bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concordance Between Continuity of Care Reported by Patients and Measured From Administrative Data
Authors: Nyweide David J.
Published: November 2013

Continuity of care can be measured using patient survey or administrative data, though the degree of concordance between continuity of care reported by patients and measured from their actual utilization is not well understood. A cross-sectional analysis of the 2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and linked 2009-2010 Medicare Carrier and outpatient claims data measured the concentration of ambulatory care visit patterns according to two commonly used metrics of continuity of care. Continuity of care measured from claims data did not align with patient reports of having a usual care provider. However, high levels of continuity for patients with a usual care provider were associated with a longer patient–provider relationship, greater patient–perceived provider knowledge of the patient’s medical condition and history, and more confidence in the provider. Inferences about a patient’s continuity of care must be placed in the context of the data source with which continuity is measured.
Relapsing optic neuritis: a multicentre study of 62 patients
Authors: Benoilid Aurélien , Tilikete Caroline , Collongues Nicolas , Arndt Carl , Vighetto Alain , Vignal Catherine , de Seze Jérôme
Published: November 2013

Background:

Optic neuritis (ON) may be the first symptom of a central nervous system demyelinating, systemic or infectious disease but few patients experience recurrent episodes and have a negative workup.

Objective:

This disorder, named relapsing optic neuritis (RON), is poorly described in the literature and still presents a particular challenge in diagnosis and management.

Methods:

We describe the clinical, laboratory, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and disability course of RON in a French cohort of 62 patients, based on a multicentre, retrospective, observational study.

Results:

In our cohort, we identified two distinct groups of RON patients. The first is characterised by relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (RION, 68%), which is non-progressive, whereas the second presented as a chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (CRION, 32%), which is progressive. We have noted more cases with steroid dependence in the CRION group than the RION group (42% vs 10%). The long-term visual prognosis was more severe in CRION patients and neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG)-positive patients.

Conclusion:

RON is likely a separate entity corresponding to an autoimmune disease that differs from multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO and vasculitis. We provide a new classification system based on a better understanding of RON which could allow an improved management by early treatment of poor prognosis forms.
‘Eventually you just get used to it’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of 10–16 year-old girls’ experiences of the transition into temporary accommodation after exposure to domestic violence perpetrated by men against their mothers
Authors: Bowyer Laura , Swanston Jennifer , Vetere Arlene
Published: November 2013

Moving suddenly into temporary accommodation with their mothers is a reality for many children who live with domestic violence. The experience of this transition is under-researched despite being considered a unique event for children alongside that of being exposed to domestic violence involving their mothers. This piece of qualitative research aimed to address the following question: ‘How do girls aged 10–16 years old experience the transition into temporary accommodation following exposure to domestic violence’? Five girls aged 10–16 years who had moved into either refuge or ‘bed and breakfast’ accommodation with their mothers were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three master themes emerged: (1) ‘Out of their hands: The transition into a whole new world with loss and change’, (2) ‘The relentlessness of feeling unsafe and uncertain’, (3) ‘Coping with the transition: At the mercy of their environment and the actions of others’. All themes show how a lack of agency was experienced by the girls throughout the transition. Findings suggest that the environment of temporary accommodation may inhibit the child’s capacity to emotionally process the transition. The role of others was central to either facilitating or constraining coping for the girls throughout this transition.
The frequency and outcome of breast cancer risk-reducing surgery in finnish BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Koskenvuo L. , Svarvar C. , Suominen S. , Aittomäki K. , Jahkola T.
Published: November 2013

Background and Aims:

Risk-reducing mastectomy of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers is known to significantly reduce lifetime risk of breast cancer. Our aim was to study the frequency and outcome of risk-reducing mastectomies performed in Helsinki University Central Hospital during 1997–2010.

Material and Methods:

In testing for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, 136 female carriers had been identified and followed up in Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Results:

A total of 69 breasts in 52 women were operated on for risk-reduction, including 28 (54%) bilateral mastectomies at mean age of 43 years. Autologous tissue was used for reconstruction in 40 (50%) and implants in 31 (39%) of the breasts, respectively. In all, 8 patients (15%) chose to have no reconstruction. Minor or major complications were recorded in 21 (40%) patients. Five reconstructions failed and were corrected with re-reconstruction.

Conclusions:

In this series of Finnish BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, a high percentage 52 (41%) chose risk-reducing breast surgery. Autologous tissue was favored in breast reconstructions. Immediate breast reconstructions were associated with a relatively high risk of complications in free flaps and in implant reconstructions, but not in latissimus dorsi reconstructions. It is mandatory that patients are informed about the risks associated with risk-reducing operations.
Nurse Leaders’ Experiences of Implementing Regulatory Changes in Sexual Health Nursing Practice in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Bungay Vicky , Stevenson Janine
Published: November 2013

