bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of cell adhesion molecule gene polymorphisms with recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Alkhateeb Asem , Karasneh Jumana , Abbadi Hebah , Hassan Ahmad , Thornhill Martin
Published: June 2013

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral ulcerative condition. At ulcer sites vascular adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), E‐selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) are strongly expressed on blood vessels, and ICAM‐1 is expressed on keratinocytes. Expression of these molecules would promote leukocyte accumulation and invasion of the epithelium. Thus, polymorphisms in these candidate genes might contribute to RAS susceptibility. We investigated whether the inheritance of specific selectin, ICAM and VCAM gene polymorphisms is associated with RAS susceptibility.

Methods

Ninety‐six RAS cases and 153 controls were recruited from a Jordanian population. Blood was collected for hematological investigations and genotyping. Six SNPs were genotyped: E‐selectin rs5361 and rs1805193, L‐selectin, rs2205849, ICAM‐1 rs5498, ICAM‐5 rs885743 and VCAM‐1 rs1800821. Association was determined using chi‐square and binary logistic regression analysis after correcting for confounding factors. Linkage disequilibrium was determined using the EH program, and the Phase 2.1 program was used to construct and compare haplotypes between cases and controls.

Results

There was a significant association of the A allele (Pcorr = 0.027), AA and AC genotypes (OR = 10.9 and 9.0, respectively) of the E‐selectin rs5361 gene polymorphism and TAA haplotype (rs2205849, rs5361, and rs1805193, respectively; P = 0.03) with RAS. None of the other SNPs showed a significant association.

Conclusions

This is the first report to link inheritance of the A allele, AA and AC genotypes of the E‐selectin rs5361 polymorphism with increased risk of RAS. Further studies in different patient cohorts are needed to confirm the association, and functional analyses might clarify the biological significance of the association.
Burning mouth syndrome: a review and update
Authors: Sun Andy , Wu Kai‐Ming , Wang Yi‐Ping , Lin Hung‐Pin , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Chiang Chun‐Pin
Published: June 2013

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by the presence of burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of clinically apparent mucosal alterations. It occurs more commonly in middle‐aged and elderly women and often affects the tongue tip and lateral borders, lips, and hard and soft palate. In addition to a burning sensation, the patients with BMS may also complain unremitting oral mucosal pain, dysgeusia, and xerostomia. BMS can be classified into two clinical forms: primary and secondary BMS. The primary BMS is essential or idiopathic, in which the organic local/systemic causes cannot be identified and a neuropathological cause is likely. The diagnosis of primary BMS depends mainly on exclusion of etiological factors. The secondary BMS is caused by local, systemic, and/or psychological factors; thus, its diagnosis depends on identification of the exact causative factor. When local, systemic or psychological factors are present, treatment or elimination of these factors usually results in a significant clinical improvement of BMS symptoms. Vitamin, zinc, or hormone replacement therapy has been found to be effective for reducing the oral burning or pain symptom in some BMS patients with deficiency of the corresponding factor. If patients still have the symptoms after the removal of potential causes, drug therapy should be instituted. Previous randomized controlled clinical trials found that drug therapy with capsaicin, alpha‐lipoic acid, clonazepam, and antidepressants may provide relief of oral burning or pain symptom. In addition, psychotherapy and behavioral feedback may also help eliminate the BMS symptoms.
Inference for single and multiple change‐points in time series
Authors: Jandhyala Venkata , Fotopoulos Stergios , MacNeill Ian , Liu Pengyu
Published: June 2013

The article reviews methods of inference for single and multiple change‐points in time series, when data are of retrospective (off‐line) type. The inferential methods reviewed for a single change‐point in time series include likelihood, Bayes, Bayes‐type and some relevant non‐parametric methods. Inference for multiple change‐points requires methods that can handle large data sets and can be implemented efficiently for estimating the number of change‐points as well as their locations. Our review in this important area focuses on some of the recent advances in this direction. Greater emphasis is placed on multivariate data while reviewing inferential methods for a single change‐point in time series. Throughout the article, more attention is paid to estimation of unknown change‐point(s) in time series, and this is especially true in the case of multiple change‐points. Some specific data sets for which change‐point modelling has been carried out in the literature are provided as illustrative examples under both single and multiple change‐point scenarios.
HOPE, FEAR, AND ASPIRATIONS
Authors: He Xue Dong , Zhou Xun Yu
Published: June 2013

We propose a rank‐dependent portfolio choice model in continuous time that captures the role in decision making of three emotions: hope, fear, and aspirations. Hope and fear are modeled through an inverse‐S shaped probability weighting function and aspirations through a probabilistic constraint. By employing the recently developed approach of quantile formulation, we solve the portfolio choice problem both thoroughly and analytically. These solutions motivate us to introduce a fear index, a hope index, and a lottery‐likeness index to quantify the impacts of three emotions, respectively, on investment behavior. We find that a sufficiently high level of fear endogenously necessitates portfolio insurance. On the other hand, hope is reflected in the agent's perspective on good states of the world: a higher level of hope causes the agent to include more scenarios under the notion of good states and leads to greater payoffs in sufficiently good states. Finally, an exceedingly high level of aspirations results in the construction of a lottery‐type payoff, indicating that the agent needs to enter into a pure gamble in order to achieve his goal. We also conduct numerical experiments to demonstrate our findings.
Tuite, γ‐Ca3(PO4)2, formed by chlorapatite decomposition in a shock vein of the Suizhou L6 chondrite
Authors: Xie Xiande , Zhai Shuangmeng , Chen Ming , Yang Hexiong
Published: June 2013

