bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviour-Based Safety in Indian Organisations
Authors: Kaila H.L.
Published: February 2010

This is a qualitative survey of 1,500 executives and 400 workers, based on in-depth personal interviews and a structured questionnaire using open-ended questions, in a period of 10 years between 1997 and 2007, across Indian organisations (including petroleum, steel, cement, power, chemical, etc), in 55 organisations, in order to review the behaviour-based safety (BBS) in organisations. The narratives of executives and workers have provided a broad base in understanding the BBS in Indian organisations. The implications are underlined for better organisational safety performance. This article shall be useful in understanding, and application of, the concept and process of BBS for safety professionals and everyone who is concerned about correcting unsafe behaviours for reduction of accidents and promoting safe behaviours for developing injury-free culture in their organisations. The present article is a part of an ongoing national action research project on the subject.
Efficiency and Financing in Catering Primary Health Care to the Poors
Authors: Sengupta Atanu , Mondal Swadhin Kumar
Published: February 2010

Public health care system is a crucial element of social welfare, particularly in underdeveloped areas where a majority of the populace lingers in abject poverty and deprivation. The system is typically assumed to be cheap and based on a public welfare perspective. However, it is argued that in the name of reform process, it is usually targeted as a soft option. Using a panel data of all the (reported) hospitals in the Indian state of West Bengal over the seven-year period, 1997–2003, we try to answer this question. The framework of input–output data is used in order to assess the performance of these hospitals. The non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to assess the efficiency of these hospitals over these periods. The results do suggest initial adverse impact of the faulty reform process but indicate some later revival. Huge intra-state differences persist. Surprisingly, economically advanced regions are adjudged, too, more efficient than their less developed counterpart. Public expenditure also appeared to be positively correlated with efficiency. In fact, our study indicates that one of the most important factors in determining efficiency is per hospital real health expenditure.
Moving from Independence to Interdependence: A Conceptual Model for Better Understanding Community Participation of Centers for Independent Living Consumers
Authors: White Glen W. , Lloyd Simpson Jamie , Gonda Chiaki , Ravesloot Craig , Coble Zach
Published: February 2010

This article provides a brief historical review of disability and personal and environmental limitations to community participation. Attention is given to policies that have limited consumer choice and to the pushback from disability rights advocates. These advocates eventually started the independent living movement as a reaction to the medical model that identifies disability as a personal defect rather than an environmental limitation. The authors discuss the basic philosophy and core services of independent living, and they present a conceptual model for helping centers for independent living (CIL) consumers more fully participate in the community. This model describes a continuum from independence to interdependence approaches to providing CIL services. Finally, the authors describe current research to determine the effectiveness of these two approaches to increasing consumer community participation.
Considering the Pedophile Subculture Online
Authors: Holt Thomas J. , Blevins Kristie R. , Burkert Natasha
Published: February 2010

The development of the Internet and computer-mediated communications has fostered the growth of a wide range of deviant sexual behaviors along with deviant subcultures that support and approve of these behaviors. Some of these practices pose little risk to public safety, though acts such as pedophilia and the creation and distribution of child pornography have significant negative ramifications for victims. A growing literature has examined the function of the Internet for child pornography distribution, social networks of pedophiles, and tactics of child solicitation. Few, however, have explored the utility of the Internet to develop a subculture of pedophiles and its role in fostering attitudes and justifications for relationships with children. This study will explore the subcultural norms and enculturation of the pedophile community using a qualitative analysis of five Web forums run by and for pedophiles. The findings suggest that the values of the pedophile culture support and encourage emotional and, in some cases, sexual relationships with boys and girls in virtual and real settings. Implications for the study of pedophiles and the role of the Internet are explored.
A Controlled Evaluation of a Prison-Based Sexual Offender Intervention Program
Authors: O'Reilly Gary , Carr Alan , Murphy Paul , Cotter Anthony
Published: February 2010

The effectiveness of a prison-based cognitive behavioral program designed to modify psychological risk factors associated with sexual offending was evaluated. The Irish Prison Service Sexual Offender Intervention Programme, is a manualized 10-month Cognitive Behaviour Therapy [CBT] program involving three 2-hour group sessions per week, which are facilitated by a team of clinical psychologists and probation officers. Improvements in 38 consecutive referrals to the program were compared with the status of 38 untreated offenders who were similar in marital status, age when they left school, occupational status prior to imprisonment, offence type, presence of previous convictions, and current sentence length. All research participants completed the same assessment protocol, which evaluated psychological factors associated with sexual offending at times equivalent to pre- and postintervention. Compared with the untreated control group, program participants showed statistically significant improvement on some but not all self-report measures of cognitive distortions, empathy, interpersonal skills, self-regulation, and relapse prevention. Motivation to change among the untreated control group was not associated with change in psychological functioning in the absence of the assistance of the treatment program. Implications for sexual offender intervention delivery are considered.
Sibling Adjustment and Maternal Well-Being: An Examination of Families With and Without a Child With an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Quintero Nicole , McIntyre Laura Lee
Published: February 2010

