bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Depression Care Management in a Community Setting: Main Outcomes for a Medicaid HMO Population with Multiple Medical and Psychiatric Comorbidities
Authors: Waxmonsky Jeanette A. , Thomas Marshall , Giese Alexis , Zyzanski Steve , Dickinson L. Miriam , McGinnis Gretchen Flanders , Nutting Paul
Published: October 2012

The authors describe the implementation of a depression care management (DCM) program at Colorado Access, a public sector health plan, and describe the program’s clinical and system outcomes for members with chronic medical conditions. High medical risk, high cost Medicaid health plan members were identified and systematically screened for depression. A total of 370 members enrolled in the DCM program. Longitudinal analyses revealed significantly reduced depression severity scores at 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention as compared to baseline depression scores. At 12 months, 56% of enrollees in the DCM program had either a 50% reduction in PHQ-9 scores or a PHQ-9 score < 10. Longitudinal economic analyses comparing 12 months before and after intervention revealed a significant but modest increase in ER visits, outpatient office visits, and overall medical and pharmacy costs when adjusted for months enrolled in DCM. Limitations and recommendations for the integrated depression care management are discussed.
Impact of Ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Oxidative Stress Measured by Urinary 15-F2t-Isoprostane
Authors: Faris Mo'ez Al-Islam Ezzat , Hussein Rand Nidal , Al-Kurd Ref'at Ahmad , Al-Fararjeh Mohammed Ahmed , Bustanji Yasser Khalil , Mohammad Mohammad Khalil
Published: October 2012

Fasting and caloric restriction have been associated with reduced incidence of chronic diseases and cancers. These effects have been attributed to reduced oxidative stress. Since Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) has been associated with reduced caloric intake, it was hypothesized that RIF would alleviate oxidative stress in healthy volunteers. The study was designed to elucidate the impact of RIF on oxidative stress measured by 15-F2t-Isoprostane (15FIP). Fifty healthy subjects (23 men and 27 women) who intended to fast Ramadan were recruited. Urine and serum sampling and anthropometric and dietary assessments were conducted one week before Ramadan (T0), at the end of the third week of Ramadan (T1), and one month after Ramadan (T2). Biochemical measurements included urinary 15FIP, creatinine, and hematological indices. Results revealed that the urinary level of 15FIP measured at T0 was normal, while they showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher level when measured at T1 concomitant with a significant (P<0.05) increase in the body weight and total body fat percent. In conclusion, results suggest that increased body weight is associated with increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, and the impact of RIF on oxidative stress is mediated by the changes in body weight at the end of the month.
Chemical Warfare Agents Analyzer Based on Low Cost, Room Temperature, and Infrared Microbolometer Smart Sensors
Authors: Corsi Carlo , Dundee Andrea , Laurenzi Paolo , Liberatore Nicola , Luciani Domenico , Mengali Sandro , Mercuri Angelo , Pifferi Andrea , Simeoni Mirko , Tosone Gaetano , Viola Roberto , Zintu Donatella
Published: October 2012

Advanced IR emitters and sensors are under development for high detection probability, low false alarm rate, and identification capability of toxic gases. One of the most reliable techniques to identify the gas species is absorption spectroscopy, especially in the medium infrared spectral range, where most of existing toxic compounds exhibit their strongest rotovibrational absorption bands. Following the results obtained from simulations and analysis of expected absorption spectra, a compact nondispersive infrared multispectral system has been designed and developed for security applications. It utilizes a few square millimeters thermal source, a novel design multipass cell, and a smart architecture microbolometric sensor array coupled to a linear variable spectral filter to perform toxic gases detection and identification. This is done by means of differential absorption spectroscopic measurements in the spectral range of the midinfrared. Experimental tests for sensitivity and selectivity have been done with various chemical agents (CAs) gases and a multiplicity of vapour organic compounds (VOCs). Detection capability down to ppm has been demonstrated.
Down‐Hole Heat Exchangers: Modelling of a Low‐Enthalpy Geothermal System for District Heating
Authors: Carlini M. , Castellucci S. , Allegrini E. , Tucci A.
Published: October 2012

In order to face the growing energy demands, renewable energy sources can provide an alternative to fossil fuels. Thus, low‐enthalpy geothermal plants may play a fundamental role in those areas—such as the Province of Viterbo—where shallow groundwater basins occur and conventional geothermal plants cannot be developed. This may lead to being fuelled by locally available sources. The aim of the present paper is to exploit the heat coming from a low‐enthalpy geothermal system. The experimental plant consists in a down‐hole heat exchanger for civil purposes and can supply thermal needs by district heating. An implementation in MATLAB environment is provided in order to develop a mathematical model. As a consequence, the amount of withdrawable heat can be successfully calculated.
Both Optimal Matching and Procedure Duration Influence Survival of Patients after Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Mizia Sylwia , Dera-Joachimiak Dorota , Polak Malgorzata , Koscinska Katarzyna , Sedzimirska Mariola , Lange Andrzej
Published: October 2012

