bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gross Appearance of the Ampullary Tumor Predicts Lymph Node Metastasis and Outcome
Authors: Kayahara Masato , Ohta Tetsuo
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: Patterns of lymph node involvement in carcinoma of the papilla of Vater (CPV) have not been studied in detail to date, and factors associated with lymphatic metastases and surgical outcome of this disease remain to be determined. Methods: Lymph node involvement and surgical outcome of 51 CPV patients were evaluated by extended lymphadenectomy specimens. Results: Lymph nodes with high metastatic potential were posterosuperior pancreaticoduodenal nodes (group 13a, 18%), posterior-inferior pancreaticoduodenal nodes (group 13b, 22%), and nodes around the superior mesenteric artery (group 14, 18%). Gross appearance of the primary tumor and depth of tumor invasion correlated with lymph node involvement (p < 0.05, respectively). A correlation with positivity was also found in groups 13 and 14. Disease-specific survival correlated with the gross appearance of the primary tumor and nodal involvement. However, there was no relationship between survival and the level of nodal involvement. Multivariate analysis indicated that the gross appearance of the tumor was the only significant independent predictor of a poor outcome. Conclusions: Gross appearance of the tumor is the most important prognosticator of lymph node metastases in CPV. Nodal dissection around the superior mesenteric artery may improve survival except in patients without invasion of the sphincter of Oddi. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is the treatment of choice.
A New Embryological Theory of the Pancreatic Duct System
Authors: Kamisawa Terumi , Takuma Kensuke , Egawa Naoto , Tsuruta Koji , Sasaki Tsuneo
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: To clarify the anatomy of the pancreatic duct system and to investigate its embryology. Methods:  We reviewed pancreatograms of 256 patients with a normal pancreatic head and 36 cases of complete pancreas divisum. Results: Accessory pancreatograms were divided into two patterns. The long-type accessory pancreatic duct (APD) forms a straight line and joins the main pancreatic duct (MPD) at the neck portion of the pancreas. The short-type APD joins the MPD near its first inferior branch. The short-type APD is less likely to have a long inferior branch arising from the APD. The length of the APD from the orifice to the first long inferior branch was similar in the short- and long-type APD. The first long inferior branch from the long-type APD passes through the MPD near the origin of the inferior branch from the MPD. Immunohistochemically, in the short-type APD, the MPD between the junction of the short-type APD and the neck portion originated from the ventral pancreas. Conclusion: The long-type APD represents a continuation of the main duct of the dorsal pancreatic bud. The short-type APD is very likely formed by the proximal main duct of the dorsal pancreatic bud and its long inferior branch, with the main duct of the dorsal pancreatic bud at the point of connection with the main duct of the ventral pancreatic bud being obliterated and replaced by this additional communication.
Pancreatic Diseases Associated with Pancreas Divisum
Authors: Takuma Kensuke , Kamisawa Terumi , Tabata Taku , Egawa Naoto , Igarashi Yoshinori
Published: June 2010

Aim: To clarify the features of acute or chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic tumors associated with complete and incomplete pancreas divisum. Methods: Clinical features of pancreatic diseases associated with complete (n = 54) and incomplete (n = 50) pancreas divisum were examined. Results: Acute and chronic pancreatitis occurred more frequently in patients with complete pancreas divisum (22.2%: 12/54, and 18.5%: 10/54, respectively) than in controls (5.6%: 183/3,246, and 4.9%: 159/3,246, respectively; p < 0.01). In 8 patients with chronic pancreatitis, the dorsal pancreatic duct was irregularly dilated from the orifice to the tail, whereas the ventral pancreatic duct was not dilated (isolated dorsal pancreatitis). None of the 12 complete pancreas divisum patients with acute pancreatitis consumed heavy or moderate amounts of alcohol. Although 6 of 10 patients with chronic pancreatitis consumed heavy or moderate amounts of alcohol, 31 of 32 patients with this malformation who did not exhibit pancreatitis consumed little or no alcohol. Chronic pancreatitis occurred more frequently in patients with incomplete pancreas divisum (18.0%: 9/50) than in controls (4.9%: 159/3,246; p < 0.01). Of 54 patients with complete pancreas divisum, 6 patients (11.1%) were associated with pancreatic tumor. All tumors developed from the dorsal pancreas of pancreas divisum. Conclusions: Complete pancreas divisum can be the sole etiology of acute or chronic pancreatitis. The presence of another factor, such as alcohol abuse, may be required for chronic pancreatitis to develop in some patients with complete or incomplete pancreas divisum. In complete pancreas divisum, the dorsal pancreatic duct might be a factor that promotes oncogenesis.
Power of Competing Strategies of Linkage Analysis for Complex Traits
Authors: Ma Jianzhong , Daw E. Warwick , Amos Christopher I.
Published: June 2010

