bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Updating Approach for Real-Time Safety Evaluation with Automatic Vehicle Identification Data
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed M. , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Yu Rongjie
Published: February 2013

Although numerous studies have attempted to use data from inductive loop and radar detectors in real-time crash prediction, safety analyses that have investigated the use of traffic data from an increasingly prevalent nonintrusive surveillance system have not included the tag readers on toll roads known as “automatic vehicle identification (AVI) systems.” This paper (a) compares the prediction performance of a single generic model for all crashes and a specific model for rear-end crashes that used AVI data, (b) applies a Bayesian updating approach to generate full probability distributions for the coefficients, and (c) compares the estimation efficiency of the semiparametric Bayesian modeling with that of logistic regression with frequentist matched case control. A comparison of AVI data collected before all crashes and rear-end crashes with matched noncrash data revealed that rear-end crashes could be identified with a 72% accuracy, whereas the generic all-crash model achieved an accuracy of only 69% when different validation data sets were used. Moreover, the Bayesian updating approach increased the accuracy of both models by 3.5%.
Improving Transferability of Safety Performance Functions by Bayesian Model Averaging
Authors: Chen Yongsheng , Persaud Bhagwant , Sacchi Emanuele
Published: February 2013

A jurisdiction can import a safety performance function from another jurisdiction or another time period through model calibration. For the transfer to be achieved successfully, the calibrated model must sufficiently capture local road and traffic features. As proposed in the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual, the model calibration factor is estimated to be the ratio of the sum of observations in a local sample to the sum of predictions for the sample from the uncalibrated model. Although this approach may be adequate for overall goodness-of-fit measures, achievement of a satisfactory fit over all ranges of the covariates is not guaranteed. This paper seeks to address this limitation by investigating a new methodology for the transfer of models with four groups of sample data from Canada and Italy. First, the calibration factor approach was evaluated by the use of goodness-of-fit tests. Then, local models were developed and evaluated. For these models, a variety of random structures for frequentist and Bayesian approaches was explored with generalized linear regression, nonlinear mixed fitting, or Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation procedures. Finally, a Bayesian model averaging approach that integrated all considered models was investigated as an alternative to traditional model selection. This methodology did improve model transferability over all ranges of covariates, suggesting that Bayesian model averaging can be a sound alternative to conventional model calibration, especially when the flexibility and estimation ease of this technique are considered. Moreover, this approach is conceptually superior to selection of a single best model because it explicitly addresses model uncertainty.
Entropy and Accidents
Authors: Kim Karl , Pant Pradip , Yamashita Eric , Brunner I Made
Published: February 2013

This study explored the relationships between land use entropy (the extent to which land uses are mixed, heterogeneous, and nonuniform) and motor vehicle accidents. Two aspects of entropy were considered: (a) the mix of jobs and housing and (b) the diversity of jobs in addition to the mix of jobs and housing. These measures were developed and tested with census data and geographic information system technologies combined with comprehensive police accident reports from the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii. A grid-based approach was adopted with accident counts and negative binomial regression. Various types of accident counts were considered, including total, daytime, and nighttime accidents, as well as accidents involving tourists, nonuse of seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Grid-based characteristics were also considered, such as distance from the urban center, traffic volume, roadway length, transit use, land values, and roadway configuration (intersections versus dead ends). Although entropy plays a statistically significant role, especially for total accident counts, daytime accidents, and accidents involving tourists, the relationships involving effects such as volume, roadway length, distance to the central business district, and transit use are generally more readily detected than entropy effects. Although the research shed additional light on the complex and subtle relationships between land use and accidents, implications for both traffic safety and modeling of spatial phenomena were also apparent. Rather than examine accidents without consideration of driver characteristics and vehicle and roadway factors, this study estimated interactions between human and vehicle factors while also taking into account differences in environmental conditions and land uses that affect crashes at different spatial resolutions.
Electrical response of ammonium-rich water ice
Authors: Stillman David E. , Macgregor Joseph A. , Grimm Robert E.
Published: February 2013

The electrical properties of water ice impact the study of diverse frozen environments, in particular the radar sounding of ice masses. The high-frequency response of meteoric polar ice depends partly on the bulk concentration of ammonium (NH4+), but the nature of this response has been unclear. Here we use broadband dielectric spectroscopy to investigate the electrical response of laboratory-frozen solutions. By analyzing the relaxation frequency of these samples and its temperature dependence, we show that the mobility of Bjerrum D-defects formed in the ice lattice by ammonium is 1.4 ±0.8 x 10–9m2 V–1 s–1 at -20°C, or about an order of magnitude smaller than that of Bjerrum L-defects formed by chloride. However, co-substitution of both ions increases the ice-lattice solubility of chloride by a factor of ∼7, causing an enhanced conductivity response due to greater concentrations of Bjerrum L-defects. Thus, despite its low mobility, ammonium can also affect the high-frequency electrical response of polar ice, but its covariance with chloride must be considered.
An Investigation of a Cluster of Parapoxvirus Cases in Missouri, Feb–May 2006: Epidemiologic, Clinical and Molecular Aspects
Authors: Lederman Edith , Tao Min , Reynolds Mary , Li Yu , Zhao Hui , Smith Scott , Sitler Lisa , Haberling Dana , Davidson Whitni , Hutson Christina , Emerson Ginny , Schnurr David , Regnery Russell , Zhu Bao-Ping , Pue Howard , Damon Inger
Published: February 2013

