bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antenatal Steroids and the IUGR Fetus: Are Exposure and Physiological Effects on the Lung and Cardiovascular System the Same as in Normally Grown Fetuses?
Authors: Morrison Janna L. , Botting Kimberley J. , Soo Poh Seng , McGillick Erin V. , Hiscock Jennifer , Zhang Song , McMillen I. Caroline , Orgeig Sandra
Published: November 2012

Glucocorticoids are administered to pregnant women at risk of preterm labour to promote fetal lung surfactant maturation. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with an increased risk of preterm labour. Hence, IUGR babies may be exposed to antenatal glucocorticoids. The ability of the placenta or blood brain barrier to remove glucocorticoids from the fetal compartment or the brain is compromised in the IUGR fetus, which may have implications for lung, brain, and heart development. There is conflicting evidence on the effect of exogenous glucocorticoids on surfactant protein expression in different animal models of IUGR. Furthermore, the IUGR fetus undergoes significant cardiovascular adaptations, including altered blood pressure regulation, which is in conflict with glucocorticoid-induced alterations in blood pressure and flow. Hence, antenatal glucocorticoid therapy in the IUGR fetus may compromise regulation of cardiovascular development. The role of cortisol in cardiomyocyte development is not clear with conflicting evidence in different species and models of IUGR. Further studies are required to study the effects of antenatal glucocorticoids on lung, brain, and heart development in the IUGR fetus. Of specific interest are the aetiology of IUGR and the resultant degree, duration, and severity of hypoxemia.
Spreading out Muscle Mass within a Hill-Type Model: A Computer Simulation Study
Authors: Günther Michael , Röhrle Oliver , Haeufle Daniel F. B. , Schmitt Syn
Published: November 2012

It is state of the art that muscle contraction dynamics is adequately described by a hyperbolic relation between muscle force and contraction velocity (Hill relation), thereby neglecting muscle internal mass inertia (first-order dynamics). Accordingly, the vast majority of modelling approaches also neglect muscle internal inertia. Assuming that such first-order contraction dynamics yet interacts with muscle internal mass distribution, this study investigates two questions: (i) what is the time scale on which the muscle responds to a force step? (ii) How does this response scale with muscle design parameters? Thereto, we simulated accelerated contractions of alternating sequences of Hill-type contractile elements and point masses. We found that in a typical small muscle the force levels off after about 0.2 ms, contraction velocity after about 0.5 ms. In an upscaled version representing bigger mammals' muscles, the force levels off after about 20 ms, and the theoretically expected maximum contraction velocity is not reached. We conclude (i) that it may be indispensable to introduce second-order contributions into muscle models to understand high-frequency muscle responses, particularly in bigger muscles. Additionally, (ii) constructing more elaborate measuring devices seems to be worthwhile to distinguish viscoelastic and inertia properties in rapid contractile responses of muscles.
Preliminary Examination of the System Fly Ash‐Bottom Ash‐Flue Gas Desulphurization Gypsum‐Portland Cement‐Water for Road Construction
Authors: Tokalic R. , Marinkovic S. , Trifunovic P. , Devic G. , Zildzovic S.
Published: November 2012

This paper describes an investigation into the use of three power plant wastes: fly ash, flue gas desulphurization gypsum, and bottom ash for subbase layers in road construction. Two kinds of mixtures of these wastes with Portland cement and water were made: first with fly ash consisting of coarser particles (<1.651 mm) and second with fly ash consisting of smaller particles (<0.42 mm). The mass ratio of fly ash‐Portland cement‐flue gas desulphurization gypsum‐bottom ash was the same (3 : 1 : 1 : 5) in both mixtures. For both mixtures, the compressive strength, the mineralogical composition, and the leaching characteristics were determined at different times, 7 and 28 days, after preparation. The obtained results showed that both mixtures could find a potential use for subbase layers in road construction.
Brentuximab Vedotin
Authors: Deng Changchun , Pan Beiqing , O'Connor Owen A.
Published: November 2012

Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), an intravenously administered CD30-specific antibody–drug conjugate, has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for two indications, including (i) patients with Hodgkin lymphoma relapsing after autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT), or after two multidrug regimens in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who are not candidates for ASCT; and (ii) patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) who failed at least one prior multidrug chemotherapy regimen. Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and ALCL treated with brentuximab vedotin showed markedly high response rates for a single agent, exceeding 70% and 80% for Hodgkin lymphoma and ALCL, respectively. The complete response rate was equally as impressive, at 34% and 57% for Hodgkin lymphoma and ALCL, respectively. Results like these and from many other upcoming clinical trials, in which brentuximab vedotin is being investigated in the frontline setting, promise to profoundly change how we manage the CD30-positive lymphoproliferative malignancies. The mechanism of action, preclinical antitumor activity, and clinical activity of brentuximab vedotin against Hodgkin lymphoma, ALCL, and other CD30-expressing lymphomas are reviewed. Clin Cancer Res; 19(1); 22–27. ©2012 AACR.
Indeterminacy of Translation and Impaired Intersubjectivity in Schizophrenia
Authors: Schönknecht Peter , Mundt Christoph
Published: November 2012

