bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Long Head of the Biceps Tendon Has Minimal Effect on In Vivo Glenohumeral Kinematics
Authors: Giphart J. Erik , Elser Florian , Dewing Christopher B. , Torry Michael R. , Millett Peter J.
Published: October 2011

Background: The in vivo stabilizing role of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) is poorly understood. While cadaveric studies report that the loaded LHB constrains translations in all directions, clinical data suggest that there is no clinically demonstrable alteration in glenohumeral position after LHB tenodesis or tenotomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential alterations in glenohumeral kinematics after LHB tenodesis during 3 dynamic in vivo motions using a biplane fluoroscopy system.

Hypothesis: Our hypothesis was that there would be no difference in glenohumeral translations greater than 1.0 mm between shoulders after biceps tenodesis and healthy contralateral shoulders.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Five patients who underwent unilateral, open subpectoral tenodesis performed abduction, a simulated late cocking phase of a throw, and simulated lifting with both their tenodesed shoulder and their contralateral healthy shoulder inside a biplane fluoroscopy system. Dynamic 3-dimensional glenohumeral positions and electromyography activity of the biceps brachii muscle were determined and compared.

Results: Significant glenohumeral translations occurred in both shoulders for abduction (3.4 mm inferiorly; P < .01) and simulated late cocking (2.6 mm anteriorly; P < .01). The mean difference for each motion in glenohumeral position between the tenodesed and the contralateral healthy shoulders was always less than 1.0 mm. The tenodesed shoulders were more anterior (centered) during abduction (0.7 mm; P < .01) and for the eccentric phase of the simulated late cocking motion (0.9 mm; P < .02). No significant differences were found during the simulated lifting motion and in the superior-inferior direction.

Conclusion: The effect of biceps tenodesis on glenohumeral position during the motions studied in vivo was minimal compared with physiological translations and interpatient variability.

Clinical Relevance: Our findings demonstrated that LHB tenodesis does not dramatically alter glenohumeral position during dynamic motions, suggesting the risk for clinically significant alterations in glenohumeral kinematics after tenodesis is low in otherwise intact shoulders.
Measurement and analysis on in-plane and through-thickness air permeation of fiber/resin prepreg
Authors: Xin Chaobo , Li Min , Gu Yizhuo , Li Yanxia , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: October 2011

Nowadays, zero-bleeding process and out-of-autoclave process are prevailing for aircraft composite structures. For these cases, the prepreg property such as air permeability becomes a crucial element for entrapped air venting off from prepreg stack during cure process. Therefore, the measurement of air permeability is important for the understanding and optimization of autoclave and vacuum-bag processes to obtain void-free composite parts. In this paper, an air permeation measuring system was established to test in-plane and through-thickness air permeabilities of prepreg stack, and the effects of compacting pressure and temperature on the air permeability were investigated. Furthermore, the influences of air permeability of prepreg stack on the void characteristics inside the cured laminates processed by autoclave and vacuum-bag processes were analyzed. The results indicate that the proposed air permeation measuring systems can quantitatively measure the in-plane and through-thickness gas permeabilities of prepreg stack. The compacting pressure and temperature have important effects on air permeability. For the same prepreg system, the in-plane air permeability is two orders of magnitudes higher than the through-thickness one. Finally, void defects are sensitive to the air permeability for vacuum-bag process, especially in the case of thick laminates. It provides an effective way to evaluate the quality of the prepreg for control of void defect and an important guideline for prepreg manufacturers.
Mechanical and energy absorption behaviors of metal/polymer layered sandwich structures
Authors: Baştürk S. Bahar , Tanoğlu Metin
Published: October 2011

This article considers the sandwich structures with aluminium (Al) foams of various thicknesses in conjunction with skins composed of fibre-metal laminates (FML). The FMLs with Al sheet and glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (GFPP) composites were integrated with Al foam for composing the sandwich panels. The FML–foam sandwich systems were manufactured by hot pressing in a mold at 200°C under 1.5 MPa pressure. The bonding between the components of the sandwich was achieved by various surface modification techniques, i.e., silane surface treatment, PP adhesive film additition, and their combination. The Al sheet/Al foam sandwiches were also prepared by bonding the components with an epoxy adhesive for comparing the effect of GFPP on the mechanical performance of the sandwich structures. The energy absorption capacities together with compressive mechanical behavior of both Al foams and FML-foam sandwich systems were evaluated by flatwise compression tests. Experiments were performed on samples of varying foam thicknesses.
The Deconstitutionalization of Academic Freedom After Garcetti v. Ceballos?
Authors: Roberts Robert North
Published: October 2011

