bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion Using a 1.0-mm Fetoscope and Prenatal Expectant Management in Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Ruano Rodrigo , Duarte Sergio Aluisio , Pimenta Eduardo Jorge de Almeida , Takashi Eduardo , da Silva Marcos Marques , Tannuri Uenis , Zugaib Marcelo
Published: February 2011

Objectives: To evaluate if fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) using a 1.0-mm fetoscope improves neonatal outcome. Method: Between January 2006 and December 2008, a controlled study was conducted at a single center in which FETO was proposed for fetuses with severe isolated CDH (lung-to-head ratio <1.0) and liver herniation to the thoracic cavity but no other detectable anomalies at diagnosis (<26 weeks). FETO was performed under maternal epidural and fetal intramuscular anesthesia, guided by ultrasonography and 1.0-mm fetoscope between 26 and 30 weeks. All cases submitted to FETO were delivered by ex utero intrapartum therapy procedure. Postnatal therapy was the same for both treated fetuses and controls. The primary outcome was neonatal survival (up to 28 days after birth). Results: A total of 35 women met the inclusion criteria, and in 17 of them, fetal intervention was intended. However, in 1 case, it was not possible to insert the balloon inside the fetal trachea because of placental bleeding. FETO was therefore successfully performed in 16 fetuses with severe CDH. Eighteen cases received no prenatal intervention and served as the control group. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Delivery occurred at 35.6 (range: 28–38) weeks in the FETO group and at 37.5 (range: 31–40) weeks (p = 0.18) among controls. Nine of 17 (52.9%) infants in the FETO group and 1 of 18 (5.6%) in the control group survived (p < 0.01). Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension was present in 8/17 (47.1%) infants from the FETO group and in 16/18 (88.9%) controls (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The present study shows that FETO using a 1.0-mm fetoscope is feasible and may improve neonatal outcome in severe CDH.
Are We Making a Real Difference? Update on ‘Hidden Mortality’ in the Management of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Mah V. Kandice , Chiu Priscilla , Kim Peter C.W.
Published: February 2011

Reports of improved survival rates for cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients have prevailed in the literature over the past 10 years. These improvements have been attributed to advances in medical management in the postnatal period. However, further inquiries into the true survival of CDH patients through population-based studies have revealed that the reported increase in survival outcomes, which are often single institution-based reports, are confounded by case selection bias which fails to consider those CDH patients who do not reach the referral centers. This apparent discrepancy between population-based and institution-based statistics raises the question of ‘hidden mortality’ and the role it plays in both research and clinical medicine. In this review we will examine the reported survival outcomes of CDH from both institution- and population-based perspectives and explore the presence and implications of hidden mortality on research methodology and clinical practice.
Distinction of Intestinal and Diffuse Types of Gastric Adenocarcinoma on Brush Cytology
Authors: Padmavathy Femila , Siddaraju Neelaiah , Sistla Sarath Chandra
Published: February 2011

Objective: To distinguish between the intestinal and diffuse types of gastric adenocarcinoma on brush cytology (BC). Study Design: Brushing smears and biopsy samples obtained at endoscopic examination from 32 patients with clinically or radiologically suspected gastric malignancy were included in the study. Cytologic smears were examined by 2 cytopathologists, using predetermined criteria to arrive at a consensus diagnosis. A meticulous attempt was made to distinguish between the 2 types of gastric adenocarcinoma. Cytologic diagnoses were correlated with the histologic diagnoses. Results: Twenty-one cases (65.6%) were concordant between BC and endoscopic biopsy (EB) with respect to sub-typing. Two (6.2%) cases reported as ‘poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma’ on BC turned out to be ‘diffuse type’. Three cases (9.4%) reported as ‘diffuse type’ on BC were ‘intestinal type’ on EB. Two of these discordant cases had intestinal metaplasia on BC, which should have suggested ‘intestinal type’ of adenocarcinoma on BC. Three cases (9.4%) were false positive. On review, 2 of these false-positive cases showed cytologically convincing malignant cells, the third case was misinterpreted as diffuse type of adenocarcinoma due to reactive glandular cells entangled in the mucoid background. Three (9.4%) EB were non-representative with only superficial mucosa; BC diagnosis in these 3 cases was intestinal type of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Although, overlapping cytomorphology between the intestinal and diffuse types of gastric adenocarcinoma can cause diagnostic problem; with a meticulous cytomorphologic approach, it is possible to accurately distinguish between the 2 types in a considerable number of cases.
Cytomorphometric Analysis and Assessment of Periodic Acid Schiff Positivity of Exfoliated Cells from Apparently Normal Buccal Mucosa of Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Hallikerimath Seema , Sapra Gourav , Kale Alka , Malur P.R.
Published: February 2011

