bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast mapping of magnetic basement depth, structure and nature using aeromagnetic and gravity data: combined methods and their application in the Paris Basin
Authors: Martelet G. , Perrin J. , Truffert C. , Deparis J.
Published: April 2013

Assessment of deep buried basin/basement relationships using geophysical data is a challenge for the energy and mining industries as well as for geothermal or CO2storage purposes. In deep environments, few methods can provide geological information; magnetic and gravity data remain among the most informative and cost‐effective methods. Here, in order to derive fast first‐order information on the basement/basin interface, we propose a combination of existing and original approaches devoted to potential field data analysis. Namely, we investigate the geometry (i.e., depth and structure) and the nature of a deep buried basement through a case study SW of the Paris Basin. Joint processing of new high‐resolution magnetic data and up‐to‐date gravity data provides an updated overview of the deep basin.

First, the main structures of the magnetic basement are highlighted using Euler deconvolution and are interpreted in a structural sketch map. The new high‐resolution aeromagnetic map actually offers a continuous view of regional basement structures and reveals poorly known and complex deformation at the junction between major domains of the Variscan collision belt.

Second, Werner deconvolution and an ad hoc post‐processing analysis allow the extraction of a set of magnetic sources at (or close to) the basin/basement interface. Interpolation of these sources together with the magnetic structural sketch provides a Werner magnetic basement map displaying realistic 3D patterns and basement depths consistent with data available in deep petroleum boreholes.

The last step of processing was designed as a way to quickly combine gravity and magnetic information and to simply visualize first‐order petrophysical patterns of the basement lithology. This is achieved through unsupervised classification of suitably selected gravity and magnetic maps and, as compared to previous work, provides a realistic and updated overview of the cartographic distribution of density/magnetization of basement rocks.

Altogether, the three steps of processing proposed in this paper quickly provide relevant information on a deep buried basement in terms of structure, geometry and nature (through petrophysics). Notwithstanding, limitations of the proposed procedure are raised: in the case of the Paris Basin for instance, this study does not provide proper information on Pre‐Mesozoic basins, some of which have been sampled in deep boreholes.
In Defence of Political Theory: Impact and Opportunities
Authors: Brooks Thom
Published: April 2013

This article will present the impact that political theory has made and the opportunities for future contributions. It will consider the contributions made by leading political theorists to policy debates, the lessons learned from their successes, and how political theorists might further pursue existing and new opportunities to develop impact. The discussion will close with consideration of several potential threats that theorists should become more aware of in order to best avoid them. The growing importance of impact in British higher education policy represents important challenges that may help promote the field of political theory. Political theorists should welcome these developments.
A View from the Foothills: Public Engagement among Early Career Researchers
Authors: Savage Lee
Published: April 2013

This article argues that the incentives to spend time and resources engaging with non-academic groups are largely absent for early career researchers, who are usually focused on acquiring the essential elements of a good academic CV, namely publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals, gaining teaching experience and presenting papers at disciplinary conferences. As a result, early career researchers have little reason to undertake training in how to engage with non-academic groups, and institutions have no reason to make such training integral to a researcher's professional development. However, a survey of early career researchers in the UK conducted for this article shows that there is a definite appetite among researchers to undertake public engagement activities. But if public engagement is to become a routine part of a researcher's activities then the weight that potential employers afford to these endeavours needs to increase substantially.
Transcript analysis and expression profiling of three heat shock protein 70 genes in the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Chen Hao‐Liang , Zhang Hong‐Yu , Throne James E. , Zhu Kun Yan
Published: April 2013

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known as chaperones that help with folding of other proteins when cells are under environmental stresses. The upregulation of HSPs is essential for cold survival during insect diapause. The ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor, a potential biological control agent, can enter reproductive diapause when reared at low temperature and short photoperiod. However, the expression of HSPs during diapause of H. hebetor has not been studied. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the full‐length complementary DNAs of three Hsp70 genes (HhHsp70I, HhHsp70II and HhHsp70III) from H. hebetor. Their deduced amino acid sequences showed more than 80% identities to their counterparts from other insect species. However, the multiple sequence alignment among the three deduced amino acid sequences of HhHsp70s showed only 46% identities. A phylogenetic analysis of the three HhHsp70s and all other known Hsp70 sequences from Hymenoptera clustered all the Hsp70s into four groups, and the three HhHsp70s were distributed into three different groups. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the expression of the three HhHsp70 genes in H. hebetor reared at different conditions was quite different. HhHsp70I showed higher relative expression when H. hebetor were reared at 27.5°C than at two lower temperatures (17.5°C and 20°C) regardless of the photoperiod, whereas HhHsp70II showed higher expression when H. hebetor were reared at 20°C and 10 : 14 L : D than when reared at 17.5°C and either 16 : 8 L : D or 10 : 14 L : D. In contrast, HhHSP70III was expressed at similar levels regardless of the rearing conditions. These results may suggest functional differences among the three HhHsp70 genes in H. hebetor.
Double‐Filtration Plasmapheresis for the Treatment of Patients With Recalcitrant Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kim Jin‐Young , Park Joon Seong , Park Jun‐Chul , Kim Myoung‐Eun , Nahm Dong‐Ho
Published: April 2013

