bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How afraid are you of having blood drawn from your arm? A simple fear question predicts vasovagal reactions without causing them among high school donors
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Himawan Lina K. , Stephens Kate Yunuba , Frame‐Brown Terri A. , Venable Geri A. , Menitove Jay E.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated in a group of mostly experienced blood donors that fear of blood draws was a significant predictor of vasovagal reactions. Importantly, being asked about one's fear immediately before donation did not increase reaction rates. This study further evaluates the relationship between fear and reactions among high school blood donors, who are known to be at a relatively greater risk for vasovagal reactions.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Immediately after completing the blood donor health screening, 17‐ and 18‐year‐old high school students were asked about their fear of having blood drawn. Based on a random selection, the fear question was administered in approximately half of the schools, resulting in a final sample of 1715 donors who did and 1692 donors who did not answer the fear question.

RESULTS: Fear was a significant predictor of donor reactions and remained a significant independent predictor (along with estimated blood volume and donor sex) in a logistic regression analysis. There was no difference in the proportion of reactions observed between those who did and did not answer the predonation fear question.

CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous evidence in older and more experienced blood donors, these findings indicate that assessing fear of blood draws may help to identify those who are most likely to experience vasovagal reactions among young donors without increasing the frequency of such reactions.
The influence of bleeding on trigger changes for platelet transfusion in patients with chemotherapy‐induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Rioux‐Massé Benjamin , Laroche Vincent , Bowman Robert J. , Lindgren Bruce R. , Cohn Claudia S. , Pulkrabek Shelley M. , McCullough Jeffrey
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: For patients with thrombocytopenia without bleeding risk factors, a platelet transfusion trigger of 10 × 109/L is recommended. No studies have evaluated the clinicians' decision‐making process leading to trigger changes.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We report on the evaluation of trigger changes and the relation with bleeding. Eighty patients previously enrolled in the SPRINT trial represent the patient population for the current analysis.

RESULTS: Seventy‐four patients had a starting trigger of 10 × 109/L. Only a minority of patients treated with chemotherapy alone (3/12, 25%) and autologous transplant (6/15, 40%) had a change in their trigger in contrast to the majority of allogeneic transplant (37/47, 79%; p = 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively, when compared to allogeneic transplant group). Bleeding was the main reason reported by clinicians for a trigger change, but the occurrence of significant bleeding (Grade 2‐4) was similar in patients with or without a trigger change (51 and 54%, p = 1.00). Clinicians were influenced by the bleeding system: Grade 1 mucocutaneous bleeding leading to a trigger change was overrepresented (71% of cases), as was Grade 2 genitourinary bleeding not leading to a trigger change (57% of cases).

CONCLUSION: A universal trigger of 10 × 109/L may not be maintained in a diverse population of patients with their respective bleeding risk factors. Because the trigger is changed often, it may not be as effective as previously believed.
Compound heterozygosity of HLA‐DRB3*01:01 and HLA‐DRB4*01:01 as a potential predictor of fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Loewenthal Ron , Rosenberg Nurit , Kalt Rivka , Dardik Rima , Landau Meytal , Yahalom Vered , Avishai Ofelia , Frenkel Orit , Gazit Ephraim , Steinberg David M. , Lipitz Shlomo , Salomon Ophira
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Fetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a life‐threatening bleeding disorder in the fetus or neonate caused by maternal alloantibodies directed against fetal platelet (PLT) antigens inherited from the father. The immune‐dominant antigen leading to severe FNAIT is the human PLT antigen (HPA)‐1, whose polymorphism constitutes an epitope for human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), usually DRB3*0101 leading to an immune response.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this study our aims were to find whether other allele variants of the β subunit of the HLA‐DR family specifically focused on the HLA residues that bind Position 33 of the HPA‐1 integrin contribute to FNAIT development and affect response to treatment and whether coexistence of both anti‐HPA‐1a and anti‐HLA Class I specific against the father's antigens leads to a more severe thrombocytopenia in the newborn. We examine the genotype of 23 mothers to newborns with FNAIT compared to a control group.

RESULTS: Our results suggested that, when HPA‐1 incompatibility with the husband is found, the presence of two HLA alleles (DRB3*01:01 and DRB4*01:01) in the mother increases the risk and severity of FNAIT and reduces the success of a preventive immunoglobulin G treatment. We provide a structural model for the molecular basis of the rational effects of the different HLA alleles. In addition, we found that the presence of both anti‐HPA‐1 and anti‐HLAs did not aggravate FNAIT in comparison to mothers harboring only anti‐HPA‐1.

