bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytoplasmic accumulation of connexin32 expands cancer stem cell population in human HuH7 hepatoma cells by enhancing its self‐renewal
Authors: Kawasaki Yohei , Omori Yasufumi , Li Qingchang , Nishikawa Yuji , Yoshioka Toshiaki , Yoshida Masayuki , Ishikawa Kazuo , Enomoto Katsuhiko
Published: March 2010

Although the connexin32 (Cx32)‐mediated gap junction is abolished in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the expression of cytoplasmic Cx32 tends to increase in correspondence with the grade of malignancy. Establishing a Tet‐off expression system in human nonmetastatic HuH7 HCC cells where cytoplasmic Cx32 was overexpressed by doxycycline (Dox) withdrawal, we previously demonstrated that overexpression of cytoplasmic Cx32 made HuH7 cells metastatic in mice. In our study, hypothesizing that the cytoplasmic Cx32‐induced metastasis may involve expansion of the cancer stem cell (CSC) population, we examined whether cytoplasmic Cx32 controlled the size of the side population (SP) in HuH7 Tet‐off Cx32 cells. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting revealed that SP was expanded in a Dox‐free medium compared with a Dox‐supplemented one. Although cytoplasmic Cx32 did not block maturation from SP to non‐SP, purified SP reconstituted a larger SP fraction in the Dox‐free medium than in the Dox‐supplemented one. Furthermore, although SP from HuH7 Tet‐off mock cells formed a similar number of CSC spheres of a similar size whether with or without Dox, SP from HuH7 Tet‐off Cx32 cells developed a greater number of larger CSC spheres in the Dox‐free medium than in the Dox‐supplemented one. Taken together, these results suggest that accumulation of cytoplasmic Cx32 should enhance self‐renewal of CSC to expand the CSC population in HCC.
Parenting of 7‐month‐old infants at familial risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Landau Rivka , Avital Miri , Berger Andrea , Atzaba‐Poria Naama , Arbelle Shoshana , Faroy Michal , Auerbach Judith G.
Published: March 2010

Patterns of interaction between parents and 7‐month‐old boys at familial risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a comparison group were studied during a warm‐up and two play episodes. The sample included 78 (47 at‐risk, 31 comparison) mother–child and 45 (27 at‐risk, 18 comparison) father–child dyads. A coding system developed by G. Kochanska (1997, 1998) was used. Infants in the risk group did not differ from the comparison group in the rate of emission of infant‐related events. However, they received less adequate responsivity from both their fathers and their mothers to these events, and specifically to negative emotions or distress, than did the comparison group. Maternal psychopathology did not account for these findings. Mothers were more adequately responsive than were fathers, especially for physiological needs. The association between nonoptimal interaction in infancy and the development of ADHD is discussed.
Adaptation of a behavioral parent‐training curriculum for Hispanic caregivers: HOT DOCS Español
Authors: Agazzi Heather , Salinas Abraham , Williams Jillian , Chiriboga Daniela , Ortiz Cristina , Armstrong Kathleen
Published: March 2010

This article presents the process utilized to adapt a behavioral parent‐training curriculum for Hispanic caregivers from a program currently available in English. Throughout this process, a number of cultural and language elements were identified as needing to be modified to meet the needs of the Hispanic population served. Fidelity and fit were balanced to develop a curriculum acceptable to diverse Hispanic caregivers while also incorporating all the essential elements of a theory‐based approach to training caregivers. The lessons learned from this adaptation may assist others in their attempts to meet the needs of Hispanic families.
A caregiver–child socioemotional and relationship rating scale
Authors: McCall Robert B. , Groark Christina J. , Fish Larry
Published: March 2010

This article reports the construction and pilot reliability, validity, and psychometric properties of a new caregiver–child rating scale that emphasizes caregiver–child socioemotional interactions and relationships. While the scale was developed and studied in orphanages for young children, it potentially could be used in nonresidential early care and education settings as well as for parent–child interactions in the home. The intent was to assess a few dimensions that comprehensively cover the range of caregiver–child socioemotional interactions and relationships, by means of a scale that could be administered in a relatively short time period in a variety of situations and would not require extensive coder training, manuals, or materials. Results showed that the scale can be reliably administered even using observation periods as short as 5 min, that inter‐rater reliability was acceptable (based on data from two raters working in two orphanages, and five raters working in another), and that ratings of caregivers were similar across different types of caregiving activities (i.e., feeding, dressing/bathing, free play) and for caregivers attending to children birth to 4 and 4 to 8 years of age. In the orphanage context, factor analyses showed that the scale primarily reflects caregiver–child mutual engagement and relationship with subordinate components of caregiver punitiveness and caregiver‐ versus child‐directed behaviors and intrusiveness.
The child as held in the mind of the mother: The influence of prenatal maternal representations on parenting behaviors
Authors: Dayton Carolyn Joy , Levendosky Alytia A. , Davidson William S. , Bogat G. Anne
Published: March 2010

