bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accurate calibration method for 3D freehand ultrasound probe using virtual plane
Authors: De Lorenzo Danilo , Vaccarella Alberto , Khreis Ghassan , Moennich Holger , Ferrigno Giancarlo , De Momi Elena 
Published: November 2011

Purpose: In this paper a new, easy‐to‐manufacture and easy‐to‐use ultrasound (US) probe calibration phantom for 3D freehand scanning is presented and evaluated, together with a new method for achieving an accurate and user‐robust calibration using virtual plane.Methods: The phantom allows the optically tracked US probe to perform two rotations and two translations while keeping the image of a tensioned wire in the image plane. This approach allows obtaining a sharp image of the wire independently from the probe pose. The virtual plane allows the calibration algorithm to converge minimizing the required number of US probe tracked poses. The US image and position data are synchronized via a CORBA interface, created within the Image Guided Surgery Toolkit (IGSTK) framework. The calibration algorithm and the calibration protocol were evaluated in a set of experiments carried out by different test‐users.Results: The calibration method proved to be accurate and precise: 3D point reconstruction accuracy resulted 0.2 mm as mean value, while the precision was 0.4 mm as standard deviation.Conclusions: The technique showed to be suitable for medical applications from morphological diagnosis to intraoperative surgical planning adaption.
Rac signaling in osteoblastic cells is required for normal bone development but is dispensable for hematopoietic development
Authors: Lane Steven W. , De Vita Serena , Alexander Kylie A. , Karaman Ruchan , Milsom Michael D. , Dorrance Adrienne M. , Purdon Amy , Louis Leeann , Bouxsein Mary L. , Williams David A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) interact with osteoblastic, stromal, and vascular components of the BM hematopoietic microenvironment (HM) that are required for the maintenance of long-term self-renewal in vivo. Osteoblasts have been reported to be a critical cell type making up the HSC niche in vivo. Rac1 GTPase has been implicated in adhesion, spreading, and differentiation of osteoblast cell lines and is critical for HSC engraftment and retention. Recent data suggest a differential role of GTPases in endosteal/osteoblastic versus perivascular niche function. However, whether Rac signaling pathways are also necessary in the cell-extrinsic control of HSC function within the HM has not been examined. In the present study, genetic and inducible models of Rac deletion were used to demonstrate that Rac depletion causes impaired proliferation and induction of apoptosis in the OP9 cell line and in primary BM stromal cells. Deletion of Rac proteins caused reduced trabecular and cortical long bone growth in vivo. Surprisingly, HSC function and maintenance of hematopoiesis in vivo was preserved despite these substantial cell-extrinsic changes. These data have implications for therapeutic strategies to target Rac signaling in HSC mobilization and in the treatment of leukemia and provide clarification to our evolving concepts of HSC-HM interactions.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors impair NK cell viability and effector functions through inhibition of activation and receptor expression
Authors: Rossi Lucas E , Avila Damián E , Spallanzani Raúl G , Ziblat Andrea , Fuertes Mercedes B , Lapyckyj Lara , Croci Diego O , Rabinovich Gabriel A , Domaica Carolina I , Zwirner Norberto W 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTHDACi are being used as a novel, therapeutic approach for leukemias and other hematological malignancies. However, their effect on immune cells remains ill-defined, as HDACi may impair immune surveillance. In this work, we demonstrate that TSA, VPA, and NaB inhibited IFN-γ production by CD56dim and CD56bright NK cells and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against K562 target cells. HDACi promoted minor NK cell apoptosis but inhibited nuclear mobilization of NF-κB p50, which was accompanied by a robust down-regulation of NKG2D and NKp46 on resting NK cells and of NKG2D, NKp44, NKp46, and CD25 on cytokine-activated NK cells. Decreased CD25 expression promoted a weakened IFN-γ secretion upon restimulation of NK cells with IL-2, whereas reduced expression of NKG2D and NKp46 was accompanied by an impaired NKG2D- and NKp46-dependent cytotoxicity. Moreover, NK cells from normal mice treated in vivo with TSA displayed a diminished expression of NK1.1, NKG2D, and NKp46 and secreted reduced amounts of IFN-γ upon ex vivo stimulation with cytokines. Thus, our preclinical results indicate that HDACi exert deleterious effects on NK cell function, which may weaken immune surveillance and facilitate relapse of the malignant disease in HDACi-treated patients.