Eighty-six patients suffering from hematological malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and aplastic anemias received alloHSCT from unrelated donors. Donors were selected from the BMDW files and further matching was performed according to the confirmatory typing procedure with the use of PCR SSP and that based on sequencing. The time from the clinical request of the donor search to the final decision of clinicians accepting the donor was from 0.3 to 17.8 months (median 1.6). Matching was analyzed at the allele level, and 50, 27, and 9 donor-recipient pairs were 10/10 matched, mismatched in one or more alleles, respectively.
In an univariate analysis we found better survival if patients were transplanted: (i) from donors matched 10/10 (P=0.025), (ii) not from female donor to male recipient (P=0.037), (iii) in female donation from those with ≤1 pregnancy than multiparous (P=0.075). Notably, it became apparent that duration of the confirmatory typing process affected the survival (HR = 1.138, P=0.013).
In multivariate analysis only the level of matching and the duration of the matching procedure significantly affected the survival.
In conclusion, the duration of the matching procedure in addition to the level of matching should be considered as an independent risk factor of survival.
Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-Like Effects of the Aqueous Extract ofAlafia multifloraStem Barks in Rodents
Authors: Foyet Harquin Simplice , Tsala David Emery , Bouba Armand Abdou , Hritcu Lucian
Published: October 2012

The present study examined the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the aqueous extract ofAlafia multiflora Stapf(AM) stem barks (150 and 300 mg/kg, 7 days administration) on rats and mice, using experimental paradigms of anxiety and depression. In the open field, the aqueous extract increased significantly the number of center square crossed and the time spent at the center of the field as well as the rearing time, while the grooming time was reduced significantly. In the elevated plus maze, the aqueous extract increased the time spent and the number of entries in the open arms. All these effects were also completely reversed by flumazenil, an antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors and pindolol aβ-adrenoceptors blocker/5-HT 1A/1B receptor antagonist. The time spent in the light compartment, the latency time, and the number of the light-dark transitions increased significantly in the light/dark exploration test after the treatment with AM. The extract was able to reduce significantly the immobility time and increase swimming as well as climbing duration. Taken together, the present work evidenced anxiolytic effects of the aqueous extract of AM that might involve an action on benzodiazepine-type receptors and an antidepressant effect where noradrenergic mechanisms will probably play a role.
Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: Basic Principles and Clinical Application
Authors: Shin Ji Hoon , Baek Jung Hwan , Ha Eun Ju , Lee Jeong Hyun
Published: October 2012

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been gaining popularity as a minimally invasive treatment for benign thyroid nodules regardless of the extent of the solid component. RF ablation of benign nodules demonstrated volume reductions of 33–58% after one month and 51–85% after six months, while solving nodule-related clinical problems. RF ablation has recently shown positive short-term results for locoregional control as well as symptom improvement in patients with recurrent thyroid cancers. This paper reviews the basic physics, indications, patient preparation, devices, procedures, clinical results, and complications of RF ablation.
Giant Pelvic Retroperitoneal Epidermoid Cyst: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Fdili Alaoui F. Z. , Oussaden A. , Bouguern H. , El Fatemi H. , Melhouf M. A. , Amarti A. , Ait Taleb K.
Published: October 2012

Epidermoid cyst is a frequent benign cutaneous tumor. The pelvic localization does not occur very often. The literature that taps into such cases is very limited in scope. Here is a report of a 27-year-old woman with a giant pelvic retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst. The use of ultrasound exploration and computed tomography has indicated ovarian origins. The surgery also revealed a retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst, uterus and ovaries were all intact. The evacuation of a cyst was found to contain lamellas of keratin. Histology permitted us to confirm the diagnosis. The patient was faring well after two years of followup.
Preparation and Characterization of Magnetic Chitosan Microcapsules
Authors: Xiong Xiaopeng , Wang Yong , Zou Weiwei , Duan Jiangjiang , Chen Yun
Published: October 2012

By dispersing aqueous precipitant in liquid paraffin to prepare a W/O emulsion then adding chitosan (CS) solution, CS microcapsules have been successfully prepared. It is a facile way to prepare polymer microcapsules by using aqueous precipitant or nonsolvent as template, which avoids the removal of template and would free from the necessity to cross‐link the microcapsule as usual methods to directly form dense shell. The hollow feature of the obtained materials is revealed. The diameter of the microcapsules ranges from several μm to over 100 μm. Magnetic CS microcapsules have been prepared in this way when Fe3+ and Fe2+ were mixed with CS to prepare a mixture starting solution. The appearance and microstructure of the composite microcapsules were studied. The results indicate that the formed Fe3O4 nanoparticles are embedded in the CS matrix evenly due to strong interaction between the Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the CS molecules. The Fe3O4 content and the magnetic properties of the composite microcapsule were measured. The composite microcapsules were calcined in air at 700°C to prepare pure inorganic hollow microspheres. It is general to prepare hollow polymeric or composite particles by using this method.
Trends in Antihypertensive Medication Use and Blood Pressure Control Among United States Adults With Hypertension
Authors: Gu Qiuping , Burt Vicki L. , Dillon Charles F. , Yoon Sarah
Published: October 2012

Background—

The monitoring of national trends in hypertension treatment and control can provide important insight into the effectiveness of primary prevention efforts for cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to examine recent trends in antihypertensive medication use and its impact on blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension.

