bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Plasma ADAMTS13 in Chronic Hepatitis B and C
Authors: Ikeda Hitoshi , Tateishi Ryosuke , Enooku Kenichiro , Yoshida Haruhiko , Nakagawa Hayato , Masuzaki Ryota , Kondo Yuji , Goto Tadashi , Shiina Shuichiro , Kume Yukio , Tomiya Tomoaki , Inoue Yukiko , Nishikawa Takako , Ohtomo Natsuko , Tanoue Yasushi , Ono Tomoko , Koike Kazuhiko , Yatomi Yutaka
Published: October 2011

Background: Chronic liver injury evokes a wound healing response, promoting fibrosis and finally hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in which hepatic stellate cells play an important role. Although a blood marker of hepatic stellate cells is not known, those cells importantly contribute to the regulation of plasma a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) activity, a defect of which causes thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Methods: Plasma ADAMTS13 was evaluated in chronic hepatitis B or C patients with or without HCC.

Results: Plasma ADAMTS13 activity significantly correlated with serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, liver stiffness value, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, irrespective of the presence of HCC, suggesting that it may reflect hepatocellular damage and subsequent wound healing and fibrosis as a result of hepatic stellate cell action. During the three-year follow-up period for patients without HCC, it developed in 10 among 81 patients. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity was significantly higher in patients with HCC development than in those without and was a significant risk for HCC development by univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, during the one-year follow-up period for patients with HCC treated with radiofrequency ablation, HCC recurred in 55 among 107 patients. Plasma ADAMTS13 activity or antigen level was significantly higher in patients with HCC recurrence than in those without and was retained as a significant risk for HCC recurrence by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: Higher plasma ADAMTS13 activity and antigen level was a risk of HCC development in chronic liver disease.

Impact: Plasma ADAMTS13 as a potential marker of hepatic stellate cells may be useful in the prediction of hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(10); 2204–11. ©2011 AACR.
The Retrovirus XMRV Is not Directly Involved in the Pathogenesis of Common Types of Lymphoid Malignancy
Authors: Waugh Elspeth M. , Jarrett Ruth F. , Shield Lesley , Montgomery Dorothy , Dean Robert T.G. , Mitchell Andrea , Greaves Mel F. , Gallagher Alice
Published: October 2011

Background: A novel retrovirus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), has been detected in prostate cancer samples and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition, the virus has been identified in PBMCs from healthy controls. These data suggest that XMRV is circulating in the human population. XMRV is closely related to murine leukemia viruses, which cause lymphoid malignancies in mice. The aim of this study was to determine whether XMRV is directly associated with common forms of human lymphoma or leukemia.

Methods: DNA samples from 368 patients with lymphoid malignancies and 139 patients with benign lymphadenopathy or other malignant disease were screened for XMRV, using three specific and sensitive quantitative PCR assays.

Results: XMRV was not detected in any sample using any of the three assays.

Conclusions: The data suggest that this virus is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy and that XMRV is not a prevalent blood borne infection, at least in the United Kingdom.

Impact: There is no evidence that XMRV is associated with lymphoid malignancies, and further studies should resolve inconsistencies in results of studies examining XMRV prevalence. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 20(10); 2232–6. ©2011 AACR.
Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients: Transition After Active Treatment
Authors: Given Barbara A. , Sherwood Paula , Given Charles W.
Published: October 2011

Family caregivers provide uncompensated care and assistance to a family member who has cancer. When patients move through the care trajectory into the survivorship phase, roles and demands of caregivers change and caregivers assume responsibility to assist with coordination of ongoing care. The goal of this article is to describe aspects of caregiver experiences and the roles of caregivers as patients transition from active cancer treatment into the first and early phase of cancer care. Residual problems for patients and caregivers remain for some period of time. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(10); 2015–21. ©2011 AACR.
A Framework for Cancer Survivorship Research and Translation to Policy
Authors: Grunfeld Eva , Earle Craig C. , Stovall Ellen
Published: October 2011

Awareness has grown over the past few years that needs specific to cancer survivors have long been neglected. Clinicians and policy makers continue to struggle, however, with exactly how to address these needs. We present a comprehensive framework for survivorship research and couple it with a model for translating research into policy, using two examples for illustration. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(10); 2099–104. ©2011 AACR.
Methods to Assess Adverse Health-Related Outcomes in Cancer Survivors
Authors: Oeffinger Kevin C. , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Hodgson David C.
Published: October 2011