Temperature Dependence of Ion Mobility of Carbon Cluster Cations: Intermediate Region Connecting Low- and High-Field Conditions
Authors: Koyasu Kiichirou , Ohtaki Tomohiro , Misaizu Fuminori 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Effective temperature (Teff) dependences of reduced mobilities and collision cross section of small carbon cluster cations, Cn+ (n = 6–25), were investigated by using a drift cell with temperatures of 170–300 K coupled with a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. We have measured ion mobility within E/N = 16–28 Td, values of which are slightly higher than the general experimental value at low-field conditions. Thus, our conditions should correspond to medium field strength between low- and high-field conditions. Under the present conditions, collision cross section was found to be proportional to Teff−0.1 − Teff−0.2. The power in the temperature dependence was slightly closer to zero than results obtained previously (A. A. Shvartsburg, G. C. Schatz, M. F. Jarrold, J. Chem. Phys., 1998, 108, 2416). This difference is probably due to E/N, resulting in the difference of relative kinetic energy between Cn+ and buffer gas atoms, in spite of the same Teff region. The result showed that the hard-sphere model is more applicable in the present conditions.
Supramolecular Structures of Inclusion Complexes of C70 and Cyclic Porphyrin Dimers
Authors: Nobukuni Hirofumi , Kamimura Takuya , Uno Hidemitsu , Shimazaki Yuichi , Naruta Yoshinori , Tani Fumito 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Cyclic nickel and free-base porphyrin dimers (Ni2-CPDPy and H4-CPDPy) include fullerene C70 both in solution and in the crystals. Based on the 13C NMR spectra in solution, the included C70 molecule inside the cavity of Ni2-CPDPy shows both end-on and side-on orientations, whereas the C70 molecule within H4-CPDPy has only a side-on orientation toward the porphyrin rings. X-ray crystallography revealed both “end-on” and “side-on” orientations of C70 in the crystal structure of the inclusion complex of Ni2-CPDPy and C70. This is the first example of an X-ray crystallographic determination for an end-on orientation of C70 cocrystallized with porphyrins. On the other hand, only a side-on orientation of C70 was observed in the crystal structure of the complex of H4-CPDPy and C70. Further, a zigzag array of C70 molecules through van der Waals contacts with each other is formed along the monoclinic b axis in the latter crystal.
DNA methylation plays a crucial role during early Nasonia development
Authors: Zwier M. V. , Verhulst E. C. , Zwahlen R. D. , Beukeboom L. W. , van de Zande L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAlthough the role of DNA methylation in insect development is still poorly understood, the number and role of DNA methyltransferases in insects vary strongly between species. DNA methylation appears to be widely present among the social hymenoptera and functional studies in Apis have suggested a crucial role for de novo methylation in a wide variety of developmental processes. The sequencing of three parasitoid Nasonia genomes revealed the presence of three Dnmt1 (Dnmt1a, Dnmt1b and Dnmt1c) genes and one Dnmt2 and Dnmt3 gene, suggesting a role of DNA methylation in Nasonia development. In the present study we show that in Nasonia vitripennis all Dnmt1 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and Dnmt3 mRNA are maternally provided to the embryo and, of these, Dnmt1a is essential during early embryogenesis. Lowering of maternal Dnmt1a mRNA results in embryonic lethality during the onset of gastrulation. This dependence on maternal Dnmt1a during embryogenesis in an organismal group outside the vertebrates, suggests evolutionary conservation of the function of Dnmt1 during embryogenesis.
