bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving mental health awareness among rural Aboriginal men: perspectives from Gippsland
Authors: Isaacs Anton , Maybery Darryl
Published: March 2012

Objective: To identify views of Aboriginal people in rural areas about improving mental health awareness among Aboriginal men.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Aboriginal people, including men, carers and health workers.

Results: Participants highlighted the need for mental health awareness programs in the community. They described the type of programs to be conducted as well as their method, content and frequency.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that mental health awareness programs designed specifically for rural Aboriginal men need to involve local Elders and other significant individuals from the community, be de-stigmatised by including mental health under Men’s Health and by embedding the messages within a cultural framework.
Hydraulic artificial muscles
Authors: Tiwari Rashi , Meller Michael A , Wajcs Karl B , Moses Caris , Reveles Ismael , Garcia Ephrahim
Published: March 2012

This article presents hydraulic artificial muscles as a viable alternative to pneumatic artificial muscles. Despite the actuation mechanism being similar to its pneumatic counterpart, hydraulic artificial muscles have not been widely studied. Hydraulic artificial muscles offer all the same advantages of pneumatic artificial muscles, such as compliance, light weight, low maintenance, and low cost, when compared to traditional fluidic cylinder actuators. Muscle characterization in isometric and isobaric conditions are discussed and compared to pneumatic artificial muscles. A quasi-static model incorporating the effect of mesh angle, friction, and muscle volume change throughout actuation is presented. This article also discusses the use of hydraulic artificial muscles for low-pressure hydraulic mesoscale robotic leg.
Electromechanical impedance method of fiber-reinforced plastic adhesive joints in corrosive environment using a reusable piezoelectric device
Authors: Na Sam , Tawie Rudy , Lee Haeng-Ki
Published: March 2012

Various nondestructive evaluation techniques exist for structural health monitoring of structures such as acoustic emission, ultrasonic impedance, and impact echo testing. However, these techniques often require expensive and sophisticated hardware with expert operators, limiting their applications to a certain aspect. On the other hand, a relatively new technique known as electromechanical impedance–based structural health monitoring has shown promising results as a local nondestructive evaluation method. To date, only a few numbers of studies have been conducted to develop a reusable lead zirconate titanate sensor for the electromechanical impedance method as majority of researchers have focused on damage detection performance. In this study, a reusable method for the electromechanical impedance method was proposed by using a lead zirconate titanate patch to eliminate the trial-and-error approach to minimize the time requirement for the electromechanical impedance method while reducing the cost for multiple measurements. The proposed reusable device was used to evaluate the damage of the adhesive layer between the fiber-reinforced plastic plates subjected to a corrosive solution while investigating the reliability performance of the device.
A Novel Case of Concurrent Renal Tumors
Authors: Roy Somak , Hooda Shveta , Huang George J. , Pantanowitz Liron , Parwani Anil V.
Published: March 2012

Renal cell carcinoma of chromophobe type is a malignant neoplasm with characteristic large cells that exhibit prominent cell membranes. Primary renal carcinoid tumors are rare tumors with the histological appearance similar to well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors at other sites. Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation is exceedingly rare. The authors describe a case of a chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and carcinoid tumor of the kidney presenting as distinct masses in the same kidney in a 34-year-old male. The histologic and immunohistochemical features of both the tumors were characteristic with no overlapping features. The carcinoid tumor presented at a higher stage with nodal metastasis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of 2 morphologically distinct tumors, one chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and the other primary carcinoid tumor in the same kidney.
The crisis of ‘multiculturalism’ in Europe: Mediated minarets, intolerable subjects
Authors: Lentin Alana , Titley Gavan
Published: March 2012

During the last decade, European countries have declared a ‘crisis’ of multiculturalism. This crisis has gained significant political traction, despite the empirical absence of a failed experiment with multiculturalism. This introduction focuses on the narrative of multicultural backlash, which purports that ‘parallel societies’ and ‘intolerable subjects’ and practices have been allowed to flourish within European societies. Beyond particular contexts, the problem of intolerable subjects is seen as a shared European challenge, requiring disintegrated migrants and Muslim populations to display loyalty, adopt ‘our’ values, and prove the legitimacy of their belonging. This introduction critiques multicultural backlash, less as a rejection of piecemeal multicultural policies than as a denial of lived multiculture. This is developed through an examination of racism in a post-racial era, and by analysing the ways in which integrationist projects further embed culturalist ontology.
An overview of the use of music therapy in the context of Alzheimer's disease: A report of a French expert group
Authors: Guetin Stéphane , Charras Kevin , Berard Alain , Arbus Christophe , Berthelon Patrick , Blanc Frédéric , Blayac Jean-Pierre , Bonte Florence , Bouceffa Jean-Paul , Clement Sylvain , Ducourneau Gérard , Gzil Fabrice , Laeng Nathalie , Lecourt Edith , Ledoux Sylvie , Platel Hervé , Thomas-Anterion Catherine , Touchon Jacques , Vrait François-Xavier , Leger Jean-Marie
Published: March 2012

Objectives:

The aim of this overview is to present the developments of music therapy in France, its techniques, mechanisms and principal indications, mainly in the context of Alzheimer's disease.

