bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide impact of a recently expanded microRNA cluster in mouse
Authors: Zheng Grace X. Y. , Ravi Arvind , Gould Genevieve M. , Burge Christopher B. , Sharp Phillip A.
Published: September 2011

Variations in microRNA (miRNA) gene and/or target repertoire are likely to be key drivers of phenotypic differences between species. To better understand these changes, we developed a computational method that identifies signatures of species-specific target site gain and loss associated with miRNA acquisition. Interestingly, several of the miRNAs implicated in mouse 3′ UTR evolution derive from a single rapidly expanded rodent-specific miRNA cluster. Located in the intron of
Sfmbt2
, a maternally imprinted polycomb gene, these miRNAs (referred to as the
Sfmbt2
cluster) are expressed in both embryonic stem cells and the placenta. One abundant miRNA from the cluster, miR-467a, functionally overlaps with the mir-290-295 cluster in promoting growth and survival of mouse embryonic stem cells. Predicted novel targets of the remaining cluster members are enriched in pathways regulating cell survival. Two relevant species-specific target candidates, Lats2 and Dedd2, were validated in cultured cells. We suggest that the rapid evolution of the
Sfmbt2
cluster may be a result of intersex conflict for growth regulation in early mammalian development and could provide a general model for the genomic response to acquisition of miRNAs and similar regulatory factors.
Effect of fibrinolysis on bleeding phenotype in moderate and severe von Willebrand disease
Authors: DE WEE E. M. , KLAIJ K. , EIKENBOOM H. C. J. , VAN DER BOM J. G. , FIJNVANDRAAT K. , LAROS‐VAN GORKOM B. A. P. , MAUSER‐BUNSCHOTEN E. P. , MEIJER K. , GOVERDE G. , VAN DER LINDEN P. W. G. , RIJKEN D. C. , LEEBEEK F. W.G. ,   FOR THE WIN STUDY GROUP
Published: September 2011

Summary.  Patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder, display large variation in bleeding tendency, which is not completely related to VWF levels. The cause of variability in clinical expression is largely unknown. The effect of plasma fibrinolytic capacity on bleeding tendency in VWD patients has not been investigated. We hypothesized that enhanced fibrinolysis may result in a more severe bleeding phenotype. Therefore, we measured the fibrinolytic potential in patients with moderate or severe VWD to investigate the contribution of fibrinolysis to the bleeding tendency. Fibrinolytic potential was measured as plasma clot lysis time (CLT) with and without addition of potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor (PCI) in 638 patients with moderate or severe VWD who participated in a nationwide multicentre cross‐sectional study. Bleeding severity was measured using the Bleeding Score (BS).The CLTs were significantly longer, indicative of hypofibrinolysis, in men compared to women with VWD [106.2 (IQR 95.7–118.1) vs. 101.9 (IQR 92.8–114.0) min]. The CLTs prolonged with increasing age. No association was found between VWF or FVIII levels and CLT, or between VWF or FVIII levels and CLT+PCI. No association was observed for BS in a model with 10log‐transformed CLT, adjusted for age, gender, VWF:Act and FVIII [b = 6.5 (95%CI −0.3 to 13.4)]. Our study showed that the plasma fibrinolytic potential does not influence bleeding tendency in VWD patients and therefore does not explain the variability in bleeding phenotype in VWD.
Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio associated with mortality in early hepatocellular carcinoma patients after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Chen Tsung‐Ming , Lin Chun‐Che , Huang Pi‐Teh , Wen Chen‐Fan
Published: September 2011

Background and Aim:  Increasing evidence correlates the presence of systemic inflammation with poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied whether peripheral blood neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammatory response, would be a useful predictor for outcome in patients with early HCC undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Methods:  A total of 158 patients with early HCC underwent RFA. Potential prognostic factors such as age, gender, tumoral characteristics, Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) class and NLR were analyzed. The study endpoints were overall survival (OS) and new recurrence.

Results:  We modeled NLR as a continuous explanatory variable in regression analyses. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (P = 0.005) and high baseline NLR (P = 0.001) were independent explanatory variables associated with unfavorable OS. Regarding new recurrence, multivariate analysis showed that CTP class B (P = 0.002), α‐fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL (P = 0.030), tumor size (P = 0.002) and tumor multiplicity (P = 0.013) were found to be worse prognosticators, but not baseline NLR. In a subset analysis of 140 patients whose post‐RFA NLR data at first follow‐up visit were available, multivariate analysis revealed that high post‐RFA NLR was identified as an independent covariate, not only for OS (P = 0.006), but for new recurrence (P = 0.010) as well.

