bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of microsatellites and gene contents from genome shotgun sequences of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
Authors: Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Somta Prakit , Uthaipaisanwong Pichahpuk , Chanprasert Juntima , Sangsrakru Duangjai , Seehalak Worapa , Sommanas Warunee , Tragoonrung Somvong , Srinives Peerasak
Published: November 2009

Background

Mungbean is an important economical crop in Asia. However, genomic research has lagged behind other crop species due to the lack of polymorphic DNA markers found in this crop. The objective of this work is to develop and characterize microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers from genome shotgun sequencing of mungbean.

Result

We have generated and characterized a total of 470,024 genome shotgun sequences covering 100.5 Mb of the mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) genome using 454 sequencing technology. We identified 1,493 SSR motifs that could be used as potential molecular markers. Among 192 tested primer pairs in 17 mungbean accessions, 60 loci revealed polymorphism with polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranging from 0.0555 to 0.6907 with an average of 0.2594. Majority of microsatellite markers were transferable in Vigna species, whereas transferability rates were only 22.90% and 24.43% in Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max, respectively. We also used 16 SSR loci to evaluate phylogenetic relationship of 35 genotypes of the Asian Vigna group. The genome survey sequences were further analyzed to search for gene content. The evidence suggested 1,542 gene fragments have been sequence tagged, that fell within intersected existing gene models and shared sequence homology with other proteins in the database. Furthermore, potential microRNAs that could regulate developmental stages and environmental responses were discovered from this dataset.

Conclusion

In this report, we provided evidence of generating remarkable levels of diverse microsatellite markers and gene content from high throughput genome shotgun sequencing of the mungbean genomic DNA. The markers could be used in germplasm analysis, accessing genetic diversity and linkage mapping of mungbean.
Characteristics and outcome of infants with candiduria in neonatal intensive care - a Paediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada (PICNIC) study
Authors: Robinson Joan L , Davies H Dele , Barton Michelle , O'Brien Karel , Simpson Kim , Asztalos Elizabeth , Synnes Anne , Rubin Earl , Le Saux Nicole , Hui Charles , Langley Joanne M , Sauve Reg , de Repentigny Louis , Kovacs Lajos , Tan Ben , Richardson Susan E
Published: November 2009

Background

There is limited information in the literature on the presentation and prognosis of candidal urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study performed in 13 Canadian NICUs. Infants with candidal UTI without extra-renal candidal infection at presentation were enrolled.

Results

Thirty infants fit the study criteria. Median birth weight and gestational age were 2595 grams (range 575-4255) and 35 weeks (range 24-41) with 10 infants being < 30 weeks gestation. The most common primary underlying diagnosis was congenital heart disease (n = 10). The median age at initial diagnosis was 16 days (range 6-84 days). Renal ultrasonography findings were compatible with possible fungal disease in 15 of the 26 infants (58%) in whom it was performed. Treatment was variable, but fluconazole and either amphotericin B deoxycholate or lipid-based amphotericin B in combination or sequentially were used most frequently. Extra-renal candidiasis subsequently developed in 4 infants. In 2 of these 4 infants, dissemination happened during prolonged courses of anti-fungal therapy. Three of 9 deaths were considered to be related to candidal infection. No recurrences of candiduria or episodes of invasive candidiasis following treatment were documented.

Conclusion

Candidal UTI in the NICU population occurs both in term infants with congenital abnormalities and in preterm infants, and is associated with renal parenchymal disease and extra-renal dissemination. A wide variation in clinical approach was documented in this multicenter study. The overall mortality rate in these infants was significant (30%). In one third of the deaths, Candida infection was deemed to be a contributing factor, suggesting the need for antifungal therapy with repeat evaluation for dissemination in infants who are slow to respond to therapy.
A unified approach to molecular epidemiology investigations: tools and patterns in California as a case study for endemic shigellosis
Authors: Al-Nimri Sawsan , Miller Woutrina A , Byrne Barbara A , Guibert Gerry , Chen Lily
Published: November 2009

Background

Shigellosis causes diarrheal disease in humans from both developed and developing countries, and multi-drug resistance is an emerging problem. The objective of this study is to present a unified approach that can be used to characterize endemic and outbreak patterns of shigellosis using use a suite of epidemiologic and molecular techniques. The approach is applied to a California case study example of endemic shigellosis at the population level.

Methods

Epidemiologic patterns were evaluated with respect to demographics, multi-drug resistance, antimicrobial resistance genes, plasmid profiles, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) fingerprints for the 43 Shigella isolates obtained by the Monterey region health departments over the two year period from 2004-2005.

Results

The traditional epidemiologic as well as molecular epidemiologic findings were consistent with endemic as compared to outbreak shigellosis in this population. A steady low level of cases was observed throughout the study period and high diversity was observed among strains. In contrast to most studies in developed countries, the predominant species was Shigella flexneri (51%) followed closely by S. sonnei (49%). Over 95% of Shigella isolates were fully resistant to three or more antimicrobial drug subclasses, and 38% of isolates were resistant to five or more subclasses. More than half of Shigella strains tested carried the tetB, catA, or bla
TEM genes for antimicrobial resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin, respectively.

