bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Surgical Preference and Practice in Hemodialysis Vascular Access Creation
Authors: Nica Andra , Lok Charmaine E. , Harris Jeremy , Lee Timmy C. , Mokrzycki Michele H. , Maya Ivan D. , Vazquez Miguel A. , Xi Wang , Moist Louise M. ,   From the North American Vascular Access Consortium (NAVAC)
Published: March 2013

Understanding healthcare providers’ preferences, values, and beliefs around AVF eligibility is important to explain variability in practice. We conducted a survey of international surgeons, using hypothetical patient scenarios, to assess resources used, variables, perceived barriers, and absolute contraindications to access creation. A total of 134 surgeons completed the survey. Venous duplex ultrasound mapping (VDUM) was offered to all patients by 90% of US, 68% Canadian, and 63% European respondents. VDUM altered clinical decision less than 25% of the time for 33% American, 48% Canadian, and 85% European surgeons. Increased comorbidities and previous failed access were deterrents to AVF creation as was vessel size. Second choice access was the AV graft in the US and Europe and the catheter in Canada. Absolute contraindications to AVF creation included patient life expectancy <1 year, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <15%, and a history of dementia, while 42% surgeons reported no absolute contraindications. Perceived barriers included patient preferences, long wait times for surgery, and late referral to a Nephrologist. Significant variability exists in the surgical preoperative assessment of patients, and the eligibility criteria used for fistula creation. Understanding surgeons’ preferences can aid in establishing standardization for VA access eligibility, including surgical assessment.
Making it on the Outside: Understanding Barriers to Women’s Post‐Incarceration Reintegration
Authors: Opsal Tara , Foley Allison
Published: March 2013

The increasing rate of imprisonment in the United States over the past few decades resulted in record numbers of individuals reentering society upon release. As men and women exit through prison gates, they encounter a range of obstacles that complicate their efforts to “make it” on the outside. Given the gendered impact of recent punitive prison policies, this essay focuses on women and traces their steps as they navigate the many complex, interrelated, and competing obstacles to successful reintegration post‐incarceration. In particular, this essay describes how many barriers, and women’s reentry experience more broadly, are shaped by gender, race, and class. Further, drawing on the feminist pathways perspective, we examine women’s reentry in light of their pathways into offending focusing, in particular, on their victimization history.
The New Science of Sex Difference
Authors: Wade Lisa
Published: March 2013

While scientists across the academy have abandoned the nature/nurture dichotomy, evidence for the influences of society on our biology is greater than ever. This article reviews new developments in the biological sciences – in the sub‐fields of genetics, hormones, and neuroscience – with special attention to the implications for sociologists interested in gender. The article closes with an argument that embracing these developments has both theoretical and methodological promise and can enhance rather than harm research and activism regarding gender equality and other social hierarchies.
Negotiating the Unknown: The Role of Uncertainty in Social Exchange
Authors: Savage Scott V. , Bergstrand Kelly
Published: March 2013

This article documents the role of uncertainty in social exchange. Specifically, it reviews how social exchange theorists incorporate uncertainty when explaining psychological processes and social behaviors. After identifying and examining the structural roots of uncertainty, the article addresses how uncertainty affects actor behavior and attitude formation, from curbing power use to promoting the development of more committed, trusting and cohesive exchange partnerships. By assessing the consequences of uncertainty and risk for social exchange, this article contributes to sociological knowledge about the nature and form of relationships in an uncertain world.
A novel HLA‐C*15 allele, HLA‐C*15:02:04
Authors: Zhang K. Y. , Zhang Z. X. , Wang L. J. , Liu N. , Shan X. Y.
Published: March 2013

HLA‐C*15:02:04 differs from HLA‐C*15:02:01 by the nucleotide exchange at position 143.
Identification of a new HLA‐C allele, HLA‐C*08:76 in a Caucasian individual
Authors: Gonzalez E. A. , Mensa A. , Villarroel P. , Diaz M. , Fabregat V. , Santiago F. , Bandres E. , Serra‐Pages C.
Published: March 2013

HLA‐C*08:76 differs from HLA‐C*08:02:01 by one nonsynonymous nucleotide change at the codon 144 (CAG to AAG) in exon 3.
Geography and the Paris Academy of Sciences: politics and patronage in early 18th‐century France
Authors: Heffernan Michael
Published: March 2013

This essay considers the politics and patronage of geography in early‐modern France. It examines how the Paris Academy of Sciences, widely acknowledged as the 18th century's pre‐eminent scientific society, came to recognise geography as an independent science in 1730, a century before the establishment of the first geographical societies. Although the Academy was centrally concerned with cartography from its inception in 1666, it initially afforded no official status to geography, which was viewed either as a specialised form of historical inquiry or as a minor component within the hegemonic science of astronomy. The rise of Newtonian mathematics and the associated controversy about the shape of the earth challenged the Academy's epistemological foundations and prompted a debate about the educational and political significance of geography as a scientific practice. The death in 1726 of Guillaume Delisle, a prominent Academy astronomer‐cartographer and a popular geography tutor to the young LouisXV, led to a spirited campaign to elect Philippe Buache, Delisle's protégé, to a new Academy position as a geographer rather than an astronomer. The campaign emphasised the social and political utility of geography, though the Academy's decision to recognise this new and distinctively modern science was ultimately facilitated by traditional networks of patronage within the French Royal Court.
Parallel Trade and Pharmaceutical Prices: A Game‐theoretic Approach and Empirical Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Vandoros Sotiris , Kanavos Panos
Published: March 2013

