bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Reliable and Reproducible Experimental Challenge Model for Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus
Authors: El Harrak Mehdi , Touil Nadia , Loutfi Chafiqua , Hammouchi Mustapha , Parida Satya , Sebbar Gizlane , Chaffai Nadia , Harif Bachir , Messoudi Nezha , Batten Carrie , Oura Chris A. L.
Published: August 2012

Experimental challenge protocols that consistently reproduce clinical signs of peste des petits ruminants in Alpine goats infected with a tissue culture-passaged peste des petits ruminants virus are described. The protocols can be used to carry out quality-controlled vaccine efficacy and pathogenesis studies under experimental conditions.
The Assembly Domain of the Small Capsid Protein of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus
Authors: Kreitler Dale , Capuano Christopher M. , Henson Brandon W. , Pryce Erin N. , Anacker Daniel , McCaffery J. Michael , Desai Prashant J.
Published: August 2012

Self-assembly of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus capsids occurs when six proteins are coexpressed in insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses; however, if the small capsid protein (SCP) is omitted from the coinfection, assembly does not occur. Herein we delineate and identify precisely the assembly domain and the residues of SCP required for assembly. Hence, six residues, R14, D18, V25, R46, G66, and R70 in the assembly domain, when changed to alanine, completely abolish or reduce capsid assembly.
Susceptibility of Young Sheep to Oral Infection with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Decreases Significantly after Weaning
Authors: Hunter Nora , Houston Fiona , Foster James , Goldmann Wilfred , Drummond Dawn , Parnham David , Kennedy Iain , Green Andrew , Stewart Paula , Chong Angela
Published: August 2012

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) (or prion disease) that is readily transmissible to sheep by experimental infection and has the shortest incubation period in animals with the
ARQ
/
ARQ PRNP
genotype (at codons 136, 154, and 171). Because it is possible that sheep in the United Kingdom could have been infected with BSE by being fed contaminated meat and bone meal supplements at the same time as cattle, there is considerable interest in the responses of sheep to BSE inoculation. Epidemiological evidence suggests that very young individuals are more susceptible to TSE infection; however, this has never been properly tested in sheep. In the present study, low doses of BSE were fed to lambs of a range of ages (∼24 h, 2 to 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months) and adult sheep. The incidence of clinical BSE disease after inoculation was high in unweaned lambs (∼24 h and 2 to 3 weeks old) but much lower in older weaned animals The incubation period was also found to be influenced by the genotype at codon 141 of the
PRNP
gene, as lambs that were LF heterozygotes had a longer mean incubation period than those that were homozygotes of either type. The results suggest that sheep in the United Kingdom would have been at high risk of BSE infection only if neonatal animals had inadvertently ingested contaminated supplementary foodstuffs.
Complete Genomic Sequence of Goose-Origin Reovirus from China
Authors: Yun Tao , Ye Weicheng , Ni Zheng , Chen Liu , Yu Bin , Hua Jionggang , Zhang Yan , Zhang Cun
Published: August 2012

We report the full-genome sequence of a goose-origin reovirus (GRV) strain 03G from Zhejiang Province, China. This is the first report of the complete genomic sequence (segments 1 to 10) of GRV. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence suggest that GRV 03G represents a new species distinct from other established species within the avian reovirus (ARV) group of orthoreoviruses.
Human Cytomegalovirus pUL78 G Protein-Coupled Receptor Homologue Is Required for Timely Cell Entry in Epithelial Cells but Not Fibroblasts
Authors: O'Connor Christine M. , Shenk Thomas
Published: August 2012

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes four putative G protein-coupled receptors, including pUL78, whose rodent orthologues are known to be important for replication and spread in their hosts. To investigate the mechanism by which pUL78 contributes to viral replication and pathogenesis, we generated a derivative of the TB40/E clinical isolate of HCMV that is unable to express the receptor. Consistent with previous findings using laboratory strains of the virus, the mutant replicated normally in fibroblasts. Although laboratory strains are restricted to growth in fibroblasts, clinical isolates grow in many cell types, including epithelial and endothelial cells, in which the pUL78-deficient TB40/E derivative exhibited a growth defect. Infection with the mutant virus resulted in a significant decrease in viral RNA and protein expression. Although there was no difference in binding of the virus to the cell, we detected a delay in the entry and subsequent delivery of virion DNA and protein to the nuclei of epithelial cells following infection with the UL78 mutant virus. Taken together, our results demonstrate that pUL78 supports infection at a point after binding but before entry in epithelial cells, a cell type important forin vivoviral replication and spread.
Serial Analysis of the Gut and Respiratory Microbiome in Cystic Fibrosis in Infancy: Interaction between Intestinal and Respiratory Tracts and Impact of Nutritional Exposures
Authors: Madan J. C. , Koestler D. C. , Stanton B. A. , Davidson L. , Moulton L. A. , Housman M. L. , Moore J. H. , Guill M. F. , Morrison H. G. , Sogin M. L. , Hampton T. H. , Karagas M. R. , Palumbo P. E. , Foster J. A. , Hibberd P. L. , O’Toole G. A.
Published: August 2012

