bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using General-Case Instruction to Teach Spontaneous and Generalized Requests for Assistance to Learners with Severe Disabilities
Authors: Chadsey-Rusch Janis , Drasgow Erik , Reinoehl Bruce , Halle Jim , Collet-Klingenberg Lana
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of general-case instruction on spontaneous and generalized requests for assistance by three adolescents with severe disabilities. The findings support the efficacy of the general-case approach in relation to using a single example to teach requests for help. The distinguishing aspect of the general-case phase was the variation in stimulus conditions that occurred across teaching opportunities. Results indicated that general-case instruction produced generalized requests for assistance with two of the three learners. The implications for using general-case procedures for teaching communicative interactions are discussed and future research areas are proposed.
“Their Senior Year”: Family and Service Provider Perspectives on the Transition from School to Adult Life for Young Adults with Disabilities
Authors: Gallivan-Fenlon Amanda
Published: June 2014

Transition from school to adult life has recently become a significant concern for policy makers, educators, adult service providers, and families who have a son or daughter with a severe disability. How individuals understand this transition can be an important source of information for efforts in this area; yet little or no specific data currently exist on how transition services are being provided and whether or not they facilitate successful outcomes for young adults with disabilities. The purpose of this research was to discover how transition from school to adult life is experienced and understood by particular young adults with disabilities, families, and service providers. Qualitative methods were utilized over a 16-month period to gather and analyze data on the transition process for 11 young people with disabilities. Eight main themes emerged from the data: differing future expectations for young adults with disabilities; inconsistent implementation of special education curricula and lack of inclusive educational practices; lack of transition related knowledge; hastily and poorly coordinated transition planning; a prevalence of restrictive views on employment and community living opportunities for adults with disabilities; low levels of family participation; outcomes of unemployment and isolation for most young adult participants; and significant benefits of supported employment and community inclusion. The study has implications for policy making regarding transition, and recommended service practices are offered.
The Nature of Interactions between Students with Severe Disabilities and Their Friends and Acquaintances without Disabilities
Authors: Grenot-Scheyer Marquita
Published: June 2014

Children with severe disabilities and their friends without disabilities were compared with children with severe disabilities and their acquaintances without disabilities on a range of characteristics and their interactions were examined. The sample included 20 children with severe disabilities and 11 children without disabilities. Dyads (child with severe disabilities and his/her friend without disabilities, child with severe disabilities and his/her acquaintance without disabilities) were videotaped while playing with a variety of games during two periods of 15 min each. Considering child characteristics first, the friends and acquaintances did not differ in developmental level, language age, or functional movement. There also were no significant differences between the groups on social competence. In regards to interactions, there were several differences between the friend and acquaintance groups, but the majority of these differences were not statistically significant. The results are interpreted and implications for future research and educational programs are suggested.
Use and Impact of COACH with Students who are Deaf-Blind
Authors: Giangreco Michael F. , Edelman Susan W. , Dennis Ruth E. , Cloninger Chigee J.
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use and impact of COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children: A Guide to Planning Inclusive Education) with 30 students with deaf-blindness who attended general education classes in public schools. Interview and observational data were analyzed qualitatively while document data were analyzed quantitatively. The findings and discussion centered around five evaluation questions: (a) How do people use COACH? (b) Does the use of COACH result in educational program components referenced to valued life outcomes identified by parents and/or students? (c) How do educational programs developed using COACH differ from those developed prior to its use? (d) In what ways did the use of COACH effect relationships between parents and professionals? and (e) In what ways did the use of COACH effect valued life outcomes for students? Implications for planning in general education settings are discussed.
Parents' Perceptions after Inclusion of Their Children with Moderate or Severe Disabilities
Authors: Ryndak Diane Lea , Downing June E. , Jacqueline Lilly R. , Morrison Andrea P.
Published: June 2014

This study investigated the perceptions of parents of 13 children with moderate or severe disabilities in relation to their child's education in inclusive general education settings. Parents were all Caucasian and were from seven different school districts in western New York State. Their children ranged in age from 5 to 20 years, with nine having experienced educational services in self-contained settings prior to being included in typical classrooms. Audio-taped interviews of parents lasting from 60 to 90 minutes were transcribed and analyzed following qualitative research methodology. Findings indicated that, regardless of the age of their child, parents of all 13 children reported very positive perceptions. Parents whose children had been educated previously in self-contained classes reported many academic, behavioral, and social outcomes that they felt would not have happened without the transition to age-appropriate general education classes. The findings add to the growing literature on inclusion and support the trend to provide educational services for students with moderate or severe disabilities in general education settings.
Self-Determination and Young Children
Authors: Brown Fredda , Cohen Shirley
Published: June 2014

