bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Collective Efficacy Predicting Experience of Material Hardship in Low-Income Neighborhoods
Authors: Brisson Daniel , Altschul Inna
Published: March 2011

Research suggests that neighborhood processes, such as collective efficacy, have a meaningful impact on families and are potentially modifiable factors that can be targeted by interventions to improve outcomes for residents of low-income neighborhoods. The present study examines relationships between the two component parts of collective efficacy (neighborhood social cohesion and informal social control) and three measures of material hardship (food security, housing security, and unmet medical need), in a stratified random sample of households in low-income neighborhoods ( N = 7,496). Confirmatory factor analyses indicate that collective efficacy is best represented as two factors rather than one factor. Multilevel structural equation models show that social cohesion at the individual and neighborhood levels, but not informal social control, is predictive of material hardship. Although statistically significant, these results must be interpreted with caution as social cohesion accounts for only a small portion of variance in hardship outcomes.
The Housing Transition in Mexico
Authors: Monkkonen Paavo
Published: March 2011

Dramatic reform of the housing finance system is transforming the way housing is produced and acquired in Mexican cities. More housing is now built on speculation by private companies and purchased with mortgages than through the incremental building process that traditionally housed most of the country. A majority of housing finance, however, is provided through government provident funds and, as such, only available to individuals with a formal, salaried job. This article describes the housing transition and assesses the impact of restrictions in the finance system on housing outcomes using logistic regression and nonparametric matching procedures. Regional development impacts are also explored in the context of national goals.
On magneto-acoustic waves in finitely deformed elastic solids
Authors: Destrade Michel , Ogden Raymond W
Published: March 2011

In this paper, in the context of the quasi-magnetostatic approximation, we examine incremental motions superimposed on a static finite deformation of a magneto-elastic material in the presence of an applied magnetic field. Explicit expressions are obtained for the associated magneto-acoustic (or magneto-elastic moduli) tensors in the case of an incompressible isotropic magneto-elastic material, and these are then used to study the propagation of incremental plane waves. The propagation condition is derived in terms of a generalized acoustic tensor and the results are illustrated by obtaining explicit formulas in two special cases: first, when the material is undeformed but subject to a uniform bias field and, second for a prototype model of magneto-elastic interactions in the finite deformation regime. The results provide a basis for the experimental determination of the material parameters of a magneto-sensitive elastomer from measurements of the speed of incremental waves for different pre-strains, bias magnetic fields, and directions of propagation.
A discrete region model of isotropic elasticity
Authors: Hardy HH , Shmidheiser Hans
Published: March 2011

A model of isotropic elastic materials is introduced that uses the positions of points within the material as the independent parameters. The energy of the material is defined as a function of these point positions. The gradient of this energy function provides the force at each point. From the point positions and the forces both stress and strain can be calculated as dependent parameters. This model is shown to reproduce the results of classical stress—strain, spring, and rubber elasticity models by changing the energy function and the equations defining stress and strain from the point positions. The discrete region model does this without large numbers of nodes, or being limited to modeling only deviatoric stress. The discrete region model also forms the basis of new elasticity models which are linear for large displacements and simultaneously rotationally invariant under rigid-body rotations. Finally a procedure is described for fitting the energy function for discrete region models to experimental data.
Slip-plane plasticity using the theory of material evolution
Authors: Nadler Ben , Epstein Marcelo
Published: March 2011

The theory of material evolution is used to model anisotropic plasticity. As suggested by the physics of plasticity, whereby the motion of dislocations yields relative slipping along a particular material plane, a shear-like isochoric material deformation is assumed as the admissible kinematic evolution variable, which is constitutively driven by the thermodynamically dual Mandel stress. A simple and intuitive anisotropic evolution law is considered, where slipping is permitted along a fixed material plane which is prescribed as part of the evolution law. An additional yield criterion is proposed to complete the model. It is demonstrated that the anisotropy of the evolution law renders perfect plasticity, hardening or softening and is rate dependent.
On fractional thermoelasticity
Authors: El-Karamany Ahmed S , Ezzat Magdy A
Published: March 2011

Two general models of fractional heat conduction for non-homogeneous anisotropic elastic solids are introduced and the constitutive equations for thermoelasticity theory are obtained, uniqueness and reciprocal theorems are proved and the convolutional variational principle is established and used to prove a uniqueness theorem with no restriction on the elasticity or thermal conductivity tensors except for symmetry conditions. The dynamic coupled, Lord—Shulman, Green—Naghdi and fractional coupled thermoelasticity theories result as limit cases. The reciprocity relation in the case of quiescent initial state is found to be independent of the order of differintegration.
Global-aware and multi-order context-based prefetching for high-performance processors
Authors: Chen Yong , Zhu Huaiyu , Roth Philip C. , Jin Hui , Sun Xian-He
Published: March 2011