Methods:

An international review of the literature on music therapy applied to Alzheimer's disease was conducted using the principal scientific search engines. A work group of experts in music therapy and psychosocial techniques then considered the different points highlighted in the review of literature and discussed them.

Results and Discussion:

Clinical and neurophysiological studies have enlightened some positive benefits of music in providing support for people with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. Music therapy acts mainly through emotional and psycho-physiological pathways. It includes a series of techniques that can respond to targeted therapeutic objectives. Some studies have shown that music therapy reduces anxiety, alleviates periods of depression and aggressive behaviour and thus significantly improves mood, communication and autonomy of patients.

Conclusion:

Psychosocial interventions, such as music therapy, can contribute to maintain or rehabilitate functional cognitive and sensory abilities, as well as emotional and social skills and to reduce the severity of some behavioural disorders.
Effects of Lexical–Semantic Treatment on Memory in Early Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Jelcic Nela , Cagnin Annachiara , Meneghello Francesca , Turolla Andrea , Ermani Mario , Dam Mauro
Published: March 2012

Background. Episodic memory and semantic abilities deteriorate early in Alzheimer disease (AD). Since the cognitive system includes interconnected and reciprocally influenced neuronal networks, the authors hypothesized that stimulation of lexical–semantic abilities may benefit semantically structured episodic memory. Objective. To investigate the effects of lexical–semantic stimulation (LSS) on verbal communication and episodic memory in early AD. Methods. Forty AD participants were randomized to LSS or unstructured cognitive stimulation (UCS) as control condition. Treatments lasted 3 months, 2 sections a week. The primary outcome measures were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Boston Naming Test (BNT), Verbal Naming Test (VNT), Phonemic and Semantic Fluency, Story Recall, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVL). Secondary outcome measures were neuropsychological tests assessing cognitive functions not stimulated by the intervention, such as attention, executive functions, and visual–spatial abilities, and the instrumental activities of daily living scale. A 6-month follow-up assessment was administered to the LSS group. Results. LSS treatment yielded significant improvements of the MMSE, BNT, VNT, Brief Story Recall, and RAVL delayed recall mean scores. Among secondary outcome measures, only working memory and the speed of a task assessing executive functions (Stroop test) improved after LSS. Unstructured cognitive stimulation intervention did not improve any cognitive domain. Six months after LSS discontinuation, the MMSE mean score remains significantly higher than the baseline value. Conclusion. LSS treatment may improve episodic memory in AD patients and may be regarded as a clinical option to counteract the cognitive decline typical of the disease.
Information communication technologies for gender and development in Africa
Authors: Asiedu Christobel
Published: March 2012

The information communication technologies for development literature (ICT4D) has identified information communication technologies (ICTs) as a significant tool for economic and social development of least developed countries. The discourse has marginalized radio and promoted ICTs. However, there are numerous challenges to using ICTs as a communication tool in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although investment in technology could create a much more effective use of ICTs, local appropriation should be at the center of any communication tool for development. This article discusses the widespread exposure to radio in SSA, and emphasizes the effectiveness of using radio to create indigenous knowledge, and in the process empower local women to actively frame their own messages and be active participants in development agendas. Combining radio and ICTs, also known as technological blending, would make certain that rural, poor and non-literate women are not only given meaningful access to new technologies, but also ‘brought into’ the development discourse, as active agents of social change.
Mediating the boundaries
Authors: Oh David C
Published: March 2012

This article builds on media use scholarship by focusing on an understudied population, second-generation Korean American adolescents, and their use of transnational media. The primary findings are that second-generation Korean Americans use transnational media as cultural resources through which they construct ‘new ethnicities’ that are situated at the borders of their identities as members of the Korean diaspora whose everyday experiences are rooted in their status as marginalized racialized ethnic minorities in the US. Second-generation Korean Americans build inter-ethnic boundaries to create a unique identity that separates themselves from the controlling gaze of dominant culture and to build intra-ethnic boundaries to differentiate between authentic and inauthentic Korean Americans. To do so, they draw on knowledge of Korean popular culture as it comes to be known through transnational Korean media. Finally, their use of Korean media is also influenced by their local views of gender and, in particular, masculinity.
Full-Day Kindergarten Effects on Later Academic Success
Authors: Milligan Charles
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this research was to investigate full-day kindergarten, as a means of improving later academic achievement. A total of 208 students who had continuous enrollment for three consecutive school years from a school district in southern California participated in the study. The sample contained 165 students who had attended the traditional half-day kindergarten program with 43 attending a hybrid all-day kindergarten program. All students were administered the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) assessment and the California Achievement Test 6th Edition (CAT 6) survey exams. Using stepwise multiple regression, several independent variables were introduced into the regression equation to obtain a Prediction Model of Student Success. The English language arts and math scores of the California STAR Assessment were used as the dependent variable separately. A significant model was not developed. Using an independent-sample T Test procedure, comparing the two groups, was also preformed revealing that there were no significant differences in students who attended the all-day kindergarten program and students who attended a traditional kindergarten program.
Signaling and cytoskeletal requirements in erythroblast enucleation
Authors: Konstantinidis Diamantis G. , Pushkaran Suvarnamala , Johnson James F. , Cancelas Jose A. , Manganaris Stefanos , Harris Chad E. , Williams David A. , Zheng Yi , Kalfa Theodosia A.
Published: March 2012