Impaired intersubjectivity in schizophrenia has been subject to debate in clinical psychiatry and psychotherapy. In this paper, we will discuss recent perspectives on disordered intersubjectivity among the core symptoms of schizophrenic psychoses. Based on symptoms crucial for communication deficits in schizophrenia, we address indeterminacy of translation as a potential default in the therapeutic setting. The concept of indeterminacy of translation reviewed here assumes that no reference for translation of languages is given, but principles to substitute this non-referring space of unknown terms are to be demonstrated: firstly, a maxim of indulgence which requires that as many true considerations as possible have to be achieved by the final interpretation of a proposition, and secondly, a coherence which is given when the considerations are deductable and not contradictory. Indulgence and coherence are hypothesized as reflecting an approximation process of reconstructing intersubjectivity in conditions where it is severely disturbed such as schizophrenia.
Cognitive and Affective Dimensions of Difficulties in Emotional Functioning in Somatoform Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: van Dijke Annemiek , van der Hart Onno , van Son Maarten , Bühring Martina , van der Heijden Peter , Ford Julian D.
Published: November 2012

Background: To study difficulties in emotional functioning in two mental disorders that have been associated with difficulties in identifying and modulating emotions: borderline personality disorder (BPD) and somatoform disorder (SoD). Sampling and Methods: In 472 psychiatric inpatients, difficulties in emotional functioning were measured using the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire. Results: Profiles of difficulties in emotional functioning were identified, suggesting that patients diagnosed with BPD with or without SoD were more likely to report difficulty identifying emotions and less likely to report reduced ability to fantasize or ‘pensée opératoire' (externally oriented thinking) than patients diagnosed with SoD only and patients with mixed anxiety and affective disorders. SoD patients were more likely to report reduced ability to phantasize or pensée opératoire than difficulty identifying emotions. Patients with mixed anxiety and affective disorders were more likely to report reduced ability to experience emotions than patients diagnosed with BPD and/or SoD. Conclusions: By using a finer-grained perspective on difficulties in emotional functioning some evidence was found for the existence of cognitive-emotional profiles that may provide more clinically relevant information than alexithymia as just a unitary construct. Further research on cognitive-emotional profiles of difficulties in emotional functioning is needed to advance the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Acute Stress Reactions and Associated Factors in the Help-Seekers after the L’Aquila Earthquake
Authors: Casacchia Massimo , Bianchini Valeria , Mazza Monica , Pollice Rocco , Roncone Rita
Published: November 2012

Background: The assessment of acute stress reactions and psychiatric symptomatology shortly after the occurrence of a traumatic catastrophic event, like an earthquake, is essential for implementing relief activities and for the identification of the long-term aftermath. The aim of our study was to assess the psychological distress and the occurrence of acute stress disorder (ASD) among individuals seeking help at the General Hospital Psychiatric Unit at San Salvatore Hospital following the earthquake at L’Aquila. Factors (sociodemographic, coping strategies, event-related and postevent variables) associated with the acute stress reactions were also assessed. Methods: For the first 4 weeks following the earthquake, 122 help-seekers were assessed with a checklist of traumatic-event-related variables. Measurement instruments included the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ) for the detection of ASD according to DSM-IV criteria, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for assessing psychological distress, and the Brief Cope questionnaire for assessing coping strategies. Results: Despite the high level of psychological distress (GHQ-12 ≥20, cut-off value) found in 65.6% of the subjects, only 6 subjects (4.9%) could be considered affected by ‘full’ ASD, whereas 48 subjects (39.3%) could be considered affected by ‘partial’ ASD, which is defined as showing at least one symptom on each DSM-IV criterion as evidenced by scoring higher than 3 on each SASRQ scale. The strongest predictor of traumatic stress reactions among all the predictor variables included in our study was having been trapped/injured under rubble during the earthquake, and among earthquake stressors (explaining 20% of variance in our model), a weaker predictor was the loss of personal privacy because of home displacement. In our model, more variance (39%) was explained when individual psychopathological variables and coping styles were also included as predictors. Showing coping strategies as exhibiting ‘behavioural disengagement’ or ‘requesting emotional support from others’ were found to increase the likelihood of a positive estimate of being an ‘ASD case’, while the adoption of an ‘acceptance’ coping style seemed to reduce the likelihood of the positive estimate of being an ‘ASD case’. Conclusions: This study underlines the importance of identifying ASD subsyndromal cases and taking appropriate intervention/prevention measures that focus on giving psychological support to individuals trapped/injured under rubble, showing a low acceptance of reality. A relevant underestimated source of distress was the dislocation in large accommodation settings (such as large tent camps) in which individuals lack privacy.
Axis II Comorbidity of Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents
Authors: Loas Gwenolé , Pham-Scottez Alexandra , Cailhol Lionel , Perez-Diaz Fernando , Corcos Maurice , Speranza Mario
Published: November 2012