Data prefetching is widely used in high-end computing systems to accelerate data accesses and to bridge the increasing performance gap between processor and memory. Context-based prefetching has become a primary focus of study in recent years due to its general applicability. However, current context-based prefetchers only adopt the context analysis of a single order, which suffers from low prefetching coverage and thus limits the overall prefetching effectiveness. Also, existing approaches usually consider the context of the address stream from a single instruction but not the context of the address stream from all instructions, which further limits the context-based prefetching effectiveness. In this study, we propose a new context-based prefetcher called the Global-aware and Multi-order Context-based (GMC) prefetcher. The GMC prefetcher uses multi-order, local and global context analysis to increase prefetching coverage while maintaining prefetching accuracy. In extensive simulation testing of the SPEC-CPU2006 benchmarks with an enhanced CMP$im simulator, the proposed GMC prefetcher was shown to outperform existing prefetchers and to reduce the data-access latency effectively. The average Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) improvement of SPEC CINT2006 and CFP2006 benchmarks with GMC prefetching was over 55% and 44% respectively.
Encouraging Peer Interactions in Preschool Classrooms: The Role of the Teacher
Authors: Stanton-Chapman Tina L. , Hadden D. Sarah
Published: March 2011

A new school year is just around the corner, and Ms. Annie is doing her usual preparations. She is setting up her classroom and planning the different activities that she will do with her children. As a veteran teacher, Ms. Annie knows how to provide an appropriate and stimulating environment that will promote the children’s growth and development. Most years, she does not worry about how things will go when preschool starts. This year, however, is a bit different. During her home visits, she met Lizzy, an extremely shy and withdrawn child. Ms. Annie learned that Lizzy has good language skills but tends to sit back and watch other children rather than play with them. Lizzy’s parents told her that one of their goals for Lizzy was to have her engage in more social interaction with her peers. Ms. Annie knows that planning interesting activities and limiting the number of children who can play in an area at a given time can go a long way to ensuring that children interact with one another, but she is not sure that this will be enough for Lizzy. Ms. Annie is a little nervous for school to start.
‘The computer is not for you to be looking around, it is for schoolwork’: Challenges for digital inclusion as Latino immigrant families negotiate children’s access to the internet
Authors: Tripp Lisa M.
Published: March 2011

While studies have addressed the role of the internet in the family, the perspectives of Latino immigrant families are largely missing from the research. This article draws primarily on interview data with first-generation Latino immigrant families living in urban Los Angeles to analyze how parents and their middle school-aged children negotiate access to and use of the internet. Parents in the study were torn between a belief in the educational importance of the internet and a strong sense of anxiety about online risks. Their parenting strategies reflected these anxieties and inadvertently contributed to limiting children’s online opportunities. Outside of school, young people only had periodic access to the internet, which was used primarily for doing homework. While young people also found ways to pursue their own interests and motivations online, they had limited opportunities for more open-ended exploration and self-directed learning.
Toward a detailed understanding of illegal digital downloading intentions: An extended theory of planned behavior approach
Authors: Xiao Wang  , McClung Steven R.
Published: March 2011

Because theory-based research can provide a better understanding of the psychological motivations and reasons why college students intend to engage in illegal digital downloading, this project is conducted from the perspectives of the theory of planned behavior, attitude functional theory and the social norms approach. Based on a survey of 552 college students, results revealed that students who believed that illegal downloading would help save money and was convenient and those who did not want to be termed as being afraid of risk were more likely to download illegally, whereas those who had illegality concerns and high moral standards were less likely to download illegally. In addition, perceived social approval for downloading, but not the perceived frequency of others’ downloading behaviors, predicted intentions to download. This study argues that the integration of the three theoretical frameworks provides more meaningful, yet parsimonious guidance for designing antipiracy campaigns.
CouchSurfing: Belonging and trust in a globally cooperative online social network
Authors: Rosen Devan , Lafontaine Pascale Roy , Hendrickson Blake
Published: March 2011

The current study investigates engagement activities in an online resource exchange community exploring elements such as sense of belonging, connectedness, and trust. CouchSurfing.com is an online cultural exchange community in which members from around the globe coordinate travel accommodations and organize gatherings with fellow members via a social media platform. Findings confirmed that members who have not met face-to-face with other members have a lower sense of belonging to the community than those who have. Increased attendance to gatherings was positively related to sense of belonging to the community, and hosting had a positive relationship with trust in the community. Additionally, CouchSurfers reported that they preferred to be contacted through personal e-mails rather then group e-mails, while those who reported an increased participation in gatherings found group e-mails to be useful.
The aesthetic alchemy of sounding impartial: Why Serbs still listen to ‘the BBC conspiracy’
Authors: Bulić Kamenko
Published: March 2011

