bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food crisis coverage by social and traditional media: A case study of the 2008 Irish dioxin crisis
Authors: Shan Liran , Regan Áine , De Brún Aoife , Barnett Julie , van der Sanden Maarten C. A. , Wall Patrick , McConnon Áine
Published: February 2013

The world of communication has changed significantly in the last decade as a result of the evolution of social media. Food crisis managers and communicators should be cognizant of the messages presented to the public by all media channels during a crisis. Using the 2008 Irish dioxin contamination incident as an example, a quantitative content analysis was carried out to investigate the relationship between social and traditional media. Messages published in printed newspapers ( n = 141), blogs and forums ( n = 107), and Twitter ( n = 68) were analysed to investigate sourcing practice, story topic and use of tone. Results revealed that traditional media relied on diverse offline sources in reporting a wide range of topics. In comparison, social media responded faster and diminished faster, using offline and online media news messages as the primary sources in reporting very limited topics. No significant difference was found in the presence of negative tone across media.
The modern abortion jurisprudence under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Fenwick Daniel
Published: February 2013

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides a right to respect for private life. This article is the first to consider this full body of case law; it critically considers the current stance of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) towards applicants claiming breaches of Article 8 created by states with exceptionally restrictive abortion laws. The ECtHR has so far found Poland and Ireland to be in breach of their obligation to respect the applicants’ right to respect for private life in three cases: Tysiąc. Poland, RR v. Poland and ABC v. Ireland. The breaches were found on the basis of failures of those states to ensure that where abortion was theoretically permissible, effective medical procedures were available, allowing it to occur in practice. This article will argue that the roles played by the concept of subsidiarity and the margin of appreciation doctrine were pivotal in the Court’s decisions in that the breaches were found on procedural grounds only. Furthermore, it will be contended that close analysis of the decisions reveals that they have a more profound importance and potential impact than is at first apparent.
Moving Music, Mapping Music
Authors: Kenney Susan Hobson
Published: February 2013

“Let’s do it again,” shout the children as they complete an activity in music class. A casual observer would be aware that the children are fully engaged but may not be sure of the lesson focus. Is it to help children learn a new orchestra piece? To teach about the beat? To teach form? To teach rhythm? To teach children to read a music score? To teach them how to manage themselves in space? To help children practice thinking and problem solving? This article explores the power of movement to teach multiple music concepts, problem solving, and social skills simultaneously and effectively.
Hughes et al.
Authors: Loman L. Anthony , Siegel Gary L.
Published: February 2013

The Hughes et al. paper is critiqued generally and in specific areas. The weak nature of the authors’ empirical work is discussed along with their enigmatic writing and vague and incorrect use of references, and their simultaneous use of sweeping statements of opinion and narrow analytical focus. This review examines the authors’ errors regarding differential response (DR) and child safety, confusion of child safety and family risk, incorrect portrayal of DR family assessments, incomplete review and analysis of inconsistency in pathway (track) assignment, incomplete analysis of external validity, and mistaken interpretation of field experiments. A short essay on the purpose of DR is presented along with other literature which readers are encouraged to read and interpret for themselves.
Explicit Mathematics Instruction
Authors: Doabler Christian T. , Fien Hank
Published: February 2013

This article describes the essential instructional elements necessary for delivering explicit mathematics instruction to students with mathematics difficulties. Mathematics intervention research indicates that explicit instruction is one of the most effective instructional approaches for teaching students with or at risk for math difficulties. Explicit instruction is a systematic approach that facilitates important instructional interactions between teachers and students around critical math content. This article describes a framework for delivering explicit math instruction in the early grades. Although the explicit framework is relevant across the range of early math content (i.e., measurement, geometry), the focus is on explicit instruction in the context of teaching place value concepts in kindergarten and first grade classrooms. Place value is a critical component of whole-number understanding and a necessary concept for students to develop mathematical proficiency. Key questions associated with explicit math instruction are also addressed.
Reflections on the Metamorphosis at Robben Island
Authors: Cascio Wayne F. , Luthans Fred
Published: February 2013

Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners from South Africa were imprisoned on notorious Robben Island from the mid-1960s until the end of the apartheid regime in 1991. The stark conditions and abusive treatment of these prisoners has been widely publicized. However, upon reflection and in retrospect, over the years, a type of metamorphosis occurred. Primarily drawing from firsthand accounts of the former prisoners and guards, it seems that Robben Island morphed from the traditional oppressive prison paradigm to one where the positively oriented prisoners disrupted the institution with a resulting climate of learning and transformation that eventually led to freedom and the end of apartheid. At a macro level of analysis, we use the theoretical lens of institutional work, and, at a micro level, positive psychological capital (hope, efficacy, resiliency, and optimism) to explain what happened. This metamorphosis led to one of, if not the greatest, societal transformations in modern history. We conclude by discussing some implications and lessons learned for organizational scholars and practitioners.
Social Cognitive and Cultural Orientation Predictors of Well-Being in Asian American College Students
Authors: Hui Kayi , Lent Robert W. , Miller Matthew J.
Published: February 2013

