bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Both TMEM16F-dependent and TMEM16F-independent pathways contribute to phosphatidylserine exposure in platelet apoptosis and platelet activation
Authors: van Kruchten Roger , Mattheij Nadine J. A. , Saunders Christine , Feijge Marion A. H. , Swieringa Frauke , Wolfs Jef L. N. , Collins Peter W. , Heemskerk Johan W. M. , Bevers Edouard M.
Published: January 2013

Key Points

TMEM16F is not essential for apoptosis-induced phosphatidylserine exposure in platelets. Collagen plus thrombin-induced phosphatidylserine exposure in platelets results from 2 distinct pathways, one being TMEM16F dependent.
Health-related quality of life, depression, and self-esteem in adolescents with leprosy-affected parents: results of a cross-sectional study in Nepal
Authors: Yamaguchi Nobuko , Poudel Krishna C , Jimba Masamine
Published: January 2013

Background

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that has an impact on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of sufferers as well as their children. To date, no study has investigated the effects of parental leprosy on the well-being of adolescent children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Lalitpur and Kathmandu districts of Nepal. Adolescents with leprosy-affected parents (n = 102; aged 11–17 years) and those with parents unaffected by leprosy (n = 115; 11–17 years) were investigated. Self-reported data from adolescents were collected using the Kinder Lebensqualität Fragebogen (KINDLR) questionnaire to assess HRQOL, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare scores between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to explore the determinants of HRQOL for adolescents with leprosy-affected parents.

Results

ANCOVA revealed that the KINDLRand RSES scores were significantly lower among adolescents with leprosy-affected parents compared with unaffected parents. However, the scores of “Friends” and “School” subscales of KINDLRwere similar between the two groups. The CES-D score was significantly higher among adolescents with leprosy-affected parents than for adolescents with unaffected parents. The KINDLRscores for adolescents with both parents affected (n = 41) were significantly lower than the scores for those with one parent affected (n = 61). Multiple regression analysis revealed that adolescents with leprosy-affected parents who had higher levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to have lower KINDLRscores. A similar result was seen for adolescents where both parents had leprosy.

Conclusions

Adolescents with leprosy-affected parents had higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower levels of self-esteem, and lower HRQOL compared with adolescents whose parents were unaffected by leprosy. Thus, mental health support programs might be necessary for adolescents with leprosy-affected parents, particularly for adolescents where both parents are leprosy-affected. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to draw decisive conclusions.
Accessing the public MIMIC-II intensive care relational database for clinical research
Authors: Scott Daniel J , Lee Joon , Silva Ikaro , Park Shinhyuk , Moody George B , Celi Leo A , Mark Roger G
Published: January 2013

Background

The Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II (MIMIC-II) database is a free, public resource for intensive care research. The database was officially released in 2006, and has attracted a growing number of researchers in academia and industry. We present the two major software tools that facilitate accessing the relational database: the web-based QueryBuilder and a downloadable virtual machine (VM) image.

Results

QueryBuilder and the MIMIC-II VM have been developed successfully and are freely available to MIMIC-II users. Simple example SQL queries and the resulting data are presented. Clinical studies pertaining to acute kidney injury and prediction of fluid requirements in the intensive care unit are shown as typical examples of research performed with MIMIC-II. In addition, MIMIC-II has also provided data for annual PhysioNet/Computing in Cardiology Challenges, including the 2012 Challenge “Predicting mortality of ICU Patients”.

Conclusions

QueryBuilder is a web-based tool that provides easy access to MIMIC-II. For more computationally intensive queries, one can locally install a complete copy of MIMIC-II in a VM. Both publicly available tools provide the MIMIC-II research community with convenient querying interfaces and complement the value of the MIMIC-II relational database.
Effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor on the expression of fatty acid synthase in peripheral blood mononuclear cell in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Du Jian-qing , Xu Dan-yan , Zhao Shui-ping
Published: January 2013

Background

Researches have shown that soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors (sEHi) can protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Simultaneously, emerging evidences have implicated the association between fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We tested the hypothesis that sEHi could reduce the occurrence of ACS by regulating FAS.

Methods

Hospitalized ACS patients were selected as the ACS group (n = 65) while healthy normal subjects as the control group (n = 65). The blood levels of lipoproteins, fasting glucose, myocardial enzyme and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured within 24 hours after admission. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and cultured. Trans-4-[4-(3-Adamantan-1-ylureido)cyclohexyloxy] benzoic acid (t-AUCB), a kind of sEHi, was then added to cells in various concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 μmol/L). The expression of FAS, interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA and protein was detected by real-time PCR or Western blot, respectively.

