bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of C-Reactive Protein and Pulse Pressure Evaluated at the Start of Peritoneal Dialysis on Cardiovascular Events in the Course of Treatment with Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Han Seung Seok , Ahn Jeong Myung , Chin Ho Jun , Chae Dong-Wan , Oh Kook Hwan , Joo Kwon Wook , Kim Yon Su , Ahn Curie , Han Jin Suk , Kim Suhnggwon , Na Ki Young
Published: February 2010

♦ Background

Despite a reduced number of infectious complications, cardiovascular (CV) mortality remains unchanged in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and pulse pressure (PP) at the start of PD on the development of CV events (CVEs) in these patients.

♦ Methods

The study population was comprised of 291 patients that started PD between January 2003 and June 2008 and were treated for more than 6 months. Baseline clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data, indices of dialysis adequacy, and peritoneal transport rate were reviewed ret-respectively. The clinical outcome was the occurrence of a CVE.

♦ Results

Mean duration of follow-up was 28 (range 6 – 70) months. A CVE was observed in 33 patients (11.3%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative incidences of CVEs were 4.0%, 13.7%, and 27.5%, respectively. Although multiple variables were correlated with the prevalence of a CVE in the univariate analysis, hs-CRP, PP, and comorbidity remained significant after adjustment: hs-CRP: odds ratio (OR) 4.09 (1.53 – 10.95), p = 0.005; PP: OR 2.79 (1.26 – 6.17), p = 0.012. PP and hs-CRP, which were not intercorrelated in our data, combined adversely to increase the incidence of CVEs. The incidence of CVEs increased with the number of risk factors, which included high hs-CRP, high PP, and the presence of comorbidity (no risk factor, 0%; 1 risk factor, 1.5%; 2 risk factors, 30.8%; 3 risk factors, 53.9%).

♦ Conclusions

Our study suggests that measurements of hs-CRP and PP at the start of PD may be helpful in predicting the development of CVEs in the course of treatment with PD.
Effect of Oral N-Acetylcysteine Treatment on Plasma Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Nascimento Marcelo M. , Suliman Mohamed E. , Silva Margarete , Chinaglia Tiago , Marchioro Josiane , Hayashi Shirley Y. , Riella Miguel C. , Lindholm Bengt , Anderstam Björn
Published: February 2010

♦ Background

Inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a thiol-containing antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to reduce the number of cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.

♦ Methods

The current study aimed to determine the effect of oral NAC (2 × 600 mg/daily) on plasma levels of inflammatory and OS markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We performed a placebo-controlled study over 8 weeks in 30 patients (40% males, age 52 ± 13 years) on regular PD. Before the study was started, the patients were divided into 2 groups of 15 patients matched for age and gender. 22 patients completed the study (12 on NAC, 10 on placebo). Proinflammatory cytokines [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and pentraxin 3] and markers of OS (pentosidine, advanced oxidation protein products, homocysteine, glutathione, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and free sulfhydryls) were measured before and after treatment with NAC.

♦ Results

Treatment with NAC for 8 weeks increased mean baseline plasma NAC levels from 2.6 to 24.8 μmol/L ( p = 0.007). This intervention, which caused no side effects, significantly diminished IL-6 levels, from 9.4 (4.5 – 31) to 7.6 (4.9 – 13.5) pg/mL ( p = 0.006), whereas no such changes were observed in the placebo group. NAC treatment did not significantly affect the other inflammatory and OS markers.

♦ Conclusions

Short-term oral NAC treatment resulted in reduction of circulating IL-6, suggesting that such treatment could be a useful strategy in blunting the inflammatory response in PD patients.
Aquaporin-1: New Developments and Perspectives for Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Devuyst Olivier , Yool Andrea J.
Published: March 2010

Peritoneal dialysis involves diffusive and convective transport and osmosis through the highly vascularized peritoneal membrane. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that the water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) corresponds to the ultrasmall pore predicted by the model of peritoneal transport. Proof-of-principle studies have shown that upregulation of the expression of AQP1 in peritoneal capillaries results in increased water permeability and ultrafiltration, without affecting the osmotic gradient or small solute permeability. Conversely, studies in Aqp1 mice have shown that haplo-insufficiency for AQP1 results in significant attenuation of water transport. Recent studies have demonstrated that AQP1 is involved in the migration of different cell types, including endothelial cells. In parallel, chemical screening has identified lead compounds that could act as antagonists or agonists of AQPs, with description of putative binding sites and potential mechanisms of gating the water channel. By modulating water transport, these pharmacological agents could have clinically relevant effects in targeting specific tissues or disease states.
Static and Dynamic Rotational Eye Tracking During LASIK Treatment of Myopic Astigmatism With the Zyoptix Laser Platform and Advanced Control Eye Tracker
Authors: Neuhann Irmingard M. , Lege Barbara A.M. , Bauer Markus , Hassel Joerg M. , Hilger Anton , Neuhann Thomas F.
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the amount of cyclotorsion and the effect of static and dynamic rotational eye tracking with the Advanced Control Eye Tracker (Bausch & Lomb) based on iris recognition in the treatment of myopic astigmatism with LASIK.

