bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging Eurasian Continental Integration
Authors: Vinokurov Evgeny
Published: January 2014

The aim of this article is to review the tectonic changes in the structure of economic linkages in the Eurasian continent. Within the last two decades, the end of the autarky of China and the COMECON bloc led to a dramatic opening to the global economy and to cooperation within the Eurasian continent. This is particularly visible with regard to trade. It is also visible in investment, where Eurasia is not only more integrated but also multipolar. Emerging pervasive cooperation in the Eurasian landmass is primarily a bottom-up story, with intergovernmental cooperation lagging behind the rapid developments on the micro level of companies and people. Since Eurasian linkages are highly dependent on the development of common infrastructure, there has recently been a great deal of activity in this field. Still, the cross-border railway and automotive infrastructure and electric power linkages in particular remain hugely underdeveloped.

On the normative side of the evolving Eurasian continent-wide cooperation and integration, there is a need for a deliberately low-key, pragmatic, and technocratic agenda. Institutional integration faces numerous hurdles in Greater Eurasia: the asymmetries of size; the level of development; and political regimes. These hurdles are unlikely to be overcome in the coming decades. Structuring cooperation according to a functional principle and focusing on such domains as physical infrastructure, some sector-specific and continent-relevant elements of regulatory convergence, as well as counteracting continent-wide issues of “shadow integration,” ranging from drug trafficking to epidemiological threats, is therefore crucial.
The Economics of Pakistan–Afghanistan Relations: Implications for the Region
Authors: Zingel Wolfgang-Peter
Published: February 2014

Pakistan and Afghanistan are partners in the War against Terrorism that has tremendous repercussions on their economies. Bilateral relations have been difficult, as Afghanistan blames Pakistan of interfering in their internal affairs, while the war in Afghanistan has spilled over to Pakistan. Plans to tap the natural resources in both the countries, to link the gas and oil fields of Central Asia to the Sea and to exploit the opportunities of the emerging markets in Central Asia cannot materialise as long as the disturbances in Afghanistan and western Pakistan go on. Economic factors are intertwined with non-economic ones, mutually determining each other. As the USA and their allies have started to pull out their troops from Afghanistan, the neighbours have to find a new modus vivendi. In August 2013 their leaders begun to sort out problems of the transit trade that is vital for Afghanistan and that Pakistan has to make sure not to lose.
Memories of Post-imperial Nations: Silences and Concerns
Authors: Rothermund Dietmar
Published: February 2014

Seven nations lost their colonial empires after the World War II. Italy and Japan had to relinquish their colonies immediately after the war. Great Britain granted independence to India in 1947 and released most of its African colonies in 1960. France and the Netherlands reclaimed their colonies after recovering their sovereignty after the war, but they had to abandon them nevertheless after intense struggles. Belgium shared the same fate. Only Portugal clung to its ‘overseas provinces’ until 1974 when democratisation and decolonisation coincided. Scholars representing these seven nations met at Heidelberg University in May 2013 to compare notes concerning the post-imperial memories of their nations. The conference was supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation, Stuttgart. The period after decolonisation was characterised by long silences in the post-imperial nations. It is only in recent times that intensive debates of the imperial past and its conflicting memories have been conjured up.
“I Tell My Partner Everything . . . (or Not)”
Authors: Checton Maria G. , Greene Kathryn
Published: January 2014

This study is grounded in theories of information management. Patients with a diagnosed heart-related condition ( N = 253) completed a survey regarding their perceptions of sharing/not sharing information with a partner about their health condition. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that although most patients reported sharing “everything” with their partner, others reported not sharing certain topics such as health issues and physical symptoms/ailments. In addition, patients who reported sharing everything with a partner reported significantly greater communication efficacy, and breadth, depth, and frequency of communication about a heart-related condition compared with those who reported not sharing certain topics. Finally, as hypothesized, there were no significant group differences in terms of sharing specific physical and psychological health information. We discuss the findings and implications of the study for nursing practice.
Mental Health Effects of Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence Among Black and Hispanic Women
Authors: Bubriski-McKenzie Anne , Jasinski Jana L.
Published: February 2014

An important aspect of Johnson’s intimate terrorism (IT) and situational couple violence (SCV) typology is his assertion that victims experience different negative outcomes depending on which category of violence they endure. Anderson calls for reexamining this typology to highlight the importance of coercive control with or without physical violence present. Similar to most studies, Anderson’s research uses a sample that includes mostly White women. The current study employs Anderson’s methods and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses, but uses a sample of predominately Black women and Latinas from the 1998 Chicago Women’s Health Risk Study.
Baseline Immune Biomarkers as Predictors of MBSR(BC) Treatment Success in Off-Treatment Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Reich Richard R. , Lengacher Cecile A. , Kip Kevin E. , Shivers Steven C. , Schell Michael J. , Shelton Melissa M. , Widen Raymond H. , Newton Catherine , Barta Michelle K. , Paterson Carly L. , Farias Jerrica R. , Cox Charles E. , Klein Thomas W.
Published: January 2014

