bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pictorial essay: Acute neurological complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Kembhavi Seema A , Somvanshi Snehal , Banavali Shripad , Kurkure Purna , Arora Brijesh
Published: September 2012

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest childhood malignancy with high cure rates due to recent advances in central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis. The disease per se, as well as the prophylactic therapy, predisposes the child to complications such as cerebrovascular events, infections, drug toxicities, etc. The purpose of this study is to highlight the pathophysiology and the imaging features (with appropriate examples) of these complications and to propose a diagnostic algorithm based on MRI. Interpreting these scans in the light of clinical inputs very often helps the radiologist reach an appropriate diagnosis and help treatment and management.
Diurnal variations of organic molecular tracers and stable carbon isotopic composition in atmospheric aerosols over Mt. Tai in the North China Plain: an influence of biomass burning
Authors: Fu P. Q. , Kawamura K. , Chen J. , Li J. , Sun Y. L. , Liu Y. , Tachibana E. , Aggarwal S. G. , Okuzawa K. , Tanimoto H. , Kanaya Y. , Wang Z. F.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Organic tracer compounds, as well as organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of total carbon (TC) have been investigated in aerosol samples collected during early and late periods of the Mount Tai eXperiment 2006 (MTX2006) field campaign in the North China Plain. Total solvent-extractable fractions were investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. More than 130 organic compounds were detected in the aerosol samples. They were grouped into twelve organic compound classes, including biomass burning tracers, biogenic primary sugars, biogenic secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers, and anthropogenic tracers such as phthalates, hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In early June when the field burning activities of wheat straws in the North China Plain were very active, the total identified organics (2090 ± 1170 ng m−3) were double those in late June (926 ± 574 ng m−3). All the compound classes were more abundant in early June than in late June, except phthalate esters, which were higher in late June. Levoglucosan (88–1210 ng m−3, mean 403 ng m−3) was found as the most abundant single compound in early June, while diisobutyl phthalate was the predominant species in late June. During the biomass-burning period in early June, the diurnal trends of most of the primary and secondary organic aerosol tracers were characterized by the concentration peaks observed at mid-night or in early morning, while in late June most of the organic species peaked in late afternoon. This suggests that smoke plumes from biomass burning can uplift the aerosol particulate matter to a certain altitude, which could be further transported to and encountered the summit of Mt. Tai during nighttime. On the basis of the tracer-based method for the estimation of biomass-burning OC, fungal-spore OC and biogenic secondary organic carbon (SOC), we estimate that an average of 24% (up to 64%) of the OC in the Mt. Tai aerosols was due to biomass burning in early June, followed by the contribution of isoprene SOC (mean 4.3%). In contrast, isoprene SOC was the main contributor (6.6%) to OC, and only 3.0% of the OC was due to biomass burning in late June. In early June, δ13C of TC (−26.6 to −23.2‰, mean −25.0‰) were lower than those (−23.9 to −21.9‰, mean −22.9‰) in late June. In addition, a strong anti-correlation was found between levoglucosan and δ13C values. This study demonstrates that crop-residue burning activities can significantly enhance the organic aerosol loading and alter the organic composition and stable carbon isotopic composition of aerosol particles in the troposphere over the North China Plain.
MAXDOAS formaldehyde slant column measurements during CINDI: intercomparison and analysis improvement
Authors: Pinardi G. , Van Roozendael M. , Abuhassan N. , Adams C. , Cede A. , Clémer K. , Fayt C. , Frieß U. , Gil M. , Herman J. , Hermans C. , Hendrick F. , Irie H. , Merlaud A. , Navarro Comas M. , Peters E. , Piters A. J. M. , Puentedura O. , Richter A. , Schönhardt A. , Shaiganfar R. , Spinei E. , Strong K. , Takashima H. , Vrekoussis M. , Wagner T. , Wittrock F. , Yilmaz S.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We present intercomparison results for formaldehyde (HCHO) slant column measurements performed during the Cabauw Intercomparison Campaign of Nitrogen Dioxide measuring Instruments (CINDI) that took place in Cabauw, the Netherlands, in summer 2009. During two months, nine atmospheric research groups simultaneously operated MAXDOAS instruments of various designs to record UV-visible spectra of scattered sunlight at different elevation angles that were analysed using common retrieval settings. The resulting HCHO dataset was found to be highly consistent, the mean difference between instruments generally not exceeding 15% or 7.5 × 1015 molec cm2, for all viewing elevation angles. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the uncertainties in the HCHO slant column retrieval when varying key input parameters such as the molecular absorption cross-sections, correction terms for the Ring effect or the width and position of the fitting interval. This study led to the identification of potentially important sources of errors associated with cross-correlation effects involving the Ring effect, O4, HCHO and BrO cross-sections and the DOAS closure polynomial. As a result, a set of updated recommendations was formulated for HCHO slant column retrieval in the 336.5–359 nm wavelength range. To conclude, an error budget is proposed which distinguishes between systematic and random uncertainties. The total systematic error is estimated to be of the order of 20% and is dominated by uncertainties in absorption cross-sections and related spectral cross-correlation effects. For a typical integration time of one minute, random uncertainties range between 5% and 30%, depending on the noise level of individual instruments.
A new conceptual model of coral biomineralisation: hypoxia as the physiological driver of skeletal extension
