bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis on genetic diversification and heterosis in autotetraploid rice
Authors: Wu Jin-Wen , Hu Chao-Yue , Shahid Muhammad Qasim , Guo Hai-Bin , Zeng Yu-Xiang , Liu Xiang-Dong , Lu Yong-Gen
Published: September 2013

Polyploidization has played an important role in plant evolution and is a pathway for plants to increase genetic diversification and to get higher heterosis comparing with that of diploid does. This study was undertaken to assess the genetic variation and relationships among 40 autotetraploid rice genotypes and their counterpart diploid cultivars with 99 SSR markers screened from published rice genome. The 99 SSR markers detected polymorphism among autotetraploid genotypes and revealed a total of 291 alleles with an average of 2.949 alleles per locus. Autotetraploid lines showed higher genetic diversity and significant variation in agronomic traits than diploid cultivars. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most of autotetraploid lines were genetically different from their diploid parents, and inter-subspecific hybrids were prepared on the basis of genetic distance between parents. Inter-subspecific autotetraploid hybrids showed a higher and positive heterobeltiosis and competitive heterosis than diploid hybrids, especially for grain yield. Genetic distance appeared not to predict heterosis in diploid rice for all traits; however, it showed a significant correlation with grain yield, grain length and grain length to width ratio in autotetraploid rice. This extensive research on autotetraploid heterosis and genetic diversity will be useful for the development of autotetraploid rice hybrids.
Scientific Teaching Targeting Faculty from Diverse Institutions
Authors: Gregg Christopher S. , Ales Jo Dale , Pomarico Steven M. , Wischusen E. William , Siebenaller Joseph F.
Published: September 2013

We offered four annual professional development workshops called STAR (for Scientific Teaching, Assessment, and Resources) modeled after the National Academies Summer Institute (SI) on Undergraduate Education in Biology. In contrast to the SI focus on training faculty from research universities, STAR's target was faculty from community colleges, 2-yr campuses, and public and private research universities. Because of the importance of community colleges and 2-yr institutions as entries to higher education, we wanted to determine whether the SI model can be successfully extended to this broader range of institutions. We surveyed the four cohorts; 47 STAR alumni responded to the online survey. The responses were separated into two groups based on the Carnegie undergraduate instructional program categories, faculty from seven associate's and associate's-dominant institutions (23) and faculty from nine institutions with primarily 4-yr degree programs (24). Both groups expressed the opinion that STAR had a positive impact on teaching, student learning, and engagement. The two groups reported using techniques of formative assessment and active learning with similar frequency. The mix of faculty from diverse institutions was viewed as enhancing the workshop experience. The present analysis indicates that the SI model for training faculty in scientific teaching can successfully be extended to a broad range of higher education institutions.
Mutation-Based Learning to Improve Student Autonomy and Scientific Inquiry Skills in a Large Genetics Laboratory Course
Authors: Wu Jinlu
Published: September 2013

Laboratory education can play a vital role in developing a learner's autonomy and scientific inquiry skills. In an innovative, mutation-based learning (MBL) approach, students were instructed to redesign a teacher-designed standard experimental protocol by a “mutation” method in a molecular genetics laboratory course. Students could choose to delete, add, reverse, or replace certain steps of the standard protocol to explore questions of interest to them in a given experimental scenario. They wrote experimental proposals to address their rationales and hypotheses for the “mutations”; conducted experiments in parallel, according to both standard and mutated protocols; and then compared and analyzed results to write individual lab reports. Various autonomy-supportive measures were provided in the entire experimental process. Analyses of student work and feedback suggest that students using the MBL approach 1) spend more time discussing experiments, 2) use more scientific inquiry skills, and 3) find the increased autonomy afforded by MBL more enjoyable than do students following regimented instructions in a conventional “cookbook”-style laboratory. Furthermore, the MBL approach does not incur an obvious increase in labor and financial costs, which makes it feasible for easy adaptation and implementation in a large class.
Increasing Student Success Using Online Quizzing in Introductory (Majors) Biology
Authors: Orr Rebecca , Foster Shellene
Published: September 2013

Students often complain about their perceived disconnect between the time and effort spent studying and their subsequent performance on exams. Robert Bjork's research asserts that retrieval of stored information acts as a memory modifier, and that using tests as learning events creates “desirable difficulties that enhance learning.” To determine the effect of utilizing testing as a learning event in the introductory (majors) biology classroom, we used an online homework platform to give required quizzes throughout the course. Analysis of exam grades earned by those taking 100% of pre-exam quizzes indicates that not only does this group have a significantly higher exam average than the group of students who took 0% of the pre-exam quizzes, but they also have a significantly higher exam average than the class average. Through detailed, statistical analysis, the benefit of quizzing is demonstrated to be significant for students of diverse academic abilities. Pre-exam quizzing using an online homework platform is an effective way to increase student performance on exams and allows class time to be utilized for teaching activities.
Getting to Evo-Devo: Concepts and Challenges for Students Learning Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Authors: Hiatt Anna , Davis Gregory K. , Trujillo Caleb , Terry Mark , French Donald P. , Price Rebecca M. , Perez Kathryn E.
Published: September 2013

