bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Teaching and Learning through Multi‐Institutional Integrated Group Projects
Authors: Long Suzanna K. , Carlo Héctor J.
Published: July 2013

This teaching brief describes an innovative multi‐institutional initiative through which integrated student groups from different courses collaborate on a common course project. In this integrated group project, students are asked to design a decentralized manufacturing organization for a company that will manufacture industrial Proton‐Exchange Membrane fuel cells. The groups include students from supply chain management, production planning and scheduling, and facility layout and design courses. Empirical results from the implementation suggest that students responded positively to the integrated experience. Lastly, the article presents implementation strategies for multi‐institutional group projects based on the experiences gained through the collaborative experience.
Pharmacokinetics of recombinant factor XIII in young children with congenital FXIII deficiency and comparison with older patients
Authors: Williams M. , Will A. , Stenmo C. , Rosholm A. , Tehranchi R.
Published: July 2013

Congenital factor XIII (FXIII) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder, which in its severe form is associated with a significant bleeding phenotype, requiring regular prophylactic therapy. A recently developed recombinant FXIII (rFXIII) has demonstrated safety and efficacy in children aged ≥6 years and adults (mentor™1 trial). This article describes the mentor™4 trial, which has assessed the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of rFXIII in younger children (1 to <6 years) with congenital FXIII deficiency, and compares extrapolated PK parameters with the mentor™1 trial. Six children with congenital FXIII A‐subunit deficiency received a single, 35 IU kg−1 rFXIII dose. PK properties were similar in all the children, with a mean area under the concentration vs. 30‐day time curve of 248.6 IU h−1 mL−1, maximal FXIII activity (30 min) of 0.67 IU mL−1, and mean 30‐day trough of 0.21 IU mL−1. All patients maintained FXIII activity above the lower target level (0.1 IU mL−1). rFXIII half‐life was 15.1 days (range, 10–25). No safety findings of clinical concern were observed. PK properties of rFXIII were similar in patients from both trials. The study demonstrated that a single dose of 35 IU kg−1 rFXIII maintained plasma FXIII levels above 0.1 IU mL−1 over a 30‐day period in young children with congenital FXIII deficiency, and is, therefore, likely to provide adequate prophylaxis in this age group. The study extends the previous findings of the mentor™1 trial and confirms that no dose adjustment is required for different age groups with congenital FXIII deficiency.
Serum cytokeratin‐18 in the diagnosis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhu Yueyong , Zheng Qi , Jiang Jiaji
Published: July 2013

Aim

Identifying patients with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more aggressive form with a worse prognosis than for simple steatosis, is highly important. Liver biopsy still remains the gold standard for diagnosing NASH, but with limitations. The diagnostic value of serum cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) in predicting NASH is still indefinite.

Methods

We selected relevant studies by a literature search of the PubMed, Ovid Medline and Cochrane Library databases up to January 2012. A DerSimonian‐Laird random effects model was used to compute the pooled estimates of sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was constructed. Stratified analysis was performed to explore the heterogeneity in test accuracy. Funnel plot and Egger's regression were performed to assess publication bias.

Results

A total of 10 studies with 838 patients were included (nine CK‐18 fragments and five total CK‐18 studies) in this meta‐analysis. Among nine CK‐18 fragment studies with a significant publication bias, the pooled results on SEN, SPE and DOR were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.80–0.86), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.66–0.76) and 11.90 (95% CI, 6.05–23.40), respectively, and age and body mass index were most strongly associated with the observed heterogeneity. Among five total CK‐18 studies with homogeneity, the pooled results of SEN, SPE and DOR were 0.77% (95% CI, 0.70–0.83), 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65–0.77) and 7.99 (95% CI, 4.09–15.62), respectively. The area under the ROC curve (± SE) of CK‐18 fragments and total CK‐18 were 0.8445 (± 0.0306) and 0.8170 (± 0.0429), respectively.

Conclusion

Both CK‐18 fragments and total CK‐18 have a clinically meaningful benefit in noninvasive diagnosing of NASH, though total CK‐18 has a relatively low diagnostic accuracy. CK‐18 fragments may be a useful biomarker for screening rather than identifying NASH.
Living donor liver transplantation for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: A single center experience
Authors: Tanaka Tomohiro , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Tamura Sumihito , Kaneko Junichi , Takazawa Yutaka , Aoki Taku , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Yamashiki Noriyo , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: July 2013

Aim

The number of patients referred for liver transplantation (LT) with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) continues to increase, but information about living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for NASH is scarce. We conducted this study to document the details of LDLT for NASH in a Japanese LT center.

Methods

Among all LDLT recipients in our institution from March 1996 to March 2013 (n = 425), we identified seven patients that underwent LDLT for NASH.

Results

Of all the seven recipients, most of the patients (86%) were obese. The median follow‐up period post‐LDLT was 5.3 years. All were alive at the last follow‐up. Recurrent NASH was detected in one patient (14%), and no recurrent hepatic steatosis was detected among the remaining six recipients on prospectively performed ultrasonography. No significant comorbidities were observed following donor surgery among the respective living donors during the follow‐up period. We also retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with NASH‐related end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) who were evaluated but rejected for LDLT during the same period. The reasons for rejection for LDLT were presumably associated with the nature of NAFLD/NASH in either potential recipients or donors.

