bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sagittal Plane Deformity During Femoral Lengthening
Authors: McCarthy James J. , Davidson Richard S. , Ast Michael P. , Cavorsi Gina M. , Swick Jeffrey
Published: September 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and degree of sagittal plane deformity that occurs during limb lengthening of the femur. Twenty-one patients (25 limbs) were identified who underwent femoral lengthening. The limbs were lengthened a mean of 6.1 cm, and mean follow-up was 1.5 years. The immediate postoperative deformity in the sagittal plane was 8.3°; this deformity did not progress during lengthening (
P
<.05). Mean displacement in the sagittal plane was 3.1 mm.

Angular deformities, although typically small, can occur in the sagittal plane and may be accompanied by displacement. These deformities are usually present immediately postoperatively and typically do not worsen significantly with lengthening.
Novel Oral Anticoagulants for VTE Prevention in Orthopedic Surgery: Overview of Phase 3 Trials
Authors: Friedman Richard J.
Published: September 2011

Outpatient use of anticoagulants to prevent venous thromboembolism after total hip or knee arthroplasty may be hampered either by requirements for parenteral administration or high variability and frequent monitoring of anticoagulant activity. Trials of the new oral direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran indicate that they can be administered in fixed doses without monitoring and that they generally have efficacy at least equivalent to enoxaparin, although with potential minor differences in the balance of efficacy vs risk for bleeding. This article reviews the results and pharmacokinetic properties that may influence their use in clinical practice.
Noninflammatory Pseudotumor Simulating Venous Thrombosis After Metal-on-Metal Hip Resurfacing
Authors: Maurer-Ertl Werner , Friesenbichler Joerg , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Kuerzl Gerda , Windhager Reinhard , Leithner Andreas
Published: September 2011

Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing has become a widespread procedure, especially in young, physically active patients. Pseudotumor is a new complication that can occur after hip resurfacing and metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty (THA).

This article presents a case of a 37-year-old woman who underwent metal-on-metal resurfacing of the left hip for symptomatic osteoarthritis. Twelve months following implantation, the patient reported painless swelling of the left lower leg. There was no clinical evidence of a deep venous thrombosis. Ultrasound and computed tomography showed a solid cystic lesion in the iliopsoas muscle, which communicated with the hip joint and compressed the external iliac vein. As a consequence, the cystic lesion was resected marginally. A few months later, the patient reported some discomfort in the groin and symptoms of instability, metallic clicking, and a restricted range of motion. Clinical and radiological examination revealed normal findings. Determining the serum concentration of cobalt and chromium revealed high increased levels of these metal ions. Ten months following excision of the pseudotumor, the patient reported recurrent swelling of the left lower leg. Computed tomography of the affected area showed a lobulated cystic formation; therefore, a relapse was suspected. At the second revision, the mass was excised and the implant was revised to a conventional ceramic-on-ceramic THA. At 30-month follow-up, the patient was doing well and there were no signs of local recurrence. Additionally, the metal ion levels of cobalt and chromium in the blood had significantly decreased.
Using the “Write” Resources: Nursing Student Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Collaboration Using a Professional Writing Assignment
Authors: McMillan Libba Reed , Raines Kimberly
Published: September 2011

Nursing students need the necessary resources to successfully complete a professional paper writing assignment. The purpose of this article is to describe resource support and evaluation strategies used in a professional paper writing assignment in a baccalaureate nursing program. The impetus for the study is to address the need for nursing faculty to move students toward writing proficiency while improving their information management skills. Students need resources to successfully complete professional papers due to the need for mining relevant professional sources, assistance with editing, and refinement of paper gained through peer feedback. Methods include evaluation of the interdisciplinary resource collaboration with campus librarians (information literacy), campus writing center tutorial oversight, and peer reviewer support and feedback. Student evaluation of the teaching strategy found the resources helpful for completion of the writing assignment and the collaborative learning with campus colleagues and writing experts beneficial.
Histopathology of the Ex-PRESS™ Shunt
Authors: Aziz Hassan , Fantes Francisco , Dubovy Sander
Published: September 2011

The authors report the histopathologic features of a human enucleated eye with an Ex-PRESS shunt (Optonol, Ltd., Neve Ilan, Israel). An 86-year-old man with a blind painful eye underwent enucleation. He had a history of glaucoma with an Ex-PRESS shunt implanted. Histopathologic evaluation of the specimen showed a thin layer of fibrotic tissue surrounding the implant. In this case, the Ex-PRESS shunt was relatively well tolerated in the human eye.
Bowen Measure From Heteroclinic Points
Authors: Killough D. B. , Putnam I. F.
Published: September 2011