Conclusion

This study shows how epidemiologic patterns at the host and bacterial population levels can be used to investigate endemic as compared to outbreak patterns of shigellosis in a community. Information gathered as part of such investigations will be instrumental in identifying emerging antimicrobial resistance, for developing treatment guidelines appropriate for that community, and to provide baseline data with which to compare outbreak strains in the future.
Access to malaria treatment in young children of rural Burkina Faso
Authors: Tipke Maike , Louis Valérie R , Yé Maurice , De Allegri Manuela , Beiersmann Claudia , Sié Ali , Mueller Olaf , Jahn Albrecht
Published: November 2009

Background

Effective and timely treatment is an essential aspect of malaria control, but remains a challenge in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to describe young children's access to malaria treatment in Nouna Health District, Burkina Faso.

Methods

In February/March 2006, a survey was conducted in a representative sample of 1,052 households.

Results

Overall 149/1052 (14%) households reported the current possession of anti-malarial medicine, which was significantly associated with urban area, literacy of household head, having young children, and high socio-economic status. Out of a total of 802 children under five years, at least one malaria episode was reported for 239 (30%) within the last month. Overall 95% of children received treatment, either modern (72%), traditional (18%) or mixed (5%). Most of the medicines were provided as home treatment by the caregiver and half of children received some type of modern treatment within 24 hours of the occurrence of first symptoms. Despite a recent policy change to artemisinin-based combination therapy, modern anti-malarials consisted mainly of chloroquine (93%). Modern drugs were obtained more often from a health facility in localities with a health facility compared to those without (60% vs. 25.6%, p < 0.001). In contrast, beside informal providers, volunteer community health workers (CHW) were the main source of modern medicine in localities without a health centre (28% vs. 3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Access to modern health services providing quality controlled effective combination therapies against malaria needs to be strengthened in rural Africa, which should include a re-investigation of the role of CHW 30 years after Alma Ata.
Specific subsets of immune cells in human decidua differ between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia - a prospective observational study
Authors: Rieger Lorenz , Segerer Sabine , Bernar Thomas , Kapp Michaela , Majic Monika , Morr Ann-Katrin , Dietl Johannes , Kämmerer Ulrike
Published: November 2009

Background

Changes in the balance of decidual leucocyte populations may lead to an unfavourable uterine microenvironment which may be associated with the development of preeclampsia (PE). In this study, we therefore investigated the leucocyte subpopulations in decidual tissues of 33 women with preeclampsia and 66 control patients.

Methods

Decidua was either obtained via curettage during cesarean section or dissected from the surface of the basal plate of the placenta after spontaneous delivery. We used FACS analysis to quantify decidual leukocytes (CD45), NK cells (CD56+/CD16+ and CD56++/CD16-), antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR, DC-Sign, CD14) and T/B cells (CD8, CD4, alpha-beta-T-cell receptor, gamma-delta-T-cell receptor, CD25, CD19).

Results

The number of decidual cytotoxic CD8+T-lymphocytes (P < 0.02), alpha-beta -T-cell receptor positive T cells (P < 0.03) and of CD56+/CD16+ NK cells (P < 0.03) was lower in decidua from women with PE than in decidua from control patients.

Conclusion

The observed reduction of specific leucocyte subsets could create a microenvironment which is unfavourable for an appropriate placentation and could thereby be involved in the development of preeclamptic symptoms.
Fhl5/Act, a CREM-binding transcriptional activator required for normal sperm maturation and morphology, is not essential for testicular gene expression
Authors: Lardenois Aurélie , Chalmel Frédéric , Demougin Philippe , Kotaja Noora , Sassone-Corsi Paolo , Primig Michael
Published: November 2009

Background

The LIM domain protein Fhl5 was previously found to interact with CREM, a DNA binding transcriptional regulator necessary for spermiogenesis in mammals. Co-transfection experiments using heterologous promoter constructs indicated a role for Fhl5 in transcriptional up-regulation of CREM-dependent testicular genes. Male mice lacking Fhl5 were reported to be fertile but displayed partially abnormal sperm maturation and morphology.

Methods

To identify Fhl5 testicular target genes we carried out two whole-genome expression profiling experiments using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays and total testis samples from Fhl5 wild-type versus homozygous mutant mice first in different and then in isogenic strain backgrounds.

Results

Weak signal differences were detected in non-isogenic samples but no statistically significant expression changes were observed when isogenic Fhl5 mutant and wild-type samples were compared.

