bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐gain multilayered disk array structure excited by stacked microstrip patches
Authors: Eom Soon‐Young , Kim Seong‐Keun , Hong Ic‐Pyo , Yook Jong‐Gwan
Published: January 2012

This article investigates the use of a multilayered disk array structure (MDAS) on a linearly polarized stacked microstrip patch exciter to increase antenna element gain. MDAS plays the role of directors and improves antenna gain. The parametric studies of MDAS are made through computer simulations at 10 GHz and it is found that the gain improvement is dominantly effected by overall height of MDAS. The antenna prototype of MDAS with center metal‐rods was fabricated and its electrical performances were measured. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:768–770, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26638
Implementation of the thin‐wire approximation for estimating the characteristics of a metallic reinforcement bar embedded into a concrete column with circular cross section
Authors: Valagiannopoulos C. , Bimpas M. , Uzunoglu N.
Published: January 2012

A cylindrical concrete column with armature solely comprised of an arbitrarily placed, steel reinforcing bar, has been considered.The upright structure is investigated under plane wave excitation and a simplified solution is obtained based on the assumption that the size of the metallic rod is electrically small. Inversion of the derived expressions with respect to the characteristics of the bar, formulates a new nondestructive technique whose performance is satisfying. The prediction error of the proposed method is represented as function of the problem parameters in various graphs which are commented and discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:761–767, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26639
Small size tuneable printed F‐slot antenna for mobile handset applications
Authors: Elfergani I. T. E. , Abd‐Alhameed R. A. , See C. H. , Sadeghpour T. , Noras J. M. , Jones S. M. R.
Published: January 2012

In this article, a compact tuneable F‐slot monopole antenna for mobile handset applications, covering the DCS, PCS, and UMTS frequency bands, is presented and studied. An F‐shaped slot is embedded in a rectangular monopole patch to accommodate the varactor. The tuning is accomplished by applying a lumped capacitor (varactor) across the slot arms of the patch. By varying the capacitance values of loaded capacitor from 0.5 to 3 pF, the antenna is capable of achieving high tuning ranges from 1.70 to 2.15 GHz. The antenna performance is characterized in terms of the reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, and power gain. The predicted and measured results show fairly good agreement and confirm satisfactory impedance bandwidth characteristics and consistent radiation patterns over the tuned frequency range. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:794–802, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26649
Dual‐band bandpass filters using coupled fork‐shaped resonators with controllable fractional bandwidths
Authors: Kim Chan Ho , Chang Kai
Published: January 2012

This article presents a novel dual‐band bandpass filter with controllable fractional bandwidths for the upper passband.Two open‐circuited stubs are attached to the center of a stepped impedance resonator to form a fork‐shaped resonator. As one port of this resonator is on the ground plane for an odd‐mode equivalent circuit, the variations of resonant frequencies are analyzed just for an even‐mode excitation. From the analyses, three tentative resonant frequencies are decided, and then the dimensions of the resonators are optimized. For coupled resonators, by optimizing the overlapped lengths of outside‐ and center‐open stubs, the desired center frequencies of the dual passbands and the tunable characteristics of the upper passband are obtained, respectively. The measured results of the proposed dual‐band filters on three stages are confirmed with the simulated results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:722–725, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26653
The tunable dispersion based on side‐polished fiber bragg gratings
Authors: Sun Hai‐Tao , Chang En‐Chiang , Sheng Hao‐Jan , Chen Chih‐Chiang , Liu Wen‐Fung
Published: January 2012

The tunable‐dispersion characteristics of a side‐polished fiber Bragg grating (FBG) encapsulated in a polymer‐half‐filled metal cylinder are investigated at different pressures exerted on polymer.The related group velocity delay, chromatic dispersion, and polarization dispersion of the reflection bandwidth of side‐polished FBG are measured and analyzed for applications in optical communication systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:681–684, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26655
Novel tri‐band antenna end‐loaded with Koch fractal loops
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Luo Yong , You Baiqiang , Yan X. J.
Published: January 2012

A novel tri‐band antenna end‐loaded with Koch fractal loops and was designed for radio frequency identification (RFID) applications, based on FR4 substrate. Before and after introducing a mirror array and meander‐line structure, the proposed antenna was simulated and investigated. The results show that great improvements have been reached, including the return loss decreased to about 56 dB and the bandwidth increased to 420 MHz at 2490 MHz, with the miniaturized size. With a prototype fabrication, we also verified good performance of the optimized antenna through the comparison analysis of measurement and simulation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:620–623, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26657
Group delay swing enhancement in transmission‐line all‐pass networks using coupling and dispersion boosting ferrimagnetic substrate
Authors: Gupta Shulabh , Carignan Louis‐Philippe , Caloz Christophe
Published: January 2012

