bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Surgical Technique to Prevent Postoperative Ahmed Valve
TM
Tube Exposure Through Conjunctiva: Tenon Advancement and Duplication
Authors: Tamçelik Nevbahar , Sarici Ahmet M. , Yetik Huseyin , Özkök Ahmet , Özkiris Abdullah
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To present and evaluate a novel surgical technique to prevent exposure of the Ahmed valve implant tube (New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA) through conjunctiva in congenital glaucoma called “combined short scleral tunnel technique with Tenon advancement and duplication.”

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients with failed previous congenital glaucoma surgeries were divided into two groups. In group 1, 32 eyes of 28 patients with a mean age of 8.82 ± 5.39 years underwent classic Ahmed valve implant surgery. In group 2, 28 eyes of 24 patients with a mean age of 8.79 ± 5.55 years underwent the novel combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique.

RESULTS:

After a mean 31.68 ± 9.25 months of follow-up, conjunctival tube exposure was seen in 3 patients (9.4%) in group 1. There was no conjunctival tube exposure in group 2 after a mean 34.96 ± 7.93 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

The combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique is able to prevent conjunctival tube exposure after Ahmed valve implantation surgery in patients with congenital glaucoma.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:370–374.]
Gonioaspiration for Refractory Glaucoma Secondary to Traumatic Hyphema in Patients With Sickle Cell Trait
Authors: Pandey Pravin , Sung Velota C.T.
Published: May 2010

The authors describe a new surgical method for treating disproportionately high intraocular pressures secondary to small traumatic hyphemas in three patients with the sickle cell trait. A novel technique was performed in all three cases to clear the hyphema from the anterior chamber angle. A Lewicky anterior chamber maintainer cannula was placed at the superior limbus to maintain infusion into the anterior chamber. Under direct visualization using a Koeppe goniotomy lens, a 23-gauge single-port cannula was used to aspirate the hyphema from the anterior chamber angle until it was free of blood. There were no intraoperative complications. Measurements of intraocular pressure were normal 2 hours after the procedure and at every subsequent visit. There was an improvement in visual acuity to 6/9 or better in all three of the cases. Therefore, gonioaspiration is an effective treatment of persistently raised intraocular pressures in patients with sickle cell trait.
[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2010;41:386–389.]
A2B Adenosine Receptors Protect against Sepsis-Induced Mortality by Dampening Excessive Inflammation
Authors: Csóka Balázs , Németh Zoltán H. , Rosenberger Peter , Eltzschig Holger K. , Spolarics Zoltán , Pacher Pál , Selmeczy Zsolt , Koscsó Balázs , Himer Leonóra , Vizi E. Sylvester , Blackburn Michael R. , Deitch Edwin A. , Haskó György
Published: May 2010

Despite intensive research, efforts to reduce the mortality of septic patients have failed. Adenosine is a potent extracellular signaling molecule, and its levels are elevated in sepsis. Adenosine signals through G-protein–coupled receptors and can regulate the host’s response to sepsis. In this study, we studied the role of A2B adenosine receptors in regulating the mortality and inflammatory response of mice following polymicrobial sepsis. Genetic deficiency of A2B receptors increased the mortality of mice suffering from cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis. The increased mortality of A2B knockout mice was associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and augmented NF-κB and p38 activation in the spleen, heart, and plasma in comparison with wild-type animals. In addition, A2B receptor knockout mice showed increased splenic apoptosis and phosphatase and tensin homolog activation and decreased Akt activation. Experiments using bone-marrow chimeras revealed that it is the lack of A2B receptors on nonhematopoietic cells that is primarily responsible for the increased inflammation of septic A2B receptor-deficient mice. These results indicate that A2B receptor activation may offer a new therapeutic approach for the management of sepsis.
Nicotine Inhibits FcεRI-Induced Cysteinyl Leukotrienes and Cytokine Production without Affecting Mast Cell Degranulation Through α7/α9/α10-Nicotinic Receptors
Authors: Mishra Neerad C. , Rir-sima-ah Jules , Boyd R. Thomas , Singh Shashi P. , Gundavarapu Sravanthi , Langley Raymond J. , Razani-Boroujerdi Seddigheh , Sopori Mohan L.
Published: May 2010