CONCLUSION: Overall, we suggest that a specific genotyping of the mother in relation to HLA‐DRB as well as HPA‐1 can serve as an antenatal diagnostic tool, particularly in siblings of women who gave birth to neonates with FNAIT.
Evaluation of Cardiac Involvement with Mediastinal Lymphoma: The Role of Innovative Integrated Cardiovascular Imaging
Authors: Goldman Mark , Matthews Robert , Meng Hong , Bilfinger Thomas , Kort Smadar
Published: June 2012

A 73‐year‐old woman presented in right heart failure. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a 3 cm × 5 cm anterior mediastinal mass. Contrast‐enhanced two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and MRI–PET fusion demonstrated invasion of the pericardium and right heart by the tumor. Mediastinal biopsy revealed high‐grade diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, which responded to chemotherapy. The role of each modality in this case was discussed in the manuscript. In conclusion, the integration of multiple imaging modalities is extremely useful in the characterization, localization, diagnosis and treatment of an unusual cardiac mass.
Simultaneous Dual Vascular Access Site for the Treatment of Coronary Artery Bifurcation Lesions by Complex 2‐Stent Technique
Authors: ISAAZ KARL , MAYAUD NORBERT , LAMAUD MICHEL , RAYNAUD AMÉLIE , CERISIER ALEXIS , SABRY MOHAMMED HASSAN , RICHARD LAURE , KHAMIS HAZEM , ABD‐ALAZIZ AHMAD , DA COSTA ANTOINE
Published: June 2012

Objectives:
 To propose an original approach based on simultaneous dual vascular access site (DAS) using 2 small‐size guiding catheters to easily perform complex 2‐stent techniques for bifurcation coronary lesions (BL).

Background:
 Simultaneous kissing stenting and classic crush technique require large 7 or 8Fr guiding catheters leading to large amounts of contrast medium, vascular access site complications, and sometimes frictions or criss‐cross of the 2‐stent delivery systems.

Methods:
 DAS was used in 30 patients with BL (11 radio‐radial, 16 radio‐femoral, and 3 femoro‐femoral). Among 60 guiding catheters, the size was 5Fr in 28, 6Fr in 30, and 7Fr in 2 cases of double adjacent BL. When 2 different size catheters were used, contrast medium injections were done using the smallest size catheter. DAS patients were compared with a group of 30 BL patients treated using a single femoral vascular access site (SAS) with 7 or 8Fr catheters.

Results:
 Success rate was 100% in all patients. Contrast volume used was smaller in DAS than in SAS patients (277 ± 156 cc vs. 380 ± 165 cc,P = 0.01). No vascular access site complication occurred in the sub‐group of the 11 DAS radio‐radial patients. Postintervention hospitalization duration was shorter in DAS than in SAS (1.9 ± 2 vs. 2.8 ± 2 days,P = 0.048).

Conclusion:
 DAS allows to successfully perform complex stenting technique of BL using small‐size guiding catheters leading to decreased contrast medium volume, decreased vascular access site complications rates, and shortened hospitalization duration. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:439–446)
Coronary Angioplasty and the Internet: What Can Patients Searching Online Expect to Find?
Authors: KIRTHI VARO , MODI BHAVIK N.
Published: June 2012

Objectives:
 This study set out to assess the quality of online information available on coronary angioplasty.

Background:
 Patients searching for healthcare information frequently use the Internet. However the lay reader may not be able to discern the robustness of evidence presented. At present, the overall quality and accuracy of online content regarding coronary angioplasty is unknown.

Methods:
 The search term “coronary angioplasty” was entered into three popular search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing), and the first 50 webpages provided by each search engine pooled. Exclusion criteria consisted of duplicated sites, sites requiring a registration or login, and direct links to documents or videos. The remaining sites were analyzed using the LIDA instrument; a validated method for assessing websites based on accessibility, usability, and readability. Readability was also separately assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES).

Results:
 Of 150 weblinks reviewed, 86 were excluded on the basis of the criteria listed above. The remaining 64 sites achieved mean scores of 50/60 (83%) on accessibility, 40/54 (74%) on usability, 32/51 (62%) on reliability, and 47.5 on FRES. Significant variability was noted among the LIDA scores, with no correlation between LIDA score and search engine ranking.

Conclusions:
 Although most websites are easy to access, content is frequently out‐of‐date and fails to be presented in an easily comprehensible format. A minority of websites display factually incorrect information. Clinicians should be wary of patients being misled by erroneous or commercially biased online content, and be able to redirect their patients to more robust, up‐to‐date sources. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:476–481)
Long‐term compliance with follow‐up after treatment for cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia
Authors: SOUTTER WILLIAM PATRICK , MOSS BRONWEN , PERRYMAN KAREN , KYRGIOU MARIA , PAPAKONSTANTINOU KATERINA , GHAEM‐MAGHAMI SADAF
Published: June 2012