This paper studies whether parallel traded products spark price competition in pharmaceutical markets and whether they are any cheaper than locally sourced products. We follow a game‐theoretic approach and employ descriptive statistics and econometric methods to study the effects of parallel trade on competition from a theoretic and empirical perspective. The theoretic approach suggests that there is a unique Nash equilibrium, and the parallel trader sets prices at the same level as the locally sourced product, while the price of the latter remains unaffected by parallel trade. However, there may be deviations from this equilibrium in the presence of particular policies or generic competition, in which case the parallel traded product may be priced at lower levels than the locally sourced product. Empirical analysis confirms the predictions of the theory. Descriptive statistics show that there is no gap between locally sourced and parallel traded products, unless generics or policies encouraging parallel trade are present. Results of the econometric analysis show that parallel trade does not trigger price competition and that the price of the locally sourced product remains unaffected by parallel trade. Therefore, any savings for health insurance occurring as a result of parallel trade are limited.
Estimating the Effects of Light Rail Transit (LRT) System on the Property Values in the Klang Valley, Malaysia: A Hedonic House Price Approach
Authors: Dziauddin Mohd Faris , Alvanides Seraphim , Powe Neil
Published: March 2013

This study investigates the increased value of land in the form of house prices as a result of improved accessibility owing to the construction of Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems. Kelana Jaya Line LRT system is chosen as the case study in this research. Hedonic house price modelling is employed to estimate the effects of the LRT system on the prices of the house that are located within the radius of two kilometres from the Kelana Jaya LRT stations. Selling prices, structural attributes, land use and socio–economic attributes were collected from the database of Department of Valuation and Services of Malaysia, selected maps and reports. Fifty-five factors that are likely to influence a house price were identified and used to estimate the overall effects of the LRT system on it. However, only significant variables were included in the final deliberation and these were identified by using correlation analysis and modified step–wise procedures. The outcome of this study shows a positive relationship between the existence of the LRT system and house prices. In other words, properties that are located within close proximity to the LRT station are valued more than properties that are located further away.
Kesan Masa Perjalanan Bas dan Bayaran Tempat Letak Kereta Terhadap Penggunaan Pengangkutan Awam di Putrajaya
Authors: Borhan Muhamad Nazri , O. K. Rahmat Riza Atiq Abdullah , Ismail Amiruddin , Mohd Akhir Norliza
Published: March 2013

Putrajaya is a unique Malaysian city from a transport policy perspective because of its explicit goal to achieve a 70% share of public transport to its core areas. However, the current modal split between public transport and private transport is 15:85. One possible way to reduce the use of cars is to promote people to use public transport as a primary mode of transport. In order to evaluate the effects of this measure, data were collected from the workers who travel by car to work place in Putrajaya. A total of 290 respondents completed a questionnaire with a response rate of 58% (out of 500 distributed questionnaires). Logistic regression method has been used to analyze the factors that influence users to switch their trips mode to shift to public transport. It is concluded that with reducing the bus travel time and implementing parking fee will directly affect the use of the public transport facility.
Cascade–forward Neural Networks for Arabic Phonemes Based on k–Fold Cross Validation
Authors: Abdul Kadir Nurul Ashikin , Sudirman Rubita , Mahmood Nasrul Humaimi , Ahmad Abdul Hamid
Published: March 2013

The study of Malaysian Arabic phoneme is rarely found which make the references to the work is difficult. Specific guideline on Malaysian subject is not found even though a lot of acoustic and phonetics research has been done on other languages such as English, French and Chinese. In this paper, we monitored and analyzed the performance of cascade-forward (CF) networks on our phoneme recognition system of Standard Arabic (SA). This study focused on Malaysian children as test subjects. It is focused on four chosen phonemes from SA, which composed of nasal, lateral and trill behaviors, i.e. tabulated at four different articulation places. Cascade neural networks are chosen as it provide less time for samples processing. The method, k–fold cross validation to evaluate each network architecture in k times to improve the reliability of the choice of the optimal architecture. Based on this method, namely 10–fold cross validation, the most suitable cascade–layer network architecture in first hidden layer and second hidden layer is 40 and 10 nodes respectively with MSE 0.0402. The training and testing recognition rates achieved were 94% and 93% respectively.
Type of Music Associated with Relaxation Based on EEG Signal Analysis
Authors: Che Marzuki Nurhanis Izzati , Mahmood Nasrul Humaimi , Mat Safri Norlaili
Published: March 2013

