bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Permanent and transient congenital hypothyroidism in preterm infants
Authors: Srinivasan Ramesh , Harigopal Sundeep , Turner Steve , Cheetham Tim
Published: November 2011

Aim:  Transient fluctuations in thyroid function are well recognized in preterm infants. We wanted to assess TSH variation in babies with transient and permanent congenital hypothyroidism (CHT).

Methods:  Whole bloodspot TSH data in preterm infants (<35 weeks; 2005–2010) were assessed, and infants with bloodspot TSH values >6 mU/L identified. Permanent CHT was defined as a requirement for thyroxine beyond 3 years of age.

Results:  A first TSH sample was obtained from 5518 infants (median gestational age, 32 w; range, 22–35), with a second sample obtained from 5134 infants (median gestational age, 32 w; range, 22–35). Five infants had raised TSH concentrations on both occasions. Three of the five infants had a serum TSH >80 mU/L on second screen but two came off thyroxine beyond 3 years of age. All preterm babies with permanent or transient hypothyroidism were detected by the first TSH cut‐off of 6 mU/L. Only one infant with a birth weight <1500 g remains on thyroxine treatment beyond 2 years of age.

Conclusions:  The incidence of permanent CHT in preterm infants is similar to term infants. Profound abnormalities of thyroid function can occur in preterm babies with transient hypothyroidism but both categories of hypothyroidism can be detected by a ‘once‐only’ TSH screening strategy with a relatively low cut‐off.
High tissue factor in lungs and plasma associates with respiratory morbidity in preterm infants
Authors: Palojärvi Anniina , Andersson Sture , Siitonen Sanna , Janér Cecilia , Petäjä Jari
Published: November 2011

Aim:  In preterm infants, inflammation and intra‐alveolar fibrin formation characterize respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Tissue factor (TF) is a link between inflammation and coagulation pathways. We investigated the relationship between TF and cytokines in preterm infants to gain information of the role of TF in the inflammatory response.

Methods:  We measured TF in plasma and in tracheal aspirates and analysed TF on monocytes by flow cytometry and 13 cytokines from plasma, in 56 preterm infants (birthweight 600–1500 g) during their first week.

Results:  Plasma TF increased and peaked on day 3 and correlated with both RDS and inversely with paO2/FIO2. On day 1, TF in tracheal aspirates was 10‐fold higher than in plasma and correlated with plasma TF (4888 vs. 506 pg/mL, R = 0.692, p = 0.013, n = 12). Of main pro‐inflammatory cytokines, plasma TF correlated post‐natally with IL‐8 and IL‐6 but not with IL‐1 or TNF‐α.

Conclusions:  Respiratory morbidity associates with high TF in lungs and plasma. In sick newborn infants, upregulation of TF may be mediated by IL‐6 and IL‐8. High TF and pro‐inflammatory cytokines may together participate in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extrapulmonary injury in preterm infants through pro‐inflammatory mechanisms.
Location, Location, Location: The Impact of Guideline Grid Location on the Value of Sentencing Enhancements
Authors: Bushway Shawn D. , Piehl Anne Morrison
Published: November 2011

A long literature provides empirical estimates of differential treatment (by race and other factors) in the criminal justice system, taking sentencing rules as given. This article considers the disparate impact of the rules, rather than their implementation, by providing a quantitative assessment of the Maryland sentencing grid for person offenses using the distribution of defendants on the grid. The basic insight is that movement along the grid itself (either across rows or across columns) is nonlinear in sentence lengths (in both absolute magnitudes and percent terms). As a result, an additional point results in a different increase in the recommended sentence length depending on the other factors that are present. Because the distribution of factors is not random, factors like weapon use that appear to have equal weight in the formula developed by policymakers turn out to have very different weights in practice.
Two long Hi tails in the outskirts of Abell 1367
Authors: Scott T. C. , Cortese L. , Brinks E. , Bravo-Alfaro H. , Auld R. , Minchin R.
Published: November 2011

We present VLA D-array Hi observations of the RSCG 42 and FGC 1287 galaxy groups, in the outskirts of the Abell 1367 cluster. These groups are projected ∼1.8 and 2.7 Mpc west from the cluster centre. The Arecibo Galaxy Environment Survey provided evidence for Hi extending over as much as 200 kpc in both groups. Our new, higher resolution observations reveal that the complex Hi features detected by Arecibo are in reality two extraordinary long Hi tails extending for ∼160 and 250 kpc, respectively, i.e. among the longest Hi structures ever observed in groups of galaxies. Although in the case of RSCG 42 the morphology and dynamics of the Hi tail, as well as the optical properties of the group members, support a low-velocity tidal interaction scenario, less clear is the origin of the unique features associated with FGC 1287. This galaxy displays an exceptionally long ‘dog leg’ Hi tail, and the large distance from the X-ray-emitting region of Abell 1367 makes a ram-pressure stripping scenario highly unlikely. At the same time, a low-velocity tidal interaction seems unable to explain the extraordinary length of the tail and the lack of any sign of disturbance in the optical properties of FGC 1287. An intriguing possibility could be that this galaxy might have recently experienced a high-speed interaction with another member of the Coma–Abell 1367 Great Wall. We searched for the interloper responsible for this feature and, although we find a possible candidate, we show that without additional observations it is impossible to settle this issue. While the mechanism responsible for this extraordinary Hi tail remains to be determined, our discovery highlights how little we know about environmental effects in galaxy groups.
Randomized Comparison of Synchronous CABG and Carotid Endarterectomy vs. Isolated CABG in Patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis: The CABACS Trial
Authors: Knipp S. C. , Scherag A. , Beyersdorf F. , Cremer J. , Diener H.-C. , Haverich J. A. , Jakob H. G. , Mohr W. , Ose C. , Reichenspurner H. , Walterbusch G. , Welz A. , Weimar C. ,   for the CABACS Study Group
Published: November 2011