Variance components (VC) and the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis are two of the widely used linkage analysis approaches to mapping genes for complex quantitative traits. Both approaches can handle extended pedigrees and multiple markers and do not require a prespecified genetic model. In this study, we used simulated data to compare the performance of these two approaches with the traditional parametric linkage analysis. Using simulated data sets without linkage between a quantitative trait and the markers, we estimated a critical value for various test scores used in VC or MCMC and the location (LOC) score at a fixed level of significance (5%). These critical values were then used to determine the power for the three methods for simulated data sets with linkage. We found that both the VC and MCMC approaches worked well, compared with the LOC score, when there was only one gene underlying the quantitative trait; however, VC had higher power than the other methods in a simulation study of a complex phenotype influenced by more than one gene. We also compared two implementations of MCMC analysis, finding interpretation of results using the log of placement score was more accurate for linkage inference than the Bayes factor but required much more intensive simulation studies.
Laparoscopy-Assisted Transduodenal Papillectomy
Authors: Honda Goro , Kurata Masanao , Matsumura Hideki , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Kamisawa Terumi , Egawa Naoto
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: Basically, patients with cancer of the major duodenal papilla should undergo pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy; however, patients with adenoma or cancer in adenoma do not require prophylactic lymph node dissection, so they are indicated for limited resection of the major duodenal papilla. Endoscopic snare resection (ESR) has developed as limited resection of the major duodenal papilla; however, the ESR technique is still restricted to certain centers, because its outcome depends on the technical skills of the endoscopist. Therefore, we attempted laparoscopy-assisted transduodenal papillectomy (LATDP). Methods:Ports were placed at the umbilicus, upper abdomen, left hypochondrium and right flank. Initially, kocherization was performed, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and a C-tube was placed in the common bile duct through the cystic duct. Next, the port wound of the upper abdomen was extended 4 cm longitudinally, and only the descending part of the duodenum was extracted through this incision. The duodenum was opened opposite to the major duodenal papilla, and the major duodenal papilla was resected extracorporeally. After resection, the resection stumps of the bile duct and the pancreatic duct were sutured along with the duodenal mucosa. Lastly, the incision in the duodenum was stitched. Results:We performed LATDP in 2 patients with cancer in adenoma. These patients had uneventful postoperative courses, as had patients who had previously undergone transduodenal papillectomy (TDP) by the open method in our hospital. Conclusion:LATDP is a feasible procedure that can be substituted for TDP and is less invasive after ESR.
Useless Perinatal Therapies
Authors: Halliday Henry L.
Published: June 2010

With respect to Professor Bengt Robertson whose research studies were very instrumental in the development of one of the most important and evidence-based therapies in perinatal medicine, namely surfactant therapy, I thought it might be appropriate to review some useless or harmful perinatal therapies. Although the term ‘neonatology’ has only been in existence for about 50 years, care of the newborn in the 19th century was largely provided by nurses and obstetricians. As an example, Pierre Budin, a Parisian obstetrician, was very aware of the importance of keeping low birth weight babies warm. More recently however, a number of useless or harmful practices were adopted by those caring for pregnant women and their babies. These included uncontrolled oxygen supplementation, inadequate temperature control, withholding feeds, and various drugs such as thalidomide, chloramphenicol, hexachlorophene, sodium bicarbonate, Epsom salts, benzyl alcohol, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone and corticosteroids. Even in the modern age, inappropriate therapies have been introduced on the basis of short-term beneficial outcomes without longer-term evaluation. Sometimes we are slow to learn the lessons of the past.
Different Effects of Surfactant Proteins B and C – Implications for Development of Synthetic Surfactants
Authors: Curstedt Tore , Johansson Jan
Published: June 2010

Treatment of premature newborn rabbits with synthetic surfactants containing a surfactant protein C analogue in a simple phospholipid mixture gives similar tidal volumes as treatment with poractant alfa (Curosurf®) but ventilation with a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is needed for this synthetic surfactant to stabilize the alveoli at end-expiration. The effect on lung gas volumes seems to depend on the structure of the peptide since treatment with a synthetic surfactant containing the 21-residue peptide (LysLeu4)4Lys (KL4) gives low lung gas volumes in experiments also performed with PEEP. Surfactant preparations containing both surfactant proteins B and C or their analogues prevent alveolar collapse at end-expiration even if ventilated without PEEP. Treatment of premature newborn rabbits with different natural surfactants indicates that both the lipid composition and the proteins are important in order to stabilize the alveoli at end-expiration. Synthetic surfactants containing two peptides may be able to replace natural surfactants within the near future but more trials need to be performed before any conclusion can be drawn about the ideal composition of this new generation of synthetic surfactants.
Pulmonary and Neurological Follow-Up of Extremely Preterm Infants
Authors: Doyle Lex W. , Anderson Peter J.
Published: June 2010