Authors: Wooldridge S. A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. That corals skeletons are built of aragonite crystals with taxonomy-linked ultrastructure has been well understood since the 19th century. Yet, the way by which corals control this crystallization process remains an unsolved question. Here, I outline a new conceptual model of coral biominerationsation that endeavours to relate known skeletal features with homeostatic functions beyond traditional growth (structural) determinants. In particular, I propose that the dominant physiological driver of skeletal extension is night-time hypoxia, which is exacerbated by the respiratory oxygen demands of the coral's algal symbionts (= zooxanthellae). The model thus provides a new narrative to explain the high growth rate of symbiotic corals, by equating skeletal deposition with the "work-rate" of the coral host needed to maintain a stable and beneficial symbiosis. In this way, coral skeletons are interpreted as a continuous (long-run) recording unit of the stability and functioning of the coral-algae endosymbiosis. After providing supportive evidence for the model across multiple scales of observation, I use coral core data from the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) to highlight the disturbed nature of the symbiosis in recent decades, but suggest that its onset is consistent with a trajectory that has been followed since at least the start of the 1900's. In concluding, I explain how the evolved capacity of the cnidarians (which now includes modern reef corals) to overcome the metabolic limitation of hypoxia via skeletogenesis, may underpin the sudden appearance in the fossil record of calcified skeletons at the Precambrian-Cambrian transition – and the ensuing rapid appearance of most major animal phyla.
Evaluation and improvement of the Community Land Model (CLM 4.0) in Oregon forests
Authors: Hudiburg T. W. , Law B. E. , Thornton P. E.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Ecosystem process models are important tools for determining the interactive effects of global change and disturbance on forest carbon dynamics. Here we evaluated and improved terrestrial carbon cycling simulated by the Community Land Model (CLM4), the land model portion of the Community Earth System Model (CESM1.0.4). Our analysis was conducted primarily in Oregon forests using FLUXNET and forest inventory data for the period 2001–2006. We go beyond prior modeling studies in the region by incorporating regional variation in physiological parameters from >100 independent field sites in the region. We also compare spatial patterns of simulated forest carbon stocks and net primary production (NPP) at 15 km resolution using data collected from federal forest inventory plots (FIA) from >3000 plots in the study region. Finally, we evaluate simulated gross primary production (GPP) with FLUXNET eddy-covariance tower data at wet and dry sites in the region. We improved model estimates by making modifications to CLM4 to allow physiological parameters (e.g. foliage carbon to nitrogen ratios and specific leaf area), mortality rate, biological nitrogen fixation, and wood allocation to vary spatially by plant functional type (PFT) within an ecoregion based on field plot data in the region. Prior to modifications, default parameters resulted in underestimation of stem biomass in all forested ecoregions except the Blue Mountains and annual NPP was both over and underestimated. After modifications, model estimates of mean NPP fell within the observed range of uncertainty in all ecoregions (two-sided p-value = 0.8) and the underestimation of stem biomass was reduced. This was an improvement from the default configuration by 50% for stem biomass and 30% for NPP. At the tower sites, modeled monthly GPP fell within the observed range of uncertainty at both sites for the majority of the year, however summer GPP was underestimated at the Metolius semi-arid pine site and spring GPP was overestimated at the Campbell River mesic Douglas-fir site, indicating GPP may be an area for further improvement. The low bias in summer maximum GPP at the semi-arid site could be due to seasonal response of Vcmax to temperature and precipitation while overestimated spring values at the mesic site could be due to response of Vcmax to temperature and daylength.
"Real time analysis" of the ion density measured by the satellite DEMETER in relation with the seismic activity
Authors: Li M. , Parrot M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This paper is related to the study of the ion density recorded by the low altitude satellite DEMETER. In a first time there is an automatic search for ionospheric perturbations in the complete satellite data set of ion densities. Then perturbations due to known ionospheric phenomena (for example, solar activity) are eliminated as well as perturbations not above a seismic zone. In a second time, there is a search to know if each selected perturbation corresponds to a future earthquake. The earthquakes have been classified depending on their magnitude and depth. This attempt to predict earthquakes of course generates false alarms and wrong detections. The results of this statistical analysis are presented as function of various parameters. It is shown that the number of false alarms is very important, because the ionosphere has variations not only linked to the seismic activity. The number of wrong detections is also important and can be explained by the fact that the satellite is above a seismic area only a few minutes per day and we do not expect continuous perturbations from a given earthquake. The more important results of this study is that the ratio between detected earthquakes and earthquakes to be detected increases with the magnitude of the earthquakes which intuitively makes sense.
Sensitivity of a Greenland ice sheet model to atmospheric forcing fields
Authors: Quiquet A. , Punge H. J. , Ritz C. , Fettweis X. , Gallée H. , Kageyama M. , Krinner G. , Salas y Mélia D. , Sjolte J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Predicting the climate for the future and how it will impact ice sheet evolution requires coupling ice sheet models with climate models. However, before we attempt to develop a realistic coupled setup, we propose, in this study, to first analyse the impact of a model simulated climate on an ice sheet. We undertake this exercise for a set of regional and global climate models. Modelled near surface air temperature and precipitation are provided as upper boundary conditions to the GRISLI (GRenoble Ice Shelf and Land Ice model) hybrid ice sheet model (ISM) in its Greenland configuration. After 20 kyrs of simulation, the resulting ice sheets highlight the differences between the climate models. While modelled ice sheet sizes are generally comparable to the observed one, there are considerable deviations among the ice sheets on regional scales. These deviations can be explained by biases in temperature and precipitation near the coast. This is especially true in the case of global models. But the deviations between the climate models are also due to the differences in the atmospheric general circulation. To account for these differences in the context of coupling ice sheet models with climate models, we conclude that appropriate downscaling methods will be needed. In some cases, systematic corrections of the climatic variables at the interface may be required to obtain realistic results for the Greenland ice sheet (GIS).
Counseling Supervision for Counselor Development in Malaysia
Authors: Jaladin Rafidah Aga Mohd , Amit Noh , Sumari Melati
Published: September 2012