Conclusion

The post‐transplant outcome of LDLT for NASH‐related ESLD in our institution was feasible, although the sample size was small. Further studies in a larger patient cohort are warranted to investigate the long‐term outcome of LDLT for NASH, both for recipients and living donors.
Factors influencing exercises in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: He W. , Zhang Y. , Zhao F.
Published: July 2013

Aims

The purpose of this article is to explore factors influencing adherence to exercise in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The findings can be used to explain exercise behaviours and develop interventions to improve the level of adherence to exercise.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used in this study. Data were collected at Nantong City, China. A purposive sampling scheme was used to recruit people with T2D for in‐depth semi‐structured interviews. Potential patients chosen from the case records in one teaching hospital were screened by telephone for eligibility. Inclusion criteria for recruiting participants were: diagnosis with T2D for at least 6 months; a treatment plan that recommends exercises; and ≥20 years of age. Exclusion criteria included: type 1 diabetes; severe complications of T2D; and cognitive impairment. Each interview was audio‐recorded. Recruitment efforts were suspended when the data reached saturation. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes influencing factors from collected data.

Results

Seventeen participants were recruited for interviews when data reached saturation. Six themes were identified after thematic analysis: ‘beliefs about disease’, ‘health communication’, ‘feasibility of regimen’, ‘conducting skills’, ‘environmental support’ and ‘perceived benefits’.

Conclusion

The influencing factors should be comprehensively considered when explaining behaviour relating to exercises or designing health‐promotional and health‐educational interventions to improve the level of adherence to exercise. This study suggests that health professionals need to pay attention to the patient preferences during health communication to design a feasible exercise regimen in a collaborative way. Non‐adherence to exercise cannot be attributed to patients only. Patients should be supported, not blamed.

Limitation

The recruitment of participants from one city might limit the generalizations of the findings to larger areas of China and other ethnic groups. Gender differences related to factors influencing exercises need further consideration.
Involvement of nitric oxide in the wound bed microcirculatory change during negative pressure wound therapy
Authors: Sano Hitomi , Ichioka Shigeru
Published: July 2013

This study investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanism of blood flow increase in the wound bed during negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). We developed an improved experimental model that allowed visualisation of the wound bed microcirculation under NPWT. Wounds were created on the mouse ear, taking care to preserve the subdermal vascular plexus, because the wound bed microcirculation was visualised using an intravital microscope system. We investigated whether application of a NO synthase inhibitor (NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester: L‐NAME) might diminish the effect of the NPWT in increasing the wound blood flow. The experimental animals were divided into a negative pressure group (negative pressure of −125 mmHg applied to the wound for 5 minutes; n = 8), and a negative pressure plus L‐NAME group (administration of L‐NAME prior to application of the negative pressure; n = 8). In the negative pressure group, significant increase of blood flow was observed at 1 minute after the negative pressure application, which was sustained until 5 minutes. On the contrary, in the negative pressure plus L‐NAME group, no significant changes were observed throughout the period of observation. These findings suggest that NO synthesis is involved in the wound bed microcirculatory change induced by NPWT.
The cost of wound debridement: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Woo Kevin Y , Keast David , Parsons Nancy , Sibbald R Gary , Mittmann Nicole
Published: July 2013

Debridement is integral to wound bed preparation by removing devitalised tissue, foreign material, senescent cells, phenotypically abnormal/dysfunctional cells (cellular burden) and bacteria sequestrum (biofilm). While the body of evidence to substantiate the benefits of debridement is growing, little is known about the cost‐effectiveness of each debridement method. The purpose of this analysis was to compare cost‐effectiveness of various debridement methods and clinical outcomes to help inform clinicians and policy makers of the cost‐effectiveness associated with the various types of therapies and the impact they can have on the Canadian health care system. Results indicated that sharp debridement was the most cost‐effective followed by enzymatic debridement method.
Habitat variation and wing coloration affect wing shape evolution in dragonflies
Authors: Outomuro D. , Dijkstra K.‐D. B. , Johansson F.
Published: July 2013

Habitats are spatially and temporally variable, and organisms must be able to track these changes. One potential mechanism for this is dispersal by flight. Therefore, we would expect flying animals to show adaptations in wing shape related to habitat variation. In this work, we explored variation in wing shape in relation to preferred water body (flowing water or standing water with tolerance for temporary conditions) and landscape (forested to open) using 32 species of dragonflies of the genus Trithemis (80% of the known species). We included a potential source of variation linked to sexual selection: the extent of wing coloration on hindwings. We used geometric morphometric methods for studying wing shape. We also explored the phenotypic correlation of wing shape between the sexes. We found that wing shape showed a phylogenetic structure and therefore also ran phylogenetic independent contrasts. After correcting for the phylogenetic effects, we found (i) no significant effect of water body on wing shape; (ii) male forewings and female hindwings differed with regard to landscape, being progressively broader from forested to open habitats; (iii) hindwings showed a wider base in wings with more coloration, especially in males; and (iv) evidence for phenotypic correlation of wing shape between the sexes across species. Hence, our results suggest that natural and sexual selection are acting partially independently on fore‐ and hindwings and with differences between the sexes, despite evidence for phenotypic correlation of wing shape between males and females.
Metamorphic history of glaucophane‐paragonite‐zoisite eclogites from the Shanderman area, northern Iran
Authors: Omrani H. , Moazzen M. , Oberhänsli R. , Tsujimori T. , Bousquet R. , Moayyed M.
Published: July 2013