The development of self-determination in individuals with severe disabilities is recognized as a critical goal for special education. Although increasing attention is being paid to this subject, efforts to date have focused largely on adolescents and young adults. It is highly unlikely that the characteristics associated with self-determination suddenly emerge in adolescence. This article calls attention to the need to look at the early roots of self-determination from a developmental point of view and examines the relationship of selected practices in early childhood special education to skills associated with self-determination. Curriculum and instructional approaches that appear to support the foundations of self-determination are discussed.
Creating Socially Supportive Environments for Fully Included Students who Experience Multiple Disabilities
Authors: Hunt Pam , Alwell Morgen , Farron-Davis Felicia , Goetz Lori
Published: June 2014

This investigation analyzed the effectiveness of an intervention designed to facilitate the social inclusion of three students who experienced significant physical and intellectual challenges and, for two students, dual sensory impairments. The children were full-time members of two first-grade and one fourth-grade classrooms. The individualized intervention package included three major components: (a) provision of ongoing information to classmates about the communication system, adaptive equipment, and educational activities of the students with disabilities in the context of naturally occurring interactions between the students and their classmates or during “club” meetings; (b) identification and utilization of various media that could serve as the basis for interactive exchanges between the focus students and others; and (c) ongoing facilitation by educational staff of social exchanges between students and their classmates through the establishment of a “buddy” system, arrangement of interactive activities across the day, and prompting and interpreting communicative exchanges when necessary. All aspects of intervention were implemented by educational staff including general education and inclusion support teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service personnel. An analysis of the interactive patterns between the focus students and others indicated that when the intervention was fully implemented, there were increases in (a) reciprocal interactions with peers, (b) focus student-initiated interactions, and (c) focus student-initiated interactions that were comments (with no increase in requests or protests). In addition, there were decreases in assistive interactions with paraprofessionals. The social validity of changes in interactive patterns between the focus students and their classmates was established through interviews with the students' friends and their teachers.
Self-Advocacy Preparation of Consumers with Disabilities: A National Perspective of ADA Training Efforts
Authors: Wolfe Pamela S. , Ofiesh Nicole S. , Boone Rosalie B.
Published: June 2014

To understand efforts of Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (MHMR/DD) agencies to prepare clients with disabilities to assert their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MHMR/DD personnel in 50 states responded to questions about self-advocacy needs of clients, nature of agency training in ADA self-advocacy, success of training strategies, barriers to client training, and perceived impact of the ADA. Respondents believe MHMR/DD clients need training in advocacy-related skills. They cite a number of barriers to client self-advocacy preparation. Respondents see minimal impact of the ADA on the lives of agency clients; however, they are optimistic that future impact will be significant.
Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Children with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Durand V. Mark , Gernert-Dott Peter , Mapstone Eileen
Published: June 2014

Sleep disorders in children with developmental disabilities are a common and frequently disruptive behavioral concern. In the present study, four children with developmental disabilities (two of the children exhibited frequent night wakings and two had bedtime disturbances) were treated using a multiple baseline across subjects design. Sleep diaries were used to monitor changes in each child's sleep throughout treatment. Establishment of a consistent bedtime routine combined with a graduated extinction procedure for nighttime behavior problems resulted in a decrease in night wakings for two children (a 7-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy) and a decrease in bedtime disturbances for two children (a 2-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy). This series of interventions highlights the heterogeneity of maintaining variables in sleep disorders and the effectiveness of relatively simple behavioral interventions for the treatment of night wakings and bedtime disturbances in children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Support Service Decision Making for Students with Multiple Service Needs: Evaluative Data
Authors: Giangreco Michael F. , Edelman Susan W. , Luiselli Tracy E. , MacFarland Stephanie Z. C.
Published: June 2014

This quasi-experimental (pretest/posttest) study explored the use of (Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach) (VISTA) with 11 educational teams serving students with multiple disabilities. Information about VISTA, a process to facilitate consensus decision making about support services (i.e., type, mode, frequency), was obtained by 75 team members through self-study. Following self-study the teams used VISTA to make support service decisions for students with multiple service needs. The findings of this study provide data regarding: (a) changes in team and individual decision making as a result of using VISTA, (b) the extent to which team members perceived that VISTA did what it purported to do (e.g., increase parental and general education involvement, decrease gaps, overlaps, and contradictions), and (c) changes in the teams' level agreement about which support services students need. Implications for future related service decision making are discussed.
Positive Behavior Support as a Model for Promoting Educational Inclusion
Authors: Weigle Karen L.
Published: June 2014

Positive behavior support (PBS) has been advanced as a model for effectively managing behavior in school settings and facilitating inclusive education. Numerous systems adaptations and administrative supports, however, are necessary for the successful application of PBS in the schools. This article identifies difficulties in the application of best practices within current school systems, and considers federal and state laws, school system organization, the roles of teachers and administrators, and other factors that are relevant for inclusive education. Issues pertinent to the application of PBS are discussed, and practical steps for achieving progress are recommended.
Patient radiation exposure during carotid artery stenting
Authors: Stanišić Michał-Goran , Majewska Natalia , Makałowski Marcin , Juszkat Robert , Błaszak Magdalena , Majewski Wacław
Published: June 2014

Objectives

The main purpose of this study was to document the radiation doses to patients during carotid stenting.