A mounting body of research confirms the clinical wisdom that supervision is a critical component of counselor development. Recent supervision research has unraveled some of the important elements of supervision that can contribute to the effectiveness of and satisfaction with counseling supervision. The process and characteristics of counseling supervision have been extensively studied in the western countries and many theoretical approaches and models of supervision have been developed. Notwithstanding the broad acceptance of supervision, there has been little empirical investigation in the local context that explores this topic. This lack of normative information makes it difficult for Malaysia to develop its own model of counseling supervision that is agreed upon by most institutions. Encouraging news for the supervisors is that the Malaysian Board of Counselors or Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia has taken the initial step in training supervisors suggesting an awareness of the importance of quality supervision. This paper draws on recent literature to illustrate the need for quality research in counseling supervision to contribute to counselor development. Some issues and challenges in developing the Malaysian model of supervision are also discussed. Suggestions for future research are also presented to tie-up the whole discussion.   Keyword - Counselor Education, Supervision, Malaysian counseling, professional development.
Culture and Empowerment: An Appraisal of Oje’nmeho Cultural Festival of Awume
Authors: Idoko Abraham Ajene
Published: September 2012

The total reflection of socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural awareness of a people could be appraised from their theatrical overtures. Taking a perspective on our indigenous traditional theatres from the primitive era to the present creative status and its intended reflection into the future, the paper explores the theatrical yardsticks as contained in Oje’nmeho cultural festival of Awume people of Idoma extraction of Benue State, Nigeria and its reflective impacts on the socio-political and socio-economic aspirations of the people. In conclusion, it therefore also takes a cogent overview of the possibilities of preserving and sustaining this theatrical antecedent for the purpose of its continuous existence as well as societal transformation. Keywords - Culture and Empowerment, Oje’nmeho, socio-political, socio-economic and socio-cultural awareness
The varieties of adult civic engagement in adult learning
Authors: Muñoz Linda , Spruck Wrigley Heide
Published: September 2012

The common themes of governance, engagement, democracy, and immigrant civic engagement are highlighted by demonstrating how they are evident in the practice and variety of adult civic engagement described in this volume.
A homozygous IER3IP1 mutation causes microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern, epilepsy, and permanent neonatal diabetes syndrome (MEDS)
Authors: Abdel‐Salam Ghada M.H. , Schaffer Ashleigh E. , Zaki Maha S. , Dixon‐Salazar Tracy , Mostafa Inas S. , Afifi Hanan H. , Gleeson Joseph G.
Published: September 2012

Wolcott–Rallison syndrome (WRS) and the recently delineated microcephaly with simplified gyration, epilepsy, and permanent neonatal diabetes syndrome (MEDS) are clinically overlapping autosomal recessive disorders characterized by early onset diabetes, skeletal defects, and growth retardation. While liver and renal symptoms are more severe in WRS, neurodevelopmental characteristics are more pronounced in MEDS patients, in which microcephaly and uncontrolled epilepsy are uniformly present. Mutations in the EIF2AK3 gene were described in patients with WRS and defects in this gene lead to increased susceptibility to apoptotic cell death. Mutations in IER3IP1 have been reported in patients with MEDS and similarly, loss of activity results in apoptosis of neurons and pancreatic beta cells in patients. Here we report on a homozygous mutation of the IER3IP1 gene in four patients from two unrelated consanguineous Egyptian families presenting with MEDS who display burst suppression patterns on EEG. All patients presented with mildly elevated liver enzymes, microalbuminuria, and skeletal changes such as scoliosis and osteopenia, leading to repeated bone fractures. We expand the phenotypic spectrum of MEDS caused by IER3IP1 gene mutations and propose that WRS and MEDS are overlapping clinical syndromes, displaying significant gene‐dependent clinical variability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aphonia, microstomia, deafness, retinal dystrophy, duplicated halluces and intellectual disability
Authors: Kariminejad Ariana , Hennekam Raoul C.M.
Published: September 2012

