bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The secretions of oviduct epithelial cells increase the equine in vitrofertilization rate: are osteopontin, atrial natriuretic peptide A and oviductin involved?
Authors: Mugnier Sylvie , Kervella Morgane , Douet Cécile , Canepa Sylvie , Pascal Géraldine , Deleuze Stefan , Duchamp Guy , Monget Philippe , Goudet Ghylène
Published: November 2009

Background

Oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) co-culture promotesin vitrofertilization (IVF) in human, bovine and porcine species, but no data are available from equine species. Yet, despite numerous attempts, equine IVF rates remain low. Our first aim was to verify a beneficial effect of the OEC on equine IVF. In mammals, oviductal proteins have been shown to interact with gametes and play a role in fertilization. Thus, our second aim was to identify the proteins involved in fertilization in the horse.

Methods & results

In the first experiment, we co-incubated fresh equine spermatozoa treated with calcium ionophore andin vitromatured equine oocytes with or without porcine OEC. We showed that the presence of OEC increases the IVF rates. In the subsequent experiments, we co-incubated equine gametes with OEC and we showed that the IVF rates were not significantly different between 1) gametes co-incubated with equinevsporcine OEC, 2) intact cumulus-oocyte complexesvsdenuded oocytes, 3) OEC previously stimulated with human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Luteinizing Hormone and/or oestradiolvsnon stimulated OEC, 4)in vivo vs in vitromatured oocytes.

In order to identify the proteins responsible for the positive effect of OEC, we first searched for the presence of the genes encoding oviductin, osteopontin and atrial natriuretic peptide A (ANP A) in the equine genome. We showed that the genes coding for osteopontin and ANP A are present. But the one for oviductin either has become a pseudogene during evolution of horse genome or has been not well annotated in horse genome sequence. We then showed that osteopontin and ANP A proteins are present in the equine oviduct using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor, and we analyzed their expression during oestrus cycle by Western blot. Finally, we co-incubated equine gametes with or without purified osteopontin or synthesized ANP A. No significant effect of osteopontin or ANP A was observed, though osteopontin slightly increased the IVF rates.

Conclusion

Our study shows a beneficial effect of homologous and heterologous oviduct cells on equine IVF rates, though the rates remain low. Furthers studies are necessary to identify the proteins involved. We showed that the surface plasmon resonance technique is efficient and powerful to analyze molecular interactions during fertilization.
The incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Quebec: a population data-based study
Authors: Ehrmann Feldman Debbie , Bernatsky Sasha , Houde Michelle
Published: November 2009

Objective

To determine the population incidence of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in Quebec.

Methods

We obtained data from Quebec's physician claims database. Incident cases were defined as having a visit for JRA in 2000, no visit in the previous 3 years, a confirmed diagnosis by an arthritis specialist, or having ≥ 2 visits to any physician for JRA, ≥ 2 months apart but within 2 years.

Results

Cumulative incidence of JRA was 17.8/100,000. Mean age at diagnosis was 9.8 ± 4.6 years, 68% were female and more persons were diagnosed in winter. Subjects had a median of 10 medical visits over the first year.

Conclusion

Our population based incidence estimate was similar to others. Children and adolescents with JRA are heavy users of medical care. Additional study of environmental or climate- related triggers may be warranted.
The ORF59 DNA polymerase processivity factor homologs of Old World primate RV2 rhadinoviruses are highly conserved nuclear antigens expressed in differentiated epithelium in infected macaques
Authors: Bruce A Gregory , Bakke Angela M , Gravett Courtney A , DeMaster Laura K , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , Burnside Kellie L , Rose Timothy M
Published: November 2009

Background

ORF59 DNA polymerase processivity factor of the human rhadinovirus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is required for efficient copying of the genome during virus replication. KSHV ORF59 is antigenic in the infected host and is used as a marker for virus activation and replication.

Results

We cloned, sequenced and expressed the genes encoding related ORF59 proteins from the RV1 rhadinovirus homologs of KSHV from chimpanzee (PtrRV1) and three species of macaques (RFHVMm, RFHVMn and RFHVMf), and have compared them with ORF59 proteins obtained from members of the more distantly-related RV2 rhadinovirus lineage infecting the same non-human primate species (PtrRV2, RRV, MneRV2, and MfaRV2, respectively). We found that ORF59 homologs of the RV1 and RV2 Old World primate rhadinoviruses are highly conserved with distinct phylogenetic clustering of the two rhadinovirus lineages. RV1 and RV2 ORF59 C-terminal domains exhibit a strong lineage-specific conservation. Rabbit antiserum was developed against a C-terminal polypeptide that is highly conserved between the macaque RV2 ORF59 sequences. This anti-serum showed strong reactivity towards ORF59 encoded by the macaque RV2 rhadinoviruses, RRV (rhesus) and MneRV2 (pig-tail), with no cross reaction to human or macaque RV1 ORF59 proteins. Using this antiserum and RT-qPCR, we determined that RRV ORF59 is expressed early after permissive infection of both rhesus primary fetal fibroblasts and African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) in vitro. RRV- and MneRV2-infected foci showed strong nuclear expression of ORF59 that correlated with production of infectious progeny virus. Immunohistochemical studies of an MneRV2-infected macaque revealed strong nuclear expression of ORF59 in infected cells within the differentiating layer of epidermis corroborating previous observations that differentiated epithelial cells are permissive for replication of KSHV-like rhadinoviruses.

