bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome‐wide Analysis Of Vernalization Reveals Conserved and Species‐specific Mechanisms in Brachypodium
Authors: Huan Qing , Mao Zhiwei , Zhang Jingyu , Xu Yunyuan , Chong Kang
Published: April 2013

Several temperate cereals need vernalization to promote flowering. Little, however, is known about the vernalization‐memory‐related genes, and almost no comparative analysis has been performed. Here, RNA‐Seq was used for transcriptome analysis in non‐vernalized, vernalized and post‐vernalized Brachypodium distachyon (L.) Beauv. seedlings. In total, the expression of 1,665 genes showed significant changes (fold change ≥4) in response to vernalization. Among them, 674 putative vernalization‐memory‐related genes with a constant response to vernalization were significantly enriched in transcriptional regulation and monooxygenase‐mediated biological processes. Comparative analysis of vernalization‐memory‐related genes with barley demonstrated that the oxidative‐stress response was the most conserved pathway between these two plant species. Moreover, Brachypodium preferred to regulate transcription and protein phosphorylation processes, while vernalization‐memory‐related genes, whose products are cytoplasmic membrane‐bound‐vesicle‐located proteins, were preferred to be regulated in barley. Correlation analysis of the vernalization‐related genes with barley revealed that the vernalization mechanism was conserved between these two plant species. In summary, vernalization, including its memory mechanism, is conserved between Brachypodium and barley, although several species‐specific features also exist. The data reported here will provide primary resources for subsequent functional research in vernalization.
Measuring patient participation in surgical treatment decision‐making from healthcare professionals' perspective
Authors: Heggland Liv‐Helen , Mikkelsen Aslaug , Øgaard Torvald , Hausken Kjell
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectives

To develop, empirical test, and validate an instrument measuring patient participation in surgical treatment decision‐making from healthcare professionals' perspective.

Background

Since the advent ofNewPublicManagement in manyWestern countries, patient participation in healthcare decision‐making has been considered to be a best practice. A common notion is that well‐educated and well‐informed public want to choose their own treatments and providers and want to ask questions about the quality of their health services.

Design

Survey.

Methods

A self‐report‐measuring instrument was designed and administered to 620 healthcare professionals. Items were developed, validated and tested by 451 nurses and physicians working in six surgical wards in aUniversityHospital inNorway.

Results

A 16‐item scale with the following four dimensions was developed: information dissemination, formulation of options, integration of information and control. Factor analysis procedures and reliability testing were performed. A one‐way, between‐groups analysis of variance was conducted to compare doctors' and nurses' opinions on four dimensions of patient participation in surgical treatment decision‐making.

Conclusions

This article shows that patient participation in surgical treatment decision‐making can be measured by a 16‐item scale and four distinct dimensions. The analysis demonstrated a reasonable level of construct validity and reliability. Nurses and physicians have a positive attitude towards patient participation overall, but the two groups differ in the extent to which they accept the idea of patient participation in treatment decision‐making.

Relevance to clinical practice

The instrument can be a tool for managers and healthcare professionals in the implementation of patient participation in clinical practice. Data from the instrument can be useful to identify health services being provided and what areas that could strengthen patient participation.
Evaluation of an education and follow‐up programme for implantable cardioverter defibrillator‐implanted patients
Authors: Cinar Fatma I , Tosun Nuran , Kose Sedat
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine the experiences, problems and the need for care and education of implantable cardioverter defibrillator‐implanted patients and to assess the effects of an education and nurse follow‐up programme on their quality of life, anxiety, depression and knowledge level.

Background

Although implantable cardioverter defibrillator has become a well‐established therapy for people experiencing potentially lethal dysrhythmias, implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients may have physical and psychosocial problems due to the implantation. Applying a planning education and follow‐up programme to implantable cardioverter defibrillator‐implanted patients may prevent the need for more intensive treatment during the postimplantation period.

Design

A mixed methods design that used both qualitative and quantitative data collections and analysis was used for this study.

Methods

The study was performed in the cardiology department in Turkey between 2009–2010. The data were collected using the ‘Semi‐Structured Interview Form’, ‘Form for Assessment of Patients’ Knowledge Level about implantable cardioverter defibrillator’, ‘Spielberger's State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory’, ‘Beck Depression Inventory II’ and ‘The Short‐Form 36 Health Survey’. All forms were completed at the beginning of the study and at six months. The study included 27 patients in the experimental group and 27 patients in the control group.

Results

The results showed that the patients were living with various physical and psychosocial problems and insufficient knowledge regarding the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Education and follow‐up programme increased knowledge levels, decreased anxiety and depression scores and improved several subscales of quality of life in the experimental group patients.

Conclusion

It was recommended that education and follow‐up programme be used for patients scheduled to undergo implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, starting before implantation and continuing thereafter, to help patients adapt to a life with implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Relevance to clinical practice

Planned education and follow‐up programme conducted by nurses may improve the knowledge levels and quality of life, anxiety and depression scores of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator‐implanted patients.
Prevalence, Correlation and Clinical Outcome of Intra‐Procedural Stent Thrombosis in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: XU YINGJIA , QU XINKAI , FANG WEIYI , CHEN HUI
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To assess the occurrence, correlation, and clinical outcome of intraprocedural stent thrombosis (IPST) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs).