Tuite, γ‐Ca3(PO4)2, was first discovered as the high‐pressure phase of whitlockite in shock veins of the Suizhou L6 meteorite. This study reports the finding of tuite in a shock vein of the same Suizhou chondrite as a product of decomposition of chlorapatite, where it coexists with coarse‐grained ringwoodite, majorite, lingunite, fine‐grained majorite‐pyrope solid solution, and magnesiowüstite. Moreover, we also successfully synthesized tuite with a multianvil apparatus from chlorapatite at 15 GPa and 1573 K over 24 h. Both natural and synthetic tuite crystals were examined by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. Our results suggest that the Na2O, MgO, and Cl contents in natural tuite may serve as good indicators for distinguishing the precursor phosphate mineral, chlorapatite or whitlockite.
An autopsy case of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with the I113T SOD1 mutation
Authors: Nakamura Seika , Wate Reika , Kaneko Satoshi , Ito Hidefumi , Oki Mitsuaki , Tsuge Ayako , Nagashima Masato , Asayama Shinya , Fujita Kengo , Nakamura Masataka , Maruyama Hirofumi , Kawakami Hideshi , Kusaka Hirofumi
Published: June 2013

A 64‐year‐old man noticed weakness in his arms and dyspnea upon exertion. Four months later he was admitted to our hospital, where muscle atrophy and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes in the arms were observed upon examination. A needle electromyograph study revealed acute and chronic denervation in the extremities, and he was diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Seven months after onset of the disease, he died of respiratory failure. Neuropathologically, neuronal cell loss was observed in the motor cortex, hypoglossal nuclei, cervical and lumbar anterior horns and Clarke's nuclei. Some of the remaining neurons contained neurofilamentous conglomerate inclusions (CIs). A small number of Lewy body‐like hyaline inclusions (LBHIs) were also observed. No the Bunina bodies, skein‐like inclusions or basophilic inclusions were detectable. Tract degeneration was moderate in the dorsal and ventral spinocerebellar tracts, mild in the pyramidal tract, but not discerned in the posterior column. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the CIs were strongly positive for phosphorylated neurofilament and moderately positive for ubiquitin and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Moreover, a number of phosphorylated tau protein‐positive globose neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and threads were observed in the periaqueductal gray matter, oculomotor nuclei and trochlear nuclei. Although the family history was negative for neuromuscular diseases, the neuropathological findings indicated features of familial ALS with a SOD1 mutation. In fact, DNA analysis of frozen‐brain tissue revealed the presence of the I113T SOD1 mutation. This case represents the first one of this mutation in a patient who showed CIs as well as LBHIs in the motor neurons at the same time, in addition to the NFTs in the mesencephalic tegmentum.
Systematic review of lifestyle interventions to limit postpartum weight retention: implications for future opportunities to prevent maternal overweight and obesity following childbirth
Authors: van der Pligt P. , Willcox J. , Hesketh K. D. , Ball K. , Wilkinson S. , Crawford D. , Campbell K.
Published: June 2013

Postpartum weight retention can predict future weight gain and long‐term obesity. Moreover, failure to lose weight gained during pregnancy can lead to increased body mass index for subsequent pregnancies, increasing the risk of adverse maternal and foetal pregnancy outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing postpartum weight retention. Seven electronic databases were searched for intervention studies and trials enrolling women with singleton pregnancies and published in English from January 1990 to October 2012. Studies were included when postpartum weight was a main outcome and when diet and/or exercise and/or weight monitoring were intervention components. No limitations were placed on age, body mass index or parity. Eleven studies were identified as eligible for inclusion in this review, of which 10 were randomized controlled trials. Seven studies were successful in decreasing postpartum weight retention, six of which included both dietary and physical activity components, incorporated via a range of methods and delivered by a variety of health practitioners. Few studies utilized modern technologies as alternatives to traditional face‐to‐face support and cost‐effectiveness was not assessed in any of the studies. These results suggest that postpartum weight loss is achievable, which may form an important component of obesity prevention in mothers; however, the optimal setting, delivery, intervention length and recruitment approach remains unclear.
Psychological Ownership, Territorial Behavior, and Being Perceived as a Team Contributor: The Critical Role of Trust in the Work Environment
Authors: Brown Graham , Crossley Craig , Robinson Sandra L.
Published: June 2013

