bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JC Virus leuko-encephalopathy in reduced intensity conditioning cord blood transplant recipient.
Authors: Elcheikh Jean
Published: June 2012

JC virus disease is a rare infectious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. There is a few data in the literature on the frequency of JCV after allogeneic umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). We describe a rare occurrence of Progressive multifocal leuko-encephalopathy (PML), with a rapidly fatal outcome, in one patient after UCBT.This case report demonstrates that patients presenting neurological symptoms after UCBT, the JCV encephalitis must be early suspected. These findings could have practical implications in patients presenting neurological symptoms and radiological signs after UCBT. Unfortunately inadequate drug penetration and the multi antiviral resistance as well as the severely immuno-suppressed state of this patient may have contributed to treatment failure.
Metabolomic Analysis of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Type 2 Mutations in Human Pulmonary Endothelium Reveals Widespread Metabolic Reprogramming
Authors: Fessel Joshua P. , Hamid Rizwan , Wittmann Bryan M. , Robinson Linda J. , Blackwell Tom , Tada Yuji , Tanabe Nobuhiro , Tatsumi Koichiro , Hemnes Anna R. , West James D.
Published: June 2012

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and fatal disease of the lung vasculature for which the molecular etiologies are unclear. Specific metabolic alterations have been identified in animal models and in PAH patients, though existing data focus mainly on abnormalities of glucose homeostasis. We hypothesized that analysis of the entire metabolome in PAH would reveal multiple other metabolic changes relevant to disease pathogenesis and possible treatment. Layered transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (hPMVEC) expressing two different disease‐causing mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) confirmed previously described increases in aerobic glycolysis but also uncovered significant upregulation of the pentose phosphate pathway, increases in nucleotide salvage and polyamine biosynthesis pathways, decreases in carnitine and fatty acid oxidation pathways, and major impairment of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and failure of anaplerosis. As a proof of principle, we focused on the TCA cycle, predicting that isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) activity would be altered in PAH, and then demonstrating increased IDH activity not only in cultured hPMVEC expressing mutant BMPR2 but also in the serum of PAH patients. These results suggest that widespread metabolic changes are an important part of PAH pathogenesis, and that simultaneous identification and targeting of the multiple involved pathways may be a more fruitful therapeutic approach than targeting of any one individual pathway.
Hip Stability after Ligamentum Teres Resection during Surgical Dislocation for Cam Impingement
Authors: Phillips Alistair R. , Bartlett Gavin , Norton Mark , Fern Darren
Published: June 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients who have undergone surgical hip dislocation with excision of the ligamentum teres exhibited symptoms of a Type I ligamentum teres rupture.

Method

A questionnaire was designed to enquire about specific symptoms attributed to Type I injuries (complete rupture) in the literature: gross instability, incomplete reduction, inability to bear weight and mechanical symptoms. 217 consecutive patients were surveyed and 161 patients (75%) returned 168 questionnaires (75%). Mean age was 34 and median follow-up was 51 months (35 to 97).

Results

All patients were able to fully weight bear after surgery while 77% experienced no groin pain and 61% experienced no pain on exercise. 35% of patients experienced popping and locking in their operated hip and 24% had subjective feeling of their hip giving way.

Conclusion

Patients who have had surgical excision of the ligamentum teres during open osteochondroplasty for cam deformities do not exhibit symptoms of a Type I ligamentum teres rupture. Our results show that minor instability symptoms may be present but symptoms present more like to Type II (partial) injuries. We propose that Type II injuries be divided into Type IIa; partial tear and Type IIb; iatrogenic rupture.
Association between Trauma and Cancer of the Testis: The Importance of Self-Palpation of the Testis for the Early Detection: Two Case Reports
Authors: Polito Massimo , Catanzariti Francesco , Quaresima Luigi , Milanese Giulio , Muzzonigro Giovanni
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Cancer of the testis is not always early detected and recognised, both by the physician and by the patient: sometimes physicians do not make an accurate genitals exam while patients often underestimate this problem.

Case reports

Case I 42-year-old man accepted from another hospital's Emergency, because of pain and edema of the right testis after a recent trauma on the gonad. At US, evidence of increased volume of the right testis with a large intraparenchymal hematoma. The markers were higher than normal. We performed a right orchiecthomy The pathologist noted the presence of a mixed cancer of the testis (95% embryonal, 5% seminoma). Case II 49-year-old man with hematuria, accepted from Emergency. The abdominal US revealed the presence of a voluminous neoformation (diameter of 12 cm) of the right kidney with neoplastic throm-bosis of the right kidney vein. At the general physical exam, we detected the presence of an increased right testis, that at the US appared to be suspicious for cancer. Tumor markers were normal with the exception of αFP. We performed right nephro-adrenalectomy, right orchiectomy and removal of local nodes. The definitive histological examination demonstrated the presence of a seminoma of the testis and papillary carcinoma of the kidney with node metastasis.