The supreme court in Garcetti v. Ceballos ( 2006 ) held that public employees do not have constitutional rights to speak out on matters of public concern in the course of the performance of their official duties. The article examines the First Amendment freedom of speech rights of faculty employed at public universities and colleges before and after the Garcetti decision by examining lower federal court decisions. It argues that lower federal courts have applied Garcetti to the intramural speech, further limiting the freedom of speech rights of faculty members engaged in university governance activities. The article also argues that lower federal courts have not ruled on whether Garcetti applies to the classroom speech of college faculty.
Performance Management and Trust in Supervisors
Authors: Cho Yoon Jik , Lee Jung Wook
Published: October 2011

This article investigates the effect of performance management and explores one factor—trust in one’s supervisor—as a critical facilitator of it. Although improving performance is a prominent issue in public management and the term, performance management, is in heavy use in the public sector, systematic investigations on the subject are relatively rare. Defining performance management as a human resource management tool, this research empirically tests the associations between performance management and two outcomes: perceived work-unit performance and perceived agency performance. In addition, it examines the role of trust as a facilitator of the successful implementation of performance management. Using the Merit Principles Survey 2005, we test the ideas. Ordered logit regression analyses confirm that performance management promotes perceived performance of both work-unit and agency, and the leverages are further increased under a high level of trust in supervisors.
The Political Incorporation of Cuban Americans
Authors: Bishin Benjamin G. , Klofstad Casey A.
Published: October 2011

This article examines the political implications of the changing demographics of the Cuban American community. Over the past decade, pundits have predicted a massive shift in Cuban American voting behavior owing to demographic changes in the community. The authors find evidence that the attitudes of Cuban Americans have undergone significant changes, driven largely by the increased number of post-Mariel (1980) immigrants. The authors also find, however, that these dramatic changes have not yet been reflected at the ballot box, nor are they likely to be soon, owing to the slow process of immigrant political incorporation.
Get Out the Vote-by-Mail? A Randomized Field Experiment Testing the Effect of Mobilization in Traditional and Vote-by-Mail Precincts
Authors: Arceneaux Kevin , Kousser Thad , Mullin Megan
Published: October 2011

This study extends previous field experimental research on turnout by considering how institutional context moderates the effect of mobilization. Taking advantage of a setting in which some registrants are assigned to vote by mail, the authors find that a door-to-door mobilization campaign has a larger effect on the participation of those who vote at polling places than on registrants assigned to cast mail ballots, but only among individuals whose voting behavior is most likely to be shaped by extrinsic social rewards. The authors conclude that there may be payoff for election reform strategies that tap into voting’s social rewards.
God Save This Honorable Court
Authors: Blake William
Published: October 2011

If Supreme Court behavior is structured largely by the policy preferences of the justices, political scientists ought to consider the source of those preferences. Religion is one force that can strongly shape a judge’s worldview and therefore her or his votes. In this article, the author examines the effect of religion on U.S. Supreme Court votes in eleven issue areas plausibly connected to religious values. Catholic justices vote in ways that more closely adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church than do non-Catholic justices even after controlling for ideology. These results may indicate that Catholic theology is different from Protestant or Jewish theology. It is also possible that on some issues there is not much of a theological difference, but religious values play a more prominent role in public life for Catholic justices.
Manager-in-Chief
Authors: Cohen David B. , Vaughn Justin S. , Villalobos José D.
Published: October 2011

In an effort to examine the causal determinants of performance dynamics for the administrative presidency, the authors apply empirical public management theory to White House administration to explain managerial performance. Utilizing original survey data that measure the perceptions of former officials from the Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Clinton administrations, we conduct quantitative analyses to determine the extent to which a chief of staff’s background, relationship with the president, and internal as well as external management approaches shape overall perceptions of White House administrative efforts. The authors find that managerial dimensions matter considerably when explaining the dynamics of White House organizational performance.
Effects of Residential Mobility on the Ratio of Average House Floor Area to Average Household Size
Authors: Porčić Marko
Published: October 2011

The aim of this article is to test the hypothesis that mobile or predominantly mobile societies have a lower ratio of average house floor area to average household size. The analysis is performed on a cross-cultural sample consisting of 11 mobile and 35 sedentary cases. The research hypothesis is supported by the data, and the result is significant in two ways. First, it contributes to general anthropological understanding of relationships between cultural variables. Second, it has implications for demographic reconstructions in archaeology as it provides more specific information for converting observed house floor areas into population size and average household size estimates.
Offender Types and Criminality Dimensions in Male Juveniles Convicted of Sexual Offenses
Authors: Aebi Marcel , Vogt Gunnar , Plattner Belinda , Steinhausen Hans-Christoph , Bessler Cornelia
Published: October 2011