In the spring of 2006, four human cases of parapoxvirus infections in Missouri residents were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two of which were initially diagnosed as cutaneous anthrax. This investigation was conducted to determine the level of recognition of zoonotic parapoxvirus infections and prevention measures, the degree to which veterinarians may be consulted on human infections and what forces were behind this perceived increase in reported infections. Interviews were conducted and clinical and environmental sampling was performed. Swab and scab specimens were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas serum specimens were evaluated for parapoxvirus antibodies. Three case patients were found to have fed ill juvenile animals without using gloves. Forty-six percent of veterinarians reported having been consulted regarding suspected human orf infections. Orf virus DNA was detected from five of 25 asymptomatic sheep. Analysis of extracellular envelope gene sequences indicated that sheep and goat isolates clustered in a species-preferential fashion. Parapoxvirus infections are common in Missouri ruminants and their handlers. Infected persons often do not seek medical care; some may seek advice from veterinarians rather than physicians. The initial perception of increased incidence in Missouri may have arisen from a reporting artifact stemming from heightened concern about anthrax. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock may be common and further investigation warranted.
Panning for Long Noncoding RNAs
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Zhang Xiao-Ou , Yang Li
Published: February 2013

The recent advent of high-throughput approaches has revealed widespread transcription of the human genome, leading to a new appreciation of transcription regulation, especially from noncoding regions. Distinct from most coding and small noncoding RNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are generally expressed at low levels, are less conserved and lack protein-coding capacity. These intrinsic features of lncRNAs have not only hampered their full annotation in the past several years, but have also generated controversy concerning whether many or most of these lncRNAs are simply the result of transcriptional noise. Here, we assess these intrinsic features that have challenged lncRNA discovery and further summarize recent progress in lncRNA discovery with integrated methodologies, from which new lessons and insights can be derived to achieve better characterization of lncRNA expression regulation. Full annotation of lncRNA repertoires and the implications of such annotation will provide a fundamental basis for comprehensive understanding of pervasive functions of lncRNAs in biological regulation.
Automated Volumes-of-Interest Identification for Classical and Atypical Parkinsonian Syndrome Differentiation Using T2’ MR Imaging
Authors: Schmidt-Richberg A. , Treszl A. , Hilgetag C. , Fiehler J. , Münchau A. , Handels H. , Boelmans K. , Forkert N. D.
Published: February 2013

Objectives: In clinical routine, patients with classical Parkinsonian syndromes (CPS) need to be differentiated from those with atypical Parkinsonian syndromes (APS), particularly with respect to prognosis and treatment decision. To date, this diagnosis is mainly based on clinical criteria, leading to failure rates up to 25%, motivating the development of image-based decision support systems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in particular T2´ image sequences have been suggested as a potential marker for differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether automatically identified T2´ volumes-of-interest (VOIs) can be used for an automatic differentiation of CPS and APS patients.

Material and Methods: 74 MRI datasets were available for this hypothesis generating trial, including image sequences from 24 healthy subjects, 33 CPS and 17 APS patients. First, a problem-specific reference atlas was generated using the healthy control datasets. Next, patients’ datasets were registered to the atlas. Voxel-wise t-tests, reflecting significance levels of T2´ value differences between CPS and APS patients, were then applied for calculation of a p-map. Finally, the calculated p-map was thresholded and a connected component analysis was performed for final VOI detection. In parallel, manually defined VOIs were determined in grey and white matter for comparison.

Results: Three VOIs in parts of the basal ganglia and the left occipital lobe were automatically identified by the presented method. There was a trend for higher area under the curve on multivariable receiver operating characteristic curves for automatically determined VOIs over manually defined VOIs (0.939 vs. 0.818, p = 0.0572).

Conclusion: The diagnostic role of automatically defined VOIs in differentiation of CPS and APS patients based on T2´ image sequences should be further investigated.
Winged fruits and associated leaves of Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae) from the Late Eocene of South China and their phytogeographic and paleoclimatic implications
Authors: Feng Xinxin , Tang Biao , Kodrul Tatiana M. , Jin Jianhua
Published: February 2013

• Premise of the study: Dipterocarps are the representative component of tropical rain forests in Southeast Asia and hold important economic and ecological significance, but their origin and migration are controversial. Information on dipterocarpaceous fossils, particularly the more convincing reproductive structures, not only can improve the phylogenetic and phytogeographic studies of this family, but also provide important information for reconstructing paleoclimate.

• Methods: Morphologically preserved winged fruits and associated leaves were collected from the Late Eocene Huangniuling Formation, Maoming Basin, South China. We determined their taxonomic positions based on comparative morphology with similar extant and fossil specimens and discuss their phytogeographic and paleoclimatic implications by consulting the distribution and habitat of fossil and modern populations.

• Key results: The Late Eocene winged fruits are attributed to Shorea Roxburgh ex Gaertner (Dipterocarpaceae) as Shorea maomingensis sp. nov. The associated leaves are recognized as Shorea sp. based on leaf architecture, and they are likely to be conspecific with the winged fruits.