To understand the role of cytoskeleton and membrane signaling molecules in erythroblast enucleation, we developed a novel analysis protocol of multiparameter high-speed cell imaging in flow. This protocol enabled us to observe F-actin and phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (pMRLC) assembled into a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) between nascent reticulocyte and nucleus, in a population of enucleating erythroblasts. CAR formation and subsequent enucleation were not affected in murine erythroblasts with genetic deletion of Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases because of compensation by Rac3. Pharmacologic inhibition or genetic deletion of all Rac GTPases altered the distribution of F-actin and pMRLC and inhibited enucleation. Erythroblasts treated with NSC23766, cytochalasin-D, colchicine, ML7, or filipin that inhibited Rac activity, actin or tubulin polymerization, MRLC phosphorylation, or lipid raft assembly, respectively, exhibited decreased enucleation efficiency, as quantified by flow cytometry. As assessed by high-speed flow-imaging analysis, colchicine inhibited erythroblast polarization, implicating microtubules during the preparatory stage of enucleation, whereas NSC23766 led to absence of lipid raft assembly in the reticulocyte-pyrenocyte border. In conclusion, enucleation is a multistep process that resembles cytokinesis, requiring establishment of cell polarity through microtubule function, followed by formation of a contractile actomyosin ring, and coalescence of lipid rafts between reticulocyte and pyrenocyte.
Meeting the challenge of hematologic malignancies in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Gopal Satish , Wood William A. , Lee Stephanie J. , Shea Thomas C. , Naresh Kikkeri N. , Kazembe Peter N. , Casper Corey , Hesseling Peter B. , Mitsuyasu Ronald T.
Published: March 2012

Cancer is a leading cause of death and disability in sub-Saharan Africa and will eclipse infectious diseases within the next several decades if current trends continue. Hematologic malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, account for nearly 10% of the overall cancer burden in the region, and the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma is rapidly increasing as a result of HIV. Despite an increasing burden, mechanisms for diagnosing, treating, and palliating malignant hematologic disorders are inadequate. In this review, we describe the scope of the problem, including the impact of endemic infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, malaria, and Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus. We additionally describe current limitations in hematopathology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and supportive care and palliation. We review contemporary treatment and outcomes of hematologic malignancies in the region and outline a clinical service and research agenda, which builds on recent global health successes combating HIV and other infectious diseases. Achieving similar progress against hematologic cancers in sub-Saharan Africa will require the sustained collaboration and advocacy of the entire global cancer community.
Spiral cleavage and early embryology of a loxosomatid entoproct and the usefulness of spiralian apical cross patterns for phylogenetic inferences
Authors: Merkel Julia , Wollesen Tim , Lieb Bernhard , Wanninger Andreas
Published: March 2012

Background

Among the four major bilaterian clades, Deuterostomia, Acoelomorpha, Ecdysozoa, and Lophotrochozoa, the latter shows an astonishing diversity of bodyplans. While the largest lophotrochozoan assemblage, the Spiralia, which at least comprises Annelida, Mollusca, Entoprocta, Platyhelminthes, and Nemertea, show a spiral cleavage pattern, Ectoprocta, Brachiopoda and Phoronida (the Lophophorata) cleave radially. Despite a vast amount of recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, the interrelationships of lophotrochozoan phyla remain largely unresolved. Thereby, Entoprocta play a key role, because they have frequently been assigned to the Ectoprocta, despite their differently cleaving embryos. However, developmental data on entoprocts employing modern methods are virtually non-existent and the data available rely exclusively on sketch drawings, thus calling for thorough re-investigation.

Results

By applying fluorescence staining in combination with confocal microscopy and 3D-imaging techniques, we analyzed early embryonic development of a basal loxosomatid entoproct. We found that cleavage is asynchronous, equal, and spiral. An apical rosette, typical for most spiralian embryos, is formed. We also identified two cross-like cellular arrangements that bear similarities to both, a "molluscan-like" as well as an "annelid-like" cross, respectively.