The Shanderman eclogites and related metamorphosed oceanic rocks mark the site of closure of the Palaeotethys ocean in northern Iran. The protolith of the eclogites was an oceanic tholeiitic basalt with MORB composition. Eclogite occurs within a serpentinite matrix, accompanied by mafic rocks resembling a dismembered ophiolite. The eclogitic mafic rocks record different stages of metamorphism during subduction and exhumation. Minerals formed during the prograde stages are preserved as inclusions in peak metamorphic garnet and omphacite. The rocks experienced blueschist facies metamorphism on their prograde path and were metamorphosed in eclogite facies at the peak of metamorphism. The peak metamorphic mineral paragenesis of the rocks is omphacite, garnet (pyrope‐rich), glaucophane, paragonite, zoisite and rutile. Based on textural relations, post‐peak stages can be divided into amphibolite and greenschist facies. Pressure and temperature estimates for eclogite facies minerals (peak of metamorphism) indicate 15–20 kbar at ~600 °C. The pre‐peak blueschist facies assemblage yields <11 kbar and 400–460 °C. The average pressure and temperature of the post‐peak amphibolite stage was 5–6 kbar, ~470 °C. The Shanderman eclogites were formed by subduction of Palaeotethys oceanic crust to a depth of no more than 75 km. Subduction was followed by collision between the Central Iran and Turan blocks, and then exhumation of the high pressure rocks in northern Iran.
Doula Care Supports Near‐Universal Breastfeeding Initiation among Diverse, Low‐Income Women
Authors: Kozhimannil Katy B. , Attanasio Laura B. , Hardeman Rachel R. , O'Brien Michelle
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Breastfeeding initiation rates in the United States have risen in recent years. However, there are notable disparities by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Previous research has suggested that care from a doula (a trained professional who provides nonmedical support during the perinatal period) may increase breastfeeding initiation. The goal of this analysis was to study whether doula support may be associated with breastfeeding initiation among low‐income, diverse women.

Methods

We compared breastfeeding initiation rates (means and 95% confidence intervals) for 1069 women who received doula care from Everyday Miracles, a Minnesota‐based organization that employs a diverse group of certified doulas, to a state‐based sample of women with Medicaid coverage who gave birth in 2009 or 2010 and participated in the Minnesota Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System survey (weighted n = 51,721).

Results

Women who had doula‐supported births had near‐universal breastfeeding initiation (97.9%), compared with 80.8% of the general Medicaid population. Among African American women, 92.7% of those with doula support initiated breastfeeding, compared with 70.3% of the general Medicaid population.

Discussion

These results suggest that access to culturally appropriate doula care may facilitate higher rates of breastfeeding initiation. When supported in their nonmedical needs by birth doulas, the diverse, low‐income patients of midwives and other maternity care providers may have a greater likelihood of initiating breastfeeding and experiencing the maternal and infant health benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Induction of immune tolerance to caseins and whey proteins by oral intubation in mouse allergy model
Authors: Shandilya U. K. , Kapila R. , Singh S. , Dahiya D. , Kapila S. , Kansal V. K.
Published: July 2013

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of oral tolerance of caseins (CSN) and whey proteins (WP) in alleviating the allergic response to cow's milk proteins in Swiss albino mice raised on a milk protein–free diet. Oral tolerance was induced by feeding mice with 20 mg of CSN or WP once in a day for 4 days consecutively before immunization with respective protein by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections (20 μg 200 per μl of PBS) using 2% of alum Al(OH)3 as adjuvant. Three weeks later, oral tolerance induction was analysed in humoral and cellular compartments of CSN‐ and WP‐fed versus saline‐fed control mice groups by measuring seric and intestinal antibody responses, mRNA abundance in splenic tissue and cytokine secretion patterns. The specific serum immunoglobulin‐E (IgE) levels were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05), while sIgA was enhanced in these groups when compared with their respective saline‐fed mice. Moreover, the mRNA levels of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) in both CSN‐ and WP‐tolerized mice were found to be significantly decreased, while the abundance of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) was increased significantly, as compared to respective control groups. Finally, cytokine profiles indicated a reciprocal decrease in IL‐4 and IFN‐γ versus an increase in IL‐10 secretions in supernatants of cultured splenocytes of tolerized mice. Taken together, these results clearly showed that oral administration of cows' milk caseins and whey proteins can induce significant hyposensitization in mice, with the participation of suppressor cytokines.
Generalised peripheral oedema associated with amlodipine therapy in two dogs
Authors: Creevy K. E. , Scuderi M. A. , Ellis A. E.
Published: July 2013

This report details two cases of adverse drug reactions to amlodipine. The first case presented with diffuse peripheral oedema and a history of amlodipine therapy. Haematology, clinical chemistry, endocrine testing, thoracic, abdominal and cardiac imaging revealed no cause for oedema. Amlodipine therapy was discontinued and oedema diminished markedly within 72 hours. The second case presented for bilateral retinal detachments secondary to systemic hypertension. Haematology, clinical chemistry, thoracic and abdominal imaging were unremarkable and amlodipine therapy was begun. Within 72 hours, diffuse peripheral oedema developed that was unresponsive to therapy and the dog was euthanised. Veterinarians should be aware of the potential serious adverse events associated with commonly used drugs; severe, diffuse oedema is a possible adverse drug event in dogs treated with amlodipine.
Excessive sleep need following traumatic brain injury: a case–control study of 36 patients
Authors: Sommerauer Michael , Valko Philipp O. , Werth Esther , Baumann Christian R.
Published: July 2013