The management of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis (AD) is a challenging issue for both clinicians and patients. In this study, we evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of double‐filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) in patients with recalcitrant AD. Eighteen patients with recalcitrant AD whose clinical condition had not been effectively controlled by current standard medical therapies were treated by either a single course of DFPP (N = 9) or with standard medical therapies only (N = 9). Clinical severity of AD was measured at baseline and at 1 and 4 weeks after treatment in patients in the DFPP group and at the corresponding time points in the control group using the standardized clinical severity scoring system for atopic dermatitis (SCORAD). In the nine patients who underwent DFPP, SCORAD values significantly decreased from 80.6 ± 16.7 (mean ± SD) at baseline to 65.9 ± 20.1 at 1 week and 69.8 ± 20.4 at 4 weeks after DFPP treatment (Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, P < 0.05). No significant side‐effects were observed during DFPP treatment. In the nine patients with recalcitrant AD who were treated with standard medical therapies, there were no significant differences between the SCORAD values at baseline (70.6 ± 13.9), 1 week (68.0 ± 14.4), and 4 weeks (69.8 ± 17.7) (P > 0.05). DFPP resulted in significant clinical improvements in patients with recalcitrant AD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term clinical usefulness of DFPP in the treatment of patients with recalcitrant AD.
EST‐SSR markers from five sequenced cDNA libraries of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) comparing three bioinformatic algorithms
Authors: Blair Matthew W. , Hurtado Natalia
Published: April 2013

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are a rich source of SSR sequences, but the proportion of long Class I microsatellites with many repeats vs. short Class II microsatellites with few repeats is an important factor to consider. Class I microsatellites, with more than 20 bp of repeats, tend to make better markers with higher polymorphism. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency of Class I and Class II microsatellites in a collection of over 21 000 ESTs from a single study of five different tissues of common bean: two types of leaves, nodules, pods and roots. For this objective, we used three different bioinformatics pipelines: Automated Microsatellite Marker Development (AMMD), Batchprimer3 and SSRLocator. In addition, we determined the frequency of single or multiple SSRs in the assembled ESTs, the frequency of perfect and compound repeats and whether Class I microsatellites were mainly di‐nucleotide or tri‐nucleotide motifs with each of the search engines. Primers were designed for a total of 175 microsatellites concentrating on class I microsatellites identified with SSR locator. A few other microsatellites were included from the other search engines, AMMD and Batchprimer3 programs so as to have a representative set of class II markers for comparison sake. The comparison of 95 class I vs. 80 class II markers confirmed that the Class I were more polymorphic and therefore more useful.
Evaluating DNA degradation rates in faecal pellets of the endangered pygmy rabbit
Authors: DeMay Stephanie M. , Becker Penny A. , Eidson Chad A. , Rachlow Janet L. , Johnson Timothy R. , Waits Lisette P.
Published: April 2013

Noninvasive genetic sampling of faecal pellets can be a valuable method for monitoring rare and cryptic wildlife populations, like the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). To investigate this method's efficiency for pygmy rabbit monitoring, we evaluated the effect of sample age on DNA degradation in faecal pellets under summer field conditions. We placed 275 samples from known individuals in natural field conditions for 1–60 days and assessed DNA quality by amplifying a 294‐base‐pair (bp) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) locus and five nuclear DNA (nDNA) microsatellite loci (111–221 bp). DNA degradation was influenced by sample age, DNA type, locus length and rabbit sex. Both mtDNA and nDNA exhibited high PCR success rates (94.4%) in samples <1 day old. Success rates for microsatellite loci declined rapidly from 80.0% to 42.7% between days 5 and 7, likely due to increased environmental temperature. Success rates for mtDNA amplification remained higher than nDNA over time, with moderate success (66.7%) at 21 days. Allelic dropout rates were relatively high (17.6% at <1 day) and increased to 100% at 60 days. False allele rates ranged from 0 to 30.0% and increased gradually over time. We recommend collecting samples as fresh as possible for individual identification during summer field conditions. Our study suggests that this method can be useful for future monitoring efforts, including occupancy surveys, individual identification, population estimation, parentage analysis and monitoring of genetic diversity both of a re‐introduced population in central Washington and across their range.
Losing uniqueness – shifts in carabid species composition during dry grassland and heathland succession
Authors: Buchholz S. , Hannig K. , Schirmel J.
Published: April 2013