Pulmonary damage caused by chronic colonization of the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung by microbial communities is the proximal cause of respiratory failure. While there has been an effort to document the microbiome of the CF lung in pediatric and adult patients, little is known regarding the developing microflora in infants. We examined the respiratory and intestinal microbiota development in infants with CF from birth to 21 months. Distinct genera dominated in the gut compared to those in the respiratory tract, yet some bacteria overlapped, demonstrating a core microbiota dominated by
Veillonella
and
Streptococcus
. Bacterial diversity increased significantly over time, with evidence of more rapidly acquired diversity in the respiratory tract. There was a high degree of concordance between the bacteria that were increasing or decreasing over time in both compartments; in particular, a significant proportion (14/16 genera) increasing in the gut were also increasing in the respiratory tract. For 7 genera, gut colonization presages their appearance in the respiratory tract. Clustering analysis of respiratory samples indicated profiles of bacteria associated with breast-feeding, and for gut samples, introduction of solid foods even after adjustment for the time at which the sample was collected. Furthermore, changes in diet also result in altered respiratory microflora, suggesting a link between nutrition and development of microbial communities in the respiratory tract. Our findings suggest that nutritional factors and gut colonization patterns are determinants of the microbial development of respiratory tract microbiota in infants with CF and present opportunities for early intervention in CF with altered dietary or probiotic strategies.

IMPORTANCE
While efforts have been focused on assessing the microbiome of pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to understand how chronic colonization by these microbes contributes to pulmonary damage, little is known regarding the earliest development of respiratory and gut microflora in infants with CF. Our findings suggest that colonization of the respiratory tract by microbes is presaged by colonization of the gut and demonstrated a role of nutrition in development of the respiratory microflora. Thus, targeted dietary or probiotic strategies may be an effective means to change the course of the colonization of the CF lung and thereby improve patient outcomes.
Screening for abuse and mental health problems among illiterate runaway adolescents in an Indian metropolis
Authors: Bhat Deepti Pagare , Singh Meghachandra , Meena Gajendra Singh
Published: August 2012

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and their relation to mental health problems among the illiterate/semiliterate runaway adolescents in New Delhi, India.

Design

Cross sectional.

Setting

New Delhi, India.

Patients

Runaway adolescent boys (n=119) aged 11 to 18 years at an observation home.

Methods

Study subjects were screened for physical and sexual abuse using the Child Maltreatment History Self Report and Finkelhor's sexual abuse scale. Mental health problems were identified using the Achenbach's Youth Self-Report scale. As the participants were illiterate or semiliterate with Hindi being their primary language, the screening tools were appropriately translated, read out to them and their responses recorded.

Results

A total of 72 (62%) boys experienced domestic violence, 70 (59%) had engaged in substance abuse and 103 (87%) boys had been employed as child labourers. Physical abuse was reported by 86 (72%) and sexual abuse by 42 (35%). Mental health problems were recognised in 83 (70%) boys, which included internalising syndromes (59%) and externalising syndromes (34%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that physical abuse was an independent predictor of internalising syndromes (OR: 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 9.1; p<0.01), while substance abuse and sexual abuse were independent predictors of externalising syndromes.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that childhood abuse and mental health disorders are widely prevalent among the runaway adolescents evaluated at an observation home in New Delhi. Appropriate modification of the standardised self-report screening tools may allow the identification of mental health disorders in this vulnerable illiterate/semiliterate population.
The organisation and structure of inflammatory bowel disease services for children and young people in the UK in 2010: significant progress but still room for improvement
Authors: Fitzgerald Michael P , Mitton Sally G , Protheroe Aimee , Roughton Michael , Driscoll Richard , Arnott Ian D R , Russell Richard K
Published: August 2012

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming more common in children. While treatment options remain limited the appropriate organisation and delivery of services are an integral part of good care.

Methods

All eligible UK paediatric sites were invited to submit data for organisation of paediatric IBD services as of 1 September 2010. Comparison, when relevant, was made with the previous paediatric audit (2008) and the concurrently running adult audit.

Results

24/25 (96%) of sites submitted data. The median number of patients managed and the median number of new IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease only) cases per annum was 178 (IQR 136–281) and 32 (IQR 23–50), respectively. There was an increase in the IBD workforce including whole-time equivalent (WTE) IBD nurses (1.0 vs 1.5 WTE nurses, p=0.02). 1023 patients 16 years and younger were looked after in the 202 adult sites who submitted data; only 78/202 sites indicated they cared for 16-year-old and younger children; approximately half of these 78 sites had age-appropriate support facilities. Most paediatric sites have access to urgent endoscopy (83%), telephone advice (100%) and urgent clinic appointments (91%). Most sites did not have: shared care pathways with primary care (74%), annual reviews (71%), real time patient management systems (83%) and research network trial participation (78%).

