bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wal-Mart, American consumer citizenship, and the 2008 recession
Authors: Collins Jane
Published: October 2011

This article explores dominant ideological framings of the economic crisis that began in 2008, by examining shifting meanings of consumer citizenship in the US. The consumer citizen was a central figure in Keynesian ideology—one that encapsulated important assumptions about the proper relationship between production and consumption and the appropriate arenas for citizen engagement with the economy. Taking Wal-Mart as a case-study example, the article analyzes the way that corporate actors have flattened and reconfigured the concept of consumer citizenship in the US—promoting the “consumer” over the “citizen” and the “worker,” which had previously been important aspects of the concept—and have replaced Keynesian-era conversations about the proper balance between production and consumption with a rhetoric of choice between low prices and high wages.
Land Use Negotiation in Eastern Morocco
Authors: Kreuer David
Published: October 2011

In this article, I analyse a steppe region in contemporary Morocco, outlining the political environment in which land use is currently negotiated. I ask what place different actors such as the state, the tribe, or local individuals occupy in the relevant power structures. Relying on recent fi eldwork, I then discuss land appropriation by tribal households. Confl ict-resolution mechanisms are presented in the third section. My contribution shows that access to land is often related to other types of resources (such as livestock, access to institutions and social prestige), and points out that a detailed, actor-centred analysis is essential to understanding the making of politics in the Moroccan high plateaus.
Negotiating the Future of a Bedouin Polity in Mandatory Syria: Political Dynamics of the Sba‛A-‛Abada during the 1930s
Authors: Büssow Johann
Published: October 2011

This article examines a revolt among the Sba‛a-‛Abada Bedouin, a subgroup of the ‛Anaza tribal confederation, in Mandatory Syria. The case offers a rare glimpse into the political dynamics of a Bedouin group under French Mandatory rule. The analysis shows that the political circumstances enabled lower ranking tribal representatives to enter into direct negotiations with other Bedouin leaders and state agencies. These negotiations demonstrate that tribal categories such as the ¬Anaza confederation provided a fl exible reference system for the steppe population, which was used by tribal and state bodies alike.
Dimension of Red Blood Cell in Heat Stressed Broilers
Authors: Narkkong Nual-Anong , Pamok Supaporn , Aengwanich Worapol
Published: October 2011

The aim of this experiment was to study the dimension of red blood cells in broilers under heat stress. Broilers at 21 days of age were maintained at two environmental temperatures: thermoneutral (26 ± 2°C) and high (38 ± 2°C) for 21 days. The morphometrics of red blood cells (length, width and thickness) were investigated on days 1, 4, 7, 11 and 21 of the experimental period. The results revealed that, on days 7 and 21, the length of the red blood cells in the broilers maintained at high environmental temperature were significantly higher than that of the broilers at thermoneutral environmental temperature (P < 0.05). In addition, on days 11 and 21, the thickness of the red blood cells in the broilers maintained at high environmental temperature was significantly higher than that of the broilers at thermoneutral environmental temperature (P < 0.05). However, high environmental temperature had no effect on the width of the red blood cells in the heat stressed broilers. These data suggest that when broilers were exposed to high heat for more than 7 days, the length and thickness of their red blood cells increased while the width of their red blood cells remained unchanged.
Quantifying Dynamical Complexity of Magnetic Storms and Solar Flares via Nonextensive Tsallis Entropy
Authors: Balasis Georgios , Daglis Ioannis A. , Papadimitriou Constantinos , Anastasiadis Anastasios , Sandberg Ingmar , Eftaxias Konstantinos
Published: October 2011

Over the last couple of decades nonextensive Tsallis entropy has shown remarkable applicability to describe nonequilibrium physical systems with large variability and multifractal structure. Herein, we review recent results from the application of Tsallis statistical mechanics to the detection of dynamical changes related with the occurrence of magnetic storms. We extend our review to describe attempts to approach the dynamics of magnetic storms and solar flares by means of universality through Tsallis statistics. We also include a discussion of possible implications on space weather forecasting efforts arising from the verification of Tsallis entropy in the complex system of the magnetosphere.
Far from Equilibrium Percolation, Stochastic and Shape Resonances in the Physics of Life
Authors: Poccia Nicola , Ansuini Alessio , Bianconi Antonio
Published: October 2011

Key physical concepts, relevant for the cross-fertilization between condensed matter physics and the physics of life seen as a collective phenomenon in a system out-of-equilibrium, are discussed. The onset of life can be driven by: (a) the critical fluctuations at the protonic percolation threshold in membrane transport; (b) the stochastic resonance in biological systems, a mechanism that can exploit external and self-generated noise in order to gain efficiency in signal processing; and (c) the shape resonance (or Fano resonance or Feshbach resonance) in the association and dissociation processes of bio-molecules (a quantum mechanism that could play a key role to establish a macroscopic quantum coherence in the cell).
Antiparasitic Bromotyrosine Derivatives from the Marine Sponge Verongula rigida
Authors: Galeano Elkin , Thomas Olivier P. , Robledo Sara , Munoz Diana , Martinez Alejandro
Published: October 2011