Objective. To assess the level of compliance with follow‐up over time after treatment for preinvasive and Stage Ia1 lesions of the cervix. To compare the average interval between visits with the interval prescribed by protocol and to evaluate the use of this difference as a measure of compliance. Design. Retrospective observational study. Setting. London university hospital. Population. Women who received treatment for preinvasive (CINI‐III, AIS) or Stage Ia1 cervical lesions. Methods. Attendance data were obtained from hospital‐based colposcopy and community‐based databases. Main outcome measures. The average interval between the appointments attended by each woman was compared with the planned interval between visits. The time that elapsed since the previous appointment attended was calculated for each visit and correlated with the time since treatment. Results. 1013 women attended 4128 follow‐up visits in the colposcopy clinic and in the community. Twenty‐two (2.2%) women never attended any post‐treatment appointment and 209 (21.0%) of the 991 women who attended at least once, did so on average more than 12 months later than specified by the follow‐up protocol. There was a highly significant correlation between the interval since the previous appointment and the time since treatment (Kendall's tau b = 0.529614, two‐sided p < 0.0001), showing that compliance deteriorates with increasing time since treatment. Conclusions. Comparing the average interval between attendances with the planned interval prescribed by protocol is a sensitive measure of compliance. Compliance with follow‐up deteriorates significantly with time since treatment. This decline in compliance may contribute to the increased risk of invasive disease after treatment.
Factors associated with and causes of perinatal mortality in northeastern Tanzania
Authors: SCHMIEGELOW CHRISTENTZE , MINJA DANIEL , OESTERHOLT MAYKE , PEHRSON CAROLINE , SUHRS HANNAH ELENA , BOSTRÖM STÉPHANIE , LEMNGE MARTHA , MAGISTRADO PAMELA , RASCH VIBEKE , LUSINGU JOHN , THEANDER THOR G. , NIELSEN BIRGITTE BRUUN
Published: June 2012

Objective. To identify factors associated with perinatal mortality in northeastern Tanzania. Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Northeastern Tanzania. Population. 872 mothers and their newborns. Methods. Pregnant women were screened for factors possibly associated with perinatal mortality, including preeclampsia, small‐for‐gestational age, preterm delivery, anemia, and health‐seeking behavior. Fetal growth was monitored using ultrasound. Finally, the specific causes of the perinatal deaths were evaluated. Main outcome measure. Perinatal mortality. Results. Forty‐six deaths occurred. Key factors associated with perinatal mortality were preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 14.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.23–64.86, p < 0.001), small‐for‐gestational age (adjusted OR 3.54, 95%CI 1.18–10.61, p = 0.02), and maternal anemia (adjusted OR 10.34, 95%CI 1.89–56.52, p = 0.007). Adherence to the antenatal care program (adjusted OR 0.027, 95%CI 0.003–0.26, p = 0.002) protected against perinatal mortality. The cause of death in 43% of cases was attributed to complications related to labor and specifically to intrapartum asphyxia (30%) and neonatal infection (13%). Among the remaining deaths, 27% (7/26) were attributed to preeclampsia and 23% (6/26) to small‐for‐gestational age. Of these, 54% (14/26) were preterm. Conclusions. Preeclampsia, small‐for‐gestational age and preterm delivery were key risk factors and causes of perinatal mortality in this area of Tanzania. Maternal anemia was also strongly associated with perinatal mortality. Furthermore, asphyxia accounted for a large proportion of the perinatal deaths. Interventions should target the prevention and handling of these conditions in order to reduce perinatal mortality.
Melanoma recognition framework based on expert definition of ABCD for dermoscopic images
Authors: Abbas Qaisar , Emre Celebi M. , Garcia Irene Fondón , Ahmad Waqar
Published: June 2012

Background/purpose

Melanoma Recognition based on clinical ABCD rule is widely used for clinical diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions in dermoscopy images. However, the current computer‐aided diagnostic (CAD) systems for classification between malignant and nevus lesions using the ABCD criteria are imperfect due to use of ineffective computerized techniques.

Methods

In this study, a novel melanoma recognition system (MRS) is presented by focusing more on extracting features from the lesions using ABCD criteria. The complete MRS system consists of the following six major steps: transformation to the CIEL*a*b* color space, preprocessing to enhance the tumor region, black‐frame and hair artifacts removal, tumor‐area segmentation, quantification of feature using ABCD criteria and normalization, and finally feature selection and classification.

Results

The MRS system for melanoma‐nevus lesions is tested on a total of 120 dermoscopic images. To test the performance of the MRS diagnostic classifier, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) is utilized. The proposed classifier achieved a sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 91.3%, and AUC of 0.880.

Conclusions

The experimental results show that the proposed MRS system can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign lesions. The MRS technique is fully automatic and can easily integrate to an existing CAD system. To increase the classification accuracy of MRS, the CASH pattern recognition technique, visual inspection of dermatologist, contextual information from the patients, and the histopathological tests can be included to investigate the impact with this system.
Proposal for an in vivo histopathologic scoring system for skin aging by means of confocal microscopy
Authors: Longo Caterina , Casari Alice , De Pace Barbara , Simonazzi Silvia , Mazzaglia Giovanna , Pellacani Giovanni
Published: June 2012

Background

Many instrumental devices have been testing in analysing and quantifying the skin aging signs. However, histopathology still remains the only methods that allow a microscopic assessment of the skin. However, a skin biopsy is not feasible in aesthetically critical areas such as the face. Recently, confocal microscopy has been discovered as a noninvasive tool with a nearly histologic resolution. Distinct morphologic confocal aspects on facial skin have been described and correlated with the histopathologic counterparts.

Objectives

In our study we aim to develop an easy to use confocal aging score to quantify the skin aging related signs.