Discussion

Current studies showed an association between trauma and cancer of the testis, even if some authors did not find this association because they consider that patients with trauma undergo US and in that occasion cancer is incidentally detected.

Conclusions

The association between trauma and cancer of the testis is controversial in current studies. Furthermore screening for the cancer of the testis does not seem to be useful, even if the self- and the physician's palpation of the testis seem to be very important because in these two cases they should allow the early detection of the condition, with a resulting better prognosis.
A Defense of a Thomistic Concept of the Just Price
Authors: Koehn Daryl , Wilbratte Barry
Published: June 2012

Since St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the first scholastics to analyze the idea of a “just price,” economists, economic historians and philosophers interested in the philosophical underpinnings of the market have focused on Aquinas’s writings. One group insists that Aquinas defined the just price as the payment needed to cover sellers’ labor and material costs. A second camp vehemently counters that Aquinas’s just price is simply the going market price. We argue that neither of these views is correct. The Thomistic just price is the price that would be agreed to by a just person as part of an exchange. This “just person price” takes into account the well-being of the individual transactors and the good of the entire community. Such a price reduces neither to the cost-covering price nor to the market exchange price. A Thomistic concept of the just person price deserves to be reconsidered, especially because a Thomistic approach offers some useful ways to deal with issues quite differently from the popular neoclassical approach directed toward arriving at a socially optimal market price.
Decolonizing Diet: Healing by Reclaiming Traditional Indigenous Foodways
Authors: Bodirsky Monica , Johnson Jon
Published: June 2012

Traditional Indigenous foodways remain important for the ongoing health and well being of contemporary Indigenous North American peoples. Drawing partly on primary research on food-related knowledge and experience within the First Nations community of Toronto, the authors trace how colonial policies of assimilation attempted to destroy Indigenous knowledge and in so doing spawned numerous trans-generational health consequences for Indigenous populations, which are still felt today. While colonial attempts at assimilation seriously undermined the integrity of traditional Indigenous foodways, today this cultural knowledge is undergoing a resurgence. Contemporary Indigenous peoples have expanded upon oral traditions with written stories of food gathering and recipes as a means to revitalize food knowledge, cultural integrity and community -- all inextricably linked to health. As such, the authors argue that fostering the resurgence of traditional Indigenous knowledge about food is a necessary in healing the trauma emerging from colonialism. Indigenous cookbooks provide opportunities to share information about traditional culture and food knowledge along with the recipes more conventionally associated with cookbooks.
Valorisation des terroirs et économie morale au 21e siècle : le cas des fromages fins du Québec
Authors: Boulianne Manon
Published: June 2012

La question de comment les fromages fins fabriqués au Québec sont devenus emblématiques des terroirs québécois alors qu’ils résultent de « traditions inventées » guide un travail de recherche empirique ayant pris la région de Chaudière-Appalaches pour site principal. On y a mobilisé une méthodologie relevant de l’analyse de filière et considéré, dans une perspective anthropologique, les dimensions matérielles et symboliques des procès de production, des réseaux de distribution et des stratégies de mise en marché qui caractérisent la filière fromagère. Les données recueillies à ce jour indiquent que l’engouement suscité autour des fromages fins produits au Québec pourrait être lié au déploiement d’une économie morale qui, dans le contexte de la globalisation, accorde une valeur accrue aux produits de proximité.
Bus Timetabling as a Fuzzy Multiobjective Optimization Problem Using Preference-based Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Tilahun Surafel Luleseged , Ong Hong Choon
Published: June 2012

Transportation plays a vital role in the development of a country and the car is the most commonly used means. However, in third world countries long waiting time for public buses is a common problem, especially when people need to switch buses. The problem becomes critical when one considers buses joining different villages and cities. Theoretically this problem can be solved by assigning more buses on the route, which is not possible due to economical problem. Another option is to schedule the buses so that customers who want to switch buses at junction cities need not have to wait long. This paper discusses how to model single frequency routes bus timetabling as a fuzzy multiobjective optimization problem and how to solve it using preference-based genetic algorithm by assigning appropriate fuzzy preference to the need of the customers. The idea will be elaborated with an example.
Application of Fuzzy Techniques for Determining the Operating Speed Based on Road Geometry
Authors: D'Andrea Antonino , Pellegrino Orazio
Published: June 2012