To examine how well biology majors have achieved the necessary foundation in evolution, numerous studies have examined how students learn natural selection. However, no studies to date have examined how students learn developmental aspects of evolution (evo-devo). Although evo-devo plays an increasing role in undergraduate biology curricula, we find that instruction often addresses development cursorily, with most of the treatment embedded within instruction on evolution. Based on results of surveys and interviews with students, we suggest that teaching core concepts (CCs) within a framework that integrates supporting concepts (SCs) from both evolutionary and developmental biology can improve evo-devo instruction. We articulate CCs, SCs, and foundational concepts (FCs) that provide an integrative framework to help students master evo-devo concepts and to help educators address specific conceptual difficulties their students have with evo-devo. We then identify the difficulties that undergraduates have with these concepts. Most of these difficulties are of two types: those that are ubiquitous among students in all areas of biology and those that stem from an inadequate understanding of FCs from developmental, cell, and molecular biology.
The Other Half of the Story: Effect Size Analysis in Quantitative Research
Authors: Maher Jessica Middlemis , Markey Jonathan C. , Ebert-May Diane
Published: September 2013

Statistical significance testing is the cornerstone of quantitative research, but studies that fail to report measures of effect size are potentially missing a robust part of the analysis. We provide a rationale for why effect size measures should be included in quantitative discipline-based education research. Examples from both biological and educational research demonstrate the utility of effect size for evaluating practical significance. We also provide details about some effect size indices that are paired with common statistical significance tests used in educational research and offer general suggestions for interpreting effect size measures. Finally, we discuss some inherent limitations of effect size measures and provide further recommendations about reporting confidence intervals.
IL-4 reduces the proangiogenic capacity of macrophages by down-regulating HIF-1α translation
Authors: Dehne Nathalie , Tausendschön Michaela , Essler Silke , Geis Theresa , Schmid Tobias , Brüne Bernhard
Published: September 2013

MΦ show a highly versatile phenotype depending on the receiving microenvironmental stimuli. MΦ phenotypes are grouped in three subcategories. One is classically activated MΦ (after stimulation with LPS or IFN-γ), and two are alternatively activated forms, known as wound-healing MΦ (induced by IL-4/IL-13) and regulatory MΦ (induced by IL-10/TGF-β). Besides cytokines, hypoxia defines MΦ functions, as shown for classically activated cells. Yet, little is known about the role of hypoxia and HIF-1 and -2 in wound-healing or regulatory MΦ. HIF target genes (such as ADM), analyzed in alternatively activated MΦ from WT and HIF−/− mice, were regulated predominantly by HIF-1 and consistently showed reduced hypoxic induction in MΦ stimulated with IL-4. To gain mechanistic insights, we analyzed HIF expression in polarized MΦ. Classically activated MΦ are characterized by the induction of HIF-1α but reduction of HIF-2α mRNA and protein, whereas wound-healing MΦ decreased HIF-1α protein expression without altering mRNA levels. Analysis of protein stability and expression after proteasomal inhibition pointed to translational regulation of HIF-1α in wound-healing MΦ. Following angiogenic-sprouting using embryonic stem cells exposed to supernatants of MΦ incubated with IL-4 under hypoxia, shorter sprouts were revealed compared with supernatants of hypoxic MΦ without IL-4. Conclusively, IL-4 reduces HIF-1α translation and thus, its activity in MΦ and concomitantly, attenuates their ability to promote angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions.
Lung-resident memory CD8 T cells (TRM) are indispensable for optimal cross-protection against pulmonary virus infection
Authors: Wu Tao , Hu Yinghong , Lee Young-Tae , Bouchard Keith R , Benechet Alexandre , Khanna Kamal , Cauley Linda S
Published: September 2013

Previous studies have shown that some respiratory virus infections leave local populations of tissue TRM cells in the lungs which disappear as heterosubtypic immunity declines. The location of these TRM cells and their contribution to the protective CTL response have not been clearly defined. Here, fluorescence microscopy is used to show that some CD103+ TRM cells remain embedded in the walls of the large airways long after pulmonary immunization but are absent from systemically primed mice. Viral clearance from the lungs of the locally immunized mice precedes the development of a robust Teff response in the lungs. Whereas large numbers of virus-specific CTLs collect around the bronchial tree during viral clearance, there is little involvement of the remaining lung tissue. Much larger numbers of TEM cells enter the lungs of the systemically immunized animals but do not prevent extensive viral replication or damage to the alveoli. Together, these experiments show that virus-specific antibodies and TRM cells are both required for optimal heterosubtypic immunity, whereas circulating memory CD8 T cells do not substantially alter the course of disease.
Technical Advance: Novel ex vivo culture method for human monocytes uses shear flow to prevent total loss of transendothelial diapedesis function
Authors: Tsubota Yoshiaki , Frey Jeremy M , Raines Elaine W
Published: September 2013