Previous studies have described juveniles who sexually offended (JSO) as a rather heterogeneous population. In consequence, different typologies of JSO have been proposed for a better understanding of the causes and interventional needs of JSO. Three previously described types have received support in previous studies, namely, the victim age type (JSO offending against children vs. adolescents or adults), the co-offender status type (JSO offending as singles vs. in groups), and the crime history type (JSO with vs. without a previous history of crime). The validity of these types is tested in a consecutive sample of 223 criminal male adolescents, who had been convicted of a sexual offense between 2000 and 2008 in the Canton of Zurich (Switzerland). By analyzing nine offender characteristics, four victim characteristics and six offense characteristics, the best evidence is found for the victim age–based type. The co-offender status and the crime history types are less well supported. However, all three types are related to each other and do not provide a comprehensive characterization of JSO. Therefore, an additional principal component analyses is performed searching for basic dimensions of juvenile sexual delinquency and leading to the following factors: “single offender with severe molestation of a related child,” “persistent general delinquent with migrant background,” “older offender with alcohol use and familial constraints,” “multiple and aggressive offender with social adversities,” and “offender with unselected and multiple victims.” These five dimensions reflect different relevant factors of sexual offending behavior in male juveniles and may have further impact on forensic and clinical practice.
Examining sleep, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness in pediatric multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Zafar Abu-Bakar , Ness Jayne , Dowdy Sarah , Avis Kristin , Bashir Khurram
Published: October 2011

Background: About 2–5% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience their first symptoms before age 18. Sleep disorders occur frequently in MS. The prevalence of sleep problems and their impact on fatigue and daytime sleepiness in pediatric MS is unknown.

Objective: To determine whether pediatric MS patients have more sleep disturbances, fatigue, and daytime sleepiness compared with an age-, sex-, and race-matched control group.

Methods: Patients and age-, sex-, and race-matched controls were surveyed to quantify daytime sleepiness via the modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep quality and hygiene through the Adolescent Sleep Wake and Hygiene Scale, respectively, and fatigue using the PediatricQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.

Results: Pediatric MS patients ( n = 30) and age-, sex-, and race-matched controls ( n = 52) had similar levels of fatigue; however, when compared with previously published historical controls, both groups reported worse fatigue across all dimensions ( p < 0.05). Pediatric MS patients also had similar sleep quality compared with the matched controls, but reported better sleep hygiene on the ‘sleep stability’ dimension ( p < 0.05). In addition, pediatric MS patients had less daytime sleepiness than the matched controls ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Although patients with MS reported similar levels of fatigue, they have better sleep hygiene, which could possibly account for the decreased amount of excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, when compared with historical controls, the MS and control samples reported more fatigue. Thus, caution must be taken when using published control data, especially when not properly matched.
Colon Cancer Survival With Herbal Medicine and Vitamins Combined With Standard Therapy in a Whole-Systems Approach
Authors: McCulloch Michael , Broffman Michael , van der Laan Mark , Hubbard Alan , Kushi Lawrence , Abrams Donald I. , Gao Jin , Colford John M.
Published: October 2011

Although localized colon cancer is often successfully treated with surgery, advanced disease requires aggressive systemic therapy that has lower effectiveness. Approximately 30% to 75% of patients with colon cancer use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), but there is limited formal evidence of survival efficacy. In a consecutive case series with 10-year follow-up of all colon cancer patients (n = 193) presenting at a San Francisco Bay-Area center for Chinese medicine (Pine Street Clinic, San Anselmo, CA), the authors compared survival in patients choosing short-term treatment lasting the duration of chemotherapy/radiotherapy with those continuing long-term. To put these data into the context of treatment responses seen in conventional medical practice, they also compared survival with Pan-Asian medicine + vitamins (PAM+V) with that of concurrent external controls from Kaiser Permanente Northern California and California Cancer Registries. Kaplan-Meier, traditional Cox regression, and more modern methods were used for causal inference—namely, propensity score and marginal structural models (MSMs), which have not been used before in studies of cancer survival and Chinese herbal medicine. PAM+V combined with conventional therapy, compared with conventional therapy alone, reduced the risk of death in stage I by 95%, stage II by 64%, stage III by 29%, and stage IV by 75%. There was no significant difference between short-term and long-term PAM+V. Combining PAM+V with conventional therapy improved survival, compared with conventional therapy alone, suggesting that prospective trials combining PAM+V with conventional therapy are justified.
A Q-learning approach to automated unmanned air vehicle demining
Authors: Ferrari Silvia , Daugherty Greyson
Published: October 2011

This paper develops a novel Q-learning approach to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) navigation, or path planning, for sensing applications in which an infrared (IR) sensor or camera is installed onboard the UAV for the purpose of detecting and classifying multiple, stationary ground targets. The main advantage of this approach over existing path planning techniques is that the optimal guidance policy is learned via the Q-function, without explicit knowledge of the system models and environmental conditions. As a result, the onboard guidance algorithm can adapt to different sensors, vehicle dynamics, and environmental conditions, without designer intervention, and without the need for accurate modeling of every system component. The approach is demonstrated through a demining application in which a UAV-based IR sensor is capable of determining the optimal altitude for properly detecting and classifying targets buried in a complex region of interest.
Type D personality and health status in cardiovascular disease populations: a meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Versteeg Henneke , Spek Viola , Pedersen Susanne S , Denollet Johan
Published: October 2011

Background

Knowledge of the factors associated with individual differences in patient-reported outcomes is essential to identify high-risk patients and improve secondary prevention. Design: In this meta-analysis, we examined the association between Type D personality and the individual differences in patient-reported physical and mental health status among cardiovascular patients.