Differences in sibling social, behavioral, and academic adjustment and maternal well-being in families with ( n = 20) and without ( n = 23) a preschooler with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were explored. Results are interpreted to suggest that mothers of children with autism report more daily hassles, life stress, and depression than mothers without a child with ASD. There were no significant differences in parent and teacher reports of older siblings’ social, behavioral, and academic adjustment in families with and without a child with ASD. Sibling behavioral adjustment was, however, significantly related to maternal well-being. Because families with children with ASD often experience more parenting stress and depression, siblings may be more vulnerable to the cumulative risks over time.
Extrapyramidal Motor Dysfunction and Resultant Orofacial Dystonia Post-Cocaine Abuse: A Clinical Case Study
Authors: McMicken Betty L. , Ostergren Jennifer A. , Vento-Wilson Margaret
Published: February 2010

This case study investigated the consequences of cocaine use and resultant extrapyramidal motor dysfunction. The study focused on a female client, post-long-term drug abuse with concomitant untreated head trauma, experiencing extraneous motor movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and upper and lower extremities. The goals of this study were to (a) describe the presenting features of extrapyramidal motor dysfunction and resultant orofacial dystonia in this participant, including the presence of extraneous motor movements and the impact of these movements on speech intelligibility and communication effectiveness, and (b) describe the influence of traditional speech exercises and drills on speech characteristics and the presence of extraneous motor movements in this participant. Few studies have addressed extrapyramidal motor dysfunction related to cocaine abuse specific to speech-language pathology assessment and treatment. This study offers speech-language pathologists insight into the diagnosis and treatment of individuals experiencing extrapyramidal motor dysfunction associated with cocaine abuse.
Field Measurement of the Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient on Vertical External Building Surfaces Using Naphthalene Sublimation Method
Authors: Jiantao Shao  , Jing Liu  , Jianing Zhao  , Wenwu Zhang  , Zhipeng Fu  , Qingyu Zhu
Published: February 2010

Convective heat transfer coefficient (CHTC) on the external building surface is an indispensable parameter for design purpose. A naphthalene sublimation method is introduced to measure the CHTCs on vertical external building surfaces of a dormitory building complex. After field measurement using this method, correlations are obtained for external CHTCs as functions of the local wind velocities, turbulence intensity, and top wind velocities. The shelter effect of buildings and turbulent effect in real urban environment are simply discussed. Finally, the comparison with other studies is given and the reason for these discrepancies is speculated as the width or surface topography of the measured wall.
Extracting consistent knowledge from highly inconsistent cancer gene data sources
Authors: Gong Xue , Wu Ruihong , Zhang Yuannv , Zhao Wenyuan , Cheng Lixin , Gu Yunyan , Zhang Lin , Wang Jing , Zhu Jing , Guo Zheng
Published: February 2010

Background

Hundreds of genes that are causally implicated in oncogenesis have been found and collected in various databases. For efficient application of these abundant but diverse data sources, it is of fundamental importance to evaluate their consistency.

Results

First, we showed that the lists of cancer genes from some major data sources were highly inconsistent in terms of overlapping genes. In particular, most cancer genes accumulated in previous small-scale studies could not be rediscovered in current high-throughput genome screening studies. Then, based on a metric proposed in this study, we showed that most cancer gene lists from different data sources were highly functionally consistent. Finally, we extracted functionally consistent cancer genes from various data sources and collected them in our database F-Census.

Conclusions

Although they have very low gene overlapping, most cancer gene data sources are highly consistent at the functional level, which indicates that they can separately capture partial genes in a few key pathways associated with cancer. Our results suggest that the sample sizes currently used for cancer studies might be inadequate for consistently capturing individual cancer genes, but could be sufficient for finding a number of cancer genes that could represent functionally most cancer genes. The F-Census database provides biologists with a useful tool for browsing and extracting functionally consistent cancer genes from various data sources.
Transcriptional response of Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 sessile cells to treatments with high doses of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Peeters Elke , Sass Andrea , Mahenthiralingam Eshwar , Nelis Hans , Coenye Tom
Published: February 2010

Background

Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria are opportunistic pathogens, which can cause severe respiratory tract infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). As treatment of infected CF patients is problematic, multiple preventive measures are taken to reduce the infection risk. Besides a stringent segregation policy to prevent patient-to-patient transmission, clinicians also advise patients to clean and disinfect their respiratory equipment on a regular basis. However, problems regarding the efficacy of several disinfection procedures for the removal and/or killing of B. cepacia complex bacteria have been reported. In order to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in the resistance of biofilm-grown Burkholderia cenocepacia cells against high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the present study focussed on the transcriptional response in sessile B. cenocepacia J2315 cells following exposure to high levels of H2O2 or NaOCl.

Results

The exposure to H2O2 and NaOCl resulted in an upregulation of the transcription of 315 (4.4%) and 386 (5.4%) genes, respectively. Transcription of 185 (2.6%) and 331 (4.6%) genes was decreased in response to the respective treatments. Many of the upregulated genes in the NaOCl- and H2O2-treated biofilms are involved in oxidative stress as well as general stress response, emphasizing the importance of the efficient neutralization and scavenging of ROS. In addition, multiple upregulated genes encode proteins that are necessary to repair ROS-induced cellular damage. Unexpectedly, a prolonged treatment with H2O2 also resulted in an increased transcription of multiple phage-related genes. A closer inspection of hybridisation signals obtained with probes targeting intergenic regions led to the identification of a putative 6S RNA.