Rationale

High-grade carotid artery stenosis is present in 6–8% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Many cardiovascular surgeons advocate staged or synchronous carotid endarterectomy to reduce the high perioperative and long-term risk of stroke associated with multivessel disease. However, no randomized trial has assessed whether a combined synchronous or staged carotid endarterectomy confers any benefit compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in these patients.

Aims

The objective of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting vs. synchronous coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy in patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis.

Design

Coronary Artery Bypass graft surgery in patients with Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis (CABACS) is a randomized, controlled, open, multicenter, group sequential trial with two parallel arms and outcome adjudication by blinded observers. Patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid stenosis scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting will be assigned to either isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or synchronous coronary artery bypass grafting and carotid endarterectomy by 1 : 1 block-stratified randomization with three different stratification factors (age, gender, modified Rankin scale).

Study

The trial started in December 2010 aiming at recruiting 1160 patients in 25 to 30 German cardiovascular centers. The composite primary efficacy end point is the number of strokes and deaths from any cause (whatever occurs first) within 30 days after operation. A 4·5% absolute difference (4% compared to 8·5%) in the 30-day rate of the above end points can be detected with >80% power.

Outcomes

The results of this trial are expected to provide a basis for defining an evidence-based standard and will have a wide impact on managing this disease.
Emerging point of care tests for influenza: innovation or status quo
Authors: Tayo Adeoluwa , Ellis Joanna , Linden Phillips Luan , Simpson Sue , Ward Derek J.
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as: Tayo A et al. (2012) Emerging point of care tests for influenza: innovation or status quo. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 291–298.

Background  Point of care tests (POCTs) for influenza potentially offer earlier diagnosis, enabling specific treatment, infection control measures and greater patient convenience and satisfaction. Current POCTs have limited sensitivity, some cannot distinguish influenza types, none differentiate subtypes and are relatively expensive.

Aims  To identify and characterise influenza POCTs expected to be available for clinical use in the UK by mid‐2013, highlighting those with potential benefits over existing tests.

Methods  Potential developers of influenza POCTs were identified through known manufacturers’ websites, Medical Technology trade associations, the EuroScan International Network, an expert advisory group and by searching relevant online sources. Identified companies were asked to provide standard information on relevant technologies.

Results  Fifty‐six companies were identified, and 29 (52%) responded, identifying 57 potentially relevant technologies. Of these, 40 (70%) were already available or had undetermined status and 5 (9%) were excluded as time to results took over 60 minutes. Of the remaining 12 emerging POCTs, 10 (83%) reportedly enabled differentiation of influenza types and eight differentiation of A subtypes. Nasopharyngeal swabs were the most commonly acceptable sample type; the sample volume ranging from 80 μl to 1·4 ml.

Discussion  Most identified emerging influenza POCTs offered differentiation of influenza type and subtype. Tests claiming this capability include several incorporating reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays; though, these also had the longest time to result. However, whilst some identified POCTs exhibit high sensitivity and specificity, most lack published clinical data for assessment, and the overall costs of these technologies remains largely unknown.
Determinants of permanent first incisor eruption in grazing Australian Angora goats
Authors: McGregor BA , Butler KL
Published: November 2011

Objective

To investigate the effects of live weight, sex and other factors on deciduous (first incisor) loss and permanent first incisor development in Angora goats.

Design

Goats were part of a pen study on the effects of energy intake in Angora does during pregnancy and lactation on kid growth and development. The design was three levels of nutrition in mid‐pregnancy × two levels of postnatal nutrition in 17 randomised blocks.

Methods

Conception times were calculated by using artificial insemination, with ultrasound examination 43 days after insemination. Does were fed different amounts of a formulated diet in their pens. After weaning, goats were grazed in sex groups. Deciduous first incisor loss and permanent first incisor development were recorded at 11 time points from 14 to 20 months of age.

Results

For each sex, the time for visible eruption and full development of permanent first incisor declined linearly with increased live weight by 5.9 and 5.4 days/kg live weight, respectively. The time to reach similar development stages for first permanent incisors eruption was 3 months longer for the lightest animals compared with the heaviest animals. Date of birth, birth weight, doe age, growth rates, mid‐pregnancy and postnatal nutrition, parity, day of weaning and weaning weight had no detectable effect.