Methods

A sample of facial skin of fifty volunteers has been subjected to confocal imaging. Combining the previously identified confocal features, three different semi‐quantitative scores were calculated: – epidermal disarray score (irregular honeycombed pattern + epidermal thickness + furrow pattern); – epidermal hyperplasia score (mottled pigmentation + extent of polycyclic papillary + epidermal thickness; – collagen score (curled fibers, 2 for huddles of collagen, 1 for coarse collagen structures, and 0 for thin reticulated collagen)

Results

The epidermal disarray score showed a stable trend up to 65 years and a dramatic increase in the elderly subjects epidermal. Hyperplasia score was characterized by an ascending trend from younger subjects to middle age. The total collagen score showed a progressive trend with age with a different proportion of distinct collagen type.

Conclusions

RCM is a powerful, noninvasive technique that could permit to microscopically quantify the aging signs and to test cosmetic efficacy.
Vitamin K1–loaded lipid‐core nanocapsules: physicochemical characterization and in vitro skin permeation
Authors: da Silva Ana Luiza M. , Contri Renata V. , Jornada Denise S. , Pohlmann Adriana R. , Guterres Silvia S.
Published: June 2012

Background

The incorporation of substances in nanocarriers can modulate and/or manage their delivery profiles (immediate or sustained) and permeation through skin. Consequently, drug nanencapsulation intended for topical treatment can reduce the systemic absorption of the substance.

Objective

To obtain and characterize vitamin K1–loaded lipid core nanocapsules as well as to determine whether the nanoencapsulation influences the skin permeation of this vitamin.

Methods

The skin permeation study was performed by means of Franz‐type diffusion cells followed by the tape stripping and retention techniques. The vitamin K1–loaded lipid core nanocapsules were obtained by the preformed polymer precipitation method and the particles were characterized.

Results

The nanocapsules presented average diameter of 211 ± 2 nm, pH of 5.7 ± 0.3, zeta potential of –14.9 ± 0.6 mV and drug content of 10.2 mg/mL (102.1%). The physical stability of the nanocapsule suspension was verified using multiple light backscattering analysis. The amount of vitamin K1 in the dermis after 8 h of drug permeation was higher when the nanocapsules were applied compared to the control. Moreover, retention in the outermost skin layer and a decrease in the skin permeation to the receptor compartment due to the nanoencapsulation were observed.

Conclusion

Thus, nanoencapsulation can lead to the selective permeation of vitamin K1 through the skin.
Softness sensor system for simultaneously measuring the mechanical properties of superficial skin layer and whole skin
Authors: Nakatani Masashi , Fukuda Toru , Arakawa Naomi , Kawasoe Tomoyuki , Omata Sadao
Published: June 2012

Background/Aims

Few attempts have been made to distinguish the softness of different skin layers, though specific measurement of the superficial layer would be useful for evaluating the emollient effect of cosmetics and for diagnosis of skin diseases.

Materials and methods

We developed a sensor probe consisting of a piezoelectric tactile sensor and a load cell. To evaluate it, we firstly measured silicone rubber samples with different softness. Then, it was applied to human forearm skin before and after tape‐stripping. A VapoMeter and skin‐surface hygrometer were used to confirm removal of the stratum corneum. A Cutometer was used to obtain conventional softness data for comparison.

Results and conclusions

Both the piezoelectric tactile sensor and the load cell could measure the softness of silicone rubber samples, but the piezoelectric tactile sensor was more sensitive than the load cell when the reaction force of the measured sample was under 100 mN in response to a 2‐mm indentation. For human skin in vivo, transepidermal water loss and skin conductance were significantly changed after tape‐stripping, confirming removal of the stratum corneum. The piezoelectric tactile sensor detected a significant change after tape‐stripping, whereas the load cell did not. Thus, the piezoelectric tactile sensor can detect changes of mechanical properties at the skin surface. The load cell data were in agreement with Cutometer measurements, which showed no change in representative skin elasticity parameters after tape‐stripping. These results indicate that our sensor can simultaneously measure the mechanical properties of the superficial skin layer and whole skin.
Capturing skin properties from dynamic mechanical analyses
Authors: Sandford Erika , Chen Yi , Hunter Ian , Hillebrand Greg , Jones Lynette
Published: June 2012

Background/purpose

Existing skin mechanical testing devices focus on measuring skin elasticity and are not tailored to assess the dynamic behavior of skin. Additionally, the mathematical techniques used in existing devices are often not optimal.

Methods

A new dynamic mechanical device that measures the linear dynamics of skin was developed and tested. The mechanical properties of skin were evaluated in experiments in which stiffness and damping parameters were measured (i) at different locations on the arm and hand, (ii) when stratum corneum hydration was varied by controlled changes in environmental humidity, and (iii) following the application of film‐forming polymers. Parallel measurements were made with the Cutometer® so that the two devices could be compared.

Results

The findings revealed that reliable and valid measurements of skin mechanical properties can be obtained from the device. The stiffness of the skin was shown to vary significantly as a function of skin site, changes in stratum corneum hydration and following application of the polymer films. Changes in the damping parameter were less consistently associated with varying the condition of the skin.