Conclusion

Our results reveal that the transcription of a large fraction of B. cenocepacia J2315 genes is altered upon exposure of sessile cells to ROS. These observations have highlighted that B. cenocepacia may alter several pathways in response to exposure to ROS and they have led to the identification of many genes not previously implicated in the stress response of this pathogen.
Complete genome sequence and lifestyle of black-pigmented Corynebacterium aurimucosum ATCC 700975 (formerly C. nigricans CN-1) isolated from a vaginal swab of a woman with spontaneous abortion
Authors: Trost Eva , Götker Susanne , Schneider Jessica , Schneiker-Bekel Susanne , Szczepanowski Rafael , Tilker Alexandra , Viehoever Prisca , Arnold Walter , Bekel Thomas , Blom Jochen , Gartemann Karl-Heinz , Linke Burkhard , Goesmann Alexander , Pühler Alfred , Shukla Sanjay K , Tauch Andreas
Published: February 2010

Background

Corynebacterium aurimucosum is a slightly yellowish, non-lipophilic, facultative anaerobic member of the genus Corynebacterium and predominantly isolated from human clinical specimens. Unusual black-pigmented variants of C. aurimucosum (originally named as C. nigricans) continue to be recovered from the female urogenital tract and they are associated with complications during pregnancy. C. aurimucosum ATCC 700975 (C. nigricans CN-1) was originally isolated from a vaginal swab of a 34-year-old woman who experienced a spontaneous abortion during month six of pregnancy. For a better understanding of the physiology and lifestyle of this potential urogenital pathogen, the complete genome sequence of C. aurimucosum ATCC 700975 was determined.

Results

Sequencing and assembly of the C. aurimucosum ATCC 700975 genome yielded a circular chromosome of 2,790,189 bp in size and the 29,037-bp plasmid pET44827. Specific gene sets associated with the central metabolism of C. aurimucosum apparently provide enhanced metabolic flexibility and adaptability in aerobic, anaerobic and low-pH environments, including gene clusters for the uptake and degradation of aromatic amines, L-histidine and L-tartrate as well as a gene region for the formation of selenocysteine and its incorporation into formate dehydrogenase. Plasmid pET44827 codes for a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase that plays the pivotal role in the synthesis of the characteristic black pigment of C. aurimucosum ATCC 700975.

Conclusions

The data obtained by the genome project suggest that C. aurimucosum could be both a resident of the human gut and possibly a pathogen in the female genital tract causing complications during pregnancy. Since hitherto all black-pigmented C. aurimucosum strains have been recovered from female genital source, biosynthesis of the pigment is apparently required for colonization by protecting the bacterial cells against the high hydrogen peroxide concentration in the vaginal environment. The location of the corresponding genes on plasmid pET44827 explains why black-pigmented (formerly C. nigricans) and non-pigmented C. aurimucosum strains were isolated from clinical specimens.
Microglial responses around intrinsic CNS neurons are correlated with axonal regeneration
Authors: Shokouhi Bahman N , Wong Bernadette ZY , Siddiqui Samir , Lieberman A Robert , Campbell Gregor , Tohyama Koujiro , Anderson Patrick N
Published: February 2010

Background

Microglia/macrophages and lymphocytes (T-cells) accumulate around motor and primary sensory neurons that are regenerating axons but there is little or no microglial activation or T-cell accumulation around axotomised intrinsic CNS neurons, which do not normally regenerate axons. We aimed to establish whether there was an inflammatory response around the perikarya of CNS neurons that were induced to regenerate axons through a peripheral nerve graft.

Results

When neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and red nucleus were induced to regenerate axons along peripheral nerve grafts, a marked microglial response was found around their cell bodies, including the partial enwrapping of some regenerating neurons. T-cells were found amongst regenerating TRN neurons but not rubrospinal neurons. Axotomy alone or insertion of freeze-killed nerve grafts did not induce a similar perineuronal inflammation. Nerve grafts in the corticospinal tracts did not induce axonal regeneration or a microglial or T-cell response in the motor cortex.

Conclusions

These results strengthen the evidence that perineuronal microglial accumulation (but not T-cell accumulation) is involved in axonal regeneration by intrinsic CNS and other neurons.
Long noncoding RNAs in neuronal-glial fate specification and oligodendrocyte lineage maturation
Authors: Mercer Tim R , Qureshi Irfan A , Gokhan Solen , Dinger Marcel E , Li Guangyu , Mattick John S , Mehler Mark F
Published: February 2010

Background

Long non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cellular differentiation and are widely expressed in the brain.

Results

Here we show that many long ncRNAs exhibit dynamic expression patterns during neuronal and oligodendrocyte (OL) lineage specification, neuronal-glial fate transitions, and progressive stages of OL lineage elaboration including myelination. Consideration of the genomic context of these dynamically regulated ncRNAs showed they were part of complex transcriptional loci that encompass key neural developmental protein-coding genes, with which they exhibit concordant expression profiles as indicated by both microarray and in situ hybridization analyses. These included ncRNAs associated with differentiation-specific nuclear subdomains such as Gomafu and Neat1, and ncRNAs associated with developmental enhancers and genes encoding important transcription factors and homeotic proteins. We also observed changes in ncRNA expression profiles in response to treatment with trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor that prevents the progression of OL progenitors into post-mitotic OLs by altering lineage-specific gene expression programs.

