bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Matricellular Proteins in Cardiac Adaptation and Disease
Authors: Frangogiannis Nikolaos G.
Published: April 2012

The term matricellular proteins describes a family of structurally unrelated extracellular macromolecules that, unlike structural matrix proteins, do not play a primary role in tissue architecture, but are induced following injury and modulate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. When released to the matrix, matricellular proteins associate with growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive effectors and bind to cell surface receptors transducing signaling cascades. Matricellular proteins are upregulated in the injured and remodeling heart and play an important role in regulation of inflammatory, reparative, fibrotic and angiogenic pathways. Thrombospondin (TSP)-1, -2, and -4 as well as tenascin-C and -X secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), osteopontin, periostin, and members of the CCN family (including CCN1 and CCN2/connective tissue growth factor) are involved in a variety of cardiac pathophysiological conditions, including myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, aging-associated myocardial remodeling, myocarditis, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and valvular disease. This review discusses the properties and characteristics of the matricellular proteins and presents our current knowledge on their role in cardiac adaptation and disease. Understanding the role of matricellular proteins in myocardial pathophysiology and identification of the functional domains responsible for their actions may lead to design of peptides with therapeutic potential for patients with heart disease.
Factors Associated with Late Presentation of HIV and Estimation of Antiretroviral Treatment Need according to CD4 Lymphocyte Count in a Resource-Limited Setting: Data from an HIV Cohort Study in India
Authors: Alvarez-Uria Gerardo , Midde Manoranjan , Pakam Raghavakalyan , Kannan Shanmugamari , Bachu Lakshminarayana , Naik Praveen Kumar
Published: April 2012

We describe the CD4 lymphocyte count at HIV presentation in an HIV cohort from a rural district of India. The majority of patients were diagnosed for their HIV-related symptoms, although a sizeable proportion of women were diagnosed because of antenatal screening or for having an HIV-positive partner. Patients diagnosed of HIV for antenatal screening or having an HIV-positive sexual partner had higher CD4 lymphocyte count than patients having tuberculosis or HIV-related symptoms. The proportion of patients diagnosed with CD4 count <200 and <350 cells/mm3were 46% and 68.7%, respectively, and these figures did not change during the five years of the study. Factors associated with late presentations were male sex, older age, not having a permanent house, and, in women, lower education and being a widow or separated. With the implementation of 2010 WHO guidelines, the number of newly diagnosed patients who will require HIV treatment will increase 13.8%. If the CD4 count threshold for initiating HIV treatment is increased from 350 to 500 cells/mm3, the number of patients in need of treatment would increase 15.7%. Therefore, new strategies for avoiding HIV late presentation are urgently needed in developing countries.
Protein Interactions Investigated by the Raman Spectroscopy for Biosensor Applications
Authors: Kengne-Momo R. P. , Daniel Ph. , Lagarde F. , Jeyachandran Y. L. , Pilard J. F. , Durand-Thouand M. J. , Thouand G.
Published: April 2012

Interaction and surface binding characteristics of staphylococcal protein A (SpA) and an anti-Escherichia coliimmunoglobulin G (IgG) were studied using the Raman spectroscopy. The tyrosine amino acid residues present in theα-helix structure of SpA were found to be involved in interaction with IgG. In bulk interaction condition the native structure of proteins was almost preserved where interaction-related changes were observed in the overall secondary structure (α-helix) of SpA. In the adsorbed state, the protein structure was largely modified, which allowed the identification of tyrosine amino acids involved in SpA and IgG interaction. This study constitutes a direct Raman spectroscopic investigation of SpA and IgG (receptor-antibody) interaction mechanism in the goal of a future biosensor application for detection of pathogenic microorganisms.
1D and 2D Numerical Modeling for Solving Dam‐Break Flow Problems Using Finite Volume Method
Authors: Peng Szu-Hsien
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study is to model the flow movement in an idealized dam‐break configuration. One‐dimensional and two‐dimensional motion of a shallow flow over a rigid inclined bed is considered. The resulting shallow water equations are solved by finite volumes using the Roe and HLL schemes. At first, the one‐dimensional model is considered in the development process. With conservative finite volume method, splitting is applied to manage the combination of hyperbolic term and source term of the shallow water equation and then to promote 1D to 2D. The simulations are validated by the comparison with flume experiments. Unsteady dam‐break flow movement is found to be reasonably well captured by the model. The proposed concept could be further developed to the numerical calculation of non‐Newtonian fluid or multilayers fluid flow.
In VivoInflammation Does Not Impair ABCA1-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux Capacity of HDL
Authors: Franssen Remco , Schimmel Alinda W. M. , van Leuven Sander I. , Wolfkamp Simone C. S. , Stroes Erik S. G. , Dallinga-Thie Geesje M.
Published: April 2012