Conclusions

Many aspects of paediatric IBD care in the UK are good and have shown significant improvement over recent years. There are areas in need of further change and specific regional and national action plans should address identified deficiencies before any future audit of paediatric and adult IBD services.
Gastroenterology manpower: what are the future job prospects for gastroenterology trainees?
Authors: Goddard Andrew F
Published: August 2012

There are over 1100 gastroenterology consultants and approximately 600 higher specialist trainees in the UK in 2012. The speciality has expanded considerably over the past 20 years but will need to expand further over the next 10 years to accommodate those completing training. There is an undoubted need for expansion due to increased demand from an ageing population, cancer screening and an increasing burden of liver disease. However, the UK economy and changes in the way that workforce planning will be made over the next few years will determine whether such expansion occurs. There is accumulating evidence that getting a substantive post in gastroenterology is getting harder and that some trainees are taking up new types of post-training posts. Gastroenterology has historically been a male-dominated speciality but this is changing as more female trainees come through the system. Current trainees have defined expectations about how and where they will want to work as consultants and these expectations are different according to their gender. Trainees are also aware that the way of consultant working is likely to change considerably in the next decade with increased need for acute medicine in hospitals and 7-day working. Medical workforce planning has always been very difficult. There are major changes planned in how training will be controlled in the NHS over the next few years, both locally and nationally. The future for gastroenterology is unclear but almost certainly trainees will have to be more flexible in how and where they work.
A survey of antimicrobial usage on dairy farms and waste milk feeding practices in England and Wales
Authors: Brunton L. A. , Duncan D. , Coldham N. G. , Snow L. C. , Jones J. R.
Published: August 2012

The cause for the high prevalence of cefotaximase‐producing Escherichia coli reported in dairy calves is unknown but may be partly due to the selective pressure of antimicrobial residues in waste milk (milk unfit for human consumption) fed to the calves. Antimicrobial use and waste milk feeding practices were investigated in 557 dairy farms in 2010/2011 that responded to a randomised stratified postal survey. The mean number of cases of mastitis per herd in the previous year was 47, and 93 per cent of respondents used antibiotic intra‐mammary tubes to treat mastitis. The most frequently used lactating cow antibiotic tubes contained dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, novobiocin, and procaine penicillin (37 per cent), and cefquinome (29 per cent). Ninety‐six per cent of respondents used antibiotic tubes at the cessation of lactation (‘drying off’). The most frequently used dry cow antibiotic tube (43 per cent) contained cefalonium. Frequently used injectable antibiotics included tylosin (27 per cent), dihydrostreptomycin and procaine penicillin (20 per cent) and ceftiofur (13 per cent). Eighty‐three per cent of respondents (413) fed waste milk to calves. Of these 413, 87 per cent fed waste milk from cows with mastitis, and only one‐third discarded the first milk after antibiotic treatment. This survey has shown that on more than 90 per cent of the farms that feed waste milk to calves, waste milk can contain milk from cows undergoing antibiotic treatment. On some farms, this includes treatment with third‐ and fourth‐generation cephalosporins. Further work is underway to investigate the presence of these antimicrobials in waste milk.
BRIDGING STRUCTURE AND FEATURE REPRESENTATIONS IN GRAPH MATCHING
Authors: LEE WAN-JUI , CHEPLYGINA VERONIKA , TAX DAVID M. J. , LOOG MARCO , DUIN ROBERT P. W.
Published: August 2012

Structures and features are opposite approaches in building representations for object recognition. Bridging the two is an essential problem in pattern recognition as the two opposite types of information are fundamentally different. As dissimilarities can be computed for both the dissimilarity representation can be used to combine the two. Attributed graphs contain structural as well as feature-based information. Neglecting the attributes yields a pure structural description. Isolating the features and neglecting the structure represents objects by a bag of features. In this paper we will show that weighted combinations of dissimilarities may perform better than these two extremes, indicating that these two types of information are essentially different and strengthen each other. In addition we present two more advanced integrations than weighted combining and show that these may improve the classification performances even further.
COST-SENSITIVE NEURAL NETWORK CLASSIFIERS FOR POSTCODE RECOGNITION
Authors: LU SHUJING , LIU LI , LU YUE , WANG PATRICK S. P.
Published: August 2012

Most traditional postcode recognition systems implicitly assumed that the distribution of the 10 numerals (0–9) is balanced. However it is far from a reasonable setting because the distribution of 0–9 in postcodes of a country or a city is generally imbalanced. Some numerals appear in more postcodes, while some others do not. In this paper, we study cost-sensitive neural network classifiers to address the class imbalance problem in postcode recognition. Four methods, namely: cost-sampling, cost-convergence, rate-adapting and threshold-moving are considered in training neural networks. Cost-sampling adjusts the distribution of the training data such that the costs of classes are conveyed explicitly by the appearances of their instances. Cost-convergence and rate-adapting are carried out in training phase by modifying the architecture of training algorithms of the neural network. Threshold-moving tries to increase the probability estimations of expensive classes to avoid the samples with higher costs to be misclassified. 10,702 postcode images are experimented using five cost matrices based on the distribution of numerals in postcodes. The results suggest that cost-sensitive learning is indeed effective on class imbalanced postcode analysis and recognition. It also reveals that cost-sampling on a proper cost matrix outperforms others in this application.
LAGRANGIAN AND HAMILTONIAN FEYNMAN FORMULAE FOR SOME FELLER SEMIGROUPS AND THEIR PERTURBATIONS
Authors: BUTKO YANA A. , SCHILLING RENÉ L. , SMOLYANOV OLEG G.
Published: August 2012