This study examined the predictive utility of Lent and Brown’s social cognitive model of educational and work well-being with a sample of Asian American college students, indexing well-being in terms of academic and social domain satisfaction. In addition, we examined the role of acculturation and enculturation as culture-specific predictors of domain satisfaction. Participants were 122 Asian American college students who completed measures of domain-specific environmental support, self-efficacy, goal progress, and satisfaction, along with global measures of behavioral acculturation and enculturation. Path analyses indicated that the modified social cognitive model, including the two cultural variables, provided good fit to the data and accounted for substantial portions of the variance in academic and social satisfaction. Both acculturation and enculturation were linked to domain satisfaction indirectly through their relation to perceived environmental support. This suggests that students who actively engage both in Asian and in mainstream cultures are more likely to access environmental support, which in turn is linked to self-efficacy, goal progress, and domain satisfaction. The present findings offer preliminary support for the cross-cultural validity of the social cognitive model with Asian American college students and suggest ways in which the model’s variables may operate jointly with culture-specific variables. Implications for future research and practice are considered.
Hallux Valgus in Males—Part 1
Authors: Nery Caio , Coughlin Michael J. , Baumfeld Daniel , Ballerini Flávio José , Kobata Silvia
Published: February 2013

Background:

The high frequency of hallux valgus deformities in females is well known and has been widely reported in the literature. This finding tends to obscure the importance and the characteristic details of hallux valgus deformities in males. The severity of the deformity, its onset at an earlier age, and its inheritability seem to be more frequent in males, but there are no reports in the literature to substantiate these concepts. The purpose of this study was to analyze these questions in regard to males with hallux valgus.

Methods:

The records and plain radiographs of 31 males (53 feet) with a diagnosis of hallux valgus that were treated over a 20-year period (1985-2005) were analyzed. During that same period, the senior author (CN) performed 812 procedures for the correction of hallux valgus deformities in women. In order to compare gender-related differences associated with this deformity, 31 women’s charts—paired by age and affected side—were randomly selected and both clinical and radiological data were statistically compared.

Results:

The onset of the complaints of first ray pain in males was equally distributed by decades, indicating that the deformity begins earlier in this group. Among males, we found 68% of the subjects had a familial history of bunion deformities—58% were maternal and 10% were fraternal. In the control group of females, only 35% of the women reported inheritance of the deformity. No correlation with footwear was found among males. The radiographic measurements were significantly higher in the male group, which included the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), and the tarsal metatarsal angle (TMA). The main gender difference was found to be the DMAA with first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint congruence being much more common in males (males = 57%, females = 30%). No correlations were found for metatarsus primus varus or pes planus.

Conclusion:

Based on our observations, we conclude that hallux valgus in males is commonly hereditary in nature and is mainly transmitted by the mother, with early onset and higher severity when compared to women. We report a female/male ratio of 15:1. The main intrinsic factor associated with a hallux valgus deformity in males is a high DMAA.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Achilles Tendon Injuries in a United States Population
Authors: Raikin Steven M. , Garras David N. , Krapchev Philip V.
Published: February 2013

Background:

Most studies on Achilles tendon ruptures involved US military or European populations, which may not translate to the general US population. The current study reviews 406 consecutive Achilles tendon ruptures occurring in the general US population for patterns in a tertiary care subspecialty referral setting.

Methods:

An institutional review board–approved, retrospective review of the charts of 331 (83%) males (6 bilateral, nonsimultaneous) and 69 (17%) females diagnosed with Achilles tendon ruptures over a 10-year period was undertaken. Average age was 46.4 years with 310 (76%) ruptures diagnosed and managed acutely (less than 4 weeks), whereas 96 (24%) were chronic (more than 4 weeks since the injury). Patients were assessed for mechanism of injury and previously described underlying risk factors. Results were assessed according to age (greater or less than 55 years), body mass index (BMI), and time to diagnosis.

Results:

Sporting activity was responsible for 275 ruptures (68%). This was higher in patients younger than 55 years of age (77%) than those older than 55 years (42%). Basketball was the most commonly involved sport, accounting for 132 ruptures (48% of sports ruptures, 32% of all ruptures), followed by tennis in 52 ruptures (13%, 9%), and football in 32 ruptures (12%, 8%). In all, 20 ruptures were reruptures of the same Achilles tendon, of which 17 had previously been treated nonsurgically. In this study, recent quinolone use (2%) and African American race (31%) were not major risk factors for rupture as described in other studies. Older patients and patients with a BMI greater than 30 were more likely to be injured in nonsporting activities and more likely to have their diagnosis initially not recognized resulting in their presentation more than 4 weeks following the injury.