Using a longitudinal design, this study examined the relationship of a mother's prenatal representation of her child and her parenting behavior with that child at 1 year of age in a sample of women who were either exposed or not exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) (N = 164; M child age = 1.1 years, SD = .11 years; 52% male). Controlling for prenatal IPV, a MANCOVA analysis revealed that prenatal representational typology was significantly related to parenting behavior 1 year postpartum. Mothers whose representations were affectively deactivated (disengaged) were more behaviorally controlling with their children. Mothers whose representations were affectively overactivated (distorted) were more hostile with their children. Mothers with balanced representations demonstrated more positive parenting. Exposure to IPV did not moderate this relationship. There was no direct association between prenatal or postnatal IPV and parenting behavior. These findings suggest that prenatal representations influence postnatal parenting behavior in significant and theoretically consistent ways and that this relationship functions similarly for both abused and nonabused women. Results add to the growing literature that internal representations serve to guide behavior throughout development and suggest that maternal working models may be one important link in the intergenerational transmission of attachment relationships.
Phenomenology, psychopathology, and short‐term therapeutic outcome of 102 infants aged 0 to 12 months consecutively referred to a community‐based 0 to 3 mental health clinic
Authors: Viaux‐Savelon Sylvie , Rabain Didier , Aidane Elisabeth , Bonnet Philippe , Montes de Oca Marcella , Camon‐Sénéchal Laurence , David Michéle , Couëtoux Francine , Wendland Jaqueline , Gérardin Priscille , Mazet Philippe , Guedeney Antoine , Keren Miri , Cohen David
Published: March 2010

Infants ages 0 to 1 year consecutively referred for psychiatric treatment during the year 2005 were followed, and variables associated with diagnosis and short‐term outcome were assessed. Infants were evaluated using the Psychiatric Infant Navigator Chart and Evaluation that includes nosological diagnoses [Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood, (DC 0–3), Zero to Three, 1994] as well as risk and protective factors, treatment procedure, and outcomes. Seventy‐six percent of the infants had an Axis I diagnosis, with anxiety disorders and a mixed disorder of emotional expressiveness being the most frequent. Twenty‐five percent had an Axis II diagnosis. Multiple correspondence analyses showed that two dimensions corresponding grossly to DC 0–3 Axes I and II emerged. They emphasized three clinical profiles characterized by (a) good infant functioning, parent's awareness of their own difficulties, and a good outcome; (b) moderate child symptoms, overinvolved relating, and a good/intermediate outcome; (c) severe child symptoms, underinvolved relating, and a less favorable short‐term outcome, signaling the risk for developmental disorders. Among the associated risk factors were cumulative parental stress, maternal psychopathology, and family dysfunction. Clinical implications of these findings indicated that infants under the age of 1 year who are referred for mental health evaluation and intervention are a heterogeneous group in terms of both severity and prognosis. Clinicians should differentiate subgroups of young children to detect those infants at risk for persistent psychopathology.
Oligomeric alpha‐synuclein and its role in neuronal death
Authors: Brown David R.
Published: March 2010

Alpha‐synuclein is a natively unfolded protein associated with a number of neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease. In the past, research has focused on the fibrillar form of the protein. Current research now indicates that oligomeric alpha‐synuclein is the form of the protein most likely to causes neuronal death. Recent research has suggested that a unique oligomer associated with the copper binding capacity of the protein is the neurotoxic form of the protein. This review looks at the evidence for this possibility. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(5): 334–339, 2010
Competition in large markets
Authors: Campbell Jeffrey R.
Published: March 2010

This paper evaluates the simplifying assumption that producers compete in a large market without substantial strategic interactions using nonparametric regressions of producers' choices on market size. With such atomistic competition, increasing the number of consumers leaves the distributions of producers' prices and other choices unchanged. In many models featuring non‐trivial strategic considerations, producers' prices fall as their numbers increase. I examine observations of restaurants' sales, seating capacities, exit decisions, and prices from 222 US cities. Given factor prices and demographic variables, increasing a city's size increases restaurants' average sales and decreases their exit rate and prices. These results suggest that strategic considerations lie at the heart of restaurant pricing and turnover. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution tomographic diffractive microscopy of biological samples
Authors: Simon Bertrand , Debailleul Matthieu , Beghin Anne , Tourneur Yves , Haeberlé Olivier
Published: March 2010

The authors have developed a tomographic diffractive microscope that combines microholography with illumination from an angular synthetic aperture. It images specimens relative to their complex index of refraction distribution (index and absorption) and permits imaging of unlabelled specimens, with high lateral resolution. The authors now study its use for biological applications, and imaged several preparations with fluorescence confocal microscopy and tomographic diffractive microscopy. The results highlight some interesting features of this instrument, which should attract the interest of biologists for this new technique. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
How neighborhoods matter for rural and urban children's language and cognitive development at kindergarten and Grade 4
Authors: Lloyd Jennifer E.V. , Hertzman Clyde
Published: March 2010

