bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial multidrug resistance and coresistance patterns of Mannheimia haemolytica isolated from bovine respiratory disease cases—a three-year (2009–2011) retrospective analysis
Authors: Lubbers Brian V. , Hanzlicek Gregg A.
Published: April 2013

Bovine respiratory disease continues to be the most important ailment of feed yard cattle. While the disease is multifactorial in nature, therapy continues to target the primary bacterial pathogens, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni. A survey of records from a single diagnostic laboratory was conducted to evaluate the percentage of M. haemolytica isolates that were resistant to multiple antimicrobials and if coresistance patterns could be detected. All susceptibility test results for M. haemolytica recovered from lung tissues of cattle were eligible for inclusion in the survey. There were no isolates over the course of the analysis that were resistant to all 6 antimicrobials, primarily due to a lack of resistance to ceftiofur. In 2009, just over 5% of isolates were resistant to 5 or more antimicrobials (pan-resistant). In 2011, more than 35% of the M. haemolytica isolates were characterized as pan-resistant. Significant antimicrobial coresistance patterns were only seen with oxytetracycline and tilmicosin; bacterial isolates that were resistant to either oxytetracycline or tilmicosin were more likely to be resistant to at least one other antimicrobial. The mechanisms by which M. haemolytica is developing multidrug resistance warrant investigation if antimicrobial utility in the therapy of bovine respiratory disease is to be preserved.
Fully coupled electromechanical elastodynamic model for guided wave propagation analysis
Authors: Borkowski Luke , Liu Kuang , Chattopadhyay Aditi
Published: April 2013

Physics-based computational models play a key role in the study of wave propagation for structural health monitoring and the development of improved damage detection methodologies. Due to the complex nature of guided waves, accurate and efficient computation tools are necessary to investigate the mechanisms responsible for dispersion, coupling, and interaction with damage. In this article, a fully coupled electromechanical elastodynamic model for wave propagation in a heterogeneous, anisotropic material system is developed. The final framework provides the full three-dimensional displacement and electrical potential fields for arbitrary plate and transducer geometries and excitation waveform and frequency. The model is validated theoretically and proven computationally efficient. Studies are performed with surface-bonded piezoelectric sensors to gain insight into the physics of experimental techniques used for structural health monitoring. Collocated actuation of the fundamental Lamb wave modes is modeled over a range of frequencies to demonstrate mode tuning capabilities. The displacement of the sensing surface is compared to the piezoelectric sensor electric potential to investigate the relationship between plate displacement and sensor voltage output. Since many studies, including the ones investigated in this article, are difficult to perform experimentally, the developed model provides a valuable tool for the improvement of structural health monitoring techniques.
Improving a Family’s Overall Quality of Life Through Parent Training in Pivotal Response Treatment
Authors: Buckley Trevor W. , Ente Angela P. , Ruef Michael B.
Published: April 2013

As the diagnoses of autism in young children continually increase, the need for families to have access to research-based treatment models that are effective and efficient has become clear. Current research demonstrates the demand for parent-delivered behavioral interventions. The aim of this single-case study, conducted as part of an integrated Masters in Education/Special Education Credential Program, was to examine the relationship between one parent trained in pivotal response treatment (PRT), her implementation of PRT techniques, and the correlated gains of behavioral compliance in her 6-year-old boy with high-functioning autism (HFA). Visual analysis of collected data as well as calculation of nonoverlapping data points suggest that a parent, when effectively trained, can utilize PRT to increase the rate of behavioral compliance of his or her own children.
Addressing Task Avoidance in Middle School Students
Authors: Turtura Jessica E. , Anderson Cynthia M. , Boyd R. Justin
Published: April 2013

Multitier prevention systems consist of a continuum of interventions to address the needs of all students. Within such systems, Tier I supports are in place for all students and are designed to enhance prosocial (social behavior interventions) and academic (instructional interventions) skills. Tier II interventions supplement the Tier I intervention for students who have not responded to Tier I supports and are designed to prevent the development of serious behavioral challenges or academic failure. This study evaluated a Tier II intervention for students whose problem behavior was maintained by avoidance of instructional activities. We evaluated effects of academic behavior check-in/check-out (ABC) on disruptive behavior, work completion, and homework completion using an ABAB reversal design. Across three typically developing middle school students, ABC resulted in reductions in problem behavior and increases in work completion and homework accuracy.
Teaching Journalism Students How to Tell Indigenous Stories in an Informed Way
Authors: Stewart Heather , Williams Michael , Cullen Trevor , Johnston Michelle , Phillips Gail , Mulligan Pauline , Bowman Leo , Meadows Michael
Published: April 2013