Conclusion:

In this study, sports participation was the most common mechanism, but not to the same extent seen in the European or US military studies. Basketball was the most commonly involved sport, as compared to soccer in Europe. Age and BMI had a directly proportional correlation with time to diagnosis.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, epidemiologic study.
Trusting local translation: Experiences from transplanting a ‘Made in Britain’ entrepreneurship course in China
Authors: Farquharson Maris , Örtenblad Anders , Hsu Shih-wei
Published: February 2013

As export education is destined to be one of the new growth industries, an entrepreneurship course designed in the United Kingdom is exported to China. We reflect on the transplantation of entrepreneurship theory. Knowledge as it travels becomes decontextualised, but by relying on actor–network theory, we find that knowledge multiplies. Students in China were able to contextualise knowledge to fit with local circumstances. Relying on a single case study, narratives were shared by Chinese students exposed to the same entrepreneurship course. We identified artefacts, people, institutions and relationships in social-networks translating student realities of learning entrepreneurship. Their narratives revealed translation to be rooted in power struggles and historical and familial constructs. Contrary to the expectations of previous studies, there may be no need for teachers to contextualise course content. Students are capable of doing this. Teachers can therefore trust in local translation.
Horizontal accountability during political transition
Authors: Herron Erik S , Boyko Nazar
Published: February 2013

Horizontal accountability, in which institutional actors with equivalent levels of authority possess tools to challenge one another, is a critical component of mature and stable democracy. This article investigates ways in which partisanship differentiates how political actors use a specific accountability tool – legislative questions – and the responsiveness of government institutions to inquiries. We take advantage of the unanticipated change in Ukraine's executive leadership in 2004 to assess the relationship between partisan identity and accountability. The analysis of nearly 16,000 legislative requests from Ukraine illustrates the pivotal role of partisanship in accountability and institutional responsiveness, a finding that is particularly notable given Ukraine's inchoate party system and under-developed democratic norms.
Interobserver and Intraobserver Reproducibility of Plain X-Rays in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
Authors: Álvaro-Afonso Francisco J. , Lázaro-Martínez Jose L. , Aragón-Sánchez Javier , García-Morales Esther , Cecilia-Matilla Almudena , Beneit-Montesinos Juan V.
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze the interobserver and intraobserver variability in plain radiography in the diagnosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. A prospective observational study was performed from October 1, 2009, to July 31, 2011, on patients with diabetic foot ulcers, with clinically suspected osteomyelitis who were admitted to the Diabetic Foot Unit of the Complutense University of Madrid. Two professional groups examined 123 plain X-rays, each group comprising 3 different levels of clinical experience. To analyze intraobserver variability, 2 months later plain X-rays were reanalyzed by one of the clinical groups. When using only plain radiography for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot, low concordance rates were observed for clinicians with a similar level of experience: experienced clinicians ( K11AB = .35, P < .001), moderately experienced clinicians ( K22AB = .39, P < .001), and inexperienced clinicians ( K33AB = .40, P < .001). Intraobserver agreement was highest in experienced clinicians ( K11A = .75, P < .001), followed by moderately experienced clinicians ( K22A = .61, P < .001) and inexperienced clinicians ( K33A = .57, P < .001). Plain radiography for the diagnosis of diabetic foot osteomyelitis is operator dependent and shows low association strength, even among experienced clinicians, when interpreted in isolation without knowing the clinical characteristics of the lesion.
ICTs changing youths’ political attitudes and behaviors in Bangladesh
Authors: Ullah Mohammad Sahid
Published: February 2013

This article explains political activism among educated youths in Bangladesh and how information and communication technologies (ICTs) change their political attitudes and behaviors. The findings identify motivations and psychological factors that affect patterns of new media use in political participation. Data from 23 interviewees, alongside those of 69 focus group participants, reveal that Bangladeshi youths increasingly favor forward-looking agendas by rejecting traditional ideology-based party politics. They have a passion for shaping their opinions through social networking instead of processions, party meetings, and political violence. This study finds that youth engagement through virtual communication has no direct impact on political decision-making but may play a pivotal role in some policy-making processes in Bangladesh.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Acute Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Rosario Michael , McMahon Kevin , Finelli Pasquale F.
Published: February 2013

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with chronic liver disease are characterized by cerebral atrophy and bilateral, symmetric hyperintensities of the globus pallidus on T1-weighted images without corresponding signal intensities in T2-weighted images. Recently, distinct MRI changes of acute hepatic encephalopathy have been described which may be misinterpreted given their resemblance to hypoxic-ischemic injury imaging changes as well as their limited description in the neurologic literature. We describe 3 cases of acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy primarily characterized by restricted diffusion involving the insular and cingulate cortices and thalamus bilaterally.
Diffusely adherent Escherichia colistrains isolated from children and adults constitute two different populations
Authors: Mansan-Almeida Rosane , Pereira Alex Leite , Giugliano Loreny Gimenes
Published: February 2013

Background

Diffusely adherent Escherichia coli (DAEC) have been considered a diarrheagenic category of E. coli for which several potential virulence factors have been described in the last few years. Despite this, epidemiological studies involving DAEC have shown inconsistent results. In this work, two different collections of DAEC possessing Afa/Dr genes, from children and adults, were studied regarding characteristics potentially associated to virulence.