Background: In recent years, important advances have been made in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and new strategies have been put forward for its treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cytomorphometric changes and glycogen content in exfoliated cells of oral mucosa as an adjunct in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Method: The smears were taken from buccal mucosa of 30 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (study group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group). One smear was stained with rapid Papanicolaou stain and the other with periodic acid Schiff stain (PAS). In Papanicolaou stain smears, the nuclear area, cytoplasmic area and cytoplasmic to nuclear ratio were evaluated from 50 cells in each smear using Image analysis software (Q Win Standard, Leica™) and a research microscope (DM 2500, Leica). PAS-stained smears were analyzed for the presence of glycogen in exfoliated cells. Results: The results showed that the mean nuclear area was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the study group whereas the mean cytoplasmic area did not exhibit a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001). The mean cytoplasmic to nuclear ratio was significantly lower in the study group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the count of PAS-positive exfoliated cells of the study group as compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results associated with clinical observations suggest that type 2 diabetes mellitus can produce morphologic and functional alterations in oral epithelial cells, detectable by microscopic and cytomorphometric analysis using exfoliative cytology which can be used in the diagnosis of the disease.
Ultrafast Papanicolaou Stain Modified for Developing Countries: Efficacy and Pitfalls
Authors: Kamal Meherbano M. , Kulkarni Madhura M. , Wahane Rupesh N.
Published: February 2011

Objective: To study the efficacy of the ultrafast Papanicolaou (UFP) staining technique for immediate cytologic diagnosis, to check specimen adequacy during radiologically guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) procedures and to objectively assess the quality of UFP stain and factors affecting it. Study Design: Serial and random samples of cytologic material from 347 patients during a 2-year period were divided in 3 groups. Group I included 238 outpatient FNACs, group II included 59 radiologically guided FNACs, and group III included 50 cases of intraoperative cytology. After staining air-dried smears with UFP stain, immediate diagnosis was given. In group II, material adequacy was also conveyed to the radiologist. Results: Overall diagnosis was possible in 297 (85.6%) cases. Only 8 (2.3%) cases could not be diagnosed due to staining difficulties. The overall concordance rate was 98%. Seventy-five percent of cases showed ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ morphology, allowing easy diagnosis. In 25% of ‘fair’ cases diagnosis was still possible, although with some difficulties. Factors affecting the quality of staining are discussed. Conclusion: The UFP staining technique is an accurate and reliable method for rapid cytology reporting. It significantly reduces total turn around time of the test result, thereby having the potential to be cost-effective, both for the patient and the hospital.
S100P and XIAP Expression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Potential Novel Biomarkers as a Diagnostic Adjunct to Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Kosarac Ognjen , Takei Hidehiro , Zhai Qihui Jim , Schwartz Mary R. , Mody Dina R.
Published: February 2011

Objective: The usefulness of 2 novel biomarkers in pancreatic surgical and cytological specimens that could reliably differentiate non-neoplastic pancreatic duct and benign gut epithelium from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) was evaluated. Study Design: A total of 14 pancreatic resection specimens (RSs), 23 endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirations (EUS-FNAs) of PDA and 8 benign pancreatic EUS-FNAs were selected. Twelve of 14 RSs had corresponding EUS-FNAs with cell blocks (CBs). Non-neoplastic pancreatic tissue, including chronic pancreatitis, was evaluated in all RSs. Immunohistochemical stains for S100P and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) were performed on tissue and CB sections. Staining intensity (0 no staining; 1+ weak; 2+ moderate; 3+ strong) and proportion of positive cells (less than 10% negative; 1+ 10–25%; 2+ 26–75%; 3+ greater than 75%) were assessed. Positive staining was defined as ≧10% cells with at least 1+ intensity. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of S100P and XIAP immunoreactivity for a diagnosis of PDA in RSs were both 100%. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity in EUS-FNA CBs of S100P were 78.2 and 87.5% and of XIAP 82.6 and 50.0%, respectively. The combined sensitivity of S100P and XIAP was 100% in 12 RSs and 83.3% in the corresponding EUS-FNA CBs. Conclusion: Two novel biomarkers have very high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PDA in RSs. S100P has slightly lower sensitivity and higher specificity of PDA than XIAP in EUS-FNA specimens. We recommend using both biomarkers as cytological diagnostic adjuncts, especially in difficult cases of well-differentiated PDA versus reactive ductal epithelium.
Connections of the Medial Telencephalic Wall in the Spotted African Lungfish
Authors: Northcutt R. Glenn , Westhoff Guido
Published: February 2011

The extent and boundaries of the roof, or pallium, of the telencephalon in lungfishes have been debated for over 30 years, and two hypotheses exist. Proponents of a restricted pallium claim that the medial border of the pallium occurs in a dorsal position and that the entire medial hemispheric wall is formed by the septal nuclei. Proponents of an extended pallium claim that the medial border of the pallium occurs in a more ventral position and that the medial hemispheric wall is divided into a dorsal medial pallium and ventral septal nuclei, as in amphibians. Immunohistochemical data have generally been interpreted to support the hypothesis of an extended pallium, but disagreement still exists. To clarify the extent of the pallium in lungfishes, the connections of the dorsal and ventral divisions of the medial hemispheric wall in the Spotted African Lungfish were examined using a number of neuronal tracers. In amphibians and other tetrapods, the afferent projections to the medial pallium and the septal nuclei differ extensively, as do the commissural routes taken by decussating interhemispheric connections. Although the descending projections of the medial pallium and septal nuclei are very similar to one another in amphibians and other tetrapods, they do differ in that the septal nuclei and the ventral thalamus are extensively interlinked, whereas the medial pallium lacks such connections. These differences also characterize the connections of the dorsal and ventral divisions of the medial hemispheric wall in the Spotted African Lungfish, which supports the hypothesis of an extended pallium. The telencephalic organization in lungfishes thus appears remarkably similar to that in amphibians and reflects a pattern that almost certainly existed in the last common ancestor of lungfishes and tetrapods.
Actual Outcome in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: The Role of a Standardized Postnatal Treatment Protocol
Authors: van den Hout L. , Schaible T. , Cohen-Overbeek T.E. , Hop W. , Siemer J. , van de Ven K. , Wessel L. , Tibboel D. , Reiss I.
Published: February 2011