Conclusion

The high reliability and speed of measurement make this device and analytic procedure an attractive option for testing skin mechanics.
Commensal bacteria coated by secretory immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G in the gastrointestinal tract of pigs and calves
Authors: TSURUTA Takeshi , INOUE Ryo , TSUKAHARA Takamitsu , NAKAMOTO Mitsunori , HARA Hiroshi , USHIDA Kazunari , YAJIMA Takaji
Published: June 2012

A large amount of secretory immunoglobulin A (S‐IgA) is secreted in the alimentary tract of mammals. It has been reported that S‐IgA coats a portion of commensal intestinal bacteria in human and mouse. However, S‐IgA‐coated bacteria have not been studied in pigs and calves. In this study, we evaluated the distribution of S‐IgA‐coated commensal intestinal bacteria in each portion of the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs and calves. Immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐coated bacteria were also analyzed because a considerable amount of IgG is secreted in the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs, and in particular, calves. S‐IgA‐ or IgG‐coated bacteria were detected in all the segments of the gastrointestinal tracts of pigs and calves. The proportion of S‐IgA‐coated bacteria to total bacteria (i.e. S‐IgA coating ratio) varied in the segments of the gastrointestinal tract in pigs, whereas those of calves were nearly the same throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The S‐IgA and IgG coating ratios were higher in pigs than in calves for all segments of the gastrointestinal tract.
Effects of complete dentures on respiratory performance: spirometric evaluation
Authors: Piskin Bulent , Sipahi Cumhur , Karakoc Omer , Atay Arzu , Ciftci Faruk , Tasci Canturk , Akin Hakan , Arisan Volkan , Sevketbeyoglu Haldun , Turker Turker
Published: June 2012

Objectives

There is a lack of data regarding whether edentulous subjects should remove dentures during spirometric measurements or not. The purpose of this study is to determine influences of complete dentures on spirometric parameters in edentulous subjects.

Materials and methods

A total of 46 complete denture wearers were included in this study. Respiratory functions of the subjects were evaluated by spirometric tests that were performed in four different oral conditions: without dentures (WOD), with dentures, lower denture only and upper denture only. Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% were evaluated. The data were analyzed with Friedman, Wilcoxon and paired‐samples t tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Significant differences were found between spirometric parameters in different oral conditions (p < 0.05). In all spirometric parameters, the most important significant differences were found between conditions WOD, FVC and with lower dentures (FVC), and WOD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and with upper dentures (forced expiratory volume in 1 s) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

It was observed that complete dentures may unfavourably affect spirometric values of edentulous subjects. However, current findings need to be confirmed with advanced respiratory function tests.
ROUSSEAU'S IMAGINARY FRIEND: CHILDHOOD, PLAY, AND SUSPICION OF THE IMAGINATION IN EMILE
Authors: Shuffelton Amy B.
Published: June 2012

In this essay Amy Shuffelton considers Jean‐Jacques Rousseau's suspicion of imagination, which is, paradoxically, offered in the context of an imaginative construction of a child's upbringing. First, Shuffelton articulates Rousseau's reasons for opposing children's development of imagination and their engagement in the sort of imaginative play that is nowadays considered a hallmark of early and middle childhood. Second, she weighs the merits of Rousseau's opposition, which runs against the consensus of contemporary social science research on childhood imaginative play. Ultimately, Shuffelton argues that Rousseau's work offers an important cautionary note to enthusiasts of children's imaginative play, due to the potentially disruptive influence of consumer capitalism, though she also notes that imagination may play a more redemptive role than Rousseau granted it.
PAINTING WITH IMPASTO: METAPHORS, MIRRORS, AND REFLECTIVE REGRESSION IN MONTAIGNE'S “OF THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN”
Authors: Worley Virginia
Published: June 2012

Analyzing Montaigne's triptych painting, “Of the Education of Children,” reveals a series of ever‐morphing, Dorian Gray–like canvases that depict metaphor mutations through which Montaigne defined education by distinguishing between schooling a child into a learned man and educating him into an able, active, and gentle person. Montaigne used metaphor and metaphor clusters to image key points in his educational philosophy, advanced his argument by intertwining, transmuting, and inverting metaphors, and thereby drew and vividly painted his philosophy of how to educate a person from cradle to coffin. Because the etymology and pronunciation of “essay” (from the French essai) support Montaigne's imaging and exploiting of this genre's creative potential, Virginia Worley begins by considering the term's etymology before positioning her analysis of Montaigne's work within metaphor research. She then examines the metaphors Montaigne used to paint the triptych word painting that embodies his philosophy of education: the meaning and value of educating in and for the art of living well.
Detection of the rare HLA‐B*40:97 allele in an unrelated Taiwanese bone marrow donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lee S. K. , Kao R. H. , Lin C. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: June 2012

We detected a rare HLA‐B locus allele, B*40:97, in a Taiwanese unrelated donor in our routine HLA SBT (sequence‐based typing) exercise for a possible hematopoietic stem cell donation. In exons 2, 3 and 4, the sequence of B*40:97 is identical to the sequence of B*40:02:01 except one nucleotide at nucleotide position 760 (C‐>T) in exon 4. The nucleotide variation caused one amino acid alteration at residue 230 (L‐>F). B*40:97 was probably derived from a nucleotide substitution event where C was replaced by T at nucleotide 760 involving B*40:02:01. The HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐C, HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 haplotype in association with B*40:97 may be deduced as A*26:01‐B*40:97‐C*03:03‐DRB1*11:01‐DQB1*03:03. Our recognition of B*40:97 in Taiwanese helps to fill the void of ethnic information for the allele B*40:97 reported to the IMGT/HLA Database.
Co‐expression Analysis Identifies CRC and AP1 the Regulator of Arabidopsis Fatty Acid Biosynthesis
Authors: Han Xinxin , Yin Linlin , Xue Hongwei
Published: June 2012