The authors took a population‐based approach to testing how commonly studied neighborhood socioeconomic conditions are associated with the language and cognitive outcomes of residentially stable rural and urban children tracked from kindergarten (ages 5–6) to Grade 4 (ages 9–10). Child‐level kindergarten Early Development Instrument (EDI) data were probabilistically linked to scores on Grade 4's Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), 4 years later, and to socioeconomic data describing the children's residential neighborhoods. Multilevel analyses were performed for a study population of 5,022 children residing in 105 neighborhoods across British Columbia, Canada: 635 children in 20 rural neighborhoods and 4,825 children in 85 urban neighborhoods. Concentrated immigration consistently predicted better child outcomes. Moreover, the determinants of children's language and cognitive outcomes analyzed cross‐sectionally differed from the determinants of outcomes analyzed longitudinally. Furthermore, there were notable differences in the extent of the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic conditions and rural and urban children's outcomes over time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social capital, safety concerns, parenting, and early adolescents' antisocial behavior
Authors: Vieno Alessio , Nation Maury , Perkins Douglas D. , Pastore Massimiliano , Santinello Massimo
Published: March 2010

This study explores the relations between neighborhood social capital (neighbor support and social climate), safety concerns (fear of crime and concern for one's child), parenting (solicitation and support), and adolescent antisocial behavior in a sample of 952 parents (742 mothers) and 588 boys and 559 girls from five middle schools (sixth through eighth grades) in a midsize Italian city. In structural equation models, social capital is strongly and inversely related to safety concerns and positively related to parental support and solicitation. In turn, safety concerns are also positively related to parental support and solicitation. Social capital and safety concerns have indirect effects on children's antisocial behavior through their effects on parenting. Implications are discussed for parenting and community‐based interventions to prevent or reduce youth antisocial behaviors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Participation in boys and girls clubs: motivation and stage environment fit
Authors: Fredricks Jennifer A. , Hackett Kristen , Bregman Allyson
Published: March 2010

This article presents the results of semi‐structured in‐depth interviews conducted with 54 youth attending six elementary school‐based and middle school‐based Boys and Girls Clubs in two low‐income communities. The first goal of this study was to examine why youth choose to participate in these clubs. The most commonly reported motives include fun activities, opportunities to be with friends, parent has to work, and getting help with homework. The second goal was to examine youths' perceptions of staff, peers, activities, and the extent to which clubs are organized in a way to support the need for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. Variations in youths' perceptions of the quality of relationships with staff and peers, level of interest and challenge, and opportunities for decision making, by developmental level (elementary versus middle school) are discussed. Implications of our findings for sustaining youths' interest and continued involvement in out‐of‐school youth development programs are highlighted. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
African American high school students and variability in behavior across classrooms
Authors: Gregory Anne , Thompson Aisha R.
Published: March 2010

Many African American adolescents who enter high school with low achievement are at‐risk for being perceived as defiant and uncooperative by their classroom teachers. This generalized view of risk, however, offers little understanding of the differentiated behavior these students have with their teachers. The study followed 35 African American students, who have a history of low achievement, across multiple classrooms in their school day. Hierarchical linear modeling showed that there was greater variability in teacher‐perceived defiance, cooperation, and office discipline referrals “within‐student” compared with “between‐students.” This shows that individual students tended to be perceived differently across their teachers. Similarly, the study found that students also tended to differentiate their teachers. Students who reported unfair treatment with a particular teacher were more likely to receive a discipline referral and be perceived as defiant and uncooperative by that teacher. Implications for a strengths‐based approach to classroom behavior are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relation of perceived and received social support to mental health among first responders: a meta‐analytic review
Authors: Prati Gabriele , Pietrantoni Luca
Published: March 2010

There are plenty of theories that may support the protective role of social support in the aftermath of potentially traumatic events. This meta‐analytic review examined the role of received and perceived social support in promoting mental health among first responders (e.g., firefighters, police officers, and paramedics or emergency medical services personnel). Results showed that the effect sizes derived from 37 empirical studies ranged from 0 to 0.46. The overall weighted mean effect size was of medium magnitude (r=0.27). Moreover, moderator analysis showed that the effect size of perceived social support (r=0.31) was significantly higher than the effect size of received social support (r=0.22). Participants' age and gender or research design did not exert an influence on the relationship between social support and mental health. Theoretical implications and limitations are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional aspects of factor VIII expression after transplantation of genetically‐modified hematopoietic stem cells for hemophilia A
Authors: Ide Lucienne M. , Iwakoshi Neal N. , Gangadharan Bagirath , Jobe Shawn , Moot Robert , McCarty David , Doering Christopher B. , Spencer H. Trent
Published: March 2010

Background

Major complications with respect to the development of gene therapy treatments for hemophilia A include low factor VIII (fVIII) expression and humoral immune responses resulting in inhibitory anti‐fVIII antibodies. We previously achieved sustained curative fVIII activity levels in hemophilia A mice after nonmyeloablative transplantation of genetically‐modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) encoding a B‐domain deleted porcine fVIII (BDDpfVIII) transgene with no evidence of an immune response.