Reactions of staff members and lay people to family presence during resuscitation: the effect of visible bleeding, resuscitation outcome and gender
Authors: Itzhaki Michal , Bar‐Tal Yoram , Barnoy Sivia 
Published: November 2011

itzhaki m., bar‐tal y. & barnoy s. (2012) Reactions of staff members and lay people to family presence during resuscitation: the effect of visible bleeding, resuscitation outcome and gender. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(9), 1967–1977.AbstractAim.  This article is a report on a study conducted to examine the views of healthcare professionals and lay people regarding the effect of family presence during resuscitation on both the staff performing the resuscitation and the relatives who witness it.Background.  Family presence during resuscitation is controversial. Although many professional groups in different countries have recently issued position statements about the practice and have recommended new policy moves, the Israel Ministry of Health has not issued guidelines on the matter.Methods.  Study design is factorial within–between subjects. Data were collected in Israel in 2008 from a convenience sample of 220 lay people and 201 healthcare staff (52 physicians and 149 nurses) using a questionnaire based on eight different resuscitation scenarios and manipulating blood involvement and resuscitations outcome. Data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance.Findings.  Overall, both staff and lay people perceived family presence during resuscitation negatively. Visible bleeding and an unsuccessful outcome significantly influenced both staff’s and lay people’s perceptions. Female physicians and nurses reacted more negatively to family presence than did male physicians and nurses; lay men responded more negatively than lay women.Conclusions.  Changing the current negative perceptions of family presence at resuscitation requires (a) establishing a new national policy, (b) educating healthcare staff to the benefits of the presence of close relatives and (c) training staff to support relatives who want to be present.
Community pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hasan Sana , Sulieman Han , Chapman Colin B , Stewart Ka , Kong David C M 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Objectives
To identify the type and frequency of services provided through community pharmacies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods
A survey was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire distributed by hand to 700 community pharmacies. Items included information about the pharmacists and pharmacies, type of products sold, type and extent of enhanced services provided and perceived barriers to providing these services.

Key findings
Most pharmacies provided a wide range of medicinal and non-medicinal products. The frequency with which services were provided was assessed on a scale of 1 (never) to 5 (always). Enhanced professional services were not provided to a large extent in most pharmacies. Fewer than one-third (29%) reported they always supplied printed information to patients (mean = 3.37, 95% confidence interval = 3.23–3.52); fewer than one-third (28%) counselled patients on a regular basis (3.25, 3.09–3.40); nearly two-thirds (62%) reported monitoring patients' adherence to therapy at least sometimes (2.96, 2.81–3.10). Most pharmacies (92%) in the UAE did not routinely keep patient records (2.09, 1.96–2.32). While just over a quarter of respondents claimed that they always reported medication errors (27%) and adverse drug reactions (28%), these activities were not often performed in around 40% of pharmacies.

Conclusions
This is the first study to explore the type and extent of professional services provided through community pharmacies in the UAE and provides baseline data critical to inform the development of strategies to improve the quality of community pharmacy services.
THE VALUE OF MILK ACIDIFIED WITH LEMON JUICE
Authors: HESS ALFRED F. , MATZNER MILTON J. 
Published: November 2011

As is well known, laymen have a strong prejudice against giving orange juice and milk at the same meal. Physicians, including children's specialists, have encouraged this point of view, directing that the daily quota of orange juice be given at a time removed as far as possible from the milk feeding; the usual hour is 8 o'clock in the morning. Somewhat over a year ago, we began to add fruit juices directly to the milk formulas, instead of giving them to the infants separately and between feedings. Our object in diverging from this practice was twofold—to simplify the technic of feeding, and to render the milk more acid.It was shown convincingly by Clark, ten years ago,1 that although cow's milk is more acid than breast milk as judged by its hydrogen-ion content, it is intrinsically less acid, owing to the fact that it contains buffer constituents in much
Effect of Structural Parameters of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays upon Their Photocatalytic/Photoelectrocatalytic Performance
Authors: Zheng Qing , Li Jinhua , Chen Quanpeng , Bai Jing , Zhou Baoxue , Cai Weimin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe effect of structural parameters of TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) upon their photocatalytic/photoelectro‐catalytic performance is studied by comparing the morphological characteristics and physicochemical properties with different tube lengths prepared from three kinds of electrolytes. The results show that the UV‐Vis absorption edge of TNAs red‐shifted with the increment of tube length and the short TNAs possess higher bandgap energy. The variation tendency of electrochemical window of TNAs is DMSO (5.5 V)>Cit (3.2 V)>HF (1.8 V). The long TNAs possess higher photocatalytic (PC) reactivity suggesting the surface roughness factor is the main determinant of PC efficiency, although, there is obvious recombination effects for the long TNAs. Evidenced by the positive correlation between tube length and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) efficiency for TNAs from the same electrolyte, the enhancement of the tube length could lead to better PEC reactivity, but when the tube length is over a certain value, the PEC degradation rate no longer increases but decreases. The long TNAs with large surface roughness factor prepared from Cit and DMSO electrolytes exhibit comparative or even lower PEC performance compared with the short TNAs prepared from HF electrolyte, indicating that the PEC performance of TNAs was dominated by charge separation and photoelectron transfer properties rather than surface roughness coefficient and the tube length.