Most research about regulatory policy change concerning expanded nursing activities has emphasized advanced practice roles and acute care settings. This study is a contribution to the small pool of research concerned with regulatory policy implementation for nurses undertaking expanded nursing practice activities in a public health context. Using the regulatory changes in certified nursing practice in one Canadian province as our starting point, we investigated the experiences of nurse leaders in implementing this change. Using a qualitative interpretive descriptive approach informed by tenets of complexity theory, we examined the experiences of 16 nurse leaders as situated within the larger public health care system in which nurses practice. Two interrelated themes, (a) preparing for certification and (b) the certification process, were identified to illustrate how competing and contrasting demands between health care and regulatory organizations created substantial barriers to policy change. Implications for health service delivery and future research are discussed.
Pneumatic Compression for Embolic Protection During Upper Extremity Endovascular Intervention
Authors: Cassar Andrew , Barsness Gregory W. , Wysokinski Waldemar E. , Gifford Shaun M. , Bower Thomas C. , Edwards William D. , Gulati Rajiv
Published: November 2013

Embolic protection devices are occasionally employed during endovascular interventions to prevent complications caused by embolic debris. However, these devices have imperfect efficacy, confer risk of endovascular trauma, and are expensive. We report a patient with giant cell arteritis and symptomatic axillary artery stenosis, with a perceived elevated risk of distal embolization during endovascular intervention. We describe a straightforward embolic protection technique of brachial pressure cuff inflation during endovascular intervention and aspiration of displaced thrombotic material from the static column of blood. This novel, effective, and cost-free technique could also be employed in other vascular beds during endovascular intervention.
Phonetic Metaphor and the Limits of Sound Symbolism
Authors: Robinson Christopher L
Published: November 2013

AbstractEvocative as it is elusive, the sound-symbolism of names tends to be a highly subjective affair, more the stuff of poetic fancy than objective critical analysis. Literary criticism, however, demands a rigorous and more objective approach, which is precisely what the ideas of Gérard Genette and Ivan Fónagy can provide. Where the former explores the limits of sound symbolism, the latter gives a cogent explanation for how, within those limits, this linguistic phenomenon actually works thanks to what he calls phonetic metaphor. In addition to elaborating a concrete framework in which to study the relations between sound and sense in literary onomastics, Fónagy’s ideas open up new vistas for exploring the relationships between names, gender, affect and the body. Names in the fantasy novels of Ursula K. Le Guin illustrate the explanatory power of phonetic metaphor as a critical concept in onomastics.
A Note on The Bell Jar (1963)
Authors: Behrens Susan J
Published: November 2013

AbstractSylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar, which first appeared in print fifty years ago, is a thinly veiled depiction of a particular time in the author’s life, the summer of 1953. The protagonist and stand-in for Plath, Esther Greenwood, comes of age on the cusp of societal changes in the role of women in the US. Naming plays a central role in the development of Esther, a more pivotal one than has previously been recognized. Throughout the novel, Esther’s journey toward mental breakdown and inability to find her true identity is paralleled by a failed struggle to accurately name herself.
Thermal history in UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel friction stir welds
Authors: Santos T. F. A. , Idagawa H. S. , Ramirez A. J.
Published: November 2013

Consolidated UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel joints welds were performed using a friction stir welding (FSW) process. An experimental set-up was used to record the thermal history of duplex stainless steel FSW joint. For points at equal distance from the weld centreline, temperature measured near the beginning of the weld was lower than that measured in the middle of the welded joint. This was attributed to a non-stationary transfer condition. FSW thermal cycle showed shorter time spent at elevated temperature compared that presented by fusion welding, indicating less propensity to detrimental second phase precipitation. To support temperature measurements with thermocouples, a three-dimensional finite element thermal model of FSW was implemented, which provided a good agreement with experimental data.
In situ velocity measurements of very high power ultrasonic additive manufacturing using a photonic Doppler velocimeter
Authors: Foster D. R. , Taber G. A. , Babu S. S. , Daehn G. S.
Published: November 2013

To understand the dynamic structural movements of very high power ultrasonic additive manufacturing, simultaneous in situ velocity measurements of the sonotrode, welding foil and substrate during consolidation were made using a photonic Doppler velocimeter. During consolidation in which the welding foil was successfully bonded to the substrate, the welding foil and substrate had similar vibration phase angles which came into and then out of phase of the sonotrode; in addition to having large changes in relative velocity as the normal force from the sonotrode was applied and then removed. A consolidation pass in which no bonding occurred, consisted of relatively constant velocity amplitude for all structures. The welding foil and sonotrode remained fully coupled and in phase, but was out of phase of the substrate during the entire welding pass. Therefore, by examining velocity and phase data, bonding versus non-bonding conditions can be determined in situ using the photonic Doppler velocimeter system.
Modification of Sn58Bi solder based on graphite
Authors: Yang L. , Du C. , Zhang N. , Dai J. , Ge J. , Jing Y. , Wang G.
Published: November 2013

A novel composite solder paste with 0·07 wt- graphite addition was fabricated. The mechanical properties of matrix solder and composite solder alloys were tested using a kind of miniature joint. The results showed that the tensile strength of the Sn58Bi+graphite composite solder joint declined slightly compared with the Sn58Bi solder joint. However, the elongation of the Sn58Bi+graphite composite solder joint was ∼13 times as much as that of the Sn58Bi solder joint. Stress relaxation method, which was used to test the creep performance, was verified by nanoindentation method. The result showed that the stress relaxation method was suitable for creep testing. The creep testing results of Sn58Bi and Sn58Bi+0·07 wt- graphite solder alloys showed that the anticreep performance of Sn58Bi was improved by the addition of graphite.
Parallel patterning of indium tin oxide with ultra short pulses
Authors: Fitzsimons P W , Kuang Z , Perrie W , Edwardson S , Dearden G
Published: November 2013