Dry sand ecosystems, such as dry grasslands and heathlands, have suffered habitat loss and degradation due to land‐use changes and are today among the most endangered habitats in Central Europe. To evaluate the impact of degradation processes on habitat quality, we investigated how succession from sparse vegetated sand ecosystems to grass‐invaded and tree‐dominated ecosystems and the environmental parameters associated with it influences carabid assemblages. We also determined to what extent typical xerophilic species assemblages still exist. Pitfall trapping at 28 study sites in northwestern Germany yielded 111 carabid species that were grouped using Kendall's W coefficient of concordance. Ordination revealed that the differences between the four species groups resulted from vegetation cover and soil humidity, indicating that carabid distribution clearly reflects degradation processes. Our results suggest that areas in which succession proceeds were unsuitable for assemblages typical of dry grasslands and heathlands. In all, 35 species are lost due to succession from dry grassland and heathland to grass‐invaded and tree‐dominated sites. We discuss implications for habitat management and restoration, since dry sand ecosystems comprise a very high number of specialized and endangered species.
The relative reliability of actively participating and passively observing raters in a simulation‐based assessment for selection to specialty training in anaesthesia
Authors: Roberts M. J. , Gale T. C. E. , Sice P. J. A. , Anderson I. R.
Published: April 2013

Selection to specialty training is a high‐stakes assessment demanding valuable consultant time. In one initial entry level and two higher level anaesthesia selection centres, we investigated the feasibility of using staff participating in simulation scenarios, rather than observing consultants, to rate candidate performance. We compared participant and observer scores using four different outcomes: inter‐rater reliability; score distributions; correlation of candidate rankings; and percentage of candidates whose selection might be affected by substituting participants' for observers' ratings. Inter‐rater reliability between observers was good (correlation coefficient 0.73–0.96) but lower between participants (correlation coefficient 0.39–0.92), particularly at higher level where participants also rated candidates more favourably than did observers. Station rank orderings were strongly correlated between the rater groups at entry level (rho 0.81, p < 0.001) but weaker at the two higher level centres (rho 0.52, p = 0.018; rho 0.58, p = 0.001). Substituting participants' for observers' ratings had less effect once scores were combined with those from other selection centre stations. Selection decisions for 0–20% of candidates could have changed, depending on the numbers of training posts available. We conclude that using participating raters is feasible at initial entry level only.
Patellofemoral crepitus in high flexion rotating platform knee arthroplasty
Authors: Shillington Mark P. , Cashman Kara , Farmer Greg
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Recently, implant manufacturers have made modifications to currently available implants in an attempt to improve postoperative flexion. The Low Contact Stress (LCS) RPS (DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., Warsaw, IN, USA) is one such prosthesis which is a modification of the established LCS RP design. Satisfactory results have been obtained without patella resurfacing in the original LCS RP design.

Methods

We report on a single surgeon series showing an alarmingly high incidence of patellofemoral crepitus when this new prosthesis, LCS RPS, is used without patella resurfacing. In addition, the outcomes for this prosthesis from the Australian National Joint Replacement registry will be reported. These results show a high revision rate with most revisions being patella resurfacing for patellofemoral pain.

Results

Affected patients who elected to have a revision procedure underwent either an arthroscopic patellaplasty procedure or revision to resurface the patella. Both of these procedures resulted in satisfactory resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients.

Discussion

Potential causes for this complication are discussed. It is the recommendation of the authors that when using this prosthesis the patella is resurfaced.
Relationships between academic performance, SES school type and perceptual‐motor skills in first grade South African learners: NW‐CHILD study
Authors: Pienaar A. E. , Barhorst R. , Twisk J. W. R.
Published: April 2013

Background

Perceptual‐motor skills contribute to a variety of basic learning skills associated with normal academic success. This study aimed to determine the relationship between academic performance and perceptual‐motor skills in first grade South African learners and whether low SES (socio‐economic status) school type plays a role in such a relationship.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study of the baseline measurements of the NW‐CHILD longitudinal study included a stratified random sample of first grade learners (n = 812; 418 boys and 394 boys), with a mean age of 6.78 years ± 0.49 living in the North West Province (NW) of South Africa. The Beery‐Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual‐Motor Integration‐4 (VMI) was used to assess visual‐motor integration, visual perception and hand control while the Bruininks Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, short form (BOT2‐SF) assessed overall motor proficiency. Academic performance in math, reading and writing was assessed with the Mastery of Basic Learning Areas Questionnaire. Linear mixed models analysis was performed with spss to determine possible differences between the different VMI and BOT2‐SF standard scores in different math, reading and writing mastery categories ranging from no mastery to outstanding mastery. A multinomial multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between a clustered score of academic performance and the different determinants.

Results

A strong relationship was established between academic performance and VMI, visual perception, hand control and motor proficiency with a significant relationship between a clustered academic performance score, visual‐motor integration and visual perception. A negative association was established between low SES school types on academic performance, with a common perceptual motor foundation shared by all basic learning areas.

Conclusion

Visual‐motor integration, visual perception, hand control and motor proficiency are closely related to basic academic skills required in the first formal school year, especially among learners in low SES type schools.
Hippocampal dysfunction in cured Cushing's syndrome patients, detected by 1H‐MR‐spectroscopy
Authors: Resmini Eugenia , Santos Alicia , Gómez‐Anson Beatriz , López‐Mourelo Olga , Pires Patricia , Vives‐Gilabert Yolanda , Crespo Iris , Portella Maria J. , de Juan‐Delago Manel , Webb Susan M.
Published: April 2013

Background

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) is a sensitive, noninvasive imaging technique capable of measuring brain metabolites in vivo. Chronic exposure to endogenous hypercortisolism in Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with negative effects on memory and hippocampal volumes, even after biochemical cure.