Results

(1) Compared with the control group, the serum concentration of hs-CRP in the ACS group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of FAS, IL-6 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in PBMCs from the ACS group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of FAS and IL-6 mRNA were positively correlated with the serum concentration of hs-CRP (r = 0.685, P<0.01; r = 0.715, P<0.01) respectively. (2) The expression of FAS, IL-6 mRNA and protein in PBMCs from the ACS group were dose-dependently inhibited by sEHi (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

sEH inhibition regulated FAS and inhibited inflammation in cultured PBMCs from ACS patients, a mechanism that might prevent rupture of atherosclerotic lesions and protect against development of ACS.
The association between arterial stiffness and left ventricular filling pressure in an apparently healthy Korean population
Authors: Kim Hack-Lyoung , Im Moon-Sun , Seo Jae-Bin , Chung Woo-Young , Kim Sang-Hyun , Kim Myung-A , Zo Joo-Hee
Published: January 2013

Background

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between arterial stiffness and left ventricular filling pressure in an apparently healthy Korean population.

Methods

A total of 115 healthy subjects without known cardiovascular risk factors or overt heart disease who underwent both transthoracic echocardiography and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement at the same day during their routine check-ups were analyzed.

Results

The mean age of study subjects was 52.8 ± 8.4 years, and 78 (67.8%) were men. The mean baPWV value was 1,325 ± 185 cm/s. Study subjects were divided into 3 groups according to E/E’ value: subjects with E/E’ < 8, 8–12.9 and E/E’ ≥ 13. As E/E’ increased, baPWV value increased gradually: baPWV in subjects with E/E’ < 8, E/E’ 8–12.9 and E/E’ ≥ 13, were 1,261 ± 163, 1,345 ± 169, 1,569 ± 232 cm/s, respectively (p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analyses, baPWV was significantly associated with E/E’ (β = 0.371, p < 0.001) after controlling confounders including age, sex and body mass index. In receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the sensitivity and specificity for detection of E/E’ ≥ 10 were 78.6% and 59.8%, respectively with mean baPWV of 1,282 cm/s as the cut off value. The discriminatory capacity for predicting E/E’ ≥ 10 was improved from an area under the ROC curve of 0.646 with age alone to 0.734 when baPWV was added (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

There is a significant association between baPWV and E/E’ in an apparently healthy Korean population. BaPWV is useful as a simple and non-invasive method for early detection of increased LV filling pressure among these people.
Virion stiffness regulates immature HIV-1 entry
Authors: Pang Hong-Bo , Hevroni Liron , Kol Nitzan , Eckert Debra M , Tsvitov Marianna , Kay Michael S , Rousso Itay
Published: January 2013

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) undergoes a protease-mediated maturation process that is required for its infectivity. Little is known about how the physical properties of viral particles change during maturation and how these changes affect the viral lifecycle. Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), we previously discovered that HIV undergoes a “stiffness switch”, a dramatic reduction in particle stiffness during maturation that is mediated by the viral Envelope (Env) protein.

Results

In this study, we show that transmembrane-anchored Env cytoplasmic tail (CT) domain is sufficient to regulate the particle stiffness of immature HIV-1. Using this construct expressed in trans with viral Env lacking the CT domain, we show that increasing particle stiffness reduces viral entry activity in immature virions. A similar effect was also observed for immature HIV-1 pseudovirions containing Env from vesicular stomatitis virus.

Conclusions

This linkage between particle stiffness and viral entry activity illustrates a novel level of regulation for viral replication, providing the first evidence for a biological role of virion physical properties and suggesting a new inhibitory strategy.
Feasibility study of an optimised person-centred intervention to improve mental health and reduce antipsychotics amongst people with dementia in care homes: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Whitaker Rhiannon , Ballard Clive , Stafford Jane , Orrell Martin , Moniz-Cook Esme , Woods Robert T , Murray Joanna , Knapp Martin , Carlton Barbara Woodward , Fossey Jane
Published: January 2013

Background

People living in care homes often have complex mental and physical health problems, disabilities and social needs which are compounded by the use of psychiatric and other drugs. In the UK dementia care is a national priority with a vast impact on services. WHELD combines the most effective elements of existing approaches to develop a comprehensive but practical intervention. This will be achieved by training care staff to provide care that is focused on an understanding of the individual and their needs; and by using additional components such as exercise, activities and social interaction to improve mental health and quality of life (QoL) and reduce the use of sedative drugs.

Design

Work Package 3 (WP3) is the pilot randomised trial and qualitative evaluation to help develop a future definitive randomised controlled clinical trial. The study design is a cluster randomised 2x2x2 factorial design with two replications in 16 care homes. Each care home is randomized to receive one of the eight possible permutations of the four key interventions, with each possible combination delivered in two of the 16 homes. Each cluster includes a minimum of 12 participants (depending upon size of the care home, the number of people with dementia and the number consenting).

Discussion

The overarching goal of the programme is to provide an effective, simple and practical intervention which improves the mental health of, and reduces sedative drug use in, people with dementia in care homes and which can be implemented nationally in all UK care homes as an NHS intervention.

Trial Registration

Current controlled trials ISRCTN40313497
Negative pressure wound therapy management of the “open abdomen” following trauma: a prospective study and systematic review
Authors: Navsaria Pradeep , Nicol Andrew , Hudson Donald , Cockwill John , Smith Jennifer
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The use of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) for temporary abdominal closure of open abdomen (OA) wounds is widely accepted. Published outcomes vary according to the specific nature and the aetiology that resulted in an OA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new NPWT system specifically used OA resulting from abdominal trauma.