Nine bromotyrosine-derived compounds were isolated from the Caribbean marine sponge Verongula rigida. Two of them, aeroplysinin-1 (1) and dihydroxyaerothionin (2), are known compounds for this species, and the other seven are unknown compounds for this species, namely: 3,5-dibromo-N,N,N-trimethyltyraminium (3), 3,5-dibromo-N,N,N, O-tetramethyltyraminium (4), purealidin R (5), 19-deoxyfistularin 3 (6), purealidin B (7), 11-hydroxyaerothionin (8) and fistularin-3 (9). Structural determination of the isolated compounds was performed using one- and two-dimensional NMR, MS and other spectroscopy data. All isolated compounds were screened for their in vitro activity against three parasitic protozoa: Leishmania panamensis, Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds 7 and 8 showed selective antiparasitic activity at 10 and 5 µM against Leishmania and Plasmodium parasites, respectively. Cytotoxicity of these compounds on a human promonocytic cell line was also assessed.
Microbial Diagnostic Microarrays for the Detection and Typing of Food- and Water-Borne (Bacterial) Pathogens
Authors: Kostić Tanja , Sessitsch Angela
Published: October 2011

Reliable and sensitive pathogen detection in clinical and environmental (including food and water) samples is of greatest importance for public health. Standard microbiological methods have several limitations and improved alternatives are needed. Most important requirements for reliable analysis include: (i) specificity; (ii) sensitivity; (iii) multiplexing potential; (iv) robustness; (v) speed; (vi) automation potential; and (vii) low cost. Microarray technology can, through its very nature, fulfill many of these requirements directly and the remaining challenges have been tackled. In this review, we attempt to compare performance characteristics of the microbial diagnostic microarrays developed for the detection and typing of food and water pathogens, and discuss limitations, points still to be addressed and issues specific for the analysis of food, water and environmental samples.
Synthesis, Metal Ion Complexation and Computational Studies of Thio Oxocrown Ethers
Authors: Çiçek Baki , Yıldız Ahmet
Published: October 2011

The synthesis of some thio-oxocrown ether ligands, B1 (1,4-dithio-12-crown-4), B2 (1,7-dithio-12-crown-4), B3 (1,7-dithio-15-Crown-5), B4 (1,7-dithio-18-crown-6), B5 (1,10-dithio-18-crown-6), B6 (1,10-dithio-21-crown-7), under mild conditions, were reported. The ligands were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and GC-MS spectroscopy. The formation of 1:1 ligand complexes with a variety of metal salts (Ag+, Ca+2, K+, Na+, Mg+2, Zn+2 and Fe+2) were investigated by a conductometric method in a 1:1 dioxane–water system at 25 °C, and the complexation constants (Ke = (ΛMAm -Λ) / ((Λ-ΛMaΛbAm) [L]) and free energy (∆Go= - RT lnKe) values are calculated. Details of the specific molecular interactions between the ligands and metals were proposed. We also performed DFT calculations to explain their geometrical properties, charges and frontier molecular orbitals.
Development of the titanium–TADDOLate-catalyzed asymmetric fluorination of β-ketoesters
Authors: Hintermann Lukas , Perseghini Mauro , Togni Antonio
Published: October 2011

Titanium-based Lewis acids catalyze the α-fluorination of β-ketoesters by electrophilic N–F-fluorinating reagents. Asymmetric catalysis with TADDOLato–titanium(IV) dichloride (TADDOL = α,α,α',α'-tetraaryl-(1,3-dioxolane-4,5-diyl)-dimethanol) Lewis acids produces enantiomerically enriched α-fluorinated β-ketoesters in up to 91% enantiomeric excess, with either F–TEDA (1-chloromethyl-4-fluoro-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane bis(tetrafluoroborate)) in acetonitrile solution or NFSI (N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide) in dichloromethane solution as fluorinating reagents. The effects of various reaction parameters and of the TADDOL ligand structure on the catalytic activity and enantioselectivity were investigated. The absolute configuration of several fluorination products was assigned through correlation. Evidence for ionization of the catalyst complex by chloride dissociation, followed by generation of titanium β-ketoenolates as key reaction intermediates, was obtained. Based on the experimental findings, a general mechanistic sketch and a steric model of induction are proposed.
Stability-Indicating HPTLC Method for Determination of Duloxetine Hydrochloride in Bulk Drug and Tablet Formulation
Authors: Shahnawaz Sheikh , Siddiqui Abdul Wadood , Masroor Mir Tariq , Arora Vandana
Published: October 2011

A simple, accurate, precise, sensitive, selective, and stability-indicating high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method was developed and validated for determination of duloxetine hydrochloride both in bulk drug as well as in tablet formulation. The stationary phase used in our method consisted of HPTLC aluminum plates precoated with silica gel 60F-254, while, chloroform : methanol (8 : 2, v/v) was used as binary mobile phase. These chromatographic conditions eluted the drug effectively, and distinct compact spots were seen, (Rf, retardation factor, value (0.42 ± 0.20). Densitometric determination of duloxetine hydrochloride was carried out in the absorbance mode at a wavelength of 217 nm. The mean value of corelation coefficient; slope and intercept were 0.9962 ± 0.0015, 121.54 ± 0.61, and 987.3 ± 6.17, in the amount range of 600–2000 ng (nanogram) per spot, respectively. Stress testing validation were performed as per the guidelines of International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) and drug was subjected to stress conditions like acid-hydrolysis, alkali-hydrolysis, oxidation, and thermal degradation. As the method effectively separated the active drug from its degradation products, it can be employed as a stability-indicating assay method (SIAM) for identification and quantitative determination of duloxetine HCl in bulk drug and tablet dosage formulation.
Quantitative Computerized Assessment of the Degree of Acetabular Bone Deficiency: Total radial Acetabular Bone Loss (TrABL)
Authors: Gelaude Frederik , Clijmans Tim , Delport Hendrik
Published: October 2011