Australian journalism schools are full of students who have never met an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island person and who do not know their history. Journalism educators are ill-equipped to redress this imbalance as a large majority are themselves non-Indigenous and many have had little or no experience with the coverage of Indigenous issues or knowledge of Indigenous affairs. Such a situation calls for educational approaches that can overcome these disadvantages and empower journalism graduates to move beyond the stereotypes that characterize the representation of Indigenous people in the mainstream media. This article will explore three different courses in three Australian tertiary journalism education institutions, which use Work-Integrated Learning Approaches to instil the cultural competencies necessary to encourage a more informed reporting of Indigenous issues. The findings from the three projects illustrate the importance of adopting a collaborative approach by industry, the Indigenous community and educators to encourage students’ commitment to quality journalism practices when covering Indigenous issues.
‘Any Questions or Remarks?’ Iterative Journalism Training in Cambodia
Authors: Baumgärtel Tilman
Published: April 2013

This article describes the experience of a foreign journalism instructor in Cambodia. One needs patience, cultural sensitivity, willingness to shift one’s dominant learning paradigms, aptitude to adapt to the local culture and empathise with the local students’ stance without straying from the core values and standards of good journalism.
National Eligibility Test
Authors: Khan Moina , Basu Surhita
Published: April 2013

Since 1986, the University Grants Commission in India has made it compulsory for all applicants to the position of Assistant Professor to take the National Eligibility Test (NET). This commentary looks at the contents and objectives of the NET and asks whether NET really contributes towards the improvement in the quality of teaching and training in journalism schools.
Risk, responsibilities and rights: Reassessing the ‘economic causes of crime’ thesis in a recession
Authors: Fergusson Ross
Published: April 2013

This article explores competing accounts of an apparent inversion of the previously prevailing relationship between young people’s unemployment and the incidence of youth offending at a time of economic recession. It begins by highlighting the faltering association between unemployment and offending, and considers the paradoxical implications for risk-based methodologies in youth justice practice. The article then assesses explanations for the changing relationship that suggest that youth justice policies have successfully broken the unemployment–offending link; and alternatively that delayed effects of recession have yet to materialize, by reference to the work of four inter-governmental organizations and to youth protests beyond the UK. In place of ever more intensive risk analyses, the article then focuses on the adverse effects of unemployment on social cohesion, and proposes a rights-based approach to youth justice that recognizes the growing disjuncture between the rights afforded to young people and the responsibilities expected of them.
Primary Closure of the Abdominal Wall After “Open Abdomen” Situation
Authors: Kääriäinen M. , Kuokkanen H.
Published: April 2013

“Open abdomen” is a strategy used to avoid or treat abdominal compartment syndrome. It has reduced mortality both in trauma and non-trauma abdominal catastrophes but also has created a challenging clinical problem. Traditionally, open abdomen is closed in two phases; primarily with a free skin graft and later with a flap reconstruction. A modern trend is to close the abdomen within the initial hospitalization. This requires multi-professional co-operation. Temporary abdominal closure methods, e.g. negative pressure wound therapy alone or combined with mesh-mediated traction, have been developed to facilitate direct fascial closure. Components separation technique, mesh reinforcement or bridging of the fascial defect with mesh and perforator saving skin undermining can be utilized in the final closure if needed. These techniques can be combined. Choice of the treatment depends on the condition of the patient and size of the fascia and skin defect, and the state of the abdominal contents.

In this paper we review the literature on the closure of an open abdomen and present the policy used in our institution in the open abdomen situations.
Reconstruction of the Vulva with Sensate Gluteal Fold Flaps
Authors: Kuokkanen H. , Mikkola A. , Nyberg R. H. , Vuento M. H. , Kaartinen I. , Kuoppala T.
Published: April 2013

Backround and Aims: Soft-tissue reconstruction of the vulva following resection of malignancies is challenging. The function of perineal organs should be preserved and the reconstructed area should maintain an acceptable cosmetic appearance. Reconstruction with local flaps is usually sufficient in the primary phase after a radical vulvectomy. Numerous flaps have been designed for vulvar reconstruction usually based on circulation from the internal pudendal artery branches.

In this paper we introduce our modification of the gluteal fold V–Y advancement flap as a primary reconstruction after a radical vulvectomy.

Patients and Methods: Twenty-two patients were operated with a radical vulvectomy because of vulvar malignancies. The operation was primary in eight and secondary in 14 patients. The reconstruction of the vulva was performed in the same operation for each patient

Results: All flaps survived completely. Wound complications were registered in three patients. Late problems with urinary stream were corrected in two patients. A local recurrence of the malignancy was observed in six patients during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Gluteal fold flap is easy to perform, has a low rate of complications and gives good functional results.

Even a large defect can be reconstructed reliably with this method. A gluteal fold V–Y advancement flap is sensate and our modification allows the flap to be transposed with lesser dissection as presented before.
Spinal Reconstruction with Free Vascularised Bone Grafts; Approaches and Selection of Acceptor Vessels
Authors: Winters H. A. H. , Kraak J. , Oosterhuis J. W. A. , de Kleuver M.
Published: April 2013

The use of free vascularised bone grafts is an infrequently performed surgical technique for the reconstruction of spinal defects. This field of surgery brings many challenges concerning the choice of free vascularised bone graft, planning of the operative procedure and selection of recipient vessels. This study aims to report our experience with free vascularised bone grafts, with special emphasis on the surgical approach and the selection of recipient vessels.