Researchers focused on patient-centered medicine are increasingly trying to identify baseline factors that predict treatment success. Because the quantity and function of lymphocyte subsets change during stress, we hypothesized that these subsets would serve as stress markers and therefore predict which breast cancer patients would benefit most from mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)-facilitated stress relief. The purpose of this study was to assess whether baseline biomarker levels predicted symptom improvement following an MBSR intervention for breast cancer survivors (MBSR[BC]). This randomized controlled trial involved 41 patients assigned to either an MBSR(BC) intervention group or a no-treatment control group. Biomarkers were assessed at baseline, and symptom change was assessed 6 weeks later. Biomarkers included common lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood as well as the ability of T cells to become activated and secrete cytokines in response to stimulation with mitogens. Spearman correlations were used to identify univariate relationships between baseline biomarkers and 6-week improvement of symptoms. Next, backward elimination regression models were used to identify the strongest predictors from the univariate analyses. Multiple baseline biomarkers were significantly positively related to 6-week symptom improvement. The regression models identified B-lymphocytes and interferon-γ as the strongest predictors of gastrointestinal improvement ( p < .01), +CD4+CD8 as the strongest predictor of cognitive/psychological (CP) improvement ( p = .02), and lymphocytes and interleukin (IL)-4 as the strongest predictors of fatigue improvement ( p < .01). These results provide preliminary evidence of the potential to use baseline biomarkers as predictors to identify the patients likely to benefit from this intervention.
Boundaries, Redistricting Criteria, and Representation in the U.S. House of Representatives
Authors: Bowen Daniel C.
Published: January 2014

Many U.S. states require redistricting authorities to follow traditional districting principles (TDPs) like the creation of compact districts and respecting the integrity of county and town boundaries. Reformers, academics, and other redistricting experts have long suggested that following such districting principles may enhance representation. Yet, very few academic studies have empirically examined these expectations. Using two measures of geographical compactness and a new measure of respect for political subdivisions (referred to as coterminosity) created with a geographic information system (GIS), the connection between district boundaries and representation is tested. The results show strong evidence that the use of geographic districting principles can enhance dyadic representation, as more compact and more coterminous districts are associated with more positive evaluations of legislative responsiveness and greater citizen-representative communication. Violating TDPs to advance other goals in redistricting like strict population equality between districts thus comes with a clear representational cost.
Mevalonate deprivation mediates the impact of lovastatin on the differentiation of murine 3T3-F442A preadipocytes
Authors: Elfakhani Manal , Torabi Sheida , Hussein Deema , Mills Nathaniel , Verbeck Guido F , Mo Huanbiao
Published: January 2014

The statins competitively inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase activity and consequently the synthesis of mevalonate. The use of statins is associated with insulin resistance, presumably due to the impaired differentiation and diminished glucose utilization of adipocytes. We hypothesize that mevalonate is essential to adipocyte differentiation and adipogenic gene expression. Adipo-Red assay and Oil Red O staining showed that an eight-day incubation with 0–2.5 µmol/L lovastatin dose-dependently reduced the intracellular triglyceride content of murine 3T3-F442A adipocytes. Concomitantly, lovastatin downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ ( Pparγ), leptin ( Lep), fatty acid binding protein 4 ( Fabp4), and adiponectin ( AdipoQ) as measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR). The expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 ( Srebp-1), a transcriptional regulator of Pparγ and Lep genes, was also suppressed by lovastatin. Western-blot showed that lovastatin reduced the level of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) while inducing a compensatory over-expression of HMG CoA reductase. The impact of lovastatin on intracellular triglyceride content and expression of the adipogenic genes was reversed by supplemental mevalonate. Mevalonate-derived metabolites have essential roles in promoting adipogenic gene expression and adipocyte differentiation.
Featured Article: Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells carrying the human receptor activity-modifying protein 1 gene improves cardiac function and inhibits neointimal proliferation in the carotid angioplasty and myocardial infarction rabbit model
Authors: Shi Bei , Long Xianping , Zhao Ranzun , Liu Zhijiang , Wang Dongmei , Xu Guanxue
Published: January 2014