Conclusions

The results explain much of the substantial range in reported first permanent incisor eruption dates for small ruminants and have application in ageing of goats, marketing of kids for meat, in the selection of animals for breeding flocks and in educational material.
Use of the harmonic scalpel for soft palate resection in dogs: a series of three cases
Authors: Michelsen J
Published: November 2011

Soft palate resection is performed to resect a redundant or diseased soft palate, often associated with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS). Resection has been associated with numerous complications, including coughing, bleeding, pharyngeal oedema, respiratory obstruction and death. Traditionally, the surgery is performed by sharp dissection and suturing, but other reported techniques include the use of an electrothermal sealing device or a laser. Operative time for sharp dissection is approximately 12 min, but is shortened to around 5 min when using a laser, as the haemostatic properties of the instrument negates the need for post‐resection oversewing. The successful use of a harmonic scalpel to resect redundant soft palates in three dogs is described. The resected soft palates were not oversewn and the surgical time was comparable with that for laser surgery. The first dog had a minor bleed 6 h postoperatively, possibly associated with suboptimal placement of the harmonic scalpel cutting jaws. The following two patients had no postoperative complications. The harmonic scalpel laparoscopic handpiece allowed excellent visualisation of the surgical field and rapid performance of the procedure. All three patients had markedly improved postoperative respiratory function. Cleaning and resterilisation permitted multiple reuse of the handpiece, making it cost‐competitive with other surgical techniques.
Hepatitis E virus genotype 3f in pigs in New Caledonia
Authors: Kaba M , Davoust B , Cabre O , Colson P
Published: November 2011

Background  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly prevalent in farm pigs worldwide and an increasing body of data from industrialised countries suggests that it is an agent of a porcine zoonosis.

Methods  We used in‐house real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to study HEV infection in 4–26‐week‐old pigs on a pig farm in New Caledonia, Oceania, for which no data are available.

Results  HEV RNA was detected in faeces from 6 of 92 (6.5%) pigs tested and all were 9–16 weeks old. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HEV open reading frame 1 and 2 sequences recovered in this study formed a single cluster among HEV genotype 3 subtype f.

Conclusions  Our work shows for the first time that pigs are a reservoir for HEV in New Caledonia. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence and phylogenetic relationships of HEV in pigs and humans in this French overseas collectivity.
Review of Ambulatory Pulmonary Artery Catheterization in the Management of Advanced Heart Failure
Authors: Mark Sharayne , Calderon‐Artero Pedro , Kakinami Lisa , Alexis Jeffrey , Chen Leway , Storozynsky Eugene , Fong Michael W.
Published: November 2011

The use of pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC) has declined secondary to associated complications and lack of demonstrable efficacy in the inpatient setting. Few studies have been published on the use of PAC in nonacute heart failure (HF) patients. The purpose of this study was to review the use of PAC in guiding advanced therapy in nonacute ambulatory HF patients. A retrospective observational study assessing our group’s practice pattern with regard to the use of PAC in 515 ambulatory HF patients, outcomes, and adverse events that resulted from its use was performed. A total of 159 ambulatory HF patients were referred for PAC; 7% underwent heart transplant, 6% had ventricular assist device (VAD) placement, 18% underwent inotropic therapy, and 48% had addition of therapy while 14% had subtraction of therapy. Adverse events occurred in 4% of ambulatory PAC. Patients who underwent heart transplant, VAD, or inotropic therapy had significantly elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, mean pulmonary artery pressures, and depressed cardiac index. Patients selected for inotropic therapy also had significantly elevated right atrial pressures and depressed ejection fractions. PAC use safely guided medical therapy in more than half of the nonacute ambulatory patients. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microbial symbionts: a resource for the management of insect‐related problems
Authors: Crotti Elena , Balloi Annalisa , Hamdi Chadlia , Sansonno Luigi , Marzorati Massimo , Gonella Elena , Favia Guido , Cherif Ameur , Bandi Claudio , Alma Alberto , Daffonchio Daniele
Published: November 2011

Microorganisms establish with their animal hosts close interactions. They are involved in many aspects of the host life, physiology and evolution, including nutrition, reproduction, immune homeostasis, defence and speciation. Thus, the manipulation and the exploitation the microbiota could result in important practical applications for the development of strategies for the management of insect‐related problems. This approach, defined as ‘Microbial Resource Management’ (MRM), has been applied successfully in various environments and ecosystems, as wastewater treatments, prebiotics in humans, anaerobic digestion and so on. MRM foresees the proper management of the microbial resource present in a given ecosystem in order to solve practical problems through the use of microorganisms. In this review we present an interesting field for application for MRM concept, i.e. the microbial communities associated with arthropods and nematodes. Several examples related to this field of applications are presented. Insect microbiota can be manipulated: (i) to control insect pests for agriculture; (ii) to control pathogens transmitted by insects to humans, animals and plants; (iii) to protect beneficial insects from diseases and stresses. Besides, we prospect further studies aimed to verify, improve and apply MRM by using the insect–symbiont ecosystem as a model.
Postoperative increase in grey matter volume in visual cortex after unilateral cataract surgery
Authors: Lou Astrid R. , Madsen Kristoffer H. , Julian Hanne O. , Toft Peter B. , Kjaer Troels W. , Paulson Olaf B. , Prause Jan U. , Siebner Hartwig R.
Published: November 2011