Over a period of 17 years (1994–2011), we used these grafts for anterior spinal reconstruction in 30 patients. In 28 patients, a free vascularised fibular graft was used, and in two cases a free vascularised iliac crest graft was used. The spinal segments reconstructed involved the cervical or cervicothoracic spine (6 cases), the thoracic spine (11 cases) and the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spine (13 cases). Revascularisation of the free vascularised bone graft proved to be technically feasible in 30 patients, but failed in one fibular graft due to difficulties with recipient vessels in the lumbar region. Technical challenges were met with respect to the choice of the recipient vessel at various anatomical sites. Availability of acceptor vessels was highly dependant of the type of surgery (resection or stabilisation) and the selected surgical approach. Based on these findings, a preferred approach is given for each region.

The use of free vascularised bone grafts is a valuable technique for the reconstruction of complex spinal disorders. Successful execution requires microvascular expertise with respect to graft harvesting and appropriate choice of recipient vessels. Adequate preoperative planning in a multidisciplinary setting and adherence to the basic principles for spinal reconstruction are required.
Communication, class and concentric media practices: Developing a contemporary rubric
Authors: Wolfson Todd , Funke Peter N
Published: April 2013

Understanding class as a process of self-making in relation to a particular, historical form of capitalism, in this article we argue that media and communication (from face-to-face and old mediums such as radio to internet-powered tools) must be conceptualized as an emerging structural dimension for class formation. Based on ethnographic fieldwork on the Media Mobilizing Project in Philadelphia, a community-based media and communications infrastructure and a network of organizations across the region, we develop a conceptual approach we call concentric practices, which provides us with a framework of how contemporary class formation is occurring through the use of media and communications. Concentric practices we understand and analyze along three overlapping processes, which establish a “common” among the different fragments of the working class: communicative spaces, narrative practices and shared struggles. Analytically, these concentric practices describe a process of thickening and converging of the atomized and fractured neoliberal working class. This model can be employed as a heuristic framework for a host of similarly situated dynamics, aiding in teasing out and better understanding processes of class formation under neoliberal capitalism.
Ontological disorders: Nightmares, psychotropic drugs and evil spirits in southern Chile
Authors: Bonelli Cristóbal
Published: April 2013

This article explores several equivocations in the relationship between state healthcare workers and the Pehuenche population in southern Chile. In particular, it focuses on radical differences in understanding the body, personhood, sleeping and dreaming. In Alto Bío Bío, Chile, while healthcare workers diagnose their Pehuenche patients with ‘sleep disorders’ and prescribe them sleep-inducing psychotropic drugs, some Pehuenche persons fear that by preventing them from waking up, the drugs will render them unable to escape a fatal attack by evil spirits. The sleeping pills, therefore, enact understandings of the body, personhood, sleeping and dreaming that are not at all univocal. This enactment generates a controversy-inducing ‘ontological disorder’ based in an ‘uncontrolled equivocation’, as described by the anthropologist Viveiros de Castro, in which interlocutors are not speaking about the same thing, but they are not aware of this. In more general terms, the article reflects on the application of technologies premised on multicultural ideology (one nature, many cultures) in contexts where alterity is radically manifested and where the limits of the actors’ different conceptions of personhood appear in all their ontological splendour.
Forever a fan: Reflections on the branding of death and the production of value
Authors: Huberman Jenny
Published: April 2013

This article explores how the branding of death among ‘die-hard’ fans involves the production and articulation of multiple forms of value. Specifically, it asks: how do corporations attempt to increase their profits by harvesting the individual and collective sentiments of fans during mortuary rituals? What kind of work do branded funeral products do for die-hard fans? How might the branding of death facilitate new forms of remembering and even enable the deceased to remain in circulation among the living? It is argued that while the branding of death clearly enables corporations to augment their profits by appropriating the emotional investments of fans, it may also provide fans with a novel mechanism for expanding their own value by extending their remembered presence across space and time after death. This argument is developed in three movements. First, I engage with some of the recent literature on branding and value co-creation in the new economy. Then I draw upon studies of fan consumption to consider the forms of identification that animate the relationship between fans and brands. In the third section of the paper I explore the appeal of branded funeral products by returning to some anthropological writings on value transformation and gift exchange. The article concludes by considering what the branding of death reveals about the relations between consumption, identity, and memorialization within the context of contemporary capitalist society.
Difference without fear: Adorno contra liberalism
Authors: Feola Michael
Published: April 2013