Methods

A prospective study on trauma patients requiring temporary abdominal closure (TAC) with grade 1or 2 OA was carried out. All patients were treated with NPWT (RENASYS AB Smith & Nephew) to achieve TAC. The primary outcome measure was time taken to achieve fascial closure and secondary outcomes were complications and mortality.

Results

A total of 20 patients were included. Thirteen patients (65%) achieved fascial closure following a median treatment period of 3 days. Four patients (20%) died of causes unrelated to NPWT. Complications included fistula formation in one patient (5%) with spontaneous resolution during NPWT), bowel necrosis in a single patient (5%) and three cases of infection (15%). No fistulae were present at the end of NPWT.

Conclusion

This new NPWT kit is safe and effective and results in a high rate of fascial closure and low complication rates in the severely injured trauma patient.
Efficient extraction method to collect sugar from sweet sorghum
Authors: Jia Fei , Chawhuaymak Jeerwan , Riley Mark R , Zimmt Werner , Ogden Kimberly L
Published: January 2013

Background

Sweet sorghum is a domesticated grass containing a sugar-rich juice that can be readily utilized for ethanol production. Most of the sugar is stored inside the cells of the stalk tissue and can be difficult to release, a necessary step before conventional fermentation. While this crop holds much promise as an arid land sugar source for biofuel production, a number of challenges must be overcome. One lies in the inherent labile nature of the sugars in the stalks leading to a short usable storage time. Also, collection of sugars from the sweet sorghum stalks is usually accomplished by mechanical squeezing, but generally does not collect all of the available sugars.

Results

In this paper, we present two methods that address these challenges for utilization of sweet sorghum for biofuel production. The first method demonstrates a means to store sweet sorghum stalks in the field under semi-arid conditions. The second provides an efficient water extraction method that can collect as much of the available sugar as feasible. Operating parameters investigated include temperature, stalk size, and solid–liquid ratio that impact both the rate of sugar release and the maximal amount recovered with a goal of low water use. The most desirable conditions include 30°C, 0.6 ratio of solid to liquid (w/w), which collects 90 % of the available sugar. Variations in extraction methods did not alter the efficiency of the eventual ethanol fermentation.

Conclusions

The water extraction method has the potential to be used for sugar extraction from both fresh sweet sorghum stalks and dried ones. When combined with current sugar extraction methods, the overall ethanol production efficiency would increase compared to current field practices.
2ab assembly: a methodology for automatable, high-throughput assembly of standard biological parts
Authors: Leguia Mariana , Brophy Jennifer AN , Densmore Douglas , Asante Angel , Anderson J Christopher
Published: January 2013

There is growing demand for robust DNA assembly strategies to quickly and accurately fabricate genetic circuits for synthetic biology. One application of this technology is reconstitution of multi-gene assemblies. Here, we integrate a new software tool chain with 2ab assembly and show that it is robust enough to generate 528 distinct composite parts with an error-free success rate of 96%. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of its implications for biosafety and biosecurity.
Modeling the blood–brain barrier using stem cell sources
Authors: Lippmann Ethan S , Al-Ahmad Abraham , Palecek Sean P , Shusta Eric V
Published: January 2013

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a selective endothelial interface that controls trafficking between the bloodstream and brain interstitial space. During development, the BBB arises as a result of complex multicellular interactions between immature endothelial cells and neural progenitors, neurons, radial glia, and pericytes. As the brain develops, astrocytes and pericytes further contribute to BBB induction and maintenance of the BBB phenotype. Because BBB development, maintenance, and disease states are difficult and time-consuming to study in vivo, researchers often utilize in vitro models for simplified analyses and higher throughput. The in vitro format also provides a platform for screening brain-penetrating therapeutics. However, BBB models derived from adult tissue, especially human sources, have been hampered by limited cell availability and model fidelity. Furthermore, BBB endothelium is very difficult if not impossible to isolate from embryonic animal or human brain, restricting capabilities to model BBB development in vitro. In an effort to address some of these shortcomings, advances in stem cell research have recently been leveraged for improving our understanding of BBB development and function. Stem cells, which are defined by their capacity to expand by self-renewal, can be coaxed to form various somatic cell types and could in principle be very attractive for BBB modeling applications. In this review, we will describe how neural progenitor cells (NPCs), the in vitro precursors to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, can be used to study BBB induction. Next, we will detail how these same NPCs can be differentiated to more mature populations of neurons and astrocytes and profile their use in co-culture modeling of the adult BBB. Finally, we will describe our recent efforts in differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to endothelial cells with robust BBB characteristics and detail how these cells could ultimately be used to study BBB development and maintenance, to model neurological disease, and to screen neuropharmaceuticals.
Overcoming bortezomib resistance in human B cells by anti-CD20/rituximab-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity and epoxyketone-based irreversible proteasome inhibitors
Authors: Verbrugge Sue Ellen , Al Marjon , Assaraf Yehuda G , Niewerth Denise , van Meerloo Johan , Cloos Jacqueline , van der Veer Michael , Scheffer George L , Peters Godefridus J , Chan Elena T , Anderl Janet L , Kirk Christopher J , Zweegman Sonja , Dijkmans Ben AC , Lems Willem F , Scheper Rik J , de Gruijl Tanja D , Jansen Gerrit
Published: January 2013

Background

In clinical and experimental settings, antibody-based anti-CD20/rituximab and small molecule proteasome inhibitor (PI) bortezomib (BTZ) treatment proved effective modalities for B cell depletion in lymphoproliferative disorders as well as autoimmune diseases. However, the chronic nature of these diseases requires either prolonged or re-treatment, often with acquired resistance as a consequence.

