bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating systemic lupus erythematosus patients for lung involvement
Authors: Allen D , Fischer A , Bshouty Z , Robinson DB , Peschken CA , Hitchon C , El-Gabalawy H , Meyers M , Mittoo S
Published: July 2012

Introduction: We set out to determine the frequency of respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function, and shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine correlates of SLS. Methods: Consecutive adult patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE were enrolled. Demographics, clinical, and serologic characteristics were recorded; all patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT) and had either a chest X-ray or computed tomography scan. SLS was defined as dyspnea with restrictive lung physiology (defined as a forced vital capacity (FVC) <80% predicted in the absence of obstruction) who did not have any evidence of interstitial lung disease on chest imaging; controls were symptomatic patients with no restrictive physiology and the absence of interstitial changes on chest imaging. Results: Sixty-nine out of 110 (63%) patients had respiratory symptoms, 73 (66%) patients had abnormal lung function, and 11 (10%) patients met the definition for SLS. In a multivariate model controlling for disease duration, a history of pleuritis, modified American College of Rheumatology total score, seropositivity for dsDNA and RNP antibodies, increased disease duration (odds ratio (OR) = 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.0–1.3, p = 0.04), seropositivity for anti-RNP (OR = 24.4; 95% CI of 1.6–384.0, p = 0.02), and a history of serositis were significantly associated with SLS when compared with symptomatic controls. Conclusion: Respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung function, and SLS are common in SLE. Clinicians should consider evaluation for SLS among symptomatic patients with long-standing disease and a history of pleuritis.
Maternal Return to Paid Work and Breastfeeding Practices in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Aikawa Tomomi , Pavadhgul Patcharanee , Chongsuwat Rewadee , Sawasdivorn Siraporn , Boonshuyar Chaweewon
Published: July 2012

This study explored the association between mothers’ work-related factors and breastfeeding practices in Bangkok, Thailand. Data were collected from 84 working mothers with a child aged 6 to 24 months who visited the breastfeeding mobile clinic at a nursery goods exhibition. Thai interviewers collected data using a structured questionnaire. Analysis of the data showed that exclusive breastfeeding for 3 months was 78.6%, and for 6 months it was 38.1%. Mothers who returned to work 3 months or more after giving birth exclusively breastfed more than the mothers who returned to work in less than 3 months (crude odds ratio [OR] = 4.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.39-13.05; adjusted OR = 4.15, 95% CI = 1.15-14.95). Moreover, mothers who worked at self-employed or family-owned businesses and some mothers working at private companies showed tendencies of returning to work in less than 3 months. Results suggest that longer maternity leave would help extend the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. In addition, the improvement of a breastfeeding supportive environment in the workplace would be valuable and may be an effective means to improve breastfeeding practices and infant health.
Unhealthy Lifestyle, Poor Mental Health, and Its Correlation Among Adolescents
Authors: Tanihata Takeo , Kanda Hideyuki , Osaki Yoneatsu , Ohida Takashi , Minowa Masumi , Wada Kiyoshi , Suzuki Kenji , Hayashi Kenji
Published: July 2012

Objectives. The objective was to study the relationship between mental health and lifestyles of adolescents using samples representative of Japanese adolescents nationwide. Method. The survey was conducted between December 2004 and January 2005 among students enrolled in randomly selected junior and senior high schools. Self-administered questionnaires addressed lifestyles, sleeping habits, and mental health status. Of 103 650 questionnaires collected, 85 158 were analyzed. Results. Population characteristics associated with poor mental health were being female, being a senior high school student, skipping breakfast, not participating in extracurricular activities, not consulting parents about personal matters, parental smoking, students’ smoking or alcohol use, poor subjective sleep assessment, and short or long sleeping duration. Conclusion. Smoking and anxiety disorders are associated with an elevation in acculturative stress in adolescents. Prepossessing adolescents are in subclinical depression. Results suggest that lifestyles approaches in preventions that target students can be effective in reaching high-risk populations.
Health Changes in Sri Lanka
Authors: Karunathilake Indika Mahesh
Published: July 2012

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean that has achieved a unique status in the world with health indicators that are comparable with those of developed countries. This is illustrated, among others, by the reduction in both child and maternal mortality in the country. This achievement is the result of a range of long-term interventions, including providing education and health care free of charge, training of health care workers, developing public health infrastructure in rural areas, and adopting steps to improve sanitation, nutrition, and immunization coverage.
Paradigms in EU social policy: a critical account of Europe 2020
Authors: Daly Mary
Published: July 2012