We present a new construction of the entropy-maximizing, invariant probability measure on a Smale space (the Bowen measure). Our construction is based on points that are unstably equivalent to one given point, and stably equivalent to another, i.e., heteroclinic points. The spirit of the construction is similar to Bowen's construction from periodic points, though the techniques are very different. We also prove results about the growth rate of certain sets of heteroclinic points, and about the stable and unstable components of the Bowen measure. The approach we take is to prove results through direct computation for the case of a Shift of Finite type, and then use resolving factor maps to extend the results to more general Smale spaces.
Hybrid Courses and Online Policy Dialogues: A Transborder Distance Learning Collaboration
Authors: Pollock Katina E , Winton Sue M
Published: September 2011

This essay describes a blended (hybrid) course collaboration used to facilitate policy dialogues between graduate students at two institutions (one in Canada and the other in the US) as a way to teach about policy. The course content and design is informed by three trends in research and practice: increased policy borrowing across boundaries and jurisdictions; calls to democratize policy making in general and in education policy in particular; and developments in teaching and learning online. Drawing on students’ informal feedback in combination with reflections on instructors’ experiences, we suggest that policy dialogues are a promising strategy for promoting students’ learning about education policy. We also illustrate how professors can use a hybrid course structure between two institutions.
Cet essai décrit la démarche de collaboration lors d’un cours hybride visant à faciliter les dialogues politiques entre les étudiants de troisième cycle de deux établissements (un au Canada et l’autre aux États-Unis). Cette collaboration est une façon de former les étudiants au sujet de la politique. Le contenu et la forme du cours reposent sur trois tendances en matière de recherche et de pratique : accroissement de l’emprunt des politiques au-delà des frontières et des juridictions; appels à la démocratisation de l’élaboration de politiques en général et de celles relatives à l’éducation en particulier; et évolution de l’enseignement et de l’apprentissage en ligne. En nous basant sur les commentaires informels des étudiants et sur les réflexions des enseignants à propos de leurs expériences, nous suggérons que les dialogues politiques constituent une stratégie prometteuse pour promouvoir l’apprentissage des étudiants en matière de politiques sur l’éducation. Nous illustrons aussi la façon dont les enseignants peuvent utiliser une structure de cours hybride entre deux établissements d’enseignement.
Reaction Time‐based Detection of Concealed Information in Relation to Individual Differences in Executive Functioning
Authors: Visu‐Petra George , Miclea Mircea , Visu‐Petra Laura
Published: September 2011

Executive functioning has been shown to play an essential role in a person's ability to accurately and efficiently execute deceptive responses. The present study relates individual differences in executive functions and anxiety to the accuracy and latency of deceptive responses in a reaction time (RT)‐based Concealed Information Test with pictorial stimuli extracted from a mock crime scenario. Results indicated that the pictorial RT‐based Concealed Information Test successfully differentiated between guilty and innocent participants. In terms of executive functions, set‐shifting and inhibition were directly related to deception accuracy and speed, respectively. However, enhanced underlying working memory skills (both verbal and spatial) were associated with longer RTs for item classification. No strong associations were noted with anxiety dimensions. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to neurocognitive models of deception and to the process of deception detection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics in Using Different Question Types in Estonian Police Interviews of Children
Authors: Kask Kristjan
Published: September 2011

The present study examined Estonian police officers' interviewing tactics with children in cases of physical and/or sexual abuse, as there are no published studies conducted in a country formally part of the Soviet Union. Also, the dynamics in using different question types within interviews was examined. Investigative interviews with 66 children (mean age 8 years 10 months, range 4 to 14 years) were transcribed and analyzed. Option‐posing and direct questions were most frequently employed, but invitations produced significantly more information. Four to seven‐year‐old children were asked more suggestive questions than older children. As interviews progressed, the average number of explanations and general invitations per interview decreased, whereas the number of suggestive and option‐posing questions increased. This study suggests that like police officers in other countries, Estonian investigators require training in structured interviewing methods to increase the number of invitations and reduce reliance upon option‐posing and direct questions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do Non‐Verbal Aids Increase the Effectiveness of ‘Best Practice’ Verbal Interview Techniques? An Experimental Study
Authors: Salmon Karen , Pipe Margaret‐Ellen , Malloy Alana , Mackay Katherine
Published: September 2011

Two experiments examined the effectiveness of non‐verbal interview aids as means of increasing the amount of information children report about an event under conditions designed to mimic their use in the field. In the first study, 27 5–7‐year‐old children took part in an event, and 7–10 days later were interviewed using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Protocol interview followed by an opportunity to draw the event or complete puzzles and, in turn, a second verbal interview. New information was reported following both drawing and puzzles and accuracy declined in both conditions, but drawing did not differentially influence recall. In the second experiment, dolls or human figure diagrams were introduced to clarify children's (N = 53) reports of touch as recommended in by some professionals, with a verbal interview serving as a control. Props did not increase the amount of information reported compared with best practice verbal techniques, but nor did they elevate errors. The findings support the use of a second recall attempt, but do not support the use of non‐verbal aids, even when these are used following professional recommendations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pediatric regional examination of the musculoskeletal system: A practice‐ and consensus‐based approach
Authors: Foster Helen , Kay Lesley , May Carl , Rapley Tim
Published: September 2011

Objective

Competent examination of the pediatric musculoskeletal (MSK) system is a vital component of clinical assessment of children with MSK presentations. The aim was to develop a regional MSK examination for school‐age children that is age appropriate and reflects clinical practice.