Increased sleep need following traumatic brain injury, referred to in this study as post‐traumatic pleiosomnia, is common, but so far its clinical impact and therapeutic implications have not been characterized. We present a case–control study of 36 patients with post‐traumatic pleiosomnia, defined by an increased sleep need of at least 2 h per 24 h after traumatic brain injury, compared to 36 controls. We assessed detailed history, sleep‐activity patterns with sleep logs and actigraphy, nocturnal sleep with polysomnography and daytime sleep propensity with multiple sleep latency tests. Actigraphy recordings revealed that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients had longer estimated sleep durations than controls (10.8 h per 24 h, compared to 7.3 h). When using sleep logs, TBI patients underestimated their sleep need. During nocturnal sleep, patients had higher amounts of slow‐wave sleep than controls (20 versus 13.8%). Multiple sleep latency tests revealed excessive daytime sleepiness in 15 patients (42%), and 10 of them had signs of chronic sleep deprivation. We conclude that post‐traumatic pleiosomnia may be even more frequent than reported previously, because affected patients often underestimate their actual sleep need. Furthermore, these patients exhibit an increase in slow‐wave sleep which may reflect recovery mechanisms, intrinsic consequences of diffuse brain damage or relative sleep deprivation.
First neonatal case of fungaemia due to Pseudozyma aphidis and a global literature review
Authors: Prakash Anupam , Wankhede Sandeep , Singh Pradeep K. , Agarwal Kshitij , Kathuria Shallu , Sengupta Sharmila , Barman Purabi , Meis Jacques F. , Chowdhary Anuradha
Published: July 2013

The Ustilaginomycetous basidiomycete yeast, Pseudozyma aphidis has recently been implicated in potentially fatal disorders ranging from subcutaneous mycoses to disseminated infections. Till date a solitary case of P. aphidis fungaemia in a paediatric patient has been reported. We present a case of fungaemia due to P. aphidis in a rhesus factor‐isoimmunised, low‐birth‐weight neonate. The isolate was identified by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the LSU region. Antifungal susceptibility of the isolate revealed susceptibility to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole, isavuconazole and posaconazole. It had high minimum inhibitory concentrations of fluconazole and was resistant to flucytosine and echinocandins. Consequently, the patient was successfully treated with intravenous amphotericin B. Although the source of infection could not be traced, as the neonate developed fungaemia on the first day of life, it could possibly be from the maternal urogenital tract or intrahospital transmission. A review of previously published cases revealed that risk factors for invasive Pseudozyma spp. infections were similar to those previously reported for non‐albicans Candida spp. Pseudozyma species are underreported due to the difficulty of identifying this rare yeast pathogen by commercial identification systems. Considering that Pseudozyma spp. cause invasive fungal infections globally and are resistant to flucytosine, fluconazole and echinocandins, this pathogen assumes a greater clinical significance.
Diagnostic Value of Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Skin Biopsies in Purpura Fulminans
Authors: Beau Caroline , Vlassova Natalia , Sarlangue Jean , Brissaud Olivier , Léauté‐Labrèze Christine , Boralevi Franck
Published: July 2013

Even though prompt diagnosis and treatment of purpura fulminans (PF) is essential to reduce mortality, early administration of antibiotics may preclude identification of the causative agent by standard bacterial cultures and thus render definitive diagnosis impossible. Here we present a case of an infant with PF and negative bacterial cultures for whom polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a cutaneous biopsy specimen obtained 4 days after initiation of antibiotics identified the genomic sequence of Neisseria meningitidis genogroup C. When bacterial cultures fail to provide useful information, PCR of skin biopsy specimens can be a valuable diagnostic tool in PF.
Pitfalls and Pearls in the Diagnosis of Monilethrix
Authors: Leitner Christina , Cheung Seautak , de Berker David
Published: July 2013

A 4‐year‐old girl presented with sparse, brittle hair on her entire scalp and keratosis pilaris on the nape of her neck. Subtle microscopic and macroscopic diagnostic features presented a challenge for physicians. Only repeated, optimized light microscopy revealed the diagnosis of monilethrix, a rare genetic hair shaft disorder with a variable phenotypic expression and inheritance pattern. We provide a short overview of methods that maximize the diagnostic yield in a clinical setting and of light microscopy to reach a rapid and accurate diagnosis in difficult cases. We conclude with essential learning points, including a link to assistance with hair microscopy from a tertiary center.
Lower socioeconomic status is associated with worse outcomes after both listing and transplanting children with heart failure
Authors: Davies Ryan R. , Russo Mark J. , Reinhartz Olaf , Maeda Katsuhide , Rosenthal David N. , Chin Clifford , Bernstein Daniel , Mallidi Hari R.
Published: July 2013