Methods and Results—

A total of 9320 hypertensive people aged ≥18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2010 were included in this study. The prevalence of antihypertensive medication use increased from 63.5% in 2001 to 2002 to 77.3% in 2009 to 2010 (
P
trend
<0.01). Most notably, there was a large increase in the use of multiple antihypertensive agents (from 36.8% to 47.7%,
P
trend
<0.01). Overall, the use of thiazide diuretics, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers increased by 23%, 57%, 31%, and 100%, respectively. In comparison with monotherapy, single-pill combinations and multiple-pill combinations were associated with 55% and 26% increased likelihoods of blood pressure control, respectively. By the 2009 to 2010 time period, 47% of all hypertensive people and 60% of treated hypertensive people had blood pressure controlled. However, higher treated but uncontrolled hypertension rates continued to persist among older Americans, non-Hispanic blacks, diabetic people, and those with chronic kidney disease. Also, Mexican Americans with hypertension were still less likely to take antihypertensive medication than non-Hispanic whites with hypertension.

Conclusions—

Antihypertensive medication use and blood pressure control among US adults with hypertension significantly increased over the past 10 years. Combination therapy regimens can facilitate achievement of blood pressure goals.
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: October 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read manuscripts published on the topic of molecular cardiology within the last year.
Assessment of Cortical Hemodynamics by Multichannel Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Steno-Occlusive Disease of the Middle Cerebral Artery
Authors: Oldag Andreas , Goertler Michael , Bertz Anne-Katrin , Schreiber Stefanie , Stoppel Christian , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Kopitzki Klaus
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose—

In a pilot study we evaluated near-infrared spectroscopy as to its potential benefit in monitoring patients with steno-occlusive disease of a major cerebral artery for alterations in cortical hemodynamics.

Methods—

Cortical maps of time-to-peak (TTP) in 10 patients unilaterally affected by severe stenosis or occlusion of the middle cerebral artery were acquired by multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy after bolus application of indocyanine green. Hemodynamic manifestations were assessed by comparison between affected and unaffected hemisphere and evaluated for common constituents by principal component analysis. In one patient, TTP values were compared with those obtained by dynamic susceptibility contrast imaging.

Results—

TTP was increased on the affected hemisphere in 9 patients. Mean difference in TTP between hemispheres was 0.44 second (
P
<0.05) as compared with a mean lateral difference of 0.12 second found in a control group of 10 individuals. In group analysis a significant rise in TTP was found in the distribution of the affected middle cerebral artery, whereas principal component analysis suggests augmentation of hemodynamic effects toward the border zones as a dominant pattern. A linear correlation of 0.61 between TTP values determined by dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and near-infrared spectroscopy was found to be statistically significant (
P
<0.001).

Conclusion—

Multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy might facilitate detection of disease-related hemodynamic changes as yet only accessible by tomographic imaging modalities. Being indicative for hypoperfusion and collateral flow increased values of TTP, as found to a varying extent in the present patient group, might be of clinical relevance.
Beneath the Radar? A Critical Realist Analysis of ‘The Knowledge Economy’ and ‘Shareholder Value’ as Competing Discourses
Authors: Thompson Paul , Harley Bill
Published: October 2012

This paper seeks to apply a critical realist lens to the analysis of discourse. Our central argument is that the most fruitful way to make sense of discourse is to treat it as an empirical object of inquiry alongside extra-discursive phenomena. In making this argument, we consider two recent discourses, the ‘knowledge-based economy’ (KBE) and ‘shareholder value’ (SV) and demonstrate that, while the KBE discourse gained much more attention, SV discourse had much more significant material outcomes. We suggest that research on the potential causal powers of discourse should move away from an exclusive focus on the discursive and pay attention to actors and institutions and to extra-discursive conditions and constraints.
Enchanting bureaucracy: Symbolic violence and the (re)production of charismatic authority in a police apparatus
Authors: Hathazy Paul C
Published: October 2012

This article dissects the role of culture in securing authority relations within a militarized police apparatus. Adding structure and power to the symbolic interactionist approach to organizational culture and interests and positionality to the structural functionalist perspective on militarized organizations, the author examines how, through the preservation and imposition of a sacralized worldview and morality (symbolic violence), police officers – the commanding caste of a two-tiered type of police organization – manage to charismatically legitimate the internal distribution of authority and its exercise in the relations between commanding officers and the non-commissioned officers, turning sheer bureaucratic authority into charismatic power (symbolic power). The author draws on ethnographic observations, interview data, and a structural-semantic analysis to reconstruct the system of beliefs involved and to describe the practices and mechanisms through which intra-bureaucratic domination is charismatically legitimated and made effective. These processes are examined both in everyday relations of command and in the extraordinary event of a police mutiny.
A case study of globalized knowledge flows: Guanxi in social science and management theory
Authors: Qi Xiaoying
Published: October 2012