Designing a study focused on adverse health-related outcomes among cancer survivors is complex. Similarly, reading and interpreting the findings of a survivorship-focused study requires an appreciation of the complexities of study design, potential biases, confounding factors, and other limitations. The topic areas are broad—study design, comparison populations, measures of risk, key health outcomes of interest, potential modifying factors to consider. With brevity, this article includes basic information to consider within these areas as well as examples and concepts intended to advance the science of survivorship research and encourage further reading and exploration. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(10); 2022–34. ©2011 AACR.
Pretargeted Radioimmunotherapy Using Genetically Engineered Antibody-Streptavidin Fusion Proteins for Treatment of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Park Steven I. , Shenoi Jaideep , Frayo Shani M. , Hamlin Donald K. , Lin Yukang , Wilbur D. Scott , Stayton Patrick S. , Orgun Nural , Hylarides Mark , Buchegger Franz , Kenoyer Aimee L. , Axtman Amanda , Gopal Ajay K. , Green Damian J. , Pagel John M. , Press Oliver W.
Published: October 2011

Purpose: Pretargeted radioimmunotherapy (PRIT) using streptavidin (SAv)-biotin technology can deliver higher therapeutic doses of radioactivity to tumors than conventional RIT. However, “endogenous” biotin can interfere with the effectiveness of this approach by blocking binding of radiolabeled biotin to SAv. We engineered a series of SAv FPs that downmodulate the affinity of SAv for biotin, while retaining high avidity for divalent DOTA-bis-biotin to circumvent this problem.

Experimental Design: The single-chain variable region gene of the murine 1F5 anti-CD20 antibody was fused to the wild-type (WT) SAv gene and to mutant SAv genes, Y43A-SAv and S45A-SAv. FPs were expressed, purified, and compared in studies using athymic mice bearing Ramos lymphoma xenografts.

Results: Biodistribution studies showed delivery of more radioactivity to tumors of mice pretargeted with mutant SAv FPs followed by 111In-DOTA-bis-biotin [6.2 ± 1.7% of the injected dose per gram (%ID/gm) of tumor 24 hours after Y43A-SAv FP and 5.6 ± 2.2%ID/g with S45A-SAv FP] than in mice on normal diets pretargeted with WT-SAv FP (2.5 ± 1.6%ID/g; P = 0.01). These superior biodistributions translated into superior antitumor efficacy in mice treated with mutant FPs and 90Y-DOTA-bis-biotin [tumor volumes after 11 days: 237 ± 66 mm3 with Y43A-SAv, 543 ± 320 mm3 with S45A-SAv, 1129 ± 322 mm3 with WT-SAv, and 1435 ± 212 mm3 with control FP (P < 0.0001)].

Conclusions: Genetically engineered mutant-SAv FPs and bis-biotin reagents provide an attractive alternative to current SAv-biotin PRIT methods in settings where endogenous biotin levels are high. Clin Cancer Res; 17(23); 7373–82. ©2011 AACR.
Two Blood Monocytic Biomarkers (CCL15 and p21) Combined with the Mini-Mental State Examination Discriminate Alzheimer’s Disease Patients from Healthy Subjects
Authors: Hochstrasser Tanja , Marksteiner Josef , Defrancesco Michaela , Deisenhammer Eberhard A. , Kemmler Georg , Humpel Christian
Published: October 2011

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In AD, monocytes migrate across the blood-brain barrier and differentiate into microglia, are linked to inflammatory responses and display age-dependent decreases in telomere lengths. Methods: Six monocyte-specific chemokines and the (telomere-associated) tumor suppressor proteins p53 and p21 were determined by multiplex immunoassay in plasma and monocyte extracts of patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment, and levels were compared between patients and controls (without cognitive impairment). Results: CCL15 (macrophage inflammatory protein-1δ), CXCL9 (monokine-induced by interferon-γ) and p21 levels were decreased in monocytes of AD patients compared with controls. Conclusion: The combination of monocytic CCL15 and p21 together with the Mini-Mental State Examination enables to differentiate AD patients from controls with high specificity and sensitivity.
Quantifying Cardiac Hemodynamic Stress and Cardiomyocyte Damage in Ischemic and Nonischemic Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Drexler Beatrice , Heinisch Corinna , Balmelli Cathrin , Lassus Johan , Siirilä-Waris Krista , Arenja Nisha , Socrates Thenral , Noveanu Markus , Potocki Mihael , Meune Christophe , Haaf Philip , Degen Christian , Breidthardt Tobias , Reichlin Tobias , Nieminen Markku S. , Veli-Pekka Harjola , Osswald Stefan , Mueller Christian
Published: October 2011

Background—

The early and noninvasive differentiation of ischemic and nonischemic acute heart failure (AHF) in the emergency department (ED) is an unmet clinical need.