Material and method

Fluoroscopy and exposure time, air kerma and dose-area product during carotid artery stenting in 160 patients were retrospectively reviewed with regard to body mass index, degree of stenosis and use of cerebral protection devices.

Results

Total air kerma was lower than 0.5 Gy in 80%, 0.5–1 Gy in 17% and higher than 1 Gy (maximum 1.2) in 3% of patients. Mean total dose-area product value for carotid stenting was 54 Gy cm2. The mean air kerma (fluoroscopy), air kerma (exposure), total air kerma and dose-area product (fluoroscopy), dose-area product (exposure), total dose-area product of patients with body mass index within the range 25–29.9 and with body mass index >30 were significantly increased compared to that of patients with body mass index 18–24.9 (H = 40.2, df = 2; p = 0.0000001 and p = 0.000003, respectively).

Conclusion

Carotid artery stenting is a relatively safe radiological procedure in terms of the radiation dose acquired by the patient. The main factors contributing to possible radiation overdosing are body mass index value and complexity of the carotid lesion. Proper preoperative planning in obese and complicated patients may reduce the fluoroscopy time and contribute to reduced dose acquisition.
A systematic review investigating the relationship between efficacy and stimulation parameters when using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation after knee arthroplasty
Authors: Beckwée David , Bautmans Ivan , Swinnen Eva , Vermet Yorick , Lefeber Nina , Lievens Pierre , Vaes Peter
Published: June 2014

Objective:

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation in the treatment of postoperative knee arthroplasty pain and to relate these results to the stimulation parameters used.

Data Sources:

PubMed, Pedro and Web of Knowledge were systematically screened for studies investigating effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on postoperative knee arthroplasty pain.

Review Methods:

Studies were screened for their methodological and therapeutical quality. We appraised the influence of the stimulation settings used and indicated whether or not a neurophysiological and/or mechanistic rationale was given for these stimulation settings.

Results:

A total of 5 articles met the inclusion criteria. In total, 347 patients were investigated. The number of patients who received some form of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation was 117, and 54 patients received sham transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Pain was the primary outcome in all studies. The stimulation settings used in the studies (n = 2) that reported significant effects differed from the others as they implemented a submaximal stimulation intensity. Stimulation parameters were heterogeneous, and only one study provided a rationale for them.

Conclusion:

This review reveals that an effect of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation might have been missed due to low methodological and therapeutical quality. Justifying the choice of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation parameters may improve therapeutical quality.
After the crisis? Big Data and the methodological challenges of empirical sociology
Authors: Burrows Roger , Savage Mike
Published: June 2014

Google Trends reveals that at the time we were writing our article on ‘The Coming Crisis of Empirical Sociology’ in 2007 almost nobody was searching the internet for ‘Big Data’. It was only towards the very end of 2010 that the term began to register, just ahead of an explosion of interest from 2011 onwards. In this commentary we take the opportunity to reflect back on the claims we made in that original paper in light of more recent discussions about the social scientific implications of the inundation of digital data. Did our paper, with its emphasis on the emergence of, what we termed, ‘social transactional data’ and ‘digital byproduct data’ prefigure contemporary debates that now form the basis and rationale for this excellent new journal? Or was the paper more concerned with broader methodological, theoretical and political debates that have somehow been lost in all of the loud babble that has come to surround Big Data. Using recent work on the BBC Great British Class Survey as an example this brief paper offers a reflexive and critical reflection on what has become – much to the surprise of its authors – one of the most cited papers in the discipline of sociology in the last decade.
Moderating Influence of Critical Psychological States on Work Engagement and Personal Outcomes in the Telecom Sector
Authors: Patrick Harold Andrew , Bhat Vinayak Anil
Published: June 2014