Methods

Qualitative and quantitative analyses involving video observation of clinical examination technique, systematic review, and expert consensus were employed to reveal descriptions, frequencies, and variations in technique for joint regions in various clinical scenarios. Systematic review and data from clinical observation were combined with feedback from a group of pediatric MSK experts through a web‐based survey. All results were collated and discussed by consensus development groups to derive the pediatric Regional Examination of the Musculoskeletal System (pREMS).

Results

A total of 48 pediatric MSK expert clinicians were involved to derive pREMS. Systematic review revealed a paucity of evidence about regional pediatric MSK examination. Video observations of MSK examinations (a total of 2,901 maneuvers) performed by pediatric MSK experts (n = 11 doctors and 8 therapists) of 89 school‐age children attending outpatient clinics in 7 UK pediatric rheumatology centers were followed by semistructured interviews with 14 of 19 clinicians. Video observation showed variation in examination techniques, most frequently at the hip and knee in the context of mechanical and inflammatory clinical scenarios.

Conclusion

pREMS is the first practice‐ and consensus‐based regional pediatric MSK examination for school‐age children. The structured approach is an important step toward improved pediatric MSK clinical skills relevant to clinical training.
Identification of phenotypes with different clinical outcomes in knee osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative
Authors: Knoop Jesper , van der Leeden Marike , Thorstensson Carina A. , Roorda Leo D. , Lems Willem F. , Knol Dirk L. , Steultjens Martijn P. M. , Dekker Joost
Published: September 2011

Objective

To identify subgroups or phenotypes of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients based on similarities of clinically relevant patient characteristics, and to compare clinical outcomes of these phenotypes.

Methods

Data from 842 knee OA patients of the Osteoarthritis Initiative were used. A cluster analysis method was performed, in which clusters were formed based on similarities in 4 clinically relevant, easily available variables: severity of radiographic OA, lower extremity muscle strength, body mass index, and depression. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to compare phenotypes on clinical outcomes (pain and activity limitations), taking into account possible confounders.

Results

Five phenotypes of knee OA patients were identified: “minimal joint disease phenotype,” “strong muscle phenotype,” “nonobese and weak muscle phenotype,” “obese and weak muscle phenotype,” and “depressive phenotype.” The “depressive phenotype” and “obese and weak muscle phenotype” showed higher pain levels and more severe activity limitations than the other 3 phenotypes.

Conclusion

Five phenotypes based on clinically relevant patient characteristics can be identified in the heterogeneous population of knee OA patients. These phenotypes showed different clinical outcomes. Interventions may need to be tailored to these clinical phenotypes.
Casting Defects and Mechanical Properties of High Pressure Die Cast Mg‐Zn‐Al‐RE Alloys
Authors: Xiao Wenlong , Easton Mark A. , Zhu Suming , Dargusch Matthew S. , Gibson Mark A. , Jia Shusheng , Nie Jianfeng
Published: September 2011

The die casting defects and tensile properties of high pressure die cast (HPDC) Mg‐Zn‐Al‐RE alloys with various combinations of Zn and Al were studied. The results show that die casting defects in Mg‐Zn‐Al‐RE alloys are affected by the percentage of Zn and Al contents. The hot tearing susceptibility (HTS) of Mg‐Zn‐Al‐RE alloys tends to increase with increasing Zn content up to 6 wt%, while a further increase of Al and/or Zn content reduces the HTS. In tensile tests, the yield strength (YS) is generally improved by increasing Zn or Al content, whereas the tensile strength (TS) and ductility appear to depend largely on the presence of casting defects. Compared with Mg‐Zn‐Al alloys, the mechanical properties of the Mg‐Zn‐Al‐RE alloy are significantly improved. The Mg‐4Zn‐4Al‐4RE alloy is found to have few casting defects and the optimal tensile properties.
Effect of Process Parameters on a Metallurgical Route Providing Nano‐Structured Single Phase Steel with High Work‐Hardening
Authors: Bouaziz Olivier , Barbier David , Cugy Philippe , Petigand Gérard
Published: September 2011

New experimental results using different prestrains and different recovery durations highlight an efficient metallurgical route to produce single phase steels with high combination between yield stress and strain‐hardening. This is achieved by exploiting the thermal stability of mechanically induced twins in a high manganese austenitic Twining Induced Plasticity alloys.
In Situ EBSD Investigation of Recrystallization in a Partially Annealed and Cold‐Rolled Aluminum Alloy of Commercial Purity
Authors: Helbert Anne‐Laure , Wang Wei , Brisset François , Baudin Thierry , Penelle Richard
Published: September 2011

