bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Female Body Size and Shape in China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Mo Josephine J. Y. , Cheung Kate W. K. , Gledhill Lucinda J. , Pollet Thomas V. , Boothroyd Lynda G. , Tovée Martin J.
Published: November 2013

Photographs of 50 women were rated for attractiveness, health, and fertility recorded by four sets of participants—Rural-Chinese ( n = 50), Chinese participants in Hong Kong ( n = 50), Chinese participants living in the United Kingdom ( n = 50), and participants self-identifying as “Caucasian” living in the United Kingdom. The results suggest that a polynomial function of Body Mass Index (kg/m2) is the best predictor of all three judgments in all four observer groups. In contrast, shape cues, such as the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), seem to play a relatively small role. Shape cues do consistently account for a greater proportion of the variance in all three Chinese groups than for the Caucasian participants, implying a greater role for shape in the Chinese participants’ judgments. This result may reflect the competing pressures between the healthy range for shape and body mass in the Chinese populations versus the role of visual diet in influencing body preferences in different cultural environments.
Evaluation of Lymphocyte Subgroups in Children With Down Syndrome
Authors: Yılmaz Cahide , Doğan Murat , Başarslan Fatmagül , Yılmaz Nebi , Yuca Sevil , Bulan Keziban , Kaya Avni , Çaksen Hüseyin
Published: November 2013

In this study, lymphocyte subgroups including blood CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, CD19, and CD16.56 values were analyzed in children with Down syndrome (DS). The study includes 85 children with DS, followed at Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yil University and 64 healthy age-matched control participants. Blood CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, CD19, and CD16.56 values were examined in both the groups. Significantly decreased blood CD3, CD4, and CD19 values were found in the study group ( P < .05) when compared with the control group. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that blood CD3, CD4, and CD19 levels were found to be decreased in children with DS. Based on these finding, we think that these decreased lymphocyte subgroups might be responsible for increased susceptibility to infections in children with DS.
Voicing freedom, sounding dissent: Popular music, simulation and citizenship in democratizing Albania, 1991–1997
Authors: Tochka Nicholas
Published: November 2013

Between 1991 and 1997, Western-style rock and popular music in postsocialist Albania came to be targeted for processes of democratization and de-communization. In this article, I examine how efforts to imaginatively locate and musically voice ‘freedom’ and ‘dissent’ through popular musicians’ performances articulated to a nominally democratic order that necessitated ‘free’ citizens. Starting from Nikolas Rose’s notion of ‘freedom as a formula of power’, I explore how particular musical performances, commentaries and received ideas about the ‘power’ of popular music in democratic and nondemocratic contexts helped to shape and promote an ideal kind of agent, a ‘free’ Citizen–Subject. In approaching ‘democratization’ as an aesthetic and cultural process rather than ‘democracy’ as an ideal political condition, I outline popular music’s significant role in the cultural construction of conceptions of liberal democracy and ‘good’ citizenship in one postauthoritarian context. The historicization of commonsense notions about the relationship between popular music and democracy, I conclude, provides a potential means to more critically examine the emergence – and normalization – of contemporary politics of citizenship pursued under the sign of ‘freedom’ in democratizing states.
A review of tertiary survey and its impact
Authors: Mirhadi Sara , Ashwood Neil , Karagkevrekis Babis
Published: November 2013

Trauma is the cause of a large socio-economic burden. A trauma system approach to the care of trauma patients is required to reduce morbidity and mortality. As not all injuries are detected by primary and secondary surveys, tertiary survey is vital to avoid delayed diagnosis or missing any fatal or non-fatal injuries. This may lead to a reduction in morbidity and preventing delay-related mortality. In patients at risk, a tertiary survey (TS) improves diagnostic efficiency and reduces the likelihood of a delay in diagnosis. A comprehensive, careful approach to management results in the best possible outcome for the severely injured patient. This review will focus on the tertiary review.
Mobile health platform for pressure ulcer monitoring with electronic health record integration
Authors: Rodrigues Joel JPC , Pedro Luís MCC , Vardasca Tomé , de la Torre-Díez Isabel , Martins Henrique MG
Published: November 2013

Pressure ulcers frequently occur in patients with limited mobility, for example, people with advanced age and patients wearing casts or prostheses. Mobile information communication technologies can help implement ulcer care protocols and the monitoring of patients with high risk, thus preventing or improving these conditions. This article presents a mobile pressure ulcer monitoring platform (mULCER), which helps control a patient’s ulcer status during all stages of treatment. Beside its stand-alone version, it can be integrated with electronic health record systems as mULCER synchronizes ulcer data with any electronic health record system using HL7 standards. It serves as a tool to integrate nursing care among hospital departments and institutions. mULCER was experimented with in different mobile devices such as LG Optimus One P500, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Magic, Samsung Galaxy S, and Samsung Galaxy i5700, taking into account the user’s experience of different screen sizes and processing characteristics.
‘Isn’t it just a way to protect Walt Disney’s rights?’: Media user perspectives on copyright
Authors: Edwards Lee , Klein Bethany , Lee David , Moss Giles , Philip Fiona
Published: November 2013