Purpose:  The developing visual cortex has a strong potential to undergo plastic changes. Little is known about the potential of the ageing visual cortex to express plasticity. A pertinent question is whether therapeutic interventions can trigger plastic changes in the ageing visual cortex by restoring vision.

Methods:  Twelve patients aged 50–85 years underwent structural high‐resolution T1‐weighted MRI of the whole brain 2 days and 6 weeks after unilateral cataract surgery. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) based on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to test whether cataract surgery induces a regional increase in grey matter in areas V1 and V2 of the visual cortex.

Results:  In all patients, cataract surgery immediately improved visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and mean sensitivity in the visual field of the operated eye. The improvement in vision was stable throughout the 6 weeks after operation. VBM revealed a regional expansion of grey matter volume in area V2 contralateral to the operated eye during the 6‐week period after surgery. Individual increases in grey matter were predicted by the symmetry in visual acuity between the operated eye and nonoperated eye. The more symmetrical visual acuity became after unilateral cataract surgery, the more pronounced was the grey matter increase in visual cortex.

Conclusion:  The data suggest that cataract surgery triggered a use‐dependent structural plasticity in V2 presumably through improved binocular integration of visual input from both eyes. We conclude that activity‐dependent cortical plasticity is preserved in the ageing visual cortex and may be triggered by restoring impaired vision.
The association between corneal neovascularization and visual acuity: a systematic review
Authors: Bachmann Bjoern , Taylor Rod S. , Cursiefen Claus
Published: November 2011

Purpose:  Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is thought to negatively influence visual acuity. New therapeutic options that offer a differentiated influence on the ingrowths or regression of either corneal blood or lymphatic vessels force us to re‐evaluate the association between CNV and visual acuity.

Methods:  A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were searched up to August 2009. Given the heterogeneity in study populations, interventions and measures of association, we were unable to undertake meta‐analysis. The association between CNV and visual acuity was reported descriptively for each study.

Results:  Eleven studies using either vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatments (i.e. bevacizumab, Avastin®; Hoffmann–La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) or an antiangiogenic treatment based on IRS‐1 modulation [Gene‐Signal (GS) 101, Aganirsen®; GeneSignal, Evry (Paris), France] in a total of 131 patients (142 eyes) with corneal neovascularization were included. Ten of the eleven studies reported evidence of a statistically significant reduction in neovascularization following treatment. However, only four studies reported a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity following therapy. We found no studies that assessed the patient‐level association between the change in neovascularization and visual acuity.

Conclusion:  This systematic review found that there is currently weak evidence to support the hypothesis that in patients with pathological neovascularization, a treatment‐related reduction in neovascularization is associated with an increase in visual acuity. There is a need for future appropriately designed studies.
Consequences of field N2O emissions for the environmental sustainability of plant‐based biofuels produced within an organic farming system
Authors: Carter Mette S. , Hauggaard‐Nielsen Henrik , Heiske Stefan , Jensen Morten , Thomsen Sune T. , Schmidt Jens E. , Johansen Anders , Ambus Per
Published: November 2011

One way of reducing the emissions of fossil fuel‐derived carbon dioxide (CO2) is to replace fossil fuels with biofuels produced from agricultural biomasses or residuals. However, cultivation of soils results in emission of other greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially nitrous oxide (N2O). Previous studies on biofuel production systems showed that emissions of N2O may counterbalance a substantial part of the global warming reduction, which is achieved by fossil fuel displacement. In this study, we related measured field emissions of N2O to the reduction in fossil fuel‐derived CO2, which was obtained when agricultural biomasses were used for biofuel production. The analysis included five organically managed feedstocks (viz. dried straw of sole cropped rye, sole cropped vetch and intercropped rye–vetch, as well as fresh grass–clover and whole crop maize) and three scenarios for conversion of biomass into biofuel. The scenarios were (i) bioethanol, (ii) biogas and (iii) coproduction of bioethanol and biogas. In the last scenario, the biomass was first used for bioethanol fermentation and subsequently the effluent from this process was utilized for biogas production. The net GHG reduction was calculated as the avoided fossil fuel‐derived CO2, where the N2O emission was subtracted. This value did not account for fossil fuel‐derived CO2 emissions from farm machinery and during conversion processes that turn biomass into biofuel. The greatest net GHG reduction, corresponding to 700–800 g CO2 m−2, was obtained by biogas production or coproduction of bioethanol and biogas on either fresh grass–clover or whole crop maize. In contrast, biofuel production based on lignocellulosic crop residues (i.e. rye and vetch straw) provided considerably lower net GHG reductions (≤215 g CO2 m−2), and even negative numbers sometimes. No GHG benefit was achieved by fertilizing the maize crop because the extra crop yield, and thereby increased biofuel production, was offset by enhanced N2O emissions.
Non‐conventional radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy for inoperable non‐small‐cell lung cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Qiu‐Ning , Wang Dao‐Ying , Wang Xiao‐Hu , Hui Tian‐jin , Yang Ke‐Hu , Li Zheng , Li Hai‐Yang , Guo Li‐Yun
Published: November 2011