Music is the science and the art of tones, or the musical sounds. Music is also the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear. Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well–being. There are a lot of experimental efforts to understand musical processing in the brain using electroencephalogram (EEG). It is accepted that listening to music increases the theta and alpha bands power that is associated to increase relaxation. In this study, we are interested to find the type of music that can produce such state of mind by analysing the EEG power spectrum in those frequency bands. 4 types of music were investigated, i.e. sound of instrumental piano, sound of wave, sound of birds and sound of nature. As the result, 71.4% of subjects were able to achieved highest power spectral density in theta and alpha frequency bands while listening to sound of instrumental piano and sound of nature while only 28.6–42.9% of subjects were able to produce the same while listening to sound of wave and sound of bird. From the finding, it can be concluded that sound of instrumental piano and sound of nature increase relaxation as indicated by the increase of PSD in the theta/alpha frequency bands compared to the sound of wave and sound of bird.
Epitaxial growth of ZnTe on GaSb(100) using in situ ZnCl2 surface clean
Authors: Chen Chihyu , Kim S. J. , Pan X. Q. , Phillips Jamie D.
Published: March 2013

The epitaxial growth of high-quality ZnTe on GaSb substrates is demonstrated by molecular beam epitaxy without the use of a group-V beam flux or intermediate GaSb buffer layer. A reduced surface cleaning temperature is achieved using a combination of HCl etching prior to loading into the growth chamber and use of a ZnCl2 flux during the thermal clean step. This procedure results in a surface clean temperature of approximately 440 °C, in comparison to 500 °C for an as-received GaSb substrate, providing a means to achieve a clean GaSb surface for ZnTe epitaxy without the requirement for a group-V flux to stabilize the surface to prevent noncongruent sublimation of GaSb. The resulting ZnTe epitaxial layers demonstrate good surface morphology and structural properties based on Nomarski microscope images, transmission electron microscopy images of the ZnTe/GaSb interface, and x-ray diffraction measurements demonstrating a rocking curve with a full width at half maximum of 40 arc sec for the ZnTe (004) reflection.
Optimization of growth conditions of type-II Zn(Cd)Te/ZnCdSe submonolayer quantum dot superlattices for intermediate band solar cells
Authors: Dhomkar Siddharth , Kuskovsky Igor L. , Manna Uttam , Noyan I. C. , Tamargo Maria C.
Published: March 2013

Intermediate band solar cells (IBSCs) have been predicted to be significantly more efficient than the conventional solar cells, but have not been realized to their full potential due to the difficulties related to the fabrication of practical devices. The authors report here on growth and characterization of Zn(Cd)Te/ZnCdSe submonolayer quantum dot (QD) superlattices (SLs), grown by migration enhanced epitaxy. These QDs do not exhibit formation of wetting layers, which is one of the culprits for the unsatisfactory performance of IBSCs. The ZnCdSe host bandgap is ∼2.1 eV when lattice matched to InP, while the Zn(Cd)Te-ZnCdSe valence band offset is ∼0.8 eV. These parameters make this material system an excellent candidate for a practical IBSC. The detailed structural analysis demonstrates that the process of desorption of Cd and the preferential incorporation of Zn facilitates the formation of unintentional strained ZnSe-rich layer at the QD-spacer interface. The growth conditions have been then optimized so as to obtain high crystalline quality lattice matched SL, by growing intentionally Cd-rich spacers, which strain balanced the SL. The excitation intensity dependent photoluminescence confirmed the type-II nature of these multilayer QD structures, which is expected to suppress nonradiative Auger recombination, and improve the carrier extraction process when implemented in an actual device.
Two Modes of Change in Southern Ocean Productivity Over the Past Million Years
Authors: Jaccard S. L. , Hayes C. T. , Martínez-García A. , Hodell D. A. , Anderson R. F. , Sigman D. M. , Haug G. H.
Published: March 2013

Working Together

The variability of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations over glacial cycles, which are central aspects of the climate cycle, was documented decades ago. However, it has been difficult to identify which mechanisms have driven CO
2
variability. Attention has focused on the Southern Ocean, because of its unique combination of hydrology and biology, although it has not been clear how the different behaviors of its Antarctic and Subantarctic zones might be reconciled with the observations of atmospheric CO
2
change.

Jaccard
et al.

(p.
1419
) present a record of productivity from the Atlantic Antarctic Zone that extends back in time far enough to cover the last 10 glacial cycles. The findings show how the combination of effects in the Antarctic and Subantarctic zones can explain most of the atmospheric CO
2
record over the past million years.
A Terradynamics of Legged Locomotion on Granular Media
Authors: Li Chen , Zhang Tingnan , Goldman Daniel I.
Published: March 2013

Walking on Sand

Studies of objects moving through air or water have provided detailed models for designing objects with better flow dynamics. Examples include aircraft fins and wings, robots used as underwater probes, and even swimsuits to enhance swimmers' competitiveness. Much less is known about the mechanics of moving objects on or in materials that themselves have non-uniform dynamics. For example, when walking on a granular medium like sand, the moving leg and foot may penetrate to varying depths with small changes in material properties.

Li
et al.