In this field study, we develop and test a theory regarding the role of trust in the work environment as a critical condition that determines the relationship between psychological ownership, territoriality, and being perceived as a team contributor. We argue that, dependent upon the context of trust in the work environment, psychological ownership may lead to territorial behaviors of claiming and anticipatory defending and that, dependent upon the context of trust, territorial behavior may lead coworkers to negatively judge the territorial employee as less of a team contributor. A sample of working adults reported on their psychological ownership and territorial behavior toward an important object at work, and a coworker of each provided evaluations on the level of trust in the work environment and rated the focal individual's contributions to the team. Findings suggest that a work environment of trust is a “double‐edged sword”: On the one hand, a high trust environment reduces the territorial behavior associated with psychological ownership; on the other hand, when territorial behavior does occur in high trust environments, coworkers rate the territorial employee's contributions to the team significantly lower. We discuss the nature and management of territorial behavior in light of these findings.
Now You See Them, Now You Do Not: The Influence of Indicator–Factor Ratio on Support for Assessment Center Dimensions
Authors: Monahan Elizabeth L. , Hoffman Brian J. , Lance Charles E. , Jackson Duncan J. R. , Foster Mark R.
Published: June 2013

The inability of assessment center (AC) researchers to find admissible solutions for confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) models that include dimensions has led some to conclude that ACs do not measure dimensions at all. This study investigated whether increasing the indicator–factor ratio facilitates the achievement of convergent and admissible CFA solutions in 2 independent ACs. Results revealed that, when models specify multiple behavioral checklist items as manifest indicators of each latent dimension, all of the AC CFA models tested were identified and returned proper solutions. When armed with the ability to undertake a full set of model comparisons using model fit rather than solution convergence and admissibility as comparative criteria, we found clear evidence for modest dimension effects. These results suggest that the frequent failure to find dimensions in models of the internal structure of ACs is a methodological artifact and that one approach to increase the likelihood for reaching a proper solution is to increase the number of manifest indicators for each dimension factor. In addition, across exercise dimension ratings and the overall assessment rating were both strongly correlated with dimension and exercise factors, indicating that regardless of how an AC is scored, exercise variance will continue to play a key role in the scoring of ACs.
Influence of Adolescence and Obesity on the Rate of Stillbirth
Authors: Warshak Carri R. , Wolfe Katherine B. , Russell Kimberly A. , Habli Mounira , Lewis David F. , DeFranco Emily A.
Published: June 2013

Background

We hypothesise that the rate of stillbirth is increased in mothers younger than 18 years of age compared to adult mothers, and that obesity further increases the risk of stillbirth in this population.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based cohort study comparing rates of stillbirth between adolescent, defined as young women under the age of 18 and adult women. We then compared the rate of stillbirth in normal weight vs. obese adolescents. These effects were stratified according to gestational age. Log‐binomial regression models were used to estimate the effect of adolescence and obesity on stillbirth risk while adjusting for important confounders. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals [CI]were calculated.

Results

We reviewed data from 650 760 births in Missouri between 1998 and 2005. Stillbirth rates were 6.7 and 4.1 per 1000 in adolescents and adult women, respectively (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03–1.5). A higher proportion of stillbirths occurred prior to 28 weeks in adolescents vs. adults (53% vs. 37% respectively, P = 0.002). The risk of stillbirth in obese adolescents was further increased over normal weight adolescents (adjusted RR [aRR] 1.7, 95% CI 1.02–2.9).

Conclusion

Adolescent pregnancies, particularly obese adolescents, are at an increased risk of stillbirth.
Biochemical, physiological and gene expression analysis reveals sex‐specific differences in Populus tomentosa floral development
Authors: Song Yuepeng , Ma Kaifeng , Ci Dong , Zhang Zhiyi , Zhang Deqiang
Published: June 2013

The productivity, distribution and population structure of poplar are affected by temperature transitions. Poplar floral buds develop in a fluctuating environment and the molecular basis of temperature‐dependent flowering regulation has been extensively studied, but little is known about how sex‐specific floral bud development responds to temperature transitions. Here, morphological observations indicated that floral bud growth rates were affected by maximum and minimum air temperature at the later stages of enlargement (stage 4) and later stage of dormancy (stage 8), respectively. We investigated the physiological, biochemical and gene expression changes in floral development and in response to temperature treatment (heat and chilling stress). Male floral buds showed more adverse effects than female floral buds under temperature treatment. Temperature treatment experiments revealed that temperature treatment significantly increased catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase activities and transcription of related genes in female floral buds, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly increased only in males. Soluble sugars and protein increased both in female and male floral buds but were higher in males. Temperature treatment also caused significant increases in Ca2+ content and transcription of genes related to calcium transport in female flowers. These results revealed sex‐specific floral developmental responses to seasonal temperature transitions and suggest that in Populus tomentosa, female floral buds possess better mechanisms for environment adaptation than do males.
Evaluation of Methods to Determine Sperm Density for the European eel, Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Sørensen SR , Gallego V , Pérez L , Butts IAE , Tomkiewicz J , Asturiano JF
Published: June 2013