This article examines globalized knowledge flows through a case study of the treatment of the Chinese concept of guanxi in social and management science journals. Three forms of concept–theory relations are postulated which effectively correspond with different patterns of knowledge flow. The treatment of this concept in 214 refereed journal articles published from 1999 to 2009 indicates that the concept guanxi, which possesses capacity for theoretical development, is predominantly treated merely as an object of study rather than the basis of theoretical elaboration. A continuing dominant pattern of knowledge flows from the metropole to the periphery is thus indicated. The mechanisms of continuing asymmetrical knowledge flow are discussed, including language used, site of publication, channel of transmission and method as factors generating this outcome.
Language Shift in the United States and Foreign-Born Older Mexican Heritage Individuals
Authors: Siordia Carlos , Díaz María E.
Published: October 2012

In this study, we investigate individual-level language shift in a population of Mexican origin Latinos/as aged 65 and up. By using data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, we investigate their English language use as the dependent variable in a hierarchical linear model. The microlevel independent continuous variable is their level of contact with “Anglos”; the macrolevel continuous independent variable is the percentage of Mexicans in tract of residence. After accounting for their generational status, other microlevel social and health covariates, and tract-level attributes, we found a direct relationship between contact with Anglos and a “shift” toward more English language use, where as co-ethnic concentration increases, the influence of contact with Anglos decreases. We frame this article with a discussion on language shifting, and explain how co-ethnic concentration may provide the resources for engaging in a language resistance.
The idea of a ‘Chinese model’: A critical discussion
Authors: Dirlik Arif
Published: October 2012

This article questions the idea of a Chinese model. It argues that the so-called Chinese model is a variant of neoauthoritarian development associated with the developmental experience of other Eastern Asian states. What distinguishes China is the revolutionary experience – ignored by both Chinese and non-Chinese promoters of the Chinese model idea – that has left its mark on post-revolutionary development. Admiration for the authoritarian China model idea is voiced most audibly by those who place efficient development ahead of all other considerations, including democracy and social justice. These voices include apologists for the corporate neoliberal model that combines organizational authoritarianism with market ‘freedom’, as well as educational institutions that emulate corporate models, and serve as willing instruments of the Chinese regime’s search for ‘soft power’. Competing ‘models’ within China itself provide prima facie evidence of an unsettled search for sustainable development that reconciles the ideological goals of the regime with the realities of participation in a global capitalist economy. Indeed, if there is a ‘China model’, its most outstanding characteristic is the willingness to experiment with different models.
Popular religion inside out: Gender and ritual revival in a Hebei township
Authors: Bunkenborg Mikkel
Published: October 2012

Over the past three decades, rural China has seen a resurgence of ritual and religious practices involving lineage halls, temples, and novel sectarian movements. This revival of rituals is well documented in ethnographic literature, and a case in point is the establishment of a temple for a local dragon deity in the Hebei township of Fanzhuang. Descriptions of this particular revival focus on a score of males involved in the practical organization of the annual temple fair, while largely ignoring the contributions of a group of spirit mediums and middle-aged women attending rituals in private homes and neighbouring villages throughout the year. The locals often compare the gendered division of labour evident in the temple to households where men are said to be responsible for external matters while women take care of internal affairs. Based on 10 months of ethnographic fieldwork, the article argues that religious practices in both temples and households evince a gendered division of labour: men take charge of the public exterior and relations with the authorities and women see to the private interior and relations with deities. The ongoing revival of rituals is thus gendered in such a way that the significant role of women tends to be hidden from public view.
Reporting news in China: Evaluation as an indicator of change in the China Daily
Authors: Chen Lily
Published: October 2012

This article applies the techniques of critical discourse analysis (CDA) to an examination of the Chinese government-owned English-language newspaper the China Daily. The aim is to see whether there is evidence that over the last decade the newspaper, which describes itself as the overseas ‘Voice of China’, has attempted to adapt its style of reporting in response to China’s raised international profile, as well as to the increasing diversity and commercialization of its media industry. The study adopts a quantitative and qualitative approach to the analysis of two corpora of texts from the newspaper: one from 1998 and the other from 2010. The focus is on what Labov calls evaluation: an aspect of the narrative structure of a text that has to do with the way the narrator embellishes a narrative to make it more interesting. The results suggest that the China Daily has made its reporting more diverse and interesting, probably in response to the commercialization of China’s media industry and to China’s growing international profile.
Ontological security and residential experiences in China: The ‘old’ and the ‘new’ in Shanghai’s Luwan district
Authors: Cockain Alex
Published: October 2012