METHODS:

All patients with myopic LASIK and attempted cylinder correction >0.75 diopters (D) on the Zyoptix 217z100 excimer laser platform between May 2005 and May 2007 were identified retrospectively through the existing databank. Pre- and postoperative refraction and the amount of cyclotorsion during treatment were extracted and analyzed in 828 eyes with >3-month follow-up.

RESULTS:

Preoperative mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) was −4.31±1.84 D (range: −0.37 to −9.50 D), and mean cylinder was −1.27±0.87 D (range: −0.75 to −6.75 D). Mean static rotation was 3.96±2.96° (maximum 14.8°). Median dynamic rotation was 1.32±1.85° (maximum 24°). At 3 months postoperatively, MRSE was −0.10±0.36 D (range: −2.25 to +1.25 D), and mean cylinder was −0.33±0.35 D (range: −2.00 to 0 D). Predictability was 90.2% within ±0.50 D and 98.2% within ±1.00 D (MRSE), and 82.5% within ±0.50 D and 96.9% within ±1.00 D (cylinder). The efficacy ratio was 0.99. Safety was 99.4% (5 dry eyes), reaching 100% at 12 months. Stability from 3 to 12 months (n=275) was 98.2% for sphere, 95.3% for cylinder, and 96.0% for MRSE.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study demonstrates that significant cyclotorsion occurs before and during treatment. By using the dynamic rotational eye tracker presented, the efficacy of cylinder correction can be improved compared to those studies not performing cyclotorsional correction. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:17–27.]
Comparison of Higher Order Aberrations After LASIK and LASEK for Myopia
Authors: McAlinden Colm , Moore Jonathan E.
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:

To compare the change in higher order aberrations (HOAs) after LASIK and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

METHODS:

This prospective comparative study measured HOAs preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively in 65 eyes (41 patients) that underwent LASIK and 65 eyes (50 patients) that underwent LASEK. Preoperative refraction was limited to myopia up to −5.00 diopters (D) and astigmatism ⩽−0.75 D. Patients were matched for age, manifest refraction, and HOAs. All procedures were wavefront-guided using the VISX S4 Star excimer laser (Abbott Medical Optics). Laser in situ keratomileusis flap creation was performed with a Moria ONE Use-Plus disposable microkeratome creating a nasal hinge. Laser epithelial keratomileusis flap creation was performed with 18% v/v unpreserved ethanol instilled for 40 seconds. The epithelium was displaced with an epi-peeler, creating a 6- to 8-mm superior hinge. Higher order aberrations were measured with the NIDEK OPD-Scan II.

RESULTS:

Statistically significant (
P
<.05) changes in five Zernike polynomial terms following LASIK (

Z

4

-
4

,

Z

4
0

,

Z

4
4

,

Z

5

-
3

,

Z

6
0

) were noted. There was a decrease in Zernike term

Z

5

-
3

and increases in the remaining four Zernike terms. Statistically significant changes in five Zernike polynomial terms following LASEK (

Z

3

-
1

,

Z

4
0

,

Z

5

-
5

,

Z

5

-
1

,

Z

6
0

) were noted. There was a decrease in Zernike term

Z

3

-
1

and increases in the remaining four Zernike terms.

CONCLUSIONS:

Wavefront-guided LASIK and LASEK caused increases in spherical aberration, with LASIK additionally causing increases in two fourth order HOAs and LASEK additionally causing increases to two fifth order HOAs. As the same laser treatment was applied, it is presumed that the differences relate to the method of flap creation. [
J Refract Surg.
2010;26:45–51.]
El retrato del doble: sobre los lenguajes del cine y el teatro
Authors: Pérez Ríu Carmen
Published: March 2010

Los lenguajes del cine y el teatro comparten elementos tanto de contenido narrativo y verbal como visual, debido a la cercanía de sus propósitos como géneros artísticos, ya que ambos producen relatos dramatizados. Tienen, sin embargo, intereses dispares y ponen énfasis en aspectos diferentes del ambiente, de los sucesos o de los personajes. El análisis de la adaptación cinematográfica de obras teatrales permite observar las similitudes y diferencias de ambos medios, y enriquecer ese análisis por medio del contraste. En una primera parte, este artículo hace un repaso a la literatura sobre el tema para observar las principales implicaciones teóricas de la adaptación cinematográfica. Posteriormente se centra en el estudio de dos secuencias de las adaptaciones de Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Edward Albee) y Closer (Patrick Marber). Estas dos secuencias ilustran los puntos de intersección entre los dos lenguajes en lo referente al diálogo y a la puesta en escena respectivamente.
La identidad lingüística argentina a través de Borges y Puig
Authors: Thon Sonia
Published: March 2010

La identidad de la expresión lingüistica argentina ha sido estudiada a fondo por numerosos críticos literarios y lingüistas que demostraron la estrecha relación que existe entre lengua, ideología y contexto socio-histórico, especialmente al incorporarse al discurso narrativo el concepto de oralidad y “coloquialidad”. En este ensayo nos basaremos en estudios de autores tales como Beatriz Sarlo, Walter Bruno Berg, Wolf Oesterreicher, María Zulema Kulikowski, entre otros, para situar a dos escritores argentinos, Jorge Luis Borges y Manuel Puig, dentro de su época y revelar cómo sus ansiedades personales y sociales impactaron la percepción de su obra como representativa de lo que se considera el lenguaje argentino.
Influencia de la fotografía en la literatura española y latinoamericana
Authors: Ansón Antonio
Published: March 2010

