bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scientists in a Changed Institutional Environment
Authors: Gerber Theodore P. , Yarsike Ball Deborah
Published: June 2009

How do scientists react when the institutional setting in which they conduct their work changes radically? How do long-standing norms regarding the social responsibility of scientists fare? What factors influence whether scientists embrace or reject the new institutions and norms? We examine these questions using data from a unique survey of 602 scientists in Russia, whose research institutions experienced a sustained crisis and sweeping changes following the collapse of the Soviet Union. We develop measures of how respondents view financing based on grants and other institutional changes in the Russian science system, as well as measures of two norms regarding scientists' social responsibility. We find that the majority of scientists have adapted, in the sense that they hold positive views of the new institutions, but a diversity of orientations remains. Social responsibility norms are common but far from universal among Russian scientists. The main correlates of adaptation are age and current success at negotiating the new institutions, though prospective success, work context, and ethnicity have some of the hypothesized associations. As for social responsibility norms, the main source of variation is age: younger scientists are more likely to embrace individualistic rather than socially oriented norms.
Do Vacuum-Assisted Deliveries Cause Intracranial Vessel Injuries?
Authors: Ng Yan-Yan , Su Pen-Hua , Chen Jia-Yuh , Lee Inn-Chi
Published: June 2009

Vacuum-assisted deliveries are fairly commonly used in obstetrical practice. Most newborns who have a vacuum-assisted delivery undergo extracranial birth traumas that have no residual consequences. Vacuum-assisted deliveries that complicate intracranial vascular infarction are rarely reported. We present 2 cases of intracranial vessel infarction after vacuum-assisted deliveries. One newborn, with scalp erosion, showed an unusual left middle cerebral artery infarct, and the other, with a severe subgaleal hematoma, had a venous thrombosis. Before the diagnosis, made using brain ultrasonography, neither had specific observable neurological symptoms. In conclusion, vacuum-assisted deliveries should be given special attention, especially when they are combined with a severe extracranial birth trauma.
Celiac Disease Presenting as Autism
Authors: Genuis Stephen J. , Bouchard Thomas P.
Published: June 2009

Gluten-restricted diets have become increasingly popular among parents seeking treatment for children diagnosed with autism. Some of the reported response to celiac diets in children with autism may be related to amelioration of nutritional deficiency resulting from undiagnosed gluten sensitivity and consequent malabsorption. A case is presented of a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with severe autism at a specialty clinic for autistic spectrum disorders. After initial investigation suggested underlying celiac disease and varied nutrient deficiencies, a gluten-free diet was instituted along with dietary and supplemental measures to secure nutritional sufficiency. The patient’s gastrointestinal symptoms rapidly resolved, and signs and symptoms suggestive of autism progressively abated. This case is an example of a common malabsorption syndrome associated with central nervous system dysfunction and suggests that in some contexts, nutritional deficiency may be a determinant of developmental delay. It is recommended that all children with neurodevelopmental problems be assessed for nutritional deficiency and malabsorption syndromes.
Global Nursing Research
Authors: Malinski Violet M.
Published: June 2009

Nurse scholars involved in research on the international scene describe current efforts underway in countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Japan, and Switzerland, to name a few, to advance nursing scholarship worldwide. Theoretical perspectives reflect work focusing on Neuman's and Roy's models and Parse's theory. Issues are identified that reflect efforts to advance nursing and shared concerns within the global nursing community.
Encountering the Other Through Ongoing Cultural Learning
Authors: Westerholm Kim
Published: June 2009

Encountering the other in a significant way requires more than a generalized knowledge of cultural characteristics—or cultural competency. In this column, the author describes encountering the other from the humanbecoming theory perspective and proposes a teaching-learning process of ongoing cultural learning that pushes the boundaries of the familiar and expands horizons of understanding. The model encourages healthcare providers to shift their epistemological location and view the world from the perspective of the other, thereby increasing their capacity to care for and be with the other in meaningful ways.
Envisioning Human Dignity to Enhance Practice while Journeying with Rwandan Women
Authors: Oaks Geneva , Drummond Susan
Published: June 2009

California Baptist University School of Nursing opened in September 2006 as the first baccalaureate nursing education program in Riverside, California. Under the direction of Dr. Constance Milton, the curriculum was cocreated using Parse's humanbecoming school of thought as a framework. In August 2008, nursing students traveled to Rwanda where they bore witness to the transformation after the 1994 genocide. Dimensions and processes of Parse's practice methodology—illuminating meaning by explicating what is with languaging, synchronizing rhythms while dwelling with ups and downs in the struggle of connecting-separating, and mobilizing transcendence as moving beyond with the not-yet while transforming— emerged in the students' journaling as lived all-at-once amid reverence that honored the dignity and worth of the Rwandan people.
The CHEER Study to Reduce BMI in Elementary School Students: A School-Based, Parent-Directed Study in Framingham, Massachusetts
Authors: Resnick Elissa A. , Bishop Marilyn , O’Connell Anne , Hugo Beverly , Isern Germinal , Timm Alison , Ozonoff Al , Geller Alan C.
Published: June 2009