Methods

Mouse HSCs were transduced using MSCV‐based recombinant virus encoding BDDpfVIII and transplanted into hemophilia A mice. Transplanted mice were followed for donor cell engraftment, fVIII expression and activity, and generation of anti‐fVIII immune response.

Results

We now show that: (i) the protein expressed by hematopoietic cells has a specific activity similar to that of purified protein; (ii) BDDpfVIII expressed from hematopoietic cells effectively induces thrombus formation, which is shown using a new method of in vivo analysis of fVIII function; (iii) naïve and pre‐immunized mice receiving HSC gene therapy are nonresponsive to challenges with recombinant human fVIII; (iv) nonresponsiveness is not broken after stringent challenges with BDDpfVIII; and (v) T cells from these mice are unresponsive to BDDpfVIII presentation. Furthermore, stem cells isolated from donors with high titer anti‐human fVIII antibodies show no defects in donor cell engraftment or the ability to express BDDpfVIII.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that HSC gene therapy can be an effective alternative treatment for individuals with hemophilia A and may benefit patients by inducing immunological nonresponsiveness to fVIII replacement products. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of neurotrophin signaling with Bcl‐2 localized to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum on spiral ganglion neuron survival and neurite growth
Authors: Renton John P. , Xu Ningyong , Clark J. Jason , Hansen Marlan R.
Published: March 2010

Enhanced spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) survival and regeneration of peripheral axons following deafness will likely enhance the efficacy of cochlear implants. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 prevents SGN death but inhibits neurite growth. Here we assessed the consequences of Bcl‐2 targeted to either the mitochondria (GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Maob) or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER, GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Cb5) on cultured SGN survival and neurite growth. Transfection of wild‐type GFP‐Bcl‐2, GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Cb5, or GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Maob increased SGN survival, with GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Cb5 providing the most robust response. Paradoxically, expression of GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Maob results in SGN death in the presence of neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophins that independently promote SGN survival via Trk receptors. This loss of SGNs is associated with cleavage of caspase 3 and appears to be specific for neurotrophin signaling, insofar as coexpression of constitutively active mitogen‐activated kinase kinase (MEKΔEE) or phosphatidyl inositol‐3 kinase (P110), but not other prosurvival stimuli (e.g., membrane depolarization), also results in the loss of SGNs expressing GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Maob. MEKΔEE and P110 promote SGN survival, whereas P110 promotes neurite growth to a greater extent than NT‐3 or MEKΔEE. However, wild‐type GFP‐Bcl‐2, GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Cb5, and GFP‐Bcl‐2‐Maob inhibit neurite growth even in the presence of neurotrophins, MEKΔEE, or P110. Historically, Bcl‐2 has been thought to act primarily at the mitochondria to prevent neuronal apoptosis. Nevertheless, our data show that Bcl‐2 targeted to the ER is more effective at rescuing SGNs in the absence of trophic factors. Additionally, Bcl‐2 targeted to the mitochondria results in SGN death in the presence of neurotrophins. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of a binary outcome using individual participant data and aggregate data
Authors: Riley Richard D. , Steyerberg Ewout W.
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we develop meta‐analysis models that synthesize a binary outcome from health‐care studies while accounting for participant‐level covariates. In particular, we show how to synthesize the observed event‐risk across studies while accounting for the within‐study association between participant‐level covariates and individual event probability. The models are adapted for situations where studies provide individual participant data (IPD), or a mixture of IPD and aggregate data. We show that the availability of IPD is crucial in at least some studies; this allows one to model potentially complex within‐study associations and separate them from across‐study associations, so as to account for potential ecological bias and study‐level confounding. The models can produce pertinent population‐level and individual‐level results, such as the pooled event‐risk and the covariate‐specific event probability for an individual. Application is made to 14 studies of traumatic brain injury, where IPD are available for four studies and the six‐month mortality risk is synthesized in relation to individual age. The results show that as individual age increases the probability of six‐month mortality also increases; further, the models reveal clear evidence of ecological bias, with the mean age in each study additionally influencing an individual's mortality probability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust variance estimation in meta‐regression with dependent effect size estimates
Authors: Hedges Larry V. , Tipton Elizabeth , Johnson Matthew C.
Published: March 2010

Conventional meta‐analytic techniques rely on the assumption that effect size estimates from different studies are independent and have sampling distributions with known conditional variances. The independence assumption is violated when studies produce several estimates based on the same individuals or there are clusters of studies that are not independent (such as those carried out by the same investigator or laboratory). This paper provides an estimator of the covariance matrix of meta‐regression coefficients that are applicable when there are clusters of internally correlated estimates. It makes no assumptions about the specific form of the sampling distributions of the effect sizes, nor does it require knowledge of the covariance structure of the dependent estimates. Moreover, this paper demonstrates that the meta‐regression coefficients are consistent and asymptotically normally distributed and that the robust variance estimator is valid even when the covariates are random. The theory is asymptotic in the number of studies, but simulations suggest that the theory may yield accurate results with as few as 20–40 studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orotic acid quantification in dried blood spots and biological fluids by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: D'Apolito Oceania , Garofalo Daniela , Paglia Giuseppe , Zuppaldi Alfredo , Corso Gaetano
Published: March 2010