The decisive developments in the region once known as Yugoslavia received substantial coverage by the BBC World Service, both in its regional language services and in its world headlines. We explore how the Serbian audiences acquired information based on western sources, particularly by tuning into the BBC, and how that information is critically talked about within Serbian public and private discourses. These discourses are decidedly multifaceted, given the way they embrace all available sources; they are eclectic in the best sense of the word and tune in to all media, but maintain a distrustful and critical attitude. The BBC’s aura of impartiality and its Serbian audiences’ responses are therefore analysed via the evolution of media-critical discourses and the audiences’ appreciation for the Corporation’s aesthetic and storytelling style; but importantly as a valuable source to observe and scrutinize conspiracy theories which have evolved in Serbia during and after the Yugoslav civil wars.
Many voices, one BBC World Service? The 2008 US elections, gatekeeping and trans-editing
Authors: Cheesman Tom , Nohl Arnd-Michael ,   BBC WS US Elections Study Group
Published: March 2011

This article concerns the trans-editing (simultaneous translation and editing) of coverage of the 2008 US presidential elections on BBC World Service websites. We investigate how English-language source texts were reworked in Arabic, Persian, Tamil, and Turkish, with a detailed analysis of the structuring, content, and rhetoric of a sample text in English and in these other languages. This analysis shows that, while the BBC’s corporate aim is to provide a univocal service across its multilingual output, this aim is in tension with widely differing journalistic norms, and differing assumptions about audience knowledge and needs, in each of the World Service’s language departments. The ‘melody’ remains essentially the same, but it is orchestrated differently by each department.
Addressing glycaemic variation
Authors: Seufert Jochen
Published: March 2011

It is increasingly evident that glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose — the classical static parameters of glycaemic control — insufficiently reflect glycaemic variability. Other parameters such as mean glucose value and glycaemic swing offer valuable insights but glycaemic variability is complex. Even frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose may not adequately reflect the presence of acute glucose fluctuations that are associated with oxidative stress and may contribute to the development of complications. To date there have been no prospective clinical studies to investigate the true risks associated with glycaemic variability, but it is clearly important to individualise treatment to maintain glycaemic control in diabetes. Based on current evidence, improved assessment of glycaemic variability may in future help to reduce the risk of harmful hypoglycaemia, improve glycaemic control and reduce the risk of complications.
Effects of Identifiers in Mail Surveys
Authors: Yang Meng-Li , Yu Ruoh-Rong
Published: March 2011

Survey researchers are concerned that lack of anonymity in mail surveys might adversely affect respondents’ willingness to respond to the survey or to reveal their true opinions. There has been research on whether graphics on the questionnaire cover affect willingness to respond to mail surveys, but no study has discussed whether identification designs affect data quality. This article explores how three identifier designs affect item nonresponse and socially undesirable answers for two sensitive topics in medical biotechnology. Results indicate that questionnaires with no identifiers induce less item nonresponse and reveal more socially undesirable answers than those with identifiers but no significant difference between the two identifier designs. Implications for survey research practice are discussed.
*Word Recognition Error Analysis
Authors: Flynn Lindsay J. , Hosp John L. , Hosp Michelle K. , Robbins Kelly P.
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between word recognition errors made at a letter–sound pattern level on a word list and on a curriculum-based measurement oral reading fluency measure (CBM-ORF) for typical and struggling elementary readers. The participants were second, third, and fourth grade typical and struggling readers ( n = 69) who were systematically sampled from a pool of 265 students participating in a larger study. Participants read a nonsense word list composed of 599 words across 89 letter–sound patterns and three CBM-ORF passages. Pearson product–moment (Pearson r) correlation coefficients indicate students’ recognition of letter–sound patterns on word list and CBM-ORF differs between patterns as well as between type of reader. Results are discussed in terms of usefulness for CBM-ORF to assess letter–sound pattern recognition skills of typical and struggling elementary readers.
Single-Port Cholecystectomy Through the Lateral Ring of the Left Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Lukovich Peter , Hahn Oszkar , Tarjányi Maria
Published: March 2011

Background: Single-port surgery was developed by the evolution of the laparoscopy. The advantage of this new method is mainly cosmetic, but the risk of the hernia—owing to the larger port—increased. Case report: A 71-year-old man was admitted with a left lateral inguinal hernia and gallbladder stones. After preparation of the sac of the hernia, a single-port was inserted into the lateral ring and a cholecystectomy was performed. The operation was completed by the reconstruction of the abdominal wall using a polypropylene mesh. The total operating time was 85 minutes. Conclusion: In the case of the combined operation, the defect of the abdominal wall could be used as a location of the single port, and the trauma of the abdominal wall could be avoided. This is the first publication about single-port cholecystectomy where the ring of the inguinal hernia was used as a placement site of the single port.
WeBSurg: An Innovative Educational Web Site in Minimally Invasive Surgery—Principles and Results
Authors: Mutter Didier , Vix Michel , Dallemagne Bernard , Perretta Silvana , Leroy Joël , Marescaux Jacques
Published: March 2011