Childhood obesity may be lessened by parent-focused interventions. A pilot parent-directed trial with 46 parents of overweight and obese elementary school students was conducted at two ethnically diverse public schools in Framingham, Massachusetts. Parents were randomly assigned to either the Materials Group, which received mailed educational materials, or the Materials plus Personal Encounters Group, which received educational materials through interactions with community health workers (CHWs). Parents completed baseline and post-intervention surveys; children’s body mass index (BMI) percentiles were measured at baseline and post-intervention. There were no differences in the reduction of children’s BMI between groups. However, the mean BMI percentile for all children dropped from 94.1 to 90.6 ( p = .005), while there was no change in BMI among a nonrandomized contemporaneous control group. Findings are limited by the lack of a true control group and small sample size. Results from this school nurse and CHW outreach program to parents are encouraging.
Estimating Person—Environment Transactions on Intention to Change Drug-Using Behaviors
Authors: Matto Holly C. , Spera Christopher
Published: June 2009

The community attachment model of addiction is an ecologically based social process model that suggests social context referents (peers, family, neighbors, etc.) will influence attachment to addiction or recovery communities, via cognitive, affective, and behavioral commitments. This study examined the influence of social context referents on intention to change drug using behavior, and examined moderating effects of three contextual indicators (labor market attachment, educational attainment, and family poverty status) on these relationships. The study sample consisted of 302 adults in inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities, who completed a set of instruments that included the Ecological Assessment of Substance Abuse Experiences (EASE), a new instrument designed to measure the influence of social context referents on addiction and recovery attachment processes. Results showed that all three contextual indicators moderated relationships among social context referenced attitudes, drug use concern, and intention to change drug using behaviors. Findings suggest that practitioners should attend to both microlevel orientations to social context and macrolevel contextual dimensions (e.g., labor force attachment), as both may influence behavioral change opportunities.
Evidence-Based Practice: Critical Appraisal of Qualitative Evidence
Authors: Williamson Kathleen M.
Published: June 2009

One of the key steps of evidence-based practice is to critically appraise evidence to best answer a clinical question. Mental health clinicians need to understand the importance of qualitative evidence to their practice, including levels of qualitative evidence, qualitative inquiry methods, and criteria used to appraise qualitative evidence to determine how implementing the best qualitative evidence into their practice will influence mental health outcomes. The goal of qualitative research is to develop a complete understanding of reality as it is perceived by the individual and to uncover the truths that exist. These important aspects of mental health require clinicians to engage this evidence.
Acceptability of Milk and Soymilk Vanilla Beverages: Demographics Consumption Frequency and Sensory Aspects
Authors: Villegas B. , Carbonell I. , Costell E.
Published: June 2009

Acceptance of food is basically the result of the interaction between food and humans, and it depends not only on the product characteristics but also on those of each consumer. The main objective of this study is to analyze how the acceptability of milk and soymilk vanilla beverages is influenced by demographic characteristics, consumer habits and individual preferences, and the sensorial properties of both products. Six commercial samples, comprising three milk beverages and three soymilk beverages of different brands and characteristics, were sensorially evaluated. Overall acceptability was tested by 142 consumers using a 9-point hedonic scale, and 36 assessors ranked the samples from the least to the most intense according to their yellow color, brightness, vanilla flavor intensity, sweetness, and thickness. The milk samples were significantly (P<0.05) more acceptable than the soymilk ones and were perceived as being stronger yellow and less light in color, with a more intense sweetness, stronger vanilla flavor, and thicker consistency. The results obtained led us to the conclusion that the difference in acceptability between milk and soymilk beverages is more closely related to their sensorial attributes than to other characteristics (demographic, consumer habits, and individual preferences) of the consumer population surveyed.
Anisakis Simplex Antigens in Fresh and Frozen-thawed Muscle of Anchovies in Vinegar
Authors: Solas M.T. , García M.L. , de las Heras C. , Rodriguez-Mahillo A.I. , Gonzalez-Munoz M. , Moneo I. , Mendizábal A. , Tejada M.
Published: June 2009

Marinated fish treatment using low pH to enlarge the storage life of fish as in anchovies in vinegar, does not kill Anisakis simplex larvae infesting fish muscle. To kill the larvae it is compulsory in many countries to freeze fish intended to be marinated raw, which prevents the consumer to be infested with the live larvae. However, it is not known if A. simplex antigens are released to the media after freezing and vinegar processing, which may cause allergic reaction to A. simplex sensitized consumers. Anchovy fillets were artificially infested with A. simplex L3, treated with a vinegar solution and chilled stored for 10 days. Infested frozen-thawed fillets were treated and stored in the same conditions. Viability of the larvae, SEM, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry were performed on the treated fillets before and after pepsin treatment. Viability of the larvae was detected only in the chilled fillets; however, A. simplex antigens were detected in the chilled and in the frozen-thawed fillets even after pepsin treatment. This suggests that the consumption of anchovies in vinegar may be a potential hazard when ingested by sensitized consumers, even if freezing kills the larvae.
Oxygen Absorption Kinetics of Sheets and Films Containing a Commercial Iron-based Oxygen Scavenger
Authors: Galotto M.J. , Anfossi S.A. , Guarda A.
Published: June 2009