Background:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non‐conventional radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy for inoperable non‐small‐cell lung cancer and to conduct a meta‐analysis to compare these two methods of radiotherapy for inoperable NSCLC.

Methods:  We included randomized controlled trials, which were compared with non‐conventional radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.

Results:  Meta‐analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2206 patients showed that the non‐conventional radiotherapy group could significantly improve the objective response rate (OR 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.19–2.37) and overall survival of up to 1‐year (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54), 2‐year (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17–1.70), 3‐year (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.24–1.94), 4‐year (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.20–2.15), 5‐year (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11–2.38); and local control rate in 1‐year (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09–1.68), 2‐year (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.23–1.99), 3‐year (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.10–1.91) compared with the conventional radiotherapy group. With regard to the side effects, non‐conventional radiotherapy was more likely to result in level III and IV radioactive esophagitis (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.09–2.46), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of radioactive pneumonitis (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.67–1.39). In the subgroup analysis we found late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCHRT) could obviously improve 1‐year OS (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.29–4.06), 2‐year OS (OR 4.22, 95% CI 2.03–8.77), 3‐year OS (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.24–5.02) and Objective response rate (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.17–4.83). However, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (HRT) and accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (AHRT) could not improve 1‐, 2‐, 3‐year OS or OR compared with conventional fractionation radiotherapy.

Conclusions:  Our findings indicate that NCRT could improve OR, reduce the risk of death by 1–5 years, and significantly increase level III and IV radioactive esophagitis incidence. The late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCAHRT) group seemed to improve compared with the AHRT and conventional radiotherapy (CRT) groups.
Pegylated interferon α‐2b plus ribavirin for Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients with normal alanine aminotransferase
Authors: Kainuma Mosaburo , Furusyo Norihiro , Azuma Koichi , Kajiwara Eiji , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Nomura Hideyuki , Tanabe Yuichi , Satoh Takeaki , Maruyama Toshihiro , Nakamuta Makoto , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Shimoda Shinji , Hayashi Jun ,   the Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To investigate the efficacy and safety of a pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) α‐2b plus ribavirin (RBV) combination treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (NALT).

Methods:  This multicenter study included 989 patients with HCV genotype 1 (114 with NALT and 875 with elevated ALT) who received weight‐based doses of PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV for 48 weeks. We compared the sustained viral response (SVR) rates of patients with NALT and elevated ALT who received at least 80% or more of the target dosage of PEG‐IFN α‐2b and 60% or more of the target RBV (minimum acceptable dosage).

Results:  No significant difference was found in the overall SVR rate between the NALT (42.1%) and elevated ALT groups (37.3%). No significant difference in the SVR rates was found between NALT (63.3%) and elevated ALT group (61.6%) patients who received minimum acceptable dosage. Multivariate analysis showed that age (<65 years old) and total cholesterol (≧220 mg/dL) were significantly independent positive factors associated with an SVR in the NALT group. Twenty‐four weeks after treatment, an ALT increase above the normal range was observed for 34.0% (18 of 53) of the non‐responsive group of NALT patients.

Conclusions:  The efficacy and safety of PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV combination therapy for patients with chronic HCV infection are similar for patients with NALT and those with elevated ALT levels. These results indicate that patients with NALT should be considered for treatment with PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV.
Structure and function of glutamate receptor amino terminal domains
Authors: Furukawa Hiro
Published: November 2011

Abstract  The amino terminal domain (ATD) of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) subunits resides at the extracellular region distal to the membrane. The ATD is structurally and functionally the most divergent region of the iGluR subunits. Structural studies on full‐length GluA2 and the ATDs from three iGluR subfamilies have shed light on how the ATD facilitates subunit assembly, accommodates allosteric modulator compounds, and controls gating properties. Here recent developments in structural and functional studies on iGluR ATDs are reviewed.
Interspecies communication in the gut, from bacterial delivery to host‐cell response
Authors: Hodges Kim , Hecht Gail
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Intestinal pathogens have a wide variety of strategies for communicating with host epithelial cells. This review highlights a few key examples of those strategies. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to alter host ion transport through both transcriptional and post‐translational mechanisms. Salmonella use a similar T3SS to invade host cells and modify an intracellular vacuole, which also impacts host vesicle trafficking. Helicobacter pylori use host cell integrins to provide a conformational change which drives the type IV secretion system into the host cell for delivery of CagA. The novel type VI section systems are phage‐like apparati that deliver VgrG‐1, which causes actin cross‐linking and fluid accumulation in a suckling mouse model. An entirely different delivery mechanism is the outer membrane vesicle (OMV) which is composed of bacterial outer membrane wrapped around contents of the periplamsic space. Enterotoxigenic E. coli use OMVs to deliver bundles of heat labile enterotoxin to host cells. Finally we discuss the host responses to these varied methods of communication.
Redefining the classification of AMPA‐selective ionotropic glutamate receptors
Authors: Bowie Derek
Published: November 2011