This article intervenes in recent debates surrounding Adorno’s contribution to critical social theory. Where it is something of a commonplace to argue that Adorno pessimistically withdraws from political concerns, the article argues for a more productive set of normative contributions – based within his utopian gestures towards a ‘difference without fear’. At stake is not only a more sensitive approach to Adorno’s texts, but the broader normative question of difference and its political meaning.
Atorvastatin protects against deleterious cardiovascular consequences induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Totoson Perle , Fhayli Wassim , Faury Gilles , Korichneva Irina , Cachot Sandrine , Baldazza Marie , Ribuot Christophe , Pépin Jean-Louis , Lévy Patrick , Joyeux-Faure Marie
Published: April 2013

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH), a major component of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), contributes to the high risk of cardiovascular morbidity. We have previously demonstrated that IH-induced oxidative stress is involved in the hypertension and in the hypersensitivity to myocardial infarction. However, the mechanisms underlying these cardiovascular alterations are still unclear, as well as the role of potential protective treatment. Atorvastatin has pleiotropic actions, including increasing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of a two time course of this treatment against the deleterious cardiovascular consequences of IH. Rats were divided into two groups subjected to chronic IH or normoxic (N) exposure. IH consisted of repetitive one-minute cycles (with only 30 s of a 5% inspired O2 fraction) and was applied for eight hours during daytime, for 14 (simultaneous protocol) or 28 d (delayed protocol). Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/ d) or its vehicle was administered during the 14 d simultaneous protocol or the last 14 d of the delayed protocol. For both protocols, systolic arterial pressure was significantly increased by 14 d IH exposure. Atorvastatin prevented this deleterious effect in the simultaneous protocol. Carotid artery compliance and endothelial function were significantly altered after 28 d but not after 14 d of IH exposure. Delayed atorvastatin administration preserved these vascular parameters. IH also increased hypersensitivity to myocardial infarction after 14 d exposure, and atorvastatin abolished this deleterious effect. IH also enhanced cardiac NADPH expression and decreased aortic superoxide dismutase activity after 14 d exposure. Atorvastatin significantly restored these activities. In conclusion, whereas IH rapidly increased blood pressure, myocardial infarction hypersensitivity and oxidative stress, compliance, endothelial function and the structural wall of the carotid artery were only altered after a longer IH exposure. Atorvastatin prevented all these deleterious cardiovascular effects, leading to a potentially novel pharmacological therapeutic strategy for OSA syndrome.
Relationship between polymorphisms in the sulfotransferase SULT2A1 gene and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentration in children
Authors: García-Anguita Alicia , Ortega Lorena , Garcés Carmen
Published: April 2013

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans, and has important physiological effects. A relationship has been suggested between variations of DHEA-S concentration and polymorphisms in the gene encoding sulfotransferase (SULT2A1), an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DHEA-S from DHEA. We have investigated the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2637125 and rs182420 in the SULT2A1 gene and plasma DHEA-S concentration in children at two different ages. The sample population comprised 981 healthy 6-8-year-olds and 792 12-16-year-old children. In total, 12-16-year-old boys homozygous for the rare allele of rs182420 (CC) showed significantly lower DHEA-S concentration than TC boys, and both (TC and CC) had lower levels than TT boys. In all, 12-16 -year-old boy carriers of the rare allele for the rs2637125 polymorphism also showed lower levels of DHEA-S than GG carriers. No differences were observed in DHEA-S concentrations across genotypes in 6-8-year-old children. Our data show an age-related association of polymorphisms in the SULT2A1 gene with lower DHEA-S, suggesting that these polymorphisms may affect DHEA-S concentration in adults.
Alterations of the redox state, pentose pathway and glutathione metabolism in an acute porphyria model. Their impact on heme pathway
Authors: Faut Mónica , Paiz Andrea , de Viale Leonor C San Martín , Mazzetti Marta B
Published: April 2013

A classical acute porphyria model in rats consists of combined treatment with 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide (AIA) and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC). The present work describes the effects of this treatment on the pentose phosphate (PP) pathway, glutahione metabolism and redox state and how they contribute to alter the glucose pool of hepatocytes and modulate porphyria, in Wistar rat livers. Our approach is based on the fact that glucose is a repressor of 5-aminolevulinic synthase (ALA-S), the rate-limiting enzyme of the heme pathway, and treatment with AIA/DCC causes oxidative stress. Different doses of the xenobiotcs were used. The results show that AIA (500 mg/kg body weight [BW])/ DDC (50 mg/kg [BW]) treatment increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity by 46%, decreased both glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity by 69% and 52%, respectively, and reduced by 51% reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased by 100% glutathione disulfide (GSSG) concentrations, therefore lowering by four-fold the GSH/GSSG ratio. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme of PP-pathway, was increased by 129% as well as that of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. NADPH and the NADPH/NADP+ratio were increased by 14% and 28%, respectively. These effects could be attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) elicited by the porphyrinogenic treatment, shown by enhanced DNA damage and ROS production. G6PD stimulation would decrease hepatic glucose concentrations and consequently exacerbate the porphyria. A decrease in glucose could stimulate ALA-S and this would add to the effect of drug-induced heme depletion. Since the key role of GST is to inactivate toxic compounds, the drastic fall in its activity together with the accumulation of ALA would account for the symptoms of this hepatic disease model. The present findings show the high metabolic interplay between pathways and constitute a relevant contribution to achieve a better treatment of acute human porphyria.
Pharmacological activation of mitochondrial BKCa channels protects isolated cardiomyocytes against simulated reperfusion-induced injury
Authors: Borchert Gudrun H , Hlaváčková Markéta , Kolář František
Published: April 2013