HDL provides atheroprotection by facilitating cholesterol efflex from lipid-laden macrophages in the vessel wall. In vitro studies have suggested impaired efflux capacity of HDL following inflammatory changes. We assessed the impact of acute severe sepsis and mild chronic inflammatory disease on the efflux capacity of HDL. We hypothesize that a more severe inflammatory state leads to stronger impaired cholesterol efflux capacity. Using lipid-laden THP1 cells and fibroblasts we were able to show that efflux capacity of HDL from both patients with severe sepsis or with Crohn's disease (active or in remission), either isolated using density gradient ultracentrifugation or using apoB precipitation, was not impaired. Yet plasma levels of HDL cholesterol and apoA-I were markedly lower in patients with sepsis. Based on the current observations we conclude that inflammatory disease does not interfere with the capacity of HDL to mediate cholesterol efflux. Our findings do not lend support to the biological relevance of HDL function changesin vitro.
Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblasts on Lithium-Hydroxyapatite Composites
Authors: Shainberg Ana Paula M. , Valério Patrícia , Zonari Alessandra , Oktar Faik N. , Ozyegin Lutfiye S. , Graça Manuel Pedro F. , Leite Maria F. , Goes Alfredo M.
Published: April 2012

The biocompatibility and bioactivity properties of hydroxyapatites (HAs) modified through lithium addition were investigated. Hydroxyapatites obtained from bovine bone were mixed with lithium carbonate (Li), in the proportions of 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00% wt, and sintered at 900°, 1000°, 1100°, 1200°, and 1300°C, creating LiHA samples. The osteoblast culture behavior was assessed in the presence of these LiHA compositions. The cellular interactions were analyzed by evaluating the viability and cellular proliferation, ALP production and collagen secretion. The cytotoxic potential was investigated through measurement of apoptosis and necrosis induction. The process of cellular attachment in the presence of the product of dissolution of LiHA, was evaluated trough fluorescence analysis. The physical characteristics of these materials and their cellular interactions were examined with SEM and EDS. The results of this study indicate that the LiHA ceramics are biocompatible and have variable bioactivities, which can be tailored by different combinations of the concentration of lithium carbonate and the sintering temperature. Our findings suggest that LiHA 0.25% wt, sintered at 1300°C, combines the necessary physical and structural qualities with favorable biocompatibility characteristics, achieving a bioactivity that seems to be adequate for use as a bone implant material.
Performance Analysis of Ultra‐Wideband Channel for Short‐Range Monopulse Radar at Ka‐Band
Authors: Iwakiri Naohiko , Hashimoto Natsuki , Kobayashi Takehiko
Published: April 2012

High‐range resolution is inherently provided with Ka‐band ultra‐wideband (UWB) vehicular radars. The authors have developed a prototype UWB monopulse radar equipped with a two‐element receiving antenna array and reported its measurement results. In this paper, a more detailed verification using these measurements is presented. The measurements were analyzed employing matched filtering and eigendecomposition, and then multipath components were extracted to examine the behavior of received UWB monopulse signals. Next, conventional direction finding algorithms based on narrowband assumption were evaluated using the extracted multipath components, resulting in acceptable angle‐of‐arrival (AOA) from the UWB monopulse signal regardless of wideband signals. Performance degradation due to a number of averaging the received monopulses was also examined to design suitable radar′s waveforms.
Nanoparticles in Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Smith Leon , Kuncic Zdenka , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Kumar Shailesh
Published: April 2012

Nanoparticle contrast agents offer the potential to significantly improve existing methods of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Advantages include biocompatibility, selective accumulation in tumor cells, and reduced toxicity. Considerable research is underway into the use of nanoparticles as enhancement agents for radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy, where they may be used to deliver treatment agents, produce localized enhancements in radiation dose and selectively target tumor cells for localized damage. This paper reviews the current status of nanoparticles for cancer treatment and presents preliminary results of a pilot study investigating titanium dioxide nanoparticles for dual‐mode enhancement of computed tomography (CT) imaging and kilovoltage radiation therapy. Although titanium dioxide produced noticeable image contrast enhancement in the CT scans, more sensitive detectors are needed to determine whether the nanoparticles can also produce localized dose enhancement for targeted radiation therapy.
Anchor-Node-Based Distributed Localization with Error Correction in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Shon Minhan , Kim Mihui , Kim Dongsoo S. , Choo Hyunseung
Published: April 2012

This paper proposes a scheme to enhance localization in terms of accuracy and transmission overhead in wireless sensor networks. This scheme starts from a basic anchor-node-based distributed localization (ADL) using grid scan with the information of anchor nodes within two-hop distance. Even though the localization accuracy of ADL is higher than that of previous schemes (e.g., DRLS), estimation error can be propagated when the ratio of anchor nodes is low. Thus, after each normal node estimates the initial position with ADL, it checks whether the position needs to be corrected because of the insufficient anchors within two-hop distance, that is, the node is in sparse anchor area. If correction needs, the initial position is repositioned using hop progress by the information of anchor nodes located several hops away so that error propagation is reduced (REP); the hop progress is an estimated hop distance using probability based on the density of sensor nodes. Results via in-depth simulation show that ADL has about 12% higher localization accuracy and about 10% lower message transmission cost than DRLS. In addition, the localization accuracy of ADL with REP is about 30% higher than that of DRLS, even though message transmission cost is increased.
Induction of the RNA Regulator LIN28A Is Required for the Growth and Pathogenesis of RESTless Breast Tumors
Authors: Gunsalus Kearney T.W. , Wagoner Matthew P. , Meyer Kassondra , Potter Wyatt B. , Schoenike Barry , Kim Soyoung , Alexander Caroline M. , Friedl Andreas , Roopra Avtar
Published: April 2012