Conclusions:  High baseline NLR was associated with worse OS for patients with early HCC; post‐RFA NLR predicted not only OS, but also tumor recurrence.
KHA‐CARI guideline: Cytomegalovirus disease and kidney transplantation
Authors: PILMORE HELEN , PUSSELL BRUCE , GOODMAN DAVID
Published: September 2011

This paper summarises the updated guidelines for diagnostic tests, prophylaxis and treatment options for cytomegalovirus after transplantation.
The Relations among Theory of Mind, Behavioral Inhibition, and Peer Interactions in Early Childhood
Authors: Suway Jenna G. , Degnan Kathryn A. , Sussman Amy L. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: September 2011

The current study examined relations among child temperament, peer interaction, and theory of mind (ToM) development. We hypothesized that: (1) children classified as behaviorally inhibited at 24 months would show less ToM understanding at 36 months in comparison to nonbehaviorally inhibited children; (2) children who displayed negative peer interaction behaviors in a peer dyadic interaction at 24 months would exhibit less ToM understanding at 36 months; and (3) behavioral inhibition (BI) and the degree of negative behaviors during a peer interaction would jointly influence ToM development, such that children with both heightened BI and negative peer interaction behaviors would exhibit worse ToM performance than behaviorally inhibited children who did not display negative social behaviors. Both BI and negative peer interaction behaviors were associated with passing fewer ToM tasks. The data revealed that children high in both BI and negative peer interaction behaviors passed fewer ToM tasks at 36 months of age than those high in BI and low in negative peer interactions or those low in BI.
Buckling Study of Thin‐walled Channel Beams with Double‐box Flanges in Pure Bending
Authors: Magnucka‐Blandzi E. , Paczos P. , Wasilewicz P.
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  This paper provides the results of numerical and experimental investigations of buckling problems of cold‐formed, thin‐walled channel beams with double‐box flanges under pure bending. A local and global buckling analysis is realised numerically with the use of the finite strip method. A local buckling has been experimentally studied and also numerically with the use of the finite element method. Experimental tests of beams subjected to pure bending are conducted. The results of numerical and experimental investigations are presented and compared. A fundamental influence of double‐box flanges on the critical load is shown.
Sinification of Zhuang place names in Guangxi, China: a GIS‐based spatial analysis approach
Authors: Wang Fahui , Wang Guanxiong , Hartmann John , Luo Wei
Published: September 2011

Zhuang, the largest minority language in China, is the label given to a variety of Tai languages and dialects spoken mostly in Guangxi. As a result of the process known as Sinification or Sinicisation stemming from the influx of Han soldiers and settlers moving in from many directions, but primarily the north, many Zhuang place names (toponyms) were changed to Han or pronounced with a Han accent or spelled in Chinese in such a way as to obscure the original Zhuang form. The objectives of this paper are to (1) construct a GIS database of toponyms in Guangxi at the township, county and prefecture levels from a comprehensive toponymical dictionary series of China; (2) analyse the spatial distribution of Zhuang vs non‐Zhuang toponyms and its association with environmental factors; and (3) examine the historical evolution of toponyms to better understand the process of Sinification. Results show that Zhuang toponyms have the highest concentrations in the southwest Twin‐Rivers Basin and the western mountainous area, and decline gradually towards the east. Zhuang toponyms are better preserved in areas that are more remote from major transport routes and major cities, and at higher ground level and with a somewhat steeper slope. Analysis of the limited number of toponyms with time stamps reveals that the Zhuang toponyms on contemporary maps are older in the west but more recent in the east. We speculate that in eastern Guangxi, with larger Han settlements for a longer period, older Zhuang toponyms were likely to be obliterated. The centroids of Zhuang and non‐Zhuang toponyms converge towards the centre of Guangxi over time, reflecting the impact of increasingly integrated Sino‐Zhuang settlement patterns.
Immunoexpression of TNF‐α and TGF‐β in central and peripheral giant cell lesions of the jaws
Authors: de Matos Felipe Rodrigues , de Moraes Maiara , Nonaka Cassiano Francisco Weege , de Souza Lélia Batista , de Almeida Freitas Roseana
Published: September 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 194–199

Background:  Peripheral giant cell lesion (PGCL) is a reactive process associated with a local irritating factor that shows low recurrence after treatment, especially if the irritating factor is eliminated. On the other hand, central giant cell lesion (CGCL) presents a variable clinical behavior ranging from slow and asymptomatic growth without recurrence to rapid, painful and recurrent growth. Our aim was to compare the immunoexpression of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) in CGCL and PGCL.

Methods:  Twenty CGCL and 20 PGCL were selected for analysis of the immunoexpression of TNF‐α and TGF‐β in multinucleated giant cells (MGC) and mononucleated cells (MC).

Results:  The PGCL showed lightly higher expression of TNF‐α than CGCL. In comparison with PGCL, the CGCL showed higher expression of TGF‐β in MC and MGC (P < 0.05) and in total cells (P < 0.05). Significant positive correlation was found between expressions of TGF‐β and TNF‐α in CGCL (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Our results suggest that, in CGCL, coordinated interactions between TGF‐β and TNF‐α may be important for osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. PGCL occasionally cause bone resorption but to a lower extent, a fact that might be explained by the lower expression of TGF‐β in these lesions.
Does multiple seed loading in Blue Jays result in selective dispersal of smaller acorns?
Authors: BARTLOW Andrew W. , KACHMAR Michael , LICHTI Nathanael , SWIHART Robert K. , STRATFORD Jeffrey A. , STEELE Michael A.
Published: September 2011