With digitization allowing for faster and easier sharing and copying of media, the behaviour and attitudes of everyday users of copyrighted material have become an increasing focus of policy, industry and academic attention. This article connects historical characterizations of copyright infringement and the role of the public interest in the development of copyright law and policy with the complex experience of modern, ordinary users of digital media. Users are proposed not as transgressors to be educated, regulated or scared straight, nor as a hazy and largely silent public, but as sources of legitimate perspectives that could contribute to conversations about media, creativity and regulation.
Commons-based peer production and artistic expression: Two cases from Greece
Authors: Kostakis Vasilis , Drechsler Wolfgang
Published: November 2013

This essay narrates, from a creator-observation perspective, the production of two works of fiction, a book of short stories and a play, based on the principles and technologies of Commons-based peer production. This is potentially interesting from both the Commons-based peer production and the literary perspective. Even though both seem well-matched by their prima facie lack of profit orientation, Commons-based peer production case studies rarely deal with fiction, and regarding plays, artistic creativity is still mostly associated with one, maybe two authors. After tracing and analysing the Commons-based peer production phenomenon, the case studies show concretely the fate of the specific projects as well as how, nowadays, people can get involved in collaborative artistic projects inspired and catalysed by Commons-oriented principles and technologies.
Locating the modern sacred: Moral/social facts and constitutive practices
Authors: Rawls Anne W , Jeffery Adam , Mann David
Published: November 2013

Durkheim’s theory of the sacred, which posits the distinction between sacred and profane as the keystone of human understanding, grounds not only his approach to religion and epistemology but also his theory of modernity. This distinction between traditional and modern social forms is essential to Durkheim’s position. In traditional society, social facts are produced through consensus. Durkheim’s theory of modernity, however, focuses on the role of constitutive practices in the creation of modern social facts in situations lacking consensus. A tendency to consider the sacred only in traditional consensus-oriented (religious and symbolic) terms leads to the impression that modern society has entered a crisis period in which the sacred and the social facts the sacred/profane distinction make possible are in short supply. While Durkheim acknowledged a crisis in the transition to modernity, he maintained that new forms of constitutive practice would develop to replace the religious and cultural commonalities of the past, making it possible for modern society to produce strong collective solidarity, mutual intelligibility, and a new moral grounding in freedom and justice. The sacred essentially relocates, shedding its “institutional” character and becoming situated, “ordinary,” and self-organizing. In this article, we take three modern social facts and the constitutive practices they depend on, examining the moral and contractual relationships they enact, the reciprocities they require, and the distribution of participation they facilitate.
Natural protein fiber hybrid composites: Effects of fiber content and fiber orientation on mechanical, thermal conductivity and water absorption properties
Authors: Rajkumar Govindaraju , Srinivasan Jagannathan , Suvitha Latchupathi
Published: November 2013

The intimately mixed natural protein fiber hybrid composites in three different fiber concentrations (70:30, 50:50 and 30:70) and two different fiber orientations (parallel laid and cross laid) are produced using silk and wool fibers with polypropylene fibers as matrix material. The composites are fabricated using compression molding technique with optimized process conditions. The effects of fiber content and fiber orientation on mechanical, thermal conductivity and water absorption property are studied. Scanning electron microscope is used to examine the fracture morphology of the composites. The study reveals that the fiber content strongly influences the mechanical, thermal conductivity and water absorption property of the resultant composite. But the fiber orientation shows significant effect only on water absorption property of the composites. It does not show any significant difference in mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of intimately mixed silk/wool hybrid fiber composites.
Blue-light cystoscopy in the evaluation of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Oude Elferink Puck , Witjes J. Alfred
Published: November 2013

Bladder carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the urinary tract. Two distinct groups can be identified: non-muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder carcinoma. At initial resection about 75–85% of the patients will be diagnosed with NMIBC. This subgroup has a recurrence rate up to 70–80%, and a subsequent chance of disease progression. This means that patients with NMIBC require adequate treatment and thorough follow up. This high recurrence rate also means that apparently current diagnosis and treatment can be improved. It is thought that photodynamic diagnosis, by the use of a photosensitizing drug and blue-light cystoscopy, can improve the detection of tumor and therefore affect outcome for patients with NMIBC. In this paper we will discuss the role of blue-light cystoscopy in NMIBC in different aspects of the disease by reviewing the latest literature.
Baclofen in the management of cannabis dependence syndrome
Authors: Imbert Bruce , Labrune Nathalie , Lancon Christophe , Simon Nicolas
Published: November 2013

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. However, only few studies have shown the efficacy of pharmacologic agents in targeting cannabis withdrawal symptoms or reducing the reinforcing effects of cannabis. Baclofen has been shown to reduce cannabis withdrawal symptoms and the subjective effects of cannabis. We think that the clinical utility of baclofen for cannabis dependence is a reasonable approach. A case report using baclofen is presented and provides preliminary support for the use of baclofen in the management of cannabis dependence.
Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma in a 5-month-old female infant
Authors: Tsai Pei-Shan , Yeh Ting-Chi , Shih Shin-Lin
Published: November 2013