Although transplanting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve cardiac function and contribute to endothelial recovery in a damaged artery, natural MSCs may induce neointimal hyperplasia by directly or indirectly acting on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) is the component and the determinant of ligand specificity of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). It is recently reported that CGRP and its receptor involve the proliferation and the apoptosis in vivo and in vitro, and the exogenous RAMP1 enhances the antiproliferation effect of CGRP in VSMCs. Here, we investigated the effects of MSCs overexpressing the human receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (hRAMP1) on heart function and artery repair in rabbit models of myocardial infarction (MI) reperfusion and carotid artery injury. MSCs transfected with a recombinant adenovirus containing the hRAMP1 gene (EGFP-hRAMP1-MSCs) were injected into the rabbit models via the ear vein at 24 h after carotid artery injury and MI 7 days post-EGFP-hRAMP1-MSC transplantation. The cells that expressed both enhance green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and CD31 were detected in the neointima of the damaged artery via immunofluorescence. EGFP-hRAMP1 expression was observed in the injured artery and infarcted myocardium by western blot analysis, confirming that the engineered MSCs targeted the injured artery and infarcted myocardium and expressed hRAMP1 protein. Compared with the EGFP-MSCs group, the EGFP-hRAMP1-MSCs group had a significantly smaller infarcted area and improved cardiac function by 28 days after cell transplantation, as detected by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and echocardiography. Additionally, arterial hematoxylin–eosin staining revealed that the area of the neointima and the area ratio of intima/media were significantly decreased in the EGFP-hRAMP1-MSCs group. An immunohistological study showed that the expression of α-smooth muscle antigen and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the neointima cells of the carotid artery of the EGFP-hRAMP1-MSCs group was approximately 50% lower than that of the EGFP-MSCs group, suggesting that hRAMP1 expression may inhibit VSMCs proliferation within the neointima. Therefore, compared with natural MSCs, EGFP-hRAMP1-engineered MSCs improved infarcted heart function and endothelial recovery from artery injury more efficiently, which will provide valuable information for the development of MSC-based therapy.
Cognitive representations of symptoms of acute coronary syndrome and coping responses to the symptoms as correlates to pre-hospital delay in Omani women and men patients
Authors: Al-Hassan Mousa A
Published: January 2014

The major purpose of this study was to describe gender-related cognitive representations of symptoms of acute coronary syndrome and coping responses to the symptoms as correlates to pre-hospital delay. Data were collected from 131 hospitalised Omani patients for acute coronary syndrome (81 men and 50 women) using a structured interview. Statistical analyses indicated that women perceived themselves as less susceptible to acute coronary syndrome than men. They reported the symptoms, shortness of breath and nausea/vomiting, more frequently than did men. Men who reported shorter pre-hospital delay were more likely to be free from diabetes, report neck pain, not experience left arm pain, attribute the symptoms to cardiac origin and not use the coping responses, ‘wait and see’ and ‘attempted to relax’. Whereas, women with shorter pre-hospital delay were more likely to experience sweating, perceive greater overall intensity of the symptoms and not report fear of diagnostic procedures as a barrier to seek healthcare early. The findings of this study suggest that, in women, the emotional aspect of the symptoms dominates the cognitive appraisal process, whereas the pathological aspect of the symptoms dominates the appraisal process in men.
Early ‘in-lab’ use of levosimendan in patients with cardiogenic shock unsuitable for intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation
Authors: Summaria Francesco , Mustilli Marina , Sette Antonella , Lanzillo Chiara , Romagnoli Enrico
Published: February 2014

Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation is currently the most used mechanical assistance device for patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction. However, a recently published meta-analysis and trial failed to confirm previous knowledge. We report the results of four patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction, complicated by cardiogenic shock unsuitable for intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation treated with early levosimendan infusion during primary percutaneous coronary intervention.
Efficacy and safety of olmesartan/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with hypertension not at goal with mono, dual or triple drug therapy: results of the CHAMPiOn study
Authors: Punzi Henry A.
Published: February 2014

Objective:

To assess the efficacy and safety of once daily olmesartan medoxomil (OM)/amlodipine besylate (AM)/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 40/10/25 mg in patients with hypertension not at goal with mono, dual or triple drug therapy.

Methods:

This was a single-center, prospective, open-label, blinded-endpoint study. After a 1-week screening visit, 40 patients were enrolled into the study and given once daily treatment with OM/AM/HCTZ after the patients underwent baseline ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) on their original therapy. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline in mean 24 h ABPM [systolic blood pressure (SBP)] after the first day of therapy with OM/AM/HCTZ 40/10/25 mg. Secondary endpoints were changes from baseline in mean 24 h ABPM [diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] after the first day of therapy with OM/AM/HCTZ 40/10/25 mg; mean changes from baseline in trough seated SBP (SeSBP) at day 1 and SeSBP at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4; mean changes from baseline in trough seated DBP (SeDBP) at day 1 and SeDBP at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4; and the percentage of subjects achieving mean 24 h, daytime and night-time ABPM BP goals.

Results:

The baseline paired t-test systolic ABPM was 134.0 ± 2.77 mmHg and day 1 was 128.6 ± 2.47 mmHg with a treatment difference of −5.55 ± 1.3 mmHg ( p<0.0001). At week 1, paired t-test ABPM SBP reduction was 117.7 ± 2.0 mmHg with a treatment difference of −16.5 ± 1.8 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 2, paired t-test ABPM SBP reduction was 115.8 ± 1.8 mmHg with a treatment difference of −18.4 ± 2.0 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 3, paired t-test ABPM SBP reduction was 115.5 ± 1.9 mmHg with a treatment difference of −18.6 ± 2.0 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 4, paired t-test ABPM SBP reduction was 115.5 ± 1.8 mmHg with a treatment difference of −18.6 ± 2.2 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). The baseline paired t-test SeSBP was 142 ± 2.43 mmHg and day 1 was 132 ± 2.59 mmHg with a treatment difference of −9.78 ± 1.51 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 1, paired t-test SeSBP reduction was 124.0 ± 1.6 mmHg with a treatment difference of −17.9 ± 1.8 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 2, paired t-test SeSBP reduction was 120.3 ± 1.7 mmHg with a treatment difference of −21.5 ± 2.1 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 3, paired t-test SeSBP reduction was 118.5 ± 1.8 mmHg with a treatment difference of −23.3 ± 1.7 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). At week 4, paired t-test SeSBP reduction was 119.6 ± 1.7 mmHg with a treatment difference of −22.2 ± 1.9 mmHg ( p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Treatment with OM/AM/HCTZ achieved superior (SBP) ABPM reductions compared with mono, dual or triple drug therapy, resulting in all patients achieving systolic ABPM goal without ABPM documented hypotension.
Methods and instrumentation for the biomechanical analysis of slalom water skiing
Authors: Bray-Miners Jordan , Runciman R John , Groendyk Nathaniel
Published: January 2014

Many highly dynamic sporting activities are now quantitatively analyzed to optimize athletic performance and provide information required for equipment optimization. Water skiing (with its challenging environmental conditions) has to date received only minimal attention in this area. The objective of this study was to create an instrumentation system suitable for analyzing the biomechanics of slalom water skiing. An instrumentation system and methodology were designed and implemented to collect quantitative data for slalom water skiing at the advanced level. The chosen performance parameters of interest for slalom water skiing turns were skier velocity, ski acceleration, ski deceleration, ski roll and rope load. Four sensors were used to collect data to calculate the parameters of interest: a boat-based global positioning sensor unit, a skier-mounted global positioning system unit, axial load transducer mounted in the tow rope and a ski-mounted inertial measurement unit. A novel custom-fabricated and programmed wireless communication system was incorporated in the study to allow rapid data communication and acquisition. Results indicate that the instrumentation system developed for this study was successful in providing the data deemed necessary for the biomechanical analysis of slalom water skiing. The data provide a unique look into the complex three-dimensional biomechanics of slalom water skiing. This same quantitative data would be suitable for advanced ski equipment design, injury prevention and high-level athlete coaching of slalom skiers. It is also expected that the equipment developed for this study would be suitable for use at novice and intermediate levels of water skiing and with minor alternations could be applied to the analysis of other open-water sports.
Hirsutism
Authors: Sornalingam Sangeetha , Cooper Max
Published: January 2014

Hirsutism is thought to affect 1 in 10 premenopausal women. The most common cause remains polycystic ovarian syndrome, however, other rare but serious diagnoses must be excluded. Regardless of the cause, hirsutism can have a significant effect on self-esteem and quality of life for those affected and GPs need to know how this condition can be managed.
How to Win Acceptance of the Inequality Process as Economics?
Authors: Angle John
Published: January 2014

The Inequality Process (IP) is a particle system model similar to that of the Kinetic Theory of Gases. The IP is a parsimonious model of competition among people for wealth. The IP explains a wide scope of stable patterns in the distribution of personal income and wealth. Econophysicists have adopted the IP as part of their field, but the IP has been ignored or rejected by economists even though economists claim expertise on the distribution of personal income and wealth. The academic discipline of statistics in the US claims expertise on data analysis. Yet from the mid-twentieth century on, advances in computationally intensive algorithms for data analysis were developed largely outside of the discipline of statistics. Not until experts on this new paradigm of data analysis diverted resources away from traditional, old paradigm statisticians, was the new paradigm widely accepted in the discipline of statistics, even though a few statisticians had contributed to computationally intensive data analysis all along. This article’s thesis is that the IP will follow a path into economics similar to that taken by computationally intensive data analysis into statistics, once useful applications of the IP are found and experts on the IP divert resources away from economists. That day is not at hand. There are no applications of the IP to business or government at present. One conceivable application of the IP to market research, small area estimation of personal income distribution, is suggested.
Econophysics Research in India in the Last Two Decades
Authors: Ghosh Asim
Published: January 2014

We discuss here researches on econophysics done in India in the last two decades. The term ‘econophysics’ was formally coined in India (Kolkata) in 1995. Since then many research papers, books, reviews, etc., have been written by scientists. Many institutions are now involved in this research field and many conferences are being organized here. In this article we give an account (of papers, books, reviews, papers in proceedings volumes, etc.) of this research from India.
Modelling of Stock Returns and Trading Volume
Authors: Kaizoji Taisei
Published: January 2014

In this study, we investigate the statistical properties of the returns and the trading volume. We show a typical example of power-law distributions of the return and of the trading volume. Next, we propose an interacting-agent model of stock markets inspired from statistical mechanics ( Kaizoji & Kaizoji, 2003 ) to explore the empirical findings. We show that as the interaction among the interacting traders strengthens, both the returns and the trading volume present power-law behaviour.
Non-linearities in Emerging Financial Markets: Evidence from India
Authors: Bhattacharya Ayan , Sensarma Rudra
Published: January 2014