Conclusion

The outcome of these experiments suggests that testicular expression profiling is extremely sensitive to the genetic background and that Fhl5 is not essential for testicular gene expression to a level detected by microarray-based measurements. This might be due to redundant function of the related and similarly expressed protein Fhl4.
Plantar erythrodysesthesia with bullous otitis externa, toxicities from sorafenib: a case report
Authors: Carter Corey A , Rajan Arun , Giaccone Giuseppe
Published: November 2009

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and the use of novel agents, such as sorafenib has now demonstrated activity in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. We present a case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung, who was being treated on clinical trial with single agent sorafenib. After seven weeks of treatment the patient presented to clinic with difficulty walking. Physical exam revealed acral erythema with bollous formation on bilateral soles of his feet. Otoscopic exam revealed bilateral external canal bullous lesion. The patient was diagnosed with plantar erythrodysesthesia with bullous otitis externa, a new toxicities in patients being treated with sorafenib.
Liver abscess caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae: two case reports
Authors: Casella Francesco , Finazzi Luigi , Repetti Valentina , Rubin Giampaolo , DiMarco Maria , Mauro Tiziana , Furlan Raffaello
Published: November 2009

Introduction

The present case reports highlight the peculiar aspect of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess, an emerging disease in United States and Western countries.

Case presentation

We report two cases of Asiatic patients with Klebsiella-associated liver abscesses evaluated at our institution over a one-year period. Both of them had non-specific clinical symptoms at presentation, a peculiar ultrasonographic appearance and successful treatment with early percutaneous drainage.

Conclusion

Klebsiella related liver abscess is an emerging disease with peculiar clinical features. As compared with other bacterial liver abscesses, Klebsiella pneumonia associated pyogenic liver abscess has distinctive risk factors, unique ultrasonographic and computed tomography features and different prognosis.
Band of cacophony - abdominal catastrophe caused by the fibrous band of Meckel's diverticulum: a case report
Authors: Dutta Gautam , Chowdhury Aparna Saha , Panda Mukta
Published: November 2009

Introduction

This report calls attention to small bowel necrosis resulting as a complication of formation of an obstructive loop of small bowel around a band of Meckel's diverticulum.

Case presentation

We report a case of an adult in his 5th decade presenting with sharp, colicky abdominal pain. On presentation his vitals were within normal limits, abdomen was non-distended but tender and rigid all over, more on left lower quadrant without any rebound tenderness. Bowel sounds were hypoactive. Rectal exam showed an empty vault. White blood cell count was 9.0 x 103/mm3 with 94.5% neutrophils, Hb of 9.0 gm/dl and Hct of 31.3%, liver and pancreatic enzymes were not elevated. Arterial blood gas did not show any acidosis and lactic acid level was not elevated. X-ray showed a non-obstructive bowel pattern without any free air. Abdominal computed tomography with oral and intravenous gastrograffin showed findings consistent with complete mid to distal small bowel obstruction secondary to a closed loop obstruction. Emergent laparotomy showed a Meckel's diverticulum that had formed a band around a portion of small bowel causing it to twist upon itself and become necrotic.

Conclusion

Histopathology revealed Meckel's diverticulum and benign intestinal tissue with hemorrhagic necrosis.
Primary intraosseous osteolytic meningioma of the skull: a case report
Authors: Sheikhrezaie Abdolreza , Meybodi Ali Tayebi , Hashemi Mohammad , Shafiee Sajad
Published: November 2009

Primary intraosseous meningiomas are uncommon. The osteolytic variants of these tumors are even rarer. When one reviews a bony skull lesion, the differential diagnosis is very wide and includes both malignant and benign diseases. In case of primary skull meningioma, correct diagnosis and total resection of the lesion ensures curative therapy. Presented is a case of osteolytic skull lesion not invading the dura that was proved to be a fibrillary meningioma with regions of syncitial pattern.
Different responses to two types of 5-fluorouracil prodrugs in combination with interferon-alpha in pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Morita Tatsuo , Nakano Kazuhiko , Yuzawa Masayuki
Published: November 2009

A 66-year-old Japanese man with pulmonary metastases of renal cell carcinoma found 8 months after radical nephrectomy was treated with interferon-alpha and tegafur-uracil. Since it failed to achieve tumor responses resulting in progression, he was given interferon-alpha and capecitabine. After 2 courses of combination therapy with IFN-alpha and capecitabine, significant tumor responses were obtained; two out of four pulmonary metastatic sites disappeared completely, one site showed over 50% decrease in size, and the remaining one site did no change in size. The regimen was well tolerated and toxicity observed was World Health Organization grade 1 anorexia. His disease status was maintained as stable disease by the repeated treatment with interferon-alpha and capecitabine for 17 months after tumor responses were obtained. However, tumor progression was observed thereafter. He is at present under treatment with sorafenib. This is the first case report of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which showed different responses to two types of 5-fluorouracil prodrugs in combination with interferon-alpha, suggesting the biochemical modulation of capecitabine by interferon-alpha as a possible mechanism underlying the antitumor effect of the combination of interferon-alpha and capecitabine at the clinical setting. Present case also suggests that a combination of tumor-selective capecitabine with interferon-alpha is a potentially useful therapeutic option in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Tumor-like pulmonary sarcoidosis diagnosed by CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy
Authors: Sidiropoulou N , Filippousis P , Apostolopoulou S , Tsangaridou I , Thanos L
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Most patients referred for lung biopsy have a focal lesion that is likely to be a carcinoma and fine needle aspiration (FNA) is usually sufficient to confirm diagnosis. Percutaneous cutting needle biopsy (CNB) is an important and potential diagnostic technique when non carcinomatous disease is suspected or when the pulmonary disease is unclear, so tissue architecture is very important.