Smokers are less likely to develop some inflammatory and allergic diseases. In Brown-Norway rats, nicotine inhibits several parameters of allergic asthma, including the production of Th2 cytokines and the cysteinyl leukotriene LTC4. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are primarily produced by mast cells, and these cells play a central role in allergic asthma. Mast cells express a high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI). Following its cross-linking, cells degranulate and release preformed inflammatory mediators (early phase) and synthesize and secrete cytokines/chemokines and leukotrienes (late phase). The mechanism by which nicotine modulates mast cell activation is unclear. Using α-bungarotoxin binding and quantitative PCR and PCR product sequencing, we showed that the rat mast/basophil cell line RBL-2H3 expresses nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) α7, α9, and α10; exposure to exceedingly low concentrations of nicotine (nanomolar), but not the biologically inactive metabolite cotinine, for ≥8 h suppressed the late phase (leukotriene/cytokine production) but not degranulation (histamine and hexosaminidase release). These effects were unrelated to those of nicotine on intracellular free calcium concentration but were causally associated with the inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity and the PI3K/ERK/NF-κB pathway, including phosphorylation of Akt and ERK and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The suppressive effect of nicotine on the late-phase response was blocked by the α7/α9-nAChR antagonists methyllycaconitine and α-bungarotoxin, as well as by small interfering RNA knockdown of α7-, α9-, or α10-nAChRs, suggesting a functional interaction between α7-, α9-, and α10-nAChRs that might explain the response of RBL cells to nanomolar concentrations of nicotine. This “hybrid” receptor might serve as a target for novel antiallergic/antiasthmatic therapies.
Double-Stranded RNA Exacerbates Pulmonary Allergic Reaction through TLR3: Implication of Airway Epithelium and Dendritic Cells
Authors: Torres David , Dieudonné Audrey , Ryffel Bernhard , Vilain Eva , Si-Tahar Mustapha , Pichavant Muriel , Lassalle Philippe , Trottein François , Gosset Philippe
Published: May 2010

Respiratory viral infections have been implicated in exacerbations of allergic asthma, characterized by a Th2-biased immune response. Respiratory viruses target airway epithelial cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Their activation is, at least in part, mediated by the TLR3-dependent recognition of virus-derived dsRNA. To elucidate the role of epithelial cells and DCs and the implication of TLR3/Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor-inducing IFN-β (TRIF) pathway, we developed a mouse model of lung allergic exacerbation. The effect of intranasal administration of dsRNA in OVA-sensitized wild-type mice and TRIF−/− mice was evaluated on airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary inflammation. Our data demonstrated that treatment with dsRNA significantly increased the airway hyperresponsiveness, the lung inflammation, and the OVA-specific Th2 response. This was associated with an infiltrate of eosinophils, myeloid DCs, and T lymphocytes. TRIF activation was required for the development of dsRNA-induced exacerbation of the allergic reaction. Intratracheal transfer of IL-4/dsRNA/OVA–pretreated DCs also triggered exacerbation of the allergic reaction, whereas cells primed with dsRNA/OVA had a more limited effect. dsRNA-induced production of CCL20 by airway epithelium was associated with DC recruitment. In vivo and in vitro treatment with dsRNA amplified airway epithelial production of the pro-Th2 chemokines CCL11 and CCL17, their secretion being enhanced by Th2 cytokines. In conclusion, dsRNA derived from respiratory viruses trigger exacerbation of the pulmonary allergic reaction through TLR3/TRIF-dependent pathway. Moreover, Th2 cytokines participate in this process by modulating the response of airway epithelium and DCs to dsRNA.
CD11c+ Dendritic Cells and B Cells Contribute to the Tumoricidal Activity of Anti-DR5 Antibody Therapy in Established Tumors
Authors: Haynes Nicole M. , Hawkins Edwin D. , Li Ming , McLaughlin Nicole M. , Hämmerling Günter J. , Schwendener Reto , Winoto Astar , Wensky Allen , Yagita Hideo , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Kershaw Michael H. , Darcy Phillip K. , Smyth Mark J.
Published: May 2010

The selective targeting of the tumor-associated death-inducing receptors DR4 and DR5 with agonistic mAbs has demonstrated preclinical and clinical antitumor activity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to this efficacy remain poorly understood. In this study, using the first described C57BL/6 (B6) TRAIL-sensitive experimental tumor models, we have characterized the innate and adaptive immune components involved in the primary rejection phase of an anti-mouse DR5 (mDR5) mAb, MD5-1 in established MC38 colon adenocarcinomas. FcR mediated cross-linking of MD5-1 significantly inhibited the growth of MC38 colon adenocarcinomas through the induction of TRAIL-R–dependent tumor cell apoptosis. The loss of host DR5, TRAIL, perforin, FasL, or TNF did not compromise anti-DR5 therapy in vivo. By contrast, anti-DR5 therapy was completely abrogated in mice deficient of B cells or CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs), providing the first direct evidence that these cells play a critical role. Importantly, the requirement for an intact B cell compartment for optimal anti-DR5 antitumor efficacy was also observed in established AT-3 mammary tumors. Interestingly, MD5-1–mediated apoptosis as measured by early TUNEL activity was completely lost in B cell-deficient μMT mice, but intact in mice deficient in CD11c+ DCs. Overall, these data show that Ab-mediated targeting of DR5 triggers tumor cell apoptosis in established tumors in a B cell-dependent manner and that CD11c+ DCs make a critical downstream contribution to anti-DR5 antitumor activity.
Consequences of Increased CD45RA and RC Isoforms for TCR Signaling and Peripheral T Cell Deficiency Resulting from Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein L-Like Mutation
Authors: Wu Zuopeng , Yates Adele L. , Hoyne Gerard F. , Goodnow Christopher C.
Published: May 2010