Abstract  AMPA‐type ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) represent the major excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the developing and adult vertebrate CNS. They are crucial for the normal hardwiring of glutamatergic circuits but also fine tune synaptic strength by cycling into and out of synapses during periods of sustained patterned activity or altered homeostasis. AMPARs are grouped into two functionally distinct tetrameric assemblies based on the inclusion or exclusion of the GluA2 receptor subunit. GluA2‐containing receptors are thought to be the most abundant AMPAR in the CNS, typified by their small unitary events, Ca2+ impermeability and insensitivity to polyamine block. In contrast, GluA2‐lacking AMPARs exhibit large unitary conductance, marked divalent permeability and nano‐ to micromolar polyamine affinity. Here, I review evidence for the existence of a third class of AMPAR which, though similarly Ca2+ permeable, is characterized by its near‐insensitivity to internal and external channel block by polyamines. This novel class of AMPAR is most notably found at multivesicular release synapses found in the avian auditory brainstem and mammalian retina. Curiously, these synapses lack NMDA‐type iGluRs, which are conventionally associated with controlling AMPAR insertion. The lack of NMDARs suggests that a different set of rules may govern AMPAR cycling at these synapses. AMPARs with similar functional profiles are also found on some glial cells suggesting they may have a more widespread distribution in the mammalian CNS. I conclude by noting that modest changes to the ion‐permeation pathway might be sufficient to retain divalent permeability whilst eliminating polyamine sensitivity. Consequently, this emerging AMPAR subclass need not be assembled from novel subunits, yet to be cloned, but could simply occur by varying the stoichiometry of existing proteins.
A generic, geometric cocalibration method for a combined system of fluorescence molecular tomography and microcomputed tomography with arbitrarily shaped objects
Authors: Fu Jianwei , Yang Xiaoquan , Wang Kan , Luo Qingming , Gong Hui
Published: November 2011

Purpose:

A combined system of fluorescence molecular tomography and microcomputed tomography (FMT&mCT) can provide molecular and anatomical information of small animals in a single study with intrinsically coregistered images. The anatomical information provided by the mCT subsystem is commonly used as a reference to locate the fluorophore distribution or asa priori structural information to improve the performance of FMT. Therefore, the transformation between the coordinate systems of the subsystem needs to be determined in advanced.

Methods:

A cocalibration method for the combined system of FMT&mCT is proposed. First, linear models are adopted to describe the galvano mirrors and the charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera in the FMT subsystem. Second, the position and orientation of the galvano mirrors are determined with the input voltages of the galvano mirrors and the markers, whose positions are predetermined. The position, orientation and normalized pixel size of the CCD camera are obtained by analysing the projections of a point‐like marker at different positions. Finally, the orientation and position of sources and the corresponding relationship between the detectors and their projections on the image plane are predicted. Because the positions of the markers are acquired with mCT, the registration of the FMT and mCT could be realized by direct image fusion.

Results:

The accuracy and consistency of this method in the presence of noise is evaluated by computer simulation. Next, a practical implementation for an experimental FMT&mCT system is carried out and validated. The maximum prediction error of the source positions on the surface of a cylindrical phantom is within 0.375 mm and that of the projections of a point‐like marker is within 0.629 pixel. Finally, imaging experiments of the fluorophore distribution in a cylindrical phantom and a phantom with a complex shape demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.

Conclusions:

This method is universal in FMT&mCT, which could be performed with no restriction on the system geometry, calibration phantoms or imaging objects.
Inexpensive Data Acquisition with a Sound Card
Authors: Hassan Umer , Pervaiz Saad , Anwar Muhammad Sabieh
Published: November 2011

Signal generators, oscilloscopes, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems are standard components of the modern experimental physics laboratory. The sound card, a built-in component in the ubiquitous personal computer, can be utilized for all three of these tasks1,2 and offers an attractive option for labs in developing countries such as ours—Pakistan—where affordability is always of prime concern. In this paper, we describe in a recipe fashion how the sound card is used for DAQ and signal generation.
Black Holes and the Large Hadron Collider
Authors: Roy Arunava
Published: November 2011

The European Center for Nuclear Research or CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has caught our attention partly due to the film “Angels and Demons.” In the movie, an antimatter bomb attack on the Vatican is foiled by the protagonist. Perhaps just as controversial is the formation of mini black holes (BHs). Recently, the American Physical Society1 website featured an article on BH formation at the LHC.2 This article examines some aspects of mini BHs and explores the possibility of their detection at the LHC.
Why Do Objects Cool More Rapidly in Water Than in Still Air?
Authors: Bohren Craig F.
Published: November 2011