Background

Stent thrombosis (ST), a rare complication of PCI, is more common in the setting of ACS. It is not known whether IPST carries the same prognosis as postprocedural ST.

Methods

This retrospective study comprised a review of 1,901 consecutive ACS patients who received primary PCI in our center from January 2006 to January 2011. IPST was defined as new, reappearing or increased thrombus within the deployed stent before the index PCI procedure was completed. All angiograms were independently reviewed frame by frame for the incidence of IPST. Patients with and without IPST were compared with respect to clinical characteristics, angiographic parameters, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 30 days and 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

Overall, there were 23 cases of IPST detected, thus, the prevalence of IPST was 1.2%. There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics between the 2 groups. Patients with compared to those without IPST had significantly more bifurcation lesions involved, and more thrombus burden at baseline. IPST group compared to no IPST group had more MACEs on 30 days (26.1% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.01) and 1‐year follow‐up (30.4% vs. 14.4%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

IPST was a rare complication of PCI in the setting of ACS. It correlated with lesion morphology, presence of thrombus at baseline and was more likely to cause MACEs in 30 days and 1‐year follow‐up. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:215–220)
Taxonomic Characterization and Experimental Host Ranges of Four Newly Recorded Species ofAlternariafromJapan
Authors: Nishikawa Junji , Nakashima Chiharu
Published: April 2013

Alternariafungi are important plant pathogens. Here, we identified three species new to theJapanese mycoflora:Alternaria celosiae,Alternaria crassaandAlternaria petroselini. We proposed a new name forA. celosiae(E.G.Simmons &Holcomb)Lawrence,Park &Pryor, a later homonym ofA. celosiae(Tassi)O.Săvul. To characterize these and a fourth morphological taxon,Alternaria alstroemeriae, which was recently added toJapan's mycoflora, an integrated species concept was tested. We determined the host range of each isolate using inoculation tests and analysed its phylogenetic position using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer rDNA. The pathogenicity of ourA. alstroemeriaeisolate was strictly limited toAlstroemeriasp. (Alstroemeriaceae), but the species was phylogenetically indistinguishable from other small‐sporedAlternaria.Alternaria celosiaeonCelosia argenteavar.plumosa(Amaranthaceae) was also pathogenic toAmaranthus tricolor, toAlternanthera paronychioidesand weakly toGomphrena globosa(all Amaranthaceae) and formed a clade with the formerNimbya celosiae.Alternaria crassaonDatura stramonium(Solanaceae) was also pathogenic toBrugmansia × candidaandCapsicum annuuminSolanaceae, but not to other confamilial plants; phylogenetically it belonged to a clade of large‐spored species with filamentous beaks. Morphological similarity, phylogenetic relationship and experimental host range suggested thatA. crassa,Alternaria capsiciandAlternaria daturicolawere conspecific.Alternaria petroselinionPetroselinum crispum(Apiaceae) was pathogenic to five species in the tribeApieae as well as representatives ofBupleureae,Coriandreae,Seliaeae andScandiceae inApiaceae. Both phylogeny and morphology suggested conspecificity betweenA. petroseliniandAlternaria selini.
Gastrointestinal Hemodynamics in Dogs with Nonfood Induced Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Bruet V. , Brune J. , Pastor A. , Imparato L. , Roussel A. , Bourdeau P. , Desfontis J.C.
Published: April 2013

Background

Canine atopic dermatitis can be a result of exposure to aeroallergens or trophallergens. Hemodynamic alterations occur in dogs with food hypersensitivity.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate if hemodynamic alterations occur in dogs with NFICAD with lowered resistance to diastolic flow at fasting, after feeding, or both.

Animals

Ten healthy dogs and 22 dogs with NFICAD were included from the hospital population.

Methods

Blinded prospective study. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV), pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI) and PSV/EDV ratio were measured at fasting for both arteries (cranial mesenteric artery [CMA], celiac artery [CA]) and at 40 minutes after feeding in CMA and at 60 minutes in CA. The results were analyzed statistically with a mixed model.

Results

There was no difference detected between groups of dogs for any variable except EDV during fasting (P = .01).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

There is no decrease in resistance in NFICAD to diastolic flow. This observation could be explained by the absence intestinal inflammation in NFICAD.
Multicenter randomized prospective clinical evaluation of meloxicam administered via transmucosal oral spray in client‐owned dogs
Authors: Cozzi E. M. , Spensley M. S.
Published: April 2013