A Feynman formula is a representation of a solution of an initial (or initial-boundary) value problem for an evolution equation (or, equivalently, a representation of the semigroup resolving the problem) by a limit of n-fold iterated integrals of some elementary functions as n → ∞. In this note we obtain some Feynman formulae for a class of semigroups associated with Feller processes. Finite-dimensional integrals in the Feynman formulae give approximations for functional integrals in some Feynman–Kac formulae corresponding to the underlying processes. Hence, these Feynman formulae give an effective tool to calculate functional integrals with respect to probability measures generated by these Feller processes and, in particular, to obtain simulations of Feller processes.
REPRESENTATIONS OF sl(2) IN THE BOOLEAN LATTICE, AND THE HAMMING AND JOHNSON SCHEMES
Authors: FEINSILVER PHILIP
Published: August 2012

Starting with the zero-square "zeon algebra," the regular representation gives rise to a Boolean lattice representation of sl(2). We detail the su(2) content of the Boolean lattice, providing the irreducible representations carried by the algebra generated by the subsets of an n-set. The group elements are found, exhibiting the "special functions" in this context. The corresponding Leibniz rule and group law are shown. Krawtchouk polynomials, the Hamming and the Johnson schemes appear naturally. Applications to the Boolean poset and the structure of Hadamard–Sylvester matrices are shown as well.
EFFICIENT DATA AND POWER TRANSFER FOR BIO-IMPLANTED DEVICES BASED ON ASK MODULATION TECHNIQUES
Authors: MUTASHAR SAAD , HANNAN M. A. , SAMAD SALINA A. , HUSSAIN AINI
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a fully integrated system for implanted micro-system devices with efficient power and data transfer based on amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation techniques. A proposed efficient class-E power amplifier is presented. The design presents a full transcutaneous inductive powering system to transfer power and data from an outside human body to implanted devices such as implanted microsystems to stimulate and monitor the nerves and muscles with low band frequency of 13.56 MHz according to the industrial–scientific–medical (ISM) band to avoid the tissue damage. A novel ASK demodulator powered with 1.9 V is proposed with a power recovery system. The modulation index is 13% and the modulation rate 7.3% with data rate 1 Mbit/s, and with power efficiency 66%. The system has been designed using 0.35-μm fabricated CMOS technology. The mathematical model is given and the design is simulated using OrCAD PSpice 16.2 software tool and for real-time simulation, the electronic workbench MULISIM 11 has been used to simulate the class-E power amplifier.
THE 1/2 CORRECTION FORMS IN GEOMETRIC QUANTIZATION OF THE SYMMETRIC FREE RIGID BODY
Authors: HEDREA CIPRIAN , NEGREA ROMEO , ZAHARIE IOAN
Published: August 2012

The Romanian National Committee of Ethics has detected plagiarism in this article. Its publication status is now retracted with immediate effect from IJGMMP.
Liquidity Risk Premia in Corporate Bond Markets
Authors: de Jong Frank , Driessen Joost
Published: August 2012

This paper explores the role of liquidity risk in the pricing of corporate bonds. We show that corporate bond returns have significant exposures to fluctuations in treasury bond liquidity and equity market liquidity. Further, this liquidity risk is a priced factor for the expected returns on corporate bonds, and the associated liquidity risk premia help to explain the credit spread puzzle. In terms of expected returns, the total estimated liquidity risk premium is around 0.6% per annum for US long-maturity investment grade bonds. For speculative grade bonds, which have higher exposures to the liquidity factors, the liquidity risk premium is around 1.5% per annum. We find very similar evidence for the liquidity risk exposure of corporate bonds for a sample of European corporate bond prices.
The Drosophila NKCC Ncc69 is required for normal renal tubule function
Authors: Rodan Aylin R. , Baum Michel , Huang Chou-Long
Published: August 2012

Epithelial ion transport is essential to renal homeostatic function, and it is dysregulated in several diseases, such as hypertension. An understanding of the insect renal (Malpighian) tubule yields insights into conserved epithelial ion transport processes in higher organisms and also has implications for the control of insect infectious disease vectors. Here, we examine the role of the Na+-K+-2Cl− (NKCC) cotransporter Ncc69 in Drosophila tubule function. Ncc69 mutant tubules have decreased rates of fluid secretion and K+ flux, and these phenotypes were rescued by expression of wild-type Ncc69 in the principal cells of the tubule. Na+ flux was unaltered in Ncc69 mutants, suggesting Na+ recycling across the basolateral membrane. In unstimulated tubules, the principal role of the Na+-K+-ATPase is to generate a favorable electrochemical gradient for Ncc69 activity: while the Na+-K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain decreased K+ flux in wild-type tubules, it had no effect in Ncc69 mutant tubules. However, in the presence of cAMP, which stimulates diuresis, additional Na+-K+-ATPase-dependent K+ transport pathways are recruited. In studying the effects of capa-1 on wild-type and Ncc69 mutant tubules, we found a novel antidiuretic role for this hormone that is dependent on intact Ncc69, as it was abolished in Ncc69 mutant tubules. Thus, Ncc69 plays an important role in transepithelial ion and fluid transport in the fly renal tubule and is a target for regulation in antidiuretic states.
Protecting H.264/AVC Data-Partitioned Video Streams over Broadband WiMAX
Authors: Al-Jobouri Laith , Fleury Martin , Ghanbari Mohammed
Published: August 2012