Conclusion

The ORF59 DNA polymerase processivity factor homologs of the Old World primate RV1 and RV2 rhadinovirus lineages are phylogenetically distinct yet demonstrate similar expression and localization characteristics that correlate with their use as lineage-specific markers for permissive infection and virus replication. These studies will aid in the characterization of virus activation from latency to the replicative state, an important step for understanding the biology and transmission of rhadinoviruses, such as KSHV.
Reirradiation to the abdomen for gastrointestinal malignancies
Authors: Haque Waqar , Crane Christopher H , Krishnan Sunil , Delclos Marc E , Javle Milind , Garrett Christopher R , Wolff Robert A , Das Prajnan
Published: November 2009

Background

Reirradiation to the abdomen could potentially play a role in palliation of symptoms or local control in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Our goal was to retrospectively determine rates of toxicity, freedom from local progression and overall survival in gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with reirradiation to the abdomen.

Methods

Between November 2002 and September 2008, 13 patients with a prior history of abdominal radiotherapy (median dose 45 Gy) were treated with reirradiation for recurrent or metastatic gastrointestinal malignancies. The median interval between the two courses of radiotherapy was 26 months. Patients were treated with a hyperfractionated accelerated regimen, using 1.5 Gy fractions twice daily, with a median dose of 30 Gy (range 24-48 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy was administered to 8 (62%) patients.

Results

The 1-year rate of freedom from local progression was 50%, and the median duration of freedom from local progression was 14 months. The 1-year rate of overall survival was 62%, and the median duration of overall survival was 14 months. One patient developed grade 3 acute toxicity (abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding), requiring hospitalization during radiotherapy; subsequently, that patient experienced a grade 4 late toxicity (gastrointestinal bleeding). No other patients developed grade 3-4 acute or late toxicity or required hospitalization during radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Hyperfractionated accelerated reirradiation to the abdomen was well-tolerated with low rates of acute and late toxicity. Reirradiation could play a role in providing a limited duration of local control in gastrointestinal cancer patients with a history of prior abdominal radiotherapy.
Traumatic posterior urethral fistula to hip joint following gunshot injury: a case report
Authors: Rezaee Ahmad , Narouie Behzad , Haji-Rajabi Rahim , Ghasemi-rad Mohammad , Shikhzadeh Abdolsamad
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Urinary system fistula to the hip joint is a rare complication. We report a case of delayed posterior urethral fistula to the hip joint following penetrating gunshot wound injury.

Case presentation

A 37-year-old Iranian Balochi male was shot with a firearm in the superior part of his right pelvis. He underwent primary closure on the same day. Ten months later, he developed urinary retention. He underwent retrograde urethrography and antegrade cystography which showed a stricture measuring 5 cm in length. There was also a history of progressive pain in the right hip joint accompanied by low grade fever which started 2 months after the initial injury. Hip X-ray showed evidence of an acetabular cavity and femoral head destruction diagnostic of complicated septic arthritis. The patient subsequently underwent reconstructive surgery for the urethral stricture and urethral fistula via a transperineal approach followed by total hip arthroplasty.

Conclusion

Hip joint contamination with urine following a urethro-acetabular fistula can lead to severe and disabling complications such as septic arthritis. We recommend that every clinician should keep these fistulas in mind as a complication of penetrating urethral injury and every attempt should be made for their early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Glucocorticosteroid-sensitive inflammatory eosinophilic pseudotumor of the bladder in an adolescent: a case report
Authors: Xu Danfeng , Liu Yushan , Gao Yi , Zhao Xuezhi , Qu Chuangyu , Mei Changlin , Ren Jizhong
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Inflammatory eosinophilic pseudotumor of the bladder is a rare inflammatory bladder disease. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are still unclear. Few case reports have described inflammatory eosinophilic pseudotumor of the bladder in adults or children. Although benign, this disease is occasionally clinically aggressive and locally invasive, thus open surgical removal or complete transurethral resection is recommended.

Case presentation

We present the case of a biopsy-proven inflammatory eosinophilic pseudotumor of the bladder in a previously healthy 16-year-old male adolescent with 2-month history of frequent micturition and dysuria with no significant apparent causative factors. The tumor regressed after a 6-week course of glucocorticosteroids.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, our case is a rare case of inflammatory eosinophilic pseudotumor of the bladder treated with complete conservative management. Due to its glucocorticosteroid-sensitive nature, we postulate that this disease belongs to a subgroup of eosinophilic disorders.
The usefulness of chelation therapy for the remission of symptoms caused by previous treatment with mercury-containing pharmaceuticals: a case report
Authors: Corsello Serafina , Fulgenzi Alessandro , Vietti Daniele , Ferrero Maria Elena
Published: November 2009

Introduction

A great deal of data regarding the toxicology of mercury has been recently reported. Although the most common human exposures to mercury are currently mercury vapour from amalgam tooth fillings, methylmercury from seafood and ethylmercury as a preservative in vaccines, in the past mercury compounds have been used in the treatment of syphilis.