Methods and Results—

We quantified cardiac hemodynamic stress using B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiomyocyte damage using 2 different cardiac troponin assays in 718 consecutive patients presenting to the ED with AHF (derivation cohort). The diagnosis of ischemic AHF was adjudicated using all information, including coronary angiography. Findings were validated in a second independent multicenter cohort (326 AHF patients). Among the 718 patients, 400 (56%) were adjudicated to have ischemic AHF. BNP levels were significantly higher in ischemic compared with nonischemic AHF (1097 [604–1525] pg/mL versus 800 [427–1317] pg/mL;
P
<0.001). Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and sensitive cardiac troponin I (s-cTnI) were also significantly higher in ischemic compared with nonischemic AHF patients (0.040 [0.010–0.306] μg/L versus 0.018 [0.010–0.060] μg/L [
P
<0.001]; 0.024 [0.008–0.106] μg/L versus 0.016 [0.004–0.044 ] μg/L [
P
=0.002]). The diagnostic accuracy of BNP, cTnT, and s-cTnI for the diagnosis of ischemic AHF, as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve, was low (0.58 [95% CI, 0.54–0.63], 0.61 [95% CI, 0.57–0.66], and 0.59 [95% CI,0.54–0.65], respectively). These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort.

Conclusions—

At presentation to the ED, patients with ischemic AHF exhibit more extensive hemodynamic cardiac stress and cardiomyocyte damage than patients with nonischemic AHF. However, the overlap is substantial, resulting in poor diagnostic accuracy.
The Hajj and Iran’s Foreign Policy towards Saudi Arabia
Authors: Amiri Reza Ekhtiari , Samsu Ku Hasnita Binti Ku , Fereidouni Hassan Gholipour
Published: October 2011

The Hajj has always been affected either directly or indirectly by Iranian foreign policy. This article attempts to examine the impact of the Iranian Islamic regime’s foreign policy, specifically with regard to Iranian–Saudi interaction on the Hajj, from its establishment in 1979 until 2010. Given the ideological approach dominating Iran’s foreign policy, this article will illustrate how the relationship of Iran and Saudi Arabia has been especially frictive during the Hajj. However, with Iran attempting to pursue a more moderate and less confrontational foreign policy in the region and internationally, its relationship with Saudi Arabia has become cordial and peaceful of late, even during the pilgrimage.
“You Have to Absorb Yourself in It”
Authors: Rusche Sarah Nell , Jason Kendra
Published: October 2011

Inspired by inquiry-guided learning and critical self-reflection as pedagogical approaches, we describe exercises that encourage students to develop critical thinking skills through inquiry and reflective writing. Students compile questions and reflections throughout the course and, at the end of the term, use their writings for a comprehensive analytic self-reflection that examines their intellectual and sociological growth. Following Schwalbe’s (2008 ) urging to emphasize sociological thinking over disciplinary nuances in introductory courses, we describe several complementary methods for teaching students how to think like sociologists. We detail five inquiry exercises and three reflection exercises that build up to the final analytic reflection essay. The unique value of these exercises is that students not only engage the course material throughout the course but also learn to examine their own writing as data. In doing so, students learn to value the process of learning, inquiry, and critical self-reflection while acquiring and constructing self-knowledge.
The FARC and the Colombian Left
Authors: Lee Chris
Published: October 2011

Is the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo [Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People’s Army]) merely a terrorist organization involved in narcotrafficking and the predatory tactics of survival, or does it represent a legitimate political movement or alternative? Should the Colombian left sever any ties to the FARC, or should it attempt to integrate it into the political process? These questions are particularly salient now because the political left in Colombia is arguably emergent, whereas the FARC’s military strength has been eroded by the vigorous military and political attacks of the Uribe administration and its tactics have made it an unattractive political option.

¿Qué on las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarios de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo (FARC), una organización terrorista involucrada con el narcotráfico y tácticas rapaces de supervivencia, o una alternativa o movimiento político legítimos? ¿Debería la izquierda colombiana deslindarse de ellas, o integrarlas al proceso político? Estas preguntas son de particular importancia hoy día ya que, mientras que la izquierda política es una fuerza emergente en Colombia, el poder militar de las FARC se ha erosionado a partir de los vigorosos ataques militares y políticos de la administración de Uribe. Además, sus tácticas les han convertido en una opción política poco atractiva.
Unified, Insular, Firmly Policed, or Fractured, Porous, Contested, Gifted Education?
Authors: Ambrose Don , Van Tassel-Baska Joyce , Coleman Laurence J. , Cross Tracy L.
Published: October 2011

Much like medieval, feudal nations, professional fields such as gifted education can take shape as centralized kingdoms with strong armies controlling their compliant populations and protecting closed borders, or as loose collections of conflict-prone principalities with borders open to invaders. Using an investigative framework borrowed from an interdisciplinary group of scholars in the social sciences and humanities, four scholars of gifted education analyzed four different analytic levels of our field (practice, research, theory, philosophy) to discern whether gifted education is unified, insular, and firmly policed, or fractured, conflict-ridden, and porous. Each disciplinary structure generates unique advantages, disadvantages, and implications for scholars and practitioners.
The Effects of Clustering and Curriculum on the Development of Gifted Learners' Math Achievement
Authors: Pierce Rebecca L. , Cassady Jerrell C. , Adams Cheryll M. , Neumeister Kristie L. Speirs , Dixon Felicia A. , Cross Tracy L.
Published: October 2011