The relationship between SES and outcomes surrounding pediatric cardiac transplantation is complex and influenced by recipient race. Broad‐based studies of SES have not been performed. A retrospective review of all 5125 primary pediatric heart transplants performed in the United States between 2000 and 2011. Patients were stratified by SES based on zip code of residence and U.S. census data (low SES: 1637; mid‐SES: 2253; high SES: 1235). Survival following listing and transplantation was compared across strata. Risk‐adjusted long‐term mortality on the waitlist was higher among low SES patients (hazard 1.32, CI 1.07–1.63). The relationship between SES and outcomes varied by race. Early risk‐adjusted post‐transplant outcomes were worst among high SES patients (10.8% vs. low SES: 8.9%, p < 0.05). The incidence of non‐compliance was higher among low SES patients (p < 0.0001). Long‐term risk‐adjusted patient survival was poorer among low (hazard 1.41, CI 1.10–1.80) and mid‐SES (1.29, 1.04–1.59) groups. Low SES is associated with worse outcomes on both the waitlist and late following transplantation. Higher SES patients had more complex transplants with higher early mortality. Further research should be directed at identifying and addressing underlying causal factors for these disparities.
Type I Photosensitization of 2′‐deoxyadenosine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐dAMP) by Biopterin and its Photoproduct Formylpterin
Authors: Serrano Mariana P. , Borsarelli Claudio D. , Thomas Andrés H.
Published: July 2013

Biopterin (Bip) and its photoproducts 6‐formylpterin (Fop) and 6‐carboxypterin (Cap) accumulate in the skin of patients suffering from vitiligo, a chronic depigmentation disorder where the protection against UV radiation fails because of the lack of melanin. These compounds absorb in the UV‐A inducing a potential photosensitizing action that can cause damage to DNA and other biomolecules. In this work, we have investigated the capability of these pterin derivatives (Pt) to act as photosensitizers under UV‐A irradiation for the degradation of 2′‐deoxyadenosine 5′‐monophosphate (5′‐dAMP) in aqueous solutions, as model DNA target. Steady‐state and time‐resolved experiments were performed and the effect of pH was evaluated. The results showed that photosensitized degradation of 5′‐dAMP was only observed under acidic conditions, and a mechanistic analysis revealed the participation of the triplet excited state of the pterin derivatives (3Pt*) by electron transfer yielding the corresponding pair of radical ions (Pt•− and 5′‐dAMP•+), with successive photosensitizer recovery by electron transfer from Pt•− to O2. Finally, 5′‐dAMP•+ participates in subsequent reactions to yield degradation products.
Motivation enhances visual working memory capacity through the modulation of central cognitive processes
Authors: Sanada Motoyuki , Ikeda Koki , Kimura Kenta , Hasegawa Toshikazu
Published: July 2013

Motivation is well known to enhance working memory (WM) capacity, but the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. The WM process can be divided into encoding, maintenance, and retrieval, and in a change detection visual WM paradigm, the encoding and retrieval processes can be subdivided into perceptual and central processing. To clarify which of these segments are most influenced by motivation, we measured ERPs in a change detection task with differential monetary rewards. The results showed that the enhancement of WM capacity under high motivation was accompanied by modulations of late central components but not those reflecting attentional control on perceptual inputs across all stages of WM. We conclude that the “state‐dependent” shift of motivation impacted the central, rather than the perceptual functions in order to achieve better behavioral performances.
Feline Endometrial Adenocarcinoma in Females <1 Year Old: A Description of Four Cases
Authors: Payan‐Carreira R , Saraiva AL , Santos T , Vilhena H , Sousa A , Santos C , Pires MA
Published: July 2013

Contents

Uterine neoplasms of epithelial origin are rare in cats and most often are described in older females. Yet, in less than 2 years, four ovariohysterectomy specimens were submitted from different practices to the Laboratory of Histology and Anatomical Pathology, at UTAD (Vila Real, Portugal), that emitted a diagnosis of feline endometrial adenocarcinoma. Untypically, all the females were aged <1 year old at the surgery. Access to the clinical files was requested to document the clinical features of the four cases, including any complementary data available, to construct the present case reports. The clinical situation developed with discrete signs, but vulvar discharge was present in three cases, ranging from bloody to brownish or colourless, and from purulent to mucous. The females were in dioestrus, although the oestrus remained unperceived in most cases. In this study, the four clinical situations are described and discussed on the basis of available literature, highlighting the aspects that may impair an early diagnosis and that may favour the progression of the disease and also that age should not be an excluding criteria when analysing the differential diagnosis list.
Segments from red blood cell units should not be used for quality testing
Authors: Kurach Jayme D.R. , Hansen Adele L. , Turner Tracey R. , Jenkins Craig , Acker Jason P.
Published: July 2013

Background

Nondestructive testing of blood components could permit in‐process quality control and reduce discards. Tubing segments, generated during red blood cell (RBC) component production, were tested to determine their suitability as a sample source for quality testing.

Study Design and Methods

Leukoreduced RBC components were produced from whole blood (WB) by two different methods: WB filtration and buffy coat (BC). Components and their corresponding segments were tested on Days 5 and 42 of hypothermic storage (HS) for spun hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb) content, percentage hemolysis, hematologic indices, and adenosine triphosphate concentration to determine whether segment quality represents unit quality.