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm deriving from the smooth muscle cells. Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma is very rare. Its onset is always during middle and old age. Herein, we present a case of primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma in a 5-month-old girl who may be the youngest patient reported in the known published English literature.
Calendering analysis of a third-order fluid
Authors: Siddiqui AM , Zahid M , Rana MA , Haroon T
Published: November 2013

In this paper, the study of a non-Newtonian material when it is dragged through the narrow region between two co-rotating rolls is carried out. The conservation of mass and momentum equations based on lubrication theory are nondimensionalized and solved for the velocity and pressure fields using the perturbation technique. By considering the influence of the material parameter, the dimensionless leave-off distance in the calendering process is determined. The leave-off distance is expressed in terms of eigen value problem. Quantities of engineering interest like maximum pressure, the roll-separating force, and the power transmitted to the fluid by rolls are calculated. It is observed that the material parameter has great influence on detachment point, velocity, and pressure distribution, which are useful for the calendering process.
A prominent lack of IgG1-Fc fucosylation of platelet alloantibodies in pregnancy
Authors: Kapur Rick , Kustiawan Iwan , Vestrheim Anne , Koeleman Carolien A. M. , Visser Remco , Einarsdottir Helga K. , Porcelijn Leendert , Jackson Dave , Kumpel Belinda , Deelder André M. , Blank Dennis , Skogen Björn , Killie Mette Kjaer , Michaelsen Terje E. , de Haas Masja , Rispens Theo , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Wuhrer Manfred , Vidarsson Gestur
Published: November 2013

Key Points

Antibodies causing FNAIT have decreased Fc fucosylation, unlike in refractory thrombocytopenia. Decreased Fc fucose increases affinity to FcγRIIIa/b, enhances platelet phagocytosis, and correlates with increased disease severity.
Epidemiological features and risk factors associated with the spatial and temporal distribution of human brucellosis in China
Authors: Li Yin-Jun , Li Xin-Lou , Liang Song , Fang Li-Qun , Cao Wu-Chun
Published: November 2013

Background

Human brucellosis incidence in China has been increasing dramatically since 1999. However, epidemiological features and potential factors underlying the re-emergence of the disease remain less understood.

Methods

Data on human and animal brucellosis cases at the county scale were collected for the year 2004 to 2010. Also collected were environmental and socioeconomic variables. Epidemiological features including spatial and temporal patterns of the disease were characterized, and the potential factors related to the spatial heterogeneity and the temporal trend of were analysed using Poisson regression analysis, Granger causality analysis, and autoregressive distributed lag (ADL) models, respectively.

Results

The epidemic showed a significantly higher spatial correlation with the number of sheep and goats than swine and cattle. The disease was most prevalent in grassland areas with elevation between 800–1,600 meters. The ADL models revealed that local epidemics were correlated with comparatively lower temperatures and less sunshine in winter and spring, with a 1–7 month lag before the epidemic peak in May.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that human brucellosis tended to occur most commonly in grasslands at moderate elevation where sheep and goats were the predominant livestock, and in years with cooler winter and spring or less sunshine.
Circulating miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b as biomarker for ischemic stroke in humans
Authors: Long Guangwen , Wang Feng , Li Huaping , Yin Zhongwei , Sandip Chaugai , Lou Yan , Wang Yan , Chen Chen , Wang Dao Wen
Published: November 2013

Background

Recently, plasma miRNAs have been reported as biomarkers for various diseases. However, the knowledge on the association of plasma miRNAs with ischemic stroke is still lacking. In this study, we investigated whether plasma concentrations of miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b may be biomarkers for ischemic stroke in humans.

Methods

One hundred ninety seven patients with ischemic stroke were recruited and their blood samples were collected at 24 h, 1 week, 4 weeks, 24 weeks and 48 weeks after symptoms onset, and fifty healthy volunteers were selected as control. Levels of miRNA were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR. Relative expression level of miRNA was calculated using 2-ΔΔct method. The ability to distinguish the ischemic stroke group from control group was characterized by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was calculated.

Results

Circulating miR-30a and miR-126 levels were markedly down-regulated in all patients with ischemic stroke until 24 weeks. However, circulating let-7b was lower in patients with large-vessel atherosclerosis than healthy volunteers, whereas circulating let-7b had higher level in patients with other kinds of ischemic stroke until 24 weeks. Among all patients, circulating miRNAs levels returned to normal 48 weeks after symptom onset. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma miR-30a were 0.91, 0.91, 0.92 and 0.93, the miR-126 were 0.92, 0.94, 0.93 and 0.92, and let-7b were 0.93, 0.92, 0.92 and 0.91 at 24 h, 1 w, 4 w and 24 w, respectively.