Efficiency and predictability of financial markets are inherently linked to the statistical properties of market indicators. While many papers have researched non-linearities in developed financial markets, this article examines chaotic dynamics in daily data taken from four financial markets in India, an emerging economy. The financial markets considered are the stock market, the foreign exchange market, the money market and the bond market. We employ four tests for detecting non-linearities, such as the BDS test on raw data, the BDS test on pre-whitened data, Correlation Dimension test, and Brock’s Residual test. We find that the market indicators are not characterized by white noise or GARCH processes. Our results do not provide evidence for chaos but indicate the presence of other non-linear deterministic processes. These findings have important implications for investments in these markets.
A Case of Primary HIV Type 1 and Cytomegalovirus Coinfection Presenting with Widespread Clinical Disease
Authors: Kim Joseph Y. , Singer Elyse J. , Bonelli Laura , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2014

Coinfection of HIV-1 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) may occur given the shared routes of transmission, and the clinical presentations of each process overlap. We present a case of acute HIV-1 and CMV coinfection presenting with an acute febrile illness complicated by meningitis, hepatitis, and retinopathy. This and other similar cases demonstrate the need to consider CMV coinfection in acute HIV-1 disease, particularly in situations with significant end-organ damage.
The Hodson Shop
Authors: Shreeve Sheila B.
Published: January 2014

In about 1920, Miss Edith Hodson set up a draper’s and haberdasher’s shop at the family home in front of her brother Edgar’s lock factory in the Midlands town of Willenhall. This article explains how the author became involved with the shop’s remaining stock and looks at some of the customers’ experiences of it. It goes on to describe the collection of clothes and related items, mostly comprising working-class women’s and children’s garments and accessories from 1920 to the early 1960s. The collection includes Utility pieces, quantities of haberdashery, and costume jewellery and cosmetics of the 1950s. A large archive has also been preserved of the shop’s paperwork (bills, invoices, bank statements, correspondence), warehouse catalogues, advertising pamphlets and women’s magazines. The ownership of the collection was passed to Walsall Museum in February 1993.
Public Service Outsourcing and its Employment Implications in an Era of Austerity: The Case of British Social Care
Authors: Cunningham Ian , James Philip
Published: January 2014

Utilising an institutional, inter-organisational and inter-personal framework, longitudinal qualitative data are used to examine the changing nature of state–voluntary sector relationships in the area of social care outsourcing and its implications for the terms and conditions of those employed by Scottish voluntary organisations. Over the period 2002 to 2008/09, against the background of funders seeking to pass on efficiencies to voluntary organisations, these relationships have become increasingly cost-based and ‘arm's-length’. This has been accompanied by downward pressure on staff terms and conditions, which are intensifying because of more draconian public expenditure cuts. Consequently, voluntary sector employers are increasingly converging on an employment model based on low pay and more limited access to sickness, pension and other benefits that is informed strongly by narrow financial logics.
Influence of elevated Co and Ti levels on polycrystalline powder processed Ni-base superalloy
Authors: Jones N. G. , Christofidou K. A. , Mignanelli P. M. , Minshull J. P. , Hardy M. C. , Stone H. J.
Published: February 2014

The influences of elevated Co and Ti levels on the mechanical properties of the Ni-base superalloy RR1000 have been investigated. Following heat treatment, the modified alloys had the typical γ–γ′ microstructure, with γ′ precipitate sizes comparable to similarly heat treated RR1000, but with a slightly higher volume fraction. The modified alloys exhibited a higher proof stress than RR1000 across the entire 20 to 800°C temperature range investigated. Superior creep rupture lives, when compared to RR1000, were observed in the modified alloys at 700°C, but not at 750°C, where extensive precipitation of topologically close packed σ phase occurred on the grain surfaces. The formation of this deleterious phase was linked to Cr and Mo enrichment of the γ matrix, caused by the elevated Co and Ti additions.
Essential role of BRG, the ATPase subunit of BAF chromatin remodeling complexes, in leukemia maintenance
Authors: Buscarlet Manuel , Krasteva Veneta , Ho Lena , Simon Camille , Hébert Josée , Wilhelm Brian , Crabtree Gerald R. , Sauvageau Guy , Thibault Pierre , Lessard Julie A.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

Quantitative proteomics identifies BRG as the main ATPase of BAF complexes expressed in leukemia. BRG is essential for the proliferation of leukemic cells.
QTrim: a novel tool for the quality trimming of sequence reads generated using the Roche/454 sequencing platform
Authors: Shrestha Ram Krishna , Lubinsky Baruch , Bansode Vijay B , Moinz Mónica BJ , McCormack Grace P , Travers Simon A
Published: January 2014

Background

Many high throughput sequencing (HTS) approaches, such as the Roche/454 platform, produce sequences in which the quality of the sequence (as measured by a Phred-like quality scores) decreases linearly across a sequence read. Undertaking quality trimming of this data is essential to enable confidence in the results of subsequent downstream analysis. Here, we have developed a novel, highly sensitive and accurate approach (QTrim) for the quality trimming of sequence reads generated using the Roche/454 sequencing platform (or any platform with long reads that outputs Phred-like quality scores).