Methods

A computerized search of the literature through PUBMED and PsychINFO (from 1995 to May 2011) was performed and prospective studies were selected that analysed the association between Type D personality and health status in cardiovascular patients. Two separate meta-analyses were performed for the association of Type D personality with physical and mental health status, respectively.

Results

Of all identified studies, ten studies met the selection criteria. The meta-analyses showed that Type D was associated with a two-fold increased odds for impaired physical health status (3035 patients, OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.49–2.52) and a 2.5-fold increased odds for impaired mental health status (2213 patients, OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.57–4.16). There was no significant heterogeneity between the studies on physical health status (Q = 12.78; p = 0.17; I2 = 29.59), but there was between those on mental health status (Q = 21.91; p = 0.003; I2 = 68.04). Subgroup analyses showed that the association between Type D and mental health status decreased yet remained significant when adjusting for baseline health status.

Conclusion

Type D personality was shown to be an independent correlate of impaired patient-reported physical and mental health status in various cardiovascular patient groups. Clinicians should be aware of the association between chronic psychological distress and poor patient-reported outcomes.
Minimizing wind drift of an arrow
Authors: Park J L
Published: October 2011

The selection and performance of different arrows in a wind can be a significant differentiator between competitors in outdoor archery competitions. Lateral displacement due to wind (wind drift) has two components: the first due to the arrow aligning itself with the resultant airflow, and the second due to the lateral component of the arrow’s aerodynamic drag. In this paper those components are calculated and compared with the measured wind drift in a large wind tunnel and with the standard deviation of the group size of different arrows shot outdoors in a wind. The wind drift of arrows can be compared by considering their diameter and mass. This is used to select the optimum arrow for outdoor target archery, together with optimization of the various arrow components to minimize the wind drift of a particular arrow.
Studying playoff qualification in motorsports via mixed-integer programming techniques
Authors: Donne D Delle , Marenco J
Published: October 2011

The present authors consider the widely popular Argentine Turismo Carretera car racing series, which consists of 11 regular phase races followed by five playoff races. After the regular phase, the first 12 racers in the standings qualify for the playoffs, which determine the champion. The present authors address the problem of determining, at any point within the regular phase, the minimum number of points that each racer must earn in the remainder of the regular phase in order to secure a playoff spot. Two mixed-integer programming models for this problem are presented, their properties and practical performance are analysed, and the obtained results are discussed.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with concomitant chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Joseph Amy M.
Published: October 2011

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is present in 1.8% of the general US population and its prevalence worldwide is estimated at 2–3%. HCV infected patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pose a particular challenge to the rheumatologist because of the risks of treatment with disease-modifying medications in patients with chronic liver infection. In this paper the difficulties of diagnosing RA in HCV patients and the safety of RA treatment in patients with both conditions are discussed.
Onychomatricoma
Authors: Durrant Michael N. , Palla Beth A. , Binder Scott W.
Published: October 2011

Onychomatricoma (OM) is a fibroepithelial tumor of nail matrix that occurs in the digits of both the hands and feet. This was first reported by Baran and Kint. They initially described 3 cases, all of which demonstrated a filamentous tumor of matrix tissue that resulted in a thickened funnel-shaped nail. Although apparently benign, it is subject to recurrence, and long-term follow-up is recommended because it is not known whether there is a conversion to malignancy. Even though this neoplasm was first described more than 18 years ago, there remains a dearth of case reports (currently fewer than 50) in the literature. This is a single case report and literature review.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV
The Effects of Perceptual and Conceptual Training on Novice Wine Drinkers’ Development
Authors: LaTour Kathryn A. , LaTour Michael S. , Feinstein Andrew H.
Published: October 2011