Case presentation

We present a case of a 24 year old male arrived at our hospital with dyspnea and unusual computed tomography (CT) findings of sarcoidosis. Chest X-ray and CT scan revealed multiple masses in both lungs suggesting lung metastasis. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage did not reveal any malignant cells. None of the laboratory examinations revealed any primary extrapulmonary tumor. The patient underwent CT-guided core needle biopsy. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Conclusion

CT-guided core needle biopsy is a very helpful diagnostic tool in order to determine the benign or malignant nature of a thoracic lesion.
Cement leakage in a symptomatic vertebral hemangioma: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Evangelopoulos Dimitrios S , Kontovazenitis Panos , Kokkinis Konstantinos , Glynos Michalis , Korres Dimitrios S , Sapkas George
Published: November 2009

We present the case of a 50-year-old male with consistent back pain, not resolving with conservative treatment. Plain radiograms demonstrated a lytic lesion at the level of the 8th thoracic vertebra. Thorough examination with computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hemangioma extending to the posterior third of the vertebral body, compressing the spinal cord at the level of 8th thoracic vertebra. A percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed. The post-operative computerized tomography scan demonstrated cement leakage. After thorough cement removal combined with extensive decompression and posterior stabilization, the patient reported gradual improvement of his symptoms and was able to return successfully to his work a few months later.
Choroidopathy and kidney disease: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kamdar Nirav V , Erko Amsalu , Ehrlich Jason S , Kim Jonathan W , Kambham Neeraja , Chertow Glenn M
Published: November 2009

The patient was a 41 year-old Mexican American women who presented with a decrease in visual acuity along with periorbital and peripheral edema. She was diagnosed with bilateral serous retinal detachment and diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. She improved considerably in hospital after treatment with corticosteroids.
High-resolution computed tomography illustrating pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis in a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer: a case report
Authors: Wan-Hsiu Liao , Sheng-Hsiang Lin , Tsu-Tuan Wu
Published: November 2009

We present a case of advanced pancreatic cancer with diffuse pulmonary interstitial infiltrates and dyspnea in a 61-year-old Asian Taiwanese female. Although surgical lung biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard in most interstitial lung disease, it frequently leads to complications in sick patients. Based on the overall clinico-radiologic correlation, a diagnosis of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis was supported by the characteristic findings in high-resolution computed tomography.
Sero-negative celiac disease with dermatitis herpetiformes: a case report
Authors: Adhi Mehreen , Farooq Asma , Hamid Syed Ali , Hasan Rabia , Mamji Salman , Baloch Akhtar Ali
Published: November 2009

Introduction

We report a case of sero-negative celiac disease in Pakistan.

Case presentation

A 20-year-old female presented with papulovesicular rash for 15 years, diarrhea for 8 years, spasms of hands and twitching of face for 4-5 months. She had mild anemia, low vitamin-D3 and serum calcium. On exclusion of other causes of malabsorption, anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (immunoglobulin-A & immunoglobulin-G), anti-endomysial antibodies, total immunoglobulin-A levels and skin biopsy were performed, which were normal. Intestinal biopsy revealed subtotal villous atrophy. Patient was prescribed gluten-free diet, to which she responded with alleviation of symptoms.

Conclusion

Negative serology should not rule out celiac disease; intestinal biopsy should be performed if there is strong clinical suspicion.
An unusual case of bilateral hydroureteronephrosis caused by uretero-vesico malakoplakia in a young male: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Patnayak Rashmi , Reddy Mandyam Kumaraswamy , Subramanian Srinivasn , Jena Amitabh , Ravisankar Gangi , Dandu Rambabu Satya
Published: November 2009

Introduction

Malakoplakia is an unusual chronic inflammatory disease. Malakoplakia of the bladder and ureter is quite rare.

Case presentation

We present a case of a young male diagnosed as malakoplakia of urinary bladder and ureter. He presented with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. The patient underwent left ureterocystotomy. Again, he was admitted after a gap of ten years and with features of end stage renal disease.