Case presentation

Mercury intoxication was found in a 67 year-old Italian man affected by neurological symptoms of apparently unknown origin. The patient developed syphilis forty years ago and then underwent therapy with mercurials to treat his chronic bacterial infection. We treated the patient with disodium edetate chelation therapy.

Six months after the beginning of the therapy, the patient's neurological symptoms began to decrease, and were completely cured after two years of therapy.

Conclusion

This case supports the use of chelation therapy with disodium edetate to remove damages caused by mercury intoxication.
Felty's Syndrome as an initial presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: a case report
Authors: Chavalitdhamrong Disaya , Molovic-Kokovic Ana , Iliev Andrey
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Felty's syndrome is an uncommon but severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthtitis. Felty's syndrome is characterized by the triad of rheumatoid arthtitis, neutropenia, and splenomegaly. The lifetime risk of Felty's syndrome for a rheumatoid arthtitis patient is less than 1% and there are only few case reports of Felty's syndrome with neutropenia preceded clinical evidence of arthritis. We present a case which is atypical presentation of Felty's syndrome without arthritis.

Case presentation

We present a case of 31-year-old man who presented with fever and skin infection, found to have neutropenia. The work up showed splenomegaly and other evidences support Felty's syndrome diagnosis without arthritis presentation.

Conclusion

Patients with unexplained, continuous neutropenia without arthristis but with high level of rheumatoid factor and positive antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides should be suspected of developing Felty's syndrome as an initial presentation of rheumatoid arthtitis.
Injury severity and serum amyloid A correlate with plasma oxidation-reduction potential in multi-trauma patients: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Rael Leonard T , Bar-Or Raphael , Salottolo Kristin , Mains Charles W , Slone Denetta S , Offner Patrick J , Bar-Or David
Published: November 2009

Background

In critical injury, the occurrence of increased oxidative stress or a reduced antioxidant status has been observed. The purpose of this study was to correlate the degree of oxidative stress, by measuring the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of plasma in the critically injured, with injury severity and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels.

Methods

A total of 140 subjects were included in this retrospective study comprising 3 groups: healthy volunteers (N = 21), mild to moderate trauma (ISS < 16, N = 41), and severe trauma (ISS ≥ 16, N = 78). For the trauma groups, plasma was collected on an almost daily basis during the course of hospitalization. ORP analysis was performed using a microelectrode, and ORP maxima were recorded for the trauma groups. SAA, a sensitive marker of inflammation in critical injury, was measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Results

ORP maxima were reached on day 3 (± 0.4 SEM) and day 5 (± 0.5 SEM) for the ISS < 16 and ISS ≥ 16 groups, respectively. ORP maxima were significantly higher in the ISS < 16 (-14.5 mV ± 2.5 SEM) and ISS ≥ 16 groups (-1.1 mV ± 2.3 SEM) compared to controls (-34.2 mV ± 2.6 SEM). Also, ORP maxima were significantly different between the trauma groups. SAA was significantly elevated in the ISS ≥ 16 group on the ORP maxima day compared to controls and the ISS < 16 group.

Conclusion

The results suggest the presence of an oxidative environment in the plasma of the critically injured as measured by ORP. More importantly, ORP can differentiate the degree of oxidative stress based on the severity of the trauma and degree of inflammation.
Connective tissue growth factor promotes articular damage by increased osteoclastogenesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Nozawa Kazuhisa , Fujishiro Maki , Kawasaki Mikiko , Kaneko Hiroshi , Iwabuchi Kazuhisa , Yanagida Mitsuaki , Suzuki Fujihiko , Miyazawa Keiji , Takasaki Yoshinari , Ogawa Hideoki , Takamori Kenji , Sekigawa Iwao
Published: November 2009

Introduction

A protein analysis using a mass spectrometry indicated that there are serum proteins showing significant quantitative changes after the administration of infliximab. Among them, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) seems to be related to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate how CTGF is associated with the disease progression of RA.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from RA patients in active or inactive disease stages, and before or after treatments with infliximab. CTGF production was evaluated by ELISA, RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunoblotting. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, a bone resorption assay and osteoclasts specific catalytic enzymes productions.

Results

The serum concentrations of CTGF in RA were greater than in normal healthy controls and disease controls. Interestingly, those were significantly higher in active RA patients compared to inactive RA patients. Furthermore, the CTGF levels significantly were decreased by infliximab concomitant with the disease amelioration. In addition, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α can induce the CTGF production from synovial fibroblasts even though TNFα can oppositely inhibit the production of CTGF from chondrocytes. CTGF promoted the induction of the quantitative and qualitative activities of osteoclasts in combination with M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). In addition, we newly found integrin αVβ3 on the osteoclasts as a CTGF receptor.