Conclusion

This is the first report of long ncRNA expression in neuronal and glial cell differentiation and of the modulation of ncRNA expression by modification of chromatin architecture. These observations explicitly link ncRNA dynamics to neural stem cell fate decisions, specification and epigenetic reprogramming and may have important implications for understanding and treating neuropsychiatric diseases.
IκBα polymorphism at promoter region (rs2233408) influences the susceptibility of gastric cancer in Chinese
Authors: Wang Shiyan , Tian Linwei , Zeng Zhirong , Zhang Mingdong , Wu Kaichun , Chen Minhu , Fan Daiming , Hu Pinjin , Sung Joseph JY , Yu Jun
Published: February 2010

Background

Nuclear factor of kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα) protein is implicated in regulating a variety of cellular process from inflammation to tumorigenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of rs2233408 T/C genotype in the promoter region of IκBα to gastric cancer and the association of this polymorphism with clinicopathologic variables in gastric cancer patients.

Methods

A population-based case-control study was conducted between 1999 and 2006 in Guangdong Province, China. A total of 564 gastric cancer patients and 566 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. rs2233408 genotypes in IκBα were analyzed by TaqMan SNP genotyping assay.

Results

Both rs2233408 T homozygote (TT) and T heterozygotes (TC and TT) had significantly reduced gastric cancer risk (TT: OR = 0.250, 95% CI = 0.069-0.909, P = 0.035; TC and TT: OR = 0.721, 95% CI = 0.530-0.981, P = 0.037), compared with rs2233408 C homozygote (CC). rs2233408 T heterozygotes were significantly associated with reduced risk of intestinal-type gastric cancer with ORs of 0.648 (95% CI = 0.459-0.916, P = 0.014), but not with the diffuse or mix type of gastric cancer. The association between rs2233408 T heterozygotes and gastric cancer appeared more apparent in the older patients (age>40) (OR = 0.674, 95% CI = 0.484-0.939, P = 0.02). rs2233408 T heterozygotes was associated with non-cardiac gastric cancer (OR = 0.594, 95% CI = 0.411-0.859, P = 0.006), but not with cardiac gastric cancer. However, rs2233408 polymorphism was not associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Conclusions

IκBα rs2233408 T heterozygotes were associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer, especially for the development of certain subtypes of gastric cancer in Chinese population.
Caspase 8 and maspin are downregulated in breast cancer cells due to CpG site promoter methylation
Authors: Wu Yanyuan , Alvarez Monica , Slamon Dennis J , Koeffler Phillip , Vadgama Jaydutt V
Published: February 2010

Background

Epigenetic changes associated with promoter DNA methylation results in silencing of several tumor suppressor genes that lead to increased risk for tumor formation and for progression of the cancer.

Methods

Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing were used for determination of proapoptotic gene Caspase 8 (CASP8) and the tumor suppressor gene maspin promoter methylation in four breast cancer and two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Involvement of histone H3 methylation in those cell lines were examined by CHIP assay.

Results

The CpG sites in the promoter region of CASP8 and maspin were methylated in all four breast cancer cell lines but not in two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc) selectively inhibits DNA methyltransferases, DNMT3a and DNMT3b, and restored CASP8 and maspin gene expression in breast cancer cells. 5-aza-dc also reduced histone H3k9me2 occupancy on CASP8 promoter in SKBR3cells, but not in MCF-7 cells. Combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-dc significant decrease in nuclear expression of Di-methyl histone H3-Lys27 and slight increase in acetyl histone H3-Lys9 in MCF-7 cells. CASP8 mRNA and protein level in MCF-7 cells were increased by the 5-aza-dc in combination with TSA. Data from our study also demonstrated that treatment with 5-FU caused a significant increase in unmethylated CASP8 and in CASP8 mRNA in all 3 cancer lines.

Conclusions

CASP8 and maspin expression were reduced in breast cancer cells due to promoter methylation. Selective application of demethylating agents could offer novel therapeutic opportunities in breast cancer.
Optimised electroporation mediated DNA vaccination for treatment of prostate cancer
Authors: Ahmad Sarfraz , Casey Garrett , Sweeney Paul , Tangney Mark , O'Sullivan Gerald C
Published: February 2010

Background

Immunological therapies enhance the ability of the immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells via selective killing mechanisms. DNA vaccines have potential to activate the immune system against specific antigens, with accompanying potent immunological adjuvant effects from unmethylated CpG motifs as on prokaryotic DNA. We investigated an electroporation driven plasmid DNA vaccination strategy in animal models for treatment of prostate cancer.

Methods

Plasmid expressing humanPSAgene (phPSA) was deliveredin vivoby intra-muscular electroporation, to induce effective anti-tumour immune responses against prostate antigen expressing tumours. Groups of male C57 BL/6 mice received intra-muscular injections of phPSA plasmid. For phPSA delivery, quadriceps muscle was injected with 50 μg plasmid. After 80 seconds, square-wave pulses were administered in sequence using a custom designed pulse generator and acustom-designed applicator with 2 needles placed through the skin central to the muscle. To determine an optimum treatment regimen, three different vaccination schedules were investigated. In a separate experiment, the immune potential of the phPSA vaccine was further enhanced with co- administration of synthetic CpG rich oligonucleotides. One week after last vaccination, the mice were challenged subcutaneously with TRAMPC1/hPSA (prostate cancer cell line stably expressing humanPSA) and tumour growth was monitored. Serum from animals was examined by ELISA for anti-hPSA antibodies and for IFNγ. Histological assessment of the tumours was also carried out.In vivoandin vitrocytotoxicity assays were performed with splenocytes from treated mice.