The clinical safety and efficacy of a transmucosal oral spray (TMOS) formulation of meloxicam was evaluated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. A total of 280 client‐owned dogs were enrolled at fourteen veterinary clinics: there were 187 dogs in the meloxicamTMOSgroup and 93 in the placebo control group. Dogs received placebo or treatment spray once daily for twenty‐eight days. Improvement in signs of osteoarthritis was measured using client‐specific outcome measures (CSOM) made at days 14 and 28 and veterinary assessments of lameness and pain on palpation made at day 28. A significantly higher number of dogs in the meloxicamTMOSgroup were treatment successes at 28 days (72.6%) compared with the placebo group (46.9%), based onCSOMscores. TotalCSOMscores were significantly lower in the meloxicamTMOS‐treated group compared with the placebo group at both 14 and 28 days. Differences between treatment groups were not observed in veterinary assessments. Gastrointestinal effects of meloxicam were observed in some animals. Meloxicam TMOS was found to be safe and effective in dogs for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Choosing nursing as a career: a narrative analysis of millennial nurses' career choice of virtue
Authors: Price Sheri Lynn , McGillis Hall Linda , Angus Jan E , Peter Elizabeth
Published: April 2013

The growth and sustainability of the nursing profession depends on the ability to recruit and retain the upcoming generation of professionals. Understanding the career choice experiences and professional expectations of Millennial nurses (born 1980 or after) is a critical component of recruitment and retention strategies. This study utilized Polkinghorne's interpretive, narrative approach to understand how Millennial nurses explain, account for and make sense of their choice of nursing as a career. The positioning of nursing as a virtuous choice was both temporally and contextually influenced. The decision to enter the profession was initially emplotted around a traditional understanding of nursing as a virtuous profession: altruistic, noble, caring and compassionate. The centricity of virtues depicts one‐dimensional understanding of the nursing profession that alone could prove dissatisfying to a generation of professionals who have many career choices available to them. The narratives reveal how participants' perceptions and expectations remain influenced by a stereotypical understanding of nursing, an image that remains prevalent in society and which holds implications for the future recruitment, socialization and retention strategies for upcoming and future generations of nurses.
Dehydrated egg white: An allergen source for improving efficacy and safety in the diagnosis and treatment for egg allergy
Authors: Escudero Carmelo , Sánchez‐García Silvia , Rodríguez del Río Pablo , Pastor‐Vargas Carlos , García‐Fernández Cristina , Pérez‐Rangel Inmaculada , Ramírez‐Jiménez Antonio , Ibáñez María Dolores
Published: April 2013

Background

Raw and cooked eggs are used as allergens in oral food challenge (OFC). Raw egg is the best option, as it keeps proteins intact and retains their allergenicity, albeit microbiologically safe manipulation is difficult. Therefore, the use of dehydrated egg white (DEW) could improve the efficacy and safety profile of OFC. The aim of the study was to compare the allergenicity of DEW, a product that undergoes a double heat treatment (pasteurization and drying), with that of raw egg white (REW) and determine the efficacy of DEW in the diagnosis of egg allergy.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 40 egg‐allergic patients who visited our outpatient clinic. Each patient underwent OFC with DEW and REW to determine the correlation between the tests. DEW and REW extracts were analyzed using SDS‐PAGE. We compared the allergenicity of both extracts using IgE immunoblotting with a serum pool from patients with positive OFC results.

Results

Ten patients (25%) had positive OFC results with both DEW and REW, and the doses that triggered an allergic reaction in each patient were similar (p > 0.05). All 30 patients (75%) with a negative OFC result with DEW also had negative OFC results with REW. SDS‐PAGE and IgE immunoblotting revealed that the protein composition and IgE‐binding capacity of both extracts were virtually identical.

Conclusions

This is the first time that it is shown that the allergenicity of commercially available DEW is equivalent to raw egg whites. In vivo and in vitro tests showed that processing of DEW does not affect the allergenicity of egg proteins. DEW is an effective and microbiologically safer source of allergen for the diagnosis of egg allergy. Furthermore, DEW can be used in egg oral immunotherapy.
The combined effects of family size and farm exposure on childhood hay fever and atopy
Authors: Genuneit Jon , Strachan David P. , Büchele Gisela , Weber Juliane , Loss Georg , Sozanska Barbara , Boznanski Andrzej , Horak Elisabeth , Heederik Dick , Braun‐Fahrländer Charlotte , von Mutius Erika ,   the GABRIELA study group
Published: April 2013

Background

Exposure to farming environments and siblings is associated with reduced risks of childhood hay fever and atopy. We explored the independence and interaction of these protective effects in the GABRIELA study.

Methods

Questionnaire surveys on farming, asthma, and allergies were conducted in four central European areas among 79,888 6–12‐yr‐old children. Aeroallergen‐specific serum IgE was measured in a stratified sample of 8,023 children. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare gradients in allergy prevalence by sibship size across three categories of exposure to farming environments.

Results

The prevalence of hay fever ranged from 2% (95% confidence interval 1.6%; 2.7%) among farmers' children with more than two siblings to 12% (11.2%; 13.0%) among children with no farm exposure and no siblings. Farming families were larger on average. More siblings and exposure to farming environments independently conferred protection from hay fever and atopy. There was no substantial effect modification between family size and exposure to farming environments. The odds ratios for hay fever per additional sibling were 0.79 among unexposed non‐farm children, 0.77 among farm‐exposed non‐farm children, and 0.72 among children from farming families (2df interaction test: p = 0.41).