The operating speed is certainly one of the most important variables in the management of road safety. Its determination has been refined in the last few years by means of experimental analyses that have also sanctioned its strong link with the context in which speed surveys are carried out. In fact, even though all the algorithms proposed have a very simple analytical structure, it has been noted that they can never have a general character and thus be applied without losing a certain amount of reliability.Moreover, the technological development today achieved would allow for recording in a complete way of the road environment as modern measuring instruments provide in digital format and in an economically convenient manner a great amount of data.As such, the aim of this work is to propose a methodology that allows not only the ordering and classification of numerous important data but one that is able to recognise the presence of links of dependence between unknown variables a-priori or, in any case, of difficult analytical characterisation. The technique of clustering used in order to achieve this is preliminary to the organisation of a general fuzzy model that takes into account certain variables of input linked to the geometry of the road and to the visibility and that provides as output the operating speed.Such model has been applied to a rural road located in Messina (Italy) and the results achieved, tested with experimental surveys as well as with algorithms present in literature, are very encouraging and invite deeper exploration of the study.
Analytic Determination of Reference Passenger Car Size for Parking Space Dimensioning in Croatia
Authors: Brčić Davor , Šoštarić Marko , Ševrović Marko
Published: June 2012

Dimensions of parking spaces have been subject to standardization in recent decades in the world. Different state institutions and standardization committees regulated parking space sizes based on typical passenger car size and ergonomic conditions. Most of these regulations are not following the notable growth in size of passenger cars that has been the case in the past 30 years. In that period in Croatia, a significant increase was also observed in the number of passenger cars in mid-sized and large passenger car classes thus emphasising the problem of outdated and inadequate parking space dimension standard. In this paper an analytic procedure is presented that takes into account the number and types of passenger cars registered in Croatia that leads to the determination of reference passenger car size. This reference values, as well as other relevant ergonomic standards are used to calculate the recommended parking space dimensions in Croatia. The purpose of this analysis is to produce new recommendations and suggest new design standards for parking spaces in Croatia as well as to provide analytic procedures to conduct similar researches in other areas.
Analysis of Intermodal Terminals Service Quality in the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Abramović Borna , Lovrić Ivica , Stupalo Vlatka
Published: June 2012

The most common problem that the terminals face is inadequate infrastructure, long waiting times, delays, malfunctions, and unexpected problems due to which terminals are often congested for a long time, high costs, lack of expansion, etc. All this leads to reduced quality of services and the price increase for the user service. These problems do not occur only at the terminal of one type, but at all terminals. At present, the delays and uneconomical operations are unacceptable. Intermodal terminals are not immune to any of the above. In order to increase the service quality and to reduce the cost of transportation and transmission, all the bottlenecks in the process are detected and analyzed in the work. The identification and removal of the bottlenecks in the processes of transport and transfer from the initial to the final terminal increases the quality of services provided to customers. The quality of services includes shorter time of transport and transfer by using shorter routes as well as the acceptable price of the service itself.
English in Asian and European Higher Education
Authors: Gill Saran Kaur , Kirkpatrick Andy
Published: June 2012

The internationalization of higher education has led to a noticeable increase in the number of courses and degrees taught through the medium of English.
Language Testing in the Government and Military
Authors: Malone Margaret E. , Brooks Rachel Lunde
Published: June 2012

Language testing in the context of the government and military most often refers to measuring language proficiency: the functional ability of personnel to complete operational tasks in the target language. While many associate government and military testing with proficiency testing, both government and military also rely on performance, aptitude, diagnostic, and achievement tests. Worldwide, government and military organizations face ever‐increasing demands for personnel with various levels of language ability, providing a continual need for testing.
Online Communities of Practice
Authors: Hanson‐Smith Elizabeth
Published: June 2012

Communities of practice
(CoP), a term coined by Lave and Wenger (1990), describes the kinds of informal knowledge building and sharing that occur in workplaces characterized by apprenticeships.
Scollon, Ron
Authors: Zidjaly Najma Al
Published: June 2012

Ron Scollon (1939–2009) was a prolific writer, social activist, and scholar who contributed multivariously to the study of language in (inter)action.
Holistic Versus Featural Facial Composite Systems for People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Gawrylowicz Julie , Gabbert Fiona , Carson Derek , Lindsay William R. , Hancock Peter J.B.
Published: June 2012

Limited verbal abilities might act as a barrier to witnesses with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) to provide accurate testimony. This might be particularly problematic when the police need to create a facial composite image. Contrary to featural composite systems such as Electronic Facial Identification Technique (E‐FIT), holistic systems such as Evolutionary Facial Identification Technique (EvoFIT) do not require the witness to provide a verbal description of a perpetrator's face. Instead, they rely more on face recognition, which may make them more suitable for people with ID. The current study compared the performance of people with and without ID at creating composites using E‐FIT and EvoFIT. Although ID composites created with EvoFIT were more often accurately identified than E‐FIT composites, the performance of ID participants was overall very poor across both systems and considerably poorer than that of non‐ID participants. The implications of these findings for practitioners working in the Criminal Justice System are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupational benzene exposure and the risk of chronic myeloid leukemia: A meta‐analysis of cohort studies incorporating study quality dimensions
Authors: Vlaanderen Jelle , Lan Qing , Kromhout Hans , Rothman Nathaniel , Vermeulen Roel
Published: June 2012