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly with a high rate of mortality and morbidity. Objective: Our aim was to determine a possible effect of standardized treatment on outcome in infants with CDH. Methods: All prenatally diagnosed patients with unilateral CDH born alive between January 2006 and December 2009 at the Erasmus MC or the University Hospital Mannheim were eligible for inclusion. Patients who underwent a fetal tracheal occlusion were excluded. From November 1, 2007, all CDH patients were treated according to a standardized treatment protocol. Patients were divided into two chronological groups according to their date of birth: without standardized treatment (group 1, Jan 2006–Oct 2007) and with standardized treatment (group 2, Nov 2007–Dec 2009). Outcome measures were mortality by day 28, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined as oxygen dependency at day 28, and need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: 167 patients were included. By day 28, 18% of the infants had died. Of the patients who were alive at day 28, 49% had BPD. An ECMO procedure was performed in 31% of the patients. Overall mortality for all included patients was 22%. In group 1, overall mortality was 33% and in group 2 overall mortality was 12% (p = 0.004). A standardized treatment protocol was independently associated with a reduced risk for mortality by day 28 (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11–0.68). Higher observed-to-expected lung-to-head ratios were independently associated with a lower risk for mortality by day 28 (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99), BPD (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–0.98) and need for ECMO (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99). An intrathoracic position of the liver was independently associated with an increased risk for BPD (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.41–6.90) and need for ECMO therapy (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.54–6.88). Conclusion: Survival rates in patients with CDH increased significantly after the implementation of a standardized treatment protocol.
Fetal Surgery for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Is Back from Never Gone
Authors: Deprest Jan A. , Nicolaides Kypros , Gratacós Eduard
Published: February 2011

Over half of the cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia are picked up prenatally. Prenatal assessment aims to rule out associated anomalies and to make an individual prognosis. Prediction of outcome is based on measurements of lung size and vasculature as well as on liver herniation. A subset of fetuses likely to die in the postnatal period is eligible for a fetal intervention that can promote lung growth. Two randomized trials have shown that fetal surgery using open anatomical repair or tracheal occlusion via hysterostomy has no benefit. Since then, a percutaneous fetoscopic technique has been introduced, which has been shown to be safe and seems to improve survival when compared to historical controls. Rupture of the fetal membranes and early delivery, nevertheless, remain an issue, but are less likely as compared to earlier experience. Improved outcomes are confirmed in two other studies published in this issue of Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy. This paper summarizes the experimental and clinical history of fetal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It stresses the need for another randomized trial. This trial started in Europe and patients should be asked whether they would like to participate.
Diagnostic Role of p63 Immunostaining in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Different Breast Lesions
Authors: Aiad Hayam Abdel Samie , Abd El-Halim Kandil Mona , Abd El-Wahed Moshira Mohammed , Abdou Asmaa Gaber , Hemida Aiat Shaban
Published: February 2011

Objective: To evaluate the potential diagnostic role of the myoepithelial marker p63 in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of breast in comparison to other diagnostic tools. Study Design: A total of 49 FNAC of breast were assessed according to clinical, mammographic, cytological findings, and p63 immunostaining on FNAC. The strength of agreement with final histological diagnosis (FHD) was measured by kappa test. Results: p63 was positive in myoepithelial cells of 75% (9/12) of benign cases and negative in 89% (33/37) of the malignant cases with strong agreement with the FHD (p < 0.0001, ĸ = 0.63). All the malignant positive cases showed variable degrees of in situ component. Only one malignant case (1/37, 0.03%) showed few p63 positive neoplastic cells in FNAC. Combined FNAC and p63 staining (with <25% cutoff point) to diagnose malignancy showed 100% sensitivity, 75% specificity, 92% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value, and 94% diagnostic accuracy. Most of the cytologically suspicious cases (7/9, 78%) showed negative p63 staining results, and all these suspicious cases (100%) proved to be malignant by the FHD. There was poor agreement between diagnosis according to positive background naked nuclei (NN) and the FHD (ĸ = 0.24 and p < 0.0001); however, presence of more than 74% positive NN is strongly suggestive of fibroadenoma. Conclusion: p63 immunostaining with a cutoff value of <25% to diagnose malignancy is a highly sensitive and specific myoepithelial marker which is recommended as an adjuvant tool to FNAC of breast in suspicious cases.
Trajectories in the Spinal Cord and the Mediolateral Spread in the Cerebellar Cortex of Spinocerebellar Fibers from the Unilateral Lumbosacral Enlargement in the Chicken
Authors: Furue Masato , Uchida Shinsuke , Shinozaki Aya , Imagawa Tomohiro , Hosaka Yoshinao Z. , Uehara Masato
Published: February 2011