Results

The performance of QTrim was evaluated against all other available quality trimming approaches on both poor and high quality 454 sequence data. In all cases, QTrim appears to perform equally as well as the best other approach (PRINSEQ) with these two methods significantly outperforming all other methods. Further analysis of the trimmed data revealed that the novel trimming approach implemented in QTrim ensures that the prevalence of low quality bases in the resulting trimmed data is substantially lower than PRINSEQ or any of the other approaches tested.

Conclusions

QTrim is a novel, highly sensitive and accurate algorithm for the quality trimming of Roche/454 sequence reads. It is implemented both as an executable program that can be integrated with standalone sequence analysis pipelines and as a web-based application to enable individuals with little or no bioinformatics experience to quality trim their sequence data.
Variant calling in low-coverage whole genome sequencing of a Native American population sample
Authors: Bizon Chris , Spiegel Michael , Chasse Scott A , Gizer Ian R , Li Yun , Malc Ewa P , Mieczkowski Piotr A , Sailsbery Josh K , Wang Xiaoshu , Ehlers Cindy L , Wilhelmsen Kirk C
Published: January 2014

Background

The reduction in the cost of sequencing a human genome has led to the use of genotype sampling strategies in order to impute and infer the presence of sequence variants that can then be tested for associations with traits of interest. Low-coverage Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is a sampling strategy that overcomes some of the deficiencies seen in fixed content SNP array studies. Linkage-disequilibrium (LD) aware variant callers, such as the program Thunder, may provide a calling rate and accuracy that makes a low-coverage sequencing strategy viable.

Results

We examined the performance of an LD-aware variant calling strategy in a population of 708 low-coverage whole genome sequences from a community sample of Native Americans. We assessed variant calling through a comparison of the sequencing results to genotypes measured in 641 of the same subjects using a fixed content first generation exome array. The comparison was made using the variant calling routines GATK Unified Genotyper program and the LD-aware variant caller Thunder. Thunder was found to improve concordance in a coverage dependent fashion, while correctly calling nearly all of the common variants as well as a high percentage of the rare variants present in the sample.

Conclusions

Low-coverage WGS is a strategy that appears to collect genetic information intermediate in scope between fixed content genotyping arrays and deep-coverage WGS. Our data suggests that low-coverage WGS is a viable strategy with a greater chance of discovering novel variants and associations than fixed content arrays for large sample association analyses.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis used for the phylogeny of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex based on a pyrosequencing assay
Authors: Cabal Adriana , Strunk Mark , Domínguez José , Lezcano María Antonia , Vitoria María Asunción , Ferrero Miguel , Martín Carlos , Iglesias María José , Samper Sofía
Published: February 2014

Background

Different polymorphisms have been described as markers to classify the lineages of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The analysis of nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was used to describe seven SNPs cluster groups (SCGs). We attempted to classify those strains that could not been categorized into lineages by the genotyping methods used in the routine testing.

Results

The M. tuberculosis complex isolates collected in 2010 in our region were analysed. A new method based on multiplex-PCRs and pyrosequencing to analyse these SNPs was designed. For the pyrosequencing assay nine SNPs that defined the seven SCGs were selected from the literature: 1977, 74092, 105139, 232574, 311613, 913274, 2460626, 3352929 and gyrA 95. In addition, SNPs in kat G463, mgtC

182
, Ag85C
103 and RDRio deletion were detected.

Conclusions

This work has permitted to achieve a better classification of Aragonian strains into SCGs and in some cases, to assign strains to its certain lineage. Besides, the description of a new pattern shared by two isolates “SCG-6c” reinforces the interest of SNPs to follow the evolution of M. tuberculosis complex.
Repeated mapping of cortical language sites by preoperative navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation compared to repeated intraoperative DCS mapping in awake craniotomy
Authors: Krieg Sandro M , Sollmann Nico , Hauck Theresa , Ille Sebastian , Meyer Bernhard , Ringel Florian
Published: January 2014

Background

Repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was recently described for mapping of human language areas. However, its capability of detecting language plasticity in brain tumor patients was not proven up to now. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate such data in order to compare rTMS language mapping to language mapping during repeated awake surgery during follow-up in patients suffering from language-eloquent gliomas.

Methods

Three right-handed patients with left-sided gliomas (2 opercular glioblastomas, 1 astrocytoma WHO grade III of the angular gyrus) underwent preoperative language mapping by rTMS as well as intraoperative language mapping provided via direct cortical stimulation (DCS) for initial as well as for repeated Resection 7, 10, and 15 months later.

Results

Overall, preoperative rTMS was able to elicit clear language errors in all mappings. A good correlation between initial rTMS and DCS results was observed. As a consequence of brain plasticity, initial DCS and rTMS findings only corresponded with the results obtained during the second examination in one out of three patients thus suggesting changes of language organization in two of our three patients.