Conclusions

A broad comparison of cleavage types and apical cross patterns across Lophotrochozoa shows high plasticity of these character sets and we therefore argue that these developmental traits should be treated and interpreted carefully when used for phylogenetic inferences.
Utilization of insecticide treated nets during pregnancy among postpartum women in Ibadan, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aluko Joel O , Oluwatosin Abimbola O
Published: March 2012

Background

Pregnant women are susceptible to symptomatic malaria due to invasion of the placenta by plasmodium. Malaria increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for mothers, the foetuses and newborns. The effective use of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) would be of benefit to these vulnerable women. Previous studies have focused on prenatal-women but this study sought to explore the actual trend of utilization of the proven strategy across all the pregnancy stages among postpartum women in Ibadan.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey utilized a validated structured questionnaire for data collection. A calculated sample of 335 postpartum women was proportionately recruited from three fee-paying facilities within Ibadan, Nigeria using a simple random sampling technique. These hospitals have high client flow for maternity cases and are known for provision of care under traditional ANC model. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by means of Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15. The level of significance was set at = 0.05.

Results

The women's age ranged between 18 and 47 years, mean age was 29.4 ± 0.8 years. Various irregularities marked the traditional model of ANC provided at the settings and no exposure to preconception care. Also, 276 (82.4%) had heard of ITNs. Antenatal clinics formed the major source of information. Low utilization and compliance rates were observed. One hundred and twenty-seven (37.9%) of the women had high knowledge of Malaria in Pregnancy (MIP) but only 70 (20.9%) demonstrated positive attitude towards the use of ITNs. Participants' educational status, family types, employment and residential areas significantly influenced ITNs utilization.

Conclusions

The women knew and learned about ITNs from ANC visits. Majority of the women did not own ITNs because of lack of access to free distribution. The existing traditional model of ANC was marked by irregularities and none of the women was exposed to preconception care. In addition, negative attitude in spite of increased knowledge of MIP was observed among the women. Therefore, evaluation of free distribution of ITNs is recommended. Integration of focused ANC and preconception care are advocated to promote early access to health information.
Report on emerging technologies for translational bioinformatics: a symposium on gene expression profiling for archival tissues
Authors: Waldron Levi , Simpson Peter , Parmigiani Giovanni , Huttenhower Curtis
Published: March 2012

Background

With over 20 million formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples archived each year in the United States alone, archival tissues remain a vast and under-utilized resource in the genomic study of cancer. Technologies have recently been introduced for whole-transcriptome amplification and microarray analysis of degraded mRNA fragments from FFPE samples, and studies of these platforms have only recently begun to enter the published literature.

Results

The Emerging Technologies for Translational Bioinformatics symposium on gene expression profiling for archival tissues featured presentations of two large-scale FFPE expression profiling studies (each involving over 1,000 samples), overviews of several smaller studies, and representatives from three leading companies in the field (Illumina, Affymetrix, and NuGEN). The meeting highlighted challenges in the analysis of expression data from archival tissues and strategies being developed to overcome them. In particular, speakers reported higher rates of clinical sample failure (from 10% to 70%) than are typical for fresh-frozen tissues, as well as more frequent probe failure for individual samples. The symposium program is available at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ffpe.

Conclusions

Multiple solutions now exist for whole-genome expression profiling of FFPE tissues, including both microarray- and sequencing-based platforms. Several studies have reported their successful application, but substantial challenges and risks still exist. Symposium speakers presented novel methodology for analysis of FFPE expression data and suggestions for improving data recovery and quality assessment in pre-analytical stages. Research presentations emphasized the need for careful study design, including the use of pilot studies, replication, and randomization of samples among batches, as well as careful attention to data quality control. Regardless of any limitations in quantitave transcriptomics for FFPE tissues, they are often the only biospecimens available for large patient populations with long-term history and clinical follow-up. Current challenges can be expected to remain as RNA sequencing matures, and they will thus motivate ongoing research efforts into noise reduction and identification of robust, translationally relevant biological signals in expression data from FFPE tissues.
The surfactant protein C mutation A116D alters cellular processing, stress tolerance, surfactant lipid composition, and immune cell activation
Authors: Zarbock Ralf , Woischnik Markus , Sparr Christiane , Thurm Tobias , Kern Sunčana , Kaltenborn Eva , Hector Andreas , Hartl Dominik , Liebisch Gerhard , Schmitz Gerd , Griese Matthias
Published: March 2012

Background

Surfactant protein C (SP-C) is important for the function of pulmonary surfactant. Heterozygous mutations inSFTPC, the gene encoding SP-C, cause sporadic and familial interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children and adults. Mutations mapping to the BRICHOS domain located within the SP-C proprotein result in perinuclear aggregation of the proprotein. In this study, we investigated the effects of the mutation A116D in the BRICHOS domain of SP-C on cellular homeostasis. We also evaluated the ability of drugs currently used in ILD therapy to counteract these effects.