Broadband wireless technology, though aimed at video services, also poses a potential threat to video services, as wireless channels are prone to error bursts. In this paper, an adaptive, application-layer Forward Error Correction (FEC) scheme protects H.264/AVC data-partitioned video. Data partitioning is the division of a compressed video stream into partitions of differing decoding importance. The paper determines whether equal error protection (EEP) through FEC of all partition types or unequal error protection (UEP) of the more important partition type is preferable. The paper finds that, though UEP offers a small reduction in bitrate, if EEP is employed, there are significant gains (several dBs) in video quality. Overhead from using EEP rather than UEP was found to be around 1% of the overall bitrate. Given that data partitioning already reduces errors through packet size reduction and differentiation of coding data, EEP with data partitioning is a practical means of protecting user-based video streaming. The gain from employing EEP is shown to be higher quality video to the user, which will result in a greater take-up of video services. The results have implications for other forms of prioritized video streaming.
Chronic Diseases among Older Cancer Survivors
Authors: Deckx Laura , van den Akker Marjan , Metsemakers Job , Knottnerus André , Schellevis François , Buntinx Frank
Published: August 2012

Objective. To compare the occurrence of pre-existing and subsequent comorbidity among older cancer patients (≥60years) with older non-cancer patients.Material and Methods. Each cancer patient (n=3835, mean age 72) was matched with four non-cancer patients in terms of age, sex, and practice. The occurrence of chronic diseases was assessed cross-sectionally (lifetime prevalence at time of diagnosis) and longitudinally (incidence after diagnosis) for all cancer patients and for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients separately. Cancer and non-cancer patients were compared using logistic and Cox regression analysis.Results. The occurrence of the most common pre-existing and incident chronic diseases was largely similar in cancer and non-cancer patients, except for pre-existing COPD (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06–1.37) and subsequent venous thrombosis in the first two years after cancer diagnosis (HR 4.20, 95% CI 2.74–6.44), which were significantly more frequent (P<0.01) among older cancer compared to non-cancer patients.Conclusion. The frequency of multimorbidity in older cancer patients is high. However, apart from COPD and venous thrombosis, the incidence of chronic diseases in older cancer patients is similar compared to non-cancer patients of the same age, sex, and practice.
Sliding-Mode and Spring-Relaxation-Like Technique for Location Estimation in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Li HaiYan , Hu YunAn , Zhu Min
Published: August 2012

In order to reduce the location estimation error in wireless sensor network (WSN), a localization algorithm is proposed combining sliding-mode and spring-relaxation-like techniques for wireless sensor networks in this paper. Our proposed method takes advantage of the spring-relaxation technique. The overall accuracy of the location estimations is improved by sliding-mode technique. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved using the convergence conditions of discrete sliding-mode. Moreover, it requires only a few beacons with known locations to compute the location estimations of all sensors. Simulation examples demonstrate the overall accuracy of the proposed method.
De NovoDonor-Specific HLA Antibody Development and PeripheralCD4+CD25highCells in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Place for Interaction?
Authors: Alberu Josefina , Vargas-Rojas Maria Inés , Morales-Buenrostro Luis E. , Crispin Jose C. , Rodríguez-Romo Roxana , Uribe-Uribe Norma O. , Carrasco Gabriel , Gómez-Martín Diana , Alcocer-Varela Jorge
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study was to determine whether the abundance of regulatory T cells (Tregs) (CD4+CD25high) affects thede novodevelopment of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).Methods. Unsensitized (PRA ≤ 10%, no DSA) adult primary KTRs who received a living (83%) or deceased (17%) KT in our Institution during 2004/2005 were included. DSA testing was performed monthly, and Tregs were quantified by flow cytometry every 3 months, during the 1st year after KT. All patients received triple drug immunosuppressive therapy (CNI + MMF or AZA + PDN); 83% received anti-CD25.Results. 53 KTRs were included; 32% developed DSA during the 1st year after KT. Significantly lower 7-year graft survival was observed in those who developed DSA. No difference was observed in Treg numbers up to 9 months after KT, between DSA positive and negative. However, at 12 months after KT, DSA-negative patients had significantly higher numbers of Treg.Conclusions. Early development of DSA was not associated to variations in Treg abundance. The differences in Treg numbers observed at the late time point may reflect better immune acceptance of the graft and may be associated to long-term effects. Additional inhibitory mechanisms participating earlier in DSA development after KT deserve to be sought.
Design of Two Novel Dual Band-Notched UWB Antennas
Authors: Li Bing , Hong Jing-song
Published: August 2012

