bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspirate (EBUS‐TBNA):A proposal for on‐site adequacy criteria
Authors: Nayak Anupma , Sugrue Chiara , Koenig Seth , Wasserman Patricia G. , Hoda Syed , Morgenstern Nora J.
Published: November 2010

This is a retrospective study of 48 patients who underwent EBUS‐TBNA procedure between the periods January 2008 to September 2009 at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. The study was undertaken with the following objectives: First, to define practical and useful on‐site adequacy criteria for EBUS‐TBNA samples; Second, to understand the diagnostic pitfalls associated with accurate interpretation of EBUS‐TBNA samples. EBUS‐TBNA procedure was able to diagnose 24/48 (50%) patients with malignancy, 1/48 (2%) suspicious for malignancy, 9/48 (19%) with granulomatous process, and 9/48 (19%) negative for disease. Only five cases (10%) could not be diagnosed with this procedure. Based on our experience, any smear with presence of > 5 low power fields (×100) with ≥ 100 lymphocytes in each and containing < 2 groups of bronchial cells/low power field (×100) can be considered adequate for evaluation. Also, the presence of germinal center fragments renders a smear adequate for evaluation, irrespective of the above mentioned criteria. Adequacy criteria are to be applied only to the smears not showing any identifiable pathology such as malignancy or granuloma. An understanding of diagnostic pitfalls associated with accurate interpretation of EBUS‐TBNA samples is essential to avoid false‐positive and false‐negative diagnosis. To conclude, an effective communication between the clinician and cytologist, an algorithmic approach to diagnosis, and the on‐site adequacy criteria proposed in this study can markedly improve the diagnostic yield of the procedure. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inguinal lymph nodal metastasis of myxopapillary ependymoma confirmed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology, biopsy, and immunohistochemistry: Case report
Authors: Vega‐Orozco Rosalba , Rembao‐Bojórquez Daniel , Salmerón‐Mercado Mónica , García‐Marquez Arturo , Tena‐Suck Martha L.
Published: November 2010

Ependymoma (EP) rarely metastasizes outside the central nervous system. Inguinal nodule metastasis of EP more than 10 years after surgical resection and radiotherapy is extremely rare. We report a man aged 38 years who underwent surgery for lumbosacral myxopapillary EP at the age of 22 years and was treated with several cycles of radiotherapy. The patient was reoperated for residual tumor and received two complete cycles of radiotherapy for 11 years. Biopsies were always diagnosed as myxopapillary EP. Five years after the last surgical excision, the patient developed abdominal pain and inguinal lymphadenopathy. Biopsy was performed by fine‐needle aspiration and was proven malignant epithelial neoplasm with a myxoid background, was diagnosed as metastasis of EP. Biopsy showed an anaplastic EP grade III. EP is often recurrent at the primary site but can seed on the entire cerebrospinal axis. We describe the clinical features of this rare lesion and particularly emphasize the need for long‐term follow‐up, for more than 10 years after the initial treatment, in patients with EP and malignant transformation after radiotherapy. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting screening sensitivity from workload in gynecologic cytology: A review
Authors: Renshaw Andrew A. , Elsheikh Tarik M.
Published: November 2010

Recent studies have shown that it is possible to correlate workload or epithelial cell abnormality (ECA) adjusted workload with screening sensitivity. The results show that for manual screening of conventional smears or SurePath slides, screening sensitivity begins to fall with workloads as low as 30 slides/day. For review of slides with the ThinPrep Imaging System, screening sensitivity appears to be better correlated with ECA adjusted workload (workload × ECA rate) than workload alone. Screening sensitivity with the ThinPrep imager appears to fall at ECA adjusted workloads of 7 slides/day at a threshold of ASCUS and above and LSIL, and slightly lower for HSIL. This corresponds to 70 slides/day at an ECA rate of 10%. The variance in these models is likely high reflecting a wide range of individual cytotechnologist performance. Strategies to most effectively incorporate this data in the management of workload in the laboratory are reviewed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myxoid liposarcoma: A case report of a sentinel metastasis to the parotid gland with molecular confirmation
Authors: Been Laura , Olar Adriana , Powers Martin P. , López‐Terrada Dolores , Laucirica Rodolfo
Published: November 2010

Myxoid liposarcoma is a subtype of liposarcoma with a predilection for the deep soft tissues of the extremities that accounts approximately for 10% of all adult soft tissue sarcomas. We report a case of a metastatic myxoid liposarcoma to the parotid gland, with fine‐needle aspiration cytology correlation and molecular characterization. The lesion was diagnosed in a 53‐year‐old Hispanic male who presented with a left posterior thigh mass. A core needle biopsy established the diagnosis of myxoid liposarcoma. The patient underwent limb‐sparing, wide local excision of the malignancy and later presented with an initial metastatic lesion to the parotid gland. The diagnosis of metastatic myxoid liposarcoma was rendered by fine‐needle aspiration cytology with cell block preparation, and molecular confirmation. Although myxoid/round cell liposarcomas are classically described as having minimal pleomorphism on cytologic material, we encountered significant pleomorphism in our case. Therefore, a diagnosis of myxoid/round cell liposarcoma should still be a diagnostic consideration even if markedly pleomorphic cells are seen in fine‐needle aspiration biopsies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidental detection of filaria in fine‐needle aspirates: A cytologic study of 14 clinically unsuspected cases at different sites
Authors: Mondal Santosh Kumar
Published: November 2010

Filariasis is a major health problem in tropical countries like India. Detection of microfilariae or adult worm or egg in FNAC is very unusual despite the high incidence of this parasite in endemic zone. The aim of this study was to document the value of fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosis of filaria at all possible sites presenting as mass or swelling.