Studies from both tropical and temperate systems show that scatter‐hoarding rodents selectively disperse larger seeds farther from their source than smaller seeds, potentially increasing seedling establishment in larger‐seeded plants. Size‐biased dispersal is evident in many oaks (Quercus) and is true both across and within species. Here, we predict that intraspecifc variation in seed size also influences acorn dispersal by the Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata Linnaeus), but in an opposite manner. Blue Jays are gape‐limited and selectively disperse smaller acorn species (e.g. pin oaks [Quercus palustris Münchh]), but often carry several acorns in their crop during a single dispersal event. We predict that jays foraging on smaller acorns will load more seeds per trip and disperse seeds to greater distances than when single acorns are carried in the bill. To test this, we presented free‐ranging Blue Jays with pin oak acorns of different sizes over a 2‐year period. In each of 16 experimental trials, we monitored the birds at a feeding station with remote cameras and determined the number of acorns removed and the distance acorns were dispersed when cached. Jays were significantly more likely to engage in multiple seed loading with smaller seeds in both years of the study. During the second year, these smaller acorns were dispersed farther than larger acorns, and during the first year, larger acorns were dispersed farther, revealing an inconsistent response to seed size during our study. We suggest that in some circumstances, multiple seed loading by Blue Jays may favor dispersal in some plant species.
Microwave Heating Effect on Rheology and Microstructure of White Sauces
Authors: Guardeño Luis M. , Sanz Teresa , Fiszman Susana M. , Quiles Amparo , Hernando Isabel
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  The microstructure and rheological properties of white sauces formulated with different starches were analyzed after being microwave‐heated for different times. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in rheological parameters analyzed—storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″), and loss tangent (tanδ)—were obtained for sauces made with different starches. Microwave reheating did not affect G′ and G″ values until water evaporation became significant. In addition, tanδ values did not change significantly (P < 0.05) even during long reheating times showing that sauce viscoelastic properties did not change after microwave irradiation. However, microstructure assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy showed changes in fat globule and protein. These microstructural changes did not seem to have a significant effect on rheological measurements since starch and ι‐carrageenan are mainly responsible for the viscoelastic behavior of the sauces.

Practical Application:  The development of products appropriate to microwave heating is constantly rising in food industry. It is necessary to understand the behavior of the ingredients and the final product to microwave heating in order to choose those ingredients which will develop the best performance. Starches are common ingredients in industrial sauces, and rheological and microstructural techniques have shown their usefulness in characterization of starch‐based systems.
Chinese National Consensus on diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus (BE): revised edition, June 2011, Chongqing, China
Authors: FANG Dian Chun , LIN San Ren , HUANG Qin , YU Zhong Lin , YUAN Yao Zong , CHEN Min Hu , BAI Wen Yuan , CHEN Xiao Xin , ZHANG Jun , LI Yan Qing , ZHOU Li Ya , KE Mei Yun , FANG Xiu Cai , LAN Yu
Published: September 2011

To standardize the diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in China, the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology convened the Second National Conference on BE in June 2011 in Chongqing, China. After intense discussion among experts in this field and an extensive review of the literature, a revised consensus on the diagnosis and management of BE was generated.
Use of the theory of planned behaviour to assess factors influencing the identification of individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis in primary care
Authors: Russo Debra A. , Stochl Jan , Croudace Tim J. , Graffy Jonathan P. , Youens John , Jones Peter B. , Perez Jesus
Published: September 2011

Aim: To design and assess the psychometric properties of a questionnaire to identify and measure factors that influence the identification of individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis in primary care. It will inform the subsequent design of educational interventions to help general practitioners (GPs; primary care physicians) detect these individuals.

Methods: The questionnaire was developed using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). A semistructured discussion group elicited beliefs underlying GPs' motivations to detect these individuals and informed the construction of a preliminary 106‐item questionnaire incorporating all constructs outlined in the TPB. A pilot phase followed, involving 79 GPs from 38 practices across 12 counties in England, to define the determinants of intention to identify these individuals. A psychometric model of item response theory was used to identify which items could be removed.

Results: The final instrument comprised 73 items and showed acceptable reliability (α = 0.77–0.87) for all direct measures. Path analysis models revealed that all the TPB measures significantly predicted intention. Subjective norm, reflecting perceived professional influence, was the strongest predictor of intention. Collectively, the direct measures explained 35% of the variance of intention to identify individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis, indicating a good fit with the TPB model.

Conclusion: The TPB can be used to identify and measure factors that influence identification of individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis in primary care.
Genetic deletion of monoacylglycerol lipase alters endocannabinoid‐mediated retrograde synaptic depression in the cerebellum
Authors: Zhong Peng , Pan Bin , Gao Xiu‐ping , Blankman Jacqueline L. , Cravatt Benjamin F. , Liu Qing‐song
Published: September 2011

Non‐Technical Summary  2‐Arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) is an endogenous marijuana‐like chemical that regulates synaptic transmission via the stimulation of the type I cannabinoid receptor (CB1). It is inactivated by an enzyme called monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). 2‐AG inactivation is impaired in MAGL knockout mice. We show that 2‐AG accumulation in the brain of MAGL knockout mice alters several forms of 2‐AG‐mediated synaptic depression in the cerebellum via tonic activation and desensitization of CB1 receptors.
Comparison of Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Voriconazole Intravenous-to-Oral Switch in Immunocompromised Adolescents and Healthy Adults
Authors: Driscoll Timothy A. , Frangoul Haydar , Nemecek Eneida R. , Murphey Donald K. , Yu Lolie C. , Blumer Jeffrey , Krance Robert A. , Baruch Alice , Liu Ping
Published: September 2011