The principle of group delay swing enhancement in a transmission‐line all‐pass network using the combined coupling and dispersion boosting properties of a ferromagnetic substrate is proposed; full‐wave verified and experimentally demonstrated using ferrite substrates as a proof of concept. The proposed group delay swing enhanced structures are compact in size, exhibiting a larger dispersion per unit area compared with other alternative techniques for dispersion enhancement, and a magnetically tunable group delay swing. The proposal to suppress the requirement of an external magnet is discussed based on self‐biased ferromagnetic nanowire substrates and expected improvements are further pointed out. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:589–593, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26658
Harmonics suppression of wilkinson power divider using bond wires with adjustable rejection bands
Authors: Zhou Bo , Sheng Weixing , Wang Hao
Published: January 2012

This letter describes a novel Wilkinson power divider using bond wires for harmonics suppression and size reduction.The proposed slow wave structure consists of a periodic array of a highly inductive section using bond wires and a capacitive section using large microstrip islands. Its harmonics suppression characteristics are reported and can be adjusted by adjusting the length and width of the capacitive microstrip island. Experimental results verify that 39 dB suppression for third harmonic and 52 dB suppression for fifth harmonic are obtained. Measured insertion loss of the proposed power divider is −3.5 ± 0.3 dB below 5 GHz. Return loss for both input and output ports are better than −15 dB, and isolation for the two output ports is better than 15 dB. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:775–777, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26662
Accelerated MR imaging using compressive sensing with no free parameters
Authors: Khare Kedar , Hardy Christopher J. , King Kevin F. , Turski Patrick A. , Marinelli Luca
Published: January 2012

We describe and evaluate a robust method for compressive sensing MRI reconstruction using an iterative soft thresholding framework that is data‐driven, so that no tuning of free parameters is required. The approach described here combines a Nesterov type optimal gradient scheme for iterative update along with standard wavelet‐based adaptive denoising methods, resulting in a leaner implementation compared with the nonlinear conjugate gradient method. Tests with T2 weighted brain data and vascular 3D phase contrast data show that the image quality of reconstructions is comparable with those from an empirically tuned nonlinear conjugate gradient approach. Statistical analysis of image quality scores for multiple datasets indicates that the iterative soft thresholding approach as presented here may improve the robustness of the reconstruction and the image quality, when compared with nonlinear conjugate gradient that requires manual tuning for each dataset. A data‐driven approach as illustrated in this article should improve future clinical applicability of compressive sensing image reconstruction. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biophysical characterization of mutants of Bacillus subtilis lipase evolved for thermostability: Factors contributing to increased activity retention
Authors: Augustyniak Wojciech , Brzezinska Agnieszka A. , Pijning Tjaard , Wienk Hans , Boelens Rolf , Dijkstra Bauke W. , Reetz Manfred T.
Published: January 2012

Previously, Lipase A from Bacillus subtilis was subjected to in vitro directed evolution using iterative saturation mutagenesis, with randomization sites chosen on the basis of the highest B‐factors available from the crystal structure of the wild‐type (WT) enzyme. This provided mutants that, unlike WT enzyme, retained a large part of their activity after heating above 65°C and cooling down. Here, we subjected the three best mutants along with the WT enzyme to biophysical and biochemical characterization. Combining thermal inactivation profiles, circular dichroism, X‐ray structure analyses and NMR experiments revealed that mutations of surface amino acid residues counteract the tendency of Lipase A to undergo precipitation under thermal stress. Reduced precipitation of the unfolding intermediates rather than increased conformational stability of the evolved mutants seems to be responsible for the activity retention.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors and drug addiction
Authors: Cleva Richard M. , Olive M. Foster
Published: January 2012

Historically, brain catecholamine systems have been the primary focus of studies examining the neural substrates of drug addiction. In the past two decades, however, a wealth of evidence has accumulated indicating a pivotal role for glutamatergic neurotransmission in mediating addictive behaviors as well as long‐term neuroplasticity associated with chronic drug use. As a result, there has been increased interest in developing glutamate‐based therapies for the treatment of addictive disorders. Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are classified into subcategories designated as Group I (mGlu1 and mGlu5), Group II (mGlu2 and mGlu3), and Group III (mGlu4, mGlu6, mGlu7, and mGlu8) and have received a great deal of attention due to their mediation of slower modulatory excitatory neurotransmission. Pharmacological ligands targeting these receptors have demonstrated reduced incidences of excitotoxicity or severe adverse side effects as compared to those targeting ionotropic glutamate (iGlu) receptors. Behavioral genetic and pharmacological studies have explored the role of individual mGlu receptor subtypes in regulating various addiction‐related behaviors, and several mGlu receptor ligands have been the subject of clinical testing for other medical conditions. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2012,1:281–295. doi: 10.1002/wmts.18

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
,,NetzwerkMärkisches Viertel e.V.‘‘: Eine Akteursvernetzung zur Verbesserung der Lebens- und Wohnbedingungen von SeniorInnen im Quartier
Authors: Heusinger Josefine , Kammerer Kerstin , Wolter Birgit
Published: January 2012