(p.
1408
; see the Perspective by

Hunt

) study this system and develop a model for predicting the motion of legged bodies on granular media for a range of leg shapes and motion speeds. Factors that complicate the motion include leg shape and size and movement direction, as well as the size shape, and uniformity of the granular material.
Spatial Turn in Health Research
Authors: Richardson Douglas B. , Volkow Nora D. , Kwan Mei-Po , Kaplan Robert M. , Goodchild Michael F. , Croyle Robert T.
Published: March 2013

Developments in geographic science and technology can increase our understanding of disease prevalence, etiology, transmission, and treatment.
Dual Origin of the Epithelium of the Mammalian Middle Ear
Authors: Thompson Hannah , Tucker Abigail S.
Published: March 2013

Ear, Ear

Development of the middle ear has been the subject of competing hypotheses.
Thompson and Tucker
(p.
1453
; see the Perspective by

Fekete and Noden

) used transgenic mice to follow the cell types that form the middle ear. During development of the middle ear, a balloon of endoderm expands that bursts, allowing entry of mesenchymal neural crest cells. As the mesenchyme withdraws, a cavity is formed, partly lined with remnants of the endodermal balloon. The mature middle ear in mouse is thus lined partly by endoderm, with its rich ciliation typical of mucosal epithelia, and in part by neural crest cells, which lack cilia.
Emergence and Diversification of Fly Pigmentation Through Evolution of a Gene Regulatory Module
Authors: Arnoult Laurent , Su Kathy F. Y. , Manoel Diogo , Minervino Caroline , Magriña Justine , Gompel Nicolas , Prud’homme Benjamin
Published: March 2013

Seeing Spots

Some flies in the
Drosophila melanogaster
lineage exhibit wing spots, which vary among species. Examining the underlying genetics of spot determination,

Arnoult
et al.

(p.
1423
) provide evidence for a two-step scenario for the origin and diversification of patterning novelty in these fly wings. The findings suggest that the two-step model may generally apply to the emergence and diversification of traits in plants and animals.
Dynamin Flexibility Drives Fission
Authors: Holz Ronald W.
Published: March 2013

A study of short dynamin assemblies provides clues to the mechanism of cellular fission.

[Also see Report by

Shnyrova
et al.

]
Characterizing Giant Landslides
Authors: Petley David N.
Published: March 2013

Analysis of global seismic data helps to catalog rock avalanches and understand how they form.

[Also see Report by
Ekström and Stark
]
A Prime-Boost Strategy Using the Novel Vaccine Candidate, LemA, Protects Hamsters against Leptospirosis
Authors: Hartwig Daiane D. , Forster Karine M. , Oliveira Thaís L. , Amaral Marta , McBride Alan J. A. , Dellagostin Odir A.
Published: March 2013

Toward developing an effective vaccine capable of conferring heterologous protection, the putative lipoprotein LemA, which presents an M3 epitope similar to that ofListeria, was evaluated as a vaccine candidate in the hamster model of leptospirosis. LemA is conserved (>70% pairwise identity) among the pathogenicLeptospiraspp., indicating its potential in stimulating a cross-protective immune response. Using different vaccination strategies, including prime-boost, DNA vaccine, and a subunit preparation, recombinant LemA conferred different levels of protection in hamsters. Significant protection against mortality was observed for the prime-boost and the DNA vaccine strategies, which showed 87.5% (P< 0.01) and 62.5% (P< 0.05) efficacy, respectively. Although the subunit vaccine preparation protected 50.0% of immunized hamsters, the level of protection was not significant. None of the hamsters in the control groups survived challenge with a virulent strain ofLeptospira interrogansserogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae. Characterization of the immune response found that the strongest antibody response was stimulated by the subunit vaccine preparation, followed by the prime-boost strategy. The DNA vaccine failed to elicit an antibody response in immunized hamsters.
Evaluation of the Fully Automated BD MAX Cdiff and Xpert C. difficile Assays for Direct Detection of Clostridium difficile in Stool Specimens
Authors: Dalpke Alexander H. , Hofko Marjeta , Zorn Markus , Zimmermann Stefan
Published: March 2013

We evaluated the fully automated molecular BD MAX Cdiff assay (BD Diagnostics) and the Xpert
C. difficile
test (Cepheid) for rapid detection of
Clostridium difficile
infection. Culture was done on chromogenic agar followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry identification and toxin detection. Repeat testing was required for 1.8% and 6.0% of the BD MAX and Xpert tests, respectively. Sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) were 90.5%, 97.9%, 89.3%, and 98.1%, respectively, for BD MAX and 97.3%, 97.9%, 90.0%, and 99.5%, respectively, for Xpert.
Rapid Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Types 1 and 2 by Use of an Improved Piezoelectric Biosensor
Authors: Bisoffi Marco , Severns Virginia , Branch Darren W. , Edwards Thayne L. , Larson Richard S.
Published: March 2013