An Internet search for why objects, especially humans, cool more rapidly in water than in air, both at the same temperature, and by how much, yields off-the-cuff answers unsupported by experiment or analysis. To answer these questions in depth requires a smattering of engineering heat transfer, including radiative transfer, and the different thermophysical properties of the two fluids. The correct ratio for humans is closer to 2 than to 10, and if this were not so, swimming in cool water could be fatal.
Captain R. Rubber Ducky: A STEM- Driven Project in Aquatic Robotics
Authors: Sheikh Muntaha , Fulbright Mark , Hademenos George
Published: November 2011

Project-based learning is a research-based instructional tool that has proven to be effective in all secondary curricular disciplines, particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).1–5 A project is an applied activity, often hands-on, where the students are challenged to successfully address a problem. In many STEM projects, the problem is solved by designing, constructing, and operating a device to accomplish tasks inherent to the solution of the problem. Project-based learning exemplifies the core values of the scientific process, including peer discussion and collaboration, problem-solving skills, modeling, testing, data analysis, and forming conclusions.
AAPT/PTRA — A Part of the Solution
Authors: Amann George , Mader Jan , Matsler Karen Jo , Nelson Jim
Published: November 2011

A train barrels directly toward a stone wall. It looks like a disaster is inevitable. Suddenly, a group of railroad workers run to a switch that changes the direction of the train. They reroute the train onto a new track by throwing the switch just in time. Perhaps you had not known what to do, nor were you strong enough to do it yourself, but you now see that it was not a forgone conclusion that the train had to run into the wall. In this scenario, the train represents precollege physics education in the United States. The wall represents the classroom situation that many teachers find when they are assigned to teach physics. These teachers often find themselves teaching a subject for which they were not adequately prepared. It is not their fault, but rather the result of the necessity of having a teacher assigned to the class. The United States needs students to be prepared for a future in which science and technology will be more and more a part of everyone's life, and there are not enough well-prepared physics teachers graduating from colleges and universities. So the train is headed toward the wall. “Who are the strong railroad workers?” you ask. These are the 200 Physics Teaching Resource Agents (PTRAs), who for the past 25 years have been selected and trained by AAPT to do workshops for practicing physics and physical science teachers. Thus AAPT celebrated the PTRA silver anniversary during the 2010 AAPT meeting in Portland.1 And APS recognized this achievement with their 2011 Excellence in Physics Education Award.2
Leadership in Freshman Physics
Authors: Rebello Carina M. , Hanuscin Deborah , Sinha Somnath
Published: November 2011

Physics First—a movement to invert the traditional science course sequence to teach physics at the ninth-grade level—is gaining interest. However, there is limited literature exploring how to support teachers in successfully implementing Physics First. To address this, a professional development (PD) program supporting a cadre of teacher-leaders was developed. Its impetus is to facilitate teacher-leaders in becoming advocates for excellence through developing their physics content knowledge and use of research-based pedagogy. The primary aim of this paper is to illustrate how Leadership in Freshman Physics, an NSF Math and Science Partnership (MSP), designed a leadership component to support high school physics teacher-leaders in a district-wide implementation of the Physics First curriculum. We describe lessons learned from our implementation and provide suggestions for future PD programs emphasizing teacher-leadership.
Toll-Like Receptor 9-Dependent Activation of Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells byURA5DNA from Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Tanaka Misuzu , Ishii Keiko , Nakamura Yuri , Miyazato Akiko , Maki Atsuko , Abe Yuzuru , Miyasaka Tomomitsu , Yamamoto Hideki , Akahori Yukiko , Fue Misaki , Takahashi Yurie , Kanno Emi , Maruyama Ryoko , Kawakami Kazuyoshi
Published: November 2011

Cryptococcus neoformansis an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Recently, we reported that Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is involved in host defense againstC. neoformans: specifically, it detects the pathogen's DNA. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying TLR9-mediated activation of innate immune responses by using theURA5gene, which encodes a virulent component of this fungal pathogen. A PCR-amplified 345-bpURA5gene fragment induced interleukin-12 p40 (IL-12p40) production by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) in a TLR9-dependent manner. Similar activity was detected in the 5′ 129-bp DNA fragment ofURA5and in a synthesized oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) with the same sequence. Shorter ODN fragments, which contained GTCGGT or GACGAT but had only 24 or 21 bases, induced IL-12p40 production and CD40 expression by BM-DCs, but this activity vanished when the CG sequence was replaced by GC or when a phosphorothioate modification was introduced. IL-12p40 production caused by active ODN was strikingly enhanced by treatment with DOTAP, a cationic lipid that increases the uptake of DNA by BM-DCs, though DOTAP failed to induce IL-12p40 production by inactive ODN and did not affect the activity of an ODN-containing canonical CpG motif. There was no apparent difference in intracellular trafficking between active and inactive ODNs. Finally, an extremely high dose of inactive ODN suppressed IL-12p40 production by BM-DCs that had been stimulated with active ODN. These results suggest that theC. neoformansURA5gene activates BM-DCs through a TLR9-mediated signaling pathway, using a mechanism possibly independent of the canonical CpG motif.
Poly-
N
-Acetyl-β-(1-6)-Glucosamine Is a Target for Protective Immunity against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Bentancor Leticia V. , O'Malley Jennifer M. , Bozkurt-Guzel Cagla , Pier Gerald B. , Maira-Litrán Tomás
Published: November 2011