The aim of this study was to find out whether opening of mitochondrial large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels (BKCa) protects cardiomyocytes against injury caused by simulated ischemia and reperfusion. This study also aimed to determine whether the protective mechanism involves signaling by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). We used isolated ventricular myocytes, which are believed to contain no functional BKCa channels in the sarcolemma. Cells were isolated from the left ventricles of adult male Wistar rats and subjected to 25-min metabolic inhibition with NaCN and 2-deoxyglucose followed by 30-min re-energization. NS11021 (0.1 μmol/L), a novel BKCa channel opener, or hydrogen peroxide (2 μmol/L) added at re-energization, increased cell survival (the number of rod-shaped cells) and markedly reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). These cytoprotective effects of NS11021 were completely abolished by paxilline, a BKCa inhibitor, or tempol, an antioxidant, but not by wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K. NS11021 slightly but significantly increased the fluorescence signal in 2’7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA)-loaded myocytes, indicating an increased ROS formation. The NS11021-induced ROS formation was abolished by paxilline or tempol. NS13558 (0.1 μmol/L), an inactive structural analogue of NS11021, affected neither cell survival/LDH release nor DCF-DA fluorescence. These results suggest that pharmacological activation of mitochondrial BKCa channels effectively protects isolated cardiomyocytes against injury associated with simulated reperfusion. The mechanism for this form of protection requires ROS signaling, but not the activation of the PI3K pathway.
Effect of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness, inflammatory mediators, total and differential WBC count in blood of sensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Boskabady Mohammad Hossein , Jalali Sediqeh
Published: April 2013

The effects of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness (TR) to methacholine and ovalbumin (OA), serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration, total and differential white blood cells (WBC) in blood of sensitized guinea pigs were examined. Five groups of guinea pigs sensitized to OA were given drinking water alone (group S), drinking water containing three concentrations of carvacrol (40, 80 and 160 μg/mL) and dexamethasone (50 μg/mL). TR to methacholine and OA, serum NO concentration, total and differential WBC in blood of sensitized and control guinea pigs were measured ( n = 6, for each group). TR to methacholine and OA, serum level of NO and nitrite, total WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil counts were increased but lymphocyte decreased in group S compared with control group ( P < 0.01 for NO and nitrite and P < 0.001 for other cases). Treatment of S animals with dexamethasone and two higher concentrations of carvacrol significantly improved all measured parameters except TR to OA in treated group with dexamethasone ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Treatment of S animals with low concentration of carvacrol also improved TR to methacholine and OA, total WBC count and nitrite level ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The effects of two higher concentrations of carvacrol on TR, NO and nitrite and the effects of its highest concentration on total and differential WBC count were significantly higher than those of dexamethasone ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). In addition, the effects of highest concentration of carvacrol on all parameters and its medium concentration on some parameters were significantly higher than its low concentration ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). These results showed a preventive effect of carvacrol on tracheal responsiveness, serum level of NO and nitrite, total and differential WBC in the blood of sensitized guinea pigs which was equal or even more potent than dexamethasone at used concentrations.
IL-22+CD4+ T-cells in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zhao Ling , Jiang Zhenyu , Jiang Yanfang , Ma Ning , Wang Kai , Zhang Yandong , Feng Li
Published: April 2013

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a regulator of autoimmune diseases. However, the role of IL-22+CD4+ T-cells in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains unclear. This study is aimed at elucidating the potential role of IL-22 and IL-22+CD4+ T-cells in patients with SLE. A total of 22 patients with freshly diagnosed SLE and 18 age-/gender-matched healthy controls ( n = 18) were evaluated for the frequency of different types of IL-22-producing CD4+ T-cells by flow cytometry analysis following in vitro stimulation. The concentrations of plasma IL-22, IL-17A, IFNγ, serum complement factors (C3, C4), C-reactive protein (CRP), antidouble-stranded (ds) DNA and anti-Smith (Sm) antibodies were measured. The potential association among these measures was analyzed. The percentages of IL-22+IL-17−IFNγ−, IL-22+IL-17A−IFN-γ+, IL-22−IL-17+IFN-γ− and IL-22+IL-17+IFN-γ− CD4+ T-cells and the levels of plasma IL-22 and IL-17A in the patients were significantly higher than that in the healthy controls ( P < 0.01). The frequency of Th22 cells was correlated positively with that of Th17 and IL-22+IL-17+ CD4+ T-cells, and the frequency of Th17 and IL-22+CD4+ T-cells was correlated positively with the values of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), but not with the values of CRP, ERS and C3 in SLE patients. Our data suggest that both Th17 and IL-22+CD4+ T-cells may participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Overexpression of CXCR4 in tracheal epithelial cells promotes their proliferation and migration to a stromal cell-derived factor-1 gradient
Authors: Liu Jun , Yang Xueying , Shi Wenjun
Published: April 2013