Conclusions

These results indicate that aberrant CTGF production induced by TNFα plays a central role for the abnormal osteoclastic activation in RA patients. Restoration of aberrant CTGF production may contribute to the inhibition of articular destruction in infliximab treatment.
Complications of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill children: a prospective observational evaluation study
Authors: Santiago Maria J , López-Herce Jesús , Urbano Javier , Solana María José , del Castillo Jimena , Ballestero Yolanda , Botrán Marta , Bellón Jose María
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) frequently gives rise to complications in critically ill children. However, no studies have analyzed these complications prospectively. The purpose of this study was to analyze the complications of CRRT in children and to study the associated risk factors.

Methods

A prospective, single-centre, observational study was performed in all critically ill children treated using CRRT in order to determine the incidence of complications related to the technique (problems of catheterization, hypotension at the time of connection to the CRRT, hemorrhage, electrolyte disturbances) and their relationship with patient characteristics, clinical severity, need for vasoactive drugs and mechanical ventilation, and the characteristics of the filtration techniques.

Results

Of 174 children treated with CRRT, 13 (7.4%) presented problems of venous catheterization; this complication was significantly more common in children under 12 months of age and in those weighing less than 10 kg. Hypotension on connection to CRRT was detected in 53 patients (30.4%). Hypotension was not associated with any patient or CRRT characteristics. Clinically significant hemorrhage occurred in 18 patients (10.3%); this complication was not related to any of the variables studied. The sodium, chloride, and phosphate levels fell during the first 72 hours of CRRT; the changes in electrolyte levels during the course of treatment were not found to be related to any of the variables analyzed, nor were they associated with mortality.

Conclusions

CRRT-related complications are common in children and some are potentially serious. The most common are hypotension at the time of connection and electrolyte disturbances. Strict control and continuous monitoring of the technique are therefore necessary in children on CRRT.
Introduction
Authors: Duncan Ian
Published: November 2009

Ian Duncan is professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley. He is author of Modern Romance and Transformations of the Novel: The Gothic, Scott, Dickens (1992) and of Scott's Shadow: The Novel in Romantic Edinburgh (2007), which won the Saltire Society/National Library of Scotland Research Book of the Year Award for 2008. He is coeditor of Scotland and the Borders of Romanticism (2004) and an anthology, Travel Writing, 1700–1830 (2005), and he has edited Walter Scott's Ivanhoe (1996) and Rob Roy (1998) and James Hogg's Winter Evening Tales (2002) and Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (forthcoming). His essay “The Moonstone, the Victorian Novel, and Imperialist Panic” appeared in the September 1994 issue of MLQ.
Waverley and the Object of (Literary) History
Authors: Gamer Michael
Published: November 2009

This essay revisits the question of Walter Scott's innovation as a novelist, and Waverley's status as the first historical novel, by showing the degree to which such markers of reputation were fictions of Scott's own making. The essay begins by examining how Scott's manipulation of the novel's date of composition, his ostentatious rejection of contemporary genres, and his later self-review of the novel effectively cleared Waverley of contemporary competitors and bolstered its claims to newness. It then turns to Scott's other strategy, that of looking beyond contemporary generic models to those of the mid-eighteenth century. In thus arguing for Waverley as a rumination on the history of the novel “sixty years since”—as a literary-historical as well as historical novel—the essay considers Scott's debt to the most popular of these midcentury fictions, the object narrative, by reading Waverley in light of its conventions and practices.
Electrical dimensions in cell science
Authors: McCaig Colin D. , Song Bing , Rajnicek Ann M.
Published: November 2009

Cells undergo a variety of physiological processes, including division, migration and differentiation, under the influence of endogenous electrical cues, which are generated physiologically and pathologically in the extracellular and sometimes intracellular spaces. These signals are transduced to regulate cell behaviours profoundly, both in vitro and in vivo. Bioelectricity influences cellular processes as fundamental as control of the cell cycle, cell proliferation, cancer-cell migration, electrical signalling in the adult brain, embryonic neuronal cell migration, axon outgrowth, spinal-cord repair, epithelial wound repair, tissue regeneration and establishment of left-right body asymmetry. In addition to direct effects on cells, electrical gradients interact with coexisting extracellular chemical gradients. Indeed, cells can integrate and respond to electrical and chemical cues in combination. This Commentary details how electrical signals control multiple cell behaviours and argues that study of the interplay between combined electrical and chemical gradients is underdeveloped yet necessary.
Apical trafficking in epithelial cells: signals, clusters and motors
Authors: Weisz Ora A. , Rodriguez-Boulan Enrique
Published: November 2009