This article offers a critical account of the ‘social’ in the Europe 2020 strategy, focusing on the new poverty target and the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion. The article reaches three main conclusions. First, while poverty is given a prominent place in the strategy and the recourse to targets is intended to harden up Member State and EU coordination in the field, the poverty target is loose and risks being rendered ineffective as an EU-wide target. Secondly, the social goals and philosophy of Europe 2020 are under-elaborated. While it is important that the poverty-related measures are treated on a similar basis to the other elements of Europe 2020, it is not made clear how growth will bring about the planned reduction in poverty. ‘Inclusive growth’ has little meaning in itself. This leads to the third conclusion which is that Europe 2020 lacks a coherent model of social development. Philosophically, it draws mainly from social investment and liberal approaches, neither of which has a strong orientation to addressing poverty.
‘More and better jobs’: is quality of work still an issue – and was it ever?
Authors: Bothfeld Silke , Leschke Janine
Published: July 2012

Quality of work is a core element of the European social model. In this article we analyse the role and instruments of EU actors in this policy area in order to discover the extent to which it has been institutionalized since the mid-1990s. We first demonstrate that quality of work has to be understood as a multi-dimensional concept, before analysing the respective roles of and interactions between the Council, the Commission, the European Parliament and the social partners. Both the definition of the subject as a policy problem and the construction of a comprehensive indicator-based monitoring tool represent necessary, albeit not sufficient, steps to promote the quality dimension of work. The article is based on document and secondary literature analysis as well as expert interviews.
A Canadian Lens on Facilitating Factors for North American Partnerships
Authors: Olson Christa Lee
Published: July 2012

What does it take to develop and maintain effective international education partnerships between institutions in the Canada, Mexico, and United States? This was a driving question for the qualitative study funded by a Fulbright-Enders-Garcia grant examining the relationship between North American partnerships and campus internationalization. Administrators, professors, and students at four institutions in Quebec, Canada and two institutions in Mexico shared institutional documents and their perspectives on North American partnerships and campus internationalization to help eluminate this relationship. This article features a Canadian lens on what factors contribute to effective partnership development with institutions in Mexico and the United States. The qualitative case study approach yields data on the facilitative institutional documents, administrative structures, and supporting mechanisms that exists within a given institution. Through probing interviews with diverse stakeholders, this approach also yields the human dimension—that is the factors that facilitate individual efforts to craft and maintain partnerships. The piece features primarily the internal workings at work on one side of the partnership equation—in this case within the Canadian institutions. Internationalization champions who are initiating new North American partnerships or seeking to maximize the effectiveness of existing international partnerships are the intended audience. It draws illustrations from the case studies to substantiate the argument that through the combination of visionary leadership, facilitative mechanisms, and competent internationalization leaders who are intentionally collaborating successful partner relationships are established and sustained. It is clearly critical in this global era for institutions to develop international partnerships that advance individual research agendas and student global learning. The issue at hand is how might leaders articulate their vision and organize their institutional structures so that these partnerships contribute as well as they might to advancing student global learning. Drawing elements of good practice from each case, this piece offers a structural model for maximizing partnership engagement.
Voice hearing and pseudoseizures in a Māori teenager: an example of mate Māori and Māori traditional healing
Authors: Bush Allister , NiaNia Wiremu
Published: July 2012

Objective:

The aim of this paper is to describe a Māori traditional healing approach to assessment and treatment of distressing psychiatric symptoms in a young man.

Method:

We describe the case of a 17 year old Māori male with voice hearing and pseudoseizures and the assessment and intervention by one of the authors (WN). We report on the young man’s and his family’s experience of this treatment. We outline concepts from a Māori world view that illuminate an indigenous rationale for this approach.

Results:

A single session traditional Māori healing intervention was associated with immediate resolution of this young man’s psychiatric symptoms and restoration of his sense of wellbeing, despite cessation of antipsychotic treatment. He and his family felt satisfied with the cultural explanation about the origin of his distress, which was congruent with their world view. He remained well at follow-up one year later.

Conclusions:

Collaboration between psychiatrists and traditional Māori healing practitioners can enhance the mental health care of Māori whaiora (service users) and their families. Indigenous research is required to further evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of such joint approaches.
Understanding Interorganizational Agency
Authors: Arnaud Nicolas , Mills Colleen E.
Published: July 2012

The opportunities and need for interorganizational collaboration in all production sectors have increased markedly over the later part of last century, yet, despite an extensive interorganizational relationships literature, little is still known about the way work is achieved in interorganizational collaborations and teams. Studies have failed to reveal the essence of the collaborative interfirm dynamic; the relationships between operational-level employees and how these are manifested and sustained at an interactional level. This case study of interfirm collaboration in the furniture manufacturing sector in France addresses this gap in the literature by examining the communication processes between the operational-level employees who produce enduring patterns of engagement. The findings reveal how actions are coordinated at the micro level through conversations and, in so doing, clarify how collective competence is formed and becomes stable. The result is a unique contribution to the literatures on interorganizational relationships (IOR) and organizational communication.
Patient-Centered Care and Emergency Department Utilization
Authors: Hearld Larry R. , Alexander Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2012