Orotic acid (ORA) is an intermediate metabolite in the pathway of pyrimidine nucleotides; its urinary excretion is useful to diagnose the hereditary orotic aciduria and some hyperammonemic inherited defects of urea cycle enzymes and amino acid transporters. ORA analysis is based on stable isotope dilution by GC‐MS or LC‐MS/MS methods. We developed a fast assay that measures the ORA in dried blood spots (DBS), plasma and urine using hydrophilic interaction LC‐MS/MS. Within‐ and between‐day analytical imprecision (CV%) of three quality control levels, in plasma, DBS and urine, ranged from 0.8 to 14.1%, while the inaccuracy ranged from −13.5 to 9.4%. In healthy children (n=20), ORA concentrations were less than 0.69 μM in plasma, less than 0.82 μM in DBS and from 0.2 to 1.4 mmol/mol of creatinine in urine. A patient with citrullinemia showed ORA levels of 133 μM in plasma and 39 μM in DBS. A patient with hyperammonemia‐hyperornithinemia‐homocitrullinemia (HHH) syndrome presented a urinary ORA level of 9.1 mmol/mol of creatinine. The method is potentially able to discriminate affected patients from reference subjects; the clinical validation should be expanded on a higher number of patients.
RP‐LC×RP‐LC analysis of a tryptic digest using a combination of totally porous and partially porous stationary phases
Authors: Mondello Luigi , Donato Paola , Cacciola Francesco , Fanali Chiara , Dugo Paola
Published: March 2010

Different chromatographic separation modes have been combined, in off‐line and on‐line approaches, attempting to achieve enhanced separation power for the analysis of complex proteome samples. Among these, the use of RP‐LC × RP‐LC brings in the added advantages of high peak capacity in both dimensions, capability of full automation, and the likelihood of direct hyphenation to MS. In this contribution, we achieved enhanced resolution in the first dimension, by serially coupling Bio wide pore C18 columns at basic pH, at moderate pressure. Selectivity was tuned using one short (3 cm) C18 column packed with partially porous particles for fast second‐dimension analysis, operated at acidic pH. The comprehensive system was configured around electronically activated two‐position, ten‐port valve for within‐loop automated fraction collection/re‐injection. A theoretical peak capacity of 3796 was calculated for the set‐up employing one basic column in the first dimension, while a peak capacity of 10 686 was attained with four times the length of stationary phase, even at the expense of longer analysis time. The system showed very good reproducibility of retention times and chromatographic peak areas (RSD less than 1.2 and 4%, respectively).
Human leukocyte antigen crossmatch testing is important for liver retransplantation
Authors: Goh Angeline , Scalamogna Mario , De Feo Tullia , Poli Francesca , Terasaki Paul I.
Published: March 2010

Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA) crossmatching is often thought to be unnecessary for liver transplants (LTs), we provide evidence that for retransplants, it is essential. Sera from 139 retransplant patients who had received livers from deceased donors were retrospectively analyzed with single antigen beads on a Luminex platform for HLA antibodies. Each patient received at least 2 transplants and was followed up for at least 6 months from the second LT, which was deemed to have failed if the patient had a third LT or died. Second LT survival was calculated from the date of the second LT to the date of the third LT or death. Our study cohort consisted of 118 adult patients (≥18 years old) as well as 21 pediatric patients (<18 years old). Class I HLA antibodies were associated with significantly poorer regraft survival in adults [survival differences of 21.3% (P = 0.046), 22.1% (P = 0.042), and 23.7% (P = 0.033) at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively]; however, the presence of these antibodies was not associated with significant survival differences in the pediatric population. A univariate analysis of the effect of class I antibodies on second LT survival in adults showed a hazard ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.0-3.8, P = 0.028). Graft survival in patients with and without HLA antibodies or class II antibodies was similar. Because class I antibodies have a deleterious effect on liver regraft survival, crossmatch testing should be performed before liver retransplantation. Liver Transpl 16:308–313, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Procalcitonin as a prognostic marker for infectious complications in liver transplant recipients in an intensive care unit
Authors: van den Broek Maartje A. J. , Damink Steven W. M. Olde , Winkens Bjorn , Broelsch Christoph E. , Malagó Massimo , Paul Andreas , Saner Fuat H.
Published: March 2010