CD45 is the most abundant protein tyrosine phosphatase in the plasma membrane of T cells and serves a critical role in TCR signaling. Different CD45 isoforms are made by alternative mRNA splicing depending on the stage of T cell development and activation, yet their role remains unclear. Expression of CD45RA and RC isoforms is increased 20- to 200-fold on T cells from thunder mice with a loss-of-function mutation in the RNA-binding protein, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L-like (hnRNPLL), although total CD45 expression is unaltered. In this study, we test the hypothesis that this shift in CD45 isoform expression alters TCR signaling, thymic selection, and accumulation of peripheral T cells. There was no discernable effect of the change in CD45 isoform expression upon Lck phosphorylation or T cell positive and negative selection, whereas these indices were strongly affected by a decrease in the overall amount of CD45 in Ptprc mutant animals. The one exception to this conclusion was in thymocytes from Ptprcloc/loc animals with 4% of normal CD45 protein levels, where Lck505 phosphorylation was increased 25% in Hnrpll mutant cells, suggesting that high m.w. CD45 isoforms had lower Lck505 phosphatase activity in this context. In T cells with no CD45 protein, hnRNPLL mutation still diminished peripheral T cell accumulation, demonstrating that hnRNPLL regulates T cell longevity independently from its effects on CD45 splicing.
The Adaptor Protein Sh2d3c Is Critical for Marginal Zone B Cell Development and Function
Authors: Al-Shami Amin , Wilkins Carrie , Crisostomo Jeannette , Seshasayee Dhaya , Martin Flavius , Xu Nianhua , Suwanichkul Adisak , Anderson Stephen J. , Oravecz Tamas
Published: May 2010

Sh2d3c is an adaptor protein that has been implicated in T cell activation and shown to associate with different components of the integrin signaling pathway ex vivo. However, the in vivo significance of Sh2d3c expression in the regulation of the immune response and/or hematopoietic cell lineage development is not known. In this study, we show that expression of Sh2d3c is more critical for development and function of marginal zone B (MZB) cells than for T cell maturation. Mice deficient in Sh2d3c expression (Sh2d3c−/−) had a reduced number of MZB cells, and the residual MZB cells failed to properly capture polysaccharide Ags. Activation-induced proliferation, cytokine production, and migration of Sh2d3c−/− splenic B cells were also significantly reduced in vitro compared with wild-type (Sh2d3c+/+) cells. In contrast, T cell development and function were largely normal in Sh2d3c−/− mice. The thymi of Sh2d3c−/− mice showed no maturational abnormalities, the number of splenic T cells was only modestly reduced, and the T cells responded normally to in vitro polyclonal activation. The observed B cell deficiency in the Sh2d3c−/− mice led to diminished humoral immune response against thymus-independent type 2, but not thymus-dependent Ags, which highlights the primary in vivo role of Sh2d3c in regulating B cell development and function.
Construct equivalence of the OPQ32n for Black and White people in South Africa
Authors: Visser Deléne , Viviers Rian
Published: May 2010

Orientation: The construct equivalence of the Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32n) for black and white groups was investigated.Research purpose: The objective was to investigate the structural invariance of the OPQ32n for two South African population groups.Motivation for the study: The OPQ32n is often used for making a variety of personnel decisions in South Africa. Evidence regarding the suitability of personality questionnaires for use across South Africa’s various population groups is required by practitioners for selecting appropriate psychometric instruments.Research design, approach and method: Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and the results were analysed using quantitative statistical methods. The sample consisted of 248 Black and 476 White people from the SHL (South Africa) database. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the structural equivalence of the OPQ32n scale scores for these two groups.Main findings: A good fit regarding factor correlations and covariances on the 32 scales was obtained, partially supporting the structural equivalence of the questionnaire for the two groups. The analyses furthermore indicated that there was structural invariance, with the effect of the Social Desirability scale partialled out.Practical/managerial implications: The present study focused on aspects of structural equivalence only. The OPQ32n therefore passed the first hurdle in this particular context, but further investigation is necessary to provide evidence that the questionnaire is suitable for use in personnel decisions comparing the population groups.Contribution: Despite the positive findings with regard to structural equivalence and social desirability response style, it should be borne in mind that no assumptions regarding full scale equivalence can be made on the basis of the present findings.
Modeling natural emissions in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Model–I: building an emissions data base
Authors: Smith S. N. , Mueller S. F.
Published: May 2010

Abstract. A natural emissions inventory for the continental United States and surrounding territories is needed in order to use the US Environmental Protection Agency Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) Model for simulating natural air quality. The CMAQ air modeling system (including the Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions (SMOKE) emissions processing system) currently estimates non-methane volatile organic compound (NMVOC) emissions from biogenic sources, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from soils, ammonia from animals, several types of particulate and reactive gas emissions from fires, as well as sea salt emissions. However, there are several emission categories that are not commonly treated by the standard CMAQ Model system. Most notable among these are nitrogen oxide emissions from lightning, reduced sulfur emissions from oceans, geothermal features and other continental sources, windblown dust particulate, and reactive chlorine gas emissions linked with sea salt chloride. A review of past emissions modeling work and existing global emissions data bases provides information and data necessary for preparing a more complete natural emissions data base for CMAQ applications. A model-ready natural emissions data base is developed to complement the anthropogenic emissions inventory used by the VISTAS Regional Planning Organization in its work analyzing regional haze based on the year 2002. This new data base covers a modeling domain that includes the continental United States plus large portions of Canada, Mexico and surrounding oceans. Comparing July 2002 source data reveals that natural emissions account for 16% of total gaseous sulfur (sulfur dioxide, dimethylsulfide and hydrogen sulfide), 44% of total NOx, 80% of reactive carbonaceous gases (NMVOCs and carbon monoxide), 28% of ammonia, 96% of total chlorine (hydrochloric acid, nitryl chloride and sea salt chloride), and 84% of fine particles (i.e., those smaller than 2.5 μm in size) released into the atmosphere. The seasonality and relative importance of the various natural emissions categories are described.
Mesoscale processes for super heavy rainfall of Typhoon Morakot (2009) over Southern Taiwan
Authors: Lin C.-Y. , Hsu H.-m. , Sheng Y.-F. , Kuo C.-H. , Liou Y.-A.
Published: May 2010