Spinocerebellar (SC) neurons in the lumbosacral enlargement (LSE) give rise mainly to crossed fibers and generally terminate in parasagittal bands in the granular layer of the chicken cerebellar cortex. However, parasagittal bands for mossy fiber terminals have not always been clear in some cerebellar folia. The present study aimed at (1) observing the course in the spinal cord of the spinocerebellar tracts (SCTs), (2) confirming whether SC fibers originating from the unilateral LSE terminate in parasagittal bands, and (3) elucidating the relationship between the ventral and lateral funicular parts of the SCTs in the cervical enlargement (CE) using anterograde and retrograde labeling methods. The SCTs were located in the medial part of the ventral funiculi in spinal segment (SS) 27, the full width of the ventral funiculi in SS 22, the lateral and ventral funiculi in SS 14 and in the lateral funiculi from SS 10 rostralward. Projection areas in the cerebellar cortex of SC fibers were studied following unilateral injections of WGA-HRP into the LSE. As a result, SC fibers from the LSE terminated bilaterally in parasagittal bands of folia II–VI and IXc. Labeled terminals in the injected side were similar in number to those in the other side in folia II–IV and IXc and more than those in the other side in folia V and VI. Following ablation of the left (contralateral) lateral funiculus of the CE, the same tracer was injected into the right (ipsilateral) LSE or into the anterior or posterior cerebellar lobe. As a result, anterogradely labeled SC fibers passing through the ventral funiculus in the CE mainly terminated in the contralateral cerebellar cortex in folia II, III and IV, and in the ipsilateral cerebellar cortex in folia V, VI and IX. Following ablation of the unilateral lateral funiculus, retrogradely labeled neurons in the contralateral LSE were found in all SC neuron groups showing marked reduction in number. Thus, the ventral and lateral funicular parts of the SCTs in the CE were not pathways for specific SC neuron groups but different in projection areas.
Nitric Oxide as Key Mediator of Neuron-to-Neuron and Endothelia-to-Glia Communication Involved in the Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction
Authors: Bellefontaine Nicole , Hanchate Naresh Kumar , Parkash Jyoti , Campagne Céline , de Seranno Sandrine , Clasadonte Jérôme , d’Anglemont de Tassigny Xavier , Prevot Vincent
Published: February 2011

Nitric oxide (NO) is a peculiar chemical transmitter that freely diffuses through aqueous and lipid environments and plays a role in major aspects of brain function. Within the hypothalamus, NO exerts critical effects upon the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) network to maintain fertility. Here, we review recent evidence that NO regulates major aspects of the GnRH neuron physiology. Far more active than once thought, NO powerfully controls GnRH neuronal activity, GnRH release and structural plasticity at the neurohemal junction. In the preoptic region, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity is tightly regulated by estrogens and is found to be maximal at the proestrus stage. Natural fluctuations of estrogens control both the differential coupling of this Ca2+-activated enzyme to glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor channels and phosphorylation-mediated nNOS activation. Furthermore, NO endogenously produced by neurons expressing nNOS acutely and directly suppresses spontaneous firing in GnRH neurons, which suggests that neuronal NO may serve as a synchronizing switch within the preoptic region. At the median eminence, NO is spontaneously released from an endothelial source and follows a pulsatile and cyclic pattern of secretion. Importantly, GnRH release appears to be causally related to endothelial NO release. NO is also highly involved in mediating the dialogue set in motion between vascular endothelial cells and tanycytes that control the direct access of GnRH neurons to the pituitary portal blood during the estrous cycle. Altogether, these data raise the intriguing possibility that the neuroendocrine brain uses NO to coordinate both GnRH neuronal activity and GnRH release at key stages of reproductive physiology.
Verification of prediction for bending rigidity of woven fabric laminated with interlining by adhesive bonding
Authors: Kim KyoungOk , Inui Shigeru , Takatera Masayuki
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of pressing on bending rigidities of the face fabric, adhesive interlining and bonded composite fabric and verify the prediction method for bending rigidity of those. Predicting methods of bending rigidity for composite with face fabric and adhesive interlining based on laminated theory were verified with measured bending rigidities and thickness of samples. Bending rigidities and thicknesses of woven fabrics, adhesive interlinings and composites with those were measured by the KES-FB system. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film was used for measuring mechanical properties of pressed adhesive interlining. Bending rigidities of adhesive interlinings became larger and thicknesses were reduced compared to those before pressing. Bending rigidities of face fabrics didn’t change though the thicknesses became thinner than before pressing. It was found that the case of considering mechanical properties of pressed face fabric and pressed interlining was more efficient to predict bending rigidity of composite with laminated model.
Automatic rule learning exploiting morphological features for named entity recognition in Turkish
Authors: Tatar Serhan , Cicekli Ilyas
Published: February 2011