Conclusions

This report points out the usefulness but also the limitations of preoperative rTMS language mapping to detect plastic changes in language function or for long-term follow-up prior to DCS even in recurrent gliomas. However, DCS still has to be regarded as gold standard.
Isoquercitrin activates the AMP–activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal pathway in rat H4IIE cells
Authors: Zhou Jingxin , Yoshitomi Hisae , Liu Tonghua , Zhou Boxin , Sun Wen , Qin Lingling , Guo Xiangyu , Huang Liansha , Wu Lili , Gao Ming
Published: February 2014

Background

Isoquercitrin, a flavonoid compound that is widely distributed in medicinal and dietary plants, possesses many biological activities, including inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effect of isoquercitrin on lipid accumulation and its molecular mechanisms in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells.

Methods

To investigate the effect of isoquercitrin on lipid accumulation, H4IIE cells were induced by FFA and the total lipid levels were detected by Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, The protein levels of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the gene expressions of transcriptional factor, lipogenic genes, and adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) were analyzed by Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. To further confirm the pathway of isoquercitrin-mediated hepatic lipid metabolism, H4IIE cells were treated with an AMPK inhibitor and AdipoR1 siRNA.

Results

Isoquercitrin significantly enhances AMPK phosphorylation, downregulates sterol regulatory element binding protein transcription factor 1 (SREBP-1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expressions. Pretreatment with AMPK inhibitor, significantly decreased the AMPK phosphorylation and increased FAS expression stimulated by isoquercitrin. Isoquercitrin might also upregulate the expression of AdipoR1 dose-dependently via AMPK in the presence of an AMPK inhibitor and AdipoR1 siRNA.

Conclusions

Isoquercitrin appears to regulate AMPK activation, thereby enhancing AdipoR1 expression, suppressing SREBP-1 and FAS expressions, and resulting in the regulation of lipid accumulation. These results suggest that isoquercitrin is a novel dietary compound that can be potentially be used to prevent lipid metabolic disorder and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Relationship between vitamin D status and the inflammatory state in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Grzanka Alicja , Machura Edyta , Mazur Bogdan , Misiolek Maciej , Jochem Jerzy , Kasperski Jacek , Kasperska-Zajac Alicja
Published: February 2014

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is an immune-inflammatory disease, characterized by acute phase response (APR) and immune activation. There has been increasing evidence showing that vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is associated with increased incidence and/or severity of immune-inflammatory disorders.

Aim

To assess relationship between vitamin D status and C-reactive protein (CRP), a nonspecific inflammatory marker of CSU activity.

Methods

Concentrations of CRP and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a biomarker of vitamin D status were measured in serum of CSU patients and compared with the healthy controls.

Results

Serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in CSU group as compared with the normal subjects. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) was significantly higher in patients with CSU than among normal population. There were no significant differences in prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency between the groups. Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients as compared with the healthy subjects. There were no significant correlations between CRP and 25(OH)D concentrations in CSU patients.

Conclusions

CSU is associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentration and higher prevalence of its deficiency. The results failed to show any effect of vitamin D status on circulating CRP concentrations in CSU. A potential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis and/or additive therapy of CSU needs to be examined in other cohorts of CSU patients as well as in larger studies.
Calcifying fibrous tumor presenting as rectal submucosal tumor: first case reported in rectum
Authors: Im Soyoung , Jung Ji-Han , Yoo Changyoung , Choi Hyun Joo , Yoo Jinyoung , Kang Chang Suk
Published: February 2014

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a recently recognized rare benign lesion characterized by dense hyalinized collagenous tissue with interspersed spindle cells and a lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate. Calcification is the hallmark of CFT and may present in the form of psammomatous bodies or dystrophic calcifications. CFT of the intestinal tract is uncommon and rectal CFT has never been reported. Recently, we experienced a case of CFT found in the rectum of a 36-year-old man. In this study, we described the characteristic histopathological findings with a review of the relevant literature. Although CFT of the intestinal tract as an intrinsic visceral lesion is unusual and clinically unexpected, CFT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rectal submucosal tumor.
How evidence-based workforce planning in Australia is informing policy development in the retention and distribution of the health workforce
Authors: Crettenden Ian F , McCarty Maureen V , Fenech Bethany J , Heywood Troy , Taitz Michelle C , Tudman Sam
Published: February 2014

Background

Australia’s health workforce is facing significant challenges now and into the future. Health Workforce Australia (HWA) was established by the Council of Australian Governments as the national agency to progress health workforce reform to address the challenges of providing a skilled, innovative and flexible health workforce in Australia. HWA developed Australia’s first major, long-term national workforce projections for doctors, nurses and midwives over a planning horizon to 2025 (called Health Workforce 2025; HW 2025), which provided a national platform for developing policies to help ensure Australia’s health workforce meets the community’s needs.