Clinically significant infections (CSIs) are life-threatening but difficult to diagnose after liver transplantation (LTx). This study investigates the value of procalcitonin (PCT) in addition to c-reactive protein (CRP) and the leukocyte count (LC) as a prognostic marker for CSIs in LTx recipients. The clinical course of 135 LTx recipients was prospectively studied. CSIs were defined as pulmonary, bloodstream, or intra-abdominal infections. Independent risk factors for CSIs were determined by Cox proportional hazard analysis. The concordance statistics (c-statistics) were used to assess the discrimination effect of PCT. Thirty recipients (22%) experienced a CSI. They had significantly higher peak PCT (27.2 versus 12.7 ng/mL, P = 0.014) and peak CRP (13.7 versus 9.9 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and a tendency toward a higher peak LC (19.3 versus 14.2 cells/nL, P = 0.051) in comparison with recipients without CSIs. Independent risk factors for CSIs were male sex [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.4], a body mass index (BMI) < 20 kg/m2 (versus a BMI > 25 kg/m2, HR = 13.8), acute liver failure as an indication for LTx (HR = 7.1), a cold ischemic time > 420 minutes (HR = 3.5), and peak CRP (HR = 1.1) but not peak PCT. The addition of peak PCT marginally improved the c-statistic from 0.815 to 0.827. In conclusion, although peak PCT differed significantly between recipients with and without CSIs, it was not an independent risk factor for CSIs and added little prognostic accuracy. Interestingly, the parameters peak CRP, male sex, low BMI, acute liver failure, and long cold ischemic time were independent risk factors for CSIs. They could serve as risk stratifiers directing medical therapy in clinical practice. Liver Transpl 16:402–410, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Prevention and treatment of rethrombosis after liver transplantation with an implantable pump of the portal vein
Authors: Shi Zhengrong , Yan Lunan , Zhao Jichun , Li Bo , Wen Tianfu , Xu Mingqing , Wang Wentao , Chen Zheyu , Yang Jiaying
Published: March 2010

Implantable pumps have been used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and other diseases. In this article, we report for the first time the prevention and treatment of rethrombosis of the portal vein in liver transplantation with an implantable pump of the portal vein. Four hundred four orthotopic liver transplantation cases were retrospectively reviewed and divided into 3 groups: portal vein thrombosis (PVT) patients with an implantable pump (n = 28), PVT patients without an implantable pump (n = 20), and patients without preexisting PVT (n = 356). The following parameters for the 3 groups of patients were calculated and compared: (1) preoperative parameters, including baseline data of the donors and recipients and times of graft ischemia; (2) intraoperative and postoperative parameters, including surgery time, red blood cell and plasma transfusion, platelet concentrate transfusion, bleeding and primary graft malfunction, and duration of the hospital and intensive care unit stays; and (3) follow-up information for the patency of the portal vein, rethrombosis rate, stenosis and reoperation (relaparotomy or retransplantation), in-hospital mortality, and actuarial 1-year survival rate. Among the 3 groups of recipients, no significant differences were detected in preoperative and intraoperative parameters. However, compared to PVT patients without an implantable pump, PVT patients with an implantable pump showed remarkable reductions in their postoperative hospital stay, rethrombosis, reoperation rate, and in-hospital mortality. An implantable pump of the portal vein in liver transplantation patients can prevent and facilitate the treatment of portal vein rethrombosis and is associated with a reduction of in-hospital mortality. Liver Transpl 16:324–331, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Portal hyperperfusion: Mechanism of injury and stimulus for regeneration in porcine small-for-size transplantation
Authors: Fondevila Constantino , Hessheimer Amelia J. , Taurá Pilar , Sánchez Olga , Calatayud David , de Riva Nicolas , Muñoz Javier , Fuster Jose , Rimola Antoni , García-Valdecasas Juan C.
Published: March 2010

Understanding the pathogenesis of small-for-size (SFS) syndrome is critical to expanding the applicability of partial liver transplantation. We aimed to characterize its acute presentation and association with alterations in hepatic hemodynamics, microstructure, and regeneration in a porcine model. Eighteen SFS liver transplants were performed. Donors underwent 70% hepatectomy. Partial grafts were implanted into larger recipients. Whole liver transplants were also performed (n = 6). Recipients were followed until death or for 5 days. Hemodynamics were measured, and tissue was sampled intraoperatively and at the study end. Serum was sampled regularly during follow-up. Seventeen SFS transplants and 6 whole liver transplants were included. SFS grafts represented 23.2% (19.3%-25.3%) of the recipients' standard liver volume. The survival rate was 29% and 100% in the SFS and whole liver groups, respectively. The portal venous flow, pressure gradient, and resistance were significantly higher in recipients of SFS grafts versus whole livers after portal and arterial reperfusion. Arterial flow as a percentage of the total liver blood flow was significantly lower after reperfusion in SFS grafts and remained so when measured again after 5 days. Markers of endothelial cell injury increased soon after reperfusion, and those of hepatocellular injury increased later; both predicted the appearance of either graft failure or histological recovery. Proliferative activity peaked earlier and higher among nonsurvivors in the SFS group. Surviving grafts demonstrated a slower but maintained rise in regenerative activity, although metabolic activity failed to improve. In SFS transplantation in the acute setting, portal hyperperfusion is a stimulus for regeneration but may simultaneously cause irreparable endothelial injury. This porcine model not only helps to elucidate the inciting factors in SFS pathogenesis but also offers a clinically relevant means to study its prevention. Liver Transpl 16:364–374, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Structure‐Based Approaches to Target Fishing and Ligand Profiling
Authors: Rognan Didier
Published: March 2010

