bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language Differences Between Monolingual English and Bilingual English-Spanish Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Valicenti-McDermott Maria , Tarshis Nancy , Schouls Melissa , Galdston Molly , Hottinger Kathryn , Seijo Rosa , Shulman Lisa , Shinnar Shlomo
Published: August 2012

Bilingualism is common worldwide and increasingly prevalent, but there is little information about bilingual children with autism spectrum disorder. The goal of the study was to compare expressive and receptive language skills in monolingual English and bilingual English-Spanish children with autism spectrum disorder. A review of the multidisciplinary evaluations done in toddlers who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a university-affiliated center between 2003 and 2010 was performed. Data included demographics, developmental testing, autistic characteristics, and expressive and receptive language skills, obtained from formal speech and language evaluation. A total of 80 toddlers were identified, 40 classified as bilingual English-Spanish. Compared with monolinguals, bilingual children were more likely to vocalize and utilize gestures, with no other differences in language skills. There were no differences in cognitive functioning and autistic features between the groups. In this study, bilingualism did not negatively affect language development in young children with autism spectrum disorder.
Precursors of Executive Function in Infants With Sickle Cell Anemia
Authors: Hogan Alexandra M. , Telfer Paul T. , Kirkham Fenella J. , Haan Michelle de
Published: August 2012

Executive dysfunction occurs in sickle cell anemia, but there are few early data. Infants with sickle cell anemia (n = 14) and controls (n = 14) performed the “A-not-B” and Object Retrieval search tasks, measuring precursors of executive function at 9 and 12 months. Significant group differences were not found. However, for the A-not-B task, 7 of 11 sickle cell anemia infants scored in the lower 2 performance categories at 9 months, but only 1 at 12 months ( P = .024); controls obtained scores at 12 months that were statistically comparable to the scores they had already obtained at 9 months. On the Object Retrieval task, 9- and 12-month controls showed comparable scores, whereas infants with sickle cell anemia continued to improve ( P = .027); at 9 months, those with lower hemoglobin oxygen saturation passed fewer trials ( Rs = 0.670, P = .024) and took longer to obtain the toy ( Rs = –0.664, P = .013). Subtle delays in acquiring developmental skills may underlie abnormal executive function in childhood.
Across Racial/Ethnic Boundaries
Authors: Carbone-Lopez Kristin
Published: August 2012

The number of interracial relationships in the United States continues to increase. The fact is, though, that race remains a significant influence in the lives of individuals and in their relationships. Although there is evidence that relationships that cross racial/ethnic boundaries may be at greater risk for conflict and dissolution, there have been few investigations as to whether such relationships are at greater risk for violence. Using data from the National Violence Against Women Survey, I find that there are differences in risk of intimate violence depending on the racial/ethnic dyad of the couple. Ethnic monoracial relationships demonstrate the greatest risk for physical and nonphysical forms of violence, controlling for structural factors, whereas women in interracial relationships report higher rates of nonphysical violence, as compared with women in White monoracial relationships. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Validation study for Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Freitas Sandra , Simões Mário R. , Alves Lara , Duro Diana , Santana Isabel
Published: August 2012

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief instrument developed for the screening of milder forms of cognitive impairment, having surpassed the well-known limitations of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The aim of the present study was to validate the MoCA as a cognitive screening test for behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD) by examining its psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy. Three matched subgroups of participants were considered: bv-FTD (n = 50), Alzheimer disease (n = 50), and a control group of healthy adults (n = 50). Compared with the MMSE, the MoCA demonstrated consistently superior psychometric properties and discriminant capacity, providing comprehensive information about the patients’ cognitive profiles. The diagnostic accuracy of MoCA for bv-FTD was extremely high (area under the curve AUC [MoCA] = 0.934, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.866-.974; AUC [MMSE] = 0.772, 95% CI = 0.677-0.850). With a cutoff below 17 points, the MoCA results for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and classification accuracy were significantly superior to those of the MMSE. The MoCA is a sensitive and accurate instrument for screening the patients with bv-FTD and represents a better option than the MMSE.
For Better or for Worse?—Nonprofit Experience and the Performance of Nascent Entrepreneurs
Authors: Hopp Christian
Published: August 2012

In the present study, we provide important insights into the knowledge and experience individuals gain when engaging in nonprofit and voluntary work. The article explores how applicable the acquired human capital is when put to work in environments that share some common elements. Using data from the second panel study of entrepreneurial dynamics (PSED 2), we find robust evidence that previous nonprofit experience significantly increases the chances to successfully found a new venture. Given the similarities in work environments that are plagued by uncertainty and ambiguity, the task-relatedness of human capital acquired through nonprofit work might provide a comparative advantage when creating a new venture. Practical implications and future research are discussed.
The effect of the blank holding force on formability in hot deep drawing of boron steel considering heat transfer phenomena and friction coefficient by simulation and experimental investigation
Authors: Ouyang Yuqin , Lee Min-Sik , Moon JH , Kang Chung-Gil
Published: August 2012