Objective

We documented previously that if study quality is accounted for, evidence from occupational cohort studies on benzene supports a possible association with some lymphoma subtypes, in particular multiple myeloma, and acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Here, we extend these analyses to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

Methods

Three strategies to assess study quality (stratification by the year‐of‐start of follow‐up, stratification by the strength of the reported acute myeloid leukemia (AML) association, and stratification by the quality of benzene exposure assessment) were employed in a meta‐analysis of occupational benzene exposure and CML. We hypothesized that stratification by these study quality dimensions would identify a subgroup of occupational cohort studies that is most informative for the evaluation of the possible association between benzene and CML.

Results

The overall meta‐relative risk (mRR) was non‐significantly elevated (1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93–1.63). The mRRs increased with increasing study quality for all dimensions with a significant elevation for studies with start of follow‐up after 1970 (1.67; 95% CI: 1.02–2.74). The highest study quality stratum for AML significance and exposure quality showed an elevated but non‐significant increased mRR (1.40; 95% CI: 0.86–2.27, and 1.68; 95% CI: 0.74–3.84, respectively).

Conclusions

Although limited by low statistical power, the current meta‐analysis provides support for a possible association of occupational exposure to benzene and the risk of CML. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:779–785, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Introducing Fecal Stable Isotope Analysis in Primate Weaning Studies
Authors: REITSEMA LAURIE J.
Published: June 2012

This research investigates the potential of a new, noninvasive method for determining age of weaning among primates using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in feces. Analysis of stable isotope ratios in body tissues is a well‐established method in archeology and ecology for reconstructing diet. This is the first study to investigate weaning in primates using fecal stable isotope ratios. Diets of a single François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) mother–infant pair at the Toledo Zoo are reconstructed using this technique to track changes in infant suckling behavior over the weaning period. Stable isotope ratios in feces are sampled instead of more traditional samples such as bone or hair to enable daily, noninvasive snapshots of weaning status. Isotopic assessments of weaning status are compared to visual assessments to identify any discordance between the two. Three measurements documented the transition from breast milk to solid foods: stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C), stable nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N), and nitrogen content of feces (%N). It appears that solid foods were introduced at approximately 2 months of infant age, but that nursing continued into the 12th month, when sample collection ceased. Stable isotope data exposed a much longer weaning period than what was expected based on previously published data for captive langurs, and clarified visual estimates of weaning status. This reflects the method's sensitivity to suckling at night and ability to distinguish actual nursing from comfort nursing. After testing this method with zoo animals, it can readily be applied among wild populations. An isotopic approach to weaning provides a new, accurate, and biologically meaningful assessment of interbirth intervals, and facilitates a better understanding of mother–infant interactions. Both of these outcomes are critical for developing successful conservation strategies for captive and wild primates. Am. J. Primatol. 74:926‐939, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and properties of rigid polyimide foams derived from dianhydride and isocyanate
Authors: Yu Fei , Wang Kai , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Zhan Mao‐Sheng
Published: June 2012

A series of rigid polyimide (PI) foams were synthesized via the reaction of a first solution with a second solution. The first solution was isocyanate‐terminated polyimide prepolymers; the second solution contained deionized water and surfactant. The effect of different water contents and isocyanate index on the structures and properties of rigid PI foams were investigated. The apparent density, hardness, compressive strength, and the 5% weight loss temperatures (T5%) decreased with the increase of water content. With the increase of isocyanate index, the apparent density and the T5% values decreased, whereas the glass transition temperatures (Tg) increased and the hardness, compressive strength first increased and then decreased. The rigid PI foams composed of closed‐cells were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The maximum compressive strength of rigid PI foams prepared was up to 1.31 MPa. Moreover, excellent thermal stability was presented with the T5% values were all above 360°C and the residual weights of the foams (Rw) were more than 50% at 800°C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Structure, thermal, and mechanical properties of DDM‐hardened epoxy/benzoxazine hybrids: Effects of epoxy resin functionality and ETBN toughening
Authors: Grishchuk Sergiy , Sorochynska Liubov , Vorster Olof C. , Karger‐Kocsis József
Published: June 2012