Tracheal reconstruction has been an important issue in clinic, but it is limited for the ability of epithelial regeneration. Several reports have shown that stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and chemokine receptor CXCR4 play an important role in cell proliferation and migration of multiple cell types. But there is no report of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in tracheal cells. In this paper, the rat tracheal epithelial cells covered with cilium were isolated and cultured using two enzyme digestions, and CXCR4 lentivirus was constructed and infected to the tracheal cells successfully. The results showed that the expression of CXCR4 which was covered on cellular membrane majorly was low in normal cells, and the cell proliferation was increased accompanied with the increase in SDF-1 concentration. The cell proliferation, migration and intracellular free calcium were increased significantly in CXCR4 lentivirus infected groups in a dose-dependent manner, and these effects could be inhibited after CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 treated because the expression of CXCR4 was decreased. Our findings indicate that the activation of CXCR4 may promote tracheal cell proliferation and migration to the sites of airway injury where SDF-1 is regulated.
Drug–Alcohol Interactions
Authors: Lenz Thomas L.
Published: April 2013

The use of alcohol can be traced back in time over thousands of years and remains prevalent in modern society. Alcohol consumption has shown to both improve health and cause health problems. One such health problem is the potential interaction that can occur when alcohol is consumed while taking certain medications. The drug–alcohol interaction can be due to alternations in the drugs absorption, distribution, metabolism, and/or elimination. It can also occur as a result of the additive effect that alcohol can have on an already existing effect of the medication (eg, enhanced sedation). Covered in this article are some of the common drug–alcohol interactions and a brief description about the interaction. The medication classes reviewed include pain relievers, antidepressants, antidiabetic medications, first-generation antihistamines, antipsychotics, sedatives and hypnotics, antibiotics, and warfarin.
In vivo length changes of wrist ligaments at full wrist extension
Authors: Tan J. , Chen J. , Tang J. B.
Published: April 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the length changes of carpal ligaments when loaded in full extension in vivo. We obtained computed tomography scans of the right wrists in three positions for six volunteers: neutral; 75° extension; and 75° extension with a further 10° of radial deviation. Nine ligaments were measured and analysed with computer modelling. The results showed that the radioscaphocapitate, long radiolunate, and ulnolunate ligaments lengthened the most at full wrist extension, suggesting that they were under greatest load. The radioscapholunate, ulnocapitate, and ulnotriquetral ligaments lengthened further with the addition of wrist radial deviation. At full extension, the dorsal intercarpal ligament inserting on the scaphoid was lengthened. The dorsal radiocarpal and dorsal intercarpal ligaments inserting on the trapezoid were shortened, suggesting reduced loading. In conclusion, a number of volar carpal ligaments lengthened significantly in full wrist extension and the ulnar carpal ligaments were further lengthened at wrist radial deviation.
Intra-tester reliability of a single trial of pinch strength in patients with osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint
Authors: Miller Leanne , Jerosch-Herold Christina
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To compare pain, patient preference and the test–retest reliability between the Jamar dynamometer and the MIE myometer using a single trial of pinch strength in patients with first carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A prospective, within patient, repeated measures design was used. A digital strain gauge torsion dynamometer (MIE) and a hydraulic dynamometer (Jamar) were used to measure tripod pinch strength using a single trial on two occasions. Pain was assessed after each trial of pinch strength using a numeric pain rating scale (NRPS). Patients were asked which instrument they preferred and why. The test–retest reliability of each instrument was calculated using an intra-class correlation coefficient.

Results

Thirty-eight patients with a confirmed diagnosis of OA of the CMCJ referred to hand therapy took part in the study. There were no statistically significant differences in mean pain scores (NPRS 0–10) between the Jamar and the MIE (mean difference 0.3, p = 0.24, 95% CI −0.214 to 0.846). There was no clear preference for one or the other instrument. Test–retest reliability using a single trial of pinch strength was excellent with both instruments (MIE, ICC = 0.914; Jamar ICC = 0.891).