Acinetobacter baumannii
has emerged as a highly troublesome, global pathogen. Treatment is complicated by high levels of antibiotic resistance, necessitating alternative means to prevent or treat
A. baumannii
infections. We evaluated an immunotherapeutic approach against
A. baumannii
, focusing on the surface polysaccharide poly-
N
-acetyl-β-(1-6)-glucosamine (PNAG). We used a synthetic oligosaccharide of 9 monosaccharide units (9Glc-NH
2
) conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) to induce antibodies in rabbits. In the presence of complement and polymorphonuclear cells, antisera to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT mediated the killing of
A. baumannii
S1, a high-PNAG-producing strain, but not its isogenic PNAG-negative, in-frame deletion mutant strain, S1 Δ
pga
. Complementing the
pgaABCD
locus in
trans
in the shuttle vector pBAD18kan-ori, plasmid Δ
pga
-c, restored the high levels of killing mediated by antibody to PNAG observed with the wild-type S1 strain. No killing was observed when normal rabbit serum (NRS) or heat-inactivated complement was used. Antiserum to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT was highly opsonic against an additional four unrelated multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
that synthesize various levels of surface PNAG. Using two clinically relevant models of
A. baumannii
infection in mice, pneumonia and bacteremia, antisera to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT significantly reduced levels of
A. baumannii
in the lungs or blood 2 and 24 h postinfection, respectively, compared to levels of control groups receiving NRS. This was true for all four
A. baumannii
strains tested. Overall, these results highlight the potential of PNAG as a vaccine component for active immunization or as a target for passive antibody immunotherapy.
Monoclonal Antibodies Neutralize Bacillus cereus Nhe Enterotoxin by Inhibiting Ordered Binding of Its Three Exoprotein Components
Authors: Didier Andrea , Dietrich Richard , Gruber Stephanie , Bock Stefanie , Moravek Maximilian , Nakamura Tadashi , Lindbäck Toril , Granum Per Einar , Märtlbauer Erwin
Published: November 2011

The Nhe enterotoxin from
Bacillus cereus
is known to induce cytotoxicity on Vero and CaCo-2 cells by ordered binding of its single components NheA, NheB, and NheC. This study aimed to elucidate functional sites on NheB by identifying the epitopes of the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies 1E11 and 2B11. The binding regions of both antibodies were determined by using recombinant NheB fragments and synthetic peptides. The antigenic site of antibody 1E11 was located within the amino acids 321 to 341 of NheB, whereas reactivity of antibody 2B11 was dependent on the presence of amino acids 122 to 150 and on conformation. Both antibodies were able to bind simultaneously to NheB and did not interfere with target cell binding as shown by immunofluorescence microscopy. A set of neutralization assays revealed that antibody 2B11 most likely interfered with the interaction between NheB and NheC both on the epithelium cell surface and in solution. In contrast, antibody 1E11 inhibited association between NheA and cell-bound NheB in a competitive manner, and effectively neutralized Nhe cytotoxicity on a variety of human cell lines. This distinct mechanism further supports that NheA is the key component during the Nhe mode of action and the C-terminal epitope recognized by antibody 1E11 points to an important functional region of NheB.
Toxoplasma gondii Triggers Release of Human and Mouse Neutrophil Extracellular Traps
Authors: Abi Abdallah Delbert S. , Lin Changyou , Ball Carissa J. , King Michael R. , Duhamel Gerald E. , Denkers Eric Y.
Published: November 2011

Neutrophils have recently been shown to release DNA-based extracellular traps that contribute to microbicidal killing and have also been implicated in autoimmunity. The role of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in the host response to nonbacterial pathogens has received much less attention. Here, we show that the protozoan pathogenToxoplasma gondiielicits the production of NETs from human and mouse neutrophils. Tachyzoites of each of the three major parasite strain types were efficiently entrapped within NETs, resulting in decreased parasite viability. We also show thatToxoplasmaactivates a MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in neutrophils and that the inhibition of this pathway leads to decreased NET formation. To determine ifToxoplasmainduced NET formationin vivo, we employed a mouse intranasal infection model. We found that the administration of tachyzoites by this route induced a rapid tissue recruitment of neutrophils with evidence of extracellular DNA release. Taken together, these data indicate a role for NETs in the host innate response to protozoan infection. We propose that NET formation limits infection by direct microbicidal effects onToxoplasmaas well as by interfering with the ability of the parasite to invade target host cells.