A novel quantitative, computerized, and, therefore, highly objective method is presented to assess the degree of total radical acetabular bone loss. The method, which is abbreviated to “TrABL”, makes use of advanced 3D CT-based image processing and effective 3D anatomical reconstruction methodology. The output data consist of a ratio and a graph, which can both be used for direct comparison between specimens. A first dataset of twelve highly deficient hemipelves, mainly Paprosky types IIIB, is used as illustration. Although generalization of the findings will require further investigation on a larger population, it can be assumed that the presented method has the potential to facilitate the preoperative use of existing classifications and related decision schemes for treatment selection in complex revision cases.
Eye gaze and speech recognition instead of a computer mouse
Authors: Beelders Tanya R. , Blignaut Petrus J. , Greeff Francois
Published: October 2011

Combining eye gaze and speech recognition as a selection technique was investigated using the ISO9241-9 multidirectional tapping task. Twenty participants were tested on 14 conditions with varying target size, magnification capabilities and presence of a gravity well. Data analysis will determine whether this is a viable alternative to the mouse.
Technical Note: The Normal Quantile Transformation and its application in a flood forecasting system
Authors: Bogner K. , Pappenberger F. , Cloke H. L.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. The Normal Quantile Transform (NQT) has been used in many hydrological and meteorological applications in order to make the Cumulated Density Function (CDF) of the observed, simulated and forecast river discharge, water level or precipitation data Gaussian. It is also the heart of the meta-Gaussian model for assessing the total predictive uncertainty of the Hydrological Uncertainty Processor (HUP) developed by Krzysztofowicz. In the field of geo-statistics this transformation is better known as Normal-Score Transform. In this paper some possible problems caused by small sample sizes for the applicability in flood forecasting systems will be discussed and illustrated by examples. For the practical implementation commands and examples from the freely available and widely used statistical computing language R (R Development Core Team, 2011) will be given (represented in Courier font) and possible solutions are suggested by combining extreme value analysis and non-parametric regression methods.
About uncertainties in practical salinity calculations
Authors: Le Menn M.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. In the current state of the art, salinity is a quantity computed from conductivity ratio measurements, with temperature and pressure known at the time of the measurement, and using the Practical Salinity Scale algorithm of 1978 (PSS-78). This calculation gives practical salinity values S. The uncertainty expected in PSS-78 values is ±0.002, but no details have ever been given on the method used to work out this uncertainty, and the error sources to include in this calculation. Following a guide published by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), using two independent methods, this paper assesses the uncertainties of salinity values obtained from a laboratory salinometer and Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) measurements after laboratory calibration of a conductivity cell. The results show that the part due to the PSS-78 relations fits is sometimes as significant as the instrument's. This is particularly the case with CTD measurements where correlations between variables contribute mainly to decreasing the uncertainty of S, even when expanded uncertainties of conductivity cell calibrations are for the most part in the order of 0.002 mS cm−1. The relations given here, and obtained with the normalized GUM method, allow a real analysis of the uncertainties' sources and they can be used in a more general way, with instruments having different specifications.
Foot pain, impairment, and disability in patients with acute gout flares: A prospective observational study
Authors: Rome Keith , Frecklington Mike , McNair Peter , Gow Peter , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: October 2011

Objective

To evaluate the impact of acute gout on foot pain, impairment, and disability.

Methods

This prospective observational study recruited 20 patients with acute gout flares. Patients were recruited from emergency departments, hospital wards, and rheumatology outpatient clinics throughout Auckland, New Zealand. Patients were recruited at the time of the flare (baseline visit) and then reassessed at a followup visit once the acute flare had resolved 6–8 weeks after the initial assessment. Swollen and tender joint counts, C‐reactive protein levels, and serum urate levels were recorded at both visits. General and foot‐specific outcome measures were also recorded at each visit, including pain visual analog scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire II, Lower Limb Tasks Questionnaire, and Leeds Foot Impact Scale.

Results

The foot was affected by acute gout in 17 patients (85%). Objective measures of joint inflammation, including swollen and tender joint counts and C‐reactive protein levels, significantly improved at the followup visit compared with the baseline visit. At baseline, high levels of foot pain, impairment, and disability were reported. All patient‐reported outcome measures of general and foot‐specific musculoskeletal function improved at the followup visit compared with the baseline visit. However, pain, impairment, and disability scores did not entirely normalize after resolution of the acute gout flare.