The blank temperature and blank holding force (Bf) are important parameters affecting the formability in the hot deep drawing process. Also, the interfacial heat transfer coefficient has a great influence on the temperature distribution in the drawing process. This study examined the effect of the blank holding force (Bf) on the formability of boron sheets. The evaluation was carried out by considering the interfacial heat transfer coefficient and friction coefficient (µ) between blank and punch. A J-stamp relative computer simulation was employed to model the experimental process and examine the interfacial heat transfer coefficient and µ values. Moreover, experiments by applying different Bf were carried out to verify the simulation result. By matching the simulation data with experimental results, the appropriate friction coefficient according to Bf for hot deep drawing was evaluated. The results showed that the µ values between blank and punch decreased with increasing Bf. Based on the evaluated values of interfacial heat transfer coefficient and µ, the forming depth, maximum punch load, thickness, thinning rate and equivalent strain according to Bf were examined, respectively. The result shows that a larger Bf has a more significant effect on the variation of the thickness, thinning rate and equivalent strain of the samples during the drawing process. Furthermore, the thinning rate and equivalent strain variations for samples in fracture and without fracture state were also examined, respectively. The thinning rate did not show a larger difference according to Bf. However, the equivalent strain, both in fracture and without fracture state, decreased sharply when increasing the Bf.
Analysis of thermally induced machine tool errors of a crank press
Authors: Wang Lei , Xu Feng-Yu , Wang Xing-Song
Published: August 2012

Given that thermal errors in a crank press can critically reduce machine accuracy, the current study proposes the use of the dynamic thermal error dimension chain method to analyze the thermal errors of the crank press. The thermal error of the complete machine is also determined by the thermal errors of the total components, and the dynamic error dimension chain allows the examination of the relationship between the total thermal error of the crank press and the respective errors of the primary components, such as the frame, crank, connecting rod, and slider. In addition, a finite element method model was developed to predict the temperature distribution change and thermally induced machine tool errors of a crank press. The experiments were conducted on a crank press to verify both the position of the slider running at the bottom dead center and temperature changes at various critical points in the press. The temperature of the respective components rose, resulting in different components affecting the machine tool thermal error at different times.
Modelling of plateau honed cylinder surface topography
Authors: Reizer Rafal , Pawlus Pawel
Published: August 2012

Three methods of simulation of two-process profiles were compared. An idea for the best method is to impose a random Gaussian profile on the valley profile. A special procedure was developed by the present authors to obtain desired values of skewness and correlation length. The extension of this method was used in order to model three-dimensional surface topography after two processes. The imposition method was used for plateau-honed cylinder surface topographies simulation. The mating accuracy of modelled and measured topographies was good, taking into account the complicated character of plateau-honed cylinder surfaces.
Experimental investigation of effects of dwell angle on fuel injection and diesel combustion in a high-speed optical CR diesel engine
Authors: Herfatmanesh Mohammad Reza , Zhao Hua
Published: August 2012

In order to meet the ever-more stringent emission standards, significant efforts have been devoted to the research and development of cleaner internal combustion engines. Diesel combustion and the formation of pollutants are directly influenced by the spatial and temporal distribution of the fuel injected. This study investigated the effects of dwell angle of split injection on diesel combustion and emissions in a high-speed common rail direct injection optical diesel engine. The fuel injection system was characterized through the measurement of the fuel injection rate and quantity for the tested strategies on a fuel injection test rig. In particular, the interaction between the two injection events was identified. Effects of the split injection dwell angle and the interactions of the two consecutive injection events on diesel combustion and exhaust emissions were then investigated in the single cylinder optical engine using heat release analysis and optical diagnostic techniques. The fuel injection process was illuminated by a high repetition copper vapour laser and recorded synchronously by a high speed video camera. The combustion temperature and soot distribution during the combustion process were measured by a recently developed high speed two-colour system. The results indicated that this injection mode has the potential to improve fuel economy and engine performance while substantially reducing the combustion noise, provided that the injection timings are appropriately selected.
Integrated workflow for multi-objective evolutionary optimization of the vehicle tyre parameters
Authors: Mosnier David , Gillot Frédéric , Ichchou Mohammed
Published: August 2012