The long-term consequences of extreme prematurity assume more importance as survival rates increase. Pulmonary problems are common immediately after birth and most extremely preterm (EP) infants (<28 weeks’ gestation) require respiratory support. Many survivors develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia and some have long-term oxygen dependency, occasionally for years. Their brain has to respond to an environment very different to that of the uterus, and cerebroventricular haemorrhage and white matter injury occur much more frequently than in term infants. Compared with children born at term, EP survivors have higher rates of wheezing and hospital readmission for respiratory illnesses in the first few years after the primary hospitalisation. As they grow older they have reduced pulmonary function, particularly airway obstruction, and lower exercise tolerance. Larger proportions of EP children have significant developmental and motor delay in early childhood. At school age other cognitive impairments including learning disabilities and behavioural problems occur more frequently. Despite these difficulties, most EP survivors escape without major long-term pulmonary or neurological problems.
European Consensus Guidelines on the Management of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants – 2010 Update
Authors: Sweet David G. , Carnielli Virgilio , Greisen Gorm , Hallman Mikko , Ozek Eren , Plavka Richard , Saugstad Ola D. , Simeoni Umberto , Speer Christian P. , Halliday Henry L.
Published: June 2010

Despite recent advances in the perinatal management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), controversies still exist. We report the updated recommendations of a European panel of expert neonatologists who had developed consensus guidelines after critical examination of the most up-to-date evidence in 2007. These updated guidelines are based upon published evidence up to the end of 2009. Strong evidence exists for the role of a single course of antenatal steroids in RDS prevention, but the potential benefit and long-term safety of repeated courses are unclear. Many practices involved in preterm neonatal stabilisation at birth are not evidence-based, including oxygen administration and positive pressure lung inflation, and they may at times be harmful. Surfactant replacement therapy is crucial in the management of RDS, but the best preparation, optimal dose and timing of administration at different gestations is not always clear. Respiratory support in the form of mechanical ventilation may also be lifesaving, but can cause lung injury, and protocols should be directed at avoiding mechanical ventilation where possible by using nasal continuous positive airways pressure or nasal ventilation. For babies with RDS to have best outcomes, it is essential that they have optimal supportive care, including maintenance of a normal body temperature, proper fluid management, good nutritional support, management of the ductus arteriosus and support of the circulation to maintain adequate tissue perfusion.
Neonatal Neutrophils with Prolonged Survival Secrete Mediators Associated with Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Nguyen Caroline N. , Schnulle Patricia M. , Chegini Nasser , Luo Xiaoping , Koenig Joyce M.
Published: June 2010

Background: The resolution of inflammation involves the efficient removal of apoptotic neutrophils (PMN). However, a subpopulation of PMN that are resistant to apoptosis may contribute to PMN persistence in tissues, an early hallmark of chronic inflammation. We previously made observations that neonatal PMN with prolonged survival had augmented expression of CD18/CD11b, an adhesion molecule critical to inflammation. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to test the hypothesis that surviving neonatal PMN retain the capacity to secrete key mediators associated with chronic inflammation. Methods: We profiled cytokine and chemokine secretion patterns of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neonatal and adult PMN using multicytokine array and ELISA. Results: We observed that surviving 24-hour neonatal PMN stimulated with LPS had enhanced secretion of interleukin (IL)-8, a chemokine involved in PMN activation and recruitment. In addition, 24-hour neonatal PMN secreted levels of monocyte inhibitory protein (MIP)-1β that were higher than those secreted by 0-hour PMN, but amounts of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were lower. Conclusions: The results of the present study extend previous observations of augmented function in surviving neonatal neutrophils, and further suggest their potential contribution to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders in neonates.
Comparative Study of Carotenoids, Catalase and Radical Formation in Human and Animal Skin
Authors: Haag S.F. , Bechtel A. , Darvin M.E. , Klein F. , Groth N. , Schäfer-Korting M. , Bittl R. , Lademann J. , Sterry W. , Meinke M.C.
Published: June 2010

Animal skin is widely used in dermatological free radical research. Porcine ear skin is a well-studied substitute for human skin. The use of bovine udder skin is rare but its high carotenoid content makes it particularly appropriate for studying the redox state of the skin. Yet, information on the suitability of animal skin for the study of external hazard effects on the redox state of human skin has been lacking. In this study, we investigated the activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and the carotenoid content defining the redox status as well as UV-induced radical formation of human, porcine ear and bovine udder skin ex vivo. In human skin only low levels of radical formation were detected following UV irradiation, whereas bovine skin contains the highest amount of carotenoids but the lowest amount of catalase. Porcine ear skin does not exhibit a carotenoid signal but its catalase activity is close to human skin. Therefore, radical formation can neither be correlated to the amount of catalase nor to the amount of carotenoids in the skin. All skin types can be used for electron paramagnetic resonance-based detection of radicals, but porcine skin was found to be the most suitable type.
Localizing Putative Markers in Genetic Association Studies by Incorporating Linkage Disequilibrium into Bayesian Hierarchical Models
Authors: Fridley Brooke L. , Jenkins Gregory D.
Published: June 2010