• Conclusions: The discovery of dipterocarps indicates that they had arrived in tropical and humid South China by the Late Eocene. Dipterocarps including Shorea exhibit a wide range of physiological tolerance to climate; palynological analysis suggests an increase in aridity and seasonality in the Maoming Basin from the Late Eocene. Dipterocarps became adapted to this seasonal climate from the Late Eocene to Early Miocene, expanded northward in the climatic optimum of the Middle Miocene, and declined and gradually disappeared from the southeastern part of the continent from the Late Miocene.
Inbreeding depression and partitioning of genetic load in the invasive biennial Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Mullarkey Alicia A. , Byers Diane L. , Anderson Roger C.
Published: February 2013

• Premise of the study: Invasive species are nonnative species that enter novel environments, establish sustained populations, and can negatively impact native species. Here we assess a potential weakness of invasive species (genetic load) and show how species might overcome genetic barriers. Colonization of novel habitats by invasive species typically involves few individuals, exposing populations to founder effects. We empirically tested a central Illinois population of an invasive biennial plant, Alliaria petiolata, for evidence of a founder effect by assessing the pattern of genetic load.

• Methods: To estimate genetic load, we assayed offspring from three cross types (self‐pollinated, outcrossed within‐ and between‐populations) in a greenhouse. Vegetative and reproductive traits were measured on first‐year plants grown with or without intraspecific competition.

• Key results: We found substantial genetic load in this population of A. petiolata, which can mostly be attributed to genetic drift (founder effect) and not inbreeding depression. Between‐population heterosis was expressed more than inbreeding depression under intraspecific competition.

• Conclusions: Inbreeding may be adaptive for A. petiolata in its introduced range by providing reproductive assurance, with limited inbreeding load. Nevertheless, most of the genetic load in this population of A. petiolata is due to fixation of deleterious alleles. Drift load is expected, given that this population is near the edge of its continuous geographic range in highly fragmented habitats, and gene flow between isolated populations is likely highly limited. Preventing additional introduction and movement of propagules between isolated local populations should reduce heterosis and A. petiolata competitiveness.
Refractive Error Assessment: Influence of Different Optical Elements and Current Limits of Biometric Techniques
Authors: Ribeiro Filomena , Castanheira-Dinis Antonio , Dias Joao Mendanha
Published: February 2013

PURPOSE:

To identify and quantify sources of error on refractive assessment using exact ray tracing.

METHODS:

The Liou-Brennan eye model was used as a starting point and its parameters were varied individually within a physiological range. The contribution of each parameter to refractive error was assessed using linear regression curve fits and Gaussian error propagation analysis. A MonteCarlo analysis quantified the limits of refractive assessment given by current biometric measurements.

RESULTS:

Vitreous and aqueous refractive indices are the elements that influence refractive error the most, with a 1% change of each parameter contributing to a refractive error variation of +1.60 and −1.30 diopters (D), respectively. In the phakic eye, axial length measurements taken by ultrasound (vitreous chamber depth, lens thickness, and anterior chamber depth [ACD]) were the most sensitive to biometric errors, with a contribution to the refractive error of 62.7%, 14.2%, and 10.7%, respectively. In the pseudophakic eye, vitreous chamber depth showed the highest contribution at 53.7%, followed by postoperative ACD at 35.7%. When optic measurements were considered, postoperative ACD was the most important contributor, followed by anterior corneal surface and its asphericity. A MonteCarlo simulation showed that current limits of refractive assessment are 0.26 and 0.28 D for the phakic and pseudophakic eye, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The most relevant optical elements either do not have available measurement instruments or the existing instruments still need to improve their accuracy. Ray tracing can be used as an optical assessment technique, and may be the correct path for future personalized refractive assessment.
Implantation of Three-Piece Silicone Toric Additive IOLs in Challenging Clinical Cases With High Astigmatism
Authors: Thomas Bettina C. , Auffarth Gerd U. , Reiter Josef , Holzer Mike P. , Rabsilber Tanja M.
Published: February 2013

PURPOSE:

To analyze the refractive outcomes and safety of three-piece silicone toric sulcus-fixated add-on intraocular lenses (IOLs) (HumanOptics/Dr.Schmidt Intraocularlinsen, Erlangen, Germany) in complex clinical cases with high astigmatism such as in cases with previous penetrating keratoplasty.

METHODS:

Interventional case series of 21 eyes of 20 patients enrolled at two German centers. Functional results including power vector analysis, accuracy of IOL power calculation, rotational stability, and postoperative complications were evaluated from 2 months to 6 years postoperatively.