Two novel dual band-notched ultra-wideband (UWB) printed monopole antennas with simple structure and small size are presented. The size of both antennas is25×25×0.8 mm3. The bandwidth of one of the proposed antenna can be from 2.7 GHz to 36.8 GHz, except the bandwidth of 3.2–3.9 GHz for WiMAX applications and 5.14–5.94 GHz for WLAN applications. The bandwidth of the other is ranging for 2.7 to 41.1 GHz, except the bandwidth of 3.2–3.9 GHz for WiMAX applications and 4.8–5.9 GHz for WLAN applications. Bandwidths of the antennas are about 512% and 455% wider than those of conventional band-notched UWB antennas, respectively. In addition, the time-domain characteristics of the two antennas are investigated to show the difference between both antennas.
Falls and Physical Activity in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Sosnoff J. J. , Sandroff B. M. , Pula J. H. , Morrison S. M. , Motl R. W.
Published: August 2012

Objectives. To examine the association between fall history and physical activity using an objective measure of physical activity (i.e., accelerometry) in persons with multiple sclerosis.Design. A community-based sample of 75 ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis volunteered for the investigation. Participants self-reported fall history in the last year, underwent a neurological exam to determine Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and wore an accelerometer around the waist for 7 consecutive days to determine physical activity.Results. Overall, 37 persons (49.3% of the sample) reported falling in the last year with 28 of the 37 falling more than once. Persons who fell in the last year had a significantly lower number of steps/day than nonfallers (3510 versus 4940 steps/day;P<.05). However, when controlling for disability status there was no statistically significant difference between fallers and nonfallers (4092 versus 4373 steps/day;P>.05).Conclusions. Collectively, the findings suggest that fall history may have little impact on current physical activity levels in persons with multiple sclerosis.
Comparison of Sexual Dysfunction Using the Female Sexual Function Index following Surgical Treatments for Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Ryann Louie Allison , Armstrong Jennifer Alice , Findeiss Laura Katherine , Goodwin Scott Craig
Published: August 2012

Uterine fibroids are a common problem in women. Statistics showing 20–50% of fibroids produce symptoms and consequently patients seek surgical intervention to improve their quality of life. Treatments for fibroids are typically successful in controlling the fibroid disease, yet sexual function following invasive surgical treatments for fibroids can be jeopardized. The Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a valid instrument producing quantifiable reproducible results. In this paper three case reports are evaluated by the FSFI and compared between the following treatment groups: hysterectomy, myomectomy, and uterine embolization. Our goal is to illustrate how each of these treatment outcomes can result in sexual dysfunction and therefore decreased quality of life. Effects of invasive fibroid treatments on sexual functioning would be helpful in guiding patient’s ultimate decisions regarding treatment.
Estimates of Total Dietary Folic Acid Intake in the Australian Population Following Mandatory Folic Acid Fortification of Bread
Authors: Dugbaza Jacinta , Cunningham Judy
Published: August 2012

Mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat flour for making bread was implemented in Australia in September 2009, to improve the dietary folate status of women of child-bearing age, and help reduce the incidence of neural tube defects in the population. This paper presents estimates of folic acid intake in the target population and other subgroups of the Australian population following implementation of the mandatory folic acid fortification standard. In June/July 2010 one hundred samples from seven bread categories were purchased from around the country and individually analysed for the amount of folic acid they contained. A modification to the triple enzyme microbiological method was used to measure folic acid in the individual bread samples. The folic acid analytical values together with national food consumption data were used to generate estimates of the population’s folic acid intake from fortified foods. Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) custom-built dietary modelling program (DIAMOND) was used for the estimates. The mean amount of folic acid found in white bread was 200 μg/100 g which demonstrated that folic-acid-fortified wheat flour was used to bake the bread. The intake estimates indicated an increase in mean folic acid intake of 159 μg per day for the target group. Other sub-groups of the population also showed increases in estimated mean daily intake of folic acid.
Electroacupuncture Confers Antinociceptive Effects via Inhibition of Glutamate Transporter Downregulation in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Injected Rats
Authors: Kim Ha-Neui , Kim Yu-Ri , Jang Ji-Yeon , Shin Hwa-Kyoung , Choi Byung-Tae
Published: August 2012

When we evaluated changes of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and two glutamate transporter (GTs) by immunohistochemistry, expression of GFAP showed a significant increase in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-injected rats; however, this expression was strongly inhibited by electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation. Robust downregulation of glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) and glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) was observed in CFA-injected rats; however, EA stimulation resulted in recovery of this expression. Double-labeling staining showed co-localization of a large proportion of GLAST or GLT-1 with GFAP. Using Western blot, we confirmed protein expression of two GTs, but no differences in the mRNA content of these GTs were observed. Because EA treatment resulted in strong inhibition of CFA-induced proteasome activities, we examined the question of whether thermal sensitivities and GTs expression could be regulated by proteasome inhibitor MG132. CFA-injected rats co-treated with EA and MG132 showed a significantly longer thermal sensitivity, compared with CFA-injected rats with or without MG132. Both EA and MG132 blocked CFA-induced GLAST and GLT-1 downregulation within the spinal cord. These results provide evidence for involvement of GLAST and GLT-1 in response to activation of spinal astrocytes in an EA antinociceptive effect. Antinociceptive effect of EA may be induced via proteasome-mediated regulation of spinal GTs.
An Optimized Adsorbent Sampling Combined to Thermal Desorption GC-MS Method for Trimethylsilanol in Industrial Environments
Authors: Lee Jae Hwan , Jia Chunrong , Kim Yong Doo , Kim Hong Hyun , Pham Tien Thang , Choi Young Seok , Seo Young Un , Lee Ike Woo
Published: August 2012