Investigación sobre la influencia de la fotografía en la literatura en español desde finales del siglo XIX hasta nuestros días. El estudio se centra en obras de narrativa de autores españoles y latinoamericanos.
A combined study of expansive and tensile strength evolution of mortars under sulfate attack: implications on durability assessment
Authors: Akpinar P. , Casanova I.
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we present a combined study of the length-change and tensile strength evolution of highand low-C3A Portland cements. This approach has proven useful to provide an assessment on the performance under severe and moderate sulfate attack. While higher expansion rates are observed in high-C3A samples, tensile strength evolution of both cement types is essentially identical. The simultaneous increase of expansion rate and decrease in tensile strength is strongly suggestive that both processes are related. This is attributed to the formation and development of microcracks that favor the ingress of the sulfate solution in the specimens. These results provide further insights into the commonly accepted idea that standard (accelerated) tests aiming to evaluate the expansion behavior do not provide reliable information on the expected performance (sulfate resistance) and damage potential of Portland cements.
An LFA-1 (αLβ2) Small-Molecule Antagonist Reduces Inflammation and Joint Destruction in Murine Models of Arthritis
Authors: Suchard Suzanne J. , Stetsko Dawn K. , Davis Patricia M. , Skala Stacey , Potin Dominique , Launay Michele , Dhar T. G. Murali , Barrish Joel C. , Susulic Vojkan , Shuster David J. , McIntyre Kim W. , McKinnon Murray , Salter-Cid Luisa
Published: February 2010

LFA-1 appears to play a central role in normal immune responses to foreign Ags. In autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, there is increased expression of LFA-1 and/or its counterligand, ICAM-1. Others have demonstrated that the targeted disruption of LFA-1:ICAM interactions, either by gene deletion or Ab treatment in mice, results in reduced leukocyte trafficking, inflammatory responses, and inhibition of inflammatory arthritis in the K/BxN serum transfer model. However, there has been little success in finding a small-molecule LFA-1 antagonist that can similarly impact rodent models of arthritis. In this paper, we present the first reported example of an LFA-1 small-molecule antagonist, BMS-587101, that is efficacious in preclinical disease models. In vitro, BMS-587101 inhibited LFA-1–mediated adhesion of T cells to endothelial cells, T cell proliferation, and Th1 cytokine production. Because BMS-587101 exhibits in vitro potency, cross-reactivity, and oral bioavailability in rodents, we evaluated the impact of oral administration of this compound in two different models of arthritis: Ab-induced arthritis and collagen-induced arthritis. Significant impact of BMS-587101 on clinical score in both models was observed, with inhibition comparable or better than anti-mouse LFA-1 Ab. In addition, BMS-587101 significantly reduced cytokine mRNA levels in the joints of Ab-induced arthritis animals as compared with those receiving vehicle alone. In paws taken from the collagen-induced arthritis study, the bones of vehicle-treated mice had extensive inflammation and bone destruction, whereas treatment with BMS-587101 resulted in marked protection. These findings support the potential use of an LFA-1 small-molecule antagonist in rheumatoid arthritis, with the capacity for disease modification.
Activation of Mast Cells by Trimeric G Protein Gi3; Coupling to the A3 Adenosine Receptor Directly and upon T Cell Contact
Authors: Baram Dana , Dekel Ornit , Mekori Yoseph A. , Sagi-Eisenberg Ronit
Published: February 2010

Mast cells are key players in mediating and amplifying allergic and inflammatory reactions. Previously, we identified the G-protein, Gi3, as the cellular target of receptor mimetic basic secretagogues that activate mast cell independently of IgE. In this study, we demonstrate that Gi3 is the cellular target of the adenosine A3 receptor (A3R), a G-protein coupled receptor involved in inflammation and the pathophysiology of asthma. By using a cell permeable peptide comprising the C-terminal end of Gαi3 fused to an importation sequence (ALL1) as a selective inhibitor of Gi3 signaling, we show that by coupling to Gi3, the A3R stimulates multiple signaling pathways in human mast cells, leading to upregulation of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. We further show that after contact with activated T cell membranes, endogenous adenosine binds to and activates the A3R, resulting in Gi3-mediated signaling. Specifically, the majority of ERK1/2 signaling initiated by contact with activated T cell membranes, is mediated by Gi3, giving rise to ALL1-inhibitable cellular responses. These results unveil the physiological G-protein coupled receptor that couples to Gi3 and establish the important role played by this G-protein in inflammatory conditions that involve adenosine-activated mast cells.
Loss of T Cell and B Cell Quiescence Precedes the Onset of Microbial Flora-Dependent Wasting Disease and Intestinal Inflammation in Gimap5-Deficient Mice
Authors: Barnes Michael J. , Aksoylar Halil , Krebs Philippe , Bourdeau Tristan , Arnold Carrie N. , Xia Yu , Khovananth Kevin , Engel Isaac , Sovath Sosathya , Lampe Kristin , Laws Eleana , Saunders Amy , Butcher Geoffrey W. , Kronenberg Mitchell , Steinbrecher Kris , Hildeman David , Grimes H. Leighton , Beutler Bruce , Hoebe Kasper
Published: February 2010