An integrated workflow based on a multi-objective evolutionary optimization algorithm combined with an automatic post-treatment of optimal solutions is presented. This workflow enables a fast pre-design of the vehicle tyre and suspension parameters to be achieved. Such optimization involves usually more than five objective functions. In this case, classical multi-objective approaches are not very successful in providing the designer automatically and quickly with a limited set of Pareto-optimal solutions. In this paper, the proposed workflow is applied to help during the pre-design of the tyre dimensions. Tyres have to fulfil about ten different specifications from road handling to rolling resistance. The results are given as a limited set of solutions, hence providing very powerful decision support for the designer.
Model-based state-of-charge recalibration of lead–acid batteries in automotive applications
Authors: Bárány Gábor , Gáspár Péter
Published: August 2012

This paper investigates the problem of state-of-charge recalibration during vehicle key-off mode from battery current, voltage and temperature measurements. A quiescent voltage battery model is formalized and two different observers are proposed; that is, a multiple model adaptive estimator and an unscented Kalman filter. Both approaches are capable of robust quiescent voltage estimation in a computationally inexpensive way. The performance of the observers is numerically quantified by exhaustive simulations within application-relevant boundary conditions.
Robust trajectory tracking of unstable aircraft with measurement delay
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhang Yingxin , Dong Chaoyang , Ni Maolin
Published: August 2012

Trajectory tracking control is investigated for an open-loop unstable aircraft with delayed external measurement in this paper. The bounded measurement delay is unknown and variant. The trajectory signal is generated by a reference system. By using a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and linear matrix inequality technique, a delay-dependent criterion and the corresponding robust trajectory tracking control scheme are presented. The controller can reduce the undesirable delay effects and guarantee the boundedness of tracking error. The results with application to HiMAT (highly maneuverable technology) aircraft have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Performance analysis of rapid diagnostic tests on atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Authors: Gray John G. , Dudas Sandor , Graham Catherine , Czub Stefanie
Published: August 2012

The preferred method to determine the prevalence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a country is to use immunology-based rapid-tests. Though these tests are validated to detect C-type BSE disease–associated prion (PrPsc), test-specific properties may influence their ability to detect H- and/or L-type BSE PrPsc, where both are atypical from C-type PrPsc. Molecular characterization shows atypical BSE PrPsc to have a different sensitivity to proteinase activity and different affinities for certain prion-specific antibodies. It is important to understand how atypical BSE PrPsc may affect the performance of rapid-tests, which are typically dependant on the use of specific proteases and antibodies. The current study used experimentally generated C-, H-, and L-type BSE PrPsc to evaluate 3 tests used in various national BSE surveillance programs: an immunochromatographic assay, a standard sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (stndELISA), and a PrPsc-conformation–specific ELISA (confELISA). Although BSE PrPsc type had some effects on rapid-test performance, analytical sensitivity for atypical BSE PrPsc on all 3 platforms was not significantly compromised. When testing for atypical BSE PrPsc, the 3 tests were able to meet the same requirements that the European Food Safety Authority set when evaluating the tests for C-type BSE PrPsc.
A novel quantitative immunomagnetic reduction assay for Nervous necrosis virus
Authors: Yang Shieh Yueh , Wu Jen Leih , Tso Chun Hsi , Ngou Fang Huar , Chou Hsin Yiu , Nan Fan Hua , Horng Herng Er , Lu Ming Wei
Published: August 2012

Rapid, sensitive, and automatic detection platforms are among the major approaches of controlling viral diseases in aquaculture. An efficient detection platform permits the monitoring of pathogen spread and helps to enhance the economic benefits of commercial aquaculture. Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), the cause of viral encephalopathy and retinopathy, is among the most devastating aquaculture viruses that infect marine fish species worldwide. In the present study, a highly sensitive magnetoreduction assay was developed for detecting target biomolecules with a primary focus on NNV antigens. A standard curve of the different NNV concentrations that were isolated from infected Malabar grouper ( Epinephelus malabaricus) was established before experiments were conducted. The test solution was prepared by homogeneous dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles coated with rabbit anti-NNV antibody. The magnetic nanoparticles in the solution were oscillated by magnetic interaction with multiple externally applied, alternating current magnetic fields. The assay’s limit of detection was approximately 2 × 101 TCID50/ml for NNV. Moreover, the immunomagnetic reduction readings for other aquatic viruses (i.e., 1 × 107 TCID50/ml for Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus and 1 × 106.5 TCID50/ml for grouper iridovirus) were below the background noise in the NNV solution, demonstrating the specificity of the new detection platform.
The Artistry of Practice or the Practice of Artistry
Authors: Minocha Sonal , Reynolds Martin
Published: August 2012

This article is an autoethnographic perspective on innovative management practice in the U.K. business school context. Business schools, in general, have long been criticized for their “formulaic” and “irrelevant” approach to management education. The authors take the position that the alternative model of management education that addresses the criticisms of business schools is the practice-based model, most well articulated by Mintzberg. This practice-based view formed the basis of a new vision for their case study organization (a leading U.K. business school) that they set out to embed in the organization and its space through the use of wall art. Recognizing the role played by art, design, and creativity in management, the authors reflect on their use of wall art as part of an approach to embedding a new business school vision, offering the lessons that can be drawn for further application of this practice within other business school contexts.
Issue Politics in a Polarized Congress
Authors: Jochim Ashley E. , Jones Bryan D.
Published: August 2012