We report on a sister and brother born to healthy, double first cousin Iranian parents with a seemingly unique combination of signs and symptoms consisting of intellectual disability, congenital absent voice (aphonia), hearing loss, optic atrophy, retinal dystrophy, mildly broad thumbs, and duplicated halluces. Their facial morphology was unusual: thick eyebrows, ptosis, full eyelashes, long palpebral fissures, downslanting palpebral fissures, small mouth, and low‐set, posteriorly rotated ears. This phenotype does not meet the diagnostic criteria of any known entity. Because of parental consanguinity, absence of manifestations in parents, and occurrence in sibs of opposite sex, an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is likely. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Four Alkali‐Induced 3D Strontium(II) Coordination Polymers Constructed from Imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Properties
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Fa , Deng Zhao‐Peng , Huo Li‐Hua , Feng Qing‐Mao , Gao Shan
Published: September 2012

Four alkali‐induced 3D coordination polymers, namely [Sr(HIDC)(H3IDC)(H2O)]n·nH2O (1), [Sr(HIDC)]n (2), [Sr3(HIDC)2(H2IDC)4]n (3), and [Sr2(HIDC)2]n (4), were constructed from strontium(II) and imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H3IDC) and were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, PL, powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 is an eca net with the Schläfli symbol of (39.412.57) by considering the SrII cation as an 8‐connected node. Complex 2 presents a rare 5‐connected network with Schäfli symbol of (45.65) when the SrII cation and HIDC2– dianion are viewed as 5‐connected nodes. Complex 3 is a complicated 3D network, which can be regarded as a H2IDC– monoanion sustained porous framework filled by another HIDC2– dianion and H2IDC– monoanion. Complex 4 exhibits a 3D porous framework with 1D trigonal hydrophobic channels. The ligand H3IDC in the four complexes exists as the H3IDC molecule, the H2IDC– monoanion, and the HIDC2– dianion. In addition, the μ2 (κ1N:κ1O:κ1O) mode of the H3IDC molecule in complex 1, the μ3 (κ1O:κ1O:κ1O:κ1O) and μ3 (κ1N:κ1O:κ1O:κ1O) modes of the H2IDC– monoanion in complex 3, as well as the μ5 (κ1N:κ2O:κ1O:κ2O:κ1O) and μ6 (κ1N:κ2O:κ2O:κ2O:κ2O) modes of the HIDC2– dianion in complexes 2 and 4 are reported for the first time. Diverse topological architectures of the four complexes depend mainly on the coordination spheres of the SrII cation, the coordination modes of the anions, the different alkali, and the ligand to alkali ratio. TG analysis indicates that complex 2 presents high thermal stability, while the TG curve and temperature‐dependent PXRD spectra of complex 4 indicate that its framework is stable up to 350 °C. Moreover, the solid‐state luminescent properties demonstrate that complexes 1 to 4 exhibit strong blue emission at room temperature.
Determination of Plant Hormone Indole‐3‐Acetic Acid in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Bulíčková Jana , Sokolová Romana , Giannarelli Stefania , Muscatello Beatrice
Published: September 2012

An electroanalytical method was developed for the determination of the phytohormone indole‐3‐acetic acid in water using a glassy‐carbon electrode. The differential pulse voltammetry was combined with a purification step which involved the extraction of plant tissue and the separation of plant pigments by passing through column Oasis MCX. Indole‐3‐acetic acid can be determined under optimum conditions with a limit of quantification (LOQ) 2.7×10−6 mol L−1. The linearity range was from 1.8×10−6 to 6.6×10−4 mol L−1. The electroanalytical determination of indole‐3‐acetic acid is selective, fast and economic. The presence of other phytohormones as abscisic acid and cytokinins as isopentenyladenine, isopentenyladenosine, trans‐zeatin, zeatin riboside does not interfere the determination of indole‐3‐acetic acid in plant sample.
Quality of life instruments for skull base pathology: Systematic review and methodologic appraisal
Authors: de Almeida John R. , Witterick Ian J. , Gullane Patrick J. , Gentili Fred , Lohfeld Lynne , Ringash Jolie , Thoma Achilles , Vescan Allan D.
Published: September 2012

Background

Several quality of life (QOL) instruments exist for skull base pathology, however, there have been no attempts to appraise and systematically review these instruments.