Abstract. Within 100 h, a record-breaking rainfall, 2855 mm, was brought to Taiwan by Typhoon Morakot in August, 2009 resulting in devastating landslides and casualties. Analyses and simulations show that under favorable large-scale situations, this unprecedented precipitation was caused first by the convergence of the southerly component of the pre-existing strong southwesterly monsoonal flow and the northerly component of the typhoon circulation. Then the westerly component of southwesterly flow pushed the highly moist air eastward against the Central Mountain Range, and forced it to lift in the preferred area. The mesoscale processes in two stages were responsible for the unprecedented heavy rainfall total that accompanied this typhoon. Thus, understanding the dynamical interactions between the typhoon's circulation and monsoonal flow at different scales should enhance the forecasting capability in precipitation events brought by similar typhoons in the future.
Optimization of the Magnetic Properties of FePd Alloys by Severe Plastic Deformation
Authors: Chbihi Abdelahad , Sauvage Xavier , Genevois Cécile , Blavette Didier , Gunderov Dmitry , Popov Alexander G.
Published: May 2010

A FePd alloy was nanostructured by severe plastic deformation following two different routes: ordered and disordered states were processed by high pressure torsion (HPT). A grain size in a range of 50 to 150 nm is obtained in both cases. Severe plastic deformation induces some significant disordering of the long range ordered L10 phase. However, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data clearly show that few ordered nanocrystals remain in the deformed state. The deformed materials were annealed to achieve nanostructured long range ordered alloys. The transformation proceeds via a first order transition characterized by the nucleation of numerous ordered domains along grain boundaries. The influence of the annealing conditions (temperature and time) on the coercivity was studied for both routes. It is demonstrated that starting with the disorder state prior to HPT and annealing at low temperature (400 °C) leads to the highest coercivity (about 1.8 kOe).
Electrical Conductance in Biological Molecules
Authors: Waleed Shinwari M. , Jamal Deen M. , Starikov Evgeni B. , Cuniberti Gianaurelio
Published: May 2010

Nucleic acids and proteins are not only biologically important polymers. They have recently been recognized as novel functional materials surpassing conventional materials in many aspects. Although Herculean efforts have been undertaken to unravel fine functioning mechanisms of the biopolymers in question, there is still much more to be done. Here the topic of biomolecular charge transport is presented with a particular focus on charge transfer/transport in DNA and protein molecules. The experimentally revealed details, as well as the presently available theories, of charge transfer/transport along these biopolymers are critically reviewed and analyzed. A summary of the active research in this field is also given, along with a number of practical recommendations.
Polarizability, Susceptibility, and Dielectric Constant of Nanometer‐Scale Molecular Films: A Microscopic View
Authors: Natan Amir , Kuritz Natalia , Kronik Leeor
Published: May 2010

The size‐dependence of the polarizability, susceptibility, and dielectric constant of nanometer‐scale molecular layers is explored theoretically. First‐principles calculations based on density functional theory are compared to phenomenological modeling based on polarizable dipolar arrays for a model system of organized monolayers composed of oligophenyl chains. Size trends for all three quantities are primarily governed by a competition between out‐of‐plane polarization enhancement and in‐plane polarization suppression. Molecular packing density is the single most important factor controlling this competition and it strongly affects the bulk limit of the dielectric constant as well as the rate at which it is approached. Finally, the polarization does not reach its “bulk” limit, as determined from the Clausius–Mossotti model, but the susceptibility and dielectric constant do converge to the correct bulk limit. However, whereas the Clausius–Mossotti model describes the dielectric constant well at low lateral densities, finite size effects of the monomer units cause it to be increasingly inaccurate at high lateral densities.
Electrochemical Method for Synthesis of a ZnFe2O4/TiO2 Composite Nanotube Array Modified Electrode with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Activity
Authors: Hou Yang , Li Xin‐Yong , Zhao Qi‐Dong , Quan Xie , Chen Guo‐Hua
Published: May 2010