Conclusion

Patients with acute gout flares experience severe foot pain, impairment, and disability. These data provide further support for improved management of gout to prevent the consequences of poorly controlled disease.
Exome sequencing: Dual role as a discovery and diagnostic tool
Authors: Ku Chee‐Seng , Cooper David N. , Polychronakos Constantin , Naidoo Nasheen , Wu Mengchu , Soong Richie
Published: October 2011

Recent developments in high‐throughput sequence capture methods and next‐generation sequencing technologies have now made exome sequencing a viable approach to elucidate the genetic basis of Mendelian disorders with hitherto unknown etiology. In addition, exome sequencing is increasingly being employed as a diagnostic tool for specific genetic diseases, particularly in the context of those disorders characterized by significant genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, for example, Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease and congenital disorders of glycosylation. Such disorders are challenging to interrogate with conventional polymerase chain reaction–Sanger sequencing methods, because of the inherent difficulty in prioritizing candidate genes for diagnostic testing. Here, we explore the value of exome sequencing as a diagnostic tool and discuss whether exome sequencing can come to serve a dual role in diagnosis and discovery. We summarize the current status of exome sequencing, the technical challenges facing it, and its adaptation to diagnostics, and make recommendations for the use of exome sequencing as a routine diagnostic tool. Finally, we discuss pertinent ethical concerns, such as the use of exome sequencing data, originally generated in a diagnostic context, in research investigations. Ann Neurol 2012;71:5–14
Etiology of limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1D/1E determined by laser capture microdissection proteomics
Authors: Greenberg Steven A. , Salajegheh Mohammad , Judge Daniel P. , Feldman Matthew W. , Kuncl Ralph W. , Waldon Zachary , Steen Hanno , Wagner Kathryn R.
Published: October 2011

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1D/1E (OMIM nomenclature LGMD1D, Human Gene Nomenclature Committee LGMD1E), a skeletal and cardiac myopathy, has previously been linked to chromosome 6q23. We used laser capture microdissection to isolate cytoplasmic inclusions from skeletal muscle from a patient with LGMD1D/1E, performed mass spectrometry–based proteomics on these minute inclusions, and identified through bioinformatics desmin as their major constituent. Sequencing in this patient and family members identified the genetic basis of the previously reported 6q23 linked LGMD1D/1E to be due to an intron splice donor site mutation (IVS3+3A>G) of the desmin gene located on chromosome 2q35. Ann Neurol 2011
Anterior cruciate ligament changes in the human knee joint in aging and osteoarthritis
Authors: Hasegawa Akihiko , Otsuki Shuhei , Pauli Chantal , Miyaki Shigeru , Patil Shantanu , Steklov Nikolai , Kinoshita Mitsuo , Koziol James , D'Lima Darryl D. , Lotz Martin K.
Published: October 2011

Objective

The development and patterns of spontaneous age‐related changes in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and their relationship to articular cartilage degeneration are not well characterized. This study was undertaken to investigate the types and temporal sequence of age‐related ACL changes and to determine their correlation with cartilage lesion patterns at all stages of osteoarthritis (OA) development in human knee joints without prior joint trauma.

Methods

Human knee joints (n = 120 from 65 donors ages 23–92) were obtained at autopsy, and ACLs and cartilage were graded macroscopically and histologically. Inflammation surrounding the ACL was assessed separately.

Results

Histologic ACL substance scores and ligament sheath inflammation scores increased with age. Collagen fiber disorganization was the earliest and most prevalent change. The severity of mucoid degeneration and chondroid metaplasia in the ACL increased with the development of cartilage lesions. A correlation between ACL degeneration and cartilage degeneration was observed, especially in the medial compartment of the knee joint.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that ACL degeneration is highly prevalent in knees with cartilage defects and may even precede cartilage changes. Hence, ACL deficiencies may not only be important in posttraumatic OA, but may also be a feature associated with knee OA pathogenesis in general.
A phase IIb dose‐ranging study of the oral JAK inhibitor tofacitinib (CP‐690,550) versus placebo in combination with background methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and an inadequate response to methotrexate alone
Authors: Kremer Joel M. , Cohen Stanley , Wilkinson Bethanie E. , Connell Carol A. , French Jonathan L. , Gomez‐Reino Juan , Gruben David , Kanik Keith S. , Krishnaswami Sriram , Pascual‐Ramos Virginia , Wallenstein Gene , Zwillich Samuel H.
Published: October 2011

Objective

To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 6 dosages of oral tofacitinib (CP‐690,550) with placebo for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients receiving a stable background regimen of methotrexate (MTX) who have an inadequate response to MTX monotherapy.

Methods

In this 24‐week, double‐blind, phase IIb study, patients with active RA (n = 507) were randomized to receive placebo or tofacitinib (20 mg/day, 1 mg twice daily, 3 mg twice daily, 5 mg twice daily, 10 mg twice daily, or 15 mg twice daily). All patients continued to receive a stable dosage of MTX. The primary end point was the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) response rate at week 12.

Results

At week 12, ACR20 response rates for patients receiving all tofacitinib dosages ≥3 mg twice daily (52.9% for 3 mg twice daily, 50.7% for 5 mg twice daily, 58.1% for 10 mg twice daily, 56.0% for 15 mg twice daily, and 53.8% for 20 mg/day) were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater than those for placebo (33.3%). Improvements were sustained at week 24 for the ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 responses, scores for the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, the 3‐variable Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C‐reactive protein level (DAS28‐CRP), and a 3‐variable DAS28‐CRP of <2.6. The most common treatment‐emergent adverse events occurring in >10% of patients in any tofacitinib group were diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache; 21 patients (4.1%) experienced serious adverse events. Sporadic increases in transaminase levels, increases in cholesterol and serum creatinine levels, and decreases in neutrophil and hemoglobin levels were observed.