Conclusion

This rare case of urinary bladder and ureter malakoplakia in a young male is presented, to stress upon the fact that though it is a chronic inflammatory disease, yet its outcome over the years is dismal.
Prosthetic rehabilitation of hypophosphatasia: a case report
Authors: Bağiş Bora , Baltacioğlu Esra , Aydoğan Elif , Tamam Evşen
Published: November 2009

Hypophosphatasia is a congenital disease characterized by deficiency of serum and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity. The disease occurs due to mutations in the liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase gene. Six clinical forms of hypophosphatasia are recognized. Systemic symptoms of the disease are respiratory complications, premature craniosynostosis, widespread demineralization and rachitic changes in the metaphases, stress fractures, chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthropathy. Characteristic dental symptoms are premature deciduous teeth loss, premature exfoliation of fully rooted primary teeth, severe dental caries and alveolar bone loss. This clinical report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a twenty two year-old Turkish female patient with hypophosphatasia.
Intramural duodenal hematoma and hemoperitoneum after endoscopic treatment in a patient with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis: a case report
Authors: Chung Sungjin , Park Cheol Whee , Chung Hyun Wha , Shin Seok Joon , Chang Yoon Sik
Published: November 2009

Introduction

An intramural duodenal hematoma is a rare but recognized complication that usually develops after abdominal trauma, predominantly in children and young adults.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a patient that developed an intramural duodenal hematoma after endoscopic treatment for a bleeding ulcer who also was undergoing conventional hemodialysis for chronic renal failure associated with lupus nephritis. A hemoperitoneum and near-total duodenal obstruction developed but spontaneously resolved with conservative treatment.

Conclusion

Clinicians should be aware of such possible complications after endoscopic hemostasis in patients with coagulation disorders.
Probiotics and gastrointestinal disease: successes, problems and future prospects
Authors: Culligan Eamonn P , Hill Colin , Sleator Roy D
Published: November 2009

Gastrointestinal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide each year. Treatment of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is difficult due to the ambiguity surrounding their precise aetiology. Infectious gastrointestinal diseases, such as various types of diarrheal disease are also becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the increasing dissemination of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms and the emergence of the so-called 'superbugs'. Taking into consideration these problems, the need for novel therapeutics is essential. Although described for over a century probiotics have only been extensively researched in recent years. Their use in the treatment and prevention of disease, particularly gastrointestinal disease, has yielded many successful results, some of which we outline in this review. Although promising, many probiotics are hindered by inherent physiological and technological weaknesses and often the most clinically promising strains are unusable. Consequently we discuss various strategies whereby probiotics may be engineered to create designer probiotics. Such innovative approaches include; a receptor mimicry strategy to create probiotics that target specific pathogens and toxins, a patho-biotechnology approach using pathogen-derived genes to create more robust probiotic stains with increased host and processing-associated stress tolerance profiles and meta-biotechnology, whereby, functional metagenomics may be used to identify novel genes from diverse and vastly unexplored environments, such as the human gut, for use in biotechnology and medicine.
Searching for SNPs with cloud computing
Authors: Langmead Ben , Schatz Michael C , Lin Jimmy , Pop Mihai , Salzberg Steven L
Published: November 2009

As DNA sequencing outpaces improvements in computer speed, there is a critical need to accelerate tasks like alignment and SNP calling. Crossbow is a cloud-computing software tool that combines the aligner Bowtie and the SNP caller SOAPsnp. Executing in parallel using Hadoop, Crossbow analyzes data comprising 38-fold coverage of the human genome in three hours using a 320-CPU cluster rented from a cloud computing service for about $85. Crossbow is available from http://bowtie-bio.sourceforge.net/crossbow/.
Phase I Study of Accelerated Conformal Radiotherapy for Stage I Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Patients With Pulmonary Dysfunction: CALGB 39904
Authors: Bogart Jeffrey A. , Hodgson Lydia , Seagren Stephen L. , Blackstock A. William , Wang Xiaofei , Lenox Robert , Turrisi Andrew T. , Reilly John , Gajra Ajeet , Vokes Everett E. , Green Mark R.
Published: November 2009

Purpose

The optimal treatment for medically inoperable stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been defined.

Patients and Methods

Cancer and Leukemia Group B trial 39904 prospectively assessed accelerated, once-daily, three-dimensional radiotherapy for early-stage NSCLC. The primary objectives were to define the maximally accelerated course of conformal radiotherapy and to describe the short-term and long-term toxicity of therapy. Entry was limited to patients with clinical stage T1N0 or T2N0 NSCLC (< 4 cm) and pulmonary dysfunction. The nominal total radiotherapy dose remained at 70 Gy, while the number of daily fractions in each successive cohort was reduced.

Results

Thirty-nine eligible patients were accrued (eight patients each on cohorts 1 to 4 and seven patients on cohort 5) between January 2001 and July 2005. One grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity was observed in both cohort 3 (dyspnea) and cohort 4 (pain). The major response rate was 77%. After a median follow-up time of 53 months, the actuarial median survival time of all eligible patients was 38.5 months. Local relapse was observed in three patients.