Fourteen patients (nine males and five females) in the age range of 14–61 years were subjected to FNAC. FNA from swellings was done using 22‐gauge needles fitted with 10 or 20 ml disposable plastic syringes. The slides were stained with May–Grunwald–Giemsa stain, Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain, and Papanicolaou (Pap) stain.

In total, 14 cases of filariasis were detected, which included subcutaneous swellings (six cases), epididymis/spermatic cord nodules (four cases), breast lumps (two cases), lymph nodes (one case), and thyroid swelling (one case). Larvae (microfilariae), eggs, and adult worms were detected in cytological smears. Microfilaria was present in all 14 cases whereas adult worm was found in three cases only. In four cases, eggs were seen in the smears. None of the patients was microfilariaemic and significant eosinophilia (>10%) was seen seen in two patients.

Filarisis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of swelling in endemic area. Identification of the parasite, Wuchereria bancrofti, in FNA smears and accurate diagnosis of filaria is important to employ proper treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents the more severe manifestation of the disease, lymphatic filariasis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A numerical study on hydrological impacts of forest restoration in the southern United States
Authors: Liu Yongqiang
Published: November 2010

Landscape in the southern United States changed dramatically during the 1930s and the following decades when massive agricultural and abandoned logging lands were converted to forest lands through natural restoration and silviculture. The impacts of this forest restoration on hydrology were investigated in this study by conducting numerical experiments with a regional climate model. Climatic and hydrological conditions for the months of January and July during an 8‐year period were simulated with prior and post forest conversion land cover, respectively. The assembled results of the simulations and experiments during the period indicate that overall precipitation decreases in July and increases in January in the restoration region (RR) in response to the restoration, mainly caused by the reduction in the corresponding prevailing winds due to increased surface roughness. Evapotranspiration and root‐layer soil moisture increase in both months, mainly caused by the changes in vegetation and soil properties. Solar radiation increases due to smaller albedo, most of which is used to increase sensible heat. Large increases in July precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff in the remote central Midwest are found, resulting from the change in the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. The implications of the results for the projected vegetation changes due to the climate change and the silviculture project in the Southeast in the future are discussed. Published in 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the publich domain in the USA.
Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of a Nitrogen‐Containing Fullerene Dimer
Authors: Hörmann Frank , Hirsch Andreas , Porfyrakis Kyriakos , Briggs G. Andrew D.
Published: November 2010

We report here on the two‐step synthesis of fullerene dimer 3 from monomer 2. The structures were confirmed by MALDI mass spectrometry, UV/Vis, FTIR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the analogous species of dimer 3, N@C140H24O12, were studied by continuous‐wave electron‐spin resonance (CW‐EPR), indicating that the functionalization introduces a permanent zero‐field splitting (ZFS) D = 8.6 MHz and E = 0.45 MHz. The same synthetic procedure could be used to produce a 14N–15N dimer enabling spin resonance experiments that could demonstrate entanglement between electron spins.
Ionic Liquid Supported Organotin Reagents: Green Tools for Stille Cross‐Coupling Reactions with Brominated Substrates
Authors: Louaisil Nicolas , Pham Phuoc Dien , Boeda Fabien , Faye Djibril , Castanet Anne‐Sophie , Legoupy Stéphanie
Published: November 2010

Efficiency of ionic liquid supported organotin reagents in Stille cross‐coupling reactions involving aryl bromides has been investigated. In a general manner, products were isolated with good yields by using a very simple catalytic system without the need of solvent, ligand, or additives. The organotin compounds were recycled without loss of activity and the contamination by tin was limited and controlled ([Sn] < 3 ppm).
Synthetic Studies towards New Nucleoside Analogues: Preparation of (±)‐1′,4′‐Dimethyladenosine
Authors: Chaubet Guilhem , Bourgeois Damien , Périgaud Christian
Published: November 2010

Racemic 1′,4′‐dimethyladenosine was prepared according to a stereoselective sequence from 2,5‐dimethyl furan and vinylene carbonate. This sequence is short and efficient (nine steps) and relies on the desymmetrization of a meso diol, followed by the glycosylation of the anomeric position. The latter reaction was thoroughly studied, as it is the key step of the sequence, and very particular reactivity of the 1′,4′‐dimethylated sugars was observed. Secondary reactions took place according to original mechanisms and delivered original byproducts.
Ionic Liquid Brush as a Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for On‐Water Nucleophilic Substitutions
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Jing‐jing , Wei Jun‐fa , Shi Xian‐ying , Zhang Li‐hui , Feng Jin‐juan , Chen Zhan‐guo
Published: November 2010