The transcription factor RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is lost in approximately 20% of breast cancers. Although it is known that these RESTless tumors are highly aggressive and include all tumor subtypes, the underlying tumorigenic mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we show that loss of REST results in upregulation of LIN28A, a known promoter of tumor development, in breast cancer cell lines and human breast tumors. We found that LIN28A was a direct transcriptional target of REST in cancer cells and that loss of REST resulted in increased LIN28A expression and enhanced tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, effects that were dependent on heightened LIN28A expression. Tumors lacking REST expression were locally invasive, consistent with the increased lymph node involvement observed in human RESTless tumors. Clinically, human RESTless breast tumors also displayed significantly enhanced LIN28A expression when compared with non-RESTless tumors. Our findings therefore show a critical role for the REST-LIN28A axis in tumor aggression and suggest a causative relationship between REST loss and tumorigenicity in vivo. Cancer Res; 72(13); 3207–16. ©2012 AACR.
Inhibition of ATR-Dependent Signaling by Protoapigenone and Its Derivative Sensitizes Cancer Cells to Interstrand Cross-link–Generating Agents In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wang Hui-Chun , Lee Alan Yueh-Luen , Chou Wen-Cheng , Wu Chin-Chung , Tseng Chao-Neng , Liu Kevin Yen-Ting , Lin Wen-Lien , Chang Fang-Rong , Chuang Da-Wei , Hunyadi Attila , Wu Yang-Chang
Published: April 2012

DNA damage caused during cancer treatment can rapidly activate the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad3-related (ATR)-dependent phosphorylation of Chk2 and Chk1 kinases, which are hallmarks of the DNA damage response (DDR). Pharmacologic inhibition of ATR causes a synthetic lethal effect on ATM- or p53-defective cancers, suggesting that such inhibition is an effective way to improve the sensitivity of cancers to DNA-damaging agents. Here, both the natural compound protoapigenone (WYC02) and its synthetic derivative WYC0209 exhibited cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines. WYC02 causes chromosomal aberration in the mitotic spreads of Chinese hamster ovary cells. Interestingly, cancer cells did not exhibit typical DDR markers upon exposure to WYC02 and WYC0209 (WYCs). Further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of WYCs function revealed that they have a potential ability to inhibit DDR, particularly on activation of Chk1 and Fanconi anemia group D2 protein (FANCD2), but not Chk2. In this way, WYCs inhibited ATR-mediated DNA damage checkpoint and repair. Furthermore, when combined with the DNA cross-linking agent cisplatin, treatment with WYCs resulted in increased tumor sensitivity to interstrand cross-link–generating agents both in vitro and in vivo. Our results therefore especially implicate WYCs in enhancing tumor chemosensitivity when the ATR checkpoint is constitutively active in states of oncogene-driven replicative stress or tolerance to DNA-interfering agents. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(7); 1443–53. ©2012 AACR.
Basal-like Breast Cancer Cells Induce Phenotypic and Genomic Changes in Macrophages
Authors: Stewart Delisha A. , Yang Yinmeng , Makowski Liza , Troester Melissa A.
Published: April 2012

Basal-like breast cancer (BBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that has no biologically targeted therapy. The interactions of BBCs with stromal cells are important determinants of tumor biology, with inflammatory cells playing well-recognized roles in cancer progression. Despite the fact that macrophage–BBC communication is bidirectional, important questions remain about how BBCs affect adjacent immune cells. This study investigated monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and polarization and gene expression in response to coculture with basal-like versus luminal breast cancer cells. Changes induced by coculture were compared with changes observed under classical differentiation and polarization conditions. Monocytes (THP-1 cells) exposed to BBC cells in coculture had altered gene expression with upregulation of both M1 and M2 macrophage markers. Two sets of M1 and M2 markers were selected from the PCR profiles and used for dual immunofluorescent staining of BBC versus luminal cocultured THP-1s, and cancer-adjacent, benign tissue sections from patients diagnosed with BBCs or luminal breast cancer, confirming the differential expression patterns. Relative to luminal breast cancers, BBCs also increased differentiation of monocytes to macrophages and stimulated macrophage migration. Consistent with these changes in cellular phenotype, a distinct pattern of cytokine secretion was evident in macrophage–BBC cocultures, including upregulation of NAP-2, osteoprotegerin, MIG, MCP-1, MCP-3, and interleukin (IL)-1β. Application of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) to cocultures attenuated BBC-induced macrophage migration. These data contribute to an understanding of the BBC-mediated activation of the stromal immune response, implicating specific cytokines that are differentially expressed in basal-like microenvironments and suggesting plausible targets for modulating immune responses to BBCs. Mol Cancer Res; 10(6); 727–38. ©2012 AACR.
Periventricular Demyelination and Axonal Pathology Is Associated with Subependymal Virus Spread in a Murine Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Kummerfeld Maren , Seehusen Frauke , Klein Stephanie , Ulrich Reiner , Kreutzer Robert , Gerhauser Ingo , Herder Vanessa , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Beineke Andreas
Published: April 2012