Objective

To investigate metabolites in the hippocampi of CS patients and controls, using 1H‐MRS.

Patients and methods

Eighteen right‐handed cured CS patients (age 44·8 ± 12·5 years, 12·6 ± 3·8 years of education) and 18 right‐handed healthy controls, matched for age (40·0 ± 11·9) and years of education (14·4 ± 3·8), underwent 3‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) and 1H‐MRS including the head of each hippocampus. Concentrations of Glu (Glutamate), Glx (Glutamate + Glutamine), NAA (N‐Acetyl‐aspartate), total NAA (N‐Acetyl‐aspartate + N‐Acetyl‐aspartyl‐Glutamate), Cho (Glycerophosphocholine and Phosphocholine compounds), Cr (Creatine) and MI (mionositol) were measured (mmol/l). Hippocampal volumes (mm3) were additionally calculated using an automated procedure (FreeSurfer).

Results

CS patients had lower NAA than controls in the left and right hippocampus (5·2 ± 1·0 vs 6·1 ± 0·7, P < 0·05; 4·9 ± 0·8 vs 6·1 ± 0·6, P < 0·001, respectively), and lower total NAA on the right side (5·7 ± 0·9 vs 6·3 ± 0·9, P < 0·05), suggesting neuronal dysfunction/loss. CS patients had higher Glx than controls in both hippocampi (10·4 ± 1·9 vs 8·6 ± 1·4, P < 0·01; 9·9 ± 1·6 vs 8·9 ± 1·3, P < 0·05, respectively), suggesting glial proliferation, as a repair mechanism after neuronal dysfunction. No differences were found in the other brain metabolites, and there were no differences in left (3815·78 ± 502·96) and right (3980·75 ± 369·44) total hippocampal volumes between CS patients and controls (3945·08 ± 408·90 and 4108·39 ± 365·11, respectively).

Conclusion

Persistently abnormal metabolites are evidenced in the hippocampi of CS patients despite endocrine cure. These functional alterations could be early markers of glucocorticoid neurotoxicity, preceding hippocampal volume reduction.
The use of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure with children and young people with cerebral palsy
Authors: Bartlett Doreen J
Published: April 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Chen et al. on pages 745–750 of this issue.
Validity and clinimetric properties of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Chen Chia‐Ling , Wu Katie P H , Liu Wen‐Yu , Cheng Hsin‐Yi Kathy , Shen I‐Hsuan , Lin Keh‐Chung
Published: April 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the validity, responsiveness, and clinimetric properties of the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Sixty‐two children with CP (40 males, 22 females) with a median age of 3 years and 11 months (range 1–6y) and their caregivers participated in this study. Among the children, 56 had spastic CP while six had non‐spastic CP; 53 had bilateral CP, while nine had unilateral limb involvement. Thirty‐three children were classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III and 23 as levels IV or V. Fifty‐six children (90%) received regular rehabilitation by means of regular physical or occupational therapy (50% once or twice per week and 40% more than two times per week) and six children (10%) received irregular rehabilitation (less than once a week). Construct validity was determined by assessing the strength of the correlation between the spinal alignment SAROMM (SAROMM‐SA), the range of motion SAROMM (SAROMM‐ROM), and the total SAROMM (SAROMM‐total), and construct measures, including the 66‐item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM‐66) and Functional Independence Measures for Children (WeeFIM), at baseline and at 6‐months follow‐up. Responsiveness was examined using effect size. Minimal detectable change (MDC) at the 90% confidence level (MDC90) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) were analysed.

Results

The SAROMM with the GMFM‐66 and WeeFIM had fair to good construct validity. The effect size values of all SAROMM scales were 0.24 to 0.48. The MDC90 values and MCID range were 1.43 and 0.47 to 1.67 for the SAROMM‐SA, 3.12 and 3.68 to 4.07 for the SAROMM‐ROM, and 3.22 and 4.53 to 4.62 for the SAROMM‐total.

Interpretation

The clinimetric properties of the SAROMM allow clinicians to determine whether a change in SAROMM score represents a clinically meaningful change.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the interactions of medicinal plant extracts and drugs with lipid bilayer membranes
Authors: Kopeć Wojciech , Telenius Jelena , Khandelia Himanshu
Published: April 2013