Conclusions

These data suggest that miR-30a, miR-126 and let-7b might be useful biomarkers for ischemic stroke in humans.
Over-expression and characterization of NS3 and NS5A of Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Ikram , Iqbal Mazhar , Yousef Mohammad S , Rahman Moazur
Published: November 2013

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common and leading cause for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current therapies to treat HCV infection are shown to be partially effective and poorly tolerated. Therefore, ample efforts are underway to rationally design therapies targeting the HCV non-structural proteins. Most of the work carried out in this direction has been focusing mainly on HCV genotype 1. Two direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) Telaprevir and Boceprevir are being used against genotype 1a infection in combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin. Unfortunately these DAAs are not effective against genotype 3a. Considering the wide spread infection by HCV genotype 3a in developing countries especially South Asia, we have focused on the recombinant production of antiviral drug targets NS3 and NS5A from HCV genotype 3a. These protein targets are to be used for screening of inhibitors.

Results

High-level expression of NS3 and NS5A was achieved at 25°C, using ~1 and 0.5 mM Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), respectively. Yields of the purified NS3 and NS5A were 4 and 1 mg per liter culture volume, respectively. Although similar amounts of purified NS3 were obtained at 25 and 14°C, specificity constant (K
cat/K
m) was somewhat higher at expression temperature of 25°C. Circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed that both NS3 and NS5A contain a mixture of alpha-helix and beta-sheet secondary structures. For NS3 protein, percentages of secondary structures were similar to the values predicted from homology modeling.

Conclusions

NS3 and NS5A were over-expressed and using Nickel-affinity method both proteins were purified to ~ 95% purity. Yield of the purified NS3 obtained is four fold higher than previous reports. CD spectroscopy revealed that difference in activity of NS3 expressed at various temperatures is not related to changes in global structural features of the protein. Moreover, CD and FT-IR analysis showed that NS3 and NS5A contain both alpha-helical and beta-sheet structures and for NS5A, the proportion is almost equal. The production of NS3 and NS5A in milligram quantities will allow their characterization by biophysical and biochemical means that will help in designing new strategies to fight against HCV infection.
Stability scheme of ZnO-thin film resistive switching memory: influence of defects by controllable oxygen pressure ratio
Authors: Huang Hsin-Wei , Kang Chen-Fang , Lai Fang-I , He Jr-Hau , Lin Su-Jien , Chueh Yu-Lun
Published: November 2013

We report a stability scheme of resistive switching devices based on ZnO films deposited by radio frequency (RF) sputtering process at different oxygen pressure ratios. I-V measurements and statistical results indicate that the operating stability of ZnO resistive random access memory (ReRAM) devices is highly dependent on oxygen conditions. Data indicates that the ZnO film ReRAM device fabricated at 10% O2 pressure ratio exhibits the best performance. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) of ZnO at different O2 pressure ratios were investigated to reflect influence of structure to the stable switching behaviors. In addition, PL and XPS results were measured to investigate the different charge states triggered in ZnO by oxygen vacancies, which affect the stability of the switching behavior.
Joint network-channel code optimization for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Alaoui Nabih , Meghdadi Vahid , Cances Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2013

Optimization of sensor network architecture in order to improve the overall system performance at the end processing station is an important challenge. A lot of architectures have been designed to optimize the bit error rate. Conventionally, this optimization is done by inserting relays between sensors and destination. These relays insert redundant information by mixing the incoming streams from sensor nodes, hence creating parity check information which is very useful to help decode the transmit information from sensors. The goal is to combine network and channel coding to match network on graph to code on graph, and this is called adaptive network coded cooperation (ANCC). Compared to the previous works in the field, we propose a new transmit protocol based on the use of beamforming technique which is very efficient in terms of throughput and is fully compatible with the physical network coding (PNC) principles. Furthermore, we propose a distributed coding scheme where the relay, the destination, and the sensors are all equipped with repeat accumulate (RA) channel code structures. The relay has a special RA structure to suit the need of the PNC multiple access channel.
Coaching Intervention As a Strategy for Minority Recruitment to Cancer Clinical Trials
Authors: Fracasso Paula M. , Goodner Sherry A. , Creekmore Allison N. , Morgan Helen P. , Foster Denise M. , Hardmon Angela A. , Engel Seth J. , Springer Brian C. , Mathews Katherine J. , Fisher Edwin B. , Walker Mark S.
Published: November 2013

Among racial/ethnic minority study participants, quality of life and positive attitude toward trials predicted trial enrollment, regardless of assignment to a coaching intervention or usual care.
Perceptions of Participation in a Phase I, II, or III Clinical Trial Among African American Patients With Cancer: What Do Refusers Say?
Authors: Brown Richard F. , Cadet Debbie L. , Houlihan Robert H. , Thomson Maria D. , Pratt Emily C. , Sullivan Amy , Siminoff Laura A.
Published: November 2013

Low rates of physician recommendations of African American patients to clinical trials warrant further investigation. Interventions to reduce misunderstandings and aid decision making need to target both patients and family members.
Effect of Medical Oncologists' Attitudes on Accrual to Clinical Trials in a Community Setting
Authors: Somkin Carol P. , Ackerson Lynn , Husson Gail , Gomez Vicky , Kolevska Tatjana , Goldstein Desiree , Fehrenbacher Louis
Published: November 2013