Organizations want their employees to be engaged with their work, exhibiting proactive behavior, initiative, and responsibility for personal development. Existing literature has a dearth of studies that evaluate all the three key variables that lead to optimal employee performance— critical psychological states (CPSs), work engagement, and personal outcomes. The present study attempts to fill that gap by linking the variable CPSs (which measures experienced meaningfulness, responsibility, and knowledge of results) with the other two. The study surveyed 359 sales personnel in the Indian telecom industry and adopted standardized, valid, and reliable instruments to measure their work engagement, CPSs, and personal outcomes. Analysis was done using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings indicated that CPSs significantly moderate the relationship between personal outcomes and work engagement.
Critical Program Elements in Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Karpur Arun , Brewer David , Golden Thomas
Published: June 2014

Access to effective and comprehensive transition programming is pivotal to transition of youth with disabilities to work and independent living. Successful programs often blend key ingredients, including individualized educational planning, career development, work experiences in secondary school, and interagency partnerships/collaborations. Through a comparative analysis of the New York State transition program data, and the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2) data, this study empirically demonstrated the simultaneous contributions of various transition program elements to student postsecondary outcomes using mediation models. In addition, the technique of using propensity score analysis for balancing the two comparison cohorts, applied in this study, contributes to the arsenal of analytical techniques for evaluating the impact of transition to adulthood programs.
Dissimilar spot welding of dual phase steel/ferritic stainless steel: phase transformations
Authors: Jaber H. L. , Pouranvari M. , Marashi S. P. H. , Alizadeh-Sh M. , Salim R. K. , Hashim F. A.
Published: June 2014

Phase transformations in dissimilar resistance spot welds of dual phase steel and ferritic stainless steel are analysed. In contrast to a full martensitic microstructure predicted by the Schaeffler and Balmforth diagrams, a ferrite–martensite microstructure was observed in the fusion zone. The formation of ferrite phase in the fusion zone can be attributed to the rapid cooling rate of resistance spot welding, which suppresses the post-solidification ferrite–austenite transformation. The grain growth and martensite formation were main metallurgical features of the heat affected zone of ferritic stainless steel side. Microstructure gradient of heat affected zone in dual phase steel side was dictated by martensitic transformation. The effect of weld thermal cycle on the mechanical performance of the joint is discussed.
Study on tempered zone in nanostructured bainitic steel welded joints with regeneration
Authors: Fang K. , Yang J. G. , Song K. J. , Liu X. S. , Wang J. J. , Fang H. Y.
Published: June 2014

Microstructure evolution of nanostructured bainite in tempered zone during welding and regeneration has been analysed. The effect of welding heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties is investigated. Results show that cementite precipitation and nanostructured bainite regeneration occur in tempered zone. When heat input is reduced, the size and amount of cementite decrease, while the volume per cent of retained austenite increases. At the same time, the tensile strength in tempered zone increases with welding heat input decreasing. A welded joint of nanostructured bainitic steel with tensile performance almost the same as base metal is obtained by laser beam welding with regeneration.
Effects of cigarette smoke extract on human airway smooth muscle cells in COPD
Authors: Chen Ling , Ge Qi , Tjin Gavin , Alkhouri Hatem , Deng Linghong , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Adcock Ian , Timens Wim , Postma Dirkje , Burgess Janette K. , Black Judith L. , Oliver Brian G.G.
Published: June 2014

We hypothesised that the response to cigarette smoke in airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells from smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would be intrinsically different from smokers without COPD, producing greater pro-inflammatory mediators and factors relating to airway remodelling.

ASM cells were obtained from smokers with or without COPD, and then stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) or transforming growth factor-β1. The production of chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were measured by ELISA, and the deposition of collagens by extracellular matrix ELISA. The effects of CSE on cell attachment and wound healing were measured by toluidine blue attachment and cell tracker green wound healing assays.

CSE increased the release of CXCL8 and CXCL1 from human ASM cells, and cells from smokers with COPD produced more CSE-induced CXCL1. The production of MMP-1, -3 and -10, and the deposition of collagen VIII alpha 1 (COL8A1) were increased by CSE, especially in the COPD group which had higher production of MMP-1 and deposition of COL8A1. CSE decreased ASM cell attachment and wound healing in the COPD group only.

ASM cells from smokers with COPD were more sensitive to CSE stimulation, which may explain, in part, why some smokers develop COPD.
Anatomical study of simple landmarks for guiding the quick access to humeral circumflex arteries
Authors: Chen Yi-xin , Zhu Yi , Wu Fu-hua , Zheng Xin , Wangyang Yu-fan , Yuan Han , Xie Xiao-xiao , Li Dong-ya , Wang Chang-jun , Shi Hong-fei
Published: June 2014

Background

The posterior and anterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA and ACHA) are crucial for the blood supply of humeral head. We aimed to identify simple landmarks for guiding the quick access to PCHA and ACHA, which might help to protect the arteries during the surgical management of proximal humeral fractures.