Methods

We systematically reviewed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Central, AMED, Health and Psychosocial Instruments, and PsychoInfo for anterior or central skull base QOL instruments to January 2010. We queried experts, bibliographies, and meeting proceedings from the North American Skull Base Society from 2005 to 2009. Included instruments were evaluated for instrument characteristics, item generation and reduction, field testing, and measurement properties using predefined criteria.

Results

We identified 9 QOL instruments: 7 measuring QOL for pituitary pathology, 1 for midface pathology, and 1 for anterior skull base pathology. Eight of the 9 instruments have had some psychometric testing. None demonstrated all of the predefined psychometric properties.

Conclusions

There are several QOL instruments for patients with skull base pathology. None of these instruments met all predefined requirements, and further instrument development is needed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
First bite syndrome: Case report of 3 patients treated with botulinum toxin and review of other treatment modalities
Authors: Sims John R. , Suen James Y.
Published: September 2012

Background

First bite syndrome is an unexpected yet relatively common complication of surgeries involving the parapharyngeal space. It can have a significant effect on both the quality of life and physical health of affected patients. This study presents 3 cases of first bite syndrome treated with botulinum toxin and a review of the current literature on available treatment modalities for first bite syndrome.

Methods

Three patients with first bite syndrome were injected with 75 units of botulinum toxin into affected parotid glands, focusing on areas of greatest first bite pain.

Results

Two of 3 patients experienced complete relief of symptoms for 4 to 6 months. The third patient had significant decrease in pain at 4‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

Many treatments for first bite syndrome have been attempted including: dietary modification, pharmacological treatments, and surgical treatments. However, few have been successful. Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective treatment for this life altering and difficult to treat first bite syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Cost-effectiveness of alendronate for the treatment of osteopenic postmenopausal women in Japan
Authors: Moriwaki Kensuke , Komaba Hirotaka , Noto Shinichi , Yanagisawa Shinichiro , Takiguchi Toru , Inoue Hiroki , Toujo Takeshi , Fukagawa Masafumi , Takahashi Hideaki E.
Published: September 2012

Many postmenopausal women have osteopenia, a condition characterized by loss of bone mineral density (BMD) that is not as severe as in osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of alendronate to prevent fractures in osteopenic postmenopausal women without a history of fracture in Japan. An individual simulation model was developed to predict lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 5 years of preventive alendronate therapy versus no preventive therapy. The risk of hip and vertebral fracture associated with age and BMD was derived from epidemiologic studies in Japan. We ran the model with different combinations of age (65, 70, and 75 years), BMD (70%, 75%, and 80% of young adult mean [YAM]), and additional clinical risk factors. For 70-year-old women with a BMD of 70% of the YAM having one of the following risk factors: a family history of hip fracture, high alcohol intake, or current smoking, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of alendronate was $92,937, $126,251, and $129,067 per QALY, respectively. These results were sensitive to age, BMD, and number of clinical risk factors. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis for the base case showed that in the presence of one, two, and three risk factors, alendronate was cost-effective in 0.2% to 2.6%, 13.1% to 56.1%, and 99.1% of the simulations, respectively, if society is willing to pay $50,000 per QALY. Additional analysis indicated that alendronate can be a good value in osteopenic women if the 10-year probability for a osteoporotic hip or vertebral fracture is more than 26.2%. Our results indicate that whether to treat osteopenia with alendronate should be determined on the basis of age, BMD, and number of clinical risk factors in terms of cost-effectiveness. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Recombinant Laccase: I. Enzyme cloning and characterization
Authors: Nicolini Claudio , Bruzzese Debora , Cambria Maria Teresa , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Pechkova Eugenia
Published: September 2012

We obtained structural and functional characterization of a recombinant Laccase from Rigidoporus lignosus (formerly Rigidoporus microporus), a white‐rot basidiomycete, by means of circular dichroism (CD) spectra, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and biochemical assays. Here we report the optimization of expression and purification procedures of a recombinant Laccase expressed in supercompetent Escherichia coli cells. We amplified the coding sequence of Laccase using PCR from cDNA and cloned into a bacterial expression system. The resulting expression plasmid, pET‐28b, was under a strong T7/Lac promoter induced by IPTG (isopropyl‐β‐d‐thiogalactoipyranoside). We obtained purification by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) method. We recorded the variation of the current of a solution containing purified Laccase with increasing Syringaldazine (SGZ) concentration using a potentiometer as proof of principle, showing its compatibility with the development of a new enzymatic biosensor for medical purposes, as described in Part II. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 599–605, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine in oncology: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Normanno Nicola , Rachiglio Anna Maria , Roma Cristin , Fenizia Francesca , Esposito Claudia , Pasquale Raffaella , La Porta Maria Libera , Iannaccone Alessia , Micheli Filippo , Santangelo Michele , Bergantino Francesca , Costantini Susan , De Luca Antonella
Published: September 2012