An electrode with intimate and well‐aligned ZnFe2O4/TiO2 composite nanotube arrays is prepared via electrochemical anodization of pure titanium foil in fluorine‐containing ethylene glycol, followed by a novel cathodic electrodeposition method. The deposition of ZnFe2O4 is promoted in the self‐aligned, vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays but minimized at the tube entrances. Thus, pore clogging is prevented. Environmental scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectra, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction patterns, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the as‐prepared samples are highly ordered and vertically aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays with ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles loading. The TiO2 nanotubes are anatase with the preferential orientation of <101> plane. Enhanced absorption in both UV and visible light regions is observed for the composite nanotube arrays. The current–voltage curve of ZnFe2O4‐loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays reveals a rectifying behavior. The enhanced separation of photoinduced electrons and holes is demonstrated by surface photovoltage and photocurrent measurements. Meanwhile, the photoelectrochemical investigations verify that the ZnFe2O4/TiO2 composite nanotube array modified electrode has a more effective photoconversion capability than the aligned TiO2 nanotube arrays alone. In addition, the photoelectrocatalytic ability of the novel electrode is found enhanced in the degradation of 4‐chlorophenol.
Transversal thermal patterns in packed‐bed reactors with simple kinetics: Bifurcation criterion and simulations
Authors: Nekhamkina Olga , Sheintuch Moshe
Published: May 2010

We derive a new criterion for transversal instability of planar fronts based on the bifurcation condition dVf/dK|K=0 = 0, where Vf and K are the front velocity and its curvature, respectively. This refines our previously obtained condition, which was formulated as α = (ΔTadPeT)/(ΔTmPeC) > 1 to α > 1 + |δ|, where ΔTad and ΔTm are the adiabatic and maximal temperature rise, respectively, PeC and PeT are the axial mass and the heat Pe numbers, respectively, and δ is a small parameter. The criterion is based on approximate relations for ΔTm and Vf, which account for the local curvature of a propagating front in a packed bed reactor with a first‐order activated kinetics. The obtained relations are verified by linear stability analysis of planar fronts. Simulations of a simplified 2D model in the form of a thin cylindrical shell are in good agreement with the critical parameters predicted by dispersion relations. Three types of patterns were detected in simulations: “frozen” multiwave patterns, spinning waves, and complex rotating–oscillating patterns. We map bifurcation diagrams showing domains of different modes using the shell radius as the bifurcation parameter. The possible translation of the 2D cylindrical shell model results to the 3D case is discussed. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Models of rotary vacuum drum and disc filters for flocculated suspensions
Authors: Stickland Anthony D. , White Lee R. , Scales Peter J.
Published: May 2010

Models for rotary drum and disc filtration of compressible suspensions are developed using one‐dimensional compressional rheology theory. The models account for cake formation while the drum or disc is submerged in the feed slurry, saturated cake consolidation upon surfacing due to capillary pressure, and cake desaturation. Desaturation does not occur for vacuum pressures below a critical value given by the material properties, or is incomplete if the formation and consolidation angles are too large. The disc filter model is formulated by applying the drum filter solutions to concentric annuli. The effect of different operating parameters such as submerged depth, rotational rate, slurry concentration, and vacuum pressure are investigated. The throughput varies linearly or quadratically with the drum or disc radius respectively, proportionally with the square‐root of the angular rotational speed and linearly with the submerged angle. The angles for cake consolidation and desaturation are independent of the rotational rate. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Optimization of the separation of sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen by selective adsorption using monte carlo simulations
Authors: Builes Santiago , Roussel Thomas , Vega Lourdes F.
Published: May 2010

We present molecular simulations to find the optimal conditions for the separation by adsorption of SF6 from a gaseous mixture with N2, a mixture of key interest in electrical applications. The effect of pore size, pressure, and mixture compositions on the selective adsorption of SF6 was investigated by using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations with simple fluid models and a simplified model of MCM‐41. Simulations performed with multisite fluid models confirm that general trends are predicted using simple models, including a maximum in SF6 selectivity for pore diameters around 1.1 nm. Simulations were also performed using two atomistic models of zeolite‐templated carbon (ZTC), FAU‐ZTC, and EMT‐ZTC, materials with average pore sizes close to 1.1 nm, obtaining high selectivities for both materials. Selectivities for FAU‐ZTC are approximately four times higher than the best materials published for this mixture separation, opening excellent opportunities to use it for recovering SF6 from SF6/N2 mixtures. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: Current status and diagnostic challenges
Authors: Otis Stavroula A , Zehnder James L.
Published: May 2010

Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a fairly common and potentially catastrophic complication of heparin therapy. Diagnosing HIT remains a challenge, as the patients at risk often have other reasons for thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis. HIT is considered a clinicopathologic disorder whose diagnosis is generally made on the basis of both clinical criteria and the presence of “HIT antibodies” in the patient's serum or plasma. There are two basic laboratory approaches to detect HIT antibodies. The immunoassays detect antibodies based on their binding properties, whereas the functional assays detect antibodies based on their platelet‐activating properties. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of HIT is imperative, as overdiagnosis exposes patients to alternative anticoagulants and their associated bleeding risks, whereas under‐ or delayed diagnosis leaves patients vulnerable to the thromboembolic sequelae of HIT, which can be life threatening. A critical interpretation of laboratory results by the clinician is an essential component of diagnosing HIT. This requires a keen understanding of the current concepts in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the disease, and the application of these concepts when interpreting the results of both the functional and immunoassays. Equally important is an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the current lack of standardization and proficiency testing, of these assays. Am. J. Hematol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leg length and age of puberty among men and women from a developing population: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort study
Authors: Schooling C.M. , Jiang C.Q. , Lam T.H. , Zhang W.S. , Adab P. , Cheng K.K. , Leung G.M.
Published: May 2010

Objectives:

Leg length and relative leg length are considered to be reliable markers of prepubertal living conditions. Cessation of leg growth, driven by estrogen, occurs earlier in puberty in girls than boys. We hypothesized that leg length and relative leg length, as sitting height to leg ratio, might have sex‐specific associations with age of puberty.