Several small drugs and medicinal plant extracts, such as the Indian spice extract curcumin, have a wide range of useful pharmacological properties that cannot be ascribed to binding to a single protein target alone. The lipid bilayer membrane is thought to mediate the effects of many such molecules directly via perturbation of the plasma membrane structure and dynamics, or indirectly by modulating transmembrane protein conformational equilibria. Furthermore, for bioavailability, drugs must interact with and eventually permeate the lipid bilayer barrier on the surface of cells. Biophysical studies of the interactions of drugs and plant extracts are therefore of interest. Molecular dynamics simulations, which can access time and length scales that are not simultaneously accessible by other experimental methods, are often used to obtain quantitative molecular and thermodynamic descriptions of these interactions, often with complementary biophysical measurements. This review considers recent molecular dynamics simulations of small drug‐like molecules with membranes, and provides a biophysical description of possible routes of membrane‐mediated pharmacological effects of drugs. The review is not exhaustive, and we focus on molecules containing aromatic ring‐like structures to develop our hypotheses. We also show that some drugs and anesthetics may have an effect on the lipid bilayer analogous to that of cholesterol.
Climate‐induced response of commercially important flatfish species during the 20th century
Authors: Sparrevohn Claus Reedtz , Lindegren Martin , Mackenzie Brian R.
Published: April 2013

The consequence of elevated ocean temperatures on commercial fish stocks is addressed using time series of commercial landings (1906–2004) and juvenile survey catch data (1904–2006) collected around Denmark. We analyze (i) whether warm‐water sole (Solea solea) has increased relative to Boreal plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and (ii) whether two related warm‐water species (turbot, Psetta maxima and brill, Scophthalmus rhombus) show similar responses to increasing temperature or, alternatively, whether turbot (which has a broader juvenile diet) has been favored. Since the early 1980s, both sole and turbot have constituted an increasing part of the commercial landings and survey catches, as compared with plaice and brill, respectively. These changes in species composition were linked to sea surface temperatures, Northern Hemisphere temperature anomalies (NHA) and the North Atlantic Oscillation. NHA was closely related and explained 43% of the observed variation in sole survey catches relative to the plaice catches and almost 38% of the observed variation in the sole landings relative to the plaice landings. For the less common species, turbot and brill, none of the global change indicators explained more than 15% of the variation, although all showed a positive relationship. Survey catch per unit effort increased significantly for both sole and turbot around the early 1980s, whereas catch per unit effort for plaice and brill remained constant. The results indicate that the abundance of warm‐water species is likely to increase with increasing temperature but also that species with similar life histories might react differently according to degree of specialization.
Oral health status and physical, mental and cognitive disabilities among nursing home residents in Jordan
Authors: Almomani Fidaa , Hamasha Abed Al‐Hadi , Williams Karen B. , Almomani Murad
Published: April 2013

Objective

The purpose of this study is to describe physical, mental and cognitive disabilities and periodontal status as indicated by periodontal health, edentulism and use of dentures among nursing home residents in Jordan.

Methods

A sample of 221 subjects with a mean age of 62.4 years (121 males and 100 females) from nursing home residents in Jordan were recruited to participate in this study. Oral health status, mini mental state examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Tinetti Assessment Battery for gait and balance (TAB) and disability of arm, shoulder and hand test (DASH) were assessed for all subjects.

Results

The response rate was about 88%. The multivariate analysis showed that the degree of upper limb disabilities, as measured by DASH, and reporting not brushing of teeth were the main risk indicators for severity of periodontal disease. Residents with dentures were found to have significantly higher cognitive abilities scores (MMSE), better upper arm abilities (DASH) and gait and balance score (TAB) in comparison with edentulous adults without dentures. Edentulous residents were found to suffer more from cognitive impairment (MMSE) than dentate residents. There was no predilection of upper limb (DASH) and lower limb (TAB) disabilities or depressive symptoms (GDS) for edentulous over dentate subjects.

Conclusions

Results suggest that nursing home residents with a variety of physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities are at increased risk of deterioration of their oral health. All those associated with the health of residents need to be aware of this issue and take preventive and therapeutic measures as needed.
Inhaled corticosteroid use in HIV‐positive individuals taking protease inhibitors: a review of pharmacokinetics, case reports and clinical management
Authors: Saberi P , Phengrasamy T , Nguyen DP
Published: April 2013

As a consequence of inhibition of the hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 isozyme, treatment with HIV protease inhibitors can result in significant drug−drug interactions. One noteworthy interaction is between protease inhibitors and inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids. This interaction can result in adrenal insufficiency and iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome (with symptoms such as rapid weight gain, obesity, facial hirsutism and swelling), as well as hypertension, osteoporosis and decreased CD4 cell count. In this paper, we review and unite pharmacokinetic data, case reports and current research regarding this drug−drug interaction in order to suggest options for the clinical management of HIV‐positive patients requiring treatment with protease inhibitors and inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids.
AN EQUILIBRIUM SEARCH MODEL OF SYNCHRONIZED SALES*
Authors: Albrecht James , Postel‐Vinay Fabien , Vroman Susan
Published: April 2013

We demonstrate the existence of periodic nonstationary equilibria with self‐generating cycles in a simple model of random search. Our results provide a theory of synchronized sales based on product market search by heterogeneous consumers. That is, our model explains how it can be optimal for all sellers to follow a repeated pattern of posting a high price for several periods and then posting a low price for one period.
SOME ESSENTIALS OF A WORKABLE GUEST‐WORKER PROGRAM*
Authors: Djajić Slobodan
Published: April 2013