Homeostatic control of the immune system involves mechanisms that ensure the self-tolerance, survival and quiescence of hematopoietic-derived cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the GTPase of immunity associated protein (Gimap)5 regulates these processes in lymphocytes and hematopoietic progenitor cells. As a consequence of a recessive N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea–induced germline mutation in the P-loop of Gimap5, lymphopenia, hepatic extramedullary hematopoiesis, weight loss, and intestinal inflammation occur in homozygous mutant mice. Irradiated fetal liver chimeric mice reconstituted with Gimap5-deficient cells lose weight and become lymphopenic, demonstrating a hematopoietic cell-intrinsic function for Gimap5. Although Gimap5-deficient CD4+ T cells and B cells appear to undergo normal development, they fail to proliferate upon Ag-receptor stimulation although NF-κB, MAP kinase and Akt activation occur normally. In addition, in Gimap5-deficient mice, CD4+ T cells adopt a CD44highCD62LlowCD69low phenotype and show reduced IL-7rα expression, and T-dependent and T-independent B cell responses are abrogated. Thus, Gimap5-deficiency affects a noncanonical signaling pathway required for Ag-receptor–induced proliferation and lymphocyte quiescence. Antibiotic-treatment or the adoptive transfer of Rag-sufficient splenocytes ameliorates intestinal inflammation and weight loss, suggesting that immune responses triggered by microbial flora causes the morbidity in Gimap5-deficient mice. These data establish Gimap5 as a key regulator of hematopoietic integrity and lymphocyte homeostasis.
Expression of the Autoimmune Susceptibility Gene FcRL3 on Human Regulatory T Cells Is Associated with Dysfunction and High Levels of Programmed Cell Death-1
Authors: Swainson Louise A. , Mold Jeff E. , Bajpai Urmila D. , McCune Joseph M.
Published: February 2010

CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) play a critical role in maintaining self-tolerance and inhibiting autoimmune disease. Despite being a major focus of modern immunological investigation, many aspects of Treg biology remain unknown. In a screen for novel candidate genes involved in human Treg function, we detected the expression of an autoimmune susceptibility gene, FcRL3, in Treg but not in conventional CD4+ T cells. FcRL3 is an orphan receptor of unknown function with structural homology to classical Fc receptors. Numerous genetic studies have demonstrated a link between a single nucleotide polymorphism in the FCRL3 promoter and both overexpression of FcRL3 and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Given the critical role of Treg in suppressing autoimmunity, we sought to ascertain how expression of FcRL3 relates to the phenotype, differentiation, and function of Treg. We show in this study that FcRL3 is expressed on a population of thymically derived Treg that exhibits a memory phenotype and high levels of programmed cell death-1. Purified FcRL3+ Treg are less responsive to antigenic stimulation in the presence of IL-2 than their FcRL3− counterparts, despite intact proximal and distal IL-2 signaling as determined by phosphorylation of Stat-5 and upregulation of Bcl2. In vitro suppression assays demonstrated that FcRL3+ Treg have reduced capacity to suppress the proliferation of effector T cells. These data suggest that FcRL3 expression is associated with Treg dysfunction that may, in turn, contribute to the loss of self-tolerance and the development of autoimmunity.
High‐Performance Phototransistors Based on Organic Microribbons Prepared by a Solution Self‐Assembly Process
Authors: Guo Yunlong , Du Chunyan , Yu Gui , Di Chong‐an , Jiang Shidong , Xi Hongxia , Zheng Jian , Yan Shouke , Yu Cailan , Hu Wenping , Liu Yunqi
Published: March 2010

Oligoarenes as an alternative group of promising semiconductors in organic optoelectronics have attracted much attention. However, high‐performance and low‐cost opto‐electrical devices based on linear asymmetric oligoarenes with nano/microstructures are still rarely studied because of difficulties both in synthesis and high‐quality nano/microstructure growth. Here, a novel linear asymmetric oligoarene 6‐methyl‐anthra[2,3‐b]benzo[d]thiophene (Me‐ABT) is synthesized and its high‐quality microribbons are grown by a solution process. The solution of Me‐ABT exhibits a moderate fluorescence quantum yield of 0.34, while the microribbons show a glaucous light emission. Phototransistors based on an individual Me‐ABT microribbon prepared by a solution‐phase self‐assembly process showed a high mobility of 1.66 cm2 V−1 s−1, a large photoresponsivity of 12 000 A W−1, and a photocurrent/dark‐current ratio of 6000 even under low light power conditions (30 µW cm−2). The measured photoresponsivity of the devices is much higher than that of inorganic single‐crystal silicon thin film transistors. These studies should boost the development of the organic semiconductors with high‐quality microstructures for potential application in organic optoelectronics.
Isothermal solid‐state transformation kinetics applied to Pd/Cu alloy membrane fabrication
Authors: Pomerantz Natalie , Ma Yi Hua , Payzant E. Andrew
Published: March 2010