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a commonly used material in the manufacture of several photonic devices such as flat panel displays, solar cells and electronic ink. Direct laser patterning of ITO films offers a viable alternative to these methods. An ultrashort pulse laser system with pulse duration of 10 ps and variable repetition rate (5–50 kHz) was applied to ITO removal from a glass substrate. Removal of the film was achieved through determination of the ablation threshold (Φth) of both the ITO and glass. By varying the traverse speed, fluence and offset, a processing window was identified. In addition, a spatial light modulator was introduced into the optical path and used for diffractive multiple beam processing; this increased throughput by increasing the ‘effective’ repetition rate.
Effect of rare earth (RE) on pack boronising process of titanium alloy
Authors: Wang H. , Lu W. Z. , Xu J. , Zhu Y. S. , Huang Q. C. , Zhang L. F. , Zuo D. W.
Published: November 2013

The pack boronising experiments were carried out on the TC21 titanium alloy using monomer boron powder as the boriding agent with and without rare earth oxide CeO2 respectively. The friction and wear behaviour of boride coated TC21 samples were evaluated using a pin on disc friction tester. The boride layers were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, SEM and optical microscopy. The results show that the boride layers grown on TC21 consist of continuous top layer TiB2 and sublayer TiB whiskers; with the addition of CeO2 in the boriding agent, the grain size of boride layers is refined, the diffusion efficiency is increased and more TiB changes to TiB2; the microhardness of the top layer is ∼3200 HV(10 g); without CeO2, the friction coefficient of boride coated TC21 sample is ∼0·56, while with the addition of CeO2, it is <0·2. The boride coated TC21 samples show a much better wear resistance than the TC21 substrate.
Parametric optimisation of electric discharge coating process with powder metallurgy tools using Taguchi analysis
Authors: Eswara Krishna M , Patowari P K
Published: November 2013

From the last decade the electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been investigated as the process for surface modification besides machining. This paper describes the influence of W–Cu powder metallurgical electrodes at various parametric conditions on the surface of mild steel through electric discharge coating (EDC) process for its modification. Taguchi design of experiments is used to investigate the parameters which favour material transfer rate (MTR) with acceptable surface finish. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and overall evaluation criteria (OEC) has been performed to the output parameters such as MTR and surface roughness Ra to find the percentage contribution of different controlling parameters for uniform deposition. The highest MTR of 195 mg min−1 and the surface roughness of 2·6 μm have been successfully achieved.
Crystal chemical and structural investigation of levyne-Na
Authors: Ballirano P. , Cametti G.
Published: November 2013

A sample of levyne-Na from Dunseverick, Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK, has been characterized from the crystal chemical and structural point of view. Its mean crystal chemical formula, calculated on the basis of 54(Si+Al), is Na7.72Ca4.62K1.31Sr0.08Mg0.02(Al19.55Si34.45O107.50)·50.5H2O. Levyne-Na is associated with erionite-Na whose chemical formula is Na6.08Ca0.8 5K2.55Mg0.16(Al10.41Si25.59O72.13)·30.6H2O, calculated on the basis of 36(Si+Al). Their compositions are consistent with those of levyne/erionite inter/overgrowth reported in the literature. The structural analysis, carried out by the Rietveld method on laboratory parallel-beam X-ray powder diffraction data, is in good agreement with the chemical composition representing a significant improvement with respect to the available data so far. Extra-Framework (EF) cations are allocated at four sites, Ca1, Na3, K4 and Na5 with partial occupancy. Water molecules are distributed among five sites. Possible coexistence schemes of cations, forced by the avoidance of short contacts are proposed and validated by bond valence analysis.
Oxycalcioroméite, Ca2Sb2O6O, from Buca della Vena mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy: a new member of the pyrochlore supergroup
Authors: Biagioni C. , Orlandi P. , Nestola F. , Bianchin S.
Published: November 2013

The new mineral species oxycalcioroméite, Ca2Sb5+2O6O, has been discovered at the Buca della Vena mine, Stazzema, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. It occurs as euhedral octahedra, up to 0.1 mm in size, embedded in dolostone lenses in the baryte + pyrite + iron oxides ore. Associated minerals are calcite, cinnabar, derbylite, dolomite, hematite, 'mica', pyrite, sphalerite and 'tourmaline'. Oxycalcioroméite is reddish-brown in colour and transparent. It is isotropic, with ncalc = 1.950.