Einleitung

Das Netzwerk Märkisches Viertel wurde 2003 von verschiedenen Akteuren in Berlin-Reinickendorf gegründet mit dem Ziel, älteren Menschen so lange wie möglich ein selbstständiges Leben in der eigenen Wohnung zu ermöglichen. Unter dem Motto „Hier will ich bleiben“ sollen die sozialen Strukturen des Stadtteils gestärkt und entwickelt, ungedeckte Bedarfe aufgespürt und Defizite abgebaut werden. Das Institut für Gerontologische Forschung e.V. untersuchte von 2007 bis 2010 die Arbeit des Netzwerkes.
Occurrence of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep
Authors: Christodoulopoulos G. , Kassab A. , Theodoropoulos G.
Published: January 2012

This study reports seven rare cases of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep. The sheep were slaughtered in abattoirs of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) but originated from India, Iran, Oman and Sudan. The prevalence of infection with non-cerebral coenurosis was 0.008%. The locations of the cysts were the triceps brachii muscle, the diaphragm, the infraspinatus muscle of the shoulder, the muscles of the thigh and the abdomen, and the ommentum. The Coenurus cysts were surrounded by a fibrous, semi-opaque membrane, cloudy white in colour. Altogether, 12 cysts were recovered and all contained a single bladderworm. Cysts had a volume of 7.3 ± 1.30 cm3 (ml), with 7.3 ± 4.0 clusters of scolices, and an average number of scolices 75.3 ± 24.4. These features in sheep were similar to those reported for non-cerebral Coenurus cysts in goats. No cysts were found in the brain or spinal cord of any of the infected sheep. No clinical evidence of non-cerebral coenurosis had been recorded during the antemortem veterinary inspection of the infected sheep.
Seahorses helped drive creation of marine protected areas, so what did these protected areas do for the seahorses?
Authors: YASUÉ M. , NELLAS A. , VINCENT A. C. J.
Published: January 2012

In marine environments, charismatic or economically valued taxa have been used as flagships to garner local support or international funds for the establishment and management of marine protected areas (MPAs). Seahorses (Hippocampusspp.) are frequently used as flagship species to help engender support for the creation of small community-managed no-take MPAs in the central Philippines. It is thus vital to determine whether such MPAs actually have an effect on seahorse abundance, reproductive status and size. A survey of seahorses inside and immediately adjacent to eight MPAs, and in four distant unprotected fishing areas, showed these MPAs had no significant effect on seahorse densities; although densities in and near MPAs were higher than in the distant fished sites, seahorse densities did not change over time. Seahorse size did show a marginal reserve effect, with slightly larger seahorses being found inside MPAs as compared to the distant unprotected fishing areas, but, in general, MPAs had little impact on seahorse size. Although MPAs may eliminate local fishing pressure, they may not reduce other threats such as pollution or destructive fishing outside the reserves. Other recovery tools, such as ecosystem-based management, habitat restoration and limits on destructive fishing outside of MPAs, may be necessary to rebuild seahorse populations. The effects of MPAs depend on species, as well as conditions outside the reserve boundaries. MPA management objectives must thus be clearly and realistically articulated to the communities, especially if support for an MPA was derived at least partly to conserve a particular flagship species.
Shear wave splitting at the Hawaiian hot spot from the PLUME land and ocean bottom seismometer deployments
Authors: Collins John A. , Wolfe Cecily J. , Laske Gabi
Published: January 2012

We examine upper mantle anisotropy across the Hawaiian Swell by analyzing shear wave splitting of teleseismic SKSwaves recorded by the PLUME broadband land and ocean bottom seismometer deployments. Mantle anisotropy beneath the oceans is often attributed to flow‐induced lattice‐preferred orientation of olivine. Splitting observations may reflect a combination of both fossil lithospheric anisotropy and anisotropy due to present‐day asthenospheric flow, and here we address the question whether splitting provides diagnostic information on possible asthenospheric plume flow at Hawaii. We find that the splitting fast directions are coherent and predominantly parallel to the fossil spreading direction, suggesting that shear wave splitting dominantly reflects fossil lithospheric anisotropy. The signature of anisotropy from asthenospheric flow is more subtle, although it could add some perturbation to lithospheric splitting. The measured delay times are typically 1 s or less, although a few stations display larger splitting delays of 1–2 s. The variability in the delay times across the different stations indicates differences in the degree of anisotropy or in the thickness of the anisotropic layer or in the effect of multilayer anisotropy. Regions with smaller splitting times may have experienced processes that modified the lithosphere and partially erased the fossil anisotropy; alternatively, asthenospheric splitting may either constructively add to or destructively subtract from lithospheric splitting to produce the observed variability in delay times.
Beating HF waves to generate VLF waves in the ionosphere
Authors: Kuo Spencer , Snyder Arnold , Kossey Paul , Chang Chia‐Lie , Labenski John
Published: January 2012