Regulating inflammation: ADAM8 – a new player in the game
Authors: Zarbock Alexander , Rossaint Jan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractLeukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation proceeds in a cascade‐like fashion. However, it is less clear how the complex interactions among the different adhesion molecules involved in this process are coordinately regulated. A report in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Eur. J. Immunol. 2011. 41: 3436–3442] shows that ADAM8 may participate in the control of the adhesion molecule P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand 1. This finding suggests a new role for ADAM8 in the regulation of inflammatory processes.
Health‐related quality of life among Darier’s disease patients
Authors: Dodiuk‐Gad R. , Cohen‐Barak E. , Ziv M. , Shani‐Adir A. , Amichai B. , Zlotogorski A. , Shalev S. , Rozenman D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground  Darier’s disease (DD) is an autosomal dominant skin disorder characterized by persistent eruption of hyperkeratotic papules. The effect of DD on quality of life (QOL) has been assessed in only one study, which found no correlation between the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score and clinical severity of the disease. The correlation between health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and other diseases and patient characteristics has not been studied.Objectives  To examine the HRQL of patients with DD and to evaluate the association between HRQL scores and disease and patient characteristics.Methods  A total of 74 DD patients completed three QOL questionnaires: DLQI, EQ‐5D, and one specially designed for the study. The data reported in this study were collected as part of a larger study on the clinical characteristics of DD; the socio‐demographic and clinical data were used in the statistical analysis of the current study.Results  Mean DLQI was 5.41 ± 5.57 and the mean EQ‐Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), was 70.84 ± 19.25. DLQI and EQ‐VAS were significantly associated with skin area affected, disease severity, age at onset of DD and a seborrhoeic distribution pattern of DD. Stepwise linear regression showed skin area affected to be the most significant variable in the predication of DLQI (beta = 0.183; SE = 0.04; P < 0.001), and disease severity the most significant variable in the predication of EQ‐VAS (beta = −9.15; SE = 3.21; P < 0.006).Conclusions  Darier’s disease has a negative impact on HRQL of patients and the HRQL is associated with various disease characteristics, mainly skin area affected and clinical severity.