The standard explanation for increasing party polarization in Congress is based on factors that would affect all policy issues simultaneously. We show that this has not happened. We examine the dimensionality of legislative choice in the House of Representatives, scaling eighteen issues in each Congress from 1965 through 2004. We detect considerable variability in issue dimensionality, an evolution in the structure of choice over time, and changes in the relationship between party unity and issue dimensionality. Our findings suggest that polarization has occurred on an issue-by-issue basis, reinvigorating the debate over the role of policy substance in shaping congressional politics.
The Effects of Political Institutions on Women’s Political Representation
Authors: Rosen Jennifer
Published: August 2012

Women’s political representation exhibits substantial cross-national variation. While mechanisms shaping these variations are well understood for Western democracies, there is little consensus on how these same factors operate in less developed countries. Effects of two political institutions—electoral systems and gender quotas—are tested across 168 countries from 1992 to 2010. Findings indicate that key causal factors interact with a country’s socioeconomic development, shifting their importance and possibly even direction at various development thresholds. Generalizing broadly across countries, therefore, does not adequately represent the effects of these political institutions. Rather, different institutional changes are advised to increase women’s presence in national governments.
The Changing Role of Race in Social Welfare Attitude Formation
Authors: Hussey Laura S. , Pearson-Merkowitz Shanna
Published: August 2012

Growth in the U.S. Latino population has prompted speculation that the “racialization” of welfare with respect to African Americans would eventually extend to Latinos. The authors assess this prediction, analyzing public attitudes toward welfare spending and national health insurance and their linkages to attitudes about Latinos and undocumented immigrants. The authors find significant relationships between affect for “illegal immigrants” and social welfare attitudes, conditional on party identification. The findings indicate that Americans view undocumented immigrants as the beneficiaries of social welfare policies, not the wider Latino population. Furthermore, the framing of social service utilization by undocumented immigrants could threaten the Democratic coalition.
Evaluation of the Innovance d-Dimer Assay for the Diagnosis of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy in Different Clinical Settings
Authors: Khalafallah Alhossain , Jarvis Chris , Morse Michael , Albarzan Abdul-Majeed , Stewart Phoebe , Bates Gerald , Hayes Robert , Robertson Iain , Seaton David , Brain Terry
Published: August 2012

Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is a serious disease with fatal consequences. We prospectively analyzed Innovance d-dimer immunoturbidimetric assay in 68 patients diagnosed with DIC on the background of malignancy (22), severe infection (20), or multitrauma (26) at a single institution between January 2010 and January 2011. Median age was 61 years (range 20-89). All patients were assessed according to the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) DIC score. Applying a threshold of Innovance d-dimer of 10 mg/L fibrinogen equivalent unit (normal <0.5) was correlated with the highest sensitivity in malignancy (86%) and trauma/surgery (80%) compared to 54% in infection. The specificity remained high at 97% in infection, 81% in trauma and 77% in malignancy with a negative predictive value of 97% in trauma and malignancy, and 88% in infection. Our data suggest that Innovance d-dimer is a useful and simple tool that enhances the ISTH DIC diagnostic criteria. Further studies to confirm these findings are warranted.
Are Cognitive Distortions Associated With Denial and Minimization Among Sex Offenders?
Authors: Nunes Kevin L. , Jung Sandy
Published: August 2012

Although there has been much speculation about the relationship between cognitive distortions and denial/minimization, little research on the subject is available. The authors conducted secondary analyses on existing data sets to further examine the degree of association between various measures of cognitive distortions and denial/minimization among child molesters (Sample 1, n = 73; Sample 2, n = 42; Sample 3, n = 38) and rapists (Sample 1, n = 41; Sample 3, n = 14). Meta-analysis of the findings from Samples 1, 2, and 3 indicated that greater endorsement of cognitive distortions about sex offending in general was significantly associated with greater denial/minimization of one’s own guilt and deviance ( r = .24), harm to one’s own victims ( r = .32), one’s need for treatment ( r = .21), and responsibility for one’s sex offenses ( r = .16). Although correlated, cognitive distortions and denial/minimization, at least as typically measured, are distinct constructs.
Can Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) Work in the United States? Preliminary Results From a Randomized Experiment in Minnesota
Authors: Duwe Grant
Published: August 2012