Fatty acids (FAs) play crucial rules in signal transduction and plant development, however, the regulation of FA metabolism is still poorly understood. To study the relevant regulatory network, fifty‐eight FA biosynthesis genes including de novo synthases, desaturases and elongases were selected as “guide genes” to construct the co‐expression network. Calculation of the correlation between all Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) genes with each guide gene by Arabidopsis co‐expression dating mining tools (ACT) identifies 797 candidate FA‐correlated genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of these co‐expressed genes showed they are tightly correlated to photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, and function in many processes. Interestingly, 63 transcription factors (TFs) were identified as candidate FA biosynthesis regulators and 8 TF families are enriched. Two TF genes, CRC and AP1, both correlating with 8 FA guide genes, were further characterized. Analyses of the ap1 and crc mutant showed the altered total FA composition of mature seeds. The contents of palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid and eicosadienoic acid are decreased, whereas that of oleic acid is increased in ap1 and crc seeds, which is consistent with the qRT‐PCR analysis revealing the suppressed expression of the corresponding guide genes. In addition, yeast one‐hybrid analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) revealed that CRC can bind to the promoter regions of KCS7 and KCS15, indicating that CRC may directly regulate FA biosynthesis.
Perilipin‐1 in Hemodialyzed Patients: Association With History of Coronary Heart Disease and Lipid Profile
Authors: Eleftheriadis Theodoros , Antoniadi Georgia , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Pissas Georgios , Arampatzis Spyridon , Sparopoulou Theodora , Galaktidou Grammati , Stefanidis Ioannis
Published: June 2012

Perilipin‐1 surrounds lipid droplets in both adipocytes and in atheroma plaque foam cells and controls access of lipases to the lipid core. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, dyslipidemia, malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis are common. Thirty‐six HD patients and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled into the study. Ten HD patients suffered from coronary heart disease (CHD). Perilipin‐1, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), body mass index, albumin, geriatric nutritional risk index, normalized protein catabolic rate, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured. Perilipin‐1 did not differ between HD patients and healthy volunteers. IL‐6 and TNF‐α were higher in HD patients. The evaluated nutritional markers and the markers of inflammation did not differ between HD patients with high perilipin‐1 levels and HD patients with low perilipin‐1 levels. Regarding the lipid profile, only HDL‐C differed between HD patients with high perilipin‐1 levels and HD patients with low perilipin‐1 levels, and it was higher in the first subgroup. Perilipin‐1 was significantly higher in HD patients without CHD. Perilipin‐1 is detectable in the serum of HD patients and it is associated with increased HDL‐C and decreased incidence of CHD.
Examining School‐Based Pedometer Step Counts Among Children in Grades 3 to 6 Using Different Timetables
Authors: Gauthier Alain P. , Laurence Michelle , Thirkill Laura , Dorman Sandra C.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Advocates for the implementation of the Balanced School Day (BSD) schedule argue that this schedule will increase opportunities for physical activity. However, the relationship between this scheduling change and its impact on physical activity has not been examined. Thus, this study assessed levels of physical activity in students attending 2 different schools: 1 using the BSD and the other using the Traditional School Day (TSD) schedule.

METHODS: Participation of students between grades 3 and 6 was sought. Data were collected over 4 school days using pedometers. Independent Sample t tests and 1‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed.

RESUTLS: A total of 117 students participated. Overall, average daily step counts for boys (6972 ± 1952) were significantly higher than girls (5742 ± 1495; p < .001). These average step counts represent 47% and 48% of the recommended amount of steps needed for health benefits for children between the ages of 6 and 12. The average daily step count for students using the BSD schedule was 6017 (±1666), while the average daily step count for students using the TSD schedule was 6788 (±1987). The difference in steps (771) was statistically significant (p = .03).

CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support claims that the BSD offers increased physical activity. In fact, these results suggest that students enrolled in schools using the BSD schedule may have reduced daily physical activity. In addition, these results demonstrate that overall school‐based physical activity is less than half of the recommended level; independent of school scheduling.
Work‐Related Violence, Lifestyle, and Health Among Special Education Teachers Working in Finnish Basic Education
Authors: Ervasti Jenni , Kivimäki Mika , Pentti Jaana , Salmi Venla , Suominen Sakari , Vahtera Jussi , Virtanen Marianna
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported higher levels of absenteeism due to illness among special education teachers compared to other teachers, but it is not known which factors might contribute to this difference. We examined whether health, health behaviors, and exposure to violence at work differed between special education and general education teachers in Finnish basic education.

METHODS: Survey data from 5760 general and special education teachers were analyzed with multilevel logistic models adjusted for individual‐ and school‐level confounding factors.