The microstructure of partially annealed and additionally rolled 1050 aluminum alloy of commercial purity was monitored using FEG/EBSD in situ heating experiments in order to understand the preferential growth of Cube‐oriented grains. A fast reorganization of the deformation sub‐structure of Cube and S1{214} <‐1‐21> grains has been observed by sub‐grain growth that consists in a continuous recrystallization mechanism. This occurs as the main recrystallization mechanism at the beginning of the annealing but soon competes with a preferential Cube growth by Strain Induced Boundary Migration (SIBM). An EBSD pattern Image Quality (IQ) analysis attested that Cube grains store less energy than non‐Cube oriented grains. TEM observations allowed studying the effect of the additional rolling on the deformation sub‐structures depending on the crystallographic orientation. It appears that Cube grains close to the exact orientation contain isolated dislocations and that rotated Cube grains (with 15° spread to the exact orientation) are composed of dislocation cells with thin walls. At the opposite, non‐Cube grains are organized in sub‐grains with thicker walls and rich in dislocations. Finally, this difference of sub‐structure associated to an energy difference between Cube and non‐Cube grains explains the preferential Cube growth by SIBM evidenced by the sequence of in situ scans during heating.
Towards the Next Generation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Operating Below 600 °C with Chemically Stable Proton‐Conducting Electrolytes
Authors: Fabbri Emiliana , Bi Lei , Pergolesi Daniele , Traversa Enrico
Published: September 2011

The need for reducing the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operating temperature below 600 °C is imposed by cost reduction, which is essential for widespread SOFC use, but might also disclose new applications. To this aim, high‐temperature proton‐conducting (HTPC) oxides have gained widespread interest as electrolyte materials alternative to oxygen‐ion conductors. This Progress Report describes recent developments in electrolyte, anode, and cathode materials for protonic SOFCs, addressing the issue of chemical stability, processability, and good power performance below 600 °C. Different fabrication methods are reported for anode‐supported SOFCs, obtained using state‐of‐the‐art, chemically stable proton‐conducting electrolyte films. Recent findings show significant improvements in the power density output of cells based on doped barium zirconate electrolytes, pointing out towards the feasibility of the next generation of protonic SOFCs, including a good potential for the development of miniaturized SOFCs as portable power supplies.
Phase II study of the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat (LBH589) in patients with low or intermediate‐1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Dimicoli Sophie , Jabbour Elias , Borthakur Gautam , Kadia Tapan , Estrov Zeev , Yang Hui , Kelly Mary , Pierce Sherry , Kantarjian Hagop , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo
Published: September 2011

A phase II non‐randomized single arm trial of oral panobinostat (LBH589) was conducted in patients with low or intermediate‐1 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The objective of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of panobinostat in this patient population. The study would stop early if there was a chance >99% that the average overall response rate was <15%. Thirteen patients were treated: Median age was 70 years (range 47–84), 70% were transfusion dependent, 70% had intermediate‐1 risk MDS. Most patients were diploid but one patient with del(5q), one with trisomy 8, one with complex cytogenetics, and two with deletion of 20q were included. Approximately 40% had previous therapy for MDS. Of the 13 patients, 1 (8%) achieved hematological improvement (HI‐E and HI‐P, duration 3 months) and 6 (46%) had stable disease for a median duration of 6 months (range 1.7–13.6). Treatment was withheld in one patient because of QTc prolongation but no other serious adverse effects were otherwise observed. Panobinostat did not consistently induce histone acetylation as measured with Western blot. This data indicates that panobinostat at the dose and schedule studied here has limited activity in lower risk MDS. Am. J. Hematol., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geometric morphometrics of male facial shape in relation to physical strength and perceived attractiveness, dominance, and masculinity
Authors: Windhager Sonja , Schaefer Katrin , Fink Bernhard
Published: September 2011

Objectives:

Evolutionary psychologists claim that women have adaptive preferences for specific male physical traits. Physical strength may be one of those traits, because recent research suggests that women rate faces of physically strong men as more masculine, dominant, and attractive. Yet, previous research has been limited in its ability to statistically map specific male facial shapes and features to corresponding physical measures (e.g., strength) and ratings (e.g., attractiveness).

Methods:

The association of handgrip strength (together with measures of shoulder width, body height, and body fat) and women's ratings of male faces (concerning dominance, masculinity, and attractiveness) were studied in a sample of 26 Caucasian men (aged 18–32 years). Geometric morphometrics was used to statistically assess the covariation of male facial shape with these measures. Statistical results were visualized with thin‐plate spline deformation grids along with image unwarping and image averaging.

Results:

Handgrip strength together with shoulder width, body fat, dominance, and masculinity loaded positively on the first dimension of covariation with facial shape (explaining 72.6%,P< 0.05). These measures were related to rounder faces with wider eyebrows and a prominent jaw outline while highly attractive and taller men had longer, narrower jaws and wider/fuller lips.