Internet has dramatically changed clinical practice and information sharing among the surgical community and has revolutionized the access to surgical education. High-speed Internet broadcasting allows display of high-quality high-definition full-screen videos. Herein, Internet access to surgical procedures plays a major role in continuing medical education (CME). The WeBSurg Web site is a virtual surgical university dedicated to post-graduate education in minimally invasive surgery. Its results measured through its members, number of visitors coming from 213 different countries, as well as the amount of data transmitted through the provider LimeLight, confirm that WeBSurg appears as the first Web site in surgical CME. The Internet offers a tailored education for all levels of surgical expertise as well as for all types of Internet access. This represents a global multimedia solution at the cutting edge of technology and surgical evolution, which responds to the modern ethos of “always, anywhere, anytime.”
Development of adherence metrics for caloric restriction interventions
Authors: Pieper Carl , Redman Leanne , Racette Susan , Roberts Susan , Bhapkar Manju , Rochon James , Martin Corby , Kraus William , Das Sai , Williamson Donald , Ravussin Eric
Published: March 2011

Background Objective measures are needed to quantify dietary adherence during caloric restriction (CR) while participants are freeliving. One method to monitor adherence is to compare observed weight loss to the expected weight loss during a prescribed level of CR. Normograms (graphs) of expected weight loss can be created from mathematical modeling of weight change to a given level of CR, conditional on the individual’s set of baseline characteristics. These normograms can then be used by counselors to help the participant adhere to their caloric target.

Purpose (1) To develop models of weight loss over a year of caloric restriction-given demographics, and well-defined measurements of body mass index, total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and %CR. (2) To utilize these models to develop normograms, given the level of caloric restriction prescribed, and measures of these variables.

Methods Seventy-seven individuals completing a 6–12-month caloric restriction intervention (CALERIE) at three sites (Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Tufts University, and Washington University) and had body weight and body composition measured frequently. Energy intake (and %CR) was estimated from TDEE (by doubly labeled water) and body composition (by DXA) at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12. Bodyweight was modeled to determine the predictors and distribution of the expected trajectory of percent weight change over 12 months of CR.

Results As expected, CR was related to change in body weight. Controlling for time-varying measures, initially simple models of the functional form indicated that the trajectory of percent weight change was predicted by a nonlinear function of age, TDEE, %CR, and sex. Using these estimates, normograms for the weight change were developed. Our model estimates that the mean weight loss (% change from baseline weight) for an individual adherent to a 25% CR regimen is −10.9 ± 6.3% for females and −13.9 + 6.4% for men after 12 months.

Limitations There are several limitations. Sample sizes are small ( n = 77), and, by design, the protocols, including prescribed CR, for the interventions differed by site, and not all subjects completed a year of follow-up. In addition, the inclusion of subjects by age and initial BMI was constricted, so that these results may not generalize to other populations including older and obese subjects.

Conclusions The trajectory of percent weight change during CR interventions in the presence of well-measured covariates can be modeled using simple nonlinear functions, and is related level of CR, the percent change in TDEE, gender, and age. Displayed on a normogram, individually tailored trajectories can be used by counselors and participants to monitor weight loss and adherence to a CR regimen.
Aging effects on thermal properties and service life of vacuum insulation panels
Authors: Wegger Erlend , Jelle Bjørn Petter , Sveipe Erland , Grynning Steinar , Gustavsen Arild , Baetens Ruben , Thue Jan Vincent
Published: March 2011

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) represent a high-performance thermal insulation material solution offering an alternative to thick wall sections and large amounts of traditional insulation in modern buildings. Thermal performance over time is one of the most important properties of VIPs to be addressed, and thus the aging effects on the thermal properties have been explored in this article. Laboratory studies of aging effects are conducted over a relatively limited time frame. To be able to effectively evaluate aging effects on thermal conductivity, accelerated aging experiments are necessary. As of today, no complete standardized methods for accelerated aging of VIPs exist. By studying the theoretical relationships between VIP properties and external environmental exposures, various possible factors for accelerated aging are proposed. The factors that are found theoretically to contribute most to aging of VIPs are elevated temperature, moisture, and pressure. By varying these factors, it is assumed that a substantial accelerated aging of VIPs can be achieved. Four different accelerated aging experiments have been performed to study whether the theoretical relationship may be replicated in practice. To evaluate the thermal performance of VIPs, thermal conductivity measurements have been applied. The different experiments gave a varying degree of aging effects. Generally, the changes in thermal performance were small. Results indicated that the acceleration effect was within what could be expected from theoretical relationships, but any definite conclusion is difficult to draw due to the small changes. Some physical changes were observed on the VIPs, i.e., swelling and curving. This might be an effect of the severe conditions experienced by the VIPs during testing, and too much emphasis on these should be avoided.
Prevalence of colonic adenomas in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Touzin Nadege T. , Bush Kelvin N.V. , Williams Christopher D. , Harrison Stephen A.
Published: March 2011

