distribution of solid manure from the rolls by redesigned multi-bladed rotor type working bodies. With the developed model, the dependences of flight range of particles of fertilizer of blades radius of last row rotors at different angles of the installation of their radial position are got, which made it possible to determine the radius of the blades of the last row rotors to achieve the full width of sieving of fertilizer particles.
Improvement of the organization of the transport service of furniture enterprises
Authors: Благой  , Blagoy Anton , Бычков  , Bychkov Vladimir , Харламова  , Kharlamova Anastasiya
Published: December 2013

In the article by considering two major furniture companies in Voronezh (HC "Furniture Chernozemya" and LLC "Angstrem") we describe the content of each mode of transport service organization, provide recommendations on moving to an outsourcing system. The recommendations are mostly general in nature, so in each case the event may be supplemented and modified depending on the size of enterprises, the specific activity and other factors.