Trimethylsilanol (TMSOH) can cause damage to surfaces of scanner lenses in the semiconductor industry, and there is a critical need to measure and control airborne TMSOH concentrations. This study develops a thermal desorption (TD)-gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS) method for measuring trace-level TMSOH in occupational indoor air. Laboratory method optimization obtained best performance when using dual-bed tube configuration (100 mg of Tenax TA followed by 100 mg of Carboxen 569), n-decane as a solvent, and a TD temperature of 300°C. The optimized method demonstrated high recovery (87%), satisfactory precision (<15% for spiked amounts exceeding 1 ng), good linearity (R2=0.9999), a wide dynamic mass range (up to 500 ng), low method detection limit (2.8 ng m−3for a 20-L sample), and negligible losses for 3-4-day storage. The field study showed performance comparable to that in laboratory and yielded first measurements of TMSOH, ranging from 1.02 to 27.30 μg/m3, in the semiconductor industry. We suggested future development of real-time monitoring techniques for TMSOH and other siloxanes for better maintenance and control of scanner lens in semiconductor wafer manufacturing.
Theoretical Study of the Molecular Geometries, Electronic and Thermodynamic Properties of Chlorinated Dipyrido‐(3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c)‐Phenazine
Authors: Olasunkanmi L. O. , Ige J. , Ogunlusi G. O.
Published: August 2012

Theoretical study of the molecular geometries, electronic and thermodynamic properties of dipyrido‐(3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c)‐phenazine (dppz) was carried out in the gas phase under standard conditions using PM6 Hamiltonian in semiempirical model. Effects of chlorine substituents on these properties were also investigated. The results showed that all the electronic and thermodynamic properties investigated were affected by the number and relative position of chlorine substituents. Variations in some properties are not significant for some isomeric congeners, having the same number of chlorine substituents, while a number of properties showed general variation with both the number and position of chlorine substituents. Successive addition of one chlorine atom after the other at adjacent position to the last chlorine substituent increases the total energy by 241 eV and decreases the LUMO‐HOMO gap by an average value of 0.124 eV. Geometry and energy optimization show that all the molecules considered are planar.
Synthesis of Heterogeneous Copper Catalyst Based on Amino‐Functionalized Triazine Rings Supported by Silica‐Gel for Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Kolahdoozan Majid , Kalbasi Roozbeh Javad , Hossaini Mahshid
Published: August 2012

Amino‐functionalized triazine supported on silica‐gel was prepared. This new triazine derivate was applied as a coordinating agent for copper (II) and was characterized by different methods. The copper (II) content of the material was determined by atomic absorption. This novel transition metal supported on heterogeneous surface was used as an effective catalyst for oxidation of benzylic alcohols in the presence of H2O2. This catalyst can be reused without any significant loss of activity.
RALBP1/RLIP76 Depletion in Mice Suppresses Tumor Growth by Inhibiting Tumor Neovascularization
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Wurtzel Jeremy G. T. , Singhal Sharad S. , Awasthi Sanjay , Goldfinger Lawrence E.
Published: August 2012

RalBP1/RLIP76 is a widely expressed multifunctional protein that binds the Ral and R-Ras small GTPases. In the mouse, RLIP76 is nonessential but its depletion or blockade promotes tumorigenesis and heightens the sensitivity of normal and tumor cells to radiation and cytotoxic drugs. However, its pathobiologic functions, which support tumorigenesis, are not well understood. Here, we show that RLIP76 is required for angiogenesis and for efficient neovascularization of primary solid tumors. Tumor growth from implanted melanoma or carcinoma cells was blunted in RLIP76−/− mice. An X-ray microcomputed tomography-based method to model tumor vascular structures revealed defects in both the extent and form of tumor angiogenesis in RLIP76−/− mice. Specifically, tumor vascular volumes were diminished and vessels were fewer in number, shorter, and narrower in RLIP76−/− mice than in wild-type mice. Moreover, we found that angiogenesis was blunted in mutant mice in the absence of tumor cells, with endothelial cells isolated from these animals exhibiting defects in migration, proliferation, and cord formation in vitro. Taken together, our results establish that RLIP76 is required for efficient endothelial cell function and angiogenesis in solid tumors. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5165–73. ©2012 AACR.
Autologous Ectopic Grafting of Cryopreserved Testicular Tissue Preserves the Fertility of Prepubescent Monkeys That Receive Sterilizing Cytotoxic Therapy
Authors: Jahnukainen Kirsi , Ehmcke Jens , Nurmio Mirja , Schlatt Stefan
Published: August 2012