Methods

Twenty fresh cadavers were dissected to measure the distances from the origins of PCHA and ACHA to the landmarks (the acromion, the coracoid, the infraglenoid tubercle, the midclavicular line) using Vernier calipers.

Results

The mean distances from the origin of PCHA to the infraglenoid tubercle, the coracoid, the acromion and the midclavicular line were 27.7 mm, 50.2 mm, 68.4 mm and 75.8 mm. The mean distances from the origin of ACHA to the above landmarks were 26.9 mm, 49.2 mm, 67.0 mm and 74.9 mm.

Conclusion

Our study provided a practical method for the intraoperative identification as well as quick access of PCHA and ACHA based on a series of anatomical measurements.
Contribution of TRPC3 to Store-Operated Calcium Entry and Inflammatory Transductions in Primary Nociceptors
Authors: Alkhani Hazim , Ase Ariel R , Grant Rebecca , O'Donnell Dajan , Groschner Klaus , Séguéla Philippe
Published: June 2014

Background:

Prolonged intracellular calcium elevation contributes to sensitization of nociceptors and chronic pain in inflammatory conditions. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown but store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) components participate in calcium homeostasis, potentially playing a significant role in chronic pain pathologies. Most G protein-coupled receptors activated by inflammatory mediators trigger calcium-dependent signaling pathways and stimulate SOCE in primary afferents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of TRPC3, a calcium-permeable non-selective cation channel coupled to phospholipase C and highly expressed in DRG, as a link between activation of pro-inflammatory metabotropic receptors and SOCE in nociceptive pathways.

Results:

Using in situ hybridization, we determined that TRPC3 and TRPC1 constitute the major TRPC subunits expressed in adult rat DRG. TRPC3 was found localized exclusively in small and medium diameter sensory neurons. Heterologous overexpression of TRPC3 channel subunits in cultured primary DRG neurons evoked a significant increase of Gd3+-sensitive SOCE following thapsigargin-induced calcium store depletion. Conversely, using the same calcium add-back protocol, knockdown of endogenous TRPC3 with shRNA-mediated interference or pharmacological inhibition with the selective TRPC3 antagonist Pyr10 induced a substantial decrease of SOCE, indicating a significant role of TRPC3 in SOCE in DRG nociceptors. Activation of P2Y2 purinoceptors or PAR2 protease receptors triggered a strong increase in intracellular calcium in conditions of TRPC3 overexpression. Additionally, knockdown of native TRPC3 or its selective pharmacological blockade suppressed UTP- or PAR2 agonist-evoked calcium responses as well as sensitization of DRG neurons. These data show a robust link between activation of pro-inflammatory receptors and calcium homeostasis through TRPC3-containing channels operating both in receptor- and store-operated mode.

Conclusions:

Our findings highlight a major contribution of TRPC3 to neuronal calcium homeostasis in somatosensory pathways based on the unique ability of these cation channels to engage in both SOCE and receptor-operated calcium influx. This is the first evidence for TRPC3 as a SOCE component in DRG neurons. The flexible role of TRPC3 in calcium signaling as well as its functional coupling to pro-inflammatory metabotropic receptors involved in peripheral sensitization makes it a potential target for therapeutic strategies in chronic pain conditions.
The quest for personalized B-cell depletion therapy in rheumatic disease
Authors: Nistala Kiran , Mauri Claudia
Published: June 2014

Although B cell depletion therapy (BCDT) is now a well-accepted therapeutic option in autoimmune rheumatic disease, a significant proportion of patients remain resistant to therapy. .19pt?>A more challenging clinical problem is the high rate of relapse after B cell reconstitution, as well as the difficulty in predicting the exact timing of that relapse. In this article, we consider the immunological mechanisms that may account for the heterogeneity of clinical response to BCDT. Understanding how BCDT alters the balance between different B cell subsets, some pathogenic and some regulatory, may help us correctly target BCDT to the right patients, and thereby improve treatment responses in rheumatic disease.
Novel immortal human cell lines reveal subpopulations in the nucleus pulposus
Authors: van den Akker Guus GH , Surtel Don AM , Cremers Andy , Rodrigues-Pinto Ricardo , Richardson Stephen M , Hoyland Judith A , van Rhijn Lodewijk W , Welting Tim JM , Voncken Jan Willem
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Relatively little is known about cellular subpopulations in the mature nucleus pulposus (NP). Detailed understanding of the ontogenetic, cellular and molecular characteristics of functional intervertebral disc (IVD) cell populations is pivotal to the successful development of cell replacement therapies and IVD regeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether phenotypically distinct clonal cell lines representing different subpopulations in the human NP could be generated using immortalization strategies.