Objective: Numerous methods have been proposed to model the association between multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a phenotype. Often these methods do not explicitly model the information regarding the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between SNPs. Furthermore, many methods shrink the SNP effects towards zero, rather than to an unknown latent gene-level effect. Methods: We outline the use of bayesian hierarchical models for gene-level analysis that incorporates LD information. Four different bayesian models, with either the inclusion or exclusion of LD information and ‘shrinkage’ of SNP effects to a latent gene-level effect or zero, were applied to a pharmacogenomic study and simulation study. Results: We observed that the inclusion of LD information resulted in increased precision in the SNP parameter estimates. The simulation study also demonstrated that the bayesian models were able to determine the simulated ‘causative’ variant more often with less false-positive associations as compared to commonly used multi-SNP analysis methods. Conclusions: Incorporating LD information in the analysis of multiple SNPs results in more precise estimates of SNP effects. In addition, the bayesian models are able to isolate the simulated ‘causative’ variant more often than commonly used regression modeling methods.
In vitro Activity of Tigecycline and Other Tetracyclines against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Species: Report from a Tertiary Care Centre in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Shakoor Sadia , Khan Erum , Zafar Afia , Hasan Rumina
Published: June 2010

Background: The Aga Khan University Hospital is a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan, where tigecycline has not been used previously. We report findings of a pre-use in vitro study to evaluate sensitivity of nosocomial Acinetobacter spp. Tigecycline minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was correlated with that of other tetracyclines to assess their predictive potential. Methods:Acinetobacter spp. were collected from hospitalized inpatients admitted to Aga Khan University Hospital from April to November 2007. Tigecycline, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline MICs were determined by E-test. Results: One hundred isolates of Acinetobacter spp. were tested. Ninety-eight percent of Acinetobacter spp. were carbapenem-resistant. Tigecycline MIC50 and MIC90 were 1.5 and 2.0 µg/ml, respectively. Unavailability of standard breakpoints hindered categorization of these values. Minocycline was highly active, with MIC90 of 2.0 µg/ml. Conclusions: Tigecycline breakpoints for Acinetobacter spp. should be established to prevent injudicious use of this antibiotic based on misleading in vitro results. The therapeutic potential of minocycline needs more in-depth study.
Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Intravaginal Pentamycin
Authors: Frey Tirri B. , Bitzer J. , Geudelin B. , Drewe J.
Published: June 2010

Background/Aims: Intravaginal pentamycin is a polyene macrolide with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and is effective in various forms of infectious vaginitis. We evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of this product. Methods: Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive double blind one of five doses of intravaginal pentamycin (3, 10, 30, 60 or 100 mg) or the corresponding dose of pentamycin vehicle daily for 6 days. Patients with symptomatic vaginitis received a single dose of 60 (n = 6) or 100 mg (n = 6) of intravaginal pentamycin. Safety and tolerability parameters were monitored throughout the study. Plasma concentrations of pentamycin were measured daily in the healthy volunteers and on the day of drug application in the patients. Results: The most frequently reported adverse events were mild or moderate vaginal discharge and mild symptoms of vaginal irritation (mainly pruritus or burning sensation), which also occurred in women who applied the vehicle. No patient with symptomatic vaginitis reported treatment-related adverse events. The plasma levels of pentamycin were below the quantification limit in all samples. Conclusion: Intravaginal pentamycin does not cause adverse reactions compared with vehicle and is not absorbed through the intact or the inflamed vagina.
Synoptic-Eddy Feedbacks and Circulation Regime Analysis
Authors: Straus David M.
Published: June 2010

A method to incorporate synoptic eddies into the diagnosis of circulation regimes using cluster analysis is illustrated using boreal winter reanalyses of the National Centers of Environmental Prediction (hereafter observations) over the Pacific–North American region. The motivation is to include the configuration of the high-frequency (periods less than 10 days) transients as well as the low-frequency (periods greater than 10 days) flow explicitly into the definition of the regimes.

Principle component analysis is applied to the low-frequency 200-hPa height field, and also to the low-frequency “envelope” modulations of the rms of high-frequency meridional velocity at 200 hPa. A maximum covariance analysis of the height and envelope fields, carried out using the appropriate principal components, defines three modes as explaining most of the covariance. This defines the minimum dimensionality of the space in which to apply k-means cluster analysis to the covariance coefficients. Clusters found using this method agree with results of the previous work.