Bifunctional, trifunctional, and tetrafunctional epoxy (EP) resins were hardened with stoichiometric amount of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane in presence and absence of benzoxazine (BOX). The EP/BOX ratio of the hybrid systems was constant, viz. 50/50 wt %. For the bifunctional EP, the EP/BOX range covered the ratios 75/25 and 25/75 wt %, as well. Epoxy‐terminated liquid nitrile rubber (ETBN) was incorporated in 10 wt % in the systems with trifunctional and tetrafunctional EP, and in 10, 15, and 20 wt % in the EP/BOX with bifunctional EP to improve their toughness. Information on the structure and morphology of the hybrid systems was received from differential scanning calorimetric, dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis, atomic force microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic studies. The flexural, fracture mechanical properties, thermal degradation, and fire resistance of the EP/BOX and EP/BOX/ETBN hybrids were determined. It was found that some homopolymerized BOX was built in the EP/BOX conetwork in form of nanoscale inclusions, whereas ETBN formed micron scaled droplets of sea‐island structure. Incorporation of BOX improved the charring and fire resistance, enhanced the flexural modulus and strength, reduced the glass transition (Tg), the fracture toughness, and energy. Additional modification with ETBN decreased the charring, fire resistance, flexural modulus and strength, as well as Tg, however, improved the fracture toughness and especially the fracture energy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Testing the Use of Geostatistics to Improve Data Visualization. Case Study on GPR Survey of Tarragona's Cathedral
Authors: Tamba Robert
Published: June 2012

A ground‐penetrating radar survey was conducted inside the Cathedral of Tarragona in order to explore the first 2 m beneath the ground surface. Initial processing and interpretation revealed a square perimeter related to a massive structure between 1 and 1.4 m below the ground surface. The results of the survey were used to test geostatistical tools by achieving a quantified data analysis and by filtering the data. The data analysis provided a description of the resolution and of the spatial distribution of the data. It included the characterization of the acquisition noise that was then filtered out by factorial kriging. This filtering technique allowed removing the acquisition noise, before the time‐slice computation or any interpolation of the data, using weights of interpolation that are based on the spatial variations of the data. Having performed the filtering on the data at acquisition sampling allowed the use of optimized parameters for the visualization of the results, without having to remove remaining acquisition noise with the visualization operators. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The parasitic helminth product ES‐62 suppresses pathogenesis in collagen‐induced arthritis by targeting the interleukin‐17–producing cellular network at multiple sites
Authors: Pineda Miguel A. , McGrath Mairi A. , Smith Pauline C. , Al‐Riyami Lamyaa , Rzepecka Justyna , Gracie J. Alastair , Harnett William , Harnett Margaret M.
Published: June 2012

Objective

Among many survival strategies, parasitic worms secrete molecules that modulate host immune responses. One such product, ES‐62, is protective against collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), a model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Since interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) has been reported to play a pathogenic role in the development of RA, this study was undertaken to investigate whether targeting of IL‐17 may explain the protection against CIA afforded by ES‐62.

Methods

DBA/1 mice progressively display arthritis following immunization with type II collagen. The protective effects of ES‐62 were assessed by determination of cytokine levels, flow cytometric analysis of relevant cell populations, and in situ analysis of joint inflammation in mice with CIA.

Results

ES‐62 was found to down‐regulate IL‐17 responses in mice with CIA. First, it acted to inhibit priming and polarization of IL‐17 responses by targeting a complex IL‐17–producing network, involving signaling between dendritic cells and γ/δ or CD4+ T cells. In addition, ES‐62 directly targeted Th17 cells by down‐regulating myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression to suppress responses mediated by IL‐1 and Toll‐like receptor ligands. Moreover, ES‐62 modulated the migration of γ/δ T cells and this was reflected by direct suppression of CD44 up‐regulation and, as evidenced by in situ analysis, dramatically reduced levels of IL‐17–producing cells, including lymphocytes, infiltrating the joint. Finally, there was strong suppression of IL‐17 production by cells resident in the joint, such as osteoclasts within the bone areas.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that ES‐62 treatment of mice with CIA leads to unique multisite manipulation of the initiation and effector phases of the IL‐17 inflammatory network. ES‐62 could be exploited in the development of novel therapeutics for RA.
Rituximab for remission maintenance in relapsing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis
Authors: Smith Rona M. , Jones Rachel B. , Guerry Mary‐Jane , Laurino Simona , Catapano Fausta , Chaudhry Afzal , Smith Kenneth G. C. , Jayne David R. W.
Published: June 2012

Objective

Rituximab is effective induction therapy in refractory or relapsing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis (AAV). However, further relapse is common, and maintenance strategies are required. The aim of this study was to reduce relapse rates using a fixed‐interval rituximab re‐treatment protocol.

Methods

Retrospective, standardized collection of data from sequential patients receiving rituximab for refractory or relapsing AAV at a single center was studied. Group A patients (n = 28) received rituximab induction therapy (4 infusions of 375 mg/m2 or 2 infusions 1 gm) and further rituximab at the time of subsequent relapse. Group B patients (n = 45) received routine rituximab re‐treatment for 2 years: 2 doses of 1 gm each for remission induction, then 1 gm every 6 months (total of 6 gm). Group C patients (n = 19) comprised patients in group A who subsequently relapsed and began routine re‐treatment for 2 years.