Beat‐wave generation of very low frequency (VLF) waves by two HF heaters in the ionosphere is formulated theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. The heater‐induced differential thermal pressure force and ponderomotive force, which dominate separately in the D and F regions of the ionosphere, drive an electron current for the VLF emission. A comparison, applying appropriate ionospheric parameters shows that the ponderomotive force dominates in beat‐wave generation of VLF waves. Three experiments, one in the nighttime in the absence of D and E layers and two in the daytime in the presence of D and E layers, were performed. X mode HF heaters of slightly different frequencies were transmitted at CW full power. VLF waves at 10 frequencies ranging from 3.5 to 21.5 kHz were generated. The frequency dependencies of the daytime and nighttime radiation intensities are quite similar, but the nighttime radiation is much stronger than the daytime one at the same radiation frequency. The intensity ratio is as large as 9 dB at 11.5 kHz. An experiment directly comparing VLF waves generated by the beat‐wave approach and by the amplitude modulation (AM) approach was also conducted. The results rule out the likely contribution of the AM mechanism acting on the electrojet and indicate that beat‐wave in the VLF range prefers to be generated in the F region of the ionosphere through the ponderomotive nonlinearity, consistent with the theory. In the nighttime experiment, the ionosphere was underdense to the HF heaters, suggesting a likely setting for effective beat‐wave generation of VLF waves by the HF heaters.
Nuclear IGF1R is a transcriptional co‐activator of LEF1/TCF
Authors: Warsito Dudi , Sjöström Sylvia , Andersson Sandra , Larsson Olle , Sehat Bita
Published: January 2012

Recent findings suggest that nuclear IGF1R binds to enhancer regions and functions as a transcriptional cofactor. However, the downstream transcriptional regulators of this pathway remain to be defined. Here, we show that nuclear IGF1R associates with the transcription factor LEF1 and increases promoter activity of LEF1 downstream target genes cyclin D1 and axin2. Furthermore, nuclear IGF1R augments protein levels of cyclin D1 and axin2. Our findings suggest a novel function for IGF1R, thus further emphasizing the important role of this receptor in cancer biology.
Current Concepts in Treatment Planning: Patient Centered and Evidence-Based Practice in Speech-Language Pathology
Authors: Tippett Donna C.
Published: January 2012

Speech-language pathologists must develop meaningful, objective, and measurable treatment goals. Historically, clinicians developed treatment goals based largely on assessment data in accordance with an impairment-based medical model. Contemporary management focuses on a patient-centered plan of care that addresses activity and participation constructs as well as evidence-based practice, maximizing the appropriateness and meaningfulness of therapy. In this paper, I will review relevant literature and provide case examples to illustrate current treatment planning concepts.
Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone inhibit growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer through inactivation of ERK and Akt kinases
Authors: Rick Ferenc G. , Schally Andrew V. , Szalontay Luca , Block Norman L. , Szepeshazi Karoly , Nadji Mehrdad , Zarandi Marta , Hohla Florian , Buchholz Stefan , Seitz Stephan
Published: January 2012

The management of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) presents a clinical challenge because of limitations in efficacy of current therapies. Novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of CRPC are needed. Antagonists of hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) inhibit growth of various malignancies, including androgen-dependent and independent prostate cancer, by suppressing diverse tumoral growth factors, especially GHRH itself, which acts as a potent autocrine/paracrine growth factor in many tumors. We evaluated the effects of the GHRH antagonist, JMR-132, on PC-3 human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. JMR-132 suppressed the proliferation of PC-3 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner and significantly inhibited growth of PC-3 tumors by 61% (P< 0.05). The expression of GHRH, GHRH receptors, and their main splice variant, SV1, in PC-3 cells and tumor xenografts was demonstrated by RT-PCR and Western blot. The content of GHRH protein in PC-3 xenografts was lowered markedly, by 66.3% (P< 0.01), after treatment with JMR-132. GHRH induced a significant increase in levels of ERK, but JMR-132 abolished this outcome. Our findings indicate that inhibition of PC-3 prostate cancer by JMR-132 involves inactivation of Akt and ERK. The inhibitory effect produced by GHRH antagonist can result in part from inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin and Raf/MEK/ERK pathways and from the reduction in GHRH produced by cancer cells. Our findings support the role of GHRH as an autocrine growth factor in prostate cancer and suggest that antagonists of GHRH should be considered for further development as therapy for CRPC.
18 Beeronomics: The Economics of Beer and Brewing
Authors: Swinnen Johan F. M. , Vandemoortele Thijs
Published: January 2012