Background: Epidemiologic data suggest that colonic adenomas have an increased tendency to occur in patients who are obese, African American, or have a positive family history of colon cancer, or diabetes mellitus. Recent data suggest that impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome are associated with a higher risk for colonic adenomas. Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) often share several of the aforementioned risk factors for colonic adenomas. However, data are lacking about the relationship between NAFLD and colonic adenomas. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for colonic adenomas.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort observational study on 233 patients who underwent screening colonoscopies at Brooke Army Medical Center from November 2007 to March 2010 to assess for the association between NAFLD and colonic adenomas. Patients who had previously been found to have biopsy-proven simple steatosis ( n = 65) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) ( n = 29) were compared with a control group without fatty liver disease on sonographic imaging ( n = 139). Patients were stratified based on gender, race, body mass index (BMI), and family history and adjusted for variables previously known to be associated with increased adenoma risk.

Results: The mean age was 54.7 ± 6.0 years (48.5% women). Racial demographics were: 62.7% White, 18.5% Hispanic, 13.7%, African American, and 5.2% other. The mean BMI was 29.7 ± 5.8. The prevalence of colonic adenomas was 25.1% in the control group and 24.4% in the NAFLD group to include simple steatosis and NASH ( p = 1.00). Furthermore, when adjusting for known confounders to include race, BMI, and family history no significant differences were found ( p = 0.33). However, the ultrasound-negative patients ranked lower in the number of adenomas per person ( p = 0.016).

Conclusions: There was no difference in the prevalence of colonic adenomas when comparing the NAFLD group who had undergone colonoscopy with a group of control patients without NAFLD who had undergone colonoscopy. However, patients with negative ultrasounds appeared to have a lower polyp burden.
Coexpression of Tim-3 and PD-1 identifies a CD8+ T-cell exhaustion phenotype in mice with disseminated acute myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Zhou Qing , Munger Meghan E. , Veenstra Rachelle G. , Weigel Brenda J. , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Munn David H. , Murphy William J. , Azuma Miyuki , Anderson Ana C. , Kuchroo Vijay K. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: March 2011

Tumor-associated immune suppression can lead to defective T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Here, we identified a unique phenotype of exhausted T cells in mice with advanced acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). This phenotype is characterized by the coexpression of Tim-3 and PD-1 on CD8+ T cells in the liver, the major first site of AML metastases. PD-1 and Tim-3 coexpression increased during AML progression. PD-1+Tim-3+ CD8+ T cells were deficient in their ability to produce IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 in response to PD-1 ligand (PDL1) and Tim-3 ligand (galectin-9) expressing AML cells. PD-1 knockout (KO), which were partially resistant to AML challenge, up-regulated Tim-3 during AML progression and such Tim-3+PD-1- KO CD8+ T cells had reduced cytokine production. Galectin-9 KO mice were more resistant to AML, which was associated with reduced T-regulatory cell accumulation and a modest induction of PD-1 and Tim-3 expression on CD8+ T cells. Whereas blocking the PD-1/PDL1 or Tim-3/galectin-9 pathway alone was insufficient to rescue mice from AML lethality, an additive effect was seen in reducing—albeit not eliminating—both tumor burden and lethality when both pathways were blocked. Therefore, combined PD-1/PDL1 and Tim-3/galectin-9 blockade may be beneficial in preventing CD8+ T-cell exhaustion in patients with hematologic malignancies such as advanced AML.
Metabolic reprogramming by HIF-1 promotes the survival of bone marrow–derived angiogenic cells in ischemic tissue
Authors: Rey Sergio , Luo Weibo , Shimoda Larissa A. , Semenza Gregg L.
Published: March 2011

A major obstacle to using bone marrow cell-based therapies for ischemic cardiovascular disease is that transplanted cells must survive in an ischemic microenvironment characterized by low oxygen, glucose, and pH. We demonstrate that treatment of bone marrow-derived angiogenic cells (BMDACs) with dimethyloxalylglycine, an α-ketoglutarate antagonist that induces hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) activity, results in metabolic reprogramming of these cells, with increased glucose uptake, decreased O2 consumption, increased lactate production, decreased reactive oxygen species, and increased intracellular pH. These effects are dependent on HIF-1, which transactivates target genes encoding metabolic enzymes and membrane transporters. Dimethyloxalylglycine-treated BMDACs have a significant survival advantage under conditions of low O2 and low pH ex vivo and in ischemic tissue. Combined HIF-1α-based gene and cell therapy reduced tissue necrosis even when BMDAC donors and ischemic recipient mice were 17 months old, suggesting that this approach may have therapeutic utility in elderly patients with critical limb ischemia.
Age-related EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorders in the Western population: a spectrum of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and lymphoma
Authors: Dojcinov Stefan D. , Venkataraman Girish , Pittaluga Stefania , Wlodarska Iwona , Schrager Jeffrey A. , Raffeld Mark , Hills Robert K. , Jaffe Elaine S.
Published: March 2011