Conclusion

The inverse association of exposure to farming environments with hay fever is found in all sizes of family, with no substantial tendency to saturation or synergism. This suggests that different biological mechanisms may underlie these two protective factors. Combinations of a large family and exposure to farming environments markedly reduce the prevalence of hay fever and indicate the strength of its environmental determinants.
Characterization of the sensitization profile to lupin in peanut‐allergic children and assessment of cross‐reactivity risk
Authors: Ballabio Cinzia , Peñas Elena , Uberti Francesca , Fiocchi Alessandro , Duranti Marcello , Magni Chiara , Restani Patrizia
Published: April 2013

Background

Case reports of allergy to lupin, due to primary sensitization or cross‐reactions with other legumes, are increasing as a consequence of the augmented use of lupin flour in bakery, pasta formulations and other food items. The main allergens that have been associated with the sensitization to lupin are α‐ and β‐conglutins and, to a lesser extent, γ‐ and δ‐conglutin, but no conclusive data are available so far. The aim of this study was to characterize the sensitization pattern to lupin in a group of 12 Italian children allergic to peanut and identify the specific lupin proteins involved in the cross‐reactivity with peanut.

Methods

The immunochemical cross‐reactivity among peanut and lupin was evaluated by both in vitro immunoblotting and in vivo fresh food skin prick test (FFSPT).

Results

The results showed that β‐conglutin was recognized by cutaneous IgEs from 7/12 peanut‐allergic children in FFSPT and serum IgEs from 5/12 in immunoblotting, while 4/12 and 8/12 patients tested positive to γ‐conglutin in FFSPT and immunoblotting, respectively. No significant immunoreactive responses were observed to α‐ and δ‐conglutins under non‐reducing conditions, but they were bound in FFSPT by the sera of 5/12 and 3/12 patients, respectively.

Conclusion

In this group of allergic children, β‐conglutin has been identified as the major lupin allergen involved both in vitro and in vivo cross‐reactivity with peanut proteins. The role of γ‐conglutin in the cross‐reactivity between lupin and peanut proteins was also relevant and clear, despite the observed unspecificity of the immunoblotting responses.
Development of EST‐SSR markers for diversity and breeding studies in opium poppy
Authors: Şelale Hatice , Çelik Ibrahim , Gültekin Visam , Allmer Jens , Doğanlar Sami , Frary Anne
Published: April 2013

All publicly available opium poppy expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences, totalling 20 885, were assembled into unigenes and examined for simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Nearly 19% of the 14 957 unigenes contained SSRs with 4% harbouring more than one SSR. Average density of the SSRs was 1 SSR per 3.6 kb of non‐redundant EST sequence. Trinucleotide SSRs were most frequently identified (39%), and many of the most prevalent motifs were AT‐rich. Flanking primers were designed for 86% of the SSRs and 67 primer pairs were tested on 37 opium poppy accessions and seven related species. All markers were transferable to the related species. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values for the markers were intermediate for comparisons within opium poppy (average of 0.27) and slightly higher for comparisons across species (average of 0.29). The markers were found to be useful for diversity analysis as they successfully distinguished among Turkish opium poppy accessions and land races.
Supply Chain Contract Design: Impact of Bounded Rationality and Individual Heterogeneity
Authors: Wu Diana Yan , Chen Kay‐Yut
Published: April 2013

In this article, we model various forms of non‐optimizing behavior in a newsvendor setting, including biases such as recency, reinforcement, demand chasing, and anchoring, as well as unsystematic decision errors. We assume that a newsvendor may evaluate decisions by examining both past outcomes and future expected payoffs. Our model is motivated by laboratory observations under several types of supply chain contracts. Ordering decisions are found to follow multi‐modal distributions that are dependent on contract structures and incentives. We differ from previous research by using statistics to determine which behavioral factors are applicable to each decision maker. A great deal of heterogeneity was discovered, indicating the importance of calibrating a contract to the individual. Our analysis also shows that the profit performance and the effectiveness of co‐ordinating contracts can be affected by non‐optimizing behaviors significantly. We conclude that, in addition to the aggregate order quantities, the decision distributions should be considered in designing contracts.
A Capacitated Multi‐echelon Inventory Placement Model under Lead Time Constraints
Authors: Hammami Ramzi , Frein Yannick
Published: April 2013

We develop an inventory placement model in the context of general multi‐echelon supply chains where the delivery lead time promised to the customer must be respected. The delivery lead time is calculated based on the available stocks of the different input and output products in the different facilities and takes into account the purchasing lead times, the manufacturing lead times, and the transportation lead times. We assume finite manufacturing capacities and consider the interactions of manufacturing orders between time periods. Each facility manages the stocks of its input and output products. The size of customer orders and their arrival dates and due dates are assumed to be known as in many B2B situations. We perform extensive computational experiments to derive managerial insights. We also derive analytical insights regarding the manufacturing capacities to be installed and the impacts of the frequency of orders on the system cost.
Appointment Scheduling with No‐Shows and Overbooking
Authors: Zacharias Christos , Pinedo Michael
Published: April 2013