Methods

Here we studied the molecular basis of acquired resistance to BTZ in JY human B lymphoblastic cells following prolonged exposure to this drug and examined possibilities to overcome resistance by next generation PIs and anti-CD20/rituximab-mediated complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).

Results

Characterization of BTZ-resistant JY/BTZ cells compared to parental JY/WT cells revealed the following features: (a) 10–12 fold resistance to BTZ associated with the acquisition of a mutation in the PSMB5 gene (encoding the constitutive β5 proteasome subunit) introducing an amino acid substitution (Met45Ile) in the BTZ-binding pocket, (b) a significant 2–4 fold increase in the mRNA and protein levels of the constitutive β5 proteasome subunit along with unaltered immunoproteasome expression, (c) full sensitivity to the irreversible epoxyketone-based PIs carfilzomib and (to a lesser extent) the immunoproteasome inhibitor ONX 0914. Finally, in association with impaired ubiquitination and attenuated breakdown of CD20, JY/BTZ cells harbored a net 3-fold increase in CD20 cell surface expression, which was functionally implicated in conferring a significantly increased anti-CD20/rituximab-mediated CDC.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that acquired resistance to BTZ in B cells can be overcome by next generation PIs and by anti-CD20/rituximab-induced CDC, thereby paving the way for salvage therapy in BTZ-resistant disease.
Remittances, expenditure patterns, and gender: parametric and semiparametric evidence from Ecuador
Authors: Göbel Kristin
Published: January 2013

This study estimates the impact of migrants’ remittances on households’ spending decisions in Ecuador. Applying both parametric and semiparametric techniques, we find strong evidence that remittances enhance expenditures on education, health, and housing, but decrease expenditures on food. This supports the hypotheses that these inflows result in a stronger human capital accumulation and therefore improve the long‐run production possibilities. We do not find strong differences in the impact on expenditure patterns of male and female household heads. The sex of the remitter and the receiver affects the expenditure behavior only slightly.

JEL Codes

C14, C34, D12, F24, J16
Resistin - the link between adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Cherneva Radostina Vlaeva , Georgiev Ognian Borisov , Petrova Daniela Stoichkova , Mondeshki Tsanko Lilianov , Ruseva Sylvia Rumenova , Cakova Adelina Dimitrova , Mitev Vanio Ivanov
Published: January 2013

Background

Resistin is an adipocytokine, associated with obesity and inflammation. Its exact role in insulin resistance and diabetes in the general population is still controversial. The relation between resistin plasma levels, insulin resistance and risk of impaired glucose metabolism in OSA patients has not been investigated.

Materials and methods

Plasma levels of resistin were measured in 67 patients with OSA and impaired glucose metabolism. 34,7% (23/67) had diabetes; 40% (27/67) patients had impаired glucose tolerance(IGT); 25,3%(17/67) had normal glucose metabolism (NGM). The association between resistin, BMI, obesity, markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress and sleep study characteristics was analysed. The different groups of patients were compared in regards to glucometabolic parameters and biomarkers of oxidative stress – isoprostanes and insulin resistance – free fatty acids (FFA).

Results

Plasma levels of resistin were higher in patients with diabetes (6,12 ±5,93ng/ml), compared to those with IGT (3,85±2,81ng/ml, p-0,021) and NGM (3,77±3,23, p-0,043). Resistin did not differ between patients with IGT and NGM (p-0,954). In OSA patients with BMI>40 resistin plasma levels correlated neither to the clinical parameters (BMI, IRI, HOMA-I, HbA1C, AHI, desaturation index), nor to the biomarkers of oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Free fatty acids (0,232>0,177mmol/l, p-0,037) were higher in diabetics in comparison to NGM.