Wine marketers and restaurateurs have a vested interest in helping novice wine drinkers to learn more about wine, with the goal of encouraging them to purchase more wine and higher quality wine (with its higher price tag). The question posed here is how best to conduct that educational effort, using a perceptual approach or a conceptual approach. Most wine promotions tend to be perceptual, in the form of tastings and printed tasting notes. However, the two experiments described in this article demonstrate the greater benefit of conceptual learning, which involves explaining how the wine is produced generally and discussions of wine varietals in particular. In the first experiment, three groups of participants (novices, intermediates, and experts) were served a sample of zinfandel and then asked to identify that exact wine from a group of five, four of which had been adulterated with sweetener. Some participants were allowed to write down a description of the wine, and all were subjected to a fictitious advertising campaign designed to sway their choice on the matching test. In general, novices relied more on the terms offered by the advertising, and intermediates who have more perceptual learning than conceptual learning were also swayed when they were not given an opportunity to activate their conceptual knowledge (but not swayed as much when conceptual knowledge was activated). Experts paid no attention to the advertising whatsoever. The second experiment compared the educational experience of novices only, with a similar testing procedure, except this time the test groups were given either conceptual or perceptual educational sessions. The conceptual training was a twenty-five-minute tutorial in wines, while the perceptual training involved sensory aspects of wine (i.e., color, smell, and taste). Once again, all groups saw a fictitious advertisement for the “X” zinfandel. Those with conceptual learning were more likely to match the original sample and were less swayed by the fictitious advertising than those who had perceptual training. These respondents were also likely to rate the wine as being higher quality and willing to pay a higher price for it. One conclusion for wine marketers is that perceptual learning (as in tastings) is just the beginning of the process of developing wine consumers. Conceptual learning, where people learn about the process and details of wine production, is also essential.
Optimal Utilization of Registered Nurses Through All Phases of Care in the Cardiac Cath Lab
Authors: Matheson Linda , Levi Elizabeth
Published: October 2011

The highly specialized skills of registered nurses (RNs) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory pose unique problems for administrators when dealing with staffing shortages. Faced with a temporary reduction of 25% of the total RN labor and 50% of the procedural RN labor, a cardiac catheterization laboratory in north central Illinois resorted to cross-training RNs through all the phases of care, including preadmission, preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural care. This creative staffing solution solved the short-term staffing issue and had the added benefit of improving interpositional team knowledge and morale.
Mechanisms of antigen presentation to T cells in murine graft-versus-host disease: cross-presentation and the appearance of cross-presentation
Authors: Wang Xiaojian , Li Hongmei , Matte-Martone Catherine , Cui Weiguo , Li Ning , Tan Hung Sheng , Roopenian Derry , Shlomchik Warren D.
Published: October 2011

Recipient antigen-presenting cells (APCs) initiate GVHD by directly presenting host minor histocompatibility antigens (miHAs) to donor CD8 cells. However, later after transplantation, host APCs are replaced by donor APCs, and if pathogenic CD8 cells continue to require APC stimulation, then donor APCs must cross-present host miHAs. Consistent with this, CD8-mediated GVHD is reduced when donor APCs are MHC class I−. To study cross-presentation, we used hosts that express defined MHC class I Kb-restricted miHAs, crossed to Kb-deficient backgrounds, such that these antigens cannot be directly presented. Cross-priming was surprisingly efficient, whether antigen was restricted to the hematopoietic or nonhematopoietic compartments. Cross-primed CD8 cells were cytolytic and produced IFN-γ. CD8 cells were exclusively primed by donor CD11c+ cells, and optimal cross-priming required that they are stimulated by both type I IFNs and CD40L. In studying which donor APCs acquire host miHAs, we made the surprising discovery that there was a large-scale transfer of transmembrane proteins from irradiated hosts, including MHC class I–peptide complexes, to donor cells, including dendritic cells. Donor dendritic cells that acquired host MHC class I–peptide complexes were potent stimulators of peptide-specific T cells. These studies identify new therapeutic targets for GVHD treatment and a novel mechanism whereby donor APCs prime host-reactive T cells.
Comparative transcriptome sequencing of germline and somatic tissues of the Ascaris suum gonad
Authors: Ma Xuan , Zhu Yingjie , Li Chunfang , Shang Yunlong , Meng Fanjing , Chen Shilin , Miao Long
Published: October 2011

Background

Ascaris suum (large roundworm of pigs) is a parasitic nematode that causes substantial losses to the meat industry. This nematode is suitable for biochemical studies because, unlike C. elegans, homogeneous tissue samples can be obtained by dissection. It has large sperm, produced in great numbers that permit biochemical studies of sperm motility. Widespread study of A. suum would be facilitated by more comprehensive genome resources and, to this end, we have produced a gonad transcriptome of A. suum.

Results

Two 454 pyrosequencing runs generated 572,982 and 588,651 reads for germline (TES) and somatic (VAS) tissues of the A. suum gonad, respectively. 86% of the high-quality (HQ) reads were assembled into 9,955 contigs and 69,791 HQ reads remained as singletons. 2.4 million bp of unique sequences were obtained with a coverage that reached 16.1-fold. 4,877 contigs and 14,339 singletons were annotated according to the C. elegans protein and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) protein databases. Comparison of TES and VAS transcriptomes demonstrated that genes participating in DNA replication, RNA transcription and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways are expressed at significantly higher levels in TES tissues than in VAS tissues. Comparison of the A. suum TES transcriptome with the C. elegans microarray dataset identified 165 A. suum germline-enriched genes (83% are spermatogenesis-enriched). Many of these genes encode serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases (KPs) as well as tyrosine KPs. Immunoblot analysis further suggested a critical role of phosphorylation in both testis development and spermatogenesis. A total of 2,681 A. suum genes were identified to have associated RNAi phenotypes in C. elegans, the majority of which display embryonic lethality, slow growth, larval arrest or sterility.