Results

Segment samples overestimated hemolysis on Days 5 and 42 of HS in both BC‐ and WB filtration–produced RBCs (p < 0.001 for all). Hct and Hb levels in the segments were also significantly different from the units at both time points for both production methods (p < 0.001 for all). Indeed, for all variables tested different results were obtained from segment and unit samples, and these differences were not consistent across production methods.

Conclusion

The quality of samples from tubing segments is not representative of the quality of the corresponding RBC unit. Segments are not suitable surrogates with which to assess RBC quality.
An adaptive filter model of cerebellar zone C3 as a basis for safe limb control?
Authors: Dean Paul , Anderson Sean , Porrill John , Jörntell Henrik
Published: July 2013

Abstract  The review asks how the adaptive filter model of the cerebellum might be relevant to experimental work on zone C3, one of the most extensively studied regions of cerebellar cortex. As far as features of the cerebellar microcircuit are concerned, the model appears to fit very well with electrophysiological discoveries concerning the importance of molecular layer interneurons and their plasticity, the significance of long‐term potentiation and the striking number of silent parallel fibre synapses. Regarding external connectivity and functionality, a key feature of the adaptive filter model is its use of the decorrelation algorithm, which renders it uniquely suited to problems of sensory noise cancellation. However, this capacity can be extended to the avoidance of sensory interference, by appropriate movements of, for example, the eyes in the vestibulo‐ocular reflex. Avoidance becomes particularly important when painful signals are involved, and as the climbing fibre input to zone C3 is extremely responsive to nociceptive stimuli, it is proposed that one function of this zone is the avoidance of pain by, for example, adjusting movements of the body to avoid self‐harm. This hypothesis appears consistent with evidence from humans and animals concerning the role of the intermediate cerebellum in classically conditioned withdrawal reflexes, but further experiments focusing on conditioned avoidance are required to test the hypothesis more stringently. The proposed architecture may also be useful for automatic self‐adjusting damage avoidance in robots, an important consideration for next generation ‘soft’ robots designed to interact with people.
Quantification of Thermal Resistance of Transient-Liquid-Phase Bonded Cu/Al/Cu Interfaces for Assembly of Cu-Based Microchannel Heat Exchangers
Authors: Lu Bin , Chen Ke , Meng W. J. , Karki Amar , Jin Rongying
Published: July 2013

Transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding of Cu structures with a thin elemental Al intermediate bonding layer is being used to assemble Cu-based, enclosed, microchannel heat exchangers (MHEs). The heterogeneous Cu/Al/Cu TLP bonding interface region, formed during the TLP bonding process, impacts heat transfer of the assembled MHE device. To evaluate the thermal resistance of TLP bonded Cu/Al/Cu interface regions, transient flash measurements were performed across bonding interface regions formed under various conditions, in combination with detailed structural examination and measurements of bulk mass density and specific heat. The flash method is shown to yield quantitative measurements of interfacial thermal resistance values. Our results provide guidance to developing bonding protocols for Cu-based MHEs with optimized heat transfer performance.
Tin oxide atomic layer deposition from tetrakis(dimethylamino)tin and water
Authors: Mullings Marja N. , Hägglund Carl , Bent Stacey F.
Published: July 2013

Due to the abundance and usefulness of tin oxide for applications such as transparent conductors, sensors, and catalysts, it is desirable to establish high quality atomic layer deposition (ALD) of this material. ALD allows for uniform, conformal coating of complex topographies with ultrathin films and can broaden the applicability of tin oxide to systems such as nanostructured solar cells. The present work examines the ALD of tin oxide by means of the precursor tetrakis(dimethylamino)tin and water as a counter-reactant. Low temperature growth in the range of 30–200 °C on Si(100) and glass substrates is studied. It is found that the growth rate increases with reduced temperature, up to ∼2.0 Å/cycle at 30 °C, as compared to 0.70 Å/cycle at 150 °C. The ALD process is established to be saturated even at the lowest temperature studied, for which the film contamination levels are below the detection limits of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As-deposited films are smooth (rms roughness of 33 Å for a 460 Å thick film deposited on Si at 150 °C) and amorphous according to x-ray diffractometry. However, post-annealing to 600 °C in nitrogen leads to the formation of polycrystalline rutile SnO2. The optical constants obtained from variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry suggest that as-deposited films have amorphous type bandgaps, which decrease with increasing temperature and film thickness. High quality, amorphous SnO2 films with moderately tunable optical properties are thus obtained by ALD at temperatures as low as 30 °C using a commercially available tin precursor and water.
Neuroligins Provide Molecular Links Between Syndromic and Nonsyndromic Autism
Authors: Singh Sandeep K. , Eroglu Cagla
Published: July 2013

Targeting synaptic connectivity and plasticity even after development may be possible for treating autism.
Focus Issue: Uncovering the Mechanisms of Neurological Disease
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Gough Nancy R.
Published: July 2013

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that cause neurological disease and brain cancer offers the potential of improved therapies.
Evaluation of Nifurtimox Treatment of Chronic Chagas Disease by Means of Several Parasitological Methods
Authors: Muñoz Catalina , Zulantay Inés , Apt Werner , Ortiz Sylvia , Schijman Alejandro G. , Bisio Margarita , Ferrada Valentina , Herrera Cinthya , Martínez Gabriela , Solari Aldo
Published: July 2013