We study an overbooking model for scheduling arrivals at a medical facility under no‐show behavior, with patients having different no‐show probabilities and different weights. The scheduler has to assign the patients to time slots in such a way that she minimizes the expected weighted sum of the patients' waiting times and the doctor's idle time and overtime. We first consider the static problem, where the set of patients to be scheduled and their characteristics are known in advance. We partially characterize the optimal schedule and introduce a new sequencing rule that schedules patients according to a single index that is a function of their characteristics. Then we apply our theoretical results and conclusions from numerical experiments to sequential scheduling procedures. We propose a heuristic solution to the sequential scheduling problem, where requests for appointments come in gradually over time and the scheduler has to assign each patient to one of the remaining slots that are available in the schedule for a given day. We find that the no‐show rate and patients' heterogeneity have a significant impact on the optimal schedule and should be taken under consideration.
Stimulating Early Adoption of New Products through Channel Disintegration
Authors: Ramanan Ram N. V. , Bhargava Hemant K.
Published: April 2013

Conventional wisdom holds that adding layers to a distribution channel is detrimental to the interests of consumers and the channel that serves them. In contrast, our study indicates that a disintegrated channel structure can be desirable in some instances. When consumers have valuation uncertainty prior to consuming a product, having an independent retailer may boost both channel profits and consumer surplus relative to direct selling by an integrated firm. The quandary in selling such products is that after early adopters make their purchase decisions, the seller may alter prices in such a way that makes early adopters' decisions appear suboptimal in hindsight. Since the seller cannot credibly commit to future prices, customers are reluctant to adopt early, choosing instead to delay their purchase decisions. This delay is certainly detrimental to the interest of the distribution channel, but the rejection of the early adoption discount can equally reduce consumer surplus. This problem can be mitigated by introducing an independent retailer. The familiar double marginalization “problem” from channel disintegration can credibly assure customers of unfavorable future prices for late adoption. This assurance attracts more customers to seek early adoption, leading to lower overall retail prices, increased supply, and higher consumer and producer surpluses.
The Effect of Product Development Restructuring on Shareholder Value
Authors: Jacobs Brian W. , Singhal Vinod R.
Published: April 2013

This article examines the effect of product development restructuring (PDR) on shareholder value. The results are based on a sample of 165 announcements made during 2002–2011. PDR announcements are associated with an economically and statistically significant positive stock market reaction. Over a two‐day period (the day of the announcement and the day preceding the announcement), the mean (median) market reaction is 1.63% (0.87%). The market reaction is generally positive regardless of the PDR purpose or action. Although the market reaction is more positive for higher R&D intensity firms, it is not directly affected by the firm's prior financial performance or whether the firm's primary PDR objective is to increase revenues or cut costs. However, the interaction between the firm's prior financial performance and its primary PDR objective is significant. For firms that are financial outperformers, the market reaction is more positive if the firm's primary PDR objective is to increase revenues. For financial underperformers, the market reaction is more positive if the firm's primary PDR objective is to cut costs.
Effects of intranasal oxytocin on pupil dilation indicate increased salience of socioaffective stimuli
Authors: Prehn Kristin , Kazzer Philipp , Lischke Alexander , Heinrichs Markus , Herpertz Sabine C. , Domes Gregor
Published: April 2013

To investigate the mechanisms by which oxytocin improves socioaffective processing, we measured behavioral and pupillometric data during a dynamic facial emotion recognition task. In a double‐blind between‐subjects design, 47 men received either 24 IU intranasal oxytocin (OXT) or a placebo (PLC). Participants in the OXT group recognized all facial expressions at lower intensity levels than did participants in the PLC group. Improved performance was accompanied by increased task‐related pupil dilation, indicating an increased recruitment of attentional resources. We also found increased pupil dilation during the processing of female compared with male faces. This gender‐specific stimulus effect diminished in the OXT group, in which pupil size specifically increased for male faces. Results suggest that improved emotion recognition after OXT treatment might be due to an intensified processing of stimuli that usually do not recruit much attention.
Challenges to the global control of tuberculosis
Authors: Chiang Chen‐Yuan , Van Weezenbeek Catharina , Mori Toru , Enarson Donald A.
Published: April 2013

Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) will likely navigate a historical turning point in the 2010s with a new management paradigm emerging. However, global control of TB remains a formidable challenge for the decades to come. The estimated case detection rate of TB globally was 66%, and there were 310 000 estimated multidrug‐resistant TB (MDR‐TB) cases among the 6.2 million TB patients notified in 2011. Although new tools are being introduced for the diagnosis of MDR‐TB, there are operational and cost issues related to their use that require urgent attention, so that the poor and vulnerable can benefit. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that globally, 3.7% of new cases and 20% of previously treated cases have MDR‐TB. However, the scale‐up of programmatic management of drug‐resistant TB is slow, with only 60 000 MDR‐TB cases notified to WHO in 2011. The overall proportion of treatment success of MDR‐TB notified globally in 2009 was 48%, far below the global target of 75% success rate. Although new tools and drugs have the potential to significantly improve both case detection and treatment outcome, adequate health systems and human resources are needed for rapid uptake and proper implementation to have the impact required to eliminate TB. Hence, the global TB community should broaden its scope, seek intersectoral collaboration and advocate for cost reduction of new tools, while ensuring that the basics of TB control are implemented to reduce the TB burden through the current ‘prevention through case management’ paradigm.
Social provision and loneliness among older people suffering from chronic physical illness. A mixed‐methods approach
Authors: Kvaal Kari , Halding Anne‐Grethe , Kvigne Kari
Published: April 2013

Aims

To describe and compare the perceived social provision for a group reporting never feeling lonely with that of a group reporting feeling lonely and to explore the meaning of loneliness.