The chapters in this book demonstrate that ‘beeronomics’ covers a vast set of economic issues: economic history, development, demand and supply, geography, trade, investment, technology, health and nutrition, quantity and quality, industrial organization, competition, science and innovation, taxation, regulation, political economy, etc. This concluding chapter summarizes some of the key insights of this book, organized in five sections: a historical perspective on the product ‘beer’, consumption, industrial organization, trade and international expansion, and government regulation. The final section discusses a set of unresolved issues and a future research agenda in the field of beeronomics.
The Formation of the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Carr David M.
Published: January 2012

This book rethinks both the methods and historical orientation points for research into the growth of the Hebrew Bible. Building on his prior work, Writing on the Tablet of the Heart (Oxford, 2005), the author explores the possibilities and limits of reconstruction of pre-stages of the Bible. The method advocated is a “methodologically modest” investigation of those pre-stages, utilizing criteria and models derived from the author’s survey of documented examples of textual revision in the Ancient Near East. The result is a new picture of the Bible’s formation, with insights on the emergence of Hebrew literary textuality, the development of the first Hexateuch, and the final formation of the Hebrew Bible. Where some have advocated dating the bulk of the Hebrew Bible in a single period, whether relatively early (Neo-Assyrian) or late (Persian or Hellenistic), the author uncovers evidence that the Hebrew Bible contains texts dating across Israelite history, even the early pre-exilic period (10th-9th centuries) where many recent studies have been hesitant to date substantial portions of the Bible. He traces the impact of Neo-Assyrian imperialism on eighth and seventh century Israelite textuality, uses studies of collective trauma to identify marks of the reshaping and collection of traditions in response to the destruction of Jerusalem and Babylonian exile, develops a picture of varied Priestly reshaping of narrative and prophetic traditions in the Second Temple period, and uses manuscript evidence from Qumran and the Septuagint to reveal the final literary reshaping that produced the proto-Masoretic text.
Antimicrobial resistance amongst isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus in the PROTEKT antimicrobial surveillance programme during 1999-2000
Authors: Cantón Rafael , Loza Elena , Morosini M. Isabel , Baquero Fernando
Published: January 2012

The pattern of susceptibility to a range of antimicrobials was tested for 1485 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes and 1547 isolates of S taphylococcus aureus included in the international PROTEKT (Prospective Resistant Organism Tracking and Epidemiology for the Ketolide Telithromycin) surveillance study (1999–2000). Overall, almost 10% of S. pyogenes isolates were erythromycin A resistant. There was a wide heterogeneity of resistance, with high levels of macrolide resistance in Poland (42%), Hong Kong (28%), Italy (25%), Portugal (24%) and Spain (21%), and no macrolide resistance in Indonesia, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands or the UK. Using NCCLS tentative breakpoints, 97.6% of isolates were susceptible to telithromycin, with MIC 90 ≤ 0.015 mg/L in most regions. Resistance among S. pyogenes to the β-lactams (MIC 90 ≤ 0.12 mg/L for all except cefaclor) and fluoroquinolones was not detected. Macrolide resistance was present among the S. aureus isolates, and as with S. pyogenes , there was a wide heterogeneity of resistance, with lower rates in Australia, Indonesia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. Methicillin-resistant isolates were resistant to the β-lactams and the macrolides. Resistance to telithromycin was detected in methicillin-resistant isolates in Latin and North America, Asia and Europe. Telithromycin resistance was non-existent or low (MIC 90 range 0.06–0.25 mg/L) in Australia, Indonesia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. Regardless of methicillin susceptibility, resistance to linezolid, teicoplanin or vancomycin was not apparent globally.
Epigenetics of colorectal cancer
Authors: Migheli F , Migliore L
Published: January 2012

Migheli F, Migliore L. Epigenetics of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops through a multistep process that results from the progressive accumulation of mutations and epigenetic alterations in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. Epigenetic modifications, that have a fundamental role in the regulation of gene expression, involve DNA methylation, specific histone modifications and non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) interventions. Many genes have been until now studied to detect their methylation status during CRC carcinogenesis; and the functions of many of these genes in cancer initiation and progression are being clarified. Less is known about the patterns of histone modification alterations in CRC. Epigenetic deregulation of the ncRNAs or the genes involved in their biogenesis have been described in tumor progression and some examples of dysregulated microRNA were found also in CRC cells. Diet has an important role in the etiology of colon cancer. Folate is involved via 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, which is then used to form the main DNA methylating agent S‐adenosylmethionine. However, the role of folate in protecting from or in promoting CRC, depending on conditions, is still debated. The study of epigenetic marks to better characterize CRC and to identify new tools for diagnosis and prognosis as well as for therapeutic interventions is extremely promising.
Brucella infection with pancytopenia after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Polat K.Y. , Tosun M.S. , Ertekin V. , Aydinli B. , Emre S.
Published: January 2012