Methods:

We used multivariable linear regression in 10,046 older (≥50 years) Chinese from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (Phase 3) to examine the associations of recalled age of puberty (women: age of menarche, and men: mean age of first nocturnal emission, voice breaking, and first pubic hair) with subischeal leg length, sitting height to leg ratio, and sitting height.

Results:

Leg length and sitting height to leg ratio had different associations with age of puberty in men and women (P‐values for interaction <0.001), but sitting height did not. Per year earlier puberty, legs were longer among men by 0.09 cm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.18) and shorter among women by −0.16 cm (95% CI −0.20 to −0.12). Further adjustment for age, hip size (as a marker of buttock fat), and several markers of childhood conditions did not obviate the difference in association by sex.

Conclusions:

Adult leg length and relative leg length (sitting height to leg ratio) may be biomarkers of different exposures in men and women, with corresponding implications for their interpretation as a biomarker of early life exposures. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:683–687, 2010. © 2010Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Why Does head form change in children of immigrants? A reappraisal
Authors: Jantz Richard L. , Logan Michael H.
Published: May 2010

Objectives:

We test two specific hypotheses that explain the cranial changes Boas observed in Hebrews and Sicilians, namely that Hebrew change results from abandoning cradling of infants in America, while in Sicilians it results from impaired growth in America.

Methods:

Boas's (1928) data were used to test these hypotheses. The role of cradling in cranial shape was examined by comparing cranial indices of U.S.‐born and foreign children between 1.5 and 5 years of age. Age changes in cranial index of Hebrew and Sicilian children ages five to eighteen were examined to demonstrate differing patterns of age changes, which could be explained by environmental differences. Statistical methods employed were t‐tests, least squares, and loess regression.

Results:

The difference between American and foreign‐born Hebrew children arose prior to five years of age, after which it remained constant. American and foreign‐born Sicilians, on the other hand, had similar cranial indices at age five, and diverged during the growing years, primarily because American‐born children did not exhibit the reduction in cranial index with age seen in the other groups.

Conclusions:

The results support the two hypotheses tested. Change in Hebrew cranial indices resulted from abandoning the practice of cradling infants in America. U.S.‐born Sicilian children experienced an environment worse than the one in Europe, and consequently experienced impaired growth. We conclude that the changes Boas observed resulted from specific behavioral and economic conditions unique to each group, rather than a homogeneous American environment. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:702‐707, 2010. © 2010Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inbreeding and PKU allele frequency: Estimating by microsatellite approaches
Authors: Santos Luciana L. , da Fonseca Cleusa G. , Vaintraub Marco T. , Vaintraub Patricia , Januário José N. , de Aguiar Marcos J.B. , Raquel Santos Carvalho Maria
Published: May 2010

Estimates of allele frequencies for recessive diseases are generally based on the frequency of affected individuals (q2). However, these estimates can be strongly biased due to inbreeding in the population.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how inbreeding in the Minas Gerais State population affects phenylketonuria (PKU) incidence in the state and to determine the inbreeding coefficient based on microsatellites.

Methods:

Inbreeding coefficients of samples of 104 controls and 76 patients with PKU were estimated through a microsatellite approach. Besides, the amount and distribution of genetic variation within and among patients with PKU and control samples were characterized.

Results:

No genetic differentiation was observed between the samples. However, the Fis value found for samples of patients with PKU (0.042) was almost 15 times higher than that found among controls (0.003). When corrected by the inbreeding coefficient found among the controls, the PKU allele frequency decreased to 0.0057.

Conclusions:

The results enables us to infer that at least 35% of the PKU recessive homozygotes from the Minas Gerais population could be due to consanguineous marriages and suggest that microsatellites can be an useful approach to estimate inbreeding coefficients. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 22:716–719, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subtelomeric 6p monosomy and 12q trisomy in a patient with a 46,XX,der(6)t(6;12)(p25.3;q24.31) karyotype: Phenotypic overlap with Mutchinick syndrome
Authors: Semerci C. Nur , Cinbis Mine , Ullmann Reinhard , Steininger Anne , Bahce Muhterem , Yagci Baki , Ozden Serap , Sabir Nuran , Gumus Dilihan , Tepeli Emre , Arteaga Jazmín , Mutchinick Osvaldo M.
Published: May 2010