Homologues and Bioengineered Derivatives of LtnJ Vary in Ability to Form
d
-Alanine in the Lantibiotic Lacticin 3147
Authors: Suda Srinivas , Lawton Elaine M. , Wistuba Dorothee , Cotter Paul D. , Hill Colin , Ross R. Paul 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Ltnα and Ltnβ are individual components of the two-peptide lantibiotic lacticin 3147 and are unusual in that, although ribosomally synthesized, they contain
d
-amino acids. These result from the dehydration of
l
-serine to dehydroalanine by LtnM and subsequent stereospecific hydrogenation to
d
-alanine by LtnJ. Homologues of LtnJ are rare but have been identified
in silico
in
Staphylococcus aureus
C55 (SacJ),
Pediococcus pentosaceus
FBB61 (PenN), and
Nostoc punctiforme
PCC73102 (NpnJ, previously called NpunJ [P. D. Cotter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 102:18584–18589, 2005]). Here, the ability of these enzymes to catalyze
d
-alanine formation in the lacticin 3147 system was assessed through heterologous enzyme production in a Δ
ltnJ
mutant. PenN successfully incorporated
d
-alanines in both peptides, and SacJ modified Ltnα only, while NpnJ was unable to modify either peptide. Site-directed mutagenesis was also employed to identify residues of key importance in LtnJ. The most surprising outcome from these investigations was the generation of peptides by specific LtnJ mutants which exhibited less bioactivity than those generated by the Δ
ltnJ
strain. We have established that the reduced activity of these peptides is due to the inability of the associated LtnJ enzymes to generate
d
-alanine residues in a stereospecific manner, resulting in the presence of both
d
- and
l
-alanines at the relevant locations in the lacticin 3147 peptides.
Predictors of early death in female patients with breast cancer in the UK: a cohort study
Authors: Stapelkamp Ceilidh , Holmberg Lars , Tataru Daniela , Møller Henrik , Robinson David 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo identify factors predicting early death in women with breast cancer.DesignCohort study.Setting29 trusts across seven cancer networks in the North Thames area.Participants15 037 women with primary breast cancer diagnosed between January 1996 and December 2005.MethodsLogistic regression analyses to determine predictors of early death and factors associated with lack of surgical treatment.Main exposuresAge at diagnosis, mode of presentation, ethnicity, disease severity, comorbidities, treatment and period of diagnosis in relation to the Cancer Plan (the NHS's strategy in 2000 for investment in and reform of cancer services).Main outcome measuresDeath from any cause within 1 year of diagnosis, and receipt of surgical treatment.ResultsBy 31 December 2006, 4765 women had died, 980 in the year after diagnosis. Older age and disease severity independently predicted early death. Women over 80 were more likely to die early than women under 50 (OR 8.05, 95% CI 5.96 to 10.88). Presence of distant metastases on diagnosis increased the odds of early death more than eightfold (OR 8.41, 95% CI 6.49 to 10.89). Two or more recorded comorbidities were associated with a nearly fourfold increase. There was a significant decrease in odds associated with surgery (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.35). Independently of disease severity and comorbidities, women over 70 were less likely than those under 50 to be treated surgically and this was even more pronounced in those aged over 80 (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.10). Other factors independently associated with a reduced likelihood of surgery included a non-screening presentation, non-white ethnicity and additional comorbidities.ConclusionsThese findings may partially explain the survival discrepancies between the UK and other European countries in female patients with breast cancer. The study identifies a group of women with a particularly poor prognosis for whom interventions aiming at early detection may be targeted.
Experiences with general practitioners described by families of children with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: a qualitative study
Authors: Fredheim Terje , Lien Lars , Danbolt Lars J , Kjønsberg Kari , Haavet Ole R 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo investigate parents' experiences of follow-up by general practitioners (GPs) of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) and comorbid behavioural and/or psychological problems.DesignQualitative study based on in-depth interviews with parents of children with ID and a broad range of accompanying health problems.SettingCounty centred study in Norway involving primary and specialist care.ParticipantsNine parents of seven children with ID, all received services from an assigned GP and a specialist hospital department. Potential participants were identified by the specialist hospital department and purposefully selected by the authors to represent both genders and a range of diagnoses, locations and assigned GPs.ResultsThree clusters of experiences emerged from the analysis: expectations, relationships and actual use. The participants had low expectations of the GPs' competence and involvement with their child, and primarily used the GP for the treatment of simple somatic problems. Only one child regularly visited their GP for general and mental health check-ups. The participants' experience of their GPs was that they did not have time and were not interested in the behavioural and mental problems of these children.ConclusionsFamilies with children with ID experience a complex healthcare system in situations where they are vulnerable to lack of information, involvement and competence. GPs are part of a stable service system and are in a position to provide security, help and support to these families. Parents' experiences could be improved by regular health checks for their children and GPs being patient, taking time and showing interest in challenging behaviour.