Objectives: Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection of mice is a widely used animal model for demyelinating disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present study was to identify topographical differences of TMEV spread and demyelination in the brain of experimentally infected susceptible SJL/J mice and resistant C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Demyelination was confirmed by Luxol fast blue and cresyl violet staining and axonal damage by neurofilament-specific and β-amyloid precursor protein-specific immunohistochemistry. Viral dissemination within the central nervous system (CNS) was quantified by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Further, the phenotype of infected cells was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: An early transient infection of periventricular cells followed by demyelination and axonopathies around the fourth ventricle in SJL/J mice was noticed. Periventricular and brain stem demyelination was associated with a predominant infection of microglia/macrophages and oligodendrocytes. Conclusions: Summarized, the demonstration of ependymal infection and subjacent spread into the brain parenchyma as well as regional virus clearance despite ongoing demyelination and axonal damage in other CNS compartments allows new insights into TME pathogenesis. This novel aspect of TMEV CNS interaction will enhance the understanding of region-specific susceptibilities to injury and regenerative capacities of the brain in this MS model.
Outcomes following Robotic Radical Nephrectomy: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Dogra Prem Nath , Abrol Nitin , Singh Prabhjot , Gupta Narmada P.
Published: April 2012

Objectives: Advancement in technology has led to a decrease in invasiveness for surgical management of malignant renal neoplasms. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is an established treatment for renal tumors. Since the introduction of robotic surgery in the realm of urology, many procedures have been done robotically. We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and oncological outcomes of robotic radical nephrectomy (RRN). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent RRN for renal tumors at our institute from September 2007 to March 2011. Patients with standard indications for a radical nephrectomy were offered a robot-assisted procedure. Intraoperative parameters (operative time, blood loss, transfusion of blood products), postoperative parameters and complications were recorded. Results: Twenty-three patients who underwent RRN were included. Mean operative time was 132.7 min and mean blood loss 270 ml. The majority of patients were able to tolerate liquid diet, were free from drain, and were fit for discharge by postoperative day (POD) 1, POD 2 and POD 3, respectively. After the mean follow-up of 29.4 months, no patient had residual tumor, local recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: We conclude that RRN is a feasible and safe procedure with good oncological outcome on short-term follow-up.
Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Different Risk Groups: Thirty Years after the Onset of HIV
Authors: Reinheimer Claudia , Doerr Hans W.
Published: April 2012

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) is a sexually transmitted disease causing a lifelong persisting infection. Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of anti-HSV2-IgG in a German collective. We evaluate the German serological status, point out trends in the chronological spread of HSV2 infection, and position our findings in a global context. Methods: Serum samples from 29,694 patients at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany, were screened for anti-HSV2-IgG using ELISA. We evaluated five defined groups containing patients from the departments of pediatrics (PED), gynecology (GYN), dermatology (DER), psychiatrics (PSY) and patients suffering from HIV/AIDS (HIV). Results: We retrospectively evaluated an overall seropositivity to anti-HSV2-IgG of 13.6% (95% CI 13.1–14.1), with a significantly higher level in females (15.9%, 95% CI 15.4–16.5) than in males (11.4%, 95% CI 10.9–11.9). The highest seroprevalence was detected in HIV (34.7%, 95% CI 30.3–39.3). The lowest rate was observed in PED (9.9%, 95% CI 9.4–10.6) with an estimated number of 18 infections at delivery between 1/1/2000 and 1/1/2011. Conclusions: HSV2 infections are widespread in Germany with a tremendous health risk for newborns. Therefore, the public’s perception of HSV2 should be strengthened and protected sexual intercourse should be propagated.
Medial Prefrontal Cortex Activity during the Extinction of Conditioned Fear: An Investigation Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Guhn Anne , Dresler Thomas , Hahn Tim , Mühlberger Andreas , Ströhle Andreas , Deckert Jürgen , Herrmann Martin J.
Published: April 2012

The majority of fear conditioning studies in humans have focused on fear acquisition rather than fear extinction. For this reason only a few functional imaging studies on fear extinction are available. A large number of animal studies indicate the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) as neuronal substrate of extinction. We therefore determined mPFC contribution during extinction learning after a discriminative fear conditioning in 34 healthy human subjects by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. During the extinction training, a previously conditioned neutral face (conditioned stimulus, CS+) no longer predicted an aversive scream (unconditioned stimulus, UCS). Considering differential valence and arousal ratings as well as skin conductance responses during the acquisition phase, we found a CS+ related increase in oxygenated haemoglobin concentration changes within the mPFC over the time course of extinction. Late CS+ trials further revealed higher activation than CS– trials in a cluster of probe set channels covering the mPFC. These results are in line with previous findings on extinction and further emphasize the mPFC as significant for associative learning processes. During extinction, the diminished fear association between a former CS+ and a UCS is inversely correlated with mPFC activity – a process presumably dysfunctional in anxiety disorders.
Leukoaraiosis Predicts Poor 90-Day Outcome after Acute Large Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Authors: Henninger Nils , Lin Eugene , Baker Stephen P. , Wakhloo Ajay K. , Takhtani Deepak , Moonis Majaz
Published: April 2012