Methods

SP-CA116Dwas expressed in MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells. We assessed in vitro the consequences for cellular homeostasis, immune response and effects of azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide.

Results

Stable expression of SP-CA116Din MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells resulted in increased intracellular accumulation of proSP-C processing intermediates. SP-CA116Dexpression further led to reduced cell viability and increased levels of the chaperones Hsp90, Hsp70, calreticulin and calnexin. Lipid analysis revealed decreased intracellular levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and increased lyso-PC levels. Treatment with methylprednisolone or hydroxychloroquine partially restored these lipid alterations. Furthermore, SP-CA116Dcells secreted soluble factors into the medium that modulated surface expression of CCR2 or CXCR1 receptors on CD4+lymphocytes and neutrophils, suggesting a direct paracrine effect of SP-CA116Don neighboring cells in the alveolar space.

Conclusions

We show that the A116D mutation leads to impaired processing of proSP-C in alveolar epithelial cells, alters cell viability and lipid composition, and also activates cells of the immune system. In addition, we show that some of the effects of the mutation on cellular homeostasis can be antagonized by application of pharmaceuticals commonly applied in ILD therapy. Our findings shed new light on the pathomechanisms underlying SP-C deficiency associated ILD and provide insight into the mechanisms by which drugs currently used in ILD therapy act.
Engineering Escherichia coli for succinate production from hemicellulose via consolidated bioprocessing
Authors: Zheng Zongbao , Chen Tao , Zhao Meina , Wang Zhiwen , Zhao Xueming
Published: March 2012

Background

The recalcitrant nature of hemicellulosic materials and the high cost in depolymerization are the primary obstacles preventing the use of xylan as feedstock for fuel and chemical production. Consolidated bioprocessing, incorporating enzyme-generating, biomass-degrading and bioproduct-producing capabilities into a single microorganism, could potentially avoid the cost of the dedicated enzyme generation in the process of xylan utilization. In this study, we engineered Escherichia coli strains capable of exporting three hemicellulases to the broth for the succinate production directly from beechwood xylan.

Results

Xylanases were extracellular environment-directed by fusing with OsmY. Subsequently, twelve variant OsmY fused endoxylanase-xylosidase combinations were characterized and tested. The combination of XynC-A from Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 and XyloA from Fusarium graminearum which appeared to have optimal enzymatic properties was identified as the best choice for xylan hydrolysis (0.18 ± 0.01 g/l protein in the broth with endoxylanase activity of 12.14 ± 0.34 U/mg protein and xylosidase activity of 92 ± 3 mU/mg protein at 8 h after induction). Further improvements of hemicellulases secretion were investigated by lpp deletion, dsbA overexpression and expression level optimization. With co-expression of α-arabinofuranosidase, the engineered E. coli could hydrolyze beechwood xylan to pentose monosaccharides. The hemicellulolytic capacity was further integrated with a succinate-producing strain to demonstrate the production of succinate directly from xylan without externally supplied hydrolases and any other organic nutrient. The resulting E. coli Z6373 was able to produce 0.37 g/g succinate from xylan anaerobically equivalent to 76% of that from xylan acid hydrolysates.

Conclusions

This report represents a promising step towards the goal of hemicellulosic chemical production. This engineered E. coli expressing and secreting three hemicellulases demonstrated a considerable succinate production on the released monosaccharides from xylan. The ability to use lower-cost crude feedstock will make biological succinate production more economically attractive.
Involvement of Src family of kinases and cAMP phosphodiesterase in the luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor-mediated signaling in the corpus luteum of monkey
Authors: Kunal Shah B , Killivalavan Asaithambi , Medhamurthy Rudraiah
Published: March 2012

Background

In higher primates, during non-pregnant cycles, it is indisputable that circulating LH is essential for maintenance of corpus luteum (CL) function. On the other hand, during pregnancy, CL function gets rescued by the LH analogue, chorionic gonadotropin (CG). The molecular mechanisms involved in the control of luteal function during spontaneous luteolysis and rescue processes are not completely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that LH/CGR activation triggers proliferation and transformation of target cells by various signaling molecules as evident from studies demonstrating participation of Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and MAP kinases in hCG-mediated actions in Leydig cells. Since circulating LH concentration does not vary during luteal regression, it was hypothesized that decreased responsiveness of luteal cells to LH might occur due to changes in LH/CGR expression dynamics, modulation of SFKs or interference with steroid biosynthesis.

Methods

Since, maintenance of structure and function of CL is dependent on the presence of functional LH/CGR its expression dynamics as well as mRNA and protein expressions of SFKs were determined throughout the luteal phase. Employing well characterized luteolysis and CL rescue animal models, activities of SFKs, cAMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) and expression of SR-B1 (a membrane receptor associated with trafficking of cholesterol ester) were examined. Also, studies were carried out to investigate the mechanisms responsible for decline in progesterone biosynthesis in CL during the latter part of the non-pregnant cycle.