There is a paucity of empirical studies dealing with benefits of gifted programming in mathematics for elementary students. The current study reports on the impact of using cluster grouping and specific curriculum to support gifted learners' math achievement in urban elementary schools. Although the results of Year 3 provide the most compelling evidence of success, Year 1 results are included to explain the route taken to achieve those results. The results demonstrated that teachers in a large urban school district can promote academic gains over time for gifted and comparison students provided the curriculum is designed to support learning at varied ability levels, that teachers have sufficient experience with the content to deliver the planned materials appropriately, and that the context of the classroom setting supports collaborative learning and embraces challenge for all learners.
Diverse Perspectives of Creativity Testing
Authors: Lemons Gay
Published: October 2011

Although it is important to include creative potential in the criteria for gifted programs, a review of the literature reveals creativity testing for this purpose to be a controversial topic. As creativity is a complex, multifaceted construct difficult to measure and operationalize, instruments purporting to measure creative abilities may lead to in-accurate assessments. The purpose of this article is to present and clarify some of the many conflicting perspectives of creativity testing in order for educators involved in gifted programs to make informed decisions about their use. Suggestions for measurement selection and alternative methods of assessing creative potential are offered.
Credit and Placement for Academically Talented Students following Special Summer Courses in Math and Science
Authors: Mills Carol J. , Ablard Karen E.
Published: October 2011

After participating in a three-week individually paced precalculus or fast-paced science course, 892 academically talented students were surveyed about academic credit and/or course placement for their independent work. The majority of students discussed credit/placement with their schools, especially those who had taken the course with the intent to accelerate in their school program. Discussion for science (but not math) students was related to type of school, grade level, SAT scores, and gender. The majority of students who discussed credit/placement received one or the other, or both, with higher awards for placement than credit. Science students with higher math and verbal SAT scores were more likely to receive placement, and females who took math courses were less likely to receive credit than male math students. As current educational reforms are being examined, educational resources that are available outside of schools for special populations should be considered.
Reform and Gifted Black Students: Promising Practices in Kentucky
Authors: Ford Donna Y. , Harris J. John
Published: October 2011

Gifted education has had altogether too little voice in the educational reform discourse. All too often, educators and policymakers who do not work directly with the gifted assume that gifted learners require no special attention to their needs. Despite considerable evidence that such problems as underachievement, lack of achievement motivation, and dropping out of school occur often and even disproportionately among the gifted, educators and policymakers rarely address the needs of gifted students directly in the reform reports, particularly those of the 1980s. More recently, however, reform movements at the state level have adopted components that appear, albeit indirectly, to address the needs of gifted learners. Accordingly, this article highlights some of the promising components of educational reform currently underway in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and discusses their implication for gifted students in general, and gifted Black students in particular.
Expectations of Gifted Junior High Students for a Summer Enrichment Program: A Concept Map
Authors: Kunkel Mark A. , Pittman Ann M. , Hildebrand Shelby K. , Walling Derald D.
Published: October 2011

Intervention with the gifted through summer programs is briefly discussed with particular attention to student expectations. An argument is made for theoretically based research on the academic expectations of gifted adolescents. Concept mapping is described as an alternative methodological approach to such research, and a concept map is presented of gifted students' expectations for a summer enrichment program. Findings are discussed as they relate to research and intervention with gifted adolescents, and implications for follow-up are outlined.
Introduction: Understanding Cultural Diversity and Learning
Authors: Ogbu John U.
Published: October 2011

Core curriculum and multicultural education are two major approaches advocated in the current school reform movement. This article argues that neither of these approaches adequately addresses the problem of those minority groups who have not traditionally done well in the public school. Core curriculum advocates falsely assume that as a result of instituting a core curriculum, demanding higher standards, and patching up supposed individual deficiencies, all students will perform as expected. Multicultural education advocates inadequately design their program to focus on cultural differences in content and form. This article contends that the crucial issue in cultural diversity and learning is the relationship between the minority cultures and the American mainstream culture. Minorities whose cultural frames of reference are oppositional to the cultural frame of reference of American mainstream culture have greater difficulty crossing cultural boundaries at school to learn. Core curriculum and multicultural advocates have yet to understand and take this into account.
The Age Position Effect: School Entrance Age, Giftedness, and Underachievement
Authors: Sweeney Nancy Symmes
Published: October 2011

This article examines the age position debate concerning the school performance of intellectually gifted students who have started school on time (as opposed to early or delayed entrants). All students in this study (grades 2–8) had obtained a minimum score of 129 on the Cognitive Abilities Test (Thorndike & Hagan, 1986). Dependent measures included performance on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (Hieronymous, Hoover, & Linquest, 1986), teacher checklists of classroom behavior and handwriting skill. Data were obtained for two groups: older students (with birthdates in the four months immediately following the legal cutoff school entrance date) and younger students (with birthdates in the four months immediately preceding that date). Data analysis (ANOVA) did reveal a significant but nonmeaningful difference between older and younger groups in academic achievement and no significant differences in classroom behavior or visual-motor skill, thus refuting findings of earlier studies on this issue.
The Successful Blending of Gifted Education with Middle Schools and Cooperative Learning: Two Studies
Authors: Coleman Mary Ruth , Gallagher James J.
Published: October 2011