Background: To date limited information regarding outcome-modifying factors in patients with acute intracranial large artery occlusion (ILAO) in the anterior circulation is available. Leukoaraiosis (LA) is a common finding among patients with ischemic stroke and has been associated with poor post-stroke outcomes but its association with ILAO remains poorly characterized. This study sought to clarify the contribution of baseline LA and other common risk factors to 90-day outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS) after stroke due to acute anterior circulation ILAO. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,153 consecutive patients with imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke during a 4-year period (2007–2010) at a single academic institution. The final study cohort included 87 patients with acute ILAO subjected to multimodal CT imaging within 24 h of symptom onset. LA severity was assessed using the van Swieten scale on non-contrast CT. Leptomeningeal collaterals were graded using CT angiogram source images. Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) was determined on follow-up CT. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for HT, treatment modality, demographic, as well as baseline clinical and imaging characteristics was used to identify independent predictors of a poor outcome (90-day mRS >2). Results: The median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline was 15 (interquartile range 9–21). Twenty-four percent of the studied patients had severe LA. They were more likely to have hypertension (p = 0.028), coronary artery disease (p = 0.015), poor collaterals (p < 0.001), higher baseline NIHSS (p = 0.003), higher mRS at 90 days (p < 0.001), and were older (p = 0.002). Patients with severe LA had a uniformly poor outcome (p < 0.001) irrespective of treatment modality. Poor outcome was independently associated with higher baseline NIHSS (p < 0.001), worse LA (graded and dichotomized, p < 0.001), reduced leptomeningeal collaterals (graded and dichotomized, p < 0.001), presence of HT (p < 0.001), presence of parenchymal hemorrhages (p = 0.01), baseline mRS (p = 0.002), and older age (p = 0.043). The association between severe LA (p = 0.0056; OR 13.86; 95% CI 1.94–∞) and baseline NIHSS (p = 0.0001; OR 5.11; 95% CI 2.07–14.49 for each 10-point increase) with poor outcome maintained after adjustment for confounders in the final regression model. In this model, there was no significant association between presence of HT and poor outcome (p = 0.0572). Conclusion: Coexisting LA may predict poor functional outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation ILAO independent of other known important outcome predictors such as comorbid state, admission functional deficit, collateral status, hemorrhagic conversion, and treatment modality.
Molecular Diagnosis and Species Identification of Mucosal Leishmaniasis in Iran and Correlation with Cytological Findings
Authors: Shirian Sadegh , Oryan Ahmad , Hatam Gholam-Reza , Daneshbod Khosrow , Daneshbod Yahya
Published: April 2012

Objective: Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) is a rare destructive disease that mainly affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. The etiologic agent(s) of ML are not well known in the Middle East. Study Design: Cytologic smears of ML from the mucosal lesions of 7 patients were prepared by scraping. In 2 patients with nasal lesions, exfoliative cytology was made by washing the nasal cavity. The smears were both air dried and fixed in alcohol and stained. Scrapings from the same smears were then tested for leishmanial DNA by nested PCR. Results: This study characterized 9 isolates of ML, with 7 cases identified as Leishmania major and 2 as Leishmania tropica. While 6 patients were found to be positive by the cytology technique, the nested PCR was positive for all of these samples. Conclusions: Presence of granuloma and multinucleated giant cells in the negative smears of the patients who showed clinical manifestation of ML was an important clue for diagnosis of this disease. The PCR-based method not only appears to be a precise diagnostic approach in the identification of suspected cases of ML but is also efficient in determining the species of the parasite. L. major and L. tropica can lead to ML, but they result in different cytologic features.
Digital PCR for Noninvasive Detection of Aneuploidy: Power Analysis Equations for Feasibility
Authors: Evans Mark I. , Wright David A. , Pergament Eugene , Cuckle Howard S. , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: April 2012

Objective: To determine the feasibility of digital PCR analysis for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21. Methods: Through power equations, we modeled the number of wells necessary to determine the feasibility of digital PCR as a practical method for trisomy 21 risk assessment. Results: The number of wells needed is a direct correlate of the ability to isolate free fetal DNA. If a 20% fetal DNA enhancement can be achieved, then 2,609 counts would be sufficient to achieve a 99% detection rate for a 1% false-positive rate and potentially feasible with readily available plates. However, if only a 2% increase is seen, then 220,816 counts will be necessary, and over 110,000 would be needed just to achieve 95% for a 5% false-positive rate – both far beyond current commercially available technology. Conclusion: There are several noninvasive prenatal diagnostic methods which may reach commercialization; all have differing potential advantages and disadvantages. Digital PCR is potentially a cheaper methodology for trisomy 21, but it is too early to determine the optimal method.
The Emerging Role of Peptides and Lipids as Antimicrobial Epidermal Barriers and Modulators of Local Inflammation
Authors: Brogden N.K. , Mehalick L. , Fischer C.L. , Wertz P.W. , Brogden K.A.
Published: April 2012