In the early days of epithelial cell biology, researchers working with kidney and/or intestinal epithelial cell lines and with hepatocytes described the biosynthetic and recycling routes followed by apical and basolateral plasma membrane (PM) proteins. They identified the trans-Golgi network and recycling endosomes as the compartments that carried out apical-basolateral sorting. They described complex apical sorting signals that promoted association with lipid rafts, and simpler basolateral sorting signals resembling clathrin-coated-pit endocytic motifs. They also noticed that different epithelial cell types routed their apical PM proteins very differently, using either a vectorial (direct) route or a transcytotic (indirect) route. Although these original observations have generally held up, recent studies have revealed interesting complexities in the routes taken by apically destined proteins and have extended our understanding of the machinery required to sustain these elaborate sorting pathways. Here, we critically review the current status of apical trafficking mechanisms and discuss a model in which clustering is required to recruit apical trafficking machineries. Uncovering the mechanisms responsible for polarized trafficking and their epithelial-specific variations will help understand how epithelial functional diversity is generated and the pathogenesis of many human diseases.
Large-volume metrology instrument selection and measurability analysis
Authors: Muelaner J E , Cai B , Maropoulos P G
Published: November 2009

A wide range of metrology processes are involved in the manufacture of large products. In addition to the traditional tool-setting and product-verification operations, increasingly flexible metrology-enabled automation is also being used. Faced with many possible measurement problems and a very large number of metrology instruments employing diverse technologies, the selection of the appropriate instrument for a given task can be highly complex. Also, as metrology has become a key manufacturing process, it should be considered in the early stages of design, and there is currently very little research to support this. This paper provides an overview of the important selection criteria for typical measurement processes and presents some novel selection strategies. Metrics that can be used to assess measurability are also discussed. A prototype instrument selection and measurability analysis application is also presented, with discussion of how this can be used as the basis for development of a more sophisticated measurement planning tool.
Experimental characterization of the reverse micro-electrodischarge machining process for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio micro-rod arrays
Authors: Mujumdar S S , Mastud S A , Singh R K , Joshi S S
Published: November 2009

High-aspect-ratio arrayed structures find application in the creation of deep blind holes used in ink-jet nozzles, air-bearings, etc. This paper focuses on the use of reverse micro-electric discharge machining (micro-EDM), to generate high-aspect-ratio micro-rod arrays. A micro-rod of 60 μm in diameter and a high-aspect-ratio of 33 is successfully fabricated using the process. An L8 orthogonal array is used to study the effect of gap voltage, capacitance, threshold, and feed rate on the process response variables. The measured process responses are dimensional accuracy (measured at various locations along the length of the micro-rod), zero error length, and surface roughness. Furthermore, the surface morphology and chemical composition at the root and tip of the generated structure are studied. Analysis of variance studies show that the statistically significant factors that influence response variables are the gap voltage and capacitance. The gap voltage is identified as the single most important factor governing the accuracy of the micro-rods at almost all locations. Analysis of surface morphology reveals that there are more craters at the tip of machined rods whereas, the area around the base is relatively smooth. Value of surface roughness varies from 1.6 μm Ra to 6.3 μm Ra under different experimental conditions. A variation in chemical composition is observed along the length of the rod. Plausible explanations are presented for the various phenomena observed during the reverse micro-EDM process.
Examining the profile accuracy of grinding wheels used for microdrill fluting by an image-based contour matching method
Authors: Chen T-H , Chang W-T , Shen P-H , Tarng Y-S
Published: November 2009

The helical flutes in drills are usually made by grinding cylindrical rods to form helically swept grooves. In order to maintain the quality of the fluting process for microdrills, grinding wheels must be trued and dressed regularly. It is therefore quite important to examine the profile accuracy of trued and dressed wheels. With the aid of machine vision, this paper presents an image-based method for examining the profile accuracy of grinding wheels used for microdrill fluting. Using thin plate specimens ground to yield two-dimensional contours for duplicating the topographical profiles of inspected grinding wheels, digital images of the ground contours can be captured in order to detect their coordinate data by edge detection. A contour matching method is then developed to calculate the relative deviations between the theoretical and detected inspected contours, and the profile accuracy of the inspected grinding wheel can thus be indirectly evaluated. To test the proposed method, a machine vision system was built, and experiments examining diamond grinding wheels used for machining helical flutes in microdrills were conducted. The results showed that the proposed contour matching method could achieve sufficient repeatability in the examination of wheel contours.
Investigating the effects of the important parameters on magnetohydrodynamics flow and heat transfer over a stretching sheet
Authors: Farzaneh-Gord M , Joneidi A A , Haghighi B
Published: November 2009

Sheet extrusion is a technique for making flat plastic sheets. Thermoplastic sheet production is a significant sector of plastics processing. In order to improve the physical properties of the sheet, it is consequential to study heat and fluid flow over the sheet as it solidifies. To understand the process, in the present work, the two-dimensional steady-state incompressible viscoelastic boundary layer magnetohydrodynamics flow and heat transfer over a stretching sheet have been studied in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. The highly non-linear momentum and heat transfer equations are solved analytically using the homotopy analysis method. The effect of various physical parameters including the viscoelastic parameter, the Prandtl number, the local Reynolds number, the Eckert number, the Hartmann number, and the local electric parameter on momentum and heat transfer characteristics have been studied.