Despite the recent emergence of scholarship on various aspects of contemporary urban Chinese residential life, these accounts typically perpetuate a narrative that situates the anonymous and emotionally distant life in new, often high-rise, apartments in contrast to the hugely more intimate relationships in older, predominantly low-rise living spaces. This article, whilst acknowledging the meaningfulness of such a distinction, first seeks to add ethnographic richness to this division, showing how, at least in the case of a small area within Shanghai’s Luwan district, an old/new neighbourhood division is incapable of expressing the more complex, often ambivalent, ways in which people experience residential life, before proceeding to show how residents’ experiences often cross-cut what is, in large part, a discursive division rather than a physical demarcation of separate spaces. The article also explores the ways in which residents seek to cope with, as well as find security and comfort within, residential spaces that are changing. Permeating this article are various meanings associated with the term ‘ontological security’ that, broadly speaking, refers to the order and regularity, as well as sense of well-being, that people feel in their lives.
Blast from the past: Conservatoire students’ experiences and perceptions of public master classes
Authors: Long Marion , Creech Andrea , Gaunt Helena , Hallam Susan , Robertson Linnhe
Published: October 2012

It has been said that participation in master classes provides an initiation into a community of practice (Hanken, 2008; Creech et al., 2009) and that contemporary practices in higher music education are strongly informed by those of the past (Froehlich, 2002, cf. Heikinheimo, 2009). This is certainly true of public master classes which provide students with the opportunity to perform in public and to receive feedback on their performance from a high-profile master musician. In terms of expertise, the master musician is perceived to possess an exceptional blend of musical knowledge derived first from rigorous training in the values and methods of a particular tradition (or traditions) of musical performance, and second from their own career as a high-profile performer. In this study we investigated conservatoire students’ experiences and perceptions of public master classes as articulated through the instrument they study, their gender and year in college. The findings revealed a significant main effect for the instrument studied and a statistically significant interaction effect between instrument studied, gender and year at college. The findings suggested that perspectives on the concept of musical excellence were articulated through gender. Further, having examined students’ performing and listening experiences and perceptions of public master classes, we concluded that these were to some extent determined by intrinsically exclusive or inclusive attitudes towards music, originating in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries respectively. We discuss these mechanisms in terms of implicit transmission during years of training in the students’ principal instrument of study.
Recognition and description of singing voices: The impact of verbal overshadowing
Authors: Mitchell Helen F. , MacDonald Raymond A. R.
Published: October 2012

Verbalizing sound quality of individual music performers presents a challenge to musicians and pedagogues in describing a complex aural phenomenon. Verbal overshadowing (VO) is well documented in psychological literature and can occur when we use words to describe sensory experiences (such as seeing, tasting or hearing). The verbal description impairs later recall of the sensory experience and individuals are less able to identify the original from a line-up of similar stimuli. This study investigated the impact of verbal description on listeners’ recognition accuracy and confidence of classical singing voices. It also assessed the scope and limitations of the terms used to describe singers’ sound. Five soprano singers performed an excerpt of Caro mio ben twice for a recording. Listeners (n = 50) heard a single singer performing the first take of Caro mio ben, which they either described in words, or just remembered. Listeners were later asked to identify the voice from a homogenous line-up of the five singers. Providing a verbal description reduced listeners’ identification accuracy of target voice, but did not reduce listeners’ confidence in their decisions. There was a reliable verbal overshadowing effect and results suggest that verbalization of singing voices is problematic and limits listeners’ ability to remember a singer’s unique sound quality.
When the Leader Leaves
Authors: Johnson Lauri , Sillman Kathryn
Published: October 2012

This case study asks readers to consider what leadership actions might help to sustain success for immigrant students in a small urban high school when the leader leaves. Principal Michael Perez, the founding principal of Romero High School, has been recruited to become the superintendent of a first-ring suburban district with rapidly changing demographics. Describing himself as a hands-on “humanistic” leader, Perez established innovative curriculum and organizational structures at Romero High School to meet the language learning needs of the school’s teenage immigrant students. His impending departure requires Principal Perez, school district leaders, and his successor to determine what knowledge and skills are needed to sustain school improvements and navigate the leadership succession process.
The Useful Dead: Bodies as Objects in Iron Age and Norse Atlantic Scotland
Authors: Shapland Fiona , Armit Ian
Published: October 2012

This paper discusses a group of modified human remains from Iron Age and Norse sites in Atlantic Scotland, several of which have been discovered or rediscovered over the past decade, and all of which have recently been radiocarbon dated. It investigates the ways in which these remains seem to have been recovered, used, modified and deposited by living communities, and what this may reveal about past attitudes towards the bodies of the dead. These practices are placed within a wider European later prehistoric and early historic context, to highlight how this group of evidence may add to current debates surrounding social memory, the ritualization of domestic life, and the place of the dead within the world of the living.
Detecting transcription of ribosomal protein pseudogenes in diverse human tissues from RNA-seq data
Authors: Tonner Peter , Srinivasasainagendra Vinodh , Zhang Shaojie , Zhi Degui
Published: October 2012

Background

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) have about 2000 pseudogenes in the human genome. While anecdotal reports for RP pseudogene transcription exists, it is unclear to what extent these pseudogenes are transcribed. The RP pseudogene transcription is difficult to identify in microarrays due to potential cross-hybridization between transcripts from the parent genes and pseudogenes. Recently, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) provides an opportunity to ascertain the transcription of pseudogenes. A challenge for pseudogene expression discovery in RNA-seq data lies in the difficulty to uniquely identify reads mapped to pseudogene regions, which are typically also similar to the parent genes.