Electron microprobe analysis gave (wt.%; n = 6) Sb2O5 63.73, TiO2 3.53, SnO2 0.28, Sb2O3 10.93, V2O3 0.68, Al2O3 0.28, PbO 0.68, FeO 5.52, MnO 0.13, CaO 13.68, Na2O 0.83, F 1.20, O = F – 0.51, total 100.96. No H2O, above the detection limit, was indicated by either infrared or micro-Raman spectroscopies. The empirical formula, based on 2 cations at the B site, is (Ca1.073Fe2+0.338Sb3+0.330Na0.118Pb0.013Mn0.008)Σ=1.880(Sb5+1.734Ti0.194V0.040Al0.024Sn0.008)Σ=2.000(O6.682F0.278)Σ6.960. The crystal structure study gives a cubic unit cell, space group Fdm, with a 10.3042(7) Å, V 1094.06(13) Å3, Z = 8. The five strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [d(Å)I(visually estimated)(hkl)]: 3.105(m)(311); 2.977(s)(222); 2.576(m)(400); 1.824(ms)(440); and 1.556(ms)(622). The crystal structure of oxycalcioroméite has been solved by X-ray single-crystal study on the basis of 114 observed reflections, with a final R1 = 0.0114. It agrees with the general features of the members of the pyrochlore supergroup.
Effect of vaccination of cattle with the low virulence Nc-Spain 1H isolate of Neospora caninum against a heterologous challenge in early and mid-gestation
Authors: Rojo-Montejo Silvia , Collantes-Fernández Esther , Pérez-Zaballos Francisco , Rodríguez-Marcos Sonia , Blanco-Murcia Javier , Rodríguez-Bertos Antonio , Prenafeta Antoni , Ortega-Mora Luis Miguel
Published: November 2013

Live vaccines have emerged as one of the most potentially cost-effective measures for the control of bovine neosporosis. Previous studies have shown that Nc-Spain 1H is a naturally attenuated isolate of Neospora caninum and that immunisation with live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites generated a protective immune response in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunisation in cattle. N. caninum-seronegative heifers were immunised subcutaneously twice with 107 live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites prior to artificial insemination. No adverse reactions or negative effects on reproductive parameters were recorded following immunisation. In immunised and non-challenged heifers, no foetal deaths were observed, and none of the calves was congenitally infected. The efficacy against N. caninum-associated foetal death and vertical transmission was determined after challenge with high doses of the Nc-1 isolate at 70 and 135 days of gestation, respectively. After the challenge in early gestation, the immunisation induced a protection of 50% against foetal death. In addition, the microsatellite analysis performed in PCR-positive tissue samples from foetuses that died after challenge infection showed that the profiles corresponded to the challenge isolate Nc-1. A degree of protection against vertical transmission was observed after challenge at mid-gestation; calves from immunised heifers showed significantly lower pre-colostral Neospora-specific antibody titres than calves from the non-immunised/challenge group (P < 0.05). Strong antibody and interferon gamma responses were induced in the immunised heifers. This study indicates that the immunisation before pregnancy with the Nc-Spain 1H vaccine isolate appeared to be safe and reduced the occurrence of N. caninum-associated abortion and vertical transmission in experimentally infected cattle. In light of these encouraging results, the next step for testing this live attenuated candidate should be the assessment of its efficacy and safety in naturally infected cattle.
The role of c-Src in integrin (α6β4) dependent translational control
Authors: Soung Young Hwa , Korneeva Nadejda , Kim Tae Hyong , Chung Jun
Published: November 2013

Background

Integrin α6β4 contributes to cancer progression by stimulating transcription as well as translation of cancer related genes. Our previous study demonstrated that α6β4 stimulates translation initiation of survival factors such as VEGF by activating mTOR pathway. However, the immediate early signaling events that link α6β4 to mTOR activation needs to be defined.

Results

In the current studies, we demonstrated that c-Src is an immediate early signaling molecule that acts upstream of α6β4 dependent mTOR activation and subsequent translation of VEGF in MDA-MB-435/β4 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. m7GTP-Sepharose–binding assay revealed that Src activity is required to form eIF4F complex which is necessary for Cap-dependent translation in α6β4 expressing human cancer cells.

Conclusions

Overall, our studies suggest that integrin β4 and c-Src activation is important early signaling events to lead mTOR activation and cap-dependent translation of VEGF.
De novo transcriptome analysis using 454 pyrosequencing of the Himalayan Mayapple, Podophyllum hexandrum
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dipto , Sinha Ragini , Hazra Saptarshi , Datta Riddhi , Chattopadhyay Sharmila
Published: November 2013

Background

The Himalayan or Indian Mayapple (Podophyllum hexandrum Royle) produces podophyllotoxin, which is used in the production of semisynthetic anticancer drugs. High throughput transcriptome sequences or genomic sequence data from the Indian Mayapple are essential for further understanding of the podophyllotoxin biosynthetic pathway.