RESULTS:

The preoperative subjective cylinder exceeded or was equal to −6.00 diopters (D) in 81% of eyes (range: −2.00 to −17.00 D). The median follow-up period was 7.6 months (range: 57 days to 6 years). The efficacy analysis focused on the 2 to 6 months follow-up visit. Postoperatively, there was a median reduction of astigmatism by 70.59% (subjective cylinder range: 0.00 to −5.00 D), improvement of uncorrected distance visual acuity, and unchanged median corrected distance visual acuity. The attempted spherical equivalent was achieved within ± 0.50 D in 45% and within ± 1.00 D in 65% of cases. Five eyes received secondary surgical alignment of axis. Other complications related to the surgical procedure were mainly transient shortly after implantation, such as intraocular pressure elevation (2 of 21 eyes) or corneal edema (2 of 21 eyes). Persisting changes were seen only in rare cases and included pigment dispersion (1 of 21 eyes) or corneal edema requiring a second keratoplasty within 9 months after surgery (2 of 21 eyes).

CONCLUSIONS:

Toric add-on IOLs may be useful in reducing high astigmatism and anisometropia and increasing spectacle independence even in complex clinical conditions with high refractive errors.
Salinity as the main factor structuring small-bodied fish assemblages in hydrologically altered Mediterranean coastal lagoons
Authors: Rodríguez-Climent Sílvia , Caiola Nuno , Ibáñez Carles
Published: February 2013

In the Ebro Delta coastal lagoons, one of the main anthropogenic pressures is the artificial freshwater input. Each coastal lagoon has different water management schemes causing profound changes in its physicochemical characteristics. The main objective of this water management is to favour some bird species with interest either for conservation or hunting activities. The present study assesses the influence of hydrological alteration on the fish assemblages of three coastal lagoons in the Ebro Delta. The small-bodied fish fauna was mainly composed of five families: Gobiidae, Poecilidae, Cyprinodontidae, Atherinidae and Mugilidae. Salinity was found to be the main factor structuring fish community in the lagoons. The dominant species was the common goby (Pomatochistus microps) when the lagoons reached higher salinity values, whereas the invasive eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) dominated during the period of higher freshwater inputs. The juveniles of the family Mugilidae showed low catch per unit effort, especially during the period of lower salinity. This same pattern was found for the endangered Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus). Overall, introduced species were favoured by low salinity, which highlights the importance of changing the present water management by reducing the freshwater inputs in order to maintain suitable levels of salinity to favour native species that are important for both commercial and conservation purposes.
The Caprellidea (Crustacea: Peracarida: Amphipoda) from the Gulf of Mexico with a description of a new species of Paracaprella
Authors: Winfield Ignacio , Ortiz Manuel
Published: February 2013

A new species of caprellid amphipod of the genus Paracaprella is described and illustrated in detail. All the material reported was collected from coral rubble samples from the Arrecife Tuxpan/Lobos Protected Natural Area, off Veracruz State, Mexico, WSW Gulf of Mexico. The new species is characterized by large eyes; article 2 of peduncle of antenna 2 with a distoventral process; body dorsally setose; large subrectangular projection on the anteroventral margin of pereonite 2; basis of gnathopod 2 elongate and thin with a proximal knob on posterior margin, propodus longer than broad, with a robust grasping spine, and a large and robust tooth distally; and pereopods 5, 6 and 7 with several long plumose setae. The new species increases the numbers of Paracaprella species recorded around the world to 8, and the caprellid species from the Gulf of Mexico to 16. All caprellid amphipod species documented from this gulf inhabit the coastal zone and six in the deep sea. In addition, the number of caprellid species decreases along the bathymetric gradient: 15 species on the littoral zone, 6 on the continental shelf, 5 on the continental slope, and 3 on the abyssal plain.
Fast Dendritic Cells Stimulated with Alternative Maturation Mixtures Induce Polyfunctional and Long-Lasting Activation of Innate and Adaptive Effector Cells with Tumor-Killing Capabilities
Authors: Massa Chiara , Seliger Barbara
Published: February 2013

The clinical usage of dendritic cells (DC) for tumor immunotherapy still requires improvements. In this study, three alternative maturation mixtures were compared with the cytokine-based gold standard, and the overall interaction of the resulting DC with effector cells from the innate as well as the adaptive immunity was evaluated in healthy donors. Stimulation with the TLR-4 ligand monophosphoryl lipid A together with IFN-γ (alt-2 DC) resulted in DC with the highest levels of costimulatory molecule expression and IL-12p70/IL-10 ratio. Whereas all alternative DC were able to induce NK and γδ T cells to acquire cytotoxic properties and secrete type 1 and proinflammatory cytokines, after both short (20-h)- and long (5–8 d)-time coculture, secretion of IFN-γ by the innate populations was induced in response to alt-2 and alt-1 DC (TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, poly IC), but not to alt-3 DC (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, CL097). Regarding CD8+ T cell–mediated Ag-specific immune responses, a heterogeneous pattern of responses was obtained among the healthy donors, suggesting rather a competition than a synergy among the different effector cells. Our data promote further evaluation of alt-2 fast DC for translatability into clinical immunotherapy trials, while also fostering the need to identify biomarkers for immune cell responsiveness and tumor susceptibility to be able to select for each patient the best possible DC-based therapy.
Impaired TLR5 Functionality Is Associated with Survival in Melioidosis
Authors: West T. Eoin , Chantratita Narisara , Chierakul Wirongrong , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Myers Nicolle D. , Emond Mary J. , Wurfel Mark M. , Hawn Thomas R. , Peacock Sharon J. , Skerrett Shawn J.
Published: February 2013