A very efficient and reusable catalyst has been developed for the on‐water nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides and tosylates with azide or thiocyanate in excellent to quantitative yields. The reaction proceeds smoothly and cleanly without any organic cosolvent or other adductive, and the brush can be reused at least 10 times without noticeable loss of the catalytic activity. The high efficiency, simplicity of product and catalyst isolation, outstanding recyclability, and organic‐solvent‐free conditions show promise for the use of this catalyst in the laboratory and in industry.
Elemental Iodine or Diphenyl Diselenide in the [Bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene‐Mediated Conversion of Alkynes into 1,2‐Diketones
Authors: Tingoli Marco , Mazzella Mauro , Panunzi Barbara , Tuzi Angela
Published: November 2010

Both elemental iodine and diphenyl diselenides, in the presence of [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene (PIFA), promote the transformation of internal alkynes into the corresponding 1,2‐diketones. The reactions carried out in the presence of iodine unfortunately did not proceed with complete conversion of the starting alkynes. On the other hand, diphenyl diselenide was more efficient and gave satisfactory transformation of the starting alkynes into 1,2‐diketones in better yields. The structure of the vicinal dicarbonyl compounds were confirmed by applying a subsequent condensation reaction to construct the corresponding quinoxaline derivatives.
New Photochromic Dithienylethenes through a Click Chemistry Approach
Authors: Tosic Oliver , Mattay Jochen
Published: November 2010

Symmetric dithienylethenes 9–12 bearing a variety of substituents were synthesized by a click chemistry approach. The starting material, diacetylene 4, was obtained through Wittig reaction of dialdehyde 1 with dibromomethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (2) and subsequent treatment with a lithium base (Corey–Fuchs reaction). Triazoles 11 and 12 with covalently linked fluorophore moieties show reversible quenching of fluorescence in solution.
Deregulation of FoxM1b leads to tumour metastasis
Authors: Park Hyun Jung , Gusarova Galina , Wang Zebin , Carr Janai R. , Li Jing , Kim Ki‐Hyun , Qiu Jin , Park Yoon‐Dong , Williamson Peter R. , Hay Nissim , Tyner Angela L. , Lau Lester F. , Costa Robert H. , Raychaudhuri Pradip
Published: November 2010

The forkhead box M1b (FoxM1b) transcription factor is over‐expressed in human cancers, and its expression often correlates with poor prognosis. Previously, using conditional knockout strains, we showed that FoxM1b is essential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, over‐expression of FoxM1b had only marginal effects on HCC progression. Here we investigated the effect of FoxM1b expression in the absence of its inhibitor Arf. We show that transgenic expression of FoxM1b in an Arf‐null background drives hepatic fibrosis and metastasis of HCC. We identify novel mechanisms of FoxM1b that are involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition, cell motility, invasion and a pre‐metastatic niche formation. FoxM1b activates the Akt‐Snail1 pathway and stimulates expression of Stathmin, lysyl oxidase, lysyl oxidase like‐2 and several other genes involved in metastasis. Furthermore, we show that an Arf‐derived peptide, which inhibits FoxM1b, impedes metastasis of the FoxM1b‐expressing HCC cells. The observations indicate that FoxM1b is a potent activator of tumour metastasis and that the Arf‐mediated inhibition of FoxM1b is a critical mechanism for suppression of tumour metastasis.
Bidirectional seismic performance of steel beam to circular tubular column connections with outer diaphragm
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Yiyi , Li Wanqi , Leon Roberto T.
Published: November 2010

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the seismic behavior of H‐beam to circular tubular column connections stiffened by an outer ring diaphragm. An innovative three‐dimensional (3D) connection subassembly testing system was first described. Specimens representative of two‐dimensional (2D) interior columns, 3D interior and exterior columns in a steel building frame were then tested to failure under unidirectional or bidirectional cyclic loads. Various specimen parameters are used to evaluate their effects on connection behavior. Test results indicate significantly different failure modes for 2D and 3D weak panel connections, with panel shear buckling and local distortion of outer diaphragm occurring only for 3D connections. The weak beam connections unexceptionally exhibited final fracture at the junction between diaphragm and beam flange. In contrast with weak beam connections, weak panel connections demonstrated better seismic performance and ductility. As a result, a seismic design philosophy considering panel zone yielding before beam flexural yielding is proposed. Based on experiment observations, small diaphragm width and simplified fillet welding are found to be feasible especially for weak beam connections, improving architectural appearance and facilitating construction. Strength evaluations also suggest that current AIJ design provisions may be appropriate when applied to panel zones in 3D connections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of spatial correlation of strong ground motion on uncertainty in earthquake loss estimation
Authors: Sokolov Vladimir , Wenzel Friedemann
Published: November 2010