Currently, evaluation of drug efficacy for Chagas disease remains a controversial issue with no consensus. In this work, we evaluated the parasitological efficacy of Nifurtimox treatment in 21 women with chronic Chagas disease from an area of endemicity in Chile who were treated according to current protocols. Under pre- and posttherapy conditions, blood (B) samples and xenodiagnosis (XD) samples from these patients were subjected to analysis by real-time PCR targeting the nuclear satellite DNA of
Trypanosoma cruzi
(Sat DNA PCR-B, Sat DNA PCR-XD) and by PCR targeting the minicircle of kinetoplast DNA of
T. cruzi
(kDNA PCR-B, kDNA PCR-XD) and by
T. cruzi
genotyping using hybridization minicircle tests in blood and fecal samples of
Triatoma infestans
feed by XD. In pretherapy, kDNA PCR-B and kDNA PCR-XD detected
T. cruzi
in 12 (57%) and 18 (86%) cases, respectively, whereas Sat DNA quantitative PCR-B (qPCR-B) and Sat DNA qPCR-XD were positive in 18 cases (86%) each. Regarding
T. cruzi
genotype analysis, it was possible to observe in pretherapy the combination of TcI, TcII, and TcV lineages, including mixtures of
T. cruzi
strains in most of the cases. At 13 months posttherapy,
T. cruzi
DNA was detectable in 6 cases (29.6%) and 4 cases (19.1%) by means of Sat DNA PCR-XD and kDNA PCR-XD, respectively, indicating treatment failure with recovery of live parasites refractory to chemotherapy. In 3 cases, it was possible to identify persistence of the baseline genotypes. The remaining 15 baseline PCR-positive cases gave negative results by all molecular and parasitological methods at 13 months posttreatment, suggesting parasite response. Within this follow-up period, kDNA PCR-XD and Sat DNA qPCR-XD proved to be more sensitive tools for the parasitological evaluation of the efficacy of Nifurtimox treatment than the corresponding PCR methods performed directly from blood samples.
Restoration of the Activated Rig-I Pathway in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replicon Cells by HCV Protease, Polymerase, and NS5A Inhibitors
In Vitro
at Clinically Relevant Concentrations
Authors: Kalkeri Gururaj , Lin Chao , Gopilan Jenna , Sloan Kevin , Rijnbrand Rene , Kwong Ann D.
Published: July 2013

Development of persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be mediated by HCV NS3 · 4A protease-dependent inhibition of host innate immunity. When double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is detected in virus-infected cells, host innate immunity mounts an antiviral response by upregulating production of type I interferons (α/β interferon [IFN-α/β]); HCV counters by cleaving the IFN-β stimulator 1 (IPS-1) adaptor protein, decreasing synthesis of IFN-α/β. We evaluated HCV protease (telaprevir, boceprevir, and TMC435350), polymerase (HCV-796 and VX-222), and NS5A (BMS-790052) inhibitors for the ability to restore IPS-1-mediated Rig-I signaling by measuring Sendai virus-induced IFN-β promoter activation in HCV replicon cells after various exposure durations. All direct-acting HCV antivirals tested restored mitochondrial localization of IPS-1 and rescued Sendai virus-induced IRF3 signaling after 7 days by inhibiting HCV replication, thereby reducing the abundance of HCV NS3 · 4A protease. With 4-day treatment, HCV protease inhibitors, but not polymerase inhibitors, restored mitochondrial localization of IPS-1 and rescued IFN-β promoter activation in the presence of equivalent levels of NS3 protein in protease or polymerase inhibitor-treated cells. The concentrations of HCV protease and polymerase inhibitors needed to rescue IRF3-mediated signaling
in vitro
were in the range of those observed
in vivo
in the plasma of treated HCV patients. These findings suggest that (i) HCV protease, polymerase, and NS5A inhibitors can restore virus-induced IRF3 signaling by inhibiting viral replication, thereby reducing NS3 protease levels, and (ii) HCV protease inhibitors can restore innate immunity by directly inhibiting NS3 protease-mediated cleavage of IPS-1 at clinically achievable concentrations.
ipso
-Hydroxylation and Subsequent Fragmentation: a Novel Microbial Strategy To Eliminate Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Authors: Ricken Benjamin , Corvini Philippe F. X. , Cichocka Danuta , Parisi Martina , Lenz Markus , Wyss Dominik , Martínez-Lavanchy Paula M. , Müller Jochen A. , Shahgaldian Patrick , Tulli Ludovico G. , Kohler Hans-Peter E. , Kolvenbach Boris A.
Published: July 2013