Skin is complex and comprised of distinct layers, each layer with unique architecture and immunologic functions. Cells within these layers produce differing amounts of antimicrobial peptides and lipids (sphingoid bases and sebaceous fatty acids) that limit colonization of commensal and opportunistic microorganisms. Furthermore, antimicrobial peptides and lipids have distinct, concentration-dependent ancillary innate and adaptive immune functions. At 0.1–2.0 µM, antimicrobial peptides induce cell migration and adaptive immune responses to coadministered antigens. At 2.0–6.0 µM, they induce cell proliferation and enhance wound healing. At 6.0–12.0 µM, they can regulate chemokine and cytokine production and at their highest concentrations of 15.0–30.0 µM, antimicrobial peptides can be cytotoxic. At 1–100 nM, lipids enhance cell migration induced by chemokines, suppress apoptosis, and optimize T cell cytotoxicity, and at 0.3–1.0 µM they inhibit cell migration and attenuate chemokine and pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. Recently, many antimicrobial peptides and lipids at 0.1–2.0 µM have been found to attenuate the production of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines to microbial antigens. Together, both the antimicrobial and the anti-inflammatory activities of these peptides and lipids may serve to create a strong, overlapping immunologic barrier that not only controls the concentrations of cutaneous commensal flora but also the extent to which they induce a localized inflammatory response.
Severe Obesity: The Neglected Epidemic
Authors: Kral John G. , Kava Ruth A. , Catalano Patrick M. , Moore Barbara J.
Published: April 2012

Severe obesity (SO) is increasing faster than obesity in adults and in children. Because it is associated with numerous comorbidities, SO accounts for more health care expenditures than any other medical condition. Furthermore, it is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes for mother, fetus, and infant and a high risk of offspring obesity carried into adulthood. Bariatric surgery is the treatment of choice for SO because nonoperative methods fail to provide medically significant durable weight loss and because it is both preventive and therapeutic. The number of operations has sharply increased globally, yet only a small fraction of eligible patients are referred for surgical treatment demonstrating the need for improved access, especially for those disproportionately affected by SO. The risks of surgery mandate careful postoperative long-term multidisciplinary follow-up care. Education is critical for truly informed consent and must continue postoperatively, especially for women with reproductive potential. Even so, surgical treatment of SO remains cost-effective compared to conventional nonoperative treatment, which also requires long-term care. Just as obesity affects all medical disciplines (from allergology and immunology to oncology, urology and women’s health), so does postoperative management of bariatric surgery patients. We offer wide-ranging recommendations for policymakers and others to consider in addressing SO.
Effect of Beta Shear on Simulated Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Fang Juan , Zhang Fuqing
Published: April 2012

Through cloud-resolving simulations, this study examines the effect of β on the evolution of tropical cyclones (TCs). It is found that the TC simulated on a β plane with variable Coriolis parameter f is weaker in intensity but larger in size and strength than the TC simulated on an f plane with constant f. Such differences result mainly from the effect of the β shear rather than from the variation of f due to the latitudinal change of the TC position, as illustrated in a three-stage conceptual model developed herein. The first stage begins with the establishment of the β shear and the emergence of asymmetries as the TC intensifies. The β shear peaks in value during the second stage that subsequently leads to the formation of an extensive stratiform region outside of the primary eyewall. The evaporative cooling associated with the stratiform precipitation acts to sharpen the low-level equivalent potential temperature gradient into a frontlike zone outside of the eyewall region, which leads to the burst of convection outside of the primary eyewall. The third stage is characterized by a weakening β shear and the corresponding TC vortex axisymmetrization and expansion. The convection on the inner edge of the stratiform region becomes more organized in the azimuthal direction and eventually causes the TC structure to evolve in a manner similar to the secondary eyewall formation and eyewall replacement usually observed in TCs. It is the active convection outside of the primary eyewall that contributes to a relatively weaker but larger TC on the β plane than that on the f plane.
Board Certification in Counseling Psychology
Authors: Crowley Susan L. , Lichtenberg James W. , Pollard Jeffrey W.
Published: April 2012

Although specialty board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) has been a valued standard for decades, the vast majority of counseling psychologists do not pursue board certification in the specialty. The present article provides a brief history of board certification in general and some historical information about the history of board certification in counseling psychology specifically. In addition, information about the examination process and some of the advantages of board certification for individuals as well as for the field of counseling psychology are provided. It is the authors’ hope that the information provided will invite counseling psychologists across settings to (re)consider becoming board certified.
Evaluation of Harsh Reality: A sexual health print-based resource for street-involved youth
Authors: Jalloh Chelsea , McMillan Barbara , Ormond Margaret , Casey Catherine , Wylie John L
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

Street-involved youth are one of the populations most at risk for elevated rates of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections. This paper evaluates the suitability and success of a resource focused on health education with a population of street-involved youth in Winnipeg, Canada.