In addition to the mean values of possible loss during an earthquake, parameters of the probability distribution function for the loss to a portfolio (e.g. fractiles and standard deviation) are very important. Recent studies have shown that the proper treatment of ground‐motion variability and, particularly, the correlation of ground motion are essential for the estimation of the seismic hazard, damage and loss for distributed portfolios. In this study, we compared the effects of variations in the between‐earthquake correlation and in the site‐to‐site correlation on seismic loss and damage estimations for the extended objects (hypothetical portfolio) and critical elements (e.g. bridges) of a network. A scenario earthquake approach and a portfolio containing a set of hypothetical building and bridges were used for the purpose. We showed that the relative influences of the types of correlation on characteristics of loss distribution and the probability of damage are not equal. In some cases, when the median values of loss distribution or the probability that at least one critical element of a lifeline will be damaged are considered and when the spatial correlation of ground motion is used, the possible variations in the between‐earthquake correlation may be neglected. The shape of the site‐to‐site correlation function (i.e. the rate of decrease of the coefficient of spatial correlation with separation distance) seems also to be important when modelling spatially correlated ground‐motion fields. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of ground motion spatial variation, site condition and SSI on the required separation distances of bridge structures to avoid seismic pounding
Authors: Bi Kaiming , Hao Hong , Chouw Nawawi
Published: November 2010

It is commonly understood that earthquake ground excitations at multiple supports of large dimensional structures are not the same. These ground motion spatial variations may significantly influence the structural responses. Similarly, the interaction between the foundation and the surrounding soil during earthquake shaking also affects the dynamic response of the structure. Most previous studies on ground motion spatial variation effects on structural responses neglected soil–structure interaction (SSI) effect. This paper studies the combined effects of ground motion spatial variation, local site amplification and SSI on bridge responses, and estimates the required separation distances that modular expansion joints must provide to avoid seismic pounding. It is an extension of a previous study (Earthquake Engng Struct. Dyn. 2010; 39(3):303–323), in which combined ground motion spatial variation and local site amplification effects on bridge responses were investigated. The present paper focuses on the simultaneous effect of SSI and ground motion spatial variation on structural responses. The soil surrounding the pile foundation is modelled by frequency‐dependent springs and dashpots in the horizontal and rotational directions. The peak structural responses are estimated by using the standard random vibration method. The minimum total gap between two adjacent bridge decks or between bridge deck and adjacent abutment to prevent seismic pounding is estimated. Numerical results show that SSI significantly affects the structural responses, and cannot be neglected. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Common pathogenetic mechanism involving human chromosome 18 in familial and sporadic ileal carcinoid tumors
Authors: Cunningham Janet L. , Díaz de Ståhl Teresita , Sjöblom Tobias , Westin Gunnar , Dumanski Jan P. , Janson Eva T.
Published: November 2010

Serotonin producing endocrine carcinoma of small intestine (ileal carcinoid) is a clinically distinct endocrine tumor. It is generally considered as a sporadic disease and its molecular etiology is poorly understood. We report comprehensive clinical and molecular studies of 55 sporadic and familial patients diagnosed with this condition. Nine pedigrees encompassing 23 affected subjects were established, consistent with autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Familial and sporadic patients demonstrated indistinguishable clinical pictures. Molecular analyses of 61 tumors from 45 individuals, including eight familial and 37 sporadic patients, aimed at determination of global copy number aberrations using BAC and Illumina SNP arrays and gene expression profiling by Affymetrix chips. Chromosome 18 aberrations were identified in both sporadic and in familial tumors; 100% vs. 38%, respectively. Other, less frequent aberrations were also common for both groups. Global expression profiles revealed no differentially expressed genes. Frequent gain of chromosome 7 was exclusively observed in metastases, when patient matched primary tumors and metastases were compared. Notably, the latter aberration correlated with solid growth pattern morphology (P < 0.01), a histopathological feature that has previously been related to worse prognosis. The clinical and molecular similarities identified between sporadic and familial cases suggest a common pathogenetic mechanism involved in tumor initiation. The familial variant of ileal carcinoid represents a previously unrecognized autosomal dominant inherited tumor disease, which we propose to call Familial Ileal Endocrine Carcinoma (FIEC). Our findings indicate the location of a FIEC tumor suppressor gene near the telomere of 18q, involved in development of inherited and sporadic tumors. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of untyped SNPs: maximum likelihood and imputation methods
Authors: Hu Y.J. , Lin D.Y.
Published: November 2010

Analysis of untyped single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can facilitate the localization of disease‐causing variants and permit meta‐analysis of association studies with different genotyping platforms. We present two approaches for using the linkage disequilibrium structure of an external reference panel to infer the unknown value of an untyped SNP from the observed genotypes of typed SNPs. The maximum‐likelihood approach integrates the prediction of untyped genotypes and estimation of association parameters into a single framework and yields consistent and efficient estimators of genetic effects and gene‐environment interactions with proper variance estimators. The imputation approach is a two‐stage strategy, which first imputes the untyped genotypes by either the most likely genotypes or the expected genotype counts and then uses the imputed values in a downstream association analysis. The latter approach has proper control of type I error in single‐SNP tests with possible covariate adjustments even when the reference panel is misspecified; however, type I error may not be properly controlled in testing multiple‐SNP effects or gene‐environment interactions. In general, imputation yields biased estimators of genetic effects and gene‐environment interactions, and the variances are underestimated. We conduct extensive simulation studies to compare the bias, type I error, power, and confidence interval coverage between the maximum likelihood and imputation approaches in the analysis of single‐SNP effects, multiple‐SNP effects, and gene‐environment interactions under cross‐sectional and case‐control designs. In addition, we provide an illustration with genome‐wide data from the Wellcome Trust Case‐Control Consortium (WTCCC) [2007]. Genet. Epidemiol. 34:803–815, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preferences for new and existing contraceptive products
Authors: Fiebig Denzil G. , Knox Stephanie , Viney Rosalie , Haas Marion , Street Deborah J.
Published: November 2010