We investigated age-related EBV+ B-cell lymphoproliferations in the Western population. The clinical features, histology, immunophenotype, EBV-encoded RNA in situ hybridization, and clonality by PCR of T-cell receptor gamma and immunoglobulin genes were categorized in 122 EBV+ lesions as follows: (1) reactive lymphoid hyperplasia; (2) polymorphic extranodal or (3) polymorphic nodal lymphoproliferative disease (LPD); and (4) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Interphase FISH for IG and PAX5 gene rearrangements was performed on 17 cases of DLBCL. The overall median age was 75 years (range, 45-101 years; 67 men, 55 women), and 67, 79, 73, and 77 years, respectively, for groups 1 through 4. Sixteen of 21 cases of polymorphic extranodal LPD were classified as EBV+ mucocutaneous ulcer. PCR for immunoglobulin genes was polyclonal in reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (84%) and monoclonal in 33%, 63%, and 56% of polymorphic extranodal and nodal LPD cases and DLBCL, respectively. All groups showed restricted/clonal T-cell receptor responses (27%-70%). By FISH, 19% of DLBCLs showed IGH@ rearrangements, but PAX5 was unaffected. Disease-specific 5-year survival was 100%, 93%, 57%, and 25% for groups 1-4, respectively, and 100% for patients with EBV+ mucocutaneous ulcer. Disease volume was predictive of therapy response (P = .0002), and pathologic subtype was predictive of overall outcome (P = .001). Age-related EBV+ B-cell LPD encompasses a wider disease spectrum than previously recognized and includes both reactive and neoplastic conditions. Reduction in the T-cell repertoire may contribute to decreased immune surveillance.
compomics-utilities: an open-source Java library for computational proteomics
Authors: Barsnes Harald , Vaudel Marc , Colaert Niklaas , Helsens Kenny , Sickmann Albert , Berven Frode S , Martens Lennart
Published: March 2011

Background

The growing interest in the field of proteomics has increased the demand for software tools and applications that process and analyze the resulting data. And even though the purpose of these tools can vary significantly, they usually share a basic set of features, including the handling of protein and peptide sequences, the visualization of (and interaction with) spectra and chromatograms, and the parsing of results from various proteomics search engines. Developers typically spend considerable time and effort implementing these support structures, which detracts from working on the novel aspects of their tool.

Results

In order to simplify the development of proteomics tools, we have implemented an open-source support library for computational proteomics, called compomics-utilities. The library contains a broad set of features required for reading, parsing, and analyzing proteomics data. compomics-utilities is already used by a long list of existing software, ensuring library stability and continued support and development.

Conclusions

As a user-friendly, well-documented and open-source library, compomics-utilities greatly simplifies the implementation of the basic features needed in most proteomics tools. Implemented in 100% Java, compomics-utilities is fully portable across platforms and architectures. Our library thus allows the developers to focus on the novel aspects of their tools, rather than on the basic functions, which can contribute substantially to faster development, and better tools for proteomics.
Notch signaling regulates remodeling and vessel diameter in the extraembryonic yolk sac
Authors: Copeland Jessica N , Feng Yi , Neradugomma Naveen K , Fields Patrick E , Vivian Jay L
Published: March 2011

Background

The signaling cascades that direct the morphological differentiation of the vascular system during early embryogenesis are not well defined. Several signaling pathways, including Notch and VEGF signaling, are critical for the formation of the vasculature in the mouse. To further understand the role of Notch signaling during endothelial differentiation and the genes regulated by this pathway, both loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches were analyzed in vivo.

Results

Conditional transgenic models were used to expand and ablate Notch signaling in the early embryonic endothelium. Embryos with activated Notch1 signaling in the vasculature displayed a variety of defects, and died soon after E10.5. Most notably, the extraembryonic vasculature of the yolk sac displayed remodeling differentiation defects, with greatly enlarged lumens. These phenotypes were distinct from endothelial loss-of-function of RBPJ, a transcriptional regulator of Notch activity. Gene expression analysis of RNA isolated from the yolk sac endothelia of transgenic embryos indicated aberrant expression in a variety of genes in these models. In particular, a variety of secreted factors, including VEGF and TGF-β family members, displayed coordinate expression defects in the loss-of-function and gain-of-function models.

Conclusions

Morphological analyses of the in vivo models confirm and expand the understanding of Notch signaling in directing endothelial development, specifically in the regulation of vessel diameter in the intra- and extraembryonic vasculature. Expression analysis of these in vivo models suggests that the vascular differentiation defects may be due to the regulation of key genes through the Notch-RBPJ signaling axis. A number of these genes regulated by Notch signaling encode secreted factors, suggesting that Notch signaling may mediate remodeling and vessel diameter in the extraembryonic yolk sac via autocrine and paracrine cell communication. We propose a role for Notch signaling in elaborating the microenvironment of the nascent arteriole, suggesting novel regulatory connections between Notch signaling and other signaling pathways during endothelial differentiation.
Phylogenetics and evolution of Su(var)3-9 SET genes in land plants: rapid diversification in structure and function
Authors: Zhu Xinyu , Ma Hong , Chen Zhiduan
Published: March 2011

Background

Plants contain numerousSu(var)3-9homologues (SUVH) andrelated (SUVR) genes, some of which await functional characterization. Although there have been studies on the evolution of plantSu(var)3-9 SETgenes, a systematic evolutionary study including major land plant groups has not been reported. Large-scale phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses can help to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and contribute to improve genome annotation.