Subjects

Participants (N = 101) were recruited from geriatric wards. Inclusion criteria were as follows: aged 65 years or more, the absence of dementia, one or more chronic physical disorders and plans to be discharged from the hospital to their home. The mean age was 81.3 years (range: 65–96 years), 68% were women, and 66% lived alone.

Measures

Assessments of social provisions and loneliness were collected by a subjective report using the Social Provision Scale (SPS), and the Montgomery–Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was used to assess depression. The participants were also asked whether they felt lonely and were then asked to describe the meaning of loneliness if they had indicated feeling lonely. Narratives were then condensed by the participants into short sentences.

Results

Seventy‐five per cent of the participants reported feeling lonely, of these 54% were living alone, and 18% identified with depression. Three subscales of SPS scores were significantly lower in the lonely group: attachment (p < 0.001), a sense of reliable alliance (p = 0.001) and the obtaining of guidance (p = 0.01). The overall view of the experience of loneliness was dominated by emptiness and negative emotions. The following themes were identified: Emotions were dominated by sadness, anxiety and restlessness, anger and guilt. Relationships were dominated by being left alone, being confined and feeling useless. Existential dimensions were characterised by emptiness, endless boredom, isolation and the potential for change.

Conclusion

The study shows that loneliness is prevalent among older people suffering from chronic physical illness and confirms the complexity of the concept. A mixed‐methods design contributed to nuanced and detailed information about the meaning of loneliness.
Factors affecting red blood cell storage age at the time of transfusion
Authors: Dzik Walter H. , Beckman Neil , Murphy Michael F. , Delaney Meghan , Flanagan Peter , Fung Mark , Germain Marc , Haspel Richard L. , Lozano Miguel , Sacher Ronald , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew , Wendel Silvano
Published: April 2013

Background

Clinical trials are investigating the potential benefit resulting from a reduced maximum storage interval for red blood cells (RBCs). The key drivers that determine RBC age at the time of issue vary among individual hospitals. Although progressive reduction in the maximum storage period of RBCs would be expected to result in smaller hospital inventories and reduced blood availability, the magnitude of the effect is unknown.

Study Design and Methods

Data on current hospital blood inventories were collected from 11 hospitals and three blood centers in five nations. A general predictive model for the age of RBCs at the time of issue was developed based on considerations of demand for RBCs in the hospital.

Results

Age of RBCs at issue is sensitive to the following factors: ABO group, storage age at the time of receipt by the hospital, the restock interval, inventory reserve, mean demand, and variation in demand.

Conclusions

A simple model, based on hospital demand, may serve as the basis for examining factors affecting the storage age of RBCs in hospital inventories. The model suggests that the age of RBCs at the time of their issue to the patient depends on factors external to the hospital transfusion service. Any substantial change in the expiration date of stored RBCs will need to address the broad variation in demand for RBCs while attempting to balance considerations of availability and blood wastage.
Next‐generation sequencing: proof of concept for antenatal prediction of the fetal Kell blood group phenotype from cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma
Authors: Rieneck Klaus , Bak Mads , Jønson Lars , Clausen Frederik Banch , Krog Grethe Risum , Tommerup Niels , Nielsen Leif Kofoed , Hedegaard Morten , Dziegiel Morten Hanefeld
Published: April 2013

Background

Maternal immunization against KEL1 of the Kell blood group system can have serious adverse consequences for the fetus as well as the newborn baby. Therefore, it is important to determine the phenotype of the fetus to predict whether it is at risk. We present data that show the feasibility of predicting the fetal KEL1 phenotype using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology.

Study Design and Methods

The KEL1/2 single‐nucleotide polymorphism was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified with one adjoining base, and the PCR product was sequenced using a genome analyzer (GAIIx, Illumina); several millions of PCR sequences were analyzed.

Results

The results demonstrated the feasibility of diagnosing the fetal KEL1 or KEL2 blood group from cell‐free DNA purified from maternal plasma.

Conclusion

This method requires only one primer pair, and the large amount of sequence information obtained allows well for statistical analysis of the data. This general approach can be integrated into current laboratory practice and has numerous applications. Besides DNA‐based predictions of blood group phenotypes, platelet phenotypes, or sickle cell anemia, and the determination of zygosity, various conditions of chimerism could also be examined using this approach. To our knowledge, this is the first report focused on antenatal blood group determination using NGS.
Efficacy of HLA‐matched platelet transfusions for patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia: a systematic review
Authors: Pavenski Katerina , Rebulla Paolo , Duquesnoy Rene , Saw Chee Loong , Slichter Sherrill J. , Tanael Susano , Shehata Nadine ,   International Collaboration for Guideline Development, Implementation and Evaluation for Transfusion Therapies (ICTMG) Collaborators
Published: April 2013

Background

HLA‐matched platelets (PLTs) are widely used to transfuse patients but the effectiveness of HLA matching has not been well defined and the cost is approximately five times the cost of preparing the random‐donor PLTs. The objective of this systematic review was to determine whether HLA‐matched PLTs lead to a reduction in mortality; reduction in frequency or severity of hemorrhage; reduction in HLA alloimmunization, refractoriness, or PLT utilization; or improvement in PLT count increment in patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia.