Sulfonamide antibiotics have a wide application range in human and veterinary medicine. Because they tend to persist in the environment, they pose potential problems with regard to the propagation of antibiotic resistance. Here, we identified metabolites formed during the degradation of sulfamethoxazole and other sulfonamides in
Microbacterium
sp. strain BR1. Our experiments showed that the degradation proceeded along an unusual pathway initiated by
ipso
-hydroxylation with subsequent fragmentation of the parent compound. The NADH-dependent hydroxylation of the carbon atom attached to the sulfonyl group resulted in the release of sulfite, 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole, and benzoquinone-imine. The latter was concomitantly transformed to 4-aminophenol. Sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethazine, sulfadimethoxine, 4-amino-
N
-phenylbenzenesulfonamide, and
N
-(4-aminophenyl)sulfonylcarbamic acid methyl ester (asulam) were transformed accordingly. Therefore,
ipso
-hydroxylation with subsequent fragmentation must be considered the underlying mechanism; this could also occur in the same or in a similar way in other studies, where biotransformation of sulfonamides bearing an amino group in the
para
-position to the sulfonyl substituent was observed to yield products corresponding to the stable metabolites observed by us.
A Spodoptera exigua Cadherin Serves as a Putative Receptor for Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca Toxin and Shows Differential Enhancement of Cry1Ca and Cry1Ac Toxicity
Authors: Ren Xiang-Liang , Chen Rui-Rui , Zhang Ying , Ma Yan , Cui Jin-Jie , Han Zhao-Jun , Mu Li-Li , Li Guo-Qing
Published: July 2013

Crystal toxin Cry1Ca fromBacillus thuringiensishas an insecticidal spectrum encompassing lepidopteran insects that are tolerant to current commercially usedB. thuringiensiscrops (Bt crops) expressing Cry1A toxins and may be useful as a potential bioinsecticide. The mode of action of Cry1A is fairly well understood. However, whether Cry1Ca interacts with the same receptor proteins as Cry1A remains unproven. In the present paper, we first cloned a cadherin-like gene,SeCad1b, fromSpodoptera exigua(relatively susceptible to Cry1Ca).SeCad1bwas highly expressed in the larval gut but scarcely detected in fat body, Malpighian tubules, and remaining carcass. Second, we bacterially expressed truncated cadherin rSeCad1bp and its interspecific homologue rHaBtRp fromHelicoverpa armigera(more sensitive to Cry1Ac) containing the putative toxin-binding regions. Competitive binding assays showed that both Cry1Ca and Cry1Ac could bind to rSeCad1bp and rHaBtRp, and they did not compete with each other. Third, Cry1Ca ingestion killed larvae and decreased the weight of surviving larvae. Dietary introduction ofSeCad1bdouble-stranded RNA (dsRNA) reduced approximately 80% of the target mRNA and partially alleviated the negative effect of Cry1Ca on larval survival and growth. Lastly, rSeCad1bp and rHaBtRp differentially enhanced the negative effects of Cry1Ca and Cry1Ac on the larval mortalities and growth ofS. exiguaandH. armigera. Thus, we provide the first lines of evidence to suggest that SeCad1b fromS. exiguais a functional receptor of Cry1Ca.
Widespread Occurrence of Bacterial Human Virulence Determinants in Soil and Freshwater Environments
Authors: Søborg Ditte A. , Hendriksen Niels Bohse , Kilian Mogens , Kroer Niels
Published: July 2013

The occurrence of 22 bacterial human virulence genes (encoding toxins, adhesins, secretion systems, regulators of virulence, inflammatory mediators, and bacterial resistance) in beech wood soil, roadside soil, organic agricultural soil, and freshwater biofilm was investigated by nested PCR. The presence of clinically relevant bacterial groups known to possess virulence genes was tested by PCR of 16S and 23S rRNA genes. For each of the virulence genes detected in the environments, sequencing and NCBI BLAST analysis confirmed the identity of the PCR products. The virulence genes showed widespread environmental occurrence, as 17 different genes were observed. Sixteen genes were detected in beech wood soil, and 14 were detected in roadside and organic agricultural soils, while 11 were detected in the freshwater biofilm. All types of virulence traits were represented in all environments; however, the frequency at which they were detected was variable. A principal-component analysis suggested that several factors influenced the presence of the virulence genes; however, their distribution was most likely related to the level of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pH. The occurrence of the virulence genes in the environments generally did not appear to be the result of the presence of clinically relevant bacteria, indicating an environmental origin of the virulence genes. The widespread occurrence of the virulence traits and the high degree of sequence conservation between the environmental and clinical sequences suggest that soil and freshwater environments may constitute reservoirs of virulence determinants normally associated with human disease.
Characterization of Maltocin P28, a Novel Phage Tail-Like Bacteriocin from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Liu Jian , Chen Peng , Zheng Congyi , Huang Yu-Ping
Published: July 2013

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
is an important global opportunistic pathogen for which limited therapeutics are available because of the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. A novel bacteriocin, maltocin P28, which is produced by
S. maltophilia
strain P28, may be the first identified phage tail-like bacteriocin from
S. maltophilia
. Maltocin P28 resembles a contractile but nonflexible phage tail structure based on electron microscopy, and it is sensitive to trypsin, proteinase K, and heat. SDS-PAGE analysis of maltocin P28 revealed two major protein bands of approximately 43 and 20 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid residues of these two major subunits were sequenced, and the maltocin P28 gene cluster was located on the
S. maltophilia
P28 chromosome. Our sequence analysis results indicate that this maltocin gene cluster consists of 23 open reading frames (ORFs), and that its gene organization is similar to that of the P2 phage genome and R2 pyocin gene cluster. ORF17 and ORF18 encode the two major structural proteins, which correspond to gpFI (tail sheath) and gpFII (tail tube) of P2 phage, respectively. We found that maltocin P28 had bactericidal activity against 38 of 81 tested
S. maltophilia
strains. Therefore, maltocin P28 is a promising therapeutic substitute for antibiotics for
S. maltophilia
infections.