RESULTS: No difference was found between the health behaviors of general and special education teachers. The differences in physical and mental health between the two groups were also relatively small. With regard to work‐related violence, however, male special education teachers were 3 times more likely to be exposed to mental abuse, and 5 times more likely to be exposed to physical violence when compared to their male colleagues in general education. Although female special educators were also at an increased risk of mental abuse and physical violence compared to their female general teacher colleagues, their odds ratios for such an encounter were smaller (2‐ and 3‐fold, respectively) than those of male special education teachers. The school‐level variance of physical violence toward teachers was large, which indicates that while most schools have little physical violence toward teachers, schools do exist in which teachers' exposure to violence is common.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that special education teachers may benefit from training for handling violent situations and interventions to prevent violence at schools.
Hot and Cool Executive Function in Childhood and Adolescence: Development and Plasticity
Authors: Zelazo Philip David , Carlson Stephanie M.
Published: June 2012

Executive function (EF), which refers to the more deliberate, top‐down neurocognitive processes involved in self‐regulation, develops most rapidly during the preschool years, together with the growth of neural networks involving prefrontal cortex but continues to develop well into adulthood. Both EF and the neural systems supporting EF vary as a function of motivational significance, and this article discusses the distinction between the top‐down processes that operate in motivationally and emotionally significant situations (“hot EF”) and the top‐down processes that operate is more affectively neutral contexts (“cool EF”). Emerging evidence indicates that both hot and cool EF are surprisingly malleable, with implications for intervention and prevention.
Aliskiren Alone or in Combination With Hydrochlorothiazide in Hispanic/Latino Patients With Systolic Blood Pressure 160 mm Hg to <180 mm Hg (Aliskiren Alone or in Combination With Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients With Stage 2 Hypertension to Provide Quick Intensive Control of Blood Pressure [ACQUIRE] Substudy)
Authors: Black Henry R. , Aguirre P. Fernando , Wright Melanie , Alessi Thomas , Baschiera Fabio
Published: June 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In a prespecified subgroup analysis of a 12‐week multinational, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group trial, self‐identified Hispanic/Latino adult men and women with systolic blood pressure 160 mm Hg to 179 mm Hg received combination aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) 150/12.5 mg or aliskiren 150 mg (force‐titrated to 300/25 mg and 300 mg, respectively, at week 1). At week 12, combination aliskiren/HCT provided greater reduction in mean sitting systolic blood pressure from baseline, the primary efficacy variable, compared with aliskiren monotherapy (−32.6 mm Hg vs −19.6 mm Hg; P<.0001). Differences in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure reductions followed a similar pattern (−13.5 mm Hg vs −7.1 mm Hg; P<.0001). Notable blood pressure reductions were evident at week 1 in both treatment groups, with near‐maximal effects reached by week 8. Results were consistent regardless of country of residence. Both treatments were well tolerated. Aliskiren alone or in combination with HCT is safe and effective in Hispanic/Latino patients with stage 2 hypertension. Combination aliskiren/HCT produced greater blood pressure reductions than aliskiren monotherapy.
L'extension de la couverture du système de pensions argentin: répartition de l'accès et perspectives pour une couverture universelle
Authors: Arza Camila
Published: June 2012

Un des principaux défis auxquels sont confrontées les politiques sociales latino‐américaines est d'assurer une protection sociale à l'ensemble de la population dans des contextes marqués par un fort taux d'informalité. En Argentine, pays pionnier dans la région pour le développement des systèmes de pensions, plus d'un tiers des personnes en âge d'être à la retraite ne recevaient aucune prestation en 2005. Depuis lors, la couverture s'est étendue de manière significative, grâce à la mise en œuvre d'un programme qui a assoupli les conditions établies par le régime contributif et a octroyé des prestations à un grand nombre de personnes âgées, jusque‐là exclues du système. Dans cet article, nous analysons l'impact de ce processus sur le niveau de couverture et sa répartition, ainsi que l'évolution des facteurs sociodémographiques liés à l'inclusion/exclusion du système de protection sociale argentin. Nous examinons également les obstacles qui subsistent pour atteindre une couverture universelle à moyen et à long terme.
Host specificity in biological control: insights from opportunistic pathogens
Authors: Brodeur Jacques
Published: June 2012

Host/prey specificity is a significant concern in biological control. It influences the effectiveness of a natural enemy and the risks it might have on non‐target organisms. Furthermore, narrow host specificity can be a limiting factor for the commercialization of natural enemies. Given the great diversity in taxonomy and mode of action of natural enemies, host specificity is a highly variable biological trait. This variability can be illustrated by opportunist fungi from the genus
Lecanicillium, which have the capacity to exploit a wide range of hosts – from arthropod pests to fungi causing plant diseases – through different modes of action. Processes determining evolutionary trajectories in host specificity are closely linked to the modes of action of the natural enemy. This hypothesis is supported by advances in fungal genomics concerning the identity of genes and biological traits that are required for the evolution of life history strategies and host range. Despite the significance of specificity, we still need to develop a conceptual framework for better understanding of the relationship between specialization and successful biological control. The emergence of opportunistic pathogens and the development of ‘omic’ technologies offer new opportunities to investigate evolutionary principles and applications of the specificity of biocontrol agents.
Nitrogen fertilization increases diversity and productivity of prairie communities used for bioenergy
Authors: Jarchow Meghann E. , Liebman Matt
Published: June 2012