A guest‐worker program provides an appealing way of addressing labor shortages in an advanced country. It requires, however, that foreign workers are willing to return home when their work permit expires. I examine how immigration policies, enforcement measures, and opportunities available in various markets at home and abroad affect the behavior of program participants. Welfare of a migrant who obeys the rules of the program is compared with that of workers who choose other options in order to define the conditions under which temporary migration is attractive to potential migrants and at the same time consistent with voluntary return.
Technical issues: flow cytometry and rare event analysis
Authors: Hedley B. D. , Keeney M.
Published: April 2013

Flow cytometry has become an essential tool for identification and characterization of hematological cancers and now, due to technological improvements, allows the identification and rapid enumeration of small tumor populations that may be present after induction therapy (minimal residual disease, MRD). The quantitation of MRD has been shown to correlate with relapse and survival rates in numerous diseases and in certain cases, and evidence of MRD is used to alter treatment protocols. Recent improvements in hardware allow for high data rate collection. Improved fluorochromes take advantage of violet laser excitation and maximize signal‐to‐noise ratio allowing the population of interest to be isolated in multiparameter space. This isolation, together with a low background rate, permits for detection of residual tumor populations in a background of normal cells. When counting such rare events, the distribution is governed by Poisson statistics, with precision increasing with higher numbers of cells collected. In several hematological malignancies, identification of populations at frequencies of 0.01% and lower has been attained. The choice of antibodies used in MRD detection facilitates the definition of a fingerprint to identify abnormal populations throughout treatment. Tumor populations can change phenotype, and an approach that relies on ‘different from normal’ has proven useful, particularly in the acute leukemias. Flow cytometry can and is used for detection of MRD in many hematological diseases; however, standardized approaches for specific diseases must be developed to ensure precise identification and enumeration that may alter the course of patient treatment.
Wallace Coulter's life and his impact on the world
Authors: Simson E.
Published: April 2013

2013 is the centenary of Wallace Coulter's birth. He was an engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and visionary. He transformed the practice of laboratory hematology with his invention of the Coulter Principle and its application to blood cell analysis, together with the company he founded to bring it and his subsequent inventions and innovations to the world. He was born in modest circumstances and he remained modest in his outlook on life, despite his magnificent achievements, his successes, his numerous prestigious awards and his wealth later in life. This article traces his early life, his career, his achievements and the immense benefits he brought to the people of this planet.
Molecular testing for disorders of hemostasis
Authors: Lillicrap D.
Published: April 2013

The investigation of inherited bleeding disorders with routine tests of hemostasis will yield clear diagnostic information in the majority of subjects with an unequivocal history of bleeding and especially in those where the phenotypic severity is severe and where an obvious family history of bleeding is present. Nevertheless, a significant minority of subjects with obvious bleeding symptoms will remain without a definite diagnosis after extensive hemostatic testing. With these facts in mind, the role of molecular testing for inherited disorders of hemostasis now includes the following: confirmation of a phenotypic diagnosis through targeted genetic analysis, the distinction of bleeding phenocopies by molecular analysis, and provision of genetic testing as the investigation of choice in situations such as prenatal diagnosis and detection of the carrier state for inherited bleeding traits. In addition, molecular testing can sometimes be used to provide supplementary knowledge that can be used to enhance clinical care. Finally, the utility of genome‐wide approaches to identify novel genetic associations may provide new information to explain the cause of bleeding in the population of bleeders without established diagnoses.
Coping strategies of women having chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Gokyildiz Sule , Beji Nezihe Kizilkaya , Avcibay Burcu , Ozgunen Fatma Tuncay
Published: April 2013

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a very common health problem among women. Women's quality of life significantly decreases because they are affected by the nervousness and negativity caused by pain in their daily activities. The purpose of this study is to find out the features of pain experienced by women with CPP and identify the coping mechanisms used by them. This descriptive study was conducted in one state hospital and one university hospital. The participants are volunteer women who have had pain complaint in their pelvis/lower abdomen or genital area for 6 months and/or more (n = 134). Average age of the participants is 34·02 ± 10·58; 28·6% of them (n = 38) have had pain for more than 2 years. Of all the participants, 42·9% described their pain as stabbing. The women were found to use pain killers (85·7%), sleep (46·6%), rest (46·6%), have a hot bath (34·6%) and massage (28·6%) with a view to reduce pain. The coping strategies used by the participants were identified as trying to think something else (27·8%), praying that the pain will not last long (38·3%), distracting attention by dealing with something else (32·3%), trying to feel better by ignoring pain (17·3%) and trying to heal pain by talking to themselves (16·5%). Women with CPP use both medical and spiritual methods with a view to cope with pain. It was found that use of pain killers increased with the increase in level of pain.
Regulators of chromatin state and transcription in CD4 T‐cell polarization
Authors: Josefowicz Steven Z.
Published: April 2013