Brucellosis is considered the most widespread zoonosis in the world. It has been reported that the prevalence of seropositivity among the Turkish population varies from 3% to 14%. We present a case of brucellosis after pediatric liver transplantation. A 15‐year‐old boy with the diagnosis of neuro Wilson's disease underwent deceased‐donor liver transplantation. The postoperative immunosuppressive protocol consisted of steroids and tacrolimus. Two months after the operation the patient experienced fever to 40°C. The patient complained of poor appetite, headache, and diarrhea. He had had pancytopenia. Despite administration of appropriate antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal agents, fever persisted for > 1 month. Multiple blood, urine, stool, and sputum cultures were negative. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hypocellularity. Liver biopsy was performed, but rejection was not observed on biopsy specimen. Brucella serology was positive and Brucella agglutination titer was 1:320. Bone marrow culture was positive for Brucella but blood culture was negative. The patient was then treated with oral doxycyline and rifampin for 8 weeks. No previous case report about Brucella infection after liver transplantation has appeared in the literature, to our knowledge; our case is presented as the first. Bone marrow hypoplasia is a rare feature of Brucella infection. Our patient with brucellosis and pancytopenia had had hypocellular bone marrow. The clinical and hematologic findings resolved with treatment of the infection. Brucella infection should be suspected in liver transplanted recipients with fever of unknown origin, especially in a recipient who has lived in an endemic area. Brucella also should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with pancytopenia.
Assessing the effect of patterns of cocaine and alcohol use on the risk of adverse acute cocaine intoxication
Authors: SANTOS SARA , BRUGAL M. TERESA , BARRIO GREGORIO , CASTELLANO YOLANDA , DOMINGO‐SALVANY ANTONIA , ESPELT ALBERT , BRAVO M. JOSE , DE LA FUENTE LUIS ,   THE ITINERE PROJECT GROUP
Published: January 2012

Introduction and Aims. Although, in the laboratory, most acute adverse effects of cocaine are dose‐dependent and alcohol potentiates some of these effects, there are few observational studies, and scarce awareness that the risk of acute cocaine intoxication (ACI) can increase as the amounts of cocaine and alcohol consumed increase. Our objectives were to assess if the risk of ACI increases with the level cocaine use, both in chronic and binge use; and also to determine whether it increases when a cocaine binge is combined with binge drinking or with regular excessive drinking.

Design and Methods. Hypotheses were evaluated using logistic regression and case‐crossover analyses in a sample of 720 young regular cocaine users who did not regularly use heroin, recruited at drug scenes in 2004–2006. All data on ACI, predictor and confounding variables were obtained through a computer‐assisted personal interview.

Results. The annual prevalence of ACI was 21%. In the last year 10.3% of the participants reported cocaine binges (≥0.5 g in 4 h). ACI risk increased considerably in the 4 h following a cocaine binge (odds ratio = 34.6; 95% confidence interval 11.5–170.8). Also, it increased with increases in the average level of cocaine used over a long period and when users regularly drank excessively. Finally, the results suggest that the high risk of ACI associated with cocaine binge may increase even more when combined with binge drinking.

Discussion and Conclusions. Awareness of the dose‐dependent effect of cocaine on ACI risk, as well as the possible synergistic effect of alcohol, ought to be incorporated into preventive and care strategies.[Santos S, Brugal MT, Barrio G, Castellano Y, Domingo‐Salvany A, Espelt A, Bravo MJ, de la Fuente L, the ITINERE Project Group. Assessing the effect of patterns of cocaine and alcohol use on the risk of adverse acute cocaine intoxication. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:439–446]
Mining activity, income inequality and gender in regional Australia*
Authors: Reeson Andrew F. , Measham Thomas G. , Hosking Karin
Published: January 2012

Mining activity has been a significant driver of export growth as well as income and employment in parts of regional Australia. However, while income growth is an economic benefit, the high incomes associated with the mining sector may also lead to greater inequality. This paper describes an empirical analysis of mining activity and income inequality in regional Australia. The Gini coefficient (a measure of inequality) for personal income is found to be significantly associated with levels of mining employment. However, this relationship is not linear. Rather, income inequality initially increases with mining activity, before decreasing at medium to high levels of mining employment, following a Kuznets curve pattern. Segregating data for men and women reveals very different patterns. Among men, inequality initially increases as mining employment in a region increases, but then sharply decreases; at high levels of mining activity, income inequality among men is lower than is typically observed in non‐mining areas. Among women, income inequality increases with mining activity throughout its range. This suggests that income inequality is most likely to be a problem in locales with intermediate levels of mining activity and that it affects men and women quite differently.
Comparison of perinatal outcome after pre‐viable preterm prelabour rupture of membranes in two centres with different rates of termination of pregnancy
Authors: Azria E , Anselem O , Schmitz T , Tsatsaris V , Senat MV , Goffinet F
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Azria E, Anselem O, Schmitz T, Tsatsaris V, Senat M, Goffinet F. Comparison of perinatal outcome after pre‐viable preterm prelabour rupture of membranes in two centres with different rates of termination of pregnancy. BJOG 2012;119:449–457.