In a large integrated health delivery system with an active clinical trials program, oncologists' participation in clinical trials was quite variable. Oncologist values, beliefs, and awareness of clinical trials play an important role in accrual.
Health Disparities Around the World: Perspectives From the 2012 Principles and Practice of Cancer Prevention and Control Course at the National Cancer Institute
Authors: Chawla Neetu , Kepka Deanna L. , Heckman-Stoddard Brandy M. , Horne Hisani N. , Felix Ashley S. , Luhn Patricia , Pelser Colleen , Barkley Jonathan , Faupel-Badger Jessica M.
Published: November 2013

The collective discussion during the NCI course highlighted the pervasiveness of health disparities across all areas represented by course participants and suggested these issues are the largest impediment to achieving cancer prevention goals.
Proinflammatory Cytokine Induction of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1) in Human Adipocytes Is Mediated by MEK, C/EBPβ, and NF-κB/RelA
Authors: Esteves Cristina L. , Kelly Val , Breton Amandine , Taylor Ashley I. , West Christopher C. , Donadeu Francesc X. , Péault Bruno , Seckl Jonathan R. , Chapman Karen E.
Published: November 2013

Context:

Levels of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), which regenerates active glucocorticoids, are selectively elevated in adipose tissue in human obesity and metabolic syndrome, both conditions associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. 11β-HSD1 expression is induced by proinflammatory cytokines in a variety of cell types, including in human adipocytes differentiated in vitro.

Objective:

Our objective was to determine the mechanisms by which proinflammatory cytokines induce 11β-HSD1 in human adipocytes.

Results:

The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α (10 ng/mL) and TNFα (20 ng/mL) increased 11β-HSD1 mRNA levels in human primary adipocyte fractions and Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipocytes (P < .001). Inhibition of the MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) attenuated CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) β phosphorylation at Thr235 and IL-1α/TNFα induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .007). The small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of C/EBPβ and nuclear factor (NF)-κB/RelA or inhibition of NF-κB/RelA also attenuated cytokine induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .001). Moreover, induction of 11β-HSD1 by IL-1α in SGBS cells was associated with nuclear localization of C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments showed C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA located to the 11β-HSD1 promoter in human adipose tissue. Treatment of adipocyte fractions or SGBS adipocytes with metformin or acetylsalicylic acid, which target C/EBPβ and NF-κB/RelA signaling, attenuated the IL-1α induction of 11β-HSD1 (P ≤ .002).

Conclusions:

Increased proinflammatory signaling in inflamed adipose tissue may mediate elevated 11β-HSD1 expression at this site via MEK, C/EBPβ, and NF-κB/RelA. These molecules/signaling pathways are, therefore, potential targets for drugs, including metformin and acetylsalicylic acid, to prevent/decreased up-regulation of 11β-HSD1 in human obese/metabolic syndrome adipose tissue.
A Novel Deletion of IGF1 in a Patient With Idiopathic Short Stature Provides Insight Into IGF1 Haploinsufficiency
Authors: Batey Lara , Moon Jennifer E. , Yu Yongguo , Wu Bingbing , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Shen Yiping , Dauber Andrew
Published: November 2013

Context:

Short stature is a common reason for referral to pediatric endocrinology centers. Frequently, the underlying etiology of short stature is unknown, resulting in a diagnosis of idiopathic short stature. Rare genetic defects in the GH/IGF-1 axis have been found to cause short stature.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to identify the genetic etiology of short stature in a patient with Idiopathic Short Stature and to review the clinical presentation of patients with genetic defects in IGF1, and specifically IGF-1 haploinsufficiency.

Design/Setting/Participants:

The index patient was evaluated at an academic medical center, and DNA was obtained from the proband and both parents.

Intervention:

Genome-wide copy number analysis was performed in the proband with confirmatory quantitative PCR in the proband and his parents.

Main Outcome Measure:

We measured novel copy number variants (CNVs) thought to explain the patient's short stature.

Results:

CNV analysis revealed that the proband carried a paternally inherited heterozygous IGF1 gene deletion. His phenotypic features are consistent with those found in previous case reports of IGF-1 deficiency.

Conclusions:

This study, as the first case of a complete heterozygous 1GF1 deletion, provides insight into the effects of true IGF-1 haploinsufficiency. Given the similarities in phenotype between the present proband and those previously described, it is highly likely that his IGF1 deletion is the cause for his short stature. Broadly, this study emphasizes how CNV analysis and other genetic sequencing techniques are evolving as an important tool to identify genetic causes underlying human disease, allowing for improved diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Activation of Drosophila hemocyte motility by the ecdysone hormone
Authors: Sampson Christopher J. , Amin Unum , Couso Juan-Pablo
Published: November 2013