Results

Here we developed a specialized pipeline for pseudogene transcription discovery. We first construct a “composite genome” that includes the entire human genome sequence as well as mRNA sequences of real ribosomal protein genes. We then map all sequence reads to the composite genome, and only exact matches were retained. Moreover, we restrict our analysis to strictly defined mappable regions and calculate the RPKM values as measurement of pseudogene transcription levels. We report evidences for the transcription of RP pseudogenes in 16 human tissues. By analyzing the Human Body Map 2.0 study RNA-sequencing data using our pipeline, we identified that one ribosomal protein (RP) pseudogene (PGOHUM-249508) is transcribed with RPKM 170 in thyroid. Moreover, three other RP pseudogenes are transcribed with RPKM > 10, a level similar to that of the normal RP genes, in white blood cell, kidney, and testes, respectively. Furthermore, an additional thirteen RP pseudogenes are of RPKM > 5, corresponding to the 20–30 percentile among all genes. Unlike ribosomal protein genes that are constitutively expressed in almost all tissues, RP pseudogenes are differentially expressed, suggesting that they may contribute to tissue-specific biological processes.

Conclusions

Using a specialized bioinformatics method, we identified the transcription of ribosomal protein pseudogenes in human tissues using RNA-seq data.
Molecular characterization of rifampicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in a Chinese teaching hospital from Anhui, China
Authors: Zhou Wenjing , Shan Wulin , Ma Xiaoling , Chang Wenjiao , Zhou Xin , Lu Huaiwei , Dai Yuanyuan
Published: October 2012

Background

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes a variety of infections and toxicoses. In recent years, the percentage of rifampicin-resistant S. aureus has increased rapidly in China. The aims of this study were to analyze 1) the level of rifampicin resistance in S. aureus and its correlation with mutations in the rpoB gene, and 2) the molecular characterization of rifampicin-resistant S. aureus isolates.

Results

88 rifampicin-resistant S. aureus isolates were collected for this study. Of the 88 isolates, 83 (94.3%) were high-level rifampicin resistant (MIC≥8 mg/L) while the remaining 5 isolates (5.7%) had a low-level resistance to rifampicin (MIC, 2 to 4 mg/L). Four amino acid substitutions were found in the 88 isolates, which were 481His/Asn (95.5%), 466Leu/Ser (87.5%), 477Ala/Asp (6.8%) and 486Ser/Leu (4.5%) respectively. All mutations were found to be present in cluster I of the rpoB gene. The low-level resistant isolates were found to have only one mutation, while the high-level resistant isolates had at least two or more mutations. The most common multiple mutations were 481His/Asn+466Leu/Ser(92.8%,77/83). The other multiple mutations found were 481His/Asn+477Ala/Asp (6.0%,5/83), and 481His/Asn+466Leu/Ser+477Ala/Asp (1.2%,1/83). Out of 28 high-level rifampicin-resistant S. aureus isolates, three molecular types were found, namely, ST239-MRSA-III-spa t030 (25/28, 89.3%), ST239-MRSA-III-spa t021 (2/28, 7.1%), and ST239-MRSA-III-spa t045 (1/28, 3.6%).

Conclusions

Rifampicin resistance in S. aureus was closely associated with mutations in the rpoB gene. High-level rifampicin-resistant S. aureus is one of the most important features in Anhui Provincial Hospital, and high-level rifampicin resistance in S. aureus is associated with multiple mutations of rpoB gene. The prevalence of high-level rifampicin-resistant S. aureus in Anhui may be associated with the spread of the ST239-MRSA III-spa t030 clone.
Pregnancy and fetal outcomes after Glatiramer Acetate exposure in patients with multiple sclerosis: a prospective observational multicentric study
Authors: Giannini Marta , Portaccio Emilio , Ghezzi Angelo , Hakiki Bahia , Pastò Luisa , Razzolini Lorenzo , Piscolla Elisa , De Giglio Laura , Pozzilli Carlo , Paolicelli Damiano , Trojano Maria , Marrosu Maria Giovanna , Patti Francesco , La Mantia Loredana , Mancardi Gianluigi , Solaro Claudio , Totaro Rocco , Tola Maria Rosaria , De Luca Giovanna , Lugaresi Alessandra , Moiola Lucia , Martinelli Vittorio , Comi Giancarlo , Amato Maria Pia
Published: October 2012