Increasing evidence demonstrates that target‐based agents are active only in molecularly selected populations of patients. Therefore, the identification of predictive biomarkers has become mandatory to improve the clinical development of these novel drugs. Mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or rearrangements of the ALK gene in non‐small‐cell lung cancer, and BRAF mutations in melanoma are clear examples of driver mutations and predictive biomarkers of response to treatment with specific inhibitors. Predictive biomarkers might also identify subgroups of patients that are not likely to respond to specific drugs, as shown for KRAS mutations and anti‐EGFR monoclonal antibodies in colorectal carcinoma. The discovery of novel driver molecular alterations and the availability of drugs capable to selectively block such oncogenic mechanisms are leading to a rapid increase in the number of putative biomarkers that need to be assessed in each single patient. In this respect, two different approaches are being developed to introduce a comprehensive molecular characterization in clinical practice: high throughput genotyping platforms, which allow the detection of recognized genetic aberrations in clinical samples, and next generation sequencing that can provide information on all the different types of cancer‐causing alterations. The introduction of these techniques in clinical practice will increase the possibility to identify molecular targets in each individual patient, and will also allow to follow the molecular evolution of the disease during the treatment. By using these approaches, the development of personalized medicine for patients with cancer will finally become possible. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 514–524, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accuracy of percutaneous core needle biopsy in diagnosing papillary breast lesions and potential impact of sonographic features on their management
Authors: Al Hassan Tasneem , Delli Fraine Patrizio , El‐Khoury Mona , Joseph Lawrence , Zheng Jiamin , Mesurolle Benoît
Published: September 2012

Objective.

To assess retrospectively the accuracy of core needle biopsy in diagnosing papillary breast lesions and evaluate the prediction of malignant papillary lesions based on sonographic features.

Methods.

Review of 130 papillary lesions diagnosed on core needle biopsy (2002–2008) in 110 patients. The biopsy results were compared with final surgical pathology or evolution on imaging follow‐up. Lesion size, patient age, type of biopsy needle and guidance, and length of imaging follow‐up were documented. Sonographic features were retrospectively reviewed according to the BI‐RADS lexicon. Morphology, not part of BI‐RADS, was assessed as intraductal, intracystic, or solid.

Results.

Of the 130 papillary lesions, 6 were sampled with an 11‐G vacuum‐assisted needle under stereotactic guidance and the remaining 124 were sampled under US guidance with a 14‐G (n = 115), 18‐G (n = 8), or 10‐G (n = 1) needle. Initial core needle biopsy diagnosis was benign (n = 103), showed atypia (n = 20), or malignancy (n = 7). Thirty‐seven (36%) benign lesions were surgically excised and 66 (64%) were followed up. On final outcome, 10 benign lesions were upgraded to malignancy (9.7%) and 3 to atypia (3.6%). There was no significant difference in the benign, malignant, and upgraded groups with respect to size, age, or BI‐RADS sonographic characteristics. None of the oval‐shaped lesions nor the intraductal ones were upgraded.

Conclusions.

Although some sonographic features could favor a benign diagnosis, when a core biopsy yields the diagnosis of a papillary lesion, surgical excision is recommended to definitely exclude malignancy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2013
The role of TNXB single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in recurrent shoulder dislocation
Authors: Geiger Emanuel V. , Henrich Dirk , Wutzler Sebastian , Schneidmüller Dorien , Jakob Heike , Frank Johannes M. , Marzi Ingo
Published: September 2012

Tenascin‐X (TNX) is an extra‐cellular matrix glycoprotein associated with collagen fibril deposition. Recent reports have linked truncated TNX mutations (TNXB) to generalized joint hypermobility and most importantly recurrent joint dislocation. In the present study, we investigated whether there is an association between joint dislocation recurrence rate and the frequency of TNXB single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Seventy‐eight patients treated for post‐traumatic shoulder instability and 82 healthy controls were genotyped for selected TNXB SNP using TaqMan® Genotyping Assays. At a mean follow‐up of 24 months recurrence rate and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Constant and Murley, Rowe, and DASH scores. The association between genotypes and joint dislocation was tested using the dominant, recessive and additive models, and the model‐free approach. Genotype distribution of the examined SNPs did not significantly deviate from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) neither in patients nor in the controls. Moreover, there was no significant difference in genotype and allele distribution between patients and controls. Finally, no difference in genotype frequency was detected between patients who experienced a re‐dislocation after the initial surgery and patients who did not sustain a re‐dislocation. The SNPs investigated in this study have no clinically relevant influence on TNXB gene expression and/or TNX function. Therefore, these SNPs could not be used for predicting individual risk of recurrent shoulder dislocation. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 295–299, 2013
MRI quantification of fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy in a mouse model of rotator cuff tears
Authors: Samagh Sanjum P. , Kramer Erik J. , Melkus Gerd , Laron Dominique , Bodendorfer Blake M. , Natsuhara Kyle , Kim Hubert T. , Liu Xuhui , Feeley Brian T.
Published: September 2012