Aims: The objective of the present study was to explore the comorbidity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) with other personality disorders in adolescents and compare these comorbidities in male and female subjects. Methods: The sample was drawn from a European research project investigating the phenomenology of BPD in adolescence (EURNET BPD). A total of 85 BPD patients (11 boys and 74 girls) with a mean age of 16.3 years were included in the study. Results: According to the results of the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Disorders of Personality, obsessive-compulsive (35.3%), antisocial (22.4%), avoidant (21.2%), dependent (11.8%) and paranoid (9.4%) personality disorders had significant co-occurrences with BPD. Although none of the gender differences was statistically significant, we observed a trend towards higher rates of antisocial personality disorders in men (45.5%) than in women (19%). Conclusion: The study results confirmed the frequency of Axis II comorbidity in adolescents with BPD and, for the first time, evidenced a differential pattern of comorbidity in males and females. This differential pattern must be taken into account when developing treatment strategies for adolescents with BPD.
Changes in Circulating Pro-Angiogenic Cytokines, other than VEGF, before Progression to Sunitinib Therapy in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Porta Camillo , Paglino Chiara , Imarisio Ilaria , Ganini Carlo , Sacchi Lucia , Quaglini Silvana , Giunta Vania , De Amici Mara
Published: November 2012

Objectives: This study included a cohort of advanced renal cell carcinoma patients treated with sunitinib. Since resistance to sunitinib may be mediated through angiogenic cytokines other than VEGF, we measured the circulating levels of three pro-angiogenic cytokines: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin (IL)-6. Methods: Cytokines were measured at baseline and on the first day of each treatment cycle until progression in 85 advanced kidney cancer patients treated with sunitinib using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) technique. Results: Even though no statistically significant differences in the titers of the three cytokines were observed between baseline and the time of progression in the whole patient cohort, in 45.3, 46.6, and 37.3% of the patients a more than 50% increase between baseline and the time of progression was shown in circulating IL-6, bFGF, and HGF, respectively. Furthermore, this increase was more than 100% in 37.3, 44, and 30.6% of the patients, respectively. We also demonstrated that, in these patients, cytokines tended to increase and to remain high immediately before progression. Conclusions: In a large percentage of kidney cancer patients, progression is preceded by a significant increase in pro-angiogenic cytokines other than VEGF.
Negative Symptoms and Executive Function in Schizophrenia: Does Their Relationship Change with Illness Duration?
Authors: Bagney Alexandra , Rodriguez-Jimenez Roberto , Martinez-Gras Isabel , Sanchez-Morla Eva Maria , Santos Jose Luis , Jimenez-Arriero Miguel Angel , Lobo Antonio , McGorry Patrick D. , Palomo Tomas ,   Parg*
Published: November 2012

Background: Negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction are of crucial functional and prognostic importance in schizophrenia. However, the nature of the relationship between them and the factors that may influence it have not been well established. Aims: To investigate whether the relationship between negative symptoms and executive function changes according to the duration of illness in schizophrenia. Methods: The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to assess psychopathology and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to evaluate executive function in a sample of 200 schizophrenic patients who were classified in 3 groups according to their duration of illness: up to 5 years (short duration group), 6-20 years (intermediate duration group) and over 20 years of illness (long duration group). Results: Medium-sized correlations were found between negative symptoms and WCST performance as assessed by the number of completed categories in all 3 groups. However, differences were found according to the duration of schizophrenia. For patients in the short duration group, negative symptoms correlated with WCST nonperseverative errors, but for those in the long duration group the correlation was with perseverative errors. Conclusion: We found a differential relationship between negative and cognitive symptoms in different stages of schizophrenia. Illness duration should be considered when studying the relationship between negative symptoms and cognition.
Impact of 3D Conformal Radiotherapy on Lung Function of Patients with Lung Cancer: A Prospective Study
Authors: Enache Irina , Noel Georges , Jeung Mi Young , Meyer Nicolas , Oswald-Mammosser Monique , Pistea Cristina , Jung Guy-Michel , Mennecier Bertrand , Quoix Elisabeth , Charloux Anne
Published: November 2012