Results

The phPSA vaccine therapy significantly delayed the appearance of tumours and resulted in prolonged survival of the animals. Four-dose vaccination regimen provided optimal immunological effects. Co - administration of the synthetic CpG with phPSA increased anti-tumour responses, preventing tumour occurrence in 54% of treated animals. Vaccination with phPSA resulted in anti-hPSA Abs production and a significant production of IFNγ was observed in immunised animals (p < 0.05). Immune responses were tumour specific and were transferable in adoptive T cell transfer experiments.

Conclusions

This phPSA plasmid electroporation vaccination strategy can effectively activate tumour specific immune responses. Optimisation of the approach indicated that a four-dose regimen provided highest tumour protection.In vivoelectroporation mediated vaccination is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of prostate cancer and has a potential to be used as a neo-adjuvant or adjuvant therapy.
Perception of urge-to-cough and dyspnea in healthy smokers with decreased cough reflex sensitivity
Authors: Kanezaki Masashi , Ebihara Satoru , Nikkuni Etsuhiro , Gui Peijun , Suda Chihiro , Ebihara Takae , Yamasaki Miyako , Kohzuki Masahiro
Published: February 2010

Background

Although cigarette smoking has been implicated as an important risk factor for the development of respiratory symptoms, the perceptional aspects of two symptoms in smokers have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we simultaneously evaluated the cough reflex sensitivity, the cognition of urge-to-cough and perception of dyspnea in both healthy smokers and non-smokers.

Methods

Fourteen male healthy never-smokers and 14 age-matched male healthy current-smokers were recruited via public postings. The cough reflex sensitivity and the urge-to-cough were evaluated by the inhalation of citric acid. The perception of dyspnea was evaluated by Borg scores during applications of external inspiratory resistive loads.

Results

The cough reflex threshold to citric acid, as expressed by the lowest concentration of citric acid that elicited two or more coughs (C2) and the lowest concentration of citric acid that elicited five or more coughs (C5) in smokers was significantly higher than in non-smokers. The urge-to-cough log-log slope in smokers was significantly milder than that of non-smokers. There were no significant differences in the urge-to-cough threshold between non-smokers and smokers. There were no significant differences in perceptions of dyspnea between non-smokers and smokers.

Conclusions

The study showed that decreased cough reflex sensitivity in healthy smokers was accompanied by a decreased cognition of urge-to-cough whereas it was not accompanied by the alternation of perception of dyspnea. Physicians should pay attention to the perceptual alterations of cough in smokers.
CyberKnife radiosurgery for inoperable stage IA non-small cell lung cancer: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography serial tumor response assessment
Authors: Vahdat Saloomeh , Oermann Eric K , Collins Sean P , Yu Xia , Abedalthagafi Malak , DeBrito Pedro , Suy Simeng , Yousefi Shadi , Gutierrez Constanza J , Chang Thomas , Banovac Filip , Anderson Eric D , Esposito Giuseppe , Collins Brian T
Published: February 2010

Objective

To report serial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) tumor response following CyberKnife radiosurgery for stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Patients with biopsy-proven inoperable stage IA NSCLC were enrolled into this IRB-approved study. Targeting was based on 3-5 gold fiducial markers implanted in or near tumors. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) were contoured using lung windows; margins were expanded by 5 mm to establish the planning treatment volumes (PTVs). Doses ranged from 42-60 Gy in 3 equal fractions. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed prior to and at 3-6-month, 9-15 months and 18-24 months following treatment. The tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) was recorded for each time point.

Results

Twenty patients with an average maximum tumor diameter of 2.2 cm were treated over a 3-year period. A mean dose of 51 Gy was delivered to the PTV in 3 to 11 days (mean, 7 days). The 30-Gy isodose contour extended an average of 2 cm from the GTV. At a median follow-up of 43 months, the 2-year Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimate was 90% and the local control estimate was 95%. Mean tumor SUVmax before treatment was 6.2 (range, 2.0 to 10.7). During early follow-up the mean tumor SUVmax remained at 2.3 (range, 1.0 to 5.7), despite transient elevations in individual tumor SUVmax levels attributed to peritumoral radiation-induced pneumonitis visible on CT imaging. At 18-24 months the mean tumor SUVmax for controlled tumors was 2.0, with

a narrow range of values (range, 1.5 to 2.8). A single local failure was confirmed at 24 months in a patient with an elevated tumor SUVmax of 8.4.