Disasters can create situations in which blood donations can save lives. However, in emergency situations and when resources are depleted, on-site blood donations require the rapid and accurate detection of blood-borne pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2). Techniques such as PCR and antibody capture by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for HIV-1 and HIV-2 are precise but time-consuming and require sophisticated equipment that is not compatible with emergency point-of-care requirements. We describe here a prototype biosensor based on piezoelectric materials functionalized with specific antibodies against HIV-1 and HIV-2. We show the rapid and accurate detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in both simple and complex solutions, including human serum, and in the presence of a cross-confounding virus. We report detection limits of 12 50% tissue culture infective doses (TCID
50
s) for HIV-1 and 87 TCID
50
s for HIV-2. The accuracy, precision of measurements, and operation of the prototype biosensor compared favorably to those for nucleic acid amplification. We conclude that the biosensor has significant promise as a successful point-of-care diagnostic device for use in emergency field applications requiring rapid and reliable testing for blood-borne pathogens.
Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains Involved in Maternal-Fetal Colonization: Prevalence of E. coli ST131
Authors: Birgy André , Mariani-Kurkdjian Patricia , Bidet Philippe , Doit Catherine , Genel Nathalie , Courroux Céline , Arlet Guillaume , Bingen Edouard
Published: March 2013

Maternal-fetal
Escherichia coli
infections, such as neonatal bacteremia and meningitis, are important causes of morbidity and mortality. From 2006 to 2010, we studied newborns and their mothers who were colonized with
E. coli
in a French hospital in order to document (i) the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
E. coli
strains, (ii) the prevalence of associated virulence genes, (iii) the prevalence of clone sequence type 131 (ST131), and (iv) the genetic relationship among ESBL-producing strains. Among the 2,755
E. coli
cultures recovered from vaginal or neonatal samples, 68 were ESBL producers (2.46%). We found a wide diversity of ESBL genes, with the majority being
bla
CTX-M-14
,
bla
CTX-M-1
, and
bla
CTX-M-15
, distributed among the 4 main phylogenetic groups. Genes encoding virulence factors were found in 90.7% of the isolates, with ≥2 virulence genes present in 76% of cases. The prevalence of ST131 among ESBL-producing
E. coli
isolates was 9.4% (6/64). Five of these 6 ST131 isolates possessed
bla
CTX-M-15
enzymes (and also were resistant to quinolones), and one possessed
bla
CTX-M-2
enzymes. Two possessed virulence genes, suggesting the presence of pathogenicity island II
J96
(PAI II
J96
)-like domains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed a high level of genomic diversity overall, except for 3 closely related isolates belonging to clonal group ST131. Repetitive PCR showed that the six ST131 isolates were closely related to ST131 control strains (>95% similarity). This study shows a high prevalence of ESBL-producing
E. coli
strains and clonal group ST131 in the French maternal-fetal population. These results suggest a widespread distribution of ESBL enzymes in the community and highlight the early transmission between mothers and neonates. These findings are worrisome, especially for this particularly vulnerable population.
Multicenter Evaluation of Genechip for Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Pang Yu , Xia Hui , Zhang Zhiying , Li Junchen , Dong Yi , Li Qiang , Ou Xichao , Song Yuanyuan , Wang Yufeng , O'Brien Richard , Kam Kai Man , Chi Junying , Huan Shitong , Chin Daniel P. , Zhao Yanlin
Published: March 2013

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), especially multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), is still one of the most serious threats to TB control worldwide. Early diagnosis of MDR-TB is important for effectively blocking transmission and establishing an effective protocol for chemotherapy. Genechip is a rapid diagnostic method based on molecular biology that overcomes the poor biosafety, time consumption, and other drawbacks of traditional drug sensitivity testing (DST) that can detect MDR-TB. However, the Genechip approach has not been effectively evaluated, especially in limited-resource laboratories. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Genechip for MDR-TB in 1,814 patients in four prefectural or municipal laboratories and compared its performance with that of traditional DST. The results showed that the sensitivity and specificity of Genechip were 87.56% and 97.95% for rifampin resistance and 80.34% and 95.82% for isoniazid resistance, respectively. In addition, we found that the positive grade of the sputum smears influenced the judgment of results by Genechip. The test judged only 75% of the specimens of “scanty” positive grade. However, the positive grade of the specimens showed no influence on the accuracy of Genechip. Overall, the study suggests that, in limited-resource laboratories, Genechip showed high sensitivity and specificity for rifampin and isoniazid resistance, making it a more effective, rapid, safe, and cost-beneficial method worthy of broader use in limited-resource laboratories in China.
Generation of Lineage-Related, Mucosally Transmissible Subtype C R5 Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Viruses Capable of AIDS Development, Induction of Neurological Disease, and Coreceptor Switching in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Ren Wuze , Mumbauer Alexandra , Gettie Agegnehu , Seaman Michael S. , Russell-Lodrigue Kasi , Blanchard James , Westmoreland Susan , Cheng-Mayer Cecilia
Published: March 2013