Conclusions

Although patients had a slightly lower pain score with the MIE these differences were not statistically significant and an almost equal number of patients preferred each instrument. The use of a single trial of pinch strength still confers high reliability when using the MIE and Jamar justifying the continued use of both instruments for clinical practice and research
Sunday Friends
Authors: Lee James Daniel , Vera Sanchez Claudio G. , Baba Yoko
Published: April 2013

This research presents results from the 2009 and 2011 evaluations of a biweekly program offered by Sunday Friends, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization in Santa Clara County, California. The central focus of Sunday Friends is to empower families to “break the cycle of poverty” by providing programming that strengthens families and promotes healthy development of children and youth. Targeting financially needy families, the program uses a unique token economy to reward participation in educational and prosocial activities. Participants earn tickets that may be used to purchase a variety of goods and supplies. Most of the participating families are immigrant, Latino, and bilingual. The primary goal of the evaluations was to determine whether Sunday Friends fosters developmental assets for children and youth. Data were gathered from family members (i.e., adults and minors) and volunteers in 2009 and 2011. Questionnaires were administered to families face-to-face in English or Spanish during program hours, while volunteers were surveyed via an Internet questionnaire in English. We conclude that the token economy at Sunday Friends encourages a positive work ethic and motivates participation in transformative activities. Within an atmosphere of respect, helpfulness, and friendliness, the program fosters healthy family relationships, positive attitudes and behaviors, educational engagement, social capital, and healthy eating. Program volunteers are liked, respected, and viewed as role models. Data from volunteers confirm the reports by family members that the program has positive influences on participants’ lives.
Estimating the Impact of Las Vegas Poker Rooms on Slot and Table Game Business Volumes
Authors: Lucas Anthony F.
Published: April 2013

The casino industry’s trade literature is replete with claims that live poker rooms drive other casino business volumes, but the only evidence supporting those claims is anecdotal. Claims of this kind arise because poker’s revenue contributions are often lower than those of other games, despite poker’s current popularity. Still, many operators offer poker rooms because they accept this contribution concept as a basic truth. Using an established theoretical model, this study estimates the effects of poker rooms on slot and table game performance at three different Las Vegas resorts. Although the results were mixed, they raise a serious question about whether the idea of poker as a demand generator is accurate. In only one of the three resorts did the analysis find a significant and positive relationship between poker room business volume and slot and table game play. While these overall results cannot be directly generalized, and casinos may have their own reasons for offering poker rooms, casino managers should reexamine whether their poker rooms represent the highest and best use of casino floor space.
The Better Sportswomen Get, the More the Media Ignore Them
Authors: Kane Mary Jo
Published: April 2013

In this commentary on Cooky, Messner, and Hextrum’s (2013) article “Women Play Sport, but not on TV: A Longitudinal Study of Televised News Media,” Mary Jo Kane assesses key findings in light of the changes that have taken place in women’s participation and achievement in sport as well as the central tendencies of sport journalists and broadcasters. Kane’s analysis explores the dynamic tensions at play in cultural sensibilities about interest in women’s sports. Kane presents evidence that rising interest in women’s sports runs counter to the mainstream media logic that “nobody is interested” in women’s sporting achievements. In a closing assessment, Kane calls for the need for audience reception research to broaden the content analytic findings offered by Cooky, Messner, and Hextrum to better understand what draws fans to women’s sports.
Women, Sports, and Journalism
Authors: Schmidt Hans C.
Published: April 2013

While the involvement of women in journalism and athletics has grown significantly in recent decades, comparatively few women are involved in professional sports reporting. Yet, less is known regarding whether this trend is unique among professional journalists, or whether it begins earlier while journalists are still learning their profession and writing for their university student newspapers. To investigate this topic, this study involved a survey of university student newspaper staff members ( n = 267) and a content analysis of six top student newspapers across the United States. Results of this study suggest that female sports reporters are uncommon in campus newsrooms and that women participate in sports reporting much less frequently than they participate in other related activities including journalism in general, playing sports, or watching sports. Further, results show that university student journalists are unaware of the inequality of coverage of men’s and women’s sports that exists in campus media.
MEK inhibitors selectively suppress alloreactivity and graft-versus-host disease in a memory stage-dependent manner
Authors: Shindo Takero , Kim Tae Kon , Benjamin Cara L. , Wieder Eric D. , Levy Robert B. , Komanduri Krishna V.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

RAS/MEK/ERK signaling is memory stage-dependent in human T cells, conferring susceptibility to alloreactive T-cell selective inhibition. MEK inhibitors selectively inhibit alloreactive but not herpesvirus-specific human T cells and inhibit murine GVHD.
Fixed points and stability of functional equations in fuzzy ternary Banach algebras
Authors: Asgari G , Cho YJ , Lee YW , Eshaghi Gordji M
Published: April 2013

By using Diaz and Margolis fixed point theorem, we establish the generalized Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of the ternary homomorphisms and ternary derivations between fuzzy ternary Banach algebras associated to the following

(
m
,
n
)

-Cauchy-Jensen additive functional equation:

∑

1
≤

i
1

<
⋯
<

i
m

≤
n

1
≤

k
l

≤
n

k
l

≠

i
j

,

∀
j
∈
{
1
,
…
,
m
}

f

(

∑

j
=
1

m

x

i
j

m

+

∑

l
=
1

n
−
m

x

k
l

)

=

(
n
−
m
+
1
)

n

(

n
m

)

∑

i
=
1

n

f
(

x
i

)
.