Background

Only few studies have assessed safety of in utero exposure to glatiramer acetate (GA). Following a previous study assessing the safety of interferon beta (IFNB) pregnancy exposure in multiple sclerosis (MS), we aimed to assess pregnancy and fetal outcomes after in utero exposure to GA, using the same dataset, with a specific focus on the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Materials and methods

We recruited MS patients, prospectively followed-up in 21 Italian MS Centres, for whom a pregnancy was recorded in the period 2002–2008. Patients were divided into 2 groups: drug-exposed pregnancies (EP: suspension of the drug less than 4 weeks from conception); non-exposed pregnancies (NEP: suspension of the drug at least 4 weeks from conception or never treated pregnancies). All the patients were administered a structured interview which gathered detailed information on pregnancy course and outcomes, as well as on possible confounders. Multivariate logistic and linear models were used for treatment comparisons.

Results

Data on 423 pregnancies were collected, 17 were classified as EP to GA, 88 as EP to IFNB, 318 as NEP. Pregnancies resulted in 16 live births in the GA EP, 75 live births in the IFNB EP, 295 live births in the NEP. GA exposure was not significantly associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (OR = 0.44;95% CI 0.044-4.51;p = 0.49). Mean birth weight and length were not significantly different in pregnancies exposed to GA than in non exposed pregnancies (p = 0.751). The frequency of preterm delivery, observed in 4 subjects exposed to GA (25% of full term deliveries), was not significantly higher in pregnancies exposed to GA than in those non exposed (p > 0.735). These findings were confirmed in the multivariate analysis. There were neither major complications nor malformations after GA exposure.

Conclusions

Data in our cohort show that mother’s GA exposure is not associated with a higher frequency of spontaneous abortion, neither other negative pregnancy and fetal outcomes. Our findings point to the safety of in utero GA exposure and can support neurologists in the therapeutic counselling of MS women planning a pregnancy.
Screening and detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) high-risk strains HPV16 and HPV18 in saliva samples from subjects under 18 years old in Nevada: a pilot study
Authors: Flake Colton , Arafa Jamal , Hall Alex , Ence Eryn , Howard Katherine , Kingsley Karl
Published: October 2012

Background

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are oncogenic and mainly associated with cervical cancers. Recent evidence has demonstrated HPV infection in other tissues, including oral epithelia and mucosa. Although a recent pilot study provided new information about oral HPV status in healthy adults from Nevada, no information was obtained about oral HPV prevalence among children or teenagers, therefore, the goal of this study is to provide more detailed information about oral prevalence of high-risk HPV among children and teenagers in Nevada.

Methods

This retrospective study utilized previously collected saliva samples, obtained from pediatric dental clinic patients (aged 2 – 11) and local school district teenagers (aged 12-17) for high-risk HPV screening (n=118) using qPCR for quantification and confirmation of analytical sensitivity and specificity.

Results

A small subset of saliva samples were found to harbor high-risk HPV16 (n=2) and HPV18 (n=1), representing a 2.5% of the total. All three were obtained from teenage males, and two of these three samples were from White participants.

Conclusions

Although this retrospective study could not provide correlations with behavioral or socioeconomic data, this project successfully screened more than one hundred saliva samples for high-risk HPV, confirming both HPV16 and HPV18 strains were present in a small subset. With increasing evidence of oral HPV infection in children, this study provides critical information of significant value to other dental, medical, oral and public health professionals who seek to further an understanding of oral health and disease risk in pediatric populations.
Laxative effects and mechanism of action of Brazilian green propolis
Authors: Kakino Mamoru , Izuta Hiroshi , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Araki Yoko , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Ichihara Kenji , Hara Hideaki
Published: October 2012

Background

Brazilian green propolis is reported to have wide range of biological properties including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-influenza, and antioxidant activities. In the digestive system, a protective effect of propolis on gastric ulcer has been reported, but a laxative effect has not yet been reported. We investigated the effect and the mechanism of action of water and ethanol extracts of Brazilian green propolis.

Methods

We examined the laxative effect of propolis on stool frequency by administering orally an ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) or a water extract of propolis (WEP) at 10, 50, 100, or 500 mg/kg to normal mice. We then investigated the effects of propolis using constipation model mice induced by two types of drugs, loperamide (a μ opioid receptor agonist) and clonidine (an α-2 adrenergic receptor agonist). We also investigated the effects of WEP on gastrointestinal transit and contractional tension of the ileum to uncover the mechanism of action of WEP.