Contents

European eel, Anguilla anguilla, is a target species for future captive breeding, yet best methodology to estimate sperm density for application in in vitro fertilization is not established. Thus, our objectives were to evaluate methods to estimate European eel sperm density including spermatocrit, computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry (FCM), using Neubauer Improved haemocytometer as benchmark. Initially, relationships between spermatocrit, haemocytometer counts and sperm motility were analysed, as well as the effect of sperm dilution on haemocytometer counts. Furthermore, accuracy and precision of spermatocrit, applying a range of G‐forces, were tested and the best G‐force used in method comparisons. We found no effect of dilution on haemocytometer sperm density estimates, whereas motility associated positively with haemocytometer counts, but not with spermatocrit. Results from all techniques, spermatocrit, CASA and FCM, showed significant positive correlations with haemocytometer counts. The best correlation between spermatocrit and haemocytometer counts was obtained at 6000 × g (r = 0.68). Of two CASA variants, one or three photographic fields (CASA‐1 and CASA‐2), CASA‐2 showed a very high accuracy to haemocytometer counts (r = 0.93), but low precision (CV: CASA‐2 = 28.4%). FCM was tested with and without microfluorospheres (FCM‐1 and FCM‐2), and relationships to haemocytometer counts were highly accurate (FCM‐1: r = 0.94; FCM‐2: r = 0.88) and precise (CV: FCM‐1 = 2.5; FCM‐2 = 2.7%). Overall, CASA‐2 and FCM‐1 feature reliable methods for quantification of European eel sperm, but FCM‐1 has a clear advantage featuring highest precision and accuracy. Together, these results provide a useful basis for gamete management in fertilization protocols.
Lectin Histochemistry as a Tool to Identify Apoptotic Cells in the Seminiferous Epithelium of Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) Subjected to Short Photoperiod
Authors: Seco‐Rovira V , Beltrán‐Frutos E , Ferrer C , Sánchez‐Huertas MM , Madrid JF , Saez FJ , Pastor LM
Published: June 2013

Contents

Lectins have been widely used to study the pattern of cellular glycoconjugates in numerous species. In the process of cellular apoptosis, it has been observed that changes occur in the membrane sugar sequences of these apoptotic cells. The aim of our work was to identify which lectins, out of an extensive battery of the same (PNA, SBA, HPA, LTA, Con‐A, UEA‐I, WGA, DBA, MAA, GNA, AAA, SNA), show affinity for germinal cells in apoptosis, at what stage of cell death they do so and in which germinal cell types they can be detected. For this, we studied testis sections during testicular regression in Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) subjected to short photoperiod. Several lectins showed an affinity for the glycoconjugate residues of germ cells in apoptosis: Gal β1,3‐GalNAcα1, α‐d‐mannose, N‐acetylgalactosamine and l‐fucose. Furthermore, lectin specificity was observed for some specific germinal cells and in certain stages of apoptosis. It was also observed that one of these lectins (PNA) showed affinity for Sertoli cells undergoing apoptosis. Therefore, we conclude that the use of lectin histochemistry could be a very useful tool for studying apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium because of the specificity shown towards germinal cells in pathological or experimentally induced epithelial depletion models.
Risk‐Based Approach for Microbiological Food Safety Management in the Dairy Industry: The Case of Listeria monocytogenes in Soft Cheese Made from Pasteurized Milk
Authors: Tenenhaus‐Aziza Fanny , Daudin Jean‐Jacques , Maffre Alexandre , Sanaa Moez
Published: June 2013

According to Codex Alimentarius Commission recommendations, management options applied at the process production level should be based on good hygiene practices, HACCP system, and new risk management metrics such as the food safety objective. To follow this last recommendation, the use of quantitative microbiological risk assessment is an appealing approach to link new risk‐based metrics to management options that may be applied by food operators.

Through a specific case study, Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheese made from pasteurized milk, the objective of the present article is to practically show how quantitative risk assessment could be used to direct potential intervention strategies at different food processing steps.

Based on many assumptions, the model developed estimates the risk of listeriosis at the moment of consumption taking into account the entire manufacturing process and potential sources of contamination. From pasteurization to consumption, the amplification of a primo‐contamination event of the milk, the fresh cheese or the process environment is simulated, over time, space, and between products, accounting for the impact of management options, such as hygienic operations and sampling plans. A sensitivity analysis of the model will help orientating data to be collected prioritarily for the improvement and the validation of the model.