Using prairie biomass as a renewable source of energy may constitute an important opportunity to improve the environmental sustainability of managed land. To date, assessments of the feasibility of using prairies for bioenergy production have focused on marginal areas with low yield potential. Growing prairies on more fertile soil or with moderate levels of fertilization may be an effective means of increasing yields, but increased fertility often reduces plant community diversity. At a fertile site in central Iowa with high production potential, we tested the hypothesis that nitrogen fertilization would increase aboveground biomass production but would decrease diversity of prairies sown and managed for bioenergy production. Over a 3 year period (years 2–4 after seeding), we measured aboveground biomass after plant senescence and species and functional‐group diversity in June and August for multispecies mixtures of prairie plants that received no fertilizer or 84 kg N ha−1 year−1. We found that nitrogen fertilization increased aboveground biomass production, but with or without fertilization, the prairies produced a substantial amount of biomass: averaging (±SE) 12.2 ± 1.3 and 9.1 ± 1.0 Mg ha−1 in fertilized and unfertilized prairies, respectively. Unfertilized prairies had higher species diversity in June, whereas fertilized prairies had higher species diversity in August at the end of the study period. Functional‐group diversity was almost always higher in fertilized prairies. Composition of unfertilized prairies was characterized by native C4 grasses and legumes, whereas fertilized prairies were characterized by native C3 grasses and forbs. Although most research has found that nitrogen fertilization reduces prairie diversity, our results indicate that early‐spring nitrogen fertilization, when used with a postsenescence annual harvest, may increase prairie diversity. Managing prairies for bioenergy production, including the judicious use of fertilization, may be an effective means of increasing the amount of saleable products from managed lands while potentially increasing plant diversity.
Molecular phylogeography and evolutionary history of Picea likiangensis in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau inferred from mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA sequence variation
Authors: ZOU Jia‐Bin , PENG Xiao‐Li , LI Long , LIU Jian‐Quan , MIEHE Georg , OPGENOORTH Lars
Published: June 2012

Abstract  The aim of the present study was to examine the phylogeographic and evolutionary history of Picea likiangensis, a dominant species of the conifer forests in the eastern declivity of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. We collected 422 individuals from 42 natural populations of three major varieties classified under this species. In conifers, mitochondrial (mt) DNA and chloroplast (cp) DNA dispersed by seeds or pollen experience very different levels of gene flow. To this end, we examined the sequence variation of two mtDNA fragments (nad5 intron 1 and nad1 intron b/c) and three cpDNA fragments (trnL–trnF, trnS–trnG and nadhK/C). We found that cpDNA probably introgressed from P. purpurea into remote populations of P. likiangensis through long‐distance dispersal. Multiple refugia seem to have been maintained for P. likiangensis during the Last Glacial Maximum because the cpDNA and mtDNA haplotypes recovered were fixed in the different regions. Postglacial expansions were only detected at the distributional edges of this species where a single cpDNA or mtDNA haplotype was fixed in adjacent populations. However, genetic imprints of postglacial expansions from these two sets of markers were different in the western and southeastern regions, which may result from the long‐distance dispersal of the cpDNA, as well as its fast lineage sorting during intraspecific divergences. Analysis of molecular variance further suggested that genetic differentiation between the three varieties is higher at cpDNA markers than at mtDNA markers, which supports the previous viewpoint that cpDNA markers with a high rate of gene flow may be more effective in delimitating closely related taxa. Together, the results of the present study highlight the evolutionary complexity of a widely distributed species owing to interactions among local and edge expansion, long‐distance dispersal, and intraspecific divergences at two sets of DNA genomes with different rates of gene flow.
Detection of alkaline phosphatase in canine cells previously stained with Wright–Giemsa and its utility in differentiating osteosarcoma from other mesenchymal tumors
Authors: Ryseff Julia K. , Bohn Andrea A.
Published: June 2012

Background

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a common primary bone tumor in dogs. Demonstration of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reactivity by tumor cells on unstained slides is useful in differentiating osteosarcoma from other types of sarcoma. However, unstained slides are not always available.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting ALP expression in differentiating osteosarcoma from other sarcomas in dogs using cytologic material previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression for diagnosing osteosarcoma using a specific protocol.

Methods

Archived aspirates of histologically confirmed sarcomas in dogs that had been previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain were treated with 5‐bromo, 4‐chloro, 3‐indolyl phosphate/nitroblue tetrazolium (BCIP/NBT) as a substrate for ALP. Cells were evaluated for expression of ALP after incubation with BCIP/NBT for 1 hour. Sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression for diagnosis of OSA were calculated.

Results

In samples from 83 dogs, cells from 15/17 OSAs and from 4/66 tumors other than OSA (amelanotic melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, collision tumor, and anaplastic sarcoma) expressed ALP. Sensitivity and specificity of ALP expression detected using BCIP/NBT substrate applied to cells previously stained with Wright–Giemsa stain for OSA were 88 and 94%, respectively.

Conclusions

ALP expression detected using BCIP/NBT substrate applied to previously stained cells is useful in differentiating canine OSA from other mesenchymal neoplasms.