The results of two studies—one focused on gifted students in middle school, and a second focused on gifted students in cooperative learning programs—are presented. In each study, five sites were identified that were successfully blending the school reform initiative (i.e., middle schools or cooperative learning) with gifted education. The studies showed that the needs of gifted students can be met within middle schools and within cooperative learning programs. In each case, however, specific attention to the needs of gifted students was incorporated in the planning and implementation of reform efforts. Ideas for addressing gifted students within the middle schools and within cooperative learning are given.
The Use of Kinetic School Drawings to Explore the Educational Preferences of Gifted Students
Authors: Armstrong Dorothy Ciner
Published: October 2011

Researchers have long understood that children's drawings provide meaningful insights into the individual. This research extends previous use of Kinetic School Drawings (KSD) by asking students to represent their ideal as well as their actual school experiences. The drawings provide nonverbal documentation of gifted students' perceptions of their current school experiences and clearly indicate the changes the students would prefer in their schooling. Information on the particular educational preferences of gifted students can be applied, whether or not these students are served by special programs, to insure that their school experiences meet their unique educational needs.
Differentiating Instruction for High-Achieving/Gifted Children in Regular Classrooms: A Field Test of Three Gifted-Education Models
Authors: Friedman Reva C. , Lee Steven W.
Published: October 2011

The movement toward inclusive schools in this country has necessitated a search for instructional models that would best meet the needs of gifted and high-achieving children in increasingly heterogeneous classrooms. In the present study, a multiple baseline design was used to evaluate three popular models of gifted education implemented by general-education teachers in their classrooms. The study focused on process-oriented dependent variables such as the cognitive level of teacher queries and student responses during classroom interactions. While none of the models showed dramatic changes in cognitive complexity of teacher-student interaction, the Cognitive-Affective Interaction Model (Williams, 1986) demonstrated the best results for increasing the cognitive complexity of classroom interactions and on-task behavior of high-achieving students. A strong relationship was found between the cognitive level of teacher queries and student responses across all models.
Numerical implementation and experimental validation of a through-the-thickness temperature model for non-isothermal vacuum bagging infusion
Authors: Gascons M. , Blanco N. , Vives J. , Matthys K.
Published: October 2011

Non-isothermal infusion processes can suffer from inhomogeneous cure, causing undesirable residual stresses or deformations. Heat transfer phenomena have been thoroughly described for double sided, rigid mold infusion but are still less explored for single sided, rigid mold infusion such as vacuum bagging techniques. In this study, an analytical through-the-thickness temperature gradient model derived for resin transfer molding is proposed and implemented numerically. An experimental validation study has been performed using representative set-ups of typical vacuum bagging processes. The results demonstrate that the analytical model can reproduce the through-the-thickness temperature gradient of the tests with good accuracy despite its simplified thermal problem description and numerical implementation.
Mechanical and thermal properties of unsaturated polyester/calcium carbonate nanocomposites
Authors: Baskaran Rajendran , Sarojadevi Muthusamy , Vijayakumar Chinnaswamy Thangavel
Published: October 2011

In this study, the nano-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is synthesized using an in situ deposition technique and characterized using TEM. The particle size is found to be around 50–60 nm. Nanocomposites of UPR and nano-CaCO3 particles are prepared by casting technique. The TEM study demonstrates that nano-CaCO3 particles are dispersed in a UPR matrix uniformly and few agglomerations are found at and above 5 wt% of nano-CaCO3 in the UPR matrix. XRD studies reveal the formation of nanocomposites. The mechanical and thermal properties of UPR/CaCO3 nanocomposites are better than those of pure UPR. Up to 5 wt% loading of nano-CaCO3 in the UPR matrix, the tensile, flexural, and impact strengths slightly improved. The flexural modulus increases with increase in nano-CaCO3 concentration. The morphology of the impact fracture surface of nanocomposites is analyzed by means of SEM. The dynamic mechanical analysis of the nanocomposites clearly indicates a progressive increase in Tg with the progressive addition of nano-CaCO3 till a loading of 5 wt% of nano-CaCO3 in the unsaturated polyester resin.
Does Traffic Congestion Slow the Economy?
Authors: Sweet Matthias
Published: October 2011