Monocyte recruitment to inflammatory sites and their transendothelial migration into tissues are critical to homeostasis and pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, even short-term suspension culture of primary human monocytes leads to phenotypic changes. In this study, we characterize the functional effects of ex vivo monocyte culture on the steps involved in monocyte transendothelial migration. Our data demonstrate that monocyte diapedesis is impaired by as little as 4 h culture, and the locomotion step is subsequently compromised. After 16 h in culture, monocyte diapedesis is irreversibly reduced by ∼90%. However, maintenance of monocytes under conditions mimicking physiological flow (5–7.5 dyn/cm2) is sufficient to reduce diapedesis impairment significantly. Thus, through the application of shear during ex vivo culture of monocytes, our study establishes a novel protocol, allowing functional analyses of monocytes not currently possible under static culture conditions. These data further suggest that monocyte-based therapeutic applications may be measurably improved by alteration of ex vivo conditions before their use in patients.
Beggars: Jeremy Bentham versus William Wordsworth
Authors: Henderson James P.
Published: September 2013

During the Romantic period (roughly 1789 to 1834), social critics valued poetry as a guide “to the conduct of life and the establishment of moral principles.” John Stuart Mill observed that Jeremy Bentham rejected poetry because poets employed words imaginatively and not solely for “precise logical truth.” Bentham and William Wordsworth disputed the treatment of the poor. Bentham proposed forcing them into houses of industry. Wordsworth, who declared that “man is dear to man... [because] we have all of us one human heart,” celebrated a beggar’s power as a social agent. He reminds villagers of past acts of charity and offers the wretched poor an opportunity to give charity. Barely able to survive herself, one old woman “builds her hope in heaven” by sharing a small handful of meal with the beggar. Although the beggar has no economic value, he does have intrinsic value to the community.
Triangulation of the map of a G-manifold to its orbit space
Authors: Murayama Mitsutaka , Shiota Masahiro
Published: September 2013

Let G be a Lie group, and let M be a smooth proper G-manifold. Let M/G denote the orbit space, and let π : M → M/G be the natural map. It is known that M/G is homeomorphic to a polyhedron. In the present paper we show that there exist a piecewise linear (PL) manifold P, a polyhedron L, and homeomorphisms τ : P → M and σ : M/G → L such that σ o π o τ is PL. This is an application of the theory of subanalytic sets and subanalytic maps of Shiota. If M and the G-action are, moreover, subanalytic, then we can choose τ and σ subanalytic and P and L unique up to PL homeomorphisms.
What Could Have Happened to “Femininity” In Japanese Stagecraft: A Memorial Address to Yamada Isuzu (1917 – 2012)
Authors: Isaka Maki
Published: September 2013

In 2012, legendary “actress” Yamada Isuzu (b. 1917) passed away in Japan. Yamada has been internationally known because of her acting in films such as Mizoguchi Kenji's Osaka Elegy (1936), Naruse Mikio's Flowing (1956), and Kurosawa Akira's Throne of Blood (1957). Overshadowed by her well-recognized contribution to the films is her achievement in Kabuki acting. The Kabuki theater is an all-male theater, with its onnagata actors playing women's roles. Despite the intermittent presence of female Kabuki actors over the history of Kabuki, their achievements have not received the recognition they deserve, and today, the notion that onnagata must be male actors, and female actors cannot do the job is considered common knowledge both in popular and academic discourses. Yamada, however, had substantial stage experience in Kabuki, performing hand in hand with major Kabuki actors. Moreover, her acting was said to remind some — critics and Kabuki actors — of “women actors,” that is, female Kabuki actors around the beginning of the twentieth century. They were trained in Kabuki acting, used the same acting techniques as that of male Kabuki actors, and were evaluated by the same criteria as that of the male actors. Thus the highest compliment for female onnagata was “indistinguishable from male onnagata.” Yamada performed Kabuki in this manner, too. Her Kabuki achievement assures us that the art of onnagata has been available to female actors, if talented, trained, and dedicated to the art; considering the prevailing “common knowledge,” however, Yamada's accomplishment of Kabuki acting as well as what it can tell us will probably be subdued in historiography soon.
A Duality Approach to Queues with Service Restrictions and Storage Systems with State-Dependent Rates
Authors: Perry D. , Stadje W. , Zacks S.
Published: September 2013

Based on pathwise duality constructions, several new results on truncated queues and storage systems of the G/M/1 type are derived by transforming the workload (content) processes into certain ‘dual’ M/G/1-type processes. We consider queueing systems in which (a) any service requirement that would increase the total workload beyond the capacity is truncated so as to keep the associated sojourn time below a certain constant, or (b) new arrivals do not enter the system if they have to wait more than one time unit in line. For these systems, we derive the steady-state distributions of the workload and the numbers of customers present in the systems as well as the distributions of the lengths of busy and idle periods. Moreover, we use the duality approach to study finite capacity storage systems with general state-dependent outflow rates. Here our duality leads to a Markovian finite storage system with state-dependent jump sizes whose content level process can be analyzed using level crossing techniques. We also derive a connection between the steady-state densities of the non-Markovian continuous-time content level process of the G/M/1 finite storage system with state-dependent outflow rule and the corresponding embedded sequence of peak points (local maxima).
On the Dynamics of Semimartingales with Two Reflecting Barriers
Authors: Pihlsgård Mats , Glynn Peter W.
Published: September 2013