The current voriconazole dosing recommendation in adolescents is based on limited efficacy and pharmacokinetic data. To confirm the appropriateness of dosing adolescents like adults, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted in 26 immunocompromised adolescents aged 12 to <17 years following intravenous (IV) voriconazole to oral switch regimens: 6 mg/kg IV every 12 h (q12h) on day 1 followed by 4 mg/kg IV q12h, then switched to 300 mg orally q12h. Area under the curve over a 12-hour dosing interval (AUC
0–12
) was calculated using a noncompartmental method and compared to the value for adults receiving the same dosing regimens. On average, the AUC
0–12
in adolescents after the first loading dose on day 1 and at steady state during IV treatment were 9.14 and 22.4 μg·h/ml, respectively (approximately 34% and 36% lower, respectively, than values for adults). At steady state during oral treatment, adolescents also had lower average exposure than adults (16.7 versus 34.0 μg·h/ml). Larger intersubject variability was observed in adolescents than in adults. There was a slight trend for some young adolescents with low body weight to have lower voriconazole exposure. It is likely that these young adolescents may metabolize voriconazole more similarly to children than to adults. Overall, with the same dosing regimens, voriconazole exposures in the majority of adolescents were comparable to those in adults. The young adolescents with low body weight during the transitioning period from childhood to adolescence (e.g., 12 to 14 years old) may need to receive higher doses to match the adult exposures. Safety of voriconazole in adolescents was consistent with the known safety profile of voriconazole.
Phase II Dose Escalation Study of Caspofungin for Invasive Aspergillosis
Authors: Cornely O. A. , Vehreschild J. J. , Vehreschild M. J. G. T. , Würthwein G. , Arenz D. , Schwartz S. , Heussel C. P. , Silling G. , Mahne M. , Franklin J. , Harnischmacher U. , Wilkens A. , Farowski F. , Karthaus M. , Lehrnbecher T. , Ullmann A. J. , Hallek M. , Groll A. H.
Published: September 2011

Our objective was to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose of caspofungin for invasive aspergillosis (IA). The safety and pharmacokinetics of escalating dosages of caspofungin were investigated in IA. Eight patients each received caspofungin 70, 100, 150, or 200 mg once a day (QD). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as the same non-hematological treatment-related adverse event of grade ≥4 in 2 of 8 patients or ≥3 in 4 of 8 patients in a cohort. A total of 46 patients (median age, 61 years; 21 female; 89% with hematological malignancies) received caspofungin (9, 8, 9, and 20 patients in the 70-, 100-, 150-, and 200-mg cohorts) for a median of 24.5 days. Plasma pharmacokinetics were linear across the investigated dosages and followed a two-compartment model, with weight as the covariate on clearance and sex as the covariate on central volume of distribution. Simulated peak plasma concentrations at steady state ranged from 14.2 to 40.6 mg/liter (28%), trough concentrations from 4.1 to 11.8 mg/liter (58%), and area under the concentration-time curve from 175 to 500 mg/liter/h (32%) (geometric mean, geometric coefficient of variation). Treatment was well tolerated without dose-limiting toxicity. The rate of complete or partial responses was 54.3%, and the overall mortality at 12-week follow-up was 28.3%. In first-line treatment of invasive aspergillosis, daily doses of up to 200 mg caspofungin were well tolerated and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Pharmacokinetics was linear. Response rates were similar to those previously reported for voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin.
Clostridium perfringens Iota-Toxin b Induces Rapid Cell Necrosis
Authors: Nagahama Masahiro , Umezaki Mariko , Oda Masataka , Kobayashi Keiko , Tone Shigenobu , Suda Taiji , Ishidoh Kazumi , Sakurai Jun
Published: September 2011

Clostridium perfringens
iota-toxin is a binary toxin composed of an enzyme component (Ia) and a binding component (Ib). Each component alone lacks toxic activity, but together they produce cytotoxic effects. We examined the cytotoxicity of iota-toxin Ib in eight cell lines. A431 and A549 cells were susceptible to Ib, but MDCK, Vero, CHO, Caco-2, HT-29, and DLD-1 cells were not. Ib bound and formed oligomers in the membranes of A431 and MDCK cells. However, Ib entered MDCK cells but not A431 cells, suggesting that uptake is essential for cellular survival. Ib also induced cell swelling and the rapid depletion of cellular ATP in A431 and A549 cells but not the insensitive cell lines. In A431 cells, Ib binds and oligomerizes mainly in nonlipid rafts in the membranes. Disruption of lipid rafts by methyl-β-cyclodextrin did not impair ATP depletion or cell death caused by Ib. Ib induced permeabilization by propidium iodide without DNA fragmentation in A431 cells. Ultrastructural studies revealed that A431 cells undergo necrosis after treatment with Ib. Ib caused a disruption of mitochondrial permeability and the release of cytochrome
c
. Staining with active-form-specific antibodies showed that the proapoptotic Bcl-2-family proteins Bax and Bak were activated and colocalized with mitochondria in Ib-treated A431 cells. We demonstrate that Ib by itself produces cytotoxic activity through necrosis.
The Xylella fastidiosa Biocontrol Strain EB92-1 Genome Is Very Similar and Syntenic to Pierce's Disease Strains
Authors: Zhang Shujian , Flores-Cruz Zomary , Kumar Dibyendu , Chakrabarty Pranjib , Hopkins Donald L. , Gabriel Dean W.
Published: September 2011