Does traffic congestion negatively impact the economic growth of metropolitan areas? This article reviews the findings of three research directions addressing this question. First, research on first-order impacts indicates that the economic value of congestion-induced travel delay is tenuous since travelers adapt. Second, research on second-order impacts suggests that congestion slows metropolitan growth, inhibits agglomeration economies, and shapes economic geographies. Third, research on public-sector congestion mitigation policies identifies significant fiscal burdens despite limited success at reducing congestion. In sum, research on individual, business, and public-sector responses to congestion demonstrate a shift from congestion mitigation toward adaptation.
The Nature and Use of Individualized Learning Plans as a Promising Career Intervention Strategy
Authors: Solberg V. Scott , Phelps L. Allen , Haakenson Kristin A. , Durham Julie F. , Timmons Joe
Published: October 2011

Individualized learning plans (ILPs) are being implemented in high schools throughout the United States as strategic planning tools that help students align course plans with career aspirations and often include the development of postsecondary plans. Initial indications are that ILPs may be an important method for helping students achieve both college and career readiness. Parents, teachers, and students indicate that ILPs result in students selecting more rigorous courses, better teacher–student relationships, and positive parent–school relations. This article describes the emergence and nature of ILPs, promising practice strategies as well as challenges associated with gaining whole school buy-in, and the potential for career and vocational research.
Work Experiences of Latina Immigrants
Authors: Eggerth Donald E. , DeLaney Sheli C. , Flynn Michael A. , Jacobson C. Jeff
Published: October 2011

Almost half of the Latino immigrants working in the United States are women. However, studies concerning the work experiences of Latinas are almost absent in the literature. This article reports the findings from a qualitative study using eight focus groups ( n = 53) of Latina immigrant workers. The focus group transcripts were analyzed using the grounded theory approach in which themes emerge from iterative readings of the transcripts by a group of investigators. This study identified themes related to excessive workload, familiar work/unfamiliar hazards, cultural tensions, lack of health care, pregnancy, sexual harassment, and family obligations/expectations. The responses of the Latina workers in this study clearly indicated that they live within a complex web of stressors, both as workers and as women. The increased economic opportunities that come with immigration to the United States are accompanied by many opportunities for exploitation, especially if they are undocumented. It is hoped that the findings of this study will raise awareness regarding these issues and spur further work in this area.
A procedure for dealing with milling limitations in machined prototype tooling
Authors: Volpato N , de Amorim J R
Published: October 2011

Computer numerical control (CNC) machining of polymeric resins, such as those based on epoxy or polyurethane, to produce prototype tooling still has a number of important advantages over new layer manufacturing technologies. However, some machining limitations, mainly related to geometric details that cannot be easily milled, can pose challenges for tooling manufacturers. For metals, some of these difficulties are overcome by using electrical discharge machining which significantly increases the manufacturing time. Unfortunately, this technique cannot be used with polymeric resins. This paper investigates the main milling limitations for prototype tooling using polymeric resin board and proposes a procedure for their solution. The proposed solution consists of breaking the challenging features down into simpler ones that can be obtained solely using milling and then assembling the new features in the main mould inserts. A test part was manufactured to test the proposed procedure from the design of the insert to the injection moulding stage. With the mould inserts obtained 100 polypropylene prototype parts were injection moulded using an industrial injection moulding machine. The results show that, provided adequate tooling skills are available, the proposed systematic approach allows prototype tooling using polymeric resins containing challenging features to be obtained solely using milling operations, and this is achieved together with a considerable time and cost savings, when compared to traditional methods and materials. Therefore, it increases the competitiveness of CNC machining in this sector.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated with mycophenolate mofetil treatment in a woman with lupus and CD4+ T-lymphocyte deficiency
Authors: Pavlovic AM , Bonaci-Nikolic B , Kozic D , Ostojic J , Abinun M , Svabic-Medjedovic T , Nikolic M , Sternic N
Published: October 2011

There is an increase in the number of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) reported as developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) while on intensive immunosuppressive therapy. A 39-year-old HIV-negative woman with a 10-year history of SLE presented with progressive left-side weakness while on maintenance therapy with oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). On several occasions low CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts were found (68/µL). Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large lesion in the right subcortical fronto-parietal region and a smaller one in the left frontal subcortex, corresponding to the PML. In cerebrospinal fluid, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for JC virus (JCV) was negative, but anti-JCV antibodies were highly positive. Diagnosis of probable PML was made and MMF was withdrawn. The patient's condition improved with marked reduction of left-side weakness and an increase in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count (141/µL). Follow-up MRI showed regression of lesions and over the next 6 months the patient remained stable. In spite of the grave prognosis associated with PML, SLE patients can have an excellent outcome if immunosuppressants are discontinued as soon as the correct diagnosis is made. SLE patients with associated low CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts should be monitored for the development of PML during immunosuppressive therapy in particular.
Kidney transplantation outcomes in African-, Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans with lupus
Authors: Contreras G , Mattiazzi A , Schultz DR , Guerra G , Ladino M , Ortega LM , Garcia-Estrada M , Ramadugu P , Gupta C , Kupin WL , Roth D
Published: October 2011