Mature naive CD4 T‐cells possess the potential for an array of highly specialized functions, from inflammatory to potently suppressive. This potential is encoded in regulatory DNA elements and is fulfilled through modification of chromatin and selective activation by the collaborative function of diverse transcription factors in response to environmental cues. The mechanisms and strategies employed by transcription factors for the programming of CD4 T‐cell subsets will be discussed. In particular, the focus will be on co‐operative activity of environmental response factors in the initial activation of regulatory DNA elements and chromatin alteration, and the subsequent role of ‘master regulator’ transcription factors in defining the fidelity and environmental responsiveness of different CD4 T‐cell subsets.
Decomposition of a compliance tensor for fractures and transversely isotropic medium
Authors: Diner Çağrı
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this paper is to develop an analytical method to decompose an observed anisotropic compliance tensor into two transversely isotropic (TI) tensors that are associated with layers and fractures. Specifically, the fracture parameters and the TI background medium parameters are obtained from a given monoclinic compliance tensor. Here the set of parallel fractures and TI medium can be arbitrarily oriented in ; they are not constrained to vertical and horizontal directions respectively. First the summation of the two TI tensors, which represent fractures and layerings, is obtained in order to have the form of the resultant monoclinic medium. The orientation of each TI medium is represented by one Euler angle once the mirror plane normal of the monoclinic tensor is determined. This is because the mirror plane normal of the monoclinic medium is perpendicular to the rotation axes of the two TI tensors. Thus a layered medium with one set of parallel fractures is represented by nine parameters; two for rotationally symmetric fractures, five for a generic background TI medium and two Euler angles for the orientations of the structures. The decomposition problem, which is to find these nine parameters from a given monoclinic compliance tensor with thirteen parameters, is solved in the paper. Finally, the decomposition method is extended to media with three structures, namely two sets of fractures and layerings whose rotation axes lie in the same plane.
Efficacy of NVC‐422 in the treatment of dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes using a guinea pig model
Authors: Ghannoum Mahmoud A. , Long Lisa , Cirino Amber J. , Miller Anthony R. , Najafi Ron , Wang Lu , Sharma Kuldeepak , Anderson Mark , Memarzadeh Bahram
Published: April 2013

Objectives  Dermatophytes, belonging to genera including Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum, are the causative agents of superficial fungal infections, prevalences of which are estimated to be as high as 25% in the worldwide population. This study evaluated the activity of topical formulations of NVC‐422 (sodium 2‐[dichloroamino]‐2‐methylpropane‐1‐sulfonate), the lead compound in a new class of antimicrobials that consist of broad‐spectrum, fast‐acting, nonantibiotic antimicrobial molecules based on the endogenously produced N‐chlorotaurines.

Methods  The antifungal efficacy of NVC‐422 was investigated using a guinea pig model of infection with Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Infected guinea pigs were randomly assigned to four treatment and two control groups. The efficacy of the treatments was assessed clinically and mycologically at 72 hours after the final topical dose.

Results  The test compound 2% NVC‐422 in 1% Noveon Gel demonstrated the highest level of clinical efficacy. Outcomes of treatment with all other test compounds differed significantly from outcomes in the untreated control group (P = 0.003, P = 0.029, P = 0.012, and P < 0.0001, respectively). Fungal elements were detectable in skin sections from untreated guinea pigs but not in skin sections obtained from any of the treatment groups.

Conclusions  Evaluation of the efficacy of NVC‐422 in the treatment of dermatophytosis using an experimental guinea pig model showed that this compound possesses potent antifungal efficacy as measured by mycological and clinical endpoints. The highest degree of clinical and mycological efficacy was demonstrated by 2% NVC‐422 in 1% Noveon Gel. These data show that NVC‐422 has potent antifungal activity in vivo. Clinical evaluation of NVC‐422 in the treatment of superficial infections caused by dermatophytes, including onychomycosis, is warranted.
Two cases of autosomal recessive woolly hair with LIPH gene mutations
Authors: Harada Kazutoshi , Inozume Takashi , Kawamura Tatsuyoshi , Shibagaki Naotaka , Kinoshita Tomoko , Deguchi Nobuhiro , Shimada Shinji
Published: April 2013

Background

Woolly hair is a hereditary disorder characterized by fine and tightly curled hair. Autosomal recessive woolly hair (ARWH) was recently determined to result from mutations in either the lipase H (LIPH) or the LPAR6 (P2RY5) gene.

Case report

An 8‐year‐old boy (proband) and his 11‐year‐old brother presented with tightly coiled and sparse scalp hair. The boys did not have cardiomyopathy, palmoplantar keratoderma, or facial dysmorphism. Their parents had normal hair growth and no woolly hair. The sequence analysis of their genomic DNA revealed that the proband and his brother had a homozygous mutation of c.736T > A in the LIPH gene. On the basis of these findings, these patients were diagnosed with ARWH.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, only 20 cases of ARWH have been previously reported in Japan. However, several reports showed that one mutation was detected in the 4/200 normal and unrelated alleles in healthy Japanese control individuals, indicating the presence of ARWH in patients with extremely mild symptoms.
Herb Use, Vitamin Use, and Diet in Low‐Income, Postpartum Women
Authors: Gardiner Paula , Jarrett Kelli , Filippelli Amanda , Pecci Christine , Mauch Maya , Jack Brian
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Little is known about herb use among underserved postpartum women and their patterns of communication about herb use with prenatal providers.