Rotator cuff pathology is the most common shoulder problem seen by orthopedic surgeons. Rotator cuff muscle fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy are common in larger tears and are considered predicting factors for the prognosis of cuff repair. Clinically, MRI is the gold standard in determining fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy; however, analysis for MRI imaging is primarily qualitative in nature with the results lacking further validation. We have recently developed a mouse model of rotator cuff tears. The goal of this study is to quantify and verify rotator cuff muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration using high‐resolution MRI in our mouse model. The rotator cuff muscles were analyzed for fat using a triglyceride quantification assay (TQA), muscle volume was measured through water displacement (WD), and histology. The study revealed that MRI had a high correlation with fat as measured with histology and TQA (R2 = 098). MRI also correlated well with atrophy measured with WD and wet weight. This suggests that MRI is a reliable modality in evaluating the progression of fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy following rotator cuff tears in a small animal model. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 421–426, 2013
When corridors collide: Road‐related disturbance in commuting bats
Authors: Bennett Victoria J. , Zurcher Arthur A.
Published: September 2012

As an increasingly dominant feature in the landscape, transportation corridors are becoming a major concern for bats. Although wildlife–vehicle collisions are considered to be a major source of mortality, other negative implications of roads on bat populations are just now being realized. Recent studies have revealed that bats, like many other wildlife species, will avoid roads rather than cross them. The consequence is that roads act as barriers or filters to movement, restricting bats from accessing critical resources. Our objective was to assess specific features along the commuting route, road, or surrounding landscape (alone or in combination) that exacerbated or alleviated the likelihood of a commuting bat exhibiting an avoidance behavior in response to an approaching vehicle. At 5 frequently used commuting routes bisected by roads, we collected data on vehicles travelling along the roads (such as visibility and audibility), commuting bats (such as height), and composition of the commuting route. We revealed that commuting route structure dictated the frequency at which bats turned back along their commuting routes and avoided the road. We found that gaps (>2 m) in commuting routes, such as the road itself, caused bats to turn away just before they reached the road. Furthermore, we found that turning frequencies of bats increased with vehicle noise levels and the locations at which bats responded to vehicles corresponded with areas where noise levels were greatest, including gaps <2 m. This suggested that bats had a disturbance threshold, and only reacted to vehicles when associated noise reached a certain level. We found that threshold levels for our study species were approximately 88 dB, but this value was likely to vary among species. Thus, our findings indicate that restoring (e.g., replanting native trees and shrubs in gaps) and establishing commuting routes (such as planting tree‐lines and wooded hedgerows), as well as creating road‐crossing opportunities (such as interlinking canopies) will improve the permeability of a road‐dominated landscape to bats. Furthermore, our study highlights the influence of the soundscape. We recommend that effective management and mitigation strategies should take into account the ecological design of the acoustic environment. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Sparing the larynx and esophageal inlet expedites feeding tube removal in patients with stage III‐IV oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Amin Neha , Reddy Krishna , Westerly David , Raben David , DeWitt Peter , Chen Changhu
Published: September 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the effect of larynx and esophageal inlet sparing on dysphagia recovery after intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for stage III‐IV oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Methods:

Of 88 patients treated with IMRT, 38 were planned with a larynx + esophageal inlet mean dose <50 Gy constraint, 27 with a larynx alone mean dose constraint of <50 Gy, and 23 without a larynx/esophagus constraint. All had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placed before IMRT, which was removed when the patient could swallow and maintain weight. All IMRT plans were retrieved, and the larynx; esophageal inlet; and superior, middle, and inferior constrictors were contoured. Dosimetric data were correlated with PEG tube dependence duration.

Results:

The PEG tube was removed within 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after IMRT in 24%, 61%, 71%, and 83% of patients, respectively. Median times to PEG tube removal were 3.7 and 8.6 months (P = .0029) in patients planned with or without a larynx/larynx + esophageal inlet dose constraint. A mean dose to the larynx + esophageal inlet of ≤60 Gy reduced the median PEG tube duration from 10.8 to 6.1 months (P = .02), compared to >60 Gy. Mean pharyngeal constrictor doses in patients receiving a mean dose to the larynx + esophageal inlet of ≤50 Gy versus >50 Gy were: 60 Gy and 69 Gy, 55 Gy and 67 Gy, and 47 Gy and 57 Gy, for the superior, middle, and inferior constrictors, respectively (P < .0001).