New contraceptive methods provide greater choice in terms of effectiveness, management of side‐effects, convenience and frequency of administration and flexibility, but make the decisions about contraception more complex. There are limited data on the factors that determine women's choices among these alternatives, to inform providers about the factors which are most important to women, or to predict uptake of new products. This paper reports on a choice experiment designed to elicit women's preferences in relation to prescribed contraception and to forecast the impact of the introduction of two new products into the Australian market. A generalised multinomial logit model is estimated and used in the simulation exercise. The model forecasts that the hormonal patch would be well received among women, achieving a greater market share than current non‐pill products, but the vaginal ring would have limited appeal. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scope insensitivity in contingent valuation studies of health care services: should we ask twice?
Authors: Gyrd‐Hansen D. , Kjær T. , Nielsen J. S.
Published: November 2010

The main purpose of the present study was to test for outcome scope insensitivity. Respondents were initially asked to value one of two severe health states by way of a time‐trade‐off (TTO) exercise. Subsequent to the TTO exercise all respondents were asked to value an intervention, which offered a reduction in risk of falling into the health state they had evaluated. All respondents were subsequent to this initial CV exercise asked to value the same risk reduction, but in this case the outcome was death. Although our study passes the internal scope test, there is not a high degree of sensitivity to outcome. As many as 68% of respondents stated an identical maximum WTP in first and second CV valuation exercise implying that they value the interventions equally despite the fact that the health state presented in the initial CV question was deemed far better than death according to the TTO responses given by the same respondents. In contrast, the external scope test (comparison of response to initial CV across study arms) fared much better. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Labor adjustment in the Japanese health care industry: some empirical evidence
Authors: Inagaki Kazuyuki
Published: November 2010

This paper examines the labor adjustment costs in the health care industry. Using Japanese data, we find that the cost of hiring new health care workers is the largest component of labor adjustment costs in the health care industry. Hence, it is difficult for employers in this industry to immediately increase the number of workers since this employment adjustment is extremely expensive. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The human factors evaluation program of a control room: The French EPR approach
Authors: Labarthe Jean‐Paul , Garza Cecilia De la
Published: November 2010

The aim of this article is to explain how a human factors evaluation program has been constructed over the last 10 years in the French energy company (Electricité de France [EDF]). This program evaluation is conducted by a human factors team from EDF Research and Development (R&D), specialized in ergonomics and involved in the EPR Project for the operating means and the control room design. Of course, other kinds of experts have been associated, such as designers, future end users, and current end users of control rooms. This article is focused on the methodology developed for this evaluation program. The test protocols, the characteristics of the sample, the data collection, and the data analysis are described to understand the qualitative approach performed and their interest for the French EPR. An example of an evaluation step, based on the simulation of the future activity, is described and discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reducing burnout in call centers through HR practices
Authors: Castanheira Filipa , Chambel Maria José
Published: November 2010

Previous research on call centers has demonstrated that human resource (HR) practices can be related to employee stress; however, these studies did not examine the linking mechanisms underlying these associations. Using the job demands–control (JD‐C) model as a theoretical framework, we examine perceived job demands (namely, emotional dissonance and quantitative demands) and autonomy as potential mediators in the relationship between HR systems and burnout (exhaustion and cynicism). We distinguish between HR control systems, which include performance monitoring practices, and HR involvement systems, which include training, participation, and performance‐related pay. This study samples 811 employees working in 11 call centers. Our findings support the idea that HR systems can help reduce burnout in call centers by verifying that HR control systems associated with more emotional dissonance and less autonomy increase burnout. On the other hand, an HR involvement system decreases workers' burnout because it alleviates the job demands of emotional dissonance and quantitative demands. This study fills a gap in the literature between HR systems and burnout by demonstrating the role job demands and autonomy play in explaining how HR systems improve or decrease workers' exhaustion and cynicism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum thyroglobulin, a biomarker for iodine deficiency, is not associated with increased risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers in a large Chinese cohort
Authors: Lin Shih‐Wen , Fan Jin‐Hu , Dawsey Sanford M. , Taylor Philip R. , Qiao You‐Lin , Abnet Christian C.
Published: November 2010