Results

454 pyrosequencing of a P. hexandrum cell culture normalized cDNA library generated 2,667,207 raw reads and 1,503,232 high quality reads, with an average read length of 138 bp. The denovo assembly was performed by Newbler using default and optimized parameters. The optimized parameter generated 40, 380 assembled sequences, comprising 12,940 contigs and 27,440 singlets which resulted in better assembly as compared to default parameters. BLASTX analysis resulted in the annotation of 40,380 contigs/singlet using a cut-off value of ≤1E-03. High similarity to Medicago truncatula using optimized parameters and to Populus trichocarpa using default parameters was noted. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis using KEGG Automatic Annotation Server (KAAS) combined with domain analysis of the assembled transcripts revealed putative members of secondary metabolism pathways that may be involved in podophyllotoxin biosynthesis. A proposed schematic pathway for phenylpropanoids and podophyllotoxin biosynthesis was generated. Expression profiling was carried out based on fragments per kilobase of exon per million fragments (FPKM). 1036 simple sequence repeats were predicted in the P. hexandrum sequences. Sixty-nine transcripts were mapped to 99 mature and precursor microRNAs from the plant microRNA database. Around 961 transcripts containing transcription factor domains were noted. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed the peak accumulation of podophyllotoxin in 12-day cell suspension cultures. A comparative qRT-PCR analysis of phenylpropanoid pathway genes identified in the present data was performed to analyze their expression patterns in 12-day cell culture, callus and rhizome.

Conclusions

The present data will help the identification of the potential genes and transcription factors involved in podophyllotoxin biosynthesis in P. hexandrum. The assembled transcripts could serve as potential candidates for marker discovery and conservation, which should form the foundations for future endeavors.
Proteomic and metabolomic profiles of larval hemolymph associated with diapause in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Zhang Qi , Lu Yu-Xuan , Xu Wei-Hua
Published: November 2013

Background

Diapause is programmed developmental arrest coupled with the depression of metabolic activity and the enhancement of stress resistance. Pupal diapause is induced by environmental signals and is prepared during the prediapause phase. In the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, the prediapause phase, which contains two sub-phases, diapause induction and preparation, occurs in the larval stage. Here, we performed parallel proteomic and metabolomic analyses on H. armigera larval hemolymph during the prediapause phase.

Results

By two-dimensional electrophoresis, 37 proteins were shown to be differentially expressed in diapause-destined larvae. Of these proteins, 28 were successfully identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Moreover, a total of 22 altered metabolites were found in diapause-destined larval hemolymph by GC-MS analysis, and the levels of 17 metabolites were elevated and 5 were decreased.

Conclusions

The proteins and metabolites with significantly altered levels play different roles in diapause-destined larvae, including diapause induction, metabolic storage, immune response, stress tolerance, and others. Because hemolymph circulates through the whole body of an insect, these differences found in diapause-destined larvae most likely correspond to upstream endocrine signals and would further influence other organ/tissue activities to determine the insect’s fact: diapause or development.
Temporal expression patterns of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 in the embryonic and postnatal rat brain
Authors: Jiang Xiaohua , Zhao Junpeng , Ju Lili , Liu Yujun , Wang Beibei , Zou Xifeng , Xu Changlei , Xu Quanyuan
Published: November 2013

Background

IGFBP-4 has been considered as a factor involving in development of the central nervous system (CNS), but its role needs to be further clarified. In present study, the localization of IGFBP-4 expression in the embryonic forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain was determined using immunohistochemistry, and the levels of IGFBP-4 protein and mRNA were semi-quantified using RT-PCR and Western blot in the embryonic (forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain) and postnatal brain (cerebral cortex, cerebellum and midbrain).

Results

A clear immunoreactivity of IGFBP-4 covered almost the entire embryonic brain (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain) from E10.5 to E18.5, except for the area near the ventricle from E14.5. The change of IGFBP-4 mRNA level was regularly from E10.5 to E18.5: its expression peaked at E13.5 and E14.5, followed by gradual decreasing from E15.5. The expression of IGFBP-4 protein was similar to that of mRNA in embryonic stage. After birth, the pattern of IGFBP-4 expression was shown to be rather divergent in different brain areas. In the cerebral cortex, the IGFBP-4 mRNA increased gradually after birth (P0), while the protein showed little changes from P0 to P28, but decreased significantly at P70. In the cerebellum, the IGFBP-4 mRNA decreased gradually from P0, reached the lowest level at P21, and then increased again. However, its protein level gradually increased from P0 to P70. In the midbrain, the IGFBP-4 mRNA first decreased and reached its lowest level at P28 before it increased, while the protein remained constant from P0 to P70. At P7, P14, P21, P28 and P70, the levels of IGFBP-4 mRNA in the cerebral cortex were significantly higher than that in the cerebellum or in the midbrain. Differently, the protein levels in the cerebellum were significantly higher than that either in the cerebral cortex or in the midbrain at P14, P21, P28 and P70.

Conclusions

The temporal expression pattern of IGFBP-4 in the embryonic brain from E10.5 to E18.5 was consistent with the course of neurogenesis in the ventricular zone, suggesting an important role of IGFBP-4 in regulating differentiation of neural stem cells. A strikingly higher abundance of the IGFBP-4 protein observed in the cerebellum from P14 to P70 suggests that IGFBP-4 may participate in the maintenance of cerebellar plasticity.
Expression of nerve growth factor and heme oxygenase-1 predict poor survival of breast carcinoma patients
Authors: Noh Sang Jae , Bae Jun Sang , Jamiyandorj Urangoo , Park Ho Sung , Kwon Keun Sang , Jung Sung Hoo , Youn Hyun Jo , Lee Ho , Park Byung-Hyun , Chung Myoung Ja , Moon Woo Sung , Kang Myoung Jae , Jang Kyu Yun
Published: November 2013

Background

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin and has been suggested to induce heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) expression. Although the role of HO1 in tumorigenesis remains controversial, recent evidence suggests NGF and HO1 as tumor-progressing factors. However, the correlative role of NGF and HO1 and their prognostic impact in breast carcinoma is unknown.