Increased emergency department (ED) overcrowding has renewed interest in identifying remedies for unnecessary ED utilization. One potential remedy receiving more attention is patient-centered care. Relatively little is known, however, about how patient-centered care might decrease ED utilizatiosn. This study examined two mediating processes by which four dimensions of patient-centered care may affect patients’ reported ED visits. Cross-sectional path analysis of 8,140 chronically ill patients found that patients reporting higher levels of patient-centered care were less likely to have experienced problems of care coordination, and in turn were associated with decreased likelihood of having delayed care and fewer ED visits. These findings suggest that understanding how care is delivered, and not simply whether it is available or provided, is an important consideration in understanding ED utilization. Our findings suggest that fostering more fair and respectful relationships between patients and providers may be a particularly important way of reducing ED utilization.
Creating a More Complete and Current Picture
Authors: Alderden Megan A. , Ullman Sarah E.
Published: July 2012

This study sought to identify factors that predicted outcomes for sexual assault cases involving female victims across several decision-making points and compare these findings to prior studies. The results indicate that there continues to be a high attrition rate in the handling of sexual assault cases. Only 9.7% of cases examined resulted in charges. In regards to processing decisions, most of the factors that predicted whether cases were founded, resulted in arrest, presented to the prosecution, or resulted in felony charges were extralegal factors. One factor appeared to influence several decision-making points: whether officers noted discrepancies in victim statements.
Girls’ Experiences With Violence
Authors: Tasca Melinda , Zatz Marjorie S. , Rodriguez Nancy
Published: July 2012

A growing body of work has emerged that examines crime and delinquency as gendered events. Given the prevalence of violence in the lives of women and girls, scholars have used various theoretical perspectives, including feminist pathways and “doing gender,” to investigate the victimization–offending overlap. The authors contribute to this literature through an analysis of juvenile court records using a sample of at-risk girls. The authors identify the context of girls’ experiences as victims of violence, perpetrators of violence, and both victims and perpetrators of violence. The authors conclude with epistemological thoughts regarding transdisciplinary research on girls’ experiences with violence.
The optimal measure of microvascular function with velocity time integral for cardiovascular risk prediction
Authors: Lee Vincent , Martin Billie-Jea , Fung Marinda , Anderson Todd J
Published: July 2012

Recent evidence suggests that microvascular function may be important in cardiovascular risk prediction. One measure of microvascular function is hyperaemic velocity time integral (VTI). We assessed whether the VTI of more than one beat of reactive hyperaemia would provide a stronger correlate to traditional cardiovascular risk factors using a subset of subjects from the Firefighters and Their Endothelium (FATE) study. Vascular function was assessed by measurement of hyperaemic blood velocity with high-resolution ultrasound of the brachial artery. We evaluated three measures in the current analysis: the VTI of the first beat, average VTI of 10 beats, and maximum VTI of 10 beats post-cuff release. A total of 399 male subjects (45.5 ± 10 years) were included in this analysis. Univariate correlations between the three end points and cardiovascular risk factors were calculated, and multivariable regression models constructed. Intra-observer variability was approximately equal for all VTI end points (coefficient of variation: first = 1.6%, average = 1.4%, maximum = 1.4%). Univariate correlations between VTI and cardiovascular risk factors were similar across all three end points. In multivariable analyses, there were no differences in the relationships between cardiovascular risk factors and the various VTI end points ( R2 from 0.090 to 0.102). Age, systolic blood pressure, and BMI were predictors of the three VTI end points ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, the first beat of reactive hyperaemia remains the suitable measure of microvascular function.
Implementing ability grouping in EFL contexts: Perceptions of teachers and students
Authors: Kim YouJin
Published: July 2012

Ability grouping – defined as a practice that places students into classrooms or small groups based on an initial assessment of their readiness or ability – has received considerable attention in educational research for years in many countries (Ireson & Hallam, 1999, 2001; Slavin, 1987). In Korea, ability grouping has been implemented in elementary, middle, and high school settings for certain subjects such as English. The purpose of the current study was to determine how the ability grouping policy has been implemented in Korean middle school English classes and to examine the perceptions of teachers ( n = 55) and students ( n = 754) regarding this policy. The results showed that schools implemented the policy in a variety of ways (e.g. different number of grouping levels). Teachers and students indicated their concerns regarding students’ emotional problems and showed mixed attitudes towards ability grouping. They also argued that schools need large support to maximize the putative effectiveness of ability grouping in different areas such as curriculum design, materials development, and teacher training. The findings are discussed in terms of pedagogical recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of ability grouping in English classes and other options for future research to investigate this and relevant educational language policies.
The relationship between SLA research and language pedagogy: Teachers’ perspectives
Authors: Nassaji Hossein
Published: July 2012