Objective  To assess perinatal outcomes after expectant management in the case of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 25 weeks of gestation, according to the rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP).

Design  Retrospective comparative cohort study.

Population  Singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM between 150/7 and 246/7 weeks of gestation, from January 2003 to January 2007.

Methods  Comparison of perinatal outcomes in two French tertiary care referral centres presumed to have different rates of TOP.

Main outcome measure  Rates of TOP, survival and survival without major morbidity.

Results  A total of 113 women experienced PPROM (49 in centre A and 64 in centre B). A lower proportion of patients opted for TOP in centre A (40.8%) than in centre B (56.3%). The baseline characteristics of patients and pregnancies, and gestational age at PPROM, were not different between the two centres. Mean gestational age at delivery (28.1 versus 25.4 weeks of gestation; P < 0.01), mean latency period (45.5 versus 16.1 days; P < 0.01), mean birthweight (1295 versus 929 g; P = 0.04) and survival (46.9 versus 20.3%; P < 0.01) were significantly higher in centre A than in centre B. The percentage of neonates alive without major morbidity was also higher in centre A than in centre B (42.9 versus 20.3%; P = 0.01).

Conclusions  Perinatal outcomes of pregnancies managed expectantly were not better in the centre where the TOP rate was higher. The perinatal risk of pregnancies complicated by pre‐viable PPROM remains high.
Metacommunity Dynamics Over 16 Years in a Pyrogenic Shrubland
Authors: MILLER TIMOTHY J. , QUINTANA‐ASCENCIO PEDRO F. , MALIAKAL‐WITT SATYA , MENGES ERIC S.
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Metacommunity theory allows predictions about the dynamics of potentially interacting species’ assemblages that are linked by dispersal, but strong empirical tests of the theory are rare. We analyzed the metacommunity dynamics of Florida rosemary scrub, a patchily distributed pyrogenic community, to test predictions about turnover rates, community nestedness, and responses to patch size, arrangement, and quality. We collected occurrence data for 45 plant species from 88 rosemary scrub patches in 1989 and 2005 and used growth form, mechanism of regeneration after fire, and degree of habitat specialization to categorize species by life history. We tested whether patch size, fire history, and structural connectivity (a measure of proximity and size of surrounding patches) could be used to predict apparent extinctions and colonizations. In addition, we tested the accuracy of incidence‐function models built with the patch survey data from 1989. After fire local extinction rates were higher for herbs than woody plants, higher for species that regenerated only from seed than species able to resprout, and higher for generalist than specialist species. Fewer rosemary specialists and a higher proportion of habitat generalists were extirpated on recently burned patches than on patches not burned between 1989 and 2005. Nestedness was highest for specialists among all life‐history groups. Estimated model parameters from 1989 predicted the observed (1989–2005) extinction rates and the number of patches with persistent populations of individual species. These results indicate that species with different life‐history strategies within the same metacommunity can have substantially different responses to patch configuration and quality. Real metacommunities may not conform to certain assumptions of simple models, but incidence‐function models that consider only patch size, configuration, and quality can have significant predictive accuracy.
Standardized Diaper Care Regimen: A Prospective, Randomized Pilot Study on Skin Barrier Function and Epidermal IL‐1α in Newborns
Authors: Garcia Bartels Natalie , Massoudy Lida , Scheufele Ramona , Dietz Ekkehart , Proquitté Hans , Wauer Roland , Bertin Christiane , Serrano José , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Adaptation of skin barrier function and interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α) content in diapered and nondiapered skin are poorly characterized in newborns receiving standard skin care. In a monocentric, prospective pilot study 44 healthy, full‐term neonates were randomly assigned to skin care with baby wipes (n = 21) or water‐moistened washcloth (n = 23) at each diaper change. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, skin‐pH, IL‐1α, and epidermal desquamation were measured on days 2, 14, and 28 postpartum. Microbiological colonization was evaluated at baseline and on day 28. Significantly lower TEWL was found on the buttock in the group using baby wipes compared to water. IL‐1α and skin hydration significantly increased and pH decreased independent of skin care regimen. IL‐1α was significantly higher in diapered skin compared to nondiapered skin. Although skin care with wipes seems to stabilize TEWL better than using water, the skin condition and microbiological colonization were comparable using both cleansing procedures. Increase of epidermal IL‐1α may reflect postnatal skin barrier maturation. These data suggest that neither of the two cleansing procedures harms skin barrier maturation within the first four weeks postpartum. Longer observations on larger populations could provide more insight into postnatal skin barrier maturation.
The Tortoise or the Hare? Incrementalism, Punctuations, and Their Consequences
Authors: Breunig Christian , Koski Chris
Published: January 2012