What‐if scenarios were simulated and allowed for the identification of major parameters contributing to the risk of listeriosis and the optimization of preventive and corrective measures.
The method of nursing support in hospital and patients' and family members' experiences of the effectiveness of the support
Authors: Mattila Elina , Kaunonen Marja , Aalto Pirjo , Åstedt‐Kurki Päivi
Published: June 2013

Nurses are an important source of support for patients and family members during hospitalization. It is unclear, however, what kinds of support methods are used in hospitals and how the support affects the patient and family member(s). This study describes methods of nursing support in hospital and adult patients' and their family members' experiences of this support. The data were collected in spring 2009 through essays written by and group interviews with nurses (n = 11) working at a Finnish university hospital. The data from patients (n = 9) and family members (n = 7) were collected in individual and group interviews. The material was interpreted by inductive content analysis. In their interaction with patients and family members, the hospital nurses used the methods of emotional and informational support. Patients' and family members' experiences of the effectiveness of this support were related to the establishment of a care relationship, their future outlook, mental well‐being and experiences of getting well. The evidence from this research will be useful in developing methods of nursing support for patients and family members and family‐oriented care in hospital.
Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Anno 2013: Reframing The Comparative Method's Seminal Statements
Authors: Rihoux Benoît
Published: June 2013

This review article examines the ways in which QCA is being (re)framed by some main authors in the field, in a context of expansion and diversification of this approach and set of techniques. Charles Ragin's seminal The Comparative Method (1987) is first synthetized in the form of eight statements which are then confronted to eight recent book‐length publications: three QCA textbooks and five methodological volumes also touching upon QCA. On the whole, it appears that most statements have been considerably refined, both conceptually and technically, whereas only one statement is not taken on board anymore. In addition, QCA is being reframed and extended in different ways beyond Charles Ragin's initial statements.
Regime Change and Conflict Recidivism within Rivalry: Interludes in Disputes
Authors: Tan Bann Seng
Published: June 2013

How does regime change affect the risk of militarized disputes? Within the democratic peace literature, there is disagreement over whether it is democratization, autocratization, political dissimilarity or political instability that is particularly perilous. I distinguish four perspectives from this literature and test their attendant hypotheses on a dataset of conflict episodes within enduring rivalry from 1816 to 2001 using survival analysis. I find that both democratization and autocratization reduce the hazard of dispute recurrence in enduring rivalries. After controlling for selection bias, the effect of democratization was robust whereas the effect of autocratization was not. Democratization also has the additional property of terminating rivalries; autocratization does not. Together, the results imply that democratization is better at promoting a transition from rivalry to peaceful relations than is the autocratization of a rivalry dyad.
Introducing a dexamethasone mouse model for monitoring in vivo viability of stored human platelets
Authors: Xie R. F. , Yang J. , Ren Y. N. , Fan H. H. , Qian K. C.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

The aim of this study is to establish an available animal model which can evaluate in vivo viability of stored human platelets (HuPLTs).

Background

The viability in vivo of HuPLTs was usually evaluated by transfusing HuPLTs into animals before clinical trials. It is necessary to develop a method which may slow down rapid clearance of HuPLTs from circulation of the animal.

Methods

Carbon clearance tests were performed by treating mice with dexamethasone (DEX) to determine the phagocytic ability of the mice macrophages. HuPLTs in mice whole blood were detected by flow cytometric analysis with mouse anti‐human CD41‐fluorescein isothiocyanate monoclonal antibody. Recovery and survival of the HuPLTs stored at 22 °C for 1 day were evaluated after transfusing these HuPLTs into DEX‐treated mice, and compared with those either stored at 22 °C for 5 days or at 4 °C for 1 day.

Results

Corrected phagocytic indexes of DEX‐treated mice decreased significantly compared with those of control mice (P < 0·05). The recovery after 24 h and survival time of fresh HuPLTs in DEX‐treated mice were much higher than those in control mice (P < 0·01). After transfused into the DEX‐treated mice, HuPLTs stored either at 22 °C for 5 days or at 4 °C for 1 day showed decrease in recovery and survival compared with those stored at 22 °C for 1 day (P < 0·05).

Conclusion

Dexamethasone slows down the rate of HuPLTs clearance efficiently in mouse circulation. And the DEX‐treated mouse model was able to evaluate the in vivo viability of stored HuPLTs.
A data‐driven approach to patient blood management
Authors: Cohn Claudia S. , Welbig Julie , Bowman Robert , Kammann Susan , Frey Katherine , Zantek Nicole
Published: June 2013

Background

Patient blood management (PBM) has become a topic of intense interest; however, implementing a robust PBM system in a large academic hospital can be a challenge. In a joint effort between transfusion medicine and information technology, we have developed three overlapping databases that allow for a comprehensive, semiautomated approach to monitoring up‐to‐date red blood cell (RBC) usage in our hospital. Data derived from this work have allowed us to target our PBM efforts.

Study Design and Methods

Information on transfusions is collected using three databases: daily report, discharge database, and denominator database. The daily report collects data on all transfusions in the past 24 hours. The discharge database integrates transfusion data and diagnostic billing codes. The denominator database allows for rate calculations by tracking all patients with a hemoglobin test ordered. A set of algorithms is applied to automatically audit RBC transfusions. The transfusions that do not fit the algorithms' rules are manually reviewed. Data from audits are compiled into reports and distributed to medical directors. Data are also used to target education efforts.

Results

Since our PBM program began, the percentage of appropriate RBC orders increased from an initial 70%‐80% to 90%‐95%, and the overall RBC transfusions/1000 patient‐days has decreased by 67% in targeted areas of the hospital. Our PBM program has shaved approximately 3% from our hospital's blood budget.