Background: The development of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-RT) has enabled the restriction of the dose to normal lung, limiting radiation-induced lung injury. Objectives: This study was designed to describe the time course of lung function until 7.5 months after 3D-RT in patients with lung cancer, and assess the relationship between lung function changes and dose-volume histogram (DVH) analysis or computed tomography scan changes. Radiation doses were optimized according to recent guidelines. Methods: Sixty-five lung cancer patients treated with 3D-RT agreed to participate in this prospective, hospital-based study. Lung volumes, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were measured before radiotherapy (RT), 10 weeks, 4 and 7.5 months after the beginning of 3D-RT. Results: Eleven lung cancer patients (17%) developed grade 2-3 respiratory symptoms after RT. At 7.5 months, vital capacity (VC) was 96 ± 2%, total lung capacity (TLC) 95 ± 2%, FEV1 93 ± 2% and DLCO 90 ± 2% of the initial value. Only 15% of patients showed pulmonary function reduction >20%. Patients with FEV1 or DLCO <60% before RT did not show significant changes after RT. There were weak correlations between reduction of VC, TLC, FEV1 or DLCO and radiation dosimetric parameters and between reduction of VC or FEV1 and radiation-induced pneumonitis images. Conclusions: In lung cancer, the reduction of lung function within 7.5 months after 3D-RT was small and correlated, albeit weakly, with DVH parameters. Patients with initially impaired lung function showed tiny changes in spirometry and DLCO values.
Identification of Interstitial Cajal-Like Cells in the Human Thoracic Duct
Authors: Briggs Boedtkjer Donna , Rumessen Jüri , Baandrup Ulrik , Skov Mikkelsen Mette , Telinius Niklas , Pilegaard Hans , Aalkjaer Christian , Hjortdal Vibeke
Published: November 2012

Interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs) are speculated to be pacemakers in smooth muscle tissues. While the human thoracic duct (TD) is spontaneously active, the origin of this activity is unknown. We hypothesized that ICLCs could be present in the TD and using histological techniques, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we have investigated the presence of ICLCs, protein markers for ICLCs and the cellular morphology of the human TD. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate ultrastructure. Methylene blue staining, calcium-dependent fluorophores and confocal microscopy were used to identify ICLCs in live tissue. Methylene blue stained cells with morphology suggestive of ICLCs in the TD. Immunoreactivity localized the ICLC protein markers c-kit, CD34 and vimentin to many cells and processes associated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs): coexpression of c-kit with vimentin or CD34 was observed in some cells. Electron microscopy analysis confirmed ICLCs as a major cell type of the human TD. Lymphatic ICLCs possess caveolae, dense bands, a patchy basal lamina, intermediate filaments and specific junctions to SMCs. ICLCs were ultrastructurally differentiable from other interstitial cells observed: fibroblasts, mast cells, macrophages and pericytes. Lymphatic ICLCs were localized to the subendothelial region of the wall as well as in intimate association with smooth muscle bundles throughout the media. ICLCs were morphologically distinct with multiple processes and also spindle shapes. Confocal imaging with calcium-dependent fluorophores corroborated cell morphology and localization observed in fixed tissues. Lymphatic ICLCs thus constitute a significant cell type of the human TD and physically interact with lymphatic SMCs.
Variant of ETV6/ABL1 Gene Is Associated with Leukemia Phenotype
Authors: Park Joonhong , Kim Myungshin , Lim Jihyang , Kim Yonggoo , Han Kyungja , Kim Jae Seok , Lee Seok , Kim Hee-Je , Min Woo-Sung
Published: November 2012

The ETV6/ABL1 fusion transcript is thought to be a very rare aberration in hematopoietic malignancies. We describe two new cases of acute leukemia with the ETV6/ABL1 fusion, acute myeloid leukemia with eosinophilia (case 1) and B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (case 2), screened by multiplex RT-PCR. The ETV6/ABL1 fusion was also confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a mixture of BCR/ABL1 and ETV6/RUNX1 probes. A thorough review of all published cases showed that all 7 reported ALL patients possess the type A ETV6/ABL1 fusion transcript, composed of the first 4 exons of ETV6 fused to the second exon of ABL1. The presence of the type A fusion transcript strongly implies ALL manifestation in ETV6/ABL1-positive hematologic malignancies as minor BCR breakpoint in BCR/ABL1-positive ALL.
Mediastinal Lymphangioma Treated Using Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
Authors: Choi Seong Huan , Kim Lucia , Lee Kyung-Hee , Cho Jae Hwa , Ryu Jeong-Seon , Kwak Seung Min , Nam Hae-Seong
Published: November 2012

Lymphangiomas are localized malformations of the lymphatic system that most commonly occur in the head and neck. However, less than 1% of all lymphangiomas are confined to the mediastinum. The standard treatment has been surgical excision, but the involvement of vital structures in the area local to the lymphangioma makes total excision virtually impossible in most cases. To our knowledge, there has been no report of mediastinal lymphangioma treated with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). We report here the first case of safe, effective treatment of a very large mediastinal lymphangioma using EBUS-TBNA in a 29-year-old man.
Elevated Levels of Endothelial Cell-Derived Microparticles following Short-Term Withdrawal of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Data from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ayers Lisa , Stoewhas Anne-Christin , Ferry Berne , Stradling John , Kohler Malcolm
Published: November 2012