Boys faced with future sterility as a result of the need of a sterilizing cancer therapy might avoid this fate by engraftment of cryopreserved immature testicular tissue after therapy is completed. Efforts to address this important survivorship issue have been encouraged by reports of the long-term survival and proliferation of human spermatogonia after xenotransplant of cryopreserved immature testicular tissue into immunocompromised murine hosts. However, spermatogenic arrest at the pachytene spermatocyte stage that occurs in this situation has been associated with a failure in sperm production. In this study, we used a prepubescent simian model to address the possibility that testicular tissue engraftment is insufficiently supported in the model to allow suitable maturation of germ cells. Briefly, we carried out autologous orthotopic grafting of cryopreserved testicular tissue from four prepubescent monkeys and one pubescent rhesus monkey after testicular irradiation and castration of the host animal. Five months after implantation of scrotal grafts, we determined that 3% to 7% of the autografts could be recovered with spermatogenesis proceeding through spermatozoa formation in 13% to 17% of the seminiferous tubules formed in the grafts. In contrast, Sertoli cell-only tubules were detected in parallel xenografts transplanted into immunocompromised mice. Our results show that cryopreservation of testicular tissue from prepubescent primates can maintain the fully functional capacity of spermatogonia to produce sperm, but that host conditions are critical for spermatogenic maturation. Furthermore, our results establish an initial perspective on the quantity of cryopreserved material needed to ensure success in preserving fertility through testicular tissue grafts. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5174–8. ©2012 AACR.
A Retinoic Acid—Rich Tumor Microenvironment Provides Clonal Survival Cues for Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Guo Yanxia , Pino-Lagos Karina , Ahonen Cory A. , Bennett Kathy A. , Wang Jinshan , Napoli Joseph L. , Blomhoff Rune , Sockanathan Shanthini , Chandraratna Roshantha A. , Dmitrovsky Ethan , Turk Mary Jo , Noelle Randolph J.
Published: August 2012

While vitamin A has been implicated in host resistance to infectious disease, little is known about the role of vitamin A and its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA) in host defenses against cancer. Here, we show that local RA production within the tumor microenvironment (TME) is increased up to 5-fold as compared with naïve surrounding tissue, with a commensurate increase in RA signaling to regionally infiltrating tumor-reactive T cells. Conditional disruption of RA signaling in CD8+ T cells using a dominant negative retinoic acid receptor α (dnRARα) established that RA signaling is required for tumor-specific CD8+ T-cell expansion/accumulation and protective antitumor immunity. In vivo analysis of antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses revealed that early T-cell expansion was RA-independent; however, late T-cell expansion and clonal accumulation was suppressed strongly in the absence of RA signaling. Our findings indicate that RA function is essential for the survival of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells within the TME. Cancer Res; 72(20); 5230–9. ©2012 AACR.
Transition from Colitis to Cancer: High Wnt Activity Sustains the Tumor-Initiating Potential of Colon Cancer Stem Cell Precursors
Authors: Shenoy Anitha K. , Fisher Robert C. , Butterworth Elizabeth A. , Pi Liya , Chang Lung-Ji , Appelman Henry D. , Chang Myron , Scott Edward W. , Huang Emina H.
Published: August 2012

Ulcerative colitis (UC) increases the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the mechanisms involved in colitis-to-cancer transition (CCT) are not well understood. CCT may involve a inflammation-dysplasia-carcinoma progression sequence compared with the better characterized adenoma-carcinoma progression sequence associated with sporadic CRC. One common thread may be activating mutations in components of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which occur commonly as early events in sporadic CRC. To examine this hypothesis, we evaluated possible associations between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and CCT based on the cancer stem cell (CSC) model. Wnt/β-catenin immunostaining indicated that UC patients have a level of Wnt-pathway-active cells that is intermediate between normal colon and CRC. These UC cells exhibiting activation of the Wnt pathway constituted a major subpopulation (52% + 7.21) of the colonic epithelial cells positive for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), a putative marker of precursor colon CSC (pCCSC). We further fractionated this subpopulation of pCCSC using a Wnt pathway reporter assay. Over successive passages, pCCSCs with the highest Wnt activity exhibited higher clonogenic and tumorigenic potential than pCCSCs with the lowest Wnt activity, thereby establishing the key role of Wnt activity in driving CSC-like properties in these cells. Notably, 5/20 single cell injections of high-Wnt pCCSC resulted in tumor formation, suggesting a correlation with CCT. Attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin in high-Wnt pCCSC by shRNA-mediated downregulation or pharmacological inhibition significantly reduced tumor growth rates. Overall, the results of our study indicates (i) that early activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for CCT and (ii) that high levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling can further demarcate high-ALDH tumor-initiating cells in the nondysplastic epithelium of UC patients. As such, our findings offer plausible diagnostic markers and therapeutic target in the Wnt signaling pathway for early intervention in CCT. Cancer Res; 72(19); 5091–100. ©2012 AACR.