Significance is assessed by comparing cluster analyses with results from synthetic datasets that have the same spectral amplitudes (but random phases) of seasonal means and, separately, intraseasonal fluctuations as do the original observed time series. This procedure ensures that the synthetic series have similar autocovariance structures to the observations. Building on earlier work, the clusters obtained are newly tested to be highly significant without the need for quasi-stationary prefiltering.
Observations of a Squall Line and Its Near Environment Using High-Frequency Rawinsonde Launches during VORTEX2
Authors: Bryan George H. , Parker Matthew D.
Published: June 2010

Rawinsonde data were collected before and during passage of a squall line in Oklahoma on 15 May 2009 during the Second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2). Nine soundings were released within 3 h, allowing for unprecedented analysis of the squall line’s internal structure and nearby environment. Four soundings were released in the prestorm environment and they document the following features: low-level cooling associated with the reduction of solar isolation by a cirrus anvil; abrupt warming (1.5 K in 30 min) above the boundary layer, which is probably attributable to a gravity wave; increases in both low-level and deep-layer vertical wind shear within 100 km of the squall line; and evidence of ascent extending at least 75 km ahead of the squall line. The next sounding was released ∼5 km ahead of the squall line’s gust front; it documented a moist absolutely unstable layer within a 2-km-deep layer of ascent, with vertical air velocity of approximately 6 m s−1. Another sounding was released after the gust front passed but before precipitation began; this sounding showed the cold pool to be ∼4 km deep, with a cold pool intensity C ≈ 35 m s−1, even though this sounding was located only 8 km behind the surface gust front. The final three soundings were released in the trailing stratiform region of the squall line, and they showed typical features such as: “onion”-shaped soundings, nearly uniform equivalent potential temperature over a deep layer, and an elevated rear inflow jet. The cold pool was 4.7 km deep in the trailing stratiform region, and extended ∼1 km above the melting level, suggesting that sublimation was a contributor to cold pool development. A mesoscale analysis of the sounding data shows an upshear tilt to the squall line, which is consistent with the cold pool intensity C being much larger than a measure of environmental vertical wind shear ΔU. This dataset should be useful for evaluating cloud-scale numerical model simulations and analytic theory, but the authors argue that additional observations of this type should be collected in future field projects.
Tropical Cyclone Intensity Change before U.S. Gulf Coast Landfall
Authors: Rappaport Edward N. , Franklin James L. , Schumacher Andrea B. , DeMaria Mark , Shay Lynn K. , Gibney Ethan J.
Published: June 2010

Tropical cyclone intensity change remains a forecasting challenge with important implications for such vulnerable areas as the U.S. coast along the Gulf of Mexico. Analysis of 1979–2008 Gulf tropical cyclones during their final two days before U.S. landfall identifies patterns of behavior that are of interest to operational forecasters and researchers. Tropical storms and depressions strengthened on average by about 7 kt for every 12 h over the Gulf, except for little change during their final 12 h before landfall. Hurricanes underwent a different systematic evolution. In the net, category 1–2 hurricanes strengthened, while category 3–5 hurricanes weakened such that tropical cyclones approach the threshold of major hurricane status by U.S. landfall. This behavior can be partially explained by consideration of the maximum potential intensity modified by the environmental vertical wind shear and hurricane-induced sea surface temperature reduction near the storm center associated with relatively low oceanic heat content levels. Linear least squares regression equations based on initial intensity and time to landfall explain at least half the variance of the hurricane intensity change. Applied retrospectively, these simple equations yield relatively small forecast errors and biases for hurricanes. Characteristics of most of the significant outliers are explained and found to be identifiable a priori for hurricanes, suggesting that forecasters can adjust their forecast procedures accordingly.
The Canadian Regional Data Assimilation and Forecasting System
Authors: Fillion Luc , Tanguay Monique , Lapalme Ervig , Denis Bertrand , Desgagne Michel , Lee Vivian , Ek Nils , Liu Zhuo , Lajoie Manon , Caron Jean-François , Pagé Christian
Published: June 2010

This paper describes the recent changes to the regional data assimilation and forecasting system at the Canadian Meteorological Center. A major aspect is the replacement of the currently operational global variable resolution forecasting approach by a limited-area nested approach. In addition, the variational analysis code has been upgraded to allow limited-area three- and four-dimensional variational data assimilation (3D- and 4DVAR) analysis approaches. As a first implementation step, the constraints were to impose similar background error correlation modeling assumptions, equal computer resources, and the use of the same assimilated data. Both bi-Fourier and spherical-harmonics spectral representations of background error correlations were extensively tested for the large horizontal domain considered for the Canadian regional system. Under such conditions, it is shown that the new regional data assimilation and forecasting system performs as well as the current operational system and it produces slightly better 24-h accumulated precipitation scores as judged from an ensemble of winter and summer cases. Because of the large horizontal extent of the regional domain considered, a spherical-harmonics spectral representation of background error correlations was shown to perform better than the bi-Fourier representation, considering all evaluation scores examined in this study. The latter is more suitable for smaller domains and will be kept for the upcoming use in the kilometric-scale local analysis domains in order to support the Canadian Meteorological Center’s (CMC’s) operations using multiple domains over Canada. The CMC’s new regional system [i.e., a regional limited-area 3DVAR data assimilation system coupled to a limited-area model (REG-LAM3D)] is now undergoing its final evaluations before operational transfer. Important model and data assimilation upgrades are currently under development to fully exploit this new system and are briefly presented.
The Influences of Message and Source Factors on Advice Outcomes
Authors: Bo Feng  , MacGeorge Erina L.
Published: June 2010