Conclusion

Our semiautomated auditing system allows us to quickly and comprehensively analyze and track blood usage throughout our hospital. Using this technology, we have seen improvements in our hospital's PBM.
Infusion of clinical‐grade enriched regulatory T cells delays experimental xenogeneic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Hannon Muriel , Lechanteur Chantal , Lucas Sophie , Somja Joan , Seidel Laurence , Belle Ludovic , Bruck France , Baudoux Etienne , Giet Olivier , Chantillon Anne‐Marie , Delvenne Philippe , Drion Pierre , Beguin Yves , Humblet‐Baron Stéphanie , Baron Frédéric
Published: June 2013

Background

We investigated the ability of clinical‐grade enriched human regulatory T cells (Treg) to attenuate experimental xenogeneic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) induced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs; autologous to Treg) infusion in NSG mice, as well as verified their inability to induce xenogeneic GVHD when infused alone.

Study Design and Methods

Human Treg were isolated from peripheral blood apheresis products with a cell separation system (CliniMACS, Miltenyi Biotec GmbH) using a two‐step procedure (simultaneous CD8 and CD19 depletion followed by CD25‐positive selection) in six independent experiments with six different healthy volunteer donors. Sublethally (2.5 Gy) irradiated NSG mice were given 2 × 106 cytapheresis (PBMNC) product cells intravenously (IV) without (PBMNC group) or with 1 × 106 Treg (PBMNC + Treg group), while other NSG mice received 2 × 106 enriched Treg alone (also in IV; Treg group).

Results

The first five procedures were successful at obtaining a relatively pure Treg population (defined as >50%), while the sixth procedure, due to a technical problem, was not (Treg purity, 42%). Treg cotransfusion significantly delayed death from xenogeneic GVHD in the first five experiments, (p < 0.0001) but not in the sixth experiment. Importantly, none of the mice given enriched Treg alone (Treg group) experienced clinical signs of GVHD, while, interestingly, the CD4+ cells found in these mice 26 days after transplantation were mainly conventional T cells (median CD25+FoxP3+ cells among human CD4+ total cells were only 2.1, 3.1, and 12.2% in spleen, marrow, and blood, respectively).

Conclusions

Infusion of clinical‐grade enriched Treg delayed the occurrence of xenogeneic GVHD without inducing toxicity in this murine model.
Deep Integration and Production Networks: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Orefice Gianluca , Rocha Nadia
Published: June 2013

This paper investigates the two‐way relationship between deep integration and production networks trade. We capture deep integration with a set of indices constructed in terms of policy areas covered in preferential trade agreements. We estimate an augmented gravity equation to investigate the impact of deep integration on production networks trade. The results show that on average, signing deeper agreements increases production networks trade between member countries by almost 12 percentage points. In addition, the impact of deep integration is higher for trade in automobile parts and information and technology products compared with textile products. To analyse whether higher levels of network trade increase the likelihood of signing deeper agreements, we follow the literature on the determinants of preferential trade agreements. The estimation results show that, after taking into account other PTA determinants, a ten percentage increase in the share of production network trade over total trade increases the depth of an agreement by approximately 6 percentage points. In addition, the probability of signing deeper agreements is higher for country pairs involved in North–South production sharing and for countries belonging to the Asia region.
In vitro efficacy of the essential oil from Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) on antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm formation in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from dogs
Authors: Song Chi‐Youn , Nam Eui‐Hwa , Park Seol‐Hee , Hwang Cheol‐Yong
Published: June 2013

Background

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a common pathogen of skin and ear infections in dogs. The widespread and rapid emergence of meticillin‐resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) has created therapeutic challenges in veterinary medicine and the need for alternative treatments.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) against S. pseudintermedius.

Methods

This study was performed using S. pseudintermedius strains isolated from dogs with skin and ear infections collected throughout Korea between 2009 and 2011. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of manuka oil against 39 MRSP and 11 meticillin‐susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) strains was analysed by measuring minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using the agar dilution method and biofilm inhibition activity as assessed by the colorimetric microtitre plate assay.

Results

Our results indicated that manuka oil had excellent activity against all bacterial isolates. The MICs for MRSP and MSSP to manuka oil were in the range of 2−9 to 2−6 and 2−9 to 2−7% (v/v), respectively. Manuka oil was a potent inhibitor of S. pseudintermedius biofilm formation, and the majority of bacteria decreased by >50%. No significant differences were observed in the MICs or biofilm formation between the MRSP and MSSP strains.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These results suggest that manuka oil has the potential to be a useful therapeutic option for treating superficial infections caused by MRSP and MSSP; further clinical investigations are required.
Specificity in monosynaptic and disynaptic bulbospinal connections to thoracic motoneurones in the rat
Authors: de Almeida Anoushka T. R. , Kirkwood Peter A.
Published: June 2013

Key points

In the rat, unlike in other species, motoneurones of both the internal intercostal nerve and the external intercostal nerve show a phase of excitation in expiration.