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with impaired endothelial function; however, the mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood. Cell-derived microparticles may provide a link between obstructive sleep apnea and endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effect of a 2-week withdrawal of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on levels of circulating microparticles. Methods: Forty-one obstructive sleep apnea patients established on CPAP treatment were randomized to either CPAP withdrawal (subtherapeutic CPAP) or continuing therapeutic CPAP, for 2 weeks. Polysomnography was performed and circulating levels of microparticles were analyzed by flow cytometry at baseline and 2 weeks. Results: CPAP withdrawal led to a recurrence of obstructive sleep apnea. Levels of CD62E+ endothelium-derived microparticles increased significantly in the CPAP withdrawal group compared to the continuing therapeutic CPAP group (median difference in change +32.4 per µl; 95% CI +7.3 to +64.1 per µl, p = 0.010). CPAP withdrawal was not associated with a statistically significant increase in granulocyte, leukocyte, and platelet-derived microparticles when compared with therapeutic CPAP. Conclusions: Short-term withdrawal of CPAP therapy leads to a significant increase in endothelium-derived microparticles, suggesting that microparticle formation may be causally linked to obstructive sleep apnea and may promote endothelial activation.
A Phase I Trial and in vitro Studies Combining ABT-751 with Carboplatin in Previously Treated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Ma Tian , Fuld Alexander D. , Rigas James R. , Hagey Anne E. , Gordon Gary B. , Dmitrovsky Ethan , Dragnev Konstantin H.
Published: November 2012

Background: ABT-751 is a novel antimitotic agent that exerted cytotoxic effects in preclinical studies. Carboplatin has efficacy in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with other drugs. Methods: Lung cancer cell lines were treated with ABT-751 and/or carboplatin to investigate their impact on cell growth. A phase I study with an expansion cohort was conducted in previously treated NSCLC patients. The primary objective was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD); secondary objectives were objective response rates, median survival, time to tumor progression, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and pharmacodynamic evaluation of buccal swabs. Results: Combining ABT-751 with carboplatin significantly reduced growth and induced apoptosis of lung cancer cell lines. Twenty advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled. MTD was ABT-751 125 mg orally twice daily for 7 days with carboplatin AUC 6. DLTs included fatigue, ileus, neutropenia and pneumonitis. Two patients had confirmed partial responses. Median overall survival was 11.7 months (95% CI 5.9–27.0). Time to tumor progression was 2.8 months (95% CI 2.0–2.7). Four of 6 patients showed decreased cyclin D1 protein in posttreatment versus pretreatment buccal swabs. Conclusion: Combining ABT-751 with carboplatin suppressed growth of lung cancer cell lines and had modest clinical antitumor activity in advanced NSCLC previously treated predominantly with carboplatin. Further studies of this combination are not recommended while investigations of biomarkers in different patient populations, alternative schedules and combinations may be pursued.
Developmental Origins of Astrocyte Heterogeneity: The Final Frontier of CNS Development
Authors: Chaboub Lesley S. , Deneen Benjamin
Published: November 2012

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system, have diverse physiological roles in both health and disease, and exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity. In spite of the overwhelming evidence that astrocytes are a diverse population, there has been relatively little consideration of their molecular heterogeneity. In this review, we will summarize what is known about the heterogeneity of astrocytes and outline challenges that have limited studies understanding their molecular diversity. Approaches that have sought to overcome these limitations will be discussed, with an emphasis on recent progress in the field of developmental gliogenesis, which has revealed that positional identity during embryogenesis is an organizing feature of astrocyte diversity. These recent findings, coupled with emerging technologies that allow for direct isolation of astrocyte populations, have led us to propose that approaches rooted in astrocyte development may be the key to unlocking this immense, untapped diversity.
Intra-Familial Tests of Association between Familial Idiopathic Scoliosis and Linked Regions on 9q31.3–q34.3 and 16p12.3–q22.2
Authors: Miller Nancy H. , Justice Cristina M. , Marosy Beth , Swindle Kandice , Kim Yoonhee , Roy-Gagnon Marie-Hélène , Sung Heejong , Behneman Dana , Doheny Kimberly F. , Pugh Elizabeth , Wilson Alexander F.
Published: November 2012

Objective: Custom genotyping of markers in families with familial idiopathic scoliosis were used to fine-map candidate regions on chromosomes 9 and 16 in order to identify candidate genes that contribute to this disorder and prioritize them for next-generation sequence analysis. Methods: Candidate regions on 9q and 16p–16q, previously identified as linked to familial idiopathic scoliosis in a study of 202 families, were genotyped with a high-density map of single nucleotide polymorphisms. Tests of linkage for fine-mapping and intra-familial tests of association, including tiled regression, were performed on scoliosis as both a qualitative and quantitative trait. Results and Conclusions: Nominally significant linkage results were found for markers in both candidate regions. Results from intra-familial tests of association and tiled regression corroborated the linkage findings and identified possible candidate genes suitable for follow-up with next-generation sequencing in these same families. Candidate genes that met our prioritization criteria included FAM129B and CERCAM on chromosome 9 and SYT1, GNAO1, and CDH3 on chromosome 16.
Different Cilia Response to Adenosine Triphosphate or Benzalkonium Chloride Treatment in Mouse Nasal and Tracheal Culture
Authors: Jiao Jian , Wang Hong , Meng Na , Zhang Luo
Published: November 2012