Conclusions:

Male physical strength was more strongly associated with changes in face shape that relate to perceived masculinity and dominance than to attractiveness. Our study adds to the growing evidence that attractiveness and dominance/masculinity may reflect different aspects of male mate quality. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Hokkaido Jomon skeletons: Remnants of archaic maternal lineages at the southwestern edge of former Beringia
Authors: Adachi Noboru , Shinoda Ken‐ichi , Umetsu Kazuo , Kitano Takashi , Matsumura Hirofumi , Fujiyama Ryuzo , Sawada Junmei , Tanaka Masashi
Published: September 2011

To clarify the colonizing process of East/Northeast Asia as well as the peopling of the Americas, identifying the genetic characteristics of Paleolithic Siberians is indispensable. However, no genetic information on the Paleolithic Siberians has hitherto been reported. In the present study, we analyzed ancient DNA recovered from Jomon skeletons excavated from the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, which was connected with southern Siberia in the Paleolithic period. Both the control and coding regions of their mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were analyzed in detail, and we confidently assigned 54 mtDNAs to relevant haplogroups. Haplogroups N9b, D4h2, G1b, and M7a were observed in these individuals, with N9b being the predominant one. The fact that all these haplogroups, except M7a, were observed with relatively high frequencies in the southeastern Siberians, but were absent in southeastern Asian populations, implies that most of the Hokkaido Jomon people were direct descendants of Paleolithic Siberians. The coalescence time of N9b (ca. 22,000 years) was before or during the last glacial maximum, implying that the initial trigger for the Jomon migration in Hokkaido was increased glaciations during this period. Interestingly, Hokkaido Jomons lack specific haplogroups that are prevailing in present‐day native Siberians, implying that diffusion of these haplogroups in Siberia might have been after the beginning of the Jomon era, about 15,000 years before present. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The correspondence between proximal phalanx morphology and locomotion: Implications for inferring the locomotor behavior of fossil catarrhines
Authors: Rein Thomas R.
Published: September 2011

Phalanges are considered to be highly informative in the reconstruction of extinct primate locomotor behavior since these skeletal elements directly interact with the substrate during locomotion. Variation in shaft curvature and relative phalangeal length has been linked to differences in the degree of suspension and overall arboreal locomotor activities. Building on previous work, this study investigated these two skeletal characters in a comparative context to analyze function, while taking evolutionary relationships into account. This study examined the correspondence between proportions of suspension and overall substrate usage observed in 17 extant taxa and included angle of curvature and relative phalangeal length. Predictive models based on these traits are reported. Published proportions of different locomotor behaviors were regressed against each phalangeal measurement and a size proxy. The relationship between each behavior and skeletal trait was investigated using ordinary least‐squares, phylogenetic generalized least‐squares (pGLS), and two pGLS transformation methods to determine the model of best‐fit. Phalangeal curvature and relative length had significant positive relationships with both suspension and overall arboreal locomotion. Cross‐validation analyses demonstrated that relative length and curvature provide accurate predictions of relative suspensory behavior and substrate usage in a range of extant species when used together in predictive models. These regression equations provide a refined method to assess the amount of suspensory and overall arboreal locomotion characterizing species in the catarrhine fossil record. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluorine Conformational Effects in Organocatalysis: An Emerging Strategy for Molecular Design
Authors: Zimmer Lucie E. , Sparr Christof , Gilmour Ryan
Published: September 2011

Molecular design strategies that profit from the intrinsic stereoelectronic and electrostatic effects of fluorinated organic molecules have mainly been restricted to bio‐organic chemistry. Indeed, many fluorine conformational effects remain academic curiosities with no immediate application. However, the renaissance of organocatalysis offers the possibility to exploit many of these well‐described phenomena for molecular preorganization. In this minireview, we highlight examples of catalyst refinement by introduction of an aliphatic CF bond which functions as a chemically inert steering group for conformational control.
The Development of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in Shanghai Mental Health Center
Authors: Xu Yong , Qiu Jianyin , Chen Jue , Xiao Zeping
Published: September 2011

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy developed in the China in the context that mental health has become a significant social and public health problem due to the remarkable social and economic changes in the last 30 years. This paper uses the development of psychoanalytic psychotherapy at Shanghai Mental Health Center as an illustration of its benefits for China, and the difficulties and obstacles it encounters in Chinese culture. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diuretic use, increased serum urate levels, and risk of incident gout in a population‐based study of adults with hypertension: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study
Authors: McAdams DeMarco Mara A. , Maynard Janet W. , Baer Alan N. , Gelber Allan C. , Young J. Hunter , Alonso Alvaro , Coresh Josef
Published: September 2011

Objective

To quantify the role of diuretic use in gout development in an adult population with hypertension.