Conclusion

In patients with active RA in whom the response to MTX has been inadequate, the addition of tofacitinib at a dosage ≥3 mg twice daily showed sustained efficacy and a manageable safety profile over 24 weeks.
Treatment of arthritis by macrophage depletion and immunomodulation: Testing an apoptosis‐mediated therapy in a humanized death receptor mouse model
Authors: Li Jun , Hsu Hui‐Chen , Yang PingAr , Wu Qi , Li Hao , Edgington Laura E. , Bogyo Matthew , Kimberly Robert P. , Mountz John D.
Published: October 2011

Objective

To determine the therapeutic efficacy and immunomodulatory effect of an anti‐human death receptor 5 (DR5) antibody, TRA‐8, in eliminating macrophage subsets in a mouse model of type II collagen–induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods

A human/mouse‐chimeric DR5‐transgenic mouse, under the regulation of a mouse 3‐kb promoter and a loxP‐flanked STOP cassette, was generated and crossed with an ubiquitous Cre (Ubc.Cre) mouse and a lysozyme M–Cre (LysM.Cre)–transgenic mouse to achieve inducible or macrophage‐specific expression. Chicken type II collagen was used to induce CIA in mice, which were then treated with an anti‐human DR5 antibody, TRA‐8. Clinical scores, histopathologic severity, macrophage apoptosis and depletion, and T cell subset development were evaluated.

Results

In human/mouse DR5‐transgenic Ubc.Cre mice with CIA, transgenic DR5 was most highly expressed on CD11b+ macrophages, with lower expression on CD4+ T cells. In human/mouse DR5‐transgenic LysM.Cre mice, transgenic DR5 was restrictively expressed on macrophages. Both in vivo near‐infrared imaging of caspase activity and TUNEL staining demonstrated that TRA‐8 rapidly induced apoptosis of macrophages in inflamed synovium. Depletion of pathogenic macrophages by TRA‐8 led to significantly reduced clinical scores for arthritis; decreased macrophage infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, osteoclast formation, joint destruction, cathepsin activity, and inflammatory cytokine expression in joints; reduced numbers of Th17 cells; and an increased number of Treg cells in draining lymph nodes.

Conclusion

The anti‐human DR5 antibody TRA‐8 was efficacious in reducing the severity of arthritis via targeted depletion of macrophages and immunomodulation. Our data provide preclinical evidence that TRA‐8 is a potential novel biologic agent for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
Socioeconomic status and prevalence of congenital heart defects: Does universal access to health care system eliminate the gap?
Authors: Agha Mohammad M. , Glazier Richard H. , Moineddin Rahim , Moore Aideen M. , Guttmann Astrid
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: A twofold increase in the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) has been reported since the early 1970s with higher rates among children from low socioeconomic status (SES). This increase and the observed SES gap are postulated to be reflective of higher ascertainment, especially increased use of ultrasound and echography. The purpose of this study was to examine if trends over time in the prevalence of CHD were the same for high and low SES groups. METHODS: Using the child's health number as a unique identifier and through record linkage, children born in Ontario between 1994 and 2007 were followed for the diagnosis of CHD. Using postal codes and census information, SES quintiles were assigned to each child. We used adjusted rates and used multivariate models to compare trends in the prevalence rate among children born in different SES groups. RESULTS: Children born in low SES areas (23% of all births) had significantly higher rates of CHDs (rate ratio = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.15–1.24). While prevalence of nonsevere CHDs declined in all SES groups since 2000, severe CHDs, especially atrial septal defects were on the rise during the study period. DISCUSSION: It is assumed that increased ascertainment is responsible for observed increase in the prevalence of CHD, especially minor defects. While the trend and pattern over time changed for severe and nonsevere CHDs, the SES gap remained consistent during the study period. Our results indicate that even free and universal access to a health care system does not eliminate the SES gap observed in the prevalence of CHD. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bioelectrochemical stimulation of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in saline soil using U‐tube microbial fuel cells
Authors: Wang Xin , Cai Zhang , Zhou Qixing , Zhang Zhineng , Chen Cuihong
Published: October 2011

Bioremediation is a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly approach to decontaminate soils polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons. However, this technique usually requires a long time due to the slow degradation rate by bacteria. By applying U‐tube microbial fuel cells (MFCs) designed here, the degradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons close to the anode (<1 cm) was enhanced by 120% from 6.9 ± 2.5% to 15.2 ± 0.6% with simultaneous 125 ± 7 C of charge output (0.85 ± 0.05 mW/m2, 1 kΩ) in the tested period (25 days). Hydrocarbon fingerprint analysis showed that the degradation rate of both alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was accelerated. The decrease of initial water content from 33% to 28% and 23% resulted in a decrease on charge output and hydrocarbon degradation rate, which could be attributed to the increase of internal resistance. A salt accumulation was observed in each reactor due to the evaporation of water from the air‐cathode, possibly inhibited the activity of exoelectrogenic bacteria (EB) and resulted in the elimination of the current at the end of the tested period. The number of hydrocarbon degradation bacteria (HDB) in soil close to the anode increased by nearly two orders of magnitude in the MFC assisted system (373 ± 56 × 103 CFU/g‐soil) than that in the disconnected control (8 ± 2 × 103 CFU/g‐soil), providing a solid evidence for in situ biostimulation of HDB growth by colonization of EB in the same system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:426–433. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of an HPLC method to analyze and prepare elsinochrome C and hypocrellin A in the submerged fermentation broth of Shiria sp. SUPER‐H168
Authors: Hu Mingming , Cai Yujie , Liao Xiangru , Hao Zhikui , Liu Jiayang
Published: October 2011