Results

DAEC strains were recovered in similar frequencies from diarrheic and asymptomatic children, and more frequently from adults with diarrhea (P < 0.01) than from asymptomatic adults. Association with diarrhea (P < 0.05) was found for SAT-positive strains recovered from children and for curli-positive strains recovered from adults. Mixed biofilms involving DAEC and a Citrobacter freundii strain have shown an improved ability to form biofilms in relation to the monocultures. Control strains have shown a greater diversity of Afa/Dr adhesins and higher frequencies of cellulose, TTSS, biofilm formation and induction of IL-8 secretion than strains from cases of diarrhea in children.

Conclusions

DAEC strains possessing Afa/Dr genes isolated from children and adults represent two different bacterial populations. DAEC strains carrying genes associated to virulence can be found as part of the normal microbiota present in asymptomatic children.
In vivo activity of Nisin A and Nisin V against Listeria monocytogenesin mice
Authors: Campion Alicia , Casey Pat G , Field Des , Cotter Paul D , Hill Colin , Ross R Paul
Published: February 2013

Background

Lantibiotics are post-translationally modified antimicrobial peptides, of which nisin A is the most extensively studied example. Bioengineering of nisin A has resulted in the generation of derivatives with increased in vitro potency against Gram-positive bacteria. Of these, nisin V (containing a Met21Val change) is noteworthy by virtue of exhibiting enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against a wide range of clinical and food-borne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes. However, this increased potency has not been tested in vivo.

Results

Here we address this issue by assessing the ability of nisin A and nisin V to control a bioluminescent strain of Listeria monocytogenes EGDe in a murine infection model.

More specifically, Balb/c mice were infected via the intraperitoneal route at a dose of 1 × 105 cfu/animal and subsequently treated intraperitoneally with either nisin V, nisin A or a PBS control. Bioimaging of the mice was carried out on day 3 of the trial. Animals were then sacrificed and levels of infection were quantified in the liver and spleen.

Conclusion

This analysis revealed that nisin V was more effective than Nisin A with respect to controlling infection and therefore merits further investigation with a view to potential chemotherapeutic applications.
A new dynamic in vitro modular capillaries-venules modular system: Cerebrovascular physiology in a box
Authors: Cucullo Luca , Hossain Mohammed , Tierney William , Janigro Damir
Published: February 2013

Background

The study of the cerebrovascular physiology is crucial to understand the pathogenesis of neurological disease and the pharmacokinetic of drugs. Appropriate models in vitro often fail to represent in vivo physiology. To address these issues we propose the use of a novel artificial vascular system that closely mimics capillary and venous segments of human cerebrovasculature while also allowing for an extensive control of the experimental variables and their manipulation.

Results

Using hollow fiber technology, we modified an existing dynamic artificial model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) (DIV-capillary) to encompass the distal post-capillary (DIV-venules) segments of the brain circulatory system. This artificial brain vascular system is comprised of a BBB module serially connected to a venule segment. A pump generates a pulsatile flow with arterial pressure feeding the system. The perfusate of the capillary module achieves levels of shear stress, pressure, and flow rate comparable to what observed in situ. Endothelial cell exposure to flow and abluminal astrocytic stimuli allowed for the formation of a highly selective capillary BBB with a trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER; >700 ohm cm2) and sucrose permeability (< 1X10-u cm/sec) comparable to in vivo. The venule module, which attempted to reproduce features of the hemodynamic microenvironment of venules, was perfused by media resulting in shear stress and intraluminal pressure levels lower than those found in capillaries. Because of altered cellular and hemodynamic factors, venule segments present a less stringent vascular bed (TEER <250 Ohm cm2; Psucrose > 1X10-4 cm/sec) than that of the BBB. Abluminal human brain vascular smooth muscle cells were used to reproduce the venular abluminal cell composition.

Conclusion

The unique characteristics afforded by the DIV-BBB in combination with a venule segment will realistically expand our ability to dissect and study the physiological and functional behavior of distinct segments of the human cerebrovascular network.
Spatial and temporal variation and hotspot detection of kala-azar disease in Vaishali district (Bihar), India
Authors: Bhunia Gouri Sankar , Kesari Shreekant , Chatterjee Nandini , Kumar Vijay , Das Pradeep
Published: February 2013

Background

An improved understanding in transmission variation of kala-azar is fundamental to conduct surveillance and implementing disease prevention strategies. This study investigated the spatio-temporal patterns and hotspot detection for reporting kala-azar cases in Vaishali district based on spatial statistical analysis.