In this article, we contrast the long‐term consequences of incrementalism and punctuated equilibrium. We test what the impact of each of these types of policy change is on long‐term budgetary outcomes for the American states. Policy scholars have applied both theoretical approaches to the study of budgetary spending as an extension of policymaking. Given the two contrasting paradigms of policy change, we develop the following line of inquiry: Does punctuated equilibrium create a different budget in the long term than incrementalism? We address this question through an analysis of American state budgets because the U.S. states provide a rich variation in both budgetary outcomes and political institutions. We use budget data from all American states across all government functions for the period between 1984 and 2009. We find that, first, state budgets and budget functions vary in their degree of punctuation and, second, the degree of punctuation in a state's budget function corresponds to smaller long‐term growth. Additionally, the kind of spending matters: allocational budget categories are more likely to exhibit punctuations.
Specificity and diagnostic implications of the reactivity pattern of a panel of monoclonal antibodies against myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Andreasen Rinette B. , Biberfeld Peter , Öst Åke , Reizenstein Peter , Olsson Lennart
Published: January 2012

The immunological phenotypes of leukemia cell samples from 60 patients, of whom 54 had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), were assessed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) with specificity for the following epitopes: (i) Epitopes associated with myeloid leukemia cells, (ii) Epitopes expressed only on immature myeloid cells (or subsets) and on monocytes, (iii) Epitopes only expressed on granulocytes or on granulocytes and mature myeloid cells (promyelocytes, myelocytes and monocytes), (iv) Epitopes on HLA‐class II (DR) and (v) HLA‐class I molecules and on insulin receptors.

This panel of Mabs proved useful to identify leukemia cells in blood and to assess their myeloid origin. The panel of Mabs was found also to be useful for immu‐nophenotyping of leukemia cells. Furthermore, the analysis revealed considerable variations in the immunological phenotype of AML cells, reflecting antigenic heterogeneity within the individual leukemia cell population as well as abnormal or no expression of histocompatibility antigens and insulin receptors in some samples. Some of the Mabs bound preferentially to subgroups in the French‐American‐British (FAB) classification.
High‐dose therapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in previously untreated non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Tura Sante , Mazza Patrizio , Gherlinzoni Filippo , Ricci Paolo , Visani Giuseppe , Bandini Giuseppe , Zaccaria Alfonso , Rosti Gianantonio , Lauria Franscesco , Baccarani Michele , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Poletti Giovanni , Motta Maria Rosa , Rizzi Simona , Verlicchi Franco , Finelli Carlo
Published: January 2012

13 previously untreated patients with poor prognosis non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) underwent high‐dose therapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). All patients experienced a great cytoreductive effect and 9 of them reached a complete remission (mean duration 32 months). The best results were observed in patients with more limited disease and in those without symptoms. 7 patients still remain in complete unmantained remission 15–46 months from the transplant. The probability of survival is 74% at 46 months. No therapy‐related deaths were recorded. In differentiating our preliminary approach, we propose high dose therapy followed by ABMT as induction phase in patients with stage II and as consolidation after first line therapy in patients with stages III‐IV. Further studies are warranted to determine which type of lymphoma may benefit more and which conditioning regimens may improve the remission rate.
Plasma lactoferrin content: Differential effect of steroid administration and infective illnesses: Lack of effect of ambient temperature at which specimens are collected
Authors: Baynes R. D. , Bezwoda W. R. , Khan Q. , Mansoor N.
Published: January 2012

The effect of parenteral hydrocortisone on plasma lactoferrin concentration, neutrophil count and lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio was assessed in 10 volunteer subjects. Administration of a single dose of corticosteroid was followed by a significant rise in the circulating neutrophil count, a significant but proportionately smaller rise in the plasma lactoferrin concentration and a significant fall in the lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio. Acute viral infections were found to be associated with a disproportionately low plasma lactoferrin concentration relative to the circulating neutrophil count. The relatively low lactoferrin concentrations in both these situations could be of significance in regard to the propensity to bacterial infection and superinfection which these 2 groups of subjects display. Compared to patients with viral infection, those suffering from plasmodium falciparum malaria showed a significantly elevated lactoferrin:neutrophil ratio, although this ratio was not significantly different when malarial patients were compared to normal individuals. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of relative neutropenia in viral and protozoal illnesses is fundamentally different. Finally, it was found that the temperature at which specimen collection takes place does not appear to be a significant variable determining the plasma lactoferrin concentration.
Partial response of meningeal myeloma to craniospinal radiotherapy
Authors: Brenner B. , Nagler A. , Viener A. , Sharon R. , Carter A.
Published: January 2012

Concomitant occurrence of meningeal involvement and thoracic plasmacytoma was observed in a patient with IgA lambda myeloma. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed IgA‐λ paraprotein and pathological plasma cells. CT scan of the chest and lumbar myelogram excluded spinal cord compression. The patient partially responded to craniospinal irradiation but succumbed to rapidly progressive myeloma 20 weeks following diagnosis of meningeal involvement.