There is currently a substantial body of research on second language (L2) learning and this body of knowledge is constantly growing. There are also many attempts in most teacher education programs around the world to inform practicing and prospective L2 teachers about second language acquisition (SLA) research and its findings. However, an important question in this context has been to what extent SLA research has been able to influence L2 teaching. There is extensive discussion and debate among SLA researchers about the applicability of L2 research to language teaching. However, there is little empirical research in this area. This research was conducted to shed some light on this issue by examining how English language teachers perceive the relationship between SLA research and language teaching and to what extent they believe the findings of SLA is useful and relevant for L2 pedagogy. Data were collected from 201 teachers of English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) by means of a written questionnaire. Analyses of data revealed that most teachers believed that knowing about SLA research is useful and that it can improve L2 teaching. However, a high percentage indicated that the knowledge they gain from teaching experience is more relevant to their teaching practices than the knowledge they gain from research. The majority indicated that they have easy access to research materials, but very few stated that they read research articles, with the most common reasons being lack of time, difficulty of research articles, and lack of interest. The article concludes with discussion and suggestions about how to improve the perceived gap between L2 research and pedagogy.
Does every student have a voice? Critical action research on equitable classroom participation practices
Authors: Mack Lindsay
Published: July 2012

This article explores the design and implementation of critical action research undertaken to encourage equal classroom participation. Building on a body of literature on critical action research and oral participation, the author reports her research project undertaken in a multi-lingual and multi-ethnic class in Japan to examine practices of how she promotes oral participation to create a more equitable pedagogy. First, detailing the action research plan including a preliminary investigation in the classroom, an action plan, an intervention and an observation of the outcome, the author then details the students’ beliefs about oral participation which formed the basis of an intervention that led to a promotion of student agency and of equity in the classroom. Through this project, the author and her students redefined the conventional conception of traditional oral participation practices. This redefinition enhanced student agency making a more meaningful pedagogy for all students. It is argued that oral participation, or lack of oral participation, does not occur simply because of cultural characteristics and linguistic ability but rather that the teaching methodology, social inclusion and student voice are also main factors influencing student participation in class.
Singing Japan’s heart and soul: A discourse on the black enka singer Jero and race politics in Japan
Authors: Doerr Neriko Musha , Kumagai Yuri
Published: July 2012

This article analyses a discourse around the ascendancy of Jero, an ‘African-American’ male dressed in hip-hop attire singing enka, a genre of music that has been dubbed ‘the heart and soul of Japan.’ Since his debut in Japan in February 2008, Jero has attracted much media attention. This article analyses a prominent discourse, ‘Jero is almost Japanese because he sings enka well.’ While many argue that to challenge stereotypes and racism is to introduce alternative role models, we show that such alternative role models can also reinforce the existing regime of difference of Japanese vs. the Other and perpetuate related racism. We suggest instead a need for various cultural arrangements to stop capitalizing on the difference between races and start noticing differences (and similarities) in other regimes of difference (e.g. taste, style) in order to challenge stereotypes.
Consumption of traditional food and adherence to nutrition recommendations in Greenland
Authors: Jeppesen Charlotte , Bjerregaard Peter
Published: July 2012

Aims:

The purpose was to study the composition of the Inuit diet, to assess the adherence to nutritional recommendations among the Inuit in Greenland, and to discuss the potential role of traditional food in improving dietary quality.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study of adult Inuit (18+ years) from Greenland ( n=2752, 43% men). Data were collected by a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary contribution of nutrients was compared between quartiles of traditional food intake. A recommended macronutrient distribution range (RMDR) was constructed from the recommendations of Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (2004). The adherence to the RMDR was estimated and the food items’ contribution to energy, macronutrients, subclasses of fats, fibres, and refined sugar were calculated.

Results:

Consumption of refined sugar and saturated fat decreased by increasing consumption of traditional food whereas the fat profile improved due to increasing consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. Fibre intake decreased with increasing traditional food and 18% among both men and women complied to fibre recommendations. Compliance with polyunsaturated fatty acid recommendations was 27% for men and 36% for women. Compliance with n-3 fatty acids was 88% for men and 85% for women.

Conclusions:

Increasing consumption of traditional food could benefit the dietary fat profile but will result in low fibre intake. Promotion of healthy-fibre-dense and low-fat imported food will increase the compliance to the fibre recommendation while traditional food could stay an integrated part of the Inuit diet and provide less saturated fat.
Beyond coping? Alternatives to consumption within a social network of Russian workers
Authors: Morris Jeremy
Published: July 2012

Research on the post-socialist lived experience of the working poor often focuses on reciprocity and economic survival. It is equally important to examine how social networks facilitate self-provisioning and mutual-aid practices for non-subsistence consumption (decorative, non-utility items) in the face of material want. The ethnography presented here of manufacturing workers in a Russian province shows how self-resourced homemaking and decorative practices, after MacIntyre (1981) , constitute an ‘internal good’ – a social activity valued for itself as much as the domestic production it results in. This good is important for workers’ mutual recognition as providers and their status as sufficiently resourceful subjects suitable for inclusion within a social network – itself an important resource for the working poor. The network provides opportunities for alternatives to consumption outside the market economy. Worker identities at work cannot be detached from those at leisure and at home, and even the meaning of the workplace is problematized by its special place within the network.
Fecal microbiota transplantation in relapsing Clostridium difficile infection
Authors: Rohlke Faith , Stollman Neil
Published: July 2012