Absorption kinetics of three different forms of the same iron-based oxygen scavenger were studied. Oxygen scavengers were used as pellet, sheet, and film materials. Two scavenger concentrations were used for sheet and film forms. Scavenger samples were analyzed at 75 or 100% relative humidities and stored at 5, 15, and 25°C. Oxygen concentration in the headspace was measured as a function of time. Absorption kinetics was best described by the Chapman-Richards empirical growth model rather than by a first-order reaction. Arrhenius behavior was observed for variations in the final absorption rate with temperature. Absorption capacities, final absorption rates, and activation energies were evaluated and discussed. Scavenger concentration, relative humidity, and temperature effects on kinetic parameters were studied for each experimental condition. Temperature was the most important factor that affected kinetic parameters. At the relative humidity levels studied, any important effect on kinetic parameters was not observed, except on absorption capacities.
Social Work and Managed Care
Authors: Acker Gila M. , Lawrence Dorothea
Published: June 2009

• Summary: This article presents findings of a quantitative study that illuminates the `sense of competence' of American social workers practicing in a new financial reimbursement and treatment health care system called `managed care'. Questionnaires completed by 140 social workers provided data about the relationships between self-perceived competence and outcome variables including burnout and role stress.

• Findings: A central finding was that social workers who felt competent in their abilities to practice in a managed care environment also reported lower levels of role stress and burnout. Other findings included that those working with clients with severe and persistent mental illness reported lower levels of sense of competence and higher levels of role stress and burnout symptoms.

• Applications : Potential implications for research, education, and practice with the focus of increasing workers' knowledge and skills when providing services in a managed care environment are addressed. Future research is recommended to include more diverse samples that provide a more comprehensive picture of the population of social workers in the USA.
Logic of identity
Authors: Parekh Bhikhu
Published: June 2009

Identity refers, among other things, to what distinguishes an individual and makes him or her this person rather than some other. It has two closely related dimensions: personal and social. Personal identity refers to the individual's fundamental beliefs and commitments in terms of which he orientates himself to the world and defines his place in it. Social identity refers to those relations with which the individual identifies and which he regards as an integral part of himself. Social identity is inherently plural. How an individual balances and prioritizes different identities is a result of the dialectic between her self-understanding and social and political environment.
Justice and boundaries
Authors: Miller David
Published: June 2009

Michael Walzer has argued that `distributive justice presupposes a bounded world', but what counts as a relevant boundary? The article criticizes two arguments holding that boundaries should not count at all: a negative argument that there is no relevant difference between human relationships within and across state borders and a positive argument that principles of justice must, as a matter of logic, be universal in scope. It then examines three rival accounts of the bounded scope of distributive justice: the cooperative practice view, the political coercion view, and the common identity view. Although each has plausible arguments to support it, none turns out to give necessary and sufficient conditions for principles of distributive justice to apply. Importantly, however, the idea of social justice has emerged within political units (nation-states) that to a large extent combine the three features in question. To the extent that this overlap breaks down, we will need to develop new theories of transnational justice.
Changing practice in dementia care for people in care homes towards the end of life
Authors: Evans Catherine , Goodman Claire
Published: June 2009

This paper reports on the background and design of an innovative study seeking to develop and test a dementia specific approach to palliative care for older people in care homes, entitled Evidence-based interventions in dementia towards the end of life (EVIDEM EoL). The study uses a two-phase prospective design. Phase I intends to explore and document characteristics and support needs for people with dementia in care homes towards the end of life. Data from phase I informs phase II, the development and testing of a dementia specific education and support tool for palliative care in care homes. This paper reports on the study's background and phase I design. The study is part of the EVIDEM research programme (Evidence-based Interventions in Dementia) (www.evidem.org.uk).
The first 50 patients: A brief report on the initial findings from the Palliative Care in Dementia Project
Authors: Scott Sharon , Pace Victor
Published: June 2009

The St. Christopher's Hospice Palliative Care in Dementia Project, funded for 3 years by the King's Fund, aims to investigate the palliative care needs of patients with advanced dementia and their families; to clarify the role of specialist palliative care for this patient group; and to examine the usefulness of one model of working. This interim report outlines findings from the first 50 patients taken on by the project. Early results indicate that both patients and their carers have a high level of unmet need. The model of care chosen for this project appears to meet many of these needs, and appears to be both cost efficient and effective in terms of improving end of life care for dementia patients and their carers.
The Dementia End of Life Care Project (DeLCaP)
Authors: Ghiotti Chris
Published: June 2009