Methods

Nondegenerate healthy disc material (age range, 8 to 15 years) was obtained as surplus surgical material. Early passage NP monolayer cell cultures were initially characterized using a recently established NP marker set. NP cells were immortalized by simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40LTag) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression. Immortalized cells were clonally expanded and characterized based on collagen type I, collagen type II, α1 (COL2A1), and SRY-box 9 (SOX9) protein expression profiles, as well as on expression of a subset of established in vivo NP cell lineage markers.

Results

A total of 54 immortal clones were generated. Profiling of a set of novel NP markers (CD24, CA12, PAX1, PTN, FOXF1 and KRT19 mRNA) in a representative set of subclones substantiated successful immortalization of multiple cellular subpopulations from primary isolates and confirmed their NP origin and/or phenotype. We were able to identify two predominant clonal NP subtypes based on their morphological characteristics and their ability to induce SOX9 and COL2A1 under conventional differentiation conditions. In addition, cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24)–negative NP responder clones formed spheroid structures in various culture systems, suggesting the preservation of a more immature phenotype compared to CD24-positive nonresponder clones.

Conclusions

Here we report the generation of clonal NP cell lines from nondegenerate human IVD tissue and present a detailed characterization of NP cellular subpopulations. Differential cell surface marker expression and divergent responses to differentiation conditions suggest that the NP subtypes may correspond to distinct maturation stages and represent distinct NP cell subpopulations. Hence, we provide evidence that the immortalization strategy that we applied is capable of detecting cell heterogeneity in the NP. Our cell lines yield novel insights into NP biology and provide promising new tools for studies of IVD development, cell function and disease.
Beta-lactam antibiotic dosing during continuous renal replacement therapy: how can we optimize therapy?
Authors: De Waele Jan J , Carlier Mieke
Published: June 2014

Correct antibiotic treatment is of utmost importance to treat infections in critically ill patients, not only in terms of spectrum and timing but also in terms of dosing. However, this is a real challenge for the clinician because the pathophysiology (such as shock, augmented renal clearance, and multiple organ dysfunction) has a major impact on the pharmacokinetics of hydrophilic antibiotics. The presence of extra-corporal circuits, such as continuous renal replacement therapy, may further complicate this difficult exercise. Standard dosing may result in inadequate concentrations, but unadjusted dosing regimens may lead to toxicity. Recent studies confirm the variability in concentrations, and the wide variation in dialysis techniques used certainly contributes to these findings. Well-designed clinical studies are needed to provide the data from which robust dosing guidance can be developed. In the meantime, non-adjusted dosing in the first 1 to 2 days of antibiotic therapy during continuous renal replacement therapy followed by dose reduction later on seems to be a prudent approach.
Comparison of risk prediction scoring systems for ward patients: a retrospective nested case-control study
Authors: Yu Shun , Leung Sharon , Heo Moonseong , Soto Graciela J , Shah Ronak T , Gunda Sampath , Gong Michelle Ng
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The rising prevalence of rapid response teams has led to a demand for risk-stratification tools that can estimate a ward patient’s risk of clinical deterioration and subsequent need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Finding such a risk-stratification tool is crucial for maximizing the utility of rapid response teams. This study compares the ability of nine risk prediction scores in detecting clinical deterioration among non-ICU ward patients. We also measured each score serially to characterize how these scores changed with time.

Methods

In a retrospective nested case-control study, we calculated nine well-validated prediction scores for 328 cases and 328 matched controls. Our cohort included non-ICU ward patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of infection, and cases were patients in this cohort who experienced clinical deterioration, defined as requiring a critical care consult, ICU admission, or death. We then compared each prediction score’s ability, over the course of 72 hours, to discriminate between cases and controls.

Results

At 0 to 12 hours before clinical deterioration, seven of the nine scores performed with acceptable discrimination: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score area under the curve of 0.78, Predisposition/Infection/Response/Organ Dysfunction Score of 0.76, VitalPac Early Warning Score of 0.75, Simple Clinical Score of 0.74, Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis of 0.74, Modified Early Warning Score of 0.73, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II of 0.73, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II of 0.72, and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score of 0.67. By measuring scores over time, it was found that average SOFA scores of cases increased as early as 24 to 48 hours prior to deterioration (P = 0.01). Finally, a clinical prediction rule which also accounted for the change in SOFA score was constructed and found to perform with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 72%, and this performance is better than that of any SOFA scoring model based on a single set of physiologic variables.