Conclusions

Using deep sequencing technology, this study has produced a gonad transcriptome of A. suum. By comparison with C. elegans datasets, we identified sets of genes associated with spermatogenesis and gonad development in A. suum. The newly identified genes encoding KPs may help determine signaling pathways that operate during spermatogenesis. A large portion of A. suum gonadal genes have related RNAi phenotypes in C. elegans and, thus, might be RNAi targets for parasite control.
Mutations in WDR62 gene in Pakistani families with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly
Authors: Kousar Rizwana , Hassan Muhammad Jawad , Khan Bushra , Basit Sulman , Mahmood Saqib , Mir Asif , Ahmad Wasim , Ansar Muhammad
Published: October 2011

Background

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly is a disorder of neurogenic mitosis that causes reduction in brain size. It is a rare heterogeneous condition with seven causative genes reported to date. Mutations in WD repeat protein 62 are associated with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly with cortical malformations. This study was initiated to screen WDR62 mutations in four consanguineous Pakistani families with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly.

Methods

As part of a large study to detect the genetic basis of primary microcephaly in Pakistan, homozygosity mapping and DNA sequencing was used to explore the genetic basis of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in four families.

Results

Four out of 100 families recruited in the study revealed linkage to the MCPH2 locus on chromosome 19, which harbor WDR62 gene. DNA sequencing in these MCPH2 linked families result in the identification of a novel nonsense mutation (p.Q648X) and three previously known mutations.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that WDR62 mutations cause about 4% of autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in Pakistan.
Counting Depth Zero Patterns in Ballot Paths
Authors: Niederhausen Heinrich , Sullivan Shaun
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this work is to extend the theory of finite operator calculus to the multivariate setting, and apply it to the enumeration of certain lattice paths. The lattice paths we consider are ballot paths. A ballot path is a path that stays weakly above the diagonal
Testicular function and physical outcome in young adult males diagnosed with idiopathic 46 XY disorders of sex development during childhood
Authors: Blanc Thomas , Ayedi Ahmed , El-Ghoneimi Alaa , Abdoul Hendy , Aigrain Yves , Paris Françoise , Sultan Charles , Carel Jean-Claude , Léger Juliane
Published: October 2011

Objective

There are few studies of outcome in male patients with undefined 46 XY disorder of sex development (DSD). We aimed to assess testicular function and clinical characteristics after puberty in men with idiopathic 46 XY DSD.

Design

We conducted a University Hospital-based observational follow-up study.

Methods

Nineteen patients with severe hypospadias associated with other signs of defective virilization, such as microphallus, cryptorchidism, and/or bifid scrotum, who were initially managed during childhood between 1988 and 1994, were evaluated at a median age of 17.6 (16.3; 17.8) years. Outcome measures included clinical findings and serum testosterone, FSH, LH, and inhibin B concentrations.

Results

Testicular function was normal in only five (26%) patients. Impaired testicular function was observed in 14 (74%) patients and was partial (n=6; 32%) or total (n=8; 42%), requiring testosterone treatment for the initial (n=2) or secondary (n=6) induction of puberty. Undescended testis (unilateral n=3, bilateral n=2) was found and surgically managed only in the 14 patients with testicular impairment. Testosterone treatment in early childhood greatly increased penis length in all patients, but persistent microphallus following surgical treatment was observed at the end of puberty in most patients, with no difference between patients with and without testicular dysfunction (penis length of 68 (60; 75) vs 65 (60; 65) mm; P=0.42). Half the patients presented an adult height more than 5 cm below their target height.

Conclusion

Men diagnosed with idiopathic 46 XY DSD during childhood are at high risk of testicular insufficiency and persistent micropenis, and this should be taken into account during the follow-up.
The mammalian START domain protein family in lipid transport in health and disease
Authors: Clark Barbara J
Published: October 2011

Lipid transfer proteins of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (START) domain family are defined by the presence of a conserved ∼210 amino acid sequence that folds into an α/β helix-grip structure forming a hydrophobic pocket for ligand binding. The mammalian START proteins bind diverse ligands, such as cholesterol, oxysterols, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and possibly fatty acids, and have putative roles in non-vesicular lipid transport, thioesterase enzymatic activity, and tumor suppression. However, the biological functions of many members of the START domain protein family are not well established. Recent research has focused on characterizing the cell-type distribution and regulation of the START proteins, examining the specificity and directionality of lipid transport, and identifying disease states associated with dysregulation of START protein expression. This review summarizes the current concepts of the proposed physiological and pathological roles for the mammalian START domain proteins in cholesterol and lipid trafficking.
Pharmacogenetics of insulin secretagogue antidiabetics
Authors: Winkler Gábor , Gerő László
Published: October 2011