Chemogenomics is an emerging interdisciplinary field aiming at identifying all possible ligands of all possible targets. If one groups targets in columns and ligands in rows, chemogenomic approaches to drug discovery just fill the interaction matrix. Since experimental data do not suffice, several computational methods are currently actively developed to supplement time‐consuming and costly experiments. They are either designed to fill rows and thus profile a ligand towards a heterogeneous set of targets (target profiling) or to fill columns and thus identify novel ligands for an existing target (standard virtual screening). At the interface of both strategies are now true chemogenomic computational methods filling well defined areas in the matrix. The present review will focus on (protein) structure‐based approaches and illustrates major advances in this novel exciting field which is supposed to massively impact rational drug design in the next decade.
Theoretical investigation of nanowaveguide‐based optical coupler using mode expansion transfer matrix
Authors: Wang G. H. , Shum P. , Ren G. B. , Yu X. , Hu J. J. , Lin C.
Published: March 2010

We report a mode expansion transfer matrix method to describe the nanowaveguide‐based strongly coupling waveguide directional couplers, including slab nanowaveguide coupler, silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) nanowires coupler, and silica nanofibers coupler. We propose a general mode expansion description of coupler without the assumption of weakly guiding. For the slab nanowaveguide case, all the coefficients inside those matrices could be identified theoretically using mode expansion method. The analytical results of coupler show excellent agreement with the simulation results obtained by the finite‐difference time‐domain method. For the nanofiber coupler, with the mode profiles obtained numerically using finite element method, similar matrix equation could be used for the guideline of nanofiber coupler design, which is the key issue of coupler‐based nanofiber devices and SOI nanowires devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1123–1129, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25093
Use of retrodirective array phase conjugation circuitry for near‐ and far‐field position angle of arrival detection
Authors: Buchanan N.B. , Fusco V.
Published: March 2010

In this article, we present position indication functionality as obtained by using a retrodirective array, thereby allowing location information extraction of the position of the remote transmitter with which the retrodirective array is cooperating.This is carried out using straightforward circuitry with no requirement for complex angle of arrival algorithms, thereby giving a result in real time enabling tracking of fast moving transmitters. We show using a 10 × 1 element retrodirective array, operating at 2.4 GHz that accuracies of far‐field angle of arrival of within ±1° over the arrays ±30° azimuth field of view are possible. While in the near‐field for angles of arrival of ±10° it is possible to extract the position of a dipole source down to a resolution of 0.32λ. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1031–1034, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25097
Simulation and measurement of inset‐fed microstrip patch antennas on BiNbO4 substrates
Authors: Filho R. Carneiro , Araújo J. H. , Ginani M. F. , d'Assunção A. G. , Martins R. A. , d'Assunção A. G. , Mendonça L. M.
Published: March 2010

This work presents an experimental investigation of the properties of microstrip patch antennas on bismuth niobate ceramic substrates. The substrate fabrication process and characterization are described. Several prototypes were built and measured for wireless communication systems. A good agreement was observed between measured and simulated results. The very high electrical permittivity of the ceramic substrate provided a reduction of the antenna dimensions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1034–1036, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25098
Potential of hollow Al2O3 nanoparticles for reducing dielectric properties of Al2O3‐epoxy matrix composites in microwave frequency range
Authors: Utsuno S. , Matsumura K. , Kagawa Y.
Published: March 2010

Dielectric properties of hollow Al2O3 nanoparticle‐dispersed epoxy matrix composites in a frequency range from 18 to 30 GHz have been studied. Hollow Al2O3 nanoparticle‐dispersed composites show lower dielectric properties compared with those of solid α‐Al2O3 nanoparticle‐dispersed ones. The hollow part inside the nanoparticle reduces the effective dielectric constant of Al2O3 nanoparticle‐dispersed composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1069–1072, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25099
Injection‐locked frequency tripler with series‐tuned resonator in 0.13 μm CMOS technology
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Chen Jhao‐Jhang , Liu Cheng‐Chen , Juang Miin‐Horng
Published: March 2010

This article proposes a CMOS LC‐tank injection locked frequency tripler (ILFT) fabricated in 0.13 μm CMOS process and describes the circuit design, operation principle and measurement results of the ILFT.The differential input/output ILFT circuit is realized with a first‐harmonic injection‐locked oscillator (ILO) stacked in series on two transconductance amplifiers used as a third harmonic generator. The first‐harmonic ILO with a series‐tuned LC resonator amplifies the signal from the third harmonic generated transconductance amplifier. At the supply voltage of 0.75 V, the free‐running frequency of the ILO is from 9.14 GHz to 9.40 GHz. At the incident power of 0 dBm, the total locking range is from the incident frequency 2.95 GHz to 3.43 GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1107–1110, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25101
UWB time‐domain antennas beam scanning
Authors: Zhang L.‐H. , Ruan C.‐L. , Liu G.‐Y.
Published: March 2010

Ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna is indispensable in impulse radar that transmits and receives short electromagnetic pulse signals and preserves the waveform well. Phased array antenna systems cannot meet the demand of the system. Optical true‐time delay techniques open the possibility of ultra‐wide bandwidth antenna systems, while at the same time meeting the stringent weight and size requirements. Continuously tunable true‐time delay techniques can provide continuous beam scanning. With advanced optoelectronic technique, fast wavelength tuning speed is possible. To detect and track moving‐target [Bi and Ren, Prog Electomagn Res 87 (2008), 15–41)], UWB time‐domain antenna array beam scanning is studied in this article. First, the theory of time‐domain antenna array scanning is analyzed, some useful conclusions are achieved. Then, an experiment system of UWB time‐domain antenna array scanning is built, which includes an antenna array, fiber‐optic true‐time delay device, and other equipments. Finally, the theoretical and experimental results combined to are made to validate the theory of UWB time‐domain antenna array beam scanning. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1110–1112, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25102
A compact UWB antenna with dual band‐notched characteristics
Authors: Edalati Arezou , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: March 2010

In this letter, the design, the analysis, and the measurement results of a new compact planar ultra‐wideband CPW‐fed antenna with dual‐notched characteristics are presented. The radiating element is a planar square monopole with a circular base. A dual‐notched bands characteristic is obtained by etching a half‐circle slot in the square monopole and two L‐shaped slots in the ground plane. The measurement results show stable radiation patterns with broadband matched impedance from 3 GHz to 11 GHz for VSWR < 2, except two dual‐notched bands at 3.3–4 GHz and 5.2–5.8 GHz for filtering the WiMAX and WLAN signals. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1183–1186, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25105
Novel design of multiplexed sensors using a dual FBGs scheme
Authors: Nafisah S. , Hairi H. M. , Saktioto T. , Ali J. , Yupapin P. P.
Published: March 2010

We propose a new system of the multiplexed sensors using a series of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs), where the gratings separation lengths, Bragg wavelength, dip length, and birefringence can be configured as the sensing information.The transmission spectrum of a dual fiber Bragg gratings has been derived. Value of separation length between two FBGs, dL, is varied from 0.5 to 5.5 cm. The dip of separation length affects the transmission spectrum, which is indicated by the numbers of minimum dip values. Results show that the increasing in the separation length (dip length) between two FBGs leads to the formation of phase shift and increases the number of minimum transmission dip. For the dual FBGs to be used as a Fabry‐Perot interferometer, it must have the smallest possible separation length. The multiplexed sensing application of more than two physical parameters can be operated by using such effects, for instance, strain, temperature, and gas sensor is plausible, while the self calibration between them is also available. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1218–1221, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25106
Novel ultra‐wideband bow‐tie antenna with high front‐to‐back ratio and directivity
Authors: Midrio M. , Boscolo S. , Sacchetto F. , Pigozzo F. M. , Capobianco A. D.
Published: March 2010

We present a novel directional ultra‐wideband antenna based on the bow‐tie geometry. The proposed design, unlike the conventional bow‐tie radiator, has an inherently different radiation mechanism, which relies on magnetic currents excited in properly designed slots. This in turn allows to maintain good antenna performance even when a planar reflector is placed below the antenna that gives rise to high front‐to‐back ratio and directivity over a band extending from 4.8 to 6.1 GHz. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1016–1020, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25108
Erratum: A planar hybrid antenna for UWB application
Authors: Chen Wen‐Shan , Lin Chi‐Huang
Published: March 2010

Originally published in Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1243–1246, 2009
. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1223, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25109
Wideband dual‐frequency right triangular microstrip antenna with parallel narrow slits
Authors: Sharma Vijay , Saxena V. K. , Saini J. S. , Bhatnagar D. , Sharma K.B. , Pal D. , Joshi L. M.
Published: March 2010

The radiation performance of a right triangular microstrip antenna (RTMA) having two parallel narrow slits is simulated using IE 3D software, and later this antenna is designed on glass epoxy FR‐4 substrate with an air gap and tested in free space. The slit length, width, and thickness of air gap are optimized to attain best performance from the modified RTMA structure. The designed antenna with an air gap of 1.0 mm resonates at two different frequencies and presents 29% bandwidth. The antenna matches well with the feed line for both the resonance frequencies. The simulated E‐ and H‐plane radiation patterns are presented at four frequencies with in the range of frequencies where broadband response is obtained. These four patterns are almost identical in shape and their direction of maximum radiation intensity is normal to the patch geometry. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1082–1087, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25113