Guided by an integration of existing theories on advice and persuasion, the current study presented and assessed the influence of multiple message and source factors on responses to advice in supportive interactions. A total of 262 participants completed survey instruments designed to assess message and source factors and advice outcomes with regard to a recent instance of having received advice for a personal difficulty. Results showed that the sets of source factors (expertise, liking, trust, and similarity) and message factors (politeness, response efficacy, feasibility, absence of limitations, and confirmation) each had independent influences on advice outcomes (evaluation of advice quality, facilitation of coping, and intention to implement the advice), but the effect of source factors was partially mediated by message factors. In addition, the message factors had a stronger impact on advice outcomes as problem seriousness increased. The results also showed a different pattern of prediction for implementation intention than for the other advice outcomes.
Adapted Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Intervention Can Be Effectively Delivered Through Telehealth
Authors: Vadheim Liane M. , McPherson Carla , Kassner Darcy R. , Vanderwood Karl K. , Hall Taryn O. , Butcher Marcene K. , Helgerson Steven D. , Harwell Todd S.
Published: June 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of delivering an adapted group-based version of the Diabetes Prevention Program’s (DPP) lifestyle intervention through telehealth video conferencing.

Methods

In 2009, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in collaboration with Holy Rosary Heathcare implemented the DPP lifestyle intervention, which was provided to an on-site group in 1 community and simultaneously through telehealth to a second group in a remote frontier community. Participants obtained medical clearance from their primary care physician and were eligible if they were overweight and had 1 or more of the following risk factors: prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose (IGT/IFG), a history of gestational diabetes (GDM) or the delivery of an infant >9 pounds, hypertension, or dyslipidemia.

Results

A total of 13 and 16 eligible adults enrolled in the on-site and the telehealth program, and 13 (100%) and 14 (88%) participants completed the 16-week program, respectively. Both the on-site and telehealth groups achieved high levels of weekly physical activity and there were no significant differences between groups. Over 45% of on-site and telehealth participants achieved the 7% weight loss goal with the average weight loss per participant greater than 6.4 kg in both groups.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver an adapted group-based DPP lifestyle intervention through telehealth resulting in weight loss outcomes similar to the original DPP.
Red Tape and Democracy: How Rules Affect Citizenship Rights
Authors: Moynihan Donald , Herd Pamela
Published: June 2010

Over the past 15 years, political science has paid increasing attention to the feedback effects of policy—the idea that the design of policies has profound effects on how citizens experience government and understand their role in the polity. One concept that is perfectly placed to explain how citizens experience administrative rules is red tape. But even as an impressive empirical scholarship on red tape has grown in recent years, it has focused almost exclusively on organizational actors rather than citizens. This article ties the red tape concept into a policy feedback framework. The authors argue that administrative rules frequently exert significant and unjustified compliance burden that restrict access to political and social rights. Furthermore, such burdens have equity implications, because they are often disproportionately experienced by disadvantaged groups. These propositions are illustrated using examples from welfare state and election policies in the United States.
The evolutionary turn in psychiatry: a historical overview
Authors: Adriaens Pieter R , De Block Andreas
Published: June 2010

Ever since Darwin, psychiatrists have been tempted to put evolutionary theory to use in their efforts to understand and explain various aspects of mental disorders. Following a number of pivotal developments in the history of evolutionary thought, including degeneration theory, ethology and the modern synthesis, this introductory paper provides an overview of the many trends and schools in the history of ‘psychiatric Darwinism’ and ‘evolutionary psychiatry’. We conclude with an attempt to distinguish three underlying motives in asking evolutionary questions about mental disorders.
The Role of the Behavioral Approach System (BAS) in Bipolar Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Alloy Lauren B. , Abramson Lyn Y.
Published: June 2010

Bipolar spectrum disorders are characterized by highs and lows of mood, energy, motivation, cognition, and activity. The behavioral approach system (BAS) dysregulation theory provides an integrated model for understanding psychosocial and biological features of bipolar disorders. The theory emphasizes the role that sensitivity to rewards and goals plays in bipolar disorder. We review theory and evidence for the BAS-dysregulation model of bipolar disorders. We consider whether high BAS sensitivity is a correlate of, vulnerability factor for, and predictor of the course of bipolar spectrum disorders. We also discuss BAS-relevant life events as triggers of bipolar mood episodes. Finally, we address the implications of the BAS model for treatment and prevention of bipolar disorders and suggest directions for further research.
It Takes Two to Tango
Authors: Fingerman Karen L. , Charles Susan T.
Published: June 2010