We consider a semimartingale X which is reflected at an upper barrier T and a lower barrier S, where S and T are also semimartingales such that T is bounded away from S. First, we present an explicit construction of the reflected process. Then we derive a relationship in terms of stochastic integrals linking the reflected process and the local times at the respective barriers to X, S, and T. This result reveals the fundamental structural properties of the reflection mechanism. We also present a few results showing how the general relationship simplifies under additional assumptions on X, S, and T, e.g. if we take X, S, and T to be independent martingales (which satisfy some extra technical conditions).
A Note on Asymptotic Exponential Arbitrage with Exponentially Decaying Failure Probability
Authors: Du Kai , Neufeld Ariel David
Published: September 2013

The goal of this paper is to prove a result conjectured in Föllmer and Schachermayer (2007) in a slightly more general form. Suppose that S is a continuous semimartingale and satisfies a large deviations estimate; this is a particular growth condition on the mean-variance tradeoff process of S. We show that S then allows asymptotic exponential arbitrage with exponentially decaying failure probability, which is a strong and quantitative form of long-term arbitrage. In contrast to Föllmer and Schachermayer (2007), our result does not assume that S is a diffusion, nor does it need any ergodicity assumption.
Joint Distribution of Distances in Large Random Regular Networks
Authors: Salez Justin
Published: September 2013

We study the array of point-to-point distances in random regular graphs equipped with exponential edge lengths. We consider the regime where the degree is kept fixed while the number of vertices tends to ∞. The marginal distribution of an individual entry is now well understood, thanks to the work of Bhamidi, van der Hofstad and Hooghiemstra (2010). The purpose of this note is to show that the whole array, suitably recentered, converges in the weak sense to an explicit infinite random array. Our proof consists in analyzing the invasion of the network by several mutually exclusive flows emanating from different sources and propagating simultaneously along the edges.
Conditional Limit Theorems for the Terms of a Random Walk Revisited
Authors: Bar-Lev Shaul K. , Schulte-Geers Ernst , Stadje Wolfgang
Published: September 2013

In this paper we derive limit theorems for the conditional distribution ofX1givenSn=snasn→ ∞, where theXiare independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables,Sn=X1+··· +Xn, andsn/nconverges orsn≡sis constant. We obtain convergence in total variation of PX1∣Sn/n=sto a distribution associated to that ofX1and of PnX1∣Sn=sto a gamma distribution. The case of stable distributions (to which the method of associated distributions cannot be applied) is studied in detail.
C. elegansPVF-1 inhibits permissive UNC-40 signalling through CED-10 GTPase to position the male ray 1 sensillum
Authors: Dalpe Gratien , Tarsitano Marina , Persico M. Graziella , Zheng Hong , Culotti Joseph
Published: September 2013

Graded distributions of netrin and semaphorin guidance cues convey instructive polarity information to migrating cells and growth cones, but also have permissive (i.e. non-polarity determining) functions in mammalian development and repair. The permissive functions of these cues are largely uncharacterised at a molecular level. We found previously that UNC-6 (netrin) signals permissively through UNC-40 (DCC) and UNC-5 receptors to prevent anterior displacement of the ray 1 sensillum in the C. elegans male tail. UNC-6/UNC-40 signalling functions in parallel with SMP-1 (semaporin 1)/PLX-1 (plexin) signalling to prevent this defect. Here, we report that a deletion allele of pvf-1, which encodes a VEGF-related protein, causes no ray 1 defects, but enhances ray 1 defects of a plx-1 mutant, and unexpectedly also suppresses unc-6(ev400)-null mutant ray 1 defects. These mutant ray 1 inductive and suppressive effects are mimicked by the ability of unc-40(+) and ced-10(gain-of-function) multi-copy transgene arrays to induce ray 1 defects or suppress unc-6 mutant ray 1 defects, depending on their dosage, suggesting the pvf-1 mutation causes UNC-40 overactivity that interferes with signalling but is partially sensitive to UNC-6. Additional data suggest PVF-1 functions through four VEGF receptor-related proteins and inhibits only CED-10 (a GTPase), but not MIG-2-dependent UNC-40 activity, even though UNC-40 functions through both GTPases to position ray 1. pvf-1 and receptor mutant ray 1 defects are rescued by transgenes expressing mouse VEGF164 and human VEGF receptors, respectively. These data report the first case of VEGF-induced inhibition of the netrin signalling and a molecular conservation of VEGF function from worms to humans.
The F-box protein ZEITLUPE controls stability and nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of GIGANTEA
Authors: Kim Jeongsik , Geng Ruishuang , Gallenstein Richard A. , Somers David E.
Published: September 2013

Nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of core clock components is essential for the proper operation of the circadian system. Previous work has shown that the F-box protein ZEITLUPE (ZTL) and clock element GIGANTEA (GI) heterodimerize in the cytosol, thereby stabilizing ZTL. Here, we report that ZTL post-translationally and reciprocally regulates protein levels and nucleocytoplasmic distribution of GI in Arabidopsis. We use ectopic expression of the N-terminus of ZTL, which contains the novel, light-absorbing region of ZTL (the LOV domain), transient expression assays and ztl mutants to establish that the levels of ZTL, a cytosolic protein, help govern the abundance and distribution of GI in the cytosol and nucleus. Ectopic expression of the ZTL N-terminus lengthens period, delays flowering time and alters hypocotyl length. We demonstrate that these phenotypes can be explained by the competitive interference of the LOV domain with endogenous GI-ZTL interactions. A complex of the ZTL N-terminus polypeptide with endogenous GI (LOV-GI) blocks normal GI function, causing degradation of endogenous ZTL and inhibition of other GI-related phenotypes. Increased cytosolic retention of GI by the LOV-GI complex additionally inhibits nuclear roles of GI, thereby lengthening flowering time. Hence, we conclude that under endogenous conditions, GI stabilization and cytoplasmic retention occurs naturally through a LOV domain-mediated GI-ZTL interaction, and that ZTL indirectly regulates GI nuclear pools by sequestering GI to the cytosol. As the absence of either GI or ZTL compromises clock function and diminishes the protein abundance of the other, our results highlight how their reciprocal co-stabilization is essential for robust circadian oscillations.
Structure and content of 400 CT reports in four teaching hospitals using a new, Windows-based software tool
Authors: Heikkinen K. , Löyttyniemi M. , Kormano M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To test a new software tool developed for analysis of radiology reports and to compare CT reports from four different teaching hospitals.

Material and Methods: Four hundred CT reports were randomly collected from four Finnish university hospitals. A Windows 3.1-based software tool was developed to make a comparative analysis of the information content of CT reports. The structure of the reports was partly analyzed manually.

Results: The new software tool greatly facilitated semiquantitative analysis of the information content of residents' and radiologists' reports. There were some local differences in the length and structure of the reports, the choice of vocabulary and the number of differential diagnoses given, and large differences in the use of an “impression” section. Thorough description of focal lesions was included in less than 50% of the reports from each of the four institutions.

Conclusion: The variation in well-structured CT reports indicates considerable geographic differences in radiology reporting, which may reflect the long-term influences of a few teachers. Rational application of the communication standards should improve the quality of written radiology reports. Such standards should be emphasized, particularly in teaching hospitals.
Abnormalities on brain MR images during the course of Familial Haemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis in a child: A case report
Authors: Sundgren P. C. , Geijer B. , Békássy A. N. , Dictor M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To describe and report the neuroradiological findings and clinical features in a patient with familial haemophagocytic lymphohistocytosis (FHL), a rare hereditary immune dysregulation in early childhood characterised by multisystem involvement, including in approximately 30% of cases also the central nervous system (CNS).

Material and Methods: Serial brain MR examinations were carried out in a 4.5-year-old boy with FHL, finally complicated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven posttransplantation lymphoma.

Results: Multiple brain MR examinations before and after contrast enhancement showed discrete perivascular non-enhancing areas of high signal intensity on T2 images, and later also an enhancing lesion in the right caudate nucleus.

Conclusion: FHL should be included in the differential diagnosis of patchy white matter abnormalities in young patients. EBV-driven post-transplantation lymphoma, which may present as meningial and/or parenchymal CNS infiltration, is a differential diagnostic problem.
Vertex epidural hematoma-neuroradiological findings and management: A case report
Authors: Server A. , Tollesson G. , Solgaard T. , Haakonsen M. , Johnsen U. L.-H.
Published: September 2013

Epidural hematomas occurring at the vertex are uncommon, and they can be difficult to diagnose by axial CT. We report a case of acute traumatic vertex epidural hematoma, which resolved spontaneously with time. We stress the importance of MR investigations in this diagnostic challenge.
Association between joint bleeds and pettersson scores in severe haemophilia
Authors: Fischer K. , van Hout B. A. , van der Bom J. G. , Grobbee D. E. , van den Berg H. M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To assess and quantify the association of haemophilic arthropathy, measured by the radiological Pettersson score, with the number of joint bleeds suffered by the patient.

Material and Methods: In order to quantify the effect of the cumulative number of joint bleeds on the Pettersson score, a study was performed using 295 Pettersson scores obtained in 117 patients with severe haemophilia. The patients were born between 1965 and 1994, and had no history of inhibitors. The number of joint bleeds was determined annually from the entry in the clinic and onwards. The localization of bleeds was not assessed. The patients entered the clinic at a median age of 3.6 years, and received intermediate dose prophylaxis, starting at a median age of 5.3 years. Evaluation of 1643 treatment years showed a mean of 6.8 joint bleeds/year. Pettersson scores were obtained at a mean age of 15.9 years (range 1.7–32.9) and had a median value of 4 points (range 0–50).

Results and Conclusion: The Pettersson scores began to rise after the age of 5 years and increased with one point for every 13 joint bleeds (95% confidence interval 11–15). No evidence was found of ‘autonomous’ progression of Pettersson scores, independent of bleeds.
Contrast-enhanced transabdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions
Authors: Takeda K. , Goto H. , Hirooka Y. , Itoh A. , Hashimoto S. , Niwa K. , Hayakawa T.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic usefulness of contrast-enhanced transabdominal ultrasonography (CE-US) in pancreatic mass lesions that could be detected by US.