Most human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmissions are initiated with CCR5 (R5)-using viruses across mucosal surfaces, with the majority in regions where HIV type 1 (HIV-1) clade C predominates. Mucosally transmissible, highly replication competent, pathogenic R5 simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) encoding biologically relevant clade C envelopes are therefore needed as challenge viruses in vaccine efficacy studies with nonhuman primates. Here we describe the generation of three lineage-related subtype C SHIVs through four successive rapid transfers in rhesus macaques of SHIVC109F.PB4, a molecular clone expressing the soluble-CD4 (sCD4)-sensitive CCR5-tropic clade C envelope of a recently infected subject in Zambia. The viruses differed in their monkey passage histories and neutralization sensitivities but remained R5 tropic. SHIVC109P3 and SHIVC109P3N were recovered from a passage-3 rapid-progressor animal during chronic infection (24 weeks postinfection [wpi]) and at end-stage disease (34 wpi), respectively, and are classified as tier 1B strains, whereas SHIVC109P4 was recovered from a passage-4 normal-progressor macaque at 22 wpi and is a tier 2 virus, more difficult to neutralize. All three viruses were transmitted efficiently via intrarectal inoculation, reaching peak viral loads of 10
7
to 10
9
RNA copies/ml plasma and establishing viremia at various set points. Notably, one of seven (GC98) and two of six (CL31, FI08) SHIVC109P3- and SHIVC109P3N-infected macaques, respectively, progressed to AIDS, with neuropathologies observed in GC98 and FI08, as well as coreceptor switching in the latter. These findings support the use of these new SHIVC109F.PB4-derived viruses to study the immunopathology of HIV-1 clade C infection and to evaluate envelope-based AIDS vaccines in nonhuman primates.
T
lys
, a Newly Identified Sulfolobus Spindle-Shaped Virus 1 Transcript Expressed in the Lysogenic State, Encodes a DNA-Binding Protein Interacting at the Promoters of the Early Genes
Authors: Fusco Salvatore , She Qunxin , Bartolucci Simonetta , Contursi Patrizia
Published: March 2013

While studying the gene expression of the
Sulfolobus
spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1) in
Sulfolobus solfataricus
lysogenic cells, a novel viral transcript (T
lys
) was identified. Transcriptional analysis revealed that T
lys
is expressed only in the absence of UV irradiation and is downregulated during the growth of the lysogenic host. The correponding gene
f55
lies between two transcriptional units (T
6
and T
ind
) that are upregulated upon UV irradiation. The open reading frame
f55
encodes a 6.3-kDa protein which shows sequence identity with negative regulators that fold into the ribbon-helix-helix DNA-binding motif. DNA-binding assays demonstrated that the recombinant F55, purified from
Escherichia coli
, is indeed a putative transcription factor able to recognize site specifically target sequences in the promoters of the early induced T
5
, T
6
, and T
ind
transcripts, as well as of its own promoter. Binding sites of F55 are included within a tandem-repeated sequence overlapping the transcription start sites and/or the B recognition element of the pertinent genes. The strongest binding was observed with the promoters of T
5
and T
6
, and an apparent cooperativity in binding was observed with the T
ind
promoter. Taking together the transcriptional analysis data and the biochemical evidences, we surmise that the protein F55 is involved in the regulation of the lysogenic state of SSV1.
Deciphering the Mechanism of Defective Interfering RNA (DI RNA) Biogenesis Reveals That a Viral Protein and the DI RNA Act Antagonistically in Virus Infection
Authors: Lukhovitskaya Nina I. , Thaduri Srinivas , Garushyants Sonya K. , Torrance Lesley , Savenkov Eugene I.
Published: March 2013

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) produces a defective RNA (D RNA) encompassing the 5′-terminal 479 nucleotides (nt) and 3′-terminal 372 nt of RNA-TGB (where TGB is triple gene block). The mechanism that controls D RNA biogenesis and the role of D RNA in virus accumulation was investigated by introducing deletions, insertions, and point mutations into the sequences of the open reading frames (ORFs) of TGB1 and the 8-kilodalton (8K) protein that were identified as required for efficient production of the D RNA. Transient expression of RNA-TGB in the absence of RNA-Rep (which encodes the replicase) did not result in accumulation of D RNA, indicating that its production is dependent on PMTV replication. The D RNA could be eliminated by disrupting a predicted minus-strand stem-loop structure comprising complementary sequences of the 5′ TGB1 ORF and the 3′ 8K ORF, suggesting intramolecular template switching during positive-strand synthesis as a mechanism for the D RNA biogenesis. Virus accumulation was reduced when the 8K ORF was disrupted but D RNA was produced. Conversely, the virus accumulated at higher titers when the 8K ORF was intact and D RNA production was blocked. These data demonstrate that the D RNA interferes with virus infection and therefore should be referred to as a defective interfering RNA (DI RNA). The 8K protein was shown to be a weak silencing suppressor. This study provides an example of the interplay between a pathogen and its molecular parasite where virus accumulation was differentially regulated by the 8K protein and DI RNA, indicating that they play antagonistic roles and suggesting a mechanism by which the virus can attenuate replication, decreasing viral load and thereby enhancing its efficiency as a parasite.
Unilateral pulmonary hypoplasia: a rare clinical presentation
Authors: Pathania Monika , Lali Bhagat Singh , Rathaur Vyas Kumar
Published: March 2013

The clinical presentation of an adolescent man with left lung hypoplasia is described in detail including the history and clinical examination findings. On further investigation, the chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest reveal interesting findings. Generally, such conditions are brought to notice in the early years of life but the presentation of this condition at the age of 18 years make it even more interesting and unique. This is a discussion of the management of such a patient and the different types of lung hypoplasia which can be encountered in clinical practice.
The epidemiology of injuries at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Authors: Willick Stuart E , Webborn Nick , Emery Carolyn , Blauwet Cheri A , Pit-Grosheide Pia , Stomphorst Jaap , Van de Vliet Peter , Patino Marques Norma Angelica , Martinez-Ferrer J Oriol , Jordaan Esmè , Derman Wayne , Schwellnus Martin
Published: March 2013

Background

The characteristics and incidence of injuries at the Summer Paralympic Games have not previously been reported. A better understanding of injuries improves the medical care of athletes and informs future injury prevention strategies.