Melioidosis is infection caused by the flagellated saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei. TLR5 is a pathogen recognition receptor activated by bacterial flagellin. We studied a genetic variant that encodes a defective TLR5 protein, TLR51174C>T, to elucidate the role of TLR5 in melioidosis. We measured NF-κB activation induced by B. pseudomallei in human embryonic kidney–293 cells transfected with TLR5 and found that B. pseudomallei induced TLR51174C- but not TLR51174T-dependent activation of NF-κB. We tested the association of TLR51174C>T with outcome in 600 Thai subjects with melioidosis. In a dominant model, TLR51174C>T was associated with protection against in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio: 0.20; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.50; p = 0.001) and organ failure (adjusted odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.19–0.71; p = 0.003). We analyzed blood cytokine production induced by flagellin or heat-killed B. pseudomallei by TLR51174C>T genotype in healthy subjects. Flagellin induced lower monocyte-normalized levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-10, MCP-1, IL-1ra, G-CSF, and IL-1β in carriers of TLR51174T compared with carriers of TLR51174C. B. pseudomallei induced lower monocyte-normalized levels of IL-10 in carriers of TLR51174T. We conclude that the hypofunctional genetic variant TLR51174C>T is associated with reduced organ failure and improved survival in melioidosis. This conclusion suggests a deleterious immunoregulatory effect of TLR5 that may be mediated by IL-10 and identifies this receptor as a potential therapeutic target in melioidosis.
Macrophage Scavenger Receptor A Promotes Tumor Progression in Murine Models of Ovarian and Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Neyen Claudine , Plüddemann Annette , Mukhopadhyay Subhankar , Maniati Eleni , Bossard Maud , Gordon Siamon , Hagemann Thorsten
Published: February 2013

Alternatively activated macrophages express the pattern recognition receptor scavenger receptor A (SR-A). We demonstrated previously that coculture of macrophages with tumor cells upregulates macrophage SR-A expression. We show in this study that macrophage SR-A deficiency inhibits tumor cell migration in a coculture assay. We further demonstrate that coculture of tumor-associated macrophages and tumor cells induces secretion of factors that are recognized by SR-A on tumor-associated macrophages. We tentatively identified several potential ligands for the SR-A receptor in tumor cell–macrophage cocultures by mass spectrometry. Competing with the coculture-induced ligand in our invasion assay recapitulates SR-A deficiency and leads to similar inhibition of tumor cell invasion. In line with our in vitro findings, tumor progression and metastasis are inhibited in SR-A−/− mice in two in vivo models of ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Finally, treatment of tumor-bearing mice with 4F, a small peptide SR-A ligand able to compete with physiological SR-A ligands in vitro, recapitulates the inhibition of tumor progression and metastasis observed in SR-A−/− mice. Our observations suggest that SR-A may be a potential drug target in the prevention of metastatic cancer progression.
Efficacy of Bortezomib as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Painuly Utkarsh , Kumar Shaji
Published: February 2013

Recent years have seen a dramatic change in the approach towards diagnosing and treating Multiple Myeloma. Newer and more target specific approach to treatment has prolonged the survival for patients with multiple myeloma. The proteasome inhibitors make an important class of anti-myeloma drugs that disrupts the proteolytic machinery of the tumor cells preferentially, enhancing their susceptibility to apoptosis. Bortezomib, in particular has shown significant clinical efficacy in myeloma treatment. It is the most commonly used proteasome inhibitor and has been tested to be effective in prolonging the overall survival in several trials. Its combinations with cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone are the treatment of choice for standard risk patients following the mSMART guidelines. The success with its lower dosage in elderly and its proven efficacious subcutaneous usage makes Bortezomib a useful agent for maximizing patient compliance and minimizing therapy related toxicity and costs. This review discusses several trials where Bortezomib has been used as a single/combination agent for front-line treatment of multiple myeloma.
Cell-Seeded Extracellular Matrices for Bladder Reconstruction: An ex vivo Comparative Study of their Biomechanical Properties
Authors: Davis Niall F. , Mooney Rory , Piterina Anna V. , Callanan Anthony , Flood Hugh D. , McGloughlin Tim M.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Autogenous ileal tissue remains the gold-standard biomaterial for bladder replacement purposes; however, cell-seeded extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds have shown promise. Although the biological advantages of cell-seeded ECMs in urological settings are well documented, there is a paucity of data available on their biomechanical properties. In this study, the biomechanical properties of cell-seeded ECMs are compared with autogenous ileal tissue.

Methods

Human urothelial cells (UCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were obtained by bladder biopsy and cultured onto porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) scaffolds under dynamic and static growth conditions for 14 days. The biomechanical properties of cell-seeded UBM (n = 12), and porcine ileum (n = 12) were determined with uni-axial tensile testing protocols and compared with stress-strain curves. In addition, their biomechanical properties were compared with porcine bladder tissue (n = 12) and unseeded UBM (n = 12).