In this work, time‐resolved, in situ high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction was used to study the solid‐state transformation kinetics of the formation of the fcc Pd/Cu alloy from Pd/Cu bilayers for the purpose of fabricating sulfur‐tolerant Pd/Cu membranes for H2separation. Thin layers of Pd and Cu (total ∼15 wt % Cu) were deposited on porous stainless steel with the electroless deposition method and annealed in H2at 500, 550, and 600°C. The kinetics of the annealing process was successfully described by the Avrami nucleation and growth model, showing that the annealing process was diffusion controlled and one dimensional. The activation energy for the solid‐state transformation was 175 kJ/mol, which was similar to the activation energy of Pd‐Cu bulk interdiffusion. Furthermore, the Avrami model was able to successfully describe the changes in permeance and activation energy observed in Pd/Cu alloy membranes during characterization as they were annealed at high temperatures. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Neutrophils in a mouse model of autoantibody‐mediated arthritis: Critical producers of Fc receptor γ, the receptor for C5a, and lymphocyte function−associated antigen 1
Authors: Monach Paul A. , Nigrovic Peter A. , Chen Mei , Hock Hanno , Lee David M. , Benoist Christophe , Mathis Diane
Published: February 2010

Objective

Neutrophils represent a prominent component of inflammatory joint effusions and are required for synovial inflammation in mouse models, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we developed a system with which to test the importance of the production of specific factors by neutrophils in a mouse model of arthritis.

Methods

Neutrophil‐deficient Gfi‐1–/– mice were administered sublethal doses of radiation and were then engrafted with donor bone marrow cells (BMCs), which resulted in the production of mature neutrophils within 2 weeks. By reconstituting with BMCs from mice lacking selected proinflammatory factors, we generated mice that specifically lacked these factors on their neutrophils. Arthritis was initiated by transfer of K/BxN serum to identify the role of defined neutrophil factors on the incidence and severity of arthritis.

Results

Neutrophils lacking the signaling chain of stimulatory Fc receptors (FcRγ–/–) were unable to elicit arthritis, but neutrophils lacking FcγRIII still did so. Neutrophils lacking the chemotactic or adhesion receptor C5a receptor (C5aR) or CD11a/lymphocyte function−associated antigen 1 (LFA‐1) also failed to initiate arthritis but could enter joints in which inflammation had been initiated by wild‐type neutrophils. Neutrophils unable to produce interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α) and IL‐1β (IL‐1α/β–/–) or leukotrienes (5‐lipoxygenase [5‐LOX–/–]) produced arthritis of intermediate severity. The inability of neutrophils to make tumor necrosis factor or to express receptors for tumor necrosis factor or IL‐1 had no effect on arthritis.

Conclusion

A novel transfer system was developed to identify neutrophil production of FcRγ, C5aR, and CD11a/LFA‐1 as critical components of autoantibody‐mediated arthritis. Neutrophil production of IL‐1 and leukotriene B4 likely contributes to inflammation but is not essential. Molecular requirements for neutrophil influx into joints become more permissive after inflammation is initiated.
Toward a conceptual framework of key‐frame extraction and storyboard display for video summarization
Authors: Kim Hyun Hee , Kim Yong Ho
Published: March 2010

Two key problems in developing a storyboard are (a) the extraction of video key frames and (b) the display of the storyboard. On the basis of our findings from a preliminary study as well as the results of previous studies on the computerized extraction of key frames and human recognition of images and videos, we propose an algorithm for the extraction of key frames and the structural display of a storyboard. In order to evaluate the proposed algorithm, we conducted an experiment, the results of which suggest that participants produce better summaries of the given videos when they view storyboards that are composed of key frames extracted using the proposed algorithmic method. This finding held, regardless of whether the display pattern used was sequential or structural. In contrast, the experimental results suggest that in the case of employing a mechanical method, the use of a structural display pattern yields greater performance in terms of participants' ability to summarize the given videos. Elaborating on our results, we discuss the practical implications of our findings for video summarization and retrieval.
Family‐based study shows heterogeneity of a susceptibility locus on chromosome 8q24 for nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate
Authors: Blanton Susan H. , Burt Amber , Stal Samuel , Mulliken John B. , Garcia Elizabeth , Hecht Jacqueline T.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate is a common birth defect. Although a number of susceptibility loci have been reported, replication has often been lacking. This is likely due, in part, to the heterogeneity of datasets and methodologies. Two independent genome‐wide association studies of individuals of largely western European extraction have identified a possible susceptibility locus on 8q24.21.

METHODS

To determine the overall effect of this locus, we genotyped six of the previously associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in our Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white family‐based datasets and evaluated them for linkage and association. In addition, we genotyped a large African American family with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate that we had previously mapped to the 8q21.3‐24.12 region to test for linkage.