Conclusions

Plasma resistin levels in OSA patients with BMI>40 are independent of insulin resistance and are not associated with the parameters, characterising the oxidative stress or severity of OSA. Resistin could be used in a multiple panel of clinical and biomarkers to discern patients with diabetes from those with IGT; in OSA patients with BMI >40 resistin together with HbA1C could discern patients with diabetes from those with NGM. In OSA patients with BMI >40 FFA and HbA1C are useful clinical markers in assessing the risk of dysglycaemia among patients with normal and IGT.
The paradox of anisotropy in electric logging: A simple proof and extensions to other physics domains
Authors: Lüling Martin G.
Published: January 2013

Resistivity measurements in vertical wells through horizontally laminated formations suffer the paradox of anisotropy. In a borehole with negligible diameter, the measurement will only read the horizontal resistivity parallel to the laminae: It will be completely blind to the vertical resistivity perpendicular to the laminae, even though the source and sensor electrodes are vertically aligned. Coulomb’s law in anisotropic media explains this counterintuitive phenomenon. The anisotropy changes the Pythagorean distance to a new, anisotropic distance, which includes the inverse conductivity tensor. The mixed units of this anisotropic distance are reconciled in Coulomb’s law, whose normalization replaces the electric conductivity by the square root of the conductivity-tensor determinant. The special case of horizontal laminae and vertically aligned source and observation points simplifies Coulomb’s law in anisotropic media. The vertical conductivity can be extracted from the anisotropic distance as multiplicative factor, which then cancels a corresponding term in the normalization determinant. Any electrode-resistivity measurement can then be described as superposition of point sources and sensors. The analysis of Coulomb’s law in anisotropic media carries over to other physics domains with similar, close-form solutions: Compressional waves with anisotropic bulk modulus, thermal flow with anisotropic thermal conductivity, and fluid flow in porous media with anisotropic hydraulic permeability all are generalizations of the field equation in the anisotropic medium. Each physics domain introduces its own anisotropic distance.
Reassociation of All-trans-3,4-Dihydroanhydrorhodovibrin with LH1 Subunits Isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum: Selective Binding of All-trans Isomer from Mixture of cis- and trans-Isomers
Authors: Yamamoto Mai , Horibe Tomoko , Nishisaka Yoshiaki , Suzuki Shuichi , Kozaki Masatoshi , Fujii Ritsuko , Doe Matsumi , Nango Mamoru , Okada Keiji , Hashimoto Hideki
Published: January 2013

The reassociation of carotenoids with the photosynthetic light-harvesting 1 (LH1) pigment–protein complex has proven to be a powerful technique to investigate the function of carotenoids. We have recently investigated the reassociation of the carotenoids, spirilloxanthin (number of conjugated C=C bonds (n) = 13), anhydrorhodovibrin (n = 12), rhodopin (n = 11), and spheroidene (n = 10)) with carotenoid-depleted LH1 subunits isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum. In the case of the rhodopin complex, small anomalies were observed in the absorption maximum of the Qy band of bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a Qy) and the singlet–singlet energy-transter efficiency of 1carotenoid* → 1BChl a* within the LH1–carotenoid complex. The reason for these anomalies could probably be ascribed to the rhodopin hydroxy group. To investigate this further, reassociation experiments of the LH1 complex with hydroxy-protected rhodopin, all-trans-3,4-dihydroanhydrorhodovibrin (1), were conducted. We observed a normal absorption maximum (883 nm) of the BChl a Qy band in the LH1–1 complex. The energy-transter efficiency of 1carotenoid* (11*) → 1BChl a* was found to be 53%, giving a good correlation with the other carotenoids. Furthermore, we found a preferential complexation of all-trans-1 to carotenoid-depleted LH1 from a 1:1 mixture of all-trans-1 and cis-1 (cis-1 consists of a 1:1 mixture of 5-cis-5′-trans-1 and 5-trans-5′-cis-1).
Attitudes of Pakistani Community Members and Staff Toward People with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Patka Mazna , Keys Christopher B. , Henry David B. , McDonald Katherine E.
Published: January 2013

The acceptance and inclusion of persons with intellectual disability can vary across cultures, and understanding attitudes can provide insight into such variation. To our knowledge, no previous study has explored attitudes toward people with intellectual disability among Pakistani community members and disability service providers. We administered the Community Living Attitudes Scale (Henry et al., 1996), a measure of attitudes toward people with intellectual disability developed in the United States, to 262 community members and 190 disability service providers in Pakistan. Confirmatory factor analysis found a 4-factor solution (empowerment, similarity, exclusion, and sheltering) fit the Pakistani sample. More positive attitudes were observed in staff serving people with intellectual disability, females, Christians, Hindus, Sunnis, and people with greater education. We discuss implications for research, theory, and practice.
Estimating the Value of Connections to Vice-President Cheney
Authors: Fisman David , Fisman Raymond J. , Galef Julia , Khurana Rakesh , Wang Yongxiang
Published: January 2013

We estimate the market valuation of personal ties to Richard Cheney. Our proxies for personal ties are based on corporate board linkages that are prevalent in the network sociology literature. We consider a number of distinct political and personal events that either affected Cheney’s political fortunes or his ability to hand out political favors. Specifically, we consider: (a) market reaction of connected companies to news of Cheney’s heart attacks; (b) market reaction of connected companies to Cheney’s being placed in charge of the vice-presidential search process and his surprise self-appointment; (c) correlation of the value of connected companies with the probability of a Bush victory in 2000; and (d) correlation of the value of connected companies with the probability of war in Iraq. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find that in all cases, the value of ties to Cheney is precisely estimated as zero. We interpret this as evidence that U.S. institutions are effective in controlling rent-seeking through personal ties with high-level government officials.
The Evolution of Household Income Volatility
Authors: Dynan Karen , Elmendorf Douglas , Sichel Daniel
Published: January 2013