Results

Response (complete/partial remission) occurred in 26 of the 28 patients (93%) in group A, 43 of the 45 patients (96%) in group B, and 18 of the 19 patients (95%) in group C. At 2 years, relapses had occurred in 19 of 26 patients (73%) in group A, 5 of 43 (12%) in group B (P < 0.001), and 2 of 18 (11%) in group C (P < 0.001). At the last followup (median of 44 months), relapses had occurred in 85% of those in group A (22 of 26), 26% of those in group B (11 of 43; P < 0.001), and 56% of those in group C (10 of 18; P = 0.001). Glucocorticoid dosages were decreased and immunosuppression therapy was withdrawn in the majority of patients. Routine rituximab re‐treatment was well tolerated, and no new safety issues were identified.

Conclusion

Two‐year, fixed‐interval rituximab re‐treatment was associated with a reduction in relapse rates during the re‐treatment period and a more prolonged period of remission during subsequent followup. In the absence of biomarkers that accurately predict relapse, routine rituximab re‐treatment may be an effective strategy for remission maintenance in patients with refractory and relapsing AAV.
Can tailoring increase elaboration of health messages delivered via an adaptive educational site on adolescent sexual health and decision making?
Authors: Cortese Juliann , Lustria Mia Liza A.
Published: June 2012

Tailoring, the development of health messages based on assessment of key psychosocial variables that influence a prescribed behavior, has been gaining ground as an effective health education approach. The efficacy of this approach is based on the assumption that increasing personal relevance motivates greater elaboration, which is an important precondition for persuasion. Little research has been conducted to tease out the direct effects of tailoring on message processing. This study examines the effects of a tailored health education site on participants' evaluations of and elaboration on health messages. A total of 151 teens were randomly assigned to explore a tailored Web site or a nontailored Web site on adolescent sexual health and decision making. Results of the experiment indicated a statistically significant main effect for condition (tailoring) after controlling for situational motivation and need for cognition, F(1, 148) = 4.467, MSS = 2.177, p < .05, partial η2 = .030. Further evaluations and implications for future research are discussed.
An update view on the substrate recognition mechanism of phosphodiesterases: A computational study of PDE10 and PDE4 bound with cyclic nucleotides
Authors: Lau Justin Kai‐Chi , Cheng Yuen‐Kit
Published: June 2012

Early studies strongly implied that the specificity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) toward its endogenous substrates can be uniquely determined by the amido orientation of the invariant glutamine locating in the binding pocket of the enzyme. However, recently solved crystal structures of PDE4 (cAMP specific) and PDE10 (dual specific) in the presence of endogenous substrates have revealed that their invariant glutamine orientations are very similar despite exhibiting different substrate specificities proven physiologically. To understand this subtle specificity issue in the PDE family, here several experimentally inaccessible PDE–substrate complex models have been studied computationally, and the results are juxtaposed and compared in detail. Modeling results show that PDE10 in fact favors cAMP energetically but still can bind to cGMP owing to the robust hydrogen‐bond network in the vicinity of the invariant glutamine side chain. PDE4 fails to accommodate cGMP is correlated to the weakening of this same hydrogen‐bond network but not owing to any steric strain in the binding pocket. An Asn residue in the binding pocket of PDE4 has enhanced the specificity of the binding to cAMP sideway as observed in our computer simulation. Further to the previously studied syn‐ versus anti‐conformational specificity of cAMP in PDE10, the unexpected substrate‐binding mode in PDE10 versus PDE4 as reported here strongly suggested that there are remaining uncertainties in the substrate orientation and recognition mechanism in the PDE families. The molecular details of the binding pocket observed in this study provide hints for more optimal PDE4 and PDE10 inhibitor design. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:910–922, 2012.
Electronic and vibrational optical activity of several peptides related to neurohypophyseal hormones: Disulfide group conformation
Authors: Pazderková Markéta , Bednárová Lucie , Dlouhá Helena , Flegel Martin , Lebl Michal , Hlaváček Jan , Setnička Vladimír , Urbanová Marie , Hynie Sixtus , Klenerová Věra , Baumruk Vladimír , Maloň Petr
Published: June 2012

Electronic and vibrational optical activity of the set of neurohypophyseal hormones and their analogs was investigated to clarify the SS bond solution conformation. The selected compounds include oxytocin (I), lysine vasopressin (II), arginine vasopressin (III), and their analogs (IV–IX), differing widely in their pharmacological properties. We have extended the already known electronic circular dichroism data by new information provided by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and Raman optical activity (ROA). The use of VCD brought additional details on three‐dimensional structure of the chain reversal in the ring moiety and on its left handedness. Furthermore, Raman scattering and ROA allowed us to deduce the sense of the disulfide bond torsion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97:923–932, 2012.
A novel technique for in situ aggregation of Gluconobacter oxydans using bio‐adhesive magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Ni Kefeng , Lu Huimin , Wang Cunxun , Black Kvar C.L. , Wei Dongzhi , Ren Yuhong , Messersmith Phillip B.
Published: June 2012