In 2008, the Minnesota Department of Corrections implemented Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability (MnCOSA), a sex offender reentry program based on the Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) model developed in Canada during the 1990s. Using a randomized experimental design, this study evaluates the effectiveness of MnCOSA by conducting a cost-benefit analysis and comparing recidivism outcomes in the MnCOSA ( N = 31) and control groups ( N = 31). Despite the small total sample size ( N = 62), the results from Cox regression models suggest that MnCOSA significantly reduced three of the five recidivism measures examined. By the end of 2011, none of the MnCOSA offenders had been rearrested for a new sex offense compared with one offender in the control group. Because of less recidivism observed among MnCOSA participants, the results from the cost-benefit analysis show the program has produced an estimated US$363,211 in costs avoided to the state, resulting in a benefit of US$11,716 per participant. For every dollar spent on MnCOSA, the program has generated an estimated benefit of US$1.82 (an 82% return on investment).
Weak solvability of two quasistatic viscoelastic contact problems
Authors: Migórski Stanisław , Ochal Anna , Sofonea Mircea
Published: August 2012

We consider two mathematical models, which describe the frictional contact between a deformable body and a foundation. In both models the process is assumed to be quasistatic, the material is viscoelastic, and the friction is given by a subdifferential boundary condition. In the first model the contact is described with a univalued condition between the normal stress and the normal displacement and in the second model it is described with a subdifferential condition, which links the normal stress and the normal velocity. For each model we derive a variational formulation, which is in the form of a history-dependent hemivariational inequality for the velocity field. Then we prove the existence of a weak solution and, under additional assumptions, its uniqueness. The proof is based on a recent result on history-dependent hemivariational inequalities.
Test rig for friction force measurements in pneumatic components and seals
Authors: Belforte Guido , Bertetto Andrea Manuello , Mazza Luigi
Published: August 2012

This article describes the design of a new test rig for measuring the friction force in pneumatic components and seals. The test rig was designed in order to measure both the overall friction force in a pneumatic cylinder or a valve as a whole, and the single contribution to friction force caused by the sliding seals. To this end, special fixtures and devices were designed and manufactured in order to measure the friction force in piston seals, rod seals and cartridge valve seals individually. Results of friction measurements carried out on pneumatic cylinders with similar characteristics but produced by different manufacturers are presented and compared. A test procedure and a methodology, in order to separate the contributions of the individual seals from the overall friction of the cylinders, is presented.
Calculation of crank train friction in a heavy duty truck engine and comparison with measured data
Authors: Carden Phil , Pisani Carl , Lainé Emmanuel , Field Ian , Devine Maryann , Schoeni Andreas , Beyer Peter
Published: August 2012

This article describes measurements and calculations of friction losses in the crank train of an IVECO heavy duty truck engine. The main objectives were to quantify the effect on friction of variation in lubricant viscosity and to demonstrate the ability of CAE tools to predict friction at contacts in the crank train. Results of various measurements of friction are described. Cycle-averaged whole engine friction was derived from measurements of cylinder pressure and brake torque. In addition a motored friction teardown test was performed to separate the losses from different engine systems. Commercially available analysis tools were used to calculate friction at contacts in the crank train under the same conditions as the tests and this article describes key assumptions and input data and presents calculated results compared with measured data.
The Endovascular Management of a Neurofibromatosis Vasculopathy
Authors: Choong Andrew , Alagaratnam Swethan , Suliman Samir , Gikas Panagiotis , Briggs Timothy , Loh Alexander , Lotzof Kevin
Published: August 2012

We describe the management of a 30-year-old male with type I neurofibromatosis who required an above-knee amputation for bleeding, infection, swelling, and multiple severe joint instability. Postoperatively, he continued to bleed from the stump site. Angiography revealed multiple small distal bleeding aneurysms. Hemostasis was eventually achieved with standard microcoil embolization.
Surgical Femorocaval Bypass for Recalcitrant Iliofemoral Venous Occlusion to Endovascular Treatment
Authors: Adams Matthew K. , Anaya-Ayala Javier E. , Ismail Nyla , Peden Eric K.
Published: August 2012

Patients with chronic occlusion of iliac veins may present with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe disability, including limb swelling, venous claudication, and ulceration. Endovascular treatment has emerged as first line of interventional therapy. Surgical venous–venous bypasses for the management of these patients in the era of endovascular therapy are rarely performed. These procedures are reserved only for patients with severe symptoms and long occlusive lesions that have failed previous endovascular interventions. We present a clinical scenario involving the use of femorocaval bypass to treat an iliofemoral occlusion recalcitrant to stenting, manifesting with severe lower extremity swelling and venous claudication. The surgical bypass resulted in significant improvement in the patient’s clinical status.
Safety and Application of Transumbilical Single-Incision Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for GIST
Authors: Wu Shuo-Dong , Kong Jing , Su Yang , Fan Ying
Published: August 2012