MSC:39B52, 46S40, 26E50.
Assembling contigs in draft genomes using reversals and block-interchanges
Authors: Li Chi-Long , Chen Kun-Tze , Lu Chin Lung
Published: April 2013

The techniques of next generation sequencing allow an increasing number of draft genomes to be produced rapidly in a decreasing cost. However, these draft genomes usually are just partially sequenced as collections of unassembled contigs, which cannot be used directly by currently existing algorithms for studying their genome rearrangements and phylogeny reconstruction. In this work, we study the one-sided block (or contig) ordering problem with weighted reversal and block-interchange distance. Given a partially assembled genome π and a completely assembled genome σ, the problem is to find an optimal ordering to assemble (i.e., order and orient) the contigs of π such that the rearrangement distance measured by reversals and block-interchanges (also called generalized transpositions) with the weight ratio 1:2 between the assembled contigs of π and σ is minimized. In addition to genome rearrangements and phylogeny reconstruction, the one-sided block ordering problem particularly has a useful application in genome resequencing, because its algorithms can be used to assemble the contigs of a draft genome π based on a reference genome σ. By using permutation groups, we design an efficient algorithm to solve this one-sided block ordering problem in

O

δ
n

time, where n is the number of genes or markers and δ is the number of used reversals and block-interchanges. We also show that the assembly of the partially assembled genome can be done in

O

n

time and its weighted rearrangement distance from the completely assembled genome can be calculated in advance in

O

n

time. Finally, we have implemented our algorithm into a program and used some simulated datasets to compare its accuracy performance to a currently existing similar tool, called SIS that was implemented by a heuristic algorithm that considers only reversals, on assembling the contigs in draft genomes based on their reference genomes. Our experimental results have shown that the accuracy performance of our program is better than that of SIS, when the number of reversals and transpositions involved in the rearrangement events between the complete genomes of π and σ is increased. In particular, if there are more transpositions involved in the rearrangement events, then the gap of accuracy performance between our program and SIS is increasing.
Tyrosine pathway regulation is host-mediated in the pea aphid symbiosis during late embryonic and early larval development
Authors: Rabatel Andréane , Febvay Gérard , Gaget Karen , Duport Gabrielle , Baa-Puyoulet Patrice , Sapountzis Panagiotis , Bendridi Nadia , Rey Marjolaine , Rahbé Yvan , Charles Hubert , Calevro Federica , Colella Stefano
Published: April 2013

Background

Nutritional symbioses play a central role in insects’ adaptation to specialized diets and in their evolutionary success. The obligatory symbiosis between the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, and the bacterium, Buchnera aphidicola, is no exception as it enables this important agricultural pest insect to develop on a diet exclusively based on plant phloem sap. The symbiotic bacteria provide the host with essential amino acids lacking in its diet but necessary for the rapid embryonic growth seen in the parthenogenetic viviparous reproduction of aphids. The aphid furnishes, in exchange, non-essential amino acids and other important metabolites. Understanding the regulations acting on this integrated metabolic system during the development of this insect is essential in elucidating aphid biology.

Results

We used a microarray-based approach to analyse gene expression in the late embryonic and the early larval stages of the pea aphid, characterizing, for the first time, the transcriptional profiles in these developmental phases. Our analyses allowed us to identify key genes in the phenylalanine, tyrosine and dopamine pathways and we identified ACYPI004243, one of the four genes encoding for the aspartate transaminase (E.C. 2.6.1.1), as specifically regulated during development. Indeed, the tyrosine biosynthetic pathway is crucial for the symbiotic metabolism as it is shared between the two partners, all the precursors being produced by B. aphidicola. Our microarray data are supported by HPLC amino acid analyses demonstrating an accumulation of tyrosine at the same developmental stages, with an up-regulation of the tyrosine biosynthetic genes. Tyrosine is also essential for the synthesis of cuticular proteins and it is an important precursor for cuticle maturation: together with the up-regulation of tyrosine biosynthesis, we observed an up-regulation of cuticular genes expression. We were also able to identify some amino acid transporter genes which are essential for the switch over to the late embryonic stages in pea aphid development.

Conclusions

Our data show that, in the development of A. pisum, a specific host gene set regulates the biosynthetic pathways of amino acids, demonstrating how the regulation of gene expression enables an insect to control the production of metabolites crucial for its own development and symbiotic metabolism.