RESULTS

There was no evidence for linkage to this region in any of the three ethnic groups. Nevertheless, strong evidence for association was noted in the non‐Hispanic white group, whereas none was detected in the Hispanic dataset.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm the previously reported association and provide evidence suggesting that there is ethnically based heterogeneity for this locus. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pretreatment of corn stover and hybrid poplar by sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Gupta Rajesh , Lee Y. Y.
Published: March 2010

Sodium hydroxide and its derivatives are used as pulping reagents, wherein the spent NaOH is recovered in salt form and reused. In this study, use of low concentration NaOH (1–5%) in pretreatment of corn stover and hybrid poplar was investigated. It was done with the understanding that NaOH can be recovered. One of the main objectives in this study is to explore the potential of H2O2 with NaOH for pretreatment of high lignin substrate such as hybrid poplar. Pretreatment time has not been optimized in this study but held constant at 24 h. Corn stover, after treatment with NaOH under moderate conditions, attains near quantitative glucan digestibility. On the other hand, hybrid poplar requires treatment at higher temperature and NaOH concentration to attain acceptable level of digestibility. Supplementation of hydrogen peroxide in the pretreatment significantly raises delignification and digestibility of hybrid poplar. It was also helpful in retaining the carbohydrates in the treated solids. Retention of hemicellulose after pretreatment provides a significant economic benefit as it eliminates the need for detoxifying hemicellulose sugars. As the residual xylan remaining after pretreatment is an impediment to enzymatic digestion of glucan, supplementation of xylanase has significantly increased the digestibility of glucan as well as xylan of the treated hybrid poplar. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
The development of a thermostable CiP (Coprinus cinereus peroxidase) through in silico design
Authors: Kim Su Jin , Lee Jeong Ah , Joo Jeong Chan , Yoo Young Je , Kim Yong Hwan , Song Bong Keun
Published: March 2010

Protein thermostability is a crucial issue in the practical application of enzymes, such as inorganic synthesis and enzymatic polymerization of phenol derivatives. Much attention has been focused on the enhancement and numerous successes have been achieved through protein engineering methods. Despite fruitful results based on random mutagenesis, it was still necessary to develop a novel strategy that can reduce the time and effort involved in this process. In this study, a rapid and effective strategy is described for increasing the thermal stability of a protein. Instead of random mutagenesis, a rational strategy was adopted to theoretically stabilize the thermo labile residues of a protein using computational methods. Protein residues with high flexibility can be thermo labile due to their large range of movement. Here, residue B factor values were used to identify putatively thermo labile residues and the RosettaDesign program was applied to search for stable sequences. Coprinus cinereus (CiP) heme peroxidase was selected as a model protein for its importance in commercial applications, such as the polymerization of phenolic compounds. Eleven CiP residues with the highest B factor values were chosen as target mutation sites for thermostabilization, and then redesigned using RosettaDesign to identify sequences. Eight mutants based on the redesigns, were produced as functional enzymes and two of these (S323Y and E328D) showed increased thermal stability over the wild‐type in addition to conserved catalytic activity. Thus, this strategy can be used as a rapid and effective in silico design tool for obtaining thermostable proteins. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Anomalies of the flexor carpi ulnaris: Clinical case report and cadaveric study
Authors: Ang G. Gleda , Rozen Warren Matthew , Vally Fatima , Eizenberg Norman , Grinsell Damien
Published: March 2010

Flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) is an ever‐present muscle of the anterior flexor compartment of the forearm. Variations of FCU are uncommon, with additional slips or heads of muscles described, and only one reported case of an accessory muscle. We describe a unique clinical case report in which an accessory FCU was identified and describe the findings of 5,000 cadaveric dissections of the forearm, performed as part of an ongoing institutional study of anatomical variations. An aberrant accessory forearm flexor muscle was identified incidentally at the wrist during surgery for an anterior interosseous to ulnar nerve transfer for management of ulnar nerve palsy. This muscle was seen running superficial to the ulnar nerve and radial to the FCU proper, arising from the common flexor origin and inserting at the triquetral carpal bone. This was therefore suitably acknowledged as an “accessory FCU”. The anomaly was identified as bilateral using ultrasound imaging, and was found to be anomalously innervated by the median nerve with nerve conduction studies. A subsequent review of 5,000 cadaveric dissections of the forearm did not identify any such variations related to FCU, despite identifying a range of variations of the other forearm flexor musculature. While the scarcity of this anomaly is thus highlighted, consideration of an accessory FCU, and its aberrant innervation is important in a range of surgical approaches. Clin. Anat. 23:427–430, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcomes of diabetics receiving bare‐metal stents versus drug‐eluting stents
Authors: Ramanath Vijay S. , Brown Jeremiah R. , Malenka David J. , DeVries James T. , Sidhu Mandeep S. , Robb John F. , Jayne John E. , Hettleman Bruce D. , Friedman Bruce J. , Niles Nathaniel W. , Kaplan Aaron V. , Thompson Craig A.
Published: March 2010