Background. The authors report a new technique of umbilical single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach using conventional laparoscopic instruments. Methods. Preliminary experience with umbilical SILS operation in 13 patients with GIST was introduced. Results. Umbilical SILS operation for GISTs was feasible with conventional laparoscopic instruments. No intraoperative or postoperative complications, such as secondary hemorrhage, anastomotic leakage, or obstruction, were recorded. The patients fully recovered and the single umbilical scar healed well. Conclusion. SILS for GISTs is a feasible and safe technique when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. With advanced surgical technology and technique, truly minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as SILS, are feasible.
Mouse estrous cycle regulation of vaginal versus uterine cytokines, chemokines, α-/β-defensins and TLRs
Authors: Hickey Danica K , Fahey John V , Wira Charles R
Published: August 2012

This study investigates the cyclic changes in innate immunity in the female reproductive tract (FRT) of mice during the estrous cycle. By examining uterine and vaginal tissues and secretions we show that innate immunity varies with the stage of the estrous cycle and site in the FRT. Secretions from the uterine lumen contained cytokines and chemokines that were significantly higher at proestrus and estrus relative to that measured at diestrus. In contrast, analysis of vaginal secretions indicated that only IL-1β and CXCL1/mouse KC changed during the cycle, with highest levels measured at diestrus and estrus. In contrast, vaginal α-defensin 2 and β-defensins 1–4 mRNA levels peaked at proestrus and estrus and are expressed 1–4 logs greater than that seen in the uterus. These studies further indicate that TLR5 and TLR12 in the uterus, and TLR1, TLR2, TLR5 and TLR13 in the vagina varies with stage of the estrous cycle, with some peaking at proestrus/estrus and others at diestrus. Overall, these studies indicate that innate immune parameters in the uterus and vagina are separate and discrete, and regulated precisely during the estrous cycle.
Psychotic illness in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Kanemoto Kousuke , Tadokoro Yukari , Oshima Tomohiro
Published: August 2012

Apart from the rather rare ictal psychotic events, such as non-convulsive status epilepticus, modern epileptic psychoses have been categorized into three main types; chronic and acute interictal psychoses (IIPs) and postictal psychosis (PIP). Together, they comprise 95% of psychoses in patients with epilepsy (PWE). Four major questions, that is, “Is psychosis in PWE a direct consequence of epilepsy or schizophrenia induced by epilepsy?”, “Is psychosis in PWE homogeneous or heterogeneous?”, “Does psychosis in PWE have symptomatological differences from schizophrenia and related disorders?”, “Is psychosis in PWE uniquely associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE)?” are tried to be answered in this review with relevant case presentations. In the final section, we propose a tentative classification of psychotic illness in PWE, with special attention to those who have undergone epilepsy surgery. Psychotic disorders in PWE are often overlooked, mistreated, and consequently lingering on needlessly. While early diagnosis is unanimously supported as a first step to avoid this delay, necessity of switching from antiepileptic drugs with supposedly adverse psychotopic effects. to others is more controversial. To elucidate the riddle of alternative psychosis, we need badly further reliable data.
Penile traction therapy and Peyronie’s disease: a state of art review of the current literature
Authors: Chung Eric , Brock Gerald
Published: August 2012

In recent years, penile traction therapy (PTT) has gained considerable interest as a novel nonsurgical treatment option for men with Peyronie’s disease (PD) and short penises. The current published literature suggests that selected cases of PD may benefit from a conservative approach with PTT, resulting in increased penile length and reduction of penile deformity. It appears to be safe and well tolerated but requires a great deal of patient compliance and determination. This article reviews the current literature pertaining to the use of PTT in men with PD, short penises and in the setting of pre- and postprosthesis corporal fibrosis.
Perioperative management of patients on chronic antithrombotic therapy
Authors: Ortel Thomas L.
Published: August 2012

Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy is a situation that occurs frequently and requires consideration of the patient, the procedure, and an expanding array of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. Preoperative assessment must address each patient's risk for thromboembolic events balanced against the risk for perioperative bleeding. Procedures can be separated into those with a low bleeding risk, which generally do not require complete reversal of the antithrombotic therapy, and those associated with an intermediate or high bleeding risk. For patients who are receiving warfarin who need interruption of the anticoagulant, consideration must be given to whether simply withholding the anticoagulant is the optimal approach or whether a perioperative “bridge” with an alternative agent, typically a low-molecular-weight heparin, should be used. The new oral anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban have shorter effective half-lives, but they introduce other concerns for perioperative management, including prolonged drug effect in patients with renal insufficiency, limited experience with clinical laboratory testing to confirm lack of residual anticoagulant effect, and lack of a reversal agent. Antiplatelet agents must also be considered in the perioperative setting, with particular consideration given to the potential risk for thrombotic complications in patients with coronary artery stents who have antiplatelet therapy withheld.
Vibration response imaging: a novel noninvasive tool for evaluating the initial therapeutic effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Bing Dai , Jian Kang , Long-feng Sun , Wei Tan , Hong-wen Zhao
Published: August 2012