Methods

We investigated the expression and prognostic significance of the expression of NGF and HO1 in 145 cases of breast carcinoma.

Results

Immunohistochemical expression of NGF and HO1 was observed in 31% and 49% of breast carcinoma, respectively. The expression of NGF and HO1 significantly associated with each other, and both have a significant association with histologic grade, HER2 expression, and latent distant metastasis. The expression of NGF and HO1 predicted shorter overall survival of breast carcinoma by univariate and multivariate analysis. NGF expression was an independent prognostic indicator for relapse-free survival by multivariate analysis. The combined expression pattern of NGF and HO1 was also an independent prognostic indicator of overall survival and relapse-free survival. The patients with tumors expressing NGF had the shortest survival and the patients with tumor, which did not express NGF or HO1 showed the longest survival time.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that individual expression of NGF or HO1, and the combined NGF/HO1 expression pattern could be prognostic indicators for breast carcinoma patients.
Knee loading reduces MMP13 activity in the mouse cartilage
Authors: Hamamura Kazunori , Zhang Ping , Zhao Liming , Shim Joon W , Chen Andy , Dodge Todd R , Wan Qiaoqiao , Shih Han , Na Sungsoo , Lin Chien-Chi , Sun Hui Bin , Yokota Hiroki
Published: November 2013

Background

Moderate loads with knee loading enhance bone formation, but its effects on the maintenance of the knee are not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of knee loading on the activity of matrix metalloproteinase13 (MMP13) and evaluated the role of p38 MAPK and Rac1 GTPase in the regulation of MMP13.

Methods

Knee loading (0.5–3 N for 5 min) was applied to the right knee of surgically-induced osteoarthritis (OA) mice as well as normal (non-OA) mice, and MMP13 activity in the femoral cartilage was examined. The sham-loaded knee was used as a non-loading control. We also employed primary non-OA and OA human chondrocytes as well as C28/I2 chondrocyte cells, and examined MMP13 activity and molecular signaling in response to shear at 2–20 dyn/cm2.

Results

Daily knee loading at 1 N for 2 weeks suppressed cartilage destruction in the knee of OA mice. Induction of OA elevated MMP13 activity and knee loading at 1 N suppressed this elevation. MMP13 activity was also increased in primary OA chondrocytes, and this increase was attenuated by applying shear at 10 dyn/cm2. Load-driven reduction in MMP13 was associated with a decrease in the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK (p-p38) and NFκB (p-NFκB). Molecular imaging using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique showed that Rac1 activity was reduced by shear at 10 dyn/cm2and elevated by it at 20 dyn/cm2. Silencing Rac1 GTPase significantly reduced MMP13 expression and p-p38 but not p-NFκB. Transfection of a constitutively active Rac1 GTPase mutant increased MMP13 activity, while a dominant negative mutant decreased it.

Conclusions

Knee loading reduces MMP13 activity at least in part through Rac1-mediated p38 MAPK signaling. This study suggests the possibility of knee loading as a therapy not only for strengthening bone but also preventing tissue degradation of the femoral cartilage.
Cytokine response to pregnancy-associated recrudescence of Plasmodium berghei infection in mice with pre-existing immunity to malaria
Authors: Megnekou Rosette , Staalsoe Trine , Hviid Lars
Published: November 2013

Background

During childhood, residents of areas with stable transmission ofPlasmodium falciparumparasites acquire substantial protective immunity to malaria, and adults therefore rarely experience clinical disease episodes. However, susceptibility to infection reappears in pregnant women, particularly primigravidae. This is due to appearance of antigenic parasite variants that are restricted to pregnancy. Variant-specific immunity also governs pregnancy-associated recrudescence ofPlasmodium bergheiinfection in pregnant mice. Pregnancy-related changes in the plasma cytokine levels of mice with immunity acquired prior to first pregnancy have not been studied in detail previously, and were the topic of the present study.

Methods

A multiplexed bead assay was used to measure plasma levels of IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ and TNF in BALB/c mice immunized againstP. bergheiK173 by repeated infection and drug cure before the first pregnancy. The association between cytokine levels on the one hand and parasitaemia and haemoglobin levels on the other, in mice that had never been pregnant or were pregnant for the first, second or third time were evaluated by Mann–Whitney test and Spearman rank-order correlation analysis.

Results

Pregnancyper sedid not further increase the already high cytokine levels in mice previously immunized by repeated infection and drug cure. Levels of all the cytokines except IL-10 were correlated with each other, and with parasitaemia and haemoglobin levels. Furthermore, levels of all cytokines were positively correlated with parity, except IL-10, which was negatively correlated with parity. High levels of IL-10 and low levels of the other cytokines were associated with poor pregnancy outcome.