Results

Treatment with WEP, but not with EEP, significantly increased the weight of stools (p<0.01 at 500 mg/kg). WEP treatment significantly restored stool frequency and stool weight in clonidine-induced constipation model mice, but not in loperamide-induced constipation model mice. WEP treatment did not affect gastro-intestinal transit, but significantly increased the contractional tension of the isolated ileum of guinea pigs. This increase was inhibited by an acetylcholine receptor antagonist (atropine), but not by a 5-HT receptor antagonist (GR113808).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that WEP has laxative effects both in normal mice and in clonidine-induced constipation model mice. The laxative effects of WEP might be mediated by increased contractional tension of the ileum exerted at least in part via activation of an acetylcholine receptor.
Biocompatibility of crystalline opal nanoparticles
Authors: Hernández-Ortiz Marlen , Acosta-Torres Laura S , Hernández-Padrón Genoveva , Mendieta Alicia I , Bernal Rodolfo , Cruz-Vázquez Catalina , Castaño Victor M
Published: October 2012

Background

Silica nanoparticles are being developed as a host of biomedical and biotechnological applications. For this reason, there are more studies about biocompatibility of silica with amorphous and crystalline structure. Except hydrated silica (opal), despite is presents directly and indirectly in humans. Two sizes of crystalline opal nanoparticles were investigated in this work under criteria of toxicology.

Methods

In particular, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused by opal nanoparticles (80 and 120 nm) were evaluated in cultured mouse cells via a set of bioassays, methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide (MTT) and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU).

Results

3T3-NIH cells were incubated for 24 and 72 h in contact with nanocrystalline opal particles, not presented significant statistically difference in the results of cytotoxicity. Genotoxicity tests of crystalline opal nanoparticles were performed by the BrdU assay on the same cultured cells for 24 h incubation. The reduction of BrdU-incorporated cells indicates that nanocrystalline opal exposure did not caused unrepairable damage DNA.

Conclusions

There is no relationship between that particles size and MTT reduction, as well as BrdU incorporation, such that the opal particles did not induce cytotoxic effect and genotoxicity in cultured mouse cells.
In vivo gene transfer targeting in pancreatic adenocarcinoma with cell surface antigens
Authors: Lafitte Marie , Rousseau Benoit , Moranvillier Isabelle , Taillepierre Miguel , Peuchant Evelyne , Guyonnet-Dupérat Véronique , Bedel Aurélie , Dubus Pierre , de Verneuil Hubert , Moreau-Gaudry François , Dabernat Sandrine
Published: October 2012

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a deadly malignancy resistant to current therapies. It is critical to test new strategies, including tumor-targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. This study tested the possibility to target the transfer of a suicide gene in tumor cells using an oncotropic lentiviral vector.

Results

Three cell surface markers were evaluated to target the transduction of cells by lentiviruses pseudotyped with a modified glycoprotein from Sindbis virus. Only Mucin-4 and the Claudin-18 proteins were found efficient for targeted lentivirus transductions in vitro. In subcutaneous xenografts of human pancreatic cancer cells models, Claudin-18 failed to achieve efficient gene transfer but Mucin-4 was found very potent. Human pancreatic tumor cells were modified to express a fluorescent protein detectable in live animals by bioimaging, to perform a direct non invasive and costless follow up of the tumor growth. Targeted gene transfer of a bicistronic transgene bearing a luciferase gene and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene into orthotopic grafts was carried out with Mucin-4 oncotropic lentiviruses. By contrast to the broad tropism VSV-G carrying lentivirus, this oncotropic lentivirus was found to transduce specifically tumor cells, sparing normal pancreatic cells in vivo. Transduced cells disappeared after ganciclovir treatment while the orthotopic tumor growth was slowed down.

Conclusion

This work considered for the first time three aspect of pancreatic adenocarcinoma targeted therapy. First, lentiviral transduction of human pancreatic tumor cells was possible when cells were grafted orthotopically. Second, we used a system targeting the tumor cells with cell surface antigens and sparing the normal cells. Finally, the TK/GCV anticancer system showed promising results in vivo. Importantly, the approach presented here appeared to be a safer, much more specific and an as efficient way to perform gene delivery in pancreatic tumors, in comparison with a broad tropism lentivirus. This study will be useful in future designing of targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer.
Synthesis and characterization of polysaccharide-maghemite composite nanoparticles and their antibacterial properties
Authors: Iconaru Simona Liliana , Prodan Alina Mihaela , Motelica-Heino Mikael , Sizaret Stanislas , Predoi Daniela
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to obtain saccharide (dextran and sucrose)-coated maghemite nanoparticles with antibacterial activity. The polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles were synthesized by an adapted coprecipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies demonstrate that the obtained polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles can be indexed into the spinel cubic lattice with a lattice parameter of 8.35 Å. The refinement of XRD spectra indicated that no other phases except the maghemite are detectable. The characterization of the polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles by various techniques is described. The antibacterial activity of these polysaccharide-coated maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1397, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Candida krusei 963, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and was found to be dependent on the polysaccharide type. The antibacterial activity of dextran-coated maghemite was significantly higher than that of sucrose-coated maghemite. The antibacterial studies showed the potential of dextran-coated iron oxide NPs to be used in a wide range of medical infections.