Here, we present a novel technique to immobilize magnetic particles onto whole Gluconobacter oxydans in situ via a synthetic adhesive biomimetic material inspired by the protein glues of marine mussels. Our approach involves simple coating of a cell adherent polydopamine film onto magnetic nanoparticles, followed by conjugation of the polydopamine‐coated nanoparticles to G. oxydans which resulted in cell aggregation. After optimization, 21.3 mg (wet cell weight) G. oxydans per milligram of nanoparticle was aggregated and separated with a magnet. Importantly, the G. oxydan aggregates showed high specific activity and good reusability. The facile approach offers the potential advantages of low cost, easy cell separation, low diffusion resistance, and high efficiency. Furthermore, the approach is a convenient platform technique for magnetization of cells in situ by direct mixing of nanoparticles with a cell suspension. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2970–2977. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of cellular response to titanium dioxide nanoparticle agglomerates by sensor cells using heat shock protein promoter
Authors: Chen Peng , Kanehira Koki , Sonezaki Shuji , Taniguchi Akiyoshi
Published: June 2012

Nanotechnology is becoming increasingly important for products used in our daily lives, such as the masses of titanium dioxide nanoparticle agglomerates (TiO2 NPs) used in the pharmaceutical industry, for cosmetic products, or for pigments. Meanwhile, a serious lack of detailed information concerning the interaction between the nanomaterials and cells limits their biological and medical applications. Sensing technology is very important for understanding these interactions. We have shown that TiO2 NPs induce heat shock protein 70B' (HSP70B') mRNA [Okuda‐Shimazaki et al., 2010. Int J Mol Sci 11:2383–2392]. In the current work, sensor cells for detection of cellular responses to NPs were prepared by transfecting an HSP70B' promoter–reporter plasmid. First, to find suitable cells for detection, five different mammalian cell lines were chosen as potential sensor cells. The results showed TiO2 NP response in some cell lines, although different sensor cells had different TiO2 NP response levels, as heat shock response ability is important for the detection. Then, we studied the TiO2 NP time‐course response and dose response. The results indicated that our sensor cells can detect TiO2 NP cellular responses. Our work should aid in understanding the interactions between bio‐nanomaterials and cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3112–3118. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design and validation of a corneal bioreactor
Authors: Leonard Elissa K. , Pai Vincent H. , Amberg Philip , Gardner Jens , Orwin Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2012

Mechanical strain is an important signal that influences the behavior and properties of cells in a wide variety of tissues. Physiologically similar mechanical strain can revert cultured cells to a more normal phenotype. Here, we have demonstrated that 3% equibiaxial (EB) and uniaxial strains confer favorable protein expression in cultured rabbit corneal fibroblasts (RCFs), with approximately 35% and 65% reduction in expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), respectively. We have designed a novel bioreactor that is capable of imparting up to 7% EB strain and up to 6% EB strain using a cornea‐shaped post. Additional features of the bioreactor include the application of shear stress to cells in culture and the ability to image cells using optical coherence microscopy (OCM) without being removed from the system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3189–3198. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of chimeric laccases by directed evolution
Authors: Pardo Isabel , Vicente Ana Isabel , Mate Diana M. , Alcalde Miguel , Camarero Susana
Published: June 2012

DNA recombination methods are useful tools to generate diversity in directed evolution protein engineering studies. We have designed an array of chimeric laccases with high‐redox potential by in vitro and in vivo DNA recombination of two fungal laccases (from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and PM1 basidiomycete), which were previously tailored by laboratory evolution for functional expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The laccase fusion genes (including the evolved α‐factor prepro‐leaders for secretion in yeast) were subjected to a round of family shuffling to construct chimeric libraries and the best laccase hybrids were identified in dual high‐throughput screening (HTS) assays. Using this approach, we identified chimeras with up to six crossover events in the whole sequence, and we obtained active hybrid laccases with combined characteristics in terms of pH activity and thermostability. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2978–2986. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of 30-day, 90-day and in-hospital postoperative mortality for eight different cancer types
Authors: Damhuis R A M , Wijnhoven B P L , Plaisier P W , Kirkels W J , Kranse R , van Lanschot J J
Published: June 2012

Background

Various definitions are used to calculate postoperative mortality. As variation hampers comparability between reports, a study was performed to evaluate the impact of using different definitions for several types of cancer surgery.

Methods

Population-based data for the period 1997–2008 were retrieved from the Rotterdam Cancer Registry for resectional surgery of oesophageal, gastric, colonic, rectal, breast, lung, renal and bladder cancer. Postoperative deaths were tabulated as 30-day, in-hospital or 90-day mortality. Postdischarge deaths were defined as those occurring after discharge from hospital but within 30 days.