Results and discussion

The decreased responsiveness of CL to LH during late luteal phase could not be accounted for by changes in LH/CGR mRNA levels, its transcript variants or protein. Results obtained employing model systems depicting different functional states of CL revealed increased activity of SFKs [pSrc (Y-416)] and PDE as well as decreased expression of SR-B1correlating with initiation of spontaneous luteolysis. However, CG, by virtue of its heroic efforts, perhaps by inhibition of SFKs and PDE activation, prevents CL from undergoing regression during pregnancy.

Conclusions

The results indicated participation of activated Src and increased activity of cAMP-PDE in the control of luteal function in vivo. That the exogenous hCG treatment caused decreased activation of Src and cAMP-PDE activity with increased circulating progesterone might explain the transient CL rescue that occurs during early pregnancy.
Some convergence results for iterative sequences of Prešić type and applications
Authors: Khan Mohammad Saeed , Berzig Maher , Samet Bessem
Published: March 2012

In this article, we study the convergence of iterative sequences of Prešić type involving new general classes of operators in the setting of metric spaces. As application, we derive some convergence results for a class of nonlinear matrix difference equations. Numerical experiments are also presented to illustrate the convergence algorithms.

Mathematics Subject Classification 2000: 54H25; 47H10; 15A24; 65H05.
The immunoregulatory effects of CMV-infection in human fibroblasts and the impact on cellular senescence
Authors: Wolf Juliane , Weinberger Birgit , Grubeck-Loebenstein Beatrix
Published: March 2012

Background

As a chronic antigenic stressor human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) contributes substantially to age-related alterations of the immune system. Even though monocytes have the greatest propensity for CMV-infection and seem to be an important host for the virus during latency, fibroblasts are also discussed to be target cells of CMV in vivo. However, little is known so far about general immunoregulatory properties of CMV in fibroblasts. We therefore investigated the immunoregulatory effects of CMV-infection in human lung fibroblasts and the impact on replicative senescence.

Findings

We observed that CMV-infection led to the induction of several immunoregulatory host cell genes associated with the innate and adaptive immune system. These were genes of different function such as genes regulating apoptosis, cytokines/chemokines and genes that are responsible for the detection of pathogens. Some of the genes upregulated following CMV-infection are also upregulated during cellular senescence, indicating that CMV causes an immunological phenotype in fibroblasts, which is partially reminiscent of replicative senescent cells.

Conclusion

In summary our results demonstrate that CMV not only affects the T cell pool but also induces inflammatory processes in human fibroblasts.
In vivo efficacy of the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid in combination with radiotherapy in a malignant rhabdoid tumor mouse model
Authors: Thiemann Markus , Oertel Susanne , Ehemann Volker , Weichert Wilko , Stenzinger Albrecht , Bischof Marc , Weber Klaus-J , Perez Ramon Lopez , Haberkorn Uwe , Kulozik Andreas E , Debus Jürgen , Huber Peter E , Battmann Claudia
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Histone deacetylase inhibitors are promising new substances in cancer therapy and have also been shown to sensitize different tumor cells to irradiation (XRT). We explored the effect as well as the radiosensitizing properties of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) in vivo in a malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) mouse model.

Methods and material

Potential radiosensitization by SAHA was assessed in MRT xenografts by analysis of tumor growth delay, necrosis (HE), apoptosis (TUNEL), proliferation (ki-67) and γH2AX expression as well as dynamic 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (18F-FDG -PET) after treatment with either SAHA alone, single-dose (10 Gy) or fractionated XRT (3 × 3Gy) solely as well as in combination with SAHA compared to controls.

Results

SAHA only had no significant effect on tumor growth. Combination of SAHA for 8 days with single-dose XRT resulted in a higher number of complete remissions, but failed to prove a significant growth delay compared to XRT only. In contrast fractionated XRT plus SAHA for 3 weeks did induce significant tumor growth delay in MRT-xenografts.

The histological examination showed a significant effect of XRT in tumor necrosis, expression of Ki-67, γH2AX and apoptosis. SAHA only had no significant effect in the histological examination. Comparison of xenografts treated with XRT and XRT plus SAHA revealed a significantly increased γH2AX expression and apoptosis induction in the mice tumors after combination treatment with single-dose as well as fractionated XRT. The combination of SAHA with XRT showed a tendency to increased necrosis and decrease of proliferation compared to XRT only, which, however, was not significant. The 18F-FDG-PET results showed no significant differences in the standard uptake value or glucose transport kinetics after either treatment.