This article describes the development of a locally based project funded by the BigLottery for 5 years from May 2008 to support five families at any one time caring for a relative with late stage dementia at home. The outcomes centre on improving the well-being of both the person with dementia and their caregivers. The assumption is that the principles of palliative care that have so sensitized the end of life care for people with cancer can be applied to improve the lot of people with dementia and their caregivers. Development of the project therefore entailed bringing together staff across dementia care, palliative care practitioners and crucial generalist community staff, such as GP's and District Nurses. A team with representation from these various professionals and care staff is now up and running to pilot a cross cutting service to meet the particular needs of people with late stage dementia and their families. The funding from the lottery includes additional respite care, training and consultancy. The project is small enough to enable experimentation and the design of a pathway to effectively utilize the knowledge and skills of the different practitioners involved. The scale of the project makes it possible to show how we can transcend the current underdevelopment and fragmentation of community services and help families who wish to do so, to care for their relatives at home.
Improving the care of people with dementia at the end of life
Authors: Shega Joe , Tozer Carla
Published: June 2009

The number of persons diagnosed with and dying from dementia continues to climb. Research corroborate that persons dying from dementia receive poor end of life care including the use of procedures or tests with little or no benefit, un- or undertreated physical and psychological symptoms, and futile care. This is in contrast to the patient's perspective on quality end of life care — adequate pain and symptom management, avoidance of prolongation of dying, achieve a sense of control, relieve burden, and strengthening relationships with loved ones. Hospice, initially developed to improve the end of life care for persons dying from cancer, represents an existing care model that can bridge these differences in experiences and wishes. Expansion of hospice services for persons dying from dementia may be limited by a number of obstacles that require consideration such as difficulties with prognosis, misconceptions by providers and families about the dying process in dementia, reimbursement issues, and regulatory oversight. However, a thoughtful and proactive approach can overcome these barriers, support hospice utilization, and bring about a more humane death for dementia patients and their families.
Relief of Suffering with Dementia Units
Authors: Aminoff Bechor Zvi
Published: June 2009

This paper proposes a new, alternative approach and setting for end-stage dementia patients with Aminoff Suffering Syndrome (ASS) that could pertain to the Israeli setting and could possibly also be acceptable in other countries. Short hospitalization periods of approximately 1 month and treatment in Relief of Suffering End-of-Life with Dementia Units may be a new palliative approach and present a possible solution for coping with the horrendous burden of the suffering of dementia patients, their families, and the medical and nursing staff. Aminoff Suffering Syndrome (ASS) in advanced dementia is the proposed symptomatology and pathological entity that is characterized by a high Mini Suffering State Examination (MSSE) scale score, <6 months survival, irreversible and intractable aggravation of suffering and medical condition until demise.
Editorial: End of life care in dementia
Authors: Robinson Louise , Sampson Elizabeth L.
Published: June 2009

Although two thirds of people with dementia live in the community, a recent report from the Alzheimer's Society concluded that current health and social care systems are failing to support people with dementia and their families to continue to live at home, despite the fact that family carers of people with dementia save the UK over £10 million a year (Alzheimer's Society, 2007). If there are few examples of innovative care packages within dementia care, research evaluating such new approaches is even more limited (Robinson et al., 2005; Sampson et al., 2006). This section of the Dementia journal contains some examples of projects which have the potential to improve end of life care for people with dementia and their families.
Investigation into the effect of an alcohol-based hand product on infection rate in a nursing home setting
Authors: Roberts C. , Roberts J. , Roberts RJ
Published: June 2009

The study assessed the impact on nursing home (NH) resident infection rates of providing staff with a personal alcohol-based hand product (ABHP) with and without training on its use.

Fifteen North Wales NHs were recruited and randomly allocated into one of three groups. All monitored infection rates throughout the study period of 18 weeks (Phase I [weeks 1—9], Phase II [weeks 11—19]). NHs used liquid soap and water for hand washing throughout the study. Groups B and C introduced interventions during week ten: Group B were provided with personal ABHPs without training on use; Group C personal ABHPs with standard training from the sponsoring hand hygiene company. Infection rates between groups and pre- and post-intervention were compared.

Infection rates (per 1,000 bed days) for Phase I vs. Phase II of the study were: Group A: 6.99 vs. 7.16; Group B: 6.08 vs. 3.46; and Group C: 5.04 vs. 6.78 respectively. Change in infection rates in Groups B and C pre- and post-intervention did not reach statistical significance, p = 0.097 and p = 0.072 respectively.

Comparison of rates in non-intervention Group A with the intervention groups indicated a significantly lower rate after the intervention in Group B ( p = 0.035) but not Group C ( p = 0.765).