Results

There were significant differences in the biomechanical properties of each biomaterial assessed. Strain to failure occurred at 92 ± 24% for dynamically cultured cell-seeded UBM compared to 42.2 ± 5.20% for ileal tissue (p<0.01). Values for linear stiffness at 30% strain were significantly lower in dynamically cultured cell-seeded UBM compared to ileal tissue (0.36 ± 0.14 MPa versus 0.67 ± 0.32 MPa respectively, p<0.01). Bladder tissue remained the most distensible biomaterial throughout, with linear stiffness measuring 0.066 ± 0.034 MPa at 30% strain.

Conclusions

Dynamically cultured cell-seeded ECMs are biomechanically superior to ileal tissue for bladder replacement purposes. Additional comparative in vivo studies will be necessary before their role as a reliable alternative is clearly established.
Characterization of Nicotianamine Isolated from Soybeans
Authors: Kuroda Kohei , Ishihara Kohji , Masuoka Noriyoshi
Published: February 2013

Angiotensin ?-converting enzyme (ACE) [EC 3.4.15.1] plays one of important roles to control the arterial blood pressure. Inhibitory activity of the enzyme has been reportedly detected in plant foods.

We examined the activity in plant foods and isolated an ACE inhibitor in soybeans. The structure was identified as nicotianamine, N-[N-(3-amino-3carboxypropyl)-3-amino-3-carboxypropyl]-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid. The contents in several soybean foods were estimated using an amino acid analyzer. The chelation capacity of nicotianamine with metals was examined using a mass spectrometer.
 Soybean foods contained considerable amounts of nicotianamine but fermentation caused a decrease in the nicotianamine content. The (1:1) adduct formation of nicotianamine with metals was directly observed in the mass spectra.
Functional Impairment in Adult Sleepwalkers: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Lopez Regis , Jaussent Isabelle , Scholz Sabine , Bayard Sophie , Montplaisir Jacques , Dauvilliers Yves
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

To investigate the restorative quality of sleep and daytime functioning in sleepwalking adult patients in comparison with controls.

Design:

Prospective case-control study.

Setting:

Data were collected at the Sleep Disorders Center, Hôpital-Gui-de Chauliac, Montpellier, France between June 2007 and January 2011.

Participants:

There were 140 adult sleepwalkers (100 (median age 30 y, 55% male) in whom primary SW was diagnosed) who underwent 1 night of video polysomnography. All patients participated in a standardized clinical interview and completed a battery of questionnaires to assess clinical characteristics of parasomnia, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and health-related quality of life. Results were compared with those of 100 sex- and age-matched normal controls.

Interventions:

N/A.

Measurements and Results:

Of the sleepwalkers, 22.3% presented with daily episodes and 43.5% presented with weekly episodes. Median age at sleepwalking onset was 9 y. Familial history of sleepwalking was reported in 56.6% of sleepwalkers and violent sleep related behaviors in 57.9%, including injuries requiring medical care for at least one episode in 17%. Significant associations were found between sleepwalking and daytime sleepiness, fatigue, insomnia, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and altered quality of life. Early-onset sleepwalkers had higher frequency of violent behaviors and injuries. Sleepwalkers with violent behaviors had higher frequency of sleep terrors and triggering factors, with greater alteration in health-related quality of life.

Conclusion:

Adult sleepwalking is a potentially serious condition that may induce violent behaviors, self-injury or injury to bed partners, sleep disruption, excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and psychological distress, all of which affect health-related quality of life.
Evaluation of a Noninvasive Algorithm for Differentiation of Obstructive and Central Hypopneas
Authors: Randerath Winfried J. , Treml Marcel , Priegnitz Christina , Stieglitz Sven , Hagmeyer Lars , Morgenstern Christian
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

The clear discrimination of central and obstructive hypopneas is highly relevant to avoid misinterpretation and inappropriate treatment of complicated breathing patterns. Esophageal manometry is the accepted standard for the differentiation of the phenotypes of sleep apnea. However, it is limited in its use due to poor acceptance by patients and therefore rarely performed in routine clinical practice. Flattening of the inspiratory airflow curve, paradoxical breathing, arousal position, sleep stages, and breathing pattern at the end of the hypopnea can each give hints for the classification of hypopnea. The aim of this study was to evaluate a standardized algorithm combining these polysomnographic parameters for the discrimination of hypopneas in everyday practice.

Methods:

Polysomnography (PSG) and esophageal manometry were performed in 41 patients suspected of having sleep apnea (33 male, 52.3 ± 15.9 yr, body mass index 28.6 ± 4.5 kg/m2). Hypopneas were independently discriminated by blinded investigators based on esophageal pressure and the PSG-based algorithm. Only those hypopneas that could be differentiated with both methods were evaluated.

Results:

There were 1,175 of 1,837 hypopneas (64%) that could be defined by esophageal pressure, 1,812 (98.6%) by the PSG-based algorithm. Using esophageal pressure as a reference, the new algorithm correctly defined 76.9% of central and 60.5% of obstructive hypopneas. The overall accuracy was 68%. The isolated analysis of single PSG parameters revealed a lower accuracy compared with the combined algorithm.

Conclusions:

The PSG-based algorithm allows for discrimination of most hypopneas. It is advantageous in comparison with esophageal pressure because it is noninvasive and less impaired by artefacts. Therefore, it is a potentially helpful tool for sleep specialists.
Tongue and Lateral Upper Airway Movement with Mandibular Advancement
Authors: Brown Elizabeth C. , Cheng Shaokoon , McKenzie David K. , Butler Jane E. , Gandevia Simon C. , Bilston Lynne E.
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

To characterize tongue and lateral upper airway movement and to image tongue deformation during mandibular advancement.