Type 2 diabetes is making up to 90% of the all diabetic cases. In addition to insulin resistance, insufficient B-cell function also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The insufficient production and secretion of insulin can be increased by secretagogue drugs, like sulfonylureas and incretin mimetics/enhancers. In recent years growing number of genetic failures of the B-cells has been detected. These genetic variants can influence the efficacy of secretagogue drugs. Some of these gene polymorphisms were identified in the genes encoding the KATP channel (KCNJ11 and ABCC8). These mutations are able either to reduce or increase the insulin secretion and can modify the insulin response to sulfonylurea treatment. Other polymorphisms were found on genes encoding enzymes or transcription factors. In the recent years the genetic variants of TCF7L2 and its clinical importance have been intensively studied. Authors give a summary of the above gene polymorphisms and their role in the insulin secretion. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1651–1660.
Diabetes and pregnancy
Authors: Baranyi Éva , Winkler Gábor
Published: October 2011

Metabolic characteristics of physiological and diabetic pregnancies are discussed. The basic factor of these changes is the increasing insulin resistance throughout pregnancy, which in case of diabetes may result in hyperglycemia with undesirable clinical consequences and complications for both the mother and the fetus. Prevention of these complications by maintaining physiological metabolic state of diabetic pregnant women is possible, which is similar to that of healthy women. The aim of treatment of pregnant diabetics is to achieve normoglycemic state during the whole gestation that is possible by early diagnosis in case of gestational diabetes and by an adequate preconceptional care in case of pregestational diabetes. To obtain desirable glycemic conditions insulin treatment is necessary in most of the cases together with an adequate, quantitative nutrition therapy, while oral antidiabetic drugs during pregnancy and lactation are to be avoided. For adequate care of the cases with diabetes and pregnancy interdisciplinary diabetes centers with well-trained experts are required. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1635–1640.
Programming effect of breast-feeding in infant nutrition policy documents in Hungary
Authors: Jakobik Viktória , Martin-Bautista Elena , Gage Heather , Von Rosen-Von Hoewel Julia , Laitinen Kirsi , Schmid Martina , Morgan Jane , Williams Peter , Campoy Cristina , Koletzko Berthold , Raats Monique , Decsi Tamás
Published: October 2011

Aims: To identify and describe infant feeding policy documents in Hungary and compare them to the documents of other four European countries (England, Finland, Germany and Spain). The question was also addressed how the phenomenon of nutritional programming was represented in the documents. Subjects: Policy documents on infant feeding were identified and analyzed in the five European countries by using uniform methods for searching and coding. Results: Twenty-six documents were identified: 4 in England, 2 in Finland, 9 in Germany, 6 in Hungary and 5 in Spain. Altogether 203 statements linked to references were identified: benefits of breast-feeding in general (24%), protection against infections (32%), long-term advantages like the prevention of diabetes (31%) or allergy (12%). Considerable variations were found within and between countries in the evaluation of the duration and character of the positive effects. The majority of the statements in the Hungarian documents referred either to the role of breast-feeding in infection protection (n = 8), or to long-term protective effects (n = 13). Conclusion: Policy documents in the study countries varied both in their extent and in the description of the long-term effects of infant nutrition. Majority of the documents failed to contain evidence based discussion of the phenomenon of early nutritional programming. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1641–1647.
Preliminary Report: Vitamin D Deficiency in Advanced Cancer Patients with Symptoms of Fatigue or Anorexia
Authors: Dev Rony , Del Fabbro Egidio , Schwartz Gary G. , Hui David , Palla Shana L. , Gutierrez Noah , Bruera Eduardo
Published: October 2011

Background.

Vitamin D deficiency in noncancer patients is associated with symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, and depression. These symptoms are common among advanced cancer patients. We investigated the prevalence of low serum vitamin D levels in cancer patients with fatigue or poor appetite and their association with symptom burden and other correctable endocrine abnormalities.

Methods.

This was a retrospective review of 100 consecutive cancer patients with appetite or fatigue scores of ≥4 of 10 referred to a supportive care clinic. We investigated serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D, cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and bioavailable testosterone. Symptoms were measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D <20 ng/mL was considered deficient; ≥20 ng/mL and <30 ng/mL were considered insufficient.

Results.

Patients were predominantly male (68%) and white (66%), with a median age of 60 years (range, 27–91 years). Gastrointestinal (30%) and lung (22%) cancers were predominant. Forty-seven patients (47%) were vitamin D deficient and 70 (70%) were insufficient. Thirteen of 70 patients (19%) with vitamin D insufficiency were on supplementation. Vitamin D deficiency was more common among nonwhites (82% versus 36%) and females. No significant association was found between vitamin D and symptoms. Hypogonadic males had a significantly lower mean 25(OH) vitamin D level than eugonadic males.

Conclusions.