Iodine concentrates in gastric tissue and may act as an antioxidant for the stomach. We previously showed that self‐reported goiter was associated with significantly increased risk of gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma (GNCA) and nonsignificantly increased risks of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a prospective case–cohort study in a high‐risk population in China. Negatively correlated with iodine levels, serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a more sensitive biomarker of iodine deficiency than goiter. Our study aimed to determine whether baseline serum Tg was also associated with development of GNCA, GCA and ESCC in the same cohort, the Linxian General Population Nutrition Intervention Trial. Sera from ∼200 subjects of each case type and 400 noncases were tested for serum Tg concentration using appropriate assays. Tg was modeled as sex‐ and assay‐specific quartiles in Cox regression models adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol, Helicobacter pylori status, pepsinogens I/II ratio, family history and commune of residence. In the final combined analysis, participants in the highest quartile of serum Tg, compared to those in the lowest quartile, had adjusted hazard ratios of 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.50–1.52), 1.14 (0.63–2.05) and 0.78 (0.47–1.31) for GNCA, GCA and ESCC, respectively. Using serum Tg, a sensitive biomarker of iodine deficiency, we found no association between serum Tg concentrations and risk of these upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers in the study population. Our results do not support the hypothesis that iodine deficiency, as assessed by serum Tg, is associated with an increased risk of UGI cancers.
Finite element analysis performed on radius and tibia HR-pQCT images and fragility fractures at all sites in men
Authors: Vilayphiou Nicolas , Boutroy Stephanie , Szulc Pawel , van Rietbergen Bert , Munoz Francoise , Delmas Pierre D , Chapurlat Roland
Published: November 2010

Few studies have investigated bone microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in men. This study assessed in vivo both aspects in a population of 185 men (aged 71 ± 10 years) with prevalent fragility fractures, compared to 185 controls matched for age, height, and weight, from the Structure of the Aging Men's Bones (STRAMBO) cohort.

In this case-control study, areal BMD (aBMD) was measured by DXA, bone microarchitecture was assessed by high resolution (HR)-pQCT, and finite element (µFE) analysis was based on HR-pQCT images of distal radius and tibia. A principal component (PC) analysis (PCA) was used to study the association of synthetic PCs with fracture by computing their odds ratio (OR [95%CI]) per SD change. Specific associations with vertebral fracture (n = 100), and nonvertebral fracture (n = 85) were also computed.

At both sites, areal and volumetric BMD, cortical thickness and trabecular number, separation, and distribution were significantly worse in cases than in controls, with differences ranging from −6% to 15%. µFE-derived stiffness and failure load were 8% to 9% lower in fractures (p < .01). No difference in load distribution was found between the two groups. After adjustment for aBMD, only differences of µFE-derived stresses, stiffness, and failure load at the tibia remained significant (p < .05).

PCA resulted in defining 4 independent PCs, explaining 83% of the total variability of bone characteristics. Nonvertebral fractures were associated with PC1, reflecting bone quantity and strength at the radius (tibia) with OR = 1.64 [1.27–2.12] (2.21 [1.60–3.04]), and with PC2, defined by trabecular microarchitecture, with OR = 1.27 [1.00–1.61]. Severe vertebral fractures were associated with PC1, with OR = 1.56 [1.16–2.09] (2.21 [1.59–3.07]), and with PC2, with OR = 1.55 [1.17–2.06] (1.45 [1.06–1.98]).

In conclusion, microarchitecture and biomechanical properties derived from µFE were associated with all types of fractures in men, showing that radius and tibia mechanical properties were relatively representative of distant bone site properties. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of human marrow stromal cells require CYP27B1/1α-hydroxylase
Authors: Geng Shuo , Zhou Shuanhu , Glowacki Julie
Published: November 2010

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] has many noncalcemic actions that rest on inhibition of proliferation and promotion of differentiation in malignant and normal cell types. 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates osteoblast differentiation of human marrow stromal cells (hMSCs), but little is known about the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] on these cells. Recent evidence shows that hMSCs participate in vitamin D metabolism and can activate 25(OH)D3 by CYP27B1/1α-hydroxylase. These studies test the hypothesis that antiproliferative and prodifferentiation effects of 25(OH)D3 in hMSCs depend on CYP27B1. We studied hMSCs that constitutively express high (hMSCshi-1α) or low (hMSCslo-1α) levels of CYP27B1 with equivalent expression of CYP24A1 and vitamin D receptor. In hMSCshi-1α, 25(OH)D3 reduced proliferation, downregulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), upregulated p21Waf1/Cip1, and decreased cyclin D1. Unlike 1,25(OH)2D3, the antiapoptotic effects of 25(OH)D3 on Bax and Bcl-2 were blocked by the P450 inhibitor ketoconazole. The antiproliferative effects of 25(OH)D3 in hMSCshi-1α and of 1,25(OH)2D3 in both samples of hMSCs were explained by cell cycle arrest, not by increased apoptosis. Stimulation of osteoblast differentiation in hMSCshi-1α by 25(OH)D3 was prevented by ketoconazole and upon transfection with CYP27B1 siRNA. These data indicate that CYP27B1 is required for 25(OH)D3's action in hMSCs. Three lines of evidence indicate that CYP27B1 is required for the antiproliferative and prodifferentiation effects of 25(OH)D3 on hMSCs: Those effects were not seen (1) in hMSCs with low constitutive expression of CYP27B1, (2) in hMSCs treated with ketoconazole, and (3) in hMSCs in which CYP27B1 expression was silenced. Osteoblast differentiation and skeletal homeostasis may be regulated by autocrine/paracrine actions of 25(OH)D3 in hMSCs. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
RETRACTED: Protective effects of N‐acetyl cysteine on lipid peroxide metabolism on isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats
Authors: Nagoor Meeran Mohamed Fizur , Mainzen Prince Ponnian Stanely
Published: November 2010