Conclusion

SAHA did not have a significant effect alone, but proved to enhance the effect of XRT in our MRT in vivo model.
Comparison of accelerated partial breast irradiation via multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy versus whole breast radiation
Authors: Ferraro Daniel J , Garsa Adam A , DeWees Todd A , Margenthaler Julie A , Naughton Michael , Aft Rebecca , Gillanders William E , Eberlein Timothy , Matesa Melissa A , Zoberi Imran
Published: March 2012

Background

Brachytherapy as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer has become widely available and offers patients an expedited treatment schedule. Given this, many women are electing to undergo brachytherapy in lieu of standard fractionation radiotherapy. We compare outcomes between patients treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) via multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy versus patients who were also eligible for and offered APBI but who chose whole breast radiation (WBI).

Methods

Patients treated from December 2002 through May 2007 were reviewed. Selection criteria included patients with pTis-T2N0 disease, ≤ 3 cm unifocal tumors, and negative margins who underwent breast conservation surgery. Local control (LC), cause-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

202 patients were identified in the APBI cohort and 94 patients in the WBI cohort. Median follow-up for both groups exceeded 60 months. LC was 97.0% for the APBI cohort and 96.2% for the WBI cohort at 5 years (ns). Classification by 2010 ASTRO APBI consensus statement categories did not predict worse outcomes.

Conclusion

APBI via multicatheter interstitial brachytherapy provides similar local failure rates compared to WBI at 5 years for properly selected patients. Excellent results were seen despite the high fraction of younger patients (< 60 years old) and patients with DCIS.
A cervical ligamentum flavum cyst in an 82-year-old woman presenting with spinal cord compression: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Brotis Alexandros G , Kapsalaki Eftychia Z , Papadopoulos Evangelos K , Fountas Kostas N
Published: March 2012

Introduction

We report on a very rare case of a cervical ligamentum flavum cyst, which presented with progressive myelopathy and radiculopathy. The cyst was radically extirpated and our patient showed significant recovery. A review of the relevant literature yielded seven cases.

Case presentation

An 82-year-old Greek woman presented with progressive bilateral weakness of her upper extremities and causalgia, cervical pain, episodes of upper extremity numbness and significant walking difficulties. Her neurological examination showed diffusely decreased motor strength in both her upper and lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of her cervical spine demonstrated a large, well-demarcated cystic lesion on the dorsal aspect of her spinal cord at the C3 to C4 level, significantly compressing the spinal cord at this level, in close proximity to the yellow ligament and the C3 left lamina. The largest diameter of this lesion was 1.4 cm, and there was no lesion enhancement after the intravenous administration of a paramagnetic contrast. The lesion was surgically removed after a bilateral C3 laminectomy. The thick cystic wall was yellow and fibro-elastic in consistency, while its content was gelatinous and yellow-brownish. A postoperative cervical-spine magnetic resonance image was obtained before her discharge, demonstrating decompression of her spinal cord and dural expansion. Her six-month follow-up evaluation revealed complete resolution of her walking difficulties, improvement in the muscle strength of her arms (4+/5 in all the affected muscle groups), no causalgia and a significant decrease in her preoperative upper extremity numbness.

Conclusion

Cervical ligamentum flavum cysts are rare benign lesions, which should be included in the list of differential diagnosis of spinal cystic lesions. They can be differentiated from other intracanalicular lesions by their hypointense appearance on T1-weighted and hyperintense appearance on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, with contrast enhancement of the cystic wall. Surgical extirpation of the cyst is required for symptom alleviation and decompression of the spinal cord. The outcome of these cysts is excellent with no risk of recurrence.
Sample-level enrichment analysis unravels shared stress phenotypes among multiple cancer types
Authors: Gundem Gunes , Lopez-Bigas Nuria
Published: March 2012

Background

Adaptation to stress signals in the tumor microenvironment is a crucial step towards carcinogenic phenotype. The adaptive alterations attained by cells to withstand different types of insults are collectively referred to as the stress phenotypes of cancers. In this manuscript we explore the interrelation of different stress phenotypes in multiple cancer types and ask if these phenotypes could be used to explain prognostic differences among tumor samples.

Methods

We propose a new approach based on enrichment analysis at the level of samples (sample-level enrichment analysis - SLEA) in expression profiling datasets. Without using a priori phenotypic information about samples, SLEA calculates an enrichment score per sample per gene set using z-test. This score is used to determine the relative importance of the corresponding pathway or module in different patient groups.

Results

Our analysis shows that tumors significantly upregulating genes related to chromosome instability strongly correlate with worse prognosis in breast cancer. Moreover, in multiple tumor types, these tumors upregulate a senescence-bypass transcriptional program and exhibit similar stress phenotypes.