Methods

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a prospective population‐based cohort from 4 US communities, consisted of 4 visits over a 9‐year period. Participants were included in this analysis if they answered a query about gout, were free of gout at baseline, and had hypertension (defined as taking medication to treat hypertension or having blood pressure of ≥140/90 mm Hg). Trained interviewers recorded use of antihypertensive drugs. Incident gout was defined as self‐reported onset of gout after baseline. Using a time‐dependent Cox proportional hazards model, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs; with 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) for incident gout by time‐varying diuretic use, both adjusted for confounders and tested for mediation by serum urate level.

Results

There were 5,789 participants with hypertension; 37% were treated with a diuretic. Use of any diuretic (HR 1.48 [95% CI 1.11, 1.98]), a thiazide diuretic (HR 1.44 [95% CI 1.00, 2.10]), or a loop diuretic (HR 2.31 [95% CI 1.36, 3.91]) was associated with incident gout as compared with not using any diuretic, not using a thiazide diuretic, or not using a loop diuretic, respectively. After adjusting for serum urate level, the association between diuretic use and gout was null. Use of antihypertensive medication other than diuretic agents was associated with decreased gout risk (adjusted HR 0.64 [95% CI 0.49, 0.86]) compared to untreated hypertension. The longitudinal change in serum urate levels was 0.72 mg/dl (95% CI 0.57, 0.87) higher in those who began treatment with a diuretic than in those who did not (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Thiazide and loop diuretics were associated with increased gout risk, an association mediated by a change in serum urate levels.
Efficacy of the antiphospholipid score for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome and its predictive value for thrombotic events
Authors: Otomo Kotaro , Atsumi Tatsuya , Amengual Olga , Fujieda Yuichiro , Kato Masaru , Oku Kenji , Horita Tetsuya , Yasuda Shinsuke , Koike Takao
Published: September 2011

Objective

To define the antiphospholipid score (aPL‐S) by testing multiple antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and to evaluate its efficacy for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and predictive value for thrombosis.

Methods

This study comprised 2 independent sets of patients with autoimmune diseases. In the first set of patients (n = 233), the aPL profiles were analyzed. Five clotting assays for testing lupus anticoagulant and 6 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (IgG/IgM anticardiolipin antibodies, IgG/IgM anti–β2‐glycoprotein I, and IgG/IgM phosphatidylserine‐dependent antiprothrombin antibodies) were included. The association of the aPL‐S with a history of thrombosis/pregnancy morbidity was assessed. In the second set of patients (n = 411), the predictive value of the aPL‐S for thrombosis was evaluated retrospectively. Two hundred ninety‐six of these patients were followed up for >2 years. The relationship between the aPL‐S and the risk of developing thrombosis was analyzed.

Results

In the first set of patients, the aPL‐S was higher in those with thrombosis/pregnancy morbidity than in those without manifestations of APS (P < 0.00001). For the aPL‐S, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value was 0.752. In the second set of patients, new thromboses developed in 32 patients. The odds ratio (OR) for thrombosis in patients with an aPL‐S of ≥30 was 5.27 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.32–11.95, P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, an aPL‐S of ≥30 appeared to be an independent risk factor for thrombosis (hazard ratio 3.144 [95% CI 1.383–7.150], P = 0.006).

Conclusion

The aPL‐S is a useful quantitative index for diagnosing APS and may be a predictive marker for thrombosis in autoimmune diseases.
Histone deacetylases are dysregulated in rheumatoid arthritis and a novel histone deacetylase 3–selective inhibitor reduces interleukin‐6 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Gillespie Justin , Savic Sinisa , Wong Chi , Hempshall Aiden , Inman Martyn , Emery Paul , Grigg Ronald , McDermott Michael F.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To characterize the role of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the effects of MI192, a novel HDAC‐3–selective inhibitor, compared with the established nonselective HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), on proinflammatory cytokine production.

Methods

Activity of HDAC and histone acetyltransferase was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from RA patients by spectrophotometric assay, prior to and after 12 weeks of etanercept therapy. The effects of HDAC inhibitor treatment on cytokine production in both RA and healthy PBMCs were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

RA PBMCs exhibited significantly increased HDAC activity (P = 0.007) compared to PBMCs from healthy individuals, and the increase was unaltered after 12 weeks of etanercept therapy. TSA was a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production in both RA and healthy PBMCs and of interferon‐γ (IFNγ) production in healthy PBMCs; IFNγ was not produced by RA PBMCs. MI192 inhibited TNF production at high concentrations and dose‐dependently inhibited IL‐6 in RA PBMCs but not healthy PBMCs, across a dose range of 10 μM–5 nM.