Objective

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to characterise the incidence and nature of injuries during the London 2012 Summer Paralympic Games.

Methods

Injury information was obtained from two databases. One database was populated from medical encounter forms completed by providers at the time of assessment in one of the medical stations operated by the Organising Committee. The second database was populated daily with information provided by team medical personnel who completed a comprehensive, web-based injury survey.

Results

The overall injury incidence rate was 12.7 injuries/1000 athlete-days. Injury rates were similar in male and female athletes. The precompetition injury rates in women were higher than those in the competition period. Higher injury rates were found in older athletes and certain sports such as football 5-a-side (22.4 injuries/1000 athlete-days). Overall, 51.5% of injuries were new onset acute traumatic injuries. The most commonly injured region (percentage of all injuries) was the shoulder (17.7%), followed by the wrist/hand (11.4%), elbow (8.8%) and knee (7.9%).

Conclusions

This is the largest and most comprehensive epidemiological report examining injuries in Paralympic athletes. Injury rates differ according to age and sport. Upper limb injuries are common. The knowledge gained from this study will inform future injury surveillance studies and the development of prevention strategies in Paralympic sport. The Epidemiology of Injuries at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Sports injuries and illnesses during the London Summer Olympic Games 2012
Authors: Engebretsen Lars , Soligard Torbjørn , Steffen Kathrin , Alonso Juan Manuel , Aubry Mark , Budgett Richard , Dvorak Jiri , Jegathesan Manikavasagam , Meeuwisse Willem H , Mountjoy Margo , Palmer-Green Debbie , Vanhegan Ivor , Renström Per A
Published: March 2013

Background

The Olympic Movement Medical Code encourages all stakeholders to ensure that sport is practised without danger to the health of the athletes. Systematic surveillance of injuries and illnesses is the foundation for developing preventive measures in sport.

Aim

To analyse the injuries and illnesses that occurred during the Games of the XXX Olympiad, held in London in 2012.

Methods

We recorded the daily occurrence (or non-occurrence) of injuries and illnesses (1) through the reporting of all National Olympic Committee (NOC) medical teams and (2) in the polyclinic and medical venues by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ (LOCOG) medical staff.

Results

In total, 10 568 athletes (4676 women and 5892 men) from 204 NOCs participated in the study. NOC and LOCOG medical staff reported 1361 injuries and 758 illnesses, equalling incidences of 128.8 injuries and 71.7 illnesses per 1000 athletes. Altogether, 11% and 7% of the athletes incurred at least one injury or illness, respectively. The risk of an athlete being injured was the highest in taekwondo, football, BMX, handball, mountain bike, athletics, weightlifting, hockey and badminton, and the lowest in archery, canoe slalom and sprint, track cycling, rowing, shooting and equestrian. 35% of the injuries were expected to prevent the athlete from participating during competition or training. Women suffered 60% more illnesses than men (86.0 vs 53.3 illnesses per 1000 athletes). The rate of illness was the highest in athletics, beach volleyball, football, sailing, synchronised swimming and taekwondo. A total of 310 illnesses (41%) affected the respiratory system and the most common cause of illness was infection (n=347, 46%).

Conclusions

At least 11% of the athletes incurred an injury during the games and 7% of the athletes’ an illness. The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially among sports. Future initiatives should include the development of preventive measures tailored for each specific sport and the continued focus among sport bodies to institute and further develop scientific injury and illness surveillance systems.
Changing patterns of social inequalities in anaemia among women in India: cross-sectional study using nationally representative data
Authors: Balarajan Yarlini S , Fawzi Wafaie W , Subramanian S V
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To examine the patterns of social inequalities in anaemia over time among women of reproductive age in India.

Design

Repeated cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from the 1998/1999 and 2005/2006 National Family Health Surveys of India. Multivariate modified Poisson regression models were used to assess trends and social inequalities in anaemia.

Setting

India.

Population

164 600 ever-married women aged 15–49 years (n=79 197 in 1998/1999 and n=85 403 in 2005/2006) from 25 Indian states.

Main outcome measure

Anaemia status defined by haemoglobin level (<12 g/dl in non-pregnant women, haemoglobin<11 g/dl for pregnant women).