A rapid and sensitive analytical method based on reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography was first developed to simultaneously determine elsinochrome C (EC) and hypocrellin A (HA) in the submerged fermentation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile–water 60:40 (v/v) with a flow‐rate of 1 mL/min. The calibration curves were as follows: y = 37,625x + 249,775 for EC, y = 30,813x + 556,409 for HA and linear at the investigated concentration. The correlation coefficients (R2) were 0.9989 and 0.9998 respectively for EC and HA. The limits of detection and quantification were 175 and 585 µg/L for EC and 205 and 610 µg/L for HA. The precisions of concentration and retention times were less than 2.5 and 0.3%. The recovery of the method was greater than 95.0%. The methodology was applied to analyze simultaneously EC and HA concentrations in a submerged fermentation, and was adequate for analysis of biosynthesis of perylenequinones. The method was also amplified to separate and purify EC and HA using a semi‐preparative C18 column. In addition, elsinochrome C was first identified in the submerged fermentation broth of Shiraia sp. SUPER‐H168. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The cell adhesion molecule L1 regulates the expression of choline acetyltransferase and the development of septal cholinergic neurons
Authors: Cui Xuezhi , Weng Ying‐Qi , Frappé Isabelle , Burgess Alison , Girão da Cruz M. Teresa , Schachner Melitta , Aubert Isabelle
Published: October 2011

Mutations in the L1 gene cause severe brain malformations and mental retardation. We investigated the potential roles of L1 in the regulation of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and in the development of septal cholinergic neurons, which are known to project to the hippocampus and play key roles in cognitive functions. Using stereological approaches, we detected significantly fewer ChAT‐positive cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS/VDB) of 2‐week‐old L1‐deficient mice compared to wild‐type littermates (1644 ± 137 vs. 2051 ± 165, P= 0.038). ChAT protein levels in the septum were 53% lower in 2‐week‐old L1‐deficient mice compared to wild‐type littermates. ChAT activity in the septum was significantly reduced in L1‐deficient mice compared to wild‐type littermates at 1 (34%) and 2 (40%) weeks of age. In vitro, increasing doses of L1‐Fc induced ChAT activity in septal neurons with a significant linear trend (*P= 0.0065). At 4 weeks of age in the septum and at all time points investigated in the caudate‐putamen (CPu), the number of ChAT‐positive neurons and the levels of ChAT activity were not statistically different between L1‐deficient mice and wild‐type littermates. The total number of cells positive for the neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) in the MS/VDB and CPu was not statistically different in L1‐deficient mice compared to wild‐type littermates, and comparable expression of the cell cycle marker Ki67 was observed. Our results indicate that L1 is required for the timely maturation of septal cholinergic neurons and that L1 promotes the expression and activity of ChAT in septal neurons.
Fucosylated haptoglobin is a novel type of cancer biomarker linked to the prognosis after an operation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Takeda Yuri , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Okudo Kumiko , Moriwaki Kenta , Murata Kohei , Miyoshi Eiji
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Fucosylation is a crucial oligosaccharide modification in cancer and inflammation. Total cellular proteins of cancer cells and the sera of patients with cancer both show increased fucosylation levels. Certain kinds of fucosylated proteins can be applied as novel cancer biomarkers in glyco‐proteomic analyses. We previously identified fucosylated haptoglobin (Fuc‐Hpt) as a serologic marker for pancreatic cancer, and recently developed a lectin‐antibody enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay system for quantifying Fuc‐Hpt. In the present study, we investigated the clinical outcome of Fuc‐Hpt levels in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and examined the mechanisms underlying Fut‐Hpt production using a murine tumor transplantation model.

METHODS:

The relationship between Fuc‐Hpt levels and clinical parameters was investigated in 77 patients with CRC, all of whom underwent primary resection. Serum Fuc‐Hpt levels were examined in athymic nude mice injected with colon cancer cell lines that lacked fucosylation.

RESULTS:

Fuc‐Hpt levels were significantly associated with overall and relapse‐free survival, distant metastasis, clinical stage, and curability. Multivariate analysis revealed that distant metastasis was an independent factor for increased Fuc‐Hpt levels. The combination of Fuc‐Hpt and CEA might be a better serologic marker to predict prognosis. Fuc‐Hpt levels were higher in mice with direct injection of tumor cells into the spleen than in those injected subcutaneously.