The present study was designed to evaluate the preventive effects of N‐acetyl cysteine on lipid peroxide metabolism in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with N‐acetyl cysteine (5 and 10 mg/kg) daily for a period of 14 days. After the pretreatment period, ISO (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to rats twice at an interval of 24 h. Increased activities of serum creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and increased intensities of serum lactate dehydrogenase‐isoenzyme bands (LDH‐1, LDH‐2) were observed in ISO‐induced rats. The heart lipid peroxidation products were significantly increased, and the antioxidant system was significantly reduced in ISO‐induced rats. Pretreatment with N‐acetyl cysteine (5 and 10 mg/kg) to ISO‐induced rats showed significant effects on all the biochemical parameters studied. Histopathological findings of the myocardium also showed the protective role of N‐acetyl cysteine in ISO‐induced rats. Furthermore, in vitro study confirmed the potent‐free radical scavenging activity of N‐acetyl cysteine. The effect at a dose of 10 mg/kg of N‐acetyl cysteine was more pronounced than the dose, 5 mg/kg. The results of our study show that N‐acetyl cysteine protects the heart against ISO‐induced myocardial infarction by its free radical scavenging effect. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:151–157 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20371
Silk fibroin has a protective effect against high glucose induced apoptosis in HIT‐T15 cells
Authors: Park Jun Hong , Nam YoonYi , Park So‐Young , Kim Jin‐Kyung , Choe Nong‐Hoon , Lee Jae‐Young , Oh Yang‐Seok , Suh Jun Gyo
Published: November 2010

High glucose levels induce cell death in many cell types, including pancreatic β‐cells. Although protective agents against glucotoxicity have been searched for extensively, so far none have been found. In this report, we tested silk fibroin (SF) as a candidate material for antiglucotoxicity in the pancreatic β‐cell (HIT‐T15 cell) line. Approximately 50% of cells were killed after treatment with 80 mg/mL glucose. This reduction of cell number was recovered by the addition of SF at 50 mg/mL. SF treatment also decreased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity. In addition, TUNEL assays demonstrated that SF protects against glucose‐induced apoptosis of HIT‐T15 cells, suggesting that SF might protect cells from cell death by lowering cellular ROS levels. SF also induced expression of the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) gene, and IGF‐1 expression may be the cause of SF‐induced protection against glucose toxicity. Taken together, these results suggest that SF could serve as a potential therapeutic agent to treat the hyperglycemia‐induced death of pancreatic β‐cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:238–243, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20381
Cell‐type‐specific organization of nuclear DNA into structural looped domains
Authors: Trevilla‐García Claudia , Aranda‐Anzaldo Armando
Published: November 2010

In the interphase nucleus of metazoan cells the DNA is organized in supercoiled loops anchored to a proteinaceous substructure known as the nuclear matrix (NM). The DNA is anchored to the NM by means of non‐coding sequences of variable length known as matrix attachment regions or MARs operationally classified in structural‐constitutive, resistant to high‐salt extraction and transient‐functional, non‐resistant to high‐salt extraction. The former are also known as true loop attachment regions or LARs that determine structural DNA loops. The DNA–NM interactions define a higher order structure within the cell nucleus (NHOS). We studied in a comparative fashion the NHOS in two primary cell types from the rat: hepatocytes and naive B lymphocytes, by analyzing the topological relationships between the NM and a set of eight short gene sequences located in six separate chromosomes and as such representing a coarse‐grained, large‐scale sample of the actual organization of nuclear DNA into structural loop domains. Our results indicate that such an organization is cell‐type specific since most of the gene sequences studied showed significant differences in their relative position to the NM according to cell type. Such cell‐type specific differences in the NHOS have no obvious correlation with the tissue‐specific transcriptional activity of the corresponding genes, supporting the notion that permanent, structural DNA loops are different from transient, functional DNA loops that may be associated with transcription. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 531–540, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The procollagen type III, alpha 1 (COL3A1) gene first intron expresses poly‐A+ RNA corresponding to multiple ESTs and putative miRNAs
Authors: Sterling Kenneth M.
Published: November 2010