Results

Putative orthologs of plant Su(var)3-9 SET protein sequences were retrieved from major representatives of land plants. A novel clustering that included most members analyzed, henceforth referred to ascoreSu(var)3-9homologues andrelated (cSUVHR) gene clade, was identified as well as all orthologous groups previously identified. Our analysis showed that plant Su(var)3-9 SET proteins possessed a variety of domain organizations, and can be classified into five types and ten subtypes. PlantSu(var)3-9 SETgenes also exhibit a wide range of gene structures among different paralogs within a family, even in the regions encoding conserved PreSET and SET domains. We also found that the majority of SUVH members were intronless and formed three subclades within the SUVH clade.

Conclusions

A detailed phylogenetic analysis of the plantSu(var)3-9 SET genes was performed. A novel deep phylogenetic relationship including most plantSu(var)3-9 SETgenes was identified. Additional domains such as SAR, ZnF_C2H2 and WIYLD were early integrated into primordial PreSET/SET/PostSET domain organization. At least three classes of gene structures had been formed before the divergence ofPhyscomitrella patens(moss) from other land plants. One or multiple retroposition events might have occurred amongSUVHgenes with the donor genes leading to the V-2 orthologous group. The structural differences among evolutionary groups of plantSu(var)3-9 SETgenes with different functions were described, contributing to the design of further experimental studies.
Relative expression of genes of terpene metabolism in different tissues of Artemisia annuaL
Authors: Olofsson Linda , Engström Alexander , Lundgren Anneli , Brodelius Peter E
Published: March 2011

Background

Recently, Artemisia annua L. (annual or sweet wormwood) has received increasing attention due to the fact that the plant produces the sesquiterpenoid endoperoxide artemisinin, which today is widely used for treatment of malaria. The plant produces relatively small amounts of artemisinin and a worldwide shortage of the drug has led to intense research in order to increase the yield of artemisinin. In order to improve our understanding of terpene metabolism in the plant and to evaluate the competition for precursors, which may influence the yield of artemisinin, we have used qPCR to estimate the expression of 14 genes of terpene metabolism in different tissues.

Results

The four genes of the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway (amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, amorphadiene-12-hydroxylase, artemisinic aldehyde ∆11(13) reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1) showed remarkably higher expression (between ~40- to ~500-fold) in flower buds and young leaves compared to other tissues (old leaves, stems, roots, hairy root cultures). Further, dihydroartemisinic aldehyde reductase showed a very high expression only in hairy root cultures. Germacrene A and caryophyllene synthase were mostly expressed in young leaves and flower buds while epi-cedrol synthase was highly expressed in old leaves. 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase exhibited lower expression in old leaves compared to other tissues. Farnesyldiphosphate synthase, squalene synthase, and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase showed only modest variation in expression in the different tissues, while expression of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase was 7-8-fold higher in flower buds and young leaves compared to old leaves.

Conclusions

Four genes of artemisinin biosynthesis were highly expressed in flower buds and young leaves (tissues showing a high density of glandular trichomes). The expression of dihydroartemisinic aldehyde reductase has been suggested to have a negative effect on artemisinin production through reduction of dihydroartemisinic aldehyde to dihydroartemisinic alcohol. However, our results show that this enzyme is expressed only at low levels in tissues producing artemisinin and consequently its effect on artemisinin production may be limited. Finally, squalene synthase but not other sesquiterpene synthases appears to be a significant competitor for farnesyl diphosphate in artemisinin-producing tissues.
High APACHE II score and long length of bowel resection impair the outcomes in patients with necrotic bowel induced hepatic portal venous gas
Authors: Wu Jin-Ming , Tsai Ming-Shian , Lin Ming-Tsan , Tien Yu-Wen , Lin Tzu-Hsin
Published: March 2011

Background

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a rare but potentially lethal condition, especially when it results from intestinal ischemia. Since the literatures regarding the prognostic factors of HPVG are still scarce, we aimed to investigate the risk factor of perioperative mortality in this study.

Methods

We analyzed data for patients with intestinal ischemia induced HPVG by chart review in our hospital between 2000 and 2007. Factors associated with perioperative mortality were specifically analyzed.

Results

There were 22 consecutive patients receiving definite bowel resection. 13 cases (59.1%) died after surgical intervention. When analyzing the mortality in patients after bowel resections, high Acute Physiology And Chronic health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p < 0.01) and longer length of bowel resection (p = 0.047) were significantly associated with mortality in univariate analyses. The complication rate was 66.7% in alive patients after definite bowel resection.