CONCLUSIONS:

Fuc‐Hpt might be a useful marker for the prognosis of CRC. Fuc‐Hpt could be produced by the tissue surrounding tumor cells, which might be the mechanism underlying Fuc‐Hpt elevation associated with distant metastasis. Cancer 2012;118: 3036–43. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Lack of benefit of central nervous system prophylaxis for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma in the rituximab era
Authors: Kumar Anita , Vanderplas Ann , LaCasce Ann S. , Rodriguez Maria A. , Crosby Allison L. , Lepisto Eva , Czuczman Myron S. , Nademanee Auayporn , Niland Joyce , Gordon Leo I. , Millenson Michael , Zelenetz Andrew D. , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Abel Gregory A.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Little is known about the utility of central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the rituximab era. The objective of this study was to characterize patterns of CNS prophylaxis for patients who received combined rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP) chemotherapy using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma Outcomes Database, a prospective cohort study that collects clinical and outcomes data for patients at 7 participating centers.

METHODS:

Patients who were eligible for this analysis presented with newly diagnosed DLBCL between January 2001 and July 2008, had no evidence of baseline CNS disease, and had received R‐CHOP within 180 days of diagnosis. The authors assessed incidence and covariates of prophylaxis, prophylaxis modality, and, using propensity score analysis, outcomes such as overall survival.

RESULTS:

Of 989 eligible patients, 117 received CNS prophylaxis (11.8%), most intrathecally (71.8%). Involvement of bone marrow, other high‐risk site, >1 extranodal site, higher International Prognostic Index score, and higher stage were associated individually with the receipt of prophylaxis (all P < .0001). At a median follow‐up of 2.5 years, there were 20 CNS recurrences (2% [95% confidence interval, 1.1%‐2.9%]) among all patients, and overall survival was not affected by prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Given the overall low rate of CNS recurrence and lack of prophylaxis‐associated survival benefit, the current data called into question the practice of CNS prophylaxis in the rituximab era. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
High‐throughput genotyping in osteosarcoma identifies multiple mutations in phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase and other oncogenes
Authors: Choy Edwin , Hornicek Francis , MacConaill Laura , Harmon David , Tariq Zeeshan , Garraway Levi , Duan Zhenfeng
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

The identification of new genes that are mutated in osteosarcomas is critical to developing a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this disease and discovering new targets for therapeutic development.

METHODS:

The authors identified somatic nonsynonymous coding mutations in oncogenes associated with human cancers and hotspot mutations from tumor suppressor genes that were either well described in the literature or observed multiple times in human cancer sequencing efforts. Then, 961 mutations in 89 genes were systematically characterized across 98 osteosarcoma tumor samples and cell lines. All identified mutations were replicated on an independent platform using homogeneous mass extend matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry.

RESULTS:

In total, 14 mutations were identified in at least 1 osteosarcoma tumor sample or cell line. Some of the genetic changes identified were in tumor suppressor genes previously identified as altered in osteosarcoma: p53 (arginine→histidine at codon 273 [R273H], R→cysteine at codon 723 [R273C], and tyrosine→C at codon 163 [Y163C]) and retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) (glutamic acid→* at codon 137 [E137*]). Notably, multiple mutations were identified in phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase (PI3K), catalytic, alpha polypeptide (PIK3CA) (H1047R, E→lysine at codon 545 [E545K], and H→proline at codon 701 [H701P]) that were not observed previously in osteosarcoma. In addition, mutations in v‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) (glycine→serine at codon 12 [G12S]); cubilin (CUBN) (isolucine→valine at codon 3189 [I3189V]; observed in 2 separate tumor samples); cadherin 1, type 1, epithelial (CDH1) (alanine→threonine at codon 617 [A617T]; observed in 2 separate tumor samples); catenin (cadherin‐associated protein), beta 1, 88 kDa (CTNNB1) (asparagine→S at codon 287 [N287S]); and fibrous sheath CABYR binding protein (FSCB) (S→leucine at codon 775 [S775L]) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this largest mutational profiling of osteosarcoma to date, the authors identified for the first time several mutations involving the PI3K pathway, adding osteosarcoma to the growing list of malignancies with PI3K mutations. In addition, they initiated a mutational map detailing DNA sequence changes across a variety of osteosarcoma subtypes and offered new candidates for therapeutic targeting. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Performance study on CUDA GPUs for parallelizing the local ensemble transformed Kalman filter algorithm
Authors: Blattner Timothy , Yang Shiming
Published: October 2011

Modern graphics cards provide computational capabilities that exceed current CPUs. As one of the computational intensive problems, numerical weather prediction has the opportunity to benefit from the massive number of threads and large memory throughput in the graphics architecture. In this paper, we present the key steps to integrate the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) programming framework for one key component in numerical weather prediction, the data assimilation algorithm, which incorporates the observational data into the model to produce the best initial condition in the next prediction. The data assimilation algorithm we studied in this paper exhibits good localization and favors parallelism. To maximize the throughput of the graphics card, over a million CUDA threads, global memory coalescing, and fast graphics shared memory are utilized. We also demonstrate the differences in the advancement of GPU architectures from the GTX 200 series to Fermi. The experiments are carried out separately on a GTX 260 (GTX 200 series) and a GTX 460 (Fermi) graphics card. Results show an improvement of 72.1× speedup running on the GTX 260 and 92.7×speedup on the GTX 460. The results provide attractive evidence for applying CUDA GPUs to high demanding scientific computation realms. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distributed data mining patterns and services: an architecture and experiments
Authors: Cesario Eugenio , Talia Domenico
Published: October 2011