Conclusions:

A dose constraint on the larynx and esophageal inlet during IMRT planning reduces dose to pharyngeal constrictors and expedites PEG tube removal.
Investigations on non‐inferiority—the Food and Drug Administration draft guidance on treatments for nosocomial pneumonia as a case for exact tests for binomial proportions
Authors: Röhmel Joachim , Kieser Meinhard
Published: September 2012

This paper addresses statistical issues in non‐inferiority trials where the primary outcome is a fatal event. The investigations are inspired by a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guideline on treatments for nosocomial pneumonia. The non‐inferiority margin suggested in this guideline for the endpoint all‐cause mortality is defined on different distance measures (rate difference and odds ratio) and is discontinuous. Furthermore, the margin enables considerable power for the statistical proof of non‐inferiority at alternatives that might be regarded as clinically unacceptable, that is, even if the experimental treatment is harmful as compared with the control. We investigated the appropriateness of the proposed non‐inferiority margin as well as the performance of possible test statistics to be used for the analysis. A continuous variant of the margin proposed in the FDA guideline together with the unconditional exact test according to Barnard showed favorable characteristics with respect to type I error rate control and power. To prevent harmful new treatments from being declared as non‐inferior, we propose to add a ‘second hurdle’. We discuss examples and explore power characteristics when requiring both statistical significance and overcoming the second hurdle. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Context‐based robust face detection algorithm for surveillance cameras
Authors: Miwa Shotaro , Kage Hiroshi , Sumi Kazuhiko
Published: September 2012

This paper describes a context‐based robust face detection algorithm for surveillance cameras. Different from familiar faces captured by digital cameras, faces captured by surveillance cameras are smaller and darker with motion blurs and distortions. Furthermore, captured from top‐mounted cameras, facial images are downward and partially hidden. Just using a single‐face detector to detect such degraded faces is very difficult. To solve the problem, we utilize contextual information about faces of walking people. We employ a probabilistic face detection framework combining a face detector with local and global contextual information. We use a boosted fast face detector as an initial selector to pick up a small number of possible face regions in a very short time. After the fast selection of candidate face patches, as local contextual information we calculate a conditional probability in the surrounding regions using a histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) feature‐based outline detector, and as global contextual information we calculate possible face patches from viewpoint information using vanishing point detection. Combining a fast boosted face detector with these contextual information, while keeping computational efficiency of the original boosted face detector, we achieved a high face detection rate of 93.7% with about 1000 times lower false‐positive rate than when using a single original face detector. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
miR‐125b regulates the proliferation of glioblastoma stem cells by targeting E2F2
Authors: Wu Ning , Xiao Lin , Zhao Xiangzhong , Zhao Jin , Wang Jianpeng , Wang Fengxia , Cao Shousong , Lin XiuKun
Published: September 2012

microRNAs (miRNAs) play important role in regulating cancer stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation, but the expression prolife of miRNAs in glioma stem cells (GSCs) has not been addressed. Here, we found that CD133 positive GSCs possess a unique miRNAs profile compared to CD133 negative glioblastoma cells. miR‐125b, as one of neuronal miRNAs, is the most significantly down‐regulated miRNAs and overexpression of miR‐125b inhibits the proliferation of CD133 positive GSCs and reduces the expression of “stem” marker. Furthermore, two binding sites for miR‐125b are identified in the 3′UTR of E2F2 and overexpression of miR‐125b in CD133 positive GSCs represses the endogenous level of E2F2 protein. This study demonstrated that miR‐125b plays important roles in regulating the proliferation of GSCs by directly targeting E2F2.
L’intégration des Portugais du Luxembourg
Authors: Tourbeaux Jérôme
Published: September 2012

This research aims to describe the process of integration of Luxembourg’s Portuguese. To achieve this, we first conduct a summary review of the sociological literature about integration. Once the conceptual framework established, we measure and link the two essential aspects of integration: the socio-economic integration and the acculturation. To complete, we confront the Portuguese population resident of Luxembourg to those residing in Portugal in order to highlight the degree of acculturation of Portuguese immigrants and their descendants with the Luxembourg society. This research has required the use of data from the Luxembourg European Values Study (EVS) of 2008 as we measure acculturation from questions about the values of individuals. We prove that compared with their parents, the descendants of Portuguese immigrants, regarding their native social environment, are experiencing upward social mobility associated with the development of an “hybrid” cultural identity, composed of values both of the country of birth of their parents and of Luxembourg.
Exemplar Variability Facilitates Rapid Learning of an Otherwise Unlearnable Grammar by Individuals With Language-Based Learning Disability
Authors: von Koss Torkildsen Janne , Dailey Natalie S. , Aguilar Jessica M. , Gómez Rebecca , Plante Elena
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Even without explicit instruction, learners are able to extract information about the form of a language simply by attending to input that reflects the underlying grammar. In this study, the authors explored the role of variability in this learning by asking whether varying the number of unique exemplars heard by the learner affects learning of an artificial syntactic form.

Method

Learners with normal language (n= 16) and language-based learning disability (LLD;n= 16) were exposed to strings of nonwords that represented an underlying grammar. Half of the learners heard 3 exemplars 16 times each (low variability group), and the other half of the learners heard 24 exemplars twice each (high variability group). Learners were then tested for recognition of items heard and generalization of the grammar with new nonword strings.

Results

Only those learners with LLD who were in the high variability group were able to demonstrate generalization of the underlying grammar. For learners with normal language, both those in the high and the low variability groups showed generalization of the grammar, but relative effect sizes suggested a larger learning effect in the high variability group.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that the structure of the learning context can determine the ability to generalize from specific training items to novel cases.