Clostridium difficile infection rates are Climbing in frequency and severity, and the spectrum of susceptible patients is expanding beyond the traditional scope of hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics. Fecal microbiota transplantation is becoming increasingly accepted as an effective and safe intervention in patients with recurrent disease, likely due to the restoration of a disrupted microbiome. Cure rates of > 90% are being consistently reported from multiple centers. Transplantation can be provided through a variety of methodologies, either to the lower proximal, lower distal, or upper gastrointestinal tract. This review summarizes reported results, factors in donor selection, appropriate patient criteria, and the various preparations and mechanisms of fecal microbiota transplant delivery available to clinicians and patients.
High expression of lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF1) is a novel favorable prognostic factor in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Metzeler Klaus H. , Heilmeier Bernhard , Edmaier Katrin E. , Rawat Vijay P. S. , Dufour Annika , Döhner Konstanze , Feuring-Buske Michaela , Braess Jan , Spiekermann Karsten , Büchner Thomas , Sauerland Maria C. , Döhner Hartmut , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Bohlander Stefan K. , Schlenk Richard F. , Bullinger Lars , Buske Christian
Published: July 2012

Lymphoid enhancer-binding factor-1 (LEF1) is a key transcription factor of Wnt signaling. We recently showed that aberrant LEF1 expression induces acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mice, and found high LEF1 expression in a subset of cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML) patients. Whether LEF1 expression associates with clinical and molecular patient characteristics and treatment outcomes remained unknown. We therefore studied LEF1 expression in 210 adults with CN-AML treated on German AML Cooperative Group trials using microarrays. High LEF1 expression (LEF1high) associated with significantly better relapse-free survival (RFS; P < .001), overall survival (OS; P < .001), and event-free survival (EFS; P < .001). In multivariable analyses adjusting for established prognosticators, LEF1high status remained associated with prolonged RFS (P = .007), OS (P = .01), and EFS (P = .003). In an independent validation cohort of 196 CN-AML patients provided by the German-Austrian AML Study Group, LEF1high patients had significantly longer OS (P = .02) and EFS (P = .04). We validated the prognostic relevance of LEF1 expression by quantitative PCR, thereby providing a clinically applicable platform to incorporate this marker into future risk-stratification systems for CN-AML. Gene-expression profiling and immunophenotyping revealed up-regulation of lymphopoiesis-related genes and lymphoid cell-surface antigens in LEF1high patients. In summary, we provide evidence that high LEF1 expression is a novel favorable prognostic marker in CN-AML.
Synergistic protection against hyperoxia-induced lung injury by neutrophils blockade and EC-SOD overexpression
Authors: Min Jae H , Codipilly Champa N , Nasim Sonya , Miller Edmund J , Ahmed Mohamed N
Published: July 2012

Background

Oxygen may damage the lung directly via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or indirectly via the recruitment of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils. Overexpression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) has been shown to protect the lung against hyperoxia in the newborn mouse model. The CXC-chemokine receptor antagonist (Antileukinate) successfully inhibits neutrophil influx into the lung following a variety of pulmonary insults. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the combined strategy of overexpression of EC-SOD and inhibiting neutrophil influx would reduce the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the lung after acute hyperoxic exposure more efficiently than either single intervention.

Methods

Neonate transgenic (Tg) (with an extra copy of hEC-SOD) and wild type (WT) were exposed to acute hyperoxia (95% FiO2for 7 days) and compared to matched room air groups. Inflammatory markers (myeloperoxidase, albumin, number of inflammatory cells), oxidative markers (8-isoprostane, ratio of reduced/oxidized glutathione), and histopathology were examined in groups exposed to room air or hyperoxia. During the exposure, some mice received a daily intraperitoneal injection of Antileukinate.

Results

Antileukinate-treated Tg mice had significantly decreased pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress compared to Antileukinate-treated WT mice (p < 0.05) or Antileukinate-non-treated Tg mice (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Combined strategy of EC-SOD and neutrophil influx blockade may have a therapeutic benefit in protecting the lung against acute hyperoxic injury.
A nonsense mutation in the tyrosinase gene causes albinism in water buffalo
Authors: Damé Maria Cecília Florisbal , Xavier Gildenor Medeiros , Oliveira-Filho José Paes , Borges Alexandre Secorun , Oliveira Henrique Nunes , Riet-Correa Franklin , Schild Ana Lucia
Published: July 2012

Background

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive hereditary pigmentation disorder affecting humans and several other animal species. Oculocutaneous albinism was studied in a herd of Murrah buffalo to determine the clinical presentation and genetic basis of albinism in this species.