Conclusions

ICU- and emergency room-based prediction scores can also be used to prognosticate risk of clinical deterioration for non-ICU ward patients. In addition, scoring models that take advantage of a score’s change over time may have increased prognostic value over models that use only a single set of physiologic measurements.
LUMPY: a probabilistic framework for structural variant discovery
Authors: Layer Ryan M , Chiang Colby , Quinlan Aaron R , Hall Ira M
Published: June 2014

Comprehensive discovery of structural variation (SV) from whole genome sequencing data requires multiple detection signals including read-pair, split-read, read-depth and prior knowledge. Owing to technical challenges, extant SV discovery algorithms either use one signal in isolation, or at best use two sequentially. We present LUMPY, a novel SV discovery framework that naturally integrates multiple SV signals jointly across multiple samples. We show that LUMPY yields improved sensitivity, especially when SV signal is reduced owing to either low coverage data or low intra-sample variant allele frequency. We also report a set of 4,564 validated breakpoints from the NA12878 human genome. https://github.com/arq5x/lumpy-sv.
Effective cellular internalization of silica-coated CdSe quantum dots for high contrast cancer imaging and labelling applications
Authors: Vibin Muthunayagam , Vinayakan Ramachandran , John Annie , Fernandez Francis Boniface , Abraham Annie
Published: June 2014

The possibility of developing novel contrast imaging agents for cancer cellular labelling and fluorescence imaging applications were explored using silica-coated cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs). The time dependent cellular internalization efficiency study was carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (cLSM) after exposing QDs to stem cells and cancer cells. The strong fluorescence from the cytoplasm confirmed that the QDs were efficiently internalized by the cells. The internalization maxima were observed at the fourth hour of incubation in both stem and cancer cells. Further, the in vitro fluorescence imaging as well as localization study of QDs were performed in various cells. Moreover, high contrast in vivo tumor imaging efficiency of silica-coated CdSe QDs was performed in ultrathin sections of tumor mice, and the results confirmed its effective role in cellular imaging and labelling in cancer and other diseases.
Purification and characterization of a novel lipopeptide from Streptomyces amritsarensis sp. nov. active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Mandal Santi M , Manhas Rajesh Kumari
Published: June 2014

Nowadays antimicrobial lipopeptides are being widely exploited for developing potential therapeutic agents for treating bacterial infections. In the present study, we have purified and characterized an antimicrobial lipopeptide produced by Streptomyces amritsarensis sp. nov. (= MTCC 11845T = JCM 19660T). The lipopeptide was purified using silica gel chromatography, size exclusion chromatography and reverse phase- HPLC. The MS/MS analysis of the lipopeptide revealed that it has amino acid sequence as Ala-Thr-Gly-Ser-His-Gln and a long chain fatty acid tail with six times repeated the molecular mass of 161 Da which is corresponding to -C12H19. Based on the molecular mass (878.5 Da) and amino acid composition, the lipopeptide was identified as a novel lipopeptide. The MIC values of purified lipopeptide against Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 619), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MTCC 435), Mycobacterium smegmatis (MTCC 6) and clinical strain, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were found to be 10, 15, 25 and 45 μg/ml, respectively. It was completely stable at 70°C for 1 h and retained 81.8% activity after autoclaving (121°C for 15 min). It did not show any change in its activity profile between pH 5.0 - 9.0 and is stable to trypsin, proteinase K and lipase enzymes. It was found to be non-mutagenic against Salmonella typhimurium (TA98) and did not show cytotoxicity when checked against Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. In addition to antibacterial activity it also exhibits biosurfactant activity.
Differences in voice-hearing experiences of people with psychosis in the USA, India and Ghana: Interview-based study
Authors: Luhrmann T. M. , Padmavati R. , Tharoor H. , Osei A.
Published: June 2014

Background

We still know little about whether and how the auditory hallucinations associated with serious psychotic disorder shift across cultural boundaries.

Aims

To compare auditory hallucinations across three different cultures, by means of an interview-based study.

Method

An anthropologist and several psychiatrists interviewed participants from the USA, India and Ghana, each sample comprising 20 persons who heard voices and met the inclusion criteria of schizophrenia, about their experience of voices.

Results

Participants in the USA were more likely to use diagnostic labels and to report violent commands than those in India and Ghana, who were more likely than the Americans to report rich relationships with their voices and less likely to describe the voices as the sign of a violated mind.