African-American recipients of kidney transplants with lupus have high allograft failure risk. We studied their risk adjusting for: (1) socio-demographic factors: donor age, gender and race-ethnicity; recipient age, gender, education and insurance; donor–recipient race-ethnicity match; (2) immunologic factors: donor type, panel reactive antibodies, HLA mismatch, ABO blood type compatibility, pre-transplant dialysis, cytomegalovirus risk and delayed graft function (DGF); (3) rejection and recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN). Two thousand four hundred and six African-, 1132 Hispanic-, and 2878 Caucasian-Americans were followed for 12 years after transplantation. African- versus Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans received more kidneys from deceased donors (71.6%, 57.3% and 55.1%) with higher two HLA loci mismatches for HLA-A (50%, 39.6% and 32.4%), HLA-B (52%, 42.8% and 35.6%) and HLA-DR (30%, 24.5% and 21.1%). They developed more DGF (19.5%, 13.6% and 13.4%). More African- versus Hispanic- and Caucasian-Americans developed rejection (41.7%, 27.6% and 35.9%) and RLN (3.2, 1.8 and 1.8%). 852 African-, 265 Hispanic-, and 747 Caucasian-Americans had allograft failure ( p < 0.0001). After adjusting for transplant era, socio-demographic-immunologic differences, rejection and RLN, the increased hazard ratio for allograft failure of African- compared with Caucasian-Americans became non-significant (1.26 [95% confidence interval 0.78–2.04]). African-Americans with lupus have high prevalence of risk factors for allograft failure that can explain poor outcomes.
Type D personality is associated with maladaptive health-related behaviours
Authors: Gilmour Julie , Williams Lynn
Published: October 2011

Type D personality (the combination of negative affect and social inhibition) is associated with poor prognosis in cardiac patients. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between Type D and health-related behaviours. In a cross-sectional study, 200 healthy participants completed measures of Type D personality, and health-related behaviours. The results showed that Type D individuals engaged in more unhealthy behaviours including smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity than non-Type D individuals. The association between Type D personality and maladaptive health behaviours may represent one mechanism to explain the link between Type D and ill-health.
Autobiographical memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder: The role of depressed mood, rumination, working memory and theory of mind
Authors: Crane Laura , Goddard Lorna , Pring Linda
Published: October 2011

Autobiographical memory difficulties have been widely reported in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of the current study was to explore the potential correlates of autobiographical memory performance (including depressed mood, rumination, working memory and theory of mind) in adults with ASD, relative to a group of typical adults matched for age, gender and IQ. Results demonstrated that the adults with ASD reported higher levels of depressed mood and rumination than the typical adults, and also received lower scores on measures of theory of mind and working memory. Correlational analysis suggested that theory of mind and working memory were associated with autobiographical memory performance in the adults with ASD, but no significant relationships were observed between autobiographical memory, depressed mood and rumination in this group. To explore these patterns further, two cases of adults with a dual diagnosis of ASD and depression are discussed. These participants present a profile in line with the idea that depressed mood and rumination do not have the same influence on autobiographical memory in adults with ASD as they do in typical adults.
Incidence and predictors of congestive heart failure after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Armenian Saro H. , Sun Can-Lan , Shannon Tabitha , Mills George , Francisco Liton , Venkataraman Kalyanasundaram , Wong F. Lennie , Forman Stephen J. , Bhatia Smita
Published: October 2011

Advances in autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) strategies have resulted in a growing number of long-term survivors. However, these survivors are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications due to pre-HCT therapeutic exposures and conditioning and post-HCT comorbidities. We examined the incidence and predictors of congestive heart failure (CHF) in 1244 patients undergoing autologous HCT for a hematologic malignancy between 1988 and 2002. The cumulative incidence of CHF was 4.8% at 5 years and increased to 9.1% at 15 years after transplantation; the CI for female lymphoma survivors was 14.5% at 15 years. The cohort was at a 4.5-fold increased risk of CHF (standardized incidence ratio = 4.5), compared with the general population. The risk of CHF increased substantially for patients receiving ≥ 250 mg/m2 of cumulative anthracycline exposure (odds ratio [OR]: 9.9, P < .01), creating a new and lower threshold for cardiac surveillance after HCT. The presence of hypertension among recipients of high-dose anthracycline (≥ 250 mg/m2) resulted in a 35-fold risk (OR: 35.3, P < .01) of CHF; the risk was nearly 27-fold (OR: 26.8, P < .01) for high-dose anthracycline recipients with diabetes, providing evidence that hypertension and diabetes may be critical modifiers of anthracycline-related myocardial injury after HCT and creating targeted populations for aggressive intervention.
Epigenetic inactivation of the MIR34B/C in multiple myeloma
Authors: Wong Kwan Yeung , Yim Rita Lok Hay , So Chi Chiu , Jin Dong-Yan , Liang Raymond , Chim Chor Sang
Published: October 2011