This study investigated the pathways transmitting this excitation from the medulla.

Direct (monosynaptic) excitation was found from individual expiratory neurones in the medulla to internal intercostal nerve motoneurones, but only indirect (disynaptic) excitation was found from the same neurones to the motoneurones of the external intercostal nerve.

This is the first demonstration of two separate pathways from individual long descending fibres specific to two different sets of motoneurones.

This specificity could be useful in studying plasticity or regeneration in thoracic segments in investigations of mechanisms involved in spinal cord injury and repair.

Abstract  The respiratory activity in the intercostal nerves of the rat is unusual, in that motoneurones of both branches of the intercostal nerves, internal and external, are activated during expiration. Here, the pathways involved in that activation were investigated in anaesthetised and in decerebrate rats by cross‐correlation and by intracellular spike‐triggered averaging from expiratory bulbospinal neurones (EBSNs), with a view to revealing specific connections that could be used in studies of experimental spinal cord injury. Decerebrate preparations, which showed the strongest expiratory activity, were found to be the most suitable for these measurements. Cross‐correlations in these preparations showed monosynaptic connections from 16/19 (84%) of EBSNs, but only to internal intercostal nerve motoneurones (24/37, 65% of EBSN/nerve pairs), whereas disynaptic connections were seen for external intercostal nerve motoneurones (4/19, 21% of EBSNs or 7/25, 28% of EBSN/nerve pairs). There was evidence for additional disynaptic connections to internal intercostal nerve motoneurones. Intracellular spike‐triggered averaging revealed excitatory postsynaptic potentials, which confirmed these connections. This is believed to be the first report of single descending fibres that participate in two different pathways to two different groups of motoneurones. It is of interest compared with the cat, where only one group of motoneurones is activated during expiration and only one of the pathways has been detected. The specificity of the connections could be valuable in studies of plasticity in pathological situations, but care will be needed in studying connections in such situations, because their strength was found here to be relatively weak.
An Experimental Study of Mixed Convection in Vertical, Open-Ended, Concentric and Eccentric Annular Channels
Authors: Maudou L. , Choueiri G. H. , Tavoularis S.
Published: June 2013

The effect of eccentricity on heat transfer in upward flow in a vertical, open-ended, annular channel with a diameter ratio of 0.61, an aspect ratio of 18:1, and both internal surfaces heated uniformly has been investigated experimentally. Results have been reported for eccentricities ranging from the concentric case to the near-contact case and three inlet bulk Reynolds numbers, equal approximately to 1500, 2800, and 5700. This work complements our recently reported experimental results on natural convection in the same facility. The present results are deemed to be largely in the mixed convection regime with some overlap with the forced convection regime and likely to include cases with laminar, transitional, and turbulent flows in at least a part of the test section. Small eccentricity had an essentially negligible effect on the overall heat transfer rate, but high eccentricity reduced the average heat transfer rate by up to 60%. High eccentricity also resulted in wall temperatures in the narrow gap region that were much higher than those in the open channel. The concentric-case Nusselt number was higher than the Dittus–Boelter prediction, whereas the highly eccentric-case Nusselt number was significantly lower than that.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sulfonated Polyimide Based Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Adanur Sabit , Zheng Hai
Published: June 2013

Sulfonated polyimide (SPI) based membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) have been synthesized by using a one-step high temperature polymerization method. The membranes were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); water uptake, ion-exchange capacity, proton conductivity and mechanical stability were tested. The results showed that the membranes had good thermal and mechanical stability and exhibited good performance when they were assembled into membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). Fuel cell testing was performed. The SPI copolymer based MEA was tested under different hydrogen flow rates to compare with the commercially available Nafion® based MEA.
Quantifying Dynamic Characteristics of Human Walking for Comprehensive Gait Cycle
Authors: Mummolo Carlotta , Mangialardi Luigi , Kim Joo H.
Published: June 2013

Normal human walking typically consists of phases during which the body is statically unbalanced while maintaining dynamic stability. Quantifying the dynamic characteristics of human walking can provide better understanding of gait principles. We introduce a novel quantitative index, the dynamic gait measure (DGM), for comprehensive gait cycle. The DGM quantifies the effects of inertia and the static balance instability in terms of zero-moment point and ground projection of center of mass and incorporates the time-varying foot support region (FSR) and the threshold between static and dynamic walking. Also, a framework of determining the DGM from experimental data is introduced, in which the gait cycle segmentation is further refined. A multisegmental foot model is integrated into a biped system to reconstruct the walking motion from experiments, which demonstrates the time-varying FSR for different subphases. The proof-of-concept results of the DGM from a gait experiment are demonstrated. The DGM results are analyzed along with other established features and indices of normal human walking. The DGM provides a measure of static balance instability of biped walking during each (sub)phase as well as the entire gait cycle. The DGM of normal human walking has the potential to provide some scientific insights in understanding biped walking principles, which can also be useful for their engineering and clinical applications.
Monte Carlo simulation of photon buildup factors for shielding materials in radiotherapy x‐ray facilities
Authors: Karim Karoui Mohamed , Kharrati Hedi
Published: June 2013

Purpose:

This paper presents the results of a series of calculations to determine buildup factors for ordinary concrete, baryte concrete, lead, steel, and iron in broad beam geometry for photons energies from 0.125 to 25.125 MeV at 0.250 MeV intervals.