Results

Clinical examinations and pedigree analysis were performed in an affected herd, and wild-type and OCA tyrosinase mRNA sequences were obtained. The main clinical findings were photophobia and a lack of pigmentation of the hair, skin, horns, hooves, mucosa, and iris. The results of segregation analysis suggest that this disease is acquired through recessive inheritance. In the OCA buffalo, a single-base substitution was detected at nucleotide 1,431 (G to A), which leads to the conversion of tryptophan into a stop codon at residue 477.

Conclusion

This premature stop codon produces an inactive protein, which is responsible for the OCA buffalo phenotype. These findings will be useful for future studies of albinism in buffalo and as a possible model to study diseases caused by a premature stop codon.
Genome-wide CNV analysis replicates the association between GSTM1 deletion and bladder cancer: a support for using continuous measurement from SNP-array data
Authors: Marenne Gaëlle , Real Francisco X , Rothman Nathaniel , Rodríguez-Santiago Benjamin , Pérez-Jurado Luis , Kogevinas Manolis , García-Closas Montse , Silverman Debra T , Chanock Stephen J , Génin Emmanuelle , Malats Núria
Published: July 2012

Background

Structural variations such as copy number variants (CNV) influence the expression of different phenotypic traits. Algorithms to identify CNVs through SNP-array platforms are available. The ability to evaluate well-characterized CNVs such as GSTM1 (1p13.3) deletion provides an important opportunity to assess their performance.

Results

773 cases and 759 controls from the SBC/EPICURO Study were genotyped in the GSTM1 region using TaqMan, Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), and Illumina Infinium 1 M SNP-array platforms. CNV callings provided by TaqMan and MLPA were highly concordant and replicated the association between GSTM1 and bladder cancer. This was not the case when CNVs were called using Illumina 1 M data through available algorithms since no deletion was detected across the study samples. In contrast, when the Log R Ratio (LRR) was used as a continuous measure for the 5 probes contained in this locus, we were able to detect their association with bladder cancer using simple regression models or more sophisticated methods such as the ones implemented in the CNVtools package.

Conclusions

This study highlights an important limitation in the CNV calling from SNP-array data in regions of common aberrations and suggests that there may be added advantage for using LRR as a continuous measure in association tests rather than relying on calling algorithms.
Cone-beam computed tomography study of root and canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a western Chinese population
Authors: Yu Xuan , Guo Bin , Li Ke-Zeng , Zhang Ru , Tian Yuan-Yuan , Wang Hu , DDS Tao Hu
Published: July 2012

Background

Traditional radiography is limited in its ability to give reliable information on the number and morphology of root canals. The application of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a non-invasive three-dimensional confirmatory diagnosis as a complement to conventional radiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate the root and canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a western Chinese population using CBCT scanning.

Methods

The sample included 149 CBCT images comprising 178 mandibular first premolars and 178 second premolars. The tooth position, number of roots and canals, and canal configuration according to Vertucci’s classification were recorded.

Results

The results showed that 98% of mandibular first premolars had one root and 2% had two roots; 87.1% had one canal, 11.2% had two canals and 0.6% had three canals. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 1.1%. All mandibular second premolars had one root; 97.2% had one canal and 2.2% had two canals. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 0.6%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of multiple canals in mandibular first premolars was mainly of Type V, and mandibular second premolars had a low rate of canal variation in this western Chinese population. Root canal bifurcation occurred at the middle or apical third in most bicanal mandibular premolars. CBCT scanning can be used in the management of mandibular premolars with complex canal morphology.
Analysis of aberrant methylation on promoter sequences of tumor suppressor genes and total DNA in sputum samples: a promising tool for early detection of COPD and lung cancer in smokers
Authors: Guzmán Leda , Depix María Soledad , Salinas Ana María , Roldán Rosa , Aguayo Francisco , Silva Alejandra , Vinet Raul
Published: July 2012

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disorder associated to cigarette smoke and lung cancer (LC). Since epigenetic changes in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are clearly important in the development of LC. In this study, we hypothesize that tobacco smokers are susceptible for methylation in the promoter region of TSGs in airway epithelial cells when compared with non-smoker subjects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of detection of genes promoter methylation in sputum specimens, as a complementary tool to identify LC biomarkers among smokers with early COPD.

Methods

We determined the amount of DNA in induced sputum from patients with COPD (n = 23), LC (n = 26), as well as in healthy subjects (CTR) (n = 33), using a commercial kit for DNA purification, followed by absorbance measurement at 260 nm. The frequency of CDKN2A, CDH1 and MGMT promoter methylation in the same groups was determined by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). The Fisher’s exact test was employed to compare frequency of results between different groups.