Findings are limited due to sample size; introduction of personal ABHPs with training did not reduce infection rates. This conflicts with other studies examining education and improvement of hand hygiene compliance. However, infection rates fell in NHs not receiving training, possibly mediated through a sense of `ownership' of the intervention.
Should the UK government's deep cleaning of hospitals programme have been evaluated?
Authors: Brown Celia A , Lilford Richard J
Published: June 2009

Background: In September 2007, the UK government announced a £57.5m programme of `deep cleaning' for every NHS hospital in England. The programme was met with some scepticism and this paper provides an outline economic evaluation of the programme. Methods: We use information on costs of the programme, the opportunity cost of closing wards for cleaning and cost savings and health gains resulting from cleaning to model the reduction in the annual hospital acquired infection (HAI) rate required for the programme to be cost-effective. We compare our results with the potential headroom available, based on the available evidence and the beliefs of 15 experts. Findings: If wards are closed for two days for cleaning, an annual HAI reduction of 7.8% (21,000 fewer non-fatal infections and 355 fewer deaths nationwide) would be required at a cost-effectiveness threshold of £30,000 per Quality Adjusted Life Year. This figure does not compare favourably with the effectiveness estimates of <1% obtained from the available evidence on cleaning and the pooled prior beliefs of 15 experts. Interpretation: Our analysis shows that as it is very unlikely the deep cleaning programme would have been cost-effective, a full evaluation would not have been a good use of public funds.
An Overview on the Technology of Cross-Linking of Starch for Nonfood Applications
Authors: Ayoub Ali S. , Rizvi Syed S. H.
Published: June 2009

For commercial success, bioplastics have to possess adequate physical properties. But the same properties of biopolymers — such as starch — that make them environmentally attractive feedstocks can affect their performance as materials. Despite the attractive properties of plant-based plastics, there have been few commercial applications due to their property drawbacks (e.g., high cost, brittleness, and lower impact resistance). Many biopolymers, such as starch, are often hydrophilic and some are even soluble in hot water. These properties have to be managed and controlled through the development of adequate formulations and processing. The primary challenge is to develop fast reactions that can be transformed into viable processes and integrated into existing process lines with economically viable formulations that are friendly to the environment. Cross-linking of starches is the most common method used in polysaccharide chemistry. This article briefly reviews some of the most promising chemistries available for the cross-linking of biodegradable starch materials and their applications.
Miltenberger blood group antigen type III (Mi.III) enhances the expression of band 3
Authors: Hsu Kate , Chi Naiwen , Gucek Marjan , Van Eyk Jennifer E. , Cole Robert N. , Lin Marie , Foster D. Brian
Published: June 2009

The special blood group antigen Mi.III exhibits a characteristic hybrid structure of glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B, termed Gp.Mur. This phenotype has exceptionally high occurrence rates in several indigenous tribes in Taiwan (∼21.2%-88.4%). Because glycophorin/Miltenberger begins interaction with anion exchanger-1 (AE1) in the endoplasmic reticulum, we hypothesized that the AE1-based macrocomplexes on erythrocyte membranes obtained from Mi.III+ people could be differentiated from those obtained from non-Miltenberger people. Quantitative mass spectrometric comparison of the AE1-based complexes by iTRAQ™ (Applied Biosystems) revealed 25% to 67% higher expression of AE1 in Mi.III+ erythrocytes. In accordance with the higher AE1 level, the Mi.III+ erythrocytes exhibited superior HCO3− capacities, pH homeostasis, and osmotic resistance. Cotransfection experiments in HEK293 cells showed that Gp.Mur, like GPA, enhanced trafficking of AE1 to the plasma membrane. In summary, the increased surface expression of AE1 in Mi.III+ erythrocytes could be attributed to the additive effect of GPA and Gp.Mur coexpression.
Phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by atypical PKCζ contributes to angiopoietin-1–dependent inhibition of VEGF-induced endothelial permeability in vitro
Authors: Oubaha Malika , Gratton Jean-Philippe
Published: June 2009

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic cytokine that also increases vascular permeability. Nitric oxide (NO) released from endothelial cells, after activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), contributes to proangiogenic and permeability effects of VEGF. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), via Tie2 receptors, shares many of the proangiogenic properties of VEGF on endothelial cells. However, in contrast to VEGF, Ang-1 protects blood vessels from increased plasma leakage, which contributes to their stabilization. Because eNOS-derived NO is central to increased permeability in response to VEGF, we investigated whether Ang-1 interferes with VEGF signaling to eNOS. We demonstrate that Ang-1 stimulation of endothelial cells inhibits VEGF-induced NO release and transendothelial permeability. In contrast to VEGF stimulation, Ang-1 causes a marked protein kinase C (PKC)–dependent increase in phosphorylation of eNOS on the inhibitory Thr497. Furthermore, using pharmacologic inhibitors, overexpression studies, and small interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing, we demonstrate that atypical PKCζ is responsible for phosphorylation of eNOS on Thr497 in response to Ang-1. In addition, PKCζ knockdown abrogates the capacity of Ang-1 to inhibit VEGF-induced NO release and endothelial permeability. Thus, inhibition of NO production by Ang-1, via phosphorylation of eNOS on Thr497 by PKCζ, is responsible, at least in part, for inhibition of VEGF-stimulated endothelial permeability by Ang-1.
Definitive proof for direct reprogramming of hematopoietic cells to pluripotency
Authors: Okabe Motohito , Otsu Makoto , Ahn Dong Hyuck , Kobayashi Toshihiro , Morita Yohei , Wakiyama Yukiko , Onodera Masafumi , Eto Koji , Ema Hideo , Nakauchi Hiromitsu
Published: June 2009