Conclusions

Using SLEA we are able to find relationships between stress phenotype pathways across multiple cancer types. Moreover we show that SLEA enables the identification of gene sets in correlation with clinical characteristics such as survival, as well as the identification of biological pathways/processes that underlie the pathology of different cancer subgroups.
Optimal Algorithms for Assortment Selection Under Ranking-Based Consumer Choice Models
Authors: Honhon Dorothee , Jonnalagedda Sreelata , Pan Xiajun Amy
Published: March 2012

A retailer's product selection decisions are largely driven by her assumptions on how consumers make choices. We use a ranking-based consumer choice model to represent consumer preferences: every customer has a ranking of the potential products in the category and purchases his highest ranked product (if any) offered in the assortment. We consider four practically motivated special cases of this model, namely, the one-way substitution, the locational choice, the outtree, and the intree preference models, and we study the retailer's product selection problem when products have different price and cost parameters. We assume that the retailer incurs a fixed carrying cost per product offered, a goodwill penalty for each customer who does not purchase his first choice and a lost sale penalty for each customer who does not find an acceptable product to buy. For the first three models, we obtain efficient solution methods that simplify to either a shortest path method or a dynamic program. For the fourth model, we construct an effective algorithm and show numerically that, in practice, it is much faster than enumeration. We also obtain valuable insights on the structure of the optimal assortment.
Examining Utilization of a Natural Medicine Web-Based Tool Among Non-Primary Care Physicians, Academic Faculty, and Nurses at One Institution
Authors: Karpa Kelly Dowhower , Boehmer Sue
Published: March 2012

Background:

Consumer use of herbal and natural products (H/NP) is increasing, yet physicians may be unprepared to provide guidance because of lack of educational training. This knowledge deficit may place consumers at risk of adverse effects. We had previously evaluated the impact of a natural medicine Web-based resource on primary care providers at our institution.

Objectives:

To ascertain the value of an H/NP Web-based resource to non–primary care physicians, academic faculty, and nurses practicing within a hospital setting.

Methods:

Non–primary care physicians, academic faculty, and nurses at our medical center were invited to complete an electronic survey 1 year after access to an H/NP clinical decision tool had been obtained.

Results:

Survey responses were obtained from 226 of 2720 (8%) individuals invited to participate. Overall, respondents indicated a relatively low comfort level (mean 3.5 [2.28] [SD] on a 10-point scale) in discussing H/NP prior to introduction of the electronic H/NP resource. Following a year-long trial subscription to an evidence-based H/NP electronic resource, 29% of physician and nurse survey respondents (60 of 207) reported use of the tool. These individuals ranked their comfort level with H/NP discussions at a 6.96 [1.76] on a 10-point scale. Seventy-six percent of physicians (16 of 21) and 72% of nurses (28 of 39) who had used the tool indicated that because of the resource, they were more likely to ask patients about H/NP use when taking a drug history; 44% (23 of 52) had been able to intervene when a patient was using an H/NP deemed to be unsafe.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that an evidence-based H/NP resource boosts physician and nursing comfort in discussing H/NP with patients and enables interventions to be made. Such H/NP clinical decision tools have potential to improve patient care.
The Economics of Occupation
Authors: Safri Maliha
Published: March 2012

Maliha Safri examines the internal organization of sustained political protests such as OWS, and finds a substantial amoung of economic activity.
Is This Time Different? Capture and Anti-Capture of US Politics
Authors: Acemoglu Daron , Robinson James A.
Published: March 2012

Acemoglu and Robinson, drawing on their recent book, describe how political movements have kept U.S. political institutions inclusive despite threats of political capture.
Overall and cause-specific mortality in GH-deficient adults on GH replacement
Authors: Gaillard Rolf C , Mattsson Anders F , Åkerblad Ann-Charlotte , Bengtsson Bengt-Åke , Cara José , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Kołtowska-Häggström Maria , Monson John P , Saller Bernhard , Wilton Patrick , Abs Roger
Published: March 2012

Objective

Hypopituitarism is associated with an increased mortality rate but the reasons underlying this have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mortality and associated factors within a large GH-replaced population of hypopituitary patients.

Design

In KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) 13 983 GH-deficient patients with 69 056 patient-years of follow-up were available.

Methods

This study analysed standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) by Poisson regression. IGF1 SDS was used as an indicator of adequacy of GH replacement. Statistical significance was set to P<0.05.

Results

All-cause mortality was 13% higher compared with normal population rates (SMR, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.24). Significant associations were female gender, younger age at follow-up, underlying diagnosis of Cushing's disease, craniopharyngioma and aggressive tumour and presence of diabetes insipidus. After controlling for confounding factors, there were statistically significant negative associations between IGF1 SDS after 1, 2 and 3 years of GH replacement and SMR. For cause-specific mortality there was a negative association between 1-year IGF1 SDS and SMR for deaths from cardiovascular diseases (P=0.017) and malignancies (P=0.044).

Conclusions

GH-replaced patients with hypopituitarism demonstrated a modest increase in mortality rate; this appears lower than that previously published in GH-deficient patients. Factors associated with increased mortality included female gender, younger attained age, aetiology and lower IGF1 SDS during therapy. These data indicate that GH replacement in hypopituitary adults with GH deficiency may be considered a safe treatment.