Material and Methods: CE-US was performed in 37 patients with various pancreatic mass lesions to evaluate the characteristic vascular findings.

Results: Pancreatic tubular adenocarcinoma showed negative enhancement pattern in 16 cases and a slight spotty enhancement pattern in 5 cases. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma showed slight homogeneous enhancement pattern in 1 case and acinar cell carcinoma was expressed as a heterogeneous enhancement pattern in 3 cases on CE-US. Endocrine cell tumor had a strong homogeneous enhancement pattern in 3 cases, a strong central enhancement in 1 case and a strong peripheral enhancement in 2 cases. Pseudotumorous pancreatitis showed an iso-enhancement pattern in 6 cases.

Conclusion: CE-US is useful in evaluating the vascularity of the lesions in various pancreatic mass lesions in real-time images, and may be useful for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions.
ET-A receptor antagonist BQ123 prevents radiocontrast media-induced renal medullary hypoxia
Authors: Liss P. , Carlsson P.-O. , Nygren A. , Palm F. , Hansell P.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Renal vasoconstriction with resultant tissue hypoxia, especially in the renal medulla, has been suggested to play a role in contrast media (CM)-induced nephropathy. Endothelin (ET) is released into the blood stream following CM injection and has been proposed as a potential mediator through its vasoconstrictive properties.

Material and Methods: To investigate the possible protective influence of ET-receptor antagonists against CM-induced reduction in renal function, we studied the effects of injection of iopromide with and without pretreatment with BQ123 (ET-A antagonist) or BQ788 (ET-B antagonist) on renal superficial cortical flow (CBF), outer medullary blood flow (OMBF) and outer medullary oxygen tension (pO2) in normal rats.

Results: Administration of CM (1600 mg I/kg b.w.) did not affect CBF in any of the groups. However, a transient decrease in OMBF occurred, which was unaffected by both BQ123 and BQ788. Also a transient decrease in outer medullary pO2 was induced by CM administration. The pO2 reduction was significantly smaller after pretreatment with BQ123, than after injection of CM alone or together with BQ788, and pO2 returned more rapidly to the control level. Neither receptor antagonist had an effect on CM-mediated increases in electrolyte excretion.

Conclusion: In the normal rat, activation of ET-A receptors is partly involved in the depression of outer medullary pO2 caused by injection of iopromide. However, the decrease in OMBF after iopromide injection is not mediated by ET receptors. The beneficial effects of the ET-A receptor antagonist on CM-induced changes in outer medullary pO2 seem therefore not primarily mediated on the hemodynamic level but may rather involve tubular transport mechanisms.
Comparison of 99mTc-Sestamibi scintimammography and dynamic MR imaging as adjuncts to mammography in the diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: Boné B. , Kristoffersen Wiberg M. , Szabó B. K. , Szakos A. , Danielsson R.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of planar 99mTc-sestamibi scintimammography with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) on the basis of histopathologic results, and to determine the clinical value of these methods as adjuncts to mammography.

Material and Methods: A total of 90 consecutive women with 111 histopathologically verified breast lesions were enrolled in the study. Patients underwent scintimammography and CE-MRI in addition to mammography. Each finding was classified on a BI-RADS-like five-point rating scale describing the degree of suspicion for malignancy, and all findings were correlated with the histopathological results.

Results: The overall sensitivity/specificity/accuracy was 85%/59%/78% for mammography, 94%/47%/80% for CE-MRI, and 82%/75%/80% for scintimammography, respectively. CE-MRI showed higher sensitivity ( p = 0.008), but its specificity was lower than scintimammography ( p = 0.049). Using ROC analysis, significant improvement ( p = 0.034) was found between mammography and the combination of mammography + CE-MRI, while mammography + scintigraphy showed no higher diagnostic accuracy than mammography alone.

Conclusion: If high sensitivity and spatial resolution are needed, CE-MRI is to be preferred in clinical practice as an adjunct to mammography, rather than scintigraphy.
Review Article. Doppler examination of the allografted kidney
Authors: Jakobsen J. Å. , Brabrand K. , Egge T. S. , Hartmann A.
Published: September 2013

A comprehensive ultrasound examination of the transplanted kidney includes a Doppler examination. Duplex Doppler, color Doppler and power Doppler can all reveal important information. In addition, calculation of the resistance and pulsatility indices to quantify changes in the spectral Doppler waveform can be of great help, particularly in the first weeks and months following a transplantation. The Doppler part of the examination should evaluate the vessels to and from the transplant, as well as the parenchyma with calculations of indices to detect the presence of increased vascular resistance. The conclusions drawn from the Doppler-derived information combined with the results from gray-scale scanning and clinical information will very often be of clinical significance for the handling of the patient.
Spatial component position in total hip arthroplasty: Accuracy and repeatability with a new CT method
Authors: Olivecrona H. , Weidenhielm L. , Olivecrona L. , Noz M. E. , Maguire G. Q. , Zeleznik M. P. , Svensson L. , Jonson T.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: 3D detection of centerpoints of prosthetic cup and head after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using CT.