Conclusion

Accelerated conformal radiotherapy was well tolerated in a high-risk population with clinical stage I NSCLC. Outcomes are comparable to prospective reports of alternative therapies, including stereotactic body radiation therapy and limited resection, with less apparent severe toxicity. Further investigation of this approach is warranted.
Epistemology of the Jungle: Progressive-Era Sexuality and the Nature of the Beast
Authors: Lundblad Michael
Published: November 2009

In Epistemology of the Closet, Eve Sedgwick argues that the discourse of sexuality shifted at the end of the nineteenth century from an emphasis on sexual acts to sexual identities. Sedgwick builds upon Foucault's famous declaration that the “species” of the homosexual was born at that moment. But Sedgwick and others working on histories of sexuality in the United States have elided what Lundblad identifies as the discourse of the jungle: Darwinist-Freudian constructions of “the human” and “the animal” that redefine various behaviors in relation to animal instincts. This discourse helps to explain why the discourse of sexuality shifted at the turn of the century, once heterosexuality was naturalized in the name of reproduction. Questions about human sexuality were soon framed within an evolutionary epistemology that was fundamentally new, but still in transition, at that time. After tracing the genealogy of the jungle through Darwin, Kipling, and Freud, Lundblad focuses on alternative constructions of the relationship between animality and sexuality that are revealed in Progressive-Era texts. These representations of “the beast” often seem to reinforce but actually resist the Darwinist-Freudian jungle, despite reigning critical interpretations by Sedgwick and others. Lundblad draws upon animality studies to reveal how Henry James's “The Beast in the Jungle,” as a foundational example, reads rather differently in light of sexual histories of the beast that are crucial but often overlooked in studies of U.S. literature and culture.
New Narrative and the Making of Language Poetry
Authors: Harris Kaplan Page
Published: November 2009

One of the foundational scenes of Language poetry was the San Francisco Bay area in the 1970s and early 1980s, specifically the urban concentration of activist poets who—in the face of regressive national politics—curated reading and lecture series, launched independent presses, and theorized a new way forward for the avant-garde. This scene has been the subject of anthologies, academic studies, and now memoirs that present the history of Language poetry largely on its own terms. Kaplan's essay argues, however, that central positions associated with Language poetry first took shape locally in conversations with New Narrative, a group of “fellow travelers” composed of Bay Area writers who combined queer practices and politics with the high stakes of formally innovative writing. Drawing on local small press publications and the transcripts of the Left/Write Conference (1981), this essay finds that Language poetry assimilated lessons from New Narrative that informed—and in some cases determined—its engagement with such issues as narrative structure, cultural politics, and sexual identity. More than an internecine quarrel among competing avant-gardes, these conversations ultimately demonstrate the need to situate such groups within the history of the American left, moving from the breakdown of grassroots coalitions of the sixties right through debates on the hierarchies of power in cultural life—in particular the critique of Marxian-derived models by gay and lesbian activists.
Indirect modulation of Shh signaling by Dlx5 affects the oral-nasal patterning of palate and rescues cleft palate in Msx1-null mice
Authors: Han Jun , Mayo Julie , Xu Xun , Li Jingyuan , Bringas Pablo , Maas Richard L. , Rubenstein John L. R. , Chai Yang
Published: November 2009

Cleft palate represents one of the most common congenital birth defects in human. During embryonic development, palatal shelves display oronasal (O-N) and anteroposterior polarity before the onset of fusion, but how the O-N pattern is established and how it relates to the expansion and fusion of the palatal shelves are unknown. Here we address these questions and show that O-N patterning is associated with the expansion and fusion of the palatal shelves and that Dlx5 is required for the O-N patterning of palatal mesenchyme. Loss of Dlx5 results in downregulation of Fgf7 and expanded Shh expression from the oral to the nasal side of the palatal shelf. This expanded Shh signaling is sufficient to restore palatal expansion and fusion in mice with compromised palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation, such as Msx1-null mutants. Exogenous Fgf7 inhibits Shh signaling and reverses the cranial neural crest (CNC) cell proliferation rescue in the Msx1/Dlx5 double knockout palatal mesenchyme. Thus, Dlx5-regulated Fgf7 signaling inhibits the expression of Shh, which in turn controls the fate of CNC cells through tissue-tissue interaction and plays a crucial role during palatogenesis. Our study shows that modulation of Shh signaling may be useful as a potential therapeutic approach for rescuing cleft palate.
Synthesis of Stereodefined 3-Alkylideneoxindoles by Palladium-catalyzed Reactions of 2-(Alkynyl)aryl Isocyanates with Thiols and Alcohols
Authors: Miura Tomoya , Toyoshima Takeharu , Ito Yoshiteru , Murakami Masahiro
Published: November 2009

The palladium-catalyzed reactions of 2-(alkynyl)aryl isocyanates with thiols and alcohols caused cyclization to give stereodefined 3-alkylideneoxindoles incorporating sulfanyl and alkoxy groups on the alkylidene unit, respectively.
Selective Production of Xylose and Xylo-oligosaccharides from Bamboo Biomass by Sulfonated Allophane Solid Acid Catalyst
Authors: Ogaki Yoshihiro , Shinozuka Yu , Hatakeyama Moriaki , Hara Takayoshi , Ichikuni Nobuyuki , Shimazu Shogo
Published: November 2009