Conclusion

Local control and survival following CyberKnife radiosurgery for stage IA NSCLC is exceptional. Early transient increases in tumor SUVmax are likely related to radiation-induced pneumonitis. Tumor SUVmaxvalues return to background levels at 18-24 months, enhancing 18F-FDG PET/CT detection of local failure. The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for surveillance following lung SBRT deserves further study.
A scalable, fully automated process for construction of sequence-ready barcoded libraries for 454
Authors: Lennon Niall J , Lintner Robert E , Anderson Scott , Alvarez Pablo , Barry Andrew , Brockman William , Daza Riza , Erlich Rachel L , Giannoukos Georgia , Green Lisa , Hollinger Andrew , Hoover Cindi A , Jaffe David B , Juhn Frank , McCarthy Danielle , Perrin Danielle , Ponchner Karen , Powers Taryn L , Rizzolo Kamran , Robbins Dana , Ryan Elizabeth , Russ Carsten , Sparrow Todd , Stalker John , Steelman Scott , Weiand Michael , Zimmer Andrew , Henn Matthew R , Nusbaum Chad , Nicol Robert
Published: February 2010

We present an automated, high throughput library construction process for 454 technology. Sample handling errors and cross-contamination are minimized via end-to-end barcoding of plasticware, along with molecular DNA barcoding of constructs. Automation-friendly magnetic bead-based size selection and cleanup steps have been devised, eliminating major bottlenecks and significant sources of error. Using this methodology, one technician can create 96 sequence-ready 454 libraries in 2 days, a dramatic improvement over the standard method.
Investigation of flow and flow noise around a seismic streamer cable
Authors: Elboth Thomas , Lilja Didrik , Reif Bjorn Anders , Andreassen Øyvind
Published: February 2010

In marine seismic explorations, flow noise from the turbulent boundary layer that forms around a streamer cable due to its relative motion through water significantly affects the quality of collected data. Understanding this noise generation mechanism is valuable for the development of future seismic streamer cables. We qualitatively characterize the area of turbulent flow surrounding a seismic streamer cable, and relate this characteristic to the statistics of the measured noise signal. The main finding is that the boundary layer thickness around a seismic streamer appears to be about [Formula: see text] in an ocean environment. This is significantly larger than the thickness of [Formula: see text] that has been reported in the literature from laboratory experiments. We attribute this discrepancy to the unsteadiness of the ocean environment. Estimations of the spatial extent of the recorded boundary layer noise indicate that the “optimal” hydrophone separation needs to be about [Formula: see text] for the noise to be uncorrelated. The signal-to-noise ratio on streamer cables would therefore be improved if hydrophones were placed more densely than the current industry practice of about [Formula: see text].
Role of Estradiol in the Dynamic Control of Tanycyte Plasticity Mediated by Vascular Endothelial Cells in the Median Eminence
Authors: de Seranno Sandrine , d'Anglemont de Tassigny Xavier , Estrella Cecilia , Loyens Anne , Kasparov Sergey , Leroy Danièle , Ojeda Sergio R. , Beauvillain Jean-Claude , Prevot Vincent
Published: February 2010

In the ever-changing physiological context of the neuroendocrine brain, the mechanisms by which cellular events involving neurons, astroglia, and vascular cells are coordinated to bring forth the appropriate neuronal signaling is not yet known but is amenable to examination. In the median eminence of the hypothalamus, endothelial cells are key players in the plasticity of tanycytes (specialized astroglia) and neuroendocrine synapse efficacy. Here we report that estradiol acts on both purified endothelial cells and isolated tanycytes to trigger endothelial-to-glial communication that leads to a sudden and massive retraction of tanycyte processes. The blockade of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by in vitro adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of a dominant-negative form of endothelial nitric oxide synthase abrogates the estradiol-induced tanycyte plasticity mediated by endothelial cells. In parallel, increases in prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) due to changes in cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 expression induced by the exposure of tanycytes to estradiol promote acute tanycyte plasticity. We also demonstrate by electron microscopy that the administration of PGE2 to median eminence explants induces rapid neuroglial plasticity at the neurovascular junction of neurons that release GnRH (the neuropeptide controlling reproduction). Conversely, preventing local PGE2 synthesis in the median eminence of adult female rats with the COX inhibitor indomethacin impairs the ovarian cycle, a process that requires a pulsatile, coordinated delivery of GnRH into the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system. Taken together, our findings show that estradiol controls the dialog between endothelial cells and astroglia to regulate neuroglial plasticity in the neuroendocrine brain.
The Levels of the Endocannabinoid Receptor CB2 and Its Ligand 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Are Elevated in Endometrial Carcinoma
Authors: Guida Maurizio , Ligresti Alessia , De Filippis Daniele , D'Amico Alessandra , Petrosino Stefania , Cipriano Mariateresa , Bifulco Giuseppe , Simonetti Sara , Orlando Pierangelo , Insabato Luigi , Nappi Carmine , Di Spiezio Sardo Attilio , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Iuvone Teresa
Published: February 2010