Methods

Epidemiological data from the study area during 2007–2011 was used to examine the dynamic space-time pattern of kala-azar outbreaks, and all cases were geocoded at a village level. Spatial smoothing was applied to reduce random noise in the data. Inverse distance weighting (IDW) is used to interpolate and predict the pattern of VL cases distribution across the district. Moran’s I Index (Moran’s I) statistics was used to evaluate autocorrelation in kala-azar spatial distribution and test how villages were clustered or dispersed in space. Getis-Ord G

i

*

(d) was used to identify the hotspot and cold spot areas within the study site.

Results

Mapping kala-azar cases or incidences reflects the spatial heterogeneity in the incidence rate of kala-azar affected villages in Vaishali district. Kala-azar incidence rate map showed most of the highest endemic villages were located in southern, eastern and northwestern part of the district; in the middle part of the district generally show the medium occurrence of VL. There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of kala-azar incidences for five consecutive years, with Moran’s I statistic ranging from 0.04-0.17 (P <0.01). The results revealed spatially clustered patterns with significant differences by village. The hotspots showed the spatial trend of kala-azar diffusion (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The results pointed to the usefulness of spatial statistical approach to improve our understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics and control of kala-azar. The study also showed the north-western and southern part of Vaishali district is most likely endemic cluster region. To employ exact and geographically suitable risk-reduction programmes, apply of such spatial analysis tools should suit a vital constituent in epidemiology research and risk evaluation of kala-azar.
Morphological macrovascular alterations in complex regional pain syndrome type I demonstrated by increased intima-media thickness
Authors: Derenthal Nicola , Maecken Tim , Krumova Elena , Germing Alfried , Maier Christoph
Published: February 2013

Background

Although intima-media thickness (IMT) was increased in several inflammatory diseases, studies investigating whether the inflammatory processes lead to macrovascular alteration with increased IMT in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) lack.

Methods

Using ultrasound (high-resolution B-mode), we compared bilaterally the IMT of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT), the radial artery (RA-IMT), the brachial artery (BRA-IMT) and the quotient QRA/CCA, in CRPS type I (n=17), peripheral nerve injury (PNI, n=17) and pain-free controls (PFC, n=22, matched to CRPS by gender, age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors). Statistics: Spearman’s correlation, paired t-test, ANOVA (p<0.05).

Results

Compared to PFC, RA-IMT were significantly increased in both patient groups bilaterally (mean±standard deviation, CRPS affected side vs. PFC dominant side: 0.32±0.08 mm vs. 0.19±0.08 mm, p<0.001; PNI affected side vs. PFC dominant side: 0.27±0.09 mm vs. 0.19±0.08 mm, p< 0.05; CRPS non-affected side vs. PFC non-dominant side: 0.30±0.10 mm vs. 0.19±0.09 mm, p<0.001; PNI non-affected side vs. PFC non-dominant side: 0.25±0.10 mm vs. 0.19±0.09 mm, p<0.05) and QRA/CCA (CRPS affected-side vs. PFC dominant side: 0.49±0.12 vs. 0.30±0.11, p<0.001; PNI affected side vs. PFC dominant side: 0.41±0.10 vs. 0.30±0.11, p<0.05; CRPS non-affected side vs. PFC non-dominant side: 0.43±0.19 vs. 0.30±0.13, p<0.001; PNI non-affected side vs. PFC non-dominant side: 0.39±0.14 vs. 0.30±0.13, p<0.05), and BRA-IMT - only on the affected side in CRPS (CRPS: 0.42±0.06 mm vs. PFC: 0.35±0.08 mm; p<0.05). In CRPS, QRA/CCA was significantly higher on the affected side compared to PNI (p<0.05). However, only CRPS displayed within-group side-to-side differences with a significantly increased RA-IMT and QRA/CCA on the affected side (p<0.05). The CCA-IMT was comparable between all groups and sides.

Conclusions

The increased IMT of peripheral arteries in CRPS suggests ongoing inflammatory process. Until now, only endothelial dysfunction has been reported. The presented morphological macrovascular alterations might explain the treatment resistance of some CRPS patients.
Dynamic strain scanning optimization: an efficient strain design strategy for balanced yield, titer, and productivity. DySScO strategy for strain design
Authors: Zhuang Kai , Yang Laurence , Cluett William R , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: February 2013

Background

In recent years, constraint-based metabolic models have emerged as an important tool for metabolic engineering; a number of computational algorithms have been developed for identifying metabolic engineering strategies where the production of the desired chemical is coupled with the growth of the organism. A caveat of the existing algorithms is that they do not take the bioprocess into consideration; as a result, while the product yield can be optimized using these algorithms, the product titer and productivity cannot be optimized. In order to address this issue, we developed the Dynamic Strain Scanning Optimization (DySScO) strategy, which integrates the Dynamic Flux Balance Analysis (dFBA) method with existing strain algorithms.