Named entity recognition (NER) is one of the basic tasks in automatic extraction of information from natural language texts. In this paper, we describe an automatic rule learning method that exploits different features of the input text to identify the named entities located in the natural language texts. Moreover, we explore the use of morphological features for extracting named entities from Turkish texts. We believe that the developed system can also be used for other agglutinative languages. The paper also provides a comprehensive overview of the field by reviewing the NER research literature. We conducted our experiments on the TurkIE dataset, a corpus of articles collected from different Turkish newspapers. Our method achieved an average F-score of 91.08% on the dataset. The results of the comparative experiments demonstrate that the developed technique is successfully applicable to the task of automatic NER and exploiting morphological features can significantly improve the NER from Turkish, an agglutinative language.
Death and Organization: Heidegger’s Thought on Death and Life in Organizations
Authors: Reedy Patrick , Learmonth Mark
Published: February 2011

Mortality has not been given the attention it deserves within organization studies. Even when it has been considered, it is not usually in terms of its implications for own lives and ethical choices. In particular, Heidegger’s writing on death has been almost entirely ignored both in writing on death and writing on organizational ethics, despite his insights into how our mortality and the ethics of existence are linked. In this paper, we seek to address this omission by arguing that a consideration of death may yield important insights about the ethics of organizational life. Most important of these is that a Heideggerian approach to death brings us up against fundamental ethical questions such as what our lives are for, how they should be lived and how we relate to others. Heideggerarian thought also reconnects ethics and politics, as it is closely concerned with how we can collectively make institutions that support our life projects rather than thwart or diminish them.
Where Constructionism and Critical Realism Converge: Interrogating the Domain of Epistemological Relativism
Authors: Al-Amoudi Ismael , Willmott Hugh
Published: February 2011

The paper interrogates the status, nature and significance of epistemological relativism as a key element of constructionism and critical realism. It finds that epistemological relativism is espoused by authorities in critical realism and marginalized or displaced in the field of management and organization studies, resulting in forms of analysis that are empirically, but not fully critically, realist. This evaluation prompts reflection on the question of whether, how and with what implications epistemological relativism might be recast at the heart of critical realist studies of management and organization.
Who bears the brunt? Distributional effects of climate change mitigation policies
Authors: Büchs Milena , Bardsley Nicholas , Duwe Sebastian
Published: February 2011

Climate change scholars generally urge that CO2 emissions need to be cut rapidly if we are to avoid dangerous risks of climate change. However, climate change mitigation policies are widely perceived to have regressive effects — that is, putting a higher financial burden as a proportion of household income on poor than on rich households. This is one of several major barriers to the adoption of effective mitigation policies. They would also have considerable social justice implications requiring significant welfare state responses. We assess the claim that climate change policies have regressive effects by comparing different types of mitigation policies. We will argue that many of these are indeed likely to have regressive distributional implications but that there are several policy options to counteract regressive effects.
How new media affords network diversity: Direct and mediated access to social capital through participation in local social settings
Authors: Hampton Keith N. , Lee Chul-joo , Her Eun Ja
Published: February 2011

This study examines how information and communication technologies – mobile phone, social networking websites, blogging, instant messaging, and photo sharing – are related to the diversity of people’s social networks. We find that a limited set of technologies directly afford diversity, but many indirectly contribute to diversity by supporting participation in traditional settings such as neighborhoods, voluntary groups, religious institutions, and public spaces. Only one internet activity, social networking websites, was related to lower levels of participation in a traditional setting: neighborhoods. However, when direct effects were included, the total influence of social networking services on diversity was positive. We argue that a focus on affordances of new media for networked individualism fails to recognize the continued importance of place for the organization of personal networks: networks, that as a result of the persistent and pervasive nature of some new technologies, may be more diverse than at any time in recent history.
Car seat design to improve rear-impact protection
Authors: Himmetoglu S , Acar M , Bouazza-Marouf K , Taylor A J
Published: February 2011

This study presents car seat concepts which are designed to mitigate whiplash injuries through coordinated motion of seat components for a wide range of crash severities. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed car seat concepts, computational multibody models of a generic car seat and a biofidelic 50th-percentile male human model for rear impact are developed. A number of car seat concepts are shown to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries by utilizing head restraint support and energy-absorbing features, which remain reusable after impact.
Determining the width of the optimal space needed to accommodate the drivers of passenger vehicles using the analogy of anthropometric measurement dynamics and mechanical mechanisms
Authors: Klarin M M , Spasojević-Brkić V K , Sajfert Z D , Djordjević D B , Nikolić M S , Ćoćkalo D Z
Published: February 2011

This paper discusses a new way of modelling the width of the space that accommodates the drivers of passenger vehicles. The fact that there is a more or less fixed zero point, which is the origin of the coordinates of the man-vehicle system makes it possible to determine the mechanical–mathematical co-dependence in this system more accurately.