Ultimately some results could be found from this analytical treatment, such as the following: by increasing the values of the local Reynolds number and the electric parameter, the value of the skin friction coefficient is decreased. If the fluid is viscoelastic, the electric field is present, and the Prandtl number is lower, then there would be an obvious decrease of temperature near the boundary sheet. The other result is in the presence of the magnetic field, the effect of the electric field is to decrease the temperature near the stretching boundary.
Loss of Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase I in Small-Intestinal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cardona Diana M. , Zhang Xiaokui , Liu Chen
Published: November 2009

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1), normally found in hepatocytes and small-intestine (SI) enterocytes, is the antigen of Hep Par 1 antibody. Expression of CPS1 in invasive SI adenocarcinoma seems to be lost. We retrospectively collected 36 total specimens, which included 31 SI adenomas and 21 adenocarcinomas. We used 34 cases of duodenitis as a control group. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed to determine CPS1 expression. The normal SI mucosa, all 34 cases of duodenitis, and all 29 adenomas with low-grade dysplasia demonstrated diffuse Hep Par 1 expression. Of the 21 invasive adenocarcinomas, 15 lost antigen expression (71%). These data are statistically significant (P < .05). Western blot analysis confirmed the immunohistochemical findings, with strong CPS1 expression within the normal mucosa and adenoma and complete loss in the invasive tumor. The differential expression of Hep Par 1 in dysplastic vs malignant tumors of the SI may be diagnostically useful in difficult cases.
Pseudosarcomatous Fasciitis and Myositis
Authors: Wong Nim Lai , Di Fang
Published: November 2009

Nodular fasciitis (NF), proliferative fasciitis (PF), and proliferative myositis (PM) are pseudosarcomatous lesions that typically resolve spontaneously. We previously reported the feasibility of diagnosing this family of lesions by fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) based on 17 cases. The present study included 52 new cases (NF, 46; PF, 3; PM, 3) diagnosed by FNAC at Kiang Wu Hospital, Macau, 2001 to 2007, to validate the diagnostic features.

All lesions appeared as recent-onset, small, superficially located, rapidly growing nodules. In 88% of cases (46/52: NF, 41; PF, 2; PM, 3), spontaneous resolution occurred in 1 to 16 weeks (median, 2 weeks) after FNAC diagnosis. FNAC smears were characterized by a hypercellular and polymorphic pattern of lesional cells and distinctive ganglion cell–like cells in most cases. Most cases of NF (36/46 [78%]) showed “typical” cytologic features. A minority of NF cases showed granuloma-like or myxoid features.

FNAC is an effective diagnostic tool for NF, PF, and PM; a correct cytologic diagnosis spares patients an operative procedure. Excisional biopsy can be reserved for cases showing atypical clinical courses or in which FNAC shows low cellularity with absence of ganglion cell–like cells.
Comparison of Three Whole Blood Creatinine Methods for Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate Before Radiographic Contrast Administration
Authors: Korpi-Steiner Nichole L. , Williamson Eric E. , Karon Brad S.
Published: November 2009

We compared the clinical concordance of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on 3 whole blood creatinine assays with the eGFR calculated from a reference plasma creatinine assay. Whole blood creatinine on the Radiometer ABL800 FLEX (Radiometer A/S, Bronshoj, Denmark) demonstrated the best correlation and concordance to plasma creatinine/eGFR compared with the i-STAT (i-STAT, East Windsor, NJ) and StatSensor (Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA). The i-STAT had better sensitivity (compared with Radiometer) but poorer specificity for prediction of plasma eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The StatSensor demonstrated lower concordance of whole blood to plasma eGFR but offered a slope and an intercept offset feature that partially compensates for this effect. The optimal device for use in rapid determination of eGFR from whole blood creatinine may depend on whether it is more important in a given practice to optimize sensitivity, specificity, or overall concordance for determining plasma eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
S100A1 Expression in Ovarian and Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinomas Is a Prognostic Indicator of Relapse-Free Survival
Authors: DeRycke Melissa S. , Andersen John D. , Harrington Katherine M. , Pambuccian Stefan E. , Kalloger Steve E. , Boylan Kristin L.M. , Argenta Peter A. , Skubitz Amy P.N.
Published: November 2009

We sought to investigate the expression levels of S100A1 in ovarian cancer cell lines and tissues to correlate S100A1 with subtype, stage, grade, and relapse-free survival. S100A1 messenger RNA and protein were up-regulated in ovarian cancer cell lines and tumors compared with normal ovarian cell lines and tissues by gene microarray analysis, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and Western immunoblotting. In the study, 63.7% of serous, 21.2% of clear cell, 11.2% of endometrioid, and 3% of mucinous ovarian (1/31) cancers were S100A1+ by immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays (n = 500). S100A1 expression increased with increasing Silverberg grade but not stage in serous tumors. Endometrial tissue microarrays (n = 127) were 9.4% S100A1+; no correlation with stage or grade and S100A1 was found. In the endometrioid subtype of ovarian and endometrial cancers, relapse-free survival was decreased for patients with S100A1+ tumors. These data suggest that S100A1 is a marker for poor prognosis of endometrioid subtypes of cancer.
E-Cadherin/β-Catenin and CD10
Authors: Burford Holly , Baloch Zubair , Liu Xiuli , Jhala Darshana , Siegal Gene P. , Jhala Nirag
Published: November 2009

Pancreatic endocrine neoplasm (PEN) and solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas (SPN) frequently pose diagnostic challenges. We sought to determine which markers could provide the best immunophenotypic characterization of PEN and SPN, allowing separation on limited cytology samples. We retrieved 22 resected PEN (n = 12) and SPN (n = 10) tumors to serve as a training set for the performance of extensive immunohistochemical staining. Based on these results, we selected a subset of antibodies for application to 25 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) samples from PEN (n = 16) and SPN (n = 9).

Chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD56, and progesterone receptor (PR) highlighted PEN cases in the training set; E-cadherin was noted in a membranous pattern. SPN cases were most immunoreactive for α1-antitrypsin, vimentin, CD10, and PR, with nuclear staining for β-catenin; E-cadherin did not show a membranous pattern. Among all FNA samples tested, the immunohistochemical staining of E-cadherin (P = .0003), β-catenin (P = .00004), and CD10 (P = .00006) demonstrated the greatest difference between PEN and SPN. The pattern of E-cadherin/β-catenin expression was highly specific for distinguishing PEN from SPN. On limited FNA samples, the characteristic expression of E-cadherin/β-catenin and the expression of CD10 can be used to distinguish PEN from SPN.
Tissue Microarray for Routine Analysis of Breast Biomarkers in the Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Thomson Thomas A. , Zhou Chen , Chu Christina , Knight Bryan
Published: November 2009

Tissue microarray analysis (TMA) allows multiple analyses on multiple patients on sections from a single paraffin block. Although it is widely used in research and in quality assurance settings, there are few references to its use in clinical practice. This study evaluated TMA assessment of breast biomarkers using immunohistochemical analysis in a clinical histopathology laboratory. Performance parameters, interobserver variability, and concordance between TMA and whole section results were assessed. The arrays had few lost or noninformative cores. A loss of stain intensity occurred in the arrays compared with the whole sections with some but not all antibodies, highlighting the need to validate the staining protocol for each antibody used on TMA sections. With recommended guidelines for specimen selection and reporting, TMA was found to be an economical replacement for whole section analysis for breast biomarkers.
Transformation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma to Interdigitating Dendritic Cell Sarcoma
Authors: Fraser Cory R. , Wang Wei , Gomez Mario , Zhang Taotao , Mathew Susan , Furman Richard R. , Knowles Daniel M. , Orazi Attilio , Tam Wayne
Published: November 2009

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is a rare tumor derived from interdigitating dendritic cells. Three cases of IDCS associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) have been described, but no clonal relationship between the 2 neoplasms was demonstrated. We present a detailed case analysis of a CLL/SLL with metachronous IDCS and demonstrate that these 2 neoplasms are clonally related. The IDCS and CLL cells had trisomy 12 and identical monoclonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements. Analysis of transcription factors with a role in myeloid differentiation demonstrated PU.1 up-regulation and C/EBPα down-regulation in IDCS compared with CLL. High-density array comparative genomic hybridization also identified gains in part of chromosome 16q in IDCS. Our study demonstrates for the first time clonal transformation of CLL/SLL into IDCS. This phenomenon may be triggered by alterations in lineage-determining transcription programs, which result in transdifferentiation, coupled with additional oncogenic stimuli caused by chromosomal imbalances.
Cause or effect: What matters? How 12‐month‐old infants learn to categorize artifacts
Authors: Träuble Birgit , Pauen Sabina
Published: November 2009

This paper investigates the role of cause and effect relations for infants' learning about artifacts. Two experiments tested whether 12‐month‐olds categorized a given set of unfamiliar artifacts according to overall similarity and/or according to part similarity, depending on what kind of video demonstration was presented before the start of the categorization task. In both experiments, the actions performed with objects were accompanied by interesting effects but the causal relation between object‐structure and effects was teased apart. In one video demonstration (Expt 1), the experimenter used the object part to produce some kind of effect in a causally plausible way. In another video demonstration (Expt 2), the experimenter performed similar actions with the same objects as in Expt 1, followed by the same effects as before. Importantly, however, no plausible cause–effect relation was provided this time. Only infants participating in Expt 1 categorized the set of unfamiliar objects according to part similarity. This finding suggests that 12‐month‐olds attend to the causal relation between specific object parts and their functional use when categorizing artifacts, rather than merely associating form‐characteristics with an interesting effect.
Bright-Field Microscopy Visualization of Proteins and Protein Complexes by In Situ Proximity Ligation with Peroxidase Detection
Authors: Zieba Agata , Wählby Carolina , Hjelm Fredrik , Jordan Lee , Berg Jonathan , Landegren Ulf , Pardali Katerina
Published: November 2009

Background: The in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) allows a protein or protein complex to be represented as an amplifiable DNA molecule. Recognition is mediated by proximity probes consisting of antibodies coupled with oligonucleotides. Upon dual binding of the proximity probes, the oligonucleotides direct the formation of a circular DNA molecule, which is then amplified by rolling-circle replication. The localized concatemeric product is then detected with fluorescent probes. The in situ PLA enables localized detection of individual native proteins or interacting protein pairs in fixed cells or tissue sections, thus providing an important tool for basic and clinical research.