Conclusions

High levels of IL-10 and low levels of the other cytokines were associated with poor pregnancy outcome in this mouse model of placental malaria. Since the model replicates key parasitological and immunological features of placentalP. falciparummalaria, it underpins its usefulness in immunology and pathogenesis studies of this important cause of mother/child morbidity in endemic areas.
Small-area and compact CMOS emulator circuit for CMOS/nanoscale memristor co-design
Authors: Shin SangHak , Choi Jun-Myung , Cho Seongik , Min Kyeong-Sik
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a CMOS emulator circuit that can reproduce nanoscale memristive behavior is proposed. The proposed emulator circuit can mimic the pinched hysteresis loops of nanoscale memristor memory's current-voltage relationship without using any resistor array, complicated circuit blocks, etc. that may occupy very large layout area. Instead of using a resistor array, other complicated circuit blocks, etc., the proposed emulator circuit can describe the nanoscale memristor's current-voltage relationship using a simple voltage-controlled resistor, where its resistance can be programmed by the stored voltage at the state variable capacitor. Comparing the layout area between the previous emulator circuit and the proposed one, the layout area of the proposed emulator circuit is estimated to be 32 times smaller than the previous emulator circuit. The proposed CMOS emulator circuit of nanoscale memristor memory will be very useful in developing hybrid circuits of CMOS/nanoscale memristor memory.
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling scheme for an adaptive LDPC decoder using SNR estimation
Authors: Ahn Youngho , Park Joo-yul , Chung Ki-Seok
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we propose a low-power adaptive low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder that utilizes dynamic voltage and frequency scaling to reduce power consumption. Most existing adaptive LDPC decoders have focused only on the decoding performance based on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation. However, significant idle power is consumed when the decoder awaits the next frame after processing a frame. In mobile communication standards such as China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting and Digital Video Broadcasting Satellite Second Generation, adaptive coding and modulation has been adopted. Thus, it is possible to reduce the power consumption efficiently by using the SNR estimation. In this paper, we apply a customized frequency selection scheme and a variable voltage generation scheme to an adaptive LDPC decoder to reduce the dynamic power consumption. The proposed schemes result in a reduction of 44% in the energy consumption of an LDPC decoder implemented using 0.18-μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology.
Path2Models: large-scale generation of computational models from biochemical pathway maps
Authors: Büchel Finja , Rodriguez Nicolas , Swainston Neil , Wrzodek Clemens , Czauderna Tobias , Keller Roland , Mittag Florian , Schubert Michael , Glont Mihai , Golebiewski Martin , van Iersel Martijn , Keating Sarah , Rall Matthias , Wybrow Michael , Hermjakob Henning , Hucka Michael , Kell Douglas B , Müller Wolfgang , Mendes Pedro , Zell Andreas , Chaouiya Claudine , Saez-Rodriguez Julio , Schreiber Falk , Laibe Camille , Dräger Andreas , Le Novère Nicolas
Published: November 2013

Background

Systems biology projects and omics technologies have led to a growing number of biochemical pathway models and reconstructions. However, the majority of these models are still created de novo, based on literature mining and the manual processing of pathway data.

Results

To increase the efficiency of model creation, the Path2Models project has automatically generated mathematical models from pathway representations using a suite of freely available software. Data sources include KEGG, BioCarta, MetaCyc and SABIO-RK. Depending on the source data, three types of models are provided: kinetic, logical and constraint-based. Models from over 2 600 organisms are encoded consistently in SBML, and are made freely available through BioModels Database at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels-main/path2models. Each model contains the list of participants, their interactions, the relevant mathematical constructs, and initial parameter values. Most models are also available as easy-to-understand graphical SBGN maps.

Conclusions

To date, the project has resulted in more than 140 000 freely available models. Such a resource can tremendously accelerate the development of mathematical models by providing initial starting models for simulation and analysis, which can be subsequently curated and further parameterized.
Inter and intra‐rater repeatability of the scoring of foot pain drawings
Authors: Chatterton Benjamin D , Muller Sara , Thomas Martin J , Menz Hylton B , Rome Keith , Roddy Edward
Published: November 2013

Background

Foot pain drawings (manikins) are commonly used to describe foot pain location in self‐report health surveys. Respondents shade the manikin where they experience pain. The manikin is then scored via a transparent overlay that divides the drawings into areas. In large population based studies they are often scored by multiple raters. A difference in how different raters score manikins (inter‐rater repeatability), or in how an individual rater scores manikins over time (intra‐rater repeatability) can therefore affect data quality. This study aimed to assess inter‐ and intra‐rater repeatability of scoring of the foot manikin.

Methods

A random sample was generated of 50 respondents to a large population based survey of adults aged 50 years and older who experienced foot pain and completed a foot manikin. Manikins were initially scored by any one of six administrative staff (Rating 1). These manikins were re‐scored by a second rater (Rating 2). The second rater then re‐scored the manikins one week later (Rating 3). The following scores were compared: Rating 1 versus Rating 2 (inter‐rater repeatability), and Rating 2 versus Rating 3 (intra‐rater repeatability). A novel set of clinically relevant foot pain regions made up of one or more individual areas on the foot manikin were developed, and assessed for inter‐ and intra‐rater repeatability.