Results

In order to demonstrate the effective of the DySScO strategy, we applied this strategy to the design of Escherichia coli strains targeted for succinate and 1,4-butanediol production respectively. We evaluated consequences of the tradeoff between growth yield and product yield with respect to titer and productivity, and showed that the DySScO strategy is capable of producing strains that balance the product yield, titer, and productivity. In addition, we evaluated the economic viability of the designed strain, and showed that the economic performance of a strain can be strongly affected by the price difference between the product and the feedstock.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the DySScO strategy is a useful computational tool for designing microbial strains with balanced yield, titer, and productivity, and has potential applications in evaluating the economic performance of the design strains.
Diabetes in Mexico: cost and management of diabetes and its complications and challenges for health policy
Authors: Barquera Simon , Campos-Nonato Ismael , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos , Lopez-Ridaura Ruy , Arredondo Armando , Rivera-Dommarco Juan
Published: February 2013

Background

Mexico has been experiencing some of the most rapid shifts ever recorded in dietary and physical activity patterns leading to obesity. Diabetes mellitus has played a crucial role causing nearly 14% of all deaths. We wanted to make a comprehensive study of the role of diabetes in terms of burden of disease, prevalence, cost of diabetes, cost of complications and health policy.

Method

We review the quantitative data that provides evidence of the extent to which the Mexican health economy is affected by the disease and its complications. We then discuss the current situation of diabetes in Mexico with experts in the field.

Results

There was a significant increase in the prevalence of diabetes from 1994 to 2006 with rising direct costs (2006: outpatient USD$ 717,764,787, inpatient USD$ 223,581,099) and indirect costs (2005: USD$ 177,220,390), and rising costs of complications (2010: Retinopathy USD$ 10,323,421; Cardiovascular disease USD$ 12,843,134; Nephropathy USD$ 81,814,501; Neuropathy USD$ 2,760,271; Peripheral vascular disease USD$ 2,042,601). The health policy focused on screening and the creation of self-support groups across the country.

Conclusions

The increasing diabetes mortality and lack of control among diagnosed patients make quality of treatment a major concern in Mexico. The growing prevalence of childhood and adult obesity and the metabolic syndrome suggest that the situation could be even worse in the coming years. The government has reacted strongly with national actions to address the growing burden posed by diabetes. However our research suggests that the prevalence and mortality of diabetes will continue to rise in the future.
Public health program capacity for sustainability: a new framework
Authors: Schell Sarah F , Luke Douglas A , Schooley Michael W , Elliott Michael B , Herbers Stephanie H , Mueller Nancy B , Bunger Alicia C
Published: February 2013

Background

Public health programs can only deliver benefits if they are able to sustain activities over time. There is a broad literature on program sustainability in public health, but it is fragmented and there is a lack of consensus on core constructs. The purpose of this paper is to present a new conceptual framework for program sustainability in public health.

Methods

This developmental study uses a comprehensive literature review, input from an expert panel, and the results of concept-mapping to identify the core domains of a conceptual framework for public health program capacity for sustainability. The concept-mapping process included three types of participants (scientists, funders, and practitioners) from several public health areas (e.g., tobacco control, heart disease and stroke, physical activity and nutrition, and injury prevention).

Results

The literature review identified 85 relevant studies focusing on program sustainability in public health. Most of the papers described empirical studies of prevention-oriented programs aimed at the community level. The concept-mapping process identified nine core domains that affect a program’s capacity for sustainability: Political Support, Funding Stability, Partnerships, Organizational Capacity, Program Evaluation, Program Adaptation, Communications, Public Health Impacts, and Strategic Planning. Concept-mapping participants further identified 93 items across these domains that have strong face validity—89% of the individual items composing the framework had specific support in the sustainability literature.

Conclusions

The sustainability framework presented here suggests that a number of selected factors may be related to a program’s ability to sustain its activities and benefits over time. These factors have been discussed in the literature, but this framework synthesizes and combines the factors and suggests how they may be interrelated with one another. The framework presents domains for public health decision makers to consider when developing and implementing prevention and intervention programs. The sustainability framework will be useful for public health decision makers, program managers, program evaluators, and dissemination and implementation researchers.
Identification of ovarian cancer associated genes using an integrated approach in a Boolean framework
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , Breen Edmond J , Ranganathan Shoba
Published: February 2013

Background

Cancer is a complex disease where molecular mechanism remains elusive. A systems approach is needed to integrate diverse biological information for the prognosis and therapy risk assessment using mechanistic approach to understand gene interactions in pathways and networks and functional attributes to unravel the biological behaviour of tumors.

Results

We weighted the functional attributes based on various functional properties observed between cancerous and non-cancerous genes reported from literature. This weighing schema was then encoded in a Boolean logic framework to rank differentially expressed genes. We have identified 17 genes to be differentially expressed from a total of 11,173 genes, where ten genes are reported to be down-regulated via epigenetic inactivation and seven genes are up-regulated. Here, we report that the overexpressed genes IRAK1, CHEK1 and BUB1 may play an important role in ovarian cancer. We also show that these 17 genes can be used to form an ovarian cancer signature, to distinguish normal from ovarian cancer subjects and that the set of three genes, CHEK1, AR, and LYN, can be used to classify good and poor prognostic tumors.