Method:

Using a mixed method approach, quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analysed. Surveys involving both structured and semi-structured questions were administered orally to 100 participants. Three gender-stratified focus groups (total of 23 participants) were also conducted. Focus groups were recorded and subsequently transcribed. Empirical data was used to calculate frequency distributions, supported by a general inductive analysis of qualitative data.

Results:

From the interview and focus group data, the majority of participants had a very positive perception of the resource. However, in terms of specific knowledge uptake, participants displayed a lack of recall of the specific items measured in the evaluation, such as local HIV testing facilities, types of HIV tests available and specific information pertaining to recent research conducted in Manitoba with street-involved populations.

Conclusion:

Both passive distribution of the resource through service-providing institutions and active distribution in the street were effective approaches for exposing a wide range of street-involved youth to the resource. Poor recall of specific knowledge objectives suggests alternate methods of presenting key fact-based information are necessary to increase resource efficiency. Articles must be created at an appropriate reading level for the street-involved population to improve reader engagement. The ability for the target population to identify that the resource is grounded in language, art, interests and lived-experiences of the street-involved youth was well-received and facilitated interest in looking through the resource and credibility of information.
Contemporary Collective Regulation and Working Women in New Zealand
Authors: Parker Jane , Nemani Maritino , Arrowsmith James , Bhowmick Sanjay
Published: April 2012

Women’s labour force participation in New Zealand is one of the highest in the developed world. Yet women remain over-represented and segregated within certain sectors and occupations, with implications for the gender pay gap and their location in vulnerable employment. This article examines the nature and impacts of recent collective regulatory forms of particular relevance to working women. Drawing on interview and documentary evidence, it finds that formal employment relations regulation has ‘thinned’ and, all things being equal, looks unlikely to significantly ameliorate women’s work and wider circumstances. The article evaluates how collective regulation might be reconceptualized and extended to this broad end.
Tracking Pay Equity: The Impact of Regulatory Change on the Dissemination and Sustainability of Equal Remuneration Decisions
Authors: Connolly Julie , Rooney Tricia , Whitehouse Gillian
Published: April 2012

While considerable attention has been paid to gains made in successful pay equity cases, there has been limited analysis of compliance with decisions and the maintenance of relative wage increases. This article examines the dissemination and sustainability of wage gains won under the auspices of Queensland’s ‘equal remuneration principle’ for dental assistants and childcare workers in 2005 and 2006, respectively, in the context of subsequent changes to the industrial relations framework in Australia. It shows that while increases were initially disseminated effectively, albeit with some differences across jurisdictions in the context of Work Choices, longer-term maintenance is at risk with the full translation of these groups into the federal system under the Fair Work Act. Our analysis underlines the importance of forms of collectivism within the industrial relations system, which facilitated the determination and dissemination of wage gains in spite of low levels of unionization and the absence of direct action among these award-reliant groups. However, we argue that this collectivism was insufficient to ensure the sustainability of equal remuneration gains in the face of jurisdictional changes and that the capacity for the types of collectivism supportive of pay equity under Modern Awards is yet to be determined.
Using the GLIMMIX Procedure in SAS 9.3 to Fit a Standard Dichotomous Rasch and Hierarchical 1-PL IRT Model
Authors: Black Ryan A. , Butler Stephen F.
Published: April 2012

Although Rasch models have been shown to be a sound methodological approach to develop and validate measures of psychological constructs for more than 50 years, they remain underutilized in psychology and other social sciences. Until recently, one reason for this underutilization was the lack of syntactically simple procedures to fit Rasch and item response theory (IRT) models in general statistical software packages. In this article, the authors demonstrate how to fit the standard dichotomous Rasch model and a dichotomous one-parameter logistic IRT model with nested random effects via the easy-to-use GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.3. For comparison purposes, the standard dichotomous Rasch model was also fit using the Rasch specialized software, WINSTEPS 3.68.2. The SAS code used to simulate the data on which the Rasch model was fit is provided to allow replication of estimates. Findings suggest that the GLIMMIX procedure may be a viable option for fitting the standard dichotomous Rasch and dichotomous IRT models.
Promoting sustainable development: The role of entrepreneurship education
Authors: Lourenço Fernando , Jones Oswald , Jayawarna Dilani
Published: April 2012