Methods:

Monte CarloN‐particle radiation transport computer code has been used to determine the buildup factors for the studied shielding materials.

Results:

The computation of the primary broad beams using buildup factors data was done for nine published megavoltage photon beam spectra ranging from 4 to 25 MV in nominal energies, representing linacs made by the three major manufacturers. The first tenth value layer and the equilibrium tenth value layer are calculated from the broad beam transmission for these nine primary megavoltage photon beam spectra.

Conclusions:

The results, compared with published data, show the ability of these buildup factor data to predict shielding transmission curves for the primary radiation beam. Therefore, the buildup factor data can be combined with primary, scatter, and leakage x‐ray spectra to perform computation of broad beam transmission for barriers in radiotherapy shielding x‐ray facilities.
PKA Augments Hippo Signaling
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2013

Protein kinase A represses activity of the transcriptional coactivator YAP.
Phase I, Open-Label, Single-Dose Study To Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Telbivudine in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Stein Daniel S. , Ke June , Uy Grace , Bosheva Miroslava , Qi Yin , Praestgaard Jens
Published: June 2013

Telbivudine is a nucleoside analogue that has been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults at 600 mg/day. We conducted a phase I, open-label, first-in-pediatrics study to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of telbivudine in HBV-infected children and adolescents. Eligible patients were enrolled sequentially from older to younger groups, with evaluation of safety and available pharmacokinetic data after each stratum. Adolescent patients (>12 to 18 years) received a single dose of 600 mg telbivudine as an oral solution, while children aged 2 to 12 years received a single dose of 15 or 25 mg/kg of body weight up to a maximum of 600 mg. Telbivudine was well tolerated; all adverse events were mild, and none occurred in more than one patient. The plasma telbivudine concentration-versus-time profiles in adolescents given 600 mg were similar to the mean profile of healthy adults receiving the same oral dose. Children aged 2 to <6 and 6 to 12 years receiving a single 15-mg/kg dose showed similar plasma exposures. To predict the steady-state exposure, plasma concentration-versus-time profiles for patients aged 2 to 12 years (15 mg/kg) and >12 to 18 years (600 mg) were fitted to a two-compartment 1st-order, microconstant, lag time, 1st-order elimination pharmacokinetic (PK) model. This analysis predicted the following dosages to mimic exposures in healthy adults receiving 600 mg/day: 20 mg/kg/day for children 2 to 12 years and 600 mg/day for adolescents. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of the recommended dose in pediatric patients. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00907894.)
In Vitro
Activity of CEM-102 (Fusidic Acid) against Prevalent Clones and Resistant Phenotypes of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sahm D. F. , Deane J. , Pillar C. M. , Fernandes P.
Published: June 2013

Clinical development of CEM-102 (fusidic acid) has recently begun in the United States for chronic oral treatment of prosthetic joint infections. To support this development, the
in vitro
activity of fusidic acid against important
Staphylococcus aureus
clones and resistance phenotypes was determined. Against 51 such isolates, the modal fusidic acid MIC was 0.12 μg/ml (range, 0.06 to 0.25 μg/ml for 49 isolates). This level of
in vitro
fusidic acid activity underscores the potential clinical utility of this compound in the United States.
Adaptation-Based Resistance to Siderophore-Conjugated Antibacterial Agents by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Tomaras Andrew P. , Crandon Jared L. , McPherson Craig J. , Banevicius Mary Anne , Finegan Steven M. , Irvine Rebecca L. , Brown Matthew F. , O'Donnell John P. , Nicolau David P.
Published: June 2013

Multidrug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has become so threatening to human health that new antibacterial platforms are desperately needed to combat these deadly infections. The concept of siderophore conjugation, which facilitates compound uptake across the outer membrane by hijacking bacterial iron acquisition systems, has received significant attention in recent years. While standard
in vitro
MIC and resistance frequency methods demonstrate that these compounds are potent, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents whose activity should not be threatened by unacceptably high spontaneous resistance rates, recapitulation of these results in animal models can prove unreliable, partially because of the differences in iron availability in these different methods. Here, we describe the characterization of MB-1, a novel siderophore-conjugated monobactam that demonstrates excellent
in vitro
activity against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
when tested using standard assay conditions. Unfortunately, the
in vitro
findings did not correlate with the
in vivo
results we obtained, as multiple strains were not effectively treated by MB-1 despite having low MICs. To address this, we also describe the development of new
in vitro
assays that were predictive of efficacy in mouse models, and we provide evidence that competition with native siderophores could contribute to the recalcitrance of some
P. aeruginosa
isolates
in vivo
.