The space is determined by taking extreme pairs of the dimensions and a series of anthropometric measurements to which the vehicle needs to be adjusted as the measurement limits. These were determined by analysis which includes both the theory of mechanisms and vehicle mechanics. In this way the method of adapting the vehicle to accommodate a range from the 5th-percentile woman to the 95th-percentile man has finally been surpassed. The paper demonstrates a methodology for designing the interior space of a passenger vehicle based on the fact that, in a range of anthropometric measurements of equal total lengths, each measurement has segments of different lengths, because people with the same leg lengths have different upper-and lower-leg lengths. Therefore the interior space of the vehicle is designed to accommodate extreme measurements and to allow for limitations caused by movement and the physical laws derived from seeing the anthropometric measurement mechanism as a mechanical mechanism.

The paper offers a design for the space behind the windscreen, the position of the steering wheel, and the position of the foot controls together with the total space which the driver occupies, primarily from the aspect of anthropometric limitations, concluding that the maximum width for accommodation of the driver at the lowest level of a seat along the x axis is 169 mm, and along the y axis is 1013 mm.
Calibration experiments on engine emission behaviour during the stopping-and-restarting process in a hybrid electric vehicle application
Authors: Zhou J-H , Yuan Y-N
Published: February 2011

A transient emission test bench was designed for simulating the high-speed cranking start process of a port-fuel-injected gasoline engine in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) application. The mechanisms of the emissions of both hydrocarbns (HCs) and nitrogen oxides during the stopping-and-restarting process were investigated. The cranking speed, the transient exhaust air-to-fuel equivalence ratio λ, the ignition timing, the idle speed, and the engine coolant temperature (ECT) during hot idle were calibrated. The experimental results showed that an extremely high cranking speed (greater than 1500 r/min) would sharply increase the coefficient of residual gas in the cylinder and lead to incomplete combustion or misfiring. The λ value should be leaner than the theoretical λ value during the cranking period to reduce the HC emission. Retarding the ignition and increasing the idle speed could shorten the light-off time of the three-way catalytic converter (TWC). Engine-off in the idling strategy depended on the ECT. Heat preservation of the TWC (above 300 °C) was very important and was highly effective in increasing the conversion efficiency of the TWC so as to reduce the emissions. After calibration, the HEV emission behaviour in the New European Driving Cycle in a drum test was greatly improved.
The role of vanin-1 and oxidative stress–related pathways in distinguishing acute and chronic pediatric ITP
Authors: Zhang Bing , Lo Clara , Shen Lei , Sood Ruchira , Jones Carol , Cusmano-Ozog Kristina , Park-Snyder Shaun , Wong Wendy , Jeng Michael , Cowan Tina , Engleman Edgar G. , Zehnder James L.
Published: February 2011

Pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is usually self-limited. However, approximately 20% of children develop chronic ITP, which can be associated with significant morbidity because of long-term immunosuppression and splenectomy in refractory cases. To explore the molecular mechanism of chronic ITP compared with acute ITP, we studied 63 pediatric patients with ITP. Gene expression analysis of whole blood revealed distinct signatures for acute and chronic ITP. Oxidative stress–related pathways were among the most significant chronic ITP-associated pathways. Overexpression of VNN1, an oxidative stress sensor in epithelial cells, was most strongly associated with progression to chronic ITP. Studies of normal persons demonstrated VNN1 expression in a variety of blood cells. Exposure of blood mononuclear cells to oxidative stress inducers elicited dramatic up-regulation of VNN1 and down-regulation of PPARγ, indicating a role for VNN1 as a peripheral blood oxidative stress sensor. Assessment of redox state by tandem mass spectrometry demonstrated statistically significant lower glutathione ratios in patients with ITP versus healthy controls; lower glutathione ratios were also seen in untreated patients with ITP compared with recently treated patients. Our work demonstrates distinct patterns of gene expression in acute and chronic ITP and implicates oxidative stress pathways in the pathogenesis of chronic pediatric ITP.
Myelodysplasia and leukemia of Fanconi anemia are associated with a specific pattern of genomic abnormalities that includes cryptic RUNX1/AML1 lesions
Authors: Quentin Samuel , Cuccuini Wendy , Ceccaldi Raphael , Nibourel Olivier , Pondarre Corinne , Pagès Marie-Pierre , Vasquez Nadia , Dubois d'Enghien Catherine , Larghero Jérôme , Peffault de Latour Régis , Rocha Vanderson , Dalle Jean-Hugues , Schneider Pascale , Michallet Mauricette , Michel Gérard , Baruchel André , Sigaux François , Gluckman Eliane , Leblanc Thierry , Stoppa-Lyonnet Dominique , Preudhomme Claude , Socié Gérard , Soulier Jean
Published: February 2011