A new educational approach to sustainable development is emerging in the entrepreneurship literature. However, because business schools encourage a ‘profit-first mentality’, critics question their ability to deliver sustainability-related education programmes. This article adapts the theory of planned behaviour to examine attitudes to an entrepreneurial form of sustainability education. The relationship between nascent entrepreneurs’ intentions to exploit learning and the extent of a profit-first mentality is examined. The study utilises data from 257 nascent entrepreneurs participating in a business start-up programme. Structural equation modelling is used to test a series of hypotheses which examine links between sustainability education and nascent entrepreneurs’ attitudes. The results indicate a strong relationship between perception of learning benefits and intentions of nascent entrepreneurs to exploit those benefits. Although a profit-first mentality is negatively related to perceptions of benefit, learning itself is not affected. The results have implications for research, policy and the practice of entrepreneurship education.
Globalization, Consumer Tensions, and the Shaping of Consumer Culture in India
Authors: Eckhardt Giana M. , Mahi Humaira
Published: April 2012

The authors examine consumer tensions arising in India’s transitional marketplace. These findings uncover cultural characteristics underlying consumption strategies to address these tensions: the danger and immorality of consumption, the distance and inaccessibility of many newly available products, and the desire for sociality and relationships via consumption. Consumer desires sometimes are in opposition to and sometimes in line with local cultural values and norms such as the frugality ideal and Indian rituals and beliefs. The authors present a typology of resistance strategies, discuss how these impact marketplace transitions, and outline implications for macromarketing. This work enhances the conceptualization of how consumers negotiate tensions as marketplaces globalize and demonstrates how consumers can create their own discourses in this process that in turn can shape the marketplace.
The Static-99R
Authors: Looman Jan , Abracen Jeffrey
Published: April 2012

A sample of 348 high-risk sexual offenders was divided into two groups based on the level of preselection (detained, n = 211, and nondetained, n = 137) and the groups were compared on a number of measures which were related to dynamic risk. The hypothesis was that the detained group would score as being higher need on these instruments than the nondetained group. This hypothesis was supported with the detained group reporting greater levels of hostility, cognitive distortions supportive of offending, sexual obsessions, and sexually deviant behaviours. They also scored as being less assertive and as having a more extensive psychiatric history. These findings were interpreted as being supportive of the assertion that the new Static-99R normative groups are related to preselection based on the differences on dynamic factors.
Postictal Psychosis in a 3-Year-Old Child
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Marawar Rohit , Ritaccio Anthony
Published: April 2012

A case of a 3½-year-old with clinical and correlated electroencephalographic (EEG) features of postictal psychosis is described. The clinical course and sequence of EEG changes parallel the evolution of changes well described in the adult population. Although well established and defined in the adults, postictal psychosis is rarely characterized and diagnosed in the pediatric population. The true incidence of postictal psychosis in children may be underestimated because of lack of awareness as well as biological differences in presentation of clinical symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported case of postictal psychosis in the pediatric population.
Synaptogenesis in the Fetal Corpus Striatum, Globus Pallidus, and Substantia Nigra
Authors: Sarnat Harvey B. , Auer Roland N. , Flores-Sarnat Laura
Published: April 2012

Synaptogenesis can be detected in tissue sections by immunoreactivity for synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein that serves as a marker of synaptic maturation. Reactivity was prospectively studied postmortem in sections of the striatum, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra in 172 normal human fetuses and neonates of 6 to 41 weeks’ gestation. Caudate nucleus and putamen show patchy reactivity beginning at 13 weeks’ gestation around some intracapsular neurons; the pattern is well developed in all regions before midgestation. Near-uniform reactivity throughout the striatum is achieved by 34 weeks, but subtle patchiness is still perceived at term. The globus pallidus shows uniform reactivity without stria from 13 weeks and the substantia nigra from 9 weeks. Synaptic patchiness in the fetal corpus striatum appears to correspond to the “striosomes of Graybiel” that define adjacent neurotransmitter-rich and neurotransmitter-poor zones. Clinical correlation is proposed with dystonic postures and athetoid movements observed in normal preterm neonates of 26 to 32 weeks.
Patients With Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep Share Similar Clinical Features Regardless of Their Focal or Generalized Sleep Potentiation of Epileptiform Activity
Authors: Fernández Iván Sánchez , Peters Jurriaan , Takeoka Masanori , Rotenberg Alexander , Prabhu Sanjay , Gregas Matt , Riviello James J. , Kothare Sanjeev , Loddenkemper Tobias
Published: April 2012

The study objective was to compare qualitatively the clinical features of patients with electrical status epilepticus in sleep with focal versus generalized sleep potentiated epileptiform activity. We enrolled patients 2 to 20 years of age, studied between 2001 and 2009, and with sleep potentiated epileptiform activity defined as an increase of epileptiform activity of 50% or more during non–rapid eye movement sleep compared with wakefulness. Eighty-five patients met the inclusion criteria, median age was 7.3 years, and 54 (63.5%) were boys. Sixty-seven (78.8%) patients had focal sleep potentiated epileptiform activity, whereas 18 (21.2%) had generalized sleep potentiated epileptiform activity. The 2 groups did not differ with respect to sex, age, presence of a structural brain abnormality, epilepsy, or other qualitative cognitive, motor, or behavioral problems. Our data suggest that there are no qualitative differences in the clinical features of patients with focal versus generalized sleep potentiated epileptiform activity.