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generally uses fibroblastic cells, but other cell sources may prove useful in both research and clinical settings. Although proof of cellular origin requires genetic-marker identification in both target cells and established iPSCs, somatic cells other than mature lymphocytes mostly lack such markers. Here we show definitive proof of direct reprogramming of murine hematopoietic cells with no rearranged genes. Using iPSC factor transduction, we successfully derived iPSCs from bone marrow progenitor cells obtained from a mouse whose hematopoiesis was reconstituted from a single congenic hematopoietic stem cell. Established clones were demonstrated to be genetically identical to the transplanted single hematopoietic stem cell, thus proving their cellular origin. These hematopoietic cell–derived iPSCs showed typical characteristics of iPSCs, including the ability to contribute to chimerism in mice. These results will prompt further use of hematopoietic cells for iPSC generation while enabling definitive studies to test how cellular sources influence characteristics of descendant iPSCs.
Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome patients with erythropoietin with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: results of a prospective randomized phase 3 trial by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (E1996)
Authors: Greenberg Peter L. , Sun Zhuoxin , Miller Kenneth B. , Bennett John M. , Tallman Martin S. , Dewald Gordon , Paietta Elisabeth , van der Jagt Richard , Houston Jessie , Thomas Mary L. , Cella David , Rowe Jacob M.
Published: June 2009

This phase 3 prospective randomized trial evaluated the efficacy and long-term safety of erythropoietin (EPO) with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor plus supportive care (SC; n = 53) versus SC alone (n = 57) for the treatment of anemic patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. The response rates in the EPO versus SC alone arms were 36% versus 9.6%, respectively, at the initial treatment step, 47% in the EPO arm, including subsequent steps. Responding patients had significantly lower serum EPO levels (45% vs 5% responses for levels < 200 mU/mL vs ≥ 200 mU/mL) and improvement in multiple quality-of-life domains. With prolonged follow-up (median, 5.8 years), no differences were found in overall survival of patients in the EPO versus SC arms (median, 3.1 vs 2.6 years) or in the incidence of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (7.5% and 10.5% patients, respectively). Increased survival was demonstrated for erythroid responders versus nonresponders (median, 5.5 vs 2.3 years). Flow cytometric analysis showed that the percentage of P-glycoprotein+ CD34+ marrow blasts was positively correlated with longer overall survival. In comparison with SC alone, patients receiving EPO with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor plus SC had improved erythroid responses, similar survival, and incidence of acute myeloid leukemia transformation.
Quantifying tracheobronchial tree dimensions: methods, limitations and emerging techniques
Authors: Williamson J. P. , James A. L. , Phillips M. J. , Sampson D. D. , Hillman D. R. , Eastwood P. R.
Published: June 2009

The ability to measure airway dimensions is important for clinicians, interventional bronchoscopists and researchers in order to accurately quantify structural abnormalities and track their changes over time or in response to treatment.

Most quantitative airway measurements are based on X-ray computed tomography and, more recently, on multidetector computed tomography. Quantitative bronchoscopic techniques have also been developed, although these are less widely employed. Emerging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic optical coherence tomography, endobronchial ultrasound and confocal endomicroscopy, provide new research tools with potential clinical applications.

An understanding of issues related to the acquisition, processing and analysis of images, and how such issues impact on imaging the tracheobronchial tree, is essential in order to assess measurement accuracy and to make effective use of the newer methods. This article contributes to this understanding by providing a comprehensive review of current and emerging techniques for quantifying airway dimensions.
Airway obstruction related to diacetyl exposure at microwave popcorn production facilities
Authors: Lockey J. E. , Hilbert T. J. , Levin L. P. , Ryan P. H. , White K. L. , Borton E. K. , Rice C. H. , McKay R. T. , LeMasters G. K.
Published: June 2009

Obstructive lung diseases including bronchiolitis obliterans have been reported among microwave popcorn production employees. Butter flavourings including diacetyl have been associated with these findings.

The present study was initiated at four microwave popcorn production plants to determine if exposure to diacetyl was associated with decrements in pulmonary function. Comprehensive diacetyl exposure assessment was undertaken for all job tasks. Spirometry was conducted for 765 full-time employees between 2005 and 2006. Outcomes included decrement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) % predicted, airway obstruction and persistent decline in FEV1.

Inclusion in the high-exposure group (mixers) prior to respirator use was associated with a significantly decreased FEV1% pred in non-Asian and Asian males at -6.1 and -11.8% pred, respectively, and an eight-fold increased risk for airway obstruction. Cumulative diacetyl exposure ≥0.8 ppm-yr caused similar results. No significant impact was seen in nonmixers or between current diacetyl exposure and persistent decline in FEV1.