Using a representative longitudinal survey of U.S. households, we find that household income became noticeably more volatile between the early 1970s and the late 2000s despite the moderation seen in aggregate economic activity during this period. We estimate that the standard deviation of percent changes in household income rose about 30 percent between 1971 and 2008. This widening in the distribution of percent changes was concentrated in the tails. The share of households experiencing a 50 percent plunge in income over a two-year period climbed from about 7 percent in the early 1970s to more than 12 percent in the early 2000s before retreating to 10 percent in the run-up to the Great Recession. Households’ labor earnings and transfer payments have both become more volatile over time. As best we can tell, the rise in the volatility of men’s earnings appears to owe both to greater volatility in earnings per hour and in hours worked.
Bootstrap, Jackknife and COLS: Bias and Mean Squared Error in Estimation of Autoregressive Models
Authors: Liu-Evans Gareth D. , Phillips Garry D. A.
Published: January 2013

We compare a number of bias-correction methodologies in terms of mean squared error and remaining bias, including the residual bootstrap, the relatively unexplored Quenouille jackknife, and methods based on analytical approximation of moments. We introduce a new higher-order jackknife estimator for the AR(1) with constant. Simulation results are presented for four different error structures, including GARCH. We include results for a relatively extreme situation where the errors are highly skewed and leptokurtic. It is argued that the bootstrap and analytical-correction (COLS) approaches are to be favoured overall, though the jackknife methods are the least biased. We find that COLS tends to have the lowest mean squared error, though the bootstrap also does well.
The Square Root of a Matrix
Authors: Abadir Karim M.
Published: January 2013

This note derives an explicit formula for the numerical calculation of the square root of a matrix, when this function exists. An example is given as an illustration of the formula. The condition for the existence of the square root is also illustrated.
Lens designs with extreme image quality features
Authors: Shafer David
Published: January 2013

In order to best assess the importance of new technologies to optical design, it is useful to consider what the limits are to what can be done with ‘old’ technologies. That may show where something new is needed to overcome the limitations of existing optical designs. This article will give a survey of some remarkable high-performance designs, some of which are extremely simple, and most of which only use technology that has already been around for decades. Each of these designs has some limitation that would be nice to overcome. One new technology that will probably revolutionize optical design will be curved surfaces on image chips.
RDA: Folgen für die Katalogisierung und die OPAC-Gestaltung
Authors: Klauß Henning
Published: January 2013

Das Regelwerk RDA wird einige Veränderungen für den Katalog von Bibliotheken erbringen, die für Benutzer hilfreich sind. Dieser Fortschritt wird auch für die Katalogisierer und die Gestaltung des OPACs Fortentwicklungen erzwingen. Hierfür muss die in Bibliotheken verwendete Software sowohl hinsichtlich Katalogisierung wie OPAC fortentwickelt werden, was anhand von Beispielen gezeigt wird.
Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins as E3 ligases for ubiquitin and NEDD8
Authors: Kamada Shinji
Published: January 2013

The inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are endogenous inhibitors for apoptosis. Apoptosis is carried out by caspases, which are the family of cystein proteases. IAPs regulate caspases through two conserved regions, the baculovirus IAP repeats (BIRs) and the really interesting new gene (RING) domains. Although the BIRs are responsible for binding to caspases, the RING domain can act as a ubiquitin-E3 ligase, leading to ubiquitylation of IAPs themselves and their pro-apoptotic IAP counterparts such as caspases. Recently, it is reported that another ubiquitin-like protein, neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8 (NEDD8), is also involved in the regulation of apoptosis through neddylation of caspases mediated by IAPs. On the contrary, the results against the function of IAPs as a NEDD8-E3 ligase are also suggested. This review presents the summary of IAPs, caspases, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system and how their interactions influence the regulation of apoptosis.
A multiplex assay to rapidly exclude HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 expression in patients at risk for celiac disease
Authors: van Beek Ellen M. , Roelandse-Koop Elianne A. , Vijzelaar Raymon , Yilmaz Rizkat , van Hoogstraten Ingrid M.W. , Schreurs Marco W.J. , Verheul Alice A.M. , van Houte Arend Jan , Kortlandt Wouter
Published: January 2013

Background:Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder of the small intestine induced by gluten ingestion. CD has a strong genetic association with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8. The absence of HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 has a strong negative predictive value for CD. Genetic screening of HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 in patients at risk is of great value.

Methods:We designed, developed, and validated a multiplex assay based on multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technology, allowing the simultaneous detection ofDQA1*05-DQB1*02, encoding HLA-DQ2.5, andDQA1*03-DQB1*03:02, encoding HLA-DQ8. The amplified products were separated and identified using capillary electrophoresis.

Results:When compared with a polymerase chain reaction followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism/ heteroduplex analysis, one discrepancy was found. Sequencing analysis showed that the developed MLPA assay result was correct. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the MLPA method is able to distinguish between the heterozygote and homozygote expression of HLA-DQ2.5 or HLA-DQ8.