Methods

We interviewed women from the postpartum unit at an urban hospital about herb use during pregnancy, socioeconomic factors, prenatal vitamin use, and diet. We asked women if they discussed use of herbs and vitamins with their prenatal care providers and asked about their satisfaction with these discussions. We reviewed inpatient chart medication lists for herb use.

Results

Of 160 women surveyed, 39% reported using herbs during pregnancy. Sixty‐five percent of participants took a prenatal vitamin. Fifty‐seven percent of herb users (n = 40) reported taking prenatal vitamins. Herb users were significantly more likely to report making any dietary change during their pregnancies than non‐herb users (P = .03). Only 38% of herb users discussed it with their prenatal providers, and 82% were satisfied with the conversation. Of all 160 participants, 125 had prenatal vitamin use documented, and no women had herbal medicine use documented in the medical record during their birth hospitalization.

Discussion

We report a higher frequency of herb use during pregnancy than other studies. The fact that women of all backgrounds and economic statuses report using herbs during pregnancy makes it even more important for all women to be asked about their use of herbs.
Evaluating the Combined Effect of Temperature, Shear Rate and Water Content on Wild‐Flower Honey Viscosity Using Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Al‐Mahasneh M.A. , Rababah T.M. , Ma'Abreh A.S.
Published: April 2013

Handling, processing and shelf life determination of honey requires the knowledge of rheological properties. In this study, rheological properties of eight different untreated wild‐flower honey samples collected in Jordan were modeled using three important parameters including temperature (28–58C), water content (16.1–17.3%) and shear rate (2.2–47/s). Artificial neural network (ANN) (feed forward [FF] and radial basis function [RBF] ANNs) and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were used because conventional analytical models were insufficient. The results showed that both ANNs and ANFIS were able to model honey viscosity very well. RBF‐ANNs and FF‐ANNs were able to model viscosity with R2 from 0.961 to 0.986 and mean square error (MSE) of 1.43–4.71. An important analysis of input variables showed that shear rate was the most influential factor with 60% weight, followed by temperature (25% weight) and finally water content (15% weight). ANFIS was also found to adequately model honey viscosity using three, four and five triangular and bell‐shaped membership functions. The results showed that R2 and MSE varied between 0.953 and 0.984 and between 1.41 and 4.24, respectively. ANFIS provided an extra advantage over ANNs because it presented a set of fuzzy if‐then rules that can be used for predictions of new viscosity data. It was concluded that both ANNs and ANFIS were able to provide an excellent alternative to conventional analytical rheological models.

Practical Applications

Determination of honey rheological properties is of great interest to honey keepers, processors and handlers. It is difficult to predict the combined effect of temperature, water content and shear rate on honey rheological properties using conventional rheological models. More recent intelligent techniques such as artificial neural networks and neural fuzzy logic systems have been alternatively used to model such complex systems. This paper deals with the implementation of intelligent modeling to predict untreated honey viscosity as a function temperature, shear rate, water content and geographic location, which cannot otherwise be modeled using conventional analytical models.
A prototype tobacco‐associated oral squamous cell carcinoma classifier using RNA from brush cytology
Authors: Kolokythas Antonia , Bosman Mitchell J. , Pytynia Kristen B. , Panda Suchismita , Sroussi Herve Y. , Dai Yang , Schwartz Joel L. , Adami Guy R.
Published: April 2013

Background

Oral cancer in the form of squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is typically detected in advanced stages when treatment is complex and may not be curative. The need for surgical biopsy may contribute to delays in diagnosis and impede early detection. Multiple studies of RNA from surgically obtained tumor samples have revealed many genes differentially expressed with this disease. We sought to determine whether the identified mRNAs could be used as markers by a non‐invasive detection system for OSCC using RNA from brush cytology.

Methods

Levels of mRNAs from 21 genes known to be differentially expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma surgical samples, compared with controls, were shown to be quantifiable in oral brush cytology samples. These mRNAs were quantified in a training set of 14 tumor and 20 non‐malignant brush cytology samples from tobacco/betel nut users. With the measurement of two additional mRNAs and analysis using support vector machines algorithm for class prediction of these cancers was produced.

Results

This OSCC classifier based on the levels of 5 mRNAs in RNA from brush cytology initially showed 0.93 sensitivity and 0.91 specificity in differentiating OSCC from benign oral mucosal lesions based on leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. When used on a test set of 19 samples from 6 OSCCs and 13 non‐malignant oral lesions, we found misclassification of only one OSCC and one benign lesion.

Conclusions

This shows the promise of using RNA from brush cytology for early OSCC detection and the potential for clinical usage of this non‐invasive classifier.