Drosophila hemocytes compose the cellular arm of the fly's innate immune system. Plasmatocytes, putative homologues to mammalian macrophages, represent ∼95% of the migratory hemocyte population in circulation and are responsible for the phagocytosis of bacteria and apoptotic tissues that arise during metamorphosis. It is not known as to how hemocytes become activated from a sessile state in response to such infectious and developmental cues, although the hormone ecdysone has been suggested as the signal that shifts hemocyte behaviour from quiescent to migratory at metamorphosis. Here, we corroborate this hypothesis by showing the activation of hemocyte motility by ecdysone. We induce motile behaviour in larval hemocytes by culturing them with 20-hydroxyecdysone ex vivo. Moreover, we also determine that motile cell behaviour requires the ecdysone receptor complex and leads to asymmetrical redistribution of both actin and tubulin cytoskeleton.
The snRNA-processing complex, Integrator, is required for ciliogenesis and dynein recruitment to the nuclear envelope via distinct mechanisms
Authors: Jodoin Jeanne N. , Shboul Mohammad , Albrecht Todd R. , Lee Ethan , Wagner Eric J. , Reversade Bruno , Lee Laura A.
Published: November 2013

We previously reported that the small nuclear RNA processing complex, Integrator, is required for dynein recruitment to the nuclear envelope at mitotic onset in cultured human cells. We now report an additional role for INT in ciliogenesis. Depletion of INT subunits from cultured human cells results in loss of primary cilia. We provide evidence that the requirements for INT in dynein localization and ciliogenesis are uncoupled: proteins essential for ciliogenesis are not essential for dynein recruitment to the nuclear envelope, while depletion of known regulators of perinuclear dynein has minimal effects on ciliogenesis. Taken together, our data support a model in which INT ensures proper processing of distinct pools of transcripts encoding components that independently promote perinuclear dynein enrichment and ciliogenesis.
Role of helical constraints of the EBS1–IBS1 duplex of a group II intron on demarcation of the 5′ splice site
Authors: Popović Milena , Greenbaum Nancy L.
Published: November 2013

Recognition of the 5′ splice site by group II introns involves pairing between an exon binding sequence (EBS) 1 within the ID3 stem–loop of domain 1 and a complementary sequence at the 3′ end of exon 1 (IBS1). To identify the molecular basis for splice site definition of a group IIB ai5γ intron, we probed the solution structure of the ID3 stem–loop alone and upon binding of its IBS1 target by solution NMR. The ID3 stem was structured. The base of the ID3 loop was stacked but displayed a highly flexible EBS1 region. The flexibility of EBS1 appears to be a general feature of the ai5γ and the smaller Oceanobacillus iheyensis (O.i.) intron and may help in effective search of conformational space and prevent errors in splicing as a result of fortuitous base-pairing. Binding of IBS1 results in formation of a structured seven base pair duplex that terminates at the 5′ splice site in spite of the potential for additional A-U and G•U pairs. Comparison of these data with conformational features of EBS1–IBS1 duplexes extracted from published structures suggests that termination of the duplex and definition of the splice site are governed by constraints of the helical geometry within the ID3 loop. This feature and flexibility of the uncomplexed ID3 loop appear to be common for both the ai5γ and O.i. introns and may help to fine-tune elements of recognition in group II introns.
Mg2+-induced conformational changes in the btuB riboswitch from E. coli
Authors: Choudhary Pallavi K. , Sigel Roland K.O.
Published: November 2013

Mg2+ has been shown to modulate the function of riboswitches by facilitating the ligand-riboswitch interactions. The btuB riboswitch from Escherichia coli undergoes a conformational change upon binding to its ligand, coenzyme B12 (adenosyl-cobalamine, AdoCbl), and down-regulates the expression of the B12 transporter protein BtuB in order to control the cellular levels of AdoCbl. Here, we discuss the structural folding attained by the btuB riboswitch from E. coli in response to Mg2+ and how it affects the ligand binding competent conformation of the RNA. The btuB riboswitch notably adopts different conformational states depending upon the concentration of Mg2+. With the help of in-line probing, we show the existence of at least two specific conformations, one being achieved in the complete absence of Mg2+ (or low Mg2+ concentration) and the other appearing above ∼0.5 mM Mg2+. Distinct regions of the riboswitch exhibit different dissociation constants toward Mg2+, indicating a stepwise folding of the btuB RNA. Increasing the Mg2+ concentration drives the transition from one conformation toward the other. The conformational state existing above 0.5 mM Mg2+ defines the binding competent conformation of the btuB riboswitch which can productively interact with the ligand, coenzyme B12, and switch the RNA conformation. Moreover, raising the Mg2+ concentration enhances the ratio of switched RNA in the presence of AdoCbl. The lack of a AdoCbl-induced conformational switch experienced by the btuB riboswitch in the absence of Mg2+ indicates a crucial role played by Mg2+ for defining an active conformation of the riboswitch.
History and Political Theory of Civilian-Military Relations in Venezuela
Authors: Castillo Hernán , Ledezma Leonardo R.
Published: November 2013

This paper examines a set of conditions that have allowed the existence and de-velopment of praetorianism, and the absence of effective civilian control over the military in Venezuela. This study is based on the analysis of the theoretical parameters laid out by Domingo Irwin, S.E. Finer, in contrast to the works of U.S. author, Gene Bigler.
Baby Jesus’ Standing, Theft and Search – a Traditional Venezuelan Christmas Feast
Authors: Prieto Rodríguez Adlin de Jesús , Meza Suinaga Marina
Published: November 2013