Conclusions:This study shows that it is possible to rapidly and accurately screen for the absence of HLA-DQ2.5 and HLA-DQ8 using MLPA, excluding patients at risk for CD for further serological or histological follow-up. In addition, MLPA might be an accurate tool to screen for other specific HLA types in the context of disease association in a diagnostic laboratory setting.
Breast cancer stem cells: a moving target for cancer nanomedicine
Authors: Mollenhauer Jan , Knoop Ann , Bak Martin , Lænkholm Anne-Vibeke , Thomassen Mads , Kruse Torben A. , Høilund-Carlsen Poul Flemming
Published: January 2013

The identification of so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs) has sustainably changed our views on cancer by adding hierarchical principles, where tumor cells emerge from a founder population similar to steady-state regenerative processes in normal tissues. The rare founder population of CSCs is thought to be responsible for the recurrence of treatment-resistant tumors and metastatic spread and thus has been declared as the number one target for the next generation of anti-cancer drugs. Here, we will review the state of the art in research on breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), for which a huge amount of data has accumulated in the past few years. Initial studies have suggested that the CD44+/CD24- profile and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are associated with BCSCs, which has resulted in the recent identification of first compounds with BCSC-eliminating properties. In this early phase, however, it remains mostly unclear, to which extent these new compounds may exert toxicity to normal stem cells, since a substantial part targets molecular pathways critical for normal stem cell function. Moreover, these new drugs often require combination with conventional chemotherapeutics potentially posing new challenges to nanomedicine in circumventing toxicity and enabling targeted delivery. Most recent data further suggests that normal breast cancer cells might be able to re-create BCSCs and that additional, yet undiscovered kinds of BCSCs may exist. This points to future escape mechanisms. As a consequence, another broad future field of nanomedicine might be finding new drugs via systematic screening approaches. Collectively, this area provides ample possibilities for both traditional and novel nanomedical approaches.
Limitations and niches of the active targeting approach for nanoparticle drug delivery
Authors: Chen Weihsu Claire , Zhang Andrew X. , Li Shyh-Dar
Published: January 2013

The active targeting approach has been widely employed to improve nanoparticle drug delivery. Contrary to popular conceptions, attachment of a targeting ligand to a nanopaticle does not alter its biodistribution, but only increases its internalization by target cells. Despite its potential, this strategy has drawbacks that can negate efficacy against tumors. Specifically, compared to non-targeted nanoparticles, a number of active targeting nanoparticles have decreased blood circulation time due to non-specific binding or immunogenicity, reduced tumor penetration, and high susceptibility to lysosomal degradation after internalization. In order to maximize the advantages and overcome the disadvantages, the active targeting approach is best suited for delivering membrane impermeable drugs to targets directly exposed to i.v. injected nanoparticles, such as those in circulation or in the luminal site of tumor vasculatures.
HIV-specific immunotherapy with DermaVir, the first pDNA/PEIm pathogen-like nanomedicine
Authors: Lisziewicz Julianna , Lőrincz Orsolya
Published: January 2013

Eradication of HIV requires the clearance of latently infected cells that remained in the reservoirs after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). DermaVir is the first nanomedicine that induces long-lasting cytotoxic T cells (CTL) capable to kill these HIV-infected cells. DermaVir is a synthetic “pathogen-like” nanomedicine mimicking the size, shape, surface properties, cellular entry, endosomal escape, and antigen expression features of pathogens (e.g., viruses). We can optimize the biological activity of DermaVir during the manufacturing processes by controlling the physico-chemical properties of the nanoparticles that influence its structure and intracellular mode-of-action. In the clinic, targeted delivery of DermaVir to epidermal Langerhans cells is achieved with the DermaPrep medical device. Three clinical trials consistently demonstrated long-lasting CTL induced by DermaVir in HIV-infected people and killing of HIV-infected cells compared to Placebo. Since HAART and DermaVir are complementary, we envision that their combination might be suitable to achieve the cure: HAART to potent viral load suppression and DermaVir to kill latently infected cells that get activated to produce HIV.
On Calabi–Yau threefolds associated to a web of quadrics
Authors: Cynk Sławomir , Rams Sławomir
Published: January 2013

We study the geometry of the birational map between
an intersection of a web of quadrics in ℙ7
that contain a plane and the double octic branched along the discriminant of the web.
Additive reducts of algebraically closed valued fields
Authors: Maalouf Fares
Published: January 2013

In this paper we prove a form of the Zilber's trichotomy conjecture for reducts of algebraically closed valued fields of characteristic 0 which are expansions of the valued vector space structure. We prove first that a non-modular reduct of a nontrivially valued algebraically closed field containing the valued vector space structure defines a non-semilinear curve. Then we show that the expansion of such a reduct by a non-semilinear curve defines multiplication on a nonempty open set.
Weighted version of Carleson measure and multilinear Fourier multiplier
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Xue Qingying , Yabuta Kôzô
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we first establish some results about
weighted Carleson measure, and then apply them to multilinear Fourier
multiplier. By using a different method from the one used by Fujita and Tomita (2012), we obtain some weighted result of multilinear multiplier
operators by considering the missing parts of their results
in the end-point cases such as from L
2(ω) × L
∞(ω) × L
∞(ω) to L
2(ω), using
weighted Carleson measure theory and employing the multilinear
interpolation theory.
Fetal growth and developmental programming
Authors: Galjaard Sander , Devlieger Roland , Van Assche Frans A.
Published: January 2013