Objectives: Our purpose was to compare the ciliary function between the upper and lower airway. Methods: Basal ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and changes in CBF in response to exogenous stimuli [adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or benzalkonium chloride (BAC)] of primary cultured mouse nasal and tracheal epithelial cells were quantified using digital microscopy combined with a beat-by-beat CBF analysis. Results: The basal CBF of the mouse tracheal culture was statistically higher than the nasal culture. Adding 10 or 100 µm ATP caused an increase of CBF in both mouse nasal and tracheal cultures; however, nasal culture induced a more robust increase of CBF than tracheal culture. Treatment with 0.001% BAC increased CBF within 2 min after treatment and then CBF gradually decreased; nasal and tracheal culture manifested a similar change in CBF. With a concentration of 0.01%, BAC induced a rapid and time-dependent decrease of CBF in both mouse nasal and tracheal cultures; however, tracheal culture showed a blunter response to this ciliotoxic agent, with the ciliary beating duration time distinguishably longer than in the nasal culture. Conclusion: The inherent ciliary and physiological function is different in the upper and lower airway in mice.
Phosphoprotein Phosphatase PP2A Regulation of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 and Insulin Metabolic Signaling
Authors: Mandavia Chirag , Sowers James R.
Published: November 2012

Insulin (INS) metabolic signaling is important for normal cardiovascular and renal function as well as for exerting the classic actions of INS, such as glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue. There is emerging evidence that tyrosine phosphatases as well as protein kinases have important modulating roles in INS metabolic signaling in both cardiovascular and classically INS- sensitive tissues. For example, increases in phosphatase activity may partially explain how angiotensin II and aldosterone attenuate activation of the INS receptor substrate protein 1 (IRS-1)-phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-protein kinase B pathway, thereby promoting INS resistance. On the other hand, phosphatase activation may also exert beneficial and cardiovascular protective effects in conditions such as overnutrition by blocking serine phosphorylation of IRS-1, thereby improving downstream INS metabolic signaling. Both the beneficial and the detrimental effects exerted by the activation of phosphatases will be covered in this report.
Bacterial Biofilm Composition in Caries and Caries-Free Subjects
Authors: Wolff D. , Frese C. , Maier-Kraus T. , Krueger T. , Wolff B.
Published: November 2012

Background: Certain major pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp. and others have been reported to be involved in caries initiation and progression. Yet, in addition to those leading pathogens, microbial communities seem to be much more diverse and individually differing. The aim of this study, therefore, was to analyze the bacterial composition of carious dentin and the plaque of caries-free patients by using a custom-made, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay (RQ-PCR). Methods: The study included 26 patients with caries and 28 caries-free controls. Decayed tooth substance and plaque samples were harvested. Bacterial DNA was extracted and tested for the presence of 43 bacterial species or species groups using RQ-PCR. Results: Relative quantification revealed that Propionibacterium acidifaciens was significantly more abundant in caries samples than were other microorganisms (fold change 169.12, p = 0.023). In the caries-free samples, typical health-associated species were significantly more prevalent. Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis showed a high abundance of P. acidifaciens in caries subjects and distinct but individually differing bacterial clusters in the caries-free subjects. The distribution of 11 bacteria allowed full discrimination between caries and caries-free subjects. Conclusion: Within the investigated cohort, P. acidifaciens was the only pathogen significantly more abundant in caries subjects. Cluster analysis yielded a diverse flora in caries-free subjects, whereas it was narrowed down to a small range of a few outcompeting members in caries subjects.
XMG: eXtensible MetaGrammar
Authors: Crabbé Benoît , Duchier Denys , Gardent Claire , Roux Joseph , Parmentier Yannick
Published: November 2012

In this article, we introduce eXtensible MetaGrammar (XMG), a framework for specifying tree-based grammars such as Feature-Based Lexicalized Tree-Adjoining Grammars (FB-LTAG) and Interaction Grammars (IG). We argue that XMG displays three features that facilitate both grammar writing and a fast prototyping of tree-based grammars. Firstly, XMG is fully declarative. For instance, it permits a declarative treatment of diathesis that markedly departs from the procedural lexical rules often used to specify tree-based grammars. Secondly, the XMG language has a high notational expressivity in that it supports multiple linguistic dimensions, inheritance, and a sophisticated treatment of identifiers. Thirdly, XMG is extensible in that its computational architecture facilitates the extension to other linguistic formalisms. We explain how this architecture naturally supports the design of three linguistic formalisms, namely, FB-LTAG, IG, and Multi-Component Tree-Adjoining Grammar (MC-TAG). We further show how it permits a straightforward integration of additional mechanisms such as linguistic and formal principles. To further illustrate the declarativity, notational expressivity, and extensibility of XMG, we describe the methodology used to specify an FB-LTAG for French augmented with a unification-based compositional semantics. This illustrates both how XMG facilitates the modeling of the tree fragment hierarchies required to specify tree-based grammars and of a syntax/semantics interface between semantic representations and syntactic trees. Finally, we briefly report on several grammars for French, English, and German that were implemented using XMG and compare XMG with other existing grammar specification frameworks for tree-based grammars.
Text Representations for Patent Classification
Authors: D'hondt Eva , Verberne Suzan , Koster Cornelis , Boves Lou
Published: November 2012