We report on a patient with partial monosomy 6p and partial trisomy 12q identified by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). She had a complex phenotype characterized by mental retardation (MR), psychomotor developmental delay, speech disorder, hypertelorism, eye anomalies, hearing loss, low‐set malformed ears, thin upper lip, heart defect, clinodactyly, pes valgus, and skeletal anomalies. There is phenotypic overlap between our case and Mutchinick syndrome. This is the first report of a combined partial monosomy 6p and partial trisomy 12q due to an unbalanced translocation between subtelomeric regions of these chromosomes. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Syndromic mental retardation with thrombocytopenia due to 21q22.11q22.12 deletion: Report of three patients
Authors: Katzaki Eleni , Morin Gilles , Pollazzon Marzia , Papa Filomena Tiziana , Buoni Sabrina , Hayek Joussef , Andrieux Joris , Lecerf Laure , Popovici Cornel , Receveur Aline , Mathieu‐Dramard Michèle , Renieri Alessandra , Mari Francesca , Philip Nicole
Published: May 2010

During the last few years, an increasing number of microdeletion/microduplication syndromes have been delineated. This rapid evolution is mainly due to the availability of microarray technology as a routine diagnostic tool. Microdeletions of the 21q22.11q22.12 region encompassing the RUNX1 gene have been reported in nine patients presenting with syndromic thrombocytopenia and mental retardation. RUNX1 gene is responsible for an autosomal dominant platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myelogenous leukemia. We report on three novel patients with an overlapping “de novo” interstitial deletion involving the band 21q22 characterized by array‐CGH. All our patients presented with severe developmental delay, dysmorphic features, behavioral problems, and thrombocytopenia. Comparing the clinical features of our patients with the overlapping ones already reported two potential phenotypes related to 21q22 microdeletion including RUNX1 were highlighted: thrombocytopenia with ± mild dysmorphic features and syndromic thrombocytopenia with growth and developmental delay. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testing for genetic association between the ZDHHC8 gene locus and susceptibility to schizophrenia: An integrated analysis of multiple datasets
Authors: Xu Mingqing , Clair David St , He Lin
Published: May 2010

A number of studies have reported an association between the ZDHHC8 gene locus and schizophrenia but have produced some divergent findings and their interpretation is not straightforward. We investigated the association of the ZDHHC8 gene locus with schizophrenia using meta‐analytic techniques, combining all published data up to May 2009 and focusing on 10 independent studies from six published references covering 2,894 cases, 2,932 controls and 1,225 parent‐offspring trios. We restricted the analysis to studies investigating rs175174, the most frequently studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Stratified meta‐analysis was conducted to investigate whether ancestry, study design, or gender moderated any association. Analyses of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and haplotype structure of this gene locus were also performed based on the hapmap project genotype data to determine whether there were other independent polymorphic markers which might contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia in particular ethnic populations. We found no allelic‐ or genotype‐wise evidence for an association of the rs175174 SNP with schizophrenia in our overall analysis. After applying stratified analyses, there was only a weak nominal genotype‐wise association of this SNP with schizophrenia in the dominant genetic model in East Asian populations (P = 0.049), which might be caused by significant between‐study heterogeneity (P = 0.042). No significant publication bias was detected. Other polymorphic markers within this gene genotyped in the hapmap project across different ethnic populations were in strong LD with rs175174. Consistently negative associations were found in the rs175174 polymorphism. LD structure further suggested that the ZDHHC8 locus might not play an important role in the etiology of schizophrenia. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association analysis of PALB2 and BRCA2 in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in a scandinavian case–control sample
Authors: Tesli Martin , Athanasiu Lavinia , Mattingsdal Morten , Kähler Anna K. , Gustafsson Omar , Andreassen Bettina K. , Werge Thomas , Hansen Thomas , Mors Ole , Mellerup Erling , Koefoed Pernille , Jönsson Erik G. , Agartz Ingrid , Melle Ingrid , Morken Gunnar , Djurovic Srdjan , Andreassen Ole A.
Published: May 2010

A recent genome‐wide association study (GWAS) found significant association between the PALB2 SNP rs420259 and bipolar disorder (BD). The intracellular functions of the expressed proteins from the breast cancer risk genes PALB2 and BRCA2 are closely related. Therefore, we investigated the relation between genetic variants in PALB2 and BRCA2 and BD. Due to increasing evidence of genetic overlap between BD and schizophrenia (SCZ), we also investigated association with SCZ. In a Scandinavian case–control sample (n = 686/2,538) we found the BRCA2 SNP rs9567552 to be significantly associated with BD (Nominal P = 0.00043). Additionally, we replicated the association between PALB2 SNP rs420259 and BD (Nominal P = 0.025). We then combined our sample with another Nordic case–control sample (n = 435/11,491) from Iceland, and added results from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) (n = 1,868/2,938) and the STEP‐UCL/ED‐DUB‐STEP2 study (n = 2,558/3,274) in a meta‐analysis which revealed a P‐value of 1.2 × 10−5 for association between PALB2 SNP rs420259 and BD (n = 5,547/20,241). Neither the PALB2 SNP rs420259 nor the BRCA2 SNP rs9567552 were nominally significantly associated with the SCZ phenotype in our Scandinavian sample (n = 781/2,839). Our findings support PALB2 and BRCA2 as risk genes specifically for BD, and suggest that altered DNA repair related to neurogenesis may be involved in BD pathophysiology. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somatic mosaicism in a case of apparently sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease carrying a de novo D178N mutation in the PRNP gene
Authors: Alzualde A. , Moreno F. , Martínez‐Lage P. , Ferrer I. , Gorostidi A. , Otaegui D. , Blázquez L. , Atares B. , Cardoso S. , Martínez de Pancorbo M. , Juste R. , Rodríguez‐Martínez A.B. , Indakoetxea B. , de Munain A. López
Published: May 2010