Design:

Dynamic imaging study of a wide range of apnea hypopnea index (AHI), body mass index (BMI) subjects.

Setting:

Not-for-profit research institute.

Participants:

30 subjects (aged 31-69 y, AHI 0-75 events/h, BMI 17-39 kg/m2).

Interventions:

Subjects were imaged using dynamic tagged magnetic resonance imaging during mandibular advancement. Tissue displacements were quantified with the harmonic phase technique.

Measurements and Results:

Mean mandibular advancement was 5.6 ± 1.8 mm (mean ± standard deviation). This produced movement through a connection from the ramus of the mandible to the pharyngeal lateral walls in all subjects. In the sagittal plane, 3 patterns of posterior tongue deformation were seen with mandibular advancement—(A) en bloc anterior movement, (B) anterior movement of the oropharyngeal region, and (C) minimal anterior movement. Subjects with lower AHI were more likely to have en bloc movement (P = 0.04) than minimal movement. Antero-posterior elongation of the tongue increased with AHI (R = 0.461, P = 0.01). Mean anterior displacements of the posterior nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal regions of the tongue were 20% ± 13% and 31% ± 17% of mandibular advancement. The posterior tongue compressed 1.1 ± 2.2 mm supero-inferiorly.

Conclusions:

Mandibular advancement has two mechanisms of action which increase airway size. In subjects with low AHI, the entire tongue moves forward. Mandibular advancement also produces lateral airway expansion via a direct connection between the lateral walls and the ramus of the mandible.
Effects of Stressor Predictability on Escape Learning and Sleep in Mice
Authors: Machida Mayumi , Yang Linghui , Wellman Laurie L. , Sanford Larry D.
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

Controllable stress, modeled by escapable shock (ES), can produce significant alterations in post-stress sleep, including increased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Recent work has demonstrated that post-stress sleep may be influenced by stressor predictability, modeled by predictive auditory cues. In this study, we trained mice with ES, either signaled (SES) or unsignaled (UES) by auditory cues, and investigated the effects of predictability on escape learning and sleep associated with ES.

Design:

Adult male BALB/cJ mice were implanted for recording electroencephalography and activity via telemetry. After the mice recovered from surgery, baseline sleep recordings were obtained. The mice were then randomly assigned to SES and UES conditions. Both groups had control over the duration of footshocks (0.5 mA; 5.0 sec maximum duration) by moving to the non-occupied chamber in a shuttlebox. SES mice were presented tones (90 dB, 2 kHz, 10 sec maximum duration) that started 5.0 sec prior to and co-terminated with footshocks. UES mice were presented identical tones that were not synchronized to shock presentation. ES training continued for 2 consecutive days (EST1 and EST2) with 20 footshock presentations (1 min inter-stimulus intervals). Seven days after EST2, the animals were re-exposed to the training chamber (context) alone for 30 min.

Measurements and Results:

Escape latency was used to determine successful or unsuccessful escape learning. Sleep was scored for 20 h for baseline and on each treatment day. Freezing in the training context was scored as a behavioral index of fear. Nine of 14 SES mice successfully learned escape (SESl), and 5 failed to learn escape (SESf). Compared with baseline, SESl mice, but not SESf mice, showed significantly increased post-shock REM. All UES mice learned escape and showed enhanced post-shock REM. Freezing and sleep did not differ among groups on the context re-exposure day.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that information available in a stressful situation can affect an animal's ability to learn an appropriate response and post-stress sleep.
Does the Quality of Antenatal Care Predict Health Facility Delivery Among Women in Kenya? Further Analysis of KDHS Data 2008/09
Authors: Obago Irene T. , Ouma James O. , Owino Joyce A.
Published: February 2013

Improving maternal health remains a priority in Kenya and beyond. It is essential that women get good medical care before, during and after pregnancy to reduce maternal mortality. Skilled delivery care remains low in Kenya and maternal mortality rate high regardless of numerous ongoing interventions. Antenatal care is known to promote maternal and fetal well-being. However less than 50% of women make the recommended four or more antenatal care visits, missing out on key services such as urine and blood tests, and advice on possible pregnancy complications, that determine the quality of ANC. This study examines how the number of ANC visits and the quality of those visits predict health facility use at delivery.
Maternal health data from DHS of 2008/2008 in Kenya was analyzed using Stata 11.0 software. Logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between facility delivery and predictor variables in univariate and multivariate models. Estimates were based on 95% confidence inteval. The models were examined at 95% CI and 80% power and adjusted for maternal age at last birth, education, place and type of residence, level of exposure to media, mother’s religion, wealth index and birth order.
The quality of ANC was an index developed based on the number of services received during ANC visits.The quality of ANC visits progressively increased the likelyhood of health facility delivery. Supply and demand should be intervention targets to ensure that women know and understand the services to demand. Health facilities should also be sufficiently prepared and ready with the services.
Thermodynamic Modeling of the Rheological Behavior of PEG Aqueous Solutions as a Function of the Solute Molecular Weight and Shear Stress, at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa
Authors: Cruz Raphael da C. , De M. Cardoso Márcio  J.E. , Barcia Oswaldo E.
Published: February 2013