Methods

A review of existing workforce planning methodologies, in concert with the project brief and an examination of data availability, identified that the best fit-for-purpose workforce planning methodology was the stock and flow model for estimating workforce supply and the utilisation method for estimating workforce demand. Scenario modelling was conducted to explore the implications of possible alternative futures, and to demonstrate the sensitivity of the model to various input parameters. Extensive consultation was conducted to test the methodology, data and assumptions used, and also influenced the scenarios selected for modelling. Additionally, a number of other key principles were adopted in developing HW 2025 to ensure the workforce projections were robust and able to be applied nationally.

Results

The findings from HW 2025 highlighted that a ‘business as usual’ approach to Australia’s health workforce is not sustainable over the next 10 years, with a need for co-ordinated, long-term reforms by government, professions and the higher education and training sector for a sustainable and affordable health workforce. The main policy levers identified to achieve change were innovation and reform, immigration, training capacity and efficiency and workforce distribution.

Conclusion

While HW 2025 has provided a national platform for health workforce policy development, it is not a one-off project. It is an ongoing process where HWA will continue to develop and improve health workforce projections incorporating data and methodology improvements to support incremental health workforce changes.
A note on ‘ψ-Geraghty type contractions’
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Samet Bessem
Published: February 2014

Very recently, the notion of a ψ-Geraghty type contraction was defined by Gordji et al. (Fixed Point Theory and Applications 2012:74, 2012). In this short note, we realize that the main result via ψ-Geraghty type contraction is equivalent to an existing related result in the literature. Consequently, all results inspired by the paper of Gordji et al. in (Fixed Point Theory and Applications 2012:74, 2012) can be derived in the same way.

MSC:47H10, 54H25, 46J10, 46J15.
Multiplicity of positive solutions for Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems of fractional differential equations with p-Laplacian
Authors: Lu Hongling , Han Zhenlai , Sun Shurong
Published: January 2014

In this article, we investigate the Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems of fractional differential equations with p-Laplacian

{

D

0
+

β

(

ϕ
p

(

D

0
+

α

u
(
t
)
)
)
+
f
(
t
,
u
(
t
)
)
=
0
,

0
<
t
<
1
,

ξ
u
(
0
)
−
η

u
′

(
0
)
=
0
,

γ
u
(
1
)
+
δ

u
′

(
1
)
=
0
,

D

0
+

α

u
(
0
)
=
0
,

where

1
<
α
≤
2

,

0
<
β
≤
1

,

D

0
+

α

,

D

0
+

β

are the standard Caputo fractional derivatives,

ϕ
p

(
s
)
=
|
s

|

p
−
2

s

,

p
>
1

,

ϕ
p

−
1

=

ϕ
q

,

1
/
p
+
1
/
q
=
1

,

ξ
,
η
,
γ
,
δ
≥
0

,

ρ
:
=
ξ
γ
+
ξ
δ
+
η
γ
>
0

, and

f
:
[
0
,
1
]
×
[
0
,
+
∞
)
→
[
0
,
+
∞
)

is continuous. By means of the properties of the Green’s function, Leggett-Williams fixed-point theorems, and fixed-point index theory, several new sufficient conditions for the existence of at least two or at least three positive solutions are obtained. As an application, an example is given to demonstrate the main result.

MSC:34A08, 34B18, 35J05.
CX3CR1 deficiency suppresses activation and neurotoxicity of microglia/macrophage in experimental ischemic stroke
Authors: Tang Zhiwei , Gan Yan , Liu Qiang , Yin Jun-Xiang , Liu Qingwei , Shi Jiong , Shi Fu-Dong
Published: February 2014

Background

Chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1)/ CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling is important in modulating the communication between neurons and resident microglia/migrated macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS). Although CX3CR1 deficiency is associated with an improved outcome following ischemic brain injury, the mechanism of this observation is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate how CX3CR1 deficiency influences microglia/macrophage functions in the context of its protection following brain ischemia.

Methods

Wild-type (WT) and CX3CR1-deficient (CX3CR1-/-) mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion. The ischemic brain damage was monitored by rodent high-field magnetic resonance imaging. Neurological deficit was assessed daily. Neuronal apoptotic death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analyzed by immunostaining and live imaging. Activation/inflammatory response of microglia/macrophage were assessed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling, cytokine ELISA, and real-time PCR.

Results

CX3CR1-/- mice displayed significantly smaller infarcts and less severe neurological deficits compared to WT controls, following MCAO. In addition, CX3CR1-/- MCAO mice displayed fewer apoptotic neurons and reduced ROS levels. Impaired CX3CR1 signaling abrogated the recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages from the periphery, suppressed the proliferation of CNS microglia and infiltrated macrophage, facilitated the alternative activation (M2 state) of microglia/macrophages, and attenuated their ability to synthesize and release inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that inhibition of CX3CR1 signaling could function as a therapeutic modality in ischemic brain injury, by reducing recruitment of peripheral macrophages and expansion/activation of CNS microglia and macrophages, resulting in protection of neurological function.