Results

Scoring agreement of 100% (all 50 manikins) was seen in 69% (40 out of 58) of individual areas for inter‐rater scoring (range 94 to 100%), and 81% (47 out of 58) of areas for intra‐rater scoring (range 96 to 100%). All areas had a kappa value of ≥0.70 for inter‐ and intra‐rater scoring. Scoring agreement of 100% was seen in 50% (10 out of 20) of pain regions for inter‐rater scoring (range 96 to 100%), and 95% (19 out of 20) of regions for intra‐rater scoring (range 98 to 100%). All regions had a kappa value of >0.70 for inter‐ and intra‐rater scoring.

Conclusions

Individual and multiple raters can reliably score the foot pain manikin. In addition, our proposed regions may be used to reliably classify different patterns of foot pain using the foot manikin.
PGBD5: a neural-specific intron-containing piggyBac transposase domesticated over 500 million years ago and conserved from cephalochordates to humans
Authors: Pavelitz Thomas , Gray Lucas T , Padilla Stephanie L , Bailey Arnold D , Weiner Alan M
Published: November 2013

Background

piggyBac domain (PGBD) transposons are found in organisms ranging from fungi to humans. Three domesticated piggyBac elements have been described. In the ciliates Paramecium tetraurelia and Tetrahymena thermophila, homologs known as piggyMacs excise internal eliminated sequences from germline micronuclear DNA during regeneration of the new somatic macronucleus. In primates, a PGBD3 element inserted into the Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB) gene over 43 Mya serves as an alternative 3′ terminal exon, enabling the CSB gene to generate both full length CSB and a conserved CSB-PGBD3 fusion protein that joins an N-terminal CSB domain to the C-terminal transposase domain.

Results

We describe a fourth domesticated piggyBac element called PGBD5. We show that i) PGBD5 was first domesticated in the common ancestor of the cephalochordate Branchiostoma floridae (aka lancelet or amphioxus) and vertebrates, and is conserved in all vertebrates including lamprey but cannot be found in more basal urochordates, hemichordates, or echinoderms; ii) the lancelet, lamprey, and human PGBD5 genes are syntenic and orthologous; iii) no potentially mobile ancestral PGBD5 elements can be identified in other more deeply rooted organisms; iv) although derived from an IS4-related transposase of the RNase H clan, PGBD5 protein is unlikely to retain enzymatic activity because the catalytic DDD(D) motif is not conserved; v) PGBD5 is preferentially expressed in certain granule cell lineages of the brain and in the central nervous system based on available mouse and human in situ hybridization data, and the tissue-specificity of documented mammalian EST and mRNA clones; vi) the human PGBD5 promoter and gene region is rich in bound regulatory factors including the neuron-restrictive silencer factors NRSF/REST and CoREST, as well as SIN3, KAP1, STAT3, and CTCF; and vii) despite preferential localization within the nucleus, PGBD5 protein is unlikely to bind DNA or chromatin as neither DNase I digestion nor high salt extraction release PGBD5 from fractionated mouse brain nuclei.

Conclusions

We speculate that the neural-specific PGBD5 transposase was domesticated >500 My after cephalochordates and vertebrates split from urochordates, and that PGBD5 may have played a role in the evolution of a primitive deuterostome neural network into a centralized nervous system.
Unique microbial communities persist in individual cystic fibrosis patients throughout a clinical exacerbation
Authors: Price Katherine E , Hampton Thomas H , Gifford Alex H , Dolben Emily L , Hogan Deborah A , Morrison Hilary G , Sogin Mitchell L , O’Toole George A
Published: November 2013

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by inherited mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene and results in a lung environment that is highly conducive to polymicrobial infection. Over a lifetime, decreasing bacterial diversity and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lung are correlated with worsening lung disease. However, to date, no change in community diversity, overall microbial load or individual microbes has been shown to correlate with the onset of an acute exacerbation in CF patients. We followed 17 adult CF patients throughout the course of clinical exacerbation, treatment and recovery, using deep sequencing and quantitative PCR to characterize spontaneously expectorated sputum samples

Results

We identified approximately 170 bacterial genera, 12 of which accounted for over 90% of the total bacterial load across all patient samples. Genera abundant in any single patient sample tended to be detectable in most samples. We found that clinical stages could not be distinguished by absolute Pseudomonas aeruginosa load, absolute total bacterial load or the relative abundance of any individual genus detected, or community diversity. Instead, we found that the microbial structure of each patient’s sputum microbiome was distinct and resilient to exacerbation and antibiotic treatment.

Conclusion

Consistent with previously reported sputum microbiome studies we found that total and relative abundance of genera at the population level were remarkably stable for individual patients regardless of clinical status. Patient-by-patient analysis of diversity and relative abundance of each individual genus revealed a complex microbial landscape and highlighted the difficulty of identifying a universal microbial signature of exacerbation. Overall, at the genus level, we find no evidence of a microbial signature of clinical stage.