Material and Methods: Two CT examinations, 10 min apart, were obtained from each of 10 patients after THA. Two independent examiners placed landmarks in images of the prosthetic cup and head. All landmarking was repeated after 1 week. Centerpoints were calculated and compared.

Results: Within volumes, all measurements of centerpoints of cup and head fell, with a 95% confidence, within one CT-voxel of any other measurement of the same object. Across two volumes, the mean error of distance between center of cup and prosthetic head was 1.4 mm (SD 0.73). Intra- and interobserver 95% accuracy limit was below 2 mm within and below 3 mm across volumes. No difference between intra- and interobserver measurements occurred. A formula for converting finite sets of point landmarks in the radiolucent tread of the cup to a centerpoint was stable. The percent difference of the landmark distances from a calculated spherical surface was within one CT-voxel. This data was normally distributed and not dependent on observer or trial.

Conclusion: The true 3D position of the centers of cup and prosthetic head can be detected using CT. Spatial relationship between the components can be analyzed visually and numerically.
Decreasing Marginal Value of Information Under Symmetric Loss
Authors: Bikhchandani Sushil , Mamer John W.
Published: September 2013

We investigate conditions under which the value of additional information is diminishing in a setting where the decision maker has access to multiple, identically-distributed, information signals. The signals are assumed to be independent conditional on an unknown payoff-relevant parameter. The decision maker minimizes a quadratic loss function. Quadratic losses arise in quality control, scoring rules, and other applications. We characterize two concepts of diminishing marginal value of information. The first is an ex ante concept, before any information is observed, and the second is an ex post concept, after observation of previous information signals. The former concept is useful for ex ante information acquisition decisions and the latter for sequential information acquisition.
Rapid Immunocytochemistry with Simple Heat-Induced Antigen Retrieval Technique for Improvement in the Quality of Cytological Diagnosis
Authors: Denda Tamami , Kamoshida Shingo , Kawamura Jumpei , Harada Kunihiko , Kawai Kenji , Kuwao Sadahito , Sawabe Motoji
Published: September 2013

Rapid immunocytochemistry (ICC) can improve the accuracy of intraoperative cytological diagnoses; however, it is usually applied without heat-induced antigen retrieval (HIAR). We established a HIAR method for rapid ICC and evaluated its efficacy and reliability. Rapidly fixed smear samples were immunostained using 35 antibodies. We compared the results of HIAR by boiling in a pot or heating in an electric kettle. The smears were incubated for 3 min with each primary antibody and immuno-enzyme polymer reagent, and for 1 min with diaminobenzidine solution. HIAR for 1 min using the kettle method yielded the best cellular integrity. For 32 out of the 35 antibodies, results achieved using rapid ICC within 11 min were comparable to that achieved using standard ICC. HIAR was essential for 13 antibodies. For two of the antibodies, HIAR was not required when standard ICC was applied, but consistent staining with rapid ICC was obtained only with HIAR. In conclusion, we established a rapid ICC procedure using a simple HIAR method, which allowed efficient immunostaining of a panel of antigens, including nuclear antigens, within only 11 min. The combined use of this rapid ICC technique with other staining techniques could be useful for improving intraoperative cytological diagnoses.
Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) is Associated with Neurite Pathology and Its Levels Are Markedly Reduced in the Dentate Gyrus of Alzheimer’s Disease Brains
Authors: Gong Huilin , Dong Weijiang , Rostad Steven W. , Marcovina Santica M. , Albers John J. , Brunzell John D. , Vuletic Simona
Published: September 2013

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is involved in regulation of fatty acid metabolism, and facilitates cellular uptake of lipoproteins, lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins. We evaluated LPL distribution in healthy and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain tissue and its relative levels in cerebrospinal fluid. LPL immunostaining is widely present in different neuronal subgroups, microglia, astrocytes and oligodendroglia throughout cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord. LPL immunoreactivity is also present in leptomeninges, small blood vessels, choroid plexus and ependymal cells, Schwann cells associated with cranial nerves, and in anterior and posterior pituitary. In vitro studies have shown presence of secreted LPL in conditioned media of human cortical neuronal cell line (HCN2) and neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH), but not in media of cultured primary human astrocytes. LPL was present in cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of neuronal cells and astrocytes in vitro. LPL immunoreactivity strongly associates with AD-related pathology, staining diffuse plaques, dystrophic and swollen neurites, possible Hirano bodies and activated glial cells. We observed no staining associated with neurofibrillary tangles or granulovacuolar degeneration. Granule cells of the dentate gyrus and the associated synaptic network showed significantly reduced staining in AD compared to control tissue. LPL was also reduced in AD CSF samples relative to those in controls.
Increased progression of carotid intima media thickness in thyroid peroxidase antibodies-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Raterman H G , Voskuyl A E , Simsek S , Schreurs M W J , van Hoogstraten I M W , Peters M J L , van Halm V P , Dijkmans B A C , Lips P , Lems W F , Nurmohamed M T
Published: September 2013

Objective

Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hypothyroidism tend to cluster, and this coexistence amplifies the elevated cardiovascular risk in RA. Whether thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOabs) are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has not been studied extensively. Therefore, this study determined firstly the prevalence of TPOabs in RA and secondly whether TPOabs were associated with CVD. Moreover, this study explored whether TPOabs were related to RA characteristics.