We postulated that MIR34B/C, a direct transcriptional target of TP53, might be inactivated by promoter hypermethylation in multiple myeloma (MM). MIR34B/C promoter methylation was studied in 8 normal marrow controls, 8 MM cell lines, 95 diagnostic, and 23 relapsed/progressed MM samples by methylation-specific PCR. MIR34B/C was methylated in 6 (75.0%) MM cell lines but not normal controls. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine led to MIR34B/C promoter demethylation and MIR34B reexpression. Moreover, restoration of MIR34B led to reduced cellular proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of myeloma cells. In primary samples, methylation of MIR34B/C occurred in 5.3% at diagnosis and 52.2% at relapse/disease progression (P < .001). In 12 MM patients with paired samples at diagnosis and relapse/progression, MIR34B/C methylation was acquired in 6 at relapse/progression. In conclusion, MIR34B/C is a tumor suppressor in myeloma. Hypermethylation of MIR34B/C is tumor-specific. Frequent MIR34B/C hypermethylation during relapse/progression but not at diagnosis implicated a role of MIR34B/C hypermethylation in myeloma relapse/progression.
Transgenic mouse model for the formation of Hirano bodies
Authors: Ha Sangdeuk , Furukawa Ruth , Stramiello Michael , Wagner John J , Fechheimer Marcus
Published: October 2011

Background

Hirano bodies are actin-rich cytoplasmic inclusions found predominantly in the brain in association with a variety of conditions including aging and Alzheimer's disease. The function of Hirano bodies in normal aging and in progression of disease has not been extensively investigated due to a lack of experimental model systems. We have developed a transgenic mouse model by expression of a gain-of-function actin cross-linking protein mutant.

Results

We used the Cre/loxP system to permit tissue specific expression of Hirano bodies, and employed the murine Thy 1 promoter to drive expression of Cre recombinase in the brain. Hirano bodies were observed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of homozygous double transgenic 6 month old mice containing Cre. The Hirano bodies were eosinophilic rods, and also exhibited the paracrystalline F-actin filament organization that is characteristic of these inclusions. Mice with Hirano bodies appear healthy and fertile, but exhibited some alterations in both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity, including paired-pulse depression rather than facilitation, and decreased magnitude of early LTP.

Conclusions

Hirano bodies are not lethal and appear to have little or no effect on histology and tissue organization. Hirano bodies do modulate synaptic plasticity and exert clearly discernable effects on LTP and paired-pulse paradigms. This model system will allow us to investigate the impact of Hirano bodiesin vivo, the pathways for formation and degradation of Hirano bodies, and whether Hirano bodies promote or modulate development of pathology and disease progression.
In vivo imaging of lymphocytes in the CNS reveals different behaviour of naïve T cells in health and autoimmunity
Authors: Herz Josephine , Paterka Magdalena , Niesner Raluca A , Brandt Alexander U , Siffrin Volker , Leuenberger Tina , Birkenstock Jerome , Mossakowski Agata , Glumm Robert , Zipp Frauke , Radbruch Helena
Published: October 2011

Background

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) has become a powerful tool in the visualization of immune cell dynamics and cellular communication within the complex biological networks of the inflamed central nervous system (CNS). Whereas many previous studies mainly focused on the role of effector or effector memory T cells, the role of naïve T cells as possible key players in immune regulation directly in the CNS is still highly debated.

Methods

We applied ex vivo and intravital TPLSM to investigate migratory pathways of naïve T cells in the inflamed and non-inflamed CNS. MACS-sorted naïve CD4+ T cells were either applied on healthy CNS slices or intravenously injected into RAG1 -/- mice, which were affected by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We further checked for the generation of second harmonic generation (SHG) signals produced by extracellular matrix (ECM) structures.

Results

By applying TPLSM on living brain slices we could show that the migratory capacity of activated CD4+ T cells is not strongly influenced by antigen specificity and is independent of regulatory or effector T cell phenotype. Naïve T cells, however, cannot find sufficient migratory signals in healthy, non-inflamed CNS parenchyma since they only showed stationary behaviour in this context. This is in contrast to the high motility of naïve CD4+ T cells in lymphoid organs. We observed a highly motile migration pattern for naïve T cells as compared to effector CD4+ T cells in inflamed brain tissue of living EAE-affected mice. Interestingly, in the inflamed CNS we could detect reticular structures by their SHG signal which partially co-localises with naïve CD4+ T cell tracks.

Conclusions

The activation status rather than antigen specificity or regulatory phenotype is the central requirement for CD4+ T cell migration within healthy CNS tissue. However, under inflammatory conditions naïve CD4+ T cells can get access to CNS parenchyma and partially migrate along inflammation-induced extracellular SHG structures, which are similar to those seen in lymphoid organs. These SHG structures apparently provide essential migratory signals for naïve CD4+ T cells within the diseased CNS.