Background

The popular methods for evaluating the initial therapeutic effect (ITE) of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) can only roughly reflect the therapeutic outcome of a patient’s ventilation because they are subjective, invasive and time-delayed. In contrast, vibration response imaging (VRI) can monitor the function of a patient’s ventilation over the NPPV therapy in a non-invasive manner. This study aimed to investigate the value of VRI in evaluating the ITE of NPPV for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

Thirty-six AECOPD patients received VRI at three time points: before NPPV treatment (T1), at 15 min of NPPV treatment (T2), and at 15 min after the end of NPPV treatment (T4). Blood gas analysis was also performed at T1 and at 2 hours of NPPV treatment (T3). Thirty-nine healthy volunteers also received VRI at T1 and T2. VRI examination at the time point T2 in either the patients or volunteers did not require any interruption of the on-going NPPV. The clinical indices at each time point were compared between the two groups. Moreover, correlations between the PaCO2 changes (T3 vs T1) and abnormal VRI scores (AVRIS) changes (T2 vs T1) were analyzed.

Results

No significant AVRIS differences were found between T1 and T2 in the healthy controls (8.51 ± 3.36 vs. 8.53 ± 3.57, P > 0.05). The AVRIS, dynamic score, MEF score and EVP score showed a significant decrease in AECOPD patients at T2 compared with T1 (P < 0.05), but a significant increase at T4 compared with T2 (P < 0.05). We also found a positive correlation (R2 = 0.6399) between the PaCO2 changes (T3 vs T1) and AVRIS changes (T2 vs T1).

Conclusions

VRI is a promising noninvasive tool for evaluating the initial therapeutic effects of NPPV in AECOPD patients and predicting the success of NPPV in the early stage.
A web-based multi-genome synteny viewer for customized data
Authors: Revanna Kashi V , Munro Daniel , Gao Alvin , Chiu Chi-Chen , Pathak Anil , Dong Qunfeng
Published: August 2012

Background

Web-based synteny visualization tools are important for sharing data and revealing patterns of complicated genome conservation and rearrangements. Such tools should allow biologists to upload genomic data for their own analysis. This requirement is critical because individual biologists are generating large amounts of genomic sequences that quickly overwhelm any centralized web resources to collect and display all those data. Recently, we published a web-based synteny viewer, GSV, which was designed to satisfy the above requirement. However, GSV can only compare two genomes at a given time. Extending the functionality of GSV to visualize multiple genomes is important to meet the increasing demand of the research community.

Results

We have developed a multi-Genome Synteny Viewer (mGSV). Similar to GSV, mGSV is a web-based tool that allows users to upload their own genomic data files for visualization. Multiple genomes can be presented in a single integrated view with an enhanced user interface. Users can navigate through all the selected genomes in either pairwise or multiple viewing mode to examine conserved genomic regions as well as the accompanying genome annotations. Besides serving users who manually interact with the web server, mGSV also provides Web Services for machine-to-machine communication to accept data sent by other remote resources. The entire mGSV package can also be downloaded for easy local installation.

Conclusions

mGSV significantly enhances the original functionalities of GSV. A web server hosting mGSV is provided at http://cas-bioinfo.cas.unt.edu/mgsv.
Implications of hybridisation and cytotypic differentiation in speciation assessed by AFLP and plastid haplotypes - a case study of Potentilla alpicola La Soie
Authors: Paule Juraj , Scherbantin Antonia , Dobeš Christoph
Published: August 2012

Background

Hybridisation is presumed to be an important mechanism in plant speciation and a creative evolutionary force often accompanied by polyploidisation and in some cases by apomixis. ThePotentilla collinagroup constitutes a particularly suitable model system to study these phenomena as it is morphologically extensively variable, exclusively polyploid and expresses apomixis. In the present study, the alpine taxonPotentilla alpicolahas been chosen in order to study its presumed hybrid origin, identify underlying evolutionary processes and infer the discreteness or taxonomic value of hybrid forms.

Results

Combined analysis of AFLP, cpDNA sequences and ploidy level variation revealed a hybrid origin of theP. alpicolapopulations from South Tyrol (Italy) resulting from crosses betweenP. pusillaand two cytotypes ofP. argentea. Hybrids were locally sympatric with at least one of the parental forms. Three lineages of different evolutionary origin comprising two ploidy levels were identified withinP. alpicola.The lineages differed in parentage and the complexity of the evolutionary process. A geographically wide-spread lineage thus contrasted with locally distributed lineages of different origins. Populations ofP. collinastudied in addition, have been regarded rather as recent derivatives of the hexaploidP. argentea. The observation of clones within bothP. alpicolaandP. collinasuggested a possible apomictic mode of reproduction.