Older adults report more positive feelings and fewer problems in their relationships than do younger adults. Prior theories have focused on aspects of the older adult (e.g., social cognition, motivation) to explain these findings. We propose a social input model to explain why older adults describe themselves as having better relationships. This model maintains that older adults’ reports of positive social ties reflect both their own actions and those of their social partners. When adults of any age find themselves in a tense interchange with an older adult, they minimize tensions to facilitate positive emotional experiences. These behaviors may stem from perceived time remaining in the relationship, forgiveness or abrogation of blame, and stereotypes of aging. Findings suggest socioemotional regulation in late life involves actions on the part of both older adults and their social partners.
When Positive Processes Hurt Relationships
Authors: McNulty James K.
Published: June 2010

Based on a robust literature indicating that happy couples tend to think and behave more positively in their relationships than less happy couples do, most interventions designed to treat and prevent marital distress tend to encourage couples to engage in more-positive cognitive and behavioral processes and avoid more-negative ones. Consistent with the limited effectiveness of such interventions, however, findings from four independent longitudinal studies of newlyweds indicate that positive processes may not only fail to help distressed couples, they may hurt them. Specifically, although more-positive expectations, more-positive attributions, less-negative behavior, and more forgiveness most effectively maintained satisfaction among spouses facing infrequent and minor problems, less-positive expectations, less-positive attributions, more-negative behavior, and less forgiveness most effectively maintained satisfaction among spouses facing more-frequent and more-severe problems, partly because those processes helped spouses acknowledge, address, and resolve those problems. Accordingly, distressed and at-risk couples may benefit from interventions that teach them to think and behave in ways that motivate them to resolve their problems, even if those thoughts and behaviors are associated with negative emotions in the moment.
The effect of low-dose naltrexone on quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Sharafaddinzadeh Naser , Moghtaderi Ali , Kashipazha Davood , Majdinasab Nastaran , Shalbafan Bita
Published: June 2010

Background: Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may promote psychological well-being as well as generalized health especially in autoimmune disorders. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of LDN on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with relapsing—remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) using the scales and composite scores of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire.

Methods: A 17-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, crossover-design clinical trial was conducted in two universities. A total of 96 adult patients aged between 15 and 65 years with relapsing—remitting (RR) or secondary progressive (SP) clinically definite MS with disease duration longer than 6 months enrolled into the study. The primary outcome of the study was comparison of the scores of physical and mental health by conducting independent t-test of the results obtained in the middle and at the end of study between the two groups.

Results: Variables including presence of pain, energy, emotional well-being, social, cognitive, and sexual functions, role limitation due to physical and emotional problems, health distress, and overall QoL did not show any meaningful statistically difference between the two groups. Factor analysis revealed that health perception scores were statistically different between the groups before starting, in the middle, and at the end of the study.

Conclusion: The study clearly illustrates that LDN is a relatively safe therapeutic option in RRMS and SPMS but its efficacy is under question and probably a long duration trial is needed in the future.
Real-life walking impairment in multiple sclerosis: preliminary comparison of four methods for processing accelerometry data
Authors: Sosnoff Jacob J , Goldman Myla D , Motl Robert W
Published: June 2010

This study further validates accelerometers as a measure of walking impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis. We examined total movement counts and three novel methods of processing accelerometer data (i.e. standard deviation, approximate entropy and detrended fluctuation analysis) for quantifying real-life walking impairment in this population. A total of 70 individuals with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis completed a battery of patient-rated measures of walking impairment and then wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for 7 days. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance and bivariate correlation analysis. The results indicated that total daily movement counts and standard deviation of daily movement counts differed between groups of persons with mild, moderate, and severe self-reported disability status and who were independently ambulatory or ambulatory with assistance. Those two metrics for the accelerometer data further demonstrated strong correlations with patient-rated measures of walking impairment. By comparison, there were smaller and often non-significant differences in approximate entropy and detrended fluctuation analysis metrics for the accelerometer data as a function of disability and ambulatory status, and only moderate correlations with patient-rated measures of walking impairment. The results confirm that the metric of total daily movement counts correlates with level of disability, ambulatory status, and patient reports of walking impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis. We further demonstrate that variability, indexed by the standard deviation of daily movement counts, correlates with multiple sclerosis-related disability, ambulatory status, and self-reported walking impairment. Such results provide preliminary evidence that variability in accelerometer counts is not simply noise and may provide important information about multiple sclerosis-related walking impairment.
Identifying clinically relevant feeding problems and disorders
Authors: Aldridge Victoria K. , Dovey Terence M. , Martin Clarissa I. , Meyer Caroline
Published: June 2010

This paper outlines what is currently understood, and what can be hypothesized about paediatric feeding dysfunctions. The paper highlights the current lack of awareness of psychological factors implicated in infant and child feeding, and promotes a behavioural approach to the identification, referral and treatment of non-organic derived feeding problems and disorders. Potential risk factors to poor feeding development are outlined, and characteristic child and caregiver behaviours which may signify problems with feeding are suggested. The aim of this paper is to promote early identification of these symptoms in frontline healthcare in the hope of increasing early intervention before physical complaints, medical complications and/or disorders arise.
Time savings from easy access to clean water
Authors: Arku Frank S.
Published: June 2010