Results

DNA concentration was 7.4 and 5.8 times higher in LC and COPD compared to the (CTR) (p < 0.0001), respectively. Methylation status of CDKN2A and MGMT was significantly higher in COPD and LC patients compared with CTR group (p < 0.0001). Frequency of CDH1 methylation only showed a statistically significant difference between LC patients and CTR group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

We provide evidence that aberrant methylation of TSGs in samples of induced sputum is a useful tool for early diagnostic of lung diseases (LC and COPD) in smoker subjects.

Virtual slides

The abstract MUST finish with the following text: Virtual Slides The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1127865005664160
SPI-1 encoded genes of Salmonella Typhimurium influence differential polarization of porcine alveolar macrophages in vitro
Authors: Kyrova Kamila , Stepanova Hana , Rychlik Ivan , Faldyna Martin , Volf Jiri
Published: July 2012

Background

Within the last decade, macrophages have been shown to be capable of differentiating toward a classically activated phenotype (M1) with a high antimicrobial potential or an alternatively activated phenotype (M2). Some pathogens are capable of interfering with differentiation in order to down-regulate the anti-microbial activity and enhance their survival in the host.

Results

To test this ability in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, we infected porcine alveolar macrophages with wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium and its isogenic mutants devoid of two major pathogenicity islands, SPI-1 and SPI-2. The induction of genes linked with M1 or M2 polarization was determined by quantification of gene expression by RT-qPCR. The ΔSPI-1 mutant induced a high, dose-dependent M1 response but a low M2 response in infected macrophages. On the other hand, wild-type Salmonella Typhimurium induced a low M1 response but a high, dose-dependent M2 response in infected macrophages. The response to ΔSPI-2 mutant infection was virtually the same as the wild-type strain.

Conclusions

We therefore propose that Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 studied here can polarize macrophages towards the less bactericidal M2 phenotype and that this polarization is dependent on the type III secretion system encoded by SPI-1.
Intraoperative radiation therapy with the photon radiosurgery system in locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer: retrospective review of the Cleveland clinic experience
Authors: Guo Susan , Reddy Chandana A , Kolar Matthew , Woody Neil , Mahadevan Arul , Deibel F Christopher , Dietz David W , Remzi Feza H , Suh John H
Published: July 2012

Background

Patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer often require multimodality treatment. Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is a focal approach which aims to improve local control.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients treated with IORT following definitive resection of a locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer from 2000–2009. All patients were treated with the Intrabeam® Photon Radiosurgery System (PRS). A dose of 5 Gy was prescribed to a depth of 1 cm (surface dose range: 13.4-23.1, median: 14.4 Gy). Median survival times were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

Of 42 patients, 32 had recurrent disease (76%) while 10 had locally advanced disease (24%). Eighteen patients (43%) had tumors fixed to the sidewall. Margins were positive in 19 patients (45%). Median follow-up after IORT was 22 months (range 0.2-101). Median survival time after IORT was 34 months. The 3-year overall survival rate was 49% (43% for recurrent and 65% for locally advanced patients). Local recurrence was evaluable in 34 patients, of whom 32% failed. The 1-year local recurrence rate was 16%. Distant metastasis was evaluable in 30 patients, of whom 60% failed. The 1-year distant metastasis rate was 32%. No intraoperative complications were attributed to IORT. Median duration of IORT was 35 minutes (range: 14–39). Median discharge time after surgery was 7 days (range: 2–59). Hydronephrosis after IORT occurred in 10 patients (24%), 7 of whom had documented concomitant disease recurrence.

Conclusions

The Intrabeam® PRS appears to be a safe technique for delivering IORT in rectal cancer patients. IORT with PRS marginally increased operative time, and did not appear to prolong hospitalization. Our rates of long-term toxicity, local recurrence, and survival rates compare favorably with published reports of IORT delivery with other methods.
Predicting on-going hemorrhage and transfusion requirement after severe trauma: a validation of six scoring systems and algorithms on the TraumaRegister DGU®
Authors: Brockamp Thomas , Nienaber Ulrike , Mutschler Manuel , Wafaisade Arasch , Peiniger Sigune , Lefering Rolf , Bouillon Bertil , Maegele Marc ,   TraumaRegister DGU
Published: July 2012

Introduction

The early aggressive management of the acute coagulopathy of trauma may improve survival in the trauma population. However, the timely identification of lethal exsanguination remains challenging. This study validated six scoring systems and algorithms to stratify patients for the risk of massive transfusion (MT) at a very early stage after trauma on one single dataset of severely injured patients derived from the TR-DGU (TraumaRegister DGU® of the German Trauma Society (DGU)) database.