Study Design and Methods

We conducted a literature search of MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Register of Clinical Trials, EMBASE, and PubMed databases to April 2012.

Results

A total of 788 citations were reviewed and 30 reports were included in the analysis. Most studies did not include technologies currently in use for HLA typing or detection of HLA antibodies as 75% were conducted before the year 2000. None of the studies were adequately powered to detect an effect on mortality or hemorrhage. HLA‐matched PLTs did not reduce alloimmunization and refractoriness rates beyond that offered by leukoreduction, and utilization was not consistently improved. HLA‐matched PLTs led to better 1‐hour posttransfusion count increments and percentage of PLT recovery in refractory patients; however, the effect at 24 hours was inconsistent.

Conclusion

The correlation of the PLT increment with other clinical outcomes and the effect of leukoreduction on HLA‐matched PLT transfusion could not be determined. Prospective studies utilizing current technology and examining clinical outcomes are necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of HLA‐matched PLT transfusion.
APPLICATION AND MACHINE ACCURACY OF A NEW FRAMELESS COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY‐GUIDED STEREOTACTIC BRAIN BIOPSY SYSTEM IN DOGS
Authors: Taylor Amanda R. , Cohen Noah D. , Fletcher Stephen , Griffin John F. , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to describe application and machine accuracy for a new computed tomography (CT) guided, frameless, stereotactic brain biopsy system in dogs. Heads from ten canine cadavers were secured to a bite‐plate with six attached fiducial markers and imaged using CT. Fiducialized CT images were imported into stereotactic software and spherical phantom lesions between 3.9 and 5.5 mm in diameter were created in six locations. Infrared cameras and reflective markers were used to register fiducials to the reconstructed image set. Coordinates in the X, Y, and Z planes were identified for each lesion center. Iohexol (1.5 μl of 240 mgI/ml) was injected into the center of each lesion and CT scans were repeated. Pre‐ and postinjection CT images for each cadaver were fused using the system software. Application accuracy was calculated using the center of each phantom lesion and the center of each injected contrast material location. Machine accuracy was calculated using a phantom with known distances between four fixed points in the X, Y, and Z planes. Mean application accuracy in the first 5 cadavers was 4.3 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9–4.3 mm) and in the second 5 cadavers was 2.9 mm (95% CI 2–3.9 mm). The more superficial lesions were targeted significantly less accurately than the deeper lesions (P = 0.0183). Median machine accuracy was 0.1 mm and the range was 0.1–0.2 mm. Findings supported use of the new biopsy system for canine brain lesions >3.9 mm in diameter.
Direct-Write Stretchable Sensors Using Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Matrix
Authors: Vatani Morteza , Lu Yanfeng , Lee Kye-Shin , Kim Ho-Chan , Choi Jae-Won
Published: April 2013

There have been increasing demands and interests in stretchable sensors with the development of flexible or stretchable conductive materials. These sensors can be used for detecting large strain, 3D deformation, and a free-form shape. In this work, a stretchable conductive sensor has been developed using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and monofunctional acrylate monomers (cyclic trimethylolpropane formal acrylate and acrylate ester). The suggested sensors have been fabricated using a screw-driven microdispensing direct-write (DW) technology. To demonstrate the capabilities of the DW system, effects of dispensing parameters such as the feed rate and material flow rate on created line widths were investigated. Finally, a stretchable conductive sensor was fabricated using proper dispensing parameters, and an experiment for stretchability and resistance change was accomplished. The result showed that the sensor had a large strain range up to 90% with a linear resistance change and gauge factor ∼2.7. Based on the results, it is expected that the suggested DW stretchable sensor can be used in many application areas such as wearable electronics, tactile sensors, 3D structural electronics, etc.
Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles at the Liquid–Liquid Using Ultrasonic Wave
Authors: Hong Seong-Ik , Duarte Alma , Gonzalez Gabriel A. , Kim Nam-Soo
Published: April 2013