Unprotected exposure as a mixer to butter flavouring including diacetyl resulted in decrements in FEV1(% pred) and increased airway obstruction. Control of employee exposure to butter flavouring additives is warranted in regard to both short-term peak and 8-h workday exposure.
Exhaled biomarkers in lung cancer
Authors: Horváth I. , Lázár Z. , Gyulai N. , Kollai M. , Losonczy G.
Published: June 2009

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Results of therapeutic interventions are particularly discouraging when the disease is discovered in an advanced stage. Early diagnosis is limited by the fact that the disease usually develops asymptomatically and available screening methods do not fulfil the requirements for reliable discrimination between patients with lung cancer and subjects not suffering from the disease. Breath sampling is completely noninvasive and provides a potentially useful approach to screening lung cancer. Exhaled biomarkers contain both volatile and nonvolatile molecules. The profile of volatile organic compounds is different in patients with lung cancer than in control subjects. In exhaled breath condensate, the proteomic profile of breath from cancer patients differs from that of healthy smokers. We reviewed the scientific evidence demonstrating that a unique chemical signature can be detected in the breath of patients with lung cancer and that the exhaled breath biomarker profile could aid clinical decision making.
A Bayesian approach to efficient differential allocation for resampling-based significance testing
Authors: Jensen Shane T , Soi Sameer , Wang Li-San
Published: June 2009

Background

Large-scale statistical analyses have become hallmarks of post-genomic era biological research due to advances in high-throughput assays and the integration of large biological databases. One accompanying issue is the simultaneous estimation of p-values for a large number of hypothesis tests. In many applications, a parametric assumption in the null distribution such as normality may be unreasonable, and resampling-based p-values are the preferred procedure for establishing statistical significance. Using resampling-based procedures for multiple testing is computationally intensive and typically requires large numbers of resamples.

Results

We present a new approach to more efficiently assign resamples (such as bootstrap samples or permutations) within a nonparametric multiple testing framework. We formulated a Bayesian-inspired approach to this problem, and devised an algorithm that adapts the assignment of resamples iteratively with negligible space and running time overhead. In two experimental studies, a breast cancer microarray dataset and a genome wide association study dataset for Parkinson's disease, we demonstrated that our differential allocation procedure is substantially more accurate compared to the traditional uniform resample allocation.

Conclusion

Our experiments demonstrate that using a more sophisticated allocation strategy can improve our inference for hypothesis testing without a drastic increase in the amount of computation on randomized data. Moreover, we gain more improvement in efficiency when the number of tests is large. R code for our algorithm and the shortcut method are available athttp://people.pcbi.upenn.edu/~lswang/pub/bmc2009/.
In silico genomic analyses reveal three distinct lineages of Escherichia coli O157:H7, one of which is associated with hyper-virulence
Authors: Laing Chad R , Buchanan Cody , Taboada Eduardo N , Zhang Yongxiang , Karmali Mohamed A , Thomas James E , Gannon Victor PJ
Published: June 2009

Background

Many approaches have been used to study the evolution, population structure and genetic diversity ofEscherichia coliO157:H7; however, observations made with different genotyping systems are not easily relatable to each other. Three genetic lineages ofE. coliO157:H7 designated I, II and I/II have been identified using octamer-based genome scanning and microarray comparative genomic hybridization (mCGH). Each lineage contains significant phenotypic differences, with lineage I strains being the most commonly associated with human infections. Similarly, a clade of hyper-virulent O157:H7 strains implicated in the 2006 spinach and lettuce outbreaks has been defined using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing. In this study anin silicocomparison of six different genotyping approaches was performed on 19E. coligenome sequences from 17 O157:H7 strains and single O145:NM and K12 MG1655 strains to provide an overall picture of diversity of theE. coliO157:H7 population, and to compare genotyping methods for O157:H7 strains.

Results

In silicodetermination of lineage, Shiga-toxin bacteriophage integration site, comparative genomic fingerprint, mCGH profile, novel region distribution profile, SNP type and multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis type was performed and a supernetwork based on the combination of these methods was produced. This supernetwork showed three distinct clusters of strains that were O157:H7 lineage-specific, with the SNP-based hyper-virulent clade 8 synonymous with O157:H7 lineage I/II. Lineage I/II/clade 8 strains clustered closest on the supernetwork toE. coliK12 andE. coliO55:H7, O145:NM and sorbitol-fermenting O157 strains.

Conclusion

The results of this study highlight the similarities in relationships derived from multi-locus genome sampling methods and suggest a "common genotyping language" may be devised for population genetics and epidemiological studies. Future genotyping methods should provide data that can be stored centrally and accessed locally in an easily transferable, informative and extensible format based on comparative genomic analyses.
Predicting protein-protein interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana through integration of orthology, gene ontology and co-expression
Authors: De Bodt Stefanie , Proost Sebastian , Vandepoele Klaas , Rouzé Pierre , Van de Peer Yves
Published: June 2009

Background

Large-scale identification of the interrelationships between different components of the cell, such as the interactions between proteins, has recently gained great interest. However, unraveling large-scale protein-protein interaction maps is laborious and expensive. Moreover, assessing the reliability of the interactions can be cumbersome.