Objectives: We sought to determine if differences existed in in‐hospital outcomes, long‐term rates of target vessel revascularization (TVR), and/or long‐term mortality trends between patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with either a drug‐eluting stent(s) (DES) or a bare metal stent(s) (BMS). Background: Short‐ and long‐term clinical outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus undergoing PCI with DES versus BMS remain inconsistent between randomized‐controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on diabetics undergoing PCI with either DES or BMS from January 2000 to June 2008. Demographic information, medical histories, in‐hospital outcomes, and long‐term TVR and mortality trends were obtained for all patients. Results: A total of 1,319 patients were included in the study. Diabetics receiving DES had a significant reduction in index admission MACE compared to diabetics receiving BMS. Using multivariable adjustment, after a mean follow‐up of 2.5 years (maximum 5 years), diabetics who received DES had a 38% decreased risk of TVR compared to diabetics with BMS [HR 0.62 (95% CI: 0.43–0.90)]; diabetics with DES had an insignificant adjusted improvement in long‐term survival compared to diabetics with BMS [HR 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52–1.00)]. These long‐term survival and TVR rates were confirmed using propensity scoring. Conclusions: The use of DES when compared with BMS among diabetics undergoing PCI is associated with significant improvement in long‐term TVR, with an insignificant similar trend in all‐cause mortality. The long‐term results of this observational study are consistent with prior RCTs after adjusting for confounding variables. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does on‐ versus off‐hours presentation impact in‐hospital outcomes of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction patients transferred to a tertiary care center?
Authors: Gonzalez Manuel A. , Ben‐Dor Itsik , Wakabayashi Kohei , Maluenda Gabriel , Gaglia Michael A. , Hanna Nicholas N. , Delhaye Cedric , Collins Sara D. , Syed Asmir I. , Mitulescu Lavinia P. , Torguson Rebecca , Suddath William O. , Lindsay Joseph , Pichard Augusto D. , Satler Lowell F. , Waksman Ron
Published: March 2010

Objectives: To determine whether in‐hospital outcome differs for transferred patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presenting during business (ON) hours vs. after (OFF) hours. Background: Door‐to‐device (DTD) time is a prognostic factor in patients with STEMI and is longer during OFF hours. However, the in‐hospital mortality is controversial. Methods: This registry study included 786 consecutive patients with STEMI referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention to a tertiary care center with an on‐site cardiac catheterization team 24 hrs a day/7 days (24/7) a week. ON hours were defined as weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., while OFF hours were defined as all other times, including holidays. The primary outcomes were in‐hospital death, reinfarction, and length of stay (LOS). Results: ON hours (29.5%, n = 232) and OFF hours (70.5%, n = 554) groups had similar demographic and baseline characteristics. A significantly higher proportion of patients presenting ON hours had a DTD time ≤120 min compared to OFF hours patients (32.6% vs. 22.1%, P = 0.007). The rates of in‐hospital death (8.2% vs. 6%), reinfarction (0% vs. 1.1%), and mean LOS (5.7 ± 6 vs. 5.7 ± 5) were not significantly different in the ON vs. OFF hours groups, all P = nonsignificant. Conclusion: In a tertiary care center with an on‐site cardiac catheterization team 24/7, there are no differences in in‐hospital outcomes of transferred patients with STEMI during ON vs. OFF hours. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The generalizability of the effects of retailer e‐service quality dimensions
Authors: Finn Adam
Published: March 2010

Research on the effects of e‐service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions has used cross‐sectional data from customer surveys. To draw managerial implications, such research assumes that model parameters estimated across service provider customers apply also to the service providers. The current study collects e‐service data that fully cross respondents with retailer websites. These crossed data are then used to compare the modelled effects of quality dimensions estimated on the confounded data with those estimated across customers and those estimated across websites. The results provide evidence of considerable inconsistency, suggesting that managers should not rely on conclusions drawn from an analysis of variation across customers. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Important physical parameters of Bi2O3 thin films found by applying several models for optical data
Authors: Condurache‐Bota S. , Rusu G. I. , Tigau N. , Leontie L.
Published: March 2010

Different optical parameters for thin solid films can be computed as functions of wavelength from the optical transmission and reflection spectra. Subsequently, several models can be tested on the obtained data, in order to check their validity with respect to the materials under study. Moreover, these models offer the possibility to estimate essential physical parameters. Such models are tested within this article for the refraction index and for the real part of the complex dielectric constant, for bismuth trioxide thin films deposited on glass substrates maintained at three different temperatures. Also, the model proposed by Tauc is applied for the absorption spectrum of the same films, in order to determine the type of electronic transition and to estimate the optical energy bandgap. It will be noticed that the optical parameters vary rather significantly with changing substrate temperature, while the structure of the films, as studied by means of X‐ray diffractometry is almost insensitive to this change of deposition parameter. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Non‐Glycosidically Linked Pseudodisaccharides: Thioethers, Sulfoxides, Sulfones, Ethers, Selenoethers, and Their Binding to Lectins
Authors: Cumpstey Ian , Ramstadius Clinton , Akhtar Tashfeen , Goldstein Irwin J. , Winter Harry C.
Published: March 2010

Hydrolytically stable non‐glycosidically linked tail‐to‐tail pseudodisaccharides are linked by a single bridging atom remote from the anomeric centre of the constituent monosaccharides. Some such pseudodisaccharides with sulfur or oxygen bridges were found to act as disaccharide mimetics in their binding to the Banana Lectin and to Concanavalin A. A versatile synthetic route to a small library of such compounds is described.
CE‐ESI‐MS/MS as a rapid screening tool for the comparison of protein–ligand interactions
Authors: Hoffmann Thomas , Martin Markus M.
Published: March 2010