Bamboo biomass was hydrolyzed by using sulfonated allophane catalyst and hemicellulose in bamboo was preferentially decomposed to xylose and xylo-oligosaccharides in the range from 130 to 160 °C.
Silyl Migration in Conjunction with Substitution on Silicon in Copper(I) t-Butoxide-promoted Coupling between o-Silylphenyl Ketones and Organic Halides
Authors: Tsubouchi Akira , Matsuda Hiroko , Kira Takashiro , Takeda Takeshi
Published: November 2009

(Z)-Di-t-butoxymethylsilyl enol ethers were stereoselectively produced by the copper(I) t-butoxide-promoted cross-coupling of o-(dimethylphenylsilyl)phenyl ketones with organic halides. The reaction proceeds via the formation of arylcopper species generated by silyl migration to enolate oxygen, accompanied by substitution of t-butoxy on silicon.
Secondary school teachers’ and pupils’ definitions of bullying in the UK: a systematic review
Authors: O’Brien Niamh
Published: November 2009

The aim of the systematic review (SR) reported in this article was to compare how UK secondary school pupils and teachers define bullying, using the analytical framework proposed by Naylor et al (2006). Findings were drawn from five major studies – two quantitative, two qualitative and one using mixed methods – and suggest that teachers are much more likely than pupils to employ broader definitions and to include indirect forms of bullying. Possible additions to Naylor et al’s framework are highlighted. The SR encompassed views from 3,283 pupils and 225 teachers, and a number of modest implications for policy and practice are identified.
Elevated vitamin D receptor levels in genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming rats are associated with downregulation of Snail
Authors: Bai Shaochun , Wang Hongwei , Shen Jikun , Zhou Randal , Bushinsky David A , Favus Murray J
Published: November 2009

Patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) and genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats, an animal model of IH, are both characterized by normal serum Ca, hypercalciuria, Ca nephrolithiasis, reduced renal Ca reabsorption, and increased bone resorption. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels are elevated or normal in IH and are normal in GHS rats. In GHS rats, vitamin D receptor (VDR) protein levels are elevated in intestinal, kidney, and bone cells, and in IH, peripheral blood monocyte VDR levels are high. The high VDR is thought to amplify the target-tissue actions of normal circulating 1,25(OH)2D levels to increase Ca transport. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms whereby Snail may contribute to the high VDR levels in GHS rats. In the study, Snail gene expression and protein levels were lower in GHS rat tissues and inversely correlated with VDR gene expression and protein levels in intestine and kidney cells. In human kidney and colon cell lines, ChIP assays revealed endogenous Snail binding close to specific E-box sequences within the human VDR promoter region, whereas only one E-box specifically bound Snail in the rat promoter. Snail binding to rat VDR promoter E-box regions was reduced in GHS compared with normal control intestine and was accompanied by hyperacetylation of histone H3. These results provide evidence that elevated VDR in GHS rats likely occurs because of derepression resulting from reduced Snail binding to the VDR promoter and hyperacetylation of histone H3. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The shifting trajectory of growth in femur length during gestation
Authors: Bjørnerem Åshild , Johnsen Synnøve L , Nguyen Tuan V , Kiserud Torvid , Seeman Ego
Published: November 2009

Bone size is a determinant of bone strength and tracks in its percentile of origin during childhood and adolescence. We hypothesized that the ranking of an individual's femur length (FL) is established in early gestation and tracks thereafter. Fetal FL was measured serially using 2D ultrasound in 625 Norwegian fetuses. Tracking was assessed using Pearson correlation, a generalized estimating equation model, and by calculating the proportion of fetuses whose FL remained within the same quartile. Baseline FL Z-score (weeks 10 to 19) and later measurements correlated, but more weakly as gestation advanced: r = 0.59 (weeks 20 to 26); r = 0.45 (weeks 27 to 33); and r = 0.32 (weeks 34 to 39) (p < 0.001). Tracking within the same quartile throughout gestation occurred in 13% of fetuses. Of the 87% deviating, 21% returned to the quartile of origin, so 34% began and ended in the same quartile, 38% deviated by one quartile, and 28% deviated by two or more quartiles by the end of gestation. A standard deviation higher baseline FL Z-score, placental weight (150 g), maternal height (5 cm), and weight (10 kg), was associated with a 0.25, 0.15, 0.10, and 0.05 SD higher FL Z-score at the end of gestation, respectively (p ranging from <0.001 to 0.02). Tracking within the same percentile throughout the whole of gestation, as suggest by growth charts, is uncommon. Deviation from tracking is more common and is the result of changes in growth velocity within and between fetuses and is partly influenced by maternal, fetal, and placental factors. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Rosiglitazone therapy is associated with major clinical improvements in a patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Authors: Gatti Davide , Viapiana Ombretta , Rossini Maurizio , Silvano Adami
Published: November 2009