Conclusions

These observations suggest that the voice-hearing experiences of people with serious psychotic disorder are shaped by local culture. These differences may have clinical implications.
Circulating PGRN Is Significantly Associated With Systemic Insulin Sensitivity and Autophagic Activity in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Li Huixia , Zhou Bo , Xu Lin , Liu Jiali , Zang Weijin , Wu Shufang , Sun Hongzhi
Published: June 2014

Progranulin (PGRN) is a secreted protein that has recently emerged as an important regulatory adipokine of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. We report here that serum PGRN concentrations were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) than in subjects without MS and correlated positively with body mass index, waist circumference, fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and were inversely related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and homeostasis model assessment of β cell function. Subgroup analysis in 32 subjects showed that elevated expression levels of PGRN were positively correlated with increased autophagy markers LC3 and Atg7 proteins in omental adipose tissue of subjects with MS. Consistent with these findings, the enhanced PGRN levels were also observed in multiple insulin-resistant cellular models, whereas PGRN-deficient adipocytes were more susceptible to insulin action and refractory to tunicamycin-induced autophagic disorders. PGRN remarkably attenuated insulin sensitivity, increased autophagic activity, and triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cultured human adipocytes, whereas these effects were nullified by reduction of ER stress with phenylbutyric acid chemical chaperone treatment. In addition, PGRN-induced ER stress and impaired insulin sensitivity were improved in TNFR1−/− cells, indicating a causative role of TNF receptor in the action of PGRN. Collectively, our findings suggest that circulating PGRN is significantly associated with systemic insulin sensitivity and autophagic activity in adipose tissue and support the notion that PGRN functions as a potential link between chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
Hooking the big one: the potential of zebrafish xenotransplantation to reform cancer drug screening in the genomic era
Authors: Veinotte Chansey J. , Dellaire Graham , Berman Jason N.
Published: June 2014

The current preclinical pipeline for drug discovery can be cumbersome and costly, which limits the number of compounds that can effectively be transitioned to use as therapies. Chemical screens in zebrafish have uncovered new uses for existing drugs and identified promising new compounds from large libraries. Xenotransplantation of human cancer cells into zebrafish embryos builds on this work and enables direct evaluation of patient-derived tumor specimens in vivo in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The short time frame needed for xenotransplantation studies means that the zebrafish can serve as an early preclinical drug screening tool and can also help personalize cancer therapy by providing real-time data on the response of the human cells to treatment. In this Review, we summarize the use of zebrafish embryos in drug screening and highlight the potential for xenotransplantation approaches to be adopted as a preclinical tool to identify and prioritize therapies for further clinical evaluation. We also discuss some of the limitations of using zebrafish xenografts and the benefits of using them in concert with murine xenografts in drug optimization.
Consumption and Labor Supply with Partial Insurance: An Analytical Framework
Authors: Heathcote Jonathan , Storesletten Kjetil , Violante Giovanni L.
Published: June 2014

We develop a model with partial insurance against idiosyncratic wage shocks to quantify risk sharing. Closed-form solutions are obtained for equilibrium allocations and for moments of the joint distribution of consumption, hours, and wages. We prove identification and demonstrate how labor supply data are informative about risk sharing. The model, estimated with US data over the period 1967–2006, implies that (i) 39 percent of permanent wage shocks pass through to consumption; (ii ) the share of wage risk insured increased until the early 1980s; and (iii) preference heterogeneity is important in accounting for observed dispersion in consumption and hours. (JEL E21, E23, E31, E52)
The Effect of Patient Cost Sharing on Utilization, Health, and Risk Protection
Authors: Shigeoka Hitoshi
Published: June 2014

This paper exploits a sharp reduction in patient cost sharing at age 70 in Japan, using a regression discontinuity design to examine its effect on utilization, health, and financial risk arising from out-of-pocket expenditures. Due to the national policy, cost sharing is 60–80 percent lower at age 70 than at age 69. I find that both outpatient and inpatient care are price sensitive among the elderly. While I find little impact on mortality and other health outcomes, the results show that reduced cost sharing is associated with lower out-of-pocket expenditures, especially at the right tail of the distribution. (JEL G22, I11, I12, I13, I18, J14)
An Intelligent Thrust Reverse Noise Detector
Authors: Asensio C. , Moschioni G. , Ruiz M. , Tarabini M. , Recuero M.
Published: June 2014

An intelligent thrust reverse noise detector is presented in this paper (TREND).A first detector is customized for the detection of landing sound events. When one of those events is detected, a second detector is triggered to detect thrust reverse. In the case that both events are detected, each of them have to be classified in two separate block. If the first events is classified as landing, and the second one as thrust reverse, the system identifies the activation of thrust reverse.

The detection is based on thresholds applied to the sound power level (instead of sound pressure level in the traditional approaches) time histories, which are estimated using a microphone array and an inverse sound propagation model. This approach has worked well, as the estimation of sound power level enhances the sound events and their separation, even if landing and thrust reverse are close to each other.

The classification is implemented through pattern recognition techniques, which reduces the number of false positive in the detection stages.

The results obtained in Madrid-Barajas airport through the implementation of the methodology in this TREND tool are promising with error rates lower than 10%.