Xylella fastidiosa
infects a wide range of plant hosts and causes economically serious diseases, including Pierce's disease (PD) of grapevines.
X. fastidiosa
biocontrol strain EB92-1 is infectious to grapevines but does not cause symptoms. The draft genome of EB92-1 reveals that it may be missing 10 potential pathogenicity effectors.
Complete Genome Sequence of Weissella koreensis KACC 15510, Isolated from Kimchi
Authors: Lee Se Hee , Jung Ji Young , Lee Seung Hyeon , Jeon Che Ok
Published: September 2011

Weissella koreensis
KACC 15510 was isolated from kimchi, a representative traditional Korean fermented food. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of
W. koreensis
KACC 15510, consisting of a 1,422,478-bp chromosome and one 18,992-bp plasmid, and provide a description of their annotation.
Cytogenetic characterization of the invasive mussel species Xenostrobus securis Lmk. (Bivalvia: Mytilidae)
Authors: Pérez-García Concepción , Morán Paloma , Pasantes Juan J.
Published: September 2011

The chromosomes of the invasive black-pigmy mussel (Xenostrobus securis (Lmk. 1819)) were analyzed by means of 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) / propidium iodide (PI) and chromomycin A3 (CMA) / DAPI fluorescence staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization using major rDNA, 5S rDNA, core histone genes, linker histone genes, and telomeric sequences as probes. The diploid chromosome number in this species is 2n = 30. The karyotype is composed of seven metacentric, one meta/submetacentric, and seven submetacentric chromosome pairs. Telomeric sequences appear at both ends of every single chromosome. Major rDNA clusters appear near the centromeres on chromosome pairs 1 and 3 and are associated with bright CMA fluorescence and dull DAPI fluorescence. This species shows five 5S rDNA clusters close to the centromeres on four chromosome pairs (2, 5, 6, and 8). Three of the four core histone gene clusters map to centromeric positions on chromosome pairs 7, 10, and 13. The fourth core histone gene cluster occupies a terminal position on chromosome pair 8, also bearing a 5S rDNA cluster. The two linker histone gene clusters are close to the centromeres on chromosome pairs 12 and 14. Therefore, the use of these probes allows the unequivocal identification of 11 of the 15 chromosome pairs that compose the karyotype of X. securis.
AN IMPROVED SPECTRAL CONJUGATE GRADIENT NEURAL NETWORK TRAINING ALGORITHM
Authors: LIVIERIS IOANNIS E. , PINTELAS PANAGIOTIS
Published: September 2011

Conjugate gradient methods constitute excellent neural network training methods which are characterized by their simplicity and their very low memory requirements. In this paper, we propose a new spectral conjugate gradient method which guarantees sufficient descent using any line search, avoiding thereby the usually inefficient restarts. Moreover, we establish the global convergence of our proposed method under some assumptions. Experimental results provide evidence that our proposed method is preferable and in general superior to the classical conjugate gradient methods in terms of efficiency and robustness.
Skin Cancer Concerns and Genetic Risk Information-Seeking in Primary Care
Authors: Hay J. , Kaphingst K.A. , Baser R. , Li Y. , Hensley-Alford S. , McBride C.M.
Published: September 2011

Background: Genomic testing for common genetic variants associated with skin cancer risk could enable personalized risk feedback to motivate skin cancer screening and sun protection. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we investigated whether skin cancer cognitions and behavioral factors, sociodemographics, family factors, and health information-seeking were related to perceived importance of learning about how (a) genes and (b) health habits affect personal health risks using classification and regression trees (CART). Results: The sample (n = 1,772) was collected in a large health maintenance organization as part of the Multiplex Initiative, ranged in age from 25–40, was 53% female, 41% Caucasian, and 59% African-American. Most reported that they placed somewhat to very high importance on learning about how genes (79%) and health habits (88%) affect their health risks. Social influence actors were associated with information-seeking about genes and health habits. Awareness of family history was associated with importance of health habit, but not genetic, information-seeking. Conclusions: The investment of family and friends in health promotion may be a primary motivator for prioritizing information-seeking about how genes and health habits affect personal health risks and may contribute to the personal value, or personal utility, of risk information. Individuals who seek such risk information may be receptive to interventions aimed to maximize the social implications of healthy lifestyle change to reduce their health risks.
Review of the clinical pharmacokinetics of artesunate and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin following intravenous, intramuscular, oral or rectal administration
Authors: Morris Carrie A , Duparc Stephan , Borghini-Fuhrer Isabelle , Jung Donald , Shin Chang-Sik , Fleckenstein Lawrence
Published: September 2011