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a group of rare fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) represents the most common form of TSE and can be classified into sporadic, genetic, iatrogenic and variant forms. Genetic cases are related to prion protein gene mutations but they only account for 10–20% of cases. Here we report an apparently sporadic CJD case with negative family history carrying a mutation at codon 178 of prion protein gene. This mutation is a de novo mutation as the parents of the case do not show it. Furthermore the presence of three different alleles (wild type 129M‐178D and 129V‐178D and mutated 129V‐178N), confirmed by different methods, indicates that this de novo mutation is a post‐zygotic mutation that produces somatic mosaicism. The proportion of mutated cells in peripheral blood cells and in brain tissue was similar and was estimated at approximately 97%, suggesting that the mutation occurred at an early stage of embryogenesis. Neuropathological examination disclosed spongiform change mainly involving the caudate and putamen, and the cerebral cortex, together with proteinase K‐resistant PrP globular deposits in the cerebrum and cerebellum. PrP typing was characterized by a lower band of 21 kDa. This is the first case of mosaicism described in prion diseases and illustrates a potential etiology for apparently sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. In light of this case, genetic counseling for inherited and sporadic forms of transmissible encephalopathies should take into account this possibility for genetic screening procedures. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An investigation of candidate regions for association with bipolar disorder
Authors: Knight Jo , Rochberg Nanette S. , Saccone Scott F. , Nurnberger John I. , Rice John P.
Published: May 2010

We performed a case–control study of 1,000 cases and 1,028 controls on 1,509 markers, 1,139 of which were located in a 8 Mb region on chromosome 6 (105–113 Mb). This region has shown evidence of involvement in bipolar disorder (BP) in a number of other studies. We find association between BP and two SNPs in the gene LACE1. SNP rs9486880 and rs11153113 (both haveP‐values of 2 × 10−5). BothP‐values are in the top 5% of the distribution derived from null simulations (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). LACE is a good candidate for BP; it is an ATPase. We genotyped 173 other markers in 17 other positional and/or functional loci but found no further evidence of association with BP. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex differentials in frailty in medieval England
Authors: DeWitte Sharon N.
Published: May 2010

In most modern populations, there are sex differentials in morbidity and mortality that favor women. This study addresses whether such female advantages existed to any appreciable degree in medieval Europe. The analyses presented here examine whether men and women with osteological stress markers faced the same risks of death in medieval London. The sample used for this study comes from the East Smithfield Black Death cemetery in London. The benefit of using this cemetery is that most, if not all, individuals interred in East Smithfield died from the same cause within a very short period of time. This allows for the analysis of the differences between men and women in the risks of mortality associated with osteological stress markers without the potential confounding effects of different causes of death. A sample of 299 adults (173 males, 126 females) from the East Smithfield cemetery was analyzed. The results indicate that the excess mortality associated with several osteological stress markers was higher for men than for women. This suggests that in this medieval population, previous physiological stress increased the risk of death for men during the Black Death to a greater extent than was true for women. Alternatively, the results might indicate that the Black Death discriminated less strongly between women with and without pre‐existing health conditions than was true for men. These results are examined in light of previous analyses of East Smithfield and what is known about diet and sexually mediated access to resources in medieval England. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:285–297, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astragalar morphology of Afradapis, a large adapiform primate from the earliest late Eocene of Egypt
Authors: Boyer Doug M. , Seiffert Erik R. , Simons Elwyn L.
Published: May 2010

The ∼37 million‐year‐old Birket Qarun Locality 2 (BQ‐2), in the Birket Qarun Formation of Egypt's Fayum Depression, yields evidence for a diverse primate fauna, including the earliest known lorisiforms, parapithecoid anthropoids, and Afradapis longicristatus, a large folivorous adapiform. Phylogenetic analysis has placed Afradapis as a stem strepsirrhine within a clade of caenopithecine adapiforms, contradicting the recently popularized alternative hypothesis aligning adapiforms with haplorhines or anthropoids. We describe an astragalus from BQ‐2 (DPC 21445C), attributable to Afradapis on the basis of size and relative abundance. The astragalus is remarkably similar to those of extant lorises, having a low body, no posterior shelf, a broad head and neck. It is like extant strepsirrhines more generally, in having a fibular facet that slopes gently away from the lateral tibial facet, and in having a groove for the tendon of flexor fibularis that is lateral to the tibial facet. Comparisons to a sample of euarchontan astragali show the new fossil to be most similar to those of adapines and lorisids. The astragali of other adapiforms are most similar to those of lemurs, but distinctly different from those of all anthropoids. Our measurements show that in extant strepsirrhines and adapiforms the fibular facet slopes away from the lateral tibial facet at a gradual angle (112–126°), in contrast to the anthropoid fibular facet, which forms a sharper angle (87–101°). Phylogenetic analyses incorporating new information from the astragalus continue to support strepsirrhine affinities for adapiforms under varying models of character evolution. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:383‐402, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.