Results

In this study, we have developed a computational method that exploits the existing knowledge on protein-protein interactions in diverse species through orthologous relations on the one hand, and functional association data on the other hand to predict and filter protein-protein interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana. A highly reliable set of protein-protein interactions is predicted through this integrative approach making use of existing protein-protein interaction data from yeast, human, C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Localization, biological process, and co-expression data are used as powerful indicators for protein-protein interactions. The functional repertoire of the identified interactome reveals interactions between proteins functioning in well-conserved as well as plant-specific biological processes. We observe that although common mechanisms (e.g. actin polymerization) and components (e.g. ARPs, actin-related proteins) exist between different lineages, they are active in specific processes such as growth, cancer metastasis and trichome development in yeast, human and Arabidopsis, respectively.

Conclusion

We conclude that the integration of orthology with functional association data is adequate to predict protein-protein interactions. Through this approach, a high number of novel protein-protein interactions with diverse biological roles is discovered. Overall, we have predicted a reliable set of protein-protein interactions suitable for further computational as well as experimental analyses.
cDNA-AFLP analysis reveals differential gene expression in compatible interaction of wheat challenged with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Tang Chunlei , Zhang Gang , Li Yingchun , Wang Chenfang , Liu Bo , Qu Zhipeng , Zhao Jie , Han Qingmei , Huang Lili , Chen Xianming , Kang Zhensheng
Published: June 2009

Background

Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is a fungal pathogen causing stripe rust, one of the most important wheat diseases worldwide. The fungus is strictly biotrophic and thus, completely dependent on living host cells for its reproduction, which makes it difficult to study genes of the pathogen. In spite of its economic importance, little is known about the molecular basis of compatible interaction between the pathogen and wheat host. In this study, we identified wheat and P. striiformis genes associated with the infection process by conducting a large-scale transcriptomic analysis using cDNA-AFLP.

Results

Of the total 54,912 transcript derived fragments (TDFs) obtained using cDNA-AFLP with 64 primer pairs, 2,306 (4.2%) displayed altered expression patterns after inoculation, of which 966 showed up-regulated and 1,340 down-regulated. 186 TDFs produced reliable sequences after sequencing of 208 TDFs selected, of which 74 (40%) had known functions through BLAST searching the GenBank database. Majority of the latter group had predicted gene products involved in energy (13%), signal transduction (5.4%), disease/defence (5.9%) and metabolism (5% of the sequenced TDFs). BLAST searching of the wheat stem rust fungus genome database identified 18 TDFs possibly from the stripe rust pathogen, of which 9 were validated of the pathogen origin using PCR-based assays followed by sequencing confirmation. Of the 186 reliable TDFs, 29 homologous to genes known to play a role in disease/defense, signal transduction or uncharacterized genes were further selected for validation of cDNA-AFLP expression patterns using qRT-PCR analyses. Results confirmed the altered expression patterns of 28 (96.5%) genes revealed by the cDNA-AFLP technique.

Conclusion

The results show that cDNA-AFLP is a reliable technique for studying expression patterns of genes involved in the wheat-stripe rust interactions. Genes involved in compatible interactions between wheat and the stripe rust pathogen were identified and their expression patterns were determined. The present study should be helpful in elucidating the molecular basis of the infection process, and identifying genes that can be targeted for inhibiting the growth and reproduction of the pathogen. Moreover, this study can also be used to elucidate the defence responses of the genes that were of plant origin.
Increasing prevalence and high incidence of celiac disease in elderly people: A population-based study
Authors: Vilppula Anitta , Kaukinen Katri , Luostarinen Liisa , Krekelä Ilkka , Patrikainen Heikki , Valve Raisa , Mäki Markku , Collin Pekka
Published: June 2009

Background

Celiac disease may emerge at any age, but little is known of its appearance in elderly people. We evaluated the prevalence of the condition in individuals over 55 years of age, and determined the incidence of biopsy-proven celiac disease (CDb) and celiac disease including seropositive subjects for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (CDb+s).

Methods

The study based on prevalence figures in 2815 randomly selected subjects who had undergone a clinical examination and serologic screening for celiac disease in 2002. A second screening in the same population was carried out in 2005, comprising now 2216 individuals. Positive tissue transglutaminase antibodies were confirmed with small bowel biopsy.

Results

Within three years the prevalence of CDb increased from 2.13 to 2.34%, and that of CDb+s from 2.45 to 2.70%. Five new cases were found among patients previously seronegative; two had minor abdominal symptoms and three were asymptomatic. The incidence of celiac disease in 2002–2005 was 0.23%, giving an annual incidence of 0.08% in this population.

Conclusion

The prevalence of celiac disease was high in elderly people, but the symptoms were subtle. Repeated screening detected five biopsy-proven cases in three years, indicating that the disorder may develop even in the elderly. Increased alertness to the disorder is therefore warranted.