In drug development, the combinatorial synthesis of drug libraries is common use, therefore efficient tools for the characterization of drug candidates and the extent of interaction between a drug and its target protein is a central question of analytical interest. While biological activity is tested today by enzyme assays, MS techniques attract more and more attention as an alternative for a rapid comparison of drug–target interactions. CE enables the separation of proteins and drug–enzyme complexes preserving their physiological activity in aqueous media. By hyphenating CE with ESI‐MS/MS, the binding strength of enzyme inhibitors can be deduced from MS/MS experiments, which selectively release the inhibitor from the drug–target complex after CID. In this study, α‐chymotrypsin (CT), a serine protease, was chosen as a model compound. Chymostatin is a naturally occurring peptide aldehyde binding to CT through a hemiacetal bond and electrostatic interaction. First, a CE separation was developed, which allows the analysis of α‐CT and a chymotrypsin–chymostatin complex under MS‐compatible conditions. The use of neutral‐coated CE capillaries was mandatory to reduce analyte–wall interactions. ESI‐quadrupole ion trap‐MS was worked out to demonstrate the selective drug release after CID. Fragmentation of the drug–enzyme complex was monitored in dependence from the excitation energy in the ion trap, leading to the V50 voltage that enables 50% complex fragmentation as a reference value for chymotrypsin–chymostatin complex. A stable CE‐ESI‐MS/MS setup was established, which preserves the drug–enzyme complexes during ionization–desolvation processes. With this optimized setup, different CT inhibitors could be investigated and compared.
Simulation of oscillatory flow in an aortic bifurcation using FVM and FEM: A comparative study of implementation strategies
Authors: Gohil Trushar , McGregor Robert H. P. , Szczerba Dominik , Burckhardt Kathrin , Muralidhar Krishnamurthy , Székely Gábor
Published: March 2010

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the major causes of long‐term morbidity and mortality in human beings. The nearly epidemic increase in prevalence of such diseases poses a serious threat to public health and calls for efficient methods of diagnosis and treatment. Non‐invasive diagnostic procedures such as MRI are often used in this context; however, these are limited in terms of spatial and temporal resolution and do not provide information on time‐dependent pressures and wall shear stresses—key quantities considered to be partially responsible for the formation and development of related pathologies.

The present study is concerned with the numerical simulation of oscillatory flow through the abdominal aortic bifurcation. Computational fluid dynamics simulation of oscillatory flow in a branched geometry at high Reynolds numbers poses considerable challenges. The present study reports a detailed comparison of simulations performed with a finite volume and a finite element method, two approaches with significant differences in their discretization strategy, treatment of boundary conditions and other numerical aspects. Both solvers were parallelized, using loop parallelization of the BiCGStab linear solver for the finite volume and domain decomposition based on the Schur complement method for the finite element technique. The experience gained with these two approaches for the solution of flow in a bifurcation forms the focus of this study. Although similar results were obtained for both methods, the computation time required for convergence was found to be significantly smaller for the finite element approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macroautophagy and Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Are Required for Hepatocyte Resistance to Oxidant Stress
Authors: Wang Yongjun , Singh Rajat , Xiang Youqing , Czaja Mark J.
Published: March 2010

The function of the lysosomal degradative pathway of autophagy in cellular injury is unclear, because findings in nonhepatic cells have implicated autophagy as both a mediator of cell death and as a survival response. Autophagic function is impaired in steatotic and aged hepatocytes, suggesting that in these settings hepatocellular injury may be altered by the decrease in autophagy. To delineate the specific function of autophagy in the hepatocyte injury response, the effects of menadione-induced oxidative stress were examined in the RALA255-10G rat hepatocyte line when macroautophagy was inhibited by a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of the autophagy gene

atg5

. Loss of macroautophagy sensitized cells to apoptotic and necrotic death from normally nontoxic concentrations of menadione. Loss of macroautophagy led to overactivation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun signaling pathway that induced cell death. Death occurred from activation of the mitochondrial death pathway with cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and caspase activation. Sensitization to death from menadione occurred despite up-regulation of other forms of autophagy in compensation for the loss of macroautophagy. Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) also mediated resistance to menadione. CMA inhibition sensitized cells to death from menadione through a mechanism different from that of a loss of macroautophagy, because death occurred in the absence of JNK/c-Jun overactivation or ATP depletion.

Conclusion:

Hepatocyte resistance to injury from menadione-induced oxidative stress is mediated by distinct functions of both macroautophagy and CMA, indicating that impaired function of either form of autophagy may promote oxidant-induced liver injury. Hepatology 2010
Quantitative cell bioimaging using gold‐nanoshell conjugates and phage antibodies
Authors: Khanadeev Vitaly A. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Staroverov Sergey A. , Vidyasheva Irina V. , Skaptsov Alexander A. , Ileneva Ekaterina S. , Bogatyrev Vladimir A. , Dykman Lev A. , Khlebtsov Nikolai G.
Published: March 2010

The authors describe a quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of cell labeling with plasmon‐resonant light‐scattering nanoparticles used as contrast agents for dark‐field microscopy imaging. The experimental model is based on the biospecific labeling of pig embryo kidney (SPEV) cells with primary phage antibodies, followed by the dark‐field microscopic visualization using conjugates of silica/gold nanoshells with secondary rabbit antiphage antibodies. To quantify nanoparticle binding, the authors introduce the labeling‐efficacy factor (LEF) which is equal to the ratio of the bound‐particle pixels per cell to the total number of pixels occupied by the cell. The LEF is calculated by an imaging‐analysis algorithm based on the freely available ImageJ Java‐based processing code. In terms of the LEF, a distinct difference was found between intact, nonspecifically labeled, and biospecifically labeled cells. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)