The mouse COL3A1 first intron is 9684 bp. RNA's of approximately 1.6 and 3.0 kb were detected by Northern hybridization analysis of poly‐A RNA from fetal mice and total RNA from suckling and adult mouse intestine using 32P‐labeled, anti‐sense RNA synthesized from a mouse COL3A1 first intron, 5 prime region, 5.4 kb Xba I fragment (1655–7030 bp), recombinant plasmid (pPI5.4x). Expression of the 1.6 and 3.0 kb RNA's was significantly reduced in adult mouse intestine, indicating that these RNAs are developmentally regulated. “BLAST” analysis indicated that the mouse first intron 5 prime sequence has 94–100% identity to 13 mouse ESTs. These mouse first intron EST's lie within the 5.4 Xba I fragment of the mouse COL3A1 first intron. Two of the mouse first intron EST's have significant identity to known miRNA, mature sequences, mmu‐miR‐466f‐3P, mmu‐miR‐1187, and mmu‐miR‐574‐5P as well as others. Predicted targets for mmu‐miR‐466f‐3P include COL1A1, COL19A1, COL11A2, COL4A1, and COL4A5 indicating that COL3A1 intronic miRNAs may regulate the expression of other collagen genes in development. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 541–547, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enterovirus 71 modulates a COX‐2/PGE2/cAMP‐dependent viral replication in human neuroblastoma cells: Role of the c‐Src/EGFR/p42/p44 MAPK/CREB signaling pathway
Authors: Tung Wei‐Hsuan , Hsieh Hsi‐Lung , Lee I‐Ta , Yang Chuen‐Mao
Published: November 2010

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) has been shown to induce cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells through the action of MAPKs, NF‐κB, and AP‐1. On the other hand, the transcription factor CREB has also been implicated in the expression of COX‐2 in other cell lines. Here, we report that EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE2 production were both inhibited by pretreatment with the PKA inhibitor H89 or by transfection with CREB siRNA. In addition, EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and c‐Src/EGFR phosphorylation were both attenuated by transfection with c‐Src siRNA or pretreatment with the inhibitors of c‐Src (PP1) or EGF receptor (EGFR) (AG1478 and EGFR‐neutralizing antibody). We also observed that EV71‐induced p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation was decreased following pretreatment with AG1478. Moreover, EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression was blocked by pretreatment with the p300 inhibitor GR343 or by transfection with p300 siRNA. Using immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we observed that EV71 stimulated the association of CREB and p300 with the COX‐2 promoter region. Notably, we also demonstrated that EV71‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE2 production promoted viral replication via cAMP signaling. In summary, this study demonstrates that EV71 activates the c‐Src/EGFR/p42/p44 MAPK pathway in human SK‐N‐SH cell, which leads to the activation of CREB/p300, and stimulates COX‐2 expression and PGE2 release. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 559–570, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphoproteome profiling for cold temperature perception
Authors: Park Seyeon , Jang Mi
Published: November 2010

Temperature sensation initiates from the activation of cellular receptors when the cell is exposed to a decrease in temperature. Here, we applied a phosphoproteome profiling approach to the human lung epithelial cell line BEAS‐2B to elucidate cellular cold‐responsive processes. The primary aim of this study was to determine which intracellular changes of phosphorylation are accompanied by cold sensation. Eighteen protein spots that exhibited differentially phosphorylated changes in cells were identified. Most of the proteins that were phosphorylated after 5 or 10 min were returned to control levels after 30 or 60 min. Identified proteins were mainly RNA‐related (i.e., they were involved in RNA binding and splicing). Temperature (18 and 10°C) stimuli showed homologies that were detected for time course changes in phosphoproteome. The data indicated a time‐shift between two temperatures. The phosphorylation of putative cold responsive markers, such as ribosomal protein large P0 and heterochromatin‐associated proteins 1, were verified by Western blotting in cells transfected with TRPM8 or TRPA1. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 633–642, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The association between night or weekend admission and hospitalization‐relevant patient outcomes
Authors: Khanna Raman , Wachsberg Kelley , Marouni Amir , Feinglass Joseph , Williams Mark V. , Wayne Diane B.
Published: November 2010

Introduction:

Nights and weekends represent a potentially high‐risk time for hospitalized patients. Data regarding night or weekend admission and its impact on outcomes is limited. We studied the association between night or weekend admission and outcomes.

Methods:

We reviewed 857 admissions to the general medicine services from the emergency department (ED) at our tertiary care hospital for demographic information, time and day of admission, and hospitalization‐relevant outcomes (length of stay [LOS], hospital charges, intensive care unit [ICU] transfer during hospitalization, repeat ED visit within 30 days, readmission within 30 days, and poor outcome [ICU transfer, cardiac arrest, or death] within the first 24 hours of admission). Outcomes were compared between groups using univariate and multivariate modeling.

Results:

Complete data for analysis were available for 824 patients. A total of 58% of patients were admitted at night and 22% were admitted during the weekend. Patients admitted at night as compared to those admitted during the day had similar a LOS (4.1 vs. 4.3, P = 0.38), hospital charges (25,200 vs. 27,500, P = 0.17), ICU transfer during hospitalization (3% vs. 6%, P = 0.06), 30 day repeat ED visit (22% vs. 20%, P = 0.42), 30 day readmission (20% vs. 17%, P = 0.23), and poor outcomes within 24 hours of admission (1% vs. 2%, P = 0.15). Patients admitted during the weekend as compared to those admitted during the week had lower hospital charges and lower likelihood of an ICU transfer but were otherwise similar.

Conclusion:

Night or weekend admission was not associated with worse hospitalization‐relevant outcomes at our tertiary care hospital. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.