Conclusion

HDAC activity is dysregulated in RA PBMCs and is a potential target for therapeutic intervention, as it is not affected by conventional anti‐TNF treatment with etanercept. Both the selective and the nonselective HDAC inhibitors (MI192 and TSA, respectively) were found to regulate cytokine production from PBMCs, but their effects were cell type and compound specific. HDAC inhibitors have potential in the treatment of RA, and HDAC‐selective inhibition may improve the therapeutic margin of safety; however, further clinical characterization and evaluation for adverse effects is needed.
A Ditopic Fluorescence Sensor for Saccharides and Mercury Based on a Boronic‐Acid Receptor and Desulfurisation Reaction
Authors: Xing Zhitao , Wang Hui‐Chen , Cheng Yixiang , James Tony D. , Zhu Chengjian
Published: September 2011

Two boron‐contained fluorescent sensors, 1 and 2, based on coumarin have been prepared. The fluorescence response of the two systems was investigated with addition of saccharide and mercury ions. Sensor 2 behaves as a bifunctional fluorescent switch with chemical inputs of D‐fructose and mercury ions.
Effects of inositol supplementation in a cohort of mothers at risk of producing an NTD pregnancy
Authors: Cavalli Pietro , Tonni Gabriele , Grosso Enrico , Poggiani Carlo
Published: September 2011

Neural tube defects (NTDs), most commonly spina bifida and anencephaly, can be prevented with periconceptional intake of folic acid in about 70% of cases. Recurrence of NTDs despite supplementation of high dose of folic acid further suggests that a proportion of NTD cases might be resistant to folic acid. Moreover, heterogeneity of NTDs has been suggested in animal studies, indicating that only some sub‐type of NTDs should be considered sensitive to folate intake. Inositol isomers (particularly myo‐ and chiro‐inositol) can prevent folate‐resistant NTDs in the curly‐tail mutant mouse, suggesting that some cases of human NTDs might benefit from inositol supplementation. In humans, lower inositol blood concentration was found in pregnant women carrying NTD fetuses, whereas a periconceptional combination therapy with folic acid associated with inositol has been linked to normal live births, despite high NTD recurrence risk. Fifteen pregnancies from 12 Caucasian women from different parts of Italy with at least one previous NTD‐affected pregnancy underwent periconceptional combined myo‐inositol and folic acid supplementation. Maternal serum α‐feto‐protein levels were found in the normal range, and normal results on ultrasound examination were found in all the pregnancies that followed. No collateral effects or intense uterine contractions were demonstrated in this pilot study in any of the pregnancies after inositol supplementation, and seventeen babies were born without any type of NTD. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of static magnetic fields on the growth, photosynthesis and ultrastructure of Chlorella kessleri microalgae
Authors: Small Darcy P. , Hüner Norman P.A. , Wan Wankei
Published: September 2011

Microalgal biotechnology could generate substantial amounts of biofuels with minimal environmental impact if the economics can be improved by increasing the rate of biomass production. Chlorella kessleri was grown in a small‐scale raceway pond and in flask cultures with the entire volume, 1% (v/v) at any instant, periodically exposed to static magnetic fields to demonstrate increased biomass production and investigate physiological changes, respectively. The growth rate in flasks was maximal at a field strength of 10 mT, increasing from 0.39 ± 0.06 per day for the control to 0.88 ± 0.06 per day. In the raceway pond the 10 mT field increased the growth rate from 0.24 ± 0.03 to 0.45 ± 0.05 per day, final biomass from 0.88 ± 0.11 to 1.56 ± 0.18 g/L per day, and maximum biomass production from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.38 ± 0.04 g/L per day. Increased pigment, protein, Ca, and Zn content made the biomass produced with magnetic stimulation nutritionally superior. An increase in oxidative stress was measured indirectly as a decrease in antioxidant capacity from 26 ± 2 to 17 ± 1 µmol antioxidant/g biomass. Net photosynthetic capacity (NPC) and respiratory rate were increased by factors of 2.1 and 3.1, respectively. Loss of NPC enhancement after the removal of magnetic field fit a first‐order model well (R2 = 0.99) with a half‐life of 3.3 days. Transmission electron microscopy showed enlarged chloroplasts and decreased thylakoid order with 10 mT treatment. By increasing daily biomass production about fourfold, 10 mT magnetic field exposure could make algal oil cost competitive with other biodiesel feedstocks. Bioelectromagnetics 33:298–308, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conformational space exploration of met‐ and Leu‐enkephalin using the mols method, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation—a comparative study
Authors: Ramya L. , Gautham N.
Published: September 2011

We report here a comparative study of the molecular conformational energy landscape generated using the mutually orthogonal Latin squares (MOLS) method, molecular dynamics (MD), and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. The MOLS method, as described earlier from our laboratory, uses an experimental design technique to rapidly and exhaustively sample the low energy conformations of a molecule. MD and MC simulations have been used to perform similar tasks. In the comparison reported here, the three methods were applied to a pair of neuropeptides, namely Met‐ and Leu‐enkephalin. A set of 1500 conformations of these enkephalins were generated using these methods with CHARMM22 force field, and the resulting samples were analyzed to determine the extent and nature of coverage of the conformational space. The results indicate that the MOLS method samples a larger number of possible conformations and identifies conformations closer to the experimental structures than the MD and MC simulations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 165–176, 2012.
A dynamic mathematical model for monoclonal antibody N‐linked glycosylation and nucleotide sugar donor transport within a maturing Golgi apparatus
Authors: Jimenez del Val Ioscani , Nagy Judit M. , Kontoravdi Cleo
Published: September 2011