Low vitamin D levels were highly prevalent among advanced cancer patients with cachexia or fatigue. Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent among nonwhite and female patients. Vitamin D levels were also significantly lower in male patients with hypogonadism.
Seismic performance evaluation of partially staggered-wall apartment buildings
Authors: Kim Jinkoo , Jun Yong
Published: October 2011

In this study the seismic performance of apartment buildings with partially staggered walls was evaluated using non-linear static and dynamic analysis, and was compared with the responses of conventional apartment buildings that use the shear wall system. Buildings of rectangular and square plan were selected as analysis model structures and the responses were compared with corresponding regular buildings. According to the analysis results, the structure with staggered walls designed with smaller response modification factor showed a similar or higher strength than the shear-wall-type structure. The structure with partial staggered-wall system satisfied the collapse prevention performance objective required by FEMA-356 and thus was considered to have sufficient capacity for design level seismic load.
Combined Anaerobic/Aerobic Digestion: Effect of Aerobic Retention Time on Nitrogen and Solids Removal
Authors: Kim Jongmin , Novak John T.
Published: October 2011

A combined anaerobic/aerobic sludge digestion system was studied to determine the effect of aerobic solids retention time (SRT) on its solids and nitrogen removal efficiencies. After the anaerobic digester reached steady state, effluent from the anaerobic digester was fed to aerobic digesters that were operated at 2‐ to 5‐day SRTs. The anaerobic system was fed with a mixture of primary and secondary sludge from a local municipal wastewater treatment plant. Both systems were fed once per a day. The aerobic reactor was continuously aerated with ambient air, maintaining dissolved oxygen level at 1.1 ± 0.3 mg/L. At a 4‐day or longer SRT, more than 11% additional volatile solids and 90% or greater ammonia were removed in the aerobic digester, while 32.8 mg‐N/L or more nitrite/nitrate also was measured. Most total Kjeldahl nitrogen removal was via ammonia removal, while little organic nitrogen was removed in the aerobic digester.
Amino Acid Species and Leaching Characters in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Using Ion Chromatography with Integrated Amperometric Detection
Authors: Zhang Gai
Published: October 2011

Tea is one of the most popular nonalcoholic beverages consumed in the world and contains a lot of amino acids. By simulating the infusion process of tea according to Chinese customs, amino acid species in tea infusions from three kinds of Chinese tea leaves were determined by ion chromatography with integrated amperometric detection. Furthermore, the relationship between leaching characters of amino acids and time, temperature and number of tea extractions was investigated. Leaching of amino acids was strongly affected by extraction time and temperature. The leaching ability for amino acids by hot water was high, with most of the amino acids left in the tea infusion. The results showed that the major species of amino acids in the tea infusion were arginine, glycine and histidine. According to Chinese customs for infusing tea, concentrations of amino acids in tea infusions were determined at different infusion times, extraction temperatures and extraction numbers. The results showed that a longer infusing time does not mean higher content in tea infusions due to the poor stability of some amino acids. Increasing the extraction temperature benefited leaching efficiency. Furthermore, the stability of some amino acids may become poor. After the tea leaves were infused three times, the concentration of amino acids in the tea infusion was very low.
Cartilage thickness of the trochlea of the talus, with emphasis on sites predisposed to osteochondrosis dissecans, in clinically normal juvenile and adult dogs
Authors: Brunnberg Mathias M. , Engelke Elisabeth , Gielen Ingrid M. , van Bree Henri J. , Hoffmann Jan E. , Brunnberg Leo , Waibl Helmut R.
Published: October 2011

Objective—To evaluate cartilage thickness of the talus (especially at sites predisposed to osteochondrosis dissecans [OCD]) in growing and adult dogs not affected with OCD.

Sample—Tarsocrural joints from cadavers of 34 juvenile (approx 3 months old) and 10 adult dogs.

Procedures—Tarsal cartilage thickness was examined via a stereophotography microscopic system. Articular cartilage thickness was determined at 11 locations on longitudinal slices of the trochlear ridges and the sulcus between the ridges and at 2 locations in the cochlea tibiae. Cartilage thickness was measured at the proximal, proximodorsal, dorsal, and distal aspects of the trochlear ridges; proximodorsal, dorsal, and distal aspects of the trochlear sulcus; and craniolateral and caudomedial aspects of the cochlea tibiae. Differences within a joint and between sexes were evaluated.

Results—Mean cartilage thickness decreased from proximal to distal in juvenile (lateral trochlear ridge, 1.52 to 0.41 mm; medial trochlear ridge, 1.10 to 0.40 mm) and from proximal to dorsal in adult (lateral trochlear ridge, 0.41 to 0.34 mm; medial trochlear ridge, 0.33 to 0.23 mm) dogs. Cartilage was thickest at the proximal aspect of the lateral trochlear ridge in both groups. Differences in proximodorsal, dorsal, and distal aspects of the ridges were not evident.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Healthy tarsocrural joints did not have thicker cartilage in sites predisposed to development of OCD. Evaluation of affected tarsocrural joints is necessary to exclude influences of cartilage thickness. These data are useful as a reference for distribution of cartilage thickness of the trochlea of the talus in dogs.