Baby Jesus’ standing, theft and search is a religious feast that is mainly celebrated within the Andean region of Venezuela, and as time has passed by, it has become part of the national cultural heritage. From our perspective of participant observers of the cultural object, this is an attempt to describe the celebration and to offer a possible hypothesis about the meanings related to the child’s search. Considering the generalized significance of this festivity, it would emphasize the fact that this tradition ratifies and evokes the recreation of several biblical episodes and the constant incorporation of Baby Jesus in the family as well as in the community which turns out to be an exaltation of religious, affective, cultural, and social values.
Outsourcing Retail Pricing to a Category Captain: The Role of Information Firewalls
Authors: Nijs Vincent R. , Misra Kanishka , Hansen Karsten
Published: November 2013

It has been argued that retailers lack both the resources and capabilities to maximize category performance. Retailers may seek category management (CM) advice from a manufacturer, referred to as a category captain (CC). A CC's recommendations affect all brands in the category, not just her own. Despite an increase in the number of CC collaborations, retailers are still concerned about manufacturer opportunism and militant behavior by manufacturers not selected as CCs, whereas government agencies are worried about anticompetitive behavior that could harm consumers. The Federal Trade Commission recommends strictly enforced information firewalls within a CC's organization as a best-practice guideline. In this study we develop an empirical model and use policy simulations to quantify the impact of CC arrangements with information firewalls on retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. We show how these effects could be influenced by the (de)activation of vertical and horizontal information firewalls within the CC's organization.
The uncertainty of ASCOT and the second-order hesitation of ASCO2.T within the transdisciplinary buffer zone, Round 2
Authors: Ljubec Živa
Published: November 2013

The first round about ‘The myth of ASCOT and its rival ASCO2.T: tech-noetic vs. techno-logic’ exposed the hazard in colliding obsolete disciplinary categories under outdated procedures. The orthodox jurisdiction of Ars Electronica and CERN in Collide@CERN, one of the most prominent ongoing programmes of this kind, does not eliminate the risk of missing the target by operating with categories of artists and scientists. Art is one of those disciplines with a long expired warranty, but with decay on its periphery that is turning into fertile forefront territories. Fresh temporary categories are marking and spreading over these uncharted territories and sensibly interconnecting with peripheries of other disciplines. The ex-artist that is reborn in this peripheral transdisciplinary zone can be provisionally categorized as a polyphibian for its features to be carefully studied. Like amphibians, a polyphibian can coherently transcend from one medium to another, in between and beyond the disciplines. In order to research the implications of such ‘categorical’ mutations, a readymade was submitted to the organization of Collide@CERN under the licence of R. Mutt. Namely, the readymade ASCOTT (Apparatus with Super COnducting Thought Transduction) dubbed also ASCO2.T is needed as the second-order upgrade of the existing plan for ASCOT (Apparatus with Super COnducting Toroids) invented by the scientists for CERN. As is expected from the reputation of R. Mutt’s readymades – this submission was ignored and refused in just the same quiet manner as his most notorious one. But if society would not provide salons for the refused artists (Salon des Refuses) right next to the salons under the scrutiny of academically established artists, there would be no mutations and no evolution in art. Such mutations of the artist into a ‘complex and widely distributed system’ at the dispersing fringes of decomposing art was already predicted by R. Ascott. Polyphibians are the species surviving the ripening metamorphosis of disciplines by taking refuge in the unexplored transdisciplinary buffer zone. This is the only zone where a confrontation of ASCOT technology with tech-noetics of ASCO2.T is possible. The refused unknown demands not a Salon but the Interval of Suspended Judgement. In the sequel to the first round of this debate, the Interval of Suspended Judgement will be investigated.
TBLR1 as an androgen receptor (AR) coactivator selectively activates AR target genes to inhibit prostate cancer growth
Authors: Daniels Garrett , Li Yirong , Gellert Lan Lin , Zhou Albert , Melamed Jonathan , Wu Xinyu , Zhang Xinming , Zhang David , Meruelo Daniel , Logan Susan K , Basch Ross , Lee Peng
Published: November 2013

Androgen receptor (AR), a steroid hormone receptor, is critical for prostate cancer growth. However, activation of AR by androgens can also lead to growth suppression and differentiation. Transcriptional cofactors play an important role in this switch between proliferative and anti-proliferative AR target gene programs. Transducin β-like-related protein 1 (TBLR1), a core component of the nuclear receptor corepressor complex, shows both corepressor and coactivator activities on nuclear receptors, but little is known about its effects on AR and prostate cancer. We characterized TBLR1 as a coactivator of AR in prostate cancer cells and determined that the activation is dependent on both phosphorylation and 19S proteosome. We showed that TBLR1 physically interacts with AR and directly occupies the androgen-response elements of the affected AR target genes in an androgen-dependent manner. TBLR1 is primarily localized in the nucleus in benign prostate cells and nuclear expression is significantly reduced in prostate cancer cells in culture. Similarly, in human tumor samples, the expression of TBLR1 in the nucleus is significantly reduced in the malignant glands compared with the surrounding benign prostatic glands (P<0.005). Stable ectopic expression of nuclear TBLR1 leads to androgen-dependent growth suppression of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by selective activation of androgen-regulated genes associated with differentiation (e.g. KRT18) and growth suppression (e.g. NKX3-1), but not cell proliferation of the prostate cancer. Understanding the molecular switches involved in the transition from AR-dependent growth promotion to AR-dependent growth suppression will lead to more successful treatments for prostate cancer.
Isolation of Outflow Graft of a Clotted Ventricular Assist Device with Recovery of Cardiac Function
Authors: Mohite Prashant , Saez Diana , Edwards Gemma , Simon Andre , Bahram Toufan
Published: November 2013