Conclusions

Bowel resection was the only potential life-saving therapy for patients with mesenteric ischemia induced HPVG. High APACHE II score and severity of underlying necrotic bowel determined the results in patients after bowel resection.
Individualized, home-based interactive training of cerebral palsy children delivered through the Internet
Authors: Bilde Peder E , Kliim-Due Mette , Rasmussen Betina , Petersen Line Z , Petersen Tue H , Nielsen Jens B
Published: March 2011

Background

The available health resources limit the amount of therapy that may be offered to children with cerebral palsy and the amount of training in each session may be insufficient to drive the neuroplastic changes, which are necessary for functional improvements to take place. The aim of this pilot study was to provide proof of concept that individualized and supervised interactive home-based training delivered through the internet may provide an efficient way of maintaining intensive training of children with cerebral palsy over prolonged periods.

Methods

9 children (aged 9-13 years) with cerebral palsy were included in the study. Motor, perceptual and cognitive abilities were evaluated before and after 20 weeks of home-based training delivered through the internet.

Results

The children and their families reported great enthusiasm with the training system and all experienced subjective improvements in motor abilities and self-esteem. The children on average trained for 74 hours during a 20 week period equalling just over 30 minutes per day. Significant improvements in functional muscle strength measured as the frontal and lateral step-up and sit-to-stand tests were observed. Assessment of Motor and processing skills also showed significant increases. Endurance measured as the Bruce test showed a significant improvement, whereas there was no significant change in the 6 min walking test. Balance (Romberg) was unchanged. Visual perceptual abilities increased significantly.

Conclusions

We conclude that it is feasible to deliver interactive training of children with cerebral palsy at home through the internet and thereby ensure more intensive and longer lasting training than what is normally offered to this group.
The impact of inpatient suicide on psychiatric nurses and their need for support
Authors: Takahashi Chizuko , Chida Fuminori , Nakamura Hikaru , Akasaka Hiroshi , Yagi Junko , Koeda Atsuhiko , Takusari Eri , Otsuka Kotaro , Sakai Akio
Published: March 2011

Background

The nurses working in psychiatric hospitals and wards are prone to encounter completed suicides. The research was conducted to examine post-suicide stress in nurses and the availability of suicide-related mental health care services and education.

Methods

Experiences with inpatient suicide were investigated using an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire, which was, along with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, administered to 531 psychiatric nurses.

Results

The rate of nurses who had encountered patient suicide was 55.0%. The mean Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score was 11.4. The proportion of respondents at a high risk (≥ 25 on the 88-point IES-R score) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 13.7%. However, only 15.8% of respondents indicated that they had access to post-suicide mental health care programmes. The survey also revealed a low rate of nurses who reported attending in-hospital seminars on suicide prevention or mental health care for nurses (26.4% and 12.8%, respectively).

Conclusions

These results indicated that nurses exposed to inpatient suicide suffer significant mental distress. However, the low availability of systematic post-suicide mental health care programmes for such nurses and the lack of suicide-related education initiatives and mental health care for nurses are problematic. The situation is likely related to the fact that there are no formal systems in place for identifying and evaluating the psychological effects of patient suicide in nurses and to the pressures stemming from the public perception of nurses as suppliers rather than recipients of health care.
Smoking cessation can improve quality of life among COPD patients: Validation of the clinical COPD questionnaire into Greek
Authors: Papadopoulos George , Vardavas Constantine I , Limperi Maria , Linardis Apostolos , Georgoudis George , Behrakis Panagiotis
Published: March 2011

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major public health problem that affects the quality of life of patients, however smoking cessation may emeliorate the functional effects of COPD and alter patient quality of life.

Objective-design

The aim of this study was to validate the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) into Greek and with such to evaluate the quality of life in patients with different stages of COPD, as also assess their quality of life before and after smoking cessation.

Results

The internal validity of questionnaire was high (Cronbach's a = 0.92). The reliability of equivalent types in 16 stabilized patients also was high (ICC = 0.99). In general the domains within the CCQ were strongly correlated with each other, while each domain in separate was strongly correlated with the overall CCQ score (r2 = 0.953, r2 = 0.915 and r2 = 0.842 in regards to the functional, symptomatic and mental domain, respectively). The CCQ scores were also correlated with FEV1, (r2 = -0.252, p < 0.001), FEV1/FVC, (r2 = -0.135, p < 0.001) as also with the quality of life questionnaire SF-12 (r2 = -0.384, p < 0.001). Smoking cessation also lead to a significant reduction in CCQ score and increase in the SF-12 score.

Conclusions

The self administered CCQ indicates satisfactory validity, reliability and responsiveness and may be used in clinical practice to assess patient quality of life. Moreover the CCQ indicated the health related quality of life gains attributable to smoking cessation among COPD patients, projecting smoking cessation as a key target in COPD patient management.