Distributed data mining implements techniques for analyzing data on distributed computing systems by exploiting data distribution and parallel algorithms. The grid is a computing infrastructure for implementing distributed high‐performance applications and solving complex problems, offering effective support to the implementation and use of data mining and knowledge discovery systems. The Web Services Resource Framework has become the standard for the implementation of grid services and applications, and it can be exploited for developing high‐level services for distributed data mining applications. This paper describes how distributed data mining patterns, such as collective learning, ensemble learning, and meta‐learning models, can be implemented as Web Services Resource Framework mining services by exploiting the grid infrastructure. The goal of this work was to design a distributed architectural model that can be exploited for different distributed mining patterns deployed as grid services for the analysis of dispersed data sources. In order to validate such an approach, we presented also the implementation of two clustering algorithms on the developed architecture. In particular, the distributed k‐means and distributed expectation maximization were exploited as pilot examples to show the suitability of the implemented service‐oriented framework. An extensive evaluation of its performance was provided. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of neonatal respiratory infection on adult BALB/c hippocampal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors
Authors: Wynne O. , Horvat J.C. , Smith R. , Hansbro P.M. , Clifton V.L. , Hodgson D.M.
Published: October 2011

The current study investigated the effects of neonatal infection with Chlamydia muridarum bacteria on glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MR) receptors in the adult mouse hippocampus. In male adults infected at birth, circulating corticosterone was significantly increased when compared to same sex controls; while neonatal infection resulted in female adults with significantly increased GR mRNA compared to same sex controls. When comparing males and females after neonatal infection, males had significantly less GR protein than females. Interestingly, after control treatment, males had significantly more GR mRNA, MR mRNA, and GR protein with significantly lower corticosterone than females. Neonatal respiratory infection significantly impacts adult hippocampal GR and MR, and circulating corticosterone in a sex‐specific manner potentially altering stress responsivity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals,Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54: 568–575, 2012.
Elevated effector cell sensitivity to Treg‐cell suppression that is not associated with reduced Th17‐cell expression distinguishes HIV+ asymptomatic subjects from progressors
Authors: Thorborn Georgina S. , Pomeroy Laura , Ishohanni Heidi , Peters Barry S. , Vyakarnam Annapurna
Published: October 2011

Suppression mediated by Treg cells is a balance between Treg‐cell suppressive potency versus sensitivity of effector cells to Treg‐cell suppression. We assessed if this balance, along with Treg‐cell number relative to the Treg‐cell counter‐regulatory cytokine IL‐17, differs between asymptomatic HIV+ subjects versus those who progress onto disease. Cross‐over studies comparing Treg‐cell potency, measured by effector cell proliferation or IFN‐γ expression, from HIV‐infected versus control subjects to suppress the proliferation of allogeneic control effector cells demonstrated increased sensitivity of CD4+CD25− effector cells from asymptomatic HIV+ subjects to suppression, rather than an increase in the suppressive potential of their CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. In contrast, HIV+ progressors did not differ from controls in Treg‐cell potency or effector cell sensitivity to Treg‐cell suppression. Both CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg and effector IL‐17 absolute cell numbers were significantly lower in all HIV+ subjects tested and not restored by antiviral therapy. Thus, these novel data suggest that elevated Treg‐cell‐mediated suppression due to increased sensitivity of effectors to Treg cells may be a natural host response in chronic asymptomatic HIV infection, which is lost as disease progresses and that this feature of CD25− effector cells is not inextricably linked to reduced production of the Treg‐cell counter‐regulatory cytokine IL‐17.
F4/80 and the related adhesion‐GPCRs
Authors: Gordon Siamon , Hamann Jörg , Lin Hsi‐Hsien , Stacey Martin
Published: October 2011

The F4/80 monoclonal antibody was first reported in this journal 30 years ago (Eur. J. Immunol. 1981. 11: 805–815). F4/80 has become a widely used marker for monocytes and many, but not all, tissue macrophages in the mouse. F4/80 is a member of the EGF‐TM7 family of leukocyte plasma membrane heptahelical molecules, which includes CD97 and EMR2. This Viewpoint summarises current knowledge of the expression, structure and functions of the EGF‐TM7 family, as part of a larger family of tissue adhesion‐GPCRs.
Regulatory macrophages: Setting the Threshold for Therapy
Authors: Fleming Bryan D. , Mosser David M.
Published: October 2011

Macrophages exhibit remarkable plasticity and can change their phenotype in response to different environmental cues. They can become activated to kill intracellular microbes or they can assume regulatory properties to modulate immune responses. Regulatory macrophages are fundamentally different from classically activated, and we propose from non‐classically activated macrophages; they arise in response to different stimuli and perform different physiological functions. They are likely to express unique biochemical markers that could be exploited to identify and potentially target these macrophage subsets in tissue. Furthermore, inducers of regulatory macrophages may have the potential to be used as anti‐inflammatory therapeutics. Therefore, a better understanding of the various macrophage phenotypes may pave the way for new therapies that are directed at modulating macrophage functions or manipulating individual macrophage subsets.