Results

This study included 40 474 patients. Thirty-day mortality rates were highest after gastric (8·8 per cent) and colonic (6·0 per cent) surgery, and lowest after breast (0·2 per cent) and renal (2·0 per cent) procedures. For most tumour types, the difference between 30-day and in-hospital rates was less than 1 per cent. For bladder and oesophageal cancer, however, the in-hospital mortality rate was considerably higher at 5·1 per cent (+1·3 per cent) and 7·3 per cent (+2·8 per cent) respectively. For gastric, colonic and lung cancer, 1·0 per cent of patients died after discharge. For gastric, lung and bladder cancer, more than 3 per cent of patients died between discharge and 90 days.

Conclusion

The 30-day definition is recommended as an international standard because it includes the great majority of surgery-related deaths and is not subject to discharge procedures. The 90-day definition, however, captures mortality from multiple causes; although this may be of less interest to surgeons, the data may be valuable when providing information to patients before surgery.
Surface‐based cryopreservation strategies for human embryonic stem cells: A comparative study
Authors: Malpique Rita , Tostões Rui , Beier Axel F. J. , Serra Margarida , Brito Catarina , Schulz Julia C. , Björquist Petter , Zimmermann Heiko , Alves Paula M.
Published: June 2012

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold tremendous potential in the emerging fields of gene and cell therapy as well as in basic scientific research. One of the major challenges regarding their application is the development of efficient cryopreservation protocols for hESC since current methods present poor recovery rates and/or technical difficulties which impair the development of effective processes that can handle bulk quantities of pluripotent cells. The main focus of this work was to compare different strategies for the cryopreservation of adherent hESC colonies. Slow‐rate freezing protocols using intact hESC colonies was evaluated and compared with a surface‐based vitrification approach. Entrapment within ultra‐high viscous alginate was investigated as the main strategy to avoid the commonly observed loss of viability and colony fragmentation during slow‐rate freezing. Our results indicate that entrapment beneath a layer of ultra‐high viscous alginate does not provide further protection to hESC cryopreserved through slow‐rate freezing, irrespectively of the cryomedium used. Vitrification of adherent hESC colonies on culture dishes yielded significantly higher recovery rates when compared to the slow‐rate freezing approaches investigated. The pluripotency of hESC was not changed after a vitrification/thawing cycle and during further propagation in culture. In conclusion, from the cryopreservation methods investigated in this study, surface‐based vitrification of hESC has proven to be the most efficient for the cryopreservation of intact hESC colonies, reducing the time required to amplify frozen stocks thus supporting the widespread use of these cells in research and clinical applications. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 1079–1087, 2012
Transcatheter treatment of unroofed coronary sinus
Authors: Santoro Giuseppe , Gaio Gianpiero , Russo Maria Giovanna
Published: June 2012

Unroofed coronary sinus (coronary sinus‐type atrial septal defect) is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from imperfect development of left atrio‐venous fold. This malformation is not considered suitable for percutaneous treatment due to complex anatomy and risk of coronary sinus obstruction. This article reports on the first successful treatment of partially unroofed coronary sinus by implantation of an Amplatzer® Septal Occluder device (AGA Medical Co., Golden Valley, MN). In this patient, the malformation was deemed favorable for device closure due to the local anatomy and the association with persistent left superior vena cava draining in coronary sinus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A summary of recommendations for occupational radiation protection in interventional cardiology
Authors: Durán Ariel , Hian Sim Kui , Miller Donald L. , Heron John Le , Padovani Renato , Vano Eliseo
Published: June 2012

The radiation dose received by cardiologists during percutaneous coronary interventions, electrophysiology procedures, and other interventional cardiology procedures can vary by more than an order of magnitude for the same type of procedure and for similar patient doses. There is particular concern regarding occupational dose to the lens of the eye. This document provides recommendations for occupational radiation protection for physicians and other staff in the interventional suite. Simple methods for reducing or minimizing occupational radiation dose include minimizing fluoroscopy time and the number of acquired images; using available patient dose reduction technologies; using good imaging‐chain geometry; collimating; avoiding high‐scatter areas; using protective shielding; using imaging equipment whose performance is controlled through a quality assurance program; and wearing personal dosimeters so that you know your dose. Effective use of these methods requires both appropriate education and training in radiation protection for all interventional cardiology personnel, and the availability of appropriate protective tools and equipment. Regular review and investigation of personnel monitoring results, accompanied as appropriate by changes in how procedures are performed and equipment used, will ensure continual improvement in the practice of radiation protection in the interventional suite. These recommendations for occupational radiation protection in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology have been endorsed by the Asian Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology, the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, the Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.