Individuals may have different perceptions of how development interventions meet their well-being. Using the Volta Rural Water Supply project in Ghana as a case study, it was found that women and men were able to save considerable amount of time by having easy access to clean water through the project, and also uses of time saved corresponded to their well-being indicators. Women, more than men, spent their saved time on activities that provide common benefits to the entire household. It is recommended that a balance of economic opportunities for both men and women, fee breaks and in-kind purchase of water, be encouraged in order for water projects to effectively advance rural people’s well-being.
The Value of PET in Mild Cognitive Impairment, Typical and Atypical/Unclear Dementias: A Retrospective Memory Clinic Study
Authors: Laforce Robert , Buteau James P. , Paquet Nancy , Verret Louis , Houde Michèle , Bouchard Rémi W.
Published: June 2010

This retrospective study examined the role of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the diagnosis of atypical/unclear dementias in a memory clinic setting. A total of 94 patients with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, who had a PET study within 2 months of their diagnosis, were reevaluated at 5 and 18 months. Results showed that PET was associated with a change in diagnosis in 29% of patients and a 64% increase in the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). PET significantly lowered the number of atypical/unclear diagnoses from 39.4% to 16% and nearly 30% of these were found to have a typical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pattern of hypometabolism. In conclusion, the addition of PET to the investigation of atypical/unclear cases of dementia helped generating a more accurate diagnosis and initiating earlier treatment. PET was of limited contribution to typical AD and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. This study provides guiding evidence about the true value of PET imaging in the day-to-day challenge of dementia diagnosis.
Megakaryocytes constitute a functional component of a plasma cell niche in the bone marrow
Authors: Winter Oliver , Moser Katrin , Mohr Elodie , Zotos Dimitra , Kaminski Henriette , Szyska Martin , Roth Katrin , Wong David M. , Dame Christof , Tarlinton David M. , Schulze Harald , MacLennan Ian C. M. , Manz Rudolf A.
Published: June 2010

Long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow produce memory antibodies that provide immune protection persisting for decades after infection or vaccination but can also contribute to autoimmune and allergic diseases. However, the composition of the microenvironmental niches that are important for the generation and maintenance of these cells is only poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that, within the bone marrow, plasma cells interact with the platelet precursors (megakaryocytes), which produce the prominent plasma cell survival factors APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) and IL-6 (interleukin-6). Accordingly, reduced numbers of immature and mature plasma cells are found in the bone marrow of mice deficient for the thrombopoietin receptor (c-mpl) that show impaired megakaryopoiesis. After immunization, accumulation of antigen-specific plasma cells in the bone marrow is disturbed in these mice. Vice versa, injection of thrombopoietin allows the accumulation and persistence of a larger number of plasma cells generated in the course of a specific immune response in wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that megakaryocytes constitute an important component of the niche for long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow.
The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme HR6B is required for maintenance of X chromosome silencing in mouse spermatocytes and spermatids
Authors: Mulugeta Achame Eskeatnaf , Wassenaar Evelyne , Hoogerbrugge Jos W , Sleddens-Linkels Esther , Ooms Marja , Sun Zu-Wen , van IJcken Wilfred FJ , Grootegoed J Anton , Baarends Willy M
Published: June 2010

Background

The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme HR6B is required for spermatogenesis in mouse. Loss of HR6B results in aberrant histone modification patterns on the trancriptionally silenced X and Y chromosomes (XY body) and on centromeric chromatin in meiotic prophase. We studied the relationship between these chromatin modifications and their effects on global gene expression patterns, in spermatocytes and spermatids.

Results

HR6B is enriched on the XY body and on centromeric regions in pachytene spermatocytes. Global gene expression analyses revealed that spermatid-specific single- and multicopy X-linked genes are prematurely expressed in Hr6b knockout spermatocytes. Very few other differences in gene expression were observed in these cells, except for upregulation of major satellite repeat transcription. In contrast, in Hr6b knockout spermatids, 7298 genes were differentially expressed; 65% of these genes was downregulated, but we observed a global upregulation of gene transcription from the X chromosome. In wild type spermatids, approximately 20% of the single-copy X-linked genes reach an average expression level that is similar to the average expression from autosomes.

Conclusions

Spermatids maintain an enrichment of repressive chromatin marks on the X chromosome, originating from meiotic prophase, but this does not interfere with transcription of the single-copy X-linked genes that are reactivated or specifically activated in spermatids. HR6B represses major satellite repeat transcription in spermatocytes, and functions in the maintenance of X chromosome silencing in spermatocytes and spermatids. It is discussed that these functions involve modification of chromatin structure, possibly including H2B ubiquitylation.