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a rare genetic condition characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification, increasing disability, and cumulative immobility. Thiazolidinediones, introduced in 1999 for the treatment of diabetes, enhance bone marrow adipogenesis at the expense of new bone formation, and this might be exploited for the treatment of FOP. A 48-year-old woman with severe FOP characterized by continuous flares that she was partially controlling only with high prednisone doses was given rosiglitazone (initially 4 mg and then 8 mg daily) for 14 months. No new flare-ups were observed during rosiglitazone therapy as compared to the five episodes observed during the previous year while on 20 to 25 mg prednisone daily. The steroid dose could be lowered progressively to 5 mg/day, the skin became softer, and the articular mobility improved impressively. This case report seems to suggest that rosiglitazone therapy, possibly in association with small doses of prednisone, is associated with important clinical improvements in patients with FOP. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Filamin A regulates monocyte migration through Rho small GTPases during osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Leung Roland , Wang Yongqiang , Cuddy Karl , Sun Chunxiang , Magalhaes Joyce , Grynpas Marc , Glogauer Michael
Published: November 2009

Osteoclastogenesis (OCG) results from the fusion of monocytes after stimulation with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Migration of monocytes into close proximity precedes critical fusion events that are required for osteoclast formation. Cellular migration requires leading-edge actin cytoskeleton assembly that drives cellular locomotion. Filamin A (FLNa) cross-links F-actin filaments in the leading edge of migrating cells and also has been shown to regulate signal transduction during cell migration. However, little is known about the possible role of FLNa in osteoclastogenesis. Our objective in this study was to investigate the role of FLNa in osteoclastogenesis. Bone marrow monocytes isolated from the tibiae and femora of wild type (WT) and Flna-null mice were cultured for 6 days with M-CSF and RANKL, and osteoclasts were identified by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) staining. The Flna-null mouse skeletal phenotype was characterized using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to analyze the skeleton, as well as tests on blood chemistry. Osteoclast levels in vivo were quantified by counting of TRACP-stained histologic sections of distal femora. To elucidate the mechanisms by which Flna regulates osteoclastogenesis, migration, actin polymerization, and activation of Rho GTPases, Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA were assessed in monocytes during in vitro OCG. Deficiencies in migration were rescued using constitutively active Rac1 and Cdc42 TAT fusion proteins. The RANKL signaling pathway was evaluated for activation by monitoring nuclear translocation of NFκB and c-jun and expression of key osteoclast genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results show that Flna-null monocytes formed fewer osteoclasts in vitro, and those that were formed were smaller with fewer nuclei. Decreased OCG was reflected in vivo in TRACP-stained histologic bone sections. Flna-null monocytes experienced impaired migratory ability. When OCG was performed at increasing starting cellular plating densities in order to decrease intercellular distances, there was progressive rescue of Flna-null osteoclast formation comparable with WT levels, confirming that Flna regulates monocyte migration prefusion. Activation of the actin cytoskeleton regulators Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA and actin free-barbed end generation were partially or completely abrogated in Flna-null monocytes; however, monocyte migration was restored on rescuing with constitutively active Rac1 and Cdc42 TAT fusion proteins. We conclude that filamin A is required for osteoclastogenesis by regulating actin dynamics via Rho GTPases that control monocyte migration. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Origin matters: Differences in embryonic tissue origin and Wnt signaling determine the osteogenic potential and healing capacity of frontal and parietal calvarial bones
Authors: Quarto Natalina , Wan Derrick C , Kwan Matt D , Panetta Nicholas J , Li Shuli , Longaker Michael T
Published: November 2009

Calvarial bones arise from two embryonic tissues, namely, the neural crest and the mesoderm. In this study we have addressed the important question of whether disparate embryonic tissue origins impart variable osteogenic potential and regenerative capacity to calvarial bones, as well as what the underlying molecular mechanism(s). Thus, by performing in vitro and in vivo studies, we have investigated whether differences exist between neural crest–derived frontal and paraxial mesodermal–derived parietal bone. Of interest, our data indicate that calvarial bone osteoblasts of neural crest origin have superior potential for osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, neural crest–derived frontal bone displays a superior capacity to undergo osseous healing compared with calvarial bone of paraxial mesoderm origin. Our study identified both in vitro and in vivo enhanced endogenous canonical Wnt signaling in frontal bone compared with parietal bone. In addition, we demonstrate that constitutive activation of canonical Wnt signaling in paraxial mesodermal–derived parietal osteoblasts mimics the osteogenic potential of frontal osteoblasts, whereas knockdown of canonical Wnt signaling dramatically impairs the greater osteogenic potential of neural crest–derived frontal osteoblasts. Moreover, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) treatment induces phosphorylation of GSK-3β and increases the nuclear levels of β-catenin in osteoblasts, suggesting that enhanced activation of Wnt signaling might be mediated by FGF. Taken together, our data provide compelling evidence that indeed embryonic tissue origin makes a difference and that active canonical Wnt signaling plays a major role in contributing to the superior intrinsic osteogenic potential and tissue regeneration observed in neural crest–derived frontal bone. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research