Artesunate (AS) is a clinically versatile artemisinin derivative utilized for the treatment of mild to severe malaria infection. Given the therapeutic significance of AS and the necessity of appropriate AS dosing, substantial research has been performed investigating the pharmacokinetics of AS and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA). In this article, a comprehensive review is presented of AS clinical pharmacokinetics following administration of AS by the intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), oral or rectal routes. Intravenous AS is associated with high initial AS concentrations which subsequently decline rapidly, with typical AS half-life estimates of less than 15 minutes. AS clearance and volume estimates average 2 - 3 L/kg/hr and 0.1 - 0.3 L/kg, respectively. DHA concentrations peak within 25 minutes post-dose, and DHA is eliminated with a half-life of 30 - 60 minutes. DHA clearance and volume average between 0.5 - 1.5 L/kg/hr and 0.5 - 1.0 L/kg, respectively. Compared to IV administration, IM administration produces lower peaks, longer half-life values, and higher volumes of distribution for AS, as well as delayed peaks for DHA; other parameters are generally similar due to the high bioavailability, assessed by exposure to DHA, associated with IM AS administration (> 86%). Similarly high bioavailability of DHA (> 80%) is associated with oral administration. Following oral AS, peak AS concentrations (Cmax) are achieved within one hour, and AS is eliminated with a half-life of 20 - 45 minutes. DHA Cmax values are observed within two hours post-dose; DHA half-life values average 0.5 - 1.5 hours. AUC values reported for AS are often substantially lower than those reported for DHA following oral AS administration. Rectal AS administration yields pharmacokinetic results similar to those obtained from oral administration, with the exceptions of delayed AS Cmax and longer AS half-life. Drug interaction studies conducted with oral AS suggest that AS does not appreciably alter the pharmacokinetics of atovaquone/proguanil, chlorproguanil/dapsone, or sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine, and mefloquine and pyronaridine do not alter the pharmacokinetics of DHA. Finally, there is evidence suggesting that the pharmacokinetics of AS and/or DHA following AS administration may be altered by pregnancy and by acute malaria infection, but further investigation would be required to define those alterations precisely.
Feasibility and early clinical assessment of flattening filter free (FFF) based stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatments
Authors: Scorsetti Marta , Alongi Filippo , Castiglioni Simona , Clivio Alessandro , Fogliata Antonella , Lobefalo Francesca , Mancosu Pietro , Navarria Pierina , Palumbo Valentina , Pellegrini Chiara , Pentimalli Sara , Reggiori Giacomo , Ascolese Anna M , Roggio Antonella , Arcangeli Stefano , Tozzi Angelo , Vanetti Eugenio , Cozzi Luca
Published: September 2011

Purpose

To test feasibility and safety of clinical usage of Flattening Filter Free (FFF) beams for delivering ablative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) doses to various tumor sites, by means of Varian TrueBeam™ (Varian Medical Systems).

Methods and Materials

Seventy patients were treated with SBRT and FFF: 51 lesions were in the thorax (48 patients),10 in the liver, 9 in isolated abdominal lymph node, adrenal gland or pancreas. Doses ranged from 32 to 75 Gy, depending on the anatomical site and the volume of the lesion to irradiate. Lung lesions were treated with cumulative doses of 32 or 48 Gy, delivered in 4 consecutive fractions. The liver patients were treated in 3 fractions with total dose of 75 Gy. The isolated lymph nodes were irradiated in 6 fractions with doses of 45 Gy. The inclusion criteria were the presence of isolated node, or few lymph nodes in the same lymph node region, in absence of other active sites of cancer disease before the SBRT treatment.

Results

All 70 patients completed the treatment. The minimum follow-up was 3 months. Six cases of acute toxicities were recorded (2 Grade2 and 2 Grade3 in lung and 2 Grade2 in abdomen). No patient experienced acute toxicity greater than Grade3. No other types or grades of toxicities were observed at clinical evaluation visits.

Conclusions

This study showed that, with respect to acute toxicity, SBRT with FFF beams showed to be a feasible technique in 70 consecutive patients with various primary and metastatic lesions in the body.
Percutaneous pedicle screw reduction and axial presacral lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis: A case series
Authors: Tender Gabriel C , Miller Larry E , Block Jon E
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Traditional surgical management of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is technically challenging and is associated with significant complications. The advent of minimally invasive surgical techniques offers patients treatment alternatives with lower operative morbidity risk. The combination of percutaneous pedicle screw reduction and an axial presacral approach for lumbosacral discectomy and fusion offers an alternative procedure for the surgical management of low-grade lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.

Case presentation

Three patients who had L5-S1 grade 2 spondylolisthesis and who presented with axial pain and lumbar radiculopathy were treated with a minimally invasive surgical technique. The patients-a 51-year-old woman and two men (ages 46 and 50)-were Caucasian. Under fluoroscopic guidance, spondylolisthesis was reduced with a percutaneous pedicle screw system, resulting in interspace distraction. Then, an axial presacral approach with the AxiaLIF System (TranS1, Inc., Wilmington, NC, USA) was used to perform the discectomy and anterior fixation. Once the axial rod was engaged in the L5 vertebral body, further distraction of the spinal interspace was made possible by partially loosening the pedicle screw caps, advancing the AxiaLIF rod to its final position in the vertebrae, and retightening the screw caps. The operative time ranged from 173 to 323 minutes, and blood loss was minimal (50 mL). Indirect foraminal decompression and adequate fixation were achieved in all cases. All patients were ambulatory after surgery and reported relief from pain and resolution of radicular symptoms. No perioperative complications were reported, and patients were discharged in two to three days. Fusion was demonstrated radiographically in all patients at one-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Percutaneous pedicle screw reduction combined with axial presacral lumbar interbody fusion offers a promising and minimally invasive alternative for the management of lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.
Management of Hot Flashes in Patients Who Have Breast Cancer With Venlafaxine and Clonidine: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Boekhout Annelies H. , Vincent Andrew D. , Dalesio Otilia B. , van den Bosch Joan , Foekema-Töns Joke H. , Adriaansz Sandra , Sprangers Sylvia , Nuijen Bastiaan , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H.M.
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Therapies for breast cancer may induce hot flashes that can affect quality of life. We undertook a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with the primary objective of comparing the average daily hot flash scores in the twelfth week among patients treated with venlafaxine, clonidine, and placebo. Additional analyses of the hot flash score over the full 12 weeks of treatment were performed.