Methods: We used horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated oligonucleotides to couple in situ PLA with enzymatic visualization of the localized detection event.

Results: We demonstrate the detection of protein complexes, both in cells and in tissue sections, and show that we can quantify the complexes with image-analysis software specially developed for recognizing HRP signals in bright-field microscopy images. We show that fluorescence and HRP signals produce equivalent results, both in cultured cells and in tissue samples.

Conclusions: The combination of in situ PLA with bright-field detection and automated image analysis allows the signals present to be counted in an automated fashion and thus provides a sensitive and specific method for quantification of proteins and protein complexes with bright-field microscopy. With this approach, in situ PLA can be used without the requirement for expensive fluorescence microscopes, thereby avoiding problems with nonspecific fluorescence while maintaining compatibility with conventional histologic staining.
Reliable Recall of Spontaneous Activity Patterns in Cortical Networks
Authors: Marre Olivier , Yger Pierre , Davison Andrew P. , Frégnac Yves
Published: November 2009

Irregular ongoing activity in cortical networks is often modeled as arising from recurrent connectivity. Yet it remains unclear to what extent its presence corrupts sensory signal transmission and network computational capabilities. In a recurrent cortical-like network, we have determined the activity patterns that are better transmitted and self-sustained by the network. We show that reproducible spiking and subthreshold dynamics can be triggered if the statistics of the imposed external drive are consistent with patterns previously seen in the ongoing activity. A subset of neurons in the network, constrained to replay temporal pattern segments extracted from the recorded ongoing activity of the same network, reliably drives the remaining, free-running neurons to call the rest of the pattern. Comparison with surrogate Poisson patterns indicates that the efficiency of the recall and completion process depends on the similarity between the statistical properties of the input with previous ongoing activity The reliability of evoked dynamics in recurrent networks is thus dependent on the stimulus used, and we propose that the similarity between spontaneous and evoked activity in sensory cortical areas could be a signature of efficient transmission and propagation across cortical networks.
Schwann Cells Inhibit Ectopic Clustering of Axonal Sodium Channels
Authors: Voas Matthew G. , Glenn Thomas D. , Raphael Alya R. , Talbot William S.
Published: November 2009

The clustering of voltage-gated sodium channels at the axon initial segment (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier is essential for the initiation and propagation of action potentials in myelinated axons. Sodium channels localize to the AIS through an axon-intrinsic mechanism driven by ankyrin G, while clustering at the nodes requires cues from myelinating glia that interact with axonal neurofascin186 (Sherman et al., 2005; Dzhashiashvili et al., 2007; Yang et al., 2007). Here, we report that in zebrafish mutants lacking Schwann cells in peripheral nerves (erbb2,erbb3, andsox10/colorless), axons form numerous aberrant sodium channel clusters throughout their length. Morpholino knockdown of ankyrin G, but not neurofascin, reduces the number of sodium channel clusters in Schwann cell-deficient mutants, suggesting that these aberrant clusters form by an axon-intrinsic mechanism. We also find thatgpr126mutants, in which Schwann cells are arrested at the promyelinating stage (Monk et al., 2009), are deficient in the clustering of neurofascin at the nodes of Ranvier. When Schwann cell migration ingpr126mutants is blocked, there is an increase in the number of neurofascin clusters in peripheral axons. Our results suggest that Schwann cells inhibit the ability of ankyrin G to cluster sodium channels at ectopic locations, restricting its activity to the AIS and nodes of Ranvier.
Functional Heterogeneity at Dopamine Release Sites
Authors: Daniel James A. , Galbraith Sally , Iacovitti Lorraine , Abdipranoto Andrea , Vissel Bryce
Published: November 2009

Although drugs used to treat several neurological diseases are presumed to target synapses that secrete dopamine (DA), relatively little is known about synaptic vesicle (SV) release mechanisms at single DA synapses. We found that the relative probability of release (Pr) varied between individual DA synapses. Furthermore, DA terminals generally exhibited lower Pr than glutamatergic hippocampal (Hpc) terminals, suggesting that DA release is less reliable than the release of glutamate. Our mathematical model of fluorescence loss shows that Pr is regulated by two independent and heterogeneous elements. First, the size of the recycling SV pool regulates Pr. Second, Pr is also independently regulated by additional factors, which are reflected in the time constant of FM 1-43 destaining, τ. We found that the observed difference in Pr between Hpc and DA neurons results because the recycling SV pool is smaller in DA neurons than in Hpc neurons. However, τ does not vary between these two neuron populations. We also identified a population of functional nonsynaptic boutons in DA axons, which are not associated with a postsynaptic element and which are not functionally different from boutons that formed conventional synapses. Our work provides a new approach to the study of SV exocytosis in DA neurons and shows that synaptic terminals of DA neurons are functionally heterogeneous and differ from excitatory terminals in terms of Pr.