Methods

Retrospective internal and external validation of six scoring systems and algorithms (four civilian and two military systems) to predict the risk of massive transfusion at a very early stage after trauma on one single dataset of severely injured patients derived from the TraumaRegister DGU® database (2002-2010). Scoring systems and algorithms assessed were: TASH (Trauma-Associated Severe Hemorrhage) score, PWH (Prince of Wales Hospital/Rainer) score, Vandromme score, ABC (Assessment of Blood Consumption/Nunez) score, Schreiber score and Larsen score. Data from 56,573 patients were screened to extract one complete dataset matching all variables needed to calculate all systems assessed in this study. Scores were applied and area-under-the-receiver-operating-characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. From the AUC curves the cut-off with the best relation of sensitivity-to-specificity was used to recalculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV).

Results

A total of 5,147 patients with blunt trauma (95%) was extracted from the TR-DGU. The mean age of patients was 45.7 ± 19.3 years with a mean ISS of 24.3 ± 13.2. The overall MT rate was 5.6% (n = 289). 95% (n = 4,889) patients had sustained a blunt trauma. The TASH score had the highest overall accuracy as reflected by an AUC of 0.889 followed by the PWH-Score (0.860). At the defined cut-off values for each score the highest sensitivity was observed for the Schreiber score (85.8%) but also the lowest specificity (61.7%). The TASH score at a cut-off ≥ 8.5 showed a sensitivity of 84.4% and also a high specificity (78.4%). The PWH score had a lower sensitivity (80.6%) with comparable specificity. The Larson score showed the lowest sensitivity (70.9%) at a specificity of 80.4%.

Conclusions

Weighted and more sophisticated systems such as TASH and PWH scores including higher numbers of variables perform superior over simple non-weighted models. Prospective validations are needed to improve the development process and use of scoring systems in the future.
Robust Storage Assignment in Unit-Load Warehouses
Authors: Ang Marcus , Lim Yun Fong , Sim Melvyn
Published: July 2012

Assigning products to and retrieving them from proper storage locations are crucial decisions in minimizing the operating cost of a unit-load warehouse. The problem becomes intractable when the warehouse faces variable supply and uncertain demand in a multiperiod setting. We assume a factor-based demand model in which demand for each product in each period is affinely dependent on some uncertain factors. The distributions of these factors are only partially characterized. We introduce a robust optimization model that minimizes the worst-case expected total travel in the warehouse with distributional ambiguity of demand. Under a linear decision rule, we obtain a storage and retrieval policy by solving a moderate-size linear optimization problem. Surprisingly, despite imprecise specification of demand distributions, our computational studies suggest that the linear policy achieves close to the expected value given perfect information and significantly outperforms existing heuristics in the literature.

This paper was accepted by Gérard P. Cachon, optimization.
The Behavioralist Visits the Factory: Increasing Productivity Using Simple Framing Manipulations
Authors: Hossain Tanjim , List John A.
Published: July 2012

Recent discoveries in behavioral economics have led to important new insights concerning what can happen in markets. Such gains in knowledge have come primarily via laboratory experiments—a missing piece of the puzzle in many cases is parallel evidence drawn from naturally occurring field counterparts. We provide a small movement in this direction by taking advantage of a unique opportunity to work with a Chinese high-tech manufacturing facility. Our study revolves around using insights gained from one of the most influential lines of behavioral research—framing manipulations—in an attempt to increase worker productivity in the facility. Using a natural field experiment, we report several insights. For example, conditional incentives framed as both “losses” and “gains” increase productivity for both individuals and teams. In addition, teams more acutely respond to bonuses posed as losses than as comparable bonuses posed as gains. The magnitude of this framing effect is roughly 1%: that is, total team productivity is enhanced by 1% purely due to the framing manipulation. Importantly, we find that neither the framing nor the incentive effect lose their significance over time; rather, the effects are observed over the entire sample period. Moreover, we learn that repeated interaction with workers and conditionality of the bonus contract are substitutes for sustenance of incentive effects in the long run.

This paper was accepted by Gérard P. Cachon, decision analysis.
Reflected Knowledge and Trust in Global Collaboration
Authors: Mortensen Mark , Neeley Tsedal B.
Published: July 2012

Scholars argue that direct knowledge about distant colleagues is crucial for fostering trust in global collaboration. However, their arguments focus mainly on how trust accrues from knowledge about distant collaborators' personal characteristics, relationships, and behavioral norms. We suggest that an equally important trust mechanism is “reflected knowledge,” knowledge that workers gain about the personal characteristics, relationships, and behavioral norms of their own site through the lens of their distant collaborators. Based on surveys gathered from 140 employees in a division of a global chemical company, we found that direct knowledge and reflected knowledge enhanced trust in distinct ways. Although both enhanced feelings of closeness with others, results indicate that direct knowledge increased focal actors' understanding of their distant colleagues, whereas reflected knowledge promoted feelings of being understood. We discuss implications of reflected knowledge to theories of trust and interpersonal dynamics in globally distributed collaboration.

This paper was accepted by Jesper Sørensen, organizations.