This work presents a study of the influence of the molecular weight on the thermodynamic modeling of the viscosity of non-newtonian polymer solutions. The employed model is based on the absolute rate theory of Eyring and on the solution theory of McMillan-Mayer. The Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state was adopted for the calculation of the excess molar McMillan-Mayer free energy derived from the osmotic pressure of the solution. The model presents parameters that take account separately the different possibilities of interaction in the macromolecular environment. As the tertiary structure of a polymer molecule can be affected by applied shear stress, only the parameters related with the intramolecular interactions are dependent of the shear stress. The experimental rheological curves for different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol aqueous solutions have been measured at several concentrations, within the whole polymer solubility range, at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. The dependence on the molecular weight for all parameters of the model was analyzed and characterized. The dependence of the shear sensitive parameters on the shear stress was also studied.
La réhabilitation par l’intervention : trajectoire inusitée ?
Authors: Tremblay Pierre , Ouellet Frédéric
Published: February 2013

On ne s’est guère intéressé aux trajectoires de vie « résiduelles » des ex-détenus qui ont cessé leurs activités criminelles, au sort des ex-toxicomanes qui ont cessé leur consommation ou aux trajectoires de vie des pédophiles qui ont opté pour l’abstinence. L’objet d’étude de cet article est d’examiner la trajectoire de vie d’un entrepreneur moral autodidacte qui a retrouvé le chemin de la reconnaissance sociale et professionnelle en trouvant une solution originale (et efficace) pour venir en aide à ceux qui ont connu des déboires analogues aux siens. Cet entrepreneur a consacré une partie importante de sa vie à une entreprise morale, que sa réussite, comme entrepreneur moral, avait été d’avoir gagné l’estime des intervenants dans le champ très réglementé des services qui sont offerts aux personnes aux prises avec un problème aigu de dépendance. L’étude propose d’examiner les mécanismes qui ont rendu possible cette réussite.
Resonance Raman and Raman Spectroscopy for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Liu C.-H. , Zhou Y. , Sun Y. , Li J. Y. , Zhou L. X. , Boydston-White S. , Masilamani V. , Zhu K. , Pu Yang , Alfano R. R.
Published: February 2013

Raman spectroscopy is a sensitive method to detect early changes of molecular composition and structure that occur in lesions during carcinogenesis. The Raman spectra of normal, benign and cancerous breast tissues were investigated in vitro using a near-infrared (NIR) Raman system of 785 nm excitation and confocal micro resonance Raman system of 532 nm excitation. A total number of 491 Raman spectra were acquired from normal, benign and cancerous breast tissues taken from 15 patients. When the 785 nm excitation was used, the dominant peaks in the spectra were characteristic of the vibrations of proteins and lipids. The differences between the normal and cancerous breast tissues were observed in both the peak positions and the intensity ratios of the characteristic Raman peaks in the spectral region of 700–1800 cm−1. With 532 nm excitation, the resonance Raman (RR) spectra exhibited a robust pattern of peaks within the region of 500–4000 cm−1. The intensities of four distinct peaks at 1156, 1521, 2854 and 3013 cm−1 detected in the spectra collected from normal breast tissue were found to be stronger in comparison with those collected from cancerous breast tissue. The twelve dramatically enhanced characteristic peaks, including the enhanced amide II peak at 1548 cm−1 in the spectra collected from cancerous breast tissue, distinguished the cancerous tissue from the normal tissue. Principal component analysis (PCA) combined with support vector machine (SVM) analysis of the Raman and RR spectral data yielded a high performance in the classification of cancerous and benign lesions from normal breast tissue.
The Role of Regularization in Deformable Image Registration for Head and Neck Adaptive Radiotherapy
Authors: Ciardo D. , Peroni M. , Riboldi M. , Alterio D. , Baroni G. , Orecchia R.
Published: February 2013

Deformable image registration provides a robust mathematical framework to quantify morphological changes that occur along the course of external beam radiotherapy treatments. As clinical reliability of deformable image registration is not always guaranteed, algorithm regularization is commonly introduced to prevent sharp discontinuities in the quantified deformation and achieve anatomically consistent results. In this work we analyzed the influence of regularization on two different registration methods, i.e. B-Splines and Log Domain Diffeomorphic Demons, implemented in an open-source platform. We retrospectively analyzed the simulation computed tomography (CTsim) and the corresponding re-planning computed tomography (CTrepl) scans in 30 head and neck cancer patients. First, we investigated the influence of regularization levels on hounsfield units (HU) information in 10 test patients for each considered method. Then, we compared the registration results of the open-source implementation at selected best performing regularization levels with a clinical commercial software on the remaining 20 patients in terms of mean volume overlap, surface and center of mass distances between manual outlines and propagated structures. The regularized B-Splines method was not statistically different from the commercial software. The tuning of the regularization parameters allowed open-source algorithms to achieve better results in deformable image registration for head and neck patients, with the additional benefit of a framework where regularization can be tuned on a patient specific basis.