Ventricular assist device (VAD) thrombosis, though uncommon, is a well-known complication. A HeartWare VAD implanted 2 years ago in a middle-aged man stopped because of thrombosis in the VAD. Because the patient's left ventricular function was recovered by the time of intervention, only the outflow graft was isolated and cut, leaving the pump in place.
Levosimendan Use Decreases Atrial Fibrillation in Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Pilot Study
Authors: Abacilar Ahmet Feyzi , Dogan Omer Faruk
Published: November 2013

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and can result in increased morbidity and mortality due to complications. In the present study, our goal was to investigate whether the use of levosimendan can reduce the frequency of AF after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with poor left ventricle function. Material and Methods: To investigate the effectiveness of levosimendan in the prophylaxis of AF, we conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study on 200 consecutive patients in whom we performed elective CABG operations. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. A control group of 100 patients were treated with placebo (500 mL saline solution), whereas the levosimendan group (n = 100 patients) was treated with levosimendan. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin, and creatine kinase–MB levels were measured before surgery and 5 days postoperatively. Results: AF occurred in 12% of the levosimendan group and 36% of the control group. The occurrence of AF was significantly lower in the levosimendan group (P < 0.05). The duration of AF in the levosimendan group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (4.83 Â± 1.12 and 6.50 Â± 1.55 hours, respectively; P = 0.028). Our research showed that C-reactive protein was higher postoperatively in the control group than in the levosimendan group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative AF in the levosimendan group was reduced significantly in patients with poor left ventricle function after CABG operations.
Surgical Technique: Papillary Muscle Sling for Functional Mitral Regurgitation during Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery
Authors: Lamelas Joseph , Mihos Christos , Santana Orlando
Published: November 2013

In patients with functional mitral regurgitation, the placement of a sling encircling both papillary muscles in conjunction with mitral annuloplasty appears to be a rational approach for surgical correction, because it addresses both the mitral valve and the deformities of the subvalvular mitral apparatus. Reports in the literature that describe the utilization of this technique are few, and mainly involve a median sternotomy approach. The purpose of this communication is to describe the technical details of performing this procedure via a minimally invasive approach.
Hitchhiking of Deleterious Alleles and the Cost of Adaptation in Partially Selfing Species
Authors: Hartfield Matthew , Glémin Sylvain
Published: November 2013

Self-fertilization is generally seen to be disadvantageous in the long term. It increases genetic drift, which subsequently reduces polymorphism and the efficiency of selection, which also challenges adaptation. However, high selfing rates can increase the fixation probability of recessive beneficial mutations, but existing theory has generally not accounted for the effect of linked sites. Here, we analyze a model for the fixation probability of deleterious mutants that hitchhike with selective sweeps in diploid, partially selfing populations. Approximate analytical solutions show that, conditional on the sweep not being lost by drift, higher inbreeding rates increase the fixation probability of the deleterious allele, due to the resulting reduction in polymorphism and effective recombination. When extending the analysis to consider a distribution of deleterious alleles, as well as the average fitness increase after a sweep, we find that beneficial alleles generally need to be more recessive than the previously assumed dominance threshold (h < 1/2) for selfing to be beneficial from one-locus theory. Our results highlight that recombination aiding the efficiency of selection on multiple loci amplifies the fitness benefits of outcrossing over selfing, compared to results obtained from one-locus theory. This effect additionally increases the parameter range under which obligate outcrossing is beneficial over partial selfing.
Preservação digital nas instituições de ensino superior: aspectos organizacionais, legais e técnicos
Authors: Grácio José Carlos Abbud , Fadel Bárbara , Valentim Marta Lígia Pomim
Published: November 2013

Este artigo apresenta uma análise dos principais aspectos relacionados à preservação digital em Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES). Discute os problemas e os desafios a serem enfrentados nesse contexto e apresenta os principais aspectos e estratégias que envolvem a preservação digital nesse tipo de instituição, destacando três: os aspectos organizacionais, os aspectos legais e os aspectos técnicos. Os procedimentos metodológicos envolveram a análise da literatura da área sobre o tema. Como resultado, apresenta uma política de preservação digital que contempla 15 (quinze) elementos essenciais, distribuídos nos três segmentos (aspectos) e descreve a importância de cada um para a implantação de uma política de preservação digital.