Conclusion

We provided a workflow using a Boolean logic schema for the identification of differentially expressed genes by integrating diverse biological information. This integrated approach resulted in the identification of genes as potential biomarkers in ovarian cancer.
Case report of exercise and statin-fibrate combination therapy-caused myopathy in a patient with metabolic syndrome: contradictions between the two main therapeutic pathways
Authors: László Andrea , Kalabay László , Nemcsik János
Published: February 2013

Background

Lifestyle modifications including exercise are beneficial and fundamentally part of the therapy of metabolic syndrome, although in most of the cases medical interventions are also required to reach the target values in the laboratory parameters. Statin and fibrate combination therapy is considered to be safe and effective in dyslipidaemia and metabolic syndrome. However, increased physical activity can enhance the statin and fibrate-associated myopathy. Myositis and the rare but life-threatening rhabdomyolysis are causing a conflict between exercise and statin-fibrate therapy, which is yet to be resolved.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 43-year-old Caucasian man with metabolic syndrome who had the side-effect of exercise and drug-associated myositis. The patient had only transient moderate complaints and rhabdomyolysis could be avoided with the one-month creatine kinase control, a test which is not recommended routinely by the new guidelines.

Conclusions

We would like to turn the spotlight on the possible complications of statin-fibrate therapy and exercise, when strict follow-up is recommended. In this condition high number of patients can be affected and the responsibility of general practitioners is accentuated.
Evolution of a transposon in Daphnia hybrid genomes
Authors: Vergilino Roland , Elliott Tyler A , Desjardins-Proulx Philippe , Crease Teresa J , Dufresne France
Published: February 2013

Background

Transposable elements play a major role in genome evolution. Their capacity to move and/or multiply in the genome of their host may have profound impacts on phenotypes, and may have dramatic consequences on genome structure. Hybrid and polyploid clones have arisen multiple times in theDaphnia pulexcomplex and are thought to reproduce by obligate parthenogenesis. Our study examines the evolution of a DNA transposable element namedPokeyin theD. pulexcomplex.

Results

Portions ofPokeyelements inserted in the 28S rRNA genes from variousDaphniahybrids (diploids and polyploids) were sequenced and compared to sequences from a previous study to understand the evolutionary history of the elements.Pokeysequences show a complex phylogenetic pattern. We found evidence of recombination events in numerousPokeyalleles from diploid and polyploid hybrids and also from non-hybrid diploids. The recombination rate inPokeyelements is comparable to recombination rates previously estimated for 28S rRNA genes in the congener,Daphnia obtusa.Some recombinantPokeyalleles were encountered inDaphniaisolates from multiple locations and habitats.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic and recombination analyses showed that recombination is a major force that shapesPokeyevolution. Based onPokeyphylogenies, reticulation has played and still plays an important role in shaping the diversity of theD. pulexcomplex. Horizontal transfer ofPokeyseems to be rare and hybrids often possessPokeyelements derived from recombination among alleles encountered in the putative parental species. The insertion ofPokeyin hotspots of recombination may have important impacts on the diversity and fitness of this transposable element.
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, prostaglandins, and cancer
Authors: Allaj Viola , Guo Changxiong , Nie Daotai
Published: February 2013

Fatty acids are involved in multiple pathways and play a pivotal role in health. Eicosanoids, derived from arachidonic acid, have received extensive attention in the field of cancer research. Following release from the phospholipid membrane, arachidonic acid can be metabolized into different classes of eicosanoids through cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, or p450 epoxygenase pathways. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely consumed as analgesics to relieve minor aches and pains, as antipyretics to reduce fever, and as anti-inflammatory medications. Most NSAIDs are nonselective inhibitors of cyclooxygenases, the rate limiting enzymes in the formation of prostaglandins. Long term use of some NSAIDs has been linked with reduced incidence and mortality in many cancers. In this review, we appraise the biological activities of prostanoids and their cognate receptors in the context of cancer biology. The existing literature supports that these lipid mediators are involved to a great extent in the occurrence and progression of cancer.
Work satisfaction, quality of life, and leisure time of neonatology fellows and senior neonatologists in Israel
Authors: Moshe Michael , Perry Zvi H , Salzer Liat , Zemora Ehud , Toker Asaf
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To examine work satisfaction, quality of life, and leisure time of neonatology fellows and senior neonatologists in Israel.

Methods

A validated questionnaire was delivered during the second half of 2008 to all the neonatology fellows and senior neonatologists in Israel. Descriptive analysis, parametric Student’st-test, and aparametric Mann Whitney and χ2 tests were conducted.