Design and methods

Data from the CARRÉ Study, an ongoing study investigating CVDs and its risk factors in RA (n=322), was used to ascertain the prevalence of TPOabs in RA patients. In addition, cardiovascular and RA disease characteristics were compared between TPOabs-positive and -negative patients at baseline and at a second visit after 3 years.

Results

TPOabs were present in 47/322 (15%) RA patients and TSH levels were higher in TPOabs-positive patients (1.40 mU/l) compared with TPOabs-negative patients (1.26 mU/l, P=0.048). At baseline and after 3 years no association was observed between TPOabs and (risk factors for) CVD. Regression analyses revealed a significantly larger progression of carotid intima media thickness (cIMT; β=0.13 mm) in TPOabs-positive compared with TPOabs-negative patients independent of risk factors for cIMT progression. RA disease activity scores (DAS28) were higher in TPOabs-positive compared with TPOabs-negative patients (4.4 vs 3.8 P=0.018).

Conclusions

TPOabs were associated with increased cIMT progression. Moreover, an association between TPOabs and DAS28 was observed. Hence, TPOabs seems to have a role in the amplified cardiovascular risk in RA patients.
Genetic variation at the IGF1 locus shows association with post-stroke outcome and to circulating IGF1
Authors: Åberg N David , Olsson Sandra , Åberg Daniel , Jood Katarina , Stanne Tara M , Nilsson Michael , Blomstrand Christian , Svensson Johan , Isgaard Jörgen , Jern Christina
Published: September 2013

Objective

In humans, serum IGF1 (s-IGF1) is associated with outcome after ischemic stroke (IS). Therefore variation at the IGF1 locus could also associate with both IS and s-IGF1. We investigated whether genetic variation at the IGF1 locus is associated with i) s-IGF1, ii) IS occurrence, iii) IS severity, and iv) post-stroke outcome.

Design/methods

Patients (n=844; 66% males, mean age 56 years) and community controls (n=668) were included from the Sahlgrenska Academy Study on Ischemic Stroke (SAHLSIS). Post-stroke outcome was evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale at 3 and 24 months after index stroke, and baseline stroke severity with the Scandinavian Stroke Scale. s-IGF1 was determined in patients and after random selection in 40 of the controls.

Results

Eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected in the IGF1 gene. In healthy controls the major allele of rs7136446 was associated with higher s-IGF1, whereas in patients no such association was found. No SNP was associated with IS, nor with stroke severity. After multivariate correction for presence of diabetes, smoking, and hypertension, the major allele of rs7136446 was associated with favorable functional outcome 24-months post-stroke (odds ratio 1.46; 95% CI 1.09–1.96).

Conclusion

Variation in rs7136446 of the IGF1 gene associates with post-stroke outcome in relatively young IS patients. Also, rs7136446 associates with s-IGF1 in controls but not in IS, which indicates that IS perturbs a normal genetic impact on s-IGF1 levels.
Selected Composites for High Field Magnets
Authors: Han Ke , Chen Jingping , Cui Baozhi , Davy Charney A , Kalu Peter N
Published: September 2013

The national high magnetic field laboratory builds and uses various high field magnets for fundamental research. In building high field magnets, a variety of high strength composites are required because of the Lorentz stresses generated by high field exceeding the strength of most of the materials, particular conductors. For example, a field of 60 T can generate a magnetic pressure that corresponds to a stress in the conductor of 1.5 GPa, which is at the limit of known conducting materials with conductivity higher than 70% International Annealed Copper Standard and sizes suitable for building high field magnets. The design of high field magnets is limited by these forces and, consequently, by the available materials. At the same time, the materials need to have excellent physical properties. For instance, the conductors need to have high electrical conductivity and high specific heat and the superconductors should have high critical current in field and low alternative current losses. This paper outlines our requirements and research on metal matrix composite materials for building high field magnets. The discussions include both the macrocomposite and microcomposite. The scales of the structures in the composites are from millimeters to nanometers.
Effect of competitive adsorption between sodium gluconate and naphthalene-based superplasticiser on fluidity of cement paste
Authors: Yang Hu , Ma Bao-quo , Tan Hong-bo
Published: September 2013

The effect of sodium gluconate (SG) on fluidity of pastes with added naphthalene-based superplasticiser (NS) is studied. The adsorption amounts of SG and NS on cement are tested by total organic carbon analysis and ultraviolet spectrophotometer in the cement filtrate. Furthermore, the electrokinetic properties of cement particles are tested using ζ-potential measurement. The results show that adsorption amount increases with increasing dosage of NS or SG as the single admixture, while the rate of adsorption decreases because most of the active adsorption sites are occupied by NS or SG molecules. When the NS dosage is fixed at 0·40%, the amount and rate of NS adsorption decrease with the increase of SG owing to competitive adsorption on cement between NS and SG. However, NS and SG being adsorbed on the surface of cement particles causes a higher potential compared to pastes without the addition of NS or SG; the fluidity of the pastes increases with the presence of the admixtures.