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are one of the most important products of the biopharmaceutical industry. Their therapeutic efficacy depends on the post‐translational process of glycosylation, which is influenced by manufacturing process conditions. Herein, we present a dynamic mathematical model for mAb glycosylation that considers cisternal maturation by approximating the Golgi apparatus to a plug flow reactor and by including recycling of Golgi‐resident proteins (glycosylation enzymes and transport proteins [TPs]). The glycosylation reaction rate expressions were derived based on the reported kinetic mechanisms for each enzyme, and transport of nucleotide sugar donors [NSDs] from the cytosol to the Golgi lumen was modeled to serve as a link between glycosylation and cellular metabolism. Optimization‐based methodologies were developed for estimating unknown enzyme and TP concentration profile parameters. The resulting model is capable of reproducing glycosylation profiles of commercial mAbs. It can further reproduce the effect gene silencing of the FucT glycosylation enzyme and cytosolic NSD depletion have on the mAb oligosaccharide profile. All novel elements of our model are based on biological evidence and generate more accurate results than previous reports. We therefore believe that the improvements contribute to a more detailed representation of the N‐linked glycosylation process. The overall results show the potential of our model toward evaluating cell engineering strategies that yield desired glycosylation profiles. Additionally, when coupled to cellular metabolism, this model could be used to assess the effect of process conditions on glycosylation and aid in the design, control, and optimization of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Issues in Safeguarding Refugee and Asylum‐seeking Children and Young People: Research and Practice
Authors: Cox Pat
Published: September 2011

In this paper, the author describes and analyses undertaking a pilot study in which refugee or asylum‐seeking parents who have been drawn into social work safeguarding children procedures reflect upon their experiences. This study is located within the context of political, policy and social work safeguarding practice developments in the UK which are relevant to refugee and asylum‐seeking families. Interviews were undertaken with five refugee and asylum‐seeking parents and one carer, three support workers and one social worker, and three conference chairs. Although the sample is small, the findings from the pilot study reveal some significant commonalities between comments from all three groupings, as well as significant differences. These findings will be of interest to refugee and asylum‐seeking peoples, support workers, social workers, managers and policymakers and all who are concerned for the wellbeing of refugee and asylum‐seeking parents, children and young people. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘Significant commonalities between comments from all three groupings, as well as significant differences’
Adaptive lattice‐based light rendering of participating media
Authors: Wang Changbo , Li Chenhui , Dai Jinqiu , Li Yang
Published: September 2011

The visual world around us displays a rich set of light effects because of translucent and participating media. It is hard and time consuming to render these effects with scattering, caustic, and shaft because of the complex interaction between light and different media. This paper presents a new rendering method based on adaptive lattice for lighting participating media of translucent materials such as marble, wax, and shaft light. Firstly, on the basis of the lattice‐based photon tracing model, multi‐scale hierarchical lattice was constructed by mixed lattice types sampling combined cubic Cartesian and face‐centered cubic with view‐dependent adaptive resolution. Then, an adaptive method to trace diffuse photons and marked specular photons with different phase functions was suggested. Multiple lights and heterogeneous materials were also considered here. Further, the mixed rendering method and GPU accelerate technology were introduced to render different light effects under different participating media. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence of 1,2‐Diaminoanthraquinone and its Nitric Oxide Reaction Product within Macrophage Cells
Authors: Marín María J. , Thomas Paul , Fabregat Víctor , Luis Santiago V. , Russell David A. , Galindo Francisco
Published: September 2011

Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in many biological processes. Aromatic ortho‐diamine derivatives are commonly used in the fluorescence imaging of NO in living cells. ortho‐diamino (o‐diamino) compounds are believed to react with NO in an oxygenated medium leading to the formation of a triazole derivative. One such o‐diamino compound, 1,2‐diaminoanthraquinone (DAA), is a nontoxic probe for the detection of NO in living tissues and cells. The formation of the DAA triazole derivative (DAA‐TZ) upon reaction of DAA with NO/O2 within cells has not been demonstrated previously. The aim of this study was to confirm that DAA‐TZ is the species formed intracellularly when DAA reacts with NO in the presence of oxygen. The chemical synthesis and characterisation of DAA‐TZ was performed together with intracellular studies of DAA and DAA‐TZ. Raw 264.7 macrophages were loaded with the DAA or DAA‐TZ under conditions of no‐stimulation or stimulation with interferon‐γ and lipopolysaccharide to produce NO. Confocal microscopy was used to image the DAA‐loaded macrophage cells. Analysis of the emission spectra allowed precise discrimination of the fluorescence of each species in the macrophage cells, and confirmed the identity of DAA‐TZ as the intracellular reaction product between DAA and NO in the presence of oxygen.