Patients and Methods

In all, 102 patients with a history of breast cancer were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to venlafaxine 75 mg, clonidine 0.1 mg, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Questionnaires at baseline and during treatment assessed daily hot flash scores, sexual function, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression.

Results

After 12 weeks, a total of 80 patients were evaluable for the primary end point. During week 12, hot flash scores were significantly lower in the clonidine group versus placebo (P = .03); for venlafaxine versus placebo, the difference was borderline not significant (P = .07). However, hot flash scores were equal in the clonidine and venlafaxine groups. Over the course of 12 weeks, the differences between both treatments and placebo were significant (P <.001 for venlafaxine v placebo; P = .045 for clonidine v placebo). Frequencies of treatment-related adverse effects of nausea (P = .02), constipation (P = .04), and severe appetite loss were higher in the venlafaxine group.

Conclusion

Venlafaxine and clonidine are effective treatments in the management of hot flashes in patients with breast cancer. Venlafaxine resulted in a more immediate reduction of hot flash scores when compared with clonidine; however, hot flash scores at week 12 were lower in the clonidine group than in the venlafaxine group.
Optimal Voting Rules
Authors: Young Peyton
Published: September 2011

Modern social choice theory, following Kenneth Arrow, treats voting as a method for aggregating diverse preferences and values. An earlier view, initiated by Marquis de Condorcet, is that voting is a method for aggregating information. Voters’ opinions differ because they make errors of judgment; absent these errors they would all agree on the best choice. The goal is to design a voting rule that identifies the best choice with highest probability. This paper examines maximum likelihood estimation. Surprisingly, the optimal rule can also be axiomatized by variations of Arrow's axioms.
New insights into the role of centrosomes in mammalian fertilization and implications for ART
Authors: Schatten Heide , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: September 2011

In non-rodent mammalian species, including humans, the oocyte and sperm both contribute centrosomal components that are most important for successful fertilization. Centrosome pathologies in sperm and the oocyte can be causes for infertility which may be overcome by assisted reproductive technologies based on proper diagnosis of specific centrosomal pathologies. However, we do not yet fully understand the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying centrosome functions in germ cells and in the developing embryo, which calls for directed specific investigations to identify centrosome-related pathologies that include components in sperm, egg, or centrosome regulation within the fertilized oocyte. The present review highlights cellular and molecular aspects of centrosomes and centrosome–nuclear interactions focused on nuclear mitotic apparatus protein during fertilization and proposes future directions in expanding therapeutic approaches related to centrosome pathologies that may play a role in still unexplained causes of infertility.
IT Outsourcing
Authors: Gottschalk P.
Published: September 2011

Given the potential headaches of managing IT, it is tempting to hand the job over to someone else. Indeed, outsourcing once appeared to be a simple solution to management frustrations, and senior management teams at many companies negotiated contracts with large service providers to run their entire IT functions. At a minimum, these providers were often able to provide IT capabilities for a lower cost and with fewer hassles than the companies had been able to themselves. But many of these outsourcing arrangements resulted in dissatisfaction, particularly as a company’s business needs changed. Service providers, with their standard offerings and detailed contracts, provided IT capabilities that were not flexible enough to meet changing requirements, and they often seemed slow to respond to problems. Furthermore, a relationship with a supplier often required substantial investments of money and time, which entrenched that supplier in the company’s strategic planning and business processes. The company then became particularly vulnerable if the supplier failed to meet its contractual obligations (Ross & Weill, 2002).
Product Family Modeling Method for Rapid Response Design
Authors: Hou Shou Ming , He Li Juan , Xie Hua Long , Liu Yong Xian
Published: September 2011

Design resources reuse is very important to the rapid response design. In this paper, a design resources reusable model based on product family is established to meet the rapid response design. Firstly, parameters transmission structure of product family is constructed based on Generic Bill of Materials (GBOM) and product master model, and then the reused design resource library is established by the instantiation to master model. Finally product configuration management and variant design is realized on the basis of the reused design resource library. In the developing process of the rapid response design system of machine tool component, the Linear Motion (LM) rolling guide variant design subsystem is developed by the application of the above methods to realize the variant design and configuration management of LM rolling guide. The result shows that the method can provide a reliable guarantee for establishment and effective management of corporate design resource base.
Origin of Ultraviolet Luminescence from Bulk ZnO Thin Films Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Asghar M. , Mahmood Khalid , Ali Adnan , Hasan M.A. , Hussain I. , Willander Magnus
Published: September 2011