The endocannabinoid system plays protective roles against the growth and the spreading of several types of carcinomas. Because estrogens regulate this system both in physiological states and cancer, in this paper we evaluated its involvement in endometrial carcinoma, a well-known estrogen-dependant tumor. To test whether the endocannabinoid system is expressed in endometrial cancer, tissue samples were collected both from 18 patients undergoing surgical treatment for endometrial adenocarcinoma and 16 healthy age-matched controls, and treated for Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Moreover, tissues were dounce homogenized and submitted to endocannabinoid measurement by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. To evaluate the physiological role of the endocannabinoid system, a human endometrial cancer cell-line (AN3CA) was used and transiently transfected with a plasmid containing the cDNA for the endocannabinoid receptor CB2. Cells were incubated for 48 h with an agonist (JWH133) (10 μm) or antagonist (SR144528) (1 μm) of CB2 24 h after transfection, and cell proliferation was measured by the 3-[4,5-dimethyltiazol-2yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide formazan assay. In human endometrial carcinoma biopsies the expression of CB2 receptor and the levels of its ligand, 2-arachidonoylglycerol increased, whereas monoacylglyerol lipase, an enzyme responsible for 2-arachidonoylglycerol degradation, was down-regulated. Immunohystochemical analysis revealed that CB2 was overexpressed only in malignant endometrial cells. CB2-overexpressing AN3CA cells showed a significant reduction in cell vitality compared with parental AN3CA cells: incubation with the selective CB2 antagonist SR144128 restored the viability of CB2-overexpressing cells to that of untransfected cells. In conclusion, the endocannabinoid system seems to play an important role in human endometrial carcinoma, and modulation of CB2 activity/expression may account for a tumor-suppressive effect.
Prenatal Dexamethasone Programs Expression of Genes in Liver and Adipose Tissue and Increased Hepatic Lipid Accumulation But Not Obesity on a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Drake Amanda J. , Raubenheimer Peter J. , Kerrigan David , McInnes Kerry J. , Seckl Jonathan R. , Walker Brian R.
Published: February 2010

The association between low birth weight and cardiovascular disease is amplified by the development of obesity. We explored the effects of postnatal high-fat (HF) feeding in dexamethasone (Dex)-programmed rats, in which prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure is associated with reduced birth weight and adult glucose intolerance. Male Wistar rats exposed to Dex or vehicle (Veh) during the last week of gestation were weaned onto HF or control diets for 6 months. Dex-exposed animals were of lower birth weight and showed catch-up growth by 7 wk. There were no differences in obesity or hyperinsulinaemia between Dex-HF and Veh-HF animals. However, Dex-HF animals had increased hepatic triglyceride content compared with Veh-HF animals. mRNA transcript profiles in adipose tissue revealed depot-specific changes in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid esterification and triglyceride synthesis and storage with prenatal Dex exposure. Thus, antenatal glucocorticoid overexposure in rats does not confer increased sensitivity to HF diet-induced obesity, but increases susceptibility to fatty liver. This may be due to depot-specific-programmed alterations in fat metabolism in adipose tissue.
15-Deoxy-Δ12-14-Prostaglandin-J2 Induces Hypertrophy and Loss of Contractility in Human Testicular Peritubular Cells: Implications for Human Male Fertility
Authors: Schell C. , Albrecht M. , Spillner S. , Mayer C. , Kunz L. , Köhn F. M. , Schwarzer U. , Mayerhofer A.
Published: February 2010

The wall of the seminiferous tubules contains contractile smooth-muscle-like peritubular cells, thought to be important for sperm transport. Impaired spermatogenesis in men typically involves remodeling of this wall, and we now found that smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers, namely myosin heavy chain (MYH11) and smooth muscle actin (SMA) are often lost or diminished in peritubular cells of testes of men with impaired spermatogenesis. This suggests reduced contractility of the peritubular wall, which may contribute to sub- or infertility. In these cases, testicular expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) implies formation of prostaglandins (PGs). When screening different PGs for their ability to target human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), only a PG metabolite, 15-deoxy-Δ12-14-prostaglandin-J2 (15dPGJ2), was effective. In primary cultures of HTPCs, 15dPGJ2 increased cell size in a reversible manner. Importantly, 15dPGJ2 treatment resulted in a loss of typical differentiation markers for SMCs, namely MYH11, calponin, and SMA, whereas fibroblast markers were unchanged. Collagen gel contraction assays revealed that this loss correlates with a reduced ability to contract. Experiments with an antagonist (bisphenol A diglycidyl ether) and agonist (troglitazone) for a cognate 15dPGJ2 receptor (i.e. peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ) indicated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ is not directly involved. Rather, the mode of action of 15dPGJ2 involves reactive oxygen species. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine not only blocked ROS formation but also prevented the increase in cell size and the loss of contractility in HTPCs challenged with 15dPGJ2. We conclude that 15dPGJ2, via reactive oxygen species, influences SMC phenotype and contractility of human peritubular cells and possibly is involved in the development of human male sub-/infertility.
Tetraiodothyroacetic Acid (Tetrac) and Nanoparticulate Tetrac Arrest Growth of Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid
Authors: Yalcin M. , Dyskin E. , Lansing L. , Bharali D. J. , Mousa S. S. , Bridoux A. , Hercbergs A. H. , Lin H. Y. , Davis F. B. , Glinsky G. V. , Glinskii A. , Ma J. , Davis P. J. , Mousa S. A.
Published: February 2010

Context: Tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac) blocks angiogenic and tumor cell proliferation actions of thyroid hormone initiated at the cell surface hormone receptor on integrin αvβ3. Tetrac also inhibits angiogenesis initiated by vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.

Objective: We tested antiangiogenic and antiproliferative efficacy of tetrac and tetrac nanoparticles (tetrac NP) against human medullary thyroid carcinoma (h-MTC) implants in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and h-MTC xenografts in the nude mouse.