With the increasing rate of patent application filings, automated patent classification is of rising economic importance. This article investigates how patent classification can be improved by using different representations of the patent documents. Using the Linguistic Classification System (LCS), we compare the impact of adding statistical phrases (in the form of bigrams) and linguistic phrases (in two different dependency formats) to the standard bag-of-words text representation on a subset of 532,264 English abstracts from the CLEF-IP 2010 corpus. In contrast to previous findings on classification with phrases in the Reuters-21578 data set, for patent classification the addition of phrases results in significant improvements over the unigram baseline. The best results were achieved by combining all four representations, and the second best by combining unigrams and lemmatized bigrams. This article includes extensive analyses of the class models (a.k.a. class profiles) created by the classifiers in the LCS framework, to examine which types of phrases are most informative for patent classification. It appears that bigrams contribute most to improvements in classification accuracy. Similar experiments were performed on subsets of French and German abstracts to investigate the generalizability of these findings.
The Psychoanalytic Research Interview: Preliminary Suggestions
Authors: Cartwright Duncan
Published: November 2012

Psychoanalytically informed interview techniques and interview analysis can yield useful psychoanalytic insights about a particular research subject within the space of a few interviews. Basic hermeneutic principles, often used to understand the research interview, are not sufficient for understanding unconscious meaning and intrapsychic processes; they pay little attention to the particular theoretical and technical aspects of the interview needed to create the best conditions for understanding unconscious meaning. The portability of psychoanalytic concepts and their applicability outside the therapeutic setting are considered, after which four epistemological principles are outlined, derived mainly from the narrative tradition in psychoanalysis, that can inform interview technique and the analysis of the interview. Careful attention to feeling states, the search for core narratives, and the exploration of identifications and object relations are isolated as key analytic tasks in the interview analysis. A brief verbatim interview is used to illustrate this process, and methods are suggested to prevent the “wild analysis” of the interview encounter.
When the Analyst Dies: Dealing With the Aftermath
Authors: Traesdal Tove
Published: November 2012

The body of literature on the theme of illness and death among analysts is surprisingly small, considering the frequency with which patients experience such incidents during an analysis, and the amount of suffering and/or iatrogenic injury that may ensue. In the bulk of this literature patients' experiences of losing an analyst are treated in a descriptive way, mostly through personal reports. To move clinical thinking about this topic somewhat further, the implications for the patient when the analysis is interrupted are explored; in particular, a distinction is made between the loss of the person of the analyst as an incident on the reality level that needs to be mourned as such, and losing the analysis, the unique form of dialogue implied by the principle of free association. Consequences of the loss of this dialogue are analyzed with regard to the challenges it poses for clinicians called on to deal with the aftermath. Preventive measures within the analytic work can soften the impact of potential loss, as can the contribution of analytic institutions to dealing with the ensuing problems.
Learning About Psychoanalysis Combined With Medication: A Nonphysician's pErspective
Authors: Bers Susan A.
Published: November 2012

When medication is at play in an analysis, the nonphysician candidate or psychoanalyst faces conceptual and practical challenges, as well as countertransference risks and opportunities. A psychologist psychoanalytic candidate describes the treatment of an analysand who underwent a gradual uncovering and worsening of obsessive-compulsive and anxiety symptoms; at twenty-one months, the analysand introduced the topic of medication. These developments brought to light transference and countertransference themes connected to the analyst's status as a nonphysician candidate; conceptual and practical uncertainties about medication in the context of psychoanalysis; the complex meanings of, and indications for, medication in this case; and the ramifications of a nonphysician candidate's referring a patient to a psychiatrist psychoanalyst for medication while being supervised by another psychiatrist psychoanalyst.
From Developmental Metaphor To Developmental Model: The Shrinking Role of Language in the Talking Cure
Authors: Vivona Jeanine M.
Published: November 2012

Psychoanalysts have invoked infant development diversely to understand nonverbal and unspoken aspects of lived experience. Two uses of developmental notions and their implications for understanding language and the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis are juxtaposed here: Hans Loewald's conception of developmental metaphors to illuminate ineffable aspects of the clinical situation and Daniel Stern's currently popular developmental model, which draws on findings from quantitative research to explain therapeutic action in the nonverbal realm. Loewald's metaphorical use of early development identifies and thus potentiates a central role for language in psychoanalytic treatment. By contrast, Stern and his colleagues exaggerate the abstract, orderly, and disembodied qualities of language, and consequently underestimate the degree to which lived interpersonal experience can be meaningfully verbalized, as demonstrated here with illustrations from published clinical material. As contemporary psychoanalysis moves toward embracing developmental models such as Stern's, it is concluded, psychoanalysts accept a shrinking role for language in the talking cure.
The Optimal Structure for Psychoanalytic Education Today: A Feasible Proposal?
Authors: Wallerstein Robert S.
Published: November 2012