Conclusions

Different hybridisation scenarios taking place on geographically small scales resulted in viable progeny presumably stabilised by apomixis. The case study ofP. alpicolasupports that these processes played a significant role in the creation of polymorphism in the genusPotentilla. However, multiple origin of hybrids and backcrossing are considered to produce a variety of evolutionary spontaneous forms existing aside of reproductively stabilised, established lineages.
Copy number expansion of the STX17 duplication in melanoma tissue from Grey horses
Authors: Sundström Elisabeth , Imsland Freyja , Mikko Sofia , Wade Claire , Sigurdsson Snaevar , Pielberg Gerli Rosengren , Golovko Anna , Curik Ino , Seltenhammer Monika H , Sölkner Johann , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Andersson Leif
Published: August 2012

Background

Greying with age in horses is an autosomal dominant trait, associated with loss of hair pigmentation, melanoma and vitiligo-like depigmentation. We recently identified a 4.6 kb duplication in STX17 to be associated with the phenotype. The aims of this study were to investigate if the duplication in Grey horses shows copy number variation and to exclude that any other polymorphism is uniquely associated with the Grey mutation.

Results

We found little evidence for copy number expansion of the duplicated sequence in blood DNA from Grey horses. In contrast, clear evidence for copy number expansions was indicated in five out of eight tested melanoma tissues or melanoma cell lines. A tendency of a higher copy number in aggressive tumours was also found. Massively parallel resequencing of the ~350 kb Grey haplotype did not reveal any additional mutations perfectly associated with the phenotype, confirming the duplication as the true causative mutation. We identified three SNP alleles that were present in a subset of Grey haplotypes within the 350 kb region that shows complete linkage disequilibrium with the causative mutation. Thus, these three nucleotide substitutions must have occurred subsequent to the duplication, consistent with our interpretation that the Grey mutation arose more than 2,000 years before present.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the mutation acts as a melanoma-driving regulatory element. The elucidation of the mechanistic features of the duplication will be of considerable interest for the characterization of these horse melanomas as well as for the field of human melanoma research.
The receptor like kinase at Rhg1-a/Rfs2 caused pleiotropic resistance to sudden death syndrome and soybean cyst nematode as a transgene by altering signaling responses
Authors: Srour Ali , Afzal Ahmed J , Blahut-Beatty Laureen , Hemmati Naghmeh , Simmonds Daina H , Li Wenbin , Liu Miao , Town Christopher D , Sharma Hemlata , Arelli Prakash , Lightfoot David A
Published: August 2012

Background

Soybean (Glycine max (L. Merr.)) resistance to any population of Heterodera glycines (I.), or Fusarium virguliforme (Akoi, O’Donnell, Homma & Lattanzi) required a functional allele at Rhg1/Rfs2. H. glycines, the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) was an ancient, endemic, pest of soybean whereas F. virguliforme causal agent of sudden death syndrome (SDS), was a recent, regional, pest. This study examined the role of a receptor like kinase (RLK) GmRLK18-1 (gene model Glyma_18_02680 at 1,071 kbp on chromosome 18 of the genome sequence) within the Rhg1/Rfs2 locus in causing resistance to SCN and SDS.

Results

A BAC (B73p06) encompassing the Rhg1/Rfs2 locus was sequenced from a resistant cultivar and compared to the sequences of two susceptible cultivars from which 800 SNPs were found. Sequence alignments inferred that the resistance allele was an introgressed region of about 59 kbp at the center of which the GmRLK18-1 was the most polymorphic gene and encoded protein. Analyses were made of plants that were either heterozygous at, or transgenic (and so hemizygous at a new location) with, the resistance allele of GmRLK18-1. Those plants infested with either H. glycines or F. virguliforme showed that the allele for resistance was dominant. In the absence of Rhg4 the GmRLK18-1 was sufficient to confer nearly complete resistance to both root and leaf symptoms of SDS caused by F. virguliforme and provided partial resistance to three different populations of nematodes (mature female cysts were reduced by 30–50%). In the presence of Rhg4 the plants with the transgene were nearly classed as fully resistant to SCN (females reduced to 11% of the susceptible control) as well as SDS. A reduction in the rate of early seedling root development was also shown to be caused by the resistance allele of the GmRLK18-1. Field trials of transgenic plants showed an increase in foliar susceptibility to insect herbivory.

Conclusions

The inference that soybean has adapted part of an existing pathogen recognition and defense cascade (H.glycines; SCN and insect herbivory) to a new pathogen (F. virguliforme; SDS) has broad implications for crop improvement. Stable resistance to many pathogens might be achieved by manipulation the genes encoding a small number of pathogen recognition proteins.