Design: h-MTC cells were implanted in the CAM model (n = 8 per group); effects of tetrac and tetrac NP at 1 μg/CAM were determined on tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth after 8 d. h-MTC cells were also implanted sc in nude mice (n = 6 animals per group), and actions on established tumor growth of unmodified tetrac and tetrac NP ip were determined.

Results: In the CAM, tetrac and tetrac NP inhibited tumor growth and tumor-associated angiogenesis. In the nude mouse xenograft model, established 450–500 mm3 h-MTC tumors were reduced in size over 21 d by both tetrac formulations to less than the initial cell mass (100 mm3). Tumor tissue hemoglobin content of xenografts decreased by 66% over the course of administration of each drug. RNA microarray and quantitative real-time PCR of tumor cell mRNAs revealed that both tetrac formulations significantly induced antiangiogenic thrombospondin 1 and apoptosis activator gene expression.

Conclusions: Acting via a cell surface receptor, tetrac and tetrac NP inhibit growth of h-MTC cells and associated angiogenesis in CAM and mouse xenograft models.
Identification of a Second Kindred with Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Type 3 (FHH3) Narrows Localization to a <3.5 Megabase Pair Region on Chromosome 19q13.3
Authors: Nesbit M. Andrew , Hannan Fadil M. , Graham Una , Whyte Michael P. , Morrison Patrick J. , Hunter Steven J. , Thakker Rajesh V.
Published: February 2010

Context: Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a genetically heterogenous disorder that consists of three defined types, FHH1, FHH2, and FHH3 whose chromosomal locations are 3q21.1, 19p, and 19q13, respectively. FHH1, caused by mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR), occurs in more than 65% of patients, whereas the abnormalities underlying FHH2 and FHH3, which have each been described in single North American kindreds, are unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the basis of FHH in a proband, who did not have CASR mutations, and her kindred.

Patients and Methods: The proband was a 43-yr-old woman who presented with a corrected serum calcium of 2.74 mmol/liter (normal = 2.15–2.55 mmol/liter), a serum PTH of 47 pg/ml (normal = 10–65 pg/ml), and a urinary calcium clearance:creatinine clearance of 0.006. She did not have a CASR mutation within the coding region and splice sites, and 24 members from three generations of her kindred were ascertained and investigated for serum abnormalities and cosegregation with polymorphic loci from chromosomes 3q21.1 and 19q13 using leukocyte DNA.

Results: Sixteen members were hypercalcemic with normal or elevated serum PTH concentrations and mild hypophosphatemia, features consistent with FHH3. Use of microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphic loci from chromosome 19q13.3 demonstrated cosegregation with FHH in the kindred, with a peak LOD score = 5.98 at 0% recombination with D19S412. Analysis of recombinants mapped FHH to a 3.46-Mbp interval flanked centromerically by single nucleotide polymorphism rs1990932 and telomerically by D19S604.

Conclusions: FHH3 may explain the calcium homeostasis disorder in those FHH patients who do not have CASR mutations.
Design of a tortuous path trim for a high-pressure turbine bypass valve
Authors: Kwon W C , Kim G R , Park S C , Yoon J Y
Published: February 2010

This article describes the design and performance testing of a turbine bypass valve trim. For effective control of velocity and pressure, a trim designed to have a tortuous path was designed. Computational fluid dynamics and FEM analyses were used in the design process. The valve, which was installed the designed trim, was tested. To evaluate its performance in the field, the valve was installed at a 900 MW combined power plant system for three months. The results showed that the pressure letdown was successfully controlled by the designed trim, and the noise level was reduced by about 8.1 per cent compared with the previous trim-type valve.
Observer-based H∞ control for networked non-linear systems with random communication delays
Authors: Li J-G , Yuan J-Q
Published: February 2010

This paper investigates the observer-based
Highly Efficient Green Phosphorescent OLED Based on Pyridine-containing Starburst Electron-transporting Materials
Authors: Li Yan-Jun , Sasabe Hisahiro , Su Shi-Jian , Tanaka Daisaku , Takeda Takashi , Pu Yong-Jin , Kido Junji
Published: February 2010

Starburst materials, 1,3,5-tris[3,5-bis(pyrid-4-yl)phenyl]benzene (1a) and 1,3,5-tris[3,5-bis(pyrid-3-yl)phenyl]benzene (1b) were designed and synthesized. By using fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(III) [Ir(ppy)3] as a green emitter and 1 as an electron-transporting material, a green OLED was fabricated. The OLED exhibited a maximum power efficiency (PE) of 96 lm W−1 with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 23% at 2.1 cd m−2, and a PE of 75 lm W−1 with an EQE of 23% at 100 cd m−2.
Derivation of Initial Rate Equations for Low-temperature Water Gas Shift Reaction over Pt–Re/ZrO2 Catalysts
Authors: Iida Hajime , Yamamoto Takumi , Inagaki Masaru , Igarashi Akira
Published: February 2010

The effect of the partial pressure of CO and H2O on the initial reaction rate of LT-WGS over a Pt–Re/ZrO2 catalyst with superior catalytic activity was evaluated. As a result, the reaction order was approximately zero with respect to CO and ca. 0.6 with respect to H2O, which indicates that CO is strongly adsorbed onto the catalyst surface in contrast to H2O. The theoretical rate equation was derived from the Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) mechanism and was in good agreement with the experimental data.