The environment in utero and in early neonatal life may induce a permanent response in the fetus and the newborn, leading to enhanced susceptibility to later diseases. This review concentrates on the role and mechanisms of events during the antenatal and immediate postnatal period resulting in later life diseases, concentrating on abnormal growth patterns of the fetus. Fetal overgrowth is related to exposure to a diabetic intra uterine environment, increasing the vulnerability to transgenerational obesity and hence an increased sensitivity to more diabetic mothers. This effect has been supported by animal data. Fetal growth restriction is complex due to malnutrition in utero, catch up growth due to a high caloric intake and low physical activity in later life. Metabolic changes and a transgenerational effect of intra uterine malnutrition has been supported by animal data. In recent years the discovery of alterations of the genome due to different influences during embryonic life, called epigenetics, has led to the phenomenon of fetal programming resulting in changing transgenerational metabolic effects.
To ‘C’ or not to ‘C’?/Caesarean delivery upon maternal request: a review of facts, figures and guidelines
Authors: D’Souza Rohan , Arulkumaran Sabaratnam
Published: January 2013

The last few decades have seen an unrelenting rise in caesarean section (CS) rates. In addition to an increase in numbers of CS performed worldwide, there has also been a change in the indications for CS, a reflection of changing times. A new dilemma facing obstetricians is the increasing demand for CS in the absence of any medical indication (caesarean delivery on maternal request – CDMR). The paucity of evidence either in favour or against, the poor understanding of long-term health and financial implications and the complex ethical issues surrounding CDMR make counselling extremely challenging. Needless to say, CDMR has generated enormous interest both in the media and among health-care providers, and many national and international bodies have now issued guidelines on the topic. In this editorial, we have aimed to explore the factors responsible for the increase in CDMR rates, assess the safety and cost implications of CS and review the recent guidelines and recommendations on CDMR.
40 years of the Journal of Perinatal Medicine
Authors: Dudenhausen Joachim W.
Published: January 2013

No abstract available.
Determining the Best Track Performances of All Time Using a Conceptual Population Model for Athletics Records
Authors: Stephenson Alec G. , Tawn Jonathan A.
Published: January 2013

What is the best male and female athletics performance in history? We seek to answer this question for Olympic distance track events by simultaneously modelling race performances over all Olympic distances and all times. Our model uses techniques from a branch of statistics called extreme value theory, and incorporates information on improvements over time using an exponential trend in addition to a process which identifies the changing ability of the population of athletes across all distances. We conclude that the best male performance of all time is the 1968 world record of Lee Evans in the 400 m, and that the best female performance of all time is the current 1988 world record of Florence Griffith-Joyner in the 100 m. More generally, our approach provides a basis for deriving a ranking of track athletes over any distance and at any point over the last 100 years.
New records of the Spectacled Slender Opossum Marmosops ocellatus (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) with comments on its geographic distribution limits
Authors: Semedo Thiago Borges Fernandes , Rossi Rogério Vieira , Júnior Tarcísio S. Santos
Published: January 2013

is a small didelphid marsupial that inhabits central and western South America, including Bolivia and western Brazil. In this report, we provide new distributional records based on 14 specimens deposited in mammal collections. Records from Vale de São Domingos and Cáceres, Mato Grosso state, Brazil, extend approximately 200 km northeastward of the currently known range of the species. Considering our records and those from the literature, we believe that
Promises and challenges of nanoplasmonic devices for refractometric biosensing
Authors: Dahlin Andreas B. , Wittenberg Nathan J. , Höök Fredrik , Oh Sang-Hyun
Published: January 2013

Optical biosensors based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in metallic thin films are currently standard tools for measuring molecular binding kinetics and affinities – an important task for biophysical studies and pharmaceutical development. Motivated by recent progress in the design and fabrication of metallic nanostructures, such as nanoparticles or nanoholes of various shapes, researchers have been pursuing a new generation of biosensors harnessing tailored plasmonic effects in these engineered nanostructures. Nanoplasmonic devices, while demanding nanofabrication, offer tunability with respect to sensor dimension and physical properties, thereby enabling novel biological interfacing opportunities and extreme miniaturization. Here we provide an integrated overview of refractometric biosensing with nanoplasmonic devices and highlight some recent examples of nanoplasmonic sensors capable of unique functions that are difficult to accomplish with conventional SPR. For example, since the local field strength and spatial distribution can be readily tuned by varying the shape and arrangement of nanostructures, biomolecular interactions can be controlled to occur in regions of high field strength. This may improve signal-to-noise and also enable sensing a small number of molecules. Furthermore, the nanoscale plasmonic sensor elements may, in combination with nanofabrication and materials-selective surface-modifications, make it possible to merge affinity biosensing with nanofluidic liquid handling.