Our psychoanalytic training system, close to a century old, has been subjected to increasing criticism, starting shortly after its creation, for failing to properly fulfill its avowed purposes. The most intense critiques have centered around the authoritarian power lodged in a self-selected training analyst elite, the inadequate development of a psychoanalytic research tradition, and the isolation of our educational structure from cognate disciplines concerned with human mental life, owing to its private and part-time nature, apart from the university with its spectrum of biological and human sciences. Efforts to reform this system, including the establishment of psychoanalytic institutes within medical school departments of psychiatry, and the further call for their autonomous placement within the university at large, with full-time students and faculty, have been only partially successful and have not become widespread. The values of the newly emerging multifaceted psychoanalytic center as the best currently achievable fundamental reform are presented.
Enhanced cortisol suppression following administration of low-dose dexamethasone in first-episode psychosis patients
Authors: Phassouliotis Christina , Garner Belinda A , Phillips Lisa J , Bendall Sarah , Yun Yang , Markulev Connie , Kerr Melissa , McGorry Patrick D
Published: November 2012

Objective:

Impaired regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hyper-activity of this system have been described in patients with psychosis. Conversely, some psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterised by HPA hypo-activity, which could be related to prior exposure to trauma. This study examined the cortisol response to the administration of low-dose dexamethasone in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and its relationship to childhood trauma.

Method:

The low-dose (0.25 mg) Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) was performed in 21 neuroleptic-naïve or minimally treated FEP patients and 20 healthy control participants. Childhood traumatic events were assessed in all participants using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and psychiatric symptoms were assessed in patients using standard rating scales.

Results:

FEP patients reported significantly higher rates of childhood trauma compared to controls ( p = 0.001) and exhibited lower basal (a.m.) cortisol ( p = 0.04) and an increased rate of cortisol hyper-suppression following dexamethasone administration compared to controls (33% (7/21) vs 5% (1/20), respectively; p = 0.04). There were no significant group differences in mean cortisol decline or percent cortisol suppression following the 0.25 mg DST. This study shows for the first time that a subset of patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis display enhanced cortisol suppression.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest there may be distinct profiles of HPA axis dysfunction in psychosis which should be further explored.
Outcomes of Children Treated With Tracheostomy and Positive-Pressure Ventilation at Home
Authors: Com Gulnur , Kuo Dennis Z. , Bauer Martin L. , Lenker Claire V. , Melguizo-Castro Maria M. , Nick Todd G. , Makris Christopher M.
Published: November 2012

Background. Long-term outcomes for children who survive on tracheostomy and positive-pressure ventilation (TPPV) at home are not well known. Methods. A retrospective review of 20 years of clinical data at a single institution was performed. Outcome measures included 5-year survival, decannulation rate, and neurocognition. Results. A total of 91 children were categorized under neuromotor dysfunction (52%), chronic lung disease (29%), and congenital anomalies (20%). The 5-year survival rates for these categories were 89% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 80%-99%), 76% (95% CI = 57%-100%), and 94% (95% CI = 83%-100%), respectively. Overall, the 5-year decannulation rate was 25% (95% CI = 14%-35%), with children with chronic lung disease having the highest rate (51%). It was found that 14% were extremely delayed in neurocognition. Conclusion. Most children on TPPV at home survive beyond 5 years, and a significant number are decannulated. Primary care physicians and communities should be prepared to accommodate the increasing number of children on TPPV at home.
The Spiritual and Philosophical Foundation for African Languages
Authors: Alkebulan Adisa A.
Published: November 2012

Spirituality is defined in cultural terms. The African’s lifelong sojourn for balance and harmony within himself or herself and within society is the essence of the spiritual being. Therefore, spirituality is defined as the African’s search for personal balance and harmony as well as that of society. The concept of Nommo, the power generated from the Spoken Word, is crucial in articulating the spiritual and philosophical nature of language for African people. The fulfillment of Maat is the essence of the spiritual being within the African worldview.
First Things First
Authors: Gohdes Anita , Price Megan
Published: November 2012

We address weaknesses in the Peace Research Insitute Oslo (PRIO) Battle Deaths Dataset, and as a result draw contradicting conclusions to those presented by Lacina and Gleditsch. Our analysis focuses on the availability of data on battle deaths within specific conflict-years and problems encountered when data from multiple types of sources are combined. We repeat Lacina, Gleditsch, and Russett’s analysis of battle deaths over time, with an attempt to provide a more robust model and incorporate an estimate of the uncertainty present in the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset. This reanalysis reveals that the data used to establish the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset does not offer a clear answer as to whether battle deaths have decreased or increased since the end of the Second World War. We contend that while the PRIO Battle Deaths Dataset offers the most comprehensive assembly of battle deaths data available to date, it is not suitable for analysis across countries or over time.