Results

Over the 7-year period, anaemia prevalence increased significantly from 51.3% (95% CI 50.6% to 52%) to 56.1% (95% CI 55.4% to 56.8%) among Indian women. This corresponded to a 1.11-fold increase in anaemia prevalence (95% CI 1.09 to 1.13) after adjustment for age and parity, and 1.08-fold increase (95% CI 1.06 to 1.10) after further adjustment for wealth, education and caste. There was marked state variation in anaemia prevalence; in only 4 of the 25 states did anaemia prevalence significantly decline. In both periods, anaemia was socially patterned, being positively associated with lower wealth status, lower education and belonging to scheduled tribes and scheduled castes. In this context of overall increasing anaemia prevalence, adjusted relative and absolute socioeconomic inequalities in anaemia by wealth, education and caste have narrowed significantly over time.

Conclusions

The significant increase in anaemia among India's women during this recent period is a matter of concern, and in contrast to secular improvements in other markers of women's health and nutritional status. While socioeconomic inequalities in anaemia persist, the relative and absolute inequalities in anaemia have decreased over time. Future research should explore the causes for these changing patterns, and inform the policy and programmatic response to address anaemia and its inequalities in this vulnerable population.
The EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study: rationale, methods and a cross-sectional analysis of visual impairment in a population-based cohort
Authors: Khawaja Anthony P , Chan Michelle P Y , Hayat Shabina , Broadway David C , Luben Robert , Garway-Heath David F , Sherwin Justin C , Yip Jennifer L Y , Dalzell Nichola , Wareham Nicholas J , Khaw Kay-Tee , Foster Paul J
Published: March 2013

Objectives

To summarise the methods of the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk Eye Study, and to present data on the prevalence of visual impairment and associations with visual impairment in the participants.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study nested within an on-going prospective cohort study (EPIC).

Setting

East England population (the city of Norwich and its surrounding small towns and rural areas).

Participants

A total of 8623 participants aged 48–92 years attended the Eye Study and underwent assessment of visual acuity, autorefraction, biometry, tonometry, corneal biomechanical measures, scanning laser polarimetry, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, fundal photography and automated perimetry.

Outcome measures

Visual impairment was defined according to the WHO classification and the UK driving standard, and was based on presenting visual acuity. Summary measures of other ophthalmic measurements are also presented.

Results

The prevalence (95% CI) of WHO-defined moderate-to-severe visual impairment and blindness was 0.74% (0.55% to 0.92%). The prevalence (95% CI) of presenting visual acuity worse than the UK driving standard was 5.87% (5.38% to 6.37%). Older age was significantly associated with visual impairment or blindness (p<0.001). Presenting visual acuity worse than UK driving standard was associated with older age (p<0.001), female sex (p=0.005) and lower educational level (p=0.022).

Conclusions

The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in this selected population was low. Visual impairment was more likely in older participants, women and those with a lower educational level.
Azathioprine-associated myelodysplastic syndrome in two patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ahmad Omer F , Keane Margaret G , McCartney Sara , Khwaja Asim , Bloom Stuart L
Published: March 2013

Azathioprine is a commonly used immunosuppressive agent in post-transplantation regimens and autoimmune diseases. An increased risk of lymphoma with thiopurine therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease has been described previously; however, there are few reported cases of azathioprine therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia. We report two patients with ulcerative colitis who subsequently developed azathioprine-related myelodysplastic syndrome. It is imperative that gastroenterologists remain vigilant for this rare complication as this subset of patients has a particularly poor prognosis. These cases are also important in considering the risk of open-ended thiopurine therapy.
Utilization of the Navien distal intracranial catheter in 78 cases of anterior circulation aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline embolization device
Authors: Colby Geoffrey P , Lin Li-Mei , Huang Judy , Tamargo Rafael J , Coon Alexander L
Published: March 2013

Background

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms relies on coaxial catheter support systems to provide safe and stable access. Large-bore distal intracranial catheters have become necessary for aneurysm treatment with flow diverting devices including the Pipeline embolization device (PED). These catheters must accommodate 0.027 inch microcatheters, be supple enough to track distally and be able to provide sufficient support for manipulations required for PED deployment.

Methods

A single-center aneurysm database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent anterior circulation aneurysm embolization with the PED while using the Navien distal intracranial catheter. Data were collected regarding the equipment used, cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) tortuosity, intraprocedural Navien positions and periprocedural complications.

Results

The Navien catheter (5 Fr, 0.070 inch outer diameter, 0.058 inch inner diameter, 115 cm) was used in 78 cases of anterior circulation PED. It was tracked into position over a Marksman microcatheter in 76 of the 78 cases (97%). The final catheter tip position was in the cervical ICA (1/78, 1%), petrous ICA (23/78, 30%), proximal cavernous ICA (48/78, 62%), distal cavernous/clinoidal ICA (3/78, 4%), supraclinoid ICA (2/78, 2%) and the M1 segment (1/78, 2%). In each case the catheter was tracked to its desired position (100% clinical success) despite significant proximal vessel tortuosity in 34 cases (44%). No clinically significant catheter-related complications occurred.

Conclusions

The Navien intracranial catheter is an important component of the triaxial system for embolization of cerebral aneurysms with the PED. This catheter is highly trackable to distal positions, atraumatic and provides sufficient support for the microcatheter manipulations used during typical PED deployments.