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic condition associated with bone marrow (BM) failure, myelodysplasia (MDS), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We studied 57 FA patients with hypoplastic or aplastic anemia (n = 20), MDS (n = 18), AML (n = 11), or no BM abnormality (n = 8). BM samples were analyzed by karyotype, high-density DNA arrays with respect to paired fibroblasts, and by selected oncogene sequencing. A specific pattern of chromosomal abnormalities was found in MDS/AML, which included 1q+ (44.8%), 3q+ (41.4%), −7/7q (17.2%), and 11q− (13.8%). Moreover, cryptic RUNX1/AML1 lesions (translocations, deletions, or mutations) were observed for the first time in FA (20.7%). Rare mutations of NRAS, FLT3-ITD, MLL-PTD, ERG amplification, and ZFP36L2-PRDM16 translocation, but no TP53, TET2, CBL, NPM1, and CEBPα mutations were found. Frequent homozygosity regions were related not to somatic copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity but to consanguinity, suggesting that homologous recombination is not a common progression mechanism in FA. Importantly, the RUNX1 and other chromosomal/genomic lesions were found at the MDS/AML stages, except for 1q+, which was found at all stages. These data have implications for staging and therapeutic managing in FA patients, and also to analyze the mechanisms of clonal evolution and oncogenesis in a background of genomic instability and BM failure.
High-resolution kinetics of cytokine signaling in human CD34/CD117-positive cells in unfractionated bone marrow
Authors: Woost Philip G. , Solchaga Luis A. , Meyerson Howard J. , Shankey T. Vincent , Goolsby Charles L. , Jacobberger James W.
Published: February 2011

Cytokine-mediated phosphorylation of Erk (pErk), ribosomal S6 (pS6), and Stat5 (pStat5) in CD34+/CD117+ blast cells in normal bone marrow from 9 healthy adult donors were analyzed over 60 minutes. Treatment with stem cell factor (SCF), Flt3-ligand (FL), IL-3, and GM-CSF and measurement by multiparametric flow cytometry yielded distinctive, highly uniform phosphoprotein kinetic profiles despite a diverse sample population. The correlated responses for SCF- and FL-stimulated pErk and pS6 were similar. Half the population phosphorylated Erk in response to SCF between 0.9 and 1.2 minutes, and S6 phosphorylation followed approximately a minute later (t½pS6 rise = 2.2-2.7 minutes). The FL response was equally fast but more variable (t½pErk rise = 0.9-1.3 minutes; t½pS6 rise = 2.5-3.5 minutes). Stat5 was not activated in 97% of the cells by either cytokine. IL-3 and GM-CSF were similar to each other with half of blast cells phosphorylating Stat5 and 15% to 20% responding through Erk and S6. Limited comparison with leukemic blasts confirmed universal abnormal signaling in AML that is significantly different from normal bone marrow blasts. These differences included sustained signals, a larger fraction of responding cells, and amplification of phosphorylation levels for at least one phosphoprotein. These data support the eventual use of this approach for disease diagnosis and monitoring.
Type of skin eruption is an independent prognostic indicator for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Sawada Yu , Hino Ryosuke , Hama Kayo , Ohmori Shun , Fueki Haruna , Yamada Shigenori , Fukamachi Shoko , Tajiri Makiko , Kubo Rieko , Yoshioka Manabu , Nakashima Daiki , Sugita Kazunari , Yoshiki Ryutaro , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Mori Tomoko , Izu Kunio , Kobayashi Miwa , Nakamura Motonobu , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: February 2011

Cutaneous involvement is seen in ∼ 50% of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) patients. We investigated the association between skin eruption type and prognosis in 119 ATLL patients. ATLL eruptions were categorized into patch (6.7%), plaque (26.9%), multipapular (19.3%), nodulotumoral (38.7%), erythrodermic (4.2%), and purpuric (4.2%) types. When the T stage of the tumor-node-metastasis-blood (TNMB) classification of mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome was applied to ATLL staging, 16.0% were T1, 17.7% T2, 38.7% T3, and 4.2% T4, and the remaining 23.5% were of the multipapular and purpuric types. For the patch type, the mean survival time (median survival time could not be estimated) was 188.4 months. The median survival times (in months) for the remaining types were as follows: plaque, 114.9; multipapular, 17.3; nodulotumoral, 17.3; erythrodermic, 3.0; and purpuric, 4.4. Kaplan-Meier curves of overall survival showed that the erythrodermic type had the poorest prognosis, followed by the nodulotumoral and multipapular types. The patch and plaque types were associated with better survival rates. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the hazard ratios of the erythrodermic and nodulotumoral types were significantly higher than that of the patch type, and that the eruption type is an independent prognostic factor for ATLL. The overall survival was worse as the T stage became more advanced: the multipapular type and T2 were comparable, and the purpuric type had a significantly poorer prognosis than T1.
Serum amyloid A overrides Treg anergy via monocyte-dependent and Treg-intrinsic, SOCS3-associated pathways
Authors: Nguyen Khoa D. , Macaubas Claudia , Nadeau Kari C. , Truong Phi , Yoon Taejin , Lee Tzielan , Park Jane L. , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: February 2011

The acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) has been well characterized as an indicator of inflammation. Nevertheless, its functions in pro versus anti-inflammatory processes remain obscure. Here we provide unexpected evidences that SAA induces the proliferation of the tolerogenic subset of regulatory T cells (Treg). Intriguingly, SAA reverses Treg anergy via its interaction with monocytes to activate distinct mitogenic pathways in Treg but not effector T cells. This selective responsiveness of Treg correlates with their diminished expression of SOCS3 and is antagonized by Treg–specific induction of this regulator of cytokine signaling. Collectively, these evidences suggest a novel anti-inflammatory role of SAA in the induction of a micro-environment that supports Treg expansion at sites of infection or tissue injury, likely to curb (auto)-inflammatory responses.
High-throughput 454 resequencing for allele discovery and recombination mapping in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Samarakoon Upeka , Regier Allison , Tan Asako , Desany Brian A , Collins Brendan , Tan John C , Emrich Scott J , Ferdig Michael T
Published: February 2011

Background

Knowledge of the origins, distribution, and inheritance of variation in the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) genome is crucial for understanding its evolution; however the 81% (A+T) genome poses challenges to high-throughput sequencing technologies. We explore the viability of the Roche 454 Genome Sequencer FLX (GS FLX) high throughput sequencing technology for both whole genome sequencing and fine-resolution characterization of genetic exchange in malaria parasites.

Results

We present a scheme to survey recombination in the haploid stage genomes of two sibling parasite clones, using whole genome pyrosequencing that includes a sliding window approach to predict recombination breakpoints. Whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing generated approximately 2 million reads, with an average read length of approximately 300 bp. De novo assembly using a combination of WGS and 3 kb paired end libraries resulted in contigs ≤ 34 kb. More than 8,000 of the 24,599 SNP markers identified between parents were genotyped in the progeny, resulting in a marker density of approximately 1 marker/3.3 kb and allowing for the detection of previously unrecognized crossovers (COs) and many non crossover (NCO) gene conversions throughout the genome.

Conclusions

By sequencing the 23 Mb genomes of two haploid progeny clones derived from a genetic cross at more than 30× coverage, we captured high resolution information on COs, NCOs and genetic variation within the progeny genomes. This study is the first to resequence progeny clones to examine fine structure of COs and NCOs in malaria parasites.
Characterization of the Conus bullatus genome and its venom-duct transcriptome
Authors: Hu Hao , Bandyopadhyay Pradip K , Olivera Baldomero M , Yandell Mark
Published: February 2011

Background

The venomous marine gastropods, cone snails (genus Conus), inject prey with a lethal cocktail of conopeptides, small cysteine-rich peptides, each with a high affinity for its molecular target, generally an ion channel, receptor or transporter. Over the last decade, conopeptides have proven indispensable reagents for the study of vertebrate neurotransmission. Conus bullatus belongs to a clade of Conus species called Textilia, whose pharmacology is still poorly characterized. Thus the genomics analyses presented here provide the first step toward a better understanding the enigmatic Textilia clade.

Results

We have carried out a sequencing survey of the Conus bullatus genome and venom-duct transcriptome. We find that conopeptides are highly expressed within the venom-duct, and describe an in silico pipeline for their discovery and characterization using RNA-seq data. We have also carried out low-coverage shotgun sequencing of the genome, and have used these data to determine its size, genome-wide base composition, simple repeat, and mobile element densities.

Conclusions

Our results provide the first global view of venom-duct transcription in any cone snail. A notable feature of Conus bullatus venoms is the breadth of A-superfamily peptides expressed in the venom duct, which are unprecedented in their structural diversity. We also find SNP rates within conopeptides are higher compared to the remainder of C. bullatus transcriptome, consistent with the hypothesis that conopeptides are under diversifying selection.
Selection of reference genes for gene expression studies in ultraviolet B-irradiated human skin fibroblasts using quantitative real-time PCR
Authors: Li Li , Yan Yan , Xu Haoxiang , Qu Tao , Wang Baoxi
Published: February 2011

Background

Reference genes are frequently used to normalise mRNA levels between different samples. The expression level of these genes, however, may vary between tissues or cells and may change under certain circumstances. Cytoskeleton genes have served as multifunctional tools for experimental studies as reference genes. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of vimentin, one cytoskeletal protein, was increased in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated fibroblasts. Thus, we examined the expression of other cytoskeleton protein genes, ACTB (actin, beta), TUBA1A (tubulin, alpha 1a), and TUBB1 (tubulin, beta 1), in human dermal fibroblasts irradiated by UVB to determine which of these candidates were the most appropriate reference genes.

Results

Quantitative real-time PCR followed by analysis with the NormFinder and geNorm software programmes was performed. The initial screening of the expression patterns demonstrated that the expression of VIM was suppressed after UVB irradiation at doses ≥25 mJ/cm2 and that the expression of TUBA1A was significantly reduced by UVB doses ≥75 mJ/cm2 in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. The analysis of the experimental data revealed ACTB to be the most stably expressed gene, followed by GAPDH (aglyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), under these experimental conditions. By contrast, VIM was found to be the least stable gene. The combination of ACTB and TUBB1 was revealed to be the gene pair that introduced the least systematic error into the data normalisation.

Conclusion

The data herein provide evidence that ACTB and TUBB1 are suitable reference genes in human skin fibroblasts irradiated by UVB, whereas VIM and TUBA1A are not and should therefore be excluded as reference genes in any gene expression studies involving UVB-irradiated human skin fibroblasts.