The high demand of flexible electronics and the miniaturization of electronic components have been increasing very rapidly. Nanotechnology and in particular nanoparticles have become very important for the development of new technologies and applications which depend on the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles with specific properties. Significant attention has been focused on the characteristics of the nanoparticles since their properties, particle size and shape are very different when compared to those of the bulk materials. In order to produce nanoparticles with more efficient structures and electronic properties for nano ink, it is necessary to control the particle size to avoid agglomeration. Currently, the nanoparticle size and its agglomeration is controlled by surfactants, but some studies have shown that adding surfactants have negative effects on the conductivity of the nanoparticles along with the high curing temperatures of nano-ink. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by adding methanol to water instead of surfactants in order to control the silver nanoparticle size. The water and methanol solution was prepared by using different ratios v/v of water/methanol obtaining a liquid–liquid interface and forming a molecular–molecular interface restricting the silver ion movement in the solution. In addition to the liquid–liquid interface, the ion concentration and movement were also restricted through a spraying mist by using ultrasonic waves. The silver ion and the reducing agent were found to have a difference in concentration by the spraying mist method. The movement of the silver ions and the reducing agents were controlled by the difference in concentration. It was observed that the control of the nanoparticles and ion movement was more efficient by spraying silver ion solution than using a reducing agent solution. We confirmed that by increasing the volumetric ratios of methanol the silver nanoparticle size also increased. The mist particle size and the concentration were also calculated at different volumetric ratios of methanol.
Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy Restores Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis in Patients with Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Authors: Matsuoka Ken-ichi , Koreth John , Kim Haesook T. , Bascug Gregory , McDonough Sean , Kawano Yutaka , Murase Kazuyuki , Cutler Corey , Ho Vincent T. , Alyea Edwin P. , Armand Philippe , Blazar Bruce R. , Antin Joseph H. , Soiffer Robert J. , Ritz Jerome
Published: April 2013

Regulatory T cell homeostasis is restored in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease who receive low-dose interleukin-2 therapy.
Cell-Based Therapeutics: The Next Pillar of Medicine
Authors: Fischbach Michael A. , Bluestone Jeffrey A. , Lim Wendell A.
Published: April 2013

Biomedicine sits on the cusp of a new revolution: the use of microbial and human cells as versatile therapeutic engines.
Inertial Focusing for Tumor Antigen–Dependent and –Independent Sorting of Rare Circulating Tumor Cells
Authors: Ozkumur Emre , Shah Ajay M. , Ciciliano Jordan C. , Emmink Benjamin L. , Miyamoto David T. , Brachtel Elena , Yu Min , Chen Pin-i , Morgan Bailey , Trautwein Julie , Kimura Anya , Sengupta Sudarshana , Stott Shannon L. , Karabacak Nezihi Murat , Barber Thomas A. , Walsh John R. , Smith Kyle , Spuhler Philipp S. , Sullivan James P. , Lee Richard J. , Ting David T. , Luo Xi , Shaw Alice T. , Bardia Aditya , Sequist Lecia V. , Louis David N. , Maheswaran Shyamala , Kapur Ravi , Haber Daniel A. , Toner Mehmet
Published: April 2013

A multistage microfluidic chip is capable of sorting rare EpCAM
+
and EpCAM
−
CTCs from cancer patients’ whole blood.
Amyloid Fibrils Composed of Hexameric Peptides Attenuate Neuroinflammation
Authors: Kurnellas Michael P. , Adams Chris M. , Sobel Raymond A. , Steinman Lawrence , Rothbard Jonathan B.
Published: April 2013

Amyloid fibrils may provide anti-inflammatory benefit in MS and other neuroinflammatory disorders.
Author Response to Comment on “Time to Integrate Clinical and Research Informatics”
Authors: Katzan Irene L. , Rudick Richard A.
Published: April 2013

Lack of structured clinical data limits research potential of EHRs, and efforts to establish clinical data standards should be a priority.
Skin Substitutes: Already Done, or Just the Beginning?
Authors: Balcells Mercedes
Published: April 2013

Laser-assisted bioprinting can create a cellularized skin substitute to heal wounds.
The Gut Microbiome and Malnutrition
Authors: Mahfuz Mustafa
Published: April 2013

A new study shows that a dysfunctional gut microbiome may contribute to a form of severe acute malnutrition called kwashiorkor.
Taking the Road Less Traveled: RAS Meets PI3K/PDK1
Authors: Narla Goutham
Published: April 2013

PI3K is a critical and druggable downstream effector of RAS signaling in pancreatic cancer.
Making Sense of Missense Mutations
Authors: Neale Benjamin M.
Published: April 2013

Genetic variation that is deleterious is on average younger than neutral variation.
Human Infections and Detection of Plasmodium knowlesi
Authors: Singh Balbir , Daneshvar Cyrus
Published: April 2013

Plasmodium knowlesi
is a malaria parasite that is found in nature in long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. Naturally acquired human infections were thought to be extremely rare until a large focus of human infections was reported in 2004 in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Human infections have since been described throughout Southeast Asia, and
P. knowlesi
is now recognized as the fifth species of
Plasmodium
causing malaria in humans. The molecular, entomological, and epidemiological data indicate that human infections with
P. knowlesi
are not newly emergent and that knowlesi malaria is primarily a zoonosis. Human infections were undiagnosed until molecular detection methods that could distinguish
P. knowlesi
from the morphologically similar human malaria parasite
P. malariae
became available.
P. knowlesi
infections cause a spectrum of disease and are potentially fatal, but if detected early enough, infections in humans are readily treatable. In this review on knowlesi malaria, we describe the early studies on
P. knowlesi
and focus on the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical aspects, and treatment of knowlesi malaria. We also discuss the gaps in our knowledge and the challenges that lie ahead in studying the epidemiology and pathogenesis of knowlesi malaria and in the prevention and control of this zoonotic infection.