Origin of ultraviolet (UV) luminescence from bulk ZnO has been investigated with the help of photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Thin films of ZnO having 52%, 53% and 54% of Zn-contents were prepared by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We observed a dominant UV line at 3.28 eV and a visible line centered at 2.5 eV in the PL spectrum performed at room temperature. The intensity of UV line has been found to depend upon the Zn percentage in the ZnO layers. Thereby, we correlate the UV line in our samples with the Zn-interstitials-bound exciton (Zni-X) recombination. The results obtained from, x-ray diffraction, the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDAX) and Raman spectroscopy supported the PL results.
Design and Research of Industrial Permanent Magnetic Bearing
Authors: Zhang Gang , Jiang De De , Zhang Jian , Zhang Xue , Li Ming Yan , Yin Qing Zhen
Published: September 2011

Because of that the permanent magnetic bearing (PMB) has the advantage of no wear, low cost and simple structure, the industrial design concept of PMB has been put forward in this paper. Radial and axial permanent magnetic levitation technology has been studied, and the aforementioned design is done based on these two kinds of technologies. During the experiments on the mechanical characteristics of PMBs, the capacity and stiffness of the bearings are researched.
Modeling and Analysis of Upload Utilization in BitTorrent System
Authors: Zhang J.W. , Wang Y.C. , Xing W. , Lu D.M.
Published: September 2011

Upload utilization is one of the most significant performance metrics in BitTorrent system, whereas there has been no accurate model which is suitable for it yet. For this reason, the delicate relation between some key parameters (maximum concurrent uploads, upload bandwidth, TFT round etc.) in BitTorrent is investigated, furthermore the piece diffusion model and the upload utilization model are proposed. Based on these models, we explore the effect of TFT round for the first time and find that the magnitude of TFT round has a significant influence on the transient stage as well as the end stage. Additionally, we show that when the seed’s upload bandwidth is fully utilized, to achieve optimal performance, each peer’s upload bandwidth should be proportional to its maximum concurrent uploads, and the file size should be large enough compared with the swarm size.
Improving the Performance of Process Controllers Using a New Clustered Neural Network
Authors: Soleymani Yazdi M. Reza , Guillot Michel
Published: September 2011

This paper presents first a newly developed clustered neural network, which incorporates self-organization capacity into the well-known common multilayer perceptron (MLP) architecture. With this addition, it is possible to reduce significantly overall memory degradation of the neuro-controller during on-line training. In the second part of the paper, this clustered multilayer perceptron (CMLP) network is applied and compared to the MLP through modeling and simulations of machining processes. Simulation results presented using machining data demonstrate that the CMLP possesses more powerful modeling capacity than the standard MLP, offers better adaptability to new operating conditions, and finally performs more reliably. During on-line training with machining data about 65% degradation of previously learned information can be observed in the MLP as opposed to only 11% for the CMLP. Finally, an adaptive control scheme intended for on-line optimization of the machining processes is presented. This scheme uses a feed forward CMLP inverse neuro-controller which learns off-line and on-line the relationships between process inputs and output under simulated perturbations (i.e., tool wear and non-homogeneous workpiece material properties). The first results using the CMLP inverse neuro-controller are promising
Study on Route Stability Based on the Metrics of Local Topology Transformation Entropy in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Guo Jian Li , Wu Wei , Xu Shu Bin
Published: September 2011

The inherent dynamic and mobile natures of mobile ad hoc networks bring its flexibility and convenience in network deployment and application, but following with serious challenges on the route maintenance synchronously. Selecting the stable routes can reduce the control overloads resulting from the route rebuilding and maintaining process, improve the utilization of limited network resources, extend the network lifetime and provide the QoS guarantee. This paper proposed a method for measuring the route stability based on the information entropy which utilized the degree of uncertainty as the standard for stable route selection. Simulation results showed that the route selected by our method could improve the network performance remarkably.
No-Reference Image Quality Assessment Based on Visual Perception
Authors: Ni Jun , Li Zi Yin , Chen Hua Cai
Published: September 2011

No-reference image quality assessment is an important issue for video compression and communication. This work presents a no-reference objective image/video sharpness method based on visual perception metric (VPM). The algorithm gets image typical edge and edge width firstly, and then gets gray contrast of typical edge region, finally utilizes these factors to integrate a probability summation assessment model. The proposed metric is able to predict the amount of sharpness in image with different content. Experimental results show that this method is consistent with subjective assessment of human being and can be use to describe the visual perception of image effectively.
Analysis on Characteristics of Earthquake in the West Chinese Mainland and its Adjacent Areas
Authors: Shao Hui Cheng , Fu Zheng Xiang
Published: September 2011

Annual relaxation of the seismic energy between 1900 and 2010 in West Chinese Mainland and Its Adjacent Areas has been deal with wavelet method. The active period of 46, 24, 15 and 7 year in seismic activity have been found by this method. This result, that there are 4 main period in seismic activity, is statically although the results have small difference when the data of the different time term have been used. It would be suggested that the boundary effect of the results should be considered when we make the earthquake prediction for the future seismic tendency. At same time the relation between the five years frequency for M≧5 from 1970 in western China and LOD also found. Two years after the turning of LOD is high occurrence for M≧5.