Results

Of 114 practicing neonatologists in that period in Israel (including both seniors and fellows), 112 (98.25%) participated in the study. The majority of neonatologists were male (53.2%), married (91.7%), 40–60 years old (69.7%), and studied in Israeli medical schools (62.0%). Most did their pediatric residencies and fellowships in Israel (97.2% and 75.7%, respectively). The average number of night/on-call shifts of fellows and senior neonatologists was 8.8 per month (SD ± 3.425) and the number of active on-call shifts was 4.04 (SD ± 3.194). The satisfaction level of neonatologists in Israeli medical centers with patient care, self-reward, work relations, and quality of life was high, but their satisfaction level with workload, income and prestige, and leisure time was low. The general index of work satisfaction and the general index of indices were both high in relation to the mid-range values. The majority of neonatologists stated that they would choose to practice medicine again. Most of them would encourage medical students to choose the same specialty they had chosen. Only a few neonatologists were contemplating changing their choice of specialty. Most neonatologists want to continue practicing medicine; however, a significant number will not recommend that their children do so.

Conclusions

The satisfaction level of neonatologists in Israel is high, mainly due to satisfaction with their work. High satisfaction levels promise high quality patient care, as well as high satisfaction levels of patients and their families. However, satisfaction with leisure time was low and it will require greater attention and focused steps to correct this.
BAY11 enhances OCT4 synthetic mRNA expression in adult human skin cells
Authors: Awe Jason P , Crespo Agustin Vega , Li You , Kiledjian Megerditch , Byrne James A
Published: February 2013

Introduction

The OCT4 transcription factor is involved in many cellular processes, including development, reprogramming, maintaining pluripotency and differentiation. Synthetic OCT4 mRNA was recently used (in conjunction with other reprogramming factors) to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells. Here, we discovered that BAY 11-7082 (BAY11), at least partially through an NF-κB-inhibition based mechanism, could significantly increase the expression of OCT4 following transfection of synthetic mRNA (synRNA) into adult human skin cells.

Methods

We tested various chemical and molecular small molecules on their ability to suppress the innate immune response seen upon synthetic mRNA transfection. Three molecules - B18R, BX795, and BAY11 - were used in immunocytochemical and proliferation-based assays. We also utilized global transcriptional meta-analysis coupled with quantitative PCR to identify relative gene expression downstream of OCT4.

Results

We found that human skin cells cultured in the presence of BAY11 resulted in reproducible increased expression of OCT4 that did not inhibit normal cell proliferation. The increased levels of OCT4 resulted in significantly increased expression of genes downstream of OCT4, including the previously identified SPP1, DUSP4 and GADD45G, suggesting the expressed OCT4 was functional. We also discovered a novel OCT4 putative downstream target gene SLC16A9 which demonstrated significantly increased expression following elevation of OCT4 levels.

Conclusions

For the first time we have shown that small molecule-based stabilization of synthetic mRNA expression can be achieved with use of BAY11. This small molecule-based inhibition of innate immune responses and subsequent robust expression of transfected synthetic mRNAs may have multiple applications for future cell-based research and therapeutics.
Unconventional Geophysics Spring Symposium to honor Challenge Bowl founder
Authors: Bear Glenn
Published: February 2013

The 2013 GSH-SEG Spring Symposium, held 5–6 March in Houston, will offer a new format along with its tradition of honoring accomplished geophysicists. For many years, the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) has organized a two-day Spring Symposium in collaboration with SEG. It has been our practice to use the Spring Symposium to honor a particularly noteworthy geophysicist, and to build a technical program around the interests and contributions of our special guest. Past honorees have included Tury Taner (2007), John Sherwood (2008), Frank Levin (2009), Sven Treitel and Enders Robinson (2010), Jon Claerbout (2011), and Bob Sheriff (2012). As you can see, we set our standards high when choosing an honoree.
At the leading edge of three-dimensional cell migration
Authors: Petrie Ryan J. , Yamada Kenneth M.
Published: February 2013

Cells migrating on flat two-dimensional (2D) surfaces use actin polymerization to extend the leading edge of the plasma membrane during lamellipodia-based migration. This mode of migration is not universal; it represents only one of several mechanisms of cell motility in three-dimensional (3D) environments. The distinct modes of 3D migration are strongly dependent on the physical properties of the extracellular matrix, and they can be distinguished by the structure of the leading edge and the degree of matrix adhesion. How are these distinct modes of cell motility in 3D environments related to each other and regulated? Recent studies show that the same type of cell migrating in 3D extracellular matrix can switch between different leading edge structures. This mode-switching behavior, or plasticity, by a single cell suggests that the apparent diversity of motility mechanisms is integrated by a common intracellular signaling pathway that governs the mode of cell migration. In this Commentary, we propose that the mode of 3D cell migration is governed by a signaling axis involving cell–matrix adhesions, RhoA signaling and actomyosin contractility, and that this might represent a universal mechanism that controls 3D cell migration.